Hi Guys, Have you ever felt that you are on a roller coaster that is out of control and it just won't stop so you can get off? Whew! That's the way it is around here lately. I'm not giving up, even though my number is not good this week. Right now I would be happy to not gain. My DD, some Ladies from church, and I were out of town over the weekend for a Ladies Conference. Great conference, but so fast paced and tightly scheduled (not including the pouring rain) that we didn't have many good choices for meals. Still haven't squeezed in any treadmill time. MISS IT, too. I'm spending MANY days taking DH's aunt from doctor to doctor. Hopefully I can burn a few calories trying to tidy my yard and garden for fall today. Happy Fall, Y'all!! I'm into setting pretty tablescapes. The last one I did was a beach one that my grandson helped me do on our dining roon table. Since we don't always eat there I have left it there so I could admire it and enjoy the pretty beach colors we used. I finally made myself take it up yesterday and dragged out the stuff for the Halloween table that is pure kid stuff. They will love it and enjoy eating there, but I miss my beach dreaming already!! I usually leave the table done for a month at a time. If we use the table, I will reset it as I dry the dishes. It is fun and keeps this feeble mind entertained! I usually hang out on the Christmas and Holiday forum and they got me started with this dish fun! OK, enough stalling, I gained a pound! DRATS! Love Y'all. Gotta run. Have a great day. And, BTW, Great Job on hitting those 190's Harold!! Party Time!! Betty

Good Morning, Harold, you've been doing such a great job of steadily losing for so many months. This is just a little blimp on the screen. Next week you will slay us with a 2 pound (or more) loss. :) Iva, How ya doing? I was pleased this morning when I weighed. Not because I had lost any weight, but because I didn't gain any. I went to a wedding Saturday and ate a LOT of shrimp and fruit. Onions and/or garlic were in everything else and I'm allergic, so I chowed down on the shrimp! Then I had a much later than usual dinner last night with potatoes and corn, 2 high carb veggies. This morning I weighed and haven't gained any weight. I'm thankful!! There were pictures taken of me Saturday night, but I had on pants with pleats in the front and I looked LARGE!! So, I won't be posting any of them! DH told me last night that he really doesn't want me to lose any more weight. That he really likes me this size. I am still at least 12 pounds above the highest weight on the chart that I'm supposed to be. AND, I am not happy with myself at this weight. Even though I seem to be stuck at this weight right now, I DO NOT want to stay here. Also, I'm very careful about what I eat because of being allergic, but I had another allergic reaction last night. The ONLY things I ate were part of an apple that DGS started eating and didn't finish (before dinner), baked pork chop and potatoes, corn, peas, and one TINY bite of a coenbread muffin w/ butter. I'm stumped! Anyhoo, Good Luck this week, everyone. As the gang on Bob the Builder says, "Can we do it? YES, WE CAN!!!" I know, I know, But I have grandkids! Do you really think I get to watch grownup stuff? :) LOL Betty

'Tis the season for computer crashes, it seems. Harold, congratulations again. You're a weight-loss machine. Ivamae, you're doing well too. I'll update your numbers. I was 139 last weigh-in. Then over the course of the week, I did get back down to 137.5, but it didn't stick. My official weigh-in for this week is 138.5. Not thrilled, but even small improvements are OK. I have gotten my food journal back out and I'm writing down everything that I eat again. I had stopped doing that, and when I did, I think I let myself get larger portions or nibble a little more and that has stalled me out. I have also put up a chart on the fridge for all the world to see. Each day for the next 2 months has its own little box. Every morning, I write that day's weight in the box (again, for all the world to see). At the end of the day, if I've done well (not eaten anything I shouldn't have AND kept my calories below 1300), then I get to color that day's box purple. If I cheat, then the box has to stay white. The idea is to generate a field of purple, not a checkerboard. I think the visual challenge, posted on the fridge, will help to motivate me, and the visual of each failure will help me stay real about whether my diet is really working for me, or if I'm not working for it. Jasmi, now that you've identified what you did last week, I'm sure you'll turn your ship around too. But as little as you are now, it may take a long time to continue to drop pounds. You don't have far to go! Don't give up. I'll bet you look great already.

Goodmorning, I'm slowly getting over the flu. Never been so sick in my entire life. Still have gunk I can't get out of my lungs. One of my right ribs is so tender, I swear it is cracked from coughing. My appetite is back, but not as strong yet. I was craving some chocolate ice cream last night and fixed myself a big bowl.(I know, I know) I Couldn't eat but about half. It just isn't as good as it used to be. That's a good thing! Harold, I bought a pedometer week before last just before the flu hit and I haven't taken it out of the package yet. Any tips you want to pass along? Silver, Did you cook any good "diet friendly" foods? If so, please share the recipes. My weight for this week is 153. Lost a pound. Might have been more if I had left the ice cream alone! Have a great week everyone, Betty