Karen – that barley casserole sounds awesome! Is it difficult to make? I’m thinking you sauté the mushrooms and add to cooked barley or did you make it differently?? Way to go on the doggie walks. Sorry about the chocolate slip-up. I’m going to have to watch out for that on Monday.

Carla – Wow! What a fabulous loss! I wouldn’t worry too much about the slip-up. It’s one day and now it’s over. I think you’ll do just fine today at the party. Good idea about having some soup – just try not to go to the party hungry – although it might be tough to have a low point snack just before since everything will be such a rush. Way to go on taking the walk AND increasing your pace! Keep track of those workouts; you’ll be surprised how they add up (and I promise to keep in your face). So what are your plans for a workout tomorrow??

~P (or do you prefer TxMom?) Sorry about the emotional battle. It sure makes it hard on our eating, but congratulations on doing so well at the Chinese buffet! If you think of it, that has to be a double victory – a victory over Chinese food (one of my soft spots) AND a victory over a buffet! Keep going, it sounds like you are doing great under trying circumstances.

I had a pretty good week. First, although I went back to bed and missed the early morning meeting, I did get up and go to the later one and was rewarded with a 1.2 pound loss. I’m slowly but surely getting rid of the holiday gain. I did OK food-wise this week although I did get myself in a bit of a weekly points deficit. I also upped the exercise a bit (maybe a bit too much) ‘cause I was just dying to try a new cardio dvd I got. I did about ½ hour each time and it felt good to earn some AP’s but I think I will focus on some strength and yoga this weekend. I have a couple of challenges this week. Tonight, Tony and I are going out to dinner to a lovely Italian restaurant – I’m going to have a Cosmo but I will probably look for fish as an entrée. Monday is the tough part. The class if having a cookie exchange for Valentine’s Day. I’m baking some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies tomorrow top bring in. I’ve decided to let myself have 2 cookies and NOT to bring any home. Then of course, there will probably be a few gifts that involve chocolate. Depending on what they are, I may try to have a taste or just throw ‘em out once I get home!

Time to go back to school work – have a great one!
Judy
25/240 workouts

Well I am happy to report that even after my emotional eating battles this week here and there, I am down another 2 pounds. (Actually just one overall, since I gained one back last week...LOL)

That really lifted my spirits quite a bit and is major encouragement for me to continue with making the changes I have been making. I went to lunch with my mother-in-law on Saturday after some shopping. We stopped at Logans and both ordered a huge salad with a fried chicken breast on it. (I know grilled would have been better, but this was my "splurge"). I ordered dressing on the side and dipped my fork in it prior to placing my salad on it. I only had ONE roll with a little butter (normally both of us could knock off the 4 rolls they bring you initially and then get another basket! LOL). I took more than half of my salad home and had some of it for lunch today and gave the rest to my daughter. I was totally impressed with myself! It felt so good to feel in control like that.

I was telling my mother-in-law about following WW. I told her that I am looking at just losing 10% of my current weight at a time, like WW recommends. She said that what is helping her lose is instead of looking at it even on that level, she just shoots for one pound. When she loses one pound, she sets a goal of one more pound. Or if she is 161, can't wait to be 160. Then under 160, etc. I think I might try the one pound at a time philosophy as well. It seems way more attainable even than saying 26 pounds. Either way, I am really proud of myself lately and can see a difference in the choices that I make.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and support! I hope everyone has an awesome week ahead and I will report back on my exercise progress. Tomorrow night after work I am hopping on the treadmill for a few minutes. :)

~P