[SvelteChicky]

Snow Stormin', and I'm hunkered down here. it's nice though, to see it fall, gives me the exercise of shoveling. I actually like that. Makes me feel like i"m taking care of my family. Who knows. So, here's my synopsis of yesterdays activities:

We went to Kohl's and walked around for a long time, looking at the 80% off racks, unbelievable! I found a pair of stretch denim capri's, and a nice white shirt. My first Spring/Summer outfit! Size 10, and Medium!! Woo Hoo again feeling good about that. Didn't get much of clothes, since they're picked through, and mostly not my size. Or tacky. People always leave the tacky stuff on the racks. The other racks are all picked through, and the tacky stuff looks like it's never moved. Funny that!

Then we went to Marshalls and dug through their gourmet section. They have the most decident cookies, coffees, oils, peanuts, you name it. Everything So we got the lowest fat chocolates, Belgian Chocolates, and 2 dollar box, so we don't overdo it. And some other goodies. NOt too much though. Pancake mixes, that sort of thing. I love that store, for that at least.

Then, we went off to Lone Star Steakhouse, where there were people waiting and waiting and waiting. Chris had made a reservation for us the day before, so after a 5 minute wait, we got our table, andthat started chatter among the people who'd been there for almost an hour. Hey, make a call before you get there!! So glad we did. had a delmonico steak (11oz) but I trimmed off all the fat I could, and left some steak on my plate. Also, as soon as I got that huge basked potato, I cut it in half, and placed the other half on another plate. Good girl for me! Had a salad, and they had no fat free, so I had ranch. Oh well. Ate really good, while trying to be smart. Then, after dinner, we came home and watched TV. I was too stuffed, and tired to get all lovey dovey. But it was a nice day. We really enjoyed ourselves. NOw we'll spend the day shoveling snow, eating pancakes and coffee, and hoping we can see sunlight soon. Hope you girls are well.

Angie: that picture almost gave me a seizure from the sugar. Bad girl, good job!

[Kempyd]

See I didn't get a computer for nothing. I am actually on over the weekend.

I didn't go to Alexandria with Joe to day for the Ducks Unlimited meeting that he has to go to so I am staying home to do some serious cleaning. Now that I am no sick anymore I have got to get the cold buggies out of the house. All of the windows will be opened at least until it starts to rain. We are looking at a 70% chance of the wet stuff but at lest I will get some sort of breeze through here before that happens.

Angie good lord woman are you trying to kill us all? How big were those things? Is there any left? If so would you mail some to me?

We didn't get to est at Houston's last night. By the time we got there there was a 3 hour wiat. So as we were walking back to the truck we spoted a sushi place with only a 30 min wait so that is what we had. I still got my dessert though. Marble Slab was still open so I made Joe stop and I had Chocolate swiss ice cream with Reese's peanut butter cup. MMMMM When we got home though I told him that it was good but it just didn't seem worth it. Kind of strange coming from me.

Chris I wish I had snow to shovel. That sounds like great exercise.

How was everyone else's night?

[angieME]

They were cut out with a cookie cutter. They are on a small plate. I forgot to say what they were. DUH! It was chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting with chocolate dip and fondant drizzled on top with cocoa and powdered sugar sprinkled on the plate. they came out so pretty. How come i don't live somewhere where I can make pretty desserts and sell them? It isn't fair. I love making sugar cookies and glazing them with the icing and sugars.

[peekabooangel]

Good afternoon loud chicks. Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines, it sure sounds it by the posts. Sorry you had such a long wait for the resturaunt you wanted to go to kempy, but you did get sushi, I have never tried it so don't know if I would like it or not? But boy the icecream sounded wonderful!!!

We ended up eating at home, it was way to cold to go out. Hubby wanted Bacon and Eggs, so we compromised and had turkey bacon and eggs and english muffins. It was great, can't say it was really romantic but oh well.

Hope your all having a good day today!

[melekalikimaka]

Hello ladies. Sounds like everyone spent time with their loved ones and that's what counts. I spent the evening with my hubby and son at the movie theater watching Jungle Book 2. Even though I said I wasn't going to eat the popcorn, I did. As soon as we walked in the aroma just hit me. I did ok though, I dumped some into the soda box so I wouldn't inhale the whole bag. The movie was a cute one except I liked the first one better. The boy enjoyed it and that's the main thing. Went shopping over at Ross after the movie. Got some new workout(?) clothes, some Everlast lycra spandex capri pants and some cheap Adidas tees. Got home then just crashed, I was so tired.

Today's my dads 70th b-day. I baked him a strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting...no, not from scratch since I wouldn't know where to begin...thank you Duncan Hines. I did lick some frosting off my fingers which was a bad move because I woke up my sweet tooth. After that I ate a Rice Crispies treat bar which came home from w/my son from school. Bad!!! (160 cals 3.5 g fat?) I would take a picture of the cake but the camera's at work, you'll just have to believe me. Nothing as beautiful as what Angie made but still homemade. I'm rather pleased with myself. Now to stay away from it.

Well ladies, we've got sunshine here today and it's beautiful outside. I'll soak up some sun for all of you. I need to stop here to go and finish hanging my laundry. Talk w/ya later.

[SvelteChicky]

I"m so jealous of your sunny weather. We're being buried in a snow storm in maryland! We've gotten how much snow? I cna't count anymore. I'm shoveling in shifts. And then there's the wind. Man, we'll be under snow for a month!! Funny ting is, I was just saying how I love snow, and couldn't wait for it... i take it back. We'll end up with about 2 ft of snow by the end of tomorrow. church is cancelled, and we're inside eating low fat cinnamon rolls and coffee.

Talked to my mom yesterday about her decision to have weight loss surgery. She lost years ago, about 100 poundsa, nd gained it all back, with more. I was telling her that even though i've lost weihgt, i'm actrually more stressed now, because if I gain it back, it will affirm to others that I couldn't do it, and remind them that no one can. I feel such pressure to look good now, but winter is hard to exercise, and Im tired all the time, so i'm afraid i'll fall down this mountain I managed to climb this last year.

Encourage me girls.

[peekabooangel]

Good Sunday Morning to you all!
Svelte/ I hear you are sending that storm this way tomorrow night. I sure wish you would keep it, we've had enough already!! And I'm tired of this FREEZING cold weather. It is now almost 11 am and the temp is only up to 10 degrees. I'm sure its colder for Angie, she is up North further than me I think?

I'm still on track and op, I missed my exercise Friday and Saturday, but back at it today. I have to stay off the scales!!!!! I get on them today and it says I gained 1 pound???? But, I could'nt have really, I am journaling all the time and I write every little bite down! I mean if I make the kids pancakes and have just 1 bite I make it count as 1 pt!!!! And the water I am doing and the exercise!!! So, I have come to the conclusion I need to stay off the things till WI day which is Thursdays!!! I will be driving myself crazy.

Hope everyone is staying warm and wishing that melekalikimaka would send some warm air this way, I am so ready for spring!!!!

Hugs to all,

[gargoyle2003]

You mentioned you're tired all the time.
I noticed you said you were eating low fat cinnamon rolls. (as you probably know, many things that are labeled "low fat" have extra sugar added to them !)
Low fat is good, but cinnamon rolls have virtually no protein at all.
The sugar in them just puts your blood sugar on a roller coaster.
You needed to eat something with those that has protein, so when your blood sugar drops from the sugar high, it doesn't drop as low.

Protein raises and stabilizes your blood sugar for a longer period of time than anything else you eat. When your blood sugar drops you feel hungry, and it screws with your energy level as well.

I try to have at least 10 gms. of protein in each of my meals, and at least 5 gms. of protein in my snacks.
Ex: those little bags of Cheez-its crackers are 220 calories and have 6 gms. of protein. I buy those in a package of 6 bags at the grocery store.

Only half a cup of 4%fat cottage cheese has 14 gms. of protein.

Fruit makes a good snack, but not by itself ! Add something with protein.
If you're having an apple, cut it into wedges, and spread a tablespoon of low fat peanut butter on them, or save the 1 TBL of peanut butter for the last few bites of apple and make the end of your snack decadent.

You shouldn't be feeling tired a lot. (unless it "time of the month" related...we all know about that)

I hope you're not having too hard a time with maintenance.....I know from my own experience it can be a real *****.
I got down to 160 in Aug. 2001...and after gaining it all back I could just hear people thinking "What happened to You ?", but no one said anything, and it was still embarrassing.
I'm also determined to not have to travel the weight loss road again after I get to 150 sometime this summer.
If you gain back 5 or 10 pounds it's SO easy to say to yourself "I'll deal with it later".....but you're tempted to keep putting "later" off.
Don't fall into that trap !

And don't fall behind with your drinking at least 2 quarts of water a day.
I know it sucks drinking water in cold weather. You're just not thirsty.....but your body needs it. You'll start Retaining water if your body notices not enough of it is coming in.

I hope this helped some.

Tell your mom I wish her well with her surgery if she goes ahead with that.

[melekalikimaka]

Sending some sun your way.

Good morning ladies. Yup, that's me, the bringer of hot air...oh what's that you say, you said you wanted warm air? Ok, sorry After missing 2 days of exercise I forced myself outdoors this morning. I'm so glad I did. I did my regular walking route but went the opposite way. The view was spectacular coming down the hills. I live about 25 minutes away from Waikiki and I could see Diamond Head in the distance with the sun rays coming through the clouds. I was alone so I could take my time and marvel at the beauty of it. As we say here, "lucky we live Hawaii" . Ya'll should come and visit me sometime.

Gargoyle that protein at every meal sounds like some good advice. I'll reach for a little peanut butter next time I'm crunching on my apple. I do find that sometimes I feel a little hungrier in the afternoon before dinner...that might tip may help me stave off the hunger.

Chris, everyone gets into a funk now and then. You've come a long way baby...you'll be ok. Just keep that body moving and make the right food choices. Spring will come for you in no time and you'll be able to get back on that bike and ride to your hearts content.

Sandy you're doing awesome. Being honest about your food is a big deal, so if you know you've stayed on track and exercised, don't worry about the little fluctuations on the scale. Weighing once a week paints a truer picture of your progress than doing it daily--trust me! I jump on my scale every morning and it drives me nuts sometimes. I would ask my hubby to hide it but he has the same compulsion.

Angie, Kempy, Washu...hope you're having a good weekend. Does everybody have a day off tomorrow? What's the plan?
Well I'm off to get ready for my dad's b-day luncheon. Wish me luck.

[SvelteChicky]

hey girls. I'm writing, then I"ll read the posts here. I feel bad that I've been gone for a couple days. It's that dern snow storm. I've been exercising my right to escape, if possible, by snoveling day nd night. I have that closed in feeling, and after 4 ft of snow, I feel closed in. The governor here has issued a state of emergency for maryland, so we're not allowed to drive. So, w're the ones int he neighborhood that will be ABLE to drive away, when the ban is lifted. No one seems to care about their buried cars, but we're working day and night, so when we CAN leave, we WILL. I just finished digging the car out,a nd the steps to the house are finally cleared. I hate this much work, but i know it's great ofr my body,,, achey joints and all. Definitely getting my workout. Trying to do the "lift with the knees" thing. I remember my last snow storm, and the trip to the ER, to get a shot in my back.. ouch!!!

So, my plan for the past few days has been to eat healthy, for energy, and dig out.. all day long. Today, I think we're almost done. It's still snowing like crazy, but the dumping of snow these past 2 days has lef tus with most of what we're gonna get. I just need a nap.

[peekabooangel]

WOWZERS SvelteChicky, I heard that you had a state of emergency declared there in Maryland this am on my way to work. You got how much snow??? Your storm is headed our way next but the weather man says that it's gonna take a litltle easterly turn so we will not get hit hard thank goodness!!! We are only to get 3-6" this time. I'm so ready for spring!!!

Hope everyone is having a nice Monday, staywarm and cozy, enjoy the snow and go sledding with the kids.

[Kempyd]

Morning gals. Are all of you frozen?

I can't believe all of the snow that is coming down up there.

Sandy do you live near Angie?

Gargoyle you sound like you know a little bit about nutrition. I am sure everyone appreciates you passing you r knowledge on.

Chris after this snow storm passes you and Chris and going to be loaded with muscles for all of the shoveling.

My weekned was pretty fun. I don't want to go into to much detail b/c I just wrote it all in my journal so you guys can check it out if you want.

I am PMSing today. I didn't realize it until I made it to work. When I was at home I didn't have to inteact with anyone but as soon as I walked in the front door it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is terrible but all the owner did was look in my differction and I had to keep my mouth shut. I felt like I could tear someones head off. I managed to not have pms last month so I wonder if it will be doubly worse this month. I hope for everybody elses sake it isn't.

[peekabooangel]

Kempy, I was wondering the same thing, how close Angie and I really are to each other, so I called it up on yahoo maps, from my hometown to hers it is approx. 112 miles or 2 1/2 hours. So we are not that far apart. I am on the Coast of Maine and Angie is further inland. But close enough that someday we could maybe really meet in person. Wouldnt that be great!! But I don't know she looks like an awful good baker!!! I would be in heaven.

[melekalikimaka]

Hey ladies, just a quick check in before breakfast. Whoo boy Chris, you're working out big time shoveling that snow. Where will you head to when you can leave? Wanna come down here? Brrrrrr! I can't even imagine myself living in a place so cold and snowy. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

I had a great weekend (check out the journal entry if you want) and have a day off today. Don't know yet what's in store for me but I'm sure it'll be a great day with my son. Oh yeah, I'm down a pound from last week so I'm happy about that. I'll check back with you folks a little later today. Stay warm!

[angieME]

Hi girls. I think I am going to have a nervous breakdown so i will tell about it here and hopefully I will feel better. I have already broken 2 glasses and screamed at my kids for no reason so here goes....

Jay did NOTHING for Valentines Day. You would think it wouldn't shock me since he never does(once i got flowers but only after I asked for them...DUH) I made him a brownie like the kids cake and some cheesy breadsticks because he LOVES them. I always do things with food because it is available,He likes it and I am crafty.I painted my fingernails and did my makeup which is a turn on for him. Okay.

He said Happy Valentines Day. That is it. I have not spoken to him since Friday except when we go to bed to ask why the **** he married me. Every year it is the same thing. A freaking card isn't too much to ask for!! Now all I want is an apology because he is a slug. Won't get it either. He likes to wait it out until I am over being pissed but for some reason this year it is agitating me even more. Now I know he loves me he is just one of those men that puts NO thought into holidays. I know it is a commercial holiday and it shouldn't bug me but it does!

I slept on the couch until 1:00 this morning until Meatball(cat) jumped on me and woke me up. It is weird because we are one of those couples that NEVER fights but for some reason I am so PISSED! I can't get over it. I have done nothing but eat since Friday so it is depressing me even more. I want to smack him so hard!!!