Michele: I don't remember the precise amount but it was a 1 week supply and approx. around 30 bucks I think? I really don't know if it was the Soft Cleanse or the Senna tea that did the trick for me... but man did I ever feel better! LOL! Good luck! :P

Lady: You are absolutely right. Those who are sacrificing in their lives financially to pay for their program can testify to how important it is to stick to the program as precisely as possible in order to be successful. And each individual will learn in time what they can and can't do on program (Ie. small cheats). Most importantly, we need to be disciplined with our program as much as possible but at the same time gentle with ourselves (and one another) when we fail to meet our expectations. Our bodies are complex... but if we stick to it we will succeed.

I have set a mini-goal/reward for myself. When I get to the -25lb mark I am going to treat myself to a spa treatment. I am very excited about that!

Heading into the city this weekend so I'll see what I can find at the health stores.

I was trying to decide on mini rewards for myself too.. just not sure that the spa is the thing for me. hmmm... Usually I buy clothes but I'm gonna try and make it by with what I have and reward myself with a new wardrobe a the end.:D

I guess the whole reward idea is pretty personalized. I know that the spa isn't for everyone... but the day before my wedding in January my maid of honor and I went to Ten Spa... and I fell in love with the whole experience!

Food typically is a reward for people... but in our case that isn't exactly the best solution is it? :) And clothing... well our bodies are in flux... but there are some items you can buy that will work regardless of your weight... like shoes, boots, purses, accessories? It seems like I want to reward myself all the time now... I feel like going shopping... lol...

Trying to figure out this ticker thing...

Woo hoo! How exciting!

So...my offer on the house was accepted!! Now i just have to get through financing and inspection...ugh!

girl that is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look on the positive side and don't let it over whelm you! this is a wonderful step for you and i KNOW you are going to love it!!

Michele - You lucky girl! You got a ticker!!! Can't wait for mine :)

Friend - Way to go on the house!!! If this is meant to be, all will go well... Have faith!

Thanks to all for your feedback on mini-goals and stuff...real interesting!

I tried the recipe last night (Pasta Pancanke - Frittata)....OMG...it's AWESOME! I tweaked it a bit.
I think it'll become a fav with our family :)

So last night was my WI & Measurements...I was a bit disapointed.
I lost only 0.2 pounds...but I know, I know... I've had my periods for a week now, my cycle is screwed up, stopped my pill on Monday...so I'll probably have them for another week still... *sigh*. I didn't have great BM for the last 2 days too.... so that MIGHT explain. It's just a BIG drop from last week!

Inches - I lost 5 3/4 inches. Pretty happy with that but again, I felt like it was way more!

That's that for me :p

Chantal - 5 3/4 inches is nothing to sneeze at. Our cycles are pretty rough when it comes to seeing the kind of numbers we might like. I think we can all relate...

Michele - congrats on your ticker!

UFF - very exciting! The rest will be a cakewalk!

Lady - It is great to have someone who has been thru what UFF is going thru to encourage her.

And finally... guess who is down just over 5lbs?!? MOI! WHOOHOO! That is only my loss since last Saturday. The girl weighing me actually swore when she saw the numbers! :) YAY!

Meme, Chantal: Great work on the losses! I agree that 5.75 inches is nothing to sneeze at, and 5 pounds... I think I would have fallen over!

UFF: Congrats on the house, I'm sure the financing and inspection will go well, but it must be overwhelming as a new home owner. Maybe at some point I'll be writing about finding a house too! Just try to focus on how great it will be to get into the house and start making it your own!

Maybe without TOM my weight will be down this week... fingers crossed!

Meme: WOW!! 5 pounds - that's awesome! Did you do anything different??
So happy for you !! :carrot:

Thanks everyone for the support...yeah I guess 5 inches is alot for my 1st week... but I can see SUCH a difference in my clothes!!

Salad Dressing:
What do you guys use? It's really FRUSTRATING for me to take my Free Exchange...I'll get the spritzer tonight...I know I can do an oil based one...but with only 2 Fats...at 1 TEASPOON per Fat... hard to actually have a 2 cup salad well covered.

Thoughts??

I use salsa as salad dressing a lot, it is a free exchange but you get 4tbsp as opposed to 3 tbsp of salad dressing. Sometimes I mix 2tbsp of salsa with 1 tbsp of ranch salad dressing for a 'santa fe' ranch thing lol, its pretty good!

I just use the spritzers, but have to admit that I am more likely to eat cauliflower or carrots raw than have lettuce. Hopefully the spritzers are easier to find in your area than they were in mine!

hey friend, I have a salsa recipe that counts as your veg and not your free exchange! Want it?


where is Bride to be?????