Hey Lynne and Kathy--well surgery is set--Feb. 8th. I'll be out of work until March 24. Hubby and I are hoping to go to Florida the last 3 weeks of my recovery. But we aren't making reservations yet--we're going to play it by ear and see how I'm feeling.
Lynne--get your butt out the door and walk--I"d LOVE to be able to go for a walk--but we're in a VERY DEEP FREEZE--way below zero. So when you start procrastinating remind yourself that their are many people like me around who would gladly take your place if they could--WALK, WALK, WALK GIRL!!! Glad to hear you don't sound as bummed about the move--it would be nice to get closer to Josh's school--now if we could solve your sleeping problems---
Gonna run--I've got a million things to do. I walked in from work and started answering my E-mails etc. Haven't even talked to Hubby--and he's sounding a little perturbed
We are going out of town--in spite of the cold so I won't touch base for a few days. Stay focused--your worth it!!
Jo

Hey ladies--back from the lake. It was pretty cozy in the fish house--but bitter cold outside. Fish weren't biting so we came home early..Well I had 1/2 pound gain for the week. I knew last weeks 3 1/2 had something to do with being sick but I'm happy with the 3. Back to the basics this week. Light exercise and watching what I'm eating.
Did you get out for a walk Lynne?? Hope so.
Kathy--have you left us???
Guess Kermie still hasn't found the thread. I'll try e-mailing her again.
Talk tomorrow. Let me know how your all doing?
Jo

Sorry I haven't been around. I put my two school age girls into public school this week. We have been having a very trying time with the 9 yr old wanting to go back and the 11 yr old decided she wanted to go back also. It's better to let them go back than end up hating me and school. Although when they are teenagers, I'm sure they'll hate me for something!!
For all the stress of the last week, I managed to lose 1 pound and that being with TOM starting yesterday!
I do the Leslie Sansone Walk Away The Pounds 3 Miles for Abs video. I impressed myself by doing the video 6 days in a row(18 miles!!!), but then I took 3 days off They say if you are walking to lose weight you shouldn't take more than 1 or 2 days off. I know why-you don't want to start again! But I will get my behind up every morning and get going! I would like to see more than -1 a week.

Jo, I'm glad they finally scheduled your surgery. Won't it be nice to be done with it all? Will you take HRT or go with natural alternatives? We call my MIL the "witchdoctor" of the family with all the herbs she takes and passes out to everyone, but she has never had a hotflash! I don't know if it's the herbs or if she's just lucky, but I plan on taking the herbs!

Lynne, I hope you're having good luck finding a house. Don't forget to take care of yourself!

Talk with you all later!
Peace,
Kathy

Kathy-glad to hear from you again. I know it was a hard decision to stop home schooling but sometimes we have to let go for a while. In a year or two they may decide it wasn't such a bad deal staying home--
Good for you losing weight this week. It's very hard not to stress eat--I'm proud of you!! A pound is a pound!! I'm down this morning--weight wise but probably because I'm sick again. It has really been hard on me not feeling well for such an extended time. I'm NEVER sick and I admit I don't have the patience to be sick---bronchitis, ear infection and sinus infection this time. Started on antibiotics last night. Stayed home from work today to give myself a little extra rest. I have to get well before surgery--sure don't want to postpone it. Not sure if I'm going with HRT or not. I have an excellent doctor (female) who has guided me thru this whole mess for the last 12 years so I'll go with her recommendations. We had talked about a low dose patch --but there are a whole slew of new creams etc out there that I may try. You have to go to a compounding pharmacy and they mix them specifically for you. Be careful with the herbs etc. They are not very well regulated and can be dangerous. If you do use them--only use the same brand all the time. Anything manufactured in Germany is safe--they have very strict regulation there that no other country has. I do soy products to relieve some symptons but find that healthy diet and exercise help as well as anything. Limit my caffine and drink very limited amounts of pop. Also I drink green tea--but not nearly in the amounts they suggest. 1-2 cups a day. Can't wait to be able to start walking again--I sure miss all the benefits from it. I sleep like a baby when I get in a good walk--also don't get integestion , heartburn etc. when I walk a lot--not sure why but I do feel better all around. have been doing short walks when I have the energy--10-15 minutes. Shoveled my sidewalk this morning--wore me out but the fresh--COLD air felt good!
Lynne--how are you couping? Any thing new from the landlord??? How are you doing on your bike riding and exercise??
Gonna go ladies. Have been up for a few hours, just doing light stuff around the house and I'm still "pooped" out. Guess the sidewalk shoveling was a little too heavy for me today
Once again--great hearing from you Kathy--stay in touch and keep up the good work--without the kids around all day you may be able to step up your program at home--even a few extra minutes a day adds up at the end of the week
Jo

Hi guys

I'm sorry it's been a few days since my last post. I'm trying to juggle too many things at once at the moment, and as usual, getting on the pc comes last!

I'm not quite sure what's happening about the move, but I'm having a garage sale on the weekend, and I'm going to start packing things we don't use much, and hopefully that will help make things happen quickly if I find another house. I've made an offer to the landlord to get out quickly, as long as he's prepared to compensate me, ie free rent, to help cover the costs.

Every day I plan to exercise, and every day stuff comes up, I end up rushed off my feet, and STILL feel like I haven't done much! I'm going to have to start making schedules and lists to help look at why I can't seem to keep up. I know that running a house, looking after 2 kids, working part time and cooking for mum is a full-on job, but I get so frustrated that I can't seem to manage better. I am trying to get better sleeps though - I got the parents to take the kids on Sunday night, and I had a big lie in the next day, which made a huge difference. I was feeling quite perky that day!

Jo, I'm sending out posititive vibes for your surgery, and I hope that it will mean you feeling more like your normal self. It's hard to function when you're feeling so run down. I know! Hopefully you'll have a speedy recovery and then can go and have a nice relaxing holiday! Don't worry about the little gain. I think you can ignore your weight to a large degree until you have had your surgery, because your lifestyle isn't "normal" and so any weight fluctation is just a part of what's going on in your life right now. I have to say that considering you have been unwell, and haven't exercised much, you are doing really well to lose!!! BRAVO!! I KNOW I should get out there, but something always gets in the way. Marc used to tell me off, and my trainer did too. I get so caught up in trying to keep the house tidy, and look after the kids etc, that I leave myself till last - and then it doesn't happen. Which is why I need to have a close look at what I'm doing and work out how to maximise my time and improve my quality of life and health!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy, WOO HOO on the weight loss! I think you're doing so well! Don't worry if you didn't exercise for a few days. The experts actually recommend about 4 days of exercise a week, where you do approx. 30 minutes of aerobic activity. And then on the other days, do more if you can manage, or incidental exercise, such as shopping, washing the car, housecleaning, etc.

I'm amazed that I haven't gained weight. I think all the incidental exercise of chasing after the kids, puppy, cleaning, etc has helped!

Ok, I'm going to ring my trainer right now......

Kathy, you said you've sent your girls to school - do they just go somewhere local? I'm sure they will enjoy being with other kids their age. Josh has really missed hanging out with his friends and having that social and mental stimulation every day. I'VE missed him being at school - ha ha It's so draining looking after both of them everyday. I find that I don't get as much done.

Trainer is out, but I've left a message. I WILL get back into my gym!!!!!!

I'd better go. Lunch break is up.

I know I've said it before, but I'm sorry I'm being such a sour puss. I hate being like this. I don't like feeling out of control. I've just got to find that motivation and BELIEF that I had before.
Thanks for your support and friendship.

Bye for now!

Lynne--don't be too hard on yourself. Your doing pretty darn good for all the stressors you have going on right now. You DO have have a pretty good attitude about the move and all. Things will get settled down sooner or later--in the meantime keep doing the best you can--just for tomorrow--let some of the housework go and help yourself! You may find you actually accomplish more each day when you do take the time to exercise. I know I'm more productive when I've had a good workout in the morning. Try getting up 15 minutes earlier and get on your bike--you can do your day planning as you peddle away--and not feel like you should be doing something else instead of exercising because your doing it before you should even be out of bed!
Kathy--hope it's going well for you. I finally saw the tape you work out with advertised in an Avon book--I had never heard of it. It does look like a good one.
My week has been ok.--I'm feeling a little better. The antibiotics have kicked in. I'm pretty sure I've lost a little again. I don't have much of an appetite--but I have been really concentrating on eating healthy. I really need lots of protein. Weigh in in the morning--THE SCALE WILL TELL
1/2 pound or so a week is ok with me for now--certainly better than gains all the time--and the fact that I lost during the holidays is a REAL moral booster. I haven't had an appetite is most of the reason--but I am going to pat myself on the back because I have made the healthy choices I have--I have made a conseincious effort to avoid sweets--and other empty calories.
Gonna run--we're having a real snow storm today--and I'm going to enjoy watching the snowflakes fall!!! It is BEAUTIFUL!!!
I'll touch base when I can this weekend. We're going to the lake in the morning...
Jo

Lynne & Kathy--just a quick post. Just got back from the lake and lots of stuff to get done before work tomorrow. Did have a 1 pound loss this week--of course 1/2 of it was the gain from last week--so I'm down 1/2 pound--I"LL TAKE IT!!!!

Hope your both having a good weekend.
Jo

Hellllooooooooo!

Guess what?? I FINALLY got on my bike yesterday! YYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!

I had a GREAT day yesterday. I woke up feeling very energised and full of plans for the day. We got lots done, looking at houses, shopping, etc. And Josh and I tidied up the back garden from the garage sale - it's been so hot here that things were melting! And we had a bit of a splash in our little paddling pool that I bought the kids - it's really cute. It's wide enough that I can lie down in it, and it has a colourful gazebo over it to give shade. After that I made the kids a lovely chicken salad dinner and then I hopped on my bike while they ate! And then I had the same.....

I'm not quite sure why, but it feels like I've turned a corner, and I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts! I think that recognising that I've got too much on my plate, and working out how to get things sorted so that I don't feel so overwhelmed, has helped. Also I think all the nights of trying to get to bed at a decent time are starting to pay off. I even slept solidly last night without dreaming or waking.

Jo, well DONE on the loss this week! I definitely agree that you deserve a pat on the back - when I'm sick I eat WORSE than normal, so the fact that you are trying really hard to eat well is VERY commendable! Glad you're feeling better too. Must be helping heaps!

Gosh, I've just realised the time. I've got to go and make our lunch - we're having ham and cheese toasties. Do you have those? I like putting tomato and basil in mine. It's a really nice alternative to the normal sandwich, and I have it with salad and soup. I butter the bread on one side, and then put the toppings on the unbuttered side, and then put the sandwich in a heated frying pan - no oil or anything - on low, with the butter on the outside. It's so yummy and a long time favourite!!!!

*drool* Can you tell I love my food??!! I think I'd better sign off and go and feed myself! ha ha

Kathy, hope all's well.

Chris and Kermie, we really hope to hear from you soon.

Bye!

PS Happy Australia Day!

PPS I hate this heat - all you want to do is sit in the shower all day!

Lynne--was happy to hear from you yesterday. Good for you getting on the bike--did you sleep better after the exercise? I didn't have a very good night. My daughter is out of the country and her oldest son had to have emergency surgery--on his 15th birthday no less. I spent most of the night on the phone with foriegn speaking people trying to get a message to her--what a nightmare. She had left a phone number but the phone service in the Dominican Republic is so sporadic I couldn't get thru--she did finally return my calls--not sure if she got it from her cell phone, computer or the hotel. I get so angry with her for traveling so much and leaving her children with their Au Pair. wish she would concentrate on raising the kids now and travel when their grown---but you can't tell her anything
Health wise I'm feeling pretty good. Still have a cough hanging on but the spells are getting further apart--usually during the night or after I've been in the cold air. Surgery date is getting closer and I'm looking forward to it--not really the surgery but the finalization of putting these particular health problems behind me. It will be so good to get up every morning and be able to tell myself that I'll feel better than the day before and have it be the TRUTH!! It will also be nice to start exercising again without worrying about getting the great "flood" started up again. Seems like the least thing on the semi-intense side gets the flow going heavier--carrying a basket of laundry up the stairs or carrying in a bag of grocery's and I'm in the bathroom immediately---UGHHHHHH!!!
Have you and Josh found any house that looks promising?? How did your garage sale go??? I never have garage sales--I usually donate to a charity. I don't have the patience to price everything and set it all out--it's a lot of work! When my children were little I did have a sale every year or two--usually just before school started to have a little extra money to spend on new school clothes for them--and I had them to help me with the set up and CLEAN_UP after!
Enough for tonight. Hubby is up north so I'm going to put my feet up for a change--and be in control of the remote----what a treat!
Kathie--how are things going for you???
Talk tomorrow.
Jo

I feel like the real me is slowly starting to emerge from a cocoon... does that sound loony?? I'm really trying to get back on track with everything. I'm focussing on my healthy eating again, and got back into the gym today. I always forget how much I miss it until I get in and do it. I'm feeling very energised and motivated. It's so good to be that way again! I'm in the process of packing, which is giving me the chance to do a bit more spring cleaning. Had quite a good chat with my sister today about trying to be more organised in my day-to-day life. Trying to have a good routine that I can work with that helps get everything done. Sounds a little bit over the top, but certainly might help me feel that I have more control. I don't think I can ever be one of those people who runs to a set time schedule, but I certainly think it would help if I nominate certain days for certain activities and make sure I stick to them. One things for sure = I really need to schedule in the exercise again - getting up in the morning and getting on my bike was a great way to get it done - I agree with you Jo, it certainly helps kick start the day....

I hope your grandson is ok. It's wierd talking about au pairs. We don't have them here. We have babysitters and nannies, but not many people use them to such an extent. There's such a push for mum's to stay home with the kids here. Mind you, you then get criticised for bludging off the government if you're a single parent. But if you try to work you're criticised for neglecting your kids!

I'd better go, I've gotta get some spag bol cooking.....

Talk again soon....

Bye!

Hi pals ol' buddies ol' friends of mine!

Hee hee ... I'm at work, enjoying a chicken, lettuce and sweet chili sauce sandwich with a cup of soup and fruit.....

Yes, it's safe to say that I am FINALLY back in the world of weight loss!

All that crazy talking to myself has finally paid off! I'm really determined to look after myself more. As you would know, when you've been trying to lose weight for such a long time, the whole issue about body image, emotional eating, other people's influences, self-doubt, etc etc all become an awful cycle that is hard to break out of. I think that by me looking at who I was 10 years ago, and saying goodbye to that person, and just looking at who I am TODAY and what I want to do for myself NOW has made a big difference. Instead of focussing on how much I've failed by gaining all this weight, and how I wish I could look like I used to, I'm looking at who I am now, saying "hey I'm a great chick, but I think I need to lose a bit" and then working on doing it! I guess that's the joy of a new year!!!!!!

So I have been eating well, have managed to get through 5 days without any junk food, and only ate one chocolate donut when I was out shopping with the kids yesterday. I've got a busy weekend coming up so am determined to stay away from the alcohol - I'm still trying to get my mind off the weekend drinking sessions that I've done for so long.

I haven't been able to exercise the last couple of days cos I've done something to my back, and am really fretting. I'm going to try to get on my bike tonight if my back's settled down.

How's everyone else? I hope you're having a positive healthy week... and if not.. come in here and I'll share some of mine!

By the way, I read my last post, and I have to apologise if it sounded really rambling! When I was talking about being organised, what I meant is that by schedulling my time MORE EFFICIENTLY I might be able to then make time for myself, and feel less rushed and stressed. I manage to get things done now - just - but it's always chaotic, and I always feel like I'm only just managing to keep up. Part of that is feeling so tired and depressed, but I think that's changing - I even did all my ironing the other night, for the first time in AGES!

I'd better go, got things to do!

Take care.

Hi Lynne--happy to see two posts from you. I'm feeling pretty good today. Still some adominal swelling and soreness but a little better each day. When I went into the hospital I was down another 2 pounds and feeling great! Then 2 days after surgery I got on the scale and had gained 13.5 pounds. Of course I knew it was water weight but it was still a bit of a shock. Finally most of it is gone today. Won't weigh until next weekend--by then I should get a more accurate weight. I'll be back to a more normal eating schedule and exercise. Still sleeping a lot now-which is normal I'm told.
Still don't have my appointments set for seeing the cancer specialists but it will be in about 2 weeks. Their waiting for all of the biopsies to get back before setting me up with him. Sure hope I'm not facing another surgery too quickly--I'd like some time to recoup but I'll go with what they recommend.
Good for you getting back with a schedule Lynne--It is the only way I get it done--first thing in the morning. Make it your priority for a while--then it becomes habit. Also after eating healthy for a while the un-healthy stuff doesn't even taste good. I plan on walking a little tomorrow--5-10 minutes at a time. I've been up most of today--but I did sleep in late and napped for about 30 minutes after the grandchildren went home. Other than that I've kept moving--much to my hubby's disapproval. He thinks I should vegitate for a while--but I just can't do that. I know from my own past experience that the more I move the quicker I recover.
Gonna run....superbowl Sunday here and the games coming from my hometown--Jacksonville, Fl. I like watching for all the great commercials that come on:
Stay in touch--I plan on posting every day now that I'm off work for 7 weeks--until I leave for vacation in 3 weeks. Stay motivated Lynne--YOUR WORTH IT!! Life is too short to waste it not feeling good about ourselves.
Jo

Well--so much for posting every day. Hubby was home yesterday and kept fussing at me to rest so I didn't get to the puter for long. Had a ton of e-mails from family that had to be answered. Today he's at work and I'm doing what I want----a little LIGHT cleaning---can't do much with a 15 pound lift restriction--everything weighs more than that!!! A little walking--but not far--too cold out. and a lot of reading. Did some laundry--stuff you don't get to do often--scatter rugs etc. That way I don't have to carry a laundry basket--just a small armload at a time. Straightened a spare room closet and loaded the dishwasher. Going on another short walk in a bit--then I'll read away the afternoon. I could get to like this staying home fulltime!!!! I have an appointemnt with the cancer experts on the 24th. Probalby won't hear anything else before then. It's driving hubby crazy not knowing but I'm not thinking about it much. Figured I'm in the Lords hands now so why should I spend my time worrying--that won't change anything and the stress will only delay my recovery from the surgery I already went thru. Still planning on going to Virginia and Florida in a few weeks to finish my recovery. The scale is looking pretty good these days--but my tummy is still so swollen I don't see it in the mirror. Once everything gets back to normal I hope to be under 200---it's been a while since I've seen those numbers---how is your loss going Lynne? Sorry to hear you've tweaked your back again. Try doing some slow stretches etc before jumping on the bike--if that doesn';t help--then go for a short walk instead of the ride. The important thing is to keep moving and keep the routine going. Remember--first thing in the morning is the best--before you get busy with the kids and running a household! I can't wait to get out for a good long walk--hoping by the end of the week. I'm 1 week out of surgery and ahead of schedule now so I think I can do it--if the darn weather cooperates! Until then I'm up and down the stairs at least once an hour and moving around in between. Not near the levels my body is used too but I problably don't need as much to still lose. I know it takes a tremendous amount of energy to heal your body--and I still don't have much of an appetite--not complaining about that though---it's a blessing!
Let me know how your doing--talk about a rambling post talk tomorrow--
Jo
PS--Kathy where are you????

Hi all

Jo, I'm glad to hear you're recovering well. I have to agree with your hubby - don't try to push it, you might not realise you're exhausting yourself until it's too late! But you are allowing yourself good quality reading time - that's a definite plus! I have to admit, you're a lot like me: can't keep still! I remember when I was seeing a counsellor when I was stressed a couple of years ago, and he and Marc were both telling me I needed to slow down and have quiet "me" time. I said, "how is that possible when there's so much to do and you can SEE it!?"
I'm sure you've told us, but what's with the cancer checkup? What a worry! I hope it comes back clear. It's the last thing you need on top of everything else!!!

I wonder what's happened to the others? We're a little bunch these days aren't we?

As you can imagine, my days are rather hectic at the moment. We found a house, and amazingly it's only about 3 blocks from where we are now!!! I can practically WALK the furniture around there! It's a very pretty looking house, and the bedrooms are nice and big for the kids, but there are a few things I'm not too crazy about. However, beggers can't be choosers, and it was becoming quite obvious that there isn't a lot of good quality housing at low prices on the rental market at the moment. Fortunately this one's only $10 a week more than the one we're in now - $220 I can cope with. A lot of what I was looking at was easily $250 +, and that's starting to stretch the budget. The other good bit of news is that the Government Housing Trust approved giving me the bond (4 week's rent) and first 2 week's rent, so that made everything a lot easier.
Because I've found a house so quickly, and we're moving in 1 1/2 weeks, and the Housing Trust helped with the money, it means that we can still go to New Zealand in March, which is great. I'm partly looking forward to it, and partly dreading it, because the last time I went it was with Marc on our honeymoon. I think it's going to be very emotionally draining. Thank goodness mum and dad are going as well!

My eating has been pretty good. I am really trying to remind myself that I want to look after myself and improve my body this year, so overall my choices are definitely better. The odd naughty thing creeps in, but certainly not as bad as it was a couple of weeks ago! And I'm certainly getting lots of exercise with all the packing, and carrying boxes and household items out to the car, and into the new house!

The kids are very excited about the new house. We've been going around there almost every day since I signed on Saturday. We take stuff there, for example a toy of Becky's, and I'll say, "let's put it in Becky's room!", so it's giving them heaps of time to get used to the idea of being there. Josh is stoked at having such a big bedroom - I've hated how small their rooms have been, and the fact that it was so hard for him to have anything out.

I'm hoping to be up and running fairly quickly, but if not, I'll just keep in touch when I come into work, which is Monday, Wed and Friday. So I will still be around, but maybe not as often for a little while.

Oh, and I think I've lost a little weight, but I thought I'd give it a month before I start officially weighing again - I didn't want to get discouraged if I had put on too much weight. I haven't been hopping on and off the scales lately, which is a good thing. I really must get rid of them - I just get panicky if I can't see what I weigh at least every 2nd day! I know it's a bad habit. Ideally I should only weigh in once a week when I go to the gym - maybe I'll make that my next challenge!

I am proud of the fact that this whole move bizzo has not made me binge more. I like the fact that I'm looking at this optomistically and reminding myself that my weight and life goals are more important than caving everytime something bad happens. It's a rather significant step, considering I have been an emotional eater for years! (**patting myself on the back!**)

Bye for now, and take care!

Lynne--so happy you've found a new home--and so close. That will sure help make the move easier. It's nice when you can move a little at a time then when it all has to go in a few hours! Easier on the children as well. Glad to hear you made it thru your latest life crisis so well and didn't succomb to the stress eating New Zealand sounds wonderful. Did Marc's parents come for the funeral or is this the first time you've seen them??? I hope they can give you some of the emotional support your own family hasn't. They will probably feel the need to "talk" about Marc and share happy memories with you.
I guess you missed the e-mail I sent to you when I first got home from the hospital. I have been diagnoised with cancer. It is in the ovarian cancer family but it is a far rarer form of it. Very little is known about it other than it typically is a slower growing and less aggessive form then regular ovarian cancer. It wasn't in my female organs , it was attached to my omentum(fatty abdominal lining), bladder and colon. I am seeing a specialist in St. Paul. Their are very few doctors that have worked with this type of cancer. The treatment varies depending on how far advanced it is so I won't know until after the 24th what they are going to do with me. In most cases they do not do Chemo, they treat it with aggressive debuking (surgical removal of tumors) and medicaltion. Then they follow up with regular cat scans and Ca125 testing. I have a lot of people praying for me so I am at peace. Like I said--the Lord has me in his hands so I'm not going to stress out about it. I have been weighing myself everyday--doctors orders. They want to make sure I'm not building up fluids. Down another pound today That makes a total of 17.5. YAHOOOOOOOO!!!! I would be more comfortable weighing once a week=--but until my recheck I'll weigh everyday. I know that the pound a day I have been losing is from the fluid buildup and once it's gone the weightloss will return to my usual 1-2 pounds a week. I can hardly wait until I see the scale under 200----
Gonna run--keep up the packing and moving--it is good exercise, but try to keep up the formal exercise too--it helps give you more energy and releives the stress. You'll feel a lot more like packing after a long day at the office if you've exercised in the AM--this is the voice of experience talking to you now girl---
Jo