Thanks Sonia, I'm trying to work myself up to starting.
Michelle, a Masters is very impressive. Good for you, enjoy your time off this week. I'm just doing a couple classes. It's kinda refreshing though, clearing out the cobwebs in my thick head, lol.
Connie, thinking good thoughts for you today. 
TGIF!
Hey ladies, sorry I've been mia. I thought once school started my schedule would come down but No it's only gotten crazier. Grrr.
Anywho, I have lost 5 lbs since the beginning of the month. But I too still weigh more than when I joined so gotta keep working at it. My eating is good, I've cut back on portion which I'm proud of and late night snacking which is a big accomplishment for me. My exercise has been non existent. I'm not gettin up early and my days are so super busy....bad me!
Connie, hope your mri has gone ok. Hopefully you get some insight to your headaches.
Karen....how's the move going? I'm sure you're super busy wherever you are!
Susan - Yay, a gym!!!!
Shellie a pound is a pound and at least it is not a pound gained!
Merissa we all fall off the wagon now and again and again and again. Just get back on!
Great job on the loss Sonia!
Michelle, hope you are enjoying your week off...cleaning =D
Welcome Gina! Hope you like it here as much as I do.
Alaina good for you going back to school! Wish I could do the same.
I have an easy challenge, I slacking in this department so you all shall suffer!!! WATER....drink your water. Some days I'm good especially when it's hot but now that it's cooling off I'm just not as thirsty. We must drink water....
Hope you all have a great weekend!!!
Hi Sweeties~
Hooray for Friday! It's Friday evening in Italy and I'm happy to be home.
Michelle, I DID return to the gym, I can hardly believe it! My 2nd day was Thursday and I got there at 500AM and...they gym was closed for the day! I COULD NOT believe it! They were closed for Family Day on post...but no signs the day before, so that was disappointing. And then I didn't go today...sigh...it seems like I get off track and that's it. But I was determined to get at least some exercise in today, and I had 10,000 steps before 1PM.
I'm going with 2 friends to Venice tomorrow, so I should get plenty plenty plenty of steps in because Venice is all about walking. I'm looking forward to going - my friend Annemarie has a friend we're meeting there for dinner. Her friend is a neonatologist who chucked everything, sold his practice, sold his big house in the States, and went to do an internship at the famous auction house, Sotheby's, in London. I guess he wanted to learn about art appraisal and Sotheby's sent him for an additional internship to the Guggenheim museum of modern art in Venice. He sounds like an interesting person and I'm looking forward to meeting and talking with him at dinner.
Hey, I've discovered a dish that I've been having at dinner this week. Sweet potatoes, and boy are they good. I don't like biting into a sweet potato as if it's a baked potato, I find it too thick and too sweet. I bought fresh sweet potatoes with the skin still on, scrubbed them and kept the skin on. I sliced them into very thin rounds, sprayed them with olive oil flavored Pam, and sprinkled Hot Salt on top. Hot Salt is this stuff I found in the spices section of the grocery store, it's something like chili powder with salt. Anyway, with the combination of sweet, spicy, and salty, they're delicious! And sweet potatoes are very low in calories, I highly recommend trying this dish.
Hello, all!
I'm here in sunny Florida and loving it. Just checking in for now. I'll give you all some sort of update in a while.
Welcome Gina!
Karen, I'm glad you made it safely!
Oh, I had such a nice day yesterday. Two friends and I took the afternoon train to Venice and it was a stunningly gorgeous day, cool and sunny. We met up with the friend of one of my friends and had a great time. This guy is living in Venice for 2 months doing an internship at the Guggenheim museum; he just finished an 11 month school in London at Christie's auction house learning how to appraise art and furniture. He took us on a behind the scenes tour at the Guggenheim, it was so interesting. We got up close and personal with a couple Picassos and about half a dozen Jackson Pollacks, really amazing. We went to a great dinner and took the late train home, arriving about midnight. Unfortunately we had to stand on the 45 minute ride back...too many revelers on their way to Oktoberfest in Germany! I was glad to see my bed...
Karen, glad you are there safe and sound.
Susan, you have some wonderful adventures. How fun.
Anyone heard from Connie? Saying a little prayer for her.
No word from Connie...... hope everything is ok!
I haven't been as good this week. I'm determined to get my act together tomorrow!!!
Hi Ladies sorry took me so long to respond. Thank you for thinking of me though. I had my mri friday and although it didn't hurt as bad as my last one I was still in pain and thankful my mom was there to take pick me up. I sat at her house for awhile until medicine kicked in and I could walk better (and for my dad to get off work) mom drove me home and dad followed so he could drive mom home. By Sunday it was narrowed down to my 2 usual spots that were just tender and not really hurting (it's where 2 of my claps are and frankly I've had issues w/ those 2 spots from the beginning).
Susan sounds like a WONDERFUL day
SOnia good luck on getting back on track today I'll join you I had a banana split sundae on Saturday night (thanks dh)
I have already done my 200 crunches and I was SO impressed Iwas able to do them STRAIGHT thru I didn't have to stop and do something else I was shocked! I will try again later today b/c I think I should still do the other ab exercises BUT dh is supposed to take a half day today so we'll see.....
We also bought Paul (ds) halloween costume yesterday he's going to be spiderman, Tabitha (dd) can't seem to decide yet although I have told her NO fairies LOL... She has been a fairy all but one of her Halloweens (and she's only 4) so I said NO MORE WITH THE FAIRIES LOL... We have fairy costumes in the dress up chest so you can do those ANY DAY OF THE WEEK LOL... She is leaning towards Wonderwoman (like I was last year so she wants us to match) OR Minnie Mouse so we'll see...
ANYWAY, I'm rambling again sorry I do that often. I hope y'all have a great day DIE FAT CELLS DIE!
I have RENEWED motivation I rec'd my err 'outfit' for the party in the mail Saturday and I tried it on so I need to get busy w/ the crunches BIG TIME LOL...
Connie, when do you find out the results of your MRI? I hope soon...and what is your outfit?? I'm thinking...French maid, naughty nurse, cheerleader? Something along those lines?!
Well, I don't go back to the doctor until 10-3 so I'm sure I won't hear anything until then about the mri. I figure if they find something 'really bad' I'll get a call before hand but if not the no news is good news rule will apply until I go in on the 3rd which I'm sure will DRAG
The outfit is for dh's pin up party (in April)- it's really the playboy cigarette girl costume, but it has like spandex or something in it so really clingy and hugs EVERY bump I have grrr...
http://www.halloweenexpress.com/playboy-cigarette-girl-adult-costume-p-11383.html
Karen so glad you made it!!
Connie hope this will reveal what is causing those head aches!! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!
Susan, you are so lucky with your travels. I love hearing when you have a new adventure!!
Had a great weekend with no home work. I am getting ready to start again tomorrow, sigh!!!
have a great day everyone.
Michelle
I came across this and thought about those of you that are doing tons of crunches a day.
http://www.fitwatch.com/ask-the-fat-loss-guru/1000-sit-ups-and-crunches-a-day-and-still-no-abs-223.html
I also saw this one that reminded me of all the things that we need to keep in mind on this journy.
http://www.fitwatch.com/articles/toptenthings.html
thanks for thinking of me, everyone.
Everything is going well here, but hubby didn't put the clothes in the car so we had to shop (I think he did it on purpose). Also, I don't have my SS card with me, so no job hunting until after I get back from another trip to get some more things next week. I really want to know what he was thinking.
Eating has NOT been going well recently. I sure hope to change that soon. We did go shopping and got some actual food for the hotel room. One more week in the resort and then we are moving to the efficiency this weekend.
Connie, hope everything goes well with the MRI.
Hey, where is everyone? Merissa, are you off on your romantic Florida vacation?
Not much going on here, I would love to be home and in bed today because I have a touch of fever and sore throat and feel pretty crummy but I'm committed to giving a lecture on Shaken Baby Syndrome...maybe I'll get to leave early, the lecture is over at 2.
It's so beautiful and cool here, I love it!
How is everyone?
Morning here Susan. I was wondering if everyone was MIA too. Guess no news from Merrisa means she's having a good time. Karen, that's one way to get to go shopping, lol.
Not much here, quiet cause son's at school, CH at work. Speeking of which, I'm still looking for work. Not too confidint that DH's company will survive much longer (auto supplier), so just in case, I've been trying to find something. Not much out there these days. Scary stuff, this economy.
Not sure if I lost anything last week. Measured for new window treatment for bathroom redo, and now I can't find the stinkin tape measure. Still havn't got a new scale. But I did get my butt in my old jeans, yeah! Havn't been able to get in them for years. Kept them cause they were my favorites.
Ok, I'm rambling, sorry. Hope everyone has a great day
Hope you feel better Susan. Get some hot tea, and get to bed.
Susan, hope you feel better soon. Enjoy the lecture.
I still don't know if I lost any weight but I just feel so much better. I don't know if anybody would understand but Florida is where I belong. Of course, my mother is trying to lay on a guilt trip but I refuse to let her.
I hope to find a job soon, but my SS# is one of the things that hubby didn't bring. We will be getting them next week when we go back to PA to bring down another load of household goods. I knew I should have taken a day off to help him load the car. I hate working all the time but this doing nothing is no good, either, when you don't have any income coming in.
Guess I'd better go for now. Talk to you soon.
Karen
Glad you've arrived safely, Karen! Hope you're able to find a job soon!
Sorry about the sore throat, Susan - hope it feels better real soon!!
Alaina, you must be doing something right if you've fit into those jeans. Congrats!!
Well, my weekend has filled up with 6 cake orders, which is my record, and I'm having a houseful of guests Sunday night, so now I'm feeling a bit stressed and putting all my spare time (what there is of it!!) into preparation. I'm doubting that my house is going to be ready for the visitors, but I guess there's not a lot I can do!
Karen good luck on the job search.
Susan I hope you feel better soon
wahoo Alaina for fitting into the jeans !!!!!
WOW Sonia good luck to you I'm stressed just reading that!
OK I did my 250 crunches today and gained another cousin LOL... It's like number 36 or 38 or something heck I can't keep up LOL. It's my Uncle's step sons new baby LOL. (get that) anyway pretty exciting for my uncle to be a grandpa.
wow we are quiet lately aren't we....
Well I did 200 crunches today plus some other ab exercies. I need to run up to toys r us to get a bday present Tabitha has officially been invited to her first bday party from someone at school and it's this Saturday. It's at the skatuim so should be interesting since my kids can't skate (even invited littler brother thought that was REALLY REALLY generous)
Hi Ladies, I pretty new to all of this. Caking, excersizing, and so forth. But after reading a few pages of this thread I think you all need to be my new friends! My name is Juli, I have a 4 year old son, Jack, have been married for 7 years to a Navy man and work for an investment company. I just started caking. I still haven't been able to get pics up on the site for some reason. I'll try again this weekend.
Weight goals are...to not have a muffin top!! You know... that roll of fat that sits on top of your pants. Looks like a muffin top. I'm 5'4" and am 141-ish. I started excersizing in June and have lost about 10lbs. I have also gone froma size 12 to a 10. I didn't want numbers to make a difference, but who am I kidding... they do!!!!!
Welcome, Juleskaye!
Glad to have you here. Congrats to the size 12 to 10. You know, you have to have some way to keep track of your progress.
I haven't been exercising at all. Hoping everything settles down soon, though. There is a beach with my name on it not far from here. Lots of good walking opportunity!
Karen
No,no...I havent gone on my trip yet! Sorry I havent been around. For some reason I don't always get notification of replies. I KNOW that there are replies, so it's no excuse. but if it isnt staring me in the face, it takes me longer to get here! LOL
I have been doing very well on my diet and exercise. I have been to the gym 4 days in a row and eating well is getting easier. I just wish I was seeing some results....gosh darnit! Oh well, at least i am feeling better about myself. I weighed in at 154 today.
Glad to hear you arrived to FL safely, Karen. I hope the job search goes smoothly.
Welcome JulesKaye! congrats on a great start.
As always, sorry to hear your headaches are not getting better connie. I hope they can figure out what is going on with you!
How did the lecture go susan?
Lots of cake orders sonia! wow! good for you! I am stressed for you. LOL
Welcome Jules!
Well, here I am...NOT on the train and NOT in Tuscany. I'm at home. I feel pretty crummy, I think I have the flu. Thank goodness the farmhouse where my friend is staying has internet and I sent her an email last night and she called me. She understands and was so kind about it. My voice is barely above a whisper, so the point was driven home. So disappointing.
But I did get good news yesterday. I think I may have mentioned before that the organization where I'll be volunteering next year is providing me with a private apartment, for which I'm very grateful because I'm used to living alone. Well, I found out yesterday that the apartment is in the Museum District of Houston! I'm so excited, I did a bit of research this morning and learned that the district consists of 18 museums plus the zoo...art, science, health, and history museums. I'm so thrilled I can't tell you. The museums look to have reasonable museum prices and some free days with really interesting exhibits. So I'm happy about that.
Welcome Juleskaye! You'll like it here.
Karen, that beach sounds wonderful. Just the serenity you need after all the stress of the move. Enjoy.
Merrisa, we missed you. Are you still going on your trip? Half the fun is the planning 
Susan, I'm exicited for you. When are you going to be back Stateside?
Connie, Merrisa, you guys are so motivated. All those crunches and workouts. You guys help me get my butt moving, only not to fast, lol.
Good morning all
I have been MIA, sorry back in school and all!!
By they way not sure if I told you all that I got an A in that awefull law class!!!
I do believe I am cheerleader this week, if we are still doing it?
Challenge is to state the reasons you are on this journey. Look at them carefully, sometimes the reason for the journey will make it easier or harder.
My reason: I have diabetes and have been put on meds for it and my high blood pressure. I would like to get off of them some day soon. In order to do that I need to loose this excess weight.
I saw my foot doctor again yesterday, I am out of the little black shoe, however I cant workout for another 3 weeks. I think I may loose my mind!!
Welcome Juli, jump right in and join our happy loosing group!
Susan I hope you feel better soon, how was that lecture? Sorry you missed your trip, you were looking forward to that so much!!
Karen, wow a beach so close, I am jealous, walking and running is the sand is good work. I wouldnt be able to get in the water, I need to see what is swimming with me at my feet!!!
Merissa, I know I have not been getting the notices either, and no it doesnt give me the OK not to check in!! There is always some post every day.
Have a great day everyone!!!
Good Morning all. All is well here. We have a football game to go to tomorrow, GOOOO Auburn! There are always food challenges at the tailgating festivities. Maybe if I bring a veggie tray? I'm not sure you all know what boiled peanuts are, they are raw peanuts boiled for a LONG time in salted water. But they are a nessecity at tailgates, and they are addictive, so I'll have to keep myself to only one bowl instead of dragging the whole bag to my chair!!!! And soda!!! MMMMMMmmmm love my soda, so I'll have to keep myself to one or two instead of the four that I had last week. grrr
My reason for this journey is that my entire family (mother, sisters, not my brother so much) are overweight and diabetes and high blood pressure is running in the family. I want to avoid that. I also want to look my best and stay active as I get older.
Karen
OMG, what a horrible week!!! Sorry I've been MIA, but I just finished the WORST WEEK EVER at work! I thought I would lose my mind!!
Welcome, Jules. Sounds like you're off to a great start already!
Congrats on your A, Michelle...way to go!
Susan...ugh, the flu. Just thinking about it makes me want to hide under the bed. You get lots of rest and feel better soon.
Despite all the stress this week (oh why doesn't stress burn calories!!) I had a good week, I'm 3 lbs down, now only 16 to go. I'm in size 12 now (from tight 18W at my largest) and I will be happy when I get back into my 10s. That seems to be my most comfortable size. (I'm big boned... 
)
The challenge...well, I need to keep my weight down for my blood pressure, but also because the women in my family all have to watch our weight, and I've seen it balloon way out of control for my mom, now she can't seem to gain control. It's really important to me to set a good example of a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits for my kids so that they will be encouraged to stay active and make good food choices throughout their lives. That's not something I ever had...to this day, my mom believes that Jello is good for you - not just low cal, but actually healthy food.
Also, I just feel so much better when my weight is down. I can tell when I'm eating right and giving my body what it needs to function properly. It's worth every sacrifice to me.
(here I go again with the super long post...I don't post often, but I sure do say a lot!!)
Everyone have a great weekend and...DIE FAT CELLS, DIE!!!
Sorry I was a terrible cheerlead...I was super busy but then again aren't I always. I will make this short, I am exhausted. I spent the week preparing for today....we had a hot dog party for my sons class. 14 of the 23 were here + some siblings...at least 20 kids. It was crazy, I am tired.
I will say this....Karen, I am so jealous. We were at St. Pete in June. Stayed at a hotel on the beach, I miss it.
Hope everyone has a kick ass weekend...I feel funny saying that, I totally said it as a teen. I'm starting to feel old.
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