Marie your right about puppy love. Its tough but worth it. My baby slept good last night he doesn't like us pushing him til 10 to stay awake and play. Its so cute the looks he give us like what is wrong with all of you. But so far my new scheduling is working up at 4:30 out quick to potty back to bed til 7. I surely can live with that.
Glad the scale is nicer today and hope it continues. I am with you with counting those cals. Exercise schedule begins on monday. Scale talk was interesting I just read a little of the book by Oprah's trainer Greene. He said when folks start off it should be 1 scale day and no more for 4 weeks. Wow thats a bit. I guess his line of thought is how things fit, measurements etc. But I need to see some numbers. As soon as Tom leaves its the square box. It does keep us in line. Picky eaters my hubby is a basic eater meat and potatoe kind of boring I do get him to eat chili and some other stuff but all in all much picker than I'd like. But at least with him he will grab anything to fill his belly so if I want to make something else he's on his own and its okay. No guilt. Sometimes with dieting and changing my lifestyle its be rough as he doesn't have to eat light, or special things or healthy sort to say. So I understand tell him to get over it this is your house he can buy and fit anything he wants and tell him not to forget to clean up when he is done. That will fit him just the way life is. Mom has a life too! Penny thanks for that info. I currently have ww mag. my hairdresser is kind enough to share her's with me. My SIL is like a mom to her as she lost hers. Lots of good info. I think sharing thoughts and ideas on here makes us more knowledgable and motivated. Glad your feeling better too. Marie the chili sounds great. I love it. Sometimes add a little corn in it. I also like to add it to the top of a salad at work for lunch. Yesterday I went to Target I had no idea they sold so many grocery items. Wow and cheap compared to some stores. I bought myself a few treats but healthy ones. I am trying to add in more variety to keep me motivated. So I purchased Starbucks frozen mocha bars on a stick only 120 cals. Nice treat. I am also trying to not eat anything 2 hrs. before bedtime. That was another Greene idea I've heard it before did it and didn't follow through. Now I will try this again. Marie your snow shoeing sounded like fun folks here got them and we have no snow. It was in the 50's yesterday and will not be too cold in the near future 35 on wed. I think. We love it but for those who like snow they don't and the kids no sledding. I never in my life saw weather in Jan. like this before. Driving to work has been great. I saved some days in case I'd need to take one off not so far. Judy hope your doing well. Girls sorry this is so long but I do enjoy your company. Gotta go stay healthy.

Okay, this won't be a day of rest, but I know I'll feel good about it at the end of the day. Yesterday a good friend had his annual b'day "feast," lunch at a Thai restaurant, and I made good choices, and had a bowl of veggie soup for dinner. I'd planned to go into the office for a few hours but the weather was so glorious (73 degrees!) that I just wandered around in the sunlight instead, picked up some groceries and came home. I may regret that on Monday, it was a beautiful afternoon, the temperature will drop next week and it may be many months before I can walk by the Tidal Pool in short sleeves again. This morning I'm doing tons of laundry, and will focus on putting away my Xmas stuff and cleaning up.

Carol and Penny, my mom is using a spread called "Olivio" or something like that, it tasted okay. Are you familiar with it? She just had a small tub, not the packaging, so I don't know anything about the ingredients. I use butter so rarely that I don't bother buying a substitute, but I think I will try to find this Olivio stuff and see if it's better than other kinds of spreads. I like Bob Greene's approach to weightloss. I'm not sure I could wait four weeks to weigh-in, though, unless I had a chef and a trainer to keep me on track, like Oprah!

Keep standing your ground, Marie! You have every right to determine how much you'll indulge your grown son, and that's a good example for DIL-in-waiting, since men tend to expect from wives what they got from moms (or so I've been told). I do so much admire how much you enjoy outdoor activity (in the snow, yet!). Maybe someday I find something, besides walking, that I enjoy doing that is more recreational than "working out."

Yesterday I was down another pound, woo-hoo! It was a daunting to put up that 50-pound ticker last week, and this month I just want to stay off the far left edge...I see the nutritionist on Tuesday (rescheduled after the Tripping and Wiping Out Incident) and will be happy to be a bit lighter, even after T-giving and Xmas vacation.

Beyond that, I'm wallowing in the media's New Year's obsession with healthy living and meeting one's goals. I even bought People magazine just to read the success stories (and I don't even read People at the dentist's office). I have been looking around for a good short challenge but haven't found a promising thread yet. You ladies want to propose one for January? I want to be doing yoga three nights a week, and to lose at least four pounds this month--a month that includes at least eight days on the road.

judy

Judy, every once in a while, I go to Goodhousekeeping website and navigate to their success stories area of the diet section. It's motivational to me when I'm a bit down. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll PM you the link. I have it bookmarked at work. And if it was 73 degrees outside, I'd be ecstatic. I'm not a winter person - I'm always cold (in the summer too) and I love hot and sunny. But that said, I live where there is winter so I have two activities I love that are only snow related. Snowshoeing and skiing. Having gained so much weght, I'd quit doing both. Because of Nikki's 10 pound weight loss challenge last April, I have been able to recover a part of my life. So now winter is bearable since I live for weekend snowshoeing and skiing. But to be out in the yucky stuff just to be out there - no way. :)

Way to go on the pound being eliminated from your body!!! Judy, you're doing great.

Carol, I'm glad you're feeling well enough to get back on the exercise track. It really makes a difference for me in my mental health wellbeing. I swear if it weren't for my doggies and exercise, I'd be nuts by now with the dynamics in my household. I'm glad your pup is getting used to your schedule. It's important that you're the master and he's the pup.

I did 6 miles on the exercycle today. It works the quads more than walking and that's important for skiing. I decided that I'd do the bike 2X per week. I won't be walking/jogging and records with that addition, but no one but me cares about my totals so I think it's all right.

I'm starving. DH wakes up about 3 hours after I do on weekends and I hate waiting for breakfast. My stomach is growling like mad. I can't think of anything I want as a snack until breakfast that won't throw off my diet. So I'm sitting here grimacing. Ah, what I do to stay on track...

Marie

Marie - I'm glad to hear your DS2 will be attending OIT. It's a great school and very well regarded. His military tuition bonus will come in handy. Your chili recipe sounds good - only 171 cals! I'm always looking for ways to trim calories too. I made some great french toast using Ezekiel raisin bread (sprouted multi grain), eggbeaters and a tsp. of sugar. We had it for breakfast today with 1 tbsp. of maple syrup and half a chicken asiago veggie sausage and the total cals came to only 270. I love the taste of Ezekiel bread. It's in the frozen section of health stores. I keep it frozen and defrost a slice when I eat it. Maybe you can eat half your breakfast while your DH sleeps in and have the rest with him later when he gets up. You probably should be eating something before or after you exercise as it helps burn more calories (like keeping the furnace stoked!)

Carol - I sounds like you guys are having a heat wave back east. We just got our heating bill $199!!! We're going to have to turn the thermostat down and start burning some of our wood. Your pup sounds like he's starting to settle down. He was probably very anxious with the big change in his life and now he knows he's safe and loved he can relax a bit.

Judy - I think I saw the Olivio spread and it sounded good but I the one I saw also had other oil in it so it wasn't pure olive oil. Olive oil wouldn't go solid without other additives. Congrats on losing another pound! Way to go! You're lucky to be able to walk by tidal pools - I love doing that but we have to drive about 2 hrs. to get to the coast and we certainly couldn't dream of doing it at this time of the year. It's funny, I also bought the People mag with the weight loss stories (I don't usually buy that magazine). I'm addicted to reading weight loss success stories and seeing the before and after photos - it's very inspirational.

I'm not sure I agree with all the hoopla about banning trans fats. I think people should make up their own minds about these things, but at least it's making people more aware of what they're eating - not just the calories.

I'm starting to get that feeling I have when I'm on a downward trend weight wise (I feel kind of slimmer around the waist/belly area). I'm hoping it will show up as a loss next Friday.

Have a good week everyone!

Judy I will check the brand I buy and get back to you on the spread. I think its a good one though. I have been doing a lot of reading on health etc. this weekend. My hairdresser gave me ww and another one with good info. Some info I use some not. But for every little thing that motivates me I am happy for. Yesterday the weather was about 50 well I decided to stop at my friends next door and see how the girls were doing. I told them I was on my way to the store and to walk. They laughed in a few min. they were going to call me as well to walk. So we only did a 30 min. to start us off. I could of done more but my health is a bit better than thiers. Anyways we setup a walking schedule for the week. I am starting to track my miles for the month Marie. You always do this and I think its great. This we I have set a daily ck with myself water intake, food intake, no eating anything 2 hrs. before bed, cal total and exercise charting. Those are all going to be an easy ck box on my little journal. I think this is the motivator I needed. On wed. I will get on the square. Have any of you had the scale that does things other than just the wt. I noticed yesterday body fat and oh something else. Is it worth spending 50 when I have a regular old scale. I'd be happy to know your view pts. I feel better just knowing I am on the way to living a healthier lifestyle and hopefully losing some wt. as well. Penny that bread sounded lovely I never heard of it here. I think your right we are all adjusting Bear and his family. He still makes some mistakes but is only 9 weeks old yesterday. He was the last to go and he wasn't quite 7 weeks old. For only having him 2 weeks I am very in love with him. Just a cutie! He was a good fit can't wait to take him walking when he is old enough and camping. Bear slept from 9:30 til 6:10 this a.m. I was very happy. At night we keep him up like we tried to with the kids in hopes to adjust him to our schedule. He will sit outside his crate and look at us like we are crazy. I love it. Good info. girls I always love more... Last night I made a meatloaf for dinner actually 2 so we would have extra. So no cooking tonight a meatloaf sandwich, salad and a veggie. I bought boca chili veggie style for lunch today. Then purchased ww lunch meals for the week they were cheap I will doctor them up of course. But I wanted to have a solid week of good eating and thought this would be a start. I will let you know if indeed its worth it or not. But for less than 2.00 a day and no packing. We are having a lunchoen on friday but I am bringing in 7 layer taco dip with refried beans so kind of health. I am going to make some of my own baked tortilla shells but in triangles and sprinkled with seasonings. Well catch yah later one exercise day down 3 more to go. We are walking the village tonight before dinner time. The schedule will help all of us get going. Also I want at least one day at the gym to work on abs. The wedding is coming quick.

Ugh, it's one of those days that i'm glad I brought carrots and hummus to snack on, I definitely have the "nervous crunchies" this afternoon!

Marie, thanks for the tip on GH's website. I'll check it out. I keep success stories of women who started out around my weight. It helps me visualize what it might look like to be at a normal weight--I've overweight most of my life, and I'm sure that not being about to picture success has gotten in the way of my progress.

Penny, I've got my fingers crossed that your feeling is ontarget and that you have a whooshing coming your way soon :crossed:

Carol, good luck on your goals this week. The exercise and getting enough sleep should help a lot...

I am feeling good about my workout schedule, but I was on the phone late last night and didn't get to yoga, and I had my usual Monday morning resistance to getting out of bed. But I will stop by Curves on the way home, and make sure that I get a full workout every day the rest of the week. No yoga tonight--I have a football game to watch!--but I'll try for at least two before the weekend. I had a ferocious carb fit last night, I probably ate an extra 400 calories' worth of popcorn and rice cakes. I can't let that happen again! I think that was totally related to worries about the work week. But otherwise Sunday was good, I got a lot of scrubbing and decluttering done.

Okay, focus on work. Oh, why wasn't I born independently wealthy?

judy

Judy I keep wondering why I haven't won the lottery. It should be my turn and to be honest, I'd be excited if one @#$@#$ number matched... so the independently wealthy, I guess we have to work for it. But you in non-profits and me in public education, I don't think that will happen either. Sorry about the carb binge. I read a cool article about cravings that says to just give in and have what you want in a modest (i.e. no minute) portion since people tend to eat around their cravings and then end up consuming more cals than if they had what they really wanted and they still have the craving. Something to think about. I always try to ignore a craving and carrots get old.

Penny, whoosh for you I hope. Tomorrow is my weigh in and my expectations are very low. I feel bloated and gassy - so I feel fat. Oh well... The french toast sounds excellent. When I started on this journey last April I swore I wasn't going to "diet" in the sense of eating fat-free yucky food just to lose weight. I wanted to lose weight eating what I like. I have made changes to some things. Like using the Kraft 2% colby cheese instead of regular. I can not taste a difference. But give me the Kraft fat free cheese and I'll spit it across the room. So I've made some ingredient changes but not a lot. Portion control is where I go.

Carol, wow, your little bear did great. That's pretty great for a 9 week old. And it's neat your friends want to walk. It is nice to go with others. Other than my DH, it's slow pace to go with others so I supplement with other exercise before or after.

Tonight was the doggie-less doggie training. Getting directions and demonstrations. DS2 and I went and registered Blizzie. So we're going to train both Blizzie and Kody. I see please as the honor grad - as she is extremely well behaved - and Kody as the class flunky. So perhaps I'll have a 50% success rate. We start the class with the doggies on Wednesday.

My skis arrived and they are BEAUTIFUL!!!! I'm so excited for Friday!!!!

I walked 2 miles, jogged 1 mile and did the ab lounger before work. When the alarm went off I was in such deep slumber that it took a while to register what was going on. Usually I'm pretty much awake on my own and I was disoriented for about a half hour. So I chose a little easier exercise.

Well, it's bed time. Talt to you tomorrow night.
Marie

Judy good old work stress that can warrant a popcorn or rice cake scramble for sure. But just think of the brighter side of that it wasn't some big bowl of icecream with lots of toppings etc. I usually will have what I want if there is a craving but try to do it by portion. I am a believer in not giving things up but to fit them in our calorie intake. I was once told years ago by a nutriitionist if you want a hot fudge sundae have it instead of lunch and fit it in the cals for the day. Something to think about I guess. Good idea witht he hummus and carrots. I like a torilla shell with hummus spread on it and lots of veggies for lunch sometimes. Great healthy stuff. The choice wasn't all so bad. Last night I didn't get to walk but I had to be at the court house yesterday and walked a few blocks each way and used the stairs a few times. So I think I am okay. My intake was right about 1400. Thats kind of where I am aiming for. Last night I allowed myself a 1/2 cup and measured baked dortitios. I added in my cals and I was fine. At least by measuring I was with in control. This a.m. I started sauce for dinner tonight in the crock pot. I will not buy Italian bread as I know I will over eat it. I will make a salad instead. I seem to be in a good mind set at this time and that is good. I enjoyed my boca chili yesterday from the frozen food section. Seasoned it up with a 1/2 oz. of hot pepper ch. and some pepper sauce and had a small salad and apple. I am going to enjoy hopefully a smart ones frozen baked pot. and broc, ch, yogurt, sm.salad for lunch today. Preplanning sure helps me a lot. I am charting my progress with cals etc. Keeping up with that I know is important. Hope you enjoyed your football game. Have you picked up that knitting yet? HEY girls don't leave me out I am non for profit also. Gotta love what yah do. I did feel good about helping someone seek guardianship yesterday. We aren't done yet though we have a court appearance on the 30th hopefully no one objects to it. Marie I am happy to have the girls join me it will be harder to say oh I am not going. We plan to walk tonight as my late night last evening just didn't work out. Sometimes you go to work with something in mind and it just doesn't happen your whole course takes a change that was yesterday. But in the end the results will be worth it. Boy what we take for granted sometimes others only wish they had. Yesterday was a bit of an eye opener of a families difference in lifestyles. Hard to make changes sometimes just as with us and our need and want to live a healthier lifestyle. Gotta set them goals and work towards them. I am feeling great this week kind of spunky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So lets move it girl friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shake are selfs up and either lose inches or lbs. ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a super day. Marie congrats on those ski's I have only cross country'd a few times but would like to do it again and maybe snow shoeing. Something to ck out. Kayaking is coming up and I think putting one on layaway might be the right approach.

Funny that we're talking about rice cakes and popcorn and such...the nutritionst just told me to avoid them for a while, 'cuz while they are light and whole-grain-non-wheat alternatives, they are still high glycemic and that makes it hard for me not to want too many...which is true. In my confidence I have been too flexible lately with my program, and a few pounds are trying to jump back on already. Starting tonight I will go back to my other "desserts," like protein shakes with fruit, which usually don't lead me to rummage through the cabinets 20 minutes later. The nutritionist wants me to buy more supplements and consider a longer "detox" plan, which I don't know if I want to invest the time and money in. We'll see. It was a good and informative session, though, except for my sorrow about the popcorn!

Marie, I hope your weigh-in isn't too disappointing. You have been kicking major butt on the activity scale! Getting new skis must be exciting. Does Kody get detention or extra homework?

Carol's feeling spunky--go, Carol, go!

judy

Hello chickies. I just got back from a 3 hour meeting with a potluck lunch. I must say I was very much in control and had small slivers of whatever I wanted and didn't go back for seconds. I was given many compliments on my 'new' figure - so the extra few pounds aren't showing too much. I mustn't let my guard down though and I need to get rid of the holiday blubber asap.

I have had a horrendously hectic couple of days scrambling to organize another meeting on Thursday as I'm president pro-tem of the charitable group I belong to. The president's brother passed away suddenly and she had to go to the UK for the funeral, so I'm "it". We have a ton of stuff on the agenda with our annual council meeting coming up in March. To top things off, we're supposed to get a snow storm and below freezing temps for a few days, so I'll probably have to reschedule the Thursday meeting. Then I get a call that someone screwed up the February meeting and the venue was double booked, so I have to sort that one out too - aaarrrghhh!! Under the circumstances, I did well not to go nuts and eat everything in sight at the potluck today.

Marie - I hope we all get a whoosh soon! Thanks for the tip about the 2% cheese. I bought some shredded 2% cheddar and used some in a quiche. It turned out great and, like you said, you'd never know the difference. You must be raring to go skiing again on Friday to try out your new skis.

Carol - I'm with you about planning ahead what we eat. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of it and helps avoid overeating. Kyaking is a good exercise. Have you done it very often? I only went once when we were in Hawaii and I loved it. It was off a very calm beach on Lanai and I could see all the little fishes swimming around - heavenly! We have river access on our property and if I ever get in good enough shape I'd like to give it a go again. There's quite a few big snags in the river and I wouldn't do it when it's running fast in spring, but there's usually quite a few kyakers on the river in summer. It's a good way to get close to nature and all the wildlife and river birds like kingfishers and herons.

Judy - Those rice cakes can really put your blood sugar up quickly. My friend, who is diabetic, can't eat them as they put her glucose up faster than anything. Yep, I'm with you about wanting to be independently wealthy. They say money can't buy happiness but I think that saying's a crock! It sure would buy a down-payment on happiness at least! :lol:

We're sitting here watching the weather report - we may be in for an interesting couple of days.

Well the evil scale was at it again. But I wasn't surprised since my stomach was pretty mad last night and most of today. So it didn't bum me out. I've been good today at about 1550 calories. I walked 1 mile and jogged 2. I promised myself I would ab lounge after work, but alas, I'm thinking that isn't going to happen.

DH is going to mount my bindings on my skis tomorrow. My new poles came so I am ready for Friday. Just have to make it through Wed and Thur first.

So Penny, since we're neighbors your post made me look at weather.com and eeks, yucky weather on the way. At least it should make nice snow for skiing on Friday. How's that for looking at the bright side??? BTW, you had me smiling with the idea of holiday blubber (heck it's on my credit card too :) if you know what I mean). I don't hink 5 pounds is really much blubber (except when you lose it...)

Judy, as noted above the scale was mean but I'm starting to get used to it. I lost 35 pounds in 6 months and 5 in the last 3 months. Frustrating in a way, but nice that my clothes aren't fall off as fast. Although todays cords that are only 3 months old are falling off. So not much weight is off but I've definitely lost inches. Since I never measured myself at the beginning, all I can do is go by clothes. Sorry about the rice cakes - I hate the things - they rank with chewing on a piece of styrofoam to me. My advice on the extend detox is if you feel you can go it alone - go for it. If not, do the extended so you have someone to be accountable to.

Carol, your work sounds very emotional. I don't know that I could handle that. Actually, I know I couldn't. My own mental health is a bit fragile and that would be too much. So I'm very grateful there are people like you that can do that. Now, I was sing-songing to my doggie (Kody - Judy detention as I don't want the homework) from a book I'd read to DGS this weekend. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always." As I was singing this to him, I realized that was so true for my kids and my animals. DS1 has irritated me, but in the last week we've had a few poignant conversations so things are definitely better. He really has a giving heart, but he does take advantage. Living wiht an adult child is trying but I will always love him and I do like him tremendously (regardless that I want him to move out). So back to the doggie singing, Carol, if little bear gets you up in the middle of the night, sing-song the phrase to him. It makes the irritation fly away.

Well, enough rambling on. Doing this at night is more rambling then when I did it at work. But since I shouldn't be surfing at work, I'm really trying not to.

Tomorrow is early off for the doggies walk - in the storm Penny - and then we have doggie class with the doggies. Oh tomorrow could be a nightmare...
Marie

Judy you know what you need to do. Go back to what you were doing a couple of weeks ago when you were dropping wt. Sometimes we just need to be realistic. Not try something new but something we know worked for us. Spending more money to do something else seems like a lot to consider. We all celebrated the holidays I know that many things slipped back into my diet. Thats why I had to take a hard look and say okay its over lets get going now. Its a new year! Before spending more money first try the other what will it cost? Sometimes adding more fiber will keep you filled up longer. I also have been reading the ww mag. and there are stories of people whom have lost lots and kept it off. It might be worth buying this for yourself a little treat. Think smart , eat well and keep moving! I am going to stay off the scale til friday. I continue to be journaling w/ my charting. Cals yesterday 1395. The girls and I took a bitter walk in the cold last night. I was the leader as I tend to be a bit faster. We walked our village only 5 min. away. I even had them climbing up some steps and back down at the local church 20 or so. So even though it was only 30 min it was a good walk. As time goes on we will increase the walking time. This a.m. I have already done some shoveling due to a little snow that came our way only about 8inches so far but to con't all day. Little Bear needed a path.Penny I am with you on the weather front. I am making it in today I hope to just take my time and leave a bit earlier. I do have a meeting at 3:30 which I hope not to reschedule. The kayaking came from a camping trip awhile ago and I loved it. Done it a few times and really want my own. I would like one lite enough for me to handle myself so I can just go off for an hr. in nature without intruptions from the world. I hope we all have a whoosh soon too! If we don't it won't be from not trying. I also like the 2% cheese can't get into the rubber fat free. I would rather have less and eat what I like. Sometimes thats my choice with things like that. Oh I like soy chips too! Didn't know they are so high in glu. wow! I usually will count out I buy the little ones 20 chips for 110 cals. So I take 10 and put them in a baggie. I like them with chili or soup instead of crackers. Marie the scale hopefully will knock it off soon. Keep up your hard work the numbers will come. Do you measure yourself? I bet you have lost lots of inches. Congrats on the ski's. Marie there is a site to go on for people whom have lost lots of wt. You deserve to add your name its a study type of thing. I will ck out that song Marie good thing I do love him. The 1 and 4 and 6 shedule can be a bit unruly. He did learn to squeak his toy but at 6:30 a.m Daddy wasn't so happy but he will get over it. I was still the proud mom. Take care gotta go hit the snowy roads,.

Yes, I know what I need to do: pay attention to the details and work the program....I felt fat yesterday, and it showed in my weigh-in, and I was glad to see that today I'm back at 227. Whew! I moved the offending foods out of my "OK Carbs" cabinet, which is still filled with tasty, healthy options so I have nothing to whine about.

Penny, congratulations on not taking out your frustrations with a fork! I'm sure it felt good to be in control and to know that other people can see the results! :D

Marie, thanks for your advice re the detoxing. I'm not sure that I even believe in detoxing. I've done the ever-popular Master Cleanser Lemonade fast on my own a few times, lost a gratifying amount of weight, and proceeded to eat everything that wasn't nailed down. But lots of cultures have equivalents to fasts and special diets, so there must be something relevant there. And frankly, I would be willing to go some lengths if it would help me see some new numbers! I'm waiting to see the specifics before deciding one way or the other.

Carol, I'm laughing thinking of Bear squeaking his toy and his poor daddy grimacing. I heard a story on NPR about a CD just for dogs, and the song entitled "Squeaky Toy" was the most popular song. I hope you haven't scared off your friends by making them walk in the bitter cold. The air coming our way from Canada like it's supposed to, instead of from Mexico, so it's 35 degrees colder than it was on Saturday, boo!'

Okay, back to work. This hasn't been a very productive day for me, so I need to get crackin'!

judy

Hi everyone. I had a long, tiring day. It was very productive (unlike Judy...). Doggie training went good and work was good and got loads done. I walked the doggies before the class and that was sort of a fiasco. The collar on Kody came apart and he took off. After a while I got him to come back (he'd come about 10 feet away and take off again). But I got him and asked in class what to do when that happened. They looked at donkey boy and said have him on the training collar and another leash hooked to his regular collar. I tell you, he's a lot of work.

Judy, I didn't realize the detox was a fast. I'd veto that one quickly. I don't see how that can help long term. Carol is right, go with what was working. And get back to work!!! :)

Carol, definitely don't give bear a toy in his bed. Of course he's going to play with it and will want you to join him. I totally agree with you that I hope we all have a whoosh. But I'm not holding my breath for me. My body is stubborn.

I did 3 miles jogging and the ab lounger before work and 1 mile walking after work with the doggies.

Well, it's nearly bedtime so I will end here tonight. It's snowing here. I saw on the news that Portland (Penny's land) had major weather. I hope she's doing fine and hibernating in her house.
Marie

Judy I heard a really crazy diet story the other day at the beauty shop. New diet you can lose 12lbs in a week I'd be sick! Eat 8 banana's one day, 8 oranges the next, 8 eggs the next and 8 hotdogs the next nothing else in the diet. Now how wrong can this be I'd see why you would lose and never want to eat again. Crazy and the girl which I thought had more brains was going to buy all that stuff to do it. I will let yah know the crazy outcome. At any rate eat smart, eat well and move more we are bound to lose some wt. in time. But think of the life changes we are all making. The chol. and thing like that have to be better I think. Well gotta say Marie that the doggies must be helping you to burn some extra calories for sure. He sounds a bit crazy. Has to be fun at the same time. Bear only had me up one time before 6 I was very grateful to say the least. I have a big meeting with a top notch today so I am up ready and things flew threw my mind during the night. So hard when I bring my job home with me. I wish I didn't but and try not to but sometimes its hard to clear your head. On friday I am only working til 1 taking some me time and monday in observing Martin Luther King we have the day off. So long weekend and I am just catching up at work. Cals were okay yesterday but when I got home I started to nibble first time all week. Guess my waiting a bit to long to eat. So a piece of fruit on my long ride home will help with that. Well gotta fly friday is scale day due or die its going to be done. I have to get back into the friday scales.

Penny, I hope you are diong okay with all that snow!

Marie, perhaps you and Kody need to take a road trip to LA and meet in person with Cesar the Dog Whisperer. At least now you have the stamina to chase after Kody when he runs away:D .

Carol, good luck with your big meeting today.

Re the detox: I got a draft of the plan, and it's not a fast (which I wouldn't want to do for any length of time, anyway). It's an elimination diet, which includes at least four weeks of no dairy, eggs or soy, as well as no wheat, sugar or corn. There's no way I could do this for more than a day on the road, and it may be several months before I have more than three weeks at a time when I don't have to travel. So that was an easy decision. But the booklet has some interesting things to think about, and there may come a time when I want to take the plunge. And I like the nutritionist, she's someone I'd see myself checking in with a few times a year, if I'm in a slump or need a boot in the rear:kickbutt: .

I'm off to a slow start again this morning--it's the cold, my body sulks. So I've been doing shorter workouts at home, but walking 20 extra minutes into the office to toughen up a bit. Between that and the slightly warmer weather coming up, I should be a little perier in the mornings soon!

Have a good one--judy

Meanwhile, I'm back to the posted 226.5, and committed to adhering to the program I'm supposed to be on.

Well, I've been scrambling to cancel the big meeting today due to the weather. We don't have a whole lot of snow, but the temperature is supposed to drop even further this afternoon. The road conditions are slick so I thought it best to err on the side of caution and reschedule. I managed to get a phone tree going, so hopefully nobody will brave the weather and turn up.

I hope everyone is on track for their weekly weigh-ins. So far, I'm managing to hold on to my 1 lb. loss, so I hope to avoid the comfort foods and hang on to my loss from last week!

Well girls just a quick hello. The intake today wasn't too bad but I did have sauerkraut for dinner not thinking about the salt intake. I hope it doesn't make me retain fluid.
I had a meeting which was stressful this afternoon with out a doubt this new person is going to be lots of work. I just hope that things work out cause I am not so sure on this one. The services I have to offer really don't match her needs. She is much higher than what we are used to serving. This may lead too many stressful work days. I will try to keep my spirits up but ohhh! I had a little glass of red wine when I got home it was well deserved to say the least. At anyrate I still have to add my cals up but I THINK it was okay today. I am taking part of friday off. I will be done around 1:00. So some me time thats for sure. Well take care girls. Sounds like yah got some snow Penny. Yah know you can keep it there I REALLY don't want it. They say TUes we may get a big storm???? Some say yes other channels no ??? Old man winter will give us what he wants. Judy everyday with trying to live a healthier lifestyle I think we tend to learn something new. Thats kind of a good thing though exploring our world of knowledge, nutrition etc... We will be better for it. Good luck that would of been a real hard diet to follow.

Happy Weekend - at least for me. I have tomorrow off (and Monday). DS2, DH and I are off to Mt. Shasta for a day of skiing. We're leaving about 8 in the morning so when I get up early (way before the other two) I'm going to get lunch and the such ready. I will never eat a greasy burger - I wouldn't even when I was 40 pounds heavier. So I'll be exhausted tomorrow night. We'll be skiing from about 9:30 to 4:00. Lots of exercise. I'm so excited to try my new skis.

I did 2 miles jogging, 1 mile walking and the ab lounger workout this morning. I'm very chilled (Penny can relate as the arctic air seems to have moved in. I have to shave the old legs (stubble and ski boots sounds torturous) so I thought I'd take a hot bubble bath this evening. So far my nightly ice cream reward doesn't sound inviting.

BTW, Mr. Kody sat EVERY time I told him to sit today. Wow... Of course, we've worked on it before with him. But Miss Blizzie, I've never said the word to her. She's just so well behaved I didn't bother. So last night she got it on the first try. So all day today, I'd say sit and she'd sit. Such good doggies.

Penny, I think erring on the side of caution is a good thing. And Oregon drivers DO NOT know how to drive on ice and snow. I can say this as I grew up in Minnesota and there were never so many accidents as there is here. Good job on keeping the pound off.

Judy, you're just a travelin' gal. That you can even lose weight wiht the much traveling is so amazing. Keep at it and the idea of eliminating all those foods doesn't sound realistic. I think many diets you can lose on (i.e. the one Carol describe - add up the total calories and it's near starvation) because they make it so restrictive and yucky. Get a taste (pun intended) of freedom and it all comes back. I believe losing has to be portion control of the foods you like. Not to say you can't try to make those foods healthier, but you have to like it to sustain it.

Carol, sorry about your new client. I do know about not being able to clear the head - that happened to me in my previous life (i.e. Minnesota) when I was a workaholic. The paycut with my current job was worth the price of sanity. :)

Well, time to soak in bubbles. I'm going to listen to more of True Believer by N. Sparks. It's okay, so far but the jury's out. I've listen to about 4 hours and I'm waffling on liking it or not. But I will persevere and listen to the whole thing.

And Judy, oh what I'd give to have Cesar "fix" Kody's issues - I'm listening to his book too. The easy way out. :) But it would take a while and I couldn't leave him a the Dog Psychology Center because I'd miss him terribly. He's my buddy.
Marie

Marie glad your goiing off to have some fun you sure deserve it with all your being a good girl for so long. Just think how a year ago you never would of tried this most likely. I think its great! Hey what age do I start training this little boy to sit? He is starting to be a bit easier not having to go out quite so often. I am up at night about every other one 2 times. Oh I can't wait for that to be over. After all its a bit chilly to roll out of bed and stand outside for a bit.
Oh my news I lost a lb. well still some to come off to get where I was before but I am headed down the right path and feel good about this. Maybe would of been more if I had a lower salt intake day. Oh well calories weren't bad around 1500 for yesterday. I figure if I shoot for 1400 and run over I still am ok.

Carol, good news on the evil scale front. I told mine this morning to be nice or I was shooting it out the window. It was nice. The weight I'd gained the past 2 weeks is gone. I really think it's only based on my TOM cycle. Anyway, it's the lowest I've been in years but since I didn't change the tracker up it's accurate. I've lost 40.6 pounds.

Start training him now. Definitely work with him. It's great bonding time and it teaches him that you're the pack leader.

Well almost time to get ready. I got my pretty new skis out, the poles and boots. I made bread last night so I now need to make sandwiches. We're leaving in less than an hour but no one but me is up.
Marie

Marie - Congratulations on getting your scale to cooperate! :dancer:
We lived near Toronto for a couple of years, so we know what it's like to drive in 'real' winter conditions. It's scary how people drive too fast when it's icy here. I'm staying home as much as possible till we get above freezing as there's quite a bit of black ice out there. Luckily, I work at home, so I don't have to commute in this mess. Have fun trying out your new ski gear.

Carol - Way to go losing a pound :carrot:. Looks like the saurkraut didn't have a negative effect. I hope your job stress goes down a bit and that your fur baby is a good boy and sleeps through the night soon.

I weighed in today and I've managed to keep off the pound I lost last week, so that's a step in the right direction. I'm going to be brave and go to Curves later on. It's only about 5 min. drive from here, so it's not so bad. It was only 20 deg. this morning but it's 'warmed up' to about 28! Brrrr.

Let's hope our whooshes keep on coming!

Hi everyone!!!! I had a great time skiing. The ski park was very empty so most of the runs we skied right up to the lift. We did 14 runs!!! My quads are sore today. That was twice what we did two weeks before. I love my new skis. Tood a half a run to get used to the shorter length but the new technology they put into skis is awesome. Much easier to control. After 2 runs we moved over the the advance/intermediate side of the mountain and stayed there the rest of the day. I even went on a black diamond and beat DH down the hill. DS crashed at the edd of the day and hurt himself - not hospital type but he quit (which he would never do if he wasn't in pain). So we quit about 45 minutes before our passes were to expire. My legs were thankful for that. Most runs were about 1 mile long so I was thinking about it, I was doing semi deep knee bends for 14 miles. No wonder the legs are tender. This morning I did a 3 mile walk - no jogging - and the ab lounger.

Calorie wise I was good yesterday - EXCEPT - when I logged last night and was "under" my calories so I had my ice cream cone - but this morning I remembered the hot chocolate in the lodge. Oh well, I was over by 3/4 of the hot cocoa (seeing that I was still "under" with the ice cream cone). I think I probably made up for it with the exercise.

And it was COLD yesterday. I had many layers - even on my head. I had a double lined wool ski hat and my big fleece lined hood on. My cheeks were the only uncovered part and they were wind burned for sure.

Penny, I hope your trip to Curves was okay and safe. Black ice is scary. Especially in Portland where you don't get the cold, icy stuff too often. At least here by March, the dumbie drivers start getting a little more cautious.

Today is a relaxing day. I'm going to machine knit my niece's new baby boy the same blanket I made DGS. Then I'm going to work on my sweater. But if I get tired (which I sort of already am) I think a nap would be nice. And I'm going to make lasagna for dinner. Yummy!!!!
Marie

Marie, Carol and Penny, congratulations on the good news on the scale :carrot: . I saw a phrase earlier this week, "working does what wishing won't," and you all have been working hard on this.

Marie, I hope DS is feeling better today. There are many physical things I think I would enjoy trying if my stamina or knees were stronger--but skiing has never been one of them. Although it looks like a lot of fun for people who like moving downhill at a tremendous rate of speed on slick surfaces while balancing on skinny bands of metal:dizzy: . Seriously, if I didn't have such a painful reaction to cold (Raynaud's syndrome), I might like cross-country skiing.

Penny, how long do you think women continue to go to Curves you've a member of? I started going two years ago. I'm not bored, and it's been great to have any consistent routine, but my body has really adjusted to circuit. I think I might switch to a gym (or nothing) this summer. My apt building's much anticipated new fitness room should be opening sometime next month.

Carol, hope Little Sparky Bear is letting you get some extra zzz's for the weekend!

You'll note that my ticker is a little lower today. I expect my weight to blip up a little soon, thanks to those pesky hormones, so I will be glad if I'm at this weight at the end of the month. My posts have been filled with references to what I can't eat, but trust me, I'm getting plenty of protein, veggies, fruit, nuts, treats and just a little dairy and grain. Tomorrow I'll start having oatmeal :D after banishing it for two months. While the nutritionist discouraged rice-based crackers, whole grain rye is fine, so I've added that to my grocery list for this weekend.

Today I have a list of home things to take care of. A friend has promised to drive me out to the 'burbs to look for small but comfortable living room chairs (like wing chairs, but more contemporary) or maybe a loveseat. I'd planned to be looking at TVs around now, but I'm expecting another round of overnight guests as soon as late next month, and it's harder for me find furniture than it is to find electronics.

Oh, and I read a nice interview of Jared, the Subway Guy. I blame part of my weight issues on traveling, but he's on the road 200 days a year, which gave me pause, as they say....

more later--judy

Marie - I could almost see the smile on your face when you were shussing down the mountain! You must have thighs of steel! Like Judy, I have some physical problems that would prevent me from skiing, but it sounds great. Maybe in my next life......
I hope your DS is ok after his tumble. You certainly burned off a lot of calories - you earned that cup of cocoa! :coffee: It was no problem getting to Curves, I took it easy and there wasn't much traffic. It's still well below freezing, but should warm up gradually over the next few days. :coolsnow:

Judy - I love that saying you quoted "working does what wishing won't". How true! Well, I think we're all working hard and we're bound to get results. If not in immediate weight loss, at least we're getting healthier and stronger every day. I've been going to Curves 3x a week for three years, missing only a few times due to illness. I'm not bored either, but I realize it's probably not as challenging as some forms of exercise. I'm realistic though and, knowing my lifetime aversion to exercise, at least I'm doing something. I have noticed that my new muscles are emerging from under the fat since I've lost weight. I really like to flex my arm muscles and feel my nice biceps. So, it definitely has helped firm me up a lot. My thighs are also a lot more muscular. I was always flabby with no muscle definition, even when I was slimmer, so it's never too late. Since my bad ankle prevents me from doing much walking, I'm thankful to have found Curves and that I'm still motivated to go. I sometimes have a dream where I'm running with no pain in my foot. Who knows, maybe one day it will be a reality! :running:

Carol - I hope you're having a relaxing weekend and that Bear's training is going well.

Hi ladies, I would like to join you. For the last 1 1/2 weeks I have been eating everything that has crossed my path and my scale is up 8 lbs. Enough already, I REALLY hope that I'm ready to get back on track. Each day I get up with good intentions but have quickly gone off track. I need the daily accountability.

My plans are 3 reasonable portioned meals a day. Mostly no evening snacks as night time is my worst time. Once I start eating at night it is very hard for me to stop. Daily exercise of walking, which I do a lot of. I need to vary my exercise more so will be adding some aerobics and weight lifting. Drinking more water and cutting out the pop.

Congratulations on your weight loss this past week ladies. I want to see my scale go down soon.

Hi Judy, :) Do you think that Jared is still eating all those subs? They would help keep him on track. You would think he would be sick of them by now. I believe he use to eat one at lunch and one at dinner. If he still does this all the more power to him.

Marie, way to go with your skiing. I see you do lots of other exercise too.

Penny, Curves is working for you if your seeing muscles and your body tightening.

Carol it took me a bit to realize you were talking about your dog and not your child lol.

:welcome3: Linda!!!! I know I speak for all 4 of us when I say we'd love to have you join us. Last spring/summer we had more posters then they slowly drifted away. But the 4 of us have been going strong for quite a while. I totally agree with you that if I ate subs 2X a day I'd hate them. Only pasta could I handle that often and would probably need all my fat jeans I donated to goodwill. Actually at subway, I like to take the sub and make it a wrap - less calories. Reduce, reduce, reduce... ;)

Penny, how cool is it to see your muscles??? :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: I definitely see them in my legs but my blubbery arms - I'm thinking pastic surgery will solve that. BTW, I actually talked to DH about plastic surgery yesterday. I told him I was thinking about having my turkey chin taken care of when I lose 30 more pounds. Then I sort of mentioned if I run into a load of money the turkey arms will go too. I told him that the turkey chin is something I can't do anything about - it's skin that I can't hide and I can't develop the muscles. He seemed to understand. The arms - I inherited that (and the chin) from my grandma as well as being fat. Oh I'd love to where a sleeveless top and not have my arms flopping in the breeze. :D

Judy, furniture shopping - I hate to do that. The last time was buying two leather recliners and it was painful. We tried every furniture store in the small town we live near then drove across the mountain and finally found some there. That was 7 years ago and I hated it so much that I live with cat damaged recliners so that I don't have to go through that pain again. You have my sympathies on having to do that. But the electronics???? ooo la la - let me at them. BTW, I had a nice diversion trip over the mountain yesterday and ended up at Circuit City. What a nice impulse... (bought DH a home theater receiver - cheap - for his garage - he's moving the DSS and TV in my room out there for company and I get my dresser back).

Well, today is snowshoe day. I've already told the huskies (no golden because she's too old and can't handle the snow running) and they're just waiting for DH to wake up. Of course if it would warm up that would be nice. 8 degrees is ludicrous!!!!

Marie

Marie the fun in the snow was great exercise for you. I didn't get in any yesterday but plan to today. Other than the ever ending taking Bear outside day and night. Thats got to count for something. He's cute but I wish he'd let me sleep. I am almost tempted to let him sleep with me. That way maybe he wouldn't wake up so much. He follows me from room to room generally. He really is my dog for sure. Judy sounds like your off shopping to fix up your place that is always fun. Curves or with anywhere it is told that we need to shake up our ways or our bodies adjust and no loss. Planning my duaghters shower 45-50 people at my home is tough with not knowing the weather etc.. If it was nice no big deal but the what ifs??? Anyways I want to help plan her foods and keep in mind she is a veggie person no meat. We can serve meat just not for her. So the menu will be creative around this. I plan on making a veggies centerpice with dips inside of 3 colored peppers. Now see I do have some ideas. But need to put it all together. Penny I might make soaps for party favors? What do you think?
Linda welcome aboard hope you find this site as motivating and friendly as we all do. Yes Bear came my way just 3 weeks ago he is 10 weeks old today. Its like having a baby that is for sure. I also read about the sub guy in my diet mag. Crazy to think he could still eat so many but I do enjoy them myself sometimes. But I am not even sure the wheat roll is whole wheat. Oh I made french toast out to wheat cinn. raisan english muffins less cals and better instead of white bread. I did eat sausage though but I don't have 3 meals on sunday so I am okay with the cals I think. Linda do you count cals? Or what means do you use to track your intakes if you don't mind me asking? I try to do a journal of wt. intakes and things I am trying to improve like water exercise and no eating 2 hrs before bedtime. It helps me to reflect back etc..

Hi, Linda! :cheer: . I'm so glad that you found this thread. Marie, Carol and Penny are really great supporters, and have been wonderful about truely making this a daily check-in. Re Jared: If I was making the kind of money he's making from being a corporate spokesperson, a motivational speaker and an author, I would happily choke down a sub or two every day :D .

Carol, if you let Bear sleep in your bed now, I don't think he'll understand why you're kicking him out later....

Marie, I've always told myself that when I get down around 170, I'll look into that surgery to get rid of big ugly leg veins.

Penny, thanks for your thoughts re Curves. I hope the day comes soon when your feet aren't causing you pain.

So I updated my profile today, and realized that I've lost 30 pounds in a little over two years. That's a heck of a lot slower than I expected back in November 2004, but I'll take it. I have high hopes for staying out of the slow lane (or veering toward the exit ramp) this year.

I'm doing well with eating. Today will be the slow day for working out--I walked 25 minutes, and will do yoga tonight.

Didn't see any furniture that I wanted and could afford yesterday, so I'll keep looking. Last night I broke out the knitting DVD for the first time--and learned the knit stitch :dancer: . Think I'll try purling tonight. I don't particularly want to make anything right now, I just want to master the mechanics.

judy

:welcome: Linda! Glad to have you on board. I'm kind of in the same boat as you, having gained 5 lbs. over the holidays. I've managed to lose one of those pesky pounds and hope to 'nip it in the bud' and get moving downward on the scale again soon. You've already come a long way in your weight loss journey and I think it will be good for you to have daily accountability here with us to help you get back on track. Everyone has been very supportive and encouraging when I've had a slip up or whenever I've felt discouraged.

Marie - I've got a bit of a chin thing going on too. I've noticed it since I lost weight. I wouldn't mind a bit of a nip and tuck myself but then I look at my girlfriends and I'm not the only one getting wattles! I'm a bit afraid the surgery would go wrong and I'd end up looking freakish. Besides, it would probably cost a fortune. Maybe I should start buying a lottery ticket every time I lose a pound. I had to laugh about your cat damaged recliners. We have two side chairs in our living room that have had the arms torn to shreds by our darling kitties. We duct taped the slashes together and I found some nice tapstry-like throws to put over them to hide the damage. I've actually had compliments on how nice the chairs look!!! I hope to goodness nobody pulls off the throws. I absolutely hate furniture shopping and would rather spend the money on plants and ornaments for the garden. I may go to the new Ikea when it opens, just because they have great swedish meatballs in their cafe. 8 degrees is cold, even for K-Falls. It's warmed up to 34 deg. today but it's in the teens at nighttime.

Carol - I'm sure it's tempting to let Bear sleep in your bed, but once you do, he'll expect to sleep there always. I have to throw our cats out of the bedroom at night or they'd never let us get a wink of sleep. It's a good idea to try different ways of doing things like using raising muffins for the french toast. I use Ezekiel raisin bread for mine and use eggbeaters. It isn't too many calories and tastes great, plus it's healthier than using plain old white bread. That's quite a job planning such a big shower. Most veggies know how to eat "around" the meat dishes and will always find something they can eat. Soaps can make good party favors. You can point out that they're made from vegetable glycerin so that they'll be even more popular with the vegetarians!

Judy - You're doing great having lost 30 lbs.! Even if it's taken 2 years, at least it's likely to stay off. It's taken me longer than that to lose my 40 lbs. (well, just under - as I gained a few over the holidays :(). I got sclerotherapy injections for my leg veins (spent over $7K!) but some of them came back, plus I now have tons of red spider veins all over my lower legs. The surgery is probably a better way to go. I would love to be able to wear shorts in summer, but I don't want to gross everyone out.

I'm having a protein shake for dinner with some acai pulp added (I found it frozen at the health food dept. of Fred Myers). It's supposed to be the fruit with the highest antioxidants of all. It doesn't taste bad but takes some getting used to.

Have a great week everybody!

Evening Everyone!!! Great news!!! DH is letting me go with DS and almost DIL back to Mt Shasta to go skiing tomorrow. Both are beginners but I think I'll disappear for a few runs on my own. :) I was supposed to stay home with DH to watch DGS but alas, I snaked my way in to the trip instead. Oh me bad. :)

Judy, 30 pounds over two years is fantastic. Penny is right, you're more apt to keep it off. And you're not settling, you'll keep going. Took me a while to get a grip on the idea that it doesn't matter how long it takes me. I know I still get temporarily angered by the evil scale, but it doesn't last. I'm so happy that I've lost 40 that it helps keep me in perspective. Besides if we weren't trying to lose weight, what would be doing??? Gaining weight, so you're way farther - probably 60 pounds farther.

Penny, oh the joys of duct tape. On the two leather side chairs (not the cat damaged recliners) Kodiak flipped over the arm rests and ripped the underside (considerate boy seeing that I could hide that). So I put layers and layers of duct tape on them, sealing the padding back up and he can't get through it. BTW, Kodiak boy also destroyed the matching leather couch. Ripped it to shreds. Boy, DH was really mad. Me, I didn't like how it looked in this house and was sort of thankful. But don't tell DH that. :)

Carol, Penny and Judy have given you great advice. You let bear sleep with you once you've taught him that it's okay to be a pest at night and that he can get into your bed. (Boy did that sound bad...). Don't do it. Move his crate to another room and shut your door. If you can't hear him whine, you will be able to break the getting up habit. If you need to, turn on white noise in your room to help mask his whining. At 10 weeks, he should be sleeping through the night. I'm thinking the longest any of my dogs lasted was about 2 nights. You'll have to stand strong and teach him that you're the master not him. Good luck!!!

I did go snowshoeing and did take Goldilocks too. We went about 3 miles then came home and ordered Goldie iditorod booties so the snow doesn't stick to her feet.

TTY tomorrow.
Marie

Had mostly a good day. Tonight I went to my daughters and helped her take her two trees down and put her decorations away. She has been working long hours and hadn't got it done. It only took about an hour with both of us doing it. I gave in and had a pepsi and 1/2 of a small bag of chips at my daughters while we watched Desperate Housewifes. Didn't I just say I wasn't going to eat in the evening. Other wise I did well. Got my water in and walked for 1 hour and did 35 mins of weights.

Marie, I think surgery is a good idea if you want it. With doing weights my legs are good. Plus I do a lot of walking. My arms though tighter by doing weights still need improvement. I'm hoping that as I'm able to lift heavier weights that they will get even tighter. My stomach is my worse area, it is droopy, crunches have not helped. Enjoy your skiing tomorrow. You need to take advantage of the snow while it is here. So is your DH going to watch your DGS while you ski? I have one DGS who is 6.

Carol, Neat idea of putting dips inside colored peppers. I think soaps as gifts is a great idea. I know it is something I would like to receive. I journal my food. I don't keep track of calories most of the time but I do check the calories from time to time. My meals basically consist of 3 oz of protein, 1 carb (multi grain bread)serving or 1/2 cup pasta, or 1 cup cereal, 1-2 cups veggies, 1 fruit, 8 oz milk. Limits on sweets and fat.

Judy, What magazine was Jared in? I bet he is making good money too. At the mall the only healthy food to eat is Subway so I often have one. Congratulations on the 30 lbs. I agree with everyone that slow is better because it is more likely to stay off. A hobby like knitting keeps your hands busy. I find cross stitching relaxing and it is a great food distractor. I should get out my cross stitching . I have a few projects that need finishing.

Penny, We used to have a duct taped chair caused by our cat. Dont have any cats at the present. We have a small dog a ****z-zu/pom cross. Ha ha, it blocked out my word I guess because they consider it a swear word. The dog is a s-h-i-t-z-zu/ pom. He is well behaved and the only damage he did was when he was young, he loved to chew on runners. He is almost 15 so mostly sleeps and hardly any teeth to chew with. He sleeps on top my husband when they both nap on the couch. He is not allowed in our bedroom and knows not to go in there.

Here is to a good Monday.

Well girls I didn't get your advice til after the fact. Bear did sleep in my room until his only visit out for the night which was 2:30 then I put him back in his crate he slept til 7. Tonight I will just try him back into his cage and see what will happen. We have freezing rain today and just a yukky day outside. If it clears up to be safe on the roads I am taking the grandkids to see The Museum movie. Suppose to be really good and maybe for lunch?? We'll see. Right now Bear doesn't want any part of going outside it is a shove out the door for both of us not really wanting to go. He does make me move a bit more daily I have to say. That has to burn a couple of cals. I am back to my wt. before the holidays thank goodness. Thats pretty good for Jan. but still want to get back down a few lbs. Then I will feel like its really moving somewhere. Judy good for you losing 30lbs and keeping it off that is so great. Marie and you together is 70lbs. plus the rest of us. That is wonderful CONGRATS if we all lived closer we'd have to throw a party! Meanwhile its CONGRATS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Linda I am so glad you found your way back. I track my intake because otherwise I add things in thinking oh I have room and don't also portions can be an issue for me. I did eat an omelet for breakfast today with green peppers and a pania roll toasted. I am all done til lunch except for a cup of tea later on and some bottled water. I am having leftovers for dinner tonight I roasted a chicken and think my dinner will be a salad with chicken and chick peas etc. in it w/olive oil and vinegar dressing and spices. I have to pick up some more grapefruit I enjoy having the sour taste no additives etc. Marie good for you going out again to ski.. Here you'd have to slide in the mud down the mountain side. Oh we do have some man made snow I guess but not good here this year. I actually thought maybe I would try to skate in the city one day. Got to get my daughter D to go with me. Great exercise to say the least. When I get off here I am heading to the treadmill and bike to exercise. I need to utilize my resources available in my home for today's weather can be no excuse not to exercise. Well I think my friends fell off the rocker to exercise haven't heard from them but I can't let that stop me. I did make some brownies yesterday and got into some of them naughty I was but now I will pack them up some for the hubby and take the rest to the grandkids. Linda I read that story to about Jared. It is in my Diet 2007 Better Homes and Garden mag. Special Interest Publications. You might beable to get it on the internet under the title The Subway Guy with Better Homes search? Check it out the mag. is expensive I think. But I get mine through my hairdresser added benefits. Well take care everyone eat smart, eat well and move more! This week I hope to be a lb. lighter. Even if I only lose 1 a week I will feel better and reach my goal.

Morning everyone. I'm just waiting for DS and almost DIL to wake up. Supposedly we're leaving by 8:00 so they have 1 hour and 22 minutes to get up and out. I do know they packed the car already last night. My skis, boots and bindings were out of my craft room. I already packed my clothes and soon will make the 3 of us lunch. Yes, I know I'm their slave - but they did pack the car and they're driving (save's me money not driving my Durango). Already braided my hair so I'm set.

I was a busy bee this morning. I bought a new used digital camera. I was starting my search of small and cheap but it escalated. You all know me and toys... I have an Olympus Digital and I bought another (a little better than mine but I still love mine). Anyway, it's water and dust resistant so that I can take it skiing, snowshoeing, rollerblading and out by my pull. The reviews were excellent on it and it has a fast shutter lag time (much shorter than most). That was important because the camera will be used for action shots and digitals lag about 1 second or more from pushing the snap picture button. Always lose the action piece. So this one is half that - it should be easier to time. Now I have to tell DH I went over my $50 budget by $150. Oops... :) I got it on ebay and it was a good deal.

Linda, my DGS is almost 11 months and the 3 of them currently live with us (as well as my DS who's 20). DS1 and almost DIL are fulltime college students and we're biding time till they graduate. DS graduates this June and almost DIL graduates in December - then they will be moving away. Sort of looking like Seattle might be their destination. My chickie friends here know that I'm counting the days (which is exactly 11 months from today). I love them and my beautiful DGS but living with too many adults is hard. They rearranged their space and now spend more time out there so that's been good. My other DS is starting college (after military basic training and tech school this past year) in March. He'll probably live here the entire duration. But the military made him grow up and he's not abusing the privilege of staying here rent free. Ah, the story can go on and on...

I track my food with a software database (lifeform) so basically I count calories. I'm very active so I go for about 1600-1700 calories per day. I know what you mean about the tummy problem. Mine sags and jiggles but I can hide it from the world. The chin/neck I can't. My legs look awesome (who'd have ever guessed) because I walk/jog a lot (hence the returned ability to ski and snowshoe).

Carol, you might want to do tough love with bear and make him sleep elsewhere. He's definitely trained for his nighttime excursion and tough love will only break it. Good luck on the home exercising - I like it because I have no excuse of why I don't exercise. BTW, let's both lose a pound this week's weighin on Friday. :)

Penny and Judy, I hope your Monday is fabulous!!!
Marie

Marie, I hope you're having fun on the slopes today! It's in the mid-sixties again in DC, but I am at work for a while this afternoon, since I was downtown anyway for a morning appointment with the shrink. I wanted to talk about my problems visualizing myself at a healthy weight. Typically, she wanted to delve into my history of abuse. But we finally got back around to what I wanted out of our time together--and I got a push to do some journaling or other ongoing work to prepare myself mentally for how life might change, and not let fear sabotage my progress.

Carol, congrats on getting back to your pre-holiday weight. Maybe you need to schedule another trip to Hawaii, that seemed to be great incentive for you last year!

Linda, I've never been crafty like the other women on this thread. I tried cross-stitch many years ago and wa bored to tears, but I think it was because I bought cheesy beginner patterns that wouldn't look like anything you'd want to keep around once you were done, anyway. I'm not terribly fond of wearing knits, beyond really nice sweaters, scarves and gloves, but I like the look and feel of some of the yarn I've seen. Maybe I'll find an inner textile artist in me somewhere, and you can say that you knew me when...

Penny, thanks for sharing the sclerotherapy injection info. I think I would need the laser surgery to zap these enormous lumpy veins into oblivion. Apparently it isn't nearly as painful as it was years back (which is why they started doing injections instead), and doctors have been smarter helping to get insurers to cover the costs.

Okay, enough stalling. I need to tackle a few little projects and head out again. Enjoy the rest of your day!

judy

Marie - I should really take lessons on how to get the most out of my digital camera. My DH bought me a fairly good one, but I just point and click. I'm sure there are lots of features on it I haven't even used. Have fun on the slopes.

Carol - I like Subway too. I only have it occasionally, but it's probably one of the least unhealthy 'fast food' options. It's great that my nutrition database has all the Subway items in it so it's easy to figure out the calories. There's also not much in the way of additives, so long as you don't have the deli meats. I like the grilled chicken. I'll have to look for the BH&G magazine with the weight loss stories - I can never get enough of success stories!

Linda - Your puppy sounds adorable. My DH was picking up some stuff from a farm implement place the other day where they also breed pomeranians. He said there was a wave of about 30 poms rushing towards him barking their little heads off. They wanted all to be petted. Not great guard dogs but they let you know when someone's coming. They had electric foot warmers for them to sleep in and two fitted in each one - that would make a great photo! It sounds like you have a good plan and are doing plenty of exercise. I find that I have to keep "remotivating" myself with a lot of self-talk. I tend to conveniently "forget" that I've changed my way of eating so I need to refocus quite often.

Judy - Boy, you're still having a heat-wave over there! I bet the blossoms will soon be out on the trees at this rate. Visualizing can be very helpful. I have a photo of myself on the fridge where I weighed about 150. It helps me to stop and think sometimes before I grab something out of the fridge that I shouldn't be eating. I also have used food to squash down feelings and have some issues in my past that I think have contributed a lot to my being overweight. At least now I know why I do certain things and knowlege is power!

I have just booked a trip to England in September to visit my family. Mum and Dad are both 85 and it's been 5 years since I last visited. I'm a bit nervous about going as I don't travel well due to my leg circulation problems and my IBS, but I figure they're not getting any younger and may not be with us many more years. Fortunately, they are both in good health, physically and mentally. This gives me another incentive to lose some more weight to make traveling more comfortable. They live in a retirement place and don't have room to put me up, but I've been very lucky to find a B&B right around the corner from them.

A busy day makes me want to grab something quick and fattening to eat but I resisted and had a great day. I was doing my aerobics and the power went out but I was almost finished so got in 67 minutes. Walked for 1 1/2 hours at the indoor track. Not enough water today but it is early evening so I will get in a bit more.

Marie, You have a house full. Both of my girls left home at 19. None of mine live at home and only one came home again. She came home with her husband and my grandson. Her husband had got a new job and they were moving to a new city. The furniture was on a moving truck and they were ready to go. My daughter had given up her job to move.. They had given him his hours and found them a house to move in . MY son in law got a phone call the morning they were leaving that they changed their mind about hiring him. No jobs and no home so they moved in with us. My daughter
got her job back in the next few days when they could schedule her in again. My son in law got a job a couple of weeks later in another city and came here on the weekends. He lived in his car there was no rentals. There were still no places to rent around here either so they lived here for 3 months. My daughter and I get along well but it was nice for us to have our privacy again. They are doing well now and live close by. Son in law has another job and is home every night and my daughter works while her son is in school so I don't have to look after him as often. My youngest daughter lives with her boyfriend and they also live close by. She says she is never getting married or having kids. Sounds like a great camera you have.

Carol, I will see if I can check out that magazine on line or find it in a store. The Museum movie is good, we enjoyed it. I can't remember the name of it either lol. My memory is getting bad, yikes.

Judy, I knew Judy when :) They have such pretty wool in the stores it makes one want to knit. I can do the basics of knitting but my tension is terrible so my attempts at knitting ended up with crocked results. I'm a bit better at crocheting, mostly baby blankets and a few bed blankets. Done some baby booties and mitts. Pass some of that heat over here, I'm cold. I have trouble visualizing myself at a healthy weight because I don't know for sure what I think a healthy weight for me is. My new doctor said I was only 15 lbs over weight but for most of my life I weighed 126. So when the doctor said 155 was okay it seems to high of a weight. I'm striving for 145 for now. When I look in the mirror I still see fat, I don't really see my weight loss. I have pictures of myself as I have lost weight. When I look at them I can see the loss. I have trouble believing that I can maintain a reasonable weight. It is so easy for me to fall in to my old habits again.

Penny, the funny thing about our dog is he rarely barks. He makes a low growling sounds when he wants in or out of the house. When he wants a treat he stands by his bowl or by the cupboard and makes the same sounds. He barks when something scares him or once in a while at a person he doesn't know. Most of the time he is quiet. Now is the time to book trips as they have some good deals. Your parents will be happy to see you. Think positive on the flying and you will do well.

Going to take a hot bath and read.

Marie Seattle is one of my favorite places that my DS and DIL lived. Oh nice place to visit they lived on the island so beautiful and the city. Good choice for them and you to visit. Hurray for at least one night. Bear had to go potty around 12:30 I never heard from him again til 6:30 this a.m. I only hope this continues I can deal with this. He is all Dad's today I am off to work. The hubby has figured out how to gate him in the main room. Its easier for him to keep track of him. I added up my cals yesterday to around 1550 a bit higher but with working out and did I sweat. 30 good min. on my treadmill at home. I do need to have music or a t.v. so time passes by quicker. Bear tried to get on with me it was pretty funny. I figured I am okay and we had popcorn at the movies The Museum movie was cute and the DGK's loved it. Judy I know how hard it is to go talk with someone and be open about our life and problems. But I am so glad you did this is a big step and you deserve to be happy you should have it. You go girl and reach for what you want its reachable! Oh how a trip to Hawaii would make me so happy. But I am planning a big wedding with around 140 guest for my daughter and that walking down the isle is an incentive. Knitting wow that a girl keep going a fancy airy scraf would be a good beginner project and look great afterwards. There are some wonderful yarns out there. You can make scrafs on big needles and they work up fast or smaller and not be so airy. Let me know how its going I am working on my sweater from months ago but 3/4 done. Penny my favorite sub at Subway is veggie with lots of hot peppers. Yum! Penny can you fit me in your bag England oh how nice. My mom is 85 as I have mentioned before. Today we are going to the doctors to see a specialist she has a kidney stone. They may opt to not do anything doesn't seem to bother her yet. Linda busy days make you want to eat more I have an apple I keep in the car for my ride home. Also having dinner in the crock pot on those busy nights help a lot. Eat more fiber too it helps to keep us filled up longer. Wow you make my exercise look so small in comparison with yours! Good job. But too much will do me in and I need to just ensure I get to it more often like everyday would be good. My friend is back with me exercising one had to give up due to her knee problem til she goes to the Dr. Bear is going to be a barker when someone comes over he is already at 10 weeks old starting this its pretty funny to watch. We are enjoying him and as he sleeps better like last night I will love him even more. I can't wait to walk with him around the lake. I need to start him on his leash as now I just take him out and he stays right with me. He responds to his name already such a smart little guy. Oh sorry for talking about him so much. But you have all been great on ideas etc. and I appreciate it all.
Sounds like we are all very motivated to make some good choices. Eat smart, eat well and move more til later!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm here--today was like a double Monday! Just saying hey in case I'm too pooped to check in when I get home tonight...

judy

Evening everyone. Penny I hope you'[re doing okay. I read about the storm in Portland and the school closures, icy roads. I definitely thought of you. We have the south side of the storm and my son said the roads are very slick. I will make sure I leave an extra bit of time tomorrow morning for the commute to work. Congrats on the Sept trip. More motivation!

Judy, I know about double Mondays but I was SO tired from skiing twice this weekend and snowshoeing I basically didn't do anything. I'm thinking tomorrow I will be paying for that. Good for you for taking charge of your mental health. You know I'm a big proponent of the mental helath field even though I cold turkeyed all my meds. They sure helped me whne I was the lowest. I haven't used my light therapy in a few days since I was gone Sunday and Monday morning and this morning I tried to sleep in.

Yes, I slept int which means I took a day off from exercise. First on since the beginning of November. I planned to exercise after work but on my way home I realized that it had been over 60 days without a break and I decided that was overly obsessive so I've played with DGS all evening. I was the babysitter while DS and almost DIL were at school.

Linda, wow your SIL was treated horribly by that company. That's horrible what they did to them. Probably a good thing he found out they were scum early on.Your other daughter and the no marriage, no kids made me laugh. When I was 18-19 I swore the same thing. Then voila along comes DH and the no marriage promise flew out the window. Then the no kids did too. I'm not a real big "baby" type of person. First diaper I changed was my 1st son's in the hospital. He was the first baby I'd ever held. But wow, he just stole my heart. Other then my 2nd son and now DGS, I still haven't held other babies much. Tonight I even changed a diaper... Since my Golden seems to be sick, the poopy diaper was nothing compared to the yard I pooper scoop. Yikes that was disgusting.

Carol, I'm the biggest wimp when it comes to tough love with my doggies. They know and I do too. But one thing I've realized is that when I'm inconsistent with Kody he runs roughshod over me and that I'm making matters worse by being consistent.

Oh funny story from last night's doggie training. Kody and I were doing our walking and he was strutting his stuff, showing how much he'd learned. Then this other alpha dog lunged at him. Kody responded so my leach correction and walked off with me. The other (not as well trained) do lunged again and bit at Kody's hip area. That was it, Kody was MAD. I had to drag Kody away (he was winning by the way). It sort of spoiled the evening. Then as I was leading Kody and Blizzie fromt he building another lady came up to me and said how beautiful my dogs were. She had a big dog like a doberman. I thanked her and then she said "They are so well behaved!" I stared a the lunatic and then pointed to Kody and said "This is well behaved???" and she said that she had a husky at home and understood and yes he was well behaved. It was too funny!

Okay, food wise I'm fine today. Better than Saturday and Sunday when I was munchy. Yesterday I was really good - no hot cocoa at the ski lodge. This morning's weigh was the same as Friday. I'm hoping for a loss on Friday if by chance the munchie monster can be kept at bay. And of course, no exercise today. But at 5:15 tomorrow morning I'll be at it. I noticed this morning I was pretty out of it for hours. The exercise actually wakes me up and get my brain functioning in the morning. And tomorrow is early off to take the doggies walking before the sunsets.

Well, take care!!!
Marie