[1day@atime]

Hello Ladies,

Shad - I think your right about the flowers. Tomorrow going to make a trip by the store and pick up something. I like mums too, so I might pick up some of those. Oh, I have some of those dolley things and they worked wonderful with my tomato plants. I think some of my plants probably weight 30 lbs with all the dirt and plants. I picked up several more at the summer end sales.

Today I got some bad news from a former co-worker. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and last year and her recovery sounded hopeful. But today I found out she was back in the hospital with a blockage and she and her doctors decided not to do surgery, since the cancer has spread. I've know her for over 24 years and the last 4 years she worked in the office next to me. If you all can keep her and her family in your prayers.

I think fall is finally here, today's high was around 65, tomorrow high is 75.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[Catlover777]

Shad--I envy you your trip to Japan. Do tell us lots about it so we can share in the adventure. I have always wanted to go there.

Took today as a stress day. Breakfast with DH, did yoga, lots of writing, got a massage, some housecleaning--plan to do a little more yoga and send some poems off.

Haven't included any poems for a long time. Here's a short one I think you'll like:

The clock’s efficient buzz calls us awake
purring warmth slips under my chin
follows up the alarm
with gentle rough licks.

I really feel this system is cutting my cravings and helping me control my eating, though I haven't seen as much results as I'd like. At breakfast the food was delicious, and ordinarily I would eat every bite. But today I just knew I wasn't hungry after half. Amazing!

[1day@atime]

Hello Ladies,

Cat - you destressing day sounded wonderful. I need to get more of those in.
Yeserday I somewhat had one of those, took my niece to our local festival. Played in bouncy house with her and pushed her on the swing set for about 30 minutes. Just watching her laugh, makes all your troubles and stress go away for just that moment.

Today, going to run up to office and maybe hospital to see my friend.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[HalGal]

Hello everyone!

What a cool thread of Movers and Losers! I took a few minutes this lazy Sunday afternoon to read back a few pages (through my Hal-lucination week) and get the full picture. I am so very impressed with how dedicated each of you are to taking better care of yourselves. Your words mean more to me than you can know. Exercise is alive and well on this thread - and for that I am so thankful. It is time for me to 'just do it'. Little by little.

CatLover: Thanks for the poem. You know I always enjoy reading what you write. So conscious eating is making you more aware, and wanting less food? When we make decisions that keep us in control, there is no better feeling, huh? Your stress day sounds great! I"ve never had a massage, but have friends that do frequently. I would like to implement a combination of both yoga and pilantes into my exercise program. I have some students taking pilates classes, and they are asking me to join the club they go to and take the classes also. I am off this week. It is our Fall break. I think this is my favorite time off - no stress of having to be anywhere, give anything, just time off to plan what is most important at the moment. Ahhh.

Nita: I agree with OneDay - I am so very impressed with you! Thanks for helping motivate me to 'move it'. Good for you for you for joining the health club and finding an exercise partner at the same time. Your spaghetti dinner sounded wonderful. I've made traditional spaghetti and topped it with diced sweet onions, green peppers and grilled chicken breasts. It is yummy! It sounds different, you just have to try it to see. When you think of it, tell me why/how the new bowling ball works. I am curious about the fingertip thing.

Shad: Just a few weeks until Japan!!! It was interesting to read about the international drivers license. I didn't really think about traveling and needing current licenses for different places, but surely you do! Now, the Asian story was sad, huh? We take so very much for granted. Today I hear there has been a pretty devastating earthquake in Pakistan and India. Hey, you mentioned petunias as year around flowers, are they really? I am going to clean out my summer flower trays and I have some petunias. Is there anything special I need to do to keep them? Also, your trolleys with wheels sounds interesting... but I am not sure what you mean. I like the idea of fresh flowers, the more the better! I am with you on the 'neglected house', and this week will be spent on just that. I love a clean place, and with just Rocky (Yorkshire Terrier) and myself, you would think it would be easy?

OneDay: So, what does Blackie do when you are on the treadmill? Rocky tries to run with me as I stationary bike. Bouncy house sounds fun! Just being around children gives us the lost prespectives of what really matters - every little thing, huh. I am sorry to learn about your friend. I lost a teacher friend about this time last year with the same cancer. She gave it the good fight - and was rediagnosed just a few months prior to her 5 year cancer free anniversary. We are working on several fundraising projects/charities to donate to her memorial scholarship fund. I will keep you and your friend in my prayers. Fall has arrived in centraly Kentucky also. This weekend has been cool with highs in the 60's and overcast skies.

I'm getting ready for the change of seasons getting out the warmer clothing items. I also have had fun shopping for Christmas (dare I say that word in October?) ornaments for my new tree. I snagged a 7 1/2 foot prelit tree on sale after Christmas last year. The lights are white, and I am just looking for some new white, silver or gold ornaments. I've picked a few here and there.

Did you guys read the story about the 3FatChick forum participant that has lost 78 pounds on the Mediterrain diet? It was on the front page earlier this week. It was pretty interesting. She gets up at 4:45A to exercise so she can be at work by 7A. That would be me. Hummm... She credits the relationships on 3FatChicks for helping her, but EDiets sponsors the article and provides a link to join their site?

I went shopping yesterday with one of the younger girls I've met at my university classes. She is in her mid 20's and from Korea. She is full of energy and fun to be around. We hit 2 towns, 3 malls and a few other places. Then, I came home, napped an hour and drove an hour to see old friends for late dinner. As I left in the wee hours I heard them mumbling about coming back sooner - claiming it had been years. Anyway, the day was full, busy and fun. Today... just it a quiet Sunday doing some laundry, reading a good book by Lisa Scottoline, listening to Hal , and napping!

Mooz, Thin, Michellezzzzzzz.... hope you guys are doing well!!!!

[Shad]

Morning all,

Sorry I didn't get in over the weekend, it just got a bit busy and I thought about it and then forgot.

Patty - so sorry to hear about your friend. Brave thoughts go out to her. Such a rotten disease and so little is known on diagnosis and cure or prevention.
I'm glad you decided on the pots of flowers. They may not be as useful as tomatoes or veges, but they are so pretty. My front flower bed where I planted the blue and white petunias, blue, black and white pansies, not to mention that some of them have turned out orange and lemon and other shades is starting to look really good. Unfortunately with the water restrictions now in force, they won't look that good for long. Still petunias are a hardy bunch - not the prettiest flower but hardy. I have one double white one which last year flowered profusely in a pot. When it died down I pulled it out and threw it down the back of the garden to compost. This year it is blooming again!!! Such a determined plant - it deserves to live on.

Cat - Thank you for the poem. It describes my place in the morning exactly. The alarm goes off, the cat comes and sits on my chest and licks my face. She ensures I do not go back to sleep again. Don't be envious of me going to Japan. Save the pennies and go yourself. It is not as expensive as they make out - at least it doesn't have to be. If you avoid Tokyo, the prices are better. I'm fortunate in that I have a friend who knows where bargains are to be found and a travel agent who always gets me a good deal. Anyway I shall take pictures and you can see them when I get back. I'm taking DS2's new digital camera with me when I go. Should be good.

Hope Hal and Mooz are going okay. Haven't heard from either here for a wee while. Meantime Mooz has sent me some good jokes recently.

My weekend was busy with gardening and cooking. I have been making meals for the DS2 who is looking after my house while I am away. There are now about 10 dinners in the freezer for him. I will make some spaghetti bolognese tonight and that will be it. I'm running out of containers to put them in. It should just about see him through the entire time I am away.

Best run along and do some work I guess. Have a good day.

[Nita]

Hi Everyone,

This has been a pretty busy week for me. I did, however, weigh in Thursday evening and I lost .2 lb. However, I do believe all this exercise has something to do with it. They say muscle weighs more than fat. I am still managing to do the weight machines, and then an hour class of aerobics and then I go onto bowling. I kid you not this exercise plan really gives me a whole lot of energy. My big sister, who is 3 years younger than I am, says she never seen someone with all this go-power.

HalGal -- The fingertip bowling ball is where instead of putting in your two middle fingers all the way into the holes--the holes are drilled in such a way that they only go up to the first bend in your fingers. Today I went to practice and bowled 3 games all by myself. The next two games one of my bowling buddies bowled with me. The first game I bowled with him I got 225 and that is very unusual for me. Here again, it's like being in control of your eating--when you are bowling it takes a whole lot of concentration and control. I might add when I bowl eating never enters my mind!

I am not sure I shared these muffins with you--you take a Jiffy cornbread mix and add 1/2 cup of crushed bananas and 1/2 cup of milk and you bake them in a 350 oven for about 25 mnutes. I believe they are 2 pts. I just made a batch and added some cinnamon, a little sweetner, a few raisins, a little vanilla and a "few" mini chocolate chips. That probably adds another pt.

Patty -- I am so sorry to hear about your co-worker and I most definitely will keep her in my prayers. One thing Dr. Mollin mentions in his book is that Adkins and the South Beach diets are not good for your over-all health. I haven't gotten into his menus yet, but he does have a few recipes in there as well. I also have the book I bought when I was going to him in 1988 and I think I will get it out and see if it is somewhat the same as this one. I managed to lose 24 lbs. back then on whatever he suggested I do. He did have me sit down with his nutritionist and she went over a plan for me. I believe I even have this some place in the house.

This is going to be another hectic week for me because I need to work both Wed. and Thurs. That means I will miss one of my exercise days. However, now that it is cooler I will be able to make it up by doing the treadmill. I am also getting my garage straightened up so my exercise room will be more inviting.

Take care all, and thanks for caring!
Anita

[HalGal]

Good Monday afternoon Movers and Losers!!!

Just a quick note to say hello! It's been a quiet, rainy and cool day here. I hate to admit it, but I've slept and slept. I guess I need it. Now to oranize my things to do list and get movin!

I am going to make some foil packets for dinner, and to freeze. Tonight's menus is tilipia with chopped green and black olives, chopped tomatoes, capers, and olive oil with garlic. Yummmm.. Low calorie, and very good for you!

Have you guys noticed the home page of 3FatChicks? They have a list of recent posts and you and hit them and just go in and randomly read a post here and there. I have no idea how or why they select the posts they do, but wonder if the reason our read number is so high because we were on it at one point?

It's very nice to have a few minutes to 'notice' things, explore and such! Just say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

[Shad]

Hal, nice to see you. The dinner sounds really nice too. Might have to try that myself although at the moment I am eating whats in the fridge and freezer and not getting or making new stuff.

I saw that list of posts the other day while I was puddling around. Didn't realise that we had featured on it tho. I think the number of read posts is because we are due for a new house. It's starting to get a bit long. Wonder where mooz is and whether she is coming in to give us the new home or should we do it ourselves.

Don't know if any of you have seen the new smilies either. There are a couple of new welcome ones

Nita - the muscle certainly does weigh. Do not be surprised if you go up instead of down for a week or so. I haven't lost much weight at all, but I have shed 3 dress sizes which is great - although the wallet is protesting.

The air con in the building seems to have broken down again. Getting a bit warm in here today. Time to go do some work I guess.

[1day@atime]

Hello Ladies,

Another busy day here at work. I have been walking at lunch with some friends and both of them are out today. Guess i'll have to go alone.

Hal - hope your enjoying your time off. I have a few vacation days left and i'm thinking of taking one or two real soon. The weather has turned cool here to and it is wonderful. I just love the cool crisp air.

Nita - WTG on your .2 loss. If you continue to keep up with your bowling and exercise i'm sure you see more results soon. Keep up the good work.

Shad - I'm sure DS2 will be happy that mom is taking care of him where is meals are concerned. You mentioned you lost 3 dress sizes, how long did that take you?

We'll I need to run, talk to you all later

[Shad]

Morning ladies,

Another beautiful day here although it is supposed to storm later in the day. I will believe it when I see it tho'

Today is the last day of exercise at the gym for a week. I'm really pleased to see Wednesday. I am so tired by the end of a week of solid exercise - guess I must be getting old!!!

Bought in a yummy salad and chargrilled salmon fillet for my lunch today. Lettuce, tomatoes and beetroot are all out of the garden. Such a productive little vege patch. I love it.

Cat - I'm so pleased that this system of controlled eating is working for you. Once you have the appetite under control, I am convinced that you are 4/5's of the way to success. I enjoyed the poem too.

Hal - Only 15 days to go to Japan. I'm really looking forward to this. This is the first time I have had to have an International Drivers Licence. Lucky my friend reminded me of it. India and Pakistan are really having a tough time. One of the biggest problems is that they don't have the tough building regulations of countries which are prone to earthquake like Japan and NZ and the US. Therefore, their injuries and death toll is always so much worse.
I use petunia as a year round flower here. They are supposed to be annual and probably would be if it got cold enough to kill them off. I like their perfume and they are now bringing out such a range of colours and doubles as well as singles. They spread quickly and become a mass of flowers in the garden beds. I don't have as much success with them in pots but that is probably because I don't feed and water them enough. At the end of each flowering season I give the plant a haircut - trim it back several inches and cut off all the dead flowers. It then comes back and flowers again. Feed it up and it will flower indefinitely or at least it does here.

1Day - I've been going to the gym for nearly 2 years. The first year I probably only played around. Didn't push myself too hard and then got a personal trainer who told me I should be pushing a lot more weight that I was. He really got at me. So I pushed the boundaries and gained some muscles and have gone from a size 18/20 to 16 to 16/14 and now I can fit into some 12's. Mind you the clothing industry is weird as far as sizing goes, but I count the size decrease a victory. I basically have to wear separates as the bottom half has decreased faster than the top half.

Anyway, I better go do some work. See if I can find the people I need to talk to - if they don't disappear when they see me coming.

[Nita]

Hi Ladies,

I did get to the gym yesterday and my Big Sister was there as usual. It is so great to have someone you can count on being there. They announced that they are going to be having a Senior water aerobics class at 12:15, right after our hour-long class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday's. I have decided to try the class on Monday because that is the only day I do not bowl after class. I am really looking forward to trying it. The pool is outdoors but I understand it is heated anyway.

Shad -- I have to agree with you as far as the weight is concerned when you are really working out. One thing so far is I have gained more strength in my upper body and my bowling is getting better because of it. The only time I have that food seems to be a problem is after dinner. For some reason I think i have to munch on something! I know I cannot be hungry because I have just eaten.

It seems when I am watching my weight Gene, who is a diabetic, his blood sugar in the morning really is low. It is probably because I am not bringing in those processed goodies I have in the past.

I am going to miss my aerobic class tomorrow because one of my attorneys requested I come in tomorrow and perhaps Thursday. If I do not work on Thursday, however, I most definitely will go to the gym and do the weight machines on my own. They have a Silver Sneaker contest going for the month of October. If you come 12 times during October you get a Silver Sneaker watch! These kinds of things always give me incentive to do what it takes. I understand Silver Sneaker is in a lot of states and if I am ever out of town and one is there, all I have to do is show my badge and I can participate. Several of our insurance companies are in this program and they are really smart because fit people are usually healthy as well.

Take care all and have a "super" rest of the week!
Anita

[mooz49]

Hi chickies ....... quick post .........gosh it is over a week since I have been here!!
Last week at WW I put on 1 pound and this week I lost 1.5 pounds so really I have lost half a pound in 2 weeks. Oh well I have still lost 4.5 since I started so that is good I guess!
Paul has phoned once since he went away and I have heard from Sinead a few times. Seems they are both having a ball.
Sinead also said of her boyfriend, who is in Australia for a year, "he is also having a great time travelling through the jungle and doing other crazy things like eating crickets +getting food poisioning!"
Sounds nice!!!

Have a great day all

[HalGal]

Sit down, it is a post from me in the middle of the week, in the middle of the morning! I am so thankful to have a week off. With that said, after I finish this post I'll be going into school to work. Sad, but true. I don't have to, but if I don't life will be beyond awful next week when we return. I already see two mandatory 12 hour days, and I just cannot imagine not having everything possible ready in advance that I possibliy can. SO....

I have some time to watch television that I normally would skip this week. Last night I watched a show called 'The Biggest Loser'. Are any of you watching this show? Oh my gosh, all of the contestants - both male and female - lost about 8 pounds this week. I really did not see what they were eating, but I did see the exercise, and it was a big part of their day.

Nita: You GO girl! I am very proud of and happy for you with your exercise program. Now, for me!

Mooz: Good to hear from you too! Hey, where is our Marsten? Are you keeping them all to yourself? Did you get the Hal Ketchum CD called King of Love? I think this is his latest. If you did, I really like 'The Angel Song'.

Shad: Beets, ooh ick! One veggie on planet earth I cannot eat! I have really tried. I feel nausious when I put it in my mouth! Beets are more commonly served pickled here, and just add a double ick! Your garden sounds lovely, and thanks for the petunia tips. I'll let you know what I decide. I like the trolley idea, moving them around. I have a large deck attached to the back of my kitchen. I'll keep an eye open, but I don't shop that often. Can you tell me where you found them? Again, you and Nita keep the exercise motivational levels high. Thanks! You know I bet the new welcome icons are for folks that post on threads they normally do not. It would make sense if folks are reading on the front page, and decide to post of join. I don't know if we were on it, I just compared the number of posts to reads and our number is high - like we have subscribers!

OneDay: Walking during the day is a great idea. I tell myself to walk around the classroom more. It improves student productivity, and is good for me. It is not aerobic walking, but it is moving around rather than standing or sitting. I am enjoying every second of this week. Every split second!

Shout outs to CatLover and THIN...!!! Have a great week girls!!!

[1day@atime]

Hello ladies,

Nita - I think having a variety of exercise keeps you interested in exercising. I think you will like the water aerobics. On the munchies after dinner, have you tried keeping some ff jello/ff cool whip or some celery sticks with peanut butter. I think like you said it's just habit, but if you gonna munch, might as well make is lowcal/lowfat.

Shad - 15 days to your trip, getting excited for you. I hope you all get some rains to ease your water restrictions. That is great going from a 18/20 to a size 12.

Hal - I found my dolley things at Walmart in the garden dept and at Big Lots. Don't know if you have one of those. They work wonderful with my tomato plants. I was able to move them around the patio all summer long. I did see part of the program Biggest Loser and yes your right they exercise quite a bit each day. I was channel surfing last night and saw some but i'm curious how long they are exercising each day.

Mooz - .5 loss is a loss and a 4.5 lb total loss is great. Sounds like the kids are having fun. Don't know about eating the crickets, unless they were dipped in chocolate.

As for me the same ol stuff. Last night I did get on the treadmill and walked for 25 minutes. Tonight my goal is 30 minutes, since I know i'm going to be watching the tv program "Lost".

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[Catlover777]

Tired and still need to do yoga. Hi all, love ya and just kicking us pack up to top.

Catlover.