Hi all. Thanks for the encouragement. I was ready to blow this afternoon - for no big reason, just agitated with a number of little things. Frustrated! It's funny but I've been this way all week. It could be TOM. I think I'm also desparate for some time to relax which I do have this weekend. Also I was finding it very hard today to stick to healthy eating. I wanted to dive into lots and lots of food - extra hungry so I ate a big breakfast which leaves so few calories for the rest of the day. Thanks for listening to me complain. Being able to log on here has really quelled the storm. I'm drinking a gigantic, healthy smoothie as I write.

Marie, I hope you like the eliptical. It's nice to be able to have one in your own home - no excuses. Also do you have some good tv shows to watch as you ex. or music to listen to. Let us know how it works out.

Skinny thanks for all the encouragement. You have a GREAT attitude which rubs off on me over this web site. Thanks, thanks, thanks. I could not stay on this journey without you! I can't tell you how powerful this site is. Have a good night.

cals today so far - bagel w/healthy pb, yogurt (700), salad with turkey/grated cheese (300 - no dressing), giant smoothie with nonfat yogurt, frozen strawberries and blueberries and 1% milk (400) (1400 total - we'll see if that's it for the day, I may add something, but I'd like to stick with this)

TOF-I have had the munchies today as well. I'm thinking mine like be yours: TOM related. Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad that I can be a source of encouragement for you. You can be sure that it's a two way street!

Marie-congrats on your reward! You go, girl. I have a gazelle that I use at home some. I really like it. Most times, I pop in the video that came w/it b/c Tony Little is a good motivator!

I really hope this munchies monster leaves us all alone this weekend!

BTW-did I mention that we found out last night our van needs about $400-500 of work done on it? And guess what-we don't have it! Praying God will provide.

Also found out today that my daughters dad is in the hospital. He's slipping in and out of conscienceness (sp?) and they have no idea why. He is paralyzed from being electrocuted on the job about 7 years ago so even a minor illness for him is a big deal. Keep him, as well as my sweet babies, in your thoughts/prayers. They already have a lot of stresses in their life right now w/things the way they are at home. Thanks for listening. I'll keep you updated.

Have a great weekend. Hang in there, ladies.

Hi to both of you. I hope your evening is going good. My munchie monster finally stopped bugging me at about 5:00 this afternoon. The only good thing to come out of it is that I'm not hungry. I'm at about 1100 calories at the moment and I'm going to skip dinner. It is Cathleen's birthday (DS's girlfriend) and they're on their way over. I made a diet fudge cake that is my son's favorite birthday cake. It's got about 150 calories per piece so I figure I can have a piece and a small scoop of ice cream. You guys know that I can rationalize that as dinner. There's flour and milk in the cake and of course ice cream is the fifth food group and dairy so it fits. Right????

Skinny, my thoughts are with you and your daughters. How scary. You sure do have your hands full these days. That you're able to stay on track with your food is amazing. I sure hope that DDs' dad is okay.

TOF, I've been irritable for the last couple days. I bet it's just a contagious mood. At about 4:00 I started to feel better. Maybe it's because I left work at four, but I came home and did some cleaning and still was in a good mood. Cleaning makes me happy when it's done but I'm crabby as I do it - at least usually. I hope the weekend ends your agitation. Aren't weekends great? I'm so happy not to be going to work.

Tomorrow DH and I are going over the mountain to shop for clear stained glass (now that's a misnomer) since the custom piece I did got broken in shipping. Hopefully UPS isn't too big of a pain for the claim. For now, it's a Christmas present and it's being overnighted to me and I'll fix it early next week. Then I'll get it back to her. BTW, Fedex is our choice of shipping now... UPS had to really toss it to get it to break like it did and it was clearly marked glass/fragile with a big orange sticker. So anyway, tomorrow we're going to get the glass. That part's the pain but DH and I are going to go out to lunch.

That's about it for now. Talk to you in the morning.
Marie

Hi all. Marie you are doing great with your cals. I'm with you on the cleaning business that might have contributed to my mood. The greatest factor I believe was exhaustion - when I get tired I'm useless. I watched a couple of tv shows last night - mindless but relaxing. Then I had a good nights sleep. I feel much better today.

Skinny, my thoughts are with your daughters' father. How sad. I'm sure it brings up all kinds of emotion in you. Remember you are free to vent, complain, share sadness, wonder, question and anything else you want to do on this site. We're here to help you on the journey. You've certainly helped me!

I've started reading about exercise and how important it is. I'm going to try to fit in 30 minutes of something every day to start. My first focus is to make it part of my daily routine in all kinds of creative ways. This morning I'm going to the gym for some music and a workout. I guess exercise will be my next focus - obsession. I need those points of reference to keep the rest of my life moving along smoothly.

Any exercise tips for someone starting out. I welcome them.

Hi TOF, glad to hear you're feeling better this morning. Amazing what a little mindless time will do. It sounded like you needed it. Good job on fitting in the exercise. I'm working on 30 minutes 5 days a week. I know I can't do a 30 minute 7 days a week thing. I'd burn out too quick. So I'm going fo 5 days with a hope that I do 6. So we shall see how that goes. My Gazelle is supposed to be here on Thursday so I'll be able to do soemthing other than the exercycle. I got burned out on Richard Simmons tapes and I don't feel that I got a really good workout. So I've been exercycling and increasing the resistance daily by a minute.

Skinny, I hope things are going better for you. My thoughts are with you and your family. Is it possible for you to find some time to yourself so that you can unwind a bit. I'm with TOF, this is the place to vent, blow off steam, or whatever you need. We're your friends.

Well, today is a trip over the mountain day. The weather looks like it might cooperate since it's not raining or snowing at the moment. DH is taking me out to lunch and I look forward to spending time with him. Right now we're working opposite times (he's on swing shift and I'm working days) so we don't see each other except on weekends. We only have another 3 weeks of this then he goes back on days. It'll be great then. I love being with him and I'm tired of being alone at night. But what will be harder is that when my pal the munchie monster attacks me during the day, I can make up for the calories by not eating at night or just eating a light dinner. That'll change with him home so I have to get that monster under control by January. I'll keep working on it.

Take care of yourselves.
Marie

PS - I forgot - I weighed and lost a pound. YEAH!!!! I'm to 188.

Hi Marie, congratulations on losing a pound. You're on your way!

I had a tough day yesterday. All I wanted to do was eat. I was really hungry - why? TOM? The exercise? Anyways I ate about 2,000 cals - too many, but mainly healthy food. I did give in to a couple chocolate chip cookies and some cocoa as I had a real chocolate craving which I tend to get once a month.

I'm going to a pot luck Christmas party today. I'm bringing veggie chili - very healthy and low cal. I'm also bringing lots of seltzer so you know what I'll be eating. I really hope to stay at or under the 1500 today.

My sister will be at the party. We got over the last round of arguing, but it seems she's upset with me again as she hasn't returned my calls all week. Why? I have no idea this time, but I expect she'll be a little cool today. My mom said that it seems like something is bothering her too. Thanks for letting me share.

Hi Skinny and TOF, I hope your weekend was good. I had a great time on Saturday. DH and I went shopping (spent too much again) and out to lunch. I was able to stay in my calorie limit and that was great. Yesterday we went snowshoeing so I got plenty of exercise.

TOF, I hope the pot luck dinner party was good. Your sister sounds like she is high maintenance. I dont envy you wondering what has ticked her off now. It's too bad she doesn't realize how taxing her way of handling disagreements is. The silent treatment should have gone away with the completion of junior high school.

Yesterday I made my holiday bread and I had it for breakfast this morning. I cut out half of the butter and I couldn't tell it was gone so that's less fat in the bread. It's amazing how many places you can get rid of calories and never notice. I have to keep working at that.

I wish it was Thursday... I want my Gazelle. I am so excited to try and use it. My son is looking forward to it too. DH isn't quite excited but he plans to try it. He has this weird idea of cross country skiing around Crater Lake this winter so he needs to get into skiing shape. We have a nordic track but the Gazelle should work too. I'd like to get the nordic track out of my house. I don't use it so it should be gone - right??? I'd like to sell it on ebay and really make it go away.

Today the stained glass I made for sale should be back here for repairs. So that's what I'll be doing for the next two nights. Repair work is messy and a lot of work but sort of fun.

Well, back to work time. Talk to you later.
Marie

Marie, you sound great! So good to hear from you. So many positive actions - good food, healthy exercise. Great!

I'm in a slump right now in all ways. School was so tough today - it was like my feet were in quicksand. I just couldn't muster the energy to do anything. My sister still isn't communicating with me. I can only guess the reasons, but nothing stands out strongly. My boys want more of me than I even have to give. I think I'm just beat up from the semester of taking a course, working full time and mothering three young boys. It's a lot and I'm tired. The break is coming soon and I can't wait! Until then I'm just going to try not to gain weight and exercise when I can - so much for my high hopes of the weekend.

Thanks for listening. I don't want to drop out, I'm just going to coast a bit through this downer. Any advice is welcome.

Good morning all. Thanks for being here. Thanks for listening to me. I just get so frustrated when my actions don't live up to my expectations, desires, etc. I just get so upset sometimes. I want to do the right thing, but sometimes I just can't do it - I'm just too bothered by it all. Something to work on. Advice welcome!

So it's another day. I have to brush off yesterday's dust (ash) and move on with a more loving attitude, a more positive attitude. I read something inspirational yesterday about the fact that sometimes what is right is not working too hard, to work simply and be. I think I need a day like that.

Have a healthy, happy day. Thanks again for being here.

Confession time-I was a naughty girl this weekend. Ate whatever I wanted and didn't exercise one iota. (I like that word. ) So, today I'm trying to, as TOF said, dust off yesterday's failure and start again. Ugh-and right before weigh in!

TOF-no advice from this wayward weight loss buddy! I need advice myself. *sigh* I'm sure we'll both get back on track but it surely isn't easy, is it? This morning, you sound like you're back on the right track. Maybe I'll find some inspiration this morning as well.

Marie-you sound good. You are doing well. Maybe you can exercise some for TOF and me! Keep up the good work. I own a gazelle and I love it. Is yours coming w/the video as well? I love to use it b/c Tony Little is very motivational. I think you'll really enjoy it.

I am really enjoying the unquiet mind. I recognize my DH in so much of it. It's very good. I found out from DH last night that he hasn't been paying our tithes to the church since early spring. Of course, I'd already figured this out but was waiting for him to admit it. So, I will be taking care of writing out the tithes checks from now on.

DD's dad is out of ICU. He's in a regular room, ate yesterday and is much more coherent. They still don't know what caused it but they think it was an allergic reaction to some new meds they put him on recently.

Oh, God has provided the means for us to have my van fixed! Woo-hoo! So, good stuff going on as well as the difficult. Oooh-also got a bonus from the boss last night.

Well, help me get back on track ladies. Thanks for being there for me. You're are much appreciated!

Hi TOF and Skinny, It's quite incredible that we're all having a slump in the diet track these days. I can't blame the holidays because it has nothing to do with it. Mine is the TOM and I want chocolate. No I need it. No I DESIRE it. It's driving me nuts.

Tonight I need to exercise. Yesterday I just worked on the stained glass piece. It looks like UPS through the clearly marked fragile package out of the truck as it sped down the highway. I don't know how they could do so much damage. Anyway, I used it as an excuse yesterday not to exercise. But not tonight. I will exercise and I will work on stained glass after that. I come first, right? No, not quite, but I can get them both done, I'm sure.

My Gazelle comes on Thursday and I keep looking at the tracking on UPS just urging it to catch and earlier truck and get here tomorrow. Stupid, huh? I just am so excited to get it and use it. But the stained glass will be done by Thursday so stained glass won't be an excuse.

Food wise, I've been okay. Yesterday and all previous days since we started have been at 1500 calories except one day was 1700. But today - that's going to be tougher. I will try to stay under, but I had 3 See's Chocolates that were given to our office. I have to look the calories up on them before I leave so I know how much I ate.

TOF, hang in there, Friday is coming and that should mean the end of the term for now. At least it is with our district. Christmas vacation starts Friday at 4:00. Actually, it'll start for me next Monday night since I'm helping upgrade a server on Monday.

Skinny, congrats on finding the way to get your van fixed. I'm glad you're still with transportation. And I'm glad you like the book. For me, it was like looking in the mirror in many spots - especially the money and changing the hair swings.

That's about it. I will exercise tonight and talk to you tomorrow. Both of you take care of yourselves and try to enjoy your family because they're all that really matters.
Marie

Okay, I looked up the See's candies and I will not waste 240 calories on them anymore. Sheesh. So added all up, I have eaten 1090 calories. So I figured out what I'm going to have for dinner and that will bring me up to 1500 calories. So I guess I'm going to do good. Yeah!!!!!

Hi all. You might know but I have one other site I regularly write on called "Daily Check-In." I was just writing there that all we can hope for until the first of the year is not to start binging and eating everything in sight for the wrong reasons. From now until then I'm simply going to do my best. I'm going to try to only break the routine for special treats and cut little pieces to taste rather than a whole piece. On the first I'll be back in full force - there's just too much going on right now and you're right family comes first and mine needs me a lot right now - they are craving lots of tlc and I'm ready to give it because YES - the course is OVER!!!!!!!! I'm so happy. Yes, it was worthwhile in so many ways, but it pushed the rest of my life completely out of sorts as you know from my many emails.

Carol, my vacation starts next Wed., but we're winding down a bit and doing some special kinds of artistic math and writing projects that the students like. Today the students were very good. I said, "See how nice I am when everyone works hard!"

Skinny, we just don't want to go backward and gain. A plateau is fine with me from now until Jan. 1. Just keep thinking about those spring clothes. Spring clothes are unforgiving, not like winter clothes where you can hide it all under a big sweater. Think how good we'll feel this spring if we're down another 10 or 20 pounds. We'll feel fabulous. I bought myself some aromotherapy bubble bath to indulge myself tonight. So long. Have a great night.

Well, I stepped on the scales this morning and miraculously, I haven't gained! Except for the fact that I'm probably worrrying it off, there's no explanation! Oh, well-I'll take it.

I agree w/TOF; I think I'll focus on maintaining between now and Jan. 1. I'll definitely be keeping up the exercise and watching what I eat but if I can maintain through the holidays, I'll be a happy camper.

Eating has been okay. Haven't exercised for a couple days but plan to get back in the swing of things tomorrow. Last time I exercised, I pulled some kind of muscle in my foot. It's just now recuperated so time to hit the Y.

TOF-Congrats on finally being done w/your course! you did it! We knew you could. I hope you really enjoyed your relaxing bath last night. I love to do that! Now, where are you going for vacation? I know you've told us before but I've forgotten.

Marie-how did your exercise go last night? Good for you for not making any excuses. I have seen a lot of my DH in the book. I'm 1/2 through it right now and will probably be done by Friday. I want to pass it on to him. I laughed at your hair comment but I was laughing w/you! It's amazing, isn't it, how much better you feel if your hair looks good! Bad hair day-look out! You said you were craving chocolate. Why don't you do what you offered to us to do-eat a handful of choc. chips. I tried that the other day and it really does help. Oh, speaking of hair-I'm going today during lunch hour to get a hair cut. My gift to me as my hair is driving me crazy! Ugh.

We should have our van back by the end of the week, I hope!

DD's dad is actually in a "monitored care" room. I'd never heard of this before. It's a step down from ICU but not a regular room as it is much more monitored. He has gone back to being incoherent again and still no idea what's going on. Please keep him in your thoughts/prayers.

Went Christmas shopping w/my bonus money. DH and I have been buying up stocking stuffers all year but didn't have any under the tree gifts yet. We have a check coming in soon from delivering phone books and it has been earmarked for Christmas gifts as well. So, looks like God took care of that need as well as the van sitch. YEAH!

Well, ladies. Gotta run. No cappucino this morning as machine was broken Oh, well. Coffee's good! Have a great health day. Thanks so much for you support and encouragement!

Good Morning all. Crazy day of too many schedule snafews which led me to overeat at the staff party - not horrendous, but too much. This healthy lifestyle still takes me a lot of thought - it's not natural. I'm done eating for the day now and hopefully I'll be able to make up for today's overeating. It's a struggle at this time of the year. I'm so much thinner that I just don't want to give it all up. Have a good day. I'm glad to hear that life is sending you solutions to your challenges Skinny. I'm not surprised as I know you give so much to others. Marie, let us know how your new exercise machine is working. Hang in there everyone. You are inspiring me. Take care.