I'm here for the reasons that most of you are: for health. I have high blood pressure, tire easily and am at risk for other weight related conditions. A secondary reason is that I want to look better! Superficial, yes, but it's true. But mostly, I just want to feel better. And although I'm not a parent, I want to live a long life to enjoy my nieces and nephews, these are my reasons.
I'm still not feeling great, I'm glad I didn't take my trip...I was considering going, thinking I'd feel better.
Alaina, in answer to your question, I'm moving back to the States mid-December...it will be hard after 6 years here!
Good Morning all
I had a bad eating night, I had chips and cheese, cheap nachos. After I ate them my stomach hurt. I guess I learned that lesson the hard way.
I am up early to get a start on my paper before we start our day, lots to do and tons of running around!
Todays challenge:
Now that you have verbalized your reasons for this journey again, and they are at the fore front of your mind. Take stock of your pantry and fridge. You know why you want to change your life......do your food shopping and eating habits match your desire???????
I can honestly say no mine do not. However I have two other people in the house that are not on this journey with me so I can not totally change what is in the house. What I have done is change what I put in my mouth. Most times I am pretty good, with little snacking. Some times I am so bad it is so not funny!!! How can I change these times of being bad........I thought about having a shelf in the pantry and fridge that are mine and mine only. Nothing but what I can eat will be on these shelves, and when I want to eat I can only look at these shelves. Would that work? Not sure but I think I may try it.
Susan I hope you feel better soon!!!
Off to my paper!
I can say that the food in my house does reflect my desire for healthy habits, for the most part. My kids have no need to diet and my DH chooses not to, but we ALL need healthy food and since I've long since established myself as the queen 'round these parts, I pick the foods. 
There is always some junk food here and there because everyone deserves a treat now and then, but I generally buy things that they like and I can resist. The kids have a lot of fruit and yogurt and DH can't eat what I won't buy. 
(potato chips are illegal in this house...my biggest weakness!) Interestingly, I have found that the more I buy healthy foods, the less junk food everyone wants. For instance, at almost every meal now, if I don't serve a green salad, someone is guaranteed to ask for one.
Welcome Juli
Man my reason is SOOO superficial! I want to look AWESOME for my dh's surprise party that I am hosting (6 months away and counting). Plus I just want to feel attractive I don't feel sexy, dh says I am all the time and I just don't see it!
Our problem isn't what's at home we eat pretty well at home even when we have junk it isn't touched TOOO often (well except for that stinkin' ice cream).
I don't need to lose pounds my weight is ok it's just skin that I need to get rid of and firm up muscles. Even so I find it increasingly difficult to continue to do my crunches or other exercises b/c I don't see instant results which I know won't happen but you know how that is, plus well these headaches frankly are NOT helping my battles!
Michelle good luck on your paper
Susan feel better!
Today Tabitha (dd) had her first bday party that she was invited to from preschool today I did well only one slice of pizza I didn't touch the cake and I came home and still did my 200 crunches. I know it helps to be accountable to y'all so THANK YOU for being my support and making me be accountable.
Hi all, just a quick check in between cakes & visitors...... 5 cakes finished, just one more to do tonight. And my visitors - about 20 of them - are arriving in 2 hours.
My eating has gone downhill 
It's all these cakes I'm doing - I level the top off and EAT IT!! The sugar content has given me the desire to snack again!
Welcome Juli, glad you could join us!!
Better run - lots to do.
Hi everyone. Great challenges Michelle. My reasons for this journey are just as most, health. Mom died of heart disease at 57. I am 48 and have high blood pressure. Also, I am a very small boned person and a few extra pounds make such a difference to me physically. My feet, legs, and knees just ache with the extra weight and that just trickles down to loss of energy, less exercise, etc., etc. Also, DH is about 40 lbs overweight, so I try to eat better to encourage him. 14 yr old DS is an athlete (hockey, since age 4) so he has to eat right to have enough fuel for the gruelling schedule of high school, homework, and hockey 4 or more days a week.
Both DD's are grown, but weight challenged, so I try to help them set their standards.
I was under weight my whole life (5'7" and 110 lbs) till DS came along at age 35. Quit smoking then and wow did the lbs pile on. 190 was my highest point. Now down to (guessing) about 150. Hoping to get to about 135. I am rambling again.
Anyway, I learned if I don't buy it, we can't eat it. I try to buy some thing to snack on that are better choices. Popcorn , pretzels, veggie dips.
At least I feel better about those.
Good Morning All,
Things are going well here. (We even won our football game, but just barely!) Doing well emotion-wise about the weight thing. My reasons are almost totally superfical.(sp) Numbers aren't supposed to matter, but I want to be 125lbs and a size 6. At 5'4" I don't think that is unreasonable.
RIP Paul Newman.
Sonia, you are the QUEEN! I can't believe you did so many cakes in such a short time with impending company arriving...good for you! Are you please with how everything turned out? Aren't you glad it's over???
I'm feeling much better and am back at work today, thank you to everyone for your get wells. Not much else going on...I brought my stuff to go to the gym after work.
Awesome Sonia, That is alot of cakes to get done.
Susan, glad you are feeling better!! Yea for getting back to the gym.
Alaina, I hear ya on the ackey joints. I am feeling them since I have put on weight again. I have not been able to workout for 2 1/2 months because of my broken little piggy toe, I have 2 more weeks before I can hit the treadmill again!!!
OK next challenge, We all know what we hate about ourselves, we all know what we like about ourselves......find out what someone else likes about you. Doesnt have to be looks related, could be your big heart!!!! Get a boost from someone else, we can all use it.
My friends tell me that I am a very sincere person, DBF says he loves my ability to put up with his antics!!! LOL
See you tomorrow.
I don't know if others believe this about me, but I THINK I'm pretty kind. Oh, and I have good manners...I read about some of the antics on this site of rude customers and I just can't imagine acting like that. I always say thank you and express appreciation.
I haven't been on much this week sorry it is fall and starting to get busy.... I haven't worked out in 2 days UGH!
Dh favorite thing about me is my butt! LOL I also hear that I am nice almost too nice to a fault but also that I am a firecracker (must be the red hair).
Today after I take dd to school ds and I are going to go to my grandmothers house. ds has been BEGGING to see his grammy so should be a relaxing day...
Good morning ladies
We seem to be quiet these days!! dont let the hussle of fall deter you from your goals!!
Karen how are things going, have you been able to find work?
Susan, you only have a few months left there huh? Oh and I would say you are kind, I get that thru our chatting here!!
For the last challenge before I hand over the reins.....
I challenge everyone to do something nice for someone else, not including your family! We always do things for our families!!
Have a great no cheat Wednesday!!!
Dont forget to weigh in tomorrow!
Mmm, well, I have a friend who says I'm amazing all the time! I think it's because through all our financial woes I keep my chin up and still smile and try to find time to help others. Oh, and my boys always say, "Mum, how do you do such great cakes?" (If only they would compare them to the experts on here!! LOL!!)
I will be on the lookout for someone I can do something nice for today! Thanks for these interesting challenges, Michelle.
Just to catch up,
What is in the house affects the way I eat. I usually have no will power.
I am doing this for health and emotional reasons (I won't say superficial, I am not comfortable with my weight, it lowers my self confidence & I hate being around people sometimes). My knees seem to be suffering though.
People think I am nice & happy. Always smiling, that kind of thing.
Today is almost over, I only have my family left for nice things. Maybe tomorrow, although I did do laundry and cook for my family....that's nice! Oh wait, I didn't cook. That was last night.
I have been bad. I ate whatever yesterday and the day before and the day before.
Sonia, way to go surviving all that...not sure I would!
Susan, glad you are feeling better. Being sick sucks!
Karen, hope all is going well in St. Pete. Again, I wish I was there, we're starting to get rain and 60 degree weather already =(
Hope everyone else is doing well! Can't be worse than me.
Tomorrow is a new day!
Good Morning Everyone,
Guess this is my week for cheerleader. Thanks Michelle for the week of great challanges. Only two more weeks till you can work out again, right?
You've been such a trooper.
Connie, firecracker ah, lol. How was your visit with grammy? They are such a gift.
Susan how's the new gym. I am so impressed by your motivation.
Ok, so today, don't forget to weigh in. So, I'll start. Found the tape measure! Lost 1/4"-1/2 ", here and there. Not great, but heading in the right direction. I've been kinda bad this week, though.
Just remember, yesterday is gone, focus on today! Drink you water, that is so important.
Everyone have a great day. I am off to the garage. Having a garage sale tomorrow, ugh!
DIE FAT CELLS DIE!
Yesterday with grammy was good. The kids didn't want to leave in fact let to go and get dd from school and she had requested grammy came w/ me to get her so we went back to grammy's afterwards then they BEGGED to eat dinner w/ her. LOL... The kids love their grammy b/c she gets on the floor and plays w/ them LOL.... It was a good day
I did 300 crunches this am plus 3 other ab exercises hopefully I maintain this and don't slack off again.
Laina, the gym is good, it helps because a friend usually meets me there, so I feel I'm kinda getting back on track.
I've been busy at work and I'm glad it's Friday! I have no particular plans because I'm on call, which means I have to stick close to home, but it's nice to be off work. I can hardly believe it, but I had a pre-move inspection yesterday. They came to estimate what size crate is needed (everything goes by boat) for all my stuff. It makes me a bit sad, it'll be so hard to leave. They'll pack me the last week of November and I fly to the States on Dec 16. It's still a good decision and I'm glad I'm doing it but this has certainly been La Dolce Vita, The Sweet Life.
Morning Ladies.
Just a quickie, lol, this morning.
It's a new day. Lets all try to stay on track today. Remember all those good things about yourselves that Michelle helped us to reflect on .
Try to stay true to yourself and stay on track.
Don't forget to drink your water.
Off to open my garage sale.
I'll check in later.
DIE FAT CELLS DIE!
I just started a thread for healthy recipes. Thought many of you ladies may have some recipes to add to it. 
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6116610.html#6116610
Hey Everyone,
Connie, awesome job on the crunches. I couldn't get past 300 seconds!
When do you get back your results. Hope they nail it this time and the headaches get under control.
TexasSugar (sorry I don't know your name) great idea. I was going to ask everyone to post their favorite healthy snack here so we can all have some new go to ideas. I'll have to check out your thread. always looking for a good recipie.
Anyway, todays challange. Try to pick and DO at least one new activity this weekend. Be it an exercise, sport, time to fall clean, whatever it takes to get us moving!!
Back to the Garage Sale ! ugh, last day. Yesterday was pretty good. Everytime I do this I swear I'll never do it again, and yet here I am, lol.
I've been absent in presence but not in mind lately....I haven't been doing well with my exercising AT ALL, but I finally figured out why. I've been super-stressed with work stuff and when I get that stressed out, I start feeling kind of hopeless, which eats away at my motivation.
Anyhow, that stress is pretty much past and I'm getting back to the workouts. I've been making good food choices, though, and I am down either 2 or 3 lbs this week (I keep losing track). In any case, I'm down to 178 and wearing my size 12 jeans...a HUGE victory.
I will be on the lookout for a new activity today, or at least this weekend, Alaina. Maybe I'll jump on my poor dusty, neglected exercise bike!
I've had a nice, quiet weekend. I was on call and only got one that was easy to take care of from home, thank goodness. The weather was picture perfect, really stunning.
I've decided to hire a personal trainer because I just can't seem to get back on the exercise wagon. And I can hardly go wrong, it's a whopping $20/hr here, and I know it would be triple or more that in the States. So I'm going to check at the gym this week and see what I can do. I'd love to get back the enthusiasm I had until about a month ago...
Hello all. Sorry again for my absence. I am still plugging away and my diet and exercise, but I have been pre occupied with some other stuff.
congrats on your loss Shellie! Awesome!
Susan, love to hear any great tips from your personal trainer! LOL!
Shelli, 2-3 lbs in one week is awesome. Stress can be a motivation buster in any endevour, so good for you getting past it and making the good food choices. yeah on the size 12 jeans!
Merissa, glad to hear from you. Hope all is well, keep on pluggin',lol.
Susan, a personal trainer will probably be just the ticket. Please share with us. Maybe you could personally train all of us.
Anyway ladies, how about a "be good to yourself day!" Just a little treat like maybe a long bubble bath, or a good book in your favorite place, a manicure. We all work so hard to get everything done for others, be good to your self at least for a little while.
I am off to pack up this darn garage sale leftovers. Then I am off to a hot bath with my spa bubbler thingy, a glass of wine, scented candles and a good book. Then watch all my chick shows. Depsperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters. Any fans?
We decided not to have an aerial installed when we built our house, Alaina, so we just watch videos. Sorry....I don't follow your shows!
Well, I've been absent for several days because I dropped my laptop last week and the screen broke!!!! AAAAHHHHH! Hubby has just rigged up a tv screen to my laptop so I can still access all my stuff, but he can't find the stand for it, so I have to rest it on my legs while typing on my laptop.....a tad difficult!
We just got paid for a huge diving job that DH did last month, and decided to have a night away without kids, so that was Saturday! It was very restful and romantic, but went too fast!!!
I've got back into my exercise routine again, with SIL joining me for walks again. I also got a cleaning job for 2 hours every Tuesday for an elderly lady, and my SIL has asked me to do a few hours for her every week too, so that's more calorie burning...just what I need!!
HI all - not sure if I updated you on friday from my doctor appointment - I don't think I did.
He's decided to check my thyroid since at night I feel like my heart is racing and I seem to shake often. My mri came back all clear so that was good.
I did get a call from my doctor today (thought that was odd) BUT I missed the call b/c I was at the hospital b/c my dad was having day surgery for his shoulder and it was too late by the time I got home. SO I will call tomorrow to see what they wanted/needed.
I did have a friend of mine give me a chair massage (which although felt nice and she said I was "riddled" w/ knots) didn't help my headache.
So needless to say I haven't had time for crunches. Shaking my head in shame, but tis the season for my weekends to be packed and well not sure how much my dad will need me. It was his right shoulder and well he's right handed and I'm not sure how much time off my mom took off. But I am determined to not completely lose focus I HOPE!
Connie, I am so relieved that the MRI came back normal. Now maybe Doc can get in to the nuts and bolts of what is going on. Hope Dad is doing ok. Stress can be a real trigger for all kinds of ailments. Try not to get yourself down. Just do what you can do.
Believe it or not, I have an interview coming up for a cake decorating job. DH is an autosupplier, and things don''t look too good. We are just outside of Metro Detroit, (car industry country)and need I say more. Looking for anything right now.
Wish me luck, its been a long time since I was looking for a job.
Anyway, sorry not to inspiring today. Just keep your own focus, what ever that means to you.
DIE FAT CELLS DIE!
Hi All~
Our good weather is keeping me motivated, it's so easy to be outside enjoying the days and evenings during this time of year.
I'm having 2 neighbors over for dinner tonight (did I tell you this on another post, sorry if I'm repeating), so my eating will be a bit off track. When I have Italians over, I try to serve something they would never get in Italy. It's perfect gumbo weather, and that's what I'm serving, chicken and sausage gumbo, cornbread, and salad, yum! I have a feeling one of them won't like it because she tends to turn her nose up at anything that's not Italian, but...sorry! I also made a very small chocolate cherry cake and decorated it like the spaghetti cakes you may have seen on this site...I can't believe how cute it turned out and how easy it was to do. I figured the Italians would get a kick out of it.
Not much else going on, I'm taking a break from the scale, I was letting it dictate how I felt, never a good thing. I'll get back on in a week or two (hmmm, maybe I should get on before I go to Paris on Friday, not afterward!).
I saw this quote on Sparkpeople last week and it really spoke to me:
"A healthy body is a guest chamber for the soul; an unhealthy body is a prison." -Francis Bacon-
Hi,
Sorry for the absence, went to the interview yesterday at noon. Got the call @5pm that I got the job. Started @ 5am this morning. Perfect job for moi, 5-1 M-F. I have total control of the kitchen, a staff being hired to assist me. I'' I have to do is bake, and deligate everything else. Someone even does all my dishes. Ok, just pinch me.
Susan, your dinner plans sound like fun, and ok, excuss me, but PARIS. OMG, how wonderful for you. How long do you get to stay?
Ok, so everyone shake off those cool weather sleepies. Let's get moving!
Walk, bike, jog, whatever sounds like fun, can get you going, could be inspiring.
Did you drink your water today?
DIE FAT CELLS DIE!
Hi All~
Laina, many congratulations on your new job! Sounds like a winner with a great schedule, I can't wait to see some of your new creations!
I feel like I haven't stopped one time this week, but that's changing tonight. I declined all invitations and am going home, relaxing, and going to bed early. My eating has reflected this busy schedule, it's been grab and go, not good. But next week I start with the trainer and I'm looking forward to it.
I leave tomorrow for Paris, returning Wednesday morning, so you won't see me here for a few days. I'm meeting 2 friends there and am very excited and a bit melancholy. I love Paris. Love, love, love Paris. And this may be my last trip for a long time or maybe forever. So I'm a bit sad about that, but I'm going to all my favorite places and doing all my favorite things with some of my favorite people, so how can I go wrong? I always stay in the same hotel in the 7th arrondissment, a small family-run place. It's on this amazing street that doesn't allow cars and it's kind of a "food" street. There are many shops with stalls that spill out onto the sidewalk...the fruit and vegetable shop, the bread shop, the cheese shop, the meat shop, the chocolate shop, the fish shop...yum! It's about a 10 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower, one of my favorite places in the world. Oh geez, I'm starting to tear up thinking this may be my last trip! My other plans are to go to an antique market that I love (street after street of dozens of stalls and shops) and maybe to Versailles, which I haven't been to in a long time. My friends want to go to the Louvre, but I may skip it, I've been there a lot. Who wants to join me?!
Friends, have a great weekend, focus on your good health, and I'll talk to you next week. Au revoir......
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