Look at this! Not only am I actually delurking but I'm even starting off a thread! How about that then? I've been keeping up with you guys even though I haven't been posting and I'm dead impressed with all the motivation out there ... I think it must be catching though because I've had a whole run of OP days and my weightloss graph (posted on the wardrobe door so I have to look at it every morning!) is FINALLY heading downwards. YIPPEE!!! Of course, I am stuffed full of caffeine (new coffee-maker, have to experiment with different coffees ) but I have upped the water so it's not too drastic.

Hey, Rina, your wedding countdown just inspired me to go count ... mine's in 17 weeks - and still no flowers. How scary is that?

Oh bu**er, choking on coffee
I think that might be the signal to get back to work ... will check back later ...

hugs,
Lxxx

You guys are right there does seem to be a lot of motivation right now and I think for good reason. How many weddings are coming up Lolly and Rina, isn't there more??? I got the Victoria's Secret swimsuit issue and I swear they're not human but regardles it is a bit of motivation. Not necessarily to look like that b/c who are we kidding but to feel like I look like that Do you guys know what I mean? When I am thinner even if it means being 176 instead of 15lbs ago I feel amazing. I miss that feeling I haven't lost in wks and I am wanting to see that weight change. Oh well. Moving on.
B/f goes to the specialist this morning regarding his knee, so keep your fingers crossed. I just hope he doesn't need surgery. Oh well not to worry I will wait for his call before I freek out. His appt. is at 9am which is right about now.
My friend that I am going to Hawaii with e-mailed me and wants to take surfing lessons. ahhh how fun is that? Has anyone ever tried it? I wonder how hard it it. Fill me in if there are any surfers out there. I am such a midwesterner surfing probably won't come naturally, now snow skiing that is a different story

KT- I was just looking at your stats. That is amazing. You have come along way. Keep pressing on

Rina-Sorry about your weather. Living in Michigan I know what your going through. Our winter has been soooo mild this year though. I am with you on the 7:30 thing. I hit snooze a bizillion times. Oh and I could attemp to shove you in my suitcase for Hawaii. You will just have to pack light

Stacey- What a great way to start off your morning yesterday. First of all I would be annoyed with 5:30 and then no water. I would have had to call it a day.

Jenn-Your weather sounds like ours. Aren't you loving it. I had my sunroof/moonroof (whichever?) open. The last time we had weather that nice was in the 1940's. It was like 58 degrees out. Today is back to the 40's but usually we are like below 0 with the wind chill.

Jess-congrats on keeping your op goals t hat you set over the wknd. I am impressed.

Tonya-I am finally comprehending what a family goes through when one of them gets sick. I am having the same problem this wk. It started with one of the kids and now three of them have sore throats, coughs runny noses and of course my throat is soar and I feel like I am getting a head cold. This is something I am not looking forward to in the realm of parenting Hope your fam gets well soon.

Lolly- I got a new coffee cappuccino espresso maker in november and went throught the same thing. An upside is that when you are needing something sweet a little bit of flavored coffe and some splenda can be like desert What is your wedding dress like? Are you willing to share? I would love to see it or at least hear about it. Rina, You too!

Alright I will check in later. This is like the mother of all posts.

Things here are not too exciting. I made it back to the gym last night and spent an entire hour. (It's a Contours Express and only takes 29 minutes for the minimum workout. I like to work a little harder). I felt so committed because I was the last person there and stayed until close. I wasn't even done with my workout completely when they closed. I felt like such a devoted gym-go-er (even though I haven't been there for the last week). Yesterday was another successful day of staying on the plan for me. That makes 5 days in a row, which feels like quite the accomplishment!

Weigh-in is tonight. Hopefully I'll feel successful, but I'm bloated and crampy (how I love being a woman!).

Lolly--OK, I have to know--what does bu**er stand for? I can't think of a single naughty word that starts with bu and ends with er... But, maybe that's because you're in England...

I hope everything is OK after choking on your coffee and hope there was no coffee spilling involved (that can just ruin an entire day, don't you think?)

Congratulations on your wedding, I'm very jealous! Just wish my boyfriend would figure out that he wants to marry me...

OK, I suppose I ought to do what they're paying me to do...

Jess

Good morning ladies!!

Jess ~ Way to go for making it to the gym. You are doing a fab job on your motivation!!

Becky ~ I know what you mean about the Victoria's Secret catalog (which my DH always snags out of the mailbox before me?!? ) I will never look like those girls, but that is o.k., I think women with curves are more sexy anyway....who wants the body of a 10 year old boy????? Yes, having a schedule with kids is important but hard. Once in a while if my DH has to work nights and I am out of town on business my mom will watch my kids for a couple days and get them to school and such. She always tells me she forgets what that was like and how much of a struggle it is to get places on time. Just remember, it is always much better with your own kids, and once you get into a routine it is like clockwork. Your doing a fabulous job, 5 kids....wow!!! I hope BF's knee is o.k. I had surgery in both knees in college, not fun, but the recovery time is short, a couple weeks and I was running around like nobodys business!

Lolly ~ We have missed you!! I love coffee and cappiccino, all different kinds....and yes, I too what to know what b**er is???

I can't for the life of me remember some of the posts from yesterday, but a big "Hi!!!" goes out to Stacey, Rina, Jen2, Jen, Melissa, Kier, Kirsty, Trish, Ali, (and all that I missed, didn't take my Ginko today!!! )

Well, not much new with me, I am staying OP and getting some exercise, of course, it could be better!! The puppy is doing well, training is coming along just fine. He is 9 weeks old tomorrow. Now weighing in at 19 pounds!! My kids are feeling better, but still sound like they have been smoking for most of their lives!!!

Oh, forgot to tell ya, I colored my hair red!!! It is different, but I like it. I have always been a dark blonde girl, so this is definitely a change, but cool.

Work is pretty slow today, no appointments with computer illiterates, so it is project day.....

Well, better look busy, check back later!

Hey all... I was down when I weighed on Friday and I was super excited. E-tools is really helping me stay accountable.

It was 50 degrees here last week and now this week it is barely 20 and snowing FINALLY! Tho they said we won't get much. Very strange for Wisconsin. The Badger State Games are this weekend (in my city... olympic style games) and we don't even have snow for and ground sports. Tho they made snow on the ski hill.

Tonya, I got red highlights last year and loved them. Hubby was a little shicked by it, but it looked very natural with my hair. I want to do it again soon!

Been busy this week!!! Back to work I go..........

Hey Girls, I just heard from b/f and things didn't go well at the specialist. He does haveto have surgery and they are saying that the recovery time is 6wks 2 of which they want him flat on his back. Uhhh I cannot believe it. I think he will have to drop out of student teaching. Which isn't a good thing. I guess he ripped the tendon away from the knee and they have to reattachit. Oh well. I feel really bad b/c he has surgery on Friday and I am going to see Mamma Mia on Friday night. Am I a horrible g/f? Should I cancel or just try and see him before the surgery??? Help! Is there a handbook for this sort of thing? IF it helps I don't have anything to do on Sat. so I could baby him all day that day. He is the baby of the family so I know that his sister and parents are going to do plenty of babying b/c he is living with them currentlybut I still don't know what I should do.

Jen- Ok I want e-tools too Congrats!!

Tonya- We want a pic of that hair! Oh and I am glad that your recovery time was quick i hope he has the same luck.

Jess-I bet weigh in will go swimmingly. 5 days OP that is good.

Ok going to call b/f again. I am so worried. I must love this guy Scary! ( we won't get into all of that though )

Quick question--OK, I'm kind of confused about banking. Let's use yesterday for an example. My points range is 22-27 points. I had 4 food points banked from the day before. I used all 27 of my points yesterday and got 2 activity points. Do we bank activity points too? Or is it just food points? I don't believe we've covered this at meetings yet...

Grace--Your question is a pretty tough one! Maybe just ask your guy if he's going to feel like having you visit after his surgery. Odds are pretty good that he's not going to feel much like visiting. He'll probably just want to sleep. He probably won't be much company until Saturday and Saturday afternoon he may be starting to get bored, which is when he may want your company more. I'm sure he'll agree.

Just my 2 cents worth. Hopefully it was helpful.

And thanks in advance to anyone who helps me make sense of this banking activity and food points.

Yay, it's lunch time!

Hi girls

Great to see you all today. I hope that everyone is doing great I am feeling a little sickly today I can feel a huge cold sore coming on too-YUCK! Oh well. I deciced that for sure I will go with my friend to WW meetings and we can be each other's buddy . One thing I find by doing it at home is that there is no one tohold you accountable. I hope this helps. We're going to try a Monday night meeting that one of my friends goes to & she says the leader is really great. Hopefully...

Lolly, 17 wks isn't too far either! I don't have any clue on flowers yet either. There are so many little things to think of. The only thing I can think of with that word is that you put gg where the stars are?? Its not really a swear here if that what its supposed to be.

Becky, I know that Lori is busy planning her wedding too (has anyone heard from her lately?) but other than that I'm not sure who else but I thought there was someone?? If you want to see what my dress will look like check out this link http://www.morileeinc.com/catalog/B2001S62pix1.html
My Mom is making it for me. We start on it this weekend I'm not having the straps go around my neck though because it'll give me a headache for sure. Instead we'll bring them to the back & then have them come down to the middle making a vee kind of thing. I really love it! Sorry about BF's knee. Don't know how to solve your dilemma. It really depends on the guy. My DF would tell me to go to the concert but tht's him.

Jess wtg on your work out Keep it up & you'll get results in no time.

JenL congrats on your loss

Tonya whne you get a pic show us your new 'do! Sounds fun! Glad the family is feeling better!

Anyway I should run. Gotta clean some house before I head to work. Take care all Hi to everyone else who is MIA!

-Rina

Oh my gosh, Rina, that dress is GORGEOUS!!!!

(That's all I wanted.)

Me again

Rina, you're right about the **gg** ... and it's not exactly a swear word here either, but it's kind of coarse and I didn't know how refined this board considered itself ... And wow! your dress is gorgeous ... Becky, I don't have mine yet, I'm leaving it till much closer to the time. I think I want something flamy, like, reddy-goldy-orangey ... but I'm going to see what jumps out at me.

Ooh, Tonya, post a picture of your new hair - I did mine last week, 'copper gold', and today I got it cut really, really short. It's funky! Will scan in a photo soon.

Hugs everyone!
Lxxx

Hi guys, thanks for the encouragement. Last night I had to walk to and from the bus on the ice and today my muscles are feeling it (very different from aerobics muscles or horse riding muscles) - but that means extra burned calories so YAY.

So many weddings, wow. My little sister and my two best friends are getting married this summer (sister and best friend #1 on the same day!) - the other best friend is the week after them. BF and I wanted to get married this summer too but there's just too many other things. (and my sister would feel like I was stealing her thunder, she wouldn't want to feel that way but it's really important to her and she's having a huge catholic wedding and BF and I are just having a big BBQ/Party) - so we'll wait till next summer.

I couldn't see the dress but I'll try later, I'm sure it'll be fantastic.

Jess - Banking points is personal preferance. Some people bank up to their maximum, some only if they were under their minimum. Some people use exercise points for extra food and some don't - it's up to you
Gotta go - they need the computer

Hey girls just stickign my head in things are manic! i think i'm gonna have to catch up with all the posting on saturday if i can get to a computer! I'm going to the arts ball in a week!!!!!! I have a black square neck top with beads around the neck and a long black chiffon skirt with a flair at the bottom foods been ok
stress has been off the wall and all i have been doing is reading ARG! on the good news front i just got a scholarship from school woowooo
and I got a 2.1 on my english paper I think thats like an A or a B+ needless to say i'm thrilled I have to go top up my phone aRG! so i have to run
Rina your dress is fabbu!
anyway I promise to do a proper post soon!

Jess and Rina Thanks for the b/f advice. I actually went and saw him on my lunch break (which lasted two hours ) and he said that he wouldn't let me skip the play and that his sister would go with him. She is a nurse and she will kick butt if necessary, so that makes me feel better. She already made sure that he would have the best surgeon and anastesiologist (sp?) I think he is in good hands. He is soooooo bored and it has only been a few days. I decided that I would make him a little basket of fun stuff he can do while laid up for the next 6 wks or so. Any ideas? I have a few but suggestions are welcomed!

Rina- I LOVE THE DRESS!!!

Lolly- looking forward to seeing yours and hey post a pic of the new do.

Kieri- YOur dress sounds pretty and congratulations on the scholarship!!

Ok Need to work a bit due to my massive lunch break

Maybe put in some magazines and books, a deck of cards, some of those portable electronic games (I think there's like Yahtzee and poker and stuff like that) and they're not too expensive, crossword and word search books, an empty notebook and pen (if he likes to write or draw). If you think he'd be bored enough to learn, maybe a how-to on how to knit or crochet with needles and yarn. A nice touch would be to write him a short little note for everyday that he's going to be out of commission and put it in there... Wow, not sure where all those creative ideas came from--I usually can't come up with stuff like that...

Jess I am so impressed. You win girlfriend of the year!!! I actually thought of the electronic games and magazines or a book or something. I appreciate your suggestions. I am actually excited to put it all together. I need to get out more I could be really great to him and get him a new game for his stinkin' XBOX. Do any of the rest of you find it odd that guys no matter what the age are into video games? My guy friend range in age from 25 - 30 and they still love them. Weird, but oh well. B/f isn't obsessed like some of the other guys I know but he likes them. Well girls, I don't know what i would do without you. you are all soooo full of great suggestions. Ok I have to do a group in 5 minutes so I should go. Thanks again,
Becky