Start

It's a new week. It's chilly here again which is all right; I get to wear some of my sweaters. Had a nice weekend. DH and I saw a local jazz singer on Friday night. On Saturday, I worked at the rummage sale. The chairperson said they may clear $10,000! Isn't that great? Saturday night we went to a new bistro--very nice and the food was great. I tried to select good food items and I think I was successful. Our friends ordered dessert, but I didn't. On Sunday I went shopping with my friend who's a crazy shopper. Well, I'm a crazy shopper, too. My friend, though will spend $200 and I'll spend $80. She and her husband make 2 1/2 times as much money as DH and I do.

Lori, Thanks for getting us started today. Congrats on your loss. I think the working out is helping you. I do believe that attending the gym or staying active helps our metabolism and you are reaping the benefits! (I am jealous, though.). Taxes--why did you bring them up? I've gathered my papers, but like you I don't have all of the papers I need to get them done. That's a great story you told, especially when she said "who's that." I've had similar situations and it is funny.

Tanya, Congrats on your loss, too. Keep up the good work. That's great about your mother, too, especially with the illnesses. My mother needs to lose weight badly, but she won't stick to it. She has high blood pressure now and I mean scary , e.g. 190-160 and she's on meds. Your little boy sounds like a doll. How interesting that your sister was a bulimic and you've had a weight problem. Is your sister doing well in recovery. Bikram Yoga is the one where you sit in a HOT room and do yoga. I don't do that one--too hot for me. I do Hatha yoga.

Melissa, How was the Souper Bowl? Let us know.

Theresa, That's why we're all here--we need the encouragement.:hug

Hello to Pam and Susan.

Good morning ladies,

I hit the gym this morning and I had an AMAZING work out. I noticed the other day that the women I work out w. sweat much more than me, altough I do feel like I am working at close to my highest ability. I know we are all different and our bodies are also, but I wondered: "do I just not sweat as much or are they working much harder than me"? Well today I did the same elliptical machine I usually do on the same high intensity, but I did 60min + 5min cool down instead of 30min + cool down. I was sweating alright, but still not dripping like they do. I decided both may be true. Maybe I can work a little harder and maybe I just don't sweat as much as some people. My older DS, says "I don't sweat, I glisten", lol. It's true though, she does tai kwondo, and hundreds of crunches a day and is in excellent shape, but never sweats? I am gonna ask one of the Dr's at work about it.

Lisa, Sounds like you had a fun weekend, I am glad. That is great that your rummage sale raised so much! Good for you. Don't you feel great when you do something charitable. I love that "good deed" feeling. Jackson is definitely a sweety. He is busy and has his terrible 2 moments but for the most part he has been an easy kid. He LOVES to sleep and eats most anything I feed him. His is totally potty trained and he's only 2 and 4 months!! He is so fun, I always say it's like Christmas every day since having him. I am so lucky that I get to wake up every day and just be around him.

Lori, Good job on the loss. Your hard work paid off. DH and I are big Hockey fans too, but we also LOVE football and baseball. We aren't big basketball fans. DH plays and coaches Hockey. One of my gym friend's DH plays for the Bruins and she got me tickets for Rick and he got to sit in family seats and meat the team! He also got Jackson's little jersey autographed by the whole 07' team!

Melissa, Hope you enjoyed the Souper Bowl. I am still jealous

Pam, What are your bigs plans for Sunday? DH is supposed to fly down to NC Sun afternoon, but switched his flight to the red eye Mon so he doesn't miss the game. My older DS may have a small get together, if not we will be home w. Jax. Friends of ours are having a party, but it is not kid friendly. Jackson has a "build-a-bear" w. a new Pats uniform that he watches games w. He has all the Boston team outfits, so we change them accordingly...silly!

Hi Teresa, How was your weekend?

Tanya, Regarding Jax eats most anything I feed him." Encourage that one. I meet so many women whose husbands will only eat meat and potatoes or just 3 different things. BORING. Also, they usually are stuck on fatty foods. Yuck. My husband is like your little boy. He never complains and believe me I've tried hundreds of different recipes on him.

I think that every person sweats differently. I don't sweat as much as other people. DH sweats a lot. Don't push yourself for sweat and remember to keep hydrated.

Lisa, Your so right. Encouraging good eating habits starts very young. My sisters and I all had healthy eating habits growing up, but my 26yr old sister got into modeling which turned into an eating disorder. I just have my dad's family's genes and I am shorter and bigger than most of my sisters. 26, and 21 yr old DS are both 5'8. Mom is 5'9 and dad is barely there. Weight hasn't been a big struggle for the whole family, but I think most girls deal w. weight issues at some point in life. DH will eat ANYTHING that is in front of him. Neither of us are seafood lovers, but he would eat it if it was on his plate. I grew up wealthy and DH grew up poor, so he is very thrifty. He saves everything and won't eat anything new until all leftovers are gone. It's also a military thing.

Good morning, ladies! It's "warm" here this morning--45! Yesterday was nice as well with temps at 40 and the sun was shining. I had yesterday off and did some errands. I also headed to the Wellness Center and walked in the morning then DS #1 and I went out to breakfast. It was nice. We did not make it to the Souper Bowl on Sunday--we had a couple of things come up. The reports that I saw showed that it was really crowded--the "bowl" benefits a local children's center and it has grown each year. This year there were 20 restaurants/food services that entered the contest. This year's winner was from Edinboro University and it was some type of mushroom soup. The recipe is supposed to be on their web site so I'll have to check it out.

Lori: Way to go! The hard work and activity are definitely paying off for you! I don't weigh each day because of the fluctuations--they would drive me crazy. I know that when you exercise a lot your muscles will retain fluids to help "repair" the tears that happen normally when you exercise.

Lisa: Good for you on passing on ordering dessert! I was out at the mall yesterday and didn't see a whole lot that said "buy me". I did find a pair of pants at Eddie Bauer that were on sale I love a good deal! I'm not that crazy about the styles/colors that are out now.

Tanya: I wouldn't stress out about not sweating at the gym--you don't need to do that in order to get a good workout. I don't sweat that much but can get my heart rate up. Everyone is different.

Hi to Theresa & Pam!

I have a busy week with meetings and work--our Friday night WW meetings have been bringing in huge numbers (77 last week) so it's been crazy. This Saturday we have the annual rugby banquet and then of course Sunday is the super bowl. DS and his wife may be coming over the game--I'll have to plan ahead for some healthy snacks for me.

It's chilly here again on this voting day in Florida. We will warm up tomorrow--highs in the high 70s. I wore a pair of slacks to work that are a little snug to keep me on the straight and narrow.

I weigh myself once a week; I agree with Melissa, the fluctuations each day would send me over the edge. Some people like to weigh themselves each day. Whatever works!

Gosh, this is pot luck week. I have a pot luck baby shower at work tomorrow and a pot luck dinner in my town tomorrow night.

Melissa, Super Bowl will be here before we know it and I need to find some healthy snacks, too. We're going to some friends who have a 54" HDTV! The game will be great to watch.

Lori, You are doing really well with your workouts.

Tanya, Speaking of eating habits growing up...my mother never gave us snack stuff, except on rare occasions. If she had her card party, we were allowed to have some bridge mix (candy), potato chips or Fritos. We did not have soda pop in the house, except on rare occasions. I don't drink that much pop, but DH drinks gallons of it. I wish he wouldn't, but that's what he does.

Lori, I didn't meant to use DS for my sisters, but forgot it was dear son?! What so I use for sister? I have five of them! I am 29 and have one son who is almost 2 1/2. I just turned 29 last week. DH will be 30 in March. He is going to a Bruins game on 3/1 and we are throwing him a surprise party after. Some of his USMC buddies that we haven't seen in a while are flying in for it. It should be fun!

I am bad at math, but I usually get my heart rate up around 160. Today I did half the time I did yesterday on the elliptical machine. I was shooting for 60min again, but I was dying after 15!! I did 35 and then worked on my arms.

It's funny I work out w. a British woman who told me today that I look great! I said thanks you but I still have a way to go. We got to talking and I told her my weight and she did not believe me. I am posting a pic of myself so people get a better idea of who I am. I think I look what I weigh if not more, but we are our own worst critics.

Lisa, We were also not aloud snack foods or sweets growing up. Sweet cereal was honey nut cheerios and that was on rare occasion. We had fruit or cheese and crackers for snacks and we never ate out. We were allowed sweets at friends houses and b-day parties, but that was it. We were not allowed choc milk at school or ice cream w. school lunch, unless it was after a good report card. My mom tried not to reward us w. food and it worked as far as teaching us that eating isn't for comfort or praise. Jackson does get rewarded w. food here and there, but what we have in the house is mostly healthy and when we are out I let him indulge. My sister is thin and has 3 thin kids. They eat junk and when DS goes over to play she gives him junk too. I try not to fret about it, because she wants to spoil him and she is a great aunt. I do wonder if she realizes though that though her kids can eat that may w. no physical effects DS can not. DH and I are not naturally thin. Just above average and on the shorter side. I am just over 5'5 and DH is 5'9. DS has always been on the higher percentiles for weight than height. I am ok w. it, that's just his body. I just don't want him to struggle when he is older.

Melissa, Sorry you missed th Souper bowl, but I am happy you were able to get some time w. DS in.

Hi Ladies,

I'm getting in a quick post before heading to the gym for an afternoon workout today versus my usual evening one. Temps are a little warmer here so that's nice. I had a 4 day weekend so going back to work yesterday was a little difficult. Friday was DH's b-day (51) so we went out to dinner to celebrate. Think I did OK with the food choices...I guess I'll find out tomorrow at weigh in

Tanya What a cute idea to get Jax a build a bear with interchangeable Boston team outfits! I wish I had one! I'm a huge Red Sox fan and try to go to a few games every year. Loved watching the Celtics when I was in high school when they had a "good" team although this year looks pretty promising! My DH was a hockey player (goalie) and coached hockey for many years while his sons played. His youngest son is now on the high school team.

Lori I'm not sure what are Super Bowl plans are. My sister is having a party that I think we may go to...either that or we'll just stay home and watch the game. Congrats on the loss...you're really doing terrific!

Lisa I had a little retail therapy this weekend also but didn't have a lot of luck. DH however did, he bought a couple of shirts, dress pants and sweaters. He goes back to work next week and lost so much weight none of his clothes fit so he really needed some new things.

Melissa glad your temps are warming up also...I'm so ready for Spring! Sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you. Does your DH still play Rugby?

Well ladies time to head to the gym. Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday!

Hi Everyone! Finally checking in for a few minutes before heading for bed. There just aren't enough hours in the day! Especially now that I've been getting some exercise in most days. Cello lessons started a few weeks ago, so I have to get that practice in too. Along with dinner and trying to clean up a little bit. Last night I rebelled and stayed up till about 11:30 and I paid for it this morning!

Lori, good for you getting those great workouts in and on your loss! I weigh every day too and have noticed my weight fluctuating more now that I'm getting more exercise in. More so on the days after strength workouts rather than cardio. I can gain weight so fast that I'm too chicken to just weigh once a week. BTW, I live just a little south of Houston, TX. The weather this afternoon was beautiful, but breezy. I was able to drive home with the top down on the car without a jacket. Come on spring!

Lisa - $10,000 on a rummage sale! Ya'll must have had some great donations. I wish I had been there. I love things like that.

Tonya, I don't sweat much while I'm working out. But as soon as I stop it just pours out. Actually I wish I did sweat more during exercise. I have a tendency to get overheated and I think that would help. My DH sweats like crazy! Back in the old days when we both ran, I'd have to stay about 3' away to keep him from slinging it on me. Yuk!

Melissa, sorry you missed the Souper Bowl. Sounds like fun. If you find the mushroom soup recipe could you share the link? I think I could live on soup.

Pam, good luck with the WI. Be sure to get all your water in today. I find that helps keep from retaining fluid from eating out. Must be the extra sodium in restaurant food. Tomorrow we have to go to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants for my BIL's 60th birthday party. Hopefully I can get off work early enough to get some exercise in.

Theresa, when you were talking about your DH slinging sweat That's my DH, too.

Hmmm, Mexican, that's what did me in yesterday. I went to lunch with some friends. There isn't much to order in a mexican restaurant that isn't high points. I ordered a chicken tamale and a chicken taco, but I also ate the rice. Oh well, it's a new day.

Good morning! It's a cool 16 here today and with the windchills it feels like -10! It's supposed to be a little better tomorrow (34). Every now and then the sun peeks out and it makes it "seem" like it's a little warmer than it really is! We had wind gusts of 40+ miles last night and the wind is still pretty strong at times.

Theresa: Here's the liink for the page that has the Mushroom Soup: http://dineoncampus.com/edinboro/?cmd=ShowRecipes It's actually the last recipe on the page. I looked at it and it's not complicated and I'm sure you could make changes with the cream to "lighten" up the recipe.

Tanya: I'm 45 and have two sons 23 and 16 and DH is 50. I'm the oldest in my family (2 brothers/1 sister). Growing up we didn't have a lot of snack foods either--my mom would make us a snack tray with lunch meat, cheese and crackers and that was a treat! My mom used to do a lot of baking when we were little so there were always cookies, muffins, etc. in the house but we didn't over eat on that stuff.

Pam: Hang on because I'm sure the cold is heading your way or is already there! DH has pretty much retired from rugby although he is still involved with the club and has gone out on the field with the "old boys" for some time. DS #2 is really into it and they are working on getting a high school team together. They're going up to Buffalo next weekend for a 7's in the Snow tournament. Brrrrr! Good luck with your WI today! I have mine at noon.

Lori: You're doing great with your activity! I'm getting tired just reading about it! I really admire those of you who get to the gym and put in a good workout. I've come to grips that it's just not me and so I try to find other ways to get my activity in.

Lisa: Hope it's warmed up for you! It's bitter here today.

I'll check in after my meeting today--I feel good so I'm hoping that I have another loss. Catch up with everyone later!

Melissa, Thanks for the link to the recipe. It looks yummy. I'll try it; yes, could probably use something besides the cream. Yes, it warmed up here today--about 75 degrees and sunny. Very nice, but windy. When that wind blows up your way that is bitter cold.

Hey girls,

I have had a rough morning. Jackson is cranky and very clingy today! I couldn't even get a shower in! My mom is next door thank god, so she came by and sat w. him for 2min while I washed my hair. He was OK at the gym in the sitting room, he LOVES it there. I got a good workout in and was there for almost 3hours! It was a nice break from the whining and Jackson was happy and seemed over his rough patch when I went down to pick him up. Well, we got home and I made lunch for us and he decided to throw another fit, because I wouldn't let him eat lunch on my lap instead of in his booster. Ugh, just one of those days I guess. Good thing is he loves to nap and went down easily. I wonder if his cough/cold is turning into an ear infection? They always come after colds and he has only had one but his mood was just like this.

I did 35min on the elliptical, 10 on the tread climber and then some weights and lunges. I have been meeting w. a phys therapist at the gym for my shoulder. I broke it and my growth plate when I was 12. It hasn't bothered me at all, but as soon as I start to work out it acts up. Well she was shocked that I wasn't including stretching in my workouts, so she showed me some great stretches on this spider looking thing and I feel great! I still need to work on my shoulder but the stretching is amazing and I wonder how I ever lived w. out it. I am also working on my posture. It's bad but getting better.

I have my WI in tomorrow and I am feeling good about it. I have not been getting on the scale at all except for at meetings and it has been working well for me so I am trying to resist it. Mine is broken, but my mom's calls out to me whenever I am at her house. I had started to weigh myself between weigh in the last time I did WW and it got really bad. I started to weigh myself several times a day and even if I woke up to pee I would step on. Shortly after that I stopped going to meetings and one by one my good habits were dropped and I started gaining quickly. I am not sure if it was due to the constant struggle w. the scale, but I am just worried that if I start again I will fall into that.

Lori, That turkey and cheese chimichangas recipe looks good. My mom has it in one of her WW cookbooks. I will have to try it sometime. I am w. you on the mushrooms, none for me thanks.

Melissa, 23 and 16 ha? Those are fun ages. I have a sister who is 16. The order is 33, 29(me), 26, 21, 19, and 16... all girls!! "Your poor father" is what everyone says, but I say "my poor mom". My dad loves having girls and they really weren't trying for a boy. They both wanted a big family and after 6 my mom was done. My parents had the money to raise a big family and my mom gave each of us individual attention and we all got along well... ok most of the time

Hello to Theresa, Lisa, and Pam

Lori, Did you like Mr. Brooks? It was very violent and I really wasn't used to seing Kevin Costner in that role. Where does your FIL live?

Tanya, Yikes, I never had any children, but a kid having a tantrum would take me back to when I used to babysit my brothers! It may be an ear infection or could it be that Daddy's gone? (Didn't you tell us that--that he went on a work assignment?) Good luck with your WI. Wow! You had a scale thing going before! I weigh on my own scale once a week. DH weighs every day; I couldn't do that--too many fluctuations.