Hi chickies,

I just spoke with my doctor and the test came back negative! :carrot:

It seems I must have either fought off the blood infection or the antibiotics I was on after my surgery did the trick. I like to think it was all the good vibes from you and all my other friends who were pulling for me. We're still waiting on one of the tests, which measures general inflammation in the body.

The doctor is still very puzzled about my case and is going to speak with some of his colleagues as to whether I should have some more tests to be on the safe side. The main thing is I don't need to go into the hospital for the heavy duty antibiotic treatment.

Now I can exhale!

Thanks again for all your good wishes.

I'm Back and A Year Older...
 

Hi all, thanks for the wonderful b-day wishes. I'm so exhausted from my sister's visit I'm thinking of doing Carol's sick day tomorrow. I'd like to just sit for the whole day. But, alas, I can't do that. At 5 on Friday morning I drove to Reno (4.5 hour drive), had my hair cut (looks fabulous) then picked up my sister. We had lunch with DGS, almost DIL and my son. Then we drove back here. Halfway back we came upon a head on accident that probably happened 2 minutes or so before we got there. Very desolate type of road and we were lucky to get 911. Took about and hour before Emergency responders got there. Luckily all the people seemed to make it. I was with the worst injured for the whole time and I'm not a medical person. I knew enough to cover her with a blanket and keep her talking. I was terrified when they had me holding her head (to keep her neck straight) as they put on the collar and moved her onto a back board. An ER physician took over when he realized I was scared but allo the paramedics said I did great. I'm thankful I'm not a dr. as I don't think I could handle that on a daily basis. Anyway, the woman was airlifted to Reno and her five children to Susanvill by ambulance. Can you imagine the terror the lady felt know she wasn't with her children??? Eeks, I can't stop thinking about her. She was seriously injured but should make it.

So then my sister and I drove SLOWLY the rest of the way and got back way after dark. We swam in the pool to unwind. The next day we did decide to keep with the original plans and drove up to waterfalls that Oregon is famous for (DH did the driving, thank you...). We hiked, picnic'ed and then went to Crater Lake (my avatar...). Then on Sunday, we celebrated my birthday by kayaking down the Rogue River. So Carol, we kayaked on the same day. :) It was awesome. I capsized in some nasty rapids but maintained my cool (only after lecturing myself to stay calm as I held the flipped kayak and paddle) through the rest of that set of rapids). BTW, mountain rivers are COLD. :D

Yesterday we were bums in the morning. Played in the pool then drove back to Reno. We had a nice SMALL dinner (YEAH) then visited with DS, almost DIL and DGS. It was really nice. My sister's flight back to Iowa arrived at about the time I got home from Reno. All in all it was a wonderful, great visit. It just started out lousy. I pray for that woman and her family. BTW, the other vehicle I don't know much about other than the two passengers had to be extricaded by the jaws of life and were both alive and holding their own.

OK, food wise I did pretty good. Actually I'm surprised that I did so good. This afternoon (letdown day) I munched on a few oreos but know that if I added the cals, I'd be on target because I'd been good except that. I might swim here in a bit but I'm so exhausted I'm not sure I feel like it. Exercise, not much structured other than a doggie walk before anyone got up on Sunday. The hiking and kayaking were definitely exhausting. So all in all pretty much on track to get back on the wagon in the morning as was my plan last week. I'm not going to weigh until after TOM (which will be here in a few days - as I've learned from Penny about water weigh gain from traveling). So the evil box will get used again. And DH started swing shifts again for a few months and I'm always a much better dieter when I don't have to make a "dinner". So here I go, I'm going to lose weight. I do have a goal. To loss weight for the next year and for my b-day next year, I'm going to choose a plastic surgery procedure to make something a bit tighter. As most of the body will always be flabby from a life overweight, I'm going to choose the one the bugs me the most. So there you have it. I have a goal.

Carol, how did your return to work go with the boss and your argument. You wrote about it but I didn't see a follow up. Please tell as inquiring minds need to know.

Penny, yeah on the good medical news and boo on your father being so ill. I hope you both recover quickly. A friend at work has an infection and is on daily shots that her DH has to give her. Eeks, I'd be bad at that!!!!

auntie g - you are doing so excellent. I too usually don't veer from my daily food as it's easier to not get creative. So I really relate. And the steak house - don't beat yourself up on it. Just hold on the the feeling that it felt icky and it's be a positive rather than a blip on the diet screen.

Judy, I hope the chemical smell is gone. Headaches always make me munchy so I hope they make you hate food. :D at least there would be a benefit then.

Well, I'm going to stop typing now as this is WAY too long. Again thanks for the b-day wishes. It really was a wonderful b-day.
Marie

Yaay, Penny!:yay: That's wonderful news. What a relief!

Carol, it sounds like you're being especially thoughtful about how to tweak your routines to get results. I bet you enjoyed your swim--it's hot out there!

Auntie G, I knew you could jump right back on the wagon :)

I'm going to try a few new things. I will do an "evening" check-in most days, to mark when I've done eating for the day. Today I had a protein shake for b'fast; half an apple and a string cheese late in the AM; cup of lentil-butternut squash soup and a big salad w/turkey breast for lunch; yellow pper slices and tofu for mid-afternoon snack, and five chocolate-covered blueberries later :devil:; grilled burger w/cabbage, broccoli for dinner, smoothie pop for dessert. I am done eating today! No workout this morning, but I'll do a full yoga routine before bed.

By the way, I've improved my frozen smoothie pop recipe, by squirting a little whipped cream (a brand without too much chemical junk) into the mix before blending. It makes them a little less dense, and has nice "mouth feel," as we say on the Food Network.

I'm much too stressed at work...besides feeling too munchy, I'm not sleeping well. The fall, particularly October, my life will be on overdrive. So I'm committing to doing at one intentional stress reliever every day, no matter what (or where): feeling journal, yoga or meditation, every day, between now and the end of September. It's gotta help.

Nite-nite!

judy

Penny that is super news now you can relax on that huh? Glad for you! Marie wow you did well with that accident and that lady must of been so grateful to have someone with her. Its not easy I have been in similar things before and sometimes it takes us a bit to forget what we have seen. So relax and take sometime for you. Glad your hair cut came out nice. I have had the same style for a bit but it works for me so no new ideas yet.
As far as work goes I decided to request when we have meeting with quality assurance this week to have her review for me and the newbies what our role in medical is. Maybe I am over reacting and advocating to strongly its possible. I get pretty involved with folks and want the best for them. Maybe I am working too hard? If so I am going to take a lighter approach now pick my battles and document and send an email in a simple form to state the issue and cc it to my supervisor. That way if anything comes up I have covered my bases. I will be less stressed etc. She was a bit cool to me on monday but then it was a monday and much on her plate those days and she is normally like that on that day. Tues she was off. I tried on monday to mind my business and was also talking with her when I needed to. I am not going to play the game of being a piss ant! She did move up my date of supervision from the end of the month to the middle who knows. Life goes on! I guess sometimes I can come on strong when I believe in something and maybe I need to as I said just email the issue and wait to hear back etc. But with email yah have to be careful too not to sound rough or whatever as someone can read into it wrong so then again rereading it before it goes off. I am using email a bit more to contact folks about appointments etc.?
Well I think tonight is a fish night for dinner I am going to broil some fish have some tomatoes and cukes, zuc, peppers for dinner maybe a brown rice.
Taking a salad for lunch today and some fruit. My snack last night ended up being an 80 cal. icy watermelon flavor not so bad. My friend stopped over and had one to instead of our glass of wine.
We are both working on being better in the exercise and food dept. I read last night that people whom use the scale daily do better anyone ever hear that one?? I always thought to much made you upset and then every ounce seemed like a lb. Who knows??? Just hope we have an auntie g woosh soon.
Judy your smoothie sounds devine!!

Happy Hump Day!

My brain is finally getting over the steak night - YAY! I'm going to try some healthy pizza tonight, maybe on the grill if the weather holds up. I don't foresee any food problems during the week, but alas, another cookout event awaits me on Saturday. If I can just stay away from the potato salad...:nono:

Carol, sounds like you're doing well with food and exercise - you go, girl! I think that daily weighing thing is interesting. Every article says something different, doesn't it? Personally, I do weigh every day- "un-officially". I usually know why on the days that it's not good, and I try not to let it get me down, except I did have a hard time this week! In the long run, I do think it's better to keep a grip on it. When I lost my weight the last time, I stopped daily weighing, and then I was shocked how much it had gone up when I did weigh. I think that having the chance to do something about it before it gets too far out of control may be a good idea.

Penny, that's great news! :broc::broc::broc::broc::broc:

Marie, glad you had a good time with your sis! And even though that accident had to be upsetting, it's great that you were able to help.
I agree about the dinner thing while your hubby's on swing shifts. My DH is a truck driver, and he has different start times every day, which is very hard on him. But it's so much easier on me when he is already in bed at dinner time!

Judy, I like that idea of checking in in the evening to mark the end of eating for the day. It sounds like you're doing well with food! And a daily stress reliever sounds like a great plan, too. I think I need to look into that, myself.

Have a great day everyone!

auntie g, too funny about hubby being in bed at dinner time. It is so much easier when no one depends on us to cook. DS2 was home for "dinner" last night and I flat out said I don't cook when dad's on swingshift. as he's in the process of moving out, I think it's not a big deal. He mentioned he remembered that I won't cook.

Carol, never take your work light just because of an idiot. You do important work and you're passionate about it. Don't change that because that's what makes you valuable.

Judy, sounds like you're continuing the stress work road. I'm sorry about that. I do hope eventually it eases.

Penny, I'm so glad you're test came back negative. Maybe soon you'll recover completely and be healthy. Let's hope the same for your father.

Today was the first day of being on track. I'm at 823 cals and that included a small slice of choc b-day cake my co-workers bought for me. I'm leaving the cake here as I don't want it in my house. Of course I said I'm leaving it to share. Nice of me, huh? Really I'm just self-preserving.

We had a bid storm last night (keep in mind i'ts lightening and thundered just a handful of times since I moved her 8 years ago). And it poured in the desert. Now that the sun's out it's humid - another novelty in the desert. I'm going to swim after work and then do my legs (the epilator thingie I think I described a couple weeks ago). Other than the much interrupted sleep with DH on swings, I think I just might like this. :)

BTW, I'm acutally back in my office. It's weird to be in the same building/same office and have a different view (they rotated the building 180 degrees). It's nice to have some semblance of normalcy. At least for now...
Marie

Marie - Wow, you were an angel sent to help that poor woman in the car wreck :angel:. It must have been very traumatic. I'm glad the rest of your birthday weekend went well. That must feel strange, being in the same office with a different view! :dizzy: I agree about it being easier to stay on track when we eat our usual meals. It's always the "treats" that make it so hard to be good.

Carol - I hope the difficulties at work get better for you soon. You have a hard enough job without those kinds of hassles! I also heard that people who lose weight consistently weigh every day. I must admit I'm a slave to my scale, but as soon as I don't weigh I gain for sure. It helps to keep me focused.

Judy - I hope you're finding some ways to relax. You reminded me about yoga. It would probably help me to do some gentle stretches. I haven't exercised at all for over two weeks. I'm not supposed to do any real workouts till the end of the month. I have absolutely no energy, so I'll have to push myself to at least walk 10-15 minutes on the treadmill. Maybe I'll try a few yoga stretches too.

Auntie G - We bought a thin crust pizza from Trader Joe's. It is actually called a Tart Alsace or something. It's ultra thin pastry (not like real pizza dough) and has some bits of really good smoked ham and gruyere cheese. It is only 150 calories per slice. I put some very thinly sliced tomatoes on top before I baked it and it was so yummy. Two good sized pieces and a side salad for about 400 calories - not bad!

I'm gradually doing more - I pruned the roses and watered the container plants today. I'm still very tired, but that may have something to do with having anesthesia twice in a two week time span. I'm going to do everything I can to get my energy back (which was not too good to begin with). I may go to my naturopath and ask him if he has any ideas for supplements.

My Dad is still in the hospital and they have him on blood thinners. Hopefully, he'll be able to go home in a week or so. He's still got his twisted sense of humor. The nurse walked in and asked him "diabetic?" and he replied "no, Church of England"!

Marie, welcome back! We must have been working on our posts at the same time last night. Between the scary car accident and the rapids, you certainly had a thrilling b-day weekend. You sound very resolute with your new goal--I'm looking forward to celebrating your success :encore:

Carol, don't let your boss get into your head. It will sap your energy and make you nuts. At least, that's what happens with me. I get lost in a continuous loop of previous comments and anticipating what may or may not get said or done in the immediate future, instead of staying in the moment. I'll be thinking of you. Re the daily weigh-in, I think it works as long as you can keep the long view (and the almost hourly fluctuations in anyone's weight) in mind. If you let it determine your mood for the whole day, then it's not a good idea. I find that when I avoid weighing in, it's because I don't want to admit that I'm headed in the wrong direction.

Yum, potato salad :hungry:. Auntie G, I have BBQs and other food-oriented social events coming up in the next few weeks, with lot of tasty food I rarely eat otherwise--like potato salad. I have to really talk to myself before hand--and have something to eat before I arrive--if there's any hope of not throwing my healthy plans out the window.

Penny, you are doing really well to be moving around as much as you are! I hope that you'll continue to pace yourself, and don't push too hard. Your dad sounds like a pistol! Where would we be if we couldn't laugh about things?

I had to get an earlier start than usual today, so just time for 30 minutes of cardio before running out the door. Protein shake for b'fast, half an apple and a string cheese for AM snack; big salad w/egg, and a cup of lentil soup for lunch; celery sticks, salmon and a few potato chips (at least they were "natural") for PM snack, with almonds on the bus ride home; veggie meatballs in marinara sauce, over sauteed spinach for dinner, and berries w/kefir for dessert.

Having a hard time winding down. I'm listening to jazz, will read the paper for 20 minutes or so, then take a hot bath. I hope that will help me get a good night's sleep, instead of waking up at 4AM with my mind racing around in circles. It's hard to belive that just a few weeks ago, I was oozing serenity, sleeping in a yurt on a hillside!

judy

Girls I did the scale and guess wt. wise I wasn't doing so well. Now I really don't totally get it. I have been pretty darn careful of my intakes. So now that it hasn't moved well guess i better relook at my intakes. But they have been around 1500 cals a day. That seems a good number to me? And no real junk food now I did have some lime baked tortilla chips with salsa. But last night had a healthy dinner with broiled fish, small scallops and whole wheat rice roni. Maybe there was more salt content in the spice mix I used and I guess rice a roni even the ww has quite a bit of sodium in it. Well guess with all my increase in exercise and the way I look in the mirror which I think has improved doesn't count. Man!!! Like I am a bit upset!!
I was hoping for a good change as I felt it was warranted. But the box doesn't agree with me. Today I have a lunchoen at the Olive Garden for the director whom is eventually leaving our dept. Oh did I tell yah the nice director guy whom just started had a personal family issue and stepped down wow it was a shock 3 days. So we are back to hiring a new one again. I am real sorry about that one. Work has been so so. Big meeting today on regulations and medicaid fraud etc.. The demands of us on a daily basis to be accurate with our work ethics etc. Big stuff! Then I requested her to go over medical as far as what we should be responsible for. Every email now that I send to this one mtg. I send also to my supervisor that way if anything comes down I can say oh well you knew too. Guess the emails come in handy sometimes and better than a phone call I always reread the info. before sending them out to ensure I have been matter of fact and not a brat. Hah hah! One of the higher ups has been calling me this week with questions regarding a case we work on together and she has thanked me for all my input and would like me to attend one of their meetings to talk about working with my population and how to enter into their homes a bit differently and make it more inviting and not so intrucive. I find this interesting and said I would be willing to meet with the board in the future if they would feel it was something helpful. Gotta keep some good connections.
So I just had my measured raisin bran cereal with a splash of milk. And will have my lunch out and switch my dinner cals for lunch. If I have to will do just a salad tonight. I will stay away from the bread sticks at the restaurant even though I love them they are white and bad for me... Whole wheat is the way I have been going like hey its really made a difference.
Judy keep up the good work.
Penny it takes a while after surgery of any kind to feel up to normal. Boy do I remember that but it comes back pretty quick depending on how much junk they put into your system. We all seem to do differently with how our bodies react. Good luck. Just getting outside must of felt good. A little bit more daily and before you no it you will be back to yourself again.
Marie your office is at least updated you'd die if you worked in my place. Can't wait for them to move us around.
I will continue to work on healthy choices and exercise in hopes that eventually I will see a change in that dang box!!!

Hi all,

Just thought I'd share this link to some good recipes (some low cal, some not so much). http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/browse-recipes.asp

I hope everyone is having a good Thursday. I'm feeling a little more energetic today. I'm taking a supplement called Ashwagandha so maybe that's helping. It's also supposed to help with memory - I need all the help I can get in that department!

Hi all,

Carol, sorry to hear about the ex ex-director. That's bummer. I hope his issues are resolved smoothly. And what the heck to you mean "the way I look in the mirror which I think has improved doesn't count." Carol, thats the only thing that counts. you've built muscle - that's going to keep your bones strong, your metabolism up and your clothes looking sexy. Cheer up chickie, you're doing great.

Penny, I'm glad you're feeling better day by day. You've gone through a lot so don't overdo. We all know you want to. And be careful with the yoga moves if you should even do them at all. I'm guessing the drs. said the end of the month for a reason (hint, hint). I think you should get the dr. ok first as you don't want to go through this again.

Judy, I was reading your post and immediately had an urge to find some vegetable meatballs. That sounds SO good. Do they make them soy free (deathly allergic). good for you getting up to exercise. I fell back out of that routine with the b-day weekend. I tried yesterday but as I was up most of the night, I just slept in. Same again last night. Tomorrow morning I'm not going to bother. Monday will get me on track. For now, I'm exercising in the evening.

auntie g, I hope your day is going great. I will think of you this evening as I have my 150 cal scramble egg with cheese for dinner. Can't beat 150 for dinner. :) There s a part of DH on swing-shift I do like.

I'm going to do a WATP video in about 15 minutes or so. I've been excellently on track yesterday and today. YEAH!!!!! There's a billboard on my way home for the new liposuction/everything else vanity center in our town. I look at the chickie's flat tummy and for now that billboard is my incentive. My next b-day reward. :)

Work is ok, irritating a bit as school staff are returning and they're driving me insane. One secretary emailed me 25 times today. Yes, I went in my trash and COUNTED them. I thought I'd strngle someone through the network. :) But alas, I did change the schools to a new SIS (Student Info System) over the summer and the changes are hard for them as I restricted lots of security that they used to have. Mean me. :devil: C'est la vie.
Marie

:tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum:

I thought I finally got caught up on responding here, and then my computer went wacko and signed me out, so of course I lost the whole thing I just typed! Grrrr...

So, here's the shortened version. It's been a busy week and it's going to be a busy weekend too, so I took off work tomorrow to clean and to cook my puppy girl's food for the month. I wish I could cook up a batch of something for us to eat for a month!

Marie, we had ANOTHER thunderstorm tonight- I have about had my fill for the summer. I'm thinking I need to move to your neck of the woods it it's a rarity there! And 150 cal egg and cheese sounds delightful! I got a salad from McDonald's tonight while DH was sleeping, but an egg is sounding good!

Penny, wish we had a Trader Joe's nearby. People rave about that place, but it's too far out of my comfort zone to go to the nearest one. Glad you're feeling up to doing stuff, but don't over-do it! Let your body recover! Hope your dad gets to go home soon.

Judy, I agree that eating before going to a food event is the way to do it. If I'm not hungry when I get there, it's much easier to "forget" to eat the bad stuff!

Carol, try not to worry about the scale! If you feel good and look good, the scale will catch up. I can't imagine doing Olive Garden and behaving. More power to you!

Have a good Friday everyone!

Girls yesterday was a binge day if I ever saw one. It didn't start out that way but its over now. I am back on track with in the 24 hr. mark not so bad it could of been worse. But I am over it now had to get it out of my system the scale thing pushed me I think. Oh well! Maybe it was a good reality ck. At any rate oatmeal and a baby ww bagel for b. a salad made for lunch and seafood grilled or broiled depending on the weather for d. Isn't there some diet somewhere that says going up one day and then down kicks in your metabolism? Wendys diet I think. oh maybe I dreamed it up?? Oh well all is over now forward I go. Marie thanks for the kind thoughts and i do think so of that is so true. Guess my boxy shoulders and my muscle count a bit higher than I would like. You keep up the good work and the begining of school is always crazy brings back memories of when I did that type of work unpacking redoing the room having everything look nice and exciting for the school year.
Oh my meeting and training went well. In the notes for the staff meeting I had a compliment about the 'audit on my book. Also the head lady whom came in tapped in on medical and a friend had my back and asked another question that further the fact that I handled everything properly. My boss was out of line talking to me in the manner that she did. We have a meeting together next week and I will if she doesn't point out the fact that in our world its my responsiblity to ensure safety and well being and that medical appts are followed up on and that when I responded the person took it personally and not professionally. We all have a job to do and I was doing what I have been taught to do. Maybe a bit strongly but on the other hand they will think twice before crossing that path again with me I hope. We all have consequences and nothing is going to end up on my end of not being taken care of. So I felt much better about that matter. People need to remember their roles in the job and not let friendships or working for the same company get in the way.
Auntie g the lunch wasn't to bad it was my naughty rest of the day. Guess tension and the scale thing just threw me over the fence. But I got my pants caught on a nail of one of the boards and now have climbed back over!! It happens and at least I saved my butt.
Penny yes that site has some great recipes I ck them out stick some on my favorites.
I couldn't get myself to call in as I have a client whom has a PT appt. and I am going to work on getting her approved for a new wheel chair before her time is up for one. It will not be an easy task and they need me to advocate so maybe next week one day. My friend is visiting from Florida and we should take a little break for shopping and lunch out.
Well off to the city again!!!

I've never heard that expression before, but I LIKE it!!! I'm going to keep that in mind...

Morning everyone and TGIF!!!! I know I only had a 3 day work week, but it's amazing how my work magically does not get done when I take a long weekend. :)

Food was at 1300 cals yesterday and I did the 4 mile WATP which kicked my butt as my upper back started hurting. It never does in the morning but if I exercise (walking/aerobic wise) it does in the evening. So I made myself get up this morning and walk at the right time of the day. Way better. :) I think the tension of the day/work builds in my upper back and aerobics acerbates it. Whereas swimming helps. Food today is going on plan as I haven't altered anything from yesterday. Sound familiar auntie g?

Auntie, for a while when I'd lose my posts, I'd write them in WORD then copy and paste them back. Alas, I've gotten lazier and am back to writing here. But a reminder like yours will get me back into WORD. and you cook your doggie's food??? Tell more!!!!

Carol, I think it's good to stand up for yourself. Perhaps your boss had been in a bad place last week, but it still doesn't excuse bad behavior. Just alwys tread lightly.

Judy and Carol, hope all is great with you.
Marie

Marie, good idea about typing in word! And the dog food thing... well, I started cooking for her when that whole canned food poisoning thing happened. I just boil up a bunch of chicken breasts and throw them in the food processor with green beans and carrots, and then mix in some rice. That's the easy part. Then I measure out her meal amounts into ziplock baggies and freeze them. That takes forever, but she's my baby... She does eat normal dry dog food, too, but she used to get some canned on top of the dry, and when all that nasty stuff happened, I got scared. So now I cook for her more than I cook for us! And I always get nervous when the power goes out in a thunderstorm, but so far, so good!

Ladies, just a quick hello. I've been good, but my lower back has been aching so I didn't work out yesterday or today. My brother is in town, so I've been running around with him for the past few days. Luckily he is a health nut, so I can only get into so much trouble. I might not be able to check in regularly--but I haven't fallen off the wagon!

judy

Hi everyone, I hope everyone has a great weekend. I LOVE not going to work.

Auntie g, it's cool that you make your pup's soft food. My dogs also have a little soft food one their dry (I make a gravy out of it). I'm not sure I could afford three dogs having real chicken breasts. Plus I'm too lazy. :) I remember researching the dog food sites daily to make sure the brand I buy wasn't on it.

Judy, enjoy the time with your brother. I hope your back starts to feel better.

The evil scale and I met this morning after about 8 months of a standoff. I guess it won. I've gained 20 pounds. Eeks. But it was actually less than I thought it would be and I'm on track again so I will be fine. For a while (till the 20 pounds are gone) I'm going to stay around 1400 calories. And lots of exercise.

This morning I did 4 miles WATP and then DH and I took the doggies out for a mile walk. I'll probably swim in the afternoon but the high is only to be 74 degrees so I'm not sure I'll be warm enough to want to. :) Yesterday I had walked in the morning and swam 1/2 mile in the evening. Food wise, right on track.
Mare

Marie - It doesn't seem fair you've gained 20 lbs., especially with all the exercise you do. It sounds like you're back on track so those pesky pounds should melt off.

Judy - I hope your back soon feels better. It's nice you have your brother visiting - I really miss my brothers. Good for you staying on the wagon.

Carol - I hope you're unwinding from your stressful week with your friend from Florida. Looks like we all need to jump back on the wagon again.

Auntie G - You are a good mom to your puppy cooking all that food for her. We were worried for our cats too when they had the problems with the pet food.

I went to the doctors today as I have a sore tonsil. She thinks it's probably a virus but will culture it just in case. I think I may have picked up a bug in one of the many doctor's offices I've been in lately. The doc said there's a pretty bad "summer cold" going around. I did some gardening today but had to quit when I got a bit dizzy. The mind is willing but the body is still a bit weak.

My Dad is home from the hospital. I spoke with him and he sounds more like his old self. He's lost a lot of weight and said Mum is spoiling him cooking lots of "delicacies". I bet he'll play it for all it's worth! :lol: They also found he has a very enlarged prostate and have catheterized him. He said it's not uncomfortable at all and a big relief being able to go to the bathroom easier. Growing old ain't no fun!

Hi all! Today's weigh-in left me the same as last week. I guess that's ok, better than a gain. I suspect this will not be an easy week either, as I went slightly insane with the potato salad at today's event. It was a family reunion, so it was a bigger deal than the normal cookouts of late, and the potato salad was sooooo good. Now I'll have to pay the price. Tomorrow I'll be cooking for the week to make it easier, but I need to get a grip on these Saturday extravaganzas!

Judy, hope you're having fun with your brother!

Marie, glad you're back on track with only 20 up. It took me til 94 up to get back on the wagon. There are no words for how stupid that made me feel!

Penny, hope you're feeling better! Those dang tonsils are such germ collectors. And glad you're dad's doing better.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

I agree Marie and don't feel alone I was up too. I guess the scale reminds us to not be too naughty. I am not a friend of its but when its nice to me. I found myself ready to tackle the gym today and had a really good workout. It felt really good to be back. Then on the way home I thought you crazy lady just think if you hadn't stopped when your friend did where you would be. Exactly and maybe really close to my goal I had planned but instead now I am sucking it up and pushing myself a bit harder to exercise. The party yesterday wasn't too bad. It could of been much worse. Todays intake isn't too bad and now I have worked out. Though I was super hungry afterwards. I have to be careful with that and need to bring a piece of fruit or a fiber one bar to curve off my hunger. Sounds like we all needed to have this pep talk.
Judy becareful that the back pain isn't a bladder infection or kidney infection?
Yah know Marie your totally right about treading lightly at work. Gotta watch yourself. Well now the sun is back out its been raining most of the day.
Take care eat wisely and move it girls!!
Auntie g sometimes a little no gain no loss isn't such a bad thing.
Penny hope your feeling better now?

Hi everyone. I'm so sad to see the weekend end. I've had a great weekend - didn't go anywhere and relaxed quite a bit. Yesterday I made 10 quarts of spaghetti sauce (low cal as I don't add any fat except 1/4 c. olive oil for all 10 quarts). It's the best marinara I've made so far so dinner was fabulous last night. I finished yesterday at 1406 cals. Today I'm at 786 cals so far and dinner is in the next hour or so - so I'm doing good on track with that.

DH and I took the doggies to Hamaker Mountain to let the dogs run free. It was the first time that Kai was let loose in the forest. She just sort of stared at us, then when Kodiak took off running full speed, she did too. She had the best time and is so totally exhausted (part of my devious plan). The pups had a great time and the hike was excellent. If felt like fall at 7 in the morning. Then I cleaned the pool and deck. DH and I have been (and currently are) cutting out stained glass while watching the Olympics. We did take a break to swim in the clean, beautiful pool So I swam 3/8 mile as well. I'll probably play with the glass most of the evening.

Penny, I have the worst metabolism in the world. I know that but I let the scale get dusty. So that year long experiment didn't work. Because only about 2 or 3 times did I eat like a piggie through the entire year. I think my body would be happiest if I never ate. But since I LOVE food that won't happen. So I will keep logging and weighing. I think I'll weigh daily and just not let the fluctuations bug me.

Auntie g, I definitely know that stupidity. I'm pretty sure I'll live with that particular trait my entire life. I do believe if I weigh every day, I'll never be that stupid again, but I always find excuse to let the scale get dusty. My goal should be to weigh every day as that would keep the goal of losing/not gaining in check.

Carol, like you said about if you'd stayed at the gym, that's the way I feel about the scale. But at the time I stopped weighing, I was obsessing over it. i guess I had reason. So good for you getting back at the dusty gym. :)

Judy, I hope you're having fun with your brother.
Marie

Another quick check-in from your normally word buddy! My bro and I are having a lovely visit. We are close friends with a tension-free relationship:). We've watched a lot of Olympics (go, Team USA!), seen three movies--I've overdosed on popcorn--and hung out with a good friend of mine. Today is Museum Day, lunch with another friend, and probably more Olympics. My brother is very health-conscious, so overall I'm working out and not straying too far from the program (except for the aforementioned popcorn). My back is better, thanks. I don't know what the problem was on Friday.

Hope everyone has a good Monday!

judy

Monday again... I'm hoping for a better week this week, but it is good old PMS time, so only time will tell. At least I don't have to think about what to eat until the weekend- that is a relief! It's going to be tuna for a couple days, then whole wheat pasta for the rest of the week.

We had thunderstorms on and off all day yesterday, with more to come any time now. It's really getting old. I'm not looking forward to heating oil season, but I've sure had it with these summer storms!

Carol, congrats on getting back to the gym! I wish I would get my butt in gear and at least go out for real walks (not just puppy walks).

Marie, mountain hiking with the puppers sounds like a lot of fun and a lot of exercise, sweeeeet! And maybe you could weigh in weekly, instead of daily or yearly (lol). It might not trigger the obsession.

Judy, glad you're having a good visit! I can only dream of tension-free relationship with my brother!

Have a great day everyone!

Hi all, things are good even though it's Monday and I'm back at work. Auntie g, I thought about the weekly weighins but when I do that, then I play dumb games in my head (nothing salty, no fibery foods the day before, etc). So daily it will be. As mr. scale isn't moving yet, I think I'm ok as it didn't bother me. My way of not obsessing about it is to give it the middle finger salute. :) Always makes me laugh so that's good. Tuna for the week??? OK, you're more stuck on the same foods day in and out than I. for that I'm glad. :)

Judy, I'm glad you're having fun with your brother. I loved the 400 meter men's swimming relay last night. It was awesome. How that Jason pulled it out I'm not sure.

Work is ok, irritating as more people are returning to work. But I guess I should expect many calls as I did the Student Info System change and removed loads of access over the summer. Here I thought they'd take the change quietly...

I did 3 miles WATP this morning and am thinking of taking a break to go to the grocery store for some yogurt for a snack. That or 60 ca. SF pudding.
Marie

Marie - And I thought I had the worst metabolism in the world! I guess most of us here have a similar problem. It seems we try to eat pretty healthy most of the time but it's so hard to make the scale budge downwards. I'm sure, like me, you know tons of people who eat twice as much but don't have a weight problem. I used to get mad about it being so unfair but now I've just accepted the fact and know it will be a life long battle to lose the weight (or at least not gain any more). Maybe one day they'll come up with a safe genetic engineering thing that will solve our problem. I hope your daily weigh in will help you to get back on track. I know it can get to be a bit obsessive, but I also think it helps in the long run. It sounds like you've got your hands full at work with the new computer program. Hopefully things will calm down a bit when people get the hang of it.

Auntie G - Send us some of your thunderstorms. I love storms but we rarely get them here in the Northwest, unless you live near the mountains or down south like Marie.

Judy - I'm glad to hear your back is better. It sounds like you're having a well-deserved break and having lots of fun. Which museum did you go to? You must have lots of good ones nearby in DC. It's good that your brother is a positive influence in the food department. It's easy to go overboard with eating when we have company.

Carol - I hope things are going well for you.

I'm still a bit under the weather from my tonsillitis/bug. I just got back from my check up with the plastic surgeon and he's very happy with the results. The scars have already faded a lot. I now have the boobs of a 20 year old! :lol: I guess this is the only good thing to come out of having the big "C". Too bad the rest of me doesn't match - I should have had him remove some of my butt while he was at it :lol:.

:rofl:Marie, I play games with my weekly weigh-in, too. Never thought of avoiding fiber, though, hmmmmm.... I guess I couldn't really do that since I eat cereal for breakfast and lunch nearly every day. Oh well. But what I do is try to eat the same dinner every Friday, if possible, and of course I always wear the same thing Saturday morning. Eh, could be worse.

And I'm only eating tuna for 3 days :shrug:, then pasta for 3 days. I just love not having to think about it!:cp::cp:

Girls wow I am almost at the end of my day and my intakes have been good. I was over hungry once at the end of my work day. Bought a small little bag of pretzels and read the cals 110. Ate them it was better
than being over hungry when I walked in. Ate a little half cup of baked beans not the best choice and a yogurt with berries and granola I am done! Oh a little piece of meatloaf I am making ahead for tues. dinner.
Well companies coming I got to fly

Just added my cal intake for yesterday 1450 so i am in the ball park!! Hurray!
But tonight we are going to dinner with our friends from out of town. They picked the hamburger place its really good. The smell of fries will kill me but I will be strong. I am not sure yet what I will have but it will be on the healthier side no fries. They have a variety of items might even have a healthy area but maybe not. I will becareful with my breakfast and lunch cals and snack times figuring the dinner will be more. I need to preplan then everything will be better. Not sure if I will get to the gym today but wed. for sure. The ab exercises must of been working as I can feel some soreness in my upper gut area. No that is a welcomed pain at least I feel there is a difference.
Has anyone heard of the cider vinegar diet? My friend whom is visiting said she is going to try it when she gets home. Something about vinegar before meals does kick in your metabolism. Her friend has lost weight on it and I guess especially in the tummy area? Just wondered I will do a search on it. Guess the best way is the natural way and eat what we are suppose to most of the time watch those portions etc..
Off to work again.

Carol, I had heard something about the cider vinegar diet, but never bothered to look it up before. So now I did, and this is what I found:

For thousands of years, vinegar has been used for weight loss. White vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full. A 2005 study of 12 people found that those who ate a piece of bread along with small amounts of white vinegar felt fuller and more satisfied than those who just ate the bread.

Doesn't sound too inspiring to me, and it was only a study of 12 people. Like you said, I think it's better to stick with the "natural" way- healthy foods most of the time, and portion control.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Flying through quickly..things are going well, but it's my last day off :(. I'll be back to the routines, for good or bad, tomorrow, including more screen time.

judy

Hi everyone. The vinegar discussion was interesting. I HATE vinegar. Icky. I think I'd rather be fat. :) so thanks Judy for looking it up. a study of 12 people is not comprehensive enough for me to even consider it.

Carol, take you burger off the bun, then eat it with a for, (dipped in ketchup of course). You won't have that many calories then.

auntie g, when you weigh on Saturdays, is it at WW or somewhere else? I used to play the lightweight clothes game when I originally lost the bulk of my weight 20 years ago. I was going to a weight loss clinic and it was in Minnesota. I was so relieved when winter was over and I could wear light clothes. :) The mind games are endless with me.

Penny, I'm glad there was some upside to the upside of the big C. And perky girls are the envy you know. :) If there were a weigh to give myself some metabolism, I would but then I wouldn't trade my life for most of the skinny, eat whatever they want people. I know I'm intelligent and I'd rather that then a sexy body. Earlier in my life I didn't get that, but I do now. So I'd rather have sexy brains and keep on the battle to be healthy. :)

Work is ok and only one annoying call so far this morning. 1.5 hours and only one call is reason to celebrate. The doggies and I had a great hike this morning and I'm at 177 cals so far for the day. But it's 9:00 and my stomach is starting to make noise. Maybe some vinegar would make it shut up. :) As it would make my puke, it could be my salvation. Sorry, I'm being silly. Last night DH and I swam. I did a SLOW 1/4 mile as I was just enjoying myself. Mr. Scale was nicer this morning so that's good.
Marie

Penny, somehow I missed your last post, but I sure would like to send you some of our storms! It gets awfully tiresome unplugging the computer every time. We had a hit a couple years ago that zapped some of the computer through the telephone line, and of course all the phones, so now I'm paranoid about it. And "boobs of a 20 year old" cracked me up! I don't think I had that even when I was 20!

Judy, back to work is a drag, but routines make the proper eating easier (usually!) Ease in slowly...

Marie, I weigh at home, in a medium weight nightgown, so when the weather turns I can still wear something comparable. I plotted that out from the start cause I didn't want to have to switch to winter weight and GAIN! I've come to appreciate the mind games as part of the "fun". DH is not as amused about the eating the same thing all the time, but hey, he doesn't have to do the cooking, so he can take one for the team!

Auntie G - It's funny the games we play with our scales! If I weigh myself in my undies, I always "allow" half a pound for that. I also make sure not to drink too much water right before I weigh (and make sure I go to the bathroom) and usually hop on and off a couple of times and give it a kick just in case it's stuck and showing too high a weight! :lol:

Marie - I tried the vinegar thing for about a day and couldn't stomach it either. Nowadays I figure if I'm not likely to stick to something for the rest of my life, it isn't worth bothering about. I'm with you in rather having a sexy brain and healthy bod. I'm glad Mr. Scale was nice to you. Were you the one who mentioned the Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum) books a while back? If so, you're to blame for my addiction! I'm already on my third book in the series but I started kind of mixed up, reading books 12, 10 and now 4. I just got whatever they had in at the library. I just love her character - such a feisty Jersey gal. I also love pistol packin' Lula and it's so funny how they eat all that junk food - I can almost taste it!

Judy - I hope you're enjoying the rest of your time off.

Carol - I hope you had a fun time with your company and managed to find something yummy on the menu without too many calories. I usually leave 3/4 of the bun when I have a hamburger. It's the carbs that tend to make me gain anyway, not so much the meat. It's hard to turn down fries, so I usually just snag a few from my hubby's plate! :lol:

I'm feeling better today now that my sore throat is better. We went to the Social Security office today to get my DH signed up for Medicare as he'll turn 65 in October. It kind of came as a shock to us that we're already in that age group as we're just a couple of kids at heart. I still have 6 years to go before I go on it. Next year will be our 40th anniversary - it doesn't seem possible how the time has flown by!

Well I decided on a grilled steak ck comb. and tortilla shells with veggies. Saved half for lunch at least the veggies and little bit of meat. Y'eah the vinegar thing is interesting who knows what works or doesn't the only real magic is portions, changes and exercise I think. Oh well was worth the search and a topic to ck into.
I enjoyed my company but last night my 11 to bed and I am feeling it tonight normally I am an early bird to bed and up early. Talk to you all soon and hang in there!

Penny congrats on those B,s something going on right huh? Bear wants to play this a.m. and is demanding somr attention. I WOULD LIKE HIM TO GO BUT HE REFUSES. Just like akid.
I am ready to have a good day. Later on I will take a walk or swim if it ever warms up. Whats with the 70,s? Nice to sleep but come on now its summer.
I am meeting the grandkids for school shopping right after work. I got a lovely 30% off coupon for Kohls dept store. Now that is off sale and clearance wow we are going to have some fun. Gram is of course helping out with school closes my gram always helped me. Guess we learn to do the same if we can for our kids. Anyways I am looking forward to it. Then maybe treating them to ice cream if they leave the store at the same time as me. If not oh a rain ck on that and I am not having any. I am feeling a bit more in the control seat even if its hard to do. Half of what I would of eaten etc. at the restaurant. Now before I would of finished most of my food if not all. So I am working on it. We have a wedding on saturday can't say I will be good at that but good until then would be great and then jump into the gym on sunday again.
Well gotta fly have a great day!

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...dnesday-01.gif

Penny, hee hee hee, drink water before a weigh-in? Never!!! I like the idea of giving the scale a kick, too! Glad your throat's feeling better. I woke up this morning with a tinge of funny feeling in my throat, but hopefully it doesn't turn into anything. It is almost time for my "back to school" cold that happens every year, even though I haven't been in school for a pretty long time now!

Carol, yeah, what's up with this weather? I sure complained a lot about the heat, but now it's too cool to get any pool time in! I'd like to get back there before the end of the season. And yeeeeeehah! I got the 30% off Kohl's coupon too! The 30% always gets a little dance when it arrives. :carrot: I'm going to try to go today if I can.

Have a good day!

hi all, I'm at a conference and I usually screw up my diet at them. So far I'm doing good - 775 cals and only dinner left. There's even chocolate less than 2 feet from me. We left town at 4:30 this morning so no exercise. And mr. scale was really sweet this morning. BTW, typing on my cell phone is painful. I already lost one post. :(auntie g, why weigh with any clothes? And never drink something before? NEVER!carol, I totally agree with what's with these 70 degree temps. It's August.Penny, I love Stephanie Plum. And Ranger and Morelli. Lulu's a kick. I think they're great friends. You're welcome for addiction!Marie

Eeks, it looks like my cell phone ATE the paragraphs. Sorry. Marie

Marie, I have to weigh with some clothes because the scale's in the kitchen and my pupperoni wants to go out first thing in the morning. I don't want to scare the neighbors! LOL!