IT'S A GIRL IT'S A GIRL!!!! Haley arrived today at 3:40 pm Daddy was able to make it and be here (thank goodness)... She of course is gorgeous at 7lbs 8 ounces not sure how long she was though. Anyway, as a proud mommy moment. My 3 & 4 year old were w/ me at the hossy from 8am until 5:30 and were PERFECT no crying, pouting, whining, fighting they were quiet IF you didn't see them you wouldn't have known kids were w/ us! I am so darn proud!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats to ya'lls loses this week I need to feed my daugher and then I'll be heading back up to the hossy once dh is home....
Connie, congratulations on your aunthood! And on your kids...they don't learn that behavior by themselves, you know!
I'm dragging this morning, I'm so glad it's Friday. I have a little virus that is wiping me out and I don't feel so great. I really didn't feel that staying home from work today was an option, so I'm here, seeing patients and doing paperwork that has to be finished today. I hope everyone has a great day!
Good news, Connie!
So glad to hear that your brother was able to be there, too. And it is so nice to hear of well behaved children. Keep up the good work.
Ok, everyone. Hope you've been able to get the breathing thing down and that it has helpe with stress levels. That stress is a real diet buster.
Today, I am posting another lesson for myself that I have to learn. Our thought for the day:
Each day is a new chance to find joy and to dance. If you let it pass or think it useless, the chance is gone and you'll never get it back. When was the last time you played? Or just did something for the sheer fun of it? Joy is not found in the world around you, it's within yourself. You can make your own joy, especially during those dark times when you need to really feel alive again. Fun and play are healthy antidotes to taking life--and ourselves--too seriously. They're proven boosters of immune systems and mental health and make life worth the trouble. So do the twist. Sing in the shower. Learn a magic trick. Watch a cartoon. Challenge some kids to a game. Don't let a single day go to waste.
This thought came from Sparkpeople. Remember that your new lifestyle should not be all work. Exercise can be play, too, it doesn't have to constitute going to the gym or spending hours on a treadmill. Go out and play with the kids, have a walk to enjoy the flowers this spring (autumn foilage, Sonya?). Also, don't waste your day, enjoy life. Like our thought today says, you won't get it back.
That is our challenge today. Just to play and enjoy the day. Don't think about working on exercise. Do something you love to do.[/b]
congrats on your new niece! I am glad it all worked out!
Thanks everyone (and thanks susan for reminding me that I had to do w/ there good behavior).
Considering I was at a hossy all day it didn't mess up my eating bad at all. I had my normal breakfast before we left for lunch I had grilled ckn sandwich w/ fries then I really didn't have a chance for dinner snuck a couple bites of dh's chinese food and couple bites of my brothers french fries but literally less than a handful. I had water and one glass of cherry limeade (at dinner time to kinda give me a boost) So considering how yesterday was i was pretty proud.
I have a cake today PLUS I really hope to finish it quickly so I can take the kids to the hossy so they can MEET Haley (yesterday since they aren't siblings all they could do was look thru the nursery glass and that hurt my kids SO bad)...
KEEP up the good work ladies! Here's to a great weekend!
Congrats on your new niece, Connie! New babies are so exciting!!
Thanks for the thoughts, Karen. I'd love to just enjoy the day today, but because I've been out every day with Kalan this week, I have lots of housework to catch up on! 
I'm doing pretty well with my eating. I just hope I can stick to it over the weekend!
It is absolutely gorgeous here today...I'm going to take advantage of being outside because it gets quite hot and uncomfortable in the summer and I tend to stay in when it's like that. My house, like most Italian houses, doesn't have air conditioning. Europeans tend to think, incorrectly, that a/c "causes" illnesses, so lots of places don't have it, at least in northern Italy. It's nice that it turned out like this on a weekend!
I'm doing a bit of baking today and tomorrow. A cake for the birthday of a friend on Monday; he grew up on a banana plantation in Samoa and loves bananas, so I'm making a banana cake, his wife suggested this. And I'm trying a new recipe; our clinic is celebrating Nurses Week next week, everyday a different event. On Tuesday we're having a dessert social and I'm bringing graham cracker cupcakes with key lime filling, I'll let you know how they turn out.
Morning, everyone!
Hope everyone is ready to have a great weekend. Rain here today but I hear I can get some gardening done tomorrow. Today we are going shopping. I will be checking to see what kind of new fruit I can get.
Here is the thought for today:
If you crave chocolate as much as Aunt Marge does, you know that nothing else could possibly come first. Her tastes aside, food can actually be more of a foundation than a passion. To have an enriching & healthy life, fitness is a must. Good eating can be part of that fitness springboard that makes bigger things possible. The next months and years are filled with hard work that takes energy and action. If you're starving your body, depriving it of what it needs, you're handicapping yourself in the race for your dreams. And if you're filling it with garbage, don't expect much in return. This all may seem obvious, but too many people sabotage themselves by ignoring that simple fact. For so long, we've been hearing so many bad things about different foods, it's almost as if food is our enemy, one that can kill us or ruin our lives. Truth is, food--good food--is the thing that makes everything else possible.
Today's challenge is to make sure you are getting the right fuel for your body.
Congrats Connie, how exciting and great job on teaching your little ones to be respectful.
Susan glad to hear you are feeling better.
I missed yesterdays thought for the day, I couldnt get on all day.
However I did find some time to play.
I should be able to eat good food today.
I am in Salt Lake City now for work. I have my lap top so now can keep up even when out of town. Anyway things will be a challenge today, we set up our booth and it is a two person job. My salesman called me last night to tell me that his flight was canceled and wont be in until this afternoon. I have to start the set up process myself today and hope he gets in so we can finish together. I can do the lower part no problem but the upper boards are so heavy, even with help I have a hard time with them. So I should get in some strength training.
OK it is very early in the morning and I want to try to go back to sleep for a bit before I start.
Have a great day everyone.
Yeah, I reached my weight goal! I hopped on the scale this morning and couldnât believe my eyes: 129.8 pounds. To celebrate I bought some new jeans (size 4) and stuffed my face with pizza. I was a bad, bad girl but that pizza was sooooo good and worth every calorie and carb.
Congrats Connie on your new niece. Babies are such a wonder (and they smell good too).
Michelle, be careful not to hurt yourself moving all those booth walls my your self. I was at a convention once and a wall fell on me. That HURT!
Well Iâm off to start baking and decorating. My youngest niece (7) is having her First Communion tomorrow and she wants a Red Velvet cake. Iâm trying a new recipe so keep your fingers crossed.
Carol
Carol YEA for you. You should be very proud that you made your goal! I am doing the happy dance for you!!!
Make sure to stay with us to give us a boost and chear us on!
Thanks for the concern. I cant believe something fell on you!! I am careful not to hurt myself. I did all the lower level stuff. When it came time to put up the second level I waited until he got there. We even finished with 20 minutes to spare.
Carol, WOW, congratulations on meeting your goal! That's great, you must feel so accomplished.
Not much going on here today, I'm going to do chores around the house, grocery shop and prepare my breakfasts/lunches for the week, I try to do that ahead of time. And I'll make the graham cupcakes with key lime filling. Other than that, just hanging out...have a rest of the weekend!
Okay, I'm here.
Sonia - that's great news about your son. How does he like being able to see things better? I'm sure he's lovin' it.
Connie - Congrats on the new niece. I'm jealous...I need a baby fix!
I maintained again. I really gotta start incoporating exercise because that number is not always going to stay there.
Busy weekend/week. We've has so much going on with swimming and tball and conferences. It was a beautiful day today so we had a bbq, I spent yesterday and today preparing food and getting ready. I am exhausted.
I wanted to share this recipe, it is a great dessert type thing and not that bad aside from sugar. I suppose you could use whole wheat tortillas (the ones with 21g fiber) and maybe splenda...it's so yummy.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Annies-Fruit-Salsa-and-Cinnamon-Chips/Detail.aspx
Hope to report back with some exercise in my day!
Good job everyone. I'll catch up.
Oh my, I'm having a trying day. I wasn't ready to confess this over the weekend...I knew I'd need to eventually, so here it is. I went off my eating plan on Friday and stayed off til today. I don't know what got into me, well, I sorta know, but it's no excuse. After 4 months of eating well, I think I was just tired of being hungry so much. I've been trying to make subtle changes so this doesn't happen, but I haven't been successful. After I had a virus on Thursday, I was starving on Friday and also had a frustrating day at work. I did the worst thing...I went grocery shopping on an empty stomach Friday after work. Then I did another "worst" thing...I told myself I deserved whatever it is I wanted. What did I want? Pizza and chips, of course. So I got a thin crust pizza (that was my only positive move, I wanted the thick one!) and chips and that's what I had for dinner. That eating pattern continued on Saturday and Sunday and although I REALLY and TRULY did not want to, I weighed this morning. 3.5 pounds up. It takes so little to gain after all the big hard work of losing! I'm hoping much of it is salt related. And then today...I forgot my food at home. I know exactly where it is, sitting on my counter rotting. Really, I almost started to cry. Because it contained my breakfast and lunch and dinner. Wonder what Freud would say about forgetting that? Fortunately, I had some oatmeal at work, so I had that. And I stopped on the way in and picked up a Healthy Choice meal for lunch that I just ate. But tonight I'm going straight from work to a party and that's what the dinner was for, I was going to eat my own stuff. The hostess is serving Mexican food, so I'm going to do what I can to make a low cal (no chips, limited meat, no sour cream, no cheese) taco salad. I'm brought the cake, so definitely avoid that. Ahhh...such is life, what am I going to do with myself? Thanks for listening!
Carol, congratualtions!
Susan, so sorry to hear about your "relapse." It will get better. I really do wonder if you are depriving yourself too much. There has to be a reason you are hungry all the time. Really, I think anybody would eventually just decide to eat if they were hungry all the time.
Well, I had a melt-down this weekend, too. Saturday I didn't have anything but some string cheese and some scraps from an "experimental" cake I made. No water, but I did have a bit of green tea. Sunday was a bit better. I at least had breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This week I am going to get back on track with my eating plan. Also, I am going to start taking my vitamins again (haven't had them for a couple weeks now).
Here is our thought for the day:
Some people prefer to remain in the dark about their health and their eating habits. It's as if they believe that because no one ever told them that eating huge portions of fried food is bad, it isn't going to make them gain weight, clog their arteries, or set them up for an unhealthy future. However, when people are taught the right way to do things, it empowers them to make positive changes and get themselves on the road to health.While it may feel comfortable to be blissfully ignorant about your lifestyle, only knowledge will give you the tools to live to your maximum potential. Just by being here, you've made the decision to learn what is best for yourself. Not only is that decision commendable, but the positive results will last a lifetime.
Today, I think we need to apply the brakes on our bad habits that we are getting back into and to think conciously about what we need to do in order to make a u-turn back to our healthy eating/lifestyle plans.
Our challenge today is to make a list of changes we can make in our life at this point in time to regain our focus and to start implementing those changes. My list is going to be VERY long.
Oh, wanted to let you know. Yesterday we got to the store and I tried some figs (yes, I have had them before but it was quite some time agao) and I also tried papaya. So I completed that challenge.
awww Susan. I am sorry! But I think (actually I KNOW!) that of all of us you have stuck with this most. Everyone has setbacks...even those as determined as you. You'll be back on track in no time.
Susan, I don't know how you've stuck with it for this long - but I agree with Karen - you need something more if you're always hungry. It takes 3 days for your body to adjust to less food, after that you shouldn't be hungry if your're getting enough.
I also ate my "never before eaten" fruit, the persimmon that I bought the other day. It was interesting, sort of similar to an apricot.
Thanks for that recipe, Casey. It looks interesting!
Carol, it's great to hear you've reached your goal! Stay with us, though, because maintaining it can be just as hard as reaching it, I think!!
Thank you to everyone for your support, I knew I could confess here and not get burned at the stake!
I feel better today, back on track and in control. Last night was fine, I ate what I wanted (including a bit of sour cream and a few chips!), took everything into account, logged it and came in below my range. I lost .5 of a pound this morning, so at least I'm heading in the right direction this time. It's my No Cheat Tuesday and so far, so good. I'm going to weigh in tomorrow but I'm not increasing my ticker, even though I suspect it will show I should. I'm feeling childish about it....I worked very hard, suffered through this weight loss and I'm NOT doing it! It may mean I don't get to move my ticker for a few weeks, but if that's the case, so be it. Did you know I sometimes act like a 3 year old?!
Karen, I'll start working on my list. I was laughing secretly to myself because I was thinking about that challenge and considering that beyond weight loss, I'd like to be a more well rounded person...then I thought "Well, not TOO round!" The weight thing consumes me these days....
I finished my cupcakes last night for Nurses Week, the clinic is having a dessert social this afternoon. They look good, it's a new recipe to me. Graham cracker cupcakes with lime curd filling and fresh whipped cream/lime curd topping. I'm going to sprinkle lime zest and add a drop of fresh lime juice on top just before they're served.
What's everyone up to today?
Good morning all!
Hope everyone had a good Monday. Today is a new day for a fresh start.
Susan, I think we all act like 3-year-olds sometimes. I know I do, and that is alright. I don't blame you for not moving your ticker. I haven't moved mine back up that three pounds, either. I sure hope that this week the scale shows a loss of at least some of it. I really think we all want to be well rounded people but not too round. I personally want to re-invent myself completely but I have to deal with that lazy 3-year-old inside.
Today's challenge is to be a friend to yourself. We always seem to be beating ourselves up about one thing or another. That seems to be a bit counter-productive.
Thought for today:
The most important weight loss buddy you need is you. Youâre the only one who has the power to take complete control of your life, so itâs YOU who needs to be nurtured and cared for. So donât be afraid to put numero uno (thatâs you!) first. After all, who feeds you? Who determines whether you exercise in the morning? Who puts you to sleep? Who makes the decision to eat right? You! Therefore, itâs you who must become your own greatest ally and friend. Only then will you ignite your deepest motivation to take better care of yourself and treat yourself with the greatest care and respect. Once you do this, others will feel more able to unconditionally nurture, comfort and support you. To become your own greatest friend, there are three steps you must take: 1. Accept your current self (no matter what); 2. Find your Passion Reason; and 3. Use a journal to express your feelings
Have a great day, all!
well here is my list for yesterday's challenge:
1. start with the end in mind. I think the journey seems so long that I lose focus. Frequently. I have to keep visualizing myself at the end!
2. Start planning my meals early! I tend to wait too long and havent prepared or planned anything. Then it is grab whatever I can.
3. Enjoy the warmer weather. play with the kids, enjoy some alone time taking a walk or jog.
4. Figure out some de-stressors. I have learned that i am an emotional eater. Especially when I am frustrated (with kids and cake mostly!)
5. Commit to water intake and food journaling.
6. Spend (a little 
) less time on computer
7. Remember...it's just food.
Hi All~
Where is everyone?! I hope having fun, whatever you're doing! Welcome to your No Cheat Wednesday.
I'm relieved to say at weigh in this morning, I was only .5 up from last week. I think I learned my lesson!
My cupcakes seemed to be a success, I think they were pretty and people said they tasted good. I'd never filled cupcakes before and the one thing I would do differently is cut a bigger space for more filling. They were fun to make.
What's everyone up to?
That's great news, Susan! I knew you'd be back on track fast.
Well, I'm soooooo tired!! We only have 2 more sessions of Kalan's programme left, and it has exhausted both of us. Today I had to drive him to his 9am session, then race back for the craft group I run in our church, then I had 2 lots of visitors this afternoon, both bringing with them 3 children each, and I didn't have the chance to start Kalan on his homework until they left at 4pm. Fortunately it only took us an hour today to get through his homework, so I just put some left-overs in the microwave for our dinner, and am preparing for us all to go to bed early! The good news is Kalan's eyes are now focusing correctly, and he is seeing only 1 of everything!! 
He is now reading anything and everything, so all the money we have spent has been worth it!
So glad to hear that Kalan is doing well, Sonia! Glad that your programme worked and that he is just seeing one of everything. It must be great to see him reading and not bumping into things now.
Welcome to No-Cheat Wednesday, everyone! Hope everyone has a great day!
Susan, I am glad you were able to get back on track so quickly. I know you will be successful with this! I haven't been doing anything fun. I've been working. Just getting ready to start the new day in about 15 minutes.
Here is your thought for the day:
There are several nutrients that are essential to a healthy diet, but just one that is best for weight loss: the omega-3 fat. Why omega-3 and not omega-6 or omega-9? Omega-3 fat is the least saturated fat â and is the bodyâs top choice for maintaining everything from healthy cell membranes to brain function. When your body uses the omega-3 fats for these types of necessary bodily functions, there is literally no more of it left to be stored on your body as body fat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fish, but they're also present in flaxseed, walnuts, avocados and spinach. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should consume two 3-ounce servings of cold-water fish a week. Or, my favorite way to get a good source of daily omega-3s is through flax oil. Try just a teaspoon of it on toast in the morning, or use it to make a great salad dressing. You can also opt to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Whatever your preference, make it a priority. Eating omega-3s can help prevent heart disease and depression, reduce blood pressure and stimulate blood circulation. So donât miss out on the benefits of omega-3s!
I know I take a flax seed supplement (Hubby will not take fish oil). I have also making more of an effort to include fish in my diet.
Oh, and my list of things fo my challenge on Monday is:
Watch my eating plan
Cut down on the empty calories and sugar
Take my vitamins and supplements
Exercise other than just walking to and from work
Plan my meals ahead and stick with the plan
Be kind to myself and don't beat myself up over things I have no control over
Take time just for myself during the day
Stop brooding about things that happen that I have no control over
Be happy just to be doing the best that I can with what I have to work with
Relaize that nothing is going to be perfect and that time will not stand still. Change is good and hindsight is 20/20
I think I could go on, but I am depressing myself.
Here is a bonus thought:
Spending an afternoon at a spa can be a blissful way to relax, unwind, and get away from the stresses of daily life. Unfortunately, we can't always afford the luxury of going to a spa â or a full afternoon away from our other obligations. Luckily, creating a mini-spa experience at home is easier than you may think. Today's small change is to set aside an hour in which to pamper yourself. You can do it today, or you can schedule it for a more convenient time later in the week. (Just don't forget to do it â you deserve it!)
You don't need a fat wallet to have a relaxing spa experience â you can provide it for yourself for a few dollars. First, set out a few ingredients â candles, bath salts, relaxing music, and thick, soft towels â so you'll have everything you need. If other family members are around, let them know that you're taking a "spa break" and will be unavailable; better yet, plan this pampering session for a time when you'll be home alone.
Light the candles and play some relaxing music. Run a warm bath with your favorite bath salts or essential oils, and allow yourself to soak for at least 20 minutes. As you soak, close your eyes, listen to the music, and imagine all the tension flowing out of your body.
Finally, after your soak, take a few moments to rub your favorite lotion on your skin, then dress in your most comfortable clothes. Take a minute to get in touch with how relaxed and at peace you feel â all for less than five dollars worth of bath supplies
Be good to yourselves!
Hi everyone. sorry for the abscence. I did have my computer with me but I could not get on this site at all.
Susan so glad you are back in control. I have had those times myself, like already said it happens to the best of us!
Sonia, Wow what a difference for Kalan in such a short amount of time. How wonderful!!!
It is no cheat Wednesday and I have done well so far. Had my egg white scramble with salsa and a little cheese. Salad for dinner. Doing well.
Karen
I will work on the challenges you have put forth this week. Love the thoughts for the day and have to say I have taken time for myself for a bath recently. I do like it, I am so relaxed when done!
Ok gotta run and work.
Sonia, that is great news about Kalan. You must be so happy...him too!
Susan, you are an inspiration. If I could just be as disciplined as you maybe I'd have dropped 24 lbs too.
I have been having fun. The weather had been nice so we spent the last couple of days outside. My eating is still crap but the good news is dh bought me a bike so maybe getting in some cardio won't be so boring. I'm going to Canada for the weekend so I won't be back 'til Monday and I won't even bother confessing (car ride with kids, mothers day brunch...it's all bad news).
Hope everyone has a good weekend. I know I will, I get to see Alan Jackson tomorrow....11th row! Woo Hoo!
Oh, wow, Casey, my sister would be so jealous! She loves Alan Jackson!!
It is Mother's Day here on the weekend, too. I thought it was held on a different date over there??!!??
Well, I weighed in at the same weight this morning. But next week I will be able to start my exercise routine again, as Kalan will be back at school and everything will be back to normal.
Well, Pootchi is listed as this coming week's cheerleader and she seems to be no longer with us, so would you like me to do it this time???
Sonia, I can take cheerleader because I'm leaving for the States in a couple of weeks and probably won't be too active for those 12 or so days. You have such good news about Kalen, that's great! He probably feels like a new "man".
Casey, I'm laughing because for a second there, I thought you were riding your new bike to Canada! That sounds like a great trip, I'll bet the weather is cool and crisp, how fun. I love the cool/cold...And I love, love, love Alan Jackson, one long tall glass of tea! I can't wait to hear, have a great time.
Michelle, good to see you back, where's your next work/travel destination?
Karen, you were an awesome cheerleader this week, thank you! I'm not quiiiiite as motivated as you in the role, but I'll do my best.
Have a great day all!
Thanks, Susan, I'd love you to do it! Would you like me to take your spot from 22 May??
Hi everyone!
I have been feeling badly that I havent posted much. I havent posted much because I "haven't been doing my best" So I don't want you all to get sick of me not doing my best. I am so on and off. Need to find some consistency.
I feel like it must be annoying to all of you who are doing well for me to come on here and say I just ate a big ole sundae LOL!
Lordy. I have been doing pretty good on the exercise. Gotta get into gear because I think I have cheerleading next week!
Such good news about Kalan!
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