Hello all....


Although I have been tempted sorely somehow I managed to stay away from sugar for aprx 3 days.....
Nearly did a u-turn into the VP's office yesterday when I realized he had refilled his candy jar to the tippity top w/ choc bars.....but somehow, someway a comment someone made came to me.....
"Sure, a chocolate binge would be tasty but what how would I feel afterwards?"

Mentally, physically, but especially mentally....

..so I managed to keep moving past his office... of course, it helped that he was IN the office on a conference call .... The idea of me going in there repeatedly to grab choc bars while he was on the call was too far fetched.... and short of running in, grabbing the entire foot tall jar (like that wouldn't get noticed!)
.....
come to think of it, seems as though my biggest temptations are Sugar and Free..... when they're combined...... very difficult for me to resist......

So I am planning on remaining sugar free today too...

Today, I am going to an all day Toastmasters seminar.... I am especailly looking forward to the afternoon session as a professional speaker who is also a Toastmaster is going to speak on how to become a professional speaker....
hmmmmm......


Ceara, I've never experienced the Plantar wart problem but do know folks who had real problems w/ them. Sounds as though you have your share w/ DH and DS.... I'm not even sure if they're caused by a virus or a fungus...
Good luck....

Frogger! Good for you showing a loss at the scale....thats' great!
I also have a 3 day weekend... We'll be spoiled by time February starts!

Ok.....
Need to get myself together as I am hoping to make some contacts and always do better meeting folks when I know I look good .... its a shame I am so self concious but at least its simpler nowadays....
And another GOOD reason to stay On Program..!!

I'm still around---but have fallen prey to a mild cold. Nothing spectacular, just enough to make me very tired.

GOOD MORNING, ROYALS!

Today marks my return to the palace. My steps will be small and slow but I am back. Thank you for all the love and support.

Good morning, Queenlies!
 

Hello all!

We had bitter cold weather for a few days.... Yes, it's winter time but the tempertures dropped nearly overnight almost 30 degrees and the winds were screaming.....Bitter, bitter cold.... 3 days of it, at least yesterday by day's end the wind had ended and the difference was really noticeable....
Makes my shoulders and neck want the heating pad and the liniment.... I've been doing neck rolls and stretches and even took a nap when my head was pounding but just couldn't get comfortable....

Anagram.....
Good to see you. Yes, please be gentle with yourself. How are you?


Eydie.... The cold/virus thing makes everyone exhausted ...... bone weary....
and those who try to soldier on seem to get worse.... those who can get into bed and sleep it off recover more quickly.... Be warned.... the fever blisters are legendary! I thought my headlight sized fever blister made the record books until I saw the boss'.... she had 5 total.... 3 outside... 2 on the inside of her mouth.....

Ceara... thought of you everytime the dog show was advertised on tv.....

Just caught a look at the clock and must apologize that I have to run ....

Hope ALL the royals are doing well.....


*************
Here's the thought of the day:

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

****************


Tea anyone?

Kaylet wow I know what you mean about the weather. Last friday it was 61 here really warmer than its ever been in January then the next day 23. It was crazy and this morning 9 out. Burr! We will see spring soon.
I had yesterday off from work but had to do major cleaning. We had those awful pantry moths. Watch that bulk food stuff. I love going to get it but most likely thats what started the problem. We had to do an overall on the whole kitchen. It is still not completed as of yet. I am going to redo all the cupboards reorganizing that is. So lots of work on a day I was to have as vacation Hah hAH! Well think of the calories burned I guess. Don't wish those little things on anyone and anyone can get them according to the guy at the hardware store.
As far as wt. loss goes haven't jumped the scale. I did manage to get in 110 min, for the week as workouts. I lacked 90 min. I will try it again this week. I hope to go right after work today. I enjoyed going on saturday to the gym it was a slow day there and no pressures to watch for machines etc. I have to tighten up my waist line thats what happens when you slack off during holidays. I am trying to get back into the swing of things.
Anagram welcome back and my thoughts are with you.
Have great day girls keep moving and burning those unwanted calories!

Arabella-Oh no, not preggers. I thought for sure though being 2 weeks late. But no, AF finally decided to visit. We actually took the time to discuss such musings. We've decided to wait to try until Sydney is 2. Which isn't very far away if you think about it. She's 15 months.


Anyway, much to do today. I'll check back later!

Arabella ~ I think I missed Amarantha's birthday too! Happy belated Birthday, Amarantha!

Thanks for the birthday wishes, :queen: s! :)

Hi, Anagramatic! :wave:

And a hallo to all mentioned 'n unmentioned ... I've kinda got the blues or the blahs or something at the moment, haven't been meself since the pneumonia and wonder if it's back ... hopefully not ... so shall ariseth 'n go now. Baking chicken. Discovered individually frozen chicken breasts in a huge pack that are NOT injected with sugar ... these are so much easier for my on the go lifestyle ... I'm going to eat said baked chicken with Annie's Natural Green Goddess Dressing ...

Amarantha, me too---about the blue blahs, I mean!:?:

Happy belated Amarantha! Hope it was a good one for you!
Yesterdays eating wasn't too bad I did get into some peppermint hearts I bought. Though thats not as bad as some other things it adds up. I ate good for the day. Today I have packed a healthy lunch and am off to work. I missed my work out after work yesterday due to freezing rain. THought it better to get home safe. I will get there today.

Good morning, Queenies!
 

Arabella-You use that excuse too to shop???? Glad I'm not the only one!

Happy Belated Birthday to our dear Amarantha.:gift: Hugs!

Morning eating was OUT OF CONTROL yesterday. OK, eating was out of control for the morning and afternoon. I did do well at dinner though. I've cut my portion sizes and then I eat, and then I go get busy doing something else.

DH made me a tuna fish sandwhich for lunch today. He's being so sweet! (Wonder what the catch is???) LOL ;)

Truely wanted to weigh in this morning, but I just forgot. Wanted to see if I am still at 13lbs loss. Maybe tomorrow.

Good day to all!

Frogger I wish I was still at my loss wt. Christmas dragged me up the scale a few lbs. Not a nice thing but I did it to myself. Now I am trying to undo it. I got on the scale this a.m. and still no movement. I have increased my water, exercise inc. but still need to do more. I guess maybe I am consuming too many almonds? My friend had the smoked ones and I ate them yesterday the sodium level is high that could be counting for no loss at all. Oh well I will keep on trying to improve myself. Frustrated I am. Maybe I should go back to South Beach diet? Whats everyone else following? I generally count calories and watch my fats. Just thought maybe whats working for others is worth a try.

OK, so I'm at 11 lbs lost. Still fantabulous!!!! :carrot:

cacmsc-Maybe you're retaining water from all the salt in the almonds? Drink up!!! I used to do a self modified version of low carb(before South Beach came out. Low and behold, I think they stole my idea!!!) I lost 80lbs and then got preggo and gained it all back minues 10lbs. Tried it again awhile back and stuck to it for 2 months. I gained like 8lbs. So I'm starting over with portion control as #1 and excersise (which I haven't gotten around to yet :^: )


Eating was fair yesterday. Really good throughout the day, but crappy at dinner. DH made turkey burgers and fries. 2 helpings of fries (not fried, baked in the oven).

Hello everyone! :)
Good job, Frogger! Enjoy!

Good Morning!
 

Two days ago I finally felt I could step up to Demon Scale. Couldn't find either scale. DS and his cohort did such a good job of cleaning up(hiding) things, I was at a loss. No problem - I was going to doctor yesterday.

Dr's scale said I've gained one pound since August. ?????? No way - or maybe I lost more after that and regained. So yesterday DS called and I asked re scales, found mine, and hit it this morning. Up about five/six pounds from my lowest. Even this low amount is a gift as I FEEL LIKE I've put on 15 or so.

I'm slowly gaining on the wagon. Plan to start my water workouts next week. AND since it's so nice today I plan to go to a park and do at least an amble to see how those muscles feel. Back on prednisone yet again. (A gentle Queen has been taking me along on her walks, which has much benefitted my well being tho not my calorie count. She takes such lovely walks.)

On all other fronts, I am still overwhelmed. Will work way through mounds of paperwork and other distractions and maintain composure as well as possible otherwise. I have been blessed with marvelous friends and family.

HOOHAA, Frogger! And all other Queens valiantly fighting our mutual battle.:hug:

Frogger thanks for the info. and I must of had water wt. cause down 1 lb. today. I will take that I needed some type of progress to show up. Thank goodness. I am trying to watch things that go in to my mouth! Portion control and cal. and sugar and fat levels. Along with working out now I should see some more movement. I am up 5lbs. from my very lowest wt. I need to lose that before my Hawaii trip in March if nothing else comes off. I wish I hadn't slacked off during the holidays. To think of how much closer to my overall goal I would of been. I want to lose 13lbs. would be lovely! I don't need to lose a bunch but with thyroid disease it does make your metabolism a bit messed up. We'll see what yesterdays blood test comes up with if anything. Most likely tri are up and chol. from being naughty!
Anagram hang in there sounds like your trying to get things going again. Good for you! Your lucky to have such great support and I am glad you have it! Exercise will help you to get focused and feel a bit better for sure.

Hello everyone!
Anagram, I am also happy to hear you have such good support with friends and family! Walks are great aren't they? Sounds like you are taking good care of yourself! :)

Well, I had a big o' long 'let's get with it' postie and somehow, it didn't post. :mad:

Let me do the cliffnotes version...

I've found that eating slower really helps me get full lately. I think a lot of us shovel in because we are SO hungry. I know I have found myself plenty of times at the last bite realizing I hadn't really tasted a thing (and had eaten twice as much as I need/wanted to). So let's make it a point to slow down and enjoy our food. You may find that you'll eat less but enjoy it more.

Also posted about salad...It's REALLY helped me with portion control. I'm a big eater. I like to see plenty of food on my plate. (And I mostly like to eat all of that food. Clean plate club here:p) Anyway, I've been sort of faking myself out. I don't just start with a salad, I use it as a 'side' item. I put it on my actual dinner plate. It's the first thing that goes on (and it's the largest portion). I find no fault with eating as many and as much fresh veggies as you want. I don't think it will hurt you. So, salad. Nothing fancy, some bagged romain mix, a couple of croutons for crunch, a pinch of bacon bits or cheese if I have it, and a little bit of dressing. Then I put a little bit of everything else for dinner on my plate. Fakes me out to thinking I have this huge plate of food when really it's mostly salad. If I am hungry after that big plate, I have more salad or another helping of veggies only. It's really been helping I think.

Ok, that's my $0.02 for now:^:

Well, it was a start. Went to our favorite park and took one of our shorter walks. Maybe it was the nice weather but it went very well. Today I'm going to try the cemetery. It's a small one and dh is buried within a circular center of it so I'll go around the circle at least once for a start. Can you imagine having a walking "track" on your mind while you're picking a burial plot in the rain? But that seemed to add a comfortable dimension to the whole thing.

Still having trouble reining in the appetite but at least adding more fruit/salads. Small steps, small steps.

Hello, all! :wave:

Anagramatic, great work on the walkin' ... yes, I can imagine envisioning the peaceful walks to be experienced when choosing such a location ... it sounds beautiful, like the labyrinths people walk around to find mental and physical peace ... or for whatever reason.

Good job on the small steps.

Fly-by "Hi!" :wave: I'm currently going nuts trying to get ready for trip tomorrow and have work done for the site for the first two days, which are going to be action-packed from early morning till late at night. Can't wait to get back! :rolleyes:

I need a nap. Anyhoo, I'm in survival mode. Chocolate is calling to me ... I know it's out there.

Love to all! See you in a few days, most likely.

Sending vibes for a great trip, Wood Nymph, and also that you have the get up and go to get it all done and together before you go~~~~

Walked today, briskly at first, and then round and about. all told about an hour. Felt good!!!! Large salad for lunch but unfortunately I didn't stop there. Still it was mostly salad.

Thanks, Anagram! Salad is good, as is an hour's walk -- good on you, kiddo!

I just managed to push self out the door a half-hour ago and managed to get round the harbour for "crow time." We've got a lot of crows living in the park (at least in the winter) and they herald sunrise and sunset. I was stressed on the first part of my walk, although always restored a bit to be at the harbour again. Round the end, the sun was setting, pretty colours and clouds on the horizon and the waves splashing in. The crows were settling on the tops of trees like big black leaves and on some signal would sail forth with a great caw-cawing, wheel overhead in one direction and swing back again, as if imitating the waves. Another surreal moment at the end of the boardwalk. I thought, walking back homewards, that it could have been a dream sequence .

I'll get done what absolutely must be done. Heigh-ho!

Hello all,
A week ago today, it was so cold w/ intense winds I was wearing a long coat w/ a big shawl wrapped around my head to keep my ears from falling off...
Today, they say it will be "Suprisingly warm"....

Scared the heck out myself in the grocery store this morning when I thought I could button my shirt anymore. That I had gotten to big for it to fit....

This is a new issue for me... guess because I have gained and feel so little motivation to be on program...... Guess my subconcious thinks I can gain it all back... so I guess I better put some thought to that subject....

Speaking of food....
Dh and I bought a loaf of bread from the Big Sky Bread Company yesterday.... Garlic Olive Bread.... With whole black and green olives in it...
YUM>...
Will have to try it at home.....


How is everyone ??

good morning, all!

have been thinking of you. so good to see you, anagram! haven't been op as diligently as i would like, but the past few days have been back on track. my food choices have been pretty good, though. portion control is still my demon. i have also kept up with my exercise, at least. breakfast was nutritious and the right portion. so far, so good. well, take care, all.

Hope you have a good trip, Wood Nymph. :)

I'm trying to push ahead with work today also ... even if it takes all night ... so tomorrow will be better. But I'll probably just go to bed and leave it, in the end.

Hi, W!!! :wave:

Hello all,

Las night, my back was so sore and tight I went to bed covered in liniment....
and now, this morning, it is monsoon like...... just goes to prove the theories about folks being able to predict the weather are TRUE no matter that science cannot prove it.....

Empress, my belated birthday wishes to you....
Remember that song " getting better, not older"?

Wood Nymph... Business travel is not my favorite but sometimes enjoyable so I'm hoping you have some fun on your trip....

As for the blahs so many of us have been noticing around the palace....

Supposedely, the 24th of Jan is the 'calculated day' when the blahs are due us..... the doldrums of 'winter', flus/cold season, as well as lack of sunlight....

In other words, we are not alone.....
hmmmmm........

Anagram.... Reading about your walk is so motivational to me.... I remember years ago when I was without a car, how I discovered how walking could clear my head and help lift my mood.... Knowing your RA might be aggravated in this rainy weather, I am even more impressed you are walking....
Imagine us with you, although you might have to slow down to have me keep up!

Eydie! Ceara! Frogger! WSW! Aria2000! how goes it?

*****
here's our thought of the day.....

"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."
--- William James

Question of the day :

"Would you consider yourself an artist?"

****

Take care all....

Anyone ready for tea?

Arabella I felt like I was on that walk with you. Nice trip thanks! I have a bit of a cold dry cough and ache. Not so nice! I have soaked in a hot tub a couple of times this weekend just to relax with some nice bubbles of lavendar scent. I didn't do too bad on my intake this weekend except for some cinnamon buns I bought for the hubby. They are almost gone thank goodness and I had my whole wheat english muffin for breakfast with blueberry jam. Well off to work and I am going to go to the gym just to do the treadmill after work for a bit. My body won't take more than that today. Still not feeling great if the State wasn't coming to ck out the books on my caseload I would stay home and rest.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Cac 'n K! :)

Running late. Wanted to re-recommend a book called Body for Life for Women ... I was just reading it (during my weights at home day) ... I am trying to de-emphasize the gym scene in my life and enjoy more home workouts. I have a crazy feeling that I only do well at the gym with a personal trainer and that's crazy ... I've fired (nicely) another trainer and cut gym workouts to classes only for the socialization and general conditioning ... sometimes will do weights at gym as they have heavier poundages and machines, but really, my body and mind enjoys not taking the time to drive there and realizes that actually I know a heck of a lot about lifting weights and exercise in general, as well as weight loss (see ticker :) ) ... so why am I always seeking external answers and a "guru" to help me out when all I need is already present.

Anyhow, I really like this book, which I believe was originally recommended by the noble queen E!

Ok, I am late. I only have four hours to do on the beat, see the publisher, etc., then I will work at home until finished.

Hi, there. Walked again somewhat yesterday with dd & princesses (here for an overnighter). Not a lot but faster than my usual pace w/these companions. Yes, K, RA is flared. actually was flaring a couple of weeks ago so back on prednisone (###s) but this weather has been so bad for it all. However, once kids left, I ran two errands and then had a good, relaxing sitdown plus a good cry because dh isn't here to watch his beloved Steelers in the Superbowl.

Now, I'm more relaxed and going to start another round of doing odds and ends. I'm accomplishing a lot but in a very serendipitous fashion. DD nagging me to take better care of me - doesn't believe I'm a step ahead of her but I am. Going to, going to. Am, am. Slow steps, right direction.

:balloons: Hi everyone!
Sorry I haven't been visiting lately, just very busy.
Nice to see you are doing so well, Anagram!

Hi, all! Cross postin' again from far far diet lands as I have only so many analogies in me feeble brain to explain my current fitness program:

"We're on the march!" saith Crone Jana the Jungle Lass, Exercise Queen o' the Wild Exercise Amazonian Tribe, which has latterly taken over Diet Town Village. Finding the folk there to be sedentary 'n set in their exercise ways, the Amazonians decided that instead of issuing new laws for the place, they'd just kidnap the noble Inspector A ..., latterly in command o' the No Refined Sugar Demon Fighting Precint House, and initiate her into their tribe.

Time passes.

Newly initiated Amazonian A ... realizes that the tribal religion forbids fornification with Demon Refined Sugar and so decides she can in good conscience give her all to membership in this sisterhood. Deep in a jungle clearing, by the Sparkling Superhealthy Magickal Waterfall, with the Beneficial Sun relaxing her every pore, she swears eternal fealty to Tribal Principals: LIFESTYLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OR FORMAL EXERCISE 24/7; and, of course, NO REFINED SUGAR FOR 365 DAYS IN A ROW!

"Let's go!!!" confirms Crone Jana the Jungle Lass, the leader o' the pack!

So everyone went off to do a Leslie Sansone video, thus demonstrating the First Spiritual Principle of the Amazonian Exercisers: WE DON'T NEED A GYM TO BE FIT AND WE DON'T NEED A PERSONAL TRAINER TO TELL US WHAT TO DO 'CAUSE WE KNOW!

Then members of the tribe went off on their personal jungle errands for the day.

Film at 11!

Methinks thou hast probably more knowledge than most physical trainers and $$$ would rest as well in thy account as anyone else's, Queen A.

Made it to pool today. Stiffer than I expected to be. But that will go in time. At least my exercise time has increased if no other improvements being made (well, some are but not yet enough).

Plus tried scale again today. Up about 8 pounds from lowest - back to where I had plateaued for so long. Well, did it once, can do it again, I guess. And still feel even heavier than that. So I'm glad that's all it is.

I know you can do it, Anagram!