Good morning everyone..

Bev.. Those muffins can be frozen. My Dear Hubby doesn't eat pumpkin and when I make them, I have to freeze them.

I usually don't think of them as a dessert. I prefer the spice cake mix and think of muffins as breakfast food. The pumpkin taste in them is not strong. Some people say that they can not even taste the pumpkin. There is also a pumpkin fluff that you can make. It uses sugar free pudding mix, milk, pumpkin and cool whip. Its good also.

I walked my 2 miles this morning. Still haven't tried the crunches, but I do some armchair exercises. Its much easier for me than getting down on the floor and trying to get up again.

Hope you all have a good day.

Nita

Good Morning, One and All!!!!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Vibes}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

to you !!!!!!

Summer, those things are positively addictive.

Sorry to hear you are coming down with a bug, it sounds as if it would really be a problem for your daughter, is she ill already? I will keep you at the forefront of my prayers, and send you an extra dose of {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Vibes}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} to help you through.

Sherri,

You are doing so well with your exercise, you really keep me in "the zone", no kidding, somedays I think "Boy, I am
poop-poop-ey-dooed today, think I will skip (insert: walk, upper/lower, treadmill, abs or all of the above)" Then I think of you walking over hill and dale, rain or shine, and I move my sorry butt. Thanks for providing me with that push. You are right about regulating appetite, exercise works wonders in that department.

I like my candy, but only occasionally. I prefer really spicy food, so I never seem to go overboard on the sweets, but Christmas will be hard because of the wine and cheese and little noshies. mmmmmmmmm.........................

I am so sorry for your uncle and his family, that is so hard. Many years a go my family lost a newborn nephew to meningitis. Taking him off life support at 18 days old was incredibly hard. My heart goes out to you and yours and I will remember you in my prayers also.

Mickey,

Keep up the good work you are most definitely on the right track!
Snow in Texas? I grew up in Vancouver, where snow invariably hits once ore twice a year, and the city virtually shuts down with anything more than 2 inches. When I moved to Northern Alberta, I learned to deal with snow and cold as a 6-month fact of life.
-40and -50 C for weeks at a time, the only good thing, ice bridges, so you can shortcut to where you're going. I pick TEXAS!!!!!!! I am not a winter person, unless there is a skidoo in sight, then I pretend for a couple of hours. Do you garden? If you do, will the snow and cold harm anything? At least this will give lilacs and a lot of bulbs a kick in the pants, should have a nice show in the spring.

Nita,

I am making the pumpkin/spice muffins today, they just sound like a break and a cuppa java, and hard workin' painter chicks need a little reward. That soup sounds like it would be worth a try. I try to avoid cheese tho, it really is my weakness.


Eleni,
You sound so darn down on yourself. I really want to give you a BIG hug and say it's OK. We all have our ups and downs, you will do this. Try not to attack the whole thing head on, make 1 little change this week and stick to it. Maybe no butter, just jam on your toast, 1 tsp. sugar in your coffee tea vs. 2, I don't know where those little changes could be, but then when you look back on your day/week you can say "well, I may have had (fill in blank) but I stuck to my guns and never had (fill in blank). Over time those little changes will add up, and you will feel enough empowerment to grab that bull by the horns, and beat the bejeebers out it. So, BIG HUG TO YOU!!!!!!!

Christie,

Can I send you a big TOPS nap? If so, I hope you get one. Keep fighting the good fight, and take good care of yourself.

Bev, Are you getting the hang of the exchanges? Hope thing are going well for you.


Well, blah blah blah, Did I go on and on or what! And I'm not done!

18 more days 'till (say it, girls!) My Mom Comes!

My kitchen is turning out really nice, (yeah!)

And..............................

drumroll please......................
dddddddddrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmm m

In this corna, weighing in at 188, 5 feet 9 inches of happy woman......'

I lost 2 lbs last night at weigh in for a grand total of 65 lbs to date.

Well, must go 'fore my fingers are too cramped to paint!

CC

CC,

I am so glad that I motivate you. My scale is up a little today and I got bummed but it could have been the 300 crunches I did last night before bed and the 300 leg lifts I did. I have been working my legs and stomach. My inches are not falling like I would like them to. I am still the same size that I was 2 weeks ago. But maybe it is the muscle. It has to start coming off eventually right? I didn't walk this morning because I had to be to work too early and I didn't have time. Plus my daughter has her class this afternoon and she is sleeping now for a short time. I did have toast and some cereal for breakfast today. I am going to the buffet for lunch/dinner and I won't eat anything later. I have to eat more I think because of all the exercising. Last week I ate a lot and lost weight. But I am not going to eat like a pig though.
As far as my uncle goes his liver is shutting down now and the blood transfusion didn't take. They are waiting to talk to the doctor and they are faced with shutting down the machines today. So it is a hard day here and for them. I told them I would come up later but they said to call first or they would call me to see what happens. I think that they are going to have to shut down the machines that is why they would rather be alone. I can't blame them but told them I am here for them. I am glad I got to see him yesterday and told him I loved him.
Anyway I will do my crunches and leg work tonight. I have to make choc. candy for my daughters school for sat. they are having a breakfast with santa and her school is in charge of the secret shop where they can buy things cheap. So I am making the molded candy and lollypops. I have never done it before so wish me luck.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 65 LB WEIGHT LOSS SO FAR. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. Your mom will be also. See you are right where you wanted to be now. You are doing great. I hope I have a loss this week also then I will be happy.

Nita,

Way to go on the 2 miles that is great. It doesn't matter how you do the crunches I think you are doing it the smart way then you don't have to get up off the floor.LOL Keep exercising and you will see the results. That is what I keep telling myself. I hope it works.

Talk to you ladies later. I don't think it will be a good night here. Waiting by the phone.

Sherri

BOY AM I EVER TIRED LADIES I am putting in about 50 hours a week now and boy am I not used to it
AND I miss you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
I figured you would all forget me by now ... but thankfully you didnt

Nita- Great job on the 2 miles girl! You are just doing great!

CC- Thank you SO much for the TOPS nap girl Lord knows I sure need one... I am so excited for you about your visit with your mom, I just know she is gonna flip when she sees all the weight you lost

Sherri- I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Got it girl!!! LOL Keep up the good work, and even though you may not see me on here much I am rooting for you with all my heart!

ELENI- READ SHERRIs it goes DITTO for you

Well guys I hate to ruin off but I have just got to get some sleep..... I work from 9 am till 10 pm tomorow...all prayers and thoughts will be greatly apriciated

I have not done well today. I can't stand to be cooped up in the house. (Really not a good excuse, I should be able to control my emotions!)

I have copied the soup recipe and plan to make if for my next program which is coming up. I like to show that you can eat well and still stay OP.

I just found a neat thought. I'll pass it along and then say goodnight~~~"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."

Yack tomorrow!

Good morning It looks like some of you are really hyped on losing .That is Fantastic.
I wrote a long reply yesterday and just as I hit button site went off and my message didn't make it.
It would be nice if those of you that have lost large amounts remind us how you did it. I know some are doing a lot of exercising but you couldn't do that much at your heaviest could you. It might show us something that might help.
I am not only one struggling. Most people do not post when they are not losing. Either because they don't want to put a damper on everyone or else they are embarassed. None of us want pity.
i love to read all the accomplishments.
Sherri and Christie. Take care of yourselves
We are going to have another beautiful Florida day. I wrapped the last Christmas present today. Altho I am thinking of going to dollar store and getting something small for the members of my club.
Our leader who had gastric by-pass is doing great. She has had very little discomfort and has lost close to 20 pounds already(10days) This is something we have never delt with in our chapter before. We may make some adjustments. She is eligible for all prizes but it might be discouraging for others in her division.It will be impossible for them to compete. Need to come up with a way to reward both.
Oop Gotta go I will be late for work

What an inspiration you ladies are. I was just thinking of snealing a treat and came to the board and of course after reading the posts I don't need it now.

I got weighed in last night and I Lost 4 pounds. I was sure that I would have a gain or at least a turtle since I feel that I have been eating more than usual, but I guess the difference is what I have been eating.

I know that the 4 lb. is probably mostly water and not to expect that much of a loss each week, but it sure felt WONDERFUL.

Because of the loss I won the fruit basket we have each week.

CC
I am getting the hang of exchanges, but I still need to look up most items to see what they are and the amount I can have. I'll start to remember though.

It is wonderful that your Mom is coming to visit and won't she be surprised when she sees you.

Well ladies I need to go and do some crunches and then later walk to the bank. I didn't get out yesterday to excerise as we had that dreaded snow. You can tell I'm a West Coaster when it snows as I huddle in the house by the wood stove.

Closing for now.