Thanks Melissa, for sending out the email check-in. I just did my WI and am down another 2 lbs. I suspect it might even be more but I had a big dinner out last night, but I'll take the 2 lb. loss.

I don't have time to write much this AM as I have to get ready to bring the baby to PT. I'll check in and write more later. Hope you all have a great day!

Good morning
I finally did it.
I faced the scale.
It wasn't so terrible.
The number was what I expected, but I was prepared for more.
I never could have faced it without this group.
Thanks
Laura

Hey everyone!
I so want to weigh myself... (tantrum for today)

Theresa, I understand about the taco bell thing. That's what happened when we went and got the italian food the other night- no food to have ready so we ate bad. I have solved that by making sure I have some of those boneless skinless chicken breast in my freezer at all times. I cut them into strips for the kids, marinate them for me & hubby- I also picked up 2-3 Healthy choice meals for me so they can indulge- my one problem is I don't want to stock up my freezer too full as it is hurricane season- lost too much last year

Was in walmart yesterday and found a goodie bag of those 100 calorie snacks- like 6 oreo crisps, 6 chips ahoy crisps, fruit snacks and graham cracker crisps- all for 5.00 - I keep those on hand for one main reason: I will only eat one pack when the cravings are BAD- the Hubby, kids & I learn to limit portions, and there are hard as heck to open and I prolly burn 2-3 calories while getting a pack open

I am so glad everyone is working hard toward goals and a healthy lifestyle!
I just need to get back to exercising and stop making excuses

well break time is over back to work for me! Have a great day all!

Sandi

Good morning everyone!
LauraB~ good job facing the scale! I hear you on the "prepared for more" mentality. Are you planning for a short term goal as well?

Radiodoll~ HaPPy BiRThdaY!

Theresa~ I thought your response to Uncovering's post was super--right on the nose, at least for me. I had an unplanned pregnancy right at the peak of my "wild" phase, when my weight was something I whined about and wanted to lose so I could fit the image (all about me!), but I wasn't disciplined at all. Once I became pregnant, I went on a total health kick--no soda, no caffeine, no sugar, no alcohol or smoking (of course). I still gained weight, but that "crash course" in health stuck with me, so I've eaten better ever since. Now though, I want to prove to my daughter that if I want to do something or be something, I can--I just have to work for it. I still have a hard time staying on track, esp with exercise, but I'm so much better now that I feel like I'm doing this for her as much as for me.

Today I'm irritated with myself because I really went over my calories yesterday--all at night, which is my weakest time of day, dietwise. I was surprised b/c I thought I was doing so well--I even allowed myself a treat! I'm going to plan out my meals better today (sigh). I did get in one pilates yesterday, but no cardio, so I guess I know what my plans are tonight!

See Laura-fears go away when we face them-now you know exactly where you are and can set up a game plan!
Congrats Jeanne! That is awesome!
I am off to check emails
Keep up the awesome work!
melissa

Happy Wednesday, everybody!

Melissa, I definitely have noticed a change in my productivity level also since I've been eating better and exercising. I just feel so much better than I did before. I used to spend so much more time sleeping than I do now. I get up at 5:30 on weekdays even though I don't have to in the summertime. Last summer I was waking up around 10 most days.

I hope you are feeling better today, uncovering. Headaches are no fun. I have 2 kids but they are 15 and 12 so I don't have the extra challenges of caring for little ones, but it is a challenge to find healthy things that they are willing to eat. I still get the "there isn't anything to eat around here" and rolling eyes when I name off all the healthy foods in the house that they could have. It's getting better, though.

Theresa, don't beat yourself up over Taco Bell. One meal isn't a big deal as long as you get right back at it. Today is a new day. TOM can really make the cravings hard to resist but next time you will remember how miserable you felt being stuffed and it'll be a little easier.

Mel - sounds like you had a great day and are right on track! Congrats on the really long walk! Thanks for the thought for the day...that was a good one!

Congrats on the 2 lb. loss, Jeanne!! That's great!

LauraB - It is so hard to step on that scale for the first time...good for you getting it over with. Now you can watch those numbers tick down!

Sandi your weigh in day will be here before you know it. I am really impressed that you can stay off the scale in between. Good for you for not being a slave to that scale! That's something I really need to work on for myself.

Melra good attitude about planning your meals and getting right back at it after going your calorie limit last night. Night is always the hardest time for me, too. I know a lot of people set a time that they don't eat after every night. I haven't tried that but I know it works for a lot of people. I always try to save a few calories for a snack before bed. It gives me something to look forward to and I don't go to bed thinking about what I wish I could eat. It's easy for me to choose something healthy because I know I'll wake up feeling yucky if I eat something that's not good for me.

I've had a good day so far. My husband and I got up and jogged a mile and took walked back before he left for work this morning. It was windy and we were jogging straight into the wind and that made it a lot harder for me. I was really glad to see the end of that mile. I plan on walking some more yet today or riding the stationary bike if it's too hot outside. I am drinking a lot more throughout the day and I'm feeling really good about that.

I am trying to prepare myself for our first fair of the season this coming weekend. My daughter shows llamas for some friends so we will be spending a lot of time at fairs for the next month or so. I love fairs but I always have a hard time with fair food. I'm hoping it'll be easier this year because I feel like I am in better control of my food intake than I ever have been, and most bad foods don't bother me anymore. I'm NOT going to let that all go out the window and screw things up just because of a few fairs. I really feel like I can get through it this time.

Hope everybody is having a great day!!

Hello All
Thanks for the responses to my finally weighing in.
Re before being a mother and after and weight-
I think it all has to do with how you feel about yourself, before and after becoming a mother. I think the healthy part kicks in because you want to be there for your kids and set an example etc. But I think how you feel about yourself over rides everything and also whether you use food to handle stress. If you think "baby fat" time is bad, try teenage time, when they don't come home on time and you stand in the kitchen, terrorfied, and calming yourself with food.
I do think tho, that trying to be good to yourself, which means not hurting yourself with junky food or too much food, or calming yourself with food is the best way at any time in life. I wish I could do it all the time.
Laura

I can't believe that it's Wednesday already! Life is crazy here in my neck of the woods right now. My husbands 90 year old aunt (she's a young 90 and lives alone...we do quite a bit for her as she has no children) is having heart surgery tomorrow for a blocked artery. My dad (85) is also having heart problems and has an appointment with the cardio today, so I've been running myself ragged doing for them both. On top of that I have a doctor appointment for myself tomorrow morning to have a spot on my nose looked at...most likely it will have to be removed. I really would like to lock myself in the bedroom with a carton of butter pecan ice cream, a jar of hot fudge and a spoon, but I'm doing pretty well sticking to my eating plan. Exercise is what is suffering...I'm having a hard time finding the time and energy for it. Thanks for listening to me whine...hopefully next week will be better!

Y'all keep up the good work...I'll try and catch up with the posts later when I have more time. I just wanted to check in and let you know that I haven't disappeared forever!

Kay, pack some healthy snacks that you like and take them to the fair with you! Also, make sure you get lots of water while you are there so you won't start eating out of thirst..that really can happen! Also, I read somewhere that you should plan what you will do instead of eat when that urge strikes. For example, you should decide before you go that if you start thinking of getting fair food you will go for a walk in the opposite direction or so something else there...play a game? Maybe you could add up how much $ it would cost you to buy the foods you want to eat...then spend that money elsewhere the next day. Give yourself a little shopping spree to show what better things you cn do with that money than stuff yourself full of grease. That's actually not a bad idea lol I may have to actually do it myself sometime.

Laura--yay on facing the scale Now you can look back one day and see how far you came! If you didn't weigh, you would never have that amazing feeling later down the line that you knocked off all that weight. It's a good thing...move away from that number now!

Sandi thanks for talking about the snack packs, I have seen them but have never bought them. I will have to check them out now.

Suzy so sorry to hear about your family members health problems. Good job sticking with your eating plan through all the stress. I agree w/Mel that a nice walk if you can fit it in would be a great way to get some exercise and maybe de-stress a little at the same time. Sending good wishes to all of you and please keep us posted.

Purple-I will definitely take some snacks with me to the fair and do my best to avoid the food vendors. I love your idea of keeping track of the $ I'd spend on food and then spending it on something else that I want! We will be doing fairs until roughly mid-September. Maybe I could keep a running tally and wait until the end of the season to see how much I have to spend. I can do this!! I'm NOT going to blow it this time.

Mel - When I first started I couldn't even jog a whole block. It amazes me that I can jog a mile now. I couldn't even do that in high school. Congrats on the loss! Nope, you definitely shouldn't feel guilty when you have something healthy like fruit for a snack. It's OK to eat, and you DON'T have to feel hungry in order to lose weight. It took me forever to realize that as long as I make the right choices I can still feel satisfied AND lose weight.

LauraB- you faced your fears! Good for you. In a few months from now, you'll be bragging in the Success Stories about how many pounds you've lost.

Sandi - Great thought on the snacks. I think maybe I should do that -- that way, if I want to indulge, it is a bit more controlled.

Radiodoll - hope you had a great birthday!

Melra - good for you for getting back on the wagon!

Kay - WTG on the exercise. GL at the fair. I bet you'll do great!

Suzy - sorry about the sick relatives. I hope the spot turns out to be nothing to worry about.

Mel - good job on your loss!

Today has been an awful day for me in terms of eating. I could make a lot of excuses why, but it comes down to that I need more self control. Tomorrow is another day.

What a marvy idea for the fair! My Dad works for the county so every year we get free pass and rides and I had already been going through my WW points book to see how I was going to pull it off. Even if I just got a stinking corndog(not favorite) it would cost me big time point wise. I will just bring my own stuff and lots of water and it will save me money too lol. Course it will just go to buying diapers for the girls. I do have quite a few clothes thanks to freecycle and even some to wear at smaller me. I think when I hit my goal, I am giving myself a day at the spa! Pamper me all day long.

We all have those days Jeanne-just dust off and get back in the saddle.

Everyone keep up the good work we have begun!
Melissa

]FONT=Georgia]Hello All
I need to complain about a really horrible day. First there is my dog, a 10 year old shepherd, who woke me up 4 times last night to go out. He never does that unless he really has to, so he must have had an upset stomach. I just go downstairs and I open the door and wait, But 4 wakeups is alot and then I'm tired in the morning. Then my newly wed son let me know that all is not well in the 3 week old marriage and maybe it's a mistake. He is the child who has given me the most grief and I worry the most about. I have to restrain myself from getting too involved in this rocky relationship, cause I can't fix it, but I worry so about whether he is being a pain to her and/or whether she is going to hurt him. The wedding photos aren't even back yet and the thankyous aren't done.
So I did nothing today, but pace and worry, but I didn't use food. I went over my 1200 calories by 200 and it was all fruit. So that's the one good thing.
I think if I didn't have this support, I would have run and bought a lot of ice cream. Also , I love my new tracker and I want to see it move.
Laura[/FONT][/COLOR]