New Maintainers - Wk of Oct 3

[VAmomof2]

I had a terrible migraine last night! I was able to pull myself together enough to make a special dessert (crepes stuffed with bananas and caramel) for DDs and DH but then crashed in a hot tub. I wanted to cut my right eye out! I had all the yucky symptoms of metallic taste in my mouth, nausea, light sensitivity, etc. Thankfully, the hot bath, some medicine and a flat diet coke helped within a few hours.

Janina – I had a hibiscus last summer that I moved in the house for the winter. It looked gangly so I cut it way back (no leaves left at all) and it came back great. Not sure about yours but I would give it a chance. I can’t wait to see pictures of your finished yard. I would love to do a built-in bbq for DH but he thinks it is not needed. How about pictures of those eyes?!

I hope to workout today – I need to get back to some sort of routine. I am all for a mini-challenge. I need to lose more than 3 lbs this week! I did not weigh this morning. I thought that seeing the number and worrying about it each day might not help right now. I decided just to eat right and exercise and use my jeans as a guide. I will do clean eating until Friday night (bigDDs family bday dinner) and miss again for Sat lunch (her bday party) but commit to stay away from bad stuff except for those. I also commit to 100+ oz of water.

[VAmomof2]

No workout yesterday – just couldn’t make myself do it. I jumped on the scale this morning to see how bad the damage is – yuck – 137.8 (I like being under 130)! All my doing. I ate well yesterday until night time and then I snacked – not really sure why. The day in total was still more healthy than the past few weeks but not what my almost 40-year-old body needs to feel good. My water jug is full and I am in my workout clothes. I just set to tivo a few new exercise shows off FitTV just to have some things to shake up my workouts. I know that once I get back down into my gym, I will be hooked again because it always feels so good to workout but getting down there is the challenge – I would just rather read a book.

[Janina]

Hey all! My friends Jeffrey and Ian came over. We had lunch and jeffery who is a home designer helped me with some ideas for my house. I love my home but after doing it for a year I needed some fresh ideas. He is so creative it is amazing. He came up with a few new ideas..the new RL bronze metallic paint for my entryway and upstairs hallway. A wall with glass only frames and avas artwork for on the metallic paint hallway upstairs, and he is redoing my guest bathroom from top to bottom. Our office is done with a suede paint in a tan mustard color. It is really nice but too masculine and I am in it the most, so Jeffery suggested a lavander ceiling and lavander accents. He has done homes in magazines. i love his ideas and was pleased he only thought I could change or add to a couple things.

VA, I am with you on the wieght thing. We had this super yummy pizza(not like Dominos) on Sunday. it was so cheesy and carby I went from 109 sunday to 112 monday. I had all salads yesterday and today with some chicken. I was 109 this am but got really scared seeing the scale jump so much. Just the extra couple lbs is sitting on my tummy and I don't feel so fabulous. I want to get to 106 by friday..even 107 feels ok. i cannot let it get out of hand. When I get past my low weight and I let it slide too much one day I get on the scale and it is painful. I will get you the photos soon...I amsorry, it is crazy bc now I forgot I had my eyes done. it isn't something people comment on. They just say how well i look?!?!

Ok we are going Jacuzzing..see you later
Hey Vickie how are you???????????????

[VAmomof2]

Janina – What a great day! I would love to have someone I trust come give me some pointers. I have thought of painting some of our ceilings but am a bit nervous. I wanted to paper the one in the sunroom to match the walls (a tan/brown background with a small grape vine motif) but think it might overwhelm the room and lower the ceiling – hmmm. Now that I have put on some ‘real’ weight, I am not as fearful of the temporary weight gains. It seems that when I jump up overnight, I lose it quickly but losing this ‘real’ weight will take quite a while. I have no real goal date so I am trying to be good but will eat DDs bday cake on Friday night and Sat and just live with the weight gain – at least that should be a more temporary one. By the end of the month, I should be back under 130.

I made a yummy salad. I chopped up a big ball of fresh mozzarella and mixed it with some fresh tomatoes (from my garden) and drizzled them with balsamic and olive oil (plus some seasoning) – that was really just a chopped moz & tom salad. I had chopped some beans to sauté but they looked lonely so I steamed them, iced them down and threw them in with the moz & tom and added some fresh basil. I liked the slight crunch of the beans with the soft texture of the tomatoes and creaminess of the moz.

I watched part of an infomercial yesterday on a cardio routine done on a mini-tramp. It looked like fun – I think it was called urban rebounding. Might need to ask for one for xmas. I have been taping some weight and cardio workouts from FitTV so I want to try some of those first. I am getting bored with just lifting and find that I don’t do more than 1 set, which is just not enough.

Busy day at work and DDs go to the orthodontist this afternoon plus DH is away. Yuck -

[Janina]

I don't know how but I managed to get to 107 this am. yesterday i ate the chicken and a salad and went to bed very hungrey. The 4 day low cal and low carb at night, 3 days eating is working to maintain. I have found with my 3 days on i don't go as overboard as I used to. Since I know I have carb up and sweet days ahead again I keep it in moderation. i think because i am constantly up and down it keeps my body in shock. Today i ham having a playdate over for Ava then Karate. My roof is being worked on(shingles being replaced and coated) and I am having the rest of the trees removed. After they come up i am laying down the flooring plans so that I won't just have dirt in the corner of my yard. my freind recommended Japanese grass back there. The kind that doesn't grow and is differnat levels...very soft. i know nothing about it. Do you guys? he says i can mix soft pretty stones in it for texture. How pretty. He also said I need more chairs and seating areas in the back. I am not going to buy the non weather resistant ones till sping. I have almost kidded myself we won't have a winter because it is still so nice still.

We are planning the second annual Halloween party. This year since the kids are older i am having it friday night before halloween. I thought it would be more fun at night. Ava and I are going to be mermaids this year.

VA, I will work on the photos. If I cant get the actual eye to you from Bs phone i will get you a before and after. You can tell from that also just not as close. Your salad sounds yummy. I have been where you are..acceptting that it is true gain and getting back on track. This will be me this holiday season. It is easier to have this attitude in fall and winder because clothes are differant. I also get too cold when I am near 105. 107 is better but i am still keeping my routine, just changing salad to soup. I know once you start working out again and finding something you enjoy the lbs will drop off. I figured part of my gain this weekend was temporary water weight from working out so hard in my garden. 360 to take out 5 tress and root them seems like such a good deal after taking out small items and being sore. i have a huge open blister on my hand. B had to to take asprin because he was so sore. What babies we are! So we might not go to Maui for my bday..will tell you more about that latewr and ask your opinion...and yes I feel so lucky to have a two designer "boyfreinds" the one helped with the house and the other helped me look thru my wardrobe. I had a dress on yeterday and my other freind made me put my green cowboy boots on with it. Really cute. I would never have treid it without them pushing. Gay male freinds are the best! Things have been strained with my best girl freind bc of her boyfriend...sad. I hope she dumps him. he is no good.

Hi vickie...how are you? how is your weight?

see you later
J

[Jewels]

Anybody know what happened to Vickie? Hope all is ok. If anybody knows here, please reply.

Thanks, Julie

[VAmomof2]

I have no word on Vickie. She always starts the thread but did not this week - I am a bit worried too.

[VAmomof2]

J – Yardwork is tough. We have a lawn service that mows and we have them do any big stuff because we would rather spend time with DDs. I still do planting, weeding, etc but they do the lawn treatment, plant trees, remove trees, etc. I can’t wait to see pictures of your eyes and of your party. Your avatar is now almost a year old!

BigDDs 13th bday party is this Saturday and is getting all messed up. We were supposed to go on a trail ride and then have a catered lunch at the ranch. There are so few of us that they couldn’t do the lunch so we moved it to our house. Now 3 kids need to leave early – so early that we might not have even eaten yet (it is quiet a drive back to our house from the ranch). If that wasn’t enough of a bummer, they are now predicting rain for Sat. Earlier this week, Sat was clear but as of today, high probability of rain. We will ride in drizzle but the ranch won’t ride in rain (not that I would want to). We can either try to do something else (what do you do with 9 kids at 9:00 am on a Sat?), or postpone to another weekend and hope for clear weather. In the grand scheme of the world, this is not a big deal but I am upset for her – she has such high hopes for her 13th bday.

I did a body-for-life style upper body workout yesterday. Today I will do cardio. I can’t really do a real lower body workout because of my bad knee but if I can do cardio to lose fat and stay fit and do upper body and stomach to get tone, I will be happy. The weight routine was much harder than I have been doing and it feels good!

[VAmomof2]

I got in a run and some time on the elliptical yesterday. My weight is down a little bit again today.

It is pouring here and I am praying that all the rain gets over so that we can do bigDDs bday party as planned. Maybe not – I just checked noaa and they now say that tomorrow will be 100% chance of rain, 1-2 inches possible. Yesterday, they said 50% chance with .25-.5 possible for Sat. Looks like the storm is slowing down rather than speeding up. I get to make the call this afternoon at 3:00 whether to ride or not – I am so bummed! Now we will need to decide whether to just do a lunch tomorrow and the ride another day or to try to pull together something else for tomorrow morning like bowling.

OK – back to work for me. I have several concalls today and need to find time to make DDs favorite dinner, chicken casserole. Her teeth are still really hurting but she thinks she can eat it if I cut the chicken up really, really small.

[Janina]

Va, I am so sorry about your daughters plans..that sucks! 13 is special..what is the plan? Your daughter sounds so lovely and sweet I hope her day is everything she wishes it to be....it is the next week on our board.

Vickie where are you? Are you ok?

PMSing and can't even face the scale. Ate well today. Ran around all day. The gardener took out the tress. it took 7 hours and a huge truck to do it. I ordered my Palapa(to mach the one over barbecue) and B is going to build a deck under it. That way we can have the look of a Balanese cabana at half the price. The cabana I wanted was 8 grand, we are doing th other buildings for 3000 then next year i can buy curtains and more yard furnature. Anyways I didn't eat till 7. Asked B to get dinner and told him to pick up whatever. That happened to be Carls JR..ugh. it ruined my whole days eating...so I ate candy corn.

Well I need to get to bed..VA I hope you get this!
Janina

[VAmomof2]

J - We can just make this a monthly thread!

BigDD got her ears pierced yesterday. She was so excited to show them off at school today.

Scale said 137 this morning. I mostly ate well yesterday (had some fries with dinner) but did not get in any exercise. I plan on doing cardio today but think I will hit the elliptical to give my knee a break. The extra weight is bothering my knee when I run. With DH being gone this weekend and next week I will either do great (because I won’t be cooking big, tempting meals) or I will do terribly (because I will eat out with DDs too much). I am going to strive for the former rather than the latter!

[VAmomof2]

I got some elliptical time in this afternoon and think I might head back down for some sprints before dinner. We are just having leftovers and I am having a salad so I have some time. I had cottage cheese with a nectarine after my workout. I forgot how yummy that was!

[Janina]

I was 108 this am. i have no idea how that can be with my eating the way it has been the last three day and pms. I should be 110 or 122. I don't understand my weight at all at times. Sometimes it seems I should weight less then I do and I weigh more and other times the oppisite. Today we had a busy day. Went to the park, then our firends house to play and eat and then karate. Tomorrow B is staying home from work to do some leveling of soil and planting new plants. I think A and I will swim. Thursday will be 80s so we are going to the beach with freinds. Friday my palapa comes and my mom will come for weekend also dance that day..the week just flies doesn't it.
So pmsed Tired and hungrey. Will snuggle with A and watch a movie with her before B comes home.
VA glad you got in a workout! yay!

[Janina]

VA i am almost at 1,000 posts..

[Janina]

PS VA so cute about the ear pirecing. i never did Avas because I want it to be a big deal when she gets older. They make such cute earrings these days too!

[VAmomof2]

J – When your weight goes up, are your clothes tighter too? I am wondering if the weight is just all internal or if it shifts out to your cells (odd question, I know). I can’t wait to see pictures of your yard. I would love to do some more work out by our pool but it is just on the long list of home improvements. We pick off a few each year but this fall was custom shutters for the back of the house to cut down on the sun getting in – those were much more than I expected! On the earrings, it was a big deal and she was so excited. I am really glad that I made her wait because now she is very excited and understands that it is a responsibility.

My weight is down a bit more today and I am still viciously thirsty. I am hoping to do a weight workout today but I lost several hours this morning getting bigDD to the orthodontist.

I ordered a new pair of jeans and they are here but I am nervous about trying them on with the extra weight – maybe by Friday I can shift a bit more off my butt and see if they will fit me.

[VAmomof2]

I was down another ½ lb this morning but ate way too much dinner tonight - yuck!

Work has been beastly. I started at 8:00 this morning and just finished working now at almost 10:00pm - ugh! DH leaves tomorrow for a week - he is going to visit Janina in SD. He is working a conference at the Coranado (?). Anyway, yucky weekend ahead without him but I should finally get some honey-dos done and get in some exercise.

Off to tuck in DDs and get some sleep - tomorrow is going to be another lllooooonnng day.

[VAmomof2]

I ate well and lightly yesterday until dinner and did get in a run. We had Long John Silver’s chicken for dinner and I did have several pieces and a few hushpuppies and the scale is up 2.5 pounds this morning! I was really shocked. The scale always jumps for me after sweets but I thought all the protein in the chicken would offset the carbs in the coating and the hushpuppies – wrong.

[VAmomof2]

Just me again -

DH is away and bigDD was at a sleep over and I made the mistake of letting both pups sleep with lilDD and me. The little pup is fine, just curls up somewhere and likes to sleep late. BigPup wanders all night, jumps off the bed and then gets up early. He has been barking like crazy all morning - so much for making up some sleep - I am more tired now than I was last night! He definitely has more poodle in him.

LilDD wants waffles for bfast. We watched Alton Brown make them on a Good Eats last night (just love that show) so I am going to try and make them slightly lower carb and sugar free and cross my fingers.

[Janina]

Hi all, it has been a really crazy 3 to 5 days. Our palapa Hut is up, B is almost done with the deck underneath it. i went to talk to the people again about when our barbecue will be in produxtion and change granite again and ended up buying thier floor model. This model is 12 feet rather then 9, has two sitting areas at the end rather then one at one end, it has the 2000 dollar barbecue in it(very high end..we can even bake cakes in it) a gas range, cutting board, stainless steal drawers, lights, and a stereo(it is in a pretty light brown and cream and has a beautiful suble swiling pattern. I talked them down 2,000 dollars with paying cash. So we go a 15,000 dollar barbecue for 13,000. I am not getting a palapa for that one and that saved me money as I am putting the island near trees and should get shade. I don't want to buy a palapa unless I need one for it as I perfer a cleaner look. My firedancer in coming in a few days. We are almost there! My chairs are already here for the island so we will be set before the party. it is just alot of work. We way overspent on everything. It has been close to 30 grand. The hawaii trip for my bday is put off a few months. it is really not best for us to travel in the midst of our busy season(for my spot) so I am ok with that. B was also going to buy me a diamond braclet which I forgo to get a bigger island for him. I have lots of jewellery just sitting in my jewellery chest. It will be so much better to have the backyard we all want and will enjoy. In SD here we will be out there year around. They are delivering our island today!!! It is raining so they might try to get out of it. They better not!

I was 111.5 yesterday morningand after all protein yesterday(and one piece of cheesse) i am 108 again this am. I had the worst headache, upset stomach. Yesterday was brutal. i wasn't really that hungrey tho. Just need to keep my weight in check so it doesn't climb past 111. 110 isn't so bad, that one extra lb pushes me over the edge.

OK so as far as where Vickie is..has anyone heard from here. It is really not like her not ot check in. I am very worrired about her. Vickie..where are you?

VA, how is your weight? I am sure by now you are further down. How have the workouts been for you? I don't understand the cell question but my body and how it holds weight is pretty much in my tummy and face. My legs are always tone and so are my arms. I don't start looking more heavy until about 115. How are the girls? I can't believe we are approaching the holidays again. Our halloween party is coming up again. Do your girls still trick or treat? Just the youngest?

OK see you later
J

[VAmomof2]

J - I stopped posting here for a few days because it was just me! Your yard sounds terrific. I looked at those islands for our pool area but could not find a dealer around here. Seems like there are lots in Southern CA. Do you think your not feeling well was because of the protein day or do you have a bug?

I decided not to weigh until Friday morning. I was probably close to 138/140 on Monday but have been really strict with eating and exercise and it is paying off. I have not tried my jeans but they should be much more comfortable by the weekend. When I gain, it goes all over. My waist/hips/thighs show it first and then my face. Seems like the bottom stuff is the last to lose and the first to come back!

BigDD does not want to trick-or-treat this year. She just turned 13 and thinks she is too old. She wants to stay home and hand out the candy. Because we live in a small neighborhood and the houses are so far apart, we just get a few cars full of kids. One family does a big trailer. LilDD still wants to go and wants to do our neighborhood. I suggested she go with friends somewhere else but she would rather stay here - so like her! I can’t wait to see pictures of your costumes (and your eyes)! My camera just arrived from Bermuda today (not sure if I posted that we have left it in the taxi). I need to see if it still works and get the photos off it.

[Janina]

VA, i would love to see photos. i will get you some soon. i promise. it is 6 here and they have still not delivered the island but are on the way...I have been crabby all day and am feeling the effects of all protein. I finally ate some cheese because I snapped at Ava for no reason! I remebered that all protein makes me want to pig out when I go off it so tomorrow I am having cereal for breakfast and watching cals and carbs at night. This bad mood isn't worth it. It isn't a bug just my body freaking out from carb withdrawl..wow! I am sure each milestone with your kids is alittle sad. I feel that way..happy that Ava is so funny and smart and growing up so well but sad she isn't my baby. my mom was sad when i stopped trick or treating. I stopped the 7th grade.
Well i am going to call on the island..will stop by again later. i promise not to leave you hanging again. We need to stick together..where is Vickie?!?! i am worried! Officially now.

[VAmomof2]

J – I hope your BBQ showed up. I have been successful holding my weight with carbs early in the day and no carbs late in the day. That might be easier on your body. As for Vickie, I am guessing that she has just not been on line. I know we have lost a few Little Losers lately too.

I have still been eating well. I was a little tempted this morning to have something bad because I am really, really tired but did not give in and made some scrambled eggs instead. I have been having small meals every few hours and it helps. Yesterday I had:

8 - pb protein bar
11 - a little cottage cheese
2 - yogurt and raspberries
2:30 –2 wasa crackers
6 - 2 slices of swiss and salami
6:30 - big salad
9:30 - protein shake

I had not planned on the salami but I was making dinner for DDs and was really hungry and thought it was the best thing to tide me over to my salad. The morning was really busy and then I did my run so I did not eat more before lunch – I expect today I will eat more earlier in the day.

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Well girls, I'm going to attempt to poke my nose in here for awhile. I've been thru some struggles and hoping I've got my eating under control again. You two have kept this little thread going. Did you ever find out what happened to Vickie? I've tried to follow her some from time to time. You both sound like you are hanging in there.

[VAmomof2]

I have been recommitted lately. I really need to get it through my head that this is for life, not just for a few weeks!

I had another day of good eating but did have more for dinner than I wanted too. I had a small chicken breast and lots of broccoli. I was planning on just broccoli and a big salad. I plan on lifting today to put the protein to good use. I did have a sweet tooth last night but satisfied it with a sf pudding. That was so much better than anything else because it was a little snack cup so portion controlled. Icecream and cookies, even if lc and sf, are much tougher to control.

[Janina]

Hi!

So sorry I haven't been around. We did get the barbecue. Wow! it is beyond amazing. They almost didn't get it thru..it is 12 feet and it has a curve it it. They do not make the model anymore because of difficult delivery and the stone work is too expensive to do. I found out that the real price was 15,500 and that was without tax and delivery. So we saved a bunch. They still need to put the actual barbecue in the island and B needs to hook up electricity to use outlets, play the stereo and have lights on. It is really amazing. We are working today while A is at my moms. B is finishing the deck under the palapa hut and setting up our new firedancer and I am landscaping. I am so dirty, sitting here taking a break, just happy to be checking in with you so that i don't have to work.

My weight is good. Yesterday i was 105. I did low carb 4 days and the lbs fell off. i did have a bit of cheese. I really think mixing it up is the key. For a while low carb with cheese wouldn't drop any weight but last week it did. We ate out yesterday. i had a small salad small soup side of fries and pie for dinner(with icecream) I didn't feel like dinner but wanted to snack on everything.

VA, i think you are VERY committed. We all fall off the wagon a bit because thios is mainence. We see what works. You fix it very quickly! How is weight today? what are you guys doing this weekend?

Ann, so good to see yuo! where is your weight now? We are worried about Vickie too. Hope she is ok!

see you guys later J

[VAmomof2]

J - I have decided to only weight once a week on either Friday or Sat morning. I think the daily fluctuations were playing with my head. On Friday I was down to 132.2 which is amazing. I did not weigh early in the week but expect that I was close to 140. Glad lots of it was just water weight. Once I get back to 128/129 I hope to be able to maintain like you. I don’t think I will be able to eat whatever for the entire weekend but I hope to be able to splurge on Sat night dinner and just loosen up a bit. I am now doing 6 small meals throughout the day and keeping my protein up. Your yard sound amazing! DH was so impressed with the weather in DS. He had Wednesday afternoon off and slept my the hotel pool for 2 hours and then went for a run on the beach - I was so envious!

I did a bit of xmas shopping yesterday - I found a couple cute things for bigDD, cute jammies and a light green cashmere sweater. Now I just need to compare against her current clothes to make sure they will fit. She is now a women’s small and I like to spoil here with good quality clothing. If I buy nice things, she does not want the cheap belly showing things that many girls here age are wearing. She now has almost as many shoes and clothes as I do and wears a uniform every day!

DH is back from his 8 day trip - yeah! I am planning a super dinner tonight - prime rib, moz & tom, green beans and roasted butternut squash. I have hardly made a dent in my chores and need to workout today - I did not get in any exercise yesterday.