Thanks! I've seen a lot of complaining on the WW boards that the new plan just isn't working as well for a lot of people, but it really seems to be from people who were on the old plan, and aren't really trying to new plan 100%, but trying to use it like the old plan. I just got so tired of counting, and losing slowly, and cheating because I could eat "anything" and still be on plan. I really need something more rigid and strict.

I'm sorry about the hectic work schedule. Things have been ridiculously busy at work for me too! It seems like we just keep getting more and more work, and everything we already have is taking up more and more time as well. Oh well, since I bill for my time, the busier I am, the more time I bill, and the more money I can make, I guess. It's extremely stressful though, so I hear you. Way to go for sticking to protocol though! It's a great idea to plan ahead and just bring extra food with you.

Oh how I would LOVE to bill for my hours worked sometimes I'm mid-management-exempt-worker-bee though...the perk of which is when I need to take time off in smaller increments (1/2 days), its not tracked. Tomorrow I have my appointment and get to work from home - little things like that.

Hey Lucky, Ripped in 30 is a Jillian Michaels DVD that most people do after the 30 day Shred. If you're familiar with 30DS, they're very similar. However, there are several changes to Ripped in 30. The program is 4 levels (30 mins each) you do over 4 weeks - 5 - 6 days per level. Over the 30 mins, you do several circuits of 6 mins each, a warm up and cool down. The circuits are broken down into 3 minutes of strength training (squats, lunges, etc.), 2 minutes cardio (jumping jacks, etc.) and 1 minute of abs. Each level the exercises change. While it does raise your heart rate, I'm going to take it easy by omitting the cardio and doubling-up on strength. I'm also going to do it 3-4 days a week. If you search youtube, you can watch some of the levels. If Rin30 is too difficult, you can also start with the 30DS. Many people have reported great results with both programs, however, it's typically inch loss vs. weight loss. Lastly, remember the extra packet if you want to work out like this.
Hope that helps!

Hey that sounds great. Thanks so much for the info, I will check it out!!

I would love to actually see the money I bill for my hours! I'm just as associate, so I'm salaried, it's my bosses who make the money off of me! I do get to see my receipts though, and it's nice to see that I pay for myself and them some. My boss isn't big on working from home, but if needed, it's possible. I do love the flexibility that provides. The nice thing about where I work is that they don't technically have a vacation policy, so I can take all the paid time off as I'd like, as long as I'm billing my minimum hours. It has it's goods and bads

I have just gotten into the RTD vanilla drink with 2 shots of espresso over ice...this is my new obsession. I was missing out on the fancy coffee drinks I used to get, and was having a really hard time trying to drink black coffee with splenda and a little milk. This is so much more rewarding and delicious, plus I don't get the jittery feeling I get with just having coffee!

I am a daily weigher, as I like to see the trends, changes, how different things affect my body. I don't let it affect my mood (I don't get upset if it goes up), but I do love to see it go down! I like to keep track of how my week is going so it's not a huge surprise every time I weigh in at my clinic. I was down at 174.7 this morning, the lowest number I've seen in 3 years. I was on WW a few years ago, and got down to 167, the absolute lowest number I've ever seen in my adult life. I'm very excited to get back to that number and beyond! It's in sight, I can feel it getting closer

legal so glad to see you had a good weigh in. I just finished my 7th week, lost 2.2 this week. I pretty much lose 2.something every week now so I guess this is what to expect for me. We have similar stats, weight and height so it's nice to see you keep posting.

Another few posts and I'll be able to get a ticker, hoorah!

Good to know someone who has similar stats! It seems we started roughly the same time if you just finished your 7th week (I'm just finishing my 9th today). I do enjoy having a ticker

Keep checking in!

I am also Legal - I am ok with consistency one way or the other, but last week was tough watching the scale flux up 3 #'s one day, down 2#, up another pound, etc...for 6 days. That drives me batty so I stepped off for 2 days and got a nice surprise Sunday morning.

152 was my lowest adult-weight in June 2004 - I will never forget b/c we found out Memorial Day 11 years ago we were pregnant with DD2 (who wasn't ever suppose to be - my heart and soul <3 ) and I went the first week of June to the OBGYN for confirmation & I weighed in at 152. We are going to do this!!!

It's official (to me lol) - weighed in at 203.8 again this morning! Down 30#'s

So I treated myself for hitting 30#'s - bought a Mini-Cuisinart Plus (got a great deal at BJ's Wholesale - $34.99)! Already in love with it! So little - perfect for my teeny-tiny kitchen - so powerful! and so much easier to clean than my Ninja. I was able to chop and freeze some cilantro & make ginger paste (which I used on a beautiful filet minion last night) - my Ninja (which is almost 3 years old) stinks for chopping herbs. I was thinking about a Magic Bullet, but I think I will be more than satisfied with the Cuisinart and it was a lot less $$$.

So I had this Easter weekend all planned out - didn't look like we were going to be invited anywhere or have guests so I was doing lamb, cauli-rice (julienne potatoes for the rest), and asparagus. That changed last night as MIL is making a surprise trip north as she is moving back into the general vicinity (Front Royal for those familiar). MIL is bringing a fresh ham with her & SIL is now hosting Easter dinner.
I know lean ham is on the protocol and I am figuring a privately-raised pig should be relatively lean & I am taking some cauli-rice with me, along with a mint-chocolate protein bar for dessert.

Happy Friday!

GO BETH! I'm looking for your soon-to-be 100s! Inspiring to us out here.

Legal and Hysteria, thanks for being super supportive in the main chat thread the other day. ❤ (I usually don't even post there; I really like our group of February starters--and the March starters, too, which I know because I peek in on their thread now and then, without commenting. Is that weird?) I'm not sure what drove me to comment there, that day, instead of here. But, anyway, I appreciated both of your comments!

My Easter plan looks a lot like yours did, Hysteria! Only I bought a tiny lean ham for myself. And asparagus still feels like a treat, because I had no idea how easy it was to cook. (It's actually pretty great just steamed in the microwave, who knew? But roasting it: also good!)

I bet locally-raised ham will be really good. When I'm employed again, I'm going back to grass-fed and local meat, because it's often tastier and it's always better for you.

You are SO close to Onederland! Congratulations, and good work!

Thanks magpie and no, not weird - I check into a lot of the different groups including maintanence just to see what's ahead. I even post from time to time depending on the circumstances.

Sunday plans have changed - MIL can't make it down so there goes the fresh ham then the rest of hubby's family had no interest in trying to gather so it's back to lamb, asparagus, and cauli-mash

Beautiful Saturday in the DMV - got out and visited some old friends and may take dd10 to see "Home" this evening. Stopped at McD to grab her lunch and avoided all the pitfalls - wasn't even tempted

Congratulations on your losses ladies! I had my weigh in today and was down 5.9 lbs! I've been walking 5km daily and drinking at least 4L of water - also, it may have been my whoosh from last week! I'm so excited and even more motivated. I am also finding that drinking hot tea curbs my cravings quite a bit.

Otherwise, I am enjoying my long weekend and the weather we are having here. I hope you all are too.

We got this

Starting week 8 tomorrow, down 21.3 and so glad I have found this forum. Happy I don't have little kids with jelly beans in the house!�� Hope everyone has a great day!!

Wow! Great loss!

Great weekend in the DMV & happy Easter / Passover for all those who celebrate
Missed the fresh ham but still had a couple ounces of a store-bought Smithfield with some mashed cauliflower. The ham was so rich compared to the lean meats I've been eating - it was boarder line nauseating.

Got our ISO cookies and cream protein powder today too! Made a small snack (pancakes) and it's terrific! I even messed it up a little - too thin - but still light, fluffy, and the taste is great. Might actually be drinkable

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

So happy for everyone with the great losses this week. I'm still puttering along with my 2 lbs per week and this looks like what will happen again this week.

I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing what I am... This is my 8th week and I feel like I am looking really bad in my face. Yikes! I have dark circles around my eyes and I just look - not healthy. There was an IP video where someone mentioned a similar thing they were experiencing. It was in the comments after the video. Gracious, I hope this goes away!