Hello all, it finally feels like fall here in Houston it feels so good walking in the morning, yesterday I did 3 miles and this morning I just finished doing 4 miles that's the most I've ever done I'm crazy proud of myself. I am starting to feel a difference in my energy level I am not as wiped out at the end of the day. The scale finally dropped after staying the same for a week, yay 3 more lb. gone.
Got to get busy now several Thanksgiving bow orders need to go out today.
Lemon: hope your arm is feeling better, have you tried a heating pad?

Les: just remember the bread at panera adds up quickly! The soups weren't too bad, I did the wild rice/chicken today. I had planned a bowl but DH misheard me and just got a cup and LO ate 1/2 of my baguette and thensome. I had water w/the meal as well, so I was somewhat good. Going to make a diabetic chicken recipe for dinner tonight. I do hope it turns out well again.

Giggles: FANTASTIC for you! Keep up the walking. I used to, but when I really get going I seem to spur on a dandy case of bursitis and then I can't do anything (though that's how I have to get rid of it is to keep moving). So right now I am sticking w/the bike. Not as much stress on the hips. So - keep it going and enjoy the freeing feeling you are having from being tired or sore!

AM: Last night was a no go, I peter out the closer it's been getting to 7 pm and my kids start to wind down their day. I had done 10 loads of laundry yesterday so that kept me busy. I've just been tired of late, perhaps the time change and the dark are both catching up to me quickly so I need to adjust. Perhaps I can get up early once again and go at 5am. I need to move.

I was ok, the scale read 238.0, not great considering me offering up the veterans day challenge. I will admit, somedays my celebrating/sweets got the best of me. hey, if by tomorrow morning I can get it go down even one more pound, that will be good. It's the going back up that frustrates me. Fight I will.

I hope to take the LOs on a walk after the OLO gets home from school. One of our city blocks clocked in stepwise at .3 miles, so we will add a few more blocks as the LO w/the short legs might peter out quicker, we just walk slower, so I don't know if that counts for anything. It's my quick walking of late that's been my problem.

I have a pesky fly that's hanging on flying around my head. I should sign off so I can sacrifice him to the fly swatter. I hate flies in my house, in general a nuisance!

Happy pounds lost gals! Take note tomorrow to add your weigh in and if you have interest in doing another two week one especially so close to turkey time.

I might not reach the Veteran's Day challenge, either. My TOM has me gaining everyday for the last few days. Today was 192.6 so if I don't see a drop tomorrow, then no 5 pounds for me, haha. Oh well, we do what we can.

Les: well it's certainly be nice if the weight did come off in these past weeks. Hey at least I'm close to 237 as I'm up to 238. I had the same issue before too. I loose weight and hit a crappy plateau or load up on sweets around TOM and go right back up. So we'll all celebrate whatever it is we have taken off or encourage one another to keep trying if the scale doesn't move down.

I didn't loose anything - I was hopeful - I hopped on the scale before bed and it said 236. I woke up it said 238.2.

So my vets day challenge was not successful. Anyone interested in trying a alb challenge again? Let me know if so and what the time frame or pounds to work on is. Maybe leading into thanksgiving is a good one.

AM: drat! I even ate fairly well yesterday. Back to salads again today and be happy with that. I have added chia to my diet. Kind of gross, but worth trying out. I will say I did feel full before I finished up my dinner. I had put them with my veggies and cooked them that way. Actually, I should say I hydrated them before using and then put in w/my meal stuffs. Will see how it does today, I had some as jelly on my peanut butter toast. Again, totally gross looking, but there is no taste other then the slimy factor that reminds me of pictures of caviar. I am not wealthy, so since I don't eat that I am referring back to photos

Hope everyone is doing well with their journey. I still aim to turn this around and get it moving again. I don't know - do you all loose interest at certain points along the way? I find I do, it just happens I guess. You see everyone else enjoying the bad things and then you want to hop on board with that as well. Thats one thing I have to work on continually.

I got a beautiful head of cauliflower yesterday. I like eating those raw, they are like their own crunchy goodness with a bit of spice. Do any of you have a go to veggie that you like raw? Mine is cauliflower and green peppers. I can eat both until I am full.

Good luck to all of you w/your weigh-ins today!

SW: 197.4
CW: 193.4
GW: 192.4

Another gain today, so no Veteran's Day Challenge success here, haha. Although, I was under my GW from Friday-Monday so maybe that counts a little, haha. Hoping this weight drops back off when my TOM ends. My face looks chubby today so I know I'm holding water.

I like carrots and cucumber raw and plain. I like broccoli and cauliflower raw with a little dip or hummus. Onions, cabbage, tomatoes, bell peppers, I will eat all of those raw in recipes or salads but not by themselves.

Lemon, I definitely lose interest at points. I am still staying under the deficit but I have lots of days where I feel just kind of blah about it. But then I have a day where I look really good in the mirror or some thing and it kind of reboots. That happened to me last week and now I'm walking more and trying to eat better things. Hoping it pays off after TOM.

Les: I hear you on throwing in the towel. Many a time I have felt that way. I don't have the success yet when I look in the mirror so that's not a total motivator for me. Right now the only thing I'm seeing is my weight is sliding down to my belly and I swear I could knead what's on my belly. I know it takes time and patience w the process. It's just hard some days.

Hello Violets!

Ok I'm crazy but I'd like to offer another 5lb challenge if anyone like to hop on. Turkey day loss final weigh in Wednesday the 25th. Perhaps we can take off some pesky pounds and get it moving through the holidays. If you are thinking you'd like to post your start weight tomorrow morning here. Maybe some of us will be really good and that scale starts sliding!

Totally don't want to work out today. Part of the yeah is that it's pouring out and today I don't feel like sprinting between the drops. However that's another day w/o physical movement other than chasing and lifting my own 35 lb squirming weight.

So I do hope some of you hit and surpassed the vets day goal. Thank you to all those vets who have or are serving!

I am on auto pilot today - DD is ill and I did the night shift of giving medicine at 3am and couldn't fall back asleep - I remember the clock chiming 515 and then DH waking me at 635. I completely forgot to get on the scale and see where I was at. I will post my starting weight tomorrow.

The storm that pushed its way up here kind of has fizzled out this morning as we were to have strong winds but so far I don't hear super strong and the rain has stopped. For a while there it sounded mighty heavy.

I am finding a slight difference w/the chia seeds - I am not as hungry in between meals, so that I am happy with. Now if it reflects back on the rest - even better. I have read mixed things - that they really don't do much for diet but for others it does. I have also read on the other natural supplement but don't or can't do that one due to my health history. So I will continue to work w/the diet and changing my ways however stubborn I am!

Hopefully you all are doing well!

Mam: Where did you go? I hope DH is still ok.

Les: How did your scale behave today? How are you convincing yourself to go walk? Do you have friends you walk with? I used to do that when I was single, we'd drive to each others houses and then go walk for an hour. A different way to see the town you live in.

Giggles: How is your business going? I am going to be tying headbands for DD today w/some foldover elastic I got. How did you get started in doing your business? Do you find customers to be ok? When I did some craft selling I always met the dreaded customers which is why I gave it up. You know the type of nothing is ever right, the color changes, no one complimented me when I wear it etc. I do hope all your customers are good! How's your walking? Keep up the good work!

Hello Violets!

QOD: Not diet related: for those of you who celebrate the winter holidays whatever they may be to you - do you like to decorate your house inside and out?

update for my post:

Turkey day 5# challenge (hopefully it stays off after that!)
SW: 237
GW: 232

I can do this!

Lemon, my scale finally behaved today now that TOM is finally over. Back down to my low weight from last week of 191.6, and hopefully I'll have a couple more little drops in the next few days. I walked another 5 miles yesterday, but skipped the day before because my legs were hurting. They feel ok today though, so I will definitely go for a walk today. Most of my walks are alone In the neighborhood, but I do have one friend who likes to walk with me, and we sometimes go to a very pretty lake in town. The change in scenery is nice. Today I am going to look for some better shoes to walk in. I found several that I like online so I will go and try them all on and see which ones are the most comfortable. Also still need to find some clothes, but haven't had a ton of luck and may just wait for a few more pounds to melt away, haha.
Sorry about the sick kid and lack of sleep, hopefully you both feel better very soon! Glad the chia seeds are helping, I might have to try that.
I do decorate the house now that we have the little kiddos around. Holidays should be crazy magical for little ones!

Turkey Day Challenge
SW: 191.6
GW: 186.6

I am up for another challenge hopefully I can make it this time, lost 3 with the Veterans Day challenge so I am happy to see the scale going down instead of up! So for turkey day challenge
SW: 265
GW: 260
Lemon hope your DD is feeling better soon, my girlie was not great yesterday she seems to feel better today. I'm not sure if she's actually sick or if it was just teenager stuff that was going on with her yesterday.
Business has been good I sell on Etsy I have a craft supply business and then also have a finished bow business and they're both busy right now. I sold a bunch of clearance turkey bows that I finally got sent out yesterday. Time for me to concentrate on Christmas bows now, I have a ton of new ones I need to get listed and some new Christmas supplies that came in so I'll be busy doing that today trying to get caught up. My supply store is gigglesnbowz. etsy. com (without the spaces) if you want to look it up.
I decorate my house a bit like the Griswold's for Christmas I get very excited about it every year. My husband just tolerates this side of me I would say, love that man he's put up with me for 21 years. It usually takes me a week to decorate my Christmas tree and I like it done for Thanksgiving day so I will need to get it started next week thankfully the kids really like to help me with that.

OK I am looking for ideas for dessert at 200 cal or less I like chocolate I like ice cream, maybe skinny cow? I am headed to the grocery store in a bit, I want something yummy that I won't feel guilty about.

Giggles: the skinny cow chocolate bars aren't bad if you are looking for a quick chocolate fix. Just beware, you might find them too tasty! I try to ignore the candy in the checkout aisles! Otherwise you might find a quick pudding recipe made in the microwave, just a thought. I have one here someplace but where is going to take me forever to find it.

Les: I have found that I respond well in shoes w/a particular level to their heel. My last two pairs have been saucony's and I get the 4MM offset, which does not cause my arch to get tired or my calves to get really tight like they did in other tennis shoes. Maybe this might be something to look into. I don't use mine to run unless I am catching a child who has sprinted out the front door when he shouldn't have. It has to do with toe-heel drop and your body.

AM: Good to see you both are open to my little challenge. I do hope I can do well this time. Last time was a bust! I have my bean soup on, but I am making it more of a chili instead. I learned something today - that if you are using dried beans like this, do not add the tomatoes until the last hour (like in slow cooker). If you add them too soon the beans react w/the tomato acid and will not get soft. HAH! Something new everyday is good.

I have begun Christmas gift making today. And normal winter sewing as well - the dresses I promised DD. So I have been busy - moreso trying to locate everything and make my list and the like! Crazy. We love Christmas at this house as well, but I am a bit tamer in my deco - I have been doing the advent book tree w/my kids the last few years, however my Christmas book collection is big and I added more to it this year. I usually love to pour over them and see how there are so many different ways to share in the Christmas season. We even do a few Hannukah books too on that day. I wrap them up and put numbers on them and then we read 3-4 books a night (most are not long stories).

Ok - off to go find something to snack on, missed lunch today as I as busy running around, but I am not hungry today!

Les: Have you heard from Mam? I hope all is ok with her, not like her not to post. How are you doing today? My scale is moving! YEAH! I am contemplating having to wear a belt with my jeans. Are you in that predicament? I guess it's a nice one to have! Will you be doing things w/the LOs this weekend?

Mam: Whats up girlie? Hopefully all is ok and you are just walking all over the place and getting more comfortable in the theater seats.

Giggles: Sounds like you are busy busy! I have begun on my sewing projects and dumb me keeps adding to the list so its huge this week! How is your walking going? Do you find your pace has steadily increased?

Hello Violets!

AM: Of course today I have been up since 3 but today I have so much energy I feel like a high schooler w/my pep, to the point I was almost cheerleader-esque when quizzing DD on her spelling words - oh Lord!. I wonder if that will konk out soon?

Scale went down today - FANTASTIC, hey one will not bicker with one pound removed, that means I am 6 away before 229. In fact I will make note today that the last time I weighed this much was last July and prior, about 1 1/2 months after LO was born. Prior to that - YEARS! So I am happy with that number today. I always find it super motivating when that scale begins to move downward, in fact at one point it did flash 235.8, but then went and sat at 236.2. So I am on the move for this turkey day challenge.

I don't know, I am finding a benefit to the chia seeds. Granted I swear I have more gas w/it, but I don't want to eat all the time (YEAH) and I feel full when I add it to my meals (YEAH) so then I don't eat as much or I can stop and say DONE with gusto. Im currently hydrating my second batch - they really are gross to watch grow, DD was like mom what are the dustballs in the measuring cup. Yep - gross, but hey if they help me out, then why not? Imagine what they look like in my digestive tract?

Hope you all are doing well and keeping with it. The ups and downs drive me bonkers, but I think we have all been in that boat numerous times and can support one another through those sinking ship feelings! I know you all have helped me and given me a bit different perspective to look at it by.

Happy Friday to you all! And yes, my hair still looks like this broccolis - except bigger today. Oh my.

It was 49 degrees for my walk this morning felt wonderful. I've been averaging 3 miles a day this week I'm not really going any faster just walking longer distances. One improvement I noticed last night I was walking with my friend and I can actually carry on a conversation with her as I'm walking I couldn't do that a couple weeks ago.
Congrats on the loss Lemon that is wonderful!

Yay for a loss, Lemon! Haven't heard from Mam, hopefully she is doing well. Maybe her internet messed up again. No belt for me, I am just wearing the jeans baggy until I can fit into the next size. Since I just switched down again, I'll have a few weeks before these start to sag off. I seem to get about a month out of each pair, but as the weight loss slows I should be able to get a longer use out of each pair. Couldn't find any shoes that fit perfectly so I'll keep looking.
Good for you on the walking, giggles!

I am still awake - not comatose yet! Maybe once the OLO gets home that will change. I got more cut out today for gifts, and added more to my list HAHAHAHA. I am definitely crazy. I wish i had the same ambition for hitting the gym. This week, not so good, just watching what I eat and trying to get the water in me. I have been iffy on my vitamins as well since I have to take them later in the day due to my medicine, then I tend to forget as they are up high and not in my face due to the LO and safety measures.

Good to hear you both are doing well with your weight and movement.