Mornin. Made it through the move relatively unscathed. I'm tired, but pretty much everything is now in the condo. I have a few things left at M's and will pick them up sometime over the next few weeks.

How is everyone else? Pretty quiet here last week. Hope you all haven't moved on to new groups in my absence

Susan: Thanks for getting the thread up and running this morning! Glad your move went well--it's got to be a bit of a relief to get into a place of your own. It was definitely quiet here last week. I hope this week is a little more lively.

It was kind of a crazy week for me--we tied up our Daffodil sales, went to a couple of meetings, almost went over the edge with getting our WW at Work running (why is it people wait until the final hour to call and cancel???), and basic stuff in general. I had a productive meeting with my doctor and they've switched my blood pressure meds to Zestoretic and have started me on a low dose of Synthroid. I told her I was more upset with the fact that my energy level was in the pits. I've started both meds and she said it would take a couple of weeks before I feel all the effects. I have a follow up appointment with her in April along with some follow up blood work to see where my levels are. She said I'm just over the top of the range for thyroid but from what I've read it can be just enough to cause the problems I've been experiencing.

Chicago was brutally cold this weekend--didn't go outside hardly at all. Temp on Saturday morning was -8 Fahrenheit and at noon it had only gotten to 0! Brrrr. I did take my sneakers and utilized the elliptical in the hotel--it felt good. It's cold here this morning (18) but the sun keeps peeking in and out so it brightens things up considerably. My eating over the weekend wasn't too bad--I will admit that Saturday I enjoyed the German butter cheese and hard rolls at the meeting

How was everyone else's weekend? Hi to Lala, Pam, Lisa, Austingal, Noble!

Hi ladies,

It's cold here too Melissa...temps were only in the low 20's all weekend. Suppose to warm up today maybe as high as 40 which would be a huge improvement.
Had a nice weekend. We went out with my sister and brother in law on Friday night. Got some work done at home on Saturday and watched a little of the Olymics. DH enjoys watching the curling, but I don't "get it".

Susan I'm so glad you're moved in. That must be a nice feeling. I agree it was pretty quiet here last week, is lala on vacation??

Melissa hope the new meds work out for you. Yikes Chicago was very cold...I'm so looking forward to Spring!

Kind of quiet here today, some people are off because of the holiday. I'll be back later.

I went out at lunchtime and bought Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover. It's attractive to me because it's a three-month program, sorta boot camp style, and I believe that may be just what I need right now. I can still eat along WW guidelines and follow his suggestions for exercise and other behaviour management stuff. Can't hurt; might help.

Am having a difficult time concentrating now that I'm back to work. I hope that passes soon; I have a ton of stuff to catch up on having been gone for the better part of four weeks.

Guess I should try harder though.

Later,

Hi from sunny Florida (sorry). It has warmed up here compared to last week where I was wearing a hat, scarf and gloves with a coat! Went to see my parents in St. Pete this weekend. It was a good visit. DH and I helped my dad assemble some patio furniture and put up a large painting. Went with my sister to pick out some new light fixtures. It was fun spending her money. Foodwise, I did so-so, but kept up the exercise.

Susan, so glad your move went smoothly. I'm sure your place will look beautiful soon.

Melissa, your thyroid can really mess you up. I hope things work out for you.

Hi, Pam, yes, it's a holiday for some. I almost forgot about no mail today. Sorry it's cold. Do you have a lot of snow on the ground?

Hello to Austingal, Noble1, lala.

Hi, All

Sorry for the radio silence, and thanks so kindly for continuing to include me in your posts!!! It has been so hectic here - my father had a heart attack a few weeks ago, and things have been a bit crazy. He is recovering well - they put a couple stints in his heart, and it appears that no major damage was done. Was very scary, though. During the heart attack, he developed a scary lung problem which showed up as a "shadow" on his lung Xray. That has cleared up completely, though. Thanks goodness. We made the road-trip to Houston to see him this past weekend, to satisfy myself that he looks like he is doing well. And he does look well. Whew! We made the road-trip in the new Honda Odyssey van, which we finally purchased after months of dithering.

Weight-wise, am at a plateau, and have decided to start attending meetings again this week, since I don't seem to be losing any of this extra 20 lbs I've gained lately!

Susan - so glad to hear that your condo sale seems to have been completed and that you are moved in. Last I heard, things were touch and go with the condo purchase. Good for you, and "here's to new beginnings"! Don't know why you were away from work for 4 weeks, but I hope it wasn't anything bad.

Melissa - Brrrr! And here I was feeling sorry for myself because it has been in the low 30's here the past few days. I'll be quiet now... Sorry to hear about the thyroid trouble. I am going in for a physical next week, and am kind of fearing the bloodwork. Now that I know heart disease runs in my family , I am afraid of what the blood screenings may show. Hope your new meds work well for you.

Pam - I don't get it with the curling either. I have enjoyed watching the skating, skiing, snowboarding, etc. But curling? I have a co-worker who thinks her new "catch phrase" is the funniest thing -- "Curling, it is sweeping the nation." Whatever! Guess you would probably be happy with our "warmer" temps here, but I'm not used to these colder temps!!

Domina - hope you send some of that warmer weather over west to us. Hope all is going well with your acting and singing - any good gigs lately? Like you, I enjoyed my weekend visit with my parents this past weekend. Isn't it nice to be within driving distance?

Lala - hope all is going well with you.

Noble1 - never met ya, but if you hang out with these ladies then you are aces with me! Welcome to the group!

Hi Ladies,

I made lifetime January 3rd. I'm still hanging in there. I love my ww meetings.

Just like coming here for the extra support. Have a great evening!

Debbie Rison

Congratulations, Debbie!!! Well done.

Kudos, Debbie.

AustinGal, welcome back!!! We've been worried about you. Sorry to hear about your dad, but the stents should work fine. Yes, it's good to be within driving distance. DH's mother is thousands of miles away and it's so hard with her being in a wheelchair and at home, etc...

Susan, went to a Pilates class last night and it was great. There were only a couple ones that I had a difficult time with. I actually feel taller today!

Good morning! Snow is swirling outside my window as I write this post--it's supposed to clear up later today and we may even see some sunshine! Temps are holding in the 20's but we are supposed to see some warmer weather tomorrow.

My sinuses have kicked into high gear--woke this morning with a pounding headache and overall "yuck" feeling. Made a call to the doctor to see if I can get a prescription to nip this in the bud. It was a struggle to come to work this morning. My head feels like it's stuffed with cotton!

Debbie: Congratulations on attaining Lifetime!!! Please join us! I made LT July 1999 and still attend weekly meetings. I really enjoy them. I'm the mother of a 21 and 14 year old boys.

Austin: Good to hear from ya! Like you, I have heart disease in my family and even though I'm at a good weight, active, etc. my BP is high and my cholesterol is also up a little...doctor said it's genes and nothing that I'm doing *sigh*. Better that we are aware of our tendency/history than to not know. Hope your dad recovers quickly. My dad had his first heart attack at age 56 (ended up with triple bypass) and is now 78! It's amazing what they can do.

Lisa: I'm hoping the meds for the thyroid help with the energy level--she did say it could take a couple of weeks before I notice. I am feeling a little better energy-wise, now to get the sinuses under control and I'd be even better! I talked to my GF on Saturday and she said it was near 80--it sounded wonderful compared to the 4 degrees I was standing in at the El in Chicago!

Susan: Give yourself a couple of days to get back into the swing of things at work--it's hard to get moving again after being off for such a long period of time. You'll be fine!!

Pam: Spring is just around the corner--I think February is a hard month but at least it's a short one!

Lala: How's London??

Hi everybody.

Welcome Debbie and congratulations on making goal! This is a great support group as well as a wonderful place for tips on everthing from home renovation to the latest movies and plays to recipes to travel. I reached goal for the third time in December 1999 and kept it off until about two years ago when I started training for a half-marathon. This also coincided with menopause and between the two, I've gained about 10 lbs. I have not been in the right frame of mind since then to tackle the excess, but I'm starting to feel like I can devote myself to it again, now that the move is behind me.

Austingal: I lost my Dad on Feb. 5th. My ex - who I separated from in September - lost his Dad on Jan. 25th. I moved over the weekend. What can I say? It can only get better. I'm glad to hear that your father's operation was successful. It makes all the difference when you can see for yourself that he's ok, doesn't it?

Pam: I love watching curling, but I can understand how little appeal it would have if you've never played the game. I've seen virtually none of these Olympics, but I heard that the Canadian women's hockey team won gold yesterday. That should shut a few Canadian male mouths for a day or two

Melissa: Sorry to hear you're under the weather. Are you normally bothered by allergies this time of year? I have been stuffed up since the weekend. Hope that's not a reaction to something in my new place.

Lisa: I know exactly what you mean by feeling taller. I always feel somehow "different" after a Pilates class. I intend to hit the gym after work for a run. It's been way too long.

It's a great day here - bright, sunny and not too cold. No snow. Am starting to think spring, but I know that's much too premature for this part of the world. But I can dream, can't I?

Hi ladies,


Welcome Debbie, you're doing great! I made goal 3 years ago and was able to maintain it through May 2005. Right now I'm about 4lbs over. Coincidently my goal weight is also 123 ish. Hope you keep posting with us.

Welcome back Austin, we missed you. Glad to hear your Dad is recovering well. I'm sure that was a scary time for you and your family. Hey, glad you made the decision to get the Honda, last time we "chatted" you were still looking. Cute catch phrase, I'll have to pass it on to DH who is just loving the sport?!

Susan Yeah for the women's hockey team. Dh tells me the Canadian womens curling team is doing very well also. Are you enjoying the Bob Greene total body workout??

Lisa no snow on the ground here, last weeks temps in the high 40's took care of that. Hope we don't get any more this season. I think I'm going to give Pilates a try.

Melissa it's warming up here. Should reach 40 today. My sister is going for a another stress test today and a ct scan, she also has heart problems and oddly enough she is the only one in our family who does.

Well ladies I need to get something for lunch and then get some work done here. Hope you all have a great day.

Pam, try Pilates, you'll like it. It's good for the whole body.

Susan, I was reading your post about gaining weight when you were training for a 1/2 marathon and I had a thought. I'm also struggling with keeping the weight off and I'm running (albeit not as far as you go). I think I have a mind thing going that tells me: "You're running, so you can eat more!!" What do you think? I really believe that is what I'm doing. I'm eating more than I have since reaching lifetime 3 years ago.

Lisa: You're right on the money as far as I'm concerned. I really did give myself permission to regress into some bad eating habits while I was in training. The exercise can only burn off so much of it, and I misjudged the cut-off point.

This time around (yep, thinking of doing another half at the end of May), I am going to hold to normal amounts of food. Hope that will get the excess off.

Not much new to report. Gave myself a night off from unpacking last nite but I'll be back at it tonight. I tried to run on the treadmill at the gym yesterday but I had misplaced my puffer (have since found it). After about 10 minutes of running I could feel my chest constricting so had to be content to walk the rest of the time.