Just starting the topic - will be back once it's created

Not much to report this week since I didn't make it to my meeting this week. A couple of reasons - we had a lot to do to get the house ready for our friends on Sunday and I was so very crampy, I just wanted to stay in bed a little later. I will go next Saturday and I have been OP since yesterday ( I strayed a little on Sat) so right now the sneak peek is good. I plan on keeping it that way. My biggest challenge is that we are going to the Yankee game on Friday night (and yes, I weigh in the next morning) and we usually make Italian subs - we are still planning on doing that but I decided that I am going to a) have a bunch of points saved and b) use the salami very sparingly since it's so salty. I'm going to have mostly turkey breast with a little bit of Sicilian salami to add some "punch".

I hope every one had a good weekend. Work is crazy so I've got to go.

Judy
163.5/ 157.8/135 (last week's numbers)

Hi everyone.

Judy - We're living on parallel universes again. I too am having a crazy day today and I too was crampy on Saturday. Your plan for the Yankee game sounds good. Just guzzle as much water as you can and I'm sure you'll be fine at weigh-in.

Well, I'm right back where I started since my scale said I'm a couple of pounds up. However, TOM plus some salty food = a lot of retained water, so who knows. I've had a good day so far, including a walk to the train station this morning. Now to keep it up the rest of the week. I know that I'll get another walk in tomorrow morning since I have an early conference call. Now I just have to find the time and energy to get to the grocery store (I'm running on a couple of hours sleep) so I'm well stocked for lunches. I must break this yo-yo cycle.

Have a good day.


Carla
260/260/140

Hi guys! Long time no see . Unfortunately, I have fallen off the wagon, and haven't counted pts or journaled for the last week. The only good news is that for some of the week, I actually employed good "lifestyle change" techniques in certain situations (choosing salads, getting vegis and dip at the ice cream stand instead of ice cream, etc...). The problem is I went from that to pretty much eating whatever. Blowing off my meeting last week was not a good idea. (blowing off the gym was probably a worse idea) I've now had 2 wks pretty much off program, and my sneak peak looks like I can count on a gain. I'm making it to the meeting to face the music tonight, and I'm all over that journal today !

As I'm also late for work, I better get going !

Cece and Judy - sounds like your off to a good start, so keep it up! Holly

Hi everyone -

Holly - It's good to hear from you again. Sorry to hear you had a couple of bad weeks - sounds like we were in the same cycle. Good for you for going to your meeting tonight. I know I was going to stay off the scale on Monday but then told myself I had to be accountable for my actions.

I had a good day yesterday. A little over points, but nothing too much. My goal this week is to journal everything and get all my water in and so far, so good. I ended up not walking to the train station this morning. It was raining and my knee and ankle hurt. I could have dealt with one or the other along, but walking in the rain with a bum leg - forgtet about it.

Have a great day everyone.

Carla

Carla - sorry to hear that you are having craziness at work too. Sorry to hear about the scale results but I'm sure next week will show that it is TOM and salty food for most if not all of it. I know that I'm back to post-TOM on my sneak peeks - amazing that it happens every month and it still throws me off when I see those numbers. Good for you for concentrating on journalling and getting the water in. I know that journalling often can keep me in line when the little devil inside my head is saying something else!

Holly - sorry to hear that you've had a rough time the last couple of weeks but good for you for going back to your meeting. The only way we won't succeed is if we give up and we're not going to!

I had another crazy day at work yesterday that ended with a visit to the dentist to try to re-visit a crown on a tooth that hasn't been "right" since I got it (I'll probably need a root canal at some point - oh goody!). I managed to get in a little leg floorwork (strength) and abs since Tony was a little on the late side. I ended up the day a point under my max so OP wise I'm doing well. Tony had to get up very early for a 7:30 meeting in Jersey so I took the opportunity to try getting up at 5:30 and doing a little workout. I have meetings from 2 - 6 tonight so no way I'll be able to do anything when I get home. I think I'm going to have to try to exercise in the mornings on the days I go into the office - at least for this month - things are too crazy for me to be consistent otherwise. I did not want to get up this morning at 5:30 I pulled the covers over my face for 5 minutes but ended up getting out of bed at 5:35 and I did a short yoga tape (AM Yoga) just to try to get in the swing of the early morning exercising again.

Better get going - have a great Water Logged Wednesday!
Judy

Hi Judy - Getting out of bed early in the morning is a b*tch, ain't it. I've been up ultra early the last couple of days, to get some stuff done around the house, unfortunately, so today I allowed myself to "sleep in" until 6:00. It was yummy. Sounds like your schedule is hectic. Knowing you and exercise, if getting up early is your only way to get it in, you'll be up early.

I was doing ok yesterday, but oops - fast food hamburgers for dinner. John and I were both so tired and it seemed so easy. On the bright side, since we were done with dinner pretty quickly, I took the opportunity to go to the store to stock up on breakfast stuff (including instant oatmeal to keep here at work for those rushed mornings - keeps me away from the doughnuts), lunch stuff (Chinese food is just too tempting if I have to go out and about to retrieve lunch) and snack stuff. I kept reading about how delicious the Slim Fast Energy bars in Peanut Butter Crunch are - just like Butterfingers they (including Rosie O'Donnell) say. Well - they're right! 3 points of pure bliss. So there's a box of those tucked away in my desk drawer too. Now I just need to replenish my popcorn supply and I've got the sweets and salties covered! And Judy, you'll be so proud.... on the way out the door this morning I grabbed the Collage Video catalog that came yesterday and spent the train ride looking it over. It's right by my phone so I don't forget to order the 2 exercise videos I want, plus the Elmosize video for Ana and the three audio tapes of music to walk to (by the original artists, thank you very much) that I most likely will use to bike to or dance to.

Whew - that was a long post! I guess I found some motivation again!

Jennifa, Jan, Pat - come out to play!

Have a great day everyone.

Carla

Well, I hope you are all doing well.

I have pretty much gone off program. There are too many things stressing me out right now and trying to lose weight is backlashing with bingeing. I am still attempting to keep control but it seems that there's only so many areas of my life that can be in control right now, and food isn't one of them.



For instance, the freak-out food frenzies are still going on. Yesterday I had 4 candybars right in a row. If I don't have them, it gets worse when I go home. I don't know how to stop this except maybe reduce my stress (ya THINK???) and get regular exercise. Anything like drinking water, reading program, etc. makes me laugh while I'm eating whatever is in sight. I know this isn't helping me get thinner but a part of me doesn't care and is quite cynical about it.

I do have one triumph - I LOVE to ride my bike! Everyone should have exercise that is that much fun. And I have noticed that my legs are getting firmer, especially in those odd places where you think there aren't any muscles, just fat! YES I wear a helmet and my mirror is on order. Safety first!

BTW June 12 is BIKE TO WORK day. So don't drive, ride your bike instead! I have found that it takes less time for me to ride my bike to one of my jobs than it does for me to drive. Amazing, but true. And you get to see everybody's lawns and gardens on display, stuff you normally would miss.

So I hope you are all doing well on your programs. I'm not but I AM getting at least 5 fruits and veggies per day. That alone is amazing.

Jennifa
209/ /170

Jennifa - I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with so much stress right now. I can certainly understand how trying to deal with staying OP is just adding to it. And I too have had a cynical part of me that just doesn't care.

It sounds, though, like some of the program is sticking with you regardless. It's great that your getting your fruits and veggies in. And riding your bike is great. So there are some positives in there. Keep those up. And keep drinking that water - it will do you good even if you're eating everything in sight. Do whatever else you can - eat lower fat versions of food, etc. - that doesn't require a lot of thought or concerted effort. With all that bike riding, you could very likely maintain or have at least a minimal gain. I'm sending you {{{{{hugs}}}} and good thoughts. Hang in there and let us know how you're doing.

As for bike to work day - a noble goal, but I would either get hit and killed on the expressway or take 4 hours to get into work. But, not to worry, I'm off on the 12th!

Carla

Howdy group :-) Well, I'm glad that I bit the bullet and went to a meeting. The results were better than I expected -- a .2 gain over the 2 weeks (basically a maintain). The meeting helped me get a little focus and determination back. Today I forced myself to the gym and have stayed within pts! Although it doesn't feel much like summer here :-P, I don't want to give up when I know I can be looking and feeling even better before the warm weather is gone. I have to keep reminding myself that I *want* to do this, I *can* do this, and I am *choosing* these healthy changes.

Cece -- good for you taking the time to stock up on foods that help you stay OP -- what a big difference that makes. I'll have to try those bars you mentioned...mmmm

Judy -- Good for you getting in that early AM workout. That is a future goal of mine. With Josh starting Kindergarten (maybe) this fall, I won't be able to go to the gym any longer. My only hope is video workouts in the AM.

Jennifa - I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. However, don't forget to celebrate all the things you are doing right! Maybe it would help if you approached the program as something you are doing for you (pampering yourself, if you will). I really think that attitude is soooo important in this process. The more we approach it as something we *have* to do -- something negative -- the harder it is to stay on the journey. You could try some guided imagery (sp?) -- picturing yourself making the right choices and feeling great about how you look and feel. Don't lose sight of that picture of yourself at goal!

Keep at it group...we can do this! Holly

Holly - Congrats on that maintain. See - even when off program, you're doing more things right than wrong. It's a good sign that some of our healthy eating efforts are now habits. Maybe the two of us will be joining Judy as exercise video queens! : I vaguely recall that you were going to get Charlene Pricketts Start Your Engines. If you did get it, how do you like it? I ordered it yesterday.

I told Ana this morning that I had ordered her an Elmo exercise tape and that we would watch it and would be hopping and jumping and stretching and bending... Bless her heart, she got an ear-to-ear grin on her face and was so excited. She even told John about it. I really pray that I can instill in her better habits than I developed as a child when it comes to activity and food. I did so/so yesterday - didn't really eat dinner, just kind of grazed. I didn't grab anything to bring for lunch today, so I have to come up with a plan. I'm fortunate in that there are several point friendly options available to me - now I just have to decide what I want.

Have a great day, everyone.

Carla

Hi guys - just a quick post from work to say hi! Stayed within pts last night -- even with a *lot* of parenting stress (Josh has been going through a phase where I have to deal with a tantrum almost daily :-Z ) So far so good today, but I have to watch my snacks -- I've had a couple and it isn't even lunch time! (low pts, though).

Cece -- It is 11:30 and I am your conscience (sp?) telling you to pick a healthy, low pt lunch!

Talk to you guys tonight :-) Holly

Carla – way to go on getting those good food choices in the house and at work! Did you count the fast food hamburgers? If you did, (and even if you do didn’t) they are old news. Yes, Yes, Yes the Collage catalogue – where would my video collection be without it (and videofitness!) Hang in there kiddo – we have to get out of these parallel universes sometime (for me, I think it will be June!) Oh, and you already ARE instilling better habits for Ana – too cute about her reaction. I can’t wait to hear how you two like it.

Jennifa – I’m so sorry you’re having a hard and stressful time. Carla is right though – there are some program things still sticking like the exrercise, and fruits and veggies. Yes, I have my cynical times too and it’s so hard when you are stressed out. Keep up with whatever you can deal with and you’ll still be in better shape than you were before. Here are some more {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} – remember, you’re not alone – we’ve ALL been there! Ditto what Carla said about the bike – but I am consistent with exercise and always try to take the stairs, etc.

Holly – congrats on the maintain and good for you for going back to your meeting. I am going this Saturday morning no matter what! I hope you gave yourself a big pat on the back for getting back to the gym too. Yup, getting up early and getting something in on the days I go into the office is about the only way I’ll stay consistent this month. I used to do it regularly and I remember that the first 2 weeks or so were sooooo hard but afterwards I felt sluggish if I didn’t.

I’ve been having a pretty easy time staying OP this week – I don’t know why – work has been crazy busy and pretty stressful. I think having dinner a little later most nights has helped. The Yankee game tomorrow will be a challenge but I’m the one making the sandwiches and plan on weighing everything and eating low point during the day. I ate a few saved activity points last night (got home pretty late after a very long day) but I did an intense (though short) step tape at lunch and hope to get in a bit of yoga later so I should have at least 8 points going into tomorrow. Of course, I have to be careful tonight – Tony wasn’t sure if this business dinner was on and if it is I’ll have to watch it – I can graze too much when he’s not home for dinner. Oh, and I almost forgot - we decided to go to A.C. on Saturday coming back Sunday. I'm looking forward to just getting away for a day but I'll have to watch it on Saturday night - we have reservations at their Italian restaurant

Have a great one!
Judy

Hi everybody. Sorry I've been missing so long, but things have been really hectic. I haven't even been on the internet for several weeks. Hopefully things will get better by next week.

Darrell's surgery went well, but he wasn't able to go back to work as soon as he thought. His supervisor started giving him trouble about what kind of light duty he could do, so his doctor gave him a release for four weeks. He goes back Monday. That's one of the reasons I haven't been here - he has been home every evening.

We survived both graduations although Sara's was extremely crowded. They usually have it in the school stadium, but rain forced it into the gym. I'm proud to say that she graduated in the top 5% of her class of almost 500. She has had a change of plans and will be moving into the dorm this fall. A friend that is going to the same school asked her to share a room.

Work has become a major source of stress for me. My boss has been sick and is thinking of retiring. That will leave me job hunting for the first time in 22 years. I've been trying to keep everything going since he rarely comes in the office.

Anyway with everything going on I haven't been following program. I was up a pound this week, but did have a huge graduation party Sunday so I'm hoping it was just the temporary gain after an unusual eating day. I have been getting in my walks and WILL get back to following program. I know I feel much better when I'm on program.

Hope to get back more next week.
Pat

Hi everyone.

Holly - Oops - I should have read your post before lunch. Then I wouldn't have had Chinese food for lunch. Oh well - ancient history now.

Judy - Isn't it wonderful when we have one of those weeks when staying OP is almost effortless? Hope you have fun at the game and enjoy those sandwiches. I'll let you know how Ana likes the tape. Have fun in A.C.

Pat - Good to "see" you again. I'm sorry to hear that life is stressful for you too. You must be so proud of Sara. Is she excited about starting college. I think it's great that she's moving into a dorm - it will make it easier for her to meet people. That's too bad about your boss and about your job situation. Could your other boss use you a couple of more days? I'm sure everything will turn out well for you.

No big plans for me this weekend. Today is our 16th anniversary, but John is sick with a cold and sore throat so I doubt we'll even go out to eat. We were going to hire a babysitter for tomorrow but he thought he'd have to go into work to install a new mainframe. Turns out he doesn't, but we found out too late to really make plans. So we'll spend the day as a family tomorrow, doing something fun.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Carla