Hey everyone

I'm being bad and doing housework on Sunday morning, but decided to take a quick break and catch up on my emails and such. This bit arrived in my tip of the day, and I just had to post it.

Facts On Fiber
Adding fiber to your diet is a smart move because it can help reduce colon cancer, regulate blood sugar, and satisfy your hunger. The National Cancer Institute recommends that adults consume 20-35 grams of fiber daily, and that won't happen on a fast-food diet. Here are some foods that will help you achieve a healthy fiber intake: dried and regular fruit (with skin); vegetables; whole grains and cereals; beans and peas; wheat germ; and unbuttered popcorn.

- Mariam Ballantine

Ok, off to do my walk with DH before he heads to his evening job. At least I had him to myself for a morning. Too bad I'm being obsessive about getting spring cleaning going and made him clean with me! We should have been in bed snuggling.

Andria

Hi Gang,

I came across this and it looked pretty good to me although I haven't tried it.

Pumpkin Brownies:
Recipe By : Bonny Hein
Serving Size : 15 Preparation Time :0:15
Categories : Desserts

Amount Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 Package Sweet Rewards Devils Food Cake Mix
1 Can Libby's Canned Pumpkin 15 Oz.
1/2 Cup Water

Mix all ingredients thoroughly with an electric mixer, about 1-2
minutes. Pour into a 9x13-inch cake pan that has been sprayed with
Pam and lightly floured (batter will be very thick). Bake at 350
degrees for about 40 minutes. Cut into 15 servings.

Serving Ideas : Dollap with 2 tablespoons Fat Free Cool Whip. YUM!

NOTES : Weight Watchers = 2 points per serving (137.3 Calories, 1.3g

http://www.bonnyshealthyliving.com/ is this person's web-site.

Have a super Sunday one and all....
fat, 2g fiber

Good morning,

Cozy this morning. Raining with north wind. I'm listening to classical music and trying to complete my fed taxes. Brrr it's cold
67degrees. Don't you just love it after a hard day's work in the yard you're rewarded with rain to top it off. The yard looks happy.

I have a question on kashi. Someone mentioned it. Does it accelerate weight loss as it says? I'm going to try it. Which one do you recommend?

Weighed--big mistake. Measured --gained a half an inch each on my chest, upper chest, and midriff. Good news, I lost 1 1/2 inches on my waist, 1/2 inch on my stomach, and 1/2 inch on my hips. The situps and weight lifting are working. I look forward to next week--PMS LURKS.

Break time is over. IRS calls....
Malia

Just a short hello to everyone.
I am still feeling sort of weak and very very dizzy.
Every time I turn or blow my nose, the room goes moving on me.
Not up to writing much. Just wanted to sneak in and see how everyone is.
HOPEFULLY .... I will get back to normal SOMEDAY.
I am definintely sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Malia... I got a kick out of your site named "useless graphics" I can't wait till I can go there and spend hours finding more "useless graphics".

Joanne... what a lovely picture of your mom. As much as I dread all these trips to help my parents... I dread them not being here even more.

Tina.. you have had some really cute pictures lately. I will have to check out the new smilies. I love your new Welcome pic too.

Kat... chosing fruit over cookies !!! Way to go girl !!!!

Thin... hope you feel better than I do. We do seem to be 2 peas in a pod.

Granny and andria.. it is good to know there are others out there who know how I am feeling. Thanks for your support.
Andria... keep up that walking.. what an inspiration you are.
Baylee and everyone else... I am just too tired to keep typing. I will try to catch up with all of you later.
This room is spinning again.

Well I typed my message but lost it.

Hope everyone had a good day. I went to church then came home and took a nap. I cooked steamed cabbage and grilld some cat fish on my forman grill.

Malia: there are several kinds of Kashi. I like The Melody best but als0 Good Friends and Heart to Heart. don't know if it excellerates weight loss or not. it's filling though.

Andria: Snuggling Huh
Well I better go wash dishes.

Hey everyone! Good to see a few more people around. It's been kinda lonely for the last couple of days. It has been so cold and miserable around here. It's been raining for two days now. Just a slow constant drizzling......hadn't felt like getting out and doing anything. I haven't eaten yet today and taco bell is showing this really good looking commercial advertising the steak casadilla. Yum......it looks good. Don't think so though.....don't feel like wasting 10 or 12 points. I'm being so good. Things are much better around here. My son is feeling much better, but this ol sore throat is still hanging on though. Yuck. Well, let's get on to everyone.
2cute: Soooooo good to see that little dancing elephant back on the thread. I started two threads while you were gone. Kinda carrying on in your absence, so to speak. I seem to remember on an earlier thread, you said others seem to be scared to start one, so I knew you'd be proud. Also, so sorry to hear about you having to put your Dad in a nursing home. I know that's really hard on you especially when he seemed so mentally sharp. My grandfather had a stroke and it is just amazing how it can change a person. Is your mother any better? Just know we are here for you and love you and missed you greatly! By the way, since you have been gone......since I joined WW 2/5/02, I have lost 22.5 pounds in 3 weeks. Thought you might enjoy hearing that......
Kat: Not exactly jealous of you getting to go on that 8 mile walk, but am so in awe of you. That is truly awesome and I look forward to the day when I can walk half that much without passing out. Oh yeah....hubby is always doing something stupid. He locked himself out of the house yesterday and had to climb the fence to get in the back door (6 ft wooden privacy fence, I might add) and climbing it in the dark and our trusty rottweiler was not real happy when he saw DH's head coming over the wall. I can just see him now, standing on the ladder on the outside of the fence talking to our dog trying to convince him that it was "daddy" and was ok for him to come over the wall! Would have LOVED to have seen that.
TT: So sorry you aren't feeling well. You know I know what your feeling and I wouldn't wish it on someone that I didn't like, let alone my friend. >>>>>Passing you some chicken soup, tylenol, kleenex and a {{{Hug}}}
Baylee: You are doing awesome. Don't give up. Doesn't it feel good to eat healthier and finally put something good into our bodies instead of so much junk. You put junk in your body and that's what your body turns in to. Also, I sent you a pm to help you a little more with all that attachment posting......hope it helps.
Andria: Awesome on the 12 pound loss since surgery. Alot of people would let something like surgery slow them down, that certainly says something about your determination. Thanks for the facts on fiber. WW concentrates on fiber alot and that article helped.
Grannie: How is your finger today? Sorry you mashed it. Getting new clothes feels great though, huh? I'm going to go shopping next week and buy an outfit that is about 4 sizes too small, so I can hang it on my closet door for inspiration. Sound good?
Malia: Loooove Bridget Jones Diary, don't you? Thanks for reminding me about the taxes. Dreading doing that........
Syn: Thanks for the recipe...Sounds really good. Hope you are well and really glad to see you around here more often. It helps, doesn't it?

Ok, I don't think I've forgotten anyone. At least I hope I haven't. If I have, I'm sorry. Here's my recipe for today:

Chocolate Layer Dream

*6-Whole graham crackers (4 small squares=1 whole cracker)
*1 small box sugar free fat free chocolate pudding, prepared
with skim milk
*1 cup fat free cool whip

Lay 2 graham crackers (8 small squares) in bottom of loaf pan. (like you would bake bread in) Spread w/pudding.....then crackers.....then pudding....etc.--making sure pudding ends up on top. Spread cool whip to cover. Cover with plastic wrap & chill at least overnight. Makes 4 servings. Not sure about the points. It is a WW recipe, but I copied it a long time ago, when they were only offering the "selection" plan. Each serving is supossed to count as 1/2 milk, 1 bread and 62 calories. I've done some figuring with the points though, and I believe it would be right at 3 points. Haven't made it in awhile, but it definitely lives up to it's name!

Hope this rainy day finds all my friends happy and well. Love to all and I will talk to you later!

I checked out the web site that Syn mentioned and found this

Think yourself Thin
1. Pay attention to your self-talk. We can be our own worst enemy or our own best friend -- it’s all revealed in how we talk to ourselves. It's amazing how often we put ourselves down throughout the day. It's time to stop! Each time you catch yourself making critical comments, fight back by immediately complimenting yourself and marveling at how special you were created.

Turning your negative thoughts and self-talk into a positive statement is one of the best ways to improve your perspective. And believing that you are that wonderful, likable person is what begins the process of change.

2. See the world realistically. It's common to compare ourselves to people in magazines or movies, but this is almost guaranteed to make you feel inferior. If you must compare yourself to others, look at the real people around you. They come in different shapes and sizes -- and none of them are airbrushed or highlighted. They have challenges, just like you.

Stop studying pictures in magazines or celebrity tabloids. Reading articles or books about uplifting subjects can raise your spirits. Reading small doses of material about difficult human experiences can eclipse those aspects of your life you feel are miserable.

3. Recognize your special qualities. Make a list of all your positive qualities -– do not include your physical traits. Are you kind? Artistic? Honest? Good in business? Do you make people laugh? Post your list near the mirror or another place where you'll see it every day.

4. Put your body back together. Most of us with negative body images have dissected our bodies into good and bad parts. A few examples: "I hate my thighs and bottom... My backside is okay, but my stomach is fat and my arms are flabby." Reconnect with your body by appreciating how it all works to keep you going. Try a daily routine of stretching. The fluid movements are great for getting in touch with your body.

5. Remember the kid inside you. Give yourself permission not to be perfect. Inside all of us is the kid we used to be... the kid who didn't have to be perfect and worry about everything. Remember that kid and give yourself a break! Place a photo of yourself as a child in your bedroom or at your desk at work, so you can see it each day and remember to nurture yourself and laugh a little. Spend time with children as well. They are wonderful reminders of how playful and fun life should be.

6. Pepper your days with small pleasures. Big changes won't permanently make you positive or happy. Negative, unhappy people who win the lottery are no happier a year after they win. But every little thing you enjoy gives you an immediate, short-lived mood boost.

A few examples: Walk in the park, concentrate on a hobby or take time off to spend an afternoon with your kids. One step toward being kind to your body, and inevitably yourself, is to indulge yourself with healthy pleasures. Get a massage, take a long, hot bath, use lotions that smell good, or treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure. It makes the positive statement: you’re worth it!

7. Enjoy your food. Eating is pleasurable so enjoy it! Food gives us energy and sustains life. Don't deprive yourself or consider eating an evil act. Don’t make any food a forbidden fruit. Putting our focus on what we shouldn’t do and what we shouldn’t eat only sets us up for failure.

Our eyes will be so fixed on the negative behavior or food that it becomes an obsession and it’s only a matter of time before we fall into it headfirst! If you allow yourself to enjoy food, and eat more often, you'll be less likely to overeat. In turn, your body won't feel bloated and uncomfortable.

8. Think yourself happier. When a bad mood overcomes us, we tend to allow it to color our world. A slip-up becomes a life sentence of being no good; a bad-hair day gets translated into an "I've-always-been-so-ugly" week. The exciting news is that it's possible to lift up a negative perspective by becoming aware of such thought patterns and consciously working to change them.

It works like this: The next time something happens that puts you into a funk, make a mental list of what's going right. You didn't get that desperately needed raise? Oh well, you do have lots of friends and your boyfriend and your dog love you. You're very smart. If a friend forgets to call you at an appointed time, it will not help the situation if you are bitter or stay mad. Replace the negative thoughts with happier ones like, “Maybe he/she had a genuine emergency!” or “Everyone forgets!”

9. Be active. Movement and exercise can make you and your body feel terrific! Not only does exercise help boost your mood, it also stimulates your muscles, making you feel more alive and connected to your body. Exercise regularly.

Moderate exercise also distracts you from negative feelings and forces you to concentrate on your breathing, stamina and physical power. By the time you have completed your workout, your negative feelings are likely to be less intense or even replaced by a stronger sense of accomplishment.

10. Thrive! Live in a meaningful way. Having a greater purpose in what you do gives more lasting satisfaction than the futile pursuit of pleasure. Living well will help you feel better about who you are and how you look. You are a unique, amazing person -- don't forget it. A healthy, happy and fit life can be all yours. See it and embrace it!

Mary thanks for reminding me. I DO believe it's the chatter in our heads that gets us in trouble every time. At least, if we listen to it.

Okay, Malia, don't even try to win who's coldest....brrr at 67 - we would be wearing bathing suits and laying in the sun here. It is 3....three, three, three degrees here. Now that is brrrrrrr.

Good old Monday tomorrow. They sure come around f a s t .

Good morning everyone! Just checking in quick to let you all know I haven't died just yet! There have been those moments this weekend though where the thought didn't look so bad! I'm feeling a little better, but still no energy and the nose thing is still hanging on.

Don't have too many choices today. I must get out and work. Jobs are lined up a mile long and I'll never get done if I don't get started.

I'm going to WW late today. They have a 9:00 and a 10:00. Just couldn't get out of bed for 9, so I will wander in for the 10. I have eaten more chocolate this week than I can remember (comfort food, right?) so we'll see what the scale says. Mother Nature darkened my doorstep this weekend too to add insult to injury. Why didn't they just shoot me????

I can't respond to everyone just now. Know that I'm thinking of you all and wishing you well.

OK ladies let's get going. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. .

Hope all of you are well. I weighed today I'm still at 207. I have talked my family into having a vegetarian meal at least once a week.

Thin glad you are some better.
My finger is better at least I can type with it.

I'll check in later lets get moving

Grannie... is that elephant friend of yours happen to be MALE ???? Is he single??? Is he looking at how CUTE I am???
He looks like he has already danced his pounds away. LOL

QueenB... I didn't know you started 2 Threads!!!! Way to go girl!!!
I can save you the trouble on those Taco Bell Steak Quessidillas.
I bought two... and all though you could taste all the cheese... you wouldn't know there were any steak in them if they hadn't told you. What a DISSAPPOINTMENT!!! Don't waste your points on them. If you want good quessillas go to Charleston and get their chicken. Mmmm good. The best are at a place here called El Toro's in a nearby little town. I wouldn't even attempt to figure out points for them... oh, soooo good.

Thin... I too am still sick. Sick of being sick.
I forced myself out of the house for a couple of hours and was soooo glad to get back home again. Hope you make it okay today. I hope you get better soon. I too have fallen victim to "feed a cold."

Okay ladybug... it is -9 here the other day. But today it is suppose to get into the 40's. Hopefully it will melt some of this snow. I am just too sick to shovel any this time.

Tina... I almost forgot.... 22.5 lbs... WOW !!!! Keep on keeping on.!!
I know many of you are losing great now. I wish I could say the same. But embarrassingly I must admit... I have used food to cope on several occasions... and now it is almost habit again. Grrr

BUT....TODAY is Motivation Monday... and you have all motivated me to start anew in March.
Here is a pic of me "Marching" towards my goal.

HEY !!!!!! I cannot send attachment!!!!!
What is going on here.??? When did they remove that option????

Okay. Here I am again!! I wanted to wait until I had been OP for a few days before I posted. I just didn't feel like there was a point in posting when I am such a flake. OP for two days, then off again, on again, so on and so on. I felt like everyone was probably rolling their eyes like "here she goes again". I don't know if any of you thought that, but I sure thought it about myself.

So anyway, now it is "me" time. My DH shipped out last week . Now I have nobody else's schedule to work around but my own. The last two weeks he was here he was determined to eat everything delicious that he could before he had to eat 6 months of Army slop. I ate it all with him. We BOTH gained 10 pound in that mere two weeks!! <-me

Today is day 3 for me. I am still having problems with munchies all the time. My stomach is so stretched out from all that eating that it's taking some time to get used to smaller portions again. I wanted to stay at 1200 to 1300 calories a day, but have been at about 1600 both days, which is a lot less than I had been eating, but I really need to knock it down to 1200. I have been doing 30 minutes of aerobics in the morning and boy do my thighs hurt *ouchie* ! I bought three new workout videos on ebay this weekend and should get them in the mail this week. I am truly looking forward to them. I think the variety will help a lot. I did TaeBo for 4 months and now I just can't bear to put that tape in. Blah! My goal is to be able to wear my size 16 levis (and still be able to breathe ) to his boot camp graduation in May.

So anyhoo, that's the story with me today. Haven't had much of a chance to catch up on posts yet so I will just wish everyone well. Talk at ya later,
Jen

Hi there,

Jen, I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I feel like a fraud because the pounds aren't dropping. Is it a mental block or something? I thought maybe it's my exercise time. But someone else kindly advised me that mornings rev up your metabolism. I totally binged on chocolate like I'll never see the stuff again. Tomorrow, I'll be following my plan faithfully. Until my period is through, I can't trust my willpower.

Mary, thank you for that wonderful excerpt. I'm going to print it and post it next to my wall calendar. Also I bought the melody Kashi. It's very good and much sweeter than my plain old cheerios. By the way, what's up with the attachments. We can't add them to the end of our posts.

2cute, you're absolutely right!!! There's a good binge and a bad binge. If you're going to eat something off plan, it has to be worth it. Otherwise you'll be bingeing until you get what you really want.

Tuesday is cold turkey day for me. Exercise, water, journal, and on plan all the way.

BRING BACK ATTACHMENTS, COWS WON'T DO

This is getting long ... plus I have not started a new thread in quite awhile ... so .... do not post here. Instead this thread will be continued at 300+ and Ready to try again... # 139.

See you all there.