Pammmm....

They (the WWfolks) even REQUIRE certain #s of servings of fruit....BUT, I'm sorta certain that Sangria doesn't count for your daily water intake... WAIT... it doesn't have caffeine does it? Maybe it does!

I was UP and out of the house today by 6:30....AND had to look for a place to sit in the meeting... What is WRONG with people??? LOL

Dh grilled some delicious steak. He also grilled some veggies... I steamed some broccoli and viola...we called it dinner. The only points were the beef and the butter... I saved enough points to have a WW icecreammmmmmm.....

Running... school crap needs my attention...and I have to make the weekly menu and shopping list...booohisss.... In my next life, all my groceries and meals will be done FOR me! That and the laundry...and... well, I could go on but why...:sigh:

take care,
meee

Pam - Isn't it terrible that a messy house is always a bad reflection on the woman of the household? When I try to get my DH to help he says "just don't do it". Yeah right! I really need to do some super scrubbing before school starts next week. I KNOW I won't have any energy that first week or two! Great advice you gave to Mouse. Way to be positive! I always tell my children "the only person you can control is you".

Robyn - Congrats on the weight loss. Isn't WW great?! Now I am a morning person and would LOVE a early morning meeting. I always weigh less in the morning. I hope your school meeting goes well tomorrow. Just remember the parent is always right AND you have the last say in what happens. You need to advocate for what is best for your DS. Be strong! The wedding was actually okay. It rained in buckets in the morning but cleared up and was beautiful by the afternoon. Both the bride and groom have been single and living alone all of their adult lives. I can imagine it is going to be quite the adjustment for both of them. I definately think the bride will be wearing the pants in the family! School eating is good and bad. It is good in that you can't really snack. You can pack a healthy lunch in the a.m. while you are in your "I'll be good today" mode and then have no choice to eat it. On the other hand, I get SO BORED of eating the same things over and over. We have treats in the teacher's office WAY to often. The biggest problem however is when I walk through the door after school. Whether I really am or not, I think I am absolutely starving. If I don't use extreme restraint I will consume mass quanities of whatever is ready available!

Michele - Welcome to our group. I think you will find we talk about all of life's struggles, not just our weight. This group is great to vent to! I believe that we, as teachers, have more stress than the average Jane. I know this group has helped me a lot. I don't know how many times I have LOL reading the posts! I am the second eldest in the group. I just turned 42 Wednesday. This will be my 20th year teaching special education. The last 19 of which have been at the high school level. I have one DS (13) and one DD (10). My DS is autistic and my DD ADHD, so I get to do the sped thing day and night! I do Weight Watchers for my diet plan. It works for me because it makes me control my portions but lets me eat a treat if I need it! I am probably the biggest slacker in the exercise department. I like to do things that don't feel like exercise (golfing, swimming, dancing) but not real stuff. Every night as I crawl into bed I think "tomorrow I will exercise" but it just doesn't happen. We even have a great exercise room that never gets used. So tell me about Walk Away the Pounds. Can I do it inside on my treadmill? I am so glad your name only has one L. That is how my sister spells her name!

Sue

Michele, WELCOME!!! I'm a 40 year old married mother of a 7 year old girl. I teach pre-k in a public inner city school. I am beginning my 5th year teaching (TENURE!!!) tomorrow. I had a prior career as a manager of a group home for developmentally disabled adults. My weight began to creep up on me following my mother's death when I was 22. I yo-yoed for several years, but never went above a size 14. When I had to take hormones to get pregnant, the pounds began to really come on me. Following the birth of my child, I had gained a lot of weight. I have continued to yo-yo on different diets...tried them all. Last year was a "banner year" for me professionally, but I didn't take care of myself at all. I decided to dedicate this summer to getting in a healthy routine. On the last day of school, I began South Beach Diet, and I lost 11 pounds during the first 3 weeks. By the end of July, I lost my momentum, and I haven't lost any more weight. I did, however, have a consultation with Radke, the Russian personal trainer, (strrrong like bull!) and will be sharing personal training with a friend beginning on September 8th. Hopefully working out with a friend and having guidance from a trainer will help me to focus on me more this year. It is very easy for me (the people pleaser) to get sucked into busting my hump at school and grad school, and putting myself last on the list of priorities.

Last night's luau was something. I ended up wearing a sleeveless Hawaiian shirt with clam diggers. DH and I agreed that the bathing suit and grass skirt didn't emphasize the positive. He was surprisingly sensitive and nice about it. I have no problem with honest communication as long as it is done with kindness and love. He did good. My hair and make-up looked great. When I got there, it was cool to see the set-up. She had a limbo pole set-up over a pile of sand. They set up a tiki-bar. There were twinkle lights, fake palm trees (which looked surprisingly real) all lit up and tables with grass skirts...totally festive. I was really impressed...you know how teachers love to take a theme and run with it! Anyway, shortly after my arrival, I was confronted with my worst fear. Right after getting "leied," my friend was making everyone put on grass skirts. I knew it wouldn't fit me, and I panicked wishing I had my plus size one that I had left at home. There were two other plus size women in attendance, and I waited to see what would happen. My friend, more sensitive than I would have expected, presented her with a plus size grass skirt that looked exactly like the ones for the skinny girls. She had thought of everything. She didn't want us to be embarrassed. So, I donned the grass skirt for the remainder of the evening. I had a wide assortment of tropical drinks and shots...I never mix my alcohol...youza!!! Yes, I got totally hammered. The music was great, and we had a good time. DH won the limbo contest. I have to say, being surrounded by bikini clad beauties in grass skirts didn't bother me as much as I thought it would, probably because they didn't do anything to point out that I wasn't one of them. It was more of an inspiration to try harder to get thin. No, this body will never wear a bikini again...the emergency C-section scar and stretch marks has made than an impossibility. But, one piece bathing suits can be just as sexy on a thin body. Anyway, I woke up at 3am with one heck of a pounding headache...migraine brand...took 3 motrins and drank 16 ounces of water. Miraculously when the idiotic beagle belonging to the next door nightmare began to howl at 8:20am, my head didn't feel like it was going to explode. Yes, I'm fuzzy headed, but I can function surprisingly well.

I'm too far behind to catch up with you all. I'm gonna start our new thread within the next day or so. Be looking out for it.

I spent literally several of my precious hours in our local Walmart!
Prepare yourselves for yet another Walmart rant from Robyn.....

First it was getting the school supplies for the boys. $$ THEN it was grocery shopping. $$$ Good GAWWWW! I should have gotten up at 4 to get in and out of that place! See where I live... we have NO choice about where we do our "walmarty stuff" shopping. Walmart is literally our only choice... without traveling 45 minutes across a toll bridge and into the "big city" chaos. "Our Walmart" is the only one for literally miles and miles... so people come out of the wood work to shop there. It is sorta sad.... when they get a new shipment of something new... you hear about it and rush in an effort to get it before it runs out! How country hick is THAT?! It is sort of funny. All the kids have the exact same school supplies and toys! Can you hear the rocking chairs rocking with the banjo music playing?! LOL Today we walked in at 10:30 and had to wait for a cart. Sometimes I do go at weird hours .... like midnight.... but the last time I did that we waited in line 24 minutes (YES, I DID time it!) to check out....... Anyway. It is 2:10 and the groceries have JUST been put away! WhoooHooo.... Yes, I know all about the horrible way that Walmart allegedly treats their employees yadda yadda yadda.... we have NO choice! I do go to another grocery most of the time....but Walmart has more of a variety of the items that were on today's list! (I guess I need to make my weekly menu's of only NON Walmart foods!) Ok... I think that I've finished with my rant.

Sorry! ...and thanks for listening! wheww! I wish I felt better. I sorta feel like I'm in a roller coaster going up to that first big hill.... I'm going up....up...up.... and I knowwww that I'm about to reach the VERY top (that will be tomorrow's alarm clock!) and then I will be sliding down, down, down WITHOUT being able to slow it down or stop it! .... How far down this goes, I'm not too sure...cause we go into a deep dark cave... (that's the first faculty meeting!)

Ok.... I'm off to eat my LASSST LUNCH on my own schedule at my own pace..... without (hopefully...depends on what my ds's do while I'm eating) being interrupted by little people! Hehehehe.... I sound like I'm going to my death tomorrow, don't I? I'll be fine in about.... 193 days! No... It will take me 2 weeks or so to get back into the groove.... ahhhhhhhh....SUMMER! My beloved SUMMER is going, going, GONNNEEE....

Ya'll take care.... and thanks for putting up with my drama!
meeee

Hey!
I spent most of my day today writing lesson plans. AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I have the next three weeks planned out. However, I know I won't be where I'm supposed to be when it is all said and done. We have to email our plans for the week by Monday Morning 8 am. Well, I figured since I am going to Knoxville, Tennessee for labor day weekend that I would just get next weeks done too. Fun Fun Fun!
Robin: I agree about the whole Walmart deal. Here it is awful. I don't care what time of day or night you go it is ridiculous. The only time that I have found is not obnoxious is Sunday am at like 7. The unfortunate thing, is that they have the best food prices and variety in town. Here's a tissue. I feel your pain. We are starting on day 3 tomorrow. Although the only thing I dread is the whole getting up in the morning. I wish I was a morning person, I'm more of a night owl.

Summer: Sounds like a fun luau. That was really cool of your friend to have the plus size grass skirts. I like her............ You know it really sucks to go shopping with someone who isn't a plus size person. My friend and I went to the outlet. She is like a fourteen. Well, there were only two places in the whole outlets that I could find something in my size, even though my size has come down quite considerably. She however, left with full bags. I was sort of pissed cause she was going with me cause I needed some school clothes. However, I have managed to find some cute clothes this year. There is this hag at my school who is alreay getting on my nerves because I have been wearing new outfits to school. Well dang, she says something smart everyday. I finally said "Look Beverly, I had to go and buy all new clothes, cause my other ones were too big." She didn't say anything. I will tell you though, I got a ton and I mean ton of stuff (all clearance) really nice stuff, and I swear it was just a little over one hundred bucks when I figured it all out. Now, when fall rolls around I will be in definite trouble cause I have NO WINTER CLOTHES!

Sue: I thought of you today when I bought a pair of pink sandals. Ha!
I snuck them in and threw them in the closet. Isn't it awful. My husband just shakes his head at me. They were comfie and cute and only seven bucks, so how could I pass them up?

Ginny: R u back yet?

Kerry: How's it going?


Pam

Thank you, everyone for the warm welcome! Friday the 19th was my first inservice day and we started with kids last Wed (24th). So, I'm starting to get into a bit of a routine already (though I'm already looking forward to a 3 day weekend next week!).

Walk Away the Pounds is a series of videos/DVD's by Leslie Sansone. Unfortunately, you can't do them on your treadmill (though she does have some CD's that can work). Basically, she has 4-5 basic steps that she talks you through as you walk, increasing your pace to the music. They are pre-measured in 1, 2, 3, and 4 mile tapes. She also has a good selection of strength training and firming tapes. They are very low impact, which is wonderful for our aging joints. I am not very coordinated, so Tae-Bo and the Firm are NOT for me. These are perfect! I also have her book, which came with a 1 mile DVD. The book takes you through a 6 week Walk Diet (I'm starting Week 5). She's coming out with another book about eating and nutrition choices in January, too. I am also a member of her Walk Club (there is a fee, but it's very reasonable). Hope that answers some of your questions. Feel free to ask more.

As of this afternoon, I have done 105 miles since July 5th! I've only lost 5 pounds, but I feel healthier! Hopefully, more weight will start to come off soon! I am terrible about lunch! I cannot make the time to exercise in the am AND make a lunch, so I usually eat the school's lunch. We have 3 choices, including a salad, but I don't always make the best choice. One thing at a time.....and right now it has to be the walking!

Again, thanks for the welcome! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and working through our unique problems together!

Michele

Okay...I'm starting to get palpitations...

I don't feel so good...

I feel like I might start to cry...

NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer can't be over, it just can't be...

SH*T

Sorry about that outburst...

Hi, fellow teachers!

I'm new to 3FatChicks and teach hs science. In my previous life I was a food scientist for a major meat processor (yuk!) so I know the kind of bad stuff that goes into processed foods.

I stumbled upon the site by accident looking for info. after going to doc. I am 5'4" and 159 lbs (lost 3 in last 3 weeks). In my former life I was 115-125lbs always, but my poundage gradually went up yearly after becoming a teacher.

You gals/guys are great and I can't stay away even for a day. It's been informative, supportive, and just fun sometimes. Good luck to all!

Tammy

I almost forgot.....I go back to school tomorrow and the kids come back Tuesday! My first born (son) went to college (freshman) last week and I have a 16-yr-old daughter starting school Tuesday also (not in my school, though). I'm in a great district, but I tend to make bad choices there. I wait too long between meals and stuff everything in sight into my mouth without even thinking. This year I've vowed to prepare my food/drink the night before and stick to my eating schedule (5-6 meals/snacks works for me). See ya!

Welcome Tammy! You are with a few of us who are going back tomorrow! (Guess you figured that out, huh?) We are a tad, um, UNGLUED over it!

Michele, Do you do the WATP video that has jogging as part of it? (I want to try it...but I'm afraid!...AND truly I need to start at the 1 mile and build up my efforts ::sigh:

Summer, I feeeeeel your pain! Do you still have on your grass skirt that your friend was so thoughtful to order in a correct size? Give that skinny lil thang a hug from your fat friend, Robyn!

Pam, you are so smart to get your plans done in advance.... even if you will be drawing arrows all over the place to MOVE the real stuff when you get to it! One year I had to turn things in early like that.... Magic markers were my friends! (And when I had to turn the thing in at the end...I turned it in ALL marked up w/o any notes or anything to help her figure the mess out! :: Yeah, like THAT did anything...but I felt better! Thanks for understanding my angst over Walmart! It makes me sooo angry that we don't have a choice! (Oh, don't start me up again!)

Ginny, you still got sand between your toes? Hope it was glorious!

Mouse, Kerry, Sue, Where are you girls?

I've got 5 minutes to get in my last 2 points! WW icecream! MMMMMMMMM! I don't eat after 8! hehehehe Don't want to forget the best part of the day! Sighhhh... I'm supposed to be changing the ways that I think and the things I eat!

OHHH wait, Tammy. Please please pleaseeeee don't discuss meat or meat processing. I HATE HATE HATE most meat.... and have a very difficult time choking it down... BUT... since I don't adore veggies...and chocolate doesn't count as one... I'm kinda stuck continuing to try to eat meat! ::bleech:: Dead animal flesh! MMMMmmmmm! When I was preggers I would vomit THINKING about shopping for meat! hehehe! I bet you could tell tales that would gag me for a year or more!

gotta run.... dh is standing here waiting for the computer!
take care,
meeee

Tammy, WELCOME!!! You are catching us at a bad time.

Tonite, DD came out of the bathroom with her toothbrush in her hands all a mess in tears. I thought she hurt herself and asked her what was wrong. She burst into tears and said she wanted me. She had a total meltdown about me going back to work and not spending our days together anymore. She was upset that summer is over and just completely lost it. I brushed her teeth for her like when she was little. Then I showered her and washed her hair as she cried. I so wanted to cry with her and tell her that I would quit my job and homeschool her. But, I know that is not what she needs. So I was strong and calmed her down. She is a really social kid, and once she sees her friends, she should enjoy school. I was very tempted to tell her that I would spend every free minute with her and skip the gym on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. But, I made a commitment to myself to exercise. I wish I didn't have to work the afterschool program. I wish I didn't have to go to grad school. I wish I could be a stay-at-home mom. But, that is not my reality. I am having such a hard time giving up the summer myself, and now with her being so upset, I have a giant lump in my throat. God, give me strength...

Oh Summer...I'm so sorry! (((hugs))) She will get right back into the swing of things as soon as she gets with her school friends again! ((((hugs))))

take care,
meeee

Thanks Rob.

I'm leaving for school in a few minutes...summer is over.


SAY IT ISN'T SOOOOOO..........

Just a quick hello.....yup I am back from OB. All in all.....taking into account moody kids etc.....and some totally disgustingly hot weather for the first few days it was a good vacation. The weather broke on Tuesday, and the remainder of the weather was to die for. Breezy and cool.....delightful. Yes, I feel rested. The best part was actually getting my husband back, not the monster who comes home drained from life in a pharmaceutical company known for its vampire ways with employees.
But alas, all good things must come to an end.....and school starts in a week. Can smell those diesel fumes now......My condolences to those who have started already- hope all is going as well as can be expected. Chin up, my friends!
Gotta go see how bad my email is........sorry not to get personal.
Ginny