Goals for the week
 

Hi everyone, It's been a crazy day with plenty of unscheduled problems and meetings to keep me from getting my scheduled work done. I hate days like this, but sadly Mondays in tax season are a special kind of hell, so it is what is. Anyway, my goals are the same, like Cassie I'm going to stick with them till I get them right! I did lose 3 lbs last week, so that brings my loss to 7.5 lbs since the first of the year. Not great, but it's something. I think the added movement is helping and my main focus this week is still going to be getting steps in. Unfortunately, I had so many meetings today that I didn't think I could excuse myself every half hour to walk around the building but I did as much as possible. Anyway, here are the goals


1200-1400 cals
80 oz water
Treadmill T-Th-Sat
5000 steps on non TM days
8000 steps on TM days
Weights and Floor Exercises at least 3 times.
Post here every day

Cassie- I think your goals are great, you can’t change them just because you don’t always hit them, even though it is tempting! :) As far as sleep goes, I think everyone is different and you should listen to your body, if you feel good then it’s probably enough for you.

Terri- Great job logging everything, that means you were still in control, that is the most important thing! We all have to climb back on that horse sometimes, your goals look great this week, and so does that chicken soup!

Ashlie- Welcome back! Believe me, we all get derailed now and then, and that’s when we need this board for support more than ever. The good and the bad, post it all!

Darlene- Hope your DD feels better soon, it’s awful when they’re sick. Your goals look great! Step away from the ice cream! :)


April- Wow!! What a fantastic loss! That is almost a whole clothing size, you must really feel the difference, congrats! Hoping today is a better day for your son, one day at a time! Btw, you looked beautiful in your pics!

Mike- Thanks for the encouragement on the steps, I know I can do it too! I know you’ll do great on all your goals this week too!

Pam- Sounds like a great plan for your co worker, let us know how it goes. Have a great time on your trip!

Kay- It is a new week and your goals look great! And hey, .5 lb is just fine!

Amy- Hang in there, I know weekends are tough but you can do it! Try to plan for when you know you’ll be over in your calories if you can, check restaurant websites for nutritional info before you go and log it. It seems easier for me to stick to plan if I’ve already logged it, I hate to have to go back and increase portions or worse add things that are not so great!

Deborah- Welcome! I’m sure you’ll find a lot of support and advice on this thread, I know I have.

Mern- Your goals look great, you can do this! Hope you have a great day, and no more tummy troubles!

Hope- Welcome back! Some days I too have trouble catching up, we all do I’m sure. Just do the best you can! Sorry about Jake, and your DD worries. Hope to see you here more often!


Have a great evening everyone!


Julie

Hi All,
Just a quick check-in to say all is well here. Doing well on the calories and water. I think having water as a goal for a month or so has gone a long way towards making it a habit. Like others, I fill my liter bottle before I go to work and make sure it is finished by the time I head home. There have been many a lunch when I have reached for a soft drink, flavored water, or juice drink only to remind myself I have a nice refreshing bottle of water sitting right in front of me - not only is it good for me, it saves $$$.

Welcome back Hope, I am sorry to read things have been unsettled at your place, but please know that everyone is here for you... the good, the bad, and the indifferent.

OK, time to head home and start packing :D

Health/Fitness
1--Walk M W Th--can't Friday cause we're leaving-didn't walk because I had a better offer
2--drink some more water, woman cannot live by diet mountain dew alone-on bottle 2!!
3--get at least 3 good work outs in before leaving-N
4--weight loss? I'll try!!-starting weight Monday morning 208.4 UGHH


Life
1--make sure all clothes are washed and ready to pack by Wednesday-did 2 loads last night. Probably do 1 more on Wednesday
2--run by Wally World and pick up new eye glass case-tomorrow after work?
3--spend some quality time with Jassie. Bless her little kitty heart, her momma is leavin her for a week-she played with me for ohhhh 2 mintues, then said "uh uh, Gramma gives me TREATS!!!"
4--pack no later than Thursday night
5--DO NOT GO TO JAIL-so far so good!


So, 2 funny stories......I was getting ready to walk this afternoon and my Aunt calls me. Somehow she convinced me to go to an ACTUAL ZUMBA CLASS!!! Have I mentioned to y'all the issue of my 3 left feet??? But she convinced me. I mean, seriously if a 55 year old with a heart condition can keep up, surely I can! Well, once again I was proven wrong LOL! I did have a BLAST though!! It's so much better than doing it at home with my cousin. Bless it, I love her, but trying to get a good workout in with her kids and umpteen million dogs running around it TOUGH!!! I think she's gonna go to the class next week, she's got lots of medical stuff still going on this week.

Story 2: I got pretty much all of my crap moved to Momma and Deddy's over the weekend. Jas had her own littler box over here cause we were here so much anyway. Well, I decided to change it out to her normal "at home box" because it's better, etc. Well Deddy and his clumsy self was in Jas' bathroom (yup, it's hers LOL) and somehow she followed him in and got around his feet as cats are known to do. And he trips. And guess what else. He BROKE THE HOOD ON HER LITTER BOX! I paid $40 for that thing! He gave me the $$ to replace it, but it's still funny! Jas keeps going around the box, like "it's my at home box, but there's something different......" So I've got to run by PetSmart tomorrow and get her a new one. SMH

Just a very quick check in.

Welcome back Hope!

I've had a super busy day today. I went to the gym straight from work. Didn't make it home until after 7:00. Pimp daddy did write 2 policies today. I have another I'm going to write tomorrow. It will be a rewrite to help a client. More so a good deed, I won't get paid on it so I wont count it. Their home is with us at $7474 yr, I'm going to write it at $2901/yr. Pimp daddy is hooking them up.

i did kettlebells tonight. I finally got a 10 and a 15 pounder so I can vary the routine more now. I do have a bit of a rant tonight though which I put in white
If you'll remember, I was having some problems with my DS and one of his teachers. I thought I was getting things worked out with the help of the learning support teacher. She told me she'd talked to the language arts teacher and that DS would get help in catching up on some missed assignments and would not be penalized for the work being late. Today though, I received an email requesting a conference for Friday morning because DS is failing language arts due to missed assignments. I am angry beyond words about the failure of his teacher to provide the support he needs to succeed.

Cassie, that is just homeowners. Flood is another chunk of change. Thanks, it's rewarding to help people save bigg $$$. Yeah there are some areas of the state that is outrageous for homeowners! I do plan on getting licensed in other states for P&C (property and casualty aka home, auto, umbrella, flood etc.) I'm thinking about Mississippi, Alabama and maybe a couple more. I need to do some research to see if my "system" will work in those states b/c I really don't want to buy leads. I want to focus on cross selling home with auto clients/ auto with home clients to try to save people money, then work off referrals. I may turn to you so I can see how the rates with Liberty Mutual look compared to the others in your state. Not to try to solicite you but to see if there is a viable market for me.

Welcome Deborah!

Welcome back! Always better to have fun while not being good ;)

Hope your Tuesday is better than your Monday! Thanks for the comments on my loss last week.

Holy Crap! :eek: My homeowners is only $533/yr!

April, the $7474 isn't "normal" but I have seen higher. I have one client paying close to $9k and that was AFTER saving her money. Other areas are crazy. In Baton Rouge, you could insure a $500,000 new home for probably less than $1500. Actually I know of an agent last year that wrote a $1m home in B.R. for $1200/yr. that agent owns ALL the leads in that area. He probably spends $10,000 a month in leads... No lie.

Thanks Cassie. I'll probably ask my TM what our closing ratios are in Ga. I'll let ya know.

arrgghh late night snacks are gonna be my down fall! At least it was sorta healthy???? I didn't finish the day with horrible calories though....1372. I haven't really set a calorie limit this week, cause I know Friday thru Sunday are gonna be rough. I'm just going to try and keep it reasonable the rest of the week. Probably 12-1400. I've also got to ramp up my workouts this week. Zumba was really fun tonight, and I'm looking forward to going back. The classes are Monday and Thursdays, and are reasonably priced. You can pay $8 per class, $15 a month (which works out to like 8 classes, depending on how the month falls) or $20 for any 10 classes you can make it to. Which for me would be the better option. You don't feel like you've got to go to both classes a week to get your moneys worth. If you miss a class, oh well, get the next one. If you're going to be in NOLA for a week, oh well, we'll work your ass off when you get back :cool: Another thing I like was it was all walks of life. From teenagers to middle aged grannys! Fat, thin and in between. And all sorts of levels of dance ability!

I'm going to go compose my weekly email to CN. Catch y'all tomorra!!

Check-In . . .Chat Later
 

http://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/fish/t107128.gif
*~*FitDay Challenge *~* Persevere: "Keep Swimming"
"Life is a challenge, meet it." ~ Mother Theresa
Check-in: Mon -
Sun = "Cushion" Day {Respite with Reason} . . . Daily = x6/wk
MON MISSION --> Before eating . . . Think & Do: Did I chart previous intake? *Accomplished
TUES MISSION -> Veg. - Eat 3 serv. of low carb.

FIT (Focus ~ Intake ~Train)
FOCUS (3) Mind & Heart
*Audio Bible (10 chapt) =
*Hlth Group (wkly Bk Study) =
*Thankfulness Journal (Daily Entry) = Yes x1 :::: No x0

INTAKE (3) Nutrition
*1600 Calorie = AT/BELOW x1 ::: ABOVE x0
*H2O (40 oz) = Yes x1 ::::: No x0
*Supplements = Yes x1 ::::: No x0

TRAIN (3) Movement
*Aerobic (150") = 30"
*Life: Miles/Steps (15 mi/32,000 Steps) = 6.27 mi
*Muscular (Each Area x2) = UEs x1 * LEs x0 * Torso x0

DAY (3) Life
DAZZLE: *Deep Clean: Zone 3 (1' 15") = 1 hr
ADMINISTRATE: *Paper Trail (20") =
YARD (Outside) *Maintain (x5) =

Mike. I'm in a huge rush and will post my goals later.... I promise.

April. Only just got to see your lovely photos, you looked grrrrrrrreat girl.

To all those who are having issues with your children or illness in the family, I AM thinking of you, I do read the posts but sometimes can't keep up with replies, but you are often in my thoughts. Catch you all later as I'm taking iPad to work so may get a chance to log on.

Monday Report

3 low carb, vitamin fortified protein shakes as small meal replacements before dinner YES
Low carb, on-plan dinner YES
Evening snack of solid food protein and fat such as meat and cheese ground turkey patty and string cheese
Calorie limit 1600 1576
Carbs less fiber limit 20g (usually is 25g) exactly 20g
Fiber range 25-35g 28g
Protein target 120g 148g
Sat fat limit 12% of total calories 13g
Cholesterol limit 300mg 216mg
Veggies/fruit 4-5 servings 4

Exercise 5 days YES
Water 60 oz. YES

Hope!! I'm so glad to see you, i love your goals. I feel the same way lately, disgusted with myself and self medicating with food.... UGH! So sorry about your kitty. DD issues can be exhausing, I have DD16, I feel your pain. Stay with us here, lets help each other!!

Deborah, it's wonderful that you have your life organized to homeschool your son and have a job where you can take him to work with you. :) Nice that your girls are close together--they can borrow each other's clothes in a few years like my 17 and 16 year old granddaughters. :) I feel the same as you--I need to lose weight but I need to make it a lifestyle change. I make little tweaks every so often as needed or make a temporary little change like using the low carb protein shakes this week to help re-break my carb addiction and curb my desire to snack so much, but basically I have my eating lifestyle set.

Julie, wishing you the best possible days during your busy tax season. Hey, a 7.5 lb. loss in just six weeks is something to crow about! Congratulations! Aw, thanks--keeping my fiber under 30g and eating some good fat solid food (such as almonds and avocado) with each low carb protein may have been what prevented the recurrence of my tummy trouble.

Pam, great tips on getting in the water. Thanks for sharing.

Tori, it must be harder to stay on track with the vacation and moving. Congrats on the Zumba. Thanks for sharing the funny stories.

Mike, congrats on the policy writing and on the good deed.

Kay, congrats on the kettlebell work. Hope you can get the stuff straightened out with the DS's teacher!

Cassie, you had a fine day! Congrats!

Luv, you had a fine Monday, too. If something you say comes across as advice, I welcome it--no need for you to weigh your words before posting to me. I learn from virtually everyone here. And your smilies and sayings give ME motivation as well. :) I remember that wonderful feeling of gaining more free space because of passing along the gently used kids stuff to others. Hope you got in that snooze!

Lizzie and Ashlie, hi!

What IS with all the ice cream talk? I have been craving ice cream even though it's been colder than normal here in FLA. There's a coldstone creamery a stone's throw from work. I know they are TERRIBLE, but so so good!

April: Nice food porn. I always read it, lol! I feel lucky that Shepard's pie is not a comfort/danger food for me. There's something about the mashed potatoes being mixed in with everything else that turns me off. Maybe I'm a mashed potato purist?

Mern: Can you send those lessons about not interfering with your daughter's life to my parents??? ;) They don't interfere much with my relationship, but they've been killing me a bit with the job hunting lately. They keep sending me links to jobs that aren't right for me, and as much as I appreciate the help, I also feel a bit like... I'm 28, I can conduct my own job search thank-you-very-much! It'd be one thing to give me info for a contact they know to help me expand my network. It's another to spam my e-mail with job links. Thanks for the praise for logging. Sometimes seeing the numbers is the only thing that stops my binging. Lol on riding the horse because you're falling off the wagon, I like that! Your casserole sounds delicious!! I really want to learn how to make mashed cauliflower taste good. I'm worried I'd make it bland.

Darlene: You sound like a great caretaker, I hope that everything resolves soon to full health :)

Tori: Good on you for throwing out those chips!! I too have an aversion to throwing things away, but sometimes we simply must!

Deborah: Welcome!!! Nice goals, I hope to be reading about your successes this week!

Hope: Lovely to see you, welcome back, though I'm so sorry to hear about your cat! :(

Julie: 7.5 lbs. since the first of the year is awesome, it's a nice steady weight loss between 1 and 2 lbs. per week, which is sensible and really maintain-able, good for you! I think movement is my hardest goal, getting in that exercise when I don't want to, so kudos to you for being focused on that!

Pam: Great job on your water, have a fantastic trip!!!!

Tori: Your Zumba class sounds so fun! I've heard the classes are 10x better than the DVDs, I wish I had one around me! I would definitely go just to see what it's like and to giggle about the dance moves. I'm great at some and then others I'm just lucky I don't fall down.

Mike: Nice job on the policies!!! C'mon pimp daddy, you know you're gonna have an awesome week, now get to it!

Kay: Ugh, sorry about the fiasco with your DS. I know you'll give 'em hell! Can the learning support teacher come and corroborate your conversation?

Cassie: Good job on your Monday, woooohooo!!!!

Luv: I looooovvvveeee getting rid of clutter once I can build myself up to do it. I'm amazed at how stuff just seems to spread out over time. It's crazy. I hope you get rid of a bunch of that! Nice job on your goals so far!

Weekly Goals

Food, Exercise, Lifestyle Goals

1) Keep calories between 1200 and 1500, with an average for the week between 1200 and 1300 M: 1,154 (Week Average: 1,154)
2) Exercise 3-4 times this week M: yes (Week Total: 1)
3) Calorie deficit of at least 5000 M: -1,233 (whoohoo!) (Week Total: -1,233)
4) At least 80 oz. of water daily. More is better. M: 80
5) Protein average between 25-30% for the week. M: 27% (Week Average: 27%)
6) In bed by 11:30 every night M: yes
7) No more than one lunch and one dinner out this week (This will be really hard this week, considering V-day) M: no eating out
8) Weigh in daily and report here!! M: 160.4 T: 159.0

Other Life Goals

1) Make an effort on my appearance every day M: yes
2) Don't sweat the small stuff M: yes
3) Get in four job applications M: 1.5 (one was an e-mail inquiring, not an official app)
4) Write down something wonderful that happens every day M: First parts for new computer arrived!
5) Perform one random act of kindness a day (Did you all know it's "Random Act of Kindness Week" officially in the USA?? I didn't even know that existed!) M: Helped in delivery of a DVD to someone I don't know.

I was happy to see the scale this morning inching closer to my low -- I had a great day yesterday. I actually was at something like 1,080 calories at 10:00 and I was like "Hmmmm, I have to eat something or I'm going to be starving tomorrow." I really wasn't hungry, however, but I forced myself to eat some LF popcorn. By the end I was choking it down, so I only ate a half serving. I guess it was just one of those days where I was satisfied, and so far I'm not tooooo hungry today, but we'll see what happens as the day goes on. I've intentionally packed a larger-than-normal lunch to be ready to compensate, because I know my body, and I don't want to be scarfing down food tonight. This week is TOTM, so the scale might go wonkers on me, but I need to start charting my weight more reliably again, and I think weighing every day will give me the feedback I need for now, so that's what I'm going to do!

Discovered $100 in Bed Bath and Beyond gift certificates that were hiding in my wallet, had TOTALLY forgotten about them (birthday presents from back in July) so I went and got things I've been dying to get - mostly a bunch of new pans, since ours are starting to get gross, the non-stick coating is slowly peeling away and sometimes I find black flecks in my food (ew). Got three new saute pans of various sizes and a really nice new small saucepot. I've been making a lot of my own sauces lately and really needed a good one, and I used it last night, THREE THUMBS UP! Also bought a new kitchen clock and shower curtain liner. Oh, the glamorous purchases of adulthood...

I hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day!

~Terri

Monday report card!
 

Fitness goals:
> 1400 calories daily 1490
2 tervis water yes
NO NAIL BITING yes
45 minutes activity with kids baseball practice/homework
Zumba twice!!! not yet

Non fitness goals:
kids sale entry not yet
1 load laundry per day yep, washer hoses clogged up, gotta clean out today
clean 1 room per day my bathroom
car washed/cleaned out not yet

Its a crazy day today, I work in a public middle school, Valentines deliveries galore!! Looks like rain too, and I promised BF I would be at his game today... Its freezing.

I really have to get serious about this weight loss, my clothes are not fitting like they should, I don't feel so great about myself these days....

On a happy note, my DS8 wrote me the sweetest Valentine letter, I found it on my desk this morning, he said I was skinny and pretty. He is officially my favorite kid for the day!!

I logged on last night, wrote a long bitchy rant and ended up deciding not to post. After reading it through, it occurred to me that my problems weren't really "problems", it was more a case that my only "problem" was "attitude". I had more sugar and caffeine yesterday than I'm used to and just felt wired and mean. Anyway I think it might also have something to do with the fact that I started taking a different birth control script 2 weeks ago, hopefully I can get used to it before I end up divorced or drive the children to running away. Yesterday was a disaster goal-wise, but hopefully with some yoga breathing and calming exercises I can get my head around a new attitude today, because unfortunately that bitchy agitated feeling did not dissolve overnight. Today I'm at least trying to keep it in check, although I will admit my success has been a limited. The kids knew this morning I was feeling grouchy, but I didn't cross the line from "grouchy mom" into "Galactic Bitch from Hell", but it was a near thing. Eldest DD sent me home twice to find Valentine's that were actually packed in the bottom of her backpack and DH forgot to drag the garbage can to the curb. Really? It's freaking Valentine's Day and he forgets to take out the garbage? That is sooooo not romantic.

Health & Fitness:

1. Calories 1,400/day. 2,032
2. 128 oz water daily (Mike you really should have challenged me to something harder, I'm already at 50 for the day and I haven't even worked out yet). 128 :p
3. 7 hours exercise. 0 min.
4. Calorie deficit 5,000. -66
5. Protein 25% or higher. 18%
6. Log & report everyday. Y
7. Last Monday 164. Post weight: 165, 164.4

Other stuff:

1. Cut all the pieces for the other 3 rabbit cages. N
2. Finish my little part of the taxes. N
3. Housework 45 min daily +1 load of laundry. YY,
4. Call guy about elliptical parts. N
5. Distribute 4-H calendar. N
6. Finish 3 pieces for Betsy costume. N
7. Write down the most wonderful thing that happened. I found a new Starbucks coffee cup to give DH for Valentine's today, and it's darn near perfection.

Kay, sorry to hear about your troubles with DS, hopefully you can get it worked out and soon. Kids only have so much time in school for the adults around them to get it right, stick to your guns and don't be afraid to make yourself in to a royal pain in the ass. If you need some vinegar today, I got spare lol.

Hope, I'm so sorry to hear about your cat, good luck with DD issues and welcome back to the wagon.

fit4luv, I'm jealous of the junk purge, I need to do that in the worst way. I'm going to try and channel you this week. Maybe next week I'll add "Load to Goodwill" to my goals - maybe.

Cassie, wow I don't think I could have thrown out fried chicken, you're a far stronger woman than I, (bowing down) I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy... My problem food this week has been peanut butter hearts, well not the whole confection, just the filling. Ugh.

Mike, wow I've never heard of home insurance costing $7000/year. I think we're more along the lines of April here, ours is maybe $600-700/year, and that's including flood insurance!

Terri, that soup sounds great. I love me some soup, especially on days like today. We have snow on the ground and it's misting outside, so cold and damp, a very good day for soup indeed. Don't sweat your eat-fest. It happens. Now what you need are a couple of low days, and it all will even out.

Tori, that's it, you've convinced me, I'm going to Zumba class! Next week swim season will be over, so that will make me a window of opportunity (Zumba and swimming are on the same night).

Julie, tax season sucks, but it's good to have work, right? Hang in there honey.

Well I gotta git, the laundry isn't going to wash itself.

Hi again everyone, sorry I disappeared for the weekend! Things have been crazy busy over here, so I didn't log as much as I normally would Friday through Sunday. Anyhow, I'm back with a vengeance for this week! ;)

Here are my goals for the week, along with yesterday (Monday's) results:

"Whole foods" only - Y, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
500 calories burned at the gym daily - Y, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
NO refined sugar - Y, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
NO dairy other than nonfat plain yogurt and 1oz feta daily - Y, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
Take supplements (Vitamin B12 & Vitamin D) - Y, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?

For one thing, I am going try an experiment to stop counting/limiting calories -- whenever I set a limit for myself, it automatically makes me want to eat more than whatever the limit is, LOL! But yesterday when I decided to just observe/monitor how many I ate, I ended up consuming significantly less -- around 1680 or so (last week I was trying to keep it under 2000/day and barely making it). We'll see how this works for me!

And "whole foods only" means I will only be buying/consuming foods with 1 ingredient, OR store-bought versions of prepared foods that are free of preservatives (e.g. hummus, salsa, bread).

I'm cutting out refined sugar completely for a week which is a bit scary, but I'll do my best!

Oh and I lost just under a pound, going from 144.2 to 143.4 -- slow weight loss for sure but I don't mind -- as long as it comes off eventually i'm happy! :)

Thanks and hope you are all having a wonderful start to your week! <3

Love,
Mea

Awwww..... How sweet is he! I don't even know him and I want to just wrap him up and give him a squeeze.

He really is the sweetest kid (picture a blonde, green-eyed, lil redneck boy dressed in camo and boots). He is def his mama's heart! My girls are more, ummm, spirited...hee hee

Health / Fitness Goals ...
1. 100 oz of water M: Yes,
2. Walk at lunch unless freezing & windy (this week may be bad for walking) M: Windy & 27*,
3. Carbs less than 50% (new at this one so not setting it too low) M: 56%,
4. Work out 3 times by Friday (I know I won't on the weekend since hubby's home both days) M: No,
5. Weigh and post daily M: 262.4lbs, T: 260.4lbs, Loss this week: 2lbs
6. 500 calorie deficit daily M: -1021, Deficit this week: -1021lbs


Life Goals ...
1. One day at a time M: Oh Lord, I need help with this one right now...I'm doing it but it ain't easy,
2. Cross-stitch at least 3 times (can be done on lunch at work to count) M: 45 mins on lunch,
3. Finish weekend laundry M: No,
4. Make sure son's clothes are ready for Valentine's Dance Thursday night.... Awwwww! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...smiley-wub.png M: No,

Health goals were great yesterday. I will get a handle on that carb goal, I just gotta figure it out. Then I can lower it once I get this one mastered.

I have a rant inside me but don't have the energy or desire to cry at work to type it out right now.

Kay ... Go get 'em! Don't be afraid to let them know that you are there for your son and they need to do what they are supposed to do to hold up their end of your partnership in his life.

Tori ... Your Zumba class sounds like a ball! ... How did the writing of the email go?

Cassie ... Yay! You had a good day yesterday. It's been a while coming and you deserved that!

Lizzie ... TY for your comments on my pics. Is it this weekend that you and your BF are going away?

Luv ... I always love clearing out the clothes that are too small for the kids and donating the toys that they have outgrown too.

Terri ... LOL @ mashed potato purist! ... Awesome that you found those gift certificates and spent them so well!

Ashlie ... Your son is such a sweetheart! He's gonna make some girl very happy one day. (A long time from now! LOL)

Amy ... How is that? You had to take out the trash on Valentine's Day? The nerve of him! LOL ... I love the Galactic Bitch from Hell comment!!

Mea ... Just think about this next time you think your loss is little. 1 lb a week is 52 lbs in a year!! :)

I think I love Tuesdays as much as I do Mondays.....not so much at all!! It's been a busy one! I just got some down time for a quick stand at the desk lunch. I was a little bummed this morning when the scale said the EXACT same thing it did yesterday. But then I remembered it's only day 2 of the week, so I ain't gonna sweat it! I will try and catch up personally with everyone this evening, right now I'm knee deep in paperwork. Actually it's more like thigh deep, I'm short! :p

That is so nice! I have a file in my email folders where I store stuff like this. Just for a day when I question whether I am appreciated.

Mike. Isn't it great to feel appreciated and know that you are helping people as well as doing your job. Hope you get many more just like that one.

April. Yes I am flying over England after work tomorrow and then home again on Sunday eve. I'm all packed, not that I take much as I have toiletries and clothes left at his house to save me carting everything over there.

My goals this week are simple

1. Try not to overeat when I am away
2. Try not to drink too much when I am away.
3. Get out and about and do some walking.
4. Enjoy my little break with BF.

Terri, wish I could send some lessons to your parents about not interfering. I'm no saint--it took me years and years and years and years to learn that lesson. It's good to know that YOU know they're doing it out of love. Wish I had some advice. Have you tried to tactfully talk to them about it? I mean as in planning what you want to say in advance and delivering your tactful speech next time the opportunity arises? Sometimes seeing the numbers is the only thing that stops me from binging, too, but I'm usually too ashamed to log when I'm eating like that as I continue to take comfort in denial. I DO have some advice on the mashed cauliflower. I found one way to prevent blandness in mashed cauliflower is to lightly salt/salt substitute the cauliflower before cooking and to cook it until very soft (like 10-12 minutes if cooked from frozen--mine is always bought frozen.) Then I plop it in the food processor, and add seasonings to taste--a little at a time until I get it how I like it, except if I'm adding cheese later, I go a little easier on the salt. You can add more at the end if desired. My initial seasonings are butter/margarine, salt substitute, pepper, either dehydrated onion or onion powder. Then I add other ingredients such as sour cream (if not adding butter/margarine) or cheese or whatever else I'm putting in it. And then I taste for seasoning again at the end and reheat it in the microwave if necessary.

LOL--even though she posted at 10:17AM my time, I got to Terri again but didn't get finished. Will finish up when I get back from picking up the grandkids.

Oops, Terri's post reminded me that I didn't post something wonderful or a complaint to blessing. So I'll do it now: didn't sleep well last night due to a sinus headache but was able to go back to sleep and get rid of the headache after taking my younger grandkids to school this morning. The house is a mess, but I'm rested. That's one of the perks of being 65 and retired from working outside the home--the luxury of a nap (when badly needed) between child care duties. LOL

Terri, your Monday report is really wonderful. Congrats on a job well done! Ooh, the arrival of the first parts of the new computer IS wonderful, too. I'm really impressed how you know your body so well and decided the lf popcorn would do you some good. Packing the larger than normal lunch to be ready to compensate was a great move, too. That is so cool about finding the BB&B gift certificates! I have the same problem with the non-stick coating wearing away on my skillets and have heard it's really not good to ingest that stuff. Your whole shopping trip there sounds like fun--being able to pick out whatever you wanted due to those generous gift certificates. :) Hope you and BF have great Valentine's Day, too.

Ashlie, nice report. 90 calories over isn't bad at all. I filed down my other nails so now I have nine nicely trimmed down and just one gnawed-off. You probably told us and I forgot: what sport does BF play? OMG, that's so sweet about the Valentine's letter from your son. :)

Amy, big hug to ya. I went on a bitchy rant this morning with my 10 year old GD and promised her a punishment as soon as she got home from school. I felt horrible about it after she was at school. Luckily she had to call home about another matter after being at school for only an hour and I was able to apologize her and rescind the punishment because BOTH of us were equally to blame and no one punished ME. I was so glad to have the chance to save her entire day from being ruined--Valentine's Day party and all. I blame it all on my doc giving this 65 year old the wrong birth control pills, too. LOL Seriously, though, it's understandable that your change in prescriptions could be responsible. I hope you can get calmed through the yoga and a new attitude. I was watching an old Columbo detective movie the other day and there was a motivational speaker/psychologist on there telling people about having a personal keyword to say to themselves as a calming effect when things get out of control. Like a mantra, I guess, but I suck at meditation. I haven't thought of one yet, but I will. I guess even if having such a word is a crock of @#$%, it may work if the individual WANTS it to. Ah, mind games--I'm a sucker for them. LOL OMG, I'm sure it wasn't funny about the Valentine's being at the bottom of the backpack and DH not taking out the garbage today of all days, but the way you wrote it would make a good episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond." Congrats on being down .6 lb. despite your hard day yesterday. You're almost back down from last Monday--that has to feel good. :)

Mea, great Monday report! I totally understand how not setting a calorie limit may serve you better. I dropped my artificial sweetener and sugar free chocolate limitations from my goals and now that I don't have to look at that goal daily, I don't gravitate to either one on a daily basis any more. Preservative free is a good way to go. I'm not as good as I should be, but they're certainly not good for us. Best wishes on curbing the refined sugar. It's a really healthful goal as well. Congrats on the weight loss--I think losing more slowly is best anyway.

Pimp Daddy, Happy Valentine's Day to you, too. Great note from your new client!

Lizzie, wishing you a wonderful visit with BF!

April, nice Monday report. Best wishes on the carbs--you'll get the hang of what level is best for you. And wow--scale still going down! Congrats on that. Keeping you in my prayers--one day at a time. Big hug to ya. Feel free to post your rant if it'll help. Lord knows we all need to have a place to vent. That's great that you have a file of emails to read when you need to feel more appreciated. :)

Tori, give yourself credit and bask in the glory of your recent weight loss achieved. Yeah, it's early in the week--and we're proud of you anyway! Big hug to ya!

Thank you, honey!!! You make me feel so welcome!!!!

And yes let us not eat our emotions. Or our teenage DD woes.

Your lovely message makes me want to stay with the supportive people like you here!!!

Happy V day!!!

Mern, You are such a warm soul. Big hugs right back atcha. This must be a big wagon we all fell off!!! Back on, after Valentines Day....

And yeah stand up comedy (and it's gotta be clean, darn it) tho I am tempted to chicken out....

Thank you for your kind words.

Three pounds is awesome! I have also thought about oh here i go with the same goals but why not? There's a reason we keep trying for em!!!!!Because they are good ones and so worth it. Umm that may be two reasons....

Mern, I hope you feel better! You are always so comforting to everyone else. I hope you take good care of you today!!!

Cassie, you seem to be starting out great. Thank you Fit 4 Luv and Amy for welcoming back. It means so much to be acknowledged.

I missed this crowd.

So a funny thing to share. My writing class keeps telling me how thin I look and asking what I have done to lose. ( I jokingly said the stress diet) The thing is: I have gained about 5 or 6 pounds, yet rather than hiding in my big girl clothes, I actually have been wearing stuff that is not so baggy. I tend to shop to hide "a multitude of sins" as my Dad used to say. I went shopping with DD a while back and she made me buy clothes that fit me. Also on vacay tho I ate like I was pregnant with quintuplets, I went to the gym everyday and walked everywhere.

A lesson in this? I think perhaps...

I started out late yesterday on this thread and have not yet gotten thru the DH special V Day dinner. So I will post results later, y'all.

Monday Goal Check in
 

Hi all, a pretty good day today, just busy at work. I did go out to lunch with some coworkers but managed to stay on track. Still focusing on getting steps in, that seems to be the toughest for me. I know it will be easier once I'm not so busy at work, but I can't wait till then so I'll just keep after it every day!


1200-1400 cals 1353
80 oz water Yes
Treadmill T-Th-Sat
5000 steps on non TM days 4005
8000 steps on TM days
Weights and Floor Exercises at least 3 times. Yes
Post here every day Yes

Kay- I am so sorry you’re having these problems with your son’s teacher, clearly the problem is on the teacher’s end and lack of communication between the support teacher and the main teacher. I hope you can get her straightened out at the conference!

Luv- Thank you for the kind words, you are so sweet! This board has been so important in helping me stay focused every day on doing what I need to do, I hope it will continue to help you as well!

Ashlie- What a sweet son you have, you’re bringing him up right! Keep hanging around here and we’ll help keep you on track, believe me, we all have days where we don’t feel too great about ourselves, but we can all do this!

Mea- I think your new way of thinking about the calories is a great one, focusing on high quality, filling food is smart, the calories will take care of themselves. Congrats on the pound too, I wish it would come off more quickly, but I know that if it comes off at a reasonable rate it’s more likely to stay off. You have a great attitude about it!

Mike- Happy Valentine’s Day to you too, hope today turned out better, I bet that nice email from your new client helped!

April- Great job on your goal, big hug coming your way for whatever you need it for!

Tori- You’re doing great, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Mern- I think you are a wonderful mother and grandmother and your family is very lucky to have you to help them the way you do. I always look forward to your posts, you are so witty and well spoken and so kind to everyone here, that means so much.

Hope, I feel totally better now, thanks, after pampering myself today. I ought to show my 10 year old granddaughter your post about my being a warm soul. If she were allowed to curse she'd have said this morning that I'm a cold-hearted bitch. LOL (But we made up, so we're good.) I'm glad I made SOMEONE feel good today, though. Man, I agree--must have been one big wagon we all fell off! That's the most of our group I've ever known to fall off all at one time. Maybe it was one of those contageous "computer viruses" that's responsible. I may come out and ask you on Wednesday whether you're back on the wagon. Jeff Foxworthy is so entertaining--sometimes a little off color but one of the cleanest comedians I've come across and he makes huge bucks in his craft. So where would you do this stand up? Local clubs or what? Our group here is so talented! I think you should go for the stand up. What have you got to lose? Your daughter is right about the clothes--although I'm too chicken to wear anything but baggy clothes to cover the multitude of sins, once when I wore a more tailored top, a few people at a party asked me if I had lost weight and I hadn't, either.

Julie, you reminded me that I haven't gotten in my exercise today. UGH, I'll make myself do it before I can log back on tonight--had to make myself do that last night, too. You had a great report yesterday and were really close to your 5000 steps. Aw, you're such a sweetheart. Thanks for your kind words to me. They came at a specially good time in view of the spat I had with my 10 year old granddaughter this morning, over which I still feel horrible even though we made up. She has forgiven me--now I have to forgive myself and move on. Something really cool is that we have people in our group from age 20 to age 76 and we all get along so well.

Frances Lueck who is 76 years young, are you still here? How are you doing? We'd love to hear from you.

Rose, yoohoo! Are you out there and how's it going?

We had so many leftovers in the fridge that DH and I decided to just eat those instead of going out for or my cooking a special Valentine's dinner. Less work for me and less cleanup for both of us--that's not very romantic, but we're "settled." BUT my DH took the trash cans out to the curb today for pickup--Amy will tell y'all that's romantic--got me all aroused. LOL

I say go for it. I've been approached a few times to do stand up, but always chickened out. Maybe one of these days... I had a table full of women roaring last night, but it wasn't clean, not even close.

I promise that I'm going to catch up with everyone tonight. But first, a rant in white

So, my oldest niece, who I normally called #1 and will now forever refer to her as DN1 (7th grade, almost 13 yrs old) has always been the athlete of the 2 girls. She's played all the sports offered in youth leagues and made both the Jr. High's volleyball and basketball teams. Her true love though has always been softball. The JV team had tryouts yesterday and today. Well, for the past month they have been having conditioning with the 7th and 8th graders who were wanting to try out. DN1 wasn't able to go to after school conditioning because she had basketball pretty much every day up until last week. The JV team was letting anyone try out, even if they didn't get to go to conditioning, so she tried out. Today was the last day of try outs and guess what, she didn't make the team. Only she and one other girl got cut. She admitted that she wasn't as good as she knows she can be, and that the other girls were better than her today. But she's still devestated. She's the ONLY one of the girls she's grown up playing with that didn't make the team. The coaches told her that her batting and throwing were off, but that they could tell she was a natural athlete and to definitely try out again next year.

Here's where I'm pissed off.....they also told her that they had already made up their minds who they were putting on the team BEFORE THEY HELD TRY OUTS!!! So, why even let the other girls try out???? How is it fair to say "sure come on out and try, but we're not putting you on the team, just cause". Because that's pretty much what they did. It also infuriates me to know that girls who made the team aren't as good as she is. And I'm not saying that just because she's MY DN, it's the truth. I've been around the sport long enough to know who's got it and who don't. And I've seen most of these girls play since they were 5, and half those girls don't have it!!! She does everything right, all the time. She's plays all the sports, and still pulls Straight As in honors classes. This is the ONLY thing she's never gotten that she's wanted. And yeah yeah, I know that we can't always get what we want. But SHE'S GOOD ENOUGH! AND BETTER THAN THOSE OTHER GIRLS!

My brother's kids are my kids. When they hurt, I hurt. She called and said "AunTori, I just want to quit". And of course the adult in me says "no baby, don't quit. We all know that it wasn't a fair try out. And we all know you're good enough." But it still doesn't make me hurt any less for her. I had to fight back the tears when talking to her, because I know how much she wanted this. And there's nothing I can do to make the hurt go away.

Bahahaha!!! OMG you are too too funny. I said to DH that the vase of roses on the front steps yesterday was very sexy, having to haul the garbage cart to the curb through the snow in my slippers on Valentine's Day, not so much.

finally an update

Goals for the week:

0 eating past bed time done, done
1 gallon of water/day no
2 pounds
3 heavy lifting sessions 1
4 policies 2
5 servings of fruit/veggies no
6 miles 0
7 days of logging and posting goals no

I have been swamped. I haven't logged anything, but it's no biggie since I don't have a calorie goal. My food has been clean today and I already have in 3 servings of fruit/veggies. I need to kick it in gear with my water though.