Daily Chat

Happy Sparkversary! Woo Hoo! I am so proud of you, Linda! Fantastic job! And thank you so much! That truly means a lot to me! And you CAN do it girl! and you ARE!! Way to go!!!!

Today makes one year of being on Spark. Good to hear from you Pattie! Glad to hear that you are doing great. New knee three weeks ago so I am still in recovery mode. Up and walking with just a cane (sometimes leaving it behind). Last knee I was still using a walker at this point! You give me hope that I can walk a good distance by next summer.
I have lost 52 pounds April 2012 to now. Still heading the scale down--slowly! Long way from reaching the goal but not bad. This is the smallest I have been in 20 years. Have stayed consistent and although I have had several plateau times I have not gained (more than a situational pound or two).
Pattie you sent me on this journey with your encouraging words last July. I would not have stayed with it without you. You were such a good leader. I'm sure that there are many more of us still 'sparking' and have you to thank.

Happy SparkVersary to everyone this week! If anyone needs anything, please feel free to come to my page or sparkmail me. You all rock! Woo Hoo! Congratulations!!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 7/2/2013 (19:01)

Wow! Congratulations! That is so fantastic! You are an inspiration and you are really rockin it! Thank you so much for sharing this! Yes, we CAN do it! and you have given me renewed inspiration and knowing I can get there. I have hit a snag in dealing with family medical situations right now, but I know I can do, and get back on it. Here's to a Motivating Monday, and congratulations again and way to go! You are totally awesome!!

Hey All,

Haven't posted for the longest time but wanted to check in and say thanks to Spark and everyone else who have taken the time to encourage and support folks here on the site. I reached my goal weight in January and am now working on maintaining. It was quite an emotional morning when I stepped on the scale and my goal number popped up! Got off and on again just to make sure. This is something I've been trying to do for decades and it was hard to believe I had finally gotten there! I honestly believe that what finally made the difference was tracking my food daily along with a husband who is TOTALLY supportive. He's been eating the same meals as I, walking the same miles and enjoying the same awesome results too. I am so grateful that I found Sparkpeople too! I used all the tools available and they helped me reach my goal. I am still using the tracker religiously as well as the recipes, blogs, workouts and forums (like this one). It has just become part of my daily routine to track food and workout times. When I miss a day it really bugs me and now that it's second nature it only takes me 5 minutes to get it all done!

For those of you who continue to work toward your goal, hang in there and keep following that healthy path. I know you can get there because I did! I am not super woman, nor do I have iron will power. I am not special or unique in any way, I just kept plugging away, even when I gained when I felt I should have been losing, I just kept tracking and trying! Stay focused on the good you are doing for yourself, on how healthy you are becoming and how awesome you are for choosing to make those life changes that will keep you healthy for a long, long time!

Hi! Yes! Yahoo to us! We ARE doing it! Woo Hoo! If there is anything you would like on here, just let me know. I aim to please! So proud of you for working it! and this is a healthy lifestyle, and we aren't expected to be perfect, but taking care of us and taking it one day at a time and even one minute at a time! Here's to a wonderful Super Bowl weekend and just call my name...and I'll be there if you need me!

Hi Team

Just wanted to pop in say hi and yahooo to all of us still here!
My diet is better but eat to much food still its a work in progress :) Hope you all doing good!

Happy friday!

Hi There! So nice to see you! Yes, I had a great holiday. Getting much better now, thanks! and feeling a lot more walkable and ready!. Been busy with the Sr. Center, helping with Meals on Wheels, and actually walking again about 2 miles a day! Woo Hoo! Hope you are doing ok with your knee replacement. I am glad the kids are waiting on you. I'm sorry they call you B... Maybe they will turn over a new leaf and take care of YOU! You are awesome!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 1/7/2013 (17:47)

Hey Pattie, Hope your holiday was great. Mine was. Spent time with my two sons. Wish they both lived closer! Hope you are recovered from your accident. I had my knee replaced in Oct. Just started work again last week. Tired but OK. Just can't chase those kids around. Ha! My Junior High Kids were glad to see me back and they wait on me. (for now, I'll be called a B.... in a week or so.Ha!) Take care!

Happy 2013! Woo Hoo!

Thank you so much my friend! That truly means the world to me!

Womanatwork said it for all of us. We love you and are sending you good luck vibes!!! You are a great friend and we all wait and send our wishes for a speedy recovery. Gosh, that was really bad luck!

Thank you my friend! You are so awesome and wonderful and I love you all! You are all amazing!

Thank you so much for letting us know you're OK, Pattie!!! We will miss you SOOOO much while you recuperate, but that's what you need to do! I can't wait to get some more Pattie motivation and love, so do what you must to feel better and heal. YOUR SPARK TEAM LOVES YOU -- YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!

Good morning everyone! Here's to a great Labor Day! Everyday can be a new beginning! Here's to a new day and new way! Woo Hoo! Have a wonderful day!

Thank you so much my friend! That sounds great with your bucket list! You can do it! Woo Hoo! Happy Labor Day! Had a great time with my mom and sisters and brother. Was a blast! Hope you are doing well and taking care of you! Here's to an awesome team! Woo Hoo! You all rock!

Glad to have you back. Hope your visit with family was awesome. The balloons sound fantastic. A ride in a balloon is on my bucket list!!! Happy labor day!

Welcome to a new month of September! Here's to a great month and a great us!

They are having a hot air balloon race nearby us and there are hot air balloons flying everywhere! It is an amazing sight to behold! And then we are going to have fireworks tonight. Hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend! Take care of you! Woo Hoo!

Woo Hoo! Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend and having fun and taking care of you! Had a wonderful time with my family out of town and really enjoyed the time off. Here's to a great rest of the weekend and a great you!

Hi There! Here's to a Woo Hoo! Wednesday and taking care of you! I am going out of town for a few days to help my mother and brother, but should be back sometime over the weekend. I will be checking in and out and I am always here if you need me. Take care and see you soon!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/29/2012 (11:02)

Woo Hoo! Way to go girl, with the wonderful positive affirmations under your signature line! You are awesome! Woo Hoo!

I am so proud of everyone! You are wonderful! I have to go to a meeting this morning, but will be back later. Here's to a Motivating Monday! You all rock!

.

Edited by: WOMANATWORK1 at: 8/26/2012 (22:14)

Wow!!! You go girl! Thank you so much! We can do it! and we are!!!!

Nice work -- you set a great example!!!

Thank you my friend! Woo Hoo! I sure did! Did it a few times, plus did the Polka and walked around, of what my pedometer said for 3 miles! Woo Hoo!

Sounds like great fun, Pattie!!! Hope you stayed in the dance for at least 10 minutes so you could count it as cardio!!!

Here's to a great weekend! Woo Hoo! Went to an early Octoberfest! Had a blast! Roll out the barrel...had a barrel of fun! And here's to the chicken dance! Woo Hoo! www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGcdGNlKifY

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/25/2012 (20:02)

Wow! You go girl! Love it! woo hoo! Yes, I do agree. Some times you can get "under" calories, and your body goes into "starvation" mode. The body tends to get confused, but so do I! The weight WILL come off. Keep on going!

Yes, but you better do what they tell you, or you'll plateau!!! That's where I am now ... I should have listened and eaten the amount of calories they suggested!

Hi all!

Fell off the wagon, but life is settling back into a routine. First day with students today- best compliment was heard under a kid's breath to another student "This sh*t's hard- he expects too much on day one!" I giggled inside.

Anyone else notice that you get more calories every time you change your weight goal? Maybe it's just because I have it spread over a longer period of time. 2700 calories/day seems pretty extreme when you're trying to lose 30 lbs. It's a little frustrating for me.

Hi there! Welcome Back Fallon841! I agree with LDion. We are all here for you and for each other. I understand how scary it can be to post and put yourself out there. But it really does help to have the support of others. I am so proud of you that you did not quit. Your quote is fantastic and so are you! You all are truly ahead of me when I first started last year. I didn't even get a Spark page until about 3 months when I had started. I was so nervous. And then I didn't even blog until about 3 months after that. But there is fantastic support and wonderful resources and we can do this! Here's to a fantastic us! Woo Hoo!

FALLON841---Hello---WELCOME BACK--we are here for you and have all been on that stalled place. I am just chugging along slowly, very slowly knowing that I'm one candy bar away from gaining again so I understand. Like your quote.

Good morning team! I haven't been posting much on the team message boards, but I was just reading about how the people who are more active in the Sparkpeople community tend to have an easier time sticking with their goals, so even though it makes me super nervous, I figured I'd give it a try. It's been about a month and a half, and I keep losing the same 2 lbs over and over again! I guess the real failure would be to just quit, but Thomas Edison once said, "I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward."

Good morning everyone! Thank you so much LDION! That truly means the world to me! And to add an emoticon, just go up where it says "add an emoticon" and they will pop up and you can choose from each section of fitness, etc. And here's the link how to give goodies. You all are a wonderful group and I appreciate all of your hard work and dedication towards being healthy. You all are a true inspiration to me!!! www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivat
io
n_articles.asp?id=1018

www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
ur
nal_individual.asp?blog_id=809771

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/18/2012 (06:52)

Pattie-I agree with Sosiregime that you are doing a wonderful job at this site!!!!! I, Too, enjoy tuning into this team and reading from this positive group. You are a wonderful leader and I appreciate all of the time this must take!!! Thank you Pattie! (I'd add an emoticon but haven't done it correctly yet! Ha!--haven't been successful with goodies yet ether and I have plenty of points!)

RSTADT31---I remember when I started teaching 30+ yrs ago and we just closed the door and enjoyed teaching the kids. No interference, No micromanagement, No workshops where they check to see if you are really using the "strategies" that were taught (at our school we call them the literacy police), Testing was not a political high stake game just a bench mark for instruction, You could choose what to focus on, You could be spontaneous, etc. and ... WE LEFT FEWER CHILDREN BEHIND!!!!!

@SOSIREGIME: Great job -- way to go!!! You deserve to get fit no matter who is looking! I admire you for doing that!

Way to go! You are rockin it!! I am so proud of you! Yes, establishing healthy habits for a lifetime is what it is all about and you are doing it! Way to go!

So far, I've worked out for 2 days since our international students moved in! Yay! I was afraid I'd give in to the temptation to not work out. Oh, they're asleep - what if I wake them? Or I feel shy working out where someone might see me. I'm proud of myself for getting up and getting moving. I'm getting faster on the bike - more calories in the same amount of time - and although the weight loss has slowed down quite a bit, I know that if I stick with it, change will continue to come. It's great to read all your comments at the end of the day or in the middle of the day when work gets me down. Thanks for being here, ya'll.

Yes you can! Congrats on your weight loss! You are doing awesome! Woo Hoo!!

Glad the first day with students went well!

My phrase yesterday still holds true, and it will be my motto so long as I teach: Education is an awesome career when the adults go away. I love working with the kids, but between co-workers and bosses, such a drag usually!

Down another pound. Was aiming to be 255 by this date. Given the extremes of this summer, I'm still happy with 11 pounds gone. Reset the goal. 30 lbs by my half-birthday. Still have 65 to lose, so if I aim at it over the full year, I can definitely get there.

Oh girl! I am so sorry of all that happened to you! You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are doing so wonderful though with everything you are going through. But, please, my friend, please keep an eye on your blood pressure, and if your blood pressure continues to get this high, please see your doctor. Very important. I know mine had been elevated that high, and it did not turn out well. You are a very wonderful person, and I hope and pray it gets better for you.

@RSTADT: I hope you have a better start than I just did. Sounds like there are issues up and down the educational system, huh? I should suggest they all get a Spark page, if for no other reason than to be exposed to some POSITIVE ENERGY so they can stop driving the rest of us to drink!!!

Today started out HORRIBLY!!! I woke up at 3 a.m. on the first day of classes!!! I tried so hard to get back to sleep and stayed in bed til about 430. Then I just got up and started working on the computer. I shot out a quick email to a mentor of mine explaining how the mean guy yesterday really angered me. Then it was about 630 and time to get going. First, I took my BP -- 141/101!!!! NOT GOOD!!!! I could feel the high blood pressure headache building, tried some of my stress reduction techniques, but was FARRRR too worked up to concentrate or relax. Got to work and immediately, things started getting better. My colleagues gathered around and stood beside me, trying to help me cope with yesterday's insults and rudeness toward me. I did feel better immediately! I had printed out the De-stress in 3 minutes sheet and pinned it on my office wall where I could see it and concentrate every day. I got a lot of work done and then off to my first class. It was AWESOME and I felt GREAT! Then, miracle of miracles, my Chair actually came and sat down and for the first time in 7 YEARS, I felt like he actually HEARD me and was LISTENING to me instead of competing with me or trying to argue me down. This is one of those cases where there were no two sides -- I was right and he was wrong. Period. So I felt awesome being heard. Immediately, it softened me towards him. Then another colleague came by and we had a great brainstorming meeting and came up with a stellar idea. I came home, my DH had cooked spaghetti and drawn me a hot bubble bath. I stayed in the tub for 3 hours!!! I couldn't be more relaxed right now. It ends up being a great day.

WomanatWork- glad to hear you got a celebration day. Had our opening institute day today, and unlike your school president, our superintendent was his normal abrasive asinine self.

Went out for lunch today as well, gotta find some healthy alternatives in these traditional mexican restaurants! I keep losing 1k calories in a single meal. With the community I work in, these restaurants are a fixture and so yummy. Just gotta find that healthy ordering item.

Wow! That is so awesome! You are very wonderful doing that! Way to go! Here's a link that I hope will be helpful! You can do it!! www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutriti
on
_articles.asp?id=511&page=2

We're about to have two exchange students in our home for the next 3 months. They arrive today. I am very excited and very anxious. And very determined to keep working out and eating right. This may be hard - Southern hospitality and all. I'll definitely be looking up some healthy recipes.

Oh I am so happy for you! Congratulations! Woo Hoo! And this is a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes exciting and wonderful things happen, and we get excited and have fun and that's ok. You are still the awesome, wonderful person that you are, and tomorrow is a new day. And you paid attention, and you actually got the calorie count. I think that is amazing. Way to go! Woo Hoo! Here's to you and your husband and new beginnings! We can do it! Woo Hoo!

Well, the great news is my husband, who's been unemployed/underemployed for 3 years, got two job offers today and another second interview! Wooohoooooooo!!!

SOOOOOOO, I decided to surprise him with a little "celebration" by buying chocolate cake with chocolate icing and champagne (the cheap versions!)

Well, the not-so-great-news is that I then proceeded to drink the champagne and eat a piece of cake. The precursor to the story is that he called me at work, before lunch, and since today was the first day back at the college, my colleagues and I traditionally go out to lunch... well ... we ate at a local restaurant, they didn't have a calorie count on the menu (or an available one when I asked) and I went ahead and had 630 calories in my meal!!!

That plus the cake and the booze ... well, I can say it was worth it, but I definitely have to consider what happens when I feel the need to celebrate. I don't need to have another 2300 calorie day!!! But on the flip side, I did have to wake up unusually early this morning, and I did so. I also did about 15 minutes of stretching and strength. I had actually prepacked my meals for breakfast and lunch on Sunday night ... but I guess I just didn't want to resist. The other good news is that our college president did not act as much a fool or insult us too badly during his annual speech. I was ready for him though -- my Stress Busters techniques were fully employed!

Anyways, I just wanted to share what happened today. I'm ok. I made a choice and I have to live with the consequences.

Hope everyone is having a good week. I have been extremely busy with some extra work commitments and family. But I am here if anyone needs me. You all rock! Woo Hoo!

Woo Hoo! I am so proud of everyone with a total weight loss of 340 pounds lost for the team! That is incredible! And we may not always show it on the scale. There is our clothes, and how they feel, it is how we feel health wise. There are many ways getting healthy is shown besides the scale. It is definitely worth to continue the journey for our good health! Woo Hoo! Way to go Team!!

Look at you girl! Way to go!

Hello everyone! Glad to hear good things from each of you!

I'm excited that I have had over 60 min of cardio the last two days! I did a couple of strength exercises today afterward and got in some stretching.

Keep up the great work everyone!

Great job on the walking and painting! That is awesome! Woo Hoo!

And, LDION, here is a link to one part of the message boards. You have to scroll down, but there are some good suggestions here. I hope that helps. www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/messageb
oa
rd.asp?imboard=7&imparent=28464333

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/11/2012 (16:37)

Trying to take advantage of the nice weather. Yesterday walked for 60 minutes (home from the auto shop and back later when the car was ready) and painted the doors to my shed. Today got another coat of paint on and will be working out shortly.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend!

Sosieregime- I posted the question on the message board but haven't found where it ended up. I'll let you know when I find it. LOL (so far it is a no exercise day!!)

I hope the links helped. I am here for you all. I am very proud of all the wonderful progress you have made. You all are so awesome. There will be bumps on the road, but with support, we CAN do this. Here's to a Super Saturday!

I'm glad you asked this. I had the same question.

I have different feelings about changing the calorie and activity chart and eating more. It can really vary, and I don't want to give you a "wrong" answer. I would take this question to the message boards, with the dietician. It will be in the help section of the boards. Someone will get back with you within a few hours. Let me know. I will find the link for you. I will also try to find another link. I hope they can give you some help. I definitely know how frustrating it is. www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/messageb
oa
rd_topics.asp?imboard=7

And I found this link from the boards that might help.

www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/messageb
oa
rd.asp?imboard=3&imparent=27635341

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/10/2012 (22:13)

Pattie. I have a question. Yesterday I finally updated my activity level with the calories/week using the average of the totals from the calorie/activity chart from July. You know from my complaining that I haven't lost much. The recommended range shot up (oh dear can I eat this much?) Should my calories be a direct relation day by day rate from how much I exercise or more general. For instance I did not exercise Sunday, should I eat less, but today I had my weight/aerobics class, worked out more in the weight room before leaving the gym, used my stationary bike 20 minutes, scraped the front porch (more spindles! Ugh!), and did heavy gardening--should I eat more or is it an average that should stay the same?

Sorry about the stress RSTADT. Hope things get better. You are doing wonderful! Hang in there!

And, also, Hi WOMANATWORK! Sometimes we can start out so well, and then are body sort of gets in a "comfort zone," or so I've been told. You are doing great, hang in there too my friend! Here is an article that might help you both. I hope it helps. Let me know.


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutriti
on
_articles.asp?id=1660

After 6 weeks of doing so well, I'm suddenly feeling VERY hungry! I want a piece of German Chocolate Cake SOOOO BADLY! (I don't actually have any, thank goodness!)

Does this mean my exercise has finally caught up with me and I need to slow it down, or that I need to eat more substantially? Or is this just how it's going to be for the rest of my journey? If that's the case, I'd better get ready to fight these temptations! What's the deal????

Strike vote Tuesday, settled on Wednesday, partied Wednesday night, car shopped Thursday, took truck to repair shop this morning and weighed in.

Up 4 lbs.

Given the stress and lack of workouts, I get it. Even with partying I was pretty close on my calories, but what I didn't do was get 3 small meals and a snack. Been getting two big meals and a medium snack. Body went right back to being a calorie hoarder.

Got a 30 minute walk back from the auto shop this morning, now off to work in the yard. Still have weights and yoga to do tonight. Still pushing for 255 by the 20th.

It's been a pretty busy time but having a ball! Here's wishing you all a wonderful Friday and weekend! I am in and out, but I will be here if anyone needs me. Just call my name....and I'll be there! Woo Hoo! We can do it! and ARE!! Yay team!

Here's to love, laughter, and being a little wild and fun!! Woo Hoo! And here's to a Woo Hoo! Wednesday!

Oh my goodness girl! I am glad you are ok! Wow! Those are some awesome fitness minutes. I would think they would be in the running category! I love to hear about your adventures. You are awesome! I seriously am glad you are ok.

Not going to add this to my fitness list but discovered that I can still move fast!!!!!!! Last night I was reading from the message board in the office and caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. It was a BAT! It circled the room and I screamed and ran. Hubby jumped the the rescue but didn't find it until I was in the kitchen (picking over b berries again) and it circled the living room. Again I ran and screamed. As he ran around with the broom I was ducking and running to the bedroom. He left the door open and it flew outdoors. Exercise for the night!! Is that on the tracker??? LOL Linda

Yay for the blueberries!! I would love to have some! Woo Hoo!

Hope all goes well with the negotiations and today is a good and Terrific Tuesday! Here's to keeping with our goals and knowing we CAN do it! We are sooooo worth it!

It's been a long time since we did the picket thing here. Good luck on that.
moxyrap-You got me thinking. I have to be re-certified this year. Got my folder out of my desk and brought it home today to check credits. May have to take a class too. Five years is a long time to remember what I have done. LOL I have company coming the middle of September! My son is getting married and my sisters are coming from NH, Florida, Virg. Wyo. and Oklahoma! full house and entertaining for a few days to a week. Probably should start cleaning!
Pattie-Blueberries are harvested and the pie is gone. Another year down.

Off to workout here. Ready for the stress of contract negotiations to be over. Voting to strike tomorrow, then bargaining on Wednesday, and possibly picketing Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday.

This will wrap up just in time for the stress of starting school to kick in. Nothing like a hard workout to drop that stress away though. Time to hit the weights and the bike!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/6/2012 (08:16)

LDION, Thank you for letting me know about the SPED group on SP! I will look into that. I appreciate your support. I am going into my classroom tomorrow. I'm trying to take returning bit by bit, rather than stressing about it all, which I tend to do. I have set three specific tasks for tomorrow. The challenge will be not going beyond that. Like you say, just taking in the room and getting settled in is important.

I'm also trying to keep myself from getting stressed about a guest that is coming. I'm keeping myself from getting overly stressed about the condition of the house.

Enjoy a wonderful week everyone! Thanks again for your support and ideas!

Hi Moxyrap, did you know there is a special education teacher's group on sparks? Took me three weeks to notice it. I was good to read that everyone is dreading the start of the school year. I went it to my classroom on Friday evening and just sat. Felt like I never left. Good luck with taking classes and working. I found that to be hard but it is over in a blink! Be thinking of you. Linda

Thank you for your great ideas RSTADT! They are really awesome!! Woo Hoo! Hope everyone has a Super Sunday, and know that you are not alone. We ARE in this together!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/5/2012 (08:46)

Woo Hoo! I am so glad!!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/4/2012 (19:44)

Thank you both for your support and great ideas! Patti, I will look at the links you provided. RSTADT, you make a good point that preparing meals for dinner as well as lunch is a good plan. I already purchased a recumbant bike to ride while I watch TV, that's been working well. I also am considering taking part in the exercise classes that are provided for employees by the district for a small fee.

Feeling better already! Thanks again!

Moxy, as a fellow teacher- I'm sharing your dread about the start of school. I think the key will be pre-cooking some meals and freezing them for both lunch and dinner, and also to find a way to do fitness in front of the tv. I'm already thinking about how to work it in- and I'm also planning on using the school's weight room some afterschool.

I am so excited for you! You are doing it! Fantastic job! Woo Hoo! One thing that really helps me at night is to have several different packs and flavors of sugar free gum in the living room or anywhere where you may need it. It really helps take the edge off. They have a sugar free sherbet gum that is wonderful. And maybe herbal tea, like chamomile tea might help. Also, you might try having some breakfast or something in the morning to get your metabolism started. I have found now that I eat breakfast, I don't want to eat so much at night. I found a few articles that might help. We are rooting for you! You can do it!


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellnes
s_
articles.asp?id=1396

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutriti
on
_articles.asp?id=305

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutriti
on
_articles.asp?id=407

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 8/4/2012 (07:11)

Still doing well with my progress. My challenges have been drinking enough water, not eating for several hours after getting up and getting enough calories each day. Considering that I used to eat 3-5 thousand calories a day, including things like a whole box of crackers, it is a good problem to have. I have been doing my best to get enough protein and eat at least the minimum amount of calories. I am also building up to working out more consistently. I've been doing pretty well with Cardio, but would like to do more strength training. I've also been getting other parts of my life organize and cleaned up. That feels good.

My dread is returning to work full time and school full time. I am a new special education teacher and the stress was pretty intense last year. Lots of sitting mindlessly in front of the TV and chowing on mindless food. It was the only thing I could do to still my ever whirring brain. I am concerned about starting back again next week. I've been committing a lot of time to SP each day and plan on keeping on track and working to keep myself from getting overwhelmed with stress, assignments and work responsibilities.

I need to get through this semester and I will graduate with my degree in December. I'm very excited! One last push! I can do it!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

LDion- very nice! When doctors notice, you know you're doing it right.

Weighed in this morning. On a two week plateau. I know I haven't been very active this past week, so I know I can break this still. 2 weeks to drop 7lbs to make my goal.

Wow! You go girl! You are doing so fabulous! Way to go! So proud of you!! Bet he loved the pie! You rock! Happy Friday!

Went to my orthopedic doc. today and he noted right away that I had lost weight! Said I looked healthier. Brought him a blueberry pie too but I don't think he was just buttering me up for another pie, LOL. Still haven't had a piece of pie but may tonight. I shopped all day (lots of walking and still alive) and my calorie count is still 200 below the low goal. I stayed away from Micky D's and snacked on grapes I brought. Tonight's goal is to hit the hot tub and soak the sore knees.

Here's to a great new month and new beginnings! We can do it!!

Great job! You really are doing awesome and the scale will reflect that soon. It is a huge victory when people notice.

Had meetings with teachers I haven't seen since May. Nice that they are noticing the weight loss and body change, even though it's hard to see in the mirror daily or on the scale weekly. Nice boost to the motivation just as it was flagging.

Then see my blog post for today's victory.

Yes! The summer sure has been going fast!! I hope you have a Motivating Monday!

Good morning, just wanted to wish everyone a happy cusp week! August is almost here, and I'm wondering where my summer went!

Here's to a Super Sunday and support and learning new things!

Oh my goodness! That sounds so good! Thank you so much!

Miss the morning mocha?

Brew your coffee, add 1 tbsp of half and half to 2 cups of coffee, mix in 1 packet of chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast.

Get the sweetness of your mocha with some protein and lots of vitamins/minerals.

Hope everyone has a Super Saturday and weekend!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 7/28/2012 (00:23)

Woo Hoo! It says to play the Olympics work out game I posted on the challenge thread. hee hee You go girl! I am glad you are enjoying your awesome treat. I think you are awesome!

Way to go Moxyrap on your cardio and strength training! Woo Hoo! We can do it!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 7/27/2012 (20:45)

What does it say when you sit at the TV watching the Olympics and eating a Hersey bar!!? First for the summer but feeling guilt! Awesome treat though!

Feeling good on Friday! I already got an hour of cardio in and a good core strength training session in!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! You rock!

Good morning! Woo Hoo! Way to go Moelife2live! Awesome! Yes, here's to an amazing Friday to an amazing Team!! We have lost almost a total of 200 pounds on the team so far!! Woo Hoo!! And remember, everyone progresses differently, and whatever anyone needs, or needs help in any way, please feel free to come to the team. There is so much support, and I am so proud of everyone! Woo Hoo! Here's to a Wonderful Friday and weekend! We CAN do it And we ARE!!!

Edited by: PATTIE441 at: 7/27/2012 (09:54)

Good Morning to all of my wonderful new friends and support group. Today WILL be an amazing day for all of us. Keep your chin high and your souls pure and the rest will come. My best to all of you today. Hugs and Kisses