Hi.

I thought I'd start a new journal. My other one was taking a long time to load up and it was becoming a chore to wait for it.

It was my birthday yesterday (perhaps I should have started my new journal yesterday?) so I suppose this is a new era.

I'm maintaining, as such, at the moment. I'm about where I want to be, but I struggle with maintaining which has always been the case. So far, with the help of DT (and everybody here!) I am feeling confident that I will maintain. Sometimes I need a kick up the as$ though!

Hey Mickevoll!

Glad you started this new journal...

So do you workout often?...What are your days like!

mcmarto

Congrats on reaching your goal! I have been trying to lose those last 10 lbs but it's so hard to stay focus. I will need to learn from you ... would you be writing down what u eat and workout? That would help a lot! Tks and have a good weekend!

Hello Mickey,

sorry i missed your birthday but i will wish you a happy one anyways even if im late(i apologize)

:bd :gift: :tongue:arty:

your doing well maintaining. i bet its harder than losing and for me losing is hard so i dont want to even think how hard it will be to maintain.

your doing great.

have a good day and take care.

Just stopping by your new journal to say hello. Hello. I like the new title.

Have a good day.

Andrea

Well, I meant to do well yesterday, and things were going great until I got to my mum and dads. Mr Stubby and me always go to my mum and dad's for tea on a Wednesday evening. Last night she had cooked me up a birthday spectacular. For starters we had pate and wholemeal toast, then the main course was salmon en croute, with fried/roasted? potatoes (she fried them in a pan, baby potatoes cut in half), green beans and carrots, both cooked in butter(!), and then for pudding we had blackberry mess, which consisted of blackberrys, with cassis over the top of them, then some whipped cream and broken meringue. I think the whipped cream had some cassis in it also - it was gorgeous. I also had a couple of glasses of red wine - which went straight to my head!

After tea I went to see my Grandma. She was watching the soaps and doing her word search. She lives in a bungalow which is in sheltered housing for old people, they have a warden. I am always telling her off for leaving her door unlocked, particularly when it's dark, because quite a few of the elderlies near her have had people coming to the door and then burgling them. Anyway, last night she had the door locked, and her doorbell wasn't working. She is partially (well almost all) deaf and couldn't hear my knocking. It was freezing outside but eventually she let me in.

Whilst at Gran's I had a small piece of Christmas cake and two chocolates.

Then I went back to my mum's and we watched a programme she had videoed from the previous evening. We got home about 9.30 pm, where I promptly managed to shut the car door, trapping the seatbelt in the bottom and it not shutting properly. I only discovered that this morning when we went to get the car to travel to work! I am such a dork at the moment.

It's freezing cold again today, with a really cold wind. Apparently the windchill factor is taking the temperatures down to -11 (Nanny you would probably know something about that!). It keeps trying to snow and I am praying for it to come down harder, so that I can go home. It sucks being at work with nothing to do. I have housework I can be getting on with at home. Or television (I am addicted to E at the moment - that's how sad I am!).

Hi McMarto - It's great to see you here! The above was not a normal day, I assure you. Usually I get up at 5.30 am, go on my stationery bike for 45 minutes, then shower, get ready for work, be in work for 8.30 am (I have an office job where I sit on my butt ALL day long!), do the post, then that's it really - I don't have a lot of work to do!, come home at 5.00 pm, cook tea then sit and watch TV until about 9.30 pm when I get too tired and have probably already fallen asleep. That's a typical day for me. Probably the description of today! I work out about 6 days a week, always on my stationery bike, but I toying with the idea of going back to the gym, which I periodically go to. I just do 45 minutes on the bike, but on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays I do intervals on the bike, and I find that that has really helped me get in shape much faster than just biking. I read a book on the bike, for added scenery.

ChinaDoll - Hi! Thanks for your kind words! I found that the last few pounds were the hardest to get off. It seems like you have to try and trick your body into losing a bit more weight because it seems to get comfortable at certain weights. Keep up the good fight! You can see my workout as above, I do sometimes write what I eat, and when I started my journal last year I did. It helped me a lot so I might go back to that again - watch this space!

Minnie - no apology necessary! Thanks for my birthday cheer! I hear there's been a birthday at your house too! Maintaining is all a matter of balance really, but I don't seem to have very good balance! I'm doing much better and have a much more positive outlook though, with the help of you guys.

Nanny - Hello and thanks! I got the name from a programme I did last year, which really pulled things together for me. It was all about changing my attitude towards food and exercise, and I'm just going over the book again to renew vigour!

Wowee...if I knew what half the things you were eating were...I would say they sounded delicious!...hahahahaha!

Well...glad you were surprised and had a fun night!...A free day is always in order every now and then!

Hope you had a good day!

mcmarto

Mickey! So the birthday feasting wasn't over yet. Well you can't turn down your mum, after all. It sounded wonderful. Especially the blackberry mess. mmm mmm. Now that's a dessert I could fall for.

My 92-yr-old grandmother loves word searches, too. I guess we know what we'll be doing for fun when we get to be that age.

What do you read as you bike? What books?

Hi McMarto! I suppose I do eat some strangely named foods, but I bet that you have the same stuff in the states, only it's named differently. Salmon en croute was a fillet steak of salmon with a green mousse type thing on the top (do you have mousse?), I think it perhaps had basil in or something?, the whole thing wrapped in filo pastry. I don't know whether you have filo pastry but it is very, very thin sheets of pastry, which you "paint" with melted butter or oil, and add a few sheets, so that they stick together. It was delicious. My mum is a great chef!

Kilogo - My grandma is 92 as well!!!! They should get together. A few years back we came to San Fransisco for my cousin's wedding (he married a girl who came from San Rafael(sp?)), and my gran seriously considered flying out with us. She's supercool and I love her to bits. Two years ago she had major surgery for stomach cancer. I thought she would never come through the operation, but she has and now she's twice the person she was then! I just hope that I have her stamina and energy when I'm her age!

Hello mickey,

glad you had a nice visit with your parents and grandma.
by the way where do you live? i am just curious.
some of the foods you describe i never heard of but they do sound so good.
of ocurse my fault is im not a picky eater and i enjoy most everything. i wish i was picky with food then maybe it would be easier.

your doing so well and are such an inspiration to me. i envy where you are right now and hope to one day bre at my goal.
on monday i am going back to routine. i dont plan to spend this summer fat.
last summer after dropping some weight i was so happy to wear tank tops and shorts and this yr id love to wear some cute clothes so when you see im slipping kick me in my butt.

take care and have a wonderful weekend.

Hi Minnie

I live in a town in Lincolnshire, near Lincoln, which is on the eastern side of the UK. I live fairly near Sherwood Forest (which is about 45 minutes' drive away) which is where Robin Hood was supposed to come from. Lincoln has a cathedral, and the Magna Carta is kept in there, that's a document that some Lords signed a long, long time ago, which set out the earliest laws in this country (or so Mr Stubby told me - I wouldn't have a clue myself!).

I would say that it's one thing being a picky eater, but if you were picky you might only eat chocolate and sweet things, so it could be a bad thing! At least we have all round tastes, which means we can eat almost anything, which includes healthier stuff too! I'm the same as you though - believe it or not I have a huge appetite, and I have to be very careful about how much I eat.

To be honest, I think me and you are very similar in a lot of ways, foodwise. I learnt a lot by my past mistakes - restricting food, binging, not exercising, trying fad diets all the time in an attempt to lose weight quickly, I've tried it all Minnie. Now I just eat sensibly, I allow myself treats and I make sure I get plenty of exercise, and I have found that if I know I can have something I don't crave it half as much as if I think I'm not allowed it.

I know you will get there, Min, because you are determined. I think you are going through a hard time at the moment with your son, and eldest daughter (although things have perhaps quietened down a bit there?), and you have been poorly recently, don't be too hard on yourself, you are doing a fantastic job - and you are here, so you are still committed.

Hi Mick,

I am bored here at home on a Friday afternoon. I have to work late tonight so I must formulate a plan. This is the time I overeat. Babysitting=bad food choices. You would think I could learn from past mistakes. Or if I can't learn to eat well when working OT I can stop working all the extra hours.

I just brought home some info regarding a Boxing class in my area. It is at an actual boxing gym with a ring...I am going to try it. I hope that I don't look too blimpy with all those fit boxers.

Well that is about it for me. My back continues to feel better and food is still OK.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Oh Mickeyvoll! Hi I'm Bettyboop!:wave: I want to congratulate you on making it to your goal!!!!!! :tongue:arty: How long did it take you? You make it sound so easy!:tomato: Have a sweet day now.:gflower:

Hiya darling Mickey! Whatever will you do tonight all by your lonesome? I know you are so excited for some alone-time! Did you get back with the eating well today? I've missed reading your journal! Congrats on finally starting a new one!!! It's about time, your old one was HUGE. ha ha

We have rented three movies from our new list for the weekend:
Dances with Wolves, Dirty Harry, and Silence of the Lambs. I've seen all of them, but not with DLIP. It will be fun to see them with him. He's not good with creepy movies (he gets bad dreams, like I do!!!) so it might be a lot of fun! Good snuggling.

Thanks for being such a great and true friend thru all this mess of life!

It's been a weird day today. I got up this morning, and there was a lot of snow on the ground. I started to panic about driving to work.

Anyway, I went on my exercise bike, did 25 minutes and then had to stop. I had terrible stomach cramps like I've never had before. So I took some tablets, and eventually it went away. Mr Stubby and I ventured to work, I dropped him off and was panicking about what it was going to be like where I work. I tried ringing from my cellphone but nobody was there yet. Then my cellphone battery ran out, so I panicked some more thinking that if I slid into a ditch I wouldn't be able to let anybody know. In the meantime, lorries were going past me splashing my windscreen, which I couldn't clean because the water in the washers was frozen, so I called at a garage to get some antifreeze for the washwipes. Then I thought "I need the toilet" and I would have been crawling along, so I decided to go home, ring work, go to the toilet, find out what was happening etc (I think I probably said that in the wrong order!).

I rang work and they told me not to bother going in. I mean, lets face it, what work was there to do when I arrived. So I stayed home and played Theme Hospital. Then I checked out the window at about 11.30 am and the roads were clear, so I quickly got changed and went to work.

The workday still dragged, even though I was only there for half of it. Oh, but the good thing was, when I came home this morning, I went back on the bike and finished what I should have done this morning, and the even better thing was I managed to avoid scarfing (I LOVE that word Chum) the contents of our cupboards because I was home alone.

So that's the problem I have tonight. Mr Stubby has now gone out on a drinking spree, and I am alone in the house. I want to eat my pants.

Chum, you are correct that I am happy to have some me time! I think I'm going to watch Spinal Tap, I haven't watched that in a while. I have done very well with my eating for the past two days now. I just need to behave this weekend and then I will give myself a big pat on the back. I'm coming over to your place this weekend to watch the three films with you - I love them all! In fact I can't think of anything I would like to do more this weekend than come and see you and give you a big hug.

Nanny, I hope you don't overeat whilst babysitting. We seem to have the same problem this evening - how to stop stuffing our faces? I'm just trying to distract myself, I suppose it's easy - I have a choice, but my mind is sometimes so set on raiding the cupboards just because I'm on my own, it's a difficult pattern to change. I hope you enjoy your boxing class. It's funny because the girls at work bought me a punchbag for my birthday. You will have to talk me through some moves!

BettyBoop - hello! Nice to see you here. I took a long time to get to my goal, considering I didn't have so much to lose, it still took me about 7 or 8 months, but I did it so slowly that I didn't feel like I was missing out. I think that's one of my downfalls - I get impatient, so I had to learn to chill out and just keep plugging away. I have picked up some great habits, like drinking water - I I've stopped binge eating, which for me, is a great achievement. I just want to stay where I am now. I would be lying if I said I haven't been here before, because I have. It's just that I haven't been here for so long before. Usually I get to target weight and then it just goes straight back up - but this time I'm fighting it, and at the moment, fingers crossed, seem to be winning.

Yes...we have some of those foods here...but they are to shee shee foo foo for me!

I am a simpleton!...

heeheehee...Nice chatting tonight...hope you don't get mauled by the man!

My DIM is still sleeping...its been over 3 hours now!

Well....guess he can't complain that I have been online too long!

Have a fun weekend!

mcmarto

:balloons: :bd :rose: Here are some balloons and a rose for a belated birthday. Congraulations on making your goal that's really great.

have a great weekend! Katherine



Hi Mickey, It's great to meet you. Congraulations on making your goal. That' so wonderful.

Oh gosh I'm really sorry to hear that you were having such terrible stomach cramps. do you get these cramps alot? have you been to your doctor about them?

I'm really sorry to hear about all the trouble you had today with your car and work and everything. Is everything alright now?

Have a great weekend! Katherine

Hey Mick. So, did you watch Spinal Tap? DLIP was scared out of his wits during (and after!) Silence of the Lambs. haha And we watched Dances with Wolves last night. Of course, I am bawling my head off in the end and DLIP rolled his eyes, complaining about Kevin Costner's real-life right wing politics. Sigh. Sometimes, he is just no fun at all.

I am eating well today and am going to try a little treadmill walking (I know, I know, I was supposed to wait til Thursday). What are your health-inspiring plans for the day, my friend???

Hi Mick,

Such drama to get to work! Maybe your stomach was upset because you were worried about going out into that. Ack.

Glad that it worked out ok, though.

Did the drunken Stubby behave himself somewhat?

After the drama of Friday I didn't bother going to work today.

No seriously, I had a migraine so I've stayed off work today. I didn't want to inflict my mardiness (because of the pain in my head) onto anybody else in the office. I think I did them a favour.

I did go on the bike this morning, believe it or not, but I always get pain relief from migraines and the like on the bike. The pain stays away for about 30 minutes (which is a lot longer than it does when I take pain medication). Perhaps I should have just biked all day?

So that's me today. I probably shouldn't be on the computer because it will, undoubtedly, make me worse, but I hadn't been on DT all weekend so I thought I'd better catch up.

I have stayed within my calories today, and so I'm pleased with myself. Now, if I can just get five more days under my belt, I'm sure I will be back to the old Mickster in no time.

Hi Mc, thanks for the chat on Friday - it was fun! Mr Stubby was as quiet as a mouse when he came home, although I was awake. He behaved impeccably though. Did DiM ever wake up???

Hi Kford - thanks for the belated birthday wishes. I am over the stomach cramps now - Saturday was by far the worst day, I felt horrible, and no I don't get them very often because TOM doesn't seem to visit very regularly these days, which is a relief I can tell you. I've had two visits from TOM in the last six months, and if the pain was anything like it was this weekend, he can stay away for another six!

Hi Chum - I didn't want Spinal Tap on Friday night. I ended up watching American Idol 2 believe it or not. I know you will make fun of me for that, in fact I don't even know why I am admitting it to you. I tried to watch Spinal Tap today, but with my migraine I just dozed off twice, I ended up going to lay on the bed. I agree that Silence of the Lambs is scary, I also think that Manhunter is scary too. I'm not so sure about Hannibal, the latest one, it just didn't do it for me. I suppose it's all been done before now. I loved Dances with Wolves, whatever political disposition KC seems to have! I don't think it came through in the film, did it?

Hi Kil - Mr Stubby was well behaved. Hooray. In fact he was so badly done to, he was well behaved all day Saturday. He spent most of it asleep on the settee, whereupon I played on the computer. I'm playing Theme Hospital alot at the moment. I know it's an old game, but I just found some cheats on it, so it has renewed my interest.

Hello mickey,

thanks for all the support you offer me, it helps alot too.

I am home sick today with 2 of my kids who are sick, hopefully hubby and 3rd kid dont get it.

my stoamch is a mess and my head is pounding,coughing and so on. called doctor and they say its viral so has to work itself out.

well i am trying hard to follow your lead.

take care.

DiM never woke up that night...slept through!

He is sleeping now and he has been home all day!

Glad to hear you are eating within plan!...Hope you feel better soon!

mcmarto

I feel so bad. Here you are sick with a migraine (as I write that word I pronounce it me-graine just for you) and I haven't even wished you a fast recovery. I hope you feel better and haven't been biking for 24 hours.

Things are quiet here. My boss keeps staying home to do her computer work. It is very annoying. They were home this weekend and hogged the computer again. That is the main reason I have not been around. I will need to start waking up at 5AM so I can visit the journals....or at least i could dream about visiting them.

Have a great day. No mardiness allowed.

Andrea

PS I just watched a Documentary from Panorama called The Case Against War. Another great BBC Doc....

Oh no Mickey! Migraines again! That sucks. I hate those. Perhaps you should go to a neurologist that specializes in them. I had menstrual migraines and then saw a doctor and changed BCP and that resolved a lot. Also, when I get them, I take a medicine called Anaprox. It really helps. I couldn't exercise though, that would make them so much worse. When I get one, I can barely move. You are superwoman.

BTW, "mardiness" is a fantastic word.

Guess what? "Dirty Harry" wasn't in the envelope! It was "Magnum Force" instead. I can't believe they sent the wrong movie. Sigh. We didn't watch it. But we did watch "Monsoon Wedding," which was absolutely fabulous. You MUST rent it. It's terrific.

Hope you are feeling ok today!

How are you feeling? Are you home? Are you at work? I know you are SOMEwhere b/c you posted in my journal.

Tonight is a new episode of West Wing. I can't wait! I know, I know, it's no American Idol or Bachelorette or anything, but I like it anyway. hahah

They re-sent the Dirty Harry movie. Hopefully it will really be Dirty Harry this time. And not Dirty and Hairy Girls in Dallas or something.

Chum... There is a great title for your new TV show. Dirty and Hairy Girls in__________. or Dirty, Hairy and Desperate Girls in _________. Should we pitch it as a new sitcom???

Mick, where are you?? I hope you are OK. I read your post in Chum's journal. Very funny, so I think your brain must be functioning at a high level. I guess that means your headache is gone. Or that you can have a Meeegraine and still be clever and bright.

Okay, so I thought I'd better show up once in a while, being as all you good people keep posting on here!

I am much better today, thank you for asking. I didn't feel like going on the internet yesterday - in fact I didn't feel like doing much at all, so I just gave myself a break. I didn't exercise, I just lounged about, feeling pretty washed out and weak. But I feel much, much better now.

I ate well yesterday, under calories. I've eaten under calories today, although I consumed a little too much fat for my liking, but still, I'm in control of things at the moment, so I'm pretty pleased about that.

Considering I've been off work for the past two days, there was little for me to go back to. In fact, I was up to date by about 11.30 am this morning. Yawn.

I haven't really got anything interesting to say. I watched the Michael Jackson interview on Monday night. I think it's on in the US on Thursday or Friday, I'm not sure whether it will air in Canada, but you should watch it. It was interesting to say the least. It seems to have received mixed reactions over here, some people feel sorry for him, others think (me included) that he seriously needs medical help). If you watch it, let me know what you think.

Hi Minnie - I heard your family has gone down with a virus - I really hope you feel better soon. It's horrible being ill.

Hi Mc - you lucky thing, you! Fancy DiM sleeping all night. He must have been whacked out. What had you been doing to him??? Seriously, you know you can't get him to a Doctor about his depression, perhaps, when he is asleep you can appeal to his subconscious by way of video tapes which hypnotise him! He will never know! You will both reap the benefits. Anyway, that's just a suggestion.

Hi Nanny (twice!) - don't feel bad about not knowing I had a migraine. My powers of thought weren't so hot and I couldn't make the transmission to you via brain waves. I didn't bike yesterday, so I think I did well. I had to come off the bike five minutes early this morning because I had this weird feeling in my head, but it came to nothing and went as soon as I stopped. Nothing to worry about - don't be afraid!!! Fancy your boss taking up all your valuable computer time. She's getting to be a right kiljoy isn't she? First the car, now the computer. What a ******. Unfortunately I don't think I saw the BBC documentary called The Case Against War. I wish I had though, it would have interested me.

Unfortunately, I can be neither clever nor bright with a migraine. In fact I can't do a lot except sleep.

Hi Chum (twice) - I can't tell you how relieved I am that they sent you the right video. My goodness, Dirty Hairy Girls in Magnum Monsoon. Scary. If you watch it tonight, I hope you enjoy it. Think of me. I went to San Fransisco once. And one day, I might go again. Sigh. Oh, you won't be watching DH because you will be watching WW won't you. Silly me. When you watch DH tomorrow night, you must still think of me. I was on the bridge, in the city, in Marin. I was there.

I am not mardy today, as you already know, which is a relief to both my friends and family. They hate it when I get mardy as I am unbearable and sulky.

Hello Mickey,

yes we have undergone the nasty virus but are beating it now.
my girl went back to school today and my boy will go back tommorow and i go back to work tommorow as much as i dread it.

hope you have a good day tommorow and take care,

Hi Min - glad to see that you are getting back on your feet! Kick that virus into touch!

I had trouble getting up this morning (which is not like me). I think I disrupted my pattern by not going into work on Monday and Tuesday. It's horrible not wanting to get up. Bring on the later mornings, I'm always raring to go then. I did get up, albeit a little late, and I did a 30 minute session on the exercise bike.

I'm also a little under calories today, and I don't think I have eaten badly. I have allowed myself a jammie wagon wheel as a treat, as it is Friends and ER tonight. As advised previously, I'm not too fussed about Friends, but I LOVE ER.

Hi.

Tonight is also ER night in North America. Again I will finish work and tuck myself in bed. Anything to avoid the kitchen. It is my TOM and today I am suffering from a headache. Perhaps I caught it from you??? Anyway I will stay close to home this evening.
How far along are you with Friends and ER?

Andrea

Hi Mickey,

Why don't you like to post in your own journal sometimes?

There is a Michael Jackson interview on TV tonight. I don't know if it's the one you saw -- there seem to be a lot of them lately. But I'm planning to watch it. He fascinates me for some reason.

Are you feeling good today? Really good? Or just better?

Hi Mickey,
How are things over in the UK? I hope the weather is getting to you to much. I know the feeling that you had this morning. It's like when your week is changed for some reason, it totally makes it hard to get focused the rest of the week. I usually have no trouble getting up in the morning. It's the afternoons where I get sleepy and want to dose for a while. Today I sleep for 2 hours, but now that think about it. I did go to bed at 1:00am last night and woke up at 6:00am this morning so I guess my body needed the extra rest.

My sister got me hooked on Friends a couple years ago. Did you see the eposide when Rachel gave birth to her baby. That was a great one.

take care! Katherine

Oooohhhh...glad to see you visited your own journal!...hahahaha!

Do the hypnosis tapes really work?

Sometimes he talks in his sleep...he has said some pretty funny things!...hahahahaha!

Have a great weekend...mcmarto

It's Friday, and that's a good enough reason for me to celebrate. Actually, not only is it Friday, it's also 2.15pm in the afternoon, and I leave work today at 4.30 pm. So YIPPEE!

I have done very well the past few days and have stuck religiously to my calorie level. However today, I have ever so slightly come unstuck. I had an apple turnover. Well, it was just given to me and I could not deny myself that pleasure. However, all is not lost, I will minimise the damage by cutting down for the rest of the day.

I also did not exercise this morning. I woke up at about 3.15 am, and just realised that I have had this hacking cough and feeling roughness for a couple of weeks now, and I know I am always the first to advise people not to exercise when they are not fit, but I have not stopped, other than the odd day. But I didn't feel like it this morning. I needed my extra hour in bed. I think, if I feel okay this evening (and I do progressively feel better throughout the day), I will bike later.

Hi Nanny - I love Thursday nights because I enjoy my TV! I have to admit that I caught myself laughing a few times throughout Friends last night (The One with the Male Nanny), and I found ER to be very absorbing (The Halloween Episode). I'm sorry to hear you are tomming, I hope you get it over and done with pretty quick, and that your headache gets better soon. There's nothing worse than feeling crampy and heady all at the same time. Chum can probably attest to that.

Hi Kil - If I get posting in everybody else's journal I can sometimes run out of things to say in my own, or run out of steam and enthusiasm for my own journal, but coming here and seeing that my friends have visited always makes me smile! I hope you enjoyed the Wacko Jacko programme last night! So, do you think he is totally crazy or what??? A US reporter was on the radio last night when I drove home, having seen a preview, and she compared it to roadkill, she said you see it's bad, but you just can't help looking! I agree!

Hi KFord - I think I know what you meant about the weather! It's not so bad today, we've had a bit of sunshine. I think we are going to get Nanny's weather though, as she said in her journal the temperatures are up and it is bringing in precipitation. I think that's what's in store this weekend. By the way, I'm sleepy now, and it's 2.30 pm (it's taking me a while to type this!!!).

Hi Mc - I was reading an article about hypnosis yesterday, and I have decided you shouldn't do it. It's dangerous. The article I was reading was about stage hypnotists, and some of the people put under had then had epileptic fits, and someone even died. I take back everything I said previously. That is hilarious that he talks in his sleep. I would have to have a tape recorder handy. Mr Stubby does occasionally, but I can never tell what he says, and when he does say something startlingly funny I forget what it is when I've gone back to sleep.

I agree with chummers to go see the doctor. i have a cough and congestion to with this viral thing but maybe you need an antibiotic or something.

take care of yourself too.

enjoy the weekend.

I hope you feel better!

Apple turnovers are ok...like you said...its not the end of your plan...and no reason to overeat the rest of the day...just accomodate and fit it in!...When you do exercise....do a few extra minutes!...All is good!

I do wish I could hypnotize my DH into wanting to wash dishes...pick up after himself...and get a job!...hahahaha!

mcmarto

It's a drizzly dull Sunday here in the UK, so it looks like we'll be staying in and watching DVDs this afternoon. I'm not sure what it's going to be though.

I got up and did 50 minutes on the exercise bike this morning then 20 minutes weights, and I did them properly this time, not like the other times I've done the weights where I feel like I'm just trying them out for size!

I didn't really do much yesterday, I cleaned the house, went to the supermarket, watched The Searchers, and then last night we went out for a meal with my mum and dad and sister, as it was my dad's birthday on Friday. It was great, we all enjoyed it. My sister is flying out to Australia on Wednesday for three weeks so she came up here to dump the cat with my mum and dad - they are cheaper than putting the cat in kennels! Actually they always look after Chloe when we go away, I think Chloe quite likes it and they like having her because she is quite an affectionate cat.

So that's really all I've done this weekend. I'm having pizza (vegetarian) for lunch today, and, apart from yesterday, I've managed to stay in my calories all week. I hope this is a sign of thing to come.

My cough isn't actually so bad today, and I'm not just saying that to shut you lot up - it really isn't. I think I have turned a corner. Seriously though, if it does persist into next week, I WILL visit the doctors.

Hello Mickey,

so what dvds are you watching? we love our new dvd palyer. my hubby is like a kid with a new toy.
but it does feel like were at the movies.

about the dean koonz books the one im reading is the first from him its called intensity and its really good.
i know he wrote lots of books and i plan to check them out.

i see you do calorie counting. do you just add up the calroies you eat all day. what if you eat out and dont know the calories in something? and how do you know how many calories you should be eating to lose?

just wondering cuz i decided to try eating healthy with exercise and portion control without counting points. im trying for 2 weeks and if it doesnt work then im going back on ww or counting calories. i am trying to find what works best for me.

well any advice would be helpful.

your doing so good with all the exercise.
take care and enjoy the weekend and your movies.

Hello! Are you coughing? Are you bicycling away? Did you watch DVDs on Sunday? Did you make soft pretzels? How is Mr. Stubby doing? Are you sleeping at work? Don't they at least give you a magazine to read when you are waiting for more work to do? What are you doing? What? WHAAAT????

Mickey, PLEASE answer Chum, quick!

I hope you're feeling better, and you really should know better [-X
Take good care of yourself or you'll be ill longer. Come on, be good to yourself.

Have a cough free, relaxing day.

And don't forget to answer Chum.....PLEASE! ....LOL

Darlene :hippy:

Hey, proper weights. I'm impressed!

I do hope you are feeling better.

The cat probably prefers staying at the grandparent's house over the kennel, too. Nice that they are willing to do that.

Get better, Mick.

Hey Mickevoll!

Hope you had a good rest!

Are you still using them weights?...I went to Curves again...and walked on the treadmill...so stay on track!...If I can...you can!

mcmarto

I am slowly emerging from my flu induced coma. I feel so much better today. The fever and chills have ended. Now I can get back on track!!!

I hope you are well??

I started off typing this in Chum's journal, but then cut and paste it after I thought it had got a bit too personal to put in somebody else's journal. This if for my journal and it is the story of my diet history.

As you know, I've also read the book Wasted. I've also, to a minor extent suffered with both anorexia and bulimia, although both were self-diagnosed. I started with anorexia when I was about 27 years old, had recently changed jobs and had had an abnormal smear which required a trip to hospital for a loop diathermy. I never, ever skipped meals, I just had a very strict regimented way of eating; I would eat the same things everyday, I would eat little and often, and I would exercise like crazy. It was a horrible feeling when I look back, I felt so tired all the time, and cold - I could never, ever get warm. But when I look back this period, which actually only lasted about 9 months, I thought I had such control. I started off losing weight because I had put on quite a bit, but then there was just no point when I could stop, I just kept going. I was depressed and felt out of control, I was also bored at work. I had, and, as you know, still do have a very poor body image, and the fact that I was making myself slowly disappear made me feel better. I am also very competitive and being thinner than everybody else made me feel good. It made me feel like I was good at something, and I never thought about the consequences.

Anyway, once I had starved myself for long enough I started eating food again, which brought on binging sessions. I would come home from work, having been very controlled with my food during the day, and just binge at home. It would start with piece of cheese, and I would just eat and eat and eat, until I made myself feel really, really sick. I would then take a laxative, well actually I would take six or seven, as taking the requisite number didn't work after a week or so. I don't know how I did this now, it just seems so embarrassing, how did I ever go about my normal daily life with all this going on? The answer is I don't think I did, I was so consumed (!) with food and my weight that I didn't operate on a normal level. Nobody spotted that I had problems, not my partner, my doctor or my family.

At the beginning of last year I was still binging - I went though periods where I could lose a lot of weight (steadily) then binge and put it all back on plus some - I remember having taken some laxatives, and sitting on the toilet, with my head over the sink throwing up (the sink is next to the toilet and this is doable!) and my partner finding me. I admitted that I had a problem and promised I wouldn't ever do it again. I can't wholeheartedly say that I haven't done it again, but I haven't either binged, purged or gone without a decent amount of calories now ever since I came to diettalk, which is an achievement for me. I now consider that I am over this horrible period in my life, and in fact, recently have felt much, much happier about both myself and the direction in which my life has turned.

Anyway, now for the real entry, since I scared you all so much with the above!

Sunday was fun, we ended up watching Torn Curtain, with Julie Andrews and Paul Newman, although we both fell asleep and ended up having to watch it again later at night!

Monday, well, what can I say, Monday was work. Nothing much happened really, I was quite busy because somebody was off and so I had a few things to do, but apart from that it was the same old, same old.

Yesterday was interesting. My boss was giving a presentation at my old school, and he asked me to go along with him, which I did. It was strange, I left school about 14 or 15 years ago, and I don't think the school had been decorated since that time! It looked really scruffy and I felt a little embarrassed about it. It seems that they will be pulling the whole thing down at the end of this school year, so I'm pleased I went because I had my chance to say goodbye.

Considering I hadn't been back there for so long, I immediately knew where everything was again. Nothing had changed, apart from the fact that everything was jaded and tired looking. I didn't see any of my old teachers (it was lunchtime when I arrived so I guess they were all in the staff room having lunch) which I was a little disappointed about, but as I said, I was pleased that I went back and saw it all, through adult eyes.

Diet is going okay, I haven't had any particular slip ups in the past week or so now. I've been exercising again this week, although it's been a bit of a wrench to get out of bed in the mornings. I was so tired yesterday when I got back from school (!) that I just didn't feel like doing anything, and in fact I ended up having an afternoon snooze. I went to bed early too, but for some reason couldn't switch off from the day's events.

Tonight I am coming back to work later because there is a leaving do to attend, Mr Stubby will be accompanying me. There is to be a buffet, so I will try not to be too hungry when I come back because a buffet is always difficult for me to resist and I don't need to make it more so by being overly hungry.

So that's you lot all up to date on my comings and goings of the last few days.

Chum and Minnie, I will have to come back to you - I know you wrote a message in my journal but it's on the other page, and I want to answer you both properly - so bear with me!

Fleurange - Hi! - I'm not feeling so bad now, I just have the occasional cough and that's it at the moment. I am tired now though, I feel the urge to sleep (I am at my desk at work so I can't really - it would look a bit bad!).

Kil - I think the cat would agree she would rather stay at my mum's! Yes, I am pleased that I did the weights properly. I really think I need to get back to the gym and use the weight machines there though, I think they would improve my 'style'! I did enjoy using the free weights though.

Mc - If you stay on track then I will. I warn you, if you deviate then I will too. That is a lot of pressure for you - are you sure you can cope with it? I may use my weights again tomorrow night, I think I have given my body sufficient rest between sessions!

Nanny - I just checked out your journal, I hope you are feeling better today. I can't wait until summer gets here and the warmer weather, I hate all these colds and flu's that keep hanging around. I hope you get back on track today!

Hi Minnie (see, I told you I WOULD get back to you!) - we have got a lot of DVDs. They soon start adding up! We actually haven't bought so many lately, as we are tightening the money belt to save up for our wedding and trip to Disney World next May. We watch all sorts though. I love being able to watch documentaries about how the films were made, and to be able to watch the film whilst listening to the directors/actors talking about what went on during the filming. It's fun!

With regard to your question about calories and what do I do if I go out and I don't know what I've eaten (caloriewise!). I tend to just guess, it's better than not putting anything down. I suppose it's no different than not knowing the points of a food if you go out for a meal. The hard thing for me is that I use a programme called Dietpower, which is an American programme, so sometimes it doesn't have the great British meals on there. That particular programme lets you make a recipe by the ingredients and so it's helpful in that respect for me.

Hi Chum - I have pretty much stopped coughing apart from the occasional belter. I have biked everyday this week, although it was hard for me to get up yesterday and today for some reason. I need more sleep. We watched Torn Curtain on Sunday (see above!) and I didn't make any soft pretzels. I think I will make them this weekend, to be honest because we went out on Saturday night, I had to compensate by cutting back on Sunday, so I thought pretzels might not be such a good idea.

Mr Stubby is fine, in a good mood at the moment. He doesn't often get down, it just seemed to be this weekend he was a bit moody.

I don't get a magazine to read whilst I am waiting for work. There wouldn't be enough magazines in the world to keep me going!

What are YOU doing?

Hello mickey,

i am going to PM CJ to figure out my calories on her calculator.

i am sorry you struggled with an eating disorder but your not alone cuz i think we all do in some ways.
for me i also binge but dont purge or use laxatives so i gain instead but it still is a disorder.
i realized i had this after coming on here and soul searching and writing things down so now that i accept it i am working on correcting it.
some days are so hard though.
i will admit that i have tried to purge before but couldnt do it.
physically it wouldnt come back up so i stopped trying but i got desperate. i confessed to my hubby who supported me totally.

i know each day is a new day and try to do the best i can.
some days i am a maniac with exercise too like i have some control with things if i exercise enough. the overeating has filled voids in my life but i know that it was destroying my health with the yo-yoing.
so now i am trying hard to build a healthier me.

DT is so great cuz you never judged. i know i can say anything here that i just cant say anywhere else, all my secrets and confessions with food.

your doing so well and should be proud at how far you come.

talk to you later.
take care, have a nice day and make it count. you are one special woman, i hope you know that.

Isn't strange how weight can turn the most intelligent person from their usual rational behaviour. It sounds as though you are very self aware. Aren't we all when we look back. I hope you have it all sussed out. Do you think that there are times when you replace the laxatives and throwing up with exercise? People don't judge you if you run 90 minutes a day.... I have a friend that was diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia. She seems to be doing much better but there are days that she will go to the gym twice. Exercise is her new way to stay in control. It sounds healthier (I am sure it is) but she has such low body fat that she no longer has periods. One would think that she is in training for some sort of elite sporting event. I am in no way implying you do this. It is just a comment I put out there. Frankly it is none of my business. As Minnie said no one is here to judge. I just worry too much when I hear stories like yours.

Please just tell me to feck off.

I hope you had a good weekend.

Andrea

PS In case I offended anyone by saying Feck.... sorry. I should double check with MV but I am sure it is quite a common Irish curse word that isn't the same as *****. There are no sexual overtones to the word feck. I once heard a priest use it so it must be OK....

I can see why that Wasted book has freaked Chum out so.

I am so impressed that you were able to overcome these eating disorders and now have yourself on a sane exercise/eating program. Very impressed.

And you look great. I've seen you picture. You look great! You are doing it right.

Those software programs tend not to have what I eat, either, even though I live in America. Honestly, I can't think of anyone who eats just the foods that are in that program. No doubt that's why they put in that recipe feature.

How are the wedding plans coming along?

Why is it I never feel refreshed on a Monday morning? I always feel like I could do with another few days off? Particularly when I come to work and it's very quiet, I think about all the things I could be doing at home.

I went to the gym yesterday. I first went about 18 months ago for a couple of months, then about this time last year I went back, again for a month or so, and now I'm there again. I am bored with my exercise bike, which periodically happens to me. I have been using it for the past 4 or 5 years, so obviously I am going to get fed up of it from time to time. Anyway, I went to the gym yesterday, as I said, and felt really good when I came home. It was nice to get out the house and do something different. I did cardio, weight machines and also 10 minutes abdominals and today I'm feeling it all over!

We had a good weekend. On Friday night, Mr Stubby went and fetched three DVDs - About a Boy, Minority Report and The Bourne Identity. We watched About a Boy on Friday, Minority Report on Saturday and The Bourne Identity yesterday, and we thoroughly enjoyed all three. I have to confess though, that I did fall asleep in both Minority Report and Bourne Identity - but not for long though!

We had a chinese meal on Friday night - chicken with cashew nuts, roast duck cantonese style and fried chicken in garlic and chili, we also had fried rice, fries, spring rolls and prawn crackers and a bottle of wine (which I pretty much had to myself!). Mr Stubby fell asleep early though, so he went off to bed, whilst I fiddled about with the computer and watched TV.

On Saturday we went to one of our local towns. I got some new trainers, a pair of black pants for slobbing around the house in, three books, three DVDs some socks and some fish. We had lunch out, then came home watched Minority Report and then I went on the exercise bike for 45 minutes. My first time since Wednesday! Mr Stubby went out on a stag night (batchelor party?) and so I had the house to myself. I just watched TV and played on the computer a bit, then went to bed.

Yesterday, as you already know, I went to the gym, then I had breakfast, went to the supermarket, then lunch, Bourne Identity, take DVDs back, tea and that was it really. It was a fairly lazy day. Mr Stubby cooked some of the fish we bought on Saturday - we had seabass and he roasted it with olive oil and we also had baby new potatoes, carrots and broccoli - it was delicious. We are really getting into eating a lot of fish at the moment.

Minnie - You really are so sweet! You are pretty special yourself - you know that though, right?

Nanny - as far as I know feck is not a bad word! Thanks for what you said. You are right, I have used exercise in the past as a way to purge, but I don't think I do that anymore. I know I can be compulsive about exercise - I fret if I don't do it - but I eat quite a lot more than I did way back then. I also get quite concerned if I know I've not eaten enough and wouldn't want to do my metabolism any more harm.

Kil - Thanks for your support and for telling me that I am doing sane things! I don't think I could go back to how I was, and I'm not at all sure why it happened.

The wedding plans, well, they are not really coming on at all. I did spend a bit of time last week considering what I wanted. I did want to get married in Florida, but now I think I want to get married over here and then come to Florida with Messrs Stubby for the honeymoon. Basically, my gran, as you know, is 93 and also Mr Stubby's mum and dad won't fly either. I know it's nothing to do with them how we do it, but I would like them to be there. I would feel strange marrying Mr Stubby without his parent's there - they might not believe we are married for starters! So although no plans are definite as yet, I am becoming more aware of what I want to do and when I want to do it. I'm thinking probably either late April or early May next year.

I hope everybody has a great day. I promise I will try and come here more often, then I won't have to write such long, rambly posts!

I like long and rambling.

You sound perfectly healthy to me. Your food intake has always seemed balanced and your weight as been quite steady. I hold out hope that in time I will get there.

I quite liked About A Boy. I think Nick Hornby books make good movies. They are light without being too light....I am not sure if that really makes sense. I also enjoyed the Bourne Identity. I was happy to see the lead actress.... she was the cool chick from Run Lola Run. Not your typical Matt Damon co-star.

I am almost late for work. I have 10 minutes Yikes!

Nanny

Thank you - thank you! The lead actress in TBI - I knew I knew her from somewhere! I didn't realise it was "Lola". I wonder if Mr Stubby knew - he really enjoyed that film.

Hello Mickey,

sounds like you had a good weekend and are like us renting the dvd's
for my hubby this new sound surround is like a new toy.
when he grew up he didnt even have cable. only 3 local channels so this is all wonderful for him.
the kids love it too and hardly watch the regular tv cuz they like the sound surround this has. so my house always sounds like were at the movies.

we got lots of snow here and its still falling. we got a foot so far and its morning yet/ suppose to snow all day.

well take care and talk to you soon. good job on going to the gym too.

Hey Swizzle!

Thanks for sharing your story with us!...I am so happy that you have been able to slowly but surely heal from you experiences!

I hope you have an exciting week at work!

Your weekend sounded great!...

So you are getting married this April or May?...of 2003!!!

Fun!...Have you ever been to Florida?...or anywhere in the US?

mcmarto

Hi Mickey,
I know just what you mean about Monday mornings. On Sundays I like to take it easy and just rest. Then on Monday mornings I feel like I have to do some kind of work. today I was going to wash my clothes, but I just started at 7:30pm. Oh well at least I was produtive in the evening.

That's great that you went back to the gym. I'm really inspried to hear that. What kind of exercise bike do you have? My mom was thinking about gettng one. I like recrumbrent bikes. I'm not sure of the spelling, but there the kind of bikes that have the low seats, and they have a high back so you get back support. Right now I'm working out with viedos and doing weight training.

that dinner you had on Saturday night sounded really good, and healthy too. What kind of fish do you like? Salmon is my favorite fish. I also like canned tuna fish. Do you guys have canned tuna fish over in the UK? I want to get use to some other kinds of fish, but I have no idea what kinds I'll like.

have a great day! Katherine

It's another cold and frosty day today, but it does look lovely outside, blue skies etc. I wish it was spring.

I had a quiet day yesterday, nothing much doing at work at the moment, so when I got home I was tired, having not engaged my brain very much. We had potato wedges and salmon quarter pounders with salad for tea last night, only I had to do some pasta because the potato wedges I bought weren't enough to feed one of us, let alone two! Mr Stubby has a huge appetite, in fact, sometimes I think the more I feed him, the more he wants!

We just watched TV last night, the film Circle of Friends was on, so we watched that and I actually quite enjoyed it. I suppose, given the day I had, it was a nice, gentle soothing film to round off the day.

This morning I had a lie in as I am planning to go to the gym tonight. I'm looking forward to it. I've got all my stuff laid out ready for when I get home, so I can get changed and shoot off. I've got Mr Stubby lined up with what he's doing for his tea, which makes me feel less guilty for leaving him. Although, why should I feel guilty? I mean, he is quite capable of fending for himself - he was before he met me after all. I just baby him far too much sometimes! I know I know, you don't have to tell me!

The thing is, all these guilty feelings about leaving him are all in my head, he's not bothered at all, in fact I think he's sometimes pleased to have a bit of time free at home on his own. I know I am. I just need to rationalise my thinking a little bit sometimes.

Minnie - I pity our poor neighbour! Our house is semi-detached and when we are watching movies we have our surround sound speakers on LOUD! It's alright on some movies, but stuff like Terminator 2 (Mr Stubby loves putting the system through it's paces on this particular film!) gets really loud! Our neighbour never complains though - I think he works funny hours so doesn't tend to sleep at night.

Hey Mc! - I am trying to have an exciting week at work but, as usual, it just isn't happening! We are getting married April/May 2004 (hopefully), although I suppose as nothing is fixed at the moment and we have been together for nearly 7 years so a few more years probably won't make that much difference. Come to think of it why are we getting married? Thinking about it it seems a bit daft really!

Hi Katherine! Monday morning's feeling is now spreading into Tuesdays! I'm the opposite of you I suppose, I start out well, but when I get home from work I just do nothing! I had in mind to do the hoovering last night, but it just didn't happen, and tonight I'm at the gym, tomorrow night at mum and dad's for tea, so the carpets will stay hairy (from the cat!) until Thursday. I'm such a scruff bag. As for exercise bikes, mine's an upright bike, although I like to go on the recumbent bike in the gym, in fact I would go so far as to say I prefer the recumbent bike at the gym. I tend to read books or magazines whilst I'm biking, so I think either bike would bode well for that! I have found that my back tends to bruise a little on the recumbent bike though, but that's because I wear a heart rate monitor - it could be other equipment that's causing that as well though. We do have canned fish here, we have canned mackerel, tuna, salmon, crab, anchovies, actually pretty much any fish in a can! I prefer the taste of fresh fish I think, but the easiness of canned fish far outweights the disadvantages with taste!

Have a great day everybody!

Hello Mickey,

boy are we alike. i feel guilty sometimes leaving my man to go do things i want to do but most times he likes it so he has the house alone and quiet.
my mom was always the same way revolving all her plans around my dad and she still does. i dont want to be like that either,.
our men can survive when were busy. like you said they did it before us.
or maybe there mommies did it for them. LOL

have a good day and stay warm.

I had a huge crush on Chris O'Donnell. I loved that movie because of him. I hate Saffron Burrows. She is married to Mike Figgis and is way too pretty. I think so anyway. That was a bit of a break out role for Allan Cummings... at least I think it was. Perhaps he was famous in Scotland or England before that.

If I could have a quarter for every-time I said "I had/have a huge crush on _________" I would have lots of money for public transportation.

MMMM...Look at what I've been missing now. Hairy carpets. Tinned fishey. MMMMMMM

ACK.

BTW, don't listen to Nanny. She has a crush on damn near every man alive. I think she needs to get laid.

Hey girlfriend! How was the gym????? I am delighted that you are doing something to jump start your routine! I know you've been quite bored with the cycling. It is hard for a lot of people in the winter to get motivated, so I think the gym sounds like fun!

And Mr. Stubby will just have to miss you. Perhaps your small cat will keep him company. Or perhaps he will order in a pizza and ignore the healthy tea you prepared, whilst watching a disgusting Arnold Schwartzenneger film or something. ha!

Can't wait to see how it went.

Hey girl!...

I dated my DH for a little over 8 years before we got married...he is still wondering why we did (jerk)...In his words..."Why ruin a good thing?"...Gee...no wonder I eat to console myself!

But not anymore!...Hope you had a good time at the gym!

mcmarto

Poor Mcmarto. Girl, we need to get your man's blinders off! He is a lucky guy. Hope you remind him.

Hello, sweet Mickey. How are things going today? Did you go to the doctor about your cough? Is tonight your tea with the parental units?

We watched The Exorcist last night. (Yes it is on our new list.) I dreamed about it all night. Ack. I remember when I was in elementary school and my best friend got her older brother to take her to see it. We were all so jealous...now I wonder why? I suppose it was because we weren't allowed to see it ourselves. Some things never change.

Hi Mick. I am going to the wedding of two people who have lived together for 18 years. I have no idea why they decided to marry after all this time.

Exorcist, ack.

I'm at my mum and dad's for tea tonight (as Chum rightly guessed!), and their computer is really slow, so I will try I am being brief.

I have been REALLY REALLY busy today at work! Basically, two of my colleagues are away and I did their work! Although there was another 'colleague' there (who did not offer her help in any way, shape or form and left at 2.30 pm for a planned hospital appointment). So I'm quite tired, I didn't get a chance to get on the internet until now, so I will try and catch up tomorrow.

I did go to the gym last night. I really enjoyed it. The only thing I was a bit miffed about was that I wanted to go on the weight machines and as usual there was a bunch of blokes in that area, just hanging around. I'm afraid I feel rather vulnerable in those situations, so I didn't get a chance to do the weights. The good thing was that on my way out of the gym, I saw my uncle, who works there. I had a moan to him about these blokes and he said that there was a really good new class I could take that was just weights. That's tomorrow night, so I will probably go. He says it's only little weights, but I suppose little weights is better than no weights, and I assume that it will just be a class of women. I will let you know how I get on, if I go.

Hello Mickey,

well i hope your class with the weights goes well. i too would feel vulnerable at the gym especially being overweight i feel self concious too.
i like to do my exercises in private.
over the summer when i went for walks i felt awkward at first until i thought the heck with everyone else and i was doing it for myself so then it got easier.

i had a long,hard day at wor too and am starting to get tired.

hope you have an easier day tommorow and take care.

{{{{{MICKEY}}}}} That's great that you went to the gym. I know how you feel about having to use weight machines infront of a lot of people. I use to belong to a gym, and I always got real nervous around other people.

I finally stopped going to the gym because I actually prefer to workout at home by myself. When I woke out with Richard Simmons viedos I like to talk back to the screen, and yell at him. I know it's strange, but i don't mind.

take care ~ Katherine

Go...go...go!

Get your butt to that new class!

Glad to read you are busy at work!...Have a great Thursday!

mcmarto

Hey girlfriend! Way to go on getting to the gym. I am always intimidated by the guys hanging around the weights, too. The buff women I'm not too worried about, b/c they are usually working their asses off and know how hard it is. But the men just stare and hog stuff. I hate it. I wonder sometimes if they are more self-conscious than the women, b/c they are always staring at themselves in the mirror, flexing and such and are always looking around to see if anyone is watching them. Pffft. You just have to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and go there like you own the place. Though the class sounds fun too. I think probably heavier weights will get you faster results, though. Ask Kilogo, she knows more than I.

How was tea at your folks? Deeeelicious? How is your cough? Did you see a doctor yet?

I'm so glad you had a busy day at work for a change. Woohoo!

Did someone ask me?

Light weights are ineffective for anything but a warmup. You must push your muscles to see progress and improvement.

But if you're new to lifting weights, starting out light is wise. You'll learn proper form and good exercises to use while you move up to heavier weights.

I've never experienced men staring or hogging weights. Could be just me in that I don't pay much attention to the people around me in a gym, anyway. Or it could be a perception thing. The mirrors are in the gym so that you can see yourself doing the exercise and make sure you are using proper form. You flex to see if your muscles are growing and to look for areas that need improvement. It looks like preening, but it's really not. At least not with 95% of the weightlifters in the world.

Actually, I find that if you are serious about lifting weights and are not there to just screw around, if you are considerate of your fellow lifters (don't cut in on them in between sets, for instance), and you don't waste their time with cutesy flirting or giggling or girly gossiping, they respect you and you will feel like you belong there. If a guy comes up to you and flirts or giggles or otherwise wastes your time, he is completely out of line and doesn't belong in the gym, either.

Oh wait, you didn't really ask me. Oh well. I think a class will make you feel more comfortable, Mickey, and it should be fun, too.

What is going on?

Still swamped with work?

OR...did you fall off the machine...hitting your head...and now you are in the hospital without a memory of DT???

mcmarto

I came here on Friday and typed a really, really long entry - and when I came to submit the connection went down (I was at work at the time) and it never came back up all day. I was so annoyed and I found it hard to summon up the strength to go through it all again. Anyway, I had copied it and pasted it onto a word file, so I will reproduce it here:

"My legs are stiff today, as well asmy arms, and I think my back is beggining to feel stiff. It wasn't a light weight workout after all!.

Body Pump was great. You each get a barbell and there are different types of weights you can add to it. Ther eare light weights (about 2lb each, I think), medium weights (5lb?) and heavy weights (I'm not sure what they were because I didn't touch them!!!). Basically, you can use whatever weights you want to use - I warmed up with the light weights, and for legwork I used a medium weight and a light weight. I reached 'muscle failure' every single exercise we did, so I think it was a great workout for me. The good thing is that as I progress I can just add more weights and keep going.

We started out with a warm-up, then the teacher had us down squats - well, I felt like I was going to throw up about half-way through the exercises - my legs were wobbling and I could only just maintain my form. I did my best though because I don't want to make my posture worse by using bad form - which kind of defeats the object.

Whilst I was at the gym, Mr Stubby received a telephone call from the gym (which sent him into mild panic mode initially - I think he thought something had happened to me!). Anyway, they said that I had won a seven day pass in a raffle which I had entered when I joined the previous Sunday, so I've got to call in on Monday to see what that's all about. I think it's the first time I've ever won anything in my life!

I'm not so busy today, I'm pretty much up to date with my work already.

I've been eating pretty well this week too. I've decided that I am totally happy with the weight I'm at, and I'm not going to lose any more. I just need to firm and tone, so I'm on track at the moment.

We are going down to see Miss Stubby tomorrow, so I will be away all day. It's a long day, we set off at 7.30 am, and arrive at Miss Stubby's house at 10.00 am. Then we usually drive somewhere - tomorrow I think we are going to the cinema as Miss Stubby is not very well and doesn't need to be running about. We will then drop her off at home at 5.00 pm and drive home ourselves, probably getting home around 7.30 pm, to 8.00 pm, depending on whether we stop for tea or not.

Mc -I'm here - I've been very busy for the last few days, but that is great for me - I love being busy at work. It's being busy at home that annoys me! I want to do my own thing at home, not clear up after myself! I did nearly collapse with the leg wobbling thing at the gym yesterday - but managed to stay upright. I must have looked a bit of a dork at times because at the end of the class we were doing some lunges and I could hardly move - I just stood there and went through the motions a little bit.

Kil - I think you would have enjoyed the class. You could have used heavy weights. Because of the way the class works, in that you do repetitions to music, you get a fairly good aerobic workout as well. It's supposed to be one of the quickes ways to tone up because of that.

The blokes on the weight machines are really just gossiping. They are there to show off to each other. There are no mirrors in the gym so we can't look at our form, but really, they are just sat lounging on the machines, chatting. I mean, five people stodd around one machine can't all be using it can they? I need you to come over here and kick their butts about this - show them what they are supposed to be doing - interested?

Chum - Firstly, my cough has miraculously disappeared, apart from the odd chortle. I think I must have been in the last throes of it last week, just getting it out of my system. Mr Stubby's cough is pretty bad though, if he doesn't get any better I will make him go to the doctors.

I agree with what you say about using the weight machines, and I went to the gym already prepared to do that on Tuesday night. I would have done it too if there had only been a couple of blokes round there, but there was quite a crowd. I think once I've been going a bit longer and we recognise each other I will feel more confident about booting them off the machines. Perhaps I can join them in their chat.

I only saw The Exorcist for the first time about 3 years ago. I watched it one afternoon when Mr Stubby was out doing a photography job. I had to turn it off because I was too scared to watch it on my own! Now I could probably watch it over and over, it doesn't bother me anymore. I enjoyed it though.

Katherine - I like to work out at home too. I think I'm going to get myself some new fitness videos. I just got bored with doing the same thing all the time - ie my exercise bike. This going to the gym business is motivating me in all sorts of ways though.

Minnie - I'm shy! I like to do my exercises in private too. I have been to the gym a couple of times in the last few years, and it's only lately that I've got up the nerve to keep going (Okay so I've only been a few times!), but I would never have gone to a class before, so my confidence must be building somewhat! "

Anyway, that's what I typed on Friday.

This is what's happened this weekend:

Miss Stubby was sick all night on Friday night, so we didn't go down to see her this weekend. We didn't do a lot yesterday actually, it was a pretty lazy day for me.

This morning I got up early and went to the gym. I really enjoyed it (again!) - basically there were only a couple of people there, so I did an aerobics circuit, and then moved on to the weight machines. I was on my own there, so I took my time an did all the machines properly. The only one I couldn't do was the pec-fly machine (I didn't put any weights on and I still couldn't move the damn thing!). So I was pleased. Give me a couple more Sundays so I know how to use the machines with my eyes shut, and I won't feel self conscious doing it infront of the blokes!

We watched To Kill a Mockingbird this afternoon, and I managed to fall asleep twice! I need to watch it again now.

I'm making some French Country Bread at the moment, in my bread machine, so I'll tell you how that comes out.

Hey Mickey!

Glad to hear from you!!!...You have been so busy!...Glad to hear that you are happy at your weight!...Just think with all this exercising and toning you may still lose a few...you will definitely lose inches!

I wish I could take that class with you...hahaha!

Have a fun Sunday!

mcmarto

How can you fall asleep in To Kill a Mockingbird? Ack. Too much bread. That is the suspected culprit. The evil bread machine. Perhaps if you lift it over your head 15 times, you can say you exercised.

You really are quite consistent with the exercise, Mickey. I think that will be the key for maintenance for you. Don't you? You've built quite a habit. I'm thrilled that your new gym experience has you pumped. Oh no. Yet another Chum Pun.

Well, it's been another very slow day here at work. Nothing much happening.

I've got nothing to report other than I did 30 mins on the exercise bike this morning and have eaten okay so far. As I said, I made some French Country Bread yesterday, so I think we are going to have pasta tonight with it. Yummy!

Mc, I'm actually getting quite excited about measuring up on Saturday, although, I do feel a little bit bloated at the moment - I had an Indian meal yesterday and I think that it contained about a tonne of salt! I wish you could take the exercise class with me - it would be fun!

Chum, thanks for your puns! I think I have probably built in the habit of exercise, and at the moment I'm so excited to by trying out new stuff - it's not like me at all. I think I must have spaced myself out eating too much indian food yesterday - although I did wake up pretty early so that I could eat before I went to the gym! I don't think I could get the breadmachine over my head once, let alone 15 times, but I'll give it a whirl tonight. Do I unplug it before I do the exercises or not?

Hi Mickey,

That sounds like a great workout. Good for you! I'd be happy to come over and kick the gossiping blokes around. You're supposed to do that at the pub, boys. Not in the gym!

Hooray on the free pass, too. That's a nice surprise.

How did the bread turn out?

Hello mickey,

great job on all the exercise, wish i could say the same.
i better get my butt in gear. you are doing so well.

take care.

:lift: :super: :lift: :super: :lift:

Did you get so bored you fell into a coma?

Or are you too busy working out?...Ok...its late now...you are sleeping...get back to me tomorrow!...hahahaha!

mcmarto

I am here, it's just that I don't have a lot to say at the moment.

Things remain the same - I am eating fairly well, I am exercising consistently (I am using my free voucher for the gym this week!).

That's it really. What else can I say?

The bread turned out fabulously and we ate it on Monday night and had it for our sandwiches yesterday! I highly recommend buying a breadmachine, you can't beat the taste and smell of fresh bread - or perhaps that is a bad idea!

Oh, and I did some yoga yesterday morning - my muscles are sore today!

I'm going to the gym tonight and might do the Hi-Lo Cardio class (I will tell you what that is as soon as I know what it is!), and tomorrow night I am booked in for Body Pump again. Expect a sore and stiff Mickey on Friday!

Could you explain how a roundabout works for me? I've never been able to figure that out.

Say you have two lanes going into it. The outer one has to exit at the very next outlet and the inner one can go out the second or third? At what point can you change lanes?

This really baffles me. And I'd like to know how they work. Please!

Who cares about a roundabout? Haven't you ever been to DC, Kill? Or New England? They are everywhere there. In fact there is one right in front of my apartment. But a humongous one.

Pfffft.

Little weight-lifting Mickey. How was your class? Are you making pretzels for little Miss Stubby this weekend? Perhaps you could make them with cinnamon sugar for her.

Just saying hello.

Hello.

Hello Mickey,

great job on all the exercise and winning the free gym pass. i dont win much stuff either. so congrats.....

i am also glad you are at your desired wt. i will look to you one day for the key to maintaining since your doing so well at it.

i too am like you and get bored with the same exercise. as of now i use weights,ride gthe bike, and do cunches. well today i bought walking off the pounds so going to be trying that out tommorow to break the boredom. down the road i want a treadmill and a gazelle and i will be all set with what i need.

a little at a time.....

take care ane enjoy the weekend.

A bread machine for me would probably = about 15 pounds...of weight gain...hahaha!

So I will pass on it...but maybe later this year!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

mcmarto

OMG, Mcmarto, you are hysterical!!!!!

Hello, Mickey. I'm thinking about you, too! Wondering about your gym visits. Your ciabatta sandwiches and WW muffins. Your weekend. The films you've watched recently. What treats Ms. Clampet adores these days and whether or not she has peed again on your bed? So many questions. Too much time on my hands. ha! Miss you!!!!!

Hello Mickey,

Hope things are going well for you. Just wanted to drop in and say hello and that im thinking of you.

take care and talk to you soon.

I'm back after my little hiatus.

I'm okay, just got a little bogged down with work and gym and stuff and no spare time!

I have gone to the gym everyday for a week, except Sunday, because we went down to see Mr Stubby's daughter, and the gym wasn't open when we got back. I have really enjoyed it, and I am going to give myself a few more weeks of it and then perhaps join it properly, instead of paying for every session I have. The way I feel at the moment is very motivated about exercise, so unless things change, that's the direction I'm headed at the moment.

Eating has been, well, it's been okay I suppose. This morning I've not done very well though! I've already had a butter and sultana scone, and yes it is as fattening as it sounds, together with a piece of fruit cake. Oh well, I'll work it off tomorrow - I intend to do a session on the bike in the morning, and then I'm booked into Body Pump again at night.

I went to Body Pump last Thursday night and I wasn't quite as stiff on Friday/Saturday as I had been the following week. I used heavier weights as well! Nearly killed my legs!

The other night at the gym there was a bloke on the treadmill near me and all of a sudden I saw him crawling across the floor. People were laughing to begin with, thinking the same as I was, that he had just lost rhythm on the machine and fallen off it, but it was more serious than that. The instructors got him to the front of the gym and gave him some water. Then he collapsed and an ambulance was called. When the ambulance people got to the gym they sat him up whereupon he started throwing up in the bin. It was horrible and it really scared me. I think the problem must have been he had over-exerted himself and perhaps not had enough to eat. That slowed me right down - things like that always do. I hate seeing people being sick. Anyway, yesterday I made sure I had eaten loads before I went to the gym (although I didn't eat for a couple of hours before I went - I didn't want to make myself sick that way either!).

Kilogo - I'm not sure how a roundabout works myself! It just does, I suppose everybody's going in the right direction, and if you are in the correct lane it just works for some reason!

Chum - I still haven't made those pretzels. Perhaps this weekend will be THE weekend. Mr Stubby is working on a photography job on Saturday (he is out drinking on Friday night so it should be a treat for him to be working with a hangover on Saturday!).

Minnie - I never win anything either - the gym rang me again last night, and I though yippee I've won another prize - but no, they were just wanting me to join the gym proper! I will join when I know I can commit myself to it and that's that. I was at my desired weight, until I got on the scales on Monday morning. It would appear that I put 4lb on over the weekend! That was until I remembered that although I had eaten pizza, fries, KFC and cheese and biscuits, I had also eaten a small bag full of salted popcorn at the cinema on Sunday! I was totally holding my water! The other thing is, TOM came to visit me last night. It's all starting to make sense now!

I hope you are enjoying your videos!

Mc - I'm doing okay with the breadmaker - I love bread (as you probably know!), but I only tend to make a loaf at the weekend, and freeze what I don't eat! I really enjoy everything about breadmaking and eating bread!

Chum - you are so sweet! We haven't really watched much in the way of films lately, we watched The Heartbreakers on Saturday night, just off the satelite TV, and I really enjoyed it.

I bought a stack of books on Sunday - I can't remember their names, but I will try to - I certainly don't remember the authors:

The Bodies
The Rice Mother
and another one I can't remember at all!
At the moment I'm reading White Oleander, which I am enjoying a lot.

I didn't bake at the weekend - I didn't have any time. It's been so hectic lately, like you wouldn't believe. Mr Stubby's mother and father are down here again, staying with his aunt and uncle, but I just keep expecting them to be round at our house when I get home. They were around on Monday, which really p*ssed me off big time. I have a feeling they will come round tonight, seeing as they didn't yesterday. Well, it's tough luck because we're going round to my mum and dad's. Crumbs, they are really winding me up today.

Oh, and I'm going out for lunch today with my workmate. I probably ought to have something sensible being as I broke all mid-morning snack records this morning, but heck, I'll see how I feel.

Miss Clampett hasn't had any treats lately. She's off my treats, but a special friend sent her some in the post recently, which she ate with relish! They must have been magic treats! She hasn't peed on the bed lately, but she keeps missing her litter tray - dang cat.

Minnie - thanks for stopping by. You are a wonderful friend!

Hey Mickeyvoll

So glad to read you are exercising!...Oh...and liking it!

hahaha...Keep up the good work...you will be solid in a few months!

With all that working out you deserve that scone...mcmarto

Hello. Where are you my friend? What are you up to? What did you do this weekend? Did you finally make your pretzels? I just finished watching Blow. What a great film. Have you seen it? If not, I'd highly recommend it. Disturbing though. I finished reading The Lovely Bones. Great book. Disturbing though. (Hey, do you see a pattern here???) I've started reading the contemporary African short stories book DLIP got me for Christmas. I think I might also start a second book tomorrow too. Sometimes I get in the mood to read two at once, especially if one is a downer. Have you been going to the gym still or were you frightened away by the raging barfing man??? I hope you ahve a busy week again this week! I know you are grateful for all the hustle and bustle at your job.

Hello Mickey,

Glad you have been motivated in the exercise dept. i have been too and am enjoying it and it feels good to have control again.
that would be scary about what happened to the guy at the gym.
he was probably pushing himself too hard. hope hes ok.

i got more dvds this weekend. got the kids master of dusguise. they liked it i thought it to be totally stupid. i rented Trapped with kevin bacon and that was excellent and i rented 1 hr photo which i liked but wasnt thrilled over.

hope you have a great day and take care.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

ooochie...coochie...lalalalalala!

mc

Pfft. No, I have not been to DC or the New England. There are no roundabouts here or anywhere I've ever lived. I encountered a few, huge ones, in Canada. At each one there were big signs leading up to them warning, DANGER! ENTERING HIGH ACCIDENT AREA! KNOW ROUNDABOUT RULES! PROCEED WITH CAUTION! Every time I entered these intersections I thought I knew the rules but every time I got honked at. Obviously, I was doing something wrong.

But I shall seek an answer to this question elsewhere.

Nice to hear that you're busy, Mickey. And having a good time at the gym. That's horrible about that guy getting sick, though. I wonder what happend to him?

Hello.
Hi.
Howdy.
Good afternoon.
HellOOO THERE.

Uh huh.

I was here this morning to post and couldn't find your journal. Very strange!!!

I hope you are well.

Andrea

How many bodybuilders does it take to change a lightbulb???
>
>
>
>
>
>
Two........One to change the lightbulb and the other one to watch and say "Man your looking pretty buff!"

hahahaha...mcmarto

:hug:

Hey girl...where are you at?

Hope all is well...I need you to come read my joke!...OR did it scare you off???

hahaha...mcmarto

:wn :wn :wave: :wave: :hug:

I suppose I'd better put in an appearance!

I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately. I've just not felt much like journalling. Even if I haven't put an entry in your journal, I have been thinking about you all!

In diet news, I have been to the gym, although haven't been very often in the past week. I went last night, and this morning I hopped on the exercise bike, which was probably a good thing being as I've been to Birmingham today, to deliver a package for work, and me and the driver called at Burger King where we both larged it up with Chicken Whopper meals. Bad Mickey.

I'm at my mum and dad's tonight so I better tell her I don't want any tea, and perhaps offer to go for a walk after they've eaten, but you can bet you're life my mum will have cooked one of my favourites and I will give in weakly, and probably then go to my grandma's and stuff myself with cake.

But no, I'm stronger than that. Heh.

Tomorrow, I'm hopefully going to be getting up early and getting some intervals in on the bike, then in the evening, fingers crossed, I will be going to Body Pump, which reminds me I'd better ring up and book a place!

I can't tell you how happy it makes me that you've all been checking in on me. I can't promise that my vigour for journalling has returned, but I think I need to make a more concerted effort to get back to normality.

Thanks again.

I love you guys!

Of course you know you would never be forgotten. You are too special, Mickey!!!

Btw, they say the BK Chicken Whopper is one of the best choices if you get it w/o mayonnaise. So, maybe your choices weren't as bad as you fear.

Good luck at your mother's tonight! Stay away from sausages!!!

I've missed you my friend...

Hi Mickey,
I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes I get in a way, and I have no desire to journal for a while. I think the longest time I went without journaling is like 2 weeks. I'm trying to do better writing in my often, but we all know how that gets sometimes.

That's great that your keeping up with your exercising. this week my goal is to workout 3 days. I'm for sure going to make 2 of the days (my week ends on Monday) I'm just taking this all one day at a time.

Whn you say Bad Mickey, do you mean like a big mistake? I think that's a real cute way of putting the phrase.

Does your BK have the brownies? Oh my gosh there sooooo good. I was hooked on them for a while, but lucky I lost a taste for them, and now I don't even want them anymore.

take care! Katherine

Hi Mick.

Just checking in to say hello.

Hello Mickey,

Chum is right about the chicken whoppers without mayo from BK not being too bad cuz i work at BK. the chicken whopper juniors without mayo are actually the best., they now have side salads and chicken ceaser salads too. baked potatoes(we are getting rid of soon) but there are a few good choices. yours wasnt the worst.

Im glad your still exercising and doing well.

miss talking to you.

hope to see you feeling your old writing self soon.

take care.

Hey girl!

So glad to read that you are exercising !!!

Hope you had a great weekend!....mcmarto

I suppose it would have been better if I had had a Chicken Whopper lite, but I didn't, I had a large, full fat (with mayo) Chicken Whopper with large fries.

I didn't go to bodypump either, because I rang as soon as I'd posted and they were fully booked. I had intended to go to the gym instead, but never got round to it. I went on Friday though. I was quite pleased with myself because I used to hate running or anything like that, and I did a 10 minute mile. I will build on that. Okay so I can only run for 11 minutes, but it will improve!

After the gym I called and picked up a chinese meal. I had boiled white rice with chicken curry, which seemed moderately lowish fat (compared with some of the dishes), and also a little bit of beef chowmein. Mr Stubby had set the table up and we each had a small bottle of lager! Later on, he got the Hagen Daaz out, and I ended up eating about 1/3 of a tub.

Saturday was okay, I got up and went on the exercise bike for 1 hour, and also did some ab exercises. Then I did housework and supermarket shopping, came back and had 1/2 a spicy chicken pizza. When I say half, I suppose it depends on what size pizza you are used to. This was a 9" pizza, with a 1/3 of a 9" garlic bread. I had the same for tea. I also popped into town for some pain killers for Mr Stubby. It would appear that he has sciatica at the moment, which is probably linked to his bad back from last year. We watched Amorres Perros (I think that's what it was called) and The Church, which was directed by our favourite horror director, Dario Argento. Unfortunately Mr Stubby brought me a snack of stilton cheese and biscuits, and it was about 11.00 pm, but of course, I ate them.

Sunday was pretty much the same, got up, went on exercise bike for 45 mins, had porridge for breakfast, lunch was roast duck breasts, and I had carrots, broccoli and lentils, and then for tea we had crab meat and salad with some freshly baked farmhouse bread that I had made. I made a small loaf, so we finished that off, I had four slices, two of which were toasted with peanut butter on one and apricot jam on the other (no butter/marge). Oh, in the afternoon we watched Kagemusha and at night we watched The Royal Tenanbaums (again), although we didn't watch it all. I had a wagon wheel whilst watching it though.

I feel like things aren't going so well, and this morning I popped on the scales - I haven't been weighing myself lately. The scales read 116.2lb. Eeek. I've put on about 4lb over the last few weeks.

I really have to get a grip of things. Food and exercise seem to be on an ad hoc basis at the moment. I'm not very good at stuff like this unless I am regimented and in control. I need to start going to bed earlier so that I can get up and go on the bike, so at least I have exercised every day. I am good at that when I do that. I need to cut back on some of the foods I am eating, such as crisps and dessert.

I started a new dietpower programme today. I want to be where I want to be by the time we go on holiday in May. I have about 6 weeks to get into tip top condition and start taking some control back.

Today's menu is as follows:

Breakfast
1 oz porridge with 1/2 ounce muesli, 1 tsp linseeds, soy milk and 1/2 tsp molasses. (about 200 cals in total)

Snack
4 x small oat biscuits (about 150 cals in total)

Lunch
1 sundried tomato breadroll, slice of lowfat cheese, slice of smoked ham, 1 packet of square crisps, 1 Shape Banoffee Pie dessert. (About 500 calories)

Snack
1 smallish apple

Tea
3.5 oz chicken breast, large salad - lettuce, tomato, spring onions, cucumber, red pepper, chopped chilli and balsamic vinegar, 2 oz dried wholemeal pasta (obviously cooked!).

Exercise
I intend to go to the gym tonight and probably do about 70 minutes on the cardio.

I'm looking to eat about 1800 calories, with a 500 cal burn off with the exercise, so all in all about 1300 calories consumed.

Sorry about the length of this. I need to be more accountable.

Thanks again for all of your support. I wouldn't be where I am without you.

Hey,

Glad to see you back!!!

Andrea

Yahoo. I'm also glad you are back. Being accountable is key for you and me, it seems. During my last three weeks of no accountability, I gained 9 lbs. Oof. But I've lost 4.5 of it since weighing and measuring and journalling agian the past three days. I'm sure you will lose a lot of that with water weight as well, once you go back to watching things and exercising regularly. You've had a lot of stress lately (as have we all) and I know how fun it was to eat whatever you wanted whenever you wanted. But we can be in control and still eat Stilton from time to time, I think. And if we do it together, we are doubly strong.

Sorry, didn't mean to write about myself so much in your journal!

Your breakie is interesting. What are linseeds? I've heard of linseed oil, used in painting, but I've not heard of people eating them. What do they taste like?

So, where are the veggies, little Miss?

How is Miss Clampet?

Wow, your gym must be crowded! Are the classes often closed? I think it is great that you are enjoying the gym still. Have you used up your free sessions yet?

I didn't know you could make different sized loaves in the bread machine. That makes it more appealing to someone like me. I don't eat much bread, though DLIP likes it. And I always feel like a big loaf is going to go to waste. Did you ever make your soft pretzels?

What is Kagamusha? DLIP wants to rent Amores Perros but I've heard it is really gross with the dogfights. What did you think? We also thought the Royal Tannenbaums was funny.

Btw, way to go on the 10 minute mile! That is fast, isn't it? I didn't even know you ran!!! I know you were proud of yourself!

Have a great day, my friend.

Hi Nanny, it's good to see you around too!

Chum, I cannot believe you don't know what Kagemusha is - it's a film by Akira Kurusawa! It's "The Shadow Warrier". Amores was pretty gross with the dogfights, and it was a long film! There was no running time, and I think it was over 2.5 hours! I would say watch it though, it was interesting.

I still haven't made those pretzels. Maybe next Sunday. We are due to go see little Miss Stubby next Saturday. I can make various sizes in my breadmachine - small, medium and large. I'm making small loaves at the moment, because then they get eaten at their best, and I can make another one if necessary. I can also make jam (jelly?) in it, which could be quite interesting!

Erm, the veggies, erm, I will, erm eat them later, okay? Probably with the tea. I was thinking about having a salad or something. I used up all the broccoli yesterday, so we only have carrots in the house.

The gym is pretty busy, I think with the weather being so good (it has been fantastic for the last week) everybody is thinking about getting trim for summer. Sometimes it's even difficult to get on the cardio machines, there aren't that many - there are 4 treadmills, 5 upright bikes, 4 rowers, 4 recumbent bikes, 5 steppers, 2 elipticals and 2 cross aerobics - I think that's the lot. There are also obviously the weight machines - I think there are about 10 of those, and then they do 10 minutes abs every hour on the half hour, but I'm a bit miffed about that because for the last two weeks they haven't done it whilst I've been there, and I feel like my stomach muscles are beginning to get a bit slack.

I sure hope this is water weight. I have been eating more than I need, I mean look at today, I didn't need the banoffee pie pudding or the square crisps, I could have had more fruit or raw veggies. I'll have to see by the end of the week whether the weight is staying the same or going down (or indeed going up) and then re-evaluate. If I can eat like today everyday and still lose I will be happy, but I might need to tailor things a little more.

I've just finished my 2lt of water. I have made many trips to the bathroom today. That could be a good sign!

I am humiliated not to have heard of that Kurosawa film. Pffft.

I didn't know you could make jelly in a bread machine. Very interesting. You are a woman of many skills I see.

You have a new and interesting quote in your signature. I like it.

I just read an article, Mickey, that claims that carrots are, indeed, vegetables! So, if all you have tonight in the fridge is carrots, you can end up eating vegetables afterall, apparently!!!

Perhaps when it gets even nicer, people will exercise outside and leave more of the machines for you! Did you ever get a new ab machine at home? I can't seem to remember.

I agree that you need to find room in your diet for strange British sweets and crisps and such. It is all a balancing act anyway, my friend. At least, that is what I keep discovering over and over. Have some chips for lunch, then have that new vegetable, carrots, for supper. I think you seem to have things back under control, Mickey. Do you? We will always have to reevaluate our eating. I read in a book called, "Thin for Life," that people who maintain their weight for long periods of time are always reevaluating what is working for them. Your body changes, your mood changes, etc. etc. and your food and exercise must change with them. They all seem to be pretty flexible, yet a lot always exercise and always keep track of their food. It seems we agree that those two things are essential for us, too. We'll do it, Mick. Not to worry.

Have a fantastic day (what's left of it)!

{{{{MICKEYVOLL}}}}} I love soft pretzles. They taste really good with mustrad. My sister likes to dip them in cheese. I've never tried making them myself. I usually just get them from the store, frozen kind, whenever their on sale.

I know just what you mean. I always get really inspried this time of year. I find myself drinking more water and enjoying my workouts. Tomorrow I have a workout scheduled and I'm really looking forward to it.

take care! Katherine

Good morning!

It's another beautiful warm spring day today, which makes me feel very happy.

Chum, I was thinking this morning, whilst preparing my porridge, I didn't tell you what linseeds were! You might know them as flax seeds? They are tiny little seeds which I just slip in my porridge, and they are supposed to make you regular.

I didn't eat the carrot in the fridge last night, I had a large salad with chicken breast and pasta, which was very nice, that was after I returned from the gym. I had an excellent session yesterday - did 10 minutes on all the equipment, plus the trainer did 10 minutes of abominals, so I did 80 minutes in all.

I didn't get a new ab machine, I have been thinking about it again lately though, I mean they are not really very expensive, so I should just go get one. I've just been doing normal crunches at home, and then the sessions at the gym.

I must admit, I used to think I ate quite healthily, but I don't really tend to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. They don't seem to fill me up enough and I end getting this false hunger feeling shortly after I've eaten fruit in particular. If I have an apple in the afternoon, I always feel like I'm really hungry about 30 minutes after. Veg is better, but I prefer salads.

I agree that I definitely need to keep track of my food regularly, and exercise. Exercise for me is the key I think. If I am exercising I feel more like treating my body better with food which is good for me. I don't like feeling tired and irritable, which usually happens when I've eaten something sugary, and often when I've eaten white bread or white pasta. I just get this headachy feeling, like I'm really tired.

Katherine, I have only ever eaten one soft pretzel, the other month when we went to London to visit my sister. I had one for breakfast at Victoria Station, and it was absolutely wonderful! I think dipping them in cheese sauce would be heavenly too, as I am addicted to cheese. I will definitely make them, it's just a question of when. I want to make them early in the morning so that I can have them for breakfast, which might require a very early start! I think I may have to give up on this idea and just make them though.

I agree, it is far more motivating to exercise and eat right when the whether is nice and the promise of warmer days is on they way.

Breakfast
Porridge etc, as yesterday.

Snack
3 oat biscuits. Stupid things come in packs of 7, hence 4 yesterday, 3 today. I burned more calories with the gym yesterday so I allowed myself the extra one for that!

Lunch
Cheese and onion roll with a slice of low fat cheese and tomato.
1 packet of salt and vinegar crisps.
1 Shape Mississipi Mud Pie dessert

Snack
1 medium sized apple

Tea
Ravioli with a side salad

Exercise
45 minutes on the exercise bike

Snack
1 Jammie wagon wheel

I really do feel much better for writing everything down. I think todays menu comes to about 1400 calories, and I burned off about 300 calories on the bike, so I really ought to have an extra 100 calories somewhere. Perhaps I should eat that raw carrot...

PS Chum, I forgive you for not knowing that Kagemusha was a Kurasawa film. I probably spelt if wrong or something.

I just realised I typed abominals instead of abdominals. A freudian slip. I'm not amending it.

Hello Mickey,

Glad your feeling better.
I like soft pretzels. sometimes i drizzle mustard on it so its not fattening.
there is a place up the mall that makes homeade soft pretzels of many different flavors and different sauces to dip them in. they are so good too.

well take care and have a good day!

Hey Mickey

Long time no see (I know, I know, my fault.....). But I'm back now. And glad to be.

Will catch up properly in the morning.

Chuckles

PS love the whole abominal/abdominal thing you have going

Hey don't apologize for writing so much in your journal!

We have missed you...so glad you are keeping track of your eats...you will be down in no time!...Keep up the good work!

I saw most of that movie...the Perros one...I felt so tormented while watching...I had to stop...the DH finished it ... told me the rest...I was saddened by it!...Especially knowing that it really does happen!....Eeeek!

Well I hope you have a nice night...and a great Wednesday!

mcmarto

I can't believe it. The weather here is STILL wonderful. Apparently it is going to break on Friday and then be nice again for Sunday, which is Mother's Day.

Being as I did nothing last night, apart from cook tea, read a few recipe books - one on bread machines and another called "The Little Red Barn Book of Baking" which is fantastic and has all sorts of wonderful things to bake in it, oh and then we watched TV and later the second part of Kwaidan (I nagged at Chum to watch it, and then we've only watched the first part. I think there are four stories in all), I will talk about my diet of late. (That was a very long sentence which probably doesn't make sense. I can't be bothered to check though - somebody please comment!).

Anyway, today I'm eating the same as yesterday with some minor amendments:

Breakfast
Porridge. Let's call it The Usual.

Snack
2 digestive biscuits with my morning decaf coffee.

Lunch
A white breadroll with poppy seeds, l/f cheese slice, tomatoes and a bag of cheese and onion flavoured square crisps.
A Shape Mississipi Mud Pie dessert.

Snack
A medium sized apple

Tea
Pork steak cubed, with live and kidneys in an onion gravy, with mashed potato and veg. Please don't worry about me. This sounds horrible but tastes absolutely wonderful.

Exercise
Well, I've already done 45 minutes on my exercise bike, but I'm also planning a visit to the gym tonight, if I'm not too tired. I may or may not go yet.

Basically I'm eating far too much sugary stuff. Yesterday I had nearly 50% too much sugar yesterday according to Dietpower. It's the Shape dessert I think, plus the fact that I have a teaspoon of molasses with my porridge. Oh, and the Jammie Wagon Wheel I had wouldn't have helped too. The problem yesterday was that I had undereat. By the time I'd finished my tea I was at 1150 calories. Way too low. A wagonwheel is 175 calories, so I had that because I couldn't think of anything else to have.

I'm tired too. I haven't been sleeping very well the last few nights. Yes, I fell asleep whilst Kwaidan was on so I missed the gist of it, it was only about 35 minutes long, and no I went to bed fairly early - it w