Hey, I get to start a daily...it's the first time in what feels like months!

I really miss doing the daily with you chickies...I feel like I've missed out on getting to know so many people lately. I've been modding another board too, and it's just too much. I'm hoping to get out of it soon and have the time to start posting regularly again!

Yesterday I got back in the gym after a long absence (since before Christmas ). It felt SO good! Why, oh why, do I forget how wonderful it can be? I could kick myself for waiting so long! I'll be back tomorrow...weights and a little cardio.

I did my Phase 1 last week very well, so why am I still craving? I wonder if it's emotional because I was eating using my old habits while in France, or if something snuck in? I'll give it another week and see what happens. My depression meds seemed to not be working last week so maybe now that they are back on track I'll see the cravings go away? We'll see...

Our local store has even more WW options, which is awesome. I love knowing that there are easy ways to stay OP.

Have a wonderful hump day, chickies! Get out there and move ... you'll be surprised how AMAZING it feels. I was!

Morning Laurie and all Chicks,

Well yesterday was a crazy day. I am a child protective caseworker for the department of social services. I spent the day running in and out of schools and police departments yesterday. Luckily it did get me out of the office most of the day and away from the snack day. I did manage to have some frosting off the cake, two pieces of regular pepperoni, and two mini meatballs But believe me that was not bad for the little ole snacker girl that I am. Before I came here I never even ate meals, just snacked my way through the day

I feel tired today and a little sore...hope I'm not coming down with anything. I hope today is a slower paced day for me and the rest of all the chicks in the house!!!!

WHEEEEEE it's Wednesday!!!!!

BG: Welcome back from France !!!

Freaky: What a wonderful occupation to have to protect children : ! I hope the rest of your week is easier.

I fell asleep on the couch last night to wake up to some really bad Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swazye movie.. guns shooting and screaming... DH is a real morning bird and nuthin get's between him and his morning TV.

I'm a bit bummed.... . I got tickets fer DH and I to see Larry, the cable guy ( a comic).. He starts his new job on the 6th... They are flying him out to Austin for 2 weeks, then a weekend home..then fly him out for another week... so we won't be able to go... but more importantly he will be away for 3 weeks.. I'm going to miss him..sniff... sooooo, I think maybe I'll pack up the furkids and take a drive to NJ to visit with friends and MIL..and then up to PA to spend a week with my DF .... then I'll start my job hunt in ernest.

Time fer CAWFEEEEEEEEEE! as I watch Patrick Swazye " catch a gnarly wave, one wave before Keanu takes him to jail" (What the H*ll is this Mooovie!!!!!???? It's sooooo bad )

Later Gaters!!!!!!

Good Morning all you early birds! Laurie, I'm having the same problems as you, Phase 1 didn't stop my cravings for sweets this time, and I've been trying to find the "source", too. I've been staying OP so far this week, but at times it's been challenging!
Frreaky, you did good yesterday! Taking baby steps is better than not taking any steps at all to avoid those snacks.
Schatzi, where are you from in NJ? If you get near the Philly area, PM me and maybe we can get together someplace! I'm about 25 miles west of Philly in Thorndale.
I'd better get going, Curves first, then it's my day for taking the girls to school. I hope they have some salad stuff or veggies at their house for lunch, I didn't get to the supermarket yet.

Morning gals!!

Quick post as I need to be getting ready for school and not sneaking in here to check on everyone!!

Freaky I admire you so much! I do not know how anyone could hurt a child and am sure you see/hear some horrible things. Bless you for being an advocate for kids.

Laurie We miss you!!!!!!!!

Cottage Have a good day.

Me- Down 7 pounds this month- I am psyched! Only 2 more pounds and the baby weight is gone. Yippee!! My goal for this month includes exercise- I need to get moving in a major way.

Okay- I am going to be so late. I only have to get older DD out of the house, although that is not always an easy task. Gotta love being four!

Mornin' gals!

Cottage: P1 usually zaps my cravings fast but my last P1 didn't really take my cravings away either. I didn't lose anything the second week so I just went to P2. Have fun at curves!

Schatzi: Oooh trips! I love trips ! Have a marvelous time!

Freaky: You did good just stopping at that! **big pat on the back**

beachgal: You went to France??? No fair! I would love to go to europe, france, italy, greece...all those places. Lucky you! Welcome back.

Counting calories is working well for me but I seem to be sticking to around 1500 instead of 1450 I was shooting for. It's TOM so that may be making me more hungry. I'll see what I weigh on Monday and see if this is working. If not maybe next week I'll lower my calories. I've been doing 2 fruits and a grain each day. I have fewer cravings than I did on my last P1 and am not as hungry but that could be from eating more calories...but I'm not sure.

Today I teach all day...until 8 tonight. I don't have anything already made for dinner but I took some Mahi Mahi out of the freezer last night and will just have that. It should cook up really quick. I'm going to top it with pesto sauce and have steamed broccoli and summer squash.

Have a fabulous day on the beach, chickies!

Hi, Kiko, I missed your post. Your kids are adorable, BTW. Way to go on 7 lbs lost!! Fabulous!

Good morning, Chicks~~

I've been thoroughly immersed in writing my latest tome. Didn't come up for air for a whole day ( I think. or was it two?) Anyway...

Beachgal, hope you had a wonderful time in France! Such yummy food over there! But we're glad you're back.

Schatzi, maybe you can trade those tickets in for a couple to Bill Engvall...he's much funnier! Sorry your dh has to be gone, though. That's a bummer.

Kiko, WTG on the 7 pounds!!

Freaky, sounds like you really did have a crazy day. Maybe if you had one of those insulated lunch bags filled with OP snacks it would help take care of the temptation to grab stuff that isn't quite so good for you. HB eggs, turkey pepperoni, celery sticks with boursin cheese spread, etc...lots of snack options here...

Cottage, IKWYM about the craving for sweets. Mine never went away, either. Esp. for chocolate. That's not even a food, that's an essential!

Okay, off to find breakfast!

Schatzi - Forgot to mention...that terrible movie you mentioned - Point Break 1991 an all time classic

I also agree with a lot of you that P1 did not change any cravings for me at all. Must work for some but I think it works best as a selling point for the book

Kiko - It that baby in your avatar real??? It looks like a doll Seriously, very beautiful children.

Mamacita - it that the little thing called planning ahead - darn it!!! I always mess that up.

Uh, yeah, Freaky, I think that's what it's called...but I'm not so good at it, either, so don't quote me on that!

I go for the easy stuff...hence the HB eggs. Turkey pepperoni doesn't even need planning...you just go into the store and buy it. The LF boursin cheese, yeah, you do have to actually MAKE it. What a PITA.

Good Morning Chicks

Sorry for not posting yesterday,I was kept quite busy with errands in the morn and cooking in the afternoon for next weeks menus.

Congrats to all of you who lost in January and hopefully the rest will do better this month of February.

Laura - I found something on another board that I post to about cravings on Phase 2 Hope this helps.
[wheat in general, for many people, is an appetite trigger...so if you are eating whole grain wheat and find that you are suddenyl hungrier than you were, I'd suspect the wheat. I do try to avoid wheat and opt for whole grain rye instead. ] If I find some more about Phase 1 I surely let you know. Why your craving,in Phase 1 ias probably lack of carbs.

Hugs BB

Mornin' Ladies!
Beachgald - what part of France were you in? I lived there for 7 months and absolutely loved it....naturally lost like 10 pounds cause I was walking EVERYWHERE in my small town and eating really natural foods (even though we were eating pizza once a week?)

Freaky - I don't know how you managet your job but I can empathize because growing up my mom was a social worker and always worked for battered women's shelters etc... good job with your eating, frosting is better than a piece of cake!

Schatzi - Austin is a great town (haha where I live) and your DH will prob love it... and just imagine how good it will be to see him when he comes back! Plus I bet getting away will be good for you, I always love a break!

Kiko - Congrats on the weight! That is AWESOME! Man doesn't it feel SO GOOD? Just remember how goood you feel now for those "plateau moments."

Pearshape - I just knocked 300 off my BMR which is where the 1200 comes from... do you know what your BMR is (I know there's BMI and BMR I think I'm not confusing the 2).

Everyone else, good morning and as far as cravings maybe it's easier the first time around?

On the scale last night and I'm down to 158 which is my VDAY GOAL WEIGHT! Sunday I was 160 but not to get graphic things got moving since then, so I'm gonna record the 158 and just keep plugging away... Have a great day ladies! Gotta run to the gym!

Sarah

Another night of lousy sleep and a late start this morning. I'm due at the dentist (tooth bleaching) for 9:15 so this will be a and run! Back later. No snow or ice predicted for today! Oh joy!

Had a lovely surprise this morning when I realized it wasn't Tuesday (deadline day for reporterly me).

I added my first starchy food back into the diet last night -- plain organic whole wheat couscous (relatively sure that's an okay first Ph. 2 food). Yum. I mixed it with grilled green peppers, onions and mushrooms and didn't notice any kind of cravings later on or so far today. I tried to do steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast, but it didn't work out so well. The bowl kind of overflowed in the microwave. I'll try oven cooking when I have more time. Back to Better n' Eggs for now.

Another new thing -- I rejoined my gym, where I can watch Days of Our Lives while on the elliptical!

Kiko - That's great news! But I think you sent the weight my way...

Me - I'm rededicating myself to South Beach and planning to stay totally OP. Too many extra things have crept in and January was a disaster. I need to stop the gaining before it gets out of control. I know I can do it. At least I have increased my exercise and that has helped me keep my blood pressure down.