a whole month and 2 pounds? Ugh... Maybe I should cut my calories back to that ridiculous low level or. heck. I don't know. I'm at a loss
If I don't see movement this week, I'll have to do something a bit more drastic

Jeanne-I am a traumatic brain injury survivor. One thing that I have learned in the almost 16 years since being injured is that doctors are used to dealing with males. Most TBI’s are from sports or dangerous activities and car wrecks. It’s about 80% male I think. With more and more females doing things like hockey, soccer and ski jumping even, they are seeing more women with TBI’s and post concussion syndrome, and they are finding that the symptoms, deficits, and long term effects are different in females. I know how hard it is when one of your kids is sick, and you feel helpless to help. I’ve had enormous amounts of recovery, more than I thought would have been possible at the time. I pray the same thing for your daughter.

Tina-One of my biggest fears is a fried computer. The amount of backing up I do, I’d just as well have a second computer.

Battle-I don’t know which is harder being around skinny people who don’t eat, and skinny people who eat non-stop and don’t gain an ounce. Just put horse blinders on and focus on your needs.

Debbie-I used to get horribly bored on the exercise bike, but then I bought a tape designed for it that had different pretty rides, so it was like I was riding through Tuscany or the Irish countryside. I think they have walking ones too. I guess they strapped the camera on the handlebars or someone’s waist to make them.

I am staying warm, watching the snow fall. I’ve got schoolwork to keep me occupied. Some Vatican II document with a Latin name that I’m sure is really important but boring. He’s home today too, so maybe we can find something interesting to do.

I'm still here...just haven't had much to say for the last few days. Tonight is my first WI since going back OP...no expectations...I just know that I did eat much better this week than I have in months. For next week I have to focus more on how to get all my points in every day without eating junk. There were a few days this week that I was under and then the end of the day came and I was full...or i didn't want to eat so late (after 10pm). I have to find protein that I can bring for lunch since I can ony bring in fish or vegetarian food to work (kosher building). I have a few ideas.

Best to all...
Julee

Oh Catherine... -70? I don't understand That is so far beyond my comprehension. Why bother counting at that temperature? There is a comedian who rants about the wind chill factor...saying that if it feels like -25 they should say that....because if it's that cold why does he care what the temperature would be if it were perfect outside. LOL

Ok, this has been a terrible day. No weight loss, hubby didn't get his bonus so I had to cancel the appointment to get the car's thermostat replaced. We go to Walmart and when we're loading the trunk, we see that someone has cracked out entire bumper. We have no idea when it happened but it was probably at hubby's work. Hubby brings home dinner, he's like "I didn't get you a ton, it's CHINESE" so I eat and then google stuff later. I'm at 2400 calories. I swear I can't have anything. I can't have a car that doesn't have issues, I can't have money, I can't lose weight .. AGH

No work for me today! They cancelled school due to the weather, so I didn’t have to go. And the best part, was that I still got paid for it! Lol. Awesome, right? Today, I spent a majority of the day vegging out. I told myself I was going to work out, but never did. Bleh. Back to the grind tomorrow. My eating has been really great this week. I’ve been having one of the Slim Fast Optima shakes in the morning, and that keeps me going until lunchtime.


Nancy – Good for you for getting back out there! You deserve someone who loves you for YOU! Yeah, it’s going to take me a little bit to get used to getting up THAT early. Bleh.

Ammi – I ended up taking the laptop with me yesterday, with every intention of keeping up with you all yesterday, and then I got side-tracked! Lol. Hopefully, I get better at it! Oh, how great Rome would be! Understandable about not wanting to put it on the Credit card. My goal for this year is to get mine paid off as well.

Kazz – WELCOME aboard!

Jeanne – I hope all goes well with the CT scan!

Julee – GOOD LUCK with the WI! Let us know how it went!

Catherine - -70?!?! Eeeps! It was -27 here last night (-40) with the windchill last night!

HeatherDW – Just keep your chin up. It’s trial and error, this crazy weight loss thing! YOU CAN DO IT!

I don't even think I've said a word this week. It's just been an odd week overall. I had a job interview yesterday, but for various reasons, I don't think it's going anywhere. They really want someone permanent but posted it as a short-term job. I couldn't do it permanently and admitted that I was trying to go back to school. The industry I work in tends to be fairly small, I actually knew two people who worked there (not personally, but they have worked with people I've worked with). I made a good contact with the HR person, and if I do end up back in school she's offered to try and get me placed early for a work term (technically the first summer is a break, but with my experience she thinks they might make an exception).

The food and exercise have been going well, but I'm still fighting a bit of depression today. More about being unemployed and broke than anything else.

There are 5 pages in the thread, so do know that I read them all, but will only comment on a few. My feet are cold at the desk here and I'm going to bolt for the couch soon. I've got last season's finale of Lost on, so I'll be all caught up tomorrow night.

Dusty - glad to hear that you're feeling up about your routine. That always helps.

Heatherdw - sorry you're down in the dumps. Don't play around with the calories just yet. Make sure your calorie intake is what you think it is. Try and avoid things that may be high in sodium. Drink plenty of water, especially if you're eating out. As to the other things take a deep breath and focus on your food and exercise plan. I know how easy it is to let the other things overwhelm you.

Catherine - nice to see you back posting. Your posts about the temperature remind me how lucky I am in Southwestern Ontario. I'm repeating to myself that -7C tonight is actually quite warm.

Debbie - I keep meaning to ask you what DDR is?

Ammi - I know how that feels (closing on a regain). I'm not even remotely close to my previous lower weight, but I can envision getting there. Congrats for almost being at yours.

BattleAx - planes can be extremely stressful, best of luck on the upcoming trip.

Nancy - good luck on the dating front. I haven't seen my on again / off again in a long time. Eventually it will have to be something I do as well.

Carol - It looks good (the food list), but perhaps a few more calories? (I hate suggesting that, but it might help.) The only thing I can think of is (as Debbie said) perhaps less bread. Or more protein. As I said in the other thread, I don't think I'm good at busting plateaus.

jar1965 - best wishes for your daughter. It's got to be very stressful. I hope it works out well.

If I missed anyone it's most likely because I couldn't think of anything to add. For those on plan, congrats. For those off plan, just start again tomorrow. I used to have a very bad habit of saying 'well, this week is screwed so what the heck'. A very bad thing to do. You can't change the past, you can only fix the future.

Hi all,

It's been a little while since I have posted. Work has been extremely busy, and that's kept me from doing much more than work. Tuesday was my birthday, so I was fortunate and only worked 11 hours. My DH and I did go see the snow sculptures in Breckenridge this past weekend, and then stopped a casino on the way home. We won 75 dollars...woohoo. It was fun, and great to have some time together. He has been working a ton lately too (he went to work at 6am and apparently will be home around 8pm).

Anyway, the weight loss journey isn't going great for me. I am at about 355 now, but I am not changing my ticker. I am going to get to 350 within the next week or two if it kills me. OK, not if it kills me. But I sure hope to get there soon.

Now for personals...

Heather dw...breathe girl. If you are doing the right things, the weight loss will come. It may not come quickly, but it will come. As a note, I sure haven't been doing the right things lately.

Catherine...I am happy to see you are doing well. Other than those horrifically cold temps. Have fun are your Superbowl parties.

Nancy...what a kicker that your ex came up on your dating search. I met my DH on the internet. Neither of us had any intent on meeting someone. I went to a chat room one night that he made. It was only the two of us. We became good friends quickly, and continued talking on the web for about for a long time (8months or so). Then I would call him....we would talk about 6 hours a night...we did this for about 6months or so. Then he moved across the country to be with me. Again, we had no intention of finding each other. But we are so happy we did. It sure put a lot less stress on the relationship....since it wasn't a relationship for so long.

Battle...good luck with the airplane ride.

Yikes, DH on the phone, gotta go.

Take care all.
Angie

Realist - I definately know how work can get in the way of things! When I was doing classes AND work, I barely had any spare time, let alone time to get online! Happy belated birthday, btw! Glad to see you post.

Anne - What kind of industry do you work in? And what do you want to go to school for? Good to see you posting as well.

Well, I wanted to pop in here before I headed to bed. Have to get up early of course, for work in the morning, because I'm sure we'll have work in the morning, because the snow has subsided, for tonight at least.

here's the pic of the car. I drew a line where the damage is. Hubby is flipping out because he thinks it's in a huge piece that goes back over the tires

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8938/damagerq2.jpg

I everyone. Work is still crazy, but I haven't had to work over since Monday.
Still op though I feel bloated.

Ammi Yes, it's the same relative. I'll email when I can.

Jeanne I'm so sorry to hear your daughter isn't feeling well. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts.

Gotta blot. Hugs to all.

Mama B: I hear you about the “blanket” getting finished by first Birthday…I started my sister’s embroidered pillow when she was10..she is now 25!! I should dig it out!

Dusy:WTG on the special K diet..you know I love that cereal. And I don’t have to even add sugar to it!

Heather DW: sorry about your ear girl. I am sick right now and my ears hurt! Also sorry about the ups and downs of weight loss. I know..its hard! But you are soooo worth it.

Catherine: thanks for posting…glad your back.

Jeannie: wine festival?? I am so jealous! Always wanted to go to one of those!

As for me well….I am okay. I have somehow managed to catch another cold. UGH! So exercising has been put on hold. Then today at work I broke..I have a hamburger from Wendy’s. LOL But have not had it in forever and I could finally taste something. And I shared a small fry with 3 people!! It was hard but I did it!

I am hoping I am on the last part of this cold! Feb is here and I want to get back into exercising..toodles all!

Kayleystar - It's the automotive industry. In Ontario it's much smaller than it is in Michigan I've been in quality for the last 9 years, but I'm finding it harder to find work than I have in the past. A couple of potential employers have been very clear that it's my lack of technical training that concerns them the most. The few offers I've had are too far away, or not interesting. I'm actually more interested in the process/process improvement side of the business. So, I'm considering returning to school for a 3-yr Engineering Technology program (well, if the college(s) will have me). It will be in either Manufacturing, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering (again, depends on which college will have me).

I say it's a small industry because it's really unusual to not find someone who knows someone you've worked with. Or even if they don't know that person, they know someone who has worked with them. It's a good and a bad thing. It means you have to leave everywhere on good terms (although I'm not sure that my last boss will ever really understand why I left, or forgive me for it). With a little more education I might try for something in a more general manufacturing line (ie. not automotive). Although I have to admit, I'm a sick child, I kind of like building car parts for a living.

I don't however feel any safer in my vehicle....

Kayley-They didn’t cancel school here, just some of the school buses. These crazy people refuse to let any kind of weather problems slow them down, and they don’t even drive suv’s. I thought when I moved here they’d all be driving jeeps, but they all drive little cars or minivans. They use earth moving equipment to clear snow off the roads, so some people even drive bicycles. That’s nuts.

Anne-at -7, my husband doesn’t even wear a coat, but he actually complained about the cold air this afternoon. He burned his lungs with cold air in Antarctica, and he said that it felt about the same.

Angie-I haven’t changed my ticker either. Don’t know what to change it to since my scale only goes to 380. I’m hoping to see something other than error real soon.

I still supposed to be working on my ecclesiology assignment, but started rambling, so I thought I’d do something else for awhile to refocus. So I guess you guys are my diversion.

Hi everyone,

I worked hard today at my friend's apartment. It is great to have the energy to be able to work hard physically. I was moving like a tornado thru that place.

I did not over or under eat.

Only one moment ticked me off. My friend is getting rid of almost everything, and there was a ton of food to get rid of, and she was trying to give it all to us, which I appreciate, but I took what I wanted and left the rest. At one point, her friend started to put a bag of cookies into my sack. I said no thank you....twice. She moved away then took another cookie bag and started to put it in my sack. I raised my voice at her...something very out of character for me. I think I am overly sensitive to this issue, but at the same time it rankles me when people are so darned disrespectful. Why do some think no means maybe or yes? She was smiling as if she was being silly, but I am just not in a laughing mood about this sort of thing. I think it may be cultural--some cultures are aknown for pushing food on people as a sign of generosity or affection, but fer crying out loud, when I say no, I mean no. When it happens with food, it pushes my buttons x 200, but I don't like this kind of insistence from others about anything I say no to, period.

Rant over, thanks for listening.

-------
Catherine: Stay warm! brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. How did the paper turn out?

Kayley: You stay warm, too!

Anne: Sorry the job wasn't exactly right. I hope you find something soon.

Julee: Good luck with tweaking your eating. Sometimes finding just the right balance is tough. I have a problem when I find a good balance, and then the routine is no longer possible for some reason. It takes a while for me to find nmy equilibrium again.

Realist: Congrats on the $75 prize! I hope your work schedule eases soon.

Sandy: Good for you, staying on plan. Eventually the bloating will reduce and you'll feel great.

Cyn: I hope you're back to your old self soon. Sounds like you didn't go too overboard on the burger at lunch.

Heather dw: Hang in there! 'Round here, my car is constantly getting dinged. I don't even bat an eyelash anymore.

Heather dw,

Anne, DDR is Dance Dance Revolution. It's a Wii game that comes with a dance pad. You have to match the steps that the cd sends up while it's playing songs. Really fun!! It's practically the only way I will exercise now. It sounds easy but it's not...you really sweat!!

Angie, Happy belated birthday and great news on winning at the casino!

Just popped on here because it's my alternative to eating.

toodles
Debbie