The New LOW!!!!! This is todays' journal. Busy with kids but excited!!
This was my plan and it is WORKING!!!!!
There was a segment in the Dr Phil diet book that struck me and then in Dec there was a thing on Good Morning Canada that hit me too. So in January( actually Dec) this is what I did.
Both had info about....eg. if you were to eat a handful of chips every night for 1 year you would gain 15 lbs a year, or if you ate fast food 3Xs a week you would gain 10 lbs a year, 2 glasses of wine a day for a year- 10lbs................. The list was huge.
If you binged 2 nights a week the gain per year was 25 lbs. This really hit home.
I did all of those things sometimes but added together It was about 20 lbs a year.
SO, If I could consistantly control 1 of those things I could lose 10-15 lbs this year. That was my plan!!

I DECIDED in Dec not to drink any alcohol except with the Christmas meals and New Years Eve. I did it. I haven’t touched a drop since.
After the holidays I DECIDED to give up cheese except once a week. It took three weeks for it to become a habit. Now it is my routine. Usually on Thursdays( good TV night) I have cheese and crackers while I watch ER. It tastes sooooo amazing. I have a little party just for me while I watch my favourite show. I dim the lights, light candles, everyone else is in bed, woohooo.
Now I have decided to stop eating after 7pm( except Thurs). This is my 2nd week. I have averaged 5 nights. Not bad. I will keep at this until it is habit.

I have always eaten healthy balanced food 95% of the time. I overeat the good stuff and I eat for reward. With a lot of self processing and getting in a good place with myself those “rewards” just aren’t as needed.

The result so far is a 2 lb loss in Jan and **drum roll** my official ,monthly, post period, post potty, first thing in the morning weigh in is 225!!! Down 2!!!!!!!!!

I haven’t weighed this since before my son was born 7 years ago!!! SEVEN freakin years!!!!

I think for me the big picture was just too big.I tried setting small goals but still knew I needed to lose 50 lbs. When I saw it in terms of changing 1 bad habit and the result would be a loss of 10 lbs for year, I would be thrilled with that and it seemed doable. And it is.

At this rate I can lose 24 lbs this year and I dont feel deprived or disappointed. I feel better about myself all the time. I have made personal changes to feel more like the real me and the weight loss is an added bonus.

I was exhausted yesterday by the evening. It was a good day though. The kids were great. I rested a lot. I am feeling good today. I have 6 kids here. I will take them all to the Early Years Play Group at 9:30. Yes ,I have 3 car seats and 3 booster seats in my GMC van. It’s the toddler bus.
I am thrilled it is the weekend!!!!! We have hockey at 9 tomorrow. I am then going to London all by myself to putter around, window shop, grocery shop, do grandma’s hair, maybe visit a friend.............
Tonight is veg mode again.
Hope everyone is a having a great day!!

Dearest Nae I am so sorry for your losses and sorry too that I bothered you with a PM. I was concerned. (((((((HUGS)))))) and love I send to you and know that you are cared for. Such a shock indeed. I am also glad that the girl is gone and harmony will reign once more in your offece. Take care and stay well.

Holly~ It's always such great news when someone "clicks" inside her head with the plans, routines and goals. You are doing such an amazing job and I hope it keeps working out!!! sounds like a terrific plan! I love the party thing. I do that on the weekends from time to time. I pick a night and have a "party" just for me and watch British Sitcoms. Now I do it on Monday's with the show Monarch of the Glen!!! Bon appetit!

I think I have found the answer to "loo" problems. I have already started this week. Another Dr recommended that I get off flax, wheat germ and as many grains as I've been using for fiber and switch to fiber in veggies and fruits. Seems I hve been going about this the wrong way! I haven't got the muscles to do the "pushing" and that's why I've had sooo much trouble for the last 2 years. When I ate junk food it was unhealthy and gave me the runs. Mis-diagnosis was permanent colitis. Well then the "plan" started and then NOTHING! They realized it was my diet and not nerves then but no one told me how to treat the OPPOSITE problem except with flax and M.O.M. Now this guy says it was bad advice and contradicts each other!
Hopefully I will find a happy medium. Hope this isn't TMI for anyone but it's a really big issue in this house!
I am feeling MUCH better and have lost almost 4 lbs. I was 177 when I called him and today am about 173 I also started exercising again yesterday and am 1/4 inch closer to Teels or Kirsty.....I forget which is closer!!!
Have a wonderful weekend. I am on day 2 of my Mel-iday!

Mel, get some dried prunes and start taking hot water with fresh lemon juice in the mornings, will kick start your system, I guarantee it
Congratulations on getting back to the exercising and your loss, well done How are your eyes? Has taking the personal development days made a difference, are you loving having your days pan out ahead just for yourself. What do you want to do today? What is it going to be?

Holly-wow, nice thinking. I happen to be an emotional eater and stuff my feelings... as I'm very sensitive, I am very fat Working on getting some exercise to counter my inclinations, weights three times so far this week

Teel-way to go with the swimming! Your muscles must be feeling very nurtured and sparkling. Hope your visit with the wife of the dear friend is pleasant and informative ((((Big Hug)))) for everything that is going through your mind.

Shad-what's up? How you doing? Enjoy the views around you, quit worrying about stuff you have no control over. Change the programming. You are doing great with taking care of yourself, getting the exercise in... Do you really want to have your bones sticking out and looking scrawny? You are a woman saying "I will" improve and get better every day, that is fantastic, savor life!

Linus-How are you feeling? Has the little tummy traveller done any more flips or spins to let you know that they are there? Are you taking your prenatal vitamins? Have the boys given you any names that you are considering seriously

Rose-glad things are better at work. I am sad that you have lost some friends just recently, it is always a shock when a spirit leaves this earth. Do something for yourself to reconnect with your inner self, get a massage or a manicure and feel good to be alive. It isn't a sin to be glad it wasn't you.

How is everyone in the reading audience doing? Have you had any fruit today? Did you move? Did you watch LazyTown and want to be Sportacus? You can do the splits too, just keep stretching Slow and steady will get you there!

Work! Work! Work!! But in my OWN HOUSE!!! Must be getting the nesting instinct from Linus! Clean floors, bathroom, sheets and ME is next. I had a lot of energy today and used it wisely!

Meadow~ Thanks for the hot lemon water. Any amounts or just a dash? I don't do well with lemon usually....heartburn. But we'll see. I did buy prunes but they don't seem to work. Have been using them all along but then maybe the bulky fiber was stopping them from helping.....sorry...here I go again with TMI. How is your exercising? Keeping you busy?? And what pray tell is Sporticus?????

Teel~ Hope Holly is OK. Hate when pets get sick and cannot tell us where too. Very nice swimming!!! Congrat on the exercise. Hope you have a grand time with the friends! Just what the Dr ordered....some funtime!

Now I can take a luxurious hot shower in the tub that's so clean and shiny! I'll use my "spa" collection and scrub away till I squeak!

evening all ,how are we all this evening ??? good i hope ,im getting better ,slowly and painfully but getting there i still cant eat anything solid but bought some trifles and mousse's today so that and soup and soggy chips have done me today ive talked to teel on the phone already and i am so tired due to the fact that i keep bouncing out of bed two and three times a night to go to the loo and even though the kids are on mid term break im still up at the back of 6 each morning ,so they are back to school on tuesday so i might be able to get back to having an afternoon nap again!!!
MEL {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} i have i.b.s so i know the quandrey you are in with what not to eat and what to???? one makes you slow the other fast a happy medium would be soooo nice
SHAD how are you feeling now ?? bit better i hope ?hows the tooth? roll on next week and an end to the pain adn enjoy your weekend you sound like you need it
NAE so sorry to hear of your loss take as much time as you need to come to terms with your loss and well speak to you when your ready
HOLLY good for you love on the weight loss and being so strong in acheiving what you want keep at it
MEADOW no flips yet it hasnt finished giving me morning sickness yet dh has picked the name "jarod kennedy stewart" and i like it kennedy is a duel family name {his grandad and my great granny} and we dont do girls so needless to say we still havent thought of one yet
TIG good luck for tomorrow ,no detours and another trophy for the shelf
TEEL keep your chin up love and ill call you just before tea time tomorrow
HAPPY has the missing plates and stereo turned up yet ??? have you and dh managed to find each other in box city ?? thinking of you both
SUZI how are you love? is the comp feeling better yet ?
right ladies im off would everybody post there results for this week please and ill hunt for the crowns !!
kirsty

Teel~ I came back to post something and saw your egg on....
((((((((HUGS))))))) right back to you. Hope the mouth feels better soon. Trifles and mousse sound wonderful! Save me some too. Hope you get your rest. Have another Harry Potter weekend. I am thinking of it if Jen comes and takes the damn bird!!! He's not a Harry fan and squawks!!! LOL

someone sent this to me. I've had it before and the words are always a bit different. But IT ALWAYS MAKES ME LAUGH!

Here it is: "Today is International, Very Good Looking, Damn Smart, Woman's Day, so
please send this message to someone you think fits this description.
Please do not send it back to me as I have already received it from a Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman!
And remember this motto to live by:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely and in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a wonderful day!"

All of these eggs alight. We must be having a conversation. Not staying long this morning. Too much to do. List follows. I really do have to get on with it and for once I have woken up feeling a bit energetic, so lets just do it huh!

So it’s time to dust of the grime of the week and get into the swing of working at home. I’m in the middle of cleaning and clearing the wardrobe in my room. I’ve taken everything out of it and will slowly put it back minus the stuff I haven’t worn in the last six months (here I don’t worry about winter or summer clothes - just put a jacket over the summer stuff in the the winter). Once that is done, the stuff can go to the dump or maybe a clothing bin somewhere although last one I looked at hasn’t been emptied for a very long time. Maybe people are using them as a junk depot and the charities have given up on them.

After that, I will go to the gym and do the pilates class. I am wondering about my exercising. I seem to be losing impetus and by Thursday am so completely exhausted that I really have trouble forcing myself along. I know I need to up the daily exercise, but no longer have the time to keep going to the gym more often. There is just not enough hours in the day to work, eat, exercise, do housework and renovate/ finish the projects on the go now and try to keep up with friends (which is just as important). I think I will just have to fix the video and do some more stuff at home. That at least means that I don’t have to try for the gym at times that are too tight for the work (10 hour days) schedule. Guess I will work it out somehow.

Yesterdays food was all bad, however I did manage to get down more water than I have been doing. Maybe this will flush the stuff. Today will be strictly good eating all the way. The boys took me out to lunch along the foreshore (fish and chips on the beach) along with the 10000 seagulls, a pidgeon or two, a couple of ibis and the odd pelican. We couldn't eat all our food and so the squabbling birds got a lot of it.

So todays to do list is :
Clean the wardrobe and put the clothes back.
Clear the kitchen and clean the floor
Pilates at 9.30am.
Clean some windows - then I maybe able to see outside.
Wash and vac the car
Weed some more of the garden and poison the weeds down the side of the house and on the patio.
Clear the area that is to be concreted and try to sort out a good concreter. I won’t do it myself - I hate concreting.
Get myself off here so the above can be done. I'll be back tonight to check up on all the doings.

See ya

Sportacus

MEL-Sportacus is a kids tv show character from one of the funniest programs I've seen since HR Puffinstuff. It is actually very similar only Sportacus is a real MAN and is perfect... he bounces, does the splits, flips and push ups... gets me really going in the morning and my kids like him too You have no idea what the sight of that man in his tight little superhero suite does to me first thing in the morning Check out the Nickjr.com section on LazyTown, you can play with Sportacus there [url=http://www.nickjr.com/playtime/shows/lazytown/index.jhtml[/url]

Use about a tsp. of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in hot water or herbal tea I got all this from my latest book called "The body sense Natural diet" by Lorna Vanderhaeghe you can check out her website at http://healthyimmunity.com/
I have quite a few of her books, I really like her

Evening all,
It's been another busy day. Haven't achieved as much as I wanted but hey, it took longer to get the wardrobe emptied, cleaned and reput back together. It is now a vision in cleanliness and orderliness. I've chucked a lot of stuff that I never wear or that no longer fits, so I feel virtuous.

Geez you have all done some chatting since I last posted.

Mel, take care of yourself. Don't want you coming down with anything because you are worn out. Have an interesting Presidents day - whatever one does on Pres. day that is. I presume it is something like our Queens birthday weekend.

Rosie, so sorry to hear of the passing of 2 friends. My thoughts are with you and I hope you find peace in the memories of your friendship. Friends are always amazing. We must treasure them as we can. Life and friendship can be all too short.

Teel, well done on the swimming. Sounds like a good time and so good for you. I dug up my swimming costume today. Haven't worn it since Cairns around this time last year. Hope Holly is okay now.

Holly - well done on setting the goals and getting the habits going. It just makes things so much easier when you know you can do without or have a routine going.

Linus - sorry to hear about the morning sickness. Did you say that you didn't get it before? or it wasn't bad with the last pregnancies. Maybe this one is a girl??? I like the name DH has chosen - very Scots. But what will it be if it is a girl.

Meadow - thanks for the words of encouragement - I do have to sort out a new exercise regime. I think I may cut back the time at the gym and do some more at home. However I'm not exactly sure how my will power is at that. I usually manage for a while and then give it away - hence the gym. I also need to find the paper on how to set up the video again. I'm a real dunce on that one. Maybe the answer is a new television and dvd/vhs player combined.

Just finished watching a world around us about the South Island of New Zealand. Saw one of my cousins twice removed on the doco. NZ is such a small place, you always find someone you know. Anyway the scenery was delicious and the facts were good, but I would have been happier if they had put in a New Zealand narrator to pronounce the Maori words.

Anyway, time for tea and bed and another busy day tomorrow.

Porangi here and also mispronouncing ALL her Maori words
Shad~ Did you see me whizz by in the docco?? I was the one dressed like a clown! You did some good workout with the cleaning! LOL Have a good sleep. Tomorrow is another day!

Meadow~ I am going into the kitchen to give this a try. Thanks for the info and site. I have already bookmarked it. I will go to the web for the library and see what they have of hers. I'd like to take a look before I buy it but of course Jen can always use the info in her later years. I am like an experiment. she's watching to see what works for me may work for her. I just got a great idea....I'll make her a journal! Have a great weekend too!

Well my back aches and we all know why. Moving the tub chair probably was the last straw but no one was around and I wanted to finish the tub! Today may well be a Harry Potter day and some rest. It's only day 3 of my 5 day weekend so I don't want to ruin it and end up in bed next week....how right you are Miss Shad! I have had 2 full days of on plan food and exercise. Today I weighed in at 172! Back to where I started from! YAY ME!! So I must be fully cleaned out!! No one can say I'm fuill of **** anymore!!!
Well girls I better take my chipper self off here. Typing is not helping the back any! Have a wonderful weekend and take good care of yourselves!!
EAT AN APPLE EVERY DAY,
GET TO BED BY 3.
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF,
YOU BELONG TO ME.......LA LA LA LA (gotta love Johnny Mercer songs)

hey ladies ,well im still feeling crap !!!! so anyone that doesnt want to hear a moning session just pass my post now ..................... i cant eat ,im not sleeping ,im in constant pain and now i have a cold sore ive had it i should have just put up with the rotten teeth and glued my plate back together and just not smiled ever again i just want to be able to sit back and enjoy seing pregnant first there was dh,s attitude,then the bleeding and now the mouth pain by this rate ill only get to enjoy the last three weeks and even then ill probably be running around like my a** is on fire trying to make sure everythings done !!!!! right moan over and ill be back when im feeling more sociable
kirsty

Linus~ I have 6 points for the challenge.

Super delightful day. Chat more tomorrow.

Hi ladies,
I have just had a quick catch up with you all and realised I should be in bed so I will make this brief. Just wanted to send thoughts and love your way this evening. Yes I was gone again, yes it waws computers. Thank you Shad for the suggestions about backing up files, anti virus and firewalls. We had actually done all that but then realised our computer "expert" had turned off our firewall and nothing was updating properly....grrr. I tried to fix it all one day and it was as if the computer "knew" everything shut down on me. So ...careful ladies there are some nasty bugs out there.
The weeks have continued to be busy although it's lovely having DH home. He's off again this week and possibly next. This term is going to fly. We have toyed with the thoughts of me going with him on his trips, perhaps one to Germany. I would love this as it's been 20 years but still I think i would be a working widow.
Holly I loved reading your revelations. They were so interesting. wow 225. You have done so well. I really think it's a matter of putting your mind to something. I really need to knuckle down on some of those luxuries.
Mel, You sound so happy in yourself this week. It is so nice to hear this in your writing. I'm guessing it's been a tricky winter for you with all the changes and the cold. I'm so glad to "hear" that little spring in your step.
I will come back and comment on everyone else later as I can see this turning into another epic. Linus, I hope you feel better. Those days are yuck. How many weeks are you now ?
Love to you all and cheery days
Suz

Awesome, Awesome Day!!!!!
It was a wonderful day in every way. I felt free and easy in everything I did.

I woke up at 6:45, had a coffee, showered, ate a healthy breaky and we all went to hockey. DS played well. He has been trying really hard to pass the puck to help the other boys score. What a sweety. He will be back in net for the next games.Another boy had been switching with him.
We came home and DH made brunch. I tidied up. By 11 I was out the door. I ran a LOT of errands BUT I was not rushed or tired and no was screaming at me. I went to Walmart( ran into a friend and chatted), the bulk store, bank, I went and had my hair trimmed( i am happy with the cut), I went to see the “the guys”, gave them hair cuts, T bought a new electronic drum set, tried that out( very cool), sat around and yacked and laughed.The “guys” are all my friends too I just never get there anymore.They are committed bachelors( old hippies) and it is not great for the kids. I enjoyed it. I had a visit with Grandma and did her hair. I went grocery shopping and picked up LOTS of fresh fruit and veg!! My Grandma gave me a gift certiificate for Tim Hortons so I got a grilled chicken and roasted pepper sandwich and soup for dinner, YUM!! I went over to a girlfriends. Visited and laughed a bunch.She did a relaxtion treatment on me( something like Reiki). It was *sigh* devine.
I stopped in at my Sis’s to pick up tax stuff and had a visit there. We are POOR!! but HAPPY. I am not sure how we manage to live but we do. The expenses beyond our control go up all the time and our income is much less( like 1/2 of the low end) than most families of 4. Oh well. We keep it real simple and certainly have enverything we could possibly want in life and then some. These are our choices and values. It is pretty scary to see it all on paper. Before I was babysitting it became impossible for us to live debtfree off of 1 income, although we tried for 3 years. We did NOT have internet, TV, we ate very basic food.......
My income is small but it sure takes the edge off of things with out compromising how we want to live and raise out family. It means the kids can play hockey and dance. it means we can go out once in a while. It means we can have internet.It means we can breathe a little.
I got home a 9:20 pm to an empty house. My friend from Nairn had called up and invited us down for the evening. DH took the kids down for a visit. He had NEVER done anything like this before.I thought it was wonderful. Spread those wings honey!!!
We tucked the kids in. I really missed them. Huh!? My honey and I had a little chat and then I went back down to S’s and a couple other “girls” were there.We had a great gab session.The is the friend whose hubby was killed. She is in the middle of all kinds of legal baloney with the insurance companies,settlement stuff....... Hello??? Her husband was killed by a driver who ran a stop sing at 90km and hour. How can they question this. She is doing so well as a single,working parent, trying to make all the right choices for herself and the boys. Anyhow, much support and uplifting went on!! I was SO glad I went.
I got home at midnight. Cuddled with the rabbit and then the kitty.I put some wood on the fire, kissed my babies and husband and drifted off to sleep.
It was a perfect day.

DS is at hockey. WE go to church at 9. DS has a friend coming over. I have a bunch of housework to do. I will make something spectacular for supper.I am off to cuddle with DD before we leave.
Life is wonderful.

Back to chat later.