Hi all --

Kathy, you had quite a scare! I'm glad your DH is okay.

Melissa, this is very exciting -- sounds like they really like your dh. Hope you get their decision very soon. Maybe at the dinner?

Anna, congratulations! I'm another person who absolutely loves core. I lost 7 pounds my second week, so I know it's possible. Try to avoid the scale at home though - otherwise you'll start making yourself obsess. Kudos on your sticking with the program and your excellent progress.

Sandra - I love my garden veggies, but I have to admit that I'm not so fond of all the work. I plant every year with the harvest in mind. I think it's the bugs that bother me. I swell up really bad from mosquito bites and I seem to beckon to them, so I end up with a mass of welts when I spend too much time in the garden. But there's nothing like garden-fresh veggies!

Froufy, maybe your problem is your popularity! So many parties and social events! I wish I had advice, but a wine and cheese party is a toughie. I don't suppose anyone would want to dig in to some soy cheese . . . Maybe walk a little more and get some APs.

Linda, it's so good that you are taking decisive action when you're a 10/12 instead of being in denial til you're a 16. If points work for you, then go for it with gusto. Everyone is different and you're the best judge of what you need. I hope that switching to flex (wendie?) gives you some good losses and encouragement.

Vickie - isn't it great that we can enjoy barbeques and still be core! We're doing one this weekend too, and I've got core pasta salad, core cole slaw, corn on the cob, potatoes, core burgers, core halibut, and some totally not core brats for my dh. I'm looking forward to grilled LOs for next week.

Angela, you're another gardener. We moved in December and I've noticed lots of rabbits in the neighborhood. I'm not so sure how we're going to keep them out of the garden. I have two dogs who'll be happy to trash my garden chasing the rabbits - so we'll just have to see how it goes. Enjoy your shopping trip.

I'm wearing pants that actually are falling down. Yay! I think this is going to be the last time I wear them. I remember when I had to wear them with a bigger blouse because they were too tight in the belly.

So I'm having a good day. Happy Friday!

Hi everyone:

Well, I'm still down this morning, so I may get my wish, if I'm a very good girl. Actually, the first time I hopped on the scale this morning it said 149! (Our scale runs about 2 pounds under the WW scale.) The second reading after I moved it was 150.5, but it sure reminded me how nice it's going to be to break 150. They're just numbers, I know, but whatever keeps you going, right?

Linda, you shouldn't worry about switching back to points. It's a tried-and-true method for lots of people. Most of the champion "losers" in my group are on Flex--there's one woman that I swear gets a 5 pound star every week--and they always credit journaling for their successes. I admire them a lot, but I knew from the first week I wouldn't be able to stick with Flex long term. It's nice to know it's there as an option, though.

Good luck with the interview, Melissa, it sounds like they are getting serious. I'm sure both of you will charm their socks off.

Kathy, I'm glad your Dh is okay. I have to confess that motorcycles scare the heck out of me. My ds is fascinated by them, of course.

Froufy, wine and pate? Boy, it's a good thing I don't work there. The worst thing I have to dodge here is the occasional birthday cake.

Frouf, I love the suggestion. I'll just call them up and say, "Excuse me, but I am eating according to some very specific guidelines. I would appreciate it if you would prepare the following..." I'm sure DH would get the job then!!! Good luck with your wine and cheese party...there aren't too many options there!

Terry, congrats on your NSV of loose pants! What a great feeling! They probably won't tell us about their decision at the dinner. That would be too easy. But hopefully it won't take them too long!

Cher, thanks for the encouragement. And for the scale reading! I know its not "official", but man does it make you feel good.

I'm going to rearrange my office now. Since we got our computers I don't like the way it looks any more!! Be prowling around here again soon though!

Can't stay here long, gotta take DD to a bowling party.

Linda - i started the Wendie Plan on Monday. Arranged it so my super high day falls on Sat., tomorrow. Yay! I think I may be down a pound today, but will wait and see Monday a.m.

BBL
Lisa

Well I kinda blew it at the party - and I did NOT even have any wine (thank goodness). Pretty busy and stressed out at work and there I was with all this yummy stuff sitting in front of me. At least there was fruit as well - which I ate, also drank a diet pepsi (the bubbles usually fill me up)....but then I got into a few slices of havarti w/herbs and spices, and this salmon mousse and wheat thins.

Pretty full now tho and hoping to skip dinner as I think I have eaten plenty already. Hope the treadmill walking will take care of some of it, but I am not optimistic for tomorrow morning!

congrats on the lb off lisa - hope it stays off for weigh in. You too Cher - just keep moving the scale around til you get a # you like! boy wish I could do that w/my scale!

Terry - I sense a shopping trip for new pants is in order?

Still looking grey and yucky out and rain expected all weekend - UGH!

Best news is looks like I will become permanent here after a year and a half on loan from my home department!!! Lots of red tape and cloning of positions required, but now I'm told it's doable - so I can stop fretting about either returning (not very happy w/my previous management) or looking for something new! Gee maybe dinner out to celebrate!! ha ha ha

Frouf

Hah! Unfortunately, once our scale makes up its mind it doesn't budge.

Sounds to me like you were pretty good at the party. At least it wasn't junk that you ate.

Hey Lisa, My SHD will be Saturday too, but I will forgo it tomorrow because I am starting today. I am all planned for the BBQ tomorrow so I am good with it. I feel I will have a loss next Saturday.I will of course make the best choices for myself and that will include keeping count, jouranaling daily and portion CONTROL, and will stay on board here with everyone.
I had a real good day today with it and feel good.
Terry - loose pants...now isnt' that great!! That's the feeling I am working on getting back and that is why the 'shake up'
Cher123 I agree.....I am NOW glad there is STILL the option of points. I really feel sucess will be mine (again) and I am challening myself to a 4th of July Weight Off !!
It may not be as much as want by then, but I will be on my way there at that point.

Frouf good luck at W/I tomorrow !!!

Talk with you all later............ciao for now Chicks........Linda

Terry ... pull your pants up, girl. You're embarrassing me!

Linda, I hear you loud and clear on the journaling. I guess some people just aren't cut out for Core. I like the foods, that's not the problem -- but I find that when I try to stick totally to Core, I eat about 900 calories a day. That just not enough! I've never been a big eater and usually have to walk around looking for things to get me up to at least the minimum ... so I too will go back to points and journaling. I'm going to WW in the morning after I have my bloodwork done and will see what happens after that.

Frouf, it'll all settle down one day and you'll wonder what to do for excitement! LOL! I'm glad your job situation is working out though, and it doesn't sound like you did really bad at the party. It's all good.

I had to take Zuki for a checkup today. The stitches came out but he still has to wear the cone for another week. I'm letting him run free without it right now because I'm watching him ... but the minute he flips over and starts licking his new parts, the cone goes back on. I know it's itchy because of the hair growing back in but still, no need to keep it irritated.

DH leaves in the morning to start heading back. I'm ready for some company! Usually when he goes on these trips it doesn't bother me, but this time I've really been lonely. He such a sweetie, so it'll be good to have him home.

I'm not eating tonight, just sitting in the chair making potholders. Can you say obsessed??? I'm supposed to be making a quilt but just can't psych myself up for it. The last one I made was for my sister. I have a mental block now and really don't want anything to do with the sewing machine.

Looks like rain, so I guess I should get the flag in, potty the dogs, and get ready for a relaxing evening with just me, the dogs, the recliner, the potholders, and the TV. Both DDs are at work. Sigh ... gotta love a quiet evening.

anna, congratulations on your fabulous weightloss. i'm proud of you, girl.

kathy, thank goodness dh is all right. enjoy your last 2 days of wild eating before he gets home.

angela, we planted "pizza pots" this year--no garden, just pizza pots. i'll let you know how they do. that's quite a revelation about those bags, isn't it? i can only imagine how much energy you have. congratulations!

melissa, your evening sounds romantic to me. i know you had a great time. i can tell by your post. there are smiles all over it. and the interview with both of you? that has to be good news. i'm happy for you and hope all goes as you want.

linda, i wish you the best of success. let us know how you are doing.

vickie, i hadn't even thought of core deviled eggs. that's a good idea. it sounds like you are going to have a healthy celebration.

frouf, you have a lot going on right now. it's hard to lose with so many special events, isn't it? just hang in there and do the best you can.

Kathy....and there's always exciting Texas Rangers baseball to watch, right?! Jim and I are going to eat dinner in a couple of minutes so we can be done for the game.

Terry, you go girl! I just got rid of all my old stuff from last summer. I'm down 37 pounds and 2 sizes since then. So...I know you need to replace all of your stuff too! What a joy.

Cher, how exciting to be under 150! My dream is 150. Some day I'll be there!

Frouf, you're ok. Just try real hard to get on the treadmill tonight and then pound some water. Maybe you'll be surprised tomorrow.

terry, i honestly don't plant a garden except for pots. i just go to the market and get the veggies. gardens are hard work; plus the deer are nuisances up here. i am very very impressed with your pants being so loose. don't you just love it? you've come a long way, baby.

cher, you've lost a lot of weight and must be feeling better healthwise and you're probably fitting into smaller clothes. you're right. the scales just show a number. they don't show everything. you're doing great. i just looked at your chart. wish i weighed what you weigh. keep on keepin' on. you're doing great.

we're getting ready for the archery tournament tomorrow. i'm taking core snacks. i have grape tomatoes, core pimiento cheese and celery, red grapes, fresh strawberries, and i may even make some polenta cakes to take. now won't the guys be surprised? i'm the only female in this tournament. the reason i'm taking core foods isn't just for dieting. dh and i are both coaches and are trying to model good food choices for tournaments. you know how it is--sugar and caffeine give you the jitters. it's hard to hold a bow steady to shoot when you're on a sugar or caffeine high.

vickie, you are inspiring me to do better. congratulations on being down 2 dress sizes. you go, girl!!!

got to go. i think i will make some polenta cakes. i'm just going to make bitesize ones. i added cayenne pepper to my batch so they'll have a little zing to them. hmmmmm? hope that zing doesn't affect our shooting.

have a fantastic friday evening. i'll be back later.

Vickie, you know I can't talk about the you-know-what!! But yes, I'm planning on watching! Rain is still forecast for tomorrow and Sunday afternoon, and besides DH will be home by Sunday ... I'm still trying to decide on the game tomorrow. I guess I'll call my "boyfriend" in the morning and see if he wants to go. Heck, maybe I'll even go by myself! I can park at work and walk since it's just two blocks from the stadium.

Frouf, it doesn't sound like you did too bad at the party. And congrats on the job news!

Kathy and Linda, I need to do a better job of journaling. I have just been doing it sporadically...I really need to evaluate how many cals and points I am eating in a day. Today I ate through the roof I know!!

Kathy, glad Zuki is doing well. And I just can't believe 900 cals!! I wish I could do that. I have no self-discipline. Enjoy your evening!

Sandra, we did have a romantic evening. Its just nice to go out and relax. Congrats on all of the Core snacks that you are planning for your event. That's great!! Hope you have a good time.

Well I ate a fairly core dinner (minus the handful of baked fries) but DH really wanted some sweets afterward, so we got ice cream. At least we got Edy's light ice cream. I probably still ate 8 points worth. Well, its behind me now. No more. (That will take some serious discipline!!!) I'm planning on gazelling this evening. Tomorrow I'm going to analyze the pantry and create some meal plans and go to the grocery store. I'm thinking of trying some mexicale pie tomorrow (I think I got that recipe from our thread).
Hope everyone has a good night.

Thanks everyone!
Im doing this on my own no ww meetings here, Just with the help of you. I only account for what the scale says on Monday morning when I wake up, since it changes if you weigh yourself daily. It is hard not to though.
I hope everyone is doing great today. I'll be back later.

Kathy, lucky you to work so close to the ballpark. I hear it is a beautiful one. Maybe Jim and I will get there some day to see the White Sox play.

It's raining here now so I guess I better go close up!