The weekends are difficult for me because I don't usually have a schedule, so I forget to eat, and by the time I realize I'm grumpy and tired and sick to my stomach because i haven't eaten, I really don't feel like cooking, so I go out and grab something quick so I can feel better.

I should set a timer for myself or something to remind me to eat.

I'm weighing in tomorrow!

My Friday night isn't too exciting either. I'm packing my son up [he's going to South Carolina to spend time with his grandparents for part of the summer], going to the store to get everything for the trip tomorrow [we're meeting my husbands parents halfway in Kentucky, so 6 hours there, and then 6 hours home], possibly playing some games with my husband and a few friends [that's a big maybe, we'll see], and preparing some of the food for tomorrow. I'm going to get up a bit early and pack the cooler full of fruits, veggies, sandwiches, water, & other health snacks and lunch for the ride so we don't stop for fast food!! And I'm going to have some yummy muffins made before my husband gets home [3rd shifter] to eat before we head out!

No JOKE! I'm going through withdrawal recently - at least since this competition started. It coincided with lots of busyness in my life! I used to post every 5 minutes and now I cannot get caught up! Remember the days when I posted to myself? Actually, it's a busy day here... 2 pediatricians are out of town with deaths in their extended families and that leaves 2 to do the job of 4.

DH and I are actually heading out of town sans kiddos the end of this month for a weekend! I'm so excited. We haven't done that since having kids 4 years ago! I went to Europe with a friend last year for a week, but DH was with the girls. And he's been gone, but I've been home... They'll probably have a little of a tough time, but you never know! Maybe they will not even miss us!

FresnoBee - That's a lot of exercise! You do that 3 times a week then? I'm happy if I make 10 hours a week - avg 6 hours cardio/4 weight training. I bought a HRM a couple months ago and it was the BEST thing I have done in a long time! It makes me conscious during my workouts and keep my HR up there. I burn approx 1000-1200 calories in a 2 hour session.

I've lost 2 pounds in this challenge so far. Gotta be good this weekend so it sticks!

Off to check out your updated web page Anna!

That 30 Day Shred has killed me, lol. I'm so glad I saved it for Friday. My arms feel so weak right now, and they're shaking. I was just laying down on the bed, and I couldnt even pick up the remote, lol. My stomach hurts from all the crunches. I really feel like throwing up. Thank God I'm just gonna take a nice easy walk tomorrow. I'm thinking about just weighing in today..but I'm not sure..

Did you all hear that? That was my screaming b/c DH is working late for the third night in a row. I don't appreciate this. No Trader Joe's. No oil change. Grrr.

Okay, I just need to toot my own horn for a second

I biked home from work.

Well... I biked halfway home from work, walked the other half. I'm not brave enough to ride with cars, and 1 mile of my route is on a narrow busy street. The other half is on a beautiful, wide road with a bike lane. So I biked that.

But really - this is a big deal for me! People talk about putting things off "til the weight is gone"... And biking has been one of those "things" for me. I never let myself try to actually go anywhere on my bike because I felt self-conscious. Probably because last time I biked in a populated area someone yelled out their car window, "get out of the way, you fat cow!" It was years ago and it doesn't bother me anymore, but I was in high school at the time and it definitely made an impression on me!

So anyway, this morning I decided to put my bike on the bus I take to work. I kept staring at my bike all day as it sat patiently in my office. I walked out of the building with it cautiously, like I was going to get yelled at for even being SEEN with a bicycle. I walked with my head up, shoulders back, at a pretty good clip, til that first mile was over and I could see my street coming up. I contemplated continuing to walk. I got on the bike and started to pedal forward and it felt like freedom. It felt so great. I am on some kinda natural high right now or something, but I honestly feel like I just took leaps and bounds in the right direction both for my weight loss effort and for my self confidence. I want to do that every day! No more taking the stupid, slow bus! I get home in 20 minutes on my bike, or I can get home in an hour on the bus. So guess what I'm gonna be choosing?

I have a funny story about bikes.

One time..Dh put his bike on the bike rack on the bus. Then I called him up as he was getting off the bus..and he was so happy to hear from me (this was at the beginning of our relantionship)..he totally forgot to get his bike off the bus. So his poor little bike went riding all over downtown Phoenix. LoL!! He left his other bike chained up on the base in San Diego, lol. When we went back to San Diego in 2005..his bike was still there. It was too funny!!

WAY TO GO!!!! I bet that felt darn good!!!

I heard something in the distance! Bummer! My DH got home from work at 9:30 last night. Jeeze. I just called him to make sure he remembered he's supposed to come home NOW so we can go for our bike ride before it gets dark!

Yay Jaime!!!! Way to go!!!!

I bike my commute now, too. Next year I won't be able to afford gas, so I'm trying to get used to it now. Its hard, but fun, isn't it?

Rhonda - have you checked out the solar shades that they cut to fit at home depot? I think they have a cream shade and a dark shade. My mom has solar shades in her house which seems to be mostly glass facing west (!) and they have been a HUGE help with the solar heat gain in summer. Plus, you can see through them so that you can still see the pretty woods. Just a thought.

My health problem has been bothering me so much that i've lost my appetite and I have a hard time sleeping. Why did I have to make such selfish decisions in my life?! Now I'm living the consequences and I hate it. I just wish I could throw this body away and get a new one. I can't talk to DH about it, he'll totally take it way out of proportion (sp). Oh life..........what more can it bring me?

onthetee-be glad he comes home. DH went to iraq-hasn't been home for 8 months. When he did come home, he got out of the military and started working for Coach USA the bus company and was gone for days, sometimes weeks at a time. He quit there then started working for a company that was contracted with the city to dig holes and find sewage direction and would go out of town monday through friday and be home only on the weekends, this went on for 7 months. Then quit and couldn't find a job for 3 months. Now he works as a supervisor for a begium based company here and every other week he works night and saturday nights (on the week he works nights) and doesn't come home till midnight (i'm already asleep). He sleeps in till about 12 and gets ready for work and leaves. Be happy your hubby comes home. I wish mine did.

Sorry that your dh has to work late.

I always hated it when my dh had to stay at work late. These last couple of days he was supposed to work late, but they let them off a little bit early. Then the last day he was here, he came home early. I know he'd give anything to come home now, LOL!!