Good Thursday Morning!:wave:

Just got in from my jog/walk. I woke up with that "I DUN WANNA" attitude-didn't feel like going, but out I went and got those 4.5 miles in-no great times, felt slow, but at least I went!

I forgot to mention yesterday to you the reason you see the old recipe boards and informational boards being brought to the front. I saw a post by SUZANNE that mentioned that they were doing something with the server in the near future and wanted to remove some older threads. So, I sorta panicked and wanted to move our most important threads closer to the top. I e-mailed some from the board to help me push these up nearer to the top, so that's the results of what you see. I am going to work on getting the recipe boards for the year 2001 put into 4 quarterly boards when I get a chance, will make it much easier to keep these towards the top. With the maximum boards you can currently view being at 15 to a page, you will have to go to page 2 to see other current boards. I wrote to SUZANNE to ask her if there's a way we can get it back to view more than 15 boards on one page at a time-awaiting a reply.

I had a great day with my eating yesterday. Journaled EVERYTHING that I ate and stayed totally within my ranges. I'm going to post my food intake on the FOOD FOR THOUGHT BOARD after I get this done. Also did well with my water intake. Fiber, oh my gosh, I had 49.5 grams!!!!!!!!!! Shouldn't have any Dookie Houser problems here!

Went to WILD OATS yesterday and bought a bread I've seen before, but never really "looked" at. From the same company who made the rye bread I bought the other day. It's called JOGGING POWER and it's delicious-packs a whopping 6 grams of fiber in a slice.

Back to our heat-wave again. Was in the 70's when I went out this morning, suppose to get into the 80's today. Not going to cool off again until Monday!

DARAMUS, once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!Any big plans on how you're going to celebrate? Another one of our abbreviations, ME=Middle Eastern, LMK=Let Me Know. I'm sure there's a few more, just LMK when you see one you don't quite figure out;) Greek was my first guess, than would of been Italian or ME. Hey, you know those calling cards are really cheap if you ever want to actually "talk" to your family in Greece. We call Lebanon and speak to Eli's family for about 40 minutes on a $5 card.

LDBLOND, I know you are not alone in your feelings of not being able to get back on track. I know how you feel due to the same problems I've had in the past. Once I was on a diet and cheated, there was no turning back for me then-I couldn't get back in the drivers seat, so I'd end up gaining all the weight I lost PLUS. Not until SB did I recognize that this was a BIGproblem for me, which is one of the reasons I won't, or should I say can't cheat. The great thing is, I don't want to cheat-so I think in this respect, I've come a long way. I truly believe that if you can stay OP 100% for at least 3 full days in a row, you can be well on your way-okay, that's what works for me, maybe it's 5 days for you, maybe 7, but getting past 3 days for me seems to have always been the make-it-or-break-it point. I think what keeps me on track is the fear of what going off will do. And, once again, I just don't feel the need or desire to cheat-what could I want so badly? I truly feel I'm not missing a thing! If I can have SB LEGAL CHOCOLATE, SB LEGAL DESSERTS and the like, what do I need to cheat for, or with? I guess it still comes down to what I always say, which do you want worse, the doughnut or the weight loss? Don't beat yourself up about this, you are still conscience of what you want, and you are here with us, you have the desire to get back on track, now you just have to tell yourself that and believe it!!! As for journaling, it's not for everyone, but to take 1 day a week out and do it may prove to be very beneficial. It really is easier than you think:)

FROG, I remember that old picture! You've come a long way babyyyy! Honestly, the pictures from O-town, you look heavier in the pics than you do in person-you are much smaller than you appear on film. Any new word on the beach house date???

LAMAP, thanks for the kind words about Michael-he takes after my side of the family!;) Thrilled that you will be able to join us in O-town. FINALLY, we get to meet! Even if just for the one day, that would be great-anything is better than nothingl! Would love for you to be able to stay over if possible!

MEL, lets plan on doing lunch on WEDNESDAY. Did you ask your brother how far he is from BROWARD MALL? That's right across the street from Ole Ole-a definite MUST! Hey, we can hit the bra place right next door if you need any good over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders! Umm, I do have a legal BAKALAVA recipe!!!!!! I can understand what you say about the kids and school. Many of Michael's friends who were in the gifted classes with him decided they didn't want to be in those types of classes anymore and just took the easier way out and took regular classes-Michael would of been bored to tears-thank goodness he's using the brain God gave him. Oye, such things we'll have to discuss over lunch!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANDAMAY, WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!!!! Glad you've decided to join us-the Texas gals will be happy to see you on the boards as well! Please let us know a little more about yourself when you get a chance-we have a BIO BOARD you can post your bio on when/if you want. Don't be afraid to ask us any questions, we're more than happy to help!! Congrats on chosing a really healthy WOE (way of eating)! Again, WELCOME!!!:D

JRED, I had to laugh with your pants getting too long! I've never read anyone posting that that's how they know they are loosing weight! LOL!! Glad you aren't worrying about that 1lb gain and realizing it's just from TOM:)

QUILTER, sounds like you had a nice time at the retirement party, dish sounds good, though I'm not sure about the sauerkraut:eek:

SOL, maybe DARAMUS can give us some great SB LEGAL GREEK RECIPES that we can add to our ME ones!!! Hey, how's Meister doing???

Whew! I'm caught up, it seems! Have to go jump in the shower, Mom is coming over in an hour to shmize around with me.

I'll get a few more recipes posted later on!! Did post one for PECAN PIE

Have a wonderful day!

Debbie
194/125/129
SB since 3/22/00
Reached goal 6/10/01

Good Sunny Morning!
 

Sunny and above norm temps here again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARAMUS Hope you have a GREAT day!

WELCOME to all the newbies! This is a wonderful place

QUILTER That casserole recipe sounds wonderful. I like sauerkraut! Sometimes I'll heat some up for a snack!

DEBELLI Congrats to Michael! Feel free to boast anytime. It's always nice to hear great things.

Yesterday was DH's b-day! I knew I would have cake. But there's only 3 of us and there would have been 3/4 of a cake left after dessert. So instead, I bought cupcakes! The leftovers I sent with DH to work. I know I shouldn't have had it, but I knew I wouldn't stop myself, so I figured one cupcake was better than 3/4 of a cake! Lesser of 2 evils:devil: Otherwise I had a great OP day.

I was just wondering, WHO ALL ON THIS THREAD IS DOING BFL??? If I remember correctly, MEL, FROG, QUILTER and ME (well, I'm just doing the exercise part). Anyone else? (I'm adding this bit after originally posting )--CAT?? are you doing BFL and maybe not QUILTER?? Guess I need another coffee! Brain isn't functioning properly.

I think I've found an exercise routine I can stick with doing the BFL exercises. I'm getting braver with the weights. (I had only lifted weights a few times before this program.) I thought I was hitting 10's until last night when I really increased the weight! But it felt really good and my back only aches a little today. I think I was a little apprehensive about lifting a heavy weight, but now that I see the difference in the workout, I know that's what I have to do and I :love: it! It took me 3 starts on this exercise program but I guess 3rd time's a charm. I have been filling out the routine sheets (HA! ME journaling!) and I do find it a great help to plan the weights for the next session.

Enough boring everyone. Maybe we should have a SB/BFL thread:?:

Hope everyone has a GREAT day!

Forgot...
 

The pics from WDW are great! FROG-WOW!!! You've come a long way. You're an inspiration!

And DARAMUS great pic of you! It's always nice to put a face to a name.

I just was visiting this site. Haven't done so in a long time and it looks revamped. It helped me a lot when I first started SB and reading thru the site is what actually helped me decide to try SB WOE. I thought it might be helpful to the NEW MEMBERS of the board. There are recipes and suggestions for meals (something some of us are always looking for) and a bunch of other stuff. It's a great site.

www.prettyimpressivestuff.com/sugarbusters/

Gotta scoot!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARAMUS!!!

ANDAMAY: Welcome

Debbie: Congratulations on having such a smart son. You must be so very proud.

Quilter: That recipie sounds really yummy. I will have to try it out.

Frog: Congratulations. You have come a long way and you look wonderful!

Zanne: Thanks for the site. I will have to see what I can find there. Congratulations on your BFL workouts. Sounds like you have found the right choice for you.

SolShine: Be sure and let us know how your walk went today. You are doing great with your WDW Marathon training.

jred: I loved your comment on your pants being too long and that's how you know you are losing weight. I'll be glad when mine start getting that way.

Well, I hope I haven't missed anyone. I'll be back later. Have a great day.

Sheann
287/275/150

Found this article on the web and thought I'd share it on our board:

Article Published in Here's Health Magazine

Constant Cravings By Ian Marber


Can food cravings reveal hidden health problems? Nutritionist Ian Marber explains what they mean and how to beat them.

Most of us are familiar with food cravings. What may start as a mild longing can become a potentially overwhelming craving that doesn't fade until it has been satisfied. But what are the causes of cravings? Is the body simply trying to correct some nutritional deficiency, or are there any other influences at work?

Mood Food

One of the most common cravings is for carbohydrates, especially sweet foods and chocolate. "I could do with a chocolate biscuit" is heard far more often than "I could murder some broccoli"!

One explanation is that this is the body's subconscious desire to improve mood. When eaten, carbohydrates aid the absorption of an amino acid called tryptophan into the brain. This is the precursor to serotonin, increased levels of which can help to ease anxiety. This biochemical reaction partially explains why cravings are often for sweeter foods, such as chocolate.

Many women who experience PMS crave sweet food, and the connection with mood is one possible explanation. Another is that chocolate contains magnesium which is often found to be depleted during menstruation.

Chocolate also contains numerous other mood-boosting substances in small amounts, especially caffeine and theobromine. One ingredient called phenylethylamine helps to lift depression and increase attention, so this could be linked to chocolate being seen as a comfort food.

With so much emphasis on keeping weight down, eating forbidden foods also has an element of rebellion, which can be subconsciously appealing for many people.

In the Blood

Craving sweet foods is also likely to be linked with blood glucose. Levels of glucose in the blood fluctuate constantly, and are influenced by what we eat. Some foods are quickly converted into glucose, especially simple carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta and rice, whilst complex carbohydrates like basmati rice, whole grains and beans tend to take longer to be broken down.

The theory is that when blood glucose levels are beginning to fall, the brain will sense potential crisis. As over 70 per cent of glucose is utilised by the brain, any perceived shortage will signal the need for new supplies - this is the blood sugar low that we recognise as hunger.

If this hunger is not met early on by eating something that will supply fuel, then the 'crisis' becomes more serious as time passes and the food we crave is likely to be one that will be broken down most rapidly. Sweet foods, such as confectionery, fit the bill perfectly.

The mineral chromium can be useful for people who crave sweet food. Chromium picolinate facilitates the entry of glucose into the cells, making the whole process more efficient, and reducing the likelihood that you will crave more sugar. Chromium picolinate intake should be limited to 200gr twice a day, usually taken after lunch and dinner. Don't take it without supervision if you are diabetic.

Caffeine Caution

Caffeine also affects blood glucose levels as it encourages the muscles and liver to release stored glucose. This can lead to a rollercoaster of highs and lows, worsened by refined sugar and caffeine. Having either often creates the craving for more in a couple of hours. Starting the day with two caffeine hits is likely to keep you wanting more as the day wears on, so limit coffee and tea to one a day, and switch to herbal teas instead.

A Variety of Needs

The craving for bread and alcohol is also common. This may mean that serotonin levels in the brain are depleted or, in some cases, indicates a proliferation of the yeast Candida albicans which thrives on fermented substances, such as alcohol and the yeasts found in most breads.

Sometimes it's not the bread but what comes with it that is being craved - such as jam or honey. Either way, it is always wise to consult your GP or a nutritionist to check your levels of yeast before undertaking any diet or supplementation programme.

Some vegetarians experience craving for meat. This could indicate a need for protein or minerals, especially irons. Increasing intake of protein alternatives such as a tofu might go some way to alleviating such cravings.

Those with food allergies or intolerances often crave the food that is causing them a problem. This is potentially linked to the release of adrenaline after eating the trigger food, which gives a short-lived boost.

Cut the cravings - but keep a healthy appetite for life…

Whatever the biochemical theories or nutritional deficiencies that may lie behind cravings, they are not at the forefront of our minds when we reach for biscuit tin. So how do we satisfy food cravings while sustaining a healthy eating routine?

Ensure that the majority of your usual food intake consists of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, fresh vegetables, fruit and some nuts and seeds.


If you do crave sweet food, then opt for fruit.

Substitute low-fat plain yoghurt for ice cream.

If you associate cravings with specific times or activities, such as watching a movie or meeting a friend, eat a little fruit just before, so you don't overeat.

Vary your food intake - variety is at the heart of good nutrition

Eat little and often, combining protein, fibre and carbohydrates.

Eat a small, nutritious snack before your regular hunger times usually strike.

A little of what you fancy does you good, so do not deny yourself the odd treat and the pleasure of eating the food you love. Just add moderation and serve immediately!

Few foods should be forbidden, just limited, as cutting out a favourite food can fuel further cravings.

The scent of vanilla encourages increases serotonin levels, which in turn reduces cravings for carbohydrates, according to researchers at St George's Hospital, south London. Researcher studied 200 overweight volunteers and gave one third a vanilla patch, one third a vanilla patch and the remaining third a placebo patch or no patch at all. The study showed that those people wearing the vanilla patch experienced significantly lowered cravings for sweet food, and lost weight over a month.

Health Check


Craving are normally harmless, but they can be an indicator of a more serious, underlying condition:

Alcohol:

Dehydratation
Candidiasis
Hypoglycaemia


Chocolate:

Blood glucose imbalances
Depression
Pre-menstrual syndrome/magnesium requirement


Coffee:

Adrenal insufficiency
Hypoglycaemia


Sugar:

Blood sugar imbalances
Candidiasis

If you frequently experience cravings, visit your GP.

Good morning! Today is shaping up to be a good one :) First and foremost I would like to thank everyone for all the kind birthday wishes! Today was good because for the first time in a LONG time I actually slept through the night. lol I wish I knew what I did differently to accomplish that so I could repeat it. I do have plenty of Greek recipes, only I don't know how SB legal they are. I imagine one could simply substitiute legal ingrediants for those that aren't part of WOE. I think my mother is going to make some Greek food for me tonight (stuffed grape leaves) so I am looking forward to dinner. I love grape leaves :) There are many versions of them but I think she will use ground beef, basmati, onions, and spices for the filling. Once the leaves are stuffed they are cooked in an egg/lemon sauce (yum!) and I am getting hungry just thinking about it lol :devil: Thanks goodness my mother is going to cook because I anything BUT an adequate cook. Aside from dinner tonight I have no real plans. I plan to relax and take it easy... no school, errands, work, etc. I'll try and post a small note tonight telling you about dinner. Bye!

Happy Birthday Daramus
 

Happy Birthday Daramus .... just thinking about all the Greek food makes me salivate! Obvious favorites are Gyros and baclava (spelling?).... of course no-no's!!!

Yesterday and today seem to be doing better! I only ate legal foods all day and a ton of water! So far today I have drank 40 oz of water (it's only 11:30 now!!) and ate some green pepper strips and a small amount of cottage cheese. I'm floating around work today!

I find that if I can't find anything to eat I end up not eating. I did print out all the recipes for the last couple of months so I'm going to start going through them and get menu's planned. I really have found that I am having a hard time sticking to it. Motivation wise! And I do find lots of excuses to justify eating something... i.e. I'll just not eat anything bad for the next day or two.... Need to find a way to really motivate myself and get on the ball!

Thanks for all the welcome girls! I really enjoy reading everyone's posts.

Shan

Hi everyone

Just a quickie as I have to leave soon to do a few errands before going to work. I was pooped last night after working two shifts with short changeover and then playing badminton. I ended up sleeping in VERY late this morning. I didn't get to post for WIW but there isn't much change, back up to 195 from 194 1/2 last week. I have been eating more carbs lately, after cutting them down for a few weeks. Either way it doesn't seem to make any difference to the weight loss, or should I say lack of it. I'm just thankful that I'm not gaining. The one good thing is that I haven't gone much above 195 for the last couple of weeks, whereas before it it was fluctuating between 195-198. So I suppose that is a positive sign.

Deb - You should be very proud of Michael. I'm glad to hear he is doing so well. Nothing wrong with boasting.:)

Daramus - [size=large]HAPPY BIRTHDAY[/size]. I am looking forward to seeing some Greek recipes. Glad to hear that you were finally able to get a good nights sleep. Hope you have many more of them.

BMK - I would like to take you up on the offer to get me a case of agave syrup. Even if I do get the one I ordered it won't hurt to have another case. And the price you are paying does sound very reasonable. Much cheaper than what I had been paying here.

Sorry I don't have time to 'chat' to you all. Gotta run.

Marie :wave:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARAMUS and many, many more! It's nice to have a guy on the board to give a different twist to life!

Still having shoulder problems. Stayed home from work today and should be resting it on the couch, but I have to get something done on the computer, so I decided to take a quick peek.

l hope everyone has a great Thursday and coming weekend!

Karen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARAMUS!

And hello everyone else. It's warmed up a little here and the snow is beginning to melt. The kids are not happy.:( Personally, I'm ready for it to warm up. Been pretty much OP. Just trying to figure out a way to fit in the exercise.:dizzy:

ROSALIE: I know what you mean about being thankful that you're not gaining. That's the attitude I have to have now too.

POOHTATTOO: Hope you're near the potty.:o I'm lucky that my classroom is just across the hall.

DEB: Thanks for posting the article on cravings. Boy did that really hit home. Very interesting. And...don't worry one bit about boasting about Michael. You have earned that right as his mother.:smug:

ZANNE: WTG on the cupcakes. Great idea. Course I probably would have eaten more than one cupcake.


FROG: Thanks for posting the pictures. What a change!

ANDAMY: Wecome aboard! Another Texan--great!

JRED: I've noticed the same thing in reverse. I always noticed when I gained that my pants got shorter. :o I'm really surprised that we got more snow than y'all. It usually kind of plays out before it gets to us. We got about 5 inches.

Better run before class.

Howdy :)
 

Well I've had a pretty good day. I haven't eaten everything in my path, so that's ok. TOM hasn't come yet... I can never remember exactly when it visits, and it's never regular anyway... so I'm guessing it's soon.

Today I had fruit for breakfast ( I was running late)
Had some leftover roast and green beans for lunch.
Had some sunflower seeds for a snack... I feel like someone who's quit smoking (I'm guessing, I never have smoked..LOL)...Gum and Sunflower seeds are my saving grace from stuffing my face with food!!

Yesterday I did better than the day before. And today is better than yesterday. I do notice that the more I get comfortable with this WOE, the more tempted I am to be less strict? Anyone else have that problem?? The first week I was GUN-HO to stay STRICTLY OP. Now I'm like... well.. I *could* just try a little of that... yadda yadda yadda. So far I haven't given in... (GO ME!!) But it's just weird to me that I'm trying to talk myself into stuff I know I shouldn't have.
DH says I'm grouchier now than I was before SB. (I say I'm not medicated with chocolate, so I'm finally sticking up for myself!!) But seriously, is there some correlation? And what can I do about it?

OK... anyway... I still don't have a scale, and my pants aren't any looser... but they aren't tighter either... so I"m probably stuck at the moment cause of TOM being close. Doesn't matter as long as I don't gain. I know it will come off eventually as long as I stay OP. :)

Have a good one everybody!! I'm off to disguise some chicken :)

BTW - I cooked that Creamy Chicken Pockets for the family the other night... THEY WERE A TOTAL HIT!!!!! Thanks a million BOB for that one! Even my picky 10 year old loved it!

It's Little Friday!
 

It's the start of my weekend and boy am I glad! Am ready for some fun and relaxation.

Anyone else doing BFL discovering their face suddenly breaking out all over? YIKES! Wonder if it is protein increase, hormonal changes from increased activity... Any ideas? I look lik a 13 year old all of a sudden!

Had a busy morning at work. Had a difficult time with a case. Child is 3 1/2 years old but functioning like a 2 year old. Mom was closed off to listening to the report and Dad was seemingly invested in hearing the results. Usually it is the other way around. Anyway, matter gets more complicated by the fact that they won't enroll their children in public school (because of their religious beliefs) and this child may seriously struggle if not enrolled in a developmentally appropriate setting. We may even have trouble finding a daycare that meets parents religous standards in addition to the child's learning needs. I can't imagine being a parent and hearing this info, I can hardly beleive I am the person delivering it, but it even more complicated when the don't seem to quite get the full picture. Luckily they have some great professionals in their rural area that can assist them as the fog begins to lift. Like I said, ready for some fun!

DEB - Thanks for the comments about the pics. I thought I was smaller than the pics indicated but I have a skewed body image that I sometimes don't know what I really look like. I reach for pants that are way to big and way to little. It is something that I will have to work out as my body changes. Regarding the pics, I also know that I was really swollen in the days after that race and you can see it my face. My ankles were swollen for about 3 days. In the race pic at the end that they took of DH and I with our medals my face was very, very puffy! It didn't even really look like me, or like me after just having my wisdom teeth out! :lol: My current weight is probably my lowest or a pound from my lowest since starting SB. I haven't talked to Allison again about changing the beach dates, I harassed her to death for the ones I got. I will see her Monday if not before and I will ask her then. I don't know about adding Wednesday, but I doubt getting our Thursday added on will be a problem. Have you mentioned the dates to Suzanne? Right now, not including Suzanne but including Allison and her SIL the massage therapist we only have me, you, and Bob as "for sures." While I am happy that y'all are coming, I was hoping for more.

BKM - Good luck at the banquet!

SEF - My dad has a similar Boy Scout story but his involved a major cold front instead of rain. All of a sudden it got extremely cold in a matter of hours and they were in shorts and short-sleeved shirts. :eek: Luckily they were able to get packed out before anything major happened.

FILLISE - I have got to come up with something to give up for Lent! Year before last it was shopping and before that it was ice cream. For the life of me I can't remember what I did last year! Am wondering if I gave up anything! My memory!

ZANNE - I'm a BFLer. Did you see my note above about my skin and BFL? Are you drinking any of the supplements? Have you taken a body-fat measurement? MEL and I were discussing this issue via email. I am taking mine with the scales that measure it via impedence measures and hope that it is at least quasii-accurate.

DARAMUS - Happy Birthday! Your birthday dinner sounds spectacular! Sounds you got a great gift in a good night's sleep!

POOHTATTOO - Great to have a college coed on here to help me feel young! I act like I'm about that age! I think I'm 35 going on 25! :lol: What are you majoring in?

Well, time to go get ready for my 20 minute aerobic solution! Think I may hit the treadmill for a semi-real run or do the elliptical trainer, which I am acutally starting to enjoy using.

Have a good evening all!

Peace,
FROG

Just passing thru....
 

Hi All!

DH being on nights has thrown my routine into a spin. I'm fighting to keep my eyes open:eek:

DEBELLI-thanks for your post on cravings. Full of useful info.

ROSALIE-I emailed Galloway to find out when the agave might be delivered. Apparently it's on order and will be shipped as soon as they get it in. Hope they CAN get it!

FROG-Now that you mention it--I have been getting more zits. Not a bad breakout, but a couple or 3. And of course the big, lovely ones come out just before a special night out! I thought maybe I was drinking more water and flushing out impurities. I sometimes get one around TOM, but now that you made me think about it, I've had them at other times too. Never thought about the exercise program causing it. Hmmmmmm......

Sorry about not responding to the rest of you. I'm gonna crash into my computer if I don't have a power nap. And I still have a cardio workout to do.

Bye for now.

+ Dearly Departed +
 

I'd like to say a word in memory of my dearly departed fish.

Blue was a good fish. A kind fish... he swam in my kitchen for 2 years, and never argued with me, yelled that dinner smelled nasty, or complained when the dishes got out of control.

I'll miss him...

He's lucky he didn't die 2 days ago, or he might have ended up on a Triscuit with the day I was having!!!







*( just makin ya smile, y'all)*

Hey All:wave:

Hope you all had a good day, mine was uneventful. Should of stayed home and did some housework, but instead, ran around with Mom for a while before having to p/u the kids. We stopped at a fruit stand that's in the boondocks and I bought a fruit I had never heard of, called SAPADILLA. The sign said it tasted like pear and brown sugar-and it did! It was really good!! The nutritional value of a 6 ounce fruit is: 141 calories, 9 g dietary fiber and 34 g carbohydrate-wirth trying if you can find one at a decent price-just wait til they soften up to eat.

Thanks to all of you who put up with my boasting about Michael and gave me good wishes!!:) Hoping next month I'll be singing praise of Lauren getting into the drama program at his school!

Food today has been going well. Trying to decide if I should have fish or meat for dinner. Will let Eli decide when he comes home. Have a desire for the sauteed onions with pine nuts he makes, maybe if I chop up the onions he'll do the honors! Have done well with my water too:spin:

ZANNE, I do love you way of thinking! You are too funny!:lol: Hope DH had a good bday!

DARAMUS, glad to hear you're having a good day. We LOVE making grape leaves here at home, with Eli being ME, well, you get the picture! Have a grapeleaf for me tonight! Hey, we actually have a hand machine that rolls them here at home!!!

POOH, not necessarily! I have a recipe for Baklava that could be made SB legal if you bought agave and WW filo dough. BUT, lets not focus on desserts at the beginning of your SB odyssey-let's find a way to get you motivated. One thing I'd like to say to you, being you are younger;) is, do this now, why you are still young. Don't make the mistakes I did and yo-yo diet til you're my age-40:eek: and have saggy skin that won't ever go back from all the years of going up and down in weight. How I WISH I could turn back the hands of time, but I can't, so I have to live with the way I abused my body-but you, you can nip this now, while you are still young!!!

KAREN, hope the shoulder gets better soon!:)

BETH, seems you are doing better and every day that you stay OP you will see how much easier it is and how much better you feel. Do stay OP 100% and don't give in, don't tempt fate. See what you've done in the past and don't make the same mistakes, as I mentioned in an earlier post. You can lose this weight once and for all, just keep telling yourself how much you want this, how much you deserve this, how much you can do this!!!! What a wonderful eulogy for BLUE, my condolences to you and your family. Where will he be buried-in the watery grave?????

FROG, I'm holding out that more will attend Oct. as it gets closer, esp. as we get new gals on the board in the months to come. I'm hoping they will all realize this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Hey, if I can drive 12-15 hours, many others who have less driving time should be able to make it!! I think I too have a warped image of myself-which I'm sure you probably picked up on in O-town-hey, so I'm not perfect! I still tend to go towards the larger size clothes-after so many years of having to shop in those dept., my inside radar just heads me in that direction! WOO HOO on getting back down to the lowlands!! That's so exciting!! Hoping we both have good results next WIW on the scale! Def. those pics do you no justice, you are NOT as big as they appear!!!!

That's it for me, for now. Will try to check in this evening before I hit the hay!

Debbie
194/125/129
SB since 3/22/00
Reached goal 6/10/01