Just a quick pop my head in, done 2 out of my 3 12.5 hour shifts, think my work at the gym must have helped a lot becos I am not finding them nearly as har das I used to which is such a good NSV for me, staying active for that long is so hard I can;t tell u!! But I am making it through the days. Went to the gym today too. Yesterday when I got in from work was so overtired and ate too much, haven't done that in months, it felt soooo yuck. Hope I can avoid that as its the road to nowhere.

Julie - congratulations! You must be very very proud!

Annie - wtg on the weight loss girl!!

Nancy - u sound so positive! well done on strides forward hun

Ammi - am amazed at your success and wonderful attitude hun

Catherine - long may u entertain us hun!

Everyone - including sharon and lisa - hugs and keep going!!

Be back soon

Em x

Hi Everyone!

Just popping in to say that I had my weigh in today and lost 4.8 pounds. Total two week loss is 11.0. Glad to be making some progress. Gotta run, but I'll pop back in later!

Lisa

Geez, I think I only missed a day and I can't catch up to everything that's happening!! Weigh-in today and another whole half a pound is gone forever. Not much, but I will take it, especially after the week I had!

Lisa, thats great news about your loss! You go girl!! I'm glad you found some things you like on the program.

Ammi, sounds like the arrangements will go smoothly for you, thank goodness. I wish you and your family all the best and the warmest hugs..

Julie GREAT JOB!!!

Em, you sound like a woman on a mission! Keep up the good work!!

Catherine, happy to see you are starting to feel like your self again.

Well my tummy is growling, so I am physically hungry! Sorry for all the chickies I missed and maybe I will try to catch up tomorrow!?

OP's to ALL!!

Hi ladies!
Hope everyone is enjoying this awesome spring day!! the weather here is great right now, 75 degrees and sunny. all the sun does good things to my mood
CHIMICHANGA: i think your plan to take a week break is a good one. sometimes if we are too "iron fisted" with diet and excersise, we go on binges and never recover. doing this with the knowledge its a week is a good idea
TORRISTER: you are doing great with your food and excersise! Keep up the great work.
BRENDA: i like the Kashi cereal too. the only kind of kashi i dont like is the good friends(i think its called that) that tastes like bark and twigs to me, lol
BRANDNEWME: im so glad you are feeling better!! your posts are always insightful, so please stay with us!! hope your workload decreases as well, i totally know the feeling!
NANCY: one ice cream bar you may try if its available in your area is a bar by blue Bunny called sweet tempations (i think or something close to that) they are made with splenda and are one of the best "diet" ice creams i've had. breyers has a great tasting bar too. i am so like you, give me a gallon, i will eat it i do much better with the bars.
LEE ANN: thats great you liked the excersise facility. i havent formally joined a gym yet, because i didnt want to be the only "fat" person in a room of hard bodies. i am thinking of it in the near future though.
AMMI: im so happy to have you posting again. you are doing amazing! when my "diet" competition is over, my motivation will be the fact i feel so much better, i look better, and i want to spend this year working on me.
JULIE: congrats on passing your boards! have you decided on a job yet? there are lots of areas you can choose from
LAVANDEL: i get the same burst of energy in the initial diet phase. for me, i think its due to the fact i am not eating tons of grease and sugar anymore, lol. i have been told i am always "chipper and "hyper" so i may have the tendency to annoy people with my energy. i wonder why it hasnt made me skinny yet, lol
CATHERINE: the paragraph of your book you shared was compelling. i truly want to read the book when (and i know you will finish it) you are done. you definetly have a wonderful way with words, i know your book will be awesome!
EMILY: your doing great!! the 12 hrs shifts are grueling, arent they? i do 12 hrs and the hours from 3-7 seem to drag
LISA: Great job on the wt loss!! how are you doing with hunger? has it gotten better for you? keep up the good work
BREATHLESS IN NJ: these threads move fast dont they? i find myself missing a whole day sometimes
as for me, i am doing well. the weather has put me in a good mood. food and excersise is good. i have a grueling schedule coming up, but i will be checking and posting as much as possible. have a nice evening

Hi All,

Today I had to take Beth to school because Daren wasn't up to it, and the taxi driver who I haven't seen for months kept looking at me weirdly. I thought I had something on my face or something, but I didn't question him. This afternoon Daren went to fetch Beth and the driver told him he couldn't get over how much weight I have lost and how gorgeous I look. He's a bit of a womaniser, a creep. Needless to say Daren won't want me doing the taxi run again if that guy is doing the driving LOL. Great NSV though knowing that the guy couldn't stop looking at me because he couldn't get over how much weight I had lost

Lavandel - I do have a lot more energy but it's been building up as I have been losing the weight. I don't experience the huge energy highs followed by the lows that you mentioned. They do sound a nuisance, having no middle ground and all, but at least you know if you get everything done during the high time you can have a guilt free time when you have no energy to do anything.

Catherine - I enjoyed reading what you got up to with the starch lol. AND I can't believe that you and your dad put koolaid in the priests shower head, that's too funny.

I loved reading the paragraphs from your book. I tell you again that you should sell the thing in parts. I can't wait to read it

Em - that's great news that you are finding your long shifts easier since you started working out in the gym. That's a very handy NSV!

Lisa - that's brilliant news that you lost another 4.8 lbs You must be so happy. Onwards and downwards my friend

Peggy - good for you for making such great food choices, AND saying no to such a delicious sounding dessert!!

Karen - yes indeed another half pound down is a great loss because like you said it's a pound that's gone forever!

Kymberly - keeping on track with the incentive of feeling better and looking better is definitely a great one!

Got to run, Bones is about to start. Take care all and bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

Ammi that was so funny about the taxi driver lol! you now have heads turning i am so proud of you!

Hey Guys, I will post and do personals later today but right now this is just to help with Ammi's hubz's 40th pressie.

Ammi- It depends on how much you want to spend, and how much time and effort you want to expend. I have a mind-blowing present Idea for you, not sure if you have done it before but I would certainly be blown away if someone did this for me..... Actually I think you just gave me DHs pressie for next year

Make him a Swansea Treasure Hunt!!!

It all starts in the morning, where he receives an envelope with instructions and a clue to the next clue point. You might decide to let on of your babeez go with him, and help him out if he doesn't get it. Then you and the other little one (you have 2 kiddies i think? sorry if this is wrong..) are waiting at the final destination, which can be back at home, or a room at a hotel, or a conference room somewhere in town, that is decorated with balloons, pressies, streamers, banners, and anything else that may provide a wow factor. If it was for my hubby he would end up at that American Wrestling event on March 30th (saw this on the swansea info page). I'll give you an example- The clue at the one from home can be something that sends him to oystermouth castle, where you have previously buried something next to the 'south wall' and a small spade comes with the envelope. Then he goes there, opens it up, and it leads him to the butterfly house at plantagia (you would enclose either money or tickets to get in) where you will ask someone or leave a letter at reception for him. I know this sounds crazy but if you pull it off it could be amazing! If it was up to me, I would send him straight out of his comfort zone and put a train ticket in there for like London and have something waiting for him there But I'm crazy like that. And you can have as many or as few clue points as you want.

Let me know what you think, I had some other ideas but I thought this was the best.

Sharon: I'd be 100 years old before I ever made it to Wales on my bike. lol. Okay now i'm thinking it over.

Ammi: So glad you are getting some answers. Life is very strange. When my mom passed away I talked to her on March 13th, it was her birthday and I called her to wish her a happy birthday. She was fine. The very next day my sister called because my mom had a brain anuerism. I was so shocked. Try not to focus on the fact that you got to talk with her on her birthday and she knew you loved her very much and she was so proud of you! Hugs.

Jilly: Your ring description sounds so beautiful!

Julie: Congrats on Passing. I knew you would. Way to go!

Brenda: Hope you feel better soon.

Nancy: Have a good time at your parents house. I was so upset when my Dad sold our ranch I grew up on not only to move but to move to a state I have never visited, IDAHO! LOL. look at me now. Here I am living in Idaho too. It will be okay. You have the memories and what fun it will be to make new memories in a new home!

Brandnewme: What a beautiful picture of you. You are a pretty lady. Hope you come back and post more often.

Rosebud: Hi, glad to see you.

Peggy: Hey girl. Any steps are better than sitting on your booty. Way to go.

Chimi: Have a great time on your hubbies birthday.

Kymberly: Congrats on another -3 pounds You are certainly on a roll.

LeeAnn: Glad you had so much fun at the gym. Way to go.

Emily: Whew you made it through most of your 12 hour shifts. Only 1 more. You can do it EM!

Lisa: Congrats to you on -4.8 Way to go! Keep up the great work.

Well I have caught my husband's flu bug but am feeling much better now. Hope you are all okay and being good girls.

blessings to you all,
Annie

Annie-I once got a map of a bicycle tour of Ireland, and put it on the wall. Everyday when I put a certain number of miles on the bike, I’d move the thumbtack to show how far I’d gone. You can get bike maps or hiking maps of cool places like the Grand Canyon, or the pilgrim route in Spain, or the hike up to Machu Picchu. Tourism boards send them for free. I found that kind of thing real helpful. I’m kind of a visual person.

Emily-Being overtired is a killer for my diet too, but you’re almost done with the nasty shifts now.

Lisa-That’s 11 pounds you never have to see again, or 38,500 calories gone forever.

Peggy-Doesn’t it feel great to conquer something like that. Passing up cream puffs, OMG!. When my mother was depressed, she always brought home those cream filled pastry horns, and I wonder how I learned to be an emotional eater.

Karen-Isn’t it interesting to actually feel body hunger instead of brain hunger.

Kymberly-Doesn’t everything seem easier when the sun is shining.

Ammi-I’ll bet that you are permanently off taxi duty. I don’t think I will ever get used to the idea of having passes made at me. I’m still large enough that only creeps do it, but at 600, the only people who even looked at me do so in disgust. When we snuck in to put the koolaid in the shower head, the church secretary let us in. My father had something on her, or she was afraid that we would start pulling pranks on her. He believed that we should treat religious like regular human beings. They have very lonely lives at times, and feeling like they are one of the gang is good for them. Our pastor came over for a super bowl party, and actually watched the game while sitting on my exercise bike, so I’ve carried on the family tradition. I haven’t done a good prank on him yet, and the way our church is set up, when he’s reading from the gospel, I am actually standing right behind him about 5 feet in the choir. I’ve told him that he’s a brave man to stand with his back to me in public.

My hubby has his own publishing business, and has been pressuring me to write a book of some sort, so I think I may start on something that I feel like I can finish. I'm leaning towards long range planning for religious organizations. Not sexy, but useful, and something that I actually know about.

Hey all! Oh my god, I just sat down and did ALL my personals and after an hour of typing, one button and they were all gone. I am so bummed. I don't know what I did, but they are gone. So let's see, I will try again. I was having a really great day, I lost five pounds in the last couple of days. I just really buckled down on the diet and went for it and it payed off. anyway, here goes AGAIN!

Michelle- The cats a bath? My daughter does this with her cat too, and I am always hoping she will come out alive! Good luck.

Ammi- I am glad to hear that you have some finality happening with your mom's passing. Answers seem to be the most important thing at these times. I am glad you have some. Good for you that you stayed home and cuddled. Cuddling is awesome!!!!! Turing heads is always fun, even if it is a womanizing creep!

Catherine- I am rolling on the floor from that church escapade you described. Also, if the excerpt from your book is indicative of the finished product, you have a best seller on your hands. Good luck.

Julie-Congratulations on your boards! You should shout it out from the windows!!! Great Job!


Rosebud- Happy first day of spring right back at ya' and thanks for listing all of the awesome ladies on the board. It felt good to be included in someone's post. Thanks.

Chimichanga- How about naked night fishing? It could be dangerous with the poles and hooks and all, but you would probably never get around to fishing anyway!

Peggy-I hope that your weather turns nice soon. I know that I am deeply affected by the sun or lack thereof. Good job on the bike too!Hey great job on resisting temptation. I don't know that I would have done half as well!

Kymberly-Yeah three pounds is a lot!!!

Brenda-You can do it. Just envision all of those desserts as nasty yellow cellulite, kind of gross, but it might help. I have wondered about Kashi, what is the protein vs. carbs?

Karen-I know! Just keeping up with everyone here should be a weight loss program!

Nancy-I don't really know what is up in your personal life, but I hope it eases up on you. I know you have the power to lose that three pounds! You did it before and you will do it again, and yes more!

Lee Ann- I am so glad you found some place to work out that was not like a meat market. I dread those places. I know you will not regret it!


Lavandel- I have definately felt the ups and downs, I hope it regulates for you. Who wants to be normal anyway!

Emilymay-Good for you hun, you are almost done! Well, just leave the bad food thing behind and try again, that's all any of us can do. You can do it!


Lisa- Great job on the 4.8!

Annie- Glad you are feeling better. The flu is the worst.

Well, I made it and I have not erased them all so I guess now I will post and be on my way. See you all later.

i was just reading through the posts again (i swear i do it 10 times a day) anyway, i was reading the above post about bicycle maps as a visual aid of how far you are going....and i thought, wouldn't it be cool to "bike" (or in my case since i don't have a bike "walk" the tour de france....imma go see if i can find a map somewhere online with miles and schedules and such...
this might be fun to do as a "race" too...if anyone is interested...just a thought.


ok..wow...i just saw a schedule and i had no idea it was that long!! boy was i naive, how on earth do people do this??? craziness i tell you

Hi girls

Did great at the potluck. I kinda got down at one point thinking "why cant I have the blueberry cheesecake, carrot cake, brownies, trifle, cookies or ANYTHING like that?" the reason is because I never said no before!! That's why!! All I had was salad and chicken but my belly is so full of gas etc. One of the greens in the mixed greens didnt agree with me I guess.

DJ~ 1 cup of Kashi go lean has 200 cal, 1 g fat, 95mg sodium, 480 g potassium, 5 g fibre and 13 g protien. It helps to keep me full

annie~ good to hear that you are feeling better. I was until this evening.

ammi~ glad to hear you had a pleasant taxi ride. I took one home tonight too no compliments from mine

lisa ~ I hope I am so lucky tomorrow when I weigh in!!!

peggy~ good going on resisting! It feels great doesnt it!

ok girls. Time to go upstairs and get these tight jeans off and away from my tummy. Wish me luck tomorrow. If I dont get my 2 lbs I'm gonna be so upset!

Night!
Brenda

Lee Ann -- Walking the Tour de France route is a great idea! Why not get a group of people together (virtually) and see if you can "walk" the tour de france as a group? Last year there was a group that walked across the country! You know, keep track of your miles like we keep track of minutes in the exercise thread?

In fact, you could all then march over to the exercise thread and tally up the number of minutes you spent walking and help us reach our goal of exercising for 200,000 minutes this year!!!!!

I can't believe I haven't posted in this thread yet!

Catherine, I can totally relate to your immigration issues! I had the same problem with the US INS coming from Canada. Among other things, at one point they even closed my application file when I didn't show up to an interview that they sent notification of to the wrong address - and I didn't find out until six months later! Those movies like Green Card where they make it seem so easy to get one make me laugh. I'm contemplating getting my American citizenship now that I've been a permanent resident for a couple years, but the thought of dealing with the INS (or whatever they're calling themselves now) makes my blood pressure skyrocket.

And thank you for the idea about tracking our exercise progress on a map! It's been a sort of pipe dream of mine to hike the AT someday, ever since I read A Walk in the Woods. I wonder if I could get an AT map larger enough to track my progress ... I'll have to look into that.

Annie, congrats on winning the race against hubby! Have you picked out something naughty yet?

wyllenn, it sounds like you had a lovely day of pampering! I'd love to get a real massage but am too self-conscious about my weight. Perhaps someday ...

Ammi, I'm glad you are getting things worked out for your Mom's ashes and finally getting some answers. When my mom died, we were lucky that she had expressed her wishes beforehand, so her ashes were buried with her mother. My heart goes out to you, as one motherless daughter to another.

Michelle, a double whammy with worrying about your husband and your cat! I hope hubby's tests come back clear and that kitty comes through surgery with no problems.

Tarra, congrats on the 11lb loss -that's awesome!

chimichanga, you put so much creativity and thought into your presents - have you thought about doing it professionally?

Jill, how great that you've found 'the ring!' I second the motion to get non-conflict diamonds, if you can.

Julie, congratulations on passing your board examination!

Kymberly, congrats on the weight loss - ONEderland is just around the corner!

Brenda, glad to hear you survived the potluck! Those things and buffets can be so tempting! And thanks for posting the nutritional info for the cereal - I like that it's high in fiber, too, so I might pick some up next time I go grocery shopping. And good luck tomorrow!

Lisa, that's an awesome weight loss for two week - bravo!

Peggy, doesn't it feel good when you're in control of the food and not the other way round?

For all those I missed, I hope your great week continues, or that things look up, or that you feel better, whichever applies.

Me, I'm having an OK week - started introducing whole grains back into my diet and am exercising at least once a day - but no loss on the scales yet this week. I'm trying not to get addicted to the scale but it's so gratifying to see it go down. Unfortunately that's tempered by frustration when it doesn't! This week hubby and I tried tennis a couple times and have had lots of fun. We're awful at it of course, but it's just nice to be doing something physical - I consider it a bonus to my regular exercise. On the weekend we plan to go geocaching, a favorite hobby of ours, so that will be more bonus activity.