Hi everyone! So good to hear from you today. I'm wondering, though, where's Joan? I miss her!

I think I'm starting to be in PMS mode, because suddenly my face is breaking out a little, I'm craving sweets, and I'm a leeeetle bit irritable. In fact, tonight I ate a Lindt Dark Chocolate Truffle Ball, which isn't so bad in and of itself--a reasonable treat every now and then. BUT, after I got the kids down tonight, I marched right into the kitchen and ate about a slice and a half worth of some Rosemary/Olive Oil bread left over from the other day when we had steamer clams, and that took me from under my calorie limit to 100 calories over! So, 1600 calories again. Not horrible, but I don't like that I let myself just feed my irritability and cravings so mindlessly as I did. Oh well, I stopped once I ate that. I was tempted to make a cup of hot chocolate, but opted for my Afternoon Delight herbal tea with chamomile (soothing), licorice root (slightly sweet), and peppermint. I'm drinking that now. Do any of you notice that it's harder to stay on track when you are coming up on "that time of the month"?

Karyn--I agree that the foods on fitday.com can be a bit confusing. It particularly aggravates me that if they list something like, say, cabbage soup and I click on it to see the ingredients, they will have margarine as an ingredient, which I never, ever use! I usually opt for breaking what I ate into it's parts, ie: carrots, cabbage, etc... right down to the olive oil that I usually use. It's a little more work, but I feel it's far more accurate, and I can be a bit fussy about such things. It's time-consuming, too, which may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I don't mind so far. It's kind of fun for me and keeps me focused on what I'm doing. I did get a calorie book at the library today, and I was thinking that would help when they don't quite have what I'm looking for, because the "custom foods" option is pretty user friendly if you already have the info to put in. In fact, I've been googling the nutritional value and calories of many things, including the Lindt Truffle I ate today! You can so many things on the internet, I tell ya!

Fantastic job sticking to your plan and getting in so much exercise, too! I'm so sorry you hurt yourself. Like Kim said, talk about excercising till you hurt! Ouch!

And Hooray for you getting your Cardio Cruiser soon! Can't wait to hear how you like it! I keep thinking I need something like that since I can't really get as much exercise with the kids in tow and can't afford a sitter AND the gym. Ugh...hope this changes soon.

Wait! I just remembered something!! A friend of mine just opened up a Wellness Center here in my tiny town of Ocean Park. She is a massage therapist, so massage will be offered. There will be a small nautilus room. Classes like Pilates and yoga and kids movement classes will be offered. There is a reading and research room and a small healthy cafe. It's so cool. She remodeled an old house downtown (in our 1 stop-light town! haha!), and it looks so nice! Her grand opening was this past weekend. The exciting thing for me is she has asked me to occasionally come and sit in her resource room when she has massages, so that she doesn't have to close up shop. We would trade for classes, massages, time in the weight room...whatever! Isn't that cool. And often, I could even have the kids with me, because when the room she uses for classes isn't in use, they can play in there--lots of cool stuff for kids: pilates balls, nerf style pogo sticks, ribbon rings to dance with, music, etc... and it has a padded floor. Gosh...I can't believe I almost forgot about that!

Marina--I just want you to know I'm thinking about you as you spend time with yourself and finding out what your needs really are. I'm sending you hugs and blessings. I hope all goes well, and you find clarity.

Good for you for sticking with your gym routine--sounds great actually! I was feeling guilty for not doing as much as you and some of the other women here, but I caught myself and remembered that I'm doing what I can, and I'm achieving some success. NO GUILT. Still, I can't wait to get some intense cardio workouts in!

And, WOWEE! 3 pounds!? How can you say that so casually? You are rocking! Go girl! Congratulations!

Kim--I just LOVE your self-talk: "I am not giving up. I am sooooo not giving up!" That is perfect! Keep it up. And remember not to get too upset over small gains here and there--our weight fluctuates for many reasons. You could have gained some muscle. You could be retaining water. Who knows? And though it's okay to feel, "Gee what a bummer. I gained a pound", please don't let it be more than it is. It's only one pound and you have come too far to let that little thing bother you. You are on your way! I bet it changes dramatically by next weigh-in! You're doing it!

Oh, and I laughed out loud at your description of your dog. Sounds like some creature from a Dr. Seuss book! hahaha! I'll bet he's a cutie. (I can't remember whether he's a he or she's a she!)

Have fun at Bunko. By the way...What is Bunko?

See you tomorrow!

I forgot to tell you all that I have posted some pictures of myself and my children in the gallery. Just do a search for Serafyn.

G'night!

Morning ladies. I don't have much time cause I am off to the mall but just wanted to let you know that I got on the scale and most of my gain is almost gone..yay... I knew its water weight..anyway I did my yoga this morning for backcare and it was awesome. My back has never felt better even after seeing my chiro. I am going to try to do this one once a day and get in at least a walk.

Andrea your having success so don't worry about it. You are problery exercising more then you think with the kids at the beach and all. So your not doing an hour at the gym or an hour video tape, doesn't matter as long as your moving during the day and you are. Your not eating as much and your moving and thats more exercsie I bet then doing an hour heavy excercise. Congrats on your friends gym I am sure tha twill lift your spirt.

1lb is not a big deal. You have to move on so 1 lb doesn't turn into 5lb binge. Once I weigh on the scale and its up I move on and thats what you have to do.

Anyway I am off to the mall. talk to you guys later

Karyn

Well the crazy ex is at it again!! and then to top things off my lunch walking buddy is sick today so no walk pooh what a day!! Oh well.

Last night when I got home from work I walked to the store with my kids and then we cooked a yummy supper together and ate out on the deck just before a big storm hit. We actually had some slightly larger than pea size hail. After that we all played monopoly until about 9pm and had a blast!! I won

Kim one of the recipes that is quickly becoming a favorite at my house is the meatloaf that calls for either ground beef or turkey. I use turkey and it is sooo delicious. Also a blueberry smoothie for breakfast or dessert after supper. I use 1 cup of vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup ice and blend till it is smooth. It is SUPER YUMMY I don't have my book with me right now so I will let you know some of my other favorites later. YOU GO GIRL, and you are right we are not alone!! I love it!!

Andrea I'm so glad to hear about your friend opening up the new place! it sounds like it will be so nice and a good chance for you to be able to get out and enjoy yourself

Marina we miss you, but totally understand what you are doing so good luck and hang in there, we will be waiting here for you when you come back!

How is everyone today? I feel pretty good, but I woke up really late for me--almost 9:00, when I have been getting up at 6:30. Weird, because I have been getting enough sleep for me. Yup...I really must be approaching that time of the month. I get extra sleepy then. Anyway, I'll have to do my yoga later, because the kids were ravenous and I was ready for breakfast too. Didn't want to wait till I finished my 45 minutes of Yoga. That's OK. It's kind of nice to do it at night when it's quiet.

Karyn--It's good to hear that your gain has GONE! Good for you!

Also it's fantastic that your yoga for backcare video is so effective for you. What a great feeling that must be! Good combination, yoga and walking, by the way. There are some great articles for walking off weight at about.com . Check them out here if you're interested:
http://walking.about.com/cs/howtolos...owcalsched.htm

Perhaps you can work up a specific plan for yourself using their tips.

I tell you, your ex seriously needs to get a life, and just LEAVE YOURS ALONE! I can't imagine going through what you are having to endure. Keep you chin up hun!

I was wondering why you don't walk without your walking buddy. Is it because you are afraid of your ex? Or some other reason? If it is your ex--well that is just ashame. There should be something you can do about that.

Oh, I wish we could all gang up on him and give him a taste of his own medicine! Like, wouldn't it be cool if we all had magical powers and could just spook him a little--I don't know--make his car start and stop with the horn blaring, or drive him straight to the police station every time he came close to Val with intent to do harm! hahahaha Yes, that's a great fantasy! I'm sure your fantasies in regard to your ex are even more vivid, Val!

Take care of yourself today, Val. I'm sending you a big, warm down comforter of a hug!

By the way Andrea, what does Serafyn mean? or stand for? Just curious
I knew about Marina's birthday because if you go to the calendar and click on the date it will give you a list of users whose birthday is on that day!!

Oh and speaking of little weekend cheats, I managed to stay away from the cotton candy at the circus even though I bought some for the kids and I love it, but I made them some nachos when we got home and I did eat 3 chips with cheese. I can have the cheese but not the chips. I have to say that I don't feel guilty at all, I know 3 chips isn't going to undo all of my dieting and that was all I needed to satisfy me!!

I have been thinking about getting a puppy for quite some time but want to make sure that I will have enough time to spend with it which is why I haven't gotten one yet. I want one simply because I love dogs, and for protection and just to have some love when I feel lonely. We have a cat now named Midnight. He is a beautiful cat but only wants to cuddle when HE wants to (kinda like a man). I will still wait awhile before I decide what I'm going to do about the puppy thing.

This group is really a fantastic bunch of ladies you are all so inspiring I just love coming here everyday and reading all the posts.

Seraffyn (I've changed the spelling a bit) is the name of a 28 foot sailboat that used to belong to Lin and Larry Pardy, a couple who has spent their entire married life sailing around the world together. (Their current boat is the 32 foot Taliesin.) They are in their 50's now. Not only do I love the name of the boat, but I love the life they've lived and are still living. It is a dream of my husband and I to do something similar with our family. Anyway, since this endeavor to lose weight and get healthy in mind, body and spirit is another kind of journey, I chose the name Serafyn to help me get there!

By the way, if you are interested in the Pardy's, read the book, Cruising in Seraffyn, their first book. It is SO good. Tells how they met and then built Seraffyn and then goes on to tell of their first sailing adventures. So cool!

Val, I just wanted to say that, especially in your case, a dog is a great early warning system. It's partly why I got Mollie from the humane society a few months ago. It bothered my husband that we were out here in the boonies by ourselves while he was working in Portland, 3 hours away, and our old Golden Retrieve could no longer hear anything and can barely see and has bad hips. (Ron has him now.) It bothered me sometimes too, especially when winter hit and all the snowbirds flew away! (this is a retirement community) It was so eerily quiet and I always thought that if someone were to be lurking around, I'd not know. It's pitch dark outside when there is no moon--no streetlights, etc... Also, noone could hear me if I needed help. Now I have a dog that barks her fool head off when someone even comes close to the property, like when people are looking at the lots for sale next door and two lots away. Heck, a raccoon can't come around without her smelling it and giving warning! She has learned to stop barking when I say, "It's okay, Mollie, quiet now." But I like knowing that we have a good alarm. And I'm sure she'd protect us to her best ability if someone did try to do us harm, too.

Anyway, just wanted to say that for you having to deal with your scary ex, it might be a great idea...and your kids are old enough to help take care of one and also really enjoy a dog! Having spent some time working with dogs, I'd suggest a female, only because they are generally more protective of house and home than males, who tend to want to wander and such and are harder to train out of that. Of course that's a generality!

What a wonderful way to come up with your screen name!! Do you really like to read alot?? I noticed that you mentioned going to the library and then the book about the Pardy's and you always seem to have links to informative web sites. I love to read, although haven't done much of it lately I did just buy a book by Mary Higgins Clark that I've not read yet, and am very excited to get to it.

Good morning everyone. I weighed in yesterday and found I'm down another pound. Haven't been in the 70's for quiet a while, cause my scale's been broken you know. I feel really draggy this morning. I spent all day yesterday running around and didn't get to eat. Then when I did get to finally eat it was later in the day than I like.

You ladies are such an encouragement to me. Just knowing that I will be posting and reading about your day keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Marina- I have to say, I can see that you are such a kind person. I do have a little thing that I do when I get a little overwhellmed by everything and lose sight of myself a little. I go visit some loved one from my childhood. Like my mom, a childhood friend, or someone special. Someone that knew me before I was a mommy, before I was a wife. I end up talking reminicing about when I was younger. Sometimes, I laugh so hard I cry rivers, other times I come away thoughtful. It just seems like it helps me touch bases with the inner me. I think it is easy to loose touch with ourselves when we a mothers and wives.

Karyn- wow how do you keep going for so long? After I excersize in the morning I cant seem to get myself motivated to do more later. I noticed that alot of people either do yoga or pilates. I thought maybe a video would get me going. Any suggestions?

Andrea- how lucky to have place like your friends to go, and to be able to trade for your time there bonus!

Kim- I think showing that lady will stop all her comments.

If I missed anyone, and I probably did. Know that I am sending good thoughts all your way. Sabrina

A dog for protection is defently a good idea. get a german shepard they are loyal to the family. I still kick myself for not getting one. I didn't know that about the females. I only heard that the females were nastier., I always had males as a kid and even now as an adult. Anyway, my dog would jump and lick a burgler to dealth. Good thing I am not in a high crime or very dessert area huh..

I keep going all day long. I don't sit very much thats why I am shocked that I weigh so much. Anywayt I went to the mall and was surprised that I did not enter the next size larger.. yay... I did buy shorts for my trip alittle snug but not too bad. My tops are big like I like them but thats okay. Also my son wanted ice cream so I got nonfat frozen yogurt.. it was good and I was so proud of myself. ONly upto 733 calories so far today but I am hungry. I guess its time to start dinner.

Talk more later..

PS I spent too much money at the mall, I better get that job or hubby will kill me..hahahaha....

Sabrina! Good to see you! Congratulations on your weight loss! I can hardly wait to hit the seventies--haven't been there in about 4.5 years, since before my youngest daughter, Annie, was born. Must feel great!!

I have to say that I just love your suggestion to Marina about visiting people who knew you from you childhood. I do that from time to time, but never thought about how it could help me to remember who I really am. It's a nice way to stay connected with your family, too. Thanks for sharing that idea.

Val, I'm glad you like my screen name selection. It's the first one I've ever had that I actually really like, myself! And, yes, I love to read. What I read varies according to my mood. Lately I'm reading alot of non-fiction and the internet. A few weeks ago, I was into fiction--novels, short stories. I love reading!

As many of you have said, it is just wonderful to have you women to share in this whole weight-loss adventure. I look forward to hearing about how you are all doing and it motivates me to stay with it.

Later!

WEll Andrea so far today i had 1246 calories and already finsihed dinner and dessert.. hahha.. 2 days ina row under 1300 cal. I am excited..

Wow Karyn!! Awesome! If you're fitting in lots of good healthy stuff like fruits and veggies and WHOLE grains, too, then you will find that after a few days, you just won't feel nearly as hungry on less calories! And the cravings won't be so intense either...at least they haven't been for me. Also, under 1,300 calories is pretty low to aim for on an every day basis, I think, so if you are really feeling hungry, don't be afraid to eat a healthy, yummy tasting snack here and there to keep your metabolism going strong.

Congratulations!! Keep it up!