Hey girls! I had a miserable day, but managd to get my walk in, wiht the dog. So, I'm on plan for the challenge, despite a bad day overall. Heard that a friend lost her baby, because the birthmom decided to keep her. After a long ordeal, my friend is devastated over it. We were all set to send her a congrats package, welcoming baby girl! Its a big blow, and makes me worry about whether we'll have to endure something like that. Please, No.

Then, heard that a wonderful preacher I listen to on the radio, his son committed suicide over the past weekend. That was aweful to hear, and to listen to his father speak. Through the grief. That was aweful.

Rained cats and dogs all day long, and I felt like crawling back into bed. But last night I barely slept, so I"m not sure if it would help. Then, I did get to wal-mart and buy a cute sun dres for vacation. That was fun, and bought soem highlite creme, and did it. Hubby helped. Hey, I can't see hte back of my head. Needless to say, I got weirded out, and took it out too early. After almost 2 hrs of pulling small strands through taht dern cap, I hardly look highlited. Ugh.

Dinner was terrible. Hubby tried a seurbraten recipe, and it was terrible. We both agreed, never again. So, I grabbe dthe dog, my walkman, and hit the neighborhood.

This day is almost over, and thank the Lord for that.

I work out almost every day. I do the aerobics/weights video (30 minutes) at night, and then the other days, I'll walk the dog, do some housework, ride bikes..pilates, yoga. Something without weights, and without the jumping around. I need the break in between. But I can't go more than 2 days in a row without the exercise, or I start to get paranoid that I"m gaining weight. It's a mind game, and I don't wanna get off the wagon, so to speak.

Well, I'm gonna lounge. Loved the chicken recipe. May try it.. yummy! Sorry to be such a downer.

Hi Gem!

Yes, I am still in phase one, although I should be in phase two, this is week 16 for me!

I have many ways I cook. I even took pictures..Funny, eh?

AM
Two Eggs with Olive Oil
Sprinkle of some Cheese
Grilled Bok Choy in Olive Oil extra Virgin!


Snack
Cheese
or Peanuts
Or a bit here and there of ricotta

Lunch
Big Salad

Dinner
Tai Grilled Salamon in Olive Oil
Grilled Vegies

Pretty Much fushion food.

I plan on making homade coffe jello/with powdered skim milk...I can not find sugar free Jello,
And the fake sugars slow down my metabolism...

How about you? What do you usually eat?

Hey all. We got back from Maui on Sunday afternoon and had a good time. We had fun on Saturday night traipsing up and down Front Street in Lahaina, I'm sure I got a few miles in during the day too so I'm in pretty good shape. I was sooo dragging my butt yesterday though, I still have a bit of the lingering flu bug. The only good thing is that I'm not in much of a mood to overeat. Now to get up the motivation to take a walk and just move around a little more. My goal this month is to make it back down to 175 by 8/31/03. I've been fluctuating between 177 and 182 (what with my BBQ weekends) and I'm willing to bet that I'm right around 180 today, although the battery in my scale is really flaky right now. So my goal will to be just to get down to 175. That seems reasonable. I will be in Maui yet again 8/15 Friday to kick off our Admission's Day holiday weekend. I'm beginning to think I should just move out there--I love that island so much. It's so much more expansive than Oahu and I love that there's so many places to be explored....now if only the gas prices weren't so darned steep--> $2.35 p/gal regular!

Anyway ladies, sounds like most of you are doing well with your challenges. I'm hoping your excitement and motivation will rub off on me.

(((Chris))) I'm sorry to hear of your sorrows today. Tomorrow will be better, it just has to be.

CG I guess the withdrawal/detox phase of SBD causes those mean headaches? Hope you get through them ok. I agree on the 3+ mile walks in hot weather--that's tough. I average 3.5 miles daily but we're only in the 80's temp-wise. I usually wait til the sun starts setting so it cools off real fast.

Summerlover, I think you did a great job--and got right back on plan :cp: . Sometimes you just gotta make do with what ya got. Thanks for the chix recipe...gotta try that one too.

Angie you're ahead of me with the exercise today...I haven't gotten around to it YET! But it's only 4 pm...there's still hope for me. Hang tough chickie, we can do this!

Holly, Emily, Summer, Kempy...hope I didn't miss anyone~~hope everyone has had a great day/night. See y'all tomorrow.

**Almost forgot. My son started his new school yesterday and he got through it wonderfully! No problems whatsoever--no tears (on his or my part :lol: ) and he's starting to make new friends. His teacher's a gem too, a real sweet and patient lady. Hope not to report of any fiascos in the near future. :)

Gas prices, you have it sweet! Golly Gee I pay 109 per liter! UGH!

Does anyone here like Umae, like I do. Sour Plum?

At first the SBD is tough! For lunch I had to eggs over easy and two cans of tuna the small ones 3 ounces I think with mustard...water, water, water!

Noelle do you use a pedometer?

Hi CG. I remember eating ume straight out of the jar when I was a kid. I preferred the big, soft, salty ones but my mom always bought the small, hard, crunchy ones. I still eat them if I get a bento lunch and it's in the middle of my musubi :T . I don't think I'd have any problem finding things I like to eat in Japan, or anywhere else for that matter :lol: . Come to think of it, my hubby's cousin in Kauai makes a yearly trek up to the state park "Koke'e" where they have plum picking season. She gets a whole bunch and makes her own ume. If we're lucky, she brings us a jar. Haven't had any from her lately, but I think Rick is gonna be visiting Kauai in the next few weeks, maybe the week after I get back from Maui.

I do have a pedometer but I haven't used it lately. In fact, I'd be hard pressed if I had to tell you where it was right now...I usually walk the same route everyday, or sometimes in reverse to mix it up, but the mileage I measured when I WAS using the pedometer was 3.5 miles. My longer weekend route is 5.2 miles.

I am a carb addict so I don't think I'd do well on any low-carb or no-carb plan. Kudos to you gals that can stick with it! I'm rooting for ya.

Well, I'm closing up shop for the day. See ya gals later.

Hi Ladies,


AngieMe- It seems as though the one other forum I hang out in is a but slow right now so after peeping you and a few buddies (melekalikimaka, Kempyd) I decided to barge in on this one. Hope You all don't mind.

melekalikimaka- First of all welcome back from Maui :) And I'm with you on the carb thing. I need carbs in my life. I'm in Italy for goodness sake! Say no tp the pasta, rissoto (rice) and breads?? That is cruel and unusual punishment :)

Lets see....My week foodwise has sucked so bad. I have eaten everything and anything, Last night I made potato skins for supper...potato skins with monterey jack cheese,cheddar cheese and bacon with sour cream. I am never going to lose weight like this!!

Jay brought home a pomeranian dog the other night. His tag was from an out of state school for the deaf so we thought we had a little houseguest until we could find his people. Luckily he found the owners that same night. The poor kid was out crying and looking for his Tickles. His mom said he has gotten away twice and the kid says "maybe Tickles doesnt like us he keeps trying to run away" :lol: Tickles had a ball at my house playing with Candi and Rebel. I didnt let Cappie near him because he has been growling and chasing the cats alot lately.

I called Keeshond Rescue to see if they can help me place him into a home without cats. I am afraid he will connect with them one of these times and hurt one. Meanie is 11 and Cappie cornered him beside the fireplace yesterday and wouldnt let him move. Then he growled at Shadow while he was sleeping on the coush and when he got up to leave Cappie chased him outside growling. I just dont know what to do with him. He also growled at me last night while I tried to get him off my bed. He is such a strange dog because most of the time he is so sweet and loving but if he doesnt want to do something then he will let you know. I have no idea why he all of a sudden decided it is okay to harrass the cats.

IT IS SO MUGGY!!!! I have been doing 3 miles in the morning but by afternoon it is so muggy I dont even bother. Last night it was totally grey out with all the wetness in the air.

Noelle, Glad your back and you had fun.

Dips, welcome. Me,Noelle and Kempy have been here since October. :lol:

Hey Ladies! I haven't caught up with reading all of the posts, but, I wanted to check in. Still haven't been able to purchase a computer for home, probably won't for a few more weeks :(.

I have been MAKING myself avoid junk food at all costs. Yesterday I was soooo tempted to stop at McDonald's and get an ice cream cone, but, quickly changed lanes to avoid my urge. Surprisingly, I didn't even go home and eat a skinny cow! I walked 6 miles for the first time yesterday, and, boy, is that alot of miles in one day. AngieMe and Noelle, I give you TONS of credit for being able to walk that much so often!

My husband and I weighed in together this morning because he was convinced that our new scale was broken! He said that the number it read for him was too high. So, I weighed myself (didn't let him see of course :lol: ), and it said 151.5! I said, nope, it looks good to me. So, he weighed himself, and it read 238. He said he still thought it was broken, lol. I told him I have lost 4.5 pounds since July 14, and he said, "I haven't".

The weight is coming off, SLOWLY, but surely, though every meal, every day is a huge challenge for me. I have found that I like food waaay too much, and, not the right things.

Hope you all have a great day!

Holly

I am debating my starting weight. I actually started trying to lose weight after the birth of my daughter on 8/8/01. At that time, I weighed 180. I did not lose weight quickly after her birth, and was at 167 until the spring of 2002. I have been at 155-156 pretty much since then. I hit 152 once, but, it didn't stay off. Now, I am currently at 151.5. What should I say my starting weight was? Thanks!

Holly

Holly- only you can decide...I've started over many time. Last time I officially started I think I was 210- now I'm 235ish. I think you should give yourself credit for losing all that weight even though it was before you "officially" started this time. Clear as mud?? lol

Late for swimming lessons..bbl

Emily

Hi girls, I have been MIA for a few days, been hectic. How are you all doing ? Noelle, glad you had fun on your vacation :)

I have been doing pretty well, 3 days in a row of OP. :D


when I don't obsess about it as much I think I do better, anyhow, clothes are getting baggier, scale isn't moving, but that's what I expected when I changed my goals around a little. :)

Today was so stressful. My daugther is already in school, and it gets out at 3:55 pm.. so at 3:45, my babysitter called and said that my daughters school had called my house, and that my daughter had wet her pants at school... :( and I needed to go get her. Well, it takes me about 30 minutes to get to her school from my office. But instead of keeping my cool, and calling the school and asking them to just put her on the bus, I flew out of work, and got stuck in traffic, and as I neared my house, which is on the way to the school, I decided to just run in, and call the school, and see if she got on the bus since the bus would be at my house in the next 5 minutes. Luckily I decided to do that , because they said they did put her on the bus. Geez! I would have driven all the way there, and had to turn around and come right back home, and she was already upset about wetting her pants, and then there would have been no one at the bus stop for her :(

I am also sorta mad that she wet her pants, she never does that. She told me that her teacher lets them pick a prize every week if they only visit the restroom during class twice or less during the day..... so I think she was holding it so she could get a prize.. I just think that is wrong. I mean some kids don't need to go as often as others, does that mean they should get rewarded ? :(

*sigh*

Yummy dessert last night!
 

Hi Everyone!
:cool:


~NOELLE~: Ah, Ume, :soap: yes the other day a dear friends mother gave me a whole container of the big plump rid Ume`s and the brown one they color it will ( bare with my while I scrample for Nihongo) :shrug: ......ah, the redish purple leaves? Similar to the green one`s that taste similar to mint! It was such a nice gift considering the time ,and effort and they saved my like 4000 yed or nearuly 40 bucks. I tasted a 20 year old Ume... Wow, Sumai! Yikes!

Everyone, I had the best sinfull-free dessert last night, I got from SBD!

:flow2::flow2::flow2:

Ricotta dessert! Oh, I could not believe it was so Yummy!

:cloud9: :cloud9: :cloud9:

I am sad, I missed my walk yesterday, I think I lifted to many weights and woke up with a severe headache , either from lifting and hurting my schoulder, or I slept wrong. Today I over slept. Please sometime give me confidence and tell me walking five days a week is enought ( nearly 3 miles) in hot weather dripping with sweat! And this is in the AM!
:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Oh, I am babbling today, eh???

Angie, you can do it, get back on the horse! Look at your before pictures, that will keep you focused, it helps me, actually I keep a double DD bra in front of me! To keep me from cheating.
:strong::strong::strong:

On SBD, for brefast I had Two Eggs in Olive oil extra virging.

With a sprinkle of cheese
and Two thin slices in Loin Ham!

I think if anyone has been to Japan, they will know what I am talking about when it comes to thin slices on lunch meat, I mean thin and circular one peice is enough to barely cover one egg cooked!

:hun:

SBD is really a way of life, and not so bad once you get through the detoxing period! :blah:

Ok, I will stop chatting now, before I drive all of you crazy and we all start running for donuts!

Wink!

:high:

Busy day...busy week. Now Jim is trying to get ds #2 to sleep so we can watch a movie and relax a bit. He's a fighter and will probably out-last us :yawn:

I'm doing terrible on my challenge! I just don't know what to do with myself (slap, slap)- I don't want to come on here and whine about how I lack motivation...I just really need to find it within and DO IT!! Holly, I'm so impressed with you changing lanes!! I have found myself giving into my cravings and getting the large instead of the small. What am I thinking?!

CG- post your awesome dessert!

Tonya- That is too bad about your little girl :( I don't think potty issues should be rewarded either...IT's really like getting a prize for having a big bladder! Weird, imo...

Noelle- welcome back! Glad your little boy likes his new school. I can't believe my oldest starts kindergarten in a month now!!!

Angie- I say as long as you are getting your walks in still you enjoy your food- you deserve it! You're just a few lbs away- I'm sure it will happen for you!

:wave: Hi to everyone else!! I'm going to go watch a movie- kids are all asleep!! YAY

Emily

The Dessert

Smooth Ricotta
About 2 200g container

Vanilla
Two nice teaspons

Real Coco Powder
I put in like five tablespoons ( to taste)

Any type of 1/2 cup milk to make the texture a smooth consitantcy (sp)?

I used skim powdered milk and mixed it with a cup of water SBD approved.


Plus your Pal Sweet, or Equal, or any type of non-sugar subsitute.

When finished mixing. Take a tad bit of the mixture and add some instant coffe to have a somwhat moha taste. Put that 1/2 cup aside.

Take any type of nuts and crush them slivered what have you!

Line the botton of any type of dessert dish/cup with the nuts, then add the choco mixture, then layer the mocha, and so forth.

Lastly top it off with the mocha, and nuts, if so desired add some dairy free or fat sugar free topping.

Approx
serves 3 320 cal. Give you take, I think it is a bit less though depending on your ricotta everything else is 0 calories except for the nuts!

Enjoy, let me know if anyone makes it. It taste between a choco mocha cheesecake and pudding...just awesome.

Make sure it is the smooth ricotta!

Cappie went after the cats all day yesterday every chance he could get them. they now wont come in the house unless we escort them to their food and they want to leave as soon as they are done eating. I can not keep Cappie. What would happen this winter when they all have to be inside together and I am in the bakery? If he hurt one of them I would never be able to forgive myself. It is like having to pick one of my kids to give away. It is so hard to do. I just want to cry when I look at him because I love him so much but I also know that I cant train him not to do it because we have been working nonstop for 6 months trying to get him to stop barking like a maniac with no luck. He is very stubborn. He deserves a home where he can be himself too. I just feel like a total slug!!! I hate people who give up on their pets and that is what I am doing.

Diet is nonexistent!! I will get it Sunday hopefully. I have to. I am getting bigger and bigger and I am out of control!!! Why do I do this to myself when I get close to goal.

I am proud of everyone who is doing great!!!YEAH!!! I hope to join you soon.

Cappie
 

Here is my sweet boy.

Angie..What an adorable dog! Does he shed alot? Try not to worry so much about getting bigger. You are continuing to exercise, right? I know how frustrating it can be to fall off the wagon. I too gain weight sooo eaily, it stinks! Have you stepped on the scale? Sometimes I swear I have gained, but, to my surprise, I step on the scale with little to no change. I have been exercising like crazy, like 1 1/2 hours a day, eating well, and here I sit at 151.5. I think it will take me many, many months to reach 140.

Emily,

I think I will say 180 for starting weight, because that is really how long I have been trying to get this weight off! I didn't start eating right (healthier) until a couple of months ago, but, I have been exercising since I was at 180. Thanks for the good job on avoiding the ice cream cone. This afternoon will be a test for me. I have to go to the grocery store to order my daughters 2nd birthday cake, buy some beer for the hubby, and a few other items. The grocery store is such a challenge for me because it is FULL of junk, and, hey, no one there is going to be the diet poilce and not allow me to buy junk, lol!!


Tonya,

I too had an episode of my son messing and wetting his pants at school. He's 6!! He had a bad case of the runs, tried to tell the teacher he had to go (they were on the playground at recess), but, the aide told him he had to hold it until recess was over!! So, of course he messed his pants given the tummy troubles he was having! I was FURIOUS!! I agree that awards should NOT be given for restraining from using the bathroom. Sounds ludicrous!!


Hello to Kempy, Noelle, CG, GEM, Dips n Twists, Summer, anyone else I missed!!

I have decided I like one of Denise Austin's sayings..."If you rest, you'll rust."

Holly

HI girls! Hope all are well. I ate lard for lunch, and I"m comntemplating what i"ll eat tonight. Usually I"m pretty good about my food, but I"m feeling depressed, and wanna just screw it all.

Had turkey salad at a diner for lunch, I could tell the mayo was full fat. Then, french fries, like burger king, with the crumble son it... could see the oil coming off it. I died, but ate it, wiht vinegar all over them. Then, some split pea soup. I asked hubby if it was fattening, the soup. We weren't sure. I are it anyway. Came home, and I"m already ready ot eat again. Ever feel depressed, not sure why but wanna stuff it down with food? that' sme today. Man, I've been in a slump.

Send me some encouragement girls!!!!!!

Hi All!

Svelte I completely understand that notion of emotion and food connection. You have come so far! You have so much to be proud of!:) Everyone has an off day where they eat what they know they shouldn't just don't make it a big slip up. THis weight loss thing is a day at a time. You are inspiration and as you said you love the taste of being thin.

Angie I am sorry to hear about Cappie. There are some things you cannot do - we want to mend things but some things are not meant to be and that is lesson hard learned wherever. The picture of your dog is so cute. I will have to learn how to paste a picture and we can compare notes.

Noelle welcome back! :wave:

CG I love the ricotta deserts! be careful with any sweetners with aspateme they have same effect on your metabolism as sugar. There is some interesting and enlightening research on that. Try Splenda it does not have any of that in it! :hun:

Emily remember every day and every meal is a new slate. Don't give up! Prayers are with you that you may be motivated.

Welcome Dips'n'twists! How are liking Italy? :wave:

Holly congrats on the weight loss thus far! :balloons:

Greetings to everyone else - Summer, Tonya and Kempy and anyone else I may have missed!

Have a great day

:cb: Summer/GEM :cb:

Angie, so sorry your pupper is being difficult. Are you really gonna get rid of Cappy?

You are so close to your goal, and you'll make it if you stick stick stick to your plan.... get back up.. man, I gotta take my own advice. BUT, You ARE close, and I believe in you. Remember how good you feel when you're being a good girl? Let today be bad,a nd then start tomorrow... not Sunday.

Gotta go eat dinner... be back in a sec.

Ciao Ladies,
ANGIE- Your dog story broke my heart. I'm so sorry you have to give your baby up but as long as you find cappie a home where he'll be happy I think you'll feel better about it. Don't loose your focus, girl, I've been following your progress almost a year and you've come too far to give it up now. Remember way back when i told you you were my inspiration?? You still are! You're close Angie, you will make it!!


CHICKITABABE- I know how dificult the market can be, but look at it this way. Once you make it out of the supermarket without junk food then you've conquered the hardest part. If you don't buy it, you can't eat it right?? Then when you get home you'll forget all about that evil food. (out of sight, out of mind, right??)

SVELTECHICKY- We all have our bad days but tomorrow is another day, don't beat yourself up over one moment of weakness, just forgive yourself and try harder the next day. I don't really know your story as well as Angie's but from what I read in previous posts, you've been working pretty hard and doing well, visualize what you want and just go for it, girly!!

GEM- Thank you for the welcome. Italy is just beautiful. But we're in the middle of a heat wave. It's been in the high 90's and the humidity makes it feel like you can fry an egg on your front steps.I try to stay indoors during the day and go out at night when it's in th 70's. I still lovethis place though.


To Holly, Em, Tonya and Summer I don't really know you all yet but I hope all is going well today. It's friday here in Italy so I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

I did a new aerobics class this morning and it kicked my butt. But I felt sooooo good afterward. I'm gonna go back to the gym this evening to do weights but now I'm off to a {healthy} Breakfast.

Ciao Ladies

-Dips-

Good Morning Ladies! I started this day off with a positive attitidue, and a brisk walk with the dog. I always feel good when I do that, not sure why, besides laziness, that I don't do that every morning. It was great, and now I"m energized for the day.

Today is my Hubby's 26th Birthday, and I'm gonna find him an ice cream cake for tonight after dinner. He loves them, and he hates people to fuss over him, but I want him to feel special. It doesn't take a landmark or milestone number to celebrate a birthday, I figure every year should be special. And, this may be the last birthday he spends NOT being a father, so I wanna be excited about it.

I had a scrapbooking party last night, and did very well. Everyone was great,a nd that boosted me right up. We also may go to Hershey Park, since a friend of the family may get free tickets. I could defnitely use a ride and a big hug from a giant hershey's kiss. You bet i'll take pictures of that one! Hopefully we get the tix, cause I wanna go. (stomping my feet and pouting)

Then Sunday is the family reunion, and many of them have not seen me in 2 yrs, so that'll be a little surprise for them. SOmetimes people don't recognize me, and ignore me like I'm the friend of the family. It's funny, Memorial Day was like that. My aunt walked right past me. When she realized, she said 'oh, i thought you were one of your sister's college friends, sorry honey!!'... it was great. So, we'll be in PA for that too. I'm sure I"ll eat the wrong things, but hopefully someone will pick up a game of softball or something and i'll work it off with the kids. First time that i'd be in it, instead of cheering it. Milestones.

Well, as you can tell, i'm chatty, energetic, and positive. Let's keep this day rolling and maybe it'll end just as good as it's starting. Thanks for the inspiration girls... man, i'm glad I've got you guys to cheer me on, and keep me positive.

Angie,

I am so sorry that you may have to give up your dog :(.

GEM,

Thanks for the encouragement. It just seems to take soooo long to lose 1 pound, it gets frustrating.

Dips,

Well, I made it through the grocery store last night without buying any sweets. I was kinda hungry, so I bought some Sesame Oatbran sticks, and that was it!! This weekend is going to be tough for me because Sunday is my daughter's birthday party, I just ordered the cake yesterday, and I have to make another on Sunday, just to make sure we have enough! I have stayed completely away from junk this week so far, haven't seen much of a loss on the scale, but, I keep on doing what I am doing, and figure it has to help eventually, right?


Svelte,

Happy birthday to your husband! My husband's 26th birthday is September 6. I loooovve Hershey Park! I live in New York State, but, have only been to Hershey twice! It is sooo funny how people you haven't seen in a while don't recognize you after losing weight! When I was 13, I weighed 189, and by 17, I was 133. Nobody recognized me either! Unfortunately, that weight loss was not through proper diet, I had an ED, but, thankfully that has been history for 3 years. Right now I am at 151.5, too high for my liking, but, I am eating well, drinking water, and exercising, so, hopefully I will see some healthy, positive changes! It just may take a while. By the way, great job on the weight loss!

Hello to Emily, Noelle, Kempy, Summer, Tonya,... everyone else!!

Holly

Thanks you guys for the support about Cappie. I was eating this morning and Meanie(my 12 year old Himilayan,Maine Coon mix )came over to me and Cappie snapped at him right in front of me!! I know what I have to do but it doesnt make it any easier. If he killed one of the cats I wouldnt know what to do. It isnt fair to either of them to have to live with each other but it still breaks my heart. I will always wonder if he is in a good home,etc.

I am trying to find a good RV park in Florida. What a freaking nightmare that is. There are so many!! I found one that was geared toward kids and pets so I went to book my reservations(December 25-January 2) They were already booked solid for those dates. UUGHHH!!! We decided to leave on December 24 and we will get there in the evening of December 25. That will give us a few extra days in Florida without any of my donut accounts being able to ***** too bad. If they do they can kiss my *** anyways. I have been delivering donuts to them all 6 days a week for 6 years straight and I havent once taken time off for a vacation. :lol:

I am starting to get nervous about Wednesday because I am getting my hair chopped off. I wont back out...I hope. :lol: I am not sure I have a pretty enough face to be able to pull off short hair but I guess it grows back. I think that is why I have always kept it long. It helps to hide me. I have been tempted to hack half of it off in the mornings so I cant back out. haha

Jay is out getting the RV inspected. It took us all morning and several phone calls to find the fusebox so we could change a fuse. He was so mad. The kids have practically moved into it. The little freaks!!!

Chris, Happy Birthday to Chris!!! I hope he has a great one!!! Boy, I feel old!! :lol:

Where is everyone? After this afternoon I won't be able to check back until Tuesday bc I am taking Monday off from work. I had a slim fast meal on the go bar for breakfeast, and a coffee with skim milk, and for lunch I am having a bowl of Smart Start cereal.

Did any of you use soy to aid in your weight loss efforts? I have been reading that there are alot of benefits to soy, which includes speeding up weight loss.

Holly

Three things that I have heard aid in weightloss:
Calcium, Fiber and Soy. But there have been more studies on Calcium and Fiber.

TGIF and other things
 

Happy Friday ladies.

:wave: Welcome Dips! Glad to have you here. I've heard about the heatwave in Europe. Some parts of France are getting upwards of 104! That's outrageous. I also read somewhere that a european guy said that it's too hot even to drink beer :lol: . Stay cool and keep smiling and have a great weekend!

I've been dragging myself around for the past week with a sore throat and stuffy head. Not been feeling much like posting but I've been lurking. Today's Rick's birthday too--he's 33. Just in time for his b-day, his motorcycle came in from OK. THe freight company should be delivering it today. I haven't gotten him a present yet but i think i'm gonna get him a brain bucket~~a helmet? I sneakily lured him into the motorcycle store yesterday and had him try on a few, and asked him which one he would like...well, they had one which he really liked and I really think he needs one. So today after I get my son from school we're gonna go buy dad a helmet to keep his head safe. Not a very romantic gift, but it's practical. We're heading to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner--I've never tried it before, but I guess I'll have to go and check out their website to see what I can safely order. and yay, I finally got my big behind out walking yesterday. It felt really good to be out.

Angie, sorry to hear about Cappie, that's a tough decision you had to make. Your're getting me excited about your RV trip(s) :goodvibes: . And hey, don't chicken out of your hair cut! I bet you'll feel really liberated when you do it. I went in for "just a trim" yesterday but came out 3" shorter! My stylist layered it up all around (again) so it looks sort of choppy and flips out all around--it's really different from my long, straight locks and actually gives me some volume so I like it. And besides, it's just hair, it grows back and we all end up looking like we used to before :lol: .

Chris, sending :hb: birthday wishes to your hubby as well. I love ice cream cake too...I love any kind of cake, pretty much :^: . Hope you can get to Hershey park like you want too, sounds like a great time. Oh yes and have fun at your family reunion--i'm sure you'll knock people's socks off when they see you.

Hi Holly...how's it going today? Is your computer on the blink at home (I think I read that post earlier). Hey, good job at the grocery store--if no one's with me, that's when I tend to make the worse choices (no eyes to watch what I'm buying :s: ).

Tonya, sorry to hear of your little one's accident. I would be furious at the teacher too if they used a reward as an incentive to "hold it" . THat doesn't sound very healthy.

Emily, hang in there! We all have those days where we want to say why bother--but we just need to work past it and get back on track. I admit I've had too many "off" days than "on" days, but the main thing is that we keep trying to push and prod one another into getting to our goals. We are all worth the sweat and extra effort! We will be healthy and slim. we can we can we can!

GEM, CG and Summer, how are your days going so far?

Kempy must be having a blast in FL... :cool:

Well, hope I didn't miss anyone with the hellos~~I've got to get some work done while the day is still young. have a great day everyone.

Hi everyone, sorry I have not been on this day! There is a serious Typhoon here, and I just broke my umbrella in half!!!


Taking my dog for a walk! 160 MPH winds! I was so scared, I could not breath walking back! All of sudden the winds picked up!

Hello to everyone and I will promise to write more later providing the electric stays on!

Gesh!

Well, At least I am dedicated and did not miss my daily walk ( if you can even call it that) the wind was my resistance training!

Hi girls! well this weekend is my 7 year anniversary, hehe :D

so I am sure I will eat out, and I am just not going to worry about it, the scale is finally back to holding at 125 from not obsessing so much about it.. that seems to work for me better than being such a stickler! :p

My daughter is doing better, I called and talked to her teacher, all is well, I think mostly my daughter misunderstood about how many potty brakes she gets.

On a side note, I decided it's finallly time to reward myself for all the hard work I have put in this last year on losing weight. I haven't really rewarded myself yet.. even though I hit a few goals already in the last year. So I got my nails done today.. they look so good :) I really like them. I also decided that even though I think my stomach is hideous, I will be a little more daring with the way I dress anyways. So I got a really cute outfit to wear out sat. night for my anniversary. The shirt is a tight fitting one that has a tie under the bust line.. and slitted shoulders, it's black with some off-white and burguny designs on it.. it's really cute. the pants are those black pants that a lot of people wear now.. flared bottoms, no pockets, tighter fitting, and a little bit huggin on the hips. I love them , they look so good on other people, and I was surprised that they actually look pretty good on me too. :)

Plus I figure that in tighter fitting clothes, I will not eat as much at the restaurant so that my stomach doesn't get too full and hang out! :lol:


good method eh! ?

anyhow, it's daring for me to dress that way... but I think it will be good for me :)

have a good weekend ladies.. I will check back in monday most likely =)

Hey everyone! I haven't caught up with all of the entries yet. But I am writing this before I am done, because when I read Tonya's, I flipped out.

Tonya: As a teacher & a mother, I am appalled that a teacher would provide rewards to children for "holding it!" She is not only risking children wetting their pants, and therefore causing them embarrassment, but she is putting them at risk of getting a urinary tract infection!!!!!!! I would love to have the opportunity to speak to this woman. Yes, sometimes children use the bathroom as an excuse to get out of work...it can be disruptive. What I do is to take the whole class twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. Most of the time they don't need to go in addition to those breaks. But if a child asks to go, I never say, "no, hold it." I think that is cruel and harsh.

If I were you, I would keep a spare set of clothes in your child's backpack just in case. I would also speak to the teacher...but that of course is your choice. GOOD LUCK! Summer

Tonya, it is good that you spoke to the teacher. I would still pay close attention to the situation. If your daughter continues to have accidents, I would investigate further.

Happy 7th anniversary!!!:cheers:

GEM: Splenda gives me diarrhea. Does saccharin (sweet n low) affect metabolism the same way as sugar too?

Angie: I'm so sorry that you in such a difficult situation. It brings tears to my eyes. But you must do what is right for your family and other pets. Cappie will be placed in a more suitable home. You have to have faith in that. I'll say a prayer for Cappie. :angel:

Dips: Welcome! You have a fun personality!

Holly: I'm with you! I like food too much as well! Congrats on making it through the grocery store without buying sweets! I think your starting weight should be your highest weight.

Noelle: I missed you!!!!! I'm glad you are back!!!!!
:cp: I'm so glad your son is happy and he has a good teacher. :D My daughter begins kindergarten in a new school on August 29th. The poor girl is becoming so clingy. She is really panicking. :( Take care of yourself, and feel better. Are you taking echinacea? garlic? vitamin C? You should visit a health food store and see what they have to boost your immune system. Weren't you sick before Maui? It is summer. You're not supposed to get sick in the summer. Get some rest, and get better.

Svelte Chicky: What is a scrapbooking party? I would love to know. :^:

To anyone I missed, hope you are all well. I've had a super busy week, and I had no time to visit. Sorry.

So far, I have lost 2 pounds. I am amazed I'm losing, because I have been on and off program all week. But, I guess I'm doing okay because I haven't binged. Tomorrow I have a baby shower. I am leaving before the cake, so hopefully I will do well.

Take care all!!!!! Summer :flow2:

Ciao Ladies,

It seems that there are a lot of hubby birthdays going on. Happy B-day to all!!

Summer- Congrats on the weight loss!! It's always grest to see, isn't it. The sucky part is that it only takes a minute to put it right back on :)

I didn't go to the gym today because one of my buddies wanted to go to the mall, so sunday which is usually my rest day will be my make-up day.

I ate well today, no junk!! So I should be doing okayfor this month so far. hopefully I'll have some really cool success stories for you by the end of August.

Well, that's all for now Italy is still oven hot and full of hungry mosquitos.

-Dips-

TonyaS:
Hi there! They are called (the pants) Wide Leg Cropped Pants or Wide Leg Capris! Or we call them "Wings"!


Well , ladies the Typhoon is over now...scary stuff! My diet is going well too despite the fact I went out to dinner last night!

Tai Crab was just "Yummy"!

I am going to make the Vanilla Bean Ricotta Dessert for my Mum today!

Dips'n'twists : Do you travel often. I do, but only between Asia, UK, sometimes the US!

Angie, Angie, Angie: I totally know what you are going through! We went out the other day to buy "Pig Leather" long gloves to handle my doggie "Malterse" yes that is right a small Alpha Male Matltese, that likes to bite and risist anything, especailly when we handle him!

ERR, I think our next step is a Shrink or Training!



Woof, sure glad the Typoon is over!

Week 1 of Challenge Done
 

Good Morning Ladies!;)

Today I made my weigh in day for the month long challenge. I am doing the South Beach DIet and Love it! Phase I (2 weeks) is the hardest but after the first two days it is not so hard and cravings subside.

I lost 6lbs in the first week! I am at 147!:cb: According to SBD plan the first 2 weeks you can lose between 6-13 lbs! Then you slowly incorporate good carbs and return to the normal weightloss of a pound to 2 pounds a week. I am never hungry! I love it!

Dips I give you credit for eating well in Italy. I love the food there.
:hun: I hope you are dodging the heat and the mosquitos!

CG glad the typhoon is over! I cannot even imagine what that is like!:crossed:

Summer saccharine is not that bad in regards to metabolism but there is different types avoid the ones that are asparteme based - Sweet and Low maybe but I am not sure - I don't have any packets to look at.:shrug:

Tonya Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby! :hat: I hope you enjoyed your weekend and that not obsessing was better than being worried.:spin:

Noelle I hope you are feeling better!:goodvibes: and that Rick had a nice birthday!

Angie enjoy the haircut! IF you don't love the cut at least love :love: the experience of doing something so very different. A different look may give a different attitude! And sometimes a slight change is all wee need to get the motor going again.

Svelte I hope your husbands birthday was great and that the family reunion is a blast!

:wave: hello to Holly, Kempy, Peekaboo and anyone else I may have missed.

:dancer: GEM/Summer :dancer:

Well, I am trying to climb back up on the wagon today. I have been a slug all weekend and eaten until I am sick!! YUCK!!! I think I hit my point of self loathing and am ready to get back to plan. Lets hope I can last longer than a few days this time. :lol:

We have picked a campground in Florida that is right on the ocean so now I am waiting back to see if they have room for us on the week of December 25-January 1. The first place I tried was booked already!! That was a shocker. I figured if I planned it 5 months in advance I was sure to get the place I wanted.

Cappie took a few days off from harrassing the cats but he chased Fat cow out of the house this morning. I am still waiting to hear from the rescue rep. Nice animal rescue they have there huh? :lol:

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I will be here more often this week while I try to fight the urge to cheat.

CONGRATS GEM!!!! That is an awesome loss!!!

I just want you all to know that I have been online for 45 minutes, and I keep getting kicked off AOL. I've tried posting 3 times!!! I'm so frustrated!!! :mad:

GEM: Thanks for the info. I hardly use aspartame, unless I have a diet soda. I use sweet n low because my diabetic grandma was told to use it by her doctor. I wish I could use splenda, but I can't deal with the diarrhea!!! :eek:

Angie: Have you ever logged on to Petfinder.org? It is a wonderful website. I adopted my beagle, Duffy, through them. They are very helpful. They could probably help you find a good placement for Cappie. Most shelters all over the country are hooked up with them. Best of luck. Are you going to post a photo of yourself with your new haircut?

Summer

Yeah I will post a pic with my new haircut. My appointment is Wednesday morning.

I am still waiting for the rescue rep to email me back about Cappie. The nearest rep is in New Hampshire so I would think there would be people interested somewhere in a Keeshond. His only problems are his barking when people come over. He sounds like he wants to eat them but it is just excitement and his trying to roll the cats. Other than that he is a sweet boy for the most part. I feel so guilty!!!

So far so good on the diet front today. My biggest problem areas are nighttime eating so hopefully tonight isnt too bad. Jay is going to try to lose some weight too so maybe that will boost me. We are eating buddies after all. :lol:

I need to vent and kind of take a survey.

A traditional surprise baby or bridal shower in my social circles lasts about three hours long with the guest of honor arriving approximately 30 minutes after the guests. There is always food, finger sandwiches, mimosas or punch, coffee, tea, etc... Sometimes men are included, i.e., "Jack & Jill." However the time frame was always the same.

Is this typical around other parts of the USA and world?

The reason I'm asking is because I was obligated to attend a baby shower for my teaching assistant, Sandy, on Saturday at 1:00pm. It was 1 hour away meaning that I would be wasting 2 hours on the road. I planned to stay for two hours, just long enough to be social, eat a little, and watch her open her gifts. I wanted to get out of there before the cake. I was driving with two coworkers. We arrived at 1:05pm. We were the first ones there. The next guests didn't arrive until 2:00pm! We asked when Sandy was coming and were told 2:30pm! I called my husband to warn him because he already wasn't very happy that I had to ditch him for the day (we only have the weekends to spend family time), and I knew he was gonna be royally pissed since he was expecting me home at 4:00pm. I explained that it was out of my control, and I couldn't leave right after Sandy arrived. I was right, he was mad. It was 3:00pm, and no appetizers had been put out. Anyway, more people arrived, and the food finally came out...burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, rice and beans, baked beans, etc... Everything was delicious, but Sandy was missing it all. Her father finally left to pick her up. She arrived at 3:30pm. Her family shoved a plate of food in her face after everyone else had eaten. We greeted her, apologized for leaving "early," and left at 4:30pm. I missed all of her excitement, the gifts, etc... I was home at 5:30pm to a very angry family...and I didn't blame them one bit.

Does this sound strange to anyone else?

Summer :(