[Karen31]

Hello Ladies,
Well, I knew it would probably happen--- I got on the scales this morning and I had gained a pound! This week has been a little mixed up for sure and I've eaten more "goodies" with Tim and not done my walks like had been. SO today it is back to business and get that pound off and then some! I didn't want to move my ticker but I did anyway. Got to keep it honest!

Cal-- Good luck on the weigh in today!! I'm rootin' for you!!

Angie, your 4 legged kids are so cute and so is Corey! I hope Candi is all right and doesn't have to have that surgery. Sissy's knees on her back legs are both kind of bad but so far they haven't bothered her. The vet. told me they may be fine and never have to do anything to them. So I'm really hoping that is the case with her. Sure hope Meanie starts feeling better too.

Noelle, that is such a cute idea about the candy wrappers. I would have never thought of it. I watched that Idol show and boy was it good!! I told Tim it isn't fair that I had to have tissues there beside me to get through it though!! And the duet with Elvis was so good!! I knew he was still around!!! Tim said they did that with some sort of "holigram" who knows if I spelled that right.

Virgo- Thanks for the nice words. Things are really going to be OK and maybe there will be a silver lining to this cloud too! I kind of feel like the "unsinkable Molly Brown" I AIN'T DOWN YET!!!

Kempyd-- How is the pool coming? I'm hoping that my brother goes ahead and fills the pool at my Dad's this year. I think we will probably go back there in the next couple weeks. It would be nice to havet he pool to play in and just forget about things for awhile.

Dips, Where are you?? I hopet hings are all OK with you.

I know I have probably missed a few people but I'm sorry. I will try to get better at this now. Just know that I really appreciate all of you.
Karen

[angieME]

Good Morning girls!!! Candi woke up today and has been trying to put pressure on her back leg so I guess she is feeling better. I still have her in her crate and she s such a good girl. I carry her outside so she doesnt have to go down the steps into the field. She is heavy!!!!I cant wait until she loses some weight. She doesnt mind the crate so far. she just sleeps.

I got a weight watchers kit for my sister for her birthday. It was yesterday and I couldnt go down because of Candi and my neice had softball practice so I will run it down tonight. I think she will like it because she has been wanting to do something to get some weight off.

Me and Jay get the house to ourselves tonight. All the kids are going to friends houses tonight.

Kempy, Great job on walking the dogs every day!!! Yesterday was Lab puppy day at the vets I thnk. There were 2 black lab pups and a yellow lab pup that came in while we were there. The yellow lab was funny because she knew where she was and didnt want to be there. She tried to climb into Jays lap.

Cal, Good luck with your weigh in!!

It is supposed to rain today and tomorrow. It is getting darker out right now. Our temps dropped back to 50-60 after the 80 degree day.

[angieME]

Hey Karen, we were posting at the same time. I love your enthusiasm. It is so nice to hear. You WILL get that 1 pound off plus some I know it. Does Tim like to go for walks with you and the pups? Jay loves going with us and it does him some good. I hope you have a great day today.

[calnative]

The weigh in went well. I started out at 308; went to 311; now down to 305.
I do like the motivation with the 'Biggest Loser' thing at school, but I realized that the way they are measuring for winners will guarantee that I won't win. They use percentages. The winners so far have lost 4 and 5% of their weight (only 5.5 pounds for them) I would have to lose 15 or more to equal that percentage. I'm so bummed and depressed. I'll keep going though because I still want to lose 25 by June 14 when we leave for our cruise.

Only 5.5 weeks of school left. I found out today that it looks like I'll be moving to 8th grade Social Studies. I'm looking forward to it...it will be a nice change. I am certified for both Language Arts and Social Studies in 7th and 8th grade.

Have a great evening everyone.

Cal

[angieME]

Good Morning girls!!!! I lost 4.1 pounds this week!!! How that I happened I dont know . I stayed within my points every day but I still had turkey sandwiches and potato salad for 3 days straight to use it up.

I havent told you guys yet but my Mom is going through a breast cancer scare right now. She has a lump that is 11 cm. and has to go to a specialist for some more tests. While we were at my sisters last night she was telling me that mom got her records from her doctor to take to the specialist and was reading them at her house and they wrote right out cancer on her chart. I am so scared for her, she is only 52 years old. If you guys would send good thoughts her way I would really appreciate it. She has been waiting for a month already to see the specialist and she still has 2 more weeks to go so she is thinking the worst the longer she has to wait.

Cal, You are doing great. Just keep chugging along and you will get there and that is all that really matters.

[calnative]

Angie: Lots of good thoughts going out to your mom...prayers too. My sister, Bert, (you met her) had 2 lumps about a month ago. After further tests, she found out they were cysts and non-cancerous. She was so worried that she's moving to AZ to be with the rest of her family. She said that scare made her realize that she wanted to be near her family.

I'm feeling better today. I have some quizzes to grade and a birthday party later.
Have a great day everyone.

Cal

[FatToFitVirgo]

Hello, ladies! I'm going to post something more appreciative of your efforts in the near future, but in the meantime, I had to crow: my blood work turned out well & my doctor is very happy with me! Knock on wood (I hope to keep on exercising and eating right!)--I don't have to go on cholesterol meds!

(This is edited: In the little "type-in box" these statistics of mine look more like spread-out columns, but they didn't work so well when actually posted. I'm gonna try to spread them out better. If it doesn't work, try to look at these as 4 separate columns, by date.) ((Okay, it didn't work. I tried!))

Feb,2005 May 2005 Nov 2006 April 2007
(still have my (Discovered NO (Last fall's (This week's
thyroid function) THYROID!) measurement) results!!)

T.C.: 222 T.C.: 412 T.C.: 279 T.C.: 234 !(Yay!)
LDL : 132 LDL: 292 LDL: 179 LDL: 141
HDL: 58 HDL: 78 HDL: 59 HDL: 57
Wt: 209.8# Wt: 210# Wt: 206# Wt: 203#

"T.C" is Total Cholesterol, which should be 200 mg/dl or lower.
"LDL" is "Bad" cholesterol, which should be 130 (first exam said 100!) or lower
"HDL" is "Good" cholesterol, which should be 40 mg/dl or higher ("60" is ideal)
My weight has actually been pretty stable...kind of a "slow yo-yo"...

As you can see, the most alarming numbers are in the second group, May, 2005. In March'05 I had started at WW, but was gaining weight, not losing. At first, I just thought "menopause was kicking my ***", was the way I put it. But I was too easily chilled, even for someone used to living in a drafty old house. When my lean husband was warmer than his naturally insulated wife, something wasn't quite right. My brain was more tired than usual, I wasn't able to lose weight, unlike the way I used to (when I put my mind to it), and I was thirsty! Well, that alarmed me--I figured I had become diabetic. So I went to the doctor to find out what was what.

Well, I'm not (and I wasn't) diabetic. But it turns out it was a very good thing indeed that I'd gone 3 months earlier to that screening. It showed my cholesterol numbers were high then, but only in a borderline way, like they had been for a few years. Look how abnormally high the May 2005 numbers are! He called me personally to tell me my thyroid had stopped working! But I've been on BP and thyroid meds since then, and this is the first time my numbers are even close to my numbers before I lost my thyroid function.

I still have a way to go before I get those numbers down to where they should be. I intend to get there. There's heart disease on both sides of my family, so I can't take anything for granted anymore, especially at my age. I have to say this site and FitDay have helped me start to get my physical act together again. Thank you for all your encouragement--I shall continue to root for all of you, too! (And will in my next post!) God bless you all!

--Virgo

[angieME]

Good Morning!! It is pouring ouside today and my butt hurts from riding my bike all the time so I set my timer for 30 minutes and walked laps around the inside of my house. My dogs and cats were all looking at me like I had lost it. Teddy(the siamese in your christmas card pics) followed me from room to room meowing that annoying siamese meow. haha. He is so silly.

Cal, Thank you for the well wishes for my Mom. I am praying that everything turns out all right for her. We are all really scared. I am so glad to hear that Bert's test came out all good. I bet you are really happy to have her moving closer to you. She is so nice, I really liked her when we met.

Virgo, YEAH!!!! I am so happy for you!!! You are doing awesome!!!

[FatToFitVirgo]

Hello, ladies!! Let me give you all your "propers" since I hogged my last post all to myself.

Kempy, every day's my weigh-in day. I weigh myself every morning, naked, right after I use the john. (Can't get more basic than that!) I know there's two schools of thought. At WW they tell you once a week; the last few months someplace or other recommended every day. Like everything else, it really does depend on how the weigh-in affects your psyche. I can only speak for myself. When the number goes down, I'm motivated to "keep on keeping on!" When the number goes up, that's my wake-up call to do better that day. Right now my current challenge is to listen to when my body's saying it's had enough food for now--and stop. That's the problem with having developed capacity. It tastes so good, it's too easy to just keep barrelling on through, ignoring that little voice trying to be heard over the food saying, 'but I'm not hungry anymore". It's sounds like walking the dogs is doing you much good! I know they're happy to get out with you, and if it's successful keeping the "bloatation" away--keep on keeping on!!

Karen--Hah! I LOOVE the fact Tim's customers are asking for HIM. Maybe the company will rethink its decision!! We can only hope! In the meantime, congratulations on working out, working through this difficult time. It sounds like you're doing better than I would have, in a comparable situation. Good for you!!

Mele, my dear, I saw your post from earlier in the week -- do you drink soy milk all the time, or just have it with your cereal for breakfast? Are you lactose-intolerant, or just like to switch off occasionally? I like the flavored soy milks for a change, but couldn't do it for all the time. What's your secret? I know you're glad you got rid of temptation, by which I mean the 1st Communion candy bars! By the way--please remember to add the link when you change the thread again--we newbies are counting on you!!

Angie, speaking of temptation, it can't be easy to live in a bakery situation. CONGRATS on the 4+ pounds!!! You deserve praise and commendation for staying within your points! (And prayers for your Mom, you & your family. We'll be keeping good thoughts going for you...and for your critters, too.)

calnative--sounds like your walking is really paying off! Good for you!! Even if your school's "Biggest Loser Challenge" isn't stacked in your favor, it's still helping you. You keep on keeping on, girl!

cw, Dips, you all keep on keeping on, too!!

Well, that's it for now--I'll probably see you when Mele adds the link on May 1st! Love to you all,

--Virgo

[Kempyd]

Hey guys. I have new pics of the pool. They came yesterday and installed the tile and all of the stone. It is finally starting to look like a real pool. We are so ready to swim!

I am home today and I think most of the week. The other assistant is there this week so I am going to make use of my off time b4 I am FULL time. I want to paint the laundry room so that is 1st on my list.

Cal don't worry too much about the percentage thing. I wouldn't count yourself out yet. Don't you remember on the show when someone would drop weight all at once? I am sure that will be you!

Karen you sound so much better now. I was thinking about your dads pool and I wonder if the reason they can drain it is b/c it is up north. Once ours has plaster we have to fill it and keep it filled. It would pop out of the ground if we didn't. I think it is b/c we are so close to the gulf and the water is so clsoe to the surface. I hope it if full for you though. You and Tim deserve to relax. Any new word from his job?

Noelle where are you? I didn't see a post from you over the weekend.

Virgo you write so beautifully. You have such a way with words. I think I have been in the south for too long, I have gotten lazy with the English lang.

Angie I like your littel cheerleader at the bottom of your post. What a good idea.

Ok, it is lunch time so I need to see what I can find.

I'll check back later to chat.

[melekalikimaka]

Hi ladies, it's been a hectic but fun weekend and today is the last day of the month so I am in the office trying to get everything done that needs to be closed out....stress!!! I didn't go to my WI on Friday, but I am going this week. Michael's May Day was really nice on Friday, then his 1st Holy Communion was on Saturday morning with a nice ceremony and formal pictures taken. Then on Sunday we had two sets of out of town guests at different times of the day, so no real time to hop on the computer. I did pop on and read through though. ** Right before I left the house I heard Kai (our old black dog) yowling and my sister was outside checking him out. He had just come back from a walk and eaten his food. He normally lies under the stairs outside and she saw him trying to get up, but he couldn't. Then he just layed back down with his head up, but wasn't blinking or turning his head. He wouldn't get up either. We let him sit for a while, then we pulled his mat out with him on it out from under the stairs. He still wouldn't get up. I was feeling his leg all around and he didn't flinch or anything, we were suspecting a stroke maybe because he seemed stiff on his right side. He is at the vets now and I hope everything turns out OK.

Angie, I'm sending prayers for your mom for better health and to take all of your minds off the worry. Let us know how things are OK? That is a nice gift for your sister (the WW kit). All she has to do is look at you to know that the program does work. Hey, GREAT JOB on those 4 lbs!

Virgo, glad to hear you doctor's appointment went well. That is a relief to have them say good things and SEE the improved test results rather than all the doom and gloom about what we "should be" doing, you are already doing them and it shows! As for soy milk, I am a little lactose intolerant (but not enough to make me stop eating real ice cream! ) and I just recently found the 8th Continent brand of light vanilla soy which I like so much, so i use that in my morning cereal.

Cal, you are doing great on your losses as well, keep your mind in the game and you never know, you may be the biggest loser yet. Did the school ask you to switch subjects or did you volunteer? Either way, I know you will keep those kids in line

Kempy, your pool is looking awesome! Especially the hot tub. You are going full time? I hope you can get online sometimes while you're there

Well, I better get back to work. So much to do, so little time! Have a good one.

[Kempyd]

Angie I didn't mean to talking about miss your mom. Tell her to think postive thoughts, things like, she is healing and she no longer has a lump. I firmly belive in the power of your thought. When you think negative things happen that way. You may not ever realize that you are diong it so it is very important to watch what you have going on inside your head. I will keep her in my prayers too.

[Karen31]

Hello Ladies,

Well, I took my exercise ticker off since I wasn't going to maket hat goal this month. I'm trying to decide about putting one up for the month of May now. We are going to go back to visit family and I'm not sure what would be a good goal to have. I know that at least 10 days of that trip will be sitting in the truck and you can't get much walking done there!! I guess I need to think about that a little bit. What kind of a goal would you guys think would be good to work towards?

Call---- WOW!!! You really did good and I'll bet you can get that 25 off by June 14th... I'm going to see if I can lose that amount too. Maybe we can keep each other motivated!!

Angie--- Sorry to hear about your Mom but tell her to think good thoughts and keep smiling 'cause she has all of us "CHICKS" saying lots of prayers for her!!

Virgo--- your numbers are looking really good! I'm hoping that I can get off the cholesterol meds here myself pretty soon. I'd rather eat better, lose weight and not take meds!!

Kempyd--- The pictures ofthe pool look so nice!! I really don't know why my Dad always drained the pool. But it is a very old pool!! Maybe when it was done so many moons ago they had to drain it. I talked to my brother and I'm pretty sure that he is going to fill the pool--- his two boys would probably have a fit if he didint'! They are 12 and 14!! So I'm hoping to use it while we are there!

Noelle---- What did the vet say about Kai? Sure hope everything is ok there. I just got so sad when I read that. I'm anxious to hear so be sure and let us know.

Well, I'm going to let you go for now and watch Dancing with the Stars!! Wish I could dance like that!! Take care-- Karen

[calnative]

The kids at school are starting on some projects for our project fair the end of May. We have a school wide project fair instead of a science fair, and it is really awesome to go around to the different classrooms and see what everyone has been working on.

Noelle: I volunteered. Actually, I told my principal that if an opening came up in 8th grade Social Studies, I'd like to take it for something different. She told me today that that position is mine if I want it...I told her it's mine!! I figured I'd let the kids know during Meet the Teacher night.....in August!!

Kempy: The pool is looking awesome. My brother's pool stays full; he never has to empty it.

Angie: I hope your mom is doing better.

Karen: Thank you for your words of encouragement. When do you leave to visit family?

Virgo: Thank you, also, for your words of encouragement. They mean a lot to me.

Noelle: I hope Kai is going to be alright. Let us know.

Cal

[Kempyd]

Good morning guys! I am about to leave for work but I want to say hi before I did.

Noelle I hoep Kai is ok. Please, let us know when you find something out. I am sure that was pretty scary.

Cal I still think you are an angle. I culd never be around that many kids all day and stay sane. I have a park right on the side of my house and sometimes I want to go over there and kill someone. I do blame the parents though. There have been kids out there screaming like they are dying and no one will do anything about it. I have actually walked out front and looked around the fence to make sure they were ok. The mom or nanny or whomever ift was watching them was ignoring them. I swear that kid screamed for 20 mins.

Angie is your mom doing better today? One more thing I wanted to add, not only does she need to think good thought sbut she also need to FEEL them too. It wont work if you are just going through the motions in your head. This is something that I am working on in my own life.

Well guys, I need to head on in. I don't know what time I will be getting home but I hope that some of you have posted.