Good morning everyone. This thread is for lifers, lurkers, and all others who are at or near or under goal and looking for ways to stay motivated. All are welcome!

I'm happy to report that I ran outside three times last week and am looking forward to really getting back into the swing of things this week. It's been tough - my lungs aren't accustomed to the cool air or to any kind of hill. When I used the treadmill over the winter I conveniently avoided using any kind of grade, and I'm feeling the effects of that decision now. My calves are so sore this morning

My eating is slowly improving too, although there's lots of room for improvement. I am at least using my journal faithfully (not just on the days when I stay within points). This week, I concentrate on getting enough water in.

We start the bathroom renovation today. Spent the weekend moving our bedroom to the basement along with what felt like tons of clothing and other things. DH also started some of the electrical work to cut down on costs, so the mess has officially begun.

That's all for now. Will check in later when I have more time.

Good morning

Seasaw: Good for you in getting back on track! It's a good feeling.

Last week I did well with my walking and journaling for the most part. I slacked off on the journal over the weekend. I need to keep concentrating on getting my exercise in and to be better with my journal. Only a little over a week until I leave for my trip. The weather here was gorgeous both Saturday and Sunday so I was outside quite a bit. Yesterday my DS (9) and I went for a long walk. I had to take it a little slower than usual but it was nice to talk with him while we were walking.

Happy Monday everyone!

Hi seesaw and melissa and everyone else out there.

Boy, what a weekend. I must of spent 6 hours a day getting the garden whacked back into shape from the winter. We still have lots to do, but now it doesn't seem so daunting. We also scoped out good hiding places for the easter basset to hide his eggs for Sunday.

I weighed in for the first time since Feb. 20 on Saturday. I am up 2 lbs, but that is way better than I thought it would be. I has given me inspiration to get down 8 before june 10, my cousin's wedding. I also bought the 12 week journal and hope that will help me track things. REC thought it helped her. I also met with my
personal trainer yesterday and started back on a routine that incorporates weights in with the cardio.

So, I'm happy to start a new week (really) no matter how crazy it will be.

seesaw good luck with the renovations! We still have to paint the living room/dining room, but that can wait. We did buy a new dishwasher this weekend, yikes, so many choices.

melissa: refresh my memory, where are you going? I hope its warm .

see you guys,

lala

Happy Tuesday everyone. Three days to go for an extra-long weekend. My sister and I will be visiting our parents and several of our siblings who still live in our home town - a five-hour drive from here. I am looking forward to the visit but not the travel - came down with a cold yesterday and am feeling somewhat miserable.

Thanks lalala for the good wishes re the renovations. The house is in chaos and will likely remain that way for the better part of the next month, so I've decided just to relax, tune out, and ignore everything until I can start putting it back together again. The payoff will be (a) a brand new, bigger bathroom (b) slightly larger master bedroom (3) hardwood floors in the rest of the upstairs and (4) a third skylight over the stairs which lead to the basement, hopefully flooding that area with some badly-needed natural light. In the meantime, the sledgehammers hit the walls today I, on the other hand, will have to hit a bank to pay for it all

With all of the travel you've done over the past while, you must be really pleased lala with the minimum gain. I am tackling the 5 lbs that have recently appeared around my middle (trouble spot) and am making some progress. I just keep telling myself this is a lifelong process and small setbacks will occur from time to time; it's dealing with them immediately that will make me successful in the long run.

Melissa: you must be getting excited about your trip. It's Florida, isn't it? I hope you have a great time. Is the whole family going?

Good morning everyone

lala and seasaw I'm heading to Florida next Wednesday...no kids, no DH. I'm going to visit my best friend (we've been friends since 8th grade) and will have a week of visiting. She has a 10-month old daughter that I haven't seen and I'm anxious to get to see her. We're planning an overnight trip up around Orlando and we're going to hit several tea rooms for afternoon tea. I can't wait!

Seasaw: Good luck with the renovations! I know when we replaced a back room on our house it was a mess but in the end it's all worth it. Try and keep your sanity throughout the renovations

It's a short week here at work--we're off Thurs-Mon and then I come back to work for just one day then I'm off. I'm really trying to watch what I'm eating because I want to create a little cushion for my trip. Today I feel bloated and puffy (TOM)...ugh! Oh well, tomorow is my meeting and hopefully by then I'll be feeling a little more like myself.

Have a good day!

Man is it quiet here or what? Where is everybody? AustinGal, TonyaLynn, ktmarie where are you?

Melissa: Your Florida holiday sounds wonderful. Time with a lifelong friend is always special, and even though family is best, it's not a bad thing to get away on your own once in a while - makes you appreciate them more. Have a great time!

Well, it's official. The whole west end of my home is in shambles - walls are coming down, carpeting has disappeared, and the insulation and vapour shields are showing. I had no idea there was so much stuff behind the walls -fascinating! I will be away until Monday, including today (business trip), so there should be noticeable progress by the time I get back. Kind of exciting, but kinda scarey too.

I had a bad day yesterday food-wise - I'm coming down with a cold and I guess I must have been looking (in all the wrong places) for comfort. Guess I could have just asked for a hug instead of cozying up to all kinds of high-calorie foods. Oh well, that's behind me, I feel sufficiently guilty and will try to do better today. One day at a time.

Have a good Easter weekend everyone. Talk to you next week

Morning all!!

Hey, Seasaw - thanks for wondering about my whereabouts. I was out of town Sunday thru Tuesday in Las Vegas for a work conference. Didn't get home until midnight on Tuesday, so I am a little bleary-eyed this morning. Only have to work today & tomorrow and then I'm off on Fridays!!

Ate too much in Vegas and the scale definitely shows it - up another 2 pounds, so I need to be a MINIMUM of 5 pounds less (6-7 lb would be better). So tough to lose it, yet I can pile it on in a matter of a few weeks!! UGH....
Back on track now that I'm back in town.

Melissa - your trip sounds great - nice to have a getaway from DH & the kids!

Seasaw - how fun to get a "new" bathroom!

lalala - only a 2 lb gain? Way to go....

Scarlett54 - KarenSue are you out there lurking around? Have you in my thoughts and wondering how you are doing??

Later,
Katie

Hi All-

sounds like everyone is super busy around here.

melissa: your trip sounds like lots of fun. I love visiting old friends and catching up, you two seem to have a special bond, so that is even better....

seesaw: ahh, the destruction--have you made any midnight forays to
home depot looking for the little things that you forgot, then you know you are
in the thick of things.... Sorry about the cold. Hope you feel better soon.

ktmarie: viva las vegas! I have only been there to change planes, but think
it would be fun to see. This time of year I suppose the weather is delightful.

I am wrangling with all sorts of work stuff. I was asked to go on a research cruise and then it was taken away from me. I am not happy and not sure how to approach the project manager about it. It would have been nice to spend a short (11 day) cruise doing fun science and getting the equivalent time in vacation. oh well, I guess now I can take that fun programming class I have been putting off .

My body is aching from my new more efficient gym routine. I am hoping to see a
7 lb loss over the next 8 weeks. Like viv, I'm looking for ways to cut the carbs and eat more protein. I may have to find a substitution for my luna bar addiction, but if it means a loss, I'll take it.

Other than that, I'm just waiting for the easter basset to appear!

lala