Tuesday's Daily Thread
 

Morning girls!
Apologies for waffling away here. Bit of a lull at work so I grabbed the opportunity.
It is, for want of a better expression, pissing it down here in London. And my shoes have got a leak! Darn. Bet you don't miss the British weather, eh Lucy? Did I read that you're in Florida? I would so love to go there one day. BF and I thought about it for holidays but not so sure about travelling to the states at the moment. Sounds like you had a great time in Europe. How did WI go? In terms of motivation, I think the key to successful weight loss is to really want it. and you do sound pretty motivated already. i was totally obsessed with counting points and planning what i'd eat. i think i bored all my friends! but it worked.
all this talk of sailors just makes me think of men in uniform. fantastic. that and DJs (dinner jackets, not disc jockeys!). yum.
Kim - you'll get there. if you're exercising lots and eating within your points but not losing it's probably muscle. make sure you measure yourself so you can see the difference that way.
Jayne - well done coping with your in-laws, sounds like hard work!
Jess - hope things are better at work today. I hate when people stand around me chatting when i'm trying to work. it's impossible to think properly.
Tonya - glad the wedding went ok. can't wait to see pics!
Speaking of pics, i'm totally rubbish. i had some of lolly's wedding on me the other day and i forgot to scan them in. will do so soon i promise. will try to find one of me too.
Winter - up 5? you can get rid of that easily. it's prob a bit of bloating from the binging.
Lori - you're in a book group? cool. there was a fantastic tv series called the book group on british tv. i think it triggered lots of people to set up their own! what you reading this time??
KT - glad your sister's surprise shower went well. now get back to WI you bad girl! ;)
Lisa - I read somewhere that you're more likely to be successful at losing weight if it's your 5th attempt. or was it 7th? i dunno. either way - this time it's working! and sounds like you're reaping the benefits man wise!
Cat - i adore stir-fried veggies, def a good way to fill up without wasting points. so i can then spend them on booze!!
speaking of drinkers - where's JenK? hee hee!
and speaking of jens, where's JenL?
Come out lurkers, newbies and old favourites.
Kirsty

A newbie here .. posted last week under a thread of my own, but since then I hadn't really been looking, except at the recipes and the last few days have been really bad ... more strict this week I'm going to be and starting once again .. I was pretty bad this past weekend, but before that, not too bad at all ... I could feel a huge diff. I'm not going to give up!! No siree bob! Not when it's my time for changes. Seems I'm going through alot of them this past year and even more as the year ends, I'm hoping, anyways!

I do have a question about cravings and temptations .... how do you stop them? How do you get over them? Is it possible? Mine's not so much chocolate, but it's carbohydrates carbohydrates carbohydrates ..... icecream, pizza, potato chips, pasta... well you get the idea and when it comes to certain things .... i just can't seem to say NO. I jump at it and before I know what's happening ... I've already been indulged in waay too much of the stuff .. ugh ... and veggies! i don't like 'em at all ... how the heck do I begin incoorporating them into my diet slowly? I don't mind them when they're mixed in with stuff like a meatloaf .. or a LOOOOOT of cheese on broccoli ... but that ruins it there ... i don't like a pasta salad with them mixed in it ... ideas anyone? I found a great way to get my fruits and dairy in one, though! smoothies!! ooh they're the best, if you've not tried them you should .... some interesting stuff out there ... some very very tastey ones ... : )

I think I'm gonna look for a scale today as well, since we don't have one ... and this week sometime I'm gonna look into buying me the total gym. Just started a part time job so I can actually afford something like that in the near future. I been wanting that for the longest time. need some kinda excersizing but don't wanna go to a gym or anything just yet ...

anyways ......

i'm outta for now ...

Good morning everyone! Just on for a moment before heading off to class. I got up early today and went for a run:) It's very pleasant out in the morning. I have scheduled myself some time to do weights, etc. this evening. And I made myself a big container of black bean and corn salad that I found a recipe for, so I am set for lunch for the next few days:) Also, I think I may have discovered a way to keep myself from eating while studying. I have been going to the local coffee shop with just enough money to buy a cup of tea or plain coffee, and then studying there. Or the library. And then just stay there until I'm done, at which point I go home and go straight to bed. So I guess the trick is basically to put yourself somewhere where you just CAN'T eat, and then you're stuck!

knv- I have the same problem with carb cravings! I have been trying to satisfy my sweet cravings with fruit. Dried fruit is super sweet (but you can eat too much if you don't watch out) My fave at the moment is watermelon, since it is super cheap during the summer and INCREDIBLY low-cal. Frozen grapes are something I have recently discovered. They are really sweet and they take a long time to eat (if you don't want to totally freeze off the inside of your mouth). Another thing is to drink a lot of water. If I am feeling a craving and can remember to just down a couple of glasses of water, I find that it does sometimes go away, and the water will make me feel full for a while. Hope all this helps!

Kirsty- Leaky shoes in the rain is the worst! There's a lot of construction going on on campus over here, so sometimes you get leaky shoes in the rain and the disgusting red clay mush that the ground turns into when it's wet. Hope you get a little sunshine soon!

Hi to everyone else who hasn't posted yet!

Cat

Good Morning Ladies...

KNV, the beautiful thing about weight watchers is that you can give into cravings and temptations, you will just have to plan carefully to do so. For example, Healthy Choice makes a great ice cream called Cappuccino Chunk -- it's only 2 points for a 1/2 cup serving. And you can stick to a thin-crust veggie pizza and get a decent amount for not too many points. Pasta is a tough one, because we're used to such massive portions of it. There is whole-wheat pasta out there, if you can take it, that may be less points because the fiber is higher than processed flour pasta. But at about 6 points for a serving, you can always make a pasta dish with chicken and veggies sauteed in a little bit of olive oil, with lots of garlic and crushed red pepper to kind of wake your taste buds up. I do this often. Another good way to get your veggies is to make a big stir fry with either chicken or shrimp. You can make it just the way you like it, and either buy a sauce (but check the label) or make one of your own with boullion and cornstarch. Just plan carefully, and you will be surprised at what can fit into a healthy diet. Good luck to you! You can do this!

Kirsty, I'm sorry it's such a rainy day for you. We'll just have to be the spot of sunshine in your day (ok, that was so cheesy it made me ill:p

I read all the posts on weight training yesterday. I've said it before but it's worth repeating. Jorge Cruise wrote a book called "8 Minutes in the Morning" and it's wonderful. You can do it all at home with a few handweights. I do belong to a gym and I'm not adverse to working out there. but the muscleheads who spend 3 hours each day there intimidate the crap out of me. So I'll stick to my 8 minutes routine at home. I'm in the middle of my second round of it, and it's really not too bad at all. It's got a very strange diet in the back of the book (for example, only 2 ounces of meat each day, and you have to eat a licorice twist???)
but I ignore that part and just do the weight training.

Well, I'd better deal with the baby -- he's balancing homself standing, holding onto my legs, and shouting at me...think he wants something?:D

Take care, all!

Moonbeam, we were posting at the same time. I'm going to try the only enough money for tea at the coffee shop...those muffins are wicked hard to pass by!

i'm v sad about my leaky shoes. it's the soles. but they're my favourite sparkly trainers and i love them. i wonder if i can glue them together?? i have two pairs and both the right shoes have a split in the sole. i must be very heavy on my right foot!
knv - i'm addicted to carbs too. but don't give them up or you'll just crave them more. if you do more exercise you could spend the bonus points on carbs, since you need carbs for exercise. make sure you measure portions carefully. as for veggies, i was like you a couple of years ago. before i started ww i never ate mushrooms, peppers and countless other veggies. now i eat them all the time. i think the trick is to find a way of cooking/preparing them that you like (and isn't too high in points). try roasting them in the oven, stir-fry, steam etc. once you like some, the others just follow naturally! i think part of the reason i like veggies is cos they are zero points. i'll try anything if it's free. ;) oh, and have you tried having sorbet instead of ice cream? or frozen raspberries (like cat's grape idea). yum.
jayne - thank you for the sunshine! how old is your baby?
cat - i'm so impressed you went for a run. i try to run but i'm just not a natural. BF wants me to run round the common with him but i'm so slow he'd end up walking!!
right. best get me nose back to the grindstone,
kirsty

Morning girls.

Hi Kirsty... my best friend is in London for 6 weeks.. I miss her like crazy. I'm guessing that pissing is raining???

Cat - good for you running.. i can;t really exercise in the morning. I know that's the best time... but I'm an after-work kind of girl. I haven't had frozen grapes in a while... thanks for the pointer.. I think it'll be my next thing!

KNV - good to see you back again. Cravings... oh gosh I wish they went away. Here are a few of my saviors.... I make pita bread pizza's. I have a 3-point piece of pita bread, with a little tomato sauce. then I add green peppers and turkey pepperoni (hormel, 10 slices = 1 point), then I put just enough light shredded cheese on top to keep the toppings on... microwave, or cook in the oven if you want it crispy... it's 7 points and pretty big. I'll also spruce it up, and use bbq sauce, chicken and scallions for a bbq chicken pizza... I buy the short cuts chicken that's already cooked and cut for you.... easy to do for college too. As for ice cream... skinny cow ice cream sandwhiches rule, as does healthy choice ice cream... but watch your portions. I eat WOW chips. I know people say they're bad for you... but they work for me! I have never had a problem with them.


Jayne - that soujnds like a good video. I did Cluadia Schiffer's Abs last night and I feel like someone ran over me when a mac truck.... hopefully that means it's working.

I weigh in today.... wish me luck!

Lucy - good luck with weigh in.... let us know how that goes!

Lisa

Morning Ladies -

Kirsty - sorry the weather is so bad. I hate gray and rainy. It always depresses me.

KNV - I'm with Jayne try to figure out a way to include a few of your cravings into your eating plan. I've also found that when all I eat is junk all I crave is junk and when most of what I eat is healthy then I crave healthy. For a sweet treat, I'm a big fan of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries with a little FF vanilla yogurt.

Cat - good job finding a way to study without munching! If I'd managed to do that in college I probably wouldn't have gained 75lbs! How far do you run?

Jayne - your discussion (and Lisa's) on the importance of weight training is so true. I've actually come to enjoy my strength training sessions more than the cardio (treadmill is getting boring).

Lisa - love the pizza pita idea. Pizza is something I love but try not to eat unless I'm out to dinner because if I order a pizza in I'll eat pizza for every meal until it is gone.

My company let go of approximately 100 people yesterday. I still have my job but one of my closest girlfriends lost hers as well as some of the other women that I'm friendly with. Naturally they were out in the bar and naturally I was there supporting them. I'm not hung over, but I sure am tired today.

For those of you interested in excercise videos, I highly recommend The Firm 5 Day Abs. I love that tape! Also, Jess is right "Thin for Life" is an excellent and inspirational book.

Winter

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I've been doing well-for awhile i was spending a lot of points on breakfast-(I am a bagel freak) but lately I have changed to a 1/4 cup-1/3 cup egg beaters on two slices of light bread for a 2 point breakfast that keeps me full all morning. I also eat 1/2 cup yogurt with fresh strawberries/blueberries/pineapple for a midmorning snack....

Kirsty-The book club is fun-there are about ten of us, we all do different things for a living-I am a doctor, there is a physics teacher, a woman with a masters in Literature, an event planner, a woman with a degree in history, a physical therapist...you get the idea...all women. We try to meet once a month-6 weeks...we are reading Fast Food Nation for this month-last month it was A Handmaids Tale, we've read The Woman with the Pearl Earring, The Red Tent, A Christmas Carol and others...it's really fun...of course we have a meal and wine with the meetings and a fair amount of time is spent gabbing!

KNV-I am with you-I hate raw veggies-they are 'diet food' in my mind...I am a carb addict....I eat my pasta with seafood-that beefs it up for very few points...and I split my portion in half-like if I plan to eat 1 cup of pasta I measure out 1/2 cup with the toppings, eat that, and then go back for "seconds"
Pizza is tough-the Boboli thin crust is 3 points for 1/5 of the crust...not too bad...and you are eating pizza!!!
Healthy Choice chocolate chunk ice cream-2 pts for 1/2 cup....
Another way to get the carb feeling is potatoes-you can spray them with oil from a Misto and broil them in the oven and get french fries!!!!
Also, the Pringles FFree Chips-sour cream and onion-DH and I are addicted! And I heard Doritos came out with FFree chips
My other WW friends and I also cut a pita up into triangles and toast it, then dip in hummous-a way to have "chips and dip"

Winter-Sorry about the work situation-layoffs can be tough, even if you are not personally involved...

Aaronsmom-Good advice about the weight training-I'm going to try!!

hi to everyone else!!!Gotta go see patients!

Howdy
 

Hi girls – well, I had a bad weekend WW-wise. Camping with the other family turned out to be not so good with the food. I went shopping with the wife and thought I’d get some healthy things, but her family didn’t eat any of the foods I chose, so I tried to make a decent decision where I could. Basically, though, I ate over on Friday, Satruday and Sunday. Yesterday I was at the top of my range, but I earned 6 points exercising, so I am not so sad. I don’t WI til Friday, but I am sure sticking with it this week.

The other big hassle is Stampede here in Calgary. We are going to the chucks tonight and there are corn dogs, candy apples and other crap everywhere. Not a lot of event remotely low point foods. Since I’ll be eating dinner down there, but I am trying to eat low today. So far 5 points, and I plan on 4 sushi maki rolls for lunch (2points) so I’ll have lots to spare.

Knv – welcome back! yeah, carbs are a big one for me too (I’ll just jump right on that bandwagon). I try to avoid them,but its hard to do, so I just work them into my points within moderation. I never feel a meal is complete without some carb in it! I think its how we were raised :)

Kirsty – its pissing rain here to, well, its letting up now, but it thunderstormed all night. I can relate with your shoes as well – my asics are leaking!! BTW I thought you were a runner?? Is that Lolly?

Cat – frozen grapes eh? I’ll try that. Do you use purple or green? Good for you for your run BTW. I just started again and it’s a bit hard on my back with my injuries (its only been 8 weeks now) so I have switched to low impact aerobics until I regain my strength. Seems to be good – I did them last night and my butt hurts today! The good hurt though.

Lisa and Lucy – good luck!!!! Let us know how it goes.

Winter – sorry to hear about the job cuts, but happy for you it wasn’t you!! Good luck with that, its not easy to deal with whether you are cut or not.

Hello to Jayne and everyone else!

Oh, and Kim – how is the wedding planning going?? I buy my second bridesmaid dress on Thursday (the one for the October 19th wedding) I keep thinking of you!!

Belle

Hello!
 

Wow - this place is busy today! I love it!!

Kirsty - Here I am!! Sorry to hear about your leaky shoes. Guess what - I may be coming to London in January! Yes, that is still a ways away, but I wanted to tell you! I am excited to be able to see the city instead of just spending 4 hours in the airport!

Jayne - Is that 8 Minutes in the Morning a book? I think I should try that. I am great at getting cardio in but slack a bit when it comes to weight training. But I could get myself to do just about anything for 8 minutes a day!!

Lisa - Let us know how WI goes!! (and I loved hearing you sailor story! How fun!!!)

Winter - That sucks that your company let so many people go, but at least you kept your job. And I'm the same way you are with pizza. I ordered some a few weeks ago and had it for dinner 4 nights in a row!

Lori - How is Fast Food Nation? That is a book I am interested in reading. I was in a book club for a while, but it slowly fizzled out. Too bad, because I love to read and want people to discuss books with! If I move to Boston can I join your club?! ;)

Hi to Belle, Knv (welcome!!), Cat, Tonya, KT, and everyone else.
Where has Lexxy been??

I had a pretty bad run last night - it was quite frustrating. I know it was mostly because it was about 93 and very humid, but my legs felt like lead. I struggled to do 3 miles, when just the other day I quite easily ran 5. I am running my first 10K in 2 weeks and my goal is to do it in less than an hour, so I was a bit bummed last night when the run didn't go well. Hopefully it will be better tonight.

So, here's a boy update for you - he was in Vegas since Friday and just got back late yesterday afternoon. I figured I would call him last night to see how his trip was. Well, he called me at 7 - right when I got in the door from running! It was so cute because he seemed excited to tell me about his trip. We are supposed to go to a Cubs game this Sunday. I just love having someone of the opposite sex to hang out with occassionally!!

Okay - I MUST get back to work!!

Worried about WI
 

Okay, so before WI today at 5:00 the only thing I really had to do today was GO TO CLASS. It started at 8am, when did i wake up? oh, 9! So, that's going to kick me later. My job hunts continue today, and oh boy it's frustrating.
I'm still worried about WI just because I don't feel like I lost anything, but I did follow the week pretty well, given the holiday circumstances. Well, I'll keep everyone posted.

Kirsty- Wet shoes? It's always the pits. Here the heaviest storm will hit out of the blue, and usually I'm stuck in the middle of campus in a white teeshirt and no umbrella! I definitly know how you feel. Luckily when I was in London the weather wasn't too bad. It was a little rainy though. But now anotehr friend is there, and I told her nto to pack too heavy, boy was I wrong! But she's having a great time. .. it's definilty a beautiful area! Unfortuneatly I had to do all of London in a weekend!

Cat-- I know the study feeling. That's teh best time to sneak in a munchy, especially because i can alway stalk myself into how much I've "earned it". I really enjoy going to Borders to study and getting a tall skinny iced latte. Ususally afterwards though, I have so much caffiene in me, studying is almsot lost. So, I'm trying to avoid those also.

Speaking of caffiene.. do anyone have opinions on it?

Knv- Oh carbs.. how I love them so! I almost have to trap myself so I dont' attack them. What I've started is either keeping all my bread in the freezer so at least I have to thaw it before i eat it.. and only getting wheat hamburger and hotdog buns. Once I buy the loaf, it's over! Besides, a turkey sandwich on a hamburger bun is only 3 points (veggie burger is 2!) it gets me just as satified and I dont' much out.
As for pasta? I know myself.. I just keep away.

Well for all the others, Good Morning!

I'm off to price window AC units for a new apartment. It's such a great apartment my roommate and i are trying to move into, but it really lacks AC, and I just don't know how that can work out.
After htat.. going to the Humaine Society to price kittens. I'm finally getting my own pet! I'm excited.

Well, hopefully I'll find a job on my adventures! :^:

I'm sure I'll be back with some kind of story.

Lucy

Hello Ladies!!

Boy. you sure are a chatty bunch today! Let's see if I can respond to everyone!

Kirsty ~ We are having London weather today here too, except that it is only 75 degrees out and about 110% humidity. I thought the rain would make that go away! Time to buy new shoes!!!! I am a tennis shoe finatic! I have about 3 pairs of new tennis shoes. Your right about having to be obsessive about points counting, when you put all your energy into it, that is when you succeed!

Welcome KNV, glad you joined in. You will find lots of support here. I, too, am a carb addict. Mostly pizza though. I have found that for a while, until I feel in control with my eating, I just have to stay away from it. I also found with me, if you don't go to WW meetings, you have to force yourself to weigh once a week. I find if I skip a week, my eating falters and then I can't bring myself to weigh.

Cat ~ Glad you are back! We missed you! Way to go on the run! The hard part is getting yourself out there to do it, then you are always glad you did!! Let me know how the black bean salad is, and post the receipe if you can, I am always looking for things I can make for the week to eat for lunch at work.

Jayne ~ I am going to check out the book you mentioned at our library. Sounds good, I can spare 8 minutes. I am starting to do "Buns of Steel" right now at night in addition to my treadmill workouts. They should really call the video "Burning Buns" cause that is what they feel like when you are done! :D

Lisa ~ Good luck at WI today, I am sending you <<losing vibes>>!!

Winter ~ So sorry to hear of the layoffs, I am glad that you weren't one of them though. No job is secure anymore.

Lori ~ Your book club sounds great. I, too, love bagels but limit myself to eating them, just too many points for me to spend on breakfast. I didn't know that about Boboli crust, I will have to buy some. I love pizza!! I love FF pringles, I always have a can at my desk, they are awesome!!

Belle ~ Don't worry about the weekend, you did the best you could under the circumstances. Regroup today, and do you best until WI. The Stampede sounds like it has food just like our carnivals around here. It is very hard to pass up the funnel cakes, caramel apples and hotdogs. Do you best tonight. Take it easy on the exercise, your injuries aren't that old, don't want to lay yourself up any longer than you have to!

Jen ~ I think everyone is entitled to a bad workout every once in a while. I get that way on my treadmill, some nights I can about jog on my treadmill for miles, and the next night, I can barely walk a mile. Try again tonight. The midwest humidity has to be the problem. I hate going outside. Glad the boy situation is going well, sounds like he is very interested.

Lucy ~ I have really been struggling the last two mornings getting up, I think I could easily sleep til 10 a.m., and that is so unlike me!! As far as caffiene, I need it, so I guess my opinion is a good one. I try to limit it though, I have one 20 oz cup of coffee in the morning, but that is it for caffiene, I try not to drink soda. It reaks havoc with my complexion so I just don't drink it anymore. My big think now is Walmart flavored water. No points and tastes great! Have fun finding a kitten. They sure are cute!!


Wow, there are so many of us lately. I hope I didn't miss anyone that posted! A big "hi" goes out to Ali, Stacey, Jen, KT, Becky and all that I forgot. Come and post!!

Well, not much new with me. I am on day two of staying OP. I am journalling everything I eat, and getting some exercise in. It feels good to be in control again.

Work is kind of boring now, but I am finding little things to do. I will be glad when all the students come back to campus.

I am getting pictures developed today from my brother's wedding, so I will try to post some tomorrow.

Well, better look busy. BBL.....:D

It's one of those days....

I don't know if I ever told you girls, but part of the reason I live in Indy is because I have a 16 yr old cousin here that I'm extremely close to. She just sent me an e-mail telling me that one of her friends (also 16) died of liver cancer on Saturday. That poor child. She was very sick most of the last 4 yrs and I know that in some ways this is probably a blessing but I feel so badly that she never got to experience much of life. I also am not quite sure what to say/do for my cousin other than spend time and listen to her.

Boy, I'm just a downer today. Layoff's and death. Sorry to rain on everyone's parade, but part of learning to eat healthy for me is learning to not turn to food when bad things happen and deal with them in some other way.

Later,

Winter

Winter, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Although I'm new to the board, you're already in my thoughts.

To anyone, what is OP? I'm getting decent at the lingo, but that one's still catching me. :dizzy:

Hello All!
 

Hello everyone! Not a whole lot to talk about today, but it's been a really nice, busy board today. I can honestly say I've been happy to just lurk. :p

OK, WI is tonight. It's the last meeting with the a-hole leader!! The lady that I go with to my meetings here said she was going to go to these other meetings with me, but she backed out. So, it looks like it's going to be me and the open road when traveling to the other meetings.

Kirsty--That's too bad about your hole-y shoes! I wonder if gluing them would work?? Never hurts to try, right?

KNV--You sound like me and how I feel about vegetables. Maybe you could list a few vegetables that you DO like and maybe the group could give suggestions. I'm pretty picky about my vegetables, but have found a few ways to sneak them into things. An idea for you on the ice cream cravings--check your area and see if they have Philly Swirl Sorbet cups. A cup is 2 points and they come in really cool flavors (like Cotton Candy) and take so long to eat (because they freeze really hard) that half the time you get tired of trying to eat them before you finish them. :lol: Also, a chocolate graham cracker with FF Cool Whip frozen like a sandwich is only 1 point and helps with the chocolate/ice cream cravings.

Moonbeam--How on earth can you drag yourself out of bed to go running in the morning? I can barely get myself up in time for work, much less exercise. :yawn:

Jayne--Maybe you can help someone who's cooking-impaired. How in the heck do you stir-fry vegetables? I need a step-by-step, including even the things that should seem obvious to me. :) Stir-frying has always been a mystery to me... Can you use frozen vegetables when stir-frying? So many questions!

Kirsty--How do you roast vegetables in the oven? And how do you steam vegetables? (Can you believe I've lived on my own for as long as I have and haven't starved to death? I don't know much about cooking!)

Lisa--Don't you love how Kirsty talks? (Sorry, Kirsty, I'm not talking about you behind your back). It's just the coolest thing--she says things like "rubbish" and "pissing". I always grin when I read things like that! :lol: Maybe it's not such a cool thing to you, but we don't see much of that in Nebraska (the land of cows and corn). :D I totally agree with you about Skinny Cow products--have you had the Fudge Bars? I like them better than the ice cream sandwiches. I'm with you on the Wow Chips, too. I LOVE them and they are such a huge help when having cravings. The only problem I've had was when I ate more than the suggested serving size (a lot more!). Turns out the warning on the back of the bag saying they can cause a laxative effect is true. It's just not pretty. (I could go into more detail, but it's lunchtime for some people.) How did WI go? Hopefully SPECTACULAR!!!

Winter--You'll eat pizza for every meal until it's gone if you order it? How many meals does it last you? If I order pizza, I'll eat the entire pizza in ONE meal. :lol: That's too bad about your work letting people go. I always hate hearing that, it's so unfortunate.

Lori--How are you enjoying Fast Food Nation? I've never heard of that... That's great that you're a doctor--how admirable!!

Belle--It sounds like you have your day planned out perfectly! I hate being around temptation like that all the time--sometimes I just can't say no.

Jen--You're not too far from me, so I'm sure you're having the same heat and humidity as we are. Really, you shouldn't get frustrated when trying to run in this sort of weather. You're doing better than a lot of people (me, included)--just trying to breathe in this weather at all is exhausting for them (me). :lol: That is so sweet about your boy! It sounds like things there are going really well, I'm very happy for you!!

Lucy--Caffeine opinions... Mine is pretty neutral. It was handy stuff this morning at 5 a.m. when I had to make an emergency trip to a 24-hour Walmart (that's half hour away). I'm not addicted, don't drink it daily, but it does come in handy. I try not to drink too much, I don't like getting the shakes. Have you looked at all for garage sales that may have a window AC unit for sale? Sometimes you can find them for cheap at a garage sale. Oh, a kitty? I'm so jealous! I miss having a cat to curl up and sleep with me... My old roommate and I got a fat orange furball from the Humane Society and I miss him terribly. We named him Dexter. He was 3 years old, not many people would adopt that old of a cat, so we just had to take him home. :)

OK, this post is practically a full-length novel. I suppose I'll get back to work now... :)

Oh, Winter, I am SO sorry to hear your sad news. It's rough when someone so young is sick and passes away and it's hard when they've suffered for so long. There's no perfect thing to say to anyone in a situation like this, I don't think, the best thing you can possibly do is just be there to listen and comfort. Again, I'm sorry and am sending a long-distance hug.

Lucy--OP is On-Program...

OK, I really have to work now.

Goodness girls... we are a chatty bunch.

I am DOWN 1.5!!!

Not quite sure why I'm losing lately. I really don't know what is going on.... other than I've been drinking about 14-15 8-oz glasses of water a day. Other than that, I'm on program...with a few lapses now and then (6 drinks Thursday, hence the sailor; and 4 drinks Friday, purchased by the sailor; then Saturday chips and salsa at a mExican resteraunt, followed by a chicken quesadilla). By the way, last night I got home and Mike (the sailor) left a message saying he was glad he met me and he had a nice time in Boston. How sweet.

Winter - I'm really sorry about your cousin's friend. It's really sad; although I'm sure she's not suffering anymore - but that never seems to take away all the hurt.

Lori - I was an egg beater who^e for a while there. I was making omlettes every morning and they were great!

Belle - sounds like you're back on track already... by Friday you'll be flying high I'm sure... good luck with all those tempting foods tonight... i'm sure you'll do fine.

Jen - the heat is awful to run in.... you have to make sure you're well hydrated. Especially while running in that heat. And the boy sounds awesome... how exciting.

Lucy - good luck with weigh in... let us know how it goes... I hate when I don't feel like I've lost... but sometimes you're pleasantly surprised. :) OP means On Program. Funny you asked... because when I first started coming here... I thought everyone went to Wisconsin every week because they kept saying I went to WI last night... or going to WI on Saturday... I was like... wow, why is everyone going to Wisconisn? :)

Tonya - would love to see pictures!! Wow - you're motivated it sounds like... one of my goals was to journal and I just haven't been doing that... but I will starting today.

Jess- good luck with your last @sshole meeting! Hooray!! Have fun! I'm the same way for pizza.... if I order a pizza... i'll eat it until it's gone... and usually the same night. Sad but true!

Okay ladies... back to the daily grind!

Lisa

Ha!
 

Lisa - I was just laughing out loud when I read that you used to wonder why everyone was going to Wisconsin all of the time!!! Congrats on the 1.5 loss!! You are my hero! (really, you are!)

Winter - I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin's friend. You're right, there isn't much you can say but just being there for her will help a ton. I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

What happened?
 

The board was all busy before. Then I posted and now everyone's gone... Is it me? ;)

It's not you! I always feel that way... it's like the Curse of Lisa. I post and then no one comes back! :) That's how it usually goes!

I'm back!

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful words. I know there really isn't much I can do for my cousin but I just hate it when I can't fix her hurts. Sometimes I miss the days when killing the spider in her bedroom or taking the time to re-do her hair fixed everything.

Jess - I used to be able to sit down and eat a pizza in one sitting. Since I lost some weight, I can't eat like that anymore. A blessing really - even when I eat junk I have to eat less 'cuz my stomach will hurt. Good luck with WI tonight.

Lisa - you rock! 1.5 is awesome. I'm glad the sailor called. That's really sweet.

Sorry if I missed responding to someone but I really must get back to work.

Winter

No curses...people are still here. I'm so ticked, I just lost a monster post. Oh well, I'm starting over with the abridged version.

Winter, I'm so sorry about your cousin's friend. It seems totally unnatural to lose someone so young. My sympathy.

Jess, here is a crash course in the cooking of the veggies.

Put a heavy frying pan (a wok is best) over medium high heat and let it heat for a minute or two. Add a teaspoon of canola oil and let that heat up. Add either fresh or frozen veggies of your choice (they sell great mixes in the freezer section, complete with sauce) and, as my hubby calls it, stir fry fluid of your choice (bottled stir fry sauce, teryaki sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, or even just soy sauce). Stir the veggies constantly (hence the name of the technique) and check them every n ow and then with the edge of the spoon (or taste one). They're done when they're tender-crisp. If you want to do meat in it, marinate either chicken or shrimp in the stir-fry fluid for at least half an hour. Cook the meat in a teaspoon of canola oil just like above. Take it out when it's done and cook the veggies, and when the veggies are just aobut done, put the meat back in and let it all heat up together.

To steam, just cover the bottom of a saucepan with water and put fresh or frozen veggies on top. Put the heat on medium and put a tight-fitting lid on top of the saucepan. Check it after five minutes or so. Again, done when tender-crisp.

To roast, toss fresh veggies of your choice (never tried frozen here) with a little olive oil and seasonings (salt, pepper, and oregano are good for basic Italian roasted veggies). Bake at 400 or 450 until veggies are tender and/or golden.

Good stir frying veggies are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, pepper, onion, asparagus, green beans, peas, zucchini, just about anything works here

Good steamers include broccoli, cauliflower, corn, peas, beans, anything not too wet.

Good roasters are peppers, potatoes (ok, not really a veggie), asparagus (incredible with garlic salt) green beans, beets, onions, carrots,

Be creative and let me know how it turns out.

Hi to everyone else!

Thanks!
 

First off:

Jayne: THANK YOU!! so much for the instruction for varying ways to cook vegetables! I really, really appreciate it! Stuff like this is what makes this board so great!

Secondly, thanks Lisa for reassuring me that it's not just me who scares everyone away! ;)

Winter--I've noticed that I can't eat as much anymore, but it doesn't mean that I won't try! :o I don't know if I'd be able to annihilate an entire pizza anymore, but I have a feeling I'd sure try. When I do go and get food that sends me way over my points limit, I'll eat what i want and toss it. With pizza, I'd try to eat the entire thing because I'd want to eat as much as I could before throwing it away.

Yay, it's time to go home!

oh jess.... you scared the cr@p out of me.... I thought you meant you'd eat what you want and toss it, meaning throw it up! I was so upset... until I realized you meant throw it in the trash.

Woohoo!
 

Hello all...
Well I survived WI! It was down 0.8 pounds, but I got my first 5 Pound Fan! Yes, I was excited. I also blame my lack of weight loss to my soaked clothes since it was POURING outside and I was drenched getting from the mall to my car, and into the meeting. See Kirsty.. I told you it pours here! Luckily today I was only in a gray tee-shirt.

Congrats Lisa! I never thought such a small number would be so rewarding.
In our meetings (I don't know if this is standard) but we receive a paperclip for every pound lost, so I'm starting a chain! I'm also trying to keep track of my inches, but I think I measured wrong, because apparetly my upper arm and waist are the same size! (Something's fishy bout that)

Okay, so the motivation is pumping when I'm reading about all the running. Right now it's just hard on my body, carrying around all this extra weight. For awhile though I coudl do it great, and almost for a half hour on the tread mill, but 10pounds heavier and it got impossible!
So, Jen, congrats for pushing yourself through the heat. Here it's just so humid, climbing the stairs to my apartment makes me break a sweat.

Well, I'm off to the gym. I love the movitation I get after a meeting. I've decided I'll get a kitten when I hit my first goal weight. It's so hard to resist though! They're sooo cute! I wanted to take them all home today.

Tonight a group of us are going to a club/bar "Fat Tuesdays" (feeling a little ironic at the moment) but I've alreayd decided to not get any alcohol. You girls are right.. it's much more important to lose weight than to get a buzz.

I hope everyone's night, dinner, evening goes well. I"m sure I'll attack some more before bedtime.

Lucy
:cool: :cool:

Me Again....
 

Now I have another question. Everyone on this site looks like they've had some good success.. will you please give me some pointers on how to get in a good exercise routine?

Right now I just seem to throw something in when I have time or motivation. But it's not a permanent schedule, and my weighlifting is spiratic. Advice for a beginner?
I've on and off worked out all the time, so I know what everything is for the most part, but I'm having the worst time starting a routine. Help!

Thanks :?:

On another note.. tonight was the first night in a long time I headed out to the clubs and didn't have a drink. It's a much different atmosphere that way, and not too thrilling actually. Everyone else is being stupid and pushing the crowd, and some of the dancing! But it was nice to get out for awhile. I was just proud of myself, because usually I"m the one to crack and get a drink simply to have something in my hand. Instead, it was a Diet Coke! Well, maybe next week I'll avoid Fat Tuesdays on Tuesday. Just too many people!

Ah, tomorrow is a new morning, another class, and another challenge.