Havin' come to the conclusion via a couple o' events that her previous journal (Halloween: The Novel) included some things she wanted to delete, Athletea (THE WITCH) hath moved to an even more private 'n exclusive SCCAAAAAARRRRRY HUT in the Deep Dark Diet Dilemmatic Woods (translation: deleted some old journals) where she will post only about her Halloween weight/fitness GHOUL 'n not include fantasies or personal narrative. Just the facts, ma'am!!!

Accordingly, A hath changed her gym once more and is now going to yet another new one and had a fab 45 minute workout there ... five on treadmill, two laps around the track and the rest machines ... did total body, light weights.

THE GHOAL FOR TODAY: Keep the cals down. Yesterday they were VERY low 970 ... below what is healthy but I did not feel like eating and just forgot. Vowing to go to store today and get something substantial.

Ghoulishly delightful day: Cals 1639 unless I drink some milk later, which might happen. Workout previously mentioned. :ghost:

Added half an apple and 12 ounces of 2 percent milk! :)

Going to gym soon.

Hello Athletea! :)
Good job!
I will be following your new journal.
aria1660

Thanks, Aria1660!!! Huzzah!!! Today's the GOOD CALORIE FAIRIE DAY :bell: Onward!!!

The Exercise Fairie seemeth to accompany her sis (Good Cal Fairie) :bell: :bell: whenever she visiteth Athletea's sccccccaaaaaaaarrrry Halloween Hut. Getting really quality workouts at new gym ... actually it's not the new gym, I decided to go back to a previous gym, but not the one I've used for the past few years, so ... well, that's too much info, but anyhow, I walked the indoor track for 30 minutes (added some jogging), did four minutes on recumbent bike and one minute ab/stretch using ball for lower abs. Total: 35 minutes ... I think.

Hi Athletea: :wave: You ae doing great....1660-1700 is a great intake.....I got to get a grip on mine again..I don't think they are too much over 1800 but really got to start tallying them up...

I was reading your post in Rikki's journal about Maine...Cranberries grow in bogs...I think some come from Cape Cod area...I know my girlfriend in Maine has some growing in a bog near her...I have frozen 40 cups of wild blueberries and about the same raspberries and have shredded lots of zucchini in 2 cup bags for zucchini bread...(if you would like the recipe it is sugar free/artificial sugar too..let me know) Am working on some peaches now for the freezer....Have made lots of frozen stewed tomatoes for the winter....

Have a good day...Don't work to hard...I am just realizing how hot is where you are....Does it stay over 100 the year round?

Hi, Lulu!!! :wave: Thanks for the info ... I didn't know about bogs, thought cranberries grew on vines or somethin'! :laugh:

It is somewhat hot here but not as hot as it could be! No, it doesn't stay in triple digits all year, generally four to five months. It's very nice here in the winter, temps can range from 50s at night (sometimes lower) to 90s in the daytime. All of the summer flowers I grew in the midwest are winter flowers here. We briefly prune roses (at least I do) in January so they get a rest.

I'm off to store as I need some healthy food.

It took some time but I found you, Atheleta! You're worth the effort!

You forgot to eat---isn't that freaky when that happens? That doesn't hapen to me very often, believe me. 8-|

Gosh I'm all excited that you're getting healthy food. I mean, I like the concept now. That's just so completely insane for me. Healthy food, who knew? :laugh:

Cranberries also float on water and bounce like a rubber ball if dropped. Dang that's too much Food Network watching!!!

I didn't realize it was that warm year-round! Remind me never to live there, I couldn't take it :)

You consistently inspire me with healthy food intake - you're doing an AWESOME job!

No if only I can keep up with the journal travels ;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

morgayne

Hey there - sounds like it's all going well for you thus far in your Halloween Hut.

Cranberries are a big business in southeastern Massachusetts - Ocean Spray is located there. We have a friend who works in cranberry bogs. I believe the fact that they float makes them easy to harvest.

Hi, Athletea, I FOUND YOU!!!

And here you are with a new journal, and things are looking so good for you. Just stick to doing what you know you should be doing, and enjoy life.

You enjoy Halloween, don't you? So do I, but the Halloween decorations don't go up until October. Right now I still have all the patriotic stuff sitting around, and will stick with that for a while.

Keep smiling -

Ho, ho, ho, let the HAPPY HALLOWEEN HIJINKS begin!!! :ghost:

Mrs. Me!!!! :wave: Thou be doin' splendidly in the healthy food biz thyself!!!! :cheer: Thanks for the info re bouncin' berries (cran, that is!!!) and for the visit.

Yep, JoJo, I do enjoy Halloween, not the candy eatin' though ... not gonna do that this year!!! :laugh: It's so good to see ya postin' again, must have fixed your computer!!!! Thanks for the wee visit ... :wave:

E, am so glad thou hast found me new hovel ... and that all's well w'thee!!! I also don't forget to eat very often, but it was lucky this week as TODAY (here cometh the report) I had 2312, but the good part is that the average weekly total is still in the 1700s because of the low days!!!!

Exercise was nil ... worked all day.

Morgayne!!! :wave: I would love to live where thou doth ... have a very close relative there, but oddly have never been!!!!

I like the heat, though, and this time of year, the sunlight is warm liquid gold, embracing everything. :)

Rabbit, sound like harvesting these floatin' cranberries might be fun ... skimmin' them off the water ... they are sooooo delicious in muffins and cakes.

Halloween Hijinks: Hit the happy gym for 65 minutes today: 20 min treadmill, 20 minutes weights (machines mostly, light overall general workout, with some freeweights thrown in), 10 minutes yoga/ball, 10 minutes jogwalk around indoor track, 5 minutes stretch.

Athletea, having traversed through a difficult work week (I know I said no work talk, but anyhow) has decided that she has much to do workwise this holiday weekend (no holidays for Athletea) but instead will take the rest of the day off and go shopping for more healthy food and she will SCARREEEEEEE all the demons :lil: outta her tortured brain and WILL KEEP CALS REASONABLE TODAY, AS SHE VOWETH TO GET HER WEEKLY AVERAGE INTO THE 1700s, where it actually IS now, but she keeps blowin' it on Saturdays.

THE MOJO IS BACK!!!

Welcome back, MOJO!!!! :laugh:

Speaking of cranberries, I found some dried ones recently that are sweetened w/ apple juice instead of the HFCS. I got them at Whole Foods. They're out there, just gotta scout around for them.

What a beautiful description you made about your current weather. I am most envious! :)

Keep up the amazing work, m'friend.

Corinna

Well, E, the EXERCISE mojo is back, but the low cal one just isn't around these days. :laugh: Plan to keep the weekly average in the 1700s didn't work out today. I posted about this on the land far far ... got crazy when trying to drink Glucerna and couldn't stop drinkin' 'em ... these are NOT low glycemic, no matter what they market themselves as (IMO).

Anyhow, we soldier on.

Corinna, thou shouldst come visit our weather sometime, as I would love to come visit where thou resideth also. :wave:

Thanks for the virtual visit to the virtual scary hut in the fearfully dark diet dilemmatic woods here.

I'm thinkin' o' NOT havin' the ceremony o' official weighin' tomorrow. Will see.

Well, 'tis long past dawn but Hag-IN-Trainin' Athletea hath been up half the night workin' 'n then fell asleepeth again before reportin' to Halloween Challenge Central re the Official Ceremony o' the Weighin' In on Demon Scale :lil: ... which went rather well considerin' the high cal day yestermorn!!! A hath gone down .4 o' a pound and be a Happy Hag.

Accordingly, since this be the first weigh-in o' the new month, A hath used the Oracle o' the Fitday Pc Software to reassess whether she can realistically reach the hallowed number o' 130 by October 30. She can, but she needeth to reduce cals to an average weekly o' 1663, which is even lower than the previous required number o' 1768, which she never reaches anyhow. Howsomever, she's goin' for the 1663 anyhow ... that's the goal!

Stoppin' eatin' at 1650. Actually, that's not hard as I am ill from eating one of those pouches of marinated tuna steak I bought today, thinkin' how great it'd be to grill those for a quick dinner.

It was not great. I will never recover and am sinfully throwing the other pouch away as even having it in the house makes me feel queasy.

No exercise, unless I decide to take a walk, which is unlikely.

Resting now.

Fish that has "turned the corner" as we used to say, is terrible. I'm glad you stopped eating. Just thinking about it is making me a bit green around the gills.

May you have a speedy recovery, or at least stay away from fish for a day or two.

Keep smiling -

Oh UGH! I hope you feel better soon, and it's good you threw out the rest of it.

Congrats on the .4 of a pound, that's very good! :cheer:

Hi, JoJo 'n Mrs. Me!!!! :wave: Thanks for the condolences on my eating disaster ... I do feel better and am going out to stock up on replacement food. JoJo, the funny thing is that this was Chicken-of-the-Sea's new tuna fillet product, in an asceptic pouch just like their regular tuna ... it should not have been bad ... maybe it was just the spices or something ...

I sort of have the day off and am thinking about cleaning the kitchen.

Maybe not.

Exercise report: 45 minute walk!

Hi Athletea: :wave: Sorry to hear you got sick from th fish...I would be a marching the rest back for a refund...fish is just one of those thing especially for you in your hot climate that I guess would almost be impossible to get home safely without a cooler with ice in it..and then at that for some reason I never trust those prepackaged things...The marinated part sounds good though.

Glad you are feeling better....I had a bit of a scare yesterday and the day before with very high blood sugar levels...turned out to be the monitor that was wrong..thank goodness I could not figure out what I had done....

Enjoy your day off :) Congrats on your weight loss...My goodness you have done a :super: job...

Lulu

Yowza, Lulu, that's not good when the monitor doesn't work!!!! Are you getting a new one? Glad you're ok!!! I am doing better since I am carrying the glucose tablets ... I think they just give me confidence ! :)

Actually I do use a cooler most of the time for the trip home if I buy fresh fish, but you are right about the prepacked stuff, I'm not going to trust it again. I'm somewhat off the idea of ever eating fish again anyhow, which is a shame as I like it.

In the summer, I generally carry meat and dairy home from the store in a cooler ... not so much in the winter. Sometimes I forget to take it, though, so then I don't buy these items. Ice cream (when I used to eat it) absolutely has to be transported in a cooler in the summer.

One of the things I missed most when I moved here was being able to go to the store and lollygag around afterwards ... always need to go straight home with all food during the hot months.

The weather is pleasant now ... people say it's hot but I don't agree ... mostly double digits ... low to high 90s ... just right!

It's nice here!

Hi Athletea: I am getting a new one again but not till tomorrow...Many places are closed here due to the holiday...Ross has one so I used his with my own needle and pen type thing..
Actually I use a cooler here too in the summer...I know how careful we have to be with meat too...Maybe the place you shop you could ask when they get their fresh fish in..and only buy on those days..and freeze it if you do not eat it that day...I take it you know if it smells like fish..it is not fresh today..fresh fish should have no odor..but i do Athletunderstand the fear of having bad fish..oh yuck..and one can get deathly ill from it too..

I am fine...did a bit of raking in back and some wash....Good old clothes line...

Have you heard from your friends in NOLA..That is just so horrific...I do not know why busses were not in place to take the poor people out who had no means to get out..Of course some did not want to leave...It is just devastating....Thank goodness it is getting better to a degree..but those poor people have to start their life all over...

Takecare
Lulu

Hi, Lulu! :wave: My NOLA friends weren't actually in NOLA when the hurricane hit, so they are fine ... they just don't know the state of their property and won't for some time. I feel bad about all the people and how hard it was for help to get to 'em also, although I don't think it was an easy task and think FEMA personnel did the best they could with a very unusual situation ...

Re fish, I just won't be eatin' it again, methinks! :laugh:

Glad you are able to make do re a monitor until you can get a new one.

I'm off to read a book now! See ya!

Hi, Athletea.

I'm glad you are feeling better. In that situation it is no wonder that you will be foregoing fish for some time. And I will remember not to buy any Chicken-of-the-Sea's new tuna fillet products. I had never tried them, and I think I will just stick to what I have been doing.

We only live three miles from the supermarket, so I never have any worries about transporting perishables, so I guess in some ways I am rather lucky. The grocery store is always the last stop before home, and I have never had any problem. Lucky me!

Keep smiling -

Thanks for the visit, JoJo!!!! I was just lurkin' over at your place and drinkin' :water: so now I'll have another half pint whilst I type this ... I am drinkin' these little Arrowhead half pint bottles of mountain spring water lately. They are so cute! :)

Cals are in the 2000, meant to be lower but was hungry. Made a stir fry with chicken, plum tomatoes and mushrooms ... well, that's what I always make, but anyway, I did it ... divided into four servings and froze three ... Old Dog ate half of my serving tonight.

Onward. I am too brain dead to think of anything further to say, so I'll just say good-night, Gracie.

Good-night, Gracie!

Deep in the Dark Dilemmatic Woods, Hag-In-Training Athletea met with the Halloween Challenge Contest Committee, consisting o' the Exercise Fairy :bell: and her cousin, the Good Calorie Fairie :bell: and those two mean Diet Crones X-( who have undertaken to see to Athletea's training for the big event.

Due to the general angst o' her normal life, outside o' the Deep Dark Dilemmatic Diet Forest, A hath forgotten at times that she really needs to focus all her efforts on this mind/body/health thing and to do that she needs to focus on the GOAL she's been working on so long ... the weight goal of 130 (ok, it's going to go to 125 at some point, we think, but for now, it's 130). So all other considerations are being shoved to the back o' the mind right now and we're gonna GO GO GO TO THE GOAL!

Accordingly, there is a mini challenge afoot in the woods TO EAT IN THE 1600s again (yesterday was 1689).

Avanti. Will go to park to walk with pard today.

Hi Athletea. I found your new journal. I have missed talking to you! :hug: I didn't know you had deleted your old journal. When I tried to click the link, it was gone! But I'm glad I found you now.

I thought of you the other day when I tried these new crackers. My lil sis is quite the health food nut, and had me try these amazing crackers. They are Kashi TLC (Tasty Little Crackers). They don't include ANY trans fat, hydrogenated oils, etc. NO artifical sweetners (thought of you here) and NO artifical ingredients. They are all natural, and they taste wonderful! I had them with hummus (I had never tried that before, man it was GOOD!) Anyway, I can't find them here in Nebraska (at least in my town) so I hope I can find them in Iowa. Just thought you'd like to know, since they don't have sugars, etc. Anywho...

I have lowered my cals too. My new limit is 1700. You should stop by my challenge. There's a cool prize! You can challenge yourself every day to stick to a cal limit if you want...Just a thought...

Have a great day, A!!!!! :D

:bell: ~Sugarplum~

Hi, there, Rikki!!! :wave: I be so glad thou hast found me!!! Yea, I deleted some journals (and BTW I apologize to folks who had so kindly posted on 'em because I belatedly realized it messed with their post counts and some folks take pride in that; sorry, didn't think of it when I did it). As stated somewhat above, I deleted 'em because I'd been kind of free with my opinions on some work problems that pretty much identified me to a number of folks, one of whom was readin' the journals one day and mentioned it to me. I'd then read some news stories about how a man from a well-known company got fired because of his blog content and how some companies are actually making blog policies that say no bloggin' 'bout the company! :laugh: So anyhow, that's what I did ... could this paragraph be any MORE run on!?

Thanks for the info re the crackers!!!! I will look for them.

I've just bought some Kamut bread recommended by Lulu a week or so ago. It's thawing in the fridge. It has no sugars of any kind and only a few ingredients ... looks good, too. I will have this with a boiled egg before working a meeting tonight. Thanks, Lulu (if ye be a'lurkin' anywhere near).

Rikki, I will look for your challenge and post there!!! :wave:

Hi Athletea,

I like your new journal. I think my favorit time of year is fall. Goblins and all.

Your weight loss has been so inspirational. I think you have done so well with losing. Anyone that can lose over 100 lbs has my admiration.

Carol

Hi, Athletea:

I am so sorry felt you had to delete your former journal. I always enjoyed reading what you wrote. But I guess the stuff we write is out there to be read by anybody, which could mean trouble in certain situations.

My friends in the "real world" do not have any interest in the Internet, so I guess I am safe.

My favorite season is autumn, too. I especially like the colors. Yesterday I took down all the red, white, and blue, patriotic for the summer decorations. And when I get around to it I will be putting up the orange, and brown, and yellow, and rust, fall decorations.

Keep smiling -

Go, Athletea!
You can do it!
aria1595 :)

Yes, I know that some companies can be jerks. It really sucks. I heard about an airline employee getting fired for the same reason. I think it's healthy to sound off on things that bother you. Plus, you don't mention the company by name or anything... *sigh* Political red tape, I know... And dont' worry about the post count... I don't mind at all! (I didn't even notice... Even after you mentioned it!)

Well, have a great day. And thanks for joining the challenge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dn

Huzzah, Athletea be so honored to have three guests in the hut at one time, don't mind the mess, A be a terrible housekeeper (that's the truth, actually) ... she's plannin' on cleanin' in a week or so, though! Really ...

Rikki, enjoyin' the challenge and I just posted my workout there (30 min abs express class, 30 min "lengthen" stretch class, 10 mins around indoor track at relaxin' pace (did 5/7 of a mile in that time). Thanks for mentionin' it to me ... it's the perfect motivator for right now. I'm really enjoyin' my new gym ... think how it'll be for thee when thou be in thy new state and there'll be so many new places for THEE to enjoy.

I will never move from this state, however, but do intend to explore many new things before I check outta here for eternity.

Oops, didn't mean to sound like the Grim Reaper. This IS the Scaaaarrrryyy Hut in the Deep Dark Diet Dilemmatic Woods, though. And NOTHING is as scarrrrry as my cal count yesterday. Best forgotten. Also scaaaarryyyyyyy was the content of the food ... had a candy bar on the theory that it was better than a piece of cake (I just wanted a "cheat" and a break from low glycemic eating. I think that was the slippery slope.

Carol: Thanks for thy kind words!! :wave: Re the losin' o' the original 100, though, it were easier than the these dang pounds at my present weight ... when heavier, it just dropped off, now it's a fight to the finish ... but I WILL win!!! :D

JoJo: Among me 'n my coworkers, the internet IS the real world :laugh: Except for a computer phobic person who works in one of the old-fashioned offices we have in the high country. Thanks for the visit. I am smilin' but drinkin' 2 percent milk, not :water: ...

I know the saturated fat in 2 percent milk makes it controversial in weight loss circles, but I have some theories about saturated fat and my blood sugar that do not track with the conventional wisdom, so shall continue to drink it.

Ok, off to shop. I actually have to force myself not to work today as there are tons of things to edit and write up in my inbox, but I need a day off sometimes.

Oops, there I go again.[/b]

Dear Diary: Athletea has decided that today's food history did not occur. It just did not happen.

Dear Athletea,

It's ok. Sometimes those days just suck. But you're still a mega awesome chica, so keep up the good work!

Love,
Sugarplum :bell:

Athletea - yesterday has been struck from the record, it never existed...therefore, today can be a day full of healthy things for ourselves...how does that sound?

Stick with it, chica, you're doing great!

As for 2% milk, I grew up on skim milk...so when I moved in with the Man, who only drank, whole milk, I was in trouble! I've finally gotten him down to 2%, and use the 2% myself as well - it's just impractical to buy both when I don't drink it consistently anyhow....so there are other diet folks out there who drink the sat-filled 2% ;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hi, Rikki 'n Morgayne!!! :wave: Thanks for the encouragin' words. I'm kind o' needin' 'em sometimes. Today's eats were better, but I ate cake. Oh well, that's life. I can't seem to get my blood sugar where I want it to be (I guess, anyway, 'cause I refuse to use the monitor, but anyhow, I digress ...) ... workout was only so-so as I did not feel well (posted on the challenge, Rikki!!!).

Morgayne, glad there's another 2 percenter here as well ... I had a personal trainer for four years who was quite shocked at my insistence that the 2 percent was better for me, but that's what I believe. Sorry, dieticians of the world, but there it is! :)

Too much work, gotta go.

Have to go work an event but deep in the dark dilemmatic diet forest, Athletea is havin' a scaaaaaarrrry time, as she gained .6 of a pound.

"S'ok," saith she, musingly!!! "I have tried to cut my average weekly cals too low, causin' a backlash that made me eat too much, AND I've been doin' really well at the fitness center these days and have lost an inch on each thigh, so we KNOW we've added some muscle, which as all Diet Hags KNOW, means we are adding healthy muscle."

"But Athletea," said the voice o' Inner Diet Child, Maisie, "we will NEVER reach our GHOUL :ghost: weight for the sacred Halloween Diet Challenge."

"S'ok, kid," saith Athletea, "I'll just change the GHOUL in order to better reflect our true weight loss pattern, takin' into consideration that we DO need to stop eatin' those extra sugary cake snacks we've latterly been engagin' in!!!

So the new GHOUL is 133 by October 30, with an average weekly cal GHOUL o' 1762, an average we know is comfortable for us and that DOES produce weight loss.

Now we'll go to work and then we will shop for healthy food.

Changing your ghoul oftentimes helps a lot. I've done that a few times myself.

Good luck with your new ghoul, and keep smiling -

Thanks, JoJo!!! :wave: I'm smilin' 'cause I'm FINALLY done working for today.

I like my new ghoul ... it makes me feel so good to be able to eat a little more and still stick to the GHOUL!!! Yup!!!! :ghost:

Ok, there's a method in me madness! Cals at 1684 and I haven't even had the last meal (included in the 1684). Am also making my chicken breast/plum tomato/mushroom stir fry (it's more of a saute or even a stew, actually) to divide into servings for tomorrow ... long workday in the mountains. Do not want this tonight but if I don't cook it, I'll be eating bad stuff again all day!

Exercise was a 15 minute walkabout, not enough to make my Rikki challenge, but it's been a long workday ... no relief in sight until Wednesday.

Poor Athletea! :console: Work sounds like a bummer. Hope you get some relief in asap. You are still rocking at the challenge, so I hope ya stick to it!!! AND CONGRATS on losing an inch!!! Sometimes I get so mad at the scale, but I pull out my tape measure to see if I've done any thing good at all. I'm proud of ya!!!

Have a great week. Even if it's full of work and such. :sigh:

I'm ammending my GHOUL too! I can't seem to get away from the 140 pound mark, but hope springs eternal and I'd be content to get back down to 135 lbs. again.

Went to the supermarket first thing this AM and saw the wise old crone everywhere!!!!!! That is, she was part of the seasonal decor, old witchy women wearing lovely moon and star attire. I took it as a sign to keep going!

Love your GHOUL !!!!!!!! :ghost: and your goals :D

You can do this !!!!!!!!!!!!

Beth :dn

Hey there A~,
Thanks for stopping by. It is really cool that you have been reading my blog. Nice to know a few people are reading it. Life in Taiwan is really interesting at times. It is too hot to knit here a lot, but I make gifts and send them back to the states. And your ghoul is just too cute!

Yo, so nice to see guests in me lil ol' scaaaaaarrrrry Halloween Ghoul Bustin' Hut here in the Diet Dilemmatic Woods!!!! :ghost: And it HAS been scary here of late, but got an unexpected night off work (hooray) and came to pick up the mail in the hut and LO, visitors have left kind cards!!!!

E, get in line re the persistence o' that 140 mark ... now that I've crossed that line I'm havin' a terrible time keepin' the cals in order. Doin' good on exercise by dint o' the new gym and really enjoying the Tuesday-Thursday class ... core followed by just general stretch ... no yoga ... the class members want them to add 15 minutes to each of these segments but so far no go, but still it makes a great consistent addition to my schedule ... the MOJO is back, E!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement, Beth!!! :wave: Thou art right, I do believe I can get to that ultimate GHOUL :ghost: ... I just keep hackin' away at it!!!!

Runt: Thanks for visitin' ... I do enjoy your blog ... would love to see Taiwan someday and you have given me glimpses of it. It's too hot to knit here, too, most of the time, IMO, although lots of people do. I was an avid knitter when I lived in the midwest!

Cals yesterday and today were up and down ... average for the week is in the 1800s ... best I can do but will continue chippin' away at that GHOUL!!! :ghost:

Hi Athletea, I'm glad that the mojo is back, and that you're doing your cardio!!! Congrats! :) Keep up the fantastic work. I am jealous of where you are now. I need to stop eating so much, and start exercising more. I know I keep coming up with the excuse of moving... *sigh*

Anyway, hope you have a great day, "ghoulfriend" Wah, wah wahhhhhhhhhh. (Ok, that wasn't funny. I'm quitting now!)

Dear Athletea: good luck with your "ghoul"!

Well, actually, Rikki, the mojo's gone again as I didn't do any exercise today, except lots of shopping. Very tired and took day off ... so no need to be jealous ... I KNOW that Exercise Fairie is around here somewhere, but I can't find 'er! :bell:

Hiya, Aria!!!! Thanks for the good luck wishes!!! :ghost:

Somewhere in the neighborhood o' 1752 today and AM STARTING A NEW PERSONAL CHALLENGE tomorrow (not replacin' the Rikki challenge, just an adjunct).

For some months, I've been strayin' from me principles of NO REFINED SUGAR/NO WHITE FLOUR, ETC. ... really experimenting with eating cake and candy every now and then, but no more ... at least for now, I still don't think it's bad to meet up w' Demon Cake :lil: every now 'n then, but I'm not going to continue to lose weight if I don't stop for an extended time, nor will I be doin' as well with blood sugar. So the challenge is for Athletea to JUST SEE if she can go from September 15 to October 1 with no refined sugar, no white flour (etc., that also encompasses white rice, etc., etc., etc.).

We will see! :)

Just an experiment.

This is NRSNWFE (No Refined Sugar No White Flour Etc.) Day 0!

Hi, Athletea. It is a continual struggle, isn't it?

It would be so nice if we could just eat what we wanted to eat, without thinking about it, and without worrying about added lbs. or blood glucose levels. However the magical pill that would do such wonderful things hasn't been invented as yet. Someone will probably invent it about 100 years from now, which won't do me any good at all, darn it.

Oh, well, let's just keep smiling, and doing the best we can.

Yup, no magickal pill, JoJo!!! :wave: But that'd be too easy, wouldn't it? :)

I know there are people seeking weight loss from "magic" pills ... just ain't gonna happen, though, so I'm going for the ol' fashioned way!!!

Added two ounces of 2 percent cheese to my total yesterday so that puts me in the high 1800s weekly average-wise (which is what I care about more than the daily).

Can't sleep. Got up to work but can't do that right now either! :)

Hi Athletea. I am for the old fashioned way too. I think even if they did invent such a pill, I wouldn't want to take it. I'd be tempted, but I love how I feel from exercise, so I wouldn't want a magic weight loss pill to take that feeling away from me. Now, if they made some sort of magic powder that made veggies and such taste like chocolate, I'd totally be on board! :)

Here's to hoping the EF finds you safe and well. Get some sleep girl! :bell:

I'm w'ya on that feelin' good after exercise, Rikki!!! My Tuesday/Thursday core/stretch class has been really helpin' me, although I've sworn off weights for the week and easin' on cardio due to a foot that hurts.

I've decided not to report on this journal on my effort to get back on the no sugar, etc., wagon ... will just report it in Fitday PC or maybe even start a whole new anti-sugar blog ... right now going back to rest up for the grueling meeting tonight ... letting all other work go until I get through that ... this weekend will be a big work one and I DO need time off sometimes!

Hi Athletea:wave: Just popping in to see you...You are getting close to that ghoul..

I am an old fashioned gal too..:laugh: and when it comes to diet I really think that is the best way...There are no magic pills that I would ever consider...

Take care
Lulu

Hiya, Lulu!!! :wave: Thanks for droppin' into me scaaaaaarrrry diet hut (believe me the diet gets scaaaaarrry in here sometimes)!!!

I think mayhap oatmeal is a magickal pill. Just had some o' those Scottish porridge oats with a half tablespoon o' all-fruit low carb spread, locally produced with NO weird Splenda additives or anything so I think that's ok!!! These are perfect for makin' me feel better.

Off to gym.

Hi Athletea

Remember last winter I went on a no sugar thing with ya. I lasted six weeks and lost a few lbs. But I just couldn't stay on it. I think i'd like to try that again. Good luck girl your almost there. Take care.

Boblin, I do remember, but I've had sugar since then also and I'm not givin' up on it, so would love ta have ya try try again with me also. I'm doin' pretty good but am not as strict as before.

Today I needed glucose tabs again so had two ... I don't consider these sugar, although actually I am.

I also had a tamale, even though I've sworn off corn ala Sugar Busters. Thought I'd be high on cals but am in the 1600s, even if I have more milk ... if I don't have more milk, I'll, well, be lower! :)

Exercise reported on Rikki's challenge ... basically 40 min cardio at gym. Won't be able to go to gym tomorrow as work interferes.

Need to rest now! :)

:wave: Finally able to check in, I hope everything is going well. I actually read back through and am caught up (I think). There won't be a quiz or anything will there?

No quiz, Mrs. Me! :laugh: Actually, I'm swearin' off postin' here for awhile ... not related to the insidious weight gain I keep comin' up with each week (mainly because I can't get the calories down just a bit to where I know I can lose but I get hungry so there it goes ... will catch it up, though)!!!

You're eating sugar? Sugar is evil. I wish it were easier than it is to give it up.

Corinna

Not really eatin' much sugar, C!!! Was for a bit but gave it up again. I'm still using glucose tabs, but they aren't evil as they keep me from passing out sometimes.

Speakin' o' which, I seem to need to lie down. Not feelin' up to par!!!

Thanks for visitin' ... I love your pic ... you look happy! :)

Have a nice day, Athletea!
Yes, what a great picture of you, Corinna!

Hi Athletea, thought I'd pop in and say hello. Sometimes it's hard for me to post every day. It used to be easy (like counting cals) but everything is getting harder day by day. I don't want to exercise anymore, but I made myself do a 4 mile run last night. It felt good. Why can't I keep reminding myself that it IS good? *sigh* I must be going through a rough patch. Hope this move helps me leave behind some bad habits. I am determined to keep going. My goal is so close!!! (So is yours!)

~Sugarplum :bell: ~

Thanks, Aria! :wave:

Sugarplum!!! :bell: I posted at the same time you did ... yes, postin' gets heavy on me, too!!! Should work more, post less, methinks!!! Congrats on makin' yourself exercise ... I did, too, today (the workday from he** coming up).

And of course ya will keep goin' ... what's the alternative? :) [/b]

Ok, inspireth by The Biggest Loser TV show, which she admitteth she be a sucker for, though normally TV ain't her thang, Athletea be movin' to a giant mansion in Texas (or somewhere) and hirin' a bank o' docs, nutritionists, personal trainers, personal chefs, tv producers, camera towel boys, etc., and vying for the title o' THE BIGGEST LOSER IN THE SCARY HALLOWEEN CHALLENGE!!!! The other contestants are Athletea, Athletea, Athletea 'n, last but not least, Athletea!!!

Yesterday was a NO EXERCISE DAY at the mansion, but today the Mean Personal Trainer rousted everyone outta bed and FORCED them to go down to the trendy, state-o-the-art fitness center conveniently housed on the mansion's first floor. Today's workout was 5 minutes on the recumbent bike, 35 minutes circuit training.

When A saith, "Please let me go at my own pace," the MPT yelled, "YOUR OWN PACE? Are you kidding? HAVE YOU LOOKED AT YOURSELF LATELY?"

Yesterday's cal count was in the 1600s. The new Halloween GHOUL for A was set at 135, with an average daily cal count (hopefully) of 1765.

Hi athletia

Your getting there slow but sure still a month and 1/2 to hallowen. And your goal isn't far at all. Thanks for stopping for a cup to tea. Was nice seeing you in my part of the world. Take care.

Athletea, I just realized how far Halloween is away. Makes me forget when all the stores drag out the Halloween candy in August. "Oh my gosh. I might need 8 bags of candy NOW just in case they run out of the bajillion bags they have already. And hey, if I eat it all, I'll just get more later." BLAH! I refuse to buy Halloween candy till the day before. Maybe a few days before so I can get non crap candy for the kiddies. I always get candy I don't like, like 3 Muskateers or Milky Way, so that I don't want to eat 'em anyway. I just don't want to be stuck with Horehound candy for the little'uns. But we hardly ever had TOTers, so we'll just get a bag or two. (and give the leftovers to the neighbors!)

Have a great one! :D :ghost:

:rose: HI Athletea...it has been long since i came here...but you are as good as ever...i love coming here to take a dose of inspiration to keep me going...your goal is realistic and you can surely do it...keep going....here is one big rose for you:flower:

Hi Ho Athletea!

Moved to a new hovel, have you? Well, I did find it, fortunately. Haven't been around much. Taking a vacation right now from "diet" thinking. I was causing more harm than good, it seems. When all you think of is food, it's rather difficult to avoid overdoing it. But I wanted to see how you were doing. I'm so happy I found you good and well and moving onward and forward!

Go for it lady!

Just a wee hello and checking to see how things are. Found every thing in order so Good bye.

Hello Athletea!
I will try to stay in the 1600 myself tomorrow (already too late for today! :deer: )

So nice to see a plethora o' visiters at my amazingly big Biggest Loser mansion in Texas!!!! :wave:

I have had four workdays from heck and just got back, had a major screwup (is that word ok to use for public consumption?), fights with people, a mess. Gonna go watch that tv show I'm liking so much (Biggest Loser) unless it's already been on ... dunno actually what time it IS on as I don't watch a lot of TV.

Boblin, yup, all in order!!! :laugh: So great to see ya postin' again and 'preciate the encouragin' words!!!

Sandielynn!!!! Good to "see" ya again, in the virtual sense. I think it's a good idea to take a hiatus from the diet think ... dunno, I never seem to do that, but I do get out of the exercise mode now and then. Yep, I think when we are focused on NOT eating too much food, we sometimes do. For me, though, it works the other way ... I can't afford to fall down that slippery slope so I trudge on ... bleech! :laugh:

Egyptrose!!! It's also wonderful to "see" you ... I've been missing out on visiting people's journals a lot, will remedy that soon. You are one of the people who inspires me!!!

Sugarplum!!! :laugh: You are nicer than I am ... I just turn off the lights at Halloween and lock the gate ... I actually don't approve of Trick or Treat as I think it's dangerous for kids and they don't need candy anyhow!!!! :laugh: Thanks for the visit. Sorry I haven't been around thy journal much but work's a bear lately ...

Aria!!!! I'm with ya on the 1600s tomorrow!!! WE CAN DO IT!!!! Will check in on ya later ... I'm 1600s today, feel pretty sure I can carry it over!!!

Yuck to the yuck days at work. Did you work everything out?

I liked the one episode I got to watch of the Biggest Loser. We don't have cable anymore ( :( ) so I can't watch any of the good shows. Oh well. Maybe when we move to Iowa. I don't watch it enough to justify the $50 a month, though... *sigh* I like to watch movies, though, and shows on DVD.

It IS kinda dangerous of TOTers to be out late at night. I am glad to see the parents taking their kids around, but you're right. Who needs more candy??? Not me!

Have a good evening. :D

Athletea, I really am hoping to write down 1600 (or less!) in my new Journal today!
Have a great day! :)

Hi, Sugarplum 'n Ms. A!!! :wave:

Rikki, I never can say that things are exactly worked out on that front, but we soldier on. I'm just happy last week is over. And believe me you are right that Biggest Loser isn't worth $50 a month. Dunno, I didn't like the second episode ... last season I found there were people on there I liked (which is my criteria for watching any reality show) but I find everybody there sort of unpleasant ... still I love seeing people lose weight because it illustrates for me in living color on the TV screen that this can be done and that it is a good thing to do! :)

Ms. A!!! I didn't make 1600 last night after all but WE WILL BOTH DO 'ER TODAY, OK!!!

I did stay below 2000 ... man, i'm hungry lately.

BUT THE MAIN THING IS TO NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP ON THIS WEIGHT MANAGEMENT THING ... because really, I need to live my life in a more-or-less healthy bod and I just wasn't healthy at my highest weight ... PLUS, I DON'T WANNA HAFTA DO THE WEIGHT LOSS ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

So onward we go!

Athletea, how did it go yesterday?
I made it to 1585 calories! Will try again today. Hope you will too...

Yup, Ms. A!!! I made it!!! Finished yesterday at 1641!!!! You inspired me and YES, I wanna go for it again!!!! You actually did BETTER than the 1600s ... I just posted in your journal and will check in w'ya later!!!! :cheer:

WE CAN DO 'ER!!!

Great job, Athletea! :wn

Hi Athletea and all!

Happy Autumn! Now if only it would cool down a bit.....8-| :)

Thanks, Aria!!! Inspired by thou, I'm goin' for the 1500s today, but we'll see. Might not make that happen, but 1600s, yes!

Hello, E!!!! It actually IS coolin' down here a bit ... hope thy dad's doin' ok!

My exercise mojo's in the neighborhood, hoverin' round me lil hut!!! How's it by thee!?

:wave: I haven't seen Biggest Loser yet but I keep hearing about it. I'm not a big tv fan either, but I suppose I'll check it out one of these days. :)

Hi, Athletea, I'm just popping in for a quick visit.

I watched two episodes of The Biggest Loser, and I may watch it again, or I may not. I do like a couple of the people on the show, so perhaps that will stick with me and I might tune in to cheer them on. Losing weight is a difficult business, I'm glad I didn't have to do it in front of millions of viewers.

We are definitely having cooler weather here, but I am not quite ready for winter as yet.

Keep smiling -

Hello Athletea, I didn't quite make it yesterday, but I hope YOU did!
I will be a good girl today, because I am worth it, lol.
Have a nice day!
aria1890

Hi Athletea

Who wants to be good all the time. As a kid we used to say it's a lot easier to be bad than to be good. Why all of a sudden everything has to change. When we are bad it's just the kid in us coming out. We don't want to get old to fast.

And anyhow you have been so darn good. Almost at goal 109 lbs. lost wowser. Now you were good at some time. Take care girl.

Ha, Boblin!!! :) I DO wanna be "good" all the time, actually, but it doesn't work!!!! But thanks for the kind visit and encouragement. You are doin' great also!!! See ya lighter!

Aria, I didn't make it either but, as I've oft quoted from one of the Anne of Green Gables books (not sure which), "Today is a brand-new day with no mistakes in it YET!"
My total was 1734 but today I WILL try again for the 1600s and will check in on ye also ...

JoJo, thanks for the visit. I am ready for winter, but winter here is a bit o' different proposition than where thou dwellest, methinks. The best thing about winter here is that the Bermuda grass doesn't grow, though! :)

Mrs. Me!!! :wave: The Biggest Loser is kind of fizzlin' out to my mind ... they are torturing those poor people; of course, the prize is $250,000, so ...

I am so glad my friends from NOLA had not been allowed to go back to the city as the danger there is great again and all along the coast ... mayhap Rita will change her mind and go back to the ocean, but I doubt it. Poor people ...

Hi Athletea. Glad you are trying for today! 1734 is nothing to sneeze at, though. Congrats to you! And congrats on all that cardio you posted in my challenge! Hooray! :cheer:

Good luck to you today. YOU CAN DO IT!

Didn't make it again to 1600s, but am quitting eating at 1730. Did 30 minutes of circuit training at gym.

Hi, Rikki, thanks for the encouragement!!! :)

Sorry am in brevity mode as head hurts.

My calorie count has been a little *festive* the last couple of days.8-| I find myself indulging in emotional eating, something from my "old life" that I'd gotten away from. Difficulties at work....feeling invisible these days. Grrr....:( Workouts still good, but I have to get better with food intake.

Let's do 'er, E!!! Today's the DAY!!! You, too, A, if ya wanna come play!!! Hooray!!!

THE 1600s FOR ME!!!

Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen, sixteen, sixteen, sixteen ...

Etc.

:dn :dn :dn :dn :dn :dn TIMES 10 (or somethin') ...

1600s not gonna happen! 1700s COULD happen, but 1600s, no ...

Film at 11!

Darn those pesky 1600s! They should behave better. :D

Well, Mrs. Me, the 1700s didn't behave either!! :laugh: I got hungry, ended in the 1800s and the weekly average was also in the 1800s. It's not time for my weigh-in, but am up to get some of the newspaper writing done.

Yesterday's exercise wasn't enough for my Rikki challenge, but it was an active day with lots of walking around. Also went to gym and did an ok 20 minutes of mixed cardio, involving mostly the indoor track and treadmill. Did biceps with barbell also as there's a rack of loaded barbells right next to the track, so I tend to just do those as a rest period.

Sung to the tune of "It's Howdy DOODY time, it's howdy doody time, it's howdy doody time, it's ..." er, of course, I wasn't alive when that show was in it's heyday but I've seen films of it ... :laugh:

Happily, Athletea, intrepid contestant of I AM THE BIGGEST LOSER at a scaaaarryy but fab Halloween mansion somewhere in Texas, IS THE BIGGEST LOSER this week in competition with fellow contestants Athletea, Athletea, Athletea 'n Athletea!!!

Down 1.2 even though the final weekly cal average was in the 1800s, and not the 1700s ... the GOOD NEWS is that in refiguring the goal for the week on the Fitday PC software, seems A can eat a weekly total of 1785 (instead of the previous number of 1765) to achieve 135 by October 30. Seems to be the way to GHOUL to refigure the numbers weekly so that's what A will do!!!

WOW Athletea...isnt that great....im so happy for you....your commitment,and strong will is inspiring....i love reading your posts they make me more motivated...i m sure you ll reach your goal so soon...here is a bunch of roses to you:rose: :flower: :rose:

Hip Hip...Hooray! :cheer:

Hip hip...Hooray! :cheer:

HIP HIP... HOORAY!!! :cheer:

:dn :dn :dn :dn (times a million, plus one!)

Thanks for the flowers and the encouragment, Egyptrose!!!! :wave: Well, I know I will reach my goal, not sure about the soon part, but sooner or later ... then I will make a new goal ... 'cause that's what life is for! :)

Hi, Sugarplum, thanks for the million :dn and the hoorays!!!! :) I am glad they are virtual "hips" though ... hmmm. :dn

Cals are now at 1777, which is probably where they should stay. I will try for the sixteens again tomorrow, as I want to arrive at the end of the week without having to choose between my blood sugar and bringing my average higher than the GHOUL!!!!

No exercise of any kind today. That's to the good, I think, as rest is also important.

Hey congratulations!! I noticed on my journal that your ticker had changed. Good for you!! http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a14/missusme/cheer.gif http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a14/missusme/ura1.gif http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a14/missusme/cheer.gif

Great job, Athletea! :)
Don't worry too much about staying in the 1600s everyday, as it is ok to "bank calories" once in a while (eat more on a day, and less on another) and still be successful at weight loss or maintenance.

Yowza, visitors from the outside world crept into the Scaaarrry Halloween "Biggest Loser" Mansion in Texas (think the ranch house in Dallas, only more gothic), leavin' messages o' good cheer fer Athletea, who is this week's Biggest Loser on the Athletea Biggest Loser reality TV series o' the same name, staring, in order o' appearance, Athletea, Athletea, Athletea 'n Athletea. We eliminated challenger Athletea last week, but she's at home gettin' fabulously thin for her upcoming "Where are they now?" photoshoot, to be aired at a later date.

Speakin' o' photos, Mrs. Me, thanks for pming the link to your home page ... I sent yo a pm in response, but suffice it to say here that ya are LOOKING GOOD!!! You're doin' great! :cheer:

Ms. A, thanks as always for the encouragement. :) I do go by the average weekly total, with the GHOUL :ghost: being (currently) an average of 1785. Howsomever, in order to give meself a safety net, I keep tryin' fer the elusive 1600s so's I won't go "bankrupt" and hafta declare "bankruptcy" on Saturday night, which is usually when I falter and fall down on the job!!! :dn But you are right and I'm not going to focus on that 1600 number this week, just the average!!!!!

Declaring another day of rest from exercise (not from work, though). I still feel very weary and a bit overtrained and I don't want to get into that state, which is just as bad for moi as not training at all. I'll be reportin' this in the Rikki challenge anon!!! :dn

Gotta go!

Hi, Athletea -

Thanks for visiting my journal. And it is always a treat to visit yours. It is a different (alternate?) universe, but I usually understand it. Good luck in meeting your ghoul.

Yes, everyone deserves a rest at times. And all your muscles will thank you for it.

Keep smiling -

Yea:ghost: for Athletea only 9.2 to go to goal you can do this. yes you can. I can feel it in my bones. I like the way you divide your calories through the week instead of daily it would make it much easier. If you do have a bad day You can always make up for it. So glad to see you are doing swell. :cheer:

Or rather, I should say, "BOOOOO!!" ... as this is a Halloween challenge :ghost: (set in a Texas mansion where the "Athletea is the Biggest Loser" television series is being filmed, starring our contestants Athletea, Athletea, Athletea and Athletea)!!!!

JoJo, glad you like the weird, er, "alternative" universe Athletea oft inhabiteth!!! Sometimes, JoJo, Athletea just ain't in Kansas anymore, Toto! :)

Boblin, thanks fer visitin' me here in Texas (alternative Texas)!!!

We are NOT talkin' 'bout last night's extra cals ... suffice it to say we are goin' go LOW today to bring down that average. Somethin' came up yesterday that will happen to A in the near future and she desireth to be on a very even keel healthwise and weightwise in order to cope, so we're gonna kick this up a notch this week and we are bounden 'n determinin' to lose AT LEAST A POUND toward the GHOUL.

That said, A did not STAY for the extra hour of abs/core and stretch after the cycling class this a.m. ... have to travel for job and the cycle class was workout enough fer the nonce. Also the regular instructor was out sick and A didn't like the substitute ... silly, but that's how she goeth!

A haveth a project goin' this week to replace the 2 percent milk with fat free. Have used the 2 percent as it balanceth blood sugar better, but now feel can go to the ff as am so much better. Let's face it, with all the milk A drinketh, she can eliminate tons of saturated fat this way and some hefty cals as well. Not saying there will be NO 2 percent, but it will be more of a rare treat.

Inchin' along towards perfection here, but not achievin' it, as had three pieces o' candy today and that after vowing meself back to the sugar free life, but that's how she goes and the candy was the best quality ... Cerritos chocolates ... very good, caused no bad things to happen in bod, all's well.

Cals good at 1722 or thereabouts (can't see my fitday screen now), average weekly number is inchin' down. Exercise was 30 minutes of weights in gym.

Tomorrow vowing to do the cycle class, but will only do the abs/core and stretch classes if regular instructor back ... the substitute doesn't interest me ... I like consistency in instructorship! :) Taking another day off tomorrow (well, lucky me, two days off in a week).

Feelin' sad tonight for some reason. Will go back to novel reading now and pretend the house is clean rather than actually cleaning it.

That's the way Athletia the house will remain the same after you take a nice break and sit and read. Take it easy. You are getting closer to that goal. Thank's for coming over.

Hi Athletea! What novel are you reading now? I do that sometimes. Pretend the house is clean. It's usually not that bad, though, so I don't have to feel too bad about it being "messy".

I like consistancy in instructorship as well. I am all about good instructors that STAY! Hope the regular one was back.

Keep on inchin! That's the way to do it! :)

Hiya, Sugarplum!!! :wave: I'm reading "People of the Owl." It's another of the Gear and Gear series' of anthropology-based novels of prehistoric North America. They are extremely enjoyable but take forever to read as the authors seem to be scientists and mention EVERYTHING! But I like 'em. There are a zillion of them.

Nope, the instructor wasn't back so I just did my 45 minutes of purgatory on the bike and left. Ya know, the cycling class has reduced the size of my rear view by approximately 1.5 inches in just a few sessions ... it has to be that as I haven't lost much weight. I need to go out and buy more exercise clothing.

Taking today off from work as it may be my last chance in awhile.

Hey thanks a bunch for visiting me!! You are unbelievably close to your goal!! :cheer: You go girl!!

I don't know how people do 45 minutes on a bike! 15 and I'm done for! an inch and a half off the rear end is awesome! Always makes ya feel better the next time you wear your jeans.

Hi, K!!! :wave: Thanks for the visit. Re the bike, I almost didn't make the 45 minutes today and again didn't stick around for the abs/core and stretch classes that kind of go hand in hand (most of the people stay for all three). I'm pooped and must rest before going back to work tomorrow.

Well, by dint o' receiving some updated info on the indiscretion with the chocolate candies (which I had again today, I'm afraid, so there goes the slippery slope again), which are significantly lower in cals than I had estimated, my total yesterday was in the 1600s. Today I'm in the 1500s and hope to stay there, but we'll see.

Hi, Athletea, I'm glad the chocolate candies are lower in cals than you had thought. I guess one would still need to be careful of them though. When I used to eat chocolate candies, I couldn't stop at one piece, I would cheerfully eat the whole bag and look around for more. Good for you with your self-control.

Here is how I freeze tomatoes. I blanch them (dip them in boiling water until the skins are easy to slide off, about 30-40 seconds). I package them in baggies using a two-cup measure. Two cups of the chopped up tomatoes equals roughly one can of tomatoes, but this way they are without any sugar or salt, and the canned ones have both. They are mighty tasty in soups and stews, and I guess they will keep a long time in the freezer. I have kept them there satisfactorily for almost a year.

Any questions? Have a great day!!!

Hi, JoJo!!! :wave: Thanks for stoppin' by. I'm the same way about chocolates, which is why I swore off all refined sugar and white flour (white rice, etc.), but keep slippin' up now 'n then. But I must say that my control is far better because of the long times in between the indulgences, which used to be a daily occurrence, and I'm not havin' the insulin spikes I used to have whenever I ate this junk (well, it wasn't junk, it was Cerretas candy, which I spelled wrong earlier today, but it's very good candy produced in Arizona). Of course, it helped that I only bought three pieces in the store and ate 'em in the car and then went right home! :laugh:

Thanks for the info on freezing the tomatoes. I have some plum tomatoes that I will do this to tonight. I would think for my needs that one cup baggies would be better (no dh, no kids).

Ya know, JoJo, it is very odd because, as you may or may not recall, not so very long ago I averred that I hated all vege and couldn't eat 'em ... but when ya cut out the junk (most of the junk), it's surprising how tasty tomatoes 'n the like start to seem. I just adore plum tomatoes, even the little tiny "grape" ones. Have also been craving Brussel sprouts, broc and mushrooms, as well as grapes.

You are certainly changing your way of life Athletea. Keep up the good work. At least you are being accountable for a slip. I'm sure a long time ago. Youtried to hide it I know I did. Wouldn't be seen eating junk food in public. Hey I didn't get like this eating fruit and veg. at least I woke up to that. I'm on my 5th day no sugar. Take care girl and goal is just around the corner.

Those are some good thoughts, Athletea. Once you cut out the junk, you'll be surprised at how good things (like veggies) taste. I need to do this. I can't cut it out completely, as I know myself. I am SO much better about control, and have taught myself to stop at one or two. I know they will be there tomorrow, and I can have them then. Anyway, you are just so awesome, and I'm proud of all you've accomplished! Keep up the terrific work! :D

~Sugarplum~

I chucked the white flour and refined sugars also. Much to the dismay of my husband. lol Except for nights we have pizza. Pizza Hut doesn't have a wheat crust. lol We're a big pasta eating family though. I switched to wheat spaghetti months ago, but just switched the macaroni noodles about three weeks ago. Boy there have been a LOT of stuck up noses in the house. My son doesn't care too much, and my husband will eat it, but they both make comments about the boxed mac and cheese, "Why don't you make the macaroni out of the box anymore?" lol The one wheat thing that I found they both absolutely love, is wheat tortillas. They're softer, and tastier, and better for ya! We all love them!!

Hi, Athletea, yes I remember very well when you didn't eat veggies. And I am glad you like them now. I love almost all kinds of veggies, and eat a lot of them. Our tastes do change, don't they.

As for the little grape tomatoes, they are wonderful!!! We ate a lot of them this summer, they looked great on a raw veggie plate. Maybe I'll try to grow some grape tomatoes next summer. This summer all I grew were the Early Girl variety.

Keep smiling -

hi athletea...yes you are absolutly right....after a while of cutting junk food i stsrted to like and crave things i used to hate before...like all leafy veggies...apples,and many other fruits...
this is the good side ,yet one bad habit i cant get rid of is that i cant go on without sweets for more than one week...my will gets weaker and i eat cakes ,chocolates or whatever i ve home at that time...thats what happened to me yesterday and today too...i hope i can get rid of that...

but you are doing great and very inspiring...and getting much closer to your goal too...best of luck to you...

It's so nice to receive so many visits all at one time!! :)

Thanks be to Rose, JoJo, Kayzzee, Sugarplum, Boblin fer the visits!!! Apologies to all, as Athletea be meanin' to respond individually to each 'n all, but right at the moment her head be not workin' properly! :)

Not sure what's buggin' me, actually. Worked all day, cals good, exercise nothin' to write home about, all food nutritious (except the stupid three pieces o' Cerretas chocolates that I ate again today, thus killin' off all my determination not to eat refined sugar in October, but that's life ...)!

Anyhow, tomorrow is another day! (Scarlett O'Hara said that whilst lyin' prostrate on the stairs o' her fab mansion somewhere in Georgia followin' the final departure o' Rhett Butler from her doorstep after he told her he didn't give a darn ...).

:)

Hi Athletea! Just checking in with you. Stay away from those chocolates today---gourmet chocolates are a gateway treat, they'll only lead to candy corn!:laugh:

Hi Athletea! Just checking in with you. Stay away from those chocolates today---gourmet chocolates are a gateway treat, they'll only lead to candy corn!:laugh:

:laugh: Oh no, not CANDY KORN, E!!!! Say it be not so!!! I didn't see that slippery slope there in front o' me eyes!!!! I'll heed thy warnin' ...

D'ye suppose the CANDY KORN COMPANY is owned by the same folks who make the gourmet stuff? :help:

Gadzooks, is nothin' sacred anymore?

Hi Athletea you will just have to leave the candy at the store where it belongs. You will see your goal you can smell it. Must smell good. Wish I was that close. Take care.

That candy belongs at the bottom o' the sea, methinks, Boblin!! :laugh: And there are no seas in Arizona.

Re my goal, dunno, sometimes it doesn't seem that important anymore, kind of like my career, which I used to be passionate about but now can take or leave (mostly leave) ... but I soldier on as I don't wanna gain the weight back and having a goal is the best way to assure that doesn't happen.

And re the goal, I did lose .40 this week with an average weekly cal count of 1781, four less than the target. So I readjusted my target for the average weekly to 1727 ... the Fitday software figures it all out ... don't have to use my brain or anything! :dn ... may seem silly to redo the average target each week, but I'm finding that's the best way ... I WILL reach 135 by October 30, chocolates or not!!!

Oh, was forgetting that Athletea's Biggest Loser TV show had its elimination breakfast following a weigh-in and Athletea was named the Biggest Loser o' the week. This was followed by the elimination of the week's Smallest Loser, Athletea, SO contestants left include Athletea, Athletea, Athletea and Athletea ... or some number of Athleteas ... I can't count 'em all as they tend to look alike.

Athletea was going to work today but now thinks she might not.

A hearty but healthful, chocolate free brunch is now being served at the Texas Halloween mansion where Athletea's Biggest Loser is being filmed.

The Personal Trainer Witch (our old friend, Exercise Hag) has ordered everyone to get more exercise this week as we need to kick some caloric b*tt 'cause we wanna make a TAD more progress at the next weigh-in, although we're pretty happy with .40!!!

We think we need a new Demon Scale. Not sure this one is accurate. :lil:

Hey lady! Congrats on the .40! Any loss is a good loss. That should be my motto.

Gosh, I've been giving everyone pyramids, and I think you deserve a nana one! Here you go!

:dn
:dn :dn
:dn :dn :dn

Enjoy your week. Not sure if I'll be around much, but I'll be thinking of you, and hoping for a good weigh-in! Stick to the challenge. You're doing great!

Good job on the weight loss, Athletea!
If you want a good laugh (at my expense, lol) you can read my journal entry today...

Hi Athleatea a loss is a loss no matter how big or small. We take all losses even maintaining now and again is good. Go girl.

Huzzah, all!!! :wave: Thanks be to Cape Code Coy, Rikki (aka Sugarplum o' the Pyramids), Aria 'n Boblin fer the visits whilst LOSER Athletea be out.

On deadline right now or would write more, just stoppin' in to the ol' Diettalk stand fer a sec. (Jimmy Stewart voice)

My good news is that yesterday's cal count was 1598. The bad news is that the no refined sugar thing be blown again today (had a Nemo cake) ... ah well, if I get this work done, I can take a nice nappie!!! Huzzah!!!

Rikki 'n CC, I'll be over in the challenge later ... not much to report!

Hi, Athletea, you are certainly getting close to that goal of yours.

Just keep plugging along, doing the best you can. None of us can do anything else, can we?

And keep smiling -

Nope, JoJo, I don't think we can do anything more than our best! :) And I particularly needed to hear someone say that tonight (work issue) so again I have to thank thee!!! Have a blessed evening!

:wave:

Nope, JoJo, I don't think we can do anything more than our best! :)
:wave:


I really like that quote!! Very true, very true! I just read you use fitday. Thats pretty big habit of mine too. Do you use the boughten version or the online version. I have used the online version of and on for as many years as I have been on here off and on. lol Well, actually, I'm much better about keeping to that than coming here. But I was wondering, if you do have the boughten version, how is it different than the online and would you consider it better? I have put a lot of thought into actually purchasing it, but I'm one of those that have to have at least one testimonial, or a try before you buy thing. lol

Well you take care!!

Hi, K!!! :wave: Thanks for the visit. I use the Fitday PC, which I bought and downloaded, also bought a CD for backup. It's somewhat different, if I recall, from the online version (I haven't used the online one all that much, it seemed different). I absolutely LOVE the Fitday PC and I like having it on my hard drive rather than having to log everything online. It's really been a huge help to my program!

Seems like youre doing well!! My budget cant afford fitday PC at the moment but I'm glad to hear you like it. I want something that can go on my mobile phone hopefully. Best wishes!!

Hi, Athletea -

I log my menus at Fitday occasionally, but I have not, as yet, purchased the program you purchased. I'm also glad to hear about it from you, you are a good salesperson for such things.

Keep smiling -

Yeah it would be nicer to just be able to get onto my pc. And not have to log in and re log in. It can get pretty time consuming.

Hello Athletea,

Been a while, but since I was in the neighborhood, I thought I'd come and peek into your journal. I see you are still proving that determination and committment can make goals reachable, and you will be reaching yours very soon. HOORAY FOR YOU!!

When I get my act together, I think I am going to have to break my goals down to small ones. The whole picture is just too big for my little mind to handle. I find it just so overwhelming. I'm still not ready to come face to face with my demons yet, but I'm trying.

Take care dear lady, and have a good weekend.

Hey Athletea!! :wave: Please, give me the kick in the pants I need to exercise again after my vacation. I sense somehow that you are the one to do it for me. In fact, I might just exercise on the threat that you might kick me in the pants. Come on, help me out now!!

stopping by to say "hi" :wave:

Beth :dn

Hi, to all who stoppeth in here during the past few days and apologies for not respondin' properly and acknowledgin' each and every visit, as I do appreciate it. Dealin' with another stupid depressive episode and not up to postin' much ... turnin' the page on this journal and hopin' to start another one soon ... :wave:

:hug: Athletea. I know the feeling well. Feel better soon. :wave:

Hi Athletea, I hope you feel better soon!
Are you taking good care of yourself? Did you try something new recently to distract yourself, or do you just need to have some quiet time to recover from too much going on?

Sorta recoverin' here, but someone today (without knowing it) gave me an idea for a new journal so abandonin' this one ... :)