Hi Everyone,
It sure is HOT here in Ohio. I took my workout inside last night at the Y. The treadmills are in front of the fans so that was my choice. I also went and did weights in the empty areobic room (the weight room was very hot with all those sweaty people!) I used the exercise ball as my bench and I got a core workout as well.

I have personally set up for myself a Labor Day Challenge. Anyone want to join in with me? My challenge is to loose 10 lbs by Labor Day. I'm challenging myself to 5-6 days a week working out and for this challenge I will keep my calories around 1,500. I'm going to start logging them in fitday again.

Some of you asked about TOPS. TOPS stands for Take off Pounds Sensibly. They are a weight loss support group. They have been around since 1948. For me it gives me weekly acountability and it's very economical for me. I enjoy it and believe in it so when they asked me to be an Area Captain I accpeted. I thought that it would help me to get my weight off so I can lead by example.

I must get to work. Have a great day everyone. Stay on plan!
Susie

Hi Ladies,

I'm so proud of myself...I'm still sticking to my diet (or rather sensible eating plan) of 1200-1600 calories per day. My scales don't agree with my doctor's, so I'm going to change my signature to reflect my home scales... so don't think I'm cheating. When I started about 8 or 9 days ago I was at about 214 and now I'm at 210, so I've lost 4 lbs. Whoopie!!!

However, I have been a slug about exercising. Didn't go to the Y, nor have I walked since it's been in the 90s. I'll try to make time tomorrow to get in at least 45 minutes on the treadmill, plus some weights.

Susie, I'll join you on your 10 lbs. by Labor Day Challenge. Anyone else?

Stay cool and motivated!

Joan

Hello Ladies..........

Went to St. Louis for the weekend, sat by the pool and drank margaritas. What an enjoyable time.

How's everyone doing?

Holly, where are you chick, I so look forward to your posts.

Joan, I am from the Indy area also. I am going to PM you after this post. Keep up the good work, you are doing great.

Susie, it is hotter than 3 kinds of h*ll here too. You sound great and striving in the right direction. Good job.

Hello to everyone else. Where is everyone? Girlie...??

Sometimes I don't post when I am bad and fall off the wagon, but if you think about it, this is the time we need each other most.

Hope everyone has a sweet day.

(((Hugs)))

Same old same old for me. Spend time with my family of origin, feel like crap about myself ,over eat..... work my butt off , get no help or respect........you ladies have heard it all too many times I am sure.Very bust with daycare and Avon, allergies are brutal. I am deeply tired. Ready for a change of pace in Sept.
Having a big todo with a parent. Their son has been wild, I have had complaints, let them know it needs to change, now they are all up in arms blaming my DS for everything. Just may be letting them go.
Had a family reunion with Mom's side on Sat. It always takes me to an icky place emotionally.
No plans but yard work all weekend!!!!!
Friend from Japan will be here the following weekend. Must pull weeds.
This weather has been way too hot for yard work but the weeds LOVE it.
My kids are at a bday party, then they have swimming lessons.
I am ready for back to school. Not for my own kids but the extras.

I am as fat as ever but have started back to my yoga class.

HUGS!!!!!

Parent just showed up with the troubled boy. They have made a commitment to bring him here consistantly and to not get upset when I need to talk to them. I told her that Hubby and the kids and I would rather be friends with all of them than have a business relationship and not be friends. We will see.
Part of the issue is that he was scheduled to be here full days all summer long and has ended up going to Grandma’s or they have taken holidays and he has only been here 7 half days total.The kid needs structure. AND i am out $1200 income.

On to happier things......... hubby had message about the cabinet maker job; called back about the job and left a message there.
It is 16C/61F out right now!!!!!!!!wooooooooooohooooooooooooooo Clear, sunny, low humidity!!!!!!!!! Garden here i come!!!!!!!! 5 kids til 1 pm. Then my 2 have swimming at 4.

The house is reasonably tidy. Feel okay to putter in the dirt.It will be cool enough for the kids to be outside today too!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and I lost 1.2 lbs!!

I must recant about not getting any support or help. I am getting some which is much nicer than none.That has changed a lot in the last few months.Particularily with hubby but also DS. He goes out of his way to tidy up and help. DD is only 5, working on her.

My mom is oblivious, even when others question her or point it out, like some cousins last weekend. She was bragging about all the theatre and travel she and sis have been doing. One cuz asked why didn't Hollyhock go. Mom replied, oh, she is too poor to do theatre. Cuz stood up for me. I calmly said. I just wasn't invited to go. End of convo.

Again, hubby is supportive.Not complaining at all!!!
If he lands this job it would 1) change our income status by doubling it!! 2) build his self esteem in a huge way. It is a shop manager position. He can do it. He needs to believe. Lots of me telling him he CAN do it and I believe in him.

HUGS!!!

((((((((HUGS in multitude Holly)))))))))))

Have a great weekend ALL!!!

Hi Everyone,

Hope you all have a great weekend. This is going to be my first real challenge since getting serious. Our family is renting a boat and I'll be surrounded by snacks all weekend. When we go out to eat I plan to have fish...but hope I can resist cheese, wine coolers & beer, Wheat Thins (my biggest temptation), candy, etc. throughout the day.

And don't even get me started about my bathing suit anxiety. I toyed with buying a new suit, but hate to pay that much when I'm positive I'll be much thinner next year. Plus, there's no ruffle or skirt long enough to really hide my thighs (sigh!). So I'll try to look confident and stay hidden in my cover-up. Wish me luck.

Hollyhock: Hope your hubby gets the job! Sounds like your life is hectic!
Annie: Got your message and once I return from our long weekend we can talk. Glad to know there's someone nearby on this forum.
Susie: I added your 10 lb. Labor Day Challenge goal to my signature. I'll have to get my body moving to meet the challenge!
Stevi: Hope you're doin' ok.

Cheers, Joan

Hubby didn't get the interview. Not enough inside experience.

There was a posting for a parttime library job. I would love it. I can do it too if hubby would do all the house work, laundry etc here. He keeps telling me I dont need another job. um , well, some one here does......cost of living goes up in leaps and bounds or income does not....we lose everything we have worked for...................if our living expenses keep going up $200/month each year like they have for the last 4 years we wont make it.

I so wish I had a windmill and solar power and a hydrogen car.

Hello All,

Saturday afternoon, grilled out for me and my son. He is going to football camp Monday morning and won't be back till Thursday night. His practices have been from 7:30-2:00 pm. He is tired and worn out after. The hot weather and humidity are awful.

Holly-Stay positive, it will all work out. You work so hard, God love ya, you need a break.

Susie-how you doing? Where are you?

Joan-Hope you have fun on your weekend and enjoy yourself. I look forward to chatting with you.

Hi Ellen -hope your weekend is a good one!

Hi Stevi...

Weight is not moving up or down. Exercising is not happening either. This week will be much better.

Have a marvy Sunday all.

(((Hugs)))

I am new here! Racing to get to 199 too. I am currently at 239, so 40 lbs to go. Hoping to get there very soon.

DD was the first one up(usually the last) and the boys are both sleeping still. I had coffee out on my porch swing.Not too hot,not too buggy,not too wet.............just right!!
I tried to watch the 2nd Trading Spaces last night but fell asleep. A great rest!!! I woke with a todo list forming in my head...ha....dont have to go anywhere or have any rugrats coming here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Same for tomorrow.

I got 6 hours of yard work done out front yesterday. About 2 hours more and it is all done(out front, 3 more sides to the house)!!Feels so delightful to be in the dirt.

Hello Ladies,
Having a pretty good weekend. Went to dinner with my Dad on Friday night...We haven't seen each other in person for nearly 6 months (talk on the Phone). Last time I saw him was right after DS#2 birth and nearly 50lbs ago....The look on his face was priceless. I could tell he was proud but wasn't making a big deal about it. I ate Honey shrimp and white rice, not the end of the world as I saved up my calories but not fabulous after two glasses of Chardonnay. Saturday had a B-day party but no big deal...I had a courtesy bite of cake and nearly died...Boy that stuff is sweeeet. No exercise yesterday but did good on Friday. I'm good to go out today with out the baby so I can be free and run more. The stroller kinda bogs you down. I'll weigh tomorrow to see if there is any damage.
Holly~ Glad your out in the dirt! I feel ya on the DH job thing. Mine is on the bottom of the pay band doing the exact same job as 7 other men but because his tenure is short, due to his rapid promotion...3 in 2 1/2 years, he gets screwed. Thats no way to reward ambition if you ask me. Your a trouper! Keep on keepin' on!!
Joan~ I'm a thigh girl as well...Last measure was 28" at the largest point...And thats down 3"!!! My waist is but 33". All butt and legs. I don't even bother with bathing suit bottoms. I usually wear a pair of mens board shorts.....in a black print. Your doin' great, keep it up!
Susie~ Congrats on the TOPS captainship! Thats very coool!
Annie~ Sorry about the heat...Its beautiful here (like that helps you at all) When the weather doesn't permit I go to the gym, but I perfer to be out doors to exercise.
Everyone else have a great rest of the weekend and stay beautiful!!

Hello ladies

Just a quick hi. Only lost 2ozs this week but better than nothing! lol Bad week this week as today is 10th anniversary of my mum passing away so I've been very melancholy and thoughtful (and tearful).

Will catch up with you all later in the week.

Have a great week everyone.

Love n hugs

Sarah

Hello,
I thought I posted last week but I didn't see anything; hmmmm wonder where it went. Oh well. I'm here now.

I stayed the same last week. There are some weeks that I would be happy for that but since I really want 10 lbs off before I step on that cruise ship in just 31 days I wasn't happy with it at all. So what did I do about it? I fed my "frustrated desire". Yep...instead of kicking it up, I kicked myself into a feeding frenzy. I finally ate so much ice cream yesterday that I'm feeling sick today. I think I needed to do that so that I would stop.

It's like I "woke" up this morning. I don't like feeling like this. Not mentally, or physically and I think I'm finally really ready to dosomething about it. Does that make sense?

I know that this feeling I have won't last forever but my resolve will. I'm going to do it this time. I'm so tired of being fat! I'm too pretty to be fat, I'm
too smart to be fat I deserve to not be held back in life. I'm going for it!

Holly: I'm sorry to hear about DH and the non-interview. I can empathize about the money thing. We are dealing with that in my house too.


Sarah: Hey girl, a loss is a loss. Celebrate it! I understand the melancholy and thoughtful (and tearful) feeling you are going through. I do that around the time of my dad's passing as well. Just remember that you can feel that way without comforting yourself with food. The food won't make it feel anybetter. Here's a ((((hug))) for you.

Stevi: Doesn't it feel good when people see how much you have lost and comment on it? I think you handled the food at the dinner in a positive way. Good job!

Kreen: Welcome to the Race!

Annie: What are your exercise plans for the week? I bet if you get some in you will see that weight move down!

Joan: How did you did with the weekend boat trip? I need to add another tracker too. Maybe I'll get that done today. I'm excited that you joined the challenge with me. I needed a buddy!

Ok..got to get busy at work. Talk to everyone later!
Susie