How's everyone this morning? I suppose many of you are just getting back to work after a long weekend; hope it was a good one.

I'm a mess today. My face and eyes are swollen and I'm thinking it may be because I got some sun on Saturday but if so it's a severe delayed reaction cause I was OK yesterday. Good thing I'm alone in the office cause I look like a monster Oh joy - could this be a new allergy??

Got lots of exercise on the weekend. We went hiking along the southern shore of Nova Scotia with friends on Saturday - over 9K but the pace was slow. Got out for a 7K run yesterday - much more of a workout. My sister and I found a new trail, along a salt marsh. It will be better later in the year when the flies have settled down but it has great potential to become a favourite!

Weight down a little today but not where it should be I'll keep plugging away; something's bound to click sooner or later.

What's up with you?

Seasaw: Glad to hear you're in the running groove. I've been mixing up walking and aerobics, but boo-hoo my Total Gym just broke, so I'm upset. I have been very faithful doing my workouts.

I'm sorry to hear about your work situation. What is taking so long (hiring somebody else?) It can't be that difficult. Sometimes I think companies do this to save money.

I spent the long weekend at my parents' home and my mother saw me for the first time since my 20-lb. weight loss. She was happy for me and now wants to join Weight Watchers herself. I encouraged her to do so. She has really gained weight during the past couple years and it's hard to see her in that condition as she always prided herself on her good figure. She had a back problem and some hormonal problems which just threw her for a loop.

WI is tonight and I think I'll be all right. I'm halfway through maintenance--I want that Lifetime Membership.

Talk again later.

Hi everyone!

Seasaw: Did you eat or use anything different that could've caused the reaction? I've had reactions with the sun where I've swollen up and it's usually the day after...hope the swelling goes down soon!

Domina: You're halfway to "FREEdom"...that's the best part of attaining Lifetime...attending meetings and not having to pay! I made a vow to myself when I made Lifetime that I wouldn't have to pay again and so far I've been able to do that now for 3 years. It's a great benefit.

It's hard getting back into the groove of things here at work after having a long weekend--the phones have been busy so it's making the day go by pretty quickly.

We did some yard work over the weekend and my muscles are still sore. My sons and I re-stained our back deck and I've used muscles I didn't know I had! I also managed to get a nice blister on my finger from the brush rubbing. I did manage to get a little sun (you can definitely tell where I missed with the sunscreen!)

This was the weekend that my appliances revolted--the microwave went on the fritz and my dryer isn't working as well. The microwave was relatively simple, it just needed a fuse; the dryer we'll know later on today when the repairman comes out. I'm just hoping it isn't too expensive and that it's sometime simple. The dryer makes kind of a whirring noise and doesn't kick in. I'm hoping it's just a belt.

Eating wise I didn't journal at all this weekend which is unusual for me. I tried to "fill in the blanks" today but I'm sure it's not accurate. It's a new day and I'm starting fresh.

Temps here are comfortable although it's supposed to get a little humid later on and storms are supposed to be moving in and then we'll cool down with high's only in the high 70's and lows in the high 40's low 50's. It'll definitely be nice sleeping weather.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Melissa: Thanks for the good words. Three years?? That's great. So, do you recommend journaling all the time?

Sorry to hear about your appliances. Sometimes it's like that. It's as if they get together or something and decide not to work.

I got home from the long weekend away last night and the air conditioner was not working--talk about hot (93 degrees in Florida). I opened the sliding door to get some air into the house and a wild bird flew in!! I caught him with a towel and let him go outside. Now that was strange.

I, too, did not do a great job of sunscreen application. I try very hard to do that, but I missed some spots.

Well, we split 50/50 on the appliances...the microwave just needed a fuse (thank goodness) and the dryer we weren't so lucky on--the motor is shot! So last night I went out looking for a new one. Mine was 17 years old so I can't really complain but I wasn't planning on having to purchase one at this point and time. Anyway, I found one now I just have to juggle some things around in order to get it.

Domina: For me journaling is a key to my success. When I don't keep it up is when I tend to slip and eat more than what I really need. I know others who don't journal and do just fine. My goal is to keep my weight off and if journaling is going to be what I need to do then I'll keep on journaling. I like to go back through my journals for meal ideas (sometimes I get stagnate in what I eat) and to see what I'm doing different if I'm gaining. Did you get your a/c fixed? I have a girlfriend who lives in FL and I have visited there quite a bit and the 90's are very uncomfortable. Which part of FL are you in?

We're finally getting some much needed rain here--the forecast is calling for rain most of the day so I'm hoping we get some more showers.

Have a good day!

It's raining here this morning too, although more of a mist than a heavy downpour. Happy to report that my face has resumed its normal shape, for the most part.

Melissa: I admire your resolve to journal on a regular basis. When I was losing weight, I was faithful to writing everything down in advance, and eating to plan. Since I reached goal, I am much less successful. Usually start the week off okay but by Wednesday, I'm back to mental calculations which don't work all that well for me (as my scale will attest).

Domina: How did weigh-in go? Are you still adding points or have you levelled off? I still haven't figured out the exact number I need to eat to maintain. I just know I need to exercise regularly.

Hi to lala, laurel, myra, janet, katie and anyone else I missed.

Seasaw: Well at WI, I lost weight. To tell you the truth, I'm afraid to add points. I know that I overdid it a little on the 4th of July, but I was OP the rest of the week. I guess I shouldn't be upset about weight loss, but I don't need to lose any more.

Next week will be the challenge--I'm on a week-long business trip. I plan to take some snacks with me, but eating out is always a challenge. There's a good article on the WW website this morning which provided some good tips.

Melissa: Hmmm, right now I'm still journaling. I'll probably continue. My husband has stopped journaling, so we can do our own experiment!

Hello ladies-
Work has been very busy this week & last week so I haven't had any time to barely read the posts, let alone reply. Just thought I'd bop in quick to say hello & let you know I'm still around. I'll try and check back when I am caught up & have more time....

Take care!

Been crazy here lately. I am hoping to WI tomorrow. I skipped two weeks due to car problems, but hopefully I can make it tomorrow AM. I'll let you know how it goes. I've been under a lot of stress but I've tried to not let it affect my eating. But I've also worked out a little less in the past week. I hope my WI isn't too awful.

Myra: I'm sure your weigh-in will be fine. Even if it doesn't go the way you'd like, don't despair. We gotta take the bad with the good, and you've been doing really well. Chin up!

katie: Good to hear from you. Drop back in when you have time and let us know what you've been up to. BTW, I think it was you that posted the strawberry pie recipe. If so, want to say that I've made it a couple of times and it's a big hit! Easy too - my kind of baking.

Domina: Good luck with the business trip. I've learned to stock up on fruit and I carry it with me for the times when I'm in danger of blowing it. I've also tried to look at business travel as a normal part of my life (i.e. not a vacation) and I try to eat normally - as I would at home (ie. cereal for breakfast, sandwich or soup at lunch, fish, fresh veggies for dinner. It's made a big difference.

Hi Melissa.

I had a really good weigh in today...I was down 1.2# which was surprising because I didn't journal from Thursday-Sunday. I don't want to get too cocky because I know that if I don't journal that the weight will begin to creep on and I won't pay attention to what I'm eating. Anyway, I'm only 1.8# away from my personal goal...whoohoo!

Myra: I hope your WI goes well...it's hard when we're faced with a gain. My leader says it well, as soon as you step off of the scale the new week begins

Katie: Good to hear from you!

Domina: When I go out of town I usually take a "snack bag" with point-friendly things that I like that can hold me over or help to fight off being over hungry and making poor choices.

We're getting a nice reprieve from the hazy, hot, humid weather...it's a cool 71 here today and in my opinion the perfect summer day--breeze is blowing, the sun is shining, and I'm sitting here at my desk wishing I were outside walking! I'm hoping to get out for a walk after work and take advantage of the weather.

My WI was better than I expected. I actually lost .6 lb., which was great with the week I've had. Hopefully next week will be even better.

Hi everyone. I want you to know I do read but I haven't been writing much lately. Not sure why. It's not because I don't care...

Hey, does anyone know where Ms. Lala is nowadays? Off traveling. It seems like a very long time since we heard from her.

Cheerio!

L.