BTW, I'm REAL sorry for those of you who had to go back to work today. I haven't been retired that long that I don't remember how badly it stinks!

Wow, you are all really busy! I am so encouraged that there is such a good support system here. Congrats to those of us who came through the holidays holding our own or losing weight. Somehow this Christmas was the hardest one ever for me. I think it had to do with stretching the holiday. Had my son and his wife and kids a week prior to Christmas and I did big cooking then. Then the next weekend was Christmas itself and I cooked big time again for days since my kids stayed right through the day after New Year's. My weight is up, but this is a new commitment to remember to eat healthy foods only when I'm hungry. I was doing great for awhile and continue to make good choices often. I just have to make good choices more often. LOL--yesterday was good and today will be good too and I'll chip away the extra weight. I'm also tackling taking down the decorations from Christmas and that will unclutter my house and my mind. Always a good thing to do!
Good luck everybody and let's move our bodies to move the scale. :
Judy Itry
234.6/207/thinner into onederland

Good Morning
Well it is still rainy and deary here. Pretty foggy too. Sure wish I could send some of this rain to where the fires are. At least no flooding yet. But if it keeps up. I am sure there will be.

Froufy I liked the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha. But I was like you kinda sweet. Actually I have had two. From different starbucks. The first was kinda bitter. And strong. The second one was better but still pretty sweet. I asked if they had any sugar free syrup at the second place. They only have sf vanilla and hazlenut. So guess will have to go with that the next time.

Thanks for all the well wishes on weigh in.
This morn for breakfast I had 2 slices diet bread with just a little peanut butter. I used the Skippys reduced fat creamy. I think it is one of the best reduced fat ones. It is creamy and you can spread it real easy. The others seem hard to spread. And the taste to me isnt as good. I know that this really isnt a core breakfast. But I will count the points. I am figuring around 3-4 points.
Well I looked for the new WW magazine last night at the store I was at. But they didnt have it. So will have to try a different one. Hopefully I get out this week and can find it. Will probably have to go to town either tomorrow or Thursday. So will look for it then.
Well just wanted to check in. I hope everyone has a great day. And Thank you for all of your support. It really helps when you have that.
COCO

Oh Vickie - it more than "stinks" - how painful it was to get up this morning and get in to work - I don't know how I shall survive this day! (is it only 10:40?)

I barely slept - lights off around 11:30 or midnight - but I tossed and turned til around 1:30 am! I finally fell asleep - but did not sleep well - awake on and off - and before you knew it that darn alarm was going off!

I managed to stumble out of bed and do my floor exercises in the dark - and it was sure cold this morning - which encouraged me to finish up quickly so I could get into that nice hot shower (and I did not want to come out!).

At least the drive in was okay as most schools still off til next Monday so many people have taken this week off to stay home w/kids! - next Monday I predict major traffic problems as real life resumes.

I am pretty sure I will have a headache by the end of the day as I feel one brewing - also feeling a bit queasy - not used to being up and eating this early in the morning! - did not have my oatmeal - managed to eat a small strawberry yogurt - and some fresh cherries!

I might even consider going for a walk at lunchtime if it warms up a bit! (need to work on that 150 mins weekly exercise - the log is really working well - I have 85 mins of exercise left for the week and even a 15 min walk should knock it down a bit!)

I even called the cruise line to check on our 'status' - even tho it doesn't look promising - I was surprised to hear we were 3rd on the waiting list (down from 5th) - problem is if we ever do get a cabin it will probably be too late to get a flight and make arrangements for kiddies!

At least my new 2006 lop eared bunny calendar is up now!

Coco - one of my favorites is a decaf/non fat cappucino w/2 pumps of sf vanilla syrup - very delish and not too sweet! If very hungry I will add a starbucks fruit salad to that - at least it's core - and filling!

Vickie - have fun babysitting! I was impressed of course with your getting up early and being so 'functional' - ha ha ha

Judy - welcome to the core recommittment club!

Lisa - good luck at the gym - and I should really dust off my skates as well - there is an outdoor rink not far from our home - I'm just afraid of falling and hurting myself - or worse - cracking the ice!

Sandra the Ham - I'm sure you have a reason to be proud of your archery skills - you know we will all be rooting for you - whether in person or in cyberspace!

Isn't it time to go home yet???

Frouf

Well, just as I predicted...........friend backed out on the gym; but who cares! I went by myself! I did 20 minutes on the elliptical which equalled 1.57 miles. That's all I did for today. I thought since this is my first week; maybe I should go easy. So, I'm only doing elliptical or treadmill this week and will add in the weights next week.

Sorry for all you chicks who have to work! I'm planning on going back to work next year when DS goes to first grade. The school has a before and after school kids club that he can go to. Hopefully he will only have to go before school. DD will get home at 3:14 and DS's bus comes at 4:15 so she will be almost 13 next fall I think she can keep her brother for an hour or so. Was that like a run on sentence or what?

Hungry now. Must find some lunch before i snack on cookies or chips.

Later.
Lisa

Hey chicks, only have a minute but wanted to say hello.
It is a rainy, dreary day here and not only am I back to work but it's a doozy at that. First thing this morning I found out that one of my clients overdosed and died this weekend. Also had another crisis call after that. But I am trying to stay focused and op. It's a cruddy day but I won't eat based on emotions. I must admit that I had a small handful of m&ms this morning, but that's not too bad.
Sorry to be such a downer. It's just one of those days. I'm not doing too bad though. It's just hard when the first day back to work is a doozy, especially when I am trying to eat well! So far all I've had is oatmeal and those darn m&ms though. I'll stay away from them from now on!
Have a great day everyone.

Oh geez, Melissa, that is horrible about your client!!! I'm so sorry!

I didn't sleep well either. We're a fine bunch this morning, aren't we? I got to work late and am just now getting settled in. Hopefully the day won't drag too horribly.

BBL! Have a fun day, everyone.

I just stopped in for a minute to call the Doctor to get my lab results. It's too early for the CT scan results. They have to call me back.....what a surprise.

We babysat and Niece and NIL bought us Chipotle for lunch. Now home to call doctor, walk pooch, and head out to Post Office to trace and Ebay money order. Sheesh.

I walked 35 minutes on the treadmill at 2.2 and went 1.75 miles. I felt very proud of myself, especially since I REALLY didn't want to do it. So I've committed to only 1 time more this week but I'm going to shoot for maybe every other day. And, I need to get my speed and distance back up.

I need to get going. I'll be back later to read posts. Hope you Worker Bees are all hanging in there!

Lab cultures of 4 tests were all negative. Now I'm really worried about the results of the CT scan. Should have those Thursday or Friday.

I'm going out now.

Hang in there Vickie! My BIL was having stomach problems for months and he had all sorts of tests done, and ultrasounds and CT scan and poop smears and bloodwork and they never did find anything wrong. I haven't heard anything in the last couple of weeks, but he was still having trouble. I think they were just calling it diverticulitis.

Lisa

Vickie, I'm newly retired too, and it feels so good. I've been so busy since November 10th, that I still am waiting for the full effects. I bought on Ebay for the first time this afternoon, a workout video. I'm lost on how to pay, and sent a request for an invoice. I did sign up for PayPal.
Hey, don't worry about results until you have something to worry about. Be Positive!

Judy, I'm with you. 2006 is here and time to be OP

Coco, souds like you are on the right foot. I never bothered reading the WW magazines. Do they have Core stuff?

Frouf, did you like the sunshine today? I understand about the going back to work, by honestly, I paid my dues, and of course I'm old enough to be finished. BTW, have you tried DaVinci syrups?
I hope the cruise thing works out for you. I know how good it feels to leave Ottawa for a winter break.

Lisa, good girl. Exercise has been difficult for me, but I know go to Curves 3 times a week. It's not much, but for me a big step.

Gee Melissa, since I'm new, I don't know exactly what you do. Sorry about your start in the New Year.

I went to Curves, came home, did 4 loads of washing and baked banana oatmeal. DH just called to say that he's coming home early and wants to go out to dinner. That sounds good to me.

Have a good evening everyone,

Saundra

Had a great day today. I signed up for flylady material. (I hope I'm allowed to say that) because I felt my house and life were getting disorganized. I'm thrilled because there are all sorts of reminders on the internet about cleaning zones and morning and evening routines and I'm loving it. I got out my cookbooks and decided on meals for the week. Then I started a chili, had dh watch the pot to make sure it didn't burn, and headed out to buy fresh veggies and fruit. I feel great and tired. I've been feeling very tired lately, but this is a good tired. I got a lot of things done around the house, put away my Christmas decorations, and am ready to relax. Thought I'd chime in here and say hello.
Vickie, try and stay as relaxed as you can. I'm sending you a to help out. It's so tough to be in the middle of tests and workups and it's frustrating too. Good luck and keep on keepin' on.
Saundra and Frouf and Melissa and Lisa and Coco, good for us for getting as close to program as possible. We can do this.
Judy Itry
234.6/207/thinner into onederland

lisa, i am happy that you could ice skate. i tried to walk at 3 mph on the treadmill and got my feet to hurting. guess i'm past jogging. oh, well, i can still walk the treadmill just not as fast. i have been trying to do ww on my own but haven't been very successful. i'm going back with the multitudes tomorrow.

vickie,i'm like you and remember having to go back to work after the holidays. in fact, the holidays are really different now that i'm not looking forward to time off. it makes a difference.

judy, i think i've written this already but i just read a book where a lady says for us to work towards making progress not towards being perfect. i'm dusting off with you. honestly, i don't know if i'd know how to act if i didn't have weight to lose.

coco, i'm waiting on my first magazine to get here. should be any day now.

frouf, i'm rooting for you to get your cruise, airfare, and kids taken care of.

lisa, kudos, girl!! i'm proud of you for going to the gym even though your friend backed out.

{{{{{melissa}}}}} such a sad thing to happen.

vickie, congratulations on treadding. i hope the ct scan gives a good report.

we're going to watch tv tonight. (is that a surprise?) have a good evening, chickies.

Hey Chicks! It's nice to hear so much enthusiasm. I hanging in there the best I can. This has been going on since October 2 with me feeling discomfort nearly every day. I'm being an obedient patient and trying to enjoy my life but some days it's kinda tough.

Melissa, I am so, so sorry to hear about your client. You must be devastated when something like this happens.

Sandra, wouldn't it be fun if you and Kathy and Melissa get to meet? Jim and I go nowhere. We just aren't travellors mostly because I won't put my pets anywhere or trust them with anyone else. They're like my kids.

Frouf, I'm drooling over your roast recipe. What kind of roasts do you use? I consider it Core enough. Any idea how long for medium rare? I'm going to buy a roast as soon as you tell me what kind you have used. I hope you didn't get a migraine. I haven't had one since my first one a couple of weeks ago. I can live without those! I hope you got a nap when you got home from work.

Coco, it's been cold and raining here too for 3 days. Enough is enough. I like the WW magazine and have had a subscription for a long time. I think it's worth the money. Not alot is Core but it's increasing with every edition.

Lisa, good for you for exercising even though your friend backed out. I deliberately joined WW alone this time because I didn't want to have any excuse for not weighing in, working the program, or exercising. I'm doing this by myself (except for the daily help of all of you!) and FOR myself. It's made a difference this time. You should go slow at the begining. You don't want to injure yourself and have to stop exercising. I've heard that exercise injuries at this time of year increase. Wonder why? It sounds like I and your BIL have been through the same drill. They're calling mine perimenoupause/cystitis! I don't have pain as much as constant feelings of cramps/heaviness like right before TOM comes. Every day. Then some intestinal stuff. All results so far have been normal and as I said I still waiting on the CT scan. My internist says the next stop is the Gastro. I've already been to the Gynie and the Urologist! I'm really glad that my work health insurance can never be cancelled!

Judy, I just made chili this week and it was great, especially at this time of year. I understand good tired. It means you're really in to your life! I'm going to work on putting my decorations away this week.

Saundra, retirement is grand. It's the kind of thing that gets better with every passing day. I hope you have a lovely dinner out. Frouf has told us that Canada doesn't have all the Core options that the states do. Maybe you can plan a trip in like she does periodically? Of course, that doesn't help with perishable stuff.

Kath, where are you? Did you survive work? How's Kate?

I need to go make some dinner for us. I'm thinking some eggs since we had kind of a big lunch.

Hey, I'm here! I made it thru the day ... well, okay I made it 6 hours and I call that good enough! I'll do better the rest of the week. Dinner's already made because Judd's having LOs from last night although he doesn't know it yet.

When I got home, I made Kate a baked potato and she said she feels a little better. She was very hungry but was afraid to eat much for fear she'd throw up again.

I went to Target after work and got a few things. One was two bags of mint Hershey's Kisses to take to work tomorrow. Fortunately, I don't like chocolate very much so I'll leave them alone. Now if it was Skittles, I'd be all over it! I'm the weird one in the bunch, but probably one of the few here who don't have TOM -- hence the lack of chocolate craving, I guess.

It was the sort of day when I just wanted to come home and have a beer, so I did. Scale is the same tonight as it was this morning, so I felt like it would be okay since I know it'll be down more tomorrow. I counted points today and am still in the 20-25 range even with it.

We love to travel and we send our dogs to the inlaws' house. When they go out of town, their dogs come over here. We will board them when necessary -- they love going! It must feel like a kid going to camp. They love our vet. Anyway, when we go to Virginia this year (late spring / early summer) we're probably taking Precious and Zuki. They will fit under the seats in front and neither are temperamental. I'm sure Precious would just snooze the whole time. Bindy will go to the inlaws' and she can swim, which will make her happy.

I suppose I should see what sort of housework needs to be done tonight before I get too far settled down. Probably nothing more than laundry and emptying the DW -- a relatively easy night.

See you later!