WTG Kristen! Congrat's on your loss!!
You have EVERY right to pat yourself on the back because you have done a GREAT job. 3.4 pounds is fantastic! Keep up the good work. And have fun at the wedding.

Hi Lynne, sounds like you have a busy weekend ahead of you. We've had rain the last two days also and I am hoping it stops so I can get out too.

I think some cleaning is in order for me also. Need to catch up on laundry and such, get some exercise in there, and I want to work on my daughters scrapbook. I'm making one for each of my kids but starting with her. I've done two for my hubby and myself, wedding ones, and then one of his families pictures. I would like to do a heritage one of my grandparents, those are nice. We'll see. It is definitely a costly hobby, but then if you think about it, it is your memories you are preserving.

Anyway, I just wanted to say Hi to ALL and hope EVERYONE has a GREAT weekend. I won't be posting again until Monday. So see ya ladies then.

Yikes! It's been days since I've posted here. My son's still sick, although a little bit better today--I know he's not faking it when he doesn't even want to watch television and would just rather rest. Anyway, walking is superb, eating still leaves much to be desired on the health front. But I have made a promise to myself that after this weekend I will be back on that wagon come **** or high water. I haven't come this far to just give up!

I haven't been able to read all of the posts but here's some of the tidbits that I wanted to comment on:

Kristen you go ahead and toot your own horn. 3.4 lbs GONE is fantastic! Can you rub elbows w/me so I can get some of your motivation?

Janine I love calorieking.com, I love the diversity of foods they have listed. I recommend it to all my friends also.

Cristi I would never have the patience or creative talent to scrapbook, but you sound just like my sister. She's put together a couple of collage pages from photos from all the grandkids in the family, then pictures from each family. We'll eventually have a book's worth of pages to put together. She enjoys doing it, and well, I enjoy looking at it . Keep those precious memories alive.


Lynne your pamper day sounded divine--I wouldn't have done gardening or any housework for that matter either!

Oh yeah, for the other ladies who were interested in cleaning my house, I was able to clean my house a bit since I was at home w/the sick kid for 3 days straight! I'd love to have any of you visit if you're in the neighborhhood though...

Hi Everyone else, hope you're weekend is coming along fine. I'll check back w/ya ladies later. Have a good one!






_____________________
May Goal Miles: 85
Miles walked Wednesday: 5/14/03: 3.5
Miles walked Thursday: 5/15/03: 3.5
Miles walked Friday 5/16/03: 3.5
Miles walked today: none yet
Total walked to date: 53.50
Miles to Go: 31.5

Hi guys!

I went for another long walk today. I measured it with the car, and it's actually 4.8km, not 6, but still not a bad effort!
I really LOVE the long walk. Sounds crazy, but I find it a real challenge to aim for the end of the long stretch, get to the corner, and know that I've done a large part and it just seems to get easier. And the last stretch is a power trip, knowing how far I've come and the fact that I'm still going strong! So I've decided that as long as I have the time, I'm going to do it everyday. Certainly should work off those kilos in no time!!!

Food's been pretty good. I decided NOT to stay for long at the party, had 2 glasses of wine and a few nibbles (low fat, carrot sticks etc) and then we came home. So I've done well all day. I even managed to stay away from the chocolate!

Oh, I also remembered another way to track your weight loss. I'd forgotten about MEASURING your body. Because MUSCLE weighs more than FAT, sometimes you won't show a loss on the scales, but the SIZE will tell you that the centimeters are coming off. So I'm going to set up a spreadsheet and record my measurements every week, at the same time as my weigh in.

Kristen WAY TO GO!!!! If you aren't going to pat yourself on the back I'll do it for you! PAT PAT PAT PAT

Cristi, I'm a big fan of collecting memorabilia. My grandad has been researching our family tree, and has dated it back to the 1800's in Italy! Amazing stuff.

Noelle, glad to hear your little one is on the mend. I think I need those house cleaners too! I've been so vague today. Marc was like a whirlwind in the kitchen preparing stuff for today's party, but I can't remember much of anything!

Hope you're all having a good weekend.

Bye!

PS I've got a recipe to pass on that I got from my mum. I'm not normally one to do this, but this is a special:

Bread Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

One large round wood oven continental loaf
One onion
One capsicum
Handful of Ham (approx 100gms)
One tin creamed corn
Low fat cream cheese
One fresh chili

Mixed vegetables, crackers, etc.

Ok, here's how to prepare it:

Finely chop the ham, onion, capsicum and chili (deseeded) and combine with the cream cheese and creamed corn.
Cut the top of the loaf off, and scoop out the bread (which can be used another time for breadcrumbs).
Pour in the combined ingredients and replace the top.
Wrap the loaf in 3 layers of foil, and cook in an oven at 180 degrees celcius for 2 hours.

Serve the loaf dip on a platter with chopped vegetables and crackers of your choice. You can also break up the top of the loaf to have to dip as well.

(If you need to transport it, keep it wrapped in the foil, and then wrapped in a towel to keep warm.)

This is REALLY yummy, and very low in fat.

Cheers!

hello flowers!

i am feeling pretty good today. i got a walk in today and yesterday. the same place... around the lake. 3 or so miles. i really need a pedometer or something. i think it's around three. today i finished in under an hour. i felt so great, i almost went around again. i never thought i would ever in my life look forward to walking. but i do. every couple days i think about when i'll be able to walk that week. when it's raining, when it's nice... what days i'll be walking where. it's actually kinda fun. i feel productive, ya know?

i did some pretty good food shopping today too. i bought a couple things off the list, but they're good things... like fruit 2 O italian ice things. i heard they're good. and only 40 calories! i'll let you girls know what i think. has anyone tried them?

last night was the wedding. and boy was there food. and more food. and more food. and beer. and more beer. and more beer. the waiters would just come over and leave beer on the table. most of the food was seafood, and i'm not a huge fan of seafood. but i did try it. even jellyfish. :O i thought it was seaweed... which i don't mind... but i came to find out later that it was jellyfish. i probably went over points, but i was expecting it. and i don't think i did that bad... but we'll see.

cristi - i am just starting to scrapbook. i will be working on my first one this summer. my friends from around the country are making our own at first and then sending them to each other... so each of us will have a full scrapbook at the end that we took part in. i'm kinda nervous because i never made one... and now i'll be a part of 6 other friends' scrapbooks. it will be fun, though. you'll have to give me some pointers!

noelle - sorry to hear that your son is still feeling a little sick. it's good that he's getting better though. i hope that he's at his best by the time you read this

lynne - good job on the low snacking at your gathering! that's my weakness. i try as hard as i possibly can to go for the veggies, etc... but sometimes that cheese and cracker just get in the way! i'll have to try out that recipe as well. always looking for new things to try.

hello to everyone! keep up the great work! you're doing fantastic!

Oh how I've missed you all! My weekend was so busy with family activities and my little girl was still so sick on Sat. I look back now and wonder how we made it to everything! Sshe was pretty top shape yesterday though and headed off to school this morning. Thank goodness. I did real good eating on Sat. especially since we spent the day at a small town celebration. If you've never been to one most of the celebrating is done with lots of food and drink stands. I was able to resist and keep on walking except at the grilled chicken place. I was very proud until yesterday when I ate like a little oinker all day. Yesterday was what we call Festival Sunday at church. It's a celebration to end Sunday school for the year. All us teachers set up carnival type games with prizes or maybe a craft table etc. Being the Superintendent a lot of responsibilities land on me. Everything went terrific I had even planned a surprise teacher appreciation for after church and the other ladies were so pleased. To say the least, I was exstatic that everything went well and decided to have the cake and ice cream. What a no no. Being the first thing I ate for the day the sugar must have kicked in andI was out of control all day. 2 more pieces of cake at home, potato chips, popcorn, etc..... Back to being good today no matter what.

Cristi and Lynne, thanks so much for your concern for my little one. Lynne great job at your party and your exercising is awesome. Keep it up!! Uhhhh, what's a capsicum?

Kristen, WTG when someone loses 3.4 # they're allowed to pat their own back until their hand gets tired and then you can even get someone else to do it for you. It sounds like your wedding was fun. I love to try new foods even when they look "funny" You never know when you just might find something else to CRAVE!!!

Noelle, I too hope your son is feeling right as rain by the time you read this. Move over and make room for me on that healthy bandwagon. I fell off yeaterday with a big bump!

Here's to a great day ladies.

Kristi

Yet another positive day. I LOVE not working!!! It gives me the opportunity to really concentrate on this weight loss.

Today, I did housecleaning for about 1 1/2 hours. Because it was raining again ( ) I dusted off my old Jenny Craig aerobic video and did that for 1/2 hour. Then I got out a chart of stretches and did that for another 1/2 hour!

I'VE ALSO STARTED A JOURNAL!!! I've created an excel spreadsheet that records my weight loss, measurements, daily exercise and the points I've earned, and a food record with the points used and banked. A couple of weeks ago I made a list of all the foods I normally eat, and what they're worth, so I can quickly look at the list to work out what I'm going to have for the day, and then record the details at the end of the day. It's just as well I'm doing this because I had a really nice chicken vegetable rice dish with sausage and salad, only to discover the sausage is REALLY high in points! So I need to be more careful! Lucky I'd earned about 6 points in exercise!!!!

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. We had a public holiday today, and tomorrow Josh's school is having a "pupil free" day, so we've all been home enjoying some good quality family time... now I wish they'd all get back to it!!! I love my family, but sometimes I miss having the house to myself!

Kristen, I know what you mean about the walking - I'm like that at the moment too. I'm hoping it will last!!! The only problem is that I'm addicted to my new leggings, but they need a wash! What will I wear?? I told Marc I love them so much and they inspire me to exercise so much that I'm tempted to get another pair in case these wear out! hee hee

Kristi, sounds like you did really well with the food, considering your social activities!! A capsicum is a pepper.... I sometimes forget that we've got different names for stuff!

It's late, and I need a shower, so talk to you all tomorrow!

PS I SURVIVED THE WEEKEND WITHOUT CHOCOLATE!!!

Just a quick HI Ladies! I need to get off this thing to go get my exercise done for the day, plus cleaning. I took a break from it all Thursday and Friday but got back on track Saturday. So I will post all this info later this evening. I just wanted to check in for now and say Hi. Talk to ya later.
Hope EVERYONE has a GREAT day today!

Lynne, you are so totally pumped I can hear the excitement in your voice coming right through my computer. Charts and all you are getting yourself so prepared there will be very little chance for failure. Your attitude is so rubbing off on me! Thanks! You just get out there and buy yourself another super snappy pair of leggings. You've earned them.

( Would that be a HOT pepper or the plain ordinary type? )

I 4- got earlier Imanaged to walk 1.5 miles yesterday
today I did the 1 mile and the 3 mile WATP tapes for a total of
28.75 miles in May I only have 1.25 miles left to go
Yippeeeee!

Kristi

Hey ladies. Just checking in w/an update on my mileage for yesterday. It's still before 3pm here so I haven't gotten my miles for today. I promised myself that I would get back on the wagon today and so far so good! I even bought some new walking shoes yesterday and threw the old ones out. I need routine in my life and if that means eating/drinking the same thing (well almost the same things) every single day then so be it. My boy's doing much better today, no fever, the cough is still lingering but ya know how those things take a while to go away completely.

Lynne I know what you mean about having favorite workout clothes. I just bought me some more cheap capri length leggings from K-mart--they're cheap enough so that I can get 2-3 at a time. I bought 2 pair when I started in October and the only drawback since I started this weight loss thing though, is that now some of them are getting really baggy and stretched out...I can pull the waist band WAY up above my waist . Time for a smaller size I guess. Go ahead and get more if it motivates you to keep exercising.

Kristi there's always room for more on the proverbial wagon--I'll move my butt over a tad so you can hop on.

Kristen I'm happy to hear that you at least tried some of the different foods at the wedding. I have an appreciation of people who like to try different things rather than those who turn their noses up at anything that's not meat and potatoes .

Everyone else hope you're having a great day/night and keep walking!

_____________
May Goal Miles: 85
Miles walked Sunday: 5/18/03: 4.0
Miles walked today, 5/19/03: 3.5
Total walked to date: 61.00
Miles to Go: 24

Hi ladies! Wow I had a great weekend down at my Moms house! My dh went & he hadn't gone with me in a long time.l I ended up not going to Weigh In on Saturday so I will just wait until this Saturday. I know I did a little piggin out this weekend so who knows. I am back on track today! I am gald to be back home with the fast internet! LOL
Kristen~ Great Weight Loss!
Glad to see everyone is doing good! Missed ya all!
I got my walking in Thursday & haven't walked at all this weekend! After dinner I plan to walk with Dh!


5/15 ~ 2 Miles
Miles Today (5/19)~ 2 Miles & also rode bike for a long time w/dh, it was beautiful outside this evening!

Total May Miles~ 29

Lynne, you sound so pumped! Maybe I need to get me some leggings?! WTG on the journal and all.

Noelle, thanks so much for the video! I finally tried it today and must say I can't believe that is a 2 mile walk! It went by so fast and it actually felt good. It felt like regular exercise, not walking. I did it after my regular treadmill walk. Glad to hear your son is doing better.

Jenifer, glad you had a GREAT time at your moms, and that you are back.

Kristen, you will enjoy doing the scrapbook and I would love to give you some pointers. I'm not that good myself but it is something I enjoy doing and have been for about 4 years.

Kristi, hi! I know how it gets with the cake. I finally cut into my birthday cake Thursday and had two pieces, one Thursday with ice cream and one Friday. I'm just glad the kids ate the rest!

Okay, as for me I think I did pretty good with the eating except for eating out a couple of days and the cake and ice cream. Apparently, I made the right choices and didn't eat as much as I thought because today was weigh in and I lost 1.5 pounds. I was kind of suprised because on top of that it is TOM and I always gain a little during that time no matter what. I've really got to be careful the next two weeks in order to make my goal of 6 pounds. I've got 2 pounds to go. That's about all I have for now ladies. Hope you all have a GOOD NIGHT and I will see ya tomorrow.

P.S. Oooopsie! I forgot to say Hi to everyone else. Hope you ladies had a swell day as well. Also, forgot to post my exercise.

May Goal~60 miles
5/15/03~zero
5/16/03~zero
5/17/03~3.5 miles & 15 mn. bike ride
5/18/03~3.52 miles & 20 mn. bike ride
5/19/03~3 miles & 2 mile WATP (not sure I will count this)
Total Miles 5/03~41.52
Miles to go~18.48

Cristi, WAY TO GO on your loss!!! 2 pounds and you've got 1 1/2 weeks - you'll do it no worries!

Jenifer, glad to hear you had a great time - special time with people you care about is always good for the soul!

Noelle, I look forward to the time when these become baggy!!! I said to Marc I'll buy another pair, and hopefully by the time I wear these out and start to wear the new ones, I'll be that actual size. I bought a size 16 you see, where I'm a 20. But because they're so stretchy, I can wear them - they didn't have my size. So hopefully when I start to wear the second pair, I'll BE a size 16! I've worked out that I have to lose about 8 kilos to lose 1 dress size, so if I get down to my first major goal of 90 by my birthday in October, I'll also fit into those pants!!!!!

Kristi, I think, ordinary pepper. I'm not sure, as we don't call it that here... but we get capsicum in green and red, and you can use either...

Well, I'm giving myself a pat on the back tonight. I managed to drag my butt through an aerobic workout, even tho' I've just started my TOM!!! I could feel a headache coming on, but seeing as how my new leggings had just come out of the dryer all nice and clean, I just HAD to make the effort! I also did my stretches, which are nice and simple. I can work on increasing as my fitness level increases. Oh, and when I can get further than my knees in stretches!!!

It's really good having this spreadsheet on the computer. It makes journalling soooo much easier, as I'm on the puter already, so just nip in there and update my daily progress.

I'm gonna try getting myself a massage now, so see ya all tomorrow.

PS Would you say that a 30 minute aerobic workout was equivalent to about 3kms of walking (1.8 miles)? Because I want to keep the numbers going up, but I'm having to do aerobics cos of the rain....

Good day ladies, It sounds like we're all doing so good. Yeah us!
Noelle, Glad to hear of son's recovery and you must be so proud of those baggy leggings?! I know today my "winter" jeans are hanging in the butt am tempted to weigh early and try on summer jeans, but I also am expecting TOM in 2 days and don't want to be disappointed.

Jenifer, So glad you had a great time with your Mom!

Cristi, WTG on the weight loss and your exercise progress is awesome! Oh that ______ cake. I wonder if Holy Water or maybe a crucifix could help ward off its' power

Lynne, Great job getting that aerobics done. I find it soooo hard to stick WP during TOM. I myself think any movement can be added to up your numbers. Great job.

My day was tiring. I had to rise at 3:20 am so I could have my sister at the hospital for surgery by 5:30 am. She had her 1st opperation in Sept. '02 to remove cancer from her bladder a week later they removed her left kidney as it was fully engulfed by a cancerous tumor. 1 more surgery followed in a month for small ones in the bladder once again. Last week she went for her 3 month checkup following treatments and there was a small tumor in the bladder once again. That is what they removed today. In and out though. They wheeled her in to be put to sleep at 7:10 and by 7:50 the dr. was talking to me about how it had gone. By 10:30 we were heading home. For myself I find this disturbing. I just think people going through something this serious should get a little more attention than that, but you know faster means more time to make more money with other patients. I know I sound bitter. On the up side my sister is staying very positive and just keeps rolling with the punches. I did no exercise today, but my eating has stayed in line.

Kristi

Hi Ladies!

I got my exercise in today, finally! Did a 3.60 mile walk and a 25 minute bike ride and I am pooped.

Lynne, can I go with you to get a massage? I have been saying I was going to go get one for the longest time and have yet to do it. My mom and her sisters had gone a few years back and she highly recomended it. They (My Mom & Aunts) have been going on vacation every year together for quite a few years now, which I think is neat. I would love to do that with my sisters. Hey, WTG on your work out.

Kristi, ((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))) to you and your sister.I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. I agree about the doctors getting you in and out, it's sad that they don't take more time to spend with the patients, especially for something such as cancer. And you have every right to feel bitter. I understand completely what you and your sister are going through and it is so very hard to deal with.

HI to EVERYONE else, Janine, Kristen, Noelle, Jenifer and Jen. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. For some reason I always feel like I have and if I have I am sorry. Hope everyone has a good night. See ya ladies tomorrow.

May Goal~60 miles
5/20/03~3.60 miles
Total Miles 5/03~45.12
Miles to go~14.88