I am hooked on Vitatops after reading the boards last week and they are only 1 point on the WW. I ordered the chocolate variety pack of Vitatops on-line last week since my local stores didn't have enough of a variety and they asked me what flavor I would like to see, so I said Pumpkin. For breakfast we hit up Signe's Bakery. It was on Rachel Ray's $40 a day. I ordered the deep dish french toast and it was excellent. I also took home some bread pudding and slices of cake from the bakery. Our favorite spot for breakfast was Stack's. I had the creme brulee french toast and the bananas foster french toast and they were super yummy. My favorite meal of the trip was Wise Guys. It is owned by the same people that own Frankie Bones.
Those all sound oh so heavenly! I'll have to look them up. THANK YOU!!! Where did you order the vitatops? I didn't see them in my store, but I didn't look really hard either. Our 1 grocery store is known for way high prices on things that are "healthy", so I'd need to do some comparison shopping anyway.
Honestly nothing that I thought was wrong with my day is nearly as bad as that so I will keep my feelings in tonight and just say that I thank god for the moment I am blessed with health, a job, and a roof over my head.
It's all about perspective, huh... YEP. Hope your conference went well!!!
Hi to everybody! I wish I could spend more time on here, but I'm still busy with the move. We have finished all the renos on the old house, and have a sale pending. Just need the buyer to get his financing approved and do a home inspection.

We've started some renos on the new house, so now every evening is busy on the new house. In anther couple weeks we will be moved in
Thank you so much for continuing to be weight keeper, with all that you have going on.

for the sale going through, and quick renos!!
It's about optimal eating patterns. I'll read it tonight and we will discuss it at class.
Did you ever read it? Anything interesting!
I am soo excited to be on the top ten list this week. I thought it might be time to say hello. I wanted to tell you all how VERY motivating this board has been for me. Many of your stories have brought me to tears.
So glad you came out of lurkdome! You are doing GREAT!!! Yeah, I have a whole BL world going on around in my head, too. CRAZY! Welcome!
"If it was easy, everyone could do it. You are the one who will make it. And don't forget the finish line pose!"
LOVE THAT! You know, almost EVERYONE that compliments me on my weight loss asks me how I did it. My kind of standard answer is "stopped eating and started running". Then they say, "Oh, well, there goes that I can't run. What do you eat?" "1200ish calories a day of good stuff" "Oh well. Well, anyway, you look great." Which is the whole "if it was easy" part. I've shared before about the people doing the Isagenix stuff here and losing 30lbs in a month. That's what most people want, granted, I'd love it, too. But it's not the right way. There's a line from Almost There from Princess and the Frog that I love...
"This ole' town can slow you down, with people taking the easy way. I know exactly where I'm going, getting closer and closer every day, and I'm Almost There, almost there. People round here thing I'm crazy, but I don't care. Trials and tribulations, you know I've had my share, but there ain't nothing gonna stop me now because I'm almost there."
I sing this as I'm running, it's on my playlist, because it reminds me how far I've come, how hard I've worked, and how close that finish line is.
Yes it is weird...why is it that sometimes you feel fine ("you" meaning everyone) and sometimes you could chew your arm off? I can't figure that one out either. How is today for you (so far)?
I used to think it was exercise induced, more exercise, more hunger. But when I cut back my running, I had a week where I couldn't stop eating. I know protein helps curb it, but I still don't have a good handle on it. How are you today??
I went on vacation 2 weeks ago and have come back and have been terrible! I can't seem to get my eating under control and am gaining instead of losing. I am jumping back in with 2 feet and hope to see a loss this week. I haven' sent in my updated weight as I am embarrassed, but will this week.
Well, you just missed the funk that has been passed around the BL challenge, mental and physical! Glad you are back, and ready to hit the right path!
Here's the scenario..... you have a good friend who has lost a good bit of weight (let's say more than 50 pounds), but is struggling to maintain/finish her/his weight loss. She/he is close to goal or at goal, but is losing her/his momentum and motivation. She/he has skipped a few scheduled workouts/runs and been yo-yoing the same 5 pounds for a few weeks now. She/he comes to you for advise. What would you say to her/him?
UM....P... why are you making me talk to myself? People will think I am crazy!!!

My thoughts on this, which I thought about all day. I am 10-13lbs from goal. I've been there since we started this challenge. Up 2, down 3, up 2, maintain, down 2,etc. What I figured out from all this? I KNOW HOW TO MAINTAIN! That's a huge burden off my shoulders, so I should have no fears about getting there. EXERCISE is the key. Just by adding back in 1 or 2 runs, my body is kick started again. Then, once you start that exercise again, your eating will fall more in line, b/c you realize that by eating X you will undo all the trouble, schedule, and hard work you (I) put in by getting in a run. Get off your butt Taryn.
Aren't poptarts made for breakfast? they go in the toaster, so anything that can be toasted is a breakfast food, right?

I love cinnamon poptarts,
Mm... my favorite is frosted chocolate fudge!

You mean momma. Flu shot and dentist in one day.

Glad you decided to treat him! Sounds like you are really having an OP challenge, lady! I'm so inspired by you, Tracey, Lisa, and all the others that are just rocking it!
Need to finish up two applications-one for an almost full-time position and one for a very part-time position. Im hoping.
Good luck! Very part time? That should leave plenty of time for BL!
On a positive note, my doctor is taking me off my blodd pressure meds, so no more high blood pressure.
That's WONDERFUL!!!!
Wish there was a magic pill for it. I love him and it scares me that my kids might end up losing their father early. I know that sounds dramatic, but it is true!! That would break their hearts! But what can you say to them.... they KNOW they are overweight.... they KNOW they are unhealthy. They need to find the motivation in themselves. All you can do is LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
I say the same thing to him, but I know from experience, it has to come from within him! And me, for that matter.....
For the second week in a row I made the list, I truly can't believe it. Maybe I will be able to make it 3 weeks in a row. I have been so out of the loop here lately, I've been bad.
It's been crazy busy lately! Glad you stopped in!
So excited to be the biggest loser for the week! I had an awesome week last week and this week has been so so. I guess I do better when my husband is out of town
Congrats!!!!!
I was surprised to see my name on the the list again. I've never made it in the top 10 three weeks in a row. I'm going to work really hard to make sure that all my hard work isn't undone by this DLR trip.
You are doing so great Lisa!!!!!!! I am so motivated by you!
And, isnt that the kicker of it all no matter what we blame our bad decisions on, theyre still our decisions to make. So, heres to wise decisions for TODAY.Its like were afraid to succeed. Why is that? Maybe its because were afraid of gaining it back. Maybe its because were afraid we might find out that we really cant do it. My theory is that its all about fear. I suppose my advice is: Figure out what youre afraid of and stand up to it even if youre still afraid.
You know Connie, I was actually shaking when I went for a run yesterday. Not from the cold, yet, but from fear of running? Fear of failing on my run? I didn't think anything about this journey for me involved fear, until that. I did pretty well w/ my decisions yesterday, did you finish strong? If not, you had a great morning!
Stupid rain, stupid Halloween candy taunting me

, stupid arctic cold office that keeps me half comatose for the entire day because Im so cold I can barely move, stupid coworkers who are sweating hot at 65 degrees while Im sprouting icicles off of my eyelashes Stupid upper back muscle strain and then stupid me for going ahead and getting my tattoo finished on my left shoulder on Saturday, between those two things I missed a week of running. There, I said it, so shall it be
Glad you came up with a plan, Bree. I've missed you, although I haven't been around as much as I would like this last week or so either. If you are like me, which I kinda think you are,

once you get in a run, get your house a bit more organized, you feel like a new woman!
I think the interview went really well, it lasted 2 hours and was actually more comfortable conversation then uncomfortable questions. I think it could be a good fit for the company and myself. They hope to make a decision by next Friday.
YAY!! Sending PPD your way!!! Good luck today!
Earlier this week, I told my therapist that I am done with visits there. Last night we did strength assessments for my appointment today with my orthopedic specialist. Tomorrow night we will develop a plan of how much and how frequently I can do those leg/hip strengthening exercises at the gym, what equipment to use, what weights, etc. The ortho said this morning that he can't explain all the swelling and pain but we hope that it is because I am doing too much, certainly more than his patients typically would at this point. We have a plan for what we'll do a month from now if there isn't considerable improvement. The good news is that he is wholly supportive of my goal of walking the 1/2 marathon in January and will do all he can to facilitate that.
Sounds mostly positive. Did he suggest you cut back any, or just work throught the pain and swelling? Glad you have a plan in place, anyway!
My very first half marathonn is on Sunday. I'm kind of a basket case. I think JenA is ready to shoot me because I have been so insecure about it. I never realized it before but I am kind of competitive.
YIKES. SIL? Yuk. You are an amazingly strong person. Your running has been going great, and that competitive streak will serve you well! You are going to be FABULOUS!
Thursday's QOTD: In addition to getting healthier with your eating and exercise, are there any other areas of your life that you are trying to to get healthier with?
I've been on a "keep chemicals away" kick since Sophie was born. I've done great at times, so so at others. I am also trying to get healthier mentally. I am trying to squish all "stinkin thinkin" when it comes up, b/c usually there's nothing I can do about it. When I feel that black cloud descending, I have to fight my was out of it, tooth and nail. I try to make 1 positive thing happen, that usually lightens my mood a bit. Or at least remember something positive, KWIM?
My interview this afternoon went well. I am optimistic. It is only a few hours a week, but the position sounds great and the pay is good.
Good luck to you!!!
Only exercise I've had today except for running around like a chicken with my head cut off, cooking supper, etc!: And order some of my own Herbalife stuff!
Those headless chickens really move, so you must have gotten a lot of activity in! What Herbalife stuff is working best for you?
Turned out to be fluid build up in a duct that was looking like a nodule. They did more scans and then did an ultrasound to make sure. I think I might be the queen of close calls lately. CRAZY!!
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!
Forgot to mention my Disney purchase I made today. At KMart they have plastic light up jack-o-lanterns! The cut out face I bought was Tigger!!!!:hey also have a Mickey Mouse and Tinkerbell one! I plan to go over there again this week to get at least Mickey and maybe Tink as well. They are really cool! They are on sale this week for $7.49 and you get 5x reward points!
I'll have to see if I can fit those in the budget! They sound really cool!
Thanks to everyone for the extra prayers. They almost lost her yesterday.....But today she seems stable so all the prayers from around the world are helping. I just can;t image what her Mom and Dad are going through!!
That is such a sad, scary story. Made me want to love on my girls! Continually sending PPD their way!
When I get that full time job our finances will improve greatly and I think pretty quickly too Things will become much more structured and that will be an immense help for me mentally. I will also have better insurance company so I will be able to actually go for check ups and hopefully improve my health or at least explain why I often feel the way I do.
That really does sound like the answer to prayers. Sending some that it works out for you!
Well. Tomorrow I'm gonna go through my Halloween clothing and try on the costume. That should be good motivation again. Need to start the actual cleaning part too ugh. Gotta clean the fridge out too. The more moving the better.
I love your Halloween excitement!
WHEW! I caught up one day!
There was a QOTD that I don't have time to find, about what people say about your food if they think you are dieting. Well, that happened that very day. I had left my lunch in the car, and sent Anna Kathryn back out to get it. One of my friends said "what, you left your celery sticks and rabbit food in the car?" This is the same one that said cupcakes were against my religion now. I just took that in stride, but I will admit that knowing people are watching are usually GREAT motivators for me to pass on the unhealthy stuff. I don't want to seem like I am on the brink of gaining it all back.
Going to post a book in a separate reply. HANG ON!