Thanks! I started TOPS a LONG time ago. My husband always kind of teased me that I went to this weekly weight loss meeting and rarely lost weight, but the thing if it is is that if I hadn't been going all these years, I think I would be A LOT heavier. Through my 5 years of going, I continually do the "lose 10 pounds, gain it back" thing. And the only reason I lose it in the first place is because the people in my group are so encouraging. Plus, we have to face a scale every week. If I didn't have them, it would have been "Gain 10 pounds, gain 10 more." I just know it Plus. I have had another child during that 5 year period.

Hi , everybody

I'm so busy today and I don't have much time to spare but just wanted to pop in and check on everyone. Hope to come back tonight and catch up more.

I've read all the post just don't have time to comment but I hope everyone has a great on plan day!

Good afternoon all. Had 60 minutes of water aerobics this morning.

For those interested, the website for the President's Challenge Awards is

http://www.presidentschallenge.net/

It's free and a good incentive.

Hey everyone! Just checking in real quick while I can. I still don't have a working keyboard so I can't post as much as I'd like, but I am reading.

Congrats to all of you who are already losing! Yall are such an inspiration!

I haven't been doing so good this week. I'm trying to get back into the groove, but I'm finding that I am way out of shape. I could only jog for 9 minutes yesterday. I also learned that I need a better sports bra.

My birthday is Friday and my hubby wants to take me out to eat. Dinner will probably be ok (my ideal dinner is protein and veggies w/ a little carbs, anyway) but I can't resist having at least a little cake for my birthday. Last year was horrible. I was depressed because no one made a big deal about my bday, so I bought my own cake, put my own message on it (Happy Birthday Mom!) and proceeded to eat it myself. :P So I should be good this year as long as I buy a really small cake with just enough for the 6 of us to not have leftovers.

“What plan is everyone following? How many times per week are you working out? What is working? What is not?”
I've made my own workout plan. I plan to work my way up to working out 6 days a week, alternating cardio/arms and lower/core. I did this last year before I was a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding and I lost 30lbs. But this time around, I'm finding it hard to fit in the cardio. Between taking care of a newborn and toddler during the day, driving everyone to their after school obligations in the afternoon and all the stuff I have to do at night, I just need to find some time to fit it in and a place to do it. Thankfully, I can do the circuit training type exercises in my room while watching TV.

QOTD, if yall don't mind, what are some healthy snacks that you recommend? I need to venture past just granola bars and yogurt.

Goodness, what a chatty bunch! I'm never gonna get caught up. Hope everyone is having a happy and successful week.

Question: Are we allowed to comment on posts in the food log and exercise threads? Like if we're curious about a recipe or a workout DVD? Or do we have to bring those questions here?

LOL, that's what I was thinking. I'm still around, just haven't been online much. Not able to exercise, and not able to eat much. Averaging about 300 calories a day when I'm having gallbladder pain and nausea. On a good day I'm about 1100. I just stocked up on fruit and veggies so I'm going to steam a bunch of keep in the fridge to snack on.

Hi blue team!

I have to confess and vent. I am having a terrible week. A terrible month. I am terribly off plan. And today, the cherry on top of all the terrible food choices was Chinese for dinner, from a buffet, 2.5 pounds of it to go to be exact. I feel gross. All that salt is making be super thirsty. I have been on a sugar and salt craving for weeks now. I think one craving feeds the other. I really need to cut the sugar now and detox. I am promising you all that I am back on track as of right now.

Good evening everyone!!! Hope your day was FABULOUS!!!

MamaP.. congrats on the challenge yesterday. Those do me so much good.

Nancy.. HI!! It's good to meet you. I can't wait to get to know you better.

Gypsy.. thanks! How was the weights and challenge?

Jacky.. I can imagine it's tough to keep up on a phone!! I can't even imagine. Hope you get some downtime soon. Congrats on teh challenge! What do you not like about the elliptical? What exercise machine would you prefer? I detest treadmills. LOL I have to admit last night's challenge has my arms sore today!! I don't know that I've ever done more than 15 pushups in a day before. lol Can't wait to meet our "unofficial" members.

dayone.. I hate to hear you are so sick. I hope you can begin to feel better really soon!! The walk will be GREAT for you!!! Just pick yourself up, and know it's going to be better from here on out. (which it sounds like you are already doing). I know when I'm not feeling well, that's when I start falling apart.

cat.. what can we do to help you withstand the need to binge?? I'm here if you need me (You can find me on yahoo larryandjackie_h or facebook). I'm always willing to chat if you need it! Try hulu.com I believe they already have yesterday's show up.

Mercy.. way to get back to the exercising. Its so hard when you are on a gaining streak. At least it is for me.

canadian.. how is the ankle feeling? I hope better now!!!

Matilda.. GREAT job on the exercise and weight loss. How awesome!

Susan.. thanks for the link! I'm gonna sign everyone here up.

inkle.. don't feel the need to jump right into a high intense workout. Start with what you can do and build up from there. If I tried to jog I'd end up with a black eye! Let me say happy EARLY birthday!! Eat your cake and enjoy it, but making sure you don't have any leftovers is a GOOD idea. As far as snacks.. i struggle in that area too. I tend to go for fruit, or celery with pb. Or 1 graham cracker with pb. Sometimes I'll do a small salad, or half a sandwich. A lot of times it depends on how hungry I am for that snack.

Rochester.. that's a good question!!!

Babygrant.. I hope you get to feeling better really soon!

ars.. Eating sugar and salt definitely make you crave more. Just don't beat yourself up over and over. That will cause you to fall back into the same old habits. (or at least ti does me). You can do this.. Pick yourself back up adn carry on with your head high, and stomach disappearing.

Well, I'm exhausted tonight. And sore from yesterday's pushups. Was going to do some workouts, but decided to give it a rest tonight. I did walk around the store for a few hours while grocery shopping. Fun stuff, eh??

Not a chance sister lol,I'm back on track today

My gawd,you people talk alot,I'll never catch up!

Hey, everyone... sorry, not feeling chatty, just wanted to stop and read and make a couple comments before I head to bed...

Rochester, thanks so much for sharing your music lists, they always give me great ideas.

Mercy03, thanks for the Hulu tip... my computer hooks up to my bigscreen so it'll be just like watching the broadcast, lol.

Jacky, thank you for asking. Today (23rd) is anniversary of Mom's death and I'm not doing very well, I'm just a ball of emotion. The lead up is what has me feeling like binging. Once today is over I'll start getting better. I just have to get through it.

I'll try to stop by later and get caught up on reading at least. Later, everyone.

Hello ladies

Jennie527 - Good for you for sticking with TOPS over the years, I know from experience that the pounds can creep back on so good on you for keeping it within that 10lb range

1mooretime - back atcha

QuilterInVA - water aerobics is fun good job on the exercise

Inklestinkle - 9 min jog isn't bad and it will be 10 tomorrow and so on I agree with the sports bra they are very useful tools in the weight loss game I think that you should celebrate your birthday and have your cake too. I feel we can have all the foods just not everyday so your idea of getting one just big enough for one piece each is a good one. Enjoy your night out guilt free. Mine is next month and I've already got it planned to eat my way through all the free meals at the resturants

Rochester - I would bring all the questions here as not everyone goes over to the other threads and the ones who post there just go to their own post and repost I don't think to many people read it, and besides if there is a receipe to share we may all be interested and just didn't know it....lol

babygrant - WOW your 300 calorie days sound bad, did you ever hear anything from the surgeon on when you may get your gullbladder out? I hope it is soon you have been suffering enough already. Take care of yourself

ars - I hope you get back on track soon and that the cravings go away.....they are the worst. The only thing worse is that when you said how much Chinese food you ate and how sick you felt from it........all I thought was mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Chinese food and buffet
so you see you are so not alone in this.

JackieHollow - You would be suprised at how many steps can add up doing grocery shopping so that is exercise. I hope your arms feel better soon and when they do........20 more push ups I am opposite of you I really like the treadmill and wish I had one the only bad thing about them is the noise and the size. I have Nancy's go wear fit while she is away and I found out I burn more calories and get more vigerous (sp) when I do the WATP Bootcamp DVD than I do when doing the elliptical for 40 min. and comparing the 2 myself I work up way more of a sweat with the elliptical yet don't burn as much.....Who knew.

Mercy - HA HA HA......let the games begin

I agree with everyone it is hard to keep up with everyone right now. I may have to just post and not worry so much about personals. Don't get me wrong I think this is awesome that everyone is so energized about the challange. That means Blue Team will rock the first WI

Hello and goodnight to everyone else

lolcat - hang in there I know it will be a rough day for you but we are here if you need us. I am sorry for your loss

Sorry I haven't been around this week. In-laws are in town and have been crazy busy. They leave on Sunday so I will be around next week.

Have a great week everyone!

If no one reads the food log and workout threads, what is the point of posting to them?

Personally, I think its fun to see what kinds of exercise everyone is doing, and even though everyone is on different diet plans, you can get some food ideas from reading other people's logs.