Good evening to all of you Although the scale hasn't moved since Friday I am still encouraged. Enjoy all the posts and hope to respond to as many as I can.

newleaf: congrats on passing the hearts, this is a hard time of year too. Going to my son and daughter-in-laws for dinner and son asked me to get a dessert. UGH!! Also, congrats on the 7:00 am exercise. I know what you mean about the empty stomach and hard work out, makes me feel sick when I do that.

weightlosswanted: glad to hear you are having nice weather. Here in sunny California we are drenched and cold. I didn't go to the gym after work today because the roads are so bad.

Cat: glad you are having a good time with your grandson. Yes, you will miss all the storms and believe me you are the lucky one, it is cold and rainy. We got another down pour this afternoon and a lot of the roads are flooded. It is a nightmare right now. As far as mexican restaurants my husband and I go to Viva Maria's. Good food and atmoshphere.

LC: congrats on running. I was doing some running on the treadmill a couple of years ago but had to stop because I thrashed my IT band on my right leg. I have malformed knee caps and a very bad right knee so ortho doctor told me no more running. Keep up the good work.

ICU: Good for you on your weight. Thank you for the encouragement on making choices. Life is a series of choicesm, unfortunatley, I tend to make the wrong ones when it comes to food. Often have thought about going into therapy to work on this.

Oops!! Did it again, don't know what I manage to hit but I posted before I wanted to.

Belly Buster: I understand where you are coming from as far as the eating. Have you seen a corralation between your cycle and your increase in eating. I have that problem for the three to four days before TOM and then have no appetite for several days after starting. The stress doesn't help either. My problem lately is I have been such a klutz. Dropping things, etc. I think it is because things have been busy lately. Hang in there and glad you were not hurt when you slid into the ditch.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday.

Drive by for me tonight....

After I posted this morning Noah got up and was covered in barf and has been getting sick all day; poor thing is breaking my heart. He reminds me so much of Karl when he would get sick, just wants to cuddle.

On top of Noah being sick the washer blew up; needless to say the kids are not having a good day. Unfortunately this comes right after Mack and I made the decision we had to stop helping. We're still committed for another year on the house here but nothing extra. We've given so much and unfortunately it has backfired; opportunity was taken for granted and lessons were not learned. Now they are in for some VERY rough times and I can't help but feel a sad and resentful.

Sorry.... just had to vent.

I went out for a couple hours and got a few things at Ross for Noah's birthday and a couple shirts and a pair of jeans for me. I packed light with the plan of doing laundry half way in to the trip; that would have been today.

I'm way low on calories today so I think I'm go have me another drink.

TuningIn - Viva Maria's is in walking distance to our house, we live on the other side of Town Hall.

I feel bad that Mack is having to deal with the rain while I'm gone. The dogs are going stir crazy inside, the dining room flooded, and it started snowing in the pass.

Petra - Best of luck on your lecture, you will do fine I am sure.

WLW - Great job on the loss! Enjoy your new car too.

Peanut - Great sticking to it! I hope things get better with your son.

Lambchop - That song moves me too! I am impressed about your considering the maraton, that's awesome. Honestly though I don't think I could run more than a few miles at best. Oddly enough I do okay on the treadmill though, seems like alot less impact than running outdoors.

Marie - I love Grey's Anatomy too, DVR it too as I don't have much time to watch TV let alone commercials, I guess that makes me not only a food snob but a TV snob too!

Tigga - Nice to meet you! This group is great!

Kim - Missed you! Glad you are back on track and not too beat up from the wagon fall. I hate those falls.

OMW - Hope you can claim that pound tomorrow, congrats on the furnace and floors being finished tomorrow!

Annie - So sorry for your sons insomnia issues. I have sleep issues myself, so I wish you the best with dealing with it.

Heidi - Way to go on your near dawn work out!

CAT - Wow, when it rains it pours! Hang in there.

To everyone else, good luck this week! A question for anyone and all, I am curious as to how often you weigh and why. I am sure this has been covered at some point before, sorry. I just am worried whether I should or should not weigh every day at this point (which is what I am doing).

Just a quick note to let you all know I gave my lecture tonight and from what I heard, it was pretty good. They even told me I didn't seem nervous although I was. I had to stop and drink water at one point because my mouth got so dry. Glad its over and it was good practice for my talk in Destin in March.

WLW - enjoy your “weekend”!

Lambchop – that is so exciting that you are planning and training towards a marathon! I think that goal will inspire you.

Marie- sorry the scale is being mean to you. I’m sure it will register your efforts at some point, but you are still doing great.

Tigga – yay on the 4 lbs!!

Belly Buster – sorry you went off track, and about your car! Glad you are looking for other ways to cope besides food (coming here, for instance) and that you are back on the wagon again. I think it gets easier as you build the good habits.

OMW - hope everything gets fixed today!!! My garage repairs are finally finished, and it’s been heaven to return to normal.

Annie - hope you and your son got better sleep last night!

Newleaf – great job getting your exercise done when you knew you wouldn’t have the time later! I used to love working out first thing in the morning but so far, have not been able to get myself going early enough – I know I could right now but the idea of working out at 5:30 am just isn’t doing it for me. So good for you for being able to overcome that morning intertie!

Tuning in – I just went through a 2 week weight plateau so I know how much it sucks. Hang in there, it will come!

Cat – so sorry about your daughter’s situation and the stress of having to show some tough love and not bail them out (yet again, it sounds like!)

AZ Manatee – I used to try hard to not weigh every day because I had always heard you weren’t “supposed to” but seems like most people on 3fc do, including the ones who have been/are being very successful, so now I mostly do. I generally count my Monday weight as my official one in terms of recording it and changing my ticker, although with the 5 lb challenge here, I think I will use in between days too (and I’m doing a couple of other challenges with first of the month weigh ins, which sometimes are midweek)

Petra – great that the lecture went well! And good practice for Destin.

My update – still sticking to my plan, although not getting great sleep these days due to the stress about my son. Did my 30 activity minutes last night walking 3000 steps on the Wii while watching Biggest Loser! Lol!

I go to the nursing home today where the administrator died in the car crash last week. It will be the first time I've been there since the accident. Should be a rough day. I'm expecting some of my patients there to not do so well but so far no one has fallen apart.

I'm hoping to get home in time to go to pilates. I actually have taken to keep a change of clothes in the car so I can go if my schedule gets tight.

Bellybuster-sorry you had a rough week but the important thing is that it didn't last longer than a few days and that you got yourself right back on track. Let it go and just move forward.

Good to hear everyone is doing so well.

Lamb-at the rate your going, I think you are going to beat me out of the 220's. Not that its a competition.

Went to the Dr yesterday and was happy to see I'd regained my lean muscle, so while the scale only bumped a pound this week, I'd regained 9 pounds of lean muscle, while losing 10 pounds of fat. Also my body fat percentage took a nice drop...That was a great surprise...and what I was hoping for - so I'm ready to keep rolling again.
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Marie - i was told for every pound you lose, you're 2 seconds faster - LOL, we can hope! I have 70+ pounds to go still, so that can shave 2 mins off my time! Sorry the scale wasn't gonig your way - and you were having a blah day, not wanting to hit the elliptical, work being so-so, etc...hopefully today is a great day for you.

Tigga - congrats on the 4 pound loss this week

Kim - Sounds like quite the wagon ride last week, hoping this week is better. 10 puppies!!! So glad you weren't hurt when you slid, but sorry your car may have a problem.

OnMyWay - so glad your heat will be fixed soon..brrrrr. Congrats on the scale front as well!

Annie- hope you got some sleep and be sure to get on that elliptical, while it will tire you at first - it will then boost your energy!

Heidi - great job on the 7am. I am NOT a morning person, no way - no how!

Tuning In - sorry to hear of your knee and IT band issues. Glad you're staying encouraged - remember the scale doesn't tell you everything! Taking measurements is another good motivator also -- you'd be surprised!

Cindy - I'm so sorry you're going through this. Bad timing on teh stuff, but yeah, when you have to struggle and get through stuff, that's when you learn, and it sounds like it's time for them to learn. It can be hard to sit back and watch, but tough love is important at times. Sorry Noah was sick - also, hope the dining room flood doesn't do too much damage at home.

AZ - i'm following a program so you gradually build up your endurance - i've been surprised with it, and have to really trust the training on those days i'm not sure of myself. Most suggest weighing about once a week - i have a bad habit of weighing daily, but i don't beat myself up for fluctations - i've come to expect it, and helps me understand how my body changes and shifts. I use a tape measure also, about once a month

Petra- glad the lecture is behind you and it went well. Good practice like you said! Good idea keeping the spare clothes in your car, Hope you make it to Pilates tonight. I don't know, I'm sitting at this 223 right now - and since i'm about to bump up my mileage again, my body may hold onto it for the first week or so - we'll see! We're almost there.

Peanut- sorry you haven't been sleeping well. Glad you got some activity and keep sticking to that plan!

You all are such an inspiration to me. Even if I don't comment on your posts, I am reading and in awe of your journies.

LampChop-Thanks for the comment on the elliptical. I am commiting to get on the thing in the next 24 hours. Either this evening or in the morning before shower/work. I will again have to work my way up to a comfortable level.

We got caught up on our sleep last night, thank goodness! Doing well with my eating/water and feeling pretty good about it. Lunch will be a challenge, as we are having Chick-Fil-A brought in. I am going to Google their calorie count in case I can't say no to the nuggets!

Have a healthy day everyone!

Kim, good luck on getting all your reports done. And you made a great stride not eating your way out of the ditch experience.

OMW, Grey’s is definitely not age appropriate. I hope all your house fixes are done and you’re in peace now.

Annie, just get on that elliptical and go. Maybe you’ll get addicted to it like me. I think it’s fun.

Newleaf, watch out – morning exercise is addicting. I always feel soe much calmer, peaceful when I morning exercise. I think staying on plan is easier too.

Tuning In, bringing the dessert puts all the power to you. How about strawberries with a fat free cream cheese dipping sauce? I’ve made hungrygirls volcano chocolate cakes that are under 200 cals each. And I can relate with knees that didn’t form properly. NMine don’t track straight up and down so they get goofed up easily. I don’t run either. BTW, my physical therapist is the one that put me on the elliptical. It doesn’t hurt my knees at all.

Cruise, hugs to you. Putting up boundaries is tough but worth it. I did that a couple years ago with DD and her now ex-partner. I think it really helped my relationship with DD in the long run. Enjoy that drink; you deserve it.

Natalie, I weigh every day, first thing in the morning after using the restroom. No clothes. That way there aren’t any variables my excuse making mind can come up with. I’ve tried once a week and I’d play games like no salt the day before, eating heavier the first couple days after weighing, then low cal-ing it. I tried using my clothes as my guide and not weighing – wow what a failure that was 20 pounds later and the same clothes still fit. I played so many mind tricks that taking the tricks out of the equation works for me.

Petra, I’m glad the lecture went well.

Peanuts, enjoy parking your car in the garage. That will be a great pleasure.

Lamb, I’m so happy for you that you and your dr. found a program that is helping you see great results.

Hello everyone! I'm not much of a poster, but definitely a reader! You all inspire me every day.

Well, I couldn't say no to the nuggets! So I looked up the nutritional info online before eating and here is how I did...

9 chicken nuggets-(300 cal.) Lots of fat and sodium though.
Fruit salad (I eyeballed it.)-(100 cal.)
Green salad (Their website only has it listed with dressing I think), so what I got is negligible. I drizzled on a tiny bit of lo-cal Italian dressing.

I am really stuffed, too. I don't feel too badly about this. I can watch what I have for the rest of the day and feel like I did well.

LambChop – I’m so glad you were able to get back to running! And to think, a marathon in a year!! What a great goal to be working towards… And trust me, I’m right there with you – I am so not a morning person… I stay in bed until the last possible moment…

ICUWishing – congrats on 147.5!! Woo hoo!! I’m glad your neck is feeling better.

PeanutsMom – congrats on the 2 pounds!! Woo hoo!! Good job sticking with your plan, and not letting the stress with your son drive your decisions about your health!

AnnieDrew – congrats on the 2.8 pounds!! Woo hoo!! And, oh my – I do not function well on broken and little sleep. How do you do it??! I hope you were able to negotiate your way through the Chik-Fil-A today…

Marie – totally, thank goodness for MLK and the Civil Rights movement! I’m glad you had a nice, relaxing Monday… And not to worry, I will never get addicted to the early morning workout; I simply hate it!! But sometimes I know it’s the only way I can work exercise into the day. But, ugh.

OnMyWay – I sure hope your furnace is running again!! I do not like being cold… Congrats on being down a pound – woo hoo!!

AZManatee – I’m glad your children are well again… Here’s hoping it lasts for awhile! Re: the scale, I weigh every morning. If I’m not weighing, it means I’m not engaged in the process. And, when I’m not engaged in the process, well, my weight goes up. So daily weighing for me.

Petra – I’m glad your presentation went well! I hope things were okay at the nursing home visit today… I hope you’re able to get your pilates in!

WeightLossWanted – congrats on your loss!!

Tigga – congrats on your 4 pound loss!! Woo hoo!!

BellyBuster – I’m sorry to hear about your metaphorical fall… Good job getting right back on track, and not turning to the ice cream!

TuningIn – I hope the scale moves for you soon. In the meantime, know that you are still doing a wonderful job; sometimes it just takes the scale awhile to catch up…

CruiseCAT – Oh, my. Sounds like quite the visit. Between the sick grandson and the difficulties your son and his wife are having… Stay strong, and yes – definitely – the drink.

Here, nothing too exciting to report. I had some dessert at book club last night because the plate was put right into my hand and saying no would be rude. And then I noticed the plate was warm. With homemade pie! It was scrumptious… and the scale was still down this morning, so I was pleased by that.

Hi ladies! Went to the endocrinologist today and she thinks I'm doing well, says I lost enough to bring my BMI down to 29 and out of the obese category. Not sure what scale she uses because the ones I looked at show me at 30...Oh well, I'll take any encouragement I can get. My family dr didn't fax over the results of my bloodwork so it was almost a wasted visit, except she decided to put me on a once a week prescription for the vitamin D so I'll start taking it again. I have hit one of those funks where I stopped taking most of my meds because I'm sick of popping 20 pills a day, even if half of them are just vitamins or some type of supplement. We'll see what kind of an issue my insurance company gives me about that, may end up ordering it from india at some point to avoid the hassle.

CAT: I'm so glad our weather got nice for you! as someone who's had to set and enforce boundaries with my own grown kids to regain my own sanity, I feel your pain...but it's necessary for you and them.

TuningIn: Marie read my mind, you bring the dessert so you can choose something healthy to contribute. And I've been on plateaus that last for months so don't give up. everyone keeps reminding me that when the scale doesn't move I'm still getting healthier on the inside.

Petra: good job with the lecture, I'm impressed because I hate public speaking : ) great planning with keeping some workout clothes in the car. I've done the same thing in the past. that way I don't have an excuse to skip my workout.

LC: you continue to inspire me!

Annie: I dare you to get on the elliptical! it's habit-forming : ) I was afraid of it because I have arthritis in my knees, but the trainer at my gym convinced me to try, only did 5 minutes the first time, i've never had an issue with my knees and avoids impact on my heels which give me fits from time to time.

I think I'm going to head out for a walk through the neighborhood or hop the bus to the park. It's too nice out to stay inside.

Happy hump day everyone!

Kathi