okay....where is everyone...it's weird that I'm the first to post today!!!

Well day two of counting pts...and so far, so good. Today for breakfast I had 1 cup of obrien hashbrowns (1pt), 3 egg whites (1pt), and 1pc of D'Italiano toast, dry, which technically computes to (free), and I'm feeling very full!!!! Love those hashbrowns! They were always a staple of mine when doing WW. Also went last night and stocked up on my fruits.....always like to have apples, bananas, and melon on hand.....and any bread where you can have two pcs. for only one pt is great too!!!
Well better get a few things done, will check back in later, and see if anyone decided to post today!! jk
Michelle

Hi Ladies,

Really busy around my house, so I only have a few minutes. Gotta meet some contractors at the house in about an hour to replace a bunch of stuff that is under warranty!

Linda: Good luck with weigh in. I'm sure you will do just fine! I used to do Atkins for about three months. Lost a ton of weight, but it came back on once I started eating "normal" food. Just not the right plan for me. I can't do something where so much is restricted. It works for some people, just not me. I do think there are health problems with it down the road, if people don't do it sensibly.

Dotti: Thanks for your nice words. I'm just trying to be a good friend to them and understand how things are when you come home with a new baby! It's chaotic! If you find new recipes, please share them. Always looking for new ones!

Michelle: How is counting points going? I was going to ask you about the hashbrowns. Just frozen ones, or are they a certain kind? I'm always looking for good low point changes in my diet.

Heather: I am finally at the point I enjoy my exercise. Granted, some mornings are harder to get up and do it than others, but I do enjoy it!

I have been wearing my new pedometer. I love it! I read somewhere to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should walk 5000 strides a day. I've been averaging 9000 since I've been wearing it. No wonder why I'm doing better with the WW and exercise!

I'll try to check in later!

Chach

Chach...
These are Mr Odell's...but check the back of the package....the key is the obrien potatoes...that way you have the peppers and onions adding the extra fiber....thus making them one pt!!

Tuesday
 

It sure is hot and humid here today. Went food shopping in the morning and walked on the treadmill when I got back but didn't do as much as I usually do. My thighs ached. I guess walking up and down the aisles tired me out. (or is it old age :?:

Had a 3 point breakfast and a the veggie soup I made the other day for lunch. I count that as 1 point instead of 0 because I add about a tablespoon of small pasta or rice to it.

Michelle I am going to look for those potatoes. Can't believe 1 cup is only 1 point. How do you do the egg whites, scrambled or omelet? I have never made just an all egg white omelet. I know people who have but I just never did. I bet I am missing something.

Chach I use a pedometer also. In with mine a sheet stated that 10,000 steps a day is what one should shoot for. Most days I get there. But days like today I won't. I put it on when I get dressed in the morning and don't take it off until I go to bed. If I have to change clothes during the day, I still take it with me.

Linda I am sorry to hear about your friend. I hope things work out. I also think of all those no and low carb diets and wonder just how much bad people are doing to themselves with the increase of fats. Yes, we have done the same to ourselves that is why we are weight watchers, but we don't follow a plan that advocates fat. Weight watchers to me is still by far the healthiest plan to follow forever.

Here are a few recipes that I make often:

Lemon Mousse Squares
9 servings – 3 points each

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons reduced fat margarine, melted
sweetener to equal 2 teaspoons sugar
1/3 cup cold water
1 packet unflavored gelatin
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 cups thawed frozen fat free nondairy whipped topping
1 container (8 oz) lemon flavored nonfat yogurt
Spray 9 inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Stir together graham cracker crumbs, margaine and sugar substitute in small bowl. Press into bottom of pan, set aside.

Combine cold water and gelatin in small microwavable bowl; let stand 2 minutes then micro on high for 40 seconds to dissolve gelatin, set aside.

Combine eggs, lemon juice, sugar and lemon peel in top of a double boiler. Cook stirring constantly over boiling water until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in gelatin.

Refrigerate about 25 minutes to thoroughly cool and begins to set.

Gently combine lemon juice and gelatin mixtures with whipped topping and yogurt. Pour into prepared crust. Refrigerate 1 hour until firm.

Spinach Pie
8 servings – 3 points each

1 container (16 oz) 2% cottage cheese
1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
4 eggs, beaten
1 jar (7 oz) roasted red peppers, well drained and chopped
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Mix all ingredients. Pour into 9 inch pie plate that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until center is set.

Creamy Corn Salsa Soup
makes 8 cups – 1 cup serving is 3 points

1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons reduced fat tablespread
1 tablespoon flour
1 package (16 oz.) frozen sweet corn, thawed
2 cups salsa (16 oz. jar - mild, medium hot your choice)
1 can (14 oz) low sodium chicken broth
1 package (8 oz) fat free cream cheese, softened

Break cream cheese into small pieces in large bowl. Set aside.

Cook onions in tablespread in large saucepan until tender. Stir in flour and mix. Add chicken broth and bring to boil.

Take off heat and add about 1/2 cup of broth to cream cheese and whisk until smooth adding a little more both if needed.

Return broth to a boil and add corn and salsa. Add cream cheese and blend until everything is mixed and heated. Do not boil at this point.


Low Fat Lemon Souffle Cheesecake
8 servings – 2 points each

1 graham cracker, crushed
2/3 cup boiling water
1 package (4 serving size) lemon flavor sugar free jello
1 cup 2% cottage cheese
1 package (8 oz) fat free cream cheese
2 cups thawed fat free whipped topping

Spray a 9 inch pie pan. Sprinkle 1/2 of the crushed crumbs onto the side of the pan.

Stir boiling water into gelatin in a large bowl to dissolve for at least 2 minutes. Put into blender. Add cheeses, cover and blend until smooth.

Pour into large bowl. Gently stir in whipped topping. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining crumbs around outside edge.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until set.


Veggie Bean Burgers
makes 4 burgers – 2 points each

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup diced vegetables (I dice small amounts of carrots, celery, red pepper, green pepper, onion to make 1 cup)
2/3 cups drained canned white kidney (cannellini) beans
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup bread crumbs
Seasonings: Whatever you like. I use salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, a little red pepper flakes.

Heat 1/2 of the oil and saute vegetables. When softened put in bowl in refrigerator to cool.

While cooling, mash beans with a fork. Add seasonings, and bread crumbs and beaten egg. Add cooled vegetables and mix. Shape into 4 burgers.

Heat the rest of the oil and fry burgers.

NOTE: I usually saute the vegetables in chicken stock. This gives added flavor and moisture. Then use the oil to fry the burgers.



My Pizza
1 serving – 2 points

1 fat free 6 inch tortilla
1 fat free or reduced fat string cheese
1 tablespoon jar or your own tomato sauce

Spread tomato sauce on tortilla and cut the string cheese into dime size pieces. Put cheese on top of sauce. Bake in oven at 350 until cheese is melted.


Ladies, keep up the good work. Talk at you later.

Weigh in day report, etc.
 

Michelle, tell me more about those hash browns for one point! That name brand does not sound familiar, do you think they compare to anything here in the Northeast???? I need more info.....I'm a carb person and a volume person - gotta have them!!!!
Just got word on our friend in the hospital. He's doing "ok" and out of immediate danger. They are trying to regulate blood thinning medication and get him in control. He might be home by the weekend, but no promises. I am thankful he'll be ok, at least for now.

Well, weigh in was today. As expected, I didn't lose all that much, but it was still a loss of .4, better than nothing. BUT, I got my 5 pound ribbon! Yeah! It's on my refrigerator to keep me motivated.

So, here are my statistics:

Crusade starting weight: 162.4
Today's weight: 157.2
Total loss in 4 weeks, 5.2 pounds!
I don't know if I'll make my goal of 10 pounds by Memorial Day, but even if I get to 7, I'll be pretty happy! I'm on program for today, and was yesterday, so I hope to stay motivated!
Dotti, thanks for the recipes, I'll copy them and give them a shot!
I celebrated the fact that I actually had a loss and got one of those adult happy meals at MacDonald's after my meeting. It was good and I felt like a kid with a happy meal, considering that I got one of those pedometers as well!
The literature with the pedometer says the 2000 steps equal approximately one mile. I'm wearing my pedometer just for fun now, but put it on in the early afternoon after having done my exercise and treadmill beforehand.
I am so proud of myself having a 5 pound ribbon again. Don't know if I told you, but I threw away all my old ribbons in disgust awhile ago as I knew I didn't deserve them anymore, having gained all my weight back - and then some.
Linda in So. NH, feeling good even if the loss wasn't huge this week

Okay ladies....got lots to talk about today....first off to start out, I'm officially back to WW. My best galpal and I went back for our official re-weigh in, and the official number to hate is 217.8......my scale must be waaaaay off!!! Plus I put on a little over the weekend...thanks to the bach party and drinking a week's worth of pts!!! LOL!
So it's back to meetings, back to journaling, back to counting pts, and back to structure!!! Meetings are on Tuesdays, so this week's goals are to get all my water in, journal the whole week, and to not step on my scale at home all week.....no problem!!
Already got half my water in for the day and it's only 9:00 am!!!

Okay about these hashbrowns......I use Mr.Odell's because its local....haven't checked any other kinds....I know Ore Ida makes Obrien potatoes....but don't know the details about those...but mine are 60 calories for one cup, no fat, and 2 g of fiber....Thus making them 1pt......I put them in a non stick frying with a spray of ff olive oil (Pam), and add some Mr. Dash Onion and Herb, and there you have it....no fat, no salt, no butter, but mmmmmmmmmm good!! I usually have that with 3 egg whites scrambled up and 1 pc of dry D'Italiano toast, and might add a banana on some days. So it's a two pt breakfast without nana.....4pt breakfast with!And it's very filling!!! Sometimes I substitute the banana for cut up mixed melons....or if you can't do dry toast....have 1tbsp of Smucker's light sugar free jam...mmmm great flavors!!
Okay all that is making my hungry....hehe....going to spend the morning in the kitchen, cutting up celery, making sf jello and pudding cups, making my caramel apple salad(a WW must have), and preparing soup in the crockpot for supper......I'm one of those who has to have my supper planned early to figure the pts, and THEN I can plan the rest of my day out!! So once again, it's all about the food, but I need good, convenient choices, if it's not easy to grab in a hurry, I make bad choices.

Hoping to hear from a few of you today, and that all is well....for those of you who came on yesterday, I hope this answered the "hashbrown" questions!! Talk to you soon, Michelle

not much action from everyone????
 

Thanks for providing more info on those potatoes, Michelle. I'll look on my next grocery shopping trip to see if I can find something comparable here. I need variety, boredom is setting in. Differant regions of our country have different products, hope I can find something like what you get!
I kind of lost it again this morning.... I have to work on psyching myself up for when I am around other people's influences. When I am home in my own house, I seem to do so much better than when I am out in the world around others.
I tried to plan ahead for this morning and didn't do awfully well. I have flex points, and can count those, but I totally need those for this upcoming weekend, as we are going away. I want to have a decent loss for this week, so this is going to be quite tricky.
Maybe water weight will help me, as my period is still with me and by next week's weigh in, it will surely be gone?
I figure I'll tell you guys about today, how I planned and then try to examine what I did wrong.....
First, I made no pudge brownies yesterday. I didn't make the recipe that Sassy gave us, though, I made the package the you buy in the store. Sassy said hers are 2 points each, and I should have gone to the effort to make hers as these are 3 points. So, planning to have those at my quilt group this morning, I just had my yogurt and a box of rasisins for breakfast, leaving my starch as the brownie to have later.
Well, another lady showed up at the meeting with banana bread and cream cheese and kept making a big deal that people were eating my brownies and why wasn't anyone having her banana bread. So, I had half a piece. I really felt bad that she made it and no one ate any. But, should I have have done that and voided my good plans for the day? I complimented her, asked for thre recipe, etc. as I really felt bad. But, I let her banana bread and hurt feelings really sabotage my morning.
Then, to top it off, when I got home I was starving and after my lunch (a turkey burger, plain and brussels sprouts) I ate another brownie. I was already feeling bad and there were all the leftovers sitting there on my counter. What a jerk I was. I'd already blown my day, so here I was making matters worse. But, then I put the remaining ones in my freezer so I won't be tempted (I hope). If I need a chocolate fix some other time, they are individually wrapped.
So, now I've had one extra brown than I planned and also had 1/2 pice of banana bread and cream cheese that I didn't plan on. Goodness knows what the points are on that?
On a normal week, I'd absorb that with flex points, but with us planning to go away this weekend, I feel trouble brewing - especially where we are guests at my in laws and I can't control what is being served.
Well, it's going to certainly be a week for exercise, prayer and trying very hard to control myself!
So, with that, it's off to do a few housework things, put dinner in the oven and get on that treadmill!
Linda

Hi All.

I only have a few minutes before I leave for a haircut and weigh in.

Linda: Please don't get so discouraged. Remember that some weeks we do well, and some weeks we really need those flex points and probably more than that. I honestly had to start saying no thank you to a lot of food that was being "pushed" on me this last month. I find that I do what you did--not want to hurt people's feelings. I had a slice of banana bread because someone made it without nuts because I am allergic. I felt an obligation to eat it, costing me 5 points a slice. I only had one slice, but I should have said no thank you. I didn't want it, it was okay, but not something I would generally spend 5 points on. We all have to get to the point of controlling our environment and the choices. We aren't always going to be perfect, and have to give ourselves a little slack when it comes to that. Remember tomorrow is another day, and maybe you can cut 5 points out of your day tomorrow to save up for the weekend? I know they say don't "bank" points, but I do and don't use the flex points. What's the difference? It's the same thing. I think it's great that you realized what happened and know how to avoid it in the future.

I used to think "well, I've blown it for the day, so why not eat whatever I want since my points are blown anyway". That was bad thinking, and now I say, "Geez, that wasn't so smart, so now you have to exercise a little more than you would normally to counteract what you chose to put in your mouth." Hard to think it truly is a choice, huh? Urges and binges for me are nothing more than obsessive thoughts that I can't get out of my head. It never tastes as good as I think it is going to, but that doesn't stop me, does it?

I needed to read what you read today, because it's a good reminder of what it's all about--choices and putting other people's feelings first. There is nothing wrong with putting ourselves and our healths first. I think that's why I got so overweight--taking care of everyone else and not giving myself enough attention.

So, Linda my friend, tomorrow is another day and you will do much better!

I'll try to check in after weigh in tonight. I think it will be a good one!

Chach

Quick reply, Chach you are an alright lady! Thanks!
Linda

Hello All!

Okay, check it out.....I DID IT!!!! I lost 3 more pounds this last week for a total of 25.6!! I made my 10% goal, got another 5 pound star, got a 25 pound magnet, and am halfway to where I wanted to be by the end of the year. ALL IN THREE MONTHS TO THE DATE!! HAPPY HAPPY DAY!

I guess this comes at a good time. I had a bummer of a night last night. Let me explain. My situation last night was horrible. The friends I cleaned house and did their laundry for, the ones who just had the baby, are mad at me for what I did. The wife said she doesn't like people coming into her house and moving stuff. The husband said he doesn't like other people doing his laundry. I was so hurt by that and all the time I spent over there making sure it was clean for them to come home to. Felt like I was slapped in the face. I came home after that and was going to eat eat eat. I got a glass of water, logged onto the WW panic chat and got some support. It brought me to tears, and that DOES NOT happen very often. I wasn't implying they didn't keep a clean house or that they were not able to do it themselves, I just thought it would be nice for them to come home and not have to worry about the house with a brand new baby.

So, I am doing my own thing, staying low and going about my business. I am going to write it off to immaturity (they are 23) and maybe the Baby Blues, but if it continues, I'll have a talk with both of them and let them know what my intentions were. That will be it and they can decide if they want to continue our friendship. I don't need ungrateful hurtful and rude friends.

I am okay today, just a little bummed, until my weigh in was tonight. Made me very proud of myself and my accomplishments!

Linda: You are welcome! We all struggle, so it's important to lift others up when it happens!

Michelle: Thanks for the info on the taters! They sound great and the next time I go to the store, I am going to check out the nutritional info on the ones I can get here. I totally spaced them! I'm closing in on your numbers!! Watch out!!

Dotti: Thanks for the recipes. I always love new ones! Glad things are still going well for you!

We tried the new WW entrees at Applebees tonight. I had the chicken fajitas, my friend had the shrimp skewers, and we both had the chocolate raspberry cake! It was really good. Cake was only 4 points. My entree was 7, I think. I probably wouldn't get it again, as it wasn't a lot of food, but the flavors were wonderful. I enjoy the blackened chicken salad. The whole order is only 8.5 points. They have a lot of entrees, so I would suggest checking it out!

Gotta go for now. Have a great night!

Chach

Talk to you all later!

Chach

Again, a quick reply this morning, will post more later on.
Chach, I am apalled that these people would be anything other than grateful for what you did. I'd lay low and quite obviously NOT contact them at all. They'll get the point that your feelings are hurt sure enough and if they don't contact YOU, then they are not worthy of a good person like you as their friend.
Now, I must go work out and be on time for a meeting!
Linda

Michelle-- I'm so glad to hear you're back at WW meetings! I don't know what it is . . . perhaps it's the commitment of having to pay $$ and having someone watch you step onto a scale; perhaps it's the group support and being able to see a roomfull of people who have the same problems as you . . . but I know for ME that having the meetings to go to is key in me sticking to program. It holds me accountable. I had all the program materials for WW since February, and didn't go to meetings . . . I ALSO didn't follow the program because I just couldn't stick to it, for whatever reason. This week was my first week back, and I've stuck to the program (have gone to the gym every day, and am eating within my points range). Granted, yes, it's one week, but I've shown more self-restraint in ONE WEEK than I did between February and last weekend.

Linda-- pleasing people is a HUGE issue. My family is full of food-pushers. I've come to view that behavior as similar to a drug dealer. If someone sat down next to me, and raved about how they had special blended their meth for me, and so I had to try it, I'd laugh it off and walk away. How sad is it that when people do it about food (which also, over time, can kill us), we feel guilty and eat it? I've started now to take the time to explain to people about my eating plan when they ask me to have a bit more of this or that-- usually, people are ok with it then. Another thing I've done is that I have a sensitivity to sugar now-- if I have too much, I get sick. I tell people about that when they try to force dessert on me (I actually tell them I'm diabetic), and I'm generally left alone. ;-)

Anyway-- I really don't think that what you had, in the grand scheme of life, was THAT bad for one day. It was probably an extra 8 points. Now, if you're over at the in-laws, that still leaves you 27 points in flex, should you need them--not to mention the fact that you can go for walks and earn activity points. Realize, too, that if this weekend you get off-track, it's not a "make or break" thing. You can get back on track on Monday. What is the worst case scenario should this weekend be a food festival? That you gain a pound at WI? Although that would suck, you can still lose that pound the following week. Don't worry about yesterday's transgressions--they'll drive you CRAZY!

YAY, CHACH!!! I'm so impressed with your success!!! :-) Keep up the good work! As for your friends . . . well . . . some of it comes down to culture (the woman is Nigerian, right?). Some comes down to their being young. And some comes down to the stress of the moment. Were I you, I would probably sit down and write them a letter explaining that you apologize for offending them, but thought that coming home to a home where they didn't have extra housework would give them more time to spend with the baby. If you have kids, maybe include that you wished when you had YOUR baby home, you had wished to have help around the house, so you thought they would like that, too. And then write that if they want to talk about it, they are welcome to contact you. That way, you've extended an olive branch, but the ball is in their court.

As for me . . . I've been exercising (although today was a bust-- only 20 minutes due to my sore knee), and counting my points. My mom is looking into joining LA Weight Loss (have y'all heard of it?). It seems to be a balanced program, so we'll see how it goes for her. It sounds a lot like WW, actually, although they actually devise you menus. You pay $9/ week, and they calculate your fees by taking your goal weight and then figuring out how long it should take you to get there . . . then you pay for all those weeks at the start of the program. After that goal date, whether or not you get to your goal by then, every week thereafter is free. If you get to and maintain your goal weight for 6 months, they refund you half of your startup fee. You can purchase their supplements, or just buy food on your own (my mom is allergic to peanuts, so she cannot have any of their supplemental bars). They ask you to come in 2-3 times a week to meet 1:1 with your personal counselor to discuss the program and weigh in. So, it seems like an ok deal. I'm hoping it works for her and gets her off her high blood pressure/ cholesterol medications. They let her set a realistic goal, too (she's 5'4", and they said that 160 was ok for her).

Speaking of goals, I went to my physician and got her to change my goal weight. According to WW, the HIGHEST end of my goal weight should be 155. The lowest I got even after bypass surgery was 161, and that was with eating 750-800 calories a day. I maintained that weight for all of a week. ;-) I was able to maintain between 165 and 170 without a lot of work, so she set my goal weight at 165. With my "new" goal, I have 27 lbs until I get to goal. It's amazing how, psychologically, 27 lbs seems "easier" than the 37 lbs I thought I'd have to lose . . . it's only 10 lbs, but it makes a difference.

Anyway, I've written a novel, so I'm going to end now. Have a good day!

Back on Points- Day TWO, the journey continues!!!
 

Hey there crew,
Well it's day two of being "officially" back OP. And feeling focussed and better than ever!!! Had my trusty, filling 3 pt breakfast this morning, and I'm off and ready to go!!! WOOOO HOOOO, seriously things have fallen so back into place, that I feel like I was never off program! Got done with supper last night and still had 7 pts to kill....oh the choices!!! I've done well with my goal of not weighing this week at home....haven't touched the scale, want to be suprised next Tues. night!!

Congrats to Chach!!!! Way to go chickie!!! And I wouldn't worry about the baby people.....take the higher ground and know, you were just doing something nice!!! And as far as closing in on me....I say Bring It ON!!! lol :dizzy:

Heather, good to see you back in action and postin again!!!
Hi Linda and Dotti!!
Hi everyone who's MIA!!! Come back, come back!!!
Well better get off for our morning walk....tire the lil ankle biters out!!! ;)
Michelle :D

Thursday
 

Hi Everyone :wave:.

Chach congratualations of the weight loss. I am thrilled for you! As far as your friends, just give them some space right now. Don't fret about it. They maybe people who don't like anyone doing something for them. I can relate to that. I have to do everything myself. I don't like people helping me with anything. Even though I would appreciate it, it is just me to do it all myself. Then again they might not be able to say thank you. That is a hard word for some people. Just know you did good. I am curious to try Applebee's. Maybe my husband and I will give it a go for a late lunch or early dinner one day.

Michelle I am going to put those potatotes on my shopping list for next week. One of my favorite things is pepper, onion, potatoes and eggs. (on a sub, or course) but the sub will not be used. It's nice to have a friend to go with you to weight watchers isn't it. When I was going to the meetings my friend came with me too. Then after our meeting we would have a legal lunch out and spend the afternoon together. We don't live that close to each other so the time was nice. But she gave up and I continued on. Don't really want to attend the meetings anymore so coming here has really been a great help.

Heather you sound like things are falling into place for sure. I heard of LA weight loss but do not know of anyone who has gone there. I hope your mom has success. I agree with you about goal weight. Both my doctor and I felt that was too high for me so he changed it and I was very comfortable at the new goal.

Linda do these ladies know you are trying to lose weight. I found it easier to tell people point blank I cannot have that or I can only have 1 of what I brought. I use to give in but I won't do that any longer. Once they understand you mean it, they will not think anything of your passing it up. As far as your weekend goes I agree with Heather. Get in more activity if need be, and get back on track when you can.

Just a point in general, we all know what we should do or not do to stay on program. But we are all human, we all want to enjoy our time with family and friends. We don't always want to be the one that says "oh I can't have that". So we blow it at that time. Give yourself a break, don't beat yourself up. Just get back on program as soon as you can. It has taken me a long time for understand that. In the past I would just keep eating and regain everything. Sure I don't like the fact that I regained 20 lbs from the 70 lost. But I stopped at 20 and got control again. Don't give up!

Enjoy the day ladies.

Hi All!

Heather: I had a friend do that LA Weight Loss program. It seemed to work well for her, but once she stopped going, she gained it all back and then some. Isn't that the one that does a liquid diet for awhile? I guess it's like any other program, if you work it, it works. I'm so happy your doctor set your goal weight a little higher. I might talk to mine once I get somewhere near that range and see what he thinks. Funny how much of a difference ten pounds can make, huh? Good for you!

Michelle: Hear that sound? It's me in your rear view mirror. Lurking...waiting...ready to pounce! Heehee! I have 12 pounds to catch you. Giddyup! I love your enthusiasm! It's quite catchy!

Dotti: Thanks for your words of wisdom. I used to beat myself up all the time, but now I have to recognize some days are not going to be as good as the other days. Taking the good with the bad makes us better people, I think!

Alright, this is going to be a busy Saturday for me. Helping a friend move all day. Can you say ACTIVITY POINTS! Quite looking forward to it, actually. Going to McD's on that day for lunch and getting another salad/water/pedometer combo. Gotta love that!

Sunday will be my official day of rest. Unless I take my son to the Zoo, that is! Not planning anything, and trying to enjoy the last few weekends without hubby. I know we will be busy upon his return.

Take care and have a great day!

Chach