*** Supportive Friends -- Looking to Release 50+ Pounds ***

@Ron, sounds like your drive to the airport would be similar to mine when I drive to Seattle! Traffic and all. Ugh. Glad you all survived the drive :happy: And good job on the weight dropping again! Wish mine would. Been the exact same weight for a week now.

I've been dealing with shin splints this week. Researching how to treat them, there's lots of things I could do. Compression sleeves, specially fitted shoes, stretches, icing, etc. It's really frustrating, because I think I shouldn't run for a while in order to give them time to heal. So as much as I hate the idea:grumble: , I think I'm going to take a whole week off of running, or any other high impact exercise. So I guess I'll be doing a lot of yoga this coming week. Probably won't get out of bike rides to & from school either. I've decided today is a REAL rest day. Even told my husband to yell at me if I decide to exercise. Mentally I know I need rest days, but my body doesn't always want to cooperate.

Hi everyone..

@Ron2- congrats on the continuing weight loss. Arggh, if there is one thing I hate in this world, is driving to the airport regardless if its sending them off or waiting for them to arrive, well except if I have few gifts waiting to be opened in the luggage. Then adding the agony of driving in a traffic jam.. not a pretty sight.

@meg - hope you had fun with your day off. You're right in taking it easy on the running and biking. We all need rest sometimes. Well, you most especially,

@Steph - at least you husband is quite apologetic with the flowers and all. Sometimes, how we grew up become causes of arguments. Same thing with my husband.


Well, I had a pleasant but tiring weekend. I didn't go out for a run this weekend. Although, last Saturday, hubby and I went to the mall with my kiddo. He's one btw and loves looking at stars. I wanted to let him watch the fireworks. But sadly, it rained and fireworks display was cancelled the last minute. I ended up chasing him all over the place which would probably be equal to the same calories burned if I actually ran. Sunday, we took a dip in the pool and I'm glad both my babies love the water. My youngest son who's barely 6 months didn't mind the cold waters. I'm trying to raise future swimmers, LOL.

Have a great day everyone.

@Ron, thanks. Yoga. Yoga, more yoga. Yay... At least it's low impact. And I did insist on riding my bike yesterday, but my legs are feeling it a tiny bit today (nowhere near what it would be if I had run). And that is a great story about the missing luggage. Great NSV too! I had a similar one yesterday. Went to put on a shirt I haven't worn in a while but thought would still fit, and was slightly disappointed that it was hanging off of me like a sack.

@Jehan, chasing kids is good exercise! So even though you didn't run, like you said, I'm sure you burned enough calories.

@Steph, isn't it great to have someone just listen to you rant? Best friends are great for that, glad yours followed you when you moved. Sometimes I want to follow mine, but it wouldn't be practical for my family, and she's less than 3 hours away anyway... Glad to hear things are going more smoothly with your hubby. Differences in culture certainly would be hard to navigate in a marriage. Even the minor differences between my hubby and I are hard sometimes.

So, still feeling the shin splints. Not nearly as bad, but I am still not going to run until Saturday at the earliest. Thinking about heading to the running store in Olympia (45 minute drive away), and getting properly fitted with running shoes when I can afford it. Thinking my shoes are part of the problem.
Well, we've had a nice relaxing weekend. On Friday evening our boys wanted to roast hot dogs for dinner. Since weather wasn't allowing it to happen outside, we decided to make a fire in the fireplace. Well, my poor husband, although he knows how to build a fire, knows nothing about fireplaces, and didn't open the vent before starting the fire. So I came out of my bedroom after a changing out of my workout clothes, and the whole house is filling with smoke! I'm amazed that our smoke alarms didn't go off (we have one we call the dinner bell! LOL, it goes off every time the oven is open, doesn't matter if anything burned!), or that none of our neighbors called the fire department. The ways smoke was pouring out of the windows and doors... At least it wasn't too cold outside to air out the house. All I could do was laugh. Hubby blames his dad for not teaching him about fireplaces.
Hoping today is a relaxed day as well (started that way already, I got to sleep in past 9 a.m.!), since it's Memorial Day here n the U.S., the whole gang is at home. Although I think the boys are getting cabin fever because it's been raining all weekend and they can't go outside to play.

@Meg – You are truly inspirational! Wish I had half your energy. Sorry to hear that about your Grammy and the campground. That sounds like a lovely tradition and you probably have amazing memories from over the years! I’ve heard the best way to prevent shin splints is ensuring proper shoes and stretching. Once you have them, I’m afraid rest is really the only cure. Hope they heal soon!!!

@Janetay – Glad to hear the movie was enjoyable. I too am not familiar with the original movies. My friends want to me to join them this weekend, but they are all avid fans, so I wasn’t sure if I should join them or not.

@Renae – Hello. May I ask, what cleanse are you doing?

@Ron – Thanks Ron! Glad to be back! Glad to see you and some other familiar faces! Ooof to traffic. Congrats on the awesome progress!

@Steph – Glad that you got to vent. Venting always helps. Also glad that things are going better with the hubby. Cultural differences can be very challenging at times. I used to spin about 15 years ago when I lived in Toronto. Haven’t belonged to a gym since that offers it. Which city are you from - Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, other? All beautiful areas.

@jehan – A family of fishes – love it! Have a wonderful day too!

RE: Traffic jams. I have learnt to just sit back and enjoy the scenery I would otherwise miss. It’s also fun to smile at people, especially the drivers, and watch their realization at how silly they are being getting all worked up and then watch them smile and relax. At least, that is the most common reaction. Some people are just plain grumpy.

“The hitch’em up shimimy” lol

Have a wonderful day everyone!!!

A really quick hello!
Meg shin splints, best thing I ever heard was to spell the alphabet out with your toes, so you stretch out in all directions, do it sitting watching tv and under your desk and it'll help in addition to the rest.
Steph I hope half term treats you well!
Ron well done on the trousers! I love that feeling, though alas it doesn't happen too often for me as I'm within the range of my goal size as m body is a tardis. Things just get a little looser.

I had a crappy start to the weekend (volcano mum erupted and promptly packed her bas and left for the weekend whilst I was at work, much to my dad's dismay), and then i ended up being kept in work work an extra 2.5hrs til 8pm on the fri before a bank holiday, for a deadline that i'd not previoisly heard of, and that there was never any chance of meeting, and at 8pm the effort to try to meet it was abandoned in anycase. Much to my annoyance. In anycase i was going away to my bf's for the weekend. Had a good weekend otherwise though, foodwise, I thought it was dreadful, but with the sheer quantity of walking, and lack of genuine meals, when I came to log things I was consistently under amazingly. I don't like weekends like that but I made better choices whenever it was my choice, omitted things I didn't want/had smaller portions than everyone else, so that's all I can do.

Hey ho, another great day, a further 1.4 lbs dropped off this week! I am now within 0.2 lbs of breaking 250 which is my first goal and over a third of the way, and I'm sure this will happen this week, might be a slight delay as we're out tonight at friends, then being taken out again tomorrow night so I'll need a couple of days to get rid of the salt induced water, probably!

I'm not particularly into ventriloquists, but I watched this girl, Nina Conti, on TV last night and she was brilliant. She is Tom Conti, the actor's, daughter. Just a sample if you'd like to see - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXgmVMp8zs

@meg - had a laugh at your husband's problems with the fireplace, but we all do things like that. Things that are easy when you know how, but simple to get wrong when you don't. And keep up the good work with the yoga!

@Jane - glad to hear you're back on track, but what did you do with the rhubarb in the end?

@_tru - couldn't agree more about grumpy people (and I was one, but I'm a bit better now, no point in getting uptight unless you can actually do something about it!)

@steph - happy you're back on track also, but sorry to hear about the DOMS. Take a nice slow, very warm bath, that seems to help!

@penny - good that your weekend worked out in the end and you managed to keep under. Nothing worse than being forced to try to meet a deadline you know all along you won't meet. Love the description of your body as a Tardis, Meg will relate to that!

Have a nice afternoon/evening all.

@meg - hope the shin splints are getting better. Good luck with the push-ups - don't work too hard!!

@ron - well done on the further loss - so nearly at first target. The rhubarb? I went easy - chopped it up and put in the oven in some fruit juice then served with a scoop of green and blacks vanilla ice cream. So nice and didn't cost me much calories wise. My husband lives by the motto that 'life is short, start with dessert' and its a really good way to have dessert in a way that doesn't completely ruin my totals!!

@steph - hope you and your little girl are having half term fun and that your muscles feel better. I'm on the train right now heading into London and at least the sun is out again.

Just a quick check in from me. Heading to work, nothing exciting to report. Worked through JM No More Trouble Zones last night - remind me never to leave such a long gap between her work outs again - everything hurt afterwards!! Have had a good few days though so quite pleased with how things have gone. Working late tonight so will struggle to workout but maybe a rest day isn't such a bad thing.

Have a nice day all!

Hello folks I contacted a couple of weeks ago and am just catching up on you all I'm a mum of 2 (13 and 10), 40 odd (cough ), living in Scotland where the weather is doing it's usual spring changable thing... (aarrgghh there I go being a brit and talking about the weather)..

I'm about half way through my journey as far as weight loss is concerned, it's taken a few years as life has got in the way at times, but keep coming back to it.

@Ron - excellent weight loss this week - great attitude from your wifes cousin concerning her suitcase - made me smile.

@Meg - sorry to hear about your Shin Splints, I also try to run - I say try coz some people walk faster than I run, but am up to a 5k now (in 41 mins - told you I was slow :laugh: ), I've not been able to run this last week, as I hurt my knee when I went to a Basketball training session for the first time in years a couple of weeks ago (wrong shoes).. hoping to get back in a run tomorrow.

@Penny - I use the Alphabet technique for my ankles, really helps to loosen them off, your volcano mum made me smile, glad you had a great weekend though..

@Steph - how did the training session go, did you survive , teething is a nightmare especially as they are too young for you to explain what's happening to them and you want to take the pain away :ohwell: thinking about you.

Trying basketball again tonight, with proper footwear so hopefully won't wreck my knees or ankles.

Catch up soon

@meg - all the best people are from the UK, but don't worry, we'll make you an honorary British person for services to the science of running beyond and above the call of duty! And Steph is a Canadian which is nearly American :noway: Well done on making the scale drop, mind you I'm not surprised, the amount of exercise you do, even with splints..............

@wlhepburn - welcome back hen! Good luck with the basketball tonight, hope your lower extremities bear up under the strain.

@steph - I have everything crossed for you tonight, I hope your trainer isn't too cruel :sad: Good grief Calpol brings back memories from around thirty years ago, I didn't realise they still made it. Hope your baby gets over the teething soon, but don't relax, it never actually gets any better, it just gets different as they get older

@jane - have a good 'rest' evening and get rid of the pains. You can get back to it tomorrow.

Found another NSV this morning. I had a shower mid morning (I usually shower first thing before I've woken up fully which is my excuse for not realising this before) and noticed how much easier this operation has become since losing a decent amount of weight. I can now get through the cubicle door without scraping my belly, I can reach everything without contortions and the whole thing feels much less claustrophobic than when I was at my heaviest.

Since I had previously posted a pic of a TARDIS cake, check out this blog:

http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2013/5/29/these-cakes-need-a-doctor.html

Gave me a good laugh today :laugh:

ETA: Steph, glad things weren't as difficult as you thought, and good job on the c25k!

@Meg - I guess you're not the only odd man out. I'm not even from UK, US or Canada. I'm from a tiny little country called the Philippines. So Ron, can I also be given an honorary badge or something.?

@Renaejae - I could totally relate to putting ourselves first. I have two babies all under 2. I work full time. So I'm trying to run after work so when I get home they will have my undivided attention.

Ron - congrats on the continuing weight loss. I;m sure you are so used to it by now.

Well, here in Manila, the rainy season is almost starting. It's been raining steadily this morning. Thankfully, it stopped just after lunch. So I could run again today.

Have fun ladies and gentleman!!

If good nutritional choices were a wagon, I jumped off last week (and it was lovely - I made homemade rolls, YUM). I've been looking at that wagon for a couple of days now. I tried to just sit on the edge a bit yesterday, but it was too easy to fall off. So today, I've recommitted. Breakfast? Protein and veggies. Snack? Carrots and cottage cheese. Lunch? Um... this is why I fall off the wagon. Poor planning!

I know carbs aren't evil - it's portion control that I struggle with when it comes to carbs. Funny, portion control isn't a problem with veggies. :laugh:

@Meg - congrats on reaching a milestone! It's great that you are looking forward to running on Saturday.

@Dare - Planning ahead is a big part of healthy eating. Try to have most of your meals planned before you food shop. You can't eat what you don't buy. Do most of your grocery shopping in the outside parimeter of the store. All the garbage is in the isles. If you prepare healthy food and eat enough of it you won't be hungry and you will lose weight. I know it's easier said than done. That's why we're all here - to suppost each other. Do you like salad? A spinach salad with walnuts and a little feta cheese is delicious and filling. You can do this. Take it one day at a time.

I'm in the middle of a 21 day cleanse which is helping me kickstart healthy eating once again. I had lost 70lbs and when I got sick I could careless what I ate. I just wanted to feel better. 14months later I'm still dealing with blocked eustachian tubes but since I started deep tissue massage and seeing a chiropractor regularly I feel very close to healed. I'm so ready to get back on track. Making myself a priority is always my biggest hurdle so I started with small goals like drinking my water and walking. After this week I think I'll be ready to start some light jogging again. The weather is warming up and I love being outside so I may just do my morning exercise outside tomorrow. Off to a softball game after work today. Both girls playing in opposite directions. Thank goodness for my DH - I don't know how single parents do it!!!

@janey and meg - the rainy season is about to start. we only have two seasons here, its either wet or dry. june to nov are the rainy months. feb to may is summer then the other months are in between. But for some weird reason I love the rainy season. It brings great memories having our classes in school suspended because of the rain, LOL.

renaejean - you're halfway through your juice cleanse, congrats.

Just want to share a funny/sad thing that happen over the weekend. I was out trying to buy some clothes. I got a few pieces off the rack. Obviously, I was looking for L to XL. So I got one blouse, while looking at it, I thought it would fit me. So I tried it on, and it has no buttons just the zipper at the back. So I was able to wear it but I couldn't zip myself up. I had my tummy bulging out. I tried to remove the blouse and lo and behold, I couldn't take it off. I was stuck. I tried to pull it down, thinking it might fall off. But I made it worse. I was already sweating and my husband was not with me and he had my phone. I was already ready to rip the blouse off and just buy it or maybe call the sales assistant but was too embarrassed to do so. Long story short, I think I may have dislocated my shoulder removing it. After that ordeal, I wasn't sure if I'm about to cry or laugh. I know I can't be back to my pre-baby shape in a snap but it feels like my weight has been picked on for the past few weeks. I guess there are better days to come.

Have a great day people.

@Steph - re the tub, I haven't used a tub for about three years, and then only because I was staying with my sister in South Africa and the guest room had bath not shower, but it was a big one so I fitted in quite well.

@Renae - sorry it takes more than fish and chips to be awarded Honorary British status However I'm sure it could be arranged on payment of an appreciable sum You and Meg would hate me by the way, I am the antithesis of a neat freak, I like chaos in everything!

@Jehan - interesting you're in Manila, I have weekly teleconferences with one of our support Centres in Manila to solve any issues they're having with a project that has just gone live. I also used to live in Africa where we had a rainy season for 4 to 5 months of the year. Thirty years later I still like the rain as I remember how welcome it was after the dry season!

@Meg - yes you do deserve the Honorary Brit status, and anyone who is a Dr Who nut is OK with me :happy: Well done on the weight loss :bigsmile: Nice for your son to get the camp paid for by the tribe and good that he's OK with going. Mind you I remember going to camp when I was about 9. I was fine all the time I was away, but when I got back and saw my parents I howled!

@dareacceptor - I try to keep away from processed/cooked carbs like white bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc. That way I don't have a problem with portion control :noway: But there's no real problem falling off the wagon as long as you get back on as quick as you can!

@Jane - What is the concert you are going to? I like the Albert Hall, I've seen everything from the Proms to Eric Clapton there over the years! Enjoy your break in Devon, you lucky thing you.

@Melmonroe - Welcome, hopefully we can motivate you, by and large we're all very positive and some of us (Meg you know who you are) are awesome :laugh: I'm trying to lose between 10 and 14 Lbs a month which I think is on the upper level of acceptable and four months in have averaged 11 lbs a month which I am more than happy with, particularly as I do only minimal exercise at the moment.

Well I'm waiting for the scale to drop again, last weigh in was Tuesday but since then we've been out Tuesday and Wednesday night, and Wednesday in particularly was high sodium, I could taste it strongly. Unfortunately my wife's cousin was paying so I didn't feel it was right to complain. Then yesterday I took her up to Norfolk, a round trip of about seven hours in the end, due to them closing one of the motorways because of an accident :explode: The weather was pretty atrocious too. In all that time I only had one cup of tea so didn't drink enough. Hopefully the water level will be back to normal tomorrow or Sunday and I'll be below the magic 250 at last............. Bought some Scottish Mussels on the way home, vacuum packed with a garlic sauce, you just toss the bag in water and 4 minutes later they are ready. Very low cal also! There were two packs in the box, so I had one last night and another for lunch today. Very tasty!

Have a good weekend everyone!