We welcome you to join us as we work toward good health and fitness in a persistent manner. As our inspiration we use the race between the turtles and the hare where the turtle as the victor because he didn't give up. We believe in keepin' on even when the odds are against us. We believe in giving each other support. Good luck to us all!
Judy
Itryharder
(for Lin and Lauren)

Hi Turtles,
Bandit, hope you're loving FL!
Arianna, so great to hear from you. Working hard pays off, but it's not easy to find time for ourselves in that mix. Good for you for chiming in here and taking care of yourself.
Mousie, thanks for the cabin fever tips. It makes me know that you really care what happens to me and it feels great. Thanks.
About me: Snow was about a foot here and the rain has washed it away since last weekend. I feel I've lost a lot of time. Watched grandbaby, then got sick and since it's a double ear infection, my balance isn't back yet. I'll keep on keepin' on, but weight is grim. I'm sending you all : and a and hope to be up to snuff real soon.
Judy

Hi Turtles!

I'm back & had a good time. Was abit cold when we first arrived but warmed up nicely.

Lots of eating but also lots of walking. I will probably be up a couple of lbs this Thurs but will wait & see before panicking.

Most days by the time we got back to room my legs were aching from walking/standing.

Mickey & Minnie are fine!

Anyway, back on programme today and back to Curves hopefully tonight, but if not tomorrow for sure.

Hi everyone!

Bandit,
Glad you got your walking in and had a great time in FL.

Ariana,
Are you still as busy as you were?

Mousie,
How are you doing? You seem on the right track.

Is it time to set some new goals? I am thinking that I may be able to undo some of the damage I've done so far if I keep my eyes on the prize. I'm aiming to lose 19 pounds between now and July 4th. That would average a pound a week which I have proved before that I can do. How will I do that?
I will exercise 3X a week and stay on Core. If I use non-core foods, I will track them on my tracker. and for me. Anybody got some good inspirational ideas for the short term?
Love,
Judy

I'm here now, though I'm confused about why you guys moved...but hey, at least I found you. As for skinny inspirations, the best one I know is something my leader used to say (when I went to meetings): "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

Sorry to hear it is so cold where many of you are. It is clody and cool here in AZ, but not cold.

Work has calmed down somewhat. Still a lot of pressure, but not as much, and I'm just too burned out on OT to do any more right now. I weighed in last night and I'm still the same weight. Considering that I had two horrible weeks, and then one week where I was out of town for two days, that is a good thing. I'm fully back on track now with working out and eating well (when I go home to my family, I often eat more.) I am eating this delicious corn chowder recipe that is about 4.x-5 points, and it is so tasty with FF sour cream. If you ladies want the recipe, I will bring it in and type it up. It takes probably 30 minutes to make, and a little longer than that to cook, but it freezes really well and it's quite tasty.

Hi Judy:

A little motovational thing I read somewhere today was something like:

If you really want it you will make it happen, if you don't then you will find excuses why you can't.

Also, I like - Just Do It

And Why Not?

And "If it is meant to be - it is up to me"

Have a good one!

Hi Turtles,
Ariana, we moved because the last thread was getting too long. We'll do this every time we get into long three or four pages of posts. I'd love the recipe for corn chowder. I make one and I'd love to see what yours looks like.
I must say that I agree you're doing well with so much going on.

Bandit, I love your inspirations. They'll be helpful. I finally got back to the doc because my balance isn't any better and it's interfering with my life. To cut to the chase, I'm back at square one and will see him again on Friday to make sure that these meds do the trick.

Take care. Be well, and keep on keepin' on!

Hi Turtles! I've been busy with school (first test yesterday and I ACED it!) and just keeping the house running, but so far things are going well.

Glad to hear you had a good trip, Bandit. And it's always a good thing to know Mickey and Minnie are fine. After the hurricane season I was worried!

Judy, your July 4th goal sounds good to me. Now that you've got the distractions and the obligations of the holiday season over with, you can focus on yourself.

I'm glad to hear things have slowed down a wee bit, Ariana. I couldn't keep up with your schedule for long, that's for sure. Sometimes when we're under extreme stress out bodies hang on for dear life--burning fat is way too much effort when it's so much effort to just keep going! I'm sure when things settle down more you'll get off that plateau.

My body is changing, Turtles. I've been eating like this (it's strict, but once you get the hang of it it's actually pretty easy) for about 12 days now. I *feel* different. I feel like my body is just working better. I feel more awake, but not like...'not sleepy'. I feel more awake in my fingers and toes, in my arms and legs. I want to move around more. It's weird.

My jeans are falling off (seriously--when they're not fastened they don't hang on my hips, they just slide right off) and I need to go buy a new pair. For today I'm hitched up with a belt--that I had to pull tighter one notch. My abdomen seems smoother...I feel like my chest is sticking out more than usual. According to the scale this morning I'm down another 0.5. I'm not 'officially' counting it til friday, though.

An inspirational thought that I picked up somewhere:

Want something different? DO something different.

Have a good day, Turtles!

Hi turtles:

Arian - hope things get more settle for you, hang in there.

Judy - hope your meds work out for you.

Mousie - great job on those jeans!!! So much better than having to lie down to get them zipped up - hate that. My jeans are NOT getting an looser lately - too many treats this week.

Yesterday was good up until last night. I met a friend for coffee then ended up going through the drive-thr at McD and got Big Mac & Fries!! Anyway took it home & while I was eating it I remembered I had already had supper earlier - I couldn't believe it. Thank goodness no one was there - liked it matters. I had to count 19 flex points for that - which really cuts into my weeks worth.

Obvious I need to focus & smarten up.

Bye for now.

Ariana,
Glad you found us and that your work is a little less hectic and stressful right now. Weigh to go in doing your best!

Bandit,
Thanks for the inspirational messages. They were just what I needed to read.
It is true that we just have to do it. Wow! Wasn't that strange that you forgot you had had dinner? I think it's great you're counting the snack in as Flex points because that means you will lose weight again this week.

Mousie,
Always great to hear that jeans can fall off without a belt. Tell that to my black pair! I am so happy for you and that you have found an eating program that works. Weigh to go. You really have your eyes on the prize.
I also think it's interesting that you are feeling so much more alive. Keep up the good work.

I'm doing okay. The meds are starting to work, but my balance isn't quite here yet. I continue to be busy, but I'd rather rest. Got to WW and my mtg. yesterday. I was up 3.5 pounds, but I know that weight can come right off when I stay OP this week. The next 8 pounds I've put back on will come off in due time as I work my one pound a week magic from here to July 4th.
I'm so grateful for you guys because when I ask for help, it's here and I love being supportive of your efforts too. It's good to be in a group tthat doesn't just complain , but does something about it. Take care, be well , and chime in.
Love,
Judy

Hmm, Judy, you just reminded me that I have a black pair of jeans that were just a bit tight...I should find them and try them on!

It's good to hear that you're feeling more stable, though 100% balance would be nice! It must be awful, balance is something you don't think about until you don't have it. I think you're wise to just keep your eye on your goal and focus on small steps to get there, rather than lamenting how far you have to go. I believe you will make it.

Everyone else, here's positive energy and all my hopes that things are going well.

Hi turtles:

Had my w/i last night - NOT good - was up 1.4# so really have to be good this weekend, even though I have a dinner/dance tomorrow for a wildlife fundraiser.

So, all my little treats have caught up with me. We all know, they eventually do. Anyway, stayed for my meeting then got in a curves workout.

Mousie - go find the black jeans. That is awessome older clothes are fitting again - good for you!

Judy & Ariana - hope all is well with you.

Everyone - have a great OP weekend!

Well, Turtles, it's friday and that's weigh-in day. No loss this week--I'm maintaining at 271.0. Considering the fact that I've eaten an average of about 1950 calories/day, I'll take it! Hopefully I'll have a big "woosh" next week.

Bandit, personally I'd be thrilled to go on vacation for a week and come back with not even a pound and a half gain. You stayed for your meeting, got in a workout--sounds good to me! Plan your workouts into your weekend and stick by the plan. I always eat better when I've got "workout" on my mind. I eat even better when I'm SORE from a workout!

Today is our 5th anniversary, and hubby has told me to go get "prettified" today. I'm going to get my nails done (fingers and toes), touch up the color in my hair (right now it's crayon red; it needs to be brightened), and buy a dress for tonight. Tonight, he's taking me to Il Fornaio, an Italian restaurant on Coronado Island. Our reservation is late-ish (8:30), so I've got all day to get gussied up!

Keeping this in mind, I have the morning to workout. I've got a 5k and a leg workout planned. Do that, have lunch, go to an appointment at 2, buy a dress, nails...mumble mumble...must get busy!

Keep Turtle-stepping, and you'll get there!

Good afternoon ladies. Things have been intense at work, but I'm still managing to workout. I'm up to 4x this week, 1 weights+cardio, 1 just weights, and 2 just cardio. I stayed late at work fixing a vexing problem, but I still went to the gym, I just did weights, instead of weights and cardio (I had told an old friend I'd call her at 7, so that's all I had time for.)

My point, and I do have one: I worked out 4x this week, and I'll do one more this weekend. So I'm making my goal of working out 5x this week.

I'm also doing my best to stick to my daily points target every day, no flex points (but I do county excercise points.) I am looking forward to this weekend, since I do not count points on the weekend and can indulge (but not go crazy.) (I usually don't use any flex points during the week, and then I indulge moderately on the weekend but don't count points -- I may have told you ladies this before...I'm just really looking forward to it. )

It's weird, my body is nearly aching for junk food. I keep craving all kinds of high-point things (I won't mention them and tempt you ladies.) Usually, that's a sign that I'm losing weight, so wish me luck.

Bandit -- you might want to try a regular burger and a small fry next time you find yourself at McD's. That will save you 8 points, but still allow you to have your burger and fries, in the instance that you have a mad craving. Like chocolate, the first few bites are usually the best, so a big burger's not as necessary. If you were hungry and had eaten earlier, your body may have just wanted a snack, in which case a small burger and small fries would also have been preferable.

Of course, I'm just trying to offer the tips and tricks I use, not meaning to lecture at all. The important thing is not to beat yourself up over something (you sounded upset up expending all those points at once), but to learn how to move forward from it, to avoid it in the future, if you want to...

Then again, sometimes you need an indulgence. When I have a terrible, terrible day at work, I eat Eegees (a local fast food joint), but never more than once a week, and only when I am *desperately* craving it.

I think I'm beginning to ramble, but I hope that was at least vaguely helpful.

Now I understand, Itryharder.

I will try and type up and post the Corn Chowder recipe this weekend. It is tasty and filling at 4.5 points.

Mousie -- congrats! What a wonderful feeling.

Hi Turtles,
Wow. This site is jumping! Good for us. Bandit, I concur that although being up on the scale is never fun, considering all your vacation time, etc. you have done remarkably well. Keep on keepin' on because you're doing great. :

Mousie,
Wow! I am so proud of you that you have been able to fit in the number of calories per day that you need to lose weight. : I am sure that next week you'll have a nice loss.

Ariana,
I for one enjoy hearing your good tips and bits of advice because that's how I get good ideas to stay on track. Thanks! You're doing awesome on the exercise trail and that's great! Keep up the good work/

JDaughter and grandbaby here and I'll have to run, but I'm doing well even though there have been 3 social occasions already this week. I am keeping track of water, milk, fruit and veggies, and counting the WPA's I use so I don't get into 2007 with my points!!! LOL.
I really have to run, but everyone take care and enjoy the weekend the WW way.
Love,
Judy