HI all. I had my first weigh-in today and lost 4.3 pounds after 6 days on the program! Not too bad!

More importantly, I'm not ravenously hungry all day, every day. I feel full after my meals now, at least for a short time , so it's easier to make it to the next snack.

Congrats PnWRed! It's always fun the first few weeks to have those large loss #s.

I've been a lot less hungry too... I think my stomach really has shrunk some in the past 3 months. It's a nice change.

Hi everyone,

I've been MIA again. Life in general has been busy and stressful. Believe me, in the whole scheme of things, I realize how lucky I am but sometimes I just want things to go a little smoother!

DS is finally feeling better and now I have what he had. It's being treated as bronchitis. I ache. All over. I have been coughing so hard that my entire body just hurts. It's been almost a week and the antibiotics can kick in ANY TIME NOW! I fear that it is viral and will just have to work it's course but I am continuing with the antibiotics just in case they are working slowly. This is probably Karma because every time one of my kids is ill I always say I would rather be the one who is sick. Careful what you wish for.

These symptoms started the same day one of our dogs decided to investigate the little black and white kitty that was wandering around our yard at 3:00AM. Yeah...that was us on the deck at 3:00AM with our poor little lab who got it square in the face. We found plenty of remedies online but all of them say to be careful around the eyes but that's where he got hit so it was difficult to de-scent him. And, it happened right under our open bathroom window so the master bath and bedroom reek!

I'm not doing personals...just doing this short post has me thinking it's time to go lay down again. I did check out the pictures and read what everyone has been writing and I am inspired to get right back on track as soon as I feel better. I can't even walk to the bathroom without starting a coughing spell so excercising is out of the question for a few days more anyway. Luckily I have had no appetite while I've been feeling badly so I am right at the same weight I've been at for WEEKS. Better than a gain, but time to start downward motion again!

Hope everyone is well,

Cris

BattleAx -- That is an awesome NSV!!!! Wait till you can say that about the 3 mile one! etc.!

Nancy -- functional fitness is da bomb! I love being able to easily hoist big bags of dog food and what not like it's nothing!!

Muse -- are you talking about the blogs or the old journals?

Cris -- This is definitely not a time to be focused on weight loss. Get better first! ANd I feel for your poor poochy and all of you. Those "black and white kitties" have never gotten one of mine, but we do have them here too!


I just ate frozen grapes for the first time. What an awesome snack!!!!!

PNW: Congrats on your weight loss! Keep up the good work.

33tek: I hope you feel better soon. I had the crud late last week/early this week. With a little rest I was back to my old self.

Heather: I've never tried the frozen grapes. Maybe I'll buy some and give it a try.

John: I give you a lot of credit for working and working out in that heat and humidity. I never could manage to work out on high heat. Most of the time it doesn't get super hot here, but I exercise in the early morning before the day heats up.

Catherine: you'll find your equilibrium, I'm sure. Just think--cooler temps mean it's easier to move around and get some exercise in.

Brandnew: Owie on the toe. Youch. Yay on the weight loss despite your challenges.

Ratkitty: I know about hanging on by the skin. I am having one of those days myself where I am consuming right up to the max limit, maybe a little more. But it's still progress.

Nancy: great NSV on moving the monitors. It's nice to feel strong and able to move around with ease. I can't wait to feel that way again.

Ideal: If you are talking about the blogs, I read them sometimes. I don't usually leave comments.

Count me in as one who's also eating her limit today (and it's not all grapes!). I don't know whether I can blame TOM or it's something else... at least I got my exercise in...

Ammi! - Even thought it might be a flattering photo- its still a photo- unaltered and un photoshopped. Its you! Its not cheating!!! I hear ya, my arse seems to still be in the middle ages.. its annoying, but it will all even out soon Ammi! Yeah most of my problems have been moving into the house... my sister (my sheister) always suprises me with how inconsiderate she can truly be... anyways I think things are ok now... but yeah I am totally itching to move out!! Gotta save up! Thanks for sympathizin though.. you really remembered me, i'm flattered.

Nancy- thanks for ur post, nah me and the boy are still together... but with the added pressures of looking after my sister and a house that isn't mine is adding uneeded pressure on our relationship. for sure. I haven't looked at your photos yet, but i'm sure their amazing! Just your profile pic you can see an enormous difference- - you should be really proud of yourself!! I know i would be!

Luan- how did you swing that job??? congrats!

Battleaxe - thanks for the much needed encouragement!

Dogpal- wazzup? how you doing these days!

Hippievanlady- eesh i hope your ok! Take it easy.. What clippings are you putting in the scrapbook?

Not sure when I can post next.. but take care everyone.

xx tina

Cris-I had a basset hound who trapped one of those black and white kitties under our house. We had to de-scent the entire place, and he took it in the face several times. We tried tomato juice, gallons of it in the tub, and a special de-scenter that we got from a hunting store. Each kind of worked on a separate spectrum of the odor. We had to rewash all the sheets, towels, and clothes in the house, steam clean the carpets, and white vinegar the walls to get the smell out of the house. We also coated him in baking soda, and then vacuumed it off him kind of like that powder you can get smells out of carpeting with. Make sure he's dry though, or it becomes like wallpaper paste. Since he got it in the face, be prepared for him to smell like it every time he gets a drink for a long time to come. We only used tomato juice on his face, and also vinegar and baking soda, but not the special chemical.

Debbie: My WLS is scheduled for 8/29! I'm glad that your DIL is feeling better now. Yeah to you on getting to the teens today!

Nancy: Congrats on another -1. Awesome. I'm so happy for you on your NSV!

Luann: Glad you are loving your job.

Catherine: It got pretty chilly here yesterday too. I think Fall may be early this year.

Brandnewme: Congrats on your weight loss. Glad to see you hun.

Peggy: You are such a cutie. I can sure see a difference in your pictures! You look great.

Ratkitten: I hope you regain your energy very soon.

Battle: Great NSV! I haven't done WATP in a while. I think about it then end up just going for a walk. I may try it next week or tomorrow.

PNWred: Congrats on another -4.3! Great job..

Cris: Yikes to black and white kitties! I hope you feel better very soon.

Chimi: Hugs.

Well, I didn't exercise at all today. I did clean my house really well. I am going to straighten closets and drawers in my bedroom this weekend. Another one of my nieces is coming to visit for a week. That will be nice to see her. The following week 20th - 24th, I will be going to see my Dad and Step Mom for a visit. I love to spend time with my Dad.

Hope everyone is great.

blessings,
Annie

Cris - Oh your poor doggie! That must be miserable for him to have that right in his face. I hope you are able to get the smell off him soon!

Peggy - You look great. You look smaller all over. Keep it up!

Annie - I didn't realize you had a date for your surgery. Congratulations. You will be in all our thoughts and prayers that day.

As for me, I went to orientation for my MBA program tonight. I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know but it did get me a bit excited about what sorts of opportunities may be ahead for me. One of the current students who spoke talked about one of the professors who take students on a trip abroad every spring break to meet with business people from other countries. This year they are going to Argentina. I would love the chance to do something like that. I would love to travel more than I do if I had someone to do it with so I'll take whatever opportunity I can get to go see new places.

Debbie - i put 10.00 in a savings account for every pound i lose. every pound is a big deal, so i reward myself with a big amount of money. it would be 20, but i dont make enough money.. lol

Chimichana - i work in entertainment, so, its really like applying to any other job in any other industry. but i LOVE it

Debbie -- YAY for getting on the That's awesome!! You know, you don't have to set a goal, you can just march...er, mouse?... over there and post those minutes!! Really, we'd love it!!!

In fact, maybe do that through the end of the month and then see if you want to set a goal for September!!

Debbie - do at least 5. your pounds are worth more than a dollar!!