Well, today as a MAJOR "cheat" day, I'll fess right up.....so tomorrow, all of us who were there at the brunch need to get back on track.......And I was even WORSE after leaving the brunch, LOL....it's ok, we need to have days like this every now and then. Don, let us know what's up. Trish, you won't be reading this for a few days, but prayers are with you.

Liz - you were not alone. I ate way too much the entire day. Especially after the brunch. Let's just chalk it up to extreme excitement!! We needed to let our hair down for a day. But you look FANTASTIC anyway. All your hard work since November really shows. You look like you are at a perfect weight for you. Now you can just use our group here for maintenance.

Trish - Liz is right. We are all right there with you!! Wish you the best.

Don - hope all is well.

Thanks everybody. Diana is doing much better as is her mom. Saturday was a rough day, it looked as if Diana was going to need to fly to CA, which with her getting over the crud, would not have been good for her. Talked to the Dr. though and he said she is stable and vital signs good, so she just needs some rest. She was released too early the last time. She will stay in until at least Wednesday, and then when she is released, she will have a respirator for a little while to assist in her breathing until it gets deep enough. We appreciate all your prayers.

Trish, our prayers are with you today and we pray for a speedy recovery.

Saw the pictures yesterday of the group and it was great to see y'all. Wish we could have been there. Looked like a lot of fun. Have to admit though that we did pig out last night. You know, sometimes nothing sounds as good as a nice juicy hamburger. So I grilled a couple of thick cheesburgers on onion buns with all the fixins. <img border="0" alt="[c]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> Man it was good though. Not a great idea before weigh in today, but I stll mananged to lose a lb.

Hope everybody has a great week.

5 more to go and 5 days to do it in!!! :eek:

Don, that's good news about Diana's mom. Now, if Diana could recover completely in the next 5 days.... The hamburgers sound delicious. I was REAALLY bad yesterday. After the brunch, I then also went out to dinner (Mexican). I have to be REALLY good this week.....

Cyndi---thanks for the compliment!! I'd actually like to lose a little bit more, maybe 5-10 pounds, and also tone up (uuuggggghhhhhh---the "E" word), THEN maintain. Can't wait for the South Coast Plaza day!!!

Don - sounds like things are looking up for all of you. I'm so, so glad for you. We'll keep positive thoughts going your way so that it stays that way!!! If anyone can lose 5 lbs in 5 days, it is you. But don't beat yourself up if you don't do it. You are already a success!!!! I thought of you the other day when you said you had "3 weeks worth of things to get done by the next Friday". I now know how you feel!!! :D

Liz - The "E" word is unavoidable - at least for me. As much of it as I've been doing, I still feel like I need another year of it to get where I'd like to be. But, I'll do it!!!

South Coast Plaza day will be fun!!! After PIP. Something more to look forward to. Don, the So. Cal girls are planning a shopping trip to South Coast Plaza (one of our favorite malls). Can you fly out here to join us? You'll be needing a new wardrobe after you throw all your clothes away on your cruise!!!

Oh, yeah, hey, Don, it'd be great if you could come--esp. since you need a new wardrobe anyway!!!

Cyndi, we'll have to encourage each other to exercise. Wendy seems to really do well in that department. I have a hard time getting motivated. Also, exercising regularly makes me EAT more!!

Liz - just start slow. Even walking is good. You can hold your stomach in while you walk and it will work those muscles. And then tighten your arms. Find routes with hills to work your legs. Tighten your butt while you walk. It really does work. Walking is my favorite.

Speaking of Wendy. . . .how are you doing with your back, Wendy? I sure hope your are feeling better. And I didn't mean to leave you out with our shopping trip!! You are more than welcome.

You are all so funny!
Don, Glad to hear about the progress. The excitiement must be building about leaving - it is here!

Well. I was good yessterday after brunch - Salad for dinner!

Kathy - You good girl!!!! I'm so proud of you. O.K., I promise to be good today.

Sounds like you had a great time. Yes, a shopping trip at SCP sounds great. We are planning a trip to CA in late June. Can y'all wait that long??? We used to race go-carts in the parking lot of SCP before May Co. and Sears were even open. Am I showing my age??? LOL

Diana is doing much better and yes I am so ready to go. I am trying to be Mr. Organized. I have got my list and checking off the items as I move them into the packing staging area!!! :D

Got the suitcases down and ready, TSA locks on, ID tags on each of the cases. Photo bag stocked and ready. I-pod all loaded with all our songs.

In fact, I'm so organized this time that I even have a three ring binder that has all of our stuff sorted in there. Airline e-tickets, hotel confirmations, train schedules, restaurants, excursion info, museum reservations, private drivers, maps, etc. All this from a guy who can't even find a matching pair of socks!!! LOL

Don -

I love your organization idea.

I do that by using envelopes - they fit in my bag that way and are portable so while we are out and about I can look up restaurants or maps and only take what I need with me.

Give us notice when you have your travel dates. If we can't get a full on brunch together, I am sure some of us will find a place to have a bite with you and Diana. What area will you be staying in?

Don - I am quite impressed with your organization skills. Between you and Kathy, you are inspiring me to get going and get my act together. Our 2 weeks will go fast!

Wow, you know SCP well!!! It's a natural then, that you've got to join us. I can see Kathy's brain spinning now, getting ready to organize another get together for SCP. She's one of the best. Of course, you are a master, too, with all the mystery dinners that you put together. I'm surrounded by people of many talents!!

So glad Diana is feeling much, much better and hope her mom keeps improving too. Is Friday May 6 your big day of departure? Can't believe it.

Normally, I am an organizational disaster, but I do like to have our trips somewhat organized, so that we are able to fully enjoy them. I do love to plan, but know how to be flexible as well.

We will let you know when we finalize our trip to Ca. We figure either the last week of June or the first week of July. You guys are so nice and we would love to get together.

Cyndi, I did know SCP well, but things have changed a bunch since we lived there.

Yes, we are flying out Friday night after work (9pm) for Chicago. We will spend Saturday there and then we head for Rome on Sunday afternoon. We board the Silver Whisper on Thursday the 12th, the same day that LeeAnne disembarks the Voyager.

Gee, I started a post, and then went back a page, and my post was gone....

Anyway, I think an SCP gathering when Don and Diana are hear sounds awesome. We can all do lunch in the middle of our shopping day. I hope Diana is feeling so much better, now that departure day is almost upon you.

Cyndi, I also like walking. It's just getting motivated to start....

Like all of you, I was really good yesterday. When Jill and I wound up our day with a huge Mexican dinner, I enjoyed having a couple of beers. I've sort of avoided that while dieting, but I do love it.

Liz - That has happened to me. Once it was a really, really long post that I lost. Had to start completely over. The first draft was so much better :D

You are right about the motivating part of exercise. I'm working on that right this moment. I am trying to talk myself into taking a day off of the morning exercises. I'll try HARD not to listen :)

Don, I'll be thinking of you & Diana on Friday and then again on Sat when you are in beautiful Rome on the beautiful Silver Whisper. You lucky couple!!!

It's ALL too easy to talk yourself into days "off"--eventually, the days off become more frequent, and the days "on" less so. That's why it's important to really make yourself STICK to it. I freaked this morning, b/c I GAINED a pound!!!! :ohmy:

Liz,

I gained a pound and a half. I am not worried because some fluctuation is normal - water, salt, weather all play into it. When I am up I know I have to be extra good so it won't be up even more.

Alas, I too am not in the exercise motivation place either. i think when I get back from PIP, I will have to make some appointments with myself.

Kathy, we can help motivate each other. In the case of my gain, I don't think it was water or anything else. I've eaten a LOT of BAD stuff in the past week or so and I'm sure it's that. Like you, when I gain, I've got to be XTRA good, or it'll get worse. Sometimes, it's hard to live like this.....

Gave up on the diet a little this week. Too much to do to get ready for the cruise.

Only one more day of work :app: and then we fly out tomorrow night. I will check in one more time tomorrow before we head to Chicago.

Don, I know how you feel. I've had the hardest time this week staying on my diet and exercise program. My routine schedule has gotten all messed up due to getting around early every morning to run all kinds of errands, dentist, etc. Plus staying up late trying to get things done. Whenever I get off my schedule I find it so hard to stay on track. The stress of getting ready doesn't help.

BUT - today is your day!!! NOW, relax (at least once you get on the plane :D ) and enjoy your vacation. Don't pig out, but DO ENJOY your meals. You've earned every single bite of all that delicious stuff!!!! We'll help you deal with whatever weight gain (if any) you have on the cruise.

I'm just so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I forgot to fess up to my really weak moment yesterday. I was running around like crazy, getting bug spray, dropping off clothes to be altered, etc, etc. Well, I was leaving Mervyn's (got my new sneakers!!) and it was lunchtime and not much time before I had to head to work. I got in the car and where did it take me? To In-N-Out!!! Bad car!!! I got a cheeseburger (luckily for me I don't like doubles) and fries and of course a diet coke (got to be good where I can :)

I did not eat all the burger or fries, so I could have been worse. But I thought you'd all relate to my weakness. :D :D

I MUST BE GOOD TODAY!!! My stomach is starting to pouch out again :ohmy:

Oh- true conffesions - I had a burger too, but it was so good, I can't beleive I ate the whole thing! day before yesterday and some fries that were so salty I gained 3 lbs. Back on track. Hate these plateaus

Kathy - Mine tasted sooooo good too!!! I haven't weighed myself yet. I'm scared. Oh well . . . I guess you eat, you pay. :D I, too, hate plateaus - especially when time is running out for PIP.

Ooooh In-N-Out!!! I wonder if we can fly to Rome via LAX or Las Vegas and pick up a quick double-double on our way!!! LOL

Actually, I think I am going to stop at Johnny B's today. Not quite In-N-Out, but almost!!!

Thanks to all for the wonderful send off also. You guys are too kind!!! Will miss y'all for a few weeks.

BTW, when is everybody heading out to Papeete? You guys will already be gone when we get back. We don't get in until the evening of the 20th. Y'all have a great time in paradise!!!

Cyndi!!! Your car is TERRIBLE, LOL, LOL!!! I've learned to take control of my Jeep when it wants to go into the In and Out driveway. (There's one on the main street that leads up to where I live...have to pass the place nearly every day...). Seriously, though, I think if we SOMETIMES give into those cravings, we're more likely to stick to the daily routine. Lately, what I've been doing (being upset brings on cravings), is I tell myself to make it through one more day and if I can't stand it anymore, I''ll go ahead and cheat the next day. Usually, by the time the next day rolls around, I've lost the desire and am ok.

Don, we're counting "y'all" in for a day of shopping and pigging out!!! By now, you've already left, but if you get online during your trip, know that we wish you guys a wonderful, wonderful time. Hope Diana's health holds up and that you guys just have a total BLAST!!!!

I am so far off my weight reduction program that I'm not sure I'll ever get back on. I ate everything on my hospital tray's, came home to friends bringing dinners, cakes and cookies. One did bring fresh fruit. That however, has not been touched. Imagine that. Dave is currently making chocolate chip cookies for tonight as it is our first orange flag party of the season. And my mom is making her own Mother's Day meal for us tomorrow as I've just come out of my sling today and can't lift my arm for six weeks. So, I'm surrounded by food and enjoying every bit of it! I'm sure I will jump back on eventually and reading what you are all up to may motivate me.

Trish

Well if misery loves company count me in....I too cheated and had the most delicious warm chocolate "lava" cake with a big scoop of ice cream on top! Since returning 2 weeks ago today, I had lost 3 of the 10 lbs I gained but I probably just put it back on!

Oh what we do for that moment of pure delight!

Trish, at least you have an excuse!!! (BTW, I'm glad your surgery is behind you)

Trish - given what's going on, you're absolutely forgiven. Enjoy your recovery and just get climb back into the saddle when you're ready. :)

That cake sounded good, Marcie!

Masaki

Trish - Masaki said it very well. Concentrate on your recovery right now. You've been through so much. You'll have plenty of time to get back to your weight loss program when you're feeling strong again. You know we'll help you through it!! I'm so glad your surgery is over. Take care of your self and RELAX and pamper yourself while you are healing.

Marcie - 3 lbs already is fantasic!!! And your "cheat" not only sounds delicious, but wasn't really that bad after such a long time of eating all that good food. Sounds like you are doing a good job of getting on the right track so soon after getting back!!! That is the secret!!

Liz - I'm so impressed with your discipline and telling yourself you can cheat the NEXT day, but then still being good that day. So smart of you. I do the same thing with walking. I tell myself - just 15 minutes tonight is all I have to do (I usually try for 30). Then, as I'm walking, I find myself enjoying it so much that I end up going for the full 30. But just knowing I can "compromise" if I really need to helps. I'll try to start doing it your way with eating, too. Thanks for the tip.

Oh, Marcie, that cake sounds like Roy's on Kauai. My saliva glands went off as soon as you brought it up. I don't blame you one bit for eating it.

Masaki and Cyndy, thanks for the kind words. My surgery went well and I actually feel pretty decent now. My sling came off yesterday and I just need to remember not to lift my left arm for another five weeks. I really do need to get back on track soon, however.

Trish

Marcie!!!! I feel like I "cheated" just listening to the darn description of it. Sounds yummy.

Trish, welcome back!!! How did your operation go? Are you feeling better? I agree with Masaki and Cyndi, just recover first and foremost. You can always deal with dieting later!!! So glad you're getting better.

Does getting your teeth cleaned count? I'm up for any OUT!

Marcie,

You are TOO funny! I find it remarkable that you only gained 10lbs. on the world cruise! I'm sure you'll be back to normal as you resume your routines. Having to cook again must be awful; I try to do as little as possible!

Trish,

You sound like you're recovering very well; do let us know how you're progressing!

Marcie - at this point, anything counts :D :D Many of us need all the help we can get. You are soooooooo funny!!!!

Trish - I so happy for you that you are progressing so well!! You'll be back to yourself in no time at all. Take care.

Where's Don? Oh yeah - he's off having a grand time on his cruise!!!

Haven't checked in here much but it's back to Weight Loss for me. And, this time I'm serious!

Trish, I didn't realize that you had your surgery. Glad it went well and that you're on the way to recovery. Pamper yourself, you have an excuse. Unfortunately, I don't!!

Donna, we're happy to have you join our group. I couldn't see any reason why you'd need to when I met you, but we'll help you through any "figure" problem you find. I can't believe what a HUGE help this group has been for me. I'd always heard support groups really help and now I see why.

Thanks Cyndi, I'm a master a disguising fat. Good thing I'm not on PIP. You'd see the real me!

OK everyone.
Had my annual physical & am up 15 pounds from last year & I wasn't happy with my weight then. I should have realized - the 1st clue was having a difficult time getting one of my rings off. Just thought it was water retention.
I long for those days when I felt I was too skinny.
I will start by walking every morning - maybe 1 lap around the block & slowing add on. And in 2 few weeks I should be able to swim laps.
Now for the food issue - what to do, what to do???

My surgery went really well. I need to avoid lifting my left arm for another month so the leads stay in my heart, but I had my postop today and I got a great report. So, I'm happy about that - but not about my weight. Thank God people have quit bringing food!

Trish