I was hurting so bad (depression pain of -3 to -4) when it was time to pick up Grace after school, I was tempted to just drive her home.

This depression pain isn't out of the blue: the reason for it is that Grace's parents have been acting rather snotty toward me. They keep giving me the message that they don't value Grace's and my relationship. They schedule other things on our Fridays. Last night I had to have Grace home by 7:30 for a music lesson she'd missed because of a snow day. Grace objected loudly, and apparently they told her "Friday's the only free day in your week." (!!) Grace complained that of course her time with me wasn't "free" for other appointments, but got nowhere fast.

I'm so discouraged. I worked on snipping some elements for a collage and Grace spent the whole time either sorting clippings or playing with the kittens. So it wasn't a total loss: I just felt bad the whole time.

Actually, from the point of view of eating, it was in fact a total loss. After I dropped Grace off, I went and bought a dozen donuts. Between last night and this morning, I ate every single one. Bob doesn't even know I bought them, which is very unusual for me. =big sigh= So much for my cold turkey from sugar: I'll have to start all over again.

I don't know when I'll start feeling better. The chest cold is improving, but this depression triggered by issues with Grace... there's no end in sight. Her parents have hurt me bigtime. I told Grace she could quote anything I said last night, if doing so would help her parents "get it." I even wrote them a special Christmas card thanking them for my time with Grace. Neither of them said a word to me about it when we were over at their place Christmas Eve.

This is an issue having to do with a teenager gaining some measure of control over her life... those are always gnarly ones...

Donna Sometimes I don't know how I do it. DH helps me a lot with the house stuff because he is disabled so thst frees up a lot of the house running. Hope you enjoyed your day!

Ubee I was 20 when we got married. That is young I will admit but my maturity levels have always been higher than most people my age. I wouldn't have changed anything about it. I'm super lucky to have such a wonderful person be a part of my life

Betsy Thank you!!! We more than likely won't do much. We don't get each other gifts or cards on this day like most people. But we may treat ourselves to a nice meal that is still healthy or maybe catch a movie, we haven't quite decided yet. I don't always spend 2 hours in the gym but one of my goals for this year is to do an hour on the treadmill every work out day even if it is a work out day that includes weights. I just got back a little bit ago from the gym and so far so good!

Tami Thanks for checking in with us! Looks like you have been super busy but still managed to stay on plan....I applaud you!

Fi Sending you HUGE virtual hugs!!! I can see why you have had the depression pain. You remind me a lot like myself. I HATE confrontation and normally avoid it like the plague but at some point you may have to be blunt with Grace's parents to see what the deal is. Is there some reason they may not like you? I can't imagine anyone not liking you but honestly this pisses me off to hear someone can be so rude and snotty!!! I hope it all turns around from you love. You WILL stop with the sugar cravings!! I know you will!!

Today was a nice day. DH and I went out for lunch but was still on plan. I went to the gym and did my hour on the treadmill and then worked on abs. I had a salad with grilled chicken and no dressing for dinner...was pretty good and can't believe I ate it with no dressing lol...the grilled chicken was that good ya'll!!

Tomorrow is my rest day from the gym so DH and I are going to hopefully get the much needed house work done. I'm going to relax the rest of the night until I fall asleep. Be well everyone!!

Good morning everyone. Hope this finds everyone doing well and looking forward (at least in the US) to another day packed with football games.

Muse -- Sounds like you had a fun, if unplanned night, and we all need to have a social life. And I can't tell you the number of "those conversations" I have had in my life. Unfortunately, the person in the little red devil's outfit has won more of them than the sweet angelic person in the beautiful white outfit both of whom are sitting on my shoulders at decision time whispering in my ears. I'll tell you, that demon dressed in red has a LOUD voice!

Tami -- How well I remember the joys that accompany really bad weather in terms of just trying to schedule anything. Hope things are back to normal soon although it looked like another blast is expected. Good for you for being on plan and meeting your goals. Love it!

Fi -- Oh, Fi, I'm so sorry you're going through this with Grace's parents. I don't know if it would help, but would a face-to-face conversation (the key word being conversation) where you just ask them if there are some concerns that need to be addressed be of any help? You must be in terrible pain to have eaten the donuts. Hope this works out. One observation is that anyone who only has one "free" day is overscheduled especially at that age. Is she allowed to do anything she wants? Keep getting over the chest cold.

Sam -- I hate to break the news to you, but your maturity level at 20 was higher than many people who are in my age range (that would be the older than dirt era of life). Enjoy your anniversary.

Got to go get the final stuff done for fixing dinner for Bill and my nephew. Of course, the TV will be on because heaven forbid we miss one minute of whatever team is bashing into each other so that we can play the super bowl and ads can sell for obscene amounts of money. On the other hand, the Seahawks are doing well, and it's fun to live in an area where there is a winning sports team especially after the decades of kind of being a joke.

Bill and I were in town yesterday picking up an order at Lowe's and we stopped at Wendy's on the way home. I had the apple-pecan-chicken salad. Got home and found out that it had 590 calories. It must have also had a LOT of sodium in it -- don't know how you can get that much sodium into a salad -- because I'm definitely retaining water. Which means I need to get off of here because the bathroom is beckoning. Hope everyone has a great day.

Good Afternoon!
Betsy way to go on talking yourself out of those little hearts and scarring the grocery boys in the process! I got take out baked chicken yesterday and I feel like a sponge. What is it with all that sodium, and I consider myself the salt queen? A little under 5 weeks till Valentines. I am counting on you.
Sam I was 21 when I got married. I don't know how mature I was but we are aging well now. Enjoy your day.
Fi man do I feel for you. Grace knows how lucky she is to have you. She is a smart young lady and I hope her parents realize the negative thing they are doing. When I read about the donuts my first thought was how proud I am of you for posting about it. We get it.
Tami smooth sailing??? From your lips to God's ears. Glad you feel you are right on track with your goals.
Muse thanks for your post. I keep my environment clean but when I am out it is everywhere. I try to find balance but I get off track so easy. Guess that is what we are all here for, the support and someone to nudge us in the right direction when we need it.
Do we ever got to live without this being in the front of our minds.
Have a peaceful day.

Ubee ~Yes I agree that weight loss has alot to do with your attitude

Betsy ~ an app like MyFitnessPal if so I already have account on that site but thanks for telling me about it

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I woke up at 7:00 a.m. this morning and mom and I went to church and then we went to Walmart and then we came home and I cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom. At 7 tonight I'm gonna do my 30 min. walking dvd and those are my only plans for today. I hope everyone is having a nice Sunday. Sorry I havent posted since Thursday, We went to Scott nephew's house Friday night until last night so I didnt have internet access and they only have a laptop and I dont like laptops.

Hey Everyone!!

Well I weighed in at 246.4 this morning. I'm back down to what I guess I was before Christmas. I thought I was 244 before then but on my chart tracker when I last took my measurements it only said 246, so I will have to adjust my ticker to read right.

I got my bathroom cleaned today and my refrigerator. Did some laundry. Was trying to get to cleaning the kitchen but my garbage disposal stopped working so DH had to work on it. He said it should be fixed by tomorrow so hopefully he can work on the kitchen while I'm at work.

I'm off to bed...got work in the morning. Will try to post tomorrow since it will my anniversary. Not sure what're getting in to yet

SamIAm - wow ... no dressing?!?! Thats great .... I have tried but I just cant do it ... I have however gotten down to being able to have a salad with just some EVOO & Apple Cider Vinegar ... I guess its a start compared to the ranch I use to eat with a little salad on the side

Betsy - Your right another blast is coming through this week ... I am currently sitting on my couch as the freezing rain falls ... we have a 2 hour delay but I am thinking they might cancel school .... HOPE NOT THOUGH!!!

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Speaking about apps if anyone uses Fatsecret feel free to look me up ..... Pisces16. I use to use MFP but I like this one/groups/challenges better.

Hoping everyone has a great week and if your weather is anything like the week we have in store around Virginia ... BUNDLE UP and BE SAFE!

Just a quick one for now. I have lost 4.5lbs this week!
I am really pleased as my exercise level hasn't been too outstanding.
Onwards and downwards!
Will post later when I have more time!

Good Morning!
Donna way to go you should be pleased!!!
Tami I hate freezing rain. It is so dangerous, stay safe. Mind if I ask if you have a lot of hunger with your WOE plan? Thanks.
Sam did you think a year ago you would have said "Only 246"? Girl you are doing an amazing job, give yourself credit! I am so proud of you. Have a great anniversary and count your blessings!
Terra glad to have you back. Did you have a good time?
Fi we are thinking of you.
Betsy how is it going? Water retention gone? Food on plan? Hope you and Bill had a good time watching the game because next Sunday will be painful for you!
shan how is the countdown going?
Muse, Bllondy, Jane, Silent,... how are you?
I am so happy it is Monday. This weekend was hard to stay on plan but I did 98% of the time. This morning I've decided I want to wear nice clothes and look nice. I deserve this.
Have a peaceful day!

Right....back again!
Fi....I am so sorry for your pain. I don't have much advice except to say that my relationship with my Auntie has been one of the most important to methroughout my life. I know your niece will value the time she spends with her wonderful Aunt and also appreciate you fighting to keep your Fridays special.

Ubee....98% is excellent! When you guys are talking about football.....do you mean soccer or American Football? Is it cold where you are?

Betsy....I hope your weather isn't too awful. We are in line for a few flakes of snow which means the whole country will grind to a halt! How we would ever manage if we had cold and snow like you guys doesn't bear thinking about! Hope the water retention has resolved itself!

TOgden....how are you getting on?

SamIAM....my hubby is disabled too. He has a form of Muscular Dystrophy which is only very slowly progressive. He also has problems with his hands. He has started the diet with me but only lost 0.5lb this week...I think he may have been cheating! Once he has lost a bit of weight we can go back to playing badminton...which ain't pretty given my weight and his mobility difficulties but hey....it's better than the sofa!
Hi to everybody else....Shan....how many days? Terra...how ya doing? Mnemosyne....hello! And everybody else!

Enjoyed Welsh today. We managed to find a lovely kitten to replace the one who went missing a few months ago. We think our old one was stolen as there are alot of cat thefts at the moment. The new one is 4 months old and looks very similar to our old one....she is even used to dogs!!

Have a great day,
Donna

Ubee .... This might be stupid but what is "WOE" ... im thinking of different phrases in my head but none of them really make sense ... LOL!!

Happy New Years Ya'll I hope I am here a little more but still probably not a lot. Actually trying again I should update my tickers I massively gained finally stepped on a scale on friday. 313 boo

Good morning all. Hopefully this post will be interrupted by the workmen finally arriving since they are now an hour late. I could have gone to the gym this morning and gotten back home in time if I'd known they would be this late. Ggggrrrrr -- am so looking forward to having this work done as much for being able to get back on my own schedule as being able to enjoy getting some problems fixed here.

Ubee -- I doubt seriously that I'll be able to get 26 pounds off by heart day, but at least I could get the December weight back off! I'm definitely working on it although it seems to always be a struggle with portion sizes for me. The food is healthy and on plan, and I use the luncheon size plate, etc. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that filling it 2 or 3 times is viewed as a problem! Now what's this trash talk about your cheeseheads. I'm sure it will be a good game since the Packers will want to avenge the humiliating loss to the Seahawks in September. Go Hawks! And on a note that actually has to do with the purpose of this chat room -- 98% on plan means you rocked it! That means that if your goal was 1200 calories, you only went over by 24 and that's more than good -- that's heading into great range.

Terra -- Sounds like a busy weekend for you -- hope it was a good one.

Tami -- Laughing at your salad dressing as I always felt that eating a salad without a river of dressing just wasn't possible. Now I use Walden Farms which have none of the bad stuff (no calorie, no carbs, no gluten, no nothing) and I've found 2 or 3 that suffice. Hope the bad weather is followed by a rapid warming to get rid of the icy stuff. Don't miss that type of winter weather.

Donna -- 4.5 pounds -- yowza!!!! The water is sticking with me which means that -- gulp -- it might be something other than water weight. Ubee and I are trash talking about American football. The league playoffs are going on now and her team (the Green Bay Packers from Green Bay, WI) and my team (the Seattle Seahawks from.....Seattle) play each other for the division title next weekend. I don't particularly like watching pro sports, but the uniforms are so tight that watching them parade around in those is entertaining. Weather here in the NW is probably a lot like yours. Even though we're very far north, our temps range from around 80 in the summer to about 40 (farenheit) in the winter. And, yes, we too close down for a single snow flake. It's amazing to watch all of the people who couldn't get to work because of road conditions manage to make their way to the ski slopes for the day.

SilentArctic -- So glad to see you posting again and just remember you're not alone in having had a bump in the road. Lately, I feel like I hit a speed bump doing about 60 MPH and my chassis has dropped to the ground!

Well, still no workmen so I think I'll use that wonderful invention called the phone and find out when the heck they will be arriving! Need to change the sheets and wash those and try to figure out how much money is left for the rest of the month. I'm also going to sit down and map out a 14 day meal plan which will probably take most of the day.

Proposal: Let's start a web site for dieting single people who need a meal plan that actually serves just one or else uses the left overs the following day. If I followed most of the meal plans that are given, I'd be broke from wasting food. Have a great day everyone!

Ubee ~ Yeah I had a good time at Scott's nephew's house

Betsy ~ Yeah my weekend was good

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Woke up at 8:30 this morning and now its almost 1 p.m. When mom gets home in an hour Mom,Scott and I are gonna go get our meds. I'm gonna do my 30 min. walking dvd in 30 mins and then I'll do my 40 min. chair exercises at 7 tonight.

@betsy I am usually lazy so in general I just eat leftovers, repeatedly. The Freezer is my friend. Your idea would probably be helpful to my friends who really dislike leftovers lol