Hi all,

CRAZY week for me here. DD got to ride ponies this weekend and I thought about you Karen. She LOVED it. Asked why we didn't have a horse? Like I could just go out buy one, and stash it on the sun porch. Her friend lives on a farm west of the metrodetroit area so I foresee more trips out there.

No lifting this weekend or this week so far. PLENTY of cardio on Saturday and Sunday in the form of relay races on Saturday and swimming laps on Sunday. I hit my bed like a ton of bricks both nights.

Did anyone see the article in the Wall Street Journal today about fat making a comeback - healthy fats that is? It's pretty interesting. I'll look for an electronic link and post it.

whoops, here comes the bossman.

more later.

Tiki

LWL and Mel --

Want the good news or the bad news first?

Bad?

OK. The chocolate buffet at the hotel is not open during August.

Good?

The chocolate buffet at the hotel is not open during August. :D

Actually, the *really* good news is that the hotel has a full-service gym with cardio machines, free weights, and weight machines. (They even have trainers!) So my business trip won't be an off-plan disaster. For better or worse, I start to feel panicky when I don't get my workouts in!

Phew. I would love to hit that -20 mark after this weekend! i know it's nothing compared to what you all have done, but it's an *amazing* start for me!

Hey all,

I went to my belly dancing class tonight, it is fun and a good break from the normal gym routine. It actually usually leaves me sore the next day, especially in the shoulders and legs.

Before my class, I grilled some chicken tenderloins on my george foreman grill (of course grilled extra for salads/snacks) and steamed some fresh broccoli. I bought the broccoli a few days ago but was procrastinating eating it because I usually eat frozen veggies and i've decided frozen broccoli doesn't taste that good. So for some reason, I was thinking that fresh broccoli wouldn't taste all that good either. Anyway, I've decided I LOVE fresh broccoli. I had cooked 2 broccoli crowns, ate half before I went to the class and then when I came home, I ate the other half. This actually seems like a weird habit for me considering last year, I was having trouble forcing myself to eat veggies. Yesterday, I had fresh brussel sprouts which are definitely yummy.

brussel sprouts? I have NEVER eaten one. my son had them at his latchkey and LOVED them. asked me to buy them but I never did. I may have to buy a can, close my eyes and take a bite. if DS loves them - and boy is a carnivore - then they must be worth trying.

Good job on the good food choices there nelie.

Tiki.

TIKI - Don't get brussel Sprouts in a can, at least get frozen. Anyway, I have always loved them but some reason never buy them until after the first frost here in New England, I think they taste sweeter. Don't overcook them no matter what.

Starting back to my lifting routine, I had been just doing a "routine" but after a week on BFL, I am finding all those muscles again. My legs are recovery quickly, I do lots of stairs during the day and my arms are getting into the swing, though my shoulder may be off or I slept on it funny a couple of days ago.

Not really hungry this morning, going to crack the EFL cookbook to make a "treat", home with a sick DD, love the quotes and ideas here, thanks.

Liza

Hi LWL!

Hiya Mel, yes I'm here, or should say, I'm back! I signed on briefly last night and saw I hadn't been here since 6/17. Well, as they say, time flies when you're having fun, and am I ever having fun. However, after some reflection, the reason I am having fun is because of the support of you all through the loss of almost 75#, so. . .

I kind of fell off the wagon with the finger deal, but have maintained my weight between 175-178. I've lost too much strength though when I stopped lifting, but starting today it's back to the basement and gym. I have been spending the majority of my time down at the lake, but will be home now until 9/3 when we go back for vacation.

The past 6 weeks or so have been a learning experience. I know what I have to do to lose weight and build muscle, but I've learned what it takes to maintain. Although I have been eating fairly clean, I have increased my caloric intake. Exercise has been limited to outdoor walking when away from home, and treadmill at home. I am on Day 3 of DETOX because I've been eating some things I shouldn't. We joined the Sailing Club and the parties are numerous, full of food and drink. Oh how easy it is to fall back into old habits, but the overall physical feeling isn't worth it. Also, since I haven't been lifting, there is a definite change in my physical appearance, that is, I don't think I look as trim. So enough is enough and I'm back in the game.

The micro surgery on my finger was successful. The tendon is 100% and the feeling from the nerve repair is at about 80%. Doc says it will take 3-4 months for it to totally heal and be back to normal. It just blows me away the things they can do these days.

Well, I need to get my bi's, tri's and chest worked, so I'll check back later. Glad to see some new names/faces, and old ones too.

Big cyber hugs to you all, and thanks for being here and being my "soft place to fall!" :love:

dip

PS Hope to have photos ready to post today at our album!

WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! The DIP :love: is back in town!!!! :dance: Missed ya girl!!

I have lifted weights at the gym for two weeks (yey!). So far, I’ve found that I like to lift heavy.
Did upper body today: my arms feel wiggly and my upper back is a bit sore! :D

The biggest problem for me so far is that I'm hungry all the time. I eat 1500 calories a day, which I’ve been doing since April and haven’t felt deprived or had cravings until now. But these last two weeks? I want to eat all the time.
I try to eat more protein, I figure that the answer to feeling satisfied lies there: eating at least 30%protein.
But does anybody have any good suggestions or advise? Is this a passing thing? Will I stop feeling so hungry when my body gets used to lifting weights?

Just time for a drive-by posting. Can't believe it's Thursday!

Dip, good to see you girlfriend! It's been too long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tiki, my absolute fave way to fix sprouts: slice them and saute them in a touch of olive oil. Use salt and pepper liberally, then at the end, a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar. Yummy.

Mette, are you eating several small meals a day? That usually helps. I had egg-white omelet with cheeze at 6:30 this morning. Right now (9:30), I'm eating 2/3 cup of cottage cheeze and a peach. I'll eat again at noon. etc. Somehow, if I eat well in the morning, I'm less hungry in the afternoon, but that may just be me. Are you drinking water? (Your's is an unusual name ... are you on Airedale-L, by any chance? We have a Mette there, too.)

Hmmmm ... I just scrolled down, and see that the original conversation was about broccoli. I like it, as well :) Try it steamed until it is tender/firm -- when it's overcooked, it's just awful. It's good with just salt and pepper, but you can also toss it with a little olive oil and lemon juice OR you can serve it with a SMALL dollop of low-fat mayo. Tasty. Very tasty.

Oh oh ... out of time. Board meets today in Indy. Gotta go.

Hugs to all.

Tiki, I love brussel sprouts, fresh are best but usually not cheap, unless I find them on sale then I am very happy. If you can't find fresh or they are too expensive, buy frozen. Then steam them add a little salt and maybe butter substitute? I can eat them with just a little salt. They are like little cabbages and for some reason they make me happy.

Hi Guys,
No valuable input on the brussel spruts... they're ok...I don't eatthem a lot but they're fine.
I Luvs me sum Brokli tho!!! mmmm.... sho do..
Eat it just about everyday:)
XOXO
L2L

Good Morning LWL!

OK, this will sound nuts, but when it comes to brussel sprouts and brokli, I love frozen inspite of the fact my husband grows both in our garden.

Tiki - Brussel Sprouts are like martinis - one of those things you *acquire* a taste for. I loved them as a kid, but not my veggie of choice.

Robin - I'm going to try your BS fixin' advice. Hope you had a sweater with you in Indy yesterday. It will be cooler here today than in International Falls, MN. Odd weather that it is, I get a kick out of saving all those energy dollars.

Hi Ilene my jelly bean Cardio Queen!

Hi Jack - it's grand to be back.

mette - I'm always hungry right after a lift session too. Good time for a whey protein/FF cottage cheese shake.

I worked my arms and chest yesterday, and only a little sore in the bi's this morning. It was the first time I picked up the weights in awhile, and I was afraid that I would drop them because of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Seems like I drop everything lately. Funny, just the opposite happened with my right hand. When I went to let go, my ring finger would not open and was stuck. I had to manually release it from the hand weight. I had to chuckle. I have put off seeing a doctor about it because I've had my fill of doctors, hospitals and appointments for awhile. I'll do something about it in November or so since I've already met the deductible for this year; no use wasting it. OR until it gets so bad I really can't stand it.

Well, on with the day, and I hope you all have a good one! Take care!

dip

TGIF, gang! Can anyone tell me where this week has gone?? :?:

Back from cardio and I’m juggling three legal pads filled with lists of what needs to get done before DS and I head off to Orlando for college next week. He seems to think that one only needs to shovel some clothes into a green trash bag, throw that in the back sear of the car, and take off. :dizzy: I have a slightly different take on launching my baby bird out into the world — like you need towels. :D Funny how it’s essential to take four guitars but dishes? A microwave?? Pfffffft. :lol:

Dip — I’m so happy to see you back with us! :dance: It just hasn't been the same without you at all. I’m glad your hand is doing as well as it is and you were able to work out. Those muscles have memory, chickie, and you’re going to be right back where you were in no time. ;)

Mette — working out makes me twice a hungry as usual, it feels like! It’s not your imagination — your body is using up more calories and your metabolism is revved up. If you try spacing your meals and eating lots of protein and you’re still hungry, maybe add in another small meal or an extra 200 calories and see how that goes. You can’t walk around starving all the time without falling off the wagon eventually (speaking from painful experience here). So it’s better to eat a little more clean food during the day than to risk a major catastrophe.

Jack told you all about how we met Laurie (Beachgal) — one of the moderators in the South Beach Diet forum here — on Tuesday when she was in town for a convention. We had so much fun talking and laughing (OK, and eating too! :lol: ) If you ever have the chance to get together with anyone from 3FC, I highly recommend it. I’ll try to attach some pictures from the evening — Laurie gave Jack a stuffed rooster in honor of his rooster in his signature line. :rofl: