Hi guys - sounds like everyone is doing well (execpt me!) I'm up 1-1/2 pounds this week Hopefully, it's still just water weight, but I can only use that for an excuse for so long
Sorry I've been m.i.a. for a couple of days. I've been preparing for a fund raiser by a womens' group I belong to - we host a tea tent at the Portland Highland Games. It's fun to see all the bagpipe players, dancers and marching bands, etc. Lots of hunky guys in short skirts and furry sporrans!
I baked seven dozen bakewell tarts and only ate one (that got smashed). I managed not to eat any of the other goodies we had for sale. Usually, I make myself sick by eating the broken bits non-stop! Our group has been participating for 30 years and we're quite popular at the Highland Games for all our British specialties. People line up 3 deep to buy them and get a cup of tea. I just got home and I'm zonked out. I've been on my feet all day and only had the broken cookie and a horrible (mystery) meat pie to eat all day plus about 8 oz. of water. Luckily, it wasn't at hot as usual and there was a nice breeze. I'm craving a big salad for dinner and I think I'll have a margarita!
to trob. Wow, you've had a lot of loss in such a short span. That you want to get back on track is wonderful. This is a great group and I hope you find the support you need. I also work for a school district but only have a short (3 weeks) time off in the summer. Past years I've had up to two months and that's when I can diet best. If I'm at home, I have almost zero trouble. It's the world around me that tends to throw me off. Try to set up the structure you learned in WW. Structure in my eating and exercise is what works for me.
Penpal, your tea sounds fun. I bet your were proud that you didn't munch on all the extras and not get sick this year. Last week I made one of my favorite dinners and I nibble on so much before dinner that I'm usually not hungry by dinner. So last week, I chewed on a piece of gum while I made it and it worked - no munching. I've done that a couple times before and it works. BTW, I usually don't chew gum so it makes it a treat. Also, I'll be in your city for a couple hours tomorrow during the layover between flights. Somewhere around 12:30 in the afternoon.
DH and I are going rollerblading this morning, then I have to start to get ready for the trip. Wash clothes (thought it would be rude to bring the dirty laundry and borrow other's washing machines), get an album of DGS updated for the families, etc. Too much to think about so here I am...
Penny what is a bakewell tart? They must be great! The Margarti sounds good too! Mix me one up while your at it. Good for you cutting back on the tarts. Every little change adds up I am learning.
Today I got on the scale a bit nervous as I had that clam bake. To my surprise I was down 1 lb. from saturdays scale day. Now I haven't been there since 5/2 I ck'd in my journal. Another good reason for tracking with a journal. So I have only .5 to lose by friday to reach my goal but am hoping for some more loss. I ate everything I wanted at the clam bake but made my choices wisely and that was the difference for me. I also drank lots of water this whole weekend. Sunday worked in the gardens and was careful of my intake and it paid off. Its about time I got into it huh? I have packed a healthy lunch w/ pita pocket, grilled chicken slices, lettuce and ready to go. With a yogurt for dessert. Taking my water too. A peach for snack in the afternoon. So I plan on being about 1400 cals for the day but not more than that. Marie you know gum burns calories I think if I remember correctly 20 cals per hour. So if you chew it 5 and burn a 100 cals not so bad of a deal huh? I find it helps me too when others are snacking to have a piece of gum. I hope for an easier week at work this week. Time will tell. At any rate I have friday off. First vac. day in awhile. I am going to take some time off in August and take the kids camping. I better put in for it today for Labor day weekend extended time off. I went with my sister inlaw to pick out carpets this weekend on more thing done. I am going to stop at her house again today to help sort some things out. She is a pack rat. It makes me go through my things more seeing her stuff from years of saving. I plan on one heck of a healthy week as far as intakes goes except for friday thats my day to splurge a bit. After my scale time of cours.
Mirabai and Trob welcome aboard and the more the better around here. We welcome everyone to join in and look forward to sharing ideas and learning from one another. Nikki you did get us all motivated when we needed a jump start thanks. Marie good job bringing that point up.
I am a young grandma of 4 grandchildren, 3 adult children two live local, 1 in Hawaii, have wonderful daughter inlaw and son in law and one future son in law thats getting hitched next June to my youngest daughter. My hubby and I are very lucky to have such good kids. Lovely family and I am a very motivated gram. I like to Kayak, camp, garden, decorate, quilt, knit, sew sometimes, cook and bake, entertain, play poker and go to the casino. I work with Developmental Adults as a coordinator of all their services, needs, desires and outcomes. Thats it!
Well time to go to work now. Take care and lets keep it moving. I only have 4 more day to lose a little more to reach my goal.
Penny - sorry about the gain but way to go on not eating all the goodies.
Marie-Have fun where are you off to no?
carol- Way to go on your loss.
I am waiting to workout. I managed to swim a bit yesterday which was good I thought I would get no exercise in all weekend. I am hoping to see 155 by friday keep your fingers crossed. I ate off yesterday I had 2 burgers and a small piece of cheese cake. Also a WW meal for lunch. Not to bad but not to good either. Today I will have salad twice to balance it out.
Morning everyone - well today was my challenge goal. I officially lost 12.8 pounds for the goal. Pretty cool. Many more pounds to go but I'm on my way.
I'm basically packed except the last minute stuff. We leave in 3.5 hours but we're taking the pups out hiking first. They're going to be so sad that we're gone that I have to do this at least for them.
Nikki, I'm so glad you're starting to feel better. I hope you see your goal. But alwasy remember if you're doing the healthy stuff your body will lose but in its own time. Also, I'm leaving for Minnesota for a week. That's where most of my family lives. DH and I deliberately moved across the country. That's why I eat when I'm there. So the test begins soon.
Carol, I'm glad you had fun at the clam bake. Making life black and white doesn't work so it's good to indulge every once in a while, especially if you can make those indulgances healthy!
Hi, Fit, Troub, and Mirabai! Good to meet all of you, and Mirabai, I'm glad you found your way back to us. I'm single, late 40s, been overweight since pre-adolesence. I have a long way to go--my first long-term goal is to be maintaining at 170 by the end of next year, which is still over 60 pounds away. It seems like I'm always gaining or losing. I've been nearly 30 lbs lighter and 35 lbs heavier in the past 7-8 years, and keep getting stuck right around 230-240...I've been in a rut for a while, but this thread keeps me pointed in the right direction, even when I'm not moving very much!
Marie - Congratulations on meeting your challenge! I hope you have a nice trip. I'll think of you when you stop over in Portland. I'll have to try your idea about chewing gum when tempted to eat something I shouldn't!
Carol - Congratulations on your 1 lb. loss!
Bakewell tarts are basically a pastry crust (I use a mini muffin pan) with a filling made from ground almonds, eggs & sugar with a dab of raspberry jam inside. The filling puffs up like cake when they are baked. I make a big batch, freeze them and defrost one now and then with my cup of tea when I take a break. They have about 80 calories each and are a special treat for me as I love almonds.
Nikki - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 155 to show up on the scale for you on Friday! :
Judy & Freda - Hope everything is going well with you guys!
Hello Fit, Troub, and Mirabai! Here's my bio: I'm a young-at-heart 56 years old, married 37 years with one son (22) who just graduated as an Engineer in June and two adorable Burmese kitties - Teddy & Tommy. I'm a breast cancer survivor (almost 5 years - yay!) and have been battling to lose weight for about 25 years. I was born in England and have lived in the States for 28 years and wouldn't live anywhere else (love it here in Oregon). I work at home in my DH's business (manufacturer's rep) and enjoy gardening on our 3 acres by the Tualatin River. I'm on the board of a fund raising organization that helps women in crisis and provides financial support to a retirement home for those in need. I also enjoy making soaps, crafts and reading. I work out 3x a week at Curves, which I love.
This is the first time I've been successful in sticking to a new way of eating instead of crash dieting and regaining. It's taken me 2-1/2 years to lose 36 lbs. I haven't regained more than a few pounds during that time and have gotten back on track and always managed to start losing again, even after loooooong plateaus! My motto: Quitting is not an option!
I have found wonderful advice and support in this forum and it's made my journey so much more enjoyable. The ladies on this thread have been very welcoming and supportive and I hope you enjoy visiting here as much as I do!
Penny- do you see a difference in the way the English eat and how we eat in America? Also, are we heavier then English people? I just thought that would be interesting to explore.
A little bio on me for the newbies:
I am a 27 year old who has been over weight since 2001 due to numerous health issues. In the last 2 years I have lost 40.8 pounds and have 27 more to go most of which I hope to lose by September.
Nikki - It used to be that people over here were generally heavier than in the UK, but now there is a virtual obesity "epidemic" over there. Brits have always had a 'sweet tooth' with sweet shops on almost every corner and about three times the amount of different candy bars available over there. My personal favorite unheathy food was a Melton Mowbray pork pie (a kind of ham pie with a delicious crust). They now also have all the gourmet foods from Europe that we didn't have when I was a kid. This, coupled with the fact that people drive everywhere instead of walking, is causing a rapid fattening up of the population!
Welcome to all the newbies and there is always room on this site for more folks. Penny your tarts sound wonderful mind sending the exact amts. so I can make some? I like to make soap too. Just started last christmas. Maybe we can share a few ideas. I love mint scents. Thanks Marie I hope you have a wonderful visit be strong. Eat what you want but watch the portions. Take a smaller plate once its gone its gone. I started doing this for dinner. I use a smaller dinner plate looks like I have more food. I was a bit naughty yesterday for dinner I had BLT's. The bacon I did drain well and microwaved but still its bacon no matter how you cut it. The was my biggy for the day. I did use the stairs in and out all day and swam last night a little. So hopefully I didn't mess myself up. It is so easy to get off course. I am packing a healthy lunch with salad, grilled chicken, croutons, tomatoes and peppers. I love that new salad dressing spray its only 10 calories and taste like homemade. I like the red wine vinegar one. Well Judy every change in our eatting patterns becomes a habit after awhile. We all are working together and you have made some good changes after awhile our changes have to show up on the scale. They say if we do something for 10 days straight it becomes a habit. I think this is true. I go in my building at work take a look at the elevator and then walk to the left to take the stair case. It might be easier to take the ele. but the stairs are calling my name. Better choice for sure. Well good luck and Nikki hang in there your doing well. Glad your feeling better. My 5lb. mini goal is friday. Hope I make it and then some. Wishful thinking. Have a nice day I am off to work soon. Gotta have some cereal and blueberries first.
I am having major issues this morning. My parents are splitting up and I am stuck in the middle. This is causing massive stress. Mom is calling me 5-6 times in a 3 hour span and constantly coming in my room crying and stuff. I realize this is stressful for her but I don't think it is right to use me as her support. In addition I get left doing the housework. Getting an apt is not an option right now because of health and finances. Anyhow, yesterday I ate well I thought. I had 2 slices of turkey and rasins for breakfast, a WW meal for lunch and a ceaser salad for dinner. The scale shows a 2 lb gain today. I can only think it is the stress. I worked out yesterday and today and am eating right. Any ideas on what else this could be?
Hopefully, it's still just water weight, but I can only use that for an excuse for so long 
to trob. Wow, you've had a lot of loss in such a short span. That you want to get back on track is wonderful. This is a great group and I hope you find the support you need. I also work for a school district but only have a short (3 weeks) time off in the summer. Past years I've had up to two months and that's when I can diet best. If I'm at home, I have almost zero trouble. It's the world around me that tends to throw me off. Try to set up the structure you learned in WW. Structure in my eating and exercise is what works for me.
That's why I eat when I'm there. So the test begins soon.
I hope you have a nice trip. I'll think of you when you stop over in Portland. I'll have to try your idea about chewing gum when tempted to eat something I shouldn't!
: 
Hello Fit, Troub, and Mirabai! Here's my bio: I'm a young-at-heart 56 years old, married 37 years with one son (22) who just graduated as an Engineer in June and two adorable Burmese kitties - Teddy & Tommy. I'm a breast cancer survivor (almost 5 years - yay!) and have been battling to lose weight for about 25 years. I was born in England and have lived in the States for 28 years and wouldn't live anywhere else (love it here in Oregon). I work at home in my DH's business (manufacturer's rep) and enjoy gardening on our 3 acres by the Tualatin River. I'm on the board of a fund raising organization that helps women in crisis and provides financial support to a retirement home for those in need. I also enjoy making soaps, crafts and reading. I work out 3x a week at Curves, which I love.