A day late and a dollar short....the story of my life. Sorry I didn't open this yesterday.

I feel a bit better today and some of the gloom has lifted. My therapist recommended the Renfrew Center to help me with the weight loss doldrums. This is not a diet plan but very focused therapy for problems with eating. Actually my eating has not been bad...no losses and no gains...but the menopausal doldrums and obsessing about my weight is really getting me down so I am going to give this place a try....my therapist has other patients who swear by it so let's see if these folks can get the demons out...but not worry I have dealt with worse than this before....I just need some motivation.

Good luck to everyone at Curves!!!!!!!!

Oh sure Nurse! Now I have to remember what everyone said on the last thread! Ah, but I checked there first!

Semo and Tiger, I really do like Curves a lot. Going back tonight for my next "session" so I'll see how it goes ... and if I remember how to use all the machines! P.S. Tiger - no bambies!!!!! There really is a wide (no pun intended) variety of women, young and old there. And we all have something in common - weight to lose!!

Quilter, an hour a day!?!?!?! How'd I miss that report? I could never do it. I mean, who's even got the time, much less the ambition!? I'd end up absolutely HATING it and stop going. Curves recommends 30 minutes every other day and, believe me, it's quite a workout. Good thing they supply the hand towels! My shirt was stuck to me by the end of it. They make you stop and check your heart rate every so often (about 3 times during the 30 minutes you're there). Mine was certainly up there!

And most amazing ... it was ... dare I say it ...?

FUN! Who knew?

Have to go now. Lots of stuff to finish before the weekend. Oh and think of me fondly on Sunday if you would. I'll be surrounded by thousands of people, mostly kids, all demanding hot dogs and cotton candy and extra jumps on the moon bounce.

... and more face paint.

... and another prize.

... and more napkins to clean up the spilled birch beer.

... and ... well, you get the idea.

DNW thanks for starting the new thread and it was great to hear from you. Let us know if you hear anything that can help us, too. I need help with motivation so often it seems.

Today has been a bad asthma day and I had to leave work to go to the doctor for a nebulizer treatment. Just too much pollen and then it's very humid so I hope it rains and clears everything up. When you feel like there is an elephant sitting on your chest while someone is holding your nose, it isn't a good day. But at least I'm still alive!

Back one last time to say a real "hi" to DNW. I'm glad to see you here, girlie. Sorry you're going through such a rough time but it sounds like you've got a plan.

Take care of YOU!

for you!

Hi. I have sore stomach muscles! That means they are still there!
Youngest has pink-eye. Both eyes. This morning I had to fight with him for 2 hours to get the drops in. My nerves are shot. Dad will be home for the afternoon drops.

Jello, nice to hear there are no "Bambies". Even when I was "normal weight" and going to the gym, I hated to see a "Bambi". I just can't understand the mentality of a thong. *shudder*

Quilter, hope you are feeling better.

Oh great, just felt a tick on my head...this day just keeps getting better.

It's over!!!!! And I survived!!! I was at the park at 7:30 yesterday morning and got home around 11 last night. And then I was too wound up to sleep. Today, I'm sunburned, sore and exhausted. Not a pretty sight. But the block party was a huge success and, except for a few snafu's, it went very well! Woooo and, may I add, Hooooo!! Best part had to be Rich filling in for a while making cotton candy. It was a windy day, he was inexperienced.... Covered head to toe, he was. He was sticky. He was fluffy. He was pink. Looked like a big Easter Bunny.

I admit to eating a little cotton candy - just a little - and some popcorn and one hot dog. But that was it for eating at the park. After clean up, everyone was back at the VFW for beers and other snackies but I was just too tired. Don't think I'm going to do this project next year. I've had 3 years and it's just too much stress for an old gal like me.

So today, I'm going to try not to doze off at my desk and see about leaving early. But you know what? I WANT to stop at Curves for a "quick workout" before I go home.

And then I'll die.....

Good Morning, just a quick hello. My sis made it to my house about 2pm on Saturday. OMG, she has an incision about 12 inches long with 16 staples holding everything together. They also chipped her hip bone to fuze with. Poor thing, this is going to take a while.

Jello, congrats on a succesful party. My hats off to you. Rich, pink, fuzzy bunny, what a sweetie.

Scales were down another pound this morning, but have to wait until tomorrow to see if it's REAL. You know the two day rule.

DNW and Quilter, hope you two are feeling better. We just can't have anyone falling apart here. Alto, I make a good nurse mate.

Tig, how's your little pink-eyed fella? School is such a breeding place for all that stuff.

Huntress and Bright, missed your post this weekend. Hope all is well.

Cafe, where ya been?

Gotta run. Hey to anyone I missed.

Monday Again. Darn day just keeps coming back.

Semo, I didn't know about the 2 day rule. Claim that loss!
Hope your sis is having a quick recovery. You probably told us, but is she big sis or little sis?

Pink-eye is clearing up. One more day of dreaded drops. Still keeping nobody else gets it. This has been my first encounter with it and hopefully the last.

Jello wants to go to Curves! That's great. And it sounds like your Mayberry Block Party was great too. You are queen for the day!

I'm still trying to lowcarb. Not doing as good as the very first week. But, start each day out good....then fade off towards the end of the day. I'M WORKING ON IT! I've also decided not to weigh in until Memorial Day. Trying a different approach.

Oh, how to know i gained too much wieght over the winter...The lawnmower will no longer haul my *bleep* UP THE HILL!

Psst! Boss is leaving in about 10 minutes and guess who's out the door right after him!! I have to go and return some scoops and signs to the very nice water ice lady who donated water ice to the block party. Rich and a couple of guys took her freezer unit back but forgot her scoops, thermostat and a few other things. Never send a man to do ... Well, you know.

Anyway, I'm stopping there, then on to Curves and then, hopefully home for a nap.

Oooh, he's gone. See ya!

Afternoon crunch time. Darn cravings kick in about now. I've drank about a gallon of water, so hoping to feel overly full any time now.
It was suppose to rain today, but hasn't moved in yet. So, I took advantage of the nice weather. Transplanted some ornamental grass, hostas and daylily. My, what pretty fingernails I have.

DS needs helping wipe'n his butt. Yep, the glory of motherhood.

Good Morning!

SEMO, someone over on the Buyer Beware thread is asking about Power90. Maybe you could fill 'em in if you have time.

Jello, how was Curves? How many times have you gone? I called the one closest to me...it doesn't offer childcare. That would leave me hanging in a couple weeks when the monkeys get out of school.

DNW, come out and play!

I didn't make it through "the witching hour"....I gave into the stupid cravings about 4pm. Had a bowl of cereal. About 2pm when the cravings started, I had some cottage cheese with splenda and cinnamon with the TV. Tasty, but didnt' do the trick for some reason. Lots of head banging going on over here.

My Dad had a CT head scan yesterday. Wont know the results until Friday. A couple weeks ago, he had a chest scan. Results were "inconclusive". Praying for more postive results this time.

Hope to come back to lots of morning chatter!

Chatter, chatter, chatter.... Sorry, Tiger, best I can do today. Then again, chatter is pretty much all I do here sometimes!

I really like Curves!! It was more crowded than usual - don't these women have jobs!?!?! - but I was still able to squeeze in. Think I'll go back to my usual time after work though. More friendly bunch.

Did the running around yesterday, then to Curves, then straight home. Changed into jammies and climbed into bed with the remote control. Ah languish, languish, languish..... Rich came in around 6:15 with chinese food. I couldn't resist. Picture it - me and the dog in bed with a tray table fumbling with chopsticks and pork fried rice. Rich didn't stay around for that show! But what decadence!

Fell asleep by 8 and didn't wake up until 6 this morning. So now I should be bright-eyed and bushy tailed! Should be.... But yesterday spoiled me a little.

Hey, question for you all! Pop quiz! Actually, just some brain-storming if you don't mind. I'm going on vacation next week. Leaving Thursday morning and driving up to Connecticut (about 5 hour drive or so). Then we're staying at Mystic Seaport and going to Foxwoods Casino and doing some sight-seeing, the aquarium, outlet shopping, etc. I need a food game plan! Travelling food. Restaurant ordering strategies. Exercise ideas. Water drinking "rules and regulations". All that good stuff.

The trip is Thursday through Monday and then I have off Tuesday for the big trip to the hairdresser for the highlights. Actually, I'm thinking Tuesday when I'm on my own without supervision or any particular plan is more frightening!! But one thing at a time, eh? Any advice?

Have to run. Work to catch up on.

Tiger, I've had experience with those "inconclusive" test results. I know how frustrating that can be. Your dad, and YOU of course, are in my prayers always.

Hey everybody. Sorry I was MIA for a couple of days. I was actually spending more of my work time working - imagine that? And I've been spending my surf time gathering info to help me decide to refinance. double

SEMO - Glad to hear sis' surgery went well. I'll bet you make a great nurse.

Jello - congrats on the successful block party! You're making curves sound VERY tempting. Wonder if there's one in my neighborhood?

Tiger - Low carbing again, hm? You'll do better this time, I just know it! Sorry to hear about the pink eye outbreak. Not fun, whiny kiddo and not much you can do about it.

Quilter - Sorry to hear that you needed nebs in the middle of the day! That's scary. I know you ALWAYS carry your meds, right?

DNW - Be sure and pass on any tips from the group! It sure sounds interesting.

~cafe, rushing

Just happened to come across this on MSN.com. Thought it was interesting.


The Secret to Skinny Snacking
By Leslie Fink, MS, RD for WeightWatchers.com

You're hungry. Tired. Craving. You're looking for a snack that will quickly squash your urge to munch. The big question is: What will truly satisfy your hunger?

Your friend swears by graham crackers spread with jelly but that doesn't mean that they'll do it for you. In fact, all that sugar may just make some people hungrier. So before you reach for a snack, look over our snacking personalities below. Pinpoint the type of food you're truly craving on the first try and you won't end up tasting everything in your kitchen cabinets.

Snacking Personalities 101

I want A LOT
If you're a volume eater, think small: mini chocolates (like mini M&M's), bite-size cookies or small cheese-flavored crackers (such as Pepperidge Farm Goldfish). Low calorie items are key as well. Try light popcorn, baby carrots and black bean dip, or flavored rice cakes.

In need of a quick energy boost
High sugar foods are your best bet. Go for juice, dried fruit, jelly beans, licorice, or even chocolate.

I need a longer-lasting snack
You can gobble down a candy bar in seconds but an ice pop, hard candies or frozen grapes take longer to eat. As an alternative, a piping hot cappuccino or steaming mug of hot chocolate can also do the trick.

Hold me over for hours
A lollipop may take a while to eat, but its high sugar dose can be used up in a flash. High fiber snacks that contain some protein and fat can stave off hunger for the long haul. Great options include whole grain crackers and light cheese, peanut butter and apple slices, or a small handful of nuts and dried fruit.

Give me lots to munch
Can't give up your nightly TV-watching snack habit? Try healthy, lower calorie items like pepper strips, grape tomatoes, crudités and salsa, light microwave popcorn or roasted chickpeas.

Just keep my hands busy
When emotional eating kicks in and a non-food activity like a walk just won't cut it, opt for snacks that take some time to prepare: peanuts in the shell, fruit you have to peel (try a whole pineapple!), or a sundae made with yogurt, chopped fruit and cereal. By the time you're done prepping and eating them, your emotions may well be on the upswing.



As I said, just found it interesting. Maybe it'll help a little too? Have a good evening everyone!

Ticks! Haven't had a tick for ages. Three this week! I thought little DS was hurt the way he came scream'n earlier. Tick was on his leg. I had one in my hair. Had to trust oldest DS to pull it out. *shudder*

Jello, good info. Can I be more than one personality?

Hey Cafe! I was wondering where you'd run off to. Thought maybe Tiffany had hold of ya. (hear that Tiff?!) I'm still learning to low-carb. Although my days are far from perfect, I've cut way back on processed carbs....baby steps.

This evening I have to juggle DS track practice, other DS baseball practice...and find supper somewhere in the middle of it all.

Talk you to ladies in the morning.