150 Club...care to join???

[Sthronds]

Morning everyone!
I am not checking in with my weight this week because I have decided not to weigh. I would like to have a great week and then be pleasantly surprised next week. I decided to have a free weekend and not focus on food. Of course, I didn't make the best choices but all in all, it could have been worse. Yesterday, I packed a great low-cal lunch and then managed to go buy a big ol' choco-chip cookie. I don't know why I do that to myself. I don't plan to seek out sweets at lunch but I seem to do it more than I should. Once a week would be fine and if I can make it the rest of the week then all will be well. I did have one proud moment yesterday. I got back on my treadmill! It had been a couple of months. I really don't like it. I would rather walk my dog and enjoy the outdoors. However, my dog doesn't get walked everyday (don't worry, she runs and plays in the yard) and I know I need to have a backup. So, I put on a CD (Top Gun soundtrack-can you say child of the 80's?) and just walked. I covered the time and distance, so I wouldn't focus on that and just walked and thought and prayed and sang along. It was great! I haven't enjoyed a treadmill in a really long time. It only amounted to about 25 minutes, but that was still a great accomplishment for me. Go me!

Go You! I hope and pray that you all have a great week and that you can accomplish all your mini goals and of course that big one too. Blessings to all!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

WELCOME BACK, LINDA!!!!

Thanks, Sthronds!!

Many hugs, Kathy!

Okay...this may sound out of left field, but I want baked beans, a Dr Pepper and Cheetos. The Cheetos I can understand, but I have never liked baked beans and I've never had Dr Pepper. My mind is sayin' that I want these things...my tummy says "Jen-stop. I'm full. We had tomato soup, with colby jack in it, remember? And a slice of pumpkin cake!"

 

[lmhall2000]

Gang!!! What's happening to us???? I have been hit by the "I want to eat this so I'm going to eat this" bug. I've been GREAT on my walking...I think that's part of the culprit...if I try to low carb it I get the shakes from needing the carbs for fuel...and if I try slimfast I'm sabotaged by not having skim milk in date and figure I'll eat a small good meal...then there's a soda machine at our field trip today and I was parched...no water or diet coke available so had to get regular coke...that led to a craving of more sugar...so had a mini M&M bag when I got home...ugh! Well, TOM is still here and I'm blaming that...but whose with me on KICKING this not so great cravings??? OH and did I mention the 2 Krispy Kreme's I had today? UGH! I've got 4 days before weigh in day so all these miles I'm doing I'm hoping I'm still sculpting my muscle and will start getting my eating back to good form.

WELCOME BACK LINDA!!!

GOOD LUCK WITH SURGERY KATHY!!! Will be thinking of you on Thursday!

Sue! Give yourself a break this week and skip the scale...drink your water and work with me on making the next 4 days good days..I've had 4 eat how I want days..I need to balance it out now. Let's do it together!

TC2009...can't see the craving for baked beans, but cheetos and Dr. Pepper...oh yeah, I can dig that! Just let yourself have it..but try to eat half a bag and half a drink...then be done with it!

Regina, your meal plan listing for breakfast today is EXACTLY what I need to be eating!!! THanks for sharing...I get too bored with the same foods and need some ideas!

Let's kick this week of cravings out of here!
Tara

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Let's kick it Tara!!!

I made myself do exercises and clean around the house and drink water. I was bored. My mind was trying to trick my tummy into eating.

I just have to face facts.

I can NOT eat burgers anymore. They make me physically sick to my stomach.
Chips and bread are losing their eatability factor.
I don't like soda.
I don't want to spend my hard earned money for Disney on 10-second snacks and drinks!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

I should drag Twinkles (Twinks) over here...she's having an eating kind of day, too. She PM'ed me and told me there were good cookies down stairs. I made her stay online and help me create a good workout CD.

And how was your field trip, Tara? Where did you go?

 

[lmhall2000]

Well, I have to admit we started our field trip out at the Krispy Kreme store!!! I was good and only had one doughnut with a cup of black coffee...but the cashier convinced me for $1 more I could have 4 extra donuts to take home...I should have said NO but my sweet dear children wanted Daddy to share in our fun day...they'd never been to a KK store and loved watching all those donuts on the conveyor...I know bad choice for a start of a field trip but it was somewhat educational! But really a donut after walking 4.3 miles???? Not a good thing on my belly.

Then it was off to the real field trip...we're studying the 1850's-Present and have been stuck in the 1800's for too long..almost don't want to hit the 20th century with having to explain WW2 and all the rest (but will love reading about Corrie Ten Boom, Sargeant York and lots of other good contemporaries)...anyhow we went to a historic 1800's plantation. It's called Burritt Museum and has folks spinning cotton on a spinning wheel, soap makers, ironsmiths, chickens, pigs and about 8 buildings that were authentic homesteads from 1850's to 1890's and the mansion was built in 1936...very cool place...it's on top of a mountain and you can see the whole of Huntsville from up there. That's where the second donut came in...I was starving after walking all through that area and waiting for the kids to complete an art project (their art teacher asked them to draw something outside they've never seen before...two chose the pot-bellied pig and one chose a sign that said "1900 House") Now was that lazy or what for my 6 year old??? But atleast she did it and we were off to get some lunch..which I did do okay, found a blue plate cafe that had meat/2 veggies.....that was great....but I did have that nice warm donut in the car before that.....oh well...really not so bad...and I WILL slimfast tonight! So that's it for our field trip today and tomorrow we start gymnastics....so we feel like we're really settling in here...football practice 4 days a week, gymnastics 1 day, piano lessons 1 day a week, Latin lesson, Art lesson, Awana 1 day a week...yep, school is back full swing! Oh, did I mention we have a house to sell still???? SELL THAT HOUSE!!!

Love ya guys!
Tara

 

[TigerCheer2009]

You did awesome in the KK store...they offer field trips? My brother loves donuts...!

The Burritt Museum sounds phenomenal! I love history...Civil War being a favorite to learn about! Though I don't mind Eisenhower and Roosevelt's years...

On the whole, you did just fine. Remember, tomorrow is another day! School really is in full swing for you! Do you school them all year round, or take a long summer break? (You do homeschool them, correct? I'd hate to ask you those questions and then end up looking like a total goof...wait, being a total goof is okay with me, but still)

 

[lajones81]

Good afternoon!

I am exhausted again! Phew! Sorry this is so short! I need a nap! Keep working hard everyone!

Lisa

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi everybody!

Checking in for the first time after the wedding that wouldn't end. Oh, it ended. My eating at will on the other hand...plus, I'm 15 days out, so really all I can think about is boarding that plane!

I've decided to restart my week tomorrow. I won't go into the gory details, let's just say I'm pretty sure getting into the 160s before I go is no longer an option. On the bright side, at least I didn't decide to just give up until I get back. I do have two weeks to reverse the damage done.

I haven't read everyone's posts, but I gather TOM is very busy this week, visiting alot of you. He'll be in my guestroom next week, so that's another reason I won't be seeing exciting losses. I've decided I don't weigh at all during that time. It just causes more setbacks.

Welcome Back, Linda! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

Glad the garage sale went well, Debra. Enjoy some moments of peace.

I want to take field trips with Tara! It sounds like a lot of fun.

Lisa, glad your getting into your teaching spirit!

And, Jen! You do a great job of encouraging us all!

Hang in there, Regina! We are going to get back on track together.

Here's to:

1. Drinking water
2. Exercise!
3. No eating after 8 p.m.!

Good luck everybody, we are going to have a great day tomorrow!

Maria

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Hold on-

We gotta pull the wagon back around...we lost somebody! Maria...we're BACK! And we aren't budging until you are ready and situated!!! Glad you're back!!!

I need to work on:
More water
No eating after 8

And I love encouraging you all...have fun with TOM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Smiles!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Also thought I should let you all know that I did a prelim WI...

176!

But don't count it yet...

 

[lmhall2000]

TC!! I want to see 176!!!! YEAH FOR YA!!!!

Maria! Whew!! You survived the wedding!!! YEAH!!!!

Lisa!! Drink that water!!!! And get a GOOD night's sleep! That will give ya some energy! Those first days of school are ROUGH! Keep on Keeping on!

Yep, we homeschool, it's a balance in juggling and we have to keep them hopping to keep them engaged...but it's really amazing to watch their natural desire to learn grow and get them on to something new.....my 10 year old son has developed a LOVE LOVE LOVE for ornithology...we're busy making a book of Alabama birds...I'm amazed at how he can identify ones down to minute details. We had a thrill today...our feeders are filled with fun birds, especially our hummingbirds...well, today on our way out a hummingbird was trying to get out of our garage...they don't know to fly down and out the door they just keep bumping their heads on the ceiling. Well, I could tell the poor little fella was soooo tired so I got a piece of leftover wood trim and tried to coax him onto the edge of it...he was spooked by it and flew straight down towards me....my pastel striped shirt must have confused the fella and he rested right on my shirt clinging to it! I can't tell you how amazing it is to see a hummingbird hanging on to your chest like a brooch! I carefully walked out the garage and as soon as he saw sunlight he flew away like nothing ever happened. What a cool thing for my kids to see! That's what I like about homeschooling...we get to have a bunch of little nugget moments like those.
If only we'd had a camera handy!

Now, I'm supposed to slimfast for dinner...but again I have no milk, no time today...think we'll have baked potatoes for dinner....tomorrow I will get my walking done AND eat right!!!!

Tara

 

[TigerCheer2009]

I know!!

That's great!! We had a birdfeeder tree but it was chopped down. You do so well homeschooling them

 

[chrismiss56]

Morning Losers!!

I think I am back on USA time YIPPEE!!

My souvie from Spain is one of my classic colds My head is sooooooooo congested right now . Need to get rid of this soon........leaving for WDW Monday night!!

Spain was an interesting country - glad we went - really glad we went to visit DD21 BUT don't think I would be going back there anytime soon.

Family had a real problem with the smells and food offerings. One of the reasons I have a weight issue is that I am a very liberal minded eater.........well not in Spain!! Even I had trouble finding food that I could enjoy. They are big on fish which I like but not the head, teeth and eyeballs staring at me - even on shrimp!!

They also like to eat late - there were nights that we didn't finish dinner until midnight YIKES!! Maria - there went my 8:00pm curfew out the window.

The portions were smaller than here but not prepared the healthiest. DD17 had chicken with fries - the chicken was dark meat with skin (never did see a piece of white meat and turkey is non-existent) and the fries came drenched in what we think was olive oil. YUCK!!

The country was very interesting and I can say that I have been but there are many other places I want to see BEFORE I go back there.

Oh did I mention that DD17 had her wallet lifted AND returned after they figured out there was nothing in it. 2 days later DH caught a man's hand in his pants pocket. Fortunately we were warned about this and were prepared.

DD21 comes home on Saturday - she has requested grilled filet, homemade mashed potatoes and corn on the cob...........can't wait for her to come home.

Needless to say I got on the scale and the numbers were not pretty but I am not concerned....didn't get all my water in each day because you had to pay for every sip you took.

My real quest for a better me will start on August 20th after WDW.

Glad to be home - missed your support . Will continue reading and catching up.

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

Linda

 

[lmhall2000]

Linda! Thanks for the report...I think I can safely mark Spain off my "to do" list...not that it's not a GREAT country with wonderful attributes...just that we only have time/funds for 4 abroad trips with our children while they're young and it's nice to know that if we skip Spain it won't be a huge loss. It's sad to say but I haven't heard good stuff about Spain....

I bet your dd will LOVE having that filet and veggies when she returns!

I did my walk this morning and even added some arm weights for a bit.....had bacon and a glass of grape juice (Thanks Lisa, trying to add in my juices!) I have about 3-4 ounces...very small amount to avoid overdoing the sugars. I'm working hard on my water today!

What are you working on today gang?
Tara

 

[westjones]

Linda! Thanks for the report...I think I can safely mark Spain off my "to do" list...not that it's not a GREAT country with wonderful attributes...just that we only have time/funds for 4 abroad trips with our children while they're young and it's nice to know that if we skip Spain it won't be a huge loss. It's sad to say but I haven't heard good stuff about Spain....
Tara

Where are you going to go? I use to think about taking the kids to Europe, but they (and DH and I also) are so hooked on the Disney Cruise and going to WDW that we have pretty much given up and decided that Disney will be our big trip every year.

We do want to get in some other more educational trips, so during our October fall break (which is only a 4 day weekend) we plan to visit places we can make it to in one day (this year will be to be the Henry Ford Museum in Detriot), they are having an exhibit from Disneyland for the 50th anniversary. Currently the exhibit is in Washington DC, but it will be in Detriot for our fall break (it will only be there for about 3 months).

DJ

 

[Worfiedoodles]

they are having an exhibit from Disneyland for the 50th anniversary. Currently the exhibit is in Washington DC, but it will be in Detriot for our fall break (it will only be there for about 3 months).
DJ

Hi!

I saw the exhibit last month. I just don't want you to be too excited. The "exhibit" consists of (1) purple Dumbo elephant car and (1) teal blue tea cup. There's also a description/explanation, but that's really it. I was a bit disappointed. Perhaps there's something more extensive when it's "on the road" (I sure hope so!). This was really just in the hallway of the Museum of American History, on the way to the Route 66 exhibit.

Jen -- Thanks for stopping the wagon. I was running to catch up, and your hand lifted me on!

Linda -- After your description, I think I can skip Spain, too. Actually, I hadn't intended to go, and you've confirmed my thoughts. My dh wants to visit London someday, and I've always wanted to see Italy, but that's pretty much the extent of our interest in Europe. But, if it was a trip to see ds, of course we'd go!

Tara -- We buy the Welch's light grape juice. It's 1 pt. a serving, and still has all the vitamins, etc. I get to have "juice" without all the guilt.

Sue -- I have weeks when you couldn't pay me to weigh. I tend to obsess over the scale, and get depressed if it doesn't go down, or worse, goes up. I could easily weigh myself two or three times a day if I don't make myself stop. Then I get depressed and I need a week off. Well, I've been doing better lately with just weighing once a day, but as someone (was it Tara, Tera, Linda or Debra? It was some wise sage...) pointed out, there are other measures of success. I keep intending to measure my waist, thighs, etc. so I can see a difference that way, but I haven't quite been brave enough to do it yet...

I had a little accident with some Starburst this afternoon. It is so hard for me to focus this week! Our cruise docs arrived yesterday. All I can think about is getting ready for our trip, and getting my ds ready for school. My desire to lose weight is overshadowed by my fear of forgetting something important! I am such a goofball.

I hope everyone's having a great day. Just be glad you're not my boss. My ability to focus in general...pretty much greatly diminished.

Maria

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Maria-you are very welcome. I like having all my ducks in a row...and all my people safe in the wagon. Just make sure to have your seatbelt on next time, okay?

Best of luck on restarting a journey, both Linda and Maria!

 

[chrismiss56]

Hi

Reading your postings about taking your kids to Europe and thought I would put my 2 cents in. If memory serves me right Tara and Debra your kids are alot younger than mine and I would have to question at what age are kids old enough to really appreciate the history and culture that Europe has to offer.

I always said that I couldn't justify the cost of taking younger children to Europe unless it was to visit relatives. Our airfare alone cost us $3000 for the 3 of us YIKES!!

I have been to Europe a couple of times and if you want to show your kids history and culture that ties in with the US then I would recommend London or going back to the roots - Rome and Italy. Italy and especially Rome is a breath taking experience. I am not Catholic but I was soooo moved by what I say in Rome. Haven't made it to Greece yet.........been to Austria and Germany - loved those countries.

Just my 2 cents offered without upsetting anyone.

When my kids were younger we did educational trips to Boston and the east coast. Actually wherever skating took us we made a point of seeing something (such as Huntsville we went to the space academy - St Louis the Arch - Niagara Falls etc.). USA has so much to offer at a fraction of the cost of going to Europe.........and then you have money left over for DISNEY!!!

Have a Magical Disney Day!!
Linda

 

[lmhall2000]

Hey! I wish we could have this European discussion translate into recipes! All this talk is making me want to try some fun new dishes...but please leave off the eyes and gills!

Our first trip will be to England with our children...at that age they will be 11, 8 & 7. From where we live it's only 7 hours by plane. We're choosing England/Ireland first because it's relatively close and I've been there before so I don't have an issue with driving around the countryside. This is where I get into massive planning mode-the BUDGET! YES!!! You can do Europe for under 5k!!!! It takes planning but it can be done.
In fact there's a great book out called "Have Kids-Will Travel" from a homeschooling family that travels each year to Europe and they have 5 children and just got back from 3 weeks in Italy for under $3500! Here's a link for any interested...http://havekids-willtravel.com/_wsn/page5.html

Now, here's how we plan to do it...free airfare!!! We save up our miles through a Delta American Express card, my husband's corporate card (he flies about 15 times a year)...we sign up for all those double mile months and in 2 years we have enough for atleast 4 tickets...we might have to buy one ticket...but since we homeschool we can travel in the value season so a RT ticket to London is less than $400 if you time it right. Then for London, you rent a flat for the week...use that as your base and it works out better $$ wise than hotels there. You do your own shopping for meals and limit restaurant eating...packing lunches and such. In London, most all museums are FREE!!! British Museum of Natural History, National Gallery of Art, Naval Musuem etc.!!! We are even doing a Bed & Breakfast at a castle! What the family in the link above does is participate in homesharing...you don't necessarily have to share your home but it connects you with families who give great rental rates on wonderful locations.

A big part of our homeschool is studying history...my son's in 4th grade and we've already had 4 years of ancients/medieval/renaissance/current...spending a year learning about castles and serf life....the crusades and all that gets them excited...even reading JM Barrie's Peter Pan then seeing the flat where he wrote it is exciting to them...I didn't cover history until AP History in 12th grade....it was a year jampacked with memorizing and lists...never fully devoting time to it. We'll have 12 years of history and taking them at this age will hopefully make them look at history in a whole new way. History really is 25% of our education..so much comes from it....a whole slew of reading lists, geography studies, we cook meals like the Roman soldiers used to eat...it's all encompassing in this household...so for us, the abroad travels will just augment their education. I don't see if I would take them this young unless they had really some understanding of the country and history.

But here's our plan...
Trip 1- England/Ireland
Trip 2- Holland/Austria/Switz/Germany/France
Trip 3- Italy
Trip 4- China/Japan

We're spending 2 weeks at each and I've budgeted $4,000 per trip...that's all incidentals travel expenses EVERYTHING!! When we do Disney we spend that much and every off year we spend at a beach house of our friends for practically nothing...so essentially we have 2 years to save for these trips and the mileage. We're shooting for next March/April or it may even be September to get better weather...but they're already excited and have their own planning books...and they have pen pals in the countries so we hope to see some of them. Now, if anyone can think of anything English besides shepherd's pie...share them recipes! Oh, I have a great recipe for scones! I'll try and find it!

All this walking will hopefully pay off when we're hitting London!

Tara