Good luck with the dinner tonight, Saef.

Midwife - did I ever tell you that you were one of my big motivations to start running? You were doing a 5k, and PhotoChick (remember her?) was training for one. I did my first ever 5k length run the morning you were doing your race, and the entire time I was out there I was telling myself 'Midwife already finished hers, PC is training right now, you can do this!' My crazy, competitive side then used the two of you (and EZ's 5ks that he used to do at that same time) as the fire on my tail until I could make myself get up and go just for myself. And, you were one of the first ones to comment and high five as my mileage increased. So, I credit you with a big part of my running success. Thanks.

I managed to cut my finger on a powered off fan yesterday, so I'm bandaged up now and pleased that I didn't require stitches. I'm a little annoyed that I had to cut short half of my workout - I had done the weight lifting section, but still had kickboxing and stationary bike on the plan. I'm also annoyed that weights will have to be seriously curtailed for a while, as it is hard to grip anything. I did manage some yoga today though. I guess that means I'm doing my downward dog right if all the pressure is on the palms and not the fingers.

LIKE

DISLIKE

I think this site needs a Like button. I am a member of a Labrador chat board that was exactly like this forum but did an update a few months back that added a Thank You button which is nice so you can click it to say you appreciated whatever the poster said.

The dinner was incredibly good. I ate several foods I don't eat any more, such as white rice, Indian bread, a glass of red wine -- why do people pour such big balloon glasses of wine? I left most of mine undrunk -- and also a dessert that I'm trying to look up the name of. It was a tiny scalloped-edge cake, very rich, with pistachios and cardamom and vanilla -- like the missing link between a pound cake and a kind of halvah or fudge.

(Found it. It's called Peda. In fact, here's a picture of it. It's the yellow rounded cake in the right-hand box.
http://www.bengalisweet.com/item_det...sp?item_id=277)

When I bit into this cake, to be honest, my first thought was: "Oh no, I am putting sugar into my system." And my next thought was: "This is sooo rich. It's really not like a cake." And then: "This is incredibly good. I'm so glad I'm having it at someone else's house, because this is binge stuff. Most definitely."

And I had that weird fixation on the plate filled with cakes, always conscious of it sitting there through the conversation, and conscious every time someone took another one. And another one. But I didn't go for a second one. I practically sat on my hand so as not to.

We had coconut curried shrimp and a wonderful simmered soft eggplant dish. I ate a normal portion, then had a small second portion, as my host and hostess went back and got even more.

I felt physically okay afterward, not too full, and not panicked. Sort of in free-fall. And wonderment at how normal it felt. I think that I looked and behaved normally. We talked a lot about Indian food, spices, and cooking and food preparation in general.

I didn't stand on the scale this morning. I'm going to wait a little to check.

I keep telling myself that people on this Board do this all the time. They call it a cheat meal, or a treat meal. It doesn't undo all their work.

But I know that when I used to have a meal like this, it would often take me two weeks to get rid of an excess pound or two. Yes, maybe water retention, but still, how it stayed and stayed. The two weeks of scale-watching is so very rarely worth the food consumed.

I had a good night out with friends. That's what counts.

And I'm amazed at myself for worrying so much. People around here are great restaurant-goers. I go out often. But I'm much easier at restaurant meals -- that's normal & unexceptional -- I think it's because I have more control at a restaurant, whereas at a dinner at someone's home, I have to give myself over to someone else's choices.

Oh well done, saef! I'm very pleased for you. It sounds like a positive experience to build on.

Still toughing it out in London with the mogs. This week is very character-building. Food is passable and exercise is poor. If not quite in combat mode, the DB and I aren't on sunloungers by the pool either.

Shannon you are so sweet. I'm an emotional mess right now and you kind of triggered the tears to start flowing. I can find my way back to running regularly. You are such a rock star with your exercise ( at the fact that the primary concern with your injury is how it will effect weightlifting!). Thank you for reminding me of the person I used to be. It's such a struggle right now. We just got home from taking DD to school and the only thing I want to do is crawl into bed for 4 months. I need to shake my funk.

Allison, I often look for a "like" button around here too!! Amazing how FB has come into my psyche!

Saef, strong work. I'm hypersensitive to food too. I wish it were more of a background noise to my life rather than a hook to my memories and time with others. I do believe that moderate portions of good real food is good for you. It's all the fake junky crap that's bad. I'm sure the foods you are were quality nutrients.

I wish you moments of joy and relaxation in London, SB. Be in the moment with your DB.

That's what it is all about. It is not about the food.

Weekend = 2 steps backward. It is, however, fully documented. Moving forward.

Saef, congratulations on having a "normal" evening with friends!

Midwife, I commiserate. Funks suck. (say that 3 times fast!)

shannon, boo about the fan-bite! They look so innocent when they're sleeping, don't they?

Will be back later. I have had a wildly unproductive morning and I will make getting ANYTHING done a reason to come back.

I stayed pretty much okay with calories over the weekend, but had way too much sodium. So right back up to 138 today. Don't know how my rings would fit, as I can't get them on over the bandage. Like Becky, my restaurant food is also documented, so all I can do is start with clean eating again this week.

I also find myself looking for like buttons. I'm on another board with this format also, and that one does have a Thank button like the Lab board for Allison.

Saef - the friendship is definitely what it is all about. Don't obsess over a pound that sticks from it - you made great choices, enjoyed good food and good friends, all good things.

Birchie - Glad you aren't in full combat mode still. I hope you can enjoy the rest of your time.

Becky - being productive is overrated. LOL

Midwife - You've been on my mind lately, feel free to PM me or hit me on FB if you ever need to chat or vent or anything, anytime.

Midwife - you certainly can shake off that funk! We know you can!

I was going to ramble a bit about the importance of 'being in the moment' but then I realised that might not be best if one is in a funk. So how about 'being alert'? I think that can be useful. I was alert to the dangers of delicious pastries this morning and only bought one for the DB. I was very pleased with myself.

Have to go. May be back later.

Hi folks. I am up a whopping 4 lbs since Friday to a high for the year of 141.2. How does that work? Oh, sodium and constipation. Hopefully it will disappear soon. DH and I have co-opted a great analogy we heard on Mystery Diagnosis about my variety of constipation (okay, TMI, TMI): "Dropping off boxcars but the train never leaves the station."

Midwife, I hope you can kick your funk!

Saef, sounds like you had a wonderful dinner with your friends.

Probably, I should be going back to basics and tracking all my calories. But I'm not. I'm going on vacation next week where I can't track, so it seems silly to bother about it this week rather than just wait until after vacation. My goal for this week is just to avoid eating when I'm not hungry. And really, I'm not hungry all that much.

Okay, 2 of the 4 lbs disappeared overnight. Phew!

Did the train leave the station, Jessica? I can't remember, are you taking probiotics?

Thanks for your support, guys.

Today I packed my breakfast and lunch and I brought my running stuff for my daughter's practice. My plan is to run a mile but then keep walking or whatever until 30 minutes have passed.

Step by step.

My inner 10-year-old boy just can't stop laughing about this.

I'm with Midwife: I need to know if the train left the station.

[How many times have I logged onto 3FC, wondering if a member who posted in distress the day before has finally pooped. It's been more than three times at least. Maybe more. I really think there's a psychological component. Maybe because we're all on here, trying to rid ourselves of something else -- fat, or weight -- which for all of its solidity, sometimes seems very intangible and mystical and shape-shifting. Which is exactly what the other stuff isn't. It's about as basic and tangible as it gets.]

I don't give a s***.

Jay

I love you guys. Saef, DH and I had a great laugh when we heard that line on TV. Then again, we probably talk and joke about poop an excessive amount compared to most couples.

FWIW, no, the train has still not left the station (although it continues to drop of boxcars). Midwife, I'm not taking probiotics, but I am taking a fiber supplement and a stool softener and eating a big bowl of yogurt for breakfast. Why is it that pretty much every medication you take for anything causes constipation as a side effect?

Midwife, great idea planning to run during practice! Good luck!