Taryn, most of my summer was like that so I can empathize. I felt like I was running around in circles and not going anywhere. (And, frankly, I wasn't!!) Maybe it's a phase we all have to go through when trying to change our body image???
Thanks Jude. I think the fear of going back to where I was can be overpowering sometimes! I did so well for so long, it stinks to feel like the momentum is gone! Hopefully, you and I both will have a great fall challenge!
Taryn-You are doing great. No, I take that back. You are doing amazingly well, absolutely wonderful. Now, teacher to teacher, there is a law (I'm pretty sure it's federal, but know it is in CT) that you cannot give the kids candy.
Thanks Rose! I woke up feeling better today. I must have slept on my left side because my left ear hurts.I thought I would take a Dis/BL break (yeah, right

) and respond in a bit, but I wouldn't feel right going about my day without responding personally to all of you. We really are a tight-knit group.
CC - thanks for your sweet words! I wish it was a law, I get so sick of all the junk! Some give out Dum-dums. Candy is actually on every teacher's supply list to send in! We're in the stone ages. We just made a no homebaked foods served at school rule 3 years ago! But school nutrition is another high horse I don't have the energy for right now. Thank you for sharing with us about your ear. I hope that the right dr, with the correct diagnosis, finds his/her way to you soon! I know what you mean by the tight-knit group. ITA!
A big thank you to our weightkeeper, LuvBaloo, who is juggling a new job, move, family and still takes care of us!

You have to forgive yourself and get back on the wagon but don't think every time that you fall off that it will leave you behind. It won't. We won't leave you behind --
ever. You can do it!
Thanks Lisa! You better not leave me behind. I'd really run then to catch up!
Seriously?? 4 miles in under 30 minutes?? Holy cow!!
Second.....

I can so relate to that scary, scary feeling. It is kind of like falling from a cliff. You try to catch yourself... you know what to do (reach out and grab a branch), but you just can't seem to do it! If it would help, you could start a food journal here on the Dis. One thing that I do when I have a stressful/tempting situation is that I ask myself a question...."Is doing this going to help me attain my goal?" ere is today's unofficial QOTD:
Chinese or Italian?
Italian, I hate chinese!
Penthouse or ground floor?
Penthouse, love the view
Plain or peanut?
peanut!
music or tv?
usually music, but can I pick silence?
ocean or lake?
ocean!, unless it's Bay Lake!
horror movie or chick flick?
chick flick!
math or reading?
READING!! I HATE MATH!
soup or salad?
Salad, usually, but I love soup on chilly days!
video game or board game?
don't like either!
sushi or no sushi?
can't get myself to try it!
outgoing or shy?
I'll let you decide! But in IRL, very lacking in self-confidence!
saver or tosser?
TOSSER surrounded by savers! But I save a few sentimental things.
cooking or baking?
I love to bake breads!
hot cereal or cold cereal?
cold, but don't love either
newspaper or tv news?
neither, too depressing!
optimist or pessimist?
forced myself really be truthful, I want to be an optimist, I really do, but am usually a pessimist
Definitely feel like falling off a cliff. Thanks for you offer to help. Today: Kashi trail mix bar and coffee for breakfast, banana at 10am, kashi pumpkin pie bar, peach, string cheese at lunch (11:10), fat free yogurt at 2, 2 kisses (better than 10) around 3, dinner: cantaloupe, 4 ounces chicken, about 1oz. chorizo, 2tsp. cheese, 1tsp. sour cream. About 1150 calories. I feel much better if I stay in the 1100 range, just to compensate for any misjudgements in quantity, although I typically underestimate ounces. Also had about 100 oz. of water. I know I need more veggies in there. I also have learned I do better if I have most of my calories by 3pm, hence the heavier eating at work!
You are very inspirational to me. Even when I haven't had time to read all the posts, I have read yours and several others and taken something from them. No, I wanted to FINISH a marathon. And I was determined to get that Mickey medal. So, keep pushing for the finish line (your ultimate goal weight, maintenance, whatever) because all of your effort has been taking you closer and closer. Just keep pushing.
Cam, that was really sweet, and really meant a lot to me. It's so sweet to know that somewhere along the way, I might have motivated or inspired others. I think my piece of our puzzle could be the woman who tries to do it all, and unfortunately has to, and still has some success. You have a lot to offer, too, so be sure to post more often next challenge! Your determination despite the knee surgery really inspired me - I even had cold green beans for lunch one day last week!

And onyone that has ever run a marathon is awesome!!!!!
Ended up staying home with the girls. DD2 kept crying this morning after she got up. Her throat really hurt and she was just miserable.
Poor baby, that really breaks my heart, too. I hate it when my babies, or anyone's babies are sick! Hope the sore throat part gets better soon!
You have not lost control. You are strong and in control. I really think that so much of this is that you have too much on your plate right now. You can do this! Okay have I rambled on enough yet? Seriously Taryn, you are a strong person who can get through this. I have so much faith in you and I know you will pull through it.
I was not feeling so good because when I got on the scale today, I had gained 3 pounds since yesterday! Seriously after running 13.1 miles I GAINED 3 pounds.
Jen, thank you, too. I think the word CONTROL is the key here. I am one of those people that needs to feel in control. I have to feel like my class is controlled, my house, my kids, my food, my exercise, my own master's class, my family's food, my schedule. I think you hit the nail on the head, I have soo much on my plate, that the threads of control everywhere are slipping. As for your weight gain, every time I run more than 7 miles, I have a gain of about 5 lbs the next day. Unfortunately, for me, it hung around for several days, which left me feeling out of control again. Since you are much more conditioned than I am, it will probably come off quicker. I never commented on your first day of work blues, because I have no advice. Honestly, I truly wish we were financially okay enough for me to be a SAHM. That's my true calling, I get so much satisfaction from taking care of my family. So, any words of advice I have would not ring true. All I do know is that you are such an amazing person, and I just feel like something wonderful is coming your way. I really do, and I think it will be beyond your wildest expectations!
And I am glad you love your new do! Mom wants me to cut mine really short, but I love my ponytail!!! I've made a do change, sorta. Instead of straightening it everyday, I've been moussing and scrunching to let it just keep it's curls. It's pretty Farah Fawcett right now! But, it seems like big and curly is coming back, and someone said it made me look more alive, so that's a plus! I've been getting lots of "you look tired, are you okay?"comments.
Would really LOVE a new job, and have been trying to find something that would work for me. Now I think i may just look for a reasonable out once i start driving. Really hope to be gone from target before Christmas. If not by then then definitely early next year.
Good luck with your new job search, and hope to see you around a bunch!
Stressful time here. My DH was laid off from his teaching job (after 9 years at the same public high school) and school starts next Tuesday and he still hasn't been able to secure a position.
Jude, thanks for sharing. I hate that so many people are out of work right now, against their wishes, and the stress it means on the family. I hope that something great comes for him, CC, and Jen!
Thanks for doing these questions, Pamela. I was going to do a quiz "Are you Roller Derby Queen material?" so this was much better! So you guys had better watch out for the fall challenge 'cause I am ready to rock it!!
YOU ARE ON!!! And the roller derby comment?

I was honestly thinking about how we don't stress "competition", but motivate and inspire each other. Truly awesome!
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
Jane Howard, American Journalist
I am glad I found this clan/network/tribe/family with all of you! Finding this group at the begining of the summer was meant to be!
I love this!!! Makes me want to sing "Can you feel the love tonight?". ITA, we are a clan, tribe, family!
You all are so AWESOME! DD2 is slowly getting back to normal She ate some Saltines and perked up. She ended up taking a nap for another hour late this afternoon but woke up grumpy again. Finally drinking again!
So glad she is better! I know you must be really stressed!
BY the time I got home I raced to the bathroom and spent most of SUnday night there. I have been out of it pretty much since then. I have been sleeping on and off for the last 48 hours.
So sorry Dona! hope you are better soon!
Okay, that took an hour! I just needed to talk to my buds tonight. You get me! I guess I feel a bit of loss that this challenge is ending, not sure why! I have a tummyache tonight, broke one of my cardinal rules and made some coffee after dinner. I might be up half the night, but usually takes care of constipation, which feels like my issue. Sorry, TMI!
I just want to say that the Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem commercials are making me feel pretty good about myself. You know, doing this without any formal program other than you guys, 1200 cal/day, and running, pretty good! AND INEXPENSIVE!
Off to do a bit of housework. I did get a bit of a nap this afternoon. 20 minutes does me a world of good! DD had an eye dr. appt this afternoon, and what we suspected is coming true - glasses. DH and I have terrible eyesight, so it was just a matter of time. Thankfully, right now, it's just for reading the board, so she is going with glasses instead of contacts. Her depth perception and close vision is good, thankfully. Tomorrow is a wild day. I have to leave at 6:40 for my 45 minute trip to take Sophie to MIL and FIL, come home and get AK ready. Then, school, quick stop at home for AK dinner and grab something for Sophie and me for dinner, then gym from 5-8, home at 9. Won't see DH at all tomorrow. Had to help him write another essay tonight for his management course. UGH. I don't even have it in my to do anything for myself!
I might check in if I have time tomorrow. Is that when we are officially supposed to stop posting here?
NIGHT! I love you guys!
Taryn