Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

RobinsEgg

@Annr - May the Forth be with you too - ha! I said that a lot today - even wrote it on a check in the reminder area - just for a laugh - it was a check to a great niece who was graduating High School off in Colorado. Good catch for your Navy son.
You've dealt out some good advice to others today but it sounds like you are frustrated yourself in the kitchen. Actually you are almost 100% in control in the kitchen what with you being done and closing it down 2 hrs before bedtime - I think thats very admirable. Pllus you are so strong for being able to eat your light meal of salad etc while fixing meat and potatoes for your thin son and your disabled hubby.
You go swim and think about how well you're actually doing!

@Melfornia - I didn't see anything about a Premium Package - I'll have to do some reading when I get a little spare time.

@Skinny - I'm in a hurry for you to see that specialist for your shoulder (or scapula or whatever) too I hope the 19th comes asap. Hey is Cinco De Mayo being celebrated at school?

@Laurie - swimming in open water is very different than swimming laps in pools - just as climbing a rock wall inside a building is different that climbing an actual rock outside. Perhaps you should plan to forgo maybe the next two triathalons. Just tell yourself you're not going to do them on account of the swimming. THen keep swimming laps , riding the bike and running. As the tri's dates pass you up, I think you will react one way or the other, happy or sad, and that reaction will tell you what you need to know about yourself. If you find you miss the tri's then you'll need to find some open water to practice in, which I'm sure your friends will be able to help you with.
Laurie - is the aunt who passed away the one aunt who sort of wanted you to come live with her?

well that's about all the personals I have time for right now, but ladies and gents you all seem to be putting your health up there as the number one priority in your life. Good for you. I support you 100%. Keep it up! With the milder temperatures don't you feel as if spring is rising in your own blood? If you are up before dawn, you can hear birds singing outside. Its quite invigorating. (How you say? just don't ever go to sleep...)

AFM - don't know if I mentioned this before, but I traded in my car and bought a new used car - a 2011 Malibu - now I'm trying to re-finance my house, and hopefully merge my car loan into my home loan, but right now the rates are not being kind to me - they are exactly the same as when I bought my condo 3 years ago....so I am just calling my lender every day to see if they drop or go up...

My step-mom has made good progress at the Rehabilitation Center and on May 1st she moved from there to her final destination, the Masonic Home in her own home town, 40 minutes from me, but she is just 5 minutes from both her 2 kids. She is sort of crabby about how small her room is and how her furniture is arranged and how the food tastes and she doesn't get peaches often enough (so we are hiding them in her room) but she is very happy in that she has found 3 very nice ladies she has known over the years who are now living there as well.

My step-sister has the awful burden of getting her mom's little but crowded place sorted out and furniture auctioned off and the place sold. I won't be involved in that. (thank the Lord for small favors)

Some days I have been so busy I don't get my morning coffee in, and its quite upsetting but I make a point to do it whenever I come back home even if its late afternoon, so I'm trying to log it then. Like today, that's all I've had is coffe and a bagel and its already tomorrow at 1;40 am so I better get something in me that has some protein, and I'm guessing its either scrambled eggs again or cottage cheese again. Such is life in the great midwest.

Another Drs. appt. tomorrow. Time hasn't stopped the swelling in my hands and feet. I'm on a diuretic this guy prescribes - maybe he can just make it stronger.

I waited patiently for a letter from the Rheumatology Doc I saw 2 weeks ago to tell me his findings of all the x-rays he ordered of my hands, knees and feet-Well, the letter came Saturday.

It read "I will defer reporting the x-ray findings for your regular doctor to go over with you when she returns, as you are scheduled to see her on June 30th. There are either changes of osteoporosis or degenerative arthritis. I will enclose a pamphet for you to read."

BUT there was NO pamphet enclosed! So Monday I get to call the office and ask for that....I suspect I need surgery in my hands (my thumbs specifically - I can't open anything and I always imagine monkeys doing better than me when I wrestle with jars or pop-top cans) but I'm not sure about my feet. Thanks again, Doc.

oh, here's some GOOD news. I'm flying to Sedona AZ, on May 26, meeting up with a girlfriend and staying at Forest Houses Resort, right on Oak Creek in Sedona, til June 2nd. I'll be off-line as the location does not have wi-fi or Cell-phone connections. Should be really relaxing. Was going to hike a bit, but my feet are shot, and until I know whats wrong with them (thanks Doc, ) I won't be pushing it. My girlfriend, (a very frustrated kindergarden teacher and ex post facto baby sitter of an extra 35or so non-English-speaking 5 and 6-year old immigrant kids) (who are all untrained and wild) (not saying the non-immigrant kids are docile tho) she is really looking forward to school being over!

kah68

I don’t think the premium package has rolled out to all members yet, its $9.99/mo or $49.99/year—it just started popping up for me this week, when I login. You get a few perks—it’s ad-free and more customizable, like adjusting what you see on your home page (i.e. calories or certain micro-nutrients left depending on how you set it up) and gives you access to more exclusive content (i.e. articles/tips). There are a few other perks, but those are what caught my eye. Between belonging to an expensive gym and my WW membership it doesn't make sense for me to upgrade.

@annasgyal~Almost 7 pounds in two weeks is great, it looks like what you’re doing is working for you. Keep it up! I used to feel the same way about walking/running outside or belonging to a gym, but I just had to suck it up and start living my life regardless of what other people thought—it turns out most people are just concerned with themselves and not what others are doing. You'd be surprised too at how many people (strangers) will support you and encourage you along the course. Don’t let your weight hold you back from something you want to do, do the 5k and have fun (that’s what it’s all about anyway). Maybe a friend would like to do it with you.

@bapcarrier~I ride my bike for an hour 3 days a week—mileage depends on our pace but lately our distance averages 10-12 miles.

@Niki~Good luck with the planks. When I started doing planks I started high and worked my way to the floor—first using the wall, then the counter in the kitchen, then the stairs and eventually the floor—now I can do side planks. Your core will get stronger and stronger, so slowly work your way to the floor.

@cblue315 (Lori)~Congrats on your first race, thanks for sharing the pics!

@Tammy~Hooray for saying good riddance to the 300s!

@Annr~I was shocked at what I spent on groceries Sunday, I usually average around $85/wk but Sunday I spent $135 and still don’t know why since I didn't buy anything out of the ordinary!

AFM~Well, I had my first bike crash yesterday—the chain slipped off and down I went. Luckily just my pride was hurt, have a skinned knee (how old am I? ) and broke a few blood vessels in my hand—glad no one was around. It was early in our ride but it didn't stop us. Chain is slipping a lot in first gear, so may need adjusting--I'll probably take it to the bike shop on Saturday for a look-see.

Morgori

Good morning everyone.

Happy National Teacher Day!
National Teacher Day is always the Tuesday of the first full week of May.
An Arkansas teacher, Mrs. Mattye Whyte Woodridge, began corresponding with political and education leaders as early as 1944 about the need for a national day honoring teachers. One of the leaders she wrote to was Eleanor Roosevelt, who persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day in 1953.
In the late 1970s, the National Education Association, its Indiana and Kansas state affiliates, and its local affiliate in Dodge City, Kansas, all lobbied Congress on behalf of creation of a national day celebrating teachers. Congress declared March 7, 1980 as National Teacher Day for that year only.
NEA and its affiliates continued to observe Teacher Day on the first Tuesday in March until 1985, when NEA and the National PTA established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May. The NEA Representative Assembly then voted to make the Tuesday of that week National Teacher Day.

National Teacher Day

National Teacher’s Day

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. ~Confucius

Tom

BohemianCoast

Thanks for all the kind words; it's nice to know I was missed but I'd have been better being here. Things are going ok so far. Working at my own pace, that sounds good. It's all been good so far; I can't think why I stopped, really.

Things are well with us generally; my daughter's got a place at her first choice university, so that's nice. She has to get good grades in her public exams this summer though! They start next week; I'd like to say she's working really hard but she's not. And she's fretting about all her leavers parties and things at school. So that's no doubt a round of money-spending for me.

@NK1112 : Niki, I never had a problem with the free app, so I'm not sure what I'd be spending the $9.99 for. If anyone is a premium member, can they tell us what it's like?

@Lauriek70 : Laurie, I think sugar's such a problem; as soon as I have something sweet, I just want more.

@annasgyal : My daughter talks about people ridiculing fat people when they're running. I think I just reckon that exercise is so good for you and makes you feel so good that a little bit of ridicule is worth it.

@RobinsEgg : Robin, I was so worried when people said they hadn't heard from you in a while! So I'm glad to hear all is well. But that doesn't sound like a good report form the rheumatologist.

I hope you're all having a wonderful Tuesday!

-- Alison

Lauriek70

anna-Do the 5K if you truly want to do it. They are fun and friendly to get out and exercise. You will see people of all ability levels participating in these events. Some will run others will walk, it does not matter how you choose to do it just do it is an accomplishment. There are supportive people all along the course especially at the finish line cheering you on, so just go for it.

Robin- I am putting the triathlon's on hold for now. I need to obtain a few smaller goals at this point so I will be comfortable doing a triathlon. The first two on my list is learning to swim open water and riding open road. This will also help to decide what I want to do about competing.

Kelley- I would have the chain looked at, it should not be slipping off like that or that often. Did it happen when you were shifting gears.

Tom- Thanks for the reminder about National Teacher's Day and the history behind it. Hence the reason for the doughnuts and other sweet treats yesterday.

Lauriek70

Robin- it is not the same Aunt who wanted me to live with her. That person is my Dad's cousin, who lives in Cambridge MD. This Aunt was my Mom's sister who lived around the corner from us then moved to Michigan a few years ago. The funeral was very nice today. It was nice to see family and reconnect with them while meeting a new cousin. I have not seen many of these people since my aunt's husband died about 7 years ago.

Goals- I will continue exercising and eating correctly. I will take things in small steps instead of jumping in with both feet before looking. This may be easier said than done but I will do my best to take small steps to reach my goals.

Exercise goals
Monday- Walk DONE
Tuesday- Trainer workout- Done
Wednesday- rest
Thursday- swim or gym
Friday- climb
Saturday- ???

skinnyjeanzbound

@laurie-- sorry to hear about your aunt's passing. Regarding the tri--glad you made a decision about postponing it. I know it was stressing you out, so setting the goals to swim open water and road bike is smart. That will give you a better idea if you really want to do it.

@ann-- Haha! May the fourth be with you was my mantra all day yesterday. I'm more team Star Trek than team Star Wars, but still nerdy enough to celebrate.

@robin-- good to hear you step mom is getting settled into her new place. The trip to AZ sounds relaxing--enjoy!

@tom-- thanks for the info on National Teachers Day. My school celebrates all week, so like laurie, it will be tempted with treats. Yesterday the Booster club provided breakfast and I indulged in half a chocolate chip muffin. Tomorrow we get Jamba Juice smoothies (I ordered the lowest calorie option available), Thursday there will be cake in the faculty dining room, and Friday the administration serves us ice cream sundaes. Today was the only day without food treats. Instead my department chair puts out a variety of fun post-its, binder clips, highlighters, etc. and we get to take whatever we'd like. English teachers are easy to please as we were all thrilled with the variety--I personally am drawn to the purple grading pens as well as highlighters for annotating books.

Regarding the premium package--I have been getting the invites to join for about a week, but don't have any immediate plans to do so.

Monday Check-in: (how am I still a day behind?)
We had our 2 contract meetings with the union members (yesterday and today) and both went well. A few grumbles here and there, but nothing we weren't expecting. All in all, we're pretty confident the members will vote to pass the contract next week.

Tuesday Goals;
Still working through the essays. I handed back Lit Theory papers to all who are taking the AP exam tomorrow and will finish the rest tomorrow. I also made a small dent on the last in-class essays. Would like to finish those by Friday. Then all I'll have left is those junior research papers.

Still not hitting my protein goal but staying close to allowance everyday. Hoping to make it to the gym tomorrow, then I will likely not run until my 8k on Saturday.

I'm having some regrets about signing up for this 8k. Not b/c I don't want to run it--I do, but b/c it's so early in the morning. The race itself doesn't start until 9 am, but my race packet recommends we get there by 7:30 and it's downtown Chicago at Soldier Field which a bit over an hour drive. That means I will have to get up at 6 am which is NOT appealing to me.

May Challenge:
Nutrition = At or over 90 grams of protein 5/7 days a week
Week 1: At/over 90g of protein x/7
Week 2: At/over 90g of protein x/7
Week 3: At/over 90g of protein x/7
Week 4: At/over 90g of protein x/7

Exercise = run 3 x/week:
Week 1: 1/3 runs
Week 2: x/3 runs
Week 3: x/3 runs
Week 4: x/3 runs

Next 8k is May 9th (Thanksgiving 8k = 56:49, NYE 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15, 3/29 = 59:15)

Grading Goals:
1. 58/64 Lit theory papers
2. 10/64 AP essays
3. 8/60 JRPs
4. x/60 Hemingway analyses

Exercise Goals:
Sun--rest day
Mon--meeting
Tues--meeting
Wed--walk gunner + gym
Thurs-- walk gunner
Fri--rest day
Sat--8K

2015 Mantra = Just 15 minutes

grandmakaye44

@Laurie & @Karen and the other educators out there, happy teacher appreciation day. You deserve it.
@Laurie glad you've made a decision about the tri. No reason to put unnecessary pressure on yourself.
@Karen good luck with your run.
Congratulations to those who have recently run, too.
@anna I did my first 5k in September and a 10k in February. I walked both. At 70+ years old and both artificial knees, I don't run. I really enjoyed both experiences. There were people of all shapes and sizes. If you want do it, go for it.
A funny side note to that. A couple of weeks ago I was at a church event and saw a friend that I hadn't seen for a long time. She said, "I heard you ran a marathon". I laughed and assured her I had just walked a 10k. She said, "Well, its a marathon now."
I have an appointment with a podiatrist on May 13. In the meantime, I am using my pedaler. My foot doesn't hurt nearly as bad if I don't walk, but I sure do hate not being able to walk in this beautiful weather.
Onward and downward. Kaye

melifornia

Ugh. You guys, I had fast food for breakfast and lunch. I'm so over it. Need to go to the store and buy some real food.

ushkii

I made some split pea soup with a hambone, which had a little ham left on it. It was so good! I am going to do that again, I saved some in little cup microwave bowls and it is not much calories so I can throw it in on top a sandwich or even a snack if I get hungry.

My garden is coming along things are growing except for two items. they did not want to play so maybe this week end I will replace them to have a full garden. I have to get out and weed this week end.

Glad to hear from everyone.

Morgori

Good afternoon everyone.

Happy National Nurses Day!

National Nurses Day, also known as National RN Recognition Day, is always celebrated on May 6th and opens National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, the birth date of Florence Nightingale.

National Nurses Week is one of the nation's largest health care events, recognizing the contributions and commitments nurses make and educating the public about the significant work they perform. The American Nurses Association (ANA) supports and encourages National Nurses Week through state and district nurses associations, educational facilities, and independent health care companies and institutions. The week-long celebration is designed to accommodate the variety of schedules nurses are required to work.
National Nurses Day


Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. ~Bill Meyer

Tom

Annr

Happy 'Top of the week mountain" Wednesday to you all :-) I am happy happy today! So I went to my TOPS meeting and I lost 3.25 lbs!!!! Mentally doing cartwheels in my brain today! So I was the biggest loser (the featherweight of the week) and got my pic taken with the the basket of stuff the members put in. I think I got 5 apples, some Baby Bells, two granola bars, a yam, some oranges, and then about $7 dollars from people that put in 50 cents instead of contributing to the basket. Its a great incentive, and I was proud of myself. Then I also rec'd the "mini ho-ho" which I have not a clue why the contest is called that. Every week people put 10 cents in a container, and every week the games lady draws a members name. If they have lost weight that week, then they get what is in the container. If they gained then it is carried over to the next week. It had been carried over for a couple of weeks so when my name was drawn the total was about $9, (I took the handfuls to the bank to deposit it). All in all a fantastic day.
So my husband took me out to lunch. I was really good and had an appetizer. It was smoked salmon and caper crostini's. There were 6 on the plate so I had 3 for lunch...and I shall have 3 for dinner. I checked the numbers on them and they only were about 140 calories...so that was nice. I did break down and have a NW Red Ale, which came out to 208 calories, but I got my ticket stamped from the Chamber of Commerce. Once I have visited all the different local breweries I can turn it back in the the Chamber of Commerce for a beer stein. There are so many breweries here, its fun to play scientist and sample. I only partake a couple of times a month, so don't get worried ladies, hahaha.

Tanya949

@melifornia I'm right there with you!! But probably worse So I decided to go buy some 'real food' which ended up being a loaf of bread and honey.

I feel so out of control right now... with everything. My car is going to need new struts and because I've put that off, the 2 rear wheel bearings as well ($2500). The car has 280,000km, still a young'n for me but I've put too much money into this car, so I'm going to trade/sell it. I absolutely HATE shopping for cars. I can't haggle, I feel stupid doing it, so I do a ton of research, find the best deal I can and just go buy it. Because of my job I now need a minivan and I am NOT ready to give up my SUV life. And because of my ADDish personality, I'm finding it difficult to decide on a price range (cash or finance), make-model, year range etc. I simply cannot make a decision.

I put on some summer clothes that fit me last summer, and they still fit now, but I think I look fatter than I did last year. (weight is the same). I thought I looked so much better in these clothes last year and now I can't stand how I look.

I've also taken some time off from physio... I need a break. Between the car, getting some repairs done on my front porch , decluttering a few rooms and having to get a ton of paperwork updated (license, plates, health card, passport) I just don't need an extra 2 appointments every week, and have to rush through work to get there on time.

I have had carpal tunnel syndrome for over 20 years... it comes and goes. But it has gotten much worse in my left hand lately. The brace I use at night to keep it from flexing (and becoming numb and tingly) does not help any more and I wake up for an hour or more each night with the type of pain in my hand that feels like it is going to explode. Hanging it over the edge of the bed, shaking it out does nothing and it is quite swollen in the morning, and tingles throughout the day. I have an EMT appointment in July, then most likely surgery after that. I'm not sure I can wait that long. I went to the doc with this in January, and only got booked 2 weeks ago. Not sure how I'm going to deal with this every night for another 2+ months.

Got texts from my daughter yesterday that went back and forth for about 3 hours. She is 23 and is starting to accumulate debt, not being able to pay her monthly bills. Long story short, her boyfriend does not have steady work (holds out for better paying jobs... sheesh) and she ends up paying his portion of rent, food etc. which puts her behind in her other payments. She won't tell him that she is struggling with the money, and says she'd rather pick up extra shifts, get another job and sell some of her things off. The only thing I can offer is to let her move back home (rent free) so she can pay her bills and start saving again, but she is more worried about her bf becoming depressed if he has to move back in with his parents. Oy...

On a good note, I got my kayak out of the basement (oh yeah, there was a leaky pipe that needed fixing and the basement floor cleaned up too) and had a nice day on the water this past Sunday. I am enjoying my weekends outside and have many plans for upcoming weekends... something to look forward to each work week.

I HAVE to start tracking every day... good, bad, ugly. Why are good eating habits so hard to maintain??

Sorry for the long rant, thanks for reading.

RobinsEgg

@Annr - wow you had stellar day! weight loss, prizes of healthy food, cash, and moe cash, and then good salmon wow! Jackpot. I have a big envy going on! Sounds like you earned every penny and every morsel. Now your on your way to earning a beer stein. Oh the strange rewards in your town ~ all in honor of losing weight!

@Tom ~ Morgori - I love your posts - Now its time to Honor the Nurses - do we have any here? Kudos if we do - we did have some retired nurses, and I'm including ALL bedside care not just RN's ! Oooh, that's ME. I was an LPN in my day, well bless my heart - maybe I'll celebrate.
I also liked your Teachers Day announcement Tom. Of course it would have been my hero, Eleanor Roosevelt, who championed that day. She was quite the politician in her time.
Thus, Kudos to Laurie, Karen and Grandma Kaye's daughters who are teachers.

@Ushkii - were you BORN to tempt us?? Good lord man, your descriptions of food make me so hungry, and I never had the ingredients around. Darn, where can I find a hambone when I want one!
I'm only growing varieties of lettuces in my garden, varieties are mixed seeds that can grow in shade. But we are having rain DAY and NIGHT so little seeds seem to just be rotting on the wet soil - sigh =

@Melfonia - aren't some fast foods OK? I totally have myself convinced that a medium Schlotskies original is healthy. Don't break the illusion please?

@GrandmaKaye - I hope the podiatrist will have some solutions for you. I put that in plural so that if one doesn't work there will be a second option to try without seeing him again! But, I hope you get back to walking real soon.

@Skinny - I'm so glad Teachers Appreciation goes on for a week. A day just is not good enough. Glad too, that at least 1 day is not sweets. I wish 1 day was a glam day like pedi's or massages, wouldn't that be nice?

@Laurie - you're so sensible about learning to open water swim before tackling any marathons. Do you need to find a specific coach for that kind of swimming?
You know, I'm relieved it was not the aunt I had come to know that passed on. I'm glad it went well and you got to visit with long lost cousins. Thats always the plus side of funerals, the gift of keeping in touch with people.

@Boho Coast - well I had kinda disappeared like you did, not really on purpose or anything, my life just got real busy and I'm not able to handle a lot of things at one. But its calmed down quite a bit. I sure felt guilty coming back - just showing up out of the blue as it were - boy people were so nice to me. Make me realize how true these friendships are. I so want to meet people in person to put voices actions stuff to the names and all that.
As for your daughter - in college, it seems parties and finals happen at the same time. You are stuck in limbo too, as parents what can you do? just make sure she gets her sleep and a good breakfast if theres time. sigh sigh sigh -

@Kah - so sorry you crashed your bike. Better get that chain fixed. Refusing to recognixe that Sounds like a head injury. So -Stay in bed a full week. Eat anything you want. Buy junk magazines and read them til your eyes bleed.
Call old boyfriends at 4 am and cry. With that - You'll be back on that bike in no time.

AFM - got the application going for Re-Fi on the condo to roll in the car loan. Should save a bit of money. DOn't anyone tell me "but your ending up paying for that car for 30 years.' Yes, I know that. Its what I gotta do. I have a roof assessment looming over my head that scares me - I need cash for that! And I still have to fix the bathroom floor.
Plus I seem to need some surgeries, bladder, hands, maybe feet, so those will happen later this year. Not thrilled of course, but am so used to it I have just given up on having a surgery-free year.

I have lost 2 more pounds. And I did sleep for 35 hours n the last 2 days. I was amazed but also extremely happy about it. I'm hoping that maybe it has shattered my late nite insomnia problem. We'll see tonight!

NK1112

Well hi this late Wednesday evening. I'll be gone most of the day on Thursday with appointments and such so decided to lot tonight instead of on Thursday Truth day.

Actually, I do have a Wednesday Wish ... that the dermatologist I'm seeing in the morning tells me that thing I'm seeing them for is nothing to worry about.

Today I had running around to do and stopped at Subway for my lunch food. It's not a place I normally eat from, but the past few times me son called me during his lunch break he was on the road to run errands and would pop into one to get his sandwich ... made me decide to give it a go. I got the 6" flatbread with roast beef, swiss cheese, lettuce, spinach, tomato, onion, cucumbers, no condiments. It was really very tasty. They have those loyalty cards that you can swipe for points to get something free somewhere down the line ... it gave me an idea for my sons birthday gift this year .... if they have gift cards, I could send him one of those worth a lot of lunches and a loyalty card. Do you all think that would be a nice present for him ... he turns 50 this August.

A lawn cutter was scheduled to stop by today to give me an estimate to cut my grass for the season but couldn't make it. We spoke on the phone and he agreed to put me on tomorrows cutting schedule and he'd be out on Friday to give me the contract deal and such ... then he asked if the grass was cut-ready. I didn't know what that meant ... turns out it meant were any sticks and litter cleaned up so the mower could cut. That reminded me there were a couple of things I needed to verify were ok ... and went out this evening to check. Ended up spending about 30 minutes snapping the tall stalks off from the tansy and other weedy tall things that grow in my yard that were tipping over into the cutting paths, which should have been cleaned up long ago, but weren't. That was a bonus because it had me physical for that long a time and I actually enjoyed it ... plus earned a few calories burned up, Happy day! I just hope after the grass cutter sees the wild nature of my back yard that he doesn't change his mind about cutting for me. The bunnies and woodchuck, birds and such all love it back there. I've even had deer come and spend the day ... and I live in a suburbanvillage that feels more city than suburb in recent years!

@Tanya949 .... I enjoyed your 'rant' ...
@RobinsEgg ... congrats on the pounds lost.

Follow-through: Niki

Lauriek70

Niki- Great job cleaning up the yard so it is cut ready.

Robin and Kinnurse- Happy nurse's day.
Robin- I don't think I will need a specific coach but I know a couple of good ones if I need it. Hope you will be able to sleep through the night again.

Tanya- The clothes may be too big even through they fit. If they don't fit correctly, they just don't look right. Regarding your daughter- give her the option to move back home or talk to her BF about finding a job to help with the bills. He needs to learn the consequences of not having a job and being self-reliant. It sounds like he is willing to live off of her hard work and determination. Hope the Carpel Tunnel Syndrome gets better.

Ann-Congrats on losing weight this week and winning those awesome rewards. Keep up the hard work.

Karen- Glad the meetings about the contract went well and good job on getting those papers graded for the seniors. Good luck with your race on Saturday and yes that is an early day.

Ushkil- the soup sounds yummy.

Today, I did take a rest day and went shopping. I must say that I have been on a shopping craze lately. It seems that shopping will make everything better plus I wanted some skinny clothes. Last Friday, I shopped for new pants and shirts. Today, I went for new shirts to liven up my closet. Then the highlight of my trip was going to the Loft and purchasing a size 12 in a pair of pants. This is the first time in ages that I have fit into a size 12 and felt comfortable enough to buy them. The upside is that I already have shoes to go with the outfit. The funny thing was that the Capri's I tried bought were size 14, because the 12 would not fit even though it was the same style as the pants. I like the Julie fit which is for curvy people.

Have a great day and a restful night.

skinnyjeanzbound

@laurie-- congrats on the size 12 pants!! Loft is one of my favorite stores. I need to do some shopping before my Nashville trip.

@niki-- hope things go well at the dermatologist.

@robin-- there were massages for the teachers yesterday. Totally forgot about that b/c I don't like strangers touching me, so I don't take advantage. Congrats on the 2 lbs lost and the extra sleep. I'm jealous of both.

@tanya-- sorry you've had such a bad time of it lately. I'm the same way with car shopping. I go online and use the Consumer Reports car buying tools. Once you know the make and model you want, you can order a report (I think it's $12 US for 2 car models) that tells you about all, discounts, manufacturer rebates, etc. off the sticker price. It will then give you a the price you should pay to give the salesperson a 2, 4, or 6% commission--lower commission for less popular models; higher for more sought-after vehicles. Once I know my price range, I search area dealers for inventory and ask for online quotes. Then I just go get my car. The only sales tactics I have to navigate are the after market things like rust-proofing, extended warranties, etc. and I just say "no, thank you" over and over until they are done.

@ann-- congrats! Sounds like a great day!

@melissa-- don't beat yourself up, we all have bad days.

@ushkii-- the soup sounds yummy.

@kaye-- I had a similar experience when I went to NYC to meet laurie and susan for our 5k. All of my relatives were spreading rumors that I was running the NY Marathon. Um, just a few miles short. LOL As far as your foot, I hope the podiatrist can help. Mine sure did--my custom orthotics are what keep me running.

Thank you to robin and any other nurses on the thread!!

AFM--I finished my Lit Theory papers this morning and then kind of took the rest of the day off from grading. Instead, I caught up on planning and making copies I need for the rest of the week. After work, I walked gunner then went to the gym--ran a little over a mile and then did a short stint on the elliptical. I still can't do the full arm movements due to my shoulder, but it's better than it's been in quite awhile.

I also finally met my protein goal. I also passed on the cake for Teacher Appreciation week, but admittedly only b/c I forgot about it. Either way I dodged blowing those calories, so I'm calling it a win.

Tomorrow I plan to get back to grading--want to power through the AP in-class essays over the next couple of days. Plus I have a bunch of test corrections to enter--those don't take any real time to grade, I just have to record the points in the gradebook.

Wednesday Wish:
That everyone who's struggling or in pain sees improvement going forward.

May Challenge:
Nutrition = At or over 90 grams of protein 5/7 days a week
Week 1: At/over 90g of protein 1/7
Week 2: At/over 90g of protein x/7
Week 3: At/over 90g of protein x/7
Week 4: At/over 90g of protein x/7

Exercise = run 3 x/week:
Week 1: 1/3 runs
Week 2: x/3 runs
Week 3: x/3 runs
Week 4: x/3 runs

Next 8k is May 9th (Thanksgiving 8k = 56:49, NYE 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15, 3/29 = 59:15)

Grading Goals:
1. 64/64 Lit theory papers DONE!
2. 10/64 AP essays
3. 8/60 JRPs
4. x/60 Hemingway analyses

Exercise Goals:
Sun--rest day
Mon--meeting
Tues--meeting
Wed--walk gunner DONE + gym DONE
Thurs-- walk gunner
Fri--rest day
Sat--8K

2015 Mantra = Just 15 minutes

ushkii

Late but, Thanks to all the Teacher from an nurse now working in IT.

Annr

@ushkii ohhh split pea soup...sounds heavenly. I love making soup! Love layering the flavors and let each flavor marry others in the pot...oh went ZEN there for a moment! My garden is quite pathetic. My four spinach starts have been eaten all down. Something ate my zucchini plant, my cucumber plant...but my 4 tomato plants are still alive. I have a couple of rocks that I have sprayed chalkboard paint on...and I place them here and there. Sometimes they say, "I am Queen of this Place"....or "Grow Dammit"...or "DONT EAT THIS"....its probably comical to the other gardeners at the community garden to come upon my plot. I can see them shaking their heads and thinking....she is nuts. Last year I planted flowers in some open toed high heel shoes and placed them on the ledges of my plot...hahaha.

cblue315

Good morning all,
@bapcarrier - It is just a tough thing when our pets get old. I lost two cats in the last couple of years. I am so glad to see you still enjoying time on her terms.

@NK1112 - My trainer loves planks. The only way to get better is to do them.

@annasgyal - Woot on the weight loss, you are rockin this!

@RobinsEgg - We finally signed on our re-fi yesterday and do not get the money until Monday. It was supposed to take 3 - 4 weeks and ended up at 7. Good luck on yours.

@BohemianCoast - I do love hearing about your daughter, reminders of when my sons graduated high school.

@Lauriek70 - In this area it is common to do relay triathlons. When you sign up for the event you can put in a request to be part of a team. You can choose which part of the event you would like to do, others fill in the rest. Congrats on the size 12!!!!!!!

@skinnyjeanzbound - The light at the end of the school year tunnel is getting brighter. You have more self control than I, that cake would have been too tempting.

@grandmakaye - I lost track, did you see the Dr. about your feet? My inserts are the only way I can keep running.

@melifornia - The advertising people do such a good job with the junk food pictures, but it rarely lives up to the hype.

@ushkii - I make a large batch of soup every other weekend, but yours sounds devine.

@Annr - The TOPS meetings sound great and what motivation!

AFM - Went to see Woman in Gold last night. A very good movie. I highly recommend it. I even had the fortitude to skip the concessions.
The counselor is asking very tough questions, forcing me to look at my reactions instead of other's actions. She said "That is what you are paying me for." Still not sure where the "me" is that I am searching for but I am in here somewhere.
I had a flat tire yesterday and did not have time to wait for AAA so I changed it myself. Dropped it off at the garage to be repaired and had to help the technician put the spare back in the holder. He could not figure it out. A couple of years ago I would not have had the strength to do this. So glad that my body is stronger.

I missed out on Wednesday wish so here we go anyway.

My wish is that I find a way to be comfortable with my life. That looking at things in a different light will help me to make peace with the irritants.

Thursday Truth - I am a very judgemental person when it comes to my husband, I do judge him and often. I need to look at my part in our difficulties. I do not like this side of myself.

Love to all,
Lori

Morgori

Good morning everyone.

Happy National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day!
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf. ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

Tom

kah68

@Tanya~I’m sorry for the struggles you’re currently facing. It certainly sounds like your daughter needs to come back home for a while—hope she sees the importance of that and your offer. Oy, car shopping—I actually like car shopping (I love the test-drives ) but I do a TON of research including pricing out all of the options I want, www.edmunds.com is a great tool for that (as is Consumer Reports like Karen suggested). I go in to the dealership though with all of my research and am pretty good at haggling (learned a lot of tricks though my dad). Can you do a small SUV instead of a mini-van for work? My last two cars have been Toyota Rav4, very roomy and easy access to trunk/back seats, etc. My car has 100k miles so I’m looking at new cars right now too (Lexus, Acura and BMW SUVs this time tho). Tesla is also coming out with an affordable crossover in 2017 so I may wait just to see the price on it—decisions, decisions.

@Laurie~I think the chain slipped because the bike was laying down in my car (haven’t looked at bike racks yet), it was acting funky in low gears on Monday but no issues and sounded fine yesterday.

@Robin~LOL, actually I wear a helmet while riding and wasn't going very fast. Chains on bikes tend to slip when they have been laying down, I need to get a bike rack for my car but have been too busy to shop for one. You did a 30-year refi? I won’t lecture you but that is a long time (to pay off the car too), sometimes we have to do what makes sense for us financially though.

Annr

@cblue315 congrats on walking by the popcorn! You know they pump the theaters with that scent....they are so sneaky!
Hum my Thursday Truth.... I do alot of blaming situations on other things, or people. I need to always remind myself that I got my own self into this weight situation. Not my husband, nor my family, or the fact that we have money issues sometimes. I put food (piece A) into my own mouth(slot . Its a self induced condition, and I need to honor myself enough to not just settle for anything, but to choose what I eat, and how I eat...to correct this condition. That is my truth.

Tanya949

@Laurie congrats on finding a size 12 that fits! I just realized that I need to buy new bras... after 50 lb loss, there was quite a loss there too! I've been tightening the straps but I really do need to buy a proper size.

Not bad day today... I brought my car in to get the summer tires put back on. They checked for bad bearings but they are fine, struts will last who knows how long, but I talked with the service manager. They sent me to the used car salesman, I told him what I was looking for, price range, Km range. He's going to do my shopping for me... I have a good idea what I will get for my budget but it will be nice to have someone do the grunt work. My birthday is in June so I have about 4 weeks to find something (my car will not pass emissions test with the engine light on). What I also like about this is that not only does my Nissan dealership sell other brands of cars, they also service them. I love these guys, they have been very good to me over the last 5 years.

I got a bunch of stuff done around the house, which I don't usually bother with. I'm no green thumb but this year I bought bags of red cedar mulch to spread through my small garden by the front door and along the front of the house. No plants or flowers, just a few nicely placed rocks. I have bees in the gaps between siding and windows. I've been watching them and spraying at dusk in all the places I see them... I've had them 2 years previous and they got so bad I had to run from the car to the front door. Today I only saw one bee. Progress. (and less procrastination).

Food.. still no good. I think that once I get some of this other stuff done I will be able to focus on that... still too much I'm trying to do right now.

I also need to get a quote for a central air system, and possible new furnace. It's old and loud... at least there is a discount if you get both. Might be time, I'm sick of carting the air conditioner up and down the stairs every year, and I've moved my bed back upstairs where it is sweltering right now... it's only May 7th!

Lauriek70

Happy Thursday almost Friday Now.

Karen- Congrats on finishing that set of papers and avoiding the cake. I did not avoid the cake today but I did manage to run 2 miles then walked a third. It was a nice run since I ran outside around the neighborhood. It was too beautiful to go to the gym today.

Good luck to those of you shopping for cars, but research is key.

Truth- I am enjoying the lack of organized training right now. So I don't feel guilty when I don't go to the gym or workout every night. I actually had to motivated myself to run today but I did it and had a great time.

Have a great day.

skinnyjeanzbound

Hi guys!

Thursday Truth:
I went over by about 300 calories today, but it's the first time I've been significantly over this week, so I'm not going to sweat it. The boosters bought us Jamba Juice and gave us shortbread cookies, but it was really the panera chocolate chip bagel that did me in--over 300 calories! I knew it before I indulged, but I really wanted it.

Tomorrow is ice cream sundaes, but I'm bringing a low-cal lunch of homemade chicken noodle soup, so I should be okay.

Got all of the test corrections entered for my AP kids and made it through about 10 more papers. Chipping away...

No personals tonight-gotta get back to watching my Blackhawks beat the Wild (sorry Holly!).

May Challenge:
Nutrition = At or over 90 grams of protein 5/7 days a week
Week 1: At/over 90g of protein 1/7
Week 2: At/over 90g of protein x/7
Week 3: At/over 90g of protein x/7
Week 4: At/over 90g of protein x/7

Exercise = run 3 x/week:
Week 1: 1/3 runs
Week 2: x/3 runs
Week 3: x/3 runs
Week 4: x/3 runs

Next 8k is May 9th (Thanksgiving 8k = 56:49, NYE 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15, 3/29 = 59:15)

Grading Goals:
1. 64/64 Lit theory papers DONE!
2. 21/64 AP essays
3. 8/60 JRPs
4. x/60 Hemingway analyses

Exercise Goals:
Sun--rest day
Mon--meeting
Tues--meeting
Wed--walk gunner DONE + gym DONE
Thurs-- walk gunner DONE
Fri--rest day
Sat--8K

2015 Mantra = Just 15 minutes

Morgori

Good morning everyone.

Happy VE Day!
Victory in Europe Day, generally known as V-E Day, VE Day or simply V Day was the public holiday celebrated on 8 May 1945 (7 May in Commonwealth realms) to mark the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces.[1] It thus marked the end of World War II in Europe.
On 30 April, Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader, committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin. Germany's surrender, therefore, was authorised by his successor, Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz. The administration headed by Dönitz was known as the Flensburg Government. The act of military surrender was signed on 7 May in Reims, France and on 8 May in Berlin, Germany.
VE Day

Your choices of action may be limited, but your choices of thought are not. ~Abraham–Hicks

Tom

melifornia

Good morning! I'm subbing at the high school all day today. It's an easy one, though. The kids are finishing up some worksheets and other odds and ends, plus this teacher has plan period during the lunch block, so I'll have about 2 hours free in the middle of the day. Brought writing work with me with the intention of completing two articles so they're off my plate. Oh, I need to send out an invoice, too.

Meanwhile, one of my websites is being hacked and I'm trying to work with tech support to eradicate the problem but they're responding verrrrrrry slooooooowly. Erg.

I've been lax on posting my goals, so I'm going to post goals for today:

Friday - May 8

Diet

• Healthy breakfast - DONE
• Healthy lunch (probably Subway) -
• Healthy supper -
• 96oz of water -

Fitness

• Yoga - DONE
• Some sort of cardio, even if it's just walking during plan period -

Work

• Finish mag article and submit for review -
• Finish newspaper article and file -
• Finalize newspaper weekend assignments and pick up scanner -
• Invoice magazines for prior work -
• Sub all day -
• Website updates for client #1 -
• Website updates for client #2 -

Websites

• Resolve hacking issues -
• Update software with security patch -
• Write post(s) for personal blog -
• Write and schedule posts for other websites -

icanplay3

Good Morning All! I still have 103 lbs to lose to reach my goal! The weekends are the hardest for me! I feel like I sometimes "undo" all my hard work from the week on the weekends. When I have to work, I am for some reason much more diligent about my meals and tracking and not going over. On the weekends the possibilities are endless. I am home and around food all day, then there is the temptation to get together with friends and family and everyone wants to go to restaurants! So my goal today and for this whole weekend is to stay within my allotted calories and macros. Last weekend I gained 4 lbs back and I had to "re-lose" all those pounds this week! Ugh! I hate having to do that! So I am hoping the scale on Monday is lower than it was this morning! Cheers and have a great weekend full of great choices!

jtconst

Good morning everyone. I hope all is going well with all of you. I think I might have to scale back a little on the walking we will see. I love my fitbit but I tend to get very competetive even with just myself. I have been trying to shoot for 20000 steps just because the ten was coming easy now. I need to step back and increase that gradually as my sore knees and ribs and back can attest to. Couldn't figure out what was making my ribs and back hurt until my son watched me walk yesterday and asked what I was doing. Sometime last week I had decided when I wasn't walking the dogs I needed to pump my arms back and forth nice and vigorously for a little extra burn. So now sore ribs and middle back lol.
Happy Teachers Appreciation week to our awesome teachers on here. My kids definitely had a few that made a huge difference in their reactions to school and education over the years.
Well just got a call and have to go. So have a great day everyone and don't forget TGIF