Carol - It's a good thing all our viruses aren't catchable over the internet! We'll have to all concentate on getting healthy. I've bought extra fruit and some grapes - my mom always swears by them if you are sick. It sounds like you had a really fun time in Saratoga. Way to go winning at the casino! You've got the magic touch. Nice to hear your skirt is feeling loose - that's a great feeling. I usually eat fruit in the afternoons - as you say, the sugars don't hit your system so fast after lunch.

Marie - Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! You are doing so great and are a real inspriation. I bet you're looking forward to using your pool again soon. I'm going to start using some instant tan on my lillywhite (and veiny) legs as we're going to Boise on the 10th to visit our DS and the hotel has a pool. I haven't been swimming for so long and I'm really looking forward to it. DS is lucky that the development where he rents his house has a community pool and gym.

Nikki - Congrats on losing 9 lbs. That's an amazing loss in 2 weeks. Thanks for the advice about changing up my eating habits. I've made a few changes and so I'm hoping to see results soon.

Judy - I'm glad you had a fun time in Baltimore with your brother, despite being sick. I'm taking tons of probiotics and eating lots of yogurt after having been on antibiotics of different kinds for so long. It really messes up your body, but we have to take them I guess. I'm glad your meds have kicked in and you're starting to feel a bit better. I agree about having onions with liver - wouldn't be the same without it. I always like to use some sage too. I think the liver gave me some extra energy today and I was feeling quite perky.

I went and got a new hairstyle today - nothing too drastic just an inch off and I had bangs cut. It's still longer than shoulder length as I like to wear it up sometimes. I've already had some nice compliments. I think the bangs help cover up the 'frown lines' between my eyebrows - they give me an angry look even if I'm in a good mood! I was also pleased to see another half pound gone on the scale today. Hopefully it will be a whole pound by Friday.
I've upped my protein and decreased my calories from wheat products. Seems to be working so I'll keep my fingers crossed .

Well girls my ear is still a little plugged and I think at least its starting to clear hope I am right. I am going to take a sick day on friday and deal with relaxing and giving my body sometime to heal. I figure its been such a crazy week anyways. I am going to try and fit the rest of my folks into my schedule today and work on paperwork. If I try really hard and keep focused without any emergencys it is a possiblity to finish up on time. The diet is a bit more of a struggle this week with the conference and company at my house. But I am still trying to becareful and limit the bad carbs and fat. Today we are having a lunchoen at work as a reward for a good State Audit. I ordered a chicken wrap. Yesterday I ate some greek olives pretty salty but tasty. I was pretty sure they were on my diet but I do have to ck it out. Judy glad you enjoyed your visit with the brother. Those are good times! Marie wow a year huh good for you keep it up girl! Nikki 9lbs thats really cool. I spoke with a guy friend yesterday and after great research he has decided on the AB diet. I don't think that is one the I personally am fimilar with. But has done well we laughed about the trying to be good thing. I think more people seem to be trying to have better health. The conference was on well being better health for disabled and everyone else. Quite interesting talking about stress and it being a big cause to chronic illness etc. The doctor whom spoke was very good and easy to grasp onto what he was trying to get across etc. Penny sounds like your trying to fit lots of healthy things in your body it should work for you. Good luck with switching things around sometimes our bodies get to used to us doing the same thing over and over. Almost and expectation of what we eat patterns aren't always healthy or motivating to our systems to help them lose wt. shake it up baby! Well off to work I go!

Morning Ladies-

My fingers are crossedfor you Penny. Congrats on your loss.

Carol that sounds like a very interesting conference. Someone on another board I go to was talking about the ABS diet. I believe you’re allowed to eat six meals a day consisting of 12 powerfoods – almonds and other nuts, beans and pulses, spinach and other green veg, low-fat dairy products, instant hot oat cereal, eggs, turkey and other lean meats, peanut butter, olive oil, wholegrain breads and cereals, extra protein powder and raspberries and other berries. All other foods are off limits.And you do alot of exercise. Not a diet for me.

Yesterday I bought a new scale because my boyfriend noticed my digital was off. He had been to the doctor the day before and had an accurate reading. I got a regular old analog one. I am realy excited to see how much I lose this week. Next week I am taking a week off to shake up my metabolism then I will go back to atkins induction the following week for another cycle. I m hoping this allows me to lose more weight.

Nikki

Morning everyone, I'm going in late to work today so I'm enjoying a quiet morning at home. I exercised and cleaned my bathroom. Now I'm surfing and then I'm going to do a little stained glass. Then it'll be a long day at work. but for now I'm enjoying myself. I already put the coffee grounds in the expresso machine and am ready to make an iced mocha (180 cals) for the drive to work. Yummy!!! That's my treat for the day.

I put on a shirt form last year as it would match the capris I was wearing and it looked like a tent. Off it goes to goodwill. So I had to improvise. A very nice improvise.

Penny, what a bummer you're going to be gone the 10th (and I assume the 11th). I found out yesterday that I will be at a conference in Portland those two days. I was hoping to get together again. Also, funny about the bangs - I started growing mine out 2 months ago and you got yours back. A total reversal. BTW, I'm using Retin A on the lines and hope that helps.

Judy, I'm glad you're back on meds. You sounded very sick. As I mentioned yesterday prednisone makes me a raving lunatic. But when you need it, you need it. Hopefully you don't metabolize it like I do.

Carol, good for you taking a sick day tomorrow. I've tried to figure out how to take a mental health day all week and it never worked out. But since you're sick, that's a big difference. I just wanted to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Bad me...

Nikki, I found bad readings on my digital when the battery was getting low and when I tried using it on carpet. It only is consistent when its on a hard floor. I hope that the analog works for you. I cheated with those - if I leaned to the side, I could look at it at a different angle and see what I wanted to see.

Well, off to enjoy my last 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Marie

Marie - That is great about your old clothes. I noticed the analog can be faked lol. I however, will not cheat. I may get a new battery for my digital and see if that helps.

Nikki

Well, gee, I'm going to be in Portland next month, too, but on the wrong days, 5/20-21. I'll be dropping in on a conference near there that weekend, then trying to raise money for my organization that Monday, and more fundraising in Seattle the following days.

My bro headed out earlier, and I'm taking advantage of being at home on a weekday to catch up on tons of laundry and hang out in the fitness center. I am feeling very much better today, just a little ear-popping and coughing. The Prendisone is a tiny dosage and only for a few more days, so hopefully that's not enough time for it to make me crazy or bloated.

I have put off weighing myself, in case it makes me want to scream . But I shall do it in the morning. I'm feeling pretty positive, despite the past few weeks' challenges. I have started Judith Beck's new book, and she has definitely pinpointed some of my issues--like equating "hungry" with "emergency"!

Be good--judy

Carol - I'm glad to hear you seem to be on the mend. It's nice that you and your coworkers are being rewarded with a luncheon for the successful audit. The chicken wrap sounds like a pretty healthy choice. AB diet - now that's a new one! Seems like there are so many different diets out there. They mainly seem to lean towards healthy eating - less "bad" carbs, more veggies, less fat. It's amazing how many different combinations of pretty much the same thing they come up with!

Nikki - I hope your new scale is nice to you :

Marie - I'm glad you're taking a little "you" time. We all need that. Isn't it great when our clothes get baggy! Good excuse to shop for new ones. I'm going to have to get new underwear soon as my panties are getting really loose. My butt seems to be the last place to lose any weight, so that must be a good sign! Sorry to hear we'll miss each other when you're in Portland. We'll have to catch up next time you're in town. I grew my bangs out for about a year, so it was a hard decision to cut them again. At least hair keeps on growing, so it's something we can play around with and change if the mood takes us.

Judy - Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better too. I hope the scale will cooperate for you. I'm sure you'll be busy when you're in Portland next month for the conference, but in case you have time to meet for a coffee I'll pm you with my phone number.

I'm feeling a lot more in control of my calories the last few days, so hopefully I can start a downward trend on the scales. My overeating definitely seems to go hand in hand with the amount of stress I'm under. I just have one meeting next week and I'm looking forward to our trip to Boise for Mother's Day.

I hope everyone has a good weigh in.

Well girls I can hear again. Wow what a difference and my sinus problems seem better it was all related to my ear being plugged. They flushed them out I never in my life had it done. I thought from my equal librum being messed with I was going to faint, sweaty and quite off feeling but in 10 min. I was good to go. A little sore but thats it so I decided to still take a day today. My company is still here and we will have some time to visit etc. She would like to go shopping. Tonight we are going out to dinner. Marie wow your doing super keep it up. Nice having your own house back huh? Soon my SIL will have her own bathroom too it and no more extra big chair to walk around in mine. Nikki a new scale I think thats great hope it goes your walk soon down to the point you will love to see. That diet sounds interesting but not for me either. I guess the pt is no matter what diet we are on in the long run it really is just eat healthier, exercise watch your portions and grab onto all the new healthy habits you can and break the old routines and habits that got the wt. on you to begin with. Judy glad your feeling better the ear thing becareful. Now that I can really hear I think some of the buildup must of been there for awhile and by the amt. she removed I guess so. Yuk! Maybe now I will feel great! Yeah stress isn't good for any of us. At the conference they related it so much to chronic illnesses. Which my good friend whom I hang and travel with is the one whom had a stroke at 49. She has lots of stress at work, and I think it makes a big problem for her health wise. After the meeting I had it kind of proves that the two things go together stress and illness. Not so nice I guess we'd all better learn to relax and take a break once in awhile for fun. Life is short and we should never take it for granted. I am going to have my first bowl of oatmeal this a.m. since the SB start. Then save some room for a pasta dinner tonight. So I will becareful all day and that should help. I am going to ck out the Ballys gym near my work as mine is shut down for repairs. This will give me an opportunity to ck it out and maybe start on monday. It is only 5 min. from work I hope they add new equipment to the other site while they are redoing it. Take care girls. Oh scale day this a.m.

Marie - How was your you time?

Judy- I hope the scale is nice to you .

Carol-good luck on the scale today.

Penny-I am glad you feel more in control. I bet you will see a loss real soon.


As for me I am still going strong. my new scale says 155 so that is a relief that my logged weight for last week holds true. I am hoping for 4 -5 lbs this week. However, I will take any loss. When I get to about 153 I will consider myself having broken my long plateau.Technically 155 broke it but 153 will be a much safer weight.I don't ever want to see the 160's again. We went shopping Wednesday and my boyfriend talked me into trying on a size 8 pair of jean capris and they fit and I tried on 3 pairs of jeans I ave not fit into in probably 7 years. They fit so I went from 1 pair of jeans to 4 wohhoo.

Nikki

Nikki

Nikki, that's just so awesome to get into clothes that you've saved. I saved very little (I regret that now) but I did save my workout clothes. I dug them out this past weekend and I enjoyed having uber pretty workout clothes. Even DH remembered them and was pleased for me.

Yesterday was really odd for the inservice. Most of the people have seen me often over the past year but I got like 10 compliments on my weight and questions how I did it. I'm thinking the capris must have been slimming (good thing I didn't wear the old shirt that looked like a tent). It felt good but was still weird since they'd seen me often.

Carol, my sister recommended I go see a dr. about doing that since I'm not hearing as good as in the past. Perhaps with your success I just might do that.

Judy, take Penny up on the coffee - she's wonderful. I wish I was going to be up there that weekend. Bet Carol and Nikki there and I'll drive up too.

Penny, my stomach is the last to lose. Okay the arms are truly the last and never do. I'll have wings till the day I have a dr. cut them off. My legs and butt are actually looking quite good (if I say so myself). I'm thinking perhaps it's because I'm a walking/jogging fanatic. I hate using my arms to work out.

Well, DS is ready to go on our trip over the mountain to get his new contacts. We're going out to Olive Garden for lunch. I love their heart friendly linguini marinara but their bread sticks are a tough one to be good with. But I will succeed. Have a great day.

Oh, and I'm wearing shorts today!!!! HeLLLLLLo spring!!!!
Marie

Marie - The old clothes thing is good. However, my old jeans are way out of style lol. I will be buying new ones shortly. Enjoy your lunch with DS

Nikki

I really don't want to go to Curves, would rather go home and do nothing, so I peeked in at the thread for motivation...now I'll go work out before they close (early on Fridays), and will be back later. Thanks for the boost!

judy

Carol - I like your attitude of taking time to enjoy life - sometimes we get so caught up in things we forget to "stop and smell the roses". I hope you enjoy your dinner out tonight.

Nikki - It's cool that your old jeans fit. That's a great feeling.

Marie - Congrats on getting all those compliments - it's nice to have recognition from others that we've slimmed down. I'd love to wear capri's - they are so comfy when it gets hot. I'm trying some instant tanner on my legs and they look a bit better, so I may go crazy and get some capris. I hope you had a nice lunch at Olive Garden. It's hard to firm up your arms. Mine still have a long way to go and maybe they'll never be slim no matter how much weight I lose. I find some of the yoga exercises give my arms a good workout - kind of like push ups. Meanwhile, the "instant tan" makes them look a lot better.

Judy - I had to push myself to get to Curves today too, but I'm glad I did. I always feel better after I work out.

I managed to do quite a bit of weeding today and picked up 10 bags of mulch to spread over the beds as I get them done. The guy at the store was nice enough to load them in my car for me. I'm tackling the yard a bit at a time and trying not to think of everything that needs doing. Hopefully the mulch will help keep the weeds down a bit. It was so nice and warm today and they're saying it's not going to rain on the weekend! Yay!

I lost another half pound, so I'm down to 187 again.

Have a great weekend everyone!

I'm glad I went to Curves, too, but I left in a cranky mood. Part of it's the meds (Sunday is the last day, hooray), part of it is that my ears are still popping but mostly it was that two women kept hopping around the circuit out of order and staying on some of the machines too long. I've never been there when more than one person was doing her own thing, and to have two at the same time, and during a busy period...I had a hard time concentrating but it was good that I gave it a shot. This morning I did 20 minutes on my little rowing machine, and I will do another short workout in the fitness room later. I miss my videos--my DVD player is being cleaned at a fix-it shop. If it's broken already, maybe I'll upgrade to a Tivo or DVR. One more thing to buy, one more monthly fee...hmmm.

Carol, maybe I should have my ears flushed out, too. If this continues into Monday I will ask about it. I agree that most of the diets are variations of the same theme, it's just a matter of picking what works for you and getting into a groove (like Marie!).

Penny, I'm also a stress eater. I've given up all the vices I used in the past to regulate my moods (cigs, liquor, worthless men, full-fat ice cream, etc.) so munching is my last bad habit.

Marie, I hope enjoyed your Italian meal! Pasta and bread sticks I can't have either of them. I bought some gluten-free pasta but it ain't the same. But congratulations on all the compliments! Sometimes all of a sudden the way your weight loss is distributed makes all the difference.

Nikki, I know nothing about the styles of jeans, except remembering that stone-washed was out a long time ago. I have a terrible time finding jeans that fit, so that's all that matters to me.

So I finally weighed myself yesterday: 227. That was a relief! I was sure that I was up several more pounds. So it's not impossible to reach my May 20goal. Speaking of which, time for lunch!

judy

Happy Weekend!!! DH and I just took the dear doggies for a hike on the mountain behind my house. It's still to muddy to off road, so we walked the road and the huskies explored. Now they're both passed out on the floor. As Penny said, it's BEAUTIFUL here this weekend.

I vacuumed my pool and it's "up" to 58 degrees. At 72 I'll dive in and swim laps. I like it at least 82 but I'm betting anxious. So it's all vacuumed and the heater is on and the solar cover is now on. I'm thinking there is a slim possibility that late tomorrow it might be swimable. That would be a first - to swim in my pool in April. I also cleaned the pool area, arranged the deck furniture and the such. It sure looks pretty.

I'm going to solder my stained glass today. Then DH has to cut the zinc cane for it. But since I have him working on installing our house water filter, that might be tough. He was NOT excited when I insisted. I've already cleaned the house so I get some play time (lately he's had all the play time).

I've upped my calorie average goals. I'd been at 1550 and I upped it to 1700. I'm hoping for 1 to 1.5 pound weight loss per month. I'm sort of tired of buying new clothes. I'm very happy where I am so I'm going to slow it down. I'm hoping that all my 14's stay fitting until fall and then I'll buy 12's. At this rate it'll be mid July and that would be a yucky time to try to buy another new summer wardrobe. Plus, I really got rid of the fat I hated, now is icing on the cake. So no, I'm not quitting, just slowing it down. But the exercise stays the same. Also, for the challenge - I average 1561 calories. But I started it over today for averaging 1700.

Judy, I'm proud of you for going to curves when you didn't want to. Is it amazing when you force yourself to exercise even if you don't want to (especially when it's a bad mood) that it helps? A couple weeks ago when DS1 made me so mad, I didn't want to go to the mountain hiking with the dogs. DH pushed me and I felt so much better I thanked him afterwards. BTW, couldn't you talk to the Curve's staff about the freewheelers? That seems pretty inconsiderate. I'd definitely not go if I knew it would irritate me.

Penny, wow, you've been gardening like mad. Want to work on my yard next??? I love beautiful landscaping but hate when Babmi ruins it so I've given up. I do need to weed my pool area though. Congrats on getting that .5 pound loss!!!

Nikki, I'm with Judy on the jeans. I don't like all the new "styles". I like old fashioned normal Levis (with the stretch so that the waistband is more comfy then in years past). Have fun shopping for new ones.

Carol, I hope you're still feeling better.
Marie