Well, I went to the gym. I did 30 min of stationary bike and 10 min elliptical at a slow pace. I'm taking a nap this afternoon!

Oh and I'm a Marketing Communication Manager to a polycarbonate company. We used to be owned by Bayer- until last September- Ive been there 22 years and I am a self published author of romance novels and I write a week blog- you can find me on Facebook Lucinda Race
So i keep busy with words most of the day
Cindy

Good Morning, Ladies............I'm up very early this morning as I'm subbing at my former school today through Friday. I've created some Valentine math questions based on Valentine trivia; I hope they enjoy completing the task. Have a great day everyone.

Bert

Good morning all,

Karla, sorry about your fall and injuries but sounds like you are faring pretty well, all things considered. I bet that massage will be just the ticket for any left over soreness. Congrats on your loss this week. You are really pulling it all together. Losing like you did back when we first joined WW.

Jeanette, hope to hear all went well with the divorce/custody hearing and that the best interest of the child was the number one priority of the judge. Hope you are on the tail end of your cold by now.

Mary Lynn, as always your view of the world is beautiful, both in pictures and words. Would so love to meet you and spend time in your world.

Cindy, I think staying away from the scale for a bit is a great thing for you right now. You are working on all the things that are important to you and they will come together. I would not be too concerned about the calcium level of your diet. Remember that big study recently that showed that calcium can actually build up in our joints and arteries, especially the coronary arteries. I have stopped taking my supplements and no longer worry about the 2-3 dairies a day, especially since it is something I really don't care for.

Diane, I need instruction too. I will check out that APP for future use. Good for you for changing things up at the gym.

Janet, loved the pic of your sweet Caleb. Those eyes are mesmerizing. Hope you are hunkered down, and staying out of the snow, that is if you got the same snow we did.

Myra, thanks again for taking such good care of us here, even if it is easy peasy it is nice to have someone looking out for us. If you ever need a break, just holler.

Did not go to the gym yesterday as the instructor was ill and cancelled. Was glad because the the roads here are awful and it snowed off and on all day. It is snowing now but I have lunch with the Yayas (my very best friends and much like the movie gals) at 11:30, then hair appointment at 2pm. Going to the gym at 6:30 as long as the roads don't get worse. Eating yesterday was on plan but not enough of it as there really wasn't much in the house. Did have a couple of those farm fresh eggs for breakfast, such a treat. Then Madras lentils with cheese and oyster crackers for dinner. Still felt full from the weekend debauchery so don't feel bad about cutting the day short on food.
I spent several hours working on the invites. Still need to come up with something for the belly band. I ordered some "powders" yesterday that may be just what I need to jazz them up a bit. They are pretty but painfully plain. Just need to convince my sweet granddaughter-to-be.

TT: I don't usually give up anything lent, just like I don't make New Year's resolutions. Seems like it is just another way to beat myself up for not sticking to a goal or staying on track like I should. I have never been able to come up with a reward since I don't deny myself anything, lol. I know it works for some but seems to be counterproductive for me so I stay away from timelines, especially when it comes to weight loss, even if I don't state my goals in terms of "pounds off by". Just my querkiness showing. I am already doing everything I know to do to get to my goal. The only thing I plan to do is more research on nutrition.

Better start thinking about cleaning the snow off the van and getting myself together.
Patti

Good morning! Another good food day yesterday, now going for three in a row.

I'm on FB -- Janet Patterson in Louisville. My avatar is a black-&-white profile photo of my Theo the cat.

Jeanette, how did the hearing go? Sent up thoughts and prayers.

Karla-- What a bummer -- massage will be extra helpful. Hug Suzi for me!

Patti -- Glad you're home -- tense drive. I tried those Madras lentils from Costco == very tasty but too carby and caloric for me. I'm going to to a small grocery stockup myself today -- I try to keep nonperishables like canned tomatoes and beans, broth, canned chicken, tuna & salmon, etc. so I can always cobble something together. I think I'll make some black bean soup today. Hmmm...

Cindy, I truly believe the scale can be overrated. We get so fixed on That Number and let it get inside our heads. How you are behaving and feeling is the more important thing. Being obsessed with a scale number when other stuff is stressful might be piling on. Your focus on clean eating is the way to go. The scale will follow but you needn't hope on it so often. (One woman's opinion.)

Bert, your recovery is coming along so well. The Valentine math thing should be fun for the kids.

MaryLynn and Diane, I'm also working on posture. Have decent core thanks to PT after knee, foot and back surgeries. But I have severe back issues and scoliosis. Add the shame of being fat and hunching to try to be unnoticed and consistently good posture is very much a work in progress here. Good reminders.

OK -- going to head out, then home to work on stuff here. Cleaner can't make it safely today so she will come tomorrow.

TT: My religious tradition (Methodist) didn't give stuff up for Lent but I have taken it in recent years as an opportunity to give up stuff I crave but shouldn't have. Giving up pizza again this year. My birthday always falls smack in the middle of Lent. Unfair!!!!!!

I do plan allow myself one package of Peeps and maybe a Cadbury egg for Easter if I stay onn track during Lent.

I, for one, as a single, unattached woman, will be glad when Valentine's Day is over. Our society has many ways to celebrate couplehood (engagement parties, showers, weddings, anniversaries) but not a one that treats single people as special, favorably or even equal. We learn to cope but it is a bit of a rough time for some of us.

Back later -- have a good day, everyone.

Good morning ladies! I just have a few minutes before little Miss Alanna comes over for the switch off. I usually get her for about an hour before I take her to her mom's and head to work. The court case went well, in my opinion. The judge talked them into doing mediation rather than a court hearing and I think it all turned out for the best. My daughter got awarded custodial parent so she gets to make the important decisions for Alanna, though the dad stipulated that Alanna cannot be homeschooled....we were a bit peaved at that but it was a small concession overall. My daughter wanted primary custody, with the dad only having Alanna every other weekend and every other Wednesday. Fortunately between the judge and me we were able to convince her that it was in Alanna's best interest to keep things the way they are (3 nights with her, 3 nights with the dad, 1 night with us). I am pleased with how it all worked out and my daughter seemed pretty happy too once all was said and done.

I am feeling much better today. I've been able to sleep the past couple nights and that has made a big difference. I think a healthy diet also aids in recovering quickly.

TT: I don't do lent; just has never been part of a religion I participate in (generally non-denominational, but in recent years we attend a Church of God). I already have to give up so much food-wise because of intolerances that there just seems to be nothing left to give up anyway. What I do when I want to challenge myself in this way is think of who I am and who I want to be, then try to think of ways to get there. This year for my new year's reflection I decided I want to be kind, gracious, and to live my life for others rather than myself. Whenever I am feeling selfish (which is more often than I care to admit) I remind myself of these goals and it has worked pretty well.

I don't have a lot of time for personals but I wanted to thank you all for your prayers and thoughtfulness.

And Suzi - I forgot to say thank you so much for the exercise. I have added it to my morning stretch routine! I appreciate your letting me know about it Also, the only city that comes to mind for Coast Guard is Newport, maybe that is where he was stationed.

Cindy - I sent you a message on FB but it wouldn't let me friend request you.

Hope you all have a wonderful day
Grace and Peace to you
Jeanette

Hey there ladies. I am still here and hanging in! Had a good week last week and met my workout and calorie goals for the week. This week I am behind on my strength training but on track for cardio workouts. Also have not done a good job coming in under my calories, but will try and get back on track. I saw a new gyno yesterday and she was sweet and highly complimentary of my health. She said my BMI was really good for my age and said I was doing everything I should be doing as far weight bearing exercises, cardio etc. It made me feel really good about where I'm at physically at this stage in my life and my perseverance is paying off! It was very encouraging for me. Oh and she is referring me to a new endocrinologist in town to help manage my Hashimoto's

Karla: those measurement losses are fantastic! I am so happy for you! Awww...Disney is so fun. That's awesome. Hope you all have a wonderful time when you go.

Beth: Hello friend! I am glad you are enjoying the group! I totally forgot you are a vegetarian, btw. You are doing awesome with your workouts and so, so consistent coming in under your calories every day. I am always so impressed by that!

Myra: love seeing that you are able to run on the treadmill again. I am so happy for you. I know what you mean about what it does for you mentally. Working out really lifts me up and makes me feel so much better.

Bert: So glad to hear you got a good report from the doctor and he released you to do some exercise!

Marylynn & Lisa: you all are KILLING IT on the workout front, excellent job ladies!

Cindy: glad you survived the dentist and you are doing great with the walking and coming in under you calories which I think is hard to do.

Jeanette: So cool that you get to workout while you work. Instead of "whistle while you work" your theme song could be "workout while you work"

Diane: Funny you got caught TWICE and it caused you to slow down and reflect, maybe an intentional pause was placed in your day?

Speaking of reflecting. I was walking behind a young woman in a wheelchair at the gym today. I tried to help her open a couple of doors leading into the ladies locker room and she sweetly told me she was okay and could get them. She looked to have maybe had a stroke. She was probably only in her late 20's. So many thoughts raced through my mind about this young lady. I admired her determination. I felt a little unsure about doing push ups in front of her in the women's workout room. I began praying for her healing and strength as soon as I saw her. I prayed that if I could be of any encouragement that the Lord would use me even if it was just through a kind smile. Just so many thoughts that I am still reflecting on this afternoon. I wanted to speak to her, but her body language seemed closed and I didn't feel like it was the right time to approach her, but as a physical therapist assistant, I was encouraged to see her stand up out of her wheelchair at a ballet bar and work on her balance. What determination she had. What strength. Maybe I will have a chance to speak to her sometime, Lord willing, but if not I can at least pray for her at a distance. I have so much to be thankful for.

Be blessed ladies. I will check in when I can, but keeping up with you all via the news feed daily. ((Hugs))

Vikki

Hi ladies! I'm reading but wow this week has been crazy!

Cindy, you asked how old my kids are. They are 3, almost 4 (my daughter, the feisty one), and 8, (my son, the mellow one). My profile pic needs updating!

Myra, thanks, I'll post a goal for next week when I think of it!

Karla! What a tumble! Hope you're not in too much pain!

Bert, I'm impressed with your gym time!

Vikki, miss you, friend you wouldn't believe how many family members forget I'm a vegetarian (after 20 yrs haha), so at this point I only expect Jason to remember

Everyone else, I enjoy reading your updates!

Oh, I forgot to say that while this week has been really stressful, I'm not stress eating...so that's a big win!

More later...I hope