Good morning everyone.

I hope to be back to posting regularly. I am back - at least temporarily - at the job I had almost seven years ago. It feels a lot like moving backwards; I have at least one other job prospect and am waiting for word.

I weighed in on Saturday morning. It was not pretty, but my eating had been out of control for weeks. It was definitely time to get back on track.

As always, life won't make it easy. Yesterday, I was invited to a BBQ folllowing our 5 k run. They had a surprise birthday cake (and rhubarb pie) for dessert. I managed to stay on program between flex points and activity points. Today, there's a staff bbq at lunchtime and my sister is taking me out for dinner tonight. I will get through this; I have planned for it.

How is everyone? I haven't had a chance to catch up on previous posts, but I did note that it's been quiet.

Susan
155.2/146

Good to hear from you Susan! You're right, the boards have been really quiet. Last week we didn't have a thread and the week before it was just Lisa and I posting. She should be back from her trip and I'm anxious to hear how she enjoyed it.

My eating hasn't been bad and I've been doing a lot of walking but my weight is not reflecting any of my efforts. It's pretty frustrating. I was up 2.6# the week before and last week I only dropped .6 which was discouraging. My weight continues to be an issue. I have an appointment with a new primary care physician and I'm hoping to get some things resolved. I still don't feel 100% (tired, scattered, brain fog) and even though they say my "levels are in range" I still don't feel great. I'm 2# over my 2# WW goal weight limit and I've never been in this boat before. I've always been able to maintain around the 142 area *sigh* I totally skipped my May TOM so something is up. I also have an appointment with my ob/gyn on the 25th.

Wedding plans are coming along--I'm finding it very difficult to step back. I had found a gorgeous dress in Chicago only to be told that it was not acceptable because it had a "black overlay" and they didn't want any black. *sigh* I took the dress back and found another one this weekend and hopefully this one will work. They still haven't found a place to live (I wish they'd get moving on this one) and there are still a lot of loose ends they need to take care of.

Work is getting crazy--we're heading into our orientation programs and this weekend kicks off our first program. The cycle never ends...

Susan: You took your hit so now you can move on Having a plan really helps. I'm focusing on my journal and dairy this week because those are two areas that I've been struggling with. We'll see what that brings.

Lala: Are you still out there???? I hope everything is okay!

Lisa: Welcome Back! Hope you had a great time on vacation!

Pam: How's everything there??

Another challenging day but I managed to stay within points. I didn't get my exercise in though; it was teeming rain when I got home and I just couldn't imagine running in it. I will have to make up 4 activity points sometime between now and Saturday to meet my goal.

My sister and I went to a great Italian restaurant last nite. I did not order a points friendly dish (sausage and cream) but I only ate half and took the rest home with me. No wine, no dessert (ok - a bit of a cookie) and one small slice of bread. I'm pretty happy with how I handled it.

Melissa: It must be hard to stand by and watch all of the wedding preparations and not be more involved. On the other hand, if you can cut yourself off mentally from everything, you can just sit back and enjoy the lead-up and the wedding itself without all of the stress. Too bad about the first dress; it sounded nice!

Susan

Hello, lifers! I'm back from a wonderful vacation. Oregon is a well-kept secret. The scenery is just stupendous. We hiked, golfed, took in the sights. One day we took a strenuous hike in 90 degree weather. Two days later we were at Crater Lake and it was 30 with a snow blizzard!

My eating was so-so on vacation and I was already in trouble weight-wise (well not over goal, but not where I want to be). I'm back on track. I've been OP since I returned on Saturday. I've got to get back to staying OP. I've always kept up my activity, but I've been having trouble staying away from cheese and sweets!

Melissa, I'm glad you found a dress. It's too bad the first one didn't work out. They should have told you that black wasn't allowed. Hang in there with the weight--you know you can do it, but it sounds like you are having some other issues. I'm glad you're headed to a new doctor. So, sounds like you're in perimenopause. Welcome to my world (at least for a couple more months). My last TOM was in September and soon I'll be declared menopausal.

Susan, Sorry about your gain, but I have an idea what you've been going through. Job turmoil will do it to you!

Lisa: Sounds like you had a great vacation - lots of variety.

Melissa: Hope the new doctor can get to the bottom of what's ailing you. I am happy that all of the ups and downs of perimenopause are behind me. Now if I could just shake the night sweats...

Still solidly on program. I am hoping to see a good loss this week, but even if I don't, I feel so much better than I did when my eating was out of control. I am looking forward to the meeting, actually.

Susan

Lisa: It sounds like you had a great vacation and got some activity in there as well. I'm working on my activity--since DS #2 finished up with school I've been able to get out of the house earlier in the morning so I've been taking a walk before work along with my lunch time walks so we'll see what that brings. I've been stress eating and that's not a good thing--I need to stay focused. I just want to be back in the low 140's and lately it seems like it's unattainable

Susan: I'm not liking the changes I've been experiencing--the mood swings have been the worst! I'm hoping the doctor can give me some insight as to what I can do. Good for you for being OP solidly! I'm working on getting my milk in and journaling this past week and so far so good. I even wrote down the "ugly" parts, lol.

The weather here has been perfect--sunny days and cool nights. This morning it's a little humid so it's a little "close" outside. We could use some rain for the plants though.

Went to meeting at noon and stayed the same which is better than gaining. Hopefully next week I get my weight to budge a little.

Susan, I think night sweats are worse than hot flashes, don't you? It's because our sleep is interrupted and that messes us up.

Melissa, I was OP again yesterday. I sneaked a peek at the scale and was down 2, but that's what I gained on vacation. Like you with 140's I want to be in the low end of 160's and I'm not there. Grrr. Congrats on maintaining. Perhaps the walking is helping out. Yesterday I looked at some candy bars and some cookies at the store, but I did not eat any.

Oh, the mood swings were awful when I started perimenopause. I was so depressed and that's just not me! That feeling went away after a few months (thank God).

DH had his knee surgery yesterday and he did really well. Now the recovery period. Of course, his first question to the doctor was: "When can I run again?"

I agree Lisa that night sweats are the worst. I wake up several times a night, usually just as the wave is starting. As for mood swings, Melissa, I was going through so much personal turmoil at the time that I don't think I even noticed! Thank goodness for small favours!

I sneaked a peek at the scales this morning. I am down a big chunk. But I don't want to reveal numbers until Saturday when I get weighed officially. Trying to avoid counting my chickens...

I saw Dennis Deyoung in concert last night - the lead singer from Styxx. He was aswesome...and funny too. Really down to earth. Played all of the old favourites and a few new ones. He's a consumate entertainer, and he looks amazing. I heard on the radio after the show that he just celebrated his
60th birthday. A mighty attractive man! And he's been with the same woman for 37 years. She is a back-up singer and she too looks amazing. They are doing something right...

Any big plans for the weekend?

Susan

Forgot to send get well wishes to your DH Lisa. I can only imagine how he's feeling. It's one thing to take a little break from running when it's your decision; when someone else tells you you can't run, it's a hard pill to swallow. Anyway, the surgery is behind him now. He will just have to try to be patient...

Susan

Susan, Wow! I hope your WI is a good one. Thanks for your wishes for DH. He is really doing well. So far he's listening to his nurse (that would be me).

How great about Dennis DeYoung. Yes, he must be doing something right.

What's everyone doing this weekend? DH and I have been invited to dinner Friday and Saturday (not good with a WI on Monday), but I'll be careful. Because of DH's surgery, we won't be playing golf, but I'll probably work in the yard and go for a walk.

Play rehearsals are in full swing so that keeps me busy, too.

Not much planned for the weekend. The Multicultural Festival is on on the waterfront - I may take in some of that...AFTER weigh-in tomorrow morning. I have some household chores to do if the weather cooperates. I really need to clean my car but it has been cold and rainy and I haven't been motivated.

I also need to spray all of my house plants again. They have whitefly. I will give them one more spray and if the flies aren't gone, the plants will be. It would be a shame to lose them - I have a beautiful Boston fern in my bedroom and I have been so successful in keeping it alive... darn.

Contemplating a 10 - 12 km run on Sunday. Otherwise, will be puttering.

Susan

Susan, I like those kinds of festivals. They can be fun. Sending those good vibes for your WI. Can't wait to hear how you do. Have a great run.