Judy your pretty mind set to make some changes regarding your lifestyle. I think you will do fine throughout the meetings. I am not sure if you can chew gum at that time nicely of course not blowing bubbles! Sometimes that helps me when others are grazing at the food. At times its helpful to just remember that your goal is important. Lately it seems if I induldge in a little candy or sweet if I can't get away from it by moving I will continue to eat it without any problems. You could also calorie count in your head and allow yourself only so much for the hrs. your there. But then again you have to watch the gluten stuff. I will be rooting for you from here. Let me know how you do sharing tips might help one of us in a similar situation. My client is now resting in peace and the stress level will lift as soon as the paperwork is completed etc. Yes these topics are never easy. But needed. My friend whom had that stroke and surgery last yr. had gallbladder surgery recently a few wks. ago now has a lump in her throat testing yesterday. She is very scared and at 46 she has had a lot going on. I tell you it makes me think eatting healthy is so important and exercising. So lets go girls! We can make a difference with our health. Every step we take to gain a new habit in the right direction could make a big difference down the road. I feel so motivated this week. I did manage to stay within my calories one more day so that makes 4. I had a few too many starches bread. But other than that was within my range. No snacks that weren't planned other than a sucker. Not to bad. Penny hope your on a mends soon. Not feeling good is awful and hope soon you get a good nights sleep. I gotta go pack a healthy lunch salad with tuna and some broc. etc. I need to stop at the store on the way to work to get some fruit we are low. That is always a nice snack for me. I haven't grab onto the scale yet giving myself a chance to get back into my routine this week. But my skirt I'm wearing is fitting fine so I think maybe I am okay in that dept. hopefully.

A very quick check-in: I'm doing fine. Day One of meetings has been long, and uncomfortable for me because my boss is leaving and there is some pressure for me to take over his job (I don't want it). Tomorrow will be a more difficult day in some ways, but so far so good. I got up extra early to make sure that I had time for a good workout, which also helps me stay centered. I'm eating on program. Today's lunch was....spaghetti! I had a salad and ate about half a cup of the sauce, no pasta:( . It smelled so good that I'm taking some of the sauce home to eat with my gluten-free rotini :cool:

Carol, you sound like you're in a good place today, I'm glad.

Penny, ay-yi-yi!

More tomorrow--judy

Carol - You are so right about eating healthy to stay healthy! I'm eating lots more fruit and veg. now. I wish I'd started this way of eating years ago, but it's never too late! I'll say a prayer for your friend who is worried about her throat diagnosis. Also a prayer for your client who is now resting in peace. You must be a very strong lady having to deal with such things on a regular basis.

Judy - I hope your job stress eases a bit soon. It's hard when people want you to take on even more responsibility. I've had a similar problem lately with the nonprofit I volunteer on. If you do a good job, then people think it's easy for you and figure you can do even more! It's a good idea to exercise to work off stress - it helps me a lot. I'm glad you managed to find some gluten free pasta. That sauce will make it taste good (plus maybe a little sprinkle of parmesan).

I felt a lot better today after a good night's sleep. It's amazing the difference it makes whether you get enough rest. I worked out at Curves again today as I missed on Monday. They gave me a star for losing 40 lbs. and 29 inches since I started there 2-1/2 years ago. It's very motivating for me when some of the gals there say that I'm an inspiration. I sometimes don't think I'm much slimmer, but other people are noticing so I must be looking thinner :). Talk to you tomorrow.

Judy during your conference times and resturants for meetings call ahead with special gluten free dietary needs. They will fix you pasta which is gluten free etc. We have it done all the time for people. Most places are great with the special consideration needed. Check it out. Well I am taking today off I have a knot in my left shoulder from stress. It happens once in awhile and this week I can surely see why it did. So I am off today but the hubby isn't doing to great he hurt his side most likely pulled a muscle but with all his other issues this isn't so good. He couldn't get out of bed by himself this a.m. oh but now that he is up things seem a bit better. I thought I was going to have to take him to the hospital. The motrin 800mg seem to make a difference and maybe just some rest we'll see. At any rate I am off and going to make the best of it. I have already called in. Yesterday I thought never would end busy every second and stressful to boot. Things will be better at work this next week after monday's services.
Judy good for you working out so good in the mornings. I need to jump start that time as well. Food intake wasn't bad except for the fried jalopeno last night with the girl friends. I took broccoli for lunch and steamed it all the girls said it really was stinky. So guess I won't do that again. Just was trying to be healthy. Penny your so right about the job issues when your a hard worker and prove yourself more comes with it. I surely have noticed that. Its nice to know people feel you can handle it but it needs to be also shared evenly across the board. Penny hurray for you! Something to be very proud of you should honor yourself with something new. Maybe clothes or something on that line. Curves is good for so many folks. With me I just need to stop making excuses for the gym and get there when I am suppose to. I should make a schedule for it on my reg. work calendar. Work a bit later one day take off a bit earlier another to get to the gym before the crowds. Something to consider. I will see if I can okay with the boss. My friend heard on her test I am concerned for her. It is either thyroid problems extended or it is throat cancer. They want her off meds for at least 2 weeks before scheduling the test. She was a smoker pretty heavy before that stroke last year. She needs all the prayers out there. Well girls we all need to take our health seriously that is no joke. I messed up a little with the fried stuff with the girls last night but overall the rest of the day was good. If we slip a little we need then just adjust. So today I will be more careful. Going to try to fit in my treadmill this a.m.

Carol, you could use a good chair massage! I get a knot under my left shoulderblade sometimes, and nothing will get it out except a good pounding. You have had quite a week. I hope that your hubby is feeling better and that you have a little down time this weekend. In terms of making special arrangements for my diet, I'm going to keep healthy alternatives with me, and just keep reminding myself that I won't waste away if I wait a little while to eat "safe" food." The gluten-free pasta, crackers etc that I have at home are just to keep me from falling off the wagon when I'm feeling the need to splurge.

Penny, :carrot: congratulations on earning a star! That's wonderful to be able to look back and see how far you've come. I will get my measurements taken at Curves just before the Thanksgiving weekend. I wil have lost a few pounds and some inches since September, so that should motivate me to stay on target through the long holiday weekend.

Well, after much meeting and going back and forth, I will be one of two interim co-executive directors, starting the first of March, when my boss leaves. That will give my organization time to do some planning and conduct a search. If we're lucky, I can step down over the summer, but otherwise we'll hang in there until there is a resolution. We're not in the best of financial shape, so a big chunk of my time starting in January will go toward fundraising. I'm not eager to to take this on, but I think it's best for my organization, and I feel good about the board of directors and the rest of the staff's commitment to stepping up, so...there you have it. My New Year's resolutions will all revolve around stress management, I'm sure:dizzy:.

I'll weigh-in officially on Sunday. The scale has been reading just above 230, so I don't know if I'll be any lower tomorrow. But I got in nearly 300 minutes of cardio this week, and am feeling good about health-related things. I hosted a meeting this afternoon, so of course I thoroughly cleaned my apartment. It feels nice to have all the surfaces cleared off and sparkling!

judy

Yaay for me, I'm down another pound. I am happy to be in another 'decade' after roaming around like the Israelites in the 230s for over a year! In celebration, I've made a new mini-goal ticker for my Sunday weigh-ins.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

judy

Judy good for you losing a lb. thats a tub of butter they say. I think your tub went on my scale. Sorry to say but being realistic I got on the scale first time in awhile. I was up so I have set a new goal for me to becareful and serious in need of 3lbs. by Thanksgiving. I am going to put in my best shot. Lately with the SIL living here I haven't been as good about going to the gym or healthy eating. I let in too much junk and now I know it for sure got brave and the box came out to tell the truth. So I need a kick in the but to get going. We have 2 weeks til Turkey day. Then Christmas will be my next goal. I actually thought I might of been up a bit more so lucky there huh. See the scale gives me balance and ck pts. sometimes I tend to avoid it and that can mean trouble. Maybe I need someone to say hey did you do your scale this week? I am going to do it Mon. Wed. Fri. this week to get started then will switch it around to less. But good jump start I thought. Now I really better knock off the horsing around and get serious. Judy , Penny and Marie your all doing great I am the one whom let a few lbs. come back. Maybe I wasn't handling my stress as well as one thought? Well the services are today and will be very short the obt. was nicely written in our local paper. His sister did it and really did a nice job. Judy your job sounds tough. Its not always so easy to get volunteers. In our area here some of the volunteer jobs stuffing enevolopes for mailing things like that our developmental day habs do all the time. Has your company ever used disabled folks to help with anything like that? We do a lot locally for American Heart Asso. , Diabetes Asso. etc. Their always looking for ways to keep people busy and their hard workers. Staff support them through the task to ensure its done correctly. Just a thought.
Another friend in Flordia is in the hospital also with a blood clot in his leg. I tell yah our bad habits catch up with all of us eventually if we don't try to make changes. His doctor has been after him for years to lose wt. now he has diabetes which causes more health concerns. Wow I need to get down where I need to be. I am not that far off by any means but this last 10lbs. is stuborn as the day is light. Give me strength to lose it! Penny yes I know we all need to make some positive changes with eating. Together even though lately with the scale hasn't been great only because I avoided it if I hadn't been on here and in touch it could of been so much worse. I am grateful for the contact on this site. Now just give me a big kick in the butt and send me flying in the direction of loss and I will be a happy camper. So that said I am off to eat a healthy breakfast and pack a healthy lunch. Fish for dinner while they have leftover spaghetti. Talk to you all soon keep up your efforts the scale is showing your headed down less lbs. lane.

Well, I had a lot of things on my agenda today, but I've spent most of my off day surfing the Net and playing Spider Solitaire. I guess I'm just making the day last as long as possible before going back to work on Tuesday. I was planning to check out a movie or two this afternoon--I haven't seen a movie in months--but it's still cold and dreary out, and it was easier to futz around at home.

Carol, it sounds like our friend the scale gave you a real jolt today! You know what you need to do to point in the right direction. You've had a lot of stress and distractions, and I'm sure it's been hard to focus with changes in your household and issues at work. So you've had a bit of a lull, now it's time to get back to the habits that helped you lose so much weight! Here's the encouragement you asked for: :kickbutt: . Hope it helps!

The clinic put me on a plan that only allows me one serving of (gluten-free) grain a day, which is a drag. But I am feeling really good physically, better than I have for long time. I did a long aerobic workout this morning. Tomorrow's payday, and Marie will be glad to know that I plan to order one of the WATP videos, the five-mile walk. Marie, if Leslie's shrill chatter gets on my nerves, maybe I can follow along with the sound turned down :devil: .

Penny, I hope you're doing well today!

Re the job: we make small grants to advocacy groups, so we don't often need volunteers. What we need is management staff (especially a fundraiser), and I don't know of any qualified folks who will work full-time for free. To prepare to take on more responsibilities over the next few months, I'll have to be super-organized. And be better about holding my tongue, to be a better listener. Next year will be challenging, but I think it will turn out well in the long run. Plus I'll be thinner :D . I'll turn 50 near the end of 2007. If I'm not finally 160-170 by then, I plan to be pretty durn close!

I miss the folks who jumped into the thread over the summer...if you're reading this, let us know how things are going for you. And you other lurkers out there, come on in, the more the merrier!

judy

Judy - Good for you losing a pound! :dancer: Keep up the good work!

Carol - I hope you soon lose your final 10 lbs. (or at least make a good dent in it!) :crossed: It's hard this time of the year - which I call the "eating season" :lol:

I've been very busy getting ready for our year's biggest fund raiser - a bazaar and tea where we serve over 400 teas and have a large bake and crafts sale. I made a couple of dozen mini loaves and have been wrapping them today. I also made a couple of dozen soaps in three different kinds (lavender/lime/poppyseed, rose and cucumber). I've been doing a bit of "stress eating" so I hope the scale won't be mean to me on Friday!

Hi all, just a quick note from Mississippi. I finally saw DS today. We just spent the last 5 hours chatting. I really did miss him. I had tears in my eyes when I saw him - nearly jumped out of the car while it was still moving. Tomorrow is his graduation then it's back ont he road - but aimed towards home - MY FAVORITE direction. Judy, how do you travel so much?

Speaking of Judy, WAY TO Go on the new decade. That is always the best. New century will be great too. BTW, the 5 mile walk DVD is good. I like mile 2 the best combined with the 1 mile advanced jog. Now Judy, are you sitting down??? When you set which combo you want to do you have the option of Leslie's chatter or just music. So you can choose not to listen to her. For me, her prattle helps pass the time so I leave her on.

Carol, sorry about your client and the scale. It is truly the truth machine, isn't it? I have not been an angel the last few days but alas, the trip home, I will be good. Travel days haven't been hard to be good, just the celebration days. After tomorrow morning those are over so I'll be okay.

I have been exercising daily averaging over 5 miles per day. I will again tomorrow but then Wed and Thurs are straight travel days and I will forgo my exercise. It'll be hard, but I just want to go home.

Penny, I've thought of you a lot today - I have a symptom or two of a UTI. I bought some of the analgesic stuff I mentioned a couple weeks ago so I'd make it home if it does blow into a UTI. Eeks. I hope it's just irritation of some sort.

Well, I will chat again on Friday. From home. :)

One more thing, last Wednesday I officially hit the half way point - I don't know what it'll be after this week, but it was cool none the less.
Marie

Marie hurray for the 1/2 way mark that is super!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have worked so hard on this and now your 1/2 way there. Traveling is hard but for the most part sounds like a great trip and you exercised so much to keep up with your normal pace. I am sure it was wonderful to see your son. I talked to mine the other day and its always so wonderful to hear their voices even across the miles a comfort that is for sure. Congrats!
Judy thanks for that extra support cause it made sense. And your right I do know what to do. Maybe I will have to visit with Leslie as well. I am going to ck out the library. They may have something like that to see if I like it first. Dinner last night I broiled a 4oz. piece of haddock and put some sauce over it in the end and some mozz. cheese. It was good in place of pasta. I am trying to make some healthy choices. Tracking my cals. increasing some exercise so maybe pretty soon I will see some changes. Got my hair cut yesterday a bit different style. Sometimes yah need an overhal all together. I did throw away 1/2 my yogurt cause it was reg instead of low cal. low fat. Boy your doctor might of been onto something with the gluten stuff. Especially if your feeling better etc. It can do a lot to your body if you have an allergy like that. Good luck with it. Penny this is a tough season but I am going to try my best to at least get a jump start. If I can be good til Turkey day then after that fit in all my holiday parties with watching cals before and after them I might make it? But I think exercise will be something I need to concentrate on to be sucessful. So along with the rest of you that is the route or high road I am taking. I am going to make myself a chart with lbs./cals/exercise/ and motivation blurbs on it. Talk to you all soon. Yes I agree Judy wish some of the folks would stop in again. That would be nice. The more the merrier.

Marie - Good to hear from you! It's great that you've reached your halfway mark - way to go! :carrot: Especially since you've been 'on the road' and subject to the usual temptations when away from home. I bet it was great to get together with your son. That haddock you had sounded good. I haven't had any for years. We used to be able to get Finnian Haddie (smoked haddock) at our local grocery store, but they don't carry it any longer (I guess it's an acquired taste!) I hope you don't get a UTI too. Drink tons of water and hopefully it will go away. I'm still sore but with no infection, so it could be a food sensitivity. Always something!! I hope your trip home goes well.

Carol - That's a good idea to make a chart. It's kind of what I do on Spark People - keeps me honest (more or less!) We've decided to go out to a restaurant buffet for Thanksgiving. It's actually less tempting than having all the leftovers hanging around. We have a very nice restaurant nearby that does a wonderful buffet and I'm looking forward to it - especially since I won't have to cook. We get invited to friends every Christmas - so that's going to be easy too.

Judy - Hope everything is going well for you.

I had a nice get-together with the ladies from my women's group today to price and sort out the bazaar items for Saturday. It's amazing how creative we've been, considering most of us never saw a glue gun or did crafts till we turned 50!

Penny your soaps sounded great I wish gathering was next to me. Sounds like a great place to get some christimas stocking stuffers. I'm going to try to make some more soap this year. Is the lime an oil like lavender? I don't think its around my craft stores but maybe. I have some stuff left from last years adventures in soap making. It is a lot of fun and I like giving homemade gifts. Wish I were a bit closer to stop by. I love haddock and it is at all our fish fry places locally. I had some the other night and broiled with sauce on top and a little moz. cheese oh so good. Tonight I have a piece of salmon marinating in lemon juice and spices since yesterday. I think its ready! I worked late so I picked up chinese. It wasn't too high in cal. but I did eat an egg roll. That was my naughty of the day. Everything else healthy. My cals were a bit high around 1700 after I added them up. But I did do the treadmill for a bit after dinner. Trying to get a routine going. When I add in almonds for a snack it brings the cals up high quickly. I know their good for us nuts but heck their high in cals. We have had Thanksgiving at my home for the last 17 years or so. I enjoy cooking and entertaining so its okay. It would be really nice to have my son home and daughter in law some year for this holiday. Wishful thinking I guess. Your most likely right on leftovers. But I do send a lot home with others. This year the SIL will help eat them up as well. I picked up an extra little bird for christmas as they were only 28 cents a lb. with a 25.00 purchase couldn't go wrong. I can't buy the legs to make turkey soup that cheap. Nice winter meals.
Marie have a safe trip home.
Judy hope things are going okay for you. You have a lot on your plate for work. I tell yah the better we are the more they want. I have some case they want me to take on. Well I was already promised to one family now I guess the upper hand wants me to do another. A well known family whom requested my services. Well how about the little guy not so well known. Of course I don't really have any choice in the matter now don't be silly I told myself. But its my job and I will do whats expected by the company. Stress!
So Judy a nice little glass of wine at the end of our week might be in order. Well take care girls my charting is going well. I am doing my journal and that always helps get me on track.

Marie, it's good to hear from you. Hope you're almost home! I mostly enjoy traveling, but it always feels great, even after a marvelous vaction, to come back home again. It must have been so nice to see your son....Way to go on the halfway mark :woohoo:

Penny, I turn 50 next year. Will I turn crafty, too? Will I be looking for deals on ribbons, glitter and scrapbooks? I've managed to avoid hobbies so far. I used to be really into houseplants, but that went away....

Carol, your posts always make my mouth water :hungry: . I don't know if I'll wait 'til the weekend for a glass of wine. I'm speaking at an event in Boston tomorrow night, and I think I'll have a little nip, as my aunts used to say, when that's over.

The scale is still saying nice things to me. I'm down another pound or so, but since I'll be on the road for two days, this way I'll need to be careful if I want to maintain this long enough to change my ticker on Sunday.

Hang in there, ladies!

judy

Judy good for you. My son inlaw to be is in Boston on business to. Busy place I guess. Never really been there to look around. I think after speaking I'd need a glass of wine a little nip never hurt anyone. No gluten in that. I went out for breakfast and lunch today. I tried to becareful. I left the roll and ate the cornbread instead, had pork slices with barbecue sauce and blk bean salad. Then for dinner broiled my fish, ate a sweet potatoe, rice. So not totally bad. I am trying to be better. I turned down the offer for key lime pie it did sound great though. Well we will chat on thurs. Night everyone. I am trying to keep motivated stopping in helps.

Morning I am going to try to drink enough water today and to eat healthy all day long. No out to lunch or breakfast stuff today. On friday is the scale day. I hope to see something but it might take a bit more time. I have been more focused but not an angel. Have a super day. Penny I looked for lime oil for soaps only found some citrus? Do you remember where you got it or do you just grate in some lime rind????

A dark and gloomy day! I'm sure my flight will be delayed this afternoon due to high winds. I hope not too long, or I risk missing the point of going up to Boston at all. I'm working at home this morning. I did an extra long workout and am eating very lightly, and packing a "feedbag" so I'll have no reason to eat off program. I don't have as many meetings scheduled on Friday as I'd hoped, so perhaps I'll have a little time to slip into the original Filene's Basement for before heading back.

Carol, your meals sound reasonable and healthy, keep it up!

judy

Judy - Maybe you'll get crafty too when you hit the big 50! I never even tried doing crafts when I was younger (too busy raising our son and working). I can't sew but I'm pretty good with the hot glue gun! I'm glad the scale is being nice to you :goodscale I think I've gained a pound or so, so I'm going to have to watch out.

Carol - I bought a lot of my essential oils a while ago at Wild Oats. They used to have a wonderful essential oil dept. where you could get dozens of different oils and have them filled into the size bottle of your choice. They moved last year and the new location only has a small selection. I have also ordered oils over the internet from Brambleberry but you have to pay shipping & handling and they only have larger sized bottles. I buy my soap base from a local wholesaler in 20 lb. buckets for about $35. This works out a lot cheaper than buying from a craft store if you want to make a lot of soaps. I like experimenting with different scents and additives, like finely ground oatmeal, pumice and even coffee grounds for hand soaps. I even made a clear Earl Grey Tea soap scented with Bergamot oil and actual tea leaves. Right now my most popular soap is the cucumber scent.

Tomorrow is our setup day for the bazaar so I'll have to avoid the "refreshments" area with all the cookies and cakes!

Well girls as I promised myself I got the scale out its Friday! Down a half a lb.This isn't a great loss but I will take it anything thats a loss I will consider it one. My intake this week has been pretty good I must say. I am trying to eat healthier less bread, more fish, smaller portions. I took a lean cuisine container for work yesterday just the right size. Put in a measured 1/2 c. cottage cheese, 1/2 c. prepared tuna, and baked a sweet potatoe added 1 T. shredded cheese to it. Not bad followed by and apple. I made homemade soup in the crock pot. Just threw everything all in my SIL kept saying how great it was best she ever had. I did throw in 1/2 cup of salsa. She doesn't even like that what they don't know won't hurt them. Another late work night but at least today I only have to work til I think 2:00. Then I am going to do my own thing for a little while. My exercise last night after work was to carpet clean my rugs with the steam machine. Wow I had no idea they were that dirty. Well with all the construction I guess that didn't help. But needless to say I didn't need to get on the treadmill for exercise last night. Judy hope your flight got out on time for you to speak on time. Hope you also get a little shopping time in. That would be cool we had Felines here for awhile but then they closed. I liked that store. You made me laugh with the feed bag comment. Funny but true name for it I think. Boy we are always focused on food. Some people could care less as long as their full. Oh well we I am sure are more interesting and creative folks. Penny thanks for the soap info. Last year was my first time I made them and really liked doing it. I love mint/cuke it was nice. I will ck with getting the oils at my naturetyme health store I bet they will have the lime. I want to experiment with the lime, lavender and poppy seed. I have some molds to use. I never made a loaf and sliced it I should expriment with that as well. Thanks for your ideas it motivates me. Have fun at your sale I am sure you will do good. When people like the soaps they will come back to get more. I made a great oatmeal soap last year with almonds in it sprinkled a little cinnamon on it. Wrapped it up nice with a cinnamon stick on top and red ribbon. Nice little gift. Take care I am going to make my oatmeal and pack some soup for lunch.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend! I spent way too many hours in airports on Thursday and Friday, especially considering that the flight time is only about an hour each way! But the weather was bad the day I left, so I got into Boston very late, the program I was speaking on had already started. But it was good to be there, I saw some old friends, and the event went well overall. I bopped around Cambridge all day Friday, windowshopping, and picked up bargin music and movies at Tower Records, which is going out of business. Due to total airline incompetence, not weather, coming home was even worse than leaving the day before. After many delays and two cancelled flights, I had to fly to the Baltimore airport (National Airport is only a few miles from my home). Instead of walking into my apartment at 8:30 PM, I arrived closer to 2AM, achy and aggravated. Today I stopped by the library, did some grocery shopping, and watched football--yaay, Ohio State :cheer2:

Penny, I love soaps. I often buy bar soaps at Marshalls or TJ Maxx, where they are a little fancy but inexpensive. Homemade is the best, though. i hope the bazaar was fun today.

Carol, I would like to clean my carpets, too. They always look so nice after a cleaning! But pushing that machine around is hard work (plus moving the furniture), that must have burned lots of calories.

I was pleased with most of my food choices on this trip. The gluten thing isn't too difficult, but I have to really think about things...for example, I had some gumbo and remembered the next day that the roux that thickens it is made from flour. But in the airport, especially, it was helpful just to have all baked goods off limits. The Thursday night event had most wonderful-looking dessert trays but it didn't killme to ignore them after all :cool:

Sunday I will catch up on paperwork and filing, and make the day last as long as possible. Hope it's a restful day for you, too.

judy

Hi all, I'm back. Actually I got back on Thursday night and Friday I was blah and tired. Yesterday just busy, busy busy. Today is a relaxing day. I already exercised this morning (2 miles walking, 3 jogging). DH and I might take the doggies out for a walk (2 miles) in a bit. They're missing their walks.

Well, I blew my diet (sort of - not horribly but not calorie contained) Sunday through Thursday. I was so SICK of the car that eating was my entertainment. I'd say I was about averaging 2200 to 2500 cals those days. I reigned it in on Friday to 1900 and yesterday to 1700 (which is where I want to be). So I'm back on track. I will weigh in on Tuesday (letting my body detox from the doritos that I was addicted to in the car). Hopefully not too much damage.

Yesterday I went to town and bought black jean material. I'd ordered a black jeans skirt from Chadwicks and it was icky material and didn't fit good. So I decided to sew one instead. When I was getting the material it was so inexpensive due to a sale that almost daughter in law sort of looked at me with longing so we bought enough for two skirts. So I guess I'll be sewing 2 of them. :) I'm going to cut out mine this afternoon.

Judy, your traveling sounded icky. I hate being in airports even more that in the car. I can at least bring as much beverages as I want in the car. :) Enjoy your day of rest.

Carol, good luck with the new client(s). Whoever you'll be servicing, they will be lucky. I too am making dinner here. Both DSs (yes, youngest is now home for the time being - I htink he'll get an apartment soon) and almost DIL and DGS and DH will be here. I love turkey and love the leftovers. So healthy. So far I have 3 in my freezer. At $.19 a pound, how can I resist? I'm going to get at least another one. That'll keep me in the bird for a few months. On Thursday I'm even going to make stuffing (only DH and I like it). Usually through the year I only do the potatoes that the kids like.

Penny, your soaps sound heavenly. I've nevre done that. But since I have so many crafts, I can't add anymore. I'm very in love with a cucumber/lime soap from bed and bath.

Well, time to read up on the walking board, then I'm ready for breakfast.
Marie

Judy sorry your trip wasn't the best with traveling stuff beyond your control to fix. At least you returned safe and saw some friends etc. Sounds like you found a few good buys too. I did a little christmas shopping this weekend. My friends and the SIL went to a beautiful christmas sale. It is setup in a ladies home. The its an old farm house and she decorates 3 lg. rooms and a porch. Some stuff is homemade some purchased for resale. But the quality is nice and after that its hard to compare other places to it. I went to Joannes on sunday. Left with nothing and realized that the quality didn't shake a stick at the other stuff. I will be going back to the other place she has it for 2 weekends then the stuff from the house is moved into her little shop size of a one car garage but old fashioned setting with warm fragrances of hot apple cider cooking. Wish you could all see it. Puts you in the mood sort of say for the holidays. Yesterday I started for preparing for the fest. on thurs. I am working this wed. so lots to do before hand. I made a pumpkin pie from scratch all the way even fresh pumpkin. Then a piled high apple pie. Homemade pumpkin bread and muffins. So I am started. I had to have a little cupcake size muffin to try them out of course. But otherwise wasn't too bad this weekend. Friday was my high cal day as planned, saturday and sunday in control. So I will try this a little longer and see how it goes. My high day this week you can all guess is thurs. Its nice to look forward too. Judy in a way having to stay away from certain foods is not so bad in many ways. The effects might be in a positive way.
Marie you will be jumping right back into the routine you had. Just a little vacation break. I have confidence in you! Its so easy when on vacation and bored with traveling to dig in what else is there to do. Glad you had a good time and so nice to see your son. Turkey I purchased one yesterday about 22lbs for the special day. Less for dinner as far as folks this year. My daughter will be stopping in but has to have dinner with the IL as their moving out of state in the summer job related. So I totally understand. So for appetizers I will have about 23 then for dinner sit down 13. So it will be okay. Then on friday the crazy girl friends and I are going to shop at midnight actually thurs. to the outlet mall about 1 hr. away. We are nuts! But this is its first yr. doing it so early and we want to go the weather is suppose to be around 50 -60 no snow that day. Next year it might be different. I want to do most of my shopping that day for christmas. Then wrap early and enjoy my holiday. One day I will bake several cookies maybe 2 days then freeze them up. I will do the scale on wed. this week. That is my goal. For the week then again Sunday. I am going to try to enjoy my holiday but not go wild give me strength!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great day everyone.

Welcome, back, Marie! I know that you're happy to be home again. Don't worry about those Doritos! Once you're back into your regular routines, the thought of junk like that will be totally unappealing :barf:. You have such great discipline, and you began planning right away for how to leave all that behind. You are fierce!

Carol, you sound like a regular Mrs. Claus. You love to bake, so you must really enjoy these next several weeks! I passed by a baked goods stand at a farmer's market, and the smell of the spiced pumpkin breads and such was so wonderful I nearly passed out from longing....but then it went away, thank goodness. I had some cinnamon tea soon after and that helped, I think.

I am glad this is a short week; this past weekend was not long enough. Tomorrow I go back to the clinic to check in with the nurse practioner who's kind of my caseworker for the healthy weight program. My weight is still wavering between 227-229. I want it to be no higher than 227 for my weigh-in, but if not, I'm still pleased with my progress so far. I've been thinking of a mantra or a slogan to get me through next year, which I know will be challenging at work. So far I'm thinking about "Fifty by Fifty," or 50 lbs. less than my New Year's Day weight, by my 50th birthday in December 2007. Your alternate suggestions would be appreciated, you crafty women!

judy

Ooo, Judy has a birthday coming up. Didn't think we'd notice that, huh??? :)

I think 50 by 50 sounds perfect. But I think you should do 50 by 50 starting on your birthday this year. That way you'll be flying by new years.

Carol, can you post your pumpkin bread recipe? That would be so awesome. Sound slike you had a good time shopping. I'd never do the midnight thing. I heard that retailers were trying the midnight thing from 5:00 am but I'd thought, who'd be crazy enough to do it??? Well I guess I know who now. :)

I weighed in this am and was up 1.4 pounds from when I left. My stomach is still irritated from traveling so I have hope when it settles then some will go. I was expecting a .5 pound but not 1.4. Oh, well, I'm good on track so it'll leave. The bummer part was that put me back to 49% lost not halfway.

I walked 2 miles and jogged 3 miles this morning. Tomorrow should be the same, then tomorrow morning the minor surgery on my foot is scheduled. So Wednesday, who knows. Maybe pedalling the exercycle but we'll see. I'm taking Wed- Fri off so it's a really short week.
Marie

Marie - Welcome back! You did well to only gain 1.4 lbs. on your trip. I find that I get bloated and retain water when I travel. I hope your foot procedure goes ok and that it doesn't slow you down too much but at least you can do the exercycle if it's too sore.

Judy - If you put your best effort into it you CAN lose the 50 lbs.! I had given up losing any weight when I was 50 (I'm 57) and although it's taken me over 2 years, I've lost 40 lbs. - so it's never too late! What's worked for me is counting calories and writing everything down that I eat. It's a bit of a pain, but it's the only thing that's ever worked for me in the long run.

Carol - You sure are a busy lady. All those baked goodies you mentioned made my mouth water! I love going to bazaars and that old farm house you went to sounded just the thing to get into the "holiday spirit".

I'm recovering from our bazaar and tea on Saturday. It went very well and I think we raised a record amount of money. My soaps sold well, as did the other crafts my chapter made. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. I'm having some tummy trouble because I've eaten too much white bread sandwiches, sausage rolls and Christmas cookies that we had laid on for the "worker bees". It happens every year and I should know better by now!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. :turkey:

Judy how about Fitty by Fifty. Cause your on the way to be fit and healthy. Just a thought you've tried so hard and now its going to happen for you. I am 52 but really don't feel any different than 40 maybe healthier now. I do have a few little wrinkles but working on them with cream. I am sitting here as I am writting this with hair dye on my head! Hah Hah who am I kidding. It is kind of funny as I was doing this thinking about this junk on my head to rid me of my grays. I guess my body reacts to the signs but not my insides. Thats a good thing cause I am not ready to be old yet. Your going to be a young feeling better 50 its much different than years ago. Not a big change.
Crazy but fun Marie want to join us?????????? Now next year could be snowing and blowing and no way would we go an hr. away up the highway. But we are going to be in the 50's. Our weather has been crazy cold yesterday but warming up in NY by thanksgiving. Your lunky thats all you gained if it had been me on vacation most likely at least 2lbs. The wt. will go down now that your in the routine again. I did well today but got home really hungry ready to cook dinner. The skinny hubby left out the Ritz crackers and I ate some while making dinner. There not fried like chips but still wasted calories. But I ate 130 cals worth and some jalopeno cheese 100. Just crazy. But my overall cals weren't bad so it was okay. It was to be my low cal day it was 1300. Now today to be another good day around the same cals. Wed plans are lower then thurs. Thanksgiving and Friday lower. Lets see if this Wendys plan works or not. I am giving it a whril. Want to shake up my metabolism a bit. The thyroid med. is in ? I have to go back in a week for a test. Penny thats a lot of wt. I am proud of you for that accomplishment you will reach your goal. Its hard for us sometimes but we need to remember we didn't put it on overnite and its not going to come off that way either. It takes time but slower is better the doc. says. Well how dang slow did she mean???????????????????? I am ready for some movement here. Wed is scale day for goodness sakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Penny glad your sale went well. I still need to pick up my lime oil for the soap making. I want to get the shopping done and relax at home and do things I enjoy like making soaps, cookies for gifts and family, sewing and finishing my knitting a sweater. Wow I have a lot to do and thinking of painting my livingroom and kitchen. My SIL offered to do it as a gift to us and hire someone. But if my friend charges too much I will do it myself after the holidays. It isn't that big and lots of open spaces. I have what they call an open kitchen dinningroom livingroom area. Great room? Oh well when yah knock out off the door ways and half wall and bay window its not that much to paint. I surely have done it before. But time wise it would be nice to sit back and let someone else do it. I don't even have a color in mind. But have to becareful with the rooms flowing into each other. Sorry this is so long I love being in touch with such nice folks as all of you. Have a super day and lets keep up the good work. The intake journal is my way to Penny its keeping me on track again. THe only thing that seems to do it.

Brrr, I'm sitting at my desk huddled under a wrap. My office tends be a bit chilly, but one of my colleagues left his window open last night, so there was quite a breeze blowing through here. We were lucky not to be robbed overnight; the windows open onto a loading dock/alleyway, and an open window would have been tempting to the many street people in the neighborhood.

Marie, you didn't do so badly on vacation. Think of what woudl have happened if you weren't working out! I'm sure you'll drop the extra weight quickly, you're probably retaining water from the salty food. Good luck tomorrow with the foot surgery. Then you can pedal away your T'giving feast :ebike:

Penny, the bazaar sounds like fun. I always go to these things looking for Xmas gifts, but end up mostly treating myself :D . Re strategies to lose: I have had long, long periods of counting calories and logging everything, but I can barely bring myself to do it anymore, even using Fitday. I don't know why I'm so resistant. What works for me this year is to post a "menu" for the day on the frig the night before, and pretty much stick with it. I meant to log everything I ate while I was away last week, but I forgot, so I'll try it when I travel again next week.

Carol, the folks up in Boston were almost worried that the weather's been unseasonably warm, it seems so unnatural. Fine with me, though! I can wait a little longer for the snow to fall. I laughed when you said, "I have a lot of things to do and thinking of painting my livingroom and kitchen"! Good Lord, where do you get the energy? :faint:

judy

Hi everyone, the foot surgery is over. Other than the horrible novacaine shot into the bottom of my foot it was nothing (but that shot was HORRIBLE). I think once the novacaine wears off, I'll be in a bit of pain, so I'm enjoying the numbness.

Judy, I'd have shot the collegue. Enough said. What a twit and to freeze you all was plain mean. BTW, you are logging your food. You're pre-logging so it works out the same way. Tracking the calories isn't as important if your portions are controlled and small.

Penny, you're detoxing from your bizzare like I was from the vacation. And you're doing so awesome. I bet your family is so proud of you. I know we are!!!

Carol, you're just the energizer bunny. Many things going on. I hate to paint and would let SIL pay for someone else to do it. Actually I hate all kinds of home improvement even though we're constantly doing it.

BTW, I re-weighed this morning since today was an official weigh in and I just peeked yesterday. .4 of a pound seems to have left. So 1 more pound till pre-trip weight.

I also jogged 2 miles, walked 1 mile and did the walk/kick (2 mile equivalent) before work. soon the foot will be elevated and no more movement.
Marie

Judy those Boston people just need to relax there isn't much we can do about our weather pattern changing. But for the rest of us I love it. We saw a little snow on Monday. Nothing to really be concerned with now its gone and we are headed to a bit higher temps. for a few days. I love it. But it is a bit crazy. I am with you I froze in my office til around 2 yesterday. Everyone else was warm burr! I do tend to have a high level of energy thank God cause how would I ever get anything done without it. Last night I consoled a close friend who's 17 yr. old walked out and is living down the road w/ someone not too cool. But am I glad those days are over for me and never to return. Then I made my sweet potatoe casserole all but baking it, made some little tart sweet pot. pies, 1 reg. trying to get things ready for the big day. I am working today which is unusal before a holiday gathering. But SIL is cleaning the bathroom, hubby is helping with some stuff and I am calling the daughter for her to come early before dropping off the little on and they will set the tables with the china. Hurray I have delegated some work! Now that is my new plan to life giving others little things to do. Though they kind of offered in a way but still to not do it myself is big. Judy I preplan my meals when I write my intakes. It helps me too. I have to have some direction.
I did the scale oh well no loss but thats okay no gain either still down the .5 if that counts. I will do the scale again on Thurs. a.m. of course just to give me incentive to be good today before the holiday. Lunch is packed roasted chicken breast little barbecue sauce and green beans, orange. Trying to eat healthy and thats been better choices lately. It has to show up as a loss eventually.
Marie ouch! That wasn't a pleasant thing that needle and all. Glad that is behind you it hurts me just thinking about it. Every little bit helps Marie take it and run fast. I know that it all adds up in awhile just how long though is the main question. I agree with you on the logging it does help me. I also have tried to do smaller portions and love my little purex 1/2 cup serving bowls great for ice cream, potatoes things that should more limited with in our diet. I am a firm believer that if you want it you should have it but in moderation. Oh the girl at work on thats my daughters age asked me to be her support person at work. She has just joined ww and they said its good to have someone to lean on and talk to about healthy choices etc. I told her that I would do it but that sometimes others in the office don't like to hear things about healthy ways so lets becareful when we talk about it. She is getting married next October and has quite a bit to lose. I think it will also be a good motivator for me as well. She will share some recipes with me. Oh Marie the pumpkin bread recipe! Here it is not low cal but you could make it that way:
Pumpkin Bread
4 eggs 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 cups sugar 2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups of pumpkin 1 1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. water 1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. oil 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3 c. flour 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
Mix together and pur into 2 greased loaf pans. I also like to do one loaf and one muffin. Smaller portions on the muffins and satisfy my taste buds. Bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hrs. muffins less of course. This is low in cals but you could sub. maybe some applesauce for part of the oil and use baking splenda. Or make it this way and eat less and enjoy the taste!
Good luck and enjoy its so goood!!!!!!!!!

Marie, hope you are relaxing in a big chair with your foot up, reading magazines and watching Oprah today. I agree with you about needles. I got a steriod shot once in the knuckle of my big toe, and I thought I was going to go through the roof :stress: . But it was worth it, I guess. Soon you'll be saying good-bye to that extra pound. And my poor colleague: I think he'll be careful about the window the next time, we all pounced on him when he came into the office. We were annoyed about the cold, but the real issue was the potential for theft (we've been robbed before). At first he was a little too causal about it (probably in self defense) but I'm his supervisor, and I made sure he understood why we were all so angry. He just joined us this fall, and is a good guy, but if our laptops were gone because of carelessness, there's be heck to pay :tantrum:

Carol, I love little bowls. I'm a charter member of the Clean Plate Club, and I bought smaller dinner plates to help me with portion control. It would be good to have a weight-loss buddy at the office. Most of the folks at my job talk about healthy habits a lot, but are inconsistent in their behavior, so I just do my thing and let it go.

I went to the clinic yesterday to check in and get more marching orders. I'm down nearly seven pounds since early October, hooray :woohoo: . I made an appointment to see the nutritionist in a couple of weeks. That's when we'll determine if it's important for my innards for me to stay gluten-free indefinitely or not. I got the go-ahead to have oatmeal again :D . But otherwise I'm happy to stay on this program throught the holiday season, and maybe much longer.

Hope everyone has fun and feels thankful tomorrow. I have a long list of things to be thankful for, including the fact that my Leslie Sansone five-mile walk DVD arrived last night. Learning that in the morning should help me remember not totally pig out later on in the day!

Take care--judy
:thanks2:

Hi All,

Just a quick check in to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I thought I'd share a recipe I made up for Pumpkin Custard. I make this when I have a craving for pumpkin pie but don't want to splurge on too many calories. It's low in fat and has a good amount of protein (I used the nutrition info feature on the recipes page at SP). It tastes good warm or cold with a spritz of whipped topping and a tsp. of maple syrup.

ingredients:

1 15oz can Libby's pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 cup Eggbeaters egg substitute
4 tbsp. sugar
1 cup 2% milk
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
butter flavored nonstick spray

Spray 4 1-cup ramekins with butter flavored Pam and set in a baking pan with water coming 1/2 way up sides of ramekins.

Mix all ingredients in a blender and pour into the ramekins.

Bake at 350 deg. F for 45-60 min. or until set in the middle (it will firm up as it gets cold). Serve warm or cold.

Number of Servings: 4
Fat: 1.6g
Carbohydrates: 22.5g
Calories:136.1
Protein: 9.4g

:happ3:

Judy HURRAY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad that you had a nice loss show up you sure do deserve it. I am holding at the wt. of the other day. I did have a little bit of salty dill pickles last night and some wine with dinner. Which wasn't on my plan. But today is Thanksgiving and I am greatful for lots of things including first of all my wonderful family and friends. Then all the extras in life. Have a super day Happy Thanksgiving girls!
Penny thanks I kept that one and will try it out. I love pumpkin in case no one noticed. I also did sweet potatoe pie this yr. took the extra and baked it for no crust pie less cals. Well I will be out shopping at 12:00 tonight with the daughters and my friends we are all a bit crazy but lots of fun! I have to go get the paper out of the mail box for the ads. Have a super day and have a little of what yah want it only comes by once a yr. Wt. is the same today I am still up 3.5lbs from my lowest post. Dang I HAVE to get this off.

Happy Turkey Day to all us Chicks!!!

My foot is surviving and I was able to exercycle both yesterday and today (10 miles each day) so I'm pleased about that. Food wise I've been an angel. I so happy that I was able to get back on track after the trip. In the past, that's where I'd fail and then start a re-gain of pounds.

Carol, as much as we hate the mean square box, I give it credit for getting me on track. I forced myself to weigh in and I didn't like what it told me. Today t told me I lost another .4 pounds so I'm only over pre-trip weight by .6 pounds. .8 is gone. Now..... turkey dinner is always a challenge. But I'm going to be good.

So I weighed today so I would have record of the start of the holiday weight. I'm going to weigh again on Jan 2 and make sure I don't gain an ounce through it. Actually I want to lose 3.6 pounds so that I see the 160's. That would be a great Christmas present to myself.

Speaking of presents to myself. Tomorrow I will get my 2nd walking reward. I will be getting my new Ipod Video. It's $349 but I have a $50 gift card from Circuit City (from my first walking reward purchase - it was a rebate) and I made $268.75. So I'm about $32 short but I will be over the mountain tomorrow and not again for who knows how long. So tomorrow I receive it and then I have to be in the negative for about 6 days. Then I've got my goal picked out for the 3rd walking reward. It will take probably a year and a couple months. DH and I want to put in a wood stove (one of those fancy enamel ones and they're about $1600 so that's the new goal. I'm thinking February 2008 I should be able to get it. That's going to be so awesome - we don't have a fireplace and that will be nice (especially since it snowed last night and the ground is white this morning...)

Judy, you've lost 7 pounds!!! I am so proud of you. Soon the four of us will be slender chicks!!!! No Oprah, I don't like her show much anymore. But she is my hero since when she brought her wagon full of fat on to her show back in the 80's, it's what spurred me to be healthy and I dropped 85 pounds. Of course, I regained 70 of it over 17 years, but it's going back down. But she's the reason. And foot up. Ha!!! I'm the mom and the mom must create Thanksgiving dinner. I did get a chance to cut out my black denim skirt yesterday so today I'm hoping to start sewing.

Carol, you get up at 12 and I'll get up at 5. I too have to drive over an hour for the shops, but with the snow storms the 75 mile drive will take probably 2 hours. So I won't be an "early bird". I'm going just because I need to return DH's Christmas gift (I had him try it on and it doesn't fit) and I want my pod and I want to Costco shop.

Penny and Carol, thank you so much for the recipes. I'm going to try them both. I cut and pasted them into Word and both DH and DS were excited about them. I'd just made banana bread so I'll make the pumpkin bread this weekend.

BTW Carol, I totally go for the smaller portion. I hate splenda (the aftertaste is disgusting in my taste buds - I love equal but you can't cook with it). So I reduce oil with the applesauce, but I leave the sugar. I'm so stingy with my calories that I will NOT eat anything that I don't love. So smaller portions are my motto.

Penny, I hope your Thanksgiving is fabulous too.

Well, time to stuff the bird and get it in the oven.
Marie

Judy - Congratulations on your 7 lbs. loss since October - you're doing great! Keep up the good work. Let us know how you like the Leslie Sansone video.

Carol - I'm struggling with a couple of extra pounds too. I didn't change my ticker because I'm determined to get them off, though it's extra hard this time of the year. Maybe all that shopping will count as exercise and help you lose!

Marie - You're an example to us all! Keeping up with your exercise and staying on plan even after your painful foot surgery. I was motivated by Oprah years ago too when she lost all the weight on Optifast. Like her, I gained it all back and now realize that slow but sure is the way to go, for me at least.

We're on our way out to Hayden's Restaurant for their Thanksgiving buffet - so wish me some willpower - here's some for you too :dust: in case you need it over the next few days. I'm going to hop on the treadmill afterwards as we can't go out for a walk because it's raining cats and dogs!

Have a fun Thanksgiving!

Oy, I'm still full from last night's dinner, but I was only moderately piggy, so that was good! I had a full plate of: turkey breast, sausage-apple stuffing, smothered greens, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce, washed down with a glass of sparkling blueberry juice, with dark chocolate truffles for dessert. I don't know how I could have put away all that plus heavy dressing, rolls, seconds, 2 glasses of wine, pie and ice cream in another life! But I'm glad I went to the trouble to do all that cooking, even if it was just for me. My apartment still smells great, and I do love leftovers...I'm making turkey soup this weekend.

I did WATP Advanced 5-mile walk T'giving morning. It was a good workout, and it will be even better in the future, when I go for the music-only option, to eliminate poor Leslie's shrill chatter ;) . I did another 60 minutes this morning of Turbo Jam.

Marie, good for you, already up and cycling! You are an angel. I cracked up when I read about your reward--at first I thought, "Of course she's getting the new Ipod, she's a techie," then I saw the part about the wood stove...the other end of the spectrum...congratulations on piling up the miles.

Penny, I hope the buffet was good. But what about turkey leftovers? Did you sneak some baggies in with you :devil: ?

judy

Judy - I was only 'medium' piggy too! I went over my daily calories by about 250, but it could have been a LOT worse! :lol: That's one good thing about going to a buffet - no leftovers to snack on ad infinitum! It was sad the way they tossed out the turkey carcasses with at least half the meat still on them at the carving station - I felt like asking if they could save me a couple! Hopefully they donated them to a food bank or to their employees.

I made some more pumpkin custard today as I'm still in the mood for that taste of pumpkin pie. It's funny how I don't crave it at other times of the year. I made it in 6 smaller ramekins (2/3 cup) as the 1 cup size is such a lot. The smaller size has only 90 calories so with a tsp. of maple syrup and 2 tbsp. of whipped cream it's only around 130 calories and I feel like I've sinned! :devil:

Carol - I'm looking forward to making your pumpkin bread. That's a good idea to make them in muffin pans so that the serving size is smaller. I don't use Splenda, but I'll probably sub half of the oil with apple sauce as I find that I can't tell the difference.

Marie - I think that's a good idea how you give yourself "treats" when you reach a goal. I bet you're looking forward to getting your wood stove next year. We have an old fashioned "Earth Stove" that was made right here in Portland. This kind isn't made any more but it puts out lots of heat and looks very quaint.

I hope everyone had a good "black Friday" shopping day! I got half my Christmas shopping done and didn't even have to wait in line!

Well girls I was not so prefect for thanksgiving but not as bad as some years past. I did get into my sisters dip which was made of corn beef etc. nothing low cal about that one. It was so type of ruben dip. Oh so good. The little girl sure knows how to cook must of picked it up from the big sister. There is 10 years between us before her I was the baby! And the boss as grandpa put it. Today its her daughters birthday celebration and so party. I have to becareful with the dips etc. then pizza and wings. So I am planning to walk this afternoon before hand maybe the lake if I can fit it into my schedule. I did okay with the shopping nothing grand a little disappointed but got some stuff done. It was fun getting up in the night leaving in the dark shopping til dawn etc. we laughed alot and that is always fun. We bought some bags of vanilla tootsie rolls as everyone else was. How crazy but it was the in thing and we needed to have them too. Oh funny at the time we got others in line to grab them to and the shelf was empty before we left. Crazy! Peer pressure for sure. At any rate we are all a bit off the wall when we get together. We ended our shopping trip at a health food store how funny huh Judy. Oh Dec. 12th their celebrating Gluten Free Day with lots of taste testing going on and ideas. I surely thought of you. I also saw a book that was called Thyroid Power and its is the leading misdiagnoised disease. My friend and I may purchase this book together for more info and insight on our disease. My friends first visit to the health food store they liked it. We even found Soak your OLD a-- SOAP they laughed so hard. She is doing a basket for her mother in law with the lemon theme so lots of oils and goodies there. Penny I got my lime oil for the soap. Now all I need is my poppy seeds and off creating I will go. I did get my mom done yesterday and plan on wrapping her stuff today. I want to wrap as I buy this year. I got my 2 grandaughters matching outfits they are 6 an 7 and only 11 months apart. Long blk velvet skirts and a pretty white crocheted top which is longer with lacy sleeves. I can't wait to see them and I will make them a cool necklace to go with this. I figure they can wear them to my daughters wedding shower as their the flower girls. Marked way down in price. So cute! Well sorry so long! Marie I love hearing your exercise and goal stories. I think I need an award idea to work for. We have a pelet stove 2 actually one in the cellar and one in our Adirondack room rustic area of our house our favorite spot. In the cold weather sitting in front of it reading, knitting or having coffee is super. So work hard and that will be a wonderful reward. Proud of you girl! Judy your doing great hubby shot of my bones so there goes the soup. He did strip the bones though. I still have one turkey in the freezer smaller for christmas time them I will make soup for sure. Penny hey we need to kick each other a bit to get ourselves jump started. But slow I agree is good backwards is not so lets go forward. Look for a loss of at least what we put back on before christmas and then a little extra if possible with a reward in mind......
Take care girls a friend is stopping in to give me a price on painting my kitchen and livingroom. If he is too high yours truly will be doing it as I can and have in the past.

Hi everyone, things are going good. I was very good on Turkey day - 1710 calories total. And I exercised 10 miles on the cycle. Yesterday was the shopping day - never doing that again - and I didn't "exercise". Today, I'm walking again. I did the fast mile from the advanced walk, the walk and kick (kickboxing DVD - about 2 miles) and then walked the doggies on the mountain roads for 2 miles. So 5 miles and the mountain roads were hard on the lungs - it was 27 out and that triggers my asthma. But with all the exercise my lungs are pretty healthy so they're just at little irritated at the moment.

I'm -$8.25 in the whole for my Ipod. So by Monday morning I'll be on my way towards the wood stove. I could use it now as I'm still chilled fromt he morning doggie walk. BTW, my new Ipod is too die for. I'm going to work on getting a movie on it and a bunch of pictures of my doggies and grandson on it today.

Judy, you made me laugh with the tech/old fashion statement. I do like techie toys, but I relaly like old fashioned stuff too. And great job on doing the 5 miles at once. It's not that easy. I nearly died the first time I did it last April so all of your other exercise has been conditioning you. Your dinner sounds great and it's awfully cool that you made it for yourself. Why should you miss all those great leftovers???

Penny, I'm glad you liked the buffet. Last year my DS worked at a buffet and they gave him tons of mashed potatoes to bring home (his fave). I don't know about the turkey. BTW, you were smart to miss the Black Friday madness. I will never, ever do that again. I had to wait 1/2 hour to get into Circuit City to pick up my already paid for Ipod. I was a bit ticked off... Kohl's was horrendous and not a cent was spent there. I spent money at Costco but it wasn't any busier than normal.

Carol so are you going to do the mignight/dawn thing again. I thought of you and was thankful I slept till 5. Amazing how easy it is to overeat on holdiays. I was lucky - we did the mid afternoon deal and so it was lunch and dinner. It made staying in calorie range easy.

Well, time to play wiht the new ipod and then I'm going to sew the back of my jean skirt. I sewed the front on thursday.
Marie

Yesterday was a totally sedentary day for me--I had an early appointment to get my hair done (color, deep moisturizing treatment and curls), but since I have dreadlocks halfway down my back it's an all-day affair, started at 8:30 and left around 3:30! People rave about how my hair looks curled, but that's too many hours under the dryer for me, I'm not going to do it again for a while! I made curried turkey soup last night, yumyumyum. I did 60 minutes of Turbo Jam cardio and weights this morning, and will probably take a 20-minute walk later to pick up a prescription. The weather's great, so I want to take advantage of the sunshine while we have it.

This afternoon I will play with my scanner. I'm working on something for my bother's b-day party this weekend, using some of the letters and drawings he sent me when he was a kid. Friends want to go see a movie, maybe The Queen, but we'll see. I want to get this project figured out today, and not rush through it at the last minute.

Penny your pumpkin custard sounds lovely! I'm glad your shopping went so smoothly. I didn't do much shoppping this weekend, just looked around and bought Xmas cards, but I have a good list with some ideas now.

Carol, reuben dip sounds great, too! I love those sandwiches, but they aren't the healthiest choice at the deli. It's nice to have such a fun time with your sisters. I love my sister, but she's always pooped between the kids and the night job, and she lets others add unnecessary stress to her life (don't get me started!).

Marie, your foot must be back to normal already. I'm still a few major media purchases behind you...I need a new TV first, my very old one is making odd whirring noises. I hope it holds out a few months longer. I want to buy a decent HDTV, but I don't want to go into debt for it. I hope to have a little extra income in January (a training session), and if that comes through, it will pay for a modest TV. Then I want a digital camera, and maybe then an Ipod...

Gotta go! Enjoy your day of rest--judy

Judy, your day of relaxation sounds awesome (I don't think I'd like to see the bill though). I loved going to the salon for a cool new do but since moving here 7 years ago, I can not find a good stylist. So I gave up. I grew my hair out and DH trims the bottom. I miss having a stylist wash my hair. The scalp massage is like heaven to me.

An HDTV, huh??? I don't want one to be honest. I love my oak entertainment unit and if I got one, I wouldn't be able to use it. So I have 27" regular one I bought last year (my ancient one had turned pink - I love pink but not as the entire TV screen). I do love my new ipod though. I haven't got the video set up yet, but the photos are done. I filled it with doggies and DGS. Maybe videos today. I'm definitely going to put a couple of the WATP videos on it so I always have them.

I did 1 mile fast walk, 2 miles jogging, 2 miles walk/kick and 2 miles walking with the doggies on the road. 7 miles today. I'm going to do a little DDR so that I'm not in debt for my ipod. I earned 7 dollars so far and need another 1.25 so that I'm not in the negative with them exercise reward bank.

Marie