I say if you've worked hard, treat this luncheon as your treat for the week, your 1 splurge. Even then, just put the things you really like on your plate, that way you don't eat things that you don't really want and have those additional calories. Also, just have one serving.

You can still treat yourself,l being healthy doesn't mean torturing yourself, by staying away from yummy things. Just everything in moderation!

Good Luck, and have fun...everyone has had some great suggestions!

Have a great week everyone!

Please don't think I'm a downer because I am DEFINITELY not. Maybe it's because it's the end of the work day and I am just so worn out, but has anyone ever felt that the only way to actually lose weight is if you have no life and no friends. I mean not to sound conceited or whatever but I feel like whenever I am determined to be healthy something comes up like a dinner at Magiannos or party at a bar or outing to a chocolate cafe... GRR!!! Sorry, I promise I will get sleep and be much more positive tomorow.

Jenna (((hugs))) I hear ya!!! Nobody said it was easy and there are some trying days, but that's what makes getting to your goal so sweet. Just keep on, keepin on!

Slow and steady wins the race! It's true! You can do this!

"Bend & Snap"

its true though - its def hard to go out and have friends esp when eating is involved. so it makes it hard. It will def be hard for me when I go home this weekend. I will try to keep it healthy - but its the excersize I am worried about.

u can handle the luncheon - its just one more day of the week. just look at it that way - not as like the big exception to the rule. Try talking a lot - it makes eating a lot harder and slower!

I think i have eaten too much today - but I have packed a very healthy meal for the airplane tomorrow - yeah!

Jenna~ You should be ok.. You seem to be stressing about it, I bet once the day is here, you'll hvae a small amount, and think, what wasI worried about?? TRUST IN YOURSELF!! we all do!!
HAPPY HUMP DAY EVERYONE!! This week this thread is awesome!! BIDA have fun!!
IT is SUPER hot here, anyone else near michigan or experincing the ridiculas HOT HUMID STICK WEATHER! I would like to work out in the evenings but its too warm!
I have a question about HOME decor! I want to paint my kitchen, a Darker deep burgendy/satin red color.<my applinces are white and i have oak cubards.theres not one huge wall either so it shouldn't be too too much> Im keeping my colors to a classic ggold and red/burgendy, I have cream leather couches in the family room, and like a plaid, <i know sounds ugly but they're not> sectional in the living room which are on each side of the kitchen, so it should look cute.. Any inputs?? Did that even make any sense?
Sorry so long this morning girls! Hope everyone is having a fun and happy HUMP DAY!

Thank you guys so much. Sorry I was so down at the end of the day, but I am feeling MUCH better (upgraded my Hazelnut black coffee from Dunkin Donuts today to a large for the extra morning push today). It was really nice to be able to get that out in this thread. I know I defintiely stress way to much about things... that is why I LOVE having a place like here to talk. I hate constantly worrying and complaining to my mom, friends, and boyfriend (I don't want them to think I am obsessive or anything). It's just little worries in my head that I want to get out and share with you guys. Before I go back to school I actually made an appointment to talk to someone, a therapist, just once and get a lot of stress out you know. Make a plan to relax and not be so hard on myself. I think it will be a good idea for me.

JustForUs your kitchen sounds awesome, I can't wait till next year when I can decorate my own apartment. I am from Chicago so I know exactly what you mean about the crazy heat. Problem is I dress for the warm temp outside but the second I get in my office I am freezing so I have to bring a coat.

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!

Also I have a question: Usually I do an hour of running or eliptical every day. I have wanted to do an aerobics class because I hear a lot of people really like it, but I feel like I don't get as intense of a work out as a run/eliptical. Do I do both then on a day? I usually have tried to stay away from working out more than once a day so I don't hurt myself...

Is there anyway that we can sticky the August Challenge thread up by the bios just for this month?

I think a mod has to... hang on I'll ask!

HI ladies,

Well I'm back from my trip! WE went to Utah for a few days for my husband's Grandma's 80th birthday then we spent 2 days in Vegas. It's a whole different experience with 2 kids then when it's just us. I am rather proud of myself for my eating while we were gone but I didn't do so good with exercise. We went swimming every day and of course did a lot of walking but we also got a free day in the gym when we checked in and I didn't use it *boo me* I only gained 1/4 a pound though so I'm happy!
We didn't get home until 8:00 last night and I was still going to do my exercise but somehow while we were gone the exercise bike broke...hopefully it's just a belt so it can be fixed soon. The pedals just spin and don't seem to be attached to anything. Good thing I have my hubby who is mister fix-it.
We are going to get out gym membership this week which I'm excited about. We were waiting until we got home. It's at a college so there's a pool and nice equipment and the kids can come swim and get swim lessons too. My SIL and BIL just got a membership at Gold's gym and it's a funny system where they have to pay $120 a month for 8 months and then be done for a 3 year membership! I'd hate to commit to anything for 3 years. They don't even have a pool. Oh well, to each their own. I want to start weights and now that we have a gym, I will start *crossing fingers* I've also been begging hubby for an elliptical and now I can use the one at the gym instead to see if I like it.
I understand about humidity though! It is SO hot in Indiana. I want to start running in the mornings (well walking/jogging) so I hope it cools down soon.
It sounds like all of you are doing great. I hope everyone's weeks are going great. It's hard to have luncheons and nights out with friends. We ate out every meal for 5 days and it was SO hard to keep on track. I just ate small portions. I was so sick of greasy food and no fruit (except for breakfast). If I eat too much anymore it just makes me feel icky. I don't binge too much because I don't like the way it feels.

Well, off to do some laundry. I'll post more later and reply to some posts then.

Amber
NEW August end goal-159
NEW goal October 24, 2005 (my birthday)-149

Wow, this thread is hopping this week! I don't think I even remember what everyone said enough to respond individually to people.

About it being hard to eat right with friends -- I know exactly what you mean! Any get together with friends for me is likely to be going out to eat or something like that. My only suggestion is to host potlucks or some other form of hanging out at someone's home, where you can control the food a little better, or going for a picnic or something. Last time I hung out with my friends we went to the beach, and I brought along the fixings for turkey sandwiches and a bunch of fruit. Other people brought some snacks and the like, but it is a lot easier to stick to eating right in that sort of situation than when you are in a restaurant.

Amber -- welcome back!

Ladies, I am going to be out of town a lot this month, and I have to tell you I am DEATHLY AFRAID of it. I am so scared that I am going to eat poorly and not exercise and gain back all the weight I lost. Rationally I know it's impossible to gain so much in a month, but I am seriously freaking out. I'll be out of town Aug 12-14, 17-20, and 26-Sept 5. These trips are visiting a friend in NYC, who shares my taste for eating a ton of desserts and not much else (though I talked with her about it and we agreed to try to eat pretty healthy), a conference in PA where lunch is provided every day and there are a couple banquets, and since the events of the conference last from 8am - 8pm I doubt I will have time for exercise. The last trip is a combination of a trip home for a few days (where I know I will be eating poorly, no question, but I should be able to get some running in) and a conference in Shanghai, China. I made sure the hotel I am staying at in Shanghai has a gym, but I have no idea what the food will be like at all.

Anyway, I just wanted to vent and I was hoping some of you maybe feel the same way about this kind of stuff . . . I know it sounds totally stupid, the thing I should be worrying about the most is the fact that I have to give an oral presentation on my research to a room full of internationally respected scientists in a foreign country, and these are the first conferences I've ever been to, but frankly I am far more scared about my eating and exercise. (That doesn't mean I'm not scared about the other stuff, just that I am really excessively scared about my weight.)

Somehow my posts always get too long.

Amber, sounds like you had a BLAST! Im jealous! good job on not over eating, that takes some will power!

Alright nothing to do with food, but anyone have any idea of what to get my boyfriend for our 2 year anniversary? I am trying to stay away from clothes (because I keep getting him that), jewelary (because he doesn't wear any), and food (because I don't want to eat it!!!) Any suggestions?

Hey there everyone - this place is BUSY this week.

Jenna - maybe a trip, an outing, go some place neat, do something active together. Like stay in a nice bed and breakfast or a picnic and a hike or white water rafting trip (does Illinois have white water??? )