Kayley -- Luckily the pop was really more of a fizzle... all the air just started draining out. I'm actually wondering if part of the reason was because we kept the ball "out of the way" against our glass door. It's been really really cold (0 degress fahrenheit!) and I wonder if that would bother it. As Dogpal said, I will get back "on the ball" -- plan to buy another one this weekend!

Dogpal -- That's great news about the job! Fantastic!! worthy!

Hi, guys.

MsCrockett ~ I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am having the same problems with food/diet. I even went on the Internet today seeking information about Food Addicts Anonymous. I don't know the answers, but I can tell you that the more people tell me I am fat and I must lose weight, the more obsessed I become with food and dieting.

I don't know how to get off the rollercoaster either. I know losing weight should be all about me (for my reasons), but there are too many people who are sticking their nose in my business and making me anxious about it. I have again twice had thoughts about sticking my finger down my throat and am in a bad place. These people ARE NOT helping us by pushing, even if they truly are trying to help. I do not know the answers, but I think we have to find peace within ourselves first. I think we need to tell everyone else to step off.

Please know that you are not alone. I know how you feel. I am thinking of you and sending you caring vibes.

Notthecheat ~ That is scary as **** and I believe it. The death rate at our local hospital is about five times higher than the one where I used to live. That's why I drive 45 minutes to the doctor. The one here scares me to death! It's like the "Roach Motel" ~ they check in, but they don't check out.

Dogpal ~ Congratulations on the job! I know they will just love you. You are such a nice person and you deserve good things in your life.

Thank you for praying for me for a job. I had a fight with my boss today where I was actually yelling at him (I never yell at work, ever). There is a second manipulative co-worker who is higher up who is playing games. He has accused me several times recently of "misinterpreting" their abuse when I try to address it. I can't take it anymore. It's making my life very bad and I have to get away from there. I have practically begged God for help. I know he does things in His time, but maybe if several people ask...

QUESTION:

I was posting about polycystic ovary syndrome and Metformin a couple of weeks ago and one of you told me you stopped your meds and treat it in a more natural way with a cream. Can you tell me what that is?

My hormone pills I take to control bleeding are causing me severe depression and the Zoloft the doctor gives me for depression is causing me anxiety. I want to stop the meds, but I need a way to control the bleeding. Can you tell me about what you use and if it helps?

I can't take the way I feel anymore and I want to stop the meds altogether. I would appreciate any information you would be willing to share. The hormones are making all the other problems feel so much worse than they would if hormones weren't an influence. I haven't felt "normal" since I've been on the hormone pills.

Dogpal - That is FANTASTIC news about the job!!! What are you going to be doing? And congrats on the unofficial loss! Way to hop back on the wagon!!!

Julee - I hope in a year to be able to report the same kind of success you had!!!

Wyllenn - Good luck with the new one!

Well, I've done about 4 loads of laundry, and I'm not even CLOSE to being done! Going to make some phone calls, watch some Olympics, and WASH MORE LAUNDRY! UGH!

Kayley -- yes, I've been to Disney World -- that that was 20 years ago! and I only went to Magic Kingdom ... we're doing all the parks while we're there. I LOVE theme parks and roller coasters and being a kid. (yeah.. I ealy love the fooood in amusement parks too... yikes!)

Dogpal --- YEAHHHHHHHH for you!! Congrats on the JOB ---way to GO girl!!!

And Julee-- WOW on the BMI! you're doing so well!!

Crock -- it's really hard when those important in our lives--like our best friends--don't really get it. I'm sure it's out of love and meant with the best of intentions, but sounds like what she doesn't get is that there are many of us who can't just "eat what we want, just in portioncontrol" because if we were good at that we wouldn't be needing to do this now! I suggest you simply thank her for her concern, repeat that you need to control this in a way that works best for YOU and her support for that is really needed as your best friend. And keep going, girlfriend!

I have so much to do before I can be gone for a week -- ARRRG! When we planned this trip, it sounded like a great idea at the time... now I'm feeling like I shouldn't be away form work for so long. I'm getting into a busy time, I'm trying to hire a new staff member... starting a lot of projects... but... ready or not---Mickey, here I come! I leave Saturday. I'm taking my laptop since I'll need to check in with work a few times... so I may be able to stop in here a couple times and check in. but.... I hope to be in the sun at the pool as muchas I can!

High fives to everyone doing well....
Good vibes for everyone who need some extra good thoughts...
Hugs to everyone!!!

Crock- did that same person ever say anything about how bad it was when you were eating tons of junk food? Isn't it funny how when you start a diet & trying to make healthy changes in your life that everyone thinks they have the right to tell you what to do...and to point out if you're doing something they think is wrong. Yet these same people never cared when we were killing ourselves with food. You have to do what is best for you and as long as you are watching that you are getting enough calories & a balanced diet, then that's fine.


I do have a question for those of you on the SBD- does it allow any carbs in Phase I? A friend of mine does better with the lower carb diets, but she didn't like the strictness of Atkins. I can't do low carb because of my kidney situation (have to limit the amount of protein I eat at one time since it can be hard on the kidneys), but from what I've heard, SBD is the more reasonable and balanced nutritionally of the lower carb type diets.


wyllenn- my first ball popped...but it was because my cat decided to push off with his paws as he jumped off it I forgave him and got another one and it lasted several years...its still okay, I just moved up to a taller one for sitting at my desk & its easier to use it for exercises too. For anyone who has a stability ball, the resistant band strap set you can get at WalMart to go with it is so worth it, even if you don't use the resistance bands. It has two belts that go around the ball to attach the resistance bands to...they make it easier to grab the ball, especially when you're trying to sit on it at your desk & stuff.


Going2Lose & Kaylee- Can you use Splenda on Phase I? What about cream cheese? Let me know & I'll see if I wrote down all the ingredients when I made that sugar free peanut butter cheesecake. I used it for a cheesecake ball for dipping cookies in, so I didn't make a crust, but you could probably use chopped peanuts if you want a crust...or maybe some of the low carb brownies you made? I did use fat free cream cheese, so the only fat came from the peanut butter...and I use real peanut butter from the health food store that is still peanut until pull the lever and the machine grinds it for you (I love it when its still warm on the way home )


Julee- that really had to be a strain on your friendship- it not like you were telling her she needed to do anything different, just that you were. Even when I was so sick with the gastroparesis a few years ago that I couldn't eat at all (was totally dependent on the feeding tube then) & food commercials were almost too much to watch, I still couldn't have said anything to one of my friends when they were talking about the great dinner they had the night before. My life had changed, but it didn't mean theirs did.


dogpal- that is so cool about the job- and you get to start on Monday- WooHoo!!!


Tasha- I don't think people realize there is a lot more to dieting then just eating less & moving more...if it were that simple, none of us would be here, would be? There is so much of an emotional & psychological component that really doesn't get talked about- losing the weight is only one part of the battle, we have to make the changes in our way of thinking in order to maintain our weight loss & healthy lifestyle.


I get to see the dietitian on Monday about finding another feeding tube formula and to see if she has any suggestions regarding tyring to eat, lose weight & all, along with medical stuff I deal with. I still can't believe how many years I put up with the problems, not realizing they were caused by the very thing that was suppose to be helping me...UGGHHHHHH- it makes me so mad

2LosinIt - All the parks are great!!! Although, actually, I never went to the Animal Kingdom...but the other 3 are fantastic!!! I envy you...going swimming, and into the warm weather for you! AH! I wouldn't feel TOO guilty. A reward for doing so well on your plan so far!!!

Managed to squeeze in a workout there. Going to e-file my taxes instead of mailing them so that I can get my MONEY FASTER! lol! Since I'm doing so good on my exercise minutes this month...(and I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to do so well), I'm thinking of setting my goal for next month at 500 minutes! That'd be 200 more than this past month. Let's see if I can do it! I can't believe that there's only really about 5 days left in this month! That means I've got 22 days to lose 11 pounds...I think I can, I think I can!

just a quick note - weighed in today! down 3.6 - which after the last 2 weeks 2 lb gain im down another 1.6!! just had to share!!

be back later

Good WI tonight...down another 1.6!!!

YAY DOGPAL on the new job!!!

I stare at my balance ball every day and don't know what to do with it. It's not big enough for me to use while i sit at the computer...what are some good basic exercises?

I'm sorry I haven't had the time to read any post since sunday, we've had a death in the family and I have been over there trying to do all I can to help out with everything. My cousin, who's more like a brother than a cousin, and his wife lost their two month old baby early mon morning to what they are preliminarily saying is SIDS. if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer or keeping them in your thoughts, they can use all of the help they can get right now. The funeral will be fri morning. I'll try to catch up this weekend if I can. I hope that everyone has a great week.

My cats never really bothered my exercise ball...and the one that popped was partly my fault- I went to set him down on the couch and the ball was right in front of it and his back claws must have went out just enough. I do have to be careful when I use it at my computer because that same cat likes to get in my lap all the time and I'd hate for him to jump up when I wasn't expecting- but other then that, its never been an issue. The ball works great for my dog to block her off from areas we don't want her in, and it doesn't even have to block the entire pathway...if she had her way, she wouldn't even go in the same room as the big green monster- she is such a chicken...all 65 pounds of German Sheppard/Chow/Lab/whatever mix and she's scared of an exercise ball (and the scales at the vet's )

Julee- How big was your ball suppose to be? It should have said in cm on the box somewhere- they usually recommend 55cm if you're under 5"7' & 65cm if you're over 5"8', but that's just a guideline, not a rule. I didn't realize I wasn't putting enough air in mine at first until I measured it one day and it was only 60% as big as it was suppose to be
Basically for exercises, its pretty much endless and you can make the exercises easier to start and harder as you get more in shape, which is a big plus so that you don't out grow it. I just picked up a video at Good Will this week- I haven't watched it yet, but it will be nice to have a routine to follow since all I've had was the poster that came with my first ball and pictures in books & on-line. There are a couple good sites you might want to check out (I tried to pick links that should be okay): You don't need as heavy of weights as they use in some of the pictures...those are some pretty muscular guys they have demoing- you can start with soup cans or no weights at all or use resistance bands. And there are definitely some really advanced exercises, but those first 2 links just have so many other ones that you can do...at least you'll always have new ones to try

Amber - I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. You are in my thoughts.

Christine - Thanks for the sites! Got those bookmarked, so that if I EVER get one, I'll have them!

Seeing as I have to be up in about 3 1/2 hours, I think I'm going to head off to bed. Hope you all sleep well!

ok this is a completely true story and proof that god will not allow me to cheat...

so i went to dinner with a friend and we went and got mongolian barbeque. for those of you that arent sure, basically you go and pick your meat and veggies, they toss on some noodles and cook everything on a big cooking surface. these are usually found in the mall. so we went here, and got dinner, well, downstairs from the food court is where cinnabon is. if i have to explain the goodness of cinnabon - well - there is only one way. take the best cinnamon roll and slather it in butter and cream cheese frosting - and you might come close (sidenote, this delicious confection is 17 points). well i decided i wanted one anyway and i got downstairs and the bank card reader was down, and i had just spent all my cash... sign 1

so not to be defeated. i went back to my friends house, we ate dinner and decided we wanted krispy kremes. again if you dont know the goodness - well - its a shame. especially of a fresh one, which they start making arround 11pm. (sidenote - 5pts) so we go there. and. its closed. this is an establishment that is open 24 hours. and its closed.

so NOT to be defeated, and to prove that i was going to buy something sweet if it kills me we drive to the pie shop to get pie. i told my friend that if they didnt have cocoanut cream then it was the 3rd sign and i was giving up. so we get there, and they have my pie and the guy asks if i wanted utensils. i told him yes because we were gonna drive to the beach and eat them.

so we pay and leave and get to our destination and get comfy and take out the food - and there are no utensils.

i gave up and came home. my pie is sitting here. mocking me.

So much so fast! Im not up to doing personals tonight.

I am sorry to hear about the death of the baby, they will be in my thoughts, I hope they are able to recover from the loss without blaming themselves.

I am also sad to hear of all the illnesses and other passings, and injuries. I hope everyone has a speedy and complete recovery.

Wow, that is a big change in BMI, way to go!

Congratulations to all who registered losses on their WI or before! It is totally great that we are still losing weight together!

Happy to hear about everyone's beloved pets...mine are spoiled cats. I love them so much!

Stability balls, Leslie Sansone has a stability ball video, there are loads of beginner stability ball videos. You can get them cheap on ebay.
Sam's club carries a professional weight stability ball that comes with a dvd and is aroung 15.00. That is the one I have, I like it a lot although I have only bounced around on it so far.

Good luck to everyone who will be or is attending school, including you, teach. My son will be starting a school on Industrial Testing soon. He is still searching for work. So I will add those of you looking for work to my thoughts for him to find work too. Congratulations on the job to you, it sounds like they really like you and you made a great impression on them obviously!

I had dinner with my son and his wife tonight. They grilled asparagus and chicken breasts which had been marinated. It was deliscious and totally on program! We played yatzee and scrabble and poker, I was there a long time and had a great visit. I really enjoy them living next door. I hope they do not move anytime soon. Hopefully they will at least stay there until he finishes school since it is near where we live.

I am tired, so I am going to sign off now. Have fun figuring out which message goes to which person. ha ha