Good morning all. For those having a holiday weekend, I hope it's going well. I've been very absent lately as I've tried cutting my computer time back. Things are going well though and I will be starting school a week today. Technically this week is an orientation week, but since I've attended this college before (okay 20 years ago) I decided to skip it as it was not mandatory. I went this week and picked up my books and got my student card (yikes).

Morning,

Wow, last week has to be the shortest thread ever!

Happy Labor Day to those having a holiday today. Does everyone have Labor day?

This morning, I'm loading Spanky up to go ride with DH's cousin. We did this on Saturday and had a good ride. We're just riding on their place but they have an arena plus good riding out in their pasture.

I thought we had a forever home for Wile. It lasted about an hour. I thought it was too good to be true because she lives about 30 minutes away plus she adopted Sunflower, which is Daisy and Dixie's sister. However, Sunflower was not a nice girl about a new guy in the house. Since I have seen how Dixie and Daisy act, I can completely understand how she reacted. So Wile is back.

Can you believe that summer is just about over? Me either. However, I am ready to get back to a routine. I have been so out of a routine this summer. I especially want to get back into my exercise routine. My body has become so tight and inflexible. I really feel that in my back and shoulders. Guess I'm just feeling old and creaky today!

Anne - How exciting that school is almost here for you! How many classes are you taking? Thanks for starting a new thread and its good to have a post from you.

I better get moving. The doggies are quiet so they are probably up to no good plus its hard to ride a horse in a nightgown!

to all!

Terri - I agree, it's amazing that summer is almost over. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to a routine, but I suppose I'm going to get one. I just looked and it's 5 courses. Most of them have classes twice a week, with one 3 times. So it will be lots of fun.

I think the thread is now as long as last weeks!!

I'm doing some cooking today -- making soup stock and some more fruit and nut bars. But I can't be without soup stock!

Happy Labor Day everybody! I'm new to this board and just trying to learn my way around. We're making homemade fajitas for dinner tonight which I prefer because I can control what I put in 'em. Even though I tried to talk myself out of it, I walked on the treadmill. I'm glad there's a thread for people over 40 trying to get back in shape. It sure ain't easy, the body works against me. :P

welcome Irishcoda! I now love homemade fajitas better than anything I get at a restaurant! If I do say so myself, ours have more flavor, and are a lot less greasy!!

Last night we had turkey tacos, and I love those too!!

I credit good flavors from the spice blends I use, as well as our cooking techniques!

Greetings all!

Thought I'd pop in and say hello quickly tonight. It's been another fattening weekend. I'm just scrapping all 35 flex points and I'll be extra good the rest of the week. That's what I did last week and it seems to have worked, since Saturday's WI showed me back (barely) under 250. I was happy to see those 2 lbs gone - I'd ended up skipping WI before I went medieval for the weekend and didn't know how it was going to look.

Today was family reunion up near KC. It was nice and, as always, TONS of food. I think I actually did pretty well food-wise. At least until I hit the dessert table. And I'd broken down and did fried chicken Sunday night after a long, hot day of working on the trim on my house. I figure I sweated off at least some of the calories.

So tomorrow, the plan is to be extra good, eat plenty of veggies, stay under my points and drink lots of water...and hope next Friday's WI is good to me. Next Saturday is my birthday and a medieval demo - so I don't know what I'll be doing for food that day!

Got to run! Hope all are well!

Lilion, I had a lot of trouble at the family party dessert table too and also ended up crossing off my 35 weekly points. My WI is tomorrow and I'm hoping all that cake doesn't follow me onto the scale! :P

Thanks for the welcome, Heather, another favorite of mine is turkey-garbanzo bean chili. It's really good and it lowers my blood sugar, too!

Hi everybody, How are all of you?

Well, I can report that eating normally doesn't work for me! I had to get myself back to counting calories. I just can't control myself with ALL foods. It started out pretty well, but then the portions got bigger, and carbs became my best friend, or worst enemy.As Lilion has said, the fried looked better than broiled. Curses!!

Fay dumped a lot of rain on us and now we can look forward to Hanna. Were any of you in Gustavs path?

Irishcoda, welcome to our slow moving thread. At times I think our thread has died. The people here are great though. Hang around.

Dh discovered that someone had tried to break into our back garage door. That really gave me a fright! The garage doesn't open directly into the house though. There is a breezeway between that is open. We have security doors on the side and back doors to the house too. We have lived in this house for 16 yrs and nothing has ever been bothered. I think it is a sign of the times. So many drug users and just plain mean people around. We live in a very small town and it is usually a safe place to be. Hate to see things change. It will make me listen more carefully when I hear the bumps in the night though.

Take care, and hold on tight! Ruth

Ruth -- Good luck getting back to calorie counting. I do best when I keep track, otherwise I overeat!

Lilion -- I know you're struggling with eating, but it sounds like you're having a lot of fun too! I find that to do well in weight loss, I almost have to hide myself away from the world, which is NOT what I want!

Irishcoda -- That sounds like interesting chili! I make mine with turkey and kidney beans usually -- and lots of vegetables!

Hi gang,

Wow, its only Tuesday and we've doubled last weeks post count.

Back to work today. I was up at 5:30 for some studying. Then at 6:00 it was pilates and strengthening time. At 6:30, time to hustle the dogs out to the kennel. A very tight schedule and no time for dogs to bust through the side door and go for a run. Like Ruby did and she freakin' loved it. Bad dog! However, she was back home within 20 minutes without a care of how grouchy she makes mom when she does that. I let her out the front yesterday so she could go explore and wouldn't go anywhere. This morning, I could just hear her brain screamin' "FREEDOM" as she took off through the woods.

I've got low-fat chicken burritos for lunch today. And healthy snacks. Just add a salad at lunch and I should be set for a good food.

Ruth - I'm with you and the carbs. I go overboard with the sweet things. I can send Wile down; he makes a good watch dog. Got a loud piercing bark. I'm hoping for some residual rain out of Gustav. We have gotten so dry here the past couple of weeks.

Lilion - Good deal on the WI and hopefully this week you can make up for the goodies over the weekend.

Irishcoda - Welcome to the group. Sometimes we get a little slow because well sometimes, we get really busy with other life stuff. However, it takes a village to keep us going sometimes so don't give up on us when it gets slow. I prefer to have homemade Mexican foods at home too. DH has gotten very good at it. He makes a killer guacamole to go along with his tacos. Yes, getting fit after 40 is defintely a challenge. We just have to remember that it may take longer but its not impossible. Sometimes though it feels like it.

Anne - Five classes are going to keep you very busy! How will you adjust your exercise routine? You do so great now; I'm in awe.

Heather - I'm assuming you are back to classes. You'll be busy as ever. I may have to explore the fruit and nut bars because I like something like that for a snack but its hard to find stuff not loaded down in extra sugars.

I better get this posted. to all!

Terri -- I actually don't start classes until Sept 15th! This week I am working on all my course prep and enjoying the last days with more "wiggle room" -- once the term hits my head will spin!

Hello,
sounds like everyone is busy and I feel the same way. I've been working overtime. I had to work the holiday but I won't complain it keeps me moving and keeps my mind busy and at 300 plus and over 40 I worry that if I stop I may not start again.
My husband and I went fishing sunday we went to a place we had never been It was good in a way because we had to walk down and up 7 steep set of steps (stright up and down the side of a cliff). It just about killed me but i figured if i didn't have a heart attack I probably could try more intense exercise....I'm still alive....a good sign.
Hope everything is good with everyone.
rene

Ruth--that's really scary that someone tried to break into your garage! Maybe it is a sign of the times but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with!

Well, I went to WI and all that cake I had at the family party did follow me on the scale I was so disappointed but ready to get back on track right away.

Have a great evening everyone,
Cassie