If you have 50 or more pounds to lose, or are in the process of losing, this is the group for you! So jump on in and join; you'll be sure to get a warm welcome!

Janet, I am so glad that Matthew is improving, and is home. I hope his appetite improves soon. When we had that problem with my Dad, his doctor gave him some appetite-enhancing pills; maybe that would help Matthew?

Linda, I can really empathize with you in this situation. I have been really struggling to stay within my +2 lifetimer limit, and there were weeks last month when my home scale showed me several pounds over! In the past few months, I have even gone so far as to weigh the clothes I planned to wear to WI, to find the lightest, and it was lucky I did, too. And my ww goal isn't where I want or need to be, either; I just chose the highest allowed. I guess it will be a constant struggle for us, but I have faith that we can do it, all of us. I just know that you will get back down to goal!

Re: feeling hungry, I have a book at home that lists the ten most filling foods; oranges, apples, and potatoes were on the list, and I'll look up the rest. Also, those Anne Fletcher books Thin for Life and Cooking Thin for Life always give me a boost when I'm down. Walking lifts my spirits too; when I didn't walk, during that freezing spell, I could really tell the difference in my mood.

JOYce, darn that wind! I'm sorry your garden goddess is no more. Do you think you might make another one some day?

You know, I think maybe all of us need to do some of that "positive self-talking" stuff! Y'all are without a doubt among the kindest, loveliest ladies, inside and out, that I've ever met. Temporary setbacks like this are just that, temporary! We've all learned so much about healthy cooking, strategies for trips, all kinds of things; I know we can put that to good use, and reach our goals. (Y'all have given me terrific advice over the last two years, that got me through all kinds of potential disasters!) So let's not be so hard on ourselves; what we weigh is not who we are.

(Getting down from soapbox now!) Have a great week!
Regards,
Jan

Boy, it's quiet in here!

I promised that list of the "10 most satisfying foods," so here 'tis:
"Researchers in Australia have actually identified the foods most likely to quell hunger pangs. The top 10: potatoes, fish, oatmeal, oranges, apples, whole wheat pasta, beefsteak, grapes, air-popped popcorn, and bran cereal."
(from Prevention: Women's Health Today 2001.)

I ordered the book Volumetrics from half.com yesterday (about $5 total, w/shipping). Self magazine rated it highly. I think it's about choosing high bulk, high fiber foods; will "review" it for y'all if you'd like. Maybe it will help me break out of this looong plateau! I can see why WW has 155 as the highest acceptable weight for my height; I still have a "spare tire" around the middle that just has to go! (Have y'all seen the Self magazine challenge that just started last week? It's at challenge.self.com .)

We're heading to the beach this weekend, and I can hardly wait! Dh is taking a half day off on Friday so we can leave after I get off work, at lunchtime. We'll be doing lots of walking, I hope, and I may try to take my kayak if it's not too windy. We'll try to cook most of the time; usually you can get fresh shrimp and fish on the docks. And Dad will have a blast feeding the seagulls; we've been hoarding old bread in the freezer all winter, just for that! (They love the shrimp heads, too.)

What is everyone planning for this weekend? Any Easter plans yet?

Jan

Jan, Thanks for the food info, that's good to know, I'll give it a try, eating those things. They make a lot of sense.
I envy your trip to the beach this weekend, sounds like fun!
I know you will have a great time!

dh and I are going trailer shopping, which reminds me I want to check the Rose Bowl website, I saw on t.v., something about a bit RV show there, I think it is this weekend.
Our trailer is too big now that the girls don't go with us, so want to get a shorter one.

better go check that out, before I forget.

We went to 17 yr old DGD's soccer banquet last night, she got a nice trophy for Most Improved Player on Varsity.

Tonight we went out to our dd's to celebrate a dgd's 10th bday. lots o fun!

gotta scoot!

JAN, thanks for your honesty and your pep talk. You made me feel a lot better about my situation. I wrote down the filling foods you listed; thanks for that. I just bought a box of oat bran with which to make hot cereal (I don't like the texture of oatmeal), and I was glad to read that oatmeal was on the list -- I am assuming that oat bran will also be filling. It is also lots less expensive than cold-type cereals -- can you believe how expensive a box of cereal can be? Today I decided that I would never buy another box of cereal that was over $3. Some of them are close to $5 a box. Have a wonderful time at the beach -- I am so happy for you that your sweet Dad is such an important part of your and dh's lives. Enjoy your time together, and eat lots of fish! (Great idea about having frozen bread for the seagulls. Hope he has a good time tossing it to them.)

Oh, also JAN -- I would love a review of the book you just ordered. Thanks for the offer.

Good morning, everyone. Sorry to be gone for so long. It's a hectic time.
Still no baby! DD goes to the doctor again Monday and there will be a definite decision as to whether to induce her labor or section her at that time. The baby is quite large. With her having a previous section, they are leaning that way. Quite frankly, I wish the doctor would make up her mind and just do it. I'm really quite worried about dd. She is feeling miserable and is huge. And, on top of that, she's had a nasty cold all week that she had caught from little sweetie, and of course she can't take much of anything for it due to being pregnant. Her fever is gone, but she still has a cough and almost no voice. Last night she was sitting up in a chair at 1 AM- couldn't lie down without coughing. As if that wasn't enough, lilttle sweetie kept waking up crying last night- we think it's his ears, so she started him on an antibiotic he's been given before at about 11 PM. He's one of those kids who never wakes up like that- he goes to bed at 8 and sleeps through till 7 or 7:30 A.M., so something is wrong.
I've still been working extra hours- and also trying to keep caught up too so I can be off when dgd makes her entrance. My "spare time" has been spent working on the stuff I need for my Florida nursing license.I finally finished getting together the stuff I need for the license application- including the over $300 total it's costing me to apply- and will get to the post office and get that out after work today. It's a relief to finally have that done- hopefully they won't need any additional stuff or make me take an exam. Next I have to start a serious long distance job search.
It's hard to believe that 2 months from now I'll be in Florida and my job here that I love so much will be a thing of the past. I'm both looking forward to and dreading the change. I'm definitely ready to have my own space again. I love my family, but their life and home are pretty chaotic and at my age I like occasional peace and quiet.
You all spoke of having trouble staying op- I'm in that club with you. I've gained 5-7 pounds, but it's a miracle it isn't more. It will be much easier to get back on track once I am moved and can buy and eat what I chose. Their dietary habits are quite different from mine.
Well, ladies, I'd better run. I'm due in Virginia today. Sorry to make this a run-on "poor me" post- I promise to do better next time. Just felt the need to vent a little.
Hope everyone has a great weekend- Jan, I envy you your beach trip! Our weather here will be beach-like(upper 70's), so I hope to get out and enjoy it some way- despite the early pollen!
Talk to you all soon.
Carol

Carol, wow, are you busy! Thank goodness your dd has you there to help through all this, but I know it must be hard on you. How exciting it will be, though, to welcome your new dgd into the world! I have a feeling the road or airways between Ocala and Maryland will be pretty busy in future years. (Won't it be fun showing your dgd and dgs the manatees some day?!)

Linda, I'm with you, I'm no oatmeal fan. We have it sometimes, to help dh's cholesterol (and he loves it). I don't see why oat bran wouldn't do the same thing, though. It probably even has more fiber! I know what you mean re: cereal prices. Kashi is our favorite, but we have to shop around to find it under $4! That new book (Volumetrics) hasn't arrived yet, but will be sure to post about it when it does. From what I've heard, it's supposed to be very practical and healthy.

JOYce, did you find the trailer you wanted? How wonderful that your DGD got a trophy! And I'm sure she was excited that y'all were there to see her get it, too. How was the birthday party?

Janet, I hope Matthew continues to improve!

Texaslady, haven't heard from you in a while; sure hope everything is all right! Any news on the surgery?

Kendra, how's it going?

We're heading to the beach in a few hours so I won't be posting for a few days. Already have the kayak loaded in the van, as well as cooking utensils, baked chips, swimsuit (we can always hope...) and such. I'm taking the digital camera I got for Christmas, so will try to post some pics of Dad feeding the seagulls when I get back! (He's been packed for 3 days now! We are all *so* ready for this break ...)

Everyone have a great weekend!
Regards,
Jan

CAROL, I second JAN'S remarks about its being a good thing that you are there for your dd. I can imagine how concerned you are about her cold and cough. It's too bad about sweetie's ears, I hope that he will be over that soon. And I think that it will probably be easier for you to be OP more regularly when you are cooking for yourself, and choosing what you eat. And with JAN as our resident cheerleader, how can we (not) lose?

JAN, I imagine that you are gone by now. I'm glad to read that you will try to post some pix of your df, and please post some of yourselves, too! Hope you all have a blessed time at the beach together.

Happy Friday, everyone!

WAIT JAN!! You forgot me!! I wanna go!!
Oh well, another time.

I went back to WW today. {I know, you didn't know I hadn't been in a cupla weeks} I get so frustrated! I got some encouragement from a friend of mine yesteday and a "You gotta do it" from dh. I know that I have to do it for myself though.
I hate to have to huff n puff when I walk upstairs!
.........Tomorrow is the big trailer search, should get lots o walkin in!

Carol , sounds like Monday might tell the tale! Maybe You'll have a dgd born on the fisrt day of Spring next Wed.! and hopefully your dd will be feeling a lot better by then. and little sweetie too! It will all be traumatic enuf for him, with Mom leaving and coming home with a little sis, without him being sick! Poor babe!

My mom's bday is on the 21st, so am leaving on Wednesday to spend Thursday with her and come home Friday.
AAARRGGH that means I will miss my regular WI! guess I can do that Sat a.m., before I go to the doll/ceramic show. There just aren't enuf days to get it all done!

Janet, Anxious to hear a report on Matthew.

JOYce, good for you, making that WW mtg! I hope you had good luck in your trailer search? I know what you mean about losing it for yourself; that's so true. That has to be the main reason, though it's sure nice to see others happy for you, too.

Linda, thanks, we had a lovely time; just got back this afternoon. Will post some pics tomorrow. Dad must have fed ten loaves of bread to those gulls! And I got to take my kayak out in the bay, & saw all kinds of birds. We also went to Corpus Christi Sat. morning for a WW mtg., and the leader turned out to be Ann, the one I started with here! It was great seeing her again. Dh lost 3 pounds, too!

Guess I'd better turn in; back to the "real world" tomorrow morning!
Hi to Carol, Texaslady, Janet, and Kendra; hope you had a great weekend too!
Luv,
Jan

Hi girls - Sorry to have been AWOL again. Like Joyce, I feel there just aren't enough hours in the day to get things done and soon the day has turned into a week!!

Carol - Sorry that your dd is having such a difficult time. I think any of us who have experienced those last weeks of pregnancy can symphathize with how uncomfortable she is feeling. Let us know what the dr said today when you can. I am glad to hear you are getting along the way to getting your license in Florida. I never stopped to think that nursing licenses aren't accepted in any state no matter where issued. Guess it's like practicing law - you have to pass the bar in any state you wish to practice in. I know how ambivilant you are feeling about the move, but I also think that you will be so happy to have your own space again!

Jan - How great you guys got away to the beach again! Did you go to Rockport? How was the weather? DId you get into the water or is it still too cold? It's been warm here again lately but even though rain is forecast every day, we don't get much. My yard is nowhere near as green as it usually is by now. I haven't even had to call our the mow people yet. Strange. Thanks for being our resident cheerleader! We need it! Let us know about the book. And I know that oatmeal really does fill me up and lasts all morning if I have it for breakfast - and I actually do like the sticky stuff!

Linda - Bless you heart - I KNOW how frustrating it is to start gaining back weight! I have been so stressed about this surgery that I found myself eating like there was no tomorrow!! What's up with that??? It's like - Boy, I better eat this now because who knows when I might be able to have it again! LIke it's going to disappear from the earth or something! You hang in there. You know the drill and you have been successful. I know that you can do it again.

Joyce - Ditto for you! You have been on such a roller coaster. It's easy to get frustrated. But I am so proud of you for keeping on. Just think how much worse you would feel if you weren't really trying to stay op? Hope you have a nice visit with your Mom.

Janet - Good to hear that your nephew is home again and recovering. I am sure that teen-age appetite will kick in soon and he will be devouring everything in sight (maybe like some of us have been doing, hmmmmmmmmm???) Sorry about the dog yuck - such is life with pets (and kids!). But we love them anyway, don't we? I still miss having a dog around but not enough to get another one, I guess.

No news yet on the surgery. I called for a follow-up appointment and the doctor told me that since I was still feeling OK, just to wait and come in on April 4. So the wait is still on and I don't know much more than I did before - except that I know the problem is still there! Everything is still the same around here - I work and commute and that's about it. I did work in the yard a bit this week-end and I remembered muscles I had forgotten about! But I got a lot of weeds pulled and some of my crepe myrtles cut back. My neighbor offered to finish them for me. He and his family are so sweet - they are always doing yard stuff for me. I had spent a hour or so on Saturday trimming the trees and had to stop and bake birthday cake for dd so I left all the trimmings on the ground knowing I would finish the job Sunday and pick everything up. When I went out Sunday morning, all the trimmings had been hauled away. I promptly went next door and thanked the "yard fairies" for their help!

Gotta go. Have a great week, everyone.

Thanks, TEXASLADY, for your vote of confidence regarding my having gained some of the weight back. You are very supportive, which makes me want to try even harder to get back OP. I have started eating oat bran (rather than oatmeal, as I don't like the "mouth feel" of it) because of something JAN had mentioned, and even with a tablespoon of sugar on it (I have an incurable sweet tooth) it comes out to only two points per serving, which satisfies me for a long time. And the fiber is really keeping my "pipes" clean! (sorry, but I wanted to add that if anyone needs a "spring cleaning," herself.) How lovely it is that you have nice neighbors, AKA "Yard Fairies!" How kind of them to have helped you out like that. Sorry to read that the doctor thinks that the surgery is still necessary; we were all hoping for a medical miracle, I think. And don't knock yourself over the head for overeating. Sometimes we just do that to keep ourselves sane in difficult times....

Texaslady, good to hear from you! Was getting worried. I'm glad that you're still feeling OK, but sure wish the doctor wasn't still considering the surgery. What great neighbors you have, to help with the yard so much! Wish we had some yard fairies too ... ours is simply awful! But if the weather holds this weekend, we may at least plant some pots. Still haven't broken ground for the walkway; don't know where the time goes! And yes, we went to that same place in Rockport. It was too cold to swim, but I got to kayak a bit and take some long walks with Dh. (I posted a few pictures and pm'd everyone the address.)

Linda, I'll try that bran; sounds better than oatmeal!

Dh and I stayed pretty close to program (he did; I was a bit over!) but it's not easy unless you do all your own cooking; seems like all the restaurants have is fried stuff. We did get mesquite-smoked fish at one place, which was great; threw out the rice pilaf, though. (Why do they serve half a gallon of that stuff on each plate?!!) Another place's menu looked hopeless until Dh spotted a veggie burger and boiled shrimp; we ordered one of each and shared, and it was great. The other meals we cooked in, baked fish, shrimp ceviche, stuff like that. I am so excited to see Dh's determination to make this work! He's lost almost 14 pounds so far! And I'm back down a bit, below goal, anyway, though not anywhere near my personal goal yet. I think I'll step up the walking a bit, maybe go a little farther. The weather's better, and the flowers are starting to bloom, so that should help too.

Hope everyone has a great week! Hi to Carol, JOYce and Janet; Kendra, come back!
Luv,
Jan

where is everybody?

Here I am, Jan!

Got a message from Carol as you probably did, too. The new grandbaby has arrived so that probably explains her absence. I am sure she already has her hands full. Will be anxious to hear about the newest family member when she gets a minute - and, of course, we need to see pictures!

Speaking of pictures, I enjoyed the ones of you guys at the beach. Your Dad looks like he was surely enjoying himself - good idea of your to stay "under" the shed! I couldn't make the pics enlarge by clicking on them - probably my dumb computer - but I could see them pretty good anyway. Thanks for sharing!

Was your day as beautiful as it was here? Gosh, if there was ever a perfect day to play hooky - this was surely it! Fantastic - and all I could do is enjoy it through the window by by desk. Oh well, at least I HAVE a window - which is more than I could say a few weeks ago.

Just wanted to check in to see if we had news from Carol. I see that there is some ice skating on TV tonight so I will plan to tune in. I had Olympic withdrawal for days after the games were over so this will be a nice "fix" for me! Have a great Friday - will check in again later.