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

@fabgeekmom Yes! That's good you did your exercise. I hope dinner was good.

@theslightedgeforever Sure, here it is (I was going to serve it over farro but you can do brown rice or quinoa): https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/roasted-sweet-potato-and-chickpea-bowls/ I did not go to water aerobics. It seems my husband likes to monopolize my time on the weekends, I've noticed. That's a good idea to double up recipes although they already serve at least 4 servings. I made chili last night that serves 8, I'll probably freeze the leftovers. I love going out for coffee! We go out each day on the weekend for coffee and sit and read. The book discussion: it was interesting. It was held in a bookstore that I like a lot. There was only one person doing the discussion, it was more of a book talk. He gave a quick synopsis of some books that he's been reading and/or that have come out recently in either hardback or paperback. We sat and drank more coffee while he did this. Some of the books he discussed:
All That Glitters by Orlando Whitfield - this is a true story about art theft
The Best Short Stories 2024: The O. Henry Prize Winners
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (he didn't describe this, only mentioned it came out)
The Life Impossible: A Novel by Matt Haig - he wrote the Midnight Library which got a lot of hype but I didn't really enjoy
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune - I have been waiting for this to come out and got it on Audible! It's part II of House in the Cerulean Sea.
Thanks for the Amazon First Reads, I never know what to pick and usually end up picking nothing! That was a good decision to make the stir fry. Good job with the gym and weight loss! Sorry this is so long lol.

Hi all. My new surgery center sent me a tracking app to use (Baritastic, it is specific to bariatric patients). I am tracking 100% honestly and I can see why I've been gaining weight. I started using it on Saturday: 2,787 cals was my total. Sun: 2,364 cals. Today should be better. Weekends have been bad lately as far as eating goes as sometimes we go out for a beer and there is usually some sort of dessert or pizza. I made chili in the Instant Pot last night for dinner, it came out really well. I used dried beans. I also made beer bread which was really good. I've made that before, it's a favorite. I'm looking into getting a rebounder, which is a small exercise trampoline. I am going to sell my walking pad as I don't use it and probably won't. I wish there was a way to "try before you buy". I think I will use the rebounder as it is supposed to be fun. Nobody ever called a treadmill "fun".

Water yesterday: 20 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

@theslightedgeforever You’ve made good choices with food and exercise. That was a substantial weight loss! I use the zest of one lemon. You probably could juice the lemon and add it to the marinade. @trooworld I have already read the Elizabeth Strout book and I enjoyed it. I didn’t know about the sequel you mentioned and ordered it on Audible. I tried to put a hold on it and the wait time was too long. Plus I had 1 credit. The weekend can really be a challenge especially since you like to go out places. But now you see what you have to do. @cbabie Too bad about your knee. I think most of the time pain increases as the day goes on. So hopefully you called the doctor. Hi, all. I went swimming today. Lunch was leftovers from last night. Tonight we’re having meatloaf that I made last week and froze. Plus potatoes from last night and salad. DS is out of town so I am doing the cooking.

@trooworld That’s good that you are closer to your surgery. Yes, the narrator is the same. I started listening and it is really good. Hi, all. I went to the recreation center and worked out on the recumbent elliptical, listening to the T J Klune book. Then I went grocery shopping. I made 2 soups for the rest of the week: Skinnytaste creamy chicken and mushroom soup and another chicken soup with corn, butter beans, and tomatoes. Tonight we are having the spaghetti rings with beef. I’m making extra for leftovers.

@trooworld Getting up that early really tires you out. For the last 2 days I have woken up at 5:00. Having a meal prepped really helps. Hi, all. DH had his surgery today. He’s doing well. Luckily we got a scooter and that is really helping. I didn’t get any exercise today as we got home about 1:30 and I didn’t feel like exercising. Plus I didn’t want to leave him alone. Our daughter took us to the surgery center and stayed with us a while. We ate the creamy chicken and mushroom soup and a toasted cheese sandwich for lunch. Tonight we’re eating the spaghetti rings I cooked last night.

@trooworld That’s a good idea to try the trampoline first. Also you’ll find out how the jumping affects your knees. It’s good that you have leftovers to eat when you’re too busy to cook. I don’t have a link to the soup. If you go the Skinnytaste site, look up creamy chicken and mushroom soup. Then you’ll see the recipe. Hi, all. DH is recovering well. I exercised inside today . Tonight I prepared dinner: air fried chicken, rice and roasted delicata squash.

@cbabie I hope your doctor has some answers for you. Thanks, me too. Yes, we do get busy! A little too busy for my taste. I would do delivery but I go to 3 different stores: Walmart, the local grocery store, and the produce store...oh, also Sam's Club, so 4! No wonder I have anxiety over it. I should do the delivery for Walmart at least. If I bring my own bags to Walmart, I have to bag them myself. And always have to bag my own at Sam's Club, as you know.

@fabgeekmom Thanks, we were almost late which made my anxiety go really high. I'm glad you got to go swimming. That was nice of DS to go to Sam's Club for you. I hope you enjoyed dinner.

Hi all. We got our groceries last night but were almost late, which really got my anxiety up high...there was traffic getting there and it took about twice as long to get there. Pick-up went okay. What stresses me out (besides being almost late) is that at Sam's Club, there are only 8 spots, and half of them are taken up by people who are just too lazy to walk far to the store: they park in the designated pick-up spots (not having anything to pick up) and go in the store and shop. So, that leaves just a few spots for pick-up, which are always taken. Today, Comic Con tickets go on sale so I have to try to get them. It's not guaranteed. I have a sleep apnea video consultation this morning and then later today, we are going to a huge street fair with 5 stages of music. We go every year, it should be fun!

Water yesterday: 20 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

@trooworld That’s too bad about pickup but it’s already done. Now you can enjoy using what you ordered. Like @cbabie said, I’m not a crowds kind of person. But that’s something you enjoy and it’s nice to have things to look forward to. Also the street fair. @cbabie That’s too bad that the doctor didn’t call. Hopefully Monday you can get some answers. Challah is a sweet eggy bread. My cousin made it into rolls. Traditionally it’s a braided bread with an egg wash. Plus more calories that I had planned to use, but it’s not something I get often. Hi, all. I went for a walk this morning and it was nice outside. I did a strength workout even though I didn’t want to. Tonight we are having Mediterranean takeout as DH can’t leave the house. DD, my SIL and my granddaughter are coming over.

@cbabie That's good you got out and that it is getting cooler. That sucks it's getting muggy. I'm sorry your knee is still yucky, I hope you try to call on Monday. Physician heal thyself... Yeah Comic Con tickets...more on that below. I do love going every year. The street fair is so much fun even though there are annoying people there lol. Yeah it sucks about Sam's. I love going there but that is really annoying. I wish I had a freezer big enough for stuff but I only have the little freezer part above my fridge. Thank you!

@fabgeekmom True. Yes, I did look forward to it. Despite the crowds (I'm not huge on crowds, either). I'm glad it was nice for your walk. Good job with the exercise. Yum, I love Mediterranean food and it's pretty easy to get something kind of healthy.

@theslightedgeforever You jet setter, you! That sounds like a nice trip. I love Southern food and taffy. Enjoy!

Hi all. We were not able to get Comic-Con tickets, unfortunately. BUT...we have one more chance to get them: at the end of October, tickets to the general public go on sale (yesterday's sale was for returning attendees). So, hopefully, we have better luck. The sleep doctor wants me to get a new sleep study done (I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea years ago). He said that my waking up to go to the bathroom every 2-3 hours can be a sign of sleep apnea. We went to the street fair at about 11 and it was hot but nice to walk around. My knee started hurting and I didn't bring my cane, so I was kind of having a hard time. We went back later after dark and listened to some bands. My knee was really bothering me so we went home. This morning, I am FINALLY going to water aerobics with one of my friends.

Water yesterday: 20 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

@theslightedgeforever Oh, I get that about Southern food. So good but unfortunately usually not healthy. But you were on vacation so you enjoyed it. And yum to salt water taffy! @trooworld Too bad you didn’t get the tickets but hopefully you’ll get them the next time they go on sale. I hope you enjoyed the water aerobics. @gemwolf110 Wow, you got a lot done. I guess it’s frustrating not being able to go to the gym. Hi, all. I walked outside and did some strength workouts. I also went grocery shopping. Luckily DS was home so he unloaded my groceries. DD came over and made chicken noodle soup for dinner. It was a Skinnytaste recipe. It’s on the website; just look up chicken noodle soup.

@cbabie I'm sorry, friend. Do you think you should just go to urgent care about your knee? That's what I do when I can't get ahold of the doctor or can't get an appointment. Can you send them an email or message through their app? Big HUGS. Yes, I enjoyed the pool. I hope we can get the tickets, too!

@fabgeekmom Thank you! That's great. Good job swimming. That sounds yummy, I'll look it up. Oh gosh, a long recovery, that must be making things more complicated for you doing those chores.

Hi all. I had to go to the cardiologist yesterday as part of my clearance for bariatric surgery. The cardiologist wants to do 3 more tests on my heart, she's concerned because I sound a bit out of breath while walking and going up stairs. So, I have 3 appointments for tests over the next 2 weeks + a follow-up appointment for the results. I also have PT appointments + 2 other appointments for tests the surgeon ordered, so I have a lot going on lol. On top of that, my husband started coughing yesterday and now this morning, he sounds awful. I hope he doesn't pass that along to me!

Water yesterday: 125.8 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

@trooworld It’s good that you’re having all those tests. Too bad abut DH. Are you able to sleep in another room? @gemwolf110 I’m glad you enjoy your water exercises. Hi, all. I went to Sam’s Club today. I got salmon for tomorrow and steaks for Friday plus some other stuff. I did a weight workout and progressed to 5 pound weights. Workouts were tough but I was okay. The beef stew was good tonight. I got a bagged salad at Sam’s to go with dinner. I ate a few cookies for dessert and skipped the bread.

@cbabie Oh gosh, I'm sorry you have to go back to the doctor but at least you will find out what is going on. I agree about breaking a bone, I've broken my tailbone (it still remembers!), my arm, and a few toes. re: the appts...thanks, yes you are right, they need to be thorough. My only sticking point is taking so much time off work: I don't have that much sick time/vacation time and it's burning through all that for these appts. I need that time for my surgery! So far, I'm not sick lol but he's trying: he slept in the bedroom with me last night.

@fabgeekmom Thanks, me too! Yeah the meal was good. Good job with the swim. I would have loved your dinner, it sounds amazing!

Hi all. I started work early today because today's my birthday and I want to get done early so I can do something fun. Either I'm going to do Halloween crafts or my friend is going to take me out, I'm not sure, it depends on if her plans she already has fall through. My husband is still sick so he can't take me anywhere lol. There was a lot of junk in the break room yesterday for my birthday. I succumbed to some of it. And then my officemate brought me a Nothing But Bundt Cakes pumpkin spice cake and I had that. It was a bad eating day.

Water yesterday: 114.1 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"