I am no fan of organized religion but I am would like to raise my children with some sort of spirituality. I have considered unitarian church but that's still a bit much for me. My best friend celebrates the equinox with her family. Your thing sounds pretty good. -glad you enjoyed it.


This seems like a good time to give a more complete intro. Some of you snarking chicks I have met on other threads. I live in NJ with my husband and 4 little boys 7, 5, 5, and 2.5. I work in a NYC hospital part time 2-3 days a week/ 3hr round trip commute. My husband is a perrenially suffering morose PIA, with small moments of delight. But I knew this when I married him. He is basically a good guy but what a giant PIA.

My friends tell me I can be funny so hopefully, I'll entertain you and I'll also say, have already been entertained by your quick witted posts.

What she said.

Enjoy time at the gym, Anna, after Will I'm sure the respite will be friggin relief.

Kitty -- My calories are around the same, I seem to be stalling a bit right here, but I'm not willing to drop them yet. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I wasn't wanting to drop them in order to have the umph to do long runs, but with a knee injury as of yesterday and runs limited to under 6, I might go ahead and push them down a bit and see what happens. If I start eating my right arm I might reverse that very quickly.

oh, and the cake sucked. forgot vanilla.

one fisted eating is definitely lower cal than 2.

I really think it's just because you're not used to it. Please give it time and don't chug it!
I'm also working some today. Procrastination is by far one of my worst habits and I'm trying very hard to overcome it.

I read this 4 times before I was convinced that you said you just cooked.

I do and it is! It's got more of a hmm I guess tex-mex type of flavoring. I enjoy it with tacos, burritos, things like that. The one I made this morning had more of a traditional breakfast sausage taste. I used to hate Trader Joes due to the crowds but we've become good friends now that I've learned to not go on the weekends!

It's good to keep kids balanced you know?

Bloody ****. I'd either be an alcoholic or a rip-roaring ***** every day. Probably both.

Billie - Do not fear the tofu. The tofu is your friend.


Trail run done! I did 4 miles which in case you're wondering is indeed the furthest I've gone. I had to walk a bit as my hamstrings are pretty pist at me from yoga yesterday and screamed out loud a few times but overall still a decent pace (for me). Garmin tells me I burned about 600 calories which seems rediculously high but I like it. I still need to walk the dogs today but it'll be a bit later on and more of a stroll then a power walk.

Kittycat - what's your name? I probably missed it somewhere as I've seen you around the boards before.

Great run, Heather! That's awesome! What was the trail like? Hilly? packed dirt or grass, or what?

Color me as shocked as you about the cooking, but darling hubbie literally begged me. He's being so strong on his meal plan that I would do almost anything to help. It's not really cooking, anyway: cut up a bunch of veggies, throw in pot, stir in coconut milk and curry paste. Simmer for a while. Done. That right there is about the limit of my patience and skill in la cucina.

Funny you should ask. My name is Lucy. This is the first time I have ever put that out there.

When I joined this forum I found Jo on the 5 pound challenges. Keep in mind I am basically a Luddite so my understanding of internet forums is that they were filled with freaks and individuals who were incapable of relating to live in the flesh persons. But Jo seemed so dam normal and awesome. I had a hard time processing this.

Then I stayed true to 3fc and thereby my plan. I found all the wonders and wonderful peops that everyone here has found. But I feared being "discovered" as one of those internet weirdos. (being otherwise a weirdo is not a problem for me) So I never volunteered my REAL NAME. what a dork I am.

anyway, thanks for asking and I'm happy to tell you!!

very impressive. I would break a bone or two if I tried that.

Some packed dirt, some wooden bridges over creeks and a little bit of asphalt. It's a really grey day here and of course there aren't trees with leaves right now so to be honest it was kinda dreary and depressing looking but I do think in the spring time I'd like it more. I probably wouldn't go to this particular trail again after the race on it. It's about 25min from my house and there are just too many others closer.

Glad hubby is sticking to the plan! If it requires more then opening a box and putting it in the microwave then you cooked

What?!! I'm only on here for the freaks. I understand and that's why I won't post a picture on here! Well not until I can rock a bikini!!

Go Heather Go!

I just made a batch of BB brownies. I cooked them in muffin pans to control portion sizes. They came out to 143 calories each. I'm shipping 1/3 to my friend in GA and the rest are going in the freezer for occasional treats.

Nothing else new here. Kids are driving me nuts and I am tired of playing trucks with DS.

Billie--good thinking on the brownies. It is M's birthday week...cupcakes for Tuesday at school, Wednesday is birthday. I have decided to go with pudding for the family party next weekend. Lots of too-tasty things about. And the square needles really feel good in my hands.

Rhonda--yes, when I chug. When I have water panic and down .5L while standing at the sink. Figure out your goals for the day and break it down into per hour segments. As for the water logged, it is similar to stubborn fat with cals too low. Your cells are not going to pass it out of the cell membrane until they know there is more coming in. It is all about the equilibrium.

Heather. OMG on your run! You are clearly a trail runner, not an urban runner. I want to come run with you.

Lucy--4 boys=Prozac. What kind of nurse?

Jo---wizard in the kitchen or a tiger in the bedroom. are you changing your, uh, stripes?

Jaime--we miss you! We hope you are OK.

Me--as forward as I was looking to the rhythm of the treadmill, I was either 1) slow as a glacier 2) dying. I did two miles, not in a row. My hamstrings are all knotty, and I am in the process of moving furniture around so that my sloth spot is not shrinking my leg muscles. I did 40 minutes total with the walking, but I did the last two minutes at 6.0 MPH vs. the 5.4 I normally do and the 5.0 I have been doing on the street.

Run Anna Run.

For a while I was able to do 6.3 running. On average though I think I was doing 5.3-5.5. I think if I could convince myself to slow down just a bit more I could go longer. That is if my freaking foot ever heals. I cannot wait until the insurance cards get here.

Off to start dinner. DH is having his leftover burger. Kids are having either leftover chicken and veggies or grilled cheese. I'm making myself 2 servings of pasta with alfredo and veggies. The rest will be lunch tomorrow.

I am here, I am here! Internet at father's generally sucks. I am back home now. First thing I did after setting down my bag was strap on the new shoes and new bra (wow, was that overdue as well!) and take them out for a test spin.

.... Taking a month and a half off of running did NOT do me any favors. (Starting smoking again probably didn't either.) I could barely run 5mins at a time, and ended up walking the who second half of my 30 mins. HOWEVER - my boobs were wonderfully held in place, and my feet were happy. My shins don't hurt like they usually do after runs.

Stepmother on WW worked out well eating-wise while I was gone, ate healthiest there I ever have since she's watching her intake too. Had a really good long conversation with the father, which is rare, and was much appreciated. He is sorry I am going through the BS I am going through but is overall excited for me to be moving forward with my life, etc etc.

Aaaand..... we finally have the *official* word on an end date. The 19th (as originally planned). He'll fly from here to go visit Rhonda in Atlanta, then go visit Jo in Florida (well, he'll be in Miami), then down to Rio. Good riddance. Counting down the days.