I'm going to second that one. Typically I'm not materialistic or high maintenance, but sometimes buying something pretty or getting a little beauty shop therapy is just the ticket to pick you up. I can't explain why, it just is. A manicure and/or pedicure is always a great treat, the beauty of it is that you have to sit still and relax for an hour, and if you don't like the color you can remove it in a week (unlike a bad hair color job). So your assignment for the week is to hit the mall and spend a little time+money on yourself.

I wonder if the fatigue issue is seasonal because I've talked to a lot of people who are having the same problem... myself included. I usually try to sit down and read every afternoon around 2:00 and lately I've fallen asleep every time, which is odd for me. Everyone that I talk to is tired, crabby and has some sort of injury etc. Maybe we just all need a vacation from our summer vacations! ;)

Okay I'm going to throw out a little motivation. Yesterday I was over calories by a couple of cookies. Normally I would have felt a little destroyed over that which might have lead to a full out cheat night, but I didn't let myself get that way yesterday. Ate the dinner I'd planned, logged my intake, hung out with the kiddos and then went to bed. I usually read for a while before I fall asleep, I have to wait out the RLS twitching before I can fully relax. Anyway, a storm front rolled through and by the time it ended I was starving and wanted a snack in the worst way. Instead I put the book down and shut off the light and fell asleep, although it took a while. Thereafter I was awakened by another storm front rolling through about every hour for the rest of the night. The last one was at roughly 3:45am. At 5:00am DH's alarm clock went off and he thought it would be fun to wake me up too ;). Suffice it to say when my alarm went off at 6:00am for my workout, I was dead dog tired and sooooo not feeling that workout, BIDIA. Went 70 min full out on the elliptical, I feel good now, a little woozy but good. Hopefully tonight I'll get some sleep.

It was great to see so many of us jumping back on the wagon Monday except for RUM CAKE. (and yeah, I'm jealous.) And I'm tellin' on Mike for sayin' WTF again. LOL

On treating yourself--I always wash my hair right before going to the hair salon for a cut, but I always treat myself to a $4 shampooing there anyway, just so I can sit longer and do absolutely nothing--having 10 extra minutes of ME time. LOL

A tradition of mine is to buy the grandkids their new shoes for the start of the new school year. Live-in DD and I went shoe shopping last night. She has the cutest taste in shoes! Out of the three pairs of running shoes for track that she tried on, she picked the one that I liked the best, too. I also got her a pair of darling high heel ankle height boots to wear with her pants and jeans. Taking DD's other three kids shoe shoping today. Second most fun out of those four grandkids will be the 4th grade DD who loves to wear dresses and skirts to school, so needs new dress shoes (with chunky heels) in addition to athletic shoes. The boy is 7 and still looks for athletic shoes in my price range that he thinks will help him run the fastest. LOL Almost 16 year old moody GD will whine and pout trying to talk me into shoes that are more expensive than I want to pay because they're so cool. Sometimes she wins, sometimes she doesn't--but she doesn't know that how ugly or cute I think the shoes are affects my decision. LOL I never tell her I think her choice of shoes is ugly, but if they fit right and are in my price range, I'll buy her the ugly shoes. LOL

Mike! You're almost at goal weight again! Congratulations!!!

Quinn, we were continually apologizing to people for my Mom's words and actions. But sometimes we had to laugh because of the things she said, like when she couldn't remember the word DOG so she referred to Mitzy as her pet WEASEL. LOL One time she called a TV station screaming about them broadcasting in black and white just to be mean to her. I discovered one of her toddler grandkids had been fiddling with the knobs on the TV again. I took the phone from her and apologized. Congrats on not adding to your gain damage--seriously--that's great. Maybe you should keep a scream pillow in the trunk of your car. LOL

Lizzie, so sorry about your frustrations with your mum. The scream pillow is a great tip. Wow, that's fabulous that your partner is getting that award! You must be so proud!

Rose, wish the food was more to your liking and needs in Scotland. Sorry about Canada's loss of Jack Layton. Wishing countries around the world more politicians like him. I won't actually know until September 1 when my blood test results come back whether I'm getting my triglycerides and cholesterol in check through diet--but I had darned well better get good results because I've been trying really hard and meeting my targets most days by learning to change a lot of my eating lifestyle.

Amy, that is just wonderful that you had that special bond with your grandparents. :) One of the reasons I cherish my one-on-one time with my grandkids is because when I was a child my mother expected us to be seen and not heard when visiting grandparents. We were to say kiss them hello and goodbye but not bother them in between--had to go outside and play in nice weather or read a book or play a board game in the living room while the adults were visiting. I know my Grandma Mary would have loved to visit with me and my siblings, but she never spoke up to tell my mother that. Grandma died in 1958 and I really miss her.

Joanna, that's great that you have a gym on campus. Wow, I'm rooting for you to reach your goal by May 1. :)

Cassie, I'm sorry you're kinda lost right now. Wish I had some advice, It sounds like this is one that maybe only you have the answer to. But wow--it looks like Mike has some really great words of wisdom that I hope you will be able to implement. But big hug to ya! I hope you're right about my going over in carbs yesterday leveling out in time for my fasting blood sugar test. But even so, it's just numbers, and the A1C average is really what is more indicative of my true blood sugar management.

April, that is really admirable and such good example for the rest of us that you exercise on your lunch break!

Health Goals...
1. 80 oz water daily Yes, I think,
2. 500 calorie deficit daily +726 :eek: , -1438, Weekly Total: -712
3. Walk 30 min on lunch unless it's raining Yes, Yes
4. Min 30 min workout on hubby's work days N/A, 45 min weeding garden should count,
5. One diet soda daily limit Yes, Yes

This weekend Goals...
1. Friday do all of housework, take boys for physicals & get Chloe spayed :(
2. Saturday prep bathroom for painting (remove border)
3. Saturday/Sunday paint bathroom (as long as I can buy the paint)
4. Weed that garden!! Got half done Tuesday evening

Spent 45 min last night with my butt in the air weeding the veggies. Paying for it a little bit today. Last night was worse. The bending over causes pain in my left butt cheek/hip area. If I really over do it, I will get the pulling down my left leg as well. I know this happens and yet I still do it. I guess I am just prissy...I can't stand weeding on my knees. This also happens when I do my plantings in the spring. It isn't as bad this time so hopefully it passes soon. Last time took a month and I couldn't walk :(

Earthquake? Didn't feel it but many in my office and my sons both did.

Rose - sorry you are feeling down and having lots of sad memories of your dad. Maybe a day to reflect would be in order soon? I'm not really worried about Chloe not recovering from her spay. If anything she may recover too quickly. She is super energetic and I don't want her hurting herself by being active too soon. So I think she will be on leash indoors & out for a few days.

Laura - You did not offend me at all. I think one of the most liberating things in life is to know who YOU really are. Congrats!

Mike - I was so going to ask what you did to your foot! I have a scratch there too but it's from a 60 lb boxer 'puppy' stepping on me!

Quinn - good job on planning ahead of the weather and getting your walk in early and then a SECOND one! You go girl!!!

Amy - I do think the world's population has grown in girth. It seems much easier to spot people larger than myself these days. Before I was always the biggest. Here at work, I still am though.....Your wraps sound awesome BTW.

Cassie - Mike & Amy have already given great advice. I may have to come back to that advice next time I get stuck in a rut. I hope that you make a turn around. It is really hard knowing that you aren't doing any good but feeling you can't change it.

Mern - I know you are going to rock that blood work! My hubby went from a pill managed diabetic to his dr saying that his blood work didn't even reflect that he was diabetic any longer with diet changes. He no longer takes that medicine for about 5 yrs now. I have so much faith that you can do that too!!

Calories 1100-1300:.
SAT 1356 SUN 1321 MON 1285 TUES 1465 :-( WEDS_____ __THURS_______FRI______

100 oz Water:
SAT 76oz. SUN 100+ oz MON 100+ TUES BOO WEDS_____ __THURS_______FRI______

60 mins exercise daily:
SAT 2 hours dance/choreography SUN 80 minute power walk! MON TURBO JAM TUES NIX :-( WEDS_____ __THURS_______FRI______

Log absolutely everything:
SAT YEP SUN YEP MON Yep TUES YEP -- including the martinis! SO those are 1465 honest calories WEDS_____ __THURS_______FRI______


Check in on FitDay Forums:
SAT NOPE!!!! BAD!!! SUN NOPE!!!! BAD!!!MON YES TUES YES BUT NOT WHEN I NEEDED TO!!! WEDS YEP__THURS_______FRI______

'Meditate and Love myself:
SAT NO MEDITATION SUN NO MEDITATION MON ALREADY DONE TUES NOT FOCUSED ENOUGH!! WEDS YES THURS_______FRI______


SO -- checking in, I didn't stay "on plan" yesterday. Not one to make excuses -- it was my responsibility, but I also need to analyze the WHY of it.

But first -- what I did right. I was really tempted to order a pizza or some other form of food porn last night when I left my PC at 7:30 nowhere near done with what I needed to get done because a STUPID VENDOR had screwed up my entire day. But I didn't. I did, however, have several cocktails with my husband. BUt with those calculated, I went over my cal range by 165 calories BUT, that was less than the 500+ I almost went over.

And in the "what I did right" is the why -- yesterday simply stunk in terms of stress-related work. And I didn't manage my emotions at all well. What I should do when I get this stressed is take a walk, do a few push ups, sit ups, dance to a fun song, anythings. But the "monkey chatter" started and then that voice in my head -- that childish one -- said "hmmph, you don't have to stay on plan, you can do ANYTHING YOU WANT, no one can tell you what to do -- NOT EVEN YOURSELF, so have that martini and say screw 'em!" OMG -- I really thought I had her under control five years ago, but she LIVES, SHE LIVES, that spoiled litle girl LIVES. I really need to be kind to her, but firm and say -- look, that was our old life, in our new life, we don't tamp down feelings, we don't use childish behaviors to quell OTHER peoples childish behaviors because if we DO, we CANNOT have the "big fun" we are looking to have at the grown-ups table, okay? Now go sit down while I work out.

Anyone else every beholden to that childlike voice? Any tips on how to quiet it. I do love Stephen Gullo who says "only a child thinks she can have everything she wants." But sometimes, I can see myself stamping my foot like that spoiled child and letting myself get away with that behavior. I need a "weight loss parent" sometimes :-).

But -- I will focus on what I did RIGHT and the fact that I am not going to toss the other 11 eggs on the floor. I am on track right now, having meditated and taken the dog for an extra long walk (40 mins) and a plan at 3:00 p.m. to be in front of the telly with Chalene Johnson!!!

Later pretties!!

Amy, we should have a daily BIDIA award! You'd win it a LOT! Congrats to you and thanks for the good example on avoiding the middle of the night snacking despite being repeatedly awakened!

April, congrats on such a good day yesterday. I hope your back recovers soon. Thanks for your encouragement on my blood work and a huge woohoo! to your husband!

Brandismom, congrats on keeping your calorie overage to a minimum. I'm 65 years old and have still got an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. All of us here fall prey to those occasional cheats, especially under stress. Your coming here to post about your experience will go a long way in keeping yourself under control most days. Great start to your day with the meditation, walk-- and more exercise later with Chalene Johnson.

Gee I hear that voice in my head all the time, only she's not little or quiet, she's my inner fat girl and she screams her head off sometimes. Last night she was yelling at me to get up out of bed, put a batch of brownies in the oven and while they bake to run to the grocery store and buy some Ben & Jerry's to keep them company. And if the brownies weren't done after my trip to the store I could have a plate of nachos while I waited. While I did manage to ignore her, it was a near thing. I've never thought of that voice as a "spoiled child" before. Maybe I could be more firm with her if I did think of her that way. I'm actually quite good at disciplining children. Mmmm, I'll have to give that one some thought. Thanks.

Thanks Mern, however I suspect you might be the winner more often than me.