WELCOME to all who choose to stop here. We are a fun group providing support, encouragement and motivation. We hope you will sit a spell, grab a bottle of water and chat awhile. We would love to get to know you.

Good Morning Everyone,

Well it's another 90+ smog advisory day here. All I can say is thank god for central air!

Did aqua-fit last night the water was wonderful and the focus on our arms was a killer, but it feels good just the same. WI tonight I hope will bring good news, but I wonder about the high humidity, I think we all tend to retain water during these heat waves. I feel thinner so that is all I worry about.

Chatty: have a wonderful vacation, we will miss you while your gone. Remember to drink the water while your away, and if you try to make good choices you will be fine, I bet you are even more active than normal while your gone and that will be helpful too. Have fun!

Nita: We are glad you joined the group too. You have your first week nearly behind you and sounds like your making all the great changes to help you be as successful as the rest of us. Enjoy the recipes and remember to try and make your meals different so you don't get bored along the way. I agree the cold water is easier to drink but before you know it you will wonder how you ever survived without drinking lots of water every day. Keep up the good work!

Ellie: Yes, watching the labels is important, I've done the same thing before with breads. The labels sometimes list the nutriental value different and I have looked at the wrong number to calculate points. Don't worry about it and I bet you won't make that mistake again. Your doing great, keep it up!

Melissa: I proud of you for ignoring the cookies, there are days when that is the hardest thing to do. WAY TO GO! That's a great idea for the bake off, and I bet everyone just loves your treat.

Maggie: Way to hang in there girl. This humidity I'm sure played a role in the water retention. You will do just fine this week and those water pounds will be gone before you know it. Have a great Maggie's Program Day!

Geri: Sorry to hear about your back, take it easy girlie. The concert was good but it was way too hot and I was way too tired to really enjoy it. Too bad you had to miss the Shippy trip. Next time.

Bunny: Welcome aboard. It's always great to see new faces.

Well, time to go. Hope everyone has the best OP day they can. I'll post later tonight or tomorrow with my WI results.

Till than,
Brenda
430/336/170 in 2002

Hi everyone! I hope you guys don't mind, but I seem to be the one that keeps starting the new threads. You all are welcome to do it.

I'm feeling a little better today. Well, not really, but I don't have time to be laid up so I have to get up and out.

Food was great yesterday. I was under by like 10 points! But I am making up for it today as it's so hot and I was out and passing a Steak 'n Shake and their vanilla shakes are to die for. I did get just the kiddie portion so I behaved relatively well.

Maggie: Sorry about the 4#. did you get into too much sodium?? Between that and the humidity, that could be it. That was definitely my problem this week because I was within my points.

Ellie: Where abouts in Florida are you??? My folks had a place in Sun City on the gulf side. * That difference between skim and whole milk really adds up. Watching labels has become a full time job!!

Nita: Hey, whatever works to get all the water in has got to be good.

Chatty: Where's vacation to?? I'm sure you've said, but I don't remember. * I guess I didn't miss anything weatherwise by not going to Indiana.

Brenda: Hope you don't mind that I brought you over here. Didn't want anyone to miss you on the second page. Your water workouts sound like alot of fun.

Going to run. It's almost time for dinner. You all be good.

"Have patience with all things, but mostly with yourself." - St. Francis DeSales

I can't seem to keep track of who is who yet. Y'all who do it so well are just amazing!

Still haven't made it to a WW meeting (the ones in my area just happen when I can't be there) but hubby and I are about to head out for our evening walk. We live in the foothills of the mountains so our walk is always challenging for me -- up a steep hill (one of those four-wheel drive only kinds) around a couple bends, and then back down again. We go a little further each time. Tonight we're bringing water with us 'cause we've about reached the limit of how far we can walk without it. Tomorrow morning we walk quite a bit -- we're full-time online sellers of vintage stuff so we hit a flea market in the next state on Wednesday mornings. Its giant (several acres) and we have to walk it two or three times in its entirety most weeks.

I've fallen for the steak tacos at Taco Bell in a big way; I think its the lime sauce. We've also begun buying grapes whenever we hit the flea market and use those as snacks while we're there. Some mornings the markets will have fresh fruit cups (cantaloupe, watermelon, honey dew) -- that's always nice. I also pack along a banana and a Slim Fast 3 pt bar 'cause they're useful for chocolate cravings.

Thinthinker - the Steak 'n' Shake shakes are definitely to die for! Yum!! That's what banked points are for, right?

Good Tuesday night ladies, it's hot, humid and miserable here at 10:30 p.m.! They say that a cool front is on the way, but I'll believe it when I feel the cool breezes and not a minute before. Borrowed the dog again tonight and took a walk. No matter what the weather is like, he's always happy to walk with me. How could I tell him that I didn't feel like going for a walk tonight? With the heat, I'm doing great with the H2O. Food is not so great, especially with regard to the ice cream. I seem to have a real taste for it lately. I am keeping a handle on it by never buying the big sizes; only one individual treat at a time and not every day. Still, I wish that I could skip those treats sometimes. I'm trying to rethink my whole plan because I can really tell that I'm doing it in fits and starts and not getting very far. For me, it is really a "mental problem" Maybe I should stop thinking and just do it? I'm really tired of thinking about it! Okay, enough of that. Hope that you all have a good OP day tomorrow. Cindy

Happy Wednesday everyone!

WI report - lost 3.2 that I gained last week YIPPEE!
My points were within range finally and my carb
points were way down this week.


Life is WONDERFUL!

I didn't stay for my meeting last night, I got a couple free tickets to see Trisha Yearwood in concert so I just weighed in and took off for the concert. It was good, a bit late but we did leave just before the end so that we could miss the traffic jam.

Cindy: I'm with you, I'll believe it when I see it. This humidity is a killer. The only thing I can say is that I have been getting all my water in.... then some.

Maggie: You are so smart to keep looking back at the big picture, there is always something good to find and it makes the weeks we don't do so well seem less significant. Keep up the good work and just make sure you get in all your water.

Bunny: Way to go on the walking, that will pay off big time as the days and weeks pass. Good snacks choices too. Beware of the Taco Bell fast food habit, it might sneak up on you if your not careful.

Geri: Thanks for bringing me over, you do such a good job of starting the thread and you always find such nice graphics, I just never take the time. I'm glad your felling better and way to bank those points. You GO GIRL!

I hope you all have a great day making all the right choices and drinking that water. Take care everyone!

Good morning everyone! My food has been great so far today. It's only 9:10 AM and I just got up so how else could it be??? I finished yesterday a little over but nothing I can't build into today. I was going to make a pot of Taco Soup today, but I remembered I have a head of cabbage in the fridge that maybe I should make a pot of Cabbage Soup instead. Besides that freezes well and then I'll have some left over for when I need a 'soup day'. Remember when that used to work so well for me??? I need to get back into some of those good habits!

I slept a good portion of the night in the recliner with a pillow wedged under my low back. That seems to put enough pressure on the disk to keep it in place. Laying flat in the bed just doesn't do it for me. I still had today scheduled as empty because of my trip so by babying the back one more day, I should really be good to go tomorrow.

I have to call a couple of K-Marts and schedule some jobs for next week. They are more labor intensive than some of the stuff I do, so I really want to make sure the back is in good shape by then.

I have the July Recognition Reception at my dad's nursing home tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it. I've got nothing but really positive comments about the one last month. We even had the family of one of the residents who passed away last month request that in lew of flowers for the memorial that people contribute to the Family Council so the money would go directly to the caregivers. Not the nursing home, but to the Family Council. That was soooo nice and a real testiment to them thinking we are doing a nice job.

Bunny: Good job going for those long walks. It's nice that you have hubby to do that with you. Mine is a real couch potato, but so am I at this point. I just can't seem to get on the exercise wagon. I figure in another 50 pounds I'll be able to move better.

Maggie: Good for you looking at the whole picture of your weightloss. You have done real well overall and it's good to go back and take stock of what it all looks like. * I don't care much for anything 'coffee' flavored. But the Steak 'n Shake shakes are so thick you have to eat them with a spoon. YUM!!!

Cindy: I've been waiting for that cool front to move in too. I'm hoping that by today the weather will change for the better. I have an ice cream fettish in this weather too. Have you tried to find a place that has frozen yogurt? We have TCBY here and then there's a great little independent place that has frozen yogurt, ice cream and frozen custard. I want to tell you the frozen custard is to die for, but I'm usually very good and get the frozen yogurt instead. I bet at this point you can't go to visit your parents without taking poochie for a walk. That should keep you going if the puppy is jumping all over you raring to go every time you walk through the door. If you ever want to visit with them and not walk the dog you'll have to have them over to your place.

Brenda: Good job with the weightloss!!! I knew you wouldn't be long taking it off. Where do you go for your concerts? Do you come over to my side of the river??? Trisha Yearwood would have been a great show. I can't believe you left before a second oncore!!!

Well girls, another day, another dollar, as they say. I won't be making any money today until I go to a focus group tonight across town. I just talked to mom and we're going to splurge today and go Chineese for lunch. Guess I really will be making that Cabbage Soup for dinner!

You all take care and have a GREAT day!!!!

"If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement." - Hsun-tzu

Good Wednesday afternoon ladies!

I just went to my weekly WI and got an 11 lbs gain. I don't feel bad though because every one in the group had a significant gain this week - after having significant losses for the past several weeks. This is an at-work program therefore the scale "travels". Our team leader thinks there's something wrong with the scale (I whole heartedly concur) and will look into having it re-calibrated or replaced.

In the meantime (and to ensure good results next week), I will be following the Wendie Plan this week! Starting with my first low-point day today.

As I sit here typing this message, I am enjoying a bowl of taco soup (2 cups = 2 pts). Love those recipes ladies!!!

Also, tonight is one of my nights for Aqua-fitness. I'm so excited. It always feel wonderful!

I just know I'm going to have a great week. It can only get better right?!?!?!

Cindy - I've also found I've been doing my plan in fits and starts lately. Which is why I think I haven't been feeling very good about myself and why I wasn't surprised by what the scale told me today. That's why I'm doing the Wendie Plan this week. Look it up. It's great! Maybe we can do it together and keep each other honest?!?!

Brenda - Congrats on your success at the scale. Keep up the good work! By the way, where are you getting all these concert tickets? Aren't they extraordinarily expensive?!?!?

Geri - Take care of your back! I know how painful it can be. And enjoy your lunch out with your Mom. Don't you just LOVE Chinese food? I could eat stir-fry and rice every day! I dont' know if I could handle cabbage soup though!

Maggie - what can I say. You are such an inspiration. Your positive attitude and outlook is unsurpassed. Keep it up my friend!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful OP day, keeping cool, feeling good, eating lots of fruit and veggies and drinking lots of water!

Take care!

Hi hi!

Whew what a tough few days its been. We're pretty much moved into the house; got the computer set up on boxes right now!! Couldn't wait to get hooked back up. I've been working very hard physically every day so I've been burning calories galore. Plus been walking the dog twice a day. The old bod is beginning to rebel so I'm going to start slacking up a bit. The really bad part was all the work to be done with 100+ heat index. We have finally cooled off a bit but wow it was so hot and miserable. I haven't paid any attention to food other than eat whatever was put in front of me when hungry. Its good to be in our house. I'll be glad when the other duplex is finally finished and the keys returned to the landlord.

The dog and I are having a few power struggles. For some reason he thinks its necessary to leap and bite at me. It seems that he starts out playing but gets mad when I try to make him stop and that in turn makes him do it all the more. He did it to mom but no one else. Wrestling him to the ground isn't working. Today I got a big water bottle and sprayed him in the face when he started to jump me. The one time when he hit me in the chest from the deck kind of hurt. It wasn't so bad when he was 30 lbs but now that he's about 60 its a real concern. DH gets mad at me like I want him to do it. But finally got him convinced that the dog and I have to work this out and that I intend to win. If this fails we're going to private obedience school. But other times he comes up and is very docile and love sit when I rub and scratch his head. He's been good exercise.

I need to get caught up on replies. DH is having a frustrated fit so I better go.

Take care!

HI EVERYONE HAVE HAD A PRETTY GOOD WEEK SO FAR BUT MY BODY DON'T FEEL LIKE IT'S DONE A THING!!!

GERI: I LIVE ON THE EAST COAST ON "THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BEACH" LOL. WEST COAST IS VERY NICE.. BEEN OVER THAT WAY A FEW TIMES TO TAMPA.

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GOOD WEEK. IT'S HARD AT TIMES BUT WORTH IT. MIGHT TRY THAT WENDIES PLAN NEXT WEEK IF I AM NOT SATISFIED AT THE SCALE SAT. MORNING.. JUST TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH DAY I WANT AS MY HIGHEST DAY.

WILL CHECK IN AGAIN TOMORROW. THIS IS A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE AND I LOVE READING EVERYONES REPLYS AND ALSO THE ENCOURAGEMENT WE ALL GET FROM EACH OTHER. WE WILL MAKE IT!!!! BYE TILL TOMORROW ELLIE

I am one HAPPY CAMPER. Weighed in yesterday and was down 3 lls. This brings me to 297, only 5 lbs from the 1st 10%. This week I stayed in the middle of my point range each day and stayed O.P. all week! This week I'm going to try to get out and walk more. The pointer and I are going to begin training towards an advanced tracking title so we'll be trudging thru fields & woods. Luckily the class is made up of a group of old friends so I know when they laugh at the fat lady trying to follow the skinny hunting dog over a fence that it's good laughter (unlike the cruel kind). They can laugh all they want at me because they all know they'll be on the receiving end soon enough <BG>. Fresh air and good friends ... couldn't ask for more.

BRENDA: Hope your back is healing. Don't push it too soon. You don't want to relapse. My God, you've lost almost 100 lbs.!!!! Congrats ...Good For you!

MAGGIE: We started at the same weight. I agree it sure does help to see the loss in print. It makes it seem more real. When did you start?

CINDY: Have you tried planning your food for the day, in writing, the night before? I've found this helps me alot. Plan in that ice cream, or frozen yogurt then you'll stay within you point range for the day. Also if I know I'm going to have a treat I can convince myself to wait until I've planned to eat it rather than having 1 now and another later. Good Luck This Week.

DIANE: It's got to be a case of "Bad Scale Disease". Sure wish we had Aqua-Fit here.

DETERMINED: O.T.: Teach the dog to sit for a reward and use the "sit" every single time you anticipate the dog jumping up. (Carry dog bisquits in your pockets at all times for a while <G>). If he starts to bite while playing, turn your back and walk away, quietly ending the play session. (Even if you have to leave the room and shut the door.) If you yell and try to wrestle him down he may think it's part ofthe game. When the monster settles down go back and ask him to do something, sit or down for example, to earn his treat. Then calmly reward him and go about your business.

Enough dog training .... Tomorrow is the start of the Weekend. Time to plan ahead for the challenges it will bring.

Hi everyone! I have to be gone by 6:15 in the morning so this will be short and sweet. Yeah, right!!!

Food has been horrible for the past few days. Yikes!!! I have not gotten my water in, I haven't done fruits and veggies, I've eaten crazy, I haven't journalled. Need I go on???

My back is finally back to almost normal and just in time. I did my July Recognition Reception at the nursing home today. Tomorrow I start a string of new merchandising jobs. I have to reset Hanes Her Way Shapewear at Super K's. That's why I'm leaving so early tomorrow. YUCK!!!

Terri: Sounds like you are so happy to be settled. Ok, not settled, but in your own house. Sounds like your puppy needs a lesson in who's boss!

Diane: I can't believe that 11 pounds is for real!!! Sounds like the scale shouldn't be traveling!!! Yes, I love Chineese. But I like Sweet and Sour Chicken with fried rice and the egg roll. YIKES! Lots of points!!!

Ellie: I like the east coast too. I have some friends that winter in Cocoa Beach. My mom and dad's place was about an hour south of Tampa.

J-ann: Congrats on the 3#'s!!! That's wonderful! You hit a big milestone this week. Keep up the good work.

I'm gonna run. Alan Jackson is on Leno tonight. Be good all.

"It isn't life that matters, it's the courage you bring to it." - Hugh Walpole

Hi Ladies, I'm sorry that I missed you for a couple of days. It's 1:00 a.m. on Friday morning, but I felt so guilty for not checking in with you sooner that I knew that I just had to write. Yesterday, Thursday was my birthday and I took the day off from work to decompress? celebrate? Went out with family for a birthday dinner. We had Japanese food which was light (sushi) and not so light (fried tempura). I ate one tempura shrimp and one vegetable and gave the rest to others to take home. Dinner was so late that we didn't have time to eat a dessert (which was very helpful). Weather here has cooled considerably and I am just loving this break from all of the heat and humidity. Hope that this great weather will hold for the weekend. Tomorrow is another day off from work, but, unfortunately, it will not be a "play day" since we will be at the hospital for most of the day, getting my aunt evaluated for her dementia. Most of the family will be coming along so that no one person will have to shoulder the problem alone. I've been doing a little too much celebrating and not enough points watching on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm over the top with the points, but I've been doing a lot of walking (both and without borrowed dog) and drinking my water. There's a big party on Saturday and I'm a little nervous about it, vis-a-vie my food. Say, maybe if I start planning for it, do you think I can stay within points? I had better start planning now! Ladies, I really enjoyed reading your posts and am happy for your accomplishments and dedication to program. I am praying that some of your good works will rub off on me! Listen, you all have a great OP Friday. Here's hoping that the cool temps are headed to your town. Cindy

J-ann, congratulations on your weight loss! You are closing in on that 10% and it will be yours in no time! WTG J-ann! Thanks for your encouragement. You hit a key point -- planning. I rarely plan anymore and I know only too well that if I "fail to plan, then I plan to fail," or something to that effect. I know that I need to do it and I will try to keep your advice in mind, especially for this Saturday's party.

Terri, good to see you here again. Boy, that beast has some attitude, doesn't he? Hang in there lady. Once you can establish your dominance, you just might have a good walking/running buddy? I'm sending good dog control vibes your way!

Diane, thank you so much for your kind encouragement and suggestion of the Wendie plan. I need to read up on it again to see if it something that is feasible for me, especially in my chaotic state of mind, lately. Maybe it is just what I need? I'll let you know later, but in the meantime, you go girl!

Geri, today, I had one teaspoon of ice-cream at the restaurant; (they brought one of those little cups of ice-cream to the table for the birthday and everyone took one spoonful). I guess that beats eating one of those Snickers ice cream cones by myself!

Brenda, you are doing great, girlfriend. Keep up the good work. Glad that you got to go to the Trisha Yearwood Concert.

Hi to all of my other friends on the thread. You all keep up the good work!

Good Morning:

I hope everyone is doing well. I'm looking forward to a somewhat quiet weekend. No baseball, no concerts, maybe just some R&R. Things could certainly change overnight though.

I'm stopping on my way home from work tonight to get my hair cut and coloured. One thing that the aqua-fit is doing is washing the colour out more quickly. Oh well, small price to pay for the benefit I'm getting. Went for a long walk along the Detroit River last night with a friend, it was an absolute wonderful evening for a walk. My muscles are sore (not used to walking for 1 1/2 hours) but I feel great.

Getting ready to go to my trailer 6 hours north of Windsor next week. My hubby and I are leaving on Wednesday after work and not coming back until Tuesday. It will be great. My daughter has her Provincial Softball qualifiers next weekend so I'll run down on Saturday to watch the games and bring her back to the trailer for a couple days too. They only need to win 2 games to qualify so I'm hoping they continue to play well and we will be off to Kanada in a couple weeks for the Grands.

Well, this is my friday note and I don't have time to respond to each and everyone of you but for those of you who are doing great, keep it up. Anyone struggling out there, know your not alone but hang in there and don't give up on yourself because you are worth the effort. Anyone needing a big hug... HERE IT IS {{{{HUG}}}. For all of you, know that I think of each and everyone of you EVERYDAY! You have all become my life line to succeed. Thanks

Love ya.

If your going to snack, enjoy a wonderful salad like this one!