Terrific Two Weeks --Sprint IV -- ALL Welcome!
 

Here ye! Here ye!
Welcome to the world renown ( well isn't it?) 2 Week Sprint!!

Because in so many ways, Less IS More, especially if you are like me and sometimes suffer a short attention span....

Please join us for the Fourth 2 week sprint! For just 2 weeks, all you need do is what YOU need to do...

My challenges are to continue some of the progress made....

Remember my amazing ability to retain water by sometimes only LOOKING at salt, never mind eating it... and that means any kind of salt... and that means...READ the ingredients if its packaged foods....

and on that same note... continue to push my water intake...

on a mental note, continue to enjoy and learn more as I garden...
Again, its a constant lesson in how little things add up, planning ahead makes a difference but then again, you have to be flexible as you may not get what you expect....
I am finding, (AGAIN) that the less complicated I make it, the simpler ways work just fine... For example, when I did some research about composting, I read again and again about how the true test that the compost pile was "working" was if something you put into the compost pile took root and even started producing.... in fact, its mentioned so often in the articles I've read these "volunteer" plants are called "what's it's?" again and again....
Well... I've got one or two... DH thinks its watermelon, I'm not sure, yesterday I was convinced it was canteloupe....
We aren't measuring our "green" ingredients vs our "brown", couldnt tell you our nitrogen level but ..... the box doesn't have a strong smell and we do have "What's it?" growing around and around....

BUT my point is... that for me... the more complicated I make my eating/excercise program, the more difficult it becomes.... to keep up, to readjust if my schedule changes, if certain foods aren't available .....


so, rather going on and on....

Watch salt intake
increase water intake
Keep it simple
continue finding ways to build activity into daily lifestyle....

and as a special assignment this next 2 weeks...
Celebrate the progress I have made....



so, who's with me?

kaylets-thanks for starting the new sprint thread! so glad to hear your folks were ok and in fact, able to wait out the storm in nice digs instead of a shelter.

hi ceara-i too agree how important it is to take time out to appreciate how far we have come. hooray for all of us!

wildfire-hope your wrist and other banged-up areas all heal quickly as possible! sounds like it has been pretty rough! take it easy, please! seeing the pix of your wrecked car scared me again just thinking how close you came to being hurt even more severely. so glad you are safe! enjoyed seeing the pic of you and arabella-thanks for posting.

hi anagram-liked hearing about your time at wolf trap. sounds like it was fun. enjoy your relaxing day today.

hi arabella-enjoyed seeing the lovely pic of you with wildfire. nice to think we could all meet in person someday. something very peaceful and reassuring about that thought for me.

yesterday was a little challenging with the food calling me, but so far, today much better. also love the idea this is the beginning of a new sprint. always something so hopeful and invigorating about a fresh start. for this sprint, i will keep it simple too: stay within 1200-1400 cals/day of good, nutritious food; continue exercising regularly; continue on with making my home more "user-friendly" (more organized, and more handicapped-friendly and accessible); and listening to my relaxation tapes.

hi eydie, amarantha, morrigan, cerise, punkin, zadie, frogger, and to all the remaining royals. take good care. hoping your weekend is/has been pleasant.

wsw

Thanks for the new thread, Kaylets. I too plan to stick to the basics

water
exercise
cut those calories but eat healthy stuff
stay positive
have fun
AND continue the "organizing in a disorganized fashion" - it's actually been fun that way.

Eydie, I think you hit it. I don't think I liked the two being sort of tied together. But if losing weight would have taken care of the knees, well that would have been a lot less painful. I know she meant well and really wanted to compliment me. She is a very gracious person.

The food's been calling me too, wsw, and at the same time has not been very satisfying. This food relationship is always coming up with some new way to confuse me. I've done well enough so far today though as long as I don't blow it this evening.

I agree with the celebration of how far we've come even if I haven't come very far lately. Tomorrow's another Fresh start.

Hello all!


As you might remember, I post on WW online as well...
( But you here are my favorites!!)

Anyway... we have a daily challenge but for some reason, was amazed to realize that for nearly a week our daily challenge had not been part of the post... don't know how it disappeared but its back now!!!
Reminds me of the day I finally admitted that "No, you're clothes are not shrinking ... No, you do not look like you did 50 lbs ligther,... No, double chins are only attractive on babies and certain breeds of dogs...."

I'll never forget when asked how I thought I gained the weight and I honestly said I didnt even know WHEN I gained it... Literally, it seemed to me that I just turned around and it was there....

Of course, I just refused to see it... was having to much fun "Because I deserve this.. because its a good buy... I have coupons... for the family... because I deserve it... etc... "

Instead, now I wonder what possessed me to think I deserved carrying nearly a 100 extra pounds around...

And then when I realized I needed to do something and got myself to WW's I wouldnt even look at the card to see my weight till nearly a month after joining...
Like a little kid w/ my hands over my eyes....

but we live and learn...

So that's what my thoughts are this am... which are a far distance from when the alarm first rang at 4:30 and I wondered " WHY ME!!?!!"....

but a cup of coffee, some magnesium, a cup of tea and I feel more optimistic...
after all....
I don't think I'd be happy w/out a job... so....

;) ;)

****
Today's thought:
There are many versions of this story originally credited to Loren Eiseley, an anthropologist and writer. Often on Monday mornings, I need to be reminded that even though things seem overwhelming and too big for only one person to change, that my small piece does matter.

***************************

So today's thought is :

"The Star Fish Thrower"


A man was jogging down the beach after a major storm had just come through the area. He was dismayed by the huge number of starfish that the storm had washed up on the beach. He thought that there was nothing he could do because of the immense numbers. As he continued down the beach he saw an old man throw something into the water. As he got closer, he saw the old man walk a little farther down the beach, bend over, pick up a starfish and throw it back into the water. As the jogger approached, the old man stopped again, bent over, picked up another starfish and was about to throw it into the water. The jogger stopped and asked "Why are you doing that? There are thousands of starfish on the beach. You can't possibly make a difference." The old man looked at the starfish, threw it back into the water, then replied, "I made a difference to that one, didn't I?"

************

Let's do it!
KETTLE IS ON!



:dizzy: Official weigh in tonight... I'm hoping for another loss... might just maintain... whatever!!

0

Don’t feel guilty for making time for yourself. It's not selfish to make yourself a priority. Neglecting yourself can mean having less than 100 percent to give back to everyone else. The first step toward more balance in life is to believe you are number one and your needs are important. So, congratulate yourself for identifying the fact that you are a priority.

Found this in my e-mail from e-diets this morning. Rather appropriate, too, since I'm having major guilt for being home on a Monday and knowing my boss is probably flipping out as I type because I'm off work until tomorrow. But you know what? Tough luck. As anagram so wisely pointed out last week, if I were there it wouldn't be appreciated anyway, even though it is expected. The time off to rest along with the medication and heat therapy seems to be helping.

Kaylets, I bet you were feeling the same about taking off a couple of days last week. Sometimes you just have to do it, right?

Fresh start Monday! Saturday was an off day for my plan, but worth every minute! We drove down to Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Jackson-Triggs winery for a tour and tasting, then saw Jesse Cook (my absolute favorite musician!) perform in the outdoor amphitheatre at the winery. What an incredible night...my favorite music, perfect starlit night, wrapped up in a blanket with DH and all the wine we wanted. :D

anagram, I can understand how you feel about the comment. If it were me, I would at least take comfort that the comment came from someone who had her own weight battle, and not some slim thing who didn't have one clue. Now that would make me angry! :yes:

Eydie, hope your computer problems are resolved soon!

Amarantha, nice to see you pop in! Hope all is well.

Good morning to wsw, ceara, Arabella, morrigan, and all our wandering :queen:s! Not all who wander are lost...

Now, I like that. So I officially proclaim that no one is ever lost from the palace, they are merely wandering.

Also like the ediet quote. Somehow I think we KNOW that but acting on it still carries guilt and a fresh reminder is always in order.

Sounds like a great weekend despite the discomfort, Wildfire. Nice prescription - wine and a blanketed hubby.

OK, fresh start. New Week, New Sprint. Had a really good day yesterday and a really good night's sleep. Off to pool this a.m. and hoping to continue with my relaxed mode.

hi arabella, amarantha, eydie, ceara!

anagram-hoping your relaxed mode is continuing!

wildfire-your weekend sounded lovely.

love the idea that this is a new week, sprint, and fresh start. actually, i ended up doing fine yesterday, but with a lot of effort. this morning, i started off with my morning meditation time and in a much better place. off to a good start on this 2 week sprint. i worked on some lists over the weekend which were rather fun for me and enlightening---lists of what would really make me happy, what gifts i would like to be able to give to others(emotional and practical ones), what gifts i would like for myself, etc. making the lists somehow gave me permission to think about these things more concretely, and there was something very peaceful and soothing about it for me. well, hope everyone has a good start to their week. take care, and thinking of you all.

Thanks for starting the new thread, Kaylets! Liked your musing about the compost. Sometimes I enjoy the progress of the compost pile as much as the garden itself. Love the fat worms and the lime-y smell of it when it's all broken down! Thinking about planting some nutritious greens for this fall. I'm thinking a couple of rows of kale because it's so hardy and will survive the frost.

Loved seeing the pic of you and Arabella, Wildfire. I trust you're still recovering nicely?

I think, I hope our computer problems have resolved themselves for now. Still, I'm going to cut this short because I'm afarid I'm going to get kicked off. Will write more when I feel 'safer'! :)

Hello all!

Well, official weighin last night showed 1 lb up from the 2.8 drop last week...
I could only shrug as I have a very clear conscience this week....
Did put some salt on my tomatoes for lunch but .....

I can only "keep swimming"...
I know I did not get as much water in over the weekend as I would've liked...
that might be a factor too....

But again, I have a very clear conscience....
NO GUILT is a wonderful thing...

Eydie-- do you put newspaper and cardboard in your compost pile?? Thought this was forbidden till I read a book by Rodale over the weekend... am excited that I may be able to "recyle " my own trash a step further....

Am also finding the "cool" vegetables will need more room than I have pots ...
will begin to use the milk jugs ..... a cabbage or broccolli or cauliflower to a milk jug just might work...

Am looking to put in a crop of garlic, maybe a couple varieties as well as some herbs, especially basil ... the basil is primarily as a gift but we will see...

Really am feeling like that 20 yr old hippie I yearned to be but was distracted by other youthful detours!!

*************
Thought of the day :

" I have never had an affliction which was not turned into a poem."
---Goethe

Question of the day :

"If you could rid the earth of one thing, what would it be?"
------From IF (2) by Evelyn McFarlane & James Saywel
*************


Wildfire... hope you continue to feel better each day....

To everyone... have a good Tuesday...

WSW-- the lists sound terrific... tell us more... It sounds like another "NO GUILT" process of making ourselves our first priority...


KETTLE IS ON!

It is great to have you here, Kaylets, your musings give me lots to think about and some inspiration as well. I keep sticking around, trying to get things going, but seem to fall apart about the time I get near food. I bought a candy bar for the first time in I can't remember how long yesterday (several years). Not going to lose weight that way.

My garden is making a comeback after a month of neglect. Some things didn't make it, but the cucumbers/beans/carrots/zuccini are doing fine. I wish I had chard. Maybe a late planting is in order. My DH has been a bit stressed, always running late. I have always maintained it is a good thing he is salaried and has flex hours. He would be fired at an hourly job for always being late, of course when you put in 10+ hour days all the time, no one cares if you got there 15 minutes late in the morning. I gave him some of my favorite books to read Janny Wurtz and Raymond Fiest, "Daughter of the Empire", "Servant of the Empire", and "Mistress of the Empire". A top-notch fantasy series with a strong female lead, very empowering.

So I am thinking of going back to streaking (not the running around naked kind), but the kind where I just try to get a handle on things one day at a time. Two weeks has been more than I can seem to manage lately.

So here is to

Day 1: only a nonfat latte, kashi, blueberries so far. Here is to a good day.

Just checking in, my friends! I'm feeling a bit off-balance as far as my program goes, and I don't know why. Nothing extreme, just gotta keep an eye on it. I don't feel particularly stressed or anything. Maybe I need to do something different?

Kaylets, I don't use paper in my compost, Kaylets, tho I hear you can. that's not altogether true--when I first started the pile I put down a thick layer of newspaper to kill the grass.

Hello all!!

Thanks for the kind words Morrigan. I too, have to focus on one day at a time...sometimes one meal ... one hour at a time...

I was talking to some coworkers and someone mentioned some type of bbq that I never really liked even b/4 I began this journey ...yet, my mouth started watering as if they had mentioned Godiva or Haagen daz....
I'm right there w/ you for focusing on "this choice "....

Eydie..still planning on teaching the Pilates class?? Found a book w/ a DVD in the cover... believe its by an Austrailian (sp?) lady... havent had a chance to view the DVD, book seems very staightforward...

Everyone... did I ever tell you that you're my favorite??


HERE WE GO WEDNESDAY, HERE WE GO!

Dogs came in from outside only a little wet but I can hear rain in the downspouts...
at least yesterday was dry enough that DH got some lawns mowed...

I'm leaving early to take advantage of some Overtime offered. Its much easier for me to go in early. Dh leaves by 6 am so its almost as though he doesnt even realize. But when I stay late...then he feels like
"I never see you"...

Anyone watching the Olympics?? So inspiring to me.


****************
Here's the thought of the day :

Today's Thought:

"Usually we think that brave people have no fear. The truth is they are intimate with fear."
--Pema Chodron


Question of the day:

"If you could have witnessed one event from your family's history, what would it be?"
--
------From IF (2) by Evelyn McFarlane & James Saywel

*************



Let's make this a great Wednesday!
Kettle is on!

Struggling day 2 - already at 1250 and it is 2 pm, planning very light dinner. I have been a whirlwind cleaning house today while DH is home playing with kids. Have a good day everyone!

Interesting QOD. I've always been interested in the ancestors who travelled here from other countries and made me an American. So think I'd like to have shadowed one of them. Today I'm thinking it would be a great-great grandmother who came over in her 50s. She had emigrated from Ireland to England as a young woman with young children. Later as all her children variously came to this country, she also came (I believe she was widowed by then and probably had no other source of support) and also at that age and later raised some of her grandchildren after their mother died. Once I got to that age (and older) I was fascinated about the second emigration and how different it must have been from the first when she was young.

Have been really out of kilter today. When hay fever hits me, it's more an overall thing than a sneezing thing and I tend to feel down. Plus last Saturday was the anniversary of my Dad's death and this Saturday it will be a year since my Mom died. I think it's all sort of hitting me a bit this week and I am making no attempt to be cheerful right now.

I did tell myself that I could (if I really wanted it) have some kind of gooey type treat. There's pie, cake, candy, ice cream, cookies in the house and I actually wanted NONE of them. (Maybe if anything were peanut butter flavored, I'd go for it.)

So I have to believe I've sort of gained an upper hand on the stress eating. Now if I could learn to handle the social eating!

Anagram, be good to yourself as you're feeling pensive about your loved ones, and if that involves some indulgence then so be it. About the social eating, I was reading the other day that studies have shown that we eat more when we're in a social setting. Duh. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I'm out.

Kaylets, I love today's quote and the author of it. Speaking of fear, yes, I'll be teaching the Pilates class in October and beyond that if there's an interest. I'm "practicing" with Garry---have to make sure I can offer good modifications for the beginners and all that.
Wow. If someone told me 5 years ago, I'd be teaching a Pilates class I wouldn't believe them. There's a humbling thought---I'm so grateful for change. Big fan of change!
I'd like to hear more about your pilates DVD and your adventures with it.
I bought a DVD last week and the instructor is an 80-year old woman who was one of Joseph Pilates students, and it showed her in action. Omigosh! Flexiblility I will only dream of. If that's what a lifetime of pilates will do for you, then I'm sold! Also, had some old footage of Joe Pilates himself.

Sometimes I feel like social eating is stress eating. I get so stressed out over all the food at a social event; I eat.

Hello all!

Social stress is a big issue w/me as I've mentioned so many times... ( the main reason I joined Toastmasters so I could learn to deal w/ groups better)

For sure, I was one of those people who often only wanted to know what would be SERVED at a social event ....not WHO would be there or WHAT was being celebrated....

I could go on and on but ....

Morigan... just saw an activity /calorie chart and housecleaning burns 2x as many calories as sitting at a desk per hour so you probably balanced the calorie intake vs the outake...
I could use some hints for housework if you don't mind sharing....


Eydie.... will be glad to share as soon as I find the book again! ( see note above about house cleaning!) I think I 'm going to sell it as I do have the library nearly next door...

***
Anagram-- I 've been donig family history online a little myself...
Think it might have become a new obsession... my mom has been doing my family for years, and finally, found DH"s family on 2 Federal Census's which was a real coup....

-----------------------------\-----------
----------------------------------------

ThursdaY!!
Here we go! A great day to make a FRESH START w/ No Guilt-- what's past is gone, we can only change the here and now!
Are you with me? I hope so! I need you!

So, still hot from the press, FRESH START Cards for everybody... and don't forget to turn them over and see the NO GUILT message...
WE ARE ALL DOING THE BEST WE CAN....
This is the first time any of us have seen TODAY... We're all doing this together!!

As Oprah always quotes from Maya Angelou
"When you know better, you do better."

So here we go...

****
Thought of the day:
"When you know better, you do better>"
--Maya Angelou

Question of the day:
"How many hearts have you broken?"
--from the "New Family Feud"

*****

Going in early again...
Got a little crazy yesterday at work and I wound up eating a 3lb bag of baby carrots for lunch... that bag was supposed to last all week!! You can imagine what happened later!!


KETTLE IS ON!

I signed up for a really annoying yahoo email group from http://flylady.net

It sends messages like.

IS YOUR SINK SHINY?
ARE YOUR SHOES ON?
DO THE 27 BOOGIE, Right NOW, go pick up 27 things and throw them away
DID YOU MAKE YOUR BED?
GET OFF THE COMPUTER, TAKE AN OLD TOOTHBRUSH AND GO SCRUB THE FAUCETS IN THE BATHROOM
GO DO A 5 MINUTE ROOM RESCUE, go to your messiest room and spend 5 minutes cleaning it up

Each message ends with "You are not behind! I don't want you to try to catch up; I just want you to jump in where we are. O.K.?"

I have 2 kids under 2, and I am never at home. It is a constant battle.

TIP OF THE DAY:
Yesterday morning I cleaned veggies and set a veggie tray (no dip) out on the table, of course my DH and DS ate most of them, but while they lasted it was better then snacking on Wheat Thins.

Still feeling a little off balance this week, but am trying to accept the fact that this is life and it simply cycles this way. Calories have been up this week and surprise! so is my weight. Actually I'm really proud of myself for not going into panic mode. Because I know what has to be done and when we know better we do better, right Kaylets? ;) Thanks for the reminder. You're right, Oprah says that a lot! It's a good one.

Have a new video that I love! It's called "African Healing Dance" and it's so much fun. I just wish I had more space to move around. African dance can take up a a lot of space!

Hello all!

I love the tip of the day! Let's make this a new tradition!

and sure, of course they'll eat the veggies if they see them first... that's what the "snack " folks have known all along...They know if its colorful and ready to eat vs not ready to eat, folks will go w/ the ready first...
In fact, there was a study I read that marketing favors primary colors ( as in vegetables!) BECAUSE our we are naturally inclined to go for things w/ vitamins... Well, the study is probably just a theory but I do know that what happened at your house is exactly what happens here too...

We cooked up peppers and onions last weekend, packed them in sandwich size bags and froze them. Twice this week, really saved time just throwing the frozen "pile' into the saute pan. I am a big fan of cooking once, eating many times.


I like Flylady too. A lot of what she does. A few things have become daily habits and I am hoping to incorporate more. In fact, everytime I shower,
ust this week I decided I am making a point of wiping down the bathroom mirror using the steam instead of a window spray.... I am also "experimenting" with as many ways as I can find to reuse, recycle, wear out or just do without.
Its been over a month since I've bought paper towels...I am using sponges, dishrags, and honest to goodness, old tshirt "rags" that get washed, hung to dry and used again. I wonder if I'm the only one who's Mom had a rag bag... everytime there was a spill, she'd have us run to the rag bag...
Old tshirts and towels are the mainstays now, there are so many synthetic fabrics ....
Which brings me to another topic I've been thinking about...
I have bought most of my smaller sizes Goodwill or yardsales... Some of the pants were so cheap I figured they were ok to experiment with too...
they were marked "dry clean only".... I washed them in cold water in the washer... so far, so good, although one pair seemed to still be stretched out from the "sit down wrinkles" in front... I realize, wool /wool blends could never be washed but am really wondering how many things I pass up that say "dryclean only" I could've been washing...

and speaking of being frugal... am I the only one who washes pantyhose and bras while showering??? I've been doing this for over 25 yrs... most of my early apartments didnt have free laundry.

and did I mention that DH is having tremendous success w/ Glucosamine supplements??? Amazing results really. In less than a day...


hmmmm.... guess that was some ramble....

and yes, its true,

Hello all!

Wonder how I thought I was ending last night's post!

Well, its official... I've been on the phones nearly 10 hrs now... so far, am able to keep up but the calls have been fairly quiet in the afternoons so I've gotten my share but not at a breakneck pace... so far, I am ok. Its much better w/o having to wear the headset,wondering can they hear me? why can't I hear them...
Also realize I can make quick sense of what I'm being asked as well as for the most part, have been able to find info out quickly on the computer for the client....
If worse comes to worse, I am supposed to tell them I need to research and call them back.

*********
Woke up to the replay of Carrie Patterson of the US winning the Gymanstic All Around Gold Medal..A perfect example for me ... she had trouble w/ some of the routines earlier in the week and just kept on.. just refocused...and won the first gold medal for the US in 20 yrs!( in the allaround)

The young man from men's gymanastics too, his name is Hamm, another great story... when everyone thought he had no chance at all, instead he realized,
"This IS my chance..." and won!

Any competitor is taught to take each moment of a competition as just that... THIS moment...
where to pace themselves and where to push the limits ...
Especially as I watched the fencing competition, I was reminded how so many times, even in the midst of an "attack" the other athelete would watch for an opening and often "score a touch" because the attacker had created an opening in that moment of attack....
So many life lessons for me ....


Thought of the day :

"The person who is willing to say yes to experience is the person who discovers new frontiers."
- John Marks Templeton

Question of the day:
"What do you enjoy most about the Olympic Games?"
*****


***
***
Special note for all of us in Heat Advisory today...
Remember the goal today is NOT to do overdo physically...
and its extra important to get water in...

OH and by the way...Empress? are you lurking? I 've tried 2x to get my password reset at the Diettalk board and they never send it to me... I guess the logical thing would be to reregister but .....



KETTLE IS ON!

Yo, how didst thou know I was lurking, :queen: K!!!???? :doh: I'll pm thee re the DT!!! Huzzah! My QOD answer is that I really enjoyed the bike races through the streets of Athens ... love getting that glimpse of a place I may never see in person (but who knows?) ...

Morrigan: I know that Flylady site ... yur right, it IS annoying!!! :lol:

To Wsw, Arabella, Anagramatic, Ceara, Cerise, Wildfire and all :queen: s whether they be roaming or in the palace, huzzah! I miss all of you ... just trying to hocus pocus focus focus in another venue right now! :queen: E, hi!!! :wave:

Hi all!!

Just popping by to say 5 more weeks!!!! (Until I'm due anyway!!)

Hope all is well!!

Well, glad to see the crumb trail is working and that both Frogger and our Empress have found their way back (however temporarily) to the Palace.

Wishing you the easiest delivery ever, Frogger, and hope all goes well with thee and the tiny princess!

Yo!
 

Ah, stalwart Empress - know that you are not the Lone Ranger in the gain category. I've been having a very emotional week and have run afoul of many nasty calories that have been tracking me in vain up until (for the most part) yesterday.

Even the charming presence of the princesses yesterday was not quite enough magic to make me strong in regard to the evil tasties. But it hath strenthened my heart to see thee once again in the Palace.

I am, even now, planning to escape with my courageous King to some place of goodness and light and nature to attempt to regain the equanimity that is a more desireable quality of a Queen. The weather looks to be cooperative though whether or not the hay fever will be conducive remains to be seen.

Then on the morrow, I am hoping to regain my path to better health and jollity. This being a Queen is a tough business sometimes but I plan to prove my mettle!

Super Sunday, Seers and Sages!

wsw, how did your visit with Mack go?

Hello all!

YES! It has been a week of highs and lows ! Perhaps full moon? Blue moon? Moon made of cheese?
At one point yesterday am I thought I had overdrawn the checking account and was honestly sweating about it..... then later in the day, as I was napping, DH began recving the first of nearly 40 calls w/in 30 minutes from an ex friend of DS..
the police were contacted, report was made... who knows what will happen next..

As you might imagine lots of drama.....

******

On another note, am waiting for the WW's website to "update " so I can check out the "improvements" -- I believe today is the day of the new WW's improved WW's program... maybe its tomorrow come to think of it... anyway..
have heard lots of rumors, some things sound good, some don't make any sense but then again... you know how rumors are... For sure, even my live meeting leader has told us that the Flex plan will stay but there will be a choice of a Core plan as well... That is the question... what is the core plan...
......

Don't know for sure but scale was very kind this morning... then moments later got selfish and took back a pound it had given up... Evidently, I am in flux in too!


Need to start the day .... hope to stop again this am

Anagramatic, I'm hoping to retreat to a serene place (hike) today as well ... here's to serenity and less emotion! :)

Kaylets, thanks for the info. I want to check out that new WW plan also ... if you ask me, they should go back to the old, old, old exchange plan ... it made more sense, IMNHO!

Wsw, wherever thou beist, howdy!

Gotta hike.

Hello all!

I was reading one of my last posts about how I was doing ok on the phones...
Well, the volume increased on Friday and I became overwhelmed and now am behind .... I got frazzled and panicked... At one point, it looked like I had sent out 2 extra checks for $5000.00 to a client ...YIKES... I think I have such a fear becuase these are real live people's monthly pension benefits that my first instinct is to panic instead of think clearly.....

So... extra magnesium this morning to battle stress attack on my immune system... Dh is also dreading going into his job... Lots of drama there too...

Ah well...

Tried my best to not let it shadow the weekend... did get lots done yesteday mostly all in the kitchen but it was very nice to wake up to nearly 2 completely clear counters ( yes, the smaller ones but still...)

anyway....

scale was benevolent again this am...I know tonight's weighin will still be in the 150 range but w/ any luck the decrease will still show... I am very excited that home scale ( and nekkid !) shows I FINALLY went below the 150 mark...
Am hoping the new CORE choice w/ WW will motivate my system to drop the rest faster than I have the last 18 ( which have been since March.. gain/lose/ gain/gain/maintain.. you know the routine)

****
****
Need help! One of the beagles is SOOOO itchy! Went to the Vet a week ago... started her on doggy benadryl .. am also dosing her Vit E...even am trying canned dog food as she won't eat dry... we could only get her to eat cottage cheese... well, she now has scratched some places to open sores...
I dabbed liquied Aloe hoping but am now thinking maybe the doggie benadryl is not helping...
will call the vet but..............HELP!

*************

Thought of the day:


"Who can I make smile right now?"

----------------------------------
Today's Fast Session
----------------------------------

A couple days ago, I called my wife at work. One of her
co-workers answered the phone. Now, I like to clown
around...a lot.

Do you remember those guys who did the Budweiser
commercials that asked each other, "Wazzuuup?" Well,
remember the other Bud commercial with the "uncool" guys
who ask, "What are you doing?" in the nerdiest way possible?

Well, the woman who picked up the phone, I've only met
once for about 5 minutes. After she said hello, I didn't
identify myself at all. I just said, "What are you
DOING!?" in the uncool way. She said, "Who is this?"
Again I asked, "What are YOU doing?!"

All I heard was hysterical laughing and another woman in
the background saying, "Is that Mike?"

Later, my wife told me that my "victim" was talking about
it throughout the day... about how funny it was.

Now, I know it was only silliness, even mindless. But
don't we all need a little of that in our days? Oh, a lot?
I'm for that.

I remember in my book store, if a customer asked for a
specific book, and if I was close enough to it, I would do
a little soft shoe (with fake top hat and cane) over to the
shelf it was on, grab it and dance back over to the
customer, presenting it to them with a bow.

That used to floor people!

I had the biggest business of its kind in the world at the
time. And I think that giving people a little humor and
entertainment was part of it.

Hey, like it or not, we are all 'state' inducers.

Whenever we have an interaction with someone, even if it's
just a hello, we leave them with a definite feeling.

What do you think people feel about us when we're walking
around with a sour puss on?

No one wants to be around that.

Do you?

Do you go out and search for the complainers? If you do,
notice the topic of your typical conversations. Are they
usually centered on what's wrong, who said what rotten
thing, what someone had the gall to ask you to do? In
short, whining sessions?

Look, you are what you think. You get back what you put
out. If you put out cheerfulness, then that's how people
will treat you back.

Did you ever hear the centuries-old story about the old
man who sat next to the road and greeted people who entered
and exited just outside his small village?

When travelers came in, often they would ask what kind of
people were in the town. The man responded by asking them
what the people were like in the town they just left. If
the traveler said the people were terrific, the man told
them that he'd find the people in this town were much the
same.

If the traveler said the other town had horrible people in
it, the man said that they'd find the people here much the
same.

It kind of goes right along with another Your Day To Win
that talked about running from your problems. The thing
is, you bring yourself with you wherever you go. And since
you are what you think, the only way for you to escape your
problems is to change your attitudes.

If you understand that you induce states of mind in the
people that you meet all day, it brings it right to the
front of your consciousness, doesn't it? People respond to
you whether you like it or not.

To my way of thinking, it's better to bring a smile than a
frown or pity or disdain. Better than nothing either.
What the heck! It doesn't cost anything at all.

Just one person a day that you make smile will do
something amazing for them and...

...inside of you.

Try this easy exercise. I think you'll find it shocking.

Smile for 60 seconds straight. Just sit there and smile.
Don't do anything else. Take the next minute. C'mon, you
have another minute! Just sit and smile for one minute.

I'll wait...

Isn't it amazing?!

Don't you immediately sense an actual physical feeling
inside you the very second you start to smile? You did,
huh? Another thing you'll notice is, you can't do this
exercise without getting all kinds of great pictures in
your head, remembering fun times, etc.

The physiology of this is quite extraordinary. It's wired
into us. When we smile, we are literally programmed to
feel good.

If you thought that you had to first feel great to smile,
you couldn't be more mistaken. Smile first and you'll feel
great.

It's impossible to feel down when we are smiling. If
you're still doubting it, try it. Just try to get into a
rotten mood with a big dumb silly grin on your face.

You literally can't do it.

Now imagine what you'll be doing for other people if you
make it your mission to make at least one person smile per
day. The feelings that you're feeling right now as you're
sitting there grinning is exactly what you'll be doing for
everyone that you make smile...

It's kind of nice to think that you can do that for people
any time you want, isn't it?

And another question. what will those people think of you?

If you're up to the assignment, go make 'em smile!

Do it everyday and your life will change.

Mike Brescia-" Today Is Your Day To Win"


***************

FROGGER!!!! We're all with you! Royal Nursey is ready and waiting!!
Hope you are treating yourself like the queen you are!


KETTLE IS ON!

Morning! And thank goodness, it's Monday and a Fresh Start to a new week. I'm remembering somewhat abashedly that a week or so ago I was saying I had the stress eating pretty much under control. Well, not the last few days.

Yesterday was to be a "save" day but I ran into some peanut butter fudge (biggest weakness!) so today I have my work cut out for me but also feel like I'm going to be able to put last week's stresses behind me. Doing ok so far - of course it's only 9:06 :) :) :)

Congrats on the clean counters AND on the encouraging loss news. I'm working on the file cabinets again - a bit a day - so I'll have lots ready for the community shredding on Saturday and save us a lot of time not doing it ourselves. Took care of a nice pile already today, in fact enough for today. So it's on to something else.

hi all!

haven't felt too well recently, so have had to lay low. last thurs, mack the golden retriever, came to visit me. what a treat! he is so sweet(and huge)! i had a great visit with him and his "mommy" who is very interesting, and i thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her, while mack let me pet and fuss over him the entire time! he snuggled on the couch right next to me, and i loved it. it is so calming and soothing to have a furry buddy to pet. he was very good too. pretty funny watching him because he practically took up the whole couch himself!

have stayed op,even while feeling crummy, so pleased about that. haven't been able to do much exercising, but have stuck to what i could do. today, i was able to get back to full steam.

hi kaylets-congrats on the weight loss!

anagram- i always love the idea of fesh start monday too. there is just something so reassuring about it. i understand all too well about the stress eating. i too often think i have it under control and then i do it anyway. the only reason i didn't give in to it myself the past few days was because i was having a lot of trouble just getting around, so getting in to the kitchen wasn't as appealing to me as it usually is.

hi amarantha! and to all the remaining royals. have been thinking of you. take care, all.

Hello all!

I got carried away responding the most recent essay on the Skinny Daily Post...
( That's in one of the other categories here in the Forum ... I believe the very bottom of the "first " selections...)

Its official, the weighin last night showed the loss too...
I am motivated!
Am also very aware of how this summer I have shown signifcant losses on low humidity weighins....hmmmmmmm
Only a couple pounds but we all know how it feels when the couple are plus rather than minus...

Must run, will look in if I can...



Thought of the day:

"Because you cannot do it today, does not mean you cannot do it tomorrow"
--Ron Rathburn

Question of the day:

"If you could choose any three songs to compile on a disc to wake up (slowly) to every morning, what would they be and in what order?"
--"IF (2) by Eveyln McFarlane and James Saywell



Kettle is on!

Good morning :queen:s!

I'm in the neverending process of trying to get control of this thing we call life, get work, health habits and house all into some semblance of shape. I've let things slide and (have you heard this one before?) feel the worse for it. I pushed myself to go for a walk early this morning and feel like I reconnected a bit. I think I'm sorely in need of a vacation. Maybe I'll see if I can line up a week at a cottage next month...

wsw, sorry you haven't been feeling well, but what a triumph to have stayed OP throughout! I'm glad you enjoyed your doggie (and person) visitors. Are they coming again?

Eydie, the African Healing Dance sounds great! Sounds like something I could benefit from, too. I must have a look around for it.

Kaylets, I'm interested in the new WW plan, too. Coincidentally, I got an offer in the mail to return and only have to pay my weekly fee (no new registration or missed meeting fees) and am thinking I'll probably do it. There's just something about that weekly WI that motivates.

Anagram, that peanut butter fudge is evil! Chocolate/PB is my downfall. Never mind though, even having those days where you had stress eating under control is a triumph -- constant perfection would be wearisome, don't you think?

Amarantha, glad to see you in the palace again, and v. relieved to hear that you'll always come back.

Morrigan -- I KNOW!!! The flylady energy is a bit scary, isn't it! I joined once, but was overwhelmed by all the messages. Still, those tricks for getting things done are useful, aren't they.

Wildfire, how goes the battle with car/insurance issues? Hope you've fully recovered now. Did Sybill live through your extra couple of days off?

K -- just wanted to stop by. Feeling a bit uninspired and boring, but thought that was no excuse not to pop in and say :wave: Love to all! Let's make this a good one.

Wow - lots to keep up on. Nice to see lots of people back.

Starting over on Monday is great; the problem I often run into is the getting the wrong mindset about it. For example, pretend it is Thursday. If I get into the frame of mind that I might start over on Monday I am inclined to blow/binge Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What is working for me know is to count how many days in a row I can stay on program (whatever your program might be). For me right now it is 1500 calories or less.

Here are my results so far
M 8/17 been gaining and losing the same 5 lbs all summer
T 8/16 decided to start dieting - screwed up
W 8/19 good day
Th 8/20 good day
S 8/21 good day almost
S 8/22 ate way to much, stopped counting at 3000+
M 8/23 around 1300
T 8/24 around 1300 - and down 4 lbs from 8/17

Just keeping it going on a day to day basis is helping.

I understand losing the same five pounds over and over - been doing that with three pounds. Have been having some stomach problems - I think since they added a new med in June. Hungry every 2 hours - trying to work it out with lo cal stuff. But went to dr. yesterday and we've changed the med to see if that does it, if not he'll change another and if that doesn't work, it will be the old scope to look for ulcer or something. Hoping the new med does the trick.

Good day yesterday other than lack of sleep. And actually I start over EVERY DAY so here's to Fresh Start Wednesdy. Mondays just seem to have more oomph and less temptation for me.

Hello all!!

Oh my, can I relate! Sometimes just getting thru a meal OP seems tough!
Much less stringing a few days together...
For me, all I can do is all I can do... make the better choice ... and at least I know then, I've done my best... For example....
at work, for nearly a month, has sat a box of Salt water taffy...
I have been acting like I don't see it... for nearly a month...
Last Friday, when it appeared I had sent out an extra $5000.00 in payments, and I panicked... as soon as my coworkers left ... I walked by the box and my arm automatically jutted out and grabbed... and you know what, I didnt even enjoy the taffy... but I did it 2x more....
Till I said " Geez, this stuff tastes old and stale... Why are you eating this?'

Luckily, it didnt set me off on a sugar binge... but I think you get my point...

Anagram-- stomach upset is the worst...minimeals sounds like a very good idea... and I betcha it is the meds ... same thing happens to me often...

***************************

Thought of the day is a long one but I think worth it... I've seen it before but its worth repeating!

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
> 1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
> 2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
> 3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the
> second person.
> 4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
> 5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
> 6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
> 7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
> 8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
> 9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
> 10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
>
> GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
> 1) Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
> 2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
> 3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
> 4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
> 5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
> 6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
>
> GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
> 1) Growing up is mandatory; growing old is optional.
> 2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
> 3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down
> there.
> 4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking
> chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
> 5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to
> ask you the questions.
> 6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
> 7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.
>
> THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
>
> 1) You believe in Santa Claus.
> 2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
> 3) You are Santa Claus.
> 4) You look like Santa Claus.
>
> SUCCESS:
>
> At age 4 success is. . not peeing in your pants.
> At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
> At age 16 success is . . . having a driver's license.
> At age 35 success is.... having money.
> At age 50 success is . . . having money.
> At age 70 success is.... having a driver's license.
> At age 75 success is.... having friends.
> At age 80 success is.... not peeing in your pants.
>
>
> Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way; BUT NEVER
> forget the blessings that come each day. Have a wonderful day with many
> *smiles*
>
> Take the time to live!!!
> Life is too short
>
>
>
************************

KETTLE IS ON!

PS..... Did I ever tell you that you're my favorite?

Kaylets, loved your last post!

I'm hanging in there, friends. Still feeling a little off balance--honestly have no idea why 'cause life is good! Having a group of pals over to our house Saturday for a Greek feast. I try to get in a outdoor thing every summer and time's slipping by. [You're all invited, of course! :) ] Maybe I'm feeling a touch stressed about it, that good kind of stress, of course.

Arabella, I'll send you a post about the African dance video. Even though I know I'm not good at it at this point, it makes me happy!

wsw, your visit with the dog and it's keeper sounds great. I've said it once and I say it now, dawgs are the BEST! I say that even after I woke up to my dog's tongue in my mouth this morning. :lol: BLECH! [Isn't that what Lucy always said when Snoopy kissed her?]

Have a great day!