God Bless America!

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.

WELCOME!

Hi Everyone! Just heading to bed and thought I'd check in for a minute.

Tammy: Welcome to our little corner. It won't take long at all and you'll feel right at home here.

CD: There are quite a few of us here that prefer to keep our real names off the Internet. We have done a Christmas Card exchange for the last two years though and whoever wants to participate can. That way if you'd like to make yourself known offline, you can. * My heart goes out to you with Florida's nasty humidity. I really don't get how people live in the mugginess all year round. But I suppose with air conditioning it's not all bad. Just when the air goes out, you're sunk. * Great job getting the fridge working and hauling in the healthy food.

Michelle: Sounds like your move plans are moving right along. I can't believe you're doing school this semester AND trying to work, run a family AND move all at the same time. You are definitely a gluton for punishment.

Christine: I was so sorry to hear about your aide's family and the auto accident. I hope the nephew and his girlfriend will make a full recovery. I don't know why people can't get it through their heads that drinking and getting behind the wheel are not a good combination. [[[hugs]]] CONGRATS on the 3 pounds! Good going!

Terri: You bet a good number on the scale really helps. And the funeral was the father of my ex-cousin in law. We all really like Fran and now that her and my cousin are divorced, the rest of the family hasn't divorced her.

Skittles: Good for you tackling one thing at a time. That's the way to make serious changes without driving yourself crazy. Try one thing this week and one next and one the following and before long, you'll be a new person.

Lucky: I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Cancer is such an awful disease. It seems like we all know someone with it or has been lost to it. Doesn't make it any easier. [[[hugs]]]

Katrina: "There’s only one way you can really fail, and that is if you quit. When you begin pursuing something you really want, you must make a contract with yourself that you won’t be denied and you'll never quit. You will stubbornly persist until you get what you want, no matter what happens and no matter how long it takes. This attitude will infuse you with energy and motivation that you’d never experience if you began the endeavor with an “I’ll try it and see if it works out” attitude." I LOVE IT!!! So true, so true.

Barbg: Glad you're getting out and going to the health club. How have you been feeling lately?

Lisa: One more day!!!! What does the new job entail???

BarbPA: No rain here, but Honey is in Texas and he said there were wicked cool storms down there!

2cute: I emailed Susie about having lunch this coming Monday. I haven't heard anything from her in awhile. If I don't hear back soon, I'll call her tomorrow. * I'm so glad you mentioned Tuna fish. I really like Tuna, but I can't remember the last time I opened a can.

Well, I think that caught me up. If I missed you, it was a mistake and I'm sorry.

#1 Son decided NOT to buy a new car. He was very attracted to the 0% financing for 6 years and when he spotted the sticker on the car he wanted on Sunday it was a $32,000 car advertised for $22,000. Well just like anything else, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. GM is offering 3 different rebates: $4,000 $1,000 and $1,000. Well with the 0% you only get $1,000 off. If you finance at 1.9% you get $1,000 + $1,000. To get the whole $6,000 discount you have to finance through GMAC at 7.9%. Well, no good deal there. So he thought about it and was disappointed that he had taken his eye off the prize momentarily because his REAL goal is to buy a house in the next year and if he puts all of this money into car payments, the house would have to be put off once again. Soooo, he made a very mature decision and cancelled his new car.

I have been off of candy bars, fast food, and ice cream since a week ago Monday. I splurged today and went to Dairy Queen. I don't know why I couldn't talk myself out of it today, I have been for the past week. Oh well, I came home and had a Healthy Choice for dinner with some grapes to make up for it.

Honey comes back from Mexico tomorrow. WooHoo! I really hate when he's gone.

I will be a "showgirl" this weekend. So far I have trailers for Shark Tales and Ladder 49. I really want to see both of them, but Ladder 49 will be on the top of my list.

I've been really busy both last week and this week with eBay stuff. I made trips to the Post Office 4 days last week. YIKES! I decided to work smarter this week and whoever was paid by Monday would get mailed Tuesday and then I would mail again on Friday and that's IT!!!

2cute mentioning Tuna has really made me put my thinking cap on and I hope it will you too. How many things did we used to do when we were being successful at weightloss that have sort of just blown out the window. Can you think of any? I can. When I'm successful, I always have one of my 3 favorite treats, all measured out in one cup portions, prepared and in the fridge ready to grab. They are Pumpkin Mousse, Pistachio Fluff and Orange Dreamsicle. I had forgotten all about them. Soooo, that being said, on my agenda for tomorrow, I will make up a batch of one of them so I am prepared. I challenge you each to find even just one thing that you used to do, when the weight was really coming off, and DO IT AGAIN! And post it, so we can ALL DO IT!!! BTW, if you want the recipes for MY favorite "get me through the day treats", they are on the recipe thread, Post #6.

Well, girls, that is all the news that's fit to print. I'll talk to you later. Love ya bunches.

Good morning ladies!

I'm not sure if I've achieved my goal of 2 pounds gone or not. The scale is up .4 but TOM is looming in the horizon and I was up higher than that just a couple of days ago. I really hate the TOM weight gain because its hard to tell if you're being successful or not. I do know that I have been doing the right things. I have been very consistent with my toning exercise and I have been getting in more cardio. I won't feel discouraged.

Post your losses today!

Thin - Throwing down a challenge! Allowing yourself a treat every now and then is not a big deal. Its when it become a daily event or a several times a day event that it becomes a problem. But you adjusted your next meal so COOL!

I like your challenge. I've gone back to journalling and counting points. That is what I was doing when I was most successful and most consistent. Others include planning my food and having the appropriate foods at home and at work. Those are the things that keep me on track.

I need to write out a couple of checks so I better get off here. Have a great day!

Hello Ladies,

Well what am I thankful for today, I am thankful that I made the 2lb goal. I lost 2.5 lbs, woo hoo. I am also thankful that I have been able to drink just water everyday this week. I am slowly making changes but I am thankful that I am realizing what I am doing and focusing on the changes that I need to make.

I stayed home sick yesterday, but I still only drank water. So I am glad on that. I want to go work out but I may have pulled something in my stomach, so I am waiting for a call from the doctor to ease my worries. I am so scared that I ripped the mesh that is in there that I am afraid to do anything. But it has been two months since the surgery, if something was going to rip it would have done it long before now. Now it is just scar tissue losening up, right. Gosh I hope so. I think I am just paranoid.

CD, I have family in florida, and I told them they should all move. But my sister said they are more prepared now that they invested in a generator and are use to it. I think the heat has gotten to them

Michelle, I really love to move, it is so much fun. I love getting a new place and deciding what to do with it. I just can't wait until we buy a house. i hope everything works out for you.

Chris, sorry to hear about your aides family. Prayers and coming there way.

Lucky, sorry to hear about your friend having cancer, Prayers and coming her way as well.

Kat, that quote is so true, I am going to post it at work.

2cute, MMMMM Tuna, thanks, I think I will have tuna for lunch today. I haven't had fish in a while, I think that will be my next goal, to eat more fish.

Thin, when I have time I am going to go check out your recipes. Probably this weekend. I am going to find something yummy to make.

Lisa, good luck with the job. oh and
Happy Be-lated Birthday!
to your hubby.

Well ladies, that's it for me off to work.

take care,
Skittles

Good morning ladies! It's cloudy and cool here today - typical fall day and I'm sick. It's been runnign through the house for the past week and now it's mine and dh's turn. Always happens after school starts. You have no idea the amount of green noses that I've wiped this week between my son and the daycare kids - YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thin - I start my new job on October 8th, and today should be my last day of regular daycare kids. I'm keeping one family on part time. They've always been a Mon & Thurs. Their son is Isaac's age and they're good buds, so it'll be good for them to continue having the time to play.

I'm going back into the insurance business. Previously I worked for State Farm and now I'll be an agent at an independent agency. I'm pretty excited. They don't focus on the financial products that State Farm is getting into. At my last job I was the "Marketing Specialist" for the agency and I got really burned out on mailing letter, making calls etc. With this job I'll be servicing all lines of insurance. No hard core marketing involved!

Great job on your food for this week! And your son definately made the right choice in not getting the car. Can't wait to hear the movie reviews. We're thinking of taking Isaac to see Shark Tale, so let me know if it'll be appropriate for a little one. If we do go it will be his first movie since Red Dragon (of course he was a little munchkin and nursed and slept through most of it)

Terri - Even if you haven't acheived your goal of two pounds this time, you will next time, right?! And you're so right about TOM weight gain - it sucks!

Skittles - Thanks for the bday wish for hubby . . . Way to go on the 2.5lbs gone! Woo hoo for you!!!!! Sending prayers your way for your tummy - hoping all is well . . .

As far as this whole cancer thing, I found out yesterday that my aunt has bladder cancer. We don't know how bad it is yet, they have to do more tests. I talked to my mom about it last night and she said that there's a lot of things they can do now for that. Hopefully she'll still live a long prosperous life. They sure don't need anymore crap this year! My poor Gramma was so disgusted with everything when she called (her health has been bad, but she's gotten much better since Grampa died). But, that's the way it goes. You roll with the punches and do the best you can with the hand your dealt.

Anyway, I better go get some work done . . . talk to you soon!

Howdy, ladies! I'm here to tell you
I'm down 3.1 pound this morning! I took the weight that I was on September 17th, I think that's when the challenge started. Now, mind you, I have been higher than that since then, but I didn't count my "highest" of the past two weeks, I counted from the beginning of the challenge.

I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!

Terri: Mother Nature was thrown into MY mix this past week too. I think that's where the interim weight gain came from. But now that she's gone, I have the nice loss to show for it. So take heart, if YOUR loss doesn't show today for the challenge, it will show by next week because you've been a "good girl" for so long. * Thanks for your "forgotten" behaviors. I too need to get back to counting points and journalling. The first summer on WW when I was so successful, that's exactly what I did. Even since then, I've counted from time to time, but have never really gotten back to journalling. Well, baby steps. I'm in the middle of giving up a couple of bad habits right now. Maybe next week I can add something else to my list of good behaviors.

Skittles: CONGRATS on your 2.5!!! GOOD JOB! * As for my recipes, you'll find I don't do anything that is more than opening a few ingredients and putting them together. I'm into simple, simple, simple!!!

Lisa: I'm such a stup! Now that you said again about the insurance biz, I remember I had read that before. Guess my "1 more day" was a little premature. Oops. Hope you and DH feel better real soon! [[[hugs]]]

Well girls, on to my day. I have a grocery store to do today and I think I'll stop at the fruit market on the way. I only have one more apple and that will be gone for breakfast this morning.

Catch ya all later. Love ya bunches.

I lost 2.2 pounds on the 2 week challenge!!!


Congratulations to all the losers!

Gotta work.....sorry not time for replies!

2 for me too!!!!

I was shocked when I got on the scale today. BUT happy.

BarbPA: We will have to work out some time to get together.

WooHoo! Looks like everyone is doing well on the challenge!

Ok, whose keeping track of the totals for this one? Terri? Can you tell I'm finally excited???

I think it's 7.3 so far.

See ya later.

Congratulations all of You! Your great work inspires me to try harder even though I still don't have a scale (and seem to be even poorer )

Its been so hard with the lack of electricity but I've found so many things lately that remind me how much I want this. I'm reminded everyday I go to work or go out in public how much I want and need this change. I don't want to walk by people and believe that when they see me they cringe inside and think all of these horrible things about me. I get so surprised and happy just when a guy says hi to me or talks to me (a stranger/cute guy - you know the deal) and it happens a lot.. but as I see them walking up to me I just think "damn I wish I could say hi to them and get to know them.. " and usually I just smile but keep walking - most the time They say hello or talk to me.

I know that my main fear isn't what others think of me - its what I think of myself.. I Think that other people will be grossed out, I think that other people won't like me or whatever because of my weight - but now I'm realizing that *I* don't like myself because of my weight. It kills me that I can barely walk, it kills me that I can barely fit into chairs.. it kills me that I can't do so many things.

I'm sorry for the rant - but sometimes it is so easy to forget why you're doing this - I often associate it with health but I think that only prevents me from working even harder .. when I realize that I'm losing weight for the ability to enjoy all aspects of my life not just my health - I hope it will give me more courage and motivation.

Good luck girls, I'm so proud of each and everyone one of you - whether you've made the goal of this week or not. Just remember that you are *here* and this is the *first* step. I realized that it's already been a bit over a month since I joined, and makes me want to try harder - it makes me ask myself what have I accomplished since I've been here? A lot, but not nearly as much as possible. But this is the starting point, it is the motivation - the admittance to a problem and the agreeing to do something about it. Just don't forget it.

I'm thankful for the chance to be resilient and to pick myself back up after a hard time. And man, am I ever thankful for when I *do* have air conditioning and electric.
I'm also thankful for all those handsome heart throbs I see at work/college/public - who *DO* say hello to me, who do smile at me, and who do approach me - despite how I percieve myself. I'm changing now because I want to be able to approach myself and my body in the same way.

Love you girls!

Hi ladies!

Yep, I'm keeping tabs. So far - a total of 12.75 LOST. Even better - approximately 42 pounds gone since 8/18.

Isn't that great? I think this is the most focused this group has been in a long, long time.

Anyone else have a lost to add to the total?

Shall we continue with the challenges? From 10/1 - 10/15? No resting on our successes!

In my quest to either maime myself or figure out just how old I am, I tried my Firm Cardio Sculpt tape I got off Ebay. What the was I thinking? I did about 15 minutes then flopped on the couch. Oh, but what a sweat I had worked up. I'll keep working on it and maybe by spring I'll be able to do it all. I do sometimes long for the day when I can be content with doing pilates as my exercise and a stroll with the dog - and not have to be thinking how I need more cardio, more intensive work, sweat my butt off.

A special to Thin! You've done great on this challenge and I'm so proud of you for bouncing back off your funk.

I thought about my post this morning - my comments about the things I have done when most successful. Those things are so hard to do. So why are they so easy to give up and rebel against when we know they make us successful? It makes me wonder how successful I really want to be sometimes.

Its just me and the dog tonight as DH is off on a school trip. Yeah! I better go feed the dog.

I'll try to get back later for more replies.

CD - Can you go to the local Y, college gym, college health office to find a scale to use? My doc told me to come by and weigh and their office for free if I wanted. Just a thought!

Later!

Hi ladies.

WOW !!! Congratulations ladies !!!
I am soooo proud of all of you.
I was going to post a long one now since my dh was golfing... but he just called and will be home in 5 minutes and he is STARVING !!
So.. I will be back. But I will give you a hint.....

I DID IT TOO!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone,
You all did so goooood. I don't think I did, at least I cant find my weight file...I may have lost it on purpose. I've been a good child lately, that' s all i know for sure. My work is getting to me. I will focus over the weekend.
So keep up the good work, and when I get my brain back I'll write again.
Bye for now,
Debra