NON WW & WW NEWBIES, OUR NEW LIFE, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL

@teresaw1020 I have a neti pot and I like it. I think the food processor is the #1 thing in my kitchen that I must have at all times. I honestly don't think I could cook with out it. I'm on my third one I think through the years. I'm laughing about the culture shock your mom will have moving in from an OCD house. The older I get, the more OCD I get. I'll admit it. Interestingly in every place but my bedroom. In my dining room the chairs need to be put back in the same place so the little round things on the bottom don't make more round indentations on my carpet. Your mom sounds like she's the same kind of cook mine was. I learned to cook just like you did. Yes, pays to know people. So in all this getting ready for mom business, are you making good food choices?

@trooworld Hopefully you'll get to take more walks and make that a habit. Saturday is the day I walk with my hubby. I don't remember how it started. We've always gone to breakfast on that day but then one day afterwards we went to the mall and we walked. Then I mentioned it again. Now we just do it out of habit. We tried walking outside and different venues but he didn't like it. He just likes walking the mall for some reason even though he used to complain about mall walkers. lol

@mswatson0777 Sometimes all we can do is okay and then next time we'll do stellar. That's the way I look at it. It's a life long journey and we can't do stellar all the time. Same thing for checking in individually with the group. Sometimes I can do everyone and sometimes it's all about me. I'm learning "no guilt" over this. The important thing is I checked in. That means I'm focused on my journey. I'm putting it first. I do think of it as my AA meeting.

@joannadavison I'll have to check out a Pinch of Nom. I also like Taste of Home. I used to get their magazines and would love looking through them and trying new recipes. Especially the sweet treats. lol Then I got to a place where I was getting fatter and fatter and decided I'd better cancel that subscription. Now I'm more balanced and I subscribe to their emails where they send me digital recipes and such. Along with Teresa's greek yogurt recipe, I add in either blueberries or a diced apple and layer it with the yogurt and walnuts. I put it in a wine glass so it's festive and pretty and eat it that way. With your positives and negatives, are you heading in the right direction? That's the important thing. If the gap is too big from where you are to where you want to go then the brain will start fighting you on this. It doesn't want you to change. But change comes in small tweeks. So you'll get there.

Green Day- Stayed OP 223/238 carbs Exercise-Rest Day

January Week 2 goal: 3 glasses of water daily. Met goal 3/6 days This water thing hasn't worked so well the last 2 days. Back at it.

@joannadavison I love that you've booked some pamper time just for you. I hope it ends up being a very relaxing weekend! I have no advice on sugar cravings. I have to fit in a sweet treat every day or I straight up binge

@TeresaW1020 Great job adjusting your workout to fit your body! And 12lb weights are impressive!!!

@trooworld That bath sounds so dreamy! I used to love bubble baths but have gotten out of the habit again, maybe I need to start!

@theslightedgeforever You're absolutely right! I had a favorite blogger who used the term "What you can, when you can" (wycwyc). Basically you make the best choice you can at that moment. I need to embrace my WYCWYC lifestyle, since I'm definitely in a crazy time of life.

So apparently my scale wasn't a dirty liar (or it was artificially high since it was running out of batteries). Either way I recorded the weight since that's my new normal now. Next week's weight loss will feel more like a "win" since I'll know it's legit, but I'm still excited to be over 2lbs down since my weigh in before the holidays!

@trooworld Especially with the wine and the book that sounds so dreamy! I can't wait for this weekend when I have some downtime so I can get some relaxation like that in!

@theslightedgeforever Way to go with the maintenance plan! I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in weight loss and forget the importance of also understanding how we can maintain our weight.

@cbabie You've got to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. I'm counting down to this weekend since I purposefully made 0 plans so I can focus entirely on self care. I hope you feel better soon!

@its_cleo I totally relate to your Eeyore meme. I get like that about once a month *cough cough hormones*. Even though I know it's coming it still feels awful to be in the middle of. I hope everything sorts it out with your cards and you start to feel mentally healthier soon.

We made it to Wednesday!!!! I ended up training with a young kid yesterday (okay...probably 19-20 year old, but he seemed REALLY young) and of course he was spazzy and now my back feels off today. I did yoga this morning and gentle stretching, but it means I didn't sleep very well last night which was frustrating. I also ended snapping at my SO twice yesterday for things I probably wouldn't normally snap about so I was clearly not doing well yesterday. Hopefully today is better, work already feels calmer which is much needed. Counting down for the weekend!

@cbabie -Rest is a good idea, I hope you're feeling better soon.

@joannadavison -Going to the dentist is the worst, too bad I love my teeth so much

@theslightedgeforever - You got this, you've made a plan and you're sticking to it.

@trooworld- a bath before bed sounds like a great idea, it's been along time since I've soaked in a tub, it's also been long time since I've had a good nights sleep-- coincidence?

@mswatson0777 Good job on the 2lbs.


Tonight has been hard for me, I have the munchies so bad, so I'm here typing on my computer instead. It's been a long day, work has been a pain, there are a lot of special projects going on, which means long days. I feel my motivation waning, so I need to change up my routine a bit.

@trooworld I'm so glad you are doing well with your tracking. I actually did very well with my plan and her being here. My goal was to maintain during the two week stay and I checked and lost 0.5 lb total so that would be right on spot. Now back to losing some more weight.

@mswatson0777 My goal for 2019 was to learn to maintain 65 days out of the year. First 14 days I did fine. Then I helped my daughter move cross-country and it seemed that week long of eating out every meal and not exercising plus not weighing put on 9 lbs. Then I maintained that for a week until I returned home. But damage done. Then those last two weeks I just finished cause I postponed them. So really it was only one week but boy was it a week. Lessons learned though. I really wasn't following a plan back then other than calorie counting. Let me check to see if I tracked my food that week. Nope. Another big lesson.

@joannadavison I wonder if it's a control thing. As I age I might feel I'm losing control(kids, body, mind) so it comes out in things I can control if that makes sense. I do know it drives my family nuts. Especially the thing of Did I lock the door? Yaaay on all the little steps that you are taking. That will get you there. The book I'm reading now is Mini Habits for Weight Loss. Ouch on the tooth.

@nighthazel01 Good for you for finding a distraction when really all you wanted to do was munch. If we can just get past those little windows of time we will win this war.

@retiredandlovingit I don't get as much deep sleep either but can't really control that. 33 degrees doesn't sound like a fun walk but then it would be better than walking in -2 degrees. Kudos to you for walking. Another Freckles. Yaaay. I miss her. So do you have a plan to cut back on the candy? Is that the only thing preventing you from getting to goal or other things?

Red Day- Stayed OP 100/100 carbs. Exercise Didn't do anything. More like a "company is gone and I'm not going to do anything day"

January Week 3 goal: 3 glasses of water daily. Met goal 0/7 days

@joannadavison That sounds so painful! I am intensely jealous of your country's medical system. I'm fortunate that I have good health insurance, but there are so many people who are uninsured or under-insured that it hurts my heart. I hope now that the procedure is over you feel better!

@TeresaW1020 it sounds like you've had a busy week! It's always so nice to get projects done that have been looming over us for awhile.

@trooworld SO excited it's Thursday! How are your January goals going?

@theslightedgeforever 9lbs in a week?! That is bananas! That is honestly my fear with the upcoming cruise since I think that happens to a lot of people. I'm going to focus on going to the restaurants instead of the buffet for my meals since the restaurants have their healthier choices starred and the portions are pre-set. It will also keep me away from grazing all day. I have to remind myself that this vacation is NOT ABOUT THE FOOD! It's about the experiences, and I can have amazing experiences (including food experiences) while still keeping my health in mind.

@RetiredandLovingIt 33 degrees sounds like a dream. I woke up to below zero temperatures (January is a rough month in the north!)

@nighthazel01 Are there low calorie snacks you can fit into your budget and munch on when the urge comes? I often find the chewing sensation is sometimes what I'm craving. I tend towards pre-cut veggies, low calorie popcorn, gum, or a hot tea with stevia and almond milk.

One day closer to the weekend! I'm still pretty sore (didn't help I still went to a 2 hour class last night...whoops). I will rest up over the next two days before my Saturday class. The problem is I'm addicted to the endorphin rush after class, and I miss seeing the people when I'm not there. I hope everyone has a good Thursday and makes good food choices! I have a coworker happy hour so I know it'll be a challenge, but I'm going to do my best!

@trooworld I'm more of a digital person too.

@teresaw1020 Yes, the best "diet" is the one we can do in the best of times and the worst of times. I did learn though that two weeks of the present maint schedule messes with my head some so I'm going to alter it a bit for when I really do go on maintainence.

@mswatson0777 Unfortunately 9 lbs it was. I gained an additional 1.4 lbs over the next couple of days and then after a week 5 lbs were gone. But it took me almost 3 months to lose that remaining 5 lbs. Because I would go up and down on the same 2 lbs Crazy. I'm not doing that again. My friend went on a cruise recently and she did eat and try most everything she couldn't get back home and she did gain weight but it eventually came off. She said she wouldn't have done anything differently. I think being active on the cruise is very important. Temperature is relative isn't it.

Green Day-Stayed OP 228/238 carbs Exercise- 15 min of treadmill walking I wasn't going to do any but I was reviewing an old 100 day assignment from early Jan last year and it talked about me being committed or interested. The assignment was to go do something that shows I was committed. Since it was at the end of the night I chose 15 min of exercise. Go me!

January Week 3 goal: 3 glasses of water daily. Met goal 0/7 days

@TeresaW1020 Coworker happy hour went well! I decided I didn't want to drink and they had a cauliflower crust pizza on the menu so my calories were pretty decent. I do back to back classes a lot since 1 hour doesn't feel like enough when I'm trying to learn or drill a new skill (my weight issue is clearly food related lol)

@theslightedgeforever How frustrating with those pounds last year, I can see why you don't want to do it again! And I'll for sure be eating more than normal, but if it's something I can get at home I'll skip it and if it's something decadent I'll share it

@renaegry My goodness you're even colder than we are! And I love the show "You", I devoured season 2 in just a few days

Friday is HERE!!! I'm seriously so excited for my three day weekend of relaxation. At the end of it I'm sure I'll want to be around people, but for now it's MY WEEKEND! We got invited out to a few things after coworker happy hour last night but I stayed home, caught up on my readings for next week, and went to bed early. It was so dreamy. I even woke up refreshed and hit the elliptical this morning. Now I just have to survive today at work and I'm golden!

@TeresaW1020 great job on the weight coming down a week.

@mswatson077 it’s great you enjoy your fitness class so much. Having it be fun is a good motivation. I hope your cruise goes well. Yes the food can be a temptation, but just do active stuff and try not to over do it. Will you track calories while away? Enjoy your week!

@theslightedgeforever yeah the OCD thing might be age…I’m like that too, but I was always a bit OCD, I actually had tests done lol.


@joannadavison ouch on the root canal. I had one a few yrs ago. My procedures are done, both went ok. Good for you on skipping the temptation. I hope your hair looks great tomorrow. I increased my protein intake a lot over the last couple years, and it has been a good change I think.

@theslightedgeforever yeah usually I struggle with calories. It’s funny bc I am eating a ton less than I did all summer, but I weigh slightly more (5lbs more) and I can’t lose it. But I’m just focusing on the calories.

My wrist- I’m going for an xray next week. I saw a chiro and he said the wrist ligaments are damaged, so basically kind of like a wrist sprain I guess? So I have to see him a few times to try to push the healing along.

I’m feeling slightly better I think? I dunno yesterday was better, today seems a struggle again. But a couple days ago I managed to do my stair/hill circuit and that gave me a bit of a positive charge, that feeling of energy. That’s one of the reasons I love exercise, it really gives me an emotional boost.

Today is very cold here but sunny. I went for a run but I could only do half of my normal routine, not sure why. I also did some core this morning.

@trooworld Yes maintaining is always better than gaining. When I sleep, I'm dead to the world evidently. I don't feel my fitbit at all. Or maybe mine is tighter than yours. So are you still tracking daily? I'm still working on my water goal but still only hitting it 1/2 way. I might just have to lower it until I'm successful for 7-14 days and then I can raise it back up.

@cbabie I think you fell asleep before you posted a reply to me. That's okay this time. You need the rest. So why not start putting baby to bed 15 min earlier for a while and you can increase the time later. A nice bedtime routine for her will let her know that bedtime is coming up. My other suggestion is to go out to your car and sleep in your car and let whoever is left in the house awake to deal with the baby. lol At least you would get some sleep and get better.

@its_cleo I feel the same about hairdressers. Mine moved and I still haven't found one I like. Brunch was good. I ate a piece of spinach quiche, an egg cheese slider, and a pecan roll. Oh and a mimosa. I did not eat the other sandwich type things that were there nor a lemon coffee cake nor fruit. Since I had already had a banana before I left. Hooray on your calories


Green Day-Stayed OP 216/238 carbs Exercise 14 min treadmill

January Week 3 goal: 3 glasses of water daily. Met goal 0/7 days

@nighthazel01, good for you for not eating the baked goods that you made. I would NOT be able to be that strong, which is why baking is not done in my house. Stay warm!!

@its_cleo, glad your run was good! Everyone getting snow makes me jealous. I just want a small dusting. Is that too much to ask? Ouch on the wrist pain! I assume that affects you doing any kind of weight lifting?

@cbabie, yes I totally agree that you have to find a way to get more quality sleep on a consistent base or your health and weight are going to continue to suffer. We had a lovely dinner with my pastor and his wife. We did a lot of talking about my mom moving in and Pastor was especially interested in my intermittent fasting lifestyle. I think the thought that I don't eat for at least 17 hours was shocking. I did point out that 8 to 9 hours of that time, I'm in bed.

@trooworld, yes weighing the same is better than gaining! You just stick to your goals!

@theslightedgeforever, yes I agree that you will have to continue what you are doing for the rest of your life. That is why I stopped doing Keto or any other restrictive diet plan. I can’t do that for the rest of my life, but I can do my best to stay in a calorie deficit and stay active. How did you do at brunch?


Good morning! I have been having issues with my stupid knees again! I think this new program I’m doing has been too much for them. All the squats and lunges are taking their toll. So, I’m going to continue with the program for the upper body weights and get my cardio in on my treadmill for the next couple of weeks and see if that will help. I Googled knee pain and of course, the number one thing suggested is to be at a normal weight. It’s a good incentive because I am NOT liking this pain.

@nighthazel01 Good for you for not eating all you baked and not snacking throughout the day. I have some banana bread on the counter I need to put in the freezer. Dh doesn't need to eat it all piece by piece.

@teresaw1020 I used to be able to not eat what I baked so I stopped baking. But I love to bake. So I've learned to have an initial piece of whatever it is or half depending and then I leave it alone. You are stronger than you think and you can tell and teach your mind to leave the baked goods alone until X. I like to have mine on the weekend normally.Usually I cut it in half so I can have some both days. Brunch was good. Some spinache quiche, an egg/cheese slider, and a pecan roll. I really wanted a second pecan roll but kept talking myself out of it. Because then I would have had to make some harder choices in the evening. Ouch on the knee pain.

@trooworld Oh on the metal band for fitbit. Mine is rubber like. I was thinking maybe I just have fatter arms than you do. It's possible. So back with tracking today and I'll go back to working on my water.

@its_cleo Suggestions on the water goal. I seem to not have a problem drinking my hot tea every day. lol So I'll keep working on this habit. Now tell me all the positive things about going to Iceland. What will you do, what will you see. From one anxious person to another, there will always be worries and fears. Our minds magnify them until we shut down and it cripples us. Yes Monkey's normal routine will be a bit different for two weeks but he/she will survive. Imagine yourself in a bad car accident that leaves you in the hospital all of a sudden for two weeks. Monkey would have to do the same thing but instead you are having a wonderful time in Iceland hiking or whatever types of thing you would do there. I would be hiking. lol You can get into car crashes just as easy as airplane crashes. Probably easier. I don't like to fly anymore because they've made it too unpleasant but I still do sometimes. When turbulence hits I imagine it like I saw explained on TV one day on Oprah. lol If you are in a boat and another boat goes by it will make waves so you bob up and down. Same thing for a plane. When other planes are flying above and around you like they do, it causes wind waves and the turbulence you feel is the bobbing up and down. So everytime I'm in a plane and it starts doing that I close my eyes and imagine I'm on a boat. lol

@cbabie I was sitting at brunch the other day and all the ladies were talking about their mothers and how they were in their 80's. One had just had to take away the car keys from her. I was sitting there thinking it would be nice to have a mother who is alive and my second thought was they didn't even make it to their 80's. Because of their lifestyle. I'm claiming Granny and Aunt Wilma's genes..........which probably means I also need to claim their lifestyle. So your to-do list, get baby back on schedule, turn the phone off while you sleep (I know a hard one for you) but it's doable. You didn't respond to ME. lol How did the apple raisin bread turn out?

@joannadavison Woohoo on the pounds you lost. That's awesome. Your little changes are working. My kids too have a greater risk of diabetes since they have it on both sides with their grandparents. But they don't listen to me so I'm trying to show them by my actions now. I don't know what Quorn is. It makes me think of a hybrid of corn and quinoa. Let me google it. I liked my fantasy version better. lol I have no idea if it's sold in the US but I bet if it is then Amazon will deliver it. lol I just checked Amazon. Yes but OMG so expensive. You could look for textured vegetable protein items. Amazon has it in chunks and minced. In a couple of weeks the ladies I had brunch with is doing a UK afternoon tea. I'm so excited for the scones. I said we all have to wear hats. Although I'm sure you all don't go around wearing hats for afternoon tea. lol I just like a good reason to wear my pretty red hat.

I went to a movie today (Bad Boys) and measured out each cup of popcorn I ate. Thank God for my friend who bought me those Fix21 containers. They come in so handy at the theater. I eat straight from the container and not the popcorn tub.

Low Yellow Day- Stayed OP 141/150 carbs. Exercise 45 min walking club at the mall.