Paperclippy - over the Whole Foods Lifestyle section there's a thread called Fall recipes or something like that. One is for squash stuffed with a wild rice/rice mixture. I made it for dinner last night and it was devine! I love squash too, and the stores have such a variety this time of year. We don't have a long enough growing season for hard winter squashes, so I get my fill in the fall.

Lily, I find that if I have to make an effort to get to a gym, I don't go as often as I would like. So a weight room at home sounds good to me! Right now I have a gym that's 5 min from work, 10 min from home, so I make it there 3-4 x a week. I have some weights and a number of DVDs at home for when I don't get there or they're closed (which they are every Sunday). We have an exercise bike, but neither of us ever uses it. Not enough room for a treadmill or elliptical......

Hi Robin Good to see you. No more word on either our friend or my FIL. Friend is having another MRI right about now. His wife now has computer access where they are, so is able to keep us updated more.

Rabbit - my DH has a CD to do the body scan meditation and he finds it very helpful. He also does a little yoga most mornings. It helps with his pain and stiffness.

There was an accident between me and work this morning. We live between 2 rivers, and the one west - towards work - was closed. They were estimating at least 2 hours before it opened, so I went back home and told DH so he could go the other way, and then decided I would go the 20+ miles around, crossing the second river and then downstream to the next bridge on the river where the bridge is closed. Took me about 35 minutes, so I was still here sooner. I have 3 employees who also live on that side of the river. One came in early before the accident, one is PT and not scheduled to come in anyway. The other has obviously opted to wait til the bridge opens, since she's not here yet.

Hi laaaaaadies.

Lily, I would kill to have a home gym. Our apartment is wayyyy too small for it, though, so I have to exercise when and wherever I can. I'll just envy you from afar.

WaterRat, that squash recipe sounds wonderful; thanks for the heads-up! I hope no one was hurt in that accident. Oh, and your username makes me smile, because my Chinese astrology sign is the Water Rat.


Well, I have decided that I'm going to keep reading and chatting in this section of the website, because it's a great inspiration, but I'm also ready to lower my goal weight once more and get back on track with losing. I was happy when I got into those size-4 jeans, but let's face it: they're tight, and they're stretch jeans, to boot. So it's kind of cheating for me say I'm a "size four". Realistically I think I'm more of a 6-8, and the fact is that I just don't feel completely comfortable with myself yet.

I think I just needed a rest to reset my thoughts and get used to eating again, so I wouldn't obsess over the calorie-counting quite so much. But the bottom line is, I'm afraid you're all still stuck with me for a while!

Callystia, we bought this large house when both my children were young and my 4 step-daughters visited quite often. It has 5 bedrooms. One is for my DD, one is for me and DH, one is set up as a guest room, another is now our computer room, still one empty that could be my gym. Right now my treadmill is in our bedroom and it would free up extra space in there. I know it would be a pain in the butt for DH to put that huge wt. machine together, but I do think I'd use it. I wish there was a gym close to home, but I live in the boondocks. My son just came by and he said it would be fine with him if we used his home gym equipment, as he doesn't use it right now.

I know what you mean about the sizes. My size 4's don't have any stretch material in them. But, all my size 5's that are juniors do have stretch to them and they fit snugger in the thighs than the 4's. I have some 7's in juniors that I can still wear with a belt. I choose my clothes for the day, depending on how big I feel that particular day, LOL. I'm really dressed for success today, a loose pr. of size 7's and one of DH's golf sweatshirts. LOL.

Callystia - being stuck is not a bad thing!

And, yes, unfortunately, the reason the road/bridge is closed is because of a fatality. At just before 8 I was told 2 hours. At 10, a DH of one of the staff was told it would still be another 2 hours. Everyone here ended up driving around. Right now I'm hopeful I can go home the short way (3 miles vs. 20+)

What a wonderful feeling to come back to a quick post and to see all those cheery greetings. Thanks everyone.

Did indeed make it to the gym and then braved a raging drizzle to arrive at work sodden and chilled, but none the worse for wear. For me, having a gym that is handy and accessible is the key to success. In the past, I tried joining gyms that were simply sensational but far away, and every time it was a dismal failure. I need something CONVENIENT. Of course, the most convenient is the old gym here on campus -- it's just across the street. But seeing as how it's populated by lots of 19-year-old testoserone-laden young men who grunt and sweat, it's gross. The YMCA is just my style.

After several months of pretty lousy eating, I'm back on track. And, of course, I feel 100% better. You'd think I would remember this when I start to veer off course and then find myself feeling like cwap. And I must admit that this return to sanity comes at an opportune time: I can't button my very best winter pants. What I especially like is that I'm back in the exercise groove BEFORE the holidays.

And on that note, I've got to run. It's dinnertime and I'm heading out.

Hugs and love to everyone.

Hi everyone, my DH said he'll set me up an exercise room at home. I think this should work well for me. My son, (having been a weight lifter) offered to show me which exercises will work which muscle groups. I have the determination to exercise regularly. I don't like to go to any gym that has men, i'm just not comfortable with it.

Proud Mother Moment: My son had Army Reserve Drill this past weekend and he maxed out on his PT testing and got new PT badges for all his uniforms . He was very proud and so am I. This also might mean another promotion for him. He's an E5 right now.

Pat, thanks for the heads up on the recipe! I love the varieties of squashes . . . buttercup is my favorite (it looks kind of like a flattened green pumpkin and is very sweet). I like to cut them in half (this works with acorn squash too), bake them, then fill them with applesauce and raisins. Yum!

Robin - welcome back! Because of the rain yesterday my fiance and I were in such a "blah" mood we skipped our workout. But we spend Sunday at an amusement park walking all over and riding roller coasters so that was kind of a workout! I'm glad it's finally stopped raining (here in Indianapolis at least). BTW, we took a trip down to Bloomington a few weeks ago -- what a cute town!

Lilybelle -- I don't know what PT or E5 mean, but it sounds like your son is doing well!

The thing about gyms being convenient is really important . . . My favorite is if the gym is on the way home from work. That way I have no excuse to skip it. If I have to go home first, it's hard to get together the energy to go out again! Right now we go to the small workout room at our apartment complex but I'm hoping we can get a gym membership soon so I can take some group fitness classes. (Well, once my wrists are fixed anyway!)

Sorry, paperclippy, PT testing is his physical endurance testing. He had to do 72 push ups in 2 min's, 73 situps in 2 minutes and run 2 miles in less than 13 minutes. E5 is his current rank, Staff Sergeant is what he is , I believe. He is 20 yrs. old and has been in the Reserves since his 18th birthday. Before, he always could get the run and the push-ups done in time, but went over on the time for the situps.

Hi maintainers,

I passed a pretty big milestone last weekend. In June 2005 I flew to a job interview and got stuck in the airport overnight on my way back. The stress and unplanned nature of the delay caused me to binge on tons of junk food at the airport. I realized I didn't have maintenance under control (started maintenance March 2005), finally stopped lurking, and starting posting here at 3fc. Last Thursday I was once again stuck overnight at the airport. This time, I didn't snack out of boredom/sleep deprivation. Didn't give in to the many airport food vendors even though they smelled soooo good. I bought a banana and ate it with a Kashi granola bar for breakfast while I was there. Now I know that I can deal with airport stress, and was so proud of the control that I exerted. I even powerwalked the terminals for two hours for exercise.

The weather has finally turned here in north Florida and it is beautiful outside. I've been going for a lot of walks on the beach and riding my bike around town. I'm in a play at the local theater so between work, gym, and rehearsals, my days are very full, but I'm enjoying being busy. Having so many things scheduled is actually helpful for my eating and exercise routine - I bring three meals, snacks, and my gym clothes when I leave the house in the morning and usually stick to the eating and workout plan that I have, since I don't get home until 8 pm or so.

I would love to have a cardio machine at home for those rainy, cold days in winter! I have a few weights and a yoga ball but that's it, other than exercising outside on the road. Unfortunately my small gym has cut its weekend hours even more, to 9-1 Sat. and closed Sunday. I'm envious, lilybelle!

I'm a big fan of the weight watchers website recipe section. They tend to post seasonal recipes, so more comfort foods in the fall and winter. Also I like the Moosewood lowfat cookbook. Mmm, good thing I just ate lunch.

Hi everyone!

Hi all,

Megan, what a great milestone. Good job!!

Today I'm obsessing about how much to eat. Not how little I can eat but how much I can eat. As I posted over on LWL, I've gained a solid inch in my middle and all of a sudden, I can see the beginning of an "apple" shape, where there used to be a "pear." This is not a good sign. So, I'm thinking about losing weight; shedding fat; exercising more, etc etc etc.

On the one hand, I'm like Meg and Mel and others who usually say they need to keep their calorie counts at about 1200 (I think I have that right) to lose weight. That's been true for me. But once I passed 55, I also noticed that I plateaued at weights that were higher than my goal. No matter what I didn, I got stuck. If I've systematically increased calories, I've systematically increased my weight.

I suppose one answer is to systematically increase my exercise, but I've found I can only push that envelope so far before exhaustion sets in.

So, I've got to figure out a new set of conditions for myself. Tonight I'm going to find my copy of Pamela Peek's earlier book, Fit After forty; as I recall, she talks a lot about the "meno-pot", that pesky midrift bulge that bedevils women "of a certain age." And maybe it's time for me to revisit Burn the Fat. In any event, it's a wakeup call.

On the good news front, my cousin is flying in from California today. I haven't seen her in a couple of years and I'm really looking forward to a mini-reunion. Talk to you all later.

Hi everyone. I have been cleaning house and making room for DH to set up my exercise gym. I've probably had a great work-out with all I have done today. I changed the spare bedroom into a different room. To put the gym at the back of the house and away from all the activity. (My grandsons can be quite noisy sometimes). I'm setting me up a stereo and TV in there. I like to watch videos or listen to music while I exercise. I think it will be fun to have my own gym set up just the way I want it. Now, to just make myself get in there and workout at least 4-5 times a week is my goal.

Good plan, Lily. Make it just how you like it, you'll use it more! How is the foot coming along?

I'm off for a 3 day library directors' training/meeting. Taking gym stuff as the hotel has a workout room (small) and a pool. Also taking the laptop as it's budget time here and I need to do some work on that in the evenings.

DH talked to my FIL this morning. He is still in the hospital, but his problems have been diagnosed and are being addressed. In addition to dealing with those, the doctor has order some PT for his knee (which needs replacement, but he's 93 and has only one kidney, and has had bypass surgery - he's not a good surgical risK!). The PT should at least make him more comfortable. He'll be in the hospital til Thurs, then go to a nursing home for a week or two. My sister-in-law, who usually keeps tabs on him is on vacation for 10 days or so and the doc - rightly - doesn't want my FIL on his own (he lives in a senior complex apt - alone since MIL died in July). So less worry on that problem. Our friend who had the stroke is not doing well at all. An MRI showed extensive damage, and if he recovers at all - still in doubt - he'll be paralyzed and unlikely to breathe on his own. This is just devastating, and I feel so helpless. His wife and I are emailing daily, but the time difference (4 hours) and the no-cell-phone policy in ICU makes it hard for us to talk.

Enough of that. I can't afford to dwell on it - either emotionally or workwise. That being said, I'd better get moving and pack up my laptop and be on the road. I have to pick up a couple other attendees at the airport, though I see their plane is late.....

Pat, I am noticing that the numbness down the left leg and foot is improving. I can move the toes and upper portion of the foot a whole inch now, so this is real progress. If I am in the house without the brace on, I am having less episodes of tripping when the toes fold up under my foot. I think it's all GOOD.
I am glad to hear your FIL is getting better. So sorry about your friend.

Hi all--

Just a quick post to say hello. Sounds like everyone has been really busy this month. I know I have. Lilybelle--I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with your postive attitude and persistence in maintaining your weight despite all the challenges you've faced. I'm glad to hear that you're improving so quickly.

I've decided to get off my gym-weary keester and train for a 1/2 marathon. Race day is in Feb. I'm only hoping to finish. My longest distance to date has been 10 miles. I needed a bit of "fear factor" to keep me motivated. I do that every now and then, just to keep myself fit for whatever comes up. Tip for those having trouble staying motivated. This approach usually works for me when I'm stuck in a rut.

Keep living the good (and healthy) life, all...

Hi maintainers,

lily - sounds good ! both on the gym AND on the foot!

pat - I hope all will happen for the best with your beloved ones. have a good meeting!

Zoom by post,
have a great day all,
rabbit