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

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?

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!

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

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!!

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!

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.....

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.