You are making some headway, Karen! Good for you! But remember that you are not required to clean your plate at those luncheons!!

I lost 1.4 pounds this week!! I think that it's helped that I've had a couple of great projects to work on in the sewing room, and I NEVER eat while I'm down there! Always water....never food!

I splurged at lunch with friends today, but will get back to what has been working tomorrow, and will try to get in an extra lap or two at the mall. I sure am looking forward to warmer weather so I can get back outside for my walks!

If anyone is interested, there are lots of great tips here by Dr. Oz:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/you-diet-basics?page=1#gallery

Weighed in at Curves...didn't lose anything this week. But, I lost inches!!! Yahoo!!! Overall, my week had its ups and downs. Getting more water in every day. Added a 30 minute walk on two of the days. Borrowed my daughters stationary bike to complement what I am doing now. However, had two luncheons to attend and dinner out twice. Need to get back to the kitchen...Hope you all had a good week!

Well, it's still January! I have been absent for the last 2 weeks as have had company and traveled but have begun a VERY SERIOUS monitoring of my glucose (early diabetes) because my labs drawn 2 weeks ago were really lousy! I had been 'cheating on myself' with diet and then ran out of some of my medications....NOW THAT WAS REALLY STUPID ...... and I know I am better than all of this!

My glucose has been quite good in the last 4 days while I've been frequently monitoring and will continue all the testing just because it keeps me honest with ME.

My sister has been here and we traveled to NC where she rented a house near Sanford, NC. She will be closer to both of MY kids than I will be! But the plan is for me to pay some on her rent and have nearly free acess to staying with her (she has been coming up here and staying with me off/on) when I want to visit kids etc.

So having said all of this, looks like my days of staying here in the beautiful mountains of northeast Georgia are nearing an end. But that's ok. It has been a beautiful time and I've loved it.

Now life moves on!

To good health all of you!
Lynn

OK girl - get with the water. Now, about me --- I haven't done well with the water lately either, so I better get off the horse, too. Mary

Congratulations Mary Kay!!!!

Way to go, Mary Kay!! 10 pounds is awesome!!

I am down 10 pounds since we started! YEAH! I think I am getting close to the point within which portion control is going to take weight off...... so I have to get serious about exercise! I am not traveling for work this week, so my goal is to get on the stair-master 4 days before I head off to work.

I have done totally lousy on drinking water (all after getting on my "high horse" and giving advice to others about how to increase water intake! I have been drinking more tea with the cold weather (yes - I still think 40 degrees is cold now that I live in Georgia!) But I am no longer carrying around my water bottle. (My new diet drink is Diet Sprite - and I limit those to one a day). So water intake is something that I am also trying to focus on!

Great job to all of you who are working on your health! Keep up the great work - it is all about putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward!

Have a great week!

Mary Kay

WTG Sherry! Thanks Joyce for your encouragement! I did a mile on treadmill today and watched a silly dvd that kept me entertained while walking. Now that I've set the dvd thing up I will watch some reruns of TQS while walking and still get my quilt fix! Hope everyone has a great week this week. Sandi in chilly FL

I've been riding my recumbent stationary bike five times a week. I'm up to 15 minutes-about 2.5 miles. I'm trying to eat smarter-fewer carbs and less sugar. I've lost 2 pounds. Go me.

Excellent advice, Jan! Thanks for sharing!

Finally decided to post to this topic. Last June when I went for my yearly physical, I casually mentioned to my doctor that I wished my weight was less. He said that if I REALLY wanted to lose weight to watch the carbs! I took that the WATCH - not eliminate to heart. Since then, I've watched the carbs. I've lost 20 pounds in the last seven months - not fast weight lost but did not gain over the holidays. How do I watch the carbs? My dh and I split most. A half of baked potato, a half of baqel, etc. Deserts are limited to fruit and yogurt. I eat everything I want- only less and I do try to walk a lot. I only wish I had done this years ago. Jan

I bit the bullet this morning and got on the scale. I lost 2#. I signed up at the fitness center and went in this morning. DD had recommended an eliptical machine as I was walking at home. Oh boy. Three strides in I knew I was in trouble. I did manage to do 1/2 mile in 10 minutes. After I did so dismally on that, I walked another 1/2 mile on the track. Then I headed to the lap pool figuring this is where I could shine. Oh boy. I did one lap and pooped out. This old lady was in my lane and she left me in the dust (spray?). I pushed and got 3 laps done. Noticed the lifeguard was standing on the side of the pool watching me as I finished. Then I went to the therapeutic pool and did some resistance things with dumb bells. I will get 2 sessions with a personal trainer as part of my membership so hopefully they will set up a program for me to follow.

Great testimony, Joyce!! Good for you!!!

Hi Sandi,
Don't be hard on yourself on the exercising. I was so ashamed when I first started working with a personal trainer, that I would not tell anyone where I was going twice a week and what I was doing. (except my husband, of course. and the girlfriend who encouraged me.) Now, almost four months later, I'm glad that I have stuck with the program. I still hate going there. Too bad personal trainers don't make home visits. But paying to go there and seeing the results in my body, motivate me to do the prescribed exercises on days that I do not go to the studio. It also helps me to watch what I eat, take my supplements, and think more about walking. I know that I would still be the same weight or more at this time if I hadn't made the committment. I have lost approximately 12 lbs. and about 3" off my waist measurement. I have more energy and feel stronger. It is worth the effort and money for me at this time.