[Emerald]

Hope you did well at the meeting, Linda. I agree with Dawny. You know what you are supposed to be doing. I hope you find the inner strength you need to keeping moving forward. I know that the gains the last few weeks can be discouraging, but you really can turn it around, starting now. You've come too far to give up now.

Dawny - I hope the extra points won't be too much for you. It has to be a relief to have more, but unnerving at the same time.

My day has been crazy. My computer at work is having problems, so I've been using someone else's office. I'm checking in at home on my lunch break right now. I'm still disturbed by the conflict last night and can't get it off my mind. Resolution has to come soon. Honestly, it would be a relief to back out of the youth responsibilities. I want to grow the drama, and could use more time to devote to that endeavor. It's crazy to beat my head against a wall that doesn't move, when I could be of more benefit somewhere else. I'm going to try to get things wrapped up by Wednesday. Wish me luck and blessings on that.

Well, gonna put some veggies in the crockpot for dinner and head back to the office. Later!

[Abirdee]

Quick Question:

How do I get past those cravings when it is that time of the month? Right now I want a Coke(not diet) and a Twix really bad....

[derrydaughter]

Hi guys, thanks for the special words of support.
Dawny, you are right - Frisky my inner diva needs to come back and whip me into shape! I'll try to reach inside myself and ask her some serious questions. She is the strong and successful part of me and I've not been listening to her much these last few weeks.
I weighed in this morning and have to admit to surprise. I lost 2 pounds. I've been whining and feeling out of control, yet I had a decent loss. But, last week I gained 2.8, so I am still ahead of where I was, and the previous two weigh ins were gains, so I am not out of the woods yet, but at least I am feeling better today. Plus, it's an absolutely gorgeous spring day outside, so that helps my attitude a bit!
I had a few treats, mostly fruit, at the quilt meeting and my bar stayed in my purse. But, I had the bar with me in case there weren't any good choices. There were tiny mini muffins (lemon poppy seed) that probably weren't more than a point each and some cheese and fruit that I selected, probably about 3 points worth of food. I think I was wise, there were tons of cookies, brownies, cupcakes and all sorts of selections, but I handled it.
I like dried apricots, Dawny, thanks for suggesting those. I'll have to pick some up, I thought most dried fruit was pretty high in points, I love it all but have kind of stayed away from it. I know prunes are pretty high and I seldom have them as I want about 3 times more than I should have to equate to 2 points! I like the portability of little boxes of raisins and they are two points, so I can toss a box in the car when I am away from home. They sometimes help me with craving chocolate, given how sweet they are.
Dawny, you might end up with a slight gain this week, it is going to take awhile to find the proper balance. How many points per day did you get and how many now? I forget. I'm sure you have been able to add one or two points a day, but it is true that that exact science is hard to achieve. I did it for awhile and then, when I stopped going to meetings, I lost control. Oh, it was so "fun" to not be at meetings and eat what I liked for awhile, then the pounds came back on and I got ashamed of myself.
I have said it before, and will say it again. This time is different and I am hoping that once I get to goal (and it sure is a struggle) that I will not stray from my ww meetings again. That is the total key to staying at your desired weight. At least for me it is.
Melanie, hope your computer situation improves. I would lay low on that conflict situation with the youth work for awhile. Give both parties a few days to calm down and then suggest a "chat". I'd be up front and state that you both have different directions and you need to work together for the sake of the kids. If you talk things through and it still isn't making you happy, maybe this is a sign that there is some other way to serve your church vs. this one. I always remember (not in the bible, but so wise) a line from The Sound of Music, Mother Superior told Julie Andrews (Maria) "When God closes a door, he always leaves open a window" or something like that.... so very true in all aspects of life. We could even apply this to our weight loss/maintenance efforts if we don't find one thing successful, try another. Every day we learn new things.
Abirdee, C'mon.... have a diet coke instead of a real one and try to find a substitute for the Twix bar, maybe a chocolate ww bar or slim fast snack bar? There are tons of things out there.... I also find that if I really just need the chocolate that chocolate covered raisins or chocolate rice cakes are better than "real" candy bars. I know that chocolate can be "essential" especially at TOM, though. I'm guilty. Also, sugar fee hot cocoa satisfies that urge and if you have popcorn (air popped or 94% ff micro) with it, you get full feeling and satisfy the chocolate taste!
I've been "bad" of late and have had lots of emotional stuff going on, but I feel better today, more in control and ready to fight. I hate that I have these ups and downs, but this is just the way this all seems to be going for me.
I sound like an AA person when I say "one day at a time" but it's so true.
Thanks for being here guys!
Linda

[dawnydw]

Hello ladies, how are you guys this afternoon?

Linda, wow, a great, unexpected loss, this week. I'm proud of you! Especially when you were so down on yourself! It does tend to give you a boost when you have any gain, especially after a 'down' patch, so lets hope its what you need to really kick your own butt and go for it! In answer to your question about my points, I would have had to have gone down from 19 to 18 with my new weight loss, but now I'm offered an extra 6 per day! so, 24/25 per day. That seems loads to me. I think at my heaviest I only had 24 per day, I'm getting around 21 or so this week, on average, and I am predicting a little gain - although TOM is just about to visit, iminently, so that won't really give me a true figure at tomorrow's WI.
Talking about chocolate cravings, I hear that the 'skinny cow' ice creams are available in the US, we've just got them over here. There is a lovely chocolate fudge one, on a stick, that we have 1.5pts for (your points value will prob be different), to me, its a good low point choice for that little chocolate fix we need. I need to get some more in urgently. I told my mum about them, she bought them and, unfortunately for her, ate all four in the box at once. Not exactly what I'd had in mind for her! Oh well, if she had the points spare....
Abirdee, yeah, the TOM sure does hit hard some months, I'm only just starting to get this problem over the last few months, and sometimes, I do believe that if you can have the healthier options, good for you. If not...a little of what you fancy does you good. Sometimes, just a little bit, really does cure you. talking of which, last friday, I'd promised DH that after reaching my goal, I would allow him to treat us to take out pizza, something we haven't had for over a year. I was looking forward to it, and do you know, I didn't enjoy it one little bit! Too greasy, the cheese was too cheesy and the peperoni, just not nice! Typical. you look forward to something for ages and it doesn't live up to it. I won't let him talk me into that one again. It was more of a treat for him really, he's missed his pizza, but give me chicken chow mein anytime!

Melanie, I wish you luck with sorting out your differences with the people at the youth.
Its horrible when you don't get on with someone, and if you have to work quite closely with someone, over anything, it can be annoying and upsetting, sometimes, compromise can't be reached and one of you has to bow out. If you do, you will be able to put your energies into the drama which I know you love. I bet you are glad you have your pc set up at home now! Just in time! Get back on your work one soon!

Well, I got pasta tonight, not sure what with yet. I think I've got something in the cupboard I can throw together. Some salad too maybe. Got to use those points up!
Got to go now, have a good day.

[derrydaughter]

Dawny, some very wise words.
By the way, I have pizza often, but I have changed my views on what kind of pizza I like (and even the place we buy it from) over the years. I used to like a heavier thick crust pizza with pepperoni and not that almost makes me sick. I really now like veggies on my pizza, pepper, onion and mushroom and I also prefer a thinner crust. I have allowed pizza in my house almost once a week while I've been on WW, even when I became a Lifetime member ages ago. I just have to have it and I work hard at earning exercise points or using my flexpoints to have it. I do try to add a salad with my pizza meal, this fills me up a bit more so I end up with two or three slices plus a salad and lite dressing vs. almost an entire pizza to myself.
We have the Skinny Cow ice creams here in this area and I do like them. I think they are quite expensive here, but do buy things like that anyway. I like their ice cream sandwiches, especially the ones that have chocolate ice cream inside!
WW makes a chocolate ice cream cone treat that is good as well for only 2 points. However, they just recently changed their manufacturer and the packaging of them, and I don't like them anywher near as much as the old ones, sadly. What a shame they changed it.
We're going out to dinner tonight. Wonder if this will be a challenge for me? No one has decided where we will go, but we all have "spring fever" and need to get out of the house.
Well, off for now, take care guys.
Linda

[dawnydw]

Just popped in for a minute to catch up - in the middle of making a yummy fruit salad for AJ and me. (DH won't entertain fruit for some reason) Got some apple, orange, pear, guava, and passion fruit for something different. Yum. I will get some extra fruit portions in, not that I don't have my 5 portions a day anyway, but all the extra can't harm!
Oh, well, gotta go, back later.

[derrydaughter]

Fruit salad sounds good, wish I liked guava - as things like that always sound so lovely and exotic! My son won't eat fruit, Dawny, as he says it makes his throat itch. I wonder if your DH reacts like that to fruit, Dawny? My son just won't even try it nowadays, and I doubt he's "allergic" to all of it.
I had an NSV last night and I am proud of myself. We went to an Italian place for dinner last night and I ordered minestrone soup (which was really good) and a greek salad with oil and vinegar to dress it, I used mostly vinegar vs. oil and I left feeling satisfied. Oh yes, I did have bread, but only one slice and opted for margarine vs. butter! I ended the day using only 1 flexpoint, which is totally awesome for me when I am eating out. The rest of the family had really high calorie/fat content dishes with pasta, etc. I didn't! DH shared one bite of his fettuchini alfredo and it was awesome, but I didn't ask for another and only regreted not getting it for about a nanosecond!
I am "chuffed" this morning thinking about my will power! If only I can do that all the time.
Have you all heard of a yahoo group called Freecycle? I joined it a few weeks ago in my area, you must check it out! http://www.freecycle.org/
It's a great new trend that is sweeping (really!) through our area really fast. Read up on it! The point I am making about it here is that you can get a bit of exercise for yourself and clean out unused items and find people to take them. You can also get items FREE that you want, I even see treadmills given away for free and bicycles!
Linda

[sugar_cane]

Hey Linda, seems like you're doing great! Good job on the will power, I went to an Italian restaurant too last night, but had pasta with lots of cheese, so I have to congratulate you!!

I'm doing ok, today looks good so I'm optimistic.

I have to run now, take care everyone!

[Emerald]

Not much time. Just wanted to pop in with a quick note. Things have been very busy, and I'm wrapping up with the youth group. I hate confrontation, and don't want to deal with this, but I have to. So, tonight, I resign. I truly feel it is the best decision, I just hope it is well received. I plan to focus on my more positive projects and put that extra energy into the drama ministry. It's just been very tiring. Please keep me in your prayers while I try to get everything back in balance.

Later!

[Emerald]

Hello. Me again. Just settling in from a hard day. Ready for a good night's sleep at last. Hopefully, I will get up on time tomorrow to workout. I've definately been slipping on that. But, the good news is I lost .6 this week. And, I weighed in jeans, which I ususally don't do.

I've decided that I'm changing my goal to 150. I need something that I can reasonably reach in the next couple of months because I have to buy summer clothes and I can't buy more winter clothes, then more summer clothes. I need to make these summer items last. If I'm at 150 and still not happy with the bod, I will give it more thought, but that's my goal for now. And, it's within my healthy BMI. Wish me luck, and sleep.

[derrydaughter]

A quick fly by for me, off to a quilting group and oh no - they are having a pizza party today.
Linda

[dawnydw]

Hi guys,
Linda, another quilting party? And a pizza one too? Good luck with that one! Let that Frisky diva keep a steady hand in yours, and keep it well out of the way and in your pockets! If you do indulge, enjoy!

Melanie, glad you came to a decision about the youth group. How did they take the news? At least now you can concentrate with what you enjoy most. Great WI by the way, in jeans too, well done. I get what you say about your summer clothes, its great to get new stuff, but so expensive. I'm torn now about what to buy next. We are only just entering spring, and still get some really cold days, I need some long sleeve tops really to keep me warm at work but how long will I be wearing them? Although at least, now hopefully the weight will be fairly stable and not changing size every other month, so I may get more than a few weeks wear out of them. With your goal weight, you really have to judge whether its where you want to be when you get within a few pounds of it. It can seem a fantastic weight to be, when you are a way off of it, but when you get closer, you may want a few more pounds. But thats ok. We are allowed to move the goal posts as often as we want to. I'm assuming you are quite tall, lucky you. You might even feel 'right' at more than 150. You will know when you get there. I'm still undecided whether to go a few more pounds off or not. I will see if I can stablise a bit, then go for it if I need to. I do NOT want to lose more weight off my face though. I feel thats gone too far, and as we can't unfortunately choose which bits the weight comes off most, I need to think long and hard about that one. I'm rambling. Sorry.
Good luck with getting back with the exercise too, I'm still doing mine, every morning, not sure if its doing me much good, Not noticed any firmer tone yet, but maybe soon...

Linda, fruit and DH. I don't thing mine is allergic to it. He once had a reaction to a peach, one of the few things he does enjoy, but thats it. He just can't be that bothered with the healthy stuff. I try to add a bit here and there, as I can't understand it. I love it, all kinds. Great NSV. Avoiding the high fat stuff at an Italian is hard work. Good for you. you must be pleased with that.

Well, got to go now, hope everyone else is ok. back soon.

[Emerald]

Hello all. Wow! I had a great workout this afternoon. I have some guest passes for the YMCA to use until Thurs. So, I tried their new Circuit Room, you do a couple of minutes of cardio on bouncy step, then a resistence machine, then cardio, then another machine, all the way around the room. It was great. I'm planning to take full advantage of this week of freebies!

Linda - Did Frisky go with you to the pizza party? Hope so. Let us know!

Dawny - Tall? Not quite. I'm 5'5". But, I'm not a petite structure. I have no doubt that if I were a size 8 (US, don't know the convert) or smaller, I would appear to be skin & bones. So, I am working toward a 10. Like you said, I can always rethink things later. Great that you're still working out! What kind of exercise do you do? BTW, it's sooo good to see, "Satisfied at last!" on your signature!

Well, I'm gonna to soak in a tub and get ready for a good night of slumber.

C-ya!

[Emerald]

Reporting in with some more news. I did my measurements for the first time in months. Waist, hips, thigh, & chest = loss of 25.75 inches! Of course, if I had my way, it would be proportioned differently, but an impressive number anyway!

[derrydaughter]

I had a really bad day yesterday, guys, this is just overwhelming to me. My dad was diagnosed with bone cancer yesterday, he's had "under control" prostate cancer for years, but now it's spread and this is a very painful type of cancer. He's 82 years old, keep us in your prayers please.
I totally lost it yesteray, don't want to get into it, but today I dug out my journal and logged in breakfast. I will work out. I can't let what is going on cause me to lose direction, even if it did for one day.
I will read all the posts and catch up later. Just not up to it right now.
Linda