Patti: It sure sounds fun huh? I want one. lol

Ammi: I'm not sure if it has diet plans or not. I will look tonight. I am just enjoying the things it is talking about hunger and how our bodies are made to eat and digest certain foods and about fat etc. Thanks for the phishers info. Yuck. I don't like that type of phishing/fishing. lol.

Lori: I am enjoying the book. I recommend for you to check it out. Granted I have only gotten through 3 or 4 chapters so please look it over before you buy for yourself.

Blessings all,
Annie

Okay chickies, it is time for part four of the Top Five Tips to Keeping a Healthy Existence by Dr. Neetash Patel.

#4 – Forgiveness. Wow, this is a big one and one that takes some work. Often we berate ourselves for missing our day at the gym, or eating that piece of cheese-cake, or we have been up all night with sick kids and don’t even have the strength to blink…it’s okay. Everything in moderation, right? Missing one day doesn’t break the habit. Every day is another new chance to be healthy. Take stock of what is important, prioritize and act accordingly. Some days, we just can’t get it all done, so forgive yourself, don’t give up, get some rest and do better tomorrow.

I’ll need to read this one repeatedly. I really have trouble with this one. I can be merciless on myself. I was giving myself such a hard time today that my husband took me for a long walk in China Town to change my mood. It turned cold here (a relative term in the frozen north), so to warm up we stopped for dinner in our favorite hole in the wall noodle house and had Goi Cuon which is a non-fried spring roll sometimes called salad rolls or summer rolls. It has lettuce and fresh mint and shrimp in a softened rice paper so thin you can see the shrimp through it. They’re only 60 calories a piece. We also had bowls of Pho that looked like they were in large mixing bowls. Himself order the Xe Lua with rare steak, well done brisket, and tripe in it. I had the Chay which is the vegetarian version. They bring you a big platter of fresh bean sprouts, chilies, and mint to put in the Pho. Less than 200 calories and it takes a long time to eat because it is very hot, and it only comes with soup spoon and chopsticks. The place doesn’t put out forks, and if you ask for one the waitress suddenly can’t speak English, so you’d better know how to use chopsticks, or be willing to eat like you’re bobbing for apples. The soup was hot, the green tea was hot and never ending, and we both left room for durian for dessert. Imagine a fig Newton made with only rice flour and mung beans, filled with a very vile smelling but wonderful tasting fruit.

I feel so much better knowing that I can occasionally go out and not lose my mind and eat 20 gazillion calories. I figure the key is to identify places that are “safe.” I find that ethnic places (and I don’t mean taco bell or pizza hut) where things are made from scratch with really fresh ingredients are pretty safe as long as you stay away from the fried part of the menu. Vegetarian restaurants can also be really easy on the calorie load as long as you stay away from the smoothies. I’ve got safe places identified in every section of town so if we happen to be out somewhere, I can suggest a safe place even if I’m with non-dieters. My trouble comes when I’m traveling. I obviously avoid buffets. I bet that I can easily eat 10,000 calories in a buffet run.

Annie-I love Dr. Oz, and have wanted to get his new book ever since I saw him with it on Oprah. I’ll definitely have to now that it has your seal of approval.

Annie i want a WII also

Good Morning All,

Another cold day here in the UK, brrrr. Come on summer hurry up and arrive, I promise not to moan that it's too hot

Had a great evening's viewing on TV last night, it was Greys Anatomy and ER, both have so much going on in them they really keep me hooked.

Loriette - I totally get your excitement about getting into the 280s, it's definitely not a case of being amazed over what you get excited about. It IS brilliant that you lost those 3 lbs to take you out of the 290s forever

Sorry that you have such 'girls' lol, but so glad that I am not the only one with them. I often wonder if it would have been easier if I had boys

Catherine - that Chinese place sounds awesome, I love genuine places like that, or I should say I love the sound of them. I have never been to one myself, never seen one to go to. I am glad you had such a lovely meal there and that you realised you can indeed have an evening out like that and not eat too much

Thanks for the tips you have been sharing, I especially like the last one about Forgiveness. Many of my diets have fallen by the way side because I have had one pig out and decided that was the end of my diet. I am learning that it doesn't have to be like that, and that tip you shared definitely confirms that

Charlene - yay another Little House on the Prairie fan. I knew I wasn't the only one, though Katt if also a fan so that's 3 of us LOL. I am trying to get the whole series on DVD, so far I have the first 4 seasons, so I am getting there. It's weird watching them now as an adult, they still make me cry every time be it with happy or sad tears lol. Plus it's so nice when I see an episode that I particularly remember from my childhood.

I love that show Ugly Betty too, it ER, Greys Anatomy, CSI, and Boston Legal are my fave shows at the moment!

Missy - so lovely to see you post and to hear you are still on track with the diet. well done on losing another lb! I think it's a great incentive to carry on losing the weight so that when your friend gets back from Japan she will be really amazed at how great you look.

Good luck to your sister/sister in law with her C Section next month, and :congrats: in advance on becoming an aunty.

Ok time to go have some breakfast now, I think it will be porridge (oats) this morning because it's so cold here, and because Annie is right, it sure does keep you from feeling hungry too quickly afterwards.

Take care all and bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

Charlene... looks like my treadmill days may soon be over if my knee doesnt straighten up... i hate that too cuz i do like my treadmill. i am looking into other ways to exercise.

Good morning Ammi!

I am so pumped. Yesterday I went for my walk around the block - I was a little stiff afterwards. But last night I decided to do it again. It was absolutely freezing, so I increased my pace. I got through it with no problems! Yea! I'm still shooting for 10 blocks in a row, but right now any exercise is better than none!

Can someone help me keep track on line of how many miles I've walked? how do you make the little smiley counters?

All the best in your success!

Good morning from frigid Ottawa! Brrrrrrrrrrr....
Glad to hear that everyone is doing well... sounds like another OP day in the works! Keep it up girls!
Thanks for all of the encouragement and support.. it's so wonderful to come by here and have such kind and supportive words to keep me going, when all i REALLY wanted this morning was a chocolate-dipped doughnut at the cafeteria...they're so fresh...and squishy....and still warm.....
But, I said no, and had my egg & cheese on brown bread...
Won't be swimming today - I have a bunch of errands to run on my lunch break, but I got a DVD from the library last night on "Strip Aerobics" hehe... this could be interesting.. I'm going to try it tonight and see how things go... heeehee...maybe I'll get a different sort of "workout" afterwards!
I don't, as a rule, get online much on the weekends - we only have dialup at home - so I wish everyone a wonderful, OP and exercise filled weekend... and see you on MOnday!

Laura, great on the walking, do you mean 'smilies' in the text we type? If so when you are ready to post go to ADVANCED rather than POST QUICK REPLY, they're all there.
I don't have time for anything else, I'm spending most of the day & ALL THE NIGHT sleeping, the house is a mess but until I feel up to it I'm resting & just making sure the boys are clean, fed & entertained. I think I've put all the 7lbs I lost being ill back on!!!! GRRR Why can it drop off when I'm ill but creep back on when I start to feel beter??!!! I suffered & I deserve that loss!!!!
Jilly, congrats for the 'new' neice, any idea what names she'll get? Get some pics posted, I love babies, as long as they're NOT MINE!!lol (I get to look at the cuties but no sleepless nights!!lol)xxxxx
Ammi, I should be around, unless I fall asleep AGAIN, I've been trying all day, phone kept ringing, doorbell kept going, ggrrr.
I hope this cold snap calms down, wherever you are keep warm & active, if you're up to it!!
xxxxxxsharon

Congratulations to everyone who's losing, exercising and staying OP!

Welcome NEWBIES! This is a great place, and I'm sure you'll love it here!

Congrats Jilly on the new bundle of joy in the family. My niece was born with a full head of black hair too, just adorable....she looks just like me [heehee ].

Today will be an interesting day...a tough one. We're having lunch with the VP. We do this quarterly and I have the restaurant menu and the only thing that looks OP is salad. So I'm ordering 2 different kinds and mixing them. What'll be interesting is being in the same room as everyone as they chow down on all my favorites -- we're ordering Italian food. But I know after lunch, I'll probably be the only one who isn't bloated and tired

Laura - well done on doing that walk around the block the second time especially as it was sooooo cold. It sure does help to make you speed up the pace though doesn't it

I know those counters you are on about are the emoticons. Where you put your tracker in your signature line you just write what each emoticon is for, and then chose the one you want from the smiley list. At least that's how I think you do it, as you can see I haven't set anything up like that for myself.

Vanessa - to you for passing up on that lovely choc covered doughnut I have to admit that they are one of my all time fave cakes!! Even nicer if they have custard in the middle

Am loving the sound of that strip aerobics DVD you bought, I bet you will get that second work out you mentioned Hubby will never be so pleased about you wanting to lose weight

Sharon - it's always the same isn't it, when you want to get some sleep somebody keeps waking you up. If the boys give you peace this afternoon I say take that nap, and give the PC a miss. Plenty of time for chatting when you are feeling more human again

Patti - hi I hope you are having a good day. You mentioned you had things to do and you would be busy, so whatever you are doing, don't wear yourself out

Simone - I love your new avatar As for eating out later, sticking with the salad while everybody else eats the Italian food. Excellent bit of positive thinking there where you said that they will all be feeling bloated and tired afterwards and you won't be

Hugs,

Ammi

Ammi back from shopping.. took about 20 minutes hobbling and all !

Well..I made it out of lunch alive! No temptations either. And I was right..everyone is now tired and full and I'm not [tired, that is]. I stuck with a tomato and bocconcini salad and marinated mushrooms and the good news is...they weren't oily! No oil at all! I was thrilled about that! BUT...the annoying news is..they ordered a birthday cake for some new girl in the office and my team is slated to give it to her because her boss isnt here! I LOVE cake. That'll be hard to pass up, but I know I will.

PS...Ammi...I loved that pic the moment I saw it and thought it would make a great avatar. It's too funny...and SO true!