I think a lot of it has to do with the time of the year. People here are grumpy because it's been a long year at work, they are hanging out for the summer holidays. End of projects, end of season, beginnings of winter for those of you in the north. Don't know about where you are, but the stupid season of road rage, 'christmas spirit' and the revolting Christmas carols in the shops will begin soon. I just hate this time of year. It's enough to jinx anyone.

I can understand Red's frustration. She's been a rock around here. She's been here for every 21 day 21 balloon salute etc.etc. She has encouraged and motivated. I seen few reciprocations - me included. Sorry Red. She's had hard times at work and with money so I've read and she's still hanging in there with the guys from the office.

Anyway, I'm sure we can continue to carrying on while she takes a break to get her days and life back into sync. Give the horse a cuddle Red, give the cats an extra squeeze today. See if you can get life back into some sort of rhythm. We'll miss you but I've been there. I know what it is like. Just come back and visit once in a while until you feel like getting back on the wagon.

Day 3 Complete
 

Still feeling ichy :(. I hope its just a head cold from the weather change. Eric says I'm not "made of sturdy stuff" LOL I stayed in bed most of the morning cuz I felt so bad. Only walked 6097 steps today. but its better then nothing right? Well I'm off to bed again. I just feel like doggypoo. :( Gnight ladies.

Yesterday was day 7 (1373 calories). I am 1/3 of the way done, and I lost one pound from last week! :carrot:

Silly Fluff - you poor thing. I hope you are feeling better today. I am proud of you for managing over 6000 steps while being sick :bravo: My only steps when I am sick are from the bed to the couch and back (although that is one flight of stairs!)

Shad - I feel ya. It is bloody cold out (for me) and today it is raining. I hate cold rain. :mad: i would rather it just go ahead and snow. Yep. Not even Halloween yet, and my grocery store has had a big snowman snowglobe at its entrance for the past 2 weeks.

Curly - I cannot believe that some jerk stole your cat :( I hope you find him soon.

Marble - You should have told your doctor that he gained a lot of rude. Of course, we never think of good comebacks until it is too late.

If I might make a suggestion Red, how about trying a challenge that doesn't involve food for a change. Maybe one that insists you do a 30 minute workout per day - preferably in the morning - which involves ab crunching or pilates or even Tai Chi. If you do some muscle work, then you may very well see a reduction in size if not in weight. That always helps.

Just a thought

Yes, Shad, it's possible I'd do something. You see, I already do a LOT of exercise so it's not really a challenge and I am bored by things I can already do. :lol: I know the only thing that is going to make me happy is to get the fat off. I am like a rock underneath it but look like a hulk because of the fat on top of the muscle. I think...dread, dread....the only thing that is going to do it is cutting the calories! But I think I may allow myself anything at all to eat or drink for now. I know the benefits of staying away from junk so I won't like make my daily intake four Snickers or something, but feeling the freedom of choice may be what I need now.

I did, by the way, give my horse and cats extra attention yesterday. Getting out and spending time with my horse helps me get back in touch with myself like nothing else. She really is my touchstone. So, I was wondering when you flew. Must be soon now!

No one has been scared away, at least I hope not! Maybe they're all frozen and wet like Shad, or Fish who continues to amaze with her progress, and Fluff who is not well but still soldiering on. And many of us were at work with no laptop or Internet, just beavering away.

Day 1 is done! No vino, no self-pity (yet), walked 13,000 steps before taking off the counter, 10 resistanceless minutes on the Gazelle - BEFORE work, Marble!!!, and an apple after dinner. I started to post on Fitday, but then remembered how annoying it is when you can't weigh and measure, or when you don't eat name brand foods. So I'll just keep track on paper and mentally, without actually counting calories. My basic challenge is: no wine, no whine, daily post.

Red, I just read in the paper that Japan is one big hornet hive! Don't get stung. I think you're right about your challenge fatigue: no matter how important it is to get in good health and good shape, if you want to lose weight the approach has to be different. I hope you'll find a do-able exercise/food control challenge that will peel off some of those pounds and make you feel better. As for your job, I think you probably work in a smallish group of people, with all the problems and annoyances and stress that any isolated, overly familiar professional community entails. Maybe if you temporarily distance yourself socially from the gang? With the added bonus of no beer, which will sure speed things up. As Shad says, cuddle your horse and snuggle those cats. And be proud that while you may not be losing, at least you're not gaining.

Marble, maybe the foot-in-mouth doc was trying to flirt with you? Or not? And did you notice that I have thrown down the gauntlet once again, and WE (that is you and me) should be out of our sugar comas and back on challenge? Lift that barge! Tote that bale! Get that donut out of your mouth... :coach: is back.

Curly, you are having a real bummer of a week. Please tell us your cat was just lost or misplaced, and has come home looking suitably embarrassed to have worried you. Losing a cat is so very hard. :cry:

Mez, where are you? Looking for those vitamins again? We miss you, and Red needs one of your perfect pep talks.

still here...
 

Thanks Carla, I'm sure good to have you with us! And it sounds like you are truly back on the ball in a big way! :yes: 13,000 steps is a lot, even in a walking city like Tokyo! No wine, daily post...GOOD...no whine?!?!?...no!!. You are going to make me feel bad. No, please whine all you want. I love hearing others whine as long as they balance it out with some self-pep talk. And, speaking of pep talks, yes, where is mez!? I miss her.

I hadn't heard about the hornets...but there was something on TV. My TV is nearly dead so I can't usually see the picture, but sometimes I turn it on hoping it will suddenly start working, as it does now and then. But, yes, I was watching a hornet in the train yesterday buzzing around and I thought, hmm, how strange to be out so late in the year.

You are right about the office, and the incredible degree of idiocy there in what passes (in name alone) as management has the morale meter in the negative numbers. It's not a pretty sight or feeling. The worst time spent with the crowd is in the office, which I can't avoid. The best time is the afterhours boozing. Still, it probably affects me more than I think, (this kind of frantic trying to feel better mood) specially when I can't afford to be doing it and yes, it's adding to the calories. I met a good friend last night and we chatted till late. Taxied home with an old computer she gave me so I will have a backup when this one dies.

Anyhow, thanks again Carla, your posts are great and you really make me laugh with your antics at times. I hope you are feeling better and you find your balance there. It seemed like you were going down for the count for a bit, but you've gotten up and are landing some good punches from the sounds of it!

(sigh) day 1, done, again.

This is REALLY HARD. It just shows how badly I've gotten out of the habit though.

This time for sure.

gray -- what is your challenge again? Ah, I just went back and checked. The daily part is calories below 1500, right?
That would be tough. It's what I'm considering doing. I just have to stop this binge eating!!!! :mad:

You know, gray, I am thinking of starting back on the no-sugar, no white-flour again anyhow. Otherwise I just can't stop bingeing it seems. AND I want to limit calories too....so I see some progress. Let's try to support each other, ok?

reminding myself of something I had once posted....
 

kind of....
 

.... the way I feel. Come back, come back, my red balloon.....

Awww Red. That's pretty forlorn there. :( I just read a few posts back and you look in need of a good cheerleader of your own. Stop poking that "fat" you see on your body. You are stimulating it to hang around, just as if some pesky person has decided YOU are their new best friend.

I need to send you some fat calipers. Bet they'd read - umm umm :no: nothing to be found on this chick. :dunno:

I think you need the 21 days be good to myself, say nice things to me spiritual renewal challenge. Stop getting down on yourself girl, you are very inspirational to so many of us.

You'd better listen to me because I'm going to be lurking on you girl!

To the rest of you, be strong and excuse my interuption :o

Yesterday was day 8 (total calories were 1217). I am trying to be so good this week, because I know Saturday will be a pause day (we are going to a friend's wedding). I am also not drinking again this week until saturday. and i think after that, I am going to try to squeeze in a 21-day acohol challenge between the 1st and thanksgiving.

Carla - I understand how you could find fitday annoying. I love it though! My list of custom foods is pretty big. I have to track my calories because otherwise I will pick and eat all day long. Never a lot at one time, but in and out of the kitchen 20 times until i have eaten a jillion (yes, a jillion!) calories.

It quit raining here! Now it is just cold! and I forgot (again) to pull my gloves out of storage. I hope everyone is having a great day!

Hi everyone,
I have to restart my challenge, my computer got a virus and that's why I haven't been on. I'm at work and don't have much time as usual. We got hit with the hurricane and ended up just fine. Preparing for the hurricane, the hurricane and the after mess is probably what got me side tracked and caused me to miss a couple of days of exercising. I will restart my challenge when my computer gets fixed. In the meantime I will still try to get back on that Gazelle. I hope everyone is doing great.

Lisa

Hello. I haven't posted for a couple of days. My son is tall enough to reach the space bar and that makes it difficult to type so he is currently pre- occupied.....
RED!! You sound like you are doing better. I think happy2 has a great idea with the pampering challenge. I might steal that idea for myself. And you could do it along with a weight loss thing, since it doesn't have to be anything to do with food. I know exactly how you feel with your frustrations. I just made that desperate plea for help myself a few days before you did. I'm a lot better, I am eating a bit more like a normal person and chipping away at my to-do list. I am still moving along with my challenge (over the caffine hump) but i'm not sure what day I'm on. I think 6.
I'm a big fit day fan too. It's a little time consuming, but I especially like the pie chart of protien/carb/fat. I have trouble getting enough protien, since I'm a veggie :carrot: Lately I've been throwing tofu into everything.
And I don't weigh or measure anything. I think my estimations are pretty accurate and I try to err on the high side.
I hope everyone else is doing well. I'm going to try real hard to do more cheerleading :cheer: :cheer: Even if it means posting twice a day! See ya later!

I’m back. My modem got fried and it took the internet company FOREVER to come replace it!!! I made sure they won’t charge me for the days it was down. I was going to go out and buy my own but DH was being cheap!! GRRRRR I missed you guys!!
I’ve not restarted my challenge for a couple reasons. I want to plan more and I’m honestly thinking what is MOST important to me! So time to get serious and think!

Apple – Thanks so much on the ideas of stashing my vitamins.

Red – I’m sorry that work it ****. I’m sure that doesn’t make your challenge easier. But you’re a strong woman, caring woman that saves crickets! Don’t be down on yourself and please if you do decide to take a break come back and post. Please! Please! Red geez I wish I had been online. I’m terrible with words but would of did my best to cheer you up. I happy2bme has a wonderful idea for a challenge!! I know talking to myself in the mirror has helped me get by the days when I’m down. How much better to do something a little extra nice for oneself each and everyday! It just breaths SUNSHINE!!! Red I’m going to plan plan PLAN then restart my challenge and one thing is to going include being good to myself. I know it’s not going to cost much or even anything at all but I truly thing that things need to change. Are you already on a new challenge? If not then I’ll start with you and be there EVERYDAY to get you pass that evil hump your on!! If you’ve already started then I’ll start today!

Fish – LMAO @ Marble - You should have told your doctor that he gained a lot of rude.

Hello everyone. I am going to try this challenge again. Tommorrow will be day 1. Hope everyone is doing well. I just wanted to say hello. Am at work and don't have much time.

at it again.....
 

Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1
 

Ok, just to make that clear and have it in writing. Today is Day 1 AGAIN of my challenge.

crd -- you see, lots of us start over. You can do it!

gray -- you hanging in there?

Well, Red, it seems we're still feeling a little introspective today. Which in my world calls for THE SONG OF THE DAY!! And of course you need to remember that while I'm not tone deaf, when I start singing people around me blanche, dogs whimper, cats hiss.... Nonetheless, here it is: "Welcome to the Hotel California, It's a lovely place..... da-da, da-da, ... you can check in any time you like, BUT YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE." So don't even try to leave us! Resistance is futile!

I like your new challenge. It sounds a little like a WW Core-type regime, with a few extra hurdles because you're vegetarian. But if you do as you say, you can't help but slim down and give little Thunder's back a rest. (What is her name anyway?) Maybe if the diet doesn't work you could just get a Clydesdale for fat days? :rofl: The atmosphere is getting a lot more serious on this thread all of a sudden, about time if you ask me. :nono: I think we may have gotten a little side-tracked picking tough lifestyle challenges (no booze? :eek: ) and forgotten sobriety won't necessarily make us thin. Although in my case it will definitely help. :o

I realized last night that I could chop a lot of calories - like about 500 a day - just by dropping my new-found coffee habit. I don't REALLY like coffee all that much, but with enough cream and sugar (double-double as we Canadin Tim Horton's fans say) it is more like dessert, and of course when it comes to dessert I'm always prepared to make the supreme sacrifice. So I've been sacrificing several times a day, becoming more and more of a caffeine-head and just PURRING as I lap up all that nice sweet creamy coffee. Of course I won't drop the diet coke and pepsi until I'm ready for withdrawal, and I can have my nice half caf skim latte with splenda sweetener every morning. All in all, that should be good for a pound a week.

Today's step count was around 7000 - at lunch I stayed put instead of shopping. And I'm very stiff from my gazelle/step antics yesterday. By tomorrow I may be totally seized up, but I'M NOT WHINING. In spite of what may be a cold. (Actually, I fell asleep on the couch after dinner and slept for 3 hours. Feeling much better now and may not really have a cold at all...)

As I type the tv is on in the background, and I just realized I missed a report on why educated women aren't as happy in the bedroom. Hmmm. I don't need a study as regards this educated woman: no man/no nooky, tired mattress, snooty cats that want to sleep elsewhere and don't like to be touched, reproachful piles of laundry and untidy this and that.... But I digress.

Now that I've bored you all to sleep, it's time to call it a day for today, Day 2. Maybe a little gazelle if I can drag myself into an upright position... Along with 6 other people I'm in a lottery pool for tonight's $40 Million Can (equivalent in US dollars: about $3.42 :lol: ), so if I win I will never again accept a day's work, just work out what I've booked. And I could hire a full-time cook/cleaner/catsitter. Ah, this is the stuff that dreams are made of. (RB, old girl, please correct that too, too approximate quote...)

Carla -- heh there! Just out the door myself but saw your post pop in and wanted to write a quick reply. Love the song! And yes, you are right about letting sobriety get in the way of a serious outlook on life! :lol3: We just can't let it happen. Priorities, priorities....

My little mare's name is Heidi. I didn't name her and at one point thought I would change her name, but now I think I won't. She is so, so, gentle and extremely stubborn, but a real hard trier at the same time. Luckily for me, she is already part cold-blooded (as in draft horse). Her daddy was a Haflinger (which is a draft pony breed) and her mama was a Paint, likely a Quarter Horse. So, she is small, large-boned and tough but she does know how to protect herself and can shut down and/or buck you off when things are just too hard to understand, as they often are at my level of riding. She's a great teacher. She is very sensitive though and I can see her getting nervous before a ride...she chews nervously on the chain attached to her halter in the wash rack... there now, you have learned more than you wanted to learn about my Heidi love. :love:

I'll write more later! Ciao! :wave:

SOS!! WE HAVE LOST OUR MARBLE!!!

Marble! Paging Marble! Where oh where can our Marbleflys be? Has she defected? Is she hiding out somewhere, challengeless?

Does she (sob) love us no more?

Seriously, though, Marble, let us know what's up!

crd43123 – That is what we like to hear keep going!

Red – Geez I don’t know how to put in words what I’m feeling! It really stinks not be able to express ones self clearly! I want you to know I’m so with you tomorrow! I haven’t got everything planned and today would have been my start date but my son held a hot piece of pizza under my nose and said he couldn’t finish it. He had just baked it. (small one) and had eaten something while it was cooking and took a couple bites and was full. ( Oh I wish I stop when I’m full) Anyways the reason he told me was not to tempt me but to be reassured I wasn’t mad for wasting food. Something that was handed down to me about finishing my plate as child and starving children….you all know the story. We’ll I told don’t eat when your full or you’ll end up like me. He said your fine and put it in the kitchen. Well I went in there and was going to put it in the frig and somehow I ended up eating it!!! Mindless eating! I think the stress from the week had gotten to me. Sorry for such a long story here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to start my challenge tomorrow. I’ve not got everything planned but will tweak it as I figure it out. Here’s what I KNOW. 1. Going to exercise at least 10 minutes a day. ( I have some great 10 minute workout dvds. 2. Stay on plan. (WW-may do the Wendy WW Plan)
3. Not weight myself til the END of my challenge. That all for right now. Sorry it took so long for me to say it.

carla49 – You sure can give me abs workouts just reading your post has me LOL so hard and the family is sleeping! no man/no nooky!!!! I wish I had read that when I was eating pizza I would of spit it right out and maybe got hold of my senses!!! I also like that song funny! Should be our theme for this tread!

Whoa quick reply here...
Drank a beer bad bad but I'm still on the caffine & sit ups. Red-what do you do if you mess up on one facet of your challenge? I see your challenge is really like 10 challenges in one. I feel OK about continuing on with the situps and caffine, and starting over with the beer.
Heidi is a nice name for a horse!! I used to live down the road from a farm that raised clydesdales. They are beautiful. I used to slow down as I drove by to look at the foals-so cute! And these weren't typical Budweiser clydesdales, they are a darker brown, much better looking I think. Did you know there is a (foot)race-entry category called clydesdale? It's for heavier runners. I get a kick out of that title.
Carla-did you watch Aly McBeal when it was on? She had a theme song. Not for just one day, for always. To hum when you are feeling down or in need of inspiration.I can't think of one for myself and no, please don't everybody post theirs (unless you really want to) You just reminded me of that.
So much for quick. I need to go to bed! See you tomorrow!

wrapping up CRAC Day 1... still unsure of SMAC...
 

I am so happy this morning! I found my cat!!!

my challege on the other hand went down the tubes.. guess i will be starting with day 1 tomorrow!!!

curly -- That's fantastic news. :sunny: I was wondering about him. Which one was it? Does he look okay? Okay, lots of us just starting out so you'll have company! :yes: Good luck again!

BTW, where is Chaps?!?!? :?: I was thinking she was between challenges but then I remembered she started on that super exercise challenge...Chaps!!! You out there?! Come back and talk to us!!! :wave:

Red, thanks for your advice about my stiff old bod. I wouldn't go so far as to call it pain, just the usual "ouch!" surprise when we re-awaken a body part. I can hardly wait until the aftermath of my first spinning class of the season on the 7th. Maybe time to stock up on Advil, the runner's friend...

Curly, I am so glad your cat came back! As I was dropping off to sleep last night, I was wondering about you - your last post had sounded so forlorn, and then you disappeared. Restarting the challenge is no biggie compared to finding your lost baby. Have you ever seen a short animated film called "The Cat Came Back"? It's Canadian, so may not be available to everyone, but it's hilarious. The story of a guy who finds an abandoned demon kitten on his doorstep, which proceeds to destroy his home and his life as he desperately tries to rid himself of it. All to the refrain of "the cat came back, the very next day. The cat came back, they said he was a goner but the cat came back...". There's also a hauntingly beautiful song by Canadian folksinging sisters Kate and Anna McGarrigle called "Kitty Come Home"; Anna had written it about missing her sister who had moved away, and it has been running thru my mind constantly since you told us your cat had been purloined

Apple and Red, are you familiar with a type of horse called the Canadian horse? Apparently they had almost disappeared, but now there are a few breeders here. A friend who rides says they are small and sturdy, with furry feet like Clydesdales (more approximate terminology there...). She says they are lovely. In fact, Heidi sounds a lot like them! A few years ago when I was still running I would go to an annual race in a small farming town outside Ottawa every January. It was always &/%$)"$* cold, but breathtakingly beautiful with bright, sunny, clear skies. Anyway, one year we parked the car next to a field and there were two Clydesdales there frolicking and snorting big clouds of steam and chasing each other. A glorious sight. And it fit with us Clydesdale runners out enjoying the sharp, crisp day. (Can you tell I loved winter running? Absolutely exhilarating! And if I can get my feet back in shape, I'd love to get out there again.) As for Clydesdale runners, I've always been in that category: for women I think Clydes start at 140 or 150 lbs, for men at some equally ludicrous low weight. I think it was the bigger runners themselves who came up with the name. So many distance runners are very short with a slight build. (Except of course the Kenyans who as a rule are tall and skinny and win all the race.

I wouldn't be worried about Marble except for her tendency to roll in poison ivy and do face plants fall on ceramic floors and so on. And she's usually a pretty faithful poster. Maybe she's taken a day or two off work to work on her endless reno? So Marble, the :coach: is calling! Be warned: if you don't come back soon there may be more song lyrics posted here any minute...

Gotta go. Time to head out to work.

curlylocks - I'm happy to hear your kitty had made it's way home. :)

Red - Here I sit trying to wake myself up! I'm going to plan my day. Glad the day is going well for you! Keep it up. Think of me by your side cheering you on! I can't think of the artist right now but here's the just of the song. I GET KNOCKED DOWN - BUT I GET UP AGAIN - I GET KNOCKED DOWN BUT I GET UP AGAIN - AN"T NOTHING GOING TO KEEP ME DOWN!!! Can you hear me singing that to you? Do I sound good? LOL
Keep going and I'll report back later!

Come on every one RIDE THE TRAIN THE CHOO CHOO TRAIN>>> I THINK I CAN I THINK I CAN....

off to make my breakfast ttl

Yesterday was day 9, at 1070 calories. I know, too low, but it was the day from H-E-double hockey sticks. I left work at 9 pm and brought work home, which i then did from 11 pm until 4 am. And back at work at 9 this morning.

Oh well. such is life. In keeping with our song lyrics theme . . . "Workin' 9 to 5" Um, NOT!

It seems as though everyone is in a chipper mood today. Yay!!! And Curly, you found your kitty!

Alright, I am crazy busy, and don't want to have to work until 4 am again, talk to everyone later!

on to Day 2 on both challenges....
 

Morning all,

Quick note here. We are on our way from schoo to Nagoya today. Dont have a lot to report. Things here are fine and mostly warm. Someone asked me if I was cold today but it is quite pleasant out there. Went for a run in the school grounds this morning so that got the aeroplane kinks out of the way. Didn't get lost either.

This keyboard is a killer, very small space bar. I end up with one very long word every so often. No idea what some of the symbols mean either. But it is all fun.

I think Mel is tired and a bit stressed. No doubt she will be back.

We have done a 55 minute English class this morning. Lots of fun and shouting so I think that is it until a kindy class tonight.

Glad to hear it is all going okay with everyone so far. Try to get back tomorrow again.
Now I better get ready to read the signs to the railway station. It's all fun!

A bit of a slow day here. No doubt many of our crew are out being incredibly virtuous, and have no time to post between working out and downing nothing but tofu, eggplant, and bran. I, of course, have done nothing of the sort, and may even have to start over again. Not that I've actually slipped up on my goals: I did my 10,000 steps, had no wine, and fully intend to Gazelle before bed. But I know I shouldn't have eaten some of the goodies I've had. I'll decide later if I'm at the end of Day 3 or about to go to Day 1 again. Tomorrow will be a pause day, however, as I'm booked to go drink wonderful Cranberry Cosmopolitans at the very ritzy Château Laurier hotel in the evening in belated honour of my birthday. My life is so hard. Not. (The cosmos are so very worth the calories. A good thing they're too expensive to do to often.)

Spinning is a very favourite exercise of mine for some reason. I had to drop out last Jan after I fell on my coccyx learning to xcountry ski. And I was doing a weekly 90 minute class at that time. (Fat me surrounded by the kind of nutbars who run in from the suburbs, spin at top resistance for 90 min while barely sweating, and then run back home. Only a slight exaggeration, I fear.) I don't know why, but I really enjoy working out with the jocks. No cute little half-naked outfits, no glistening hairless bodies - just crazed hyperactive people with no bodyfat. And me.

What I find interesting is that the massage therapist I used to go to is an Ironman triathlete, in fantastic shape, slim and firm and bursting with health. And I once said something about not recognizing her outside in her running clothes because she looked bigger in running tights (I meant taller), and she looked just as upset as if I had said I mistook her for an elephant. So everyone has insecurities, even those who've been blessed with an abundance of energy and a seriously cute figure. (Needless to say, I stopped the massages around the time my weight got to be too humiliating to enjoy massage. I was always afraid she'd dig her fingers into an aching roll of flab somewhere and get stuck... ) :lol3:

Today's song was "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell right now...", which I think is probably appropriate for all of us from time to time. Red, don't let anything get you down. and those lattes shouldn't be too bad on calories. I know I love to indulge in a good nonfat cappucino (skim milk froths really well) myself. And some theories - no doubt funded by the dairy industry - claim that dairy products stimulate weight loss.

The film I was talking about is just an animated short. You might be able to borrow a copy from the Canadian embassy, actually. I think they have that kind of stuff in their libraries, and it may well have won an academy award. Another one I really like is "The Log-Rollers' Waltz", another animated short set to a rolicking song by Kate and Anna McGarrigle (who you probably also don't know). The old cultural divide strikes again... A lot of that stuff is produced by the National Film Board or Telefilm Canada.

Please apologize to Heidi for my slur on her hairless tootsies. I think you said she was part quarter horse and I read Clydesdale.

Shad, I've been writing such a windy post here you've had time to sneak in and out with your own contribtion. It sounds like you're having a good time. Isn't most of urban Japan too crowded and polluted to enjoy running? Or am I showing my ignorance and cultural stereotyping again?

Gotta go. I hear the plaintive call of the lonely Gazelle.

Marble, get that plump bootie back on this thread!!! Tell us what's up!

BFN

glad you found your cat

Red - Hey kid how's it going? You sensing me by your side and covering your eyes so you don't see all those bad choices? I know I was thinking of you today when I almost went crazy with food. The day went by so fast I got a call from my sister today saying she was on her way to pick me up! Of course I hadn't done my workout and said that she said no excuses we're going out! So out I went! I had a ton of fun and don't regret one minute. My sister was having a bad day I think it is the weather. Well we walked and walked and talked and talked then we ate. I got home and crashed! I woke watched a movie with my DH and now ready to settle into bed. I got an eletric heating pad last year it was fairly cold lastnight so I put it on my bed. I have it fired up right now... can't wait... I'm going to count all that walking at my 10 minutes.

carla49 - I know the song and sure do feel that at times! The music video is fairly weird. LOL I just love reading your post.

Joy - Sounds like you had a busy day!!! I think you just wore me out even more thinking what you did.

Well I'm off to bed ladies...

Yesterday was day 10 - waaay under 1500 at only 985 calories. I think today is going to be a little less hectic at work though. I even have soups to eat in my office, i just get too busy to even think about eating :dizzy:

Carla - your posts always make me smile :D
I think all women (maybe even all men) have insecurities about their bodies. I was talking with one of the women I work with - she is my age (35) and quite slender. I was mentioning something about my diet, or needed to lose weight, she thinks I look great, and is completely envious of my skin/complection (Most people think i am about 25-26 years old). Now, I think she is really pretty, in like a sophisticated New York way, but she is unhappy about one of her features just like I am unhappy about one of mine. I have another very slender friend who is maybe(?) an A cup, and she wants to be bigger with a bigger chest. She also thinks that she is plain, and I am pretty. Now, I am not denying her belief that I am pretty :lol: but she is anything but plain.

This is my long, rambling way of saying we should all concentrate on our good parts rather than what we percieve as our bad parts. Of course I am just as guilty of being negative! You all have seen my "I hate Monday" posts where I beat myself up for eating too much over the weekend :o But let's all make the most of this weekend to be good to ourselves!

Speaking of being good to ourselves - Mez, how very altruistic of you to forgo your exercise in order to keep your sister company :p I hope you all had a good time together. I love hanging out with my sister. We talk on the phone almost every day, and try to do something together at least once a month.

Fish – LOL @ forgoing my exercise to keep my sister happy! Sometime I’m just to giving! Hehe I have 7 sisters and some of us are closer than others. Right now there is a lot of drama going on between a couple. I get called the peace maker because I’m always trying to get thing worked out between them. I’m sure it will all workout but I hate how much time it takes. Plus It’s getting close to x-mas and we have a huge party called Mother Daughters xmas We play family trivia. (we think of things in the past and you have to guess who/what they did) We have prizes for right answer and you can even trade with someone w/o them saying so the 1st couple rounds. Final rounds you keep what you have and then open them. I ALWAYS go for the Wine Bottle shapes. Now I have rattled on and on..sorry it’s just I’m so excited. I do think we should change it I feel my dad is starting to feel left out. I really didn’t think he would since my sisters and I get together with just him every year around x-mas to make tamales. (I’m Spanish) I guess it was my turn to blab on an on.. Now your 985 Calories for yesterday how ??!!! OMG don’t think I’ve been that low since I was a wee babe. So far never been to busy to think about eating but have forgotten I’ve eating. ;) Fish I’m sure you do look great and these sound wonderful true friends. They are being honest and talking to you. I bet what you said to them made them think about themselves.

Red – Did you grab that balloon? I’m hoping so. I’m going to tie it around your wrist like I did my kids when they were young. See since I did that I can’t leave you alone. You know the whole string going around your neck and hurting you. So I’ll keep a close eye on you until I can untie it from your wrist and you can hold it on your own.  Now here’s lots of good vibes going your way today. :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

Day 8 done. I actually really like doing the sit ups and under all that fluff there might be a decent set of abs. I am already seeing a little more definition, imagination may be required....
I can't believe I haven't GAINED weight with the way I've been eating. The other day I may have easily consumed 4000 (not your 5000, Red, but I'm not too far behind!) Just makes me wonder what would happen if I really worked harder at this....
Curly I'm so glad you found your cat! I lost a cat once, she was missing for 3 or 4 days before I found her. She had been in a fight with some other beast and hid under the house. I was so excited to hear her meow but at first I couldn't figure out where she was.I took her to the vet and she had developed an anaerobic infection, the vet had never treated one before. She needed a drain kept in her leg for a while, it was gross. She was always getting herself into trouble....
Fish-how do you feel about your progress? How much have you lost since you started this challenge? I'm thinking about trying it too. After Halloween :lol: :devil: Counting cals has always been the most successful way to lose weight. And I'm running out of time....I was hoping to have made quite a bit of progress by Thanksgiving. anyway, I admire your will power!!!
Red- I hope you are felling better!
Where is Chaps???
Carla-Cranberry Cosmos sound yummy :hat: Have fun!!!
Busy week-end coming up, I'll try to at least keep up with you guys!

Apple Blossom - I feel as if now that I made it through the first weekend, my progress is going much better on this challenge. Today will be day 11, which means I am 1/2 way there! I have already scheduled tomorrow as a pause day as well, because we are going to a wedding.

Officially, I have lost only 1 pound since I started this challenge, but unofficially, I think I have dropped another 2 pounds this week (my official weighing day is Tuesday - this tuesday i was down 1 lb to 145; i stepped on the scale this morning and it said i was at 143, but I won't count that as a definite until next Tuesday.) I am hoping that I keep the loss up.

If I wanted to make this challenge harder, I would give myself a range, like must be at least 1300 and no more than 1500. I don't really like it when I eat only 1000 or so calories because I know it isn't really good for me. I am just happy I remembered to eat lunch today!