New month, new week! I'm starting us off. Have a great Monday everyone!

CruiseCAT – welcome home! I hope you’ve gotten all settled in again… thanks for your kind words re: my tests!

WeightLossWanted – I saw a Dress Barn last night and thought of you… Congrats on winning the appeal! I hope you don’t get the weather this week that you were dreading.

Marie – I hope the office isn’t frigid this morning, it being Monday and all… Now, wait. You’ve done your taxes and submitted them already??! Go, you!! We get ours done in mid- to late-March usually. You must have been way ahead of the curve to get the refund so quickly… that’s awesome! So, how did your packing go? And… good advice about not taking a free pass over the weekend. I’m happy to say that I am down 0.6 pounds from Friday, so no free pass here! Congratulations on dropping yet another pound!! You have done it, my friend!!! Congratulations!! Different topic, we trim our cat’s claws; I can’t imagine trying to do it with a dog. DH holds the cat very tightly and I just clip as quickly as I can. He (the cat) puts up with it because he knows he gets a can of wet food at the end. The one time I didn’t give him any, I woke up to cat sh*t on my chair. I learned my lesson!

AnnieDrews – Is the weather back to normal yet? I don’t watch much tv so I’m not seeing all the pictures… but I can imagine! I hope all is well again… Ugh, sorry you had a terrible food day yesterday… I hope your weigh-in today was okay. Congratulations on getting your ticker!! I hear you about those tiny victories, making food for others while not indulging yourself. I have to do that a lot, too. My kids are slim and they eat a very healthy diet but I do let them have the typical childhood treats. So I know that sense of satisfaction, like when I let them have ice cream and I have tea instead. Congratulations on righting your day midstream, which is very hard to do, and for getting in your 4 min. on the elliptical!

Petra – Here’s to a fresh week! ‘Nuff said…

ICUWishing – I’ve “single-parented” it before while married, too. When DH started his current job, for the first 6 months he traveled almost every week, almost all week. I know how hard it can be! For me (and I’m not saying this is your case!), but for me, things got a lot better when I accepted the reality of it and let go of the resentment… Good luck for the next 3 months, hopefully they will at least go by fast!

RedHookMom – I actually keep a spreadsheet with my weekly weight as well as my weight on the first and last day of the month, which helps me keep track. I like knowing how much I’ve lost this month, stuff like that. I hear you about spending less time on the computer. That would be a good goal for me, too… Too funny about school being let out once the weather was all clear again. Sounds typical…

OnMyWay – It’s a wonder feeling, to know you weigh less than you did this time a year ago. I had that same sensation at the start of the year. It’s all good. I’m sorry you had a rough eating week last week, and I hope this week is better. Congratulations on your upcoming 25th anniversary – that’s a wonderful milestone!! I don’t know much about Alaska cruises. We are doing the Princess cruise, one direction Vancouver to Anchorage, in mid-July. But it was FIL’s wife who did all the research. I just get to come along for the ride. Hey, thanks for getting February kicked off for us!

AZManatee – I hope you are finally starting to feel better! And thanks for your words of support re: my tests!

LambChop – Holey Moley – 2 hours?!? I can’t actually imagine doing that… That is awesome!! I hope your tailbone held up okay… And, I hope your computer woes are better today.

Hydra – It’s always nice to see you… I’m glad your weight loss journey is going so well! Congratulations on losing 45 pounds!! Do you have any progress pictures? You must be feeling great!

GtownGirl – I see you’re working on a 5 pound mini-goal – sounds like a great plan to get started.

PeanutsMom – I hope you get some relief with your DS, now that you are starting to understand the problems… I think it’s good to start figuring this all out before he hits first grade… I think we all have a bit of AD in us, it’s just to varying degrees. And, I’m suspecting that my DS10 has ADD – they inattentive type, not the hyperactivity type. He’s a very calm and easy going kid so at least he’s easy on that front. Don’t worry about not doing personals to everyone. I think each person has to figure out how the forum works best for them. Just post when you can, what you want to…

Here, I’m realizing that my problem is treats. I want to live that maintenance lifestyle of having Thai food once in a while, having Indian food once in a while, having a drink at the end of the day. And after I lose some weight, I start moving into that mode and either stall, slow down, or gain. Right now I feel like I’m at the slow down end of that spectrum, but I made my goal of 1 pound per week, 4 pounds for the month, and in fact am starting Feb. 1 5.6 pounds lighter than I was on Jan. 1. So, maybe just maybe I have found something that works for me?? Hopefully I can achieve the same moderate success for the month of February. If I can’t, then I just got lucky and that’s no good. So, here’s the start of chipping away 4 pounds for February, which would put me at 161.4 at the end of the month. I so need to get out of the 160s. I realized last night that I have been in the 160s since May (other than my foray back into the 170s; thanks, Halloween!). I need to break out of this, enough is enough!

Hello ladies! Here we are in February already, wow! Can't wait for springtime!

OnMyWay, thanks for starting the thread!

NewLeaf, I know you will make your goal and more for February! I am worried too about what I will do once I reach my goal, but I hope my new habits are ingrained by then to make it easier.

Weighed in today and although I only lost 0.2 pounds, I am so thankful not to have gained after all of my transgressions over the weekend. I had so hoped to lose several pounds a week, but I know I must be realistic. Have considered skipping meals, but I know that will just make me more likely to overeat later in the day. Trying to remember, "Slow and steady wins the race!" I'm going to get this weight off!! I WILL!!

Started eating oatmeal today for breakfast. I flavored it up good, I will make a note on my thread about butter flavoring in the Foods section.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

AnnieDrews, Take your 0.2 and run with it! Yes, it's a whole lot better than being up. I know what you mean about being tempted to skip meals. For me, it's breakfast that is easy to skip. I just realized at 9:50am that all I'd had was coffee and a few grapes, and the thought to just skip occurred to me -- but like you, I recognize that it's not the right way, the adult way, to go. So I ate a banana and called breakfast closed...

Just a tiny word of caution on the oatmeal flavorings, which I do, too. Once I got the food scale, I was surprised by how many calories some of my flavorings were adding. Since then, I still using the additives but have cut them way back. In my case it meant going from a handful of raisins to 7 raisins, a spoonful of chopped nuts to a sprinkle of chopped nuts, and a gush of honey to a drizzle of honey.

Hello everyone!

I work 4 x 10hr days, so Mondays I am off. I dropped my son at school and headed straight for the gym. I have been eating great and making it to the gym 3-4x/week. I am actually starting to enjoy it. I haven't seen much of a weight loss yet, but am looking at the big picture. However - the scale at the gym will not "zero" and mine seems kind of crazy - may nned a new battery. So - maybe I have lost more than I think! Wouldn't that be nice!! haha

Everyone have a great week!

Hi FatBGone, sounds like things are going well for you and that you are creating some great habits! Definitely try changing your scale batteries; that would drive me nuts!

Hey, I forgot to tell you about something fun I got this weekend - an immersion blender! I got it because I like to make pureed soups but never do because the whole process of making the soup, then transferring it in stages to the blender, and then back again is messy and time consuming...

So, I got the immersion blender and yesterday I made cream of mushroom soup. It was so incredibly good! And the surprising thing is that even though it has butter and heavy cream, it really isn't that high in calories. I calculated that the whole pot is about 1300 calories and as long as I get 6 servings out of it, which I certainly will, then it really isn't a problem, calorie-wise. That was interesting to learn; I just assumed it would be high in calories so I was glad to find out otherwise.

I made it because I gave my DH a choice between carrot & roasted red pepper soup (would have been my choice) and cream of mushroom soup. Well, you know which he chose, and I was so glad to find out it was still good for me.

NewLeaf, I know what you mean about the hidden calories in oatmeal additions. I REALLY wanted to put in dried cranberries and blueberries, but they are so high in calories!! As far as I can tell, the butter flavoring extract has no calories. I used the Splenda/brown sugar (10 cal. per 1/2 tsp) and that was all. I estimated about 170 calories for the serving. Maybe I will get to where I won't need the flavorings, but for now I need them! I tried an immersion blender years ago and got a lemon....it fell apart in the pot!!

Hi FAtBGone, great job on getting to the gym!

AnnieDrews I hear you about the dried cranberries. I used to put a lot of those and sunflower seeds on my salads; not any more...

Petra, it is AWESOME that you logged your cals when you overate. That’s my promise to myself because it’s hard to stick one’s head in the sand when the numbers stare at you.

OMW, January is gone. YEAH!!!! The long, cold, dark wintry month is history. Spring is on the horizon. Last week I checked our lilac bushes for buds but was sadly disappointed that they thought it was still winter.

Annie, congrats on skipping the cheese and dip. The small steps add up so you’re doing well. As for skipping meals, doing really lo-ca, I hear you. I was 4 pounds from my goal at the beginning of January and am having surgery on Feb 10. I SO much wanted to be at 135 on the 10th. I thought about doing 1200 cals to get there and realized it would be a mistake as my metabolism takes that as an invitation to crash. So I accepted I wouldn’t make it and kept on my plan that worked. You are making the right and wise choice by doing it slow and steady. As Newleaf put it, the adult way. Maybe by the time we’re on the 40s thread we’re able to make occasional adult decisions.

Newleaf, LOL on the kitty’s revenge. Very funny! Way to go on the loss. You are doing so great. About 15 years ago, DH and I owed taxes to a point we had to take a personal loan. Since then, we claim zero and single and I have an extra $150 taken from my check. I will never, ever be in that place again. We were poor and it was scary. I’d rather let Uncle Sam play with my money until Feb the following year. That’s why we do our quickly – to get the money back. The office was cold but the energy manager (co-worker in the next office) is at an energy conference so I zapped up the heat. Bad me. Certainly not repentant me… It’s comfy here and I deliberately chose a wool sweater. BTW, look at your ticker chickie – you definitely have found something that works for you. And 5.6 pounds for January – you are flying!

FBG, here’s hoping a new battery in your scale will take the crazy out of your scale. I had a crazy scale once and it finally dawned on me that I was weighing on carpet. I moved it to hard flooring and the crazy readings stopped.

Newleaf, I’d have chosen carrot and red peppers in a heartbeat. Enjoy your new toy.

And Annie, when your oatmeal is super hot, add a few frozen blueberries. They taste great, are good for you and are low in cals. They’ll cool the oatmeal so its not mouth burning too.

OK, I should work as I have been at work nearly 4 hours and have only put out fires. I have nothing pressing so I’m going to start my Flash course. That will be fun. And it’s snowing. My Mac picture show is of beach scenes. I am ready to go to Cancun. I did get the packing organized – all the stuff is on my dresser and the suitcases nearby. I was too tired to finish. Probably tonight.
Marie

Wow, Marie, thanks for the frozen blueberry idea!! That will definitely be better than all the calories in the dried.

P.S. I just looked it up, frozen have 40 cal. for 1/2 cup. Dried are 160 cal. for 1/4 cup!! It helps so much to see things compared like that.

P.S.S. I'm ready for springtime, too. Can't wait!!

Hi Everyone! My goal is to post more than twice this week in addition to my normal goals of diet and exercise. Wishing everyone a great week too.

OMW - Happy Feb! Thanks for starting the week. I have a dear friend that went on an Alaskan cruise because her DH wanted too. She wasn't all that excited about it, but when she returned she was a new woman, she LOVED it and said it was the best time. So from a skeptic's (my friend, not me) point of view you will have an incredible time it seems. Defintitely something to look forward to!

New Leaf - Reverting back just a bit, I still get a chuckle about your pickle post from last week. You'll get out the 60s before you know it. Congrats on the immersion blender, please share the recipe for the cream of mushroom soup, it is one of my favorites.

Annie - Any move in a positive direction is worth celebrating, so you deserve to celebrate. I like to add ground cinnamon to my oatmeal, no sweetner at all. Sounds boring I know, but I like it. Sugar and I have a hate/hate relationship, I try to avoid it but then again, I DID make a pie this weekend loaded with brown sugar so what do I know.

fatBgone - Sounds like you have a routine that is working, mostly because you LIKE it, I think that's 99% of it. I have to like the food I eat and the exercise I do or I get grumpy. Definitely get a new battery in that scale, hopefully that will do the trick!

Lambchop - I saw Princess and the Frog this weekend with my 4 yr old princess, we both loved it and the song will always remind me of you!

Marie - Good luck with finishing packing. Cancun sounds lovely.

Well, I ended my week last week grumpy and unmotivated, but quickly realized that grumpy and unmotivated is not going to help me lose the weight so I had my pity party while watching the food network on TV and decided I HAD to make a home-made sweet potato pie. Thing is, I don't even like sweet potatoes , but it looked so good on TV and I figured if you put enough heavy cream, butter and brown sugar in it how can I go wrong. Anyway, I made it and had a sliver, really just a sliver that equated to about three small bites. It was yummy but that was enough, I wrapped up the rest and took it over to my 93 pound mother who eats anything and pretty much everything she wants. In closing, the scale was the same this morning despite my pie issues, so did what I should have done last week, I jumped on the treadmill after 1/2 a cup of coffee and did my workout. Here's to a great February for all of us!

Hi all - long lime no see... I feel like a yoyo - I'm here, I'm gone, I'm here, I'm gone, I'm here, I'm gone...

I've been doing this with email too. I keep swearing that *this* time, I'll be better about staying in touch, but for some reason sticking to a plan seems to be one of those things I have trouble with.

I have been kind of down in the dumps for the past few months. I *really* hate winter. Bleah. The lack of daylight, the cold, the barren garden... Bleah, bleah, bleah! Ugh!!!

So I turned on my positive switch this morning! Something about seeing the rear end of January... See ya! Don't let the door hit you on the way out! Ciao baby! Woohoo! It's still minus fiftybazillion degrees outside, but I have my seed catalogues, I have sun in my office again (ok, well not now - it was only for a few minutes) and I have a nice tasty stew simmering on the stove... It's the little things, I tell ya!

I passed another big milestone two weeks ago. 150 pounds. I have not weighed this little since I was a teenager! To celebrate, I'm going to do something scandalous... I am going to go out and buy some lingerie. Gen-u-ine frilly stuff.

BP

AZmanatee, I am addicted to the Food Network. One of my favorite things to watch.

BoPeep, congrats on your milestone! Enjoy shopping for your pretty gifts to yourself. I've promised myself all new panties when I lose at least a size. What an inspiration!

WLW-the Dress Barn is my favorite place to go shopping for clothes. I don't know what it is about that place but their clothes fit me like they were made for me. We didn't have one here locally until just a couple months ago. A new shopping center opened and it has a Dress Barn. I do my part to help keep them in business

Newleaf-I have been wanting an immersion blender. I'm a bit of a kitchen gadget junkie but I really use them all. I have a nice waffle iron I rarely use but that's the only one I could say is was not a good use of money. I need a bigger kitchen though.

Annie-I like steel cut oatmeal. It takes a little longer to cook but it's got more fiber and I find it definately more satisfying. I put a little honey, cinnamon, raisins and walnuts in mine. Yes, the calories add up (around 435) but it's a really filling breakfast and I'm usually fine right through to lunch-no need for snacking.

Marie-I'm jealous of your lilacs. When I lived in PA I had several lilac bushes and loved seeing and smelling them in bloom usually in late April or early May. Lilacs don't grow here. Our winters aren't cold enough-although I think this winter probably has been. You are doing awesome with your weight loss. One lb to go!

Bopeep-lingerie. you go girl! Hope you have someone who can enjoy it. That's even better.

AZManatee-I like to watch the food network sometimes too-particular shows though like Iron Chef America, and Good Eats. I won't just watch anything on there. Good job with the pie. I have to say I'm impressed you were ambitious enough to make a sweet potato pie from scratch.

It was very cold here this morning. This cold is starting to get on my nerves. I am getting to use the seat heater in my new car a lot.
Work wasn't too bad. I made a new recipe for dinner-Turkey and Soba Noodle Stir Fry. OMG! This was amazing. This will certainly make my list of favorites. It was actually pretty easy and quick too. That's a bonus. I'm disappointed that I"m still in the 220's but I'm determined this is the month that I'm going to get out of this decade. I'm also due for my monthly measurements. Maybe I'll do those tonight. Hopefully that will make me feel better too.