Judy good for you trying to use hummus to take away the sugar taste. I love hummus in a pita with cukes, tomatoes, lettuce and what ever else I can throw in. Thats a good question to ask ourselves as well about eating. I have induldged in a few leftovers myself from the kids left behinds from the visit home. I missed them as soon as they left my car at the airport yesterday morning. Judy I took home some work the other day and of course don't get paid for that time but it caught me up. It feels like I am a bit more in control now at work so that was well worth my effort to do it. Good luck with the organizing.
Penny way to go every little bit counts and adds up . Keep it up. Those 11's were pretty tight but it felt good.
Nikki I have dail up and the kids said oh mom get it changed. So I am thinking of trying something else. I only pay 10.00 a month. I am on here with you all more than anything else.
Marie I love strawberries I have a small patch this year they didn't do so well. Too much rain this spring. Also the slugs got some and the birds and who ever else out there wanted some. At any rate I think I will go pick some this weekend. They are only 1.25 a qt. I'd like to make some jam and freeze some. Your swims sound wonderful. I think tonight after work I may swim. I will take my suit with me today. I can stop at my sisters on the way home. Garage sale at my other sisters on saturday. Then a graduation and party in the afternoon. I am also going to help with the room we are working on. THe kids did a lot but we have to finish up the sheetrock and mudding it sanding and get someone to finish off the woodwork. Then its painting and rugs etc. Hopefully we finish by the end of next month.The bathroom will be done later on after the inspectors come and go. No sense in paying even more taxes. The hubby is getting anixous to say the least about his garage being built as we took his for this project. Yesterday we had a bit of a blow out. I didn't turn to food though. Just went to bed early couldn't bear to deal with it at the time. He will get his garage but not til most likely Sept. Men are so different than woman just different personalities. Sometimes its hard to ignore their little outburst. He hates change and I guess its not easy. I will try to have a better attitude today maybe it will rub off. Thanks for letting me vent this is better than sweets. Huh???? I am sorry to unload here but just had to get it out.
I am going for breakfast with a friend then off to work. I will pack a salad for today and some fruit. I am trying a no meat day.

Hi, all! I'm doing well today. I'm remembering to start my day with a 15-minutes mental workout (meditation or hypnosis) and that really helps. I did a yoga workout because I've been feeling a bit stiff. I'm pretty inflexible, what with the weight and the arthritic knees, but it feels good to try the poses, and I can tell that I'm gradually getting a little better. My eating is on program, no poking around in the office kitchen for a little extra 'sumpin-sumpin.' If it's not hellishly hot, I might do my long walk on the way home. I hate to get on the subway at the Arlignton Cemetary stop all red-faced and dripping sweat....but it's only for two stops, and people are too polite to do anything but give me sidelong looks, then look away.

Nikki, I've got my fingers, eyes, legs and toes crossed for you! You've done a great job.

Penpal, congratulations on another half-pound lost! I used to scoff at all the protein diet people, but now I don't care, they're on to something. Especially after so many years of going on and off of low-fat diets, I could eat cereal and spaghetti from now until and still be hungry. Low-fat protein and lower carbs keep my appetite at bay. But if I fall off the wagon, it's hard to get the genie back in the bottle :devil: , which is a big part of why I'm losing so slowly.

Marie, I laugh whenever you say you're driving around topless! Things are even more casual out West than I thought :p . Thanks for the computer advice. I'll get a mid-range PC, nothing too outlandish, enough to do office work on and surf, but capable of adding onto over the next few years.

Carol, how's meatless Thursday going? I'm a proud carnivore, but I tend to eat a lot less red meat in the summer, and have been slowly learning to appreciate "veggie burgers" and the like. Hope the hubby has chilled out a bit. One of the hard things for me in a relationship was always the money. I tended to attract the happy-go-lucky types, which forced me to be the responsible one, which was never a good situation.

Have a good evening--judy

Hi everyone-

Judy - way to go on the meditation whenever I meditate I instantly feel better

Marie- topless i a jeep sounds awesome. Tomorrow is the weigh in good luck.

cac- I love my cable connection. I actualy did not lose the internet,. My entire PC crashed :(


I just got out of the pool from doing laps. I have everything crossed for tomorrow LOL.

Nikki

Hey Nikki, I just finished laps too. I also redid DH computer last weekend. It had been a 1.4G P4 and I'd bought a new motherboard, processor (3.0G) and memory (1G). Everything else stayed the same. Of course I had to rebuild the OS drive but it is so nice. With DSL, it flies. BTW, since I'd originally built the computer over 5 years ago, the upgrade only cost me $112. Sure can't beat ebay. Good luck on the weigh in tomorrow. I'm hoping for a pound or two.

Carol, definitely vent. My DH would agree with your DH that the garage is most important. Before we finished building the house, he was building his detached 3 car garage. 6 year later, that's where you can find him if he's not around. It's his favorite spot. Did your DH give up his garage for the renovations?

Judy, you are doing great. The meditation/yoga time is so good for you, especially with your busy job. I've been using my pool for leisurely laps to unwind. I always feel better in the evenings. I'm still WATP every morning as the "real" exercise. :)

Work is so interesting these days. My boss is officially gone (quit, last day was yesterday) and who knows what's going to happen. My co-workers last day is now tomorrow, so it'll be quiet in my office. But hectic since I'm covering other people's job. I was literally exhausted by the end of the day. That doesn't happen too often.

Tomorrow I'm going out to lunch with the quitting co-worker and I looked at Deeny's menu (where she wants to go) and found a couple interesting salads. So eating tomorrow shouldn't be too hard.

This weekend we're (DH, DS and I) are oging to Napa Valley for the NASCAR race. Way too many $$$ but we had a blast last year. Unfortunately it's supposed to be 96 degrees and sunny. Guess what, no shade either. I'm going to slather the sunscreen on and hope for the best. And drink loads of water.

That's it for now. Chat with you tomorrow.
Marie

Yeah the new garage was to be built first it just didn't go that way due to peoples schedules and helping hands. I will contact my brother this week and see if we can get it at least started soon. Its tough and I realize it but sometimes we can't have it the way we want it. Just have to adjust a bit. Its not like its not going to happen.
Well for scale day poo! I gained or at least the scale says I did. I actually don't feel it but the scale says so. So I am back to journal intakes and watching my foods closer. I know I ate things that weren't great but had no idea I had gained a few lbs. Thats awful and I need to do something about that. No way will I put up with it. So its careful calories. Could be a bit of salty foods but not that much at any rate accept it and move it off. I say! I think for exercise I need to get to the gym or walk the extra stuff I do should just be extra. I might be giving it all too much credit as being exercise. At any rate I need to get on the ball. Maybe I should of used the scale regardless of company or not? It does give us balance. Like it or not. So I will do it again sunday and wed. fri. for a little while. It might help me to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Good for you Judy keeping on track and walking more. The heck with other people your the one that counts in this journey. Sometimes we worrry to much of what others would think or say about us in general. It makes for a tougher world and we have it tough enough I think. So just do what makes you feel good. Who knows what others are thinking maybe it is something positive. Marie keep up your good work hope it rubs off at least the clothes fit okay but I would like the scale to reflect some lower numbers too. Lots of water today, healthy eating and a bit of exercise too. Nikki hope the scale is good to you and you deserve it cause you have been being really good.

Morning everyone-

cac- hang in there scales stink !!!

Marie - hope you had a good scale day.

As for me, I lost 2 lbs to put me back at 158.0 I am bummed because since Tuesday I was seeing 157 and of course the day of my weigh in I am back to 158 BLAH!!!! I guess I should be happy though. I bought 2 skirts this week and one was a medium and the other size 8. I haven't seen size 8 in years. My boyfriend thinks my body is reshaping and thats why I'm not losing every week. Who knows !@!


Have a great day ladies
Nikki

Marie - I hope you have a fun time at the NASCAR races in Napa Valley. Looks like we're in for some hot weather next week. I bet you'll enjoy having your pool to cool off in when you get back.

Carol - Remodelling can be stressful. Guys have a 'thing' about their garages. I would love to reorganize and throw out a bunch of stuff in our garage but hubby thinks it's his "domain" so I try not to look at the mess too much. It's so hard to stay on plan when we have company. I hope the scale is good to you soon.

Judy - I really need to go for some yoga lessons. My mother-in-law used to do yoga every day and she said it helped keep her joints supple. I think it will be easier once I lose a bit more weight as I don't think I could do the poses yet.

Nikki - Don't be too bummed about being back at 158. I fluctuate up and down a lot before I "settle" at a weight for a week or two (or three or four......:lol:) It's great you're fitting into a size 8 now and your boyfriend it right that your body is 'reshaping'!

I'm thrilled that I'm down another pound from last Friday's weigh-in to 187! :dancer: I've lost two pounds in two weeks and that's almost unheard of for me (I'm usually lucky to lose .5 pound per week). I definitely think it's because I've upped my protein. I've been averaging about 1650-1750 calories, which is about 100 more than usual. I'm just two pounds away from half-way, so I hope this keeps up!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Penny - Congrats on your loss and on being close to 1/2 there :carrot:

I am off to my boyfriends for 4 days I hope I can manage to keep the eating under control.

Nikki

Thanks Nikki! Have a nice time with your boyfriend.

Hi everyone. Sounds like the scale was relatively okay this weighin but not great. I lost a 1/2 pound but I wasn't bummed like last time since Tuesday's peek gave me clue not to expect anything grand. Penpal and Nikki, congrats on your loss, alsthough Nikki I'm sorry you didn't get your wish. Aren't our bodies just uncooperative???? Carol, sorry about the gain. One thing I've noticed after years of up and downs is that if I'm going down and I don't slowly move to maintaining, I gain back easily. That might have been what happened to you. I know you and that you can get back on the losing path. I don't think I'd be so successful if I wasn't logging everything into Lifeform (database). Everything is in there, calories, weight, moods, TOM, literally everything about my journey. Looking at the history, I know TOM is supposed to be here on Monday, so I should be grateful there was a 1/2 pound loss. Anyway, I have 3.5 pounds to go for the July 17th goal. I'm thinking I can still do it. This weekend will be harder since we'll be in Napa Valley.

Penpal, definitely way hot. My thermometer currently says my pool area is 109 degrees. From weather.com I saw that Napa will be even hotter. Yikes, I'm going to melt. I used to barely lose weight and when I cold turkey'ed all my pysch meds last August, I found I could lose again. I was an angel for about a year and had lost only 17 pounds. So I know what losing slow is like. So if you're taking meds, that could be one reason why things are slow for you.

Nikki, have fun at your boyfriends. Be good and don't over indulge. :D I'm not saying on what. :D

Carol, scales are the necessary evil. Aren't they? I learned the HARD way that I can't go by what my clothes feel like. I'd known I'd gained a little, but no way did I think I'd gained 17 pounds. I've lost 14.5 of thos 17 so I'm excited. My clothes feel way loser than they did before I'd gained. That has to be the exercise. Muscles, got to love them.

I'm trying to decide whether to go swimming. I'm exhausted and going through the hassle of removing the pool cover sounds overwhelming. Hey out there, I can tell you're not being sympathetic. :cool: So I don't know if I'm going to. I bet I'd feel better if I did...

And I did it!!! :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: I worked a full 5 day week. Amazing!!! That's the first time in 2006. I better get used to it since my contract days was just increased. :( But :D big raise.

Okay, time for dinner or swimming. I'd actually rather go to bed. :devil:
Marie

Hello girls hope everyone had a nice weekend. Mine was quite busy to say the least. Had a garage sale on saturday with my sister and daughters. We had a nice visit something we don't always take time for other than at a party. It was nice to touch base with each other and not be in a hurry. We had a few good laughs and sold some stuff and of course emptyed out some unneeded things.
Today I am starting over I feel good as far as how my clothes fit. I think I have lost inches but the scale has gone up and that doesn't make me very happy. So I am going to concentrate on eating healthy and putting regular exercise back into my diet. I know I have induldged while the kids visited but I also lifted things and was very active. So I am not sure what to think with this whole mess. I guess the scale is important and I want to see lower numbers for sure. So I have created a chart with my intakes, exercise and scale days marked. I am going to journal it always seems to work and I got away from it for a bit. Most likely not a good move. My current goal is to lose 5lbs by 7/21 my birthday. So I will need to get myself going right now! Hope your all doing well and are ready for a new week of healthy eating. Tonight I am going to have salmon for dinner. Trying to add in fish at least 3 times a week. I am going to preplan my dinners in hopes that it will give me more balanced meals. Going back through some old journal for some ideas as well. Wish me luck. Nikki your boyfriend could be right our bodies sure can be stuborn and controlling. We think one way they act another all we can do is try our best to stay on track and keep some type of control. Good luck all~

Good morning all, I've been gone so long that it would be impossible to list every one individually, but I've missed you guys. I'm glad to see everyone still here. We all have our up's and down's, but that's why we're here, right?

I knew I had gained some weight, I just didn't feel right. I got on the scales this morning to find 3 ugly, mean pounds had returned! Guess I didn't get rid of those creepy little things after all. They were just there waiting for me to mess up so they could return. I have to say I have been pushing my luck lately. eating way too much junk. But I'm on the straight and narrow again today, and upping the exercise too.

It looks like it's going to rain here this morning. I had planned on walking to the library for my exercise. I may have to rethink that!

Hope everyone has a lovely day, Freda

Marie - Congrats on the .5 lb. loss. It's baking here too. It was 103 yesterday and it looks like it will be the same today. I think the heat makes me swell up! I can't get my rings off and the scale says I've gained 2 lbs. even though I've been on plan. I'm hoping it will come off when the weather cools down a bit. You mentioned it might be meds that make my weight loss so slow. The only meds I'm on are for my thyroid, so maybe that's got something to do with it. I'm eating about 1600-1700 calories per day, so I don't expect to lose quickly on that amount but it's what I'm comfortable with.

Carol - Good idea to eat more fish - it's so healthy and I find it easy to digest. I'm like you in that if I stop journaling my food I immediately start gaining! It's so hard to 'guesstimate' our food intake. I know some lucky people can lose weight without keeping track, but I'm not one of them! Wishing you good luck for getting back on track now that your company has left :goodluck:

Freda - I'm glad you're back and hope that those pesky pounds are soon gone!

Hi everyone, good luck Freda and Carol getting back on track. It's never easy. I totally agree with Penpal, I don't log my food = I gain. This weekend I did really good with food. We were in Sonoma Nascar Race and that's never easy. I didn't have my computer so I didn't log Saturday or Sunday. Today I put everything I ate and stayed at around 1400 cals both days. YEAH!!! I walked tons yesterday (no choice since the parking was way far form the track) and it was ridiculously hot. I sweated from places I didn't know I could sweat from. :D Best yet, I used enough sun screen and did NOT get burned. Pretty amazing for being out in the sun from 10:00 in the morning to 5:30 in the evening. I'm so happy about that. :cool: The biggest surprise is the stupid TOM came early just so it could be pesty when it's hard to handle. But I survived and Since Friday was day before TOM, I actually might have lost more than the .5 pound. If I knew I was getting TOM the next day, I wouldn't have weighed in. so I'm going to skip tomorrow's weigh in and weigh again on Friday. The diet is going great. My clothes are either too baggy or fit perfectly (the previous tight ones). Finally my body feels like it lost weight.

Penpal, my ring that's too big got too tight sittin gin the gradnstands yesterday. It's now in my purse. I understand the heat swelling everything. The only exercise I'm going to do today is to swim after work. We didn't get home till 1 in the morning so I'm not going to WATP.

Freda, good luck with the walk to the library. Rain sounds like a nice change at the moment. But then again, I love driving my Jeep topless. :o

Carol, I'm glad you had fun at the garage sale. Sometimes it's just nice to sit and chat, isn't it?

Well back to work. Just couldn't stay away while at work today. :devil:
Marie

HI Ladies-

I am still atmyboyfriendsbut thougght I wouldcheck in. Yesterday andSaturday I saw 157 again.Woohoo. I did not weigh in today but had some candy yesterday.Hopefully if I detoxtoday tomorrow I will be157 again and friday 156. I went shopping again yesterday and had to buy allsmall shirts as mediums are to big and some smalls are even to big now. I can honestly say I likehow I look now and after another 10 pounds are gone I think I will be satisfied with my weight.Of course, toning is a whole other issue.


I will catch up tomorrow when I get in.

Have a great day ladies
**Nikki**

Freda your not alone I had a few lbs. come back my way too. The thing is we become a bit comfortable and lay back a bit and on they come. Their just waiting for us to give in a little to let our guard down. So lets go we can do this. In my case I also slipped up on my medication too and that knocks my metabolism around. Dum mistake. But I am trying to pull it all together. Yesterday I allowed a few small oops but otherwise ate healthy. Today I have my plan all figured out and I am going to try my best to stick to it. Marinated my salmon last night and going to use George to grill it up with some asparagus for dinner. Had counted my cals up a bit high for the day but some healthy choices in there 1560. I like to be around 1400 or so. Penny I just think jounaling helps and when we do it we do better its when we let it go too many calories sneak in. So I am with you on that one.
Marie your weekend sounded like lots of fun. You most likely sweated off a lb. Thanks for your support the weird thing is my clothes fit like before. I think its inches I have lost more than lbs. but I would like the scale to go down too. I know when I am honest with myself things I have added in lately that aren't healthy so changes are needed without a doubt.
Nikki toned I am somewhat thank God for that cause it hides my extras. I am a very active person for the most part. Good luck with toning up. Have you ever used those strech bands? Lots of people like them. Well I am shooting for 1400 cals today. I made a salad for work with lettuce, blueberries, walnuts, croutons , orange peppers and cheddar cheese. I have the spray dressing which saves lots of cals. Have you girls tried it yet. The wine vinegar tastes like homemade dressing not low cal. But its 10 spuirts for just a small amt. of cals. ck it out.

Ok I don't know what is going on but I am up from 157 today. I have not eaten alot either. Yesterday I some rice and chiken and thats it I got busy ands forgot to eat. So far today I have had a hotdog, watermelon 1 cup and a piece of cheese. I really have no idea why my weight is being so stubborn lately grrrr. Hopefully by friday it will go away I am due for TOM saturday so maybe that accounts for it this week.:( :(



Cac- I want to try those dressing I have heard great things about them. I do leg lifts and crunches etc maybe I should try those bands what are they called?
Nikki

Hi Nikki and Carol, it has to be the moon with those darn scales. Since Friday, I've eaten 1400 cals a day, exercised and drank my water. This morning, up 1.5 pounds. The only think I can account for it is water weight since it's so darn hot out. That or my scale is getting old. So I wasn't happy this morning, but I was also reasonable and didn't let it make me mad. There was no physical way to gain 1.5 pounds of fat. So here's hoping for nicer on Friday.

Carol, I use the stretch bands with one of the miles of WATP. I originally got them from my physical therapist when my facet joint popped out of place (between spine and rib - very painful) 6.5 years ago. Since then I had to replace them since they wore out (plastic deteriorated). I got my new ones at Walmart.

Nikki, scales are evil. And weight loss is aggravating. But we can and will win. As much as the scale is mean, not trying or giving up means fat back on. So we can do it.

Hi to the rest of the group.
Marie

Girls the scale was a bit nicer to me today. Down 1.5 of my few I gained but still its wt. I had already lost. I think going off my meds for a few days wasn't too smart. If that was a client I would have said oh don't do that. Just didn't get to the store. Now that is an awful excuse! Oh well live and learn can't be messing with the meds. At any rate now I am back on them and watching things better. I still am not perfect but much better and if I eat something it is added in. Yesterdays cals around 1350. I enjoyed the salmon for dinner. Today it is finally stopped raining the weather has been muggy and wet. I have made a salad for my lunch today and will use the spray dressing again. Its not bad and I think there on to something with spraying and not pouring. I have had that dressing forever and its small and half full still. It has been a stressful week lots of politics going on at work. Everytime things start getting better they go back to the old way again. People just can't all get along I don't get it. But I am trying to stay out of it cause who needs the stress? Any ways the approval came through for a girl on my caseload and no one can take that away from me. I worked really hard for her and she is moving into one of our places this week. So hurray! All that counts is I made some happiness in her life and that is what its all about helping others. Forget the other junk! Well I have preplanned my meal today again. That seems to be helping and counting cals. I hope to see the scale lower on friday even a little would be nice. I also increased my water and flavored water daily. I tried a yogurt which is wonderful taste like eatting pie. Key Lime Pie by Yoplait light 100 cals. They also have cherry cheese cake at 100 cals. I feel like I am cheating when I have it. Oh but not me! Nikki the bands are the same as what Marie explained. I want to get some too. They aren't real expensive and just something different to try. Every little change helps. We all get so routined sometimes we need to shake things up. Well have a good day girls and be good friday is only 2 days a way. As much as I hate the scale it does make me more accoutable and I surely must need that cause clothes and inches alone don't cut it.

Marie you might of eaten something salty? Or who knows could just be from the heat your body is fighting to hold onto some water? You should be fine and you too Nikki as you both sound like your intakes are low. Nikki becareful not to eat too little cals as that can also send your metabolism into a swing in the wrong direction feeling straved. Oh our bodies are so tricky nothings easy always a struggle or puzzle. Good luck all.

Morning Ladies-

Marie - I know what you mean. I won't let it get me down. I left my scale at my boyfriends since I will be back there Friday. I now regret that I will prob weigh myself on the other house scale between now and then.

cac- I haven't had salt I 've just been eating little which made me lose fri and sat then i ate lot Sunday <alot being 3 meals and some candy> Monday I had rice at 11 am thats it. Yesterday I had a hotdog , watermelon, steak and potatoes and some cheese.

Go you on your loss ! We are getting the rain today again. I had a cute little skirt and tank out to wear. Now, I have to figure out what to wear cause it is down pouring .

Nikki

I was so disappointed today. I decided to try to go back to one of my light workouts on Fittv. I discovered cable vision in NY dropped fittv from their programming :O

So I found another station that offers an hour of Denise Austin every morning. I did her light and fit workout which combines yoga and light aerobics. I feel so much better having done that. I am here to tell you all I am going to do a denise Austin workout 3 x's a week to start. I need to be accountable !!! I'm looking forward to 1/2 an hourt a day of working on me again. I stopped the 1/2 hour a day workouts when I broke my ankle in January and last week I finally got the OK to go back to full normal activity :)


BTW... I am taking my July 17 ticker off. I am going to create a new goal for myself to be 155 by then and I am putting a ticker up for 15 lbs by September.



Nikki

Carol - Way to go with the 1.5 lbs. loss! :carrot:

Marie, Nikki & Freda - I'm in the same boat as you guys and have gained 2 lbs. since last Friday :(. I've also been on plan and exercising, so I'm going to blame it on the hot weather. My rings are very tight (in fact I can't wear my engagement ring which was very loose before). Let's hope the darned scales move in the right direction on Friday. I won't change my ticker till then.

I hate being a slave to the evil scale :devil:, but I know that when I stop weighing regularly I start going down the slippery slope of denial and weight gain.

Hi everyone!!!!

Well, I sneaked a peak at the scale this am and it was down a pound. Nothing like a yo-yo. Then I decided to get a new scale and give mine to my DS's GF since it was int their bathroom and not convenient to weight (there was a plus to that). So I bought a new helath meter that does .2 pounds and I just weighed myself on the old scale then on the new scale. Eeks, the new scale weighs 3 pounds heavier. Tried it a couple times and it wa insistent. So I added 3 pounds to all of my weigh ins since April 25th when I wtarted the challenge with Nikki. Yuck!!!! I think the worse part is readjusting my thinking to what I weigh. I know I don't weigh "more" but I don't like the higher number. I was almosted tempted to give the new scale to DS's GF and keep the friendlier one...:devil:

Today wasn't so hot and my shoes weren't uncomfy at the end of the day. So maybe that other .5 pound will go away. I can wish, right?

Nikki, don't switch scales unless it's permanent. Note slight depression I wrote above. :(

Penpal, my rings, including the loose one was a little tight the last few days. I haven't checked today, but I swear it's the weather. All and all, we're all doing good and staying on top of the problem.

I bought 2 pairs of shorts and a capri in a smaller size and tis a bummer, but 1 shorts and the capris aren't comfy. They "fit" but I like loose. So I'm going to return them. Hopefully by next spring/summer I'll need a smaller size then those and it seems silly to hold onto them if I might fit in them in the winter.
Carol, good job on the placement. :carrot: I'm proud of you. When I read the line about the people going back to their old ways made me laugh. Our two problem people quit so for now it's very pleasant at work. Just me and the remaining technician. And he was at a site all day and was sick the previous 2 days. So I was alone. Not many office politics when working by myself. :D
Well, that's it. Work is hectic but at least the day flies by.

Nikki, I'm about ready to join you on the readjustment. Since I'm basically plateau'ed for 2 weeks, I don't think the remaining 4 pounds for the July goal will happen. Maybe mini goals aren't good but then again, they got my on track. Hmmm, I don't know what I should do, so I'll just coast and be a diet angel. ;)

Well, that's about it. Talk with you tomorrow.
Marie

Oh Penny how I agree with you about the scale. I do the same thing and its only put me back to start all over again which isn't much fun. But I am trying hard.
Nikki I hope things go better for you on friday hang in there girl. I have a tape from Denise but bought it at a garage sale and haven't used it. I think a trip to the gym for me today after work. I am taking my stuff with me this a.m.
I do think the hot humid weather isn't helping any of us on the scale day. To bad it didn't melt a little fat off this body.
Yesterday I had a shorter day at work and a couple of people were out. It was a peaceful day. Today I will be out of the office a bit as I need to do a discharge at the hospital and go see how my person I am placing is adjusting. I am really looking forward to seeing some positive changes in this persons life. I hope it all goes well. It was hard work but rewarding knowing someone really needed your services.
Marie don't give up yet on your mini goals I haven't been able to reach mine but I think their a good way to keep us focused. I have set mine for 5lbs. for 7/21 I am hoping to beat it since some of it was wt. put back on. Dang! Oh how frustrating that is. But better to do something about it early on than to let it creep up on us. Your scale might be a better one in the long run but I can understand feeling upset. My friend went to the doctors his scale was 4lbs. higher than hers at home. She also wasn't happy. I guess numbers here and there on these things just aren't reading the same. So don't get to discouraged hang in there you have come along way. In your own mind you know your a few lbs. lighter.
Last night I was feeling pretty good about my days intakes. But the girls and I went to the casino for a few hours. I was up but then played and lost only 10.00. Oh we had some fun. At any rate we had a raspberry latte I ordered mine with skim milk. I took a sip she put in too much syrup I went back had some poured out and more coffee put in. The girl acted like I pulled her hair or something. Hah hah! But I didn't want to mess up my whole days intakes. Then I got home the hubby had made popcorn I ate two handfuls and put he rest out of my reach. His popcorn is loaded! Dang those skinny guys who can eat anything and not gain! NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At any rate with my whole day of intakes I was around 1550 a bit higher than I wanted but mostly good choices. Today I am shooting for around 1300 to 1400 but not above to make up for my few ooops!
Have a great day. I have had 2 days with fish for dinner, 1 salmon, 1 shrimp cocktail. Tonight is a grilled chicken night. My choices are at least feeling healthier.

:?: Hello Ladies-

I was shocked whn I got on the scale today. It says I am up to about 161 :?: I am seriously aashamed of that number. I am hoping that it is just the salt I had yesterday and the fact that I should have my TOM saturday or sunday. Yesterday I was on the go to doctors all day and kind of depressed at what was going on so for lunch I grabbed a small french fries and dinner was a WW meal with desert being apple pie which I split with mom.

I think I might have figured out what is going on. I was looking at denise austins website and it said according to my heinght and weight I should be eating 1400-1600 calories a day to lose. I barely ever get that many calories in. When I do they are from junk. Maybe I need to adjust to eating 6 small meals a day. I am thinking of joining her website since I like her so much. I remember years ago when I needed to tone my legs I did her workouts 3-4 times a day and it worked. I am waiting now to try to do her aerobics segment which comes on in 10 minutes.

Hope you are all doing better then me
Nikki

Hi Everyone,

Guess I have to agree with all of you, the scales are the DEVIL! But a necessary evil! They help keep us on tract but can drive you crazy if you watch them too closely. Everyones weight is going to vary from day to day. You just have to make sure it's just a fluxation and not a permanent gain! I am doing ok. Trying to eat healthy and getting my exercise in. I think most of us know when we're doing the wrong thing and try to get back on tract as soon as possible. I eat healthy 80% of the time and 20% I have things that are maybe not so great but make life (and eating) fun. Balance in everything!

cacsmc, I love fish too and try to have it often. For health and because I enjoy it. I think that is the real key. Eat the food you love just watch portions. That spray for salads is wonderful! I use it all the time now.

Nikki, I have some of the bands that I bought at a garage sale (great place to pick up exercise equipment). And they are a nice change. The ones I got were by Denese Austin. I got one of her tapes also. I use them occasionally. I really like my freeweights. But regular exercise is a must. Also I glad you are going to follow her advice about the amount of calories you're eating.

Marie, I like my clothes very confortable too, LOOSE! Good thing I work in scrubs, it's the closest thing you can get to PJ'S. I think some of the weight gain is water too! MY hands are swollen so bad they hurt last night.

Penpal, Just keep doing what you'e doing. I blame the weight gain (at least a little of it) on the weather too. If your hands are swollen you know there is water there. I try not to be a slave to the scale. I know when i'm messing up. I just work hard to get back to where I should be.

Have a good day ya'all, Freda

Marie - Congrats on the 1 lb. loss. Who's to say which scale is correct - the new one or the old one? I'd go with the lower number! I'm ashamed to say, but about 10 lbs. ago we bought a new scale and it was always 2 lbs. higher, so I went back to my old 'friendlier' scale because it was depressing me too much. How silly, really, to get all upset about 2 rotten pounds, but it's so hard to lose 1 lousy pound so I was mad to think it put me up 2 lbs. for no reason!!! :mad:

Carol - I hope you reach your mini-goal. I've just scrapped my birthday challenge for August as I think it's a bit unlikely I'll reach it. I'm beginning to think that mini-goals are a bit counter-productive for me as I get very anxious about meeting them and usually they are way too optimistic and I set myself up for failure. I'll have to either set very low goals or stop doing them.

Nikki - Have you considered trying a few more calories in order to start losing again? It worked for me once when I tried it - the only thing is that I tended to get "calorie creep" and gradually ended up have 100-200 calories too much, which started me gaining again :(. It's so hard to find the right amount that is enough to sustain our bodies without going into 'starvation mode' but at the same time losing weight steadily. I think the aerobics you mentioned might help. I've been meaning to increase my aerobic exercise but keep finding excuses (like my recent shin splints). I think aerobics burns far more calories than weight lifting, which is what I mainly do for exercise at Curves. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you soon get in the losing groove again! :crossed:

Freda - I like your attitude about eating right 80% of the time. We all need a little 'wiggle room' in our diets to eat something off-plan now and then.

I've been doing a lot of 'social eating' lately, which is bad news as I tend to eat more when I'm around other people. I went to a tea yesterday for a lady from a local nursing home where they have a 'forget-me-not' program for residents to grant them a wish. She had always wanted to go to England, so some friends & I did a British tea for her and showed her lots of picture books, etc. She was really thrilled and I'm so glad we did it, but of course I ate WAY too much! Then today we had friends over for lunch, ditto. Saturday we are going to a garden party fund raiser and Sunday some friends are coming down from Washingon State and want to invite us for lunch. I think I'm going to need a lot of willpower and I'm not looking forward to stepping on the scale tomorrow.:(

Good luck everybody!

Penny - I have a hard toime eating more. I am going to work on it I think but then I wind up gaining. I did my aerobics 2 days in a row and did 25 laps today too. I am hoping the increase in exercise helps.

Nikki

Hi everyone, sounds like we're all trying hard even though we struggle. Just an FYI, I weighed this morning on the new (and old) scale. Yesterday was cooler and I didn't swim (I'll get back to why I mention that). So I get on the new scale and it says I'm down .2 pounds from what the old scale said the previous morning. Yeah!!! So I go mosey to the old scale and it's still 3 pounds lighter so many water weights went away. Basically since the 1.5 gain on Tuesday, I lost about 4.5 pounds. Definitely there's something with the hot weather causing the flucuation. Probably doesn't hurt that TOM is starting to go away. But mostly the weather. Now the swimming note. Last year when I was trying to lose weight (to no avail since my meds wouldn't let me), I noticed that if I swam the day before weigh in, there would be no weight loss or there'd be a weight gain. Don't swim, lose a little. I noticed the trend so I stopped swimming for the day before weigh in. The scale was much more normal. Fast forward to this year and the pattern starts again. Swim, heavier, no swim, lighter. So what's up with that??? Am I absorbing the water weight? That's the only thing I can come up with. There's a definite pattern when I look at my Lifeform database over the last two years. So Nikki, I know you swim - what do you think???

So anyway, I was happy this morning but I hadn't gotten out of bed to exercise. What difference in my mood at work. I was testier until I realized my irritation was because of not exercising. So I exercised at work (the joy of no one in my office at the moment). WATP for 3 miles and I was cheery and helpful. Basically the moral of my story is I have to exercise before work. I'm not very nice without it. :o

Nikki, so sorry about the mean scale. I know that fries themselves add water weight since they're a starch. Add the salt and it's a double whammy. Then add the hot weather, you're looking at the devil scale. You KNOW you didn't gain fat so don't sweat it (just sweat the salt, he, he, he :D ). You know you're doing what's good for you and joining the Denise site might be a great move. Just don't leave us here.

Carol, you're making some good food choices and if the lady didn't like that you had her re-do your coffee, then she's not very good at her job. Customer service is important. I hope your new placement is doing good.

Penpal, social eating is hard. Actually I have trouble at any point when I'm away from home (except work since I plan it at home). Vacations are my biggest downfalls, long weekends next and out to eat a very distant 3rd. At least there's starting to be options are restaurant for the diet conscious. Good choices can most of the time be found.

Freda, those scales are necessary, aren't they. My experiment of not weighing for 6 months is almost eradicated. The 17 pounds are basically gone as of this morning. Took 2 months to undo. :D

Nikki, without a doubt, aim your calories between 1400 and 1600. Much lower with your activity is a problem. Good luck on tomorrow's weigh in. But I see you mentioned swimming laps so if you don't, think of my goofy theory.;)

Marie

Hello everyone wow some good sound advice from everyone! I enjoy hearing new ideas, whats worked etc. As far as exercise goes sometimes when I exercise the scale goes up. The muscle weighs in higher than fat go figure. At any rate then I CK on how my rings, clothes fit etc. But I still like the scale lower. Today was my scale day still the same as the other day when I had the 1.5 loss. I guess thats okay but would of been nice to see lower numbers. I have to say this weeks choice making took some extra thought. Yesterday I did okay but once I was out of my office lunch in the community sounded good. But I went back and ate my prepared lunch. Then at dinner time I was running late and almost stopped to grab a sub. But came home and made sauted veggies and chicken. I did have one handful of chips. But I was able to limit myself. On saturday we are going to my sisters for a picnic now there is always a lot of snacks and foods. I am going to try my best to be good. Maybe going on the scale in the morning will help? At any rate Nikki I am happy that you are going to add a few healthy calories on it may help. Many people eat 6 small meals and have done great. I sometimes plan a morning snack and afternoon one as well. Just fruit, yogurt or counted out crackers to ensure only one serving. Good luck and any good info. from Denise is welcomed here. I like her line of thinking after all take a look at her now that is incentive alone. Nice tea party sometimes helping others is such a high. My person is doing well thanks for asking all moved in yesterday. I stopped over in the afternoon and she was like so relaxed and happy acting. This is a positive move for her and the family is very greatful. Nice to be a part of such a nice outcome. Hopefully it continues to go so nicely. This type of situation makes me realize that my job and efforts are all very worth it.
Have a great day everyone and hang in there. The scale is the devil but for me also the balance I need. Cause without it I stray a way and sometimes its not good. So I still have 2.5lbs to lose to get back to where I was. If I had used my means of the scale I would of caught it sooner. Oh we live and learn so clothes fitting alone doesn't work so well. You need the balance of it all or I do at least. Marie I agree we just have to undo damage we could of avoided right along. So when its up a little here and there its upsets us but at least we know and sometimes it is water wt. But if its there a few days take it seriously. Have a great one.

Hi everyone -

So I went down from 162-163 yesterday to 159-160 today. I am not going to give an official weight until I get on my digi scale which is at my boyfriends. I will record a weight tomorrow morning to show my loss or gain for this week.

Marie - good luck on your weigh in. As for the swimming who knows maybe it is just that your muscles weigh more after swimming. Yesterday I did aerobics 30 min and 40 minutes of swimming. I can barely walk today so I will forgo my workout.


Carol- 6small meals sounds ideal I know when I did Weight Watchers they told me I was not eating enouh calories. I just can't seem to wrap my brain around it. More food to me = more weight.

I can't wait to get my TOM so I balance back out.


Nikki

hi
 

Good Morning All, Hope everyone is doing well today! I have to work the weekend and wanted to say hi now because I won't be here for a couple of days.

Nikki, I know it's hard to add food to LOOSE weight, but sometimes too few calories makes your body hold on to every little bit because it doesn't know when it's getting the next food. A well balanced diet, with enough calories, is healthier and you do lose more weight because your body is more ready to let it go. And you may gain a little initially (oh no)! But a diet has to be something you can live with for a long time, not something you're constantally fighting.

cacmsc, I always plan in a few healthy snacks too. I make menu's for a week and make sure the food is in the house. I portion out a serving and put it in a baggie. It's too hard for me to just take a serving out of a box. I know me, i'll end up getting too much!

Pen Pal, The parties sound so lovely, and I know the ladies must have enjoyed them! It is hard to diet when you aren't the one in controle of the food. But, we're always in those situtations, there is always something going on, graduations, weddings. We just have to make the best choices we can at those times. If you know you're going to be tempted maybe save a few calories fromthe rest of the days's food?

Marie, I feel so much better when I exercise too! I think my body just tries to remind me that I NEED it! And i've had a hard time sleeping since menopause, and I find that if I exercise i sleep much better. Congrats on the weight loss!!!! Every little bit helps!!

every one have a happy, productive weekend. Freda

Just a quick 'hello' for my Friday weigh in. I lost 1.5 pounds of the two I gained last week, so I'm at 187.5. Sometimes it seems like one step forward, two steps back, but at least I'm heading in the right direction. I think I'm still hanging onto some of the water weight from the heat wave last week (rings still very tight) so hopefully I can lose a bit more before next weigh in.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

Weekend is HERE!!!
 

Hi everyone!!! I hope the afternoon is going good for the chickies. I got off a litle early today because I still had a little time to use before the end of the fiscal year(today). So I'm home alone. DS, GF and DGS went to town, so I have the stereo on (a little loud) and I'm vegging out with my puppies.

Since I weighed in yesterday, I didn't weigh in this am. So no news there. I'm just so happy I've lost 18 pounds so far. I actually only have 1 pound to go for the July 17th mini goal. I just might make this one. :D

Well, I'm going to go play in my pool and listen to 12 Sharp (by Janet Evanovich). For Mother's Day I had bought myself a waterproof case and earphones for my ipod, so I'm going to go float/play in my pool. It's gorgeous outside. I'll chat more tomorrow.
Marie

HI eveyone....

Marie.. the floating/splashing spunds wonderful we are in for a scorcher today.

Despite my thursday gain to almost 164 yesterday I weighed in at 158 so I maintained last week. I am aiming for 3 lbs to lose by July 17. 17 days to lbs I can do ! Marie awesome to you on the 10 lbs. You are going to meet your goal WooohoooI bet you even exceed it!

Penny- Congrats on your loss !!!!

have a cool one
Nikki

Morning everyone. I just love weekends. Perhaps I struggle with food just a little bit more, but not much. Overall, I just love the quiet of weekends. DH and I are going to go rollerblading or hiking his morning before it gets hot. Then tomorrow we'll do whatever we didn't do today. Both days I'll be in my pool, that's for sure. I weighed today and was the same as Thursday morning so I think the loss is permanent. So here's the stats for June 1 to 30th. I've lost 7 pounds and I walked 84 miles. Total since April 25th: 17 pounds lost and 191.5 miles. Wow-wee!!! I'm actually proud of myself. Yesterday I made a promise to myself not to "settle" in a couple months for less of a weight loss goal then I want now. I have 60 more pounds to lose and I'm going to make it. In the past I let my brain con me into settling for less. Not this time, I'm making a pact with myself to make it the whole way. I'm hoping by next summer. That would be 5 pounds a month. Hopefully I can do that. But if it takes 2 years, I'll stick make it.

Nikki you're doing great. Were you weighing on a different scale than you're usual one this past week when your weigh fluctuated everywhere? If yes, bring your regular scale back and forth to your boyfriends. Only use one scale. No need to make this harder on yourself than it already is.

Talk with you later.
Marie

Marie - You really know how to relax - floating and splashing in your pool - that sounds so great. Makes me wish we had a pool. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to take a soak in the bathtub and imagine!

Nikki- Glad you're heading the right direction again weight-wise.

I've had quite an 'exciting' day. Our friends came down from Washington and we went out for lunch at McCormicks in the new Bridgeport shopping center with them, together with our son. Then, surprise, surprise, we got stuck in the elevator in the parking garage! For the first ten minutes or so we thought it was kind of funny, then we realized nobody knew we were there because the emergency alarm didn't work! Between our five cell phones, only one got a signal and it was our friends WA phone # so 911 had to be patched through to the local emergency. It was hot as h*** in this small elevator with the five of us and there seemed to be no air. To make matters worse, our friend has severe claustrophobia (he actually goes to a shrink every couple of weeks trying to overcome it) and he was just shaking all over and looked like he was going to pass out.

Anyway, after about 45 minutes, the fire dept. got us out. Then the security people from the shopping center finally turned up. The management offered to pay for our lunch - so did we sock it to them! Luckily the service was slow, so we had time to stop shaking and settle down before we ate. I had to exert quite a bit of willpower not to go totally overboard with the calories. I did indulge in a very expensive glass of wine and a large dungeness crab cocktail and some grilled salmon. We had Irish coffees all round (except hubby who was driving) and were quite merry by the time we left. I will definitely take the stairs next time though!

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

Penny congrats on your loss. Your headed in the right direction.
Freda some good sound info. thanks. It isn't always so easy stayings focused with the holidays and get togethers. It was hard at my sisters. I didn't do to bad but the spicy chicken wing dip was my down fall. I will give myself a couple of days before the scale comes in. I am going to my other sisters on tues. for a picnic. I think maybe I will bring a healthy snack to share and chicken to cook for me at least. Some control is in order.
Marie congrats to you too! You will make your goal and then some. I have 14 days left! Better get on the stick huh. We are ordering chinese for lunch today as we have a small group who are the only ones working today. Crazy holiday time. I am going to order on the lite side and no egg role, brown rice instead of white and will plan a healthy dinner.
Penny that is one heck of a shopping trip and a lovely ending to a crazy day. One your friends and family will laugh about down the road for years to come. Thank God the outcome was so good. A few years back I was leaving my building and its very old a few of us got caught in the elevator between floors. I had my cell and we called mtg. to come. In the mean time this guy had a panic attack as well and hated some areas. He started to laugh after awhile as we all tried joking he. Told his buddy on the phone security man that better get me out of here soon as these two woman both wear glasses and if I start stripping there is no hope for me. He was referring to his size. HAH HAH! I thought I would die laughing it was a funny experience. If I get on and it makes any noise I am off in a flash most of the time I take the stair case better for me and no elevator worries.
Well sounds like we are off to a great week girls. I am going to take my exercise clothes with me today and my suit in case I decide to stop at my sis's and swim laps instead. Looks like a great day. Our addition is coming on slow but sure. My sister in law had fun this weekend we went to pick out a new couch , chair and bed. She bought a thera peutic bed much better for her. A bit expensive but I encouraged her to get it. She is going with a twin so she has more room in the bedroom. We made the living room bigger bedroom smaller. So now its an adjustment time. I did well for her with the salesman got her price down on the couch 200.00 and he threw in the bedframe and a special pillow for her bed. Not to bad never did it for myself but a friend told me to try asking for a bette deal and I did. It was so easy people must do it often. Well be good make healthy choices and Nikki you will be eating more but the calories are better for the choices your making. good luck. I just made my schedule for the week for charting intakes and exerciser.

Morning Everyone -

Marie -I was using a different scale. I brought my regular one back home with me. Right now I am up a little bu I'm expecting ToM any minute so I'm not worried.


Penny- My god I weould have freaked being locked in an elevator.


I missed my workout show today but I am going to swim to make up for it. I have to figure out how to tape my show because right now if I miss it I don't get to do it and it is on at 7 am!!! I needed to sleep today and the 45 minutes extra I slept killed my workout.

Nikki