Hi everybody! I have been incommunicado for a few days, as things just got out-of-control hectic. It is finals week for two of my classes, and time to turn in first big papers in my other two classes. So I have been swamped with that, and will be until I finish all my grading this weekend. But come Monday, two of my classes will be OVER!!! That means I actually get more than one day a week off!!! I am really looking forward to taking a breather.

Also in the midst of getting my magazine to press, which is a whirlwind. A million things to do: submissions to read, editorial content to write, layout to design....it never stops. It’s absolutely the most fun and rewarding thing I do, but it is a ton of work.

And on Friday I had to have an MRI, which put me out of commission for the whole day. They gave me valium to take beforehand, but it was still really scary and stressful. And afterward I was loopy from the valium and somewhat shaken up from the whole thing, so I took the afternoon off and snuggled under a blanket. BF was very sweet and took care of me. Results were normal (whew!), which is good, but still leaves me with no idea what is causing my headaches. Doctor suspects tension (who, me, stressed?), which would also explain my new jaw-clenching habit. I wake up with my teeth clenched nad my jaw aching! So I am going to think about some non-medical ways to reduce tension. Exercise, of course, is a biggie. Gotta get moving and let that tention dissapate before bedtime!

Holly: Congrats to you on the loss and on all your positive changes. Those numbers are really amazing. Your reslove is so inspiring! Happy dance for you! You are so positive; that really amazes me.

Girlie: Mmm, your meals sound wonderful. I always get stuck in a rut with cooking. Good for you for making healthy, delicious food!

Mychoice: Core strengthening...cool. Do you have a specific plan or tape or do you just think up the exercises? Sounds like a good idea to try. Hope you are feeling better soon. Sick is no good!

Jodi: Remodeling sounds fun! That counts as exercise, right? :) I’m sure you can hop back on plan in no time. Don’t despair! You have come so far already; you’ve got it in you to keep going!

Debbie: Hope your days are going well! Glad you got some time to yourself.

So great to see you all here; I missed reading your posts these last few days. Last week I only managed to get one workout in. I put a sticker on my calendar every time I exercise as a reward, and it is really helping. It was sad to look at last week’s one lonely sticker compared to the 2-3 stickers on previous weeks. So I am going to make this a 3 sticker week! Everyone’s success and great attitudes are such an inspiration. Woo!

I've been away from a computer for a few days, running around in my old haunts in Manhattan and Brooklyn for hte long weekend. I meant to stop at an Internet cafe, but was too busy shopping and catching up with friends to be that organized. I didn't model how to stay on program, but I didn't overeat, and really didn't indulge myself (tho God knows I was tempted). I also walk around a lot in NYC, and I dragged my bag around with me for hours on the last day, so that should count toward weight-lifting :lol: . But I've probably lost ground/gained weight, because that's what I do when I'm not focused and careful for more than a few days.

So I'm back at home and back on track. Went to Curves last night, for the first time in a week. Curves is okay for now. As they gain members, they expand their hours, so the one by me now opens at 7AM and closes at 8PM. I think they're best for beginners, people who have issues about going to gyms, and women who really don't want to take advantage of all the features of full-service gym. If I'm still going regularly by the start of the summer, I'll switch back to a regular gym--I love the sauna, steam rooms, Jacuzzi, etc, you can use at bigger facilities.

So far, so good today. Good luck to everyone on doing the best you can today. See you tomorrow!

judy

judydc: Wow, your weekend in the city sounds fun. Sigh, I miss the city. And all that walking definately counts! I think that if my car exploded tomorrow, I would be a skinny thing in a flash. Good for you for hitting the gym! I agree that Curves is great for getting into the gym habit. I myself find most gyms pretty intimidating. I just don't know the protocol.

Just wanted to say that I did my treadmill today, and I went longer and faster than every before! It was such a great feeling!

Hello Everyone,
I'm feeling much better today, despite this sore throat that I have. It's not to bad though. At least I don't feel tired and draggy. I usually feel that way when I have a sore throat. I have a 3 month check-up at the doctor's tomorrow. I'm thinking of calling and seeing if I can get in today. I really have no tolerance for not feeling well. I'm a very busy person (who isn't?) and I just don't have the time! lol

I'll go to the gym tonight and do my walk. Not sure if I"m going to try the weights. When I don't feel well, I"ll scale back my workout.

I had a realization last night. I was thinking about this 4 lbs I keep loosing and then gaining and I know why. See on Thursday's I weighin, so I allow myself to cheat a little that night. Well, this cheating as now expanded into Sunday and then I scramble the next few days to show a loss at my weigh-in. I've admitted it, recognized it and I'm not doing it anymore!!

Spores: I wish I were finished with finals! I hate going to class during winter quarter. The cold really gets to me. We have a two week break at the end of March and I'm marking off the days. You asked about the core training. I don't have a tape, I'm just looking through my past Shape and Fitness magazines and coming up with exercises to try.

Jodi, Holly, Judy, Girlie, Debbie...anyone else I might be forgetting: I'm sorry to not answer your post individually but I'm running late this morning. Please know that I'm inspired when I read your posts and I'm out here cheering your efforts.

Got to run ladies!

Susie

It has been busy. I am handling it with awareness. I think I can manage. I made a daycare schedule. It is a lot on paper too but it is manageable. I fed 8 kids lunch yesterday and then 2 went home, 3 napped and 3 played house. I had lunch and watched my soap and did some stretches. The big kids are in in school today. I will have 3 little guys.
I made chicken breast and a spinach salad for supper last night. Still have salad for lunch today. I went to the library.Got my angels ready for bed, ran the dishwasher, watched Idol.I shovelled the driveway for a hour, gathered garbage , did some yoga and came here to read. I had a sandwich before bed. I was a feeling hungry. I could have made a better choice.
TOPS tonight. Reading Club tomorrow night. Taking DD to the lake to my folks on Friday night for the weekend. DS is in a hockey tournament Sat and Sun.
Remember the horrible family I was sitting for this spring/summer....the boy was in DD's class.Some parents fought to have him removed. It was horrible for the boy. I advocated for him several times. It was a clear case of parent bullying. The kids blame him for things even on days he was home sick!!I love this kid. I feel so much compassion for him. HE is sensitive and so messed up. it is not his fault. I agonized over letting him go. He was doing really well here. I felt like I let him down. An innocent child. Anyhow. The principal did move him to another class but not because of his behaviour but to give the kid a fair shake because of the bullying from the other parents and kids. I am pretty worked up about it. I feel helpless.DS said the other day that everyone hates the boy but him and DD. sigh
His parents didn't even show up for meetings with the teacher...hello??? Now they cant understand what the big deal is. Arg.

I had a bagel with chicken and an orange for breaky. Spinach salad and ?? for lunch.Lots of water so far.

Susie~I did the same things ALL last year, up and down the same 5 lb. It was more how I was feeling inside than anything else. Once I got my head staraightened out it has been slow but it is coming off.
Judy~ that sounds like such a good time. All the walking has to count for something. Glad you are on track!!
Girlie~ I am so glad you are feeling more positive. I can hear it in your words!!!
Spores~MRI, Magazine to the presses, exams...... whoosh. HUGS!! Hang in till Monday and breathe. Woohoo on the treadmill.
Jodi??? What up??

Susie:
I totally know what you mean about the weigh in. That's what I used to do when I was at Weight Watchers...and it just became this very stressful issue to me. So now I weigh myself once a week typically, and sometimes I don't. But although I have bad days and some good, I try to stay consistent throughout the week with what I eat and balance out each day. The scrambling to see results a couple days before weigh in works...but after a while, gets stressful.

Spores:
Awesome on the treadmill! I stare at the treadmill...it's like this mysterious thing to me. I'm still intimidated by it. I have heard that it is much easier to walk at a faster pace if you push the incline up...I will try that. The incline button scares me, not to mention the treadmill as a whole! There is a woman at work who has lost around 115 pounds in the past couple years. She's around my size now, and she regularly runs on the treadmill...meaning around 5.0-5.5. I get scared around 4.0! She can run for 45 minutes. If she can do it, I know I can.

Judy:
Your trip to the city sounds great! I was born in Manhattan! I haven't been back since I was 7 years old. I'd love to get back sometime! I'll be in Chicago this weekend, hanging with my good friends. I like the way you are using Curves. If it will get you back into exercising and in a routine, that will be awesome. You will be back in the "gym gym" this summer!

I'm making a veggie curry tonite for my friend. Hope it turns out well! I've been VERY lazy this week. I haven't been to the gym since Sunday. Probably can't go tonite since I'm having my friend over, but I'm making it mandatory Thursday and Friday. Hopefully I'll get lots of walking done in Chicago on Saturday, and I will hit the gym Sunday when I get back.

Talk to you soon,

Girlie

hello everyone!
sounds like we are all doing well. it has been a good week, i have been paying attention to extra veggies and water. 3 good meals a day and nothing after 7. i exercised mon and tues took today off. TOM is back for a return visit this month grrrrr. sure does explain my moods recently though. i have a gyno appt next mon and am really stressed. otherwise doing well.

holly- sorry to hear about the little boy, good for you sticking up for him though. it is tough being a kid, when you have parents that don't care it is much worse. hope it all works out for him.

girlie- have a nice visit with your friend!

mychoice- hope you get better soon!! i am with you on the 5lb problem! we can do it! need to loose it once and for all!! don't push too much at the gym if you aren't up to it!

spores- yahoo for you with the treadmill!! hope your world calms a bit!! hang in there!!

judy- sounds like you had a nice visit to the city, good for you being on track!!

hope you all have a great night!!

Hi Ya Ladies........

It's me anne, I'm back, Holly you sound marvelous! Susie hope you are feeling better. Hello Jodie and Girlie and everyone else I have not met yet.

My new job is going great and I love it. The pay and bennies are awesome. I am happy!

eh, the weight issue, um, well, I gained back to 264 but now down to 252, and moving in the right direction now. I really missed posting here and chatting with you all. I hope to get on here a few times a week. I don't have internet at home, so I have to access here at work before or after hours.

Holly, I got the WATP's CD over the weekend and started it Tuesday night. I really like it. I started taking the three flights of stairs to my office at least 3 times a day. Yes, huffing and puffing when I sit down, but that too will get better.

Glad to be back, hope its ok with you all.

Have a wonderful day.

Anne

Annie!!!! HI!!!!!

I am not sounding as great today, LOL!
This is how the morning went....it is on an upward trend right now!!
I Just sat and closed my eyes and did some yoga breathing. This is why..........I am procrastinating a bit,better get a move on. I'll continue once the lad is on the bus!
Lunches made. 4 toddlers toddling. DS is tied to a chair( kidding),super spazzy today.Whoosh! 20 min til the bus. Double whoosh!
DH is MISERABLE. His boss finally pushed him to the limit. I have been telling him for 2 months to look for another job.This guy is a knob and is disrespetful, messes up the pay.........
DH has this rule that he doesn't "quit" jobs. When the builder has no more work he moves on. He should have quit and saved us the grief. Of course, his "rules" and "stick in the mud-edness" is what makes him a good provider, husband , father....... Anyhow, he called at lunch yesterday asking me for #'s for other contacts. I went on the web and found a few leads for him last night. He was beyond grumpy, had too many beers, he was edgy this morning. ACK! Thank god I am in a good place and I can handle it for now. My limit is a few days,though. It is hard on the kids . I have explained the mood but they want happy daddy back. Can 44 year old stick in mud learn not to project his issues on others??? This would be the biggest challenge of our relationship. His head is sooo far up his *** with this that he honestly cant see it clearly. It rears its ugly head a few times a year. I must admit I hate it. It is very child-like. I use the same language and tricks with DS and DH. Bah!

I am busier with work. I am more tired out. I eat more. Gotta be aware and make better choices. I crave carbs. I did yoga twice yesterday to stretch and centre myself.
TOPs was good. my weight was the same! I have been munching at night too often. I will see a loss when I stop it!

I haven't said lately how much I appreciate all of you here!! Thanks for being your wonderful selves!!

Hi, all--

I was a little disappointed to see so much snow again today--I am more than ready for spring weather! It's a veritable winter wonderland out there today, most schools didn't open and the federal government shut down early.

I'm feeling pretty good. My food choices have been good, although not perfect. One of my co-workers (the skinny food pusher) brought in some chips from Chipolte, and found myself digging in without noticing. When I groaned and said, "I'm not supposed to be eating these," she said, cheerfully, "but they're so good!" Well, yeah...I read the posts from the woman who's gone down from 280 to a size 14 in less than a year. It reinforced to me that I must bump up my exercising. I live in an apartment building with a workout room. I don't like it much--too many mirrors, and not very charming--but I need to start visiting it, at least until the weather warms up and I can do my long walks.

Spores: Way to go on the treadmill! I used to worry about the protocol at gyms, too. But you know what? You pay good money to be there, just ask the staff or somebody whenever you have a question. This is how gyms make their money, people sign up and then are too lazy or intimidated to show up. The few times I've picked up some attitude from somebody, I remind myself that I'm not in junior high school any more, and stare 'em down or speak up. Hmmmph!

Holly: you must have a lot of patience to work with kids! I love other people's kids, as long as they go home after an hour or so :lol: Hope your hubby's situation gets better soon.

Girlie: I worked in Manhattan and lived in Brooklyn for nine years, and although I've been gone for three years, there are lots of things I actively miss anout New York. And a few things I don't, like the dirt and the sheer volume of people sometime. But I love the energy, there's no place like it!

Have a great evening, ladies! Make good choices!

judy

This is how the afternoon went.....So, I did the job search thing for DH and there is a great opportunity. He has been looking for a change for a year now. Applied for a few things,no dice. He is very skilled in a few trades.He is a monumentally hard worker. He has got to move and work with his hands. He is the WORST communicator on the planet. He has a warped sense of humour that cracks me a few others up but annoys the heck out of many.
Anyhow ,the position is for a fulltime ,with benefits, custodian/maintenance guy for a big , busy United Church in London. We are members of our local United Church. He would work on his own, not have to communicate with too many people. I am assuming church staff are better employers than pigheaded constructions workers.I dont he would be told to go F*** himself.
I emailed his resume.
So now I am pacing all through the house. I want this so badly for him. Inside work after 25 years of working outdoors in all weather, year round, way less demanding physically. It would be good for his soul. Benefits!!! Salary. He is a true hearted Christian. I feel sick with hoping!!!\
Need positive energy, hopes, wishes, fingers,toes and boobies crossed. Pleeeease!!

Judy~ YIKES skinny food pushers!! Glad you are doing well with food.Ignore the dreary workout room!! I moved from a city of 350,000 to Hamlet of 150. I must say I love. Did the city thing for 34 years.Good luck!

Jody~ you are sounding much better. What's up with the gyno?? Good thoughts coming at you!!

Girlie~ How was your visit?? How was the veggie curry??

Anne~ happy to see you back!! Glad the job is going well!!!! Good for you for getting on track and losing 12 lbs already!!!!! Keep on posting!!!

hello everyone,
i finally peeked up my head and tomorrow is friday!! THANK GOODNESS!!! i love these weeks that fly by! i have done well all week with food and extra walking. felling good about it even if the scale is not cooperating. looking forward and trying my hardest to not let myself get discouraged. gave myself a pep talk at work :-)

holly- i've got it all crossed for you!! good luck with the job hunt for DH a change might do him good! the gyno is because i have been having some problems, extra periods, pain etc. my reg dr. can't seem to pinpoint the problem so he suggested i see the gyno. i am sure it is nothing but worried none the less.

judy- good for you deciding to use the gym! be strong! i bet the chips were really good though!! i'm with you sick of the snow already! i hope spring is on the way soon!!

annie- so glad to see you!! great job on the loss so far!!! steps are great! keep up the good choices!!

hello to everone else!! hope you all have a wonderful evening!!

Hello I am 3 216 down 10.5 about 5 weeks slowely`but surly in our town we started a little group 4 people for suppor I think that is really important

sorry about that 53

Hello,
It's been a struggle for me this week. I had that stomach virus and then a headcold started. I'm coughing and coughing. I don't feel bad except for the cough. I saw my doctor yesterday; it was time for my 3 month blood draw for my thyroid. Anyway, she checked out the cough for me. She said my lungs sounded clear. She gave me some antibodicts to take if I start to feel worse. I'm trying to do without them. I had just finished a round of them for a bladder infection. I don't want to take them to often. At least with all this coughing I can tell I'm working those stomach muscles!

I had a good weigh-in last night. Down 1.50 lbs. I'm still in that range of lbs that I've been playing around with since the first of the year. My goal this week is to lose 1.50 lbs again. That way I will be under 240 and I'll be in a new set of numbers. My TOPS club has a workshop to attend on Saturday, March 5, and I want to go to that workshop weighing in the 230's. So that's my focus this week. Can you all help me keep it in mind?

Holly:I've got my fingers crossed on that job for DH. I'm happy for you that you stayed the same at the weigh-in. You sound like you know why the scales didn't move...so I'm sure you will change it and get them going in the downward direction.

Girlie: How did the interview go?

Spores: Judy gave you some great advice on the protocol at the gym. I used to be a little intimadated myself, but not anymore. Lifting weights gives a person attitude! lol

Jodi: I'm so glad it's Friday too! I hope the visit with the gyno goes well. I've had a lot of female problems, so if something comes up and you want to talk about it, feel free to pm me or mention it here. I've been through it all when it comes to the gyno thing.

Well, I must get to work. Just wanted to check-in.
I WILL TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY!

Susie