Good morning everyone,
I knew that it was important for me to get here early this morning. It seems lately that I've been running around at a hetic pace and I know that I need to take control of my time instead of letting my time control me or I'm going to end up in trouble!

It's a rainy day here in Ohio. My head is pounding because of it. Just got to love living in "Sinus Ohio"! lol

I had a great workout last night. I really got into it and focused on how good it felt to work my body; it really cleared my mind.

I've got a nice lunch packed. That's part of my "controling my time" issue. I've been grabbing whatever I can find and it's not been the best choices. Today I choose to make the best choices.

Nan: It's good to see you back and I can relate to the hetic part of your life!

Hevron: It can be frustrating to have an injury. Hang in there!

Holly: Good job on the meditation thing instead of screaming. I take deep breathes to squelch that feeling.

How's everyone else doing?

I'll try to check back in later today.

Susie

Hi everyone! I am in a RUT! RUT! RUT! I do so good with food for 2-3 days and then, BAM-I eat like an insane person for 2-3 days. I don't know what to do! I guess I need to commit to some kind of monitored plan like WW. I did so good over the weekend with food and then yesterday and so far today-Scary! My weight is bouncing between 204-208. I did walk yesterday. And will today. My church has a cardio class on Tues nights. Maybe I should try going to it. We went to the mountains over the weekend to visit the in-laws and went to a Christmas tree farm way up on the side of a mountain. They had real reindeer (which looked amazingly like small cows with reindeer horns glued on their heads!) So, I got in some hiking up and down the hills looking for a tree. Sorry to whine so much. I just feel out of control with this weight situation.

Si-I would love to visit England or Ireland or Scotland. I have been an Anglophile for many years. How often do you work out with weights? I would like to start small here at home with my 3-5 pound dumbbells and work up to 8-10 lbs.

Susie-I hope your stress level comes down once the job switch takes place. Good for you going to the Y and getting rid of that stress. My county doesn't have a Y and we really can't afford for me to join a gym right at the moment.

Nan-You are doing so great with your steady losses! Keep it up!

Holly-Hope you're hanging in there with all the extra kiddies around. Has the weather cleared up yet?

Debbie-Yea! on being able to fit in the jacket and go on the motorcycle ride. That sounds like lots of fun. We used to have a small motorcycle but sold it when the kids came.

Hi, Girlie ! Hevron-hope the knee is healing fast! Hope I didn't miss anyone. I'm going out to walk before the rain gets here! The air feels like soup out there-warm and moist!

Jill

Just a quick post here everyone before I start work. I'm having cranberry juice and pretzels for breakfast...not the greatest but better than the alternative (I really wanted to stop at McDonalds). I'm just trying to make good choice and keep active...as I get better at this, the scale will finally move for once.

Kickboxing today was much better than last time. The class was packed and I did so much better. My confidence level has definitely risen way high. I still don't know if I want to sign up for 8 weeks, but we'll see. I have 3 more classes until I need to make that decision. Maybe this "something different" is what I need to get the metabolism going.

It's rainy here today too...Kinda glum. And I am tired. I was so anxious about my kickboxing class that I couldn't get to sleep and kept waking up when I did. I'm so tired and groggy.

CD

Yesterday was busy but good. I went to bed early but woke up a lot. I have a sore throat this morning.
I booked off with all the kids for a Doc appt.Our new GP is also a family counsellor. He booked 45 min for me. I had filled out a questionaire last time.
It was good, heartwrenching,and eye opening.It was weird to me for him to get such a good grip of where I am at when we have only met briefly twice.He was wonderful ,supportive and gave some practical advice. I cried a lot but it felt good to get it out.
DD and I will put up the tree and do some decorating this aft. it is very peaceful here right now!!

Hugs to everyone.

Hello
 

Just a quick post before I get back to studying for class. I'm down to 227 now! WOO HOO! And I can get into my size 20 jeans! I can button them up and zip them up, but if I sit down, I lose all blood flow to the lower half of my body. It's a small victory, but I'll take it!

Holly - that sounds nice having some peace and quiet.

Girlie - You're my hero! I could never do all the exercising you do. YOU ROCK!

Jill - I'm pretty much the same way with my food intake, but that's not always a bad thing. I am very good for 3 or 4 days and then my calorie intake goes up by about 500 calories for the next 2 or 3 days. In a way you are fooling your metabolism to work at a faster rate. Just make sure you don't go too far overboard on your higher calorie days. When I look at it that way, I don't feel as deprived and I don't tend to blow it as badly because I see it as a treat.

OH SHOOT! Gotta dash, my little stinker is calling,

Nan

Congrats labchick!!!!!!! Loss of bloodflow is worth the size 20's I'd say. LOL!!

We got the tree and decorations up.It is looking festive. The kids were up making and "wrapping" gifts at 6am. I am finishing up the peanut brittle for the cookie swap.
I am going out to dinner tonight with my TOPS group tonight.
I am having a good day. I was craving fresh veg and ate almost a whole bunch of celery.hmmmmm need to stay on top of the fresh veg!!
I have 1 little guy to get down for a nap and then I will WATP. It's been a while.
Take care and hugs to everyone!!!
Let us know how you are doing!!

Hi everyone -

Labchick - great on the size 20's! I wish I was finally out of mine - they are a little loose but not quite 18 yet. I wish all mine were too big, I'd send all my nice stuff to you :)

Holly - I think that's awesome about all the celery you ate. First of all, celery makes me nauseous...just the smell makes me sick. But, I have a hard time with my veggies and wish I could just gnaw on raw veggies all day. When I do eat them at dinner, I typically eat at least two servings. It's hard for me to get veggies in at lunchtime unless I have a Healthy Choice meal and sometimes I'll add any leftover veggies to the meal. I notice the Healthy Choice and WW Smart ones meals just don't have enough veggies in them.

I'm feeling okay today. No exercise planned for today, but yesterday I had my kickboxing and I did my Walk Away the Pounds 3 mile video that night. I may do it again tonite. We have enough leftovers from yesterday that I don't need to cook so I may have the time to do it...it's just finding the energy! Plus, I have kickboxing tomorrow morning as well so I might let myself rest.

Oh, good news...I had my glucose/hdl/ldl/triglycerides/blood pressure screened today...all great! All of my levels scored in the "optimal" level and I'm so glad. I'm relieved. I must be doing something right although the scale isn't moving!

CD

Hello,
It's a late night check in for me. I was busy all day at work training the temp who will be taking care of some of my duties when i leave my job tomorrow.

I'm freaking out now that's it's time to leave. I'm really going to miss everyone and I don't want to boost, but I'm really good at what I do there! I know it's just a case of the nerves. I'm excited when I think about the new place. I start there on Monday; I'm only taking Friday off.

I know I'm going to cry tomorrow. There is just no way around it. I almost cried last night when I took my pictures home with me.

I'm doing ok with not stress eating and I'm doing my workouts, but I really do think that stress can make you gain weight just because your body holds on to everything when a person is stressed out. I hope I'm down tomorrow at my weigh-in, but I won't be surprised if I'm not.

Nan: I'm doing a happy dance about those 20's! I can get in that size too, can't sit down though! That's the next goal...to sit down in them. We can do it!

Holly: How was your dinner with your TOPS group? Ours is tomorrow night.

Girlie: That's great about your medical tests. Those non-scale victories are just as important!

Ok, I'm headed to bed so I can be well rested for tomorrow.

Susie

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!
I am down another 2.5 . I am officially 230 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am gonna cream the 220's. LOL!
Very excited chicky over here.
Dinner out was fantastic last night. I had a shrimp platter and a glass of wine. The company was delightful.
I way over slept this morning but managed to ge the kids out the door for the bus.

Susie~ tears aren't a bad thing. HUGS!! I will be thinking of you.

Girlie~ you are on such an exercise roll!!!!! I love your motivation.

How are ya doing greenlass, Debbie, slim, hevron, Jodi???????????

Good Morning Everyone, I Have The Same Food Problem. Will Do Great For 2-3 Days. Then Fall Off The Wagon. I Think My Main Problem
Is Water, We Drink Large Amounts Of Sweet Tea
We Make It Weak So The Dr Says That Is Counted As Water, But Not The Sugar. I'll Use Splenda For A Few Days Then I'll Mess Up And
I'm Back Using Sugar. I Used My Walking Video This Am. Girlie: Great Lab Results. Keep Up The Work. Susie: You Will Do Great On Your New Job. Think Of The New Friends You Will
Have To Add To Your Old Ones. Its Great To Have Some Change In Our Lives. 7 Yrs Ago I Quit My Job Of 10yrs To Go Drive A Truck With
My Hubby. It Was A Fantastic Adventure, I Make It To 48 States And All The Major Cities. Well It Was Fun Except The Part About Gaining 100lbs. Labchick: Keep Up The Great Work. Wont Be Long Till Size 20 Will Just Hang On You. Got To Go This Is My 10-12 Hr Day. At Least The Wather Is Great It Is Suppose To Be 70 Today. Hugs To All

Good Morning, All.

I feel much better today. Geez, the kickfit instructor just killed us today! Lots of what she calls "psycho footballers" where you do that run in place thing and touch the ground like football players do in practice. I'm MUCH more confident in the class now. Today I could tell everyone was really pushing it and a couple of people left or dropped out and came back in for the final stretch. I'm much more used to it though. If I'm feeling totally dead, I'll do the lower impact version of the move.

I do feel stronger though. I think this is the "kick" that I've been needing in my workout routine so I can finally start losing weight again. I just might sign up for the next eight weeks!

Debbie:
Seriously, you quit your job to drive a truck with hubby? What happened with that? My husband keeps saying he wants to do that with me and drive as a team. I think part of it would be cool to see so many places I've never been, but rough and hard and I'd totally miss the comforts of home. AND, it is hard to eat "right" when you're on the road, even now with just a drive from IL to PA, etc.

Holly:
Congrats! Right now I just want to get below 230. It's my totally dreadful number and I'm having a hard time getting below that and staying there! I hope the class I'm taking is going to help.


MyChoice/susie:
So why did you decide to leave your job again? What field are you in? I can only imagine. I'm 25 and have been at this same company since I was 18, moved around internally, etc. I will definitely cry when I leave. This company is all I've known and it will be scary to go into a whole new world where things are different!

Have a great day everyone!



PS - Last night was my last Healthy Heart class. We had a great potluck including Subway sandwiches with the veggies piled high, salads, fruit, etc. I brought a platter of sliced apples with a lovely, low fat fruit dip that I wanted to share. Everyone loved it. Here is the recipe:

1/2 container of Fat Free Cool-Whip mixed with 1 container of strawberry yogurt and 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple.

This made a little over two cups of the dip and it is so good, especially on sweet apples and pineapple!

Girlie

Hello Everyone,
Well, I'm doing ok today. Everyone is giving me presents. I've been teary-eyed but I'm doing ok.

Girlie: Doesn't working out make you feel awesome?! I think it gives me a lot of confidence. I decided to change jobs because there is no where for me to advance to with-in the company that I'm leaving. They did try to give me more money to stay, but then they took it back because I told my Office Manager about it. She was going to know anyway..she does the payroll, but the President didn't want me to tell her, so he took back the offer. I felt I didn't have a choice but to then go on to hopefully bigger and better things.

My position with the old company is Front Desk/Secretary. I do just about everything that needs done around here! I really like dealing with people and I'm very organized and a good decision maker. I'm told that my customer service skills are so good that I should teach them to other people. I have done some training of that kind before. I'm going to be a Warrenty Rep. at my new company. I"m hoping that it will be a step into the Sales/Marketing department. That's where I want to end up.

Debbie: I used to have trouble about the 3-4 day too. I log my food. Have you tried that?

Holly: You WILL cream those 220's! I'm so happy for you. I know it's got to feel great!!

Well, it's about time for the temp to get back from lunch, so I'll end this for now.

Talk to you all tomorrow.

Susie

hello everyone!!
sorry it has been so long since i posted. i do check in but don't always get time to post. i've been mad busy at work!! and also trying to get my christmas shopping done. crap hate it when i wait so long!! i am hanging in there and being good to myself and eating right and all that jazz. i lost 1 lb this week!! they seem to come off slower and slower but i am not at all discouraged. i have totally come to terms with the fact that i am not giving up or going backwards. 2005 will be my year to be a total hottie (ROFL).

Holly fantastic!!!! you rock girl!! you must feel great! i am so happy for you!! keep up the great work!!!

labchick- ditto for you!! i have a pair of jeans i am trying to get in to also. i will do it by the end of this year. i may have to wear them to standing only occasions buti will get them zipped! you are doing such a great job!! keep it up girl!!

mychoice- happy and sad for you all at the same time. i hope you like your new job. that was such a tough decision to make. so brave of you going out on a limb and trying something new! i hope it is all you want it to be!! great job not letting the stress get to you!!

girlie- glad to hear all the bloodwork came back good. i totally admire you for kickboxing!! keep up the great work!

debbie and greenlass- keep trying we all have those days!! it is most important when i eat something i shouldn't to not let it blow the whole thing for me. if i have a really bad treat i try to move on at the next meal as if nothing happened. i try never to get the "well i might as well keep eating since i blew it attitude!" none of us are perfect and we can't go on the rest of our lives never having a treat now and then. keep giving it your best shot everyday.!!
well i gotta run, have a great evening everyone!!

Jodster!!
 

I would wear, my SRO jeans except I hate the roll hanging over the waist (EUWWWW). But I will get there. That's how my 22's were less than two months ago and this will be no different.

GO GET'EM CHICKIE!

labchick- thank you for the giggle. i had a very good friend that used to call me jodster. LOL that really gave me a chuckle!! SRO jeans that is perfect!! you are so right in a very short time they will fit you just fine!! have a good one!!