Hi everyone,

2cute, I hope you're okay. That's a major scare. It makes me realize how anything can happen at any moment. We all need to stay on plan and do this for ourselves. Lead healthy and happy lives for the time given us.

Tina and Jen, hang in there. We all experience ups and downs. The difference this time around, we have each other. Giving a little attention to what we're eating and doing makes a big difference to all of us. It's not easy. We knew from the beginning the work and sacrifice ahead of us. I'll keep trying. I don't feel like a failure any more. I hope you'll keep trying too.

I had a great time at the fair yesterday. We left at 10am and drove upcountry to the upper elevations of our volcano. We followed the steady stream of traffic to the area called Ulupalakula. It's ranch land, but they also have a winery. The fair was held on the winery grounds. It's a very small area. The crowd doubled from last year. The fair offers Maui's best. At every booth, you sample everything. From lavender lemonade, basil bread, pineapple, and lilikoi (passion fruit) butter. I bought lavender potpurri, a dozen pink roses, and lilikoi butter. We left earlier than planned it was such a crush. The drive and view is the best part. We're at about 4000 ft elevation and the view is building free to the next island. Thank God for ranches otherwise we would have exclusive communities there too. We got home and I barbequed. Shish kebobs again. It was delicious. Sorry no pics. I took digital pictures for the web (smaller byte size), but this website accepts 25000 or less. Do any of you know how to send pictures that are that small?

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying my secret garden. I sit in the chair early in the morning drinking my hot cocoa and reading travel books. On Friday, I planted maidenhair fern around the brick area. Also white impatiens and sweet alyssum. I wish I didn't have work tomorrow, but that's life.

Hope to hear from you all soon,
Malia

P.S.
Here's a picture of me at the fair
:T

hi guys... I wasn't going to post... just read. But I had to respond to Jen.
Jen... I totally understand what you are saying.
I often say .."I dieted myself up to over 300lbs"... If I had just accepted myself at a size 18 I would not have went on so many "last time I will ever eat this" feasts. LOL

Acceptance of ourselves is one of our goals.
My goal in this group is to weigh 222lbs. I will probably be larger than an 18 at that weight. I sure hope everyone will still accept me even though I am not at a "normal" goal weight.
I think I know most of these women pretty well... and I think they will accept me and YOU.

We are here to help you reach and maintain YOUR goal.
To help each other learn healthy eatting habits and share our stories. If your story is maintaining at a size 18 that is fine with us. WE WANT YOU TO STILL POST.
but...I also understand if by posting you feel pressured to lose weight. We don't want to be a "negative" force in your life.

I guess what I am trying to clumsily say is.... we accept you "unconditionally". We accept you at a size 8- 18 - 28. We hope you choose to stay a regular. Not just to lose weight... but also to maintain the weight you choose for yourself.

Hi everyone,

Before dreamtime, I have to post this. Two years ago I had sewn a navy blue peasant style dress. It was difficult for I had to adjust the bodice to accommodate my chest and gravity. I completed it but it never fit properly--tight in some areas. Well I tried it on tonight and it fits perfectly. I look totally slender from all angles. I just want to cry with relief. I've lost 20lbs since last August. I should be grateful, but I had hoped to be lighter. This gives me total confidence in losing the next 20lbs. Forty years old doesn't look half as bad as 30 years was. I have to pray for strength and willpower to take me through the ups and downs.

With that, I'll wish you all sweet dreams tonight.
Malia

Good Morning all you sleepy heads!

Just popping in to say hi before Andrew and I head out to do our grocery shopping! Our little friend is coming this afternoon to play so we need to shop, clean and still fold and hang laundry this morning!

I had a great 6 pt breakfast this morning. I had 3 points of cheerios with 1/2 cup skim milk (1) and two mini muffins (2) with a huge mug of french vanilla tea!! Lets see what lunch brings us today!! I can hardly wait!!

I will be back to respond shortly! Have a great OP day...and TINA girl, you better get your hiney in here today! PLEEEEAAASE!!

Michelle

When I come here and check and no one has posted I feel lonely. When I come here and check and a whole thread has been filled I feel excited and overwhelmed. I, too, have gotten behind on responding to everyone. After this week I will be better. This coming Sunday is my Dad's 80th birthday party and I am the worker bee for that! :dizzy:

Baylee congrats on losing 9 pounds....is it easier to loose on the east side of the state?

I must say it is fun to have my closets all cleaned out and orderly. I don't know how long it will last :) but I will enjoy it until then. Some of the clothes I packed up were from 9 or 10 years ago. I was STUNNED to see how small I was then. Funny, I thought I was huge then, size 9's.

I read an article that says you should avoid this one diet fits all and to lose weight eat what your ancestors ate. Well, I truly believe this. I am of Scandinavian descent, which eat lutifisk and blood sausage. I would definitely lose weight if those were my food choices.

Morning all
Well today is Monday and I am still tired. We got our vegetable garden cut up yesterday now I have to go buy plants to go in it. Not much going on today the library is closed for Confederate Memorial Day today so I won't be going in. I guess I can rest some before starting work on Wed.

Better run I'll check in later.

I'm here
 

Hey ladies.....just wanted to pop in real quick and let you guys know that I am here and I am making it. I stayed OP all day yesterday and I drank my water. baby steps.....baby steps.....baby steps. I haven't even read all the replys on this thread. I had to work yesterday and then I got home and watched the race and then after it was over, I redecorated my son's bedroom and passed out about 11:00, didn't even get on the computer and now I've got literally just a few minutes before I have company coming over. So, since I haven't read the thread, I can't respond to everyone individually and I have to pop out of here real quick before my company is knocking on the door. Just wanted to say I am here and I am ok today. Hope you are all here and ok today. I love you all so much. :love: I promise I will be back this afternoon to post. See ya!

I'mmmm baaaaacck!!

Tina I was so glad to see you posted! You made my day! One step at a time is all it takes to go forward!

Mary...I have a vegetable garden all ready to go too. I did plant lettuce and this weekend put in 4 eggplant plants. We have strawberries that are ready to ripen here soon too. I have to wait till May to plant most of the stuff because the weather here is so unpredictable at night! I planted a grape tomato plant last year and one plant produced hundreds and hundreds of tomatos!

Lucky..blood sausage sounds like something my father is into! He goes back to the coal mine town where he grew up in Pennsylvania and gets that kind of stuff that they still make back there. Yuk! I would never eat! LOL

Malia congrats on fitting into that dress! Thats the kind of rewards we need to keep us going. NOw the next thing is to report to us that the dress is WAY too big!!

Thin my next recipe to try is Red pepper and aritchoke fritatta. It sounds soooo good and 1/4 of the pie is only 4 points. That would be a great breakfast along with a piece of fruit and 2 slices of WW bread toasted with the parkay spray! Hmmmm....and only six points! Think thats what I will have for breakfast in the morning! I am going to roast my own red peppers today. I love them in salad, lasagna and just about anyway I can think of!

I had such a nice hot cup of french vanilla tea this morning. It was a huge mug and so relaxing! Think I will have one with lunch today too!

Well I better get the house straightened up before my little friend comes over this afternoon. Not that it will stay clean long but....

Have a great day and I will be back after lunch!
Michelle

Well I'm back and totally pooped. I went and bought plants for the garden I planted 4 tomato plants. 1 little salad tomato and 3 slicing tomatos. I planted 8 Green Pepper plants, 4 sweet banana pepper plants and a new kind of sweet pepper. I planted a row of cucumbers, some yellow squash and some zuchinni. also 2 kinds of basil.:dizzy:

I went by and helped a friend with her computer, she gave me a huge bag of apples. Her husband loves to shop sales and he buys reduced fruit by the bags full. So now I have to eat all these apples before they ruin. I am now setting here drinking my water after eatting a apple.:dizzy:

Totally UN-motivated Monday...
 

Maybe it's the weather...cloudy, rain is threatening...I don't know, but I have got a MAJOR case of the BLAHS... I have managed to dress myself for exercise, and tidy up the kitchen, which helps...I don't feel kike a TOTAL slug. Maybe I should just GO with it...don't fight it...and have a lazy day...well...maybe after I vacuum and dust the living room, I'll be lazy...:yawn:

2cute...please take it easy and rest that achin' bod...I have heard that injuries from the air bag covers can be just as serious as those sustained in the accident...I'm glad you had your seat belts on...bruises or not.

Michelle, the mushrooms were a hit! I didn't have portabellas, just used regular large button mushrooms...I may add the bread crumbs right in with the cheese mixture next time, just for a little more texture...anyway, there were NO leftovers!

Malia, I had NO IDEA that you were 40! You have such a young spirit! Your secret garden sounds so nice...congrats on looking so good in your dress...20 lbs off is fabulous, no matter how long it took! Keep it up!

Thin...things HAVE picked up here on the weekends, haven't they? I love coming to peek in and having LOTS of posts to read...I'm getting lots of use out of my "Georgie Boy" too...he may put my gas grill out of a job!

Lucky...Unfortunately, I DO eat as my ancestors did... Irish... meaning, lots of potatoes! Maybe if I took after the wee bit o' Scottish I have in me, and served "HAGGIS" (made from the chopped heart, lungs, and liver of lamb or beef mixed with suet, oats, onions, herbs, and spices...traditionally cooked in a cleaned sheep's stomach) a few times a week, it would put me off my food...:p

Tina! How is the day shift going? I felt much more normal, working days...I would pack breakfst and lunch and only worry about dinner...being left ALONE here during the day sometimes gets me in trouble!

Jen...so good to hear from you...I can GUARANTEE that your dh is going to be GAGA :love: :eek: ;) over you, no matter what your size! Have a wonderful reunion!

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? :lol:
I'd love to put one in, but our only good, sunny spot is the front lawn! Hmmm...would cut down on mowing, anyway! Enjoy your day "off."

Baylee...WOW! Congrats on the 9# loss! I want to lose nine lbs this week, come be my coach, please!

Hey to everyone else...I have to run, just saw the time and I have to return my tapes to Blockbuster before noon! Will get out and do my walk now too...thanks to all, reading your posts ALWAYS brightens my day! Love ya!

Do not post here.....