Hello hope you all had a SUPER weekend. I ate like CRAZY, didn't exercise, but I accept responsibility for it and am back on track today. Bowling is OVER now, kinda sad about that. We did get our first place, and the banquet is next weekend.

I need to work out a menu for the week, PLANNING, planning, planning. Maybe I'll go through the cookbooks/magazines and figure something out.

I don't have much time this morning but my schedule is reasonably light this week. I work tonight and tomorrow night, then I'm off til the weekend, which I plan to call in sick so I can go to the banquet, then I'm off til Thursday and Friday of the next week.

OMG Rachel just totally potty trained herself ALL IN ONE DAY, Saturday! Then she did it all day Sunday too. I think all she need was to wear her underwear, no pull-ups. Overnight is a whole nother story but I'm so PROUD of her!

Personals next time, I have to still read through last week's posts. xoxoxo Michelle

my new jorge cruise cookbook has 2 week "quickstart" plan for meat lovers, carb lovers, healthy heart, and veggie lovers....all are interchangable b/c his plan is based on calories and portion size very good book. all recipes for each meal are included. i bought some goldfish crackers the other night to make one of the snacks in there but some fathead ate them.....i guess if i get the stuff i gotta make it fast!

Michelle -- Yeah Rachel – I swear it was the underwear that did it for my boys too. Nights will come soon. Before kids did you ever think someones potty habits would be so exciting??

Nice job on 1st place for bowling. Even with the bumpers when I bowl with the kids I can’t get over like a 73. But I love to bowl anyway.

Have you tried allrecipes.com – a friend of mine gave me this site and I’ve used it occasionally to plan my week, you can enter the ingredients you want to use and it gives you recipes. I also use bettycrocker.com, but I’m not an “all natural” kind of eater, not sure about you. I have to plan my week or I wander around the grocery store grabbing everything.

I haven't been doing very well lately, but yesterday I had a perfect food day, if only I had gone to bed early, I wouldn't have eaten too much last night. But, I'm ready to start over again today. Did make it to the gym for 1 hour yesterday while my oldest was at a birthday party. I swear with all the exercise I've done in the last year if I had eaten properly, I'd be thin by now.

Holyteror -- we posted at the same time -- Good Morning, have a great day!!!

Hope everyone has a great day.

Good morning everyone. The weather here is incredibly, incredibly lousy. It is messing up my walking scheduele - big time.

Michelle, YAy!!!!! for Rachel. When they're ready - they're ready, that's it. Congrats on first place!!!

Shelby, it really sounds like you're headed back in the right direction. The right place. It is great that you have been so devoted to exercise.

I am down 1 lb this week, to 167 lbs., which brings me to a total of - gosh I just can't believe this - 120 lbs lost.

Have a great on plan healthy day/week everyone!!!!

Robin, as usual you amaze me yet again!! Excellent job on the 120. My oldest son weighs 100 pounds and I can't pick him up any more and you've lost more than him!! I guess your past the "pick up a few bags of sugar to see what you've lost!! As my 7 year old always tells me -- "slow and steady wins the race" -- you have definitely been steady but no where near slow -- I think you are wasting your potential, you should be some kind of spokesmodel or something . You must be around me somewhere with your weather, we've had steady rain for two days with a mix of slush, our dining room ceiling couldn't hold out any more and is now leaking all over . No walks for you today but I'm sure you will be dancing around the house. Okay, so I guess I'll "dedicate" this note to you -- but I couldn't let the 120 pounds just bury into the threads!!! YEAH!!

Hi all. I had a wonderful weekend. The retreat was really fun and I even was able to fit a run in. I got to run with the deer. It was super cool and peaceful but it makes my normal route really seem mundane now.

Lots of house cleaning and teaching for me today. I'm still fighting my cold-so is DH-so I'm Lysoling everything I can. Hopefully we can get back to normal this week.

Robin-Way to go!! Do you realize you've almost lost me?? Your progress is so incredible.

Shelby-Good job getting to the gym. It does sound like you're headed in the right direction. Sometimes it takes a bit to get back on track. Good job for working through it.

Holyteror-Goldfish are my enemies. I love those things so never have them in the house. (I just steal my neice and nephews.)

Michelle-Congrats on the potty training!!!! That sure makes life easier. Glad you have a more relaxed week coming.

the weekend was not the healthiest for me... i had minor surgery on my leg wednesday and i can not resume even "light exercise" until this Wednesday.. so i was trying to eat healthier, since that is all i can do... but friends came into town and than that eating healthy thing seems to turn into an impossible task... can't wait til wed tho... i miss working out so much!!! it honestly makes me feel so healthy and strong.
oh well, soon! hope everyone starts off their monday well!

everyone!

YAY Rachel! Lucky you Michelle.

You rock Robin!

HT~ Ahhh man, I love Goldfishes! Reminds me of when I was in preschool and everything was simple.

Shelby ~ I have that site bookmarked....hopefully I can use it soon.

Shelby - you're just a doll. I have a 15 year old who weighs about 100 -103 lbs. It is really hard to imagine that I was walkiing around with MORE then her on me. It's funny because in some ways it seems like it was another lifetime ago, though it certainly wasn't and in other ways I can't quite grasp the fact that I no longer weigh almost 300 lbs. I would love, love, love to do something with all that I have learned from losing the weight, though I'm not done yet. My brain is trying real hard to come up with something. We'll see what happens. I am so sorry to hear about your ceiling. So far we're holding out, no leaks. We have had 8 inches of rain. I said to my DH last night I don't ever remember having this much and we never have. The last time it happened was in 1882. It's ENOUGH already!

Nosnah, I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Brandy I can't wait til I lose a full you. I'll be very pleased to lose another 8 1/2 lbs, believe me. Your weekend sounds amazing. Really, really amazing.

Hi Shari and thanks!!!!

For all of you on the east coast - stay dry!!! Have a good one girls.

Hi all,
Just a quck post before the rugrats get going again. LOL. I got on the scale this morning and to my amazement it said 178.4. Totally unexpected. I have been eating well and moving, but TOM is here. So I am going to keep the workouts up, and the eating good. I had some jeans on this weekend that I hadn't worn since I had my DD and even then they were tight. And on Sunday I wore an outfit I hadn't been in in years. It felt sooo gooood!

Well Sat. I took my DS to the doctor and he said that it sounded like broncits (SP), so he's on an antibiotic and a couh syrup with codine. So needless to say he's slept very good the last two nights. I feel kind of bad though cuz I let it go for a week before taking him in. I just thougth he'd get better.

Well no time for personals, I'll check in again at naptime.

ROBIN-CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Hi Girls!

To all of you that got whalloped by the nor'easter this weekend... how are you holding out? Is everyone okay? My little state is absolutely flooded, power lines are down everywhere - in some cases causing fires - and 60 mph wind gusts are uprooting trees. It is absolutely wild outside today - took me two hours to drive what is normally a 20-minute commute, and I had to drive into work with a wet head of hair today because the power went out while I was in the shower. Great day, right?? Still, those things are mild in comparison to the hardest-hit areas where lives have been lost, and so I pray for those folks and count my blessings. I hope you're all okay!!!!

Michelle - WOO HOOOO on Rachael "getting it" with the potty-training AND for your bowling team's success! And good for you for not falling into the trap of beating yourself up about the weekend. That's the right attitude: acknowledge the behavior, learn from it, and move on.

HolyTeror - hide the goldfish next time. I swear it, there are some foods that I actually have to hide from my husband, too, or they'll get devoured. I actually had to hide my protein-snacky almonds in a roaster pan!

Shelby - I've not tried those recipe sites out, but you can bet I'm going to! Also, as long as we're talking about recipe websites, Recipezaar.com is another good one because for each recipe, it actually gives you a calorie count per serving - which, as a calorie counter, I love!

Robin - I cannot believe how amazing you are. Congratulations on getting 120 lbs off!!!!! I do the same comparison thing that you and Shelby did. I've lost about 30 lbs now - not nearly as impressive, but still - and my bigger cat is about 10 lbs... and it's so hard to imagine that I was carrying around THREE of him on my hips, my butt, my stomach... really puts things in perspective!

Artsy - running with the deer... that sounds so peaceful and poetic. How lovely for you!

Nosnah - just take it easy - I know how frustrating it is to have to rest when all you want to do is move! Just keep doing what you're doing - make good choices, and realize that every choice you make, no matter if it's good or bad, really does make a difference.

Hi Shari!

Lovemacon - doesn't it feel good to fit back into those jeans??

Yoooo hooooo, Jeni, you out there..??

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What a busy, busy weekend I had - I did our taxes, ran errands, and glued river rocks to my hearth (long story, but it was a pretty solution to our hearth not being "up-to-code" enough for the insurance company). I also had my first rehearsal with a cover band I've been asked to sing with called The Bitter Herbs - which, as a nice Jewish girl, I am endlessly amused by. I also managed to get in a nice workout yesterday at the gym, and I'm feeling overall just great. Pants are loose, energy is up, and although it's a dreary day in which everything's going wrong, I can't complain!

So - my birthday's in a week, and I'll be 31 - whoop-dee-doo, blah. I wonder if I can make it to 160 by my birthday? A two-pound loss in one week is a tall order at this stage, but I'm going to try to make it a mini-goal!!

OK - lunch break's over - back to the grind...

...but not before a hit of the ol' WEED:

W - 100 ounces
E - maybe going to sneak in a quickie cardio after work, depending on weather
E - 1400 calories
D - finish hearth project (if the power's back on at home, it wasn't when I left this morning)

That's all from me today! Have a fabulous day, ladies - be safe, happy, and healthy!

Today's been a pretty good day. The eating hasn't been too bad and I got in my walk. We are going to have watermelon for a snack a little later.

Michelle- Congrats on the potty training. I always wore only panties on the kids once we started training them. O f course diapers still went on at night until I was sure they were trained.

Holyteror- I can't wait to hear how you like the recipes in your Jorge Cruise Cookbook. If you find something you like maybe you could share?

Robin- Another pound. Before long you're going to invisible.

Brandy- Glad you had a nice time at your retreat and even got a little run in.

nosnah- Take care of your knee. Nice to see you're still losing weight.

Shari- How's the apartment? Have you read any good books? Did you get the kitten to keep you company?

Love- Wonderful that you tried on the old clothes and they fit. Someday I'll get brave enough to try on my jeans again.
I hope your son is feeling better today.

Rowdy- We had rain yesterday and boy it is windy here today too. We aren't getting as bad at you guys on the coast though. It's really cold here. I sure wish it would warm up so I could get back outside and do my walking.
Wow an actress and a singer. You are so talented.
Good luck in the 2 pounds loss for next week. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Hi friends! I am here, just taken me a little while to get on today.

Michelle!! BIG GIRL Rachel!! I am so happy for you and her!

Robin! you are doing so great!I cant wait to see you in the maintainers club!

Suz, How is the new house? Have you had any time to sit and enjoy it yet?

Holyteror, I have been planning on getting a new cookbook, I will have to look that one up. Are the recipies quick??

Shelby, I know how you feel. I just keep reminding myself that I am healthier now than when I started. The weight is important to me, but knowing that I workout Is a huge thing too.

Brandy, I hope you feel better soon.

Nosnah, I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Lovemacon, I hate it when my son gets bronchitis. He is starting to get a cold again. We have a prescription for cough syrup with codine ready for this next one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I made up with my supervisor. He apologized to us all for being a jerk; we all did understand but it made us feel better anyway. He got away for a weekend of fun and was MUCH better today.

My eating is going well. but I have a question for those who have worked 12 hour shifts (eh-hmm MICHELLE) how should I pack my meals. right now I take a slimfast shake(fir 9 am break); Lean Cuisene (or the like, for 11 am break), light and fit smoothie (*for 1 pm break) carrots and crackers for the trip home (so I don't pig out when I get home). Once I start my 12 hours we will get either 5 20 minute or 2 twenty minute and 2 thirty minute breaks ( we have to decide as a crew). Right now I am thinking I should take something solid for two breaks, and my slimfast and smoothie for 2 breaks. (if we get 5 breaks I will walk for one of those breaks). I wont know how breaks are going to work until next month, but I want to make sure I eat enough not to get rundown, but not too much. SIGH, maybe I will have to take a big salad full of yummy veggies for one of my breaks.


I hope to make it to the gym tonight (I havent been in almost a month), I know I know, but my job has been so physical that I don't have the energy. Today I wiped down pipes, not to physical so I hope to get to the gym. once my 12 hours start I will only go to the gym on my days off, but I will go on every day off. plus I plan on walking during my shift.

Makie starts sports lessons at the Y on friday, she will learn baseball, basketball, soccer, and more!!

anyway, happy healthy day everyone!

they do seem to be quick recipes....I'll be happy to share when I get a few under my belt. speaking of, i suppose i should break out the book and make one

Brandy – What a wonderful way to spend your weekend – on a retreat. I envy you – glad you enjoyed yourself, do you find it hard to come home and back to everything or are you calmer and ready to jump back into it all? I hope you feel better soon.

Nosnah – Count down the days until Wednesday!! Hope you enjoyed your company, even though they made you eat bad!! Also hope your knee is better soon.

Shari – How is the apartment going? God, I miss my own place sometimes!!! Probably just because I was young then.

Robin – It must be a major adjustment to have lost that much weight in a relatively short period of time, it’s something we are all looking forward to, but what an change, I’m sure there are some times it’s hard to adjust to. I find myself getting nervous mostly because “fat” is what has defined me for almost 10 years – curious to see who I will be when I’m thin. I haven’t been since I was about 24 and I’m 36 now. You are doing great and I’m sure your family is VERY proud of you.

Lovemacon – Don’t feel bad about not taking your son to the doctor sooner. I’m the same way – I hate making a sick kid get dressed and hauled to the doctors just so they can tell me to give him Tylenol and fluids. I usually end up deciding to take them and finding out its ear infections and feel really bad. I hope he feels better, and with the medications they gave him, it should be soon. And, awesome job on the scales, don’t you love surprises!!

Suz – So you’ve had the constant rain too? I live near Albany, NY and we are flooded – if it had been snow, I don’t think I would be able to see out my windows!! And thanks for the recipe website, it seems great – I’ll have to plan next week’s groceries off of there – I’m so bored with my “regulars”. I bet you can make your 160 by your birthday, maybe add a couple more minutes a day of exercise? Funny how birthdays lose their “umph” after like 21 or so – I think 10, 13, 18, 20 and 21 are great and then maybe even 30 but I’m 36 and they just don’t have any appeal anymore!! And, can’t wait to see your name plastered all over when you are nationally famous, because with everything creative you do, you are going to be everywhere someday.

Paula – You seem to be so on track and such a nutritious eater – is your husband the same or do you have to push it on him? I know my skinny husband likes to snack a lot and he’s been good about the nutritious dinners, but then sits down after and eats a bag of goldfish – it kills me.

Let me know how Makie does at the Y – ours is offering it too but I can’t decide whether or not it’s worth it to take Nicholas. I’m glad your supervisor cleared the air, I’m sure it makes you feel better.

Holyteror - Do share your recipes – I like it when someone else does the work and finds the good recipes – if I feed my husband another “expiriemental meal” from a book he may just divorce me!!!


WEED for tomorrow (completely forget to post today!!)

W -- This I have no problem with -- I wish food was the same way
E -- Been doing awesome at the YMCA - tomorrow 10 minutes stair climber, 20 minutes eliptical, 20 minutes treadmill and 20 minutes ARC (time left maybe some laps on the track!!)
E -- Today went pretty well, I think I'm back on track -- goal to just keep my head above water for a while until I can completely get back on track.
D -- Think of other things besides food for a change