Good Monday evening ladies, thanks so much for your kind get well wishes. I am feeling much better today than I did on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, I felt well enough to go to work today. Oh, it's a hot one again in the windy city. Temps are in the 90's again. I guess that yesterday's 80's with low humidity was just a teaser! Well, at least it is not raining so I'm not going to complain (at least too much). Sorry that I couldn't stop by the board until this evening; had a busy day at work with meeting after meeting. The day is not over yet, but I just may end the day within range! That will be a first (in a long time) for me! I'll let you know tomorrow if I made it. Keep your fingers crossed. Small goals are better than none, I guess. At work, felt like having a snack so I ran out and bought some fresh fruit from a fruit vendor near the office. Had some apricots which were ripe and delicious. Better than a candy bar--really! Okay, I'm going to go now and make a light dinner. I'm still trying to take it easy on the stomach. You all have a great OP day! Cindy

Maggie, what great news! A giant 4.2 pounds gone! Congratulations to you! I know that you really worked hard for that loss. You should be very proud. WTG Maggie. Sip something nice and soothing and low-cal to stay cool and celebrate your major weight loss. You rule!

Geri, CONGRATS to you on your marvelous one pound loss. That is a big accomplishment. You worked hard at working the program and your body is cooperating in its own unique way. Stand proud, Geri. I applaude you!

Terri, you're on a roll, sticking with program and enjoying the summer festivities. That is the perfect way to enjoy program and life. I will take a page from your book anytime. You keep up the great work, you hear?!

Hi everyone! I worked a Mexican restaurant for dinner tonight. Went a bit over, points wise (haven't journalled it yet) but will be able to make up for it the rest of the week since we are staying close to home and no more eating jobs!

Maggie: WOW! 4.2 is a BIG chunk of weight! GOOD FOR YOU!!! I hate having garage sales. I hate setting them up, I hate sitting doing nothing for 3 days, and I hate packing them up. BUT, I also never throw anything away, sooooo I guess it's a necessary evil!

Cindy: Wow, so the heat's coming my way again, eh???? I was enjoying the 80 degrees and no humidity today that you had the other day. You know I get your weather the next day!!!! GOOD FOR YOU being within range. One day under your belt, now let's go for 2!!!!

Gotta go. DH is whining about me going through some more boxes for the sale! Talk to you tomorrow.

Good evening!

I was asleep on the floor and DH woke me up to go bed. But he went upstairs to bed, leaving the baked beans for me to put in the refrig. By the time I got done rearranging the frig and muttering under my breath about me having to do it, I'm awake; he's snoring. I could just go kick the bed!

Okay, so the fish thing and DH is two-fold. One serious, one funny. On the serious side, DH has diabetic neuropathy and foot drop so his balance is not good and he trips a lot. So I help him when I know its hard for him to get around. On the funny side, he gets so excited to catch a fish, instead of reeling it in, he backs up!!! If its a big one, he loses his mind and my job is to get the fish either in the boat or on land before it gets away. DH's, gotta luv them but sometimes they make you just shake your head!! I did let him hold the big fish so he could throw them back. Poor guy is a city guy and I was raised to help do everything on the farm regardless of whether I was a girl or not.

I had a very good OP day. Banked 7 points and I'm not starving! Actually, I read the Wendie post today. I was surprised that what I read, I could have written. It sums up my experience with WW completely. Although, at first I lost 30 pounds but then stalled and quit. Ever since, I can't get past the first 10 pounds when I start again. Plus I got so discouraged at weigh-ins and didn't seem to get support from the leader except to ask me what went wrong. Eventually, I'd quit again. I'm going to give this a try. I'm not looking for quick fixes but am hoping this will give me more focus since you really have to pay attention to how many points you eat on any given day. And consistent focus is what I need.

Maggie - You go girl! 4.2 is so great. I can feel your "jazzed" all the way to Missouri. I think all our collective "focus" is really helping each other. You're an inspiration.

Geri - Woohoo! too for your pound loss. See, you didn't do as bad as you thought. Working the plan does pay off. You're doing great too. I hear you about the garage sale. I'm going to have one when we move. I need to get my rear-end in gear and do more sorting. I've got to get the lawn mower and the camper out of the garage so I have somewhere to go with the crap. Don't let all the work get you off track.

Cindy - Give yourself a pat for the apricots. Fruit is so good so why is it not the first thing we think of when we want to snack?? I had an epiphany once after I ate some granola bar thing and was still hungry....I could have had five apples in place of wasted calories. Not that I always remember that but it does give perspective to the junk we eat.

Brenda & Gina - Are you out there?? Hope you're doing okay. Miss you!

I need to settle down and get some sleep.

Have a great OP day tomorrow and be strong!

HELLO EVERYONE!

I've only been away for a few days, but it sure feels like weeks. Still struggling with my points range but I walked 5 out of 7 days last week.

I'm still looking for a new job, one of the prospects go scooped up by another candidate but I'm sure I'll have something soon. They just cut 2 more staff in this office, that only leaves 7 now.

I almost wish they would do me a favour and let me go, I know I will find something and I could get a few days off. Patience....

Sounds like everyone is so busy, I know how it feels. Spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Ball Park, the weather was wonderful and I was actually comfortable in a lawn chair with out the fear of having it collapse on me. LIFE IS GOOD!

My WI is tonight so I hope I show a loss, if not its the darn points and food intake. I'll do better, I've promised myself.

Well lunch is about done so I have to get back to work. Take care and have a great OP day.

Brenda
430/329/170 in 2002

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! The temps are great here and the humidity is down. It's GREAT!

I'm gonna be short today ('cuz I'm only 5'3" tall) Nooooo, because I need to get to the garage and price stuff! YUCK!

Just wanted to say 'hi' and tell you my day is going well. I made a seafood salad for lunch and Apple Salad! YUM!!!

Terri: I'm with Maggie, 'at least you got the fridge cleaned out'. Here it takes an Act of God to make me do it! Sorry to hear about DH's neuropathy. My uncle has that and it's sooo hard for him. It's nice of you to step in and anticipate where he'll need the help without being intrusive. [[[hugs]]] 7 points in the bucket, GOOD FOR YOU!!! I'm glad you took a look at the Wendie Plan. I thought it made alot of sense too. I'm not going to try it though until I find that the regular plan is not working for me. I've been soooo off track for soooooo long, that I think just following normal WW is going to do it for me for now. I just want to have a 'secret weapon' in my back pocket for when I need the extra boost.

Maggie: Hey, girlfriend, we're basking in the joy of success! Hurray! I didn't watch at the Mexican yesterday at all. Usually I order a chicken something or other but yesterday I went all out. I do need to go and journal it so I know exactly where I stand!

Brenda: Gosh, it seemed like you had been gone for weeks! We miss you when you're not here. Don't let that 100# celebration stall your journey. We're all here for you, rooting you on! You can do this thing, one step at a time!!!

Gina: Where are you???? Come out and play. You're friends are waiting for you.

Gotta run before DH starts whining again that I'm not out in the garage. I'm only allowed so much time, ya know!!!

"The secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes." - Benjamin Disraeli

Hey Maggie:

You snuck in on me when I wasn't looking! Your chart looks great! You are such the computer genius!!!!

Good Tuesday evening ladies, I'm still at the office, but I wanted to take a minute to drop you all a note. Well, I finally did it--had my first within points range day, yesterday. Woo hoo. So far, today is looking good too. Today's weather was still pretty hot, but around 3 in the afternoon, when I went out for a short walk, there was a very noticable, pleasant breeze coming thorough. I just hope that it continues and that we get some welcome relief. Whew! Nothing too exciting to talk about right now, but I'm trying to stay on the straight and narrow (or should I say, the not too wide?) Ladies, you all have a great OP day tomorrow. I hope that pleasant breezes are making their way to your part of town. Have a good one! Cindy

Geri, sounds like your DH has you running for that garage sale. Looks to be a super big affair. I love shopping at garage sales, but of course, don't like preparing for 'em. Your Mexican dinner out sounded like fun and your seafood and apple salads, today, must have been yummy! Sticking with the program Geri, yes, you are! WTG! Now, don't work too hard getting ready for that garage sale, okay? Have a good one.

Terri, thanks for that pat on the back for eating fruit yesterday. I wanted to do the same today, but the fruit vendor wasn't there. I guess because there was a farmers market today. Oh well. Bought tons of fresh veges and some Morell and Chanteral mushrooms at the farmers market. Don't know what I'm going to cook with 'em, but I'll think of something healthy I hope! Congrats on your dedication to staying OP. Good luck with the Wendy program, too. Have a great day.

Maggie, I loved your Wendy chart--you computer maven, you! Nice work. So you're an apricot lover too? I really missed the fruit vendor today. I was savoring the thought of buying more of those perfectly ripe apricots! I hope that he will be near the office, tomorrow. Oh, your apricot smoothie puts a smile on my face just thinking about it. Maggie, I know that you will get that magnet in no time at all. You go girl! have a great day.

Brenda, long time no talk! It has been ages since I've written to you and I just recently came back to the board. it is good to see you here again and, from your numbers, I can tell that you are doing great OP. Wow! Over 100 pounds down. You are one awesome woman! Nice going on the consistent exercise. You're a great role model. Look forward to talking with you more. Have a good one.

Good evening! I feel like a vampire every time I say that! I have done well today. I have almost made up for yesterday's Mexican dinner. By tomorrow I will have made up for it completely and will be back at square one. WooHoo.

I grilled Salmon on the bar-b-q tonight. It was my first time. And believe it or not.....drum roll pleeeeeeese.....it turned out GREAT!!! My guys were very surprised........so was I!!!

Cindy: Two days OP in a row! You go girl. Sorry the fruit vendor wasn't there, but sounds like you had a good alternative!

Gotta run. It's movie night at our house. Save the Last Dance came out on video today. It's GREAT! I saw it at the theatre and was dying to see it again. Love to all.

Good morning!

I'm so proud of us! The last couple of weeks we have been so focused and so upbeat. We've got the motivation vibes hummin'!

I did good OP yesterday. Having to pay attention to make my points come out at a certain level has helped (well at least for two days!). I switched my really high night to last night as we had DH's son over for a home cooked meal. DH made steak, corn on the cob, baked beans and garlic bread. I was careful not to blow out my high point and felt very satisfied. I don't know whether the Wendie plan will help me lose weight but its helping me pay attention. Paying attention was never my strong point!

We're supposed to be having Employee Appreciation day today....outside in a tent but the thunder is rolling this morning. That should be fun! We get to wear jeans or shorts today so that's all I care about!

Gotta run. Everyone keep up all the great work and have a great OP day!

Good morning ladies, I made it through another within-range point day, yesterday! That makes it two in a row for me. I am so happy. Weather here is now cool , in the 60's! Such a difference from yesterday and, especially, the day before. They say that the weekend will be beautiful, but that is days away so I'll just wait and hope for the best! On Thursday, tomorrow, it will be the end of my first week, back to the board with you lovely ladies. What a difference this past week and you all have made in my life. I am amazed by the major shift in my attitude. While I am not working things perfectly, I am feeling so much better about myself and my ability to stay OP. Thank you, thank you! Today, I'm on the lookout for that fruit vendor. Hope that he is here and has some fresh apricots again. Let's see, no big plans for today--just work, a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, and then home. Am going to maintain my focus and try for 3 within-range days in a row! Here's hoping that you each have a great OP day. Cindy

Terri, even though I am coming in the tail-end of the weeks of strong program work at this board, I too feel the strength and support from you-all. It is so magically inspiring. Why even I have been nudged in the right direction for working the program! Hope that you have fun today at employee appreciation day and that it doesn't get too rainy. Keep up the great work that you are doing OP. Go Terri go!

Geri, WTG on your first grilled salmon. Mmmmmmm, I love salmon and try to have some at least once a week. You're doing great OP, kiddo. Hope that all is going well with garage sale prep. have a good one.

Maggie, hi lady. Hope that you are having a great OP day and are not being socked by high heat and humidity. You're right about being prepared as one of the keys to succeeding at this process. I am getting better prepared in very small ways and hope that it will all add up to better control. Have a good one today!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Well WI was last night and I'm up .8. My pants are falling off me though so I know good is happening. Our meeting last night was eating by the points and especially watching the Carb intake. Well, I went back and looked at my journals and what a story they told me. It's been almost 8 weeks since I really broke my points down by carbs, fat, protein etc. Well, how is this for stats. 1st 32 weeks, tracking by the numbers lost 90 lbs.... Last 8 weeks didn't track by the numbers, lost 10 lbs. Bet you can all guess what my focus will be this week.

I am also going to give Wendy's plan a try. I know I'm going to have a GREAT week.

Lunacat: It's good to feel the bounce in your keystrokes... its so good to have you back on board. It's amazing what attitude can do to you.... I like the GOOD ATTITUDE soooo much better! Keep up the great work, you are also an inspiration to me.

Determined: Motivation VIBES..... I sure like the feel of that! Hope your employee appreciation day goes well.

Thin: Grilled Salmon is terrific, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I never tried salmon myself until about 3 years ago, didn't know what I was missing. It's my second favorite, Whitefish is what I always look for first.

Maggie: Hope your having a great day, thanks for the conversation this morning!

Love ya all....

Brenda
430/329.8/170 in 2002

We're at 29 posts to this thread so I'm going to start a new one while I'm here. Hope you don't mind. Look for 'Countdown to 250...June 20 And Beyond!'