I'm back! Three days of meetings didn't kill me, although my brain is fried!:dizzy: I was pretty much on program Thursday and Friday, but Friday night we had a little party and I began to lose it, and I definitely over-ate on Saturday:( . I got some workouts in, which I am pleased with, and am back in the saddle today. After sleeping in this morning--yaaay!!!--I did a strength-training video, and will do a little aerobics this afternoon. I'll have dinner out this evening with relatives I don't see much (and a cousin I've never met), so I want to have a nice meal but not obviously be stressing about food. I feel fat today, so I'm not going to weigh myself until Tuesday, which should give me time to unbloat myself. Folks in town for the meeting made comments about how good I look, and I can tell that something's happening because my clothes are fitting better, especially through the waist. I'm not good at measuring myself, so maybe I'll ask them to do it periodically at Curves.

Marie, Penny and Freda--woo-hoo! Go, go, go!

Carol, your time with the kids sounds wonderful. I know you'll be sad to see them leave, but you'll have great memories of fun times hanging out and having fun.

Nikki, you are doing so well by not letting this plateau kill your motivation. You're right, I think, that the main thing is to keep the downward trend, even if it's not at the pace we want. Come over to the thread and vent whenever you need to, and I know you'll reach your ultimate goal, even if it's not on the timeframe you had in mind.

This week I will get in my workouts and earn my daily smiley-faces for staying on program, there shouldn't be a lot of distractions. The following week I'll be on the road again, in my favorite eating city--New Orleans--so I want to build some momentum to help me stay focused when I'm away. I want to reach my July 17 goal, too, and I won't do that by eating pralines!

judy

Crater Lake National Park
 

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday, DH and I went to Crater Lake and found summer hasn't arrived yesterday. There were no open hiking trails - we should have brought our snow shoes. Because it was warm and summery weather but in the midst of winter it was just awesome. I thought I'd share 2 photos that I took yesterday. For reference on the 2nd picture my DH is 6 ft. tall.

http://www.mariesdogs.info/images/crater_lake.jpghttp://www.mariesdogs.info/images/crater_dave.jpg

Food and exercise wise, I'm doing great. Water wise yesterday I didn't make my daily goal. but I suppose I'll live.

Judy, good job on the exercise. New Orleans and food go hand in hand. You'll need to be strong.

Penpal, congrats on your son's graduation.When we drove by OIT yesterday I thought of you. That's such a proud moment.

Nikki, yeah!!! You've erased that 160 mark from your mind.

Wel,, I'm going to go swimming now. First I have to get the cover off, then I'll do some laps. I'd play on the diving board, but there's no humidity and it's very windy - in other words, I'd freeze regardless that it's warm out. ;)
Marie

Judy your right our time is running out with the kids. They have done so much for us while they visited. They are very special and we are grateful for such good people. We are lucky in so many ways. I only wish they were closer to home with living. But they give me great vacation places also. But I would trade that in a second to have them closer. We had a family gathering yesterday celebrated fathers day and birthdays for May, June and some of July. Lasha and I decided to do it as we won't have to ship things. It was fun. They purchased a nice knife set for Dad and I. My birthday isn't until July but this way its done. I did her birthday in August too. We all enjoyed a lovely day together. Even fit in a little swim. Now the pool time is here I will try to swim at least 2 times a week. My sister has a nice inground and my neighbor has a above. So exercise will be nice in the pool. Today I am taking another day off to be with the kids. We were going to the Adirondack mountains but my son wanted to finish some more work on the room. It is really nice and my sister in law can't wait to move in. That will be end of next month. Well Penny congrats on graduation!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats fun times. Judy your doing great and you deserve to have a break once in awhile keeping under control is the important part not giving it up completly. Nikki you did it congrats. Marie and what a beautiful picture you took! I would like to adventure there. Our weather temps hit 95 yesterday a bit warm needless to say. My sister brought a great tasting salad yesterday. Fresh strawberries chopped small, romaine lettuce cut to 1" pieces, red onion chopped in the dressing was Kraft creamy poppy seed. Oh so easy and so tasty. You can most likely find low cal poppy seed. I am going to ck it out as I really enjoyed this salad. My son liked it as well and when she told us how to make it I thought how easy! I am doing okay I think with my intakes a few extras here and there but not over doing it. I feel in control so I am hoping fridays scale day won't be to mean to me. I have been taking in a lot of ice water and don't stop moving much. My daughter in law wrote in my card yesterday how amazing she thinks I am that meant alot to me.. She recognizing that things aren't always so easy but that I handle them as they come along. Yesterday she said that they were thinking of moving closer to home if my husbands condition gets worse so they could help more. I really was surprised and that meant alot also. Well talk to you all soon and ck out that summer salad we'll just lighten it up. I also am going to try to eat more veggies and less meat for a bit. I will try some veggie meals at least 3 times a week. Going to shake things up a bit.

Marie, thanks for sharing the beautiful photos! Although the idea of snow is a little disorienting for me--it's a Code Orange day in DC, meaning that the heat and humidity is dangerous for some folks.

Carol, it's so nice to have a good relationship with your in-laws, and to know that you are special to your DIL. I hope that your son's family ultimately moves closer to home.

I met one of my cousins last night. He lives in San Diego, and he and my uncle were in town being tourists. He's a really nice young man. I must have more than 60 first cousins scattered around the country, and I confess that I haven't tried to keep up with them, and don't plan to start at this late date. But I'll try to see this uncle and cousin--plus an even younger cousin who I've never met--when I'm in California in August.

I planned to do my long walk this morning, but it's just too hot!!! So I'll go to Curves after work, and maybe do an extra lap around the machines in air-conditioned comfort...

judy

Nikki - I'm keeping my fingers crossed :crossed: for you to lose the two pounds by Friday.

Judy - That's a good idea to get measured at Curves. Sometimes we lose inches faster than we lose weight. I haven't been measured since I started 2-1/2 years ago but I'm planning on doing it at the 'half-way' mark when I've lost 40 lbs. (hopefully soon!) I know what you mean about getting back on track after a lot of distractions. I think that's been my downfall in the past when I've just kept on getting sidetracked and before I knew it I'd gained back all the weight. Not this time though!!!!

Marie - It's too bad we didn't have time to get together in K-Falls. As you know, the weather was fantastic. Thanks for posting the gorgeous photos of Crater Lake. I hope it soon warms up enough for swimming. :sunny:

cacmsc - Good for you eating more veggies. I need to do that too. I don't get anywhere enough veggies in my meals. I'll have to get a bit creative and put asparagus in an omelet for breakfast now and then, etc. I eat a lot of salads, but mostly lettuce which isn't all that nutritious.

I sneaked a peek at the scale this morning to see what damage had been done the last several days "off plan". I gained .5 a pound to 188.5, but I thought it would be at least 2 lbs. I hope I can lose another pound by Friday. I'm off to Curves after lunch - the shin splints are much better now. Thanks, everyone, for your congratulations re Mike's graduation!

Good evening everyone, I hope everyone's Monday went good. Today was the first Monday I have work so far this year. Sort of weird feeling. I kept thinking it was Tuesday all day. It wasn't bad, but I just much rather stay at home. DH ook the top off the Jeep yesterday so I drove topless today.:o Actually, I probably looked darn funny this morning. It was 39 degrees when I left the house. I had my knit jacket, my winter jacket with the hood on and my winter gloves. All bundled up for the drive. Since it's a 1/2 hour drive at 55 mph, it got chilly. Tomorrow I add a sweater under the winter jacket. On the way home, it was fabulous. In the upper 70's and not a cloud in the sky. DH and went swimming when I got home. I did 21 lengths of the pool - about 1/5 of a mile. I don't want my pool to be my exercise because then it's like a chore instead of pure fun. I learned my lesson the hard way a couple years ago. I WATP 3 miles before work this morning. Tomorrow is the trial weigh in - not official until Friday, but I get to take a sneek peek.

Judy, I remember those hot days in the mid-Atlantic states. I was in the last trimester of pregnancy the first two summers I was there - totally miserable. The temp at Crater Lake was about 70 degrees - even with all the snow.

Penny, good job on not meeting the 2 pound gain. That's fabulous. A half pound can be eradicated quickly. I am glad the shin splints are better. That makes exercise way easier.

Carol, you mentioned the salad having strawberries. I've OD'ed on them tonight. My "little" strawberry patch is producing strawberries at an alarming rate. DH picked them today and I cleaned them and now most of them are in the freezer. I can't keep up with them. Too bad I can't send you some for your salad. They are unbeliveably good. Way better than store bought things (bet you can tell I don't purchase them anymore).:)

Well, that's it. Talk to you tomorrow.
Marie

I'm leaving Friday! AHHH so soon but I am going to work out when I go to Europe. I will be there 6 weeks but I will work out some how someway.. I already packed my work out clothes!!!

Judy its fun meeting some family members for the first time. I know what you mean with so many all over the place. We keep in touch with some close knit and then some we don't. With many weddings over the past few years we are seeing more of each other. Next year with my daughters wedding too. Well Penny good for you .5 might just be nothing but salt? I agree with the inches coming off but not the lbs. I know myself that happens alot with me. I should measure too but don't. I can tell by clothes though. Yesterday I had a pair of 11 jrs. on they were a little tight but gave me good reminders to be good. Marie burr but so much fun. I am sure your starting your day feeling pretty perkie riding in with the top down. Keep up your good work. See how well its paying off for you. Well I am a bit sad today as the kids are leaving in the a.m. . Seems like time went by way to quickly. But the time was well spent some work and some play but never enough time to spend with them. We all packed up and went to my sisters pool last night. Tonight their going to all meet me in the city and we will have dinner at a favorite restaurant. So I am planning a yogurt and banana breakfast and low cal lunch. Cause later on I will have something special. The room looks great and my sister in law is so happy. We picked out paint yesterday. My exercise for the day was lifting with the kids 30 sheets of sheet rock and fire wall. It was heavy but at 52 I do pretty good and don't let that age thing scare me. If I can do it I do. No growning grass under these two feet. I feel pretty good but haven't gotten on the scale friday I will. Meanwhile forward we go. I did put on a pair of capris which were a size 11 jrs. yesterday a bit tight in the butt but it worked for me,. Good reminder for me to be good. Europe sounds wonderful maybe someday I will make it there. My son is looking forward to going with his buddy this weekend to another island. It is a bikers weekend and their in some type of build a bike contest. Sounds like lots of fun for him. I am glad he will have a break before he returns to work. Love those kids, hate the distance so much. But its life and gotta go with the flow.
Talk to you all soon hang in there and lets keep it moving girls we are all making some progress, changes in life style habits, wt. , inches, etc....

Thank God for last night's torrential rains, which gave us a little relief from the humidity. I did my long walk on the way in to work this morning, which felt good. Marie, a dip in 70-degree water sounds so refreshing! Especially followed by a strawberry smoothie...mmmm:)

Intrigued, I'm sure you'll do fine on your trip. A friend advised me that, when I travel, just ask myself, "Would I be eating right now if I were at home?" If the answer is no, then don't. Sounds simple enough....I'll have to try it next week. I know you can do this, Intrigued, you've put so much effort into the journey so far.

Penpal, I'm glad that your shins have stopped 'splinting'! Your post reminds me of how crazy it is to blame a small gain or loss on a single meal or on a good or bad day :dizzy: . I love veggies, but since I live alone, I have to shop carefully to avoid having things go bad. So I've learned to appreciate some frozen veggies, and I love making up big vats of veggie soup, freezing it in smaller portions, and then adding chicken, shrimp, etc., when I'm packing some for lunch. Today I had a big bowl of clam-veggie soup, and my co-workers were envious.

Carol, I hope you're enjoying your special meal with your family. And congratulations on fitting into those capris. If I could squish into a size 11 I would feel like Calista Flockhart.

Since having my little feeding frenzy on Saturday, I'm struggling with wanting to eat too much in the evening. And there's still lots of left-over food at the office from last week's meetings, and just now I had four little cookies. So I slathered some spicy hummus on crackers to take away the taste of sugar and am pounding down extra water. I just peeked at the Success threads again for inspiration....and checked in here for moral support.

Back to the grindstone. Be well--judy

Hi everyone, things are going fine here. I didn't freeze as bad on my way to work this morning. I added a heavy sweater to the two jackets. Much better. I must get the strangest looks, but since my hood give me semi tunnel vision, I don't notice. ;)

Judy, interesting piece of advice from your friend. I will follow that on my vacation in a month. If I wouldn't be eating at home, I won't eat there. Good luck to us all - probably easier said than done. At least I'm not going on a cruise this year. Last years was nice, but I was bored, so I ate and ate and ate... I love strawberry smoothies. I ate a bunch more today and there are more to pick. Literally I have them coming out of the woodwork.

Carol, congrats on the skirt and I'm with Judy. I'd be squishing into that size too. And it would be scary and painful. :o I'm sorry your time with your son and DIL is over. It does seem like it went by quick. You have a great attitude though so give yourself a pat on the back.

Intrigued, good luck on your vacation workouts.

Penpal, Freda and Nikki, I hope you all doing great.

I did weigh in today. No loss and no gain. Since I had the big whoosh last Friday, I wasn't too optimistic. But come Friday, I'd like a little to go. Okay, I'd like a lot to go.
Marie

Hi All- sorry I have not been around. My internet died tuesday night. I just wanted to post now to say hi. I am on my way out and will catch up with everyone tonight.

Nikki

Nikki, sorry to hear about your internet service! I'm planning to buy a new home computer this summer (I bought my old one in 1998) and I'm still using dial-up, so my internet service is a little cranky. That's my excuse for visiting this thread while at work :D

Not much to report today. I did a good workout this morning and am heading to Curves after I post this. My eating has been on program, I managed to ignore the sweets still lingering at the office. I just figured out that I'm less prone to snacking when my home and my office are neat, so first thing tomorrow I'll close my door for 20 minutes and catch up on filing. Whatever it takes!

Hope everyone is donig well!

judy

O kI'll try to address everyone-

Marie - no gain is good! remember that sometimes the body needs time to adjust to a big loss.

cac- vegeterian meals sound great I always like to eat veggies.

judy- I can relate to you sugar leaves a bad after taste when you know you should not have eaten it.

Intrigued be safe and have fun.


As for me I think I may see 157 this friday. I peeked today and I am back down to 158.0 I prob will not make the 10 lb goal by July 17 but I'd like to try for 7 by then. That would put me at 152.

Nikki

Marie - We have such great strawberries here in the Northwest don't we? - Small but delicious. I'm hoping to harvest some more before the birds & racoons get them all! I grow rhubarb next to my strawberries so I usually make strawberry/rhubarb compote to put on my oatmeal, cottage cheese, etc.

Intrigued - I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Carol - Wow size 11 capri's! :carrot:

Judy - Yes thanks, the shins have stopped splinting! I'm glad you reminded me about vegetable soup - it's a good way to get in some extra veggies. I'm trying hard to eat more veggies at each meal. Today I got some takeout teriyaki chicken (no sauce added) and ordered all veggies and no rice with it.

Nikki - I hope you see 157 on Friday :crossed:

I weighed myself this morning even though it's not my 'official' weigh-in day because I was sure my over-indulging last week was going to catch up with me but - surprise, surprise - I was down another .5 lb. to 187.5! It's unusual for me to lose steadily like I have in the past couple of weeks and I can only chalk it up to eating more protein (I'm making sure I get at least 30% of my calories from protein). I'm getting excited as I'm only 2.5 lbs. away from my half-way mark of 40 lbs. I just have to be careful I don't start sabbotaging myself (which I've done before when I get close to a goal :o)

Hi everyone, it's another beautiful day here in the desert. No humidity (I would like a litle but that isn' going to happen) and the temps are around 80. I sure do like to drive my Jeep topless :o even when freezing in the morning.

Work is interesting. Another co-worker quit and my boss's last day was today. It's definitely getting interesting. We have 7 people that are technically assigned to technology and there's 3 of us at the moment. With vacations and quitting exits, by next week we'll be down to 2. Yikes, guess who's in charge.:dizzy:

I'm going to swim again in a little bit. I've been swimming and easy amount of laps and really enjoying it. I'm not giving up the WATP before work, but the swimming is working out my arms. Nothing but good can come from that.

Nikki, the fingers are double crossed for Friday's weigh in. I'm so happy that you're back down. Internet woes are bad. I can't surf at work anymore so if it goes out here, I'd be bummed, bummed, bummed.

Judy, have fun getting a new computer. It's easy to overspend so just remember what you need it for and don't go overboard. Then you'll have to get DSL or something to speed up your connection. Dial-up would be so painful with today's cumbersome websites.

Penpal, I do love our strawberries. My problem is the amount. I still have a few frozen leftover from last year. Oh well, not a bad thing. We can't grow anything else - literally the desert or Bambi gets it. I wanted no garden but the strawberries this year but DH decided to try green beans. Our growing season is short because of the altitude so he's hoping that will work. Good job on the additional .5 pound loss.

I guess that's it. I hope Freda and Carol are having a great day.
Marie