Starting the topic

Carla - I hope you are feeling all better today and that you had a good weekend.

I don't have any weight results to report - I just didn't get to weigh in on Thurs or Fri. My weekend, well, let's say that all my strategies fell by the wayside. My friend struggles with the same problems weight wise as I do and we used her birthday as an excuse to have things we normally wouldn't. Sooooo, I ate the whole pastrami sandwich on Friday and we split a dessert. We walked a ton though sightseeing, at least 3 miles. When we got home we still weren't hungy so the only thing we had was some birthday cake I had gotten for my friend. I didn't count points on Saturday but I had good (lower point) selections for both lunch (grilled portobello mushroom sandwich) and dinner (Chilean Sea Bass) - I did indulge in a dessert on Saturday night though. Oh well, I was back OP yesterday. I have PT this afternoon and hope to get on the treadmill some time today too. I did OK snack-wise yesterday and while my sneak peek wasn't great this morning, considering the weekend, it wasn't bad.

Have a great Motivated Monday!
Judy
163.6/156.6/135 (2 wks ago weight)

Good Morning, everybody...

Hope you're feeling better, Carla!

Judy, your day out with your friend sounds great, foodwise and other. Nothing wrong with indulging once in a while, and having only birthday cake instead of a meal and birthday cake is a small victory in itself, so way to go! We have sea bass quite often, I just love it...I'm trying to have fish two or three times a week. We haven't eaten beef for weeks, we used to have it three or four days a week. Over half our meals are now seafood or vegetarian. We're definitely eating much healthier.

My weekend was okay, stayed on track foodwise except for some peanut brittle that found its way to me, but I've exercised enough to undo any major damage. The hockey game last week was fun. My news for this week is that our garden revamp is starting this morning! Currently our back yard is half concrete slab, half soggy badly drained grass...contractors are coming to take out the slabs, regrade the lot to fix the drainage, & put in pavers, retaining walls, a water feature, new flower beds etc. Can't wait till it's done!

Have a great Monday...

Karen B.

Hi everyone,

and greetings from a very, very cold Chicago. Cold as in a temperature of 1 degree. I guess the 10 or so inches of snow we got over the weekend will stick around for awhile. Nothing like winter finally arriving in March. Thanks for the well-wishes. I'm feeling much better.

Judy - Well, our friends can be our best comrades and our worst enemies in this struggle. My best friend since freshman year in high school and I lived together senior year of of college. We did really well in motivating each other and keeping each other on track (I exercised like a demon that year and lost quite a bit of weight) but we could also talk each other into a late night pizza or a trip to the store for Suzy Qs without a word. Seriously. Used to freak our third roomate out. Karen is right, a meal of birthday cake alone rather than dinner and the cake is a victory. And a once-in-awhile indulgence, like the whole pastrami sandwich, isn't going to derail you in the long run, as long as you get back on track, which you did. Sounds like you walked a lot of that sandwich off anyhow.

Karen - We don't eat a lot of beef either. We mostly eat chicken or vegetarian. I wish I liked fish, I really do. I do, however, like peanut brittle. Wow - sounds like a lot of work that you're having done to your backyard. I bet it will be fabulous when its done. If you can get your hands on a digital camera, you'll have to take a picture of it to post for us.

I had a pretty good weekend too. I had Chicken Marsala Saturday night. It was so good, I finished it all. On the plus side, it didn't come with pasta so it was just the chicken, onions and mushrooms. Yesterday I did just fine. I made the Bolivian beef stew from the WW cookbook I bought. It was good, but a lot of prep work. I did get all my water in this weekend, so I'm happy about that. And now, hold on to your chairs, I'm pleased to announce that I dragged my sorry rear end out of bed this morning and spent 30 minutes on the stationary bike. Yep, you heard it right. The queen of exercise resistence actually exercised this morning. I had all my excuses ready: "I'm still sleepy." "The basement will be so cold and the bed is so warm." But I did it anyhow. And I feel good about it and because of it. Now to keep it up until its a habit. On the downside, I forgot my lunch in the car. Oh well, it will be Luna Bar, and apple and some popcorn for lunch. I am NOT going back out in that cold to get anything.

Have a great day everyone.

Carla

Good Morning, this has to be quick as boss is in office again today. I am glad you are all doing good. Weigh in yest. went well, I got my "official" 25 pound magnet and weighed in with a 1.8 loss leaving me .6 away from goal. Pretty excited about that.

Judy-yoour weekend with your friends sounds great.

Karen-your backyard is going to look fabulous!! I am envious.

Carla-cold here too, was in the 70's this weekend and now in the 20's, crazy winter!! Glad you are feeling better.

Have a great day.

Hello......Karen and Pat!!

Hi Everybody!

Michele, congratulations on your terrific loss and on being so close to goal. You've done a fantastic job!

Carla, WAY TO GO on getting aboard the bike and getting your exercise in!! You'll see great results if you keep it up! Last summer my GP referred me to a weight management clinic at a local hospital...it was a Healthy Heart thing, as my GP is very gung ho about prevention. It consisted of a consultation with a physician and a dietitian...anyway, to get to the point, the doc there subscribes to the set point theory in weight management, i.e. your body likes its current weight and will stay there quite happily no matter what you do, *unless* you exercise religiously to keep your metabolism fired up. His suggestion to me was to exercise at least 5 days a week, keeping my heart rate between 120-140 for 20 to 30 minutes. This would translate into a 1 lb per week loss even if I didn't change my eating habits drastically. I did it last summer, then slacked off in the fall, and gained everything right back. Now I've accepted that he was absolutely right, and poor old me is going to have to move my butt indefinitely if I want to lose weight.

Had a run in with a Mars bar yesterday; one of those chocolate moments. Mike is home today so we got up early and took the dogs out to the river for a brisk one hour walk. It's a gorgous day here!

Hope you're all having a great day.

Karen B

Hi everyone,

Michele - Congrats on another great loss and on being so close to goal. We'll have a cyber party when you make it.

Karen - Mmm, I haven't had a Mars Bar in a long time. Used to love them. Probably still do. Don't want to find out. I think there's much to be said for the set point theory. I know that when I lost weight a few years ago (sigh) I exercised much more. I think for me, exercise keeps me motivated to eat right as well as boosts my metabolism weight. Now I have to come up with lots of alternative plans for when I get sick of the stationary bike (as inevitably will happen). I have a few videos and hopefully it will soon be warm enough to get some walking in.

I had a good day yesterday. Ate at my minimum points. And yes, I did get on the bike again this morning. I wish I could say it gave me an energy boost, but it didn't. I know that will come soon, though, when I get used to getting up earlier. I do love the way it makes the muscles in my thighs and butt feel. I'm going out to dinner on Thursday with my "going out to dinner" friend. I'm going to bank as many points as possible and eat low point on Thursday and then just be sensible at dinner.

Have a great day everyone.

Carla

Hi everybody. Hopefully things have settled down here and I can get back to posting. Sara has been sick and I've been running her to the doctor and back and forth to school. The first trip to the doctor, he did a strep screening that came up negative and thought Sara had the flu going around here. After four more days of a very sore throat, headache, earache, etc. I took her back and he decided it was probably strep that the screening missed. Started antibotics last Wednesday and finally started feeling a little better over the weekend. To put it mildly, she isn't a good patient. On top of being sick, she had the stress of trying to keep up with her classes. Of course, her hardest class is the one that the teacher refuses to give makeup tests or accept any homework late.

Judy - It sounds like you had a fun weekend.

Karen B - Your garden project sounds great. As much as I hate to admit it, I know that I'm going to have to start exercising again to lose this weight and keep it off.

Carla - Way to go getting in that exercise. Hope things warmed up for you. We had the snow on Saturday (although not near as much as you), extreme cold yesterday, and today it is in the mid 40's. My sister (the one that always was baking cookies) is one of those people that can be great motivation, but also able to talk each other into dropping our good intentions without word. She was diagnosed with diabetes during the time I've been away so those days are over. I'm going with her to some classes on handling diabetes at one of the St. Louis hospitals starting Thursday. She is allowed to bring a guest and figured I would be more help than her husband.

Michele - Congratulations on the loss. You'll be at goal so soon.

I went out over the weekend and bought a new journal. I do better journaling when I have pages that are already dated. That way if I skip a day it shows. Anyway I had a good OP day yesterday. I'm doing good today, but I promised Sara we could go out for dinner. She is on spring break this week and finally feeling up to getting out. She hasn't decided where to go, but I'll go to Dottie's site when she does so I can figure out what to eat before we go. No exercise yet, but I think I'll go for a walk now.

Talk to you later.
Pat

Pat - I'm so glad to hear from you. I was getting worried. I'm so sorry to hear that Sara was so sick. I hope that she's 100% better soon. I'm also sorry to hear that your sister has been diagnosed with diabetes. But with proper diet, it can be managed quite well. My best wishes to her. We haven't warmed up yet to the 40s, although we're supposed to. It's going to be a big mess with all that snow melting. Oh well, maybe spring will stick around this time.

Carla

Karen B - Sorry to hear about the peanut brittle. I'm sure you can't wait until that concrete slab is out of the garden. My garden is very confused. The crocus have bloomed and then yesterday it was 19 degrees in the morning. Sorry to hear about your run-in with a Mars bar.

Carla - congratulations on getting on that bike two days in a row, oh Queen of Exercise Resistance! It sounds like you had a good weekend too! It was mighty cold here too yesterday although not as bad as Chicago!

Pat - good to hear from you again. I'm sorry to hear that Sara's been sick. I'm glad to hear that the antibiotics hvae started working. Way to go on getting yourself a new journal - sometimes something as simple as that can give us a boost. I'm sorry to hear about your sister - I hope she gets the diabetes under control quickly.

Michele - WOW! You just keep making great progress. You must be very excited to be 0.6 away from goal!

Sorry I was absent yesterday - I had a diversity class to attend in the morning and then I just never quite caught up. I had a good day though - I did 30 run/walk intervals on the treadmill and did OK food-wise. I do have to watch myself though - Tony bought pumpkin seeds in the shell and while they take longer to eat that way, they are still 1 point per TB. I had what I think is 4 TB worth yesterday but I'm just guessing. I think if I have any tonight, I'll measure them out in the shell and figure I can probably get an extra TB of them to make up for the shells - does that sound about right? I'm hoping to get some exercise in again today (I got into work early and didn't walk) because I did not like the sneak peek this morning and need to shake things up - my ankle feels fine so I think I'll try a little step tonight, figuring I can rest it tomorrow (when I have PT for my shoulder).

Have a great one!
Judy

Hi everyone,

Judy - Good idea to measure out those pumpkin seeds. I think allowing yourself an extra tablespoon to make up for the shells sounds about right. I hope your ankle holds up well for you so you can get your step exercise in. Don't fret about that sneak peek. Just stay on track and you'll be fine on Saturday.

I'm doing the happy today. That pound of water that I gained last week left and took 2 of its friends with it. Yep, down three pounds this morning. Clean living really does pay, I guess. I had to get to work early today, so I didn't hop on the bike. (I'm not yet dedicated enough to get up at 4:00 to get the exercise in. Maybe someday soon, but not today.) I did however, walk to the train station, so I did get 20 minutes of mild activity in. Not enough to do anything for my heart rate, but it least it kept my muscles moving. I know that I have to be really consistent with exercising over the next few weeks in order for it to become a habit and for my body to crave it. I do plan on doing weight work and stretching this evening, no matter what. I signed up for the Self challenge again this year and am determined to make it past the first couple of weeks. Right now I've got the "I can do this!!!" high that comes from good results on the scale and from starting to exercise. I know from experience that I'm going to hit some "I hate to do this" slumps and have to be prepared for working through them. I know that my wonderful friends will be here to help me.

Have a great day.

Carla
269.6/264.6/243(1st 10%)/140

Carla - The doctor put my sister on medication, but told her if she gets the weight off she will probably be able to go off the medication. She's already lost 13 lbs. Guess closely watching what you eat really does work.

Judy - Way to go getting in the walk/run. Hope your ankle lets you do the step tonight. I know they recommend mixing up the cardio workouts. I think you are about right on the pumpkin seeds. Good idea to measure them out. Its the nibbling without keeping track that gets us in trouble.

I got in my walk yesterday. We ended up not going out to eat last night so I did okay foodwise.

Got to go. Talk to you later.
Pat

Good Morning!

Carla I am dancing right with you. Way to go. I am actually really hoping for a good show on Monday as I volunteered to help out with a couple of extra Jazz class, I will be doing 5 this week. Good job on walking and such. The exercise will come and you will start to crave and it really does make such a difference in this journey we are taking. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Judy-Thank you, I am getting excited, but I do have to admit that I chose a higher WW goal so I could make lifetime sooner and save some $$, I think I am going to continue downwards more towards the 145 mark. Enjoy your step tonight and those seeds.

Pat-so glad to hear from you, sorry your absence was for those reasons. I hope your daughter is feeling 100% soon also. I hope things work out for your sister, I have a few friends who have just been diagnosed and have had to make many lifestyle changes and are doing good. Enjoy your dinner and spring break.

Karen-Mars bar huh? Your day with your husband and walking sounds wonderful. The weather here is still so crazy, 70 on Sunday 20 today. Flowers are popping up and now frosted over. Not going to be a good year for them. I remeber a few years ago the iris came up in December, have never seen them since. Had to get all new bulbs Hopefully won't ruin my lily bulbs, have over 100 planted and makes such a beautiful wall in June/July. I think I might go and plant some more now that I am thinking about them.

ANyway, all have a great day.

Pat - I'm glad to hear that your sister is losing weight so well. I guess she has good motivation to do so. Funny how the amount of weight we lose really is related to the amount of food we eat. I've been trying to deny the validty of that theory for years.

Michele - With all that extra exercise, you most definitely should have a good show at the scale. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement.

Carla

Carla - Congratulations on the great loss. Good luck on the Self Challenge. I looked at it this weekend, but haven't started. I've tried the last two years and gotten sick a week or two into it. I'll probably try starting next week. Right now Sara is still sleeping in the recliner in the living room so I don't have anywhere to work out in the mornings. Unfortunately I guess we really do have to watch what and how much we eat. My sister said her doctor has been warning her for years to lose weight. She has several problems that are related to the extra weight, but this scared her enough to take action.

Michele - With all that exercise you should have a good weighin this week. So far my sister has been doing great. Her son turned 21 the week after she was diagnosed and had a big party at their house. I couldn't believe they still had birthday cake almost a week after the party. She said she didn't even touch any of it.

I didn't get in any exercise today, but did well with the food. I tried to cheat tonight, but the girls saved me. Both girls wanted McFlurries and I told them to let me have any they had left over. They both finished theirs, something they rarely do.

Talk to you later.
Pat