THAT'S why LOVE this site, this thread, and you guys in particular! Tina's post immediately made me want to say a thousand things... and then I realized you've all pretty well said them already!

It's very unique to find a supportive group of people that have issues SO similar to your own. You ladies often discuss feelings and experiences that are incredibly pertinent and foremost in my day to day life... that the rest of the world doesn't even seem to recognize, let alone experience.

I know EXACTLY how you feel Tina. On Friday night, I went to a friend's b-day party and I drank and I ATE... she had a party spread to die for! Drinking really lowers my inhibitions in the eating department and I let myself have whatever I wanted all evening. While I was doing this I was saying, and justifiably, that once in a while, splurging was okay as maintaining a healthy body weight is a reflection of one's day to day eating styles... and eating something "special" once in a blue moon isn't what's going to matter in the long run.

I've worked SO hard in the last year to lose weight and reach goal and I know that I did nothing wrong. That said, I still feel wracked with guilt! Crazy huh? I'm definitely exercising hard and eating very well for the rest of week to make up for it! You know, I can't help thinking that I'll likely end up maintaining this week instead of losing... and losing would have been much yummier than those treats on Friday night!

Food, if I choose to let it, has such control and impact in my life; the "day after" can bring me WAY down. The crazy thing is... I know you guys understand this! Most people don't have a clue as to how much it can affect how I feel about myself!

I think, however, that I'm slowly beginning to adjust how I consider those "splurges" that my mind sees as failures. I know I've worked hard and I know I'm not about to allow my weight to creep back up. Logically, it's quite simple. Now, if I can only get my mind to accept logic... I'll be all set!

Tina: You've been doing fantastically! I know that you and me feel sucky about those splurges we occasionally have. I also know that neither of us is going to revert to our old ways of eating; we've come too far!

Okay. Quick update on the choas that my life was last week.

My kitty, Moses, is home from the vet's. He's okay... for now. There's serious concern that he may have something like cat colitis that would have serious flare-ups every few months... that would be bad because we just couldn't afford it. He's cost us $1200 in the last 5 months!!! We'll see how it goes. I am happy he's home and back to his old self... for the present at least.

After a week, TOM is still AWOL! I did a pregnancy test Friday morning (before going out to drink) and it came back negative! That's good news. I bought 2 tests though and I'll probably do another in a week or so, just to be sure... Hmm... maybe TOM has decided to take a vacation for a while (because of my weight loss); this, btw, would be FINE with me!

Well, my few moments of quiet have just disappeared so I've gotta take off for a bit!

Sara
270/148/150

Sandy: I just wanted to say that the cartoon you posted in the last thread was HILARIOUS! I loved it... I just printed it out and I'm gonna stick it on my fridge for a while. It will serve two purposes; one, it will make me ask myself if I REALLY should be opening the fridge and, two, it will give me a bit of light-hearted perspective on my crazy weight issues! Thanks for posting it!

Sara
270/148/150

Tina: One more voice heard from and they we will ALL shut up about it, right girls? Ok, I am gonna take a different approach. I want you to look at it and say, What the heck is the worst that could happen from this slip? Let's see..... gain 10 lbs more, not likely, lose all your friends and family, NOT A CHANCE, be unable to fit behind the table, in the door or on the bed, uhuh! So, my gut tells me that the biggest thing in your mind is not the slip so much (though that bothered you), but that somehow you felt you were being dishonest with us and that is bologna! I for one do NOT consider it a flub, a booboo, an error or mistake. Let's just say you had a rippen' good time and you are back to being serious! Just because you overate does not mean you have some mental defect or that you lost control or that you have given up. Sometimes our poopy ole bodies betray us and demand food we know we shouldn't give it, but it doesn't let up sometimes so the best thing to do is to give it what it wants for the moment and then you can move on. You haven't jumped ship, just wandered down to the dining room after hours for the all you can eat buffet! lol Love ya sweety!

I am having the cramps from **** and all on one side so exercising my second session was awful. I feel like someone kicked me. I think I need to go and finish vacuuming etc and get my mind off it so I will go for now.

Donna

to tell you guys how much I love you. I am constantly amazed and totally humbled to be included in such a fantastic circle of women. How loved and supported I felt the minute I came back after posting. You know, (and I'm not just saying this) we should thank God every day for one another. It's amazing to me that I have more support from friends I've never met in person than I have from members of my own family. But then again, I guess that's because we are all on the same road together and they're off in la la land somewhere. I am going to print out all of your responses and put them in my journal so I can look back at them whenever this happens again. (and it will) One day does not a failure make. I'm not sure which one of you said it, but thank you. Thank you all for being the best friends a girl could ever ask for.

NOW! It is time to get back to business!!

I doubt I will gain, but if I do......oh well. Do I want to gain? But it is definitely a learning lesson for me. Of course, it didn't help at all when dh brought me home a box of Valentine's Day candy today. I wanted to give him a great big hug......and squeeze him tight enough that his eyeballs would pop out and go flying across the room! Did I eat the candy, you ask? I did. Did I enjoy it? I did. Am I happy about it now? I'm not. BUT, I'm dealing with it. I think, I have been so strict on myself for so long, I have allowed myself to be deprived and then, no matter what I said, when I gained that .6 last week, it depressed me because I had worked so hard. That just kind of set it up and then it ballooned from there. I guess when you feel deprived, you just come to a place where you say, "You know what, I'm going to eat what I want to today and I'll get back on track tomorrow." The only problem is, sometimes tomorrow never comes. Or when it finally does come, it's 3 weeks and 10 lbs later, know what I mean? That's what has been happening to me the last three days. I start out the day pretty good, feeling in control, determined to keep the day good and then before I know it.....BOOM! I'm on the couch with a spoon in one hand and an empty candy wrapper in the other, a empty half gallon of icecream at my feet and something stuck to my cheek.....ah, it's an empty potato chip bag. Ok, it's not quite that bad, but I thought giving you a mental image would make you laugh.
Like today for instance, the day started out fine. I had an apple for breakfast and a Lean Cuisine for lunch. 7 pts total. Dh was supposed to clean the house while I was at work this morning because I've been working so many days, and I come in from work and it is a mess. Immediately, I'm pissed. So, I'm sitting and steaming on the couch when he comes in from his Mom's house (where he had eaten lunch) and hands me a box of candy. (had 6 pieces in it) Well, I'll show him! I'll eat all 6 pieces! And I did. Well, except the one with the coconut. I hate coconut. Then, his Mom had sent some food home. Is her food ever good? Did I make a plate anyways?
I had 2......yes count them, 2 cheeseburgers, potato salad and coleslaw. Oh and I grabbed a couple of chocolate crisp candy hearts on my way out of the kitchen. Confession good for the soul? Absolutely, and boy do I feel better having told you guys that. I'm not proud about eating it, but I certainly feel better having told you.
Me and my co-worker were discussing diet today. Not Chatty Cathy.....my friend. She weighs 350+. I really worry about her. She is a terrific person and I don't want anything to happen to her. She eats an amazing amount herself, but is so supportive of me. We have talked several times about her joining WW with me, but she's not ready yet, and I don't want to push. I know what that's like......it has to be a decision you make yourself. Anyways, I was griping and moaning about how I'd eaten like a pig the last couple of days and I told her I was sorry to be running my mouth to her like that and she said, "Tina, don't you know that you're my diet inspiration? I look at what you've done and it gives me hope that someday I might be able to do that too. You're not perfect. You make mistakes and eat what you want to every now and again, but you never give up. You always keep trying and that truly inspires me."
I can't even tell you how much I needed to hear that. It made me feel so good. Even though I'm not nearly close to my goal, she sees the progress and the fact that I keep on....keeping on inspires her. I never give up. And girls, I'm here to tell you..........I'm never giving up. You have my word on that.
I'm off now, to take a hot bath and get this hamburger funk off me and tomorrow.......NO, I take that back. And today, this instant, this moment in time.....I am back OP. Thank you my soul sisters. What would I ever do without you. Until the day I can meet you and hug you in person, I hope this will do.

DETERMINATION!!!!!!

Okay, I posted that I exercised yesterday, well today it was lousy outside, rain, sleet, snow, you name it we got it, I did however go to WalMart and walk around the entire store and I did buy myself a new pair of sneakers (tennis shoes) and a new exercise tape as my old one seems to have grown legs and walked away? Anyway bought the Pilates one by Denise Austin. Have not put it in yet, but plan on it tomorrow once I put the kids on the bus and before I take shower for work, think I will however put it in the bedroom VCR to check it out tonight, cant get to the VCR in the livingroom where there is room to do it cause the kids and dh have the tv.....at least they leave their paws off my computer!!! There I go again with the Mine Mine Mine issue....LOL....but they have there sony playstations, nintendoes and what ever else they got down there....this piece of equipment is Mine.
Hugs to all and TINA we are all here for you if you did not notice.

I am sitting here nude from the waist down waiting for my clothes to dry! (too much information?)

It has been snowing all day, 32 degrees...so I decided I had better get out there and try to find my car. It is still snowing but I wanted to get the first layer off the car & steps. That snow is HEAVY ... Then I walked down the driveway to see how much snow was on the road. I would say at least 7 inches so far. I just stood there for awhile listening to the quiet. I could hear myself breathing it is so still..just the snow coming down.

Anyway, ergo I was wet and have to dry my clothes.

Tina, my dear - - - Like Baylee said thin people overeat too. You have your "tally" for the month of points, water & exercise, right? So average Friday into that, be thankful and forge ahead - Chinese New Year, ya know.

Then of course head those words of wisdom from Ms. Kat.
EXACTLY

Sara, refer to above Kat Quote!!!! SOOO happy about Moses but $1200.00. Not to worry you but I know many women that lost weight only to gain some if not all of it back.. In the form of a little girl or little boy. Hey chick's we could be Auntie's!!

Snowplow went by..darn him! I was hoping for tomorrow off.

Tina: That's the way girl. Tomorrow is another day!

Sandy: Exercise is exercise. From what I understand, the only stuff that doesn't count is stuff you do all the time, like for example, I live in a 2 story condo so those darn stair trips do me no good! Except to make my knees hurt!

Lucky: Is there not something just so incredible about standing in snowfall and silence? God does create miraculous things of wonder and beauty for us! Whooee that must have been a chilly wait!

I just wanted to peek in for a sec. I have to get up at 5 with Jack so I am in bed by 8:30 tonight for sure. Tomorrow is scrapbooking at my house with my daughter and I have to cook so I have to get up early so I can eat and exercise and fix the casserole before she gets here at 9:30.

For those of us that have had the blues (me included today), here is your for the week:


Weight loss the best way
An obese fellow was reading the paper one day lamenting the fact that his doctor has ordered him to lose 75 pounds. Next thing he sees is an advertisement for a "guaranteed" weight loss program. "Guaranteed like heck, "he thinks to himself. "But let's see what they think they can do."

He calls them on the phone and subscribes to the 3-day, 10 lbs. weight loss program. The next day there comes a knock at his door, and when he answers, there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike's and a sign hanging around her neck. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."

Well, without a second thought he takes off after her. A few miles later, huffing and puffing, he finally catches her and has his way with her. After they are through he kisses the girl one last time and thinks to himself with a nod, "I like the way this company does business."

For the next two days, the same girl shows up and the same thing happens each time. On the fourth day, he weighs himself and, sure enough, he has lost 10 pounds. Deciding that he likes his somewhat more slender physique, not to mention the method of "treatment", he calls the company back and subscribes to their 5-day, 20 lbs. weight loss program. He thinks that losing 20 pounds in only 5 days seems like a lot, but he is intrigued by what their "workout" schedule might be like this time.

As expected, the next day there comes a knock at his door. When he answers it there stands a 22 year old knockout dressed in nothing but a pair of Reebok's and a sign hanging around her neck. She is simply stunning, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."

He's out the door like a shot!

This gal is in excellent shape and it takes a while to catch her. But when he does, it is worth every cramp and wheeze. She is wonderful, the best he has ever had. He is really looking forward to the next four days.

For the next four days, the same girl shows up and the same thing happens each time, much to his delight. On the sixth day, he weighs himself and, unbelievably, he has lost another 20 pounds. "I love this company," he thinks to himself, "I never knew losing weight could be so easy and so much fun."

Feeling much better about himself, he decides to go for broke and subscribe to the company's 7-day, 50 pound weight loss program. "Are you sure, sir?" asks the representative on the phone. "This is our most rigorous program."

"Absolutely," says he, "I love your program. Haven't felt this good in years!"

The next day there comes a knock at his door and he enthusiastically answers it. There stands before him a 200 pound perfect specimen of a man dressed in nothing but racing spikes and a sign around his neck. He introduces himself as a representative of the weight loss company.

The sign reads, "If I can catch you, I can have you."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am sitting here nude from the waist down waiting for my clothes to dry! AGAIN

My nephew came over for water and got stuck so I had to take my JUST dried clothes and go and help him. Got him out and brushed off my car AGAIN. I think the snow is coming down faster now than earlier today.

First of all.......I changed my avatar. Now on to more important things.........

It's 2 weeks till Daytona!!!

Off to exercise now.....be back to report in later.

p.s. Lucky: You're cracking me up. You and Donna have a lot in common, typing nude. Maybe we should start a new fad.....300+ And Ready To Try Again....in the NUDE!!

Where is everybody?! I've been gone for two hours and not one post! Ok, maybe I'm the only one that doesn't have a life tonight. Just popping in before bed to ask you a question and present a fact...... Question: Do you know who did the 3 mile WATP tonight? da da da da da da da (humming the Jeopardy theme) That would be....... ME! Now, the fact: The fantastic way I felt after I finished my video was a million times better than any food could taste!!

Have a great night ladies and I'll check in with you in the morning!

Way to get back OP Tina. Im so proud

Okay, fess up who was it that does the Pilates tape? OMG, I just tried it and I gotta loose some of this excess baggage in the belly area to do that!!! But I held in and did what I could, but boy was I flabbergasted!! Everytime she said and do this, I was like yeah right lady maybe when theres about 50 lbs less of me....
She says to pull up to a sitting position and I say out loud "as Im the only one awake in the house" yeah you mean to roll to a sitting position... . So, Im sitting there/laying there doing what I can do calling her bad bad names.....but guess she's heard it before....LOL But I will plug along and move move move. Tomorrow Im thinking a little good music and dance for 20 minutes or so in the livingroom with my 5 year old might be fun for both of us and give me a good work out at the same time. And she loves to exercise....LOL "she does not I repeat Does Not take after me.... hope she stays that way!!!

Everyone take care and big to you all!!!

Waiting for my dh to get home from fishing then think I might ask if he would like to get lucky thats always a good work out.....and hes always alway a willing participant....

Sandy...I have a Pilates tape too! ...I've only used it a few times. Don't worry about not being able to do it like Denise does! Look at the size of her! Just do the best you can, each time will get a little better. I take a Yoga class at the gym...there are things that I am no where near able to do but I modify the move and pray that she moves quickly to the next one!! Pilates is deceiving though, isn't it?? The moves look so easy and gentle...it is a surprisingly good workout. Good luck with it!

I got my exercise today doing some yard work...After I got the Christmas lights down, I decided the walkway needed some sweeping...then the flower bed under my picture window looked really shabby, so I cleaned that out...then I noticed some stuff in the garage that needed to take a ride in the garbage truck...about 4 giant bags later, I did a little raking...Spring fever? Seemed like it, but we still have a L*O*N*G way to go before that happens...even though I did see some daffodil shoots popping their little green heads out of the ground! The front of the house looked so nice and tidy when I was done, I had to go buy a new wreath for the front door...something to perk it up a bit. It really was a nice day...sunny and not too cold...dh came out and worked on all the cars while I puttered around the yard...It was the kind of day I like...no obligations and no place to be at a certain time...ahhhh.....

Oh Lucky...you kill me...I'm sitting here at the computer in my jammies, with socks on and a blanket wrapped around me...you Minnesotans are tough! i'd love a good snow storm...could you send some out this way?

ummm...I would be one of those women! My daughter was 3+ years years old and I decided that it was high time I lose the "baby weight" (among the other lbs!) I worked very hard, dieted religiously, exercised like a demon and lost 30 lbs! I looked so damn good, I guess, that I was ravaged by himself and nine months later...I got me a brandy spankin' new little baby boy!! And more weight to lose! I will say that I gained MUCH less with my 2nd pregnancy than I did the first time around. Okay, so he's gonna be 12 in 10 days...it's time to do something about that baby weight once and for all!

I've got a busy Monday coming up...dentist @ 9, WW @11, taxman @ 3...God know how long that will take, he's doing our taxes and the FAFSA forms for us...(Financial Aid forms for my college bound baby!)

Keep the faith, babes! Hang in there!

Well... here it is 3:30am.
I went to bed between 9:30-10pm last night.
I just cant win when it comes to sleeping.
Either I go to bed at 3:30 or wake up at 3:30.
I don't know what is wrong with me.

Okay... it is time for a new thread so....

STOP !!!!! Do not post here. come to our new page #277
See you all there.