Hi all. I am ok, just a bit stressed and busy. A lot going on at work right now. Iam doing 3 peoples jobs. I was a bit bad, and let my boss deal with a couple of staff issuses. I feel guilty doing that, as I feel like I am not doing my job, but honestly, it would have been enough to send me over the edge. Some stuff came up though, that really made me doubt myself again. I hate that. Any negative, and I feel like I am a bad person. Sigh. When will I grow up??

Anyway, I hope Chachee has a good trip, things pick up soon for Derry and Raven, and Red continues to triumph over Lent. Talk to you all later.

Just read everyone's posts....
First, just want to say that DH had his stress test at the hospital yesterday and his heart is ok. Whatever is causing the chest pain is NOT his heart. That is a relief, but something is still getting to him, is it all stress? Seems quite odd that there is no explanation. Acid refulx? Ulcers? I guess we will continue to seek answers and at least it's not as stressful knowing his heart is ok. That was pretty scary.
His boss was trying to convince him to give a one month vs. two week notice, then also offering him time off to "think", also offering him a 2 or 3 day a week schedule with pro-rated pay and medical benifits. I was kind of hoping he'd think about the latter of these proposals for awhile, but he just wants to sever all ties and remove himself. I can understand, but I am worried (just like Raven) about how to put food on the table and keep our house, etc.
Raven, I was thinking about mentioning that you could check local newspapers and see if anyone is advertising for babysitting. I know it's not a career or anything, but it could fill in the gap temporarily. Are there stables that would hire you to curry and feed the horses in return to boarding your own horses? I'm thinking for you, my dear!
I am really contemplating a yard sale in about a month. It's really poor weather here in NH for something like that now, but we could manage that as spring approaches. That would put ready cash in our pockets and I truly have been marking several items as yard sale things and putting them away in my attic.
If unemployment has been denied to you, what about public welfare? There must be something!
I'll keep thinking.
Linda

Hey all. Just a quick pop in. I rescheduled my personal trainer session for tomorrow. I hope I can make it as my back went out last night. I am moving pretty funny. Hopefully it will feel better soon. Maybe with some muscle relaxers and whiskey? Anyway. Not much else to report. Hello to everyone, and i hope things are going ok.

Hi Jolly! Wish I had a personal trainer! Oh well.
Hey, just so you know, I did get on my treadmill for 40 minutes today, though.
On my home scale, I weighed 144 with all my clothes on AFTER eating lunch, that was a first. Of course, the scales at WW weigh me, usually, about 2 - 3 pounds heavier, but the one here at home never has gone that low. I had a shirt and sweater on as well as jean too!
We are going away tomorrow morning to RI for the weekend, to visit my in laws. I'll probably be fed ALL weekend and will probably have wine too, so if I come back heavier - at least I am at a "low" now!
You all might not hear from me until Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. Have a great weekend, Raven I am sending BAT to help you plan your new life. I'm routing for you!
Linda

Wow, Derry, congratulations on that super new low weight. You must be well under 144 if you did all that clothed and after eating. Fantastic. Oh, I can't wait to see the day I get there myself!!

Red, and that day will come for you! Someone quoted Shakespeare's Hamlet to me this week and it hit home a bit. There is a scene that Hamlet indicates "readiness is all it takes to effect a change". So true! If you are really ready and make a decision that the change is necessary and that is that, then is shall happen! Good thoughts for the day!
So far, no chocolate!
One thing that could happen is that we are going to my in laws for the weekend, and I did say to my husband that if chocolate were served to us as far as a dessert is concerned that I wouldn't make a big deal and would probably graciously eat it. I carry this only so far, I guess? I don't know, we'll see when the time comes. But, on my own, at home, I've been so GOOD!
Yesterday afternoon, I really wanted chocolate.... almost gave in, but I didn't! I did find that those Rice Krispies treat bars that you can buy are only 2 WW points and taste nice and have a bit of a crunch when you eat them! I like them and having one of those with a cup of tea, took away the chocolate cravings for the afternoon!
Linda

Thanks Linda. About the weekend at the in-laws, couldn't you phone ahead and tell them of your Lenten challenge, thus giving them time NOT to serve chocolate. Or. . . are you kind of hoping they do? I feel my challenge getting harder and harder. I will try to regain my enthusiasm so I can stick to this. Even last night, out drinking, I didn't have anything I wasn't allowed and that is major because my resolve tends to slip with the alcohol of course.

I could have phoned ahead, you are right. I hate to make special requests, though, as my MIL gets cranky. She's been aware and helpful of my weigh loss goals, at least, by providing lte bread and things like that, but I have to be careful with her.
Maybe you are right, am I looking for excuses?
Well, take care and I'll be back!
Linda

Hi there. Yes, I understand when someone can be cranky that you don't want the added possible irritant of making requests. Really, even if you have chocolate this time, like you said, it's a matter of being gracious. If you can stop at the little bit that will keep your mother-in-law happy but won't mean you're indulging yourself, then that's still a victory I think. I was thinking of something similar last night. I was getting down about having made a date to go drinking with friends, especially since I had been great all week with eating and exercising. I saw the inevitable large amounts of beer as ruining my track record and stopping me from losing weight but then I thought, no way, one night out on the down isn't what got me fat and even two nights out on the town every week wouldn't have gotten me there either. It's everything else. Yes, the momentum is kind of pulled up short when you're on a roll and then do something you know will stop you in your tracks. But you can get moving again. If I don't I it's nobody's fault but mine. As for you and chocolate, since this is not really a diet thing, it is largely the thought that counts. You are thinking of giving it up, you ARE giving it up and you are trying to not hurt others while doing it. I think the Lenten spirit is still wholly there. Well, have fun on the weekend! I'm wrapping up Saturday here.

Hi all. Quick post as I head to the gym. Good luck with all your challenges right now. Derry, the only reason I have a personal trainer, is because it was part of the package of joining. I only get 2-3 sessions (or 4-5 if I break it into half hour increments). I certainly couldn't afford it otherwise, and am not sure how I will like it anyway. We shall see. I will have to be careful, as my back/hips are still tender. But, at least I can go.

I will have a challenge tonight too, as my mother is taking me out for a belated birthday present. Ah well, that's real life I guess. Being able to balance out all that comes our way, and not using it as an excuse. Doing the right thing in moderation.

Have a great day all.

Jolly, good for you for getting to the gym like you have been. I am losing my enthusiasm again mainly because work is preventing me from getting to the gym and riding. Ugh. Such a pain. This up and down and go round and round. Spinning wheels always it seems. Really, wish I could get in gear and stay in gear. I have been perfect with my Lenten thing but even that is losing its appeal and today will be a major temptation as I have to go to the racetrack and write a story from there and that is always I time I need to have something very portable to eat. Even if I stay away from the sugar I have always had nuts and those are one of the things I've given up. I will have to think of something else to eat or just try NOT to eat. Jolly, when you say you are tender, what is wrong? Do you just mean sore from working out or did I miss something you did to yourself?! How is work? Any better? Why are you having to do so much work these days? Have people quit or are they just piling it on you because you can do it? Well, hope to see some action around here. It's really been lonely recently. Derry, how are you holding up with the chocolate? Happy, Chachee, Rave, where are you all? Anyone else? Anyone new, come on in and talk.

Hi, Red. Hope your resolve sticks with you at the track. Tell me again why you gave up nuts? Seems like that would be a healthy snack to munch on.

I am tender because my lower back went out Thursday night. I really had to do a lot to get it ok to work out today. I have to admit, I wasVERY disappointed with the personal trainer. She was distracted. Spent more time giving me dieting tips. Did not put a full weight training plan together. Did not do the stretching she was supposed to. She stopped to talk to some yahoo that had a quick question. I really feel like I got nothing out of the session. I will either have to see if there is someone else I can work with for my two sessions, or really have a set agenda for her of what I want.

Anyway. Off to mom's. I do have a quick NSV to report. I was hungry after the gym and runnning out to check on Chance. I know I am having a big dinner with mom tonight, so got stuff for a salad. I had some low fat pretzels (which I measured out a portion size) with it, but didn't even let myself go past the bread aisle and be tempted by my favorite baguettes. Not much of a save, but I will take it.

Have a good evening all.

Jolly, your NSV sounds like a good save to me! Bread aisles can spell mega calories! Thanks for writing. It helped lift my spirits to talk to someone. I don't know how you do it, all your work and then working out, getting to your horse on top of that. Too bad about the trainer. I see them at the gym and the ones connected to the gym are pretty useless. On top of being distracted and not caring they often are just giving instructions from the book and probably haven't even done the stuff themselves. Yes, definitely try to find someone else. Perhaps a guy would be better, or is this an all-women place? Even the private trainers I see, some of them are just going through the motions. If I had one I'd really want and need that person to be totally engaged. Oh, the nuts are part of my four-way Lenten challenge. I gave them up because I eat too many of them and I thought the sugar part of the challenge was too much about dieting. I wanted part of what I gave up for Lent to really be something I liked, that was good for me but that I would really miss for Lent. Hope you enjoy your dinner with your mother tonight!

Now I understand the nuts. At least, your nuts. Not that you're nuts.

I had a really good time with my mom and step dad. I very much enjoyed dinner. The only save I can report is that I ordered the smallest size Prime Rib. Ah well - I don't go out for steak more than 3 times a year.

Have a good one!

Oh, but I am. . jolly. . nuts, that is!! Glad you had a fun time with your dinner. A save is a save. Get it while you can. Small steak counts! I am still perfect with my Lenten challenge. Hurrah! More drinking out at track last night after I'd written my story. But amazingly, I stayed gold. Turned down sweets and those deep-fried things I've given up. Was afraid nuts were going to appear on the scene, in which case I probably wouldn't have been able to resist but they didn't so I was clear! Oh, wait, now I remember, they (the nuts) did turn up, little slivers of almonds, BUT because they were in individual packs mixed with little dried fish (gross!) I had no problem turning them down. Of course, the beer was not good for all the calories, but it was the first time seeing these people this year and so I let loose. Will pay for it today though, am paying for it now as I have work to do!