I only walked a mile today. Don't hate me for those of you who are stuck indoors due to the snow, but it's 70 degrees outside here today. Absolutely gorgeous weather. I've been eating right on track again today.

Question though: Does anyone have any suggestions for a good afternoon snack that will help ward off the low blood sugar shakes ?

After much complaining yesterday, my night turne dout better. I did get disappointed at the eye doctor, cause she told me that my eyes are so dramatically different from each other, that contacts would be uncomfortable. Meaning, my right eye is almost perfect, but my left eye (thanks to surgery at age 3) is astigmatism. That would make one contct thicker, and every time I would blink, she says I'd feel it. And, it wouldn't give me the crisp clear sight that I have now with my glasses. So, after boo-hooing about it, I picked out a cute little pair of glasses.

We have to wait til Thursday to pick them up, cause hubby's getting 2 pairs, one for distance and one for reading. He refuses to get bifocals. I dont blame him.

So, we went to the mall, and did the eye exam thing. Then we went to Ruby Toesdays for dinner, cause we coulnd't ifnd the chinese place. The food wasn't great, and we sat there, awkward, like we were on a date. It was funny, we talked about how we'd met long ago, and laughed about the dating shows where people invent topics, just to fill the dead air. It was cute.

Then, we walked around the mall, for exercise, and to see what's on sale. We ended up getting some cute candle holders fromKirklands for 2 bucks each.. and I got myself a nice ornamental box.. really antique looking, and pretty, again 2 bucks. Big Clearance there. Then, we went to B. Dalton, and I got a book called Gap Creek. An oprah book club thing, so that'll be good to sit down with. 5 bucks for that. We did great money wise, and even paid 100 bucks less on the glasses than we were planning to pay. All around fun day.

Today, we're planning to drive in to Lancaster County, and visit the Wilbur Candy Factory... dont' worry, i'll be good. Just something to do, and the road trip I'm dying for.

The snow is melting away, fromt he rain. Hope we don't get flooded streets. Looks okay from my window, but you never know.

Okay, so that's my novel. Angie: msg has no taste, won't notice the difference, and I bet your reaction will go away. Kempy: I have no ex-boyfriends in my state, weird, cause I moved here, and immediately met my husband.. how lucky. Old boyfriends in my home town in RI are married, and in college, he's getting married. Weird, cause he's seen me naked, and stuff. Can't think about it.

Still can't find Celia's leash. UGH!

You said you had restricted yourself below your WW points ?

If you don't eat enough food, your body thinks you're starving, and it slows your metabolism to compensate.

Do you keep a food journal?
If so, look back and see if you ate more refined carbs last week than you usually eat.
Too many refined carbs or sugars will slow down your weight loss.
Maybe increase low fat protein, and cut back on refined carbs and high sugar veggies.
I know tomatoes, onions, & carrots have a lot of sugar.
Offhand I can't think of the other veggies that are high sugar.
Too much potatoes and rice can also slow weight loss, if too many of your calories/points are from them, even if you're not going over your points limit.

I would suggest keeping a food journal. I'd be lost without mine.
I buy one used from Amazon that's called "A Journal of Daily Renewal" by Bob Greene and Oprah.
It's out of print, but the used prices at Amazon start at $3.
It holds 90 days worth, and has icons for veggies, fruits, and water to circle or mark off as you use them.
Bob Greene has a new one out that goes with his latest book, but I like the old one better.

I hope some of this helped.

Always include some protein in your snacks....at least 5 gms.

Protein stabilizes your blood sugar longer than anything else you eat.
Refined carbs put your blood sugar on a roller coaster if you don't have much protein in your system. If you have protein with refined carbs, the protein keeps your blood sugar from falling as low as it would without it.
When your blood sugar drops, it makes you hungry.

There are some diet experts who believe that aspartame (nutrasweet) makes you crave carbs !
I started avoiding it altogether about 3 years ago when I discovered it was causing my migraines.
Meant to mention this to peekabooangel, also.
I know it's boring as ****...but water is the best thing you can drink.

If you're in a rush or won't be able to refrigerate your snacks,
those peanut butter cheese crackers that almost all of the gas station shops have are 190 to 220 calories (depending on the brand) and have at least 5 gms. of protein. There are 6 to a package.

Another good snack is an apple with 1 or 2 tablespoons of low fat peanut butter.

Gargoyle2003, Thanks for the suggestions. I may have to stock up on those little peanut butter crackers because my blood sugar has been routinely plummeting in the afternoon, regardless of what I eat for lunch.

I just tried Luna bars yesterday and really liked the Lemon Zest ones. 180 calories and 10 grams of protein and I felt like I was having a treat. My best friend doesn't care for them but I think they're pretty tasty. Anyone else eat these???

Washu, I meant to tell you congrats yesterday on your loss. Very, very good!!!

Sveltechicky, I know you were planning to get contacts but I have to tell you, I think you look GREAT in glasses. That was one of the first things I noticed about your avatar. They are very flattering on you.

Everyone have a nice weekend. DH, the kids, and I are going out to eat with the in-laws (including BIL's girlfriend who I cannot stand) so wish me luck. We're going out to this very nice place and I've already told DH not to let BIL's girlfriend sit next to me. I'm cordial enough but it really makes for a long dinner when I have to fake conversation with her (and I know she doesn't give a hoot about talking to me either.)

Shannon Gar is right about adding some protein to your snack. I will eat an apple w/ p'butter or a Luna. I sell all sorts of bars at work so i kind of have my pick of waterever I want.

Gar where did you learn all of your stuff? I have been in this business for years and you are really impressing me.

Chris I think you look very cute in your glasses. I am sure you are disappointed but don't be because you look great.

Angie can you beleive I am on on a Saturday?

Peek don't give up. Gar has some really good tips. Try those and see if it will make a difference.

Noelle are you alone for this weekend?

I actually got up and went to the gym with Joe this morning. I only did cardio but at least I did something. I was on the eliptical for 15 and the treadmill for 30min. Boy, I have gotten out of shape. I may be losing weight but I am not in good cardio shape.

I hope you guys have a good weekend. I am going to go clean out a closet. fun,fun

Good morning ladies. Just a quick check in. I show a loss of 1 lb this week so I'm happy about that. Didn't make my challenge goal of 9 lbs for the month (what was I thinking? ) but I am 6 lbs lighter than I was at the beginning of the month so hooray and I've still got about a week left. I'm still shooting for 180 within the first week of March which I should be able to achieve. We'll see. I'm getting to dig deep into the bowels of my closet and pull out my 16's and 14's so I'm quite happy about that.

Yes I am alone this weekend, sort of. Went to dinner last night with the rest of my noisy family and afterwards went to Borders to check out some books. My son then proceeded to throw up his dinner on the carpet in the store. I'm hosting a Candle Party tonight and having a bunch of girls over so that should be fun. I just took a break from dusting and vacuuming. I set up most of my candle holders so everyone could ooh and ahhh. Should look pretty neat. I'll try and take picture if I remember tonight.

Chris, I agree with Kemp, glasses look great on you. I had contacts for about 2 years before I had my son, then I stopped wearing them and never went back. I've had 3 pairs of glasses since then and I think I look pretty slick , maybe even slightly intelligent . The frames they have nowadays are quite stylish anyway so you could make a fashion statement if you wanted. Have fun at the chocolate place, have some smells for me.

Gargoyle, thanks for all the info. Will remember to store that into my healthy diet and lifestyle databank. I may not even have to see the nutritionist anymore...I'll just follow your posts and handy tips. Well, actually I haven't been to the nutritionist for a few years...probably why I weigh what I weigh today. anyhoo...

Washu, I'll catch up to you and your knives sometime in the next day or two, I promise. 6" chefs I think. Got a catalog/price list?

Sandy, you're doing good. I've seen you posting on a lot of boards. That's great. You're motivation and drive inspire me to keep going too. Stick with the program and your body will reward you and be mahvelous.

Shan, Angie, anyone else i may have missed, I've got to run but will try to check back later. Hope you all have a great day. Stay safe.

Guess what? Guess what? My plans changed again. We started off, towards PA, and ended up turning around, from the flooding in the street. It was bad, and i'm usually pretty tough, being from New England. I couldn't handle it anymore, so I turned back, and we decided to stay in. We did get out to the K-Mart closing sale, and got a pair of pants, and a rain coat. Really cute.

And, here's some big news: Chris (hubby) and I are in the car today, and talking, while braving the rain. We were discussing our vow renewal ceremony, and figured if our families are so willing to financially support our ceremony, why not put that money into the adoption of a baby? We're not able to do this naturally, but we're ready, we think, to pursue children. So, I called my mom, who was planning to pay for the event: could she pay for the adoption instead, or put it towards it? She's thrilled, and supports it. So. now to tell everyone else.

We're just reeling now, after that talk.

Thank you all for such great support!!! I am sticking with it!! I've been at it for 1 month now and I'm not giving up by anymeans!!! Gar, I only drink 1 cup of coffee in the am and then Im on water the rest of the day, occasionally I will have a small glass of DT. Pepsi, but don't make a habit of it, I think this past month I have had maybe 2 full 16oz bottles. I am eatting in my points now and will continue to. I also journal everything!!! I write down anything that goes into my mouth.

I will succeed at this, I have the attitude and I will do it!!

Again, thanks everyone for the encouragment.

PS) I did the WATP 3 mile one today!!!! Hurray for ME

You girls have been busy today!! I petted a BIG snake today!! EEwww!!! We had a Petco open up in Bangor and I needed food so we went to the grand opening. They had a huge snake there and I am scared of snakes but I petted it. If it was a spider there is no way in **** I would have even stayed in the store though!

I got in a walk this mornig and have been a good girl for 2 days. Yeah for me!! I bought a white cake mix and baked it with 1 1/2 cup water and 3 egg whites and no oil. Yum. It bakes up the same and saves on all that fat. I made a glaze from fat free half and half powder sugar and cocoa powder to go on it. I am going to have that for a treat tonight. (lowfat but high fat taste...Just the way I like it)

Great idea Chris on adopting. I wish you both the best of luck in getting your little bundle of joy

Kempy, I am glad to see you are here on the weekend.

Sandy, I am so proud of you!

Washu, Congrats on the loss!!!

Noelle, What are you up to while hubby is away? Sorry to hear that your son tossed his cookies in the store. I hope he feels better now. Have fun at your candle party tonight. I want to see a pic

KempyD -
I'm flattered you think I'm that knowledgable. (you're going to make me self-conscious)
I didn't learn the nutrition stuff any one place. I get email diet tips from 3 different sites.
I do read a lot and when I was on Diet Center's diet way back in 1980, they had a nutrition class that was for 6 weeks. That's where I learned that protein stabilizes your blood sugar.
And I guess the longer you live, the more info. you pick up here and there....and I may be one of the older ones here.
I turn 50 in May. (horrors!)
I remember when I thought turning 40 made someone a fossil.

I hope to be within 15 lbs. of my goal (150) by my birthday May 20th.

SvelteChicky -
Congratulations on yours and hubby's decision to adopt !
Hope everything goes smoothly with that and with your ceremony to renew your vows.

Anyone having a bad day -
Don't dwell on it.
Try to drink extra water.
Get back on track tomorrow.
And Never give up !

Anyone need a laugh?
Dave Barry's Sunday article:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...ry/5238010.htm

(hope the link works)

Do we have spastic weather in central TX or what?

Here are the highs for today and the next 6 days with showers here and there:

today: 76
Mon: 51
Tues: 49
Wed: 71
Th: 69
Fri: 67
Sat: 61


KempyD : Do the highs fluctuate this much in Louisiana ?

Where is everyone today? Wow Gargoyle you do have some strange weather. We are lucky we know it will be cold until April.

My cake was awesome last night. I made it into 2 and froze one for another day. I am almost down to 161 again so maybe I can go even lower this week. That would be nice.

Hey there everyone. Sure is quiet on here. Wanted to tell you all that I made it through doing the WATP 3mile again today. Boy did I hate the lady for actually telling me it was okay to quit and only do 1 or 2 or whatever miles....I stuck out the whole 3 miles and felt good that I did!!! So thats 6 miles in 2 days, a real accomplishment for me. And check out what I ate for supper...

3 corn soft tortilla shells.........3pts
3servings of crumbles mixed with onion, gr pepper, mushrooms and taco seasoning................3pts
1/2 cup FF cheese...................2pts.....

8 total points and Im full beyond what I need to be. I should have stopped at 2 of the tortilla shells, but thought I was starved . Anyways the serving of the meat with the veggies mixed in is really large so you have like this super size taco or you can just leave it flat and eat with a fork. So tormorrow's lunch to take to work I'm taking a big ole salad and some of this taco meat mix and having a taco salad...since the meat is only 1 pt per serving this will be a really low pt lunch, but filling!!!

It's windy and cold here at our place. Hubby and I had church today, and chatted with the pastor about our decision to adopt. Everyone in the family is very supportive, which is different, cause we're usually the "dumb kids". I guess they're starting to see us as adults. Father in law is thrilled, as is my mother.

I spent most of the afternoon online, looking at the website that we're thinking about listing with. It's christianadoption.com, and after checking out some of their references, we're basically believers, and this summer, when the money comes, wer'e signing on. Hopefully, we'll have a child in arm by next year this time. Praying hard on that one.

Since we're prioritizing with the baby issue, the vow renewal ceremony is now off totally. The money and concept are being put into baby now. It would've been nice to celebrate our anniversary like that, but now that we need the finances and energy for baby, it's not important.

I did okay food wise. Holding at 150 pounds. I"ve been exercising every day. My focus is starting to change from my body all hte time, to researching and getting our stuff in order to welcome a baby. I hope I don't lose motivation with this site, but you know how things get. Pray for us, will ya? BTW, what ever happened to the Griller?