Yay ladies! So, here are the people participating in the challenge:

Linda (derrydaughter)
Dawny (dawnydw)
Melanie (emerald)
Dale (aricsmama)
Natalie (sugar_cane)


Ok, so it's five of us. We have the "10 pounds in a month" plan, but if anyone feels more comfortable with lowering the number of pounds to suit oneself, that's fine. I copying this post in a new thread as this one is too long and perhaps newbies who want to post in the thread find this confusing. I suggest that everyone pm me every week with their results so as to be able to post them when the challenge ends. Do you want to do this or you prefer to say your losses in the thread? I guess it would be more intriguing to show the results in the end, but please, tell me what you think. I'm starting a new thread now. Thanks for the support girls!!

Hi there!
Wonder if the new thread started by Sugar Cane is where we all need to post, or should be keep this one open. This could be our "support" and "chat" thread and the other a results one?
Whatever works!
I'll look for the new thread.
I don't mind posting my results on the thread or private messages, whatever works for the group. I'm "easy" about that, as long as I get results!
Linda

Well, we can use both threads for chatting, I opened the new one so as not to get confused by so many posts. So, you can pm me your weekly results and you can also post them in the thread. I'll collect all the results and post them at the end of the challenge.

Hi, Like the idea about the separate thread for the challenge. I think that that thread should be used for that purpose, as Nat said, It can get confusing on here for others interested in joining in. This thread may be a long one, but a good one, as we know instantly where to find each other for a chat, and a moan, and a quick panic session if we need one! I'm happy to pm once a week with results, and post with progress as and when I can. I'll try not to go on too much in the other thread if I can help it!!!

Back to today. I feel quite thin today. Don't know why. The scales didn't show anything amazing this morning, the clothes don't feel looser and no one has paid me any compliments, but I feel good. Its a nice feeling. I'm starting to feel a bit more 'normal' now - well as normal as I'm ever likely to knowing that I'm just a little bit mad - I suddenly don't feel as if I'm standing out in a crowd anymore, I've always liked to just blend in, and maybe now I can just a little bit. I still have a long way to go, but maybe by goal (Christmas of course!) then I will completely disappear! - wishfull thinking!

Melanie, your sleepover sounds fun, a room full of pubescent girls, oh to be that age again - never!!! I couldn't handle it again in a million years. Hope you fought your way past the munchies to the celery...actually, thats a lie, I hope you had a great time and ate whatever took your fancy for a change! Did you go over your FP though?

Fi, .5 is a good loss. I felt quite disappointed the last couple of weeks when I only lost the same, I've come to the conclusion now though, that .5 is .5, and better off than on. Some weeks we just don't seem to get the results we expect or deserve. Next week will be better, especially now we have a little mini goal to work to.

Linda, your weigh in was not bad at all, especially if you ate all the yummies you say. I would have gained at least 2 with that little lot. It'll drop off next week. By the way, the photos of the mansion house you visited are alot like some of the great country estates over here. We have one of the best in the world about 10 minutes from our house, called Chatsworth House, Its fabulous, in huge grounds with deer etc roaming over the road. If any of you are ever over here, I will take you to see it!

Hi to everyone else out there, I'll be back soon, AJ wants to play on the pc!

Dawny, I would call the feeling good and feeling thin a NSV, for sure! I think .5 off is so much better than .5, just like you said! I'd have been happy, this week, just "breaking even"!
Even if I did eat all those extra goodies while away, I walked and didn't just sit around. The tour of that mansion probably earned me a point at least, all those corridors and stairs!
I'm realy on program today!
I worked out with my body sculpting tape = 30 minutes (will be sore tomorrow after doing push ups for about 4 or 5 minutes!)
I walked on my treadmill for 20 minutes
Planned eating has worked well, will end the day just using all of my points, nothing more!
I'm drinking water this very second!!!!! <slurp> Also eating ff popcorn to fill me up so I can make it until dinner.
I went through my ww cookbooks and found a good recipe in my "Best of WW magazine" cookbook for chicken cattiatore that is 4 points a serving. It's even got white wine in it, and still only 4 points, sounds great and quite tasty! So, this will be dinner this evening with a little pasta on the side and some zucchini. I even have enough points left to sprinkle parmesan over top and not be cheating!
I think I am going to really try using some of my ww cookbooks in the upcoming week or so. I think it might help.
Big thunderstorms here in NH this afternoon, had to turn on lights at 3:00 pm it was so dark. Now, two hours later it's sunny and steamy. We are having weather like a tropical rain forrest this summer, lots of muggy stuff. Not condusive to working outdoors at all, ick!
But, next week I plan on burning some big time points doing morning yard work!
Linda

Oh yes, Dawny, would love to come to the UK one day and see that "country estate" some time! I love places like that. I think I was meant to live in the 1800s, I love the clothing, style, manners and antiques from that period. Oh well.
Linda

Congrats on all the losses! I had a 7 lbs. loss one week, the leader almost fainted. But the week before I had a 5 lb. gain due to medication (I think) so that's how I explained it.
I agree that you don't want to beat yourself up because you went off program on vacation, just pick up where you left off. But, since I have been "here" a few times before, I feel I must caution everyone on buying into the "special occasion/vacation" way of thinking. Think about how many times a year we have special occasions: birthdays (if you have a large family this could be a whole month worth of days), weddings, anniversaries, visits with friends, retirement luncheons, visits with relatives, baby showers, vacations (twice a year, WOW), 9 or more legal holidays, the list just goes on and on. I think the "secret" to making this a life change is to handles these occasions on plan and not as a excuse to overindulge. That's how you gain 10 lbs. a year that turns into 50+ before you know it. At least that's how it always starts with me. Occasional overeating/skipping exercise turns into 24/7. Remember, I have reached goal once on my own and twice with ww so this is the voice of experience talking! Life is full of special occasions, we have to learn to enjoy them without carrying them around on our hips all year. I mean, unless those ribs were out of this world special that you can only get in that restaurant in that particular town, why were they worth it to you points wise? Just something to think about.

Janette

Welcome Janette! You are totally right about the "special occasions". It's something I need to work on. I must say those ribs were NOT worth it in the end, I've had better at a place only about a mile from here. Oh well. However, I must say that on ww, if one PLANS for them, one can have ribs, they are not taboo! I just wasn't doing anything right on vacation, though, no excuses.
But, NOW, I am not allowing any indulgences at all.
There will be special occasions for me and times where I am "weak" vs. strong, yet it's the overall results and long run stuff I am working on. Yet, I know that there are those who really have so much more strength than I do.
I gain my strength from being here with you guys! I have power from knowing you are all out there routing for me!
Maybe I need a laptop and wireless connection before next year's vacation and I slip again?
Linda

You are right, there is nothing you can't eat as long as you plan and stay in your points range. I used the ribs as an example because I knew it probably took a large bite out of your points for the day. And probably because I don't like ribs! And I thought you were listing the foods that took you over points for the day. Anyway, where do you think we got in the mindset that "having fun" meant eating fattening food? I may be a little older than the rest of you but I wonder if it is because at one time those foods were really only available a couple of times during the year? The rest of the time it was eating to survive. Maybe I just think too much--you think?

Good Morning, Tried to post yesterday.Got a nice one typed in,hit send,and it said"PAGE CANNOT BE FOUND"I tried everything.Got aggravated and shut her down. Welcome Janette.It's always nice to have someone new. It makes for a better pot of soup. Linda, Sounds like your right on track. Keep it up. Wonder how Melanie survived her teen overnite? "We can survive anything.As long as it's not fatal."I stole that, by the way. Kinda liked it. Well I've exercised more this week. Just pour the sweat. We don't have air conditioning. Don't want it.So I'm in front of the fan.I think even with air,I'd sweat.I've been pushing myself. Speaking of which,I need to go do. Check in Later.

OOPs!!! Guess that should say Good Afternoon!!!!

Good evening everyone, it's really nice now there are a few more of us posting regularly. Like a regular coffee morning, but at any time of the day, and across the continents!
Welcome to Janette! You have obviously done very well in the past. What's brought you back to WW now? What are your goals and general aims in life? Don't mind me, I'm nosey! I get your point about the vacations etc, we really have to build them into our everyday lives, not go off programme every time a special event occurs. As you said, it could well happen several times a week!

Linda, Hi, you are doing so well now, and sticking with the exercise too. Well done! How is Jamie doing at the moment? I know she had done well after your main vacation, but how did she cope with the recent one? Is she looking forward to going back to school, and did you ever decide what to do with those packed lunches?

Dale, You are obviously exercising like mad too. It also sounds far too hot for so much physical exertion! I wish I could say the same for here. I guess the weather would be perfect for exercise, but still not done much. We have had a bit of sunshine today, but we have had loads of rain recently, some parts of the country have had horrendous torrents of water, completely recking towns and villages. I'm lucky I live on top of a hill! Don't like the rain much though. I would like just a bit of the heat you are all getting. I'm sitting here now, picture this...in jeans, socks, thick jumper in middle of August! My hands are cold, could do with mittens too. Oh well, shouldn't complain, there are far worse than me!

Nat, hope you will be able to cope with all the admin with the new challenge!!! Good luck.

Well, I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend. Back soon.

I have eaten my points for the day (22). It was that trail mix that got me. Guess I have some flex points left. Probably eat tomato soup for supper.

Dawny I am back to ww because after maintaining for 2 years I slowly began to put it back on until I was 40 lbs. over. I've lost 10 lbs and want to lose 20 more to see where that puts me. I don't know if I am trying to maintain at too low a weight or if I just forget the lessons learned and start letting little things slide--like exercise and journaling--until the weight is back on. I know what to do and what not to do but I am a stress eater and I have a lot of stress at work. It seems like I go from a size 8 to a 20 overnight! I know it's not true but I seem to either be at goal or way over. I envy those people who can put on 10 or 15 lbs. as they age and then stop there. I could live with that.

I am an animal lover and avid gardener. I also love to decorate and redecorate my house with prize "finds" and refinished furniture. I enjoy the chats here and hope it helps me reach my goal.

Bad news seem to be forming a line waiting for me! A friend of mine told me that her brother might have to go in a mental institute. I mean, please.. this summer might as well be the worst of my life! I don't wanna come off as selfish, but you know, all these bad news are piling up, and I'm trying hard to maintain a good, positive attitude and it all goes to ****. We're a group of friends and this summer we seem to be constantly supporting each other cos of this bad situation.

Anyway, as I said above, I have a really optimistic and positive attitude towards future, it's actually the first time that dieting makes me feel this way. I feel like I'm really taking control of my life.
Today was a good day food-wise, and I have things planned for tomorrow. I wish that by Wednesday I will have lost the pound I gained during my vacation, and hopefully a little bit more! I had my scales fixed, so no excuses this time!
Take care all,xxxxxnat

SugarCane, the fact that you have a group of friends that are supporting each other through bad times makes you a very lucky person indeed.

I too made it food-wise yesterday even though I had used all my points by lunch I ate tomato soup for supper and a handfull of dry cereal (flex points) before I went to bed. I'm really proud of myself for not giving in!

Maybe you should start a new thread--this one is getting so long----

Hope everyone has an on-plan day!
Janette