TGIF All!!!! I'm so thankful it's Friday. I HATE the 1st week of school. Every day my head is mad. But on the bright side, I'm doing great diet/exercise wise. Since the HORRIBLE weigh in on Tuesday, I've lost 5.4 pounds. But since that's what the scale I said I gained last weekend I think it was the heat/travel bloating. DH said he also gained several pounds that have gone away. But the nasty scale on Tuesday, it kick started my willpower. I am as determined as I was last year. So watch out scale, I'm going to win.

Yesterdays stats: 1212 cals and 1.5 miles walking. And 1/4 mile propelling through the pool.

Penny, I never really would have thought about travel weight gain if you hadn't mentioned it about a year ago. Definitely my scale agrees. I hope you feel bette. Relax and rest all weekend and early next week.

Judy, oooo a praline sounds divine. I love caramel, chocolate and pecans. Very excellent that you had only one!!!

Same to you Carol - only 10 M&Ms is fabulous. I'm glad the chiro is helping.

I'm so excited weekend is in 3 hours 45 minutes!!!!!!
Marie

Penny the other natural vit. is omega 3 which I purchased from the chiro. today natural for only 10.00 for 90. Not bad he also is a nutritional counselor even though I am not going to him for that reason. He said this will help with the trig. the best. We will see. Hope you feel better soon.

Judy flying home again you sure do get around. Glad to hear people are telling you nice things. I had someone ask me today if I had lost wt. I said not really sure as I haven't ck'd lately but I feel good. But this evening slipped and had pizza and a few wings. My daughter and I are going to celebrate our birthdays finally they were 7/21st. Just to busy I guess to go away for a day trip. But we will on saturday and are having greek food for lunch. Shopping at the natural food store too. They have a great one in the area we are headed to. Just a mother and daughter trip should be fun and we will shop. I am giving her some cash to buy what ever she needs for herself. I was lucky at the casino and then on a few scratch offs so I am sharing nicely. Hope you enjoy your own bed and feel better try some tea.

Well girls I am a bit stiff this a.m. but its a bit rainy here. So who knows could be weather induced. But I am going off with my youngest daughter and going to have a good time. We are off to venture together and that will be fun. I am trying to go through bills and straighten up a bit before I venture out and that will be fun to leave behind. Bear was very naughty last night and jumped on a little chair and I found him on top of my island in the kitchen finishing up 5 chicken wings. By the time I caught him they were consumed completly. They aren't good for a dog I know but by then it was too late. So I don't have to think about those cals crazy dog. All for legs just standing there he knew oh trouble was brewing. I would of never dreamed he'd get up there. Well that was my laugh for all of you when you picture this all black 4 legged pup on top of an island being naughty. Their as naughty as can be sometimes good thing I love him.

Marie so glad your back on track and feeling energized and upbeat. Its so hard when we lose that incentive and feel like we have slipped off track . Congrats for being back on!!

Well have a great day we are off to shop, eat greek food and to stop at that wonderful natural food store. I am taking a cooler to bring back some goodies. Also hoping to find some home grown veggies and fruit along the way.

Hi all, Carol, I'm having a day out with my almost DIL. We're going over the mountain (no Judy, no sheep following) and going shopping for the day. Basically Kohls and Costco. She'll be here in a little over an hour but knowing her a bit more. Girls day out I guess.

Yesterday's stats: 1192 cals and walked 1.5 miles. I think the stress of the first week of school burned a couple cals yesterday too.

Today's weighin - 7.2 pounds lost from Tuesday. I definitely had bloating form the trip. I'd have to say realistically more like 2 pounds. Another 6 pounds to get back to my lowest weight form last spring. I'll get there. At least I don't feel fat anymore.

Today I walked the doggies around the 1.5 mile block. They were so excited. I'm hoping Blizzies paw is good. DH and I tackled her and took a close look and it looks good. So I took them out. They pulled on the leashes a bit much for my poor right wrist. I wouldn't hold one of their leashes with the left leash at all. And then there was the left knee brace. Between it and the left wrist splint I look like I should hve stayed home.

Well, I guess that's it as I haven't done anything today...
Marie

Judy - I hope you're having fun in New Orleans and that your sinuses are better.

Marie - Congratulations on the HUGE loss! You deserve a pat on the back! Good for you getting back on track. I hope your injuries are healing.

Carol - Congrats on winning at the casino - it's always nice to have a little extra pocket money! I hope you had a good mother & daughter shopping trip. I had to laugh about your naughty puppy - I can just imagine his guilty look when you caught him eating the chicken wings.

Nikki, Jenelle & Emma - I hope you guys are doing well.

I'm feeling better today and hope my cold bug stays away. I'm getting excited about my trip coming up next week. I've packed and repacked - trying to keep things to a minimum as I'LL be the one lugging my suitcase around! I got a nice new lightweight one with wheels which I'll check and it came with a very small carry on bag which will I'll take on board with just the basics in it.

I'm doing ok calorie wise and hope to stick to my eating plan as much as possible when I'm away.

Waaah, I'm not done yet with my weekend! Saturday was great, I spent it outside at a neighborhood jazz festival I packed snacks--almonds, cherry tomatoes, string cheese and an avocado salad--so my only indulgence was a mango frozen fruit bar. Although the BBQ and other fewstival foods were awfully tempting .

Today I slept in and went grocery shopping. Soon it will be dusk--where did the time go? I've eaten on program today, and am on my way to ride the bike to nowhere for a while. I have to read and listen to up-tempo music. If I watch TV or listen to a book, I slow down

Carol, maybe Bear thought he was doing you a favor by eating those wings. wonder how long it took him to figure out how to get up there. Cats are always jumping around, but I guess dogs have to be really motivated.

Marie, your scale really gave you a good boot! You are doing great with the calories and working out. It's great that the extra weight didn't stick.

My sinuses are a little better. I started irrigating my sinuses again last week. It feels very weird at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's no big deal. It is helpful when you have lots of congestion. My ex was totally grossed out by the thought of it, I could chase him out of the house just by waving the little neti pot at him!

Okay, back down to the fitness room. Hope everyone is feeling good!

judy

Hi all, I totally agree with Judy. I do not want the weekend to be over.

Penny, I'm glad you're feeling better. I know that I tend to pack lighter when I know DH won't be ther to help. You'll have a great time with your parents.

Judy, the scale knocked a bunch of sense in me. It's odd, I haven't wanted to lose weight this much in a while. The willpower returned. Thank goodness, I couldn't keep waffling like I was. Thank goodness for exercise as it kept my weigh under some control.

Yesterday's stats: 1218 cals and 1.5 miles walking the doggies. Oh were they happy!!!!

And today, I swam. Really pretty much swam. I used athletic tape and splinted my wrist to that I coud swim. The rib didn't hurt at all. I got my face in the water, my hair wet (beforehand with conditioner and the cap). It was heaven. Tomorrow I will do a bit more of a taping/splint job as the thumb must be secured too apparently. Live and learn.
Marie

Well sounds like everyone is doing well vacationing and being out of town.

Judy congrats to taking snacks and making good choices. I agree a longer weekend is in order for me too. So count me in.

Penny have a good trip and enjoy your family visit. I bet its beautiful there wish I could fit in your suitcase. Have a special cup of tea for me.

Marie good for you losing the extra lbs. doesn't it feel great to get back at least to where you were comfortable. At least you caught it in time before it was harder to remove. Thats the key I think catching ourselves and turning it around before it gets to hard to make a change. Its so easy to mess up we don't give it much thought just a little of this and that and before we know it we get fat. At least thats how it is for me I shouldn't speak for others. So darn easy to put it on and hard to take it off. Congrats I knew you could do it.

The darn dog didn't look a bit concerned when I found him with the empty bowl. Go figure. He does enjoy veggies though which I find kind of funny. If I am peeling carrots he gets a treat of one. Yesterday my daughter dropped a piece of lettuce making a salad he ate it. She is a veggie and laughed and said he must take after me. It was cute. We had a good time on saturday in the Hippie town. Healthy little town where everyone is careful about their eating, keeping things clean and real natural way of life. Just a cool place to visit. We enjoyed going to the Green Market and thats their healthy food store. Got lots of bulk stuff including some pumpkin granola which I measured and had for breakfast this morning. Its a bit high in cals so I was careful to measure but oh so tasty I added walnuts to it. I found out too that for my trig. to add omega 3 so now I am doing that too. Yesterdays cals within my limits had the kids over for a turkey dinner and made falafs for my daughter in pitas with a cuke sauce I created not so bad. I am taking the leftovers for lunch. Well take care girls and lets keep moving forward. We can do this!!

Well, I stopped whining and came to work...so far most of my day has been devoted to figuring out what I should be doing the next few days. I wore a dress today. Somehow I feel more on top of things when I make the extra effort to look "professional." I have to dress up for certain meetings and trips, but our office is very relaxed and casual. Soon it will be too cold for my one-dress-a-week policy.

Penny, I am so excited about your trip! Your p's will be so happy to see you. I know that the compliments you'll get on your figure will help you balance the special treats or pints that will come your way.

Carol, you are a good role model to your doggie! Now he'll know that the occasional chicken wing isn't a huge deal, as long as you're eating your veggies too (and you didn't help yourself to someone else's food).

Marie, I'm so happy that you're swimming again! I think once we've trained our bodies to look for regular exercise, we're almost like kids again, remembering how much fun it is to get breathless and tired.

I am pleased that the seesaw of my daily weigh-ins is staying closer to 222 than 223 or 224. I really want to be under 220 by my visit with the nutritionist next Wednesday. I'm also glad that I was able to stay on the hated bike for 35 minutes yesterday...a personal best . It's still my least favorite exercise!

Hang in there--judy

Hi all, things are a typical Monday. It's been nasty but I haven't been tempted to console myself with food. That's a good thing. I'm so ready for weekend and it's only Monday afternoon.

Yesterday's stats: 1225 cals, 2 miles walking and 1/4 mile swimming (YEAH for swimming). The scale was again nice this morning. 8.6 pounds since last Tuesday. I'm not to where I was (very briefly) in May but I'll get there.

Judy, amazing what a nice look can do for the mental state, huh? I love wearnig very casual to work, but it's school year and now I can only do business casual. I miss my jeans (or I would if they fit right - but they probably do now - I just haven't tried since the weight gain). I bought a couple new outfits on Saturday and m wearing one. It looks really nice and even DH commented on it. I don't think he's EVER done that.

And way to stay on the exercycle. Once you find what wil divert your attention the best, it'll be easier.

Carol, my doggies, especially Kodiak, loves fruites and veges. I hate the white stemmy area of lettuce so I always divide it evenly between the 2 puppies. Blizzie doesn't like fruit, but Kody does. Especially melon.

Penny, Nikki, Emma, Jennelle - hope you're all doing well.
Marie

Just finished my healthy breakfast of 2 poached eggs and some flaxseed toast. Good start to my day. I have also packed some fruit and made some im. crab salad for my lunch which I will pack into a ww pita. Moving forward I am trying anyways. Called the guy at the gym got a price I am pleased with it will cost me no more than the current one which went out of business. This is a top rate gym Golds Gym with a pool etc. My ins. pays 300.00 of it as I choose this year a healthy and fit ins. program. Very exciting for me and I am pleased to have a clean place, new equipment and a pool with lots of classes here too. I am trying to get a friend to join me. That would be nice but if not I will go it alone. They have a trainer that will take a small group out weekly and introduce you to a different area of equipment and exercise. I may ck that out. So wed. is it after work to meet the guy and get a pass til Oct 1st. when my ins.starts. Feeling good this a.m. and I agree with Judy sometimes just wearing an outfit that is different puts a spin on your well being for the day. I have recently purchased a few new things and am wearing a new top today. Feels great!

Judy your doing great keep it up. Just think before you know it the numbers will be where you want them. Being determined to reach them is the thing to do and sounds like your motivated to do so. I am trying to get my #'s in the 160's! That for me is an accomplishment one I am striving for.

Marie good for you jumping back into the pool and gaining back your motivation. We all seem to be doing well at this time.

Penny have a safe trip I couldn't recall exactly when your leaving but have a great time with the family.

Hope our other friends return soon Nikki where are you????

Oh forgot to mention that the one coworker got the job she interviewed for. So some changes are due our way. I think this is not a bad thing cause when folks are unhappy it makes the moral go down across the board. Work is tough enough without extra tension. SO bye bye I say!!!!!!
Take care girls.

Judy - I followed your advice about irrigating my sinuses and it seems to be helping. I found a new product called Nasa Mist which is a pressurized spray containing sodium and bicarbonate of soda. It's in a little can - kind of like a mini whipped cream can with about a 1" nozzle. It's quite handy to use and you can spray as much or as little as you need. I hope your visit to the nutritionist goes well tomorrow.

Marie - You are doing so great! You're inspiring me to get back to my lowest weight (this time anyway) of 185. I was at that weight for about a split second and started gaining slowly. At least I'm staying well below 190 now and I'm hoping to maybe even lose some on my trip as I'll be doing more walking.

Carol - I'm glad you found a gym - it sounds very nice. It's good that these days employers are giving people the option of a gym membership as a benefit. I've also bought a few new things lately and it's nice to be able to easily find something that looks good on me and I don't have to stand in front of my closet wondering what will make me look less heavy!

I hope everyone else is doing well.

I'm leaving on my trip on Thursday so I'll be incommunicado for about 10 days as I probably won't be near a computer (my parents never got one). It will be a strange feeling as computers have become so much a part of my life. If I get desperate I can always check out an Internet Cafe (they have lots of them over there). My family will probably be surprised to see the change in my appearance as my hair is totally different and I've lost about 40 lbs. (3 stone over there!)

Marie, so you cought your hubby's eye, huh ? That's always nice, and especially when it's rare.

Carol, your meals today sound yummy! And I'm glad that the situation at your office is still on the upswing! Good luck with the new gym.

Penny, we will miss you while you're away, but I'll think of you when ever I watch BBC America. And don't check your email unless you have lots of time...it really stacks up quickly. Of course, the easy thing to do is to just come directly to this site and avoid your inbox altogether.

This morning's weight (drumroll, please...): 221. I know it will go up and down over the next few days, but it was nice to see it, finally . I did 40 minutes on the cardio machines this morning, and ate on program until late this stressful afternoon, when I absent-mindedly () inhaled half a cup of cashews--practically a day's worth of fat for someone on a low-fat diet. So I just had veggies for dinner, and am about to make a protein shake for dessert.

I was trying to watch The Biggest Loser, but I can't. The soap opera music, and the drama hype, are driving me insane. I'll just peek in later on to see how people look as their weights go down. I pasted before and after pics from magazines into the front of my diet log (yes, I'm still keeping it!).

Hope our other posters come back!

judy

Penny I wish I could see your families faces when they see you for the first time. You go girl cause its not easy to turn over a new leaf and make a difference for yourself. It takes a lot of effort. We are all very proud of you and your accomplishments. Have fun and we all would love to hear from you during that time but if we don't we totally understand. Just enjoy!

Judy sounds like your getting it down there soon it will be below that mark how exciting. I am stopping at the new gym today and most likely will start thurs or fri. One of my all time favorite gift shops os going out of business so I think I will venture to take a day offto do some early christmas shopping thurs. My intake yesterday was good maybe a bit to muc coffee but I drink it blk. Thats one positive thing.

Marie hope all is well and everyone else too!!

Hi, again--

I was dragging this morning, so it will be my official morning off from working out. I get to have one a week, unless there are extenuating circumstances (like being lazy ). If I feel peppy this evening, I'll do something. I've eaten on program today, Eggbeaters and ham for b'fast, almonds for morning snack, and a LC chicken and spinach for lunch, with a side of chickpea salad. I'll have a burger and salad for dinner. I forgot to bring an afternoon snack, so maybe I'll have one of the veggie burgers in the freezer if I'm feeling hungry later.

Carol, I wish I were organized enough to do Xmas shopping so early! Sometimes I'll see a perfect gift for someone and buy it, no matter what time of year it is, but I've been know to forget that I have it, and find it some months after the holiday .

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying not to be so quick to "tweak" my program. Too much ad-libbing isn't good for me.

Ladies, I hope that no news is good news! Even so, come back and reassure us!

judy