Hi Everyone,

Wanda, I'm sorry that I missed your birthday. I had a list of everyone's birthday, but I don't know where I put it. Senior moments, you know. Anyway I hope that you had a wonderful birthday.

I've been really busy lately, too. The first few months of the year, there is so much going on with TOPS. Open house, garage sale (which was very successful), awards day, and now we are hosting our area workshop this Sat., and I am teaching one of the classes. And our SRD is in April. We have several new members also and some are transfering from other chapters. In May, we have a fashion show scheduled, then it should slow down until fall. My sister is having a 40th Wedding Anniversary party the first week in April, so I'm planning a fast trip to VA. for the party.

Penny, thanks so much for the PM's. I have been staying on plan until yesterday and today. Tomorrow, it will have to be back to phase I for a few days. My weight is coming off much slower than yours. I have been dieting for a long time and I just don't lose fast anymore.
Isn't it exciting when your little ones take those first steps. Babies are so sweet. Enjoy every moment with them.

Sherri...I hope your are doing well. It won't be long until you will be holding your little guy in your arms. There is so much for you to look forward to.

Has anyone heard how Wendy is doing?

Gotta go. Hope everyone has a good evening.

Nita

Hi, I hope you all had a good week end. It was cool and dreary until this afternoon and the sun came out and it was nice. I didn't get anything done that I planned!

Penny, the retreat is in Lake Charles, LA in Sept. Our area captain and a lady from my chapter and I plan to attend. Have you ever been to a retreat?

I am on week three of 'sorta' South Beach. I have been watching bad carbs and trying for good carbs. I have been doing pretty good. According to my scales I am 3 pounds from my goal of 7 under. If I can get another pound off this week, before Thursday, I will have to do 2 pound next week and will be at 7 under by SRD which was my goal. I have really been committed. Don't know what clicked, but it is working and I have stayed dedicated. I think maybe it is because most of our 14 KOPS have their 7 under pins. Usually, charms don't mean much to me but this one is important to me!

Enjoy those first steps and all the 'baby' stuff...they grow up much too fast.

Nita, thanks for the B'day wishes. It is hard to lose a lot, fast, when we have been dieting a long time. I have the same problem. But somehow, this time it is coming off pretty fast. I have been doing the carb thing, and it seems to work for me. Not Atkins, but South Beach. But not completely like SB. I have just really been watching for bad carbs and avoiding them. I eat salad twice a day, not eating many starchy veg. and have been eating fish...really avoing red meat. I do eat chicken. Stay away from processed foods. I don't eat lunch meats at all, too much sodium. If I have oatmeal, which I like, I use unprocessed. And I eat egg substitute instead of regular eggs about half the time. I use olive oil and vinegar with different herbs for dressing. Or Balsamic Vinegar. And I have found a product that is new to our area, Carb Options. They have an Italian dressing that is good, and their b-b-que sauce is really good. They use Splenda instead of sugar. Sorry, I didn't mean to get on my soap box.

Sounds like you have a very active TOPS chapter. I think thay helps to keep members motivated. My chapter is very active, too. We have 14 going to SRD. We have really been busy getting ready for that. We are getting pictures made this week for the dress alike contest. We have several who are getting awards and we have 7 that will be in the KOL parade. anywhere from less than a year to 16 years. We had our ARD (Funday) last month. Our chapter didn't host it, we did that last spring. We will have our awards banquet and installation of officers on Thursday. I have not been doing much on that this year.

Eleni, how are you doing? Staying busy???

Sherri, are you doing okay? It won't be long now!!! Take care of youself...and that baby!!!

Must go...talk to you all later!!!

Wanda

Wanda, Stay on your . We all need to be reminded of how to eat and what works for someone staying under their goal.

Having 14 KOPS in your chapter is great. How many members do you have altogether? We have 51 members, but only 10 are KOPS. The rest of us keep trying. We have 20 members going to SRD this year. One will be in the KOPS graduation. I do enjoy going to SRD for a couple of days with friends.

I gotta go. I'm meeting a friend at 7 AM for our daily 2 mile walk.

Nita