Hello everyone!!

My name is Amber. I participated in the first four? BL challenges and was able to reach my goal weight. Over the last year I've gained almost all of it back, so I'm back in the challenge! I remember a lot of you and I'm looking forward to getting to know the rest of you

mj5....I am sending good vibes your way today and hope the surgery is quick and a fix!

Finally got the computer issues resolved.....6 weeks later. Whew......well, I am so ready for a challenge but I am not going to stress until December 26th when its all over. Love the idea of the raffling too! Your such a smart 'cookie' Dixied! What a great way to get rid of the sabatoge.

Have a great day!

mj5-sending good vibes to you and your doctors for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery!

Good Morning Everyone. Just a quick flyby for now. It's snowing here. We're supposed to get 4 - 6 inches before it's done tomorrow morning. YUCK!!! Oh well I suppose I can't change it so I'll just have to watch it out the windows when I get home later.

I'm Laurie and this will be my 3rd or 4th challenge. I am a former black team member and was on the red team last challenge until things kind of fell apart and I dropped out. I am feeling revitalized and am looking forward to the start of the next challenge to give me some focus.

Congrats djay on being the biggest loser - what a great accomplishment!!

mj5 - sending you hugs for a speedy recovery from your surgery today!!

I'll check back in later when things slow down at work. Have a great Tuesday everyone!!

Hi everyone. I think that my crazy arsed life has calmed down enough that I can finally start to give more attention to my weight loss and this new challenge.

I haven't done too well, lately. I got back into some bad habits and did some binging, too. ugh. Just goes to show that I have a lot of work to do before I am successful. I think that I have gained a few pounds... I don't know for sure as I still can't find my scale. It disappeared in the move and still hasn't turned up. I need to find it and get on it. I am kind of dreading it, tho.

I think I am finally back on track. I had a rough day, yesterday but I am more determined, today and feeling more positive. I know one thing for sure... I need to spend more time hanging out, here. Seriously, I do so much better when I am reading and posting here than when I am not. I hope I can find my scale by the 3rd...

I thought I'd already posted today, but I must have been imagining it.

My weight hasn't changed this week, but with TOM and the excess holiday goodies, I'll take maintaining as a victory. It's amazing to me that even a little treat that's offplan makes me sick. I used to be able to pack away a ton of sweets, now 1 cookie makes me want to toss my cookies.

I'm wearing the new jeans I bought the day after Thanksgiving, and they are kinda loose. Realizing of course that most jeans are made with some spandex and will stretch some, but still less than a month between sizes? WOOHOO!

I improved on my 5K time again, 34:59. After I did the cooldown, I stood on the treadmill and stared at the timer, I really could not believe that I was that fast.

Hmmm....13 uses of the word "I" in this post, could I (14) be anymore egocentristic? Someone else talk about themselves for awhile.... there are 103 posts in the sign-up thread, and 50 posts in this one.... someone is lurking. Come'on ya'll, introduce yourselves and chat with us. We don't bite. (except Chellez, she's got that vampire thing going on )

Hi! Thanks again for all the get well wishes!!! I just woke up from a nap and I feel better, pretty sore and tired, but glad it's over. Dr said he wash able to get the cysts anf endo and all looks good. My brother just called and said h

Oops! I'm posting from my phone and can't figure out how to edit! My brother is bringing me dinner (dh has to work tonight). I'm sure it won't be OP, but I don't feel Iike eating much, so it should be fine. I'll get caught up w everyone later in the week.

glad it went well mj5!

had an OP day today - the first in a long time. got a run in (albeit short due to my cold) and a short swim as well. now if i could just do that every day I would be losing weight!

Howdy all

You can call me Zinke. I'm a three (I think?) time former blue team member who knows how and what to do, but cannot seem to make the brain-body connection. I have PCOS and am hypothyroid and have recently started moving towards a vegetarian lifestyle. I am pretty sure my DH is the worlds pickiest eater and my 4 year old twins are starting to follow in his footsteps and I do NOT want that to happen.

mj5 - Hope you are on the road to recovery and feeling better soon.

Hi Everyone,
MJ I'm glad your surgery went well and you are ok.
Chaquita I think I'm on the other side of that snow, we are only supposed to get around 2 inches but they are predicting freezing rain for Christmas. I hope we can get to church and the family celebration.

Everyone Else, A very Merry Christmas. Like many others the season is getting to me, that and the fact that I'm on a baking binge, lots of bread, rolls, and some cookies. I think I'm trying to keep from missing DS who is in the Army and not going to be home for Christmas. He's not only the oldest but it's the first time he won't be here. I'm also having a hard time adjusting my cooking. Going from a family of 4 with a teenage boy who is also an athlete and burning lots of calories in the house to just DD who is only 7 and a very light eater. I'm still adjusting the recipes.

So everyone have a Great Holiday of Choice and try to have a vege or two during the big feast.
Bette K

Hi to everyone. mj5, sounds like you came through surgery with flying colors. I'm glad you're on the mend.

DS has chips in his house. Bad, bad son!!! Ha, ha. Bad, bad habits! I've been eating a few every day but nothing too drastic. My former "normal" would have been to eat the whole large bag by myself and then look for a few more. Now it's a few handfuls and I put the bag back in the cupboard.

Hope everyone is able to resist eating too much this Christmas. I don't want to regain an ounce this year. Gotta watch those chips!

Good Morning! I am feeling a little better today, but I will not overdo it. I will rest all day, then go to my gm's tonight. Tomorrow I will rest as much as I can before we go to my sister's for dinner. I am going to be sporting holiday pj's (I am really bloated from the surgery), but no one cares and I'll be comfy!

dixied--That's awesome!!! Keep it up! I love buying smaller jeans!

cakses--a run and a swim, that's great! Hope your cold is better.

zinke--Good for you for trying to get your twins to eat more veggies. Maybe your dh will come around. I know mine did, finally--he even eats broccoli now! 4 y/o twins, you must be super busy at your house!

Bette K--I am so sorry that DS will not be home for Christmas. My younger brother is in the Army and it is always hard when he isn't able to be home.

retiredone--Good for you for watching the chips!



Thank you all very much for your well wishes. It really means a lot. I will take it easy and let myself heal. I recorded some movies last night and will probably do the same today (free hbo, etc around here this week), so I know I will have some things to watch when I am lounging around. I also have lots of books to keep me entertained!

I have to say, the dogs have been awesome! Casey has always been pretty perceptive (they both are, but her more so) and she has been my "protector" making sure neither of them get too close to my tummy where it hurts. Last night she slept right next to me--giving me plenty of space so I would be comfy, but not letting Ellie-Mae or dh get too close! It's too cute! They are normally kind of hyper, but have been super calm and extra cuddly, which is always nice! (Casey and Ellie-Mae are our VERY spoiled beagles).

Of course, dh is being wonderful too! Even my younger brother brought me dinner last night! I don't know, I might get used to lying around and being waited on!

I hope everyone has a very happy holiday. Stay warm and safe and drive careful if you are traveling.

Had oatmeal for breakfast. Good for me. Got to run to the grocery store as I'm almost out of skim milk powder and everything will be closed down tight after 3 or 4 o'clock this afternoon.

Good to see you're definitely "up and about" mj5.

Life is rolling along for eveyone. It is so nice to hear how mindful everyone is being about what they are eating. It's not like we have to deny ourselves all treats, just not go whole hog. I too have done my share of baking. The one thing I am required to make (by my children) is peanut butter balls. Now those are hard to resist. I just know that family will be over tomorrow and they will go quickly. I am trying to limit mine to 2 a day.

Last week I had lost 3 .5 pounds and hit a new low. This week I have gained 4 back and don't understand why. Man it sucks. I am just going to keep working hard and see what happens.

Have a very Merry Christmas Eve everyone.