WELCOME!!!!

We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We recently started a Topic of the Day.

Monday........Motivation Monday
Tuesday.......Tuesday Tips
Wednesday.....Wednesday Weigh ins
Thursday......Thankful Thursday
Friday........Friday Facials, Fingernails and Fun
Saturday.......Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Sunday.........Soup and Salad Sunday - recipes

These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We have found them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears...joys and celebrations.

Please feel free to jump right in with us.
And be sure to check if there is a second page. We don't want anyone to miss any posts.

WELCOME!!!!

Hi everybody! Just in from the theatre. Check out the time, 1:00 AM!!! Yikes! This 'showgirl' stuff is exhausting! Need sleep!

Saw Maid in Manhattan yesterday and Two Weeks Notice today. Both were real cute!

Honey and I went to Don Pablos for Mexican tonight. Just the two of us (and it wasn't even a 'job' ) It was nice to have a 'date night'.

Sorry I don't get to chat, but it sounds like some of us have trouble getting there anyway. Hope the rest of you had fun.

Gotta get sleep. See ya later.

I finally am company free. It is so peaceful...well, until two of my nephews get here to watch the Vikings game!! But they are closer to me and we all get along.

So, is everyone still celebrating or recuperating?

Welcome, Tracy. You will us!!!!!

Thin, I envy you your jobs...they seem so fun. I expect to see some of those pictures you took!!!!! That same "guy" is talking in my head too. I really need more discipline....is there a class somewhere on that?

Are we chatting on Wednesday nights too?

Later, off to get ready for the game.

Good afternoon everyone!

Andrew and I just got back from grocery shopping! We got lots and lots of good and healthy foods. One store had the hummus on sale buy one get one free plus I had coupons for it too! I love hummus! It makes such a low point sandwich on lite bread! Its good with bean sprouts on it too! I also got those Lean Cuisene big portion dinners for .99....yup! Miss coupon Queen here! They were having a half price sale so they were $1.99 and I had 3 $1 off coupons....I save them for sales like that!! Otherwise I wouldn't buy them!

Lucky I am recuperating still! I am still sick with a cold and now I have a kink in my neck and shoulder! I am just getting OLD!

Yeah Thin...I'm still waiting to here how to get a job like yours!! Come on...let us in on the action!!

My sister and brother-in-law drove here from Rhode Island Saturday morning to babysit for us because we had a wedding to go to in Mays Landing New Jersey. It was about 2 hours away from us. They took Andrew to McDonalds and crawled through the balls and jungle gym thingy and then they took him to the Franklin Mills Mall which is huge...over 200 stores...they really wore him out. He was asleep when we got home at 9 pm and never woke up when John carried him to his bed. He was exhausted!!

Oh...I don't think I welcomed Tracy to our group. We didn't scare you away yet did we? This is a great group of ladies! I'm sure you have found that out for yourself already!

Ok now hear me!!!! "2003" IS THE YEAR FOR ME!! I am going to get back on program on January 2nd with no excuses or nothing! I am disgusted with myself...my clothes are NOT comfortable anymore and I can't stand this rear end following me around! So...when I start whining kick me in the arse please!!

Now I really gotta run...Andrew is WAAAAAAAAAAYY too quiet!

TTFN Michelle

Yeah...what SHE said...

Yeah, what she said....(Kat, when you see a good idea I just have to jump in with you)

I'm just getting you guys warned in advance and ready to start KICKING MY HINEY!!!!

Michelle & Kat , you are going to need some L O N G legs to kick me but I know you two can do it.

Hey chickies, I'm with you guys on finally kicking these excess pounds to the curb in 2003. And Jan 2 couldn't be more perfect. That's my birthday. Hope everyone had a nice holiday. Welcome Tracey. I look forward to getting to know you. Can't wait til Sara gets back to see how her family reacted and see how much more she's lost. Well gotta go for now.
Steph

Hi everyone, I am new to this site, and have been checking out different groups. I hope to find one, and think I have, I seen the welcome posted by 2cute, so I hope I can join in this journey also. I am currently at 249, and I am looking to lose atleast 75lbs, that will be my first goal. I am tired of wearing a size 24!!!
Well hope to get to know you all
*hugs*
Cindy

I thought I would quick tell you a little bit about me
I am a 31 yr old mother of 2 girls, soon to be 32, next month to be exact. I am separated from my husband, since Aug 2000, and I have come to terms with that. Now that I have gained back all the weight I did lose, I am ready to make this the year I get MY BUTT IN GEAR!!!
I think you women are an inspiration, and I am glad that I have found you.
Cindy

Good Evening My Little Chicklets!

Did ya miss me?! Hope everyone had awesome Christmases!

Well, I had a pretty good Christmas in Montreal with my and my hubby's parents. Got lots of awesome presents... stylish leather boots that come up to just under the knee and matching purse from hubby and TONS of other stuff from our families. Some of my favorites are a homemade corner stand/shelf that matches our kitchen set from my father and a new blender for making fruit/yogurt shakes.

Steph: Thanks for wondering! My family and in-laws were FULL of congratulations on my 111 pounds lost BUT my MIL passed around my picture from our Christmas card to her so all my sister-in-laws already knew what to expect! Grrr... ruined my surprise! That's okay... my SIL saw the picture and decided to buy me a sweater for Christmas; she guessed my size perfectly from it!

Hmm... I think I've pretty well maintained my weight over the week spent at relatives' houses. NO SMALL FEAT! I was more tempted this past week than I have EVER been since beginning dieting! The houses were FULL of sweets (chocolate, cheesecake, pies, squares, cookies, etc...) which were sitting out ALL the time! Normally, I keep any tempting foods away from me but I couldn't do that this past week! I must have felt the same way that a recovering alcoholic would feel at a keg party. I was SOOOO conscious of where all the sweets were... they were calling to me! I felt my mood worsening when treats were laid out before me until... there I sat, with a clear frown on my face. When asked what was wrong, I told my family outright "THOSE SWEETS ARE MAKING ME MISERABLE!" They TRIED to not tempt me too much but were definitely not willing to give up sweets on my behalf! That said, I DID NOT CHEAT OVER CHRISTMAS!... I ate ONE tiny Hershey kiss when I was so WILD with temptation that I couldn't see straight and then I set about cleaning the kitchen madly!

ANYWAYS... those tempting moments were numerous but passed quickly and only served to strengthen my resolve! My goal had always been to MAINTAIN for the week I was away at Christmas and I think I've done it (but we'll see for sure on WI Wednesday!)

What else? I bought a bunch of new clothes at outlet stores in Montreal for $100. Shopping is SO inexpensive now... I can honestly buy triple the clothes for the same amount of money that I could when I was 270 pounds!

I haven't had the chance to read any of the old threads, save this one, but let me just take a moment to welcome the couple of newbies that have posted! WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME... you've found the right group of ladies for motivation and support!

Hmmm... gotta go but would like to post a recipe for a bean salad that is SO good and SO healthy... I'll be back in a bit!

Sara
270/159/150

Okay. My Mom makes this AMAZING salad and the other day I got to thinkin'-- "If I made just a couple of changes, I could eat LOTS of it!" So here it is....

1 can (14 oz) of kidney beans
1 can (14 oz) of green beans
1 can (14 oz) of yellow beans

Drain thoroughly and mix together.

Add:
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion

Sauce: (Mix separately and then mix into the above combination. Chill several hours and drain before serving)
3/4 cup sugar substitute (I used Splenda)
1/2 cup vinegar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt

AND... that's it ladies! It's REALLY yummy if you like bean salads!

TTFN
Sara

You guys definetly did not scare me off. I am getting really excited about my new way of life. I am soooo tired of not living. There are so many things that I want to do. If you dont mind, I am gonna list a few...

1. Take my sons to an amusement park and ride every ride...TWICE!!

2. Bungee jump

3. Have space on both sides while sitting in a chair.

4. Ride a bicycle without worrying about the tires blowing out.

5. Not having to check the weight capacity on EVERYTHING.

6. Rollerblading

7. Wear a bathing suit without shorts.

8. Jump on the tramploine with my kids.

9. Take a piggyback ride on hubby's back

10. Shop in "no-man's land"

11. Play on jungle gyms at the park

12. Wear a clip on bellybutton ring

There are so many more but I think I will give myself to you in small doses so as not to drive you insane We can all do this!!! We deserve it!!

Hugs,
Tracy

Happy Monday morning all
First let me welcome our new member Cindy you will love it here

Now welcome back Tracy



I'm with you guys. I have got to get my end in gear
Tomorrow is my sons I made him a applesauce spice cake yesterday. It is so good.

I have a man coming tomorrow if it doesn't to replace 3 windows and both doors and storm doors. That is what I'm buying out of my grandmothers estate.

We didn't see the first movie over the holidays we stayed home all weekend it was boring.

Better run grab a shower and dress for work catch all of you later.