MONDAY: Today is Mission Monday and our mission this week is FAITH! Now some of us have deep religious faith and in my opinion it is the best to have but we need faith in OURSELVES too. Let's look at ourselves and several times a day tell ourselves we can do this, we can do this, WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!

Amanda: You keep that faith and remember we are on God's time not he on ours. I remember the first time dh got laid off. We were devastated as he had worked for the company for 8 years. Then the only job he found after 2 months was in Chicago and 2.5 hour drive one way. He did that 2 years and they laid him off. Then he got a job that lasted 2 weeks and they laid him off because he has a slight shaking in his hand and they felt his work quality wouldn't be good enough, Then we went through 2 more jobs each lasting less than 6 months and he got laid off twice more, one with a company that was a highly respected Christian organization and had promised when they sold their company to a secular one they would not get rid of anyone and Jack was gone within 2 weeks. He then took at $10 an hour pay cut with NO benefits to work for a company with 6 employees and then ended up in the hospital having to have surgery which left him out of work for 2 weeks and NO PAY at all. That is when we decided to move here. When we did, we moved here with NO JOBS and only the money I had in my 401K from my partime job at the law firm. We lived in one of those long term hotel things and it was awful but we had no choice. No one would rent to us because we didn't have jobs. We finally found a nice little older house in a rougher part of Memphis with landlords who were adorable to us. He even built us a garage! I hated leaving them when we did because we were good tenants and they had trouble renting to responsible people because they were too nice and the area was not good. I went to work within about 3 weeks but he was out of work 6 months. We barely made it, BUT THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART: We trusted God to provide for us and to provide a job for Jack. Each time he lost his job and would walk in the door with that look on his face, I would fall apart and sob and cry and it would last about an hour or two then I would pick myself up and know that we had each other and could go on. You and Nigel have each other and will make it through. I will pray for you! I know you can weather this storm as we did. Jack has the best job he ever had, can retire with a full pension in 10 years and though we are not wealthy, we get to take trips, etc now that we have never been able to do. You keep praying and trusting God, he will get you through this!


Faye

Good Morning lovelies--

Well, I've stayed away from posting for a few days, and I finally realize that it's because I feel like total CRAP! I can literally feel a layer of extra fat and bloat around my limbs that wasn't there a month ago. Part of it is TOM, but mostly I've just been eating and eating and eating........all the wrong things, which makes me want to eat more. I've been telling myself that I'm doing "ok", but I"m really not. I can feel myself sinking both in how my body feels and how my mood is. I'm so glad I have you gals to talk to about things like this.....it all sounds so silly coming out of my mouth.

So, in the spirit of today's mission........here's what I plan to DO about the situation before it gets any worse:
I'm leaving for Pennsic very very early Friday morning. Pennsic is our vacation, but it is a week of medieval camping and fighting and dancing.....It's not unusual to walk 8-10 miles a day! just to get to the various activites around the site. Normally, I eat a TON of fat and sugar to give me the energy to get through it all and I weigh the same when I get home. THis time, I'm going to eat healthy the whole week and jump start myself into losing again. I have a "buddy" in camp with me who is trying to do the same thing, and we are driving to PA together so we won't be eating crap on the road either. I also hope that eating right during the week will help me avoid the 24 hour headache from **** that I usually get around Wednesday of Pennsic week.

Now, my behavior the past month or so has put me on a bad path for craving pasta and bread and sugar. So, I'm going to spend this week detoxing. No sugar, no starchy carbs, and very little sodium. I may even cut back on the meat, which I've been eating WAY too much of. I fully expect a withdrawl headache tomorrow and for a few days.....but I hope that when we leave, I'll be fresh and clean and ready for a great vacation. A new start....I deserve to feel GREAT! And I really haven't all summer.

I'm going to need your strength, girls, to get through the next few days....so think good thoughts for me. I think I just got so tired of "fighting the good fight" that I let myself go, one meal at a time, over many months.....and now I feel like a failure because I haven't lost. But I need to look back at how far I've come and see that I really am half way to my goal, and I don't have to stop here.

Ok, enough about me....

LISA--It's GREAT to hear from you and I'm so proud of you for how well you've done this pregnancy! You've only gained 15 pounds, that's awesome! I lost weight with all 3 of my pregnancies until the last trimester and then gained about 20 back at the end. It was so nice not to get the "you're gaining too much" speech from the doctors! Can't wait until you get back here on a regular basis. Here's wishing you an easy delivery!

Amanda--You are right to lean on your faith when things seem bleak. AND MsCat is right too....you've got to help yourself and God will work through you. But I'd say you're already doing that since you and Nigel have a plan. Don't let this all derail you........keep going to the pool and keep following those points. You'll be glad you did.

Faye--Sorry the "change" is giving you such a hard time right now. Hope you perk up soon. Oh, and thanks for always being in here cheering for us, even when the traffic is slow and it seems like you're talking to bare walls. It's comforting to know that we come back after a few days and you're always here.

Jaymie--Two words......CARPE DIEM.....ENJOY LIFE......I will if you will.

Where's Carrie???? Did she get that new job?

Sheesh, this is a long post....ok, I best be going now. Gotta plan some menus for the week that will use up all the food in the fridge before Friday.

TTFN
Julie

Hi all!

Thanks for the advice about my situation - you all make valid points. My faith in God is such that I know he will find a way forward for us and I know that opportunities may come in many different forms that I don't expect! I know God has a plan for me and he will lead me in the right direction - I am open to whatever he may put in my path!

JULIE - good luck with your detox, hope it goes okay! Your holiday sounds like fun - and you'll get lots of exercise aswell! I know what you mean about feeling that extra layer of fat - it's amazing how in tune we can get with our bodies and can 'feel' even slight shifts in our weight.

MSCAT - well done for re-committing to your healthy lifestyle - you can do it! Thanks for your advice - I understand what you are saying and agree, I believe strongly in FAITH IN ACTION !

FAYE - thanks for the great support as always!

JAYMI - Sorry you have felt depressed this weekend - it sounds like you did the right thing by getting out and about and keeping busy, that usually helps me when I feel bad. I hope you pick up soon and are feeling better.

CARRI - Where are you? Hope you are well!

Take care

Love Amanda x

Hi all.
I'm back from my weekend at the parent's house. It was a needed vacation, from school, from worry, from....*cough* being OP. But I'm back in action today. I brought clothes with me to go to the gym after class but all the bad food I think has drained my energy so I may have to detox before I can get back into workouts.

Julie - will be thinking good thoughts for you and you are NOT a failure because you still know what you want and still come here to discuss it. You'll set things right, I'm sure.

We have all got to really examine ourselves and believe we can do this. I have had a terrible time lately and am back up to 325 which is a terrible admission for me. I give no excuses and make none. I worked with dh last night to come up with a plan to get me back on track including talking to the dr about my menopausal issues and what if anything I can do about them to help me. Sweet man that he is, Jack set up two things for me, buying an expensive dress in the size I should be by August of next year to wear in Vegas and each quarter that I lose 30 lbs he is going out and buying me something special. I am doing well today and am working hard on eating for nutrition instead of for pleasure or boredom.

THIS GROUP CAN SUCCEED AND THE TIME IS NOW TO DECIDE TO DO IT. WE ONLY HAVE ONE MONTH UNTIL OUR SECOND CHALLENGE IS UP AND I AM NOT SURE ANY OF US HAS DONE VERY WELL. I AM 7 LBS OVER WHAT I STARTED AT. LET'S GO BACK TO BASICS AND FIX IT AND GET BACK ON TRACK TODAY!

Faye

***I WANT TO SEE GOOD POINTS FROM EVERYONE TOMORROW. TODAY IS BEHIND US AND WE CAN JUST LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT IS AHEAD!***

Hi Ladies,

Its hot, hot, hot just the sort of day when you want to sit around and drink cold drinks and i've run out of diet sprite cuz hubby drank it all so i'll have to grab some when I go shopping, I get coke for him I don't like that stuff but what does he do? drink my diet pop

My visitors are'nt coming now cuz their son has had to have an operation so i've just taken some pics of my hubby and a friend holding up a big get well sign so I'll get them developed and send them to him with a gift i've no excuse not to get back on the 'wagon' now have I? so I'd better come up with a plan and start working it again

Congrats on another 1lb loss Susan

TUESDAY: Today is Target Tuesaday and our target this week is nutrition. In this day and age we eat for pleasure not nutrition. Let's focus this week on eating better nutritionally, zapping the junk food out of our diet and remembering to eat because our body needs it not because it is something to do.

I got 4 pts yesterday and I am going to work hard to continue with it.

I will talk to everyone a bit later.

Faye

Morning ladies,
Well it's day 2 of sugar detox and my killer headache arrived right on schedule. I have so much to do to get ready to leave on Friday, though. And I can't function when I hurt this badly....so I just had a few frozen grapes, hoping that the fructose will take care of the headache and I can still get the refined stuff out of my system. Regular headache drugs do nothing for the withdrawl pain...it's weird, like your body punishing you and there's nothing you can do about it except give in and go back.

I did have a great 4 point day yesterday, and will try to have another one today...though exercise will probably be a nice gentle yoga session.

Hope everyone is doing well...
Later babes,
Julie

Hi everyone, sorry I have not posted in a while, but just thought that I would check in on you girls...

I am doing really great on my program, I am down to 191 as of this morning!!! Wooohooooooooooooo and I am so excited that I am this close to the 180's...

Julie - Sorry to hear about the headache, hope it gets better soon!!
This too shall pass....

Amanda - Sorry to hear about the job, and good luck with your new business!!
Hope it goes well for you

Faye - Dont get so hard on yourself on the weight gain, you know you can do it and you have a wonderful supportive husband to help you through!!

Cat - Have fun with your visitors

Lisa - Great to hear that you and the baby are well, good to hear from you

Well I hope you all have a great day and stay OP!! You guys REALLY can do it if you put your minds to it!!!! Be Strong!!!

Have a good one!!!

Faye~ You have such a supporting husband... that is so awesome. Don't get down on yourself, you wouldnt allow me to! You have had a lot of setbacks... and you still have kept trying.. sometimes even when we try our hardest... we still gain or the results don't show.. but we just gotta work harder... So keep up the good work.. because I think you are doing a great job!

Amanda~ Things will get better, God is there and he will supply all of our "needs" You won't go hungry, starve, or anything else for that matter.. Things will get better, and I see you already have the faith to believe that.. Sometimes life gets hard, I know... I've never had a lot of money my entire life.. but I've always made it... So just keep up your fight, and keep up the faith.. everything works together for good..

Carri~ You forgot about me again!!! Waaaaaah!! Nah, just joking. Congrats on your loss... that is sooo great!!! Keep up the good work girly!!!!

Julie- sorry about your headache.. they are a killer!! But congrats on your 4 pts.. you are doing awesome!!! Sugar detox.. that just sounds painful!!

Lisa- Glad to see you back... Wow you are doing great.. I gained 50 lbs+ on both of my pregnancies... 15 lbs~ I wish! I'd get pregnant all the time!! Good luck with you and the baby!

Mscat- Glad to see you.. was worried about you.. but should have known you were just working too hard!!! You are a busy body! Keep up the good work, and your postive attitude.

Susan- Welcome back.. good luck with the exercise.. when you find your energy.. send some to me!

Well I think I got everyone.. if not I apologize... I will try to be here more often... so I won't miss everything!

Today is another late start for me. I don’t know what the deal is… but getting up is not working for me. I’m sooo tired. When we had company the other day, I fell asleep on them. I’m pitiful!! I would say I felt like an 70 yr old.. But I’m sure they have more energy than I do!! I did end up having a good time yesterday when we went fishing. He went to this little part of the beach. I know my face automatically lighten up… I LOVE the beach.. Just looking at the waves and the sand! I found a star fish.. And a large shell.. .which is another thing I love to do. There was a little pool area where the tide had receded and there was sand on all sides, the water was maybe calve deep. My daughter just dived in.. and I was surprised! She usually tries to stay away from the water at the beach.. But now I see that it’s the waves that she’s leery of, not the water. She had a blast! My son loves the water so he always have a blast. We stayed until dark… and I didn’t have to worry about any sharks or anything! I loved it! Although other people were still surfing and junk… they were insane.. Plus it was getting chilly out there! My DH said he would take me back again today… but we’ll see if he holds true to that. I could go there everyday! Since my DH loves fishing, and I love the beach.. That would be a perfect “free” family day spot. But.. Usually when I like something… he doesn’t.. so we’ll see. I don’t even remember the last time I exercised. Right now I am sooo tired. I can’t seem to get up early, I barely get any housework done… If I go anywhere that totally drains me. I don’t know what’s going on… But tomorrow is a new day… I’ll just keep on trying. I have totally lost my motivation. I’m too tired to care! I won’t say that I have totally stopped dieting.. But I have stopped journaling, and counting, and everything. Although I recognize what’s going on… it’s like I just don’t feel like doing anything about it! I have no idea why.. Or what I can do to change it. I’m just like who cares.. Who cares.. I don’t care if I gain, what difference does it make. There is no way I want all of my hard work to be in vain… but even when I exercise.. I’m just not into it! I barely make the movements. I’m just ready for it to be over the whole time… because I’m exhausted and just want to lay down…. Oh well, something will happen to get me back on track. I’m definitely not comfortable at this weight. I want to reach my goal… that is the whole point… And just giving up will make me gain back what I have lost…. I won’t even be at this weight long… so I have to do something… what is it!! I’ve been fussing at myself.. Kicking myself in the butt, and everything you can think of… Who knows. Then my DH keeps talking about me getting a job…. which makes me even more tired. I would have to work at night… so he could watch the kids.. Day care would be my whole check. Then I would have to do all the cleaning, cooking, and everything else “BY MYSELF”. It seems like I’m just lazy… but I don’t think that’s fair… especially since I have to make all of those sacrifices and that money won’t even be mine to spend.. And considering I’d have to work somewhere like Walmart and only make minimum wage.. Right now I could just lay down on the floor and fall asleep until.. Tomorrow. I’m so tired that I don’t even feel like getting up and fixing myself any breakfast.. I’ve been eating sugar free Popsicles…now I’m eating a pickle… Yay for all the salt… Anyways I’m rambling now.. So I better go. I will hopefully feel better tomorrow! Everyone Have a Blessed Day.

Hi All
2 point day yesterday. And I don't think I'll get exercise again today because WOOO does my back hurt right now. I usually watch news in the morning and I guess I just sat on the couch wrong or something! I'm sure it will be better later though, at least by tomorrow.

Congrats Carri on moving along, the 180's are right around the corner,

Julie - hope your headache goes away soon Just remember all the nasty stuff that's leaving your system

POINTS POINTS POINTS:

Julie
Faye
Susan

Don't think I am all depressed about this gals as I am ok just know I have to get a handle on things again and keep it real. I am hoping jack's help will do the trick. I am on track again today with everything and I know I can do this if I just hang in there and don't get discouraged when it goes bad from time to time. Have to watch the weekend.

Carri: I was getting ready to e-mail AND snail mail you to make sure all was well with you. You know how I keep track of the chickys here! Glad you are doing so fabo!

Gotta run but everyone keep up the good work.

Faye