Nikki, Okay, I'm in but in a slightly different way. I stopped setting weight loss goals. So I'm setting an average of 1550 calories per day through May 20th. That means I have to be better at logging - I will log everything. Since I alreayd exercise everyday, we'll at that as a goal. That's the easy one. Logging daily is the hard part but other than tomorrow when I have to go to Salem for the day, I'm not going out of town in that duration. I sort of like the average idea so I don't always have to be perfect but overall in control. I'm definitely in.

Penny, I would be irritated too. I'm pretty sure I couldn't do non-profit. I can't ask anyone anything about money. I don't bargain with the car sales person, I don't sell girl scout cookies, I never let me kids do fund raisers. For me, asking for money (or savings) is so uncomforable. So if you have people wanting to pay for tickets and some dingbat gave them away, that would set me off.

Judy, my desk is cleared off (for the most part) and I'm out of the office tomorrow so it would be a great time for to you to send more stuff my way.

Carol, no harassment??? Yeah, in our dreams. Harassment comes in all shapes and sizes. Subtle or blatant. You friend sounds semi subtle and just stays on the line. I'd move offices.

So I went to the podiatrist today. The wart on my foot never went away. So he's treating it, but not aggressively. I told him my exercise routine and he said, "Then I'll put you in my high school/college athletes category so that we succeed but without hindering the workout". Cool, huh? He's going to treat it with acid (didn't hurt at all) and redo it every 2 weeks until he SEES it's gone. My reg. dr. didn't follow up. I was very happy. BTW, he's an exercise fanatic and older hippie. I liked his philosophy.

I walked 3 miles this morning and it was a harder routine (the Walk Slim WATP). Lots of upper body and very fast paced. I very much liked it. Tomorrow I have to get to work by the time I usually get up so I'm concerned on the exercise front. To get up 3:30 to get a couple miles in or get up at 4:00 so I get there by 5:00????? Hmm, I could exercise when I get home but I like starting my day off right. I bet when the alarm goes off at 3:30 I'll decide.

Well, off to my exercise thread.
Marie

Carol - I guess it's hard to find a 100% harassment-free work environment! If you ever find one let me know . I like the sound of your nice bright hallway. I like some country touches too - nice and homey.

Nikki - Like Marie, I'm not into setting goals anymore (I get too frustrated when I don't reach them in due course). I will try to limit my calories though and I'm going to aim for no more than 1600 per day, which will basically mean cutting out a snack (or two!)

Judy - Thanks for your advice re non-profits. I could also never ask anyone directly for money, but at least our ladies get an excellent tea and a fashion show for their money. I've gotten over my hissy-fit today and will just be glad when it's all over and I can get back on an even keel. I did manage to stay away from the chocolate and cheescake by the way.

Marie - I'm glad you've found someone who seems to know what he's doing regarding your foot problem. I had the same thing done when I was about 14 and I don't think the treatment has really changed much since then. Funnily enough, I used to kind of enjoy going to get my foot scraped - how weird is that but it didn't hurt a bit. It took several months, but eventually the plantars were gone.

I did my yoga class today. Boy was it hard, but I felt great afterwards. My instructor is very patient and knows my limitations because of my arthritis. She works around it suggesting slight changes in the poses. Luckily there's only two of us so far in the morning class so we get a lot of one-on-one attention.

Tomorrow I'm going to really make an effort to stick to 1600 cals. My intake has been creeping upwards and that's not good.

Hi Ladies- Penny/ Marie I understand. I am looking at it as if I lose 10 and not 15 I am at least 10 lbs lighter.


I am very happy to report that on Monday I was weighing in at 164.6 and today I am back down to 161.4 for my official weigh in. Today is my 3rd day this week working out and eating better.

Nikki

Thank God my meditation class meets tonight....my brain is spinning! I had to be in early this morning (although not as not as early as Marie, yikes!) and was very disorganized, so I had no time even for a short workout. It's been a go-go-go type of day, and tomorrow will be the same. I hope to leave in time to make a rare stop at Curves before my class. I won't get home until nearly 9PM, and I'll be ravenous, so going to Curves will be my only opportunity to work out today. Hmmm, maybe I should rethink cancelling my membership

Nikki, I am also ambivalent about setting weight loss goals in the short term. I guess it's all a matter of what works for you, and what helps you stay positive even you "only" lose ten pounds in a certain period. Congratulations on your latest wiegh-in

Marie, how are you logging? I just didn't take to web-based logs, and using little spiral notebooks, like I did years ago, just makes me sigh. Maybe you could invent a voice recorder that I could talk into that would also calculate calories and carbs? I would invest in that .

Penny, your yoga class sounds ideal, almost like a personal session. Waht style of yoga are you studying?

Carol, I hope you're having a very good day.

Okay, playtime is over, time to get back to my stack of things I must read today or ele.

judy

Thanks Judy I understand it just helps me to stay on track. I only suggested this challenge because a couple of you ladies wanted something for a chalenge. I will stick to this one maybe you can come up with something else.

Nikki

Nikki - I'm glad you've encouraged us all to shake up our eating plans. We may all have different ways of going about it but we're all in the same boat! I've managed to stay under 1600 calories today so hopefully I can start losing again. Congratulations on your loss - you are an inspiration!

Judy - I'm learning Hatha yoga (I think it's the most common type). I'm sore today after my workout yesterday. We worked on abs and legs and although it doesn't seem like you're doing much of a workout at the time, I can definitely feel it! I like the meditation aspect of yoga too. I need all the help I can get in that department.

I went to talk to an acupuncturist today for the treatment of my arthritis but I was put off by the fact that she wants me to also start taking a bunch of oriental herbs. I'm already taking so many supplements I think I'd gag if I had to take one more! It gets very expensive too, as it's not covered under my insurance and I'd have to go at least twice a week for treatments.

Hi all, well I did get up early to exercise yesterday. 3:30 am is just too early. But I did 2 miles walking and 1 mile jogging. I did that routine again this morning. I'm hoping to take the doggies for a walk after work so that would add another 1.5 miles. I did not stay under the 1550 calories but since I was away from a computer and I blew it, I will start today.

Judy, I log everything with Lifeform (you can google it). It was about 40 bucks and it runs off my USB thumb drive that I always have with me since it's on my keychain. I didn't like web based because I didn't always have web. But I suppose with the blackberry you would - but I bet there are small databases that you could load onto your blackberry. I know if I use lifeform, I don't overeat. And so far today, I've logged!!! YEAH.

Penny, I used to take supplements up the ying-yang. I started choking on trying to swallow them and my stomach started to throw them up. Now I take Flintstone's vitamins. That's all my stomach will allow - that and my calcium and prescriptions.

Nikki, I'm on board with a challenge so don't get me wrong. I'm just challenging how many calories I average. so we're in this together. Great new on getting back to 161.
Marie

Hey, Nikki, sorry if I sounded critical! I was just speaking for myself here, everyone has to decide for themselves what markers motivate them. I've done so poorly using pounds lost as a goal that I need to stick with things I can control--like my own behavior, which hasn't been great--before I can go back to the traditional pound-a-week goal that I want for this year. We will all support each other's success with these challenges, and cheer you on to graduation!

I'm just popping to say hey, 'cuz I doubt I'll have a chance to come back today. Except for the meditation class, which is a lifesaver, I haven't had much time to relax or zone out. I'm glad that I'm taking most of next week off when my sister visits. I need a break!

judy

Oh Penny when the sun would shine I felt I had a canary in my hallway a big yellow canary. So I put another coat on last night and added one half of whats called heavy cream its my new kitchen color. It softened my look and now looks more calm. With life so crazy most of the time that lemon canary yellow was just to rough! But now its pretty and peaceful the look I needed to walk into after a crazy work day. Which to speak of I am off today using a little MH time. I think I deserve it after the last few weeks. Also have been helping train our new girl. I think she will work out just fine. Judy thanks for the turkey recipe and I am planning on picking up the stuff maybe sundays dinner. I am up for the challenge Nikki. But will do mine as intake journal 6-7 days I like that idea, 3-4 days exercise does painting count??? Also will do the scale thing once a week fridays. Start date today:3/23 also watching the carbs, adding fiber and protein. Does anyone know how much protien we are to have daily?? Oh a friend had chol. issues and the doctor advised her to use the Atkins diet said after lots of research it is found to be one of the best??? What do you all think?? I never really tried that one maybe I should? Well Marie congrats on your new jeep baby. Did you know anyone for a discount? My SIL works for the company whom makes those. Someday I would like to get myself one. I just bought 4 new tires yesterday to the tune of 400.00. Good thing I won 100 on a scratch off the other day a 2.00 one at best! Next its back brakes and rotors. Then I will be set for awhile again. Hurray! Penny I am taking some herbs for my hot flashes its in liquid form a few drops on the tongue. I do think its helping so far I feel like it is and its suppose to be helping with the moods etc.. So lets see! If it works its well worth it. Sometimes I think when we take so many different things how does one know what works and what doesn't?? They did tell me this doesn't work against any medications one may be on so that was positive. I slept much better last night than I have in a week. Well girls I gotta go get painting the sun is shining and its going to be a lovely day here!

Morning -

i'm just feeling in a defensive mood. Life here is crazy. Anyway today is day 4 of eating right and working out.

Nikki

Marie - I checked out Lifeform. It looks good, but unfortunately it's only available for PC's. It looks fairly similar to Spark People. It would be handy to have a good food logging program that is not dependent on being online.

Judy - I'm glad you're getting some time off - you deserve it. Your meditation class sounds soothing. I enjoy the last part of my yoga class where we totally relax in a Savasana pose - I nearly fall asleep. I'm still sore in my legs and abs from last week's class, so it's definitely doing something to my body.

Carol - I can see where a very bright yellow might get on your nerves. I'm glad you could change it to a creamier color. Better than living with a color that drives you nuts! What kind of drops are you using for hot flashes, etc.? I still get them and have trouble sleeping sometimes.

Nikki - I hope things quiet down for you soon. Good for you to be sticking to your diet with all the extra stress.

I didn't lose any today at my weigh in, but I'm sticking to my intake goals a bit better, so I'm hoping for a loss soon. Once all the stress from the fashion show is over, I think my body will be willing to let go of some fat!

It's a nice day, so I'm going to do some yard work this afternoon. The weeds are humungeous this spring. We're supposed to get a week of rain starting tomorrow, so I have to get out there while I can.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Penny - Hang in there girl. I'm sure your changes will cause weight loss soon.

Okay, day 1 of the "personally tailored" challenge: yesterday's calories was 1576. Not too off the 1550 goal. So far today I'm doing great!!!! Yeah!!! and I walked 2 miles and jogged 2 miles this morning. Yesterday I did add a doggie walk of 1.5 miles. I promised the little angels I'd take them out again today. So today will be 5.5 miles. I'm so into this challenge (see Nikki you did motivate me back on course) that the 1550 is no longer frightening. I can do it. since TOM is here I'm not weighing in until a week from Tuesday. No need to throw the scale through the window.

I'm so happy the week is basically over. I hate the week after a vacation. The emails, piles of reg. mail, and voice mail was too much. As well as getting last week and this week's work done this week. But I survived and conquered it.

Nikki, you are doing so great. Just a quick question - are you relatively young? When I was in my 20's - 30's I was able to set pound goals as my body knew how to lose weight. Since I hit my 40's I can do what I was doing back then plus all my exercise and not be able to lose (I'm thinking pre menopause hormones and the such) at a steady rate. Since I've met Penny, I know my age, Judy is 50 by 50 and Carol's a grandma too, the 4 of us are in the slow metabolism boat. Please don't take that we altered the challenge to fit us wrong. If I were 20 years younger I'd be setting pound goals. For me setting calorie goals is what I still can control. I hope that makes sense to you. And you're a step ahead of us - you lose your weight now as a youngster and you won't have to set slower goals later on.

Penny, gee, be glad you have weeds. That means you have spring silly. Spring is peaking out occasionally around here. My tulips/daffodils are about 6 inches tall. no weeds yet but I just figure they add green to my brown landscape.

Carol, very good move to repaint. If you don't like it on day one you'll hate it a few weeks down the road. Soft yellow is soothing. Bright yellow is yelling. My old Jeep is bright yellow and it's meant to yell but I'd hate my entryway that color.

Judy, enjoy your visit with your sister. i'm glad you'll be able to relax a bit. Next week is my school district's spring break but since I took it last week, I'm working. BUT many others aren't so it should be quiet and I can get thinking work done.

Well, tomorrow DH and I going to go to Crater Lake before sunrise. So tht should be cool. We're going to snowshoe. And DS1, almost DIL and DGS left for the coast for 5 days. A mini vacation. (for me and them).
Marie

Marie -

I am glad you are doing well. Yes, I am younger 28. I want to drop to 135 before I hit 30, preferablly before I hot 29. I realize it is a lot harder as you face menapause etc. I have gotten stuck in the same spot everytimeI've tried losing. I get down to like 158 and stall. I am hoping this time I can blow past 158 and get down to 145 by May.


Have a great weekend everyone
Nikki

Nikki, I know about stalling. From early Nov to late December I was stuck at 172. For some reason I dropped a pound over Christmas then am now at about 168. I will be happy when I get more towards the 165 mark. But my body will do what it wants. BTW, the challenge is helping tremendously. Knowing I have to stay in the 1500 to 1600 range has put control on my munching. This is very good.

Yesterday DH and I did go to Crater Lake and snowshoed but missed sunrise by about 4 hours. We packed a picnic and the day was beautiful. We went about 2.5 miles. This morning we took the huskies to Hamaker Mtn and let them run free. Kodiak was running down a rocky hill and hurt himself. After examination he peeled back part of his big pad on his front paw. DH and I cut the peeled back part off and drugged him so he's sleeping be me at the moment. I'm hoping that it'll heel quickly as he's too impatient to be sidelined (as was proof he wouldn't lay down when we got home - he'd limp and cry). DH even had to carry him in the house from the Durango. BTW, I jogged back to the Durango from where he got hurt - .5 miles. I did that outside and with hiking boots on and after walking mountain roads for 3.5 miles. Not bad at all if you ask me. I was a little proud of me.
Marie