Oh, you food-deprived guys, LOL, LOL. A double double is a horrendously delicious cheeseburger with grilled onions and other goodies from In-and-Out, a hamburger chain here in SoCal. It's huge and sloppy and delicious and the fries that go with it are just as good. :ohmy:

I love Mexican too, but Nothing Compares!!! I can survive just about anything, but right now with all this talk I'm thinking about jumping on a plane. Who wants to pick me up at the airport? I'll Buy!!! Then we can all go on one heck of a binge together. :D

I wonder if I would still have a job if I put a sign on the model. Gone to lunch, be back tomorrow!!! LOL

OK, OK, stop with the talk about the Double-Double! It's killing me ... :)

Wendy - you can go have Mexican for lunch and In-N-Out for dinner while you're in LA on the way to PIP. :D

Masaki

There is an In and Out just outside the LAX Airport now on Sepulveda Blvd just north of the Airport entrance. It's very doable for those with some extra time.

Hey, you In-N-Out junkies! Just eat half the hamburger, half the fries and half the chocolate shake. You will only do half as much damage. That's what I do when we visit Alan's mother in Irvine. And, I always make sure they "grill" my onions.

Hey Liz,

It's not a SoCal thing, we have them up North too! And, don't I know it!!!!

For those of you into virtual dining, a Double Double:

Kathy, you just had to do it, didn't you???

Now that is all that I will be thinking about tomorrow! LOL

Diana would like a box of See's, and some mayonaise from Trader Joes if it's not too much trouble. :D

No calories here ; No Mayo from TJ's available for posting. Hellman's/Best Foods will have to do.

Diana says Thank You. Now if I could just keep her from poking the screen to check which chocolates are soft in the middle and drooling all over the keyboard, then things will be fine!!! LOL

Last night was a rough night for us. Went to our friends surprise 60th birthday party. It was bowtie pasta with chicken, mushrooms, and sundried tomatoes in an alfredo sauce, frocaccia, and some type of delicious pinon nut cheese spread with crackers for appetizers, topped off. Oh and the chocolate layered birthday cake. Low Carb it wasn't.

Afraid of what tomorrows weigh in is going to be like. We only have five weeks from today before we fly out to Rome for our cruise.

Hey you guys!!!

I've been away from this thread for a couple of days and this is what I come back to??????? One tempting food description after another and now with pictures to boot!!! What are you doing to me???? LOL :D :D

I have to admit my fondness for both mexican food and In-N-Out burgers (not the double, tho. Too much meat for me) And Sees candy - the best!! I am also a huge cheese enchilada fan. I don't even look at any Mexican menus except to make sure they have a cheese enchilada plate (with sour cream, of course). But my biggest weakness is Carls, Jr. I love their Famous Star w/Cheese and Onion Rings and Strawberry shake - Yum!! That's what got me in this "shape" to begin with. LOL.

In fact, I traced my weight charts back and have determined that it was when I started eating fast foods that I started my weight gain. I do believe they are BAD for you. But oh soooo good!!!!!

I had another terrible several days at work and have to go in again today. I have to confess that yesterday I was bad, bad, bad. Who knows about today. But tomorrow I PROMISE I'll be back on track. Only 6 weeks now (Don, yours is even closer at 5!!). No time to spare.

Have a good day everyone and lets all try to stay "virtual" only.

We went for MN mexican tonight - all you can eat fajita's. It was worse than usual, but of course I kept eating. That was after eating out the last couple of nights and now I can't zip my jeans.

If I ever get back to CA, I will be a guest at the In-N-Out. It looks like a great burger. The See's is only among one of the places that I stop at for my fixes when we go to Green Bay. That picture doesn't do it justice - they are wonderful!

Trish

Uh Oh!!! I GAINED THIS WEEK!!! No more pictures of food! LOL I knew this was a bad week. :mecry:

Don & Trish - I think we're all getting just a little worn out with our diets. It's been such a long, drawn out thing. We all need a little break now and then. I did a deliberate "mini" binge Sat & Sun. Of course the scales are showing it for me too - up 2 lbs. But as I told Kathy this morning, I'm now ready for my 6 more weeks mantra - "6 more weeks, 6 more weeks, 6 more weeks"!!!!! The final push before PIP. Don, of course you'll have to adjust that for you - "5 more weeks, etc". My double workouts will start 4/16 (after tax deadline). I plan to go for a DAILY walk after work, in addition to my morning workout. 6 more weeks, 6 more weeks, 6 more weeks. . . . .

You're right. It was time for a break. Now it is done and we can concentrate all the way till sailaway time. We just need to keep focused. I have 19 lbs now to lose in 5 weeks and I am going to do it or not go on the cruise (OK maybe I was carrying that a little too far). LOL

WE CAN DO IT!!!

LOL, You guys are BAAAAADDDDDD....I was away from here for 1 whole day, and I come back and find these PICTURES of In and Out burgers and SEE'S Candy.........Oh, that burger looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good......

After my big cheat on Friday, w/ the enchiladas (oh,the memory of them), I've been pretty good. I think we all are saying that sometimes you really do have to cheat---otherwise, constant and relentless deprivation can actually lead you to give up dieting.

There's an In and Out less than a mile from my house and I have to drive by it often and sometimes, I can SMELL it, and it is so hard to keep from turning that steering wheel right into the drive through....

It sounds like everyone's cheated a bit, and now are back on track. For some of you, onlly 6 more weeks (or 5) to go.......Yay!!! Unfortunately, my cruise isn't till November, so I've got months and months to go, and sometimes, that's depressing. Actually, I realize that I'll probably have to pretty much live like this for the rest of my life, unless I want to re-gain all the weight I worked so hard to lose. :mecry:

Donna---LOL, I like your "eat half" plan, but I KNOW I couldn't DO it, LOL. Oh, I suppose I could cut the thing in half and throw half into the garbage (where I couldn't get at it) before I caved into temptation. But I can promise you---if I get my hands on a Double Double, I'll eat the whole thing, LOL!!!!!!! Good idea, though!!!

Well guys, how did we do last week? It was hard getting back on track, but I did manage to lose 3 this week, so now I have 16 to lose in 4 weeks! :eek:

Cyndi, Kathy, and Wendy guess it is only 5 weeks left for you. Are y'all packed yet? I just have a few more little things to get in order to be ready. Maybe I need more duct tape, just in case that I don't lose that weight, I may have to have some help getting into that tux!!! LOL

I can hear it now. "Excuse me sir, but the cumberbund is supposed to go OUTSIDE of your shirt!!!"

Anybody else cruising soon?

Hey Don! Congrats on your success. No, I'm not packed yet. I have to leave something to be excited about nearer to the date.

I had a good week last week, but I did not lose an ounce. However, I exercised every day, and have lost an inch off my waist! That's even better right now. I am very motivated to exercise, and am eating really well, but obviously I have been sneaking in too much of something!

Well, I lost 4lbs. Not enough yet to get into some of last summer's clothes comfortably. I have 5 weeks to do that, but, I cannot detour from my combo Slim-Fast/Balance Bar and fish and veggies plan. So far, not bad for a week.

Way to go Wendy losing that inch and Kathy losing 4 lbs!!! I am proud of both of you. Sounds like you are both motivated and really on track and you even have an extra week over me to do it in. It won't be long now and it definately helps having others to keep you going.

We have to promise each other though, that when we get back from our cruises that we will keep each other accountable to getting back on track again.

After being in Italy and France, it is really going to be hard on me and I may need a little friendly nudge.

Let's all continue to be a bunch of LOSERS this week!

Don,
Everyone tells me in Italy you walk so much that you loose weight despite the food. Let's all hope so!

Wouldn't that be something. Go on a cruise to the Med and actually lose weight. Yes, I am on the New Silversea Mediterranean Diet!!! LOL

Hey, I missed you guys for a week or so.....you all sound like you're doing great. I'm still stuck, haven't gone up, haven't gone down....have been really good, except for a "cheat" lunch I did allow myself today. I like the sound of the Silversea Mediterranean Diet!!! Don, I agree, that post-cruise support will be crucial to getting back on track!!!

I'm actually hoping not to gain weight on Pip. What with all the fresh fish and fruit, the swimming and the heat. I am probably kidding myself--I fully intend right now to go to the gym while on the ship and work our every day. But I also know that I hardly ever actually exercise when I'm on holidays, no matter what.

There's also all that alcohol to contend with, calorie-wise. I'm hardly drinking at all right now--I am going to be a very cheap drunk on this cruise!

Wendy,

Just keep swimming while we're gone. It's one of the most intense calorie burners.

We can slap each other on the hand if all else fails and we will have Cyndi to remind us to behave too. Oh, but, I am dreaming of the Vanilla Creme Brulee.

Yes, well, I've never been much of a lap swimmer, and that pool is really tiny. Don't know how ColonelWes did it, six strokes end-to-end. But it is great exercise--I like swimming in real water, love salt water, since we don't get much of that around here!

Wendy---I think you'll do great...and I personally believe that it's ok to let up some while on the cruise...it IS a vacation. Part of the reason I'm trying to be so good in the months before the cruise, is so that I can let up a little while on the cruise....still make the effort, of course, to not over-indulge (like, by having salads for lunch, etc.), but yet, being able to enjoy myself. Of course, my cruise is so long that if I really let myself indulge, I'll have to be off-loaded with a cargo crane, LOL.... :app:

Liz, that is too funny! :D

Wendy, a couple of years ago, we did a 10 night Caribbean cruise that I actually lost weight during. We still had our drinks, I still managed to eat what I wanted in moderation, but I did use the gym and did the walking track each day. Came back losing 2 lbs during the cruise. BTW, how long is your cruise?

This time, we are in port every day and though we will be doing a lot of walking, none of it will be aerobic. I have already planned into my diet goals how much I will gain during the cruise and factored that in. That is why I need to lose the weight now and get right back on the diet when I return.

Kathy, I loooove Creme Brulee. Diana makes some for me even on the diet. Low carb of course made with Splenda instead of sugar.

Cyndi, where are you?

Hi everyone!!! Don, thanks for missing me. I've really hated not keeping in touch with all of you. I've been peeking in here everyday but haven't had time to add my 2 cents. Since I work for a CPA firm, I'm up to my ears in work and no extra time. So after 4/15, "I'LL BE BACK" For the next few days, keep my laughing with your comments (my only bright spot of the day!!). Don, I laughed so hard at your cumberbund comments LOL!!

Wendy, Liz, Kathy & Don - We'll all help each other out with our usual great support after our cruises. That's when we really need it. I only gained 7 lbs on my 3 week Aust/New Zealand cruise (2 wks cruise with pre & post stays). I thought for 3 weeks of indulgence that was pretty good. It was when I got home and kept eating the same way for weeks on end that did me in. So AFTER the cruise we need to get back on track ASAP!!! ON the cruise, lets enjoy!!! (Just be sure to bring the bigger clothes for the end of the cruise :D )

Well, I could go on & on, but got to get ready for work. Take care everyone and BE GOOD!!!

Cyndi, I'm just glad that after all that In-N-Out talk that it is just work and not some double-double binge!!! :D

Just heard that we have a sales contest that will be a trip to Vegas in July. Of course it will be 120 degrees outside, but what the heck. We will either be at the Venetian or Mandalay Bay. First stop though is In-N-Out. Of course it will be animal style though (no bun) and a diet coke, but still a must do!

Good luck getting through the end of tax season. I know you are swamped. Got mine finalized last night. We are getting a whopping $211 refund. Guess I will save that huge check for a spa treatment on MUSH!

Part of the reason that I diet before a cruise... These are some things you don't want to hear when you are on a cruise ship. (Kind of a follow up to Liz's crane story)

At the life boat drill: Sir, do you need a bungie cord extender for that vest?

At the elevator: That's OK sir, we will just wait for the next elevator, we are afraid that we might make it go over the weight capacity.

At the buffet line: Sir, you go on ahead, we weren't really hungry anyways.

At the pool: Haven't I seen you on Japanese TV before?

At the embarkation photographer: Can you wait right there for just a minute while I get out the wide angle lens?

At the tender: Sir, would you please be seated on the right side. By yourself!

On a snorkeling/diving excursion: Sir, I really don't think it's a wise idea for you to wear that wet suit with the white stripes on the sides.

:D :D :D

Don,

You are too funny!
6 lbs down this morning!

Kathy, way to go!!! :app: :app: :app:

Cyndi, like I say, not only the bigger clothes, but a cargo crane, LOL........truthfully, do you think about 7 pounds is what to expect for a longer (3 week) trip? I'm gonna have to get down further quite a bit if I'm going to gain 7 pounds on the cruise. And I agree, that upon coming back, after you've let yourself indulge, THAT's when it gets harder. Pre-cruise, you're like, MOTIVATED, but coming back is hard enough just in itself, let alone getting back on track.

I am TRULY glad we have this group b/c I have the feeling I'll need to lean on it hard when I come back. Fortunately, my cruise is a long way off, yet, and I will say that just knowing you guys are "here" to report do helps motivate me.

Kathy, good for you!

Kathy, wow, 6 pounds. Awesome!!!

Kathy - CONGRATULATIONS!!! :app: :woh: And you still have 4 1/2 more weeks!!! Time to go shopping!!!

Liz - I've only be on that one longer cruise and then a 3 day one. But I have heard from the cruise boards and friends that you can expect 5 lbs per week. Don't know how true that is.

Don - just when I get done laughing at one of your jokes or funny stories, you come up with another. Love your list of reasons to diet before a cruise LOL LOL <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

I think vacation weight gain varies. I remember going to Club Med in 1989. I only had one outfit that was comfortable enough to wear on the plane home. I gained 9 lbs in one week, but, a lot of it was salt because they use so much canned and prepared foods. I gained about 7 on my Millennium Cruise and had a lot of swelling because of the sodium in the food on that cruise.
I never use salt so when I eat stuff like that it affects me terribly. I do not notice the same problem on the RSSC ships, maybe, because they use more fresh stuff. I also think that the alcohol also is a causitive factor in the weight stuff, although when I went to the Club Meds they were all sober vacation weeks and there was no drinking (my ex-husband could not drink).

Tahiti will be good - all the fresh fruit and fish sound really good to me. The desserts and drinking are where things sneak up. Oh and full breakfasts too.

Cyndi, aren't you glad that it is over??? Maybe next week, you can take a deep breath.

Well, got to wear my tux tonight for our Murder Mystery. It actually fit pretty good. I have another 26 days to get it even a little looser before the cruise. That way if I gain the weight on the cruise that I have planned for, it will still fit well.

I'M BACK!!!! 4/16 sounds a whole lot better than 4/15 - YEAH! I know it's not a doc dance, but I'm dancing anyway :)

Kathy - You and Wendy both, remind us that in French Polynesia there will be so much fresh fruit and fish. All so good for our diets!!! I remember, too, that on the Navigator the food portions at mealtime were not huge. A perfect size. Some may complain that they are not huge (like they are on the mega cruise lines from what I hear) but I really appreciated being served such excellent meals, in a much more managable portion. It sounds like all the RSSC ships are that way. I really believed that helped me keep the weight gain down some. Plus, we were so active with all our port excursions - lots of walking. With PIP we'll have plenty of exercise I think.

Don - I'm so happy for you that you were able to wear your tux last night at the Murder Mystery. How did it all go (the mystery and the tux fit - and of course the diet!!!) With the 26 (25 now) days you have left, I KNOW you'll fit PERFECTLY in the tux!!!

I'm happy to report that I only gained back 2 lbs while in the last 2 weeks of tax season. I know we usually are not happy about any weight gain, but Im quite pleased. Usually I pig out TOTALLY during tax season. This is the first year I did not do any real binging. Just too many snacks here & there. Normally, the last week especially, I would pig out at every meal and then snack all evening. Not this year!!! And it was an especially stressful tax season this year. I'm so proud of myself. I must really be changing my ways.

Now my next mantra will be "4 MORE WEEKS". Time for the big crunch. Daily exercise, plus a walk each day and really counting calories and carbs.

Have a great weekend everyone!!