G'morning Peeps!!

Yay Annie about the braces!! I still rem as a kid the feeing I had when my full metal mouth set got taken off. Soooo smoooooth.

Xena, 3 weeks of pleasure reading sounds heavenly! Good luck on your impending final Of course, luck has nothing to do with it when you study hard like you have!!

Penny, you are doing great!! I hope you can post more when you get off working so much.

GGG, sorry if this is a repeat request for information, but what are fitflops?

Welcome back Alice!

Battle, Hugs to you for having a frustrating day.

Well, I got to commute via bicycle to work yesterday. The boss left early, so I snuck out as well. On the way home, I got so energized by the sunshine, I jumped into my spandex to become.. BIKERCHICK (tada!). I dusted off the fancy bike and headed out for an 8.5 mile ride at a decent pace. The new seat is adjusting nicely (or my butt is adjusting to it). Just FYI, yes, I have more than one bike. Commute bike is my old road bike and fancy bike is the Jamis Xenith comp I bought last season (sweet road/performance bike). I won't mention the mt bike in the basement. That was my commute bike before I retired my road bike. Despite the frost outside, I'm going to ride into work again. Maybe I'll get that energized feeling this evening after work again. That was such a nice feeling after feeling like a slug after work all winter long.

Hugs and Luv to all (especially the lurkers),
Ratkitten

Gosh Im behind . I cant keep up with this site not to mention the biggest loser challnege.
I had a bad day yesterday...kids were cranky and had to stay inside all afternoon( to cold to go outside). Hubby was cranky also.
hope everyone has a good day... babies are arriving now.
debi

Debi

Hi everybody~~

I am having trouble posting today for some reason so I'm hoping that this will post. I've tried to post twice today and it just won't do it.

Anyway, Walrus if you do something as far as a challenge or something then I'm in. I was mad about not being able to do the Biggest Loser Challenge that's going on here. I thought I remembered it saying you had to post your weight by Monday so I wasn't really too worried about traveling back home from Florida. And I had to borrow someone's laptop just to come here to make my post asking for the link and then we got on the road the next morning before I could check back in. Whatever. I am still mad about it and while I hope the ladies who I see posting do well, I'm probably going to stay mad about it.

I'm one of those people who lurks lately more than actually posting. I can't do personals most of the time and I feel bad about that so I'd rather just read to catch up and then not post because I can't say something to most people. I was doing well with my "fitness regime" when I posted regularly so I really am trying to post more, but it's so hard trying to do everything that's expected of you. The job, the family, yourself...it's very frustrating isn't it?

By the way, is Ammi posting anymore? I haven't seen any posts lately so I was wondering.

Anyway, talk to you all later. My BF is working today so I'll have time to post instead of making lunch. LOL.

Have a great day and good luck with your "fitness regimes".

Vicki

Rat: FitFlops are made by a British company but are now being sold more widely in the US. They are flip flop style sandlas where the base has been specially designed to give you an actual "workout" as you walk. They provide excellent heel and arch support and are consutrcted specially for that. A lot of people don't feel the "burn" as you will..but they are able to walk around in them as comfortable as if they were shoes. I adore mine and have had no problems. I may get a 2nd pair.

GGG...hope you like them. I am not feeling anything in my legs or tush...but what I have noticed is that I can stand around in them comfortable for a long time, whereas my other flip-flops which are thicker and do have some arch support are nowhere near as comy as they once were and I used to do lots of walking around in them. I have also noticed that when I wear them I have some pain in my lower back and my abs are sore. I know that one of the things they are supposed to help with is core strength...and as someone who has had lower back probs for a while and has ben through PT a few times....I am recognizing these pains as therapeutic and not damaging. They make me have to stand up straighter and suck in my stomach. Lower back PT is often about strenghtening your abs as those muscles support each other....hmmm.

BOTH CARS ARE BACK TO THEIR PROPER OWNERS and we are all happy. Hubby has ice cold air and the back door panel isn't falling off. The gug did not charge us labor as promised, he is trying to find a replacement visor for DH and he also threw in 2 free oil changes. What a peach!

ANd...by the time I drive home last night it was 58. I ate dinner outside before my 7:30 meeting and was actually chilly. The reprieve from the heat will be blissful regardless of how shot it might be.

Happy Wednesday!

Feeling overwhelmed today -- lots of problems with authors, stress with employees, scheduling snafus, etc., etc. Also went out last night with a cousin of my husband -- they hadn't seen each other in 12 years! Had a fabulous time but ate too much amazing food and drank too much delicious wine. Didn't get my work done last night, so I had to do it this morning, which when combined with the extra work needed to fix author problems is just doing me in today. I'm not sure why -- this isn't anything I haven't dealt with before. I'm not sure why I'm so emotionally vulnerable today -- irritated, sad, frustrated, worried, and overwhelmed. I think I need a nap!

I do know that part of what's going on today is that we had to have the kitchen cabinets fixed, so we had to empty them The kitchen is totally destroyed -- not that it was great to begin with -- so we can use the toaster oven and the microwave, and that's it. And there's not an inch of counter space. So we'll have leftover Chinese for dinner, which is fine -- especially if my husband can put everything away after dinner! -- but I'm not sure what to do about lunch. I would love to go across the street and get an egg salad sandwich with some chips and a cannoli...but that would not be good, would it...

I'll probably end up ordering from our favorite pizza joint, which makes pizzas with fresh ingredients and whole wheat crusts. I like the Mexican pizza, which has grilled lime chicken, salsa instead of pizza sauce, no cheese, and avocado. It's delicious and not too "bad" for me. In fact, I think I just made up my mind (it's zPizza for anyone interested, and they can be found around the country, I think).

The Biggest Winner challenge thread has been started -- if anyone wants to join up, please do so!

That mexican pizza sounds awesome!

Hi Everybody.
The trip to Alabama went well. Abby loved it down there and even caught her first fish. We got to do some fun stuff as well as bury mom's ashes. It was a great trip. It was so beautiful down there. We must go back to vacation sometime. (this is coming from a family member where we have not had a vacation in 11 years)
Before the trip, my weight had climbed back up to 312. Since I've been home, I've been better, and am down to 293.5. So, I'm leaving my ticker where hit is.
I am home today, all this week thus far. Really depressed again. I MADE myself get up this morning, got on the exercise bike, the gazelle and then worked in the garden for at least an hour.
I"m just checking in really. Hope all of you are well. I'll try to post more so I can stay on track.

Battleax, sorry to hear that your having such a hard time. Have things settled down any? Take care and just stay focused.

Annie, congrats on getting the braces off. I bet it feels great! Brrrrrr....snow...again?? We've just got the rain again. Yesterday we had two wild bunnies sitting in our front yard. They're so cute!

Jen, I think I remember you from last year. Good to see you again. Join in, we're a friendly bunch.

Carol, nope, didn't buy any bulbs yet. I plan to though. I'll send in my order and then they'll send them out closer to the time that I can plant them.

Penny, good to see you back!

Bikerchick...er..um Ratkity, do you compete in bike races???

Debi, things better today? I'm not even going to try and keep up with the BL Challenge thread. Those people can post!!! I'd rather post here more than any where else. So I plan on just checking in a couple of times a week on the other one.

Julia...BOOOOOOOOOOOOO Black!!!! (jk)

Vicki, Ammi hasn't posted for a while. But I keep in contact with her and she's doing well. She's exercising and staying OP. I think some day she'll be back.

Julee, glad to hear you got both cars and they're working well. I bet the nice chill in the air was great! It sounds like California is on fire again.

Walrus, that's hard when the kitchen is torn apart and you still have to make meals. I hope it all gets cleaned up soon and looks sparkly new!

Sandy, good to hear that you got to have a little fun on your trip, even though it was for a somber occasion. Also glad that your back on track and losing. take care

Today marks my 1 year anniversary of my weight loss journey. I was hoping for more of a loss, but I'm happy with the 70lbs I've taken off in that time. I hope to lose the same if not more this year, but seem to be off to a slow start. I know what I was doing differently now, I was exercising everyday at the beginning of this year and I was losing. So I guess I'm gong to have to whether I want to or not. I know it's the best thing for me and that's what this is all about.
I've done exercise the last two days and can feel the water weight from it so I'm up a couple pounds. GRR! But I know it will come off eventually once the ol muscles get used to it. So I'm really not worried.
Hope everyone is having a butt moving, water drinking, OP day
Debbie

Bahahaha, bike races, me? Nope. I've helped coordinate a few road and mt bike ones with my old bicycle clubs in other states. I'm usually just happy I can complete a long ride before the sun goes down. I was popular with the mt bike racing folks.. At the time I lived in Texas, I was the one with the big truck and generator (good for the amp system and the coffee pot!).

Hugs,
Rat

Hi everyone,

I'm feeling a little less stressed today. Still have the reasons for the stress, but I'm handling today better. Last night a friend took me out for dinner, and that helped a lot. Otherwise I would have gone home and wallowed in unproductive and icky feelings.

The scale continues to move up, but I'm holding on to the idea that my next whoosh will take away the extra pounds and hopefully a few more.

Tonight is another speed dating event. I am curious to see if there are any repeats from the last event, or if it will be a fresh crop of single men. I don't have huge expectations, but it's good that I'm putting myself out there in any case.

Xena: I completed my MBA in 2 years. Basically, I went full time. It was easier for me to think of stopping my life for two years rather than having it drag on. It matched my personal style to do it that way.

I think the big lesson was learning how to sort through what was important for me and what was not. Figuring out what really mattered to me vs. trying to please other people or do something because of some unexamined standard leading me to believe I should to be a nice, decent person, good citizen, even a good wife, etc. no matter what the personal cost to me, was an interesting process and one that I kept in practice after school ended. I said no to a lot of people, a lot of requests, a lot of activities, a lot of chores. I took my ex at face value when he said he would support me in whatever way necessary (even though he wasn't really supportive when the time came, I acted as if he meant it, and I didn't take up any slack, I just let things go). I got a housekeeper and didn't do any projects at home other than absolute necessary maintenance. It got easier as time went on. I also took a hard look at my friendships and only put effort into maintaining the ones that were truly important to me and were truly mutually supportive. When there is so very little time, you have to make hard decisions or put yourself in the hospital trying to keep up.

And you know what...the practice of standing tough and putting myself first when necessary to reach my goal is the same for any other goal....such as losing weight and maintaining health.

Rat: Look at you, bikerchick! You are making me want to put my bicycle into service. I have plans but it needs work, and money is tight right now. As soon as that changes, I'll be right behind you on the bike riding.

Julee: You may have mentioned, but I missed it. Where do they sell fit flops?

HI..thngs seem calmer today with huby and the kiddos. I took the kids across the street to play on a new play ground behind the church. they had a blast...I had to literally drag them home kicking and screaming...I dont think i will try it again alone. They are a handful when they have different ideas than i have. LOL. They wore themselves out and are now sleeping.

I am going to work in the garden for an hour or so later and count that along with my weightlifting tonight I should make my goal for the month.

Eating seems to be to easy right now....I have been coming in right on target for a while now. My scales are moving and im hoping to be able to move my ticker a bunch by sat. TOM is leaving !

battle_ sorry things are touch right now!! Hang in there we are here for you!!!

debbie_ great job on the 70lbs loss. I sure hope I can say that in a year!!

sandy- glad the trip was good, glad to have you back.

walrus- hugs

julee- glad you got the cars back. I think my daughter is buying fit flops this weekend.

hugs to all those i missed. Have a great afternoon.
debi

battle- have fun tonight...maybe MR RIGHT will show up!!

Walrus: We have zPizza here and I have not tried it. DH doesn't do pizza and they don't sell their "healthier" pizzas by the slice...grr.

FitFlops are sold at Bath & Body Works and on their website. They are also on the Bliss website and on Ebay apparently.

Catherine: I sent the check today for the book I was going to send a money order since you said US $ was ok and the argued with me at the post office. Let me know if there is any confusion with mailing address or anything

Xena: Wow. 3 weeks off sounds amazing after your schedule. I hope you are able to just enjoy yourself and de-stress.

Alice: Welcome back. Glad to see you again. Just jump right in whenever you feel like it.

Carol: Woo hooo to getting to 1000 minutes of exercise. You should add that to the April exercise thread to help us out. No pressure. Congrats on the 5K on the treadmill too.

Worthapenny: Welcome back and congrats on the -6 more pounds.

Rat: Good job biking to work.

Vicki: Hi there.

Julee: Glad that your cars are all back in place. Avon sells some flip flops that sound similar to that that are made by Curves. I may check them out.

Sandy: Hi sweetie. Glad your trip was a good one.

Debbie: Not all my braces are off until June 10th. But so far the ones that are off feel so great. I love bunnies too. Hugs congrats on your 70 pounds gone in a year and happy anniversary!

Battle: Have fun at the speed dating event.

Well, I cleaned my house spotless and ironed all of the clothes that needed it. I think I will take a break now and then jump on the bike for a bit.

Blessings all,
Annie