Okay Thinthinker... we know you are out there..... Now you get your butt in here and post or we will KICK YOURS !!!!
And if that doesn't work I will come there myself and knock some sense into you.
All of that said in the spirit of LOVE. We miss you !!!

A NuStep machine is a cross trainer that is specifically designed for people with joint issues, like my knees.

http://www.nustep.com/product/index.html

It was suggested to my by an exercise physiologist in the Cardiac Rehabilitation program here at the U of Michigan - they have about 10.

Our rec center has 2 - it's sort of like a seated elliptical.

I love it - I can work up a sweat sitting on my butt, and burn about 200 calories in .5 hr without putting any weight on my knee.

They are really expensive, but fortunately, I don't have to buy one.

I'm now down about 11% of my body weight, and I'm trying to get myself to call in and make an appointment with a surgeon about getting one or both knees replaced - but I can't quite do it yet.

Any additional questions, PM me.

Sue

Well hi everyone!

I’ve gone missing again, I know. I’m sorry. Again.

I don’t know if I’ve ever talked about this, but my dd (26) is getting married on July 1. Two weeks ago her fiancé, who has been doctoring for about 3 months with bronchitis, went to his doctor again because he still wasn’t feeling well. The doctor checked him over, and found a lump on his side. He went the next day for a CAT scan, and they found cancerous cells. Since then, he has had two biopsies, and they have diagnosed him with Hodgkins. He will be going to two different oncologists, one Thursday and one Friday. They expect that he will have a bone marrow biopsy, I believe to see how long he has had this, and how much it has spread. He is 26 years old. We think, from all we've read about symptoms, he is in Stage IV. There is an 80% chance of recovery, as it appears there is with all stages of Hodgkins, but the treatment will have to be more aggressive.

My daughter and he have decided to go ahead with the wedding. I just don’t know how I feel about this…there are other circumstances that I don’t want to bore you all with right now. They have had to cancel their honeymoon--he is not allowed to go out of the country and they were going somewhere in Mexico, I believe.

Needless to say we are all heartbroken. This is the kind of stuff you see in movies or read in books—NOT in real life.

I have done pretty well the last couple weeks…maintaining, which truly makes me happy. I’m trying to get myself back on plan this week. I’m still doing my exercising—it seems to make me feel better and stronger and more able to handle some of this stuff.

Please, if you are so inclined, pray for him and my daughter, or send us good vibes.

Welcome to all the new ladies—what a nice thing to see. I’ll try to post more often, but sometimes it’s just too difficult for me to even write emails or posts. Tomorrow we’re going to my dil’s in Canton to bake cookies all day for the wedding, and to try to make my dd put the next day’s appointment out of her head for a bit. They are both are under tremendous stress right now for 26 year old kids.

Charlotte

Charlotte, I don't think i've ever seen you on here before. I fairly new, but my thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends. It's just one day at a time.

Valerie, thanks for the info. It looks like benefits keeps popping up.

Question for anyone....How do you put the Fitday link on a profile?

Hope everyone is doing well.

Hi! *she says shyly and ashamed*

I know, I've been terribly horrible about posting and I'm really sorry.

I do get in here every day and read and I know you've all been so wonderful about asking about me. I was not absent, BTW, to get you to beg. I've been busy and then not so busy and just haven't been in the mood. I don't know what's going on with me, but that's just how it's been. Please forgive me. I will try to make a better effort.

NOW, who was it that was even going to start a fight to get me to jump in. That is NOT a good thing!

I'm on my way to do a couple of apartment jobs so I can't stay long. WELCOME to all the new folks. We're so glad to have you joining us.

THANK YOU to all my old friends who have missed me and worried about me. I love each and every one of you.

That said, I only have time to answer Cantforgetthis for the moment. I THINK the way to get fitday listed is for you to go to the top of the page and select User CP. You will get a menu on the left side of the screen. From that, select Edit Profile. A new screen will appear and if you scroll down, you'll see Diet Blog or Journal URL. If you stick the fitday link in there, I THINK it will come up where it's supposed to be. Try it and if that doesn't work, I'll research it further. I didn't want to bother the Admins if I didn't need to so this is just me playing around trying to find the answer. Since I don't have fitday, I couldn't try it out myself. Hope it works.

Well, girls, I am sorry, but that's all for me for now. Know that I love you guys even when I'm not posting. I will try harder to get here and actually write more often.

CHARLOTTE, I'm so sorry to hear about your future SIL's illness, and I'll certainly keep him in my prayers. I wanted to let you know that my dearest friend of 45 years has Hodgkins, and her older sister does as well. Her sister was diagnosed in her early 20's and my friend was barely out of her teens, if that old. Both were treated, have been in remission for years, and both were even approved to have kids. In addition to the Hodgkins, my friend lost her spleen at 16 or 17, and that has caused her more health problems than the Hodgkins, although of course she'll be monitored for the rest of her life to be sure she stays in remission. I'm sure that medical science has made even more progress in the last 25 years since my friends were diagnosed, so the outlook for your DD & SIL having a fairly normal life is very, very good! I hope they find someplace wonderful to honeymoon, since the Mexico trip is off. As for you, keep up that great exercise!!!

Hi THIN! Good to see you taking time from all that shopping to come and harrass us!!!

Howdy to 2Cute, Lilion, Sue, Terri, Ruth, Karen, Barb, and all y'all!

DH is out on the road by his lonesome - Memphis at the moment. He found a really good used bike in a price range I could approve of, so he bought a bike before he left. They should be able to change the title over when he comes home. I'm glad he found one that he likes ok, that doesn't send us farther into debt and make me crazy.

I did my workout this morning, even tho it was definately a sleep-in, do-nothing day. I really didn't feel like it, but that makes it even more important that I followed thru and DID it. Now, to keep my eating under control At least there aren't any rolls in the house.... I ate those all yesterday.

Charlotte, so sorry about your soon to be son-in-law. My daughter's riding teacher had that many years ago and she is still going strong so hang in there. We'll be praying for you all.

For anyone who is interested, Looking Good Now Magazine has 101 tips for losing weight that actually are pretty good though some of them you may already know.

Have a good week,
BJ

Charlotte...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....

Thanks so much Thinthinker! That did the trick

Ok, who turned on the heat??? I can't handle this almost 100 degree weather! I think of all the inconveniences of being overweight that sweating as much as I do in the summer is the worst. I always seem to be sopping wet from heat to toe.

So how is everyone on this longest day of the year?

Hi ladies,

It is so humid and still here this evening. Yuck! Must be thunderstorms in the making somewhere.

We did horse vaccinations tonight. Four of the five were okay. The last was a butthead. Reared up and threw herself over backwards. She does not like shots in her butt which is where the vet recommends they be given. Probably because she used to get so many shots of pennicillin when she had strangles.

DH maimed himself on Monday. We knew that we have to put handrails on the steps up to the decks/porches even though its only two steps. We just haven't had time to get them done. DH was coming up the steps to the front porch and lost his balance. He fell backwards and landed on his hand wrong. He split a big wad of scar tissue between the thumb and index finger. Of course, I wasn't home to help him. He's very lucky that he didn't land on the landscape timbers and do further damage to his back or a hip or whack his head. He had to go to the ER to get stitches and make sure he hadn't broken anything. My brother is coming out this weekend to put something up until we can get a concrete sidewalk put in to replace the landscape timbers and stepping stones. Poor guy.

DH is now irritating the crap out of me so I think I'll head off to bed. He's trying to be nice after acting like a jacka$$ doing the horse vac's. Yeah, okay hon.

Thin - Great to see you checking in. You know, if you check in each day, all you have to do is drop a "I'm here, doing okay, you're doing great ladies..." and nothing too time consuming. We love ya and just want to know that you're still here with us even if you're not feeling too chatty.

Charlotte - I'm so sorry to see that about your future-SIL. They are getting started off with some challenges to work through and will learn early on how to deal with the difficult days of for-better-or-worse. Could be very good for building a strong marriage. He'll be in my prayers and your DD as well.

Valerie - I NEED a sleep-in, do nothing kind of day. I was off work for two solid weeks and never got to sleep late once. I think Saturday morning I may have to myself.

to everyone else. Sorry for not replying to all but I'm tired. I think I'll go fall asleep while watching TV.

Good night!

What a nice surprise to find our long lost Thin back with us.
Hope you make a habit of it now. And don't you dare feel ashamed... we have all been there. But the way out is in here.

Karen .. hope you know many of us didn't reply to your request because we had no idea how to do it either. LOL But I should of told you that instead of leaving you hanging. glad Thin could help you out.

Terri... glad hubby wasn't hurt worse. Does he have a cane he can use until you get the rails in ?? Hope the horse didn't hurt itself when he fell.

Charolette ... I too send your family good thoughts and prayers.
Since they can't change it... hopefully they will grow stronger from their struggles.

BJ ... thanks for the tip on the 101 Tips.

Valerie... way to go on working out instead of sleepin in.
Today is the first day in over month I did not get to workout.
Left the house early early this morning and did not get home until 10pm and I just did not want to wake myself up. I needed to... I ate into my bonus points today.... but will make up for it tomorrow.

Sue... take advantage of the gym you have to workout in. I have bad knees and might hunt for a gym with one of those ...once I lose some weight. I have high hopes of losing this summer and joining a gym next winter.

Okay... that is everyone since my last post.
I am feeling so guilty not exercising. It is going on midnight and I am afraid if I workout now... I won't be able to sleep. My goal is 5 days a week so I am staying within my goal... but I really wanted daily. I want to take advantage of the pool while I have it. It will be too cold to swim before you know it. LOL

Good morning ladies, How are you? I have been without internet for a couple of days. You know you live in the backwoods when it takes them three days to clear up the problem. Drives me insane! I depend on this infernal machine too much.

Well helloThin, so nice to see you back. I know how it feels to not be chatty. Honestly, I think we all go through those times. There are times I just can't make myself sit down and post. We are happy to see you though! I think it was Terri and I that mentioned starting a big fight.

Terri I am so glad your DH didn't do a lot of damage to himself. I hope he is feeling better. That must have hurt like the

2cute, feeling guilty about not exercising, wow! I wonder what that feels like I HATE exercising!

Hi val, good to see you too. How did you manage to stay home while DH took the truck out?

cantforgetthis, Yep, somebody turned the heat on here too. This is the time of year I start doing more cold cuts and salads instead of cooking. Of course I can only get away with that for just so long.

Charlotte, I am so sorry to hear about your future son-in-laws plight. He will be in my prayers.

Sue, I totally understand your reluctance to call about the surgery on your knees. I am such a coward when it comes to things like that. I never used to be, but the heavier I got the more I put things off. Another good reason to get this weight off, now If only I would remember that when I pick up my fork!

Hi, BJF and babysteps.

If I missed anyone, sorry. I tried! Have a marvelous day, and think good thoughts. Ruth

Good morning,

I'm having trouble waking up and feeling motivated to do something. For the first time since we moved, I did not sleep well last night. Must have been that little bit of chocolate I had last night before going to bed. Plus the kazillion things that are on my mind that need to be done between home and work. I need to get a list started - if I could find my paper.

I am going to throw myself on the floor and do 30 minutes of pilates, stretching and weights. That's about all I can muster for the mornings these days.

Just wanted to drop in and say HI and have a great OP day!

Hello everyone, Just checking in. Still haven't gotten back on track, still feel lazy and heavy. I definitely ate too many sweets yesterday. Funny how that affects us!! (not enough to keep me from doing it, but I know what I'm doing)
Charlotte, so sorry to hear about your son, but as the others have mentioned , there are lots of people with Hodgkin's who lead (semi)normal lives. It is something that he will have to live with, but the chances of him living to an old age is good.
Valerie, I still think you need to move to Dallas and be our HR person!!! then we could laugh together!!!
Sue, I've had both my knees replace. One is perfect now and although the other one is not perfect and still bothers me some, it is so much better than before.
2Cute and Terri, Hi friends, I'm not in a chatty mood these days either, but I am here.

Note to everyone: I just installed t he Google toolbar to my computer and it has a spell checker!!! How cool is that!!! Now if I can only remember to use it!!!