Morning everyone.... Couldn't sleep and so I got up, oh so early!!!! I love being on the internet really early and drinking my morning coffee while I type away. Pretty soon it will be time for me to have a piece of peanut butter toast and start my day. The weather is getting cool enough for me to start walking. Maybe that will help spur me on and get me out of this awful slump I'm in.

Monet- Will be thinking of you as you have your hectic day and will say a little prayer that all goes well. I sure don't envy you. I was a grade school teacher's aide for years.

Talitha- I'm sorry your DH has to work away from home. I worry allot about my DH having to do this if his job shuts down. I live in a small rural town and theres no other job in his field here. I had to be the stay at home Mom while he worked out of town. And its sure not fun. I'll be thinking of you.

Gatorgal- Your pot of lentil soup made me sure hungry for some. I've never tried that kind before. EEEEKKKKK I love chinese food. And its the egg rolls that do me in.

Frog Lover- I'm so sorry your scale isn't moving. That has to be so dishearting. Its so great you continue to eat right and its just got to come down soon. Hang in there gal.....

Bob- Yum meatloaf. I might have to make one tonight.

Solly- Hope your meeting was a good one.....

Fillise- Howdy girlfriend... You sure are a busy one...

Well hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Will check back later....

Frog--When was your baby born? I ask that to get more info as I consider your question.
It could be that with your reduced activity you just don't have a balance between energy (calories) taken in and energy expended. So you might try journaling for a week or so to monitor exactly what your caloric intake is, even though you are eating very healthily. Also, make sure that every calorie counts: if you decide to cut back on your caloric intake a bit, make sure that what you eat is supercharged with vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, etc. Monet's suggestions about not snacking between meals, not eating after dinner, eating smaller meals, etc. are just basic good sense and are an easy way to keep the calories down. Also, my doctor told me that for some women, giving birth or going through menopause sometimes triggers hormonal changes with thyroid and losing weight becomes harder. So the leptin thing might help bring tht back into balance for you. Finally, don't lose hope. Just keep on keeping on doing the right thing and you will eventually see success. As you heal from the caesarian you will be able to become more active which should help. Keep posting and using this board as a support group. It's harder to go it alone.

Better today
 

I'm back from the Y and checking in. I have a meeting with a new Business Builder at 4 and a group presentation at 6. My sister was coming over to watch the kids for me, but my mom just called. Apparentyl she turned her ankle in dance class and they are taking her to the emergency room. I"M FREAKING OUT!!!!! I am worried about her ankle, and I'm sorry that she's hurt,,,,But what the keck am I going to do with my kids!!! Alot of times I can take them with me, but it's just not appropriate for either of these instances. I'm making calls like crazy to figure something out.


Frog- I lost weight like crazy after my first csection. I was a mad woman. Out walking 4 miles a day when Selah was 3 weeks old. This one has been a different story. The weight's not budging. Jacob is already 9 months old, and I'm back up to the weight I was when I got pregnant with him. Sounds crazy, but I lost 20 lbs with each pregnancy, because I have it so bad. With this one, I've gained it back! So when he was 5 omnths old I was down to 175, and now I'm back up to 191! I hate it.

Toni- I was up early, too. I love the fallw eather coming in. Doesn't it feel great?!!

Hey, everyone! School today was unbelievable. I need to remember to pray for the second grade teacher DAILY. The dynamics of the class are horrific, and she has three who are bonafide ADD, and almost impossible to control. I was SO ready to leave at 1:30 and go down to my quiet art room and teach art! I felt like I was released from prison. AND, the teacher is still sick and my neighbor will be subbing for her tomorrow.

Dinner tonight was country fried steak, made with brown rice flour. It turned out great! I also had brown rice, and made the kids some mashed potatoes, which I tasted. We had broccoli too. Lunch was chicken salad, carrots, broccoli, some macadamia nuts and a diet coke. Oh, and a banana. :)

I am SO tired...I also have a weird cramp in my foot that is driving me nuts. I am going to have to go fix Tom's smoothies and lunch soon, even though I really don't want to. :(

FROG: I am glad the scale moved some for you!

TONI: Its good to see you posting! I bet the cooler weather and walking will help get you back on track! Someone was saying to committ to just doing ten minutes...and probably once you start you will keep going longer! :)

BOB: Good to see you posting! <<hugs>>

TALITHA: I am looking forward to Friday! Someone asked me to sub on Friday, and I told them no, I had plans! :)

ok, off to get my evening chores done. I fell asleep on the swing in the backyard by the pool when I got home from school, instead of doing them, so I am behind now! :(

Howdy!
 

I didn't run away. :) I no longer have internet service. I'm visiting my mom and my new precious little grand daughter. :) I'm now a memaw! Sending love and hugs to everyone.

Love,
Crystle

We had a wonderful time at the falls. It was very beautiful and would of been more so if it was not such miserable weather. It drizzled the whole time and was so cold we had to buy gloves. We walked from NY to Canada ! HA. I can actually say that ! We walked so much I dont think Ive ever walked that much in one day. But it was very invigorating. We did not ride the "maid of the Mist" but we did go up in a big thing that raises way above everything and you can see all around that part of Canada and Ny. We went to two casinos at night and .. darn... didnt win a thing. LOL. This was DH's first time gambling and last time.. he says... He didnt like giving his hard earned money away. I wanted to get some pics in the casinos but they did not allow cameras. We ate at this buffet that had more food than you could hardly believe! We visited the Hersey's store and I drooled over all the chocolate.
There were tons of people there at the Falls and most were all from outside the US. It was very exciting hearing all the different languages and accents.

I ate way too much. Dh and my friends kept saying "your on vacation stop worrying so much" And I caved in. Though I really didnt eat anything I shouldnt of just too much of what I did eat. They all ate desserts and sweets and I managed to stay clear of that. I just devoured too many calories and way too much fat. I am not weighing until Monday to give me a chance to get back to my schedule of eating over the next 5 days.
Heres our pics ( hope Im putting them on here correctly)
This is going over the bridge towards Canada and looking at where you board the "Maid of the Mist "

That tall lookout station in on the US side.

About halfway over the bridge looking at Canada

The US falls is on the left and the Candana one is on the right.

Another pic of both falls

Rick and I ( after walking in the rain for hours lol )

American falls ( our hotel is the tall building to the left in the background)

My kids are crazy. Up at 5:30 this morning. THey've had breakfast, read books and now Jake is taking his morning nap. It's 7:30!!! I can see that today is going to be all out of wack, but I'm going to do as much as I can.

I have to go to the post office to mail out some samples. Mailing stuff intimidates me. Between The USPS, UPS and FedEx, I don't know who is the cheapest and easiest. There is a UPS store nearby, but do they have the legal size envelope that is a flat rate, or is that FedEx? I guess I should take one of the packets to the USPS and see what they would mail it for, then I can just mail it with stamps from home in the future, right?

I have my second appt with a coach at the Y today. I'm excited about it. I've been pretty consistent with my exercise for 3 weeks now. I feel good, but I don't think my weight is showing progress.

I broke down and bought a digital scale at Target yesterday. The one I have was the cheapest one I could find, and it is so inconsistent. I can step on it 3 different times and get 3 different weights. The digital seems to be better, and I'm not guessing on where it really is.

Monet- I will need groceries on Friday (Pay Day). How about Harry's?

Country- We miss you :( Will you be able to check in every now and then?

Cindy- Great pictures!!!! I've never been to Niagra, and honestly never felt interested until I saw your pictures. IT's gorgeous!!! I want to go!!

Today is art day at school! :) I am dressed and about ready to run out the door. I stopped in to read while I drank my coffee.

TALITHA: Harry's? That is ok, but I was thinking DFM...if you prefer Harry's, its ok by me. You may be disappointed though... We could always re-enact our last meet up and have lunch at Sweet Tomatoes! LOL

CINDY: The pix are great! Thanks for sharing! I have never been there either, but I would love to go! Thanks for the warning on the Hershey's...I won't eat any since you drooled all over it! :lol3:

Ok, I gotta go. I have a sore throat slightly, and my nose is stopped up. I am afraid its going to be a long day! :(

See ya all this afternoon!

Hello all--a quick fly-by to say hey and I'm still around.

I may be headed to the beach this weekend (just for fun) and then next week to NC where I am leading a women's retreat over the weekend. That will be three weekends in a row at a beach. Two of them are working weekends, but still working at the beach is better than time off anywhere else, as far as I'm concerend!!!!

Cindy--My DN and I visited the hershey store on Times Square daily while in NYC last summer! So much fun (so much chocolate!). I'm glad you had a good trip.

Talitha--sounds like you are really working your business hard--good for you!!! Baby weight sounds like it is maddening--but aren't those little ones so worth it?

Frog--I have found that when I go off plan for an extended period of time, it takes me 2-3 weeks of eating on plan before I start losing again. Don't know why, but if I stay with it, it does start coming off again. Give the tadpole a hug from her Aunt Susu!

BOB--Great to hear from you! I'm working on my DM to make another trip to Tampa next spring to check on my Aunt. . .

Monet--On my way back from NC next week, I'm planning (right now) and going through up and down I-85. On my way back on Monday (the 28th), I'd love to meet you at Harry's if you have time. It will probably be about lunchtime, but I'll let you know.

Gator--Hey!

Everyone else--Hey!

Got to go--Have a great OP day everyone!

Susan

Hello SB gals..... Just got done putting the stuff in my bread maker to make a loaf of whole wheat bread. Have eggs on to make egg salad. So I've been busy in the kitchen. This evening I'm going to try and make some enchiladas with whole wheat tortillas. I hope they turn out good. I canned some chicken up a while back and I'm going to use that for the filling. I'm trying hard today to eat healthy.

Monet- Hope you have a great day with your class.

Talitha- What a long day you're going to have. But I sure miss those years when my kids were young and so easy to please.

Cindy- What a wonderful vacation. It looks beautiful there.

CountryMom- Miss you posting!!!!

Howdy Bob and Frog Lover......

Better go and fold laundry.......

I'm back from the Y. I want a nap!!!!! Meeting was great. He gave me some more ab exercises that are safe for my back.

I think I may put hte kids donw and snooze for at least 15 minutes...

MONET- Ok, I thought you didn't want to drive that far. I absolutely prefer DFM I think I'm going to skip the latin cardio, because it hurt my back last time. How about meeting there at 10? We can shop for a bit then have lunch at the cafeteria. I love the DFM!!!! I haven't been in almost a month!


Toni- You can do it. I love those WW tortillas. I actually prefer them now! As much as I didn't want to get out of bed so early this morning, they were really sweet. Selah crawled into bed with me and was just singing and playing with my hair. Jake was calling to us fromt he other room with baby babble. It was precious...

Fillisi- I agree, working at the beach would be fine with me!! I am focused on working hard this month. I love this board as an outlet and a link to the outside world, expecially with Trav gone.

Hi Ladies

Sorry I have been MIA. I have been out all week working in our other office and didn't have time to get on the computer. Eating has not been good. Time to have a talk to myself again. I hurt my back and I have slacked big time on exercise this week. I guess bad eating and no exercise goes hand and hand.

Toni, glad to see you back at it. Take it one day at a time.

Frog, glad to see the scale moved for you.

Cindy, what beautiful pics. I have never been to NF, it is beautiful. SOrry the weather was so bad for you. Sounds like you made the most of it though.

Monet. Just count your blessings you don't have that class all the time. Sounds like you could sub pretty much full time.

Susan, Wow, working at the beach. Now that's my kind of job.

Talitha, You deserve a nap, getting up that early and getting to the gym. Sorry your DH is gone again. Have fun with Monet Friday. Give her a hug for me.

Country, no more internet??? Does that mean you won't be on here much. Give us the scoop on the new grandbaby? Pics please. Congratulations.

Bob, You are so crazy.

Gator, now you have me craving Chinese. How is your new car?

Is Techwife back yet?