Hey lovelies!

So, that was Monday. I'm pleased it's over with - I ended up going out for dinner with some friends on the spur of the moment, so that was nice. I have seriously got to cut down my eating out though. That's 3 dinners since Thursday which is just too much. On the plus side, I did say no to the raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake. I'm not quite sure how - so many of my favourite things in one dessert...

The funeral is going to be on Wednesday and it's family only, so that's one decision that I don't need to make. I really didn't want to go. I think I'll go and say my goodbyes at the cemetery in a few weeks' time. It's interesting - I never knew how many people's lives have been affected by suicide. I mean, you hear the suicide rate, but it's just a statistic and you forget about the people that are left. So many people I know have lost someone this way and I didn't know until this has all happened.

Anyway, I made it to the gym today and had a good workout. I'm feeling it tonight - my shoulders are soo sore. I'm going to hit the shower soon, so that should help a bit. I'm getting quite friendlyish with a couple of the other women there and they're really quite inspiring. I'm a very long way from their level yet, but give me time and I'll get there.

Anyway, the menu today was:

B - porridge with dried apricots

S - yoghurt

S - apple

L - lamb and salad roll

D - cajun chicken salad and it was divine.

Have a great Monday everyone. I'll try not to disappear again this week!

Hi friends....Yesterday, I finally had a sane food day. I am so, so grateful. I've been MIA for a few days...just using food not to feel. Yesterday was a welcome respite from the insanity.

Tomorrow - I must go to Michigan to work. I hope my pieces and parts hold up with the long drive, etc. The plus side is I'll get to spend time with my GS, DS, & DIL.

Nicolen - I am so sorry about your friend's death. This is so, so hard. You take care now.

Have a GREAT day, chicks!

Happy Monday chicks!
BeverlyJoy, glad to hear you had a good day! Today will be number two.
nicolen, you are doing great, way to resist the cheesecake!

Busy week ahead as usual. It was a really nice weekend and I got a lot done, with some socializing in there as well. Who could ask for more? Time to get back to business, though, I am doing Ph 1.5 this week, only one grain and one fruit/day.
Here's the menu:

B: oatmeal breakfast bars, coffee with milk
S: refried beans with salsa and cheese
L: leftover pork loin and mashed cabbage
S: skim milk and a bean brownie
D: chicken rollatinis and roasted cauli
S: NSA pudding cup

Hope your weeks are off to a great start!

Hi Friends,

Beverly - so glad you had a sane day. I hope you have another one today.
Nicolen - great job with resisting the cheesecake!
Schmoodle - I'm trying to decide between phase 1 or a 1 1/2. Hope the 1 1/2works well or you this week.

I braved the scales this morning and just about had a heart attack! I guess I thought I was the only on on the planet who is immune to the high calories in fast food, restaurant food, ice cream, etc etc etc. I had to stumble into the bathroom twice last night for a dose of antacids for the heartburn and my stomach is rolling this morning. My ankles are swollen, my skin is dry and itchy, and I'm irritable and moody. So, why am I doing this to myself? The food really doesn't even taste good anymore. I'm eating all of this crapola out of habit. I feel like a freakin' coke addict. I've decided to go back on Southbeach. After work today, I need to pick up some grocery items and purge the kitchen. Get your ear plugs ready. You will probably be able to hear the kids screaming when they realize I threw out the Reeses Bryers Ice Cream and won't be buying anymore.

Have a great on-plan day.

Hi everyone! It felt so good to not be at work for a couple days....I am way overdue for a vacation and this helped a bit. Unfortunately, I took it a bit far and didn't exercise either....no beating myself up, but seriously, back on track RIGHT NOW! My gym clothes are packed and I will be there tomorrow--sore knee or not!


nicolen--You sound a bit better today. Sounds like you had a good workout! Keep it up! You are insipring me to get moving again!!!

Beverlyjoy--Great job yesterday! Have fun tomorrow!

Schmoodle--Good for you! I know you can do it!

Rhonda--Good for you for coming up w a plan. I think I had a similiar reaction to the scale this am, although I am at least hoping a lot of it is water...we had chinese take out (bad choice) and I have been super thirsty...my rings are tight I am so bloated. Of course, I KNOW it's not all water (wishful thinking!), so back on track starting right this minute for me!!!

I am drinking LOTS of water to try and undo some of the damage I did the last couple of days. I am also making sure I plan in time each day to get to the gym. I am important too...I need to make sure I am making time for myself.

Hey everyone!

Today was a good day. I'm starting to feel a bit better. It's going to take some time to get over everything, but I'm nowhere near as upset as I have been. I'm struggling to stay focussed at work - it's a very, very good thing I have an understanding boss who's also lost a close friend through suicide, so he can understand completely what I'm feeling. But I made it through a day without losing the plot and having to dash off to the ladies. Gotta be a good thing, right?

Gym this morning and cardio. My weight is around 3lb above my ticker - I'm not surprised given the amount of rubbish food I've eaten, and the fact that TOM is due, but it's time to refocus again. There's a 12 km fun run/walk on Sunday that I'm thinking about doing, but the only issue is, we go past my gate around halfway through! I'm just not sure if I won't turn into the gate instead of continuing! I'm going to see how I feel on the day - my friend Tracey has said she'll walk with me.

Beverly, when things get insane around here, out comes the food. Enjoy your day with your family!

Rhonda, I know you've done well on South Beach before, so you'll do fantastic this time as well!

Schmoodle, sounds as if you had a fantastic weekend! Hope your week isn't too busy.

MJ, I'm pleased you enjoyed your wee break! Sometimes a couple of days off just recharge your batteries enough. And thanks for telling me I've inspired you to keep moving. I don't feel particularly inspiring at the moment, but we'll get there!

I'm really tired tonight - think everything's catching up on me, and I haven't really been sleeping that well. I think I'll watch my TV show then have a shower and have a relatively early night.

Have fun everyone!

Good morning, Friends. Dropping by for a quick check-in. The boss is piling tons of work on me and I refuse to work long hours anymore. Therefore, must make every single minute count. My mantra for today is "food doesn't make it better." I'm feeling the stress.

Have a great day.

Hi friend....I am off to Michigan for a few days.

Please send good vibes (prayers) to DH. He has a job interview tonight. I hope this all works out. Ya never know. While you're praying - would you put in a few good words for my pieces and parts, too!?

Mj - glad you had those days off. Hope your knee calms down.

Nicolen - I understand about not being able to stay focused. Hang in there, friend.

Rhonda - sometimes that kitchen purge is necessary. The kids will survive. YOu can all go out for ice cream as a treat - that's what we would do.

Hi Schmoodle - you CAN do this, I know it.

Have a good week - I'll be back late thursday.

Hi everyone! I am slacking a bit w water, but we just got a new water cooler...right in our offices!!! YIPPEE! No more excuses now!

nicolen--Keep at it!!! I think the 12k fun/walk sounds like a great idea! My dh and I keep saying that we should do something like that and never do.... Hope you were able to get an early night.

Rhonda--Hi! Exactly...food doesn't make it better!!!

Beverlyjoy--Have fun in Michigan! You've got it! Lots of prayers for your dh and you!!!!

I am going to the gym right after work--weights and cardio. I have packed a healthy lunch and snacks and I WILL drink my water! I am determined to fit back into my favorite jeans soon!!!!!

Have a great OP day everyone!

So many challenges lately, but I am determined to stay on plan!

Made cabbage rolls last night, and will have them again tonight. For some reason the combo of cabbage and tomato always do well for me!

Today;
B Cereal and soy milk
L cottage cheese
D cabbage roll, 1/2 cup mashed tater, green beans
S mango

Getting some more water in, and less coffee, gave up my flavored coffee creamer and went to plain soy milk (huge stretch for me, since I dont like soy)

Getting ready to plan a big weekend for 45 kids, called 30 hour famine. They fast for 30 hours, they collect donations for World Vision as well as the local food banks, and they study .....all in the same house, for 30 hours (minus church and canned food collecting one day) SO to break the fast I am making home made personal pizza, and pasta with red sauce, and pasta with basil and lemon and garlic......then the next morning I come in and make a huge brunch for them. Its a blast, and planning for that could be just what I need to keep my mind busy and not get deeper into this funk.

Im inspired by these trips to the gym.....not inspired enough to get off my butt yet, could ya work on that for me?

Hi everyone!

Well, today was a bit of a step back. Got to work, realised I wasn't coping and took a day's leave. Came home, got changed and went and sat on the beach for a couple of hours to clear my head. I needed that, but I really don't want to keep using my leave like this. I think it was because the funeral was today, so now that that's over with, hopefully I can start coping a bit better.

Rhonda, hope the work situation eases up for you!

Beverly, lots of happy thoughts and good vibes heading towards your DH. Fingers and toes are crossed for you both!

MJ, how was the gym? You'll be in those jeans before you know it!

Red, we used to have a thing called 40 hour famine for World Vision. I'm not sure if it's still going on, but it used to happen at this time of the year, so it's certainly similar. Hope it all goes well.

Have fun everyone!

Hi Friends,

Today, it's rainy and I have tons of work, but I'm in an incredibly good mood. Doesn't make much sense, but I'll take it!

BeverlyJoy - How did Hubby's interview go?
MJ - I saved a pair of "before" jeans to wear in a goal photo one day. I'm now wearing those jeans again! Hope you get into your favorite jeans soon.
Redflame - I've never heard of the 30 hour famine idea. That is really cool.
Nicolen - Grieving takes time. Don't be too hard on yourself.

The scales delivered a rough report to me this morning. I've put on 2 pounds since Monday and my fat percentage is up to 52% after hovering at 50% for almost 2 years. But, we went grocery shopping last night and I'm all ready to go. Today, I'm back on phase 1 of SB. Oy Vey!

Have a great on-plan day.

Good Morning! It's a bright sunny day here, but it's supposed to cloud up and rain, so I'm enjoying the sun while it's here, that's for sure! The gym was great! Stupid knee is acting up still, but I have an appt in a couple of weeks, not sure what that will accomplish, other than an injection which will take the edge off the pain for a little bit...hopefully I will hear about the surgery soon...I am really sick of this!

Redflame--Good for you for staying on plan! Still eating breakfast I see! that's great! I am also getting more water and I need to work on less coffee...Your weekend sounds really interesting. Great cause! Get off your booty and exercise! Can't do it for you, but we can pull you along w/ us!

nicolen--I think it's all part of the process. I think sitting on the beach an clearing your head is what you needed today. Give yourself time to process. Hugs to you!!!! The gym was really good. The guy working at the counter asked me where I had been...good to be missed!!!

Rhonda--Hopefully your good mood will help you get through all of your work! You can do this! I cannot wait to see a pic of you in those "before" jeans that will be way too big!

Today's plan is to go the gym right after work. I only have time for cardio, but that's ok...better than not going at all! I have my healthy lunch an snacks all packed, so I am good there!

I also need to re-start my calendar plan. It works SO good for me, but for some reason I do it for a while and then stop. My reward will be a new eyeshadow. I just started using bare escentuals and I really like it. I have a couple of the eyeshadows and like them as well, they are a little messy and I am still getting used to them, but I like them too. I will pick out a new color--something nice and spring-like and that will be my next reward! So yesterday was OP day 1...I need to put a sticker on my calendar for yesterday.

Have a great OP day!

Well, today was not a fantastic day, but not as bad as yesterday. I made it to the gym and was talking with yummy trainer on the way out and just started to feel a bit down again. I'm thinking about going and seeing my old counsellor for a couple of sessions. I don't really think I'm coping too well at the moment, and maybe that'll help me a bit. It is an expense that I could do without at the moment - between the washing machine and me bumping up my student loan repayments so I can get it paid off in 7 pays, money is very tight at the moment. Roll on tax cuts next week - I'll get the grand total of $15 per pay extra, which is better in my pocket than anyone elses.

Didn't really want to go to the gym, but at least I got there!

Tomorrow is Friday, yay. Don't have anything planned for the weekend, except the fun walk, so I'm just going to unwind. I just need to get through tomorrow.

Rhonda, good for you in getting all the rubbish out the house. You're going to nail this!

MJ, good idea with the calendar! I mark all my gym sessions on my calendar at work, and I feel quite proud of myself when I mark each day off.

Everyone else, how are you all doing? Let us know - I for one, miss hearing from you.

Take care!

Hi everyone. I was wondering if I could join you... again. I had been in this thread before, but then tiptoed back out. Can't be accountable, I guess! In a nutshell, I had lost weight (about 15 pounds) in 2007 and early 2008 and then put it back on in late 2008. Anyway, I started back up in January with getting back on plan with food and hoped to get exercise worked into my day. Well, that didn't work really well because of all the distractions at home (2 teenaged kids... it is all about their needs...), so I finally decided to join a gym at the beginning of March and I work out in the mornings before going to work. This is going well and I'm feeling so much better. BUT... weight loss is not going as well as I had hoped. I think it is my food plan (or lack of planning on some days). So, I thought maybe I could chat with you all and get going in a better direction. If that's ok!! I know you have all been talking together for a long time, so I don't mean to just butt in. Let me know if you're ok with it!!