Ok, put me next in line for that butt kicking. 

Sorry I've been away, just busy and not particularly inspired so this hasn't been my favorite place.  On the upside, I have not gained.  On the downside, I have not lost.  I am not exercising as I should be which has been part of the problem. I'm trying to get back on track and hoping that the cooler weather (seriously, it is coming soon right?) will help.  I'm dealing (or not really dealing) with a birthday this Thu which puts me firmly at 46 and teetering into my "late" forties.  Which is really just an excuse to eat whatever I want, right?  C'mon, do the right thing and tell me "NO!".

I will count on the positive side that I have done a great deal of clothes shopping lately and made a point of dressing much better for work which is a pretty casual environment.  I'm taking a small amount of mean pleasure in knowing that when we walk into a meeting, most people assume I'm the VP while my boss is wearing yoga pants, a t-shirt and flip-flops.  Believe it or not, clothes help me.  I am a clothes horse at heart and looking better does inspire me to DO better so I'm using that as a crutch. 

I'm sorry I've been away and not much help to anyone else.  Please know that I'm always thinking of you guys and if I'm not checking in it may be because I do not feel as if I've done anything worth talking about.  But not because I don't recognize the achievements you all have been making.

Okay:  Here it is, do your worst.

   )
--             <--------- Kick here
   )
 

Toni

 Toni! You're alive! What a relief. :-) First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Second of all, 46 is NOT old, and it's not even technically "late 40's." 44-46 is still "mid 40's," so wait until next year to fall apart. As for 46 being old enought to eat whatever you want...sorry. 46 is old enough to know better.  Before you feel this lecture is only pointed at you, I have to say that 36 is old enough to know better, so I better straighten up as well. Great job w/the clothes  shopping. Sounds like your boss needs a visit from Stacy and Clinton.

OK, guys. I think we've all been a little slack w/the message boards lately, so let's make a pact. We'll check in here every day and let everyone know how we're doing.  If I have to tell you guys how bad I've been, I'll be more likely to be good! Deal?

 Hi, all.  Well, I weighed in today (the first time in about a month).  It wasn't good, but it also wasn't as bad as I expected.  I've gained 9 pounds.  There, I've said it. I'm appalled! The good thing is that I'm feeling my resolve strengthening.  I ate really well yesterday and got lots of exercise.  So far today I'm doing well.  I plan to ride my exercise bike tonight during Biggest Loser. I'm really going to have to work at making myself do that.  After spending 2 hours with fifteen 3 and 4 years olds (at church), I know I won't feel like exercising.  I love those kids, but by the time I get home (and then get my kids to bed) I'm spent. But I WILL do it. 

Today has been a pretty stressful day. The little girl I'm watching has screamed pretty much all morning.  The extra attention I'm paying to try to make her stop screaming is making my 2 year old scream (pretty much all morning), so I was pretty frazzled by lunchtime.  It took every ounce of willpower I had not to dive into that bag of mint chocolate chip cookies and eat my way to the top...but I resisted. I need to find a good way to deal w/the stress. Any suggestions?

Today has been a pretty stressful day. The little girl I'm watching has screamed pretty much all morning.  The extra attention I'm paying to try to make her stop screaming is making my 2 year old scream (pretty much all morning), so I was pretty frazzled by lunchtime.  It took every ounce of willpower I had not to dive into that bag of mint chocolate chip cookies and eat my way to the top...but I resisted. I need to find a good way to deal w/the stress. Any suggestions?

Um, duct tape? Ear plugs? Valium (for them or you, your choice)?

Seriously, what is the issue with the screaming me me? How old is the little girl?

 Liking the Valium thing! Definitely for me. :-) Just kidding.  I kind of feel for this little girl.  She's about 22 months old.  In the past 3 months her entire world has changed--moved here from out of state, had relatives w/her for a few months, now she's having to go w/someone she doesn't really know every day.  If I were her I'd probably cry too.  I always try to remember that. When she's not screaming, she's a really sweet little girl. I just need to find a way to make her feel at home...and I need to find it before the next time I make mint chocolate chip cookies!

 I'm so happy to have you all back, it was great to come to the thread today. Sounds like all of us are having a bit of a rough spot. I agree with Jen about checking in here all the time, I know I sure have missed our daily chat sessions. I know things happen that we can't control so I totally understand what Toni is saying.

Toni, I'm really not sure what to say to make you feel better other than you know we are here for you when your ready.

I've been doing ok. Finding out that my back may not have been fixed 100 %. Things I have been doing around the house lately I'm finding out what I can't do. The weight is coming off, slowly. I have started taking that pill my doctor gave me in the afternoons instead of morning and I  already noticing a difference with my appetite. I weigh in on Mondays with alli and on Fridays with my nutritionist.

Glad to be back girls.

Lynne

 Yep. Accountability is key. I've missed you guys too.  Lynne, I'm sorry your back isn't 100% better.  Congrats on losing, though. I'm really working to keep my appetite in check, but lately I'm just starving all the time.  Oh, well, I'll just keep doing my best.  Keep us posted w/the nutritionist situation--pass on any little nuggets of truth that might be helpful.

 Okay the dreaded day is here and I really would have preferred to stay in bed.  I dragged myself into work this morning thinking , "its okay, I'll be old tonight".  And then my mother - who recently discovered instant messaging - pinged me at 9:15am to point out that I was born exactly then 46 yrs ago.  Ugh, I can't be old tonight, I'm already old just now.  Except that then a truly cruel and evil co-worker (for whom appropriate retribution will be dreamed up later) pointed out that I was born on the East Coast so actually I was older before I even got out of bed this morning.  Kill me now.  It does not help that I pigged out on pizza last night even though I had been doing really well and was down a pound after being stuck on a plateau.  Double ugh.  Okay, I'm wearing some nice jewelry and my new fabulous boots and just hoping that will get me thru the day.  I am off tomorrow so I can weep in sorrow then.  I really don't know why this is bugging me so much.  I promise I will be in a better mood soon.

T

 You are NOT old!!!!! Wanna hear it again? You are NOT old!!! You ride a motorcycle, for Pete's sake. You've changed your body. You're soooo funny. And from what I hear you wear beautiful jewelry and fabulous boots! Hang in there. Besides, being another year older is better than NOT being another year older.

 Okay, I actually teared up a little over that.  THANK YOU GUYS.

T

 Just wanted to check in. Still doing ok--screwed up a little last night, but nothing to terribly bad.  Wish me luck this afternoon. We're heading out to Mum Fest. Hey, Deb, are you going? Looks like fun. I'm just hoping I can behave and not run head first into a funnel cake.

 Hi Jen,

It's raining cats and dogs here! We're not going to make Mumfest.

We just got home from youngest's football game and need to finish the laminate flooring.

Maybe next year we can make plans to meet and we'll catch up at the birthplace of Pepsi or something.

 We got about 10 minutes away, and it starting pouring. What a disappointment! Oh, well. Like you said, "Next year..."

Your quote "is it Normal to lose 7 pounds in 1 week"  and "it should not take a whole entire year to lose just 52 pounds, have you seen the Biggest Loser"  is seriously misguided.

Every dietician, personal trainer and medical physician will tell you a 1-2 pound weight loss is manageable and realistic for long term goal achieving and SUCCESS.  Pleae review the expectations outlined by the expects here at ALLI.

The Biggest Loser is a brilliant, entertaining and inspiring television show; however please realize their weight losses are NOT realistic; they exercise on average 6 to 8 hours a day! with personal trainers.  Their weight loss in 4 months is the equivelant of what can be achieved in a year for the average viewer, who works 8 hours a day; raising a family; watches their caloric / fat gm intake and goes to a gym religiously.  To expect otherwise would be a crushing blow to anyones self confidence and motivation.

That being said....ALLI is not for everyone.

 Just checking in,  no loss for me this week, it's so frustrating!!  Oh well, I'll just keep plugging along. I see my nutritionist nesxt week so I have the rest of this week and next to lose something, probably my mind!!  lol

Have a great day ladies.

Lynne