Happy Saturday all,

The carpet in our house is getting finished today. Yipee!! They started yesterday, didn't get much done and DH was MAD. So he called and yelled at them. Allow me to say, DH isn't reallya yeller...normally. So they came this morning and are really getting it done. We have a halloween party to attend tonight, and we need to leave by about 5pm....so they better be done by then. As a note, we decided to go as an old couple (with wrinkly masks...with hats that say "I LOVE BINGO" Hehe...should be fun. Will there be lots of food there? Yes. Will I eat it? Yes. Not all though. And to be honest, (and I know this is a BAD thing at times) I am ready to get really into the diet...tomorrow. The house will be done, and we will have our exercise equipment up and ready. My plan is to ride the exercise bike at least 21 miles per week (3 30 minute rides)....plus do weight training 2 to3 times per week. I really enjoy the feeling of having worked my muscles. I have a big build (not just fat)....so I enjoy feeling strong.

DH started his new job last week..and he LOVES it. I am so so happy. Our life is settling down a little, and in a way we love. I am so thankful. One issue I have observed is....I am an early eater. When I used to get home from work, we ate pretty quickly thereafter. He is the cook, not I. Now I get home a bit before him, and I am STARVING. I need to find a relatively low point snack that makes me not hungry. Once I hit hunger, it seems there is no turning back. Any of you on weight watchers (Ratkitten?)...can you give me ideas about what you do with you afternoon hunger. At my weight, I get 35 points per day, so I was thinking of splitting it into something like this....7points for breakfast, 3 point mid morning snack, 8 point lunch, 4 point afternoon snack, and a 13 point dinner (or 10 points plus 3 point snack later). I just don't know what works well in those slots. I generally have a PB sandwich for breakfast (5 points) and then a FiberOne bar around that time as well (2pt). My mid morning snack...I honestly have no great ideas for that. I can find different things for lunch within my point range....but the afternoon kills me. We can do lots with 10 to 13 points for dinner. So I guess I am looking for snacking ideas....preferrably something I can keep in my desk. If it needs refrigerated though, that's ok.

Now some personals...

Annie - you are doing GREAT!! I wanna be YOU!! I agree with the uniform...sounds unflattering regardless of your body type. Whatever you do, you will be great. You seem to be just a fabulous person.

Ratkitten - I am heading to Mexico now. Or tomorrow. Please send any food ideas WW my way. As you can see...I need help....

Heather - Go SOX. I live in Colorado now (grew up in the midwest...am a Cubs fan). But I am so tired of the Rockies badwagon. No one ever went to games, and now everyone acts like they are fans. Irritating to me, so I want the Rockies to lose. I am BAD!!

Catherine - you look gorgeous. I seriously think I am hideous looking, and I am realizing it's not necessarily my weight. You weigh similar to me, and really are pretty. So, maybe I just drew the short stick for looks.

Battle - there is a maturity about you that I think is great. You seem no-nonsense. I am not saying maturity as in old, more like a maturity as in responsible. I love to see that, and hope to get there myself.

Torister - you are doing great!! Keep up the good work.

Nancy - hope you had a good visit with the parents. I always find the parents visit stressful, hope it's better for you. Actually, when they visit me it's not so bad, but visiting them is different. I don't know why. I'm odd.

OK,carpet guys are calling. Gotta go.

Take care and be well,
Angie

Battle: Great job getting rid of the extra food. I'm proud of you. It was a big step and to be honest with yourself is always hard. Glad you had a good time with your friend though.

Zelma: I'm so happy that your introduction to the chorus was beautiful. I bet you dazzled them. Glad you had a good time with your God Daughter too. Thanks for the comments about me being too colorful for the sheriff's outfit. lol. I know you mean it in a good way. Hugs.

Sandy: I am so sorry that you are suffering so much with depression right now. I wish I could help you some way. I hope you are able to get some meds that are right for you. I agree with Heather. I used cymbalta and it was a life saver for me. Maybe give it a try if you can. Andy's birthday is one day before my dh Joel's birthday. Both pumpkin babies. Happy birthday to Andy.

Donna: sorry that Sammi is upset about coming in 2nd. But, congrats to her for coming in at least 2nd. That is wonderful.

Xena: I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the wedding. I was wondering how you fared at it because you were so nervous to go. Hugs.

Angie: Have a great time at your Halloween party. Congrats to your DH on loving his new job. That is always nice. Thanks for the thoughts about the sheriff's uniform too. lol.

Well, I'm off for a bit. I am having a lazy day today. I want to be outside. It is sunny but very cold. Maybe when Joel comes home from work we can go do something outside. Maybe some fishing. He was asking me if I would like to go hunting with him. I'm game I guess as long as I don't have to shot anything. lol.

Blessings all and stay safe.
Annie

Realist, your costume sounds fabbo! hehe. Speaking of old folks, my mom was joking that her and dad were taking the old widows out for Tuesday fish supper. The widows had a hard time getting in Mom's minivan. Keep in mind that Mom is 74 and Dad is 77 and the widows are younger than them both. Mom quipped to Dad "are you glad I exercise and can move around?"

My WW 2 point snacks are the Kashi chewy granola bars. Filling and have a nice chew to them. If you purchase any WW snack foods, drink a little water (half cup) with them. Not enough to wash them down, but since they have a ton of fiber, they swell up in your tummy to make you full. I've also been eating honeycrisp apples. I don't like the skins, so I peel them and core them and eat one slice at a time. Another snack I like is pistashios.. in the shell! Ya gotta work for your food.. hehe. Your point range for the day sounds really good. OH and Fat free microwave popcorn is a life saver. 1 point for an entire bag, or zero for the tiny snack bags. Progresso makes soup that are zero points and filling (zero for 1 serving... 1 point for both that are in one can). I hope that helps!! Remember, you can eat up to 4 points of exercising if you need more to eat

I made some split pea soup too! I always use the simple recipe and it came out filling and great! I let it simmer longer, but I like the onions and peas to combine so you can't tell one from the other.

Hugs and Luv to all,
Ratkity

Hi guys, just checking in, think i will actually take the dog out for a walk in the rain, thought I would check in before I get too behind

Catherine~ congrats to both of you... and you HAVE lost weight!!!

Val~

Well I was down 4.8 this week. Yeah me! *L* gotta take pooch for a walk!

Hello chickies!

Hope you are all hanging in this weekend. I find my weekends the hardest and I know I am not alone in that.

While DH was out duckhunting this AM, I met two friends for breakfast at a local diner here that DH and I used to go to every Sunday AM for BIG bfast! No more of that for me! I was a little nervous as their booths are SMALL, but I fit! WOOHOO! (I had a victory dance in my head...my friends just wouldn't understand...LOL!). Everything looked YUMMY (and I was soooooooo tempted to jump right off plan), but I had decided before I went that I was going to get poached eggs on wheat toast and I did just that! My friends had french toast and eggs benedict...two of my faves, but I have to tell you that I REALLY enjoyed my meal and did not feel like I was "settling" or anything. Woohoo!! I had a great OP day! I can do this...I will do this!!

I got 22 minutes on my exercise bike this AM and I plan to do some DDR before the game tonight.

Hope you all have a nice evening and before I forget.... GO RED SOX!!!!

Heather~ You are a Dear Heart. Thanks so much for everything you said. I have recently taken to going to lunch with a girl friend and she ALWAYS eats out. Makes it hard for me not to. And we all know how bad most fast food is for us. Why did I feel like I was the only won who thought failure was the only outcome??
I did just get back from the grocery. I bought yogurt for breakfast to go with my Fiber One cereal. I still have plenty of my low sodium Progresso soups. (Got them still cuz I've been going out for lunch) I've got menus planned for this week too. I think that's a step in the right direction.
I had a long talk with my oldest son this morning. He'll be 31 next weekend. He's such a good boy. When I'm feeling sorry for myself or whatever, he gently puts me back into the reality of today.
So, here I go again with baby steps. My self confidence will probably increase if I just get to my current goal. As my self confidence goes up, hopefully my depression will lessen. Especially if I can increase my almost nonexistent exercise. I'm just happy to have healthy snacks in the house. That'll help too. Thank you so much Heather.


Xena~ Good to hear from you!


Monday is Andy's birthday. I bought frozen, but raw deveined shrimp. I'm going to cook them in a low to no salt pickling brine and serve them on a bed of greens with red onion, slivers of green pepper and grapes.
He loves pumpkin pie, but hates the refined carbs in the crust so I'm going to make it Pumpkin custard. Same filling stuff made with splenda, just with no crust.
I bought the light cool whip to put on top.
Abby picked out the dearest card for him.I was surprised at how sentimental
it was for a 9 year old to pick out.
He got his elliptical last weekend and today I got him the book "Blaze" by Steven King when he writing under his other name.
I'm making my bean soup tomorrow. I hope it turns out as good as the split pea soup did.
Later in the week we're having taco salads per Abby's request. (i actually wrote out menus for next week. Give me more control and lots of it will go into the crock pot.
Well, it's late again and dinner isn't started yet.
I think tonight will be clean out the fridge night.

Thanks again Heather. I really appreciate what you said.

Angie~ I'm glad your dh loves his new job. Have fun tonight.


Annie~ I tried the Cymbalta for a month and it really put me in a funk. I'm still climbing out of it. It's just a terrible nagging negative and dark vibe right now. It's pathetic that I
"feel" ok if I eat totally off program. And that I get so emotional and down if I eat op and don't exercise. I really am a food addict, huh?
Happy Birthday to your Joel too!


Ratkity~ Glad your soup was yummy. I cook mine til the onions & peas are non distinguishable.


Brenda~ Love your hair! I like walking in the rain too. (when it's not cold like it is today)
Anyone remember the Neil Sedaka song, "Walkin in the Rain."


Peggy~ You're doing just great!


I started a new thread where I posted the song Andy wrote for me. Hope you all enjoy it.
Gotta get ready for my SOX!

Ok ladies and gent, I made my 50lb mark and I posted pics. There is one of my and hubby and then ones from August to October.

Val, I'm so sorry to hear about your good friend. She sounds like a wonderful friend. It's so sad that it takes something like this to make us take better care of ourselves. Your friend will be in my prayers. to you my friend.

Battle, I think you have a good plan to deal with the dinner your friend is bringing. O but lasagne, one of my all time favs, would be so hard not to have a big chunk of it..wow...that wasn't very encouraging was it? I know you can do this though, you're strong and committed. I know how you mean it feels different this time. I am not blessed with not having any of the diseases that being fat gets us. I have the high blood pressure and the diabetes. I KNOW I need to care better care of myself NOW before it gets worse. I'm so lucky to have a doctor that stays on top of things and catches them early. I'm already down half on the meds that I take now and hope to soon be off of them all. So I know you can do this, for you!

John, yep, once they know, they either support you or sabotage ya! Just hang in there buddy, you can do this!!

GGG, I had to laugh about the "losing my sense of smell". The other day my husband went into the store to pay a bill and came out. I sat there and asked him if he had had a peanut butter cup. He said yes, how did I know? I told him my sense of smell is so keen to candy because I miss it. He just laughs and tells me he can't believe I could smell it when he ate it in the store.

Peggy, Heather, Your team is looking sharp out there. Good luck to them!!!

Story, I sure hope the fire stays away from you. And I hope your son is ok. Asthma is no fun...poor baby. Enjoy your night alone!!

Catherine, wow!!! What a night!! You look maaaaaaaaaaaaaaavalous!!!!

Annie, I hope you get the job that you want!!!

Zelma, have fun on the piano!

Hi ladies & John. Sorry I haven't been keeping up with everyone. Unfortunately it's not been a very good week. I've had a cold/sinus infection for most of the last week, and things here aren't going very well. I didn't get any of the jobs I interviewed for, and DH was out of work for a bit so money is nonexistent right now. That makes staying OP very very difficult, because we're out of most groceries and the ones we're not out of are the ones that aren't very good for you. I'm trying to really limit portion sizes, because obviously I have to eat, and if those are the only things available, that's really my only option. It will be a long two weeks before we have any money coming in.

Take care everyone, and I hope you have a great weekend.

Hi all - boy am I glad today is over. The "Tastefully Simple" tasting party went fairly well. I definetely didn't overeat but it was outside my safe zone. Tonight we went to dinner with friends where again I made a good choice of a grilled chicken breast with onion, red and green pepper and roasted potatoes. Only problem was everything was swimming in oil. At least it's all over. I wonder when I will feel confident enough to handle days like today and not feel "bad". At some point I need to have some gray - not just black or white - I think that is what my biggest fear is - having that first bite and just letting go on a binge.

Debbie - remember the jean from a few weeks ago that I "touched" rather than trying them on. Tomorrow is the day. I really hope they will go above my knees. Keep your fingers crossed for me. You have a HUGE day - 50 lbs and under 300 all at once - you must be walking on air. I am so proud for you!

Hugs to all,
GGG

Peggy -- I remember my first breakfast out when I had started this journey. I think it was Bob Evans or someplace like that. I always ordered one of those meals with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a biscuit. This morning, I decided all I really needed was a couple of eggs and an English muffin. And it WAS fine, and I DIDN'T feel deprived! What a feeling,huh?

not to mention fitting in the booth! We get it!

Sandy -- Those are great steps you're taking! You don't have to do it all at once, and you certainly don't have to be perfect to be successful. I hope success helps your depression!

So, the Red Sox are up 6-0 and things are looking pretty good. Of course, I won't count anything out!! Back to the game!

Wanted to let everyone know we made it home in one piece. I'm so tired I feel 100 years old. I think we are going to sleep for days. Even the taxi driver on the ride from the airport recognized himself from the news. He wouldn't let us tip him. I have a feeling that my life has permanently taken a detour whether I want it to or not. I have this horrific feeling that I am going to have to get used to wearing dresses again. Isn't that grounds for annulment? I'm off to bed before I turn into a pumpkin. I know he's tired, he's actually watching hockey. I'd better check his temperature.

Good morning everyone!

Checking in really quick. I am POOPED! I did stay up for the entire game last night and it as SOOOO worth it!! Fingers crossed for another win tonight. I might need a nap this afternoon during the Patriots game to be able to watch it. GO RED SOX!!!

Just finished 23 minutes on my exercise bike. Hopefully that, my chores and some DDR later on today will keep my metabolism up and burning those calories!!

I have chores calling my name so I must dash, but have a great day everyone!

Catherine -- Glad you're home safe and sound. I'm wishing you the strength for everything to come!

Peggy -- That was a fun win! I got very nervous when they made it a one run game!

Last night, along with the ball game and the Red Sox third victory (!!), we had fries and nachos for dinner.

But, because my eating habits are different, the fries were sweet potato fries -- tossed in a little olive oil and spices and baked, so not fried at all. And the nachos used ground turkey, light chips and light cheese, and actually very little cheese. The tomato we added was so tasty, and there was a little bit of olive and some lettuce. YUMMY!!

I don't think I enjoyed the full fat greasy versions more than I enjoyed these!

Howdy all...just saying hello. I don't follow baseball BUT I see from the post the Red Sox are doing great.

I am going to meet my exercise goal this month! I am soo excited!! Whoohoo!!
Now I am having a foot problem. At first it felt like I pulled a muscle on the bottom where my arch is. Now, about 4 days later it is kinda bumpy and is a little reddish. I have also noticed that it is going up the side of my arch. I dont know what I have done. UGH always something with me. I think if it does not get better in the next few days..I will be off to the Dr. Not a place I want to go.

Thanks for listening to me ramble about my foot lo