Sandi sorry things are so rough right now. I hear you about life seeming to happen with a vengence whenever we try to lose weight! I was on such a roll and then Logan arrived and turned me upside down. Kate in jail, Kate out of jail-will she rehab-no she won't-not using, now she IS using. Man it is fierce to deal with and not just go empty out my fridge. I am opposite-I eat when I am upset. The only time I didn't eat was when I left my husband but that was short lived. I just have to believe things will get better!

I am officially OP today and counting until Friday when I can start meetings. I gained more weight than I care to tell since Logan got here. I only purchased dinners that will cook in the crockpot. I know part of my problem is that by the time dinner rolls around, I am tired and I don't care anymore and go for what is fast and easy. WW came out with a crockpot cookbook so I will have to see if I can get one for myself. I am going to be 42 next month so I guess my birthday goal is to be under 200-I think it is realistic-hope so anyway. Thank you guys for being there for me. You can't know how much it means to me.
Melissa

Sandi -sorry everything is tough right now. I hope it settles down. Melissa and I both know that grown up children are so much more difficult than the little ones. We have to watch them mess up and most of the time we can't stop them. My DIL is planning to call me this PM and I know she has a long list of what is going wrong and most of it has to do with my son being a jerk. She needs to vent, but I will be a wreck when she is done. She is upset about one of his sons and she wants to help this little guy, but my son is not listening. Jake is 10 and he weighs 140, and he is eating when he is stressed. My son says it's baby fat and he will grow out of it. HA!
Thru all our mid winter blues and issues, we all seem to be OP or not eating enough.
In our company we deal with lots of jerks. Right now my DH is the designated "voice of reason" and only he deals with the crazies. When he can't stand it any more, someone else who is sane will take his place. Regarding the what ifs-I do that too and it is a good way to drive yourself nuts. Situations are remembered from a long time ago and I suddenly realize what I should have done and I can't let it go for a long time. Sandi-remember that hindsite has 20 20 vision. I try to remember that when I busy with "what if I had done it different?"
A lot of venting here too. Thanks
Laura

Day three of sugar detox and I want chocolate so bad. A friend brought over a huge bag of them, and the peanut butter ones have been calling me since Sunday night. Usually my cravings would taper off by day three, but it hasn't this time. i have been good and not had a single one. Everything sweet is hidden in a cabinet and the kitchen is just off limits these days, unless I have to prepare a meal. I keep hearing the little voice "you can just have ONE," but I know I won't stop there, I just know it. And then I have to start all over and I am sick and tired of starting over and over...I feel like a druggie in withdraw.

Anyone know what a Denise Austin Rock Fit Exerciser is? I am getting one off freecycle from someone that I have given lots too....she actually picked me :yes: it's a miracle. Problem is I dont know what it is and when I did a search for it, I just go exercise videos. Since she said "exerciser" I am assuming it's a machine of some sort...she said it really burns her legs.

Theresa

Theresa-THROW THE CANDY OUT!!!!!!!!!!
DON'T TORTURE YOURSELF.
Laura

Yes throw the candy out! Well I am going to tattle on myself and it is totally non food related. I watched Dr. Phil today and they had an alcoholic on there and it was just like watching my own daughter. Only difference is the drug of choice. Well I emailed Dr. Phil and asked for his help with katy. I could get lucky and he would do an intervention for her and hey you could see me on tv lol. Now if that isn't incentive to stay on program I don't know what is! I hope if he does help, I get enough warning. Wouldn't it be awful if he caught me on a robe day? The mere thought sends me into a panic. I just feel so desperate to get her help that if I have to beg a celebrity to do it, I will. I am just scared she is going to kill herself if she doesn't get help soon. Oh I have no idea what that excersize thing is-I am so bad about doing it myself.
Melissa

What a great idea Melissa. Do some research on how he makes his choices. I think his show has people looking for participants. Maybe there is a way to get to his searchers.
Laura

I figured I didn't have anything to lose. If he doesn't do it, I am not any worse off but on the chance that he does, it could be salvation for Katy. I put in the request to him on his website so now I just sit and wait to see what happens.
Melissa

good luck with the dr. phil thing melissa! hopefully he will pick kate.. maybe her having so many kids will convince him to intervene for her. if anyone had a reason to kick meth, it would be kate.
theresa, i agree you should get rid of the candy. there is no point to keeping it around. testing willpower just makes it harder, and as far as that goes, well.. once i tried the same thing.. i tried to quit smoking and had been doing well for three days. i thought i should test my willpower to make sure i was really quitting as opposed to just not having access to cigarettes, so i kept a pack in my purse along with a lighter. i won't bore you with the deatils of the 20 minutes that followed, but let's just let it suffice to say i am smoking a cigarette as i type this :devil:. my idea these days with my diet is that if i am in a no-fail environment, then i won't fail. i usually only crave treats i can have at the moment i have the craving, like ice cream in the freezer, or french fries i'm watching dh eat. when i visited my mom, i had to move her gummy bears from the middle of the back seat to her side by the door because just having to reach across her kept me from repeatedly sticking my hand into the bag.. i still had a few though ;)

Don't be too hard on yourself Candace. They say it takes on average 10 atempts(?) to completely quit and just my two cents-it is really hard to quit two habits at the same time-especially two big ones like smoking and losing weight. I hear you with no fail environment. My kids are going through withdrawl but man I will eat anything if it is here so it is out of the house.

Tomorrow is the big day! First meeting and I am excited for it. I also am hoping Dr. Phil intervenes. I let him know how old her kids are too. I still haven't heard anything from her. I just know she needs to be rescued in the worse way.
Melissa

good morning y'all! my stomach is starting to recover from last night.. right after i posted last night, i got these terrible pains in my stomach. it was really terrible. i am not sure what caused it, but my best guess would be that nasty frapuccino these guys at work made. apparently there is some ritual with newbies that they should try something called an "everything frappuccino" that include a little bit of everything edible in the store. holy cow it was nasty! either that, or it was my subway sandwich. i have had problems there before.. it's the reason why i can't eat mayonaisse :barf:
hope everyone has a wonderful and fabulous op day!

Ah the joys of being a newbie! Sounds like it was probably a combination of the two-glad you are feeling better. I had a NSV today. Schwans day and I bought NO ice cream or bars or anything else I could fall off with. It was all veggies and fruits and some pockets for josh that I have no interest in. The girls love to eat frozen blueberries and josh likes to eat the fruit blend frozen-I know odd kids but I figure it is better than candy or anything else. SO I finally had a NSV today! Woohoo!
Melissa

YAY! Melissa! :carrot: I know schwans has yummy lofat goodies but if i ordered them they would be gone in seconds! WHOO HOO on your NSV!:carrot: I will be praying for the katey situation and I hope Dr. phil will help or give you info for help. Don't you go to WW tomorrow? good luck!

I am feeling better with the cold -it seems to be going away. finally- still sniffly and a tad bit congested but better than the other day.
Emotionally i am still kinda blah but it's getting better- i am looking forward to this weekend as i have some "me" time. and i am a bit better with the situation at work. everything will work out no matter how much i worry so i need to chill for now- but also be getting things together in case the worst happens.

Candice- an everything frap? :?: ooo-eww- and smoking is so hard to give up too- i smoked for 7 years and then was able to quit cold turkey - then 3 years later took it up again when i was going thru nasty divorce- then in 96, i got sick and it turned into pneumonia and couldn't breathe- i was off cigs for 2 weeks and then just never went back. and i was glad cause they got so expensive after that. but ya know to thsi day every now and then i crave one- now hubby quit 2 mos. after me and he has a cigar now and and then but i think ugh. i wish i could think ugh about food. like the pretzels they had on the receptionist desks yesterday- i ended up eating half a container of them -not becasue i am hungry- but because they were there.

So theresa did ya get your exerciser?? if so tell us about it! I am going to be joining you with the sugar detox starting this weekend. I went thru the BL book 3 times and they say i should only eat like 1100 calories a day and i think automatically NOT ENOUGH and it's in my brain that I am going to starve on 1100-1200 calories a day. I am so brainwashed by my own thinking about calories etc.. so i went for the 1500 calorie a day meal plan and wrote down everything and revised a few meal (like chicken for salmon and sf/ff jello for a snack instead of peanuts ) and i am going to try it for a week. I am going ot take it ONE DAY AT A TIME this week. I really think i can get thru a week at first. just to get myself into some good habits. i realize long term one can not always eat out of a book- but my sugar levels have been not good lately. and i think maybe being strict with myself may help to get rid of the cravings AGAIN.

Have a good night all !

I am so glad to hear you are starting to feel better and things are looking up at work too. I have discovered I fuss way more than I need to most of the time-those darn emotions get in the way all the time. Yes I get to go to my first meeting tomorrow and I am really excited for it. I too am taking it one day at a time and one pound at a time if I have to. I am amazed at the difference in how I feel when I eat right-just can't figure out why I don't do it all the time or even slip up-guess I suffer from CRS (can't remember stuff) and so I have to remind myself. Hopefully I will remember this time. Tomorrow when I get home, I am going to do some make ahead breakfasts and whoever gave the suggestion for a crockpot-I LOVE YOU!!!! It has made all the difference in the world for me. I have been going through a link I got that is all for the crockpot and WW has a cookbook out now too for it. I am getting so efficient it is getting scary!
Melissa

Melissa, You should write in to Oprah as well because she's been doing shows on that book by the druggie and is planning another druggie-related show (can't think of a better way to say it lol) so maybe she would help you as well? Oh, and Montel as well, he does shows and helps a lot as well, though he's not as widely watched anymore...he could still help! Heck, write Regis while you're at it :lol: j/k

I got the Denise Austin Rock Fit thing and gave it to a friend, who has a very small home so can't get any big equipment to use. It's this bit half-circle shaped thing and you stand with one foot on each side and rock back and forth. If you go real fast it feels like you're running in place, only awkward. It made my inner thighs and butt burn in like 2 seconds, so I wished her luck with it. It was kinda neat because you move your feet out to different widths and it works different parts.

I wrote out my calorie plan for tomorrow...1400 calories and I have to stick with it. Yesterday and today were just ****, every little thing that could go wrong did...ya know, one of those days where all the little annoying things stack up until you want to rip your hair out and go back to bed. I've had two days like that and on top of it all I have realized my kids are spoiled rotten little brats. I love them more than anyone else on earth, myself even, but they are just spoiled and behaving like brats and I don't like it. I'm doing some things to change that, including stripping their bedrooms of all t heir toys and making them earn them back. I did it to Allie not long ago but she has forgotten her lesson already. Also, I am no longer doing everything around here, they are going to have chores and there will be stiff consequences for not doing them...like not coming out of their rooms until they are cleaned, even if it means they miss supper. I know, I'm a horrible mommy but they act like royal prince/princess who can't lift a finger and I am exhausting myself trying to keep up with everything...it's time they helped out!

Okay, I'm done venting.

Theresa

I think I just may do that-I will hold off on more until we find out if she gets prison time or not. If she does, there is nothing I can do for rehab for her but if she doesn't, I will get my little pen out and right anyone who will let me.

I have been going through that kind of thing with the kids too. Odessa has to throw food on the floor like peals and crusts instead of just putting it on her plate and amanda has been throwing toys around just for the sake of doing it and also throwing food on the floor. I have spent alot of time the last two days standing over them while they pick up their mess. With toys I made it a game-who can get the most-who can find dora or a block and they race each other so they don't know they are working-hehehe. I think Logan is going through a growing spirt cause he has been sleeping alot and kind of cranky too. I am going to have to get josh in cause his nose is all stuffy yet again. Haven't heard anything out of kate for two days now-thought about checking up on her but I didn't. I can't keep chasing her down and trying to get her to do the things she is supposed to do-ugh. It does get better so I am told.
Melissa

It will get better when she finds out if she is going to jail, and I think the fact that she is using again is a strike against her in court. She doesn't seem to be trying very, if she would do some of the things they told her to do, stay away from drugs, etc. they might look more favorably on letting her stay out of jail. If it comes in that she is doing drugs still, is homeless, is not caring for her kids, this is not going to look good in court. But, since she's on drugs again she is not thinking about that I'm sure.

I exercised this morning, but feel stiff again since I missed a couple days. Seems I just can't get myself going again. I am OP with eating and drinking lots of water though, and stiff exercise is better than none I guess.

We are having Tyler's birthday party on Sunday so I am trying to get the house straightend up and presentable. I really hate giving birthday parties, all those miserable in-laws in my home tires me out.

I am just feeling very sluggish and ICK and it feels like I gained a pound or two back so I didnt' even WI. Felt seeing a higher number would send me on a binge.

I did spend last evening at the park with a friend and her kids and we had a lot of fun, so we did enjoy the odd 70 degree weather a bit. It's going back into the 50s tomorrow with thunderstorms tonight...guess all good things have to come to an end.

Theresa

Katy called me this morning and was awfully speedy for someone going to court this morning. Of course it was 830a and she still hadn't left yet and she is supposed to appear at 9a. She doesn't make it-warrant-not going there though-she is an adult and if it is important to her, she will make it. She also missed her drug and alcohol assessment-not sure how long michelle will put up with this stuff.

Yes stiff excersize is better than none and with the house cleaning you will burn some calories too. You are smart to stay away from the scale if you think it will cause a problem and maybe TOM coming could be reason for sluggy-I know we run pretty close together for cycles and I know I have felt that way too. Man am I jealous over 70 degree weather! I think the news said we have had rain 25 days in a row now-got flooding going on in places too. Almost time for me to leave for my meeting! Need to run around a bit more before Sueann gets here to watch my dumplings.
Melissa

Lovely, if she shows up late and high, what will happen? Can't be good, but you are right to say she is an adult and go on with your own plans. I hope you have a great time at the meeting. You are probably right that sluggish feeling is TOM coming in a week or so...but, I think it might also be that I just ate cereal for breakfast and for some reason it wasn't enough, I had some grilled chicken strips and felt a lot better right away. But then I ate lunch and feel sluggish again, so it is probably TOM. I could really go for a nap and watching the rain out the window isn't helping one bit. Just got our electric bill...$200 ouchie. I turned the heat down and bundled everyone up more, can't afford that every month! It is supposedly 70 out there, but it feels cold in here...prob. because we have mostly hardwood floors and only a few rooms with carpet.

Theresa

Feeling cold can be TOM related too. I know that usually the two days before I start, I am freezing no matter what I do. I am with you with heating costs-I am ready for it to warm up a bit.

Went to my first meeting and I was disgusted with what I had gained back in such a short time. It is the same gal I had last time and I like her so that is good. I had to switch days last time and wound up with a guy-he was really nice ect but I just feel better with a lady. She is very encouraging and no pressure which is also good. So now that I am officially weighed in, I am going to stay away from the scale until I go back next week. My scale is like 14lb different than theirs and not in my favor lol. I am going to try and stay away and be surprised next Friday. Hard for a scale junkie to do.
Melissa

wtg melissa on your first meeting! even if you've gained some back, it's just a temporary setback since you are committed to your goal. even still trying after all you've been through is a victory as far as i'm concerned. i think in your shoes i would be on the ben and jerry's like white on rice. you're an inspiration girl :)

Hi everyone. Sounds like most of us are doing good so far.

Melissa, my heart hurts for you and all that Katy is putting you through. You are doing the right thing by hanging tough in your decision. Those little one's are what's important now. Congrats on WW. I know you will do great.

I hate to admit it Candace, but I have never been to a Starbucks! Sounds like it's a good thing too for me, I'd be a regular , scarfing down all those pastries.

Laura B I don't know how you do it with all your dinner meetings, I have no willpower if the place serves good food.

Theresa I hope Tyler is doing better, sounds like he gave you quite a scare. that's why I do adult nursing, the little guys just break my heart when they are hurting.

Right now I am recovering from a rough oral surgery, mouth is full of stitches. It's pretty painful right now but hopefully it will get better. Good news though, when I saw my regular doc earlier this week, I was down 5 lbs from my last visit in Dec. That made me feel a little better!
I guess it won't be too hard to stay OP for a week or so---only soup, jello, yogurt etc... for me right now.
I didn't mean to leave anyone out, I am still a little loopy from the anesthesia they gave me this morning.

Time to say bye for now, I keep falling asleep! LOL!!

Suzette-I read someshere that mouths heal faster than any other part of the body. I hope that happens for you.
Melissa- I'm so glad you finally got to WW. I 'm sure the meetings will help, plus you got a bit of time to yourself.
Theresa- It's hard not to eat at kid's birthday parties, especially if the awful in laws will be there. Maybe they can be the reason you stay OP, just so they don't win.
Candace- I have only been in a Starbucks once. I don't drink coffee, but i went with my brother and his small sons last year. Lots of people were sitting with their laptops, drinking coffee and reading. Ray Charles was singing and it was lovely. My nephews couldn't stay long, but I could have. I assume they are all like that.
Sandi- I am craving sugar too and I used up my lunch calories on a sweet.

I worked out at the training center again today and it really helps me feel optimistic and it stopped my hand from grabbing an ice cream pop at the gas station. I have to be mindful of the I burned up a lot of calories on the elliptical so now I can eat them away syndrome, which I am good at. My body hurts from all the weights, but my son Joe says it good to hurt. He also says that working out makes you warmer since you are burning calories and the product of the burn is heat, therefore I can turn the heat in the house down to 66 degree and save money. Good practical thinking from my boy.
Laura

Today is the start of the National Body Challenge (anyone else signed up?) and I weighed in for that...back up to 242 :( 4 lb. gain, but I was relieved it wasn't worse for a month of bad choices and a week of virtually no exercise. I changed my ticker because I want to be real with myself and accept that I gained some back and move forward. I found it very motivating actually, to see the 4 lb. gain on the top ticker and no longer to be at 20 lbs. lost on the other. I am determined to get it back to where it was and then down some....determined :strong:

I am going back to setting exercies goals because I have slacked off since I stopped that. It's just hard to get going again, but I looked at my walk across america stuff to set some goals: I want to finish through milestone 12 by the end of the month. I have 27 miles to finish 10 right now, then can work on the other two. I can do this, I can!!!! Now off to start with that and prep for the party tomorrow.

Theresa

theresa, congrats on starting the national body challenge. it sounds like a lot of fun. good luck.
laura.. yeah they are all like that :) they even have the same music playing at the same time at all the locations. it's not ray charles now, not sure what it is. it's pretty good though. usually background music at places i've worked drives me crazy. at fry's, they had a michael jackson video playing on a big screen for two weeks.. at the end i wanted to throw something at it.

Sugar, white gluey wonder bread with PB&J, pretzels, PB filled pretzels, cookies, cheesecake, creme filled "d" words, french fries and a double :mcd: ....OOOOOOOO it's bad today. i am sitting there today thinking non- stop about FOOD. So i cleaned out all my cupboards and then we took a ride to daytona just to get out-
i am in day two of "detox" :lol: i know some say detox isn't the word to use but when taking oneself off processed and refined carbs/foods I think detox works just fine. I am a bit snappy today BUT OP all the way. I have even done 3 work out sessions in 2 days. (I am walking around like I am 105 years old)
Calories are under 1400 yesterday and today should be good too.

Theresa- i signed up for the Body challenge but my computer is SO slooooow that i can't get a good connection. You are the exercise queen- come on now back at it! Good luck at the party tomorrow - hope the inlaws aren't too bad.

Melissa- I am so glad you liked your WW meeting. I hope it'll work good for you. I have an excellent crock pot recipe for chicken stew i will post later and also have the WW crockpot meal cookbook along with their 30 minutes meals one. I'll send ya some of those recipes if you want

well i got to go to starbucks today ( they have one in our super target) everyone got yummy lattes and mocha whipped creme toppings- i was good- i had a grande decafe and put FF milk in it and splenda- i wanted something chocolate but felt the calories weren't worth the drink. I like to go there, have a coffee, sit and "people watch" -

Laura-:carrot: way to go on the gym and working out- I have been told it gets easier the longer you go. i hope so.

Suzette- your poor mouth- not a way i'd want to lose but maybe it'll take off a pound or two- i hate dentists- unfortunatly i have to go in march and it may be lots of work.

Candice- when i worked at BK they played the same 10 songs over and over and over again. I wanted to unplug the machine every night. after a while we changed the tape- the mgr. never noticed.

well hubby and have have an exciting date night planned for tonight- it will consist of watching a movie and munching on popcorn and fighting for the blanket on the couch - :love: by 10 we'll both be asleep :D

Have a great day !
Sandi

Sandi, I want your date night, I am so jealous!!!! Hubby could have the popcorn and remote, I just want the sleep. I have been in a standoff all day with the kids...this making them help me thing is not going so well. I've tried making it into a game, making it a funny joke, helping them out, they just will not do it :angry: Hubby is on his way home and said he would deal with it, and I agreed because I am really worn out. He's been gone a week, and it's been a really long week. I know it's nothing compared to what you deal with Melissa, and there is no relief coming even once a week...you are more the woman than I, my ultimate love and respect your way.

Theresa

Would love the crockpot recipes! I thought dinner was good tonite but my kids disagreed(too bad). They all opted to not eat much and now they are trying to hit me up for snacks-NOT. It is all relative Theresa-really. I think if Amanda fishes in the toilet one more time I am going to scream. I just don't get the fascination really. I do get little breaks here and there. Monday I will be going to my SIL's baby shower and my Dad volunteered to watch all the kids-he is a brave brave man-lol. Josh will be here too so I am sure he will tell Pappa how things go.

Did awesome food wise and I think having to physically go in to weigh is keeping me more honest. I kind of felt rushed this time since the babysitter had to take her son to the denist by noon but the important thing is that I got to go. I am finally feeling like I am back in control again and it sucks that it took me like over two months to do it. The crockpot is a Godsend for me and since I make dinner in the morning what to fix isn't an issue anymore-woohoo!
Melissa

Hey Misty we all have our times of being a boardhog so post away when you feel the need. I am curious too to see if you have a change in your weight loss. I used to to work swing years ago and my lunch was either at 7p or 730. I started eating a piece of fruit instead of a meal and it made a huge difference. I would eat dinner about 230 in the afternoon. I wound up losing a bunch of weight. I am sorry hubby has to have another surgery! You sound like you are feeling better and that is good.

That 200 seems to be a milestone for alot of us and the fears and anxiety that goes along with it. Wonder why that is...guess we will have to do some soul searching and compare notes.

I will check in later ladies!
Melissa

Scale is back to 240 today, and I feel back to normal. Hoping the last 2 will come off by WI on Fri, then I can continue from where I left off. I've got just a couple minutes before I have to get in the kitchen and get things going for the party. The house is so nice right now I wonder why I can't keep it this perfect all the time :lol: oh yeah, hubby isn't usually here helping.

I will catch up with everyone later...off to party.

Theresa

I hope you have a wonderful day today Theresa! Our weigh in days are the same and oh yes it makes a difference when there are two pairs of hands doing the upkeep. Tomorrow is SIL's baby shower and I have determined no cake or nuts or anything. I am going to take one of my diet rite sodas with me and nurse that while I am there. I probably won't be too long since my dear ol' dad will be here holding down the fort-he just has no idea what he is in for lol. Have a great time today!
Melissa

i think things are finally getting back to normal around here for a change so i am going to take this great opportunity to spend the next week or two busting my plateau. i looked back in my diet log and realized i have been hovering at 150, two pounds up or down, since at least nov. 8. that's crazy! so i am getting serious now.. i need to stop messing around! i am going to the gym everyday, starting tomorrow, and keeping calories at a maximum of 1200. i have been averaging at around 1500 since nov. 8, so i am thinking that lower calories, at this point, are in order. this will be simple to do if i lay off the unhealthy snacks, ice cream, and extraneous meals. even more so, because dh is looking to lose a few lbs too (those 1400 calorie pints of b&j are catching up with him finally. he's like, shocked). i've started to get back into that ugly habit of eating just because i feel like it or am bored -- not hungry. my new goal is to get to 140 by feb. 14, as dh and i have a terrific date planned. we are going to take some wine and beach chairs down to this fancy-schmancy place on the san clemente pier we like so much, and chill on the beach until we get a table (for some reason, the place does not take reservations. it's a little bizarre) hopefully we'll have money.. that's definitely not a given ;)
i think we are all in a get-with-the-program state of mind. during the holidays, it seemed like we were all kinda blah, just hoping not to gain. i am optimistic about the fact that the group seems to be more enthusiastic and proactive these days. yay us!

I can only speak for me but during the holidays it was like there felt like there was no way to win so I got kind of a defeatist attitude about it. I am curious to see how I handle them this year since I will be so much smaller and hopefully at my goal weight. Food is awesome this week thus far and I am looking forward to Friday. Josh gave us all a cold again and I spent yesterday just feeling icky as if TOM wasn't enough to make me feel that way. Now I need to get the bike out again and get on the darn thing. I am not sure how I will get walks in this spring and summer unless I go buy a triple stroller. Odessa just can't walk fast enough to make it a productive walk for me and the stroller I have is just a two seater. I will check in later!
Melissa

Melissa, I had the same issue last year with walking out on the track. i had a double stroller, but it was really big and heavy and the only way to get down to the track was down a very steep hill with concrete steps. i could not carry the stroller and keep both toddlers from falling down face first, so I had to leave them in the van, walk the stroller down, go back up, get them down and then put them in. This was back when I very first started exercising and by the time we were ready I was worn out and sweating to death and ready for bed. There are no other tracks near us...or so I thought at that time. I ended up giving the stroller away and now I wish I hadn't. I don't know how I will do it this summer. There needs to be a park with a walking track built right around it, so mommies can exercise while watching the kids, that would be a dream come true. How was the baby shower? Hope you have a great time away from the kids!

Cadwell, your date sounds awesome! Maybe you can pick out or buy a dress that you want to wear that night, and work to fit into it. Or, just find a nice picture of the dress online or in a magazine and hang it up somewhere. You can do it, Candace!!!! You can!

Suzette, I can't wait to hear the results of your lunch break experiment. No way to learn unless you try it out...good luck!

Hubby is leaving this afternoon so I better go spend some time with him...though he seems to be in a bit of a mood and I keep thinking "is it time for him to go yet?" :lol: sometimes I love his job.

I guess I will just have to do more work outside this summer to make up for not walking. I just don't see how I can swing it this time around but there are other ways to get movement in. Baby shower is 7p my time and I already talked to Dad and he seems excited to be with the kids (ignorance is bliss I have heard). Josh will be here too so at least if Dad gets stuck or can't find something, Josh knows where it is and I will take the cell phone too if there is an emergency. I have enough "freezer surprise" that I don't have to cook tonight and how awesome is that??
Melissa

:lol: your dad might never come back after tonight. No, usually grandparents love the little ones and he'll be volunteering again, I'm sure. They will love the hassles and the high energy just as much as you do...even though you need breaks like tonight. I am glad to hear you getting out some. Don't rush home, milk this for the kid-less time you need. What's going on with Kate? Did you ever hear from her again, and when is her court date?

My eating has been rotten yesterday and today, but I made out my meal plans for tomorrow through next week and will stick to that. Also gave me an exact shopping list and I'll not buy a single thing not on the list, always better than just picking up whatever as I walk through the aisles.

I'm back in the swing of exercise though and that feels great. Well, I've just been doing the gazelle, not the videos. Got 8 miles in yesterday and felt back in the swing after that.

Theresa

theresa, i love your idea! i always love the idea of a new outfit. i really don't have any dresses. the reason of course is that i never felt i looked good in them because of my weight. i am going to hunt online for some right now, and later i will get my it-girl mom to help me look. she will love it! depending on the brand, maybe it can even be a six if i make my 2/14 goal. woohoo!!

Kate was supposed to come here last friday never showed up or called me. She called me hysterical last night about 9p about some other charges from when her home was raided in september and she now really has nowhere to live. Michelle could get her placed but Katy is full of excuses and not really willing to do what she needs to. She was supposed to be here today but it is now 435p my time and I have neither seen her or heard from her. I am just trying not to deal or worry about it. She is an adult. She had court on the 13th and was half an hour late and then she goes back again I think next month for trial setting. Like I told her last night-sometimes we make terrible choices for ourselves and it takes time to make it right again just like getting fat for me. I didnt do this in a couple days and it is going to take a whole bunch of right choices to make it right again.

Good idea to make the menus ahead. Even if I just do the next day ahead of time, I do so much better. I have tomorrow's done except for dinner-only because I haven't decided yet but even if I don't do it till am the first two meals are done so I will be good.

I know you can make your goal Candace! You have almost 4 weeks to do it and with your new determination to get to the gym, you will be there in no time flat! I used to love to buy clothes and shoes but after I got heavy it was a chore and always felt like a frump in whatever I wore. I look at old pictures and can't hardly believe it is me. The kids are all so young, they may not remember fat nanna which is what I am hoping for. I better get it together here before the lamb comes to the slaughter. I am trying to have everything done so he doesn't have to deal with anything much.
Melissa

OO I :love: clothes! i stopped buying and caring as i am so heavy & short it was a chore to try on clothes and find something to fit- i know people who are heavier than me and wear smaller sizes?? I guess it's all about body shapes. But i am looking forward to something new -especially around Feb 20- pics are being done and i want to wear something nice and not dumpy or something that I get just cause it covers the flab.

the exercise is kicking my butt- i am hurting again. sore muscles and tonight will be "honey, can you rub my back with the bengay?":p I will be able to one day laugh at myself about my complaining.

I really think the meal plans work out so much better than "winging it"
I am taking a cue from Melissa and really using the crock pot a lot these days.
I like it as it keeps me from do the whats for dinner and I don't know what to cook thingy. I think I am saving money too tho.

Theresa -how was the party?? were the inlaws ok??
Melissa - i hope you are having a blast tonight.
Candice- new clothes :love: you can hit your goal! anyone who works at Starbucks and doesn't eat the :D cookies can do anything.
Suzette- good luck on your new plan- i worked 11p to 7 a.m. for a while and lost all kinds of weight- course i smoked like a fiend too :devil: but when i went to 3-11 -I gained 20 pounds. i was hungry all the time. You can break the 200- you can do it!:carrot:
I feel that way about the 160's i so just want to be in the 150's- i guess i will feel as if i accomplished SOMETHING- but i have to remember my NSV!
calories today were 1420 so thats good and i exercised-
:cb: Just Look out Excess pounds cause you are going to GO AWAY !:carrot:

Have a good night all!
Sandi

that really is true about the night shift. when i went to texas i helped my mom with the papers and we all stayed up all night and i lost a couple pounds i think even with all the christmas goodies, and it was just 11 days. dang, i want to work a night shift! maybe they will put me on opening and that will have a similar effect. no one ever wants to work at 4 a.m. so it's a possibility.
i have been good today so far. no snacks, no treats, and i went to the cheap produce mart and stocked up on veggies. now i will have to eat them instead of junk or else they'll go bad. waste not, want not! lol. i think that philosophy had at least a little to do with my weight gain, and now i am going to use it in my favor.
melissa, i think they are all so young, i don't think they will remember you anyway except "skinny nana," lol.. but you have to destroy the photographic evidence :devil: