It is, indeed, the last day of August. Time to start planning for September.

I had an interesting conversation one day this summer. DH, SIL and I were just sitting around talking. I don't remember any direct quotes but the gist was about responsibility. More importantly, things that are not my responsibility.

I am not responsible for the staff shortage at work. However, I am responsible to make sure I am healthy and strong enough to do my job. Therefore, missing buying groceries, skipping exercise and short sleeps because I'm working 12 days in a row with a few 12 hour shifts thrown in ... is counter productive all around.

My best offering to my workforce is a healthy, happy me ... for my shifts. The shifts, of the rotation, I was hired to fill.

I cannot plan a health-path for myself if I allow life to drag me by the nose into 'who-knows-what' tomorrow.

The upshot of all that longwindedness? The first day of September is as good a time to start as any. I must learn balance. There are 24 hours in each day. Eight for my shift, lots for sleeping properly and some left over for eating properly and exercising. Things happen, yes they do, however ... on most of my days there 24 hours to fill with my obligations. Not some I've assumed, not some I feel obligated to fill ... my obligations.

Go Susan!!

Well, I came back from Spain yesterday to a letter from the hospital saying I had to go to have a broken molar taken out under GA. I had been expecting it and had actually had to cancel TWO such appointments already - one because I had a chest infection and the second because they scheduled it while I was away, even though I had told them my holiday dates.

They had been trying to contact me while I was away to confirm this one, even though I had rung up and told them AGAIN that I was away till the 31st August. Stupid people. So they rang my mum and she said I would go, although she was a bit nervous when I got back how I would take it. But it's OK. It's not a nice thing to come back to but at least it will be over. And a day of semi-starvation is a good way to kick start my post-vacation diet.

Before we went away I had actually seen 129.4 on the scale!! But then I put on a few pounds when I relaxed and I think it went up to about 133. This morning it was 141 so I put on 8 lb while I was away, but 11.4 from my previous low.

That's pretty much what I had reckoned actually so I wasn't too disappointed. It was great though - I actually wore bikinis. In public!! THe worst thing is, my face and boobs actually look better at this weight, but my belly doesn't. So I can either have a healthier looking face and bigger boobs AND a big fat wobbly belly, or a flat belly, gaunt face and saggy empty boobs! I told my boyfriend I couldn't have bigger boobs AND a flat belly and he sulked! When we met I was still breastfeeding so I was a 34F and I went down to a 34C so he feels a bit short-changed in that department - lol!

I also haven't been able to run fo four weeks due to an injury, and then 2 weeks holiday so my legs are all flabby too. I had planned on doing a 10-miler on 10th October but I'm really not sure I'll be able to train up for it in time. I might look for another 10K instead.

This was me at the beginning and end of our holiday - browner but 8 lbs heavier!!


So, now my initial goal is an even 10 lbs - which takes me back to my maintenance range (128-132), and then I would like eventually to get to 125 for a possible special event next summer - more on that one in a few days hopefully! I tend to lose holiday weight fairly quicly so it shouldn't take too long to be back in my size 4 jeans again!

You go Susan

Robsia back ... You look amazing in both pics really, but there is a bit of a difference... Hopefully those 8lbs are only water weight and they will go away quickly, I'm sure they will, you seem determined to have it so...

Lots of things going on in September for me... I'm doing a 10k in Montreal on the 13th, I confirmed this only a couple of weeks ago, so I am really not ready, I'll probably walk most of it. My friends are I are doing it for the fun of it... The finish line is the Olympic stadium in Montreal, just that fact makes it all the more exciting .... Then the weekend of the 24th I am meeting up with some GFs in Asheville NC for a fun weekend, I'm really looking forward to that gettogether...

So I must stay on task this month ... I am determined to lose at least 8lbs if it kills me.....

Gotta get working, see yas!

Good morning!

I gained 7 pounds on vacation and they are not washing away!

In all honesty ... we were so busy for a few days before we left, that I have no idea how much of that is vacation weight. And it really doesn't matter because it puts me toooo far away from goal.

I have made a very modest exercise goal for September. The last two times I tried an exercise ticker, I failed miserably. This time, I should be able to outdo it.

I have bra's in two sizes. The ones I'm wearing now are just almost not really big enough. My goal ones are much cuter ... and only have one letter

Robsia - I see you're English but I trust those size 4 jeans are American size 4s not British?!! Is size 4 our size 6 or 8? You look good in both pics but I think you look great in th second - probably due to the hair and the tan. 8lbs is never going to be real unless you did nothing but eat. Actually, if you're anything like me............

Ilene - I think it's only fitting that you end up in an olympic stadium. Tis as it should be...

Susan - I almost wish I had you're problem. My chest stopped growing almost as soon as it started and no amount of overindulgence seems to affect it!

Well I had an odd weekend. It was a bank holiday here so we returned to work today. I was fine yesterday but I was awful (yet again) at the weekend. I have lost weight this week but it was pathetic so I'll weigh again at the weekend to see if the loss is worth updating my profile over. I certainly couldn't be bothered today!

In all honesty I'm only semi-committed. I'm just concentating on having more good days than bad and figure that if I do I'll clock up a really slow rate of loss which is better than nothing.

It's British size 8 - although I had to get my 10s out when I got back!!

Thank you - but you can't see the wobbly belly!!

Umm - can I plead the Fifth? Oh wait, we don't have that here!!

that's so sweet ...

Being half committed is better than NOT being committed, so hang in there ...

Food has been so-so today, I'm soooo hungry these days , I eat, I'm fine then an hour later I could eat again,I don't, it's very annoying ....

Hi new here. I am 2 lbs from my initial goal of 165 and soon as I reach that I will be going for another 10. So I guess this place suits me just fine . So Excited to be here. So I am doing pretty well over all. I just celebrated a birthday this past monday (even celebrations started on friday) and I managed not to gain an ounce, at least according to my scale. We shall see for sure tonight at WW's

Ilene - your race ending in the olympic stadium is awesome!!! Good Luck.

Robsia - You look great either way but trying to lose those added 8lbs should be no biggie due much of it being water weight from sodium and such. Wow wee size 4....that sounds so nice....*dreaming*

Doughnut - I understand what you mean. I am like that sometimes. It really can get tiresome, but I would rather half commit than not try at all.

Welcome Ashlan, what a pretty name and happy belated birthday too

Today was good for me ran/walked because it was hot but I was out there for 52 minutes... Food was ok too...

Yesterday was pretty ok. I stayed on track with food so that is always a plus and I ran 4.5 miles. Managed to stick it out at 168 at WI this week. I am not changing my ticker back because I know by Saturday I will back at 167. I know my 168 attributed to lots sodium this past week.

Anywhoo - I set my September goal for 162 lbs making that an even 6 lbs.....but secretly I wouldn't mind seing a flat 160.

Ilene - Thnks. 52 minutes running in hot weather feels more like 52 hours...LOL> WTG

Good morning!

Well, well, well ... I seem to have got the exercise thing going but have not yet vanquished the eating thing. And accordingly, the scale is climbing. Yup, even since I got home from vacation.

Yesterday, I ordered our first Good Food Box. Today, I have beets to put in the freezer. The local produce is getting to be very bountiful and wants to be in my house
Maybe things are heading in the right direction.

Robsia -- you look fantastic in both pics! I've always wanted to tan, just get sunburned instead LOL

Ilene -- 10K in Montreal sounds amazing!

Ugg ... I'm just dragging this week. I thought I would be motived with the beautiful fall weather. While I've been good about diet and exercise my heart/motivation has just not been good. I'm hoping after sleeping in this morning I'll feel better -- slept like 12 hours the last two nights so I may have just been wiped out.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Good morning!
Robsia- nice pic, you look healthy and happy. I have the wobbly tummy too, such a drag. Toning is what I need and I'm like others, half committed to it, somewhat like Donut

10k in Montreal! nice one Ilene

Susan, back home you'll get on track again quickly especially with the yummy fresh produce
Ashlan, nice to meet you.

Jayjay-sleep has a wonderful way of revitalizing us, I hope you're feeling better quickly.

I'm keeping busy this labour day weekend, we're putting in a new bathroom floor, so I've got painting and cutting and cleaning to do. It's going to look so new and clean

Have a great weekend

Hello All, I'm a little behind. I had family in last weekend and sort of fell off course for a few days - sorta had a vacation without going anywhere, including eating out a lot! I was bored to death with running/jogging, but a few days ago, I discovered our new cable company has "ExerciseTV On Demand" which is awesome! There's so many choices and you just have to pick one and play it (and of course DO IT!) So now I have all sorts of variety! I did a Jillian Michaels "30 day shred" workout yesterday and it totally kicked my butt, so today I did a Pilates workout to stretch out those sore muscles. Tomorrow I'll probably do another circut workout... although my husband wants me to do Carmen Electra's Strip Tease workout... Plus we're going swimming this afternoon so that will give me even more "calories out!"

My September goal is to do one ExerciseTV workout or a 3 mile walk/jog per day. And my weightloss goal is 5lbs this month. I haven't weighed myself in weeks and I'm sorta scared to after last week! But I'll weigh myself tomorrow morning and do measurements. 59 days till Grand Cayman Vacation! Last week must have been "birthday week" for featherweights! My b-day was Tuesday. Happy belated birthday Ashlan and SusanB!

Well, 6 days later I'm actually UP 2 lbs. I have a reason, if not an excuse.

Last Friday was my OH's birthday and we had a big party with all his family - it turned into an engagement party when he produced a ring and got down on one knee in front of all his family! So I celebrated a bit too much and have been eating leftover party food for the last 2 days.



So I am now 143 - 14 lbs higher than my lowest weight ever, which admittedly I only saw for one day, but still. And 18 higher than my eventual goal of 125. So I have to lose some weight now for the wedding. I reckon 17 in a year is doable - lol!