Marie glad to see you are going to relax a bit. After christmas and all the rushing around it sounds good. I had a nice christmas all but for the hubby being sick. We ended our day in the 24 hr. urgent care. He has started to feel better with the medications but it really takes a toll on him when he is ill. I tried to get him to go to the doctors earlier on but he wouldn't. I know next time he will go sooner. The troubles with breathing scared him for sure. Other than that it was a nice christmas. Children put the magic into the season. My son and daughter in law we visited through the phone lines. He sounded like he really missed being home. But the kids all talked to them as well. They sent us a nice digital camera and station printer. Now I need to figure it all out he says its really easy. His thoughts are keeping in better touch. Soon we will be going for a visit I need to get serious on my wt. etc... I felt pretty good till a week or so ago now I feel like oh I have to make some changes here. I am planning a trip to the gym and the grocery store. I need some fresh fruits and veggies. So much junk food! I will really try to be more serious next week. But if I can go work out a couple of times this week it will help.
Judy hope your doing well and enjoying the holidays. I guess Tired jumped ship? We will make a difference in 2006 we can do this girls. We need to get in the right frame of mind. For me I also need to journal of use fit site. to do intakes?
Carol

Carol, I'm glad that your hubby is starting to feel better. I really don't know any man that willingly goes to the dr. unless they're totally miserable. Enjoy the digital camera and printer. I just love mine. I have my XP screen saver set up to randomly display all of the pictures in my My Picture directory and I love having the pictures flash on the screen. I definitely look at digital pictures more than I do printed pictures.

I was pretty good yesterday. Certainly not great, but I've done a lot worse. I stayed out of the candy, but not the cookies. Luckily I had turkey noodle soup for dinner and that wasn't high in calories. Sor far today I'm doing good.

Take care, Carol and Judy.
Marie

I'm back!
 

Hi all,

Please forgive me for my absence - life became so, so, so crazy. Nothing bad, just a tremendous to-do list. Our ill relatives needed a lot of care and the children have been very busy. I'm on vacation, the holidays are past (fun and successful too) and now it's time to get healthier again. I'm going to read the back posts in the next couple of days and then hopefully I'll be here to encourage and learn once again. Take care. It's good to see that you're all still here. - Maureen:) :)

Tired when I saw you were on the site I was thrilled. So glad your back and no need to explain to us. Life does get crazy sometimes. Tired its nice you have a break from school. Do some fun stuff. I haven't been working so much either last week 4 days this week will be 2 and next wk. 4. I kind of like it.

I am trying to get back on track and its not so easy. I need to do an assessment on myself. Starting with more water wow have I been slacking off. Turn those sweets into fruits, veggies and just over all get a grip! Then I will be off to lose again oh I forgot the exercise thing thats important and I need to get that going for sure. The hubby is feeling better it takes a lot out of yah!
Yesterdays intake wasn't great but a bit better than other days lately. Today I will shoot for a better intake day. Still had chips and candy laying around. I am going to give my lovely chocolates from a gift to my grandkids.
Well take care and together we will get back on track!

Hi Carol and all,

It is so nice to be back. I'm glad that your husband is feeling better. Illness takes a toll on everyone in a family.

I'm ready too to jump back on the health bandwagon. I weigh somewhere in the middle of where I started one and a half years ago (210) and where I ended up (just below 170). My goal is healthy living. My plan will be this:

healthy breakfast with protein
salad lunch with protein
lots of veggies for dinner with some protein
snacks will include yogurt, fruits, veggies and powerbars when I'm involved in heavy exercise, activity
lots and lots of water
exercise will include lots of power cleaning/house work (I'm fixing up my house) and some gym workouts. I'd like to do another triathlon in June so I may start training for that after I finish my current regiment for asthma - that's one reason I've been off track.

Let's see what happens, but it's good to be back. I look forward to hearing from everyone.

- Maureen

Maureen its great to have you back. Yesterday I started my day with carrots for breakfast. I was running late so I just grabbed those little carrots and went off to start my day. Afterwards I bought some white homemade bread and had a turkey sandwich not bad only added mustard. But that bread was my down fall of the day. I couldn't seem to stay out of it when I got home, and then during dinner. Oh how crazy is that! I guess when yah start with those carbs their hard to stop on. At any rate it blew my efforts. I am going to try today to monitor my carbs. I think that when I did that South Beach diet I learned that bad carbs do start many cravings. I am going to try and stop eatting the bad carbs and I know their not all bad. Gotta get my info. out to clearify which are good etc.... It sounds like you have a good plan in mind. That is good. New Years Eve we are planning on having a few friends over. The plans are to grill some steaks, shrimp with cocktail sauce and a nice big salad, onion rings the hubbies favorite. Its his birthday so I need to make something he truly likes. We are celebrating with the kids for lunch pizza it will be. So there is no reason I can't start my watching now cause its all in my choices. Well lets give each other strength to reach our goals. I have to start that water habit again I have slacked off. I think picking up some water for the office would be a good start today. I am off from work but my 83 yr. old mom called with some problems at 5:50 so I have been awake for some time now. Gotta love em!
Carol

Hi Carol,

So the new year starts for me now. I am motivated to get healthy! My new year goals are the following

- healthy habits
- kindness/generosity of time, spirit and resources
- simplifying in the areas of material goods - more time on relationships, less time on material goods

Let's see what happens. Thanks for being here.

Happy New Year, and best wishes for a healthy and peaceful 2006! I'm back home, and looking forward to a much calmer stretch of time than I had the past four months or so. The holidays were good. I always have fun with my mom and sibs. But I'm glad I live in another city; I keep in touch every week, but this way I don't get caught up in most of the hassles or tension. I overspent once again, and ate like there was no tomorrow.

Finally got back on the scale, after a long absence. I had to move my ticker way up :( and set a new weightloss goal, of four lbs a month. I also dug out my neglected food diary and have been writing long confessionals (desserts, evening snacking, not sweating enough, etc.). My new DVD/VCR is hooked up, so I've been having fun with new and old workout tapes. I'm very disappointed with myself, and am resolved to be a better self-coach and monitor in 2006.

Maureen, it's so good to hear from you! I've missed your voice on this thread. Your goals are inspirational, and something we should all strive for. Good luck with getting of to a strong start this month.

Carol, I hope the hubby is back to his old self today. Did you have a good time New Year's Eve? Have you been able to work out at all?

Today I did half an hour of a yoga tape, and had cottage cheese with applesauce and almonds for a late b'fast. Lunch will be a Lean Cuisine and an apple. Dinner will be steak, sweet potato and a salad. I'll work two snacks in there somewhere.

Okay, time to get some cleaning done before the Fiesta Bowl (go, Ohio State!)

:carrot:

Morning everyone. I'm glad to see that Maureen is back and that we all survived the holidays. I've been sick the last week with no energy to surf on the computer. Tomorrow I'm supposed to go back to work, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. So other than sleeping and zoning out in front of the TV, I haven't done anything.

So this was just a quick hello and when I feel better, I will chat more. Have a great New Year to all of you.
Marie

Hello girls and yes we are ready as a team to make some new goals and valued outcomes for the new year. My hubby is still coughing and I think he should return to the doctors. If he is not better today on tues. he is going if he likes it or not! Sometimes yah gotta take control I guess? At any rate don't feel so bad Marie your not the only one whom ate lots of goodies and felt bad. I know I DID! But today is another day and I have started to take control of my intakes again. I am trying as Maureen said to eat better. I am trying to eat healthy things. Except for a little sliver of cheese cake yesterday. But I was in control in only having a little and making my friend take home all the rest as I knew I couldn't have it in the house. I ate well calorie wise yesterday 1300. I am trying to watch the bad carbs, bad fats and increase the fresh fruits, protein and veggies. I also have read alot about extra meals but I think for me I will just try to have a snack in between meals. It is suppose to help boost our metabolism more? I also have started to drink one glass of hot water with fresh lemon in it in the a.m. after breakfast. It is suppose to cleanse your system? Hey who knows if it works I will feel like a queen! Hah Hah! Anyways increasing my water intake is another area I am working on. This is a must! I really slacked off here! I know I feel better when I drink more and added lemon is a plus. Well take care and lets make a difference this year we can all be proud of. I like your 4lb. goal idea maybe I should do that? I need to get off at least 10lbs. before I go to Hawaii in March or April I need to make reservations. Gotta start looking anyone got any great ticket ideas? I am all ears!

Good Morning all! Good to hear from you Carol, Judy and Marie. I have a snow day today - what a bonus! I've been cleaning, etc.

One reason I was absent was that I was suffering from asthma and not dealing with it. It was making me irritable and tired! I wasn't sleeping well. Finally over the holidays I dealt with it and I feel like a new person. I am telling you all this because I suffered for five months without taking the time to look into it - sometimes our weight issues might be related to other physical issues that are keeping us down. So another resolve for the new year - deal with health! That means doctor's visits when needed, dental health, vitamins daily, lots of healthy food and exercise. I know you all agree and I'm so glad you are here to continue the journey with.

Judy, like you, I back tracked. I don't know what the scale says but my mind says that it is time to go ahead again. I know I have to keep digging deep too to see why I have this relationship with food that's not always healthy. Today I sorted through some old pictures and I took one out of myself at 16 - I looked beautiful - thin, happy, pretty! At sixteen I felt like the ugliest person to live in the whole, whole world - people were sending me that message and by the looks of the pictures it wasn't true. What I am saying is that some of what we are dealing with might be wrong messages from the past.

Take care. Good luck today.

Me again - take a look at this week's People magazine - it's inspirational!

Thanks for the reminder about People magazine, Tired. It's the kind of thing I normally save for the dentist's office, but I've seen a nice story about a local woman who was profiled in it, and I did want to read more. Like you, in my case I know there are several ingrained brick walls that keep slowing me down. I hope that we can share ideas on how to tear down the walls over the coming year.

Carol, if you continue with your program you'll have the muscles to drag your hubby off to the dr's whenever you need to;) . I'm sorry to hear that he's still poorly. By the way, I drink half a lemon in my morning tea when I first wake up--but I love lemons, so it's not hard for me.

Marie, I hope you took some extra off and that you're feeling better today!

Off to Curves! I did about 20 minutes of my Pilates DVD this morning, and half an hour of my favorite yoga tape yesterday.

Bye! judy

This morning

Good morning all. I finally made it to the gym yesterday - 30 minutes of biking. It felt great!

Today I'm really going to try to get on the healthy food bandwagon - no more teachers' room junk food. Here's the plan
healthy breakfast, soup lunch, veggie/fruit snacks, healthy dinner - - water.

Judy the people in People were motivating! There's so much good news about healthy weight loss and lifestyle in the news - we can do it!!!! It's a journey of replacing unhealthy habits with positive habits/routines. I know we can do it.

Well girls the hubby is on a mend. That was a good thing I tell yah! At any rate I am trying to get back into having healthy foods maybe a few too many yesterday. I started my day really late waking up which threw me into a hurry to get out the door without breakfast. I ate a cereal bar and gave away a yogurt as it had 210 cals. 36 sugars. No way if I am going to waste away that many sugars it better be on a candy bar! So then my lunch was good an orange, salad with tuna thank God I made lunch the night before. Then at dinner I had broiled a T bone steak, crabmeat salad had a little 1/2 cup goulash well before bed the gradkids were eatting frosted flakes I had a bowl too. So along with a few almonds I think I went over my calories or at least felt like it. The food choices weren't too bad other than the frosted flakes. Today I will count my calories better and try to stay around 1500 or below if I make healthy choices thats a lot of food. I am dressing up for work this week at least for two days. It gives me a better feeling and maybe I will worry about my looks a bit more. I feel like I haven't gain a ton but yet my scale day is going to be friday. I have been going on how I feel and look. I know since I slacked off at the gym I feel like my fab is coming back not a good thing at all. Maybe today I can kick that one a bit! Need to tighten things back up.
Maureen I am so glad your feeling like a challenge is in need again to make a healthier lifestyle you always helped with motivating me. When were on we are on! Judy I will also ck out that article. Keep you the good work girls Marie hope your doing well. Oh Maureen so far not much snow in Syr. N.Y.
Water increase has been going well and only 2 cups a coffee a day, herbal tea 1 and then water w/ lemon.
CC

A quick howdy before the day gets out of hand--good work, Carol, on being so thoughtful about your calories and making good choices! I used to love thos handy little yogurts, but now I can't eat 'em, too sweet for me! I buy low-fat plain yogurt and add my own fruit and ground flaxseeds or wheat germ. Speaking of Frosted Flakes, that was my favorite cereal as a kid, I'd put two more spoons of sugar on them, can you imagine? There'd be a fine sediment of sugar on the bottom of the bowl....makes me ill to think of it now:barf:

Hey, Maureen, are you saying no to the free food today? That's one of my primary pitfalls. Luckily everyone else seems to be on a diet, too, at least for a few weeks....

Marie, I hope you're doing well today!

judy

Hi all,

I'm at work for the moment but I don't know if I'll make it the whole day. I didn't yesterday. I have to say i'm really sick of being sick.

Maureen, you are so right about looking at old pictures. I have a couple pictures of me when I thought I was so ugly and fat - now I look at them and think how much I'd give to look like that again. It definitely is a brick wall.

Carol, great job on the counting calories. You really are getting back into the groove. I'm still really struggling but I know that when I feel better I won't be looking to food as my entertainment. At least I'm hoping so.

Judy, way to go on the exercise. I don't like my Pilates machine and am trying to sell it locally. I'd sell it on ebay but it would be a pain to ship. Be glad you didn't invest in one. :)

Well, I should get back to work while I am actually here.
Marie

Well girls I did it the white square thing came out of the closet. I guess you could look at it as a friend in a way. It keeps us in balance. My wt. was up but I knew it would be. I need to shed 4lbs. to get back to my good wt. Not too bad it could of been worse. But I need to remember its less than a week since the holidays. No sense in having a fit I did it to myself now its time to take control. I don't believe in giving up everything you like but to get it fit in to your life. So today I will have a breakfast out with my friend order 2 poached eggs whole wheat toast dry and 1/2 order of potatoes, lunch plans salad greens, w/ tuna, onion a little dressing and 1 small orange chopped up. In the evening I plan on making my own homemade pizza w/ lots of veggies on it. My evening snack 1 yogurt and a small orange. Thats all she wrote folks! I am trying to get back on track but I know if I go to strick I will not stick to it. I also will only have 2 cups of coffee today, 1 cup of herbal tea, lots of water./ Next week I will attack my exercise mode. One step at a time. As I said this was my reality check not fun but a need. I will use the scale again on Monday then on Friday again. Good luck girls Judy good job exercising, Maureen be strong! You can do this! Marie the picture thing is a great idea I may try it too!

Marie, I'm sorry to hear that you're still feeling poorly. Lots of folks are down with a nasty flu or something. I hope you will do something good for yourself this weekend, and get some more rest!

Carol, I think you are exactly right to focus on one behavior at a time. I tend to try to make everything over all at once instead of building step by step, so of course it all falls apart!

Tired, I read the People magazine, and was very inspired by the photos. Everyone had a different eating program, but they all worked out...a lot, every day, and still do. There's no getting around it, girls!

Signed up for the Curves six-challenge today, and I have also jumped into the Valentine's Day Challenge on this site. Since I've managed to regain in two months the ten pounds it took me forever to lose, I would love to blast right past those numbers as quickly as possible, to give myself some momentum for the journey.

Have a good weekend!

judy

Good luck Judy. I really hope you can blast past those pounds. Isn't it depressing how easy it is to put on weight (fast, is what I really mean) whereas it takes forever to lose. Just doesn't seem fair.

I'm hoping to do a little exercise this weekend. Not sure what but I want to start moving so that the cold doesn't settle too much in my bronchial tubes. I definitely plan on resting, though.

I did make it the whole day at work yesterday and so far today (I don't see leaving early so I consider it made).

Carol, sounds like you're making good food choices. I'm not doing too bad, but it certainly could be better. I still need to make my portions a little less, than I think I'd be happy.

Well, back to work. Talk to you later this weekend.
Marie

Good morning! Lots of great inspiration here!

Not the best eating days, but I'm motivated right this minute. I'll start off with some power cleaning - then lots of errands and maybe even some exercise later on today. I'm making a healthy chicken soup right now - lots and lots of veggies.

Good to hear from everyone. Have a good day. I may be back later.

Hi Maureen, good to hear from you. The soup sound good. I made turkey noodle soup about 10 days ago and it was great. Good luck on the power cleaning. When you're done do you want to do mine???

I'm feeling so-so today. I woke up feeling really pretty good, but it went downhill after about an hour. Sort of weird. So I started working on my taxes. That's always a fun thing to do. While I was going to the mortgage sites and printing my 1098 forms, I thought I'd deviate and peek in here.

I hope everyone has a good day and great weekend. Talk to you later.
Marie

Marie, you're so conscientious! When I knew that I always got a big refund, I couldn't wait to whip out that EZ form:smug: Now doing taxes is lot more complicated, and not always financially rewarding, so I tend to wait 'til the last minute.

I've been doing okay, Focusing on my challenges, and trying to organize things better on the home and work fronts. This afternoon a homeless man, who I'd declined to give money to, loudly told me that I should try to lose some weight:mad: it pissed me off at first, but I'm just going to add it to my motivations column, so thank you very much, Mr. Angry Panhandler!

This morning I tried the Crunch Fitness Cardio Salsa tape again. I felt like a klutz, but it was still fun. Last week I put in 200 minutes of cardio. My goal is to do at least 250minutes a week, so that's not bad for the first week after a layoff. I wish I'd bought the DVD/VHS player last fall like I was supposed to. Being able to work out whenever in my living room really makes a difference.

I hope everyone's week gets off to a good start!

judy

Judy, that exercise tape sounds fun. I think DS's GF has a salsa exercise tape. Maybe I should see if I could borrow it. Good for you for doing so much aerobic work. I'm very proud of you. Especially for turning Mr Angry Man's comment's into something positive. That was very good.

Today I cleaned my kitchen. One of those really thorough cleanings. It looks so nice. I love a clean kitch. I spent all my energy on it and I think that I'm going to take a nap this afternoon. I really wish I would feel significantly better for an entire day. So far I do good in the morning and feel sick the rest of the day. At least I have the morning.

Well, have a great rest of the weekend and I'll chat with you tomorrow at work.
Marie

Maureen we all need to keep motivated and together we are usually a good team. So lets start this week in a up swing mood girls and keep each other moving and give each other good tips.
My hubbies birthday was last week but we celebrated yesterday due to his sickness. The choc. cake oh so good but ohhhhhh so bad. I am going to work on staying out of it. Though choc. suppose to be good for us but not that way I guess good try though huh? I have chili ready to start in the crock pot. I started to tweek my food last week and increase water intake. Today I start my exercise again. Judy your my inspiration today with that. Salsa huh? Never heard of it I will ck it out. That guy was just being a brat but if it helps motive yah go use it anyway you can. I gave a little change when I came out of a concert the other night but he at least was playing some music and was grateful. Sorry you had such a mean person. My daughter yesterday was saying when she was at the inlaws for christmas dinner the 4 year old son says mommy belly is fat. She almost died and she is only got a little tummy not anything to be concerned about. But yesterday when cake came around she turned it down telling her story. So that had an impact too! You go show him Judy when working out his memory may make you do more. In the end things like that can work out to our advantage.
Marie taxes oh I want to do mine right away if I can. I am with Judy we don't get back much if any. We are going to Hawaii March 9th-23rd. I really have paid for the tickets but need spending cash. Even with staying with my son we need to do things take the kids out etc.... I will do some grocery shopping and cooking when I am there. Fresh advocados grow in his yard. Mangos might be fun to eat too. Oh this is an incentive to do good bathing suits, shorts oh I need to tan too before my trip at least a few times. I have never gone yet! So pinching pennies here. I did win 100.00 at the casino and put it in my save jar. I have a few things to put on ebay and will curve my spending for now. Meeting a client for a late lunch on tues. I am just going to order coffee it is a buffet. I don't need any of it. I will take my lunch and eat at regular time.
Take care girls I am working out this afternoon! I will set myself a 200 min. goal for the week. Thats a good idea Judy! I will track it with my intake sheet.

Just popping in to wish each of you a great week! I am off to my usual slow Monday start, but I did 40 minutes of cardio before I left--but got going too late to do my meditation, which I was managing to do every morning since getting back from vacation.

I'm feeling good today, hope you are, too! We can be as successful as we want to be, if we just do what we need to do:carrot:

judy

Thanks for the incentive Carol, Judy and Marie,

I have to write before I ruin the day - I did ok.
Breakfast - oatmeal and a few cranberries
lunch - chicken soup apple (two hard candies - have to get sugarless)
dinner - little spaghetti and meatballs, some pretzels
snack later - grapefruit - that's it!!!! I'm done!
cals - let's see - probably 2000 or less - not bad - I'm back!!!!

Thanks for the motivation!

Maureen you don't appear to have very many calories in that intake? Remember not to eat to little as it will mess up your metabolism. Its better to eat more often just watch what you eat. I went to the gym as I said for monday.It was a short workout but at least I got there. I did weights as the treadmills were taken. So as I said short workout. But I have plans to go back on wed. a.m.. My work shedule is a bit crazy this week. But I have scheduled my workouts for wed. and friday. So that is a good start. Judy I am going to get my tape going at home to fit in a little extra exercise. I am shooting for 200 min. of exercise this week. I hope to make it. I have lunch out with a client today at a buffet but not the best in town. I am going to eat a healthy breakfast 1 whole wheat english muffin little grapefruit/marmlade jam on and a banana. Lunch out and dinner a slim fast and fruit. I am going to get a bit in shape before my Hawaii trip. I am so excited to see my son and visit the beautiful area where he resides. He is starting to build a house for a client so that will be in the works when we visit. We love to see what he is working on. And he is always so proud to show us. Well off to make my breakfast soon and get ready for my day.
Hang in there girls we can make a difference and we will.

A quick howdy, and thanks for all the positive energy! Carol, you should see if Collage Videos sells hula tapes! Maureen and Marie, I hope you're feeling good today.

I'm okay, crabby about counting grams and measuring portions, but I'm forced to admit that I was eating bigger plates of food as the year went on...so it's all good. I'm exactly on target for Day Two of my jump-start 1200 calorie and very low carb week. Did yoga this morning, and Curves tonight. Yoga doesn't count in my cardio, and I only include 15 minutes at Curves.

See you al tomorrow--judy

Judy you are on a roll girl! Keep up that good work. I feel some energy coming from you and I am going to have a great day. I think maybe I should get into measuring. I went to the Casino last night with the girl friends. I won so I paid for dinner with my free credits. Oh so bad! I had a prime rib sandwich it had thin slices on it cheese on sour dough bread toasted. I did only eat part of the bread, and ordered a baked pot. and only a little butter on it. But all in all it was an over dose of calories I am sure. The rest of the day was okay. BUT may slim fast might of been a better choice. I put my wins away in my jar for spending money while in Hawaii. I came out 100.00 ahead and had some fun with my friends.
Today I have a crazy afternoon planned with a meeting I am not looking forward to. So I might head to the gym after it even though it may be crowded. Even if I lift wts. again. I feel the difference just getting there the other day. I will be careful of what goes in my intake today and try measuring my foods. I am sure Judy more calories then should be goes into my sight portions. Keep up the good work everyone.

Hi everyone, Judy, you are doing so great. I keep hoping that you'll all motivate me to get back into line. I guess my biggest accomplishment so far is that when I'm not hungry at a meal (dinner, mostly) I don't eat. So even though my portion for lunch was bigger than it should be, I ended up okay. Regardless, I need to get portion control back into my vocabulary. Also, exercising would be a good thing. At least I'm not thinking about it - I'd been sick for so long that exercise was taboo. I'm getting better so I do want to add it back in.

Some good news on the feeling better front, yesterday after work, I went in my craft room and used my knitting machine. I finished knitting a sweater sleeve and only have the ribbing to do for the cuff. Anyway, I was happy that I did it. My back got a little sore from standing for so long because I hadn't been active in so long, but I didn't mind. Today my goal is to ride my exercycle for a little while and do some knitting. I just hated being sick.

Well, back to work I should go. Have a great day.
Marie

Marie, I'm so glad that you're feeling a bit better! It's good to think of you knitting again. I was trying to teach myself to knit, but it's not going too well--a book isn't the best way to learn, and I don't want to add classes to my schedule right now. I see that there are instuctional DVDs for knitting novices, and that might be just the ticket--I'll keep hitting rewind 'til I figure it out:dizzy:

Carol, dinner at the Casino sounded yummy! A little prime rib on a special night out never hurt anybody. Sounds like you had a bit of everything without pigging out, which is what I think we're trying to learn how to do. So congratulations!

I'm doing okay today. I worked out to my old Kathy Smith cardio tape. It was the first one I bought, many years ago, and it's still good. I forgot about the Curves Challenge when I scheduled having lunch with a former colleague; this is the most restrict week in terms of calories and carbs, so I was trying not to eat out. We went to a Thai place, where I had the seafood soup and a papaya salad (yumyumyum!). Probably went through my entire day's allotment of carbs, but I will struggle to figure out all the numbers. C'est la vie. I made good choices, and the food and the company were really good.

Gotta go finish a project, just wanted to wish you all a good day. Keep up the good work!

judy

Well girls I did well for breakfast 1 whole wheat english muffin with a little jam. Lunch=chili and yogurt with some almonds. After work I had a sub. with a little mayo and dressing. Not the best choice but after a 10 hour day I wasn't cooking. Tonight I am staying away from anymore food. I had some ice water with fresh lemon slices. My friend was eating a prepacked meal lunch one of those deli ones. Wow I ck'd out the info. only 220 cals. but 1100 in sodium high in protein like 22 but 28 carbs and 10 fats which 5 were sat. So stay away from that stuff! Thats crazy but I guess convient? All I know is read the labels folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Catch 24! I got it!
I am trying to get better with food. The exercise is tough this week home by dark and on the wrong side of the city to work out. Boy I gotta get that under control.
Hang in there we are on our way to changes that will make a difference in the long run.

Just checking in before work. I am off to have breakfast with a friend before another crazy day begins. But no 10 hrs. today at work. 8 will just work out fine I hope. I am going to take chili for my lunch and yogurt. Dinner I will make at home tonight pork chop and veggies. I think I will stop to pick up some fresh fruit and have it for a snack. I am gaining some control again and it feels good. Hopefully today I can fit in a workout or at least a video at home. I still need to fit in the 200 min for the week and have a ways to go! My goal today is to stay with in my calorie allowed 1500 and workout. I have planted my Hawaii tickets about my computer so it will remind me of my goal and valued outcome here! Lets go girls its a new day!

Hi Carol, Maureen and Judy. I actually exercised a little last night. I got on my exercycle and pedalled for 20 minutes. I worked up a little sweat (not too much) but didn't go into an asthma fit or cold/coughing fit. So I think it was successful. Yesterday, I ordered Walk Away the Pounds DVD from Amazon and paid for overnight shipping. So today, I plan on doing that. I like walking and with the roads being a muddy, washed out mess, I can't do it outside. I'm hoping this will get me through until the roads are better/drier. Food wise, I'm still struggling - as usual - but I am trying to make portion sizes smaller. I wish I didn't always look at a plate and see it half empty instead of half full. I always seem to want more. But I'm conscientious of that and am trying.

I guess I should get back to work. Talk to you later.
Marie

Marie your sounding more motivated by the min. Keep it up I know its hard to fit that exercise in. I feel with my hours at work its tough.
I had a yuk day at work yesterday at the end of my day. My blood pressure was up and still seems to be and my sleep was off. I sometimes think I should find another job but in the same field. I like what I do and its not the work but the coworker politics who's who etc. I hate that game and some people strive for it. So I didn't make the best choices last night. I counted up my calories and had about 1700. I will straighten up today and not let others get the best of me. I am stronger than that I hope. Thank God they owe me some flex time and I only have to work til 2:30. Then I am going to spend some relaxing time and forget about work I hope. There is another position in my own county but it is posted now and with my vacation its tough to apply. I will still ck it out but don't think its going to work out. The hourly rate is lower and I have worked hard to get where I am after 7 years. I like my caseload and what I do. Its just the other stuff weighs in after awhile. Maybe after my vacation I will feel better about things. Thanks for listening and letting me vent. Maybe my day will be improved because of it. I would just like to know why some people have to act the way they do to make others upset. They get a thrill out of others feelings and its just wrong! Its so high school like I don't think even after turning 60 people ever grow up.
Have a great day and thanks again.

Hi, there, happy Friday, woo-hoo! I plan to enjoy my long weekend, although I have to do few hours of work on the computer. I didn't work out at all yesterday--I slept late and very luxuriously in the morning, and had a meeting that ran very late yesterday. So I'll put in some overtime today and tomorrow to make my workout goals. but I've lost another pound, so I must be on the right track.

Carol, office politics are so draining! I hope something works out for you soon. When it starts to affect your health, you know it's time to figure out how to get another job and/or how not to internalize the crap that comes up everywhere people are.

Marie--Are you enjoying WATP? Leslie Sansone is a bit annoying (to me, anyway) but lots of folks love her, and use her tapes religiously. Good luck!

Tired, I hope you're feeling good today!

judy

Carol, I have some words of wisdom for you. Office politics and annoying people are everywhere. Everytime I quit a job it was because of the politics or an annoying person that I just hated. So I'd quit and then get another job, only to find that there are new faces, but the same stuff still applies. So my words of wisdom, if you like your job and the caseload, stick with it and do your damn bast to ignore the rest. As you said, you worked hard to get where you are and the grass is no always greener on the other side of the fence.

Judy, I didn't find Leslie irritating. So that is a good sign. I'm in my exercise clothes right now and plan to do the video in a little while. I shopped yesterday for tons of baby stuff and that literally exhausted me after work. I think I bought enough so that we have the basic stuff needed for when the baby is born. BTW, we're less then a month before I become an evening babysitter. DS and GF are going to school/work in the evenings M-Th so those are my days to babysit. This week DH was told he was going back to swingshift so he won't be here to help. Yikes!!! I hope I remember everything.

Well, off I go. I hope you have a great weekend and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
MArie

Hi all,

Sorry I haven't posted. Life is very busy these days, but much more positive than last year at this time. Since Marie gave me lots of good advice last spring (that I followed) I've been much more positive about life. I sort of cleaned out the closet of events, people, attitudes and activities that brought me down and what remains is the best of life - not perfect, but much better. So thank you Marie.

Carol, I'm sorry about the work stuff. That's part of what brought me down last year - it made me have to really rethink my role/goals. Like Marie said, there's going to be all kinds of people with all kinds of motivations in every work place, the key is finding your niche and figuring out why the people that bother you, bother you. Sometimes it means moving on, but for me it meant relooking at my priorities and goals and focusing on the part of my job that I do the best (classroom teaching) and like the best (being creative in a loving way in the classroom) and doing that. I had to remove myself from the people who were putting lots of energy into other aspects of the job that I didn't want to focus on or believe in.

Marie, I'm excited about the baby. I can't wait to hear all about him/her - do you know? You will be busy, but we'll be here to support you.

Judy, you sound so positive. Enjoy your weekend. As I write I'm drinking the most delicious, healthy raspberry yogurt (low fat), milk (1%) and frozen blueberry smoothie - yummy and good for you - a perfect match.

My eating hasn't been horrible - not the best, but certainly not the worst. I have a delicious, healthy chicken soup on the stove for dinner so I think it will be a healthy day.

Take care all. Thanks for being here. - Maureen

Glad to see you Maureen. I'm glad that things are going better so far this year. I hope it continues. The smoothie sounds delicious. I'm PMS and very munchie. I want everything in sight and nothing is making me feel full. I hate that. I should definitely be full be now.

We don't know the sex of the baby. DS and GF didn't want to know. So everything I bought was unisex (yellow and greens). I'm excited about the baby, but a little apprehensive on how much I will be babysitting. I've gotten pretty selfish in my me time and that's going to go away. I worry that will depress me.

Well, I will talk with you later. I did exercise yesterday and I'm going to exercise again today. I like the WATP videos and yesterday I did the 2 mile walk and that's the one I'm going to do again. DH and I are watching football, but I think that I'm going to do the walk during halftime.
Marie