20 to go!! I need some saucy, supportive, soul-sisters!!

I'd like to start an intimate group with people who have a GREAT sense of humor, can be honest without being snide, don't mind divulging their ups and downs, and have some inspiring words of wisdom and support to share.  I am looking for a few online accountablility pals to help me get over this last 20 pound hump!!  I have lost 38 pounds.  I know I am going to make it, it's just nice having some "slimming sisters" who have "been there" and are "going through that" to share the journey with.  What do you say...are you up for the challenge??? 

I guess that's why you're the Queen.  I almost forgot to capitalize the Q.  I will make a note of that chicken pot pie recipe and have that some time in the next day or so.  I'm working on leftovers in the fridge now.  Waste not, and all that BS. 

Happy day to all.  ~Tonnie

HOT DIGITY DOG!!!!  I hopped on the scale this morning to see 175.0 on the button!!!  I am officially at my wedding day weight!!!  (Although it's definitely proportioned differently!!!)  I am the lightest I've been in 13.5 years!!!  AND I am officially down 41 pounds!!!!  This is a record for me!!!  Is it possible to hit my ORIGINAL goal of 160 by my birthday on January 13th?????  Can I drop 15 pounds in 11.3 weeks???

Congrats on the loss Queenie!  I think it's entirely possible to make your birthday loss goal a reality!  Maybe even more!  I'll be right there with you, then I can celebrate your birthday (sans cake) too!  Thanks for the good fats suggestions.  I knew most of them, but had forgotten.  Sometimes it takes a good swift kick in the **** to remind me that I have a world of dieting experience and knowledge to draw from.  I just need to remember to extract that information and put it to use.  Speaking of wedding weights, I weigh 20 lbs less than I did for my last wedding.  I tried on the dress (sack) that I wore that used to fit just right and now it merely hangs like a wet paper bag.  That's a good thing.  I haven't done any stats, so here goes.

SW:  190

CW:  157.6

GW:  130'ish

Height:  5' 6"  (really only 5' 5.5", but I claim the extra half inch because I can.

DOB:  8/3/59 (that's what my Mom says, but I feel like it should say 1969).

Attitude today:  Great!  New day.  I woke up alive, and that's always helpful.  I also realized that I weight 9.4 lbs LESS than my DL says.  Used to be the other way around and then some!  Yikes, who was I trying to fool?

Congrats on the 175!  That is an awesome feeling.  I'm looking to see that number myself pretty soon...today I was 0.8 lb up though.  No good reason for it...but since then and through the day I have been feeling lousy.  I think I have the stomach flu coming on.  My body probably realized something was up before I did.  Yuck...now I have to get in at least 200 more calories and keep it down this evening.  I guess its peanut butter tablespoon time...geesh.

Cinfuldiva~Congrats on the weight loss. It must be awesome to have seen that scale hit 175 (especially considering the fact that its been over a decade)! 

ALL~Keep up the GREAT work ladies.....We Can Do It!!! Wish me luck....I am out of town and this is when I usually tend to get tempted!!!

Tonnie ~ Thanks!!  We ALL need a swift kick in the pants from time to time.  So 20  pounds LESS than your LAST wedding??!!??  You go, girl!!  Now I feel compelled to ask...how many weddings have you had?  (Did you ever see that movie "Black Widow?")  Be careful, 130 sounds awfully thin for a 5'6" frame.  (Even without that extra 1/2 inch!!)  Keep up the good work and great attitude!!

Saintlymama ~ Thanks!!  Oh, I hope you're feeling better!!  Maybe you'll luck out and it will be a 24 hour thing.  Don't worry about that .8 up thing, we can all vary within a pound or so on any given day.  Be well, friend!

Yvarner ~ Thanks!!  (A decade lost in this fat, flabby body!!  What was I thinking???)  STAY STRONG!!!  Make good choices!!  You know the drill...baked and broiled chicken and fish, lots of salad with LIGHT dressing, steamed veggies...come on, girlie!!  Make it work for you!!  If you MUST have dessert, take a couple of bites and savor the flavor without devouring the whole thing!!  Good luck!!

Well, I am almost afraid to announce it, but here goes...we went out to lunch yesterday where I ate sweet potato CHIPS (that's right...FRIED!!) and a Costa Rican STEAK Wrap with a spicy, creamy DRESSING at "Cheeseburger in Paradise," THEN I ate some SALTY (but LIGHT) kettle popcorn while we watched a movie at home, and THEN I ate a small bowl of light ICE CREAM before bed!!!!  Well, I got on the scale today at it read "174.4!!!!!!!"  I jumped off and on it 4 times to see if it was recording correctly!!!  HOT DAMN!!!!   

Yes, LAST wedding.  I've been married three times.  I've told myself "you're out baby".   Actually, I'm still married.  I wonder where he is?  I really don't know and honestly don't care.  I haven't seen him since April of 2003 when I told him to hit the road, Jack (not his real name) but it works better in the song.  Jack was this wanna be man-boy that never grew up.  Expected me to earn the cash, and when he did get a job, would lose it within 6 months.  He had to have set records for the numbers of jobs that he held.  He had a big stupid mouth that would utter the most insane things (so unbelieveable that people would question my sanity for marrying him).  I questioned it too.  He had  champaign tastes on a Mad Dog 20/20 income.  He put $1,200 worth of tires and rims on a piece of crap Ford pick-up (I haven't even mentioned the $1,000.00 stereo), and on, and on............

I don't know if 130 will be a good weight for me or not.  I seemed to have skipped that weight bracket when I was in the 8th grade.  I woke up one morning in Junior High weighing 175 lbs, last seeing 116 on the scale.   It's one of those things that "if I'd of known then what I know now".  

Back to the 130 weight.  A couple of weeks ago I was looking on Prevention magazines website and used there BMI/weight calculator.  I forget the BMI numbers right now, but it was correct according to all the other BMI calculators, CC included.  I'm "slightly" (lovely word ) overweight now.  When I first started CC I was OBESE!!! Gack!  That was at 190 lbs.  Prevention's weight range said I should weigh between 114 - 154 lbs.  What the hell?.....Either I'm within a couple of pounds of hitting the high end, or I've got a long ways to go.  I think I'd look anorexic at 114 lbs, so I'm not going there.  I'm going to aim for the 130 +/-  range.   It's my party, and I haven't invited all the numbers yet to attend yet.  Speaking of partys, you still on for that 15 lb loss by your birthday? 

Eclectically and sassily reporting to you, the Queen.  ~Tonnie, humble servant and seeker of all that will make my world happy and healthy.  I almost forgot; click on my icon.  Click again to see my gift I made for my daughter and son-in-law for their 3rd anniversary.  I admit it, I'm a quilting geek. 

Sorry to hear about your 3rd DH.  (Most days when I use "DH" I mean Darling Husband, but other days it means "Richard Cranium," but in different terms. -You know, nickname for Richard and another word for Cranium.- Yours would be the latter.)  

130 does NOT sound healthy for you.  Yeah, after losing 42 pounds, I am JUST now considered slightly overweight!  What an insult!!  I am shooting for 160 by January 13th!!!  With Thanksgiving and Christmas in between there, it will be a challenge, be anythings possible!!

I LOVE your quilt!!  It's beautiful!!  I wish you lived next door, I'd have you whip up a couple of "giant" checkerboards for my classroom.  The teacher down the hall had a mother quilt her several 2'X2' checkerboards that are adorable!!  I don't even sew buttons on pants!!

Well, today was my 1st day back and I am TIRED!!!  My tummy is a bit sore, so I'm heading to the couch to flop down for the evening.  Have a good one, oh humble servant and seeker of all that will make your world happy and healthy!!

Your frazzled queen ~ Cinful D 

You have summoned me, my Queen.  I am here.  Sorry (really) I haven't written in 3 days, but I wrote 4 times in two days, so I'm only behind by one post.    I'd love to say that I've just been swamped at work, but I don't have a job.  I'd love to say I had unexpected company (glad that didn't happen), and I'd love to say that I was so busy exercising and housecleaning that I "lost track of time".  That would be a flat out lie.

It took me just a few moments to unravel Richard Cranium's true identity.   Duh!  My roommate is in the same catagory X 2.  That's an entirely 'nother story.  Yesterday I went out and bought a digital food scale!  I couldn't wait to get home and weigh something.  This is my new tool!  I say this with excitement!!  I look at as a tool for weight loss success, not that you can't be successful without it (I've used the spring type for years).  I wanted this for me, just for me.  I had a couple extra (29) bucks so before I changed my mind, I bought it.  I also bought a bag of Bob's Old Mill Flax seed, because everyone told me I should.  That was part of my investigation into what "good fats" were.  When I got home I checked the calories on this bad boy bag of flax, yikes!  We won't be spooning that over our pancakes, but we will be mixing in 1 tablespoon at a time into my food, ie, yogurt, oatmeal, Mock Jamoca shakes.  Three tablespoons of Flax Seed = 160 calories.  Okay, now I've got to make some room for those extra calories, since I already have no problem using up my 1200 +/- a day.  What do I sacrifice?  My oatmeal in the morning--I think not.  How about my snacks (sugar-free pudding, apples, baby carrots-hell no!)  Do I up my calories like it was suggested?  Hmm.  There was someone that posted a thread about BMR's.  Well, what's a BMR?  It is a formula using your height, weight, age and activity level that tells you how many calories you should be eating each day.  So I do the math (or rather I punch in the numbers) and it tells me that I should eat 1417 calories for efficient weight loss.  Hmm.   According to this new insight, I have put my poor, tired old(er) body into starvation mode. There  is the extra calories I needed for the added flax!!  Today is now day 26 at this mexican standoff with my weight loss.  I AM going to win this game.  I am now armed with new ammo.  My beautiful new digital scale, increased awareness of "good" fats, and an enlightenment of my new calorie goal.  BTW, you should be able to go to Recent Topics and find this information on BMR's.  She has provided a website to click on so you can go immediately there to where the BMR calculator is.  If I remember correctly you'll see something like "what's up with 1200 calories"-sorry, I'm old(er).  I have my CRS moments, and then I can't remember what CRS stands for half the time.  I have not taken to sewing my name in my undies yet.

So, tomorrow is day 1, all over again for me.  New calories, new tools, new friends, new outlook.  This weight is where I have lost control before, spending hundreds of dollars on "Diet Center" , etc.  I've never done Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem, but I have used Weight Watchers (off and on since I was 16).  I'd get within that elusive 20 lb goal and blow it all because of a half dozen maple bars, or a whole bag of Doritos.  What's the use???  I'm no good.  I'm a failure.  NOT THIS TIME, LADIES!  I have learned to recognize that "stinkin' thinkin' attitude I had about myself.  And Valerie Bertinelli and Marie Osmond can kiss my aspartamine.  I'd be more apt to lose weight too if I had signed a money contract. 

I bought a new "to me" shirt yesterday.  I shop at a thrift store called "The Opportunity Center"--way better than Goodwill, price wise.  I actually bought 2 shirts.  One was a Men's large, which I will cut up and use in a wall hanging or quilt, after I wear it a couple of times.  Basically I bought that one for the fabric to sew with.  There's a lot of fabric in a Men's shirt, especially if it's a 2X.  Yes, I am a Martha Stewart and McGyver combined.  Martha and I share the same birthday!  I sent her a birthday email card while she was in prison.  She didn't acknowledge it.  :>(  .  I didn't lose sleep.  The second shirt was a size 12.  A SIZE TWELVE!!  And it fits!  I'll wear it when I go shopping next week, and take a picture.  I went from wearing a girl's size 16 in the 7th grade right into a ladies size 16 and higher.  A SIZE TWELVE is unbelieveable for me.  Did I mention it was a SIZE TWELVE?   Pardon me, my enthusiasm is leaking out all over, or maybe the cat peed on me. 

That's all I have to say for the night.  I hope everyone is eating well.  Check out those BMR numbers.  Maybe you're stuck with that last 20 lbs because you're not eating enough.  I've tried everything, and I've got nothing to lose (except maybe some lbs), so I'm there.  Drink your water damnit! 

Queenie, this thread makes my world rock!  ~Tonnie

Tonnie~I am so excited about your new found enthusiasm regarding weight loss. I KNOW you will do it this time around! I have a food scale too (and I loved it when I first got it), but I hardly ever use it! Congrats on fitting into that size 12!!!

As for me~ I did not lose a single pound this week. Nope, not 1!!! I hate to make excuses but that trip to Atlanta really set me back. I didnt eat horrible but I didnt eat that great either. And to make matters worse I drank the whole weekend (what do you expect I was with my old drinking buddies). Then when I got back in town I was dreadfully sick for two days (i.e. two days of no working-out), plus a diet high in sodium (light soup and crackers), plus a lot of sugar (O.J.). But I started feeling better Wednesday so I went back in the gym, but could not manage to make up almost five days of not working-out (trip and down-time) in a mere TWO!?!? So needless to say, I didnt loose any weight this week. I got on the scale this morning and that bad boy still said 159. Oh well, better luck next week. I'm not too distraught though because I have been doing pretty well thus far. LET'S KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK LADIES AND SHOW OURSELVES THAT WE CAN DO IT!!!

I haven't really had a chance to use my new food scale.  My roommate is so careless around kitchen stuff (knives, non-stick pans) and I don't want to leave it laying around for him to monkey with.  He goes back to work today from two days off,  which is such a relief for me.  I rely on frozen meals, either premade ones or pre packaged when he's off from work because he is just here and makes me uncomfortable just being around 24/7 for two straight days.  He leaves in just about an hour to go back to work, so I'll get a chance to play with it then.

I know about the drinking buddies.  Wish I had some right about now.  Probably a good thing I don't!   I think you did well if your scale remained the same after your trip!  Or did I misunderstand the 159 pound to mean that you were up in weight from your trip, and after being sick, were still at that weight?  I think most people would be grateful for only a pound or two gain in the situation.  I know I would!

I'll be glad when Halloween is over.  Since the roommate is going back to work, that leaves me alone to deal with the little goblins.  I was going to be perfectly happy with closing all the drapes and dousing the lights to make it appear that no one was home.  Drats; last night he produced 2 bags of candy.  Nestle's Crackle bars and Reeses Peanut butter cups, and asked me if I'd take pictures of the ghouls that come to the door.  So much for my plans.  I will  not eat any candy.  Easier said than done, right?  I backed my attitude up and decided that I wasn't going to be the Halloween Grinch and I will great these kids with a smile and a look of horror or laughter depending on their costumes.  I'm just going to have to pretend that these could be my grandchildren coming to my door, just trying to participate in a tradition like the rest of the world without some mean, old, bitchy person to spoil their delight.  It's only once a year, and it will be over tomorrow.  I will give a full and honest report tomorrow of the outcome for this evening.

Speaking of mean, old and bitch, where is the Queen today?  ~Tonnie

Original Post by cinfuldiva:

I'd like to start an intimate group with people who have a GREAT sense of humor, can be honest without being snide, don't mind divulging their ups and downs, and have some inspiring words of wisdom and support to share.  I am looking for a few online accountablility pals to help me get over this last 20 pound hump!!  I have lost 38 pounds.  I know I am going to make it, it's just nice having some "slimming sisters" who have "been there" and are "going through that" to share the journey with.  What do you say...are you up for the challenge??? 

I'll Join!

I'm 23, 5'2.  My starting weight in March of 08 was 168.  My current weight is 138 (i've lost 30 pounds!), and my goal weight is 120.  I am on my last 18 pounds.  Although these will be the most difficult ones to lose, they will also be the most rewarding. 

My goal is to be down to about 125-126 by Christmas and then down to 120 be the end of January.

I hope we can help eachother!

Hi ambercorrea!  Just keep checking back to this thread.  One of these days our fearless leader will figure out how to make us a group!  I don't know if whining to her will help, but I'm going to try it.  Your weight loss is fantastic!  I'm one of the wordier ones, but I try to keep it lively and if it's not were all in our corners pouting (or bitching) about how hard these last 20 or so pounds are to lose.  Hopefully you've got some interesting things to tell about yourself.  ~Tonnie

LOOK OUT LADIES!!! HERE'S THE MEAN, OLD, BITCH!!!    Hey, hold the phone, Tonnie!!  MEAN???  Okay, I guess sometimes a wicked thought crosses my mind.  OLD???!!!???  I admit, I'm 42, but that qualifies as OLD?????  Maybe in dog years, but I thought you were a cat person????  And as for BITCH, well..... you've got me there!!    How's the food scale working out??  I agree that you should up your calories a bit.  I try to stay between 1200 and 1500, and I am consistently losing between 8 and 11 pounds a month.  How's the flax???  What does it taste like??  I really like to snack on almonds and SPICY pumpkin seeds (both good fats).  I don't know about adding cat litter - I mean, FLAX seeds to my tasty treats.   Come on, my Mexically Mama!!!  Show that standoff who's boss!!!  Well, if you can sew your name in your undies, you are even MORE talented than I originally thought!!  (BTW, what is CRS???)  A size TWELVE???  WOO-HOO, darlin'!!!  Let's celebrate together!!!  I started off in a size TWENTY and just bought an adorable pair of "skorts" in a size TWELVE!!!  HOT DAMN!!!!  Doesn't that feel amazing??!!??  Congrats!!! (P.S.  I ate 2 snack sized Mounds bars on Halloween night, ummm...and one sugar cookie at our in class party, ummm...and one frosted cookie when I got home with party LEFTOVERS...I should have just thrown them away!!!  That old "chubby chick" mentality *YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY THROW AWAY PERFECTLY GOOD COOKIES!!* is hard to overcome!!)

Yvarner ~ Congrats on not GAINING a pound!!!  That is something to celebrate!!  The ol' drinking buddies always get me!!!  How can you order water or diet soda when everybody else is having luscious libations???  I hope you are feeling well now and back on track.  

Ambercorrea ~ Welcome aboard!!!  A few months ago I hopped on the train to ONEderland.  After I slid down the rabbit hole, I was in hot pursuit of the 80's - you know, big hair, fingerless lace gloves, and anklets with patent leather pumps!!  Then it was on to the 70's - bustin' out my bell bottoms, dustin' off my platform shoes, and crankin' up the Bee Gee's!!!  Now I am on the fast track to the 60's - the classic bob, go-go boots, and platinum lips!!!  So stick around and have a laugh or two.  Share your troubles and work with some slimming sisters to make it to your goal!!

I actually weighed in at 172.6 yesterday!!!    BUT, (and that's a mighty big butt) I ate two WHOLE eggs, chips and guacamole, and Bang Bang shrimp from Bonefish!!  So this morning I was back to 173.6.    CRAP!!!  Then today we went out for RIBS and FRENCH FRIES!!!! I seem to be on my first "binge" in 5 and a half months!!!!  YIKES!!!!!  I need to pull those reigns in again and FAST!!!!!  I hope everyone is having a sensational Sunday!!!  I'll check in with y'all tomorrow!!!

Kiss, kiss ~ Cinful D   (a.k.a. SINful Dieter!!!)

Well, it's about time you checked in!!  I thought the Halloween ghouls got to you.  I see that the cookies and sweets did--ha! ha!  Not me (this time).   Mounds and Almond Joys-yuck, no temptation there for me.  I'd rather have my coconut in a cream pie. I love that scale almost as much as my cat.   Don't tell her though; around my house she is the princess and I am Queen.  I probably took way too much time cooking meals to freeze for the week, but knowing that I have 78 grams of pork chops and 35 grams of potatoes with gravy for 305 calories in the freezer made me feel like I had accomplished something for the day!  The old "deck of cards" unit of measurement is now out the window.  

Things didn't start "moving" until today, but after I had eaten breakfast and had my coffee.  So I won't know about weight loss until tomorrow morning.  I felt like John McEnroe would walk into my bathroom at any moment. Ha!

I had to say something to get your attention (mean, old-I got you beat), bitch.  I'm just an angel in comparison.  (not).  

Flax is not a bad thing if you mix it into something.  I put it in with my oatmeal--you just have to remember to use extra liquid; about a 1/4 cup if you are following directions on the oatmeal box.  It's not really a box, is it?  Anyhow, the flax really soaks up the liquid and my first morning I had made wallpaper paste.  Day two it was perfect!  I was going to make some Fiber One waffles this morning and put some flax in, but decided that I had better use up the cardboard ones in the freezer.  I guess it's okay to throw away crappy food, so why I didn't is beyond me.  btw, Fiber One pancake mix is GGoodd!!  I haven't baked anything with it (the flax) yet, but maybe tonight I'll stir something up.  I'll have a report if I do, your Majesty.

The Omega 3 fish oil caplets are interesting.  No taste--good, no fish breath--excellent!  Wish they had no calories, but since I upped mine, I'm covered.  Just wish I could have upped them with cake and ice cream instead of fish caplets!  I think I have room for a cow sandwich (I forget the name, but they're good!)  That reminds me to put them on my shopping list for tomorrow.  It's that CRS again.  (Can't Remember ****).  My former mother in law told me that a long time ago--perfectly straight faced; then busted up laughing when she told me what it was.  Here I thought it was something terminal that she had.  I loved her; too bad her son was an extra DH.  If I could of gotten rid of him and kept her it would have been nice.  

I'm going to wear my new SIZE TWELVE shirt tomorrow.  Yes, it is amazing!  If it looks good, I'll take a picture and post it.  Next clothing goal is to get into something in a single digit.    Got to keep those pounds moving though.  I was having a good and safe loss rate too, up until the beginning of October and as you know, nothing since the 4th.      (just remembered-Laughing Cow).  

Just let the princess outside.  It's raining so she won't be out there long.  Her name is Babyuggie.  When one of my granddaughters was visiting about 4 years ago I had just rescued this kitten that was bound for the pound, or the coyotes.    Zan (short for Zandria) looked at my homely kitten and said "Gamma! Dat's da uggiest baby kitty I ever seen.  Therefor a Babyuggie was born.  I shorten it to BU (pronounced Boo) and she's a.k.a. DamnYou!  But she loves me and is my snuggle bunny when it's cold at night.  Ain't that sweet?

Besides the food scale, there's two appliances I can't live without.  One is George.  I love him.  He cooks for me and cleans up really well.  Makes a dynamite grilled cheese sandwich and other stuff that needs to be heated and crispened.  Not too great with soup though.  My other fav is a personal size blender that I got at Walmart for around 18.00.  I've had bigger blenders that didn't grind ice like this one does.  It doesn't bog down.  It would probably make a good margarita if they didn't give me a brain freeze while drinking.  I like mine on the rocks w/salt!  There I said it, and I'll say it again: w/salt.  (No boos and hisses-my blood pressure is great)  Back to the story; it's made by Hamilton Beach.  I use this for making smoothies and my most favorite treat:  A "mock" Jamocha shake.  Similar to what you get at Arbys, which I avoid because I could really put on the feed bag there.  I usually buy Snack-Pack sugar free chocolate pudding.  They only have 45, yes, 45 calories instead of the 60-80 that some other brands have.  I use powdered milk for cooking, so I use 2 Tablespoons of that and 1 cup of water, which is 42 calories there--in the powdered milk, not the water, dummy, 4 Tablespoons of instant coffee.  Adjust that to your caffiene requirements, and several packages of Splenda (I won't tell you how many because I don't want to hear about it)  Lets just say it's more than 9 but less than 11.  Adjust that also for your own taste and health issues.  (I buy Walmart brand, "Great Value" sweentener.  It's about $2.98 for a box of 200.)  Tastes every bit as good as some of the brand names out there.  I put all this stuff in the blender with 6-8 ice cubes, press go and in about 10 seconds you've got this really thick and zippy drink that Starbucks could take lessons from.  All for 87 calories, and, well you do the math, but less than 50 cents.

I love almonds too.  But the kind in a can that has all the flavors, so I'm better off not eating them.  They are spendy--out of my normal price range.  I like the pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds too.  I just grabbed a handfull of sunflower seeds.  Yum.  I guess that's all for now.  All this food talk makes me want to fix some dinner, but it's only 3:30.  Here's where I have to examine my eating habits.  Am I really hungry, or is it just the mention of food that makes me think I'm hungry?  I need to stop that.  Have a good evening everyone.  Drink your damn water!  ~Tonnie

I was mistaken about the Sugar-Free brand of Pudding--to use in the "Mock" Jamoca shake:  It is Kraft Handi-Snacks.  I beg your forgivness for that faux-paus.

Hi everyone--

I've been looking for a support group here since the previous two I joined -- one for weight loss & one for exercise -- suddenly just up & stopped. (Am I a jinx?)

I started CC wanting to lose the last 15 lbs. I've been trying to lose for a while. Since I joined up, I've lost five of them. (Yay!) But it isn't easy. People bringing food to work . . . Halloween . . . I really want a group to be accountable to & which will help me with support.

My last week I lost just 0.5 pounds -- it's hard to keep the motivation up (though I know I should be happy about any loss at all!). My big downfalls are Starbucks during the day & glasses of wine at night. Even if I have the calories to have these treats I know I shouldn't!

Finally: I'm 52, 5'0" -- and on the last 10 pounds. Help!

Welcome ambercorrea and jboise! I hope you can find some inspiration and motivation amongst this group of sassy sisters, I sure have!!! I am better now ladies, and have made my way back to the gym (weighed in Sat morning at 158.8)!!!

Tonnie~I love your sassy little substitute for the Arby's shake (but its making me hungry)! And don't talk about margaritas with salt (I LOVE THOSE)!!! Can't wait to see the pic of you in that SIZE TWELVE, I'm sure you'll look darling!

Cinfuldiva~I can't help but LOL @ your binge story (it happens to the best of us)! I hope you have gotten all that out of your system now b/c its time to GET BACK ON TRACK!

Let's Keep UP The Good Work SISTERS...

P.S. I always look forward to the check-in stories b/c I find them very encouraging (or just plain hilarious)!!!

Darling?  That makes me laugh.  But thanks.  I have never been know for one to be darling (unless he was trying to get in my bloomers )  I'm just now learning how to dress feminine.  I've always worn jeans and flannel (still my favorites, but not in public any more).  There's something about weight loss that has changed me; who I am.  It took me a while to realize that those oversized clothes weren't hiding a damn thing, just exaggerating my size.  I ended up not going anywhere today, it was dreary and raining, but I'm going out absolutely, 100% positive and for sure tomorrow.  BU needs food.

I really thought that today would produce a loss; but I gained 1.2 lbs.  I am at a real loss of words or ideas to get this weight loss going again.  So, I am just not going to stress about it, because that didn't do any good before. 

I really am appreciating my digital food scale.  Have you ever tried to measure spaghetti into a 1/2 cup measuring cup?  It hangs all over the place and it is not accurate enough for me anymore.  I had spaghetti for dinner tonight.  When I measured it in the cup  it said 50 grams.  According to CC foods, a 1/2 cup measurement is supposed to weigh 70 grams.  I almost cheated my self out of 20 grams of spaghetti.!  Just so you know, I put the cup on the scale and "tared" it so it started at zero and the cup weight was not included in my food weight.  How many times have I cheated myself out of food, just so I don't overeat?  No more!    That really makes me happy!  The rest of my dinner was uneventful, but tasty.  And that makes my stomach happy.  I guess that goes to show how many measuring mistakes can be unknowingly made with a guesstimation on weights and measurements.  Here's a bit of fyi:  each full piece of cooked spaghetti weighs 2 grams.  Yes, I counted them and there's 35 strands of cooked spaghetti in 70 grams or 1/2 cup of cooked spaghetti.  I would imagine if you're trying to only cook one portion you can count the dry noodles and not have any leftover to wonder if you should eat or toss.  I would recommend that this (useless to some, and insane to others) bit of information would only apply to spaghetti cooked in water and not soaking up ounces of sauce.  That's why I have never mixed the pasta and noodles before hand, even though many do.  I want my carbs.

About 15 paragraphs ago I said I was at a loss for words about my lack of weight loss.  Persistance will pay off, I know this in my bones (which, btw, I can actually feel some of them now ).  I am doing all that I know how to do and I just have to have faith in myself that this will end.  Your encouraging words mean so much to me, my friends.  I hope all of you have had a great day, and I mean that.  Where's the Queen?  ~Tonnie

Jboise ~ Welcome aboard the ONE WAY train to laughter and loss (weight loss, that is)!!  I'm sure you are not a jinx!!!  (At least, you'd better NOT be!! )  My greatest weaknesses become my greatest demons at parties and gatherings.  I am fearful to see Thanksgiving coming!!  I am an EVERYTHING or NOTHING kind of girl, so my attending social gatherings filled with tasty temptations is like Superman hanging out with kryptonite!!!  We will help you to be accountable.  Girlie, half a pound loss is HALF A POUND LOSS!!  Mmmmm...Starbucks!!!  I LOVE STARBUCKS!!!  And in a twist of fate - both fortunate and unfortunate - I have a parent who brings me a succulent Starbucks sensation once or TWICE a week!!!  Shamefully shocking!  Yet... Freakishly fabulous!  (I usually afford myself a Venti, skinny, nonfat, peppermint mocha, 120 degrees-Can you imagine how OBNOXIOUS that sounds when I'm ordering???-about once a month for TWO reasons.  1-FINANCIALLY I cannot afford more than that, and 2-CALORICALLY I cannot afford more than that!!)

Yvarner ~ I am so glad to hear you are feeling better and have headed back to the gym!!  I went to my post-surgical consultation yesterday, and Doc said I could head back to the gym, too!!  He wants me to "take it easy" and "use half the weights" I usually use.  Here was a big shocker...***TMI ALERT***...He also said to refrain from sex for another 4 to 6 weeks!!??!!  WHAT?????  I had laproscopic surgery!!!  They did take out a large cyst, my left ovary, and my left fallopian tube, but it was done through three little holes in my abdomen!!!  It's already been 2 weeks and now he wants me to wait another 4 to 6 weeks???  I thought he was joking!!  Based on that news, my binge may just be beginning!!!  

Tonnie ~ (Read to the tune of "Hail to the Chief" - the presidential song)  "HAIL TO THE QUEEN, I'M THE QUEEN AND I NEED HAILING!!!"  (Tee!!  Hee!!)  I can relate to what you are saying.  I have always been a feminine, girlie dresser, but I definitely wore loose, baggy, untucked outfits thinking I was disguising the fat when, in fact, I was making myself look even fatter!!!  Now that I'm slippin' into a few size 12's and have this incredible, NEWLY FORMING concave slope just below my ribcage, I am wearing form-fitted, flattering clothes and it feels FABULOUS!!!  My skirts are getting shorter (just above the knee - when they used to be just below my ankle)!!! I find myself getting more confident and COCKY with every pound lost!!!  I even have my own theme song!!!  I go around (to my CLOSE friends at work) gyrating and singing, "I'm bringing sexy back!!"    That probably sounds TERRIBLE, but (and that's a slowly, slimming butt) I feel ecstatic about my success and progress.  I think I'm becoming an ego-maniac!!!  EVERY SINGLE DAY at work someone comes up to me and comments on how "amazing" I'm looking or inquires about how I'm losing so much weight.  It's feeding this she-beast within me who is smothering the chubby chick that used to reside here!!  Is it wrong???  And if it is, why does it feel so RIGHT???   About your Mexican standoff, let me throw a crazy idea out to you to mull over.  I had 2 major plateaus a few months ago.  Both times I got SO DAMN DISGUSTED that:  2 weeks into the first plateau I went to Dairy Queen, ordered a medium Extreme Chocolate Lovers Blizzard, an devoured the WHOLE thing!!  (The next day I lost 2 pounds!!!); and 2 weeks into my second plateau I went to Red Robin, ordered a big, juicy burger with GARLIC, PARMESAN FRIES, and scarfed down 1/2 the burger and an ENTIRE BASKET OF FRIES (The next few days I lost 2 pounds!!!)!!!!  Coincidence????  Perhaps, but both times my weight loss got back on track following my momentary binge.  Just something to think about.  I am so glad your food scale has been such a source of satisfaction for you!!  I am one of those people who would go CUCKOO with all that weighing and measuring.  

Well, my saucy sisters, I am off to face another day with 20 little overactive, over-talkative cherubs!!!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Kiss, kiss ~ Cinfuldiva 

Thanks, cinfuldiva (may I call you Queen?)

I made a compromise about Starbucks and now order "talls" (which doesn't even sound natural tripping off my tongue) so I don't have to give it up entirely...and it makes me feel so freaking REASONABLE that I can hardly stand it!

I SO know what you mean about wearing the form-fitting clothes. I usually wear a huge shapeless parka during the winter, but last weekend I realized that I needed a smaller size winter jacket--and got one of those that is close-fitting with that kind of tailoring that makes it look as if you have a waist! I couldn't believe that it fit and actually looked good. Now I want it to get really cold...

And having a doctor prescribe no nooky? Doesn't he realize it counts as exercise?

Yvarner, thanks for the welcome! Very glad to hear you're better & back to the gym. I'm working to get there four times a week and do two outdoor workouts (bicycling or hiking, maybe this winter x-country skiing?) so I sympathize. My problem is getting out of the house in the winter...

Tonnie, you're a woman after my own heart! I'm a measurer, counter, weigher. Very big on Portion Control, since for a while I was out-eating my Dear Husband. (He's one of those frustratingly slender gentlemen who can eat anything!) So I say rock that digital scale!

Thanks everyone for all the cheer--

Janet