You know it is killing him. Men are like puppies....praise the heck out him.

Jo, we're watching the same game.

I'm hungry and it's 11:07 at night. Snack or no? Does going to bed hungry make you sleep horribly? If I eat right before bedtime, I get acid reflux. If I go to bed hungry, I don't sleep well. What to do, what to do. I'm too tired to make a decision. Maybe my no-raise news entitles me to a margarita?

W00t, go Gators! Let's toast with water, shall we?!

They are actually shooting off fireworks in my neighborhood.

Rhonda -- tiny snack if you still need it.

Go Jo's hubby who's name I cant remember as it's 4:20 (insert immature snicker here) in the morning! Of course he pisses me off because he's a male and will lose weight even faster then you.

Rhonda - food before bed gives my already wackadoo dreams a strange and not always good turn.

Today's run down - up way too freaking early, will be in office by 5:30am. I have lunch with a client I've not worked on before and one of our managers to introduce me to the client. I have no idea where we're going so I 1- cannot call ahead and will be doing the "is it vegan" game so that will get brought up and 2 - I cannot methodically plan my calories today. S-T-R-E-S-S-F-U-L.

Go Heather! Way to get that run in early! I see salad in your future.

Day 9!
Plan: Run (~5k) Bike (~30 mins)
Food:
Ezekiel toast with boca burger concoction, coffee with stevia
Falafel l,t,o and cucs in pita with tomato soup
Banana with 1 tbs peanut butter
Black bean tostada, shredded squash, chipotle peppers, l,t,o

Um that was the day's rundown not that I had my run in . I do have clothes in my car to go to gym right after work though

Heather, can you make a recommendation to the client? Now that my daughter has become a veggie, I find myself much more aware of options in the restaurants. Here in GA, there isn't much. I can only imagine how much tougher it must be to eat out as a vegan. Kudos to you.


Despite yesterdays craptastic news, I didn't turn to food for comfort. This is huge for me. I'm finally learning something about myself. For the first time, I feel optimistic about my weight loss goals. It's different this time.

Ok ladies I need some advice please.

I had the interview with the photography studio last night and it went really well. Currently I'm a bookkeeper for the company I work for, but when I was originally hired I was only supposed to be the assistant to the bookkeeper. I love the people I work with, but I am not happy with the job itself. My dream has always been to be a professional photographer, but I always put it on the back burner out of fear . . . fear of not being good enough, fear of failing and then having to take a job I hate just to make a living.

Well I went to this interview last night for a chance at a part time job there (front desk kind of stuff just to get my foot in the door). Well they are looking for a preschool photographer . . . full time. To be honest I really believe I would be perfect for the job because I was a preschool teacher for 3 years, so I'm good with kids. Plus I would get training from this studio filled with amazing photographers and finally be doing something that I love. I would really feel awful about leaving the place I am at and so I'm torn about the whole thing. Plus, even though there is serious potential for growth at the studio, the pay won't be as much as I make here I am sure of it, at least not right away.

I talked to my hubby about it last night and he says he thinks I should do it. I told him about my money concerns and his response was "it's only money, it doesn't make you happy"

So I really value all of your opinions and I really would like to know . . .


What do I do?


On a super bright note . . . I'm on day #8 OP and I go to my 2nd WW meeting at 12 so I'm excited to see what the scale says.

I have a few recommendations ready but since this is the first time I've met them I don't really know what they're into. The manager I'm going with is the ONE person at my office that feels the need to be a smart *** about my veganism. I keep my opinions to myself about it at work and the only reason people know I'm vegan is because we do have quite a few social type settings. So anyway yeah dreading it a bit. She's a good manager to work with as far as getting things done on time, good feedback etc. but she acts like a child about the food.

Jen,
I don't know your financial situation or the difference in pay but if you're able to swing it my advice will always be to follow your heart unless it does really put you out on the street.

- Well you asked me about one of my fav things - Hot sauce . It got me all animated and excited. It doesn't take much to make me happy. Lot of the hot sauces I bought were not from regular grocery stores. I have some others at home with names like a** whooping hot sauce etc I can't remember the exact names but they're along those lines.

- Don't buy Cento (I think that's the name not sure), Louisiana something hot sauce. They're along Tabasco and TP. And NO Hooters buffalo wing sauce cuz its bleh.

- First time I bought the Wing-Time Buffalo Sauce was from a Bass Pro shop.

- And yes Cholula is not hot enough but its good enough for when I don't need heat but enough flavor. Oh and at the restaurants they freakin water it down. At least the ones here...and according to the bottle its got no calories...

Oh I wanted to ask you, Jo and anyone else who likes hot sauce...Since Tabasco being the most common I'm going to ask based on that.

On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is - are you kidding me? and 10 is - my tongue's on fire where's the fire extinguisher. How would you rate Tabasco?

You're welcome

Oh so happy Jo. I'm glad he's sticking to his plan. It is a miracle. I hope he continues. And I agree with Anna, it is definitely probably harder for him so a praise here or there will keep him focused . And like Heather, I'm not happy either being a guy he's going to lose it way faster than you. Oh well...


As a rule we don't eat after 7:30 pm. More like 7 right now. We are trying to stick to it as much as possible. And yes there have been times when I have been weirdly hungry late at night. I either drink water or cup of tea and ignore it as much as possible.

Rhonda, that is awesome. I was worried yesterday when you told us the news and I knew you were not happy and food being the comfort zone I was hoping you wouldn't go there. But see you made it. This is indeed huge and I'm very proud of you. Keep it going baby...you can do this!!!

Jen - GO FOR IT. Like Heather said, if you can swing it financially, do what you love! The company you work for now has put TOO much on your shoulders, and it's not what you want to be doing. They will find someone else - think of all the people who are desperately looking for jobs right now! Do not worry about your current company. They will be fine. I would urge you to pursue the photography gig. I saw the pictures you have on facebook of your son, and they are gorgeous - you definitely have a knack for child photography!!

To be honest I don't really like Tabasco - why I use Texas Pete as my go to. From what I recall, and keep in mind it's been a while, I'd say maybe a 3 for Tabasco and a 4 for Texas Pete? Of course I probably use more then the average bear on my food so who knows if I did strictly a taste test.

I've been eating OP ladies and feeling good about it. I wish my sleep was also OP. I can't seem to (a) get enough sleep (b) stay asleep throughout the night (c) sleep on time. We went to bed around 11ish yesterday and still weren't sleepy so we came back downstairs and decided to drink the Yogi Bedtime tea to make us sleepy . Well, I don't know whether it was the tea or just the fact that we finally got tired we went to sleep. Only to freakin wake up at 4:22 AM and I could not fall back to sleep. Why the **** did I wake up that early? Of course, the smart thing would have been to get out of bed, get ready slowly and head out. But no I lay in bed till 6:20. Weird night!! All this week has been like that me waking up in the middle of the night.

Plan (finish leftovers in fridge)

B - Stir Fried Chinese Broccoli w/ little brown rice
L - small Sub
S - Small Salad
D - Fa fa fajita

Jen, I agree with Heather and Jaime. Follow your heart. Not everyone is fortunate enough to do it and get the support as well. Definitely go for it.