Zelma - I'm thinking about changing, because right now I'm shooting to be a paralegal...and to do that, I thought that I had to get my associate's degree in legal office systems, and THEN get accredidation at Indiana University...but I found a college around here that offers an Associate's degree in Paralegal studies...might save time AND money! I have a meeting on Thursday, and then I'm going to go and meet with someone from Indiana University probably next week, so I can figure it all out before the Winter semester. I offered to go with Andrew, as he went with me and held my hand during my first gyno appointment way back when we first started going out. But the doctor said it was better if I didn't go in with him. The doctor also showed Andrew what he removed! Oi! Hope all is well with you! How did the Slimmer of the Year contest go? Or hasn't it ended yet? I've missed SO much!

Andie - That's always so flattering to hear...even though I'm not much of an inspiration anymore, since I've been plateaued for so LONG!

Here's a little info about me, in case I've never "met" you! I'm Kayley, 20 years old, and I live in Southwestern Michigan in a dinky little town you've never heard of! Hehe...I graduated in 2004, and took a year off, and started college in 2005. I'm engaged to the love of my life, and our 2 year anniversary is coming up on Christmas Eve. We plan on moving out in July/August 2007, and getting married when we are financially stable, since we'll be paying for it ourselves...and by then I hope to be at goal! I work in the office of a newspaper, and have since the middle of June. Between work/school/ and Andrew, I'm a pretty busy girl!

Greetings everyone!

Ammi, I hope the antibiotics kick in and start to work. I had the dreaded tummy bug for over 4 weeks and really glad the drugs worked, as I'm back to normal. Hopefully they work quickly and you don't have to go back for further treatment.

Kim, I'm glad to see you back. I've been struggling with motivation and food choices as well. I find it interesting how my mind works. I get stressed out and turn to food. Logically, I know that food is not going to lessen my stress, yet fatty, sugary, foods are the first thing I crave when stress hits. I'm still trying to find ways to stop that and the motivation of those on here helps.

Valerie, count NH as one of the rainy states. I like it, though. I can't wait for the snow to come! I'm also a sushi fan, so sushi for breakfast sounds divine.

Nancy, I hope you feel better soon. Your job sounds flexible, so I'm glad you could leave to go home for needed rest.

Michelle, Congrats on posting here and keeping yourself accountable, even if you are struggling. I hope the post-TOM WI helps keep you motivated!

Andie, I just bought those Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax bars and I like them too. I thought they would be more pumpkiny, but they taste more nutty to me. Unfortunately, they are not a substitute if I'm craving sugar, though. I know I consume too much sugar when I don't seem to taste it in foods I know it is in!

I lost and gained 3lbs last week, so I am maintaining at the same weight. So, Misti, I'm not holding the FFM hostage. I hope she visits you this week!

Have a nice day tomorrow everyone!

Andie -- I pm'ed you, but please you (and anyone) are free to join the exercise thread anytime! Just read the first message, set a goal (not too high at first) and you'll get the hang of it.

Who mentioned Kashi pumpkin spice bars? I LOVE those things!!

Ack, I have a MOUNTAIN of grading to to, so I better get at it!

Ladies,
I just wanted you to know I'm still alive. I went back to work on Monday after being off
6 weeks. It was boss' day so of course there were treats for their party. Did ok, not great, but better than I would have 2 months ago. I'm really tired, emotionally tired. I'd forgotten how draining it is to be nice to people all day when all they do is complain!.
Thanks for all your support regarding SD. DH will handle the situation. I'm going to do the center pieces, party favors and the cake. Not a lot, but it's the best we can do right now. I just get ticked off cuz he only works 3 hours a night and she's NOT working. (getting LOTS of public assistance) The factory I work for is hiring ALL THE TIME.
It's a fair wage and the benefits are wonderful!

Zelma, consider my DH hugged for you.

Lori, I hope you love it here as much as I do.

Katt, congrats on your NSV. I totally understand the shower think. I'm still all huffy when I'm done, but it'll come. GOOD JOB!
Thanks for your kinds words. Then mean a lot to me. Wonderful job on your lunch with your sis. I'm glad you had a great time.

Sharon, what did the dr have to say? I've been thinkin' of ya. :hugs:

Nancy, I don't have time to see your pics but maybe tomorrow. I've worked late the last 2 days. Feel better, girlfriend.

Ammi, I certainly hope the meds help you. My thoughts are with you. :hugs:
Good job on your 3 pound off. :-)

Newsnerd; Start each day new. Remember, each meal OP is a NSV and a gift to your self!! Katt had great suggestions. I love to move my ticker.

Valerie, Love your post today. And I did go EEEEWWWWW at the sushi. Great job on the 3 pounds gone. Stay tough, Lady!!!

Misti, You're not our nutrition police..... just our monitor, just like Valerie said. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

*********It was raining all night and this morning in Indiana too**********

Michelle, Please, keep your snow. I'm not ready for it here. I'm so sorry about the sun not being up. That would make me NUTS!

Melissa, On your weight loss! That's awesome.

Kim, Hang in there, Sweetie. You'll be back OP cuz you don't want to feel icky when you eat icky stuff physically or emotionally.

Nonames Can you post that taco soup recipe? I love tacos but don't want to blow the calories on the shells and sour cream. You and Misti have great ideas for making home made tv dinners. I'm gonna start buying the plastic containers for them a couple at a time.

Hi Kayley! I live in Indiana. We have a tech school here called Ivy Tech. They have a paralegal program that my neighbor is taking. Is there one near where you live?
I'm originally from northwestern Indiana. So, maybe I've heard of your little town. Glad to know there's someone close by. I love your pics. Looks like you and Andrew just LOVE LIFE!

Jen, Hi! Glad to hear you're maintaining. That's still a victory!

Gotta get littlest DD to bed! Take care everyone and stay OP!!

hi everyone!
nightkatt-- way to go on the jeans victory! i can totally relate to the laying down to zip, wondering if you'll be able to breathe all day feeling! i have a couple pairs of jeans in the closet that are just biding their time until they see the light of day again, so i understand the victory! by the way, i was at the zoo today with one of the boys i nanny and we were looking at a map at the penquin exhibit and i just realized how far from missouri new zealand really is! the internet always makes me feel like everyone is just right around the corner from me, but you are really far away! or i am, one of the two!

ammi--i haven't been on here for long, but your last few posts sounded like you are really feeling sick. i hope you get better soon and avoid a trip to the hospital!

brenda--thanks for the welcome and way to go on a 90 minute walk! i'm doing water aerobics, too. what is aquarunning like?

amy/violet swerve--i sent you a pm when i joined over the weekend and haven't seen you post anything lately, but i just wanted to say hi. when i saw you were from nebraska i got all excited. i lived there until 98, and was in lincoln from 91 until i moved to st. louis. anyway, i just felt like we must have some silly nebraska bond!

newsnerd--i don't know what gets me motivated, but i do know this....i can think of a thousands reasons to not go to the gym or do my weights dvd and the more i think about not wanting to do it, the less likely i am to do it. so, when i hear myself listing reasons to skip the gym, i just stop thinking about it and do it. it's like, less thinking, more action. sort of like that law of science "an object in motion tends to stay in motion....." once i get going, it's easier to do. i just can't ponder it too long, just have to do it.

now, just a rant.....i was so motivated by everyone this weekend and so excited after i joined. i couldn't wait to start my week at the gym and hopefully get to move my ticker at the end of the week. then i went to work monday and one of the boys was off school due to a water main break. i couldn't go to my water aerobics class and by the end of the day, cramps were kicking in and i was craving salt. fast food was calling my name and i totally caved in. then i came home and was crashed out by 9 and didn't get any exercise in. today i thought i'd get back on track, but school was cancelled again, so no class at the gym again. we did go to the zoo today, so i did get some walking in, but we also ate some junk, so i'm sure they cancelled each other out. then i got off work late and just feel like trashing this day too. what is going on--are there some crazy cosmic forces out there trying to sabatoge my work out plans? i know school is in tomorrow so i'll get to the gym and i hope i can get back on track! thanks for listening! lori

wezi -- bad days! It happens. It's okay. Just commit to getting back on track!! See my little meltdown below!


I am having a VERY frustrating night. Have yelled at hubby and the dogs and am hiding out right now trying to get work done! I walked into our main office, and the lovely bagels from this morning were still there. I did something I haven't done in a year and just stuffed some in my mouth. I stopped myself before I ate a 1/2 dozen, but had parts of 3 of them -- probably a little more than a bagel.

I'm not angry with myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about it and I'm not proud. I wish I hadn't done it and hope I don't do it again. But it's over. I recorded it. And now I move on.

Before all of this started I would have eaten at least 2 AND I wouldn't have weight lifted at the gym earlier. As long as I don't let it hold me back I'm fine.

Though, I have to ask myself why I caved when in the past I've been able to be strong. Maybe because I wasn't expecting any temptation???

Ah well, my grading mountain calls, and I must listen to it, or crumble under it's weight! I'll think of that later.

I've just weighted today, I've lost 1kg this week, about 2lbs. not much but as I mentioned I decided to slow down a bit.

wyllenn: I have restricted my calories to the minimum, trying to get everything my body still needs. So I do eat some fruit and vegies every day – 2 times a day. I don’t know how much calorie I actually eat but Im sure the number is low as I do not eat any junk food, almost no bread, nothing sweet, …

Here what I had yesterday: breakfast: 1 egg, and really small piece of toast, a banana; lunch: chicken breast (about 10g), I’ve cut it to pieces added some blah its not beans but its hmmm, don’t have a clue how its called in english lol, its veggies hehe,actualy I prepared everything on onions and had some cooked broccoli with it; and evening I ate one banana and yogurt. I wasn’t hungry, of course I wasnt stuffed either but I think it was enough, right?

I know I need to work out what to eat and how much, as I don’t have a clue about food. I mean everyone knows what suppose to be good for you and what not, but I have to learn to live by it aswell.

Ammi – poor Ammi, I hope you’re gonna feel better soon

Oh and Katt, your posts always make me smile! You are so full of energy and life...I love it.

Oh and Valerie WTG on loosing pounds

Ok thats all I can do for now, will try to find some time to say hi to everyone I was actually trying to do some personals, but no I cant do it at work lol. My day really needs more hours!

Hugs to everyone and have a lovely day!

Wezi, thanks for the offer of support, Gareth is on the 'normal-ish' end of the spectrum- that is he speaks now (he stopped at 18 months & began to speak a little by 3 1/2) but is not on par with others his age. He is way above them in math & equal on spelling/reading. How severly is your little boy affected? ( I know you nanny him, but you must feel like he's yours sometimes) I am having probs staying OP at the mo, BUT TODAY IS ANOTHER FRESH START!!!!!! Don't give up xxxxx
Kim, I've gained 5lbs back, mine is from depression, but being too busy is pretty stressful I bet. Like me, try to think before you eat & plan, if you have time !!! I know TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT!!! xxxx
Kayley, hope the transfer goes ahead ok & that you get back OP, YOU HAVE DONE SO WELL - YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN!!!!!!xxxxx
Ammi, I hope your 'insides' are working properly , don't make yourself ill by trying to exercise, have a rest til you are better.xxxxx
Zelma, hope the weather stays good for you. It has been misty here, was it Kipling who said '....Mists and mellow fruitfulness....' about Autumn? Yet last week we had very heavy rain then one hot day of beautiful sunshine!!!! For such a small place we have such disparate weather, even in one week!!!!xxxx
Wyllen, YOU ARE HUMAN THEN, LOL !!!! I think we can forgive you, a few bites of a bagel are hardly going to make you gain. Though I understand your feelings, 'why did you do it?', we all need to examine our reasons for eating 'bad' stuff, only then can we stop or at least do it very rarely. Give yourself a break, you are an example to us all.xxxx
Valerie, hope that anger is still sustaining your exercise.xxx
Annie, hope your back is better, or at least getting there.xxxx
Nancy, WTG on raising money for charity AND getting in some exercise!! You looked really cute in the baseball cap.xxxxx
Sandy, thanks Dr's appt was NOT good. I hope your leg is ok and that you are enjoying work.xxxx
I forgot everything else I wanted to say. Doc said I might not be depressed ( it was my usual one, not the one I spoke to on the phone) I insisted on trying new meds even though he wanted me to have counselling, talking about it will not help, I need something to get me over this slump. Once I feel better then I can cope & feel ok, he has no idea how low I've been & didn't seem interested!
Katt, I LOVE YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!! send me some, lol.xxxxxxx
xxxsharon

Good morning everyone! Sorry no time for much in the way of posts... LOL I got up at 3:30 this morning as am working overtime this week... and by the time I get home I am ready to eat dinner and crash. But wanted to wish everyone a great Wednesday. Stay OP!!