Liana, thanks for your thoughts on the complete. I only bought 1 box, and will likely spread it out over the 2 weeks. I appreciate your thoughts on using the p3 time as a springboard into p4.

I am guessing that in Canada you do individual tax returns, I file jointly with DH. We started renting out the house DH had before we got married, that has reduced our taxes and I aM still trying to get the amount corrected so we don't loan the government money. Dh is spending the refund on a garden tractor/lawn mower today.

Hi everyone and happy May Day and Greek Easter! Hoping that everyone is having a nice weekend-
Cheryl- hope that you are hanging in there! Funny that you mentioned the emotional hunger question. I asked myself the same question last week several times. With work being as crazy as it is- am I hungry or want to satisfy an emotional reaction caused by stress? Honestly, I think it was stress for me. I hope the PT is helping you! We want to hear your back at it dancing your socks off!
Beth, we're getting into the bucket-o-s*@k weather now.... Grateful that T got the bottom of the boat sanded yesterday. We are so far behind schedule.... April was a total miss with any work on her....I need my happy place floating...lol. Tell me, what is the app you are using for running? I'm using the C25K- very loosely- I think that I am only ever going to be mostly a "wogger" I find that if I do jog for any length of time, my knee really gets angry...so, I think I'll just resign myself to that and not push myself over the edge. I'm doing a 5k on the 19th -so I'll mostly walk. I'm okay with that- Love the new FB pics- looks like it was an awesome day
Liana, I completely agree, the new products from IP are nothing more that money grabs. I'm really glad that they didn't unveil a lot of it while I was still in P1.
Blue- sounds like it was a fun morning. I haven't been to the casinos is about 8 years. Mom, Aunt and girlfriend used to make a yearly trek down to one in CT. To celebrate my mom's birthday on April Foll's day. Even she said that she doesn't miss going really. I mean in the sense that it doesn't seem like anyone wins anymore- Casino's are losing money - attendance is down, so everything now seems to be leaning in their favor.... But we used to have a great day. Never won big-though mom used to come home a couple hundred richer. Me- my goal was to make it back down to the lobby with enough money in my pocket to buy a Pepsi for the bus ride home....lol
Sue, I'm glad that overall the move seems to be working out ok. Keeping my fingers crossed that the fridge keeps running. Glad you had a minute to check in. Your breakfast looked good to me. Maybe add in a fat? I always have a little nut butter, some have cheese....
Well, last night, I had an honest to goodness splurge. I went over my calories (according to MFP) a little less that 100- but over nonetheless. I knew that I would likely go overboard for dinner, so I tried (meh- halfheartedly) keeping the day in check - another words- no snacks- (usually some fruit, a combat bar and of course....NB) So I had about 6 oz of Delmonico (Rib eye) steak, 1/2 a sweet potato-ok, not the end of the world, nor a splurge- however....lol- I had picked up desert (we had friends in fr dinner) at Whole Foods- their bakery counter has all kinds of beautiful things- couldn't decide what to get so they offer all their single pastries in a bakers dozen- so I figured there.you.go! Anyhow- of course I had a bite of what T was having- and we know how he loves his sweets so I wasn't lacking for things to try. They make a flourless chocolate cake (which is to die for btw, and we used to get it for my birthday and his) I got 3 of those in the mix- some fruit tarts, cheese cakes, petite fours, Italian cake balls, - I had a beautiful assortment. Anyhow- guests had to leave earlier than expected because her kidney stone decided to move, poor thing wound up in the E/R) I ended up eating one of the flourless chocolate cakes- on top of the bites of things I had of his. O.M.G.!!! Worth every delicious bite. I had just joked with someone that what tends to keep me from splurging is the thought of not getting my big beautiful reakfast the next mornng - I'm totally okay with that today-lol- maybe the amount of fat I ingested yesterday still has me full this morning. The thought of a big breakfast almost made me wince...lol- Good thing my body must take 2 days to react and tomorrow is a NSD - thins morning I was 125.2- down .2 from yesterday- Hopefully Wednesday when I get on, it's in the 125's because I fully expect tomorrow or Tuesdat to hit 127 and I don't want to see that- Anyhow, not sure if it's completely the right choice, but I made myself a shake with Quest vanilla powder and threw in about 1/3 to a half cup of strawberries. I think for lunch I'll do IP rotini and summer squash- like the "old days" *snicker* tonight I'll go more "normal" finish up my steak and either have another half a sweet potato or not, better choice would be not and have a veggie- I know this, but we have a ton of s/p leftover. He nukes them to soften, then cuts them in half lengthwise, oil, salt and garlic powder then finishes them on the charcoal grill. Amazing....I have found during the week as I looked back- especially over the past 2 weeks, ( I think I am repeating myself but not sure) whether intentional or not, I have kept my carb % easily under the 40% - my fat and protein are def over 30%- fat - not by a lot-3-4% average- it seems to be working. Yesterday marked 3 months in maintenance for me. I asked my coach what she had me weighing on my start date and compared it to yestrday morning, I was a pound less yesterday. So I'd say - my terror over failing the program is paying off so far-*tongue in cheek as I say that* I mentioned that I probably had a heavier shirt on 3 months ago. In all seriousness. I couldn't do it without you all to turn to- to share my happy dances with and to share my scary moments with. I thank you all for that!!! We went to whole foods Friday night and got real nut buters- I am hopeful that I can lay the beast to rest with these - since there isn't the added sugars that the other ones I have had do. I think that maybe, for the almond butter I may add a dash of vanilla extract,,,I just really love vanilla almond butter- what can I say?? Alright, enough babbling from me. Time to get up and get the day goign. I do love my weekends- though I'm up almost as early, I love coffee in bed and catching up with everything - Have a great day everyone!!!!!

Destony - your babble encourages me! I long to be where you are someday before too long....

I am facing a big emotional challenge tomorrow. Somehow the bank figured out that my husband passed away and he had a home equity loan on a house we have in SC that we had planned to retire to... Don't know why the bank gave th loan in one name - the house is in both our names on the deed. But now I am afraid they will call it for immediate repayment and it is a 6 digit amount. I do not have that money to give the bank. The house has been up for sale for a year - before the bank notified me that they kno of my husband's death, I already had plans of reducing the price this week to get some kind of movement on the sale.
Gotta cross fingers that the bank will let me continue to pay monthly on the loan until the house sells, but I am very fearful and depressed - wondering what else can go wrong for me.

All I can do is to keep taking care of loose ends and hope that I can get some human officials to work with who have enough heart to allow me just a bit of flexibility for a few months until I get everything under control. And tomorrow I need to find an attorney.

Meanwhile the challenge is to not turn to food to get thru this.

Cheryl- in my past life, I was a banker-how he was able to secure a loan in only his name when the home is in both of your names is beyond me. I did several HELOC's for one of the title holders, BUT the other had to sign off in my presence that they understood that in the event of default, they would be responsible. So, that being said, it would be my understanding that as long as you also own the house, and the loan is current with respect to repayment, you should be fine. When the house sells, they get their money and it's all set- providing you sell the house for more than is owed. (Obviously, I probably didn't need to say that-) They shouldn't have cause to recall the note. If it's a line of credit, they would suspend any further draw on the funds, but if it's a loan, it would have been a one time disbursement of the funds, with monthly repayment schedule -just like your mortgage. I hope that everything works out. I don't need to tell you that foods won't solve it, in fact it will likely compound the stress when you beat yourself up over it. (That's what used to happen to me- but food wasn't the subject of my desires) Sending you positive thoughts, energy and vibes!! It's temporary and you WILL get through this- you are a strong woman- and though we are only connected by screens- we got ya- stay strong!!!!

Destony - thanks for talking me off the ledge - I cannot recall signing something to ok this, but I may have done so. Our plans were different when we bought the house in 2005... And it is a HELOC. We have not drawn against it since 2012 and payments exceed the amount owed, slowly reducing principal faster. I just hope the bank does not call it in for full payment - so many times the bank says the latest regulations require them to do things that are inflexible robotic actions that really make no sense. If they do - I will have to give them the house through foreclosure. No other choice.

But you are right about eating he stress - it does not work. So I am coming here for stress therapy and continuing to take care of stuff my husband was unable to complete before he died. Hopefully by June I will be out from under the burdens and I know that when that happens I will feel infinitely lighter, no matter what the scale reads!

Cheryl, many thoughts coming your way to support you. I know it is easier said than done, but worry does not help. It may be best to reach out to them first thing on Monday versus waiting /fearing a call.

Sue

Yes Sue - I will call story in SC first, then BofA. Don't want to worry hard about something that is still just in my head. Thanks for the good vibes!

Today while doing stuff that needs doing - paperwork and food prep - I am listening to Super Soul Sunday on Oprah's network - positive conversations that are calming and reassuring.

I found. Recent post by Frawniemae and did a reply but it was the old maxed out thread so I copied it to here... Hope she will check in again soon - great So glad to see your check in! That's a handsome guy in your profile pic! Your new path in life sounds fun and full of happiness! Pls check in periodically and when you get back OP to go for the goal again, be sure to post whenever you can - you are such an inspiration and your humor is such a gift to all of us!
I hope you are dancing some Texas Two Step and enjoying that slim new body!

Miss you!
Cheryl

Sue Breakfast looks good, a bit high on protein but that shouldn't be a problem. Hope you're enjoying adding back all the food!!
Glad the move went well, sorry to hear about the fridge, hope it survived!

Linda, I think the macros were mentioned before, I know my fat gms are always in the red, my carbs are almost always low. I have mine set for 40-30-30, I've seen some FB peeps mention 35-35-30. I don't think I'll reset mine now, but maybe if I'm still doing the same in a month, I'll change the % on MFP

Cheryl - that's a scary situation about the house, and more stress and worry you don't need right now; I hope and trust the bank will treat you fairly. Don't forget, if you start churning things over in your mind, come here and let us hold your hand.

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I realized yesterday that I started this journey one year ago. Funny, it doesn't seem like a whole year. But I'm so glad I made the decision and followed through, my life has been so much better during the journey, I have learned a lot, that's for sure, and I've made some good friends along the way and certainly the way I feel has been worth every day of it!

Did I ever mention, I was going to reorganize my closet once I had finished the diet? Redo the shelves and cubbies, etc...I got in touch with the guy that has done a lot of the renos and carpentry in my house, he's been booked solid this spring; was talking to him this week, and he's go a couple of free days, so he's going to try to get it done this week...YAY!!! Of course that means i have to empty the whole thing out, so he can work in the closet. I am a happy woman

Vacation time for me next week, we're heading off to Virginia for a week.
Hey Beth, I think that's your neck of the woods, maybe you could put in a good wood with the weather people there, give us some warm sunshine
Looking forward to getting away, the last few weeks have been busy. I have to look through clothes this aft, it's been so cool here we haven't had any warm days and I'm still wearing woolies, haven't really warm spring/summer-y stuff since we were in Florida, so I don't know what fits.

Thanks for the support! I have a call with the atty on Wednesday - I am over the upset about it. Just have to do what I can do and keep moving forward. Might have an offer on the house that is collateral on that loan - if I can get a sale to happen, that will make the whole thing moot anyway.


Meanwhile... I am in northern Virginia too - this evening we have had heavy thunderstorms, HAIL the size of golf balls, and a lot of rain... hopefully it is all getting out of the way before you get to Virginia! If you are going to be near Wash DC, I'd love to meet up for a decaf coffee or tea somewhere. Whatever you are going to do here... remember, Virginia is for Lovers....

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/he...loss.html?_r=0
Interesting read here.....
Hope everyone is doing well-
Linda

Hi Everyone! Work is super busy. I will write more later. Phase 4 is OK. I gained what I guess is some water retention, and it's freaking me out a bit. I don't like. I haven't figured out what to eat at work anymore. I am kinda' lost. Anyway wishing everyone well. Talk to you soon.

Candi - my go-to is either chicken thigh with some avocado or I still make a pork tenderloin with rutabaga

Linda - there is a post dedicated to that NYT article - I've been commenting over there but yah - scared the crapadoodle out of me - BUT, as I noted on the other thread, there is a sentence or two about contestants eating an entire bag of chips, or going back to drinking.
I totally empathize with wanting to go back to "real life" but unfortunately, 'real life eating' is what got most of us fat in the first place. Has to be a lifestyle change - but I also don't advocate TBL's methods. 8 hours of exercise is completely not sustainable IRL (unless you work at a gym / trainer / Shaun T lol) - great for sh!tty reality tv, not so good for the contestants.

Cheryl - you are still dealing with a lot! Be gentle with yourself dear

I will try to get caught up tomorrow. Works been a *****kitty and I've just been too tired in the evenings to mess with the computer.

http://www.refusetoregain.com/2016/0...n-it-back.html

Interesting counter to the NYT article. I really like this blog and for me I think that this rings true- carbs are bad for me...lol

Destony, great read. Thanks!