Good morning!

Lisa, thanks for the welcome! School, fun times. I am actually going to take a class in January. I need to work up to get back and finish my bachelor's in my "free time". It's a lot of work but worth it in the end.

Newie: I was wondering if you ever thought about Sugar Busters. It is a lower carb diet that allows you to have carbs but only if they are non-refined with a low glycemic index. That way you can have an apple or some whole wheat pasta or oatmeal. You do eat more proteins but this diet stresses leaner cuts of meat and lower fat cheeses and lite dressings. It takes some getting used to because it requires a lot more preparation but it does give you a wider of variety of foods to eat. Just a thought really.

Cyan: Vegas is for a high school alumni reunion. So all 30 classes that went to my high school are invited. Because we live all over the world (being military brats and all) we may have about 5-10 people representing each class. It is a good time. They have one every three years in a different location. They try to pick different regions. The last was in DC, this one in Vegas and we will vote on which mid-state location we want next. I am voting for Chicago or St. Louis. Either one is within driving distance for me and will better fit into the budget.

I'm a lefty too! But my backhand leaves a little to be desired. However, I am developing a very consistent serve. DH was commenting that I am getting very competitive these days. Just trying to work up a sweat! OK, and beating him is always fun too.

Have a great day!

Well, I only got in 2 miles of walking last nite. Even at 7 pm, it was stifling hot and humid still. Wasnt even under 90 degrees yet! So we're going to wait until 8 tonite and hopefully get in more miles before dark.

I have Debee's home address so I'm going to send her a card this week. Maybe we'll hear back from her soon. Glad to hear things are going well with Reina. Now if LadyRider will just check back in also.

It's almost 8 so I gotta get moving if I'm going to be ready when my sis gets here.

Later chicks!

Miki

Hello Ladies!!!!!

I hope all is going well with you all... I am doing fine, life is just a little chaotic right now. I don't mean to neglect you all!!!! You all have been such an intregal part of my journey! I feel horrible that I am not following suit right now, but life has thrown me some curve balls and I have to keep ducking!!!!LOL

I can say that I am still however, at 190.2. I haven't budged, nor have I binged!!! So that is good. My job and the move are keeping me quite busy!

Lisa, I haven't given up on planning the Trip to Chicago! I think once I am settled in the new place, we can really get an idea of how many are coming and I can start getting the hotels and plans set for the BIG trip. I am so looking forward to that event!!!

I take it Lady is still MIA, I have her home address somewhere, I will look for it and drop her a note and see if everything is okay!!!

I will drop back in soon and let you know how things are going!
You all take care adn keep up the good work....

Oh, and Welcome JLmSandi,
Newie, how are you handling this crazy rain we are dealing with???

Take care everyone and I will talk to you all soon.

Thank you for the welcome Reina.
I didn't get any exercise last night. I was out shopping until 8:00 and then had a phone call to take. Tonight I have a girl scout training and I have to pack. I will try to find some workout time in there as well. Luckily, I don't do the housework anymore so I am not stuck with that as well!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to Vegas in the morning.....Yippee!!!!

Reina....so glad you had a chance to check back in with us! We miss you. I know you have a ton of stuff going on at the moment and hopefully soon everything will be back to normal.

Jlmsandi, Have fun in Vegas! Dont lose too much money.

Cyan, Newie, Lisa, Taiwan...how was your day?

Lady and Debee, WE MISS YOU TOO!!

Well, got in 3 miles of walking last nite. Tonite we're going to do the "Walk away the Pounds" video. It is just sooo hot to walk outdoors these days! Even going at 8 last nite, it was still 89 degrees with 61% humidity.

Gotta run for now...

Miki

Hi, everyone! Sorry I missed you the last day or two. On Tuesday I took my oldest to the dermatologist to have a large mole removed from her thigh, and I missed a part of my day's work, so I was doing computer work in the evening, and yesterday was my bingo volunteer day at the school, so my day started at 5:30 a.m. and ended at 10:00 p.m. I must say, I feel like a truck hit me this morning. Just a comment about adolescents (referring to my daughter)--talk about dramatic!! She was the one who brought up getting this mole off her leg (self conscious of it), and it was a good thing too because it had grown a bit and was turning dark in spots. We're very fair, so I'm not interested in inviting melanoma. Anyway to get back to the drama--after having it done, you'd think we'd had her leg amputated with all the moaning and groaning about pain and how gross the stitches looked, etc., etc., etc. I comfort her and reassure her that everything will be all right, and I tell her not to stretch the area so she won't have a scar to feel self conscious about now that the mole is gone, but inside I have to chuckle. What we don't know about life when we are kids!!

I'm feeling much more comfortable with my modified Atkins plan. In the next few days I will let you know how I am eating. Guess what!!! I am back to walking! Yesterday and Tuesday I walked a mile each morning. I plan to go this morning too. I don't walk as fast as I did before the injury, and I keep my leg wrapped for support. But, boy, did I miss it!

Miki, I don't know how you stand all that Arkansas heat. I just hate it when it gets really hot--can't breathe. Thank goodness we haven't had too much heat this summer in Chicago--short spells but nothing horrible. And Reina's right--the rain here lately has been insane--and afterward it's like a steam bath because the sun comes out--ugh!

And Reina, luckily for me, when most of the rain has been going on in this area of Chicago--south side--I'm either asleep (I haven't even heard most of the night storms) or at work in my fine windowless office. I always fear the basement flood when it rains heavily (didn't happen this time), but I'm glad I haven't had to water my flowers. I do know someone who was badly affected by the weather here, though. A young girl I work with had a tree fall on her house during one of the storms--a near-miss for her father, who was sleeping at the time.

Hey--what's this Chicago trip about? It must be something you started planning before I joined. Seeing as I'm already here, there's no traveling involved for me, but I'm very curious to know what the scoop is on it.

Well, got to go. Hubby needs to have his lunch made, and I am the counter person at work today and tomorrow, so I need to get an earlier start than usual. See you all later.

Not much to report....as usual I am at work! Just wanted to drop in and say good morning.

Newie...we are planning a meet and greet in chicago this october...we are planning on going to the oprah show as well..if we can get tickets. Thats pretty much it...so I guess we need to figure out who is coming and when to come. Of course, you are invited...everyone who is part of this thread is...so welcome.

Well, tonight I plan on exercising...cycling and lifting weights.

later ladies

Cyan

hey where is everyone...i guess everyone is off to an early start to their weekends...have fun

Tonight I am going out to dinner with friends...sushi!! yum yum

I was gonna go upnorth this weekend to my friend's cottage but...its gonna rain! argh...sunday anyway ..rain..yep

Ok ..well not much to report...I will as soon as I have some news concering losing weight...I am trying a new twist on my diet and I am hoping to have good news soon.

later ladies

Cyan

Well, I don't have much time as I'm about to fall asleep from staying up too late last night and getting up too early this morning, so I'm about to take a nap. I just wanted to check in and report my weekly weight. I am now 177.5 pounds. That is a total of 18.5 pounds lost!! I'm really starting to feel it!

Lisa

Hi, everyone! I read the posts yesterday but did not write. I was still very tired from Thursday's day at work--spent the day on my feet working the counter in the store (busy too) plus worked on the ordering and inventory stuff which is part of my normal job. Then just as I was getting home about 5:30, we had the start of this horrible thunderstorm. Luckily the worst of it happened once I was home, but it was horrible--the worst I've seen in ages. My husband works north of Chicago (we live on the south side), and it took him 3 hours to get home because of flooded streets (normally a 1 to 1 1/2 hour trip). I spent the storm comforting my 8 year-old and our cat. There was a lot of wind damage in the town directly west of where I work--trees uprooted, siding taken off homes, phone and power out--stuff like that. One of our stores didn't open yesterday because of power failure.

Thanks, Cyan, for the info on the Chicago trip. I'll keep watching for more news from you guys planning it to see what would work for me when the time comes. I'd love to meet you all.

Congrats, Lisa, on your great weight loss. Again, your enthusiasm has been very contagious. It's helped me a lot.

I'm doing pretty well on my modified Atkins food plan, though I was hungry yesterday and had a rather large protein snack late in the evening because I couldn't sleep. I have to make sure I eat enough protein to keep myself from being hungry. That's what causes me problems. I'll do an official weigh-in tomorrow and let everyone know Monday how it's going.

I am also going to confess that I didn't walk Thursday or yesterday--tired from bingo and work. My feet are still tired today, though I only spent about 5 hours on them yesterday, but a walk would probably do me good this morning--and the weather is absolutely gorgeous. I'll see what I can do. Also, I am experiencing NO pain in my leg!! Yaay!

I just have to do some mother-venting. I love my daughters immensely. They are such beautiful girls--inside and out, in so many ways. But lately, THEY ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY!!! I know I've told you their ages--12 1/2 and 8 1/2. They are as different as night and day in personality, preferences--everything. They are absolutely lovely creatures to be with separately. But when they are together, anything can happen. They can be the best of friends, or the younger one can pester the older one practically to the point of violence, or the older one can try to run the life of the younger one, or they can fight over which Barbie dolls belong to which girl, or who did or didn't do their chores, or who had the most computer time, or the younger one can complain that she doesn't get to do as many things as the older one and why wasn't she born first. It goes on and on and on. I avoid getting in the middle of their arguments as much as possible, and I never believe the story of any one girl (I figure the truth is somewhere in the middle of the two stories, and that both are somehow at fault in any fight), but it can be wearing on the nerves. I know it is all normal "sisterly love", but sometimes I feel like I want to lock myself up in a dark closet or something. I think they need to go back to school. Too bad there are 6 more weeks of vacation. Thanks, ladies, for reading that bit of frustration. I feel better now.

Well, time to go. Have a good weekend, everyone. I'll be looking forward to your posts.

Hi everybody! I hope you're all having a nice weekend. I worked yesterday-Yuck. But on the positive side, I've been walking again. I dont think I've posted since Wed...unusual for me. Wed nite my sis and I did the Walk Away the Pounds video, Thursday we walked 2 miles, Friday I cleaned house after work and didnt have time, but yesterday walked 3 miles before work and this morning at 7:30 we walked 2 1/2 miles before getting caught in a huge downpour. We were soaked by the time we finished that last 1/4 mile but we didnt even care because it cooled us off!

My eating has been alot better too excluding today's vanilla ice cream cone. I actually think I may have lost a little but going to wait until next Friday for my formal 'weigh-in'.

Newie, dont feel bad...my two boys act exactly the same as your daughters. (they are 13 and 11). There are times I just want to cry because they seem to just despise each other. Everyone says all syblings go thru that stage but I dont remember it with my sisters and I had 3 of them! We didnt always get along perfectly but we NEVER fought the way my kids do! Drives me crazy!!

Cyan, cant wait to hear your report after your new twist on things. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will be just the thing to get you off this plateau you've been on for so long!

Lisa, still doing great girl!! You'll be at your goal in no time!

I bought Debee a card yesterday. I'll put it in the mail tomorrow. Didnt someone say they have LadyRider's home address? Or did I dream that?

Taiwan, how are you? I know you're busy as always. Just wanted you to know we're thinking of you.

Reina and Jlmsandi, hope you're both having a great weekend also. Check in again when you have a spare minute k?

Well, gotta run for now. Both kids have company coming over to spend the nite..what fun! I need to go check out the snack situation.

Bye for now
MIKI

Hi, everyone! Is it Monday already? The weekends seem to go by so fast. In my weigh-in yesterday I lost another 1/2 pound. Actually I think there's more, but I am having some fluid retention--need to drink more water. At least things are still going down, even though it's at a snail's pace. I did lose 1 inch off my hips also.

I've got to get back to walking regularly. I know that will get me losing faster. Miki, I think I need one of those cyber kicks of yours.

I know this is going to be hard to believe, but I can't think of anything else to write this morning. Have a good day, everyone! Talk to you later.

Oh its monday already...man do weekends go by fast! Argh!

Miki...thanks for keeping the fingers crossed..I will weigh in at the end of the month...so I will tell you guys all about it then. Good to hear that you are back to exercising...I have been cycling regulary over the weekend and doing my ball exercises...but I ate way too much on sunday! I went to a chinese buffet...not good at all I gotta give up going to those places cause I cant control myself and all the effort of the week is gone when you ingest over 1000 cals in one sitting if not more!

Newie..I dont have kids but I was a kid once and I have a sister and there were times when we were mortal enemies..but we grew out of it...so I feel very confident that your girls will be best friends as the years trickle by. Congrats on losing the 1/2 pound...better than nothing..right?! keep going...get back to that walking..doesnt it feel good after? I know I always feel better once I have worked out.

Okay ladies, as usual, I am at work...so I best get started on my day.

Later ladies

Cyan

Hi, everyone! I got my walk in today--the whole 1 1/2 miles!! I didn't walk as fast as I used to because I didn't want to hurt myself again, but I experienced no pain at all. I even went with my leg unwrapped. Thank goodness! I really missed the exercise. And I think it showed in several places. I've felt so tired lately--I'm very busy, but I know I have more energy when I exercise. Lately I also have not been sleeping very well, and the last couple of days I've been having hot flashes--not painful, just annoying and puzzling. Hopefully the exercise will help me have a better night's sleep tonight.

I'm still working on my modified Atkins plan--trying to get a set routine going. I am trying to pay attention to what my body asks for in making the plan. I hardly miss the carbs at all, and I find that a good protein breakfast helps me be productive during the first part of the day. I try to measure my veggies and fruits and any dairy I eat to keep the carb consumption down. I found out that part of my problem with the official Atkins plan was that I don't like to be told from an outside source what I can and can't eat. (I tend to be like that anyway--hate to be told what to do.)
Once I decided to individualize the plan, I am much more comfortable with it. It isn't truly Atkins anymore, but it's still low carb with very little sugar and no refined flour at all. Hopefully it will work for me.

I hope everybody had a good day. I'm going to get ready for bed now. I've got a book that helps me wind down. Talk to everyone soon.

Sorry I havent written in awhile...I took my Mom to see her doctor yesterday for a check up.

I will post later...gotta get going

later

Cyan