Kel -- yup, I hear you on the clothes removal! AND the clean fridge thing…AND the peeing! Hope the oil didn’t break the bank. This is the first year I’ve ever had gas and I really like it – no worrying about oil deliveries and the scary bills that come with them.
Vday – oh man, I HATE the ogling!! I was once at the gym and there were about 4 guys who were Spanish speakers who kept looking at me…as I left, I finally heard them say something I understood (I think it was I love you) so I turned around and gave them what I intended to be a dirty look, but what in fact probably just looked like I had bad gas or something. But anyway, I would say something to someone, either to the guys or to the gym staff. I mean, think about it – you know it’ll happen again, and this is a rare opportunity to think of THE PERFECT response! And how powerful would you feel??
Faerie – how’d your budgeting go?
Mod – ugh, that sucks getting sick while at a friends. Hope you’re feeling better!
Jaime – oh man I hear you on the paper. It is so much harder when there are no guidelines. I almost always will start one paper, then get to thinking I picked a topic that is too hard, scrap it at the last minute, and start all over. No good! As for the baking, the whole idea of it scares me. I will definitely end up with a mouthful of sweets all day if I have the good stuff around here.
Stitches – yeah, you wanna know something – my cleaned out closet only means that I have bags of clothes all over the place now. So “clean” is a relative term! But yeah, it was helpful getting rid of the larger sizes, it felt like a re-commitment (sorely needed).

On the plus side of the high gas prices, I am really motivated to save $$ by biking. I filled my tires over the weekend, dug up my helmet, and I’m really going to try to use the bike more often, when possible.

So, did I tell you guys that I got a job as the Operations Director at a Girl Scout Camp this summer? I’m so excited – 2 months hidden away in the woods, no rent, no gas, no food bills, no worries about men, just some girl power time! However, I am a little concerned about staying OP when there are going to be s’mores EVERYWHERE, and no gym!! I guess it’ll be good practice of reminding myself that I don’t have to eat them just because they’re there. And hopefully my knees will allow me to keep jogging, since that’ll be the most reliable exercise.
Have a good day all!!

S

on the job, that does sound fun though, and very tempting

Just say No to Smores!!

Well hope everyone is having a great day

Hey flexible folks!

Just caught up with you all!

I made it thru the weekend party-party-party-CHURCH-party-party-party

Gained NOTHING! ZERO! NADA!

Still at 207... my official weigh in is tomorrow. I was quite pleased with myself. Small portions, mostly meat and veggies, only a little bit of very good chocolate flourless cake for dessert. So, back to strict OP planned eating for the rest of this week. Thanks for all the well-wishes Flexies

Good job on the Job, Shrink! Sounds fun...those girls will keep you on the run I bet!

Mod, are you back at goal?? I have not read everything here yet, but your ticker is done!

Kel-Sponge Bob out of water Good mental image!

Vday-I'd be tempted to put a sign on my butt, or posted at the end of the treadmill: "If you can read this..."

Chey-how is your second week going?

Faerie, Suite, Institches...

Everyone else...see ya back later

That's funny, Manick, it reminded me many years ago a friend of mine got me a button that said "stop staring at my chest" Congrats on not gaining over your holiday!! That's great!

Vday, best of luck with the gym thing. That stinks to have something that makes you uncomfortable. Try and make the best of it, maybe he'll move on.

the scale had me this morning. Up 2.8. I didn't think I did that bad, it was my non-tracking week, but looking back we ate out quite a bit, just can't really control what you're eating if you're not making it yourself. So, this week I am tracking, tracking, tracking. Looking back at my WIs I've bounced back after every gain.

It's funny, I was so ticked off, but I made my goal for the end of April, which was to be 159.9 by half a pound. Pants felt looser, all those NSVs, but the dang scale :roll: DH was very supportive, he's great, he keeps saying you're doing great. I'm just but looked at all my past WIs and am feeling good about things now, even though this a.m I was seeing red.

Sorry, I'm disjointed, I got a phone call in the middle of typing this...

Hey Manick - thanks for asking. My second week is going good! Still having a bit of trouble eating regularly - yesterday didn't eat all day (but did drink all of my water) as I was running all over the place at work even though I packed breakfast and lunch to eat. No break, just enough time to pee and off again. Sometimes I HATE technology, but then I tell myself it is job security.

Over the weekend I had another kidney stone issue.... much pain. Thank goodness that I was drinking so much water or I would have been in more pain than I was. I went to the doc today and she noticed my 6 lb weight loss from the last time I was there last month. I love her scale better than mine btw..

Tonight for dinner we grilled on the new grill. Steak, and grilled veggies (zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, onions and 'baked' potatoes). Ladies. you were 100% right on the taste of grilled veggies.. even my picky 14 year old daughter at the zucchini - they were awesome! The grill is big enough I can cook our whole meal on it... I can't wait for the weather to decide what it is going to do so I can cook on the grill more!

I picked up a few of the WW desserts because I have been fighting sweet cravings the past few days. The ice cream for 2 points is wonderful and just enough to satisfy the craving! Those are pretty awesome!

I have got to start thinking about doing some regularly scheduled exercise though. I have this awesome exercise bike and it is sitting there gathering dust right now. I do a lot of walking and lifting at work, but I think I need to schedule some 'movement' either daily or at least every other day to get in the habit. I am going to ask hubby to make some sort of book rack to go on the handlebars or somewhere, so I can read while I move.. lol. That way it won't seem so much like a chore and I can start working on those books I have been wanting to read.

Vday - I can see where that would make you uncomfortable. I would certainly feel the same way, and I would get mad about it.

Shrink - I had to laugh about the bags of clothes thing.. I just got done saying that I was cleaning and making headway, but then I realized I was just moving the mess somewhere else! In neater piles, but still... LOL

kelipa - That is what I worry about too - eating out and not having to have a salad everytime I go. It is hard to keep track of what is what then.

Well ladies! Here is to a new week!

Howdy All!

Keli - Ouch, that's a lot of money for oil -_- YAY! You made your end of goal month & all those NSVs Sorry that the scale wasn't what you wanted today But, you've got the right attitude about it. It'll come off just like it has before And then some!

Lizzy - Congratulations on the job!!!! My budgeting is going okay. Didn't finish. But I have an idea about what's going on. I wish I could bike to work. Unfortunately, it's 30 minutes by car!

Manick - Congrats on maintaining! During a holiday weekend is sooo difficult. It's great that you did it

Chey - Glad you're going strong! Kidney stones omgosh! I'm sorry to hear that and happy that you were drinking your water. Your grilled veggies sound so delicious! Keep us updated on your days & weeks ^^

Institches & Vday -
---

Just up late... really need to get to bed tonight. *sleepy*

Just the same stuff as usual that's going on. If I'm not thinking about moving, it's India or the wedding O_O But really... I keep saying "Just one thing at a time. What's the next thing on the list that needs done?" (And Manick I must thank you again for that advice, it has really halted my wanting to go play in traffic moods.)

I'm thinking of you all, too. I hope you all have a great night's sleep!

Shrinkinglizzy: girl scouts!!! that's awesome! I used to be a girl scout when I was little...that is so funny about the smores because I saw this commercial that had smores on it today and they looked sooooooo good and I told my roommate "I bet you smores aren't that many points". I was thinking maybe they were like 5 points at the most?? I guess that is kinda high...but oooo I would soo eat one right now!!! hahahaa...the cookies are what I would have to look out for! I love the ones with coconut and the chocolate swirls...

Manick: great job on maintaining! It's always nice to maintain after a couple of good meals..That chocolate cake sounds really good!

Kelijpa: Awesome! you met your goal!

Chey: Those veggies do sound really good...I have a tiny itsy bitsy barbecue that I bought at Target for like 20 dollars...and I tried to barbecue veggies on it and it did not work at all...so we had to do them in the oven. Have you ever had grilled garlic?? soooooo good...thoroughly recommend it

Faerie: I know what you mean, my plate is loaded right now too. You seem like you're handling it well though, keep on truckin!



As for myself, I made the goal of not eating ANY sugar this week (no ice cream, cake, cookies, donuts). I am started to realize how addicted I am to sugar. I was definitely letting too many servings of sugar into my diet. I am having STRONG sugar and chocolate cravings right now. Next week I think I will allow myself two servings for the whole week, probably of ice cream. I was looking back at my journal and there were days where I would eat 5 cookies and a serving of ice cream throughout the day...not okay...a gain really helps you re-evaluate!

Vday - All the best to you on cutting out the sugar! You truly are braver than I That's one thing I know I could never do. But, I know from the low carb forums that the cravings dissipate after a week. (Usually) This is the hardest part. Stick with it! Just say no! It will go away. Using your points wisely should help the weight loss situation.

Good morning ladies! Wow you guys post a lot. There's been so much since my last one, it would be crazy to respond to them all

I have been feeling MUCH better. Thank you for all the well wishes!

Well yesterday I realized that I have an endoscopy today because of my heartburn and that I can't eat until after it. Probably around 3pm. I can have liquids until 10am and then the procedure is at 1:30. I'm actually at work too until noon! My stomach is growling right now... I am so hungry! I will have to get some coffee soon, that usually helps with hunger pains. I ate a little more than planned yesterday (felt like snacking in the afternoon), but I also worked out more at the gym (without thinking about it) and they kind of canceled each other out.

Manick - Yes, I'm within the "not more than 2 pounds over" my goal weight now, so I consider myself back to maintenance. This morning I think it was 163.4 or something like that. I'm going to try to maintain from now on. Way to go on your maintenance after the weekend!

Lizzy - That job sounds cool! Not something I could ever do I don't think though. Maybe when I was younger... but now I've sort of settled down. I wouldn't want to be pulled out of my normal environment for that long

Jamie - Congrats on ONDERLAND!!!

Stitches - DH and I are talking about him starting a home business when we have kids. He is an upholsterer and we were planning on him being home full time with the kids for the first 6 months or so. I brought it up to him about the home work, because if we has just one job a week to do he will make more than he would working part time somewhere. If it doesn't work out we both agreed that he would find somewhere to work or go back to his old place if he could (a marine upholstery shop).

Chey - I love this place too Even if what I want to talk about isn't really related to weight loss, there's always people around to respond!

vday - I've never really noticed oglers. I bike way more than I am on the treadmill though. And usually if people are staring at me I assume its the full sleeve tattoos on both my arms that are making them do so Also most of the people who go to my gym are over the age of 60, so that probably helps with the ogling ... or maybe not?

Mod - Best of luck with the procedure! I hope the hunger pains aren't too distracting.

Good morning ladies!
Not enough time for personals because I have got to get to the gym. Just wanted to pop in! Hopefully I can catch up tonight.

But for all the job congrats! It's funny, I was never a girl scout, so I have no idea what to expect. Mod, it's not so much feeling like I'm leaving my "normal" life -- circumstances have made it feel more like my normal life has been pulled out from under me, and there is nothing more appealing than just getting the H*LL out for a couple of months! Part of me wishes I was too settled to do a job like this, but the fact is that I WAS more settled last year, the year before, but "settled" did not mean "happy" for me.

OK, off to the gym. It is a weight training day

S

Oh Faerie I forgot to comment on your wedding! I love the day you picked. I'm wondering where you are, because if you are anywhere in the northern or mid-northern part of the US, your wedding is going to look BEAUTIFUL with all the foliage. That was what I originally wanted for my wedding, but everyone talked me out of it since it would have been too cold for an "outdoor only" wedding (wedding and reception outside). We chose August 30th instead and it was a gorgeous day, so I was happy. Our 5 year anniversary is this year actually!

Lizzy - I guess when I say settled, I just mean that I am the type of person who doesn't like a lot of change

Mod - Thanks! I live in CT, but the wedding with be in NH, so hopefully if the timing is just right (one can never be exactly sure with foliage) we'll have some gorgeous pictures. The brief ceremony will be outdoors (because... well it will be cold in October), but we're having our reception dinner inside. Congrats on your upcoming 5th!

Lizzy - Be prepared for a lot of badges.

Faerie - Heya teammate! You sure do have a lot on your plate. Take deep, even breaths

keli - Do you have freecycle in your area? I freecycle a lot of my clothes. I definitely need to go through what I own, there's a ton that I just don't wear but for some reason can't get rid of. If you freecycle you don't get the tax deduction like if you donate to Goodwill but at least you can have someone come by to pick up instead of having to go to goodwill. Also, sorry to hear about the gain, it happens to us all. It'll be off in no time. WTG on looking back and deciding how you can be proactive about it instead of just letting everything go. And great NSVs!

vday - 3.91 gas? Jeesh! Here it's just about consistently $3.50, which is ridiculous but at least it's not so close to $4. Siiiiiigh. I'm very impressed with your resolve re: sugar... I've tried to go sugarless before and it really doesn't work out. I've gotten myself to the point where I don't crave it every day, though, and that's a big enouch accomplishment for me! Good luck with it, if you need to rant in the midst of a sugar withdrawl you know where to come

sonja - I admire your determination on the bike riding! I keep wanting to ride my bike into work but I'm all self-conscious about it. Plus it's not like it's flat here, it's huge uphills follwed by huge downhills. The downhills are fun I feel like people will be watching me bike thinking 'there goes a fat girl on a bike, she's not going anywhere fast!' or something stupid like that. Girl Scout camp was always really fun when I was on the Girl Scout end of it. We did a lot of nature stuff and I always loved it. Telling ghost stories was also obligatory fun

manick - hey, way to maintain! that's better than a gain!!

Chey - sorry to hear about the kidney stone. I've never had experience with it but it sounds painful. And hurray for grilled veggies!!

modkitten - Man, I can't focus when I have to fast like that. Hope your morning went okay, hope you can eat again by now



Well, at least I have some idea of what I'm going to be writing about for my paper now. I spent all last night working on finding a topic, and briefly considered recycling an old paper for undergrad but figured that's somewhat unethical (can you plagiarize yourself?). So I've got a poem and some themes to work on, now I just have to whittle out a thesis and find at least 10 pages (if not 15) worth of argument to make. siiigh. Tonight is dinner at the professor's house... I don't know how many people will show up but I'm pretty much in love with the man so I have to go I don't know what we're having for dinner there but my points intake so far today has been ridiculously low (9 until dinner) so I have plenty of room.

So my coworker lost like 40lbs a year or so ago by existing on granola bars and lean cuisines and 100 cal packs. She started complaining recently because she's gained 10lbs back. I felt like such an imposter giving her diet advice... here I am like 50lbs overweight and she's this little thing... no one at work knows I've been losing weight... it took all the strength I could muster to at least recommend that she start drinking water, since she basically drinks 1 can of soda with lunch and then a ton of beer in the evenings, that's it for fluid intake. I have all this knowledge... all these things I could have shared with her, but I felt really uncomfortable giving healthy eating information to someone smaller than me. I hate that I feel uncomfortable talking about something I really enjoy talking about in normal circumstances. Just goes to show how limiting weight can be, how conscious of it I am.

Oh well. I guess good thing is today she has a bottle of water with her, so it must mean she didn't mind hearing advice from me, the person who probably weighs 70lbs more than she does...

Suite - Heya teammate Your smilin' face just keeps me going ^^ Glad you've made progress on that paper! About the co-worker: Honestly, I don't like the look of how she lost it. And you weren't just giving her "diet" advice, you were giving her health advice. It's good to drink a little more water in place of sodas & beers! No matter what we weigh! And if she lost 40 lbs, I'm sure she realizes that good advice can come from all people, not just those who have made it to goal.