Hi everyone!

Yes, it's me! I'm sorry I have not posted for so long but I have spent most of the summer so far at the lake house...no phone, computer or cable. We have been so busy doing renovations and trying to get contractors that my days are so busy there has been no time for anything!

Miki, thank you for the card..it waws nice to know that I was missed!

Lisa, I am so impressed...20 pounds!

Deana, bet you are counting the days until you are home!

Well, I am only home for the day so I have tons to do. Hopefully I can write more tonight

Hey Debbie..good to hear that your summer is funfilled.

Miki...looks like you had a blast on your vacation and kudos for not gaining any weight...you rock girl

Newie..i hope you feel better soon Gas sucks!

Oh, I tried the quinoa and its rather nice...I mixed in with tuna and turned it into a tuna salad. So I recommend it. It would also make a great soup thickener...instead of potato or pasta...its glutenfree! and lots of protein.

Well as usual I am at work but TGIF ....yippee I love fridays.

Exercising has been on and off, eating, has been on and off...I recently bought myself a box of ritz crackers...big big mistake...I ate the whole box in a matter of days ....I also bought a jar of cheez whiz to go along with those crackers...thats gone too...I feel awful..I know I shouldnt buy those food items...I had a momentary loss of good judgement.

So I havent gained anything but I have only lost 3 pounds ...buts it 3 pounds that I have lost way too many times to count...which really means I am back at square one. I cant seem to go below 167...I am stuck stuck stuck...how frustrating. Ok sorry for the vent

I will try yet again...at least this tuesday I am back playing badminton...my friends ankle has healed up and he is wanting to play again....men...geez...accident prone.

ok later ladies
have a great weekend

Cyan

Just a quick post....about to head to bed. I had a very nice weekend. This past week was loads of fun but back to the grind on Monday.

Debee, So glad to hear from you finally! I was worried. It was so cool signing in to see you were back! We all missed you.

Cyan, reading about your crackers reminded me. I had forgotten but one day on vacation, I had bought some Low Fat Wheat Thins. Ended up eating half the box that day I think! I dont think the low fat term meant that the calories didnt count And I was WISHING I had some of that cheese too.

Newie, congrats on the 5 lb loss so far! Cant beat the feeling of clothes getting looser huh? I actually bought a pair of pants and a blouse today both Size 16! I couldnt believe it...I'm sure maybe they're sized big but who cares?? This time last year in that same brand, I had to get a 22. Oh and I bought a new bra...my last one was 42D and this time I had to get a 42 C. No number change but the cup size did.

Lisa, you're more than halfway to your goal. That is sooo exciting!! Keep it up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you about that job. Enjoy this next 3 weeks..they'll pass way too fast ya know.

Jlmsandi, Taiwan, Reina...how are things going with you? Busy as usual I'm sure. Hope you're all enjoying your weekend.

Ummm..didnt I say this was gonna be a QUICK post?? Guess I forgot.

Miki

This will be quick. Actually last night I wrote, but hit the wrong button--grrrrrrrrrrrrr!! hate it when I do that.

Still here and still breathing:-) Youth camp (which our church hosted) was last week. Now that's over we have 30 days till we go back to the states (but who is counting right?!) We had 132 campers, it went great though.

I am now down to 185!!! I started back on Xenical as I went off it while at camp--didn't need to be running to the bathroom:-0 I haven't had any affects. I will be watching my eating more when I get to the states. Right now it's basically trying not to stress eat!!! We have many things to do and line up before we leave.

well, I snuck up here after church:-) so I better get off. The girls are watching Josiah, better rescue them as he has been a real bear lately.

Typhoon going through here, so lots of rain--yeah!!!


deana

Hi, everyone! It's Monday--I wish it wasn't. I could use some personal time to do what I want to--not just take care of everyone else. I hope everyone's weekend was good.

I'm glad you had a good time on your trips, Miki. It all sounds just great. Congrats on buying the smaller sizes of clothes. It means so much when you can find something to wear, and the size isn't huge!

I haven't lost anything this week--probably because I haven't been exercising consistently and am a little short on the water. I'm just going to keep plugging away--won't give up.

I really don't have much to talk about this morning, so I'm going to cut this short. Take care, everybody. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Hey girls. I have a weird question....I don't have time to go back and read the posts, but I was trying to remember who it was that had a neighbor that lost weight and was on the cover of a magazine??? I think it was Debee....but I'm not sure. I think the girl on the cover of the magazine was my Doctor's sister.....Let me know...that would be cool!

Okay...talk to ya later!

Lisa

Its Monday...argh! but such is life!

The weather here has been very gray and its supposed to rain all week long.

Good to hear that everyone is doing great on their diets and exercises.

I dont have much time to post but I just wanted to say hello.


talk to you later

Cyan

Raindrops are falling on my roof---lalalalala since 4am Sunday morning. Just gotta love typhoon/rainy season. Flooding near our house, but we won't have any problems.

Hey, how can I cut this soda (pop) habit? it's getting me no where!!!! we had Chinese tonight (not unusual being in Taiwan) dh cooked. Though Josiah ate half of my food and there was nothing left when I went for seconds. Not good, I am hungry now.
Miki--I just realized you posted about buying a smaller size--that's awesome! that's alot of sizes in just one year. It will all pay off.
Well, ladies, rainy weather is great sleeping weather. Good night all.

Deana

Hi, everyone! I walked one mile yesterday! I would have liked to do more, but time got in the way. I'm needing my girls to go back to school--need structure and routine badly--it will also help my exercise time. Only 3 more weeks--August 25 is the day!

I'm feeling very blah lately for some reason--don't know why--wishing for private time, I think--also, I'm so behind around my house--can never seem to finish anything. There's just so much to do. Any of you have any thoughts of how you've dealt with that? I get very discouraged, and I don't want to eat over it. I'm also down over struggles with my 12 1/2 year-old daughter. It has been very rocky lately. I know the whole thing is normal at this stage, but it can be extremely upsetting and exhausting to deal with. It seems like 75% of all of our conversations turn into confrontations.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I think I'm going to put some clothes on and go for a walk. That will help me feel better. See you all later.

hey Taiwan..rain drops are falling on my roof too...its been raining off and on for a few days now and its supposed to continue raining until next tuesday...ahhhhhhh a whole week of this gray humid dreary weather. So I am feeling you sister!

Hey Newie..good on you for putting in one mile of walking. And before you know it...its back to school time! heheheh

Man, if I could afford to take a day off this week...this day would be it...I am not at all in the mood to be slaving away at work...i wish I could just get up and go somewhere pretty for a little while...I miss my travelling care free days....Ok sorry for the wet blanket attitude...I am getting over it...ok all gone

Well I weighed in this morning and I have lost 5 pounds! I have been cutting back on carbs and increasing my protein...I am trying to have protein with all my meals. I continue not to eat after 8pm but I have been very slackish with my exercises...my excuse is...its too humid I know, I gotta get back to them. So now I weigh 162 pounds! I finally broke that darn barrier of 167....cheers to me I was on that plateau for 7 months...it took seven months to finally lose 5 pounds...how tough is this...I think this is the hardest thing I have done in my whole entire life. So let see if I continue to lose now that I finally got off this darn plateau.

Alright then, as usual, I am at work so I best be getting off.

Cyan

Just dropping a note to say YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for Cyan, your patience has paid off my friend. You are the queen now. A big inspiration to us.

Newie--like Cyan said , school time will be here before you know. I would suggest a book, The 5 Love Langueages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman (I think that's the author). It's a great book, they have it for children and adults too. Yup, it's a stage, hormones development, you name it. Try not to take it personal though;-) Maybe spend some individual time with her teaching her baking or doing something that she wants to do. I don't know, just an idea.
Our teen girls have come here basically through that stage (though they have lots of extra baggage and many other issues). It's hard on everyone I know. Praying for you.

Well, it's late. Joshua is brushing his teeth. Only 29 days til we get back.

Cyan, Hooray!!!!!!! Didnt it feel great to finally see that scale move?? I'm hoping it rubs off on me too..hoping for a loss on Friday. I'm really trying hard altho it has been 10 weeks for me at 199. Plateaus are the PITS.

Lisa, I think you're right. It was Debee who knew someone on a magazine cover. How is your summer going now that you have some time off from your studies?

Newie, I'm like you...I'm ready for school to start..Except that means homework again and Luke and I dont get along well during Math homework. Not looking forward to that part, but it's easier having a normal schedule.

Taiwan, way to go to you too for getting off that plateau! I wanna be next!!

Anyone heard from Reina lately? I guess Debee is still working hard at the lake house. Really wish LadyRider would check back in.

Jlmsandi, how are you? Having a good week so far, I hope.

I hope I didnt miss anyone. If I did, I promise it was unintentional. I'm just got back from walking 2miles all by my lonesome. My sis couldnt go tonite. It's no fun going alone. Anyway, I need to get a shower and I'm hot and tired and stinky and cant think straight right now. Talk to ya'll later!

MIKI

Hi, everyone! Great to read the posts this morning--woke up at 4 and couldn't go back to sleep. Guess what? I walked 1 3/4 miles yesterday! It felt so good! I want that weight loss to continue, so I've got to get the exercise in. Work will help that too--our Back-to-School season has set in at the store. I worked in the store all day yesterday and helped customers non-stop pretty much for 6 hours. It will be that way for sure for the next 3 weeks--maybe longer, depending on individual school starting dates.

Thanks, Taiwan, for the recommendation of that book. I'll see if I can find it in a local bookstore. Thanks also to you and Miki for your encouragement and reassurance. I'll keep hanging in there with the whole adolescent thing. I think the hardest thing for me is when I don't handle things well. I end up feeling very discouraged and rotten about myself, plus frustrated at my daughter.

Congratulations, Cyan, on your weight loss! It must have been very discouraging to be on a plateau for such a long time, but you really stuck with it, and it finally paid off. Your progress is an inspiration to me, as I feel quite sure that I am going to have to kick and scratch for every pound I lose.

I introduced low-carb bread back into my food plan this week--2 slices for breakfast with sugarless peanut butter. I was feeling bored and deprived, which is not a good thing for me. Also, last night I had a bowl of cereal--not sugary--before bed. I was craving it, and I figured I should just get it over with so I wouldn't binge on something else. I am pleased to say that I am still off the sugar, eat no potatoes or full calorie bread, and I've tried the low-carb pasta. It's made of soy. Alone it tastes like nothing--not too good--but it takes on the flavor of the sauce I eat it with, which makes for a good meal. I've been staying away from the veggies I determined were giving me gas, and have been taking Beano with any suspect veggies I do have. I also changed my coffee from French Roast (it was on sale; I don't usually buy that grind) to regular roast. My tummyaches have subsided considerably since I did that, so coffee was at least part of the culprit. I'll reintroduce one gassy veggie at a time, with Beano, to see whether it was the coffee and the veggies, or just the coffee.

Well, got to go. I am going to work in my garden a little this morning after I make hubby's lunch. With all the rain we've had lately, it's pretty much a rain forest out there with all the weeds mixed in with flowers and grass. It's bingo tonight, so if you don't hear from me tomorrow morning--it will have been quite a day, and I'll be sleeping in till 6:30! See you all later.

Hi, everyone! I made it through yesterday--worked an hour in the garden, went to work--literally exercised from 9:30 till 2--straightened store, put out stock, and helped customers. Then went home, went to bingo and worked there till 9 p.m. I'm beat today. I'll be walking and bending more at work today, so I'm not going to do the walk this morning, given how tired I am. If I overdo after the bingo day, I'll be worthless all weekend, and I'm planning lots of yard work on Saturday and Sunday. At 3:30 today I have to drive my oldest to the orthodontist--50 miles each way. We'll get home about 6. I'll see what my energy level is before I decide whether to do any yard work or housework tonight. I have to say that I am feeling more energy lately than I used to. I wonder if it is the 5 lb. weight loss and the more healthy way I am eating these days.

I hope everybody is doing well. I'm looking forward to today's posts. More later.

Just a quick post...all is well...I had a craving last night for a tomato feta onion salad with olive oil and vinegar and oregano...sooooooooo good...but it was 9pm when I ate it!
At least the feta cheese was low fat.

Hey Newie...wow 50 miles each way...lots of driving...what Moms do for their kids.

Anyway...I gotta get back to the grind of web developement..talk to you later and have a great op day

Cyan