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These pumpkins are nice, but I think they'll all turn back to mundane smilies when the holiday is over.
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) Sort o' like Cinderella in reverse. Sigh. |
Funny thing...I was thinkin' the same thing today! Great minds think alike and fools seldom differ!
Ceara |
Anagram...breathing is GOOD.
Ceara |
Hello all....
Sorry for the confusion regarding the flag... the bowling ball and/or pin would only be "images"..... similiar to the way folks fly a flag of their favorite sports team.... this would be for DH's favorite sport.... ********** Double belted is a good idea Anagram... I know a double belt plus a shoulder belt is just what I need... and more so.... I just don't understand why all the old tricks arent working.... could it be I need new tricks??? Frogger.... yes, you are brillant... I could put the flag together w/ the fusing and or hand stitching and then later, reinforce w/ the machine.... hmmmmm so, this morning saw at least a 2 lb drop and it was amazing how my mood improved.... Must, must, must have the royal printer get some NO GUILT cards printed up as I am sorely in need a reminder..... seems like many... Well, my lovelies, its a good evening for a gathering in the royal fun room... w/ a big cup of something decaf in front of the fire..... so.... how is everyone??.... |
hi all!
have been feeling like i'm back op more comfortably now. also adding to my food plan: eating less sweets, including the "diet" items. (not ready to completely give up refined sugar, but definitely less sweet stuff for me.) i am also sticking with those smaller portions (woo-hoo!) had situation which scared me this afternoon, even though nothing bad happened. when i went out to my car, there was a big dog which kept running around near me and my car, not growling, but running around in circles, going in to the bushes then digging quickly, then coming back and circling me. there was no one else in the parking lot, and i thought trying to get all the way back to my condo. walking as slowly as i do (with my cane) didn't seem too smart, so i calmly (well, appearance-wise, not actually!) opened my car door while the dog was back in the bushes again, and just as i started opening the door, the dog ran up behind me and jumped in the backseat of my car, and remained there. it really startled me. mind you, this was no cuddly, gentle dog just wanting to be petted, and since no one was around, i decided to start walking away from the car slowly, and finally the dog got out, ran back in to the bushes and i jumped in to my car, really creeped out. i did my errands, and it was gone when i got back home. i feel lucky that it didn't hurt me, and that it has never been around before, but because the parking lot is usually empty when i am out during the day, it bugged me. of course, in the almost 2 years that i have lived here now, i have never seen that dog. i think i am extra sensitive to what happened too because i don't really feel all that safe here to begin with, and the trash bins are at the far end and around the corner of the parking lot in a kind of deserted area. believe me, i am careful, and always keep my cell phone with me, but just needed to say all this out loud so i don't allow it to spook me. well, that was my spooky story. i guess it is kind of appropriate in light of it being halloween weekend, but i definitely don't want any repeats!! speaking of halloween, i hope everyone is having a good one. in the end (literally) of this challenge, i am glad to finally be back on track, and hoping the scale will start to reflect my efforts. well, take care all. |
kaylets-congrats on the 2 lbs down!
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Wsw! Gald to hear you are safe and sound. Strange dogs do need to be dealt w/ cautiously.... and the one you encountered seems a confused. although it sounds like he wanted to go for a ride....
glad to hear you 're such a smartie to always carry the cell phone w/ you.... its become part of my armour too! :)!@! |
Wsw, glad you're ok. I wonder if maybe someone abandoned that dog ... maybe his behavior was a cry for help or he mistook you for his owner. Very strange.
K, congrats on the 2 pounds down. That's great. :cheer: Am braindead right now ... so good-night all. |
Mornin' all! We've fallin' back this am...although MI hasn't yet...I wonder how that will affect things?
Yesterday was good...walked, drank and ate well. Have logged today's walk 'cause I'm leavin' in a few minutes. :lol: - - - - Walk - - - Water - - - Food Day 1 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - -X Day 2 - - - - -X - - - -:) - - - - - X Day 3 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :) Day 4 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :) Day 5 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :) Day 6 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :) Day 7 - - - - :) - - - :wave: wsw! Glad you're doing well...that dog sounded abandoned. My first Bouv went over to the neighbours' and hopped in their car once, ready to go for a ride. I had to go retrieve her. Kaylets! 2 Lbs...good for you! See Eydie had the same sorta experience.......just hung in there. I've abandoned my scale routine until tomorrow...I am seriously thinking of the Empress thing...1 weigh-in a week...and Mondays, because I am often away on Sunday. Where's our Nymph? EOM? And Punkin was missed on Friday...well maybe she'll show up on Monday...it is her day after all. How's things in middle Ont Wildfire? :wave: Aria! Today this is my seatbelt colour! What's yours Anagram? All :queen: s present or MIA...:wave: Avanti! Ceara |
Good morning, Royal Ones!
Hope all are well, and all is well, within and without palace walls (I think that about covers us!). Sorry to have been AWOL. Sick and overworked, again. The usual :devil: On the way back up again now and determined to make sure I don't do that again. I really need to learn when to say "no," even to myself, so that I don't get overbooked, overstressed, and then ill. It's so much easier to stay OP when I feel well and rested, not overstressed. Will work on that :) Oh, here's something I've been working on, my latest quiz (always like to do something seasonal!): http://whatis.techtarget.com/definit...136349,00.html
Aaaanyway... will WI tomorrow and will be happy even just to have maintained the original 7-pound loss. With that stupid six pound gain, I'm still a bit freaked out about WI but will do it anyway and whatever the result will be ready for next challenge. I was reading a fun chick-lit book yesterday "Good in Bed," about an overweight young woman. I was struck anew about all the unnecessary pain and shame that goes with this problem, the way it takes over one's life, so -- speaking for moi-meme -- I tend to use way too much of my time, thought, and energy thinking about how fat I am or, conversely, food (in one way or another). I thought of the whole problem, in sort-of shorthand as "being fat." My new motto is "I'm done with being fat." And will remind myself of that regularly. I just have to stay being done with it and, after enough time elapses, it will be done with me, as well. :carrot: (I do not fully understand why we have dancing carrots for Halloween, but, um, whatever -- they're cute!) Found out last week that it looks like I owe ANOTHER few thousand in taxes -- looks like the tax program I used didn't have any constraints that ensured that mandatory federal pension plan payment would be made. :rolleyes: I felt like crying, but I guess if I've got to pay it I can do it in installments. That's about 10 thousand dollars that I've had to pay in unexpectedly this year though. Brutal. No wonder we seem to be getting behinder the further ahead we try to get. Kaylets, whooo--hooo! on those two pounds gone. Of course it takes longer when you're close to ideal, but perseverence will pay off!!! You mentioned "A Million Little Pieces" -- I read that this summer. What a harrowing book! I was surprised that Oprah chose it, although it makes sense, in retrospect, with its themes of addiction and redemption. James reminds me all too much of an old boyfriend. Just goes to show, no matter how desperate a situation is, one should never lose hope. I do hope, wherever he is, that my ex has recovered. Ceara, thanks for calling me! (feeling a sudden yen for a "flying bat" smiley to illustrate my voyage back to the palace) I LOVE "falling back." I look forward to that extra hour with great anticipation and feel like I've got more time all day when it actually happens. Got to get up at 4 tomorrow morning to take DH to the airport, so am v. glad that it'll seem like 5 to us, which is not far off when we get up normally. WSW, what a scary experience with the dog! It sounds as if you really dealt with the situation perfectly. You just never know and it's always better to err on the side of caution. Anagram, I'm loving your seatbelts -- great colors! You're right, even a few deep breaths, even a few minutes stopping for a break, are really helpful. Wishing you more respite! You're a very brave woman to look after your dear one at home. In terms of intensity, it seems much like having a newborn to look after but of course, emotionally, a much more somber type of experience. Nevertheless, it seems a gift of time that, because of your courage and willingness to do your utmost, offers up its own rewards. :grouphug: Amarantha, you mentioned sf and wheat-free brownies somewhere back... I've seen recipes for black bean brownies that are sweetened with stevia that everyone swears taste absolutely decadent. I intend to try them at some point and will report back :yes: I'm finally getting a handle on how to use stevia -- which from all accounts is supposed to actually be GOOD for us! I made my usual pot of oatmeal -- large flake oats cooked in sf soy milk -- and added about a tsp. of stevia and some steamed cranberries (if you cook them in with the oats they make the soy milk curdle) and spices. It was delish, perfectly sweet with a little tartness from the cranberries. Frogger, so sorry about your job frustration! Don't you just hate it when you've got your hopes built up for something and then find out it was never even a possibility. I'm sure that something else will come up. Just keep your chin up and have faith -- it really can work wonders! Eydie, look at you, with those three pounds gone!!! You're fabulous! I'm getting back to SF status. I really think refined sugar is poison to me and wheat as well. Also very hard on immune system, which I must build up. I was thinking, though, since I've been trying to be sugar free, I've developed an actual aversion to most chocolate (and non-chocolate candy has never been a problem for me). I just find it too sweet, as I discovered last Halloween. And at Christmas, I found that Godiva was also too sweet, which I was a little sadder about, but what are ya gonna do? :shrug: Wildfire, when's your new "date" for meeting with Irish? Why do I always picture Liam Neeson? Oh, yeah, it's because I like to! ;) Mmmm, yes, I'll be enjoying that vicariously. K, darlings, now you're probably wishing I would go away again :rolleyes: Off I go -- it's a brilliantly sunny day today and the leaves have changed color. I'm going to go over to the park and do some tai chi. Love to all, mentioned or un- Let's make this a good one! |
:lol: Liam Neeson, huh, Arabella? That wouldn't be so awful. ;) But no, my Irishman sports a clean-cut look, with hazel-green eyes and black hair, 6ft tall and slim, muscular build. Also not so awful. :D We are set to meet December 9 if the universe decides not to interfere! I know exactly what you mean about the time wasted "being fat". Sorry to hear about the taxes. Ouch.
I've made a decision, girls. Seems my weight loss has stalled yet again at the 12lb mark. How many times has this story played out? Talked with a co-worker last week about her Atkins journey. She lost 35lbs and has kept it off for almost two years now. She did it healthily, not using it as free reign to eat bacon and cheeseburgers at will, but making sure she followed the plan and getting in all the veggies and later, good carbs. She has never been one to push the whole Atkins thing, just said it was what finally worked for her after trying all the other things. So I'm going to give it a go. I bought the book and have read it, and am mentally prepared for those first few awful days of withdrawal. I'm going to give it the two weeks for induction and if I see results then I'll keep going. My co-worker, we'll call her M, has offered her support to keep me going. Some day this week I'll start. I'll know when I'm ready. Also took a HUGE leap this morning. You will remember how I love to skate, but hadn't for many years. When I ventured out onto the ice last year I could make my way around without falling, but the confidence I once had is gone. So I e-mailed a local skating club this morning to inquire about their adult classes. I've missed the current one, it started the first of October, but another starts in January and runs until March. If there is still an opening, I'm going to sign up! Laundry calls...back later. |
Quick me-me postie as I still have lots of work to do only to get to the place where deadline day is manageable ... no hope of getting actually DONE today as I have too much and don't feel well.
Lost .80 and am happy with that ... details on journal in land far far. Arabella, good idea about the black bean brownies ... I just saw some recipes on another board. They used Splenda. I don't use either Splenda or stevia ... just a tiny bit of liquid saccharine ... oddly, it's the only sweetener I think is safe ... splenda puts dextrose in it ... and well, sorry, but I can't stand stevia. Wildflower, congrats on your decisions re Atkins and the skating ... you will succeed, I know. E, I don't know if I congratulated thee on the three pounds down so will say it again: :cheer: ... you're doin' splendidly. Ceara: Thou art really rackin' up those punkins!!! :) Great stuff! Gotta go ... |
Arabella, please share the stevia brownie recipe? :^:
Congrats to Kaylets and Amarantha for their 'releases' this week! That's strange about the dog, wsw? I remember getting in my car to go home once and there was a big dog huddled on the floor on the driver's side and then there was a dog that was hiding behind our hot tub on the porch and seemed paralyzed there. Maybe that dog was just spooked by something--very odd behaviour. Wildfire, good luck w/ your new adventure! One more day on our challenge---stay away form the candy corn, all! |
And, I did not mean to be a downer on stevia, Arabella ... :) ... just never have been able to acquire a taste for it. But I would like the recipes also.
My brownie recipes were made with stone ground whole wheat flour and cottage cheese as a base, not beans. Beans are a good idea. |
Just popping in to note my seatbelt color choice for the day. Feeling fallish. Loved catching up on the posts and will add more anon. For now, it's back to bed for a while.
Last day of the challenge. Expect to get in walk with OT here. Such a doll to think of letting me out for a breather. I forgot I had also made a promise to me to finish off a huge bag of frozen broccoli. Made progress but not finished and too much salad, fruit etc in fridge to gorge on the broc today. And with tomorrow being start of new month (ergo, new challenge) I'll be working up a few more promises to me. But first, there's today andthe end of the Halloween challenge. Hugs to all :queen:s! |
Happy All Hallows' Eve!
Good morning, good morning! Have WI'd for end of Halloween challenge and am at 7 pounds down rather than the 15 I aimed for. But glad to be 7 pounds down after that horrid, inexplicable 6 pound gain. What shall we do next -- How about the solstice, with weekly challenges? I am, BTW, still absolutely done with being fat! :carrot:
So... WI had me up one pound from the ticker low. However, my Tanita friends said that my body fat was down 2.5%, muscle mass was up over 5 pounds and water was up almost 6% since the start of the challenge. All makes sense to me. I can feel the muscle. This seems to be the way it always goes for me when I start (at least in these, my latter years :rolleyes:) -- weight loss is slow but my body composition seems to change a lot. And, honestly, I wasn't paying enough attention last week when I was sick. But now? Full speed ahead, and damn the torpedoes!!!! :carrot: Eydie, here's the recipe I originally came across: http://breadbox.typepad.com/breadbox..._black__2.html I didn't see if anyone on the thread had actually tried the stevia version or not and I sort of wonder whether it would be likely to work or not. Seems like you might need something else, volume-wise? Here's another one: http://www.altlondon.org/londoncoop/recipebrownies.html That one only calls for stevia, but there's no way you could use 1/4 c. of the stevia powder. I would think a teaspoon would be loads. I think we might need to tweak and experiment, but -- hey! We ARE creative types, are we not? Wildfire -- oooooooh!!! I know just the kind of Irishman you mean -- I've always had a weakness for them. Yum! And kudos to you on the skating lessons. You've inspired me! I'm going to see if I can find same here. I got new skates last year after not having been on skates since I was about 24 and I could get round the rink, but not that well. Lessons would be just the thing! Anagram, I hope your weather is as nice as ours -- so far, at least, we've been blessed today with a mild fall day. It's clearing and the leaves are still in the process of turning here. Enjoy your walk! Amarantha, don't give up on stevia yet! I had the same reaction to it, but found that it was a matter of getting just the right amount (and it's an incredibly finicky substance in those terms -- just a smidgen too much and it's got a nasty and lingering aftertaste, but with just the right amount it's sweet, very similar to sugar but with a cleaner sort of taste and absolutely no bitter edge or aftertaste at all.) I found that by erring on the side of caution and adding more very gradually, I could get it perfect. And I'm so happy to be able to use a sweetener that I can feel all-around good about. That said, I added a scant teaspoon to a big pot (week's worth) of oatmeal with cranberries this morning, and it turned out to be too much, so I'm going to have to add more of everything else. K, must fly before you are all thoroughly sick of me! (Where IS my broom?) Have a wicked day, All! :lol: P.S. What do pumpkins turn to at midnight? :shrug: |
Happy Halloween Everyone!
:coffee2:
:) :dance: :) Congratulations on your weight loss, Athletea! |
I got on the scale...Arggh!!!! I think it must have been what you felt Arabella when you did it a few weeks ago. Oh well now I know where I am...although my body doesn't feel like that...and I know where to go. It isn't anywhere near the ticker...but...it will be. The upside is that it isn't near the top of the ticker either........
Overall this past week was good....water... excellent, walking...excellent (goal was 5x and I did 6)...and then the crux....FOOD. Too bad we can't live without it. However, this week-end was a potential eating landmine...fish fry Sat pm, congregational lunch on Sun, pasta, and pasta again last night. But, no wine, not a lot of sweets and no after supper snacking, so I'm proud of that. Now to get back into my own routine and motor on. Goals for this week.....1 liter of water/day(minimum), walk 5x/week, and tweek the food choices. Weigh-in next Monday...The grim details will be revealed then. The food should be easier this week....no "out" eating planned. Good for you Arabella! I'm gonna be hot on your trail..and tail! I see you like your new machine! Empress A....congrats on the fluffy release! My seatbelt for the day. Gotta go walk....feel obsessive....do you know there are approximately nine weeks 'til Christmas? ACK. Two pounds/week... :wave: to all :queen: s.....nice to see you Punkin. Enjoy your day! And Wildfire! Ceara |
Thanks, Ceara and Aria for the weight loss congrats and thanks Arabella for the stevia advice. Maybe I will give 'er another go.
And Wood Nymph, congrats on the seven pounds lost this challenge!!! That's excellent. :cheer: Have a great walkabout, Anagramatic. I am late, must go ... :) |
hello alll....
Just came back from my weighin and the 2lbs are evidently back.... ah well.... could be much worse.... The minute I knew I was above my goal weight I've been like a basketball bouncing across the floor... Hitting bottom once wasnt enough, I just wallowed around ..... just ate a sweet potato now hoping to being detox.... As for the avoiding the candy corn.... ah....well... nope... all that was avoided was what fell on the floor... it was just one of those things... I found it in the office kitchen and lo and behold... hand was quicker than the eye and had that bag opened and in my mouth... and so on.... Danger danger Will Robinson... danger. danger.... Congrats Eydie, and Empress on the losses.... and to everyone for participating which really is the important thing.... I need to email my resume to an ad I saw.... Cross your fingers for me! |
Didn't lose any more weight at the end of the challenge, but wasn't expecting to. I'm still at 137 pounds and am ready to throw myself into the next challenge. :) When do we start?
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Didn't lose a thing! Didn't gain a thing either so it all works out in the end! :lol:
So shall we discuss the starting of a new thread for a brand new challenge? I personally am looking forward for the trek towards turkey day. I have high hopes for a loss this time ;) :carrot: to all who made their goals for a since past challenge (or have at least lost something however brief that loss was! |
Brevity-mode pop in: I think that was the first sugar-free Halloween in history. :carrot: Last year was the discovery that I don't really like sweet chocolate any more. Nevertheless, I continued the experiment long after I'd gotten results. This year -- well, I had a big bowl of mini-bars that began their siren song (despite feeling quite firm in my lack of desire for them). Resolutely ignored same and carried on SF.
:queen: K, don't forget where you are -- you're already a MAJOR success!!! Sending good vibes for the job :crossed: I volunteer to start a solstice thread. How does the palace feel about that? I'd be inclined towards a Solstice big goal with weekly challenges... K -- work and DGS beckon. Love to all and kudos to all who made progress during our Halloween push. All right, now -- let's go!!! |
Oh, and -- if anyone else wants to look after the next thread, I'm more than happy to bow out!
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Tomorrow is the big day...starting Atkins induction...so wherever we go, and whenever is our next goal is good with me. Just leave breadcrumbs...er...nope, not allowed...how about a cheese trail? :D It's going to take everything I've got to get through these first few days...having my last cup of coffee now...:coffee: I'm in the right frame of mind...have a LOT of chocolate and candy left over from Halloween and I don't want any of it. I'm more concerned about the coffee and weird cravings I know I'm going to have. M told me that on her third day she sat on her kitchen floor crying because all she wanted was cookies, and she didn't normally eat cookies to begin with!
Arabella, I wished we lived close by, then we could skate together! I've been asking around and can't find anyone brave enough to join me on Saturday nights for the adult-only skating. Okay, ladies...we're all warmed up and ready for the new challenge...let's go! I love fresh starts! :carrot: |
Quickie, flyby, me-me post to wrap up the challenge. Did walk each time the OT was here - one of my goals. Said I'd eat the big bag of broccoli (10 servings) - did about 7 servings. Added more water - not nearly enough. Made some better food choices but not nearly enough.
Still - a start. |
Good morning, :queen:lies! Just popping in, too. I'll wait until we've had most people pop in and give their yea or nay on the Solstice thread before I post. Things continue OP here, although I've allowed myself to eat watching TV and I really think I tend to eat more when I do that. So vowing off again! :yes:
Wildfire, I guess we'll have to settle for virtual skating together! Nevertheless, I do feel encouraged because you're doing it -- thanks! I've done a number of carb-sparing induction things and always feel very well after a short while. Clear-headed, energetic, positive. Hmmmm... It's a bit hard to get my head around not eating fruit & etc. for a couple of weeks, but it might be worth doing again... Anagram, good for you on the broccoli! I'm starting to focus more on those lutein-containing veggies because I really want to ward off macular degeneration. Ceara -- OMG -- I saw "nine weeks" and looked at my calendar in disbelief. Where I saw, to my shock and dismay, only EIGHT weeks from this Sunday past. Oh, time to push push push! I'm going to aim for 15 again, and really work for the 15 full-time. :yes: K -- actually slept in this a.m. (stayed up watching Sex and the City last night :rolleyes: ) so must away and get with it. Love to all, mentioned or un- Let's make this a good one. |
Hi, :queen: s!!! I be in a massive quandry re scheduling and all the vortexes o' my universe seemingly havin' collided at the same time and in danger o' my head comin' off, so this be a quickie mode.
Wood Nymph, I think a Solstice Thread would be lovely, of course, I'm prejudiced as Solstice be my most favored thing of all ... of course, thou must start it and bowin' out be not an option ... I'd say go fer it full-speed ahead 'n let's get her up there!!! :) I can't imagine any :queen: s would say thee nay to such a good idea ... |
i agree, a solstice thread would make an excellent new challenge. ended my halloween challenge with getting back on track mostly in the last week with healthier, smaller portions, daily exercise, and stayed the same weight. onward and downward now. hello to all the royal kingdom.
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I say "YEA!" Time to get on with the gettin' on as we say around these parts!
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Breadcrumb trail
We'll make those healthy multi-grain crumbs: If any dost lurk here, please be advised that we've moved on to:
The Royal Procession to the Solstice |
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