:welcome3: Gracenote, glad to have you join us.

It sounds like everyone had a good weekend. Candace--no icecream--:carrot: I know that's a fav of yours!!
Well I did manage to stay OP this whole weekend at work. I'm still eating only yogurt or a sandwich at my 2am dinner break. I started using a light whole wheat bread that's low cal. The whole sandwich is only 250 calories and it fill me up. So far my little experiment seems to be working. I am down 4 more pounds for the week.:woo: I get to move my ticker!!!! Not much else happening right now, we are shorthanded at work so I have another 40 hr in 3 days stretch starting wed. I hate these long stretches as all I do on my first day off is sleep!!!! Oh well it pays the bills for now and my contract does end in May:devil:

I will try to check back later. Have a great day everyone:grouphug:

Suzette

ok i am pouting.:( went to an endocrinologist today and she was really helpful....

NOT

she was pleased that i had lost a little weight and my eating and exercising habits were better BUT she said me losing weight is an uphill battle and it will be very surprising IF i lose too much more. you can't lose weight with a fatty liver (it's called NASfld ) like non- alcoholic -2 big words etc.. fatty liver disease. they say it only causes problems on rare occasions BUT I am thinking your liver does so much for your body and it's filled with fat then how can it work??They say my liver is like 3 sizes too big?? they want me to have a liver biosopy next month..
so she suggested i do one of two things- keep eating well and gee you will just be fat or go on a medifast type diet where it is controlled by her.. ( i got to wondering if she got a kick back on it??)
the only cure for NASFLAD is to lose weight- BUT you can't lose weight if you have NASFLD- i want a second opinion :rollpin:
I am not going to do a medifast type diet. i will lose weight no matter what she says. i will just pay attention to my food intake and exercise MORE
sorry about the rant - i was so annoyed today.

YAY! :woo: Suzette! :carrot: way to go !

I agree Kayelle- you can be so skinny and NOT be healthy- i know too many people who smoke 3 packs a day and eat "bad "foods and they are super skinny and think they look great BUT their health is worse than mine. I hope that is true about fiber- i know it fills me up faster than non fiber foods.

I really think one of my problems is NOT thinking before i eat- or overeat.

OK enough cleaning ! Melissa-:D I started on my bedroom bookcases this afternoon -(yes- you motivated me !)
One good thing is I found 3 more WW cookbooks i forgot i had. HMMM new recipes!

It has been proven that certain people taste things in different ways and certain chemicals /ingredients will make you keep eating. and eating.. and eating..

I think TOM is again rearing it's ugly head- i am cranky and crampy - my face is breaking out and i am up 2 pounds from yesterday. now it takes 3500 calories to gain a pound and i know i didn't eat 7000 calories in 1 day. so it's TOM..i hate this. never know (except in the a.m.) when it will show :devil:
When i was a tennager i never broke out - i had perfect skin.. then i had kids.. and got older and clearasil and miss clariol are my two best friends.

i am off to start dinner (oh joy :p )
Sandi

Misty congrats on the loss! You must have hit the nail on the head so keep it up! i don't know how you work the hours you do-I would be passed out in a coma somewhere.

Sandi Get a second opinion. I know I have a fatty liver and my enzyme count was like triple what is supposed to be and no one told me I couldn't lose weight. Sounds like a kickback to me and if you can't lose weight, why do medifast? Isn't losing weight an uphill battle for everyone? If it weren't there wouldn't be any fat chicks. Get a food journal going girlfriend and map out the night before what you will have the next day and then thinking is down to a minimum and way cool on the cookbooks too. It is always fun to find treasures while cleaning. You had me laughing about clearasil and miss clairol-I think we run in the same circles and I figured that by the time I was in my forties clearasil would be bought for teenagers not for myself! Speaking of new recipes mine arrived today and TY TY TY TY!!! I have been pouring over them and now trying decide which one to try first. Tonight I am doing cheaters chicken caccitore so we will see how it goes. Josh won't be happy but he never is so no biggy there. I wound up keeping him home from school today. He got up and got sick. I am really tired of illness and rain. I have both in abundance here. I am really in the mood for somewhere warm and tropical right now.
Melissa

Sandi I agree you need a second opinion. You are doing so well with this battle, don't let her get you down. It doesn't make sense to go on medifast diet if you can't lose weight :?: that will just set you up to gain it back or be on that forever, and come on, who can really do that if it's not life threatening? Second opinion ASAP.

I have been off having a time with TOM cycle. I had two weeks of cramping and a very upset tummy (not relate to TOM, but I am blaming him) and just overall lack of energy and feeling icky. I don't know why I had symptoms so early, usually it's about a week before, but this time I was starting to wonder if maybe it wasn't going to come :eek: it is here and I feel better. Strange how I feel better once it starts pouring, always thought PMS was during it when I was younger. I have exactly 3 weeks before both Allie's bday parties...having here on Feb. 12 and then at her school on 13th, which is actually her bday. I was supposed to be signed up to help with the valentine's party on the 14th as well, but no one ever contacted me about it and the teacher called to ask about when to schedule her party, and mentioned the Val. party is on 14th and didn't say a word about me helping. I kept my mouth shut, if they forgot or just left me out that is fine with me! I still might get contacted sometime in the next few weeks, but I am just hoping I have been left out. That would not hurt my feelings at all. That is probably horrible, but 2 parties in a row is enough for me!!!!!

Anyway, I have been OP all the way, even with limited exercise, even with TOM, because I feel very focused on those new pants looking great for her party. If they feel really good, I might just wash them overnight and wear them to both parties :)

Hubby has been letting me take naps and that has been why I haven't been on here. I have decided to sell my strip aerobics dvds, since they are really too easy already (no sweat anymore) and I am getting the BL soon, and want to get the VH1 Celeb. Fit Club one as well...so decided to ebay the strip aerobics and get some $$ back to buy the other one. I was surprised what they are going for, should get a good price for them. I looked up the Celeb. fit club one there and was shocked that people are paying more than the price to just order it brand new from VH1. It's 14.99 from VH1, and they have auctions up well over $20+sh!!!! Don't they know they can get it brand new cheaper? Makes me want to buy 2 and sell 1 for profit :lol:

Theresa

Glad that you are feeling better and what a wonderful Hubby to let you snooze! You are going to be busy with parties it looks like. My niece is due here on the 10th of feb and can't wait to see her. Ebay can really rock so hey if you aren't using it, may as well do it even if it is so you can restock on something different. I always take into account the total cost when I buy. the only thing I went googoo on was a Zatch bell thing josh was wanting really bad for christmas. Have to break even or save before I buy. I got a bunch of stuff from mom today too and I will be putting it on ebay. Glass stuff and some teacup things.

My friend in PA made this for me so now I have a new Avatar.
Melissa

Sandi-I agree about a 2nd opinion. And you have lost weight, so why assume you won't lose anymore?
Today is a gloomy day in my world. It snowed again and I worked here and was lonely and bored and just wanted to eat a lot of food, but I didn't. I am at 1000 calories and we have a small piece of salmon and some veggies to share for supper so I will be under 1300.
I need a beach.
Did anyone see the 627 lb woman on TLC last night. Very sad. I googled around to see if there was a followup to see how she is now, but I couldn't find anything.
Laura

Snow is frozen rain so I hear you there. The sun actually poked its head out for about 30 min today but then it was gone again. I didn't see that show. You might check out the TLC website-they sometimes have updates ect on the site.
Melissa

TLc has nothing on her.
Melissa- I love your new photo.
Today is a hard day. I am not hungry. I know that. But I want to eat because it tastes good. I'm here, so I won't.
Laura

:hug: ya'll are welcome to my sunshine and beach's anytime. i will firmly tell the sun it needs to shine in various areas. no rain - snow either. then of course you may have to deal with a hurricane or two.. we only live 5 minuted from the beach but the past 2 years the hurricanes have wiped them out to nothing- we don't go oftenas it gets too hot in the sun during the day and it's a hassle to drive down on the beach and it costs like 5.00 a trip to get on the beach with a car- i do enjoy a walk there tho around 5-6 p.m. in the summer.we park in the lots and walk down. that's still free for now.

Thanks guys:D i needed cheering up this afternoon- i am calling another end. tomorrow and making another appointment. i just felt she was really pushing the medifast and from the beginning she was all you can't keep the weight off- it has made me more determined than ever . i didn't like her- she was very pushy about either the medifast or another diet that she put her patients with. and i know i could never do medifast unless many doctors told me i had to in order to save my life.


Ebay is a wonderful magical place unless you become addicted to it as i have been on the past:p just joking! one time i got inot a bidding war with someone over an item i really wanted and they kept raising their bid by only 25 cents i think just to annoy me. I finally won :carrot: and only paid 1.00 more than i said i was going too. tea cups sell very well on there.

melissa- i am glad you like the recipes- i have more that i will be wiiling to send out possibly thurs- friday again. i know i love so many of them - of course when they call for chopped cilantro or something strange i don't have i sub. something- like italian seasoning -i never put hot peppers in anything either. let me now if ya want more- don't mind making copies for anyone who wants them. love the avatar!
Laura -i saw that show and i cried. i felt so bad for that woman but i also understood her and there are times i feel like i just want to do "normal" things and can't be because i am overweight. i don't know if she got help or not- i hope so.
Theresa - i am jealous! i know my TOM is going to be here soon as i don't sleep well when it's almost here. i really think all those insides should go away after we have our kids - no more problems.

I am off to bed soon and try to sleep. i am all worried about vehicles and getting them fixed and costs of it all.. then again i'd worry if everthing was ok today.
Sandi

Is Anyone Doing Wwatchers?:)

I am and I believe Sandisuze is also-you are more than welcome to join us-very active group.
Melissa

I really need to work on my avatar- tomorrow- trying to get kids pics up and it's not working for me it's all blurry etc..- see shoulda gone to bed instead of reading more threads..

I am doing WW to a point- i still have an online membership thru april i think - i try to follow points etc. and really use lots of their recipes! I think if i was serious and TRIED harder i'd lose more- i just don't follow it as i should.:(
BUT :welcome: and jump right in -don't be shy and these ladies are the most supportive, wonderful and fun group i've ever been with!
I really am gonna try to get to bed now!:D ( after fixing my avatar)
Sandi

Hi Ladies! As always, everyone seems in a good mood! It is so nice to come in here and see that we all have the same sort of problems with cars, TOM, kids, food, etc. and that we all can give each other a boost now and then!

I agree with everyone too Sandi on getting a second opinion, and then maybe a third. I know it can be expensive, but it's your health and your life. The control should be in your hands, not theirs just because some big company is giving them a kickback!

Melissa-The avatar is great! When I get my new pc I will be able to scan in my pics and show off my monsters! Great job on the 6 pounds! :carrot: :carrot: Somewhere in this pc I think I still have a file of WW Crockpot Recipes, if I can find them, I'll send them to you. I love them! Have you tried the new crockpot cooking bags? I bought some today, will try one out tomorrow with a roast. Fingers crossed for you that ex actually puts the money in the mail for you!

Theresa-I'm waiting(dreading) for TOM here also. I always know when it's coming when all I crave is tortilla chips and salsa!! Salt, salt, salt!!

Laura-I'm with you on needing a beach!! Warm sand and crystal clear water!! Oh, but to dream!!!!!

Gracenote- :welcome: This is a super group of ladies!

Well, Curves went really well today-I lost 3 pounds for the first week of the 6 week challenge! With TOM coming, I am very happy!! I only got to the gym once last week, but will be there at least 3 times this week, so maybe next weigh in will be even better. I think I could have lost a little more but the lady at Curves put me on the wrong diet-I am supposed to be on higher protien but she misread my carb test and put me on higher carbs. I didn't get the workbook until Wed, then didn't read any of it until Thursday night, so I ate the higher carb version for 4 full days. We'll see how this week goes?

Well, gotta pick up kids from church. Have a great night everyone!!

Kathy

Kathy, how do they determine how much carb/protein you need? What kind of diets do they recommend? I would like to know what they'd say for me, but i can't join at this point.

Melissa, that avatar is great! The kids are so adorable, and now you get to look at them whenever you read posts and remember you are doing this partly for them as well.

I didn't see the 600 lb. woman but I do hope she is doing well now. I am annoyed tonight because I shaved my legs yesterday then realized a bit ago they were hairy again...all ready!?! I know they were smooth as could be yesterday, and now I've got a bush coming in. Is this another part of getting old?

I have been freaking out because I am 3 weeks away from turning 29. I am almost THIRTY!!!!! and I still haven't done enough in my life. I am not where I thought I would be, not by a LOOOONG shot and it's depressing me, making me wonder if cleaning dirty butts and being puked on is the height of my life. Hubby keeps telling me I'm being silly, still young with all this time ahead of me, raising kids is so much bigger and more important than all my previous goals :blah: I love being home with my kids and would not give them up for anything, but I can't help but feel like I have lost myself. I dropped out of college 1 year away from graduation, after having all these big internships and job offers coming my way, got prego right away and here I am. Never made it back. Gave it all up and I feel it's just over now. When the kids are in school what am I going to do? Work at Mcd's because I have NO work experience, just college from a long time ago?

I hope this mood passes with TOM. I have 3 day cycles, so tomorrow I should be really light and then Wed. back to normal.

Theresa

Hi all!

Thanks for the very warm welcome. What a nice bunch you are :)

Purplefirefly - I'm only 23, but I think I kind of know how you feel. I got married at 19 and left the University of Washington along with a $20,000 scholarship. I didn't know what I wanted to do career-wise at the time (now I'm a self-taught graphic/web designer -- withOUT the piece of paper that says I can do it :D ). The point is, even though my husband is the most important part of my life and I can't imagine my life NOT being married to him, and even though I'm successful in other parts of my life (including my career) I still kinda feel crappy telling people that I didn't finish school. I started taking classes at a community college and it totally boosted my confidence -- even though I totally didn't feel challenged -- but I was doing something for myself, something that was fun for me. Kids are wonderful, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt anybody if you had something that was all your own. Why not take online classes if you can't get out or learn a skill on your own? It's great fun and you won't feel like your whole life is cleaning dirty butts anymore. :)

Well, I joined a gym last week called Bodies in Motion. It's pretty expensive for a gym ($70.00/month!) but they have aerobics classes that I can take in the morning before work. I've gone 5 times so far and I love it but I'm totally intimidated by all the athletic people (especially women, believe it or not) that work out there. I wanted to cry last friday when I went to a boxing/kickboxing technique class and left 10 minutes into the class because they starting running around the block outside and I just couldn't do it. I just turned around and walked back to the gym. Felt like the biggest idiot... and I wanted to cry :(. I really want to take the other boxing classes but now I'm scared because I know how hard they are and I'm just not ready for them. I'm going to try the cycling class on Wednesday.. if I like it I think I'll stick with that one instead.

Sandi - one more vote in for getting a second opinion. My sincere apologies to any doctors reading this (actually, if you're a doctor, what I'm about to say does NOT apply to you. It applies to pretty much every other doctor BUT you, so rest assured that I am NOT talking about you ;)), but I don't think they're much different than me or you other than a few years of schooling. They certainly DON'T know everything and I've never had a doctor who has been able to help me with ANY of my problems. When I was 10 years old I went to the doctor because my knees would hurt everytime I ran in P.E., and his wise words of wisdom were: "That's normal. Your kneecaps are just popping out of place." No medicine, no exercise, no advice, no nothing! It's probably his fault that I'm overweight.

Hopefully when my TOM is over the scale will move down some more. I want to reach my personal V-Day goal. Also, I think if I lose enough weight, my husband will get jealous and try harder to lose weight and get in shape himself. He's got a little belly and I would love to see him with a nice six-pack!

Well, Monday's over! 1 down, 4 more to go!!

gracenote, it's great you started at the gym. don't worry about not being able to keep up with the rest of the classes. everyone has to start somewhere. it's always a little intimidating at first.
theresa, you are definitely not old! i am not even four years younger than you, and i wouldn't say 29 is old. my philosophy is that i won't be old until i am like, ten years older than my mom. since she and i are getting older at the same rate, so this is no problem ;) it's not "over" if you want to go back to school. if you only have one more year, it wouldn't be so hard to finish if that's what you want. when your kids are older, you could take a few classes during the day, part-time kind of.
melissa, i love your new avatar! that is so cute!
it's going to be another crazy day for me today. i'm opening again, so i have to leave in about an hour and a half. dh just went to bed, after a hard night of playing video games. what a rough life!

Melissa, the new avatar is so cute, it's nice to see the faces of the little ones you talk about.:D

Theresa, believe me you have a lot of time to accomplish anything you want. I went back to school at the age of 31 the first time. The second time I went back I was 43, that's when I got my ADN. I am planning to start once again this fall for my MSN at the ripe old age of 46!!!! Sometimes things happen that may put plans on hold, but you can always start again. I think the older you are, the more you appreciate your accomplishments, what ever they are, and raising great kids in today's world has got to be one of the greatest accomplishments ever:hug: (Also, I'm jealous, only 3 days of TOM??? Mine is 7-8:stress: )

Sandi--GET ANOTHER OPINION!!!! As a nurse I find it strange that a doctor would advocate for a prepackaged diet like Medifast. Most docs just give suggestions on foods to lower fats and cholesterol or no added sugars or salts etc... I have never heard a doc that wasn't known as a "diet" doc to prescribe a certain diet. (by diet doc I mean the ones who make their living on prescribing pills and having you weigh in each month with them, There's one in every town).

Laura B-- I hear ya about the beach!! Warm sun, cool clear water, no noise except the sound of the surf--absolute heaven!!! Okay if I felt good in a swimsuit too that would be absolute heaven;)

Gracenote--keep going to the gym, remember this is for you, not them!! You are doing it to be healthy and to be the best you, you can be. I found that most of the super fit women at my gym are those who really have nothing to do with their lives. They are the wives of docs and lawyers and are afraid if they gain an ounce hubby will find a new piece of arm candy. I would much rather have my life than one like that!! So I go to the gym and I huff and I puff so that I can enjoy my life a little longer and a whole lot happier!!!!:devil:

Well got to get DH up, he's going to doc for consult on eye surgery that he needs. Have a great day everyone!!

Suzette

If I were to go back to school now, I would do something totally different. Everything in my life has changed, including what I want to do with my time. I never wanted kids before, so things have really changed. Besides, I had 1 year to go five years ago, it would be more now with the change in the program (so said the school a couple years back when I contacted them). That's if I went back to Ohio to finish (not possible) so if I transferred all credits to NC, who knows what I'd have to do since programs vary on requirements. Anyway, I wouldn't want that degree anymore. Right now my kids are top priority they are my full time job...plus some! When they are both in school I'll get to either work or go back to school, will decide when the time comes closer. If someone had told me back when I was in college that I would end up being a SAHM, I would have laughed until I puked. I am SO glad I had the kids now though. I cannot imagine life without them. It is hard to give up old dreams though, even when what you get in exchange is priceless. My dreams now are so different it's amazing.

Suzette, my actual bleeding period is 3 days (sometimes 4) but it's the week beforehand that really sucks.

Gracenote, keep at the gym and you'll be doing those boxing workouts before you know it! You will improve very quickly in what you can do, if you are persistant with it. Start with whatever you can do now, even if it's just walking around a track or on a treadmill. Soon that will not get your heart rate up and you'll be searching for something more challenging. I am constantly looking for something new, so trust me you will get better and better and before ya know it...you'll be running around at the top of that boxing class. Just consider it something to work up to. Try it again in a month or two and you'll be surprised how much easier it is, even if you're still not there yet. You don't want it to be too easy though, that wouldn't be a workout.

Cadwell, good luck on the crazy day! KEEP OUT OF THE FATTENING TREATS, hear me? You don't need them! You need a skinny waistline and a pretty little summer dress in just a couple months. You need that dress for your big date, remember?!? It's not worth it.

Life and what you want change all the times. Some of the things I rebelled against years ago make me happy now, and some of the things I thought I failed at, worked out ok. But thru it all, I am still too fat. But that will change now.
I have a degree, but I only had one job that needed it-teaching. To work in our current business, I had to get computer skills, learn to use the equipment we sell and sell. Prior to this business, we had a piano business where I finished pianos, and learned to do repairs as well as sell. I never needed calculus or advanced medieval french, but I certainly am grateful that I had the opportunity to go to the fabulous NYC college system.
so I guess I'm saying,enjoy the kids and your time will come to get whatever you want.
Laura

I am always up for new recipes. Nice thing about no hubby and just kids-they never know they are guinea pigs hehehe.

Kathy congrats on the pounds lost especially with peeping TOM! How is the housing thing coming along for you guys? Haven't tried the bags yet but if you say they are good will buy some to save on cleanup. I got enough of that to do already.

Theresa hairy legs aren't a sign of age-you know you are getting there when they sprout out your chin! I always tease my SIL that I grow a better beard than he does. 29 is still young and truthfully there isn't a more thankless but most important job than to raise decent human beings who will be an asset to the world. It takes dedication and you are doing an awesome job. Before you know it they will both be in school and you can then pursue your own interests even if it is volunteering somewhere. I was 6 classes to my Associates Degree before I got Logan but I just couldn't do either job to my best so school was put on hold until I have more of the kids in school and can have some hours for homework and study but it is ok because what I am doing is much more important right now. I guess what I am trying to say is you are still young I am looking at 42 here in just a few short weeks!

Gracenote are you in Washington?? Don't worry about not keeping up-it is like learning anything new-takes time and you will be running circles around them all in no time flat. Do what you can now and don't sweat the rest. If I tried running around the block right now I would have black eyes and bloody knees and would fall down in a faint. When I can I walk. I am going to have to invest in a 3 seat stroller because I just know Odessa couldn't keep up with her little legs.

Laura I too find it amazing the things that I said I would never do when I was young have happened and I actually prefer it now. I am also laughing because in alot of ways I am sounding more and more like my mother! I know see that it isn't a bad thing. Life is what we make it. There are still alot of things I want to learn and see but it takes time.

Everyone keep up the good work!
Melissa

Theresa- nope thats not a sign of getting older- shaving your legs and then 2 weeks later saying gee-why do i have to shave again i just shaved yesterday didn't I ?? thats when you have to worry. ;) and in my opinion nair works real good -

I just turned 43 and i really don't feel old- again clearasil , miss clariol, and nair are getting to be good friends- the only changes i see are those.. i can't run around like i used to but then again i used to weigh 100 pounds, drink coke and coffee all day and smoke 3 packs a day. i've always needed 30 hours of sleep a day :lol: even when i was 20 -
I've had so many different jobs from babysitting, making boxes in a factory, cashier(at too many places), assistant mgr of a BK, Publicity person at a comic book store (that was fun!) receptionist, caterer, cook, bagel maker at a bakery ,worked at flea markets selling produce, Pizza hut, and now i am a glorified office manager /administrative assistant with a fancy title- and i still don't know what I want to do when i grow up! I do want to go back to school and open my own business but i can understand where you are coming from theresa. trust me before ya know it the kids will be older and you can do things you've alwasy wanted to do.
I think we all go thru "i'll never be that way" or "I'll never do THAT"and guess what -we end up that way or doing that.

anyway my post is gonna be way too long here.
:wave: to everyone- i am waiting to hear back from other dr's office. I am getting a second opinion.
I'll post about that later

melissa, i guess with kids you can be extra experimental with recipes. i already use dh as a guinea pig. he's not real picky, and even if he hates it, he knows better than to say anything other than "thanks doll, it's great." lol. he will if he wants me to keep on cooking, that is :devil:. poor dear burned his bacon today. he's hopeless in the kitchen, except when it comes to salads.
don't worry theresa, i've laid off the treats so far today. pretty good considering it was my job to set up the pastry case this morning. i spent an hour arranging muffins, coffeecakes, cookies, and sticky buns! but you are right.. a skinny waist and a stylin' dress are way better than a cheese danish. the stuff all looks better than it actually tastes anyway.

It is easier when they are hopeless in the kitchen. My ex was an excellent cook and did most of the cooking until I retired to take care of Josh and then he constantly crabbed no matter what I cooked-used to irk me bad. Good job leaving those pastries alone too!

I am having a hard time getting motivated today. It looks like Katy is prego since a visiting nurse called to set up an appointment to see her and get this-her due date is May 18-that is Logans birthday! Unless she gets it together pretty fast she is going to lose this one too and I am not sure if the baby would come here or not. The other side of the family would be contacted also but truthfully I am not too worried since they have totally disowned David and want nothing to do with him. I can't imagine them warming up to the idea of raising his child. I don't know if I got what it takes though to handle all of that and I would definately have to move that is for sure.

Glad you are getting the second opinion too!
Melissa

Poor Katie. She can't give her body a rest. I hope she isn't using now.
I just did an water aerobics class and I looked down and saw these hairy legs that belong to me and i was shocked because I never even thought to shave them. The class was with lots of really old ladies, one even had a walker, but if you can ignore the geriatric crowd and work hard it's a good class. They kind of stayed at one end and bobbed up and down and chatted, but good for them for trying and they looked happy. What's nice about this gym, is that in the classes they say just work at whatever level works for you. You don't have to try to keep up with the size 1 cutie pie. i like that.
Laura

I hope she isn't too. She is doing something called drug corps and she gets a UA 4 times a week and she has to go to court one day a week too. She messes that up, she I believe would go to jail. With being the queen of the 3 min shower, I rarely shave legs anymore. It happens on special occassions only-lol. I am glad you enjoyed the class and you are using muscles you aren't aware you are in the water and will probably feel it tomorrow.

I got offered a temp job for 5 days for coffeemate! They will pay me 20 an hour and if I work three out of the five days, they will give me a 200 bonus. Now I just have to convince my mother that she would love to sit with the kids! They are only 5 hour shifts and I think all I do is give out samples of the new flavors that people are voting on. It isn't even five days in a row. I know I could use the extra money that is for sure! Hopefully mom will watch the kids at least 3 of the days. I will have to plan ahead though cause the shifts are 10-3, 12-5 and one is 4-9 so it will hit a mealtime each of the day. The only hard one is Pike Place Market day cause they have some pretty nummy bakeries ect around there.
Melissa

Melissa, that job sounds great! How do you get signed up for those things? Really sorry to hear about Kate and the prego situation. I feel so sorry for this baby and dont understand how she can be so thoughtless...drugs are so evil it's uncomprehensible.

Laura, the water class sounds great! I have heard they can really get you in good shape. I would rather work out with the old crowd than the skinny-minnie princess club anyday! So much less intimidation.

I spent the ENTIRE day at my friend's house getting things put on ebay. I have 25 things up and 5 more to go tomorrow. I put up some of Allie's beautiful dresses that no longer fit and hope to get a good price for them. The best arent up yet, didn't get the pictures but will tomorrow sometime. It was exhausting and took longer than i thought it would! Of course, we were chasing around 4 toddlers while doing it and making supper, so there was a lot of activity going on at all times.

Cadwell, GREAT job staying out of those pastries! Much, much better than I could have done, I'm sure.

Kathy :carrot: 3 lbs. is GREAT for one week...keep it up!

Theresa

I need to make some big food changes. I know i need a protein to keep from being hungry, but i don't like to eat meat, chicken just sometimes, which leaves fish and dairy. So I have been eating too much cheese, even with staying OP re calories. I think cheese is my second favorite food after ice cream, even before cookies. My body is definately changing, but I still have lots of belly weight and i wonder if that's from the fat in all the cheese I eat. I still need a 16W in jeans in order to close them, but they bag in other places. So now officially, I am cutting back on cheese and just using it as a flavoring rather thatn the main protein in a meal. So If I make a veggie soup I can grate some over it rather that throwing in chunks of feta as a protein.
What do you all think about belly fat? Is it a particular problem for anyone else?
Laura

I got a couple minutes before I go to WIC so thought I would get a quick post in. I did a survey online and I qualified so they gave me a call. It would be 700 bux for 25 hours worth of work. I will be putting up flyers and handing out colored bracelets and getting people to vote for their favorite flavor. The only way I can do it is if Mom will sit with the kids and I am sure she could use some extra money too. Can't we all?? I will be putting some things on ebay too today.

Cheese is high in fat unless you get reduced fat and it will pack on the pounds. Legumes are good source of fiber and protein also and there is nothing wrong with eating fish-it is good for you. I carry all my weight in my torso. I always tease that I am a tube with legs or a mushroom. I know it will go away as the weight comes off but it is still a pain and more unhealthy when you carry your weight there since it involves all your organs like your heart ect. When it is carried in the bum it still isn't good to be overweight but the major organs aren't as affected. No you are not alone with that problem.

Ok off to dress amanda and myself since I have to scoot out of here shortly and will check back in later.
Melissa

belly fat is definitely a problem for me. i do lots of crunches, and on a regular basis too, but my stomach is still totally jiggly. sometimes i think i will have this jiggly belly no matter how much weight i lose. it's a little irritating.

I think a little bit of a belly might be genetic. My sister, who is totally thin, always has a little belly. She is a big time yoga person too. It just seems like everything is thinner except my big fat belly. I am also doing crunches and after 2 weeks I am started to feel my abs. In the beginning I crunched and felt nothing. I think my abs were so useless, but now they are peeping out and saying hi.
We are traveling again Friday. Seattle and San Diego. I am determined to stay OP except for a birthday dinner for my son in Seattle Sat nite when I will just not gain.
A friend is staying in the house so I am in a cleaning frenzy. My friend is a guy, so he won't notice anyway, but it emabarraes me to think he might.
Laura

i slipped up a little and had two ice cream bars last night. i had only planned on having one. grrr. i did really bad on tuesday also. i wasn't really thinking because it was such a long day and i went way over on calories. how do i even figure calories for such a long day anyway? hopefully it didn't do too much harm. just have to go to the gym today is all. oh well.

I think belly fat maybe the hardest to get rid of- i have a waist now BUT a tire above the waist line and a tire below the waist line. my 18's bag on me in the butt and thighs/legs. i tried on some jeans at good will and i tried on Womens sizes and they were too big. so i was able to get a pair of 16's for 1.00 that almost fit. for a dollar i couldn't pass it up.

talked to my sis tonight (my size 2 sis) she said she gained 3 pounds and was worried about getting fat. we have different mom's and hers was tiny& always a size 0-2 and mine was always curvy- never fat- just well rounded.
I told her hush up. she told me she was proud of me trying to eat right and exercise. (her idea of exercise is to lift a coffee mug and smoke 2 packs a day.) I love her anyway.

Laura -I hope you have alovely time- plan ahead and you'll do fine.
Kathy WOO HOO on 3 pounds down!
how is everyone doing with their ebay adventures?? I am having a blast getting ready - my one license was approved by the state so that's one thing done.

My one girlfriend and i have decided to put together old recipes and stories about recipes and pictures together in a book. i found all my nana's old recipes and she found her MIL's and grandpas old recipes. finding them made us have such wonderful memories and we want to share them with others. we don't know if anyone will buy it -BUT we'll have fun doing it and maybe can put them in local stores . something to do anyway!

candice- you only ate an extra ice cream cause you knew i can't have dairy and felt bad for me.

Second opinion visit was wonderful and I have to write down everthing i eat for 10 days and he took me off dairy products for a week- next week he'll take me off another food like wheat- and we will go on until he finds out what triggers an "attack" - he really thinks i have the fatty liver from diabetes and being obese but he said i also have IBS and they are testing me for a few other things after my cat scan. he is thinking possible PCOS that has been undiagnosed - but maybe not.. he said i have some symptoms that could be something else too- waiting for more tests results. sigh i hate to be stuck with a needle.
i like this guy as he says no matter what is wrong unless you have to take meds that make you heavy - if you exercise and diet - you will lose weight -it may take a while but you will lose.
Thanks everyone - i am so glad i found another doctor! advice was well taken!
Have a good day tomorrow :hug:
Sandi

Way kewl on the second opinion-don't you feel better now and like there is hope? I know I would. I am still waiting for the camera-mom says sat or sun we will do it which is fine-sunday better since josh will be at ex's and I could have two down for a nap when she comes over. Congrats on your lisence too! WTG!!! Your book sounds like fun too.

I have just been trying to get the house together for company tomorrow and then I have a lunch date on saturday (with no kids either). Logan has been really fussy and I think he is working on those two top teeth. Those have always been the bugger teeth to come in. Both my kids had a terrible time with those and both the girls didn't have fun either with them. Hard to get stuff done while trying to carry him too. He is getting even closer to crawling too-then the games shall begin.
Melissa

Great news Sandi! It feels good to have someone actually take the time to try to figure out what's wrong with you, doesn't it?

Melissa - I grew up in Washington -- Puyallup actually. Spent most of my life there, went to the UW for a year and a quarter. Church was up in Lynnwood (aka Lynnhood). Love the people in WA, hate the weather. So me and dh moved down to Cali (my parents and family came down too) a couple of years ago. So I'm in Orange County right now and loving it. I just noticed you're from Everett....How's the weather in Sea-town these days?



I am so exhausted from waking up every day at 5:00 am to go to the gym this week and most of last week. I kinda want to sleep in a little bit tomorrow and skip the gym, but I know that if I skip one weekday that it'll all be over for me.... I have a tendency to give myself a little grace and then take it and run with it.

The good thing is: I tried on a pair of jeans that I bought last week that was too tight on me, and it fits! It's only been a week of good eating and exercise. And the scale hasn't even moved since Saturday or so! I guess that thing about muscle weighing more than fat is true!

Take care and TGIF,
Gracie

another o.c. girl! awesome. my dh and i also moved here recently (about a year and a half ago), but we came from san diego. can't say i'm loving it though, i miss s.d. :(
i keep on blowing it and eating too much! the good news is that, at least, all the ice cream is gone. it won't be tempting me today, since i ate it all yesterday! :o oh well. i haven't gained anything at least, so that's good. i still have over two weeks to make my goal, so as long as i don't keep on pigging out like this, i still have plenty of time.

Weather here is as usual rain, rain, rain, rain, rain. So bad in some spots they are having major mud slides and people's houses are going down the mountain. We had a record of like 31 days in a row or something like that. I could use some warm weather about now. Congrats on the pants too! Still waiting for mine to fall off so I can go get some new ones.

My company flaked on me yet again-this is twice now. I cancelled everything I was going to do and worked on the house just to get an EMAIL no less letting me know they aren't making it. She did finally call me and I said that is fine things happen but I am not cancelling what is going on anymore. They will just have to wait till I get back. Chances are the kids would be here anyway along with mom so they can get in ect but it really kind of irked me. Just doing much of nothing really except watching the rain off and on and keeping the mess to minimum. Josh will have a three day weekend this time. Teacher work day on monday. My question is doesn't a teacher have to have a student in order to be working?? Drives me nuts all the days off. I never got them as a kid and then we wonder why our kids aren't learning anything. I am seriously thinking about homeschool unless I make it big somehow and can send them to private school. I feel cranky-can you tell?
Melissa

Whew....I am glad it's Friday. It's been a busy week. I haven't even been turning the computer on at night because I added an evening workout to my usual routine. I don't know what's up lately...I started out hating exercise, then I tolerated it until I started to sorta like it, and lately I love it and it makes me feel so good that I just want to keep adding in more. I can hardly wait until it's nice enough to start jogging outdoors again. I am so looking forward to spring. We've been having our January thaw lately and it's really warmed up this week but unfortunately it's dark when I leave the house for work and almost dark when i get home. It's also a big soupy muddy mess out there. I'm sure it'll get extremely cold again soon but I hope we have a few more days of it while I'm at home to enjoy it.

Melissa I don't know what the laws are like in Washington but if it's like it is here, public schools are required by law to have a certain amount of days of teacher inservice throughout the year. They are generally long boring days of meetings and training sessions for the teachers, and most teachers I know of would much rather have a regular school day with students. Our school has days that they call "teacher workdays", too, but they are scheduled for the few days before school starts in the fall, and the few days after school gets out in the spring. Maybe your son's school has them between semesters? It's about time for the end of first semester most places.

Sandi I am so glad you got the second opinion. The new doctor you went to sounds awesome!

Well I need to go find something for dinner. My niece and nephew just got here to spend the weekend with us and I have so much fun with them.

Hi to everybody and have a great Friday night!!!

melissa, when i was in high school, i loved the teacher inservice days. i got a day off, or at least a half day off, all the time. now that school curriculums are totally designed down to the letter by politicians and testing standards, teachers must need a lot of training to be able to teach all the specialized stuff. my friend who works in a school says that most of what is taught is for the purpose of getting kids to test well. whether this has anything to do with learning, i don't know. all i know is that dh is always subbing for teachers who are actually in their classes, but are too busy with testing to teach their students that day. sheesh. i am with you on the homeschool and private school thing. ok, going to get off the :soap: now! but it must be irritating for a parent, i'm sure.
i am pretty happy tonight! i went shopping and tried on some pants just for fun and i am down another size. yippee! i kind of have to doubt whether old navy's sizes are for real though. maybe they are making things bigger to sell more clothes. like, what size 10 gal wouldn't want to buy those size six pants that for some reason fit? but i'll give them the benefit of the doubt though ;) it's a really good motivator for me to lay off the ice cream for once.

Yep, "teach to the test" is unfortunately the way it is in public schools now. The really ridiculous thing is that the standardized tests they are teaching for (at least here) mean NOTHING to the kids. Colleges don't look at them, they can't go toward their grades or GPA...so why should they even try to do well on them? It's a lot more fun just to make dot-to-dot pictures with the answer sheets. But thanks to NCLB, those tests can make or break a public school. Where is the logic???

I guess the thing to keep in mind it is a government agency so it is going to be nuts no matter what. I am going to homeschool if I can't get the girls into private school. My church is also a school so that is where I would put the girls. It just gets frustrating alot because Josh needs the extra services because of his disability. He is going to get a holiday for the pta? plus two more days for mid winter break-they just had winter vacation lol.

Had a lovely lunch and were at Applebees who happens to have a WW menu so it was perfect! Had a lovely time too even though Josh was a stinker for mom. I figured out my crankiness is because I am so angry with my daughter since chances are I will have child 5 in May now. I can't see the father's side of the family taking on a newborn so it will fall on me unless she decides to adopt the child out. I am not sure she would agree to it though so we will just have to see what happens. It means another move for me since this house won't be big enough for everyone and I will definately need a van since my car already has 3 car seats in the back. Talk about the little old lady who lived in a shoe....

Theresa where are you?? I hope everything is ok with you guys!
Melissa