Fiona - Well it sounds like you made the right decision about BL......I was wondering if you work out at home now?

I don't...I should, but I don't. I used to take a weekly 90-minute yoga class, but stopped going about 6 months ago because things just got tooooo hectic in my house and something had to go. I'd like to start back up again - asked for gift certificates to my studio for Christmas, even. If/when I quit my job, I can take a daytime class, which will keep that extra pressure off our already packed evenings. I also have all the stuff to do it at home, but I don't. New Year's resolution, I guess!

Okay, need some opinions on what to do for my mom for Christmas. She specifically told me that what she really wants this year is a pair of finches and a nice cage for her home office. She has also put "get wedding ring fixed" on her Christmas list every year for as long as I can remember. The bird setup will run about $150 including the cage I picked out that she's already said she likes, the ring fix will be around $200, so considering it would be split 3 ways between myself and my siblings (and my dad will probably chip in, too) they come out pretty close to the same.

I think that we should get the birds, and get the ring fixed as our gift to her for my parents' 25th wedding anniversary in February. SIL wants to do the ring for Christmas and the birds for her birthday in March, and throw a party for their anniversary. What do you all think?

Fiona

Well, first off I think you should throw them a party for their 25th anniversary. Also, she needs her ring fixed by then. If you can't do the party and the ring for the anniversary, then I would do the ring for Christmas. The birds are nice but don't fall into the whole 25th anniversary celebration like the ring/party. JMO
Or;
You could talk to your dad and have him secretly get the ring fixed for her by the anniversary, then the birds could come in at Christmas........

Star .... that's exactly what I was just thinking. It really makes more sense for the ring to come from my dad, anyway. Then we can do a really nice party, which coming from "the kids" is more of a joint gift to both of them.

Now to figure out how to tactfully suggest this to my dad, if he hasn't decided to do it already...

Fiona

Just ask him if he has any idea what's he's getting your mom for their 25th anniversary and mention that it should be something really special. If he seems stuck for the answer - bingo. That's where you jump in with the ring thing....

Good afternoon, chickies (yes, the greeting of choice)

Well, I'm down .4. I'll take it, as they said on the BL last week.

Monique! Hi, pull up a chair, your of choice, and join us! I joined LAWL in early October, and I'm down about 19 pounds. Note - that seems to be about the standard, but your mileage may vary. If you're a regular exerciser, you may see better results. I'm not very good with that. HOWEVER, I do still have 55 days to the cruise - so there is hope for me yet!

Fiona - I agree with you about not thinking too much about food. Although I am getting tired of roasted chicken. But - with the new program - at least I can vary my starch! And I had pork twice this week!

Star - I look forward to our daily 'conversations'. I'm always LOL, and you are inspiring me to exercise. Also

Sammy - glad that the D is back before the H. And Mexican food at a real restaurant. Groan. I don't think I'm ready for that. BUT - the margarita would be good as flu prevention. Right, Star?

Britt - yes, I think Lisa has to go. I agree that they'll have to change the rules about who gets voted off by the time it's down to three. I think Mo is just really smart about being the least competition.

Fiona - I think a 25th wedding anniversary deserves a party, and the wedding ring would fit right in with that. I'd go along with whatever Star says.

Hugs

After talking to my sister and finding out the ring fix will actually cost closer to $300 than to $200, we've decided to put that idea on hold, and see if we can't drop a few discreet hints in my dad's direction. LOL!

Now we need to decide if we are going to throw a party for their 25th, or think of something fun to treat them to they can do on their trip to the Bahamas in March.

Fiona

Hi Kristi,
How long did it take for you to lose all the weight? And did you exercise? My mom actually is at her goal weight now but she found that doing exercise hindered her loss....she often gained weight and loss no inches when she exercised - I exercise about 4 hours a week and I'm on the gold plan, just as she was and I'm a bit scared to hinder my weight loss, although I like to work out and I will still do some stuff, just not as intense. Please let me know what worked for you although everyone is different.
Thanks,
Monique.

Kristi - I bought the Simply Nutritious Morning Blend, as recommended by Aphil.....it tasted good,went down real easy......
$3.99 at Kroger......

Monique.

I just wanted to comment on exercise and weight loss. I am on the Gold Plan also and at my center they told me not to work out more than 4.5 hours a week. This is hard for me becuz I really enjoy working out. I do tapes, cardio and weights.

The fact is that muscle weighs more than fat and even if you are losing fat you are still gaining muscle, so it is a very touchy issue. If you have noticed they do not really encourage vigorous exercise at LA.

The reason I'm not at goal is becuz I follow my "own" Gold Plan and I don't blame it on my exercise. Now I would like to turn the podium over to Kristi....Who, by the way, has earned the right to an opinion (unlike me).....lol

Julie - OFCOURSE you'll take the loss - you earned it!!! I am picturing a new bathing suit for that cruise and maybe alittle romance......

Kristi - I imagine your cookie baking friend is SKINNY if she always gives you most of her cookies -- !! Good luck at the Mexican dinner!

Star - we are all entitled to an opinion - whether anyone agrees or not is the question??

Okay, chicks, I'm going to a potluck party on Sunday. What techniques do you use to stay away from your trigger foods? I've been POP since I started; meaning no sugar binges. But, OMG, the deserts are likely to be awesome and awful!

Hugs,

My first husband use to say "Opinions are like *******s, everyones got one." Has a ring to it huh?

Julie - Eat on plan prior to going, drink alot of water. Once there, mingle, talk, listen, drink soda-water, eat veggies, drink more soda-water, sneak out to the parking lot and neck with the cutest guy there......no matter what - avoid the food table

Thanks, Star, now I have a game plan (and it'll work for the cruise, too)!

Have to ask - is this YOUR game plan, you

Good Afternoon Ladies! I am really excited to go in tomorrow evening to get a look at the new plan and get some cheap(er) weight loss weeks purchased. I still have 7 weeks from when I went on hold that I need to use. However, I am a VERY slow looser, so I know I will need some more.

Star~ Speaking of exercise and LAWL. That is one of my biggest issues with their program. They do not promote exercise. When I first joined, I was probably only working out about 3 hours a week, and I was on the gold plan. Then I started working out more, and they put me on the blue plan. When I ended I was on the red plan (and still was not loosing due to lifting and working out). I started running and seriously running, (I'm doing a 1/2 marathon in January and a Marathon in April), I am logging an average of 25-35 miles per week. I KNOW I am going to have to hold my ground tomorrow night when I go in and tell them I will stick to the red plan for two weeks, but if it's not working I will have to demand a meeting with the dietician to see what she recommends for a runner. It's frustrating to me, and that has a lot to do with my decision to walk away in October. However, I know I still REALLY want to loose these last 15-20 pounds! (I am a little scared to see what their scale says tomorrow evening!

So, any advice from you chicks on how to really get them to realize that I AM NOT giving up my running?? And that they must find a combination of foods that will work for me? I think I am just really thinking that I will commit myself back to it again, and they will tell me that I am not loosing because I am working out too much.

Julie.. I am in the DC area as well! What terrible weather we have today. Makes me want to go home and sleep!!

Hope all you other chicks are well. I promise to learn more names as I get use to posting!

How do you add the weight loss counters under your signatures?

~Meegs

Meegs - go to www.tickerfactory.com to creat your counter, then copy the "bb code" it will give you into the "Signature" Box under the Quick Links tab at the top of the page.

Fiona