Carol, Dear John was what I was listening to in December. I very much liked it. Definitely well written. I've downloaded another sparks book and will start listening soon. I hope you feel better soon. I stopped taking the Echinecea yesterday and I think the cold is starting to come back. I don't feel great (not bad either) at the moment. I took tylenol so hopefully that will help.

Judy, I love the idea of changing into the yoga togs and doing it after work. I might give that a go. Great idea!!! My to-do list at work is way too long and my new laptop is crashing. Yeah.

Penny, I hope you feel better too. Remember to eat right and maybe the IBS will let up. I don't hav that but getting the junk out of my system always makes me feel better.

I did 1 mile walking and 2 miles jogging this morning again as well as the ab lounger. Today is my 1 hour off early day to take Blizzie for her mid week walk. so that will add another 2 miles. But it's pouring rain and it doesn't sound appealing. But the doggie's hips need the exercise so I will trudge through the rain.

Food was okay yesterday but have I got the munchies this morning!!! Probably because I feel blah. The idea of all the cookies on the lunch table is inviting but I will win the battle. I weigh in on Friday (haven't since the day after Christmas because TOM was visiting) and I want the scale to be nice.

Marie

Hi, Chickies!

Carol, I hope the day off is helping. It's been several years since I've worked anyplace that penalized you for being sick before or after a vacation . Cumin has a really distinct taste. If you already use chili powder, which has some cumin already (mixed in with the cayenne pepper), you can experiment with adding extra cumin to see how to get the taste you're looking for. Adobo seasoning also gives that authentic flavor, but I think it has a lot of MSG.

Marie, is the ab lounger any good? I don't trust a workout machine that has "lounger" in its name. You deserve a break, though, for being so good to Blizzie.

Penny, sleep problems really get in the way of weight loss! I hope you can figure out how to get good night's sleep. I didn't sleep well last night, worrying about work. A wonderful key member of my little team has given notice; we're all trying to be graceful about this good career move for her, but it's a major wrench in our plans to get through our executive transition without going crazy.

I am in the midst of one of those "teachable moments." I just ate an apple and had a few almonds, so I'm not hungry, but someone just popped popcorn so of course my tongue is salivating. I started carrying sour tangerine Altoids for moments like this, and saying to myself "Couriously strong!" Of course, I'm not just thinking about the Altoid when I say that. Hope it works!

judy

Carol - That's a good idea to spice things up a bit with cumin, etc. It's a good way to add great flavor without extra calories or salt. I'm glad you took your DD's advice and stayed home to nurse your cold. Rest is sometimes the best medicine. I love Nicholas Sparks' novels too, especially Message in a Bottle and A Bend in the Road. I'll have to check out Dear John at the library. Good books to curl up with on a rainy day. Right now I'm reading "I, Elizabeth" by Rosalind Miles. It's an historial novel based on the life of Queen Elizabeth I. It's totally engrossing and I can't put it down. There were so many intrigues and power struggles and the brutality of life in those times is astonishing.

Marie - You're right about eating right for my tummy. It definitely makes a difference with my IBS when I cut out certain foods. I need to be a bit more consistent, although I never really know exactly what sets it off. I'm going to weigh in on Friday too, so I hope we both get good news on the scale.

Judy - Sorry to hear about your upheaval at work - not a good way to start off the year. I'm sure it will work out though, things always do. I'm going to get some of those Altoids and tell myself I'm 'curiously strong' too!
Each time I get a snack attack I'll repeat the words: "I'm curiously strong"

I did well eating healthy today. We had lunch in a Japanese restaurant and I had grilled salmon with a salad of chopped cabbage drizzled with a little spicy peanut dressing - a surprisingly good combination. I didn't eat one fork of the rice and didn't miss it as the cabbage was very filling.

Well girls I feel much better today. Yesterday the rest, reading and making homemade soup must of helped. Although a coworker did call and while she was asking how I was doing confronted me with a few work issues that will hit me this a.m. I am trying my best to deal with some behavior issues a client has but I am not a miracle worker at any means. Hopefully the doc can help her out with meds on next weeks visit. All I can do is offer my support to staff and say yes I know its not easy. Well so much for relaxation huh? Marie which book did you download and how do you get them? I am glad you girls have had an opportunity to read some of his stuff. I am collecting his books and trying to get all hardcovers. I have a few and Message in a Bottle in soft. I am trying to eat healthy for right now maybe eatting a bit more but on the healthier end. I figure that is better than eatting the wrong stuff. Though I am going for dinner with the girls tonight right after work. I am going to try something healthy though. No desserts. Bear is being a bear waking me up at 4:30 which I wouldn't mind if he would settle back in but that doesn't seem to be the case. I will have to read up on puppies and how to get their schedules down a bit. I think he's hungry like a baby would be so I give him a litte chow maybe I am reinforcing his behavior. Maybe I should ask the specialist at work to write him a behavior plan??? Hah hah! Judy sorry your work week is on the sour side. Hopefully things will smooth out soon. I have eaten my breakfast of a half grapefruit, oatmeal and dk rye. Off to work and having soup and salad for lunch. Take care and I hope that we all have a better end to our work weeks. This miracle worker is on her way! Penny I really like that idea of the repeating before snacking good thought. I am going to try that out.

I think that pickles may work as well as Altoids in calming the hungry tongue. Although Altoids are probably more convenient. I'm having one now instead of something more substantial, because I had a late lunch and it's too early for my afternoon snack. Seems to be working...

Carol, please keep taking it easy so that by Monday you'll be back to full strength. And explain to Bear that you need a good night's sleep, even if he doesn't!

Penny, I love Japanese-style meals. They are filling without being heavy. And I love how they use peanuts and citrus with veggies.

Marie, I hope you've dried out from yesterday's walk.

I am still having trouble getting up at my usual workday time (5:45) let alone half an hour earlier. I will be in Central Time for several days later this month, and on Pacific Time for a week and half in February, and always struggle to re-adjust to Eastern time, especially if I haven't been consistent before I left. But when I do get up it feels nice to work out! The scale continues to show a promising loss , but I will try not to change my ticker again until Sunday.

Be well--judy

Hi everyone. I am dry now and the precipitation has subsided outside. I was soaked and frozen after yesterday's adventure but so was Blizzie (and Kody).

I got up early again and did the usual. 1 mile walking, 2 miles jogging and the ab lounger. And yes Judy, it does work the abs even though I'm "lounging" . I paid more attention to making sure I was using the abs this morning and that helped.

Judy, I think pickles have alum in them (I hate pickles but I remember my mom making them) and alum definitely kills the taste buds so you might be on to something there. I thought of you when I was at the gas station and saw Altoids. I thought "curiously strong". Alas I didn't buy, but I thought the thought. And I'm sorry about the good worker leaving. That's always a bummer.

Carol, I'm glad you're feeling better. Don't you love when work can't leave you alone on a sick day. Geez. About bear, you are creating a habit of feeding him. If you have too, put him and his crate outside for the rest of the night and he'll stop. Kody is a butt like that but when I kick him out of the bedroom for a couple days straight he knocks it off.

Penny, I hope you're feeling better. I know that cabbage and a spicy peanut sauce would make my tummy mad and it doesn't have IBS. That doesn't set you off? But regardless, it sounds like you made great choice for the calorie count.

Carol. I have a membership with audible.com - I get 2 audiobook per month and I put them on my ipod. Many choice of how to listen to them. I guess I've been a member for about 4 years. I really like it. I started True Believer yesterday. I've been listening to Cesar's Way - by the dog whisper Cesar Millen on how to make better choices with Kody but I wanted fiction so I skipped back to a Sparks book. I like listening to the books while I pedal on the exercycle.

Tomorrow is weigh in. I hate when it's been 10 days since the last one - I have bad thoughts about gaining loads. Paranoid I guess but still I do it every time. If menopause would just come I wouldn't have to take TOM breaks.

Work is okay but I'm ready for weekend. Too bad today isn't Friday...
Marie

Carol - I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. Little Bear is really being a naughty boy! I think Marie is right that you may be unintentionally rewarding him for bad behavior. He may need some 'tough love' till he gets the message. Dogs are a bit like kids sometimes. I hope your client problem gets resolved soon.

Judy - I'm glad to hear your scale is hinting at a loss. I hope you adjust to the time zones ok. It can be confusing to our body clocks!

Marie - Strangely enough, cabbage is said to be soothing to the digestive system. It doesn't seem to bother me raw or cooked. However, red meat usually does a job on me. I'm probably still paying for the prime rib we had a Christmas. The other high fat foods we eat during the holiday season are also not so good. I have problems digesting fatty foods since I had my gallbladder removed. I seem to be doing a bit better now I'm eating mostly fish and a little chicken.

We're eating out less because it's too much hassle to figure out what foods may have hydrogenated oil, trans fats and high fructose corn syrup in them (plus other additives like MSG). It's a good thing, really, because you have more control with home cooked food.

I hope everyone's weigh in day goes well .

Judy my body feels like its getting back to normal a bit with the way clothes are fitting etc. I still have a bit of a cough and even though the energy is better it is not up to par. Having Bear is like having a new born. I decided he gets up about every 4 hrs. at least he is staying dry in his pen at night. But at the cost of my nights sleep. He will hopefully show improvement with time. Cute he is but also some work. Great for you with the scale. I haven't gotten that brave yet. But the last couple of days the intakes are more normal and last nights dinner out I did well. Tom breaks are good Marie but some times its back for a ity bit not fun. I have been lucky there. The doc says so anyways can't count it finished til he's left for one full year. Oh so 6 months down the drain when he stopped in for a second. I always feel at that time my scale is up a bit. I have to do the scale as well something I was putting off. My clothes feel better now. I happen to read an article on the light box you have. I will give you the inf. next time so you can ck it out. Quite interesting it even helps with cravings etc. Maybe you already knew all this ? Lots of info. on trans fats in this mag. also Penny. I am still trying to figure out all the trans fat info. I will have to finish reading it then review it again. I will fill you in on the info. next time running late.

Hi all,

Just checking in to post my weight today - down a pound to 189!

Carol - I'm pretty good with the trans fats as we've hardly ever eaten fast foods like burgers and fries and no margarine where most of the trans fats are. I'm mainly trying to not eat vegetable oils (except olive, palm and coconut). Also corn sweetener (that stuff is scary). For sweetening oatmeal, etc. I'm also trying not to eat much cane sugar and have switched to maple syrup and tupelo honey (in very small amounts of course). Cane sugar is still preferable to corn syrup which is in a lot of prepared foods because it's cheaper.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hi all, the scale was mean and TOM isn't all the way gone. So I'll be more official on Tuesday. I actually pointed a middle digit at the mean box this morning. Not a nice way to start off the day. So I'm just going to wait for official till TOM is really gone.

I walked 1 mile and jogged 2 this am as well as the ab lounger. I can tell my abs are a little tender after doing it 3 days straight so it must be working something. Yesterday after work I did the 1 mile Yoga Walk (walk one mile then yoga stretches).

Penny, interesting about the fat/red meat being the IBS problem. I know when I have cake (with high fat frosting) my stomach gets gassy and painful. Same with if I have prime rib. Always better the next day, but I had noticed the problem.

I've been bad about logging my food (I know the general calories but I haven't been logging it) so today I resolve to do that again. I just am in more control when I do.

DS1 is driving me nuts. I wonder how I raised such an ingrate. I wish he'd move out but almost DIL said December last night. I am enjoying DS2 so that's good.

My new skis will be here on Tuesday!!! And next Friday, DH, DS2 and I are going skiing. I'm so EXCITED!!!! Tomorrow DH and I are going snowshoeing. I invited my co-worker and his wife but we'll see if they get back to me.

Carol, quick question - are you crating little bear at night? If not, you should. Doggies like the close quarters. And it helps with training big time (as long as it's not used for punishment since they associate their "house" with punishment and it should be their refuge).

Well, back to work. Thank the Heavens it is FRIDAY!!!!
Marie

Just waving as I run through to say hi, since this day is getting away from me and I might not make it back later:

Marie--bad scale, very, very bad scale! Threaten to relace it with a $100 Tanita and I bet it will come around!

Way to go, Penny!!! Flaxseed is another god oil, I use it sometimes instead of olive oil to make salad dressing.

Carol, I'm to hear that you're on the mend.

This is one of those days when it's hard to focus on one thing at a time, I'll be so glad to leave in a few hours!

Take care--judy

Penny thanks for the info. Great for you on the loss. Now I use a canoli oil marg. I thought its suppose to be better than butter and marg? Anyone know? I of course use it sparingly but still it all adds up. Including my fish fry I had last night. I have been pretty good the last few days. But last night we ate at the VFW with friends all they had was fried. So of course I ordered it and enjoyed every bite. I think though the rest of the day was pretty good. I am going to try and be more on top of portions, trans fats and overall calories. Before going out my cals were great only 200 for breakfast and 400 for lunch and all healthy stuff. Getting on board is never so easy. Hey Marie after yesterday chatting about Tom he came for a slight visit I really sometimes think he's left for good then he returns OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I just read an article from First mag. that the average women gains 10lbs during Per. Meno. then 5lbs. in Meno. what the heck?? But they say if you take a daily mult. vit. it helps balance your hermones and studies show less problems with wt. etc. So guess who is jumping on to the mult. vit. thats me! The article about the Light Box was also in First. Lots of good info. for 1.99 I tell yah. They did show a cake which looked great but cals were over 1,000 per serving ouch! What happen to reading about health in their mag.? Marie living with others isn't so easy I know. But if the SIL didn't have her own space and us too it wouldn't be so good. So I know first hand how you feel. It will get better with time and they find their own space in the big world. I am crating Bear at night and when he is home alone or we can't watch him closely. He did better last night we played hard before his bedtime. Then I let him have my scraf he likes to lay on when I am not home according to the SIL. Maybe thats what helped. He went to bed at 10 and slept til 5 then out and back in the crate til 6:15 so not too bad. I can live with that. He is a cutie good thing! I too have to start to write my intakes I gather them in my head. Sometimes things slip in that why and aren't accounted for adding up the cals higher without us knowing sort of speak. So lets try getting on the ball. I am holding off on the scale til Tom is packed up and moved out in a few days. Don't worry the scale is most likely up from his visit. But don't forget your also building muscle with the lounger and that could be taking inches off but making the scale up a bit. The ab crunchers really make us look so good. I miss using the one at the gym and now I am feeling a bit better not 100% but by monday I will plan my gym schedule 3 times a week. Its just the way it is and everyone around the house will have to adjust to my needs. I have slacked off in that area and need to take it seriously my daughter is getting married June 23rd and momma needs a new dress. Well Judy hope all is going well with you. My work week was nuts and I can say glad thats behind me it was a knit picking week with everyone and thats not fun but on friday it was all talked out so hopefully things will improve again. Hard to satisfy everyone I guess?

Morning everyone. I'm so happy it's weekend. For some reason I've been more tired all week than normal. I know that it's because during vacation I slept in and changed my sleeping pattern but I thought by Thursday it would be better. I'm still a bit tired this am, but that's normal for me on a weekend when I don't get up and exercise. We're going snowshoeing today so exercise is a little later on. Since it's snowing we might not go to Crater Lake - instead go to the mountain by our house and take the huskies so they can run. DH is still sleeping so I'm not sure on his opinion yet.

Carol, too funny about TOM showing up after we mentioned it. Funny in a sad way. You're not giving me hope that mine will leave. I did re-weighin this am - it couldn't be worse than yesterday. It wasn't of the 2.5 pounds the evil scale said I gained, miraculously 1.5 disappeared. It still was up a pound from last week, but I can live with that. 2.5 was ridiculous.

But I was good yesterday. I logged everything and made food I wanted. In the am, I'd written on the dry wipe board, no dinner tonight. My DS1 has complained about the lack of schedule of when I make dinner. That made me mad so I decided why should I bother then? I don't like to cook and his pickiness has made the choices slim. So in the afternoon, I talked to almost DIL on the phone and she asked if I was on strike. I said Yes, I am. She thought I was joking and I re-iterated that I was and I told her why. So she's going to make sure DS1 understands and that she's mad at him. She didn't grow up with a family dinner time and she likes it. DS1 blew that away. Anyway, it was funny and I made a point.

So I made 4 Costco raviolis with marinara, an ounce of fresh mozz melted on top, a slice of homemade bread with a touch of butter (about 1/2 t.) and a sprinkle of garlic and a small salad. It was so divine. A serving for one. DS2 would have liked it but he went out to eat with DS and almost DIL. This weekend I'm making chili (I think you all mentioned that and my subconscious said yum!!!) and then I'm going to make my own marinara and can it tomorrow. So spaghetti tomorrow. Bummer, DS1 doesn't like either of the above.

Carol and Judy, I hope you have a relaxing weekend. Work weeks after a long vacation or weekend always seem worse.

Carol, good news on bear sleeping better last night. Puppies are work, but the unconditional love between a doggie parent and a doggie is worth every second. I think at this point if I didn't have my doggies, I'd be back on psych meds because DS1 would push me over the edge. My doggies definitely keep me sane. I would do anything for all 3 of them.

Judy, are you nuts??? Spend $100 on another evil box??? I'd rather a root canal. I "know" it's not the scale, but the wackiness of my femal body. I fluctuate so much and when you don't weigh often, sometimes I hit the high end and sometimes the low end (which then makes the high end seem even worse). I suppose weighing daily would help give me an average, but doing it daily was making me depressed/elated too much. I hate that I live and die by the scale, but I do. It sets the trend for my day. I've tried every day, not at all, once a week and twice a week. By far twice a week is best on my mental state so I go there. Actually never is better on the surface until I gain 40 pounds because I wasn't vigilant. The evil scale is my conscience. Truly it kept me vigilant yesterday. I know to the exact calorie how much I ate yesterday (1628). And I'll know today... and tomorrow... so I guess it's okay the evil scale pissed me off yesterday.

Penny, hope you're feeling better.
Marie

Marie - Looks like your DS1 would be better of fending for himself food-wise if he's a picky eater, though I'm sure you enjoy sitting down with family for dinner. One of my brothers is a picky eater and mom always made him a different meal. Even to this day when she's 84 and he's 46 she makes him something different to what she and dad eat when he comes over each week to visit. I guess she enjoys spoiling him but I sure wouldn't do it. Luckily my guys eat whatever I put in front of them! The stress you're having with DS1 might explain your tiredness. Good idea to cook what you want - I'm sure he won't starve. Maybe you're doing too good a job taking care of him - my brother lived at home till he was 32!! Animal companions are great for helping us to relax. They are never judgemental and love us unconditionally. They know when we're feeling down and offer their silent support and love.

Carol - I'm glad you're starting to feel better. I've cut out canola oil. I know it's one of the better vegetable oils but I've done quite a bit of research on the coconut and palm oils and there are apparently a lot of health benefits to using them (although they are by no means lower in calories and quite expensive). I don't use a lot of oil in cooking, so it's not too spendy for me. There are a few things I like to fry now and then, such as eggs and breaded fish, so I use a little of these oils for fried foods. I also use a smidgen of butter on my toast sometimes. Margarine has too many ingredients for my liking! I like to eat foods with as few things listed on the package as possible. Butter is just 'butter' and small amounts of saturated fat are ok, in my opinion. The cholesterol that clogs our arteries comes mostly from what is made inside our bodies, not the cholesterol that we eat. That's why they've eased up on egg consumption being a no-no. Eggs are healthy, good food. Moderation is the key.

Judy - I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

My IBS has settled down a bit, probably because I'm eating more sensibly again after indulging too much over the holidays. You guys were talking about the dreaded TOM and how it messes you up. TOM quit visiting me about five years ago and it's great! I had a horrible time in the peri-menopause years and despite the hot flashes, etc. I was glad to see him go!

Penny, thanks so much for your words of wisdom and insight with your brother. I even read that part of your post to my DH. He definitely agrees with you. Thankfully DS1 won't be living here till he's 32. Now DS2 plans to start at OIT in March with his military tuition bonus ($20,000). He's thinking of going to school FT and probably already has 1 year done with the military. So he'll be here prehaps for 3 years. But the military really made him grow up and he doesn't have the entitlement attitude DS1 has as well as he's so appreciative of everything we do for and with him. Not to mention he's VERY helpful. So we definitely gave him the same offer as DS1 and he can live here rent free while he attends school. And I do admit, I'm really enjoying getting to know the new him. He's quite delightful.

DH and I decided not to go to Crater Lake and instead went to Hamaker Mountain and took the huskies snowshoeing. They had a blast and are totally tired out. As am I. we went about 2.25 to 2.5 miles and snowshoeing is hard work.

My chili is turning out great (I took a spoonful) and I put the ingredients into my database. 1 cup has 171 cals, 3 grams fiber and 4 grams fat. Ooo la la, I'm having 2 cups with a sprinkle of Kraft's 2% colby jack shredded cheese (which if you haven't tried is fantastic unlike the gross fat free ones). Dinner in about 1/2 hour and I'm salivating.

Penny, I'm very happy to hear your stomach s calming down. Beans and my stomach don't get along so I'll be uncomfy tonight but unlike you it doesn't keep me up. And I so want chili!!!!

Have a great night.
Marie