DH will be graduating in January 2013 with a degree in Respiratory Therapy. He currently is an EMT and works in the ER at one of the local hospitals. There's really no jobs areound here and I could use a change. We are also considering FL and VA. As long as we go south, we're good.We'll see...
Good luck with whatever/wherever the future holds for you!
So jealous of your
Lego room! I have Legos all over my house. I am slowly getting them all in DSs rooms. But I still step on them daily!
Jill
Well.... it wasn't really the "plan", but it has worked out pretty well. DS's room is the smallest in the house (other than the office). With a twin platform bed, a bookshelf and a desk, it is full. And the Legos were constantly underfoot!
We had a finished "office" in the basement that wasn't being used (other than to store Christmas decor). We finished it many moons ago when I worked at home doing medical transcription. I don't think I ever even used it! I didn't like being that far from the kids. Anyhow, when we were trying to figure out how to get the Legos under control, we realized that it would be great to have them downstairs! He didn't want them in the playroom over the garage. It isn't heated, so in the winter he would have to plan ahead when he wanted to be up there to turn on the space heaters.
Anyhow, we moved them downstairs where we set up a long piece of counter top (purchased cheap at HD) on top of three unused file cabinets. We had some fluorescent lighting in there already. I bought some plastic shelving for him to display completed sets and he already had some storage bins. It worked out pretty well, but he created a HUGE mess in there that he hasn't cleaned up and now he wants to bring stuff upstairs to the dining room to build because of the mess!!

I told him that during Feb. vacation we would BOTH head down there to clean and sort Legos and then head to HD to buy all new storage units.... hopefully that will solve the problem!
Once again, feel free to vacation at my house anytime! I have toilets, sinks, sheets, and a kitchen, too! Western PA is super nice.
Jill
Believe me, it sounds good, but my toilets and sinks don't get cleaned nearly enough! I do make my bed every day though.
DBrother lives in Morgantown, PA, so I am familiar with the area. I'd LOVE to be that much further south.... he gets winter, but it is definitely a SHORTER season than it is in NH.
Now, for some tough love. First, I want to say that you have received some excellent suggestions so far and I hope you find them helpful!
Here is some advice from a person who learned a thing or two the hard way. Read about the med(s) you take. Check for food and drug interactions. Some examples include limit soy products, do not eat grapefruit, and no aspirin when taking this mid. Also, I'd even make sure that one or more doesn't cause weight gain. I was on one (horrible doctor) that caused some people to gain 25 lbs.
How much water are you drinking? I would aim for at least 64 oz. a day. It may lead to a BL-style (on TV) 1st week whoosh. (Also, that would give you 7 Healthy Habits points!)
What interests you with regards to exercise? What do you think your body can handle? Running is not my speciality. That doesn't mean I'm not trying to run. I want to run. When I can, I feel so much better emotionally. So, I am working on walk/run intervals. And, I'm going very slowly and I'm okay with that 100%.
Do you work? Is there any way you can move more at work? Could you take the stairs to the 2nd floor and then the elevator to the 3rd floor, as an example?
Have you considered joining a gym? I belonged to one gym that had a women only room. If you don't work, going mid-day (like at 12 Noon) is often an emptier time at the gym. I belong to Planet Fitness and it is $10 a month plus a yearly maintenance type fee. There aren't any classes or a pool, but the equipment is well-maintained and clean, and it offers training on using the equipment and what a good starting point for you would be.
Now, for my eating advice, fwiw. Protein is key. I also need to have dairy in order to lose weight. I eat lots of veggie servings. Avoid fast food and takeout. It is filled with salt. At a restaurant, ask them to hold the salt. When I had to go low-salt, I learned a lot about food prep at a restaurant. We never season our burgers at home, but restaurants do that all the time, even the standard cheeseburger. Ask for no salt on the burger or fries. Sub the fries for veggies whenever possible. Last night, I made GF/lactose-free macaroni and cheese. I took 1 cup dry GF corn pasta and boiled it. Then, I drained it and added 1/2 cup lactose-free milk, a can of corn, and some leftover frozen green beans. I also added some lactose-free cheddar and parmesean cheeses. My parents liked it, I loved it, and it was an easy way to get in more veggie servings and less carbs while providing 1/2 dairy serving each.
Invest in some portioning devices. I'm not just talking about measuring cups. Get plastic ware (like Glad or Ziploc) that has the portions right on the containers. Take a cup of grape tomatoes or grapes for a mid-morning snack. Baby carrots can be bought pre-portioned or do it yourself. Celery hearts are a little more expensive, but you wasted less and are easy to chop into 1 cup portions. We have all sorts of containers. Some are freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe as well. If you want, PM me your address and I will send you some coupons.
One last personal experience to share. I cannot go too low-carb. I need the carbs to feel emotionally sound. If you are drinking soda, I'd drop that somewhat slowly to help with potential withdrawal.
All in all, you need to remember to take care of yourself emotionally!
SO much great advise you shared CC!
I agree P, somethings I just still after two years can't control.
I used to see this as a weakness--but I have decide it is just an is.....It does not mean I am weak because I go a little crazy with some foods, (well maybe it does) but I am strong in that I have learned to work around it and still be healthy!
Definitely NOT a weakness... it is our STRENGTH and DETERMINATION that has taught us to CONTROL the things around us.... including food! We wouldn't consider a weakness if a recovering alcohol insisted that there be no booze in the house! Or if he/she refused to go to a bar, right??? Food is different because we can't give it up all together.... but we can decide to NOT be around the foods that we can't control!
Excellent post!
Did everyone read this????
Exactly what I needed to read today. Thanks.
Glad I could share that at the right moment. I actually was watching an old season of BL on Netflix yesterday and was so struck by how Jillian said something like this, that I backed up and wrote it down. Pretty much what I said, but more eloquently......"Life will give you a situation.... and what you're in control of is how you deal with it. You can only control what you can control."
The best thing is to ask other runners what store they would recommend. Do you belong to a gym/Y? Are there local running groups with websites than link to stores? If you can't get a personal recommendation, then I would look for a store that videotapes you running/walking so they can analyze your gait. there are also places that have mats that you can stand on to see what your feet are doing. I started off at fleet feet. I have switched stores to a local store, but only because of physical therapy I know what kind of shoe I need to be in--so I went for the service from this local store.
The other thing I would say--if you are losing weight, have your gait re-evaluated after you lose the weight. I was a pretty good pronator when I weighed 50 more pounds. When I lost it I stopped pronating and now actually suppinate a little. Well, being in support shoes brought on a nasty case of itbs! And it never occurred to me or the therapist that I was in the wrong shoes until I was taped again on the treadmill. When I asked the person at the running store what would cause someone to stop pronating and she said not much--maybe a large weight loss. Bingo!
Last, a good running store will let you return/exchange your shoes. You might pay a little more, but this in my opinion is really important. While a shoe might feel great in the store, when you actually start going the distance in the shoes they might not feel so good. Once you find the right shoes, you can order replacement shoes online and then maybe just get re-evaluated every year or so or if you start having problems.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for sharing so much great "shoe" advise with EVERYONE!
Right now, I am avoiding soda. It's really the only thing I have crossed off my list, but it was kind of a big one for me. I love to just pop open a soda with dinner, and when I pass by the fridge in the recovery area at work, I always want one (in order to be discharged after a procedure, you have to be able to drink, and the fridge is STOCKED with little 8oz cans of Coke products.) But so far so good! The last time I had soda was New Years Eve, and I really don't miss it too much anymore. Maybe now I can start cutting out other stuff- starting with fast food!
Soda is tough to give up, but is is SO important to ditch those empty, potentially harmful chemical calories! Good for you!
Ruthie. I don't think it's fair that you should be judged by your weight in order to become a parent. Nor do I think the PA probably handled the whole thing in the right way. But, you got lots of great advice here, and you can do this! I know how easy it is to turn to something like ice cream when you are down, or mad, or depressed, etc. I do it. I'm sure many people here have done it. I'm sure we're all trying not to.
I was having a bad morning....I had an appointment that I drove an hour to, waited for 40 minutes, and the person never showed up, and I drove an hour home. I was mad. I got home and wanted to eat something. A lot of something. So, I had some coco pops. They are these big rice cake like things. I had 5! Good thing they are only 16 calories each!
Normally, I would have had something sweet, chocolate, really bad for me. Probably why my dr asked at my appointment last week what I am doing about my weight. It felt good to tell her I am working on it. I have about 45 pounds to lose, and I know it can be a struggle no matter how much we have to lose....but WE CAN DO THIS!
Nice job avoiding the chocolate and finding a healthier alternative.
Mine is McDonald's and Little Debbie snacks. A Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Medium fries is my weakness and used to be my go-to when I didn't want to cook. So I've decided not to get them anymore until I've reached my goal weight and after that, once in a blue moon. Or if I HAVE to have a burger or I'll go crazy, I'll just get a kid's meal instead.
Little Debbie's have been cut out entirely though. Instead we have the Miniature Chocolate or Mini Reese's that I'll eat one of if I HAVE to have it. But with a pound of grapes in my fridge that I don't want to go bad, I haven't touched that chocolate in over a week.
If you could possibly remind yourself just how bad for you this stuff is, perhaps you would crave it less. Do some reading about the "farm factory" beef that McDonald's uses.... or the GMO soy and corn that is in many of their items. Try reading "An Omnivore's Dilemma" to start. I can guarantee you will look at that burger in a whole new light. Great job ditching the HFCS, white flour carbs, and sat fats in the Little Debbies!!
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Interesting surprise when I counted my calories for yesterday; I barely made it over 1,000 calories for the whole day. I don't know what it was, but I just never really felt hungry. And for someone who was easily eating double that last year, it's really different. Even today, after having breakfast and lunch, I'm still at only about 550 calories so far for the day.
Is this normal? I used to be hungry all the time, now I've just been picking at my food. I don't feel hungry, so I don't want to make myself eat. But at the same time, I can't help but think that eating just 1,000 calories for the day is kind of low.
Plus, I feel more tired than I usually do. I do feel better after doing my exercise, but after about an hour, I feel like I need a nap. I do have low Iron, low Vitamin D and slight Anemia (which I take vitamins for) so that may be it. But I'm getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night and this is the best I've felt in years. Maybe it's just my body adjusting?
But in other news, got on the scale Monday and lost 2 more lbs! Now to just keep it off until Friday. I have a coupon for a free week trial at my local gym, so one of my friends and I are going to work out for a while together today. I'm excited!
You are probably filling up on healthier, less calorie dense things like complex carbs, fruits, and veggies. But be sure you are eating at least your minimum calories.... eating less will come back to bite you in the rear!
Watch the carbs if you are feeling tired.... it may be a sugar crash that is happening at the same time every day?? And of course, the low iron doesn't help.
P, you make me laugh out loud!

You absolutely inspire me to be more productive!!!
Don't be too impressed!

If you saw the condition of my kids' rooms at the present, you would be....

But you know what??? At ages 16 1/2 and nearly 14, I am NOT going to continue to be the maid! I will help clean and do the odd bit of picking up here and there, but I'm not doing them any favor by continually doing it for them! I will NOT be living with them in their college dorm room. They need to learn "systems" to maintain a moderate level of neatness that I think is necessary for a less stressful life!
Ok - I just watched "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" on my new Hulu while doing my treadmill!! First off I love Hulu! My new treadmill has to face a wall so no tv watching!! Now I can go back and watch whatever!
The movie was pretty interesting. I thought the transformation of Phil the trucker was just awesome. I actually raised my arms and cheered out loud at the final shot w him running in his yellow shirt and got teary eyed while doing my walk!

dork! I kept thinking in the last 10 min "did he ever fit into that shirt? where's the shirt??"
I watched that movie last year. My first instinct was to run out and buy a $300 juicer!!
But I came to my senses and did some thinking/research. My biggest problem with juicing as a form of extreme weight loss is that you are not learning anything about healthy foods and portion control. Next....I'd far rather EAT my veggies, than drink them....I need a full belly! And of course, I'm not SICK! In fact, I think that I am pretty healthy for a former-fatty who is fast approaching 50!
I DID buy a juicer after a few months. Not the expensive one that he touts on his website, but a much more affordable one. And I make juice nearly every week. It is about 75% veggies and 25% fruit. I try to watch the fruit portion, otherwise the juice is too caloric for my liking.
I learned a good bit about making healthy tasty juice when DH had his jaw wired shut for about 9 weeks in 2010/2011 after his accident. My DSIL brought me her juicer and we started making juices and smoothies for DH while he was still in rehab. The CRAP that the hospital and rehab dieticians expected him to consume were absolutely RIDICULOUS! Pureed mac and cheese (probably made with white flour pasta and cheap, fatty cheese), pureed chicken noodle soup (probably canned, high in sodium, low in anything healthy).... it was CRAZY! First of all, he could not get the texture through the wires.... he spent more time trying to clean the lumpiness out of his mouth than anything else. Second of all, his overweight and not-particularly-healthy body was trying to heal from a HUGE accident. It needed every bit of nutrients it could get! And Ensure and pureed canned soup wasn't going to do it!
For DH, I added as much healthy stuff to the juices (and still keep them palatable) as I could.... liquid vitamins, hemp protein, Max Greens.... but I drew the line at cod liver oil (DSIL's suggestion).... it was just
And I made him fresh juice three or four times a day. Plus I bought single serve bottles of juices and smoothies from Odwalla and Bolthouse Farms for when we were busy or traveling.
DH healed up right on schedule and (added bonus) lots lots of weight! And the good news is that he got on a (reasonably) healthy diet plan and has continued to lose weight! He looks better now than he did the day we were married (as do I, if I may say so).
Anyhow, the juices I make myself now are to increase my vegetable intake and keep things "moving" in the system. I count it as fruit points on WW. I make a large batch every few days and make it last. I normally only have a serving or two a day... usually one with breakfast (or as breakfast, depending on the day) and a smaller one as an afternoon snack.
I stick with some basics but try to change it up every so often. The basics are carrots (even plain carrot juice is yummy, but very high in natural sugars and carbs), celery, cucumber, red bell pepper. I've tried broccoli but it doesn't make much juice for the amount you have to use.... and my juicer doesn't do wheatgrass, kale, or spinach well, so I skip those. Parsnips don't make good juice and neither does cabbage. Beets make pretty juice, but it is VERY strong tasting (a bit like dirt), so I will only add about 1/4 of a large beet to a full pitcher of juice.
For fruits I always use apples... they are cheap and juice well. I have also tried kiwi, grapes, mango (surprisingly little juice), papaya (good for the digestion), grapefruit (tends to make the entire batch a bit tart), melon. Bananas don't juice, but I have put the juice in a blender with a banana to make a smoothie for DS.
Anyhow.... that is my experience with juicing!
Just got a call from my md about my MRI results. I was down for the count last week w/ severe back pain. Bulging discs at L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 w/ some annular fissures or tears in the discs. Nothing I didn;t know I guess. 20+yrs ago I was diagnosed w/ 2 of those 3 bulges but have been ok maintaining 2-3 episodes a year. Over the holiday I really put on some extra pounds and stopped my wlaking so I think that made a difference in bringing on another back pain episode.
I have to admit I've done really well this week and really feel super motivated. I can already tell my jeans are not as tight as they were 2 weeks ago. Eating healthier too I don;t feel as bloated - another big plus!
well I need to get some chores done!
Take everyone and do your best!!!
\
Oh my! What a scary diagnosis for your back! Will it require surgery someday? I'm SURE that taking off weight will help it a lot!!
Hi all. So, I knew it was too good to be true. I thought I would escape the sickness in my house. There was no way DD and DH could be as sick as they were last week and me not get it. SO here it is. I have it the beginnings of a cold. I could not sleep last night. And to top it all off it is TOM! Blech....
so forgive me everyone, but I am just answering the QQOD and then I am going to bed. I will catch up tomorrow.
The answer is Christmas cookies. Peanut Butter Blossoms to be exact. I will eat a double batch all by myself over the course of a couple of days. Luckily, that only happens once a year. I cannot bake them because if I do I will eat them all. I make my mom or sister make them, and then I am only allowed to eat them on Christmas Day. Also, really good craft beer or Belgian beers are a weakness year round on Friday nights. I had to download a beer app on my phone that gives me the calories for every beer you can dream of. That way I can have a good idea of which one I can work in AND I can only have one.
Sorry about the illness swirling through your house. Get better soon!
Just chuckling about the beer app.... there really IS an app for everything!
Wow, I'm just overwhelmed with the responses and support from Team Donald. I really almost cried. My non-existant exercise plan is just that - non-existant. I don't own a treadmill or belong to a gym. I wish that our finances could afford that (the YMCA is five miles from my house). I have heard of the Walk Off the Pounds DVD's that I'm trying to get from the library. They are very popular, so I'm on a waiting list. I know that I can go walk at Wal-Mart and that may be the most realistic option for me. I have a very sit down job (supervisor at the child protective services office). No stairs to climb and very small office.
I have completely cut off any soft drinks (bye-bye Mt. Dew) and it's iced tea (with articifial sweetener) or water with sugar free flavor. I don't get my 64 ounces per day. That is definitely something I can easily remedy. I appreciate all the other healthy eating tips.
I was asked - Why are you eating the cereal dry? Even skim milk would add some protein. It's silly really. I eat breakfast when I get to work. Dry cereal travels easier!

When I eat cereal at home, I use 2% milk. My breakfast is usally the dry cereal or my new find - protien bars! Used some coupons at Kroger and scored them for fifty cents each. Lunch today was a Lean Cusine dinner and pretzels. I'm not sure what is for dinner. Hubby is cooking. It may be a sandwich depending on what I find when I get home!
I know I can do this. I hope the PA can find it in her heart to fill out the form and trust me that I mean it this time. She doesn't know me and oh how I wish my former doctor was still at this practice.
Thanks again for all the support. What a wonderful team to be a part of. Sending love and hugs to everyone.
I'm glad that you took all of our advise and suggestions without offense. As we all have said, feel free to ask for ANY advise!!
W
The train leaves from Lortan VA and goes to Sanford FL. The further out you book the cheaper it is. When I take it - we leave FL at 4 pm, and are in VA at 9:30 am. I purchased 2 roomettes so we could stretch out. So for 4 I paid $692, that price includes the car and roomettes. Without the rooms it was $450.
My Aunt's MIL used to have a transport company bring her car down for her. They would take it about 3 days before she left, when she got down there it would be sitting in her driveway. What she liked is she would pack it with everything she needed - clothes, toiletries, paper products.
So Mom was right. I think that they figure by the time they drive to VA, they are halfway there, so why bother to pay for the Autotrain. We will be looking into a transport company for next year.
Janis
For me it's Goldfish! If I even start eating them I go bananas and end up eating way too much! So I don't even buy them. The other one is red Swedish Fish - they are like gummy bears. Only the red ones - not sure why. My mom was from Sweden and every year my grandmother would bring me some when she would come visit so it reminds me of happy times. Now they sell them here so it's too easily accessible. I can never have just one or two.
I never ate a Swedish Fish in my life until probably last year. Now I hate to say this but I really like them!! They have replaced Twizzlers as my chewy movie candy of choice! Dang those evil little red fish!
I keep forgetting....
Did I ever congratulate everyone who made the Biggest Loser List this week????
Ok, I'm doing it again if I did!
Congratulations to all our Losers this week!
I also loved seeing so many folks participating in Healthy Habits!
I think I am done for the night. I hope everyone has a healthy evening. I did my exercise for the day. 60 minute pool run and 25 minute walk! So day 18 of the 100 day challenge done!
I will be back in the morning with my last QOTD!
I'm so inspired by your 100 days that I am thinking of creating my own 100 day challenge!
MaryPoppins;43780578 said:
Okay ... now for my whining! I have had a really bad day. No exercise today and went over my calories for the day ....
My husband called me at work ... the secretary put him through. (He never calls me at work.

) He got a call from my Dad's PCP telling him that my dad was at a doctor's appointment and had to see an eye doctor that day because of his eye issues. They couldn't find my mom ... since she was at my aunt's surgery that day. And this was after my husband had to take my brother in-law to the hospital who has cancer ... today. (No, I really am not making this up!) He is still out (8:30 PM).... after meeting his sister an hour away to sell their extra car ...(this is the same sister that's husband has cancer). I have had to hold the poster contest for our local musical ... which was scheduled for today, along with getting my two sons ready to leave for CO for the x-mas present tomorrow ... planned since September (my husband has to be up at 4 AM to drive them to the airport). There is way more to this story .... but don't even have the time to elaborate.
I promise I will be better tomorrow Donald friends! .... sigh ....
Oh my heavens above!! Hugs and prayers to you!!
QOTD Wednesday, January 18
Weight watchers and lots of plans say that you can eat anything and lose weight. (Moderation of course!) And for the most part, I think completely depriving yourself of your favorite treats is a recipe for frustration and even a reason many people fall off the wagon.
Having said that, is there a food you need to avoid? One that you just can't have around or you go a little crazy? Do you have treats worked into your healthy living plan or are you avoiding somethings completely right now?
Right now ... I could eat anything in excess. Cake is my real downfall.
Step away from the Twinkies!!
I'm sorry to hear about the PA. My only advice is to be an advocate for yourself. Sit down and figure out how best to accomplish your goals. Come up with an eating plan and a plan to start exercise. My uncle is morbidly obese and he is now walking at Home Depot every night. It's not what you do, just that you are doing. While what the PA said is very harsh, the reality is WHEN you adopt you will want to be in better shape for you child. My children was my personal motivation for starting my weight loss journey. I was over 200 lbs and honestly, I was afraid that my kids would be embarassed to be seen in public with me. Now whether my worries were warranted or not, It got me moving and I lost 60 lbs in 4 mths. It can be done with the motivation that you find deep inside. I would suggest that once you figure it out, you send an email or letter to the PA. That may be just enough to sway her before she finalizes that decision.
Take her word for it! She is beautiful living proof! You would never know she was once overweight!
The kids have had school, but man the parking lots and driveways were glare ice this morning. I almost went **** over teakettle when I stepped off the stairs this morning.
Whoops! I've noticed a lot of the driveways around here are absolute skating rinks! Thankfully DH has been good about taking care of ours (plus it is paved, which is not as common out here in Boondocks-ville) and it is clear for now.
Re countertops: There is a newish product on the market that you can apply to existing countertops to give a marblized finish. The tenant in my Grandmother's house to the very old formica and it looked nice. I'd certainly practice first, but it might be a short time solution.
I have seen that stuff at HD. HOnestly, my counters aren't in bad shape... I'm just tired of the color..... very late 80's/early 90's blue. It makes it hard to decorate around. It is definitely more a vanity thing than a necessity. Thanks for the idea.
whew I am finally all caught up. I tried to get on a few times today but work is just too busy. We are opening our expansion area in 2wks and now is the time to get all the equipment and furniture in. Its a bit hectic.
I have to say my birthday is like my favorite day of the year. I think I will even feel like this when/if I am 90.

The sad part is my day felt pretty ordinary but thanks to all my friends on here and on facebook and real life sending me birthday wishes it made it special.
I ate great today and I allowed myself a treat but counted the calories. I had a chocolate covered oreo.

It was devine and so worth the calories. I even forced myself to go to the gym and run even though I really wanted to curl up on the couch and watch american idol.
My first mini goal I set for myself is just around the corner. I only have a few lbs to go. My first reward is to treat myself to a movie. I just hope something good is out when I meet my goal or that will be disappointing.
Alright friends keep up the good work. Talk to you all soon.
The oreo sounds delish!!
Good Thursday morning. Only one more day until Friday.
Don't have any time this morning. Someone wound up dh and he just stopped talking to me. It is almost time for me to got shower and he hasn't gotten his shower yet. Thanks for messing up the schedule.
Happy Birthday Lindsay. I enjoy my birthday too but at times some people just ignore it. Sort of like my anniversary. My entire family ignored my 30th anniversary except my twin sister.
Today should be better than yesterday. I had school then 2 meetings to go to, then a retirement workshop to go and then a meeting at the local high school. I got home at 8 and then had to bake some cookies for school today. I just have yoga tonight.
Have a happy and healthy day everyone.
Yup.... Friday is nearly here! Has it been a long week Dona? I figure it has been if you are counting down til Friday!

Relax at yoga tonight.
Good morning! Has anyone noticed that Disboards has been very slow the last couple of days?
Here is the QOTD.
QOTD Thursday, January 19
I am giving you a choice today. Pick one or you can do both!
A new team member has just joined the challenge. Other than drink your water
what piece of advice would you give them?
OR
Tell me something good that happened this week!
Have a great Thursday! I should be able to jump on this evening. I am working today and then going to the gym after work. I am up a little bit this week, so I am hoping to be on task today and see at least a maintain tomorrow!
Piece of advise to a newbie: TRACK YOUR FOOD!! EVERY SINGLE SIP, EVERY SINGLE BITE!! Write it before you bite it! Get into the habit IMMEDIATELY.... whether you use Sparkpeople or MyFitnesspal, or some other app or plain old pen and paper (my journal of choice).
I'll share something good too! I cleaned up my scrapbooking area (not that it is ever really bad, but I like organizing it!) and reorganized my "yearly" packets. I keep a manila envelope for each year that I haven't scrapped yet. I throw movie ticket stubs and things like that.... anything that I might want to add to a scrapbook page eventually. Then, when I come to that year in my scrapping, I pull out the envelope to see what I have! Plus I keep the full calendar for every year, for reference, in case I can't remember when something happened or the digital date on a photo is wrong. After I'm done scrapping that year I make a pocket page for the kids' scrapbook to hold any remaining keepsakes that didn't get scrapped and I toss out the calendar. But the file bin I was using had gotten messy and cluttered and disorganized. So I spent two days worth of my scrapping time to fix it up and it is beautiful! I bought a pretty white bin at Target and some white envelopes at Target. Everything went into new envelopes that are neatly dated (in pencil so that I can erase and reuse) and in order with their calendars! Plus I was able to trash some stuff that I don't even know WHY I was keeping!! I went from two mis-matched disorganized, overstuffed bins to one neat pretty organized bin! LOVE IT!!
Okay friends.... the DIS is SO SLOW these days! Glad Rose mentioned it.... I was starting to think it was just me!! I actually gave up on posting replies and hit the TM for my workout because it was taking so long to load. But when I was done on the TM it had finally loaded and I was able to do all of these lovely replies!
I was able to fold a load of laundry and make all three beds before I headed out this morning. Dropped DD off at school early for a last minute AP US History review before her mid-term today and took DS for an orthodontist appointment at 7:45 am. I had him at school and returned home by 8:15. Then I read emails, had breakfast, and tried to do replies here before I got fed up and hit the TM. Laundry is moving along (a load in each machine) and I need a shower.
I will be leaving here at 1:45 today to pick up DS for snowboarding lessons. I'm hoping to organize a scrapping project to bring along.... otherwise I will end up playing 300 games of Boggle on my Ipad!

While DS is snowboarding I will leave the mountain to pick up DD at school at 4pm (she is hoping to get in an after school review with her AP Chemistry teacher) and she and I will return to the mountain. DS should be done by 5:30 and I told them I might splurge on a pizza for them for dinner on the way home. DD isn't swimming this week due to mid-terms, so after we are home I won't have to go out tonight. DH is in MA for work today and won't be home for dinner. So a treat for the kids and I will dice up veggies for a quick stir-fry for myself for later!
Off to the shower! TTYL..........................P