Hi there people. Finally coming up for air. Was able, at last, to put an essay to bed, layout, photo, caption, headline, everything must be overseen and checked. Deadline and trying to coordinate with the people at work from home is such a hassle. Corrections and revisions. I even had to cancel some other work so I could get this done. Oh well, at least I have the opportunity to do it. Some places it's just what you see is what you get, after the fact.

I haven't been eating too well (meaning good food) but I have stayed away from all sugar so that's a big plus as far as cravings and energy goes. It's probably the only reason I could do this essay since normally this time of month I'd probably have been more apt to break down crying. Staying away from sugar really, really helps the hormonal swings so if anyone has a lot of problem with that, I urge you to dump the stuff.

So, what's been happening with you all. . .

*****

Sheria -- hope you're feeling OK. Just what is hypertension, anyhow? It sounds like someone who needs to kick back and relax. Heh, just kidding. Does it have to do with blood pressure at all? Don't get too hooked on the scale. Nothing of any significane is going to register too quickly and, unless you're trying to make weight for a boxing match or something, I wouldn't sweat it! Looking at your stats I see how much weight you've lost. That is great going!

shyangel -- heh, what's up with you?! Come on, is reality so bad? Are you healthy? If you are, that's the important thing. Keep picturing what you would like to see happen in your life and it will! It really is powerful. I've been trying it, just relaxing and instead of thinking how horrible my life is, I think instead of what I want. I say it too, to my bosses and everyone and I see things starting to change. The thing is, if it doesn't change, I'm willing to take some risks and move in the direction of what I want, meaning at least saying, enough! to the things I don't want in my life anymore. Try it.

corning -- how are you doing? Hope you're feeling better. There seems to be a lot of stomach bugs going around. I guess with the seasons changing it makes people susceptible. Haven't seen "Connie and Carla." Will check it out if I get a chance. Take care!

FairyTale -- Sounds like you had fun the other night! Great save in not overdoing it too much. And slug away, a few days won't kill you. I've been slugging today more than I needed to. Hope you had a good workout!

*****

OK, all, take care. Over and out and hope to see you here soon again! Anyone else out there we haven't heard from, come on, give us a yell.

I have been struggling with exercise since I got back from my trip to Ohio. This is unusual for me, because I've made morning exercise a routine and I generally just do it without much thought (though the getting out of bed at 5 a.m. part is never my favorite). But, lately, I've been blowing off exercise more or hitting the snooze alarm and then not having enough time to do the exercise I had planned, etc.

Overall, I have been in another blue funk the past several days. I haven't quite figured out what this is about but I keep on keepin' on. Brought an outstanding salad today for my lunch...just bought bagged spring greens then marinated and broiled chicken breasts, added tomato and cucumber, crushed up a few crostini for croutons to give it crunch, and toasted some pecans for some added crunch and flavor. I made a homemade peanut dressing by mixing rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame oil and a tsp. of peanut butter. YUM! The chicken was marinated in a lowfat bottled (storebought) peanut dressing so it all went together well.

Redballoon - it's good to have you back. Congratulations on keeping away from sugar. If you're not eating sugar your eating can't be all that bad I would think. It sounds like your mood has really taken a turn for the better and that's great.

RB, for me reality can be that bad. I think some of it is biochemical but part of it is that I don't know what I want so it is very difficult to envision it and make it happen. Sometimes wanting something different and wishing for it isn't enough.

SheriaVa - Your salad sounds great. I love salads and think I will give your dressing a try as I love peanut stuff. Good luck getting back into the routine of exercise. I know I can't do the morning stuff. Maybe if you can just force it for a week or so the habit will come back. Your trip may just have gotten you off track a little.

How is everyone else doing?

hey everyone! i keep trying to check in but this week is even more hectic than last week, except it's for appointments instead of overtime. realtor, drs, etc.... walking this week is way out of the question for that reason and for the fact that i will drown out there. we are getting the last of frances' heavy rain. nowi have to start worrying about "ivan". they say it's taking a similar path to charley. i'm keeping my fingers crossed it stays down towards mexico. i don't wish bad things, i just think florida needs a break.

my eating hasn't been too bad this week. i am trying to stick to that new core plan of ww. so far not too bad. i've stayed away from the junk which is a down right miracle for me.

well, have lots to do lined up! i hope everyone is having a good week!
kathy

Yes, hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. A build-up of fluid in the body tends to raise the blood pressure, and salty foods cause fluid retention. Since I am very prone to fluid retention, I take a prescription medication which causes me to go to the bathroom a lot (aka a diuretic) and that keeps the fluid under control which keeps my blood pressure under control. My pressure has been better since I lost weight and my doctor has allowed me to step back from 7 days a week of meds to 4 days a week, so I consider that a great thing. My BIG goal is to get off the meds entirely, but I'm not sure yet if that will be possible. I'll probably have to get to goal weight and be there a while before the doctor will know for sure whether I can live without medication. But it would be WONDERFUL if I could, so I am hopeful.

hi singles! another saturday nite and i ain't got nobody, i got no money and i can't get paid.... is that how that song goes??? (yes, i have a weird sense of humor)

well, as i said above it's saturday nite and i am home again. i am pretty tired though. i spent the day cleaning and painting, so at least i got something accomplished. it's been another busy week.

this sense of change (the move) is driving me crazy , because there's not much i can do till i sell my house. when i set my mind to do something i want to do it not sit and wait. anticipation is not a good thing for me. it is doing nothing for me in the eating department either. i've had nothing but takeout for 2 days. blah!!! when i make a change in my life i always tell myself that it is a fresh start and a good time to make other changes, then i crash and burn! i don't know why i feel i have to wait to get started, i think i just use it as an excuse. any ideas??? i don't quite know if i explained that well.

i hope everyone is having a good weekend!!!
kathy

Hello ladies!!

Wow, what a weekend! On Thursday afternoon my friend Pam called and said she had free tickets to the NASCAR Busch race on Friday night if I wanted to drive up to Richmond with her. So I took Friday off from work and spent Friday and Saturday at the race track. We ended up staying for the Nextel Cup race too...

We had VIP passes to a Big & Rich (country music act if you don't know... They sing "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy.) and we got to watch the show from stage right. They rocked!!!

I walked around a lot, but didn't get to the gym for obvious reasons. LOL My eating wasn't out of control but it was normally abnormal. LOL So I didn't know what to expect when I got on the scales this morning, but I had a pleasant surprise!

190.5!!! TOM arrived this weekend so hopefully my fluid gain will leave and I'll be able to see exactly what is going on. I think that was why I was SOOOOO tired last week.

Have a good week ladies!!!

Hi Everyone - just a quick note to say that I am here and reading posts. Things are really busy with me and I am trying to focus on getting my act together. Family medical emergency this week not helping anything AND I am supposed to be getting ready for a conference in New Orleans next week. I guess we'll have to see if the hurricance hits there.

Great week to everyone.

hi everyone! i've been really busy too, but i try to stop in when i can.

iwmft2 - i am soooo jealous!! what a weekend! i used to go the races all the time, but now i don't have anyone to go with. boy do i miss all the fun. i live one town over from watkins glen where they have the road course. our race is in august. it was always a great time!!!

ang - i hope everything turned out for the better with your family emergency. and i don't think new orleans will be above surface for your meeting. you might need scuba gear. stop in when you get a breath. we all have our busy times, but we're always here sometime or another.

i am really stressed at my full time job. no one can seem to mind their own business and i'm tired of all the backstabbing. it's like going back to preschool. my eating has been way out of control this week and i can feel it. it feels awful, soo why do i do it again and again??? i believe it is the coping mechanism. i got my new ww books today so i have to go over them and give it a try.

well, i hope everyone has a happy humpday!
kathy

Hi all...sorry I have been so absent. Things have been nutty at work. In just a few minutes, I go downstairs to give a 4-hour training class. I have not had time to prepare as I usually would and that always makes me uncomfortable. So wish me luck!!

My weight has been INSANELY variable lately...up, down, up, down...all within a 2 or 3-pound range but still maddening. And I have been blowing off exercise lately...not every day, thankfully, but more than I should.

I have to give another one of these classes next Wednesday and then maybe things will settle down and I will get back on track!

Hello all. I'm 26 and have only ever had one b/f. that lasted about 2 years, back when I was 21. I am quite happy being single, except for those lonely feeling days. I don't really have any good friends where I live. I talk to the ppl at work and you get to know the ppl locally a bit, but pretty much alone. I like the idea of this singles thread, we can't be alone when we are together. I work btwn 40 - 50 hours per week, but I hope to check in on here during my lunch or after dinner. I better get back to work. Take care all.

Hello fellow single gal pals! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have found you! I have at other times posted on different threads and I use the journals, but as I have read in other posts...it is such a couples world and every entry would just depress me more with the comments about "My DH" this and that. I get lonely too and yep, as you all know, loneliness and dieting don't go together at all. I am thankful to have found you all and hope I can join in on the commraderie here. I sure need it! Thanks!
Debbie

HH, Jersey, welcome! I haven't been posting here in a long time but I still read and try to write a line or two sometimes. I feel bad about it but I have to make appearances on two other threads as well. Well, I hear you on the depressing couples scene. It's not that I don't wish others happiness it's just that sometimes I think, "If I had someone I wouldn't be pigging out!" and I admit it makes me feel jealous. Now, before anyone jumps in to chide me, I know, I know, this is probably not the case with the marrieds and couples. I have been there before. I know there are other problems and everyone's not soaring along just because they're in a relationship. In fact, I tend to gain weight when I'm in one. . . in any case, it's just nice to chat with other singles, so welcome and hope to hear from you. Things have been very quiet around here, and I'm not helping I know but . . .

Anyhow, Holli's Human, Jersey Girl, a big welcome to you!!

Thank you redballoon nice to meet you. I always think it is nice to chat to others that understand what your going through. Hope to catch up with you soon.

Welcome Jersey Girl and Holli's Human! Good to see new faces here.

I am 51 and single, never married...so you can imagine I, too, get sick to death sometimes of it seeming like the whole world is married (or "hooked up"). I always wish happiness for everyone who is fortunate enough to find a good partner because it's SO hard to do...but that doesn't mean that sometimes I feel like a square peg in a round hole!

In addition to already feeling like I don't fit in sometimes, I am also a pretty solitary person...I not only enjoy being alone (though certainly not 100% of the time) but I require my alone time! And SO many people just do not "get" that at all...like why would I want to be alone?

Anyhow, good to have you here...the thread has been a bit quiet the past week but hopefully everyone will get back to posting. I have been unusually busy at work but hopefully, after tomorrow, things will ease up a bit.