I hope everyone is doing well this morning. I'm thinking work is getting entirely in the way of my having fun, not to mention losing weight. And I'm pretty sure I was meant to be independently wealthy, but higher powers obviously don't feel the same way.

I checked in yesterday, but didn't have time to post anything. I was able to do my walks, and even got in some crunches and pushups. But it was a hard day diet wise. I had bought some chocolate Easter bunnies for my niece and nephew, but they melted in my car. When I picked them up, I got chocolate on my hand. Of course the first thing I did was lick it off. It wasn't anything but just a few spots. But it left me craving chocolate the rest of the day. Then I went into Wal Mart to get them a couple of other little items to ship off to them. (They're in TX.) I went down the Easter aisle and thought I was going to have a stroke fighting the urge to grab one of each of Easter candy and just binge. I was strong and didn't eat any thing, but it was a hard battle. The only thing that kept me going was that I have a very small box of Robin's eggs Easter candy that I can eat if I have lost weight on my next weighin this next Monday. It's sort of a tradition for me. For as long as I can remember, I've eaten Robin's eggs at Easter, except in the past I ate a really large box, and probably more than one. I'm allowing myself to have that one treat if I can stick with my good eating and lose weight. I don't want to deprive myself entirely, but I have to be good for it. Discipline sucks sometimes!

Kerry: Hang in there with the work problems. I know it's really a matter of pride, but I don't understand how some elderly just can't accept that they are getting older and don't function as well as they used to. We're currently fighting this battle with my dh's grandfather. He should not at all be driving, but he thinks he's doing fine. But he's really not, at all. Can your boss suggest that the lady at your work take early retirement? I would maybe try that approach if it's an option.

Everyone else, have a great day and drink lots of water. I'll check back later.
Robin

My boss mentioned that she cannot even say the word/suggest retirement because this could come back in the form of a law suit i.e. agism. I don't know much about this. . . The woman is probably over 65, but in horrible health and not very sharp as in can't pick up or learn using computers and technology. What a mess. Plus the other older woman (around 70) here is just lazy and doesn't pull her weight. It sux.

The whole mess here and with me not having a FT job just makes me want to eat chocolate, chips and soda - sugary sweet coca-cola! Or just run away!!! If only the phone with ring with a job offer. . .

ETA - Robin I had lots of trouble in the easter candy section of Target last week. I escaped without making a purchase, but oh do I love jelly beans and peanut butter eggs. Yikes! Sounds like you have a good strategy to reward yourself. I hope you lose lose lose!

There was herd of plastic cows in my front yard this morning-compliments of my loving minister/mime/business partner. I had hoped to keep this low key (as old people should...), but that was pretty much blown with all those cows everywhere! My entire neighborhood knows that I am now 50 years old!!! How the _ell did that happen??????????????

Kerry, you made me laugh--you make me feel better about my co-workers, of course they are probably thinking that I am the old fart that should be retiring instead of leaking all over the office chairs!!!!!!!!!

I blew the diet out of the water tonight----catfish and jalepeno poppers!!!!!!!! My only saving grace is that I really am not big on sweets, and I really don't like chocolate, but man can I put away the breads and cheeses!!!!!

Have a great day gals!

Joetta

Happy Birthday Joetta!!!!!!! Just remember any birthday is better then not having one at all!!! ( I need to remember that myself when I turn "40" next month).

I'm glad to see Kerry, Robin and Joetta! I was worried yesterday when nobody posted! I quess that is why we are called "the working stiffs".

I have weigh in tomorrow. I am thinking it should be about 2 lbs., but I will see tomorrow.

Kerry- I was at my daughter's dance class tonight and we were talking about green tea. Someone said it tasted like "grass", is it really that bad?? Where is the best place to buy it? Can you get it at the grocery store or do I need to go to a health food store?? I'll try just about anything that might help speed up this process.

Robin- What will power!!! I am going to have a hard time with that when Easter comes. With 2 little ones I'm sure we will have a ton of candy around.

Have a great day tomorrow ladies!!!!

Paige

Hey Chickies,
Sorry, better late than never!!!
I have been horribly busy, more so than usual and now that I'm answering phones at work not much time to peak in. I didn't feel well last night after I worked out, but I thought either the pounds or I are going to drop and thats it! Personally I felt good to get it in, but physically I wanted to die!

Kerry, that is way to funny! My mom is retiring in Dec. and they couldn't double her salary to get her to stay. But they want her gone too, she does suck on the computer and when she dosen't balance her drawer it is usually ugly. I have to poke fun, I wonder who is going to wait on the customers when she leaves? Long story behind this! (she works at a bank) The diet is going fine, thank goodness I over cook, because I haven't felt much like doing this lately. And to boot wouldn't you know that bad TOM showed up!

Joetta, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
be glad I'm not at your work, one time we wrapped our bosses cube in police tape and outlined a body on the floor. Love the cows!!!

Robin, may the force be with you, or a, could you share???? I caught myself licking my fingers way too many times. I wonder how many cals and fat we chalk up doing that!

Paige, I hope your way in goes well tommorrow!!! You'll do great, and I'm going to read your green tea article. I like green tea, but I want the bad stuff in it!

Ok gals, I'm going to lift and curl up and watch CSI. No work tomorrow, I'm going to the Dr. and can't wait to show her the 10lb weight loss!!!

I'll have more time tomorrow!

HAPPY HAPPY Birthday Joetta! That is too funny about the cows in your yard! I hope you enjoyed your day and remember age is just a number - it's how you live your life that matters!

Lori - on the workout - but that stinks that you felt so bad afterwards. I hope that things slow down for you a bit at work and you get some breathing time!

Paige - about the green tea. . . I would recommend trying one of the flavored green teas. I've actually not even tried plain bc I heard such bad things about it. I really like the Mint flavor that I posted a link to, but I also like the Orange spice. I drink a big mug of it with one packet of Splenda and I really enjoy it in the late mornings, post coffee and breakfast. I figure that is a great time to get it in my system. But I enjoy herbal teas and black teas a lot, so it was no real surprise that I like the green teas too.

Glad to give everyone a chuckle in regard to the geriatrics I work with around here. I guess it's better to laugh than cry so I'm inclined to join you. I think some people are just fine working into their older years, but when you can hardly walk and have incontinence I think your dignity should motivate you to retire. Ugh! It is a HUGE lesson to me that I must save for not only my retirement but for my healthcare after retirement as well.

Hey, there--

I've been reading, but haven't had much time to post (and don't today, really). So quickly let me say Happy Birthday to Joetta, and howdy to everyone else. I'm doing okay, but I'll have to get in touch with my inner 'morning person,' if she exists, because it's too hard for me to get to the gym in the evenings, I tend to work late, and Curves closes early.

I'll catch up as soon as I can. In the meantime, keep it up, ladies!

judy

Quick post before beddy bye...

Thanks all for the birthday wishes!!! I honestly don't feel any different..but I do have the boys to constantly remind me that I am the oldest one in the household here!!!

As for the unflavored green tea--it is drinkable, but it leaves funky stuff on the inside of my cup...but if it will help with the weight loss---I can wash the cup.............

G'nite gals--have a great Friday!
Joetta

Hello. And Happy Birthday Joetta!!!

I love the cows. That would have been really funny to see. And imagine what the neighbors thought if they didn't what was going on. Were any of them tipped over?

I didn't go for a walk this evening, but I did take my two walks during work. I think they're about a mile each, up and down hills, so that's no too bad. I just don't feel like going tonight. I didn't eat the best either. My mother-in-law took me to lunch at Pizza Hut. I had a salad and a mini pizza, but I ate only 3/4 of the pizza. I guess I ate okay otherwise, but I just feel like a slug today. My next weighin is on Monday. I'm pretty sure I've lost some weight, but I sure hope it's more than just one pound. I weigh only every two weeks. I'm tired of looking at the bar on my signature. I need to get my armadillo moving.

I drink green tea sometimes. I, too, like herbal teas. I really like the red tea, too, especially Vanilla Red. I have to drink the green tea in the afternoon, though. For some reason, if I drink it in the morning, whether I've eaten or not, it makes me really nauseated. So does black tea. I may have to try drinking more green tea in the afternoon and see if it works for me, too. What can I lose - hopefully just weight.

Have a great evening/night ladies. Until, tomorrow...
Robin

I had to go about finding new practive pants since I've been wearing the first set. I went through a big box in the shed and brought in a big stack. I separated them into 3 piles: Keep dreamin, Almost, and Golden. Some are in the wash! Mostly shorts, but who cares I didn't wear them last summer that's for sure.

As for the green tea, the flavored stuff leaves the residue in the mug too. I think it is the nature of green tea overall.

I've tried to be really good this week. I'd love to get below 150 before Florida and maintain while there. Why is it that I can't seem to lose around the gut? Is this normal. I've lost everywhere else, legs, butt, boobs, face, but not so much of the gut I hope it starts coming off there soon.

I hope everyone has had a good week and is looking forward to the weekend. I know I am. I am even going to take some time for me this weekend - that's a first!

Welcome Brooklyn Chick! I too am a serious calorie counter and was shocked when I started in Jan to learn all the calories I was consuming. I use fitday religiously and reeally think that it helps.

Good luck on your goal to run the marathon!! I couldn't even imagine!

I hope everyone is doing well. I got to change my weight tracker today, and now I have three more pounds to go before Easter. I will be traveling for a few days, so I have to spend some time on Saturday putting on my game face, packing workout gear, a war bag (almonds, protein bars, apples) and reminding myself that I won't reach my mini-goal if I slack off in the restaurants or at the hotel bar.

Robin--hey, girl, don't sell yourself short! Not finishing your pizza is a victory in my book. I'm a charter member of the Clean Plate Club, and I have a hard time not eating what's in front of me, especially if I paid for it! But apparently thin people don't think that way--so maybe you're beginning to think like a thin person.

Kerry--I think that where you are most likely to retain fat is largely genetic, so maybe you should blame your parents for the extra belly weight. The good part is that you can say "I've lost everywhere else," which is pretty cool

Hey, Brooklyn Chick--I lived in Brooklyn for several years, just moved from there a few years ago. I loved walking in Prospect Park!

Joetta, Lori, Paige, everybody have a wonderful weekend!

judy

We have another weekend upon us, and I have yet another birthday party to go to tomorrow--and of course, it just has to be another buffet (read- hog trough!).
Am working insane hours at the office, so the exercise has suffered Gotta get back to the sweating!!!

I spent part of the day with the munchkin's school counselor, scheduling classes for his sophomore year. I had to rant and rave for a while about the gifted program (or lack thereof). It truly is pathetic! He is using the very same social studies book here that he used 2 years ago in the Chicago area. THE EXACT SAME TEXTBOOK!!!!! Okay, i'll get off my soapbox. The only saving grace is that he is playing football here and loving it and has a lot of school spirit. And, there is a scholarship available in this district for Eagle Scouts with high GPA--a full 4 year scholarship to University of Louisville.

Hey Brooklyn Chick--tell us your story---really happy to have you aboard. We love the quirky stuff, and being from Brooklyn, surely you have some good stuff to share!

Have a great weekend all!
Joetta

I thought this week would never end. Work was fine but very busy!!! One more week until Spring Break!!! Yeah!!! When I think of changing professions it is things like "Spring Break" that remind me why I do this for a living.

I lost 2 lbs at WI yesterday!!! That puts me at -20!!!! Now I just have to lose 8lbs in the next 3 weeks to meet my mini goal. I am going shopping for green tea this weekend. I'll try anything.

We are going to take the kids tomorrow to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It is a really big deal here it last over 2 weeks. They also always have lots of good "Texas Chow" so I am going to have to steer clear of the food vendors.

Have a great weekend ladies!

Paige