Well girls I admit I was a little off course yesterday never made it to the gym the cold weather hit and I became a little sissy wanting to get home to my comfort level of warmth. But then ended up taking a gd for her glasses but we had some fun with stories she was entertaining us with. They are so different when their one on one. Cute cute! My other down fall was some chinese food! At least I shared it with my SIL that was better. But not the best choice in the world for sure. I am off to training today which is involving some yoga and floor exercises etc. should be fun. If the exercise isn't satisfying I will go to the gym right after as we will be done at 3 today a bit earlier and mon off. Yeppy!
I am going to be as good as possible at the breakfast bar this a.m. and the lunch I have already thought of what I should do to make it enjoyable but with in my limits. Also a lighter supper if I need to. My preplanning does help most of the time. Take care and have a super day.

Hi Ladies
Carol Keep up the good work. I did not exercise yesterday either. I sat on the bike started riding and my knee started aching bad. So I stopped. Hang in there we can do it.

Penny Thank you for the suggestions. I am going to do this.

I lost another .4 since Wed when I weighed in. I won't record it though. Tomorrow morning I am going to get a scale so I can keep track of my weight while in KY. It will mean ultimately we have 2 but we have 2 bathrooms so it is all good.

{{ }}
Nikki

Busy, busy week. I'm sure that feeling rushed and frantic all week is adding to my wanting to sleep in the mornings and nibble all day. Also the weather is a bit cold and gray, the kind that's nice for curling up on the couch with a book, a DVD and bowl of popcorn...This has been a tough week eating-wise. Today I had scrambled Eggbeaters and salsa for b'fast, berries and cottage cheese for AM snack, quinoa salad, a veggie burger and a Balance bar for lunch...and I'm still "hungry." But as Penny says, quitting is not an option. I need to rev up my momentum again. Maybe this weekend I'll try on some of my summer clothes--the ones that will fit nicely in another ten pounds or so.

I need to run back into a meeting, but I missed posting yesterday and didn't want to miss two days in a row. My ISP was down at home so I couldn't go online there. I sure hope it's back up today. It was helpful to jump onto this site when I felt the evening cravings coming on.

Hang in there, chickies!

judy

Well girls I did it I got up this morning and flew out the door after my 1/2 bagel and cereal to the gym. I didn't have my friend with me as she is busy with a new gbaby. But I was changing to go to the pool and long behold my daughters mother in law was right next to me. Now this gym isn't small how crazy I thought and we were both there for the same class. It was fun and we had a good time and enjoyed having a chance to see each other too. The work out is one hr. of aqua fitness. Boy it felt great she really keeps us hoppin I enjoy the class and its at 9;15 so it doesn't take your whole day. Then I grocery shopped a bit got a couple lean cusines had one for lunch not too bad cals were 260. Later had a nature bar 140. Made some banana cookies only ate one. The rest will go to the hubby and SIL and to my sisters for a gathering.
Judy we all get feeling a bit down with the weather changes the thing is not to get off track to bad. I went to a massage, yoga and relaxation conference from work oh how cool it was. I learned some things to try and keep more in control if I want something have it just not too much learn to have the control if I could only accomplish this I would reach a greater goal than I have planned one can only try we are human when we give in its not the end of the world I guess. Good for you Judy jumping back into the swing of things. Nikki we will do this togther this team is going to make things happen we are a strong group. Marie are you off doing the sking this weekend?
Penny I need to make some soap any new ideas for me? I am currently doing a knitting project I started awhile back when my hands are knitting their not up to my mouth!! Hah hah! So I just need to make the sleeves and front bands. Have a great evening I am off to have my homemade meatloaf, potatoes and veggies. Tonight popcorn butter free with a nice movie staying in from the colder weather.

Carol - How fun that you ran into your DD's MIL - small world eh? I bet the time flew by for your workout. I always enjoy my workouts more when one of my workout buddies is there. Your relaxation conference sounds very interesting. I love aroma therapy, massage, etc. I've just found something to try that's supposed to reduce belly fat. You mix 1-2 tbsp. olive oil with four or five drops of cypress essential oil (the real thing, not man-made scent) and massage into your abdomen for five minutes each day at bedtime. If you do this for six weeks it's supposed to 'melt' belly fat. Well, I started doing this last night, so I'll report on whether it works! It was a nice massage anyway and the cypress scent was very relaxing. About soaps - one of my more popular ones is for kids. You get a round mold (about 3-4 oz. per soap) and use any scent (I like to use lavender as it's relaxing and goodness knows most kids need to calm down!) After pouring the soap, I place a mini rubber duckie in the middle. It's a bit tricky as you have to use plastic spoons, chopsticks, etc. to balance on it to keep it steady until it starts to set. You can also use small plastic whales, turtles, bugs, etc. that you get from the toy store, but you can just let these sink to the bottom of the soap. These are popular stocking stuffers at Christmas. Sometimes I leave the soap clear and other times just a drop of blue or green color per batch.

Nikki - Congrats on the almost half a pound lost. Keep up the good work! :carrot:

Judy - Sounds like you've got a bit of the 'winter doldrums' like me. I find I'm having to religiously record everything as the carb cravings are particularly strong this time of year. We'll hang in there together - we CAN do this!!!

Marie and Juls - Hope you're having a fun weekend.

I'm doing fairly well staying on track and I'm feeling a bit more alert, maybe from all the different veggies and fruit I've been eating lately. Had some nice roast chicken, savoy cabbage and a tiny yukon gold potato for lunch and it was very filling. For dessert I nuked half a peeled pear and drizzled it with one square of melted chocolate served on top of 1/4 cup lowfat vanilla ice cream - yum! My DH loved it too and it was only about 120 cals. I bought some very nice Hawaiian thresher shark from Whole Paycheck for lunch tomorrow and I'll serve it with ginger carrots from Trader Joe's and a side salad.

Hi ladies-

Just a quick post for now. I 'm doing pretty good this weekend. I had cereal for breakfast yesterday, ribs for lunch and chicken and a baked potato last night. I'm going to pick up a scale s I can track my weight acurately. I am hoping to lose weight on this trip :). Yesterday we bought a 52 inch tv and today we go pick it up. It will be a long but exciting day.

Nikki

Penny thanks for all your input and ideas I loved it all. I just enjoy hearing new things and then trying out to see what its all about. I love the soap idea and will be sure to look for some little tricky items to put inside them. I seem to have more energy lately not so tired and run down at the end of my day. I am not sure if its the exercise or the QC10. Today I whipped through the house cleaning it feels great to have some extra energy. I am going to my sisters for a birthday party I plan on taking my appetizers and then walking into the other room to stay away from taking seconds. I am also going to teach my niece how to start to knit so that will take up some hand free time. I am having a few peanuts and a yogurt before going. My breakfast cals were a bit high but then we don't really eat a lunch on sundays so it should balance that out.
Nikki sounds like a cool tv just think how nice it will be if you get a dvd of exercise you'll feel like your at the gym with a big of a tv as that. My hubby would like one in the future but we would have to get rid of our entertainment center. Hope the rest of you are having a good weekend I have monday off so getting the house clean and wash seemed smart to do today. Take care.

Penny, let me know if that tummy-rub does the trick! It couldn't hurt, anyway. Thanks for reminding me how much I enjoy microwaved apples and pears, with a little cinnamon and nutmeg, ummm....

Carol, you keep so busy, I burn calories just reading your posts :). You'll be glad to hear that I've picked up my knitting again. My only aim is to just knit and purl neat rows until I have a beautiful but skinny blue scarf.

Nikki, that's a big TV! I hope you're enjoying setting it up today.

I've perked up some since Friday. TOM started that day, which partly explains last week's cravings. But I was terrible about writing my food down, and allowed myself to cheat on myself :dizzy:. So today I'm back in the saddle. I was good about exercise last week. Today I set another personal record for length of time on the ExBike: 55 minutes! :ebike: It's good for my legs, but I have to really concentrate to keep my heart rate up.

Today I've had Eggbeaters with salsa and Gimme Lean sausage for late b'fast, and I'm about to have lentil soup and a small salad for late lunch. I'm trying this expensive grass-fed beef for dinner, with some greens and quinoa, and will have nuked fruit and cheese for dessert, now that I have it on my mind.

Juls and Marie, I hope that you're feeling good today!

judy

Judy good for you keeping those fingers busy. Its fun to sometimes mixup some different types of yarn and do a few stripes. I woke up this a.m. and started my sleeves on my sweater then its put it together and add the band and button holes and some cool buttons. keep up the good work.
I am feeling so much more in control these days. Yes making a few mistakes here and there with cals but at the same time tracking my intakes and making some positive changes with food choices and increased exercise. I still haven't been on the scale that will maybe be this friday. Meanwhile I am checking in the mirror every morning and doing a clothes ck when I get dressed and am a little scared to do the scale as maybe its just muscle and toning changes and not wt. I don't want to be discouarged. Does anyone else feel this way? This isn't an easy road trying to make changes especially when yah love foods and baking etc..... But in the long run I keep telling myself I will be happier with outcome.
I have started my day with a half of bagel and a small of cereal. Well I will talk to you all later.

Hi everyone-

Carol-Hang in there. If you keep on going it has to show sooner or later.

Penny- I am loving the tv but cringing at the price to be honest.

I am trying to be good today. I was not horrid nut not the best this weekend. Today I had oatmeal and coffee. Salad will be lunch and stirfry for dinner that I am making. I am already on my 1st 32 ounce bottle of water.I will be happy if I can get in 64 ounces a day while here. I am going to buy a scale tonight so I can manage my weight.

Well ready for work at least it is a short week. I plan on working out aqua fit this evening so I will work a bit late as the class isn't till 5:30. I have things to do so no big deal trying to fit 5 days worth of work in 4 this week. I went out for lunch yesterday I slipped a little but didn't fall so bad. Had a sugar free piece of dessert. Not bad I might add but who knows how much fat they usually make up there but it was cheese cake like so maybe not. At any rate I did it then for dinner had a yogurt and fresh pineapple and I was okay with that after such a lunch. I am keeping up on my fluid intake of water and tea blk coffee. Well off to work I go catch yah all later.

Morning everyone,

It's so COLD this morning. 0 degrees. My coworker turned off the heat for the long weekend and it's freezing inside as well. I'm wrapped in a blanket, and extra sweater and have my space heater on full blast. My fingers are freezing.

We went to Reno to see DS, DGS and DIL this weekend. We had a great time (even though the Packer lost - but then now they won't lose in the Super Bowl - looking at the bright side). We skied at Tahoe on Saturday and it was so beautiful. The weather and conditions were great. Food - way too much - enough said.

Nikki, I love the big TV I bought my son for graduation (I watched the Packers on it on Sunday) but I'm with Carol, I'd need to throw out a beautiful oak entertainment unit to get one. :( I hope you enjoy yours though.

Carol, I'm with you on the scale. I'm using my clothes as my marker (and they're telling me that I need to stop overeating). I have a good idea what the scale would tell me but I'm tired of being a slave to it - I don't like the discouragement of when I've been good and it tells me I've been bad. So I'm going for the clothes angle.

Judy, way to go on the 55 minutes on the exercycle. We're looking to give ours to DS and DIL. It hurts my knee and it was $$$ so I don't want it to go to waste.

Penny, I'm glad you mentioned the soaps. I need to chat with you about some for my DH. His skin is in a winter mess and I remember your comment about the glycerin. You tea sounds yummy too. Warm as my fingers are freezing. :)

Well, time to work - almost.

Oh, the big news why I'm at work so early. Darth Jeep is coming home today. DH and I commuted together so we could pick it up. We got the call yesterday. FINALLY!!!!
Marie

It's cold here, too, but not cold enough to really snow, just a nasty, windy drizzle, which I'm sure will peak just in time for the evening rush hour! It should be back in the 40s by tomorrow. What counts as a "winter weather advisory" in DC is a joke, but it gives the weatherman something to get excited about.

Nikki, how do you manage with no snacks? I gotta have a little something in the late afternoon to keep me from eating everything in sight by the evening.

Carol, I'm still talking myself out of a funk about not being further along as we start a new year. It occurred to me the other day that my inner shrew has been giving me the business :club: for over a month, so I'm trying to get her to stuff a sock in it, if she can't be positive. So I'm trying to use encouraging words in my head, focusing on my good actions, and not let my inner critic sabotage me. My new refrigerator motto is "solutions, not excuses," and that's been helping, too.

Marie, my condolences on the loss. That was a tough game--and talk about cold! But I know you'll be glad to get your Jeep back.

I'm doing well this week. Yesterday I did a new workout, with an exercise ball . Wow, are my abs aching! And I was really pushing to get through the cardio piece, which wasn't all that tough, just new. I also did 35 minutes on the bike in the evening. I overslept this morning, so I'll have to work out this evening. This morning I had soy milk, half a pear, a string cheese and some almonds. For lunch I had a salad and lentil soup (I've been experimenting with new recipes). Later I'll have celery and hummus, and for dinner catfish and veggies, and maybe a berry smoothie if I'm still wanting something.

Howzit goin', Juls?

Judy-I am doing good. Today with Dinner I will have 1200-1500 calories depending if I get coffee tonight. I bought bananas and salad to keep in the house.Way to go on your working out. I will be happy if I maintain this week.

Nikki - Good idea to get a scale. I've read that it's very important factor in controlling your weight to weigh yourself regularly. In fact this study said that it's important to weigh every day - so I'm glad I'm not in the minority thinking this is a good thing! :goodscale That's not to say I don't swear at and kick my scale quite often! :tantrum: (maybe doing that burns a few more caloires :lol:) I figure whatever works for an individual - scale or no scale is ok.

Carol - I agree with Judy - you're like a human whirlwind! I wish I had half your energy and good attitude. Even with all life throws at you, you just jump back up and keep on truckin'.

Marie - I hope you bopped your coworker on the head for turning off the heat! It sounds like you had to work in a freezer :shocksn:! I'm glad you had a nice time in Reno, even though the Packers lost. :( It was a close game though and I enjoyed watching it even though I didn't understand much of what was going on. My DS used to always shake his head when a football game was on and I'd ask which "inning" it was :dizzy:. It's nice to watch those healthy young men running around in their cute uniforms even though they keep ending up in a heap! :lol: I'm glad to hear you'll soon be reunited with Darth Jeep. If you'd like any soaps for your DH let me know. I can make them with "guy" scents like patchouli, mint, sandalwood, eucalyptus or bergamot (or unscented).

Judy - Sounds like you are having lousy weather too. Don't feel too bad about your "inner shrew" - I have a whole nest of them in my head! I need to put a motto on my fridge too - maybe OPEN AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! It sounds like you're doing all the right things - eating healthy and exercising, so you're doing what's right for your body and it will pay off in the long run.

Juls - I hope all is well with you.

I had a busy day of ultrasound tests and visit to a vascular specialist to find out if I can get a vein fixed that goes over my knee and gets very painful. Unfortunately, although it can be fixed, I'll have to jump through hoops to get the surgery accepted by my insurance company. At this point I'd be prepared to pay for it out of pocket, though this could be very expensive. It seems that insurance co.'s think everything to do with veins is cosmetic only - which is definitely not the case here. It's worth trying to get approval as my doctor thinks there's a good chance they'll go along with it.

On the bright side, I went to Panera Bread for lunch afterwards (right near doc's office) and had an onion soup & half a turkey and smoked gouda sandwich, which was very yummy and didn't break the calorie bank!

I think I'll start doing better and losing again once Spring comes and I can get outside more. I'm feeling very cooped up right now. Even though it's been sunny for a couple of days it's been around freezing and 30-40 mph winds!