@Sep2012: Great idea with the "I am" - I accept your challenge. I agree with the 'inner meanie' being way to vocal. I've said it before - would you let someone else talk to you like that? Then why do it to yourself??
I also struggle with other people's negativity. I tend to internalize it and make it my own. So in the spirit: I am a positive person. I do not allow other people's unhappiness to become my own.

@MrsT: You are strong and aware and can do this - even if you stumble - you just pick yourself up and keep going. You are a true inspiration - your dedication and love of H is humbling.

@firegirl441 Welcome to the fold! Plateaus are inevitable but not necessarily a bad thing - it means your body is doing what it's supposed to - adapting to the change you subjected it to. Can you change what you are doing food wise since the exercise options are limited? Can you shadow box while sitting down? Maybe that would get your heart a pumping and burn calories?
I found this article on LiveStrong - maybe it can give you some ideas that won't hurt your back. It's for people that are in a wheelchair - but it would work for plain old sitting in a regular chair, too, I would think. Maybe help keep you out of the wc?
http://www.livestrong.com/article/10...es-wheelchair/

To all of you with daffs: BLEH, my grass is somewhere under all that snow. I hope. I planted a bunch of daffs and tulips in my front flowerbed last year. I'll probably see them sometime in mid/late April. Hey! That's only a month or so away! YIPPEEEE!

Happy Wednesday!

Being a little more strict with myself really payed off yesterday. I was way under my calorie limit, which will help balance out the days I went over, so hopefully I'll see a loss by Monday.

LuvCats: I don't think I would go to a topless show either. I applaud your ability to keep the gambling loss to a minimum. I'm not a gambler myself but I know many have problems with it. I'm so sorry you got rear-ended! So many hit-and-runs these days. Too many people on the roads who shouldn't be. I'm glad you're getting treatment and hope it helps quickly. I didn't know that any state had health insurance tied in with auto insurance. Seems like a good idea. Congrats on your loss...you're going in the right direction!

Lisarsmiles: Do cockatiels do better in pairs? I don't know anything about keeping large birds. They have a pretty long life-span too, don't they? We have gardening stuff on the shelves too, but any real gardening won't happen for 2 more months around here. The rule of thumb is to not plant ANYTHING before Mother's Day. Newbies always learn the hard way.

sept2012: Kudos to you for putting on workout clothes instead of warm lounge-wear...unless you lounged in your workout clothes! Thank you for sharing your "I am" philosophy! I think women especially are prone to the negative self-talk and anything we can do to turn it around, the better. People say you create what you fear, and I think much of that comes from our own negativity. I will be making a concerted effort today to be aware and say I am!

kelijpa: The stupid daffodil won't make it to it's bloom stage I'm afraid...big snowstorm coming in this weekend. We always have a few bulbs that jump the gun, sprout too early, then are killed by the cold/snow. But the first crocuses always make me smile, no matter how dumb they are!

newleaf123: Hi! Hope you're having a great, on-plan day!

MrsTryingAgain: Sorry there is bad news associated with H's surgery. but at least you're headed in the right direction. And maybe they'll move his 2nd surgery up if he keeps having difficulties. Glad to hear he's feeling better! Also happy to know you were able to have nap time for yourself. One day off plan isn't going to permanently derail you, as long as you don't let it! You're determined and disciplined enough that I'm confident you're back on the right track today!

firegirl441: Welcome to our little corner of the boards! Please don't let a little plateau kill your plan. The weight isn't going to come off in a steady downward cycle. You'll go up, you'll stay the same, and you'll go down. As long as the overall trend is down, you're on track! Plus, with losing so much in the first few weeks, I'm not surprised your body is now holding on to all it thinks is dear. Even on "The Biggest Loser" the competitors slow down their loss after the first 2 or 3 weeks. Stick with it! Come here for support!

SeeMyFeet: Oh no! I've never sprained my knee, but it can't be any fun. So sorry! But you made me laugh, more than once! I often wonder about life's little serendipitous events and if it's really coincidence or if "someone" is trying to get a point across. Last week, I grabbed a Hershey's miniature chocolate bar from the bucket on the receptionists desk on my way out, knowing I shouldn't have it but thumbing my nose at the "shouldn't". I unwrap it going through the revolving door and promptly drop it on the sidewalk, in the pigeon poop. Clearly, I was not going to eat it now and I took it as a sign that I would NOT go back in for another. I have to thank your for your perception that it takes balls to play Mrs. Lovett. I have never thought of myself like that but since you said it, I'm going to use that as a way to bolster my confidence. I'm beside myself with desire to play the part (picture me standing here, rubbing my hands together, bounding on the balls of my feet) and preparations have started in earnest. Thank you!

ukemama: Yea for your snow day! Kids around here sleep with spoons under their pillows in a superstitious way to bring about a snow day. Rarely works. Hope you're enjoying the day!

2FatCats: Great suggestions to firegirl441! And yes, spring is just around the corner! Wow...I just noticed your "Days without Incident. AWESOME!!!

To anyone I may have missed...Have a GREAT day!

Hi Everyone -
Still plugging away, and the scale is being my friend today. Of course, it may bounce back up tomorrow, and it seems to do that regularly. But for right now, I'm happy with it

Sept2012, I really liked your post about "I am". I'm going to try that exercise, and use it daily.

SeeMyFeet, your posts almost always make me laugh! I love your sense of humor

Moondance, I live at 8,500 feet, so our saying is "don't plant anything outside before Father's Day". Oh how I miss being able to see spring flowers before July!

Mrs.TryingAgain, you're still in my thoughts. Sorry to hear about your husband's need of yet another surgery. Hope his recovery from this one is smooth.

Welcome, Firegirl - to our 40-somethings group!

Off to go hit the treadmill now!

Sept2012- what great thoughts you posted with your "I AM" concept. We will all be better people if we follow that day after day.

2FatCats- thanks for the link. I am going to follow some of those tips and I am assured it will help me.

Moondance- I finally broke the plateau. I weighed in at 186 today losing 4.5 lbs since last Thursday. I agree that my body was probably adjusting to the new me.

MrsTryingAgain- My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband as he recooperates.

LindaWW- glad to hear tyhe scale is heading in the right direction for you.

SeeMyFeet As always, thanks for the laughs, "even my sandwich..." and poor Moondance in the pigeon poop...instant kharma...lol

A lot of activity here the past couple days. When I hear about all the snow people are having elsewhere, I feel really lucky. I am originally from PA (near Philadelphia) but have lived down here for 7 years. It has not snowed since I've lived here-maybe flurries once. It snows here about once a decade. Northern AL does get some snow but nothing like y'all get up north or out west. I miss the change of seasons here sometimes. Especially the leaves in the fall.

My scale has been a little stuck but it isn't really a mystery. I've eaten too many calories the past few days-nothing unhealthy but too much. I was commenting last night that I'm not even craving sugar anymore but I don't need anyone waving it under my nose either.

Welcome firegirl. This is a great group.

My MIL was taken to the hospital this morning by ambulance. She has been sick off and on for a couple months. This is a difficult part of being this age. My mother passed away about 6 mo. ago and now we are watching my in-laws start to decline. We think are parents will always be with with us but they won't. DH already went to the hospital. I'll go over later after work.

Speaking of work, time to get this show on the road. Have a good Thurs. everyone.

Petra65, I'm sorry for the loss of your mother. I hope MIL gets better soon. My mom has just started to take care of herself these last three years. She is a frustrating person when it comes to health. My mom enjoys being "sick" because of the attention she gets. It is insanely mind-boggling.

You know what I remember about my mom most of all when it came to health? For years and years she lived on Ayds diet candy (anyone remember that?) and vitamins. Really messed her up. I guess what's good about her whole way of managing her health, is that I learned what NOT to do!

Welcome firegirl. I think you will enjoy being here.

Moondance: Our kids do all kinds of crazy things to invoke a snow day. 1) Spoons under the pillows. 2)Flush an ice cube down the toilet at exactly 8PM. 3)Wear jammies inside out. 4) Some also wear jammies backwards and inside out 5) Do a dance in the kitchen - preferably after flushing the ice cube. We take no chances here in Ohio.

Happy day! My vertigo seems to be almost gone! I have had it since January 22. As soon as I have a day with no episodes, I am going to go back to yoga. I haven't even been able to go for a walk or ride a bike - it was THAT bad.

Long post today. Hope everyone has a fantastic day and stays on plan!

Happy Thursday!

Yesterday was another good day, staying within my calorie limit and getting in my exercise! One of our cars broke down on the highway yesterday while DD#1 was driving home. DH had to go get her. It's our big suburban that we only drive in bad weather or to the mountains. We're expecting big snow on Saturday and will need this car and its unclear if it will be/can be fixed by then. Keep your fingers crossed for us! I won't be posting tomorrow, as I'm helping to chaperone a group of high school kids to University of Northern Colorado's Theater Day. We come right back and go right into preparations for the evening's performance. Gonna be a busy day!

LindaWW: That's a high elevation to be living. We lived in Conifer for a number of years and were at about 8000, so I feel your pain. I planted a lot of annuals, just so I'd have instant color and not have to wait for nature. Glad the scale is cooperating!

firegirl441: Yea! I'm so glad your plateau has broken! Happy dance for you!

kelijpa: I call it good kharma...it kept me from eating the chocolate I didn't need!

petra65: Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your MIL! I hope she'll be ok. It's so difficult when we lose our loved-ones. My mom has been gone for 17 years and I still miss her daily. I envy you not having to shovel snow! I've been at it all my life and am ready to be done with it. Unfortunately, DH LOVES the snow and would never consider moving to a warmer climate. He'd go back to MI if I said yes, which I will never do. At least the sun shines in Colorado during the winter! Hang in there and keep an eye out for those sneaky calories!

ukemama: YIPEE! I'm so glad your vertigo is (almost?) gone! I can't imagine how difficult that would be to deal with. And you never found a cause? I only vaguely remember the Ayds candy. Never knew anyone who took them. I can only imagine what damage long term use could do! Hmmm...flush an ice cube down the toilet? I'll have to ask DD if she's heard of that one. It all makes me laugh. Other than praying, we didn't do any of this stuff as kids. We also rarely had snow days.

Anyone I missed: Stay on plan and have a GREAT day!!

Lisarsmiles: Lol I hear you on how easy it is to get behind here. Great job making the healthy choices. Ha ha your cockatiels would drive my cats nuts.

Hang in there sept. Spring is coming! Great job to go jump into your workout instead of the warm clothes. Thanks for the "I AM" post.

Thinking warm thoughts for you too kelijpa.

I'm glad they are on top of things, MrsTryingAgain. Hang in there. I'm sure you'll get back OP soon (if not already).

Welcome, Firegirl. You can do it!

I'm sorry about your knee, SeeMyFeet. I can relate a little but it is my head/neck/back from getting rearended again. Oh well I'm not going to complain because although I've been hit about more time than I can count now each time everyone has walked away. I'm also NOT letting it stop me from staying OP and exercising. Good luck with your deadline. You can do it!

Yeah on the snowday ukemama. Lol I wish we had one!

Lol 2FatCats just send your snow to me. In 100% agreement on your "positive person" bit. I try very hard to be that myself.

Moondance: Yep here medical coverage (up to $10,000 pp I think) is mandatory as part of your auto insurance. I've used it a few too many times but then again I have to look at it as each time I've walked away. I think this is #6 or 7 over my adult lifetime. Only one time was ever called my fault and I question that but oh well. At least 5 of them we were rearended with zero ability to prevent what happened. Yay for yesterday paying off. I'm sure you will see results Monday! Enjoy theater day!

Yay on the happy scale LindaWW. Good job hitting the treadmill!

I hear you about not needing anyone waving sugar under my nose, Petra. Sorry to hear about your MIL. Hang in there.

Right now my head/neck actually feel a bit better. Granted it is mainly when I'm lying down they are bad but I think last night was a bit better. I guess 2 trips to the chiropractor have helped.

Have a great day everyone! Let's move!

Hi Everyone-
The scale's back up for me today - and I was good yesterday! But that doesn't seem to have much to do with it, it seems. I'll keep plugging away, and hopefully a downward trend will continue, even if the day to day fluctuations drive me crazy in the meantime!

Today is my husband's birthday, so we'll be going out for dinner to celebrate. I imagine he will choose Texas Roadhouse, as it's he and the kids' favorite. Pretty tough to find diet friendly food there, but I'll do my best! Tomorrow night, we were supposed to go with friends to the casino, but a big snowstorm that's in the forecast may cancel those plans. I just saw a winter storm watch for our area, forecasting one to two feet of snow! Oh well, we'll be hanging out around the fireplace - and I love that!

Moondance - We drove through Conifer last weekend, when we took the back roads home from Denver. That is a pretty area, on HW 67 between there and Woodland Park. I hope your vehicle is fixed quickly!

Ukemama - Sorry about the vertigo - I have a friend who deals with that, and I understand it's horrible. When it's bad, there's not much of anything you can do except lay in bed. Glad yours is better!

Petra - Sorry about your MIL. My parents are both in their 90's, and my dad has Alzheimer's. It's been a tough road for the last 10 years. You have my sympathy, and I can definitely relate.

To all the rest of you - I love reading all your posts. Stay positive today, and have a successful day!

Healthy day yesterday. I'm also on track for today. I just got back from my walk. H says he feels really good today. He is still rest & recooperating, but he says he can feel a marked difference. WOO HOO!!!

LindaWW: Yes, it hard to eat healthy when you go out. Maybe ask for steamed veggies? Lots of places offer those. It can help.

LuvCats: Hope your neck is feeling better. Neck pain is no fun. Glad the chiropractor seems to be helping.

Moondance: Enjoy your day with the students! Hope they don't drive ya too crazy!

ukemama: Vertigo sounds scary. Hope it subsides & you are able to do all that you'd like to do.

petra: Sorry about the loss of your mom & now your MIL's health. Yeah, it's scary, sad & all the rest when loves ones get older & their health becomes an issue. Been there, done that. I lost my dad 13 yrs ago this April. Mom is still healthy, but she has had her times. I always kinda worry about her. She's the only person in my family I actually talk to. And she's just flat out an awesome woman in my book. May she get well soon!!!

Okay, I gotta run. Everyone be healthy! Stay on program. Here's a few photos from my recent walks. Enjoy!!!

LindaWW: You know that scales tell fibs, right? Mine tells some doozies, too! Sometimes she thinks she's a comedienne...flashes a number then at the last second settles up a half pound. She's the only one laughing at her jokes. Happy bday to hubby yesterday...mine loves TR, too, but I refuse to go there anymore because they refuse to post their nutritional info.

LuvCats: I like the snow here up to a certain point. One year we had 21 feet of snow for the season. Seriously. We measure by the foot, not inches.

Ooh! Phone just rang and I FINALLY have my surgery date! Back in January the gyno told me he would schedule an HTA but I haven't heard a thing. I called and left a msg yesterday - just in case they forgot me. Not sure if they did or what but my surgery is 28Mar. WooHoo! Now I have to go rearrange my workout schedule to minimize the effect. Sad, that's the first thing I thought of....

HALLELUIAH!!!!

I think the vertigo is gone! 45 days total. I'm so excited! I'm going to give it five full days and then get back into yoga. Happy dance!

Weekend is here! Not that it makes much difference.

The knee sprain ain't so bad. First day was the worst. Walked around with one straight leg like Festus in Dodge City. Thought about going to work with a hip holster, cowboy hat, and spurs. Still being gentle with the leg.

Glad some of you find amusement in my posts. Hey, if you aren't laughing at yourself, you're likely the only one not laughing, right?. You guys tickle my funny bone, too. Ayds diet candy. Never heard of it, but Boy Howdy, what a poor choice of names for such a product! (ok ok it's an old product) And one of you got more than six inches. Congratulations! Spoons & toilets & ice cubes & pillows, and someone WANTs snow?!? That's crazy funny.

Hey 2FatCats....your scale is a girl? Mine's a boy and he tells the awful, naked truth. "Do I look fat in this?" "Why, yes you do." Not a very smart boy.

ukemamma: Vertigo for that long?!? Was it vertigo or dizziness? You're reducing and probably doing different things with your diet...think it could be too much copper or zinc? Hope you visited a good doctor.

Linda: lost my MIL to Alzheimers. Tough. Still miss her. Thought of her when I looked at MrsT's birds. She loved her birds at the feeder. and her flowers. Thanks for the pix, MsT. I really need to follow your example and get out more. All work and no play makes for a dull penguin.

Going to bed. Maybe my dreams will come true and I'll wake up skinny. And rich. And my house will be clean. ok, I'll just settle for skinny. Niters all.

Got good news about my Dad yesterday. Things are looking up all around. He got approved for his post retirement insurance and its time to plan a trip to UCLA for a liver bypass. My mom sounds so relieved and he sounds so good better than any recent times I can remember. Thank the Lord above that is all moving in the right direction.

On another note the scale moved this morning. 270.7 from 272 yesterday so thats a plus too. Off to the gym for my 5 mile walk/run. Then off to a pre-spring (65 and sunny here today woo-hoo) BBQ. Love days like these. Makes you remember all of the things you should be happy for on a daily basis. Cherry Blossoms are blooming.... the sky is clear and the air is crisp and time is going to change tonight leaving behind a sneak preview of the long summer days that I LOVE so much!

Have a great weekend everyone - Cheerrs!(hahahaah not literally though for me until June. I decided to give my self a non drinking challenge until June 21st)

Joy