Hello. I had a great week, visiting with a friend. She stayed for a week and went home last night. Today, I am having a bout of fatigue, but otherwise, not feeling too bad.

Hello Auntie. Nice to see you, and welcome to our thread.

Ally - only half a pound? I could eat that as a little snack Especially if it is fudge.

Serenity - I hope that you are feeling better by now. Hopefully, the Fall will be kinder to all of us than that hot summer was.

Joanne - I hope you are doing ok. I know you will be one of the last ones to get cooler.

Anagram - How is your hubby? I hope the tests went/go well. I can't remember and now I am on a new thread. As far as weighing more than hubby - big deal! We are what we are .

Candice - Happy Birthday to your hubby. Hope you had a good dinner and a really nice big piece of cake.

Meme - Where are you? I hope you are not sick again. You just push yourself way to hard. I will find out what to do on E-Bay. Seems like an easy way to sell stuff.

Mima - I know you are happy and busy. That is a really good combo., and now I hope your allergies don't kick in.

Last Saturday, I woke up with such a sore neck and feeling sick to my stomach. By late afternoon my stomach had at least settled down. We went to Edmonton to a 50th anniversary (my aunt and uncle) and had a great time visiting with family and friends. Then picked up my girlfriend and brought her home. We went shopping, but for some reason that darn IBS was being a problem, an I haven't had that for 6 months or better; also a couple of days of fatigue, but I pushed through it; however, today, I can't do that. We went to Arby's and got the deal they had. It really was good. Don't do that too often, but it is so nice here today. It is up in the late 80's but it isn't the same as during the summer. That is what I love about Fall - cool mornings, nice warm afternoons and cool evenings. It could be Fall all year round for me. The leaves are changing and the river valley is becoming a real painting. I'll take a couple of pictures later this week.

Well everyone, enjoy the evening.

WHEW...lot of catching up to do with you guys! I'm in NC...have been here since last Thursday. I'm going home on Tuesday. Last Tuesday, I went to the podiatrist about the top of my right foot and ankle. He said the muscles and tendons etc. down the back of my leg, heel and foot had 'shortened'! Probably due from the
Fibro and stuff. Those muscles, etc. are supposed to 'pick up' my foot but I'm having to use the ones on the TOP of my foot and that's why they are hurting so bad. The ankle pain is tendonitis. He put a steroid shot in my ankle for that and it is some better. I still can't walk too good, though. Oh well...it got me out of going to the fair with my cousin last night...which I really DID NOT want to do!!! HA Always try to see the GOOD in everything! I've been visiting relatives, shopping, swimming and SLEEPING!!! The only bad thing is...every where I go someone has either cooked for me or they want to take me out to eat. I'm stuffed! I'm going on a SERIOUS diet when I get home! I've already emailed everybody at home and told them not to mention EATING to me when I get back!

Someone tell me more about these shoes...did you say the are new balance...or something like that? The podiatrist had me go get some inserts to go in my regular shoes but I can't wear them. The kind he had me get are just too thick and hurt my foot even worse than it was hurting already!!!

I called hubby tonight and he has found several more things the lightening ran in on back in July when my mom died. I'm not sure if I told you or not but Saturday night before my mom died on Sunday there was a really bad storm and lightening got our ans. machine, phone and elevator motor. Well...we have been so busy we never did even think to check anything in the basement rec. room. Hubby was supposed to take my keyboard to church for someone to play this morning and it wouldn't work. Then he started checking and there was a lamp and also MY BIG ORGAN. (I have a small organ and a very large Hammond with full pedals.) He said the keyboard comes on but didn't work and the organ wouldn't even come on. I don't play either of them much. The piano is in the room where I teach and everything in there was fine so I didn't even think to check the stuff in the rec room ...I was so distraught over Mom dying...it just never did occur to me! I just hope the insurance will cover it now...it has been over two months!

Excuse mistakes...I hate typing on this laptop...

Meme..I hate lightening strikes and we get hit bad every now and then The shoes I wear are the new balance 551 for walking and 608 cross training..use my custom orthotics in them.

I made the best cake and yes Yappy I had two pieces! It was a German Choc. upside down cake from WW...5pts..Yummmmmmm I had a piece of cheese cake tonite too!

Wish this pain would let up...the pelvic pain was better for a few days..still trying to figure out the problem..why does it come and go???????? I need to start keeping a pain journal..I have been told it is helpful ..anyone do this?

Mima...YUmmmmmmmmm choc cake! Your colon better?

I want you all to know how much I apprecitae reading your replies..so many times you have or are experiencing the same pain problems, health problems, etc. Thankyou

Ally........feel better and it is crappy that we have to suffer due to something we enjoy! Is "pokemon" still sleeping on the couch?


Got some more work done on my sons room while they were here Lots more to do but another day! The girlfriend came too.....to much work for company!

Ally- I was thinking the other day about why we can't eat and enjoy the foods we like. It is a shame that our bodies have to change to the point that just about everything we like is no longer concidered good for us.
Happy-We are just a little cooler lately,but, it will probably not last long. I did turn off the air and open my doors to air out some last week. I gave my stove a good cleaning and had to get the fumes out of the house.
Meme- They are New Balance. I heard a foot Doctor say once that they were the best shoes to wear. Try several different styles untill you find the one you like. If a shoe is not comfortable in the store,I don't buy it. Too bad about lighting. Your home owners should pay for the damage.
Candice- I try not to bake cakes or cookies. I can't stay out of them. But my hubby will buy them and that is just as bad. He does say that they don't taste as good as mine. I am having a struggle just to maintain,now that I am limited on exercise. I always hated all forms except walking and I can't do that as much as I need . Just the normal walking needed to get around. I have a problem keeping the knee from going out. The brace helps but not all the time. I can hardly wait for this year to end.
Hello everyone. Bye, Joanne

So...where do you get these shoes?

I just got back from lunch and shopping with my cousin and my foot and ankle is KILLING me. I have spent sooooo much money! But...I got a lot of neat fall clothes and a coat, too. Just one more night and it's back home tomorrow. I'm going to Red Lobster and eat tonight and I'm going down to Barnes And Noble and 'book shop'. My 'last fling' so to speak! HA After tomorrow it's diet, diet, diet bfore a trip to Gulf Shores in 3 weeks. Gotta lose some of this fat before I go out on the beach!!!

Meme- Do you have Lady Foot Locker(where I got mine) or just Foot Locker. Also, Sears,Pennys, Most athletic shoe stores. I have worn them for almost 20 years so I have bought them at different stores. Also they sell special socks for walkers. They are so nice! About 5 bucks a pair,but, worth it. I have osteoarthritis in my feet and need comfort.
I have been off track with my eating plan for awhile and need to get back on tract. Help,Help!!Anybody!
Bye,Joanne

I wonder if they sell them in Canada. I have never heard of them, so I will have to go do some investigating. Ladies Foot Locker and Foot locker no longer exist in Canada.

Hope your foot feels better soon Meme. I have that achilles tendon and that just hurts so much. I am best not wearing any shoes at all!

Joanne, I'm ready to get back on track too. Really just been off yesterday and today but that's all it takes to go downhill........

I did have a wonderful day yesterday. It was my birthday. My son and wife came in Sat. evening and daughter and family came yesterday. We met at a club we belong to and my sister and her husband joined us. Had a nice lunch, a great bd cake. Then daughter decided they could come back to the house afterall so we had a little time here and she and her family left.

Today son, wife and I went to mother's so he could visit with his Gram and I did a few paperwork things that needed done. But I was so tired when we got back tonight even though he drove that I ended up foodwise worse today than yesterday. He's at friend's tonight and they're leaving tomorrow but it was nice to have them here. It's strange. I'm so happy to have them all come but I get SO tired. I guess I'm just used to my breaks and naps, etc. I haven't lost anything the last two weeks and really had hoped to be down another 5 lbs by our anniversary on Oct 4. I'm sure I won't make it but I would like to be down a bit more. Also I go back to dr. next week and while I'm sure I'll get kind words by being down 15, it would be nice to be down even more.

So tomorrow is shape up time. I don't want to lose all the good habits I've been working on the last several months. So, rally with me, Joanne (and any others feeling in the mood). I don't need this stuff called food to be happy. It's fall - I'm supposed to be full of life, etc. And I'm going to be. Back to exercising too. Skipped a few days of that too. And today has again confirmed what I probably knew. A good bit of my eating is social and a lot of the rest is when I'm tired. It does perk me up and I feel physically and emotionally rewarded but then later, I wonder why I couldn't find another way.

So now I want to work hard and see how much I can lose by my next scheduled binge - our anniversary followed by a wedding the next day and a few extra days that we plan to be away as part of the travelling to the wedding. Gives me only two and a half weeks. Can I stay the course that long?

I am sooooo ready! I went to Barnes And Noble and bought Dr. Atkins' NEW Diet Revolution and also an 8 week program with a journal called Staying Lean for Life...it's just movitational pages with daily journals for 8 weeks. My son just lost 30 pounds eating mainly protein. I know I feel a lot better when I eat a lot of protein so that's what I'm going to do for the next few weeks. That and eating only half of what I have been eating...a small country could survive on what I've BEEN eating for the last few days!!! Every where I've been they have either cooked or they want to take me out to eat...or they've cooked and then TWO HOURS LATER they want to take me out to eat. I asked my cousin today..."Do I look hungry or something?" She just laughed and said that's just the way my aunts are! I know that but it sure hasn't helped my waist line any...not that I HAVE a waist line anymore!!! I've eaten a WHOLE 14 OZ BAG of M&Ms in the last 5 days... so...let's go ladies...let's get this fat to moving! Everyone share exactly what you are going to do for the next 2 or 3 weeks to get the pounds coming off! Here's mine:

I'm going to eat a LOT of protein, cut way down on the carbs, drink tons of water and start doing the breathing exercises again.

Whoever loses the most weight at the end of...what do you want to do...2 weeks or 3? I'm leaving for the beach 2 weeks from Friday so I want weigh in to be before that! So...whoever loses the most by then...we will say their diet works the best and maybe we'll ALL try it! I'm starting tomorrow morning. So let us know what you are going to do and we'll keep tabs on each other.

I just talked to hubby and he said it is supposed to rain tomorrow...and I have to drive home! UGH!!!

I found this site on New Balance Shoes:
http://www.nbwebexpress.com/
I won't order them over the internet, though. I'm much to hard to please when it comes to my feet!

Anagram...happy birthday yesterday!

Gotta go pack, take my shower and get in the bed...lest I fall asleep at the wheel tomorrow.

I got the shoes at Bob's store. They have wide widths too. Good day today-massage, haircut from my favorite hairdresser, lunch at my girlfriend's. I'm still having pain in my upper abdomen. I eat too fast and swallow\air. Massage will help. Gotta go soon. Hi everyone. Mima

HAPPY BIRTHDAY..ANAGRAM !!!
I think you can stay the course. I just need the motivation to do the same. Everyday has been start over day. You seem to be enjoying life.
Meme You have a good idea. ..I am staying with WW. I don't go to meetings though. I have tried the Atkins way and found that I needed some carbs. Just not as many as I have been eating lately. Lack of the hour of evercise I was used to has hurt me a lot. I haven't gained that much over goal bur my thighs don't know that.You ate the MM's ,I ate a bag of pig cracklins,some cookies,etc. Not good thinking on my part. I told my son about it. He said I might start by not eating the junk food.
Happy. Try the other stores. I bet Pennys or Sears . We were in the 90's again yesterday.. As I told you it will be awhile. It is very humid now.
Hello Mima.. Ally. Serenty and Candice. I hope your week is going great for you...Joanne

It sure is hard to lose when you can't exercise. And I can really tell a difference in my thighs when I don't go to the pool much. Which unfortunately will be the case this week. Missed yesterday going to Mom's, today going to eye doctor's, hope to go tomorrow, Thursday having furniture delivered and maybe will get there Friday. If the humidity will stay away, maybe I can walk some of the other days. We're only in the 80s now as vs your 90s, Joanne, but the humidity has been high. Feels ok out there now but......they've also been supposed to repave our street. Supposed to be here Fri, Mon, today. So far no show and I had scheduled the furniture for Thursday so they wouldn't be here. Could have had it yesterday. They'll probably show up and dump asphalt just before the furniture truck arrives.

Two weeks from Friday is my anniversary so that time frame fits me well, Meme. I know I'm going out for a good dinner that night (at least I hope it will be good) as we'll be spending our anniversary travelling to the wedding (grrrrr). And for the next couple of days we'll be eating away from home. this is where dh's diet might help me. I'm trying not to pig out on a lot of things he can't eat. A sympathy diet, so to speak.

Sounds like others have some good plans for this week too and a LOT of good plans and trips for the next month or so. Trees are just beginning to turn here and we are confirmed "tree watchers" and do a lot of running around just looking for great color. Hope we get a lot this year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANAGRAM! Sounds like you enjoyed it. You CAN be really good for 2 weeks if you set your mind to it.

Joanne, once you get off program and allow all that other stuff, it seems impossible to get going again. WW did not work for me. I don't know what to do next! I am just maintaining what I lost. I am not so sure I won't give The Formula another try and see what happens. I can't do Atkins, as I can't stand all the protein and nothing else. I did hear on T.V. the other night, that now they think Atkins was right all along. Carbs are bad for our heart! As Atkins is a heart specialist, I don't suppose he would have started this diet to Kill off his patients. My Dr. went on it and lost a lot of weight. He told me to go on the Induction diet (14 days) for a quick start. He lost 14 pounds in that time. Still, when I am on it, I have no energy - hmm which is different how:lol

Everyone have a nice day.

Happy..The Formula ??? Explain.. I have been on and off WW for 3 yrs. I have not lost anymore, I guess I think because it worked so well to lose nearly 60 lbs,I think it will keep working. It hasn't. Also when I went back to the meetings and tried to get additional help ,it was a waste of my time. Lifetimers don't have to pay and so I guess that I got it in my head that they want only the paying people to get the help.Maybe I should not think this way but it was made very obvious to me and some others there at the time. Dr. Adkins made me sick. I need some carbs or I feel like I have low blood sugar. Dizzy..Also I think with high cholesterol lots of protien is not good either. I need to lose about 10 lbs and have not had any luck. I was real heavy for about 30 yrs. and I have a fear of getting back to that again. It is real easy for me to do that.
Let's hear what the rest of you guys think.. I am looking for good ideas. I need the help and motivation now...Maybe we all do..
Anagram - We might get a break from the heat.. Looks like we might have a hurricane coming our way. I am one of those crazy people who doesn't mind the rain. I am not crazy for the wind though. I hope you have a nice trip..
Mima- I hope you feel better soon. Pain of any kind is not good.
Bye...Joanne