Hi all!
Freda - Oh, I hear you on the elephant ears! How did those become so popular anyway? No nutritional value at all!

I'm headed down to southern MI (Rochester) the first weekend in August. Another Trader Joe's run. And probably a stop at Birch Run for CLOTHES! I promised myself an outlet shopping spree when I hit goal

And - for the record - I gained about 80 lbs by stress eating. It was a very, very difficult habit to break. In fact, some days, I need to eat veggies because I can't seem to not eat when I am stressed. I am doing SOOOO much better than I was a year ago.

A good day today - very good balance Work, meditation, exercise, chores, grocery shopping and leisure time (fire on the patio)

I hope you all had a wonderful Monday as well!

Hi . . .

We finally got rain . . . unfortunately it is the tail end of the Cristobal storm and is coupled with thunder storms and windy conditions . . . in fact I never did get on-line yesterday. The same stuff is continuing today, but at least it is relatively quiet out there right now so thought I'd get a round of 3FC done while I can.

See you later . . .

Good morning!

It's Tour de France time--and it always amazes me to see how thinned down those guys get as the race progresses. They can't eat enough to sustain their body during the course of the entire race--they are burning 9,000 cals a day. Of course, they do eat a lot, but while actually on the bikes, all they seem to have is chewy bars of one kind or another and liquids. So by the last day, they pretty much all look like starvation cases.

I suppose it fascinates me because of the sheer drive involved. I'd never do it in a million years--I don't see the point! But for them, it's a living I guess. It doesn't seem to be a lot of fun.

Not much else to report today. Looks like rain is imminent to the west, but we'll see.

Jay

Good Morning . . .

Wish I had that kind of stamina and incentive . . . as so easily happens with me, I've been a slackard in the exercise area again -- blaming it on the hot and sticky weather, but it's really just my in-born slug-like nature. At least I do manage to keep the eating part fairly much on track.

It's still raining a bit off and on, but mostly the storm is over and although we did not get hit with nearly as much rain as parts of the province did, my grass, bushes (and weeds) are so green and lush this morning, I think they are glowing.

Have a great day . . . see you all later.

Good Morning everyone, did anyone else have problems with the site yesterday, or was it just me? I tried to post a couple of times and it just ate my posts, so finally I gave up.

Laurie, Perfect time to go outlet shopping. You should find some really great sales. This is turn-over time. I really should get up there and get some things for next year too. And you really deserve a good shopping trip after that hard work you put into losing weight and getting to goal! Hope you find some really great things! I'm a stress eater too, and that's why I gained weight also. It's a constant battle and i still catch myself trying to "medicate" with food. Sometimes I actually have to talk to myself "ok, you know food isn't going to make you feel better". It's usually at home, so no one see's me, or it would prove that i really am crazy!

Linda, It's been raining here every day for the last month. It not during the day it rains at night! My grass is nice and green and sprouting mushrooms!

Jay, I don't know why anyone would put their bodies through that either. Maybe just to prove that they can? I would like to have their determination and drive for awhile though.

Make it a good day, Freda

Hi all - I'm with you on the bicycle race. I have a friend that bikes several hundred miles each week. It is an obsession with her. I cannot relate AT ALL!

Linda - you made me laugh. I'm a former slug. I actually prided myself on being able to do any activity without actually breaking into a sweat. Now, well, it's not a pretty sight. I wish I could wear a hair style without bangs - they are just nasty after working out.

Freda - thanks for your kind words! You have been such an inspiration. You have been maintaining your loss so successfully. I'm praying that I can follow in your footsteps

Have a GREAT evening all. Gotta go clean out the shed and clean up the "presents" the dog has left for me.

Hi everyone, I am heading home to visit my mom for a week. I have adopted this new lifestyle of eating and she has not. Time with her is always centered around eating - IHOP for breakfast, pizza for lunch, OUTBACK for dinner. I have lost 25 pounds in two months and I really do not want to gain any of it back.

Any ideas???

I know I am big girl (will turn 50 in August). But she has already planned a dinner out on Friday when I arrive, Saturday, many family member are coming over for a "fish fry" (I haven't had any fried foods in over 2 months). And Sunday dinner at OLIVE GARDEN with my grandma.

HELP!!!!!

Hey sgibson1626!

Three words: Take away boxes. First, don't order the whole shebang. Breakfasts at IHOP can be like large desserts, but you can always order individual items and take home what you don't want to eat in a box or just leave it on your plate. Later, throw it out if no one else has eaten it in a couple of days. (And don't you eat it!)

Same thing for fish fry and Olive Garden. Eat some--then stop. Have only a tiny bit of salad at Olive Garden--it's loaded with calories. Don't eat the bread. Eat slowly. Eat only 1/3 of the entree and get a box or leave it. See above! And as for dessert, skip it and say "let's just share one." If others don't want to do that, then still skip it. Maybe someone will give you a taste, or maybe not. Let them eat theirs--and concentrate on the conversation. I know this will be really hard, but life is full of these situations.

Try to get in some walking or other exercise during the week, every day. If there's a YMCA or other gym nearby, you could possibly get a daily pass or a weekly pass.

These strategies will help you minimize the damage. Don't worry about throwing out food--it's better to trash it than wear it on your hips. Good luck!

Jay

Hi all, Hope everyone is doing well today. Looks like we're going to have a nice, sunny day. Yestrday was sooo beautiful! It was cooler and we had a nice breeze all day. Easy to exercise when the weather cooperates!

Laurie, I know you will continue to do well and maintain your weight loss! You are determined. And, besides, it's just so much more fun to shop when you can get things you really like and look good in them!!

Sgib, I have to second what Jay suggested above. We all have to get through situtation that we can't controle. Do the best you can, get all the exercise you can and move on. One thing you might want to do is, go online and check out re calorie counts on some of the things the restaurants have. It might help you make some better choices. And one thing I still do when I go out to eat; ask for a carryout contained BEFORE you start eating and put the portion you aren't going to eat in it. If I don't do that I will sit there and pick at it untill I've already eaten more than I wanted to eat. And if you can order soup and salad, dressing on the side, you can usually be pretty safe and still get full. Good luck. come back and visit us.

make if a good day, Freda

Hi Neighbors,

Daily Accountability thread for August has been posted. Come reserve your spot today! Thread begins on August 1 when Linda will move it to the Sticky area.

Lynn

Good Morning . . .

The sun is trying to shine for the first time in a few days . . . hopefully it will be a great afternoon for the regular Thursday 'mall-crawl'.

Not much I can add that Jay and Freda haven't already mentioned -- just read those menus, Chickie -- you can find something almost healthy in just about any restaurant these days. Good luck to you -- it won't be easy, but it will be possible.

Hope everybody has a great day of moving and shaking and cooperative weather, too.

sgibson1626 - Agreed - Jay and Freda gave GREAT answers. I always ask for a carryout when the meal is delivered as well.
And - don't be afraid to ask for either a half-order (even if it isn't listed on the menu) or even for something that you don't see on the menu. Most restaurants can do a veggie stir-fry or a simple pasta and vegetable dish, even if it isn't listed. As a vegetarian, I have gotten used to asking for off-menu things. Also - many restaurants will let you order from the children's menu, it doesn't hurt to ask (or call ahead if that is more comfortable). I often order off the sides menu, particularly when we are traveling and all of my meals will be eaten in resaurants.

Freda - our cooler weather didn't last long. Summer is back. But, I'm not complaining because I know the snow and ice will be here before I know it. Even sooner for Linda, I'm afraid!

Jay, Linda, and all of our MIAs - have a GREAT evening!

HI to everyone, My computer has been in the shop for the last couple of weeks. Then, I forgot my password and had quite a time getting a new one. I was able to read your posts, but I couldn't reply.

Counting- You are trully an inspiration, what a great journey. I saw at lot of great ideas in your story. Never quitting has to be your most important message. I have such a hard time staying on target.

I liked everyone's ideas on how to avoid overeating in a restaraunt. Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm also a neighbor of some of you. I live in Troy not far from Sterling Hts. and Centerline. I also have a cottage in northern Michigan. I spend as much time as I can there in the summer and on weekends. I agree it is so beautiful in Michigan. I won't be missing anymore.

Thanks Jay - I already have a membership to the Y and I can go free for a week! I did not know the salads at Olive Garden were high calories. Great idea about the box. I am not a big dessert eater so ordering sweets won't be too hard.

I will have access to the internet - so I will be checking in!

Thanks for your support!

Good Morning . . .

Sunny, hot, and humid again . . . even after all the rain we had in the past few days . . . strange.