Good morning
 

I went for my walk last night, but I had to really push myself. I wasn't going to go, but then made myself. And then when I got out there, it was cold and windy. I really had to push myself to complete the walk. If my husband and dog hadn't been there, my walk would have been more like a mosey. But I did it and I feel good about that. I wish gaining weight had been this hard. I never would have done it. And does anyone know why it is that the first place I lose weight is the face and boobs? Probably the only two places that I don't care if I have a little extra weight. I swear my breasts are deflating as I write this.

Wow, Joetta. Sounds like you've got an interesting case load. Or at least will be meeting some interesting people. Hopefully today will go a little better for you.

Sorry Kelly. I didn't mean to dismiss your success on your weight loss. I just missed it when I scanned back through the postings. So, congratulations on your weight loss success. Every little bit helps and is in the right direction. Keep it up.

Have a great day everyone.
Robin

Whoa - SECOND PAGE :(
 

Have we disbanded? Hellooooo??? :(

Sadly I must report that I'm back up .5 lb. I guess it was my weekend of fasting that got me so close and now that I am back in the week I am not losing or sustaining. I hope that it goes away again!

Robin - I don't know why the first place we lose is our face and boobs. DH is sad about the boobs, but I'm happy that my face looks thinner. I've even started downsizing the bras!

Well we're having stir-fry veggies tonight - yum! I love peppers and onion with rice. One of my favs. I've been living on low fat peanut butter sandwiches through the week. Maybe that's my problem.

I hope you're all doing well and we haven't lost our group. :)

Hello?
 

Hi Kerry. Where is everyone? I love cooked onions and peppers together, especially with fajitas. I may have to make those this week. They're relatively healthy, depending on how they're cooked.

I'm sitting at work now. And right near my cubicle, next to the bathroom, is a huge birthday cake - a double-layer, chocolate cake with white fluffy frosting. It's driving me nuts!!! :nono: I'm trying to drink more water, which is causing me to make more trips to the bathroom. I'm being strong, but it's very hard. I love cake! And I've come to the conclusion about myself that it's much easier for me to just abstain completely rather than just eat one or two small bites. If I taste it at all, I'll be sneaking back in for more. Oh, the torture!!!

Well, I'm going to dive back into work to keep my mind off other things. I hope everyone is doing well.
Robin

Hi--

Sorry I wasn't able to check in yesterday. I was running behind, and I really needed to make it to the gym, which closed early on Monday due to the panic over a couple inches of snow.

Robin: I love this, I think it would make a great sweatshirt--"I wish gaining weight had been this hard. I never would have done it." If I were you, I'd rush out and copyright it before some 3FC lurker steals it and makes a fortune :lol: Anyway, hope you have an apple or something to distract your mind from that nasty cake.

Joetta, you meet such interesting people in your line of work :crazy: It must make for some fascinating conversations.....

Loud/Kerry: do not despair, the scale is not always your friend. The other morning I stepped on the scale twice, about 20 minutes apart, and somehow I "lost" two pounds drinking tea and looking over the newspaper :spin: Your clothes and your measurements are more reliable indicators of your progress. I try to focus on the average from week to week, and how far I've come since December. I know you're on the right track--look back at what you posted on 2/28!

I'm not doing too badly. After a couple of pretty good weeks, my system is beginning to fight back, I think, so I'm doing lots of affirmations, since I know that I'm eating plenty of food, it's not really hunger. I do need it to warm up soon, so that I can be out in the sunlight, walking more.

Hope everyone else is hanging in there! Have a great evening.

judy

Great idea, Judy. I may just do that! :) Maybe I could get rich from getting fat in the first place. Why not. Other people have.

The cake is still yelling at me. But I just took a break and went for about a mile walk. :dancer:

Take care.
Robin

YUM! CAKE!! :hb: I'm going to a 3 year old birthday party on Sat and I don't think I'll be able to leave the cake alone! You are stronger than I am Robin. :^: I went shopping for my niece (it's her bday party) and got her the cutest itty bitty bathing suit. It's 3 pieces - top, bottom and skirt! It's so CUTE. :gift: I can't wait to give it to her.

Thanks for the support girls. I went back and looked Judy and you're right I'm doing ok. I was hoping that the it would go down, but I am enjoying wearing some new and smaller sizes so I shouldn't complain. And my DH keeps calling me the incredible shrinking Ker. :cool:

Tomorrow we're meeting some friends for beer and a bite to eat somewhere. I find it so hard to stay anywhere near my diet when I eat out. I'm gonna try though. ;)

Well, I'm going to go read a few chapters in my book. Goodnight ladies! (My stir-fry was wonderful btw - peppers rock!)

Maybe its all in our name!!
 

Wow, Where has everyone been? Maybe our name says it all! We have all been working so hard we haven't had time to check in.
Last night we had Open House at our school so I didn't get home until after 9:00. It made for a very long day. I had to go to the district spelling bee tonight so I just got home from that so I am eating a turkey taco while I'm writing.
Tomorrow is weigh in and I think it should be a good one, at least according to my scale at home. I really want to be able to add the next charm to my bracelet.
I hope everyone sticks with the group! I have really enjoyed getting to know you all and I look forward to checking in and seeing how you all have been doing.

Have a great evening ladies!

Paige

Hey Chickies, sorry I have been MIA! Some darling erchant downloaded enough adware that I really thought it was a virus. It has taken me two days to clean up the mess! Work was pure _ell!! I must be the new slave, or something like that. They have decieded to route all calls through me, let alone the regular customers I work with how about a few more??? I wouldn't mind, but everyone is getting VERY LAZY about taking their calls when I have their customers on the line!!! I'm all for talking to their customers if they are on another line or out of the office, but don't make me find out what they want before you will talk to them! I mean honestly, customers don't want to repeat themselves and telling me about the chemicals that they need cleaned up is like talking to the wall, I can't say it let alone spell it! JERKS! Anyway I really think I need to work out to relase some stress so I'm going to run! I'm glad everybody is still haning tough and staying focused!!!!
I'll be back tomorrow!!!
Joetta, no huge rush, I couldn't even get on the computer for days, so I didn't even notice! :D

Good Moringing :coffee: !
Gee is it nice to have my computer back online!!! I'm not making no record timming this morning, I don't feel like going to work after yesterday! :dizzy: But, I have to take next Thur. off to go to the Dr. so I just can't sneak a day right now.

Robin, I feel your temptation pain, we have junk food at work often and my cube is feet from our kitchen. So they are running back and fourth all day in front of my cube with food.

Paige, I hope the weigh in goes well for you today :crossed: !! Any loss is good loss! And I agree you DH must have some screws loose, that't alot of paiges for a game!

Yes Kerry, peppers are good, but wow do they give me indigestion, I rift them and get gas oh it can be rough!

Judy, I'm with you bring on the sun I want to get out!

Ok Joettta, I don't know how you keep a straight face, is he serious??? That just sounds so far fetched! I mean he really sounds like he has had a bad time but some times when I hear these stories I have a bad time believing them. That's what I get for working as a case manager, they used to come up with some of the most unbelievable stories that had no weight on our decion to help them. BUT, I am a terrible bleeding heart and would be very mad later to find out that I really felt sorry for them and they flat out lied to me looking for sympathy.

Ok I've got to get to work, I'll check in later!!! Hope everbodys day goes well!!!

Good morning
 

Glad to read the posts. :) I was afraid everyone else was getting tired of posting every day, or at all. I really enjoy "talking" with everyone. And it helps me to know I'm not going through this alone. You are all very supportive. I hope I offer the same.

The cake is still in the kitchen, but I can't hear it yelling at me today. I'm pretending it's stale. :lol: My husband keeps giving me ideas on what to do with it, such as throwing it out the window. :devil: But since I'm not the only person in the office, I can't really do that.

I did just come back from my morning walk. I'm figuring that I walk 2-4 miles a day. I walk on my breaks in the morning and afternoon, and then my dh and I walk 2 miles most evenings. Last night's walk had me dragging. I was really having to push myself to finish. The problem is I have to finish to get back to my car.

Kerry: I'm going to my neice's 3rd birthday party on Sunday. And I expect there will be all kinds of goodies, too. I have no idea what to get her, though. Unfortunately, her older sister is really the jealous kind, so I have to find things for the birthday girl that her sister won't take. And since I don't have kids, I have no idea what 3-year-old girls want. As for eating out, most restaurants have WW points on their menu. Even though I don't do the WW thing, I usually try to pick one of their selections since they're ususally lower in fat, sugar, and/or calories.

Paige: Good luck with your weigh-in. I'm sure you'll do well. Every pound helps.

Lori: Sorry to hear about your lazy coworkers. What happens if you just don't answer the phone, or transfer all calls directly into their voice mail? As a case manager, I bet you have some good stories, too. I work for the Family and Children Services and have heard some doozies from the caseworkers and such.

Have a great day. I'll probably check back in later.
Robin

Lori - That stinks that your computer got attacked by the ads! I hate it when that happens and it can seriously eat up your time getting it back up and working. Glad your back! :)

Robin - I do the SAME thing with things telling myself they're stale or just not good enough for ME to waste the calories on. :lol: DH buys cookies that he knows I won't indulge in for that very reason. I am fortunate when it comes to gifts for the nieces bc my SIL usually has some good input. It was so much fun buying her a litte bathing suit. I got her a 3 piece top/bottom with a skirt! Too cute :o

We're going to a bar & grill (Manchester Tavern - local place) so I'm not sure if I'll have any good options. I'm saving a lot of my calories for dinner though and it might just have to be a day I go over a little. :devil: It's worth it though since we eat out so rarely. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm going to lunch with another gf tomorrow, but we'll go to a deli and I'll eat turkey and tea. That'll be easy. :angel:

Paige - good luck with the weigh in. Sounds like you've been seriously busy. Maybe you hussled off a few more pounds. You can only hope! :D

I'm off for now. I might check back in tonight, if not then the morning. I'm trying to stay off that scale until Monday. I need to go find a master scale over in the hospital somewhere. . . hmmm. . .

I'm Baaaaaaccckkk!
 

12 hour days at work is eating into my fat chick time!!!!
I do have some great news--the 2 lbs that I picked up a couple of weeks ago are gone, along with another 1/2 lb!!! Now if I would just get my butt back to exercizing, I might be able to do more.

I hear you about the phone thing. I used to pick up the phone consistently on the first ring, but my case load has grown so that I make sure that no one else is going to pick up before I reach for it.

This is some info that I was going to pass along to Lori, but I'll put it here for all to peruse...
We had talked about credit card debt a few days ago. If you have multiple cards with balances, here is the best way to get rid of those logically.
Start with putting together a realistic budget, starting with the most important,-- mortgage, utilities, food, insurance, credit card bills, etc. continue listing by priority, ending with discretionary things such as the premium channels on cable.
If there is more going out than coming in--start cutting from the bottom, and keep slashing until you find breathing space.
Now for the credit card bills:
List each bill, the balance, the minimum monthly pmt, the interest rate.
After you have balanced your budget, decide how much you can add to the combined minimum monthly pmts. Take the bill with the least balance, and add that extra amount to the monthly pmt. Do this every month until that one is paid off. Then do a big dance!!!! Next month, take that amount that you had been paying (minimum monthly pmt plus the extra) and add that to the next smallest balance and pay along with the minimum monthly pmt. Continue to do this religiously, every month. With each bill, add the minimum monthly balances of the previous paid off cards plus the extra and add it to the minimum of the current one that you are working on.
This is not a quick fix, but it easier to see results--and it is such a good feeling to get rid of each card, bit by bit. It is very important to make sure that you are not increasing the debt monthly. Tough, but it can be done.

I find this is not as easy to explain in type. I tend to be just a bit verbose (anyone noticed?), so when I type what I usually say, it does not make nearly as much sense! :dunno:

Girls, please be ready to wear black arm bands next Wednesday--it will be the big 5-0 for me!!!!!!!!!! :gift: sigh.....

More later--will try to get some calories burned1
Joetta

Well ladies I had a good dinner and of course I splurged! :devil: But it was good!! :T AND It was worth it. I sure don't do that very often. Back on track tomorrow! :yes:

I'm excited that we are planning a long weekend in Clearwater, FL in a couple weeks. We're going to visit old friends and enjoy the sun and beach. Woo Hoo!! :sunny: Thankfully I have been able to refinance all my cc debt, my car and get my taxes done and refunded super fast online. Things are going ok and we have some time and enough to put gas in the car and eat so we're going! Yay! :)

Joetta - First CONGRATS on the LOSS! :bravo: And that's really great debt mgmt advice. I did so much of exactly what you are saying. I would like to add something that I have learned the HARD way - it really can be best to pay the higher interest rates first. If you can't consolidate, in the end it makes the most sense to pay off the highest interest first & you pay less in the end. This has been my primary focus and thankfully I was able to refinance. Getting/being organized is a huge priority and so hard. :stress:

NEWay. . . :blah: I need to go rest my weary eyes. They've gotten fuzzy from staring at the computer too much. Does anyone else get that? :tired: I hope you're all doing well.

Yeah!!!!
 

I hope everyone had a great day!!! :cb: :cb:

I had my official WI and I lost 3.8lbs. !!!! Can you say "Happy Dance"!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

I can't say I did anything differently this week, but maybe it is just finally catching up with me. The two previous weeks didn't even total 2 lbs. I am really proud of everyone at work, they are all working really hard with WW. We had a breakfast this week for our school counselor and it was WW friendly and we also had a bridal shower and they made sure there was stuff we could eat as well. I must say that it is really nice having a third of our staff (22 people) doing WW. It sure makes it easier to stick with the plan.

I bought some WW cookbooks at the half price book store and I can't wait to try some new things out this weekend. Gee, I am actually excited about cooking!!!! Will wonders never cease!

Joetta= That is exactly what we did to pay off our credit cards and I can say that we are now free of credit card debt!!!!!! It wasn't easy, but it is such a good feeling not having to worry about creditors calling or robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Kerry- Good luck at dinner tonight!

Robin- Stay strong with that blasted cake!!

Lori- Glad your back!! Technology isn't always all it is cracked up to be. Sometimes it is just a pain in the a_ _!!!!!

Talk to you all tomorrow! Stay strong!!!!

Paige :balloons:

Sorry I haven't posted. There's too much to catch up on, so I'll just say: Congratulations Paige, Kerry, Joetta and to everyone who's lost weight this week :cb: That's great to hear! I've been eating weirdly this week, it just occured to me that it's the week before my TOM, which I hope explains my desperate need for tortilla chips this afternoon.

I have a pretty full Saturday, including a party that I plan to enjoy thoroughly, but I have to figure out how to limit my drinking and grazing while I'm there. I will spend Sunday cleaning house and playing Home Spa. A few hours of pampering and reading fitness magazines usually helps me get back on track after a rough patch.

Have a great weekend!

judy

Wow, where is everybody today?? Is every body having a day like mine?? BUSY!!! It started before I left the house, my youngest got mad as we were walking out the door, took his book bag off and then his coat can you say K-I-L-L I'm yelling I'm going to be late you'll have to have a fit when I get home at 6. He looked at me like I was talking to the wall!!! Anyway got them off to my mom's and got to work and the crap hit the fan. My phone was ringing and like I know what the _ell some of these customers are talking about. BUT I took a lunch today, I got up from my cube and said well you all are in charge, I'm taking a lunch! AND I DID! I never take a lunch, I usually eat at my desk so no privacy ever. Well it almost lasted for 30 mins, needless to say one of my customers were on the phone with a problem that I had to be fixed on the spot. Monday I'm leaving at lunch time, even if I have to go sit in my car! Poor Jim, he's the accounts payable guy and he got a taste of what they are dishing out to me. He had the customer on the line and nobody would help him and he had less of a clue than me. I think I'll be bringing this all up in our Wed. meeting! :D If it weren't for the work outs I might have really blew up by now! I forgot how much they help with stress!! AHHH IT'S FRIDAY AND I'M NOT ANSWERING MY PHONE! I'll check back with you girls later. I have some alone time and I'm going to sit back and chill!! Joetta, this is great advice, but we've already cut out everything just to survive, I haven't ate out in months and well the debt is just sick. I'm very afraid to refinance in fear that if DH or I would become jobless for any reason the debt would be secured to our house.

YOOOU HOOOO!!! Where are youuuuuuu!
 

Boy, it sure is getting lonely around here!!!!! Hope everyone had a good day and I don't know about you but I'm really glad the weekend is here. Although it will be over before I know it!

Lori-Good for you! You need to start taking your lunch break everyday!!!

Judy- Stay strong at the party!! I will also have to try and stay away from the margarita's at a party on Saturday as well.

Have a good weekend everyone! I will check in tomorrow to see if anyone has surfaced.

Paige

Good Morning Chickies :coffee: !!!
Yea I know Paige, I should have been taking my lunches all along but I'm salary and running to the dentist and Dr. kind of makes me feel like I should make up my time. Well no more, my last dentist appt. and Dr. appt. for a while will be this week. So I won't be taking anymore time off until I go and get one of my molars pulled. It's not bothering me so I can wait! My last dentist was expensive and just thought I ought to get most of my teeth pulled. So he left alot of things undone. Well I'm not ready for dentures yet, my poor parents spent sooo much money on my teeth when I was a kid I would feel guilty about yanking them out. So my new dentist is affordable and agrees we should save as many as we can. So I've had to spend alot of time with him as of lately to fix some of the bad ones. I really like him, he has a big office in the city, but works out of his house on the side here at home so it's really convient. Wow I'm yacking, anyway me and the kids are planning on going sled ridding all afternoon today. It should be a great work out,fun, and it's free!!!

Judy you snuck that post in last night while I was typing, I almost didn't see it! :) Isn't TOM a huge pain?? I swear that!! Anyway, have a great time at the party and don't sweat it too bad, your supposed to have a good time!

Kerry, a trip to FL sound awsome about now, I've never been there! My parents took us out west on all of our vactions when we were growing up. And now with money sooo tight me and the boys will be camping out in the yard this summer! Since I'm new to my job I lost alot of my vaction time so now I have to build it back up again!

Oh Joetta the big 50, what are you planning?? I don't think I have an arm band, but I have plenty of black clothes, I love the thinning effect!

Robin, can I just say how jealous I am, I can't wait for it to warm up to get out and walk again!!! We have an awsome trail that runs along our river and everybody bikes and walks on it. My kids just love it!

Oh and Paige kick butt on the weight loss this week, way to go!!!!

Alright I'll check back in later when we get home!!!

And a Good Mornin' To All!
 

Judy, when I read your posts, it makes me long for the single days again! Isn't it great to be so darned independent????? Oh, I really do love hubby and munchkin, but I have to admit, I REALLY loved the single years!!!

Kerry, you are dead on about the interest rates, getting rid of the higher ones first. What I have found is that if there are smaller balances that have smaller rates--to go ahead and get rid of those, it feels like quicker results. and as we all know in this world of instant gratification (I want this weight off NOW!) when we see results, it seems to give us incentive to keep going.

Paige, have you found all of the ladies at school to still be as motivated as from the beginning?--Just curious...again with the instant gratification thing, we as a society are really spoiled, and if we can't get what we want right now, well, we give up all too easily.

Hey has anyone heard from Diana? Would love to give her a big :bravo: on what should be like another month of not smoking.

Robin, with the area that you live in, who needs gyms? The walks must be beautiful--at any time of the year--scenery always changing! Enjoy the upcoming Spring!

Lori, isn't it amazing how you can actually force yourself to let the kids survive? The munchkin was giving me a hard time, and in my "little old lady" voice, I told him that someday I will get him back because I will old and crochety and he will have to take care of me. His reply with a half-smile---"Then I won't give you your medicine.............."
Gotta love em.

Hey Happy Saturday to all and take it easy on those Marguaritas!! (I do love that salt around the rim!)

Back to the laundry room...
Joetta

Hey - checking in before I collapse! We had fun today at the nieces birthday party. I had cake! :mad: But NO soda. It was fun but I'm glad to be home.

Tomorrow I am back on track and this week I intend to do well. I'd like to lose a few more before florida! :cool:

Lori - I don't know how you do it girl. That sounds like one DEMANDING job and you don't have any vacation! :fr: Sounds like you need a break girl. I HATE it when the phone rings. :eek:

Our group has seemed to shrink a bit. Jen should be back from her cruise soon and I'm sure we'll here from her. Maybe we need a roll call next week??

Goodnight all - I'm exhausted. See ya tomorrow :)

Hey ladies!! Just wanted to let you know that I made it back from my cruise ok. I don't have time to really tell you much now. I will get back on later to tell you all about it. Missed talking with you guys every day!

Yay Jenn's back! :) I hope you had fun! I can't wait to hear about your georgous tan. :cool: Glad to have you back!

It's Sunday morning (barely) and I have lots of work to do. I am just now getting busy. There should be more days in a weekend! :mad:

Welcome back Jenn!!
 

Jenn, if you came back from a cruise without gaining weight, I am seriously going to think you are not well!! Why do they do that to people? The amount of delicious food available 24/7 on a cruise is enough to make your head spin! :spin: (But, man, is it fun!!!!!!!!!) I know you had a great time, can't wait to hear the details!

I took my 11 yr old neice shopping last night. She has finally decided that shopping can be fun. She has always hated the girly-girl look, and still does. She has developed her own style which is kinda of a flower child/ old hippie look (which, btw, has always been my favorite). I held up a funky shirt and poncho, and said, Caitlyn, look, don't you just love this? She had this look of horror on her face... I then realized that the look was because she realized that she likes the same thing that her crusty old aunt does!! :fr:
We actually had a great time (and she bought the clothes that I found). We have to go to a wedding shower this afternoon, so I pulled out a funky fringy thing to wear to match her new funky clothes. This will be fun.

Have a great Sunday all!
Joetta

Good Morning Chickies :coffee: !
Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I didn't feel very good! I'm running a low grade fever and my stomach hurts. Well we wen't sled ridding on Sat. and had a blast. Good thing we don't do that often my muscles were a tad sore later that evening.

Well weigh in went well this morning 158.5 that's another pound. I wish they would roll off faster!!

Jenn can't wait to hear about your trip!

Joetta, I have 3 nieces and they are all big enough now to love to go shopping. It's fun and we always have a good time!

Well I got to pack my lunch, I went to bed early last night and didn't get it done. I'll check back toninght!

Good morning! :coffee:

Weigh in did not go great :( I am still at 150. I guess I'm doing good to be holding considering how bad I was last week with my dinner out and my birthday cake splurge.

So I am determined to get back on track and lose some more before we go to Florida.

I hope everyone is off to a good start this week. I'll check in again later.

Well, the week started out great. Got to Miami and on the ship with no problems. Within an hour of boarding the ship I had a nice frozen tropical drink in hand!! :cloud9: The week was great. San Juan was not the best. Maybe if we had signed up for an excursion we would have enjoyed it a little more. All we really did there was shop. We went snorkeling in St. Thomas. What a beautiful place. :cloud9: The captain of our sail boat told me that there is a very high demand for nurses there. ;) If I was not married and my son was a little older, I would pack up and move there without thinking twice! In St. Martin we went to Waikiki Beach. It is right next door to a nude beach. :o Most of those people needed clothes on!! The water was so clear and we just hung out on the beach for the day……soaking up the rays and swimming in that beautiful warm water. :cloud9: The day we went to Nassau, it was sort of cool and cloudy. :rain: It rained that morning before we got off the ship and then started back up that evening when we were leaving. All we did there was shop. I’m glad we didn’t sign up for anything because it would have been too cold to get in the water. On Tuesday I called home to check on my son only to find out that he had been out to the hospital and had pneumonia. :faint: He didn’t need to be admitted or given any I.V.s. They put him on Zithromax and within a day or two he was back to normal. :cb: Well, the food was awesome!! I went to the Ship Shape Center on the second day and I had lost 2 lbs. I never went hungry but I also didn’t over do it. There were frozen yogurt machines set up and you could just walk up and get a cone whenever you wanted. I never did have any of that. I saved those calories for all of the REAL good stuff. I had more bread in those 7 days than I have had in the past 6 months!! The desserts were also awesome. :cookie: :eating2: I never did go to the midnight buffets. The night of the real big one in the dinning room I was a little under the weather so my husband took the video camera down and taped it for me. We had room service every morning. That was our wake up call!! They had the BEST ham and cheese omelets!! I never did make it to the Ship Shape Center to actually work out! So much for my 30 minutes on the treadmill every day!! :tread: I did plenty of walking when we were in the ports. I also took the stairs as much as possible. Well, then came the day to get off that wonderful ship. We had a 1:45 flight out of Ft. Lauderdale which is about 35- 45 minutes from Miami. My aunt was with us and her “new” friend was taking us to the airport to save us the $60 cab fare. Well, we started to get off the boat around 10:30 and stood in line for customs for over 45 minutes. I was starting to freak out. :yikes: I just knew something was going to happen and we were going to miss our flight. We finally made it through customs and then had to go find our luggage. I had put duct tape all over our bags to make it a little easier to find them. About 25- 30 minutes later we finally had all of our luggage. A porter came over to help us with the 15 or so bags!! He told us to get out customs slips out because we had to go through customs one more time. I looked at him and asked him “What slip”. The first customs guy never gave us our slip back. Well, by this time I am right on the verge of a full blown panic attack. He told us that since we didn’t have the slip that customs would probably go through all of our bags. Well it is now 11:50 and I just knew we were going to miss our flight….especially if they had to go through all of those darn bags. I started to cry and just wanted out of that place so bad. :eek: :cry: The porter told the customs lady that we had a flight leaving from Ft. Lauderdale at 1:45 and we really needed to get out of there fast. All she made us do was fill out another form and sent us on our way!! We made it to the airport and to our terminal about 5 minutes before they started loading the plane! We had to fly to JFK and catch a flight from there to Washington, D.C. Once we finally made it to Washington we went to get our luggage. I jokingly told my husband and aunt that it wouldn’t bother me if our luggage was lost and we didn’t have to lug all of that crap home with us. Well, as luck would have it our luggage was lost. :stress: :stress: ALL OF IT!!! :stress: :stress: So then we had to stand in line and give a description of everything to the lady there. They told us that it would come in the next evening and then they had 4- 6 hours to get it out to us. I called yesterday evening only to find out that not all of the bags had been accounted for. The lady on the phone started asking what was in the bags. She had a list of some items and was asking if I had those items in my bag because she had a bag that had no tags on it and they needed to determine if it was mine. Panic mode set in again! I told her that I had just spent a week in the Caribbean and had no clue what all was in those bags. Long story short….I called back a few hours later and they had found everything and it would be in Charlottesville around 10:30 am today and then it would be delivered to us. When we got home I got on the scales and according to them, I weigh exactly what I did when we left. I will know for sure when I go to Curves today and weigh in. Other than the luggage problem, I had the most awesome time and can’t wait to do it all again!!!

Yay Jenn!! :bravo: It sounds like you had a wonderful time and you didn't even gain a pound! You go girl!! I'm glad you had a wonderful time (too bad about the luggage madness). So how's that tan look on your slimming self? I always think a tan makes me look slimmer.

I can't wait to start working on mine! :cool:

Good morning!
 

Good morning everyone! :coffee: My dh and I made a mad dash to Montana Friday night and came back Saturday night. Was so exhausted when we got back, I went to bed at 8:30PM and, except for getting up three times to go to the bathroom, slept through until 11:00AM the next morning. 15 hours - what a slug! Then we had to head to Washington on Sunday for my niece's birthday. So, I didn't have time to check in this weekend. My diet and exercise suffered tremendously. My food intake on Sunday was two slices of toast with natural fruit jam, some chips, salsa, and cheese dip, a very small slice of birthday cake, and a 12" Subway sandwich. I suppose it could have been much worse, but still not conducive to losing weight. Plus riding around in the truck most of the weekend didn't help either. But I'm back at it today. :^:

Jenn: I'm so glad you had a good time on your trip. And you didn't gain a pound! :D I would have had a hard time avoiding all the goodies on board. But I love the water, so I would possibly have burned the calories swimming and snorkeling. My dh and are planning a vacation for this fall after we finish our house. We are considering a cruise but he's afraid he'll get bored. Did your husband? I'm sorry to hear about the luggage problem, but at least they got it all back for you.

Kerry: Still 150? That's not so bad. You've just hit a plateau, your body will start losing again. And it's better than 250, or 350. Just keep hanging in there. You'll start losing again. I'm sure of it.

Well, I gotta get back to work. I'll check back in later. Have a great day!
Robin

Hi, all--

Things are off to a good start. I had a great, refreshing weekend, didn't go overboard at the party, went to the gym, played home spa, and spent a lot of time thinking and reading. I felt really prepared for the new week..until about 11:15 this morning :lol: I'm reading "The Solution," which deals with emotional eating, and it's really helping me think about the mindset I need to be successful in reaching my long-term goal--and not gaining the weight back.

Joetta--yeah, I'm no Bridget Jones! I'm in good place right now, enjoying being a bachlorette. There are lots of things that I miss about being part of a couple. But I have bad taste in men, apparently, and the good things were always overwhelmed by the really sh_tty things, and were ultimately more trouble than they were worth :headache: . At my advanced age, I've finally figured out how to rely on my own resources for fun, comfort and moral support.

Jenn--welcome back! Congratulations on reaching your goals and having a (mostly) great time, too.

Kerry--Don't worry about the numbers, we're all bound to stall now and again. You have the right attitude, don't let it get you down!

Hey, there, Lori, Paige, Robin....Hope you're having a great day :wave:

Off to the gym. Bye! Keep making good choices!

Hi Judy :wave: Thanks for the encouragement! :) Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend.

Robin - that is quite a BUSY weekend. I think you ate well considering being on the go go go! ;)


Lori - I hope you are feeling better. It's really been going around. 3/4 of my nieces were sick this past weekend and now my SIL has it. I sure hope we don't get it.

Well, I hit the grocery tonight after work to try to plan some lunches. It's so hard fitting a short lunch in during the day. I got a few things that will spice it up a bit more than my lf peanut butter & honey on low cal bread & Apple day after day after day. . . I get into ruts esp when it is stuff that is easy to store at work and eat at my desk.

I need to get back on the green tea though. It is the one serious thing that was missing the weeks I haven't lost. Either it works in aiding weight loss or it's my good luck charm. :D

Just checking in and catching up. Not much to say today. I feel like crap! My throat hurts and I hope I'm not getting strep throat! Yuk!!! On top of that I came home and had a cracker binge. I don't know why, I wasn't really hungry! Now I feel sick and quilty.

I think I am going to fix dinner for the family and then I am going to bed early!

Jenn- Your trip sounds terrific!! And to top it off no weight gain!!!Yeah, way to go.

Paige

Evening all!

Lori, Paige, hope you are both up and kicking again soon!! Being sick sucks!!

Jenn--a BIG pat on the back for you girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad you have all your luggage back! The most frustrating part of our cruise in leaving was that a couple in the front of the customs line had packed a TON of fruit from the boat--so of course they had to search everyone....But, like you, the rest of the trip was so cool!!!! Robin, there is always something going on during a cruise--you get bored only if that is what you want to do......My hubby loved the sports bar (maybe because I didn't go with him there????)

Kerry, is there something to the green tea/weight loss thing?? If so, I'm gonna fill the bathtub and start soaking!!!
G'nite all!
Joetta

Green Tea
 

Joette - Green Tea is supposed to in fact aid in weight loss. It helps speed the metabolism and triggers the body to burn fat. Here's an article that will explain it much better than I can. (says the librarian :p )

All the weeks that I lost, I was drinking green tea faithfully. I'm not messing with luck or science. ;) I bought a box of mint green tea tonight - I even went to a particular store to get the brand I like. It is Bigelow Green Tea with Mint .

Where is everybody????
 

I just got home from a late night (parent meeting at work) and thought I would get on and see how everyone was today and nobody has been here!!!! Must have been a busy day for everybody!!

I'll check back in tomorrow!!

Paige

Helllllooooo????
 

Good Morning Ladies! :coffee: Yesterday was a busy day! I worked 12 hours and went home exhausted. I'm putting in extra hours this week to pay back my time for next week when we're going for Florida. Oh the woes of being at temp status - no pto, no insurance, so sick days, etc :mad:

I'm really trying hard to stay on plan this week. I think part of my problem is that I'm getting too many of my calories in the evening so I'm trying to eat more throughout the day. I'm also back on the green tea once a day and feeling good about that too. Now if I could just force myself to exercise. :p I haven't done pilates or yoga in weeks now. I'm bad.

Yesterday was a fiasco at work. We have some serious geriatrics still working here day after day. One can barely walk and has incontinence issues as well as memory and performance problems. It takes her 8 hours to do 2 hours of work. Well yesterday she was wreaking very foul and then there was an altercation with the boss and her over her not doing her job right. My poor boss is about to lose her mind. She comes back to talk to me desperatly saying - what can I do :( She's been working on building a case against her, but I know deep down she just wants her to retire and leave with dignity so she doesn't have to fire her. It is obvious to everyone but her that she is not able to do her job anymore. Of course you see this is a personal gripe with me since I am coming in here and pulling more than my weight, making less $$ with no benefits so that the old timers can hang on and on and on. I'm probably going to **** for thinking and feeling all the things I do :devil: But I can't help it.

Well, I hope we have some of you check in today and everyone is doing ok. This place has been quiet lately. I know we're all SO busy - hence our title! :p TTYL!

Good morning!
 

I hope everyone is doing well this morning. I'm thinking work is getting entirely in the way of my having fun, not to mention losing weight. And I'm pretty sure I was meant to be independently wealthy, but higher powers obviously don't feel the same way. :D

I checked in yesterday, but didn't have time to post anything. I was able to do my walks, and even got in some crunches and pushups. But it was a hard day diet wise. I had bought some chocolate Easter bunnies for my niece and nephew, but they melted in my car. When I picked them up, I got chocolate on my hand. Of course the first thing I did was lick it off. It wasn't anything but just a few spots. But it left me craving chocolate the rest of the day. Then I went into Wal Mart to get them a couple of other little items to ship off to them. (They're in TX.) I went down the Easter aisle and thought I was going to have a stroke fighting the urge to grab one of each of Easter candy and just binge. I was strong and didn't eat any thing, but it was a hard battle. The only thing that kept me going was that I have a very small box of Robin's eggs Easter candy that I can eat if I have lost weight on my next weighin this next Monday. It's sort of a tradition for me. For as long as I can remember, I've eaten Robin's eggs at Easter, except in the past I ate a really large box, and probably more than one. I'm allowing myself to have that one treat if I can stick with my good eating and lose weight. I don't want to deprive myself entirely, but I have to be good for it. Discipline sucks sometimes!

Kerry: Hang in there with the work problems. I know it's really a matter of pride, but I don't understand how some elderly just can't accept that they are getting older and don't function as well as they used to. We're currently fighting this battle with my dh's grandfather. He should not at all be driving, but he thinks he's doing fine. But he's really not, at all. Can your boss suggest that the lady at your work take early retirement? I would maybe try that approach if it's an option.

Everyone else, have a great day and drink lots of water. I'll check back later.
Robin

My boss mentioned that she cannot even say the word/suggest retirement because this could come back in the form of a law suit i.e. agism. I don't know much about this. . . The woman is probably over 65, but in horrible health and not very sharp as in can't pick up or learn using computers and technology. What a mess. Plus the other older woman (around 70) here is just lazy and doesn't pull her weight. It sux. :mad:

The whole mess here and with me not having a FT job just makes me want to eat chocolate, chips and soda - sugary sweet coca-cola! :nono: Or just run away!!! If only the phone with ring with a job offer. . .

ETA - Robin I had lots of trouble in the easter candy section of Target last week. I escaped without making a purchase, but oh do I love jelly beans and peanut butter eggs. Yikes! Sounds like you have a good strategy to reward yourself. I hope you lose lose lose! :) ;)

Happy Birthday to Me!
 

:hb: :hb: :hb: :hb: :hb: :hb: :hb: :hb:

There was herd of plastic cows :moo: :moo: :moo: :moo: :moo: :moo: :moo: :moo: :moo: :moo:in my front yard this morning-compliments of my loving minister/mime/business partner. I had hoped to keep this low key (as old people should...), but that was pretty much blown with all those cows everywhere! My entire neighborhood knows that I am now 50 years old!!! How the _ell did that happen??????????????

Kerry, you made me laugh--you make me feel better about my co-workers, of course they are probably thinking that I am the old fart that should be retiring instead of leaking all over the office chairs!!!!!!!!! :lol:

I blew the diet out of the water tonight----catfish and jalepeno poppers!!!!!!!! My only saving grace is that I really am not big on sweets, and I really don't like chocolate, but man can I put away the breads and cheeses!!!!!

Have a great day gals!

Joetta

Happy Birthday Joetta!!!!!!! Just remember any birthday is better then not having one at all!!! ( I need to remember that myself when I turn "40" next month).

I'm glad to see Kerry, Robin and Joetta! I was worried yesterday when nobody posted! I quess that is why we are called "the working stiffs".

I have weigh in tomorrow. I am thinking it should be about 2 lbs., but I will see tomorrow.

Kerry- I was at my daughter's dance class tonight and we were talking about green tea. Someone said it tasted like "grass", is it really that bad?? Where is the best place to buy it? Can you get it at the grocery store or do I need to go to a health food store?? I'll try just about anything that might help speed up this process.

Robin- What will power!!! I am going to have a hard time with that when Easter comes. With 2 little ones I'm sure we will have a ton of candy around.

Have a great day tomorrow ladies!!!!

Paige

Hey Chickies,
Sorry, better late than never!!!
I have been horribly busy, more so than usual and now that I'm answering phones at work not much time to peak in. I didn't feel well last night after I worked out, but I thought either the pounds or I are going to drop and thats it! Personally I felt good to get it in, but physically I wanted to die! :lol:

Kerry, that is way to funny! My mom is retiring in Dec. and they couldn't double her salary to get her to stay. But they want her gone too, she does suck on the computer and when she dosen't balance her drawer it is usually ugly. I have to poke fun, I wonder who is going to wait on the customers when she leaves? Long story behind this! (she works at a bank) The diet is going fine, thank goodness I over cook, because I haven't felt much like doing this lately. And to boot wouldn't you know that bad TOM showed up!

Joetta, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :hat:
be glad I'm not at your work, one time we wrapped our bosses cube in police tape and outlined a body on the floor. Love the cows!!!

Robin, may the force be with you, or a, could you share???? I caught myself licking my fingers way too many times. I wonder how many cals and fat we chalk up doing that!

Paige, I hope your way in goes well tommorrow!!! You'll do great, and I'm going to read your green tea article. I like green tea, but I want the bad stuff in it! :^:

Ok gals, I'm going to lift and curl up and watch CSI. No work tomorrow, I'm going to the Dr. and can't wait to show her the 10lb weight loss!!!

I'll have more time tomorrow!