PROVIDA SUPPORT COMMUNITY

 Good morning gals!

TL-my sister in VA says they got 24 inches of snow last night and it's still coming down! Are you buried?? I agree with Angie, it's not whining to talk about how you're doing. And SNARKY is more than welcome! 

Heidi-I'm wondering if you were driving in all that snow? Hope you got there safely and are enjoying the weekend.

Angie-you have the right attitude. Not to fret. I feel like I've moved a little bit more toward just accepting that eating well (not reduction, but really healthy) is for the long-run. It's not going to be just until a certain date. My goal is to have some things back in all through the week and not really do the "on" or "off" thing, unless it's really an occasion or something. I think that was not balanced enough. Although, now I'm thinking what will I do on our trip to Mexico? I've never been one not to enjoy it all on a vacation. Hmmm...Oh, since I lowered my goal to 130, I'm just under but not by much. But happy with that. I hope Superbowl Sunday doesn't ruin that!

Peg-nice work on the chili contest. I have to learn to handle things like that. My tendency to "just a little" may prove to be problem in the long-run. It has been an interesting process to get to my initial goal and see if  that's what feels like the best weight for me. This definitely feels better clothes-wise. We'll see how I do maintaining it. Hope that's not a problem. You, as I recall, are much taller than I am, though, aren't you? I'm not even 5'2"!

Hi to Pepper and Mich and all the rest!

Quick note - I keep getting "Service Unavailable" too. Things are ridiculous here - expecting up to 30 inches. My dog is drowning in the snow - my mailbox pole has almost disappeared. So, our local weather reporter is not on plan at all. As he's been reporting - now up to 24" - people have been bringing him food - sandwiches, matzoh ball soup, brownies, cupcakes - all for a chance to get on TV. Meanwhile the poor guy is going to have a coronary. We are hunkering down and watching movies. Virginia does not do snow well. They closed the schools yesterday before we even had an inch. If you don't hear from me, I'm in an igloo somewhere.....

Hi everyone sorry to be gone so long.  I haven't done well at all on program but all I can do is start again.  I have been having a lot of pain in my back and neck and to be honest it caused me to get pretty depressed and you know when you get depressed what you do (EAT).  Anyway, I am doing better.  If anything, it really taught me a lesson that my body has got to be thinner.  I just can't carry this weight.  I am only 5'2" and really if I measured probably only 5"1" and I have really small bones.  I was born with scoliosis of the spine.  I had a lot of problems as a kid but I went to this clinic and they put me in a back brace when I was 10 and I wore that darn thing until I was 16.  It fused my spine and really I haven't had a lot of problems over my adult life until now.  Well, my dr says I have too much weight on my body and it is stressing my joints and spine.  I have been on some meds to relax it and it is much better now.  The scary thing is I don't know what I did to get it so messed up.  So, here I am, back to square one and trying not to give in to "comfort" food.  Please forgive me for leaving and not letting you guys help me thru my problems.  I always run and hide when I am having problems and I need to learn to just stay the course.

Hope you all are having a good weekend and not suffering from too much snow.  We got about 5 inches so nothing like a lot of others who got inches and inches.

Kim

 Kim-we're so glad you're back! And do hang out here, no matter what. I'm sure there's not one of us who hasn't had that feeling. Times when' I've been having a bad week and I'm hitting weigh in day, I'd start coming up with all the reasons to leave. And once I just write it down I move on. Welcome back. 

TL-30 inches is ridiculous! Hope it's quality time with your kids!

I don't have much time. Just have to say that for the Superbowl, I'm making OP sloppy joe's and potato chips. And I made treats that count as carbs-Coffee Nut Balls under carbs section. I'm proud of myself!

Gotta Run!

GTMe - good for you - very prepared.. We have made a bunch of chicken. We're growing feathers. I am happy to get on at the moment. Keep getting the "Service Unavailable" notices. School's out tomorrow. Federal Government's closed too. We're a bunch of wimps. And 6' more expected on Tuesday. That big lump is my subarea, by the way, dug out this a.m. by DH and DS.

Good morning gals!

Gosh, I have had a time trying to post this weekend! Kept getting the "sevice unavailable" message and the rest of the time, just spinning around until timed out.

Hope you all had a good weekend. I did pretty well with company and SuperBowl but I did breakdown and have a glass of wine during the game. I got lots of exercise but still probably screwed up my plan as I am exactly the same as last week. At least there was no gain, so I'll have to take that. Promise to work harder this week.

Kim, glad to see you back and you are always welcome. You never have to be POP to hang with us. When you are struggling, we hope we can be helpful.

Pepper and TL, hope you are doing better and getting your mind set for the road ahead. I know it's hard when so many things distract us (believe me, I KNOW!!) and we just have to do the best we can. (TL the snow photo was unbelievable!! Holy Cow, that's a lot to shovel)

Mere, great job on your menu for the game. Sounds most enjoyable and you "trick" yourself into thinking it's treats. Hope it was all good.

Heidi, how was the trip? Lots of snow? Can't wait to hear all about it and hope you are back home safe and sound.

Angie, what was it like at your house? Any snow for you? I forgot just where you live but I know it's up the East Coast. You may be in Ma. and were above the storm. How was your weigh in? Can't wait to hear!

All packed and ready for work. Make it a great day and do your best. I've prepared plenty of food, fresh veggies and fruit for my week and I'll give it my best shot. Hope you will, too!

XOXO,

 Hello and good morning to everyone!     Since this is weigh day for me officially, I am up 3 pounds.  I'm okay with that, as I though it would be higher.   I was not going to face the scale, but that would have been bad, as I would have maybe said the heck with going back on plan to reduce, and take today as an additional day to eat.  I chose the right thing for me.  I weighed myself and am back on plan with meal number 1 this morning.  Way to go me!

Now, my past 3 days in a nutshell.   Our trip on Friday took 9 hours instead of 6, due to SNOW and lots of it.  We drove most of the way, maybe 3 hours or so with  no snow.  Then the sky opened up.  It snowed all the rest of the way, into the next day, Saturday till noon.  All told, it looked like about 15 inches or so.  My car looked almost like TL's, except I could still make out my car in the hotel parking lot.  The story about the drive could go on and on, but bottom line, we made it!    What hit me the most about Fridays drive, did not really hit me till we drove back home on Sunday, in the day light!   HOLY MOLY the hills I manuevered!    Signs that said for truckers to check brakes, 5% or 10% grades!!!  UNREAL, lol!  

The emotions also.  We couldn't get through to the college to speak with anyone about whether or not the auditions were still on for Saturday.  We were going anyway, we weren't, back and forth, there were others at the hotel in town for the same or similar auditions, my daughters was for art, she had a  portfolio.  LONG story short, we went, she conquered, all that is left we think is the congratulatory letter on official paper that my DD17 has been accepted into the art dept.  

I decided to keep us there another day, and I am glad we did because #1, we had more time at the college with no pressure to get on the road, and some of the major highways were still kinda crappy on Sunday even.  

All in all, a good time was had by all, and we made it back safely.  Oh, I even had to shovel at the hotel,  the plow didn't get there till 2 in the afternoon on Saturday and we had to get to the college, they said someone would stay till we got there.  WHEW!  What a weekend!

This morning, like I said finds me back on plan, chugging water, have a foot dr. appt at 9, oh, and i picked up a head cold, think I need some antibiotics for this one.  Got some of that eyeball yucky stuff

,eeeewwwwww.

Welcome back KIM!  No need to apologize, just hang with us, read, learn, and we all do this together, no pressure.  Hello to all!   Looks like we will get some snow here on Wednesday, 6-9 inches, we'll see though.   

Hey All, been trying to log in for days now and can't get on.... this is the 4th time that I am sending this message. down 4..... and I will take it... It is glad to see that everyone in the groove in some form or fashion...... What about this crazy snow. I had written longer posts but they were lost each time so I am sending this for now.... BBL if this works....Peace

 I know people had trouble all weekend getting on other threads, too. So, we'll see if that gets cleared up!

Heidi-glad you made it! Sounds like an adventure! That's wonderful that things look good for your DD!

TL-we're getting 7-10 inches  of snow tonight and all they keep saying is "at least we're not getting anything like the D.C. area!!" We do have some one shovel for us, my little luxury since DH's travel has come into the picture. :)

Angie-sounds like you're getting socked, too! I'm from MA originally. Still miss the East coast.

Kim-how are you doing? Did you ever cut back on the diet cokes?

Pepper-how goes it?

Well, I'm pretty sure my thyroid medication is more than I need, now, so I went in for a blood test today. I have been rocking the program but I feel like the losses I've had lately are pretty high for some one who has been on program for quite a while. I really hope I don't start gaining if/when they lower my dose. But it is normal to need less medication when you lose weight. I will rely on you to keep me with it if it gets harder!! But I'm telling myself that I just have to get everything in balance and trust that my body will stay fit and healthy. Right??

 Goodtome~ Absolutely!  You are doing very well.  Look at those numbers!  In the 120's!  That's ridiculously little!  You must feel awesome.  You KNOW we'll be here for you no matter what.  You will find your LL groove.  Mexico is next huh?  Well, if all else fails there, you know when you get back 'THE PLAN' will be at your finger tips, and you can lose if you gain.  Just look out for 'Montazumas revenge'.

I was getting that 'service unavailable' also, must be maintenance.  And where o where is the February pin up person? 

I have to get wash out of the dryer and have breakfast, so I'm going to end this note.   I lost almost 2 pounds yesterday, so we know I consumed lots of sodium over the weekend.  No brainer, as we say.  

Hello everyone, and I mean YOU too.  Looking forward to losing pounds and feeling better.  Iy yi yi!!

Morning all,

Trying to get excited about the day but I think I'd rather go back to bed. I'm getting bored with my food and have to shake things up a bit. Sad that food is such an important part of my life and that's why I am where I am. UGH!

TL, hope you have power and are doing okay. Duck, cause here comes another whopper of a storm! Let us know how you are and what's going on.

Mere, 128???? Holy cow that's so wonderful. I can't imagine that number but like you said, I am much taller than you (5'7") You'll do fine in Mexico because you'll feel so great about swimming and doing all of the fun things that we shy away from when we are heavy. Lots of exercise and the food will be fine.

Angie, you'll have to batten down the hatches, too. Storm coming your way I think. Sorry you haven't been able to post...it's frustrating isn't it? Let us know how you did last week.

Heidi, good for you on the two pounds down in a day. Amazing what that salt does to us! Hope you are back on track and have a great week.

Kim, Pepper, Michelle...how's everyone doing? Any breakthrough's this week? I keep having up and down thoughts. One minute I want to give up and the next I'm inspired by something to keep going. I guess it's like that for all of us.

Well girls, hope you all have a good day. I think I'll look for some nice, different fruit for a treat. Plain chicken is beginning to turn me off and my mind is wandering. (I think that's my theme for the day and I'll have to get over it!!)

Later all, XOXO,

Good Morning All.....

Finally! What is up with this site??  I was not able to get on over the weekend but I am here now. 

I must say that I am impressed with those numbers G2Me.  I think the only time I weighed in the 120's is was before I was a teenager.  How sad! "such is life"...

You will do fine in Mexico... and when you are swimming please do some for me.  I absolutely love it!  Can't wait until the weather breaks a bit so I can get back into the water.

Peg - Yes, we are about to get some snow.  I don't think it is going to be so much... The kids are already thinking that school is going to be cancelled and an early vacation.  NOT!

I hear you with the food.  It's hard.  I think that we should all post some type of interesting or what we think is interesting receipe to help with motivation.  It can be something that we create ourselves or from the the forum???

I see that you don't have much to lose only 18 lbs.... sweet! You'll have that KO in no time at all.  Hang in there!

TL - Where will the snow go??? about to get clobbered again I see.  It will be over soon...but not soon enough. Good luck!  Hope your prepared ... man it's going to be a long winter! Hope you got your power back.

Pepper & Kim - I know you are out there reading ... Hope all is well. Are you going to get snow??? Be safe.

Mich - you are missing in action.  I don't know if you are facing this crazy weather but if so be safe.  Hope all is well.

Heidi - Down a few lbs... that's always a good sign.  That darn salt is a killer everytime.  I love pickles... and need I say more.  I did have one last night and I will pay for it.  I am not even going to bother getting on the dreaded scale.  I just need to cut them out!  Don't talk laundry ... it is certainly on my agenda today!

----------------------------------

Has anyone seen my pedometer?  It's missing again and I wanted to keep it going ...I am posting an exercise ticker and I wanted to count steps each day and now that is impossible until I get another. So for now I will just post miles per day on TM

I must say that I was off my game for a few days with exercise and eating properly.  I am going to try extra hard to drop a couple this week.  This Sat is my 23rd anniversary...add valentines day to that and it may as well spell disaster!!! 

It has in the past... so I am going to try and be extra careful this week.  Wishing us all luck for those special dinners this weekend. 

OK enough already... I better start making up for those 4 days of missed exercise.. no excuse.. just LAZY... got to kick it now before it really settles in...

PEACE and have a great day!

Hi all. I can't explain what this is like. Part of it is my low energy. Play in the snow? Why bother. I feel like sleeping all the time. Everyone is bored out of their mind. Don't know when school will be back in session. The feds have been out 2 days - not good for my security clearance. Can I just say WOOOT WOOOT for those two yellow avid?? You both inspire me so much. I know I will be back in the groove. As soon as I leave PURGATORY. Going to the vet to get ginger her shot was the highlight of my day. Snow I can deal with. It's just that we don't have the infrastructure - not enough plows - nowhere to put the snow, everything closed, ice everywhere. If this were New England we would be cleared out, we would have the right vehicles, clothing, etc. Going to DS's hockey game in a bit - the flurries are just starting - should be 18-24" by tomorrow night. Where is everyone else located? Heidi - northern NY; G2Me - WI, Angie? Pepper - NJ right? Mich? Peg - GA, right? I'm so boooooooooorrreeed!!!

Hi, I also tried to post a couple times and couldn't due to "service unavailable".

 We got snow on Saturday and then about 4 more inches today.  Maybe a couple more tonight or tomorrow.  Not like what Heidi drove thru and TL's pictures look like - now that's a lot of snow! 

Heidi, glad you are back safe and sound.  How did the foot dr appt go?

Good2Me - 128?  Are you kidding me?  Girl, that is awesome!!!  You are so stinkin skinny!!!!!!!  You asked me about the diet coke - it is finally gone and I hope I can continue to say that as it is still hard ... this has been one of the hardest things I've ever gone thru.

TL - can we say we are ready for spring?  it's time to stop snowing!!!!

Everyone, stay safe on the roads if you are experiencing snow.

Kim

 

 Hi GIRLS, I mean Hormones!    Glad I popped in tonight to see how my homies are!  Not so good huh?  But good enough to complain and that is good in itself.   Bored with food, bored with winter, just plain bored.  Word to the wise, word from the wise?  The LAST time I said I was bored, and looked up to the heavens, I GOT PREGNANT and was really wanting to get divorced!  Well, the baby certainly put a crimp in my divorce plans, however, I have NEVER lamented AGAIN about being bored!  The divorce came 3 years later, but my goodness!!  Careful what you ask for.   Said baby is now DD17. 

I found and like a new good recipe for me.  It's in the recipe forums, under, I forget, but it's a giant portabella mushroom, and I used it pretty much to the recipe of the tomatoe sauce, meat, and barley.  YUMMY!  It's huge, I'm full, and it's new to me.   Kinda like a pizza.  I measured out 1/2 cup of the saucey mixture, poured it over the mushie and back into the oven for 20 mins.  You also put the mushie in the oven by itself to dry out a bit for 15 mins.  I found them to be delightful!  Best of luck in your/our endeavors to find new and exciting recipes.  You know who has good ones and is working on a planful cookbook is Jen, otherwise known as Friendzies.  She was an infomercial star!!  And a very nice person and inspiration.

ANGIE~ I was thinking about you alot today.  I forgot this morning to CONGRATULATE you on the minus 4 pounds off of your body!  Good girl girlfriend! You can do it, you are doing it!  My my.  A pickle here and there, mostly there, shouldn't really do too much damage.  Not good to rev up those fat burning fires we are working on, but better than a slab of cheesecake!   

Geographically speaking, I am 70 miles north of NYCity.  We are supposed to get accumulations of snow from 4-12 inches.  Mother Nature knows way more, so we'll see what happens.  I'm going to work.  If I can drive in what I drove in throughout the weekend, a mere drive to work , 23 miles is nothing!  It's those 'other guys' I have to watch out for.  

KIM~  You kicked the coke habit!  CONGRATULATIONS  to you too!  Damn straight it's difficult, but you did it.  We are woman, we are invincible, hear us roar!      What is your favorite on plan meal?  And, do you feel any different from the no coke?

You all know I'm full of it, and I hope a chuckle or two happend to you.  Bottom line, we DO get over ourselves.  Another day, another thought, we live, we go on.  We want to do all this thinner, and we can, just need some fine tuning once in a while, okay, ALL THE TIME.   Planwise, I'm at the point again, where everytime I turn around, it's time to eat, or go to the potty.   I am eating awesome food lately!  The fruit is good and sweet, the chicken is delicous, and the water is going down and out smoothly!   I see great weight loss in my/our future.  

Oh, BTW, ANgie, do you notice some things you really can live out foodwise?  For me, when I go out, I NEVER have dressing with my salad anymore.  I can forgo bread, maybe and I mean this, just ONE piece, NO butter.  But then again, I think  I like to consume 'extra' food as wine!  Oh my.  Going out doesn't have to mean PIG OUT.  Slowly, I am learning this.  I had a strong resolve to get back on plan Monday, and I feel most proud that I have.  

 

 Awww, you guys are so encouraging! Thanks!! I do feel good. I'm feeling a little less like it will all go away with lowering my thyroid medication. I haven't been exercising this well since I first had the low thyroid 9 yrs ago. That has to count for something. I didn't even want to go to the gym today and DD insisted b/c she has fun there. I was grumpy about going but after toning and "slogging" (slow jogging) I feel much better. I actually slogged for 35 minutes without stopping-that's the longest I've done! I'm grateful and somewhat amazed that, at least for now, DD is loving going there and pushes me.

Kim-that is HUGE that you've given up the diet coke's!! Congratulations!! I'm sure that was very tough. Have you given yourself a reward for that?

TL-take it from me, tons of snow can feel oppressive. You will get through it, of course. Hang in there! I hope you have a good book. What are you reading?

Heidi-2 lbs. already-good for you-then you know it's the sodium. Onward.

Peg-Boredom is always what gets me. I made a turkey breast this week just to switch things up but even though it's 99% fat free,  I can taste the sodium. I'm eating it anyway because I hate to waste food. It's a challenge. Pineapple helps me or having a banana as a carb. Those coffee nut balls I made this weekend are something I'll do again and keep in the freezer.

Angie-I'm up for sharing recipes and ideas. If I don't figure some of that out, then it feels like something I'll just be doing for a while and I know that won't work. I'm trying to force myself to try new things. 

Hey Mich and Pepper!

 Checking in this morning just to check in.  Nothing new has happend since last night except weight wise I am within .2 of my last official weight. 

Goodtome~ Good job.  Thank goodness your daughter is helping you and nagging at the same time!  Slogging?  hhmm, and you did it for a  record breaking time.  Wonderful.

Today is a new day to find a recipe, whip up an old one, or, just go have something you oughtn't.  Get it out of your system.  Then, when the guilts come to get you, you'll feel crummy, and vow not to do that again.  That doesnt' work, well, then I'm at a loss too. Read some success stories and read about others troubles and roadblocks.  HOW TO OVERCOME.  Yeah, sure, sure.  Make it a good day all.  Thanks for hanging around!

Hi all -  Remember the buried subaru?   Got it all dug out and you can see below what it looks like again - we're in blizzard conditions - white out - 50 mile an hour winds.  Hoping the roof and power hold out.  Plan?  What plan?

 

hi kids!   Me again.  If I offended anyone on my morning post, do forgive me.  I can be such an a$$.  

TL~ That is alot of snow you  guys are experiencing.  I SURE hope your roof and power stay put also!   How many times can someone paint their toes?  Or change hair do's?  How good are you at making crossword puzzles?  Checkers anyone? backgammon?  look for spiders?  count snowflakes?  You just get through and stay on the sane side.  Spring is in 30 something days.  HANG ON SWEETIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angie~ your last post was so compelling, it didn't show up.  I need to know what you have to say.  And look at YOU and that 10 avi.  Shooot woman, that is just he beginning!  You really are getting it this time!  I'm so excited for you.   Yahooooooooooooooooooooo !