Wow, Penny, I didn't know they had a Claim Jumper in Portland. I went to one in Reno and thought it was just a lone restaurant. Then last month in San Bernadino, I saw one. Next time I'm in Portland, I will have to go. I had the best (aka calorie laden) dessert there (at least that's all I had as I didn't have a main course). I'm still pretty amazed how old I'm getting. I think once you hit 35, the years fly by and you have no concept of getting older.

Juls, welcome back!!!! It's so great to hear from you. I'm sorry about the weight gain, but you can get back with the eating and as the kgs drop, so wills ome of the pains and then you can exercise again. You'll do it, I know it. I'm so glad you're back!!!!

Judy, I loved Charlotte's airport (very rare thing for me to say). But they made it smoke free and there's rocking chairs in the main area of the terminal that were great to read a book in. And they overlooked vast expanses of floor to 3 story high windows. They did a nice job there!!! I hope you have a great trip. You know that you could go to the Lowes Motor Speedway on Sat night for a Nascar race...

I pigged out all weekend. Bad me. I'm struggling again. I was so on track before traveling. Oh Judy, how do you do it???? On a bright note, I exercised each day and already today. When the diet train rolls by, I'm gonna grab on again. I wish it would stop overbooking and bumping me from the flight.
Marie

G,day all you lovely ladies, for the welcome back Marie it is good to catch up with old friends even if you can,t put a face to the name. I know with all of you guys giving me support and encouragement and lots of I will win this battle again, went for bone scan today and get results on Friday, g,day Penny I,m not sure if we have met either but then I,m a bit of an air head LOL so we could have but just in case and a how do you do. Well you all sound so busy and here I sit on my ever increasing butt doing nothing you are so right Marie I can,t wait until I can exercise again I miss just being able to go for a simple walk. Hey Carol hope your well and g,day to anyone I haven,t met yet. Bye for now, take care. Blessed Be..JULS

Well girls its nice to be back home to water, inside plumbing etc. But what a beautiful peaceful place I visited. There is only 18 campsites and only 2 were being used last weekend of the season. Our first time ever this late in the year taking advantage of a warmer time. We went kayacing and I flipped for the first time funny and safe I was in just a small depth of water getting out of course. We all had a good laugh and the camera wasn't far behind the flip. Oh well funny funny and I looked like a drowned rat. Of course no showers first whole day at camp so I looked lovely the rest of the weekend with hairspray wet look. Hahhhaah! But the mountains and leaves were just beautiful. I fished caught quite a few my big one I was ready to keep and he leaped out of my hands we had a good laugh. Kayacing and fishing together is a bit tricky. The landscape was beautiful even a waterfalls tucked into the the mountain and evergreens. We will go there again next year forsure.

Juls welcome back I too recently put a few lbs. back on I am blaming being a bit under the weather with a bad back and menopause. I think thats a pretty good excuse but now ready to get going. Glad you found us and together we will all make some positive differences in our lifes.
Judy your festival sounds like something I would enjoy. We stopped at a college town on our way to camp and they had a lovely farmers market. I purchased goodies along with some wine. We would like to go there again. Sounds like you had a good time too.
Marie you need to be more careful of your precious body. I hope your feeling better the yoga sounds good.
Penny I need to get on the soap making thing. Time is flying by so quickly where did this year go. The weather here is seasonably warmer than we expect so time goes by quickly not thing christmas is really so near. And my grandson to be born in November.
Emma hope your doing fine too.
Hope I didn't miss anyone.? If so hello and hope your doing well.
I am having some oatmeal and fresh raspberries with a bit of br. sugar and cinn. Oh so tasty. Good start to my busy day. I am planning healthy healthy week. Good luck to all of you too!~

Marie - A new Claim Jumper just opened about 5 min. from our house. There's another one in Clackamas, but I haven't been there. It's one of those places for special occasions only as there's not much that's "diet friendly" on the menu! The good thing is they have mini desserts now (they are famous for their huge desserts). My DH had a tiny creme brulee and I had a mini english toffee pudding. Probably still loaded with calories but not as bad as going the whole hog. Sounds like you are struggling too - it must the the time of year as we all seem to have been having difficulty staying on track lately. Let's shake ourselves up and get back on the wagon - we CAN do it!

Juls - I'll keep you in my prayers for a good outcome of your tests on Friday.

Carol - Your camping trip sounded wonderful! You are quite the adventurer with all that kayaking and fishing. It must be a beautiful place, with the waterfall and all and nice and peaceful with not too many other campers around. I had a lot of trouble with hot flashes but since I've been taking flax seed every day I rarely get them. It's important to grind it fresh in a coffee mill each time or it loses it's effectiveness. For some people flax seed is as good as taking hormones and also has been shown to prevent breast cancer (which is especially good news in my case).

Yesterday I ate on plan and feel better for it. I made some pumpkin custards for snacks as I get a craving for pumpkin pie this time of the year and they're a good substitute (only 115 cals each).

Judy - I hope you're having a nice time on your trip to Charlotte.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

G,day lovely ladies hope you are all well, thanks Penny I have my for a good outcome, WOW Carol you sound like you really where do you get all that energy send some my way yeah a few lbs is one thing but losing about 28 and then putting back about 32 boy that sucks thats the problem they leave but come back and bring friends but I know I,ll get rid of them again I,m going through menopause as well and other health problems but that is just part of the problem I,m the biggest part of my problem I just love food and all the wrong food I have a big secret I,m a comfort eater I love to get comfortable when I eat no I,m serious whatever emotion I,m feeling at the time if it is negative I eat I get so at myself at times and then I feel bad so I grab a big bag of chips. Which reminds me Marie your english toffee pudding sounded YUM oh my God I,m hopeless hope your having fun Judy. Well I,ve raved on enough time to niki woop take care Blessed Be,..... JULS

Hi all, a rare break at work so here I am. I had a nice evening yesterday as DS2 and DH were in the garage working on DS2's project car. They didn't even know when I got home. So I did yoga and then sewed a little (little is the operate word as it was one side seam and then serging the same seam) but alas, I at least got to do a little. It was me time and I LIKED it alot. Then they came in from the garage and that was that...

I did the 1.5 block and jogged .33 mile of it. My lungs are not liking it in someways (asthma) but my body likes the big rise in heartrate. So I'll keep doing that 3x per week (if not more when my knee decides it's acceptable to do). I've been good foodwise so far today. I brought a stack of string cheese for my work fridge as a snack. I was out of the finger crunching saltines and animal crackers. My nail is still black and blue from last week's dive into the saltines.

Juls, you made the first step to losing the weight again. You came back. That's admitting there's a problem. So you'll make it. I, too, am an any emotion eater. I eat when I'm mad, I eat when I'm sad, I eat whenever... My sister has a whole song with that stuff but I can't remember it.

Carol, welcome back from your adventure. My favorite time in the kayak is flipping. But you know me, I go for the rush. You should post the pictures...

Penny, I finally remember what the gargantuan dessert was at Claim Jumper (it was about 6 years ago). A Chocolate Calzone. So it was a calzone stuffed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and topped with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge. Oh it was divine. It was my whole meal and I couldn't eat more than a 1/3. I dream of that dessert occasionally. It was to die for!!!!!

Judy and Emma, I hope all is going good for you all!
Marie

Hey Marie that dessert sounded so good I don,t think I,ll have to eat for the rest of the day LOL I really admire you for your exercise efforts you have pain but you still keep pushing your an inspiration I got up of my butt this morning and got on my stationary bike for 30mins had it on a low setting but at least I was moving the Doc said to take it easy until I get the results back from the bone scan but I would rather be a little bit active instead of sitting about feeling like the return of the blob. Take care.. Julie

Penny thanks for the flaxseed info. I do have some but haven't ground it up yet just put it on stuff and eat it no flavor to it. Well I will ck it out. I am not going to go on anything I will fight this off myself too scared to take any hormone stuff.

Julies good luck. I do usually have a lot of energy thank goodness or I would be in worse shape.

My friend and I are thinking of joining the same gym and that might motivate both of us we are also coworkers so we tend to finish work at the same time most days. We are in that healthy blue ins. everyone is hearing about. They pay us to get healthy sounds good to us.

Tonight I had a snack of fresh plain berries and an apple sliced up with peanut butter on the side yes I measured it girls. But what a tasty healthy treat almost felt like cheating for sure. Better than the few chips I started to eat. Bought a little book today to write my intakes in. Better tracking good water intake today. Every change counts as little as it may seem.

Marie oh if my hair didn't look so bad I would post it. Still owe you girls a wedding one. Gotta get the kids to post it for me.
Take care girls my only true exercise today was the stairs and a bit of a walk in and out of the office. But this weekend I did get it in I think kayaking and hiking a bit. Tonight I am a bit tired out just taking it easy. Bear had a nice bath and then a vinegar rinse. He smells lots better now after getting caught in the rain at the end of yesterdays camping.

Good morning all just reporting my intake for yesterday 1650 in cals. Still a bit high due to some emotional stress munching. But pretty much healthy choices throughout my day.
Penny I am having some oatmeal with flaxseed in it maybe it will help but it is not ground still using it. Oh well.
Marie my little Bear has some water in his ear keeps shaking his head every once in awhile. Is there anything I can do for him or is this one of those gotta go to the vet things? I will stop at Petco to ask but thought you might no best due to so many pups.
I am glad I held off on the gym thing as my friend and I together will have more of a chance on getting each other there more often hopefully. Except some a.m.'s I am going to give it a chance before the weather gets to crazy to do it. In the spring it will be a great idea fall and winter is a bit different as its about 20 min in good weather for me to drive. But on the way to work and home. Have a good day everyone watch those hidden calories they hide around the corners before we know it there in our mouths without a thought til their missing in action. Hah hah! But not really all that funny! Scale day is wed. not expecting to see a loss but no gain would be okay too next week a sure loss. I have to meet some of my goal by the end of the month.

Morning everyone, a little break at work so here I am. I walked the treadmill 1.5 miles this am. I was prepared for the treadmill or outside. But a it was raining, I bummed poor Kodiak out as I chose not to walk in the rain. Maybe when I get home from work since it's not raining currently. I did the yoga DVD again yesterday. Food was pretty good yesterday. No snacking in the morning or right after work. My two trouble times.

Juls, good for you on doing an easy exercycle ride. Just moving gingerly will probably help keep you more limber and will help in the losing weight.

Carol, I don't know about the ears. My doggies never had the problem. goldie used to get ear infections as she had the droopy ears (huskies stick straight up). Why don't you call the vet? They usually will answer a question on the phone.

Hi Penny, Judy and Emma.
Marie

Good mornings, it is a beautiful day here downunder but a bit windy, I had a good day yesterday eating wise stayed on track came in at 1250 cals which isn,t to bad I try to stay under 1500. I do feel good Marie doing my little ride I put Pink on the CD player and she gets me moving I have to go and do some errands today so I will be doing a bit of walking the Doc says incidental exercise is good to but because we don,t feel like we,re dying after it we don,t think it is important. I had a few words with DH last night it seems like everytime he knows I,m trying to do something about my weight he decides to bring unhealthy munchies into the house, chips are my downfall but I was strong and had an apple while he sat there and scoffed his face I could of hit him over the head with something hey I should have my arms need exercising . Anyway my day is off to a good start some yoghurt a brekki bar and a green tea I,ll be out for lunch so I think I,ll have Subway a turkey and salad on wheat dinner maybe a WW ready meal with a WW dessert. Take care all of you G,day Carol, Penny, Judy and Emma I don,t think I have met you but we,ll get there.

Good morning girls well I am off to a good start today with my plans of food intake for the day and did a plan kind of for the rest of the week. Kind of a main meal plan at least. Yesterdays cals were at 1550 better but still need a bit of adjusting it takes time to get back into the swing. When yah leaped off the swing a bit too bad it didn't hit me and I would of caught myself sooner oh well better late than not at all. This is all part of learning what does or doesn't work oh I think I figured out the later part of that the hard way with a few extra lbs. along the way not nice I say! I am having my oatmeal as we visit and already have homemade chicken soup in the crockpot for dinner tonight preparing ahead helps me alot.
Bear seems a bit better this a.m. and mom gave me some solution to clean his ear so tonight I will do that. It was girls night out after dinner last night so tonight will be a bit calmer. Then friday we are having 3 out of 4 grandkids over for the night. It will be fun already planned individual pizza making, halloween crafts, apple pie making with the kids turning the apple peeler and rolling dough, popcorn and a halloween movie. Keep them all very busy and happy at the same time. It should be fun!
Rainy here today!
Marie sounds like your on a roll too! Keep it up!
Julies you do so well on your cals I can't go that low or I would be hungry. Good for you though. I would like to shoot for 1500 now then in a couple of weeks get to 1400 and thats good for me. I take an apple to have at lunch time and then one for the ride home. It helps not to be so hungry when I walk in the door and want to eat an elephant!!!
I am also tracking my fiber anyone hear of the F factor diet? I am shooting for 25 fibers a day my 1 cup of oatmeal gives me a nice start with 8. The apples add in another 8. So not too difficult to muster. It helps us feel fuller and burns the fat I am told. Take care time to go off to work. I have been so very busy the office stuff is at a min. Thank goodness!!! A break at last!

Juls - Good for you for eating an apple instead of those chips. It's hard sometimes to see other people eating "forbidden" foods, but it's a good feeling when we manage to say "no" despite our cravings. I'm glad to hear you're able to do some gentle exercises. The main thing is not to overdo it and to listen to your body when exercise is too painful.

Marie - I envy people who can sew! I tried it many moons ago and ended up throwing out some expensive fabric. I just don't have the patience. I do a lot of crafts, so I've learned to be a whiz with the hot glue gun!

Carol - Yes, I read about the F factor diet. It makes sense as fiber is very filling. I've started eating more fiber rich foods and veggies, like fennel, rutabaga, apples and prunes. Flax seed is also very high in fiber. I hope Bear's ears clear up. He probably got some water in them and I've heard that spaniels have a tendency to ear infections.

I'm off to my monthly State luncheon meeting which will probably be a long one as we're planning our bazaar & tea next month. I'm hoping there will be something "safe" on the menu! It's at Albertina Kerr's - an old stately home where they have a lovely dining room and also an antique consignment store which is fun to browse through.

To all you lovely ladies, yes Penny I was very proud of myself for eating the apple but I sulked when I new DH hubby was in the next room eating them and after I told him off he did it to me again last night but this time it was caramelo choccy which I would kill for, his excuse is he loves me and he likes me to have the things I like, not to good when you are trying to trim the fat . I think he just likes me cuddly it,s the Italian in him, sometimes I would like to hit him over the head but he means well. Carol it took me awhile to get used to keeping between 1200 and 1500 cals I still get hungry but if I do I have a big glass of iced water or green tea and a cold apple I keep them in the fridge that way they are crispy and cold and help with the cravings, and I,ve read that if you eat an apple after your meals it helps with fiber and also helps absorb fat something to think about I guess. I.ve had a good day found out results of tests I have bursitis, arthritis, and tennis elbow the Doc gave me an injection in my hip he wants to see if they will help calm it down if not I,m looking at an OP to have the bursa sack removed it sounds soooo much fun I can hardly wait good day with cals stayed under 1300 today so not bad. Take care, bye for now ... JULS