Good morning,

Dip my paddling was lovely. The temperature hit about 65 and it was sunny, and though the water was icy I didn't get very wet. Not many signs of spring except the white bass (I'm not a fisherman) seem to be running upstream and we saw many catches, people both in boats and on the banks. It was just a great day to be outside and lots of people were out enjoying the sunshine. This morning, however, I went hiking and saw the first bluets of spring. It feels as if spring is just around the corner, of course last weekend it was snowing. We have crazy weather here in Arkansas.

Had a free day on Friday. Not many of those anymore but it happened, not as a planned free day but from lack of preparation, tiredness, and just too much to do to take proper care of myself. It was, however, only a day and yesterday I got a little cooking done and struggled w/ myself to make the day clean. I did it and I know today will be even easier.

Another very hectic few days ahead but by mid-week my "big events" will be behind me and I can get back to a more normal routine hopefully.

Oh yeah, that is so cool that you are thinking of a new boat Dip. Good luck with that. I am considering buying a third kayak, just heard of a great deal on a used one. It is nice to have extras so I can take my friends with me. And Ilene, you need to try it this summer. It is the best fun in the world.

Hello LWL!

I finally finished the BFL book and plan on starting tomorrow. I even convinced my SO to join me. I spent last night going through all the great recipes in the recipe thread to find some tasty stuff to make. It all sounded so good. I've planned out a menu for the week and will be heading to the store shortly. I must say, I am pretty excited. I'm a little concerned about lifting since I have only been using the Freemotion machines at the gym up to this point. I am hoping not to look like a complete idiot when I start using free weights :lol: .

Lots of Indianans in our group. I used to live across the river in Louisville. I miss it. It's so gorgeous there!

As usual I have a question :D Whats the difference in the different brands of protein powder? My first container is just a GNC brand. Are some better than others?

Well, hope everyones weekend is going good!

Good day LWL!

Just got back from a most greasy brunch with friends. I was able to eat pretty cleanly, with the exception of the fat used to prepare my eggs! I can feel it in my stomach now!

One of the gals who was there was someone I've not seen since last June. At that time she had been dieting and exercising, and had lost 50# and was looking pretty good. However, today, I see that she's gained some back, which probably means she didn't stick with whatever she was doing.

I felt badly for her, but at that same time felt pretty proud of myself! No matter how slowly I may be progressing, at least I am still progressing! And, I've not slid back the other way, either! You know, my one-year BFL anniversary is coming up next month, and I really want to figure out something fabulous to get myself to commemorate it. This is probably the biggest thing I've done, ever! Of course, my health and fitness are a wonderful reward, and the whole point, but it would still be fun to buy myself something...

Dip, I'll be right there with you watching SATC tonight. Don't forget there is a hour-long special before it to catch as well. I have to watch alone tonight, but will be taping it all to take to Detroit with me to watch with my friends next weekend.

Still need to get some cardio in today -didn't plan very well since I forgot about the brunch today, and got up way too late to get it in before I went. That would have been ideal. I slept until 10 - I'll never get to sleep tonight!

Hey JC/Nola - what is the time difference between here (US Eastern), and Australia? Would it be the same for New Zealand?

Ok, well, time to do some laundry and house work - check in with you gals later!
Cindy

Hi all,

Whew. Took some time to catch up with all the posts. I made it here yesterday, managed to eat clean (if not enough) on the road trip. I took my mom to the park to start her walking and now she is in bed sawing logs. I'm heading to the gym and then to the store to stock the fridge with what I need to eat. When I got here yesterday, I stopped at Subway and grabbed a low carb-wrap sandwich. So glad I did that because when I got to Mom's, my brother had bought a bunch of KFC. If I had been hungry, I would have eaten that instead. Total calories for yesterday were only @ 700 but most of it was protein, tuna, low fat smoked chicken, and yogurt.

OTTG. (off to the gym) Tiki.

Hello Girls :wave:

Today has been super clean! Whew, finally I feel back in control... I went to the gym and did 35 mins cardio and abs because I didn't go yesterday... Felt really good... I read somewhere that if you drink black coffee just before getting to the gym it helps with the pain and gives you energy... I've been doing this, and I don't know if it's all in my head but I feel really good when I do... I also take a glutamine before going, to prevent any knee pain/problem before it starts. I also take a Vit C, I read again, that it aids in healing the muscles... :shrug: It seems to help...

Susan -- :high: on starting BFL it's a great program... I basically do a modified version of it now, it was the program that started it all, nutrition wise for me... I have been doing weights forever and a day, but BFL helped me alot for BB nutrition... And after doing many, many "diets" I feel I can make BFL a "lifetime" commitment because it's livable and I LOVE eating every 2-3 hours that's what keeps me on the straight and narrow... Gosh in April it'll be 2 years! How time flies! On the protein powder I use the GNC, 100% Whey, in chocolate and I just tried vanilla and I really like it. It has 21g or protein and 5g of carbs, I prefer a shake like this because I can add a fruit or oatmeal for a carb on the side... It's OK tasting, but the best part it's the cheapest I could find around here...even cheaper than the internet I find...

Tiki -- Good for you on refusing the KFC! If there is one thing that turns me off is KFC! I don't know why it just does, and thank goodness for that! I'm sure the last time I had it was 20 years ago...

Hi Nola :wave: nice to see you! I was just thinking about you this morning. Funny that you just pop up when I was thinking of you :lol:...

Cindy -- I must find out when SATC airs and watch it! I loved their interview with Oprah last week... You should definitely get yourself something special for your anniversary... gym clothes, jewelry, massage, tanning session, I dunno, it seems the possibilities are endless... But definitely make it something special for YOU!!!

Well not much else ...
Have a nice evening everyone!

Later!

Another weekend gone! Where does the time go.

Spent the afternoon looking at houses and coming to the conclusion that I don't like anything out there as much as I like what I already have. Only problem is that our current house does not have a bedroom nor a bathroom on the ground floor, and that concerns me. And I do have a longing for a walkout basement. We'll keep looking, but there may not be a move in our future this summer.

Sore tonight. I bought a new pilates CD, which coaches you through the routines. It's terrific; far better, IMO, than watching the screen of a TV. This way, you can just listen and concentrate on your form. And what's really cool is that she keeps reminding you -- don'f forget to breathe; lower your shoulders; use your powerhouse etc etc etc. It's the most effective pilates workout I've ever done. And tonight I'm feeling it in that good-kind-of-sore we all like.

Clean eats today and a good week coming up. I'm going to spend the rest of the evening working on the family bookkeeping, and making a few Airedale Rescue calls.

Check in with you all tomorrow!

Hi Robin... Good luck on your house hunting, I'm sure something will come up when you least expect it...

Susan ... I just remembered something, if you can, take some pics they are by far the best indicators of your success... when you are ready you can post them on our MSN site... here is the link if you want to vew some pretty awesome transformations...http://groups.msn.com/3FCLadiesWhoLift

Cindy - the time difference between US Eastern and Australia is about 17 hrs ahead I think? NZ is about 2-3 hrs ahead of us again.

I took today off work because my neighbour was robbed yesterday and it has freaked me out a bit. We live in townhouses and they are very close together - it was only a fence line that stopped us getting robbed as well. I can't wait to get out of Sydney.

JC

JEC - Sorry to hear about your neighbor. Being robbed is an awful feeling. I've been there twice and can't wait til I can head south for good. One word of advice, never let things like that stop you from living your life. If you do, the bad guys win every day.

Ilene - Congrats on your clean day and yes you ARE in control. :D

Robin - I think you are very smart to take your time and find what you like.

Susan - good luck on week one. We all are cheering for you.

Hi to everyone else. I didn't make it to the gym. sigh. But my reason for coming here wasn't for myself anyway so the best I can do is do my best to get there tomorrow.

I had some food "moments" today, but came out on top overall. The kids and my mom wanted Sonic. I ended up eating two tots, 1.5 onion rings and a fry. I ran in here and got on the PC to keep from eating anything else until my chicken finishes defrosting and they eat their stuff. So glad I have you guys to keep me on the straight and narrow. :lol:

Tika -- I don't know how many times this site saved me from bad food selection...It's a godsend!

JC -- Last year our neighbour, like yours was broken into... I hear your concerns... Prayers and a :grouphug: to you !

I need a kick up the butt!!
 

Ok.... After a weekend of drinks and bad eats, I jumped on the scale this morning after 4 weeks of BFL. Gained. Tears, self torment and did not go to the gym with hubby. Did do a 3km walk to calm my self down before going to work, thought about going to a :o WW meeting at lunch, got busy missed the time and have once again realised how that stupid scale can put me in a mental tail spin. Wow.... maybe I should throw it in the garbage? Seriously!

My clothes still fit, I am kicking butt in the cardio department and the weights are going up.... what's my issues?? AAAHHH!!!

All will not be lost today, I will go to the gym and do some cardio tonight, although my pedometer shows about 5km walking already today... write off the day as being a learning curve and move on.....

And maybe take some photos??? Thanks Ilene... you are a god sometimes with your advice.

JC- yikes... can't wait for you to be out of sydney too!!

Time conversion - - here is my method:

Melbourne Monday at lunch time = Edmonton (mountain standard?) is 6pm on Sunday (go back to yesterday and add 6 hours - - 8 hours for when the daylight savings switches)

Confused? :dizzy:

Must go... busy today!! :)
N.

Yeah normally I would take this sort of thing a bit more casually but this is the 7th robbery in our set of townhouses in 5 years. I have been hit once before and also had another attempt which they couldn't get in. This is the second time in 12 months though for next door. I didn't sleep at all last night.

JC