Happy weekend everyone! Sorry I haven't been around for a couple days, but the nasty virus (cold) made it's way back to me. I guess I should be thankful for the 1 week reprieve. DGS had gotten a 2nd cold and I couldn't resist him so I got it.

But for the great news... You all know I've been tracking my walking miles and I made it over 800 miles this week. We'll I've paid myself $1 for every mile and have been saving for a new projector for my home theater. I BOUGHT IT YESTERDAY!!!!!!! Today is movie day (especially since I'm sick). I reached my goal. Took me a few days shy of 10 months, but I did it.

Food intake is still good. Weighloss is almost non-existent. I did lose .4 pound this week. I'll take it. I don't really care how long it takes to lose this fat, just so I lose it.

Oh other fun stuff. I bought new pjs at Costco. They had S, M, L, and XL. I did not buy XL for the first time in a long time, I bought L. And they fit perfectly and I'm wearing them right now. How cool is that???

Penny, Judy is right, Leslie's DVDs can be chatty but she entertains me so much that the time flies. To be honest, I know all her mannerisms and chatter in the videos that I mimic them during the whole thing. Whatever keeps me entertained, right??? Besides, I really like the exercise itself. It's something I can do for life.

Judy, search for shoes??? Last I heard you were searching for sandals. Right??? I hate shoe shopping. I'm very picky on fit. Actually I hate socks more. If the stupid seam over the toes isn't in just the right place, it drives me batty. I often take my shoes off during the day and move it around. What I need to do is find seamless socks for very narrow feet, then my dilemma would be solved.

Carol, good for your upper management in taking that stressful decision away. I love Kohl's too. There are (were) none around here but the Mervyn's in the mall over the mountain folded and the Kohl's signs are up. They're supposed to open this month. I'd been addicted to Kohl's when we lived in Minnesota and every trip to anywhere, it's the only place I look for. Their clearance sales are to die for. Can you tell I'm excited to have one relatively close by???

Well, that's it for now. It's almost movie time. But I'm going to exercise first. I do need a new goal to walk for. I haven't decided what yet.
Marie

Marie - Congrats on fitting into the smaller pj's! :carrot: You're doing fantastic with all that walking - 800 miles WoW! :running: You are a real inspiration! I hope you soon get over your cold - what a bummer getting another one so soon.

Carol - I'm glad the job stress has eased a bit :stress: I hope you can reach your Thanksgiving goal. I love oatmeal too. We had a big lunch today for hubby's birthday, so I just had some oatmeal for dinner. I always seem to sleep better if I have oatmeal before bed.

Judy - Thanks for the encouragement about the test results. You're right - I'm doing everything I possibly can (eating right, exercising, losing weight) so the CRP should eventually come down. I don't envy you shoe shopping. I hate buying new shoes - I have such a hard time finding comfortable ones because of the arthritis bone spurs in my feet. I have a couple of pairs that I've had repaired about six times because they are comfy! I wear my New Balance sneakers with my orthotics most of the time now. I'd love to wear heels, but my ankles are too unstable.

I tried on a wool coat I bought last year that was a bit tight and it now fits perfectly! I'm definitely feeling thinner, even though it's not showing on the scale yet - I'm hoping for a loss by next Friday's weigh in. I don't think I'll make my Christmas goal at this rate, but you never know!

Penny, great news on the coat. Sometimes losing weight is like a whole new wardrobe if you kept the clothes. Last year, DH got me a purple leather coat for my birthday (was in August) and I sent it back because it was an 18 and I was trying to lose weight. I exchanged it for a 14. To say the least, it never fit all last winter. Last month I pulled the tags off it and have been wearing it in the mornings to work. Sure feels good, doesn't it??

Okay, movie day. DS, DGS and I watched Star Wars Episode 1 and 2. I've never seen Star wars (prided myself on the fac that I never conformed). But DS has all 6 so we're watching them order. I'm not a science fiction fan so it was hard to get into it, but I'm starting to enjoy it. 10 hours more and I'll know the whole story. :)
Marie

Marie make sure you get a charge card then the extra savings and special deals will come your way. Great kids dept. I got an extra 30% off of every sale item and etc. I saved big bucks even got a new coffee maker thats way cool. Nice having a housemate she is really fair and put in half too. Wow this is working out quite nicely. She even went with the kids to do something the other day when I was a bit too busy. Congrats on the 800 soon will be 1,000 before you know it. Hurray Marie! Sorry your a bit under the weather. I have a little drip coming on must of caught it from them cute kids. We went on a hike in my woods, ck'd out some nature and the horses in back of our land. Then picked grapes. I made grape jam 3 batches, applesauce, butternut squash for the freezer and managed a little yard work. Its been a busy but productive long weekend and I shopped. The girl friends and I went to the casino. Fun weekend! Burned some cals and exercised. No scale yet but the clothes fit okay. So I must be alright so far.
Penny glad you are doing so well. I have enjoyed my oatmeal with some dried cherries not too many, walnuts, a tab of brown sugar and cinn. dash of milk. Oh so good and it is the kind of carb, to slowly burn off so you feel fuller longer. I am reading a new book called Natural Energy Boosters. Quite interesting and lots of good ideas and facts. I am in hopes it will motivate me a little extra for a boost. Well gotta go get ready for work. Judy hope your shoe shopping is done. But if not have any of you tried those new plastic looking clogs? My SIL has problems with her feet do to her illness she loves the crocks or something like that they are called. About 29.00 or so. Gotta get the right ones Eastern Mountain store sells them and most sports shops. Even if you get them for around the house and weekends it may help your toes to feel comfy.
I am trying my best to eat helathy and exercise this week.

Hi Carol, sounds like you had a good weekend. I started the echinecea again and am feeling better. Work was bad yesterday - crashing and dead servers - but hey, what else to expect on Monday. So far today the day looks okay. Cool thing is that the server that died was the phone system one and there's no phone calls. YEAH!!!

I didn't weigh in since it's TOM and why bother. Friday I will get on the stubborn scale.

I walked 3 miles on the mountain roads after work yesterday and then did a 2 mile jog/1 mile walk this morning. I ordered 2 more of Leslie's videos that the other thread I post on recommended. Variety.

Well, back to work.
Marie

Hi! I had a busy, long weekend--busy sleeping. It was one of those times when despite my best intentions, I just shut down and recharge, which is what I guess I most needed to do. I did spend an afternoon shoe shopping. I gave up on finding bargains, finally, and bought three pairs of sturdy, comfortable shoes--Clark's, Born, and Easy Spirit. My feet are picky, too, so I hope none of them 'turn' on me and end up hurting. My computer guy came over and did a little trouble-shooting for me, too, so I can spend the next few weekends bonding with my new desktop and loading programs like Quicken onto it.

I worked out quite a bit, between naps, and rigorously tracked my portions. The November issue of Fitness has a really scary article about misjudging portion sizes and calories, it's worth checking out. But today I have something weird going on with a muscle or nerve in my side, so I keep twisting in my chair as if I can stretch it away.

Marie, congrats on earning that new projector! What a nice way to recuperate from a bug, hours zoning out in front of a fantasy spectacle while wearing new, smaller pjs:cool: . I am glad that you're feeling better and are back on the trail.

Carol, I have seen those shoes everywhere! I can't wear clogs without a backstrap, but these have a strap so they should work. They would be okay for hanging out on the weekends, but not what I need for office wear. They look like fun, though! I should try 'em on just to see how they feel. Good luck with your goals this week.

Penny, isn't it nice to fit into your old coat? Congratulations, the scale will catch up sooon with reality. I have a closet full of coats and jackets that I'm just 10 pounds or so away from being able to wear comfortably again. I have arthritis in my hips and especially in my knees, plus I just don't like wearing shoes :) . I walk a lot, so it's really important to have the right shoes. My mom taught me never to pay full price for anything, which makes it a little more challenging....

Time for our staff potluck. I brought fruit salad. I also made "Texas caviar" but the recipe must of had a typo, that was way too much salt, so I left it at home :(

judy

Judy those shoes are well worth a try. Maybe not for work etc. but for wearing with jeans or messing around on weekends. Hers have a back strape too. Thats all she wore all summer and with her arthritis it all worked out very well for her that normally can't wear much else. Sometimes she has to buy shoes bigger to fit her feet. Good luck!
I did pretty good today with my intake. Healthy breakfast with oatmeal, lunch I had a veggie sub 6" from subway. Then for dinner some leftover pot roast and boiled cabbage, butternut squash. Nuts for a snack and a pear from my tree. Well all in all not so bad. I jumped on here to stay away from the kitchen. Hah hah! Less cals.
Marie your school wasn't closed on monday? I hope your feeling better?
Penny hows it going????????????? Looks like we lost everyone else too bad huh? Well it happens sometimes. I roam onto different sites but always keep this one. Have a good evening. Eat healthy, and keep moving.

I thought I was handling yesterday's 'interesting' news at work pretty well, but then I went home and had a beer and two handfuls of tortilla chips, so I guess I was kinda stressed! My boss told me and the other manager something in confidence which will have ramifications on several levels. It isn't a horrible thing, but it will set many changes in motion and force me to take on a bigger leadership role than I want right now. I'll be glad when this is out in the open--others suspect something is up, and I don't like lying to my colleagues. I'm not even comfortable saying more here yet.

Anyway, my side feels a little better, so I will go to Curves today. I haven't worked out since Monday, although I walked for about 20 minutes this morning. My feet are complaining, especially one of my toes--I can't tell if it's my new shoes, old shoes or something else, so I will go ahead a schedule a visit to the podiatrist. It's always something!

Carol, It's good that you 'jumped in here to stay away from the kitchen.' I will try to do that more often in the evening, which is always my danger zone. We have lots of leftovers at work from yesterday's potluck. I brought a salad from home which I'll make sure to eat first. Byt then I should be too full to indulge in anything else.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

judy

Hi Judy, Carol and Penny.

Yeah, Carol, looks like we've lost a number of posters. I guess that happens. Mostly I worry that they fell off the wagon and aren't here because of that. I hope that's not the case.

Judy, sorry about the stresses at work. Sometimes it's hard knowing something that will affect many and you can't do anything about it or warn them. It is stressful. Sorry about the foot problem.

I jogged 2 miles and walked 1 mile this morning. I really hadn't wanted to mosey from my nice comfy bed, but I did. So that was good.

We don't have Columbus Day off so work, work work. Actually, funny story about it. Last week when interviewing the job contestants, one was Native American and at the end of the interview we asked if he had any questions. He asked about benefits. Co-worker said we have all federal holidays, then glance at me (I'm shaking my head) and he goes, oh yeah, no Columbus Day. The contestant said that was quite alright - his people didn't celebrate it anyway. It was delivered so deadpan, it was funny.

Well, back to work.
Marie

Marie - That was kind of funny how the Native American guy wasn't so keen on celebrating Columbus Day! Yes, it's too bad that some of our posters are awol. At least we're still here - right? I think Nikki was trying to lose without obsessing about the scale. Whatever works for her. For myself, I need to weigh regularly so that I know where I'm at and can catch myself before I start gaining!

Judy - I hope your foot problem and the pain in your side get better soon. I'm glad you were able to work out at Curves again. I always find it helps with stress when I do my workout. I'm sure things will turn out for the best for you at work. Your bosses must have a lot of confidence in you if they want you to take on more responsibility.

Carol - Sounds like you had a busy but happy weekend. I love being outside at this time of the year. I still feel like it's a miracle when I can pick delicious pears and figs right from the tree and eat them. I'll have to get some of those Crocs. I'm always looking out for comfy shoes. I like those Subway sandwiches too now and then - not too bad in calories at all.

I've been getting some nice compliments lately - that really helps me to stay the course, especially when I've been feeling like I'm looking dumpy.

I enjoyed my workout at Curves today. Several of the 'regulars' were there and we talked up a storm. The workout was over before I knew it. I've been doing more stretching afterwards and it feels good. I've been stuck at 187 for soooo long - but I think I feel a loss coming on! :lol:

Have a good evening everyone.

Judy yes work can have some effects on us that is for sure. I hope that everything works out well in the end. Changes aren't always easy to adjust to. I will be thinking about you. So far so good at my work. She even told me yesterday how well I do. Its nice to hear that she realizes I take my job seriously. Some of my old reports have also been reviewed for a few years back so she knows I am not just putting a front on but this is who I am. Nice to have a good relationship and to be treated equal.
Judy having a drink sometimes happens I bet you slept good.
Penny good for you with the kind words you deserve every one of them I am sure. She swears by those shoes. Just kind of look like clogs with back straps.
I fell of my wagon yesterday in the evening this is my confession. I had come home and made homemade sloppy joes and then made homemade frenchfries. Oh no that was naughty and followed with a small bowl of maple walnut ice cream. Okay no thats over I feel better. The rest of my day was healthy thank goodness maybe not too much damage. Today I will stay on track!
Marie I loved your story and so real. Sometimes things like that happen we slip and recover quickly without any damage. Have a great day rainy here today. I am off to work after my lovely oatmeal.

More complaints from Yours Truely: I think Marie gave me her bug, my throat is scratchy and sore, and my head aches a bit :( . So on my way to work this morning I bought some Airborne and oscillococcinum, trying to nip whatever this is in the bud. Two of my co-workers are out with something, so it may be too late. My side is much better, but my feet are still bothering me, so I haven't done as much walking or working out this week, boo. But it's a lovely day--the ground is covered with acorns, and I was laughing at the squirrels, who are totally chubbing out, waddling around in the grass.

One of the shoes dropped at work yesterday, when we told the staff that we have a budget shortfall for the year, and have to cut back on the spending. No one will be laid off, but the managers (which includes me) will take a pay cut for a while, which will force me to be a lot more disciplined about money for the next few months, especially since I just made this big financial commitment to this weight-loss program. But it will all work out in the end, I've certainly dealt with worse!

Marie, I've worked with lots of Native Americans, so I am careful not to "celebrate" Columbus Day, even when I get the day off. At one place I worked, the office be would officially closed to accomodate parents (whose kids were out of school), but we could choose to work anyway and take an extra day off another time in the fall.

Penny, congratulations on the compliments! You must be looking really good. I miss going to Curves, I have been there much these past two weeks. I want to go tonight, though. I like the cameraderie also.

Carol, it's good of you to 'come clean' with us about your extra calories. It's funny how hard it is to be honest about what we eat. I even want to hold back in my own food log, essentially lying to myself! You've consistently been the best of any of us, I think, about taking the "Daily Check-in" seriously, and the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, in how well you've done over time. My hat's off to you!

I just had a protein shake this morning and a 20-minute walk. I'll be meeting a friend for lunch soon, so I'm about to have an apple and a string cheese. We're going to a place that has good salads, so I know what I'll have for lunch. Plus lots of water and tea all day...

Hope everyone has a great day!

judy

Evening all, I hope your day was good. Judy, I'm sorry about the budget shortfall. That sure does make it tought. I'm sorry I passed my virus on. A computer virus. ;)

Carol, for some reason I'm betting that the homemade fries weren't deep fat fried and that the burger in the sloppy joes was lean. So all in all you probably did fine.

Penny, great job on the workout and enjoy those compliments. They were hard earned.

I had a good day at work. We're going to offer one of the job contestants the position tomorrow morning. YEAH!!! :carrot: We had a couple back for a 2nd interview. Very wise. One weeded out quickly.

I exercised loads today. I did 2 miles jogging and 1 mile walking this morning, then I was peppy after work so I did another 3 mile walk. 6 miles today. Hopefully the scale will be kind tomorrow but TOM is still around so who knows???

Talk to you tomorrow.
Marie

Judy thanks for the support sometimes it helps for me to just vent. Hey about the extra dollars for your help with the wt. loss is there a way for you to claim it through you insurance. Sometimes if its for health reasons and a doctor stands behind you it can be counted. Just a thought always trying to squeeze a buck myself. We all adjust to extra money all of a sudden it doesn't seem to be more. But with that said I also think we adjust the other way too. I am sure you will do okay as your a wise person and can readjust for awhile to a new budget.
Marie well you only win on part of the bet. I used 90% lean beef so that wasn't so bad. But the fries were deep fried with the skins on sliced fries in the fry daddy. Oh so good oh so bad!!!!!!!!!!!! It was quick and just a fast move to make dinner. I will be more careful in the future.
I really wanted to lose some wt. before the holidays. I am taking my sneakers and going to the gym or walking today on the way home. It gets dark so quick now I don't like that so much. Have a nice day! Remember every change we make adds up to making a healthier lifestyle for a better life.
Hope everyone has a restful weekend and do something fun for yourselfs. I am getting a bit selfish in my old age as far as doing something for me. I do have the grandson tonight the little guy 4years old. I might bake some pumpkin cut out cookies with him? I will only have 1 and add it into my #'s.

Carol - I'm hoping to lose a few more pounds before the holidays too (those dreaded Christmas photos!) Making pumpkin cookies with your grandson sounds like fun.

Marie - I'm glad your candidate selection process in going well. Way to go with all the walking!:carrot:

Judy - I hope you managed to ward off that cold - there's lots of them about already. Sorry to hear about the budget cuts. We have lots of squirrels but no acorns. My DH surprised one in a pear tree the other day as it was carrying off a pear as big as it's body! It screeched and chattered at him as he picked some pears - like "hey, leave MY pears alone!" :lol:

I weighed in the same today 187 - I think my scale is stuck!!!

I just got back from a nice tour of the Portland Japanese Garden with a group of girlfriends. The weather was gorgeous and the trees were just turning color. Having a tour guide made so much difference and I learned lots of things, such as that they don't feed the koi fish from now until Spring! The poor things looked desperate, but I guess they're doing things right as most of the fish were 45 years old! We went for lunch afterwards (of course) to a ritzy restaurant with very small portions (just as well). I didn't get to Curves today, but we did do a lot of walking in the garden.

Have a great weekend everybody.