Susie- I'll let ya know how this "new" plan works. Seems I am always trying something. If someone would just tell me what to, that works, I would follow plan with no problem. Tyring to figure this out on my own is the hard part. i am eating right around 1500/day, so I don't think that is the problem. Then again, who knows???

See ya all on Tues. probably. We have conferences tomorrow until 8:30. Yuck!! Not my idea. Plus I get those new kids tomorrow. What a fun day I have to look forward to.

Hi--is it only Tuesday? Let me tell you this transisiton to the new company is scary--they have let go 30 people so far. I feel like if I make it to the end of the week I will be safe for awhile. That is all I'm asking for--I'm using that time to send out resumes. I've had a few hits and am hoping things work out well.

If you would please say a prayer for my employment safety I would appreciate it.

Mindy: How did it go with the new kids?

I didn't work out tonight as planned---i needed to go vote and then I had a couple of online applications to fill out. I will be sure to make it tomorrow.

I just finished watching the Biggest Loser did anyone else watch it?

Hey guys! I watched TBL and I thought Tracey looked fabulous! What a homecoming she had, too. What was that all about?

Susie, have you heard anything else about your job?

Mindy, do those new kids have you tied up in a broom closet somewhere?

I have made it the past 24 days on plan. The pants-o-meter is happy. woot! Yesterday my stress level was through the roof because my son was sick, but I did not binge. That's partly because we were at the doctor's office for three hours, so there simply wasn't time. Anyway, he is much better today. I am not holding out much hope for next week though, because my ILs are due to arrive on Sat. At least I'll be getting a ton of exercise on Sat. It's time for the three hour spin-a-thon again!

Hi--TGIF! I'm almost to the weekend. More scary stuff at work. 40 more people were let go and our Director quit! I'm really careful what I say on the web where everyone can read it but now that I'm really "looking" at what all is out there. I know eventually the end is coming and I'm preparing for it as much as I can. I'm working like the end is never coming and preparing that it could be tomorrow.

So, I made it to TOPS last night but I didn't make it for weigh-in..there were accidents on the way home that really tied up traffic. I was 20 min late to the meeting but I thought it was important to get there and I'm glad I did that. I always get my "food for thought" that helps me stay on track for the week.

Besides I had a feeling the scales were not going to look that great so I got a reprieve. Now begins the quest to make sure that next week those scales show a REALLY good loss.

What is everyone doing this weekend?

Ward: I thought Tracey looked good too...but I tell you, she really gets on my nerves quickly!
I hope you check in with us when your in-laws are here..we will keep you on track!

Mindy: Where are you girl?

Girls, sometimes life throws you a curve ball. You either duck, or get hit in the head. My head is killing me. I'll share when I can. Right now I am not working out or eating, just stressing. And no. Nobody is in the broom closet.

Mindy: I saw you posted that same thought on FB. Whatever it is just know that we are here where you need us.

Ward: Are the in-laws there and what are you doing?

I spent more time today purging items from my house. I just feel so overwhelmed with things. I am not a pack rat but for some reason I have a lot of paper in my life right now and I can't stand old mixed with new so I'm organizng and tossing.

When I do this sort of thing it helps me in my weigth loss efforts--if I feel overwhelmed I over eat. I also worked out a revised budget so that I am saving back more money than I was. I'm hoping that until I find another job I can continue with the new company and make my current salary. It is guaranteed for 2 years as long as they keep us. What I decided to do was to go back to the budget that I had when I started this job 2 years ago and live like I am making what I made two years ago so that I can save the difference. It will take discipline but I feel that is a good thing.

Next on my to do list is tomorrow I start logging the calories again--I've been journaling my food for the past 3 weeks and that is going well so it's time to start counting what I'm eating AND I am getting to the gym this week for sure for more than just yoga.

Hey Susie! Good luck with the organizing. I really need to do that, too.

Yes, the ILs are here. So far so good, one night down. I did the spin-a-thon yesterday and it was fun. Beautiful weather, and they brought the bikes outside. I burned over 1100 calories!

Bad news is that my washer decided to break. I have houseguests and mountains of laundry and no washer. Also something is wrong with my car. There will be no binge eating to deal with the stress. NO BINGE EATING!

Mindy, I hope you are ok, and whatever the curve ball was it's a good thing. Hey, Susie, maybe she's pregnant! (That ought to bring her out of the woodwork.)

Oh ****. that is a scary thought. But in a way it would be easier to deal with. Sorry to say that the curve ball is not an easy one. I am still realing and not ready to talk openly about it. It involves my daughter. It is causing a lot of pain and confusion right now.

I am trying to eat and workout, but I am so upset, that food is really the last thing on my mind. I made a BIG step in dealing with the situation today. There is so far to go that I can't even see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Not yet anyway. I'm trying.

I'm sorry, Mindy. I hope you get it all worked out.

Hi Guys--so I had a little binge...maybe it was maybe is wasn't..tell me what you think.

All day I had to deal with hearing about more people being let go and my new Section Head asked me to give her a list of what I do--I can feel the scary monster breathing down my back! She was asking everyone to do this but still...you know they want that for one reason.

So my first thought was I need chocolate. I told myself to wait until I finished the document and then I could see how I was feeling. When I finished, I still felt like it, so I took a walk to the mailroom, came back and still wanted it, so I went and got a pack of peanut M&M's. I did stop with that pack.

I also need to vent just a bit. I worked, came home, brought in the porch furiture while DH grilled out dinner. After dinner I cleaned up the kitchen then spent 2 hours applying for jobs on line. My laptop isn't hooked up to my printer so I went into the office to print of a couple of letters I'm mailing. DH wanted to look at something on computer. I told him to use the laptop..it's faster. He did but complained--he's not used to the laptop. Then I wanted to get back on to check in here and he is complaining.

I mean I SWEAR! It is no fun to work all day and then deal with looking for a job for 2 hours in the evening. I am worn out..I can't believe he had the nerver to complain. When he was looking for a job I was the one typing his letters and sending things out and it's not like he was on the computer helping me. I wanted to scream and tell him off but I just didn't have the energy. But I am MAD!

Ward: I'm sorry to hear of so many mechanial failures to deal with ...it always seems to happen that way. Your exercise looks great! Keep it up...even with the IL there.

Mindy: I was wondering if you couldn't be pregnant! and Ward was right it brought you out of the woodwork. I hope that whatever you are dealing with you find your answers and your peace. You know we are here when you want to tell us and even if you don't. Whatever it is, know that you aren't the only one who has delt with it...if so you wouldn't be able find things to read about. Huggggssss to you!

Well I am down to 177 today. That is my new low. Not a good way to do it, but, oh well. Let me just say my DD has thrown me for a REAL loop. I am having a tough time dealing. It will be a long road.

Susie- Hang in there. I know it is tough right now. Hey, wanna join me on the trauma diet???

Hi-Ok...I went and did my Body pump last night and I did Zumba today at lunch. Feeling much better about myself now. I will do a 30 min walk tonight before yoga. I bet the fat cells in my body are askig WTF?!

Mindy: I am glad to see that number for you but I wish you didn't have to get there the way it happened. But use it to your advantage.

How's Kelly these days? If you talk to her tell her she is missed!

Ward: How's it going on over there with the In-law's? I hope you are getting to your workouts--I know that will keep you grounded.

All is quiet with my work and I'm still sending out applications. I found out that one application I sent out for a goverment job at an airbase I qualified for...let's hope they like my cover letter and want to meet me, if I can interview I just might get it. (I actually like to interview) and I'm told I do it very well. Also a friend of mine works in that area so she is going to see what she can do to help me get an interview. That would be so awesome! I've been told that it can take a few months to actually get hired.

Nobody Home?? I know Ward has the in-laws there. Hope all is going well with them.

Susie- Keep working hard. DOn't stress out too much. Good luck with the job and the job search.

Kelly is good. She is just hanging in there. I think she is kind of happy where she's at and not going to worry about anything too much. Life happens.

Me- Well I still have my issues. I am dealing the best way I know how. I am eating again. I am hanging around the 177-178 mark. That is pretty good. I am not killing myself with workouts. I do something almost everyday, but if I don't, I don't. Maybe I was just pushing myself too hard. I don't know.

Hope to hear from you all (including Kelly) soon.

Hi--I have already got my walk in for the day and also did some yoga (about 20 min). My new approach to exercise is to do some cardio everyday and some stretching--I will get some strength in the somewhere-but for now I'm giving myself until the 1st of the year to get my new approach intergrated into my daily life.

I have also been keeping my food journal and looking up the calories so that I can attempt to stay in my range which is 1700-1800.

The scales on Thursday night showed my lack of paying attention to my food and my lack of exercise...it was ugly girls....a 7 lb gain! That was over 4 weeks but still....

Mindy: I'm glad to know that you are eating again and that you are doing some sort of exercise everyday--it's ok to scale back sometimes--and right now this is what you can do and handle and it's so much better than just quitting.

Ward: When do the in-laws leave?

I'll see you all tomorrow.

Well I cut loose a bit last night. Went out with sister and her friends. Ate nachos (good, but so bad) and drank. It felt good to relax but of course I paid for it today. Back up to 179 today. Well, I will be good this week and plan on some kickboxing today. Hopefully it will go back down.

I have found new support in my mom. We can help each other. We will make it.