Awww, Carrie....how sweet! You just wanted to be closer to me, right??

Seriously, don't stress it honey....we're all gonna get there this year. You had a heck of a few months with selling the house and moving, etc. I gained 20 pounds when we did that a year and a half ago. What's past is past.

TTFN,
Julie

Hi all!

I am happy to report a 4 point day yesterday - had a really strict day following the Saturday night pizza and made sure I went on the exercise bike for 25 minutes.

I had my counselling session today and she said that I looked like I had lost weight and was looking really well! I said that it was probably just that my skin was looking brighter due to the exercise and water! I also told her how much i weigh and she said I honestly don't look like I weigh that much. My friend said the same on saturday - she said I look about 210 (where actually I weigh 50lb more than that!) We had a good chat about my dieting and just focusing on 7lb at a time and I really think that having counselling at the same time as dieting will help me to succeed this time - hopefully we will be able to nip any bad patterns in the bud!

CARRI - Sorry about the weight gain sweetie - I know it hurts, especially as it has taken you back over the 200 threshold. But I know you will lose it in no time at all - add a little exercise to your weekly plan and i bet you can lose 3lb in a week. You are back on track now so just look forward.

Love Amanda x

TUESDAY: Today is Target Tuesday and we are going to target exercise this week. With jobs, family, school and other things, we sometimes let it slide. It is way too easy to let this part of your weight loss program go by the wayside and for those of you who have 50 lbs or less to lose, exercise can really be a help to you and essential in continuing to lose weight. Figure out a time when you can put it into you life, getting up early if necessary. Make it a priority in your life and a routine.

Morning ladies. Hope you all are doing well today. I was a 4 pter yesterday, whoopeee!

I will be back in a little later and check on how you are progressing

Faye

Hey seems like that there is so much to catch up on so I guess that I am going to have to do that later. Just wanted to say howdy. I just added up my hours for last week between the 2 jobs and it was 74 hrs last week....begining to wonder if I can make it this week. LOL! Everyone have a hreat day off to take my mother to a doctor appt and then to work.

Good Morning ladies!

3 points yesterday...somewhere along the line, I just forgot to drink the water. I really need it too. I'm back to being sick, the whole family really. This time it's a chest cold instead of the head thing. The 2 younger ones are staying home from school and dh offered to take Catey to school...yaay! So I'm just chillin' in my jammies.

Amanda--you sound like you're doing much much better in your thinking! Good for you....most of the battle is just deciding it's time. I'm proud of you....you can really do this! One day at a time.....one day at a time.

Faye, after we did that end of the year "say nice stuff about each other", I've been thinking how we need to do that everyday to everyone we know. Let people know that we care about them and what, specifically, we admire about them. I'm trying to do that with people I see regularly, and it's just amazing how they light up and look so much happier when they are just appreciated a little! Most people only bother to speak up when they have something negative to say, but thanks to you...I'm working hard to change that. It makes me feel good, makes them feel good.....so, just wanted to say Thanks for making me think.

Well, gotta go.......I'm almost 2/3 done editing my book and I want the write-in edits done by this weekend so I can get everything typed and mailed soon soon soon!

Everyone have a super day!

TTFN,
Julie

POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS:

Julie
Faye (whew, haven't seen him in a long time!)
Carri

Julie: Have you seen those new things you can plug into the wall and they act like a vaporizer? They also have them you can wear on your nose instead of putting vicks under your nose when it is sore. I think they come from Breathe right. Hope you get to feeling better soon. A cold is such a hard thing to get over. Can't wait to hear good news about your manuscript.

I got in a wet walk this morning and have been fooling with airline tickets. Jack came to me a day or so ago and told me he thinks since it would cost us about $2000 to go to Biloxi, we might as well spend a little more and go where we really want to go and that is back to Vegas. Don't believe this price war airline ticket thing too much, because it ain't happenin' with some airlines. Has anyone every flown Air Tran? They are strictly cut rate like SouthWest, but the prices are dead on great. The cheapest I found was $672 round trip for the both of us with Delta and Air Tran has coach tickets for $414 round trip for us both. We could fly business, which is like first class nowadays for a total of $1302 round trip and I am actually considering it. That would be cool. I have only flown first class once from San Diego to LA (20 minutes whoopee) and that was because of a ticket snafu. I take it back, we flew in first class once from Detroit to South Bend because there were only like 6 passengers and it was easier for the flight attendent! Anyway, I am happy as a clam making plans. Think we are going to go in July so I really have to work hard to get the blubber off me by then.

Oh and keep Jack in your thoughts. He is applying for a promotion at work at another plant and he wants it pretty badly. Unfortunately, there are 2 guys that work at that plant who are applying and his boss (which is the same job only at a differnt plant). Jack is not very happy where he is with the people he has to work with. There is a lot of racism where he is and a lot of people who don't want to work and one of them works directly with Jack so he would like to go to the other plant.

Guess I better go and get me some breakfast.

TTFN

Faye

Morning All ( well I guess for some of us afternoon ) ... Thanks for all of your encouraging words about the weight gain, I guess I will just have to take it one day at a time ( like Julie said ) and do what I can...I know it will come off again, just a matter of time ... I had another 3 pointer yesterday...

Faye - I will keep Jack in my prayers for the job...Target Tuesday is right on for me, I do not know why I cannot get into the exercising thing...I think it is because once I get home from work at 5:30, fix dinner, then clean the kitchen and myself up it is time for bed...I could get up earlier but I am too lazy!! If I didn't work it might make it easier, well and once the days get longer in the summer I wont feel so crazy...leaving for work in the dark and getting home in the dark ... I might feel like I have some day left for exercising ... who knows ...

Julie, Sandy, and Amanda - Have a great day all, talk to you later !!!

Hey Yall!
Well things have definately been looking up for me! My phone is back on (YAY!! ) AND I ran into one of my supervisors from the park and he told me that if I didnt come back he would hunt me down, and I told him if I went back I was hoping to get promoted and he told me it was a definate possibility. I know it doesnt mean that I will for sure...but it still makes me feel better hearing it. Im just trying not to get my hopes up too high.
Ive been kinda sucking at this whole diet/excersice thing lately...so like faye said...i decided it was time to just forget about it and start over. Cant change the past, so I might as well not dwell on it. Got up to go for a run this morning...but i was really exhausted so I walked most of the way but at least I got out there and did SOMETHING. I drink mostly water so that is usually not a problem but I ran out of bottled water and I dont like the taste of tap water (around the city it tates like chlorine)...so I really have to push myself to drink water til I can get some more bottles.
Carri-If you keep having 3 pointers like that the extra poundage will come off in no time!
Faye- I would totally go for the business class! you only live once! I hope Jack gets his promotion!
well i gotta get outta here! You guys have a fantastic day!
Nikki

hi all,

Another 4 points for me yesterday! The good thing I have noticed is that my cals have gradually come down to about 1800. It's just happened naturally as I have got used to eating less and making healthier choices.

JULIE - WTG on saying nice things to people - it's something we all forget to do, and it can really make someone feel good about themselves. You are a very nice person!

NIKKI - Great news about the promotion - hope you get it!

FAYE - WTG on your first 4 pointer - it feels good to get back on track doesn't it?

CARRI - I suggest doing some exercise as soon as you get in from work - just take half an hour to do an exercise tape or go for a brisk walk.

I've just heard from my brother than my uncle was in Thailand when the Tsunami hit - he has a Thai girlfriend and was on a 3 month visa. We have no idea if he was anywhere near the affected area - but he hasn't phoned my dad to let him know he is okay. They are not that close and speak on the phone about twice a year, so maybe he just hasn't thought to ring - but he usually always rings at christmas or New Year and this time we haven't heard from him at all. I do hope he is okay - my dad has already lost 1 brother and 1 sister in the last few years.

Have a nice evening

Love Amanda x

Evening girlies!

Points wrapup:
Amanda

Amanda: I prayed hard right before posting regaring your Uncle. I am sure God will intervene in some way to put your mind at rest one way or another.

Nikki: I think it is especially hard for college kids to eat properly. It is such a temptation everywhere especially if you have thinner friends who can pig on pizza and whatnot. Just pick yourself up and give yourself a talking to. When I really want to do better, I actually talk to myself and ask myself which I really want more, fat or food? You hang in there and you will get back on track.

Man, this mess with MCI had far reaching messes. We didn't realize that when they changed us, it nullified our call alert on AOL and people were telling us that they couldn't get through and now we know why. When you are online and get a call, you get a phone ringing sound and a window pops up telling you who it is etc, well when anyone would call, the line would just ring and ring, but we wouldn't have any notice. We fixed it today, but that means that for 2 weeks we have been paying for something that wasn't working. They have tucked tail though because I haven't heard a word from them since I e-mailed their customer service and reamed them about it all.

Everyone have a great evening.

Faye

WEDNESDAY: Today is Wednesday's Woes. Anything bothering you we can help with?

Be back a little later gals

Faye

Morning Ladies!
Happy Wednesday.........

3 points yesterday, tom and the remnants of that chest cold kept me from exercising. I did get out and go grocery shopping, though, so I didn't spend the WHOLE day on my butt!!

No real woes today, except that the two youngest are still sick with this cold. THey are coughing up snot like there's a world shortage or something They both stayed home from school yesterday and they are again today. I've finally gotten over the "oh, you really need to be in school" thing. BULL***T...if some other mom had kept their kid home an extra day, WE wouldn't be going through this now. From now on, if my kids are sick, they stay home, period!

DH has lost all his weight from Christmas and Thanksgiving but is convinced that he won't lose any more because he "tried" all last year and didn't get any lower than he is now. He can be such a stubborn little sulk-monkey! "Oh, poor me, my life sucks, I'll never lose this weight, blah blah Freakin' blah!" I just want to slap him, tell him to suck it up and just quit whining already. Of course, I have to do the same thing to myself. We both "tried" all year last year to lose weight, but now that I look back--if I'm really honest with myself, we would try for a week or two and then blow it off for a month. All year long. So, this year will be different!

For us, it's an exercise and metabolism thing. We eat really really healthy...but we are way too sedentary. So, we're working hard on gettting outdoors more and working up a sweat every day. When I exercise consistently for a week, I lose the next week, guaranteed. I just never keep it going.........

Well, guess i"m just rambling now.

AManda and Faye--Way to go on your 4 points!!

Nikki and Jack--I'll keep thinking of you to get those promotions at work! Nikki, I used to live in SanAntonio and had lots of friends who worked at the various theme parks around Texas...it was always hard during the off season, but the corporations always wanted to keep the good employees. I guess cuz' most people who work those jobs are total goof-offs.

Carrie--GO TAKE A WALK!

TTFN everybody!
Julie

POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS:

Julie
Faye

Julie: I agree with you. Most people don't stay home when they should and they pass it around to others. Best thing to do is stay home, in bed and fix the problem. It is not going to injure the kids to be out of school a few days.

Got my walk in this morning and am finally getting around to breakfast. It is Kaschi cereal for me this morning. I love the Strawberry Fields. It is like eating Special K.

Well, dh agrees with me about the business class tickets so guess that is what I am going to do. Since they are twice what I was going to spend, they will have to wait until we get out tax refund back though! I plan on getting the hotel reserved the first of the week, but Jack has to take the car back to the shop and get new plugs etc so I am not spending money until I know what that is going to cost us. From what I understand, our sparkplugs are platinum and a whopping $4 apiece. Is that unreal or what???

I really would like to be around 220 or so when we go on vacation and I am working to get that done. Hope I can keep up the good feelings. I have been doing really well the last few days and all I need to do is increase the exercise some and stay away from restaurants etc. I am giving us one night out a month and I think that is fair and safe, don't you? I do so well as long as I keep my butt out of restaurants and stay home and eat. Everyone has their weak point and I think that and soft drinks are mine. Maybe I should learn to like coffee???? NAHHHHHHH!

I will check back later girls. I am making spreadsheet budgets so need to back to that.

Faye

Hi there gals,

4 points for me yesterday - did an extra 5 mins on the exercise bike and made it to 30 minutes - it was hard work, but I did it!

Had a small victory today - I had to attend an medical appointment regarding my state benefit - basically checking that I am actually ill and not pretending! Well the doctor was a right idiot - he didn't even look at me, just kept looking at his computer screen and basically I came out feeling quite crappy. Needless to say, my first thought was 'I want to buy a big cheese sandwich and some chocolate to make me feel better'. But I immediately stopped myself and said my positive affirmation ' I am choosing not to be fat anymore!'. It worked and i knew that I wanted to eat something healthy and continue to lose weight.

I had a try at tracing my uncle on the internet last night - no sign of him, but that was to be expected as so many people have no ID on them. I ended up looking at this page of unidentified dead bodies and you will not believe how much it has upset me. I thought I would be able to handle it and just check that he wasn't there - but i REALLY regret looking and I can't get those images out of my head. I just keep thinking 'that is someone's mum or dad'. I can't imagine how awful it must be to identify your loved one from those photo's. I didn't see my uncle - but there were only about 20 photo's.I registered his name with the Red Cross, and that's all I can do really. A big part of me thinks that he is okay and was staying far away in Bangkok or some place - he's not the best person at keeping in touch.

FAYE - Another 4 point day - well done! You can get down to 220 if you work hard, I know you can do it!

JULIE , CARRI, NIKKI, SANDY -

Love Amanda x

Good Morning ladies!

Julie, sorry to hear that all is ill at your house. Maybe you could send me some of that illness here. At least I could get time off of work that way! LOL!!! Seriously, it does suck to be sick.

Carri, I understand how upset you are. I am there myself. But it is only one very rough patch in this journery. Sometimes we have to fail to succeed! I just know that you will make it back down.

Nikki, hope things work out for you with work and such. I agree sometimes hearing things does uplift us.

Faye, please be careful on AirTram. My friend from Va. used it to fly here a few years ago and got the worse service from them. His luggage wasn't checked properly and guess what? That's right no luggage until it was time for him to fly home. Well about 2 days before he was due to fly back!

Amanda, talk about positive things going on right now. You have got it going on! I am ssssssssooooooooo proud of you. Faye is right bout not beating yourself up over the pizza or anything else.

I have been so depressed lately. Partly due to the fact of the hours these last few weeks and then partly due to the fact that I haven't gotten to spend any time with my boy for a week or longer. He has been with my mother since last Thursday. I am off on Sunday and will get to spend some time with him but he has to go right back to her house that evening. Seeing how I have to be at work at 430 on Monday morning and I am not going to ask Richard to babysit him. There is no way that is going to happen. Next week he get to stay home on Monday and Wednesday nite. There at times that I get so down bout this that I get so out of control. Enough rambling. Gotta go and get ready for work check in later.