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 gang--

I love Terri's idea of committing as a group to lose 300 pounds in 2005. Terri, would you mind if I volunteered to be the record keeper? I need a good motivation to keep me checking in regularly.

I wonder how much we collectively lost in 2004? 22 pounds for me, since starting again on June 1.

I figured I would start the next song. I know the words to this one.

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh .....

Hey everyone

Sorry to have been AWOL for a few days. Work and life were just sapping me. I've been holding on tightly to our Christmas Challenge, and I think it has been helping me to keep afloat. I know without it I wouldn't be eating OP by this point in time. You wouldn't believe the goodies I have been passing by! Ok, maybe you would. They are probably surrounding all of you as well. Now, don't go thinking I'm some sort of saint. At physical therapy today I wanted to try this woman's recipe for gingerbread butterscotch cookies, but I did stick to half of one cookie. She gave me a really hard time and tried to insist I eat an entire one. I told her that I have a goal to lose weight throughout this holiday season, and I could only fit half of a cookie to my food plan today. She was very cool after that point.

Part of the reason I have been so tired is that my physical therapy program keeps being upped. They have me up to 56 minutes of exercise now, and several of those levels inside that time period keep being boosted. Combine that with the e-stim and massage and moving around between things, and the appointments are well over 2 hours now. With a 45 minute drive there and back again, that is a huge chunk of my day. I'm too exhausted to do anything else. Learning to walk again is worth it, though.

I've got to get off here for a bit and get dinner going. Have a great evening, everyone!

Andria

P.S. Can't resist the pull of the Christmas sing along...

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh ...
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way...

Andria, That sounds like some massive therapy... at least I guess things must be coming along well, if they're moving you so fast?

Hey everyone

I'm back again. Couldn't resist another chance to add to our song!

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright...


Angela, it is coming along well, thanks for asking. Today they got me to walk without a limp for a short bit! *I don't know exactly how much I lost for 2004 because I got serious about it in November of 2003. I'm fairly comfortable saying 45 of it was in 2004, though. I'm still shooting for a few more before the end of the year. Would be nice to have an even 50 there.

Forgot to put myself in for 4 lbs. in the last 2x2 challenge. My next WI is Wednesday, so have to go with the one from last week.

Andria

Hi all! My car is fixed and I feel like singing!

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh ...
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way...
Bells on Bob's tail ring
Making spirits bright
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh....eh!

Adiaz: Welcome to our little corner! Post often and let us get to know you.

Mary: Hi there! Happy holidays to you too!

Katrina: When do you leave? When are you back?

Terri: Glad you returned. Forgot to WI (not Wisconsin) this morning. Hope I'll remember in the morning when I get up.

Gotta run. Mammogram and x-ray on my leg tomorrow. Plus another appointment with the dermatologist to check on that spot on my leg. Then lunch with a friend and hopefully some shopping, somebody's gotta do it.

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh ...
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way...
Bells on Bob's tail ring
Making spirits bright
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh....eh
jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way


hi all, i love that Christmas carol it has to be my favorite i am hoping today is a good day i have my ww meeting so that has me up and ready to go today i' m not as blue as i was yesterday not sure what the problem was yesterday but glad it is over the other good thing about today is it is PAYDAY that always makes for a good day ( NOW DON'T IT) i did go do some Christmas shopping yesterday and only got something for my daughter and i got something for my friend who got me started on ww i feel it is really something that she could us and it is on program i got her a wonderful tea set it came with one of the chicken soup for the soul books and some tea blueberry tea never heard of it but thought oh well , and i also bought her a box of microwave popcorn 94% fat free of course HEHEEHE
i will be out all day today i hope to get in the rest of my shopping still have to get my mother something she is one of those kinds of people that is happy with what ever she gets but you have NO idea what to get her. She isn't the type that would like a gift certificate and the idea that i had to get her my father went and bought her with out me saying anything to him i guess we all think a like . I will be glad when i have all of the shopping done i keep saying that i have to start earlier and i never do .
ok and for my self for last year i lost a total of..................(drum roll)........42 pounds I had lost 23 between October 28th and December 31 of 2003
I love the idea of the group losing 300 pounds for next year so please count me in i really hope to be to goal for next Christmas that would be the best present i could give myself.
Well enough babbling i have to get my day going (hope the late bus goes better then last Thursdays ) hope to get a chance to check in again some time tonight
have a good op day all and wish me and skinny vibes

Hi all,

Just a quickie as I have got to get to the store before work. Today is the Christmas party, whoopee!

Terri, 2X3 works for me. And I think that 300 pounds is a good round number to shoot for in '05. We can do it.

MemoeMary, Don't be blue. A nice long vacation is coming your way. Do something nice for yourself. Curl up with a book, go to a movie, do something crafty, just take some Memoe time. Just make sure to smile and laugh, it will make you feel better.

Kat, I chose the winner from the beginning. In fact I chose the final two. I couldn't believe it. Normally I am so far off. I have to lose weight so I can get on this show. It is a goal of mine, the Game is on now. Also, I didn't know who TOM was either. It took Tony's response to figure it out. I thought there was some guy here that I didn't know about that I was ignoring. I felt to bad that I left him out.

Mary, Hi There!

Andria, You sound like you are doing good. Keep it up! Way to go on your weight loss this year, that is something to be proud of.

Angela, Bravo on your weight loss this year!

Well got to get to the store,

Love you all.

Skitt

Ok, I watched Survivor last night so I can come back and post again. I am so relived that certain people didn't win. And I think the winner deserved it!!!!! Not saying too much incase others haven't seen it.

For those on the Christmas Card exchange ---- I have not had time to do mine, but you will get them - I promise! They may be New Year's cards, but they'll be there. I am also hoping to get DH to take a pic of me with the dogs. You all have seen what I look like so I am hoping for something new.

Holiday life is so hectic that I have not made time in my day for exercise. Food has not been great, but I am not overdoing it either. I haven't had a huge appetite because I still have this cold that I am fighting.

This is a rather stressful week for us with the anticipation of DH's testicular biopsy on Friday. He's not saying much, but I know he is scared and so am I! This week/weekend also begins my baking marathon. I do this to myself every year! Each year I say I won't do it the next, but I do. I make boxes of assorted cookies for DH to take to his employees and I take to my friends at work.

Not much time to stay, but I wanted to say...

Susie - I know how hard this is and the stress involved. I am glad to hear that you are going to have some tests done. You just never know what could have happened since you had your son. I hope it's something that you can easily overcome. I'm right there with ya chickee!!!

I've gotta get started on my day!
Make it a great day!
xoxoxox
Barb

Hey everyone

More singing! I was laughing so hard at the cute lyric change back there. Bells on Bob's tail? Ladies! I'm shocked! Of course Bob could be that guy everyone steers clear of at the company Christmas party, and bells are a safe way to know he is coming.


Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh...

I haven't had much time to get into trouble yet today, and from the looks of things, I won't either! Keeping busy is one sure way to keep from eating through the holiday. I am feeling pretty stressed, though, so I'm going to steer clear of the fridge. Maybe I'll get a big pot of soup going in the crock pot... Hey, that's a good idea!

Adam has a company Christmas party tonight. He just informed me that we need to bake a dessert. It is a dessert party. Doh. I guess I'll go and smile a lot and keep my hands full with a diet soda or something? I heard a trick a couple of years ago about snagging a candy cane and carrying that around all evening. You already have something in your hands, so people don't try to shove off food onto you, plus the peppermint smell helps to cut food cravings. I'll let you know how it goes. Considering he works at a restaurant and these guys are pretty darn good cooks, I could be in serious trouble. I'm going to keep in mind that my WI is tomorrow morning, and this is the last chance I have to meet my 270's goal before seeing Tony. I'm really close, and this would be the lowest weight he has ever seen me at. I haven't seen the 270's in about 14 years. Wow, that was hard to type out. Harder to consider.

Well, I have a lot to do and keep being interrupted here. That is usually a good sign to get on with the day. Couple of quick replies and I'll get outta here!

Susie, Barb and Tony both said it perfectly. Adam and I didn't get pregnant for almost 5 years between our girls. There wasn't too much wrong except for my weight, a tipped uterus and a low sperm count. They also told us we were having sex too frequently The army solved our problem by sending him off for 6 months. I lost 40 lbs. during that time. We still aren't sure what worked, but we did get pregnant his first month back. I don't recommend sending your DH off for 6 months, though!

BarbPA, thinking about you and your sweetie this week and sending lots of good vibes your direction!

Skittles, have fun at that party!

MaryB, good luck on your shopping. You are so close to your goal now. It has to feel good knowing you could be there by this time next year.

Thin, good to have you back. I bet it is even better to have your car all fixed. Is it bad to say that I'm really grateful it isn't my time yet for the boob squisher? At least it isn't as bad as everyone warned me. Heaven knows I've been in for more of those than most women 20 years older than me.

I really need to get going... Don't want to! I hoped being 24 hours without a Lortab would leave me feeling more perky, but mostly, I just want to crawl back into bed. If I do, Tony's Christmas present won't be ready, and neither will a few other people's. Guess I'd better get moving!

Andria

I was happily surprised today. I knew I had gained some weight from my low and just assumed I did not lose my 2lbs in 2 weeks challenge. Well... I just went to see what I weighted 2 weeks ago... and it was 4 lbs more than I weigh today. I am one happy camper. I get my 2 BONUS for the Christmas Challenge. PUts me in the spirit to SING !!!!!!

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
Through the fields we go
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Ageoldie: Yes, both Barb & you have some of my "classic" pics, but I don't think that those are what you are looking for in a christmas card. Aren't they still posted on this site?

BarbPA: Thanks. I know that you definitely know what I am going through. Hopefully the tests will tell us something. Fingers crossed for you and your hubby.

Tony: My doctor told us to do the "baby dance" every other day. I am also charting BBT in conjunction. We see her again this month, so maybe something will change with her instructions.

2Cute: Way to Go!!!! That is terrific... I am jealous.

Andria: I weighed 317 pounds when I got pregnant with Andrew, so I don't think that the weight is as much of the problem, as my husband's age (46) and all the medications that he takes. However, I am being a good girl and trying to get below 300 again, so maybe it will help.

Thin: Fingers crossed for you too! Let's try to do lunch before I go to Florida.

Kat: Thanks for signing up for clubmom. I appreciate it.

Hello to Adiaz and Memoe!!!

I stayed OP yesterday! I did 20 minutes on the eliptical machine at Bally's too!


Today is going well too, despite the stress of my staff not doing a good job at an assignment that I gave them and now I have to review/do it all over again. DH and I are going to Bally's today after work to do weights, so hopefully, some of the stress will be released.

Susie

Join Clubmom for free. Discounts, freebies and more. Go to www.clubmom.com and type susiehallam in as the person who referred you.

Hey everyone! It has been quite some time!

Well as you all know last week was hectic because of all my exams and full days of work. Well, Friday was my final and last day before vacation and freedom and guess what!? - I get home and my computer completely dies.

So I was able to get my dad to fix it for me this weekend and I just got home earlier today. This means I can finally start keeping up with all of you lovely people and I can finally send out x-mas cards! I've had all the cards and stamps for days and days but no addys to send to! I'm sorry there won't be a picture with the cards but I can't afford the development - but guess what, I know what my christmas present is this year from my parents - and it means lots and lots of pictures so if its okay I'll just post some for everyone to see!

I've been all over the place with my eating, exercising, and water. Just no real restrictions or concentrating. I eat healthy most the time but then I had pizza the other day, stuff like that. I haven't worked out in forever sadly either Water I haven't been keeping track of but I'm pretty sure I've been drinking 64oz each day since its all I ever drink.

Well, I'm tired of letting emotions, relationships, etc get in the way of my health... so today is yet another new beginning for me I had a wonderful big breakfast at Cracker Barrel after being at the Laboratory all morning (blood/urine samples, very busy).. but I had salad for lunch and will probably have something equally healthy for dinner.

I don't have much time to catch up on everything right now (I wanna get to the cards and fixing my computer more) but I will read so I can have somewhat of a clue. I've caught on to the 300lbs bit, but whats the 2x3?

Tuesday Tip
Don't wait until you lose weight to do the things you love and want, do it now, don't wait to make yourself happy.. if you do it now you'll see the pounds melt away even faster, because you'll be having fun

Well, kids, it's been a stressful couple of weeks, and I'm here to say thank you all because, even though I haven't been posting much, your constant dedication and good cheer has been an inspiration to me to stay at least something like OP despite the stress. It's the end of semester, so I'm giving exams rather than taking them (sorry cd and others), and trying to finish up final grades, etc. But the real stress is relationship-related. I think I've mentioned before my borderline relationship (a friend used the term and it fits so well I keep using it): my "best friend" who's in the midst of divorce, as am I, and who sometimes acts like he shares the more-than-friends interest he knows I have in him. Dr. S, I'll call him for short. Well, he's angry with me and actually not speaking to me (asked me to "take a break" from him for a while, which is turning into at least two weeks). It's really been hard for me... despite the fact that we were officially Not Dating, we emailed and/or talked pretty much every day for the last, oh, three years, including pretty much all our personal stuff. So I feel like I've been broken up with, and yet I don't get the right to whine and moan that someone does when they've been broken up with. And the big thing is that it's a major act of will for me to avoid calling, emailing, or stopping by his office. Like, every twenty seconds I have the impulse to do so. This despite the fact that his current behavior really ought to suggest to me that he's not worth all this emotional energy.

Okay, so, thanks for letting me vent. The real point is: I'm not letting this lead me to a chocoholic bender, my normal way of coping with stress and sadness. And you all have a lot to do with that, so THANK YOU.

cd, Glad your computer's back to life, and even gladder that today's a new start for you.

Susie, Congrats on a great day yesterday, and another so far today!

2cute: YAY!! 4 pounds! Yippee!

Adiaz: Did I say welcome? Welcome!

Skittles: Hope you had a great party.