New and would like a buddy

[MI CHICK]

Well as you can see dh helped me put my pic in my avatar. The hardest thing was finding a pic--first off I am
the taker of most of our pic's, and second I am like most over weight people & stay out of as many pic's as possible...LOL!!! We tried to put in the whole pic like you did Teresa but it was too many pixels or some such thing.
But it is at least a fairly recent pic--we were at the nature center taking a walk. How do you like that silver hair???
I started graying in my early 30's & of course colored it til I was 50. My hair was so dry so I just swallowed my pride & quit. Was happy when it all grew out & I saw that it was a nice silver, not a yellowish white. But it's still hard on your pride in the beginning. Don't like being 53 as it is & I know that my hair color ages me. But it beats being bald from coloring it non stop LOL!! Would be even easier to take if I wasn't fat too. But I am working on that

I ended up eating about 6 oz of sausage & about 2 oz of sage cheddar with bread & butter pickles made with Splenda. And I went ahead & had my carb smart bar. That seems to have pretty much filled the gap. Feel a bit hungry still but it's 11 & I don't want to go to bed on a bunch of extra calories.
IWILLDOIT how did your menu work out today?? Was that enough food for you?
nite all--
corrisann

[Teresa3]

Oh, Corrisann, that is such a beautiful picture! And your hair is gorgeous! Mine is so thin and wispy You are so lucky, and I love silver hair, too, and I don't think it ages you. It's so great to see you! Kathleen, now you've got to get one posted!

I love the woodsy background; makes a great backdrop for your picture. sounds like you really like nature a lot, too. Do you go to the nature preserve often? I really love to spend time at our UCSC arboretum. We have an outstanding collections of Australian and New Zealand trees and bushes, especially the colorful protea.

The jazz show was great--piano, tenor sax, bass, and drums. Played some of the mello classics and some upbeat stuff. Dinner was chicken thighs cooked with red wine, black olives, tomatoes, onions, and capers. Green beans and mashed potatoes (gave those to dh). So it was fine, but I did end up sharing a delicious piece of carrot cake with dh. Just can't stay away from the sweets lately! Did Ok on everything else today, tho.

Hope you all had a great Monday! Nite, Teresa

[rican3]

Hi Ladies,
I know, I know I have been absent a lot….Well I am back and boy do I need an **# whipping! I went to San Antonio over the weekend and I was bad, bad, bad. They have the best Mexican food there and I could not resist it. Ate it all plus chicken fried steak and hamburgers with the bun, I’ll bet I gained 5 lbs and it took Corrisann a 2 week vacation to do that! We went to see my girlfriend (since the 6th grade) my oldest friend. She is moving to San Antonio from Florida and had come for a week to help set up her husband before she can come out. So we had a blast. Went down to the River Walk and showed them a little about getting around town. I used to live there before I divorced my first h. The last time we saw them was 2000 in Jacksonville, FL. Well we had a wonderful time and the DH’s get along so well it was great fun had by all. I really needed a break Thank goodness I was only there for the weekend or I would be a blimp! I just can’t believe how much I ate after being so disciplined for this long. Then I could not even get on track today and had real pasta for lunch……….I am starting back on the right track tomorrow. I must not blow this 20 lb loss.


Hello, Hello, Iwilldoit. Welcome to our little group. We really do support and help each other a lot. We are here for you too!

Corrisann I love your picture! It looks like fall behind you! Our weather has not cooled down yet either. We are so warm and muggy still. The weather man said fall is here but I don’t believe him!!

Till tomorrow,
Kathleen

[MI CHICK]

So glad to hear that you had such a good time!! You needed that after all the children hassles. And such a longtime friend--very rare & very wonderful!! Plus the miracle of both dh's getting along!!!
You can just get back on girl--I did & you can too--you cannot do a binge thing after losing 20lbs. Actually, after the first food choices of the first day back on track it was same ole same ole & not a problem. Just remember you & your life are so much more than a plate of food!

IWILLDOIT how did your lighter menu work out for you today? Did you do it today too??

Yeah it was a great fall or winter scene with all the leaves on the ground & all the bare trees behind me. That's why dh took the pic was how great the trail looked, not because he needed a pic of me LOL!!! Wish it would have fit in. Don't know why it wouldn't since Teresa, her dog & her flowers all fit in.....I don't get all this 'puter stuff

Yes Teresa there are a lot of really nice nature centers and arboretums. We try & enjoy them all since most of them are free and we can't afford to live out in the country. Boy you did so good with your meal.....if you just could have let the piece of cake go....you sound like me when someone waves homemade yeast breads under my nose... I just crumble

Today's menu:
B=coffee w/cream ham & cheese salad
L=protein bar
D=mexican meat loaf
S=wonderful crisp apple from the orchard 1sl ham & 1 sl cheese
tomorrow's menu:
B=coffee w/cream ham & eggs
L=cauliflower & meat loaf
D=shrimp & ?
S=?

[Teresa3]

Good Evening, Gals--

Good to hear about your great weekend, Kathleen! I was in San Antonio once several years ago, when dh and I came for the NCAA basketball tournament and Stanford was in it. DH is an alum and we're basketball fans. We went to the River Walk, too--it's fun and glamourous. But the place I enjoyed the most was a cute little German town outside of SA we drove out to, had lunch in a German restaurant (love German food!), and drove around the deserty countryside. I've always wanted to go back there.

Anyway, glad you had such a great time, and don't blame you for eating all the goodies. I'm sure you'll get any of the effects of that off soon--you know most of it is probably water retention from all the salt in those foods! I'm afraid I've been really off lately, too. I keep making plans but breaking them when I see sweets. I blew it again today, and had mango cream pie at lunch. I just can't stop myself, and I really wanted to get to my 20 lb. mark, too! Oh well--I know if we just keep hanging in here we will eventually get going again!

Corrisann, you've been posting some great menus--Mexican meatloaf sounds yummy! How do you make that? Have you been able to stick to your plan since you got back? I've been reading that it's been unseasonably hot up your way--hope you get some fall weather before winter hits!

See you all for weigh-in tomorrow (not looking forward to it ). T.

[MI CHICK]

Ok gal's I'm living proof that miracles do happen LOL!!!
I went on vacation & enjoyed many bread type treats & 2 grand sweet treats, came home & got right back to it & at my first weigh in I am 237, which is what I was the Wed before we left!!! So Kathleen thank you so my much for the plan of eating clean all day & having a chosen special something at 1 meal a day. Worked great!! And I so enjoyed the things I did eat--instead of them getting lost in a glut of foods. So Kathleen just get back to it today & your own words will make you be ok next week too

all time high 249 (243)
start date 6/18/07
today's wgt 237
last week's wgt 237
goal 160
5'6" 53yrs old

Got to watching 2 goofy shows on either Sat or Sun that were all weight related for women--they so showed why we are screwed up LOL!!! One was girls trying out for training camp for the Dallas Cheer Leaders. One girl was let go cause she was too heavy (10lbs) for their uniform, and she had the most fantastic shape....most of us would die for her shape!!! The other was I Want To Look Like A High School Cheer Leader again. First off how realistic is it for grown women to look like they did at 18??? Plus they all weighed 140-160's....the weight most of us would love to see!! I got so sucked in & dh keep saying each time he walked thru the livingroom what on earth are you watching??? But I just kept thinking how I'd thought we'd gotten a little bit beyond that kind of thinking....dh said as long as male/female/sex exists there will be this kind of thinking.

Gramama & IWILLDOIT we would like you to join us with a weigh in today. You can do this & we can sure support each other along the road to that success!!
corrisann

[rican3]

Well here is the big weigh in for the week and I am not so bad. Not good, but not horrible.Corrisann I am so glad the way you ate on your trip worked!! I should have stuck to my own words……..You did great!! I am so proud for you! As for me I am hoping to be on track from now until Thanksgiving. We are all learning lots about ourselves and you are right, we are not just a plate of food! Teresa you will get a grip. Maybe try some low carb ice cream or fruit instead of the desserts, if you can’t get them while eating out, promise yourself when you get home that will be your “treat”. It is all how we think about things, the mind games we play. I know after this weekend there is no way I could eat out as much as you do and not give in to all the temptation. I don’t know how you have done so well this far!! Iwilldoit and gramma we need to hear from you please! We hope you’re doing well and if not we will still support you. We all come with faults!

Today I will be dinning on:
B-coffee w/cream, (4) sausage patties (small) (2 c)
L-Hamburger Pattie w/provolone cheese lettuce and tomato salad w/dressing (7c)
D-Grilled Steak and mashed potato (cauliflower, butter & sour cream) green beans (12c)
S-Almonds (2c)

Today’ stats
All time high (2007) - 273
Start date June 18, '07 - 273
Last Monday - 252
Today – 255.06
Goal - 175 to start
Height - 5'7
Age – 51

PS: The gal I work with and I are going to walk the track at least 3 days a week starting today! It is right across the street from where we work and it could not be more convenient. We can change here at the office and go. Will wonders never cease………………..

[Teresa3]

congrats Corrisann for not gaining any real weight on your vacation--that is AMAZing!! I wish I could pick up your dedication to get back to it!

Kathleen, you have done well, considering your weekend, and now you're rededicating to the program. Fantastic that you and a friend are going to walk together; that's always so much more fun, and definitely helps you stay on track (pun intended)

I shouldn't be too unhappy; I'm up a lb. and a half, but I should have been down two by now, so in effect it feels like I am up over three I have to get back in line. My eating has been good except for one dessert each day. Yes, Kathleen, thanks for the advice; maybe I should get some lc ice cream, cause I'm getting tired of the lc choc bars and maybe that's why I'm craving other desserts. Or maybe I could try only a couple of bites...

I got a kick out of you sitting and watching those silly shows, Corrisann-- How many times have we all fallen prey to that insanity! My dh would have a fit if he caught me watching that, too! I can't imagine you doing that--you must have had a moment of weakness! (Yeah, if I'd been at your house I would have been glued to the set, too--we could've sat there and polished off a whole bag of chips while we were hypnotized by it--those producers should be made to starve until they get down to some anorexic weight! ) Gawd, please keep those shows off the air!

All time high - 175
Start - 170
Today's weight - 154 1/2
Last week - 153
Age - 58, height 5'2"

[MI CHICK]

Good morning gal's!! So it wasn't a terrible week---damage that can be corrected right quick with a little attention. How fantastic that you now have a walking partner Kathleen!!! That helps so much! Teresa I agree with Kathleen you need to go to the store & buy legal dessert items. Get some Rheddi Whip & lc ice cream & jello & different lc choc then what you've been having, & some lc jam made w/Splenda. Come home & use the ice cream to shave some choc on top, sprinkle on some nuts
& give it a large shot of Rheddi Whip. Or the ice cream with a strawberry jam & Rheddi Whip. Make jello & layer it into a pretty glass with the Whip between layers. Be creative & satisfy that sweet tooth!! I need to take the time to do some of the faux bread items to satisfy my weakness. Can you pretend you're diabetic & that you'll end up real sick if you cheat??? LOL anything that will get you thru!
When I got in from work last nite dh told me he'd gotten laid off. So I spent the evening trying to cheer him up. Guess the dieting maybe easier as I won't be going to the grocery store all that much You know from my struggles this summer around extra college expenses right at tax time that I'd cleaned out the cupboards & the bank account. Never replenished either cause we went on vacation. Job market is so crappy in MI so we'll see what happens.
Speaking of jobs I need to get off here & get ready to go to mine. You 2 be careful & make this a day to cheer about tomorrow!!
corrisann

[Teresa3]

Hi, All--

I'm so sorry to hear your dh got laid off, Corrisann I hope he finds something quick so you don't have to go through your cupboards and have those challenges of eating off program again. Although, you handled it really well last time. However, if you didn't replenish them, now maybe you can get some stuff that's better for you.

You've given me some great ideas for legal desserts--think I should go hit the diabetic aisle and see what kinds of no sugar sweet treats they have. I did go look for the lc ice cream, but dh didn't want me to get it because they only had a large size and he didn't want it taking up room in the freezer! I can't believe I let him pull that on me, especially since he just ate up 4 pints of his favorites he was keeping in there!

Well I'm trying to keep motivating myself to get back on induction, just until I go on my little jaunt a week from Sunday. My biggest motivator should be my feet, but somehow when I see cases of pies and pastries I become amnesiac.

Kathleen, have you gone around the track with your friend yet? You and I need to get our 3 lbs. off this week, after putting it back on. How's your eating going this week?

I'm going to try to lose 1/2 lb. a day for 8 days, either on induction or fat fast. Well, it's worth a try! I'm telling myself it's all I have to do for the day--lose 1/2 lb. just for today, whatever it takes! Wish me luck!

Today's weight - 154 1/2 Tomorrow's goal - 154
B - egg yolk, sausage, spinach
L - salad w/roast beef slices (no more than 4 oz.) NO DESSERT!
D - chicken, greens
S - almonds, w/cr ch or butter
Exercise - 30 min. gym, 10 min. bike

[Suji]

Hullo there,
I popped over from our "house" in Penpals (Turned 50 and...) to visit ya'll. You are right, Teresa. This sounds like a really nice bunch of ladies. Isn't it great to lose weight with friends?? You're welcome to come visit us too. :-p We've been posting since beginning of the year over there, I think.

On the sweets stuff, I guess most everything that I have in the house requires me to put in effort to make the dessert, so, um, it doesn't get made. The only other place that I go with dessert items is to the coffee shop where it is a combo bakery and I look at those yummy things, but purposefully don't bring in enough money to buy one. Heheheheh. Just enough for a large regular coffee that I put extra cream in. I just play to my natural laziness and penny pinching. :-D (I do put store-bought cookies in my kid's lunch, but they aren't nearly as good as homemade, so are easy to resist.)

Sue

[Teresa3]

Good morning, Everyone--

Greetings, Sue! How nice to have you pop over for morning "coffee" I feel a little like Mr. Rogers here..."it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood..." (As you can see, Corrisann and Kathleen, I surfed over to Sue's site and said hello and proffered an invite.) The more support we can offer each other on this difficult road the better, right?

I'm sitting here with my healthy cup of green tea this drizzly a.m. trying to warm myself with a fuzzy blanket and a hot computer in my lap. Looks like the rainy winter is starting early this year! I know we need it, but I feel blue in the gray! Makes it harder to want to stay on the program, when what I want is hot creamy comfort food.

I'm so easily seduced by anything with pumpkin in it; yesterday it was pumpkin cheesecake! OUT OF CONTROL AGAIN! When will this ever stop? Do you think I may have been inhabited by aliens? I seem to be taken over by some sort of zombie when I see sweets. And I can't stay home for lunch--I'd absolutely fall apart! Have to come up with some new battle stategy, cuz I'm losin' this one!

Looks like it finally cooled off up your way, Corrisann, so I hope you'll be able to get out and enjoy some beautiful autumn walks.

How's the walking going for you, Kathleen? Has it cooled off down there at all?

B - egg yolk, sausage, spinach
L- chicken caeser salad
D - roast chicken, zucchini
S - almonds, cr ch, lc choc
Exercise - 2 10 min. bike rides

[MI CHICK]

Well it's been a screwy week & I sure am glad it's over!! I did bad last nite & tonight...just stress eating but really dumb after I did so good all thru vacation & then got right back on track immediately when we got home...

Thanks for the greeting Sue & you sure are right that we need all the support we can get LOL!! At the rate we are going Kathleen, Teresa & I are going to be filing for our SS pensions before we get to goal.....

Yeah it's cooling off nicely finally Teresa. Hot & creamy is easy to do on lc--requires some cooking though & I know you are not big on cooking. I agree with Kathleen, I couldn't eat out as often as you do & get anywhere.

I'm pooped--too much stress & too much starch hitting my blood stream--so I'm off to bed. Here's to all of us having a good Sat!
corrisann

[Teresa3]

So sorry to hear you were stressed out yesterday, Corrisann. I hope you have a better day today! I imagine some of that is due to dh's being laid off? Whatever the reason, I hope you can keep from getting on a downward spiral...

Kathleen, how're you doin' ? We've all been a bit off track now, so let's all get back on the wagon!

I actually had a pretty good day yesterday, even tho I had a lunch out with the girls. I only had a salad with a striped bass filet on it, and chicken and green beans for dinner. Did my 10 min. on the bike before and after dinner, and this morning I was down 1/2 lb. Yeah! Now I just need to do that every day!

Hope you both are having nice weather this weekend so you can get some walking in. DH and I are going to the gym, our usual Saturday routine. He goes to the farmer's market on Sat. morning, then we go have a buffet lunch at the hotel where our gym is located, and we do a little workout afterwards. Come home, I go to the arboretum and walk and do a little communing with nature. Leftovers for dinner, then watch TV. It's a little ho-hum, but also nice. Comforting.

What are y'all doing this weekend? T.

B - egg yolk, sausage, spinach
L - salad w/cold cuts, beef brisket
D - roast chicken, green beans, zucchini
S - almonds, cr ch, lc choc
Exercise - 30 min. gym 15 min walk?

[MI CHICK]

Good morning all!! Sorry to have left you all alone all weekend Teresa--hope you didn't feel all deserted! Just was busy 1 thing after another. Good stuff so no complaints. Kathleen are the kids sucking up all your time still?? LOL!! We are picking up ds this weekend & bringing him home so he can visit us & both sets of grand parents. So that will wrap up our Oct nicely. Boy can you even believe that--the end of Oct will be on us that soon???

My eating has been struggling....kind of stupid after all the good eating before the trip & during the trip & after the trip.....it's all just emotional I know. Just want that comfort food so bad!! Decided instead of losing days eating all kinds of stupid stuff to fill that gap I would just make myself some homemade bread & see if I could get myself over it. Made 2 loaves of Oatmeal Bread with wheat germ in it yesterday. Had 1 slice hot out of the oven & then toasted 2 & had them w/my sausage & eggs for dinner. Did the trick (for last nite anyways...LOL) as I was finally satisfied & ate no more the rest of the evening. Today I am taking my ham & cheese to work on 2 slices of the bread. Then my 1oz almonds & diet pop. Tonight is
going to be a stirfry & I'm always fine to not eat it on rice so that will be ok. Just am going to keep plugging along cause we all know that life just keeps happening & we have to live around it. Had to do that with the smoking--admit that there would always be stress times & fun times & I couldn't wait for them to clear out of my path to then quit smoking.

Congrats on the 1/2lb Teresa. Your next days menu sounded good & you were going to get some more exercise in so I'm sure you have gotten another 1/2 off by now! Your Sat routine sounds great! We all need those quiet easy days! Dh & I like to do that with going out to one of the nature centers & walking around. He wanted to do that this Sat but we decided that we shouldn't spend the gas money since we don't have a clue how things are going to go with the job searching. He was so antsy...drove me nuts! Am glad ds is going to be home to occupy him this next weekend LOL!!!

Did you find any good creamy legal desserts yet Teresa? The bakeries here had some for a spell when the Atkins was doing such a booming business a couple years ago. I should check thru my lc cookbooks & see if I find something that I found yummy. A baked pumpkin custard w/Rheddi Whip seems like it should fill that spot for you.

Well must get ready for work. Ya'll have a good day
corrisann

[Teresa3]

Evenin, All--

Glad you had a nice weekend, Corrisann. I think it was a great idea you had to go ahead and make the bread for yourself. You made a very healthy recipe, satisfied your craving, and didn't over eat! That's the point, isn't it?

I also think our bodies always go thru this thing of attempting to put the pounds back on, especially when the weather gets cooler. So we are always fighting and uphill battle.

Re your advice to try to find acceptible treats--I did try just eatint the filling out of a pumpkin tart with a little whipped cream, and that seemed to do the trick without putting weight on. And I do think I'd better order some other lc bars that aren't chocolate, cause I'm growing weary of them.

Well, let's keep hangin in there and think about how great we'll feel in a few months when our dedication will show some rewards!

See you tomorrow, Teresa

[MI CHICK]

Hey Teresa! Seems we are the last ones knocking around in here.... hope your day went well. Got in your 10mn bike rides & maybe a walk at the arboretum?? It is that fall nesting thing that makes us want to eat the comfort food! Warm homemade soup w/a nice chunk of warm homemade bread, yum!!! Are you looking forward to your trip into wine country?? Almost here. Always good to get away for a spell.
Eating was under control today. Made myself wait until my tummy actually growled a bit to eat so that I knew my body had used up the 2 sl of bread I'd had. We'll see when we weigh tomorrow. Have your smaller pair of jeans arrived yet? The pair I put on today were quite a bit looser in the calf....odd, but they were fresh out of the dryer so I knew they were not stretched at all. Our bodies most certainly don't work like machines LOL!!!
How's your menu looking? Trying anything new or getting back to some real favorites to hold your interest? I have some nice tomatoes from my moms garden to enjoy over the next few days. But it will be the last of them for the year, actually only had them this long into the season due to the warmth lasting longer.
Enjoy your evening Teresa! And Kathleen tell those kids you love 'em but need 20 minutes a day to hang with your on line friends cause we sure miss you!!!
corrisann

[Teresa3]

Mmmmm...homemade soup and homemade bread! That would hit the spot! Congrats for keeping your eating under control with that yummy comfort food! Maybe we are learning to actually eat like thin people after all! You are doing really well managing the things you really like, Corrisann, and not going overboard. The permanent goal is to achieve that, so you won't be likely to gain the weight back. Good going, Girl!

I did have another good day. Kind of a boring menu, but at least I stuck to the plan. I took your advice, thank you very much, and ordered some no sugar fruit spreads and some different kinds of lc bars (raspberry and white chocolate). So hopefully I can turn to those instead of bakery desserts! And I did go to the gym today, and made two 10 min. bike rides.

How about you--have you gotten a chance to do any walking or get on your gizelle? Haven't heard much about that lately!

It rained and rained today. I can't believe how wet it's been, so early. I guess it's good because we had a near drought winter last year, but this is unusually early for this frequency of rainy days. I so want sun for our trip to Napa on Sunday!

Kathleen, hope you have been able to stay on program with all your family and job challenges! Miss you, Girl!

See y'all for weigh-in tomorrow! T.

[MI CHICK]

all time high 249 (243)
start date 6/18/07
today's wgt 238
last week's wgt 237
goal 160
5'6" 53yrs old

I am up 1lb BUT I tell you what, I have been thinking about what you said Teresa---how many years has it been since I could have had weeks of stress/vacation/more stress & have hung on like I have????? That is actually more phonomal (sp?) than if I'd lost 10lbs, cause I know I can do that--over & over & over.....LOL!! So maybe we are learning & implementing some new ways into our lives!!
I actually did feel much better when I just sat down with my cup of tea & ate my lovely piece of toast. Whether emotional or physical chemical release into my system I do know that I would have done much worse if I'd just kept doing that pick & bite cheat eating we do. Plus I would have only felt guilty not satisfied & able to move on.
Dh is off to a job interview at Toyota & he has 1 tomorrow morning at 8 at another company. So we shall see--in MI so many very qualified people are available for every single opening a test & interview mean nothing.
Not sure about today's menu. Have to look thru the kitchen. Now that dh is out the door I can do so.
Let me know about the white choc & raspberry--I love both of them!!! I like to make SF raspberry jello. Put in pretty bowls, lay some nice raspberries on top & then spray with Rhedi Whip. Yum! Course it's not the "creamy" you were looking for. For awhile you could get the Rhedi Whip in Choc & it was great on top. It was just a lite cocoa flavor.
Well the dryer is buzzing so I need to get the laundry switched over & shower & get ready for work
corrisann

[Teresa3]

You are quite right, Corrisann--it is a tremendous amount of progress to be able to hang on and not fall right back into the old patterns of completely giving up and going on an all-out binge because we weren't perfect, or were under stress! So congratulations for hanging on and staying in control. Moderation is the true goal!

I am so happy for you that you are having the thing you enjoy the most, in moderation. And we will lose weight if we just eat in moderation, compared to the way we were used to eating--it will just take more patience.

I did pretty well the last couple of days, and got back to where I was and lost a little more. I won't make my 20 lb. loss by this weekend, but I'm hoping to get there by the end of the month. Anything at this point is appreciated!

All time high - 175
Start - 170
Last week - 154 1/2
Today - 152 1/2
Age 58, 5' 2"

I've been riding the bike every day 2 or 3 times in 10 min. increments; I think that has been helping. We're going to a cello concert tonight, and dinner is going to be leftover asparagus, plus I got a craving for a hot dog, so I'm going to have one or two bunless, w/mustart, ketchup, and mayo!

Glad to hear your dh has some interviews--I'll keep my fingers crossed for him! Hope you had a good day today! T.

[MI CHICK]

Teresa you are closing in on that 20lb mark!! How quickly that 149 can come up on your scale with the way you keep exercising!! Some dry wine & cheese on your trip this week end is great & legal!! I know you are really looking forward to going. Have a great & relaxing time. Remember you are going for the beauty & good time with dh not for food....LOL!!! This reoccuring thought did help me on vacation believe it or not. I'd look at the menu & think did I really come 2000 miles to have the same greasy french fry I could have at home??? and the humor of the thought got me over that decision hump.

How was your concert?? Boy I would have loved to have gone along in your pocket!! And I love hot dogs done on the grill!! Not healthy at all I know but so good they don't really need the bun.

I've been eating ok. Went yesterday with my check & did a pretty decent stock up for the kitchen. Ds is going to be home this weekend & a 6'6" 25yr old can really make a dent in things so I hope something is left for us when he's gone LOL!!!! The best incentive at this point is that it got cool enough to put away the capri's that have the elastic waist & loose fitting body and go into my jeans. Fresh out of the dryer they zip easily & after wearing a couple hours are actually loose thru the hips/tummy/thigh area. That has felt so nice!! When I packed them away in June they were all so tight that they were uncomfortable.

You are right re the exercise. I have been procrastinating big time.....cleaned up the garden & patio & part of the garage yesterday. Am leaving my bike in the garage at this point in time as I am hoping with all this nice weather to get some riding in still. With dh home underfoot 24/7 right now I am sure that will encourage me to get out for a half hour ride thru the neighborhood a few times a week....

Well you have a great trip Teresa!!! I will miss having you here Maybe Kathleen or Gramama will drop in & keep me company.....
corrisann

[Teresa3]

Thanks for the suggestions for my trip, Corrisann. Since it's only for a couple of days, it's easier to not think so much about the food, and think more about the beauty of the place and getting away w/dh. I will try hard not to overeat!

We heard Hilary Hahn, a real up and comer on the violin last night, along with another young female pianist. They really lit up the stage in their glamorous gowns--a bit out of place for Santa Cruz; we're real casual here...but she was incredible. Such beautiful tones. She will be phenomenal when she matures more. I wish you could have come along with us, too!

Hey, how great that you got a nice surprise putting your jeans on! Isn't that just the best feeling? I've been saving all these one size smaller pants for years, and now I can wear all of them--it's just fabulous! Let's keep hangin in here so we can have more experiences like that!

Well, I'm really tired tonight so I'm turning in, but I will check in again with you before we leave Sunday morning. Have a great weekend with your DS! T.

[Teresa3]

Hi--
Well, I spent all day today preparing to go away for a day and a half! It's hard when you have a pet you're so attached to. We decided to try a housesitter for the first time, and there was so much stuff I had to write up for her, plus clean the house, wash clothes, pack...really it took more days of work to prepare for this little trip than we'll be gone! I hope it's worth it!

At least I got a lot of exercise in, doing housework, etc. And it looks like we'll have nice sunny weather. I've been pretty good on my eating the last few days, and plan to keep it under control up there. Anyway, how much damage can you do in a day and a half?

Hope you are having fun with your DS, Corrisann. I'll probably be checking in again Monday night. Kathleen, I hope you're doing well, and that we hear from you shortly! Teresa

[MI CHICK]

Well Teresa you must be home by now. I'm sure your dog was very happy to see you! And you are so right about all the prep work for a trip--one needs a vacation to recoup from their vacation!!! LOL!!! I'm sure you had a good time though! Is this new round of fires anywhere near you? And how did the eating go?? I've been doing alright considering I'm back to having to eat whats available at this point. Dinner for dh is going to be sloppy joes & hashbrowns cooked with onions & green peppers. He'll be very happy with all that. But it's one of those meals that won't work for me any which way you turn it. So I'm sitting here thinking what I can do that's not just cooking up a couple eggs.
Wonder what has happen to Kathleen?? Hope it's just craziness around the kids & job hunting not that she's given up!!! Funny how you get attached to folks over just a few months of emails.....I still wonder about Polly & her bookstore & why she just suddenly stopped....
Now that you are home & have had this nice break it's time for us to get serious before Thanksgiving is upon us!!!
Can't even believe it's getting to be that time! Hard to get in the mood as MI is still having above normal temps so it doesn't feel like fall.
Well better get to the kitchen & figure what's up for dinner.
corrisann

[Teresa3]

Hi, Corrisann--

Yes, I'm (obviously) back, and we did have a nice time. The grapevines were golden, green, and red. And there were red and yellow trees. I just love the tall slender cypress trees, and the willowy yellow poplars. The valley looked like pictures I've seen of Italy. It really was beautiful. I wish we could have stayed at least another day.

We stopped in Yountville on the way up and ate lunch at a small French bistro that has a Michelin star. It was very charming, and has a real French chef. Bistro Jaunty. DH had picked pigs' feet and a lamb tongue salad. I had rabbit pate and smoked trout, and we shared a baked apple dessert. I tried not the eat the pastry. It was really fun, very busy.

We stayed at a nice inn in a rural area, built on a hillside. It had a panoramic view of the valley, and we ate dinner and breakfast outside on the deck so we could really take in the view. At breakfast you could see a brightly colored hot air balloon ascending the valley. It was picture perfect!

Dinner was one of the 4 course tasting menus, so I had more than I should have, but I tried to mostly avoid the carby stuff, had some fish and some duck, and another apple dessert with ice cream. But I was only up 1 lb. this morning, so I'm happy. We had to climb so many stairs at this place up and down all the time, I think I must have burned a lot of calories!

Anyway, it was a lovely experience, and I hope we can go back and spend a little more time. There's a 3 star French restaurant up there I want to go to some day. I hear it takes 2 months to get a reservation. Maybe I'll see if I can get dh to spring for it as a reward if I ever get to my goal weight. I guess he won't have to worry about that for a long time!

I'm sorry you have to go back to eating off the program, Corrisann. But you've made a lot of progress keeping your portions under control, so maybe you can just eat like people who are on that kind of eating plan, and at least keep from gaining. And you could even lose some, especially if you can get some walking in. Anyway, the point is to not give up--it won't be forever!

I got the lc candy and jam I ordered. Tried the milk choc w/almonds, and the coconut--pretty good. Think I'll try a dessert concoction made from almonds, apricot jam, and chocolate. After doing pretty well on our trip, I come home and have chocolate cake and french bread! I wonder what my weight will be tomorrow!

I'm sad, too, that we have not heard from Kathleen, and that we lost Polly, and others! I hope we will still hear from Kathleen. Promise me, Corrisann, that if you decide to discontinue, you'll say goodbye!
And I will promise to do the same! I hope we will keep this up at least until we have been at it for a whole year, because I know it will take me at least that long to get near my goal; and I think if we keep trying, we will be happy with what we have accomplished after a year's worth of keepin' at it! Have a good night, and I'll see you for weigh-in tomorrow. T.

[rican3]

Good morning ladies.
I know a blast from the past! I am so sorry I have been out of touch. I’ve been so busy these past few weeks. I almost gave up and decided I had too much invested for that. It is so easy to do when you are not checking in as I should have been. You guys have been very busy too, I see from reading back. I see Teresa you got to the wine country! Sounds wonderful. Corrisann I was sorry to hear about your DH’s job loss. I hope you get good news soon. My DH has not been working also. Through no fault of his own. The refinery had problems and the job has been postponed until mid November. So I understand exactly what you are going through

I hope I can get back to the routine of writing again because lord knows I need you guys. It has been stressful and fun at the same time if that makes sense. Our social life has been busy with the lodge, a lot going on this month. We had the Supreme Governor here from IL, and had a big to do and then last weekend was Celebration, which is a 3 day event and this Friday is our big Halloween Carnival for the younger kids. We have a big room or hall and we set up booths of all kinds for the kids to win candy and treats. It is one of our 3 big fundraisers for the year for the women. I think we are donating to the local women’s shelter this time around.

On the home front we have the kids…..need I say more! The youngest one is giving her Dad and me a pretty hard time. I told him cut her off and she will grow up or come around. I feel if they want to be irresponsible then they should take care of their own problems and then maybe they will see the light. Life is about choice and you have to live with the consequences. He always wants to be the rescuer and I see that as enabling to some extent. If he is always there why should she have to stand up? Besides that I have raised her for 8 years now and I’ll be dammed if I don’t have some say in what goes on. All of a sudden I am not her Mom anymore…………..you bet it hurts. But it does not matter what she thinks, I am still her Mom. And I will still be there for her when she is ready. Oh how they can hurt us………………...Well enough about me, thanks for letting me rant! On to the dreaded weigh in (cause I have been really bad)

Today’ stats
All time high (2007) - 273
Start date June 18, '07 - 273
Last Wednesday (10/10) – 255.06
Today – 255.00
Goal - 175 to start
Height - 5'7
Age – 51

I was surprised to have maintained!

Today’s Menu
B-Roast beef on rev. roll with mayo and lettuce & tomato
Coffee w/ cream
L-fried chicken fajitas and Faux mashed potatoes (leftover from last night)
If you have not tried making mashed potatoes from cauliflower try it! Really did surprise me how good they were. Lots of good recipes for this on this site
D-Sausage or Ribs on the grill w/ eggplant parm. (my way)
S- cheese and almonds

I really need to cut back and get on induction again. I am already feeling the stress of Thanksgiving and the holidays. At least I am still down from where I started, but I feel I need to get refocused.

Glad you guys are still out there!!!
Kathleen

[Teresa3]

Yeah, Kathleen! You're back with us; Girl you know we been missin' ya!

And, congratulations for maintaining through all your stresses!
So sorry to hear your dh has been laid off too. I do hope things will pick up soon for both of your dh's!

You sure have been going through it with your dd, Kathleen--it's OK to rant. Get as much of it out as you can so you don't console yourself with food, although it looks like you've been doing well there.

I need to get back on induction, too, because I've been eating off plan, and not making any progress. I really want to buckle down this week so I can have some weight loss for this month. So far I've only lost 1/2 lb. for the month, although, that's better than gaining, huh!

Start - 170
Last week - 152 1/2
Today - 152 1/2
Goal - 125
Height - 5'2" Age 58

Corrisann, how's it going with your food challenges this week? Hope you are doing OK. T.

[MI CHICK]

Keep waiting for life to slow down.....& it doesn't LOL!!

all time high 249 (243)
start date 6/18/07
today's wgt 239
last week's wgt 238
goal 160
5'6" 53yrs old

Up a lb....so much for all the great things I did around vacation
You 2 did super though!!! Congrats!!!

Have to rush out the door to work but welcome back Kathleen!!!!!! Without that 5 minute check in we will all end up back where we started, so fight the kids to the den door & run in & lock it!! Hahahaha
Will back tonight
corrisann

[rican3]

Just a quick check in today. I have to go to the store after work to get some stuff for a pork chop casserole for a sick friends family and then make it. I think I will just make 2, so my dinner will be done too. I can have the pork chops out of it and the rest can have the rice. Did ok today and yesterday except nothing is filling me up. I think it is the weather. It has finally cooled down here.............and I want some good chili!

B-Low carb tortilla w/chicken fajitas
coffee w/ cream
L-hot wings and salad w/ranch dressing
D-pork chops and broccoli w/cheese
S-almonds

I will try to check in later!
Kathleen

[Teresa3]

Yeah, this cooler weather is making me want a lot of hot stuff, too. Those hot wings sure would hit the spot, Kathleen! And I just feel hungry all the time. I'm eating off diet again, with choc mousse and french bread. Just want to eat, eat, eat!!! I think I need to start carrying around a little notebook or something to write down exactly what I intend to eat, and keep it in front of my face. Or maybe just tape my mouth shut! That would solve a big problem for dh, too!

Corrisann, being up only 1 lb. with the stress you're under is not bad at all. We all have to keep hanging in here and gradually the weight will come off, a little here, a little there; and by this spring, we'll be smiling because we weigh quite a bit less than we did this time last year. Hope I can eat clean for a few days starting tomorrow. Catch ya later, T.