Julie thank you for your advice and its well taken. I did del. the baskets yesterday and that in it self was very rewarding. The boss actually said yesterday you can adjust your schedule. Oh needless to say it was too late in the day to adjust 2 hrs. from the night before. But next week I will do just that! Its funny how rules change and how some co workers get different benefits than others etc. Its a crazy world we live in sometimes and humans aren't the easiest to figure out. Just gotta go with the flow and try to stay above the water I guess! Good for you losing the lbs. I have stayed off the scales until thurs. morning. Don't ask why I just thought it would be a good idea to stay away and see how it goes. Sometimes watching to closely lets me think I can over do! Tiredoffat you weren't the only one to eat no no's! At least we tried and I am sure because of it we are ahead of the game in the long run. More effort always seems to be needed. Lets try our best today to eat healthy and fit in some exercise!
Tired and Julie wish I had watched a bit closer in the evening yesterday. The little ones came over and their new puppy while mom went for groceries. Well needless to say Max the pup did his business in my house . My oldest grandson wanted my attention for the computer , the three year old was yelling Grama I need you! and the little girls 4 and 5 wanted me to work with them with their letter writting. It was crazy for 3 hours. Oh how I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!But I was ready for the end last night! When Mike picked up Elliott who is 3 I thought 1 down 3 to go! They are fun it was just a long evening and too much at once going on. So I made them all blond brownies from a jar mix gift. I have to say not enough food for supper real food that is and I ate a couple of brownies. They were so good but when my son in law Steve said what yah baking mom? I said you can take the whole pan just let me cut a few for Dad. Off they went and thank God. I would of continued to eat them up! STRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its a good thing I ate a healthy breakfast and lunch yesterday or the whole day would of been shot. As far as the gym I never got there as I was running to late in the a.m..
Well today is another day and I decided not to taste test anything I am making. Because that little bit leads me into more and I am going to save myself for Thanksgiving dinner. I will need to keep a close eye on my intake for today.
Off to the gym as I am off today and then to breakfast with a friend, shop, bake and cook. It will be a full day but I am trying my best to be very organized for my entertaining of 20 on thurs.. Already have my butternut squash steaming on the stove it was on at 6:30 a.m..
I will add my intake in a bit later.
Sorry so much for such a long note but had to release my energy!
We are a team and with each others support we can reach our goals!
Rollmld hope your winning some cash. My friend just one 500.00 and my aunt said she won 650.00 how lucky huh???????????????????? Good for them I am glad.

Hi Carol,
Your day yesterday was very, very busy. It's those unexpected stressful times that lead me to eat. It's impossible to plan everything. Lately when I've eaten too much I think about how much I would have eaten if it was last year. I bet you wouldn't have given away the brownies last year - that was a good move.

I just can't have the food in the house. Tonight I have to make all kinds of sweets for Thanksgiving. I also have to make the squash. After I get off the computer I'm going to start. Tomorrow I'm taking the day off the diet, but I'm not going to binge. I'm going to try one helping of everything (not all the desserts or candy thought - just a couple of really good desserts). I'm going to go very light on breakfast and little to no dinner. I hope to fit a nice walk in too for some exercise.

Carol, you might want to save some of the dessert and really good food for yourself to enjoy after the company goes. It's so hard to enjoy dinner when you're the one serving and making it all. I know because I do it a lot. An old friend of mine used to make herself a plate, put it away and then after all the company left sit down and enjoy it. Just a thought. I know you'll be busy. You'll get the exercise though on Friday as you race through the stores shopping.

Happy Thanksgiving. I'll be back on Sat.

breakfast - eggs, 1/2 bagel with cc, 2 pcs bacon and a little fruit (500)
lunch - smoothie (400), 2 pieces of quiche (500)
That's it for the day and I didn't even have dinner. I may be able to skip as I'm not that hungry. We'll see, perhaps I'll fill up on squash while I'm cooking, that wouldn't be too bad.

Take care.

Tireoffat good ideas thanks. Today I did manage to get to the gym. I met a lady there and her son is a bodybuilder. So he has been showing her around and giving her tips. She was nice enough to share a few with me. I thought that was so nice. We both agreed that this one machine sure makes a difference on your abs. The other night I was very sore in the upper stomach area. At first I couldn't figure out why. Then I remembered using that new machine. Well I will visit it more often anything to do away with my middle is good for me.
I am so tired out! Most of the day I cooked and baked etc. My two little grandaughters came to help bake pies. Their so cute I thought they'd enjoy it. When I was young I helped gram and have such fond memories to look back on now. So what the heck might is well share and build some memories for them. Anyways it was fun! My daughter Tammy came over and helped before going to work today. So the table is all set and ready to go. I only have to cook the turkey and potatoes and bake my sweet potatoe souffle and my roll. I only have to warm everything else and cook my fresh broc.. Everything is on my 2 shelves of my ref. so I won't forget anything this year. Ooopps almost for my pie which was baking. I actually got a lot done today. I still have to tidy up my bedroom wash my livingroom windows and clean 1 bathroom but not tonight. I am beat! We did order pizza no way was I making dinner. I was pretty good only 2 pieces and our pizzas aren't greasy like some.
As far as shopping the Walmart ad was awful nothing I needed or saw really that I wanted. I was a bit disappointed in that. But I hope the paper has some good ads in the morning. My daughter as I mentioned before is a photo editor of the paper. But she doesn't see the ads ahead of time either no bennnyyysss! Well have a great Thanksgiving day and we will be okay. Its only one day as long as we exercise shopping on friday we will do fine!!!!!!!!!!!! Take care and have a ball shopping!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone else too!!!!!!!!!!!!!

G,DAY s, Good to see your in fine spirits, you both sound so busy, we don,t have thanksgiving downunder, I guess in away DIET that is, its just as well, I get into enough trouble at XMAS I love it so, the food is just to I just have to walk past xmas cake or pudding and I can feel the lbs and say hi we,re back, but who can resist pudding just dripping with brandy custard but I am going to be good and eat healthy up until XMAS DAY , then I,m going to have alittle of everything I love to eat on that day like you suggest TIRED and not go overboard I,m glad you got your del,s done CAROL, I hope you doadjust your schedule, I understand what you mean about different rules and benefits for different people, I tend to look at it that some people are more emotionally needy than others, so you have to walk on egg shells to keep them on track, sometimes it does,nt seem fair but thats life and if everyone was perfect oooh how boring we would be with my current health problems I tend to look more at peoples good points even more than I used to rather than dwell on thier negative ones, for instance myhubby does things that are really annoying at times and I used to get so frustrated with him but yesterday I sat and looked at him really looked at him something I have,nt done in awhile, and I realize just how blessed I am, I guess what I,m getting at that when we think that life seems one way for us and another for others I guess that thier probably thinking the same thing. I,m glad for you CAROL with your positive encounter with the lady at the gym, and good work with the exercise you,ve gotten in so far TIRED good luck with your holiday from diet day I know you will be good and not get to carried away well I,ve been good sicking to healthy eating I am eating alot of salads and drinking heaps of smoothies, I WANT TO SAY A BIG TO TIRED FOR STARTING THIS THREAD IN THE FIRST PLACE, I COME HERE AND ALWAYS GET THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SOMETIMES THE WAKE UP CALL I REALLY NEED AT THE TIME, THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR BEING THERE.

SW/ 172
CW/ 165
GW/ 132 BYE FOR NOW BLESSED BE TO ALL , JULIE

Oh My Goodness Please Excuse The Spelling Errors I Was On A Train Off Thought And I Guess It Was Going Faster Than My Fingers, But That,s Not Unusual Some Part Of Me Is Always In More Of A Hurry Than The Rest Of Me Ooh Well, Bye Again, Julie

Hi Everyone Just A Quick Hello Hope Your All Well Catch Up Later Bye For Now Julie

Oh what a couple of naughty days its been. I guess my will power was lost for awhile. Julie you are so funny! I didn't think your spelling was so bad. After all I am not the best when it come to spelling! Soundsl like you have a good out look on life. Its funny how sometimes we take so much for granted as its always going to be there for us. I guess we should all take a look at life a bit differently than we do. I sometimes take the little things for granted that my hubby does and forget to see how much he really does do for me and our children. After 30+yrs of marriage you sometimes for get the person and take life for granted. Thanks for sharing your thoughts it will help me take a better look at life.
Tiredoffat hope your last 2 days were better thann mine with the intake stuff! I over did an I feel it!
Shopping was lots of fun it started at 4:30 a.m. leaving the house with my daughter Tam. We had snowy roads to start our day. Kind of fit in well with the christmas spirit I guess. I waited in line at BonTon and got 2 coupons for $10.00 off a 20.00 purchase and found a couple of door busters for gifts. Then we went to Kaufmans and got a $15.00 award gift card towards any purchase. We ran into my daughter Deb and her friend in line there. The ladies in line with us were alot of fun too! It made our wait in line go fast. This has turned into a tradition for my daughters and I. The stores opening at 5:00 a.m. made it a bit more interesting. Boy was I tired last night. But I got a lot done in a short period of time and some great sales. I saved at Penney's 270.00 and pd 228.00 way to go huh? I also got my food processor at Sears for 14.99 from 39.99 that was a good deal. My sister inlaw is buying us the foodsaver you know that seal a meal thing. Do you have one or know anyone who does? I thought it would be great in the garden months to freeze fresh salsa and veggies.
Well I hope you had lots of fun and were able to get a lot finished up. Now I can concentrate on my homemade gifts.
Still a little shopping to go but not much.
I was a bit upset when I weighed in on Thurs. morning I was up a couple of lbs. from my last time. I am not sure if it was due to my wt. resistance exercising building muscle? Diet? of just me being me??????????????? Oh it didn't make me happy in fact probably made me not care as much for a couple of days about my intake. Good excuse huh? My son inlaw said mom you should continue with what your doing because you feel and look better and eventually your metabolism will increase and your wt. will adjust. I guess its only 4lbs total over the past month but I thought I was eating good and exercising more. I have lost inches and that feelings good and my clothes fit better. Oh girls what do you think I need some support or direction.
Today I am going to get to the gym and try to watch my intake. I have a party at my sisters. That won't be easy but I will try to make healthy choices.
Intake: Breakfast= coffee, 2 small pieces of mult. grain toast w/little raspberry jam on
Lunch= salad w/ turkey and veg. dressing olive oil and balsamic/ spices
Still feel like I am in a slump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even ate apple pie last night! Confession!!!!

Hi all, it was a great holiday but I'm glad it's over. I let myself eat whatever I want and resorted to comfort eating after too many hours with all the relatives and no space, time, store of healthy food or control over when I ate. I'm sure I gained weight and I feel gross, but as of this email I'm back on track. I must say when I arrived Thanksgiving Day I felt great - 4 sizes smaller, slimming pants and feeling great. I figure it will take me a week to get back to that place starting now. I don't think I'll weigh myself until after Christmas and just try to do the best I can between now and then.

I learned a lot about myself this weekend and what I need when I go away as far as health is concerned. I need a plan and my own food - like seltzer, fruit, etc. I also need an activity plan - all that sitting around makes me want to eat. At home I'm so busy.

Glad to hear the shopping went well Carol. Thanks for your well wishes Julie. I'm glad to be "home sweet home and back on track." Thanks for being here.

GOOD MORNING s, Glad to see your all in great spirits, CAROL sounds like your shopping expedition was fun great that you grabbed some really good bargins I think thats what makes xmas shopping fun I love all the hussle and bussle waiting in lines doesn.t bother me much, you sometimes meet some really lovely people, don,t worry to much or take it on board and to much over a couple of lbs, its no big deal I,m like a yoyo I,m up and down but I tend to take more notice of whta my clothes say rather than the scales, you say your clothes are feeling looser which is a better indication of how your weight loss is going I only get on the scales once a month I use a tape measure once every two weeks, that way I don,t get discouraged and I stay on track well most of the time anyway listen to your son inlaw it sounds like good advice, and sometimes positive input from a males point of view is more inspiring than anything else ,HEY TIRED GLAD YOUR BACK , and that it was a great holiday, OOOH not you too beating yourself up over a few slip ups, aren,t you the one who tells me that a couple of regained lbs are nothing to worry about and are easy to shift come on guys where is the positive thinking I have come to look forward to from you I know I,ve slipped from time to time but that just gives me insentive to try harder next time , and believe me there is always a next time,SO GIVE YOURSELVES A BIG PAT ON THE BACK FOR WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR AND GET ON WITH IT WELL I,m not doing to bad, still eating of salads and drinking smoothies, I have lost another lb, for awhile anyway well I,m off for now catch up with you later HEY ROLL HURRY BACK HOPE YOUR HAVING FUN WE ALL MISS YOU. BYE FOR NOW BLESSED BE , JULIE

Tiredoffat and Julie good advice and I will try not to dwell on the past but to move forward. I think measuring myself may be a good idea. My week will be a bit different this week as my little 3 yr. old grandsone will be here for most of the 9 days my daughter is out of town. They really needed some time together they have swing shift schedules and don't get much time together. I hope their vacation is full of fun and relaxing with each other. Elliott is so good he is not a problem at all. His Nana is taking him Tues. morning until Thurs when I get out of work. So it will give him a change of activity. Hopefully I can get to the gym a couple of times at least this week. I tried to eat better today but know it will take a couple of days to get back into full swing of things. I think I am going to hold off on baking cookies until a week before christmas this will give me less time to eat them. Smart thinking huh???????? I am doing some knitting at night busy hands will keep me away from junk food. I am into making those scrafs everyones wearing. I wish I had sold some on ebay that would of been some nice christmas money. I ran into a lady whom sells them for 20.00. It would of been a great idea. Oh well. At any rate I am making some for gifts. I still have 2 prs. of lounge pants to make for the girls. Maybe a sick day will be in my future?????????????? Oh so naughty huh? But it would be helpful. I will try to eat better this week and exercise and get back into doing my intake.
When does Rollmdl come back???????? I went to the Casino the other day won 104.00 on wheel of fortune and should of cashed right in but no I played and lost it all! Next time I am getting right out of there! Take care and hope you all enjoyed your weekend it was so nice and long. I start my day with a meeting in the morning.
Carol

Hi All,
It's good to be back. I did not win lots of money or lose weight. I gained 4 lbs. The entertainment was great. We had lots of fun but the stress level was also high. My dad's health is really deteriorating. I don't know if I've listed his maladies but he has prostate cancer, advanced Parkinsons, heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes. His medication makes his skin fragile so he's covered with scabs and bruises. He's not handling it very well. I worry about my parents. Anyway............
Bette Middler was great as were "O" and Penn and Teller. We also saw the Monet exibit at the Bellagio. We had lots of room service and it was so nice not to have to clean up after ourselves. Now, back to home life. It's good to be back to where the glare doesn't hurt your eyes.

Now, on to the next holiday.

I really missed logging in. I missed you guys. I'm trying to not feel remorse for gaining but it took quite a while to lose that weight and I'm hoping these pounds go quickly. My eating might have been different if I'd touched base while I was gone. I did a lot of stress eating of sweets. We had room service every day, it was easier for my dad.



Well, this season will be a challenge.
I'm not going to give up. This is a process and not a quick fix, right?

My plan today.


breakfast------raspberry smoothie


lunch--------chicken vegetable soup

snack---------orange

dinner--------More chicken vegetable soup with cheese





I'm feeling a little out of it----out of posting practice. but I'm sure I'll warm up soon.

Thanks for being here. I'm sure my attitude will improve.

s/w 172
c/w 164
g/w 120

Hi everyone! It's good to hear from all of you. It seems like everyone had a tough Thanksgiving in terms of staying on the diet trail. Holidays don't come everyday and they offer new challenges. I really lost it yesterday as I was exhausted! Exhaustion and eating badly go hand in hand for me and for everyone else according to a recent article in the paper. Today I was back on track - thank goodness. I've got a pattern here at home that works for weight loss plus I went to bed last night at 6pm and slept right through. I want to take off those Thanksgiving pounds before Christmas so I'm working towards it. I don't think Christmas will be as hard as Thanksgiving since I'll be home. Have a good day. Welcome back. I'm glad to hear that all your holidays were filled with some fun family time and exciting events.

breakfast - skip
lunch - salad with turkey (300)
snack - smoothie (400)
dinner plan - veggies

GOOD MORNING MY s, hope your all well , GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK ROLL YOU,VE BEEN MISSED, glad you had a nice time away, OOOH NOT YOU TOO, CAROL and TIRED have been bothered about a few regained lbs too, HEY LIFES TOO SHORT TO over something so trivial, just put it down to that was yesterday , and today is new and fresh with no mistakes in it, and start again I feel for you and your family, your DAD is on a new path of this journey called life, and where this path leads you cannot physically follow but know,that in your heart your deeds , your children your grandchildren, everything around you, he is there now and always will be, I believe the good bare a cross for those that aren,t , and from the sound of the troubles your DAD is facing it sounds like he is bareing many, he must be a wonderful man whose life has touched many, I am thinking of you and I,m asking my ANGELS to watch over you and your family, I am going to do a spell of peace, harmony, and love for you tonight, stay strong and I am here for you in all things BLESSED BE, and you will shift those lbs but be kind to yourself, you sound as if your taking the right steps to getting back on track, SO KEEP IT UP GIRL well thats it for me I hope I didn,t rave to much bye for now BLESSED BE TO ALL, JULIE

Rollmdl nice to have you back. Sorry to hear about your Dad thats not easy to deal with. Know that if you need to let your feelings out we are all here to listen. Don't be too hard on yourself with the lbs. you weren't alone! I was a bit off too!
Tiredoffat sounds like your getting back on track good for you!
Julie you always say such nice things your a sweetie! I enjoy all your wisdom.
Your right we are going to all get going and support each other the next few weeks are tough with the holiday parties etc...
I did some research this morning and came up with some good info. I will give to you! I checked into the wt. increase with exercising as I felt a real melt down for a couple of days. I found muscle is metabolically active tissue. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn. Fat is like fluffy feathers and muscle like gold. The scale doesn't differntiate from the two. The true scale is your eyes , ck if your rings are getting loser, clothes fit nicer etc. this is the true measurement of success!Eat right and exercise don't use the scale only once in awhile. Drink 10 glasses of water a day. The water is important to weight loss. Well good info. I think and just thought I'd share it.
Intake: Breakfast 2 mult-grain toast w/ 1 tsp. jam , raisin bran
Lunch- shrimp steamed with mushrooms and brocolli
salad veg. w/olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Dinner - 1 burger w/ multi gr. bread, onion and mozz. garlic ch.
1/2 cup green beans, 1/4 cup corn
Snack= cheerios,10 choc. semi chips, 10 dried cranberries 10 peanuts (Mix)
Jumping back in with healthier choices! Water intake 42 0z. going to drink 12 0z more now. still down for the day!

Good Morning,

Well, I did okay yesterday--not ideal but okay. I had a smoothie for breakfast and was out all day (shopping--costco target etc...) I didn't stop for lunch because there didn't seem to be enough time. I was tempted to grab unhealthy snacks but didn't. By dinnertime I was ravenous. Had 2 chicken sandwiches but kept within my calorie boundaries.

Thank you all for your kind words and support re my dad. Spending time with my mom and dad really drives home the need for self care. They have abused their bodies for as long as I've known them (heavy drinking, poor diets lack or physical exercise) and they are suffering for it now. I have nothing but compassion for them AND I don't want to end up in the same position. Some of my dad's maladies -- diabetes, heart problems--were preventable. I could VERY easily end up like him.

Well, I'm glad to be home and near my own kitchen. I'd better hurry this up-- I have to drive my daughter to her piano lesson.

breakfast------2 scrambled eggs and 1 slice toast

lunch---------cheese and tomato sandwich and salad

dinner -------chicken soup

snack--------smoothie


Take care, all.

Hope to post again later.