The newly redecorated parlour is most becoming and relaxing. Makes me think I should do some 'springizing' in my non-virtual world soon. Mostly I've been thinking clothes. Looking forward to brighter colors.

My self analysis continues. But I know I need to focus again on water for sure and also get a bit tighter about eating after 8:00. My calories aren't bad for today but didn't exercise. I'm going to make the exercise goal four times a week instead of every day. If I get more in, fine but I was obsessing about every day, not making it, feeling negative.

Also going back to my Slimfast on at least a once or twice a week basis. That was a big help to me. Sunlight will help, music will help, relaxation techniques will help. I'm really up for this one and the Fresh Start is going to propel me onward. And downward.

Love the flowers and sunshine visuals. And the bunny w/flowers (female) is a perfect combo. Will leave my shamrock stuff out until after the 17th but may start sneaking in a few of the bunny/chick stuff as well. Hippity, hippity.

Welcome wsw and hottie. I've seen your posts from time to time, wsw, you'll enjoy this group for sure.

Nite, nite all.

First of all, a warm welcom to hottie and wsw! Glad you've joined us.

My trusty cat, Sherlock, is on patrol in the parlour to keep any lurking s out. They shall bother us no more!

Kaylets, I had a nap this afternoon, too, on the couch after we watched The Tuxedo. Totally unexpected, but obviously needed.

Amarantha, are you still doing the LC? I have 7 left in my freezer, and have to say I have been surprised at how good they actually are. Only found the one (so far) that I really didn't like. I'm going to use those for my lunches this week. Eating them twice a day I found that I wasn't getting enough protein in, and halfway through last week I started having regular dinners again.

So, my plan for our Spring Renewal is to start keeping tally on the water, as I know I've slipped there, to count calories, and to focus on getting more fibre, more fruit, more veggies, and less carbs. I don't know if that's gonna work, because carbs are my "safe" foods with my gut, but try I shall. If the weather would only cooperate I'd love to start regular walks again, but failing that I will do 30 minutes of exercise 4-5 times per week. I will also cut off eating after 7:30pm. This will take some planning because we often don't get home until 6:30, but 8pm will be the absolute latest because part of this challenge is also to be in bed ready for sleep by 10pm. Not watching tv, not cross-stitching, not reading. Lights out, goodnight Irene. I am also starting to take my calcium on a regular basis (helps not only the bones, but weight loss AND my gut!) and a multi-vitamin.

I guess it's just a back-to-basics plan. Eat properly, drink water, exercise, and sleep. I hope as a result of all that I will lose some weight, but if not, at least I'll be healthier and rested. This is going to be a no-pressure challenge for me, focusing more on the lifestyle than the end result.

Happy Monday to us all!

Hello all!

Guess I'll hold onto Monday as weigh in day as this am, the hint became a promise and ......( isn't this just so tacky, she;s pushing a drumset into the room...) DRUMROLL PLEASE...............

I've officially broken out of the 170's --!!!! Only took twice as long as I expected but that 's not the point!~!....... right folks??!

168.5 this am!! Yes, that is me skipping and sorry if I'm making the floor boards bounce! ( OR is that a greenie I squished!)

I will update my signature line later--

Since I really can't tell you how long since I've been this weight, I wasn't 100% sure I could break out the 170's ever.
So, this is especially sweet as this piece of road was full of detours, kicking of car tires, and white knuckling of the steering wheel.

Hmmm, and I was going to refocus more on Non Scale Victories!!
Well, the NSV is this one was 3 weeks of fortitude as the scale did every movement but down!

Good things do come to those who wait !

Sorry if I'm just impossible to deal w. this am- Guess I really didnt believe it could happen-- more on that at 6-- film at 11!

We could hear the wind screaming all night long. And when I got up this am, the sky was blue black and stars were everywhere.

Today's thought is:
"We have it in our power to begin the world over again."--- Thomas Paine

To today's best choices!!

Well, everyone have a wonderful Monday. I am walking to Walmart. Not sure how far it is. But with gas prices as high as they are, Honey has been taking my car to save $. His truck needs a new carb. Which he had to order, and then he gets to install. Who knows when I will have my car back??? I can manage a 2 mile stroll and then back. I used to do 8 miles at once, without stopping to shop. Well, off to shower and get dressed. I am trying not to procrastinate. ~flower

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Wildfire

I guess it's just a back-to-basics plan. Eat properly, drink water, exercise, and sleep. I hope as a result of all that I will lose some weight, but if not, at least I'll be healthier and rested. This is going to be a no-pressure challenge for me, focusing more on the lifestyle than the end result.

QUOTE]

Well, there you pretty much stated my plan but better than I could have. It's a good lifestyle I'm after and then the loss will surely happen, however slowly.

Still thinking, tweaking. Been eating out more so need to handle that better (I was in the beginning of my journey but not since we've reintroduced that to our lifestyle).

Scale a bit better this morning. Put new batteries in so maybe the manhandling threw it off a bit too. Down 1.2 (water)since yesterday so I'll take it however. Anxious to see "official" Wed. number. Have also considered changing weigh in day. Anything to get it going again.

Kaylets, congrats on the SUPER loss. You know it was happening all along but I'd have probably had a gain after the week you had last.

Sun shining, still cold. More melt under the pine trees but lawn in general still well covered. It's coming, I know it. I can feel it. Spring, motivation, renewal and healthy lifestyle. Am off to pool this morning. Always helps a bit. And a good Monday gives me a good week (well, usually).

Welcome back, Arabella. Hope it was a good trip. Let us know about our joint meditation. And how did the workload go, Empress? Are you still pounding away or did you get it all accomplished yesterday?

hi all!

kaylets-congrats on the hard-fought weight loss! i'm happy for you. i lose very slowly, and know what a big deal it is when that scale moves in the right direction. hi amarantha-thanks for the welcome to the thread. i always enjoy reading your posts.

it's sunny here today, which i am thoroughly enjoying. we've had a rough winter here, as have most areas of the country-and i am soooo ready for spring. i think i'm going to go ahead and make mon. my weigh in day. it's just as good (well, or not) as anytime and may be helpful for me to remember that weekends need to be just regular food days, and not a license to go wild since i will have get up on that scale soon thereafter. so far so good with being op for my first 2 meals today. i hope everyone has a pleasant monday. i liked that quote/thought of the day, kaylets. i seem to need to be reminded often lately that each new day really is a new beginning. well, take care, all.

wsw

Hi All -- Just popping in to say and that I'm with you on the Spring Renewal Challenge! Had a fairly stressful weekend with ex-MIL. She's in the early stages of Alzheimers, I'm fairly certain. She's losing a lot of her words, and is starting to have difficulty recognizing things. She's also in very rough shape physically, bent over almost double and using a cane, although it isn't really up to the task. I took her grocery shopping (offered to do it for her, but she insisted that she had to choose the items herself, which is very typical of her). She needs to be almost carried. I don't know what will happen. She's in her house, and won't agree to have anyone come in unless a relative, but there are no relatives who can or would want to do it. And I don't know if she would leave her house. Doesn't want to go to a nursing home, which is what she needs.

Her doctor had been telling her for years that she needed to get exercise, but she never really believed it, I guess. She worked as an accountant, so she was at a desk all day. And she never walked even the few blocks to the bank or post office - it just wasn't the done thing. If you had a car, you drove.

I think that's a generational thing. She, my mom, and my current MIL are all sort of the same that way, although MIL started doing 5 minutes of exercise 5 days a week 20 years ago and is very active. So she's in fairly good shape. My mom and ex-MIL never exercised (not even housework, which I'm coming to think can be a real saving grace for older non-exercisers) and both are really breaking down physically. Enough to make me pledge to continue exercising forever!

I walked to the gym and did circuit training this morning, and will likely get in a set of tai chi. I just realized I'm very tired, though, so I will try and take it a bit easy this aft.

Sorry for the mememe post. I'll be back!

Congrats to all on our new improved focus --- Oh, for the synchronized meditation, it seems like probably some time in the evening might be best because a lot of people work days. I was thinking maybe 7 Eastern? I'm "East of Eastern" in the Atlantic zone, so that's 8 for me. And I'm often in bed before 9 So, how does 7 or 7:30 Eastern sound? However, I can do it another time if that doesn't suit.

hey! a quick run-by, as I've got to get showered and to work pronto!

Congrats on the big losses!!!!!

Myself, I am losing water. 2# gone yesterday, still working on sodium detox to get back to 'real' weight.

Hugs for all.
-W-

Hello all,

I have decided that I will focus from now until April 27th on (1) not eating lunch "out" with co-workers. I spend too much money and I eat too much calories when I do that. In order to make sure I have more nutritious/lower calorie meals, I will bring my lunch or make a quick trip to Subway or Wendy's: both places have low cal. meals which fill me up / not out! I won't get 'burned out' on wanting anything else for only 6 weeks-I know I can do this!

Another 'goal' is to (2) increase my weight training. I currently work out at a gym 5 days a week-mostly doing eliptical trainer/treadmill time and crunches. I will focus for the next 6 weeks on upper body training to increase strenght and tone. I can't work with weights on my lower body (legs) for now: I have a chronic ciircular condition which will take a few more months for me to get to the point where I can work weight-wise with my legs. For now, my body weight is more than enough resistance!

My last goal is to (3) increase fiber intake and lower my fat/calorie intake to insure I will continue weight loss. I will also continue drinking lots and lots of water. In order to do this goal, I will continue reading labels to make sure my fiber increases, as well as making sure I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, being sure to remember that the "closer to the natural state" of the food/the better it is for my body!

Here's wishing less of you ALL by April 27th! Good luck!!

Here's a chart for the time equivalents. It's not daylight savings time now (I tried thinking about that and it confused me too) so the times work for now. I would have to think about it more to work out what the difference would be if some were on DST and others weren't. I'm not really in favor of DST here, but they do it anyway

ATL EST CST MST PST ALA HAW
8P* 7P* 6P* 5P* 4P* 3P* 2P*

Hi everyone!

I'm completely in agreement with our changing the challenge date! I was reading this weekend's posts and nodding my head... 3/17 is my Dad's birthday and I'll be in Yuma - I'm sincerely hoping the U.S. doesn't feel the need to go blowing anyone up until I'm back on solid ground the afternoon of 3/18...

Besides, coinciding it with all the "new beginnings" is just so fitting! Did I tell you all I got to pet a 5 day old colt last weekend?? The spring babies are starting to be born in the great wild northwest! It's soooo much fun....

Eydie - Ok, the weekend is passed, but here, you can live vicariously through me n' my "exciting" weekend - I did 3 hours of landscaping (my exercise, my butt still hurts!), then hung curtains in my bathroom, put ivy/vines along the tops of my kitchen cabinets to keep the heathen cats off of them (so far, so good), painted a metal garden flower pot holder so it would match my black wrought iron sconces in my dining room (then hung it and felt purdy damned proud of myself), then hung a huge French print by my wine rack, painted in the 50's of two guys holding a huge wine glass, 2 bottles of wine and grapes all over the place.
*whew* That's it!

After alllll this work, I discovered Jack Daniels Hard Cola (holy moly!) and the rest of the weekend was a wash...

Amarantha - Good to see you again!!! I thought you'd been carried off by the ! I personally try to go to Curves 3x a week - but as of late have not made it. I'm looking forward to this trip being over so I can get back to some "normalness" and focus on my health instead of where, when and how I'm going to get someplace! (I'm a little stressed about traveling with war looming too if truth be told!)
Also, don't fret about Curves measuring - I personally don't buy 100% of what they said either and honestly don't measure anymore. I completely lost my "umph" when after a month, and after feeling so good, feeling "harder" and being able to SEE a difference and their stuff said I was up 4 pounds and had GAINED body fat?!?!?. Then and there I figured it was *much* better to go by how I feel and not by what their little zapper said.

Anagram - I'm with you - since it's in the high 80's in Yuma I was trying on my summer clothes this weekend. How depressing... and motivating... all in a few cruel minutes. I figure I better get crackin' as it's 60 degrees here and I'm gonna have to wear that stuff full time soon and I *refuse* to buy more!

Flower - Welcome back!

Kaylets - I think your plain ol' healthy ideas is a GREAT thing - and I'll join ya'. I've said it before that I think sometimes I over-stress about food and therefore end up thinking about it far more than had I just let things happen. Perfect example - I haven't journaled in over 3 weeks - I haven't gained a pound. I haven't lost either, but *I have not gained*. I think once I get into a healthier frame of mind - the weight will come off...
I had a new bird show up at the feeder this weekend! It looked like a little peachy-red faced finch. I need to go get my book...

Wildfire - I don't think I could've said it better myself. It's not about the challenge, or deadline, or season - the fact that we've found each other, discovered a kinship and are cultivating friendships - THAT'S what matters! Yes

Arabella - Ooooh, I don't even want to think about trying to coordinate times! You're brave. My head spins looking at my itinerary - I leave Yuma at 8:15am and get in to L.A. at 8:20am - after being in the air over an hour!

WSW - Welcome! I seem to remember you though??? I think we may have been on a thread together at some time??

Hottie - Welcome to you too! Pull up a chair n' enjoy the company of a bunch o' crazy ladies!

Miss Washu - You're in good company here - I believe there are a few of us that follow a more, uh, Earth based calendar... Personally, I've been out talking to my bulbs telling them Ostara is coming and they'd better produce some flowers! (They're being coy, being the first ones n' all)

Speaking of which, I do believe the little sprouts are indeed daffodils! Still keeping them covered so the Bambi's can't eat them, juuuust in case I'm wrong!

Well, toodles for now. I've been typing this for the better part of 40 minutes and should get some work done since it's a short week for me!

Terri

7 or 7:30 works just fine for me, Wood Nymph.
And pretty much any day of the week or is it to be a daily thing?