Alternative Group (December 26, 2001)
 

We are a group of non-traditional lifestyle individuals. We are partnered, single, widowed, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Christian, Muslim, gay, bi-sexual, bi-colored and straight. We bask in our diversity and unite in the same goal of losing weight. If you are relatively open-minded and accepting of ALL walks of life, please join us.

Hey girls, hope all are well and enjoyed the holiday yesterday.

I am trying to get psyched up about starting Opti Fast on Saturday...just days away now. I saw myself on a videotape at my sister's house, and boy am I FAT! I have such a capacity to deceive myself about that -- I think that's part of the reason I gained so much weight. Wow. So that's good motivation, to have seen that so close to the start date. My friends and I are going out Friday night for my Last Meal :lol: . It turns out one of my friends has a friend who lost 70 lbs. on Opti Fast a few years ago, so that's encouraging. I knew that woman lost a lot of weight, but I didn't realize it was on this program.

I haven't updated you all about that guy I met...I have met him in person after all, twice. Monday night was the second time. Wow, I really like him so much. It's weird and scary -- but in a good way, LOL. I've done a lot of thinking about him, and the issues in both of our lives, and so forth, and I've come out with a few definitive ideas (well, as definitive as anything in life is). For one thing, I am in a transitional period in my life right now. Not only am I changing my own life, my daughter is just weeks away from turning 18 and just months away from graduating high school, so life is changing altogether. I am getting divorced, I am finishing my bachelor's degree, and I am applying to grad schools. Because of all this transition, I need to be really, really focused on the few things that matter. They are, in order of importance: religion (being more religious in practice especially, but also strengthening belief); finishing undergrad and getting into grad school; losing a significant amount of weight (that one might actually have been #2 instead of #3, but school wins out b/c it needs to be done whether I'm thin or fat); and working on achieving a healthy and meaningful relationship with this guy. I didn't put anything on the list relating to my daughter b/c even though her issues are important to me, they are hers at this point, not mine. She needs to strive to set and achieve goals -- I can't do it for her. I did put the guy on the list for two reasons: I like him so much and I just have this deep-down conviction that we were sort of meant to be together, we have that much in common; and b/c ultimately I think I should re-marry, for practical reasons and also b/c I would just like to know what it's like to be married to someone you're truly best friends with.

OK, now all that is pretty personal, and you guys had better not leave my message just hanging out there like sometimes happens. Makes me feel so exposed...:)

Hope all are well. Talk to you soon.

Oh Ruthie! So you really like him???? That's wonderful. :) I think that I'll make a list today too. It's very healthy to prioritize your life once and awhile, because it's too easy to get distracted and over-involved with the lives of others. I've been dis-associating my life from a friend over the past few months, our lives had simply become too entangled. Losing weight for me was the beginning of change, like I had to focus on the physical before the emotional.

Have a wonderful feast in a few days!

I hope everyone survived Christmas safely, and had a good day. We walked over to my sister's for dinnner, and it snowed steadily until we left a few hours later, the children were thrilled with the snow, a green christmas isn't much fun if you're not used to it... Today they'll have a great time playing in it!

Must go deliver my papers, at least they don't have to be done until 9am on holidays.

L

Good Morning!:D

The day after Christmas! How's everyone feeling? I'm still feeling "tender-bellied" from the virus so I'm still not that interested in food so that wasn't an issue for me this year.

Ruthie, you must be on pins and needles waiting for Saturday. Being a cook, I'd love to know what your last meal is going to be!
And I know we all want to hear about the new man in your life. What common issues or interests brought you together? I loved what you said about wanting to be with a man you're truly best friends with. I believe there are no accidents and you two have hooked up for a reason. So what do you think your "mission" might be with this person? Details, Ruthie, details! :lol:

Lamorgan, your white christmas sounds wonderful! Still green here--I'm longing for snow! How did your witchy beer gift go over? That was perfect--don't you love finding things like that? It's like a gift twice-over!

I love the holidays--but what I don't like is how after the 25th it's done and over. All the build-up to have it slam shut. It's disorienting and slightly depressing for me. Nothing shattering, just a bit of a downer.

It's over. Thank the gods....it's over. I even want to take my tree down today, but hubby defiantly says "NO!" :D I am just not in the Christmas mood this year. It seems so artificial and materialistic and has really put me in a "why bother" mood. Aside from visiting my aunt & uncle on Christmas day, we have no relatives here, no visitors drop by...it just isn't Christmas like I've known all those years back home.

I have to work tomorrow and Friday, and I'm really not liking that either. We normally have 10 days off...Christmas eve through to New Year's Day. This year, with the new owners, we have work those two days. Pointless, really...most of the companies we deal with close down for the whole time. What are we going to do at work with silent phones, silent shipping/receiving departments? I suppose it'll be a two-day "get reorganized" deal. Yay.

Ruthie...the countdown is on! Where are you going for the Last Supper? We expect you to post regularly once you start this program, you know. We want to support you and make sure you're doing okay, and I think we're all interested in the whole process. So, your mystery guy has turned out to be all you'd hoped? That's fantastic! Sometimes the right guy comes along when you least expect him....glad you recognize that he's the right one! I really, really hope this works out between the two of you. You deserve that kind of happiness.

Lamorgan, we had just a powder covering of snow late yesterday evening, but it was gone within a couple of hours. There are some very fine flurries out there this morning, but doesn't look like it will amount to anything. Amazing, how close we can be, and even to Buffalo where they're buried under three feet of snow.

Eydie, hope you feel better soon. I know just what you mean about Christmas slamming shut. Usually I feel the same way, but this year I want to slam the door before it gets a chance to close on me!

Amyjo, wow...your SIL is taking a huge step! If she is really committed and will follow the guidelines, she will be successful. Maybe you could suggest to her that she investigate Carnie Wilson and her story with gastric bypass surgery. A little motivation might assist her in her journey. A news link is below on Carnie Wilson.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/commu...son010115.html

Flower, how is Grif doing? When do his stitches come out? I'm looking forward to January and a clean start, too, in many areas of my life. Diet is right up there at the top, with financial organization.

Tea time! Have a great day everyone!

I only have a few seconds but wanted to say hi!!!!

Ruthie- you sound so put together. GOOD FOR YOU!!! And thanks for starting the new thread!

HI Lamorgan, Eydie and Wildfire! I am so happy the "holiday" is over. Time to get on with the important stuff. I have an organization bug that needs to be satisfied. I am wanting to go thru closets ect...

Grif got the flu from a cousin. He was not a happy camper yesterday. The stitches are dissolvable, gotta scrub them out. Yucky!!! I emailed the mgr at the RIO today. I am trying to think happy thoughts. Chris says he is gonna get his GED and then apply for a prision guard up in ELY NV. His best friend is up in ELY and the prision is hiring. He wants me to be able to make my jewelry and stay home with the kids. So, who knows if it will happen but it sure is nice to hear him modivated. There will be a power plant up there in a few years too that would earn him more money too. I want to move to a small town. It is just a 3.5 hour drive to Vegas. Well, gotta go check on my sleeping monster. I need to stick the fudge in the freezer too. No more for this week!!! I am gonna get a tummy ache! ~flower

Sounds like everyone survived Christmas.... This has to be really quick because I have a lot of cleaning to do today. Holiday's were hectic as normal, DH was grouchie because we had to go to my Mothers Christmas afternoon. Same ole same ole here, at least one sibling gets their nose out of joint about something. My brother and his wife left for some reason or another who know, it really stinks! But over all it was pretty peaceful. Didn't eat too much took most of my baked stuff to my moms and left it there. :) I have one tin of chocolate/oatmeal and one tin of sugar cookies and the kids stocking candy and that is it. Now all I have to do is get through our annual New Years Party and I will be a happy camper.

Ruthie ~ sounds like you have your ball rolling, I am so happy for you. I am with you about finding a best friend to marry, I see my mother at 63 un-happy and alone and has been that way most of my life. I don't think you have someone to be happy, I am not one of those people but I sure think it is nice to have someone special to spend your down time with and who appreciates you for who you are. You can be alone and not be lonely and you can be with someone and be very lonely- but when your with the right someone your never alone or lonely! What are your having to eat on Friday? Keep us up to date.

Wildfire ~ My SIL has done several years worth of research on the net and with the Dr's. She is set in stone that she is going to do this right. She knows the side effects and the risks but right now her risks are higher not having the surgery. There was a long time I don't think she cared if she lived or died and I think it has finally sunk in that she wants to stick around and watch her daughter grow up instead of having us raise her. Her husband was killed in a truck crash 9 or 10 years ago and she has just been in limbo for about that long, it is really sad.

Flower ~ Sorry about Grif being sick on top of everything else. I hope he feels better soon. How was the holiday to spite? Hope everything goes well with Chris and his plans. I have several friends that are in Law Enforcement... it is a good profession.

Eydie ~ You feeling better? I know the feeling about the after holiday blues... I dread it coming but once it is over it didn't last long enough.

Lam ~ you could send some of that white this way. It is so cold here but the possibility of snow is nil :( . At least some of us had a white Christmas.

Hope everyone is recovering well I have to run! I have a sick hubby and a sick cat so I have double duty today.

Hugs,
Amy

A quiet day here today, eldest son is low with a flu-thing, hubby had it yesterday, who's next???

Luckily we have our Yule-feast on Christmas Eve, so everyone felt well that night. We have Christmas-day dinner with my sister around the corner, but John came home early and slept.

We had a wonderful snowfall this morning too, but it is all calm outside now. Maybe 3 inches altogether. Making soup from the ham-bone, appetites are very tender here.

I've probably repeated what I wrote earlier...

Flower; what a nasty thing to happen, for Grif to get the flu when the poor guy has stitches. How is the healing? Small towns are kind of nice, but really hard to fit into at times. My kids manage better than I do, and I find that city people are much, much friendlier then country-born people. To strangers, I mean. We city-born, country-living transplants are very friendly though!

Wildfire; I know how you feel. I'm itching to rip it all down... I'm going to hold out till New Years, only for the kids though. I'm enjoying our tree, not dropping many needles... The kids are coming down from various sugar highs, I'd like to take the entire mass of candy and toss it. :(


Eydie; The beer went over so well! John couldn't believe the label. I hope it tastes ok. Lol. He feels up to a beer today, and put it in the fridge to cool. He'll save the bottle and put it in his workshop after, with all the beer bottles he brought back from BC. (Odd thing to collect, I admit.)

Amyjo; my childhood christmas memories are filled with bickering adults. Probably why I have difficulty this time of year, and why I am go into a kind of control-freak mode when it comes to my kids and holidays. I get over-determined that their memories won't be like mine. No doubt they'll have syndromes of their own, caused by their contolling mother. Lol.

To anyone else I didn't respond to personally, have a wonderful day and evening. We are watching back-to-back Star Trek episodes.

L

Hi again. Lamorgan-Chris spent several years growing up in Ely so it is home to him. He has lots of friends there still and his sister is moving back in a few months after a year away in another small town. I don't fit in whereever I live so no matter. :) But I am trying not to think too much into it cause my life changes it's path a million times before it settles for something! :)

I am trying to not be anxious waiting for the Rio to reply to my email. I don't think it is good knews or I would have heard by now...but I AM TRYING TO REMAIN OPPTIMISTIC.

I braved the mall today. The boys money was itching to be spent. I got myself a tinkerbell sweatshirt that says: TINK believe in the magic. Very cute. 50% off.

Well...I am so jealous of snow too. But it was a beautiful day here in the desert. Bright clear skies, little pollution. You could touch all the mountains. Not too cold, a sweatshirt did nicely. Who can complain about that!
I have awful heartburn. The chocolate fudge is catching up to me! Actually I didn't have any today, I just had a sliver of a brownie cheesecake. I of course haven't had heartburn since I was pregnant and I don't have tums in the house anymore. Yuck!

Well, I think I am going to make some soup. Chat again soon. audri

Hey all!

Thought I would pop in and wish you all Happy Holidays: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Solstice, Happy Ramadan and Merry Kwanzaa! I just finished my first semester of grad school with a 4.0 so I am really sorry not to have been around, but I have been exceedingly busy.

Hope you are all well and that I can hop back into the group!

Linds

Hey Linds! GREAT to see you again! :) And a big congrats on that 4.0! No wonder you haven't been around, pulling that one off! Don't be silly, asking if you can hop back in....if it weren't for you starting our little alternative group, I'd still be wandering the board trying to fit in somewhere. I hope you're going to drop back in and tell us how life is treating you in general.

I am really struggling with having to get up for work in the morning. I'm still on "time off" time. :( Better get to bed.

Cold out there this morning, minus 10 when I went out at 5:30. (celcius) Nothing new to talk about... cleaned out the fridge last night, I think I'm going to freeze all the leftover sweets to get them out of the kitchen. Today I need to finish the soup, just made the broth yesterday, and some sort of vegetarian casserole. I'm craving vegetables.

Last night I almost caved in and ordered Chinese food, but thought long and hard about how I'd feel only moments after that kind of binge. Our little Chinese food restaurant is not a good one, using lots of msg and it's really not yummy. I just wanted something spicy though...

On with the day.

L

Brr, brr, brr. The weather's cold and I'm catching DD's cold.

Linds, welcome back and congrats on the 4.0! Kick ***!

Poor Grif, Flower -- if it ain't one thing it's the other. Glad everyone's recovering from the trauma, though.

Sounds like everyone survived Christmas. The new year is right around the corner -- do we have plans for post-holiday fitness, or is everyone just laying low for the time being?

It's starting to get weird, thinking as of the day after tomorrow I won't be eating like a normal person. I'm sitting here having melba snacks and cheese dip for dinner -- because I CAN!! :lol: I am doing Mexican for the Last Meal -- seems like it has the appropriate balance of food groups: carbs, protein, veggies, fat, and best of all CHEESE, my favorite food.

Eydie, your questions about the Guy...I met him on a Muslim web site, which I was surfing just out of curiosity, but when I read his post I was amazed at how similar it was to something I would have written, so I just had to contact him. We have an uncanny amount in common. What my mission is...only time will tell. And I should mention, after all my anxiety about not wanting to meet him b/c I'm fat, it really isn't an issue. I mean, he knows I'm doing Opti Fast and everything, so I guess we both have an expectation that I won't be like this forever. It's a good thing, I guess, that we met on line first. I still feel really self-conscious, though, but my hope is that my weight loss will be rapid and encouraging.

You bet your booties I've got plans for January 1st. I've been back in the swing, and am maintaining over the holidays. This has allowed me to have the occasional treat, but not blow the mission entirely. As of January 1st, I'm back OP, fully committed. We may order Chinese for New Year's Eve, 'cause we're just hanging out at home. I feel much better being conscious this year about holiday eating, without depriving myself.

Anyone have any suggestions for a challenge? Anyone interested?

Ruthie, Mexican is a great choice! Tasty, spicy, and my favorite too...cheese! Have a margarita for me!

Lamorgan, it was chilly today, wasn't it? I am soooo thankful we aren't getting hit with that snow down in Buffalo. Our office in Amherst closed today because they were shutting down the roads.

Poor hubby isn't feeling well, so I'm off to make him tea and play Scrabble with him.

TTFN

Hello. I binged yesterday. Bad flower!!! I know it is because I am feeling incapable of making things better right now. Rio said big wigs are out of the office till after the first of the year. Griffin has the runs still. Gonna take him to the doc at 10:30. Cameron and Riley were at their grandmas till Riley started throwing up so I got them back at midnight. (Great grampa can't get sick) Chris only worked Sunday, Wed, Thrus and won't go back til Sunday. Ouch! I could use some good news. They have been working out on the gas lines for 2 hours so my head throbs from the jack hammers. But I will be leaving soon. I also have to make a return at the SPeigal outlet store. The blanket mom got Riley had a heart and flower boarder. Won't do for a 8 year old boy!!! You couldn't see that when it was folded up. So, I am a tad grumpy but I may go peak at the bead store if I can find a few minutes away from the family. That should cheer me up some! ~tootles ~~~flower~~~

I'm painting our bathroom. It's been on my list of things to do since March when we replaced a leaking sink. In Oct. I did a broken-tile mosaic back-splash, and finally I'm getting the painting done. We have an old claw-footed tub, and although I love them, a multitude of sins live below it. It's really not fair to have to clean under the tub. Anyway, I've got two coats of primer up, and once it's good and dry, I'll be doing my top coat. I had painted this bathroom 3 years ago, but chose a blue too dark for the room, north light, and John has been complaining ever since. It was my goal once my course was over to get this room done before Jan 7 when my next course starts.

I'm eating popcorn, the rest of my house is a disaster, and for some reason the cable is out. I don't want to call them in case it's been cut! John swears he paid them last week...

I suppose I should call.

We're going to spend New Years with John's mom in Chatham, Ont. 3 hours away. The armpit of Ontario. She is rather down, and in a moment of good daughter-in-law-ness, I said we'd come visit.

She's on her own caring for her mother, who is becoming less able to get around the house safely, and cannot communicate due to strokes. Frustration and guilt, gets to you after a while.
I'm in rambling mode today I guess!

bye ~

Lois

Lamorgan, how goes the painting? I agree 100%...one just shouldn't have to dust UNDER a bathtub! I suppose the charm of the claw-foot tub would compensate somewhat, though? Good for you, starting the new calendar year on a charitable note. I'm sure your MIL will be very happy for the company.

Flower, is Grif still taking antibiotics? They may be contributing to the "runs". Hope the bead store cheered you up....get anything pretty?

RUTHIE!!!!!! :D How was dinner? All set, excited, and motivated for Day One of your program? How does this stuff taste? Gosh, I hope you tested it before committing! :) Check in with us tomorrow and let us know how it is?

No great news here today, other than they let us go home from work at 2pm, which was nice. I'm feeling kinda achey-fevery and trying to kill whatever it might be with echinacea. Think I'm going to crawl in bed with cat-warmers.

The painting is going well; just need a 2nd coat and I'm done. That's the problem when you're covering up a dark colour. 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of colour! Ach! Anyway, can't believe how big the bathroom looks now. The kids are going into Hamilton with John today to spend their paper-delivery tips. They have some McDonalds coupons, so they'll have fun. I'll paint.

Have a good day everyone!

L

Wow, Wildfire, it never occurred to me to test taste it! I hope it's not disgusting. My Last Meal was good -- although I have this cold, and I had put drops in my ears b/c they itched so bad, so I was kind of deaf, which made conversation a little difficult (what? what? what did you say? what?). I left a lot of my entree on my plate, and everyone was trying to urge me to binge and eat past the point of fullness, and I was like, that's what got me in this predicament in the first place! I recently acquired the skill of stopping when I'm full, and I really enjoy being able to do that -- very empowering, not to mention I hate that feeling of a distended stomach. Better than the food was the fact that everyone expressed their support, and wished me the best in my endeavor. Two of the friends there recently quit smoking, so we all agreed to call each other if we were going nuts on our programs. To tell the truth, I was really touched at how supportive everyone was. I'm still feeling really warm inside b/c of it.

Hey Flower, don't worry about the binge. Sometimes life is like that. Hope all goes well with the Rio.

Lamorgan, wow, you are so productive! I am so bad with stuff like that, I am always in awe of people who actually do things to beautify their homes :lol: .

I should get going; I have to go pick up my "product," as the program director calls the shakes, and get oriented to this program. Drinking black coffee this morning for the first time in years! I will report back after going to the clinic, and after tasting the junk. Have a good day, everybody!

Hubby's life expectancy has just diminished severely. That achey-fevery feeling I had last night has turned into the beginning of a cold....HIS cold I would assume. Grrrrrr. At least I have the next four days at home to fight it. I hate, hate, hate having a cold!

Lamorgan I've had to cover dark colours before, and it is worth it in the end to do the extra work with 2 coats of primer and 2 of colour. What colour are you painting with now? I don't think you said. Remember when we were kids and how exciting it was to have money to spend AND get to have lunch at McDonald's? Things were much simpler then, weren't they?

Ruthie, that's fantastic that you have support from your friends. Funny you mentioned that you've recently learned to stop when you are full. I've recently discovered that I don't have to eat if I'm not hungry. :D There have been several nights that I've come home after work not starving and didn't cook a big meal anyway. Hubby and daughter weren't so pleased when I just fixed a bowl of soup or a sandwich, but they're capable of feeding themselves. I'm trying to let go of the mentality that I have to cook every night and keep a perfectly clean home. I'm tired of chasing my tail in circles to keep up with it all. I've always told myself I had to get everything done before I could sit and read or cross-stitch or whatever it was that I wanted to do. Usually I ended up too tired! Good for you for not bingeing when encouraged....I find I end up more hungry the day after, and you don't need that on your first day. What are you allowed to have along with the shakes? Just beverages? I hope the shakes taste good!

Flower, at least you got a response to your e-mail. Think how you would feel if you didn't know the big-wigs were out of the office! If you don't hear anything by the end of next week, contact them again.

I am going to see Lord of the Rings for the second time at noon. I saw it with hubby on Boxing day (the 26th), but one of the girls at work really wanted to see it and had no one to go with, so I volunteered. I find it strange, but that's because I have no problem whatsoever going to a movie by myself. If there's something I want to see and no one is interested, I go anyway! I'm there for the movie, not the conversation.

So, I'm hoping that a cup of really hot tea will help my sore throat before I go. Will check back later.

baby in lap, no capitals or punctuation grif has the roto virus up to 10 days of the runs gotta go back in on monday if not better this is making me so grumpy i can't take any more bad news i need some me time


ok i feel better never made it to the bead store read my journal not gonna moan here too i think i am looking forward to going back to work i will be unattached to griffin he is so clingy all the projects have been put on hold ughhhh till nap time flower

Poor Grif, and poor Flower...hope all are back on track soon.

I feel awful.......weak and headachey and hungry and tired plus I still have this head cold.

OK, here's the deal...turns out I had a choice between mixing powder with water for the drinks, or ready made in a little 8 oz. juice box for 25 cents extra a container, so I went for ready made. I am on the full fast program, so I have nothing but 5 of these juice boxes full of chocolate or French vanilla drink a day (strawberry will be back in stock next week...but it would be nice if they had cheese flavored:lol: ). They also have a chicken soup that has hardly any chicken in it, but she doesn't want me to start on that till I've been on full fast for a while. Wow, how am I ever going to exercise feeling the way I do? I know it will just take time to get used to. That's why I took next week off work, to give myself a chance to adjust in my own home at my own pace.

I guess I'll go lay down for a while. I was gabbing for hours with the Guy, and he said he'd call me later. I have a lot of anxiety about him, although I'm too wiped out to feel it now...I'm so afraid I'm wasting my time with him b/c maybe he doesn't like me as much as I like him, or with the certainty I feel, and after he finally admits he wants to run away I'll be older and even more cynical ... or maybe I will have met somebody great who was a good friend and could be in the future ... somebody help me out here, I never knew how to do this, I guess that's why I kept getting married! OK, off to the sofa. I have one drink left for today. I feel like crap. God willing tomorrow will be better, and a week from today I will have adjusted quite well.

Oh, it tastes good, although frankly I'm not enough of a sweets person to enjoy these flavors all day long, but I know most people would. It tastes like a shake.

Oh, Flower....sorry you're having such a rough week. *hugs* Hang in there....where there are valleys there are hills, and I hope that soon you're back on top of that hill gazing up at the stars.

Ruthie, now you listen to me, young lady! :D You stop all this worrying about Guy (there, I've given him an official name) and whether or not he shares the same level of interest that you do. If you obsess over it too much, you're going to miss out on all that wonderful getting-to-know-you stuff that happens when a relationship develops. Enjoy it and him without second guessing yourself. If it does turn out that he isn't Mr. Right, hopefully you will have a near and dear friend to count on. We all know what a wonderful, intelligent, caring, ambitious person you are, and I'm sure he sees all that and more...why would he even have agreed to meet you if he didn't? So relax and have some fun together!(Okay, lecture over. :) ) Good idea, taking the time off work to get used to the fast. Having a cold probably has something to do with how you're feeling. Hopefully after a couple of days the hunger will diminish and you'll feel better. I think for me the worst part would be missing the texture and taste of different foods. At least the shakes taste okay.

Hubby went out to buy me soup, OJ, and echinacea, and has been doing a marvelous job of looking after me. (He fears for his life.) I'm feeling a bit better, and I'll know tomorrow if I've beaten it or if it's taking hold.

Aw shucks, Wildfire, stop flattering me.:^:

It's 5:40 AM, there is a full, silver, perfectly circular moon raging outside my window, and I'm trying hard to feel better. Coffee is helping. I CAN do this, God willing. I have to pare everything else away except focusing on my goals.

Wildfire, rationally I know you're right about (the) Guy, but I am a wreck emotionally. I was never good at this, but I have been trying hard to avoid at least some of the pitfalls I have stumbled into before. My biggest problem is that ability to become obsessed, and to center my life around a man. I need to stay myself, and stay focused on what's important (didn't I just say that? my brain is starved). I have been thinking (especially when I was up at night yet again thinking about it) that I should take a few days off from talking to him. I just need to get back on track, and force myself to live life without constantly talking to him. I need to come up for air, especially now, if I am going to have a hard time adjusting to this fast. Focus, focus, focus.

Hi Everybody!

Ruthie, I think it's safe to assume that if 'the guy' is talking to you for hours he's really into you and wanting to get to know you better. Enjoy the ride! I've been with the same guy for 18 years and it's great to be so comfortable but I remember fondly the 'getting to know you tingles'. Enjoy!

Also, I've had a bit of experience with fasting [nothing like what you're undertaking tho!] and after the 3rd day or so I got that light, euphoric feeling and wasn't hungry anymore--and I remember coming off a 5 day fast and having 1/2 an orange and it was bliss!

Fasting actually sounds appealing to me because I've gotta tell you I overdid it this holiday with food! Truthfully, I'm feeling pretty miserable---lots of bad choices. And my 'spa vacation' didn't turn out to be all that great. Things just kept coming up; we were sick, funeral to attend, the ever-delightful emergency home repair--so our time just got all chopped up and stressful and now it's almost over. Still have 3 more days though! :D

Flower, I hope you're feeling less overwhelmed than last week. Is it just me or is anyone else glad that Xmas is over?

Wildfire, maybe the duration of your cold will be mercifully short. Keep chugging those liquids!

Lamorgan, are you done with your painting? We painted our little closet of a bathroom bright yellow a few months ago and it really wakes you up in the morning!

I'm getting back to it today, girls. The Wicked Eydie in me is pulling at me to go out NOW to one of those monster breakfast buffet places and just go for it "one more time" and the Angelic Eydie is saying to make a omelette with fat free cheese and tons of vegetables here at home. I'll let you know how it turns out. The Eternal Struggle Between Good And Evil........:devil: :angel: :rolleyes:

WEll, time to party. I haven't changed a poopy diaper in 12 hours. Can you say YIPPY!!!!! I went thru 50 plus diapers in 36 hours. Thank goodness for Walmart!

I am going to the indoor swap meet in an hour. I am in search for a good looking silk tree to display my fairy ornaments year round. I can make one, but the swap meet ones are nice too. So I would rather get it done already. Time is more valueable right now.

I had a long talk with SO last night. I am feeling so out of sorts. I think the events have just caught up with me. I think that is what is causeing the crappy eatting and unusual behavior.

My girlfriend is rescuing me tomorrow at 9 am. We are gonna do girl stuff. Gotta get my check and to the bank but then we are off to the bead shops and then to the malls and maybe out to lunch. She is gonna be my "knight" and save my sanity! Then on Tuesday I am going to start my diet all bright eyed and bushy tailed!!!!

Thank goodness for a new beginning, even if it is just a new start on the new calender. Jan 1st is just another day, but it seems light a breath of fresh air!!!! ~flower

I'm painting the bathroom an off-white. The paint was given to me (for free) by my sister, and the room is now very bright! The white has a great deal of warmth in it, some yellow or something, so it isn't cold and stark. I have never painted a room white before. My daughter says I'm entering a new, weird, dull stage. I usually paint things vivid colours, but feel very monochromatic lately... John is working on a cabinet for this same room, to my (ha) specifications.... 80 years ago they obviously didn't have as much crap in their bathrooms... Ha ha. Maybe they stored everything under the tub.

My children are driving me crazy. I far too many it seems. Although I no longer have one in diapers (nearly 2 years since Evan was!) I still can understand your totally touched-out feeling, Flower. How is his face? I suppose it will take time.

Today I've been scrubbing the kitchen staircase walls, and may actually prime them. All of a sudden I can see all the tasks that need to be done, and it's very overwhelming...

Take care everyone!

L

Ruthie, I get what you're getting at. :dizzy: That may take some effort, consciously trying to keep yourself a little bit detached when you really want the whole deal with Guy. Just be sure to try to balance the time you spend talking to him with time doing things that you have set your goals on. Perhaps assume the mentality that you will go about your regular daily tasks and find time to fit him in, rather than putting yourself in the position of trying to find time to fit in your regular daily things. Might that work? How are you feeling after day two on the program?

Eydie, sorry to hear your spa vacation didn't work out the way you'd hoped. Yes, I'm glad Xmas is over! I am looking forward to a fresh start. Which one of you won out for breakfast? :D

Flower, glad today is better for you (and Grif!). Also glad to hear your friend is taking you out tomorrow. Sounds like just what you need.

Lamorgan, isn't it amazing how many different shades of white there are available? That would be a big change from a dark blue. And yes, the problem with doing one room is that you then need to tackle every other room!

So girls, tomorrow is the last day of the year. I've spent the year going up and down 10 pounds. Can you believe it? A whole year!!! I know that I can control my diet. What I need is to get into exercising. Three weeks to form a habit, right? Somehow I am going win this battle in 2002.

Anyone have any suggestions on mini-challenges? Seems like we are all ready for a fresh start. (Of course, Ruthie has already started.) Personally, I am going to focus on 5lbs at a time, or perhaps to start I'm aiming to reach 175 again, then down to 170, and so on. Anyone have any great workout video recommendations? I've been thinking I may even get adventurous and look into low-impact aerobic classes or aqua-aerobics. I've done them in the past and was successful in losing weight. If I can lose that first 15lbs or so, I'll look into joining a gym.

Are you girls with me on this? Time to shake things up in the Alternative corner!

OK, another day, another set of challenges. Last night I woke up around 12:30 and had a sixth shake -- I just couldn't stand the nausea anymore. The program director wanted me to buy some of their snack bars for "just in case," but I was all about being strict -- I may need to buy some when I go back to the clinic on Thursday. Actually, though, the sixth shake along with a pill (can't remember the name, brain still starved) my doc prescribed for nausea with migraines seemed to do the trick, and after that I slept through most of the night. Now, if I could just get my head unclogged I might be ok. I was avoiding taking cold medicine yesterday b/c I was so nauseous, I thought it would make it worse, but I may need to break down and take some. Clearly, I will also have to be realistic about this whole thing: I'm off work this week, but I do have typing to do (I did one report yesterday and felt like I was going to vomit) and I do have to go back to work next week. If I can't function, I can't do the full fast. I also have two essays due for school tomorrow; hopefully I can fudge my way through those.

Wildfire, I bought a couple exercise videos in preparation for this fast -- I was hoping to at least do the "2 mile walk" today; I'll let you know how it is.

Good for you, Flower, taking a girls' day out. Lamorgan, you might need one too ;) !

Eydie, I know what you mean about fasting actually feeling good -- I'm actually surprised at how awful I feel, and I have to assume it's because of this stupid cold. Bad timing...

Well, Good Eydie won out yesterday morning and I had a big low-fat breakfast at home. Sigh...Even tho I wanted to go for the big bad one out!

I'm SO BEYOND READY to get back on my program!!! Back in November I had a great month--the entire month I ate so well and felt so incredibly good. And in December I tossed all that away and now I feel all lethargic and bloat-y. When I was doing so well in November I loved how I felt about myself; I felt like I was in control, like I wasn't a food addict, etc. And now I feel like I've lost it all and why did I go this route again? I felt so good--I found a plan that absolutely worked for me and why would I ever deliberately give it up? I feel like I'm in a totally different mind-set now and I don't like it. So I'll have to claw my way back to where I was before--same old pattern for me!

Flower, I'm glad you're getting out today--Have fun!

Lamorgan, one thing at a time, girl! I wish I could catch some of your ambition and get started on some projects I've been putting off.

Ruthie, I hope things get better for you. Did anyone tell you to expect these symptoms? Is your cold any better?

Wildfire, yeah, I'm thrilled that everybody feels ready to get back to it again! Do you want to set us up for our first challenge?

Thank God, girls, I'm feeling much better today...still tired, still a little lightheaded when I stand up, but much, much better than the last two days. They did give me a whole long list of possible side effects, and my symptoms are all on it (well, except for the stuffy head). I took cold medicine and the nausea pill, so my head feels better but I'm not nauseous. I'm actually not that hungry! Of course, it's only 9:30, so we'll see how the day goes, but I don't feel as downright awful as I did over the weekend. I'm going to do some typing now (after laying on the sofa for like an hour and a half). Hopefully later on today I'll feel strong enough to do a little exercise. And I realize also that if I need an extra shake, I should probably have one -- that still brings me in under 1,000 calories for the day.

That's it! The Christmas tree is coming down TODAY!

Ruthie, it's really too bad that you came down with a cold just before starting this program. I know that you wanted to be completely motivated and 100% dedicated to do this. It might be a good idea to go back to the clinic and get whatever is available to you, whether it is the soup or snack bars or whatever. At least until you're in a groove and accustomed to the fast? I don't want you to get discouraged by trying to do too much from the start.

Eydie, glad the good Eydie won yesterday! *L* I'm psyched for starting again tomorrow! Whoever gets to it first, start a food journal tomorrow.

First challenge, for those who wish to participate: I'm going to suggest 30 minutes of exercise, three times this week. Whatever exercise you like, even if it's 3-10 minute sessions, just do it! Not too tough, but enough to get us going? Do more if you like, of course.

I better get going. Have to get to the bank this morning.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, chicks! Let's all work to make this a great and productive year in which we achieve our goals, weight-loss-related and otherwise!

I had enough energy yesterday to do 20 minutes on the stationary bike! Woo hoo! I guess you can count me in on your exercise challenge, although my personal goal is min. 20 minutes five days a week.

Eydie, don't worry that b/c you went off your program you can't get back to those good habits, or that it will be difficult to do so. I have faith that you can regain your footing, and the holiday munching will all be a distant memory.

Happy New Year!!!

I agree, Ruthie! Let's make this our year to achieve our goals!

Somehow while hubby and I were out for about an hour yesterday afternoon, my daughter was using the computer and now our cable modem is fried. She swears she didn't t do anything, of course. So I'm on dial-up now and it's quite painful. We're going to trade in the modem tomorrow after work.

I am going insane here. The tenants above me have two small children who run on their heels across the hardwood floors it seems constantly. Then there is the ball bouncing and hammering on the wooden floors. I'm about ready to lose it. Our lease states that area rugs MUST be placed over the hardwood to muffle noise to the apartment below. I think I am going to write a letter to the landlords to have them check for rugs and enforce the lease. Short of that, I'm going to cut those kids off at the knees.

Well, today is day one! Guess I'll rummage through the kitchen to find something healthy for breakfast. I've still got cookies and pie and brownies left from Christmas. I can see those going in the garbage today! Planning on bundling up and heading out for a walk while the sun is shining today. I need to get used to this cold weather again!

Ruthie, glad you felt better yesterday!

Well, I'm with you girls for the on-program New Years thingy. It's 10:53 and so far so good.

I used to have a lot of energy for painting and cleaning, but my Newspaper-delivery job really changed many facets of my life and my energy. Now if I have a burst of creative energy I have to tap it immediently 'cause once it's gone, it's gone.

I used to be a night person, and now I'm in bed by 9pm.

Hubby built me a built-in cabinet for the newly painted bathroom, and I'll paint it today hopefully. Eldest son and husband are off to see Lord of the Rings today, I'll go see it next week.
Menses due any day, I'm bloated and tender and crabby. I can tell I haven't been drinking nearly enough water because when I do I have little or no bloated-ness or tender breasts. That's my goal ~ to drink all the water I'm supposed to.

I walk over an hour 6 days a week, so my excersise is ok. :)

No more Christmas candy, or chocolate or anything.

Anyway; need to go, I'll pop in later!

L

Time for a new Thread! See ya on the new years thread!