Hi team!

I had a decent weekend - not perfect, but not crazy either! I've decided to calorie count during the week, and just eat sensibly without worrying about the numbers on the weekends, and I think that will be the key to making calorie counting work for me on the scales AND emotionally/mentally.

I made two decisions this weekend - one to replace yoga for Lent, and one about learning to run again. I'm going to do a "Happiness Project" (a photo a day of something that brings me happiness) for the rest of Lent, since yoga fell through. Then, I'm going to start the conservative C25K with y'all on March 1st - it's a little different from the standard C25K and I think will be a good with my asthma and knee problems.

jordan - Do you want to tell us what happened, for example, what triggered you? Maybe one of us will have had a similar experience and can share a strategy to avoid it in the future!

Theresa - Why are you afraid that your efforts won't see results? Even IF you don't reach goal, won't your new lifestyle be worth the increased strength, endurance, nutrition, etc? Also - WOO HOO on the NSV with the jeans! Glad to hear your year OP is off to a good start!

Chelle - Love the pic! I'm really impressed with you staying OP while house-sitting -you've been working hard girl! Also, I didn't know 36K dialup even existed anymore!

Rhonda - Congrats on 4 days OP! Aren't restaurant calories shocking??

Vanessa - I hope your dad gets on the mend soon. I've read Emma, and loved it!

vixjean - I used to workout at a gym, but couldn't afford it and had to quit. Now, I work out at home or by going for walks/jogs out in the neighbourhood. I'm lucky to leave near a huge forest, so I go for trail walks too.

Dee - I'm so jealous of the day in the hammock with a book - that sounds delightful!


Thanks for the book suggestions all! Sorry to not hit everyone with a personal, but I've got to get off the computer and start getting organised for tomorrow!

QOTD - or yesterday?90% of the time I work out at the gym. If my girls are sick and I cannot take them to childcare center there, I do a dvd at home. I prefer the gym, since I do not have any 'equipment' here other than a mat, body ball, bands and 8 pound dumbbells.

So, I've decided as of yesterday to go back on The Zone eating plan. This worked for me in the past and I know the Blocks already. I like eating this way, so why not. It is more "structure" than I've been doing, which is good for now. I've been eating too many processed foods and the thing I like about The Zone is that is all about whole foods and balance. 40%c/30%p/30%f. I may try more for 50/30/20. Some fruit, lots of garden veggies, lean protein, nuts and seeds and other healthy fats. Acutally, DH is liking it also. He ate what I fixed this weekend and was happy.

Well, Jordan, I know all about old demons coming back (by the 1,000's of calories in 20 minutes) to haunt you. It sucks. The great thing is that you own up to it, and come back OP with a vengeance.
I don't know how you all live with dial-up. It would kill me. I remember how it was though before we had cable. SLOW.

Chellez - What is Johnny cake? Do you have a sweatshirt on in your pic? I cannot tell because of the angle. You appear very mysterious! I also changed my avatar! Something to make my mouth water!

Well, need to iron my scrubs for tomorrow and get the girls clothes ready also. It'll probably be a busy Monday at the clinic with lots of sick kiddos. The influenza, strep and RSV must be in the water up here.

So you can put a face (I was 25 pounds lighter then, than I am now) to my posts:

Me and my youngest dd on a hike near Mt Rainier.
My hubby and oldest dd.

Look how far you've come, Shannon! Just fake it until your mojo comes back! Keep posting here!

Wow - there aren't pages and pages to read tonight - I finally feel like I am on top of things.

My dad's operation was cancelled his platelet count was down to 60, and they are going to give him more meds and hopefully Thursday he will have his angiogram. Thank you for your continued thoughts.

Havent exercised today but my eating has been okay. One good thing about my lifestyle change is that tonight - the first time ever my son ate stir fry. Usually he screws up his nose at it.

Tonight I asked him to help me stir the meat, and then I added the vegies and udon noodles, and honey garlic and soy sauce. Even though he refused to have any broccoli - he ate the meat, noodles and carrots, snowpeas, capsicum, and snake beans (I think they are called - they are yellow). I know my changes in my diet are helping me to be a better role model for my son!

Nori- Great family photos!

Marianne - I checked out your link to the conservative c25k program- are you planning on doing it outdoors or on a treadmill?

That's awesome! I have had the same experience with my little ones. They eat things that they would never be exposed to if I weren't making the effort to be healthy. My oldest loves hummus. The toddler loves dates. Though I'm pretty sure it's because they're as sugary as candy . And I found a 'pudding' recipe the baby loves - rice milk, avocado, banana, dates - that's really healthy. The color is atrocious, but the taste is yummy.

G'morning ladies.

Jordan, I'm sorry that happened. But today is a new day, girlie! It's ok. Always know that it could be worse. Everything could ALWAYS be worse than it is.

Chelle, I like the new pic. Your make up looks purty. Why no smile tho?? Gimme some grin too!!

Purple, yay for the great fitting jeans. I wanna be a 16!!!

Nori, awww sweet pics! Thanks for sharing.

kgood, sorry you are down a bit. Hope you feel better soon. You got a new camera, I'm jealous! Mine isn't so good and I need a new one too. Have fun with it!

Heather, those foods sound yummy. Isn't it great when kids do eat well because you taught them to? A good mommy moment I'd say!

Vanessa, awww hugs to your Dad! Tell him he has lotsa ppl praying for him thru this thread! Glad your son liked the stir fry. I love that stuff too. I'm never without my soy sauce (even with its high sodium!).

Marianne, both ur decisions sound great. I like the photo idea!

Dee, ummm.. no fair. I want a hammock day!!!!!

Krisr, congrats on the 2.2 lbs!That's great!!!

Daimere, mini goals are smart. I have them too! You CAN do this, we can do this!

Zink, congrats on watching ur cals and sodium and keeping them right this week. It will eventually show on ur scale. Keep at it!

Hiya to all the other Bluezers here! We can do this!!!

Hugs, Selina

Good morning, Blueser! Happy Monday.

Today is my official weigh-in day and I'm down 1.4 pounds. This is my third consecutive loss and I'm pretty psyched about that! Staying ultra busy on the weekends has been my solution for not going off-plan. And, my house has never looked better. Now, I must confess to being a bit greedy....I want a bigger number for next Monday's weigh-in. As I've been 100% on target with my calorie counts, I know of only one way to bump up my numbers....sweat! The kiddos are out of school this week, so I can sleep a couple of extra hours in the mornings. I'm well rested, so I have no excuses. I will be on the treadmill after work today and everyday. Also, I need to get this body ready for the C25K program I'm starting on the 1st.

Jordan - What happened? The only way to prevent future binges is to take a serious look at what went wrong this time and put together a plan to prevent this from happening in the future. And, don't let this throw you off-plan. Remember....you're in a marathon!
Selina - I messed up on the cruise last week, too. I'll have to try again this week.
Karen - I'm sorry you're feeling down. I remember how down I was before my 30th birthday. I had a harder time with that one than I did with my 40th. Once its passed, you'll feel much better. Hang in there.
Purple - It may take a while for your heart to catch up with your head....until then, just keep telling yourself that the fat won't be here for much longer. As you continue to lose, your faith will continue to increase. I'm so proud of you for keeping on despite the doubts!
Zinke - No need to cross those fingers....You've been on-plan and I'm sure that will show on those scales.
Chellez - Nice picture!
Daimere - I can always find inspiration by reading the Goals thread and looking at the goals and mini-goals pictures. Seeing the progress that other women have made does encourage me that I can make incredible changes in my life, too.
Marianne- The conservatice C25K sounds like a great plan
Nori - I've always loved that picture of you! And, Hubby and baby are precious.
Vanessa - You are setting a wonderful example for you son! Congratulations!

Well, I better get some work accomplished today! Have to impress the new boss and co-workers. Hope everyone has a great on-plan day. GO BLUE!

Nori, so are you a nurse in a ped office? And your dh, you said he gets called in often - what does he do?

I love the pix of your active family lifestyle. Your face looks so happy in yours, and your kiddies and dh look so beautiful/handsome as well. Thanks for sharing those!

Vanessa - I don't own a treadmill, so I'll be doing it outside. I had started the regular C25K program in the summer, but my lungs (I'm asthmatic) weren't having any of it, and there was a guy in my (very hilly) neighbourhood attacking people, so I stopped. Now things are settled down in my area, so I feel safe to be out alone at 6am again and I think the conserv. C25K will adjust my lungs to the running/hills better! I'm excited!

Okay gotta run and make some breakfast before I go to work! What did everyone have for breakfast today? You DID all have breakfast, right?

I promised personals this morning and I'm here to deliver!

Theresa - Happy belated Birthday! You are such a goof if you think I'm mad about the travel challenge! Here's my comment: Don't quit, just post when you can! How not fun is it to say you quit something? on the new fitting jeans!

Nori - I'm not sure if the $$ is an advance on the 2008 taxes or not. I was talking to my hubby and he said he doesn't think they can do that to Americans because there would be no way of knowing each person's return for next year. Not to mention if people lost their jobs or didn't make enough in 08 to cover the advance... it would be counter productive. A Johnny cake is cornbread that's made into cake form instead of muffins and is so yummy! I have a sweater with a hood on in my picture... its my favorite Cute pictures of the family!

Marianne - Sorry about the yoga workshop! Are there any other types of books other than paranormal romance?

Zinke - I didn't become a $$ saver until this year. Really it was because I have things I want eventually (like a new car) and I won't be able to afford those things if I don't start saving now. Not to mention the house payments start in 12 days! on your WI!

Vanessa - Still praying for your dad over here! Being a single mom is rough, so don't fret about not being here 24/7

Kimberly - the new pic. Happy Belated Birthday to your little man!

Rhonda - I'm gonna pm you today! You sound like me reading 3 to 5 books in a week. The guy ringing up my books in Barnes and Noble was floored when I told him I could read a 400 + page book in 2 days. Applebee's has that Weight Watchers menu and I tend to stick to that when I go there.... its saved me more than once before.

vixjean - I have a treadmill now but I used to workout in my apartment complex's gym and walk around the neighborhood.

Karen - You may want to compare the shutter speed of the new camera with the old one. Or is it just slow to save pictures?

Selina - Like I told Theresa, don't quit... just post when you can! There's a devilish grin in that picture, you just have to click on it to see it!

jordan - What brought on the binge? Details needed here!

Heather, Ellie, KrisR, Cristina, Fran, & Shannon -

I had a bowl of Special K Chocolately Delight with some 2% milk.... at 5 am

It's 10:34 and I'm famished and tired

Woo! Work bills and personals took a lot longer than I expected... but thats ok! Cause I got um done and really now there's nothing left to do for the day since its raining.

I woke up this morning thinking it would be cold since it rained last night and was sprinkling when I got up at 5. I walked outside and it was 65! OMG I want summer here so bad... if I could only shed 30 lbs before May that would be great

So I decided last night that I'm going to start my bucket list. Yea, I know I'm not even 23 yet... but I'd rather start now so I know I can get these things done before I'm long gone. The first thing I said I wanted was a big trip (I'm talking Europe for a week or so) before I have kids. I still have a few years, and with that tax stuff coming in, I'll have more than enough to get started on that.

I need to update the Cruise today, but more than likely it will be after lunch as my eyes are going crazy and I'm really not in the mood. I stopped by the house this morning before work.... lets just say I'm going to get my exercise in cleaning tonight because the house is a total wreck!

Well I'm heading off for a bit... need to finish Lover Eternal so I can move on to the next book.

Morning team! I seem to have broken my plateau! I'm only down a pound from last week, but considering I took an entire week off from exercise and upped my calories, I'll take it. Hopefully the extra food and the break from workout has reset my body. I'm still struggling to each enough calories, but I think I'll eventually get the right balance.

Nori - You're family is cute. I wish mine would go hiking with me. I'm the only outdoorsy type in our family.

Vanessa - I'll add your Dad to our prayer lists.

Rhonda - A 1.4 pound loss sounds fantastic to me!

Marianne, Selina - I'll be happy to scooch over int he hammock and make room for you, but it's only getting to 60 degrees F here today, might want to wait til it warms up later in the week.

What did everyone have for breakfast today?

I had a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter before I went to the gym. And just now I had a Zone Perfect Chocolate Graham bar at my desk.

Hi everyone! Congrats to all of you! Sorry I haven't checked in...no excuses.
I'm in a slump and the weather is not helping! I really love to do outdoor activities and it just ain't happening in WI.! So, really trying to do more than yoga...really need cardio! I've been stuck w/ a 1lb loss for 2-3 weeks...looking for a 3 lb loss this week. Wish me luck! Have a great day everyone!