Hi guys. I'm going nuts trying to stay caught up at work but I just might pull it off. We're leaving at noon on Friday and I can't promise that I will be able to pop in to see you all. I'll take my laptop but there isn't always a spot to get a server.

I had the MOST FANTASIC weekend I've had in a long time. I picked my kiddos up on Friday after work. Dh did have supper ready for us even if it was just hotdogs. (kid food!lol) After dinner we started right in on our fall fair projects. Mic was first..making a chocolate cake...a recipe of my mom's. (the secret ingredient is mayo). She had batter everywhere..on my feet, down the front of me, on my side, all over the counter and up one of her arms right to her armpit. We couldn't stop laughing! Then Tanya started Kaedyn on making his pirate hat, eye patch and sword out of foam. I was cleaning! lol I had made a huge cookie (or "tookie" as Nolyn calls it) and it was Nolyn's job to decorate it. Poppa told him where to put what. We didn't do any of the projects the kids did but we did offer sugguestions and were there beside them the whole way. By the time Nolyn was finished this "tookie" was a heart shaped face with cherries for eyes and red licorice for long hair. Too cute. Mic had already made her scrapbook page and Kaedyn had made a lego project. So, that left Nolyn and I got him busy making oatmeal cookies (another recipe of my mom's.) He pooped out after making the dough and getting 6 cookies on the cookie sheet, but that was okay cause we only needed 6! I had another mess to clean up and by this time it was almost 10 p.m. We were all pooped. Everything was entered in the fair the next morning and then I had to keep them busy until Sunday afternoon when we went to the fair to see how they did. I was very nervous that I might have one or two disappointed kids who didn't get ribbons so I made up a couple of #1 kid ribbons just in case. I could have saved myself the trouble. Mic got a 2nd for her scrapbook page and a 1st for her cake. Nolyn got a 1st for his decorated cookie, a 1st for his oatmeal cookies and a big green ribbon for Best of Class. Kaedyn got a 2nd for his foam sword, eye patch and pirate hat and a 3rd for his lego project. He was upset he didn't get a 1st also but maybe he'll work a little harder next year...we promised to buy him more lego so his project can be bigger and that helped. All in all it was a great day and I was just goose bumps when I saw all those ribbons. Mic was really nervous about her scrapbook page. Now I know I won't be able to hold her back from my supplies. lol I was more than a little annoyed when my ddil didn't even bother to come with my ds to see how her kids did...nor did she even call. Not mother material in my mind. Now I have created monsters cause they are already talking about what they want to make next year! lol

Oh, I entered a couple of my scrapbook pages too and got a 1st and a 2nd.

We've got crazy weather here. Summer has come back and it's really hot and humid. Back to having windows open at night and fans going. It's supposed to last until the middle of next week which is good so we will have nice weather for our camping/baseball weekend this weekend.

Barb: I will be joining you when we get back from holidays. I am so disgusted with my weight. Everything is tight and I have a huge roll in the middle. Seems the more weight I gain the more upset I get and the more I eat. I have to stop this cycle before I've gained back the 90 lbs. I lost.

And Patrick Swayze? That is just too sad. My favorite movie is Dirty Dancing.

Judy: Did I miss a post? How did those shoes turn out? Comfy?

Shelley: Woo Hoo on the running! I intend to get back on the treadmill after holidays..no running for awhile though. I'm going through major muscle pain so I intend to keep it slow for awhile. At least it will get me off my butt.

Tonight is the fist episode of Biggest Loser. That show always gives me incentive. I'll miss the next 2 episodes but will pick it up again after holidays. Looks like it will be hamburger bowls for dinner so I don't have to miss anything.

Okay...I'm off to battle the paperwork. Talk to later I hope.

__________________
Donna
238.5/173.4/150
I will see my goal weight again

Donna, I'm delighted with your report on the kids' success--and yours, too! Woohoo! I know you are thrilled, and they are, too. These are memories that last forever. Congratulations on a great event. You are terrific!

Y'know, those kids will never remember how much you weighed on the day they collected all those ribbons. What's most important??

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Donna, CONGRATULATIONS on all the ribbons. The kids did great. We will be keeping Miss O for a couple of days weekend after next. It will be the first time that she has stayed with us. I'm building an idea bank of things to do to keep her busy. She's a little young for much heavy duty crafting, but we could probably give something a try.

Barb, I feel like all is right with the site now that you are dropping in more regularly......... and especially because I am now finding your early morning posts again.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Speaking of early morning. My body clock got set for ridiculous years ago. Here it is 4:30, and I'm bouncing out of bed. Not a big deal when you've zonked out the night before at nine. But still... I do find I can get a lot done, because nobody else wants you, it's quiet, and (in my case) the brain is functioning clearly. Ah--I hear the coffee pot gurgling. Caffeine's ready.

If there's any breeze at all today, we're going sailing. Crossing my fingers!

Donna, I can imagine how Biggest Loser would be inspirational--even though from what I've heard, they knock themselves silly with exercise. There seems to be a lot of controversy over the effectiveness of exercise for weight loss. In my opinion, it doesn't help much to burn calories, but it's absolutely essential for overall health and fitness (lungs, heart, muscles--all that). I think regular walking on the treadmill provides plenty of benefit.

I'm gritting my teeth, holding out hope for the next Whoosh. Har (to quote Shelley). I'm just mad that I've got nice clothes I let myself grow out of, and I swore I never would do that again. We know too well that weight management is, for us especially, a lifelong struggle. Once the upward trend gets started, there's no upper limit. And that could be serious.

Time to get busy with studies for my Circle at church. The first Thursday rolls around really fast.

Take care of you!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Good morning! Well, after watching Biggest Loser last night I'm not going to wait until after holidays to get back on the bandwagon. I watched 2 people being taken to hospital and they hadn't even made it to the ranch yet. All they had to do was walk or jog 1 mile to the finish line to find what order they picked their teams. One 28 year old girl collapsed and was airlifted to hospital. She didn't come back for the whole episode. Like the doctor said....heavy people look fine...but they are ill. One young fellow found out that he has type 2 diabetes. Barb, I agree that the exercise level is ridiculous on the show. That's not the part that gives me the incentive. I think it's the fact that if they are trying so hard...why can't I? Anyway, I'm back and going to try my best to get back into the clothes that I love that are hanging unworn in my closet. It might be too late for summer....but I have a lot of nice winter sweaters that I'd love to wear. Plus...I hate feeling the way I do.

One final meeting with the ballteam tonight and then our tournament this weekend. This is the one where the ladies do the BBQ for 8 ballteams and their families. Lots of cooking will be done on the weekend. I'll be taking 2 blueberry cheesecakes as my contribution to the desert table. Of course, the weatherman has decided to change his mind from nice weather to crap. Cold and rainy this weekend now. Not much we can do about it if it happens....at least the fire bans have been lifted and we can enjoy each others company around the firepit at night.

Judy: I don't think Miss O is too young for crafts. All little kids love to colour and glue. How about a collage? I used to do that with my kids using different leaves we found around the neighbourhood. I'm thinking about getting Micayla started in rug hooking or knitting now. I'm not a great knitter but I do know how to knit and purl. I don't think it's the crafts so much that she loves as all the one on one attention.

Barb: Enjoy that sailing. I'm so envious. Growing up around the ocean and always on the boat on weekends it's hard to find myself living in the desert with a man that hates water. Boy...do I ever pick them. lol

Shelley: Have a great day on Sunday! That's an order ya hear? lol

Okay...off to work. I'm going to open the blinds wide to let in the sun and enjoy it while I can.

__________________
Donna
238.5/173.4/150
I will see my goal weight again

Good morning, Ladies. I'm actually late to the post, considering how long I've been up.

We had a great afternoon of sailing. Lovely breeze, beautiful sunshine. At one point, we nearly dumped the boat--a trough in the waves and a gust of wind, and WHOOSH we were taking on water. I let go of the sheet (the rope that holds the sail), and we got right. Whew. Of course, we had decided to leave the pump and the bailer in the car--so we had to make for the dock and retrieve those items. Water sloshing in the bottom of a small boat does not improve the stability.

By way of "tracking" (which is officially what we were about here) I have decided to resume stepping on the scales daily. I think this is vital to my disposition to ignore or deny reality when it comes to weight management--I always end up in trouble. I'm pretty sure I've dropped another pound--and I remind myself that a pound in a week is a very good achievement. Even though my emotions want it to be three.

Looks like another beautiful day coming up. I'm into my shoes and out the door in a few minutes.

Take care of you.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Good morning. The sun is shining...birds are singing...life is good. I love this time of year even though I can see my flowers dying and the yard looking sad. But, the weather is just right!

Even the scale was kind to me this morning with a 2 lb. drop. Barb, I weigh every morning even though I know my weight can fluctuate a lot. I deserve to see the consequences if I've eaten off plan and to me it's like a kick in the a**. I'm back on track and just a little worried what will happen once we hit the road for holidays. I'm taking along a good reminder though in my too tight jeans so that might help.

I have so much to do tonight that I'm wishing I had taken today off work. But, that would have made it even harder to come back here. There is no happy medium. So, it will probably be omelets for dinner using up all the bits and pieces in the fridge and then busy loading the motorhome and doing all the last minute things in the house. We're off at noon tomorrow so I probably won't be posting in here. Everyone take care and if I don't get a chance to post while we are gone....all of you take care!

Shelley: Happy Birthday for Monday!

__________________
Donna
238.5/173.4/150
I will see my goal weight again

Flying by...
We've been socked in with this weird weather pattern...rain out the wazoo! We've been getting rain from the EAST....which is totally backwards!!! doh!! I'm ready for some decent running weather!

Have a super fun time, Donna...and get lots of GREAT shopping in to!!
Thanks for the BD wishes!

Barb...I do the scale gig every morning. If I don't, *things* can get totally out of control in a NY minute...or faster! LOL! If the scales go up, I buckle down and try harder; if they go down, I buckle down and try harder. It's just those days that I don't buckle that are a problem. <snort>

Off to fold more laundry, and I'm even considering starting a Christmas applique project or 2. We'll see if the thought develops into an actual act of doing.

Waves and smiles to the missing.

(((hugs to all)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Bon Voyage, Donna!

Another glorious weather day in KC. Rain is in the forecast for the weekend, and I guess it's about time. For now, though--Miata, here I come!

Now that I'm back on the LC track, I'm entertaining myself at another LC website that has extremely active boards. Lots of newbies with the usual questions, and some rather flaming discussions of the science and nuance of LC eating. Lotsa fun--and keeps me thinking LC all the time, as I must. I remember spending quite a lot of time surfing LC sites when I was bored at work. (True confession)

Along those lines, at the library, I've reserved that book by Gary Taubes, Good Calories, Bad Calories that came out a year ago or so. It's a humongous tome, I gather, but now is a good time to explore some of the science (or lack of it) behind weight management theories.

I'm off for a visit with my financial guru this morning. Time to review the investment balance, and figure out how to continue planning for my old age. I don't want to outlive my resources--but I don't want to scrimp either.

Have a great day in your neighborhood.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

The Miata would float away here. The sun peaked out for a minute or two today. It's rained everyday for well over a week. Today's moment of sun was just a fluke. Rain is to continue for another 5 days of so.

TGIF!!

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Judy, you and Shelley--beyond soaked! We expected rain here today, but not a sign of it. Usually those storms push this way--I guess they've just decided to hang out down south.

Now that I'm on my low-carb tear, I'm sucking up information again. Today at the library, I got that Taubes book. I plan to "read around" in it for general discussion. He's very thorough, and the style is readable, if quite dense with facts. Books like his inspire NO confidence in science or medicine to get the story straight without major prejudice and preconceptions skewing the investigation. But then, the human body is a complicated thing.

All we know is what works for us, right?

I'm pretty sure I've dropped another lb. for a total of 7 in three weeks. Breaking thru the 150 plateau is a big deal. I actually feel lighter, even if it's just my imagination.

Have a pleasant Sunday--even if you have to take refuge indoors.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Barb, although it is not specifically a book for low carb eating, I really found motivation from the book that Rachel recommended a year or so ago. It's by Judith Beck and the Title is something like "Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person." It's a cognitive therapy book. To get right down to it, you do have to be cognizant of what you are eating.

For the first time since school started I left school on Friday afternoon without having a knot in my stomach over all that I needed to do over the weekend. I had grading to do.... that's a given, and probably should have made out a test, but, I was "caught up" enough that I enjoyed going to yoga, walking both days (YEA!! we got a break from the rain), and making a Halloween surprise for Miss O. She's coming to stay with us next weekend. I took Donna's advice and bought a craft project to do with her. It's a little foam haunted house that you assemble and then decorate with stickers and glitter. She loves stickers! It says for age 6, but I figure a 3 yr old with some grandmother help can manage to get it done.

Have a good week...........

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Good morning, Judy and everyone. Monday again. School day for me, but my homework is done, and I don't have a test. No dread factor!

Thanks, Judy, for the book recommendation. I'll have a look at it. I think one of the reasons I eventually make it back to low-carb eating is that I AM always conscious of what I'm eating--and beating myself up over it. It's not very reassuring to know (according to Taubes, Atkins, and others) that thin people (people who have never been fat) don't actually eat less than, or differently from, people who get fat. That fact doesn't absolve us who care from having to take action.

In fact, Taubes refers many times to 1500-1700 calorie diets as "near-starvation." So what's with that recommendation from many sources that "ten times your goal weight" in calories is what's best? That would be in the neighborhood of 1300 for me--and I've always thought that WAS near-starvation, and an impossible achievement.

If the Taubes book says anything at all, it's that prejudice rules in weight management "science."

Anyway, last night I melted the last of my coconut oil, mixed in some unsweetened cocoa and Splenda, and made me some chocolates. Total calories for the day, 1400 with 71% fat. I've decided to keep the carbs very low, but not skimp on the fats as best I can. It's hard to consume all that much mayonnaise and butter with nothing to put it on.

The little haunted house sounds perfect for a project with Miss O. She'll probably end up with witches on her elbows. What fun!

It's good to be back in the LC game--and I have a lot of training to do. Please allow me to bore you with details.

Have a good week everybody.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Well girls here's a no brainer reminder.......... Potato Soup should just go by the name "Instant Weight On". I made some for DH last night and had some too. The results were not pleasant.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

I did it!
I Ran 3.01 miles this morning, on this, my 55th birthday!!
Personally, I do think old(er) chicks can do anything they set their minds to!!
Now, I'm off to brood over DD telling me I should ask for my Sr. discount when we go to dinner tonight!!! LOL!
DH got me a Cuisinart immersion blender for my BD; can't wait to whip up some mashed fauxtatoes! (I've already played with it and whipped some cream!)

Ju...it's just carb bloat...your glycogen stores got amped up...drink lots of water today, and it'll be gone in 36 hrs, I'd bet!

Barb...I guess I should drag out my Traubes book; I got it and could just never *get into it*.

to the shower...

(((hugs all around)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!