Battle of the Bulge #14
 

Good morning everyone!!
Here is the new thread...
As always-
Monday- support day and a good day for tips on staying motivated

Tuesday- support day and a good day for reasons why we want to lose- I think that keeps us motivated more than anything when we reexamine why we want to lose..

Wednesday- "what have I been eating all week day" and I want to start trying to get everyone to share quick recipes or tips on cooking that work for them.

Thursday- "what I have done to move my bootie day" and I want to get everyone to start giving us an idea on how they work exercise into their lives and the things they enjoy doing.

Friday- support and influence day- lets make this a day we talk about anything or anyone that influenced our weight loss for the week- things like friends giving bad foods or a partner that supported our efforts.

Saturday- recap day- lets talk about the things we thought worked for us for the week and those that didn't- this might help us see where we strayed and where we stood firm.

Sunday- weigh in day and reaffirm goal day- give us an idea of your goals for the week, month, and long term.

Have a great day everyone!

no replies. . .
 

New thread but no posts! Not a nice thing to wake up to after my four in a row! :?: Where is everyone?!?!?

HI HI HI
I am back at work.. but for how long today we'll see... to those who asked about getting shafted, yes it does mean mistreated. My ankles are very sore from being grabbed while I get "shafted" if you get what I mean. I went to talk to my big manager about my performance review to day and his attitude was why are you bothering me with this stuff.. when I explained that the two supervisors under him were away and when i talked to them last week they said to go to him anyway he still looked unimpressed. he also did NOT ask me how I was and when I mentioned I had been away for a month due to having an operation and being on leave before then he looked at me like "you should have come in the moment you were out of surgery!" etc.. the meeting went so successfully. I am so pleased to work here. THen they tell me they are moving me out to site, but not the one that was promised or that I explained why i wanted..health reasons mean I need a fair amount of sleep.. driving for 4 hrs each day to and from work is not condusive to that, along with the 11 hour day expected at work! the other site is only 1.5 hours of driving a day. grrr grrr grrr.. so welcome back tiff.. sorry to rant. maybe I should show them my scars....on the good side, weight is still in the 72's still can't really lose any more as can't actually walk for longer than about 5 min without being in pain.. BF is offshore now, but so lovely and sweet.. aahhh... umm yeah so as I am lazy and also really busy at work (who's heard of easing into things here? pffft) can someone give me a quick run down on the last month???
Red - how's the horse??
Stormy - how's school/work combo going
LGH - what foods can you eat now???
Cheerio
Tiff

Heh there NBK, good to have you back. Which horse might that be? I'm sitting here trying to get a report out on a winner yesterday, colt who could be good for the triple crown he's looking so good. No, just kidding, of course you mean my lovely little mare, bucking around as usual. I rode yesterday, pushing myself too much so that today I can barely croak. It's pretty embarrassing sounding like a frog. Still not sure if I'll try to go into work. I am determined to get one of my cats to the vet in half an hour. She evaded me yesterday, hiding in the closet until the vet closed. And she's the one in pain and I'm trying to help her. I yelled at her this morning and now she's hiding under the table, so I hope she got the point that she IS going to the vet today for her shot (it's to alleviate the pain from these inflamed gums the two have).

OK, gotta keep working on my story. A friend of mine just completed the Los Angeles Marathon minutes ago. I was tracking her on the Web site. it took over 6 1/2 hours! Her first marathon. What guts!

Ok, later!

weigh in and evaluation day
 

i confess, I've been very scattered with my discipline. Ugh. Up some this week.

So I really need to get back on track. I've only worked out 2 days this week, and very half hearted then.

I'm so close! so close I can almost touch it. Now is not the time to lose the vision.

You know, I watched the old movie "Lust for Life" about Van Gogh. It was sad, but any movie about art really inspires me. I mean art in the broad sense. I have to affirm to myself that I am an artist-I am a writer. That has merit.

And it takes self- affirmation and a lot of shoving myself to do it. It's HARD TO WRITE! To be honest, I end up kind of putting it off until the evening, and then I can get to into it I stay up until 2 am working.

Not a very disciplined way to practice my discipline of choice. Geez, you know. It takes keeping up with it on so many fronts. And I know I'm whining, because i have it a lot better than a lot of people.

Part of me says, "Sit down. Make a schedule and a plan and stick to it. Get yourself put together, Young Lady!" :nono:

and the other part of me says, "How many times have to done that and not stuck to the plan?" :shrug:

I guess the fact of the matter is, I need a plan whether or not I keep it perfectly. Mom always said, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Doing my plan at least decreases the willi-nilly factor. :^:

So, here's the plan:
1. WRITE DOWN WHAT I EAT- I'll get the old pen and paper and write it all down. I've had good success with that
2. EAT WHEN I'M HUNGRY-reach for whole foods low fat, but don't reach the starving level. That's bad for me, I lose control.
3. EXERCISE EVERY DAY- I love my Tae-Bo tape, I love my Lateral thigh trainer. This actually helps my writing too.
4. GET REGULAR SLEEP- I'll work out the details on this one, but sleep helps a lot.

These are the backbone of me getting my work done. So. That's the deal for the week. I'll do it.

HEy NBK, That's really lame about your getting moved to a site so far away. 4 hours is crazy!

I don't know what the situation in NZ is like, but in america, the employers have obligations to help you if you have a medical reason. I know, I know, half the time they don't anyway. But do you have an HR department? This is a big deal, and you should know what your rights are and what options you have.

Can you get a new job? They sound like to don't appreciate you.

I just got out of a very icky work environment, so I'm very sympathetic. Take care of you.

Hey well.. ok before when I made my post I was still wound up from the meeting with Big Boss the pain.

Doing my best: I have spoken to my supervisor about it some more and I am ensuring that as soon as our super short staffed problem is solved (yeah right…) that I can move to the site I want to be at. I know that in the mean time I have to go where the business need is greatest. I am sorely tempted to resign at present, but the problem is this: I work for a joint venture company… I was employed by one of the parent companies, and DO very much want to work for them in another country in 2-3 years time and hopefully for the rest of my career or as long as I want to be an employee in this industry. If I quit there is no other company in NZ that I could easily get work with that wouldn’t be in this region… staying here after leaving my current company would just be too icky (small town issues). Well it would be for me any way. Not that I have burnt or would burn bridges in anyway just you know, being hired as a contractor by a company you left I think is a bit weird. Anyway most of the issues I have are with the way this JV is run and operates, not with the parent company who actually offer a really good deal. The only other problem is that I think everyone is just as frustrated about things here as me, and being at the bottom of the heap politically, I get dumped on. The problems I have had with the big boss are similar to what everyone who deals with him has.. as for my supervisor, I know that there is a lot two VERY VERY different people can do to meet in the middle, but at the end of the day there are still aspects that you can’t understand about other peoples learning/work styles. So for now, I will cultivate a stomach ulcer and bite my lip so much it looks like I have had collagen implants! He he…

As for the responsiblilty for health issues. That is here in NZ. The problem is that mine are caused by a genetic disorder that on it’s foundation web page (American on anyway) claims that people with my type of if suffer no effects (YEAH RIGHT). My doctor would probably write me a certificate or something, but then I would have so much company politics to deal with and I know they would use it against me in the future if I want to do something different that it’s easiest to put up for now. I’ll just make sure I get my 3 day weekends or else be a real pain and put in for overtime for every single minute I work over 40 hours a week. Ha ha ha ha. And at the end of the day at least I’ll get to see a couple of my projects through into the operation stage, not just commissioning. I am still majorly pissed tho. Just putting it down in the same dark place that all my other beefs live. Thanks for your concern!

Red..at least you can go riding – I’m out for at least 6 months. I knew something would happen once I finally found a horse to ride! grr it’s still 4 weeks until I can do ANY weights in the gym… I’m losing my tone… thank god for muscle memory is all I can say! Lol… pleased to hear you mare is still making life fun.

CG- don’t forget, you’re my hero! I am amazed at how much you always get done in a week. Keep on keeping on, it’s the most you can do!

Have a great morning/ night/ day all. See you tomorrow!

Heh speaking of our hero, where are you Crime Girl!!!!

Ok, quickie here. I don't feel all that bad until I try to talk and nothing comes out! I did get into work but got there late and left early. The place always makes me feel ill but I did feel like I was running between a fever and chills.

doinmybest -- don't worry about being scattered. Happens to the best of us! ;) Two days is better than none, and better than I did! Don't knock it.

You may feel close but remember this is a constant thing, a way of life. The vision yes, but I'd be careful of feeling "close." I think that can lead to an all or nothing attitude and you don't need that. whoops, soapbox time!

I hear you on the artist stuff. Yes, if you are an artist then you need to have other artists around you, or movies or books about or by them. Not always but at times, as a touchstone. Kind of like the ugly duckling having to go play with the swans sometimes. Not saying that artists are all beautiful swans and the rest of the people ugly! Just, you know what I mean.. .

Yes, doin, writing is hard, and if it's any solace to you, the vast majority of writers find it difficult. So, don't think if you're not happily typing away or rushing to sit down and scribble that you are somehow less of a writer. Writing is about what you submit, what goes on the page in the final form (if you're talking professional writer). If you sweat blood to get it there, well, no one but you needs (or wants) to hear it (except perhaps aspiring writers.) So, don't worry. Just write, scribble, garbage, anything, but do it, over and over again. That's my advice.

I think a plan can be good, just as far as sitting down and writing. What comes out may be drivel but the discipline of sitting down can give rise to some good stuff too. But, whoops, you suddenly switched from writing to eating, maybe you weren't looking for advice anyhow. Oh well, you got it.

NBK -- wow, mega words. You're back. Great to see long rambling posts again. I love 'em. Just what till shanberg gets in here and the two of you get going. Sure wish grasshopper would hop in for a bit. Haven't heard anything from her in ages. We had a real hopping place here too. Well, guess it's up to us, crime girl, stormy and anyone else I've forgotten to hold the fort.

OK, now, I may be dense but just what happened to you NBK? I know you have the blood problem but I'm still unclear on the stitches and whereabouts they came from. This isn't related to the lip-biting, is it? Collagen implants?! My God! What are you doing to yourself there?

OK, no riding, and you found a horse? What's this? Remember, you've been mighty scarce around here, so I don't think it was us'uns youz was talkin to. Oh, god, no gym either? Your poor thing, really, seriously. Is there anything you can do? Can you swim perhaps or ride a bike or jog. Give me the messy details. We want to know!

Ok, I'm turning in. Don't know if I can make it riding tomorrow. I'm finally getting something on the canter. Learning how to maintain the contact, or rather, not allow her to yank the reins away at the trot/canter transition, while pushing from behind, then quickly go with her when she does go, still maintaining an elastic contact so as not to hold her back. It makes for a much better canter then from the start instead of going into a bad one and then thinking she's going to get better from there. Do you know what I'm saying?
Ok, sorry, nonhorsey types. . .

Ciao tutti! :wave:

Morning, all.

How is everyone? I am still fighting this stupid congestion! At least my sore throat is gone!! Nothing major to report as a result of being sick, sick, sick!!!


Red - You are such a dreamer!! I would have to say that your dream was your subconcious telling you that you are a fighter. Even though you may not always have the upper hand and are not always in total control, you are going to give it everything you have and come out fighting. I think maybe you were needing a little push to keep yourself motivated and moving forward, so that is what you dreamed....then again, you could be a complete nutcase and in need of psychological counseling!! :crazy: :lol: ;)

Sorry you are still sick. I can definately relate to that!!! I think we both got the stubborn strain of whatever it is we have! Mine seems to enjoy being in my body and doesn't want to get out!!

doinmybest - I think you have the classic writers syndrome! Takes a while to get started and then, when you do, you go nonstop and before you know it its two days later and you wake up the asdfjkl; rubbed into your forehead!! Since I'm not a writer (just a talker ;) ) I don't have any advice except to keep pounding away at the keyboard. You might could try to tape your list in several places to help you remember everything!

NBK - Sometimes jobs suck! Hate it that you are having such a rough time! Like you said, I guess you will just have to ride it out until you get what you want, huh? Just don't let them forget what they told ya! Keep asking and reminding them. Who knows, after a while, they might just move ya to shut you up!! Whatever works, right!!

Hope everyone else is doing alright.

Guess I ranted enough (right, Red??? :lol: ;) )

Talk to ya'll later!!!

Tootles

Hey everybody! Good morning from the west.

I was very very good yesterday. Had my date with Billy blanks, wrote down everything I ate and didn't go overboard at all.

Yay! And I will do the same today.

Thanks Red, Thanks, Shan, for your encouragement. I'm very happy to be writing, and the book is really coming along. I've got 60K words now....All of them will have to be edited and re-written about 10 times each :shrug: but you have to have the playdoh to play with first.

On to another day of triumph! I WILL lose this week. I will.

Red - ok... sorry sometimes I forget that other people can't read my thoughts. This often gets me into trouble with thinking I have told people things that I haven't!

so here's the quick catch up:
on the 21/2 I went back to work after a fantastic holiday on the goldcoast and then in my home town (christchurch = chch) with the boyfriend. In aussie we shopped, sunned and just had a brilliant time. It was really nice to have just the two of us and not have to worry about anything. Then we got back to CHCH just in time for the velvet revolver concert. We couldn't get the hotel we wanted as CHCH was booked out due to the Rod Stewart, VR and Cher concerts all being in the same week, So we stayed at the Crowne Plaza, one of the top hotels in town... well wouldn't you know it, that's where the BAND were staying.. They arrived as I was saying good bye to my dad who had come for a coffee in the lobby.. I called out to scott and he came over and said hello to dad and me.. I must have come across as such an idiot as I was smiling so wide I think my ears were split.. he he.. anyway then BF and I were coming down to leave for the concert and there is Slash and his Mrs in the bar! So we talked to him too! It was soo cool. The concert was awesome too. They played some wicked STP songs, like crackerman and some GnR aswell as all the songs off the VR album save loving the alien.. but it's not really the sort of song you'd play at a concert. It was loud but SOOO much fun. Anyway got back to New Plymouth (home) and slept ALOT and caught up with friends.
So on monday the 21st I went to work. I wasn't feeling to crash hot, but figured it was just post holiday blues.. anyway BF and I went out for lunch to a sandwhich bar here...all afternoon I was feeling nauseous and wanting to puke, but I can't throw up in public spaces.. i have good control of my stomach when i need it. Anyway I went home and proceeded to have a marathon of puking... in the end i got sick of trying to be sick and went to the hospital for anti-nausea drugs. BIG MISTAKE.. next thing I know there's a drip in my arm, I have doctors, nurses and randoms prodding my very tender stomach and they're keeping me in for observation. They suspected appendicitis. I knew it wasn't but I also wasn't feeling any better... anyway in the morning the specialist came in and effectively punched me in the guts then asked if it hurt,... well duh!! So I ended up having Laproscopic surgery with an appendectomy just to find out what the **** happened. I learnt that I HATE BEING IN HOSPITAL! And also that my BF is incredible. Hospitals make him physically sick.. but he stayed with me almost the whole time, apart from going home to get things for me or to have a shower or eat. They let him sleep in my room and then moved me into the lounge at night so he could sleep next to me when i was in a general ward too. He's amazing. Anyway so..I didn't have appencitis, just a really nasty virus that i am still dealing too. BUt yay for operations. NOT. At least now if I ever end up working in africa, I don't have to worry about being butchered in an emergency appendectomy. So the last two weeks I have been learning to sit and then walk upright.. seriously for about 4 days all I could do was a really pathetic hunched over old lady shuffle... and it will be 3 weeks before I can do anything remotely exciting, 6 before I can do weights and probably 6 months before I can ride, as I use my core muscles (which have been cut through and need to heal) so much on a horse.

hmmm so yeah. I have scars on my stomach which I am not stoked about, as one thing I did like about my body was that I have very smooth nice skin. Not now.. I do have some stretch marks on my back, but I can't see them.. and they're more the line you can see rather than the type you can feel. I know it sounds pathetic, but I was really looking forward to being able to wear crop tops when I got toned in that area and now... pfft.. yeah only if I want to scare big children as well as small! lol...

Anyway I am alive and well. so that's good. SOrry for boring the pants off you all
Cheers
Tiff

Good morning people. Let's see trying my voice out a little here. Yes, it's definitely better. I don't feel so hot though. Wondering if I should go riding. I have so much other things that are not getting done but today is supposed to be a springlike day and I would like to be out with the horse. Always a tough call. . . .

shanberg -- sorry to hear you're still sick. But it sounds like you're on the mend. Hope you get better real soon! Thanks for stopping in to post despite being sick. I take it you were able to go to work. AND you read back over the old posts from the last thread. What a sweetie. I am told everyone dreams but they just don't remember it. I dream so much. I could go on and on about all my dreams. I even dream in the trains when I'm nodding off there! I am a shallow sleeper, can wake up in an instant and do wake up often during the night. That's when REMs are supposed to be, when your sleep is shallow so I guess that's why. Actually, though the being burglarized part was very yucky and the overall feel of that dream was not nice I think the wrestling the guy down part may have been because that night when we were out drinking it was a coworkers birthday and we were pretending we were going to wrestle him down and give him birthday spanks! But that was all in fun and the dream wasn't so I like your analysis better. Complete nutcase. . . hmm. possible . . I think I do walk a fine line. .. ;) And shan, actually, you didn't rant at all. I'm expecting more from you later!

doinmybest -- good going on getting your writing down (I take it that's who Billy blanks is) writing down your food and not going overboard. Wish I could say the same. Then again, I don't think the quantity is stupendous with me because I'm off sugar, but I am not eating healthily. Keep on keeping on, doin! Best of luck!

NBK -- thanks for that lengthy explanation of what happened to you. How awful. And you don't even know if the appendectomy was necessary. Probably wasn't but the doctors won't tell you that afterward. Still, like you said, it will alleviate that worry if you're off in the boonies somewhere. I had similar happen whlie I was in Munich and I think they did butcher me. I've seen people with tiny scars and I was slashed across the belly like a harakiri ritual suicide. And they didn't explain anything and wouldn't answer my questions. German doctors are horrible, much like Japanese. Are ABOVE answering questions from the lowly patient. Anyhow, I think I did tear my insides because I was running a bar at the time and soon after the operation I was lifting heavy beer crates. I was back on my feet very quickly though. Anyhow, don't worry about the scar. It'll fade a lot and scars are cool to show off! Go for the crop tops. Like I said, it will get a lot better looking. You're making me jealous with talk of your sweet boyfriend, well, not jealous, but I sure wish there was someone around in my life like that. Well, gotta run. Thanks again for that long explanation!

Hi everyone! Just got back from a long weeekend at school.

NBK, cool trip report. So were you like "Hey Scott!" and he just came up to you? You must have died!!! I am glad to hear that you are back at work even though you did not have the best day. It sounds like you are feeling better.

Red, Hi! How are you? How is the challenge coming? I am sorry that you are not feeling well. I hope that you feel better soon!

Shan-I am sorry that you are still feeling bad. Are you able to do anything being sick? This time of year it seems like everyone gets sick. I hope that you start feeling better real soon.

Doin- Glad that you wrote down your goals. You will succed by writing down those goals. I think that everyone should write down their goals for everything in life and place it somewhere they can see everyday. It helps to hold you accountable. I have mini goals and long term goals for everything that I want to accomplish in my life. Tell me about the lateral thigh trainer. How is the resistance? Is is something you bought on tv?

Well, I weighed this AM. I am down to 156!!! So I guess I am doing okay. So I am 14 pounds away from my pretend goal. My real goal is 135 but that just seems too far away so I am saying 142. Today, my Tae Bo cardio boot camp came in so I plan on trying it tonight. In the mean time I need to hit the books. I have oral exams next weekend college.

Ooh! Stormy! Tell me how you like the boot camp videos...I've been eyeing them.

Today was good. I wrote down ALL my goals. And I accomplished all of them. Yay! And it's not even 10.

I did the WHOLE tape of Tae Bo (That was my date with Billy Blanks, red...He's the Tae Bo guy).

I wrote about 500 words, which is a little light. But I wrote! I did it all!

Shan- that's a crazy adventure. And to come back to crappy work nonsense. Man you never know what will happen in life.
For the scar, it will fade. They always look nasty when they are fresh. But it's nothing really...When I was a teenager, I had the WORST nasty purple stretch marks. They were SO embarrasing. I am so white I am transparent...The purple showed up really bad. But they faded and are no big deal. Give it time, your tummy will be fabulous before you know it.

Shan- poor thing. Health to you, and drink some tea...

We can do it, guys!

Morning, all. Hope everyone is doing well.

I am feeling better. I can finally breath through my nose. Of course, it has settled in my chest, so I rattle when I breath and cough a lot. I really hate being sick!!!

Red - How's it going? Any more weird dreams? I can't believe you could remember all that detail after taking nyquil. I don't like that stuff. It always makes me feel really weird. I never go into a deep sleep and when I wake up I am all disoriented and tingly. It is like my body knows it is a false sleep and fights it.

How was the visit to the vet? Did you get there on time with your cat? In the snow?

Stormy - Thanks for the well wishes. And, no, I can't do anything. I think that is why this is so frustrating. I was so gung-ho and ready to move forward and blam! I get held up! And, of course, I had to have the stuff that made me either extremely hungry to a point where I couldn't get full or so sick that just the thought of food made me quesy! I couldn't win for losing! The good news is the scale hasn't moved, so maybe I did okay. The only bad thing is I can't exercise and I am the type of person that won't lose if I don't move. Oh, well...

How are you liking the boot camp dvds? I asked my brother and he likes them. I couldn't help but laugh at him, though, because they are kinda kicking his butt!! He said Billy Blanks goes too fast....I think he is just getting old and is outta shape!

Good luck on your oral exams!

Doinmybest - How are you? Congrats on the 500 words! Do you write, then take a break, then read over and fix, then write some more? Is your novel a stand alone or a series? I am a big reader! It is what I do all the time! I ready pretty much anything, but my favorite genres are sci-fantasy and mystery/crime.

NBK - How's the recovery? Did they ask you if you wanted to keep it? When I had my wisdom teeth removed, they asked me if I wanted to have them? What??? What in the world would I do with teeth? I told them no thanks! They said that some people actually wanted them and were pretty adamant about getting them...man, I guess it takes all kinds, huh...


Crime Girl - Hope you are enjoying your spring break!

Okay. Time to go do some work. Will try to check back in later. We are having phone line problems and the phone company won't believe us when we tell them that the error is on their side. So, we can't download our data through the phone line, which is really fast. We have to do it the "long way" through the docks, which takes at least 15 to 20 mins per salesman. It is really frustrating!!

Tootles.

Good morning! Well last night I did the lower leg boot camp and this morning I did the cardio boot camp. The lower leg one was okay, however it is basically the same moves as the old Tae Bo tapes except resistance tubing is added. I did like the cardio boot camp. There was a lot of old stuff on it. but there was also a lot more push ups, squats, squat thrusts, etc. I liked the second half of the DVD better than the first half. So overall I give it a B. I think that it is actually somewhat slower than the old Tae Bo tapes, but this is probably b/c of the added resistance bands. I will try the other one later on this week.

I hope everyone has a great day today. Remember to live it like it is your last!

Tuesday is "why I want to lose" day. Hmm...This is one of the hardest battles people face. It's constant, it's a struggle. I want to lose those 18 pounds to know I am a fighter than wins...And to feel good.

Oh yeah, One other reason. NEW CLOTHES!!!! I love clothes. Maybe I'll go hit my favorite thrift shops today. I have a hankering for a suede mini skirt...Maybe I'll find one.

SIGH. I am feeling inadequate today. Amazing...Yesterday I was HIGH because I'd done all the things on my list yesterday.

But this mornign I heard from a friend..He's a writer too. I asked him when he writes, and stuff. He told me he writes from 1000 to 5000 WORDS A DAY. Boy, I feel inadequate. I cannot imagine writing 5 thousand words a day.

Hey Red, I know you write for a magazine. Do you know anything about getting an agent for a book? I'd love to get any advice you could give about it. I'm starting to network and get some leads.

Glad you are feeling better, Shan.

Stormy, thanks for the report back on the tae bo boot camp.

Enjoy your spring, CG!

Oh yeah, the scale is reactive positively to my discipline. Yay! I WILL lose this week. Just have to keep on keeping on.

Hi, doinmybest. How's things!

Sorry you are feeling inadequate today! Don't worry so much about your writing. It will come to you as it does. I think you are doing a great job. As for your friend, maybe he writes differently than you do. Some people have to write everything down, then go back and organize it and proof it. That is how I have always done any kind of writing...wirte it out, put it down, come back to it later and finish/tweak it. Maybe your friend is like that! So keep your chin up!!


Keep up the positive attitude!!

Good morning people. Glad to see a bit of action around here, but still, where is Crime Girl and grasshopper. Have we lost them? And kjk? I'm figuring we lost Jacque. Oh well, glad to have NBK back and shan and doin are new regulars.

stormy -- you are one of the old crowd, welcome back from school. Wow! 156. Awesome. It's no wonder. You have been so good with your exercise. Exercise to me has become a thing of the past. I guess I'm just too depressed these days though I do feel inklings of wanting to work out. I'm just overwhelmed and too low and discouraged about life right now. I have no one but myself to give me a pat on the back (not here around me as opposed to you all), really and it's what I need, because although I'm floundering badly on the outside I think that I have a lot of accomplishments that are just not getting the recognition because the overall picture is still so dismal. It's like I'm treading water and that's certainly better than drowning! but I'm not swimming in to shore, I'm not getting out of this ocean of struggle, but ****, I AM treading and that's not the bad word many make it out to be. It is a lifesaver. You have always been inspiring to me for some reason stormy. I don't know what it is, maybe you just have the right mix of sugar and spurs that gets me going. Ha! speaking of which, my horse is just too adorable. I always give her a chunk of brown sugar after I get off and pick her hooves, then another chunk when we're back at the washrack. She expects two chunks and will often tell me I've forgotten the second one (which I often do) by pawing with her front hoof and nuzzling me. Yesterday, someone had left two cubes of white sugar at the washrack and a friend gave them to Heidi. I, without really thinking about it, figured that was her sugar and didn't give her the second chunk of brown sugar that I had. But she was having none of it. Pawing, looking perturbed, "the white stuff was extra! where is my second bit of the yummy brown stuff!" Well, stormy, good luck on your oral exams next week. I hate oral exams. Feel like you're being questioned by the cops or something, well, in a way, you are, the school police!

doinmybest -- You are doing your best, aren't you. Good for you for reaching all your goals. I hate lists but I think it may be what I need because it allows me to look back and say, "yes, I DID accomplish something today." I always am so hard on myself. I never see what I DO do. I always just see what I haven't done. I don't know what to say about your writing. The number of words is really not important. It's the quality of the words. I love reading about writing, writing and reading and I was just reading Stephen King's "On Writing" again. He talks about word counts and points out how some of the best writers could barely write much in a sitting, while others just went on and on. According to him, it's the discipline of sitting down and at least saying you will write, of making it a ritual, as it is a craft and a practice. So, doin, I wouldn't worry about the number at all. I would work on polishing, on editing, on making your story interesting. Actually, I think the idea of writing a novel, let alone having it be interesting to get published is overwhelming. My roots are in newspaper work, then magazine articles, then essays. I work at a newspaper and a publishing house now. I used to work at a publishing house some years ago too. But, we did mostly nonfiction books. I think it would be very hard to assess and then edit a novel. I certainly don't feel qualified to do that, simply, I suppose, because I do not have the experience with writing fiction myself. I have only done nonfiction. I am only now starting to warm to the idea of fiction but to actually write something interesting, hmm, don't know there. I see novel writing as working up from smaller things, learning the craft on a small scale. My essays were the closest I came to fiction. In fact, really, unless you are told it isn't fiction, you could well think anything is, right? Maybe I just fear the idea of fiction and should just jump in. But for now, I can't imagine just jumping in a churning out a novel that wasn't pure drivel. But then again, I guess some people do. I hope you are one of them! As for agents, I think you are probably jumping the gun. An agent will just bring your manuscript to the attention of more publishers, but you can do that too and at much less cost! Having an agent doesn't make your work any better or make you look any better to a publisher. They will still just be looking at your manuscript and that has to sell itself. If you are totally new to the game I would suggest working with an editor who could get your manuscript in better shape. And this is not to say that your manuscript is in bad shape as I haven't even seen it. It's just that ALL manuscripts can be polished, reworked etc. A friend of mine walked through Japan and wrote a book. I read it for her and gave suggestions, but again, that was nonfiction. She has a small publishers, who is more like pay for publish and hasn't gotten anywhere on it due to lack of funds but my friend in the meantime tells me she has worked and reworked and really improved the book. Tell me doin, what sort of writing experience do you have as far as being published goes, short stories, essays, anything?

shanberg -- hi there. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Has your sense of taste come back yet? I assume it was gone. I hate that, don't you?! Weird dreams? You bet, I have them constantly, no kidding. And Nyquil is probably not a factor. In fact I haven't had Nyquil the past few nights and yet last night the dreams were, though not weirder, extremely vivid and emotional. I wake up feeling emotionally drained often because I have such a vivid dream life. I think I should get into fiction. I could give you some doozies probably. One reason I never got into much of the hallucinogenics when I was younger. I figured I had enough going on in my head. Don't worry. I don't hear voices telling me to take people out or anything. I WISH I heard voices telling me to stop eating! Yes, I got all the cats to the vet and I am giving the one her medicine. She is a fighter and impossible to get pills into but this new vet was so good. Instead of just telling me I HAD to learn how to do it, she put her thinking cap on and came up with a way of getting the medicine in. She crushed the pills for me and I mix the powder in a tuna-flavored diet supplement paste and smear that on the cat's face and paws and she licks it all off. Just to show how she refuses to eat anything you give her, the other cats are going crazy to get some of this yummy paste and the one who needs the medicine won't touch it, which is why I have to smear it on her!

HI all

I am mad busy at work today! Hope you are all doing well. I saw someone mention a lateral thigh trainer?? That's a kiwi invention! he he.. the machine was developed by a NZ'er..pay back for all the ab lounge/ab rocker infomercials we get. ANyway I'll catch up proper tomorrow I hope. being back at work has completely wiped me out. I had to go home earlier.. slowly but surely..

- i would have liked to see my appendix, but they mashed it beyond recognition when they biopsied it.. so it would not have made a good coffee table decoration! he he
ciao
Tiffany

Oh, gross me out NBK! Mashed appendi!

Says the lady who smears tuna paste on her cat!!!

You know, by golly NBK, you may be on to something there! :idea: I'll bet my little carnivore has been turning up her nose at what I've had to offer because it just wasn't her taste. She'd probably much prefer some juicy innards!! :rofl:

on a more serious note. . .
 

Morning all! How is everyone!!

Okay..I am going to need a lot of help and encouragement over the next two months. For Christmas, my brother gave me a coupon for a trip to Six Flags. We will be going sometime in May. I really, really need to drop some weight before then. The last time I went, I fit into all the cars and stuff, but some were a tight squeeze. Several years ago, we went to Carowins for the fourth. I wasn't able to ride one of the rides b/c the bar that comes down over your chest wouldn't lock. They liked to have broke a rib trying to get the thing locked. I think it was mostly due to the fact that I have very large breasts. Anyway, I don't want that to happen again. It was very embarassing and almost ruined my trip! So, I am back 100% on the diet wagon and ready to go! I am feeling better-not totally perfect, but a lot better.

Red - Glad you got your cats to the vet! Hang in there with the stubborn one! I didn't lose my sense of taste, though. I did have that overlying sickly taste in my mouth, though. Hate that!!

And don't stress over the treading water. Sometimes, you have to tread a little to recoup and get a little strength for the rest of the journey. Just keep paddling toward the shore and you will get there eventually!! And you do have plenty of accomplishments to be proud of! You struggle through your daily life and still remain the same person you are. That, in its self, is a huge success. Most people would just give in to the pressures and go with the flow! You move at your own pace and tune. Plus, it's hard to exercise when you are sick! Now that you are feeling better, it should get easier to head on back to the gym! You were doing so well, I know you can do it again! If nothing else, pick your cats up and dance around your apartment. Nothing like encouraging the goofy lady with all the cats stereotype!!

Hang in there Red! I know how hard it is to deal with depression. Just keep taking it one day at a time. Give Heidi some extra love (and brown sugar!! ;) )! And don't give up! You will make it...we all will. Individually, we may not be able to succeed, but together, we can do ANYTHING!!!

NBK - Thanks for the mental picture of your appendix...eeww! :lol: Hope your day at work went well! Did you start your new job at the other site? Does it seem like it will be okay for a while? What do you do exactly?

Okay, gotta get busy now. Will try to check back in later!

Bye, ladies!

Wednesday- Share a recipe day
 

Hi guys! I was pretty good yesterday. I probably should not have had the cookies AND the beer...Just the beer would have made it perfect, but I'm still please.

So, I have a recipe I'm crazy about. It's not really a recipe as in I just sort of tried to recreate somehting I had in an Amernian cafe...Here's the deal:

Take an eggplant (two if they are small)
a leek (or some green onions)
a pepper (red is prettier but green is fine)
tomato sauce
salt, spices that please you (things like basil, oregano, red pepper flakes)

I throw all that in the crock pot and let it simmer overnight. It makes a huge pot of the stuff, obviously, nice tasty kinda mushy eggplant yumminess.

I can heat it in the microwave as a saucy side dish, but I can also put it over pasta.

THe pasta, though, I've been learning to avoid. Another armenian favorite is whole grain buckwheat. You boil it like rice, but it is not the processed carbs that rice and pasta is. It has more fiber, and it's a whole grain, which i'm trying to eat more of.

The reason I have so many Armenian references is because my town of Glendale is more than half armenian. THey have the MOST amazing pastry shops (I try to avoid them), and also I can buy buckwheat.

So, that's my recipe for you all. :D

Red.. you know if my poor discarded appendix can help your cat then..... TOUGH LUCK.. sorry my body parts aren't for eating (selfish I know).. but you could, as my brother suggested I do, look for one on e-bay or the kiwi equivalent trade me ....

Alrighty so last night I crept along to the gym and snuck in.... I managed to walk pathetically slow on the treadmill for 14 minutes! on a 2 gradient. I got a bit hacked off with the pace so I increased it to where I would normally START my warm up.. but after about 4 mins I was hurting so put it back down. BUT at least I walked for that long... have an assessment tonight to get a "rehab" programme going.. maybe they'll let me do some weights..


Damn you stormy, you're kicking my *** in this weight loss thing.. and I can't plead being busy as you are busier than anyone else I know with your job and school and all the travelling you have to do.. I'm going to have to stop eating completely to catch up! he he

CG - where are you? I miss you


Shanberg - I don't start my new job until next week. But yesterday actually went well. For once my boss backed me up! I nearly fell over with suprise. I'm a process/field engineer for an oil and gas service company (we find the gas, make the well, run the well, process the gas and deliver it to the customers pipeline but we don't OWN the gas/oil). It's not really all that bad, I just get pissed off as I was promised ALOT of very different things when they recruited me for the job, to how things have turned out.. and you know, even when you know the reasons and the business needs for why things are different, it still doesn't make you that much happier at times. But at least I WILL be paid more ... yay my visa card might actually get paid off! now THAT would be wonderful.

adios
Tiff

Good morning. Still feeling rough. Voice is, testing, testing, coming out a bit better. I have a ton of work to do, big chunk came in yesterday but the money is lousy. Still, I hated to refuse so I got that to do along with three other projects. Shouldn't be riding but ****, that's the whole reason I do all the work. The horse needs exercise and so do I. If I don't get out there regularly it's kind of a losing battle. Ah, to have a simple life. . .I guess I'd be bored in no time but still it would be more relaxing.
Okay, quick read here. . .

Didn't anyone like the inspirational quote I put in there? I thought it was good, keep us remembering the importance of getting where we dream of being, with the life and look we want to have. Maybe you missed it. . .

Heh, just where is Crime Girl?! . . .CG, you didn't say you were going to be out of the loop for a while. Hope you're OK! grasshopper, you too, what happened?

OK, go with the people who ARE here!

shanberg -- You can do this, slimming down for a Six Flags sortie! Ah, that would have been a real downer to be squeezed into the seats. What's your goal for then? I would suggest exercising to tighten up. It does wonders and is so much more reliable than the scale. Why don't you get a tape measure out and make those numbers your goal shan. You can do this! Keep your eye on the goal. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I don't know. I am feeling a bit better, would probably feel a lot better if I could get to the gym but now I have all this really boring translation to do and editing and rewriting. It all just involves sitting in front of the computer staring at the screen. And the stupid union at the newspaper wants me to go to a meeting they called for today. My coworkers will stab me in the back (yet again) if I don't go but ****, I can't give them 5 hours of my time when I'm feeling lousy AND have all this work to do. I guess that is what "going with the flow" means, right? This is what they want me to do. They hate the idea that I do things other than go out and drink every night. They talk to me and act like they're including me in their things sometimes and then they use the information against me. I tell you, it is dangerous to be friendly with people who have no ambitions. I think it was Gloria Steinem who said, "Powerlessness corrupts absolutely." It is this sense of powerlessness, not power, that I think causes people to want to pull the rug out from people who seem to have it better, instead of getting off their sorry asses and trying to do something themselves. I mean, really, these guys at work, drink tons every single night, or at least every other night. Imagine the toll financially, let alone on the body, the mind. I think this is what I have to remember when I want to really try to get my own act together. What am I choosing when I party with them? What am I choosing when I don't? OK, an occassional night out, but is it worth it? If I want some socializing it can be with other types. Ok, enough of that, you got me going shanberg.

doinmybest -- heh, there, another beer lover, eh!? Ah, I didn't know Armenian cuisine used buckwheat. that's a big thing in Japan too, buckwheat noodles and buckwheat tea is good too. So, what did you think of my writing advice doin?

NBK -- I wasn't targeting your innards. I was thinking more of something a bit more readily available, at say, the supermarket. My mother used to always cook up liver and kidneys for our cats. They loved it. I just, as a vegetarian, find it all so gross. Having these little carnivores is an invaluable experience in coexistence of the species!

Seriously, NBK, I hope you get better quickly. That was great that you could get some walking in on the treadmill. What resolve! I am surprised though that you are hurting so much. Then again, you do have this other blood condition so maybe you mend more slowly. When I had my appendix out I was probably so liquored up every day that I didn't feel anything. Can't remember if I stopped drinking after the operation. Probably did. But before I was on a roll. It was my first time out of the States and I was living in Munich with a bunch of lushes! I had never drank in my life and here it was just one schnapps after the next, all chased down with tons of beer. What an initiation.

Glad to hear your boss backed you up. That sucks that you're going to have to travel so far to get to your new job. It's hard to believe. How many hours do you have to drive? Let's hope you can get a transfer closer soon. Any thought of moving house while you're at the new job?

Red - Just a quick post before I head out! I loved your quote. I am sorry I didn't mention it. I liked it so much I sent it to a friend who is having a rough and hectic time at the moment.

I really don't have a specific goal for my Six Flags trip. I just want to lose. I'll take all I can get. I will see if I can get to Wal-Mart and get a measure (don't have one at home). Thanks for the advice.

Sorry you have to go to a meeting when you are so swamped. We have quarterly meetings here that are required. They are very boring and last about 30 mins to an hour. Time I definately could be spending do actual work! The speakers, when we have them, are so boring it is hard to stay awake!!

Okay, all the time I have. Talk to ya soon. Hope everyone esle is doing okay and having a great and awesome day!!!

Well ladies, wish me luck, I'm off to the gym for an un fitness assessment.. and to find out how much muscle I have lost and fat I have put on.. funny how you can actually get more fat and lose weight at the same time... but still it will be nice to be starting back on the weights again.

whooosshhh... was that tumbleweed I saw go through here?
No?
hmmm sure is purdy quiet in these parts..
Take care and know that:
YOU CAN AND YOU WILL
love
Tiff

Hi guys, yes, it is very quiet around here. What has happened to everyone? Sure hope we get some action.

Shanberg -- glad you did like the quote after all. And glad you thought it could help a friend. Were you able to get a tape measure yet? If you're exercising you may not even be noticing how your body is or will be shrinking, especially if you wear loose clothing. But I think it can provide a boost for you and also something to work toward. Good luck!

Actually, I blew off the meeting. I said I was going to a press conference, which I had planned on going to. Found out that was being held after I posted this morning but then I wound up blowing that off too. I have a lot of work to do, which I'm NOT doing now, but moreso, I'm still feeling dragged out from this weird cold. My voice is much better and I never really had real cold symptoms 'cept for a tickle in my throat that gave me coughing fits sometimes. I kept a pack of Vicks cough drops handy (am not worrying about the sugar in them!) and that would help. But I think I have been feeling so down and lethargic largely due to some sort of illness. So anyhow, even if I don't make much headway on the work at least I'll be getting rest just staying home. At least I got to ride. It was tiring. My horse needs so much encouragement.

NBK -- hope the gym went well. Oh, I sure DO know about getting fat and losing weight (or staying the same). That is exactly what happened to me the end of last year, what has had me so disgusted with myself. If only I'd gone off sugar then. . . well good luck. Glad you're back with us. It has gotten quiet around here, like that whooossshhhing tumbleweed. You don't have them in Newzy, do you? I guess Oz must have 'em.

Ok, ciao for now! :wave:

Calling Crime Girl!!!
 

Heh, I'm getting worried about Crime Girl. :( She started this thread and never posted. What's up! :shrug: Crime Girl, are you lurking?! :dunno: If so, just drop in long enough to say you're OK, will you?

Hey every body...I'm here. Don't feel like much of much today, but I'm here.

I've been very very good about excercising this week. Not so good about my eating, but...not TOO bad...Well. I've got a few more days til weigh-in, I WILL lose.

Tiff- you guys did the lateral thigh trainer, huh? from down under. Well, I love the thing. It's the only thing I evre bought off and infomercial, and it's made me very happy.
It would be interesting to know what my fat percentage is...I am not part of a gym, now that I have my LTT. I wonder if there is another place I could get assessed...Hmm..

Shan and Red, you asked me some questions about my writing process. Thank you for your interest and support.

I'm writing a book about my experiences (not a novel, it's called creative non-fiction) being a missionary to WAY outer siberia starting the day communism fell. My synopsis is:
A coming of age story juxtaposing the religious tyranny in America to the political tyranny of Soviet Russian. The 18 year old Lisa goes to Yakutia with her family and learns about freedom, responsibility and what it means to be an adult in a very scary world.

Hmm...That sounds like it needs work. Oh well. That's why I'm working on it!

I've got the first half written, the part about America ( oh yeah, I grew up in Alaska, so that's the setting). Now I'm wrestling with the other part, trying to describe what it was like to live in Russia.

So, what I do is write on both ends...My new material is the stuff about russia. It is VERY rough draft, just writing writing about vignettes and scenes that happened. I don't worry about re-writing those yet. I don't know what shape they will end up being, so I don't want to get in my own way on the new stuff.

The FIRST part, the part about america, I have attained first draft status already. Which means I already know what those chapters are supposed to say. Thos parts I fiddle with, re-write and punch around to get them in shape. Go through to make sure it's clear, get rid of passive voice, etc.

So the 'words' I report writing on every day are the new parts. I don't count the editing on the old parts. But I don't edit every day.

Red, as far as credits...Hmm..I took FOREVER to graduate from college. I kept wanting to have a job...But I have a degree in English literature, and the last year, the only year I went full time, I got prizes and stuff. FOr humorous essay, and a couple other things.

I was a food reviewer for a monthly rag here in Los angeles for a while, so I have a couple clips. The paper went under though.

I've been a professional Information Technology person, because, hey, it paid the bills. So I haven't spent too much time on my writing. I would like to get a few bits together and send them out to some magazines. It seems VERY HARD to me to make a living as a writer. It's such a steep curve, to get accepted.

One of my big goals is to put together a writer's resume soon. When I have my book proposal prepared, I know that's going to be part of it. I am going to have to fish aroudn for an agent, etc. It's not all Muse and a-room-of-ones-own, I know. My years as a corporate corpse taught me to be professional, at least.

Anyway, that's my life write now...:P...right now

Oh, the book is meant to be funny.
 

Thought I should mention that part. :D

He he... well Red.. I have put on 0.5% body fat and officially lost 2.4 kg from last time.. so some is muscle and some is fat, as my waist and glute (Fat ***) measurements have decreased a little. BUt the new trainer was mean to me.. I am one of those people who needs a wow you're doing well.. not "you've got A LONG way to go to your goal haven't you.." type comment. Now here's the really amusing part. My fitness HAS INCREASED MARKEDLY! oh yeah nothing like spending 3 weeks in bed to improve your cardio vascular fitness. She was like "oh you must be a pretty active person normally.." I nearly fell of my chair laughing (except laughing is still a bit much for my scars..). I am sooo lazy. Anyway it was a pain to go through the whole blood thing, the low bp all the time etc.. but maybe she'll turn out to be nice. She's given me some good weights to do.. only problem is that the machine is out in the "OPEN" part of the gym...you know where everyone can see you.. and of course it's the lie down on your stomach leg curl one.. ugh... I hate it! I can tell all the chicks are looking at me laughing at a)how fat I am and b) how pissy my weights are (this is because I am not allowed to do any big weights for another 4 weeks and my strength has gone quite a bit).. I don't care about the guys as they always look at you no matter where you are and at the end of the day, I earn more and have more brains than most of the catty ones.. the rest of my weights are free weights so I can go and hide in the corner...

Feeling pretty shitty this morning, headaches and tiredness.. stomach is not too happy either. I am starting to wonder if I am allergic to generals..I mean surely you are not meant to feel like this for THIS long after an op? I like your idea red of drinking incessantly to aid recovery, but I am too scared of drinking too much and puking!

Doing my best, your book sounds really interesting! I love that genre... and russian literature is so interesting, actually so is french... he he.. anything that takes you out of the whole british/english speaking culture...

Cheerio 'possums
Tiff

Oh, NBK, you are funny! To h@ll with any chick looking at you. I'm sure your butt isn't the enormous thing you're saying it is anyhow. And, if you do get someone you think is having a chuckle, just walk over to her and say, "Heh, wanna see my scar? . . . Got into a little scrap the other night in the bar. You know, knives and stuff. I got this to show for it but the other chick's still laid up in the hospital. Damn. It'll be a long time before she can work out again. . . you know how it is (laugh, laugh)" :rofl:

Actually the way my scar looks, i'd be better off saying "ar ar I'm a pirate.. you'd be a good trading wench"... lol...

Nah the chick I am most worried about, I know is a total skank (the stories I have been told, even taking small town-itis out of them would make penthouse forum seem tame!)... but still... I get more intimidated by women than I do men..I suppose it's just something new and I am a little scared - what if I can't do it? etc. but thanks for the reality check!

What if you can't do what, NBK?

NBK, I've got to leave now. If you write and don't hear from me, I'll catch you later! Ok, have a good day and yes, I'm sure, whatever it is, you CAN do it!! :sunny: