I am really happy it is Friday.
I am not usually a TGIF kind of Gal cause every day is pretty much jam packed with the same stuff. BUT I am so happy we are going no where this weekend and there are no extra kids!!!!!!!
Much puttering on the agenda. Got all our bedding washed yesterday. I need to paint every other step to the basement and then I can make the playfort. I really want to GARDEN!!!!
The turkey breast I made was just okay. It was “seasoned” and it was like those boxed chicken breast you can get. Processed. Bummer.
DS’s gymnastics meet was fantastic. He did so well. Very proud Mama here. I was fun to sit in the stands and see him interact with his peers and coach.
Kidless aft. I watched AMC and then raked for an hour. I ate a ton of fruit and veggies yesterday.
Book Club was good. Smaller group last night but interesting.

A question was asked: What are you reading right now? Favourite genre? Current trends in books?

Feel free to comment. I am curious about what other people are into!!

LOL Sandi!~ I hope I am not anoying.My cape is more than wrinkled. If you were look back you would see all the mistakes. I still make lots. I have always tried to learn and move on.I do feel like a lot of the hard peresonal has come to fruition tho. I have always been a doer too. When I was a party girl, I was the best dammed partier in the city!! LOL!!!
I have only been gardening for 5 years( since we bought this house). I really LOVE it .
Hope all goes well with the pooch!

Have a sunny day.

I'm back!

Just wanted to say Hi to everyone else!!! I have been reading but dont have much time for personals. HUGS to all you dynamic chicks!!!!!

TGIF for sure!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

Had a great day OP, drank all my water, however, didn't get exercise in yesterday. Was rainy, then was going to do WATP, however when I got home from work, I forgot the promise to DD to go baby shower shopping. Time we got home from that, I was too tuckered. Went to bed.

Sandi - great news about Maggie. She will be as good as new before you know it.

Holly - I am reading Joel Osteen's "Your Best Life Now". I just love to hear him preach, and am about halfway through the book. So many things apply to my life in that book. It is so upbeat and positive.

Everyone have a terrific weekend, stay focused.

Hugs

Annie

Good morning, everyone.

It's Friday...was so glad that I stopped at McDonalds this morning. Oh, great way to start the day...blah...I'm going to have a healthy lunch - I think I'm going to have sushi and that will balance out my day. Then softball tonite if the rain can stay away.

Going to have stir-fry with a friend tomorrow, and go around garage sales!

Sandi -
So happy to hear about Maggie! Awesome! Hope she doesn't end up needing surgery!

Annie -
Great job on staying OP this week. You are an inspiration!

Holly -
Hooray for DS! You asked about books and reading...I like a good thick novel, usually in the genre of drama or coming of age. I've been reading books by someone named Barbara Delinsky, her novels are usually about women and circumstances in their lives. There is a women's lounge here at work with a small library of novels, and several of her novels are there that I borrow.

I'm not into reading murder, mysteries, super duper romance (like Harlequinn) or conspiracy theories, etc...although I did like the book for the Firm. I have also read some Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember) and Anita Shreve (The Pilot's Wife). Those were good! I would like to read more from Joyce Carol Oates.

Debbie-
Great work with the Chinese buffet. They are so hard for me, but Dh always wants to go. I've never gotten a salad at a Chinese buffet before...you know, I'm always wanting OTHER items...I try not to get much that is fried, skip the rice and get veggies and meat.

Spores-
Wow, a week-long headache. I couldn't take it! I hope you feel much, much better.

Take care everyone!

Girlie

Debbie: Wow, you are an early riser! Good for you for making it ti Curves so regularly. Do you find that the workout is easier than it was in the beginning?

Holly: Oh, those feedbag sessions can be disheartening. I’m sure you can just put it behind you! Great question about what we’re all reading. I am in the middle of “Descarte’s Error” by Antonio Damasio – all about the nuerobiology of reason and emotion. I have been on a big neuroscience kick lately, obsessed with the brain. Also revisiting some favorite poets – Alice Notley and Jaques Roubaud.

Annie: Good for you on the italian resturant success! That’s a really good feeling to stare temptation in the face and say no. Sorry to hear about the sleeping – that can really mess up your day. Have you tried chamomile tea? An old old remedy, but it usually works for me.

Girlie: I know just what you mean about a stretch of bad food and no exercise. I know you can bounce back!

Sandi: Glad to hear your doggie is doing well. So stressful! Congrats on the A as well. That’s a great accomplishment!

Well, it’s Friday and I have not had a super week, but it has been a bit better than the last. I exercised once, which is better than nothing! I started a second job this week (at an Aveda salon...I know where my paychecks are going!), so I have been pretty swamped. Already they have added more hours to my schedule. So for the next three weeks I will be very busy with the new job and the final weeks of school. I know that the best way for me to get through this is to plan plan plan so that I don’t wind up overwhelmed and eating a bag of chips in front of the tv to relax. My BF’s parents are coming into town this weekend, so I will spend Saturday cleaning and then Sunday we will spend with them. Ugh. I am not wild about my not-in-laws (as I call them), and I kind of resent having to spend my weekend with them when I have so much to do. I’m really feeling ready to re-commit and focus on my health. These last couple weeks of slacking off have left me feeling gross and tired. So it’s time to get off my butt and make some changes!

Just trying something....

Hi, just a note to say that I'm back and think I did pretty well with food and exercise while out of town. It was nice to deal with stress, airports, temptations and time to kill without feeling out of control! Gee, I guess this is how people who don't have food issues live, imagine that!

I will read all the posts over the weekend and try to catch up.
:sunny:

Good Eve Ladies,

Well, Maggie Jane is home with us, although she came home and went straight to her kennel, and hasn't left it once. Don't know if she is happy to be home, or just worn out, or both. She still looks ill to me, but vet said to try her at home, and see if she can tolerate it? Lots of antibotics, and pedialyte. Got the IV out at 2p. I am happy, hope she can pull out of it.

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, checking in and reading these posts. It feels so good, and can really inspire, motivate, and just keep you grounded all at once. Life is good. Thank you !!

Holly-- Yep, I used to be a partier also. My DH is 7 years older than me, so I always ran with the "older" crowd, and learned how to have a good time. Although, as I have gotten older, they have really gotten "old". Now, If I can make it past midnite, I have truly accomplished something. And am quite proud of myself. LOL. My problem is we live in a very small town, (300) people, and if we go to a party, we often run into kids from the highschool, who's parents allow them to carry on like an adult, with drinking. So, It really makes for a short nite for us. I WILL not be around that, to condone it, and I don't want our friends to think it is OK.
BOOKS--hmmm, I usually have about 3 going at once. Right now, I am reading two that my son bought for me, both on Pope John Paul 11. They are truly amazing, inspiring, and thought provoking. But, I love a mindless read, so Janet Evanovich is hysterical, and brings humor into my life. Hope you have a good weekend not going anywhere. I love those too.

Annie--I am so jealous, you got to shop with your daughter. I have a son, and the only places he will go with me is a sports center, Cabella's, Scheels, or the Ski and Bike shop. You lucky dog. And for a baby gift besides. You won the lottery. Nothing better than shopping for a baby gift with girls.

Girlie--Sushi, YUM, I really wish I was closer and I would go with you to garage sales. I love them, and you just never know what you are going to find. Good luck, and happy hunting.

Spores--Oh my, you have had a hectic schedule. You really need to find some pamper time for yourself. I can relate. Usually the more hectic my schedule is, the more cranky I can become. You don't sound one bit like that. I could really learn from you. I am looking forward to school getting out on May 19, so I can focus on the classes I am taking, my family, and my other business. Teaching gets in the way of that sometimes, so I really enjoy summers.

Judy--I am impressed. You are one of the people who thinks like a "skinny" person. You didn't obsess with food, and you sounded kinda bored with the whole experience. But I bet it really felt impowering. Good for you. I have only had that experience once, This week, I had to run into the university, my DH came with and stopped at McDonalds, for a quick bite to eat. I had already eaten with my kids at school. Spinach salad, and 1/2 sand. He said, Grab a bite with me. I didn't say anything, but said OK, got to the order, and said, I'll have a diet coke. That's it. And it truly didn't bother me in the least that I didn't order one food item. I wasn't stressed about it, I wasn't trying to come up with a plan of what was the best thing to order? Just didn't want anything, and decided, Don't need it, I am full from lunch. And it worked out fine for me. SO, I do know what a psychological jump that is for us. It really is HUGE. Congrats.

Hope all have a great weekend. I am just going to be home with Maggie, and DS, and Hubby is working on race car all weekend. Going to get up early to go for a walk with a freind.

Wishing all a HUGE dose of sunshine, and some pinwheels for the kids.

Sandi

How do you get the little scale for the posts? I have tried doing it but it is so confusing.

Also impowering should be empowering. DUH.

Great post Sandi. I actually didn't eat supper tonight before gymnastics because i just wasn't hungry. I ate whe we got home and I was hungry. It felt good.

I am already trying to figure out how to use my time to it's best advantage this weekend. I had been thi king gardening but snow and rain are forcast. DD has been asking for a big girl room. I think I might switch her room for the spare room.
Totally relaxing tonight. Everyone else is asleep.

Spores~ a BIG hug for you. Prioritize the stuff you need to do. Leave the small stuff. Yikes on the not in laws. Doesn't sound fun. Take some "me" time.

Nighty night chicks!!!!

Good Afternoon,

Got up early for a walk with GF (5:30) and walked for about 45 min. Came home, started cleaning house, and just now decided to call it good. Maggie is still in kennel, although she did get up with me when I came home, and took her med's, and ate a nibble. She just wanted some company I think. I am going to try and take her for a walk tonite to see if she can get some energy back.
Need to run get a few grocery's out of all the veggies, and Jake said he wanted me to make him cupcakes. Going to buy him one at store.
Holly--Wish I lived closer to you. I would LOVE to help you with a "big girl" room. Sounds great. It is rough being the only "girl" in my house. My DH, DS, and Maggie for that matter are ALL BOY! Maggie being a tom-boy. No foo-foo here. Even our house is decorated in all boy fabric's, paper, and paint. The ONLY room I have that looks like a girl's is our formal living room. It is in pink/sage plaids, and florals. And, the boys and Maggie won't go near it. Hate it. I am just fine with that. Stays clean that way. LOL
Enjoy your weekend. I am going to scrub shower, and do some errands.
Sandi

Does anyone know how you can have this automatically attach? Or do you have to do the step everytime? This is really cool, and I like seeing everyone's weight tracker, but it really is alot of work?
Thanks

http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tra...b/0/80.2/23.8/

just seeing if this works. ;) :df:

Sandi~ I left instruvtions yesterday but must not have posted it.
Scroll up to the top for UserCP and paste it in Edit Signature.

I just unplugged the fireplace from the generator cause I was going bonkers with out journalling!!!
The hydro went out yesterday at 3ish, came on for a wee bit in the evening and has been out since. It seems to be a 50 km range. DH just went to the city for more gas for the generator.The sump pump has been going staedy so no flood.
Yesterday ROCKED. We moved the rug and 2 chairs to the basement lounge area, and a shelf unit and a bunch of toys. It looks wonderful. The kids love it!!!
WE have a few inches of snow. It has been steady since yesterday morning.
DH and the kids and I throughly cleaned the entire upstairs and we switched DD with the guest room.Windows and walls were washed.Much sweeping and vacuuming. DD’s new room is an absolute delight!!!! This is the first time in 5 years that every room upstairs is reno free and functional. I was more than exhausted when I went to bed. Between feeling excited about the house and the power outage I didn’t sleep much. Church was cancelled.

To keep me humble and not convinced I am super human, I am having a super allergy flare up from all the dust. Headache is just clearing. TG for antihistamines.
On Friday I went to the Doc for a mental health checkup. He was thrilled with the changes in me in the last few months.He is a wonderful man. I didn’t realize how crappy our old Doc was until I started with him.

I wil unplug the the computer, plug is coffee maker, and then plug the fireplace back in. I really want to do more cleaning( more like sorting things away). I have a load of stuff for the thrift shop and to put out in the dump pile.
Best make the kiddies lunch. They were bummed about missing Sunday school so I did my lesson here at the kitchen table for them.Funny.

Have a glorious day dear chicks!!!!

Holly, YOU GO GIRL. I wish I had that energy and sense of direction you have. You amaze me, and I am feeling horrible guilty that I don't do something in the office. I just may have to jump in and get going.

I am too suffering from what I think are allergy's. I have been taking Advil Cold and Allergy all day with no relief. Switching over to Claritan. Sorry to hear about the power trouble. YIKES that is awful when that happens. That is what we have to do here too.

Going to get a little nap in. I am whooped. I got up and did treadmill first thing this morning, so at least I got that in.

Happy Sunday.

Hello,
I've been missing a lot from the boards this week. I just had so much to try to catch up on. My new job is keeping me very busy. Then there is school and of course home. But who isn't busy these days?

I had a great loss at Tops on Thursday. I was down 2.5 lbs! Out of the 240's, but ladies, I've been eating today like there is no tomorrow. I've got to stop. My first step was to come here. I don't feel like anything is bothering me or that I'm trying to cover up an emotion but I can't seem to get full! Regardless I'm stoping...I will..and I am. I do not want to sabatoge my next weighin.

I did something really amazing (for me) yesterday. Our local Women's Center had a 5 mile walk. I did the walk in a snow storm! Yep, it was snowing here in Ohio. It didn't stick to the ground but it sure made everything wet. I completed the walk in 1 hr and 50 min. I raised $150 and the total raised was $35, 052. Maybe I'm hungry from all that walking?

I will be around more this week. I have to be...need to be for me.

Susie

hello chicks!
sorry i have been MIA again. doing well just very busy! trying to get the house spring cleaned, working on the yard and garden every chance i get, 2 kids in basebal. uggg just so many things going on. i slipped up a bit this week and it showed at my weigh in on saturday up 1.8. still trying hard to get used to the schedule changes etc i'll do better this week. doing my regular sunday stuff, laundry, cleaning, cooking, planning. today for some reason i am feeling very resentful about having to do it ALL myself. it doesn't usually bother me but today i really want to scream!!! oh well Cinderella must return to the laundry room hope you all have a great evening!

Good morning everyone,
I've had a couple of great days. I made it to curves sat, making it 4x times last week. I've did great sat on food. Yesterday I ate too much at dinner. BBQ
chicken, spuds and homemade creamstyle corn. At least I had a salad with it. I let the guys decide what we were having. I plan to go to curves when they open. Then I am going to with a friend to get his motorcycle license. This state is goofy If you have a learners permit you can ride as long as someone with a m/c licenses is following you in a car. Hes been riding without a license for years. but I have to follow him to take the test. They will check to make sure there is a license rider and give him a ticket if there not one with him.
Sounds like everyone had a good weekend. Snow and all.

Holly: You always make the best of every situation.. Hope allergies are doing better.

Jodi: I know what you mean. Being the only girl I don't get a lot of help around the house. Dh works 12 hr days and usually 6 days a week so I really don't expect him to do anything except pickup after his self. Ds1 will help. He does the mowing ect, but ds2 won't do much. He is like my handyman. He does all our home repairs. Other than that it's hard to get him to keep his room clean and laundry done. you can forget asking to get the trash carried out or help with the dishes.

Susie: CONGRATES.. Great loss. Glad to hear you are doing well.

Judy: Glad your trip went well and you made it back safely.

Spores: How was your weekend?

Sandi: I hope maggie is getting her energy back.

I'm sitting here in my robe. I better go get my shower and get ready.

Everyone have a great day!!

What do your rooms say about you??? You gotta try this!!!!

I did an “exercise” a few months back where you sit in each room and describe what you see and feel. Then you replace the"room" with “I am” for a good look at yourself.
at the time it showed me that I was in better shape psychologically/emotionally than I thought but it also showed me where I needed to do some work.
I thought about this again last night. Everyone was in bed by 9. I wandered around my home. For the first time in 5 1/2 years. EVERY room in our house is CLEAN all at once and all of our belonging have a proper place. I am sooo excited by this.

We knew it would take 5-10 years to get this house in a good place. But living through the day to day in hard sometimes. There has always been at least 1 room under construction or full of stuff meant for other places etc.
With all the purging of “stuff” DH and I have been doing there is now a home for the few things we have left that are keepsakes. Each of us have only our own belongings in our closet.There are coats in the back hall closet...........
The kids have been playing a LOT in the basement!!! Which creates more peace if you want to just sit in the livingroom and watch the tube.
I am going to paint the livingroom soon. I picked a colour called garlic bud and that is what it looks like. With the light wood furniture and cream curtains it will be very Zen.

The “ exercise” April 2005: Our room- warm,cozy,soft,comfortable,very me
DD room- light,airy,fresh; DS room-cozy,safe, memories; spare room- country chic, old fashioned, cozy, gentle; bathroom- 1/2 done
computer room- light,bright,family,comfy; diningroom-bright,clean, warm ; kitchen- busy; livingroom-almost a grown up space; toyroom- bright, cheerful,sunny, fun,crafty;basement- fun,exciting, invigorating,sporty

These adjectives are a HUGE change from a few months ago. I feel so excited. I am not sure I believed it was possible to feel like this. I am absolutely certain of who I am and where I am headed for the next while.I am confident.
The old adjectives were a “lot of clutter, unfinished,dark,choas, nothing is mine”......

woohoooooo!!!

Judy: Glad you had a good trip. Good to see you back!

Sandi: Glad your dog is home and doing better. What do you teach? I too am dying for summer to get here! I don’t think students realize that teachers look forward to the break as much as they do!

Holly: Ha, cute new avatar. The not-in-laws were better behaved than usual and only stayed for five hours (instead of the usual intolerable all day and evening!). Yikes, no power, that must be hard! Hope you are staying warm. Ugh, allergies are the worst. I have been using some saline nasal wash I got from my doctor, and it helps a lot. Washes the dust and gunk out of the sinuses so it doesn’t just sit there making me miserable. Wow, cool rooms exercise. I am afraid that if I try it i will discover that “I am” in desperate need of cleaning! That is so cool how we are so connected to our spaces. I am very affected by my environment. I am going to try the exercise this week.

Susie: Wow, congratulations on the 5K! In the snow! What an accomplishment.

Jodi: I know what you mean about having too much going on. Jut take it one thing at a time and don’t forget to make time for you. The world won’t end if it doesnt all get clean!

Debbie: Mmmm, bbq is one of my weaknesses. Sounds like you were sensible about it, though. Keep up the awesome exercise; I am so impressed at how well you are doing with Curves! So inspiring.

Well, not a great week, but not horrible. I was down 2 lbs when I weighed this morning, but sinceI only worked out once last week and did poorly on food, I am kind of chalking that up to water loss. But it is still a nice way to start the week. These next two weeks are going to be crazy (finals and final grades at school, extra shifts at the salon, BF’s birthday), and I know that whenm I get busy I neglect diet and exercise. So I spent some time yesterday scheduling my days and planning my meals. That helps me feel less overwhelmed. I am reminding myself that exercise is MY TIME to relax and stop obsessing about work, and I deserve that time.

Hope everyone’s Monday is going well and we are all starting off on a great week!

Spores:
You'll have to tell me how the weekend went with the not-so-in-laws! :) Hey, if anything at least your place will be all spiffied up for the week while it lasts! That's the one thing about when I have to do a big cleaning...at least it's done for a while.

Judy:
Great job staying OP during your trip! It's very hard to do, to remember your goals when you are outside of your typical environment.

Sandi:
Hope Maggie Jane is doing better. And good for you for not condoning the underage drinking and such. That is a big pet peeve of ours too. I mean, I did it when I was younger, but I couldn't allow my children or any others to just get by with it right in front of my face. So what is ND like? DH has this dream of moving there, owning land and some animals! It sounds...scary to me...having grown up in NYC and Philadelphia!!!

Holly:
DD's room sounded fun! I remember when I was 11, I wanted to change my room...I asked my father for a room-makeover, I wanted the colors pink and pistachio! Brings back memories. I never got it, but I wouldn't have liked it very long because I turned into a tomboy! Weird to think it could be snowing right now...though it's been quite chilly around here this week.

Susie:
The five mile walk sounded fun!!! And it was for a good cause. Definitely, the exercise will boost your appetite. I know when I do race for the cure (the 5K walk), I'm starving afterward!

Debbie:
Your dinner sounds good - but you've been doing the exercise, so I'm sure it won't impact you!

---
I had an enjoyable weekend. Got up early on Saturday (to me, EARLY is 9am!) and met a friend to go through some garage sales. I didn't spend over $7...but got some stuff for one of my nephews, a shirt for DH and some candles for the house. I met another friend for lunch that afternoon and hung out with DH for the remainder of the day.

Sunday, we totally slept in and I went to the gym but didn't weight myself - been eating too much this weekend - and went to a BBQ restaurant, to a softball game, and then to church...then grocery shopping and made dinner and watched Grey's Anatomy before bed.

Oh - Friday night I got rid of 3 trash bags of clothes and about a dozen pairs of shoes. I still have a drawer and a tub of clothes to go through. I finally got rid of tons of stuff and it feels good to have it off of my back.

My goal for the rest of the year is not to buy a bunch of clothes that I'm only going to wear once. I waste so much money that way on these spontaneous purchases.

Talk to everyone later!

Girlie

Good Morning and Happy Monday!!

Sounds like everyone's week is starting off well....

Sandi - Glad to hear that Maggie is home and trying to feel better.

Judy - Great job on staying OP while traveling. It is so hard when we stop at gas stations, not to just by junk to munch on.

Susie - Whew Whooo. down 2.5, congrats! and the 5K walk, you go girl!

Spores - Goodluck on the finals. My daughter is taking her finals this week also. Her study habits stink tho, and she is boy crazy, which doesn't help her focus much.

Holly - the painting reminds me when I was 7 and my brother was 12, we had to share a room, so every couple of years we each got to pick the next color for our room was to be painted. This one year I picked HOT PINK, and my brother had to suffer for two years, then it was his turn for revenge, his color choice was DEEP OLIVE GREEN. OMG, I felt like I was living in a dungeon. hahaha Neither of us has forgotten that.

Friday night, didn't do much, stayed OP. Saturday, worked at Kohl's for 8 hours, was long day and was somewhat tired Sat night. Stayed OP but have not walked, the weather has literally stunk for the past few days, and doesn't look like it is going to get much better the rest of the week. Sunday was not too bad, I did go to the baby shower. Didn't eat any sweets or cake, but had more than my share of cheeseball and crackers. I am a sucker for cheese of any form. It is like chocolate to most others. Then I got home and my son had made spaghetti for dinner. There goes the no pasta for TOPS this week. I will owe 50 cents for eating pasta. I couldn't tell him no as he was really proud of his spaghetti accomplishment. (He is 16, and does cook great!) However, back on track today, ate Heart Smart Kashi cereal for breakie, then had a lean cuisine for lunch. No walking in today, it is too cold out there. I know, excuses. Maybe will do WATP tonight.

Must get busy, stay focused.

Annie

Buy junk food, not by junk food, DUH, blondie here.

Annie: Sounds like you're doing great. Hard to turn down food when loved ones make it special. My BF checks with me before he cooks now to see what I'm eating since so often I am eliminating this or that.

Lookee, I am posting twice in one day. I had a great day and wanted to share. Did my exercise, cooked a healthy dinner and actually enjoyed it. Bypassed the doughnuts in the fridge (BF leftovers) all day long. I'm feeling positive about the whole shebang. Here's to a good start to the week! Hope everybody's doing well.

Good Morning all.....

Just wanted to say hidie ho. TOPS tonight, I feel good about it. Altho I had a little bit of a slip up on eating last night, and no walking. Was too pooped to get in gear.

Will check in later, have to get busy this morning, and its way too early.

Hugs

Annie

Good morning! Here's a quick attempt to catch up on the posts:

Spores, hooray for having a great day! I call those "gold star" days, and literally put a gold star on that page of my food journal if I feel that I did an outstanding job being OP.

Annie--I'm on a low-carb diet, and I guess spaghetti wouldn't be my meal of choice, either, as much as I love it! Tomorrow I'm going to a good-bye potluck dinner at one of my colleague's homes. She's already informed us that she's making a vegetarian pasta salad. So when I said that I was bringing seafood burgers (which I already made and froze last Saturday), she looked surprised, clearly thinking that a big protein-free bowl of carbohydrates would be the main dish....so I will have a spoon of the pasta, and know that at least there will be one or two other things I can fill up on.

Holly, thanks for sharing the visualization exercise. My apartment and my office have been exceptionally messy for weeks now, totally reflecting the pace of my life and my lack of control over my time. I will do the exercise later today, and see what's in my mind's eye.

Sandi, I have been anxiously following Maggie Jane's progress. I hope that you are feeling better, too.

Susie, congratulations on the 2.5 lb. loss! I managed to lose two pounds last week, much to my astonishment. I don't know for sure, but I think you are so 'hungry' because your body is shifting in response, trying to get those pounds back and maintain its equilibrium. Hang in there! And you have my admiration for completing the Snow-a-thon!

Jodi, Girlie and Debbie, I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Almost time to hop in the shower and head off to the first of three doctor's appointments today. I did want to respond to the book query. Like Sanid, I usually have three going at the same time. I'm reading Jeffrey Eugenides' novel "Middlesex," which I'm really enjoying. I'm also reading a book on American social justice movements called "Reluctant Reformers." And I'm nearly finished with a book by Julia Griggs Havey called "Awaken the Diet Within." She lost 130 pounds, and writes for Ediets. The first little bit of the book is about her personal story, and a little melodramatic, but the bulk of the book is really helpful, I think, very down-to-earth practical advice that's more about mental focus and behavior modification than trying to sell a specific eating plan. I highly recommend it!

Okay, time to go get poked, prodded and scanned.

Be well, everybody!

judy

GOOOOD MORNING EVERYONE,
When I weighed at curves last week during the food group meeting. The scale didn't move. I knew I was retaining water, so I didn't stress too much over it. I made sure I drank all my water and watched my sodium last week. It really paid off I was DOWN...
8LBS.!! I pray at least some of it was fat.
Yesterday I ate my yogurt b-fast. I had 2 sm leftover BBQ chicken thighs and a small salad for lunch. Mid-afternoon I ate apple slices with p-butter. Dinner was a stuffed bell pepper, a few pieces of fried yellow squash and a lrg salad.
Spores: CONGRATS ON A 2lb loss. Good job passing up the donut. I'm not sure I could have. LOVE them.

Annie: I too have trouble passing up any cheese snack. I can turn down a sweet but cheese is a my weakness. I buy the bags of string cheese for snacks.

Girlie: I tell dh that going to yard sales is great exercise. This w-end I found dgs some shorts. He is growing like a weed. He's 8 and wears a size 10. All legs.
I have such a bad body self image that I don't feel good in any of my clothes. I just buy what I really have to have. I'll try on some beautiful clothes and hate how they look on me. I just stick to my jeans and t-shirts. I really pray that I can change that.
It must have been exciting growing up in nyc and philly.

Holly: What do my rooms say about me??
A real junk collector. Over the years I have collected 303 shot glasses. A few years ago we built a bar to display them and my steins ect. You would think we are drunks. Funny I've had 1 marguarita and 2 glasses of wine since new years. and dh hasn't had over a couple of beer's. Maybe time to remodel But I don't want to part with the glasses. They all have memories.

Everyone have a blessed day

Judy: we must have been posting at the same time. CONGRATS ON THE 2LB LOSS.
The seafod burgers sound good and I like the fact they can be made ahead of time and frozen. If you have a chance I would love that recipe.
Good luck with your 3 dr appts.

Hello,
I've decided that I don't care how busy things are in my life, losing this weight is important to me and it's my priority, so I'll be here once a day, every day.

I got up and did my ab work this morning and I've got my workout bag packed for a lunch time workout. Not only do I want to lose the weight, but to feel good, and working out makes me feel good.

I also wrote in my journal this morning. I know I need to do it then or it doesn't get done. I wrote about how on the weekends I get out of control and I use food to comfort me. I decided that when I want to use food for that I will:

1. Acknowledge that I'm seeking comfort
2. Recite the TOPS pledge
3. Use the time that I would have used to binge to get some of those things done that I'm feeling overwhelmed with.

Debbie: What a great loss! Doesn't it feel great. I think that with losing weight and trying on different clothes you can overcome the bad body image. Keep working at it

Holly: I didn't do the room exercise, but I'm planning to in the near future. I think it's great to visualize.

Jodi: You sound busy! Glad to see you getting here and posting.

Judi:Hope the appts. went well. That's one way to get them over with..do it all in one day.

Spores: Celebrate all those little success..they add up

Girlie: Great goal with the clothes. I find myself doing that also.

Annie: Sounds like you are doing well. Keep up the good work.

I'm sure I forgot someone..but I need to get to work. I've got to stay caught up on all areas of my life, or I'll feel overwhelmed. So everything in it's time and place...got to run....

Susie

I have been super tired since Sun night. Yesterday was nice. Took 3 kids to storytime and 2 went home at noon and then I took 1 kid to walmart for a couple of hours.3 big kids came home. They played in the basement. DD had dance. Put the monkeys to bed and watched 24. Went to bed myself. Had a great sleep but it feels like I could sleep til noon. I am reading Clara Callan by Richard B Wright. Highly acclaimed.
7 kids all day today. 3 of them nap!

Today is the first anniversary of Ben’s death. We are going to his home for dinner with another family, S and the boys. I am making a ground beef, mexican casserole.

Not much going on. I have been getting a headache late aft. Might be allergies or the weather changes. The snow has melted off the beds and I still have daffodils.

I need to get groceries for tonight. I might have to transport 7 kids and do it. YIKES!!

HUGS chicks!!!!!!

Good morning everyone!

I started the day with leftover fried chicken from popeye's. So I'll have my breakfast for lunch and make it better.

Feeling bloated and tired...duh...sure the chicken didn't help. We learn from our mistakes.

Haven't been sleeping well at night. Back has been hurting and I can't get comfortable no matter what I do. I think my back muscles are getting weak. It goes away when I'm exercising very regularly like I was doing a month or so ago. Plan on gym tonite. I have told myself every other day...because every day I think, "will I exercise today?".

Talk to you later!

Girlie

PS- how do you make the mexican casserole?

Mexican Casserole ( not diet friendly)
1 pkge velveeta cheese
1 lb browned ground beef
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes, liquid squeezed out
layer in casserole dish
bake covered at 350, for 45 min
stir, top with grated cheddar, serve with nacho chips( I use scoops)

Spores~ happy to hear you sounding positive!!!!!!! Yay!! for your success.
BTW I love goats, keep thinking I might get a pet one. We have room and a shed for a small petting zoo.
Annie~there were lots of early birds today!! Hope your weigh in is a good one!!!!
Judy~ hope all the test go well. Did I miss what they are for? I hope all is well. You sound great!!
Debbie!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yowza!!!! All that working out is paying off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Girlie~ drink lots of water!!!
Susie~ Every day is like a weekend for me because i am always here with the same piles of stuff in front of me. I am trying really hard to keep the house picked up since it is in such good shape right now.
DH asked what i would do with myself when renos and decorating are done. HMMMMM......go for walks, read, walk, read some more, garden.....walk!
In my journal people commented about my "home" being nice. The point seemed to be missed that "I" was doing nicely.Cause a few months back neither the home or I was in good shape.I keeep going back to the Gary Zukav thing about asking myself before I eat something it is for my highest good to eat this food.HUGS!
Jodster~ HI!

Judy: Oooh, gold stars. I am a sucker for stickers. Maybe I will try that! Thanks for the book recommendation – that sounds like a good one.

Debbie: wow, 8 pounds! Good for you! All you rhard work is really paying off.

Susie: Good for you! Sounds like you are really making a great commitment. I love your strategy for dealing with emotional eating. Keep it up!

Holly: Sorry to hear this is a sad day for you. Wishing you some peace.

Girlie: Oh, back problems are the pits. Hope the exercise helps!

Well, today is going well so far. I am stressed because a student from last semester is appealing her grade, and it is turning into a big messy annoying accusatory thing. Makes me feel angry and under fire. So my goal is to not eat in response to it. I need better ways to deal with stress than junk food. Maybe I’ll try journaling. Also, I ran out of pages in my food journal, so I have not been writing down my meals today. But I’m sticking to the meal plan I made, so I think I’m doing all right. One day at a time.

hello chicks!
it is raining and chilly and i am wishing there was a little more sun! doing very well with the food. today i had an interesting thought. for the first time in a very long time i feel like i am taking care of myself. like the way i have been eating is good and nurturing and not a punishment. this is a very big deal to me because i always seem to feel deprived in some way when i am eating fruit and veggies. like i was missing out on something "good" does anyone know what i mean? could this be the turning point here? i hope so, i have been just sort of hanging out for a long while gaining and loosing the same 5 lbs. giving myself "treats" for a job well done that ended up turning into binges. i really want to be a healthy person. i really want to take the best care of myself, i have done a really good job for 3 weeks now. i hope this is finally becoming a habit! well enough about me!

holly- hope the dinner goes well, i know this is a sad time for you and your friends. ((((holly))))

mychoice, debbie, judy, annie and anyone else that lost CONGRATS!! wonderful job keep it going!!

spores- good for you not eating in response to the stress! you can do it!!!

girlie- hope your back gets better soon! nothing worse than a bad back ache! take care of yourself!!
hello sandi and anyone else i missed!! hope you wonderful chicks have a great evening!!

Good Morning,
I had another op day yesterday. When I had my yogurt I put some flax meal in it. It didn't change the taste, still good. I had a grapefruit mid-morn. Had a leftover stuffed pepper and a lg salad for lunch. Then afternoon snack was a apple with p-butter. Dinner was 1 measured cup of homemade chili. The amount is better. I am using a lot of spinach in my salads for more nutrients. Having same b-fast today taking a chicken wrap and orange for lunch. having a crockpot roast for dinner. Going to curves today before work. Everything at home is very routine. The same old, same.

Jodie: I truly know what you mean. I also pray that these changes will become a habit. At 50 I'm not nearly as worried about my looks as I am my health. I am not on any meds nor do I have any health problems, and I want to keep it that way.

Spores: One day at a time is truly the way..Hugs to you

Girlie: Hope back gets better. be careful at the gym and don't overdo. stretch good first.

Holly: recipe sound good I saved it to try on my family

Sandi, Judy, susie and anyone I missed
Hellloooo

Got to get ready.
Bright sunshine and big hugs to all

HI!

Yesterday was really nice. More nostalgic than sad. S's 3 best friends and another family and us were al there. The same people who pulled together after the accident. My kids were extremely well behaved(?? ya just never know) and we had a great dinner of chicken fajitas and my casserole. I had a few glasses of wine. it was all just very nice. Positive. Warm.Loving.

Yesterday really tried my resolve. I did ok with the food. I did have a candy bar but that was because I was so hungry and I had to stay for a late night employee meeting, then go to Accounting class. I just didn't think I could go that long without something and with my limited food choices (due to my IC), I choose a Payday candy bar and a water.

I'm really upset with my job. I'm frustrated because every situation is different and I don't know what to do in so many circumstances. I've talked to my boss about that and he says that's just the way it is and you have to just shoot from the hip. Well, when I do that, he tells me that's not the way it should have been done. Go figure! I'll keep trying though...I have to...I have bills to pay you know!

I better get to work.
Susie

What is PLEASURABLE besides eating???? Painterwoman asked this in the journals.

Late night for our kids.They slept til 7:30 but have school today. I hope they are not too grumpy.
i just have 2 little guys all day. I am still feeling peaceful.
There are mountains of laundry to do and the kitchen fairy has not been appearing over night. Must speak to her( or HIM). I am tired of washing the pots and pans for some reason. Today I will get the kitchen spic and span.


Painterwoman’s post got me thinking about what I would do instead of eating.I realized i was thinking of the things I did before I was a wife and mother and gained 40 lbs. AHA! There is not really time or space for me to do the things i love but there is time and space to make a glorious multi layered fatty sandwich and sit in front of the tube yet be available for the kids.
With the basement finished( almost) and the kids are a bit older maybe it is feasable to set up a craft/painting/photo album spot somewhere for me to get at and work on. Hmmmmmmm.......

I had 3 glasses of wine last night and dessert. It was good and I dont feel I over did it. It was part of the celebration.
I need to think about breakfast and tidying the darn kitchen.

Susie~ how frustrating for you!! GRRRRRR.
Debbie, Jodi~ you both sound like you are in a wonderful groove!!!!!!!!!

HUGS to all!!!!!!

Oooh...I think I'm making post 2000!

My back is feeling better, thanks all. I went home last night and CRASHED by 5.30p. I woke up at 8.30p surrounded by my snoozing cats. I got up, had a little dinner (leftover tater tot casserole) and went out with DH to run errands like the post office and Wal Mart like we should have done earlier. We didn't get home until 10.30p. I wasn't totally tired, and we watched a bit of TV before I fell asleep. DH gave me a nice back rub too, and that helped immensely.

It's so weird...when I go home from work and crash like that, I tend to sleep better during a nap like that than when I sleep at night. Why?

Holly:
Glad your dinner went well and that you feel peaceful.

Jodi:
I feel the same way you do, about eating veggies and healthy stuff...I feel like - what am I missing?

Susie:
I'm sorry about the job situation. There's nothing more frustrating with being confused and stressed all day and wanting to come home and relax...for me, typically with food.

Debbie:
You sound so great and OP!!!! Send some of those vibes my way!

Spores:
Very stressful situation! It would be hard for me...I wouldn't be able to help but think that things like grade appeals were very personal accusations...

Talk to you all later.

Girlie

Jodi: Wow, that is such a great point to come to, when you really start feeling that eating healthy is a nurturing thing and not deprivation. What a great feeling! I am really glad to hear it. We spend so much time thinking about our exercise and eating habits that sometimes we neglect our thought patterns. Sounds like you have made a huge leap in that area!

Debbie: Sounds like you are doing great on plan. Can you tell us more about the flax seed? What benefits does it have? Is it anything like wheat germ?

Holly: Glad yesterday was a peaceful and healing day for you. What is pleasurable besides eating? Great question! I am going to think of this in two categories: intellectual/emotional and body-based, because it seems to me that food is pleasurable in those two ways. So in the intellectual/emotional category: reading, going to theatre, acting, watching birds hop around, drawing. In the body-based category: dancing, sex, getting a pedicure, wearing really soft fabric. It’s funny, when I think about it: so often I eat instead of doing these other things that are equally pleasurable. Hmm, something to ponder.

Susie: Ugh, work stress can be the pits. Sounds like you made a reasonable decision with the options you had. It’s so hard to be flexible when life does not go according to plan!

Girlie: Glad your back is feeling better. Sleeping can be so weird; I have heard that a regular sleep cycle helps with weight loss, but I don’t know much about it. Yeah, the appeal thing is feeling very personal, partly because I am just sensitive, and partly because the student is taking a rather hostile tone. I am trying to just brush it off and remember that it’s not about me, it’s about her not doing her work and then whining about the consequences. I just don’t want to eat in response; I don’t want another person to have that much control over my life!

Today will be a little bit hectic, so I am hoping to stay on plan despite the busyness. The biggest challenge will be getting my exercise in. I am going to promise myself an episode of Monty Python while I walk – that should be good incentive!