Thanks Judy for the info. I just wonder if I'd keep it up. I am doing exercise at home and I don't like to be away from home any longer than necessary (part of the bipolar) so I keep debating it. DH said it would be okay, but I'm scared of having to sign a membership for any length of time. Can you just pay as you go?

Tired and Carol, I agree - my heart goes out to the people in Katrina's wake. As I read everything about New Orleans, I keep wondering what genius came up with the idea to build a city below sea level. The frist time I traveled there and learned that fact I thought it was weird. Now I think it was stupid. Mother Nature always wins. It is just so sad.

Carol, what I really like about counting calories is to be able to have whatever I want. I just have to allow for it. I bet that 1/2 donut tasted great. Was it a Krispy Kreme - those are my favorites. Lately I have been having a slice or two of bacon as my no-no treat. I think I'll have some tonight...

Tired, great job on the 20 situps. It's harder than I thought it would be, but I'm getting better at them. I can do the first 13 without any effort, then the next 10 are strenuous. I want to get up to 50 of them. I add one each day I do them. I'm up to 23. I should be at 30 by my goal schedule, but I'm a great procrastinator when it comes to exercise.

I peeked at the scale this morning since I was bummed I didn't lose yesterday. I lost 2 more pounds. I was doing the happy dance all over the bathroom this morning.

Work is irritating and if you'd like to read my entire rant, check out the Full Time Working Stiffs thread. I hope once school starts people won't drive me nuts as much. I can hope, can't I!?!?!?!

TTYL.

Judy you sound like me with work, always busy and thinking you need to prove yourself. This is not a bad thing for many reasons but can stress us out for no good reason at times. I found out about an upper level position running a day hab. Its closer to home same company, I know a lot of the folks there cause their on my caseload. I am really interested in many ways but I only have an Asso. in Science/ Human Services. Many years of experience at a lot of different positions. I think the job would be a challenge but good for me. A few upper mtg. people approached me about it. I told them I am only grandfathered in with my position now which is 4 yr. degree position. They told me to still express interest. Well I did yesterday but I am not sure it can go anywhere. Just prob. a oh so sad to bad sorry but.... Oh well I tried and what did it hurt right? The job would carry lots of responsibility and maybe I don't really need that? Oh well! Anyways how are you new office folks? Hope as nice as your last ones. How is your brother doing?
Marie don't let that bipolar control you honey. Take little steps to do things out of the house. Go for a little longer each time. Then praise yourself with a healthy treat afterwards. You have the ability to overcome it. Just take charge as you are with your wt. Sounds like curves would be very good for you and rewarding in many ways. Ask if you can do a short term. Good luck!
Tired hope your hanging in there. Good luck back to school hope you have a wonderful class this year. Don't forget to pack your goodies for the snack times.
I went back to work yesterday. Not to many big issues while I was out. Thank goodness for that. It actually was a nice day. I ate healthy, worked had a few laughs etc.
I am getting ready for camp again. We leave in the morning. I have to get things ready later on. I am baking some brownies to take. But I am not going to get into them. I feel really good and want to keep it up. I have found that my clothes seem to be a bit baggy. I am going to do the white square thing on friday. We'll see what that says! Can't wait to kayac this weekend for at least a couple of hours, fishing and swimming are in order for some extra exercise. The ladies room alone is ahike up the hill and then some. Oh how great this summer has been! Have a great day everyone!

Evening everyone. I'm actually going to post what I ate today. I had to go to Super Walmart for some graceries and I'd have put it off if we weren't totally out of milk. Cool thing was that I had Lean Hot Dogs at home and no buns, so I bought fresh buns and had a hot dog and potato salad for dinner. A whopping 450 calories. It sure did taste good. My co-worker wanted ice cream when the Schwan's man came today at work, so he bought us all a brownie a la mode. Oh, it was good. Another 270 calories. Add my lunch of a cheese Schwan's pizza for 450 calories and my 200 calorie breackfast, I'm at about So for the day I'm at 1370 calories. Considering I had plenty to eat and nothing but the hot dog was diet, that's not too bad.

I'm not going to weigh in for a week because I have to start prednisone for my asthma. It isn't getting better on it's own and I think I have to go back on my allergy meds. I really don't want to do that, but breathing easy is something I like to take for granted.

Tonight I'm going to ride the exercycle to Dave Letterman. That should pass the 30 minutes by pretty easily. I worked 11 hours today and had gotten up at 3:30 in the morning, so my energy level is pretty low.

Carol, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you if you want the more stressful job. Every once in a while I think about looking for a new job, but then I realize that I have a relatively stressfree job and that's worth the poor pay. Just right now it isn't stressfree since school is about to start. A week from tomorrow I will be a happy camper. School will be underway and the bugs in the technology department will have been ironed out. Then it's smooth sailing for pretty much the rest of the year. Think really hard about the mental health cost of a promotion. It's a tough decision. And enjoy the kayaking. That is such a blast.

I haven't decided about Curves. I think I'll take your advice and stop in after school's under way. I really need to tone as I lose weight. I don't want to be too flabby. Well, off I go. I need to vacuum before I exercise.

TTYL.

Marie your pts. are well taken on the job. I thought hard yesterday and even know there are some good things it could be pretty stressful. Especially when staff call in on mondays and fridays and you have 45 clients to get out into the community. Then keeping them all safe and making sure regulations are followed throughout the day. Oh! I did talk to the guy who has the position now and he gave me the best compliment anyone could. He mad e my day and even know it was just words it felt like much more. He isn't the easiest person to please and he said I was top knotch the position I currently hold. Mike also said I'd have no problems holding my own in his positon. Nice to hear if nothing else. I am just going to stay put I guess but the thought was nice for a bit.
I got on the white square today! Not any big loss but I maintained and that is sometimes just as good. At least I have kept off my past loss. Plus I have been to alot of events camping etc. Even though you try to eat some healthy stuff more snacks are around, wine etc.... But summer is coming to an end. I have decided to cut my calories a bit starting next week. I need to shake things up a bit. I am going to work on 1300-1400 cals. and exercise more. That will make a difference. I think my body has adjusted to what I am doing currently. I have toned up and am at 171 still two lbs. up from my lowest pt. But I will work on it. I joined another site my goal is to lose 10lbs. by christmas 12/20/00. Merry Christmas to ....you. Talking about christmas I told my daughter last night the way fuel cost and everything else is going on I think this year we'd better just do the kids. I have to run it by everyone we'll see. Or I will do some special gifts of homemade things??????? Gotta cut back!
Take care and Marie stop by curves. My friend works at a place similar in Florida and she loves it. She started to work there a few extra hours. The pay is extra for her and she loves the place very easy done in 30 min. tones everywhere. I am a member of a gym and it is only 13.00 a month. I have a life time membership. So I need to get there! Oh calorie counting watch your fibers we should have around 25 to 30 a day. Sometimes that is hard to do count them for a couple of days with the calories to see what your count is. Good luck!
Everyone have a great weekend! Talk to you all tues...

Hi Carol, great compliment from that man. It's nice to be acknowledged for when you're doing good, especially from someone outside the circle. :bravo:

Your goal seems really reasonable. I want to lose 15 by Christmas. That would make me ecstatic. I don't see why I can't - I lost 8.5 pounds this month and I'm going strong. For now I decided not to go to Curves. I have a Gazelle and Exercycle that I spent about $1000 on between the two so I going to use those. I'm also doing my situps - I'm up to 27 - and hand weights. I do appreciate all the information and encouragement though. Being with my dogs is the biggest reason against it. I know, crazy, but I don't like them home alone longer than necessary. So I come straight home from work and I play with them and they keep me company all night. (Kody is great with the situps - his nose in my face) :)

We're working on the kids room today - putting up drywall. DH got the entire room insulated and wired this week (with the exception of two wires that he needs help on). So it's moving along. The kids are moving in in 2 weeks, so there's a possibility we'll finish it. :D

I will check back later. Take care Judy, Skinny and Tired - wherever you are...

Hi all, Good to hear you're all doing well and supporting one another. My first week of school went very well. It looks like I have a nice class and a small one. I already like them a lot - lots of heart in this group.

I've been off the wagon eating whatever I want. Today I'm trying to get back on track. So here goes for tracking.

breakfast - cereal, fruit, milk, yogurt (400)
snack - apple, little tomatoes (70)
exercise 1/2 mile swim
I'll probably keep posting all weekend. I wish you all a terrific day.

Newbie
 

Hello everyone.
I am new to everything here... dieting, and the site, ... and I'm technologically impaired and on dial up to boot so everything takes forever... just like losing weight!
I jumped into this thread because I need support big time. I have NO willpower! I am trying to do WW on my own... got the books etc from friends, started Tuesday and was good all week... but blew it all today because I was at WDW. I figured I used all my points for the day PLUS all my flex points for the week. Okay.. it's Saturday so I can start all over tomorrow. ....:D
H E L P!!! I will try to catch up on the thread over the next day or two.... and I'll really try to be good over the rest of the holiday weekend. I need to lose 35 pounds or the Dr will put me on cholesterol medicine. You would think that would be enough motivation... but I'm weak. :o
BTW... I'm Leslie, 48 sort of stay at home mom to 3 year old twins... okay they have 4 legs and are furry but I love them like my human kids who are 28 and 25 and out on their own. I work p/t about 8-10 hours a week retail just to get out of the house. My obsession is Disney, and I've just been bitten by the scrapbooking bug. Married 29 magical years to DH Joe and live in South Florida with MouseHouse in Orlando... which is where I am as I type this. I'm at my most vulnerable weight wise when I am here... it's like being on vacation at least once a month. Okay... I'm rambling but I would appreciate your support as DH loves to eat too much to help me...:dizzy: and just tells me he loves me no matter what I weigh!!!

Welcome Leslie, I too love Disney - specifically Mickey Mouse. If that Minnie hadn't snatched him off the market, he would have been mine. :) Isn't amazing as we get older how the threat of the medicines will make us lose weight. I have a lot more weight to lose than you but one of my big motivating reasons is my whole family has been diagnosed diabetice (except my slender older sister) and I don't want to be diabetic. So I'm so focused that I just don't blow the diet anymore. I want this weight loss so much, I constantly ask myself whether I want say cake more that I want to be thin and the answer is always I want to be thin more. It's helped asking that question if food tempts me. Luckily that temptation doesn't happen very often.

Tired, glad the first week at school went good. I hope they all do. If you already think you have a great class, it really should be that way for the whole year. What happened tha you fell off the wagon?

DH and I got the ceiling and three out of four walls sheetrocked yesterday in the kids room. Doing the ceiling was one of the hardest things I've ever done. It's so awkward and heavy to hold this 4x8 piece of papered chalk in the air. I never want to sheetrock anything again. Today we have the last wall to do and the closet. Then the heavy stuff will be done. I was literally physically exhausted yesterday. Hopefully it won't be as bad today.

We did go hiking in the am (before working on the room) and I flew up the mountain pass. Because of the asthma problems, I used my abuterol before going and I just strode right on up - no breaks and no huffing and puffing. For months I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting in better shape on these hikes and it turns out it was asthma the whole time. I'm going to use my abuterol before I exercise from now on (as told to do by dr. but I never listen). What a difference. The hike was a blast and the puppies loved it. It was much cooler in the morning now that fall is around the corner so they weren't as wiped out either.

That's about it from here. Even with the exhaustion I still couldn't sleep past 4:30 again. Who'd have ever guessed stopping my meds would make me an insomniac. I admilt I like the early am and so I'm not going to complain.

Hi--

I'm still here! I bumped my ticker down a little more this morning, and hope to do so again in a few days. I've been busy with errands and chores, and obsessing about the government's and the media's response to the disaster in the South. Actually, I'm in a near-constant state of rage. :mad: I'm glad to have this detox program to focus on. Today is my fast day, and I'm sure that I will get through it with no problem. In other circumstances, I'd be eating and drinking to try to calm myself down. I didn't go to the party last night, it would've been 50-60 other really angry people, and it would have be hard to stay on program. I'm active in black philanthropic groups, so I have been on phone calls a lot and online--it helps to be able to do something besides send a little money.

Today, tomorrow and Tuesday will be devoted to the backlog of chores and projects that have been on my to-do list for several months. I want to set things up so that I can pay all my bills on line, my home office is somewhat of a mess, I have lots of photos to put into albums, etc. I was hoping to use a gift ceritificate at a spa to get a massage on Tuesday, but the spa doesn't offer massages anymore, and I really can't afford to pay for one until the second half of the month. But I have all my 'home spa' bath and facial stuff, which I'll probably do on Monday.

In other news, my brother is still weak. His doctor thinks that part of left lung collapsed, which is kinda scary. He still can't sleep on his left side, and barely eats. But I am relieved that he's able to see his own doctor, and get proper treatment. My concern was that he'd overdo and end up back in the hospital (a better one!). But I think he understands his limits, now that he's tried to do a few things this week.

Hi, Leslie--I'm looking forward to getting to know you through this thread. It's been tremendously helpful for me in my journey this year. Wanting to be in better health is a big motivator for me, too.

Marie, congrats on the 2 lb loss! And what a weekend you're having--sheetrock and mountain climbing. I'll bet anything that you will reach your Xmas goal at this rate.

Tired--I'm glad to hear that your first week went well. Those kids will be in good hands this year.

Carol--I just read something that said that it's important to switch around your routines every 6-8 weeks, such as eating a little more or exercising differently. I think you'll reach your Xmas goal, too!

Skinny, Alipea, I hope you'e having a good weekend! Everyone seems to be in the mood to buckle down and get to work on shaping up. Must be the new school year and the change of seasons in the air....Whatever it is, let's take advantage of it!

hugs--judy

Hi all. Welcome Leslie. Congrats to Marie and Judy on the weight loss. Marie, I love reading about your room construction - it's like a story book: Getting Ready for Baby. Glad you enjoyed the hike. I've been taking Claritin everyday for my allergies and have found the same reaction as you - the medicine allows me to breathe which makes hiking and other exercises easier. You're doing great!

Judy - I'm so glad that you're advocating for all the people in the South. I'm glad you're turning your frustration into positive action rather than food (something for me to think about). My state, Massachusetts, is opening the doors to 2,500 people. They've got a whole "camp" set up with a school, stores, churches, etc. at a less used army base. Sounds like one positive action midst many negative inactions. Great job loosing weight and again, I'm glad that your brother has your care and support.

I'm doing well on the exercise front. My family climbed a mountain yesterday - beautiful views, lots of nice people on the way up and down. It's a very positive, uplifting activity for all of us. I'm trying to fill my time with more and more positive activities. On the food front, I'm still struggling. The boys are always hungry and needing to eat - they burn it all off. So I'm surrounded by yummy options and I like to eat. Oh well, I'll keep trying as I want to lose these 30 lbs before my class reunion next June. Thanks for being here everyone. Have a good labor day! Skinny, Alipea and Carol, I hope you're all having a great weekend.

Hi all,

Judy, let me know if I can do anything to help you. Letters, etc. I can do. What our country is doing as individuals is fabulous, but our government is a disgrace. I'm so far away from the area that it's like watching a train crash. You can see it's going to be a disaster but there's nothing you can do. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brother. I hope he starts to get better.

Tired, sounds like you enjoyed your hike up the mountain. Isn't that a cool change from a year ago? See how far you've come?

DH promised to take the puppies and me on a hike on our mountain trail this morning. I'm having so much asthma trouble I'm hoping I can do it. After that it's back to the room project (which I'm starting to get resentful of since my kids aren't helping at all). DH has done so much work and I feel bad for him. I try doing stuff but I'm not bery good at construction (thank goodness for drywall mud from where I put the screws into the wall and pushed too hard).

My lungs are ready to go back to work tomorrow. No drywall dust there. I'm miserable with the asthma these days. I finally used my peak flow meter and lost a lot of lung capacity. At this rate I'll have to go to the dr for something stronger. I don't want to do that so I'll go back to work tomorrow and rest. :)

TTYL.

Hi, ladies--

I'm proud to announce that I reached my Labor Day goal of 229.5 :cb: This is the first weight-loss goal I've reached in six months, and so the number isn't as important as the fact that I really stuck to my program without a lot of excuses to explain away why I veered off my plan that day. I am working on a new goal: 222 by Columbus Day, or 7.5 pounds in five weeks. To do this, I'll continue to keep and food-and-mood journal; keep up the Curves and cardio, and add the once-a-week Pilates class which starts in two weeks, and remember that my little snail can't keep moving toward 200 if I wander slightly off course every day.

Marie, I'll be glad to forward ideas your way. One idea is to think of something you and friends could raise money for over time. These displaced folks are going to be homeless, jobless and in a bad way for months to come. Supporting the big national groups is fine, but the local nonprofits need our help, too. The city of Baton Rouge just doubled in size, and when most of these families leave the shelters in various cities, they will join the numbers of poor folks who are already straining the social service networks in those towns. If you read something about a particular school, church or shelter that moves you in some way, you could plan to send a sizeable donation to help them with Thanksgiving meals or Christmas gifts. Please don't send money to any group you can't check out on the Internet (www.guidestar.org).

Tired--It must be hard to eat on a different track than the rest of your family. In some ways, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Maybe your kids can be an example to you--I bet they're on the move a lot, running around, riding bikes, etc., and fidgeting away the extra calories. I think it's wonderful that you went mountain climbing together. My parents rarely walked down the block (and are both obese examples of how I don't want to feel when I'm in my sixties).

Today I had a weird apple-flaxseed patty for breakfast, and the rest of the apple for a snack. I'll have chicken-veggie soup for lunch, an afternoon snack yet to be determined, stir-fried catfish and broccoli for dinner and kefir with blueberries for dessert. Later this afternoon I'll head out for a long walk.

Hope you are all enjoying this day!

judy

Judy congratulations on reaching your Labor Day goal. That's a great idea .. to have a small goal by a certain date/holiday etc. Hmmmm... I don't know what is realistic for me. I have to weigh myself when we get back home and hope I lost something over these 5 days in Orlando.
I had Cheerios, fruit and 1/2 cup skim milk for breakfast. 4 points.
have been drinking water and plain tea since.
Lunch looks like some plain chicken and a few saltines and more water. Then I'm headed over to the pool for some laps.
Happy Labor Day everyone.
PS: DH and I are dog lovers and wonder if there is anything we can do for displaced pets from Katrina. I'm sure people can't take their pets to shelters etc. I wonder if there is anyone we can contact to foster a pet or something like that??? Anyone know of anything??

Judy :bravo: on reaching your Labor Day goal. I am so proud of you. And what a great realization that you can't reach 200 by deviating. You are doing so fantastic. Here's to Columbus Day. I finally have a temporary goal - 177 by Christmas. That's 15 pounds form last Wednesday's weigh in.

Leslie, good for you to do the laps. Its hard to exercise/eat well when you're out of town. I was a failure on the Alaskan Cruise a month ago but I use that I was so bored there was nothing to do but eat on the big boat. I don't know about fostering a pet but it's a great idea. Good luck with pursuing that.

Yesterday we made mudded and taped the drywall. Made major progress on the room. DH and I talked about both of our disappointment with both of our kids in letting us do this on our own. We changed our perspective about the room (temporarily it will be DS1 and GF but when they move out it will be our rec room/guest room. Changing how I was looking at it made me much less resentful to spend all three of my days off on something that DS1 and DS2 should be helping with. Anyway, I'm at a better place with it.

I can't sleep again (it's now 3:00 in the morning and I've been up a while) and I know I'm going to want to pass out by the afternoon. This is the only side effect of mania that I really don't like. And my asthma is out of control. Since I won't be working on the drywall and sanding (DH is doing it and my little bronchial tubes aren't allowed) I'm going to baby my lungs and see if I can get them better. I have a deadline for improvement by Friday or I have to go the dr. I hate doing that and having the dumb little machine tell me to blow harder when I can't - just makes me mad. Like I'd be blowing in the peak flow meter if I could brath normally. Ah, duh.

That's about it. Thanks all for letting me rant and rave about my sluggy children. It's been a frustrating weekend and I'm glad it's over. Back to work where stupid questions reign. :)

Leslie welcome to the site and I know you'll enjoy the support and friendships you'll build.
Marie congrats on the loss! Your room sounds like a fun project. Keep up your efforts their working for you!
Judy glad to hear your advocatiing that is so rewarding and benefiting the ones who don't even know your doing it for them! You keep it up! Congrats on the wt. loss and thanks for the input.
Tired glad you class sounds so good and hopefully they will learn a lot this year. You sound like a wonderful teacher. Did you pack your snacks for your desk yet?
Well this weekend I ate a few too many goodies that was for sure. I did eat some healthy stuff but limited. I THINK it was suppose to be reversed of that outcome. Oh well I had a good time. I caught the biggest catch a perch. It was fun and lots of relaxing. I had to hike up to the bathroom several times throughout everyday at camp. Now that was a calorie burner. I also unpacked the truck and packed it. Unloaded and loaded wood etc. So I guess maybe I wore some of the calories off. But today is tues. and I have plans to eat right and get some exercise in there as well. I will take the little grand girls for a new outfit after work today. Also need to buy something for the grandson too! I like to start them off with something special. That my help them to feel a bit special on their first day of school. The 5 year old is really ready the other two maybe a bit nervous they get that way. I went through it every year with their mom.
Well my plans for today: breakfast cereal kashi 190
snack apple 80
1/2 sandwich turkey on dark rye 400? deli size
snack apple
dinner?

Good morning, ladies!

If you need a pick-me-up today, go over to the Success threads, where there are some nice posts, and Tani has before-and-after pictures now that's she's reached her goal (SW: 265, GW: 150). It's helping me visualize myself as a much thinner person, which is hard, since I have weighed over 200 pretty much since my mid-twenties.

Marie, what a drag to have able-bodied men around who aren't helping with the heavy lifting! But your son and GF will move out of the new space eventually, and you will have a beautiful rehabbed room to enjoy, so all this work is not just for them. I am concerned about the dust in your lungs, though. I hope you feel much better soon.

Leslie, I wonder if the websites for the ASPCA or similar organizations would have ideas for animal lovers who want to help the stranded pets. Also, I heard that New Orleans Zoo didn't lose too many animals, luckily, but they will needs lots of help, too.

Carol, I know you'll get right back on the wagon this week. Have fun shopping!

Okay, back to work. I got a few things accomplished this long weekend, but not as much as I'd expected. I'm heading to Curves shortly, and will take a walk this evening. Today I had a fried egg and some beets (beets? I don't know why, they were there), will have a large bowl of chicken-veggie soup shortly, and maybe a large salad w/salmon for dinner.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

judy

I ran across this site on my way somewhere else, Leslie, with info about services for stranded animals: http://www.disasternews.net/news/new...articleid=2795. The Humane Society, among others, is organizing assistance.

judy

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Thanks for the link Judy. We donate to the Humane Society and North Shore Animal League regularly.... I guess that's the best way to help now too. My heart goes out to the people who had to leave their animals behind. I saw several stories on the news today that left me so depressed and heartbroken for the people. That makes it hard not to hit the fridge. I admit I stress eat big time. I don't have to be hungry... if it's there and I'm stressed or down... I'll eat it. Seeing all the devastation from Katrina is so awful. We've donated but I wish there was something I could physically do to help. I've seen that kind of devastation first hand after Andrew here in 1992 .
Okay... didn't mean to be a downer to the thread. Right now I need to play on the computer and drink lots of water because I really have the munchies and want to EAT! I've been good today.... toast/juice for bkfst. Tuna sandwich and yogurt for lunch. Now I have to find something for dinner... when DH has his night class I never eat properly....

Leslie your dogs are so cute! Judy big congrats on that loss! How great is that? I can just figure your glowing right out of your skin! Keep it up!
I jumped back in as far as calories went yesterday. 1360 FOR the day! Thats not bad I said between 1300 and 1400. But one of my choices could of been better but only one screw up for the day. That was out on my stressful shopping trip. I didn't take the kids as planned as it was too crazy of a day. But finding cute things and in the size I needed and every family in the world was out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh stress! Anyways in the end cost didn't even fit into my thoughts it was size 6 in a girls outfit and one I knew she'd wear. So after I was finished and straving by then 6:30 I eat breakfast around 6:30 lunch at 11:45 oh yes I needed something. So somehow a snickers bar made it into my hands and it hit the spot. But I did add it in for the day! Today I will try to make some positive choices throughout my day. The scale day is coming up! Gotta get ready! Lets make it move everyone we can do it. Gotta fly to work need to pick up something healthy for my lunch on the way!

I took my 3FC advice and told my children how I felt about them. I told DS1 that I was resentful (and his father was too) and I thought that would make me feel better. Wow, mistake number one. I feel so much worse. DH says I just told him the truth but I don't like hurting my kids, especially DS1 who is mentally fragile. I doubt it will help any since he isn't here to help on the room and I hurt him. DS2 it seems to have waken up a little and he was more pleasant last night. He said he was going to do his chores - I guess he forgot. :) But he did do his FAFSA stuff so that he can go to school before basic training. It is what I wanted since floating around is making him so selfish. School will at least ground him some.

Thanks for being here everyone. I am really struggling right now and I don't know if it's because I'm off meds or just a lot of small stuff is hitting me and I'm not coping well. I'm not going back on meds so I guess I better start to cope better. Being here definitely is helping me think straighter.

Carol, I hate snicker bars and thought yours sounded good. I haven't had a good candy bar in a long time and I think you made the right choice in eating it. Supportive aren't I???? As long as you stayed in your calories, really who cares. It's not like you do it everyday and peanuts are nutritious. I too will make some positive choices today.

Disney, I too have a golden retriever. Her name is Goldilocks and she's an old girl - a little over 10 years old. She's a dumb dog but I respect her tremendously. To make a long story short, she's had a very tough life. I also have 2 huskies and they're my life, especially Blizzard, my Alaskan Husky. I was upset this morning after a nasty run in with the scale and a few kisses from her and I'm ready to start my day. I too think of all those abandoned animals and just want to cry. Some one would have to shoot me to leave any of my dogs. I'd easily die for them. If you find a good donation for animal care, please PM me and I will send my contribution there. Yesterday the boy scouts came to my house for a can drive for the survivors and I gave as much can food as I had. What I really wanted to do was give my dogs' canned food for the puppies. I love dogs!!!!

Juday, way to go on the exercise. Curves and a walk. You're doing great and you're helping me to stay motivated. After the run in with the scale, I didn't care if I ever exercised again. But reading your dedication is eradicating that errent thought.

Tired and Skinny, Ihope you're doing okay. Let us hear from you.

Again, thanks for being here. 3FC is helping me get my head together.

Disney, I just went to http://www.hsus.org/ to donate to the Humane Society. The pictures on the page made me cry, still crying. Anyway, I thought I'd share the site with you.
Marie

Just a quick hello, I'm back at work and apparently they aren't paying me to hang out on 3FC :lol: I was off to a slow start, didn't get up and out in time for more than a 25-minute walk, so I will try to get at least that much in this evening. I'm "hungry" today while eating pretty much the same as I have for the last two days--but I'm back at my desk and feeling restless. And a little cold, it's always chilly in the office, which makes me want to eat! So I've been drinking more water and mint tea. I've managed to convince my tastebuds that mint tea means that we're done eating for a while, and believe it or not, it works! I also noticed that once I turn on the dishwasher at home, I'm not as likely to ramble around in the kitchen, looking for something to eat. Go figure!

Marie, I'm sorry things are so tough for you emotionally! I hope things settle down and you get your equilibrium back real soon.

Leslie--Good for you, fighting the munchies! Are you able to spread enough filling but healthy snacks throughout your day?

Go, Carol, go :cheer:

Gotta run--judy

Judy, I had to laugh at your post. I'm getting paid to chat here this afternoon but I bet that they wouldn't like it. My office, too, is cold and I shiver year round. So today I said "screw it" and plugged in my heater. I felt better all morning. I dind't munch and was able to work so much more efficiently.

I feel better today. Sort of on the edge, but still hanging on to a good mood. I left work for 45 minutes and had my brows done. Owww!!! But they look so much better.

I think that I'm havnig a tough time right now is that school started (long time until summer and that's depressing), Hurricane Katrina worries (donated $$$ to the humane society and felt like I was doing good for puppy lovers), sluggish sons and the depression that I won't have an empty nest this fall like anticipated (DS2 not leaving till January and DS1 and GF moving in). I think it's everything at once that has me spinning. Realizing it's a combo of things has helped today. No one has been able to irritate me - I want to stay on the good side of the cliff.

Thanks for being here.

Hi everyone...
I think I better go to bed earlier.. the longer I am up the more I want to munch! Did well today. I am using apples and those 100 calorie packs of popcorn to snack thruout the day. I've also found 100 calorie pack Oreo crisps and they are fabulous!!!
Woody and Tink are my life too.... I would never leave my dogs behind, I'd rather die with them than leave them. They are our "kids" now that DS and DD have left the nest. We had an old man Golden "Rex" who we lost at the beginning of May.. and we lost Tink & Woody's mama "Jessie" last December. She was only 4 and it was very difficult for us. She had a rare form of cancer in her snout... and after 8 weeks and $$$$$ of radiation treatments and surgeries... it still came back with a vengance. At least she lives on in her babies and they are so special to us. Okay.. sorry, didn't mean to ramble on.
We donate regularly to the Humane Society, and also to a place called North Shore Animal League. They have a rescue team in the hurricane area and are doing a great job of rescueing many animals a day. I wish I could be there with them. The more I watch the coverage the more I cry about the dogs I see alone and scared.
Tomorrow I am going to try and walk 2 miles! Believe it or not last January I did the Disney Half Marathon and in January 2004 did the WHOLE marathon! I am determined to get back into shape so I can do it again!

Hi all, so many great ideas! Judy, I'm like you - signals can make a big difference such as brushing my teeth after dinner to signal eating is over for the day. Leslie, going to bed early helps me too as I seem to eat when I'm tired. Marie, you have a lot of change happening at your home. That's probably why you're feeling the stress. I'm glad that you can count on everyone here to work it out.

Life has gotten very very busy now that I'm back to work full time and my dh is back to work too. I'm trying hard to work toward balance. One good thing I'm doing is not getting overinvolved in things at work that are not related to my classroom teaching. That saves energy and stress. I'm also back to having my salad at lunch everyday - the lunchroom people prepare it and it takes a long time to eat and is satisfying. I'm eating dinner earlier which helps with the after school munching - I have dinner insteady. I've been going to bed early. So the eating is better. I'd really like to get back down to 170 soon so my clothes fit better. Thanks for all your support.

sw 210 (8/04)
cw 180
gw 150

Tired you hang in there you'll get where you want to be! It is better to take it off slow and keep it off than to lose fast and put it right back on. Little changes make big differences as habits form and routines are made. So keep it up!
Judy sounds like your finding some good things on your own to make the differences in your eating pattern. That is so good. We are all different and the little things that make us tick huh?
Marie hand in there pick your battles wisely yah can't change everything at once. Little changes that are do able may help just a thought! Don't let the scale control your whole wt. loss attempts. You also sometimes need to stay a bit away from it and go by how your clothes fit, rings getting loose etc... Sometimes I go weeks with out the scale. It all depends on my mood. Oh we all can get into our moods your not alone by any means. Adjusting to being without meds is tough and you have taken that on so give yourself some credit. Sounds like you need us to give you some pats on the back and you deserve some. Stress isn't a good thing for any of us. Do you have any hobbies? Knitting is relaxing for me or reading. Good luck!
Tired I thought of you last night as I was sewing a pillowcase slip cover for a school chair. It has 3 12" squares made into pockets. It slips over the chair to serve as any extra storage for the childs belongings. I made one on tues. for my grandaughter at the teachers request. Then her little friend without any funds whose family could use a little help didn't have one. So Brooke shared hers. Well I put one together out of scraps at 10:30 last night. I am going to drop it off to Brooke this morning on my way to work. She would give someone the shirt off her back if they asked. She is a cutie. Now the little girl will have her own. I wonder what happens to the poor kids who don;t have the monies? Does PTA pick them up to get what they need?
Well I had a good eating day yesterday as planned. I was a bit hungry last night and ate a bowl of Kashi cereal at 190. I could of done with out but still kept my calories at 1400. Take care sorry tthis was so long.......

Carol, good words of wisdom. I'm staying away from the scale for 2 weeks. My asthma was out of control so I went to the dr. this afternoon and am on prednisone (steroids). No way will I lose weight with a week of that so I decided to just be good and ignore the scale. My clothes and rings do fit. Actually right before the cruise in July I was going to have my ring resized since I could lose weight (thanks bipolar meds...) and it had been in the jewelry box for a year. Guess what I'm wearing right now - the ring that I forgot to have resized. Pretty cool, huh?

Dr. said no exercise for a while - why is it when you get in the groove something always throws you back out? I sort of like not feeling guilty because I'm not exercising for a couple days, but I sort of liked exercising - it made my emotions easier to deal with. Since I'm tired of having difficulty breathing, I will not exercise for a couple days.

That's about it. Talk to you all later.

Hi all. Carol, so good to hear from you. That was great of you to make the chair cover for that child. There are so many children in the world who need extra help. Fortunately I work in a school system that provides for all whether they are able to do it or not. Many parents do extra so that children whose parents cannot do it are still taken care of. It's endless what we, as a society, could do to positively impact children.

Marie, good to hear that the ring fit and nice to see that you're at 192, that's super. Like you, I have some kind of respiratory illness which has had me wheezing, up at night and exhausted. I've always bordered on asthma and have a couple of attacks. This might be bronchitis. I may have to go to the doctor tomorrow. We'll see. My appetite has been down and so has my exercise. Luckily everyone here at home is supportive at the moment.

Judy, Leslie, Skinny and Alipea - I hope you're all doing well. It's so important that we all get as healthy as we can be. Take care.

Tired you have no time to be getting sick. That is not fun at all you and Marie need to keep up your energy. Well maybe Marie you could do a low impact yoga? It would be relaxing and not high energy level. I think if you go to the library if you want maybe there would be a tape or dvd. I also am not doing the little scale thing today Tom came to visit yesterday. I liked it a lot better when he left me for a few months. Won't belong I hope and he will be gone forever. That is one part of my life I could do without. I had a good intake yesterday all except some fried chicken for dinner. The dog got some of the breading but still it was a bit up scaled in calories. Then the other pieces were taken to my friend. She was thrilled not to have to make dinner. Afterwards I only had a little apple to eat as a snack. So all together it wasn't that bad but I could of made better choices. We'll blame Tom! He's good for something! For lunch yesterday I had steamed broccoli with a little garlic powder, pepper, dash of marg. and one triangle of laughing cow cheese melted in. It was great and pretty low cal. I figured around 100 cals. total. Next time I may add in a little pasta and have it for dinner. I went for groceries last night lots of good deals so I stocked up for winter. The pantry looks good and I bought some healthy frozen veggies too. It is so much easier to make healthier choices when the foods are right handy. Well hope you all have a great friday. I am not camping this weekend I am going to the farmers market, garage sales and going to dig up some blueberry bushes for my yard. No that is a calorie burner. Sunday I may have the kids for dinner its been awhile. I will see what everyone is up to. I also would like to walk around the lake its about 3 miles. I haven't been going as it was 7.00 to get in. But after labor day its free.

Leslie--I hope you had fun on the walk yesterday. I'd love to walk a half-marathon. I can walk a long way, but I don't think my arthritic knees could take the stress of the training as well as the event itself. But I haven't ruled it out! Maybe when I get closer to my long-term goal.

Marie, you are doing/starting/changing/ending so many things at once, no wonder you don't feel very centered! It's hard to stay balanced with so much going on--and you've still managing to lose weight. Congratulations on being able to wear your ring, that must feel wonderful. Hope you are on the good side of the cliff today.

Carol, I'm trying to picture how the dog "got some of the breading" from your fried chicken :lol: Maybe the dog was trying to do you a favor and spare you some extra calories. I think you will have a great weekend, I love farmers markets.

Tired, I hope your feeling better today. I think you're right to try to simplify your life, at least for now. Save your energy for what you really want!

I've been doing pretty well, eating per program and going to Curves, but not getting up and out early enough to do my long walks. Almost made it this morning, so I should be back on my usual (non-vacation) sleep patterns next week. My apartment complex is having a yard sale tomorrow, so tonight I'll go through the closets and cabinets to see what I can sell. I have a few electronics and miscellaneous items in pretty good shape that I don't need but I can't bring bring myself to toss. There's a free jazz concert I want to go to, and a big football game to watch in the evening, so all in all I should have a fun and productive day.

Hope you do, too!

judy

Judy, sounds like you'll have a good weekend. Excellent job on the exercise (Curves) and eating on plan. That's always a tough thing to get to be a habit. Good luck making money at the yard sale and enjoy the jazz concert. That sounds like fun.

Carol, enjoy the walk around the lake. 3 miles is quite a distance but it should be fun. I didn't do the scale thing today either. Taking steroids will cause me to gain weight and I didn't think I needed the aggravation of seeing it. Knowing it and seeing it are two different things. Bet your puppy loved the chicken skin - good for you in not eating it all. Really sounds like you've got your head together about eating right.

Oops - got to get back to work - suddenly have a deadline...

Hi everyone!

Things have been going pretty well. I've resisted temptation when I can. :lol: I found Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Fudge Lites help A LOT!! It's only 1 point for 2 bars so they are a great reward at the end of the day. I try to keep it to ONE bar per day and the box lasts almost two weeks... that is if DH doesn't get into them!! Blue Bunny Reduced Fat No sugar added ice cream is also a great treat. They really satisfy my ice cream cravings for very few calories and points! Can you see that my eating is all about the treats?? ;) I made veggie soup tonight, 0 points and counted out my 35 oyster crackers to = 1 point. :dizzy: I've been actually keeping under my point allowance by a bit each day.....because we are having friends over tomorrow night and I know there will be snacks and goodies. I also did 30 laps of the pool today. Okay... the pool is only 24 ft long but at least it's something!
Judy... do you like Curves? I've been considering something like that... but I'm very self concious about going to places llike that. I did the National Body Challenge Jan-March this year and they gave you a free 12 week membership to Bally's. I went... but there are so many "buff" people there I always felt self concious.
okay.. enough rambling.... have a great evening!

Judy hey I at least gave the dog the breading I never thought about how it sounded to others! Funny! She shares with me once in awhile it cuts my calories and we both get our treat. Your doing well. I wish I was at your place for the sale. I love buying other peoples treasures. This year they may end up under the tree. I am going to a sale this morning lots of nice childrens clothes for the grandaughters. She has this sale two times a year and in a richy area of town just the best of things you know. I love it I am not too proud in anyway. Better than me paying top dollar.
Marie actually the 3 miles goes by quite quickly around the lake. I'll let you all know how beautiful it is.
Wish you were able to all be here to go with me.
Leslie one step at a time. As you change your way of thinking and eating it becomes more natural after awhile. Not that you won't slip things in but it becomes more normal to just grab the healthier stuff when shopping for groceries. After awhile you know which one is better and have to read the labels less etc.... It is so important to read the cals. fat. sugars etc. The lovely companies tend to make things better one way and mess them up in another. Yogurt is a biggy with that read a few labels. Some have an awful lot of sugar in them. The sugar turns into fat so they might is well put the fat in them. There has been times I get so frustrated I don't buy any! Good luck and keep going. I have a soup recipe similar to ww. and its great and so low in cals. Have you tried laughing cow cheese yet?
Tired hope school is continuing to be going well sounds like a nice class so far. Did you get those treats to school yet? I have two apples sitting on my desk and a healthy lunch in the ref. I got called out on an investigation right at lunch time. So I never ate or went back to the office. I stopped for a gyro it was delicous but not sure how many lovely calories I ate. At that time my stress level was pretty high as the problem involved two of my clients whom share an apt.... Oh never a dull one but my fridays are usually a bit more laid back! it will all work itself out. All in a days work! I made a few calls when I got home and things seemed to be going better.
Have a great day. I am going to work on healthier choices today and some yard work and housework today and tom...

Hi friends. Boy do I have good news - I slept for 7 hours!!!! I feel great (except that asthma). What I'd give for that every night. No nocturnal wanderings and surfing. I slept for more than 2 hours. I about fell out of bed when I saw it was after 5:00. I expected it to say midnight. So cool.

I just cut DS2's hair off. He starts Guard weekend this month even though he hasn't been through basic training and tech school. They still want him to work the weekend. So all the cute hairs got buzzed. He looks so cute. :) He even has his little camo uniform. I guess my baby has grown up.

The asthma is a little better. I think the prednisone is loosening all of the garbage around my bronchial tubes and I'm able to cough some of it out. Problem wiht coughing is it make me nauseous. So I don't have any desire to eat or drink. Such an interesting dilemma.

Today we sign on the home equity loan. All the credit cars/remodeling bill will be paid soon. I hate the three day waiting, then I have to wait for ditech.com to send the check (they're really a pain, btw). So I figure we'll get the money in another week and a half. Since all the credit card bills were just paid, I have time. Just being patient - not my long suit. :)

DH has Guard weekend too so I will be all alone again today. I wish I could work on the addition but that drywall dust is what's doing my asthma in so I've been forbidden to go out there. So what to do? I think I'll finish my yellow sweater. I knitted most of it before the cruise and I sewed is all together. I just have to knit the facings, the sew them and the hood on. So today, that's my goal. Then I can start a new project. I have lots of yarn.

I signed up for a comm college class on drawing. So on Wednesday eveings in Oct, Nov, and Dec I will be learning to draw. I think that will be fun. I wanted to take it so that I can draw stained glass patterns easier and when I'm in meetings my doodles will be works of art. :) Truly that is one of the driving reasons. So Carol, I dind't join Curves, but I did sign up for a class outside my house. It will be fun.

I guess that's it for now. I'll be back later.

I weighed in even though I swore I wouldn't when I was on prednisone and voila, 2 pounds disappeared. I was doing the happy dance this morning. I tried on some jeans that fit at this weight a year ago and they were still too tight - that was sort of depressing but I didn't care that much. I lost 10.5 pounds since the cruise - a month and a half.

DS1 is here and is being pleasant - no apology but at least he's being nice.

Just checking in. Wow Marie - 10.5 lbs that's awesome! You must feel terrific! The drawing course sounds wonderful!

Carol, I do have healthy snacks at my desk and it helps a lot. I'll bring some apples too today.

Judy and Leslie it sounds like the two of you are mainly staying on track too. Terrific!

The cold/asthma (whatever it is) kept my energy output low this weekend. At least I didn't have much of an appetite so I don't think there was much of a weight gain. I'm in a good place though. I've been thinking a lot about balance and it's been helping me with stress which helps to alleviate overeating. . .All your positive posts are helping too. Thanks so much.

Marie good for you signing up for an art course. I think that is great. Stained glass has always been a little interest of mine maybe someday. My kids are all very artistic in many ways. One is a contractor, tatoo art, and designs. The one daughter naturally just has a natural talent for decorating. The other is a photographer by trade and a local photo editior for the newspaper and has many talents with art. I like to grow flowers,knit, quilt,gardening, decorate, bake, cook etc... My hubby is talented with cars when he is able to. He has a hand with wood also and can do lots of nice projects. I currently started a charcoal grey crop sweater with a scooped neck for colder weather. I can only work on it for a bit at a time as I had carpal tunnel syndrome surgery a yr. or so ago. It still has its momments. Enjoy knitting and finishing up a sweater or project is always a joy. Congrats on your wt. you'll fit into those pants soon enough just keep up your efforts. When your home alone it gives you an opportunity to cook things maybe others wouldn't want. Healthy stuff! Try a new recipe for fun!
Tired glad to hear your doing well. I notice that on this site your on right before me. Those early risers! I didn't get to walk around the lake but dig in the yard to put in some new blueberry bushes, pulled many weeds they were huge. I thought I'd sleep like a bear but not really what the heck? Anyways you seem to be doing well handling going back to school and balancing out your intakes. Keep it up!
Judy and Leslie continue you efforts we are all going to have to buy a new outfit to reward ourselves soon. Something for fall.
I did make some choc. chip cookies ate a couple , but with 3.5 hrs. of yard work I deserved them. I'm sure I worked them off. My little grandaughter B. had requested them. So I couln't refuse. The rest of my eating for the day was good.
Have a great week and lets all keep up our good efforts for a great fall drop off of pounds.......................

Hi again. I started the day only to return home as one of my son's is ill. He has a high fever and lethargy. I get especially nervous because of mosiquito born illnesses in the area, but he doesn't seem too bad so hopefully he'll recover in a day or two. Thank goodness I had my plans ready for a few days so it wasn't too hard to transfer the teaching to the substitute. I hate taking a school day off as it interupts the momentum - oh well, my theme is to take each day - or each moment and make the best of it - life happens.

Carol, I enjoyed reading about your creative family. Yes, I'm an early riser. I love the morning - it's quiet, I have energy and I enjoy my cup of coffee.

My eating has been ok so far today.
breakfast: coffee and quiche (healthy ingredients)
lunch: kashi bar and apple
I'd say about 700 so far.
Since I'm home I'll make some healthy veggie chili for dinner.

Have a good day.

Hi, all--

Sorry I wasn't around all weekend, I was on the go! The yard sale was entertaining--seeing another side of my neighbors--but I didn't sell a lot. Most folks were interested in kid's clothes and really tacky tchotchkes, and I was selling books and electronics, mostly. But I got about $30 for odds and ends, and gave half of that back for the relief effort. The jazz festival was fabulous, I ended up going alone but had a great time anyway. I went to the movies yesterday, saw The Constant Gardener, which I highly recommend.

I strayed a bit from my eating plan (ice cream at the festival, popcorn at the movie), but I've been close to perfect for weeks. As long as this isn't a habit, I'll continue to lose. I'm down just half a pound from last week, but I lost so much the week before, I think that's to be expected.

Leslie, Curves is okay with me! It's only women, and the majority are plump, if not very overweight. The staff and clientele varies a bit from place to place, but I've found them to be friendly, welcoming and non-judgemental.

Marie, congrats on the weight loss and the good night's sleep! You've dealt with so much in the past few weeks, but you're still on track. Good for you!

Tired--hope both you and your son are feeling better by the time you read this.

Carol, I'm back to trying to teach myself to knit....I remember how to cast on, but not much else....

judy

Hi all. Judy it must feel great to see the ticker go down - 25 lbs is a big loss. Keep it up. Glad you enjoyed the jazz festival and thanks for the movie recommendation. I love a good movie and might have the chance to see one this weekend.

I'm starting to feel better and my son seemed to perk up tonight. Thanks for asking. I'm hoping to fit in some exercise tomorrow morning before work. Have a good night all.