Hello all,

Another wonderful cold day here. I think we're due for ice and/or freezing rain overnight. Oh joy! I spent some time outside moving snow and ice from the wood pile so I could bring some wood in for the fireplace. I also found out that I have offers now from all three colleges (5 programs) that I applied to. So now I just have to pick one. I think in the end it will be Mechanical Engineering Technologist at the closest college. If nothing else, I can continue on to a full degree afterwards at night school. Other than that it's been a quiet day here. Just working away at staying on plan and exercising.

Ratkitten - I know I couldn't keep cookies in the house. I made biscotti a while back and I seem to be okay with just taking two small ones (planned) in the evening. I think it's because I couldn't eat them quickly. Starting back quickly after a bad period is good though. In the past I've let small slips turn into a long period of not paying attention. The stairs are wonderfull. I can walk miles on a treadmill, or even on streets, but stairs still give me problems.

Zelma - I looked around your site (thanks for mentioning the update). I have to admit something - I like my treadmill as well. I don't think I ever thought I would, but I do.

Julee - Ouch, that's probably not a good shirt. I have a bad tendancy to wear oversized tops. It's not really a good thing whe carrying extra weight, but I still seem to do it. If you like the shirt, it is possible to get someone to tailor it so it fits better. I've done that with some of my old shirts that I wanted to keep.

Wendy - I think that's the biggest problem, determining how much you're burning. My calories in is usually between 2000 and 2100 per day. Fitday tells me that my BMR is 2131, and that total cals burned today were 3349. I look at the so-called deficit since December and I should have lost just about 31 pounds. The actual is 32 so I suppose it's reasonably accurate. And yes, I know it's not a science. It's just about impossible to figure out how much you should be eating... at least that's how I find it.

Penny - welcome to the group. I'm not married, and don't have kids, and currently not working, so I don't have a problem finding time. I hope you manage to find some time for yourself. Yikes about the water. Perhaps you'll feel better after a (hopefully) warm bath.

WireFoxMom - since I now do the cooking for my mother I suppose I've made her way of eating healthier. She buys candy for herself, which I stay far away from. I'm interested in the cauliflower recipe if it works out well. I might try converting an old crockpot recipe I have for a cauliflower/white bean chili. I remember that it didn't keep well, and I don't need more than two portions so I'll have to work on that a bit.

debimitch - our nice warm weather came without rain (thankfully), so at the moment our crawlspace is clear. It's rare that you wish for snow, but I hope you get some. If you're going to weigh daily you really have to ignore the daily weights. I log them, but only count the Monday ones as weigh-ins. Not to say that I don't sometimes let the daily weights bother me. However, the longer I do it the more I see the daily fluctuations are meaningless. I actually added a page to my blog yesterday that showed the daily changes. I just find them interesting, but if you're too affected by them just try once a week, or even every other week. On the calorie differences - I use what the packaging says, since (in theory) it should be more accurate. However, I just checked my FitDay and a large egg is entered at 75 calories (so that's pretty much what the package said).

Bernice - even a small amount of movement is good. In the end I think it's more important that you do something you wouldn't normally do before. Just think, one day in the future you will be able to do the entire thing. How great will that feel?

Carol - It's great when things are too big, isn't it? I figure this spring I'll have to do the same thing, trying everything on and divide them up. I'll probably keep the things that are too big as I have someone who will alter them for me (at a very reasonable price). Congrats on the 4.5 pounds lost! Woohoo! I know we should all look for a reasonable loss each week, but sometimes I don't mind the up a pound one week so I can be down 4 or so the next one. It's sad, because even if it's just a couple of pounds per month it is still a downward trend and we should be happy.

BattleAx - I'm sorry that you've been struggling. It is much harder to get on, even when you know all the right things you should be doing. I hope you manage to get back to where you need to be.

Nancy - it is hard to stop the weight loss from consuming you. I find for those I know that I just mention that I'm back on track and leave it at that. I also don't want to be that person who talks about dieting all of the time. I also avoid those discussions with my mother since I could probably drive her crazy if I started. However, every time you turn around you're reading about diets somewhere. Today the paper was talking about how we (Canadians) don't know how to read labels and such. I hope you find your balance. When I stopped focusing I went completely off track. So for now I'll just obsess here and hopefully leave friends and family out of it.

Wyoming - that's something I think a lot of people struggle with - eating enough to lose, but not too little that your body suffers.

Angie - glad the doctor's visit went well. I think that's something I should do more often, but so far I seem to be in reasonably good shape... except for the weight!

Debbie - yes, we're all sick of the weather! I went out to the front today, as the snow has crept back a little and exposed one of the flower beds just a bit. I was looking (without luck) for the first of the spring bulbs. Heck, I'd settle for seeing the green tips poking through the dirt. I've never got back to the faster speeds I used to do on the treadmill. At the moment I use the incline to get my heart rate up. I'm at a higher weight than I was when I purchased it, so that may be part of it. Doing the WATP DVD I could walk faster, so it's got to be a mental block. I'm leaving it for something to do once I'm back under 300 pounds.

Tina - well, you're right, making the meal was sweet of him. It is a good thing he didn't see his work going to waste!

Annie - if you can afford to work part time I say go for it. I'm sure your husband will be happy if you're not so tired. That's kind of what I'd love if I can find it until I'm back in school. Something that will earn me a little money (so it's not always so tight), but that it won't take away from my exercise time. I'm becoming a little obsessed with keeping it up.

toofatforu - Good evening to you. A few more posts and you technically won't be lurking...

Catherine - Good for you, taking on the church. I'm not one for prayer, but even if I were, forsaking medicine and hoping that prayer will heal you is... well, just nuts! The only quote I can think of is 'god helps those who help themselves'. I'm pretty sure that medicine is part of helping ourselves. It's just too funny that you end up getting a writing gig out of it.


Well, that took a while! I need to check in a little more often. It's pretty much time for me to get to sleep as I didn't sleep well last night so I was going to try an early night. Good night all!

(and that is ice I hear hitting the window... sleeping in sounds kind of good right now)

Hi everyone,

I did better today, and as long as I can continue for another few hours, I'll have had an OP day.

Is anyone else excited about the idea that new fruits will be in season soon? I can't wait to see berries and melons.

Anne: Congratulations on being accepted by all 5 schools. It's wonderful to have a choice. I wish you the best of luck in the program.

Nancy: I know what you mean about weight loss being the focus of life. I've been at it for a much shorter time than you, but even so it has been taking up a lot of my life for the past 8 months. I don't know if I will ever have balance when it comes to weight management, but it helps to have other things going on in my free time. I keep busy, which is at the same time good for me and challenging. It's challenging because having lots of activities means lots of challenging food situations.

Like Anne, I don't talk about it much with friends and family, or anyone except you chickies. I do sometimes tell others that I am having a hard time controlling myself around food that might be sitting out. For some reason, it helps for me to say it, even if there's not much anyone can say or do for me. I'll even say it to practical strangers standing around a buffet table. I don't know why it helps, but it does. Oh, but I am off on a tangent from your discussion.

Zelma: I read your updated site, too. Love it. One point that sticks with me now is that you put the exercise equipment in the living room (lounge). I live in a small place and don't have a room specifically for exercise equipment either, and have stopped myself from messing up the aesthetics of my public space. Maybe I need to rethink this next Fall when I'm looking for indoor exercise options.

Julee: Belated Happy Birthday! I don't know what to say about the top. I recently watched How to Look Good Naked, and I'm one of the few who didn't like the show, but one of the take away points I got was how clothes make a difference in how heavy we appear. I have the tendency, like many of us, to hide under big, loose clothing. The show demonstrated that more fitted clothes are flattering.

Penny: Welcome!

Wyoming: It's interesting to me that a lot of members come here and say they struggle to eat enough calories. I have never suffered from this problem! I notice that at some point the appetite usually re-appears for them.

Tina: It was nice of your dh to make you a meal. Have you talked with him about the types of foods you need to eat now?

Catherine: You are a force to be reckoned with. I'm glad you stood up and said something. It is so dangerous to lead people to believe that they can eschew medications they need if they just pray hard enough. I think it is really twisting the idea of what is meant by the power of prayer. Not to get too far out there in the spiritual talk, but it is arrogant to think that we can control outcomes like that. We can't invoke miracles. Most of us, anyway.

I get confused by people who think they don't need to do anything but pray to make their lives better. As Anne said, there is a little phrase "G-d helps those who help themselves."

Oh well. I'm always wanting to talk about the subjects we're supposed to stay mum on: politics, religion, and money. I had to go so far as to talk about money as a profession. And it's all I can do not to talk about politics when I have another tab open on my screen and I'm constantly refreshing the page for election results.

To everyone I missed, have a great day. Stay on plan and treat yourself well.

Ratkity: We surely do channel each other a lot! I'm happy that you had an OP day and took the stairs.

Carol: Woo Hoo! 4.5 lost.

Annie: I hope you can find a good p/t job. If I could work p/t, I would. Life is too short.

Toofat: Hang in there, hon.

Debi: I notice that losing weight is harder when under stress.

DMPLS: Haha, that is funny about your DH and the treadmill.

Debbie: Great going on the exercise! Who knows, maybe the size 22s will fit sooner than you think.

Well peeps Good Morning! I have to make this a short one so no personals this am....

I just wanted to say.....I stayed OP all day.....ate a snack in the evening (healthy) that put me over by less than 100 calories......I figured it will all balance out this week.

DH is really struggling he came home from his classes on Mon & Tues very agitated not knowing why.....I packed him his lunch and dinner since he doesn't come home till 8 or 9 then he has a snack while he unwinds (150-200) after he eats that snack he seems to get better.....do you think maybe I am not giving him enough calories? his typical lunch consists of Healthy Choice soup cup & sandwich(45 cal slices of whole wheat, provolone slice, turkey ham or pastrami 2slices) he has a couple of snacks in his lunch box (string cheese, yogurt 60 cal, a piece of fruit) on nights I have to give him dinner too....I try to add the leftovers from dinner....keeping it around 350......and I throw in an extra snack. He had been complaining i was sending him with too much food to loose weight......so I have been watching the calories more but now he is grumpy because he is hungry.........he even said that if he sees no WL this Sat (his weigh in day) that he thinks he will stop! I keep telling him I have noticed a weight change and that he is less tired than before...etc....but this morning he tried on some jeans that he would normally wear last in his lineup of clothes for work (kinda tight) well they fit him along with a tshirt that has been snug on him for awhile....and he came downstairs and did a little model spin for me LOL guess he sees some changes and is happy about that! I hope he doesn't quit because it would be so hard for me to continue!!!

well gotta run and get ready for work and figure out what Im going to eat for lunch today....

ttyl chicks
Bernice

Bernice, ooh a hubby who models!lol You do know though that guys need a good few more cals than us ladies? Depending on his weight & height & type of work he does he should have 500+more cals than you as men have more muscle naturally than us, or something, lol. I would do him another 1-2 slice sandwich, or just give him an extra slice for his soup, the extra 90 and whatever fillings shouldn't affect his loss, especially if he's in a physical job AND exercising. Tell him well done! It must be great having a hubby to diet with, mine is slim, eats FOUR white rolls at work, snacks on chips, drinks beer eats chocolate & full sugar sweets AND NEVER GAINS!!!! I hope the 'fashion show' has helped hubby to stay OP.xxxxxx
Anne, WTG on all those offers!!! When do you start, Sept? In the UK most colleges start in Sept, some in Oct, you will be such a cute mature student by then! NOT that you aren't cute now, lol!xxxxxxx
Battle, so pleased you are feeling more in control, it seems silly to ban politics from forums, but then again some people are DEAD SERIOUS about it and can't debate like an adult.xxxxxxx
Nancy, I've never been focussed enugh for diet & exercise to take over 'me', wish it would! Just remember though you are a DANCER, whether you weigh 150 or 260! And you have lost a huge amount of weight, gained new interests, a new apartment and a healthier lifestyle, not that bad, eh? I'm sure you're just getting used to your NEW SMALLER size.xxxxxxxx
Julee, hmmm, not a nice thing for someone to say to you. I would have cried, probably had a bottle of wine too! I think you should hang it in on your wardrobe or have a pic taken in it & put it on your fridge to stop any temptations, also see if you know someone hand with a needle & thread & see if they can alter it to look more flattering. Sorry about MIL, she seems way too immature to be a mother, her job should be to buy you pressies, fuss over you both & most of all be SUPPORTIVE! At least you have a great hubby.xxxxxx
TFFY/Patty how are you doing? I had an email from Ammi, this falling from the OP waggon must be seasonal, I'm just back on it, as of Monday. What plan do you follow, is it w/w?xxxxxxx
Well I took the boys to school then slept in the spare room til just now, 12 noon! I feel better for it, I hate it when hubby's on nights, every sound makes me scared, not that we live in a bad area, I'm just nervous alone at night in bed, sometimes I miss my boys being little & sleeping with me when they were ill or had bad dreams.
I took some pics of the flowers in our front bit of garden, though the back gets lots of sun very little is growing apart from the roses, which have those lovely red/green sprouts on them.
I have to go & get the house sorted, I REALLY will try & keep up with everyone now.
xxxxsharon

Good Morning everyone...

Well, it has poured the rain, which flooded the front courtyard. Then last nite it snowed and iced over. So we have a nasty mess out front. The kids are on a 2hr delay so far. I am not sure if they will just cancel or try to get the kids there. I am contemplating how I am getting my son out to the car. I will be so glad when we are out of this place. We are looking into getting a house in July, , , we have 2 prospects so far. Neither house is my dream house, but around here the houses are built very weird. THey are split levels 2,3 and even 4 levels. One we are looking at is an actually bi level house. You walk in the door and either go up or down the steps immediately. The other is a tri level but you actually come in the door on the middle level. It also has a 2 car garage.

I did good for food yesterday, even with going out. DH woke up wanting to go to this sub place. I had a small chic o philly sub and split some fries with my son. Believe it or not I was satisified and did not even want a late nite snack.

Catch you all later.
Tina

Patti: Hi hun. Glad to see you post. I hope you start feeling more energetic soon.

debimitch: I think weighing daily is ok only if it doesn't upset you.

Julee: Sorry about the rude comment. That stinks. Hugs.

DMPLS: Yes, I have to say my "drive" has gotten higher as my weight goes down.

Worthapenny: Have fun tumbling.

Debbie: Wow. I'm impressed that you jogged.

Anne: Congrats on all the college offers.

Battle: So glad that you had a better day. I hope that today is even better. Hugs.

Sharon: I am not afraid at night because I have my doggies. Do you have a dog? They sure are a good security system.

Tina: I hope you do get your dream house or at least close to it.

Well, I'm at work and need to go work. Hugs to you all and I hope you drink your water and move your bodies.

blessings,
Annie

Good morning,

Well it's still snowing, with a lovely crust of ice under the swow. Someone has cleared the driveway and the walk, so I only had to take a little snow off in the backyard. The girl who parks in the driveway is supposed to do the driveway, but usually her dad does it. Although this morning it looks like someone with a plow did the sidewalk, driveway and walkway. We've got three different neighbours who do this from time to time. It's hard to know who unless you catch them in the act. It really is a great place to live. I noticed that when at my mother's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. I don't spend a lot of time talking to them, but they are nice people. I really am a little anti-social, but it's also because we've split up the yard work. My mother does the front and I do the back. This is because the trees we have are all in the back and a little tougher (sometimes) to take care of.

BattleAx - I'd be excited just to see the grass, or the first of the spring bulbs. I dug up the raspberry patch in the fall, renewing the plants. I need to purchase a few extra plants this spring as soon as I can. This is the first year in about ten that we'll probably not get many raspberries. I had a roommate back in college who was almost completely opposite in opions on some of the really big topics. We eventually had to agree to disagree. I was surprised that we got along so well, but not surprised that the friendship didn't last.

Bernice - I'm with Sharon. He will need more calories than you. And try not to hate it when he'll lose more on more food!

Sharon - it will probably be Sept, just not sure of the date yet. Funny, but this whole cycle just seems to fit. I should reach goal sometime in 2010 (boy that seems so far away), while I'm in school. It could mean that my new life will be my new life. I could end up working with people who have never known me at the higher weight. It's really kind of strange. Exciting a little bit as well. You know I do hate you a little (about the flowers)?

Tina - we live in a three-level split, although we came from a 4-level (5 actually since the sun room was off to the side and didn't match any of the other levels). I really kind of like them. Depending on how far in the ground they are you often get more light in the basement than you do with some homes. A lot of people feel they are never off the stairs, but that's not such a bad thing.

Well, off I should go to start my treadmill time. I got an email that my ordered book is on it's way, so maybe I can get it and start reading it before my afternoon exercise time. Take care all, and have a great day.

I am cranky. That"s not good for anyone. Himself is out of town for three days giving speeches. I couldn't go this time because they are in the town where his parents live. I love his dad, but will not be in the same area code as his mom. That's probably not very a Christian or even very mature stance, but she did try to have me deported, and got our first church wedding canceled two days ahead of time. Throttling her would also not be very mature.

I am embarrassed to admit I just don't sleep well when he is gone. I'm still tired from pushing myself yesterday walking at the mall. I guess I'll just sit in a chair and catch up on my writing. I don't play well with others when I'm like this.

Anne, how wonderful to be accepted at 3 different colleges. That's great that one is close to you with the classes you want to take. What were some of the other classes that you wanted to take?

Battleax, did you stay OP for the rest of the day? I know it can be so hard to stay OP but just realize that you've come a long way and you can do this. I have faith in ya!!

Bernice, I know men need to have way more calories than women do. Have you checked to see how many he is suppose to be eating? Just tell him you know what your doing and he WILL see a weight loss if he follows your plan. Use whatever you got to keep him going in order to help you and him.

Sharon, glad to see you back on the OP wagon. The more the merrier!!

Tina, I hope you get the house that you want. They sound really nice. I always thought the split level houses were so interesting.

Catherine, ok miss cranky, hope you get into a better mood when Himself gets back. Just rest and try not to think about throttling the MIL. That's awful that she did that to you guys. I probably would of wanted to, too!

Sun is shining and the frogs are going crazy around here. Sounds like there are hundreds of them around. It's still too wet out to do anything outside though so I guess I will do laundry.
I plan on getting on the treadmill and see if I can go longer than 10 seconds jogging. Wish me luck. I did work out with my hand weights too which are 8 lbs each and I did 50 reps of one set and 40 of the other. I'll try and work up to more each day. I need to have stronger arms. I feel like suck a weakling sometimes.
Hope all are having a productive OP day
Debbie

This website is it. No matter how many times I leave, I always come back here. I have been gone this time due to illness (the docotrs still haven't figured it out yet) but I am finally ready to take back my life. I have been starting small - like housecleaning - decluttering my life - and now I am ready to tackle my weight again. I must say I am happy that my weight only went up by 1 pound since I left in December. As part of my decluttering, I came across an old weight loss journal. What a surprise - my heaviest weight was 336 in 2003. I got down to 292 in 2005, and I have pretty much been here since then (+/- 10 lbs). Gee, I wonder if this is a PLATEAU? I have 2 mini goals for right now - the first is to get to 286 - 50lbs gone, and the second is to get to 275- that's when I am going to document my weight loss journey with my second picture. I have the before pic - staged at 295. I hope to take a pic every 20 lbs to keep me motivated.

I am home today - yet another sick day - and I sure would appreciate talking to someone if anyone is online. I am staring fresh and for me, the excitement of starting over is in sharing the planning, the hopes and dreams.

I wish everyone all the best in your success!
Laura

HI laura and welcome back.Good job on maintaning and trying to declutter your life.Isnt it funny how much stuff in our lifes can slow us down.I feel so much better when I have a clean house. I am also finding that I have clutter in my mind also.lol
Debbie - cant wait to hear frogs here. I did see that my suprise lillys are coming up.
catherine - sorry your in a mood today.Try and enjoy the time you have alone. Take a nap or do something just for yourself today. Take a long bubble bath or curl up with a good book or my favorite a long nap.
anne- please keep the snow up there. I have had my fill this winter. I want to be able to go outside and play in my flowerbeds. I have noticed that weeds are still growing even with all the yucky weather.
babybear- we had snow overnight but thank god its gone today.
dmpls- My hubby eats way more food than i do and he can still lose weight.
I wonder if his sugar might be dropping...might want to check it.

While I was out of the room this morning one of the kids I keep knocked my keyboard into the floor. Did you there is a spring under the space bar? I got it put back together but its not working to good. I may look on the floor for another spring. I had never taken a key off before.
My eating has been good today but water intake is a little low. Guess i better drink up.
have a great day everyone.
debi

thanks for all the advice on DH's calories!!! I will have to let him know I think maybe documentation will work with him LOL if I say you have to eat more....he will say "you just don't want me to lose more than you" LOL

The sugar thing might be right Debi I will see how his sugar has been when he is crabby LOL will see today when he gets here if he is in a good mood or otherwise......maybe his sugar is dropping to low.

toodles peeps I will try to get on later and address personally

Bernice

Hi everyone:

It sounds like you all are doing well -- good job! I'm still here -- still hopping around The dr. is going to prescribe me Celebrex for my hopping leg, which ought to make it easier for me to get around (but still no weight on the cast). But the GOOD NEWS is that Friday I will be halfway done! Yay

I have completely stopped tracking exercise and calories for now -- I'll just start fresh when I can 1) get on a scale and 2) get off my butt!

The reward for not worrying was to have dinner with really good friends last night -- red wine and lobster pie and a wee slice of rhubarb pie. Hmm -- seems like it was a pie night! It was fantastic, and today my mood has skyrocketed! I feel so much better. Note to self, sitting at home and eating poorly = feeling lousy. Going to a friend's house and eating well, if not superhealthy = feeling good!

Good day peeps,

I'm hanging in there, feeling a little more even after detoxing from my period of being off the wagon. I'm headed out for my walk soon, so the exercise is on track, too.

I love Lent, even though I don't celebrate it, because there are always good specials on fish. Later today I'm going to buy some sole and freeze it in vacuum bags.

Have a great day, everyone. Hugs to all.