Diet, Exercise & Support #7
 

Ok, ladies, here is the new thread and what a better way to start it out by saying

I DID IT, I went to work out today after how many months of avoiding the gym

I am officially back on track. I worked out at Curves again today and I have to say I have so much energy right now. Normally I would be crawled up in the fetal position on my couch, dreaming of a chocolate bar!

So, if I can do, anyone can do it!!!!

Hope to hear from you all real soon!

Reina

My husband has been up all night coughing so now I am in the guest room and can not sleep.

Reina andcjunk I am so proud of you going to the gym! I plan to join a new lLA Fitness that just opened in town... i always join but never go but I hoped to buddy up with my husband and make it one of our date nights since they provide babysitting. I hope to take their yoga class, use the pool and some weights.

Today was not good food or exercise wise...every morning i wake so positive that i will stay on track but then by dinnertime i start eating a handful of snacks here and there ...plus yesterday i brought some easter candy...big mistake i ate a lot of easter eggs and jelly beans...really mad at myself for lack of willpower and buying theem in the first place.

Hi Ladies

Do you mind if I park myself in here for a while? :)

I'm 36, in Australia (so you have to excuse my accent :lol: ). I'm a SAHM and have 3 children under 6. I've been struggling with my weight for the last 7 years. I've got up to 190 lbs last year and have gradually got down to where I am now at 143 lbs with my final goal of 132 lbs, so nearly there! I initially did Jenny Craig, lost some weight, but got sick of forking out big $ for their food, went off and did my own thing for while (mainly Slimfast shakes) and lost some more weight. Since early Jan I've been following a program called Sureslim and it has really worked well for me. It's basically a high protein/low carb program and its a very popular diet here with people having a lot of success with it.

The only thing that I've stuck to is GYM in the last few years, I love it. I go at least x4 a week and even at my heaviest I would still go, it has really stopped me getting over the 200 lbs mark, with the way I used to eat, I could burn some of it off at the gym.

I mainly do cardio, but have started weight training now that I'm within 10 lbs of my goal, mainly toning the upper body with dumbells and the fitball for lower legs.

Anyways, enough rambling from me. I look forward to contributing something in here! ;)

Yaay Reina-Mia!!! Way to go!! :D Glad to hear that you had such a great workout.

Debee--I can identify with the coughing thing. My fiance and I have just gotten over the flu and he has not yet recovered from the cold end of things and coughs throughout the night. Makes for feeling tired in the daytime that's for sure. The worst is when you are tired in the day and you have a heavy next day at work ...that was kind of like my yesterday. As for the gym, I had real trouble going and often didn't go too. I have no magic tricks--the gym was 5mins away and open all the time!! Not sure why it has been different the past few weeks and why I have been going--but I won't challenge the positive and keep it up. And as for the Easter candy--well, think of today as a new day and get rid of them!! That way you remove the temptation!!

Cyan-How are you doing today?? Betty?? NewInspiration??

Welcome wubba...(won't try typing the whole thing as I keep typing it wrong). Congratulations on your weight loss. It must have been some really hard work and dedication to get to where you are now--that is quite an accomplishment! I could definitely use some tips from you. Diets don't really work for me--I am glad that your techniques work for you. Everyone is different---I fall off the diet wagon and get depressed, so I find that it helps to keep myself on track using this group as support and that way I can continue on with my lifestyle change. For me it is about breaking bad habits and procrastination. You have already conquered my #1 procrastination --which is exercise/gym. That will get you far!! Can you teach me how to be addicted too?? What is the weather like on the other side of the world?? I live in Canada and it snowed again yesterday. So much for spring!

Talk to you all soon,

Cjunk

Thank You Reina for starting a new thread
 

And Good On You for getting your butt to Curves...And dont you feel great about it!! All that energy...Congratulations for getting over that hurdle :strong: Keep going...one day at a time, one pound at a time. By summer you should definitely be seeing the results of your hard work.

Hey Cjunk...congrats to you too for getting back to the gym and dont forget to thank your friend for coaxing you back in. Let us know how you feel today...can you breathe... :lol: Do you ever come up to Montreal to visit with your sister? Then next time you do, we should go for that cup of coffee..ok?

Welcome Wubba :wave: So glad you have decided to join our little group here...we are a fabulous generous group....you will simply love it here.
I have visited australia...back in 1998...Sydny, Mellbourne and Hobart in Tazmania...I loved it...the people were so friendly....and my favorite animal since I was a little girl is the koala...they are sooooooo beautiful and it was a goal for me to finally get to see a koala in person...what a treat.

So Wubba...which part of Australia are you from? And congrats on slimming down to your current weight..thats amazing...I am hoping to be there soon. I havent heard about Sureslim but it sounds a lot like atkins and southbeach. I am following the soutbeach plan right now and it seems to be working for me.

Hey Debee...sorry to hear that your hubby is sick. So you are struggling a little bit with the snacking..I know how you feel...I have been there too. So how are you going to approach the easter chocolate...do you have a plan worked to help you keep on track? Hang in there, you can do it.

Well Ladies, I gotta get back to work but as always, I look forward to reading your posts...they keep me on track.

Hey Miki..where are you?, Newie? Lisa? Taiwan?

bye for now

Cyan

woops, forgot to post my food....

breakfast was bran cereal with skim milk
lunch is chicken salad made with light mayo on a whole wheat pita with asparagus
dinner is a burger pattie with cheese ,chili sauce, onions and asparagus
snacks are low fat cheese, mixed berries, a cup of orange juice...YAY...and sugarless jello.

I cycled last night for 5km

tonight I will cycle again and add some floor exercises

later

Cyan

Hi ladies,

Sorry for the 4 a.m. post, I was so tired that I wasn't typing very good.

Welcome, Wubba(You just got a new nickname from us). It sounds like you are one motivated lady and that you are doing great with your weight loss. I am trying to do a low carb, limit sugar "lifestyle" change. I love junk food and chocolate and tend to snack too much. I really need to make a change not just to lose weight but to feel better.

Cyan, thanks for posting your menu...it helps me with choices during the day. Today I skipped breakfast (bad girl) ...just had coffee...lunch was a 1/2 cup tuna salad and a side salad, I have been drinking this ice green tea when I feel hungry and it has helped a bit with the snacking. I hid the easter candy (out of sight ...out of mouth) and will just bring it out for the kids easter baskets. Exercise choices were small but meaningful today...on an errand I took the stairs instead of the elevator, walked to the bus stop, and did a little bit of gardening (planted some spring flowers) ...tonight I plan to make chicken, broccoli, and jello. Snacks ...well just for tonight I will try not to snack.

Cjunk, I am so happy you are in our group you seem so motivated.

I am giving myself an eight week challenge. I was thinking about how I wanted to give myself an "extreme makeover" like the tv show ...this is a very popular show in the US where people spend eight weeks getting lipo, facelifts, breast implants,nose jobs, clothing advice and work on diet and exercise, then at the end of eight weeks they "reveal" themselves to family and friends at a party. Since I have to attend a family wedding On May 15, I thought I would make it my final "reveal" day...that is almost 8 weeks away. Here's what I plan to do...

Since I don't need a nose job, facelift or other radical plastic surgery I thought that maybe I would just investigate microderm face peel. Instead of lipo ...maybe a body wrap and one of those new body contouring underwear.Instead of breast implants just a good push-up bra with some extra padding. I am going to go on adkins for two weeks to jump start some weight loss and then follow up to tone and lose more with lifestyle diet and exercise. I also want to start taking some vitamins.

This Friday I am going to my hairdresser for my highlights but instead of a trim I'll let it grow a little longer and maybe next time ask her about some hair extensions. I just brought the two hour teeth whitening kit and will see how that works. I might go to the mall and have one of the girls at the cosmetic counter give me a makeover.

Finally I will be on a quest in the next eight weeks for the perfect dress and shoes.
I'll keep you posted on how things are going.

Well have to take Jake to karate ...keep up the good work!

Good Evening!!
 

Wow, today was tougher than I had planned for. The after crisis-crisis phase took a lot of phone calls and then a long meeting and after that a lot more work. Finished tonight at 9pm and started at 9am. Had a yogurt mixed with some Harvest Crunch cereal (i love it mixed with yogurt!), for breakfast and then some chicken and salad for lunch/dinner-but nothing more because I just got too busy. Proud of myself though because I bypassed the "quick route" of McDonalds and opted for chicken from a healthier restaraunt nearby that required stopping more. Plan to flex some time tomorrow morning and go in for an 11 am appointment. That means leaving home at 10:30 am which I think is a great option. Looking forward to it! Plans to go to the gym tomorrow and Friday. Hoping tomorrow will be a more rested type of day.

My fiance has now reached "grouchy point" with his flu/cold and has basically lost all patience--I am spending some alone time to give him time to get over the crabbiness of it all which is really unlike him normally.

I hope that I am able to see tomorrow as a new day and rid myself of the stressors of today. Sometimes things take their toll when they shouldn't but I think all the way around in work and home there have been a lot of difficult interactions with others and it is unusual for that to be this way. I know it will get better soon.

Enough venting on my part!!!

Great to read everyone's postings. There is comfort and encouragement in reading them.

Debee--Your idea about the makeover sounds like a lot of fun too!! I have never tried a makeover me type of scenario before and it sounds exciting. I am interested to hear how it works out. Have you ever tried those whitestrips before? I haven't and wonder how well they work.

Cyan--I would love to hook up for coffee next time I am in Montreal. I hope I am able to go down sometime in the spring so I will let you know when. My abs today feel surprisingly great! Often hits me the second day after!

Joined a baseball league for the spring/summer (is co-ed slow pitch). I will play once per week and it is in my work plaza area so it is minutes from work. Can't wait to start. I think I will be very rusty at it.

Reina--how is it going today?? Betty? Miki?, Newie? Lisa? Taiwan?

Look forward to your posts. Welcom again to Wubba.

Cjunk

Hi everyone

Thanks for the welcome ;)

I'm in Melbourne, which is in the south, we are actually the opposite in weather, being in the southern hemisphere we are heading into winter. It's currently autumn (fall) and our mornings are cool and the days are very nice/mild at around 25 degs (I think that's around 80f?). We are also in a major drought here, very little rain for a few years, so its a real worry as we are on strict water regulations.

I had my weigh-in yesterday and I lost 900 g which is 1.98 lbs. I am pretty happy with that, I had a few "off program moments" this week but I'm sure that will show up in next week's weigh-in :rolleyes: My program is like a combo of a lot of the diets going around at the moment. We have strict times to eat though, 5 hour breaks between meals and no food after 8 pm. So its really 3 meals a day and of course chugging away on gallons of water.

With regard to gym, I must say I'm lucky as my local gym provides child care, as my youngest is only 2 I can go during the day and she is looked after for 1 1/2 hours. I just could not go at night as my husband works long hours and I find it hard getting to sleep after being at gym only a few hours beforehand.

My light bulb moment came on my birthday in Dec, when my MIL gave me a very unflattering pair of pjs size 20. It was an obvious dig at me, and I spent most of my birthday in tears over it, vowing to show her that I can GET to goal weight. That was 12 weeks ago and I've lost nearly 11 kgs. As you can imagine she is not a positive person in my life at the best of times, but I really enjoy her squirming over how I'm going at the moment.

Anyways, better go, putting my kids to bed and then ER is on. :D

Take care everyone.

Happy Thursday Ladies
 

Its starting to warm up again this week ...yay...that goodness for that. I am enjoying my cup of coffee at the moment :coffee: with stevia to sweeten it up a bit.

Yesterday evening after work...I stopped off at the grocery store to get artichoke salad and protein bread...Montreal is full of healthy stores and all sorts of natural stuff...anyway, I digress...I found this protein bread so I am trying it...I also got sugarless jello and pudding...So..I am catching the bus to get home and there are huge lineups at the stops...three busses go by without stopping , full to capacity...yep...there was no way I was getting my butt on that bus and the metro...subway was stopped..so I had to lug my groceries home with my lunch pale..bag and purse and walked home...UPHILL...very steep hill all the way...ahhhhhhh...so needless to say...that was my exercise for the day.

breakfast this morning was bran cereal and skim milk
lunch will be smoked meat sandwhich with the new protein bread, dill pickle and kalamata olives
dinner will be charbroiled chicken with artichoke salad
snacks are cheese and mixed berries

Hey Wubba...Sorry to hear that you have a not always nice MIL. Anyway, its great that you are getting inshape and losing the weight. Keep up the great job.

Hey Cjunk...fabulous on the coffee meet...just say when. Man you sure do work long hours...I couldnt do that..I would just crumble.

Well Revenue Quebec are at our offices this morning checking into our paperwork to see if anything is fishy so I better get crackin

later
Cyan

Hello Ladies,

Welcome to the group Wubba. You sounds like you are on fire. Congrats to you on your success and continued success. Sorry to hear about your MIL, I have a mother like that, every gifts I get is some Old Lady looking blouse that is 6 sizes too big(literally). I just don't get it! But like they say Misery loves company, so don't give it to her in the least bit!

Cyan, Nice long walk uphill, I probably would have been on my hands and knees half way! Walking is rough, but I am starting a new walking plan I read about... 35 straight days of 30min walks, THAT'S IT!!! once the 35 days are over, I start a more intensive walk program. 3 miles one day, 2 miles the next, 4 miles the next day and then back to 2 miles the next.
Miki, I know you are a strong walker and it has helped you, so I am sure it will get my body jumping along with the Curves workout, I should be all good to go on vacation in July. We are hitting Walt Disney World again!

Cjunk, men are the biggest babies when they are sick! Leaving him alone is a good idea. But be prepared, because they moan even LOUDER so you can hear from afar :lol:

Debee, I love your idea of giving an Extreme makeover your personal agenda for the next 8 weeks. I think I may try that starting the end of next month! Let me know how it goes.

Well ladies, I have been doing good, eating the right foods and getting ready for the birthday weekend. I am going out to dinner with the family on Sunday, Monday I have dinner scheduled with an old friend, Tuesday my hubby is taking me out for my Birthday dinner(more italian food) and Wednesday I have a team lunch. I am already getting sick of hearing how much food I will have to eat. (hey, that's a first!)

Have a great day!

A bit of a lighter day
 

Hey Gang,

Thought I would slow the 12 hour workday pace down a bit and flex a few hours off. Went in for 10:30 today and left at 4. Have laundry to do but I decided to wait a bit and then ramp up at 7pm with the housework. Plans to either go the gym or some outdoor exercise tonight since it is a lot warmer here today than normal. Cyan aren't you enjoying the beautiful weather!!

Even though I didn't have much in the way of appointments today the ones I had were heavy content and so I decided that it was time to use some of that overtime for a break--and so I am writing to you all!!

Cyan--your walk home sounds frustratingly difficult but at the same time great because now your exercise was done for the day!!! Your meal plan intrigues me at times how creative it is!!!


Reina-Mia--I played it right last night and stayed away from my spouse for a while and this morning he was feeling a lot better and in a cuddly mood. Sounds a bit better but the cold is still hanging in there. A birthday weekend!! How exciting!! Which day is your birthday day??

Wubba--It is not encouraging when we have others around us who seem to try and get their digs in. I am with Reina about your MIL in terms of replying with kindness and then eventually she will just give it up or lose interest in doing it.

I have a weird problem in that everyone in my fiance's family--my in-laws to be are so tiny and eat almost nothing. They are also very energetic and that kind of "peppy" that makes you wonder if it is real (but it really is with them!!). I have now adjusted to dinner at their house but it took some time. My family are "eaters" and they plan functions around "eating." My fiance's family plan functions around "outings" and "exercise" and eat together because they end up running into a mealtime. The first time I went over to their house for dinner here's what I got:

2 baby red potatoes
2 pieces of broccoli
1 chicken thigh (I think it is a thigh--you know the small ones???)

I was starving after that!!! I used to eat a lot of bigger portions and I was looking at it as a before meal appetizer!! There were no seconds and no breads, or desserts or extra meat or veggies. My plate was the biggest plate of food served too!! Can you imagine how cheap their grocery bill is??? They really eat to live (which is I guess how it should be done).

I'm getting better and better now because I too am eating smaller portions and so I have adjusted--but still eat a lot more than they. They are all about 5 feet tall and hyperactive...athletic...peppy...fun and friendly though. Did I mention that the women in the family all look like Barbie or fashion models without the boobs?? I always feel fat when I go there!!! I am the hugest person in their home when I visit. I instantly loved them when I met them and cherish them as a second family to me, but when I had that first dinner I had second thoughts about how to sneak off to McDonalds afterwards!!

Talk to everyone soon! Look forward to hearing from the rest of you too!!

Cjunk

Happy Friday Ladies
 

Ah my favorite day is once again upon us...yipeeee.

I cycled last night for 8kms..the music was good so I kept on pedaling.

I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies last night...I brought them in for my coworkers so theywont be tempting me at home. I used the calorie and fat reduced peanut butter, semi sweet dark chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of sugar with no flour. They turned out good...yes I tried one cookie.

breakfast this morning was substitute egg with canadian bacon
lunch will be chicken salad wrapped in a pita with artichoke salad
dinner will be stuffed sole with crab meat and snowpeas
snacks are sugarless yogurt, mixed berries and sugarless ice cream if I am in the mood.
beverages...diet soda, coffee, white tea and water water water

Hey Cjunk...that story about your inlaws is funny...I can understand how you must of felt the first time you had dinner with them. But hey, you seem to like them and they you...so...its all good.

Reina...Happy Birthday girlfriend :hb: :gift: :queen: Have a great bday weekend and try your best to stay OP. I send you a big hug. Keep us posted ...we want birthday details.

Well thats it for me folks...have a great weekend and stay OP

I will weigh in on Monday morning and hope I show some kind of loss...I think I should...my calories all week have been below 1400 calories.

Take care

Cyan

Hi Ladies,

Reina, Happy birthday(when is the exact date?). Just remember in all those birthday celebrations to make the right food choices and think portion control...but make sure you have at least one peice of birthday cake! I'll let you know how my extreme makeover is going...so far yesterday I brought the push -up bras and looked through a few catalogs(Newport News and Victoria Secret) that now sell dresses and pants that have built-in body shapers in them...they can give you a curvy butt and boobs just with padding and also pull in your tummy with spandex...I might buy one and let you know ...hey what ever motivates right?

Wubba, just imagine your MIL face when you appear in a drop dead size 6 dress...that should motivate you to go to gym!

Cyan, that walk home probably burnt most of your calories for the day! Once again thanks for posting your food choices...I started keeping a note on the fridge of what I ate during the day..sort of like a food journal but since it is posted on the fridge it is a reminder that I should not binge. Yesterday was ok foodwise...I ate breakfast..two eggs, coffee, lunch ...a couple slices of turkey and some shrimp and dinner was out but I made a good choice...no bread basket and just grilled chicken, spinach and a few roasted cherry tomatoes, dessert was strawberries with a little cream. I also drink about 5 glasses of diet ice green tea yesterday.

Cjunk, hope you finance in feeling better...my husband is such a baby when he is sick...being a mom and wife I never get the chance to have a really good sick day. I enjoyed your story about your finance family..I once had a boyfriend whose family loved this very expensive, fancy resturant that use to serve the smallest portions( whenever I knew we weree going there I always would eat before so I would not look like a pig. By the way since my body fat scale is broken I came up with a new way to measure if my weight goals are being met...I call it the "skinny pants" scale...over the years I have kept a few pairs of pants and dresses that I loved but no longer can fit in...they range from a pair of size 4 gap jeans to a beautiful red velvet christmas dress, size 6 to size 10 dresses and pants. Right now my current "skinny pants" are a size 9 off white jean I am calling them my level 1 "skinny pants" ..yesterday I tried on my "level 2" size 8 blue jeans (hard to breathe but made it). By making levels for myself I hope to get to level 6...the holy grail of my jeans...the size 4 gap babies by end of May. It is helping me because it is a concrete motivator instead of just a number on a scale and when wearing a level 2 I don't want to go back to a level 1...sounds crazy huh?...well, this is a weight loss war I am fighting this time and I plan to not just win the battle but also the war. By the way yesterday I tried the two hour teeth whitening and although I could not do it for the full two hours (I only made it half time) it lightening about a shade or two. Just watch out some of the products will make your gums sensitive.

Miki, betty, Newie, where are you...don't hide...join us!

New Funny Story!!!
 

Hi all,

Well, so far so good. Friday I went to the gym and walked uphill on the treadmill for 50 minutes. Slow walk so to get back into things --therefore only burned 300 calories or a bit more. Did some weights...a very long and relaxing gym visit though. Watched OPRAH while I worked out and seemed to take my mind off of the whole thing.

Went shopping afterwards to a cheap fashion store we have in Ontario called Fashion Maxx. Basically really cheaply made clothes at low end prices but fashionable (they don't last but are fun for following the trends). They had an Easter Dress Sale and some pretty cute spaghetti strapped 3/4 length floral print with black dresses--cross between a sundress and a slinky sexy dress. Decided to try a few on in different styles and colours. Picked a few off the rack size 9. Tried it on and it fit but was a tiny bit too tight for the style on the hips (I always have this problem). A salesperson came and asked me if I wanted help with another size and I asked her if there were any of the dress in that style in size 10 or 11. She replied "we don't have many of the BIG sizes left!!!" She then looked at me up and down and suggested a "less revealing" style. But I thought I looked pretty good so she came back with some of these dresses and I tried them on and they made me look like an old lady. By the way, did I mention that she was about 90 pounds and looked malnourished and she had to tell me about how she had bought herself the dress that didn't fit me and that it looked fab on her. So finally I got fed up and went out in my sock feet and the dowdy dress she made me try on and I looked at what else was there myself. I found a longer dress in the same spaghetti strap style in size 9 that looked a bit different in cut. Tried it on and went outside to look in the mirror and "wham" what a dress!! It looked great on me. Then I was second guessing myself and imagining it might not look great... when another salesperson came by (who knew how to sell) and said "what a figure" your curves are really accentuated by that dress and it looks great!! That made me feel good. Then the malnourished sales rep came over to see what the commotion was about and then said to me "that dress doesn't look like THAT on me--(as she was staring at my chest--which I think looked pretty good in that dress and not too sleazy). That's when I decided to buy it. The malnourished sales rep then had to back up her comment with a comment of how much better the dress looks when you go home and put on the "right shoes" and "put on makeup" and "do your hair." She also tried to sell me a cardigan to go over top of it. So I tried it on and it looked terrible. She agreed by commenting that the cardigan "added 10 pounds to me by hiding my smaller waist." At this point I was no longer offended by the salesrep but just getting my kicks out of hearing how inappropriate her comments were. Made me laugh a lot.

So this BIG girl --so to speak bought the size 9 dress and walked out of the store with a belly full of laughter in my system and a sexy new dress. That's my story--thought you might all enjoy a laugh or two.

Debee--my fiance is still coughing but mostly dry cough and is in a much better mood which as lessened my stress level. How is everyone doing in your home now? I love your skinny pants diet mainly because if you ever talked to my friends they would tell you that I have an obsession with buying new jeans. I tell them that it is not an obsession about pants...it is just an obsession to wear something that fits..because when I gain weight it is in my hips and butt and that means constantly buying different pant sizes. So the skinny diet works for me too! The day that I wore my skinny pants I had on the size 8 but had to unbutton my pants by the end of the night as I couldn't breathe!! I don't think I am quite at 8 yet..but soon. Size 7 is the smallest I have ever been apart from childhood sizes. I would be thrilled to be in a size 7 again..althogh I think an 8 is more realistic for me.

Cyan, your cookies make my mouth water! The weekends are the hardest for me because I find that I eat more by going out for meals a lot. I just learned how to make my own PAD THAI and I have been making a much healthier version than the restaraunts and I go out less because I satisfy my own PAD THAI cravings at home. I make a vegetarian version sometimes with stirfried broccle-slaw mixture. Has anyone ever tried broccle-slaw??? Basically they take red cabbage, carrots and broccoli stalks and grate them into cheese grate size strands and then bag them for sale in the salad section of the grocery store. You then do with them what you will including making a version of your own coleslaw with lowfat dressing. I actually like them in my PAD THAI or in other stirfrys. I have also used them for a vegetable soup--very easy and quick. Cyan I can't believe how far you can cycle! Yesterday I walked 5.4 kilometres but it took almost an hour as I was going slow and walking an incline on the treadmill.

Reina-Mia--Hope you are having a great birthday weekend! Enjoy some cake and think of us while you eat it! We can live vicariously through you!!

Miki, Betty, Newie, Wubba--how are you?? Have a great weekend!!

Cjunk

Hi,

Just a quick note to quick in...Cjunk I loved your story! Cyan, this morning I finally got some exercise in...my son 's school had a 5k run and walk so ( am.m in the rain we did it...it made me realize how out of shape I am...I didn't run but walked the whole way...after in the gym they had free cookies, pretzels and pasta stations ... a carb blow-out for the walkers and runners...I was good only a few bites of chciken in tomato sauce.

Food today was as follows:

two eggs over medium for breakfast, lunch was a soft chicken taco and nachos (cheated on the carbs but I was hungry) and dinner was grilled chicken in spicy sauce, snack was adkins chocolate bar (taste pretty good and only 2g) hubby and kids had pizza and I never even took a bite(good girl) and 6 jellybeans and green tea. Wore level 2 pants until mid day and then needed break to level one-o. It is hard to keep up healthy habits on the weekend!

Mercy Me!!! Have I missed the posts! I've been reading for over a half an hour, and finally had to skim the last few days. It sounds like suddenly we've become a very lively group! And I know that liveliness and commitment I've sensed will help us all. Today is my birthday :hb: --I'm 48--I think I'm the oldest in this crowd--that doesn't matter though, because I only feel older in that there are more years to remember and more experiences to call on when I am doing life today. Except for a few minor aches and pains (sciatica and probably arthritis) in my hips and legs, I really don't feel old physically. I was blessed last night with a compliment from an old friend I hadn't seen in probably 4 years--she said the nicest thing to me--I'm going to try to quote--she said, "Barb!!! You look so good! You don't age!!!" Now, tell me, did that feel good to me? You bet it did! As my birthday present to myself, I am going to walk around the track in the park this morning. I haven't done it since November, so I miss it desperately. The weather here in Chicago has moderated--in the 50's and 60's without too much wind, so I can go out without freezing.

The reason I didn't post all week was that I was very tired :tired: from all the housework and paper grading I did last weekend, plus it was an absolutely crazy week. :crazy: Last night I finally finished grading these periodic reading tests I have to give to my students--lots of reading for me in the grading part because they write out a lot of answers. Then I have to fill out all this paperwork on each student's results--involving which questions they got wrong and right--then make up master sheets with all of the students' results posted. There are two tests like this. The tests total about 75 questions in all, plus two essay questions written in two booklets (so I keep having to turn pages to find out what they are doing). Multiply that by 28 students, and that's a lot of work!!! :dizzy: That is, of course, in addition to my daily work and carting my older daughter to dance and flute lessons and the younger one to a sleepover, after, of course, buying a birthday present for the girl involved, dealing with a husband with a toothache (does the word CRABBY spell crabby?) He's getting the tooth out tomorrow, thank God! He wants to have a dental implant to replace the tooth, which will probably not be covered by the insurance we don't have yet, but I agree with that plan as opposed to the bridge or leaving a space options. So we'll fork out the $2000 :eek: it costs. Luckily we're both working again. I still have more papers to grade, and quarter grades are coming due, but I am finding the whole thing more manageable. Also, I will start teaching math to my fifth graders tomorrow in a switch with the fourth grade teacher. She was teaching math to 4th and 5th grade, and I was teaching them English. Scheduling was too difficult, and the students aren't mature enough to be out of a self contained classroom as much as they were, so we're starting the switch tomorrow. I still teach 4th grade social studies, but I don't have to teach science at all!! I just don't think I'd be very good at that.

Now--to the crazy week I had. This all pertains to school. I started Monday going to a conference sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago to help teachers deal with the problem of sexual abuse of children (because of that whole priest sexual abuse scandal going on in the church right now). That morning the media announced that 6 local Catholic schools (not mine) were closing and consolidating into two. So many of the teachers at this conference (some of which I knew from my days working at the teachers' store) will be losing their jobs. Also, in my childhood, although I was never sexually abused, I experienced physical and verbal abuse in my home due to my father's alcoholism, which I believe helped me to be affected more emotionally to the abused children in two videos we saw in that conference Monday. My parent-teacher conference Tuesday went well, but those things require a lot of energy, which I really didn't have. The school days on Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty good, except for the discipline problems in my class--I've narrowed it down to three boys--from nine 6 weeks ago when I took over the class. Then on Thursday I received a very upsetting, critical, threatening phone call from a parent (this woman is known for being a troublemaker in the school and harassing teachers) whose twin children I have in 4th grade social studies (where we have been learning about the history of the southeast United States, including slavery, civil rights, etc., and even relating it to the apartheid system that formerly existed in South Africa) mentioned to her that I uttered the "n" word in class, and she decided it was inappropriate that I had done so (even when I told her that I was answering a question a student had asked me about language that has been historically used to put down African American people in America, and there was no way to answer the question properly without discussing that word). She said she was informing the principal and pastor about what I had done, and then she asked me not to discuss our conversation with anyone and questioned my professionalism in suggesting that I might treat her children unfairly in class because she had spoken to me!!!!! :stars: :censored: :faint: :mad: Now the principal was away at a meeting that day, and I didn't know what the pastor would think if he heard the story from this woman before he heard it from me--like I said, she is a troublemaker--I actually feel sorry for the kids. Anyway, I did talk to the principal by phone that evening. She agreed that I had done nothing wrong, and the next day she reassured me that the pastor felt the same way. But then Friday morning I started my day at 8:20 a.m. with one of my discipline problem children flinging a pen cap across the room and hitting another child in the eye--I was writing on the board at the time, so I didn't see it. :nono: Of course, the kid didn't admit doing it. Shortly thereafter, a policewoman who regularly comes into our classroom to teach an anti-drug/anti-gang program arrived for her lesson, and I got the principal, and for the next hour we investigated the incident by asking the students in the class to write anonymously what they knew about the incident, plus questioning individuals who seemed like they could be involved. :headache: Finally the guilty party confessed :stress: (we weren't doing anything until it was resolved) and received a punishment, and the principal and I are meeting soon to discuss some tightening of structure for those students. I also have outlawed pen caps and pens with pocket clips, pencils with erasers worked out of the metal end, uncovered rubber bands (even for hair or holding pencils together)--stretchy pony tail ties are okay, as long as they are covered--student-owned scissors (a kid last week took apart a pair of kid scissors, and it looked like two knives), rulers (another kid a few weeks ago broke his ruler into little pieces and threw pieces around the room), paper clips (they were bringing them to school, unfolding them, and throwing them), staplers, staple removers--yes, this is a Catholic school, and no, I don't allow this sort of thing to go on--it's been something that they have been doing on the sly, when I am writing on the board or looking at the book, or something like that, and it's hard to catch a student in the act. :devil: I've confiscated things, told kids to take things home, broken a kid's ruler when he brought a new one in after I took the pieces of the one he broke himself and was throwing into a girl's hair. Now if any child has any of the things I have outlawed, he will be given a detention, no questions asked. :drill: :judge: Parents, I'm learning, aren't always cooperative these days, so even talking with parents about the behavior of their children often doesn't help. :headache: The mother of the kid who threw the pen cap knows her kid is a problem, but she pretty much accepts that he is just like that. I don't think she knows what to do with him either. So I'm often on my own, with the help of the principal only, in a situation like this. :stress:

Anyway, in trying to calm down after my day, I stayed after school pretty late to just putter around my room, which upset hubby. I wasn't too nice to him in response to what he said about it, and later when he spoke sharply to me later about something else, I absolutely went off on him. :bomb: Then yesterday I, for no good reason, went off on my older daughter about something she has been doing that is bothering me, but I hadn't really discussed it with her. :bomb: :bomb: I apologized to them both, and discussed the issue I needed to with my daughter--probably better than I would have had I not blown up--but too bad I just couldn't have done the right thing in the first place. :sorry: I can have a sharp tongue, and I said some pretty mean things to her, which I can never take back. :rollpin: :cry: I also discussed with my husband that I need to find a way to express feelings of anger that I can't express at school without hurting people at home. He agreed to be in charge of dinner :chef: on Fridays so I can just come home after school and crash. :faint: Anyway, that was my week. I didn't really follow my eating plan beyond the second day, though I didn't do too badly either. Starting April 8, I am off school for a week and a half for Easter break, so I am going to try a Phase 1 low carb period and walk every day at the track. Maybe I can lose three or four pounds. :cheer: As of last week's weigh-in, I was still at 156.5, unbelievably--only by the grace of God, I'm sure. :thanks:

Well, Cjunk, as you can see, I am also a chatter. :blah: I have gone on and on with these ladies for months now, and they still like me. It's nice to know that there's someone else out there that's also very verbal. :)

Welcome, Wubba! The girls give nicknames here--I'm Newie--short for newinspiration. I love it. For me, it's a sign of affection and caring. :goodvibes How interesting to me that you're from Australia. I've had a penpal from Australia for about 11 years now. She also is from the south. I think she lives somewhere she calls Wesburn. She lives out in the country, and that is what I write on letters I send her before I write Victoria and Australia. Are you familiar with that area?

Well, cyan, you are sticking to your plan well. :cp: You're helping me hang in there, as are the rest of you ladies, with your enthusiasm. I know I'm going through a very stressful time right now. :stress: I am still happy to be back in teaching; it's just a lot different from what it used to be.

Well, I'm going to go now. I've been on this board for over two hours now. Tomorrow I've got a conference with another set of parents :stars: --of a behavior problem child--not the one who threw the pen cap, but the one who drives me the most crazy. I'm going to try to be good to myself today. Hubby just told me to go for a walk. Thanks for listening to me, ladies. :wave: You're life savers, all of you!! :) :)

Hey, it's just me back, testing to see if my last, extremely long post actually posted. My browser closed on me when I pressed "Submit" and I practically freaked out that it could all be lost. It seems okay, but I want to be sure. Bye for now again. Newie/Barb :coffee:

Hi everybody! I am still just thrilled with how busy our thread has become lately. For awhile there, it was really lonesome around here, right Cyan?? I have missed you all bunches lately. I've only had a chance to post a couple of times in the last 3 weeks and took me forever to get caught up again reading. Things have been hectic around here.

My uncle( my dads brother) has had leukemia for almost 2 yrs but for the last 6 months has been feeling good and enjoying his retirement with his wife. Three weeks ago, he started feeling bad and was put into the hospital on a Sunday. On the next Thursday, he was sent home with the news that the cancer was back with a vengeance and past the stage where any treatment would stop it now. He was given 2 months to live. He made it less than 3 weeks. His funeral was this past Wed. I've been a taxi service lately picking up and taking family members to the airport 60 miles away. My cousin/best friend/my uncles daughter, Vicki who moved to CA a year ago came in the first week to visit with him while he was able to do so. Had to pick her up and take her back that week. The very next week, she had to return for the funeral. I am sooo glad she came when she did the first time so she had that time with him. Her boyfriend came in from CA also but couldnt come in on the same flight or day so had to pick him up and take him back also but at diff times. I think I have made 6 trips to the Airport in less than two week's time.

My aunt ( my dad's other brother's wife) had a heart attack during all this with my uncle. It happened that first week and she is still in intensive care now 3 weeks later. The worst part of her situation was that she had the heart attack on the same day she was to attend her mom's funeral!! She and her family all missed the funeral. The kids wanted to be at their grandmother's funeral but didnt want to leave their mom to do so. Hard time for them all. My uncle hasnt left his wife's side during all of this but that meant he has had no time to come deal with the death of his own brother! We all understood that his priority was with his wife of course, but he has had no kind of closure concerning the loss of his brother because he never got to come visit him after he was sent home, then missed the funeral also. Really sad situation.

Ok, also during all this, my sis's 12 yr old son was having stomach pains and went to the doctor 4 days straight. He ended up having his appendics taken out so of course we had to go see him which was also an hour away. On the day he was admitted to the hospital, another of my sisters was here for the weekend. We had planned my neice Kaylen's 3rd birthday party for that day while they were here. I feel like I"ve just been living in a whirlwind lately!!!

Spring Break was right in the middle of all of this also, and I didnt want it to be just dealing with sickness and death so the kids and I did a few things. Went to the zoo, ate out alot, etc. Needless to say, my food choices havent been the best. Ate more for convenience than for health. I am happy to report tho that other than the weekend, I have walked at least 2 miles every day!! :D Dont know how I managed to fit that in, but I did and felt better knowing that.

Well, that pretty much catches everyone up on what's been going on with me lately. Now, if I dont jump in the shower, I'm going to end up late for work.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

MIKI

Its Monday Again
 

Hey Ladies

Hey Miki..sorry to hear about yor Uncle and your nephew having his appentics taken out. I hope he feels better soon.

Hey Newie...wow you've have a hectic week.

I bought a fancy new digital scale over the weekend...Its made from glass and steal...very sleep and ultra modern...but on the downside...its says I weigh 173 pounds in the morning and in the evenings...it says I can weigh as much as 178 on a full stomach with clothes and without clothes ..it says I weigh 174.5 to 176 :?: :eek: :fr: I hate scales.... I have been so good with the eating and the exercising and now this new scale has be weighing even more that before. Oh I am soooooooooo depresed and angry...but I will see what happens my the end of this week with this new scale.

today's breakfast was 1/2 cup of all bran with one cup of skim milk
lunch is black bread with turkey breast and hummus spread
dinner is sole fillet with broccoli
snacks are sugarless jello, mixed berries and sugarless yogurt

I will also cycle my usual distance

wish me luck

Cyan

oop

I meant sleek

and you've had a hectic week

ugh

Hello everyone.

Happy Belated Birthday Newie, Another ARIES....I love it...

Miki, I am soooo sorry to hear about all that sadness going on in your life. What a horrible thing to be going through. My prayers are with you and your family....

Cyan, I hate scales too, Keep up the good work, one of those darn demons will give you the right measurements.

I will post more later, I am still trying to catch up on all the post. Miki is right,everyone is so lively lately.

I just wanted to catch you up on all that is happening. I went for a birthday dinner with my family and it was really nice one. And cjunk, this is for you. Live vicariously and put the diet mind away for a moment..... We had a Family styel dinner....Here is what was on the menu: Ceasar Salad, Chopped Chicken Salad, Lemon Chicken Piccata, Mostoccoli with meat sauce, Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Chicken Vesuvio, Bruchetta, Fried Zucchini and drum roll please...................For dessert..Tiramisu & Strawberry Cheesecake..... It was delicious.
Ok, now back to reality..... Just because that was all on the table doesn't mean I ate it all. I did eat very very small portions of some of the stuff. I just tried little bits of most of it. OK, and now for the truth. I really had a nice big piece of Tirimisu. I JUST LOVE THAT STUFF..

Well, I am off to bed, and when I wake up, another year older..... Flav, Alex and I will be dining out tomorrow, so I will catch up with you all later in the week. By then I will catch up on all the posts. Cjunk, I have to read your story.....

You all stay OP and I will touch base later!!!

Later gators!

Its Tuesday
 

Hello Ladies

Hey Happy Belated Birthday Newie... :hb: :gift: :queen: :balloons:

I'm an Aries too...my birthday is coming up on april 16th :lol:

Anyway, breakfast this mornign was all bran cereal with skim milk

lunch will be ham sandwhich with cheese on black bread

dinner will be oven roasted chicken with green salad

snacks are sugarless jello, mixed berries

beverages are diet soda, water, coffee and white tea

I cycled last night but only for 15 minutes...5km's ...the music sucked...oh well...I will cycle more tonight.

I hope that new scale complies with my wishes and start showing losses the next time I step on it...which will be on monday...or else I will lose my mind.

Have a great day everyone

later
Cyan

Hey Ladies

Just a quick note..still plugging away at it.

Today's meals

breakfast 1/2 cup of all bran buds with 1 cup of skim milk
lunch whole wheat pita with chicken and hummus and 1 cup of broccoli
dinner scallops and shrimp with spinach
snacks sugarless jello, 3 mineola tangerines
beverages water, diet soda, white tea and one cup of coffee

Have a great day folks

Cyan

Hi There,

Just a quick post to say that I have been trying to keep on track this week. Went to the gym yesterday and used the treadmill for 45 minutes and almost got 5km in on a grade of 6. Was pleased with myself but determined to get 5km in within a 45 minute timeframe. That will be my new goal. Then maybe I might enter a 5k race sometime just to say that I did it--(with a time like that I definitely won't win!!). Mostly walking fast and no running until I build up my cardio.

Plans to go to the gym today as well. I hope to get there at least 3 times per week. Last week I only made it 2x but it is much better than the winter where there were many weeks that I didn't make it at all.

Cyan--good for you for keeping on track. I don't pay attention to scales much--in fact I don't even own one. I like using the measuring tape instead as I think it tracks my tone change as well. Even then I don't use it much.

Newie--Happy belated birthday!! Great to read your posts--so nice to have a talker like me online. Read the whole thing and it sounded like a really tough week--hope you are giving yourself some wind down time this week to compensate. Create a pamper yourself day. Your description of watching the video at the conference would be difficult--almost like re-living elements of your childhood. You deserve to have a peaceful moment or more to let those things that poison your system leave you--do you have a relaxation exercise that helps? Mine is swimming because I have to concentrate on breathing and staying afloat (I am a terrible swimmer) that nothing else can occupy my mind.

Miki-My goodness you also had a tough week. I am so sorry to hear about your uncle's passing. Also your aunt and her heart attack. Also your nephew and his surgery. That makes three--and if you are in any way superstitious, it means that the challenges are done. My thoughts are with you and your family in this time and I hope that things improve. How is your aunt now? Amazing that you could put in the time to walk during all of this. That clearly shows a lifestyle change...and a positive one at that!! Great work!

Debee--congrats on the 5k walk/run. I am still working up to the run part!! Eventually I will get there. Great work. I am wearing skinny pants again today. Already a bit uncomfortable at the waist but it is what is keeping my mind on the gym today!!


Reina_Mia--Your birthday dinner sounded awesome!! Man did I live vicariously through you for sure!! The only difference is that I would have indulged in the cheesecake instead of the Tiramisu--the sad reality is ...I am allergic to chocolate (even though I love the taste of it). Cheesecake is definitely one of my fav's. Have a great week!!

Betty and Wubba--look forward to hearing how things are going!!

Talk to you all soon,

Cjunk

Its Thurdsday
 

This week has kinda went by fast.

I have been doing very well foodwise...its great!

although I got confused with yesterday's menu...I thought I was having the shrimp and scallops but it was sole I had with salad instead of spinach...all in all ...it was still under my calorie count even with the two peanut butter cookies..which I make with reduced sugar and no flour...and yes they are good...I had semi sweet chocolate chips into the mix for that added umph!

Anyway I didnt exercise last night...I had to take care of Momma..it was her bath time and I did some grooming like clip her toe nail and finger nails...ya know..stuff like that.

Anyway...
Breakfast: all bran cereal with skim milk
lunch: smoked meat with tabouli
dinner: broiled hamburger pattie with portobello mushrooms, spinach and feta
snacks: medium banana, sugarless jello
beverages: diet soda, water, coffee and white tea

Have a great OP Day everyone.

Cyan

Just a quick post....just returned from my aunt's funeral...the one who had the heart attack. Turned out that her heart was the least of her problems. Now about to head out again to get Luke from school. He broke his glasses this week so I've got to take him to the eye doctor which is an hour away. Just wanted everyone to know I'm still around and will get back regularly as soon as possible. Miss you all!!

MIKI

Miki ...Oh Dear..let me get this straight...Your uncle and aunt both passed away and your sister's son had surgery...yikes...that is tough..I send you a big hug

hang in there

Cyan

I feel very sad for your uncle that survived his wife's and brother's passing. I send him a big hug too

Cyan

I'm all confused...explain again please when you get the courage

sorry for my confusion..ahhhhhhhh

Its Friday
 

:dance: Its friday! I love fridays...Sorry...cant curb my enthusiasm.

I cheated a little last night..I had a peanut butter cookie and 50 grams of dark chocolate. I was talking to Ivano and he said he ate his dark chocolate bar and that it was so good..Of course I immediately remember that I too had my chocolate bar ...so down the hatch it went :^:

Anyway, I wont beat myself up about it...I took in 1684 calories last night because of it but today I will be at 1154 ...so it all evens itself out.

Meal Plan For The Day

breakfast: 1/2 cup of all bran with one cup of skim milk
lunch: tuna on protein bread
dinner: scallops and shrimp with chinese broccoli
snacks: sugarless jello, yogurt, mixed berries and a tangerine
beverages: water, diet soda, coffee and white tea.

Well thats it folks...have a super duper great weekend. I will be back on Monday to post if I have budged from my 173 pounds (as per my new digital scale) My old one had me at 169.

Later

Cyan

Hi, all--I survived another week! :dancer: Miki--Oh, my gosh--and I thought I've been dealing with stress! :yikes: Prayers to you and everyone around you who has been dealing with any type of loss, no matter how large or small, recently! :cry: What an explosion of sorrow! You be sure to take care of yourself in any way you can. It's good that you took some time away from the grief with your children--one can only take so much in a short period of time. :stress:

Happy Birthday, Reina_Mia and Cyan!! :hb: :hb: :balloons: :balloons: It's cool to find people with birthdays near my own. Unfortunately, I didn't have the lovely relaxing birthday I was hoping to have--it was one of those days when everything went wrong--I started my day still stressed out from the previous week, plus having a good case of PMS. Then before noon I discovered that I would have to take my car to the shop AGAIN because the "door ajar" switch was broken, and I couldn't get the dome light to go off. :crazy: :bomb: I ended up yanking out the bulb so my battery wouldn't go down before it got to the shop (left it there Sunday night--got the car back Tuesday). Then before the day ended, a rented video tape got stuck in our VCR, and we couldn't get it out. We took the tape, machine and all, to the rental place--if the tape was going to be broken, we figured they could break it themselves. We'd rather buy a new player (we want a DVD anyway) than pay for a tape that wasn't ours. As of this morning, no one has been able to get the tape out of the machine!!! :dunno: :fr: :eek: Then add to that a crabby hubby with a bad tooth--not my best birthday. :shrug: I wasn't able to rest this week either, because my quarter grades were due on Thursday, and I wasn't caught up on all my work. :rolleyes: :?: :tired: I survived all that, got my period on Wednesday, which took care of my crabbiness, dealt with the fifth grade's usual Friday antics, and hubby had his tooth out yesterday, plus a bone graft because part of his jawbone had to be taken along with the tooth. He is medicated and mellow, and has two NASCAR races to watch on TV this weekend, so I am pretty much on my own, except for occasional dispensing of medicine and chores that I can do on my own time. :cheer: :cheer: I do have a menstrual migraine, :headache: but I can deal with that. Food this week has been so-so--sometimes I ate for convenience and at times for stress. I did try to be healthy, but it's just been rough lately. Luckily, I have only 3 more days till Spring/Easter break. :dance: :cb: :dance: We're off from Thursday, April 8, till Monday, April 19. I plan to rest, clean house, shop with my girls, and avoid schoolwork as much as possible. :cloud9: I plan to walk as much as I can and work in my garden, now that it's warming up enough to clean up winter debris, rake leaves, and trim dead foliage from flowers (most of this trimming I do in the fall, but there are a few flowers I grow that survive winter better if I leave their dead branches on to catch dead leaves and snow that insulate the roots). Hopefully I won't get sick or anything like that once I relax, which can sometimes happen after a very stressful period. :goodvibes :crossed: On the last day of school before vacation, I really won't let up on my students' structure, beyond giving them an Easter coloring page and some candy treats. I have tests and quizzes scheduled for the whole day. :drill: This group just can't be given a loose structure. I am very pleased with my new schedule begun this week where I teach them math, instead of the fourth grade teacher doing it. I am able to accomplish much more in my room, and the kids are much more focused, when they are in a self-contained environment for most of the day.

Well, I'm going to get going. I've got to head to the bank and get a few groceries. Then I'm going to take a nap. No church this evening--we'll save that for Sunday morning this week--usually we go on Saturday night. See you all later. :wave:

Hi Ladies,

Miki, I am so sorry for your loss...please know you are in my prayers.

On a happy note....Happy birthday everyone! Reina, your menu made my mouth water...the cheesecake is my downfall! Newie, during spring break you need to treat yourself to belated birthday gift ..buy some chai tea (good earth brand is great) buy a small box of godiva choclate, one perfect rose, and a small votive lavender candle..make yourself a "birthday altar" and celebrate all the wonderful things the past 48 years has brought you.

Cyan, I had a scale like yours for a week until it broke last month and it would give me different weights too, I just took the average ffor the week and hoped I was losing weight depending on how my clothes fit. Love your menus!

Cjunk keep wearing the skinny pants they will keep you honest.

Well, past week was super busy...getting ready for trip to florida and trying to lose to fit in my bathing suit...I am down to 130...my tummy is still here but I brought lots of body shapers so ...I also joined LA fitness and hopefully will go when I get back from vacation. My extreme makeover is on track..trying to exercise and eat better, my highlights came out good this time and using some wrinkle products. I also found a great dress for the wedding..it is pale blue silk sleeveless with a pale blue silk jacket, I got it at Talbots where all there sizes run big but....drumroll please it is a size six! It is cut A-line so it hides lots of figure flaws, I am wearing it with an antique peal and glass bead necklace, these great earrings that were marked down form $100 to $5! and an antique beaded bag from the 1930's...now the quest is for the perfect shoes!

Hello everyone :)

Hope all of you had a nice weekend. I did...I surprised Phil Friday after work. He thought we were going out of town to eat Mexican food but actually I had reservations for the entire weekend in a King suite at Holiday Inn there. Had everything packed and in the truck of my car. My in-laws kept the kids. Just got home today. We had planned to do something for Valentine's day then decided to wait for my birthday but that was when my uncle got his bad report. We said we would do it maybe in June for our anniversary, but I decided I didnt want to wait that long. Thought we needed a break from the stress around here lately. So anyway, he was very surprised..I've never done that before, and it was a fun time for us. We ate at a Japanese Steak House for the first time where they cook it all at your table. That was a cool experience and the food was great.

Ok Cyan, just to explain again..my nephew had his surgery on the weekend we were supposed to be having a family birthday party for my 3 yr old niece, then my uncle, my dad's brother got his bad report that same week then died 2 weeks later. That same week of his report, my aunt (not his wife, but the wife of my dad's other brother) had a heart attack. She was in intensive care until she died this past week. Uncle Lonnie(66 yrs old) died on a Sunday and then on Monday, a week later, Aunt Joyce( 62 yrs old) died. Two funerals in two weeks. Oh and Aunt Joyce's mother's funeral was the day Joyce had her heart attack so she missed her mom's funeral! Uncle Charles(joyce's husband) had to miss his mother-in-laws and his brother's funeral because of staying with his wife in the hospital. Now that she died, he is having to deal with the realization of all 3 situations at once.

Anyway, hopefully that's the end of things like that for a LONG time!!!

Maybe now I will be able to get in here more regularly. Once again, I am starting tomorrow to get back on track. I didnt even try this weekend. Gotta get motivated AGAIN! I dont know why it is sooo hard this time around!! Why cant I get back what I had a year ago??? Back then I was totally hyped up about eating right and exercise and lost 50 lbs because of it. Now I just seem to be in a rut. Dont worry, I wont give up, but I need lots of inspiration and maybe butt-kicking :lol: from all of you!

Better run for now, but I'll be back tomorrow with a report of how I did. Hopefully I'll have a positive report.

Ya'll have a great Monday!

MIKI

Oops...I should proofread before I hit "Send". I had the stuff packed and in the TRUNK of my car..not the TRUCK...LOL

Hi Everyone
 

I am so sorry to hear about all of the losses. Big hugs to everyone and my condolences. It sounds like it has been a stressful week for most. MikiG, you did the right thing in going away and giving yourself and your hubbie some time alone together. It will help to rejuvinate you after all of the loss. Remember not to be too hard on yourself. Remember that somehow through it all you managed to walk.

Newie-also sounded like a challenging week. Hopefully you will be able to take some "me" time once it is all over.

Cyan, don't focus on the scale--they are just numbers. Remember how you told me that you feel healthier, get sick less and know that your body is responding positively to everything you are doing?? That's what counts!! That cannot even begin to be quantified!

Debee-Congratulations on moving towards your goals! Your makeover sounds like a lot of fun and your outfit sounds beautiful. Looking forward to hearing about your trip to Sunny Florida.

Happy Birthday to all of you born in April!! Mine is coming up in mid-May!

Went to an "eating celebration" today--actually it was an engagement party for my fiance's sister who got engaged a week after we did. There was tons of food and I had a little bit of everything but nothing in excess. Gotta get back to the gym tomorrow. Again only made it for 2 days instead of 3 or 4 which I would like to accomplish. I have eaten some junk food a bit this past week as well and feeling guilty about it. I have to keep reminding myself that my sloth of the winter may not be as easy as changing my habits overnight as I would like it to be--but I will keep at it!! Baseball starts in May 2x per week so that should kick me into a better routine. I have realized that I am pretty addicted to television and trying to do something about that too...not sure what yet because there are some educational shows I really love.

Gotta go!

Cjunk

Hi ladies,

Just a quick note..

.Miki, that was a great idea...you needed the break!
I will get you motivated again...when you go to take a bite of something you shouldn't... remember I am on your shoulder (please don't push me off and take the cookie instead)

Cjunk, everyone needs to cheat a little just get back in those skinny pants!

Leaving for Florida...naples and south beach...great resort areas and I just brought some new clothes that I would not normally wear for the trip...the new me!

Happy Monday Ladies
 

First off...Oh my Miki...sorry to hear about your family losses...your poor uncle..I hope he has support to deal with all this too. I send you and your family a big hug

And good on you for taking a break from reality and going away with your Hubby.

Hey Debee have fun in Florida..let us know how it went and what you did..you know ...the details :lol:

Cjunk...thank you for your thought about the scale. It makes sense but now the scale is showing me a loss too. Just to recap...I had my old analog scale and when I had my official weight..it said I was up to 178...two weeks later I was down to 169 on phase one of southbeach...when I moved onto phase two of southbeach I decided to buy a digital scale and by the end of week one of phase two I was weighing 176 on the new digital scale. Anwyay, I just weighed myself on the digital scale after another week on phase two and the scale is showing 172 pounds this morning!!! :cp: :cb: But I could already tell I am losing because my clothes are looser and fitting better. So its all good...two things could have happened..I may have gained back the water weight I lost on phase one of the diet and now I am losing real fat and not just water or my other scale weighed me lighter and I was actually more than 178 :^: In anycase, I am going by what the new digital scale says...and it says 172 :lol:

Anyway, I didnt go to work this morning...I woke up with a sinus infection..running a fever and feeling chilled so I decided to stay home and sleep it off. But tomorrow I wil be back at work..and I probably wont take friday off since it is a holiday but work it so that I dont lose two days of pay this week.

With taxes coming in the mail anytime soon, paying my accountant, renewal of my driver's liscence and my birthday...I see lots of money flowing out of my pocket book. Ugh!

Hey Newie and fellow Aries chick..thanks for the well wishes. And I just got myself a dvd player too..its my birthday gift to myself and Ivano bought me the windsor pilates dvd's workout kit..so I will be working out to them once this sinus infection clears up and I get my strenght back.

Have a great day everyone...oops I almost forgot

breakfast: cheese stick and 2 cups of grapefruit juice.
lunch: whole wheat spaghetti with bolognese sauce...lots of meat for protein.
dinner..I think I will have a home made soup. It is made with lots of rapini...green leafy vegetable that has lots of nutrients.
snacks: one cup of mixed berries

I need the extra vitamin C so I had two cups of grapefruit juice this morning.

Ok Ladies have a great day

Cyan

Hey Girls

Second attempt...I just lost my first post mid way...Ugh!

Anyway, I was saying that I am at work although still sick but I will go home if I feel worse.

This morning as I was getting dressed...I got the urge to step on the digital scale...I guess I wanted to see if its true that you lose weight when you are sick..well...it showed 170.5 down from 172. I am not considering this my true weight because I could be dehydrated or I could be losing muscle mass from not exercising. In any case, I will weigh in again next monday for my true weight.

Meal Plan for the day

breakfast: all bran with banana and skim milk
lunch: chicken breast with black bread
dinner: not sure yet
snacks: sugarless yogurt and probably some kind of fruit.

Well I gotta get going

later ladies

Cyan

Its wednesday..where is everybody?

Anyway, I am still recuperating from my sinus cold but feeling much better as the days roll on by.

My meal plan for the day
breakfast: all bran with skim milk
lunch: chicken breast with bok choy and broccoli and maybe 2 slices of black bread
dinner: pork loin grilled in a mustard garlic sauce with snow peas
snacks: sugarless yogurt and sugarless ice cream
beverages: water, diet soda, and green or white tea

Have a great day everyone and get yer butts back in here

Cyan