Afternoon ladies! Nice to see everyone here this afternoon.

POINTS:

Carri

Susan/VA: What a cute name for a cat. Ours is named Butterscotch because that is his color. I call him "b" or "bb" and he comes to me when I call any of those names. I was a cat disliker until he came into our home. He had been dumped out by my husband's plant to be killed by coyotes or starve to death. He showed up at the back door of the breakroom with a messed up left eye and no one wanted him. Jack tried to get him into a rescue place but they all wanted over $200 to take him, some rescue huh? He called me and asked what he should do as he couldn't set it loose again. I told him to bring him home. He was barely 9 weeks old from what the vet said. I guess the ole mama in me took over and he is one of my two non-human babies. I love him to death and he is such a hoot. He taught himself to sit for treats like the dog does when we let the dog go outside to go to the bathroom, he sits at the door while the dog is outside and if he feels he has been out there too long comes and meows at us until we let Fortune in. Like I said before, he wakes us up in the mornings (obviously ignoring weekends! ) and his favorite thing to have done to him is either mess with his ears or what I call "stripping" his tail where you make a fist around his tail then gently pull the length of it. He is screwy, but we love him.

Carri: WOOHOO on the losses! That is great! You will be at goal in no time!

Amanda: I just think it is awful to spoil the fun for other people, you know? The thing people need to realize, is once the book is out to the public, you better read it fast because word is going to get out what the secret stuff in the book is. This one has a couple big ones. So sorry about your country continuing to have bombing troubles. It sickens me this world can't seem to live together in peace.

Jack should be home in about an hour so I can stop talking to the animals for entertainment! I did watch Beyond the Sea (film about Bobby Darin, who I love) and The English Patient, which is a wonderful film, but so sad, though I think Colin Firth is seriously sexy! Unfortunately, Ralph Fiennes (who BTW for you Harry P fans is going to be playing Voldemort in the movies) is the only male who takes his clothes off, darn it! I am a seriously sick old lady!

Guess I better get out of here for now. Everyone have a fabo weekend and stay out of the extreme heat we all seem to be experiencing!

Faye

Hello to everyone. Man, what a summer! We are in another heatwave - expect it to break on Monday, but thiw sill be the third weekend in a row of 90+ - they are talking close to 100 tomorrow.

Julie - glad the writing is going well. Be sure to let usknow when there is something we can read you in!

Jacque - welcome. I just started here about a month ago and I hope you will find this group as helpful as I do. I turned 50 in January. Live in southern Minnesota. Will be married 31 years in August and have two kids - DS is 26 and lives and works in Minneapolis, DD is 23 and just graduated with a Corrections degree. Working partime as a probation officer for the county that includes Minneapolis, looking for a full time job. I have been an elementary teacher for 28 years, DH is a farmer. I have fluctuated up and down with my weight - mostly overweight since the kids, though. Started in April at 226, down as low as 203 a few weeks ago, then gained 5 back. Started WW online this week, doing Flex and liking it so far.

Amanda - glad to hear kitty is starting to feel a bit better. Cut yourself a little slack and listen to your body. You are so motivated that you will be right back on track when you can.

Carri - I am sure I will bug both you and Susan with WW questions, although the website is quite helpful. Just thinking about the fair is making me hungry - food on a stick!!

Susan, Scuzin, Faye - hope you all have some fun planned for the weekend - I will be trying to beat the heat.
Marsha

SATURDAY: today is Sunny Thoughts Saturday. A day we share good things about this ole weight loss life.

POINTS:

Faye I actually put some effort in and got in my water. today I will try and traverse getting back on my food plan.

Hope everyone has a fun weekend. We are sticking close to and in home. The heat is going to be way too hot to be outdoors. I will get my workout in about an hour from now then we will just huddle up I guess.

We watched the Aviator last night. Long movie but interesting. That man was a genius but one tortured soul. He was a paranoid schizophrenic and had OCD. So sad, because he had true vision. He was the first person to build a single wing style airplane, he developed a bra for larger women (he actually designed it for Jane Russell to play in the Outlaw, but is used today,) he had the vision of jet airplanes when no one else did. But he was a kook!

It didn't even cool off here last night. We run the AC around 70-73 degrees and run two fans that cross ventilate and it was still uncomfortable at times. I think this whole country is cooking this year.

Marsha: I don't think you told us initially that your hubby was a farmer. I want to be the one to him. I think it is one of the hardest and most thankless of occupations, but he and the few men and women that continue to raise crops and animals are still the backbone of this country and what makes it great. My dmom and step father were dairy farmers when I was in high school (I didn't live with them) and though I don't like the country life, they loved it. Then there is you, who strives to improve young minds under great pressure in these days I might add. What a wonderful combination!

Did anyone watch the Dateline segment about the brides losing weight before their weddings? I saw the little redhead as failing right from the start. She made her goal too ambitious and then kept giving up when she wasn't fullfilling it. Wish I could get through to every person who wants or needs to lose weight that failure is part of success and not to give up when you fail but to step back and look at what made you fail, work on fixing that and recommit yourself to your goal.

Every person that needs to lose weight doesn't have the same issues but one, they have too much fat on their bodies to be healthy. If we truly shut out everybody elses reasons and just look at not only why we failed in the past, but why we eat when we aren't hungry, when and where do we eat, how do we eat you will see a pattern of why your program fails you. Each one of you, either here or in your home, sit down and make a list of the stuff above. I will do mine here so you get an idea of what I mean:


Why I failed: I return to bad habits and don't work hard enough to eliminate them from my daily life, I don't feel worthy to be thin, in other words, I don't think I really feel that I deserve it so I just don't do it, I overeat for pure pleasure of food, I eat out of boredom,

When do I eat: scattered through the day instead of set times
Where: Usually with a book or in front of the tv almost always
How: I am a fast eater and don't enjoy the taste of the food more the filling up of myself I think
Why overeat: To relieve that boredom, to fill a need I have other than hunger, compulsion

What do I do right? I exercise religiously

How to improve: eat at set times during the day and not outside those times, make the meal the most important thing, not outside things like tv or books, deal with the emotional side of eating problem like knowing I am worth being healthier and fit, find something to relieve the day to day boredom that I currently fill with food, conquer compulsive actions no matter what they are eating, cleaning, whatever.

There you have it gals. Sort of a roadmap to success for me and following this for you too. Try it and see if it doesn't help.

Faye

Good morning, gals. Got kids sleeping in the living room - too hot upstairs, so have to be quiet this am.

Faye - thanks for the thoughts today. I feel like I could have written most of them myself! My biggest issue is just that I love to eat. My DM was a cook, caterer, people pleaser who made everything taste great. All of our socializing centered around food. Food is pleasure to me. I now live in a family of pretty picky eaters and have been able to at least stay less than morbidly obese because I gave up cooking and baking since noone eats it! My kids have the physical characteristics of their Welsh ancestors on both sides of the family - DS is 5'6'' and has weighed at the most 135 (he's almost 27). DD(almost 24) is 5'0 and now weighs about 110 - she is happiest closer to 100. DH is 5'6 and gained 15 pounds this winter when he quit smoking for 5 months. He has lost about 5 of it, but also is smoking again Plans to do the hypnosis thing over again after our week at the lake in August. Personally, it is just really hard at age 50 to change some of those life long behaviors and attitudes - sometimes the dieting itself makes me think more about food and what I am missing?? Yikes - enough rambling for me.
Thought for the weekend for many of us - STAY COOL!!! Relief is coming.
Marsha

Good Morning
Wow I am up early! and I've only had 4 hours of sleep. Made it back to the gym thursday. Started with the weights but stopped because my elbow was acting a little funny and I did not want to even pretend to risk messing it up, so I headed to the cardio room and had a fabulous jog of about 1.25 miles. I was sweating buckets, it felt great and boy did my buns feel it the next day!

I saw March of the Penguins last night. Very Cute. I'm kind of a penguin nut.

So for those who don't know me at all yet and an update for those who do, I am 21 and going to be a senior in theater arts at Oregon State. I come from a big family which is spread across the country and am soon to be a 1st time aunt! (Will undoubtedly be updating you on that). I'm single, though I have gone through a BF since I was last a part of this group. We are still friends though. I love my friends and family immensly and am a huge softy underneith a sarcastic shell. ummmm...and I have a fish named Stella.

SUNDAY: Today is Silly Poll Sunday and our poll this week is if you left right now, no kids, no planning, but had the money to do so, where would you go to get away from it all?

Good morning ladies. Hope you all are keeping cool today. It was sure miserable here yesterday and going to get worse today.


Silly poll: Uhh, if you can't have figured it out from me being a pain about it, VEGAS!

We went over to the pool and it was locked and no one was there so we locked ourselves in and had about 20 minutes of fun just the two of us. My husband is a dirty ole man as most of you know so he would swim up under me and grab me. He also undid my swimsuit so my boobs would fall and decided he liked that better. He is totally warped, but we had a lot of laughs.

Kohls was having a big one day sale so we braved the heat (it was 101 when we got into the car and looked at the temp) and found him another pair of shorts and matching golf shirt for $25! I could have spent a fortune, but we have all we need now. I just have a couple prs of his shorts that need a button sewed on and as soon as he gives me those, I will repair them. I can't believe we are actually getting close to vacation. I have yammered on for months about it.

I did 75 minutes in the pool yesterday, adding a back stroke to my "repertoire" and boy is that tough for a fat person to do. I had to keep thinking about keeping my butt up so I wasn't swimming like this V but this______. My form stunk but since I am not going to be competing for the 2008 Olympics, I guess I am ok!

Well, I need to do a couple chores before getting into the pool. Everyone take care and be careful of this awful heat.

Faye

Afternoon All - Man is it hot here today, is going to be around 97 today and 99 tomorrow with a heat index of 105-110 degrees!!! Geez!!! I cannot believe how hot of a summer we are having ... like you Faye, my A/C has been running non-stop ... wish I didnt have to get out tomorrow for work since it is going to be the hottest of all the days but what can you do? I cannot call off for heat I guess - Well I guess the weather man said that we are supposed to get a heat reprieve for a while after Tuesday, I think he said low 80"s and that sounds wonderful right now, doesnt it?

Well just wanted to pop in and say hello, I am doing laundry and staying inside away from the heat stroke - talk to you all later!!

Oh and for the Sunday poll - I think that would be Ireland ...

I would be in Ireland too! or driving some beat car down a two lane highway with a tent in the back seat and music blairing.

Been eating really terribly lately because of friends visiting etc, but hit the gym again tomorrow.

Faye, I am living, eating, and breathing Harry Potter. I am 3/4 the way though it. I love it. Much better than #5 turned out I think. 3 & 4 are my favorite

MONDAY: Today is Mission Monday and our mission this week is VEGGIES! It is the one thing most people eat the least of and probably has the most nutritional value. Get out to those truck stands, veggie stands, fruit and veggie markets and get some fresh produce while it is still available. You will not regret it.

Morning everyone. I have a headache and icky tummy this morning (allergy side effects) so I got up early again. It will go away the longer I am up and I may tilt the bod back in bed for a nap later. It is way too hot to sleep even with AC and 2 fans going. I roasted last night so didn't sleep well.

Carri: I have to say, I am looking forward to a break in the temps that is for sure. The heat index here right now at 5:50 am is 90 degrees. You can hardly breathe when you go outside. UGH! Sorry you have to get out in it and work.

Susan: Well, be prepared for 2 surprises at the end of the book. I have read it through twice and will probably start it again when I get done with 3 and five, which I am rereading right now.

Some people got into the pool in the middle of the night (there was water all over the place and it would have dried out with the heat after it closed at 9 PM on Sat) between Sat and Sunday. I went over there on Sun morning and there were Smirnoff bottles and caps (caps in the pool!) and cigars and cigar tips all over the place. They either climbed the fence or it looked to me like they had a key because of the way the chain and lock were on the gate. Which means someone leant their key to someone or somehow someone got a copy of the key. Anyway, some stupid woman took off her diamond wedding band and engagement ring and I have it here waiting for someone to claim it, but how can people who have no right to be in there and were in there while it was locked, ask for something they left there? Sooner or later people pay for their bad behavior and this lady did losing her rings.

Well, I am going to get some stuff done while it is still cool enough to do it.

Faye

Good morning, Ladies. Hot here, too. Expecting to set a record high today. My poor husband is so cold I keep the AC on 78 for him and I'm dying with the heat. At that, he has sweats on. He seems to be doing a little better - at least he is eating more. I've arranged for my neighbor and her little boy to have lunch with him everyday this week. I think he doesn't like to eat alone and even though I leave his lunch all ready he doesn't eat it. I'm thinking Noah may be the spark he needs.

Fruits and vegetables are a mainstay for me - I have at least 10 servings a day, mostly veggies. I love them all and they help to keep me feeling full.

Dieting downfalls - I'm a closet eater, and all closet eaters know that food has no calories. Don't know why I gain weight - a mystery. I only exercise in spurts...right now it's too hot to go out and walk so I'm using that as an excuse. Got to get my act together.

Doing better and back on my food plan since Saturday. Drinking water surely hasn't been a problem - I drink constantly in this weather.

Hope you all have a good week!

Hi all,

Sorry I've been gone for a couple of days. Well last week was probably my worst week in a very long time - but I still managed to get myself out to the gym 4 times, so it wasn't all bad. The funny thing is I feel like I've had a slack week because I've only exercised 4 times - but for most people 4 times means a really good week!

I've been to the gym today and my instructor has shaken up my programme a bit - which is good because I was getting a bit bored.

SILLY POLL - I too love Ireland, but as it is only next door to me I can go there anytime! If money was no object I would go to the Caribbean, maybe Barbados or St Lucia - I don't know if my Caribbean wedding is going to happen, but it is still somewhere I would love to visit.

MY DIET REVIEW

Things I am doing wrong - I still comfort eat around PMS/TOM - usually cheese and pizza.I still have the odd binge if I am feeling very low. I do not stay consistently on track for weeks at a time - I'll do 4 days OP, then a bad day, then 3 days OP, then 2 bad days etc. I too love my food a bit too much! I need to reduce my portion sizes some more. I need to eat more fruit and veg.

Things I am doing right - Exercise, exercise, exercise! I really feel I have got this licked and most of the time it is not a chore, but something I enjoy doing. I'm overeating and bingeing ALOT less and rarely eat between meals. I have reduced my portions somewhat and switched to skimmed milk, and wholegrain carbs. I drink lots of water and steer clear of juices and soda's. I rarely eat sweets, crisps or chocolate anymore.

Things I need to change - I need to be more consistent with my diet - stay 100% OP for several weeks at a time. I need to stop eating to make myself feel better when I am low. I need to cut down the takeaway pizza's to 1 or 2 a month. I need to eat more fruit and veg and continue to reduce my portion sizes.

Have a good evening ladies,

Love Amanda x

Happy Monday ladies. It is raining here today - yeah, we relly need it!
Am starting to get the hang of this WW thing I think. I like the online program, and trying to figure out points is kind of fun. DD would like to lose the 5-8 lbs she has gained this year, so she is trying it too. Not so much fun for her as she only gets 20 points a day!

Amanda - you are doing sooo many things right! And just recognizing where you pitfalls are helps to avoid them.

Susan/VA - good idea to have someone around so DH will eat - it is so important for him.

Faye - it will be interesting to see who comes calling for the rings!

Speaking of veggies today, DH's sweet corn is ready. Had some last night at DD's place, now on the way to DF's for supper and will take corn along. IT is only one pt per ear, and I actually found it very enjoyable last night with WAY less butter than I would ordinarily use - I could taste the corn more!
Better be on my way -
Marsha

TUESDAY: Today is Target Tuesday and our target this week is working on what we consider our worst feature. If our nose is too big, find makeup tips to help slim it down, if our behind sticks out search for exercises that will tighten it up. By working on what we dislike about ourselves, we empower ourselves to be the best we can be!

Marsha: So glad you like WW. A lot of people do and it is a fine program, but it is slow progress and some get discouraged with that. However, slow is the way to go. As for your corn, I buy I can't believe it's not butter spray for corn, veggies and such where I like butter but don't want the calories. It works great!

Amanda: It is great that you see where your problems lie. I find that putting them down on paper or in this case here, makes you really look at what you are doing wrong and what you are doing right. If there is one thing I am so very proud of you about it is the courage you showed to get on a suit and get into the pool and get into workout clothes and workout and not be afraid or embarrassed. It is a step in the right direction toward making you a powerful woman! You are doing great!


Susan/VA: It is so nice of your neighbor to be so kind and bring her child to eat with your hubby. You are right, maybe this will spur him on to eat and that in turn will give him strength to fight what he needs to fight! WTG on the fruits and veggies. Few people eat what they should of them. You are an example to us all!

To all the rest of you, hope you have a wonderful day.

Faye

WOW! Looks like I have missed a TON while being gone! So much has been going on with me...I finally went up to Dallas for the first time and I LOVE it. My roomie and I got an apartment just north of Dallas, in Denton, right near the University of North Texas. Everyone is being sooo supportive in us leaving Houston, except our friends, who hate that we're leaving them...and my mom...who is trying to be supportive, but still has it set in her mind that I will fail. This sweet lady that I house/dogsit for sometimes bought us this 80 piece set for our kitchen. My roomies mom is helping me look for grants and loans so I can go to UNT in January. Im completely excited about that. Anyways. Last time I checked my weight I was down to 180. My lowest before that was 183. I am quite sure moving will help me with my weight because jennah eats extremely healthfully...and when I am around her, I do too. Plus, we wont be able to afford junk food or take out anything. And we live like two blocks from campus, and down the street from everything, so we will walk or ride bikes alot.

I figure I have been gone too long, and missed way too much to do individual replies. Each one would be a mile long. But, I missed you guys.

And I will introduce myself to Jacque- Hey, I'm Nikki. I'm 19. Live in Houston, soon to be Dallas. Highest weight was in the 230 or 240 area....I avoided scales, so its hard to tell. Now I'm at 180.

And I am starving, so I am gonna go get some grubbins. Be back soon!
Nikki

Hello all,

I'm happy to report a 4 point day yesterday! I went to the gym and did my new cardio workout. Yesterday, I told my instructor that I hated the rower as it makes my back ache (probably because of my big boobs!), so we've cut that from my programme and replaced it with the 'cross trainer' and have increased the time on it from 5 to 10 mins, so my total cardio workout is now 50 mins. It was hard work on the cross trainer today, but I enjoyed it alot more than the rower and I really felt like I've increased the overall intensity of my workout which is good. I didn't think it was possible for me to sweat any more than I have been doing, but apparantly I was wrong - today, I sweated buckets! I forgot to tell you all yesterday, my instructor said that I was 'looking really good' and also that he likes me because I am one of the most motivated people at the gym! Talk about make my day- I was really chuffed!

FAYE - Thanks for your kind words - they mean alot to me. I haven't really got any family support in this weight loss journey, so your support means alot to me. Any news on the rings?

MARSHA - Thanks for your kind and supportive words too - I'm feeling the love in this group today! I'm glad that WW is going well for you - it's a good solid diet that you can stick to for life isn't it?

SUSAN/VA - I'm glad you have nice neighbours who can sit with your dh - having a child around should lift his spirits!

Hi to Carri and Susan and Nikki and Julie

Love Amanda x