Good Morning everyone,

Not a good night for me. I ate too much junk! Can't say what started the kitchen rampage but rampage it was! And now this morning im disgusted with myself. Can't change it, just pick myself up and go on..... Hope every one else is doing well. I think that I was just having a pity party for myself. I broke a tooth and I know that means a root canal! Well, sit here and figured that one out! But a poor way to handle the stress of the dentist.

Marie, Sounds like your weather is worse than mine! At least I haven't had to scrape the windshields! But it remains cold and i'll going you in wishing for spring!

Judy, I get abuse from strangers often! Comes with my line of work! But I get a lot of thanks too, so I guess it evens out! You did so great at the luncheon! And why does people push food? A simple "no thanks" should be enough but there are some who will just keep on. You did win a gold star! If you're stuck on a plateau it is probally that your body is readjusting. Shouldn't last long. To end it you could probally eat less (but don't go under around 1300 calories) or exercise more or change your exercise. Some times the body gets used to one type of exercise. Do you lift weights? Works great for me!

cacsmc, Your trip sounds like fun! And how nice of you to treat your friend! About those pies though...... I am having trouble getting on too! And using the smilies. I keep getting "there has been an error on page---do you want to continue. many, many times! It's so annoying I would quit visiting this site if it wasn't for the wonderful people here and the support I get every day. Now who's the computer expert? Any way to stop this?

Ladies, I feel like I have gotten to know most of you pretty well. Did you introduce yourself on an earlier thread? I could go back and read.

Make it a nice day, Freda

Morning everyone, it's gray and dismal again. I just went to the store and post office (I know, I'm supposed to be working). I picked up a couple staples we ran out of at home and a couple things for lunch since I didn't bring one. Best I could do was a lean pocket. Not too great of a grocery store, but I wanted a fountain drink and they mix theirs the best. So it was a sacrifice for the rest of the lunch. I sold a couple things on eBay hence the trip to the post office.

Exercise continues to go great but food wise, I'm just muddling along. Better than before but not where I need to be. I'll just keep trying.

Have fun shopping Carol - I'd like the pies. Also, I haven't had any trouble here at 3FC, here or at home. I have noticed that sometimes it takes longer to post replies and the such. speaking of that, should we start a new thread? It's getting pretty long. Also, if we don't put page 2 or page 3 other people might want to join us. I never look at threads where I have to read a novel to get to the current date. There may be others that get scared away too.

Freda, I'm Marie and live in Oregon. i'm a database manager and webmaster for a school district. Much of the time it's a cushy job. I am a doggie person - I live for my puppies. I knit, draw, stained glass, and generally like crafty stuff. I'm married, 2 kids (one living at home with his GF and baby and the other is in military tech school in Mississippi). That's my life in a nut shell.
Marie

Hi Marie, Thanks for the introducton. I hope the others won't mind giving a little information either.

Let me introduce myself now. My name is Freda. I am married, one son, 2 grandchildren! I'm an RN and I work part time, keep my grandkids 2 days a week. I'm not terribly crafty but would like to be. I love to read, mostly mystery novels and love listening to books on tape in my car too! I collect antique jewelry and depression glass. I don't follow any particular diet, just watch what I eat and try to eat healthy and watch my portions! Love animals too Marie, almost any!

Hi, all--

So after all that venting about not losing anything, the scale recorded a whole pound down this morning, so I finally got to change my ticker. There was a time when only losing a pound would have been disappointing, but at this point, I'll celebrate any downward movement at all!

Freda, I'm a bachlorette in the capitol region, no pets or kids. I've worked for activist nonprofits around the country for over 25 years. Too busy or not talented enough for hobbies, I guess, but I'm a big reader, enjoy going to the movies and sleeping in. I'm on a kind of modified Body for Life for Women plan at the moment, and have been doing variations of higher-protein, good carb eating plans since early last year. I do cardio and toning videos most days (although I've been a slug this week), go to the Curves gym 2-3 times a week, and walk a lot. I ultimately want to get down to 160 lbs. over the course of the next two years, but I've been over 200 lbs most of my adult life, so we'll have to see if that's realistic. But that's what I want, anyway. I'm glad that you have bonded with our little thread.

sorry if you don't hear much from me over the next few days, I'll be in and out of town and not taking a laptop for the next week, but I'll check in when I can.

ciao--judy

Have a great trip, Judy. Bet you could be crafty if you wanted. I never particularly thought I was creative until I tried. Then bam, I realized I had talent. The drawing still blows me away.

Freda, my sister is an RN, working part-time in obstectrics and pediatrics at her local hospital. She loves it. Sometimes, I wish I'd gone that direction but at 44 I'm still trying to find out what I really like to do. After many years in the work place I have eliminated several.

I did my 3 miles walk after the funeral (friend's mother) and that helped perk me back up. Funerals are sad.

Well, I should start thinking about dinner. BTW, I didn't eat anything at the funeral reception. They had loads of goodies, but miraculously I wan't hungry so I didn't eat. That's a novelty!!!!
Marie

G,DAY S, you all sound in good spirits, Judy I agree with Freda maybe changeing your exercise routine or just dropping an extra 100cals sometimes gets you off that plateau it has worked for me in the past, and on that lb loss you go girl Carol good for you from keeping away from sweets and junk food but please try not to skip to many breakfasts and I hope you injoy your day with your friend but I don,t know about the pies but you know all about moderation so there will be no problem I know what it is like to be the chauffer but when its for someone you care about you don,t mind G,day Marie I hope your mood is better than the weather but I,m sure it will pick up and be warmer soon we are in Autumn which I love I,m more of a cold weather person our summers here downunder can be a bit on the hot side, Freda I,m not that interesting I,m 48 have 5 kids all grown 8 grandkids another on the way I also love to read I like Thrillers and a good horror movie from time to time I,m studying a Business course at the moment, thats about it and as you know I,m an ozzie, well thats it for me BYE FOR NOW, TAKE CARE AND REMEMBER TOMORROW IS ALWAYS FRESH WITH NO MISTAKES IN IT BLESSED BE...JULIE

Finally found a minute to get back in here. My diet is still going strong in spite of the very stressful life I'm leading. I had a very extra rough day Tueday and Wednesday dealing with my step mother who wants to get my father out of the nursing home. I've found myself wanting to eat, but caught myself and wouldn't let myself do it.

I didn't even make my TOPS meeting on Tuesday. I was so upset. As you remember my father can not walk at this time and is in a nursing home for rehab and his alcohol demenia, and my stepmother wants to get him out, but she has to work. I fear what she really wants is for her life to go back to normal with both of them consuming large amounts of alcohol. She is still consumng large amounts of alcohol. I fear the first opportunity she has she will get him out, and she will give him alcohol and his demenia will get worse or even kill him. I realize what many other people have gone through in dealing with alcoholics. It's worse than banging your head on a brick wall.

enough of that. I'm missed you guys and I'm glad ya'll are here. I'm glad I didn't sucumb to the urge to eat the whole house to handle my stress. I'm just staying focused on my goal and my little mini weekly goals to get me through day by day.

To reintroduce I am a 52 yr. old young gram. I am married and have 3 adult children. 4 grandchildren and 1 grand dog Storm in Hawaii. For work I am a Medicaid Service Coordinator and work for non for profit with Dev. Mental Disabled population (adults). I have been working at this job for almost 8 yrs. Before that I worked in Special Ed as a TA for 10 yrs. in a school with kids. Got brave and went back to college when the hubby became ill. Still paying for my degree in fact. But oh well a late bloomer. I enjoy my job most of the time. My daughter told her son grandma's a hero. I laughed I am pretty strong willed and will go the extra mile for my folks on my caseload. Sometimes it can get pretty sticky. My mom says I should of been a lawyer. I don't think so! I like what I do and it is an important role, sometimes I can help make changes in peoples lifes that make a difference. I am happy to say I get good benefits it out weighs the human service pay. I feel good about what I do and thats important. I enjoy camping, spending time with the kids, family, knitting, sewing, quilting, gardening, traveling and trying to live a healthy lifestyle is important to me. My family comes first above everything else.
Quiltamama so sorry to hear your troubles. My dad was a drinker and its tough to sit back but its kind of out of your control to do much. All you can do is your best he has had that desire for a long time it won't most likely change now. I know with my dad it drove a wedge in our relationship which now I regret. I was one who tried to fight it and lost the battle. Sometimes we need to accept their choices even know we know their not the healthiest choices. Otherwise we just get upset and it still doesn't change much. Good luck and feel free to vent.
Girls I am trying to balance my intake today. Healthy breakfast this a.m. and lunch out, dinner at home it will be healthy and walking 4 miles around the lakes.
Take care all.
Freda I am glad you have joined our group.
Freda I feel off the wagon yesterday but tried to jump back on at the end of the day. I got into the m&m's at least they were peanut. I dropped the rest of the bag off to the kids on the way home. I actually started in on them in the car. Oh so bad! Later on I walked 4 miles with the girls. But still for the day did way above my normal for calories. I need to get serious according to the square thing I am up in lbs. This doesn't make me feel to good. I need to take the bull by the horns. Exercise sometimes does make me eat more and that I need to becareful about. Between sun til now 8 miles almost. We are walking again today. Maybe its just Tom the choc. attack and all? Oh well life goes on pick up and move forward as I tell my clients.
Juls I messed up with the sweets but I am starting all over. The pies will get put away til Easter less I have to prepare. I do dinner for 20 and have a big egg hunt at my house. We have an acre and the kids find eggs everywhere. Including in my gardens!
Starting a new thread isn't a bad idea at all. Maybe it will give us all a jump start. We could maybe add a goal in somehow a long term one and a mini one? Think about it Marie your the computer wizard. Hah see when your good at something it means more work! What do you think?

Good Morning all, I'm happy to have found this group too. I'm meeting a lot of wonderful, interesting people. Thank you for accepting me so warmly!

Judy, Have a wonderful trip. Hope to see you back soon!

Marie, I didn't go back to school intill after my son had graduated, so i'm a late bloomer too! BudtI knew what I wanted to do. Good for you for not getting into the goodies at the funeral! And you got your walk in too!

Jules, I love to read too, and mysteries and thrillers are my favorite also! I always a a book (or 2) laying around and another one in the car (books on tape). Who is your favorite author? What are you reading right now?

Quiltmama, You can't do much for an alcholic! I know from experience, long line in my family too! You end up beating your head again a wall and they end up doing what they want anyway. You can't help someone who doesn't want help. Most of the people in my family are older now and they have either quit or gotten a little better. Now the younger generation is getting into drugs. It's that addictive personality thing! It's so hard to watch a smart, wonderful person to mess up their life like that. My sister just had to ask her 23 year old son to leave the house because of drugs. I think it was the hardest thing she ever had to do, but I think it was the right decision. Sometimes you can mistake being an enabler for love.

cacmsc, As I said before, I went back to school late too. I was told by the college counsler that I "didn't have a chance againt those hot shot kids comming out of highschool" I made the deans list every time and those hot shot kids barley made it through. It's how determined you are. I'm glad to hear that you got rid of the M&m's. We all have our weaknesses and it's a strength to know them and deal with them. I can't keep Fritoes corn chips in the house! I will eat a whole bag! So, I jsut don't buy them!

Take care, and every one have a great day, Freda

What will the new thread be about, the same, or are we jumping to a new one because this one has gotten so big?

Yep, life is too with alcoholics. I've long since accepted his decision, but now have to deal with the face he has been declared mentally incompentant as well as he is physically incapble of providing any care for himself. Unfortunatly to add to that, my step mom is an alcoholic herself and is unwilling to provide the care he needs and expects us to come do it while she sits around drunk.

I feel I will have to draw the line there.

Followiong of the wagon, glad you jumped back on. I think making some mistakes helps you to understand yourself better and then helps you down the road. You know what they say we learn more from our mistakes then we do our successes. I'm balancing my food really good, but I do over eat at times. Fortunatly I've managed to stay away from some of the bad things by giving myself a piece of sugarless chocolate when I feel it hitting.

I've found that it helps me to keep from binging out and losing control, which I am so capable of doing.

now if I could just find my exercise mojo I'd be feeling much less stressed and more in line health wise.

Okay, a new thread because this one is long and intimidating. What about naming it Daily Check In - Long and Mini Goals?

Things are going good today. Had to work all morning. Tis a bummer. I couldn't just play here. But now it's afternoon and I have a moment to catch up.

I got up at 5:15 and did my exercise before work. But lo and behold, the sun is sort of shining so I want to go for a walk with the doggies after work. I guess I'll exercise twice.

I went back to school in my late 20's so I was a non-traditional student too. I definitely did WAY better than the youngsters, too.

Also, alcoholism in my family. My father is a recovering alcoholic and has been dry for 5 years. Way to go, Dad!!!! He went through rehabilitation once and it stuck. He's a stubbron Dutchman, so I suppose it wasn't a surprise. Probably because of him, I totally abstain. But then again, I hate the taste and there's no way I'd use my precious caloires on alcohol when there are brownies. Priorities, right? so Quiltmama, you have a lot of understanding with us. sure doesn't help that your step-mother is an alcoholic that is drinking.

Well, back to work. I'll chat with you later. Let me know about the thread name.
Marie

G,DAY S, A new thread sounds good it is getting big but we seem to have lost a few along the way I really miss Tired do any of you know if she goes to any other threads, I think the new name is catchy Marie we could all discuss an achievable mini goal and take it from there I,m so you have to work at something you don,t seem to enjoy it would be nice if we all had enough money to be comfortable and there was no such thing as bills well it costs nothing to dream and way to go to your DAD I lost my DAD 5yrs ago miss him like crazy at times I grew up withhe also was an alchoholic gave it up for 5yrs as well but then went to a friends birthday party and fell off the wagon but the alchohol didn,t get him it was cancer, good to see you are exercising and don,t look at walking your dogs as exercise but more of a fun you time, Quiltmama I know what you are feeling my second husband was an alchoholic, it is like hitting your head up against a brick wall you can,t make a difference no matter what you do it is the path they chose, I feel for you in your plight with your stepmother it sounds like she just needs a drinking buddy I agree with you I don,t think it would be of any benefit to your DAD to come home at least where he is he is getting the care he needs you have your family and your own set of everyday problems to deal with and it is not fair for her to expect you to come running when she has to work or rather when she is drunk and by the sounds of it she has trouble taking care of herself from experience if she is a heavy drinker they are out of it most of the time an can just function enough to do what they have to do I think you may have to dig your heals in with this one and make it clear it,s in your DAD,S best interest to stay where he is, glad to hear that your staying strong and the food isn,t winning as far as your mojo is concerned don,t sweat it I,m sure it will turn up it,s probably just on vacation and isn,t ready to come back yet Hey Freda you sound like your doing well, I like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Virginia Andrews I don,t think I really have a favourite I think all authors have something that grabs you and keeps you reading some a bit more than others you know there are books that you just can,t put down, I,m rereading Virginia Andrews the Flowers in the Attic series of novels, I don,t think I could listen tto a book while I,m driving if it got to a good bit and it was to exciting I,d probably become a headline in print myself by driving into a tree or something, Carol I love the warmth that comes from you you are truly one of those people that go that extra mile for the people you care about I identify with your family being first and formost, as for slipping with the sweets M&M,S lets see I know that stands MORE MOVEMENT so just work it off girl Hey Judy hope your well I,ve ramble enogh boy I can be long winded at times but I do like to try and catch up with each and everyone of you lovely ladies, BYE FOR NOW, TAKE CARE, BE GOOD TO YOURSELVES, AND MAKE TODAY COUNT, BLESSED BE...JULIE

P.s. Please Excuse Stuttering I Was In A Rush, Bye Again

Juls I also get long winded but I always enjoy your input. So don't stop I look forward to your notes.Tired hasn't been here in quite awhile family stuff with extended family illnesses. I am not sure if she is on another thread. I miss her as well . You could look back maybe and do a personal message. If so tell her hello from me.
Everyone we sure seem to have some of the same life experiences with alcholics in our families. I am a social drinker like my wine once in awhile. I have an older sister whom has followed in Dad's footsteps. Her daughter is 32 and hates it. I know how she feels. It can control your life and ruin it too. A relative is currently in rehab its like his 5 time. This time might be the right one though. He is in a 9 month program where he has to live and he is learning a trade of welding. Maybe it will be right for him. His mom is the one moving in with us this summer. Boy the building project is getting interesting. Prices sure aren't cheap. But it will be okay juggle a little money here and there and hope for the best.
I think a new thread with a short and long term goal would be great. Maybe we should ask the new girls what caught their eye to this thread? Feel like sharing? I have been on here so long I can't remember but think it was the daily check. I know when it is routine it works for me. I just started a new way of journaling trying to improve my journey to lower wt. loss. In the future I would like to lose about 14 lbs. That would be less than I have been for many years. But I want to reach it with healthy measures to ensure a good lifestyle. I am documented my daily activity if I do it. So far since 4/2 12 miles around the lakes. Yah!!!!!!!! My monthly goal is 50 miles. Thanks for the idea Marie. Then I am jounaling intakes, preplanned sometimes, calories for the day. The scale thing jotted down next to the date. I had put on a couple of lbs. 1 is gone today! Hurray! I didn't need it my mini goal isn't working for Easter but I will not take any extra lbs. for the date either. I am determined to take control. This is my new line of thinking its up to me and me only what goes in my system!
Wish me luck girls!
Judy hope you have a good trip. Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Marie the walking has been great and your the one who motivated me for adding it all up. I think that will help. Also I have walking buddies two regulars and yesterday had 2 extras. I think its catchy and that is super share the healthy lifestyle. The hour walk seems to go quickly. We have been meeting after work on our way home at the local state park.
Take care girls my Kashi cereal awaits me and then its off to work its friday. We have a happy hour my dept. won at a local spot. I am only staying a half an hour and will try my best to behave with food. After all saturday I am going away with my friend. We are doing breakfast with will hold us over for lunch too. I am packing water and some healthy snacks for the ride. That will keep me out of trouble.
Have a great weekend.

I guess you could say I'm getting some exercise, putting out fires in my family, LOL, today is better emotionally for me. I tried to get the brothers to understand where they need to be in how they deal with the folks. So I'm trying to let it all go as best I can and refocus on my own day to day life.

I had a pretty good day yesterday, but I've not lost any weight in a couple of weeks so that is bothering me.

CSCMSC, I to was an adult returning college student and worked full time plus took care of my family while getting my degree. NOt easy but I knew in the long run in would make a world of difference. and I wasn't wrong. What building project are you having done?

Well still no real exercise for me, I guess one of these days I'll stop running around like a chicken with my head cut off and do something. I'd love to walk outside, but it is just not possible where I live due to traffic and lose dogs. I've always stuck to the treadmill. When are we going to the new thread ?