I survived my surgery but am not able to eat much (should help us out LOL)
I maintained at weigh-in on Thursday but it wasn't my regular weigh-in day, time or outfit (do you have a weigh-in outfit? LOL)

I've not even had 500 calories - not able to eat and don't want anything even if I could (I'd imagine it's the pills I'm taking - good grief!)

anyway just wanted to update and let you know I'm here but....not here! Gimme a few days and hopefully you'll see more of me

don't forget me!!!

WTG Selina - I want ONEderland so badly!!!

I weighed in this morning and I'm down 4.5 pounds

I know that's a good number but I really wanted to be down under 250 oh well next week.

I'm having some trouble with my left knee since the first of the week. It is only botherning me when I'm working out. It feels like it's grinding inside. I mean it is lol I can put my hand on my knee cap and when I move my leg back and forth it's grinding, popping, and painful. I'm trying to take it easy with what I'm doing as far as working out.

I've had the grinding and popping feeling for several years but not pain. So I'm getting a little worried now. When setting down if I start to raise my let out once it gets almost straight. I feel a very shap pain and can't and won't try to raise it the rest of the way. It feels like it's going to pop if I keep raising it. I don't know if that's the right way to explain it lol but hey I tried.

Okay I've not talked to my mom this morning yet. But I'm going to call her and see what her weigh in is. I may have to post if for her. She has a hard time learning how to get back and forth on here.

She does get to read the post that everyone makes since they go in her email :-)

Oh and Theresa don't get to discouraged I can tell a big difference in you. You may not see it like we do. But even my mom by looking at your pictures on here was bragging on you. So just keep up the good work!

Bye 4 now

okay
seriously
it is the drugs man

I LOST this week .6 (POINT 6) At first I thought I gained then I thought I maintained - but I went and grabbed my weigh-in book and I lost .6 sheesh

but I survived surgery

I lost 2 pounds

A very good morning BLUE TEAM!

JENN...OMG! Woman... to your 11 pound loss! WTG! And to your NSV as well. Seems like a lot of BD'S this month, my daughters is next week.

NADALIE...good job on the .6! Just remember, every little bit adds up in the end! Take it easy and try to relax.

CHELLE...was wondering if you were coming back Bet your house is looking GREAT!

MissROCKY...good job on the 2 pounds gone!

PAM... to 4.5 pounds gone!

HEATHER...hugs to you missy! I know how frustrating a gain can be but try not to be hard on yourself. You know you worked hard this week and that's all that matters right now. Just hang in there.

KAREN...hugs to you too! Try not to worry about what anyone else is doing, if they will be there or not...just focus on that little boy and have fun! It's all about HIM anyway! HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY to your baby!

HI to everyone else

I am happy to report a 1.8 lb loss this week. I really was a little worried that I would end up with a gain, or stay the same with the back and all. But I did better than I thought I did so I am happy with that, surprised, but happy. I've been doing the happy dance all morning. I can't tell you ladies how long it has been since I have seen the 180's or even been below 200 for very long. It really is a celebration for me.

Have a great day all!

GO BLUE!!

Yay! We have more losses to celebrate! Ellie, Peach, Pam, Ssgtswife33, Nori, Cristina.....you guys are doing awesome!

I’ve been having problems with my knees and I know how frustrating that can be. Last challenge, I was doing great with exercise until both knees started hurting. My Dad recommended Osteo Bi-flex and I’ve started taking that. I’ll let you know if it seems to help. He said it takes about 6 weeks to really see the improvement. I’ve been taking it consistently now for 2 weeks. It may be my imagination, but I think it just might be already working.

That is a wonderful NSV!

I don't plan on taking more until the end of this challenge. However, I will take measurements every 4 weeks.

Love this one! May have to write it on an index card and keep it on my desk.

These sound really good. Care to share the recipe?

Selina, you rock! Congratulations!

Kelly, we're routing for you! You can do this...you have planned ahead and that is a big part of winning the battle.

Yes, Fran! I'm with you on the weights. For the first time in 10 years, I've started strength training this week. I'm hoping to see some major changes between my before and after pictures at the end of this challenge. Plus, I really think the extra muscle will help increase my metabolism.

Karen - I'm sorry that your family is letting you down. Sometimes, family can treat us worse than anyone else. And, I know how much it hurts when your children are involved.

Peach -Glad your surgery went well. Hope you recover quickly.

Scgirl - How did it go with the Mexican food last night?

Marianne - I hope you get some great rest this weekend.

Alana Jo - How are you doing?

Michelle - We miss you! But, we understand how busy setting up a new household can be.

It is snowing here in Georgia again. The kids are so excited. We are expecting 4-5 inches. Tonight, I have a ladies neighborhood get together. We are playing Bunko...I have no idea how to play!....and we are having finger foods and bring-your-own-wine. So, this is my first official big temptation of the week. I plan on bring some diet rootbeer and picking up a veggie tray...and, I'll eat dinner and exercise before I go.

To those of you who've lost less than they hoped or gained this week, please don't give up. Keep going! My reality is that I gained weight between the time I gave Chellez my starting weight and when the challenge actually started. So, I've been trying to lose what I gained and lose a little more for our team. It looks like I might have a tiny loss for the team....but, a loss is a loss, right? And, there are better weeks ahead for all of us.

Hope everyone has a great on-plan day. I will probably check back in again later.

Karen - hope the parties go off smoothly! At least he's not aware at all of the family drama.

Pam - WOOHOO on your loss! What kind of exercise do you do? I have *noisy* knees also - especially when I'm doing lunges and squats or walk on a treadmill for a long time. It's like they start to feel too "loose", but at the same time I cannot straighten them? I get the sharp pain from time to time also. It freaks me out. Take it easy. I don't have any trouble with my knees on the elliptical. I'll update pic (oops haven't even posted it yet...gotta do that today) at the end. I measure once a month though, so I'll update those as I go. My BIG hope for the before/after shot is that some of my back fat is GONE!!

Nadalie - CONGRATS on the weight loss! The low number could be the surgery? I think it affects your whole system. But hey, and loss is a loss! I bet next week after a week on liquid diet, you see more? BTW - my weigh-in outfit is usually just my panties, or naked - since I do it at home!

Jenn - 11 pounds this week!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy cow! That's crazy. WTG on the huge food victories! Feels so good afterwards doesn't it?! It'll be easier next time.

Theresa - How great that DH noticed! Please don't be frustrated! You know you're doing the right thing and the results will come. I tend to maintain a # for a few days and then BAM the scale drops a couple pounds and then I hold that for a few days. None of these daily losses here.

Anna - please share your chick pea recipe. I eat hummus daily, so I'm sure I'd love it.

Chelle - I know how it is when you're moving. Hectic. It's so nice to get everything organized though.

Well, I need to get some work done. It's like a week day here now since the hospital just called DH into work - someone bit of more than they could chew. Literally. The food is stuck in their esophagus.

Question for the day:

Most of us spend too much time being critical of our bodies and our appearance. But, being overweight does not mean that we don't have positive things to appreciate about ourselves. Please share three things that you love about your body or your appearance. This may be difficult for some of us, but give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at how uplifting this positive thinking can be!

My three:
1 - I have thick hair with natural wave.
2 - I have long legs.
3 - I have pretty hands with strong nails (Thanks, Mom!)

Who's next?

Rhonda - I love your posts! You are so engaging

I love:

1) my eyes
2) my smile and teeth!
3) and yes, my boobs I hope I don't lose too much of them when I am at my goal weight!!!!

Cheers, Ginger

1. My green eyes
2. my tiny (gypsy) feet
3. my strong legs

Ginger - after 4 kids - I wish mine would shrink! LOL!

Great assignment, Rhonda! I've been blogging 5 positive things (about my body, my life or just positive self-talk/thought in general) every day and it's making a difference on my emotional state. Really! Just simply taking the time to write down 5 things that I'm happy about is making a difference! This is a little different since it's just about my body.

I like:

• my smile
• my ankles
• my round butt! I do! I don't want it to *disappear* - I want it to stay round, but get smaller.

Had to LOL about your #3 Ginger! When I lost 100 pounds last time, mine became A cups. I'm only a B now, so I'm expecting some A's again. Maybe a little fuller since I've had 2 kids since then?

1. I love my nose. I didn't get the one from my mom's side. Whew!
2. My tiny ankles and wrists. I might be fat everywhere else but not there.
3. I also think I have nice feet.

I guess that's what water bras are for eh? LOL (are those even "in" anymore? I am such a fashion loser!) - I'm still wearing nursing bras or sports bras and my kids 3.5.

I *guess* I could live with smaller boobs if I had a smaller body.

Frozen Peach - ROFL! I've had three kids and I guess I just feel good about having, as my DH calls them :"yummy mummy boobies" LOL.

OK, Rhonda, I'm with you & I'm off to go lift weights!! I will watch something from my netflix subscription too while doing it!

It's crazy how much snow the south is getting! Montgomery got some, and you all in GA! Wow. I assumed you were in s. georgia rhonda since you moved up from fla, but maybe you are in n. georgia? I have family in paulding co, north of atlanta & was B&R there myself, altho a little further south.