Good morning, my wonderful weight-losing compadres!

I am REALLY sick - to the point of staying home from work today. I don't know what I have, but I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

So, since I am awake with coughing, wheezing, etc., I dragged the laptop into bed with me and decided to start this week's chat.

Apart from getting steadily sicker over the course of the past few days, it was a pretty good weekend for me eating-wise. I made some really good choices yesterday - but that made up for the really bad choices I made on Saturday. We drove up to Lancaster (Pennsylvania Dutch/Amish Country) to service a pipe organ in a church up there, and on the way home we stopped at the Gap Diner, where they serve a lot of traditional PA Dutch food. I couldn't resist... my great-aunt was PA Dutch and made a lot of the same things for me when I was a kid, and so I helped myself to the Dutch stuffing and some good old fashioned wet-bottom shoofly pie. Bad, naughty Suz... but I'll admit, it DID taste good.

And, seeing as I have ZERO appetite at the moment, I'm sure that today I will be on the straight and narrow once more. Nothing but tea and toast for me today...

Did everyone have a healthy, happy weekend?

Gosh, Suz, I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling better. Maybe it's time you went to a doctor and checked it out. Maybe something an antibiotic would cure. Or at least peace of mind. Really, think about going. Okay?

Shoofly pie is a favorite of mine and I too would have had it. I don't consider it a bad choice. I consider it there's a there's no way I'm going without out it kind of a thing. Lancaster county does have some good food. I remember once my husband and I went there, there was this unbelivable restaurant with a buffet and it had THE most incredible food. Chicken pot pie comes to memory and of course..........shoofly pie. Umm wait was the name of the place Miller's yeah, it's Miller's, ever heard of it Suz?

I had a great weekend. I had guests over on Saturday night, it was kind of last minute so I just threw some stuff together and each of the couples brought something. One brought donuts which I didn't touch and one brought this amazing chocolate cream pie. I had cut up some cucumber and put that out and everybody was eating them like crazy. I basically ate just the cukes as my meal and then I had a small piece of the pie. That was my choice and I'm happy with it. Sunday for the first time since I started this, 3 months today in fact, I made a baked ziti. One of the foods I can eat 2 and 3 platefusl of. But not yesterday - I had a little itty bitty plateful with a salad. It felt so good that I didn't overeat it and it tasted pretty darn good as well. Everything in moderation. This is new to me, the moderation part, certainly not the everything part.

And as an added bonus I stepped on the scale this morning and guess what - I'm DOWN 5 POUNDS!!!! I am finally out of the 230's - goodbye 230's, adios, scram, get outta here - I never wanna see your ugly face again

Got to go for now, I'll check in later, think about doing me some WEED.

Hi gals! Sorry to hear about your cold Suz--it sounds more like pneumonia than just a cold, maybe you should see your MD, don't be a hero, go out and get some help! I hate fighting my own colds, suffering a week or more, go to the doc, feel better in a day. Plus if it's not just a virus, you need medicene to feel better...but I love NyQuil too.

OK, the weekend was pretty good...Sat morning took DS to bumper bowling (its so darn cute watching them!) then went to gym for what was supposed to be circuit training with my Big Loser team trainer, but she decided to "do something different" and talked for 20 minutes and showed us some free weight exercises, but we didn't actually DO anything, but do a return demonstration. So I didn't work up a sweat but I learned a lot. So we went out shopping for the day, ate out, I made a good choice! Went to our bowling league Sat night, bowled 144-180-173...not too bad. I didn't drink beer! Yay for me! But what do you think of this---I drank water and did 4 shots of alcohol instead---is that okay, calorie wise?

Sunday went well-----GUESS WHAT! I got the Nintendo WII---! Got up at 6am and stood in a line at Toys R Us for almost 2 hr in the COLD--they had 39 Wiis and I was #35!!! I met alot of nice people and we were all so excited we got the game systems! I kind of enjoyed myself, even though we were all nuts to be standing out there like that. So I took it home and surprised my hubby (the Wii was really for him, he's been obsessed with it since it came out) and he and DS played it nearly all day. It is a pretty cool thing though. But since he was distracted, I got to go play poker at the club all day--I WON two games in a row! I never win that much-I'm not such a great card player (getting better) but I won about 100 bucks. I even made a straight flush to be an ace high flush with the other guy all in. Does anyone here even care about poker? LOL So I avoided eating the bar burgers/wings that I could die for, but I did have 2 beers, but they were bought for me since I won the two games. Otherwise, eating went pretty well.

This morning the scale said 222. Possibly a bit dehydrated from some drinking?

Here is the part I couldn't wait to tell you guys!!! Saturday night at bowling league, this HOT guy was totally hitting on me!!!!!!!! I've known him (and his WIFE ) for a while now (in fact she goes to the gym once in awhile with me) and for the last week he's been making some comments my way (about the weight loss, wearing cuter clothes, just generally being hotter than usual, ha ha) but he just got really flirty with me this week! Yes yes yes I know, I am married, he is too, but isn't it NICE to get hit on by a good looking guy? I guess I just haven't felt that nice a cushion to my ego in awhile. Well DH is totally wonderful and says great things about the wt loss, but wow it is a nice feeling when a new guy does.

Enough for now, vacation is over, back to work tonight 7p-7a.

W- probably a gallon considering I'll be working all night
E- Maybe a turbo jam DVD, I know I can't get to the gym today
E- 1800-2000 calories, more because I'll be up all night at work.
D- Have a good night at work, finish laundry, do the WEE above and finish my holiday decoration.

Be back later! xoxoxoxxoxoMichelle

OMG rockinrobin!!!!!!!!!!!! 227 WOWOWOWOWOWOW! Buh-bye 230's!!! You are doing so AWESOME!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of you! OMG! (I noticed we posted at the same time)

I love to go to Amish country-the shopping, the culture, the FOOD. You're right RR I don't think it's always a bad choice, alot of vegetables and fresh foods. What is shoofly pie? I've heard of it but have NO idea what's in it.

Got the visual of rowdyb pulling ye olde laptop into the sick bed with her to start the weekly chat! Poor Dear - hope you're in the last stage of The Crud. Our household went thru it over the Tx Holiday--miserable!

But tx for starting The Thread even sick - I love reading everyone's Post - interesting - informational AND inspirational! Good Choices by rockrobin & NurseChelle!

I've had an iced in Thrs/Fri and partially Sat. Cardio was non existent but was Right-On with my lc eating plan . . . I'm back to the grind tonight - which also means back to the gym for Weights and Walking Program so back on track til the next storm hits!!

12/3 WEED - Made all goals - w00t!

I'll be back in the Wee Hours to WEED back in for today and to see how everyone is doing - ttyal!

Poor Suz, still sick I agree with the other girls, it may be time to get yourself checked out by a doc. Take good care of yourself, and don't forget the chicken soup.

RR-5 POUNDS!!!!!!! Great Job!!!!! I am so proud of you!!

Michelle- I think each shot has 150 calories in it? Something like that anyway, when I drink that is what I usually do. (I am a big fan of Tequilla
My daughter is begging us to take her bowling. she doesn't even know what bowling is, but her daddy went last week. I know the feeling about the flirting. I am happily married, but its nice to have happen!! I had a guy totally checking out my butt the other night (the way the windows are I could see the reflexion, I just smiled and Flexed I know nothing about poker, but winning $100 is great!!! And a nitendo Wii is pretty cool, but standing in line for it, I don't need it that bad

I woke up feeling just run down today, congested, naseous, just gross. My kids aren't cooperating with me, both started screaming from the minute they woke up and they have been fighting since. sigh I have done pretty good with my water and exercise but my food has only been so so. I haven't gone much over my calories, but just not eating healthy. I am sure that is why I don't feel the best. Today I am going to kick it into high gear with my eating.

W 80 oz
E 50 minutes and Work up a good sweat!
E 1200
D put away christmas decoration boxes. Try to keep my paitents with my kids (its not their fault I don't feel good) Take a nap with Tommy.

Aud Great Job!!! I love how it feels when I hit all my WEED for the day!!

HI aud!!! I just wanted to ask you how you like the low carb lifestyle. I was on that for about a year before I had DD 2yrs ago. I loved the energy, the wt loss, I felt like I was IN CONTROL for the first time ever--I loved it. DH did it with me (even though he really didn't have a CLUE about the nutritional content of most foods, he just did whatever I told him). I had gotten down to about 210(see lifetime stats) But so I got preggers with DD and blew it up, carb fest 2003!! I'm having alot of success with low cal, low fat, fresh whole foods and exercise. But I often consider going back. I like the balance of being able to have almost everything I want in moderation. How long have you been "doing" it? Do you put exercise in with it? Do you take "breaks" on the weekends? We used to give ourselves "off" every other Saturday, usually blew it on pizza, but getting back OP was too hard. I just like to debate the low carb thing. Even though I don't do it myself anymore I am a huge supporter of it. In fact, my best friend is still low carb and maintaining at 130lbs. But I hated the flack of telling people I was low carb and I'd get all kinds of snarky comments about how unhealthy it is or how restrictive it is, one friend told me, "well I guess I'll be seeing you when you start Dialysis", LOL...I always told people to read the books and THEN talk to me.

I don't know why, I just like to argue with any people who put down the LC lifestyle...so good for you!!

You know what? I did try some low carb a few times after I had Rachel but it never worked for me again, not with the same rapid results. I think my body was "on to me" like I couldn't trick it back into working again. I've heard that before, once you are successful on LC, you might not have the same success the next time you try it. I am happy doing what I do now, whatever it takes to make you feel healthy and happy!

LOL aren't we all just posting at the same time today!!! HI Jeni!

OMG 150 cal a shot?!?! Yikes! Bud Light has 110 cal in it, I could have just had that, though it must take several more of those to get the effect of the shots...OMG you're a tequila girl? When I drink tequila, I get mean and start telling people about themselves, LOL so not too good to be around me when I'm on that. Plus I only do shots of things I can swallow without spewing them back all over the bar. Real girlie drinks, ya know?

I hear ya on the kids hollering from sunup to sundown and how frustrating it is!!! But yours are much smaller than mine, at least mine can entertain themselves for a while. Just wait, they will be so close when they get bigger. Then they'll hole up in their rooms playing with each other and you'll wonder what happened to the days where they hounded you to entertain them!

Are you coming down with something? or is the nausea just nerves? Sounds like we're all getting a touch of whatever is going around. My sinuses are bothering me a little.

Well DD seems to need some attention. Wouldn't this site be fun if there was a chat room? BRB

Afternoon yall. I'm so freaking tired. Sleepy sleepy sleepy. But I'm just going to grab a Vault Zero and hit the gym. How yall doing?

Hi everyone... I have been trying to wade through last week's thread. I was MIA for a few days.

I am new to the thread and I don't know what the WEED stands for... can someone fill me in? I am pretty sure it is Water, Eating, Exersice, and ???

Suz- I am sorry to hear your sick. Hope you feel better soon!

RockinRobin- Yeah, Congrats on the 5lb lose!!!

Michelle- Cool, I want a WII... I bet you were a hit in your house that day I LOVE poker, Texas Hold'em is my game!! Sounds like you played well.

Aud- That is wonderful that you met all your WEED goals! Great job!

Jeni- I hope you feel better tomorrow!

Shari- Hello! Good to see ya! Have fun @ the gym.

My WI's are on Sunday. I weigh in with my sister who is also on WW just like me. I lost 3 1/2 lbs this past week! I am so excited because I only lost 2 1/2 the whole month of November... I usually have a few slow weeks and then have a bigger weight loss. So this brought to my first 10% loss! I am down 25.5 lbs!

I am am only 8lbs away from my Jan. 1st goal! I am confident I can meet it!

akacutie~it stands for Water Exercies Eats and Daily goals.
Michelle: I think I just ate crappy this weekend. I worked out for 70 minutes and I felt better, although I think I am getting a cold. (Or I am allergic to my christmas tree )
It's good to see everyone else here!! I hope everyone else has a great day!

Oh boy, all aboard the Sicky Train..!! I guess it's just that time of year, isn't it? Well - let's look at it this way, girls: since we are now moving, eating and living healthier, our bodies will be better able to fight whatever germy nasties are floating around!

Spent most of my day in a light coma, so I'm only just now catching up on everyone's posts. Thanks to all for your well-wishes... and yes, if I don't see any improvement by tomorrow, I wll get to the doctor. I called today, but he's apparently triple-booked - so it looks like I'm not the only one!

RockinRobin - HUZZAH for you, losing 5 lbs and entering the realm of the 220's!!! I am so happy for you! That's a terrific milestone, you must be on top of the world! And YES, we passed right by Miller's and thought about stopping, but the joint was absolutely packed solid with people.

NurseMichelle - I hope it's not pneumonia... I had that once as a kid, really bad, and I was in the hospital with it. Not fun... But what IS fun is getting flirted with! That little bit of extra attention feels really good.

Aud - you're right on the money. I've had all the comforts in bed with me all day: both cats, my laptop, my tea, occasionally the dog, and now my husband. Rather crowded in here!

Jeni, I really hope your day got better! Seriously, you are Supermom, juggling the little ones and everything else in your life. If I ever have children, I hope that I can handle everything with the same grace and strength you do.

JasonsLea - hello dear! How did it go at the gym?

Akacutie - CONGRATULATIONS on your 10% loss! That's terrific!! Keep up the incredible work and perseverence!

For NurseMichelle and anyone else who might be wondering what shoofly pie is, it's a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch (Pennsylvania German) type of pie that can be made any number of ways - but my favorite is called "wet bottom" shoofly pie, which means that there's a thick layer of a molasses-based goo on the bottom layer of the pie. It is DEE-LISH-US. My great-aunt, who was very proud of her PA Dutch roots, used to make it as a treat for us. She used to say to me, "Suzy, if y'ain't Dutch, y'aint much!" Wacky lady! I do miss her.

I didn't do my WEED today, and I think I'm going through withdrawal. Seriously, being sick is really throwing me off because I am rarely so sick that I am completely flat on my back like this. It's driving me CRAZY. I hate sitting still!! I hope a good night's sleep helps...

Hearing everyone so upbeat and positive is such a great boost... you're all doing so well, and I'm really proud to be in this group. Rock ON!!!!!

Keep taking good care of yourselves, girls!

Sleepy WEED:

w- yep
e- not even close (rotten night at work/no time)
e- yep
d- no way

I'll be back later - Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hi ladies, I felt rundown all day yesterday. Afterwork I came home and got some sleep. Tommy actually slept most of the night!!! I still feel a bit rundown this morning but I am hoping my coffee will help wake me up. I had a nice workout yesterday, but missed a bit on my water. I barely got in 32 oz. but at least I got some!

DH has his christmas party this weekend. Lots of food and Alcohol. Luckily I am driving and won't be tempted to drink, but the food is usually to die for. There will be a veggie platter and I am making a green salad. but that is about it for the rest of the food. I may take a chicken breast with me, but I will have to sample some of the food there. I am going to try and be extra good this week so IF I do have a little too much it will be okay.

W 80 oz
E 60 minutes
E 1200 calories
D go to the Dollar Tree and pick up some stocking stuffers. Get my christmas cards from Walmart.