Julie and Nikki so glad you found us here just waiting for you to pop back in. Glad as heck that yah all are back in town again. Look forward to hearing how your doing and whats been up with yah's.
The scale was mean this a.m. but I am going to win him yet. I still have a few days this month left. I ate really good today and drink some extra water. So I am hoping to get that scale down eventually again. What the heck its got to come off if I keep logging my intakes and eat healthier. I ate my chicken for dinner with hot sauce maybe it will wake up my metabolism??? One can only hope. I ate cottage cheese for dinner and some baked potatoe slice I think I put a bit too much olive oil on them but thats the worse thing I have done all day so not too bad. Well I will keep in touch and super happy the weeks over with at work. I am purchasing my own kayak from a friend a really good deal so I am pretty excited about that. Its off season so I am getting a great price as he is saving on his new one. This is used but well cared for. So I now will have to purchase a vest etc. so new equipment too. Oh how fun! I can't wait to go camping not today its really cold here. Hope Judy is staying warm in NYC. Thanks for your words of wisdom girls on the scale issue. It sure isn't any fun when its mean.

Great to see you again Penny. I missed you all. A race sure thing I may be trying SBD to kick this platuea.

Nikki

Welcome back Nikki!!!! I think of you often. You're the one who got me started on really losing weight and since your "date" 10 pound challenge last April, I've lost 41 pounds. For months I wanted to thank you for kick starting me. I hope your health issues are okay and that school is going okay.

Penny, oh I hear you about the couple here and there. I just had 6 M&Ms. Not many, but still about 25 calories. They do add up. I just can't nibble. 3 meals a day for me. I read an article that says different people need different routines. Some people do best with 6 small meals a day and other only succeed with 3 meals per day. Since I'm a muncher, getting rid of snacks and the such is the only way I can be successful - 3 meals per day. I wish I remembered where I read that and I'd post the link. I'll keep thinking about where I saw it.

DS2 and I had a blast skiing last night. I didn't particularly like the area (Willamette Pass) but we had fun. We've had NO snow in over a month so the conditions are deteriorating everywhere. We did about 15 or 16 runs and HE quit before me. Oh I love being not fat and in being in shape. But, he quit because of last trips accident. His knees weren't completely healed but I was going strong. I just talked with DH and we're going skiing next Sunday. We decided Super Bowl Sunday would mean fewer people on the mountain. BTW, he's bored in MN but he's glad he's visiting his family.

Today is babysitting duties. I'm exhausted since we got home really late but I'm hoping DGS just wakes me up. The playdate got cancelled so I'm not sure what we're going to do. I'm thinking of going to the fabric store and getting fabric to make a new quilt for my bed. My only hesitation is I have TONS of craft projects started and nothing finished. But heck, what's one more????

Carol, you and I are both glad the week is over. All this babysitting is wearing me out. The one night I didn't babysit after work, I went skiing. Tomorrow I'm going to zone out the whole day!!!
Marie

Marie - I'm glad you got to go skiiing again - might as well go as often as you can before the season ends. You must be very fit to do so many runs. That's my ultimate goal - to be fit and healthy. I don't particularly care about the number on the scale, but it obviously helps to be as close as possible to my goal as carrying around the extra weight stresses out my joints. Next week I'm going to check out a yoga place that I've found that's fairly close by. I figure that doing something completely different, in addition to going to Curves, might give me the kick start I need to begin losing again. I think I'll have to consider cutting out my snacks too. Too often they become 'mini meals' which is totally counter-productive.

It's sunny but cool today but I hope to do some more yard clean up later on. It's good to get out in the garden again and see all the bulbs starting to poke through. My primroses are all starting to bloom too.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Stopping by for a quick hello! I'm having problems getting on via my BlackBerry this trip, and this is my first opportunity to sit at a computer since I left. So personals later--but big hello and hugs to Julie and Nikki! We missed you!

The meeting have been very good, and the training I'm doing today is almost done...back on the train tonight and heading home, hooray. I have to to be up and out at ungodly hours every morning, and too out of it to do anything late in the evenings, so this hasn't been a model trip re working out. Eating has been mostly on target. We went out to a fabulous Korean place last night, though, and I ate like a pig.

Okay, my break is over, gotta regroup my class. See you on Sunday,

judy

Oh, it was delightful to sleep at home last night, and to linger in bed past 9AM this morning. I did my first workout since Wednesday, an hour of TurboJam, and it felt great work up a sweat and to lift weights. On this next trip, which starts early Tuesday morning and lasts through Saturday, I should be able to work out most days, hooray.

Julie, I recall that you were dealing with a lot of issues in your personal life. I hope that things have smoothed out for you in the past year. We missed your good humour and your special way with the smilies .

Nikki, you've done well not to fall off the wagon and down the hill with all the challenges you had this fall! I'm so glad you're making time to post with us. How's school?

Penny, thanks for the reminder about a stray nible here and there. One of my downfalls is the extra "healthy" snacks, which still add up. On Thursday and Friday, zigzagging around Manhattan to meetings, I didn't have or think about my usual morning and afternoon snacks; I was hungry at dinner (sushi, yum...) but not ravenous. So I know that a lot of this snacking is just habit or a way to break up the time, not true hunger.

Carol, no I did not stay warm in NYC! My fingers, especially, were painfully cold due to Raynaud's syndrome, and instead of the usual walking we kept hopping into cabs. You sound very excited about camping and the new kayak, that's wonderful. And if weighing in everyday stresses you out, don't do it! That works for some people (like me), but not for others.

Marie, I hope you are zoning out today! You have been really busy and deserve some totally "me" time.

I managed not to gain anything this week, and am still at 226. My goal will be to maintain this week, despite being on the road...I am taking my laptop, so I can be sure to check in with y'all pretty much everyday.

judy

Well everyone hello! Sounds like everyone was kind of glad to have a day of rest today. I too didn't do too much. I did want to pop in and say hello. I am trying to be better on the control of my intake on weekends. Sometimes I guess my brain says oh free for all on the weekends in order to succeed I can't let this continue. I did manage to bake some brownies but used applesauce instead of oil. I bit different but not awful. Then made some banana bread for dessert tonight. Other than that staying in control I at least left calories for my banana bread. Good thinking I say. Marie good job keeping so active in the snow. Judy burr it was quite cold I say! Bet you were glad to get in bed at night under the covers etc. Cozy huh? Well its warmed up a bit today not a heat wave but warmer. Gotta go work on my taxes to get ready to file. Gotta pay for that kayak yah know. Nikki maybe we can get some motivation started again here any great ideas since that last one helped Marie so much. Maybe it will be catchy and we can all grab on strong to it this time. Let us know if yah have some ideas! I am sure we would be game.
Take care trying to drink more herbal tea and water. Maybe its helping ???? Oh I did lose a half of lb. yesterday. Better than none.

Ha Carol, told you the evil scale wasn't all knowing on Friday!!! Good job on the 1/2 pound. I'm staying away until TOM is gone. I've been good but boy did I have the munchies yesterday. Made up for it by foregoing my nightly ice cream cone. Today I'm under my cals so I'm going to snack on an apple. Truly I'd like that banana bread or brownies but I'm determine. I thought of y'all this am when I wanted some M&Ms. I looked at the bag and said Mari you won't lose any more if you snack. And I WALKED AWAY!!!!!! Yeah!!!!

Well my day of rest is really restful. I hurt my lower back yesterday then picking up DGS for 8.5 hours did it in. I'm in pain. Walking doesn't hurt much so I took the doggies for a slow walk. Good thing my resolution this year was to get my huskies to stop pulling my arms out. They weren't used to the slow pace but it was nice (and not too painful). Then we sat outside overlooking the frozen pool. It was bout 50 and sunny - too gorgeous to stay inside. I did take a 2 hour nap this morning since my back hurt too much to sit for long. I'm hoping tomorrow it'll start loosening up. Eeks what a weekend. You know, I should be not able to move from skiing now twisting around a corner (over a doggie) to pick up an earring. If I call in sick tomorrow, that will be hard to explain.

Yesterday I ordered new mittens for skiing. They should be way toasty! I also ordered a new set of WATP called Walk Slim that my other forum is raving about. They gave me more details and I thought something new would be fun. And then I ordered new tennis shoes, 2 bras and Nike sandals from Kohl's. I guess when I type it out, I was busy.

Judy, enjoy your brief stay at home. Where ar you off to this time? Somewhere warm. I'm actually getting excited for my Florida trip in March. I hate winter and this has been the most easiest winter imagineable. I think I'm getting old. But I haven't swam in the ocean for many years - the Pacific is just too cold so I'm looking forward to some body surfing and playing in the waves.

Carol, taxes are no fun. I efiled mine last weekend. So my return might be here this week sometime. I had mine done because I was worrying about owing so I loaded my TurboTax on the computer in December and used the paystubs to estimate. I was so relieved when I saw a refund. But most was done so when I got my W2s last week, I just changed the estimates to the real numbers and I was done. Not painful at all. And enjoy that kayak.

Marie

Carol congrats on the 1/2 pound.

I had a pretty good weekend food wise. I did notstray to much and am hoping for a lose tomorrow. Either way tomorrow I start on my low carb diet. I went to the store today and spent 150.00 on groceries so I have plenty of low carb stuff in the house. I am hoping this kick starts my weight loss. Tonight I hada burger and fries as kind of my last carb meal for awhile.

I will check in tomorrow after I weigh in.

Nikki

Judy - Yes, those itty bitty nibbles add up! That's why I'm glad I journal my food. At least I know where I'm going wrong! I cut back about 50% on my nibbling today - didn't go cold turkey, but I'm working on cutting out most snacks. Even though I'm not too much over my calorie limit I know I won't start losing again till I cut out the snacky stuff (or at least cut down drastically). I'm glad you got a good night's sleep in your own bed. Whenever I travel (which isn't very often), I really appreciate my bed when I get home.

Carol - Congrats on the half pound loss! . You have a lot of willpower to only eat a little of those goodies you bake. Baking is a dangerous pursuit for me. I would gobble the whole batch. I'm going to follow your example and drink more herbal tea. I love chamomile tea, I sometimes have a cup before bedtime to help me sleep.

Marie - I hope your back gets better soon. Good for you for walking away from those evil M&M's! Your trip to Florida sounds great. The warm weather seems very far away today as we had icy cold winds that seemed to go right to my bones!

Nikki - So you're doing low carb to get going again? I was quite successful losing weight when I did low carb a while back (not ultra-low like Atkins - more like just cutting out 'empty' carbs like white bread, potatoes, pasta, root veggies, white sugar, etc.) Maybe it's time I tried it again as those foods have crept back in to my diet a bit too often. I hope you have a good weigh-in tomorrow.

I've been doing the treadmill regularly and it's more fun now we have this nice little flat screen TV on a wall bracket so that I can swing it out and watch TV while I walk. Not quite so boring that way and the time goes by quicker. Unfortunately, I seem to end up watching the Food Network, which is not known for it's low cal cuisine! I did pretty good calorie wise today so maybe I'm getting the snack monster under control. I just read an interesting article that it's best to eat only one or two different kinds of breakfasts and lunches because eating a lot of different foods stimulates the appetite too much. I once spoke with a woman at TOPS who had lost over 100 lbs. and that was her secret. She said she made eating as boring as possible! I'm not sure I could do that, but it's an interesting thought.

Have a good week everyone.

Penny- My goal is to do 14 days of strict low carb following South beach basically. Then add back in some fruit and whole grains. We will see how it goes. If anyone want to join me I'd be hapy to have company.

See you all in the Am
Nikki

Marie sure hope you feel better soon. The hurt back isn't any fun take it slow but keep moving sometimes no movement messes us up more. Your right about the scale. But this a.m. I still had the .5 gone no more no less but thats alright I guess for today. I thought about it and really this is the winter where we tend to pack on the lbs. I should be grateful it wasn't more. This is manageable and I will get it off. I am tend to eat what I want trying to eat less etc. I guess my feelings is if I have to give things up completly I will go on a huge binge resulting in more damage in the end. I set myself a goal in my journal and will see if I can reach it. I didn't go crazy setting it to high just realistic but do able. Nikki I think I will join you and Penny in trying harder to watch my carbs. Penny you described it simple and I will also watch the intake of these items. I just read an article last night after tax time. Getting things in order. That fiber keeps us fuller which I knew but also that it helps fight off the fat cals etc. So I am going to work on adding more beans and lentils to my diet as well. Also pears which are a good source. Tonight I am going to make a veggies dinner. But for lunch I am making a salad and adding in some chicken and chick peas. After all only 5 months to my daughters wedding oh how quick time flys. Marie that Walk Slim sounds like something I should try I get really bored at home on the treadmill. At the gym your watching others the music is on time goes by quicker. I did fill out the application for the YMCA. I will see how we do with prices and then decide if I will switch gyms or not. I do know I need to get going cause my butt is giggly. I don't think thats good I better firm up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hah hah! Not bigger though thats a good thing. Girls I need a little tv for my exercise room something to get soon. There so cheap no adays compared to years ago. I love the cooking channel but somethings you need to adjust how you make them. Nikki I love fruit and can't do with out so I will just cut back on whites. Anything white except eggs should stay out. Well all I gotta go off to work and catch up on seeing people today the end of the month is near and due to weather and some other pressing matters to tend to I am behind on seeing folks. So its a possible work late evening cause we are due for snow tonight I feel the need to acomplish these visits. Then I have court in the morning for guardianship for a client. Hopefully the weather isn't too bad. This month has been a tough one with work. It has to slow down soon but I have been saying this for months.

Morning Ladies-

I had my weigh in today and I am up 1.2 pounds. I am not bummed out though. I ate a burger and fries last night which always brings me up a bit. Today I start my south beach. I am very excited. I will post back at the end of the day to let you all know how I did.


Carol- I like fruit to but I am going to do it! Are pears low carb? I 'm not sure I wil check my book. . . ok for two weeks I get no fruit and no cheese unless it s reduced fat. I messed up there I bought reg old cheese. Back to the store LOL.


Nikki

Nikki & Carol - I'm in with you for going lower carb. I don't think I'm up to totally cutting out fruit but I'll reduce my bread to one slice every two days. I eat Ezekiel sprouted bread which is supposed to be very healthy. I will also cut out bananas - I've been eating too many of those lately and they are very carby.

Nikki, it's a good idea to limit cheese. It's not too high carb but soooo many calories in a small amount. I love cheese too and so I just can't have it in the house any more. I had some shredded cheese I bought for my DH's omelets and I was grabbing handfuls of that to snack on! I'll go back to asking for more veggies or salad to have with my entrees instead of potatoes or rice when we eat out. Rice has snuck back into my diet lately too - these things all add up to stop my weight loss even though I don't eat huge amounts of them and fit them into my daily calories.

I have the feeling that I'm more bloated and retain water when I eat too many carbs. My protein has been a lot lower lately too, so that will automatically go up if I cut out some of the carbs and protein is very filling. Let's hope this does the trick to get us losing again! Nikki - pears aren't ultra high carb so after your induction period you could maybe have half a pear. I buy "schoolboy" gala apples that are very small so I automatically eat less. They're about half the price of regular gala apples too.

Good luck - we can do it!

Nikki, I will keep your low-carbing in mind through these next two trips. I can't eat wheat, anyway, so that helps, but I can avoid rice (which is high-glycemic) and little travel treats like Starbucks chai tea (sugar) and chocolate. But I will want the ocassional bowl of oatmeal or slice of spelt bread, and access to protein bars help me walk away when the only meal options are mac 'n cheese or other off-limit foods. So for me, no sugar or other empty carbs will be a good thing to focus on.

Marie, I hope that your back is feeling better, there's nothing worse than a bad back.

Penny, I've heard that the more choice you have, the more you eat, even something as weird as M&Ms all one color or multi-colored. I love to eat, though, so my limited options will have to be food that's really good. I'm supposed to be replacing two meals or snacks a day with protein shakes, but that was hard to maintain for more than a few weeks. But it's helping to have a shake as my default breakfast during the week, and an apple and almonds for a morning snack.

I'll be in Milwaukee briefly tomorrow, then in Chicago through Saturday. Cold and snowy in both places, but I'll have access to a hotel fitness room, so no excuses!

Um, Carol, exactly what is a "giggly butt"? Sounds happy enough to me!

judy