Marie - I hope your unpleasant coworker finds a job soon! You're doing great on your calories. I'm trying to stay under 1600. Of course, I don't do anything like the amount of exercise that you do. You are an inspiration!

Carol - What an exciting time for you - a new grandbaby on the way and a wedding to plan - and you still find time for decorating! You are a real dynamo!

Nikki - Don't worry about the little excess calories - success is as close as your next meal. Just focus on your long term goal, an occasional splurge won't make any difference.

Judy - I hope you have a nice time with your sister. Sounds like you had a great weekend. A nice break from all the traveling.

We've been very busy the last few days shopping for furniture and a new washer as we're donating our old stuff to our son, who will be moving to Boise in a couple of weeks. We're giving him our leather sofa set and some other bits and pieces to get him started. He's hoping to rent a house and doesn't have much stuff as the place he's been renting here is furnished. It's taking me a while to absorb this as he just went for the interview a week ago and they want him to start on April 9th. It's sad he won't be here for Easter, but he's really excited so I'm happy for him. I didn't log my calories on the weekend, but I think I did ok. Let's hope we all register a loss this week! :crossed:

Penny - How exciting for your son.

Marie- Irritating co workers stink. I hope things get better


I am pretty happy today I just found out I passed my last state certification exam. This means when I graduate in May I can teach !!!! I did better on eating today. I had bacon for breakfast and a bannana and a south beach bar for lunch.I'll be happy if I maintain on Wednesday's weigh in .


Nikki

Nikki - Congratulations on passing your exam! :yay: :cheer: :carrot:

Nikki congrats to you its a lot of hard work and now your being rewarded for all of your effort you put forth. I wish you all the luck in the world. Are you cert. to teach special ed as well? I only ask because around here they push people to do both wondered if its that way elsewhere? Keep up your hard work with the goal here and you will be golden!
Marie aren't office politics awful but sometimes one can only tolerate so much then yah kind of explode inside and have to release or it makes things even worse for you. I confronted my person and this time that was the best move I could do. Hopefully this guy will move on quickly thinking he is worth more.
Judy the turkey stew was even better second day around. I had it for lunch yesterday wished I had a little hot sauce I bet that would of been good too. I am taking some to mom for her dinner. Gotta an appt. with her on wed. and then we are going shopping for a dress for the wedding for her. She is excited little does she know I am going to get her a wheelchair at the mall. Afterwards she will realize it was best and she can see more lately walking is getting really hard for her she shuffles her feet. Hard to see our parents changing as time goes on very sad. But at 85 she is still a wonderful woman and does a lot.
Cal wise I think I am okay didn't journal too good the last few days but with in my head cal counted. No real sit down dinner last night had to go watch the little grand girls cheerlead. How cute they were 7 and 8 years old. Fun age. My grandson is 10 and he is just getting cuter by the min. my daughter is going to have to fight the girls off. How fun! Dark hair, blk eyes the Italian in him from dad's side and that olive complexion. Ooooh!
Tonight I will fit in some exercise after work. Hope everyone is having a great start to their day. Did anyone read the Womans Day mag? Good info on Sonoma diet great ideas pushing protien and veggies etc...

Thank you Penny an Carol.

My cert wil be for PreK-6 regular ed. However, I a going to find out wht it will take to get certified as an educational technology specialist. I should just need to take 1 more test :) then I wil be dual certified. My goal is to go back to teaching weighing the same thing I did first time around. My first year teaching before I got sick I wore a size 6 suit. If I ahieve my weight goals here I will be there again :) Yesterday I went right back to eating wel and exercising.

Nikki

:bravo: NIKKI!!!! We knoew you'd pass. That is just great news. I hope that tomorrow's weigh in will be nice to you. I'll weigh in next Tuesday when TOM is gone for a few days. It's been several weeks since I weighed and I went on vacation to boot. So I'm not really looking forward to it. Now if I stay on plan till then maybe it won't be too bad.

Carol, I doubt I'd be so lucky to have the twerp quit for a while. He's young and immature - good worker but so immature I want to strangle him. And besides we're still short one person in an office of 5 so him leaving would be icky at this point. I am seriously thinking of rearranging my office so that I don't hear him very much. I bet I do it today. :D

Penny, it's going to be hard having your DS gone - especially after he returned after college for almost a year. It's nice of you to give him a headstart on a few things - plus you get new. :o Our little challenge here has definitely helped me log, even on the weekend. I live by it again - it's so good to be accountable to the little log.

I did 2 miles walking and 2 miles jogging today. After work I'm having my hair trimmed so that will be nice. I had to darken it after Florida since it had bleached so much and always when I color all of it (not just the roots), it gets mad. So a trim is good. Food is on track but I had to have a snack because my breakfast wasn't "big" enough and my vitamins upset it again. So I decided the heck with vitamins. Today is the last day I'll be taking them. Since I'd already gone down to Flintstone vitamins, there's not any lower to go and I eat healthy so I think it should be fine.

Marie

:bravo: Nikki, congratulations!

Marie, let's hope The Voice moves on soon. When I have to work with an irritating person, I end up being even more irritated with myself, because it's so hard to control my own reaction :headache: I'm lucky in that I genuinely like all my coworkers, even when they get on my nerves. We're such a small office it would be hard to have to avoid anyone.

Penny, I'm glad that your son got the job he wanted. And now he'll have a little piece of home to chill out on.

Carol, that stew is pretty good, huh? I've still got some in the freezer. How nice of you to treat your mom to a wheelchair. My mom is a lot younger than yours, but she has a bad knee and I can see where she makes a lot of her decisions based on how much walking might be involved.

My sister is here, overjoyed to be on a real, child-free vacation. It will be over 80 degrees today, a good day to check out the monuments.

Take care--judy

Thank you Thank you :)

Marie- It sounds like you are right on track with your exercise. Way to go!

Nikki

Nikki thats great keep it up and feeling good will help you reach your goals.
Marie I heard about a hairspray that has a sunscreen in it. I am going to ck it out myself as the sun does a number on mine. Especially with my kayaking this year and being right out on the water. I will let you know the name in case your interested. I have been trying to grow mine out so for the wedding I can wear part of it up in the front and let the back flow with some waves or something??? I hired a gal to do the alterations on my daughters gown she is coming to my home on sunday. That took a lot of pressure off of me I would rather pay the price its a local lady very talented. I am getting better with delagations at times of course. Sounds like your going to be just fine on Tues. scale day trying to get back into the swing of things. I made some tacos last night with ground turkey and hot and spicy seasoning the shells were salsa favored oh so good. I am taking the leftover filling for a taco salad for lunch. I really am trying to make some good changes. Recently I started taking a bag of greens to work and salad fixings at lunch its great to just pull it out. Takes 5 min. and is healthy as can be. Also took in a bag of walnuts to keep in my desk for a healthy counted out snack. I feel more in control of my intake recently. I too have avoided the scale but friday will make the effort to get on and see how its going. My clothes fit well except the jacket to the dress for the wedding is a little snug in the sleeves wish that would feel a but nicer maybe with some wt. loss it will happen. I love having the May 10th goal but switched mine to May 6th my daughters Cino Di Mayo wedding shower date. I am trying to add more protein in my diet and veggies saw an article in the March Womans Day Sonoma diet. Just grabbed a few ideas from it. Today I have to take my mom to the surgoen. Hopefully they will decide she doesn't need a breast biopsy. Then we are going shopping for her dress and shoes and I am taking her for dinner out. We haven't done this in a long long time life is short and I need to get a little more involved with her. I guess sometimes we all get wrapped up in our own lifes and miss some important opportunities. As they say don't forget to take some time to smell the roses how true that statement is huh? Marie hope work goes better today. I recently changed my office around it made me feel better actually for what ever reason. Ck it out it might help! I would kill that guy with kindness and he'd think you have flipped if he knows he's not getting to you his game will be lost. Hah hah just a thought. At any rate he will totally be confused and wonder what the heck is wrong with you have you flipped! Take care and I think freezing the stew is a great idea Judy. My sister called and a close relative has to have a bone marrow surgery. I feel so bad for her this summer her son is going to be married the week after my daughter. So sad she will be going in the hospital on the 8th for one month. Thank God her sister is the same type and willing to be a donor. Say some prayers for Kathy if you would. Boy life is so uncertain at times we aren't telling my mom til after Easter. Gotta go take care and keep healthy we an do this challenge and I did my intake yesterday 1450 cals.

Carol-. That hairspray sounds intetersting in the summer I am outside alot. Let me know how it works. I think hiring someone to do the dress is a good thing. Your may 6 goal is so doable. Eating more protein and vegggies is like what I am doing. Good Luck at the surgeon today

I had my weigh in today and lost 1 lb despite my weekend free for all. I am very exciting and hoping to see the 150's within a week. Thank you all for being here and being so supportive :hug:

Nikki

Morning everyone, well I'm still debating changing my office around. The co-worker the talker was talking at went home sick yesterday so he had no one to talk at. It was very pleasant. But he's back at it today so today might be the day. I'm just trying to figure out how I could move the stuff by myself. I'm thinking that's why I haven't done it yet.

I did the 4 mile walk slim this morning. Then I cleaned the kitchen started dinner and started a load of clothes. I was only 5 minutes late for work. :) Not bad considering. My cals were a little lower yesterday so my average is at 1531. The challenge is going to be great for me.

Nikki, congrats on the 1 pound loss. It's so great when the evil scale is cooperative.

Carol, I'v seen hairspray with sunscreen in it. I actually rarely use the stuff - my hair is very fine and if I need to comb it later in the day, many hair break if it's been glued into place. What I need is a conditioner with it in it. And if while I'm dreaming of hair products - how about a gentle shampoo that takes chlorine out and makes my hair stay it's color and not change to green. I discussed the chlorine woes with my stylist yesterday since my pool will be open in a while. She said I was doing everything right and that the texture of my hair (dry and porous) would always be a problem. Bummer.

Judy, I love the description - The Voice. I know what you mean about a small office, we have 5 positions - seems like we rarely have the 5th one sinc ethere's been a vacancy forever. They're all males (except a former co-worker who's temping and decided to apply for the job and I hope she gets it - the guys don't want her but the higher ups do and she's a good friend so I do want her to get it...). I'm sick of male banter if you know what I mean...

Okay, I should start working a bit more...
Marie

Marie - It sounds like you are having a very productive day. 4 miles wow I am always so impressed by how much you can walk.


Nikki

Marie I was lucky enough to have an office mate to help me move my desk and my sect. as well. Those things are so bulky and heavy don't do it yourself you have to protect your back. No setback is worth that coworker bugging you. Good luck and congrats on the staying on plan. I took mom to the doctors with a good report hurray then out to dinner. I had fried haddock a big no no so thats my naughty day this week. The rest of my day was good though. Todays lunch is some more of my turkey stew from ww recipe. So that and an apple breakfast was on the mark so I am headed for a good day. Also going walking or to the gym after work today. Hanging out with mom in the store was a whole new experience and eye opener to how much her abilities have decreased. We had a few good laughs and that was good. I have to tell yah all she has some carpal tunnel going on in one hand . So I ask her where the support is for it. Well in the bag she says so we take it out it was for the wrong hand and the poor thing was wearing the metal support on the top of her wrist. Well no wonder it wasn't helping we laughed and went to buy her a new one for the left hand. Gotta love her!
Nikki congrats on the 1 lb. thats great. If I stay away from fried fish I might be reporting a loss soon too. I will try to keep it in gear and move forward no sense in crying over spilled milk at least I didn't eat all the breading. That counts for something.
Take care and keep up the good work. Maybe I should do a count down of days stuck to my computer screen as a reminder of my goal of 5/6.

Morning all, it's a cold morning but the sun is out so that's nice. It's supposed to warm up to the mid 60's. I'm going to make myself an iced coffee when I get home from work and sit in the beautiful sunshine. As long, of course, that I stay on track diet wise and can afford the calories.

I did the 4 mile walk slime again this morning. I slept on my neck funny and it's a bit stiff. It's the second time since I got this new pillow. On Saturday I'm shopping for a new one again.

Calories were a little low yesterday. I was full after dinner so I couldn't add the remainders in. Ah, I wish I had that "problem" every day.

Carol, excellent news that your mother is doing alright. Funny story on the wrist guard. Upside down, they'd be very uncomfortable.

Nikki, it took me a while to work up to the 4 miles. This past fall I was doing 5 miles but for some odd reason it stopped me from losing weight, so I dropped back down a mile. Doesn't mean that I don't walk more after work but I don't worry about that mile or two since it's rarely planned.

I still haven't moved the office around but I did talk to the Voice's mgr and hoped that telling him that when he and the Voice talk over their computers it's very loud. Since it started again this morning, I don't think it helped. If I could just get the stupid state reports down I'd have time to rearrange. Maybe if I stopped surfing??? :)

Hi to Judy and Penny!
Marie

Marie she is a trip that mom of mine. Today she called and said she lost the wedding shower invite for my daughter. I said MOM no you didn't they haven't been mailed yet. I think she had it confused with another invite. Gotta love her. Well today I didn't get to exercise but my cals were around 1500. Not enough water today I forgot to take it to work. Usually I drink about 32 oz. at work and then some more at home. The water at work isn't good so I need to bring it in. Theres would rust my pipes for sure. Well take care and have a good evening all.

Hi all. Just a quick check in for me. Sorry I've been MIA but I've been rushing about getting ready for our fashion show and tea tomorrow. I just finished baking 100 macaroons and I'm hoping to get an early night as I'll be up bright and early tomorrow to take my car load of stuff to the venue. I've been doing fairly well sticking to my calories so I hope my weigh in tomorrow will show a bit of a loss. I'll catch up with you when this madness ends! :faint:

Penny good luck the fashion show and the cookies sound great. Those are one of my naughty favorites. The frost is on the ground this morning just a reminder that its not totally over with yet with cold weather. We are only to be in the 40's for awhile. But I will take it if sunshine comes with it. I am starting off my day with a nice bowl of oatmeal w/ walnuts and cinn. also a pice of sprout toast I am hooked on that. I am taking stuff for lunch healthy foods that is but the girls may want to order out so I am covering all my bases in case it doesn't happen. Some folks spend at least 30 a wk on lunches I am not one of them. But once in awhile its nice. Its suppose to be a nice weekend and I hope to exercise by walking too. Well take care off to start my day.

Carol I hear you about co-workers spending many $$$ on lunch. We're left with only one but last year it was 3 of the 5 of us. The 2 of us that earn the most in the office always brought a lunch and shook our heads at those that wasted their money. My DH would be so angry if I went out to lunch everyday. Last year I decided Friday's were my day to join them but that stopped because I'd rather have toys then high cal foods. :)

Penny, here's hoping the show goes great. I'd have eaten all the macaroons so it's good that you're making them not me. ;)

I did the 4 miles walk slim again this morning. Yesterday's cals were a tad higher (1645) but my average since the challenge started is 1531 so I'm not bummed. I did step on the dreaded box and it wasn't too friendly but I wasn't overly surprised. I was not vigilant on vacation and a week after so I have ground to make up. I do believe if I'm not ever vigilant I'll always be fat even with all the exercise. Just call me a vigilante against my fat cells.

Today is Friday and no matter what the evil scale said, I'm in a fabulous mood. I live for weekends. :)
Marie

Whew! The fashion show and tea is OVER and I'm enjoying a nice margarita after my DH and I went out for a sushi dinner. I didn't eat since breakfast today, so at least my calories are under control. Everything went well and we got lots of compliments. The only problem was that nobody could figure out the thermostat and it was about 85 deg. during the show. Our DS turned up to help with clean up and soon figured out the thermostat and we had it a nice cool 65 deg. Soaking my feet in ice water at the moment and maybe I'll have another margarita. :hat:

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hi, I'm still out here, just lost with my sister in Vacationland...eating too much and not exercising enough. But she's leaving on Sunday, the damage ha been done, and I am very glad to have had this downtime, and . So I'll begin again--fall down six times, get up seven.

I will catch up on all the posts later. But, Penny, congratulations on having survived the fashion show :cp:

judy

Margarita wow Penny you go girl you deserved every drop of that drink. I am having the Cino Di Mayo party for my daughters shower any good margarita punch recipes anyone?? Or mexican dishes? We are going to do taco salads one of each chicken, beef and veggie only crumble in it maybe. I have a taco layered appt. to do too. Well gotta fly the bride to be just came to pick me up to shop!

Penny - congrats on surviving. :)

I just wanted to pop in and say hello. I will post more later.

Nikki

Hi everyone. I had a fun day yesterday. DH and I went to Medford (over the mountain) and had a good time. We spent loads (we bought the wood stove that we're going to install after DS, almost DIL, and DGS move out next December. They were having a season ending sale so it was worth it. Since I'm exercising for it, I'm in the hole a little over $1000 but on the bright side I had earned 550 towards it since I bought the iPod at Thanksgiving. I also got some new clothes and stuff. Very expensived ay but no regrets...

Yesterday I did the 4 mile Walk Slim and this morning I did 3 miles jogging and 1 mile walking. I also promised the doggies a walk around the 1.5 mile block. Food was low yesterday but Friday a 100 cals high. So far on the challenge, I'm averaging 1538 cals per day. So I'm on target. :) I do like this challenge.

My exercise totals for March was 103.75 miles. That includes walking, jogging and snowshoeing (which should count for twice the amount of miles since it's twice as hard but alas, I just stick with the actual miles. I was pleased that even with vacation and such I was over 100.

Penny good job on finishing the fashion show successfully. Now since I'm always freezing 85 sounds great to me.:swim: Almost like at the beach...

Carol, I hope your shopping was as fun as mine.

Judy, good to see you and good luck getting back on track. Vacations always throw me off a bit even when I get home.

Nikki, I hope your weekend is going great.
Marie

Okay, my sister is headed back home and I've thrown away the carmel corn and put the remaining M&Ms in the freezer :broc: . Now, back to the challenge! We had a great time together, I'm very glad we had this chance to hang out, just the two of us. I'm not looking forward to going back to the grind, where it looks like we are having serious financial problems. I don't want to start thinking about this until it's officially Monday...

Penny, I hope you got to enjoy your weekend, you deserve it!

Carol, the Cinco de Mayo party sounds fun. I love authentic Mexican food. Cooking Light magazine has some great recipes if you look at their website. I'm with you and Marie re brown-bagging it at work. Besides the expense, you have better control of ingredients and portion sizes if you pack your own lunch. Eating out most meals last week I would exclaim over the size of the servings and promptly renew my membership to the Clean Plate Club:rolleyes: . I guess I should tackle the scale tomorrow morning, but I really don't want to know the extent of the damage, and just focus on working my program.

Marie, way to go on the March exercising :cheer2: . I'll have to check out the 4-mile walk. The 5-mile walk is okay, it just takes longer than I usually have time for during the week. Now that the weather's perking up (it's cherry blossom season here, beautiful, beautiful), I'll be walking outside more , yaay! I bought some new walking shoes last week--actually, running shoes, which the personal trainer said might be better for me given my weight and my bad knees.

Nikki, here's hoping that you see some good numbers on the scale this week :D

Gotta stop sulking about work, and get myself organized for whatever comes this week. Hope everyone's week gets off to a great start!

judy

Judy - Good for you for tossing the carmel corn - that stuff is addictive! I love the new broccoli guy :broc: - he reminds me to eat my veggies. Try not to think about Monday yet - I hope things go better for you at work.

Marie - I bet you'll enjoy your wood stove - we have one and it's really cozy. You probably won't get to use it much till next winter, although it was around freezing here this am. You are doing fantastic with your walking program.

Carol - Cinco de Mayo parties are always so much fun. I don't have a margarita punch recipe, but it would be pretty easy to make one up with a couple of bottles of margarita mix, triple sec and tequila plus a lot of ice.

Nikki - I hope you had a relaxing weekend.

I've been catching up with work all weekend as I was busy with the fashion show preparations all last week. I was half asleep doing my month end bookkeeping this morning, so I hope I didn't mess up too much. Our son's house he was hoping to rent in Boise was rented to someone else, so he's scrambling to find something before he leaves with his U-Haul on Thursday at 6am. My DH and DS decided it was best to drive to Boise today and look around on Monday. That way they can share the driving so it's not so bad. They have a couple of places to look at and his new employer has someone helping out looking too. It all came about so fast he really hasn't had time to do much searching for a home as his last day at work at his old job was on Friday. I haven't been eating very healthy and so I'm going to have to make an effort to get back to my normal routine next week. On Tuesday it's my turn to host my chapter's monthly meeting, so there will be 16-20 for lunch! Luckily it's a potluck, but still quite a bit of work to do. I hope I get a good night's sleep soon as I'm running on empty right now.

Have a good start to the new week and month everyone.

Marie- Good job on your exercise. Sounds like you had yet another nice weekend.

Judy - Sounds like a nice time you had with your sister.

Penny- Did your son manage to find a place?

I had an ok weekend eating wise. I know I had a bit to much salty food so I will need to drink lots of water this week. It looks like my exercise will be on hold again. I have developed a presure ulcer on my foot and it hurts to walk let alone do hip hop or kick boxing. I'm kind of down about that. However, I have decided to try atkins after Easter to push my weight loss. Since south beach seems to work ok but slow Atkins might go better.

Nikki

Nikki a friend of mines doctor just recommended Atkins diet. So if thats so it must be good for us I figure. I haven't ever tried it myself a friend did but that was years ago when they pushed eating lots of protien red meat etc. I think now they say fish, lean meats etc.... I will have to ck it out giving up fruit is big for me. With south beach that was always something I regreted. Sounds like I wasn't alone with the being off track this weekend. To much munching and ordering and having lunch out. My daughter and I accomplished a lot for her wedding this weekend. Actually went out saturday and sunday to shop. We had lunch out on saturday a veggie bagel sandwich healthy but high in cals the bagel part. So I am on track today have my lunch packed and ready to go. I made bread in the breadmachine yesterday first time in a year I think. I made a bread with molasses and part whole wheat flour. No one else tried it and it was light and tasty. So I made a 1/2 of a pork roast sandwich for work. The rest of the bread I put in the freezer and will save for Easter. Well take care and yes its monday lets get moving girls. I am doing my journal and exercising today forsure. Getting back on track is never easy but I know if I make up my mind I can do this. Have a great healthy eating day with some exercise and we will all feel better and on our way to a healthier life style.

I was dreading today, but it wasn't so bad. I think meditating is really helping. Plus I did my long morning walk (50+minutes) on my way in this morning) which helped walk off anxiety. It was good to know that even though I was too slow and disorganized to get in a workout, I was still able to fit in a walk. Today is Day One of no sugar or unplanned snacks. It's amazing how quickly the ol' sweet tooth comes back, once I let it out of the cage!:devil:

Nikki, bummer about your foot! I don't konw what a pressure ulcer is. But I have neuromas that flare up sometime, and found a resource called Footsmart online that sells all kinds of helpful stuff. My sister is develoing a bunion, and she was excited to see my catalog.

Penny, that's a lot of people to host, even if it is a potluck! I hope you have fun.

Marie, hope you're having a good day!

judy

Judy- Way to go on your walk.

Happy Monday everyone. Things are back to normal at work - the phone is ringing, servers are dying, etcs. Spring break was so quiet except the VOICE who is still irritating me. I think he's irritating, not just his voice. I haven't done a lick of MY work and I have 53 minutes left of the day. Perhaps tomorrow I can do something that has to do with my job.

Okay, I did 2 miles walking and 2 miles jogging (walk away the pounds videos) this morning. Then I remembered my pride in having jogged outdoors 8 days ago and it was so much harder than jogging in place. So, I used my son's treadmill and jogged a half mile. So 4.5 miles today. That last half mile was the hardest by far but I was so proud to do that. I'm going to add that in daily and see if the weight can move downwards.

Did I ever tell you all that the minor foot surgery last November didn't work and the ward didn't go away. Well, I switched from my family practice dr. to my podiatrist. I see him now every week till it's gone. Much better follow up. So I'm now hopeful on that.

Sounds like I was the odd ball by staying on plan this weekend. Both days were on par and I was happy about that since eating would have been a fun choice. I'm pretty sure my sweet tooth will never go away and my piggy wants won't either. Oh how I wish we all had a fast metabolism...

Nikki, good luck with Adkins. I personally hated it. Absolutely hated it. I don't like meats very much, not fond of eggs and I'm allergic to peanut butter. For me it was a total bust. But I can see it would work for someone that likes most sources of protein. DH lost weight on it when we tried. I just learned to hate meat even more.

Judy, I'm sorry work is so stressful. Finances in all fronts (except perhaps private industry) are in bad shape. Education has all these expectations but no funding to get there - and the stupid No Child Left Behind has made administrative work but I bet hasn't helped one child. Okay, NCLB is a pet peeve even though it ensures job security for me - the database person who has to do the loads of reports required by NCLB...

Carol, I have a great bread machine recipe that uses molasses and oatmeal. It's very low fat and beyond delicious. I love it too much. :) So I bet yours was great. BTW, my kids and DH only like white bread but they kill to get some of the Sweet Oatmeal Bread.

Penny, I hope your son found a place today. At least he knows his new employer really wants him since they're helping to look.

Well, that's it for now. I'll chat with you all tomorrow.
Marie

Marie hurray for you being the odd ball congrats in your corner today. Wish I had been better. Yesterdays intake wasn't bad except for a few jelly beans whom fell into my hands and filped into they mouth! Around 1 yesterday afternoon we had word that they were doing an audit on our dept and the rest of the agency. That means all pulling together as a team and gathering lots of back billing and files and putting it together in a short period of time. It was really nice to see my dept work together as a team and it only shows how good we are when we do that step instead of making our own little clicks etc.. To say the least other depts whom can't find their info. will also be contacting us for files. And I managed to make a parent upset last week and had to calm her down today. Sometimes folks take things the wrong way or don't like to face the truth and me saying something that triggered her. Oh! Well thank God that doesn't happen often to me and it was a lesson well learned to watch how I say something and not to compare. I never said I was perfect by any means but I strive to be good at what I do. Marie I have a wart on my thumb which I have been treating just when I think its gone it rules its ugly self again a little. Someone told me to us duck tape and it can't breath and will die? Who knows I didn't try it maybe I should. Judy good for you walking to work wish I could it would take me days. I am trying to use the stairs instead of the elevator parking out a ways etc. Nikki keep up your good work. Penny your just really a little hostess at heart wish you were here I'd ask for your help with the wedding shower. The invites are out my sister called me yesterday, oh what the heck is a Cinco Di Mayo shower? I told her to relax enjoy and have a little mexican flare in her life. She will think of something to bring as an appetizer. People are always so quick to judge they should learn to live a little I think and try something new and different. We are also having baked zita and salad for those whom won't go mexican. After all this is the brides choice not theirs. Well hope you all have a good day. I had my 2 slices of sprout bread which added up to 10 fibers and 12 proteins to start my day and 240 cals. Salad with tuna for lunch with veggies and a yogurt. Chicken grilled for dinner off to a good start today! No easter candy allowed!

Morning Chickies, Tuesday is here and to me it's like the day after Christmas. Why????

THEY ARE MOVING OUT!!!! DS1, almost DIL and DGS are looking at a place today and move this weekend. Oh joyous day. I did say that when they move out that it will be permanent and that we'd convert our garage back and that will be it. They understood and I am so happy about it!!!! I get my garage back. No more scraping ice off the windshield and my craft room will nolonger be the storage room. YEAH!!!!

I also lost the rest of the 2 pounds that Friday's weigh in said I'd gained. So that was good. I also did 3.5 WATP and .5 miles jogging on the treadmill. Since the real jogging really gets the heartrate up and I get sweaty so I'm adding it in permanently. I'm going to add .1 mile each week so that by May I'll be doing 1 mile real jogging. Wow-wee. Who would have ever guessed???

Carol, I'm sorry your client got upset. One never knows how a conversation will be interpretted by the other person. I'm glad that your dept is working together. Isn't a work environment an interesting place???

Hi to everyone else.
Marie

Congrats Marie

Congrats on your good news Marie! :carrot: It will be nice for you to have the extra room. I know you've been looking forward to it.

Carol - Aren't office politics great? I remember how it was when I worked outside of my home years ago. Some things never change. It sounds like you are eating very healthy - I'll have to follow your example!

Judy - I'm glad the meditating is helping. I know what you mean by sugar being addictive. I've had more sugar than usual lately and it's hard when you try to cut back again.

Nikki - I hope your foot heals soon.

I have my group's monthly luncheon/meeting here today and I'm expecting 16-20 gals. I wasn't feeling well yesterday and went to my doc and it turns out I have a bladder infection. I'm feeling a bit better today after mega doses of antibiotics. No wonder I've been feeling even more tired than usual lately. The good news is our son found a nice house to rent in Boise. It's only about a year old 3 b/r 2 baths so at least he now has a place to move his stuff to on Thursday. It was a good thing they went to look as the other house looked ok in the photo but was a total dump in a crummy area. Well, I'd better put the kettle on - these ladies drink copious amounts of tea!

Oddballs rule...well, at least they do when they're posting a loss. Way to go, Marie! And you're getting your space back, too. That's great news.

Carol, I don't walk all the way to work, that would be a few more miles, I just get off the subway a few stops early. I didn't have a lot of time this morning, but I just got off in time to walk for 25 minutes. Your meal plan for the day sounds yummy and incredibly healthy.

Penny, I'm sorry to hear that you're on antibiotics, but at least you're on the mend. It would be a major drag to be in the midst of a bladder infection while being a hostess.

Nikki, I hope you like Atkins. You seem to be more disciplined than I am! It was too restrictive for me, so I kept sabotaging it, but I know people who have lost lots of weight that way. It's especially important to stay well hydrated on a very-low-carb plan like that, and drink lots and lots of water....

So I've been planning for some time to cancel my Curves membership, I just haven't gotten over there to do it. Then yesterday a coworker who I'd really encouraged to check out activities that would help her with her health and "me time" proudly waved her new Curves keycard at me and said that she's looking forward to going to Curves with me sometimes....:?: So I guess I will start going again myself, at least for a little while.

judy

Marie I wish my work environment was a little easier but yes it is an interesting place. We had a real big audit this week and so another dept. sent us a huge pizza for helping them with info. gathering as they knew we were busy with our own. Of course I ate it instead of my nice salad with tuna but I will have that today. But for dinner I made an omelet with lots of veggies no toast thats it for the evening. So I tried to gain back my control something thats not always easy to do after induldging. gOOD FOR YOU LOSING THAT REST OF THE TWO LBS. Keep it up! Wow they really are going huh? Congrats on being such a good sport while they were with you I know its not so easy to have folks around all the time. Thank God my SIL has her own area and we have some privacy too. The hubby went Tues. for his echoe and the dr. would contact us if need be they setup a 6 months appt. when he was there as normal. Well he got a letter in the mail yesterday and they want him back in 4 months the dr.'s orders to chg it. So now I am a bit concerned to whats up did they see a change? In the past they started to watch him closely thats why the echoe every 6 months. Any chg. would most likely mean surgery something he isn't sure he will get. Now that will become a bit of a battle most likely. I understand his fear as if he is laid up for any length of time he could lose his ability to walk again due to his other health issues. Oh so sorry for going on I guess it is bothering me more than I thought. Maybe I will call the doctor today to ask whats up and at least I will know whats truely going on before 8/16.
Judy just read an article about meditating and that helps you to lose wt. being clam etc. So now we know what are problem with no loss to much stress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Penny hope your feeling better soon its spring no time for sickness the season is too short and lots to do.
Nikki keep it up girl!
Judy way to go with a buddy. Time will fly by and I bet going there will be better and on a more regular basis. Good luck with it.
I am stopping at the gym on the way home today. I have a couple of meeting this afternoon and need to stop to buy my ham for sunday. Then its off to the gym. I am thinking about having fish for dinner tonight. I whipped up some cookie dough for cutouts last night for my grandaughters class. The kids are coming to cut them out and bake and frost tonight. I wasn't planning on doing this but she asked and how could I say no? It will be okay and how proud she will be to bring in such a nice treat for her friends. Well gotta go and beat the city traffic. Hang in there and be good every chg. for the good has to make a difference eventually huh?

Carol-
You are such a nice grandmother. I remember baking with my grandma when I was a kid. She taught me everything I know about baking. Wonderful memories I will always cherish.

Judy- It depends on the day as to whether I am disciplined LOL. I plan to start Atkins on Tuesday I will let you know how it goes.

I had a blip this week. I am up a pound. I saw it coming though so I am not to down. Back to healthy eating today through Saturday I'll eat what I want with moderation on Sunday. Then Tuesday Atkins....


Nikki

Morning everyone, we're halfway through the workweek. DS and almost DIL looked at the townhouse they want to rent and really liked it. So they filled out the application and should hear today. Oh please let it go through without problem (which it should - they'd never skipped out on rent, have good credit and a good reference from their past landlord). So this weekend will be move day. I'm so excited!!!!!

I did 4 miles WATP and .5 miles real jogging. The treadmill is starting to make weird squeak noises occasionally - DH heard them this morning and said he had no idea. I did mention yesterday that I like it and plan to buy my own and I don't be cheap... Perhaps sooner than later if the squeaks don't stop. Food was right on yesterday so the challenge is going great for me. Thanks to everyone for getting me totally back on track.

Judy, I think it's totally great that you get off the subway early and walk. That does take dedication since you'd have to allow the time. Great job and perhaps Curves will be okay with your friend. If not, speak up and say that it isn't working for you.

Carol, I'd definitely call the dr. and find out why the change. The unknown for 4 months would be horrible. Nip the anxiety in the butt and call them.

Penny, I'm so sorry you have another bladder infection. Perhaps your dr. could do a long term, low dose macrodantin regimen. I did that whne I had chronic UTIs and after 6 months of low dose macrodantin (an antibiotic only for UTIs that doesn't cause yeast infections), no more UTIs. Tha was about 10 years ago and I'd had UTIs for 15 years straight. I did have one about 4 years ago but that was it.

Nikki, good luck with the resolve. Be careful on Sunday. I read a really good article a few onths ago about diet sabotage. It was about eating perfectly 6 days out the week and then letting go on the other day. The article put into calorie numbers and showed how in one day you can easily consume more calories than you saved during the 6 previous days. Made me think that's for sure.

I came up with a really wonderful spring drink yesterday. I love lemonade (sugar-free) so I had about 1.5 cups yesterday and added 1 cup frozen strawberries (from last year's garden) and ran it through the blender till smooth. It was so good and tasty. About 50 calories and I sipped on it while overlooking my pool after work. It's going to be a daily ritual as the strawberries are so good for me. Just thought I'd share.
Marie

Marie- That drink sounds delicious. I am going to gave to try it but adapt it for low carb somehow.

I get what you are saying about the calories. When I say I am going to eat what I want it usually means 1 meal Dinner and desert. I will prob have a light yogurt for breakfast. Keep it max 2000 since I normally only eat 1200 a day I have room to play for 1 day I think.

Nikki

Nikki a lb. is okay as it could be related to water, salt who knows. But your smart in watching it to make sure it doesn't increase. Keep us posted on the Atkins diet when you start. i'm with you on the fond memories I used to bake with my gram. She would have bags of flour 25lbs. bags. Wow great memories.
Marie congrats and I hope they get the place. I did just that called the doctor yesterday and the nurse called back and said oh sometimes he just gets something in his head (dr.) and writes 4 instead of 6. According to her nothing appeared to be different and I am glad I called. Hopefully she is on the right track? Oh have the hubby chk to see if the thing the belt goes on needs oil to take care of the squeak. Marie that drink sounds yummy. I might try that myself. Oh the pool hah hah up North East here we woke up to a white yard just lightly snowing bah hum bug! Penny no fun hope you feel better real soon those can be nasty. I am off to hopefully a good day at work. I only have to work til 2:30 I have an eye appt. to replace my glasses Bear chewed on weeks ago. Take care and keep it moving!