Thankfully his follow-up visit went much better than expected! His primary care vet didn't see a need for him to have a consultation with a surgeon (back issues), so I'm thrilled that he thinks it's something we can manage with medication. I've also called an animal chiropractor/acupuncturist to see if that might be something useful for him. I'm willing to go "above and beyond" on his medical care, but a $1,500 MRI isn't in the cards right now (and that's excluding the cost of any potential surgery). I'd rather try to do some preventative care and keep the emergency meds on hand so I can avoid the off-hour, weekend emergency vet visits!!!

Managed to exercise yesterday- even if it was just a biggest loser video for 30 minutes. If I hadn't set the posted goal, I would have blown it off, so thanks for helping me set weekly goals!!!! I'm hoping to get weights in tonight and have tomorrow morning as one of my 1 hour sessions! I'm just hoping I can get the weight moving down- saw where my bf has lost 6 pounds since his last weigh in- lucky dog!!! Granted, I know I can't expect those kinds of results, but I'd like to stop gaining/losing the same pound I've been dealing with for about 2 weeks :noway:

Not to get personal, but how did your weigh in go? You mentioned you didn't really have a good idea where you'd come in after not weighing in over the weekend- everything ok, or at least what you expected?

Hi Joe! CONGRATS to you and Teresa!!!! Sounds like you guys have worked hard and remained dedicated to DR- and one another (35 years is no easy feat) :happy:

I was just having the "I need to get back on the FPU bandwagon" talk with myself earlier today. I've found myself using my debit card a little more than normal lately (still have some bonus money tucked away) and realized today just how much I've spent :blushing: Can't help but laugh b/c the message from DR's Message a Day calendar is "Good debt management is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge." At least I know what I need to work on, right? Haha

Happy birthday to your BF! Hope y'all had a great day!

I wish I could say I stayed on track, but I'd be lying. I was completely lazy last week, and am not off to a great start this week. I'm going to try to get in 4 workouts (at least 1 run, 2 days of weights and something to fill in the other day- plus probably some combinations of the activities).

For DR, I had a reality check last night so I've now replenished the envelopes I "borrowed" from, and have started re-allocating the funds I have left for previously planned activities. Its looking like I'm going to have to tighten up a little for the next few months, but it will be worth it to actually cash flow some trips AND still have money for the essentials! My goal is to stay on track- and ask my boyfriend/accountability buddy to (kindly) check with me when he sees me pulling out the debit card OR pillaging the other envelopes to pay for stuff. I love the concept of DR's system, but it's definitely NOT easy! It will, however, be worth it when I am able to cash flow Christmas, birthdays, etc. :bigsmile:

How about you, Joe? Any goals for the week?

Yes, both of the goals are difficult, but that's what makes them worth pursuing, right? We'll be better as a result of achieving the goals and we'll REALLY appreciate them when we get there! (At least this is what I keep telling myself...)

Sorry about the weight gain- it's just a temporary setback, but I understand it can be frustrating. I'm still losing/gaining the same weight and hoping I'll eventually break through and start losing... You WILL make it to the 150's- and in time for the summer! :bigsmile:

Ah the budget... Some months it seems so easy and then other months it's nearly impossible to get psyched up for it. Regardless of where you end up on it, you'll feel better knowing you sat down and did it! I don't always like what I see, but I like knowing what my goals/guidelines are. At least it's better than running around willy nilly!

Good luck on your goals this week!

How's your week going?

I'm still struggling with needs vs wants with my budget this week :sad: Some weeks it feels easy, and then there's all the other times.... Oh well, at least I'm limited as to how much I can indulge (no credit cards will do that to a girl!)

Doing ok on the exercise- got my weights in Wednesday morning and will do them again tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow's run will actually be a run versus the run/walk I had this morning. The humidity was almost unbearable!

Hope you're having a great week!

And, for clarification, the "it" is fall off the wagon. Rededicating and watching the calories/coins is NOT easy (but still worth it!) :happy:

Hey- Hope your past week has gone smoothly! Vegetable gardens are always nice, as long as they produce! Mine is steadily growing, but no produce yet (other than the herbs).

I'm up about 3 lbs, but considering how much I've eaten between Vegas and Memphis, I need to be thankful that it's only 3!!! I have about a week and a half to try to get that down and then off for another couple days to Chicago (another food intensive trip)...

Hope you are doing well and sticking with your goals!

Haha- I hear you- I need to get back into running, or really just any kind of regular activity. We ran around a fair amount while on vacation, but we definitely ate more than we walked (always a sign of a good vacation, right?) I figure my activity will resume when I get back from Chicago. Then I can really buckle down and try to lose some weight before my birthday hits!

Hope you're having a good week!

Hey, at least you are still staying busy! I've just been lazy!!! I'm definitely fighting the "why try to pick up the exercise now since I'm going to be leaving again in 2 1/2 days"... Downside is that after a weekend of eating (Greek Festival on Saturday and amusement park on Sunday), I'm already up 2-3 pounds again :noway: I'll admit, though, I enjoyed everything that I ate, so I guess that counts for something- just not weight loss.

Alas, next Monday, I'll be getting back on track and trying to lose weight before my birthday! I'm debating joining WW online just b/c everyone I know who's doing it right now (and sticking with the program) is losing TONS of weight. I'm thinking about doing the WW program and still tracking on here so I can try to figure out what their method is....

Good luck on your yard work, and resuming your non-yardwork activities!

Hi all. I was wondering if there was a group for Dave Ramsey fans on MFP. Well, here I am.

Some notes on me.

Name-Aaron
Location-Illinois
Dave fan since 2005 and currently on Baby Step 6. Been through FPU 5 times.

Since most of my TMMO goals are on auto pilot, I'm focusing more on MFP goals which include dropping 15 pounds and gaining general fitness for my love of cyclocross racing in the fall.

Look for forward to hearing from all of you.

Hi Aaron! CONGRATULATIONS on getting to BS6!!! I actually tried to sign up for another FPU class recently, but it seems everyone in my area is taking the summer off, so maybe in the fall...

You clearly have dedication and discipline so I'm sure you'll be able to meet ANY goals you set! Do you have a time goal for the 15 pounds?

Thanks. I'm thinking by October, I should be down to meeting my gaol.

Not a stupid question at all. I get asked it all the time. Cyclocross (or cross for short) is a form of bicycle racing on road bikes that takes place usually in September through January on a enclosed track (usually a park type area) and consists of many laps of a short (2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount. I tried it for the first time last fall and it was the HARDEST type of bike racing I have ever done. But it was the most FUN I have ever had.

It is demanding. They say it is one of the hardest forms of bike racing. Usually there is a set number of laps (a lao might be 1.5 to 2.5 miles) or a time limit. Pro men ride for 60 minutes and pro women go for 45. Other classes usually go from 30-45 minutes.

If you think you can ride that 45 minutes no problem, think again. At the 8 minute mark, I figured it was going to be a looong day. At the 15 minute mark, I was looking for the car. At 20 minutes, I was hoping the earth would open up and swallow me. I did finish though. Pain in endurance sports is addicting. Try riding at 95% heart rate, dismounting from your bike and running. It does not work too well the first time you try it. :laugh:

Found a class and got signed up (starting in about a month)- turns out the classes weren't showing b/c they were waiting for the announcement of the new FPU format! Yay!!