Just a quick note before I head off for the first camping trip of the season with the soon to be 6 grand! This is my way of rewarding myself. I hit my first mini-goal of getting down to the weight I was when I moved here in 2005. That was a 52 pound weight loss. Mini-goal 2 is only an 11 pound weight loss.

I was so psyched over finally hitting a mini-goal that the next one won't take four months to hit! Actually, I set it when I started -- just didn't realize then that setting a really big mini-goal as my first one would be a lesson in delayed gratification.

Have a good weekend all.

dgramie and betsey you're both doing amazing! I'm so jealous about the camping. Spring is NOT in a hurry to get here. It's -3C here today, and once it melts it's going to flood. I cannot wait until I get to go to Yellowstone in September!

Cheers, lovelies!

sassyangies - I hope you feel better and that you make it through your work-weekend just fine. Sounds like it is definitely TOM. I HAVE found that I had some more PMS with TOM during weight loss. That has settled down a bit lately, though. It is unpleasant. I hope the nap helped!

dgramie - CONGRATS, that is amazing, and an amazing loss this year. You must be so proud of yourself!


betsy congrats ALSO. What an amazing minigoal, and the new one should be just as satisfying. I hope you have a great time camping, though I admit it isn't really my cup o' tea.

Jane - oh, you're going to Yellowstone? That sounds like a lovely trip. Will you drive or fly? Have you been before? I like National Parks, but do NOT like camping. I think I could do more trips if I liked camping, as the cost of lodging is $$.

Spring has been here for a while. It was nearly 90 degrees yesterday and still warm overnight so I had a restless sleep (don't have the a/c in yet). This morning it was in the high 60s and muggy, I felt so warm. The A/C in my part of the office is not working, either. But when I went out to lunch a new weather system had blown in and it was FRIGID, cold and windy and wet, somewhere around the upper 40s F.

I went out last night and had fun but am tired today. I want to do my weighted workout tonight, and am planning FINGERS CROSSED, on going hiking tomorrow.

Mnemosyne This will be my first trip there. The friend I am going with has gone numerous times. We will be driving (we're less than a day away). In fact, we're taking her old van and roadtripping like we're young and stupid (but with a credit card and the ability to get ourselves home if said van croaks on the interstate).

I like camping, but the last time I went I was so heavy I could barely manage. The third night I had to sleep in the car because I couldn't handle being on the ground anymore. I'm looking forward to being able to move around better this time!

Mnem- we were mid 80s earlier in the week and high in the 40s yesterday. We had a heavy frost this morning. Looks like a much cooler week ahead.

Hi gals..
Sounds like it's still cold in some areas. I wish it was here, but I'm also glad to have the heat back. I notice I am not getting as hot as I used to when i was a little heavier. I don't know if I'm just getting used to it or what. It's usually in the 90's here during the day and then drops to the 60s at night. Perfect weather for now. Give it a month or two and it'll be so hot and miserable. Blah!!!

jane your road trip sounds so awesome. I love road trips. We still go on about 2 every year. This year was California which is only about 6 hours away, Vegas in August, and Oklahoma in October. That one will be a doosy. It will take 2 days. it's the only way I can see my sisters and other family. It's too expensive for us to fly.

Mnem, yep my PMS is definetely worse now that I'm dieting. I can't believe how much worse. It really stinks. Sounds like the weather doesn't know what to do where you are. That must be a bummer..

Dramie, your doing so great. Congrats on the loss!!

Betsy, I'm so glad you finallly made your (not so mini) mini goal.. haha.. Your doing great!!

hey girls, been missing again for a couple of days. Some days there are not enough hours. I post on Sparkpeople too so I can record my food and I'm in on a challenge over there, so just trying to keep caught up with everyone.

Jane: You and your friend are gonna have a blast. Don't advertise that you're two girls out on a road trip in an old van...no need to ask for weirdo's to mob on ya...(I've been watching too many crime dramas) Stay safe and use those credit cards for nice safe places to stay. oh yeah, leave finger prints everywhere!! CSI nerd that I am!!

Sassy & mnem: 90's , I'd be in meltdown mode without the A/C. I like to be comfortable. If I am not I get very cranky.

Betsy: Congrats on your mini goal reach and your sights on the second one.

Dgramie: Excellent loss so far this year and total. Can't wait to follow!

mnem: Hope the car wasn't anything to serious. Mine just went in last week for it's inspection, tire rotation, and oil change.

Jane: I looked at that website igigi and wow, beautiful dresses but "yup" out of my price range. And I had to look up what a Maxi dress was . Yup, embarrassed to say I am not a fashion trend setter or follower. But they are beautiful, just not sure how a long dress would look on me? I've only ever worn one long dress and that was my wedding dress.

Sassy: Hope TOM and PMS have taken a hike and you feel back to your self again.

Nancy: Did you recover from your dance classes? Hope you are doing well and "loved your ah haa moment"

Isles: celebrate every accomplishment!!

I've been doing good food wise. Even managed two trips last week to Red Robin, once with two of my besties (I had the simply chicken grilled sandwich) and the second time with my beautiful daughter...(I had the simply chicken salad) I really wanted the big juicy hamburger that the man next to me was eating, but eventually the urge passed. Today for lunch I had a Jennie-O turkey burger to fix my burger craving...put it on a 100 cal flat bread with loads of lettuce and onion and a slight skim of Mayo and a dash of Mrs. Dash, sided it with a yummy green salad with a sprinkle of shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese.

I'm headed away on girls weekend "well we leave on Wed. and come back on Sunday" this week. I should still be able to check in if I get internet way up there on my phone. We go up to Northern Maine to a camp that part of our family owns. It's fun to get away, rules are no kids, no husbands/significant others, and no pets. Bring your books, knitting, crocheting, word searches or what not and card games...lots of talking and laughing and fun. Sometimes too much to drink...and more laughs...gonna try to stay good with my food too while allowing for a few treats (chips, pizza etc) all in moderation and fit in some walks to work it off.

sassy I handle the heat much better now too. We haven't had any lately though. It snowed again yesterday, and its bitterly cold today.

Sandy I may return the Igigi dress just solely because of the price. I went to Minot to pick up the bridesmaid dresses and I found a 30 dollar cocktail dress at a department store. I feel stupid, but I really didn't believe I could fit in their clothes, but I am officially in an American 2X. I don't know though.... It's a gorgeous dress, maybe I'll keep it for the July wedding.

I’ve been doing ok. I feel like I am still not totally in my full groove, but slowly refining and getting there. After having a few really low calorie days and then a higher than usual (but still within range) calorie day on Saturday, I realized I am likely not eating enough. I have been frustrated with my progress and trying to go really low, and I think that has been backfiring on me. I had so much more energy in Zumba on Saturday morning and I actually felt like lifting for the first time in awhile. Oh right – if I am not eating enough and don’t feel strong, I won’t feel like lifting weights. /facepalm So I am going to try keeping my calories around 1800 for a bit and see how that goes. Heck, I don’t think it is possible for me to lose even more slowly. I do think I need to adjust my protein/carb ratio a bit (too much carbs recently) but I can work on that too.

I was super excited to find a Nia class in my area again. I took one years ago but then the woman who was teaching it stopped coming down to this area and was only teaching about 40 minutes north of me – a bit too far. So now I have two dance classes in my Saturday morning routine. A perfect way to start a weekend.

Jane - that sounds like a spectular trip, and the sort of young-and-dumb roadtrip that would be much improved with a credit card. I am jealous, it sounds like a real adventure. Yellowstone is one of the major American National Parks that I've never visited, and I'd like to go someday.

dgramie - it was like that here, too. I was FEREZING sometimes this weekend. Went hiking on Saturday and it was so cold that I was speedwalking in some places (where the trails were flat - ) but the sun was out so it was warm/hot in the car when we got back in.

sassyangies - hope you are over the worst of the PMS by now. I love road trips, too! though I tend to keep mine to day trips, ately.

sandy - the car wasn't too serious! The thermostat was out, so they replaced that, and flushed the antifreeze. It cost more than I would've liked, though. Oh, ALSO: I had a very lovely maxi dress last summer (I am shorter than you!) that looked good on me that I quite liked. However, these days I prefer shorter dresses because my legs look pretty good and are 'skinnier' than my torso. At least, as long as I can wear tights. Hah. So it sort of depends not just on height but on how the dress is cut!

hope you have a great time on your girl's weekend, and it sounds like you did a great job of fixing your burger craving. Congrats!


Nancy - Good luck with your refining your new plan. I've been a bit stalled over the past few weeks, though I've been going out more, drinking a bit more, eating a bit more. Now that the birthday season in my family has passed, I'm going to do a better job of controlling those things. So, I am buckling down and refining a bit like you! what is a Nia class?

I went hiking on Saturday. It was a good day; I didn't need Advil.

The waterfalls were... falling:

http://elizavieta.tumblr.com/image/48524729808

http://elizavieta.tumblr.com/image/48475537433

Sometimes in that area there's not much water in the falls, but in springtime you really get to see them.

When I stopped to get gas on the way back, I went to the restroom. The mirror in the restroom was set low on the wall, so it just showed my body, not my face. I didn't quite recognize myself. IDK, maybe the mirror was warped (I think it might've been), but I seemed thinner (without my head attached) than I feel most days. It was interesting.

Also, I dyed my hair 'auburn brown' on Friday. It reads REALLY red in the sunlight because the dude at the farmer's market gave me a free stick of honey for being a redhead.

I ate like "old Jane" yesterday. I'm not even sure why. Just maybe frustration with the stall. I feel awful today. Definitely kicked me back on plan. I'm going to yoga tonight and may do my new Jillian DVD today too. I bought a 30 day one just as sort of a countdown to the wedding. Not expecting miracles, but another inch or so off my midsection would be nice!

Mnem – Love the waterfalls and that is great about not needing Advil.

Nia is a dance class that mixes several different forms, but mostly has a modern dance feel, but adds in martial arts and yoga moves. It is designed to be done at all fitness levels and is really soothing, while still being a really nice workout. It is mostly structured, but has moments of “just dance however you feel right now” which I really like.

Jane – While it isn’t great that you aren’t feeling great today, it is great that a day off inspired you to get back on plan.


I am starting to get very apprehensive about visiting my parents this weekend. My parents are major foodies and eating is a central activity. I also have to really struggle to not let old programming kick in. I have some childhood stuff about food that I still haven’t dealt with that I have managed to leave there, but it is always waiting for me. Maybe now is the time? One thing is finding an alternate bagel for our morning bagels and lox. Lox is great, the cream cheese I can go lightly on, but a really heavy bagel? Anyone have any good alternatives?

Jane - I wish you all the luck in finding your way back to 'new Jane'. Our old selves are always inside us, but we have power over them. I am looking forward to hearing how you like your new exercise videos, too!

Nancy - I have trouble at my parents' home, too. They are close so I see them regularly, but if I stay overnight, ugh.

Okay, so - here is my answer for bagels. I have found that some bagel places make mini-bagels, half the size or less than real bagels, but still made in the real-bagel way. So you get a real-bagel experience for 1/2 the calories. The other option is just to eat half a bagel. Which I find less satisfying than the bagel-minis.

I was going to say that you could slice the bagel halves in halve again and thin them out.

Hi all. We're having absolutely drop dead gorgeous weather here ALL WEEK!!!! I may even get something done outdoors as in weeding, tilling the garden, washing the RV, cleaning out the fish pond, etc.

Jane -- the road trip to Yellowstone sounds like a blast. I adore road trips and have a t shirt that says: I'm not lost. You have to have a destination to be lost.

Mnemosyne -- Got a laugh out of your not liking camping. I call it camping. Anyone who truly camps calls it wimping out. I have a small RV. It has a kitchen and its own bathroom and a generator and a furnace and air conditioning. That's my version of camping out. I have to admit that if it involved setting up a tent and sleeping on the ground, that would probably be my final resting place!

Sassyangies -- thanks for the congrats on hitting mini-goal #1 -- actually thanks to everyone. That's what I love about this group.

Nancy -- it's probably too late for the weekend and bagel hints, but for future reference, I've found half bagels at the grocery store. They're basically bagels that have had about 2/3 of the middle cut out so they're thin and have a lot fewer calories. Really good, too. Hope the weekend went well -- it is hard to be with foodies and I definitely haven't gotten to the point yet where I can really control myself. Better, but not totally there yet.

Jane -- Hope you're back to feeling better. Going off plan really does throw our bodies for a loop. Did we feel icky all the time before? Glad you're finding dresses. I'm going to have to figure out what size I am pretty soon as nothing is fitting. I have numerous sizes in my closet, but yesterday I tried on some 34W slacks and they fit but were very snug. Tried on another pair of 34W slacks and they about fell off of me. It's a challenge!

Hope all have a great week!