Congratulations on moving from the plateau, Cyan!! You've been working very hard lately, and it's paying off.

I've two more days of work--meetings and cleaning of my classroom--which shouldn't be bad, except it's like an oven in my classroom, which makes it a very unpleasant place to work. I spent some time over the weekend getting some rest--slowing down the pace a little--was kind of crabby and depressed--got my period this morning, which explains some of that. Anyway, I'll be glad when I'm totally free of school for a while--I really am looking forward to focusing on home and me. Bye for now.

Hello and Happy Monday..Ladies

Oh I didnt sleep too well last night...I had a hard time falling asleep and finally did around 1am...ack! the weekends go by way too quickly and before you know it..its monday morning.

I did a lot of walking this weekend but I also ate a buffet on saturday. oh well...today...its back to the plan of pilates and cycling.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: peanut butter and jam sandwich reduced peanut butter and jam
lunch: veg lasagna with 50 % less fat and the rest of chickpea and seafood salad
dinner: beef curry and whole wheat pita
snacks: yogurt and nectarine
beverages: tea, coffee, water and diet soda

exercise: pilates and cycling

Have a great day

Cyan

Hi Everyone,

Not much going on with me. Just working hard and playing hard as well. Booked a vacation in July so I am looking forward to that time. It has been very busy lately and I definitely need a break. Trying to see my Dr. again and she is not in until the second week of July so I will just have to monitor my tiredness with a really strict high iron diet. Hopefully in doing that I can lose some weight as I have been eating total junk lately and put back on the few pounds that I had lost even though I have been active. Too many BBQ's lately!! I think I have been slowly addicting myself to more and more caffeine because it has helped me to stay awake and I am trying to replace some of that with water to keep hydrated. I play baseball again tonight and I have been playing 1x per week and eating healthy afterwards instead of beer!!

Cyan, congratulations on breaking that plateau!! Newie, you are so close to being done and I am a bit envious as I wish I only had a few days left before taking time off!!

How is everyone else doing???

Cjunk

Hey Ladies...tuesday afternoon and I am dying to get out of work and go on home to chill...although there is no good tv around oh well...I will keep busy with other stuff

Cjunk...man ..you gotta wait till July...our medical system is in such a state...you have the time to die a few times over before you see the doctor...I get very angry when I think about especially when we pay taxes through our noses...ok sorry...moving on

I did my pilates and cycled last night and whilst I was doing my pilates...the car parked outside my door got its back windown broken and three young guys stole something out of the back...I didnt realize it till after it was done and they were gone...it sounded like they were closing their car door loudly...I was getting ready to go tell them to get out of my driveway but I wanted to finish my pilates first and by the time I got to the door they had driven off and thats when i noticed that they had vandalized the car. What a sad state of affairs.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: fava bean stew with poached egg
dinner: salmon patties with steamed carrots
snacks: yogurt and mixed berries
beverages: tea water and diet soda

exercise: pilates and cycling

have a great day

Cyan

Hi, everyone! Only one more thing to do, and I will be officially on summer break--I have to run over to the school in the morning and get a letter allowing me to buy books for my classroom library over the summer tax free. I couldn't get it today because the secretary went home before I could talk to her. I did get things cleaned up in my classroom--I asked to be excused from a meeting because I was so behind. I was somewhat annoyed that no one gave me any instructions as to how to close up my room. All the teachers just assumed I knew what to do--I don't know what the principal was thinking. I had to move about 200 textbooks because I had put them in the wrong storage area. Anyway, people did know I was annoyed. Maybe next year will be better. It can't be much more difficult than this year has been. It's been so hard for me this year. The principal did thank me for being there to step in this year when they needed someone. A few others told me to rest this summer.

I have my period so heavy today--also, a migraine headache to go with it. I should have known it would be like this--the last period I had was very light--I will be glad when this menopause thing will be over.

Cyan, I am sorry to hear about the vandalism episode outside your home. I know how it feels to get one's car vandalized--it seems to be an unfortunate byproduct of city living. It's happened to us three times in the last 15 years. The last time someone did $3000 damage by hitting our car as it was parked on the street and then driving off. We found out the next day when we went to the car. I'm glad it wasn't your car that was damaged.

Cjunk, thanks for your encouragement. I am hoping that in the next few days I can start to appreciate the time off and do for myself and get some things done as well. I hope you feel better. I am sorry it's going to be so long before you are able to see your doctor.

Well, I'm going to go. I can't really sleep with this headache. I'll fool around here for a while, and then maybe turn on some late night TV. Take care.

Hi Ladies

I was very bad last night...my Dad bought me a McChicken so I ate it..yep and I ate a Big Mac for yesterdays dinner courtesy of Dad...so I told him not to bring me home any more junk food...I hope he listened to me...sigh! I have a weakness for McD's and when I am hungry...like I was and am now actually...I will snarf those down without a thought crossing my mind.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: bran cereal with skim milk
lunch: 2 salmon cakes with carrots and ketchup and light mayo
dinner: fava bean stew with poached egg and feta with whole wheat pita
snacks: orange, yogurt
beverages: water, tea and diet soda

exercise: cycling

Newie...I hope next year will be much better for you. Sounds like this year was an adjustment period for you and the school. Here's to smooth sailing on calm seas. Lucky you to enjoy the summer...man what are you going to do with all this free time...details please

I hope my dad brought home the charbroiled chicken ..but I think thats for tomorrow...darn I really want some chicken tonight and not the fava beans I have made ack

later ladies

Cyan

Hi, all! Today I am absolutely free from school! It feels weird. I've not had real time off in so long!

Cyan, to answer your question about what I will do with my time, there are several things. Right now, I am recovering. That probably sounds strange, but each year in my whole teaching career, I have always taken about a week after school lets out to simply rest from the mental fatigue that comes with the job. This year, I am also trying to recover from a lower self esteem and decreased confidence in myself, due to the things that happened with the class I had the last half of the year. What I do during my recovery time is mostly be very lazy, sleep when I feel like it, do what makes me feel good and what I WANT TO DO. Yesterday I read for a good part of the day. I did a little bit of housework, since I'm not single anymore, and there are other people who need me and are counting on me, but I've explained to hubby and girls that this time is really necessary for my mental health. I'm hoping that as time passes, I will get more perspective on those students and the various situations I encountered this year, and really totally forgive myself for being human and not being the perfect teacher. Perfectionism has always been one of my shortcomings. I guess it's time I dealt with it. Anyway, that's now. As time passes, I get more energy and desire to be more active. I am sure I will get motivated to work in the house. Believe me, there is plenty to do. The word messy doesn't begin to describe it. I have tons of projects around the house that need my attention, as well as my flower beds and craft things that have been put on hold. As always, though, I don't push myself or set deadlines on things, because summer vacation is a time where I absolutely must regenerate myself. The next 10 months after summer take every bit of self I have to offer. I am hoping to get into a walking routine again very quickly within the next week or so, as well as a healthy way of eating--that I've already started. Taking care of myself is top priority. There are other things to do as well. My older daughter has an art camp, two band camps, and a reading class to take this summer, as well as her regular flute lesson. The younger one doesn't have any structured activities, but she wants to invite her friend over. They also visit the nearby grandma--my mother-in-law, and we will spend some time with my mother, as well. Anyway, my time will be very full. The summer will probably pass by very quickly.

Well, I'm going to go. I am doing laundry today. That's the project I feel comfortable with at this point. Something is ready to come out of the dryer in a few minutes. Bye for now.

Just a quick update..I lost another pound this week...I am now at 163! wooohooo...I am wearing capri pants from last year...they were too tight when I bought them and now they fit just right....have a great day ladies

Cyan

CONGRATS, CYAN!!!!! WAY TO GO!!! :bravo: :balloons: :cheers:

Way to go Cyan!! That's sooo great! You are such a motivator to me.

This will be short and sweet..I am actually at work right now but things are slow at the moment. Of course, that will change just because I signed in here. You know how that goes. Anyway, wanted to check in.

My sister and I walked 2 miles this morning before work. We walked about 6 miles last week total so hopefully this week will be much better. We have learned that if we dont do it in the mornings, something always comes up in the evening so we cant. Eating still needs some improvement.

Well, just as I thought, customers coming up...later!!
MIKI

Hey Girls

Hi MIki...good to hear that you and Sis are getting your walking in..one step at a time! LOL

Anyway, I am getting ready to go to New York Thursday morning..I have to be at the airport at 3.30 am...ACK!! But its only for 4 days 3 nights so I am happy we are getting to New York early...so much to do in that city.

I had a horrible dinner last night...frozen pizza and chocolate cake...my Dad had it ready when I got home so I just ate it...absolutley no nutrition what so ever in that meal

at least I did my weights...upper body workout.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: calorie reduced peanut butter on whole wheat bread
lunch: low fat chicken deli meat on whole wheat with cucumber
dinner: chicen breast with garbanzo bean salad
snacks: yogurt and apple sauce
beverages: water,tea and diet soda

exercise: cycling and pilates or just cycling

have a great day

Cyan

Hi, ladies! I'm sitting here fooling around online. I like to do that in the morning before the kids get up. I've found lots of teaching ideas for next year that way. Yesterday my girls and I walked together--I think we went one mile--pretty good for girls who have never done this sort of thing. I struggled because my back was hurting from overdoing the yardwork on Sunday. I've had sciatica for years caused by my two pregnancies--those big headed children rested on the nerve!!--and it can get aggravated by lifting, too much sitting, or generally overworking my buttock area. Walking generally helps the condition for me, but I lifted some stuff I shouldn't have (and the wrong way too, I might add), which, I'm sure, didn't make me feel any better. Slowly but surely I am feeling better. We can't walk this morning because we've got a guy coming to install satellite TV--a big advance for us--we've never even had cable. Maybe we'll get to it later.

I'm trying my hand at low-carb dieting again. I'm trying to come up with something that really works for me. The first two weeks of both Atkins and South Beach are simply too difficult for me. I read an article about a woman who also had that type of trouble, so she started with Phase 2 of South Beach, and she lost weight just fine--not as fast as if she had used Phase 1, but she lost just the same. And that is what I'm looking for. Anyway, I'm trying to work out something along that line. I simply can't eliminate every bit of flour and fruit. What I am doing is eating fruit sparingly--like one a day, if I really feel a need--and with grains, I am allowing myself one slice of whole grain bread and a serving of high fiber/low carb cereal per day. Other than that, no flour or grains. And I try to have those in the evening, because I feel I need the serotonin producing effects of grain carbs to help me sleep. I am a terrible sleeper. Also, serotonin deficiency/inefficient use by the body is also a component in OCD and depression. With my history of both of those, I don't want to completely deprive myself of grains. For me, it's the balance between need and want. I'll let you know how I am doing.

Cyan, is your trip to NY a vacation? I've never been there--seems so-o-o big to me, way bigger than Chicago. I'm almost scared of it. Let me know what it's like.

Miki, it was good to hear from you. I'm glad you are working on getting your walking in. I know firsthand how easy the habit can slip away from you.

Well, I'd better get offline. I don't know if this guy is going to call me before he arrives or what. He's supposed to get here between 8 and 12 noon. Then I get to take my mother-in-law to the doctor. She has a tendency to go to the doctor just to talk about her aches and pains. She makes me go in with her, which sometimes is okay, but at other times it's not. I'm just not in the mood today. OK, now I'm going. Later, girls.

Hey Ladies

Yes my trip to nyc is a long weekend vacation..it is St Jean Baptiste Holiday here in quebec on thursday..also known as the Fete Nationale. Anyway, I have decided to head south to the big apple and take a bite out of it...I will be back sunday night.

I hope to lose a pound at least whilst down there..with all that walking.

Have a great rest of week and I will be back early next week to let you guys know how it all went

big hug

Cyan

Hi, everybody! I had a bad evening yesterday. We got satellite TV--we never even had cable before--and we had trouble figuring out how to operate the remote to make the TV and the satellite system work. I also didn't read something the installer had me sign--if I had, I would have made him explain certain things to me--as it was, the sheet said he explained things he didn't about how everything operates. I also "enlarged" a hole in our living room wall baseboard to try to run phone cord along with TV antenna wire. Well, guess who didn't know what she was doing? Hubby wasn't mad about it. I think he was just happy to have his satellite TV. We'll fix the hole somehow. Anyway, to make a long story short, I ate 10 cookies over a three hour period--not exactly on my low-carb food plan. Hopefully today will be a better day--am getting an oil change in my car, then driving 50 miles to the orthodontist--also a cool shopping mall there, which I have been promising my girls we would check out. On the way home this afternoon, my older girl has a flute lesson. Anyway, it will be a busy day. I promise I'll do better on the food. Weather here is great for summer--in the upper 60's and 70's--low humidity too--perfect weather in my book. More yardwork and walking are definitely in the picture. Bye for now.

Hi, all--I hope everyone is okay. I just wanted to report that my day yesterday--in all areas--was much better than Wednesday. The shopping trip went well, and my food was good. My biggest accomplishment of the whole day was resisting a cold, sweet coffee treat at Starbuck's--and I resisted it three times!!! That's my favorite cool treat, so it's a big deal for me to say no. I really had to be strong, because, even despite my cookie binge of the previous night, I had actually lost weight since I have been (very inconsistently) trying to work a low-carb plan. I hadn't expected it, so I didn't want to ruin it.

Well, I'm going to go now. I have to take my mother-in-law for an x-ray in about an hour. Then my girls are going to spend the day with her, and I get to be all alone in the house and do whatever I want for the whole day--or at least till about 4:00!!! I love having a day to myself. I'm starting to feel rested. I'm sleeping better too. Bye all. See you all soon. :coffee: