Morning,
Quick note to GATOR...I don't like those beans. They shouldn't even be considered "green beans" THERE IS NO BEAN IN THEM!!!! So, I can't tell you what your results would be. The cabbage would probably be good. How are you going to cook it?

QUILTER....Nice thought, I'm not buying it!
It was a short chat for me. I got kicked off and almost didn't get back on...Now I've got to investigate to see if there is a timer on the virtual machine....hope not!

Good morning Ladies

It seems my fingers can't type today I keep making mistakes anyway I'll just make this a short but sweet one. I'm happy with this WOE and am on track and everything is going good. Short enough? You wish, yes I have more to say, I always have more to say.

Deb: Way to go girl, I'm so excited for you a MEDIUM wow I just can't wait tell it's my turn. I have a neice that's getting married in May and I haven't seen her or her Sisters sence Aug. so I'm trying to stay away from them all so that I can surprise them, I'm waiting tell the wk befor the wedding to get my dress so that I will be able to get a smaller size. I'll actually buy one that fits. I haven't bought anything yet I just keep wearing the same old baggies. It's going to be fun. Please tell Sharon shes welcome and to keep up the good eating.

Cheri: I try not to think of this as a Diet but as a way of life then it's easy to do. You have so many more choises on this than any other i've done. And believe me i've been at this sence I was a teenager doing Dietpills and i'm an old lady of 52 now so. this is the one. and it really works. I can't tell you the change in my life with this one. So you hang in there. it's good one and with all the support you can't go wwrong.

Big Ornage: I love the thrift shops I'm alway looking for old dishes, it's my thing. Only came up empty this time. I did however find a Card holder designed by Michael Grabes who is one of the Building designers for Disney. It was complet with 2 decks of cards never been open and only cost me $1.99. pretty good. We play pinocole all the time. and I alway missplace the cards so now I won't.

Susy: i'm so sorry about the Baby, I've had a misscarriage in the past right before I had my daughter she is now 15. and I know how hard it is. My prayers go out to you and your hubby. you hang in there and know that your support is here for you. God Bless

Well Ladies I guess that really does it today for me. Have a good one. love ya Glory

Here's Frog with your Fitness Friday Report

FEELING RUN DOWN?
Maybe you need to…
“Iron it Out?”

If your energy levels seems constantly low, despite rest, your problem may be a waning iron levels. Iron is a mineral everyone needs, a low iron level is commonly called anemia. With less than ample iron in our tissues, the body can’t properly break down carbohydrates and fats. The result: Energy production is compromised. No wonder people with low iron levels are tired all the time!

WOMEN LOSE IRON THROUGH VIGOROUS EXERCISE AND HEAVY MENSTRUAL PERIODS.

The best way to guard against anemia is to beef up your diet:
** SEE RED. You can obtain iron from some green leafy vegetables, beans, whole grains, and fortified cereals, but the iron found in lean red meat is absorbed best. Red meat also promotes the absorption of iron from other foods.
** STOCK-UP ON VITAMIN C. This will help boost iron absorption from beans, cereals and other iron containing foods.
AVOID COFFEE, TEA AND RED WINE WITH MEALS. The tannins in these beverages interfere with iron absorption.
TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR REGARDING IRON SUPPLEMENTS. When taking iron supplements no improvement occurs if you already have adequate iron levels. And since too much iron may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly for men, don’t consider iron supplementation until you talk to your doctor. You’ll need to request a blood test that checks hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin.

(Excerpt from Runner’s World, February 2001, Fast Lane Article by Ed Eyestone.)

And that's your Fitness Friday Report for February 23, 2001. Good Day!

Hi Busting People!!!! Hope this entrance to the weekend has been good for you. My Fridays are usually good . . . day off, you know. Just wanted to say thanks for all the support. I feel like I’m totally 100% back on the program. I’ve been writing down everything I eat in my palm pilot. So that list gets looked at alot. I am trying to work on my portion controls a bit. I think that’s the main reason I haven’t been losing very fast. I feel great!!!! Sometimes on the way home from work Paul and I discuss what’s going to be happening at dinner. Even though the thought of fast food or pizza sounds very easy, I immediately dismiss it. Don’t even really want to go there. I feel like eating anything “white” is sort of like a betrayal to me and to all of you who are also working your little behinds off. Anyways, we’re going to my bros tonight for the weekend. SIL already asked what we could eat. I’m taking my book (in hopes of loaning it to them), plus our bread and other SB legal things. I want them to see how easy it is to select proper food. Also made my yummy brown rice with veggies and will share that. I’m kind of expecting my bro to turn his nose up at it, but you never know. It really is pretty tasty. Am also taking my SF choco. syrup so that I can have choco milk in case they get the ice cream out. I’ll need something to take my mind off of that.

KAREN---Great question about the scales. I’ve been wondering about that myself. Did I tell you I somehow screwed up the cabbage recipe. It came out way too sweet. Sometimes I am a terrible cook, then again other nights I do okay.

AMS---Hope you will like the bagless model. It does have great sucking power. And if you don’t have any long haired dogs, you won’t have to worry about my problem.

JOY---Glad to hear that your uncomfortable lump was nothing more than an uncomfortable lump. Bet you’re breathing a sigh of relief. I have a cyst on my thyroid that I’ve had biopsied twice and will continue to do so. Never really expect it to be anything with the C word, but always breathe a little easier when the tests come back. Now if your wrist would stop hurting you’d be right as rain. Right???

VIV---You passed up a McD milkshake??? My gosh, woman, you are a goddess of strength!!! Way to go!!! I wish you were feeling better and not so puffy feeling. Question: how much water are you drinking???? Also are you drinking any pop??? I find that even a diet pop will give me some backlash in the bloating area. Anyways, hope you get this all straightened out soon. Did you chat last night? Looks like you got your wish last night when Kimmy was voted out. Take that dirty neck and hit the road!!!

DEB---Congrats on your 11 month anniversary! That’s really terrific!!! What a difference a year makes, huh? I read your statement about Sharon’s enormous loss is 6 weeks and nearly fell off my chair. What is that woman doing??? She needs to get on this board and tell all . . . . very soon. Losing so much must really make her feel good. Give her my congrats and a high five! Thanks for the new recipes. Am excited about the pitas.

BUNNY & DEB---I am right there with you both on accepting compliments. It’s always been so hard for me and I know it’s because I can’t remember a time in my life when I was satisfied or happy about the way I looked. Let’s try to shed those old habits and say we are GLORIOUS BEAUTIFUL WOMEN!!! (Oooo, that made me feel really uncomfortable, oh well baby steps!)

ANNETTE---Thanks for your kind thoughts abou Jackie. She’s off to the dr this afternoon to hear what her next step will be. So much info to handle on such an emotional subject. She said her head was spinning and could not process everything at once.

GLORY---I have a niece getting married in May also. Ours is the 12th. When is yours????

FROG--Are you feeling better??? Thanks for the article. Such important information that we all need to incorporate into our days. Thanks for posting it.

ORANGE---What do you mean you’re “not buying it”?????? Ha!!!! You think you are pretty smart, dontcha? Tell Skeeter that cousin Maddie sends woofs his way. Glad to know his eye is healing. Here’s a story about big M. She loves the next door neighbors because they give her scraps and just treat her like she’s theirs. Unfortunately, they left for FL for 3 months in January. Maddie still stares up at the back door everytime she goes outside. It’s really quite sad that someone with that much beauty could be so stupid. She just doesn’t get it. Poor thing.

Well, gals, don’t know if I’ll get to post much this weekend. DH will take his laptop with us. (I call it his mistress, because it’s by his side more than I am!) So I may get on for a bit, but won’t want to tie up their phone line for too long. I may just lurk and jump on to say “hey.” Hope everybody has a great weekend. Let’s all be victorious over our cravings when they sneak up, just give them a solid kick!

Kim
185/176/139
Cincinnati

Two quick things I forgot!

OVERCOME----I ordered the TM book rack this morning. Yea!!!!! Hope it's here before we leave on vacation. I'm so excited to get it. I really think this will help me get on and stay on without being bored to tears. Thanks for sharing such a great thing!!!

You guys probably already know this, but I just figured it out today. I haven't had huge successes with cooking the brown rice. Sure I doctor it up and make it taste better, but I was NOT happy with its consistency. Too mushy and clumpy. Today I cooked it in my old Black and Decker Handy Steamer and it came out perfect. Really flakey and not a bit sticky. I've had that steamer for years but haven't used it lately and honestly forgot about it. So if any of you are in the same boat as I was, try the steamer idea. I'm wondering if it would do as well in a microwave rice cooker/steamer. I'd just been doing mine on top of the stove before today.

That's it. Gotta run.
Kim

DEB---I just remembered my missing question!!!!!

What the heck is TRADER JOES???? And will I love it when I drive up to Columbus to check it out????

Hi everyone! I hope you all are feeling better than me... still dying with this chest cold. Talked to my doctor today, but since i don't have a fever, he says I don't need antibiotics... Geez, how much longer can this go on??? I have had it for going on 8 weeks - seems like there is something I could do.

Deb: You are welcome for the address. I think you will like both places. I forgot there is another nice HF store called Harvest House. One in Daytona and one in Ormond. Big Fat Congrats on your anniversary!

Susy: I am soooo sorry about your baby. i will keep you in my prayers.

Quilter: Hope Jackie got more good news today. I am sure all of it has been very stressful.

Glory: I sent you an e-mail today, so I will just say hello

Meadow: how are you doing so far? I hope you are finding this woe as easy as I am.

I caught something above about sour dough bread. Are we allowed to eat that? I love it! I would love to have that for toast. I bought the Ekzeile or whatever it is and I don't care for it at all. i will leave it in the freezer for toast with peanutbutter, but that is about all of it I think I can handle. I like the Nature's own 100% stone ground with no sugar added. It is so much softer.


well I am going back to bed! Hello to everyone else! Sorry not to make a note to each of you, but not up to it today!

Annette
Ormond Beach, FL

Hi Everyone!

I haven't been on all day long, can't believe it! And, I didn't do anything all day long either, well, nothing but go to Marhsall's. I'm feeling better, less coughing and nose blowing, but I am soooo drained, all I want to do is SLEEP I feel like a bump on a log!

Anyone have any insight on being sick and it delaying your period? I'm almost a week overdue-trust me, I know I'm not pregnant, that would be a death sentence for me, but I wonder what effect being sick has on that TOM-any ideas?? I'm also up a pound today, but I'm not going nuts over it, hopefully it's hormonal. I haven't even had any water today, not a drop-no desire, so this doesn't help my WL.

Bought an adorable pair of pants, unusual color though and may have trouble finding a top to go with it. Anyhow, they are a Petite Medium -yipee!!!

SAS, I hope the move goes very smoothley for you. It's great the kids are excited about the temporary move-it sure is a lot of work! I hope you get everything unpacked quickly, esp. the computer!!!

QUILTER, congrats on the 2lb loss you had! What do you think happened on Survivor with someone getting hurt-on next week's show. The preview shows a helicoptor coming in-should be a good show. Jerri was spared, Kimmi was ousted-I can't believe they'd even consider putting a vegetarian out there. Put me out there, it would be weight-loss heaven!!!!! Sounds like a nice weekend is planned and you've planned ahead to stay on track - good job! Sharon is following SB as well. She really doesn't have interest in being on the board, it's just not her style, but she does show interest when she's here with me. Does your steamer have the clear insert for rice? I have a steamer and I have no ideas what to do with that little clear bowl!!!

ANNETTE, sorry you missed last night's chat - next week I'll make sure I double remind you! WOW, I think you are the first person to say they didn't like the EZEKEIL'S bread- I only use it for toast, too heavy to use for a sandwich I think, and forget about making french toast out of it - YUCK! Yes, you are allowed sourdough. Sharon and I found a great brand called RUDI'S at the HFS, you should see if they carry it up your way. Hope you are feeling better today, 8 weeks is ridiculous-I better not be sick that long!!!

GATOR, that truly stinks about the AOL chat thing-thank goodness we have the new chat room. I hope you are able to access it easier. It's not a perfect program, but it sure is better than nothing. Have you been using your Powerbelt???

RHROO, no open candy here-I have 8 bars, but they are all still sealed. Are you joking, if I open one, it will surely be gone, or at least I think it would - I'm afraid to tempt fate! Maybe it won't affect me as I think once I try some, but I am sooo scared it will!!

GLORY, I'm sure your family will be so surprised when you go to the wedding in May. I hope you find something really beautiful to show of the new body!!!

FROG, great article. I know personally that I am low on some nutrients and need to bring them up to par. I need more Selenium, Phosphorus and Magnesium. I use to be low in Iron, but I think I've helped remedy that situation.

Well gals, I'm going to scrounge up something for the kids for dinner. I'll try to check in later if I'm up. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Toodles

Debie
194/135/129

Hello Everyone

Boy you sure have been busy posting since I last visited. Its been awhile, busy here and extremely tired. Does anyone take vitamins? If the answer is yes, what type etc.

The scale was up, TOM, and I'm sure its from not being completely OP. But I'm feeling stronger and fighting those urges which will go away soon!

Well I hope you are all doing well, You are a wonderful inspiring group!

More to read! Have a great weekend!

Cathy in Ohio

Big Orange--LOL! You are such a southern gal. I loved your comment about the beans. I think if I cook 'em long enough, maybe they'll be like southern beans. I'll let you know. As for the cabbage, I'll just cut it in small chunck, like fried cabbage, and then saute it a bit, add the Wiley's and a little H2O and cook a bit more. I'll let you know on that too. I don't have any cabbage on hand.

I was watching one of those gourmet cooking shows--Great Chefs of the US and I saw one of them fix zucchini just like we had here when the SB gals were here in Orlando. Very thinly julienned on his mandoline, and he sauteed them in butter instead of putting them in hot water. But he just did it enough to warm them up. He called it zucchini spaghetti.

Suzy, I send hugs and tears. I'm sad with you and will keep you in my prayers.

I saw an article in USA Today about CRE--or Chronic Restrained Eating. It showed people that knew that they could not just diet and go back to "pigging out." So, they were always vigilant about how and what they ate; it truly was a WOE. When they got to goal, they could enjoy occasional treats like ice cream--but in moderation and only occasionally. For me, I always either on a diet, where I was very controlled, or off a diet, where there was no control. So this reminds me that this is a lifestyle.

Its chilly here in Orlando today, and overcast. I miss those 80 degree days we've had this week. My DH is in Gainesville and won't be back till tomorrow. I had an early dinner, will clean up the pans, and then that's it for the food today. Yea!

Y'all have a great Saturday. I have an all day meeting tomorrow and won't get back till 6 or 7. I hope to get back on the board tomorrow night.

Debelli--got any sexy duds yet for your new sexy bod? Go for it, gal!

Real quick as we are literally walking out the door . . .

DEB---Survivor: That was a real cliff hanger they left us with. DH and I were trying to remember who we saw standing around after they showed the helicopter. Roger & Elizabeth and I think Michael said something too. Do you remember any of that??? But we don’t remember seeing the girl who is the fitness trainer. The one who got into it with Kimmy. So it could have been her. She's bossy, but I like her. I guess bossy is okay, but bossy and malipulative isn't. Steamer: Yes, the clear plastic bowl is for the rice. Don’t use the drip tray in the base and fill the steamer to hi. If you still have your book, there are instructions in there. I used their rice to water ratio which for brown was 1 cup of rice to 1 1/4 cup of water in the clear bowl. Just set it down into that other clear container with the holes in the bottom. (I’m assuming you have one similar to mine.) Then I cooked it for about 55 minutes. Perfection! Good luck.

CATHY---I just take a multi-vitamin that I get from Walgreens. And I also take calcium, 500 mg that also has vitamin D. I usually only take one, because I eat a lot of yogurt and always drink milk every day. I’m not sure this is enough, but I heard that your body can’t process calcium if you go over.

Gotta go guys. Talk to you later.
Kim

Me again! Kids let me on the computer-such sweet darlings they are

CATHY, I just recently started taking a multivitamin when I looked at the report I got on FITDAY.COM. I found it at THE VITAMIN SHOPPED, called Esp. for Women. I'm sure any good multivitamin will do the trick-I mentioned above that I am very low on 3 nutrients, so I may get supplements for those 3.

GATOR, I doubt I'll ever wear anything sexy on this body. Have to feel the part to wear the part. It's funny, when I look at my thighs, I see them as tree trunks, but when I see them in a mirror at a store, they look small. My visualization of myself stinks, and it's something I need to work on after I lose the weight. One thing at a time. Then, I'll work on the clothes. I still find myself going to the large sized dept of stores-I'm a work in progress I guess!

QUILTER, thanks Kim for explaining the rice part of my steamer. I got it at a garage sale, no book, so had no idea how to use it. It's a B&D brand too. I'll have to try it with the specs you mentioned. I honestly don't remember who was on at the end of Survivor, I guess we'll just have to wait and see-I hate being kept in suspense!!! Can you believe, we'll be meeting in just 2 weeks!!!

Sharon is coming over this evening-she'll probably spend the weekend here with me, anywhere but where her husband is, which is home. Tomorrow I have to go to a lunch for my Aunt's 94th B.day and Sunday is dinner at Mom's, I'm hoping her friend will make the zuchinni dish I just love!!!

I'm outta here, again!

Toodles

Debbie
194/135/129
Miami, FL

LADIES....

We are off for our one night getaway to bliss (hahaha, seeing all the in-laws...as my son says OY VEY!)...BUT...I couldn't get on yesterday....

I had to tell you all....

The TOM stopped....

and the scale forgave me...see below. This was my goal for this date - to be in the 130s.....

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT! i could not have gotten to this place without all of you. We are all so lucky (sorry, weight loss makes me very emotional....:crying

Viv
146/138!/128
Simsbury, CT

[This message has been edited by viv (edited 02-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by viv (edited 02-24-2001).]

Hi All!

Barb: thanks for the note! Hopefully we can get together soon! Weddings are so much fun!

Deb: I can't believe you are shopping for mediums! How wonderful!

Susy: How are you doing? I hope you have support around you!

Gator: I didn't realize you live in Orlando; I guess I just assumed you were in Gainesville. What do you do for a living that you had to go to a conference? Just curious!

Viv: I would take your start weight for a goal weight!! LOL... way to go with your loss! Have fun on your weekend!

Hi to everyone else. Gotta run.

Annette
Ormond Beach FL

Hey, guys!

We are all getting ready to go shopping and "what not" and I have a few seconds to scan. We are having a really nice time. Played cards last night. Guys beat the girls. Ugh . . . I think they cheat. LOL

VIV---Oh my gosh girl, I am crying with you!!! Being in the 130's is SO where I want to be. I am so glad for you. You are doing well. And I'm relieved that the evil TOM torture went away. You must be flying high.

Has anybody ever notices cravings coming on at the mid-month point??? It seems to have worked that way for me this month. I am going to keep track of when cravings hit and see if there is a pattern here. Because even though I ate that ice cream and cookies on February 9, my cravings JUST went away this week. So do you think the cravings would have been from the overdue major shut down on the 9th? It seems like a long time for that ick to et out of my body. Anyways, then I got to thinking about the mid-month and thought that might hae been the problem.

ORANGE---Met a guy this morning who's daughter lives in Knoxville and is a huge UT fan. Made me think of you! We're off to super Walmart. I'm hoping to come out of there with LOTS of Wileys. I'll let you know.

Have a great Saturday. I'll be around.

Kim
185/176/139
Cincinnati