well after a horrible completely off program month i'm "starting over" i'll call it tomorrow. officially as if this is the first time i ever did anything. i'm sure i've gained a lot (thought prob not all fat) but i feel HUGE. i've got a new attitude and a new outlook and i'm ready for a life change for real. i mean i said it before but life got in the way HAHA. i guess i'm not really starting over but more getting back OP but saying i'm starting over makes it easier for me to do better. fresh starts are always so refreshing.

now i just need a new job ..... HAHA ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

ok i plan to change my tracker and s/c/g tomorrow when i officially weigh-in, which is sad and making me a little nervous/upset cause i was doing so well and i blew it. AHHH things happen, thus is life...

i'm doing it!

Good Morning Flexers ^_^

Institches - Ack! Lack of sleep & TOM is such a killer combination. Try your best to take care of yourself. I know it's hardest (for me at least) to eat properly around TOM and when I don't get a good night of sleep.

Chey - Oily things make me sick now where as before I could probably eat tablespoons of oil w/o noticing. So I can totally relate. And, 5 points is a whole meal of food... so I understand that, too!

Tarah - Wipe the slate clean, hun. Get in plenty of water to wash away extra bloat. Deep breath. Face the music. I know I've had major blow-outs before. Back to the good stuff right this moment. And I hope you find a job shortly.

---

I'm just my usual busy self trying to get things done at work. >_>

I've got my last Pre-India weigh-in tonight. I'm going to make the most of it.

My friend wants to take me out tonight to dinner. And I do want to hang out with her a bit, but I just don't want to go to a restaurant. (You gals all know... the hassle of picking the healthiest thing on the menu...praying & hoping it doesn't have extra oil... the huge portions...) Maybe I can suggest we make an awesome salad at her house or something?

She actually may be preggers... Which although isn't a great time for her, I think she's still excited. She does want children.

Funny, I think I have to get more & more used to being an "aunt" around a lot of up & coming kids. That's okay... I get to be the fun one

Never used to be comfortable around children. That's a lie. It's newborns and tiny babies I'm unused to, and I'm just gonna throw this out there, they aren't fun. They can be cute. They can be lovey & cuddly. But, they aren't fun. Kids ages 4+ I actually think are pretty fun and interesting. Once they can consistently use words to communicate, I'm good.

Oops! I should get back to working... >_<

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Faerie - I'm so excited for you to go to India! And paid travel time, whoa! I hope you get to go see the country a little bit. Glad to hear you have an open mind about how they live, as I'm sure it's vastly different from us. Indian food can be pretty healthy, esp since a lot of it is vegetarian... Just steer clear from the fried breads and the cream-based kormas and such, you'll be fine Hm, as for babies - I do prefer the stage when they can talk as well, I just like being able to communicate my needs versus their needs to them, explain things, etc... But the itty bitty baby stage is just adorable because they're so helpless. But that's also why it's a trying stage. Luckily it only lasts a year or so

Manick - I would die for some cold weather. It's been ridiculous over here lately. Today it's supposed to get down to a brisk 88 degrees. WTG not having pizza and opting for garden fare! What does your meatloaf recipe sound like? The meatloaf I made the other night tasted good but looked kind of disgusting... I was getting all these sideways glances from coworkers at lunch...

Chey - Yes! We're boxing champs K.O.'ing those bad food choices! I love it! Boy, the weather situation out there sounds dire - there are many challenges facing the corn industry this year it seems (between the weather and the bee colony collapse disorder).... You're right, it's going to affect everything... As for the candy bar... Well I think I'm not the best one to help you turn your mind from it as my thinking on these things is that if you have managed to control your craving for a week already and still want it, you should find a way to work it in. It IS a lot of points, though, so i understand that... It's also a bunch of processed junk your body doesn't need.... BUT... you've already shown tremendous willpower in saying no to the craving for this long, and if you think you can work it into your day, I don't see a problem with it.

Stitches - Ugh, no sleep and TOM and a headache! I hope you feel better soon!

Tarah - welcome back to the wagon! It's good up here, you'll want to stick around. Sure beats eating dust on the ground.


Last night I went for a run with DH... it was kind of exciting because there was this massive thunder/lightning storm hanging over the city, though it wasn't raining. So we had lots of entertainment from the skies while we were out, it was actually very beautiful. You don't often go out in a thunderstorm when it's not raining, you know? The run was great, again I was able to maintain 3 minute jogging spurts, I felt fantastic after our first lap around the neighborhood (we took the shorter route which is about 0.9 miles) and not tired at all so we did it again, I was very proud of myself for not stopping just because we were passing the house again!

Looks like I'm not going to make it to my meeting this week - which I'm kind of sad about since I really love my new morning meeting. But we're supposed to go up to my father's house after work Friday and come back Saturday after dinner, and there are no Sunday meetings here (and no meetings I could pop into at my dad's house, since they live out in the middle of nowhere). But that's ok, the upside is that I LOVE jogging at my dad's house because he lives on this gorgeous country road with mountain views and it's relatively flat compared to the giant hills I contend with in my neighborhood (which means I usually jog longer because I don't get so worn out by hills).

I'm just really into the jogging thing right now... Over in the Biggest Loser part of the forums where we're doing the challenge, one of the other Blue team members posted pictures of her runner's legs.... and WOWZA... they are amazing! Really makes me want to get out there and RUN! Here is a link to her blog & the post I'm talking about: http://3fatchicks.com/diet-blogs/tyl...running-works/

Have a good day everyone!

Suite - Yeah, I'm looking forward to eating mostly veg for a few weeks. Awesome job on the run with the husband! It feels so good, doesn't it?! (And yes, I dropped my jaw at those legs... me want!) Have a great time at your Father's. Is it possible for you make an earlier meeting in the week? (Even if you skip the weigh-in?)

Yeah, I'm not so much concerned with the WI as with the meeting. Unfortunately all the meetings here in town are either during work hours or on Saturday - there are NO weekday evening meetings (which I think is strange!). Though maybe my definition of evening is different from theirs - the latest meeting here is 6pm, which I can't make since I don't make it home til 6 anyway (and would have to then jump in my car and fight traffic to get to the center). So much for that.

Suite - Bah! That's no good Around here, too, the latest meeting tends to be 6:30. If they go over anything interesting in meeting tonight I'll keep you up to date!

The last meeting here was about changing your thinking... From "I can't/I never/etc" to positive, empowering statements. It was super-helpful, I identified a couple of my own limiting thoughts which I'm now working on (this one is obvious: I had accepted the fact that I just can't stay on plan for more than 2 days at a time. When I realized that I actually believed this, I decided to do something about it - what kind of an unhelpful thought is that! Hence my effort to track the number of days I can stay OP... 5 and counting, already twice as many as I had led myself to believe was possible!) Point being, last week's meeting was very helpful to me. They told us what the next 2 weeks were about and I remember being interested but now I can't remember.... I'd love a reminder if you don't mind

Hello Everyone,

You are a busy bunch. I just spent time trying to catch up so I'll probably miss some.

Faerie - How exciting to go to India. DH would love to go someday, but I always wonder about traveling other countries because I wonder what you would eat and drink while there. Can you drink the water? Look forward to hearing about your experience. I love how you include all your parents in the wedding plans. I know it means a lot to them.

Manic - Thanks for the info about Vitamin D. I am a real believer in vitamins and minerals being included in healthy lifestyle. DH is disabled because of a heart valve. There was a question for a while if he should have a valve replacement. His DD works in medicine and found an article by a heart specialist who used vitamins and minerals to help his patients who had heart attacks to improve their heart and keep them from having eart attacks. We went to see him and he said they would help but it wouldn't change anything. He didn't have insurance at the time so we used them any way since we couldn't afford the operation and his new cardiologist told him it wasn't bad enough for surgery. DH had to have tests done before urologist would perform the prostectomy. Tony's heart has improved tremendously. His regular doctor said it means that his medicine and vitamins etc are working. Of course if he ever had to have the surgery, he would, but it looks like he will never have to.

Suite - You are doing so great and good job on the run/jogging. I am limited as to what I can do because of my knee, but I love to walk and plan to start doing that when DH is released from doctor and can do it. Until then, I use the stationery bike (which my sister said is good for the knee) and do some weights exercises. I do love being OP, but I am very careful not to become over confident in myself as I am good at getting too proud and then mess up. I am really working hard to keep my head on straight and remember that it is about making it a way of life not a diet.

This is my 4th day back OP and I can say that it is different this time. I was a low carber for so many years that I have had to learn to stop thinking like one. It is really helping to have the whole grains because I notice that I am better satisfied with what I eat. I usually have popcorn at night when we watch tv and was eating a couple of my weekly pts the 1st 2 days, but last night I was surprised to find that I had eaten my daily pts and didn't want anything else so didn't eat the popcorn. So if I can keep things like they are, I will be fine.

Beach - Glad things went well at the doctors officed for DH and hope the medicine takes care of the cough.

Have a nice day,
Trish

Hey all! Lots to respond to, so there are a few "repeats" with names (easier than condensing it all!)

Vday -- the first gym I ever joined was the Y, and I loved it. But, like mod says, they are all different, so you'll have to see what you think of your local one.
Mod -- what's your "anchor"? Sounds like you're doing such a huge amount of work -- I'm jealous! I've never had a garden, and this year it's not happenin, either, since I'll be heading off to camp in a week! How'd you like the movie?
Beach -- I used to be on Advair, and it was GREAT. Worked wonders. I hope it does the same for Leo!
Paint -- isn't it funny the mixed feelings that come with making those good decisions on the road? I figure that if I really want fast food, then I'll have it. Otherwise, best to look for better options. Sorry to hear about your hubby issues, but I think you're justified in your frustration. Is he always so controlling?
Jaime -- I am jealous of the chairs! I am dying for a hammock, but haven't really found room for one in my life…
Faerie -- wow you are getting close to India!! How exciting! I think the plan you described in an earlier post will be a great way to eat while you're away. You'll do fine, I know you will! And yay on the wedding planning successes!
Mod -- sorry to hear about the allergies. I hear ya. Mine miraculously cleared up when I moved to this apartment, but I'll be moving again soon and now I have a cat, so I'm super nervous that they'll return with a vengeance!
Manick -- you've got a great plan for the puppy! It is so great having a dog to help you get out and about. We have one here, looks mostly like a black Lab, but he's pretty ornery around strangers and other dogs, and isn't very good on a leash, so I don't walk him much. I wish he were better behaved, but I wasn't around when he was a puppy, and I'm not sure what to do with him now that he's grown, and John is very against most training techniques (hence the current behavior, ahem). And, yay on the fiber!
Chey -- I've used a neti pot, with varied amounts of success. They can be really challenging, too! As for your craving, would a fun-size bar do? Though, as my brother likes to note, the "fun size" are actually far LESS fun than the regular!
Stitches -- sorry to hear you're feeling icky. Hope you get some good rest!
Tarah -- yay you can do it! Your new avatar is beautiful, by the way!
Faerie -- OH MAN I just had my first newborn experience a few months ago when my brother adopted my niece. Man, they are shocking! Everyone has to ooh and ahh over her, saying how "aw, look how she just loves you!" and I'm biting my tongue, like, she can't even see me! I have to say, now that she's hit 10 weeks, she actually has real expressions, and is pretty cute, but those first few weeks were pretty hairy (literally!)
Jaime -- sorry to hear you're missing your meeting, but it sounds like there are a few upshots, right? Mostly, I'm so happy for you that you so enjoy the meeting! What a switch!
Trish -- glad to hear you're doing well with WW!

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As for me, I have continued to be relatively off plan. I have found that one of the things I find so difficult is counting points for things that don't have packaging/calorie counts. Like, anything at a restaurant. And then it makes me just want to only eat things with numbers attached. And that is really limiting! So then I get sick of it. On top of this, I will soon be off to Girl Scout Camp, leaving in a week...perhaps it's time for a Core mentality (you and me, Faerie!). Oh, but still, despite digging head first into a jar of peanut butter, the scale remains the same. And I am continuing to refrain from complaining about this, but I kind of feel like I DESERVE a gain, so where is it?? I'll go up maybe a pound, but then lose it again, and I don't know why! Maybe I've adopted healthier habits than I'm giving myself credit for, maybe I'm fitting in more exercise than I realize. Who knows. It just makes it painfully obvious that if I could just stay OP, I could really start losing again!

Last, I made some KICKA$$ iced tea yesterday -- decaf Lipton that I squished a bunch of frozen berries into. I did this all in a big bowl, brewed the tea and the berries, then mashed up the berries a little bit with a potato masher. Then, strained it all out, and put the tea in a pitcher in the fridge. Really good! And those berries have been in our freezer since we moved in in Sept, so I sure wasn't going to use them for anything else! Just wanted to share -- give it a shot!

S

Trish - I can only drink water from a bottle, or if it's in something boiled like tea. If I drank it straight from tap I'd be ill. Congrats on the 4th day back OP! I love the "this is different" feeling. We can know it. Down to our bones.

Summary since yesterday:

Kung Fu Panda = good
All day meetings about "process" = bad

The End.

Lizzy - That tea sounds divine. Maybe Core will help you through camp-time! (Or some of the Core principles of feeling satisfied.) Sounds like even though you aren't where you'd like to be, you are far away from where you used to be.

Mod - Glad the movie was good

Hi Ladies

Didn't have time to post this morning,but I'm here now.

YEAH The heat has blown out to sea,and we now have temps in the 70's Its so good to breath in the fresh sea air again.
Going down to the beach and get some in our lungs.

If the advair works we decided to go down to NY to see our grandchildren after all. I miss them dearly,but knowing that Leo wasn't able to travel with the coughing,I understood and didn't complain,but with the advair maybe theres a light at the end of the tunnel.

Went on my scale this morning and I found that I'm now back to the weight that I started WW 10 weeks ago. Somehow Wendie plan hasn't worked this week.I'm going to try it for another week to get my body used to the program. If I gain again I have to try the Core,my leader said that she never met anyone that hasn't lost on the WW program I the first.


CHEY-You'll like the cheese burger melt,especially its easy to make during this hot weather.Leo is not a ground turkey lover either,but he like it,or so he told me so.If the craving for your candy bar is really bad I would suggest that you eat it and get over that craving,than move on.WW is a program that you're allowed to have that candy bar,not every day,but in moderation.My leader say WW is there for every day life.

INSTICHES-Thanks,that the only way I can describe myself. I always had a belly even when I was a twig many moons ago. My sister thinks that I have the same problems as her with Syndrome X,having trouble with insulin resistance. Even though my my blood test come out negative.Sorry about you're lack of sleep. Hope you find your ZZZZ's tonight.

SUITE-I never ran in thunderstorms or on sunny days. I used to power walk around our office building when I was working.Now that I retired i started to easy up on the power walking now on to a fast pace along the beach.You did great,you're certainly a inspiration to this board.Wish I could start power walking again,thanks for sharing the blog with us.Don't you have a WW center in your town or near you.The centers have more time slots than they do like my town were WW meeting are in a Holiday Inn. MON[6pm] & Thursday[10AM]


TRISH-Thanks for you kind words,hope they work also. You're doing great being OP for 4 day and not feeling hungry.I came off a low carb diet also and I'm trying to lower my protein to what my leader advised me to do. But I finding myself hungrier than ever.DD said I should fill up on veggies. So when I watch tv I eat raw carrots green bean baby zucchini and snow peas.So far so good,I'm now not as hungry anymore. I have 93% ff micro wave popcorn on Saturday Movie Night.

SHRINKING-Thanks you,I heard so many people tell me that so,hopefully we're be able to go down to see our DGC soon.Restaurant points,you can get from the restaurant companion.I don't go to restaurants that much so I didn't buy one. You also can get ethnic foods from the reg companion book.Dotty as restaurant points on her web site.Thanks for your ice tea with berries recipe. Sound so colling after this heat wave that we just had.

MOD KITTN-Hi


Have to go,

Hugs BB

Oooh, wowsa indeed! Thanks Suite...I sometimes "audit" the Blue chat, I have learned a lot of helpful tips from those chatty peeps, and saw someone mention this but didn't have time to figure out where the blog was. Goodness, gracious THAT is awesome! Really motivating Also her progress...yeah...THAT is serious...I want to be SERIOUS.

Let's go RUN! Yeehaw...

Hiya Flexies...another busy day today...post vs exercise? I'm going to go exercise. See ya all later!

Still COLD here today...57 degrees currently. I slept with the electric blanket on last night!