Hi Aliza-
WOW, that was an amazing trip! I've never gone anywhere longer than 2 weeks, so can barely imagine a 6 week journey. I've only eaten Indian food a few times but I did enjoy it a lot. You must've been doing a lot of walking to not gain while on vacation.

I've pretty much been maintaining between 156 and 158 the past month or more. I know that if I want to lose that last 10 pounds (my goal) I'm going to have to get a bit more strict with myself. My exercise is stellar, but my nutrition not so much. Too much wine and too often eating out. Hoping to do better in the coming month.

Hi Aliza- (and anyone else who might still be around)
I'm just like you. I've gotten to a comfortable weight, I'm happy, my clothes fit, my butt looks pretty good, but I'm still 10-15 lbs from my goal. Lately, I'm just eating at maintenance even though I've still been exercising. BTW, love you new picture!

I've been trying to do my yoga 4-5 days a week. I really enjoy it, but if I don't do it first thing in the morning, then I never seem to fit it in. I'm also at a bit of a loss for April. I do a lot of aquasize, also 3-4 days a week. My local pool is closed the whole month for maintenance and painting, and to take the cover off. I know I can do other things, but I'm in a bit of a funk over it. The weather's been nice, so I've been doing a bit of gardening (between 1-2 hours a day), so I guess that's something. Hubby and I played disc golf last night for about an hour. It was fun!

I was really tired after the late disc golfing, so was looking for a good night's sleep but then I had an interesting turn of events last night. Phone call at 3:00 am from my son ended that lovely sleep intention. He called to let us know he, wife and toddler were on their way to the hospital with potential new baby girl on the way. My daughter-in-law wasn't sure, but thought maybe her water was breaking (leaking). We drug ourselves out of bed and drove an hour to meet them to pick up grandson, who is not allowed in the hospital. Found out she is leaking amniotic fluid, but baby is not due for 6 more weeks. Now she is on IV antibiotics and complete bed rest in the hospital for the next 3 weeks, unless baby comes sooner. If she makes it that long they will probably do a C Section at about 37 weeks. Grandma never did get any more sleep, so I'm feeling pretty spent. I was able to get my grandson down for a nap and tried for one myself, but then the electrician showed up with a bulb for my barn light (barking dogs and all). Then my husband called. Then my son called. Then my husband came home for lunch (barking dogs again). It's been a day! Now I can hear grandson starting to wake up. I think we'll be having him quite a bit over the next couple weeks, so that's a bonus (as long as I can get some rest to have the energy to play with him).

Not sure how much intentional exercise I may be able to fit in these next few days. I know we'll have him at least over night, and perhaps a bit longer, until my son can figure out a plan. He's funny, he said they've basically checked into the $10,000 a night hotel, meals and free wi-fi included. SO glad they have good insurance!

Hi gals, I joined on a recommendation. I will try to go back and read some of the posts over the days ahead.

I've been doing similar with my food diary. Start out strong and then fizzle out by end of day. I'm also at a pretty comfortable weight and fitting into the size medium yoga pants now, LOL. I've been hovering around 156-158 for months. Maybe that's where I'm supposed to be? You know I'd love to lose another 10, but it just doesn't seem like I'm seeing any movement on the scale even when I'm being really good and exercising.

In other news, we have baby!! My new granddaughter was born on Monday, April 11th. Almost exactly a month early, but she weighed 5.2 and everything was fully developed so she didn't have to go into the Neonatal ICU. They were still in the hospital for a few more days and went home yesterday. We had my grandson, Rivers, for 5 days while all that was going on. That was a ton of fun, but also exhausting. We played a lot of disc golf. Hilarious trying to do yoga with a 3 year old doing "yog" with me, climbing on top of me, under me and sticking his head between my legs. He's full of the dickens (as my grandma used to say) but so loving and sweet, too. After 5 days, his other Grandma took him up to my son's house in Washington to stay with him until new baby came home. Our house was eerily quiet after he left. I managed to sleep 7 hours straight the night he went home, which is not my norm. Talked to my son today and he said all is well. Rivers loves new baby sister! Her name is Emerald Rose. Sunday is my birthday, so we are planning to drive (about 2 hours) to their house for the day.

So lucky to have national health care. I worked in the health care policy for years and still cannot believe we don't have a national health care system - at least as an option. I'd take it in a heartbeat if it was available. After I retired I had the option to continue my heath insurance from the state. Even with a subsidy for me (about $300), it still would have cost me about $1300 a month for me and my husband. His company is covering us now and paying the full premium, but the deductible is $4,000! So, all our medical costs this past year were out of pocket. I think the insurance covered my annual exam and mammogram, though. So that's something anyway. That's terrible about the monkey bite, but the prices for the services are unbelievably low! We are totally doing something wrong here in the US.

Welcome @lori415m! Glad you decided to join us!

Oh, Aliza - I was also going to mention that I went to a restorative yoga class last night. That was quite interesting and different than what I have experienced with yoga in the past. We only did about 5 poses in the course of an hour. Most of them were relaxed, on the floor positions, with blocks, cushions and blankets. For example, one was a bridge pose with the block under your bum/lower back with head/shoulders on the floor. It was definitely NOT a workout, but more about just releasing tension and very meditative (without any guidance on the meditation part). Have you ever heard of this?

I wish I had a good suggestion for the binge attack. I've been hitting the chips and wine pretty hard lately. My rough time is late afternoon before dinner. My husband takes a late lunch so he never wants dinner before about 7:30 and sometimes 8:00. I find myself scrounging around in the kitchen looking for snacks between lunch and that late dinner, and it's usually chips. Plus the wine.

I think I will skip my weigh-in this coming Friday. We will be on the road anyway. Hubby and I are going on a little 4 day road trip down to the redwood coast in California. We're planning to play a lot of disc golf, so that should be fun. I'm hoping for nice weather. It's been crazy warm here for April - today was nearly 90 when the average is about 65. Too hot for April.

Re: the restorative yoga. It was interesting, but not really my cup of tea. My friend who goes regularly has a lot of pain issues, so I believe it's really helpful for her. I just found it a little too slow for my taste. Back to my old regular morning routine with the "spa" music channel playing in the background.

Busy day today doing housework, laundry and a bit of yard stuff (in the cooler morning) while waiting for the electrician again. We finally replaced our broken (for 5 years) hot tub with a new one. It may be an extravagance, but something I enjoy immensely. When the old one finally broke for good, I was very sad but really couldn't afford a replacement for quite awhile. I still have sticker shock, but I'll get over it. It's currently heating up, so hope to be able to hot tub sometime tomorrow! Hoping the weather cools off a bit so I can enjoy the 100 degree tubbing. I will use it daily and sometimes more than once a day. I do my own version of aquasize in the tub, so made sure to get a large one with plenty of foot space. Can't wait!!

If I could afford it I think I'd go with a dry sauna instead of a hot tub. Mmm. I love dry saunas. But a hot tub doesn't sound too shabby either. Enjoy!

Just finished creating a trip for friends which includes Seattle, Portland, Cape Falcon, Eureka, Coos Bay, San Francisco and Carmel Valley. Found them amazing, gorgeous places to stay through airbnb. Now I'm just wishing I could go along. I create trips for people from time to time. It takes hours and hours but my reward is hearing about their great trips when they get back.

Where are you going, Rae, on your 4 day trip? Any of those places?

How tall are you, Lori? I'm 5'2" and can't even pretend to myself that 155 is a healthy weight for me. I feel good and think I look pretty good but I also know that I feel better and look better at 140. I vaguely remember being 138 for a minute about 15 years ago. It felt INCREDIBLE. And I look at photos of me at that weight on a trip to Key West and...wow! Of course, I was also 15 years younger and 148 is WAY different in every way from 63,

It's been hard getting myself to journal my food lately. Some days it's because I've eaten things that are hard to figure out. Some days it's because I've eaten things that I just don't want to see in black and white. Some days it's because I just can't be bothered. But I lost weight steadily when I was logging in everything every day.

I've been teaching some new flow yoga that I've seen on yogajournal.com There's a circular flow that's fun. In case you can't find it, here it is...

Mountain
Salutation
Forward Fold
Step back to downward dog
Roll forward on the balls of your feet and down to plank pose
Come into Upward Facing Dog
Step back into downward dog
Raise right leg into 3-legged dog
Bring it forward to low lunge
Turn around to the left - wide legged folded forward pose
Bring your head to the mat
Turn around to the left
Step back into down dog
Repeat from "Roll forward on the balls of your feet and down to plank pose"
When you turn to the left this time you'll be back at the front of your mat.
Repeat with left leg raised in 3-legged dog and turns to the right until you're back at the front of your mat

If that sound confusing to follow, try finding it on yogajournal.com It's really fun and a nice workout.

Bye for now

yeah, disregard last post on giving up sugar items for 3-4 days then have a little some again. Just read an article or 2 or 3 from a site that was sent to me by a friend. Have you heard of dietdoctor.com? Interesting stuff and I have a different perspective (once again) on food and eating. It's amazing how you can see things in a different light when it's presented well.
Later...

Aliza, thanks for the yoga info - it's nice to hear that maybe I could get rid of some of the "ouchies" in my body.
Re: the binge: maybe try waking up every morning and say a phrase to yourself about food and portion. Make it positive but also a reminder. Before you eat your meals, repeat that phrase, then eat. I bet after doing this for several days, you just may have "trained" your mind differently so that the next time you think a binge is going to hit, you will see it differently. Hey, maybe I should listen to my own advice. Yes, I think I'm going to do that starting tomorrow. Now, what is the phrase going to be??
Have a good night!

Since my biggest issue is with sweets (candy/chocolate), my phrase will be: "My body works hard for me so it is only right that I treat it with good sweets of fruits".
I've been doing well (in my book) since Sunday. Last night was a little tough because I was mentally stressed with the day and was still in thinking mode. However, I didn't have anything "bad" in the house so my good choices were berries w/cream, greek yogurt, nuts. It's working because I weighed in at 154 today. I weigh in randomly - when the thought crosses my mind.
Hope you had a good day!

And I want to give a shout-out to folks still in the group:

Aliza, your trip to India sounds amazing -- I'd love to see some pics! (is there a way to share those here? maybe as URL, I guess).

Rae, a new grandbaby sounds so wonderful. I hope mother and baby are doing great!

Lori, welcome to the group; so nice to meet you!

Hugs to all,
~Marla

Hi Embera and welcome!

First, I totally understand about working long hours and trying to fit in healthy eating -- and at a pizza place! Wow -- that must be so hard! But it sounds like the good news is that there's salads there, so that would be my strategy. I'd figure out which dressings are the best choice (low-fat, low-calorie) and rely on that. And is the policy on outside food about full meals only? For instance, could you bring in something like an apple or banana or bottle of water? Or healthy toppings for the salad maybe?

You mentioned eating before work -- if it were me, I would aim to do that every, single day. I try to eat low carb, so most workdays I'll eat a scrambled egg (use cooking spray on a paper or ceramic bowl, break the egg, add in Mrs. Dash, microwave for 1 minute) and fruit, or I'll opt for something super fast like low-fat/low-calorie yogurt like Great Value (tons of flavors). For dinner, if you're not super hungry, maybe some corn chips and salsa? Cheese stick and 1 serving of healthy nuts? Or something else that you like, but isn't a full meal.

And it sounds like you're moving around alot at work too. What if you started wearing a pedometer? Maybe get an inexpensive one from Wal-Mart so you can get an idea of how many steps you get each day (I bet you'd be surprised!). That way, it's not a huge investment starting out. I did that and worked up to a FitBit, which I love. For my work,I end up sitting all day in front of a computer; I'd love to be able to move around more for my job. And, if you're like me, stressed out after a day of work, maybe something like a yoga routine would be relaxing (I have several DVDs and I just do what I can).

Honestly, it's really a matter of experimentation to see what best fits your schedule and your metabolism, not to mention your taste buds. The main thing is to keep going, no matter what setbacks come your way. I'm coming back after being sick for nearly a month, so eventhough I'm back at the starting point, I know that healthy eating and exercise are what will make the next decades of my life (Lord willing) more vigorous, energetic and enjoyable.

Plus, you've got all of us to support you! You can do it!!

Hugs,
~Marla

Nice to meet you Sharon!

This community is usually a little more active, but I bet with summer coming on, some are out and about on vacation.

And I hear you about too much wine; I like a small glass with dinner every other night, but I know those calories can rack up. I have the same goal weight in my mind, too, as yours. If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you? I'm 5'4" and when I've been 125 in the past, it felt just spot on -- healthy and strong, but not too skinny.

So how's your week been so far? I was down and out for about a month, but I'm climbing back into the exercise routine and it feels good. However, my family and I will be traveling for vacation next week, so I'm sure I'll get off track with food (although I'm still going to put everything here in MFP) and not as much exercise.

I can also relate with the "perfect or nothing" mentality -- I'm exactly the same! I'm trying to be kinder to myself, like I would a family member or friend.

What are some tips that help you? And hang in there -- we can do it!!

~Marla

Anyone?

HI--my name is MissDi and I am 62 years old. I feel old. My weight is at it's all time highest at 180. I would like to get down to 150 at least. More if possible. It is hard for me to get motivated to exercise. I belong to Silver Sneakers and go 2-3 times a week. But it isn't enough to get me to sweat or lose many calories. It's basically enough to get me moving. I am working on my eating and have trouble staying in my fat allowance yet my calories are lower most days than allowed. Right now I'd like to get some tips from those who have trouble exercising and motivation to do it. I really need to get this weight off!!!

Hi Rae! Good to hear from you. I was wondering if everyone on this group just abandoned ship? I had a "bad" weekend--went so off my meal plan...it was our 44th anniversary and we went to visit our youngest son and wife and our 3 yr old grandson. Eating healthy isn't on their radar and so I just ate what they had. Then went to my husband's brother's where they were having a party and great food. I ate. Had a Dr appt this AM and I gained 2 lbs. not too bad but I'm back on the wagon today. can't afford the downward slide!! I am needing to get moving and burn calories....I'm hoping that will come.
Blessings Di