Jaz- your office with that view sounds really lovely. Natural light and a view make a HUGE difference IMO. That makes me happy for you.
Glad you have made appts to see Drs. This kind of TOM is just not okay and I know you are SO sick of it. BTW, McGraw's wife is called Robin, so that might help you find the book.
I think it is great that you cook so much for yourself. My grandmother (who was widowed) did not, my Mom also does not. My Mom especially would save $ and eat healthier if she did.

Trig- Oh hon, so sorry to hear about the ongoing pain. Believe me I KNOW about not wanting to go to the Dr and putting if off, but it sounds like you are realizing you are at the point where you've gotta seek help. I hope it is something with a simple solution for you.
Do you have a heated throw blanket? Makes an absolutely HUGE difference for me in coping with the cold. I used to love it but now I am much more prone to being cold and so I sort of hate it.
Hope the cold/crud doesn't stick around for you guys!
The thin cut T bones sound good so long as they are flash cooked!

•••••••••••••••••

Feeling better today, outlook a bit brighter.
Today will be a vet appt for Sophie, then bring her back and head to WallyWorld. Pick up my neighbor's kids from HS at 3:30 (she is coming home from knee surgery today- her first of two partial knee replacements-- in her 40s!!) Dinner will be cornish hens, cous cous and green beans. My Extra Son is spending the night tonight. Ravens play tonight too. Busy day but a good one.

136.8 today but flashed between that and 137 before settling so probably more like 136.9 ha! Good enough.

Have a great day folks.

Good morning ladies. Thank you for the warm welcome. I also had a rough day yesterday, as some of you did. Hoping for a better, more positive day today.

Leeann, my cat's name is Sophie too! Do you have a dog or cat?

Jaz, yes, your view sounds really nice. Being able to see the beauty outside makes such a difference in my outlook. Sorry about the hormonal issues. I went through menopause a few years ago and I was extremely fortunate to have an easy time of it.

Trig, I'm sorry about the pain you're experiencing. So frustrating when you can't find the cause. Your T-bones sound great! Portion control is one of the keys!

Lori, it sounds like you had a nice trip. You'll be back in the flow soon.
__________________________________________

I have been back on my program for 7 days, today being day 8. All has gone well except for yesterday when I got into some caramel corn at work. Feeling numb and tired and just couldn't find a substitute for food that would do the trick unfortunately. I did get right back on plan with my dinner and snack, so I'm happy for that. Week 1 I lost 5.6. I've gotten in a little bit of exercise every day - 10 minute segments of one of my exercise dvd's. I'm going to keep it short till my body gets used to the lower calories.

Back to it today 100%! I'm feeling much more rested and moving toward feeling more positive.

Hello Everyone!

Well....I FINALLY have all my laundry finished! When I got home from boot camp, I unpacked my suitcase and got all that laundry done. Then I had the bedding that I took off yesterday to deal with. Whew!

Boot camp was rough this morning, as expected. My back is a bit tender, but hoping a good night's sleep will fix it. I really want to go to camp again tomorrow morning. Saturday and Sunday are off days...I'll try to get out for a walk each of those days.

I'm slowly getting back in my eating groove. I did have a beer with my lunch today. I shouldn't have done that, but what's done is done.

I did a grocery store run this morning too. Not sure what I'll do tomorrow!? I tend to work like a fiend one day and then not know what to do the next! I need a schedule! I'll figure things out one day. I do have a couple closets to clean out, so maybe that will be tomorrow's project.

Take care everyone.....talk to you soon!

Lori- you are starting retirement awesome- BEER with lunch. SOOOOOO funny - switch to wine- lower carbs- heheheheheheheh

Leeann- Thanks for the name of Robin- I couldn't remember- of course the book guru you are you have already read it!!!
Do you make your little Cornish hens in the oven- I haven't had a hen in years- do they have meat????

Trig- LISTEN GF- go to the doctor. I am the pot calling the kettle black.......... LOLOLOL- I feel ya- trust me. I sure as heck do. But at least check it out. Pain sucks...... I know that!
I don't know how I would feel about skinny ribeye- what does that mean?????? HYST HYST

Alene- 5 pounds lost is AWESOME - you will learn what you need- takes a minute- and you go right back on plan!!!!

Blue- hey how ya doing this week- you must be a busy gal! Hope work is going well. What on your book list this week? How do you have time to do all you do????? your schedule is super busy.

All-
I am the worst ever patient. I woke up dizzy in a pool of blood and cramping like mad. this will make 30 days of TOM- it has yet to totally go- just when I sigh its gone - I drizzle then it picks up- today was awful. Heavy again and pain a 9/10.

To make matter worse- a nurse just quit- and I took over her case load. So I am in it.
The office went to lunch today - when they came to my cube - they found my bend over and crying at my desk- in severe crumpled pain.
Those ladies were So SO SO nice I cried even harder blowing snot everywhere- OMG a RED HOT MESS- . Another nurse gave me a 800 motrin and another gave me a muscle relaxer- and they ALL gave me a name of a specialist to see- they all go to the same one.
I have an appointment next Thur. - I was sobbing on the phone to the poor lady just trying to schedule me. Serious- funny but not. She was like it's ok honey breath..... and your name..........
Apparently this Doctor is where all nurses and other professionals go. I told them who referred me and they got me is pretty fast considering. They told me to expect a ultrasound.

So next week I see a new PCP and a gyno- SCARED AS CRAP - serious- I can take your blood- hold your hand as you die- help you with a birth- assist in surgery - but GOD let it happen to me I run to the hills. Trig- we have that in common. I make for a horrid patient. I need more than half of me in the grave before I seek ER- but came close today.

Ate 2 hamburgers today- plain no cheese - side of coleslaw- 2 glasses of wine. Needed iron. Ordered them out- no energy to cook.
I am truly scared- I know I need a hyster--no brainer. But I JUST started this job. One step at a time I guess. see what the ultrasound shows. 1.5 years again I had 2 fibroids - 1 the size of a plum- free floating- the other the size of a large apple embedded into my uterus- it's most likely the size of a basket ball now. They told me a year ago it was too big to get lapro.

ok enough- I am a mess red hot!!!!

Thank goodness on plan. - I was talking to my mom on way home and told her I was not feeling good- she suggested I order a pizza. Thanks but that would make me feel worse.

Now is the time to buckle down-
I so made the right place to work- those ladies today- surrounded me with love- I cried harder. Just sayin.

We have smoke here from fires- it was thick and something I have never seen before. The smoke is draping the city- wow

Clean as clean can be today with eating-

Sorry long discord with health crap- I certainly don't want to be that old lady speaking of her ailments------ LOLOLOL HYST HYST

have great evening

Good Morning!

Oh Jaz...I'm so sorry you're dealing with this "woman stuff". I'm glad you're getting into the Dr fairly quickly, but get to the ER if you have severe pain! You scare me. I understand how you feel about having to have surgery after just starting a new job, but they seem like an understanding group. Medical things happen.......out of our control, you know?

I'm only doing so so, with my eating. A lot better than I have for the past 2 weeks, but not perfect by any means. Weigh in day(Monday) is sneaking up on me. I'm so sore from boot camp yesterday that I decided to take today off. Let my body get used to the abuse slowly. Next week I'll shoot for 3-4 days.

Well, time for another cup of coffee. I sure do enjoy my coffee sipping time now that I'm retired!

Lori being the pro at this that you are you will get back onto plan sooner than later. Retirement and all that time in the world unstructured as before can seem daunting but enjoy the heck out of it...sipping coffee without knowing you have to run out the door at any minute to be on time for work is a good thing!! The old saying 'time to enjoy the simple things'....go for it!

JAZ so sorry you are going thru this. It sounds very very rough and you do need a medical end to it all. Go get those appts and get this handled and move forward. I never liked regular times with gal stuff, let alone what you are going thru!! Hope all this goes easy for you and you get fixed up and can put this in the past.

Alene, problem with caramel popcorn is that extreme sugar content. It takes very very little sugar laden things to whack you out of ketosis. Keto is super duper important to the max if you are going to change your body to a keto burn vs. a glucose burn...thing is not many benefits come from being 'in between'. Worse thing is when we are super tired and stressed and all those other things we default and excuse our actions and that is what we must battle. I know tho, I been there many times
Fight for your LC ways my friend, tooth and nail on a daily basis. WE WILL never die without food for a while, I had to keep reminding myself of that

Just some rambling on keto and stuff. Week 1 at 5.6 is GREAT! CONGRATS!

HI ALL
nothing major doing.

doggie to groomer at 9

after picking up doggie around 11, mom, kiddo and I are going out shopping for pants for kiddo. Getting colder now, her shorts ain't cutting it Not gonna eat out, gonna pick up chinese lunch for kiddo and come home and mom and I will at here. No chinese for us, yuk!

Last night was hard. I ate my 2 super skinny Tbones. Had a few slices of salami and done........at about 11pm I was starving. Oh yea I wandered the house, mom's fresh rye bread was calling my name. Kid's white cheddar popcorn looked wonderful for snacking and eating the whole bag LOL
Fry another steak? Fry bacon and make eggs? OMG NO! It was SO late, no way I was cooking I drank 2 big glasses of water and went off to my room and watched tv til 1 am....and went to be hungry saying I WILL make a giant bacon cheese omelet first thing when I wake up..........but here I am, up and not hungry one bit. I really was about to go off plan but then realized I would not die or faint or I was not giving into excuses at all....so I made it, but at this long time in this crazy game, I best make it LOL

have 2 nice steaks and a giant omelet on my scopes today day when I get hungry

everyone have a great day!!

Lori - BC sounds like a great workout! I tend to do workouts that I enjoy because I hate things like burpees. I do a variety of workout dvd's - strength training, kickboxing, basic aerobics. Taking a few days to let your body adjust sounds like a good idea. Glad you got the unpacking and laundry done. I am really bad about putting that off! I'm sure it will take you a while to figure out your new lifestyle in retirement. I do think a schedule is good for us and gives us structure and purpose. You'll find your groove.

Trig - I know you're 100% right on being in between, and how important staying in ketosis is. This struggle at work is ongoing and I am really working hard to change this pattern. Thankfully my body is somewhat carb tolerant and I seemed to be in keto yesterday. Hunger was very manageable and I felt good. I had an on track day and no extras. I REALLY don't like being hungry at night, laying in bed. Good for you for being strong and getting through successfully!

Jaz - I'm SO sorry about what's going on with your health right now! But so glad that your coworkers were so supportive and helpful. Get thee to the doctor asap! Just take it one day at a time and one decision at a time. You will figure out work if you need to take some time off for surgery. Life happens, and I'm sure they will understand. You will be so very glad once this issue is taken care of, and it's not something that can be put off. Hang in there!

Yesterday was a great day overall. I had a very productive and positive day at work and I felt great at the end of the day. Eating went well, and I came home and had a stuffed green pepper for dinner. Read my book club book and fell asleep at 8:30! Apparently my body is still trying to figure out the time change. Weight was the same today. Hope everyone has a great day.

Jaz- Hugs to you girlfriend and I echo everyone else on here and what they have said. YES to seeing a DR and I know that is your plan. Worried about you. Your health is more important than any job. xoxoxo

Trig- Way to hold the line! Well done. Hope you have a good time with your Mom today.

Lori- I love that you are enjoying your coffee sipping. That was cute. Enjoy your day!

Alene- Glad you had a great day yesterday and a good night's sleep last night!

••••••••••••••••

Yesterday was a good day. Enjoyed having Extra Son here for his overnighter- he is such a sunny kid and just makes me happy. He is like another family member at this point. We watched the Ravens and they won last night, so that was also a very good thing!

Eating went a bit sideways yesterday evening. Not the end of the world. Righting course to some degree but going out tonight to celebrate DD21's BF's 22nd birthday. I need to get going to get him a couple of things to open.

Ladies-

Alene- Like you I fell asleep at 8:30 last night too. The issue is getting up at 4:30!!!!! LOLOL Great job on your 5 pound loss! True- stay cleat of sugar- tosses you outta ketosis!

Trig- I wondered how you would handle "skinny" steaks- you pushed though it - had water and felt GREAT this morning!!!!!! GF- that is why we are here!!!!! WTG-
How is that shoulder? How ya doing??

Lori- I hope you have swapped beer for coffee in am - HYST HYST HYST - I have no doubt you will be back on it.

Leeann- You are learning a slightly new way to add yet not gain- it's a tight rope. You can do it.
you all healthy there? How are ya feeling? I hope better. It's getting slightly better here. My co-worker is still in tears. I don't think the media is helping to pull people back together- they need to take some responsibility in all this. Fear has no place.

Blue- Hey busy gal- you dong well?

All-

Yes I am hopeful I can get some helpful options for "woman" stuff. Pain gone this morning.

Work was really light this morning- getting into a routine. And it feels good.

I am up not getting on scale until period over- HAHAHAHAHAH- next year......I am hopeful it will stop after this cycle. I am feeling "big" - so I am not getting on scale at this minute- but will continue to eat LC/ CLEAN

Tonight is R&R

Enjoy your evening

Good Morning!

Ho Hum....Saturday. Every day is Saturday for me! Funny, but I have to really think about what day it is now that I have no where to be.

We went out for dinner last night and then right back home. It was cold & windy...ugh...Winter is coming. Just saw the weather forecast and it looks fairly decent for the coming week. We can't complain about mid 50's this deep into November.

Next Friday we are going with our son & Grandson to Annapolis. Son is running a half marathon on Saturday. We'll go on Friday so he can pick up his race packet etc and then have a nice evening before the race. I'm looking forward to some yummy seafood. Son will have to be a bit careful about what he eats a few days before the run. Gastric upset is real during distance running.

Not sure what I'll get into today. I really need to get out for a walk of some sort. Much too lazy yesterday. I know we have to make a run to our favorite meat market to stock up. DH wants me to make beef noodle soup for him, so need some beef cubes. Broth and meat for me.......no noodles!

Well, coffee cup is empty....time to remedy that situation. Have a great weekend everyone!

Alene you are lucky you are a bit more carb tolerant Enjoy that for sure!! You will get your food situation worked out, and that is a key component for long term survival, having that food pattern and availability when you need it most. We all had to go thru that and it is hard in that along with having to 'kinda learn your way around LC and what makes you lose some lbs' you have to figure out how it fits into your life on a daily basis thru a ton of situations. BUT you are doing great!!!

Nicco sounds like things are going easier and slower for you. Good deal! Have fun at the B-day dinner tonight and YOU be good

JAZ sounds like you are feeling better! I don't blame ya for skipping the scale for a bit, I would do that same.

Lori---oh boy that everyday is Saturday just sounds wonderful!!
I also have to hit my fav meat market. Mine is a far drive darn it I hope you stock up on all the good stuff! Beef noodle soup sounds delish, cold weather means hot soup...they SO go together!
Annapolis sounds fab, the seafood of course caught my eye!
Another trip, girl you are getting around, I am envious LOL

HI ALL
this is a slow saturday here. no one wants to move fast
sounds good to me.

10 am haircuts for kiddo and me...then home to get mom and off we go to wallyworld. mom wants some stuff. then 'maybe' eat out or just come home. Probably just come home, mom tires out fast now and will shop but probably bow out of eating out....kinda like she can do one thing but not 2....which is fine, will go thru some drive thru food for kiddo and feed her and then home to eat some pork chops for me later.

BBrrr we got a big dip to cold temps coming. OMG I can not say it again and I know ya'll are sick of hearing it....I despise cold weather So much. I hope I don't go like depressed and psycho cause honestly it sure effects me. Keep telling hubby we gotta move MORE South

off to get the day started...in slow fashion LOL
everyone have a fine day

Yawwwwnnnnnnn- Slept in and it felt soooo WONDERFUL

Working on first cup of coffee.

Lori- I say this with all love, but sometimes people find work doing something fun part time. My mom is retiring in Jan. But she has a passion for sewing and wants to work a couple days in a fabric store. Something she loves, gives her a few dollars and structure. Just a thought- you are VERY young to do nothing.
But then again- I'm sure your time will work itself out. I found I need a reason to get up in the morning- being single now- it could be very easy to just not. I need structure- I think maybe bootcamp is still a great thing for you!

Trig- I am with ya on cold- can't do it. That is WHY I moved from Snowy Ohio- to GA. But it get's cool here too about 8 weeks out of the year. I don't even own a winter coat. Just a few heavy sweaters. Florida is 6 hours from me to the panhandle. I am thinking about going to Dustin in Jan for a few days for my birthday. - Did that a few years ago- It was so much fun. Had the beach all to myself. Ya Trig- come buy some land in pretty GA- there are horse farms here too!
How is that shoulder of yours????????

Blue- How ya doing lady? I bet you are busy this time of year! Being a stylist and all you gotta be changing stuff up all the time. Hope you give yourself some needed down time as well.

Leeann- How's it going? You gotta be excited about the upcoming holiday. I come from a small family too, so to be embraced by your SIL - is a huge blessing! But then again- how could anyone not love you!!

Alene- how is your week end going?

All-
Sleep is a wonder drug! Slow start on my day- and I love it. Need to run errands this morning and afternoon. Then going to my mom's for pot roast. The nice thing about living 30 minutes away- I can pop in and out. Haven't seen her for awhile.

up a 2 pounds- ya just HAD to get on that scale! But I am on TOM- so I am not worried with water weight.
I have a serious goal- I want to be 1 under by Jan. 16th. I want that B-day gift to self.
I thought that all my weight would be off by this time. Last year at this time I was saying- oh yeah- by next year I will be at goal. I am however down almost 20 pounds since last year. But that is a drop in the bucket.

I think this year has been a rough year- that produced a stall- especially over the HOT HOT summer. No excuses- I am just saying. But this year has produced a grandbaby, a move across state lines, a job, a lost job, and a new current job with everything in-between. So I am cutting myself some slack.

But now is the right time to get down to the business of taking care of myself in everyway! MY YEAR!!! - Want my body- healthy back! Ready to focus, now that the rest is completed.

Ok- all off and going

Jaz- Down 20 over a year is marvelous!! Can you imagine if you had stayed the same or gained that 20? I am proud of you- you had a TREMENDOUS amount of crap thrown at you yet you stayed remarkable faithful to your WOE.

Trig- So what kinds of things do you do to help yourself cope with the cold and darkness of the winter season? Do you have any strategies? Mine include hot drinks, heated throw blankets, twinkling lights, music playing. What are yours? Have a good time with Mom and DD today!

Lori- The beef noodle soup sounds DELICIOUS. Have you been to the Iron Rooster in Annapolis? I had very yummy chicken and waffles there. Love NapTown! Btw, it will take you a while to adjust to retirement- you are accustomed to having many hours accounted for that are now free. You will need time to relax into that. And then, you can consider volunteer work, perhaps, or a part time job. Or new hobbies! Or travel! But don't rush into anything and learn the first order of business, to appreciate having time to breathe.

–––––––––––––––––––

The mood has been up and down around here but trying to keep my focus on my family.. and last night made it easy. Enjoyed a wonderful bday dinner and smiles and gifts and good food. I just relaxed into it and took pleasure in it all.

Tonight DH and I have a night at the B&B up the street (lol) and we will enjoy that as well. Life is good.

The nuts and bolts of today will be going to get passport pictures done for DH and DS14 so we can apply for DS14's passport on Monday. He will need it for London and also Costa Rica in June.

Have a great weekend!

LEEANN-

HAVE A BELATED AWESOME BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no no it was her daughter's boyfriends birthday they went out to celebrate.....ok JAZ don't be making Nicco older than she is