Just popping in for a quick HI to everyone.

Terri, thanks for that link.....I like the How on Program are You? checklist......am posting it on my frig, an effective visual reminder!

Sandy and Janie, the gains will occur, for whatever reasons. We have to put them away and be positive about the next WI.

Ruth, enjoy your break! Sounds like you did well on your exams, good going!

Es, I love the smilies also, but try not to go overboard, having learned the hard way!

HI to everyone, see you later.
~Jen

Happy Thursday!
 

Hi Friends,:wave:

One more day until WI and I'm hangin in there OP. I do so well the first few days and then I start struggling!:?:

JanieD and Sandancy, A small gain is ok, don't let it throw you! Even staying OP you can gain a little! JanieD, Start back on your journal and look to WI next week. Sandancy, I'm get frustrated at how little leeway we have too, but since you are exercising, maybe you are building muscle (?), which weighs more than fat.:D

Hollygirl, Get right back OP and don't beat yourself up for going falling off the wagon. That's life! ;) Every meal on program, is a step toward your goal!

Ruth, Hurray for your good grades and exercise! You go girl!:D

Hello, Jen! Hello everybody else! Let's all try to make it through the week OP!

Mel

Jen & Mel,
Thanks for the positive input. I will definately look ahead to next week's WI.

Holly,
I think that there are 2 kinds of people in this world.(Here I go again Jen...being analytical.) People that eat when they are stressed and skinny people;) Everyone of us in this group has their own favorite comfort food. Mine is chocolate...Milky Way bars :T: to be exact. The important thing is that you get right back OP.

Ruth,
Congratulations on your terrific grades. You are awesome girl!!!

:wave: to Myra, Terri, Sandy, Es, Dianne, Zoe, Pogo. I hope I didn't forget anyone.

Hugs,
JanieD

That's what I love about this thread.....everyone brings something different.....there you go again, Janie, being analytical :lol: but you are so right about there being two different kinds of people in this world.......my take on it is that there are two classifications....skinny people and people who love to eat, whatever the reason. I definitely belong to the latter.

{As a disclaimer: I know there are many thin people who love to eat. My best friend can eat whatever she likes, and never never shows it. THAT'S the type I mean.}

Janie, all I can say is that you've got good taste....mmm. I love Milky Ways.

Dianne, where are you?

later,
~Jen

when I reach goal
 

I've decided how I'm going to reward myself when I reach my goal weight -- I'm going to get a red dress of some sort! I've wanted one for a while (I look and feel good in red) but I just think at my current weight I'd look something like a firetruck. AAAACKK!!! My mini-goals will be accessories or something like that, definitely not food though :eek:

Hope you all are having a GREAT week and getting ready for a good weekend :) Chat w/ you again later!

Mel,
Good luck on Friday. My DD is only 16 so she is very near me. :lol: I haven't lived by my mom or sister since 1983. They are in Ohio and I was in Fl. and now Al. I miss them all the time.
:(

JanieD,
Great attitude. Hang in there. It'll come off.

HollyGirl,
Sorry your day was so rough.

Sandy,
Great job on the exercise. You go!!!!

Es,
I hope it works for you later. That is soooo frustrating. I know!

Ruth,
YAY!!! That is wonderful. What great grades. Now you can spend time for yourself.

Jen,
I like that site. They have all the things I am interested in.

I went to the gym 3 days this week. It will be hard over the summer but I will try hard. It is nice having a teen to watch the boys. TTYL,
Good luck to any Friday weighers.

Terri

Hi Friends,:wave:

I have had the chance this week to be totally obsessed with my garden, and so mostly I have been raking and moving my small mountain of loam (4 cubic yards). I am only 30% done.:strong:
I have a little respite this weekend, we are off to Maine right by the ocean until Sunday.

By the way, my mom is continuing to improve. She is now moving along with a cane rather than the walker. The question now is where she will live. Ever since the car accident she hasn't been able to live on her own. That was in Nov of 1998. She still owns her home, but none of us can see her managing it alone again. My sister-in-law wants her to move out of their house this summer and is becoming uncivil to my mom (sometimes downright mean). We are telling her to move in here, now! I think I will need some support not to stress eat sometimes over this. So thanks ahead of time for any words of wisdom.


Ruth, Way to go on working hard! Those are terrific grades! sometimes when I am off program I work my way back gradually just like you are starting with one aspect like the exercise or journalling.

Holly, I like your idea for rewards. I used to buy myself flowers every week for a loss. Nowadays I think I will reward myself just for weighing in at the meetings with either a loss or a gain. I just want to persist and not punish myself for what might just be a water imbalance.

Mel Thanks for all your encouragement, good Luck with your weigh in today.

Love to all of you - Es, Janie, Terri, Jen, Pogo.
Dianne I hope you are well. and Zoe I hope you enjoyed Virginia.

Embracing the journey,
Sandy

Hi Girls:wave:

Happy Friday(TGIF)!

Terri, good going with the exercise. If I was there I would give you a HIGH FIVE!

HollyGirl, a red dress is very sexy. I want a slinky black dress with thin straps & low back. Or if I'm going formal a long slinky black dress with a low back & a slit on the side. I like mini goals. They are so much more realistic.

Jen, are you spending time with the boys this weekend? My sister wants to go to the Red Lobster Mother's Day:eek: It's going to be packed!

Mel, you are not alone when it comes to struggling. I motivate myself with visualizing myself with summer clothes. Everyday is a struggle but we can do it.

Janie, I love dark chocolate! My favorites are the Dove squares. They're 1 pt each. A serving size is 5 pts. but I would never eat 5 even though it's tempting when I'm stressing at work. Pete likes Milky Ways.

Ruth, sounds like you're back on track. I never continued posting in the walking club thread.:( I am walking on my treadmill 4 days a week plus resistance training with bands.

Oh Jen, I saw the walking tapes for $23 at BJ's. I almost bought them. It took me like 15 minutes to decide. :rolleyes: Do the blue balls:lol:come separate?

Sandy, activity points is the key. Some people don't use them but I do. Maybe not everyday but I take whatever I can get. This program is slow & steady. You'll get there you'll see. ;) That is sooooooooooo cool that you go to the gym with your son.

Amiga Dianne, what's up girl?

Well my Buds, I have an appt. with the hair dresser at 9:30 am.
Gotta get ready.

Have a great day:D

Love,
Es

Dove chocolate and other thoughts
 

Essie -- Dove dark chocolate squares are wonderful!!!!! I'm not sure what I'm getting for Mother's Day, but that would be a great gift! I've hinted at a couple of things, but who knows if the hints were noticed :lol: Also your idea of a slinky black dress sounds great. Not sure where I'd wear one, but I'd love to have one!

I think I decided that my red dress will be a sheath style dress. I just love those, they're so cute and flattering. I don't feel I can wear one right now though 'cause my legs/knees are so chunky. But maybe when I reach goal it'd be better.

Well, gotta go get ready for work. I've just moved my WI day to Friday, so I'm starting the day at 163.5, down 3 lbs. from when I started on 04-30 :D :D :D Wish me luck in the coming week!!

Sandy,
I am so sorry about your mom's situation. Maybe it is better for someone to care for her that has unconditional love. I think a daughter is the best bet. You are wonderful for wanting her to move there. Have a wonderful time in Maine and that is :cool:
about your yard. What great exercise there.
I also love your rewards just for weighing. You should be proud.

Thanks for the High 5 Es. I got it. I aired it after I read this. :lol:
I LOVE Dove. Especially when they are wrapped in foil that look like presents at Christmas. I keep a tupperware of chocolate hidden so the kids and I mean all 4 of them :lol: can't just grab. I told them if they wanted a small amount ask me and I will get it. Just knowing I have it and can have it anytime makes me not obsess over chocolate. Sometimes I will go a week without a piece. It is all a mind game with me.
And a HIGH 5 to you with your exercise. That is great!!!!
BLUE BALLS :lol: :lol:
Speaking of which. I have a big blue exercise ball. I love it!

YAY HollyGirl,
3 pounds is great! You are getting there. I think you will look wonderful in that red dress.
And Es you will look lovely in your black one.

Did anyone cry while watching ER last night?
Bradley (9 yr. old) and I were pathetic last night. We cried during Survivor and ER. What a mess. :lol:

TGIF,
Hi Jen, Ruth, Dianne, Zoe, JanieD, Mel, Myra and Pogo
Terri

Terri, I cried last night during Survivor too; but then, I can cry when I read greeting cards! ER was especially sad. Good idea about the chocolate; and again, you're setting a wonderful example for the kids. :cool:

Es, enjoy Red Lobster on Mother's Day. You'll do well in the week to come, it's important to do something special on our day. Blue Balls! I ordered the set of 3 videos from Amazon and they came with it. Have I used them yet? No....when I walk outdoors I don't use the BB, am waiting for the vcr to be hooked up and see how they're used in the video. The entertainment center should be delivered in a week or so, we won't have any of the video/audio components working till then :( I miss my stereo!

HollyGirl, you're doing well, keep it up! Hope you get what you want for Mother's Day :D

Sandy, your Mom is very lucky to have you to depend on. I love your idea of the weigh-in rewards. Have a great trip.

What's everyone doing for Mother's Day? Jess and her family will be here. I usually spend the day planting flowers, but we're expecting a rainy weekend.

Happy Friday!
~Jen

I'm back, I'm back!!
 

Hi you's guys!! :wave: I'm back from VA and missed y'all so much! I didn't do as well as I wanted to with my eating and will weigh in tomorrow. I guess it's my "starting over" day again.....again....AGAIN!!! <grrrrrrrrr> Anyway, I feel positive in my 'starting over' and feel like I'll do okay.

How was everyone's Cinco de Mayo? That's my anniversary (5/5) and we were in VA for it. but my honey had yellow roses delivered to me at work yesterday since we were away on the actual day....1 yellow rose for each year....23 roses!! :love: :love: He's so sweet!!

Anyway, I just wanted to check in with you's guys and say hi. I am pooped and will read and write more tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening.

Zoe <><

Zoe, ,
Glad you had a great time. Don't worry about starting over that is what we are supposed to do. If not we would all be 400+ pounds. You will do great!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!! That is beautiful about the roses. Such a sweetie!

Jen,
Hope the rain holds out. Bruce and the kids are taking me to a Mother's Day Brunch. I plan to drink Champaign. Maybe we'll put the kids at another table. :lol: Just kidding. Maybe!!!!! ;)
I hope you have a wonderful Mother's day.

That goes for everyone! Have a great weekend.
Oh yeah, We took the kids to see Spiderman. As they said "It was way cool!" TTYL.
Terri

Hey girls, well I haven't still haven't caught up on everyone's post like I wanted to. Actually the last two days I have spent on line with a cousin that I haven't seen since her mothers funeral in 1986. We have been sending photos back and forth to each other, that can get pretty time consuming.

TERRI, have a wonderful Mother's Day, brunch sounds like a nice idea. I will probably go to visit my mom, unless she comes to my house. We live an hour and a half from each other. If she wants to see her great grandchildren, then it would be easier for her to come see me. If that happens, my hubby will cook out for everyone.

ZOE, your husband must be a "keeper", oh and happy anniversary. As for starting over, you will be fine.

SANDY, so glad to hear that your mother is still doing so well. I know that must take a lot of worry off you. I will continue to keep you and your mom in my prayers.

ES, yes, and it feels so great to be succeeding on a daily basis. Some days are harder than others, but since I started walking I don't have those horrible cravings. You know the kind were you want something to eat, but nothing satisfies you. I usually end up feeling like a "bottomless pit" when that happens. The water and exercise seems to curve them.

JENNY, yes there are thin people that can eat whatever they want and not gain an ounce. My daughters must have gotten their father's genes when it comes to weight. I know they are young but after two children each, neither of them has gained weight. The 21 year old is still in a five and the 24 year old is in a 7. Heck, I started gaining weight right after the wedding, by the time the kids came I was already bigger than when I married. LOL


Well, I'm off to bed, sweet dreams everyone.

Ruth

Hi to all my buddies,

Well, it's 3:22am - and I'm finally catching up with you all! I've been busy planning an after prom party - which is happening right now! My friend and I are in charge of it, but because our sons are seniors, we are not allowed to work at it. Parents of underclassmen do all the volunteering at the party. It started at midnight and will end at 5.
I;m going back at 4:30 to clean up. I came home and tried to sleep, but then got the official call that my son was leaving the party. This was not in the plan, so I did the mother thing - sat here and waited. He did come home and is now sleeping.

As far as WW and OP goes, I haven't been to a meeting for 3 weeks. I feel ok, but will get to one next Friday. I have been drinking the water - but not doing too much walking. Maybe later today (after a long nap) or Sunday. Actually, on Mother's Day, if it doesn't rain, my Mom and me and whoever else wants to tag along are going to Boston. There is this awesome new bridge called the Zakim-Bunker Hill Bridge - it's breathtaking. It will be open to foot traffic and we'll walk across it! Then we'll find somewhere nice to have lunch. That's the plan right now - pray for good weather!

Our garden looks great thanks to my husband's hard work. He's getting all the exercise!

OK, I'll check in later - when I'm more awake.
Happy Mother's Day to you all! Enjoy it.