Hey everyone,

I've been reading and trying to catch up on things from the past few weeks. Sounds as though everyone's motivation is running higher and that's terrific.

Things have been a little hectic here as of late but I've got my head screwed around straight again so hopefully I'll pop in a bit more often. I was telling Terry that the past 3 weeks or so have been both mentally and physically tiring. We're busy getting things ready for my sisters upcoming wedding, I've been sick with a cold and earache, and then I had to decide if I was going to continue with my home study course or not. I chose not and have re-enrolled for night school at Nait in September. That's really turned my mood around again. I just couldn't handle the discipline it takes for home study and it was taking it's toll on me always worrying when I would fit the time in to get some homework done. I missed having a real teacher and an actual time frame to follow so we'll see how September treats me.

I was also struggling with my lifestyle change. I just felt bogged down and I know I wasn't making good decisions. I took some time, read some books, read my old journals and whipped out some old pictures and decided to start limiting my refined carbs. I know Terry had recommended the South Beach WOE, so I bought the book, liked what I read and for the past week and a half have been incorporating Phase 2 and WW points. I'm down 3 lbs. to my all time low of 147.2 so thanks Terry

Dahlia, I'm so glad to read you are feeling better now. I know that back gives you lots of trouble but it sounds like you handled it like a pro. Enjoy your trip to Chicago.

Emily, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and hope that time helps to heal the pain. I also had heard on the news that they had called of the search for the boys and my heart goes out to the family and friends who now have to achieve some sort of closure. Hugs to you friend....

Cat, I'm so happy for you that you and DH get to go see Olivia and Jaquie! How exciting. I know you don't like the plane rides but just imagine holding and playing with that little doll to help pull you through.

Meg, you've faced some tough decisions as of late but I applaud you for making yourself your #1 priority. No job should leave you feeling that wrung out and I'm so thankful you got out of it and made the choice to be happy. Good luck with the new job at the restaurant and congrats on the solid 14. You have done well and I know you'll be back on track.

Terry, sounds as though things are busy as ever with you. I'm glad your visit went well and hope that the wedding plans for Katie are progressing nicely. The Inn sounds gorgeous....and I'm sure 1 night was definitely not enough. Maybe you and Russ will have to go play hookey for another weekend?

Well I've missed you all and hope that this week has been treating you well. Remember girls, just because we have one bad meal it does not mean that the whole day is shot. Climb right back up on the drivers seat of the wagon and take control the very next meal.

Love to you all,

Pam

Hi Pam,

Soooo Gooood to hear from you again and CONGRATULATIONS on reaching your all time "low" weight..you should be so proud of all you have achieved

I went to the mall earlier to book a connecting flight for the one to England..it was a really good deal but the travel agent would'nt have any of it because i had'nt booked thru them even tho' i was going with the same carrier that was advertising she told me to contact the travel agent that i'd booked with and i replied that i'd done it online so she ended with a smarmy comment about "thats why you book thru a travel agent!" so i told her that her prices were a lot more than what i'd paid!! before i left...no matter i'll have a nice ferry ride instead if i can't find the same deal for myself I've already started 'sifting' through clothes trying to decide whats going and what is'nt

Whoo -hoo for you Pam- that is just awesome- must feel so great in your sexy bod!!

I am just checking in from Montana-- I really need to go to bed. It was 94 degrees here (thats HOT in Celisius ) and my mom and I had the bright idea to do some canning tonight to get it done before more bodies arrive tomorrow...So we did raspberry syrup, sour cherry jam and cooked down some rhubarb for slush. Can we say hot kitchen?!?!? It did cool off a bit with some wind and rain, but it's supposed to be 90 all week. Good thing for basements...

Well, I'm off to bed Cat- -are you going to be able to meet up with Carol?? That would be cool!

g'night ZZZzzz

Afternoon!

Yahoo! Pam is back!

Sorry I didn't get to answer your email yet but know that I read it all word-for-word (and you didn't think I was going to!).

You had asked what a typical day is on SBD for me. I usually have scottish oats for breakfast with splenda and sf maple syrup. Lunch is perhaps a salad or whatever I can find in the fridge that's on phase 11, and dinner is just about the same. I am adding only 1-2 carbs back in a day. Because I was so off this weekend (didn't even weigh myself) I have been eating more phase 1 than 2. I love the fact that I am not counting points or watching portions -- just stop eating when I am full.

Sunny started an SBD Yahoo group and if you want her email, let me know.

It's so good to have you back -- that's to make you feel guilty so you'll keep posting!!!!

Meg, double yahoo!! You got a waitressing job and a smaller pant size too -- I would be more happy about the smaller size!! Katie made really good tips when she waitressed, and I wish you the same. With your perky personality, you'll be rolling in the dough!

Hey, Em, sounds like you and your mom are enjoying a lot of quality time in the kitchen. I bet she was in her glory seeing the boys again.

Cathy, sounds like the travel agent was being a b-tch -- no business will refuse money these days unless there is no profit involved. Enjoy the ferry and relax -- you'll still get to England. She just lost a commission -- I bet the owner would have booked you. And, if she was the owner, not a wise woman.

Wating for the hospital to call back with the time that I have to be there tomorrow for my cataract surgery. Doing the laundry and vacumming while I wait for the phone to ring. She just called -- I go in at 8am so that means I get back home early afternoon. Just what I wanted.

OK, dogs are barking -- let me go. Catch you all later!

Hey, Dahlia, feeling better?????

Outta here!!!!!!!!!!!

Ooooh T...how exciting..having eye surgery tomorrow i think??? well..it will be EXCITING when you can see even better and don't need contacts at all!! Whooopee!!

We've decided we may as well get the ferry because its a night flight and there is no rush to get to the airport so why sit in one for hours on end? plus the return flight gets in too late for us to get a connecting flight back on the same day so we have to spend a night in Vancouver anyway i'm glad thats settled Good Job i booked when i did because my flight is sold out now.

All the suitcases are out on the floor i keep wanting to pack but then remind myself of what a mess my clothes will look after being in a suitcase for 2 weeks


Good Luck for tomorrow T but you don't need it everything will be wonderful just like last time

Thanks, Cathy -- I'll "see" you all tomorrow night or Friday morning! Wow, that flight booked fast -- really good thing you made reservations when you did. And, don't feel bad, I'd be packed two weeks prior too! Don't forget my address!!!!!!

Off to Walmart now -- whopee!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey all,

Thanks for the welcome back I promise to not disappear again (at least until Terry reminds me how long I've been gone LOL)

Terry, good luck tomorrow. I can't imagine how great it'll be to have both eyes feeling so marvellous. Take good care of you!

Cat, great job on getting that flight booked. I agree that agent sounded like a real hose bag. Geesh I'm sure it's not the first time she's ever had a request like yours. Do you make lists of what to pack or do you wing it?

Em, glad you're having a good time in Montanna. I can't even imagine those temps and then canning on top of it. You're a brave woman. Enjoy your time with the family.

Dahlia, hope you're feeling better today and that back isn't giving you too much trouble.

I did good today until we went for dinner and then I kind of overdid it at supper but that's the first time in 10 days I've gone over points so I'll not let that knock the wind out of my sails too much. I'm celebrating my own NSV today and that was buying two sweaters in size SMALL!!!! Wowza.

Off to go play the dogs and call it an early night tonight. Turns out what I thought was just a shitty headcold is actually a sinus cold and ear infection. Yay. Antibiotics and nasal spray anyone??? I'm such a goddess

Hugs and I'll see you tomorrow,

Pam

Pam - sorry to hear about your sinus thing, but FAB news about buying a size small! I haven't done that since HS! Good for you for staying in your points 10 days - one day won't kill you, just make sure you are good tomorrow, so it doesn't become a habit

Terry - good luck with the surgery - I will keep everything crossed for you!

Well, tonight I went to the restaurant for my first night of training. I worked at a different location of the same chain of restaurants from 95-98, so I kind of know the drill. They added a new computer system, but I picked it up pretty fast. For the last 1.5 hours I took most of the tables. I have 3 more days of training - and I am being quizzed on the menu. I HATE that!

Well, time for bed!

p.s. - it is a burger joint and I get a free meal. Got off at 9:30 pm and didn't order - just having a glass of wine for dinner. I figure that has to be a step in the right direction, right?

Thinking of you this morning Terry! How exciting for you tomorrow when you wont have to wear contacts!

Pam- sure hope you're feeling better- I just got over a nasty cold and cough. Sure the pitts in the summer. And congrats on the size small!! I can't even imagine at this point...
'
Meg- good choice with the "non-meal" meal I've always thought working at a restaurant looked fun. Stressful at times I'm sure, but fun.

Well, I got my haircut and highlighted yesterday. Pretty fun. Tonight a friend who sells MaryKay is having a "Pampered Piggies party" (ie. pedicure and polish) SHould be fun. ANyway Ian is fussing and ready for a nap. BBL if I can...

Hi to everyone I missed!!

Morning Ladies

Em.. "pampered piggies" i love it sounds like fun! I want to get my haircut before i leave but i don't know what to do have a long bob or have layers cut in then i need to find someone who'll do what i want and not what they 'think' i want

Pam..i just wing it..i spent yesterday morning trying on some outfits and putting the ones that are going to the front of the rail and i was glad when i tried my jeans on (i've not worn jeans in over a year) and they fit really nice not tight at all..i was dreading not being able to get in them Hope you feel better soon

Hopefully T will be in recovery now and seeing but she'll be celebrating tomorrow i love these new smilies..i hope she does'nt come after me with a for saying that

Hey all...is it ok if I hang out here for awhile?

Let's see...I'm Colleen, I'm almost 36 (three weeks! Eep!), I've been married for ten months to the Best Husband In The Universe, and I have been SERIOUSLY watching my food and SERIOUSLY working out for about two months. And I haven't quite lost ten pounds.

Needless to say, I'm QUITE frustrated. I feel like the changes I made were drastic enough that pieces of my behind should be literally falling off me!

But anyway...the ONLY way I can even grasp the huge task ahead of me is to think of it in ten pound chunks. So I lose ten, then do it again. Lather, rinse. repeat.

So...I thought this thread might be the place for me!

Colleen
238/229/160?

Good morning and welcome COlleen.. of course you are welcome to hang here.. this is a great place..we are all having the same struggles you are.. some of us are fairing better than others, and we all have our slips and falls, but we hang in there and support each other, and get to be great friends in the process.

Don't have much time to write, going yardsaling with mil and sil.. they are picking me up shortly... back is doing better, the walking is good for me and with the help of my little pain pill I can go for a few hours.... .

I received this in the email this morning and just want to share it with you gals, it is a good short respite,, I hope it works, bring it up and enjoy it... just relax and read it.

will check in later and again welcome Colleen.

Dahlia

http://www.wtv-zone.com/grandstaff/harbourlights.html>

Afternoon!

Thanks for all the good wishes!!!

Well, the patch is off and I can see 20-30 with both eyes -- not bad considering it was way over 20-200 before . I am psyched! Not used to the vision yet (just got the patch off less than an hour ago) but this is a gift in and of itself. I love my doc!

Welcome Colleen!! I looked at your stats and you are doing great -- don't kid yourself into thinking otherwise! The slower you lose, the less likely you will put it back on. Nine pounds in two months is very, very good. Plus you are exercising on top of it all -- you will be our inspiration! Please post often so we can get to know each other better, and congrats on your marriage -- still on the honeymoon! I'm 51 and will celebrate 27 years of marriage with my guy this September -- a keeper too .

Hope you feel better this afternoon, Pam. And, congrats on the small sizes. Everyone needs to enjoy a meal out without watching points and/or calories -- total deprivation is the biggest diet buster there is. I hope you enjoyed every mouthful!

Dahlia, thank you for sharing that beautiful web site and I read it all the way to the end. Thomas Kincade, even though overly marketed in my opinion, is a great artist. They used to criticize Norman Rockwell for his commercialism too, but that never detracted from his talent. Glad to hear that you are feeling better!

Cathy, I bet you'll look so pretty either way you do your hair. Go in with a picture (maybe something from an online site or magazine) so she knows a little better what you want. Congrats on the jeans!!!!!!!!! Pilates paid off!!!!!!!!

Down 2 lbs since a week ago Tuesday. I was scared to weigh because I really went off over the weekend. Can't make it two bad weekends in a row so I need to keep focusing on that this weekend.

Em, I bet you look pretty with your new "do" too! Pampered piggies -- no one touches my feet!!! One of my many secrets revealed online !

Meg, sounds like you are adapting very quickly to your new job -- good for you! I like your meal choice too -- girl after my own heart . I'm sure you'll do great on your quiz ....

Thank you all again for all the well wishes -- you are great ladies! Welcome again to Colleen too!

Love, Terry

Terry - I am SOOOO relieved to hear that your surgery went great. I had Lasik about 4 years ago, and I was scared (it is your eyes, after all, you know?). Now I am back to wearing hard lenses again. My vision isn't that bad - still VERY much improved from where I was before. Modern medicine is amazing, isn't it?

Well, I think they aren't going to give me all 4 training sessions - just 3. It is very fast paced at this location - faster than where I worked before. Tonight I have to garnish the food and deliver it to the table. They have new plates that are heavier than the old ones, so is difficult to even carry 3 (I used to be able to carry 5 at one time). I now have about 3 hours to study for the test.

Talk to you later!
Meg

The pampered piggies party was a hoot and my feet feel sooooo good! She had little tubs with marbles in the bottom for us to soak and massage our feet in. Then we slathered on the emollient and gritty stuff and wrapped in saran wrap for several minutes. then washed and painted our toenails. It was great and all do-it-yourself...No one touches my feet either, Terry!

It is so hot here- yesterday set a record at 102 and today will be just as hot I'm sure. With so many bodies in the house there is not much relief. I will head back tomorrow morning and the boys are so wasted I'mm hoping they will sleep the whole way!!

Welcome Colleen- glad you have found us here! I'm Emily mom to 3 fun boys. You are doing great. I just had a baby in April and havnen't quite found my groove back.

Hope you are all having a great Friday. Great to hear about your visiosn Terry!

Emily