Morning ladies!

Boy I am tired, just having such a hard time sleeping lately; I toss and turn, get neck cricks, flip over, oh it's so frustrating. I think I am fighting off a bug or something too. Speaking of. Time for another Cold-Eeze (those things do seem to be keeping this at bay) for the most part.

Tonight we have softball, final night of the season. As long as we keep winning, we will have to play three games tonight and the high is only 48 - and.... by the time we start at 6pm the sun is already gone. Brrrr! Well, between exercise on the field and my body working hard to keep warm, it should burn lots of calories at least.

Because of that, I use Wednesdays as my 'day off'. I don't go nuts, but nor do I bash myself for eating things I don't normally indulge in. For example, breakfast was two burritoes from McDonalds. Yup, bad carbs and high in fat - but no hating on myself for it today. For lunch I have my left over Oven Baked Chicken (SBRecipe) and artichokes. A yogurt as a snack, and a SlimFast Optima before I head off. (They are really good, they are a lower sugar/carb version of the original, but I was very pleased to see they did not go buck wild on the fat to compensate.)

Can't believe the week is half way through already! What's worse, I can't believe the year is almost over. HOLY COW! Looking forward to tax returns already! Can finally pay off the gym membership that I never use.

Hi, I'm new to the beach and started on Monday, the 1st. I'm a little frustrated and have noticed that I made some incorrect assumptions on some foods that I thought I could eat, so I am adjusting back to the correct way today and it's only day 3, but I will keep at it. I got into the candy last night too. Oops!

I also lost about 20 pounds on WW in 2003, then went on the 6WBMO (Michael Thurmond) in June and lost another 17 pounds. Was great, but I have gained most of it back. On that plan I was 164 and got to 147 and a goal of 143. Monday I weighed 158 and I now have a goal of 140. My goal is to be a solid size 10, which I was at 147, but 140 will give me more room. My husband thinks I am obsessing about this, but I know I would feel better.

I do the treadmill at 3 mph for at least 45 minutes a day, while I watch Alias on DVD - got to get thru season 3 before January (I love this show - I'm watching again for fun). I also try to include some of my 6WBMO sculpting every other day for toning. Don't have a lot of time. I have 3 kids - 14, 11 and 2, and between church activities, music lessons, concerts, etc., I don't have a lot of time for a gym or anything else. Add to that the stress of an umemployed spouse and talk of divorce and doing counseling, life pretty much stresses me out right now and makes me crave sugar!!! I try to go for a Diet Rite when that happens.

Anyway, sorry to dump on everyone. Just need a couple of buddies to keep me going. You all are doing so great. If anyone has any advise for Phase I, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Sher - Do not worry about dumping on us. It is what helps us when we get stressed out! I can understand what you are going through. My DH has been out of work 3 years now. Hopefully some of our stress will be gone now that the election is over. He is very much into politics and my political opposite! I've been divorced twice so if you ever want to talk privately just PM me.

I've been stopping at the gym on the way home from work but I wouldn't worry about it if I were you since you are finding time for the treadmill. I use the treadmill when I can't get to the gym. The important thing is that you are getting exercise.

Unfortunately, since you got into the candy last night, you may find that you have not gotten rid of all your cravings at the end of your two weeks and you may want to do Phase 1 an extra couple of days. It is important that we not cheat in phase 1 since we are trying to detox from the sugar.

Barb -

Thanks for the advise. I wasn't really craving it, just ate it. Wierd, huh!

Anyway, I am going to go for a large salad at lunch. I don't like veggies much, and I know we are not to count lettuce, but I will try to see what I can find. If you have any thoughts on that, let me know.

I drink plenty of water and will modify my proteins too. Is there a limit on fats and calories that we should be watching?

Good Morning....
Work has been insane this morning...This is the first time I've had a chance to look in.

Kim- I'm a newcomer too...but the recipes posted on the other SBD thread were what convinced me I could do this. So far I've tried the turkey chili, white chili, eggplant manicotti (only I was lazy and made it like lasagne instead of all the pre-cooking and rolling...but it tasted great).... and the "potato" salad... Everything is delicious... My Sunday afternoons are now slated for cooking....

I'm still on plan.... It's the weekends I have trouble wanting to cheat a little here and there.

Ruth- What play are you in? I'm directing one right now for a little theatre in a neighboring community: "1940s Radio Hour." And yes...I've had to replace five actors so far this time out and we're only six weeks in. Lots of people think they can do it...but don't really have a clear picture of the time it takes to put a show on. I even changed one male role to a woman's because there was someone to play it I could count on...lol.....

Hope everyone has a good day.

Cheri, it's the "Last of the Red Hot Lovers", a Neil Simon comedy. The so-called actor has promised to be at rehearsal tonight. The Producer and Director will decide tonight whether to pull the plug! It depends on how well he has his lines as he is onstage through the whole show! Hmmmm....guess I'd better do some more work on mine. I'm nearly there!

Just a quick check in today...yesterday was so full of anxiety, I was having trouble catching my breath. But, I did get my cardio workout in. That forced me stop scurrying around and gave me some thinking time.

Anyway, I had a dental appointment first thing in the morning yesterday to have a new crown put in. Dentist decided that he should so it without freezing.

Then....an hour later had the BIG appointment with the specialist. The last batch of tests that he ran do not show any of the signs of cancer that were previously there. Soooo, he took a biopsy yesterday, will have that sent out to be absolutely sure and hopefully that will be just about the end of that. He has still scheduled me for surgery, but it is not so critical to have it right away. Consequently, it will probably be in about 9 months, unless the biopsy shows abnormal cells. Another week or so to wait.

I just want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They really mean so much to me...not to mention the forum that you all provide to vent when I need it. You are all great.

Anyway, must go. It's just about workout time and I can't use that to be chatting here. Hope you all have a great day. Take care.

Oh, Peggy, we are all so relieved! I am sure the biopsy will be fine! What a worry this has been on top of all the other Life stuff going on! (((Peggy)))

Oh, Chickies, it's wonderful to see so many of you here in the daily, but I must admit that I just can't get to everyone this late in the game! Sorry about that!!! I did read all the posts, though...and am so proud of all of you who stood in line to vote yesterday. Regardless of the outcome, we can all rejoice in the high voter turnout yesterday...I love that we are taking part in our democracy!

I echo Ellis, though ...I am definitely bummed out today... I think everyone is just exhausted after last night. It's weird in our "instant gratification society" to have to wait for something!

Other than that, the fall colors are beautiful, I got through 30 mins of hard cardio this morning (yippee!) and have Pilates to look forward to tonight!

Bups, one of my favorite casserole dishes is a Phase 1 dish in the SBD Cookbook. It's an eggplant and chicken casserole...awesome! I don't have the recipe with me, but if I remember, I'll type it in tomorrow. I think it would make a great lunch!

Alli, I think all that exercise is amazing! Are there ways you can make your meals more SBD friendly and fast for you on Wednesdays? You'll see the weight fall off if you eat on plan and do all that exercise! I know it can be hard, but you will be so much more healthy if you stay on plan, even if you eat more food on those days. Just take gentle care of yourself, okay?

Last night we had this great chicken and bell pepper recipe from Cooking Light. You are supposed to have it with orzo and feta cheese, but I couldn't find WW or durum semolina orzo, so instead I got a different small kind of durum semolina. Boy was it good with the feta...and it really complemented the spicy chicken.

Not much else to say...but know that I appreciate you for making this forum a nurturing place...truly. :

Peggy... Thanks for keeping us posted on your condition that by the way seems to have went away! woohoo! Praise God! Still prayin through the biopsy! I'm sure you were very relieved!

Peggy, I am SO happy to hear your news, sweetie. You must feel like a huge weight has been lifted.

Peggy, I was thrilled to hear your news...I think my brain and made me forget to include it in my post! I'm so sorry...you always remember all of us in yours!

Anyways, a belated CONGRATULATIONS for doing so well and being so positive in spite of this scary issue. Now you have even more to celebrate...I think you deserve a new outfit!

Hi Ya'll, Day 3 for me and still holding on....today did seem harder and I might go to bed early because I heard the snacks calling me from the kitchen!!! I'm so glad I found this place because of all the great info! You guys always sound so positive! Keep up the good work everyone and GOOD NIGHT!!!