Mam: Hope DH is on the road to recovery and doing well. Nobody needs scares like that and they always seem to hit you just so. Any antiquing since it's fall and people have cleaned out their spaces over summer?

Les: How are you today? Onederland yet? 41 more pounds for me to get to that point. I noticed my belly once again is adding another slide of fat (i.e. thinning down, but it looks like a slide). Have you noticed your body making funny changes as you have gone along? It's a good feeling to loose the weight you have carried for so long. You will be a whole new you on the outside soon enough!

AM: Happy here this morning Violets! The scale was friendly to me today and that my friends is always a good thing. I aim to keep shrinking in a slow manner, but shrink none the less.

My DH was kind of shocked I am down 17 lbs. He is still where he was a month ago, but isn't about to change his habits anytime soon. That includes one that drives me nuts - no more than 15 minutes after dinner and his butt is hanging out of the fridge as he stuffs his mouth w/cheese or bread products because he has the munchies. I say - have you given dinner a chance to register in your brain? He doesn't get it. He's a huge diet coke fan as well, and I think that flares up a ton of this. He drinks huge cups of it daily but thinks he is just fine because there are no calories. I wish he'd see that in reality it does contribute to eating, or at least to the articles that I read that keep saying that. Oh well, I will keep prepping meals that are calorie friendly for us all, but I can't force him to loose weight, he's got to decide on his own if and when he is ready.

The baby gifts are done and gone as of today! YEAH! Now it's on to the halloween costumes. Hopefully they go together well and look good. I always try to use polar fleece because halloween up here is one of two ways either freezing cold or a late indian summer day - so the polar fleece keeps them warm as they trek around the neighborhood.

My birthday is coming up - any ideas of how not to eat too much? I guess I can ask for an angel food cake, but even those are darn good! I will just have to remember to be mindful and do my best with it all.

My best to you all!

Mam, hope your husband is ok now! Asthma can be scary, especially when it's so unexpected like that. Hopefully it won't happen again.

Lemon, my scale was down a pound today, so I am back in the 202s, haha. Hoping it all balances out soon. Right now my body seems largely the same, except slightly smaller haha. My arms definitely jiggle more but I can deal with it, haha.

You're right about your husband having to be ready to lose the weight before you can help him. Maybe your loss will inspire him.

For your birthday, angel food cake is pretty good. Toss on some fruit and yummy. Maybe buy a small one or ask your family to eat it before you can have more than a couple of pieces, haha.

Hey violets,

DH is still not getting rid of the asthma. Tomorrow he goes back to the doctor. He was told that he will have to stay over at the hospital if this is not working. He still has tightness in his chest. Hoping over night it gets better for him.

I have heard that many people here are getting this also and very extreme cases. He has had asthma before, but not like this for a long time.

I have eaten well today. Staying the same weight wise which is a good thing. No exercise still adjusting to going back to work. I do feel better not as tired. Breathing still a little labored. But I can live with it.

Lemon no estate sale shopping Lately they have slowed down.
Glad your scale has moved for you. Slow and steady wins the race. It feels like it is taking forever but one day you will turn around and realize how far you have come and in such a short time. You DH has to make his own mind up. Mine needs to lose some also about 20 pounds. Not too bad but with his health history he needs to stay trim and exercise something he is not doing.

Les I am so glad you are getting so close to onderland.. You are making me remember when I was so close and waiting for it to happen.. It will happen patience.

NSV I had one today. On my way back from work is always my time for munching. Today I went right by all the stores and felt great. Victory!!!!! Now I need to continue to do this.

I have connected that I am trying so hard to do a good job at work for approval and put a lot of stress on myself to do it. Then when I leave I am looking for some munchies.

I am very good friends with my big boss and try to do good so no one can say that she treats me any different. People can be so petty.

When I was out with my operation people were talking why can Mary take time off when we are not suppose to. Dumb people why do you think I don't tell you anything.

Well I guess I am glad I got that off my chest. LOL...

Have a great day. And may we shrink together.

LG

Mam: I hope they figure out what is wrong w/DH. Who needs those extra worries! Good for you on your NSV! That's fantastic. I hate dumb people at work and I have worked w/a ton in the past. Now its just me and my kids, they are the best to work with

Les: Well jiggling can be toned up, hows your swimming going? I aim to get to the bicycle tonight. Yesterday I did yard work for almost an hour so that was my replacement. But tonight I aim to get it moving again.

AM: I said DH wasn't thrilled about dieting but he's not thrilled w/his weight. I said to him maybe looking at calorie counting would be a big help for him. Well we talked and he was asking me what the calories were on the things he binges on - they add up horribly quick. Now if he decides to calorie count, how will this work for us w/o blowing up for one or the other? As in I am bouncing between 1270-1450 (depending on what I set the app too as in how fast I'd like to loose) calories a day. He is closer to 6 1/2 feet tall and he weighs about 315. His calories to loose look like they'd be 2654 (to maintain currently he needs 3917!). HOLY GUACAMOLE! Any who, I am guessing that his portions will just be larger until the weight begins to come off, correct? Now I know Rome wasn't built in a day just as his weight didn't come on overnight. But he's willing to try again, so that's a plus and maybe this will be a fit for him.

If any of you have ideas on how to make dieting work for both of us let me know. I don't want him to starve but I don't want to gain. And he's a good one for feeding me, he means well, he just doesn't realize the number of calories in things.

Morning Violets!

Mam: How are you today? Has the app helped you this week in loosing any pounds or just making you more aware of what's going on with you? I hope you find them useful. Are you tracking your movement at all? That's always a plus too. How is DH?

Les: How are you enjoying fall for your walks now? Hopefully your area has cooled off some so you can enjoy your outside time. Will you be seeing your brother's LO's this weekend? Will they help keep you moving? New outfits on the horizon?

Hello all other Violets!

AM: 20 pounds GONE! I am happy to see that this morning. What a good feeling, I am heading downward and that is a nice thought. I was thinking when I last was at my goal weight, which would have been maybe at 25. Then I moved into the 170s for a few years and before 30 lost my thyroid and loss of a parent so up up up we went. But in my mid 30s I worked on it and by my wedding back down to 180. Since then, well it's been a while and I have stayed in the 200s. Time for a change. Time to leave them behind for good.

I went and biked last night. Got my 45mins in and was happy with that too. I need to figure out something for weight lifting mainly my arms, I am having issues w/them catching during the day (shoulder area) and a hard time with reaching forward. I don't know if most of it is due to lugging my kids and they are just aggravated over time. But I need to find something that works and helps that area on the front side from shoulder to elbow. I don't know what that area is called and I am sure it's actually a different area that I probably should be working.

DH is going to count calories. Let's hope he sticks with it. I think he was appalled to realize he's been having to eat 3900 calories to maintain his 325 self. I was too (sad to say, I know we both have been in the don't care, not thinking about it frame of mind). So he's going to make the attempt to do well and make a new start. Hey, even if he gets under 300, that would be a good thing for him and his spirits. And I know guys loose easier than us gals. the happy scale said he'd hit his goal in March, mine moved back to May. ARGH. Oh well, I have been saying tortoise pace is what i am aiming for, if it moves quicker great, but slow and steady sets me up for life changes for the better.

Hope you all have a good start to your weekend. Maybe some of the other Violets will hop back in and give us an update on how their journeys are going. I do hope well! My best to you all for a wonderful spring weekend.

Lemon- on losing 20 pounds! That is totally awesome, take some pictures! Glad your husband is gonna give it a try. It was appalling to see how much I was eating/drinking before, so I understand that feeling.

Fall is amazing, it has actually been cold at night and in the mornings here. My walks are much better for sure. I haven't been swimming at all, just walking and some very light dumbbell arm exercises. Bought a couple beginner yoga DVDs though, so I'm gonna give those a shot soon. As for clothes, I actually have to go buy a couple of my favorite thing, hoodies! I am swimming in mine from last year. They were already baggy because they are so comfy when they're a little big, but now they look ridiculous. In the coldest part of winter, maybe I'll be small enough to invest in a really nice coat.

Mam, sorry your husband is still feeling badly. Hopefully the chest tightness is gone now. Great NSV, those habits can be tough to break! Just keep it up! And forget those people at work, they are just jealous and petty, and sadly they seem to exist in every workplace.


Today my scale was at 201.2, a new low. Hopefully Onderland awaits soon, haha.

Les: I dare you to find a more fitted hoody! Show off your new self will you?! Whats the point of swimming in comfy when you can show off your achievement of loss. Find a color blue that really makes your eyes pop and your skin glow with happiness. The only thing I am noticing is that my yoga pants are looser about the waist and my jeans are not staying snug at the waist as the day goes on. Happy shopping! Do you wear jewelry? Maybe new earrings too. Or, how about the ultimate challenge - a new hairstyle for you? Thats one of the things I have been thinking of doing once again. Adding a bit of color to my hair to hide the whites!

AM: Ok, so I measured today after hiatus of being negative about the scale that was being crazy because of my mini binges. So today I measured. I am down between 1-2 inches on the big three measure areas from where I started. What a nice feeling. However my waist is still what they say is diabetic/cancer range so I have a while until I am under the 35" rule. But it's coming down not going up! I've got about 5 1/4" yet to go to just get to 35. Some of it's mama belly that I never worked away after my babes. The rest is just plain old fat. Who would have thought I'd let it get this way?

Will have DH take new pictures of me this evening. I will do the same 4 way posing so I can see where my shrinkage may be. I will wear the same outfit as well. Hopefully I am looking less schlumpy.

Halloween costume 1 about 1/3 of the way done. I am enjoying the process thus far. Kind of brainless activity for me right now. cutting fabric, stitching it in place, and back again. This one is a cape w/deco and will be birdlike in the end. i do hope it works. The other is a freelanced one. That one I am a bit unsure on how to get it to that shape. But will continue to think it through.

So, weight - happy. Diet today - a bit harder, want some sweets, trying the water route. Plus my daily amount has dropped w/my weight, so I am thinking I will try it for a few days, but if i find I am hungry more than not, I might slow my speed down on my app as I do have it set for quicker loss.

Les: Where is your's set? I know you said you had kind of plateaued, did you adjust your calories down?

Hey violets,

Yeah DH is on the mend. It just took longer for the medicine to take effect. So he is happy. They sent him home with a nebulizer so he is all set now. Relief.

As for me I have figured out my bingeing problem. I talked with my boss let her know and I drank my protein drink and wasn't even tempted to stop. Yeah me....Feeling so much better. Only thing now is backache but that will take time.

I am going to exercise this week-end I am doing my sweating to the oldies. My aim right now is to do it on the week-ends and then build up to more. Tomorrow I will be doing my last room of fall cleaning but it is the biggy the living room.

Lemon on the 20 pounds lost. I am glad that your DH is on board with you. That will help you a lot.

As far as your arms have you tried toning cords? They will strengthen your ar5ms but not put too much stress on them. With all the the exercising and all your yard work you might be over using them. You might have to try to build some more muscle there.

My DH and I do the same thing he can just have a little more then me. That is the right way to do it. If he is fine with less calories that is fine. I often don't eat all mine I usually keep 100 to 200 in the bank just incase I go over or calculate something wrong.

Les new clothes in a smaller size you rock.... You are so close to wonderland I am getting excited. I can't wait to come on here and see that you have made it. You are inspiring me to get my butt going.. "Good Job".

Yes I love the new app. thanks to both of you. I enjoy it very much I like to be accountable and I actually find it fun. Plus I have found a way to stop the binges after work. That protein drink is really making a difference for me.
It has 160 calories but I use to eat 1500 to 2000 calories so this is so much better.

Have a great week-end!!
LG

Mam, good going this week! Between the app, the protein drink, all the movement at work, and the weekend exercise, you'll be dropping pounds all over! I love my tracking app, it has really simplified things for me. Weight loss really did seem like this impossible dream for me my whole life. And now I realize that if you can do the math and make good choices, you can lose it. It's a good feeling for sure. Very glad to hear your husband is doing better.

Lemon, I don't wear earrings but I love rings and necklaces. Those would be a good reward for some milestones along the way. I'm definitely going to go hoodie shopping soon, and I will definitely get some more fitted ones. And more colorful. I'm funny about my hair, and have kept it simple and long for years. But I do think about chopping it all off one day, so maybe I will eventually. That's more of a goal weight change, though. Good for you with the halloween costumes. I cannot sew at all but always wished I could. I even took a home ec class once but couldn't get the hang of it.

As far as my progress goes, I was at 201.2 this morning, so it's going down again. I haven't adjusted my app at all, but it does take a few calories away every time your weight drops. Started at closer to 1500 and now I am at 1388. It happens so gradually that I don't really notice, but I will at some point when they get lower, haha. Happy scale says I'm back to 2 pounds per week right now, so I'm good with that. Onederland in a few days possibly, if I can stay away from the salt.

Hope you both have a great weekend!

Mam:be sure to count your daily work/cleaning - in my app there is a spot under exercise for house cleaning. Maybe just log the more strenuous ones? But that should count as movement for you too. Yes your body is used to it, that's why I suggested the strenuous. Also, how was working out w/good old frizzy haired richard? He's kind of gone into hiding - the last time I saw him he was in a spangly shirt and black and white striped vertical pants. Hope you did really well with it.

How is DH and his nebulizer doing? Hopefully he's well on the mend.

Les: Well haircuts can always be an uplifting thing for our moods, especially if it turns out well and you like who's smiling back at you in the mirror. Good for you on trying hoodies in different colors and fit! And jewelry is always a nice gift if you find you wear it a lot. I used to, but my LOs tend to tug at them (the youngest) and sometimes his tug is a bit much. So for now they are away. My mini goal is still out of reach which is putting my wedding band back on. Usually it fits when I am 230 and less comfortably. In fact it will spin which is just fine. I don'tllike it right now because it's' like a tourniquet.

Did you hit Onederland?

Hello Violets! Who else is out there that would like to check in?

AM: I know TOM is coming, I have been looking for sweets and have settled it in general w/a tootsie roll pop. Sweet enough, a bit of faux chocolate in taste and only 60 calories.Still not the best choice but takes the main sweet need away. But last night I had a glass of wine and an extra piece of pizza. Today I will be doing a ton of yard work to ready the house for winter and then come on in once the LO is gone w/ILs to clean inside. I plan soup and salad for the rest of the day. DH was happy he's down 1.8 lbs. So maybe with it all we can get it to move.

I got the one costume done - just need to add ties and a piece of elastic, but my hands were fatigued, so rather than have horrible pain when I sleep, I stop when I notice issues. So that too is on my list for today. Then on to costume number 2.

Anyone else have plans for this weekend? Anything fun? Mines all practical stuff. So I will live vicariously through others. Have you begun making your Christmas gifts? Mam, I think you said you and Marley will be doing some and Les you and your afghans? I have doll clothes to make, a doll tent, pencil roll ups etc. The list grows every time I have a thought.

Happy weekend to you all! I am not weighing in again until Monday morning but will count calories this weekend. Even last nights - bad I was!

Hey violets,

Today was not that good. I slept a lot went shopping did some house work and that was it. I think this past week of work and DH being sick ( I don't sleep well with his wheezing) just caught up with me. I was just exhausted.

I have always been a tough broad HEHEHE but this has really wiped me out.

I just have to realize it is ok to not be perfect. The key to successful weight loss and maintenance is to just get right back on the saddle.

Hope your both well. Just wanted to check in will post and reply more tomorrow.

LG

Just quick as we are heading out for mass and then for some shopping before yard work.

I had DH take my pictures - oh how horrible. I guess i never paused long enough in front of a mirror looking at my back and all the fat rolls. I wore a snugger under sweater shirt yesterday, so totally horrible! I knew I was heavy, but I guess I didn't realize how awful I look from the rear with a fitted t-shirt on. I should stick to heavy bulky sweaters until I reach my goal if I reach it. Yesterday was sugar calling my name, I did ok until evening and then caved on two slices of pound cake that my MIL dropped off. I need to put a ban on sweet goods coming into the house.

Oh and my DH has lost 4 lbs and is happy with his work and progress since friday. I do hope he sticks with it.

I am off - best day ahead for you all. Enjoy your ball games, the weather and the company you keep.

Mam, I hope you were able to recharge this weekend. Hopefully next week is easier at work, and you will sleep better now that your husband is well. And you're right, no one can be perfect, just try again the next day.

Lemon, sorry about the pictures. I definitely understand. I only took pictures from the front and side, but the originals are pretty bad. I was in denial about how big I was, for sure. I actually noticed at least four months ago, when I was tagged in a photo on Facebook and saw how large my "spare tire" aka my stomach was. It's easy to dismiss it somehow on a daily basis, and then you are confronted with reality. It stinks, but it did eventually inspire change, so that's good.

As for me, yesterday I gained almost half a pound, and lost the same amount today. So I'm back to 201.2, no Onederland yet. But it's coming up soon for sure. Today I have been snacking like crazy, only have 300 calories left for dinner. I'll eat something small and hopefully get a good night's sleep. Hoping for some scale magic before Tuesday's Christmas challenge weigh in.

I hope everyone has a really great week!

Les: No, I was aware of the fact I was large and I knew I had rolls, but geez, when a photo is taken and you micro-look at yourself, ugh. ANywho, I aim to keep moving and hopefully those rolls will keep moving on off too. What I need to do today is to lay the two photos over one another and see if there is any difference in there at the start and the 20 lbs gone, now granted I wasn't in fitted shirt w/my first photos, but I can tell on my side shots. So my advice to you - take 4 shots each time, one from each side, you'd be amazed at what you see, and what changes may happen that you don't see just looking at it. I'll report more later on what I find!

Mam: How are you today? My team won last night - so that was good, they almost lost but hung on. They have a good season going thus far. Hope work starts easier for you this morning and moving doesn't tire you out. I was going to ask you - your protein shakes - what are your carbs on those? I know my protein bars are a bit higher, and calorie wise higher for me, so I only try to do them when I am on the run w/errands.

Morning violets!

AM: I can't sleep - imagine that. I have been up since 230 and finally decided to get out of bed and trek downstairs less I wake up the rest of the house. They can sleep on - especially my kids. Their personalities will be better for it as my MIL allows them to stay up late and well, you know what a kid is like w/o enough sleep.And she ALWAYS sends them home this way.

Rode the bike last night, weight is up again a bit, but stands to reason, sugar last night. The good news is it's now gone. The bad news is it stayed with me over night. The tough news, I have to be really good today and tomorrow and I think all will be ok once again, weekends are harder for me w/everyone home and my DH who likes to try and feed me bad things. He's getting better, but gave me a look last night after he had the poundcake - and I said did you count the frosting? He didn't like that comment. Well that added about 60 calories to his "little snack".

So I am trying. Will keep it all going and hopefully by my weighin thursday I will have gone down and can be glad that the scale continues to move.

Happy start to the week for you all. May the weight fly off this week, before halloween and all!
Update: ran myself through photoshop - not seeing much of a difference yet in my pictures, so I am guessing I am working the weight form the inside. The outside is pretty much still fitting upon itself, nothing earth shattering with any part of my body. Maybe I will take pictures of my feet and hands - as I am noticing the tops of my feet are showing more structure. Hey - we have to find our accomplishments somewhere

Hey violets,

Taking photos really show all our rolls and imperfections. I hide in photos or refuse to have them taken and threaten people if they put them on FB it's WAR...HEHE (family members).

I did take a pic with my best friend from High school and put that on FB neck up. I had not seen her in 35 years. It was so great to get together. But other then that no pics. I am ashamed for others to see me. In high school I was picked on for being fat. Called moooo cow. They would wait for me after each class and when they saw me coming it would start. I have never gone to a reunion because of this. And I had every few friends in high school. Around 16 I lost 45 pounds was thin and they no longer could pick on me.

I now weight over 100 pounds more then at school. Oh how I wish I weighed now what I weighed then. Funny how that happens.

Work was very busy. I made it through alright. Hanging in there up and down with eating. Still very tired. Of course staying up until midnight watching the game didn't help. I'll be snoring on the coach by 9:00 tonight.

Lemon I get the Atkins protein drinks 2g sugar, 15g protein, 2g carbs.

They do help me. Are I little pricey but it is less then getting junk each day.

LG