Hi Ladies, I thought I'd drop by and give ya'll a little update on me. I am *still* sick, only I went to the doctor again (first doc sent me away with cough syrup with codiene on Dec 22nd and a rough diagnosis of bronchitis). This doctor was concerned with the length of this sickness, which started Dec 18th, and so tomorrow I am off to be tested for pneumonia and mono. I sure do know how to do sicknesses, eh? Fingers crossed that it's just a bad flu!

Diana - je suis francais! Apparently they get more vacation days in France, which I think makes a WORLD of difference to one's overall wellbeing! Let me know how the book is!

I am back to bed, I have the next 2 days off from work (forced days off, but welcomed all the same), so I'll have some more time to post! Yay! Goodnight!

-Aimee

Morning, ladies--happy Friday! Aimee, I'm so glad you're posting again...I missed you!!

Diana--I have heard of that book before. From my understanding, it's basically about moderation and portion control. You can eat chocolate, as long as you only have a bite, and you can drink wine, as long as you only have one small glass...I may be wrong, but I think that's the general idea.

Kimberley--great to hear that things are going well so far, and I'm glad you got a chance to pop in here!

Jen--good job on dinner! I'm a sucker for honey mustard dressing...my FAVORITE! Pass some of that restaurant self-control to me...tomorrow afternoon, we're doing a secret shopper eveluation of an awsome restaurant, and we have to order an appetizer to share, 2 different entrees, and a dessert to share. I'm planning on ordering the chocolate dessert (I know Jeff likes it, and I'm not a huge chocolate fan, so I won't eat much at all) and maybe a big salad for my entree (I don't feel wasteful ordering a salad entree like I usually do because I will get fully reimbursed for the meal, so it's not really my money ). As for the appetizer, there's no compromising--they make these AMAZING TexMex eggrolls with chicken and veggies and served with an avocado dip...YUM! But they only bring out 2 eggrolls cut in half, so we each get 2 pieces, so there's a bit of automatic portion control right there. Add diet soda and water, and I'll be a little high for the day, but shouldn't be insanely out of control

Marge--how true of the vicious cycle...the more we eat, the more we CAN eat. Not only do we get used to feeling so full, but the more we fill ourselves up like that, the more our stomachs stretch to hold more food, so it takes more to make us feel full..argh, when will it end?!

So last night, I finally got together with this girl I met through Craigslist. Another girl met with us, too, so the 3 of us discussed our different diet plans (I'm doing American Heart Association, Lisa is doing LA Weight Loss, and Brianna is doing WW Points). I was surprised, actually, at how similar the AHA and LAWL plans are--practically the same except instead of counting calories on LAWL, they just use the minimum number of servings from each food group (except they only allow 4 starches). We talked about getting together to exercise 5 times a week and rotating what we do--some walking, some Tae Bo, some resistance, and possibly some swimming at a local high school pool. We're also going to have Saturday morning meetings with about 9 other ladies who responded to her via Craigslist, so we'll have our own little group every other week. We plan on weighing in at each meeting and putting a few dollars a week per meeting per person into a pot and then awarding the best loser the money after a few months or so. Should be fun, interesting, and motivating!

Also, Brianna and I have decided to drive down to Nrofolk on the 21st for the open casting call for the Biggest Loser. I'm sure I won't make it, but she got so excited about it that I just would like to go for the experience

Jill, that is great! More in-person support!!

Aimee, hope you get better soon....my cold is mostly gone, but still have that dry hacking cough. Made getting x-rays at the dentist yesterday very difficult!

Hi Gals! My day off is going mostly how I expected it to, lots of laying around, combined with some sleeping, and a little computer time. The only problem seems to be that my landlords haven't turned on the heat in like 18 trillion months.. I understand this is a warm winter, but when I need 3 feather duvet's just to stay a LITTLE warm? Like crank the heat up stupid heads! And thats my rant..

Jill - I wanna do the Biggest Loser, although I'm not sure the world is ready to hear about my addiction to pop.. heh. I wonder if they draw the line on how much people have to lose? Cuz I need to lose 82 pounds to get to my goal of 163. I guess the girls on this last season weren't really that heavy. Still, what fun to even try out!

Jen - those dry hacking coughs are pretty nasty, I find if I cough too much I get these weird headaches.. and then I gotta hold the top of my head to cough. It's quite the sight! heh. My regular doctor gave me this cough syrup, it's like, borderline amazing, stops all coughing, we are talking no phlem even! I tried some halls from the USA, they seem to be stronger and really help with my coughs, strepsils are good too!

Well ladies I think I'm just about done complaining.. tell me honestly, am I being TOO negative? I feel like I am. I think I'm going back to my couch and blankets! Talk to yah'll later!

-Aimee

evening, ladies!!

Hey, Kimberley, glad to hear from you. Sleeping 15 hours really says it. Take it easy, and I'll be thinking of the two of you.

Jen, you KICK BUTT. I was so impressed with how you handled the restaurant. It's an area I have a lot of trouble with. I suppose it depends on how much salt and butter is on the popcorn, but it's always been my impression that overall it's not a bad snack choice. I guess it's easier at home where you can control that. (I'm always drinking a bottle of water at 9pm and then up all night, when will I learn?) I've been taught on the programs I've been on (JC and WW) that you don't need to eliminate foods, but to plan how and when to eat them. So I think it's a good thing to learn how to handle the treats too.

My French friend, a woman in her 30s, has a weight problem. She has about 40 to 50 lbs to lose and struggles with it all the time. I think it's a growing problem there. Not like here, though. She says it can be tough for her to find clothes. Did you know that the fashion industry makes the sizes for the US bigger than the sizes for the European market? that is, an 8 here is bigger than an 8 there. I think the fast food and the sedentary living just kills us ol' Americans. I also wonder if they aren't more in touch with their hunger, you know, eat when you're hungry and eat what you want when you want it. If something tastes fantastic, I think it would be easier to eat much less of it and feel satisfied. Can't prove that! I'd love to hear how you like the book too, Diana.

Aimee, feel better soon. Just curl up in bed and have someone wait on you hand and foot as much as humanly possible. I know it's hard to take it easy sometimes. Do it! says major mom. It is good to have you back you French Canadian you!

I thought JC and WW were really similar too. Even Dr. Phil's plan is just about the same thing. Wow, you really topped the TOP meeting. Sounds much better than the Calcium Crew. I think it would be really fun to exercise with a group. I love the gym, but I had to struggle with myself to go this morning (was glad after I got there). If I had friends waiting, it definitely would make it much easier. Great going. and the pot idea is cool.

Good luck on the Biggest Loser call!! I tell Rob that winning is a small part of that game, even though the cash prize is nice. Man, getting to go to that beautiful ranch with all the equipment, the personal trainers, the nutritional help. I would take that, and that alone in a heart beat. A person in another group posted a link for a place in Vermont, for 2 weeks I think it was $2000. I'm totally rooting for you on that one.

Tomorrow I'm going for a meeting for my volunteer job. That should be cool. Today I did the gym, worked for a while, went with Rob to the park and took a long walk, then had lunch/dinner at a middle eastern restaurant (salad and lamb, basically, not too bad calorie/health wise). This place is so good too.

Well, I'd better get off the computer! Take care, all!

Today we enjoyed a treat day since tomorrow Howie must eliminate meat and dairy from his diet and Sunday he can't have anything except clear liquids ("they consider coffee a clear liquid, thank God" says Howie).

Way to go at the restaurant, Jen. That's great. Jill, who do you do the restaurant evaluations through? We do them with Mystery Guest, Inc., and they only require that two diners go together and that there is at least one entree on the receipt. It's nice, because Howie and I can split most entrees and just get an extra side.

Aimee, hope you get over that soon. I'm getting over a cold, just down to being stuffed up at night and dry-hacking like Jen describes. Bleah - be glad when this season's over! Howie and I keep our distance, because we don't want him getting sick and having to postpone his surgery.

Our friend Dea is reading the 20/30 Fat & Fiber Diet Plan (search Amazon for info). It makes sense, basically saying you should consume

• No more than 20 grams of fat per day
• At least 40 grams of fiber per day

For every 19 meals you eat "on plan", you can enjoy a freebie meal where you can eat whatever. The meals sound a lot like what we eat on the AHA plan, so it wouldn't be a stretch. Our friend likes the idea because it does not involve calorie counting. You can basically eat all the fruits, veggies and beans you want, while limiting fats. It looks pretty healthy.

Howie is very psyched for the Redskins game. This whole household is, actually. We visited our friends' office today and half the people there were wearing some sort of Redskins parephanalia. LOL I am the lone non-sports person here, sorely outnumbered. Howie's blissfully watching the NFL channel on the satellite network here...I made him watch an old Christopher Lowell episode on HGTV today, just for balance.

Kimberley - I am not a sports fan myself, except maybe speed swimming, the men are hot, plus that was a sport of choice in highschool and college. Start loading your system with vitamin c!

From the sounds of it, the cold over you way must be a diff strain from whats going on here. Everyone I know who gets this cold ends up with Bronchitis, how gross! I likely had it, ick. In my defense I did go to the dr when I was barfing blood!

I've already reached my peak and am slowly getting better! While the sweats persist, my head feels, normal-ish! If that makes sense!

Marge - I think I'd like to do something like the biggest loser, but I'm not sure I was myself exposed like that. Doesn't that seem messed up? Thats I'm too ashamed of my weight to do something like that. Its a private struggle, or it has become one.. I remember when I first started "dieting", the girls at my work were SO critical and kept telling me how I'd fail. Eventually I had to hide that I was trying to do anything about my weight. Ah, being away from that place feels so good

Well, I am off to nap before we head to Josh's parents house.. have a good one!

-Aimee

Hope everyone is feeling better ( Aimee, Jen), anyone else who is under the weather...Yes, Jill, That is basically the premise of the book, and right up my alley so far...I am really enjoying it...and it makes so much sense tooo...I am not a huge fan of "Diets" as a whole...but more of Life changes or life-style changes per say...
Okay, did I miss something, who is getting a call from "The Biggest Loser"? Was it you Jen? If so, gl with that and I will definately keep my fingers crossed for you...
Been so so busy listing my things on my site and ebay the last day or so...now off to make some cards to list as well...have a great day, and God Bless, Diana

I wouldn't want to be paraded in the Spandex athletic wear, either. That's the stuff of nightmares as far as I'm concerned. I guess you have to put your brain in time-travel mode and just keep telling yourself this is your "before" pictures, that you have to provide a baseline so the changes show. But still...Ugh.

Dea is feeling sick to her stomach today. I feel badly for her and Howie and I both hope he and I don't catch it if it's a bug. Also, I really hope she's okay to sit with me at the hospital Monday, ya know?

Great deal on your printer, Jill. I read good things about the Pixma printers. The folks we're staying with bought an HP Photosmart 3210 all-in-one. So far, it looks like a great printer. I've printed a couple of 4x6" prints and they look nice. It, like the Pixma printers, has separate cartridges for each color; considering all the times through the years I've replaced whole tri-color cartridges because one color is out, I'm definitely going for an individual-tanks type printer next time. The Pixma's ability to do duplex printing without a separate duplexing tray is nice, too.

hello all, I've been MIA again, just whizzing about being busy. I am going on a work trip not this coming week but the week after, all expenses paid to a conference in Oxford. I am quite suprised and really excited. Such a shame, the cheap hotels were all booked out, and unfortunately we had to be booked into the 5 star hotel, complete with gym and pool. What a bummer hey!!!!

And I am now certifiably crazy, but we always suspected that. I am in training for a 10k run in June in London. Madness. And I can't actually run. But hey ho small point, and I have five months to train!

It's been a good weekend, a few dodgy food choices, but lots of exercise. I had a gorgeous swim today, and did a full weights and cardio routine in the afternoon.

Prayers with you for the big day Kimberley (and Howie). Waiting around during surgeries is not fun, and very stressful. My ex had to have two surgeries, and it was awful both times, once in a posh private hospital and the next in a not great public hospital. Diversion tactics needed, hope you have some books and magazines even if you can't read at least to try and take your mind off things.

And I am being extra good, i am cooking a nice veggie casserole for dinner tomorrow night!

I couldn't post yesterday, I kept getting a message saying server busy, try again later.

I was going to post today, Ky, where are you? what timing. A 5 star hotel in Oxford, I could live with that! Have a good time. Hug a Don for me, heh heh.
Good luck with the run, too.

Hey, Diana, I hope that book isn't making you crave chocolate croissants. probably be how I'd respond: wow, this French woman is so right about eating, wonder where I can go buy a good chocolate croissant? heh heh, which just goes to show how warped I am.

Aimee, I don't think I'd be able to do it on tv, either; I'm a pretty private person. I guess that's why they offer all those prizes and use of the ranch, etc. Not to mention me putting on those spandex tops would be a ratings train wreck I do really like watching that show.

My dad and brother used to monopolize the tv with every type of broadcasted sports, turned me off of it. I can go to a ball game, football game, basketball and really enjoy it. Hate watching them on tv.

Prayers with you for the big day Kimberley (and Howie). Waiting around during surgeries is not fun, and very stressful.

ditto from me.

Con Ed (electricity) is going up by 25 percent because of Hurrican Katrina. How that's even legal, I have no idea. It sucks getting a little bonus, getting a small raise, then having all those costs of living go through the roof, oil, stamps, electricity, gas. I guess that's life.

I think I've finally gotten over my "I want to throw my eating plan to the wind and eat junk food because it's the holidays" phase. It was at it's worst for New Years weekend. This past week and weekend were much better, a few bumps on Friday. I have stuck to going to the gym and my other exercises. I know the diet is crucial. I'm thinking about getting Dr. Phil's book with the idea of working on all the food slip ups I've been having, to get back on track. I really want to improve what I'm doing.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

LOL marge...actually, so far the book makes a ton of sense...unfortunately, it is geared toward women who only have up to 30 pounds to lose...I wish!!! I am a third through it...there is a soup you ar to make and drink for 2 days, leak soup...if you don't like leeks, she has included another veggie based one ...I will give the leek one a go this week...it is basically a jump start...As far as the plan inteself...it is mostly a common sense way of seeing things, and how Americans way over do it on portions and sugars and artificial foods, etc...she lives here in NYC by the way, married an American..but she incorporates her way of life into NY just fine...She says we should consume NATURAL yogurt 2 times a day for starters...meaning all organic, no sugars or artificial sweeteners of any kind only fruit added...I am so in love with that, I do not use any artificial sweeteners of any kind any how...hate them...and she gives a recipe on how to make your own natural yogurt at home, but I may go to the health food store down the road for that ...she says if you have to indulge in chocolate...to never buy the snickers or the sugar coated stuff ( Am assuming m & ms as I sit here and eat the last of mine)..only to indulge in a nice piece of pure dark chocolate on special occasion...she is really more into portion control...a sliver of cake instead of a half pound for example...to make as much of your own good food as you can, or to buy food as fresh and in season as possible... to eat three meals a day, starting with a real breakfast, NO JUICE unless freshly squeezed, etc...to walk 2 twenty minutes walks a day to start out with, since walking is free and you need nothing but your feet to do it, and to drink a ton of water, making sure to drink a large glass upon waking each day and upon going to bed each night...that is where I am at right now...So I am gonna give it a go, starting Tuesday...I plan to eat my meals on small salad plates for one thing...whatever does not fit I do not eat...She says to chew your food and actually enjoy what you are eating for a change...if you decide to have bread with dinner, have a nice piece, but forego the dessert...etc...Makes so much sense...and can't hurt to try it...

Hi gals! It's been a busy weekend....

Saturday night we stayed with some friends because we planned a late night out, including dinner. I did GREAT making choices -- 6 ox petitie sirloin, 1/2 a baked potato with butter and sour cream, a big green salad and fresh fruit for dessert. I feel really proud!!

Today we had breakfast with our friends, then went to see Alan's son off as he has enlisted in the Marines and is headed to basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. It was an emotional afternoon, and we were glad to get back home.

Kimberley: You and Howie are in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

Kylie: A 10-K!! You are quite ambitious! But I know you can do it!

Jill: Dontcha love new toys?? Would love to have a scanner like that! (PS: Good luck with the audition! You should go over to the BL board at NBC dot com and read some posts from people who have auditioned before to get some hints.

Marge: Why on earth should YOUR electricity go up because of hurricanes thousands of miles away?? That makes no sense to me at all....On a different topic, if by Dr Phil you mean his book The Ultimate WEight Loss Solution, I highly recommend it. It does not deal with a diet plan per se, but more of the psychological and behavioral side of it. I need to re-read that myself....

Diana: a lot of those diet tips make sense....good luck with that!

Aimee: Glad you are feeling better. continue to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.

Okay, enough for tonite...see ya tomorrow!