Thanks for the welcomes. It is hard for me to learn names/faces and I'm thinking it will be a double challenge to remember screen names and typing. I'll do my best.

I did not make it to the gym, although Thing 3 really wanted to go. I had a migraine that felt like it was going to split my head wide open. I had to turn the light off, close my eyes and go to bed early.

At the end of the day I only had about 1400 calories! yea me! And that even included indulging in a sugar cookie cheesecake bar I made for the family. And I did log it.

Oh and I saw my primary dr. today and asked him about caffeine and it's affects, if any, on weight loss. He said that it can make me crave carbs. If that's all it does, I can live with that. I know how many I'm supposed to have a day, and as long as I stay within that I'm ok. I'll still try to drink less diet just b/c it might not be as good for me as maybe Crystal Light, but I haven't been to the store yet to buy some.

1. Move more M-n
2. Less caffeine M-n
3. Log food M-y

Ha ha Mern! It's a 24 ounce bottle of Mt. Dew. Which is still 350 wasted calories for the day. I wish this attack by my sinuses would get done so I could have those calories back. When you only have 1400 calories a day that is a BIG hunk to lose. Not to mention that the caffiene completely messes up my sleep patterns.

Mel, Go suck a lemon. :D or cut it up and put it in a pitcher of water. It's better for you than Mountain Dew and has less calories.

Y'all are a trip!

I managed to keep within my goal calories yesterday but it was mostly because I had an IBS attack of gastronomical proportions. I am still trying to pinpoint what I ate and the only thing different was either the small piece of chicken skin (probably the culprit) or the red potatoes from 9/10. Whatever it was, I had to drug myself senseless to make the pain tolerable. My whole esophagus is still aching from the acid.

Ran again this morning and in the space of a week I have gotten the first mile of my run from 11:30 down to 9:56. Before my GI issues I could run the 1.5 in 13:26.

One of the hardest things to give up has been soda fo rme as well. Especially purple Amp energy drinks. Sigh.

I'm back
 

Hey all, I have missed you all and FitDay. My husband was hospitalized in for over a week and then my oldest son had some personal issues that I had to help him with. In addition, I got a severe kidney infection and felt pretty sick. I guess they are going to send me to a specialist to get checked out.

The last week I was here I hit a plateau. I had one cheat day last week where I ate anything I wanted (hadn't ate anything but fruit n veggies for four months). It's crazy because, I am dropping the weight again. Anyway, I have lost another four pounds since I logged in last. I hope you all well, and skimmed through all the posts. It seems we have some new members. Hello. :) I will try to catch up with you and what is going on. So good to be back!!!!

R'Soul: No doubt the anxiety is causing some weight loss, not to mention having an infection! Wishing you, your husband, and son the best through all your travails.

Mern: You are such an inspiration! I'm sure that extra 11 lbs, will be gone in 3 months, perhaps another 11 after that. You're right about the "BUT"s: Log everything! That seems to be key. (I've done over 18 months of continuous logging now, and know that work will be whisked away as if by the wind if I stop.)

As for exercise, 150 minutes is one of my 'standing' goals also. It gets easier once you're in the habit. What works for me is 1 hour twice a week, plus 30 mins one other day: Monday night: 1 hr to work off the weekend bloat, Tues: rest, Weds morning: 1 hr rev up to get over the 'hump,' Thurs: rest, Fri, Sat, or Sun: Fit in that extra 30 mins! (or a short (5 - 10 min) ab set on a few of the other days to make up the remainder. As always, simple, but not easy.

Gotta run. I've spent too much time lately on my Quixotic fight against the determination of a hospital's evil 'Utilization Management Group.'

- Donna

Good doc and good goals, Mern!!! And I will join you as I have gained 10 pounds from my lowest, six from the weight I was maintaining for a while. I have lost 1.5 so far.

Jenn, thanks for asking. Writing has actually been going very well. Keep at yours; it's often rough at first but I'm sure you know that. It will get better. It's tough though; believe me, I know that. Dont give up!

Works for me (blaming autumn.) Actually, it doesn't lol and I've gotta get my act together. 1300 is not too bad....

Thank you but that was not me about the droids. That was Libby. I wouldn't know a droid from an I Phone, hahaha.

Goals:
1) Plan food, yes the eating whatever is getting me into trouble! Yes and I ate twice as much as was on the plan, no yes and I stuck to it pretty well
2) Hypnotize myself into drinking more water: you are getting very thirsty... drink more: yes, yes, yes so thirsty lately (hypnotism working?)
3) Daily stretch; yes, no yes
4) Gym 3x this week: yes, no, no
5) meditate: SERENITY NOW!!!! no, no, no - serenity later?
6) practice Spanish- no, no un poco
7) full day of work: FOCUS - yes, yes, YES

Plan:
Ezkiel muffin and soy cream cheese
cantaloupe
egg salad and salad
berries
1.5 oz leftover salmon as snack (weird, I know)
small turkey burger
veg
Vitamuffin

There is a healthy eating fair a lot of my friends and aquaintances are sponsoring tonight. But it is promoting a diet comapny so I have mixed feelings. And honestly, I know that part of my out of control eating is a response to my obsessiveness about food. So IDK. Plus there will be samples, always a danger for me lol. They are doing a one mile walk this morning but I missed it because I had a bad night's sleep. Plus a mile is challenging for me as I am in a flare. So I may just go to the gym.

To all who are suffering from health issues, allergies, chronic conditions, I send you big gentle hugs and the wish that you can all heal quickly and completely.

Yes that was me with the Droids. I wish I had one to do the house work. Old dog was sick on the front hall mat this morning and dog two is going to get a bath today.
R Soul, we missed you. I am so glad that you are back.