Hi all, life is just too hectic. DGS is visiting fand we're meeting his other grandparents in an hour to give him back. But the 23 hours we had him has been fabulous. He's currently napping but here's a picture of DH, Blizzard and Ethan walking across the pool. http://www.mariesdogs.com/Images/eBaby.jpg
My diet has been great. On Wednesday, DH and I were planning to go skiing on Thurs night (Val-day) and were talking about dinner. I said, (hope you're all sitting down) "I'd rather stay on my diet than go out to dinner and blow it just for Valentine's day. " Wow, who'd have ever guessed???

We're going skiing after dropping DGW off for a couple hours. As I have a plane to catch in the early morning for Portland, we can't go for long. I still need to wash clothes...

Penny, I hope that you're feeling better. We'll have to get together on the next trip as you're too fragile at the moment.

Judy, hope all the fires are going and good job on the Val-day goodies. You did great.

Juls, I hope you're feeling better and that your weather is improving.

Carol, I know that they say it's easier to stick with exercising with a friend, but I've found the opposite to be true. I need to be accountable to myself and when a friend bails out, then I use that as an excuse. So maybe it's better that your fried isn't joining.

Well, I have tons to do so I'll be back during the conference I'm going to.
Marie

Well girls I just pushed the wrong button and lost all my info. Darn oh well I had just let you know it was a fun day with a friend. We had lunch then went to run some errands stopped at the casino. I won 480.00 on a dollar bet. My friend was a bit upset as I win a lot more often than her. But I have to say its always just luck nothing more or less. I am pleased with my win.
Marie your gs is so cute. Glad you had a fun time together I can' t wait to see mine soon! I think your right about the gym friend. Sometimes things are easier to do them by yourself on your schedule not worrying about others. She purchased a gazale machine and I hope it helps her to reach her needs. For me the equipment at home just didn't cut it for me. I think going to the gym and a regular routine is best for me. Different strokes for different folks. Its fine to be different thats what makes the world go round. Well have a nice evening almost this gals bedtime off to the gym on sunday it is less crowded and I enjoy the not being rushed. I am going to try going in the a..m. during the week a couple of days.

Just checking in calories around 1450 today and exercise 1 hr at the gym. I am working on going to the gym for four days this week. I will go again on monday and have set up my schedule for the week to fit in my workout times. This may help me reach that goal for HI. I talked to my son today and the little gs has gotten his first tooth. I can't wait to go. Bought some new clothes today all new tops but short sleeve he said its in the low 80's better get some tank tops and a new suit too. I will wait a couple more weeks before that.

Carol, I love the idea of summer clothes. When the plane took off this morning, it was so white. Landing in Portland, I saw green grass. Such a nice idea...

Food was so-so today as the conf. is boring and the food mass produced. I wasn't horrible but not great. Having munchies at least kept me awake. Tomorrow my co-worker and I are renting a car and playing hooky for the evening and Tues. morning. Something to look forward to. We played a little hooky this evening and took the train downtown. That was fun. We walked a bit. Tomorrow morning we're planning on walking to the airport for Starbucks or we're going to use the fitness center.

Well, time for nighty-night.
Marie

Marie have a great time. I read something that was stated when we eat no no's an added half hr. work out for each should be added. Now sometimes I might have to exercise half my day. I am working on trying to tap into my senses to not eat so many no no's. I have been tracking which makes a big difference as we know. Well its 56 today so far at my house crazy weather. Rainy driveway is like a skating rink. I am going to the fabric store today and also going to work on the gd quilt I started about 4 years ago. Wow I think it would be nice to give to her this May but have to get motivated. I will go work out this afternoon too. Day 2 out of my goal of 4. Well take care and have fun.

Happy President's Day, chickies! Our office is closed today, hooray. I was thinking about being virtuous and going into the office for a few hours, but instead I'm being virtuous and doing laundry, housecleaning, and tackling my taxes.

Last week wasn't so awful, but whenever you have a new boss, there's lots of small irritations that people just have to be grown-ups about and get over. In the past I'd let this stuff grind on my nerves, going over and over it again in my mind. Now I'm better at not making things more dramatic than they are, but I have to work hard not to fall into those self-defeating habits.

Good news: I'm back down to 219.5 :carrot:, and plan to be at 218 or lower by the end of the week. The test pants that I choose a few months ago show that the inches are definitely moving faster than the pounds. These pants are wearable now, but they'll fit nicely by the spring.

Penny, I'm glad that you're moving around a little better! I saw an informercial for one of those contraptions that lets you hang upside down--maybe you could look into it ;). I hope your doc has good news for you today.

Carol, your goals for Hawai'i sound good. They say that it's better to set behavorial goals than weight-loss goals, and focusing on "I will do" will get you to "I will be" a lot quicker. Your grandson will love his fit, generous grandma! And congrats on winning at the casino...

Marie, I hope you're having fun playing hookey! Thanks for the photo. I agree with you about exercising with friends. I like the concept, but I prefer using the time to zone out or listen to my own thoughts.

Nikki and Jule, I hope you're doing well today.

Saturday I went to another first-time homebuyers' seminar. It's a great program, and I'm definitely signing up. Thinking of moving is motivating me to starting cleaning out closets and getting rid of some of my extra clothes, books and stuff--little glass vases, appliance I never use, etc.

judy

Carol - I'm so glad things are going much better for you at work. It was a good decision to hang in there. It must be exciting looking forward to your trip to the Aloha State. You must be so looking forward to seeing your darling GS.

Judy - Congratulations on the loss! :carrot: I'm glad you're keeping your cool with the job changes. I certainly think that keeping stress to a minimum is better for our overall health. I hope you're enjoying your day off.

Marie - It's a bummer that we can't get together this time because of my darned back, but hopefully we can meet up next time you're in town. I'm glad you had time to get out and about a bit - especially as the weather has turned so nice. Thanks for posting the cute picture. There's still a lot of snow on the ground down there. Blizzie blends right in.

Juls & Nikki - I hope all is well with you.

I just got back from the doctors and he said I have 'moderate to severe'
arthritis in my three lower vertebrae and severe arthritis in my right hip. The good news is I don't have any bulging discs that could cause nerve damage. He said my back is still in severe spasm and gave me some pain killers, muscle relaxants and some Celebrex. I should be high as a kite by the time I take all three! There's not a whole lot I can do about the arthritis. I'll eventually need to get my hip replaced in a few years and if the spine gets really dodgy I would need to get the vertebrae fused - but that's a long way off. He's given me some exercises to do once the spasming goes away.
I'm feeling a little better each day and will get going on the gentle exercises as soon as I can.

Penny, I'm glad that you have a diagnosis. At least then you know what you're dealing with. Our bodies age much quicker than our personalities. Sometimes I feel so old and then I'm surprised by the thought. We'll get together next time I'm up here. We didn't play hooky after all. Tere are two good presenters so we traded tickets for their presentations. Much better use of the district's money. :)

Judy, I'm amazed at your preparation to buy a home. I'm the type, I decide - I find a house and buy it. I bet you'll avoid the usual pitfall of buying your first home. I remember feeling like I was dropped in the middle of an ocean and told to swim towards the house. You'll have a lifeboat.

Carol, I'll have to exercise an extra couple hours after the lunch at the conf. Boredom really makes me eat and the keynote at lunch was boring. I finally got up and left or I would have started scrounging for other people's scraps. So here I am. Much better.

I got up and exercised this morning. Eeks, the fitness room had to be at least 78 degrees. It was humid and uncomfortable but I did my 1.5 miles on the trademill. I didn't have my regular workout shoes and ended up with a heel blister. Oh how I love to travel... Judy, just how can you stand it???

Marie

I am so proud of all of us really doing great with our exercise and well being. Now Penny for you my thoughts are with you I remember that back pain all to well. In fact last night I purchased 8 bags of wood pellets and carried them into the house. A year ago no way could I have done that. But someone has to and the only one to do it is me. So I was careful and did it. I felt good that I could was a good sport and just did it. The heat will feel good that they produce. I am getting quit used to my new lap top. I love it. Oh so I didn't go to the gym I was right with you Judy cleaning my computer/sewing room. I am going to purchase an area rug I think to doll it up a bit. I am feeling good about how my clothes fit still no scale but friday I have a doc appt. so that will be my scale day. Judy sounds like your searching well for info. years ago they didn't have those buyers classes I am with Marie we just looked and bought. But the classes would of taught me some info. which I am sure would of been valuable. Good for you cleaning out. I purchased 7 new tops just tee shirt style some rounded neck and v. Lots of new colors I am going to pitch out my old ones. These were so reasonable with a sale and a 30% off coupon. Well gotta fly oh gym day today. Juls hope your doing well and Nikki you too. Catch yah later on.

Oh, I don't want to go to work...but I do like to get paid!

Penny, all that stuff with your back sounds serious, but at least you know what the challenge is. Hope the pain meds are helping.

I'm doing so much "preparation" before diving into home ownership because I have a hard time making big financial decisions, and i'd be doing this by myself. Reading up and going to these programs help me be more confident about my decisions. And the NACA program (for info, try the initials online with a dot com) includes a great mortgage rate and and someone to hold your hand, for free, so it's just what the doctor ordered.

Hope everyone is doing well today!

judy

Good morning everyone. Well I went to the gym yesterday. I discovered that when its a week day at least yesterday I had to really push myself a bit to accomplish my treadmill at the weekend rate. Oh well once I got to 22 min. I thought okay I will make it to 25 and cool down once I got there it was a push to 28 min. 300 cals and the 2 min. cool. I felt good once it was done an then went off for 30 min. of abs, machines w/wt. res. I will go again on thurs. and fit in fri. a.m as well that will give me my first goal week of 4 workouts 4 hrs. plus of exercise. Now for me thats an accomplishment. I tried a few diff. machines last night. And my intake was within my cals for the day. I made chicken caccitori sp wrong. Oh girls it was great done in my pressure cooker had it for dinner 2 nights and ck in my salad for lunch today.
Penny hope your feeling better make sure you follow the exercises if they gave you any they helped me.
Judy how exciting buying a house will be once you get into the looking stage scary but I think a positive move good for you!
Marie are you working or playing in the snow this week. Couldn't remember if your schools are out. GK are off all week they all went bowling with grandpah yesterday.
Nikki hope your doing well.
Juls are yah out there miss hearing from you!
Well gotta get out the door. Its nice to see a beautiful sunrise this a.m. even though it is very cold outside 23. The birds are quite greatful that I spent lots of cash on new food and some feeders the hubby counted 50 birds plus at his feeders yesterday. Be good make healthy choices exercise if you can and drink some water thats my deal today.

Good day though stressful one piece of choc. the rest of the day on plan. Dinner was salmon and a little pork chop, german pot. salad. Some french bread still with in cals. Snack berries and yogurt. Have a good evening.

Hi everyone, I returned from my conference ok but without my diet resolve in the best of tact. But certainly not in bad resolve. Right on track today so that's good. Yesterday was a little more flimsy as the pretzel rods screamed my name.

Carol, usually I exercise before work during the week and never have a problem. Yesterday I refused to mosey out of bed and had to exercise after work. It's WAY harder so I understand your weekday exercise dilemma.

I made beef burgandy on the rotisserie last night. Holy, moly it was fabulous. I chose a lean cut of tri-tip, then made the burgandy sauce minus anything fatty or high cals (in other words, the broth, wine, onion and garlic was it). then I put the meat on the rod and it turned in the pot of au jus while it cooked. It was so moist and wonderful. I really could have had 3 or 4 more servings. But I did stay in control.

This morning the doggies were thrilled as we doggie walked. They hadn't gone since last Friday. Poor puppies. And poor puppies as tomorrow we're going to Reno thru Monday. I will take them out tomorrow tomorrow morning though. But I feel bad for them.

Judy, your home buyer program sounds great. With all the housing problems, being well informed is so smart.

Well, I need to get back to work.

Nikki, Penny and Juls I hope you're all well or at least continuing to improve.
Marie

Things are going well. I ate on program yesterday, and so far today I'm doing well. Oatmeal and smoked salmon for b'fast, half an apple and string cheese for AM snack, a big bowl of kimchee soup (from the freezer) and a bit of dark unsweetened chocolate for lunch. I'm have veggies and nuts for afternoon snack, and a big salad with seafood for dinner. This morning I did one of my newer videos, one of Turbo Jam ones with the fitness ball. Quite the ab workout! It's good to shake things up, I guess. I'd really wanted to do two full workouts some days, but that's just not happening very often, so I'll stop pretending that it will.

Marie, I hope you win some money in Reno! Carol seems to have the knack. Keep on track--it will be spring before you know it, and you'll want to look lovely by the pool:swim:

Carol, your workout routine sounds great. It's nice to hear that your hubby can hang out and bowl with the kids :).

judy

Marie - Your beef burgundy sounds yummy :drool:. I hope you have a nice time in Reno.

Carol - You're doing so great with the exercise and your food always sounds delicious but also healthy. Feeding those birdies gets expensive, doesn't it? I've started buying mine at Costco as they go through it so fast.

Judy - I'm glad things are going well for you. I hope you get some good advice at the new homeowner's seminar.

Juls & Nikki - I hope everything is going ok and that we'll hear from you again soon.

I drove to the store today! :carrot: I managed to get most of the things on my list. My DH is out of town for a couple of days. He did the grocery shopping before he left, but I was getting stir crazy and it was good to get out. I'm hoping my back will continue to improve and then I can start my back and abs strengthening exercises. Apparently, it's important to have strong abs to protect your back. I'm staying on track food wise so that's a good thing since I haven't been exercising for about two weeks now.