Morning girls, just starting the thread....

How is everyone today? I'm actually feeling pretty good, probably because my boss isn't here at work yet!! I got up a little later than I had hoped this morning, but did 30 mins of an advanced Tae Bo tape, and I can feel it! I'd love to bump my morning workouts closer to 45 mins to an hour, but I haven't been able to get my butt out of bed before 6, so we'll see.

Rina, congrats on losing 2 lbs!! I remember the days when I was consistently losing about that much, and it really adds up. The bro situation sounds tough. I would have kicked him out long ago, but with the Mom situation I can understand why that's not an option. Maybe your hubby can help intervene? There's no reason for him to treat you like that, regardless of his heartbreak. Most of us have been there without alienating everyone. Ok, I'll stop being preachy.

I went to the store last night and bought more lean cuisines and a fresh broccoli stir fry mix with carrots and snow peas, so I have no excuse for not eating healthy this week.

Come out and play!

Good Morning-
I just walked around the block with my friend. I think it was two miles. It's so much easier exercising with someone else, it makes it go so much quicker. I have not been staying OP at all lately. I'm not sure why. I have been having my period, all I can think about is food lately. Hopefully the exercise will offset it. I worked the last three days and it was sunny and beautiful everyday. Now I have the next two days off and it is rainy and crappy. Hopefully I'll get some housework done. I'm just feeling so crappy lately, I don't know what is wrong. I'm going tanning this afternoon, maybe the artificial sun will help. BBL

Well girls, Thursday night I leave with my niece for Winnipeg. That means - grama's. Now, I wouldn't worry if that meant going to Grama Smiths. But my Dad's mom - she feeds and feeds and force feeds and guilts if you don't eat something. She is 95 years old and I want to make her happy. But that means I have to eat what she wants....and I can EASILY gain 6 lbs in 4 days there. Have before, will again, if I don't strategize. Problem is, there isnt' any way of exersizing when you are at her place. I figure, I'll go for a run every morning at Gram S's house (where Jules and I are sleeping). So that will count for something! Then I'll eat something of everything she pushes at me, but only small portions (ie: 3 perogies instead of the 12 she'd liek to see me eat).

The irony of going there, is that a) we get our fat genes from taht side of the family and b) they criticize us being overweight (especially the psycho aunt) but then force feed us.

Any words of wisdom???

Also, they are **** bent on me getting married. That pisses me off. Its all about marriage. They don't like that I live with b/f, but have suggested I get PG and they'll help me raise/pay for the baby b/c I might miss my window of fertility (I am 27!!!). Anyway, I am prepared for question after question....it'll be horrid.

On a brighter note, I love both my Grams and I love going back when there are no mosquitos and not 7 feet of snow!! Plus, Julie and I will have fun together. A special "auntie and niece" trip. She is 4 years old. I am lookign foward to the quality time with her.

Anyway, I ahve been stressing out about the 2 topics that will come up immediately "you need to lose more weight" and "why aren't you married".

SIGH!!

I will come back adn post proper, but I have a meeting in 15 min I have to prep for. I miss you guys!!

Love B

PS - sig is still the same b/c I have maintained the past two weeks. Not really happy about that. But I have been eating at the high end and all my activity points so I'll have to start cracking down a bit more this week (hopefully I can) and going forward!! I like being accountable to you guys...

Belle: Could you nicely explain to your grandmother that you're trying to lose weight and that although her food is wonderful, you're really trying to be careful? Or you could just use the ole stomach bug excuse. And at 95, how good is her eyesight? There's also the napkin in the lap trick.

Rina: Don't knock two pounds! That's wonderful!

Robin: Anything I could say to convince you not to go tanning? I just think it's so bad for you. And I read an article recently that said despite tanning bed claims that their method of tanning isn't harmful, it really is. What about trying some of self-tanners? Then you're protecting your skin.

Hi Lexxy!

I am feeling like crap. I've had a headache since Sunday afternoon. At first I thought it started after my fourth margarita (it was a Cinco de Mayo party!), but it hasn't gone away despite ibuprofen, allegery medicine, hot compresses, hot baths and lots of chamomile tea. I'm starting to think that I should go see a doctor, because I've been getting headaches a lot during the past few months. It's probably just stress-related, but sometimes the pain scares me. I have a friend who had a brain tumor removed last year and I'm having hypochodriac tendencies ...

Robin, I think most of us have been there with the no motivation/down in the dumps thing. I think if you check back a few weeks ago, I was saying the same things you are now. Then all of a sudden the motivation came back. I can't really explain why, but maybe some positive self-talk might help. I usually don't buy into that stuff, but sometimes there doesn't seem like anything else!

Belle, your situation sounds like mine when I go home - non-stop eating. Except mine is by choice. Maybe you can squeeze in extra exercise by playing with your neice, maybe taking her on walks, playing tag, going to the park (I've seen exercise routines using playground equipment! When I used to do bootcamp we definitely utilized bleacher steps for butt and thigh exercises and tricep dips). As far as the eating...good thinking with the small portions, maybe beg off being full, say you aren't feeling too well if it gets too bad! Try to watch how your neice eats - usually kids that young only eat till they're full and that's it. She probably won't let your grandma force feed her! Is it at all possible to just say straight out that you are trying to be more aware of what you eat? I know sometimes it's not even worth the fight with that one. I can't really help you with the mariage question - I think my parents are already convinced I won't be married (and I'm 25), so they don't even question it. Not like I have a BF or anything....Although last time I was home I got an akward talk from my dad that he doesn't want me to end up alone...that was fun.

And maintaining is better than gaining!

Kim, we were posting at the same time - definitely go see a doctor! Headaches are the one kind of pain I just cannot stand!

Well I guess when I disappear this long you kind of guessed what happened. Yes I had my baby. We had another little girl. Her name is Katherine Grace and we call her Kate. She was born last Tuesday VERY late at 11:15 pm, weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. I had a long labor that wasn't progressing, thus not very painful, until they gave me some pitocin to get it going because the chance of infection was increasing. Then bam, she came fast. And I did it for the second time without any pain drugs. WOW.

She is gorgeous. I will post some pics once I get hubby to get them off the digi camera.

She is a little jaundice and we had to get her blood tested yesterday and today. I am waiting to hear from the doctor to see if there is a problem with that. Otherwise she is great. Emma is adjusting better than we thought. She throws temper tantrums at bed time, but hasn't thrown one because of Kate yet.

Just wanted to let you know and I will check in when I get the time!!!

Jen - Congrats! I can't wait to see pictures!!!!!

OK, no time to type. Maybe I'll stop in later.

Jen: Congratulations!!! Yay!!! I can't wait to see photos.

CONGRATULATIONS JEN!! That's a beautiful name, and she sounds like she is the perfect size!

I'm feeling like my pants fit better today, which puts me in a good mood Otherwise, nothing much changes... Did good on my walk last night & eating, can't wait until my Thursday off!

Lexxy -- Of my family, I'm the oldest cousin, and even though i'm only 23, my family has decided that they want a wedding and apparently I'm next (never mind that I have two unmarried uncles that they have pretty much given up on! and i don't have even a boyfriend right now) and my little sister makes comments about how she wants to be an aunt (she's only 9, so she's excused!). Luckily, it's just teasing, but I haven't even been NEAR marriage ever, so it drives me up a wall!

Kim -- I hope you feel better - I agree, go see a doctor if it doesn't get better soon, a headache shouldn't last three days!

Belle -- enjoy your weekend, and just try not to go too overboard! Part of why I'm doing so well this week is because I didn't go home this weekend and eat at my parent's house I think. I have very little willpower there, especially for Sunday breakdfast.

Robin -- I hope you feel better soon, and I agree, walking with another person makes the time fly by! If no one walks with me, I make do with headphones & people-watching.

Back to work, have a great day everyone!

CONGRATS JEN!! Kate and Emma, what great sister names!! Can't wait to see the pics.
Lexxy - you are totally motivating me too, I'm definately getting some Tae Bo tapes. What a great way to start the day.
Robin - House work can be a GREAT way to excercise. Just put on some music and do the Banana boogie!
Belle - It's so nice to "see" you again! I wish you luck dealing with the Grandma. I never know what to say so I usually agree with them and do whatever I want anyway. You and Julie will have soo much fun!
AARGG. Getting crazy. I'll post properly later,
KT

Jen, congratulations!!!

I hope you are recovering well and little Kate is happy and healthy!!

Congratulations to you and your family Jen!