Hi everyone. Hope you have/had a Happy Halloween. My treat for the evening is DS, GF and DGS are out trick or treating and I'm home alone.

The scale was mean this am. I hate the fluctuations but since I track the calories and exercise, I know a little gain wasn't real. Still. It bugs me a little while afterwards.

I did 10 miles on the exercycle before work. I like having the change. Tomorrow I'm going to jog 5 miles. I decided the 50 miles jogging per month for a $10 bonus is good and I'll keep it. I like the idea of getting my new iPod sooner.

October numbers...
Walking: 65 miles
Jogging: 57 miles
Exercycle: 10 miles
Rollerblading: 4 miles

That's 136 miles moving on my own. Wow...

My balance for the iPod is $146.75 (and I have my $50 Circuit City gift card). Only about another 150 to go. By the end of November I hope.

Food: calories averaged 1489
Weight Loss: 3 pounds (would have been 4 if the scale hadn't woken up cranky)

So all together not bad...

Judy, hope you're surviving your gluten free. I just would be so sad if I had to give up past. I live for spaghetti (BTW what I'm going to make myself after posting). And hope the sinus infection takes an exit.

Penny, good luck resisting the hi-cal version. Funny thing about the Mint Fudge cake, my DS chooses it for his birthday cake. It's great, but surprising that the stick boy would choose lo-cal. He does it for the taste, but I want to add calories to if for him.

Carol, enjoy the ziti. That sounds wonderful. As mentioned, I adore pasta. Hope you have fun trick or treating with the DGS. I wasn't invited but I'm glad since it's about 32 degrees out. Brrr.

I'm a little more peppy today. The day didn't start off great, but I kept positive about the scale and did the exercycle because I just didn't want to walk. DS had my laughing with tears rolling down my face last night and the good mood stuck with me. I hope it really stays. I always worry that I'd have to go back on meds and I just DON'T want to do that.

Marie

Judy,
I didn't dress up just hung out with them. My daughter took the night off to spend with him she works 4:30 -1:00 awful hrs. But it was well worth it when I heard the little guy whom now is 5 as we were walking down the street turn to his mom out of the blue and say Mommy I love you! My heart just melted she has done a great job as a mom. I am also a proud mom sure you can't tell. It warmed my heart that was for sure rain drops and all. Judy I am so happy your finding out some answers to your problems. I just learned a year or so ago to take your thyroid meds before food by 1/2 an hr. or 2 hrs after eatting. Never knew that. Its also one med they say not to take generic so I did try it and then went back by docs orders to reg. brand name. I go in a couple of weeks for another blood test to see if this is the right dosage or not. I tend to flex around a bit and thats not so good. Hope you see some positive changes come your way soon. Maybe you will feel healthier and get sick less? I got into the halloween candy yesterday so today I am not going to eat any as I have trouble once I start stopping. So some will come into work the good thing is it is always eaten quickly. The faster its gone the easier it will be. I am going to take a salad for lunch and grill a steak for dinner with some veggies. Headed in the right direction. Hope to have time to fit in a walk today. Take care everyone and hope you had a fun halloween. No tricker treaters come here we live out a ways and houses aren't close together. Tom came for a little short visit so it was a good reason for me to not get on the scale. After the last visit being 7 months ago maybe this will be his last stop. One can only hope.

Carol, thanks for sharing the story of your sweet GS. That was a lovely thing to read...aw, shucks! I just had a few kids bang on the door, less than a dozen, so I'll put the leftovers in the cabinet at work for our next large meeting. Yeah, I was told to take the thyroid meds as soon as I get up, 1-2 hours before eating. I'm not usually hungry then, anyway, but it will take me a while to remember it first thing, especially on weekends!

Marie, you have clocked some great numbers, no wonder you've lost so much weight . Nothing like an extended, helpless belly-laugh to chase the drabs away. I love pasta, too--spaghetti, ziti, ravioli, lasagna, rotini...I even learned to love whole-wheat pasta and protien pasta. Now I guess I'll learn to love gluten-free pasta, or just stick with spaghetti squash. What I like most is tomato sauce and Italian herbs, anyway.

I've just come out of a meeting about a topic which makes one of my colleagues overly tense and defensive, and I am desperately craving a drink of good scotch or bourbon! Glutens can't survive the distilling process, so beer is off limits, but wine and hard liquor is okay, so I'm going to buy one expensive drink and enjoy it immensely. Just one, though, or I'll want to nosh on bar food. I will go home afterwards and either have leftover lamb stew or a grilled turkey burger.

Hope everyone has a good evening!

judy

Judy - That's quite a rigamarole for the permeability test. I hope it goes well for you. I'd go for the hard liquor over beer any day! No carbs either! I hope your thyroid meds help. I've been on Armour Thyroid for about 2 years and I seem to get a lot fewer colds and they don't last as long. I don't feel so "chilled" all the time either as my body temp is higher.

Carol - That was a nice story about the little boy - it's those moments we cherish. I hope you didn't have too much halloween candy left over. We don't get any trick or treaters here as we're in a rural area but I remember what fun it was when our son was younger and we lived in a different neighborhood.

Marie - You are really logging some miles! Keep up the good work. I'm glad your DS gave you a good laugh. As they say, laughter is the best medicine.

I'm a bit sore today as yesterday I tripped and fell down the back doorstep. Luckily I didn't break anything but my left ankle (bad one) left wrist and shoulder took the brunt of the fall and I also hit my cheekbone. I iced everything right away and was able to work out at Curves today. Real good timing as we're hosting our annual Guy Fawkes potluck party on Saturday for the women's group I belong to and their families. We usually have 50-60 people and we somehow pack them all into our little abode. Luckily, I had already done most of the organizing. It's supposed to rain on Saturday, so that might put a bit of a damper on the bonfire and fireworks but I guess it's to be expected at this time of the year.

Penny sometimes trying to not fall when your on your way down hurts you even more. Many moons ago when my oldest was 3 months old I fell down the cellar stairs grabing the rails on both sides. Sprained both wrist not a good thing with a baby. I'd better off just fallen. Hope your okay. I only bought reg. sized candy bars for the grandkids no trick or treaters here. My driveway is too long and houses to far apart no one on one side for almost a mile. I love it! Penny I haven't ever run by Armour thyroid yet???? Is that the brand name?
Marie you will make that scale move don't freak out it will happen. Also with changing around your exercise routine you might be building more muscle which weighs more. So don't worry. As far as your mood I think you are doing a great job on your own trying to keep up your spirits etc. Finding things that make you in a good mood. Have you ever done yoga? They say its wonderful myself I haven't done it but should make time to try it out. On stressful days it would be helpful to have an outlet and quick fix.
Judy hope your feeling better. As far as pasta goes I have really cut back on that as well. I do love it though. We used to have it once a week. How time changes. I have some spinach flavored in the cupboard. I should mix it with some olive oil and garlic etc. Oh maybe for dinner tonight. Thanks girls for the thought of pasta. I did well at work yesterday avoiding the candy I did eat a few baked doritos with cheese and my salad. One of my guys had a heart attack and I found myself at the hosptial by 9:30 needless to say a stressful day. He isn't going to make it and its only a matter of time. Sometimes this job can wear on yah. But its all part of life I guess. I just saw him the morning before looking great and ready for his day. Yah just never know thats for sure. Well today will be another stressful one waiting to talk with the family and making arrangements to ensure everything is taken care of for him. I did well with handling the stress for dinner which was later than usual I made a couple of little pita pizzas veggie style. It was overall not bad calorie wise and I didn't go over my cals for the day. Hurray on that note. Well talk to you all soon. I plan on some exercise today.

Wow, Carol, whenever I'm feely whiny about my job (as I surely will again today) I'll remember how your day must be going, to put my own stuff in perspective. I am glad that a kind person like you will be there for your guy's family.

Penny, I'm sorry to hear about that fall! I live in fear of falling, especially in the winter when it's icy. I hope you aren't too bruised up today. I take Armour thyroid, too. I guess I should read up on it; I spent last weekend researching gluten on the Internet, and was happy for my new and improved computer and high-speed Internet. It would have been slow going with Old Bessie and dial-up.

Hey, Marie, now that I have a new home computer, maybe I'll finally look into IPods. I still have my favorite albums on vinyl, and a bunch of cassette tapes, and now CDs....

I'm feeling almost 100%. Still coughing a little, mostly when I'm outside. I worked out this morning and had my short walk to work. It was great to be spontaneous last night, going out for a drink to vent with a friend about work and health issues. I've been focusing on extra sleep for a few weeks, and have fallen out of the habit of meditatation and yoga, and I have to go back to that. Things will be stressful at work for a bit, and I need to be centered so I can listen and be supportive without getting drawn into other people's worries and negativity.

I now have a small stash of "safe" snacks and gluten-free Lean Cuisines at the office, so I feel that no matter what happens in the course of the day, I can always eat on program. Forward!

judy

Hi all, Carol, I'm sorry about your client. I'm with Judy on that one, I'm glad there are people out there like you who give unconditionally. I couldn't do that. I'd be in a deep blue funk (DBF for short) at all points. I hope if you had the pasta it was grand. BTW, I have pasta about 4-5-6-7-... times a week. I should have been Italian. I just measure and track all the calories.

Judy, yours and Penny's comments about thyroid is interesting. I was on synthroid and I stopped it with all the rest of my meds. I was just boderline normal-low. But I'm so cold all the time that I decided I was going to call my dr. and have it checked again. I've only heard good things about Armour and will insist on it when I chat with the dr.

Penny, I'm sorry about the fall. Amazing you could do curves after that. Great job and enjoy your celebration - even if i rains on you (and me since we're in the same vicinity).

Things are going good. The new guy is good, maybe even a great hire. YEAH!!!! My co-worker and I left him in charge so we could go to a training today on the other side of the mountain. He did great and the building was still standing when we returned. Ah, relief is in sight for my job.

Yesterday I jogged 5 miles and today 3 miles and then walked 2 miles. So I'm on pace to get my ipod early next month.

Judy, you must check into it. I'd sell you my old one but I promised it to almost daughter in law.
Marie

Carol - I'm sorry to hear about your client being ill. It must be very hard when these things happen to people you get close to through your work. But as you say, that's part of life. The Armour thyroid is a brand that is usually prescribed for people with 'borderline' thyroid problems. I have a girlfriend who is on Synthroid and she has a hard time getting the dose right and has had some bad side effects. I guess every case is different and we just have to go by what our doctors put us on. You're right about relaxing into it if you fall. I think I would have been hurt much worse if I had "fought" it. A friend of mine got compound fractures in both wrists with a similar fall.

Judy - Yes, the high speed sure beats dial up when you're surfing the web. I'm glad you've been able to find some gluten-free snacks. I keep saying I'm going to try yoga for relaxation but never get around to it. There isn't anyplace close by so I may have to rent a video someday.

Marie - I love pasta too. I think it gets a bit of a bad rap and isn't so bad in moderation. I usually mix about half a cup of rotini or spaghetti with some veggies like zucchini & tomatoes so that it seems like a bigger serving. Like Carol said, you must be building lots of muscle with all that exercise! That's a good idea to reward yourself with an iPod.

Other than a nice big bruise on my shoulder, I'm doing pretty good after my fall. I'm glad I didn't get a big bruise on my face. The cheekbone is sore but at least our guests won't think my DH has been slugging me!

I've had terrible carb cravings the past few days (ever since daylight saving ended). I get so hungry about an hour before our regular lunch and dinner time and nibble, nibble, nibble. On top of that it's been so dark and rainy which means I can't get outside and work in the yard. I'm going to have to be extra-vigilant or my hard won loss will turn into added pounds . I'm going to have to get my act together after the party on Saturday.

Hurray I got through the day without nibbling on the candy. In my office its gone so fast that if your able to wait a few hrs. it will be out of sight and mind. One gal is still bringing hers in today. So I will plan to stay out of it. Especially on a stressful work week. Today will continue with some stress but an end in sight for everyone. I will most likely attend services on saturday or it might be monday depending on things. But your support girls is appreciated and I guess my job has its down falls at time but rewards me with satisfaction in many other ways. Sometimes venting helps. Being an advocate and ensuring they get the best services is something I do well and try to do my best. Your not everyones best friend but after awhile people do gain respect for you and what accomplishments your after. Enough of that. Judy, Marie and Penny I guess thats why I haven't heard of Armour Thyroid meds. I have had surgery many years ago for this disease. I remain on meds for life. Having the right dosage is so important and not easy to always get in my case. Thank goodness over all these years I have never had any side effects to deal with. Good luck girls on this matter. We all have thyroid issues now isn't that interesting factor here. I was able to stick to my calories yesterday even below the 1400. Tracking and monitoring myself closer has helped. No pasta last night I cooked steak. But will have that pasta soon. I feel the want for it craving is rising in me. I feel good about the last 3 days and my intakes, staying out of junk and working on getting those numbers back down. I think Tom has really gone again so I will do the scale. Have a nice day its friday thank God for that. Even with possibly having to work this weekend for a little while I am grateful today is friday. Its been a heck of a long week. I am looking to take a day off soon to work in the yard we have snow this a.m. few inches. Yuk! But next week they are talking about the 60's so I would like that. After this week a day off might be in order.

I am so happy it's Friday! I was planning to work half a day over the weekend (I'm trying to catch up, and I won't have much opportunity next week), but now I'm thinking that maybe I won't....this is the first day in quite a while where I felt good in the morning . I Curved last night, and did a full (45-minute) aerobic video this morning.

A funny note about Armour thyroid--it's made out of dessicated pork glands, isn't that wonderful That's what I get for researching stuff online. I'm feeling less nauseated in the morning, which is good. I have been struggling to concentrate in the late afternoons, though. If this doesn't go away, I will call the doc, I can't let this interfere with my workday indefinitely.

Marie, I will manage without an IPod for a while. My first priority, if I can get through Xmas without going overbudget, is will be a new TV. My TV is ancient, and now it's making a loud buzzing sound that I've gotten used to but annoys guests to no end.

Penny, i'm glad to hear that you aren't too banged up after your fall! We are just the same with the carbs. The cravings are almost overwhelming this time of year. I'm going to try eating baby carrots at night if I can't take it anymore. Over time the cravings go away if I don't give in to them. Otherwise, I'll eat too much of something, even if it's food on program, like fruit an low-fat cheese. That extra 250-300 calories at night have kept me from losing for months and months.....

Carol, congrats on avoiding the candy. You have been doing really well. Steak sounds like a good idea, I think I will have some tonight. I took a pound of lite smoked sausage out of the freezer so that I can try out another crock pot recipe this weekend, maybe something with cabbage. I love cabbage but not the smell. But lately my kitchen smells vaguely of cigarettes, thanks to my next-door neighbors, so cabbage will be an improvement!

judy

Happy, HAPPY Friday. I too, like Judy am very happy it's Friday. I'm so sick of working. This is the last week for a while that I work 5 days. On Wednesday afternoon, we're leaving for our big road trip. We're going to Des Moines, Iowa for my niece's wedding on the 11th. Then on the 12th, we're heading to Biloxi, MS for my son's military tech school graduation (on the 15th). So then on the 15th (late afternoon) we'll be starting for home. That's be a 5000 mile round trip in the car. Oh, I can just envision my ability to exercise. Thank goodness DVD's are portable and work in my computer in hotel rooms. I can't believe I'm going to see my son after 10 months. It's hard to believe that he's almost done and will be moving back hom. I do miss him. I swore in January I wouldn't have, but alas, he's my baby and I do miss him.

I did 5 miles jogging this morning. Trying to make a dent in my goals before leaving.

I called and left a message with my dr. to get the thyroid test done again. Wow, I actually did it. Mid post here too.

Judy, I'm so glad you're feeling better. I hear you about the 250-300 of good for you foods adding up in calories. It still counts no matter how you look at it so it's good that you're toughing out the nibbles.

Carol, I bet you're glad the week is almost over. Your job seems so stressful.

Penny, maybe it was Oregon women's time to bruise this week. I had an argument with the freezer (wanted it moved and it did move...). I have about a 6 x 8" bruise on my right quad. Definitely looks like I've been battered. But the @#$@#$ freezer moved.

Marie

Yeah - I taught that @#$@#$ patio a lesson with my face too! Your road trip will be a nice break for you. I hope you have a great time.

Judy - Mmmmm dessicated pork glands! I haven't had any side effects from the Armour (touch wood). Yep those 200-300 calories are so quick to eat and take so long to burn off!

Carol - Yes, it's quite a coincidence that we all have thyroid problems. I've always thought my internal thermostat was set too low and that's partly why I have trouble losing. I guess we just have to work harder at it than most people.

I'm quite proud of myself - I baked 120 mini sausage rolls and didn't eat one of them! Tomorrow is going to be a bit of a challenge, but I'm planning on having a protein shake before our guests arrive so that I'm not so tempted to pig out. I'm also going to limit myself to one glass of wine as my food consumption goes up exponentially the more I drink!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Girls on a cooking show yesterday they froze banana's and then used them in smoothies instead of ice. Added oj and then ice cream you could add yogurt. I am going to mix one up later on for a snack tonight. I have the little guy for a few days this week Daddy is going out of town on training to Minn. He helped us with our garage this weekend. Tam says he's practicing on being a good son inlaw. I think he's already won that award. Though I can't complian I have great loved ones whom joined our family blessed I am. Marie good for you going away on a trip. Your son is accomplishing quite a goal. You must be so proud. He will be suprised to see how great you look as well. Keep up your good efforts. Oh Judy thats awful about the thyroid meds I am not even looking mine up yuk! TV's have gone way down in price. We have way too many in this house 5 to be exact but two are my SIL. Busy but nice weekend the garage electric is done and about 300.00 over the cost we thought! Yuk! But any project so far has been over budget I should just get used to it. But to do it right it cost a bit more. Now its done all but siding which will wait til next year. We all together have sunk in to this house about close to 30,000 and that includes family members and friends just helping out. Wow! Next spring its finish the SIL bathroom, screen in the deck and thats enough. For christmas maybe she will get a toilet????????? Oh thats not a nice gift but a needed one.
Penny I am right with yah trying to be good its not easy nor fun. I made cookies to send to HI. yesterday. I only had one. Packed those babies up and out. I will send them today a fall Thanksgiving hello from home for my son and daughter in law.
Well take care girls I am taking my sneakers today and will go walking after work. I need to push myself into it.
I didn't get any phone calls this weekend my client may still be hooked up to machines.. I will see today whats up but restrained myself from checking this weekend I KNOW the outcome pretty much at this pt. only a matter of time. Thanks for you kind words. I did pretty well this time handling the stress. I went off the beaten path a little but not far.

Marie, you must be very excited about your road trip! That's a lot of time in a car...but it can be fun, if you you and your hubby travel well together. I was hoping to go to Biloxi later this month for work, but the dates have changed and now conflict with a trip to OH for my brother's b-day. You'll have your computer with you, so you can keep us posted on how well you're doing while you're away .

Penny, how was your big party? Yummm, suasage rolls...I've always loved the idea of hosting an annual gathering, but I've moved so much I never got it together. A couple of years ago, when I was in NYC, I hosted these funny "Rasta Luaus" two years in a arow, and folks asked me about the next one....maybe I'll start a tradition and just keep doing it whereever I am. And like you, my barriers to noshing fall right down if I've had a drink or two. I hope you had a good time, and stayed within your program.

Carol, you must feel good about making so much progress on your sister-in-law's new place. I like the tip about frozen fruit. When berries and mangos are on sale, I freeze them to use in smoothies. Yummy!

My weekend was okay. The lighting in my living room isn't good, and a lampshade needs to be replaced, so I went hunting for lamps and shades, and perused more gluten-free items at Whole Foods. The best part of the weekend was finally, totally cleaning out the clothes closets (including coats) and making ruthless decisions. I had "favorite" clothes Ive almost never been able to wear, and "favorite" shoes that hurt....gone, gone, gone!

Eating mostly on my program, but giving in to tremendous munchies in the evenings. It does feel good to work out at my old pace.

judy

Carol - That's a good idea to freeze the bananas for a shake. I usually put a banana in my protein shake with some ice, so I could just freeze the banana and cut out that step. Wow! You've done a lot of renovations on your place. You've probably added a lot to it's value as well as making it more comfortable for you.

Judy - Whole Foods have just opened a 'super store' near us and we went to the grand opening the other day. It was amazing the amount of different gourmet foods they have - very pricey though! I'm still having the 'evening munchies' too - looks like we're in the same boat! I've started eating a small apple when the munchies get out of hand.

Marie - I hope everything is going well with you. It looks like you are escaping this horrendous rain storm we're having up here.

I survived our Guy Fawkes party and it was a big success. The kiddies really enjoyed the bonfire and fireworks which we did in the pouring rain. The 'middle' generation are now in their teens and twenties and it seems just yesterday that they were the little kiddies twirling the sparklers. The grownups ate way too much and my sausage rolls disappeared very quickly! I kept circulating away from the food and pretty much stayed within my calorie range. I had a wine spritzer (half white wine/half ginger ale) and nursed that all evening.

I had to go back to my primary doc today as my cystitis returned with a vengeance . I'm due for my ob/gyn exam later this month so maybe she'll have some suggestions.