Oh Robin, I'm jealous of your walking area, you'll have to send pictures of the water and mountain!!! We have a path/trail near our river and the scenery is just beautiful, everybody uses the trail, bikes, walkers, dogs walking their owners, runners, but no motorized anything. From a picture you would think it was perfect! BUT, on any good hot summer day and a breeze blowing in the right direction the river stinks like fish YUCK!!! Yea on the 189, I always weigh myslef at home with the same kind of clothes. But just seeing that number drop for 9's to 8's is serious motivation.

Kerry, I wouldn't spend $40 on a hair cut, that's a rip off!! Ok maybe not in your area even $30 is outragous here. We have a Fantastik Sam's and I usually spend about $20 with the tip! No wonder you don't want to spend the money OUCH! I don't know that dumb old Flowbie is sounding pretty reasonable :lol:!!

My friend, the Barbie look alike, she is so excited about me still working out, she dropped of a sample of whey protein powder. She insistes that I need it to replenish my muscles, potasium (sp?), and a whole list of things. It reminds me of slim fast, I just love her to pieces, but I'm shocked she drinks these straight up. I'm thinking ice in a blender!! They are low cal so it can't hurt anything! Can you see I'm not getting much cleaning done! Oh well this will be a swiffer dusting, sweeper, and swiffer moping clean week! No pledge and 409, I'm just not in the mood to spend that much time! Besides, when would I squeeze in my work-outs, I mean really who cares if you can't get in the door, my butt is getting smaller! I'm getting slightly worried my priorities might be a little twisted??? Hey, they got dinner and clean clothes, I can't be all wrong :lol: !! I'm going to hit it for the evening, I'll catch up tomorrow!

Robin, thanks for thinking of my heealth on the tiles--the house is not that old, and the previous owners just wanted carpet, and the tiles were in good shape, soo--at any rate, they are not asbestos--but thanks again for thinking of that!

Kerry, take it for what it is worth, but one of the ladies that I hired last week impressed me with a statement. She looked me in the eye, put her hands palm down on the table and said "I really want this job, I know that I can learn your system, and I promise you that if you hire me, I will be here on time every day, I will work hard, and I will make your business grow." She got the job. Of course she also had the qualifications, but it is nice to hear people zoning in on that rather than , "when do I get my first vacation? how many sick days do I get? how long do I have for lunch? when do I get a raise?....etc" While I realize those can be important questions, an employer likes to hear that you really want THAT job, not that you want A job. Again, take that for what it is worth...
And Best of Luck!!!!!!!!Knock 'Em Out!!!!!!!!!!!

And to all of you---you are putting a guilt trip on me for not exercising like the rest of you are. Keep it up!

3 hour drive tomorrow--will catch up later

Joetta

Robin - I sneak peeks at the scale all the time. That is AWESOME that you had a good sneak peek! ;) I'll keep my fingers crossed that the official weigh-in puts you below as well. :goodscale

Lori - I have trouble with all of those shakes/drinks. I have a coworker that has lost a lot of weight using one of them and tried to get me to use it and I refuse. I need variety and FOOD! :lol: And who cares if the house isn't sparkling - YOU ARE! :goodvibes

Joetta Dear you are surviving! YAY! BTW - you will not find me guilt trippin about any exercise. I am a bad bad girl myself. I spend my whole life in front of the shallow screen!

Maybe after I land the job things will change, but currently I am still super stressed. I was contacted to set up another phone interview for next week with another University. It is a cool job and one that I would be SO happy with although I am a tiny bit underqualified. Enthusiasm has to count for something though right? So right now I have one campus interview in May and two phone interviews in the next week. VCU still hasn't called :(

I canceled the salty hair appt and made another one down near where I live (smaller town) and she's getting me in tonight. So I am happy that I'll have a new hair cut for the event tomorrow. I am wearing the most skinny-looking outfit I can put together! :snooty: And wearing it with pride - cute black skirt (above the knee) and blouse with pink & white flowers on black. I can't wait to look devine! :)

Ok - I'll check in later. I hope you're all doing well getting through this Wednesday.

Oh my, can you say TIRED :tired:!!! I'm actually having an afternoon cup of coffee, DH said take a nap, but I'm afraid I won't sleep if I do! This was my early morning and with the time change it REALLY felt early!! I did manage to get my work out in last night, and I'm going to do tonights before I acidentally pass out some where :o ! It is so warm here today, but tomorrow they are calling for rain. I think I've mentioned before that my current home is a tin box (a double wide), any way I worked out a deal last year with my sister-in-law/my renter and gave her my window A/C's and I was going to take her old central air. (her old house, the one she lost in the bankruptcy, had the same furnace as mine) Anyway, when we went to get it there was a hole in the condenser and it was ruined. I used fans all last summer, well I managed to get some of my credit cards to settle enough to have the money to get a new A/C unit, a really nice kid installs them in his spare time so they are dirt cheap and name brand units! I'm soooo excited, I'll be able to keep working out right through the summer, no excuses this season!

Kerry, stay calm, remember what Joetta said "I want this job"!!! When you decide who has the best package deal for you use that line! You have experience and you can learn anything. Trust me I've gotten all of my jobs because I pick up very quickly and I'm not affraid to try something I don't know! I have a degree in office administration and I now schedule loads of sulfuric acid to be picked up, manifested, and disposed of. You just can't learn that in a class room. Remind me some time to tell you about working as a county case worker (the girl who was to train me called off sick 3 weeks straight) and I was the only other case worker besides her. The girl who trained her was off from a surgery, and our immedate boss was in the hospital with a sever infection. Our higher up boss said "I'm glad it's not me in your seat" It's a great story, I ought to write about it some time!

Joetta, I'm glad your about done, not only for greedy reasons (we miss you) but for your own sanity too!!

Judy, I wanted to tell you, and I forgot, that I froze a couple boxes of GS cookies to keep myself from eating them. I figure that when I'm ready for a cheat they are in there and I can have them any time I REALLY need to! Talk about your mind games!! But it does seem to be working!!

Paige, my bosses wife had her birthday today and I ate a piece of cake, I don't even like cake, but I did skip the cookies and ice cream! She was so sweet this morning and told me how thin I was looking (I had a dress on that I haven't worn in 3 yrs. We talked and she did WW back in the day and was telling me about her crying the first week she weighed in and gained 2lbs. She looks good now, and has done a pretty good job at keeping most of her weight off except for a few pounds.

Marie, aren't snacks the worst! I'm glad your doing better with yours! And for goodness sakes don't beat yourself up about working out! Unfourtantly I have been up and down the scales soooo many times that I know with out the work-out that I just can't lose the weight. So I don't have much of a choice, it's either jump up and down on the box and watch what I eat or be over weight and misserable. But I will tell you something, I always dread working out and usually wait to the last minute before bed. But when I'm done I always feel refreshed and I am darn glad I did it!

Wow this got really long, sorry gang! I'm going to bed early tonight so I'll catch up in the morning!!!

Hi everybody, things are going really good. I'm on track and have been making my mini-mini goals. Yesterdays was to eat healthy and within calories and be active in someway last night. Well, I was definitely active. DH and I took the dogs for a walk on a mountain. I wanted nice and flat but voila, there were hills. I swear we went up 90% of the time and down the other 10%. I know that it's 50/50 but I puffed and huffed my way up the trail. It was just beautiful out and the woods are so pure. It was fun.

I met DS's new girlfriend last night. She was very nice, but a little shy. I suppose meeting the PARENTS is a hard thing.

I've been on track all day and tonight's exercise night. I already talked to DH about starting at 5:00 and he agreed. We exercise together. So, tonight I will be on my Gazelle, striding to last night's American Idol (met the girlfriend and had to record it).

Lori, I too have been up and down way too many times. I know I have to exercise or that scale ain't going to budge. So I'm trying to be good, food and exercise wise and know that I will have bleeps along the way. But I can only do my best and will always get back on the wagon if I fall off for a day. That's the pledge to myself.

Kerry, have fun with the new haircut. I love going to the salon and having my hair washed. They do such a nice job and it's heavenly to sit there and have someone massage your scalp. Enjoy the outfit tomorrow night.

Joetta, your mess sounds horrible. Congrats on almost being done.

Robin it sounds like you live in paradise too. I love the mountains and woods. I wouldn't trade living here for anything. I just love it. And today is even nicer than yesterday (although tomorrow is supposed to be icky). So much for me living in a high mountain desert area. It rains here occasionally. :)

Have a great night and I'll talk with you all tomorrow.
Marie

I don't know if it is my computer or the site, but things are running slow!! I almost gave up on posting because it was taking forever.

Tomorrow is WI and I don't think I have lost anything. I think the cake from **** took care of that. But we jump right back on when we fall off I guess. I have lost 35 lbs. but according to WW I am at 26.8 and I have 2 more lbs. to go to get my 10%. I was really counting on this week but it may have to wait until next week.

It looks like everyone has been keeping busy. I have to do better about checking in daily. It can get to overwhelming to respond to everyone with so many posts since my last one. So I will just say hang in there!!! And I'll check in tomorrow!

Paige

I agree with Paige. It's overwhelming to respond to so many posts. I typed a long one a couple of days ago and tried to submit it and lost it all for some reason. I have been reading though. Well ladies, the scale is moving down again. I am so motivated! The scale said 152 this morning! At church tonight we had a meet and greet for a prospective pastor and there were all kinds of homemade desserts. Believe it or not, I only had a small brownie. It was hard though. I could've ate a whole plate of chocolate chip cookies. Today was my day off, so I spent 2 1/2 hours doing cardio at the gym today. I went this morning and after church tonight. Now if I can make it through Saturday which is my dad's birthday party. We're having pizza and ice cream cake. Well, I hope you all have a great night.

Robin- 2 more pounds and I'll be able to add that angel back!!!!!

The hair is cut and styled. I'm wearing my new outfit :) and I have already gotten lots of comments on how nice I look. One of my coworkers even said "wow you really have lost weight!" That makes you feel good! :smug: I got on the scale this morning (couldn't resist) and it said 147! YAY! I am feeling better about losing more. I washed and dried the car last night and that has to count for some exercise huh? :?: I've also been taking the stairs at work all the time. I figure if I can at least fit a little of that in here and there it has to help.

I tried another exercise video and I just hate it. I feel silly and can't get into it. I don't think that's for me. I guess I'll stick to walking/jogging and make myself do it more often. Someday I'll be able to join a gym and use all those fun machines. :lol: SOMEDAY!

Have a great day ladies. I'll probably do a bit of cheating today since it's going to be long and social. But I have to let myself do that now and again or I feel like I am too hard on myself. (which I probably am)

TTYL!

PS. I learned after being behind the firewall at work to always copy and paste my post and then submit it. Then I can check to see that it has all gone through and if not I can repost it. I HATE it when I lost a post.

Good afternoon!
 

One more day to the weekend! I love weekends because I get to sleep in. I'm not a morning person. I love the morning, but I just can't get out of bed to enjoy it.

Well, my scale at home yesterday said 188. Three more days to my official biweekly WI. I just have to be good this weekend. Unfortunately, it's my DH's grandmother's b-day. We're going to go out to eat, which isn't the problem. My mother-in-law is bringing a homemade cake. She makes really good cakes. I love cake. No, I really love cake. That's a problem. But my DH is very supportive. He is also trying to lose weight, so maybe he and I will each have only a really small piece.

Lori - Congrats for getting in a dress you haven't been in in three years! It's like getting a whole new wardrobe to be able to fit back into smaller clothes. I'm just now able to get into three pairs of Eddie Bauer slacks that I bought three months ago. I bought them as they just fit. And then they shrank when I washed them. But now they fit pretty good.

And you mean using swiffer products are real cleaning? Uh oh. That's how I clean my floors and dust most of the time. They're convenient for us full-time working stiffs.

As for the powdered drinks and shakes and such. Most of them contain quite a bit of sugar, so I avoid them. And I always end up hungry an hour later anyway. They're just not satisfying for me.

Joetta - I'm glad the tiles are a newer variety. How's the basement coming along?

Marie - My DH and I walk in the mountains/hills most nights. Walking uphill really gets the heart pumping, and sometimes it's a real struggle to get up the hills without wimping out. But I feel so much better when the walk is over.

Paige - 35 lbs lost is a great accomplishment. It's not easy. I think all of us here can testify to that. So, even if the weight comes off slow sometimes, it's still coming off. Good for you.

And it does get hard for to remember what everyone has said in the previous posts. I cheat and make notes before I reply.

Kim - 2 1/2 hours of cardio? Holy cow, you'll have your angel back in no time. I can't remember the last time I was able to do that. Even when my DH and I go hiking in the mountains on the weekends, we usually take a break to let the dog play in the water. I'm so impressed with your workouts.

Kerry - Don't the compliments just feel good? It's always nice when others notice the results of our hard work. And I consider washing the car a good activity. I figure anything that gets me up and moving is a good thing. It's not really cardio, but scrubbing bugs off the grill can work the arm muscles. And it's still better than watching TV.

Also, I figured out a way to not lose anymore postings. If you get the message that you need to log in when you hit the Submit Reply button, just log in and then hit your browser's Back button until you get back to your posting. Hit the Submit Reply button again, and it will let you post then. I tried this out of curiosity and it worked. I haven't lost a posting yet. And as you can see, some of mine get kind of lengthy.

And on that note, take care.
Robin

Hi, gals--

I've spent so much time reading all your posts that now I don't have time to comment on all of them, but it's not for lack of interest! Lack of time. I'm trying to go out and walk in the evening, so that cuts into my 3FC time.

I had a good visit to the doctor's this morning. I seem to have developed lactose intolerance, otherwise my eating is going well. I've been working out pretty consistently, so I know I'll be able to scootch my ticker a bit more to the right this weekend. My thigh muscles are achy, though, so I have to remember to spend more time stretching, and to ice my arthritic knees so they don't swell up. I feel like my Easter goal is still doable.

Your posts are so inspirational. Even when you're stressed to the max, like poor Kerry, I learn from your open-hearted approach to life and its challenges. When I feel like going out for ice cream (as several of my co-workers threatened to do this afternoon), or I want to blow off my workout, I think of you and do the right thing. So consider this to be a big ol' group hug!

judy :grouphug:

Hope you're all having a good afternoon. Things are going good here. I'm on track today and have high motivation to stay that way. I've been reading lots of threads and posts and it's amazing how motivating 3FC is. We're all so much in the same boat and to realize you're not alone is quite inspiring. So group hug back at you, Judy. Robin, I read your post and was amazed how you responded to everyone. I wish I could do that but time/attention gets me.

I'm going caffeine free now and have a headache. I doubt the tylenol will help, but I'm going to try it. DH just called and said he was going to be home late so I think I will take that opportunity to take a nap with my puppies. Yep, I like that idea.
TTYL.
Marie

It is so motivating to read all of your posts! I lost another pound since yesterday. The scale said 151. Woohoo!!!! I'm going to a step aerobics class at 6:45 tonight, then I have to work 11P-7A.

Kerry-Congats on the 147!!! I'll be so glad to see the 140's again. Enjoy your cheat day. You deserve it! ;)

Robin-Great job on the 188!!! Hopefully we can both abstain from the huge pieces of cake this weekend. :goodluck: My sister's getting an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins for my dad's birthday. I love those.

Judy-Sounds like your doing great with your eating and working out. Thanks for the group hug! :thanks:

I am so excited, when I was reading our post's tonight I just realized how much weight we have all lost so far (123 lbs so far together) according to our tickers if I didn't forget anybody!! Group hug heck, we deserve a toast :hat:!! I am soo glad that everyone has come back after falling off the wagon, once you learn to dust yourself off and move on you will lose the weight! (although I'm afraid of Robin's wagon, didn't it back up over you once?) But this seems to be the hardest thing for us dieters to learn, we just beat the crap out of ourselves over that stupid piece of cake. So three cheers for all of us!!! I don't know girls, if your having trouble remembering some of the posts you can roll down on your page that your typing and everybody's post's are there!

Judy, I also have lactose issues, but ice cream is the worst, and straight milk is a close second! I can still eat small quantities other dairy foods. I can eat a pudding snack, but not everyday. By the end of the week I have enough gas to fly a plane! MSN had a good article about this yesterday. http://articles.health.msn.com/id/10...ite/100000000/

Marie, caffeine free, oh good for you and the headache will go away! When my thyroid was really bad I cut out caffeine for over 3 years, once it was back in check I really missed regular coffee!! So I'm hooked all over again!

Robin, I use the swiffers alot, but once in a while I like to use the pledge to shine up my furniture. I also have to spray my coffee and end tables, they are glass and are always dirty with these boys!! Massive amounts of 409 and a putty knife?? That bad dryer, mine also has the same symptoms! If it dosen't eat the socks, it's trimming my clothes!! It's a hungry little bugger! :lol:

Kim, I don't say this lightly "god love you" I coudn't spend 2 1/2 hrs. working out, they would have to call an ambulance! I have barely worked myself up to a 50 min. step tape! And trust me the kids are standing around wanting to know if I need water, a towel, or should they just call 911.

Oh Kerry, enjoy your night!!! It sounds like you have everything together! Way to go on the 4's, I'm just dying to see them again! And taking the steps is a wonderful idea, just think of the butt muscles your working!! Kerry, please stop trying the tapes and check out Joyce Vedral's Definition book! I use this faithfully 3 times a week and it really does work! I used the corner of my bed for a bench for many months, now I use that dumb step of mine! And walk away until your hearts content, you can't beat free work-outs!!

Wow we were a chatty bunch today!! That's good, were all still hanging in!!

Hi again.
 

Well, I just went to leave work and drive home, but the clutch cable broke on the car. I'm driving my husband's car today so that I could fill it with gas here in town where it's cheaper. We live in the country. So now I'm still at work, waiting for my husband to come pick me up. It'll be about an hour before he gets here, so I thought I might as well take advantage of my work computer's high speed Internet connection. So, here I am.

Judy & Lori - Sorry to hear about the lactose problems. I couldn't live without my milk. Cereal is one of my major foods. Ice cream does make me really phlemmy, so I avoid it. But I don't know what I would do if I couldn't drink milk. And thanks for the group hug!

Marie - I don't usually have time to respond to everyone, but it's raining here and so I sat at my desk while I ate lunch. And now, I'm stuck here again because the car is broke and it's still raining. :mad: Not that I don't want to chat with you all, but I'm supposed to be out walking.

Kim - 151!! Wow!! That's only one pound away from my ultimate goal. I'm 5'10", so I don't want to go below 150. My face gets too thin. But great job for you! All your hard workouts are paying off.

Lori - Yeah, you definitely want to avoid my wagon. It backed up over me, and then took off again forward, and ran over me a second time. And that was after it threw me off.

And I'm going to have to check out your definition book, too. Until we get our house built, which is looking like it won't be finished until the end of October, we don't have room for a weight set. We have a few small dumbbells, but I need some other exercises, too.

I didn't do very well on my eating today, but I guess it could have been much worse. For lunch I went to Costco. And while I was there, I got two slices of their pizza/veggi pizza. I ate only one slice for lunch, and was going to save the other for my DH. But since I'm stuck here, I'm now eating the other slice for dinner. And this afternoon, I had a small (but very good) cinnamon roll. I think calorie wise I'm okay, but it wasn't the most healthy food I could have eaten. Of course, I'm pretty sure my body would go into shock if I ate healthy veggies every single day with no bread.

The car breaking down is a pain though. If I were home I would have worn my rain coat and still walked. But I only have a light fleece jacket with me now. And as hard as it's raining, I'd get soaked in about 10 minutes. Maybe when I'm done here, I'll turn the radio on and dance around the room. Boy, wouldn't that surprise the cleaning crew. "Um, there's some crazy woman in the other room. I think I'll skip that room tonight." Mikail Baryshnikov I'm not.

Well, I guess I've chatted on here long enough. Maybe I'll go play with some of the daycare toys in the other part of the building. They have some of those big balls that people use to stretch with. And I think they have a Sit-n-Spin. I could stand on it and twist to work out my waist. Of course I did just eat that pizza. That might not be a good idea.

Have a good night.
Robin

Wow, you all have been busy posting today!!!! I'm glad I checked in today. If I had waited another day I never would have made it through all the post. It seems like our little group has gotten back into the swing of things. For awhile I thought we might be goners, everyone was so busy. Glad to see us back at it!!!!!

Lori- Wow, as a group we've lost a person!!! I think everyone has done a really great job, and I know that you all have certainly helped me along the way to stay motivated.

Kim- Yeah!! 151 ! Keep it up!

Marie- You brave woman! Caffine Free!!!!! I envy you and I know you can do it!!! I have tried it but I always end up back on caffine after a few weeks. Maybe I will get inspired by your endevor to give it another shot.

Judy- Group hug back at ya!!! Sorry to hear about your lactose intolerance. Can't wait to see the changes on your ticker. You can do it!!!!!

Robin- Good luck with the cake!! I know all about that temptation from my birthday!! Thanks for the posting tip. I can get so frustrated sometimes trying to post!!!

Kerry- Don't you just love it when people compliment you on your weight lose!!! It really helps to keep you motivated. It sounds like you are going to have a great evening! Also thanks for your posting tip as well. I will have to remember these the next time I encounter problems.

I had my official WI today and I was only down a pound. I know the cake from **** that my well meaning co-workers put in my office on Monday for my b-day was the big culprit this week. Another week another pound!!!

Have a great evening ladies!!!!!!

Paige :grouphug:

Opps- Robin, I feel for you being stuck at work. My husband and I tried carpooling once for about a week, and it seemed like I had to wait forever and meanwhile everyone else was long gone. Needless to say that is why it only lasted a week. However, if gas keeps going up it might become necessary to do it again.

Paige

Wow you girls were chatty today! I really enjoy our group SOOOO much and find it a wonderful motivator. You are all helping to keep me at least somewhat sane. :dizzy: We've all had our moments when we're down and then those that we pick one another up. It's awesome! Let's keep it up. :grouphug: Right back at ya!

I had a wonderful time tonight. It was such an honor and I felt really good about so many things in my life in one short evening: first I look better than I have in years thanks to my weight loss, second I've managed to rise to the top % of my new profession, third because I feel like I am finally going to be a success after years of struggle and finally because I am dealing with the sadness and frustration in my personal life in a much more positive way (ie not eating myself sick).

In fact I'll tell you the whole of it ladies, it has been an emotional and stressful week for me and I feel good about staying on track for the most part during it (aside from my wine and brie/crackers this evening). One year ago this week I was pregnant and lost the baby. I was in the second trimester. I was then soon after the loss diagnosed with some serious fertility problems. The time I spent in grad school I was so depressed about struggling to get pregnant (not watching my weight at all), then put on weight when I was pg, then lost the pg and sunk into a state of not caring about how I looked and gained even more. With this sad anniversary and all the stress of the job search, I figured I would have fallen off and gotten run over and over by that wagon. But you've all been such great cheerleaders on the sidelines of my struggle recently and it has REALLY helped. Thank you! :goodvibes

Since it's late (I was keyed up when I got home so I thought I'd check in) I just want to give a BIG shout out to ALL of you for doing so well on your plans - both diets and exercise! :hat: That's a BUNCH of weight we've all lost together and I am proud of us! Let's keep it up ok? (((More Hugs)))

PS. I'm going to check out the book Lori. If you think it's a good and I can do it at home on my own without looking at some goofy person on TV - I'll try it! :D

Well, I made it through my night at work, then went to the gym and did 15 minutes on the stairclimber, then a 45 minute spin class. I'm exhausted. I've got to work 7P-7A tonight. Have a great day!

Lori-Wow 123 pounds! :cp: :cb: That's great! You are so right about us beating the crap out of ourselves over a piece of cake. I certainly do that. Actually, I usually just think, well I blew it and eat like a pig the rest of the day. BTW, that was the first time I ever worked out for 2 1/2 hours. I'm just really motivated this time, and really want to look decent in my swimsuit this summer.

Marie-I'm right there with you on the caffeine. :rollpin: :crazy: I've been without it for 7 days because I'm bleaching my teeth this week, and I'm not supposed to have any coffee. I get to have it again today when I wake up. I can't wait! Hope your headaches better.

Robin- Major bummer about the car. Don't worry about the pizza and cinnamon roll. You can't eat healthy 24/7. We have to enjoy life too. We're allowed a treat every once in a while. ;)

Paige- Congrats on losing the pound, even with the birthday cake. I'll take a pound any day over a gain! :cp:

Kerry-You have had such a difficult year. I'm so sorry. :cheer: God bless you sister. It sounds like you're doing wonderful now though. Congratulations!

Kerry- the little cheerleader was supposed to be after the congratulations. My bad!

Yeah!!!!! The weekend has begun! About time! I hope everyone has a great weekend planned. What I'd really like to do is have a margarita and eat some mexican food, but instead I guess I will have a diet coke and clean the garage so I can at least get my car in. Our cars are to big to get them both in.

Kerry- Thanks for sharing your story. I really know how you feel. I had a miscarrage also. And I don't think it matters how pregnant you are. Once that test is positive everything changes. I was 14 weeks along when it happened to me. When I went back to work after a few days several coworkers shared with me that they had experienced the same thing, but not to worry because I would probably be pregnant again soon. It took us 4 very long years filled with depression and enough heartache to last me a lifetime. I couldn't go to baby showers and it was really hard when all my friends started having kids. I remember right after my best friend had her daughter she told me this is great you have to try it! Like I wasn't having kids by choice. I know she didn't mean it the way it came out, but it crushed me. I spent 4 years being poked and proded. My arms, thighs, and stomach made me look like a junkie. My husband became very good at administering the shots!! It was almost 4 years to the day when I got my next positive pregnancy test. Nine months later my son Cameron was born and then two years and 13 days later our daughter Hannah was born. Just remembering those times as I write this makes me cry alittle. It was a very hard time and I know how you feel. Right before I got pregnant we had decided that we were going to start looking at adoption because we were just too emotionally exhausted to keep going through the treatments. Each month was a roller coaster ride I would be so upset after each negative result. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.

Paige

Yea, the weekend!!!
Oh what a dreadful day, I was late to work this morning because of an accident having the road blocked and of course I was noticed sneaking in late! We were crazy busy to add to my intense PMS, yea of all things I wanted for the weekend, it wan't TOM!!

Everyone is in such a great mood, must be the weather change!!

Oh Robin, of all places to get stuck, work! Like we don't spend enough time there already! Although I may have paid good money to see you dance around the office and watch the reaction of the cleaning lady :lol: ! I hope all is better now!!

Way to go Paige, a pound gone is one less you will have to look at later!!!

Kerry, I'm glad to hear you had a good time last night and your starting to feel slightly less stressed! You've had a heck of a year by the sounds of things.. How's the job front?? I had a heck of a time with my pregnancy also, I was about 5 months when I lost my first one! I was only 18 at the time and had to deliver and everyting. Yea it can make you feel like a real emotional wreck. Needless to say it wasn't planned so I was 21 when I got pregnant with my second one and I'm not the type of person to flip out and get all worked up, most people would not even notice if I was stressed over something. Well since I'm so good at holding it in, I broke out with hives head to toe around my 4th month and didn't get rid of them until I delivered him. Being pregnant with him was the worst experience I've ever had in my life! I was so badly tourted over a whacked out blood result that I was way beyond an emotional wreck. They insisted he had downs or spina bifida over this stupid blood test and I would have to have a amnio done which could cause a misscarrage. I was beyond nuts, the Dr. finally called me at home on a weekend and yelled at me to get a grip, and get the test. I did and all was fine so nobody could explain the messed up blood work, until I hit my 30th week and bam I was in full blown labor and had 2 months to go, days laying in the hospital they sent me home with asthma medicine (which stops labor) and a bottle of malox. That lasted almost 2 weeks and I kept dialating (sp) anyway. He was born at 33 1/2 weeks and weighed 4 1/2 lbs. He looked like a monster compaired to the others in the neo-unit. He had to stay for 16 days before I brought him home. So after all this I was dumb enough to do it again, went into early labor with the second one at 30 weeks, but held off til my 35th week, mini chubs weighed 6 1/2 lbs could you imagine what he would have been if I would have made it through the last month??? And they made me bring him home!! Anyway, it appeared I had a problem when the babies got so big, well dah!! So at my 6 week check up I told the Doc. I'm done sew me up, he laughed and said he wouldn't even consider talking me out of it! (which he does everybody) This story is soooo much better in person and I tell you about them starving the fat prego chick because she's in labor, no now she's not, yes she is again! And the whole family driving to Pittsburgh (50 miles away) and then they stopped the labor! Don't every feel bad about it not happening right away, and having problems! Just keep you chin up, it will happen!!!!!
This is way to long again, I'll check back tomorrow!!

Good Morning Ladies! Well it's Saturday and I'm home alone :( Well I have Jazz and Bella so that's good. DH went mountain biking with a friend and won't be home until 6 pm. Not sure what to do with my day. I know I need to do some Web Dev - not that I want to. My head hurts from the wine last night. DH played a gallary opening and I went and hung out.

Thanks for sharing your stories ladies. It helps to know that others struggle though fertility and pregnancy issues and come out on the other side with children. I guess we just never think these things are going to happen to us - KWIM? I am definitely doing better than I was six months ago. And DH and I have decided not to try for awhile until things calm down with the job and move and such. So I'm not putting all that pressure on myself right now. I secretly keep hoping that my body will adjust itself and it will happen naturally. A girl can hope right?

I haven't been sticking to my eating plan very well the past couple of days. I haven't been AWFUL, but not great either. I hope you are all doing well and losing losing losing :) I'll do another WI on Monday.

TTYL!

Good morning chickies :coffee:!! I should say afternoon, now!! Kids are out side playing and DH is off working on my car, ahhh piece and quite!! I got a new step video today, well not new, from ebay so new for me!! I'll give ya a report when I check it out!!

As for my JV Definition book, you will like it and you don't need much to start! 3 sets of weights (and start low) I used 1's, 2's, & 3's! No kidding! I'm now up to 3's, 5's & 8's and I'm going to Wal-Mart today to pick up 10's! I'm just now starting to see my muscles form and it really is making me look thinner! Just please, please, please come to me before you buy anything from her web site! She has some really poor customer service and I wouldn't dare go into the rest on a public forum! Kerry since your our book worm, I think you'll find this easier to start with. But honestly honey we all look like dorks when we do the tapes!! There is a mirror in my bedroom and when I move by it while I'm working out I'm always glad the kids are the only ones here to witness it!

I have sooo much to try to get done this weekend so I'll be bouncing in and out so stay focused!!

Hiya Chickies, I'm so glad the weekend is here even if I've spent the majority of it so far cleaning my fur infested house. I love the shedding season, fur balls everywhere. So I vacuumed and DS swiffered. Everything looks nice but the other DS needs to do his chores and dust - then we'll be spanky clean - at least for a moment or two.

I'm on track today even though I made some poor choices in the morning. I'm just incorporating the calories into the calorie limit so I have to be really good tonight. I think I'll make Schwan's Chicken Kiev since it has only 300 calories. Add a baked potato wiht fresh chives (just noticed this morning that my chive plant is growing and healty) and a salad. That should help the lapse of eating some cake icing.

I exercised last night and Lori has me motivated to start lifting a little again. I love the look of defined muscles and I have only been doing aerobic. I'm not an exerciser by nature so doing the aerobics was enough for me. But I will add crunches and some arm exercises on my off days. See Lori, you have such influence. :)

Have a great rest of the day.
Marie

So I'm being reminded of why I don't post more often on the weekends: my ancient computer is okay, but compares badly to my powerful computer at the office. I use an old-fashioned dial-up connection, so everything feels terribly slow...but I will give my computer a big hug, 'cuz I still have to finish my taxes this weekend :D

I am very happy with myself for not inhaling a pizza or something last night. It was a particularly aggravating day at work, at the end of a stress-filled week. I took a 45-minute walk along the river on my way home, basically talking myself down from making a self-destructive eating choice, as I would have definitely done last fall in the same situation. So I ended the evening on somewhat of a positive note, because I ended up giving myself a gold star for eating per plan and walking twice, including a 30-minute walk to clear my head at lunch. I am still thinking about how powerful the urge was to simultaneously comfort and sicken myself by overeating to deal with my anger. My brain kept imagining lasagna, pizza, etc., it was as if I were possessed by a really piggy demon!

Today I went to Curves, took a long walk to the grocery store, and laid in supplies for the week. Three of my lunches this week will be at restaurants or at a conference, so I have to make sure that I'm prepared to make good choices. Next week will be just annoying as last week, so I will try to meditate for a little while every morning when I first get out of bed.

Lori--thanks for the article on lactose intolerance. I've always been proud of my cast-iron stomach, so I was surprised to have intestinal issues this year. But African Americans tend to have more problems than most people with dairy, and the nutritionist said that it's something that some adults develop over time. I don't have to swear off dairy altogether, but I will definitely have to say goodbye to my old friends Ben and Jerry :( I guess it's for the best!

Kerry--I think it's a great sign that even after an emotional roller-coaster of a week, you haven't thrown in the towel and abandoned your goals. Good for you! I hope that you're being very good to yourself this weekend.

Congrats to everyone else who's working out, eating right, and making good choices!

judy

Well, I tried the new step video and let me tell you about feeling like dorkarella!! Ah I need to move to the living room, not enough room in my bedroom for this one! It wasn't to to bad, I think I could learn it, but right off the bat, ah no! I'm marching up and down going what kind of step is that??? But if I ever want to advance I best start learning a few of these moves.. I did alot of stepping up and down just watching, but I did work up a good sweat so I feel like I didn't waste my time even though I wasn't quite able to keep up on the first go round!! I love my susan step video, it is sooo basic, the hardest thing is keeping your arms going, up and down, up and down!! The bad thing is I'm finishing my 12th week of working out today and I know it is important to switch things up if I want to keep advancing! And besides who can watch the same instructor 3x's a week for 12 weeks??? I could do the video and the words with out her now! :lol:!! Oh and wait talk about more laughs, any body here ever do Toni Little's abb roller??? Barbie (god love that girl) brought me hers after I whined about my spare tire and the video, oh my goodness!! I'm watching this guy thinking if I had to go some where with him in public I'ld crawl under a table. Kerry trust me I don't think there is a sane instructor (non-dorky) out there!! By the way my friend (life size barbie) her name is Rachel, I don't think I've ever mentioned that before!! Ok I need to hit the weights to finish off week 12, shhh I skipped last night so I'm doubling up tonight!!

Well, I made it through another challenge. I skipped the pizza alltogether at my Dad's birthday party, and I had a small piece of cake. Also, at work last night there was a potluck, and all that I ate was the salad. I'm certainly surprising myself. This is soooo unlike me. I did pray for some willpower a couple of weeks ago, and I know that I shouldn't be surprised that He answered that prayer, because He has answered so many others, but it just amazes me. I didn't work out today, and I probably won't tomorrow, but everyone deserves a break, right? I'll be hard at it again on Monday.
Judy, I loved what you said about the piggy demon. He's taunted me many times, lol.

Howdy!
 

I noticed that as I logged into our forum here, that several of you were on line at the same time. We should try to plan a chat room next weekend. That might be fun.

I'm so sorry so many of you have had problems with your pregnancies. A very good friend of mine went through the same thing. She miscarried (I don't know what month.) and then didn't get pregnant again for four years. It wasn't until she really started watching what she ate, exercising, and doing yoga that she finally got pregnant. According to her doctor, her eggs weren't staying attached to the uterine wall like they were supposed to upon fertilization. I've never had kids, and now can't so I can't totally understand what you've gone through, and are now going through, but my prayers are with you in your attempts, Kerry, and to all of you that have miscarried and struggle with the memories.

I've had an exhausting day myself. My DH and I worked on our property today for the first time. He used the weed eater, while I raked, and then he burned piles of weeds, dead branches, and such. It was very tiring, but we still went for our two-mile walk in the hills this evening. So, I feel I had a pretty good day exercise wise. I didn't eat too bad either, except for an order of curly fries that I ate with my Arby's sandwich. Calorie-wise, I did okay over all, I think. I didn't realize it until the other day that those Arby's market fresh sandwiches have a minimum of 700 calories!

And then I made a fool out of myself in Sears. My DH and I were in there getting another rake and decided to check out the exercise equipment. I was trying to walk past a weight machine and ended up tripping over it. I landed face first in the middle of all the exercise equipment. I now have a bruised knee, but fortunately no one saw me, except my husband. I always knew that those machines would probably be the death of me, but they don't have to do it in public. (My DH just walked in and said, "Yeah, that was pretty funny.) He's having fun with it because the bruise on my knee is in the same shape of the holes in the mats they had layed down. So it actually kind of looks like flower petals.

Well, I need to get to bed. I'm tired, and I still have to dry my hair. I'll try to check in tomorrow, but I have a birthday party to go to. By the way, Kim, great job at your party and the potluck. I hope I do as well tomorrow.

My official WI is Monday morning, so I better behave tomorrow.

Good night all.
Robin

It's 4:30am and I can't sleep. I don't know what's wrong with me. I laughed when I read about those exercise machines being the death of you Robin. You're so funny. When I woke up, my stomach was growling, so I got up and ate an apple turnover fat free yogurt. They are so good. I love almost all of the Yoplait fat free yogurts, especially apple turnover, lemon creme pie, strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry. They are a great snack. Every day, I eat 5 prunes (also great for you, by the way), almonds, and a yogurt. For some reason, I have trouble getting in my protein and I probably need to do better since I work out so much. I don't think I could drink those protein shakes, and quite frankly, I'd hate to waste the calories on one. I'm a carboholic. Love those carbs! I tried Atkins once and I was so miserable. Out of everything I've tried, counting weight watchers points seems to work better for me than anything. If I stick with the program, I always have a loss every week. Well, hope the rest of your weekend is great. I'm just ready for it to be over with, since I work weekends. Then, I'll have 3 days off again, yeah!

Good Moring Chickies :coffee:!!
This weekend flew by way too fast!! I must have a million loads of clothes to fold and put away this morning, yuck!!

Oh Robin, sorry I'm not laughing at you I'm laughing with you! When I fall, it's almost always in public! But I truly hope your knee isn't too bad, that's a rough place to have anything happen! I had a weight machine for years and never used it, not even once! When the basement flooded I tossed it just because I had help getting it up the steps!!

Kim, my friend said that Yoplait yougart is the best, so I did buy some yesterday. I just can't handle the aspertine in the fat free so I just but the lights. As for protien shakes, yea yucky comes to mind! The ones that I tried last week weren't bad at all, they weren't thick and only had 90 calories. When I find out the name brand I'll let you know! I'm with you I'm a carb queen, I would shrival up and die with out them!! I'm so bad at counting, WW does work wonders but I wind up cheating and wasting all my points then I have to starve the rest of the day! I'm just watcing my fat intake and it is working very well.

Well I peaked this morning and it looks like I might actually hit the 1/2 way mark at my official weigh in tomorrow!! It's about time! Although my mom is planning on cooking a bunch of crap today, I just may have to skip out. I've had too many weekends of cheating as of lately. I really want to buckle down and see if I can hit 140lbs by Memorial Day! I was so happy I wore a size 11 Levies yesterday, I haven't seen them in years! I mean it this time, I'm going to pack down my clothes as I get smaller and I'm getting rid of them. I don't want to ever be this over weight again! I have to except that working out and not eating like a cow is the only way I can keep this weight off!! Ya know I used to have the deluision that I could eat what ever I wanted as long as I was working out! Needless to say that was last year and well, I didn't lose any weight! There is alot of food that I miss, like pizza and Quizon's Itl. subs. But once I lose the weight I should be able to cheat once a week with no problems. Working in an office has been my biggest down fall. I used to eat out at lunch time every day! No wonder I never lost any weight! Hey look at the money I'm saving by packing everyday!

Ok this one got really long too, I best get folding these clothes!!

Robin, so sorry about your knee. That hurts. I've always told my hubby that exercise is dangerous. The three times I've been to the ER in the last 10 years was because of exercising. A biking accident, falling on my head on rollerblades, and a skiing accident. Part of me is a little tentative about the above activities because of those accidents. When I was an avid rollerblader, I could eat whatever I wanted and never gained weight. I never thought it was exercise - it was so easy - in other words I was in really good shape. Now I find it hard and I'm scared of falling again. Although I always wear my helmet now. :) Skiing is the same way, I'm getting too old. Biking, however, I still love. I just don't live in a place conducive to biking (mountains are too hard to go up - down... even I can handle).

Lori, I relate with the having to starve the rest of the day because of eating too much in the morning. That was me yesterday. I was having so much trouble. You can do it - it's worth it and congrats on the size 11. I am so jealous.

Kim, I love Dannon yogurts - but then again I like them all. My favorite is McDonalds fruit parfait for $1.00. I think it has 200 calories or so (I look every time I order it). The loads of fruit is great.

I'm watching the nascar race as I type. Something about cars going in circles puts me to sleep so I have to do something else. Mostly I'm keeping my son company.

Yesterday, DS asked if I wanted to do Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR) on the playstation. For those of you not in the know, it's a dance mat and you have to move to the circles on the pad that the screen directs you to. I was so sweaty and breathing hard by the time we were done, I knew I got plenty of exercise. Lori, speaking of exercise, I did crunches and lifting weights. I can feel the crunches today. That's a good thing.

Have a great day, chickees.
Marie

Marie - Dance revolution sounds just my style. I am such a chicken when it comes to sports. It sounds like you really enjoy some of the things I am afraid of. I broke my foot biking and my wrist blading. Yikes! Now I'm afraid of both.

Probably because I'm such a clutz too. Robin - I feel for you falling down in public. :lol: Though you gotta laugh. Usually when it happens to me my DH just busts out and I get so mad at him.

Lori - I went looking for the book, but didn't find anything by her at the bookstore. I'm going to have to order off Amazon. It looks like she has a lot of titles, should I still try the Definition one first? Good luck with hitting your halfway point at WI. I guess I did that unceremoniously last week.

Judy - Your walks sound wonderful. Good luck with your choices during your events and luncheons next week.

Kim - I'm a carb junkie too - love them!! Can't stay away from them :s: They are my enemy. I don't think I get enough protein either.

I haven't been great this weekend. DH fried flounder and zuchinni and mushrooms on Saturday night and we drank beer. It was fun :D But probably not good for me. I still haven't got movin and I know I didn't lose any this week. I'm craving chocolate and salty stuff. Grrrr. I know I know -- :workout: + :tread: + :drill: + :barbell: = :goodscale
Get with the program :p

Good Morning Chickies :coffee: !!
I hate getting up for work, but I did hit the half way mark this morning 149lbs. Yea!!! I wanted to be at this point last weekend, so I'm not too far off this mini goal. Now to concentrate on the next 140lbs by Memorial Day!

I'm making my lunch now, I just love these Tyson Chicken Stir Fry meals, 15 mins. in the microwave and I have a healthy lunch or dinner.

Kerry, yes Joyce has many books, but her Definition one is the best weight lifting book she has. I have some of her others, but I always turn to this one. I get the best results from this work out. When you get it read it over and I'll be happy to help you. I wore my first book out, so I picked up a hard back on E-bay.

Marie, I'll have to check out that PS game. We have 3 Play stations, my DH is just as bad as the kids, our original one broke so when I sent it in to be fixed he ran out and bought another one! I also read about a rebounder being easy on the knees and not being a crazy hard work out. Have any of you tried this??

Ok you guys, your scaring me with your accident stories, I think my best was when I bought my bike. I got it at Wal-mart so it was already together. I got home and jumped on. (hadn't rode in years) I'm zipping around and the handle bars flew off. I didn't wreck but was darn close! I had to take my bike that was a few hours old back to the store. Who ever put it together stripped the handle bar screws. Now skiing, I had the most fun in my life, but I don't have time to tell the story now, but just let me say I was on the ground more than my feet!!

Ok I have to get ready for work, I'll check in later today!!

Alright, Kerry and Lori, you're both in the 140's. I'm jealous, lol. I had a MAJOR cheat day yesterday. I cheated from 9:00am when I stopped for Krispie Kremes for church until midnight last night, nonstop. I put away like 4500 calories. I felt miserable too. It's like once I start eating sweet stuff, I can't stop. I'm going to try not to beat myself up too bad. I'll just work out extra hard all week and try to keep my calories around 1200 each day to make up for it. I'll try my best to stay off the scale until my next weigh in on Sunday. Does that sound like a decent plan? I'm open to any other suggestions. At least I'm off for 3 days now. I'm pretty exhausted. I'm going to get some sleep and hopefully I'll feel like going to a step class at 5:30.

I must do better!
 

Not to happy with myself today after being such a bad girl all weekend. I seem to have probably gained 1/2 a pound, which I guess isn't bad. I have stocked the fridge here at work for the week and have full intentions of staying ON PLAN. I'm also going to force myself to walk and do some strength training this week. Walk at LEAST 3 evenings and strength at LEAST 2. I've got to do it. GOT to!!! Stress and anxiety or not - exercise is important and I must make time. I MUST!!!!

Hi Chickies,

Did the Monday morning problems hit you all? I found a way around it - took the day off. It's been really nice. Quiet and relaxing. I've done some counted cross stitch and baking. I made banana bread in my bread machine and that's what I had for lunch. I tried using half Splenda and half sugar, then half butter and half applesauce and it was difficult to tell that I made a reduction of 500 calories in the recipe. I think the change will be permanent. It really worked out well. Then I made my kids brownies and used the high altitude recipe (most of the time I forget) and it had 1/2 the oil of the regular recipe and only one egg instead of two. My kids will never know the difference and I feel like I could have a piece if I wanted without totally screwing up my plan. So I've been busy altering recipes for the diet. DH said he couldn't tell the difference on the banana bread and DS ate two pieces of brownies without complaint. :)

Today is an exercise day. I have to work out on the Gazelle but I sort of like that. We put a music concert in the DVD and put it on the big screen so you get to see everything while exercising to upbeat music. So far I'm on track with my calories.

Lori, the game needs a dance pad but maybee you can't rent that too. The game itself has a workout mode and it's pretty cool. I love one of the songs but my kids won't let me just dance to the one.

Kerry and Kim, good luck getting on track. Weekends are hard, aren't they? I don't know why since today is a "weekend" type of day for me, and it's not hard. But Sat and Sun, I struggled with. Know that you aren't alone.

Talk with you all later and have a great afternoon.
Marie

Hey, there!

It sounds like everyone's in a good mood, despite a bump and bruise here and there....Robin, I think you worked off those curly fries! I hope your weigh-in went well today.

Lori, congrats on reaching the halfway mark! :bravo: I have a ways to go just to reach this year's halfway mark, so seeing others hang in there and reach it is an inspiration for me.

Kerry, I hope your week is off to a good start. As long as you don't let yourself slack off for long, I think you'll be fine. Lst week reinforced for me how much working out helps me when I 'm stressing, and how great it feels to make sure that I get some "me" time even during a busy period.

Speaking of stress, I did my taxes yesterday....and I might actually be getting a refund. Unless I filled it out wrong (I did it by hand, didn't use TurboTax this year). If I'm wrong, I'm sure the IRS will be nice enough to clue me in :lol: I might wait 'til Friday night to mail it, though. My community has a big block party outside the main post office on 4/15, complete with food vendors and a bluse band (how appropriate). People bring folding chairs and hang out, and last-minute filers are pleasantly surprised to show up at a party at 11PM.....

Marie, Kim and all you other losers, have a good evening!

judy

Hmmmm.....
 

I posted a reply today, this morning, and it's not here. I must have hit the wrong button. I hate it when I do that. I don't have time to write more now, but I will try to log back in this morning. I think weight-loss gnomes must have deleted it. It's the only possible explanation. :D

Have great rest of the day!
Robin

Hey just a quick check in, I promise!

Kerry, by all means working out will let lose some of the stress, wish I knew why, but it really does work wonders!!

Kim, that's a killer cheat day, (I love/hate those days) my advice, go on like it never happened!! But the next time you look at all those donoughts you need to remember how bad too many can make you feel. Buy only one and take it home for desert.

Judy, what a hoot a party at the post office??? Oh my goodness that's almost too funny!

Marie, I have a cook book full of low fat receipes, they use apple sauce instead of oil and butter. Some of it is awsome, and some can leave you wondering!

Robin, catch that gnome!! :lol: Check in and let us know how it's going today!!

Ok, I'm running, oh and got the A/C today YEA!!!

Oh my gosh, I think it has been a year since I checked in!!!! So much happening with you gals! A couple of points hit home--miscarriages--same here, and it sure is tough to live through. I know the due dates were tough on me for years. I have always been surrounded by children, and the pain was very real that none of them were mine. Time is a wonderful healer, though, and having a stepson that is a real nutcase helps too!

And as for the pain of exercise---I have 1 spot of arthritis--thanks to rollerblades!!!!

The basement is still far from back together-but that is the least of my problems right now. I feel like I am living at the office. 12 hour days feel like part time right now. a girl is making life really tough on me there (she has a jealousy issue going) and I don't do well with the jealousy/ competition thing. Her last day is Friday and while she thinks that she will be able to stay with the business and work from Chicago, I have big news for her ---IT AIN'T HAPPENING!!!
This, too shall pass and I will be able to live again, but for now, I just come home,hit the shower and then bed!

My scale is stacked in a corner of the basement, don't know when I will ever get back to it!!!!!

Hang in there everyone, you are such an inspiration---and it is so nice to know that I can just jump right back in when I have a chance to take a breath!


Hugs to all!
Joetta