Today I am starting a new journal; my third one here at DT. I'll give a little background for those who don't know me...

I'm a 35-year old reference librarian; I work full-time, am married & have 2 cats that are like my kids. I started this weight loss effort in February, 2001, at another diet site. I did well with it there, but it started charging fees in October of that year, so I migrated to DT. The support and friendships I've found here are great, and I know I couldn't do it without all my buddies. Thanks! :hug:

I seem to lose weight best from about January-April of each year, then my losses slow down through the summer, and I maintain through the fall. I've been doing this slowly, steadily, and I hope, sensibly. I am not sure how long it will take me to get to my goal, but I know I'm going to get there! In 2001 I lost about 33 pounds, In 2002 about 24. In another year or so, hopefully I'll be where I want to be. Right now I'm on a pretty good roll! I've lost 4 pounds so far in 2003.

My little sister is getting married on June 22, and my current goal is to weigh 140 for her wedding. That would be a little less than what I weighed when I got married, 15 years ago! I'm excited because this goal is do-able for me. Two years ago I never would have imagined it would be possible. I can't believe the changes I've made, in my attitudes towards exercise, my eating habits, and in my physical appearance. (I have a thread in the pictures forum for proof!) My health has improved. I no longer take blood pressure medication, I no longer suffer from heartburn, I sleep better and need less sleep. Weight loss and regular exercise (I walk) have improved my energy level, and although I never had self esteem issues, it gives me confidence as a professional woman to know I am projecting a better physical image. :up:

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this journal and help me along. I appreciate it, and I am here for you, too!

Lisrey :flower:

This morning I walked 2 minutes backwards on my treadmill for a warm-up, then walked 2-5/8 miles forward. I quit when the book on tape cassette I was listening to ended. Took me about 51 minutes to do this -- a little longer than usual because I stayed at my cool-down pace an extra 1/8 mile -- until the tape ended. Was a good workout & gave me a lot of energy for the day.

My sister, who lives about 4 hours away in Chicago, drove in to visit this morning. We went to check out various banquet facilities in the Detroit area for our other sister's bridal shower in April. It was c-c-c-cold out there today (-20 with wind chill they say), but we got around fine. For lunch I took her to a famous pizza restaurant & we split a 4-piece pepperoni pizza. My sister wears a size 2, weighs 106 pounds, and is 3 inches taller than I am... She wanted the pepperoni. If I had ordered my own pizza I would have gotten chicken and maybe pineapple, and I would have requested low-fat cheese... but I probably would have eaten more than 2 pieces! :o

We had a fun time talking and checking out the shower sites. I think we found the perfect thing at the last place we looked. My sister is the maid of honor & footing the bill for this... I told her I would get the cake!

We stopped at the grocery store and I bought some of the yummy Hawaiian marinated pork chops that I love to make on the grill. We had those with baked potatoes and split a tangerine. I think I'm going to eat another fruit before I go to bed. Checked my calories for today & I am still within the alloted amount! Very happy with that despite the pizza! :up: My sister liked the dinner I fixed & that made me happy too because she is quite the gourmand. :) We haven't spent much time together the past 5 years or so because she lives so far away, but we had a great time together today. She left back for Chicago around 8... hope she has a good trip. What a long day for her!

Tomorrow I am off again & I made a dinner reservation at a Japanese steakhouse to celebrate my husband's birthday. I have never been to one before but he has told me for years that we should do it because it's so entertaining to watch. I am looking forward to the show but I'm not sure what kind of choices I'll have or how I'll do. It'll be a completely new experience! Pretty exciting -- I'll do my best to stay on plan. Anybody have any experience on this cuisine who could give me a suggestion??

Lisrey :snow:

Hi Lisrey, Found your new journal with no problems.

Congrats on your latest pound and on the four this year. That is terrific.

You are brave to walk backward on your treadmill. I still have a hard enough time going forward :D

I'm glad you had a good time with your sis. Were you able to find a place to hold the shower?

Wow, a Japanise steak house. Lucky you. We son't have any of those here, so I couldn't begin to offer you any suggestions. I just know you'll be on plan and you'll have a great time.

Wish you hubby a happy birthday from me :D even though he has no idea who I am hehehe.

Have a great time.

Darlene :hippy:

Feels like home here already Lisrey !

:flower:

You are doing marvelous !

I love that word .. marvelous .. lol


The japanese place will have TONS of great choices ! Japanese food is awesome and very healthy... north americans started deep frying everything lol

the 'show' they do usually involves teppan yaki grill ... you pick your ingredients and they are seared on a stone grill... fish, meats, veggies, noodles, tons of stuff.. they are great fun

basic food, wonderfully done

they usually serve a miso soup between courses.. it is nice.. it is a broth with a bonito, seaweed, miso (bean) base.. sounds weird but is really nice and mild..usually clear .. I have been with people who thought it was a finger bowl lol ..

a lot of the noodles are made from beans or rice

you will love it as there is something for everything..


hope you and sis got all you needed done


it is so nice to get all these positive vibes from you



Have a wonderful Friday !!


:hug:


Peng

Lisrey! Congrats on the new journal!

Did you already go to the steakhouse? If not, you will love it! Peng's right, there are tons of great choices there. Usually shrimp and lots of veggies. You can ask him not to use a lot of the fat, but you will have to be brave, b/c you'll probably sit at a table with a lot of other people! ha

I seem to be in line with your methods. Last year, I lost 21 lbs. I hope to lose more than that this year, but I am grateful for the loss I did have! It was the first year in awhile where I weighed LESS at the end, then I did at the beginning. har har

Have a wonderful day!!!

JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE... YEAH MY FAVORITE....

Lots of veggies, and even if you order steak, it is the pretty much the correct serving size. Lots of seafood.. Your going to love it. Its a bit pricey.. Was $92.00 for Hubby and I for our birthdays, but we also oreder a bottle of PLUM wine.. YEEEEUMMERS..

And we both ordered the Lobster and scallops. So It was up there. But to me well worth it when your DINING, and not just feeling your gut with 99 cents fast food crap.

Oh gosh have fun.:D

Lisrey,

I found my way over to your new journal. Congrats on your continued weight loss. I read your history, and you are losing at a great rate. Really. About two pounds a month, on average. Acutally, your weight loss rate is about the same that mine was on my journey, except mine averaged closer to 1.5 pounds a month. I would lose, stabilize, then lose a little more.

Sounds like the wedding plans are coming along. And it was so nice to have a visit with your sister and eat healthy besides.

Tuesday we went over to dinner with some friends. Their daughter and son-in-law are chefs. They cooked a marvelous meal, stuff I had never eaten before. It never hurts to try something a little different once in a while. I hope you enjoy your Japanese meal. Your husbands birthday is close to my husbands, his is Sunday.

Have a great weekend.

Jo

How wonderful to have so many buddies grace my new journal with messages! Thanks to all of you!

Fleur, the backwards walking isn't hard to get the hang of... just go at the slowest speed when you start, and only do it for a couple of minutes. It's different, and fun -- it works my quads & hams, which I need! I think we found a great place to hold the shower -- but the decision is up to my sister.

Pengii, thanks so much for all the info about the Japanese food! We had a good time & I will write about it when I summarize my day, below... I'm so happy to see you back on top of things again -- we are gonna get there!

Chum, slow but steady is the best way. Ask Jo! We build up these habits and then we're on track for lifetime maintenance. That's what I want & what we should all strive for, I think. We're going strong now!

Yikes, Max! $92! We didn't get any alcohol or lobster... but our bill (with tip) was $57. Was worth it though -- fun & delicious! :up:

Thanks for the kudos, Jo. Means a lot that you think my rate of loss is okay. I feel like a snail, but I'm glad to know I can maintain my losses.

You guys are the best! :)

Had a terrific day! Wanted to go to a movie this week & didn't get to do that, but I will soon... This morning I walked 3 miles/58 minutes on the treadmill. Ate my lunch when I was done... and then a FedEx truck came and delivered a gift box for my husband. My sister sent him a dozen bagels from New York City! I have ALWAYS wanted to have an NYC bagel!! Jeff & I split two of them, so I ended up having half an egg & half a cinnamon-raisin bagel. Mmmm!! They were fabulous, and of course, HUGE. I wished I hadn't had my lunch first. :o

Went out & ran some errands, then went to an appointment to check out Curves. It was interesting & I did the circuit workout, then signed up for a trial month. I am not sure how well their hours of operation will fit with my schedule, but I'm going to try it. If I like it after this first month, I think I will buy a year's membership; much cheaper than month-to-month. The only thing I am worried about other than the scheduling is that it (going to Curves) might cut into my walking time. We'll see how it goes.

Came home & had a shower, then met my husband at the Japanese steakhouse. I am not much of a veggie eater, as many of you know... I sampled the miso soup (okay), had a taste of my salad (blah), and ordered a combination of chicken and swordfish. It came with 3 mini shrimps, which I tried. Usually do not like shellfish -- these were the first shrimp I have ever liked! They had some interesting sauces; the one I liked the best was ginger sauce. Don't know how dangerous that might have been to my diet... but yummy. I had steamed rice with my meal, and tasted some bean sprouts and zucchini, but I still didn't really like those, lol. Husband enjoyed the dinner & ate everything he got. I tasted his steak & fried rice, but just little bites. Mmmmm -- fun to watch, too!

Was a great day, but now I have to work the next 7 days in a row. Will be interesting to see how this Curves experiment goes. I want to shape up!

Lisrey :water:

I'm glad you had fun at the restaurant. I guess that would be a fun show to watch. The closest I've ever come was to see it on tv.

That sure was nice of your sis to send the Bagles. That was a clever gift.

I hope the Curves experiment goes well and you can fit it in as well as your walking. It looked like fun when I went Wed.

Don't work to hard the next 7 days :D

Have a great weekend

Darlene :hippy:

Lisrey

Keep us posted on the Curves experiement. Hope the timing works out for you. If you don't make it on a routine basis, it won't do you much good.

I love the circuit training at the gym. But I really have problems getting over there. Even twice a week is hard. And of course when I am in Texas I can't go at all, though my membership is on "hold" those months.

Jo

Fleur & Jo, I will definitely be posting updates here on how I do and what I think of Curves. I want to go three times a week, although some weeks I may be able to do more and others less. This week I am planning to go Monday, Thursday, and Friday after work, or maybe Monday, Thursday, and then Saturday morning. We'll see how I feel Friday night after 7 straight days working! :laugh:

My food was great today. I ate half each of an egg bagel & a cinnamon-raisin bagel for breakfast (now we will move on to other flavors!), and then my usual healthy lunch at work. I stopped at the store on my way home and bought a piece of whitefish for dinner. I was a little nervous about making it on the GF grill, because I was afraid it would really burn up, being so thin and delicate. It didn't burn, but I think the flavor is a lot better when I cook it under the broiler. Hate to have to clean the broiler pan, but it sure is tasty that way! Calories are just over 1200. :up:

I walked 2 miles when I got home, while the fish was marinating. My back is tired and aching tonight, so I didn't want to go any longer. Some work days make it feel like this at the end; it's just muscular and nothing serious. I'm hoping to tone up my back muscles thru Curves and make this occasional pain a thing of the past! :lift:

Tomorrow I should be able to eat great, but I won't be exercising... husband and I have a date to watch the Super Bowl together after work. :)

Lisrey :ribbon:

Hi Lisrey,
Sorry I have not visited your new journal before this. I am finally starting to feel better. Only the right side of my throat is sore now...lol!!! Am I weird or what??
You are doing a great job and are such an inspiration to me. I just keep thinking how much fun it must be to be as successful as Lisrey. One day soon, I will make it. But not if I keep messing up like today!

Have a wonderful Superbowl Sunday! I think we are gonna watch the game too. Which team are you :cheer: for, lol!!!!


Vickie:coach: :dn

P.S. Happy belated b-day to the hubby :)

I think 2 miles is fab. I hope to one day work up to that.

You're doing great.

Is there any way you can cook the fish under the broiler, but keep the mess to a minimum? Like lining the pan with foil? Just a thought.

Have a great day tomorrow, and dont work to hard. Keep that back healthy. I know what it's like to feel some pain there ;)

Darlene :hippy:

Lisrey,
So how is Curves going? Sounds like you have a wonderful plan. I know how hard it is to have the back pain flare up once in a while. Hope some new exercises really help it out. Did you tell the ladies there that you have some back problems?

Glad to see you doing so well. Keep it up.

I too am curious how curves is for you

you are doing marvelous !

The little girl in the library sounded like such a sweetie

kids are so spontanious and funny

something like that is enough to keep ya smiling all day !


I hope you enjoy the day tomorrow

who are you cheering for in the game?

I made tons of homemade chips and dips, wings, micro burgers, on and on for our bar and the football game

amazing enough, I allowed myself 5 chips with dip and that was that

I love my homemade chips and five bowls would be nothing lol esp with either the roasted garlic or carmelized onion dip !


one day at a time



Have a great sunday !!


:hug:


Pengii

Hi Lisrey,

Sounds like you had quite a bit of fun at the Japanese Restaruant.. but.. Veggies are really tasty and good for you.. too LOL.. I know.. You eat what you want to.. and I will eat what I want to.. LOL :)

Had a little stress on Friday, as daughter stopped by the house to return the house keys.. etc.. I also told her that she has to move the car that isn't running too well.. so maybe she will do that soon.

My girlfriend came over also on Friday, to help me pack.. lol what a chore.. but I have got some things done.. We did go to lunch which was a treat for me.. these days. had Chinese Food.. Chicken and Broccoli.. :) and some rice.. took some home and ate it for dinner.

Got up early yesterday morning for my appointment.. and the came home.. and about 1 decided to take a "SHORT NAP" well.. at 8:30 Papa called.. and I was going to get up and fix me some dinner.. but.. I turned over and fell asleep again.. and at 145 am I finally got up.. ate some breakfast.. and dressed for the appointment this morning.

I forgot to send your hubby a B-Day greeting.. but maybe next year I will remember. lol

Hope you have a nice week.. I get to work.. just M-F this week and have another weekend off.. next weekend.. I am looking forward to getting lots done.. LOL Maybe during the week.

Hugs, and Keep up the good work.. Enjoy the challenge at Curves..

Ducky

Hahahaha! I picked Tampa Bay to beat Oakland before the playoffs started... and now they are up 34-3! Last year I also picked the winner at the outset (New England). I am in disbelief! :) Wish there was money riding on it!

Vickie, I am so glad you are feeling better. You've got to build those good habits back up, and that takes a little time. You're gonna get there! I'll be here with ya.

Fleur, that's a great idea about the foil on the broiler pan. Can I put it on the top part of the pan and cover the holes? I have never done this before, forgive my ignorance. :o

Crazy, so good to see you! I am going to my second attempt at Curves tomorrow night after work, so I'll let you know how it is. I really don't have back problems, it just gets a little tired sometimes after a long day. I need strength there. Workin' on it, lol.

Pengii, I know I would be gobbling up your chips like crazy if I could... I love chips! What a great job you are doing this week! I am delighted for you. :up:

Hi, Ducky! Glad you are getting things done, and that you are getting some rest -- even if it is at strange times, lol. I know you like the veggies -- you can have mine, okay?

Today was pretty good. It was a work day for me, one of the weird Sunday schedules where I don't really get an opportunity to eat a lunch. I had my normal cereal for breakfast, then about 2:30 I took a break & had a nutrition bar & a tangerine. This bar was a different brand, called "Luna." It was pretty good, but I'm not sure I would try this particular flavor again. It was a little sweeter and more coconut-y... I have another flavor of that brand in my stockpile which I think I will maybe like better. Still experimenting with the bars, but they do seem to be working for this situation. (Thanks again, Jo!)

After work I came home & didn't exercise at all because Sweetie & I planned to watch the game. He brought home Fazoli's fast food Italian, and I had my usual small baked ziti & 2 breadsticks. Total calories today about 1350... plus I ate one very small chocolate-covered pretzel (Sweetie's Mom made him a batch for his b-day).

Tomorrow I will take my workout clothes with me & stop at Curves on the way home. Will see what time I get home & when dinner will be ready -- that will determine whether I walk or not. Ugh -- also will have to do my laundry...

Lisrey *

Hi Lisrey. Do you still hear from Jo?

Hmm I wonder how curves will go for you. I think it would be a good thing if you could keep your heartrate up. I think Linda tried it and found it was hard to get a good HRM. I didn't see if you were just trying it or planning on going more.

How did the Kathy video go? Was it any good. I have been trying to learn a few home videos but I have two left feet and am not dancy at all. I am so impressed with your stats. Clearly I have learned a lot about persistance from you. I am just thrilled with your success you are going to look so great at you sisters wedding
Chou

Hey Lisrey,
What kind of nutrition bars do you use? I might try those to help control my late night eating when I work. I am still struggling with this how to keep my blood sugar even and level throughout the day when my work hours and sleep hours are constantly changing.


Vickie:coach: :dn

CJ! Long time no see! Well, yes, Jo posts here pretty regularly, and I'm always glad to get her words of wisdom. :) I tried the Kathy Smith DVD & I thought it was okay, but too difficult for the beginner stage where I am. I also have to compete with my husband's time in front of the TV (he is a couch potato) if I want to do the DVD. So I decided to give Curves a try. I joined for one month to see how I like it.

Vickie, do you know Jo (jowc123)? She recently reached her goal, and she lost really slowly, like me. She is the one who got me to try the nutrition bars. The ones she likes are called "Zone" bars -- they go with the Zone diet -- and I have had one (chocolate peanut butter) of those so far. Honestly, I liked it the best of the few I've tried. Jo says you need to find one with a lot of protein, that's not all sugar. I also bought some Luna, Kashi, and Balance bars... I have 6 more that I haven't tried yet. I am just using them on the Sundays that I work, so these will last me awhile. Let me know what you end up thinking about this approach.

Today was a good day for my plan. I worked the day shift, so I had a granola bar for breakfast, then ate my healthy lunch at work. After work I went to Curves & did my first real workout. On Friday when I got my orientation there I was just figuring out how the machines worked and I didn't really "work" myself. Tonight I got it going, and yes, CJ, I got my heart rate up to the highest level they recommend for my age. I could really feel some of my muscles on my drive home... hope I am not too sore tomorrow, just the "good" sore, lol. I did not feel like walking on the treadmill after the Curves workout. I guess maybe that is the way it will be on work days, one or the other.

My husband was not hungry tonight, and didn't want to eat what we had planned to eat. I went ahead and made myself a Lean Cuisine, since I didn't have anything fresh to cook that would be healthy. (It is too cold to go to the store!) Also ate a new type of honey sesame pretzel and some grapes. Right around 1200 calories today -- that should help me at my Wednesday weigh-in! :up:

Lisrey :flower:

Hey Lisrey! I've read a little about Curves from Mcmarto. Can you tell me more about it? They just opened one in my neighborhood. I am curious. Thought about trying a free workout there, but I already belong to a gym (that I hate).

You really are gonna reach your goal, girl. Your hard work is paying off in spades!

Hi, Chum! I just posted in your journal. :) Can I tell you a little about Curves? Well, I have only been there twice, so I'm not sure I'm any authority, but... The one I go to is basically a big room that has a variety of weight machines that each work one particular area, laid out in a big circle. In between the machines there are little padded platforms. Those are "rest stations." There is music playing & a taped voice tells you every 30 seconds or so to move to the next station. So you do 30 seconds on a machine, march or jog or whatever you want in place on a platform for the next 30 seconds, and then move to the next machine. You keep moving during your "rests" to keep your heart rate up. You go around the circle 2-1/2 times to complete your workout; it takes about 1/2 hour. After that you do some stretching, then you're done. They have weird hours (at least in my area). They do not have lockers or showers. It is all women, and you can chat/share/laugh together while you are doing the workout. When you sign up they weigh and measure you, and then they follow up with these monthly. They showed me how many inches I needed to lose in each area to be a size 10... and told me they could help me do it in 6 months, less if I am dieting... I am not sure about that but I am giving it a try. Is that what you wanted to know?

Had a good day today although it was devoid of exercise. I got up early to take my car in one more time... some silly little minor things I needed them to check. They had to order a part, so I will have to go back again, but at least they are making sure it is all done to my satisfaction & it has already been paid for. Anyway, no time for walking since I had to go there. Ate great! Kashi crunch breakfast, then a turkey sandwich & pretzels when I got to work at noon. For dinner had a Lean Cuisine at work with a tangerine & some crunchy breadsticks.

The snow made my drive home rather treacherous tonight, and I was too late to catch even the end of exercise chat. :( I had some baked Tostitos & salsa for a snack & my calories are just under 1300. Very happy with that! I was not sore at all today after my Curves workout last night. Wonder what that means?

Tomorrow morning I have to go get some blood drawn before work. This will probably mean no walking again. My doctor's office is about 1/2 hour in the opposite direction from work, which is about 1/2 hour away, in good driving conditions... Next week I have my annual gyn exam, and this is preliminary to that. Blech. On the up side, since I am working late again I should have another good day for calories!

Lisrey :ex:

Hi Lisrey,

Happy that you considering giving Curves a good try.. I think that will help you also.. I hope that the machines will help you.. attain your Goals.. I like the fact that they will take measurements every month.. and that you will have the assistance you need to achieve your goals.. Even though you are doing great..

The specialist did give me some meds.. but they were the same ones that my primary care dr.. gave me to take with the Mirapex.. to ward off the constant.. Morning Sickness nausea.. LOL Lets see if that works.

I will be seeing my dr tomorrow.. so keep my in your prayers.. that I don't get a brutal lecture.. which I must say I may need.. in some aspects..

Well, going to go and eat something.. hope to catch you again real soon...

Hugs,

Ducky..

Hi Lisrey --- I hope everything goes great at the Doc's -- that reminds me I should make an appointment for my regular checkup. Yuck is right. We have a curves here but the hours are wierd closed in mid afternoon which is when I would try and go.
Plus I have a membership at a gym here which I do love.. I just have to make it a priority. Work is extremely stressful --- tons of meetings, plus right now were short staffed which has some of my staff short-tempered and I have to mediate petty fights between 20 + people. But I love my job....and I know is this will pass.. I just hope it's soon. In the meantime I am working on eating healthier and drinking more water. Thanks for your advice!!!

Day 5 is now over! Come on, you can make it!

Hope they left you some blood LOL

I know you'll get back to exercise as soon as it is possible.

Have a great day tomorrow and I hope you fit the exercise in.

Darlene :hippy:

Hi, Fleur & Lee! Great to see you both! Really need to get to bed, so very quick post tonight. Weighed in this morning & maintained. Can't complain since I've lost three weeks in a row... :D

Went this morning & got my blood drawn. It was awful. They can never find my veins & they poked and prodded & messed around... it really hurt after awhile of that, and NO blood. They finally sent me to another building to have a different lab try it. The person there got blood on the first try! That's the second time that's happened. Next time I'm gonna just ask if I can go there first!

I stopped at Quizno's & had a healthy turkey sub lunch. Worked all afternoon & evening & ate well. Had 2 hard pretzels for a snack when I got home. Just under 1400 calories for today. :up:

Tomorrow night I am planning to stop and do the Curves workout on my way home from work. Busy, busy, busy!

Lisrey :)

Whew, one more day and I will have a well-deserved weekend! I really slept badly last night and I am feeling tired today. Too much work stuff on my mind, and too much snoring going on in my bedroom! Also, my husband injured himself today falling down some stairs. His boss sent him to the hospital to get his shoulder checked out. Last I talked to him he had been sent for x-rays. So I am a bit worried about what condition he's coming home in! :eek:

Today was a mixed bag as far as my plan. I had nothing in the house to make a lunch with, and I had lots of errands to run on my lunch hour. I ended up having a quick bite at Taco Bell. It was the first time I'd been there this month & I am proud of that at least. After work I stopped at the store and bought some bread, chicken breast & grapes, so I will be able to pack tomorrow!

I went to Curves after the grocery store. Did my third workout & feel like I more or less know what I'm doing now. I think the hardest machines to be sure I'm using right are the ab ones. I am going to ask a staff person next time to remind me about the fine points on those & see if I can get more confident. I plan to go back tomorrow night, after work again. They tell me Saturday morning is really busy, and Friday night is slow, so I'm going to go tomorrow if I feel good and the weather isn't too bad.

I miss my walking! Between the Super Bowl, Curves, and the busy mornings I had Tuesday and Wednesday, I haven't walked on the treadmill since Saturday! I will be back on it this weekend for sure. :ex:

Not sure when I am going to eat dinner, since I don't know when my husband will be home. If I get to eat what I had planned, and stick to the planned quantities, I will be at about 1450 calories today. We'll see what happens. I'm getting hungry!

I was looking at my stats for January and they are good! I am excited to post them on Saturday. We are also measuring then for the Inch Pinchers challenge, so I will be interested in seeing if I've made any progress there... have fingers crossed!

Lisrey :)

Lisrey,

I'll be interested in seeing how you do at Curves. Do you feel like you get some kind of workout? Are the machines more passive or do you have to exert effort to get them to work?

There is one out here on the island, not too far from where our new house will be. Maybe next year I can give it a try.

I hope your husband did not hurt himself too much. Shoulders can be a real bear. I had mine almost freeze on me two winters ago and it took a lot of exercise and physical therapy to get it back close to normal.

Jo

and an even better well deserved weekend !!!

:hug:


Peng

Hi Lisrey,

I can't wait to see your stats for the month.. you are doing really great with the losses this month as well as not.. eating too many times pizza.. and.. taco bell.. LOL

I did stop at Taco Bell.. and tried their 99 cent nachos.. it was ok.. but not really my favorite.. but.. I did like the.. sour cream.. LOL and.. the cheese.. LOL

Well.. going to check out my journal... get back to work.. writing things with dates, names and.. times.. that I can recall..

Hugs, to you..

Ducky

Hey Lisrey. Hope you have a good weekend. Thanks for the Curves info. I might drop into the one in my neighborhood to watch it, to get a better idea. Way to go on eating well. God, you and me and the Taco Bell obsession. ha Please be safe while you are driving around, ok? And I hope your DH feels ok soon!

Hey Lisrey!

I stopped in to see how your Curves adventures are coming along!

I caught up on your journal...you are so dedicated...you are doing so great!

Glad you are loving it!...I do...mainly cause its so fast...and you control the difficulty level!

I come home and walk for 20-30 mins on my treadmill after Curves...then I get in a 1 hour workout...3 days a week!

My Curves has odd hours too...6:30-10:30...then 2-7...they just opened up on Saturdays...only from 9-11!...Its been open since May...and I have been a member since May...but I stopped going at the end of the summer...just started up again...talk about wasted money!

Well...now there are 4 more in the city (this site was the first one...and luckily it was close to me)...Their rates have gone up too...$39.00 a month...

Jeez!

Well...hope to see results!

Have a great weekend!

mcmarto

Thanks, Pengii -- Yahoo!! My 7-day stretch of work is over and I have a real weekend!! :tongue:arty:

Jo, the Curves machines function on resistance, but are set up so that anyone can use them. You pump them as quickly as you can for your ability level to get the most effect out of them. The first time I tried it I went slow on the machines to make sure I was doing them right, but I've already sped up a lot, and I feel very comfortable on most of them.

Ducky, I am going to have great stats. I'm psyched! Will post them tomorrow. I don't get the nachos at Taco Bell... I usually get 2 chicken soft tacos without lettuce, and occasionally a hard taco. It makes me laugh when people say they order Taco Bell stuff without cheese -- I order mine with cheese & there's almost none at all! I love the cheese but certainly don't need it, so mixed feelings on that!

Chum, I hope he's okay soon too. I worry about him a lot more than I probably need to, but that's my job, I guess! It snowed this evening & I went slow -- believe me, I'm being very careful in any bad weather. I don't want to EVER visit those body shop guys again!

Hi, Mc! Thanks for dropping in! I posted just a few minutes ago in your journal & asked you how long you'd been doing Curves, lol! That's excellent that you are doing the treadmill after Curves. I consider 2 miles my minimum treadmill workout, and that usually takes me 40 minutes. I am gonna see how this goes.

Today was a really good day for my plan. I had my usual good breakfast & lunch, and went to Curves after work. Back at home I made a Hawaiian marinated pork chop on the GF grill, and had a baked potato & some grapes. Calories are just over 1200 right now & I'm very pleased with that. Tomorrow I will definitely be back on my treadmill!!

Lisrey :bubbles:

Lisrey it sounds like curves would be a lot like Vedral number 4 ( always moving and doing weights at the same time) What a nice way to stay motivated. Ours is miles away I had thought about going in for a trial day but its just too far. Then I found some videos that worked so now just do it at home

I was telling a lady I met today how you had lost so much weight with your books on tape technique and all kinds of stuff. Really impressive

Good Job!

What is the recipe for this Hawaiian marinated pork chop?

Everytime I read it in your journal...I want it!

mcmarto

Hi there CJ, thanks for visiting & thanks for the kudos. :)

McMarto, I buy the pork chops at my grocery store -- they marinate them there & I don't have to do anything! They're center butterflied chops, no bone. Mmmmm!

Ate my cereal this morning, walked 2 miles on the treadmill (39 minutes), then shoveled our driveway for about 45. It actually got kinda warm today & melted some of what was left later. Had a deli chicken sandwich, some pretzels & a tangerine for lunch.

Ran some errands this afternoon, then met my husband at Chi-Chi's for dinner. Had not been there in ages -- they have a different menu now from the last time I was there! I can't resist their chips... ate too many of those. Husband ordered a sampler appetizer & I tried a couple of things. Then I had a grilled chicken quesadilla. I was so full!!

We're going to go see "The Two towers" now. I am stuffed so I don't know if I'll have any popcorn -- probably a little I suppose. Don't know what my calories are for today exactly. My estimate in FitDay was about 1550. Not bad for having eaten out and feeling like I was pigging out... ? When we get home I'm gonna ask Sweetie to do my measurements for Inch Pinchers. We'll see how that goes. ;)

Lisrey :flower:

I hope, you did well in the challenge. No, I just know you did well.

Sounds like your cals were nice and low for going out. Good for you. I find going out to be the hardest. That just may be the reason we never go out......hmmmm. yep, that could be it.

Hope your having a great weekend.

Darlene :hippy:

Sounds like a nice day Lisrey !!


and a relaxing eve to come !!


I know your inches will keep dropping !!


enjoy your days off



:hug: :hug: :hug:


Peng

Lisrey, hoped you enjoyed the Two Towers. Steve and I rarely go to movies, but we both read sci fi and fantasy, and we both loved the Fellowship of the Rings books. So we did go see the movies. I really enjoyed Two Towers. Gollum was wonderfully done, he looked just like I imagined.

You just keep on keeping on. You are on a roll, doing so well.

Jo

Hey...its so great how you can go out and be around such good foods without going overboard!

I have to pre-plan...and plan some more before I can go out to eat...unless of course its a free day!

mcmarto

Jo I loved two towers as well. Lisrey my mouth was watering describing your dinner. keep a pumping that snow shoveling has got to burn a ton of calories.
CJ

Look at all my visitors! So nice to see all of you!

CJ & Jo -- I really enjoyed the movie. Thought Gollum was great too, but was surprised by some of the things they changed. What an epic!

Mc & Fleur -- eating out is a big challenge for me. One of my New Year's resolutions was to do better eating out and not just eat for "the moment." I didn't feel like I did that great last night because I ate so many chips! I think I might have gotten a flaky total at FitDay, but that's what it told me.

Pengii -- thanks! I did lose 6.5 inches for the challenge this month. Really happy about that!

I'm here this morning because last night I was in too much of a hurry to post my January stats. So, out of 31 days in January:

22 days I exercised
23 days I ate within my desired 1200-1500 calorie range :up:
31 days I took my multivitamin
31 days I ate fruit
5 days I did weight training (started Curves on 1/24)
Ate fish 5 times; pizza once; Taco Bell once

Average daily calories according to FitDay: 1431.3
I had a monthly exercise total of 1047 minutes
I lost 6 pounds (counting the 2 that I gained over the holidays), and 6.5 inches in the Inch Pincher's challenge areas.

Yay!! I am really delighted with all this. I knew that the key was bringing the calories back down where they're supposed to be. Gotta keep this up as long as I can!

Lisrey *

Congratulations!

Your totals are outstanding!

Keep up the good work...February will be just as great!

Oh...now with Curves...even better!

mcmarto

Wow Lisrey,

Those stats are staggering, what a great month you have had. :king:

And wow, 6.5 inches and 6 pounds. We won't even recognize you in your next picture. Keep up the good work.

Lisrey,

Great month. Keep it up, you are on a roll.

I find eating out to be a challenge too. However, the slow but sure method of changing habits has helped me in that area.

First thing I did was change how much I drank. Steve and I went from sharing a bottle of wine, to sharing a half a caraf of wine, to one glass each. Now sometimes, I drink only water. I try to limit my wine to three glasses a week. (Texas is a little harder since we go to champagne brunch. But I still try and limit the rest of the week to one glass.)

That habit is a pretty firm habit now, good for Jo.

Next, I worked on portion control. Cut the potato in half. Take half of the entre home and have it for leftovers the next day.

Finally, I started working on having a "Plan". That falls within the where are we going to eat and what am I going to do "today".
I would often write my plan in my journal ahead of time. For instance, at brunch today I planned to not have a biscuitt. I didn't eat one, so that was a success.

Changing habits regarding eating out is essential for long term success at maintenance. You have to be able to eat out and enjoy yourself and still maintain some control. I think it is better to continue to eat out while losing so that you develope those good habits.

You are doing great. Keep up the good work.

Jo

Lisrey
I know I wanted to write a bunch about two towers but didn't want to spoil it for you and others. Faramir was my hearthrob in the book so eloquent. I told kil that they made him all dense and boromorish and I was a little surprised. They made up for it by the everything they did with the king of Rohan. That was so incredible. The lines were so epic... I about crapped over the elvse and helm deep though. I am glad you liked it. I did to. I was so surprised they pulled the Gollum thing off but I think they did it!!!! Wow what a movie

Now back to dieting . I am impressed at your January stats that is wonderful. Heres hoping February brings more of the same.

Hi, everyone! Makes me feel so good to see all of your posts. :x

Crazy & McMarto, thank you for the compliments. I was really happy with my stats!

CJ, I couldn't believe those elves showed up either... and the changes to Faramir were a disappointment, but I can see why they did what they did. There were a lot of things I thought were great... now I can't wait for the third one!

Jo, I agree, eating out while losing is important. Not only are you training yourself how to handle those situations, but you need to have some fun, too! I do best when there's no bread basket or bottomless basket of chips... :doh:

Today's food was weird. Husband & I planned to split two more of his NYC bagels for our breakfast. I waited and waited for him to be ready to eat -- and by the time we did it was nearly 11:30! Today's bagel flavors were plain & sesame. Tomorrow morning we will split the other two in those flavors. I had some pretzels a bit later, then did my grocery shopping.

When I got home I walked on the treadmill for 2-1/4 miles (44 minutes). Then I started my project. I usually re-decorate one room in my house every winter. This year I am tackling our living room -- the biggest room I've ever done. I patched and primed my window trim today. The project has begun! I am going to continue to patch and will also sand and prep the walls and ceiling over the next two or three weeks as time permits. Then at the end of the month I've taken several days off to paint. I'm going to do the walls in a lavendar/grey color called "Plum Granite" (I think). The ceiling and trim will be pale grey, and I am going to add a crown molding. I'm so excited!! I love doing this stuff. If I had more time and money my whole house would already be beautiful, lol.

For dinner my Sweetie used the GF grill for the first time. He grilled chicken breasts & served them over linguine with a tomato sauce and a little mozzarella cheese. Mmmm... It was delicious. Put me a little over calories with the garlic toast & the grapes & additional pretzels I ate in lieu of lunch.

Tomorrow I have a meeting in the morning which will culminate in lunch out somewhere. Have no idea what my choices will be, but I need to have some lower calorie days if I want to have February be as successful as January was!

Lisrey :wave:

Wow, Lisrey! Congratulations! I am soooooo happy that you are seeing results! You work so hard and it is so gratifying to know that you are losing pounds and inches!!!! Wahoo!!! Yippee!!!!

I mean it. You are rockin'!

Lisrey,

One of the things I do when eating out is tell them NOT to bring the bread. Steve is not a big bread eater, and one of the places we eat at home frequently has brown bread which he does not like. So the waiter knows not to bring us bread. There are some places where the bread is great that I do eat it, but for the most part I don't eat bread when we are out.

Small habits, add up over time.

You are doing great. One of these days you can join us over in the maintenance forum. (that is a whole nother story.)

Jo

Thanks, Chum! I am happy that my work is paying off right now too. It seemed like forever since my scale had read anything different from 158, lol. :up:

Jo, I love bread. I don't think I could ever ask for no bread. I would like to be able to just eat a piece, and stop. Today I was very successful & didn't touch it (read on)!

I ate the other 2 bagel halves waiting for me this morning. Mmmm so yummy! I had to drive to a meeting at another library about an hour away, and I was really glad that the weather predicted (freezing rain/wintry mix) didn't happen. The drive was fairly easy & that was a relief. I avoided all the snacks at the meeting, and afterward the group went out to an Italian/American place. There were bread and breadstick baskets on the table and I did not eat any, even though by this time I was quite hungry. My food was brought well after everyone else's was (there were 15 of us), and I still waited without partaking! I was really proud of myself. I also considered it an achievement that I did not order a pizza. I had a grilled chicken breast on a bun that was about 3 times the size of the chicken... No mayo or anything on it & I trimmed away all the extra bun.

Unfortunately, I don't think that was enough lunch. When I got home from work I was pretty hungry. I ate some grapes and a hard pretzel before hopping on the treadmill. I did 3 minutes backwards (1 more than normal!), then 2-1/2 miles forward. I also added a little incline for some short spurts, which I had not done in a long time. Felt good.

I am hungry. I am trying to wait patiently for my Sweetie to come home... he has planned to make burgers on the GF grill. Will be the first ones we have prepared on it. I calculated everything on FitDay & I really don't have any room to eat anything else before dinner & stay within my desired calorie range. But I am hungry!! Grrrr... hoping he can get away soon. He is often "on call" and has to tend to work matters at inconvenient hours. :(

Gonna glug some more water & keep reading posts here while I wait, but if it is much longer I will perhaps break down and go over. We'll see. Not fair when I am trying so hard!

Lisrey :water:

Lisrey hope you can stave off the munchies. Yogurt or a little protein of any kind would be a good holdover solution.

Sounds like you did well eating out and had a nice time

On two towers yes I can see why they did what they did.. And I think they showed a lot of integrity with the movie something that is so rare these days. I can't wait for number 3 or for the extended release DVD either. The first extended DVD blew my socks off and added everything I had hoped for when I saw the cinema version.

CJ

Hope you made it!

But you and I know...the worst thing we can do is go to long without a snack or a meal!...I did the same thing today...didn't have lunch...just ate a piece of fruit...by the time I did eat at 4 I was pretty hungry!...So glad I did not stop at the White Castle!

How did the burgers turn out?

mcmarto

Congratulations.. Lisrey..

I am so happy that you did so great last month.. now you are on your way for this month.. Keep it going.. you will be at goal.. before you know it.. :)

Had a good day.. and getting laid off. was good.. because now I can.. get things packed.. and maybe be out of here by.. this weekend.. keeping my fingers crossed..

Hopefully.. that is..

Congratulations.. and keep at it Lisrey..

Hugs

Ducky

Hey Lisrey, good job on the weight loss. I like eating bread too (sometimes) and here at bakeries (we may not have as many variety as what you have in America unless we go to restaurants) we get ham slices baked in bread, pizza bread, chicken or mashed potatoes (with bits of ham) baked inside bread ... so irresitable! Trying to stay off bread 'cos some friends tell me it's fattening (it is at the bakery) ... but then again, so's rice/noodles .... it's an achievement if I eat a few bites of rice.

I esp love eating the bread version of a pretzel! It's sooo good! I think since bread is one of your staples, you should eat a little everyday!

Good job on the exercise!

Lisrey,
Hope you were successful waiting for DH.

You had tremendous self control. Good for you. We are proud of 'our' Lisrey.

See ya soon

:D Gosh, Lisrey, you are doing awesome. How did you do while waiting for Hubby.

I am in the same situation right now. Going to MILs for dinner with the kids, and because I have no idea what she will have I am going to try and not eat anything until then which is 2 and a half hours from now. I still have 760 cal. left..... I am scared though........

I'm going to go try the backwards walking right now.

Hi, Buddies!!! :hug:

CJ, McMarto, Crazy & Maximum: Yes, I made it! Actually, he came home pretty soon after I posted. Whew! It can be tricky to plan things with a man who wears a pager! The burgers were really good. We both enjoyed having them for a change -- first ones since we put the outdoor grill away in November. :)

Max, how did you like the backward walking? I think it really works my quads, which I need!

China, thanks for stopping by... bread is definitely one of my favorite things. Pretzels are great too. I have been getting more into eating rice lately. Starchy-carb-woman, guess that's me. LOL

Ducky, hope you got stuff packed up. I have missed chatting with you again lately. I have a lot of research I've been working on at home, planning some travel & my living room project. Have been online a lot but doing other things. Will be looking for you!

Today was a good day for my plan. Ate my granola bar breakfast & the healthy lunch I took to work. Afterward I went to Curves, and when I got home made a chicken breast on the GF grill. Had some grapes & a baked potato with it. Really good & I'm pretty full now. About 1325 calories today! :up:

Tomorrow morning I have my annual gyn exam (yuck) in the morning before work. Will not have time to exercise & will have to play eating by ear... Working the later shift so I will pack something lo-cal for dinner at least.

Lisrey :flower:

Hurray for Lisrey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on doing so well, and wow, pretty low on the calories.

I'll bet your doctor is surprised at how your body has changed in the last year. You go girl.

Hope everything is fine at the doc too. Take care.

Good luck today at the vet's, Lisrey! I mean, the GYN's. Oops. haha

Wow, you are a Tower of Power! You are just rockin' it with your food intake! I know how hard it is for you to pass on the bread course when you go out! I read somewhere that breads provide seratonin to the brain and that's why people who eat a lot of bread are always so perky and why people who are blue often reach for breads. Maybe I should learn to better like the stuff. I think my favorite bread might be the tomato bread at Au Bon Pain. I'll have to think on it.

Anyway, enough of my incessant ramblings. Have a good day today girl!

WHOOKAY.. UH HELLO!!!! DANGER DANGER...

I walked on the the treadmill backwards, and I was scared to Death the whole time. Do you hold on to the rails? EEak I did 28 seconds. BIG DEAL ha ha ha......

I might try it again!

Just a little Story.... Maybe you already heard it...

About the woman who was running late for her GYNO appt. and she didn't have time to take a shower so she ran into her daughters bathroom and grabbed a washcloth off her sink, and cleaned herself real quick. She got to her GYNO appt. layed down DR came in and sat down on his stool and peered up at her between her legs and Said Wow. You really didn't have to get so dressed up to come see me. She thought, OMG. How rude is he? I'm already nervous, Why would he say something like that to me. She couldn't wait to get out of there and on the way home she vowed never to go to him again. She returned home and was in a hurry to get dinner prepared. Her daughter yelled, MOM, Where's the wash cloth I had on my sink? The woman replied WHY? I used it! The daughtrer said cause thats where I put all my glitter.!! Ta da Tuh!

I probably didnt say it as funny as i had seen it.

Lisrey, sounds like you are making it fine, one day at a time. I've been struggling a little lately. Went in to FitDay yesterday and surprised myself to see I was under 1500 calories. (I had ice cream yesterday afternoon.) So I guess I don't do as bad as I think.

Now, if I could just get the exercise going better. I admire your determination on that front.

Jo

Chum, I had never heard that before about bread. Very interesting! I will have to investigate a little & see what I can find out. Thanks!

Maximum, HA! Your story was cute. About the backward walking: no, I do not hold on to the rails. Start VERY slow. I literally put it on the lowest possible speed the first few times I tried it, which is 1 mph. Now I do about 1.7. I could probably go faster, but since I use it as a warm-up this is about right for me. Try it a few more times! It's good to work on things like coordination & balance, and this definitely does that, as I'm sure you discovered! :)

Jo, thanks for the kudos. I just posted in your journal, sounds like you're a bit stressed. This is truly my best time of year for weight loss, and I am making the most of it! It won't last forever!

Well, today was pretty great! It was my weigh-in day & I lost a pound. I am now 153. :up: TOM is fast approaching so I am pretty confident I will post a loss next week as well.

I saw my nurse practitioner this morning for my annual exam. She is really a great "doctor" and I have been going to her for years. She knows about the years and years I spent gaining, with no motivation for weight loss. I am really happy about today's visit. Here are some notable reasons:

* With my boots on I weighed 4 pounds less than I weighed there on 12/18. That was prior to my 2 pound holiday gain, so my scale & theirs seem to agree.
* My blood pressure was lower than it has been since they started monitoring it as borderline high. The NP was delighted! I can only guess that it was lowered by my more aerobic activity of going to Curves lately?
* She is fairly confident my thyroid medication dosage is stabilized now, so I don't have to go back for a YEAR! :)
* My Nurse Practitioner said "You motivate ME." !!!!! (I could have hugged her! And I am not a "huggy" type!)

After that I ran some errands & stopped at Quizno's for lunch. Had a small turkey sub & some baked chips & water. Worked the later shift & had a Lean Cuisine for dinner with pretzels & grapes. I just had an evening snack of baked Tostitos & salsa. Total calories today about 1400. I'm very happy with the calories -- I've been staying within range fairly consistently and that's what I need. No exercise today, but I have tomorrow off and I am planning to go to Curves in the morning (unless I have too many cramps -- and then I will go later in the day).

I am still psyched about my doctor visit!

Lisrey :dn

:hop: WOWZA:hop:

Having a doctors scale read right and feel good about it is a VICTORY.... I'm happy for you.....

Thanks for stopping by, Max! I am still really happy about all the doctor news. :)

I had the day off today, and TOM started, so this morning I didn't feel so good. Slept in until almost 10! Took some ibuprophen when I got up and soon felt better.

I went to get a few grocery items & then went to Curves. While I was there a woman with a prosthetic lower leg and a cane came in and started working out. She was unable to do some of the machines but she kept moving and was obviously having fun. I was so impressed! She was really inspiring!

Came home for a healthy lunch after that, changed clothes & then went to buy my paint for my living room. Did some drywall patching this afternoon while I still had a little bit of good light. Will do some sanding & more patching on Sunday when I am off again. There's no turning back now! :D

My husband is bringing home Chinese food tonight & I will have cashew chicken. I will be a little over on calories today if I eat what I've planned, but my stomach is feeling a little crampy again so I might not. We'll see. I really want to succeed at this week's Inch Pincher's challenge, which is to eat "on plan" 6 of 7 days. This is day 4, and I would have to make it the rest of the week on plan if I overindulge tonight... (Weighing options here...)

I tried on two pairs of jeans tonight that came in a clothing lot that I bought last summer on eBay. Some items in the lot fit me when I got them, and a few items I didn't want at all. The jeans wouldn't zip then, but now they fit! I threw them down the laundry chute & I will start wearing them next week. Cool!

Lisrey :lift:

Hey Lisrey!

You are doing so well!

Keep up the good work!

How is Curves coming along?...

mcmarto

Good for you Lisrey thats great news about the doctor

I'd say this is the best time of year for you. The numbers are dropping and you sound great. I have noticed there is a lot of good vibe here right now ( DT wide) which is really motivating me as well. Sounds like you will be well under 150 by spring break.

Still haven't checked on the book. I am just so beat trying to get the rest of my life together no room for another read. BUt soon I hope. Owell it is out of the library for you right now too right?

Take care babe and make it a great eating day
CJ

Way to go Lisrey on the great MD visit! Hooray!!!!! It is so nice when the rewards are health-related, isn't it? Yes, the smaller pants are great too, but the long-term living-longer stuff is the BEST! Wahoo!!!!!

HoRay for the doctors visit. And keep on rolling while the rolling is happening. I'm really intrigued by your Curves experience. Of course, when I get home I have already paid for a year at the fit center, and I have a very good routine there that takes one hour and 15 minutes, and works every muscle group. The problem is not the routine, the problem is getting my butt there. The only way Curves would be an option at home would be if they opened one up 5 min from home, which is not likely.

However, there is a Curves very close to where our new house in Texas is. So next winter I might try it out. I assume they take monthly payment?

Onward.

Jo

Hiya, McMarto, thanks! I am liking Curves. I have worked out there 7 times now.

CJ, I put myself on the request list for the book today. I hope I'll get it sometime in the next 2 weeks. We'll see. (The book we're thinking of reading is "Flip the switch," which looks like an interesting approach to diet motivation.)

Thanks, Chum! I was so happy to get the good news at the doc's. I still can't believe I don't have to go back. How amazing is that??

Jo, I paid for one month at Curves, but I also had to pay a one-time initiation fee kind of thing which was about 1-1/2 times a payment... and paying by the month is a lot more expensive than paying for a year. But I really want to see if I'll be able to fit this into my schedule, and if I think I'm going to still want to be doing this in a year. So far, so good, but I'm taking a wait-and-see approach.

Well, this was a stressful day. I packed my lunch last night before bed, and when I pulled into a parking space at work I realized my lunch was still in the fridge. I had to go out for lunch, and made a reasonable choice: turkey bagel sandwich. Still couldn't believe I forgot my homemade lunch. I will eat it tomorrow.

My library is experiencing some serious threats to its already puny budget from our city, which is now looking for money anywhere it can scrounge it. My boss is stressing out, and the stress started to rub off on me today. She is talking about potential layoffs, no raises, and other things that all sound unpleasant. We won't actually know anything for quite awhile, but it worries me that she is so upset. I am not in a good mood tonight and feel quite anxious... I don't like feeling this way. My biggest fear is that some of my (excellent) staff will start looking for other jobs. Work day was alright until the end, when she really laid stuff on me. Nice way to send your employee home on a Friday night, eh?

After work I went to Curves and did my workout. My husband brought home subs for us, and I had a BBQ pork one, not the healthiest but not the worst choice I could have made. Because I had to go out for lunch my calories were over by about 70. :( No Inch Pincher star for me this week. Grrrrr...

Tomorrow I will work (boss won't be there), and in the evening I will walk on the treadmill. Sunday I will be off & I am looking forward to that... Definitely need a little break!

Lisrey 8-|

Hi Lisrey,
Sounds like you have been doing great!!!! But that is not at all surprising to me. I think you could easily become a motivational speaker if your library stuff ever ends.
Glad to hear your doctors appointment went so well. I too went to see my doctor today and things went very well. I am posting all that stuff in MY journal though as I do not want to clog up your journal.
Have a great weekend sweetie. You deserve it!!!!


Vickie:coach: :dn

Lisrey,

I remember all to well the stress of budget problems. I particularly remember the year around Dessert Storm, the hospital had a terrible year. The employees got no raises, and the managers all took a 5% cut. Some positions were not filled, but there were no major layoffs. I was a member of the leadership team so I was in the middle of the stress, having to try to explain to people who made $6.00 an hour why they were not going to get a raise and why they were sent home when there was no work.

Believe me, I know how difficult it is to be in a management position when this kind of stuff happens. It will be really tempting to fall off your healthy wagon. This is really tough times. Remember, we are here for you. One of the hard things is YOU can't vent at work, it just makes things worse for your employees. Your boss should not be dumping on you. Sharing, but not dumping. Bosses need to look confident, be able to realistically explain what is going on (as much as they can) and be supportive to the employees.

(By the way, in that instance I mentioned the CEO voluntarily took a 10% cut in salary. We all got the missing money at the end of the fiscal year, when the budget had leveled out and we finished the year in the black.)

Jo

Hi Lisrey,

If you don't want budget cuts.. DON'T MOVE TO OREGON.. even though they have an 11 year cushion.. they are still saying that they have no money.. So.. please stay clear of Oregon.. we're really facing major cuts..

Like I have told you before.. you are doing SUPER.. :super: Woman.. :)

You just needed the summer and Fall.. to.. get your act together.. to enable you to lose.. during the Winter and Spring.. LOL thats it.. you're "Cool" type of person.. right.. LOL

I am doing as well as can be expected with our situation... but today I did have my own personal pity pat party.. but I snapped out of it.. pretty quick.. only about an hr.. but I am better now..

Enjoy your time off.. when you get it.. LOL and things will work out ok for you.. and your staff.. so .. think positively.. ok

Congratulations on fitting in those jeans.. wow.. that is a great accomplishment too..


Hugs,

Ducky

Vickie, so nice to see you stop by! I don't think I'd ever be too fascinating as a speaker, lol. I love my work though. Today I spent most of the day out at the desk, helping the public, and it renewed my commitment. I make a difference doing this, I'm good at it, and it makes me happy.

Jo, you are right, I can't vent at work. And my boss IS venting, and that's causing all kinds of problems. If I felt the way I felt last night, I am sure there are others who have been listening to her who are less "in the know" who are feeling worse. Luckily she has called an "all hands" meeting for Tuesday, and will discuss things frankly, clear up gossip and rumor, and hopefully ease people's minds somewhat. We'll see.

Ducky! I have heard that the unemployment in Oregon is awful. We are not very well off here, as a state; they are cutting everything drastically. But my area is not too bad. I am not really worried about losing my job, but I am still worried about possibly losing some staff, which would make life difficult for me. :( Only time will tell.

I do feel better today. Part of it was working at the desk, part probably because TOM is over. I did not sleep well last night, so I think tonight I will really get some rest and hopefully another day off will have me running like clockwork again. :)

Eating today was good. I took my lunch that I left at home yesterday & it was good. For dinner my husband made a boxed dinner thingie that you add chicken breasts to -- it was alright & I was really surprised that the nutritional values actually were not bad. Only the sodium was out of whack, which I will accept once in awhile. Calories about 1350 today. :up:

I walked 2-1/2 miles on the treadmill when I got home from work. First day of walking since Monday & it seemed like forever! I do like Curves, but I am going to have to figure out a way to walk more as well. I took the pace up to 3.5 for a few short spurts, and did a little incline now and then. It felt great.

Glad I have tomorrow off! I am hoping to get to do some work on prepping my living room for painting. My Mom may be throwing a monkey wrench into those plans, but I will roll with whatever happens.

Lisrey :laugh:

Lisrey, it is good that your boss is having a meeting. Hopefully she will be able to manage it OK and make it easier for the staff. It is such a difficult thing when work budgets go all out of whack. I don't think that the worker level realize how much stess management is under.

Since I left the hospital and retired they have spent all sorts of money in the areas I was over. I figure they have spent about four times my salary to complete the work I used to do. Hired more people, paid them more,.... and so on. Plus, I know from the senior attorney that the risk management part of my job is not getting done like it was when I was there. (Every so often he vents to me about what a terrible job my replacement is doing.) But that is life, and I'm not going to worry about the unfairness of it.

Still, you should feel good about the progress you have made. And keep making the effort to not let the job throw a monkey wrench into you being a healthier person. Believe me, my job was ruining my health. (With of course, a lot of help from me who was stuffing the food in my mouth.)

I love what I do now. The young attorney is so thrilled with my work, and tells me so at least once a month. Plus, I am able to focus more on being healthy. Working longer would have made us better off financially. But it would not have been worth it.

Have a great week.

Jo

Hi, Jo -- I'm glad you like your work now. I think it's great that you retired early and got healthy so you could enjoy it. I hope I'm lucky enough to be able to do something like that. Neither my husband's job nor mine are big money makers, though.

This morning my Sweetie & I split two more of the NYC bagels for breakfast. We discovered that the ones we thought were pumpernickel were actually dark rye, which neither of us likes. :( I walked 2-1/4 miles on the treadmill & finished tape #10 of my book. My Mom called to tell me she decided to stay home today, which left me free to work on the living room. I worked from about 11:30 until 7:00, with breaks for lunch and dinner. Got a lot done! I prepped 3 of the 4 walls and much of the ceiling. I have to get my husband to help with the fourth wall, because all of our stereo equipment is blocking it. Also need to do some caulking and sand some of the drywall patch that I put on today, then I will be ready to paint! I never thought I'd get this much done today & I am really pleased.

For lunch I heated up some leftover chicken parmesan from a few nights ago. It was less than a full chicken breast, with spaghetti sauce and linguine. Had an orange for a dessert.

My husband worked all afternoon on making a roast beef dinner. He does it in the pressure cooker, and makes potatoes and dumplings with it. I wasn't real hungry when it was ready & that helped me moderate portions. Ate another orange when I got done cleaning up in the living room. I figure I had right around 1500 calories today. Since I did so much work I am considering that just fine.

Back to work tomorrow, and I will go to Curves afterward. :up:

Lisrey :water:

Wow!

You have been busy...and eating so well!

Keep up the good work!...I had to go to Curves early on Saturday...it was packed...almost every machine and platform were taken...I hated it!...I prefer to be with 4 or less others!

Have a great week!

mcmarto

Hi, McMarto! I think you would really hate my Curves... it is a busy one. I think the fewest # of people I have seen there has been about a dozen. Sometimes there are people waiting by the door in a line to get a space. Tonight they made an announcement that everyone should stop after their 30 minutes & not do extra so that others could start... Eeeek. So far I have not had to wait, but I don't think I will like it if I ever have to. Tonight there was a really slow person in front of me. I felt like I wasn't getting all my time on the machines because it took her so long to get up from them. :( More good experiences than bad so far, though!

Went back to work today & it was a pretty hectic day. One of my staff has a stress fracture in her leg and is supposed to be using crutches. Not good as we are really on our feet a lot. Not sure what we are going to do to accomodate this. Will make a plan tomorrow. Eating was fine for breakfast & lunch. Went to Curves after work & had a pretty good workout. It was snowing a lot and I was a little nervous about the driving but I am glad I decided to go.

My husband is still at work. He put a meatloaf together yesterday while he was cooking his roast. He wanted me to wait until he was ready to come home to cook it, but I gave up on him. It will come out of the oven hopefully by 8:45. I am hungry! 8-} I wish he would not have these crazy hours but I know it isn't his fault. It's just hard to plan sensible eating without his schedule goofing it up. I am eating without him and I will try to moderate, but I have already eaten some pretzels waiting that I should not have eaten. Will go over calories by a little bit, hopefully not too many.

Lisrey :lift:

Hi Lisrey,

Sorry to hear you couldn't eat with your hubby. My hubby and I gave up on that long ago. He works such crazy hours, or if not that, he sleeps.

Once in a while we get to eat together as a family.

Glad you made it safely to and from Curves. I had only to drive down the street and I couldn't see past my lights. The snow just came down so fast and hard.

Glad to see you're doing well. Keep up the good work.

Darlene :hippy:

Lisrey Wait a month and it will all empty out. This is just the mad january maddash. My gym is a mess right now too

Hiya Fleur! Yes, I was sorry not to be able to eat with my Sweetie. We are really independent people and we do a lot of things apart. When we've planned to do something together (like have a real meal), we both hate to miss it.

CJ, I hope you're right about that. I'm not sure though... I see people getting signed up as new members every time I go there to work out. They told me that Monday nights and Saturday mornings are the busiest times. I haven't tried a Saturday yet, but Monday night is definitely crowded.

Today seemed like a really long day. I had a hard time believing it was only Tuesday! Got up this morning & walked 2 miles on the treadmill (about 39 minutes), took a shower and headed to work. Our director did speak to the staff today about all of our various budget issues and I think people feel better. It was definitely a good idea to get things out in the open. I hope we can make some progress on a few projects despite the budget... we'll see.

Eating was fine today; since I worked the late shift I had a Lean Cuisine at work and somebody gave me an apple because I was still hungry after eating the dinner I'd packed. It snowed tonight (again) and it took me a long time to get home. A somewhat stressful drive... I ate some pretzels and some baked chips and salsa for an evening snack. Wound up at 1400 calories. Probably a little over what I would have liked for a late day, but I'm gonna take it!

Tomorrow is my weigh-in day & another late day at work. Hoping I can report a loss tomorrow. The scale has been flirting with lower numbers on and off through this week so I'm not sure what to expect. We'll see. I'm feeling kind of doldrum-y tonight. Wondering if I still have the beginning-of-the-year spark. I hope so! I have just been eating more calories this past couple of weeks, and I know that is NOT what gives me results. Need to remain focused on my goals and try to stick closer to 1200.

Lisrey :cat:

Lisrey, I don't think I would like the croud you described at Curves. But I bet if you could go in the middle of the day it wouldn't be so bad. CJ is right, most people who join in January poop out by March. One thing about my gym, I can go in the middle of the day and it is not too busy. Also, it is very big and there are lots of different things you can do. Sometimes when we have been fishing during the week I have gone on Saturday and even then I didn't have much trouble, other than doing some things a little out of the sequence I normally use.

Steve and I have a similiar relationship. We call it "Spaces in our togetherness". When we both worked we set aside Wednesday night as "date night". Nothing could interfere with that night. I turned down a lot of events so that we could go out to dinner on Wednesday night. But at least it was my job that could be crazy, his was a very stable Monday through Friday, 8 to 4:30 kind of job. (Mine had meetings and all kinds of stuff besides the regular day job.)

Hope the scales are nice to you tomorrow. And hang on to the spark as long as you can.

Jo

Hi, Jo! Yes, sometimes I have gone in to Curves earlier in the day on Thursday or Fridays when I was off, and it was less busy at those times. Thursday and Friday nights after work are also less busy. But since I work I don't often have the luxury of choosing when I can go. :(

Today was a pretty good day but very busy. I have to get up early for work tomorrow, and after working 2 night shifts my body isn't gonna want to do it. So I need to get a move-on.

Walked 2-1/4 miles this morning & then ran some errands on my way to work. I had my favorite healthy turkey sub at Quizno's. For dinner at work I had a Lean Cuisine dinner, and when I got home had some pretzels. About 1350 calories for today.

I maintained this week for my "official" weigh-in. I have seen the numbers go lower other days this week, but not today. That's alright. I know it's coming! I also know I ate more calories the last few days than I wanted to. My Sweetie is going to a hockey game tomorrow night so I will be on my own and that will help. We'll see what kind of improvements I can make this week.

Lisrey :water:

Lisrey you are doing so great. GREAT JOB ON THE MAINTAIN :up:

you know gal I calculated your cals for fun yesterday. Don't want to be a nosy nelly and post your stuff but if you want to know let me and I can either post here or pm you.

Sounds like Curves is getting a lot of business. I hope you can continue to go and get a workout in because it seems to be something that you really enjoy. Well your cals are great.... you are great... and sounds like tonight will be a nice girl break for you. Any plans on how you will spend your free night?

Hey Lisrey,
Just poppin in to see how your doing.

And looks like your doing GREAT!!!! :D

Hey Maximum & CJ! Thanks for leaving those nice posts. Always good to have visitors. CJ -- I am spending my free night online... and I am watching the hockey game on TV where my husband is. The first period is over & our team is up 1-0. :)

Was a quieter day at work today. It seems that people are nervous about the heightened security alert or something. Not so many people in the library or at the mall or anywhere, it seems. Eating today was really good. I had my normal packed lunch & a granola bar for breakfast.

After work I stopped & got a pork chop for dinner at the store. Also bought some strawberries, as people at work had been telling me how good they are right now. They smelled great, but I didn't think they were as good as they'd hyped them up to be... I love strawberries in season!

Did Curves after I got the groceries. I will be going back tomorrow morning after a quick work meeting (it is my day off). I am liking it but I am wondering what kind of workout it is really giving me. Will be interesting to see what they say when they weigh and measure me again.

Made my pork chop & a baked potato for dinner. Yummy! About 1300 calories for today. Oh -- was down to 152 again this morning. Don't know why it didn't want to be there yesterday, when it was my weigh-in! But next week I know I will be at least that one pound down, and that makes me happy. I had wanted to be at 150 by my 2-year anniversary of weight loss, which is Saturday. Not quite gonna make that, but soon I will be there! :up:

Lisrey :spring:

My scale said 151 this morning! It's not my "official" day of course, but that was a first! :) I am excited to see progress even if I can't change my stats yet. I know next Wednesday will bring good news.

Got up early this morning & went in to work for a one-hour meeting. I ate my granola bar on the way. Afterward I stopped and did my Curves workout. I have gotten in 3 workouts each of my first 3 weeks there. Pretty good. :up:

I did some busywork here at home & had a healthy lunch before going back out. One of the errands I ran this afternoon was to go renew my contract at the consignment store. I dropped off a bunch of spring clothing that was up to size 22! I bought a pleated Evan Picone skirt in a size 12 ($7.50!) and a pair of burgandy jeans in a 14 ($8). Very happy!

Did some grocery shopping after that & picked myself up a piece of whitefish for my dinner. Also got a marinated chicken breast for tomorrow night. My husband had something in mind for himself to eat tonight (leftovers), and tomorrow night he will not be home. So good opportunities for me to eat healthy! My fish I marinated and then cooked under the broiler. Mmmmmm!! It is so much better that way than on the GF grill. THANK YOU FLEUREANGE for suggesting I put foil on the pan so it wouldn't be so hard to clean! I don't know why I never thought of that but WOW -- great pointer! *

So last night when I posted I said my Sweetie had gone to the Red Wings game... well, at the second intermission his friend he went with called me on his cell phone to tell me that Jeff had been selected to play Score-O! He got three opportunities to shoot the puck into a slot -- he made 2 out of the three shots, and got a sweatshirt, a puck, a stick, and a chance to win a Jeep at the end of the season! Both guys were totally excited & it was pretty cool. Of course, they don't show that stuff on TV so I didn't see, but he was proud that he didn't embarrass himself in front of the 20,000 people at the game! :o

Tomorrow I will be working on my living room again. I will patch the final wall, plus some spots on the ceiling near that wall. I will sand all the drywalled areas and prime them. Then I will be ready to start painting the following weekend!

Lisrey :gflower:

Hey Lisrey!

You sound so great!

I would hate your Curves...I was annoyed on Tuesday when a woman started on the machine right next to me when their were only about 4 of us in the place...nicely spaced out!!!...Hmmm...I must have smelled good or something!...:D

Now...I weigh in sporadically...Thursday is supposed to be my official day...but sometimes I do it on Sunday...or Monday...I say...a loss is a loss regardless when you have it!...I say post it...you are 151...that is what the scale says!!!...Then if you want...wait and weigh again on Wednesday...you may just be 150!...

You are doing great...with the eating and Curves and the treadmill!...You will reach your goals sooner then you think!

I have been back at Curves now for 7 weeks...I have seen results...I am toning up...you will see those results soon enough!

Have a great weekend!...

mcmarto

Lisrey

what a fun night. OH girl I am a tin foil wonder. I bake in it a few times a week. It always makes me think of my youngun days and making tin foil dinners around the campfire.

Sorry I never got back to you . Forgot about valentines day. Basically what I calculated said that doing what you are doing and walking/curves 1 hour a day will lead to a 1 pound loss a week. 30 minutes would lead to a .5 pounds loss. I will send you all the stats tomorrow when I re calculate them.


BTW do you know how to Fuax paint. I am the Faux painting maniac. I did my walls in our new house with a really neat three tone lamb wool pattern. The kitchen I am longing to do in a suede style as the walls have been patched poorly and faux would really make it look better than the bueatiful pale desert color I have in there now.

Thanks for the encouragement in my journal. keep a patchin painten and eatin right

Lisrey,

Yeah, soon you will be in the 140's!!! I know, even 149 counts as a 140's. You have made wonderful, wonderful progress and should be very thrilled with your 2 year point. Slow and steady, that is the way. Learn new habits. Keep at it, you will eventuallly make it.

Jo

Hiya, Mc! I am glad to hear you have seen results from 7 weeks of Curves! I will be going for 6 weeks, then I am going on vacation for 2 weeks. Hope that doesn't erase any progress I make!

CJ, I have done stenciling and sponging but that's it. In this room I am just doing regular painting, but when we come back from vacation Sweetie & I are going to install a crown molding and I think that will be the biggest challenge of this project. Your faux finishes sound great!

Thanks for the encouragement, Jo. You know, 149 will make me extremely happy. When I get to numbers that end in a 9, I have traditionally allowed myself to try on all the clothes in my "too small" closet. You know what? There aren't many clothes in there anymore! It's amazing. When I started weight loss I thought I shouldn't set my goals too high, and my original goal was 140. When I started to realize that I really could get where I ought to be, I changed it down to 125. So getting into the 40s at all feels miraculous and I am psyched! :D

Today was busy for me but really fun. I had my Kashi cereal for breakfast, then Sweetie & I moved all the furniture out of the living room and he moved the stereo equipment & stuff so I could prep the final wall. I did some wet sanding of the drywall patch I put in last weekend, then had a healthy lunch. Afterward I did more prep work on the walls, then primed all the drywalled spots. I have a little more priming to do of a few spots I had to drywall today... am thinking perhaps I can do them tomorrow morning before work if I can get up early enough.

When I got everything cleaned up I walked 2-1/2 miles on the treadmill. I finished tape #12 of my book & have 4 to go... Made myself a lemon pepper chicken breast on the GF grill with a baked potato & some grapes for dinner. I ran out the door after that and went to see "The Hours" (wow -- sad but well done). I had a small popcorn and a bottled water at the movie. About 1400 calories today. :)

Next Sunday I will get to start painting. So excited about that! I can't wait to see how this room will turn out. I am a novice decorator & it is always a surprise to me to see how what I have envisioned actually winds up!

Lisrey :wave:

Hey Lisrey!

Where are you going on vacation?

I saw The Hours last week too......it was pretty deep!...But I enjoyed it.....

Should I be calling you "Handy" instead of Lisrey!...hahahaha!

mcmarto

Hi again, Mc! My Sweetie & I are going to Phoenix in March. We both have relatives there (his parents & sisters, my grandma), and we visit every Spring. Looking forward to some golf, and hopefully to meeting CJ!

Had another good day for my plan today. I got up pretty early & finished the stuff I wanted to accomplish in the living room. Had my cereal about 9. I went to work at 11 and was hungry around 2:30. Had an orange and tried another of the Kashi bars. This one was "oatmeal raisin cookie," and I liked it better than the other Kashi ones I had tried, which were more yogurt-y and sweeter. This one was okay. Kept me satisfied until I got home.

For a snack about 6 I had a few pretzels and some little cracker-like things called cheese crisps. They looked interesting and I like them, but I can only eat a few at a time because they have more fat than I'd like to be eating. I walked 2-1/4 miles on the treadmill, then made my dinner: broiled salmon, baked potato, grapes. About 1350 for calories today. :up:

I am very proud that I exercised all 7 days this week, ate within my target calorie range 6 days, and had fish twice. I have lost weight since my Wednesday weigh-in & I think this coming Wednesday's report will be exciting! Stay tuned! :D

My husband is still out & I am a little grouchy with him. He & several friends are addicted to an online game which went through a recent upgrade. (They all have laptops and wireless Internet, so they like to all play in the same room together.) They are having all kinds of problems (fun?) getting things going with the new version set-up. He should have been home a few hours ago but I just talked to him & now it looks like he'll be home around 9. Grrrr... He is a big kid & I love him for his playfulness & his sponteneity, but sometimes his inability to stick to plans is frustrating! LOL just thought I'd vent a little -- I'm doing it lovingly, of course! 8-|

Lisrey :water:

lol.... as a fellow computer nerd I truly understand the frusteration. My friend has the same problem. I told her... Hey be glad he ain't out at naughty night clubs... but truly its a competition weird thing....Sigh... men!!!!

My husband all day yesterday watched building shows and ran in and out of the house. Left the door open and had every power tool he owns going. Then by the end of the day he turned on the TV...By saturday night I was so frazzled that I averted a fight and went to bed.... sigh... See they are really odd!!!! He calls this his form of "therapy" I told him " your therapy is getting in the way of my SANITY"8-} 8-}

He thinks my desire for a nice silent saturday is just inconceivable. You know reading a book.... ahhhhh unwinding.... sigh

Anyways Yes we must decide on a plan for Phoenix. The thing is Spring Break starts March 15. I thought you would be here duing that time. Unless you can do it March 8th the weekend before. We will drive up with our bikes on the car and meet you guys at your moms house... Can we leave the bikes there while we run around? that way they will be safe? Then we can caroooozzzeeee anywhere you want. I am totally open to suggestions but it would probably be a good idea for a plan to be made because I will have to look up maps etc..... I don't know if this will work for you guys. I know it would be easier to do it on a weekday cause your family will be at work but I think we are going to go north to Sedona etc for the break. in any case let me know and we will figure something out. Maybe we can meet in chat and plan!!!

CJ

Congrats on your great week!

Oh...you are meeting CJ!...Fun!...Hope you two have a great time!

mcmarto

Hi, CJ! I sent you a PM about planning. I am sure we can figure something out. It'll be great! It's so funny, I totally understand what my husband is into, because if I let myself, I'd be playing the game too! I love that kind of stuff. But it would take over too big a chunk of my time. I'd get obsessed with it and that wouldn't be good. So I laugh and tease him but I do "get it." LOL. I am sort of obsessed with DT and I have played a word game online regularly since 1999... Constant computing runs in the family here I guess. :o

McMarto, thanks for the congrats! You too! I had another good day today despite the snow...

:snow:

Woke up this morning to discover 1) there was a leak in my waterbed, and 2) I completely forgot to do my laundry this weekend. It was snowing on my way to work and I had to go slow. Was about 2 minutes late. One of my staff called in sick, which meant I had to work on the public desk all day. Talk about getting up on the wrong side of the bed! I laughed at all this and made the best I could of it.

Ate fine for breakfast & lunch. A friend and I were supposed to go out for Thai food after work. She called me around 4:00 and we decided to cancel because of the weather. When I left work I had planned to go to Curves, but the roads were really icy. I decided to go straight home soas to get there before dark. It was a relief to pull in the garage!

I walked 2-1/8 miles on the treadmill to work a little of my icy-driving tension out. I didn't have anything fresh to make for dinner so I had a Lean Cuisine and some grapes. Still a little under 1200 calories for today so I will need to have another small snack before bed. :)

Now I will probably not be able to get my three visits to Curves in this week. :( It wasn't due to my schedule, but the icky weather, so I am still keeping an open mind about the schedule thing. Tomorrow's weather is supposed to warm up and be drier, so hopefully the "curve" balls will stop!

Lisrey :gflower:

Hey girl!

Glad you were able to have a good day despite all the little things that went wrong!

Hopefully the weather will clear up so you can get to Curves!!!

I was only able to go once last week due to TOM (I am a major wimp when he is in town!)...but this week its back to 3 days...maybe four if I feel up to it!

Weather is still dry here...hope it stays that way!

mcmarto

McMarto, I think I am going to still try to get my 3x in at Curves after all. I am gonna try to go tomorrow morning, Thursday morning, and Friday after work. The weather needs to cooperate, but I'm gonna give it a shot. I know you're not supposed to go every day, but I'd rather do that than not get the 3x in. We'll see!

Today was warmer & the roads were clear once again. I walked on the treadmill this morning 2-1/4 miles before taking a shower, having a healthy lunch & heading for work. For dinner at work I had another Lean Cuisine... When I got home I had some baked Tostitos & salsa. About 1350 for calories today. :up:

I wore a dress to work today that I probably bought in 1991. I got so many compliments I couldn't believe it! One person asked me "what kind of diet are you ON??" and another person told me the dress was the perfect color green to match my eyes... hahahaha I didn't tell them it was a 12-year old dress that's been hiding in the dark depths of the "too small" closet! :rofl:

Lisrey :hop:

Lisrey,

wow, what a thrill to get all those compliments, Good for you, you really do deserve them!!!!

Thanks for the chat tonight. It was really nice.

Keep surprising them!!

Hi Crazy! I am really glad we got to chat, too. You're terrific. :)

Wow, what a busy day today. I weighed in this morning & was down 2 pounds to 151. I've lost 7 pounds this year; 9 if you count the 2 I gained over the holidays. Was really happy to get to change my stats!

I got up early enough that I had time to go to Curves this morning for my workout. Came back home & changed for work. Went to Quizno's for a turkey sub on my way in. I am sneaky and I take my own pretzels and bottled water to go with my sandwich. I need to go to the grocery store -- I have nothing to make a lunch with right now!

Work was busy but productive. I had a Lean Cuisine for dinner with pretzels & an orange. When I got home a little bit ago I had a bag of microwave light popcorn. Total calories about 1350... but I did eat some starburst jelly beans that someone brought to the Library. I love those!! Probably ate 10 of them. No idea how many calories they might be (& don't intend to look!). Not something I normally do but I don't plan to have any more of them. :tomato:

Trying to decide right now if I want to get up early enough tomorrow morning to go to Curves again. I am tired! I-)

Lisrey :water:

Hey Lisrey!

Yahoo on the weight loss!...Good for you!...Doesn't it feel great ... not only to wear something from the too small closet but to have others notice your weight loss!!!

I have doubled up on the Curves before today (like going in on a Friday then Saturday)...it all works out.........I say go when you can...its better then not going at all!!!

You mentioned that you eat LCuisine's for dinner.......What does your DH eat then?...Do you cook for him seperately?...Just wondering!

mcmarto

Woo Hoo!!!!!! I am so happy for you! Congratulations on the loss!!! You are working your butt off and it is showing! Yippee!!!!

Lisrey,

Congrats on the 2 pounds and on the 9 too. Yes the other 2 pounds do count!!!

You really know how to keep those calories down. Good work!!!

Lisrey, cheers on the two pounds and isn't it wonderful to pull stuff out of the "too small" closet. Actually, I have very little left in that place. What is there falls into the category of mini skirts and dresses that have sentimental value. I doubt if I would even want to be that thin again, but it was fun.

Keep going, you are on a roll.

Jo

Hi Lisrey,

It was great getting the opportunity to chat with you last night it has been quite a while since we were able to do that.. with your schedule and me still.. :tomato: still trying to move.

I had to go way way way back in your journal to catch up.. My OH MY are you doing great.. keep it up gal.. you will be.. at your personal goal by the wedding I know that.. :)

I am now in the camper.. it is a little on the cooler side.. but.. I have the heater going.. (the electric one.. LOL) I have to learn how to light the propane one.. LOL.. De Da.. me.. LOL that is what some of the people I see on Sat and Sunday Mornings.. if you know what I mean.. I guess.. I am really not up to this generation.. LOL.. Oh Well.. I like me the way that I am..

I am doing better today not as teary as I was yesterday and the day before.. but I know that I will have those types of days... until this BATTLE is over and done with.

Well... I want to congratulate you on your successes.. and Keep them Up..

Hugs,

Ducky

Hi Everyone who visited!! It's great to see all of your messages.

Mc, I don't usually eat the Lean Cuisines at home. I take them to work on the nights that I work late. A few days ago when the weather was really bad and my eating-out plans fell through, I did eat one at home, and Sweetie ate some leftovers...

Chum & Crazy... thanks so much for the congrats! You are wonderful buddies & I am so grateful to have you here cheering in my corner.

Ducky, thank you, too! I was really happy we got to chat again.

Jo, my "too small" closet is getting pretty empty too. Yesterday I wore a suit to work (I wore the skirt & just took the jacket to show people, as my workplace is too casual for a suit, really) that I bought in late 1989 to wear to job interviews. That suit got me my first professional job! It fits now and looks great if I do say so. It does have BIG shoulder pads. :ha:

I didn't get any real exercise in today and I ate out for lunch and dinner. Hard to estimate calories, but they were high for sure. I went down to my parents' house, met my sister & my Mom. We went shopping for a dress for Mom to wear to the wedding. Had a turkey sandwich at Panera Bread for lunch. It was delicious, but it came on asiago cheese bread, and was quite large! Also came with a bag of Krunchers, which I also ate. Hmmm.

We shopped ALL DAY. Found three potential dresses, each at a different shop. Not sure which one she's going to pick, but she has options. Has me really wondering what I'm going to wear. We drove back to Mom & Dad's house and went out for Chinese about 8:00. I ordered from the "Light Eaters" menu... but got General's Chicken. Yummy but not the healthiest choice. I did not eat too much at either meal today but would feel better about my choices had I gotten in some exercise. :(

Gotta get to bed! I-) I will do Curves again tomorrow night!

Lisrey :bubbles:

sounds like a nice day with your mom and sister. That is good. You deserve it with all your hard work.

When is the wedding again? Won't you have fun shopping for a dress in your new smaller size!!!

Take care.

Congrats Lisrey on the loss. You are doing a great job and it's showing!
Make sure when you get your dress for the wedding that you mention to the person doing the altering that you're losing weight so they can keep that in mind. Just a suggestion.

Have a great Friday!

Darlene :hippy:

wow Lisrey you are going to have to get a whole new wardrobe soon!!!!! :cheer: That is most excellent.

Yes I hope she doesn't dress you like a frumpy bridesmaid I missed the colors??? God please let it not be pink chiffon!! anyways you will look great for sure. Eating out is always tricky but you managed it with ease.

Lisrey, did I remember that you would be a bridesmaid? I agree with CJ, some of those dresses are awful. My daughter had a black and white wedding. The bridesmaids wore black. A long, straight, simple off the shoulders black dress. The flowers were white with burgundy and aqua ribbons and stuff. Her dress was of course white. It really was quite elegant. And the black dresses could be worn for any fancy affair. (Which of course, none of her brides maids would ever have reason to go to.) My daughter had six bridesmaids and a matron of honor. The reception was cattered by a very well known Italian Restaurant, and the band was the one that plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. (My daughter knew a lot of people and pulled a lot of strings.) The whole wedding, from start to finish, was planned in two months. I bought her dress and the trimmings. Her father paid for the rest, and he certainly didn't skimp on the booze. Believe it or not, the total was less than $10,000.

I went to another black and white wedding, and the bridesmaids wore black and white checked dresses, taffeta. Ugly. This year my daughter was in a wedding of a good friend. It was in Texas, western motiff. She wore a denum skirt and a white silky blouse, and they all had the same kind of leather shoes of some kind.

When I married Steve 29 years ago the "best man" was a woman. I walked down the ailse with Steve (no one gave me away). The reading was from "The Prophet", on love. At the reception we had big plastic garbage cans filled with ice, beer, and champagne, plus sandwiches and wedding cake. Everything was small, simple, and inexpensive. So much for my input on weddings.

They can be fun. They are also a lot of hassel.

Jo

Hey Lisrey...sounds like you had a fun day!

Nice to spend time with family!

You are doing so well...so close to your goal!...You must feel so great!...Sounds like you will need a new wardrobe soon!

Hey...the Panera Bread calories are listed at www.calorieking.com (in case you don't have them!)

Have a great weekend!

mc

Well, I did NOT have a good day for my plan today. Ate much more than I would like. Ate my usual breakfast, and went out for a low-fat pita for lunch, as I had nothing to pack a lunch with today. Work brought some frustration, but I can't blame that for my evening's eating. I stopped on my way home to get some lunch makings and got some lean ground beef because my husband wanted to make burgers on the GF grill. Went to Curves after that and did the circuit. :up:

My food problems began when I got home... I was hungry! Sweetie wasn't here. I ate some pretzels, some baked tostitos. Tried to wait it out. Husband came home and started cooking eventually... I munched on some more stuff while he was cooking. Finally told him I had to leave the kitchen so I would stop eating. Haven't had to do that in ages. Burger was good; he made his own hash browns with them and I ate about twice as many as I'd budgeted for myself. Ugh. I am not overly full by any means, but I calculate my calories around 1900. Ugh. :( Will have to get back on track. For now, just happy I am out of the kitchen!

Hi, Crazy! The wedding is at the end of June. I want to weigh 140 by then. Will be fun to shop for a dress for sure. I want something nice and summery, kinda fancy but something I can wear more than once.

Fleur, thanks! I am hoping to just be able to pick something off the rack for the wedding. Going to wait until the last few weeks to buy my dress so I'lll hopefully be the same size.

CJ and Jo: nope, I'm not going to be a bridesmaid. They are wearing a silver-dove grey. Each has picked out her own separates in that color from the same manufacturer, so they will each have something that flatters them. I am supposed to read a poem during the ceremony, so I want to look nice. Will have to take lots of pictures when we go! :) I do enjoy weddings very much. I think part of the fun is seeing the different ways each one is handled. I have been to some lovely ones that were very simple, and some not-so-lovely ones that were very elaborate, LOL. My own wedding was just what I wanted and I wouldn't change anything. We got married in my parents' backyard in the morning, and had a lunch reception with a sit-down meal and no dancing. It was the most beautiful May day we'd ever seen, and everything came off perfectly! Great memories.

Mc! Thanks for the tip about Panera. That was actually the first time I'd ever eaten there. I looked up the sandwich I had and was aghast at the calories & the sodium, until