[carla49]

Red! Baby! Say it ain't so!!!

I know - you're just feigning defeat to push me back onto the wagon. And it has worked. Right now I'm sitting fluffily at the airport enjoying one last calorific hurrah. And tomorrow I'll be home getting to know my new (virgin) Gazelle, trying to eat properly and get my mind right. (quote from Cool Hand Luke, I think). Maybe you can't hear it but I'm also humming the chorus from Love Me Tender: "For dear RB, we love you, and we always will.... somehing something... all our dreams fulfill...". (Already getting some VERY strange looks from the proper business folk in the lounge, but will launch into the King singing "Don't. Don't.... etc etc ...This you can believe, we will never leave you, baby - don't say don't..." Okay so it doesn't really fit, but you get the drift. I promise faithfully to shut up about my blankety-blank nose and post faithfully, responding REGULARLY and not just when the spirit moves. Speaking of which, as of Tomorrow (note capitalization), new challenge: no more spirit moving this fat chick for a while! Much as I love that wine, it sure does make the blues worse. So while there may be more components, I at least pledge to take the pledge. (Would it help if I tried to sort of co-host for a while? So you don't HAVE to always find the time and the positive stuff to say to us whiners? I'll be an extremely pale imitation, but will put my laptop where my mouth is if that will keep you with us.)

Confession time: I did NOT coin the expression "fluffy" - it comes from our own dear Mez, another essential part of our little group.

And Marble, if you were waiting for Coach Carla, wait no more. I have sharpened my whip and added some spurs that go jingle-jangle-jingle, and tomorrow is day 1. I'm sipping my last sips of nectar as I type.

Well, I'd better eat my soup before it's time to board. No real food - even for a price - on flights under 2 hours. And since my car is at the airport, I need to sop up those last few golden drops....

[redballoon]

Fish, marble, carla, thanks. I'm just in a bad way, with everything seemingly continuing to fall apart around me. Your words help and carla, you make me laugh, which is the kind of medicine I need, not the always laughing for others I do constantly (not here, at work and stuff). Let's see how it goes.

[marbleflys]

Go RB, Go RB!

I'm truly sorry to hear that life is being so *pissy* toward you....don't worry, everyone will pick you up and carry YOU for a while...hang in there, the planets are just out of alignment....(and remember.....Jesus is coming, so look busy)! Feel free to vent as needed, someone always answers. I'll dig out my best phrases that usually can make others snort their coffee outta their noses....

I had a terrible experience this weekend at work....one of the docs. I hadn't seen in 4 years was visiting...(4 years ago I weighed in at 135#). He said "Oh Hi Marble, WOW HAVE YOU GAINED A LOT OF WEIGHT!!!" as*wipe that he is, and I responded by making excuses...I ahould have slapped his lips off!

I can guilt anyone into doing anything...OK coach-carla....tomorrow please report 5 mins. of gazelle-riding and dust off those weights. Don't worry, I'll drink wine for you tonight.......

The sugarhigh party is over...hopefully the withdrawal will be easier. We will complete the next challenge before US Thanksgiving.

[curlylocks]

fall apart umm lets see any day now they will be laying us off at my job,

last week they turned my electric off cuz my bill for one month was 500$, ( my dad felt sorry for me and paid the bill.. but i have to pay him back)

yesterday someone stole my cat,

to fill my oil tank for heat this winter it will cost $600 so for now i have no heat ..sigh cant get too much worse for me.. BUT i am not gonna give up!

[marbleflys]

Someone stole your cat????? How awful! Yes, the other stuff is awful too. $500. for one month electric is really high (mine is like 135)...down here you can get on a budget plan where the bill is the same every month except for once a year, where they owe you or you owe them.

Heating oil is very high, but some of the companies are locking in a lower price for regular customers here. My mother has oil, but mine is gas forced hot air.

Are you making plan B for another job? sometimes, just having things in the works in the event of disaster helps.

(i do this weird thing where I hide $$ from myself, so if there is an emergency, I don't panic so badly)

[Shad]

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.

[SillyFluff]

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.

[FishWoman]

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

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 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. 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.

[redballoon]

Hey people, thanks for your words of support. I suppose I just really needed a break and also wasn't seeing the results I need to see in my weight loss efforts. Actually, that could well be because I wasn't really making the efforts. All my efforts were strictly health oriented, cleaning up my eating. And that's all very good. The thing is I think I need to see some weight loss. I am sooo sick of still being above 70 kg. My weight doesn't budge.

I was thinking the next step was to do what I had declared my challenge to be, but I think I was just more tired of the super restrictions than I thought and adding another (journaling and calorie) was just the last straw (on top of other things).

Well, I am going to rethink what I need to do and come back.

Where is everyone? Did my moaning scare you all away?!?!?

[Shad]

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

[redballoon]

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. 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!

[carla49]

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... 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.

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

[redballoon]

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! 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!

[gray eyed girl]

(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.

[redballoon]

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!!!!

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?