Hi all. Welcome Alipea! Congrats to all. We've got some great energy going here. I'm back to counting calories and I plan to exercise tomorrow morning early. It's been a very positive start to school. I'm ready and looking forward to meeting the children. Take care.

I've got to write down my intake before I eat more as it hasn't been a bad day. Tracking my food and calories really helps a lot.

breakfast - cereal, milk, blueberries (300)
lunch - fish/veggies/small dessert (400)
dinner - pasta/cheese/sauce (not too much), wine, salad (900)
1600 - that's it for today - a good day! Not the best choices, but not too too many calories. I'm back!

Good Evening Everyone, I hope your day was good. I was dreading mine - I think I mentioned that I ws conducting a teacher inservice. I don't mind presenting to people, I don't get nervous, but with the long lasting headache I wasn't looking forward to it. Well, it went really well. Had a big turn out and I was really prepared. I spent the morning extending everything I was going to talk about and it was time well spent. I had several people tell me what a great job I did. I was wiped out though and have just been a slug this evening. I took TWO naps. Now I'm just surfing my way through to going to bed. I'm really beat. Anyway, it went good and that's all that matters.

I didn't exercise today - too busy napping this evening. I just couldn't crag myself to the exercycle. Tomorrow I will exercise and do my situps. I'm slacking there. I ate really good and am a few calories short of my goal. I may or may not have anything. Lately the only thing I like late is cheese sticks. I've had 2 so far today. They calm the stomach, take the edge off being hungry and are so good for me. Maybe a 3rd won't be a bad idea.

The headaches. I wasn't sure if my neck on the right side was stiff because of the headache or the stiff neck was causing the headache. I'm 99% sure that it is the stiff neck causing the headache. I tried switching pillows but that hasn't helped. When I'm cold I tense up and that makes the neck/head worse so I have to overdress for summer so I'm not shivering (BTW there was frost on my windshield this morning - winter's coming even though it was 85 degrees out by afternoon). So if any of you have good stretching exercise for the neck, please let me know. At this rate I'll be going to the dr. for a referral to a physical therapist. I don't have the extra $$$ for that so let me know if you have any ideas.

Judy, I'm so glad to hear that your brother is doing better. And you're an exercise fanatic. I can't exercise that much or I burn out and quit all together. What is Curves like? DH said I could join if I want but I don't know if I would be consistent in going. What do you think?

Tired, glad you're doing good at the start of school. Please make priority choices this year so you don't get to stressed. I think it would be great to have a group of new kids to meet and teach. What grade are you teaching this year?

Skinny, good for you in talking your feelings out with DH. BTW, how's his job going? Is he still working for the park service and walking all day? If yes, then the 26 pounds is understandable. Sounds like he's very active. Tell him congrats from me. That's just an awesome weighloss. And don't worry, I'm jealous too.

Carol, hope your day was great. Great question of what each of us is doing for our diet. I wish I could preplan like you do but I have such a need to think of what I feel like eating that I can't do it very often. The times that I plan dinner a day or two in advanced, I rarely make it. The best I do is to plan what to take for lunch in the mornings. Even then I tend to ignore what I brought and get something else. You're lucky you can preplan - it is truly a gift.

Take care my friends and thank you for being here. This board has made my change of eating so much easier and that's because of you all. I hope you have a great day tomorrow.

Hi all, I'm checking in to get a good start for the day. I started the day with stretches and sit-ups (thanks for the idea Marie). I can do 20 now.

Marie, congrats on the great presentation. I'm not surprised you were tired. To make a presentation work well you give a lot of yourself. So sorry about your neck. I hope you find a solution. I occassionally get a stiff neck but it goes away so I don't have any advice.

I've been obsessed with the disaster in Mississippi and Louisiana. I wish I could just take in some children for a few weeks to give them a change of scenery while their parents deal with the disaster. My heart aches watching the devastation. I think our country has been too slow to act, but it seems like help is on the way now. As far as the looting, I think the punishments should be low - hey, all those companies are going to get insurance for their goods and where are the people going to take all the stuff anyways. The companies will have to clean out all the businesses for the most part to rebuild and most of the people looting probably have nothing as it is. Just my thoughts. Thanks for letting me go on.

I wish everyone a good day and as Skinny would say we all need to count our blessings.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and ideas with the rest of us. I think it helps to know what others are doing. For those who do the calorie counting I like it as I said it lets me fit in what I want. Yesterday I had toast for breakfast and fruit 300 cals., lunch and dinner combo chinese food appox. 700 calories? then an ice cream cone kiddie size for snack. I than snuck in a 1/2 of a donunt! Still my calories were with in my guidelines. The last one surely wasn't the best choice! Oh well I was so tempted couln't chase away my temptation.
Everyone is doing great we all seem to have a good attitude on moving ourselves forward. Don't worry too much about the scale , go also by how your clothes fit. Visual is a good measurement also. But for some of us the scale helps with balance to make sure we aren't going up.
I agree with everyone that storm was awful and my heart goes out to everyone there. We started to get the rain last night and its been nonstop I can't even think how it is for those people. The communities hopefully here will start some packages going out to help folks. I agree Tired we should of been in there sooner. Someone in that big office should of made a better attempt sooner! We need to concentrate on our world sometimes a little more. We always seem to be elsewhere. if that had been Bush's home town it woould of been quicker. Sorry for going on! Opps!
Todays intake plans: breakfast= cereal kashi 150 with a small peach sliced in 30
snack= apple 81
lunch= salad w/blk olives,mild ch. shredded,beans,cukes,tomatoes and low cal. dressing 350 appox. 1 plum 37
snack on the way home apple 81
dinner=shrimp sauted in a bit of olive oil fresh broc. pasta, garlic
snack= frozen fruit bar 150
Appox.1400 cals.

I'm so glad that today is over! I have a big deadline but have been procrastinating for several days. Today it occurred to me that no one expects me to have a perfect first draft of the 2006 budget, just put something out there and ask questions and learn....sometimes I get in my own way. Well, I'm mostly done now, and will be going to Curves when I finish this post.

Everyone is doing a great job this week!

Marie--The best thing about Curves is that it's non-judgemental and very accomodating. they are great for women who have never felt comfortable at the gym. The basic workout is over in around half an hour, but some of the more fit (or more determined) women do an extra lap or even two. The weight machines are hydraulic, so you don't have to futz around with adjusting the resistance. They are cheaper than regular gyms because they don't have many amenities. You can ask if you can have a trial membership before signing up, to get a sense of the staff and members. It's been good for me. I started going in February. At some point I'll probably switch back to a full-service gym (I miss the sauna and whirlpool at my old gym), but so far so good. This is the first time I've ever gone to a gym so regularly for so long.

Okay, I need to run. More later!

judy

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.

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.

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.

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. ....
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.
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... 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. 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.