Hi Ladies, pretty quiet on the thread today. Hope that you are enjoying the day and doing well OP. I'm ashamed to say that I still "don't got it" yet. Another off points day again. All I can say is that I won't give up and I will not hide again. Maybe if I embarass myself enough and get sick of writing about my dumb mistakes every day, I will change my ways. Will take the crazed dog for a walk tonight and try to burn off some of these points. Weather here is cool and just perfect for walking so I have absolutely no excuse. The pooch is lying in wait for me to walk through the back gate. Then he will do his crazed jumping happy dance. It is no easy thing to hook him up to the lease. Hmmmmm, maybe I can earn some points back, just trying to put on his lease? Ladies, I hope that you each have a great evening and OP day tomorrow. Cindy

Terri, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope that you are doing something fun to celebrate the day. It was good to hear from you. I know how aggrevating it is to lose a long post. Grrrrrrrr. Terri, don't lose sight of your accomplishments-- you're 15 pounds lighter than you were before and that is no small feat. You will find your program confidence and energy again. Just stick with us! It will come. Here' hoping that you have a great birthday! Ooops, you jumped in just as I was finishing up typing this post! Have a great time at the Italian restaurant!

Good morning!

Well, the Italian was fabulous. It was a local restuarant that I have wanted to go to for a long time but just never got around to it. Very hard on the diet. We had calamari and tried an Italian olive salad that was wonderful. Very tart! I about passed out when they brought out entrees. DH had a seafood fettucine and I had 3-way pasta (ravioli, spaghetti and rigatoni) with one Italian sausage. The bowls were HUGE. I swear, four people could have eaten on my entree alone. It was a mountain of pasta that I barely made a dent in. I'd wager money that if I measured it out, it would be 10-12 cups of pasta. What on earth are they thinking? It was good and yes we brought leftovers home. Right now, none of it sounds good!

After fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy on Sunday and all that last night, I'm really looking forward to my OP meals. Funny how now, I get sick of food when its in excess like that. Is that progress?

I forgot to mention that I snuck in some exercise over the weekend (gasp!). Got my bike rack on the Mazda (finally, no thanks to DH ) and got out for a spin. Felt like I had a parachute on weighing me down. But then did 20 mins on the spinner on Sunday. My goal is to get another 20 mins tonight.

Maggie - Sorry to hear about the gain. Very frustrating but you do well at taking a honest look and moving on. Bodies can be devious!!

Cindy - Keep talking about it and yes, you will decide when enough is enough. But you're doing the right thing by coming here and posting. If you didn't, you just might deny it and the habits become even worse. Instead of focusing on all the things you think you are doing wrong, start writing down what you do right each day. You might be surprised. Might try that myself!

Everyone, have a happy and safe 4th of July holiday. We're keeping a low profile (packing and cleaning) but my sis is coming up with her DH and their son & family for four days. Thank goodness they are staying at a motel but I plan to spend as much time with my sis and her DIL/kids as possible. The guys are headed to the new speedway for NASCAR.

Take care and be strong!

Hi everyone.......

Boy oh boy, go away for 4 days and I feel like I've been gone for 2 weeks. I enjoyed reading everyone's posts this morning. Sounds like everyone has been very busy with anniversary celebrations, dog walking, van shopping and special receptions... WOW!

I spent 4 days at the trailer and it was wonderful. I managed to stay away from the ice-cream but I still was somewhat high on my points but I did go swimming for 2 hours Friday and 1 hour Saturday, I walked a ton and help shovel a half load of gravel so I know I got my exercise in. I have to tell you all how wonderful it was to go swimming. We went to a place called Singing Sands on Lake Huron, you have to walk about 3 city blocks to reach the water than a bunch more to get to your shoulders but it was clean and sandy and I had forgotten just how wonderful the water was. Life is good!

Well, I WI tonight and I hope that I have a better result this week, we will see. I know I feel great except for my darn left knee, it has given out on me 5 or 6 time this week when I'm going down stairs. I have a doctor appointment on Friday hopefully it's just special exercises I need. I fell off the steps at the trailer on Sunday morning and took a tumble. Got some nice bruises to show for it. Thank goodness I didn't break anything. So I got the message and off to the doctors I go because I will not let this get in the way of my getting to goal.......

I've got to get to work now. Have a great day everyone and I will try to do individual posts tomorrow!



Take care
Brenda
430/329/170 in 2002

All these greetings and welcomes make me want to stick around this thread to say hi and get to know you guys better. I just don't want you to think I didn't want to come back. So thanks for all the warm hellos.

My brother has been visiting for the last several days and I really didn't get to do much more than browse the boards over the last few days. I am hoping to catch up a bit more today amnd maybe tomorrow. I have been pretty good staying OP, I went over a bit in points, which I really didn't want to do, but sometimes, oh well. I also didn't walk quite as much but I did go tonight.

The 4th is tomorrow and that is going to be a very hectic day for me. We have a big huge neighborhood party so I will have to be extra careful. We had a BBQ at school today and I stuck with what I brought with me for lunch instead. Hopefully I will be seeing the fireworks on friday night since I didn't see them tonight.

Well, have a good day and thank you for inviting me to this thread. You guys seem really friendly!!

Melissa

Good Tuesday night ladies, well, I finally did it -- had a within range point day! And it's about time!! I have some leftover points for the day, but I don't dare "bank" them because I figure that I'm really just making up for the past bad stretch of days. Oh Oh, tomorrow is the 4th of July and my foodie friends are having a big BBQ to celebrate. I am really going to try to be moderate. I just made a large delicious fruit salad to bring. Also, will make a nice light colorful tomato salad tomorrow. Saw the recipie in Cooking Light. Colorful tomatos with a light vinegar-type dressing. Didn't walk the pooch tonight because of the fireworks. He is too upset and I don't want to traumatize my good walking buddy. We will walk later this week. Well, I should go now and drink another 4 cups of water. It is kinda warm tonight. Here's hoping that each of you has a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

Melissa, good to see you back at the thread. You and me--we are going to do well at the BBQs--right? Planning ahead helps and I'm trying to let my plans carry the day. Have a great OP celebration tomorrow.

Maggie, you are really customizing the program to meet your needs. WTG Maggie! I know that every single bit of effort will pay off big time for you.

Terri, thanks for your kind pat on the back. It got me to thinking and I came in today with an OP day. Well, whadda know? Glad that you had a fun birthday celebration at the restaurant. Nice going on the take-home of the pasta! I am just amazed at the quantity that they provide at some restaurants, as a single-serving. Keep in mind that I used to eat that entire entre that would probably serve six! We're changing, aren't we? Have a great OP day tomorrow.

Brenda, good to hear from you. Ah, swimming. Something that I think about, but am kinda embarassed to do. I know, I know--I should be more self-confident about it. Anyway, I vicariously enjoyed your swim in Lake Huron. Wow, lady. You are exercising up a storm!! Go Brenda go!!! Just be sure to take good care of that knee. Have a good one, you exercise queen!

Chatty, Geri, and all of my other friends out there, hope that you're each having a great OP evening and have fun plans for the holiday. I'm thinking of you. Have a good one.

Happy4th of July

Hello ladies! It is very late here so I will not be my usual long winded self, I'll have to catch you all up at a later time. But I wanted to reply to all of you so I won't get any further behind.

Annie: Aren't you the one that lives outside of Lansing?

Maggie: sorry about the gain. Are you sure going that low in points is a good idea? Just listen to your body. It will tell you what's right.

Chatty: Installing playground equipment sounds like great exercise especially when it's "hot, humid and sticky".

Cindy: That evaluation for your anunt will be the best thing for her. I know what you mean about her cooperating to go with you. Depending on how far gone in her dementia she is you might be able to fool/coax her into going if you don't tell her it's to the doctor. I know it seems devious but you have to tell yourself it is for HER own good. It's hard. We had to do that with my dad. Does someone have guardianship for her? Hope you enjoyed the pedicure. I'm 47 and have never had one.

Terri: Sorry I missed your birthday soooooo HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR TERRI! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, DH and I are feeling better now that he's employed. I'll have my DH watch for your DH when he watches the race Sunday.

Brenda: Sorry to hear about your fall. OUCH!!!! Sounds like you have been exercising your little heart out. Good for you.

Melissa: Glad you decided to come back. Good luck with your neighborhood get together. Sounds like great fun!

Gotta run. Too late, can't stay awake.

"The human mind cannot hold two opposing thoughts at the same time, so if you hold a positive thought you will not have room for a negative one." - Lily Tomlin

I think this gif is thanks to Maggie.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY MY AMERICIAN FRIENDS!

Well, weigh in was much better this week. The couple I had gained and one more gone. I'm back to 101 and hopefully moved away from my plateau....

Thin: Good to hear from you, hope your back on track, you have to stay strong during the tougher times..... I know just how you are feeling. You'll be fine, we all know you can do this.

Luna: Have a great time at the BBQ, and that was a great choice with the fruit/tomato salad. As for only thinking about swimming, I realized this weekend that I have wasted about 20 years of wonderful swimming and just getting cooled off in the water. It was very difficult for me to put on the bathing suit in my house let alone walking on the beach. I'm still over 300 pounds and very flabby right now. If I can do it I know you can.....don't waste any more time, I promise you will be so happy you did it. The funny thing is I don't think anyone on the beach even gave me a second glance. It's all in our own heads, most people just don't take the time to look at others, they are very busy enjoying themselves. Just get a big bath sheet to wrap in when you get out. That helped me alot.

Melissa: I'm glad your sticking around, this is the most supportive place I've been able to be part of. Lot of friendly real caring people here. We listen, we share and we motivate each other..... WELCOME AGAIN. I hope you enjoy the time with your brother and at the BBQ. I'm sure you'll make good choices and if you slip up a bit, it's OK it's only one afternoon. Hope you get to see the fireworks.

Maggie: Hi, well you are right, I was having a wonderful time, I only wish I was still back at the trailer. I like your thoughts about the points and I have to agree that we need to prepare for the smaller points range. Please be careful though, too many days at the low range may be a bit drastic but you will be able to tell. You have to be careful that your body doesn't think it's starving, it holds on to all the food you eat if it does. Keep me posted on how it's working and how your stomach is reacting to the smaller food intake. I bet you'll be just fine.

Well it's time for me to get to work, I'm working today because I took Monday off for the holiday. The drive in was wonderful, almost no traffic at all. The office is also very quite, only me in so far and I think only my boss will be in today.

Take care everyone and have a great OP day and a wonderful JULY 4th!


Brenda
430/328.8/170 in 2002

Good Thursday afternoon ladies, I hope that you each had a wonderful 4th and/or great day! I did okay at the BBQ. Certainly not perfect, but far better than I would have done without trying to stay OP. Politely refused my friends' offer to take food home. Left empty handed and couldn't have felt better. Although I went over on the points, I'm back in control today. Feel pretty good about staying OP today. Still many hours to go and another dinner out tonight. But, I am resolved to do it. The weather here is just gorgous. In the low 70s with low humidity, clear skies and bright sun. Make me smile as I write this. Took a vacation day today so I'm really enjoying the day off. Will have to go back in the office tomorrow, but that's okay because it will be Friday and hardly anyone will be there. A very quiet day to be sure. Here's hoping that you are having a great OP day today and are fully "recovered" from your holiday festivities! Be well, my friends. Cindy

Brenda, congrats on your latest weight loss. You are doing so magnificently and are such an inspiration. I know that you are feeling and looking great! Thanks for the encouragement on the swimming. I will do it again, one of these days. First, I will have to buy a swimsuit. I don't even have one anymore. I like the idea of getting a bathsheet to bring with to the beach. I know that I have one of those already. Brenda, hope that your knee is feeling better and that you are being gentle with it. Have a good one.

Maggie, I am so in awe of your determination and will. You will find the perfect way to get where you want to be. I have no doubt about that. I read Dottis journey and really admire her too. I know that I can't do that plan right now, but it sounds like a good one. Hope that you are having a great day and a refreshing drink!

Geri, how are you doing there lady? Hope that cool refreshing breezes are blowing across the lake to you as I write! Thanks for your encouragement on my aunt. No one currently has guardianship but we believe that the evaluations are the first step needed before going to court and having a guardian appointed. I agree totally with you that a few little white lies here and there will help us handle her and keep her healthy and safe. Whew! It is really difficult (as I know that you know, first hand). We're hanging in there! Hope that you are having a great day.

Terry, Chatty, Melissa, Annie, hope that you ladies are enjoying your day and having fun. Stop in when you can.

Hello Ladies! I have really been trying my darnest (sp?) to get back here to all of my friends. Wheeew, it's been a couple of doozey days! Heck tomorrow it will be a week since I wrote anything substantial. Anyway, here's the rundown:

My car salesman was still 'dinking' with us on Monday morning so in the meantime over the weekend, hubby and I got on-line and found 3 vans that fit our needs at another local dealer and Monday morning I had to go down and re-do all the paperwork for the new van. Geesh! The stuff you gotta go through! Now I'm trying to fight with GMAC because my lease payment was due on the 30th of June for July and I took delivery of the new van on July 2nd. I hoping to get some of my July payment back. Wish me luck!

Yesterday and today I am finally doing better with food. Prior to this it has been an absolute disaster! All my own fault, but maddening, none the less!

DH is back to work! WooHoo! It's a long drive, but I think he'll be ok. He seems to be happy doing 'something' again, even though I worked his butt off while he was home.

My youngest is having trouble with his co-op job assignment, still doesn't know where he's supposed to be working this summer. He's been trying to get ahold of a supervisor for a month and no one will return his calls or his e-mail. He is supposed to start Monday, but now will not. Yikes!

My honey's 30 year class reunion is on the 21st of July and I look like the Goodyear blimp! Our trip is in another 3 months and no arrangements have been made, not that I would fit in an airline seat at this point anyway!

Hopefully, some of my stress will soon be released and I will be able to stay on-track. NOT!!!! Cross your fingers.

Terri: Glad you're still hanging in here!

Maggie: I'm sure the points spread will work for you. It's just a matter of 'tweeking' it all.

Brenda: Sounds like you're back on track! Good for you!

Cindy: We'll get there, girlfriend! It's a comin'!!! Hey, if you ever need to dump/chat about your aunt, you know how to reach me.

Gotta go ladies. Almost time to put on some dinner. It's nice a cool here so I think I'll do Taco Soup. Nice and low-point!!!!

"The merit of an action lies in finishing it to the end." - Genghis Khan

Good Evening Ladies,
It was a beautiful day in Indiana, 73 degrees, a nice breeze, no humidity and no clouds in the sky! Unfortunately I worked today, but I did get to go outside once and was off by 3:00 so I did get to enjoy some of it! Happy to report the I lost 6.2# my first week! So that is a nice start to this journey. Now, wouldn't it be nice to lose that every week.

I spent Saturday in the heat working to put the playground in. It was Hot! No problem getting my water in as I drank five 24 ounce bottles of water. I think I was sweating it out as fast as I was putting it in. Anway, it is almost done, just awaiting some extra pieces and then it will be all set for the little ones to play on in the fall when school starts.

Hope everyone had a great 4th. I sure felt like Monday at work today. Holidays in the middle of the week are confusing.

Well better scoot. Have that 6:30 start time tomorrow and I feel my bed starting to call me!

Chatty