For those of you who are joining us for the first time, we have taken the tortoise in the story "The Tortoise and the Hare" as our mascot and mentor. The hare was fast, but the tortoise won the race! Please join us; we don't bite, and we welcome all fellow tortoises on this journey.
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Hi, all. Sorry for the silence there; I've just been extremely busy with work. Today I'm home with a bad cold and getting caught up on all the stuff I've let go ...

First, Judy, CONGRATULATIONS on the blood tests!!!!!!!!! That is SUCH great news!! You should be so pround of yourself! We sure are!

Swania, how are you? How's your mom?

Bandit? Choosewell?

I've been mostly OP but am maintaining my weight. I suspect it's a result of too much sugar, even within points, and too little exercise. The weather is starting to warm up, which will help with the latter, and I've sworn off sugar while at work, which should help with the former. (They have TONS of junk food for us at work, a whole kitchen stocked with it.)

Oddly, I look thinner, even though I'm only down a total of about three pounds. People have commented on it. I told one woman it was only three pounds, and she said "Well, they must be three really big pounds, then!" I'll take it!

DH is still working on getting a job; there's a good possibility on the horizon but nothing has been finalized. Meanwhile, I've been working a lot of extra hours (I bill by the hour) to build up our savings before his job ends on March 31.

We also just started Lent. (Our Easter is very late this year -- May 1!) This year, I'm not focusing on food-related things for Lent at all. That just hasn't worked well for me in the past. Since the goal is to simplify one's life and spend more time focusing on spiritual things, I've decided to stay away from TV and mystery novels, which are two of my major time-sinks. And I'm spending some time each day in focused prayer (or at least that's my goal) rather than just praying in the car while commuting.

Check in when you can, everyone.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/212/down

Hi Turtles,
Thanks for starting the new thread, Lauren. Hey, I didn't realize how popular it is to pray in the car. I do that too. I am so glad you're not doing food-related things for Lent this year. I remember these last two years of Lent and what a struggle it was and how you didn't feel well. So, good for you for doing the right thing and still observing Lent.

Hi to all of us

Things busy here as usual, but I'm back from my WW's mtg. and here's what my leader had to say. We're never failures. When we gain weight, look at it as feedback. Okay, when I did that, I gained weight. Simple, uncomplicated, true! I like that. Hope it comes in handy some time. I stayed the same today after having a tough week. Hopped on the treadmill today, but something is wrong with it, so maybe dh will be able to fix it. Exercise is really helpful.

Lauren, I'm praying for your dh's position to come through and good for you for doing lots of extra work to build up your bank account.

Gotta run, but wanted to chime in. Take it easy, enjoy yourselves, and keep on keepin' on. July is around the corner. I aim to lose 4 pounds a month between now and then. Let's do this!!!!

Love,
Judy
234.6/214.6/thinner into onederland

Dear Turtles,
Everyone must be really busy. Lauren, on those very big three pounds. Weigh to go!!!!

DH fixed treadmill and I'll be on it tomorrow. Having fun making a quilt. Have the top finished and pieced the back together. Now I need to get the batting into it and start quilting away.

Good luck to everyone. Let's keep on keepin' on.
Love,
Judy
234/214.6/thinner into onederland

You're right, Judy; everyone must be busy. Either that or dipping into the Easter candy!

I like your leader's statement about feedback, not failure. Mine used to say that; I'd forgotten it. That's why it's so important for me to journal, because I forget what I actually ate if I don't. Then the feedback isn't as helpful, because I can't remember what I did to deserve it.

I'm down another pound this week. It was two pounds initially then crept back up, so I'll take the one. TOM looms, so I'm not expecting much this week. And I had a high-point weekend. Fortunately, I've started my weeks on Saturdays now, so I have the Flexies when I really need them. Weekdays aren't usually nearly so bad.

DH's new job will probably be decided one way or another this week (the job he really wants, with another doctor who is unfortunately too close to his current boss's office -- DH has a covenent not to compete within a certain distance). It's been a very interesting week in a lot of ways. Basically, his current boss (the one who gave him his walking papers as of the end of this month) has realized she made a big mistake and now wants to keep him (at half time and half pay). A lot of his patients complained to her, including the former mayor of her town (!), and other doctors told her she was crazy. All very ego-boosting for DH, but now she might make it difficult for him to go in with this other doctor, and he really wants to go. So we'll see shortly if she's going to be a decent or a horrible human being.

He says, though, that he'd rather work at Home Depot than work for her one day longer than the end of this month. So that's that!

Well, I'd better get exercising then head to work. Have a great Monday, everyone. Please check in and let us know how you're doing!

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/211/down

Hi everyone!

Things have been crazy up here. Was having bf problems & have decided to move back into my own home as soon as tenants leave - probably May 1st. So I feel better now. BF wants things to be same as before we lived together but I can't see that happening - I really don't see a future with him.

Anyhow, me & my previous ww buddies re-joined last Tues. We are trying a different meeting so we will see how that goes. I am back to my original weight when we originally joined - so I have come full circle & am doing it again.

Hope you all have been great & are following programme. Sorry for being away so long, but I am refocussed & need a new start. Bye for now.

Hi - I was down 2# at my w/i last night, so I was pleased with that. Off to a good start. Bye for now.

Hi Turtles,
Lauren, I hope everything works out with the new doc and the old doc and your doc, DH. the old doc is sure silly to bring about a situation without thinking it through and then think that your dh will come back. Consequences, consequences! Good luck to you and your dh that this works out for the best.
I'm glad you're doing so well even with TOM approaching.

Bandit,
I'm sorry to hear about your boyfriend and living arrangements and everything, but it's really great that you held onto your place. I'm so glad to have you back to WW's and here because I really missed you. Here's a to help you out. Sounds like you've got a great start going for yourself.
We've all been there, done that and offer encouragement that this time is the best time for you.

I've had a rotten 5 days or so. Eating any old thing and not caring. However, today I am on track again. I'm letting emotions and worries get to me and that's not the way to go. I'm going to take Lauren's lead and journal what I eat to remind myself what and why I am doing what I do.

Swania, chime in. I miss you.

Best of everything to the turtles.
Take care,
Love,
Judy

This from Swania, who had to send it via email:

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Hi Turtles,

I just tried to post a message on the boards and received a command that I
had to reregister. Then, it didn't work. Does anyone have a clue what is going on? I don't have time now to fool around with it.

Lauren - it sounds as if you've lost inches. Fabulous! Three pounds lost
would never show up on me. Keep up the good work! I was happy to learn that your DH has some employment options. I still pray when I think about you, although never in the car!

Judy - I restarted the July 4th challenge again last Monday. Do it with me!
It is such a challenge to not let worries etc. affect the way we take care of
ourselves, but we can overcome this tendencies.

Bandit - Sorry to hear about the bf situation, but it's a blessing that you
have the option of returning to your own home. Smart of you to have made this choice! It sounds as if you are handling things well given the circumstances. You always have support here.

My mom has been well lately. Thanks for your concerns. It is always a st ruggle to care for someone disabled, but there are rewards too. My heart goes out to the Schindlers, Terri Schiavo's family. While I have a problem with Congress stepping in, I know the desperation which comes when a loved one's life is hanging in the balance.

I have started tracking again. Today marks the 3rd day of tracking and
exercise. As I looked in the journal I started this year, the longest I've tracked this year has been 4 consecutive days so if I make it until Friday, I will have set a new record! Pitiful isn't it? Oh well. I have my eyes on July 4th! Again.

Oh and a neighbor gave me an Easter Basket with chocolate. So funny since
I'm 38 and it's not as if she even celebrates Easter since she's Jewish.
Ever notice how often my neighbors give me food? There's a conspiracy to keep me fat. Ironically, I never eat what they give me and I'm still fat. Go
figure.

More later if I ever get reregistered...

Sonia (or Swania as I'm now known)

Hi, tortoise beings. It's in the low 40s here, and we're supposed to get about an inch of SLUSH tomorrow. Ah, spring in Michigan ...

I'm down a couple more pounds, though my official weigh-in is Saturday. And that's in spite of TOM, so I'm very pleased. DH and I have been taking long walks lately to blow off some steam -- it's been quite tense around here -- so that has helped, I'm sure.

Vicki (the doctor DH has been working with) has been a real jerk. No time to go into details, but we still don't have a signed waiver from her regarding the covenant not to compete. Her lawyer added a bunch of stuff to it, and we're hoping she'll just sign it today. She's hamstringing Phil in every way she can think of, AND she's making him pay her legal fees. (This is a woman with a $4 million house.) Between that and his having to pay for his own malpractice insurance, we just lost half our savings. Anyway, today is the day she goes on vacation. If she doesn't sign it today, that will be a huge setback.

On the bright side, assuming she does sign it, the othe doc who wants to hire DH is really looking forward to bringing him on. So that's still a go -- providing we get this #**^(@#&* release signed.

As I say, it's been a tad tense around here.

Anyway.

Bandit, good to hear from you and to have you back. Sorry about BF. I'm glad you have a place to go back to. How is your daughter dealing with it all?

Judy, good for you, getting back to tracking and not letting a lapse go on forever. {{HUGS}}

Swania, what is UP with your neighbors???? Do they give food to other people, too, or just you?? Loved the Jewish Easter basket story. I hope you can get back on the boards soon. As I said, when I had trouble in the past, I contacted Suzanne and she got me back on. (I had somehow deleted my cookies, and I couldn't remember my password.) Glad your mom is doing well, too.

Well, best get to work. Hope you all have a lovely rest of your week. I'll keep you posted re: the DH job soap opera.

Onward and downward,

Lauren

Hi turtles:

Just to let you all know, me going back home is a "good thing" & me and dd are looking forward to it. BF & I got along great before & he wants to maintain that.
I will see how I feel when I get back there but I think I will be a "dater" for awhile. Part of the problem for me was feeling like I was a vistor. He tried to make us feel at home at first but I never really did. Most of my stuff has been in storage except for a few things and clothes of couse. It is hard to bring things into an already up & running household. Sometimes if I moved things around he would put them back when I wasn't there but would complain that I didn't take an interest in changing things.
Anyway it will be better for all of us.

Sounds like everyone is doing well, so keep up the good work.

Wow, where to start?
Swania, How about spinning it and accepting the food gifts as symbols of love from your neighbors? I really feel they mean well. Treat the gifts as ugly blouses or vases you'd never ever buy yourself and throw them out or pass them on! Begone food gifts!!! I'm with you for July. I hate the setbacks I allow myself and wonder if I'll ever get where I want. I must remember to keep on keepin' on.

Lauren,
I hope the "lady" doc signs the waiver and your dh can practice where he wants. It seems she's being unreasonable to say the least. Try having your cake and eating it too! Well, we won't use cake as a reference anymore, but you know what I mean. I think it is amazing and great that you lost 2 pounds even with TOM and all that is going on in your life. Weigh to go! Tough, really tough, to lose 1/2 of your savings, but I hope this all works out soon.

Bandit,
Glad you're happy about your move back home. Good luck to you and your dd and it sounds like you're ready to do something else right about now.

I had two good days OP and am going to make a good next two days of it. I'll watch on Easter Sunday and get right back to it on Monday.

Gotta run--Happy Easter to all. Take it easy and keep on keepin' on.
Love,
Judy

Bandit, glad this is working out better for you.

Judy, how did Easter go?

Just a quickie here from me. I'm doing well with my eating these days and got in a two-hour walk on Sunday with DH (!). Don't remember the last time I walked for that long ... oh yes, that would be in Italy 1.5 years ago!

The weather is finally getting springlike around here, thank heavens. Sunny and 60 degrees today! We've got crocuses and daffodils coming up, though no blooms yet.

Well, got to run to work. Hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday. Swania, have you been able to get access here yet?

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/210/204 in May

Hi, Lauren, Judy, Swania, Bandit...

Lauren, thank you for your message. When I got the one over the weekend I couldn't believe how long it's been since I was here. I also can't believe it's already been 1.5 years since you went to Italy. Time seems to be moving rapppidly.

Here's where I've been: in October, work was very low maintenance, so I took on a newsletter for my face-to-face critique group, finished literacy tutor training and got a reading partner, joined an on-line mystery writing critique group, came back here, rejoined WW, signed into ediets (do you see a trend here yet?), and committed to losing my weight in 2005. Basically filled up my dance card.

Then I got the new boss, who was the old teamleader who didn't think much of me.. so she was pretty snide with me. Within a month she figured out why the old boss liked me: I'm dependable, hardworking, and I can write. So she started working me like mad and all my after work energy disappeared and I faltered.

Then, of all things, my body took care of me in the oddest way. In January I had outpatient surgery for precancerous cells in my cervix. I recovered. When I went back for my checkup my doctor told me I needed to consider a hysterectomy, and consider it soon. So on the 14th, I did it, and I've been at home since. The surgery was successful, and it turns out to be a good thing that was done. And my wonderful body told me to knock it all off, and take stock of what's important, slooooow down.

Today I'm at 214 instead of 224.5 on January 1, following the Turtle Mantra of slow and steady wins the race. My goal is only 3 pounds a month, and I think that has taken all that pressure off me in that arena. I'm trying to make as many good decisions during the day as I can...if I must have cake, have a smaller piece; throw or give away danger foods; water, water, water; take a walk instead of a bite. You know the drill, I learned it here.

Thank you for inviting me back, Lauren, it looks like you and Judy have been faithful to the Turtle Way. Swania and Bandit, I send you hugs...Bandit, it sounds like you know what you want. I've worn a gold ring on my toe since 1995 to celebrate making a similar decision, and seeing it reminds me how strong I can be.

See you soon. Choosie. xo

Lauren,
Thank you so much for e-mailing everyone. That was so kind of you.
And to get a message back from Choosie was heavenly! Yay.
Lauren, glad you've got eating and exercise back where you want it.
In answer to your question, Easter was fine. I'm up a pound, but I think drinking plenty of water today will take care of much of the salt weight. Now I'll make sure I exercise today and that will also work out well.

Choosie,
Thanks so much for updating us. Wow! What a whirlwind you've been on and what a wonderful place for you to land. Think of the concept: no pressure, thinking well of yourself and getting rid of tempting foods, and finally walking instead of nibbling. Weigh to go! What a marvelous weight loss.
I'm glad your doc was on top of things and caught your condition while something could be done about it.
And hey--what a hoot that your new boss decided there was a reason to love you!!!
You sound so together and I'm cheering you on!!!
Here's a because you're always in this group. Continue to take care of yourself and greatest success with your life and weight. Weigh to go Choosie!! (I'd love it if you could steal a few minutes and chime in here now and then because you're really inspirational).
Swania,
Are you back with us yet? Good luck with your ever-lovin' neighbors and their endless supply of foods!!!!!

Bandit,
Always good to hear from you. How's the weight loss going?

All goes well here. I'm promising myself to keep on keepin' on and tweak the changes I need to make here and there.

Love,
Judy

Hi everyone:

Lauren - wtg on the walking & eating! Hope everthing works out well for your DH.
Must be driving you crazy waiting & wondering.

Choosewell - Sounds like you are doing great & thanks so much for the words of support.

Juldy - I was down 2# last week & go again tonight. I don't feel like I am down.
Had a few things I really shouldn't have - but that's Life.

I will post my resuls tomorrow.

WW is more fun again now that my buddies have re-joined. We go out afterwards for coffee & chat (always a good time) and updates on our personal lifes.

Have a great one.