Hi Julie and Kerry and everyone else.

I'm not yet on vacation but I will be at 4:00 tomorrow afternoon. Five whole weeks off. I am so excited about that. I live for summer vacation. Its the reason I work for a school district. It certainly isn't the pay.

I bought a formal suit for the cruise and I hope it gets here soon. More than that, I hope if fits really good. Perfect would be preferable. Anyway, I think I have all the clothes I want for the Alaskan cruise except the sweater I am knitting. I will work on that tonight. But only after I go swimming. It's supposed to be in the upper 80's today so maybe my pool will warm up a bit. Yesterday it was 80 degrees and felt too chilly. Call me spoiled, or what!?!?!?

I've made a new resolution. It dawned on my that I'm sleeping too much and that's causing me to be tired. So, as of this morning I made a promise to myself that there is no more naps and that I have to get out and do things. No more blahs during the evening. I have stuff to do and I'm going to do it.

Now diet wise, I'm doing lousy. I'm munching away at everything. I'm not making perfect choices either. But as long as I stay within some good range, I won't gain. That's my goal until after the cruise. Then it's full steam ahead on being good.

Exercise, I'm doing good on. Definitely doing better then I was a couple months ago. I exercise 3-4 times a week. Not as great as some of my friends here, but good for me. So I don't want to change that.

I will swim laps tonight, then work out on the weight machine. Then I will knit. I'm also listening to a digital book (on my MP3 player) called Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. So far it's pretty interesting. I just finished a book called A Good Yarn and I really enjoyed it. Now that DH is on the swing shift, I have audio books to keep me company.

That's it and I should really get back to work. TTYL.
Marie

Hey, it's your long-lost fellow loser, checking in finally to say hi, and hope that each of you is doing well. I'm still paddling along, losing very slowly--but still losing--working out, walking, and mostly making good choices, but not really bearing down the way I need to to speed things up.

Marie, have a fabulous time on the cruise!

judy

It sounds like we've all slowed down a bit. Nice to see you Judy! Marie - I am so jealous of your cruise! Enjoy it!!

Julie - Thanks for commiserating about the cookies. I find them to be my biggest stumbling blocks at those stressed times.

Lori - Enjoy the time off and don't worry about all the madness. As my parents say: if we didn't have bad luck, we'd have none at all. Or the other one they say which I adore "No good deed goes unpunished" Can't wait to hear about the trip.

I've been trying to be somewhat good. I watch it well during the day but yesterday I have a creamy frozen cooler for lunch and then pizza for dinner. I figured it was Friday so what the hey. The landlord is driving me NUTS. When they showed the house last thursday the left all the doors UNLOCKED and left the backdoor standing OPEN. I was furious. So they've appologized profusely and are walking on egg shells with me. They're showing it again tomorrow. What a pain. I have to take the dog and the CAT to the park when they show it. Poor Jazz Cat He's so hot at the park. He's a trooper though.

We're planning to take it easy mostly this weekend. I'll probably do a little packing and organizing. I'm trying to rid myself of more junk. On Monday we have plans to go boating which we are really looking forward to. We've been invited to a cookout on Sunday, but haven't decided yet if we're going. We went out last night and it was kinda dull. I think everyone left town for the beach. I'm jealous.

We finally finalized our plans for San Fran and made all the reservations. We staying 2 nights at The Pickwick in SOMA, then off to wine country to stay in Napa Valley for one night, then the last two nights are at the Pan Pacific in Union Square. We've managed to keep our flight and hotel costs under $1000 which is awesome for San Fran. We are so looking forward to it. We'll be moved by then and Corey will be done with working for the summer and back to school upon return. Can't wait.

Well, I've gone on and on like I can. Hope you are all doing well. I am hopeful that I'm going to see the upper 130s soon. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Later gators!

Hi all, things are going good here. I am DONE with work for 5 weeks. I am so excited about that. I plan to cherish each and every day. I love staying at home. I lost a pound this week and that is good. considering a couple days ago it said I had gained three, I was shocked when I actually lost one. Just goes to show that the scale is very picky on retaining water and the such. So that loss has motivated me to be good today. I wish I could see a loss every day.

I plan to swim today and do some laps. We were going to take the dogs on a hike but I overslept then fed them breakfast out of habit. Since you can't exercise dogs after they eat for a while, it's too warm now. We're going to try again tomorrow. So today is a swim day.

I've been working on my sweater and finished a sleeve this morning. I just love the knitting machine. I can't imagine how impatient I'd be if I knitted by hand. I really like to see progress quickly.

Kerry, you're going to love the Napa valley. We were in Sonoma and Napa last weekend for the nascar race. The vineyards are just awesome. I wish I'd known you were going and I would have given you two tickets to a wine tasting event. I tossed them since we didn't use them. Bummer. I also know how frustrating it can be to show a house. And that your just renting makes it even worse. At least if you're the owner, you have motivation to have it perfect. And that they left it wide open is just plain wrong. I'm glad you ripped into them.

Judy, glad to see you. I hope that you keep on the losing path. I know I want to. Everyday, I'm getting more and more motivated. I never thought it would take so long to get back on track.

That's about it. Have a fantastic weekend.
Marie

HI all, I have read all 32 pages and would love to join you! I have been away from 3fc for awhile, but am back now and need a new home. I did low carb for awhile but have gotten away from that and am trying for a healthy diet and exercise.

A little about me, I live in North Carolina, with my husband, 2 kids, DD is 6 and DS is 8. Two dogs, 2 cats and a horse. I work full time (40+ hours) in the HR field, and seem to be running all the time.....

I have lost 30 lbs and have been stuck there for about 2 months....UGH!!

Well, another vacation has come and gone. We had so much fun, but it's actually good to be home. I'm finally unpacked, everything is washed and put away, and I'm just relaxing tonight. I was actually dumb enough to get on a scale last night and it showed 165!!!!!!! It's depressing but motivating. I know a lot of it's fluid, but still....yikes! I weighed 155 1 week ago so I should be able to lose it just as quickly. We ate so much good food though. I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. I quit drinking my water too. I drank coca cola classics all week and loved it. That's what you're supposed to do on vacations though, right? I'm back on track now though. I've eaten healthy yesterday and today, I'm drinking my water again, and I worked out for 1 hour, 45 minutes today. I was surprised I could still do my program after eating all of that junk last week. I've tried to catch up on posts since I've been gone but there are so many. Anyway, I would like to say welcome to Scooby 2, and Kerry I love your new house. How exciting! It is perfect! Well, I'm super-motivated now and ready to get this weight off. My goal is 135 by September 16. 30 pounds in 3 months.....that would be awesome!

Kerry, I love going to Napa and Sonoma! It's so beautiful and calm...I like going to the mud baths and the hot springs, but I haven't been in a few years.

Hi, Scooby2--I can relate to being stuck for months! I wasn't able to maintain my focus after the first few months, and started slacking off jsut enough to lose momentum. But my habits are so much better than they were near the end of last year, and until I can fully re-engage mentally in my plan, I'll just fake it 'til I make it

Marie--five weeks off is such a blessing! I hope you are able to savor every day of it.

Off to see a movie, and maybe to the fabric store to buy trim to finish off my homemade placemats. Hope you are enjoying the weekend!

judy

Well, I made it through another weekend. It was pretty slow at work, for once. I did great with my eating. I stayed under 1200 calories all weekend, even on Sunday. I'm so proud of myself. I feel like I've finally got my mind made up to lose the rest of this weight. Hope all of you have a great 4th of July!

Hi everyone! Happy Independence Day!

Had a pretty good day...we took the kids to the lake, finally put our boat in the water. Now it is raining, may wash out the fireworks....I hope you all have a great week!

Welcome Scooby!

I had a good weekend. We shopped for things for the new house on Sat & Sun while it was rainy. Yesterday was beautiful and we went up to the lake with a friend. I am now burnt from floating on a raft most of the day. We had a great time though.

I've managed to stay right at 140 and haven't been very good lately. I had a burger yesterday as well as ice cream. But it was a holiday and all!!

I don't want to be back at work today I'm tired and want more days off!!!

Hope you all had a great 4th!

Welcome Scooby!
Welcome back Judy!

Marie- I hope you are enjoying your vacation! I don't know what I would do with 5 weeks off, but I'm sure I could think of something I know what you mean about sleeping too much! I use to do that in another life and it always made me feel more tired! I have to say though it has been quite a while since I have been able to do that...right now I am just the oposite! I think I got maybe 6 hours of sleep last night, between going to see the fireworks and the storm we had here last night, my son woke up a couple of times and I could not go back to sleep! Anyway...enjoy your time off!

Kerry-Your trip sounds great! I have never been to California, but would love to go someday! Congrats on staying at 140 even with the cookie meltdown A burger and ice cream? No biggie! as long as you don't overdo there is no problem with eating stuff like that! Hope you had fun shopping! I love shopping for house stuff! Sorry you had to go back to work so soon....looks like we are in the same boat...sucks doesn't it? Half my office is out this week and....here I sit.

Well I have my weigh in today.... hope I have at least a little loss. I did not stay on my plan entirely this weekend with all the festivities, but I did my exchanges as best as I could and tried not to overeat, so we'll see.

Talk to you later!

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a great holiday. I spent most of mine doing yard work. It was beautiful outside and I bought a new weed whacker. So I was after the jungle like weeds that have taken over my house. It looks much nicer now.

Julie, I hope the weigh in goes good. I've been maintaining but I haven't really been trying to lose. You sure are doing great even if you don't lose this week.

Kerry, what type of stuff are you buying for the house? Decorating a new place is like a blank sheet of paper. It's fun to add the colorful touches. Also, you should use sunscreen if you're going to float all day. I thought about doing that today,b ut didn't ant to burn. My tan is so dark from playing in and around our pool, that a burn on top of it would look silly. Do you remember when we chatted about tan fat versus white fat? I think red fat ranks with the white stuff so use some sunscreen. You're skin will love you for it. But floating all day is a great way to spend a day.

Scooby, I bet getting hte boat in the water was a blast. I've always wanted a boat but couldn't afford it. I guess that's not right - I couldn't rationalize it knowing how we probably wouldn't use it enough.

Kim, way to go on the 1200 calories over the weekend. You sure are an inspiration. When I get back from vacation in a month, you'll have to tell me everything you've been doing to be so on track. I need motivation at this point.

Judy, how did the placemats turn out? What colors and the such?

I went hiking with DH and the dogs this morning so I got my exercise in early. You know, all through the spring I was pretty motivated eating wise and couldn't get the exercise going. Now that I'm exercising, I'm not eating right. When, oh when, will I ever get the two together?

TTYL.
Marie

Good Morning Chickies !!!

I don't have any time this morning, just caught up on the posts, but I wanted to check in and say were back. I am doing very poorly on eating and working out so I have to get my butt back in gear today! There is nothing healthy to eat in the house, and I don't have time to shop till the weekend. I'll sit down tonight and give you guys a full report on the vaction! I've got to run, I have my second court hearing today on the stop sign ticket, I did get the speeding ticket lowered yesterday.

Well, I'm glad it's the middle of the week already. I'm ready for another weekend. This work stuff sux. Still at 140 and trying to motivate the mind to get back on track to lose these last 5. I packed my lunch today (turkey sandwich, pretzels & diet coke) and that's good that I won't go to the cafeteria. DH & I have been eating out way too much, but mostly due to being either put out of our house, having to maintain constant cleanliness and being busy. I'm afraid it may stay that way for awhile until we get moved.

Marie - We are having so much fun shopping for the house - but lots of disputes too. DH is in the Interior Design field and we don't always agree. He's very contemporary/modern and I'm somewhere between bohemian and contemporary. I let comfort supercede style at times when he doesn't want to. We're currently having the great Lazboy dispute of 2005. He wants one style and I want another - both are very trendy I must say. I'll post them in a bit We have agreed completely on the bedroom and office though. Of course office is just furniture for now since we have high hopes that it will soon be a nursery

Lori - Way to go fighting those tickets girl!! I hope you enjoyed your trip and there were no more disasters hitting at once. Don't beat yourself up too bad about not being on track while vacationing, that's what it's all about. I think summer is a very HARD time to diet personally. My schedule is all out of whack and we're traveling, etc , etc. Good to have you back though.

Julie - How did the weigh in go?? I hope you saw a little loss at least

Well I have to go sort out an issue with a palm pilot and software installation. I'll be back and post those photos for you to see later.

Good morning!

Welcome back Lori! Hope you had fun on vacation! Goes by way too fast doesn't it? I'm glad you got that speeding ticket lowered! Maybe you'll beat the stop sign ticket!

Marie-It's great that you are maintaining! Keep up the excersise! The eating changes will come eventually. Excersise is so important for your mind and spirit! So keep it up!

My weigh in went fairly well....down another 1.1lbs. However....she took my measurements I only lost about a total of 2 inches and the majority of it was in the bust area The sad thing is I really couldn't afford to lose anymore up there My belly is still huge and the rest of me is looking quite thin....I look like a thin pregnant woman! Oh well, I know there is only so much I can do about it...the fat is going to come off where it feels like it. Better than being where I was 5 months ago!

Cya later!