Yesterday I went to Target to use a gift certificate that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. I knew that I needed a 2007 planner and I planned to pick up some basic staple items. But I wanted Goobers so badly, so when I passed the candy isle, I picked them up with a scowl on my face daring my inner angel to make me not buy them.

Then something inside me said, "You've already proven that you can purchase them. You've done that before. But can you prove that you can walk out the store without purchasing them. Now that would really be doing something."

When that inner voice said that to me, I didn't feel the need to fight for my right to have the candy anymore. So I dropped the box off in the produce area.

I also thought about everyone here. I really enjoy the camaraderie. Everyone is so supportive of each other. But I understand that the support has a purpose. It is to motivate me to continue to meet my weight loss goal. And I have to utilize it for the reason that it exists and not waste the opportunity.

Here's wishing everyone a great day!

Oh man, I love reading NSVs like that. I remember when I started to do things like that last year. It is SO empowering!!! It's making those little choices day in and day out that make the difference. Not that you have to say no to goobers every single time... I find myself not really craving most of the candy any more!! It's gotten very easy to say no! (most of the time!)

Thanks for sharing that!

Greetings everyone!

Sandy and Mona Lisa, congrats on the NSVs! Outstanding!

Go Brenda, Go Brenda, Go Brenda...(repeat as necessary). I hope you got your exercise in.

Zelma, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts.

Michelle, just yesterday I was talking about how I would prefer to be in your territory, as I miss the winter. But -45 degrees? Um, yeah, nevermind. I would consider it a NSV just to get out from under the covers, let alone attempt exercise. You'll be in Spokane soon and Barrow will be a distant, unpleasant memory.

RussianDoll, your progress pics are amazing. You have achieved so much. Congratulations!

Welcome to Casey, Renee, and Not so Jolly! I hope you find this place as motivating as I do.

Ammi? Misti? Melissa? Nelie? I hope you all have been doing well and have just stayed away because you've been busy.

I've had a great day. My food choices have been so-so, but that is always the case on the weekend. I did make a KILLER good soup...my own version of Italian Wedding soup. Yummy stuff. But the real reason I'm so happy is the hike I took this morning. I've hiked on this piece of conservation land many, many times, but usually stay to the same three trails. They have many other trails, but since I don't have a map of the land, I'm always afraid of where I'll end up. However, so many people were there today enjoying the weather, that I decided to be brave and explore a new trail, one that most people do not use. Wowza. A very excellent workout and a trail I will be back on again.

I've decided to join the Biggest Loser competition that my school is having. I believe there will be 20 teachers competing, with weigh-in day tomorrow. I've had a lot of internal debate about this decision, as I really don't want my co-workers to know my weight. But, I'm taking the leap, as I hope it will keep my motivation going. Wish me luck!

I hope everyone has an wonderful OP day tomorrow!

My biggest hurdle is coming up tomorrow. We are going to a fancy resort in Banff in the Rockies, and all the food is paid for. It will be hard to be able to measure anything since I won’t be cooking for myself. I’m afraid that if I go nuts, that I will gain 10 pounds in the three days that we will be there. I am actually going to try to stick with the buffets and try to eat only fruit and vegetables. I will also be away from my computer until Wednesday night, so I hope everyone will be praying for me to pass this huge test. I want it to be a nice trip, and if I overeat and start beating myself up about it, it might ruin the trip for both of us, and I don’t want that.

Valerie-I do feel like an addict. I would like to be like some people who can go off one day a week. If I do that, I have such a hard time getting back on the horse.

Mona-We just bought our first digital camera, so I’m hoping to have a new picture soon. I’m making this new outfit. It’s for a big function, and it’s a long jacket with frog closures, mandarin collar, and pants underneath. It will come down to almost my ankles. It is practically a gown, but I hate wearing dresses, so we compromised on this. I just have to sew it now. My pictures always look good if they are above the waist. I’m a not just a pear, I’m a Christmas tree. I think I’m 4 sizes larger on bottom than on top. I have to get patterns in between and take up the top, and let out the bottom.

Brenda-I’m going to Banff tomorrow, and I’ll see if I can send you any extra snow they have. I’ve been wandering around most of the week in just a sweatshirt, and I’m from Florida.

Renee-I’m in that boat as well. Salmon costs a lot more than cheap ground beef. We use the city food bank, and things we can’t eat, like peanut butter (drool), go in a sack to take to the food bank at our church. I buy in bulk, make everything from scratch that I can, and we don’t eat out. I found my food bill about the same when I cut out eating out. We still eat things like pasta and rice and beans which are cheap, but with portion control. The amount of spaghetti that I used to use for one meal lasts for a half a dozen. The thing that we do spend more money on is chicken breasts. I buy the pre-frozen, boneless and skinless because I can do portion control so much easier that way. Everything is about choices, and doing the best you can.

Annie-If you are a freak, then you’re my kind of freak. I’ve treated myself like I wasn’t good enough to be a part of society. Now I refuse to act that way anymore. If someone doesn’t like me being in their store or restaurant or gym, I will tell them if they don’t want me, they can find someone to carry me out, or rent a fork lift. I am a human being. I have a visible illness/disability depending on how you look at it. Most people can hide their insecurities or shortcomings. No one can tell a gambler or a porn addict by looking at them, but we wear our shortcoming like a sandwich board around our neck. The first step to kill the beast is to look it in the eye. I have to learn to love myself in order to care enough to take care of myself. I am worth taking care of, and so are you.

Sandy-What I found worked with my former roommate was to just cook decent meals. I always made 2 meals. If she chose to eat it fine, if not, then I had it for lunch the next day. I never preached. She was only 100 lbs. overweight, so who was I to tell her anything. She also was on lipitor for high blood pressure and was putting off protein in her urine, so diabetes or kidney problems were fast approaching. I just went about losing weight, and about a year in, she had started eating with me everyday, going to the Y with me, etc. She ended up losing 90lbs., had cholesterol of 138 without the lipitor, and her glucose, etc was very normal. I did all the grocery shopping, so there was nothing in the house that I couldn’t eat. When she needed an ice cream, she went out for a cone. Tell your husband that he can eat whatever he wants to, but he can’t bring it home. You love him, and won’t tell him stuff anymore, but you are going to get healthy for yourself, and so that you’ll be around for your grandkids. You hope he will be too. Then drop it and just set a quiet example for your family, and the other people in your lives.

Catherine -- I haven't said this as well as you just did, but I've said things like this many times before. Just about everyone has an issue, a weakness, etc. Our issue just happens to be visible.

But I like how you said it better.

As for eating out, bring your own food to nibble on in your room before the main meals and then also after if need be. Stick to the foods you think look the safest and don't go back for seconds. That's how I dealt with situations like that the first year.

I'm at a point now where if I go off plan for a few days I think I can bring it back, but if I am ever in a situation again where I don't know if I can trust myself I will bring my own stuff as much as possible. I bring my own food just about everywhere still.

GOOD LUCK!!

Hi ladies,

A few replies.

Notsojolly: Welcome. We love to have anyone here that needs the support and encouragement and maybe along the way you have some to give too. Welcome again.

Sandy: Great NSV on the Gazelle.

MonaLisa: Great NSV getting rid of those treats in the store.

Catherine: As always you help me to feel normal. Thank you my friend. Please have a wonderful trip and drink lots of water, water and more water before you eat. Maybe that will help. Hugs.

Everyone be blessed,
Annie