[LZ]

I woke up early this morning at 6 am. I had all kinds of plans for today. I really got up to make sure my in-laws had coffee before going to the trade show. I know sometimes my plans are not God's and they can change. Initially the plan was to workout, go to church and then have a Daytona 500 party with my family and the Daughter's BF. Then yesterday with all the rain we started having septic problems. With the sun out this morning that will be OK by about noon if we don't use much water this morning.

Then, MIL is feeling very bad. Her back is hurting so bad she can hardly walk. So, FIL is by himself and his hearing aid is broken. I'lll be calling SIL in a bit so she can go help him, because he will not ask for help. In addition, son woke up and told me he threw up last night. On the other side of his bed, no less on the carpet. I managed not to have a fit about that. It's not like our carpet is new or anything. He also threw up on my kitchen rug. Oh, and he drank the last sprite last night. I told him honey, if you get sick in the night it's Ok to wake me up. (He's 10). So I went and got some sprite at the convenience store.

So no church. I hope to get to workout, but there are people everywhere I normally workout. I usually use the LR and son's room as a back-up. He is in there watching TV. He'll have to stay away from his grandparents, because neither one could take that illness right now. I may be able to sneak up to the school later and get at least a good wog (walk/jog) in.

Adele, we'd love to have you. I think you were sent to me this morning. I am 42 y/o and in great health. My heredity is something else and my kids' will be twice as bad. I believe that is the #1 reason I have been able to stick with it this time. My Dad passed away at the age of 62 21/2 years ago with diabetes, lung problems and heart disease. My Mom has been totally disabled for the past 8 years and in a nursing home full time for the past 6 and she is just now 62. So layiing all that on you, I am reminded how thankfull I am for my good health and that God has allowed me to be somewhat of the caretaker in the family. I really think that was the reason I was ever a nurse.

I hope I don't scare you away. Please tell us more about yourself. This is a great, diverse group of folks and we help each other. I think we do better because we are all so different and our life experiences are extremely different. What is your starting weight and weight loss goal for this challenge?

Trauma, you just crack me up. In ways you remind me of myself in my late teens and early twenties. I guess it depends on how long after you eat on if the calories count if you puke or note. Maybe they should count a certain % depending on elapsed time.LOL I hope you are not too hung over this morning.

Ellie's Mom, just jump right in. I love your idea for a challenge.

I need to post this for now. Back in a minute.

[LZ]

Ok, I posted the final chart on the last challenge. We did good overall.

Scat, I just read about your loss. I am so sorry. With a 9 y/o boy, that is so sad.

Krissy, I love the enthusiasm. I think that is why us oldtimers need newbies. Ten pounds a month, on an on-going basis?

5'9" must be awesome. Meg and Res are taller too. Cd too. Also, Kitty who is normally with us. Kitty, where are you? I know you are having a tough time. We are here for you. Tina, Donna and Veronica?????????

Also, Jess is missing. Jess, are you having a hard time keeping up with us? I know little Jay is your priority. Pop in when you can.

Krissy,I'll try not to rain on your parade. Not everyone takes as long as I have. (almost 2 years so far)

Adele, Martha and Kristie, I look forward to getting to know you.

Cd, sorry to hear bout your finger. I hope it feels at least a little better today.

Becky, you did so well last challenge. Even if you can't keep up, please don't forget to come visit and tell us how you are doing when you can. Is your family well yet?

This is the challenge I am going to meet my goal!

Ok, I did good on food yesterday except for the 1/2 med curly fries from Arby's. I exceeded my 1250 calories by 134, but still only had 27 Grams of fat, so could have been worse. Today will be a big challenge!

I feel so much better after talking to my phrends, Have a great day. TTYL

[scatanafas]

hey all..

started the day off with a hard boiled egg and a light english muffin with smart balance spread. I binged last night and really felt disgusting last night. Was up until 2 am thinking about my friend. Ordered flowers for her today...you know at the age of forty one I shouldn't be ordering funeral flowers for my childhood friends.......

I know I should be getting ready for our trip but I am so not into it right now. I guess I'll get everything done, slowly but surely as the day progresses.......

I am going to take my phen in a bit....I think I'm taking it with me on vacation too....just in case......I know that if I gain the weight back I'lll be really angry at myself....

[Krissy8581]

Hey ladies!!! Im am so excited to say its sunny out today, a little cold but nothing that wont stop me from being outstide for awhile and enjoy it!! I did pretty good yesterday, didnt get much of a work out in, did some tummy work and very little cardio, but I guess that is better than nothing, tummy muscles are a little sore so that is always a good feeling!!!

LZ~as for raining on my parade?? Not at all, i know it can take awhile, Im just hoping, but slow is good too, I have always heard the slower the better really cuz I guess its easier to keep off, wich is definatly where I have the problem, so Im really trying to teach myself habbits of healthy eating and portion control and think of exercise as just a part of everyday and not a chore!!

Scat~im glad to hear your already getting back on track, that is awesome!! And i know what you mean about gaining back on vaca, that is the worst for me!! Well today Im gonna hope for the best and stay at or below 1200 cals, and def get some cardio in!!1

Do we have a mini challenge for the next week yet?? Just curious, I was trying to think of one but im not having any idea! Talk to you all later

[Resmoo]

Thanks everyone for your understanding about my binging freak out. There may be a little PMS thrown in there too, who knows. When you don't bleed (I have a mirena IUD and it's freakin awesome) you never know if it's phen rage, phen withdrawal, PMS, or if you have just gone mad. I went to the Y earlier and burned about 600 cals in cardio, which hopefully made a dent in the 2 giant bowls of chili I had last night . But I ate veggies all day long until that point.

Krissy, if you are new to Phen, know that you do need to take a 5-7 day break from it from time to time as your tolerance builds up. So my being out was kinda of planned. I go back to the doc tomorrow. I just hate how I've become so dependent on it...the first few months of this journey I could take it or leave it. Now I need it.

LZ, yep, Mom went to FL for Jan - Mar. Sorry your son is sick and it was a mess. Man, if I ever threw up anywhere but the toliet as a kid my parents would have killed me.

Scat, so sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like you are handling it as best as to be expected.

Elliesmom....I read your day care at the gym excuse....I say look at it as a great way to encourage her independence AND your own...anyway, welcome!

Adele, welcome! We'll cheer you on as you walk to the train. Just don't hurt yourself....are there stretching exercises and strength builders that your doctor would approve for you to do at home?

Meghan, woo hoo at the 196ish number! And in 12's! You are catching up to me...technically within 10 pounds since you are 2" taller than me. I'm gonna have to hunker down or your tall clothes supply will end...

Ok, gotta get some work done now. Cheers!

[scatanafas]

Resmoo,,,

glad that you are feeling better girlfriend....on the journey to goal there are going to be setbacks and days that we freak out and binge..i think it is all part of the process. I ate horribly all weekend.....going to try and make good choices while on vacation.

[Krissy8581]

so should I take some days off of phen?? I knew eventually I had to stop taking it, but should i try??Ive been on it for almost 2 months, well month and a half, but it still seems to be working, but maybe I should give it a try and when I get back on I will be all over energized like in the beginning!! Tell me what you guys think

[7jeans soon]

I'm taking a quick break from packing to say hello!
Scale said 195.6 this morning I knew this 197 thing was going to be over soon... I haven't been doing my greatest as far as choices but my cals have been in check and eating not all that horrible.

I'm utterly exhausted today! this whole bartending thing has totally thrown my schedule off the last few days. Also, my best friend is in town from Chicago so I want to hang out with her....oh how time seems to always be my worst enemy!

Not running today Too tired, no motivation and Im not going to push myself so hard these last few days before I leave.

Resmoo- I can totally relate....this trip to FL will be a wonderful way for you to find your old habits. I feel like your situation with the weather is similar to mine being here with my parents on a deserted beach. LZ is right though....at least you are noticing and feeling guilty! I'm not sure about you, but that's a huge step for me! I never used to panic when I woud binge and eat out of overall discomfort. We're here if you need us Have youo thought about renting some cardio DVD's on Netflix? or any other way to get your cardio in at that...? I just received 'The Biggest Loser' workout DVD thing....Ill let you know how it is. Don't stress! - This is just another one of those stages in the cycle! You will conquor!

Scat- I know that you are probably numb to the comment by now, but I am terribly sorry for your loss. Emotions always seemed to be heightened this time of year when cabin fever sets in....Just know that you'll pull through this but for now you probably mentally need those breakdowns. We all need to take time out of our lives to mourn for these things.
I too am very excited that I will be joining you in NY! I would LOVE to meet sometime for drinks We'll have to work on setting a date when I get up there and get things squared away!

Ok, sorry that's all the personals...I have to get back to picking out my few favorite wardrobe items to bring, lol. FYI...Im a fashion junkie. This is tough!

Happy Sunday!

[CDCreations]

Good afternoon phen family!! Wow, I am thrilled to see so many new folks who want to join us in our weight-loss challenge!!! It's always fun to meet and chat with new folks, and want to take a moment to acknowledge each of you:

Krissy: Hi, welcome to our group -- I see you have been posting a lot, and feeling right at home with us, and that's just how you should feel!! Happy to meet you, and looking forward to reading about your progress!!

Adele: Welcome also!! Glad to know you, and so happy that you have decided to join us!! The Valentine's Challenge was my very first challenge that I joined since starting phen, and I have never looked back; being part of a challenge is the best; you meet new folks, get advice, learn about new ideas, get challenged to do your best, and have fun all at the same time!! I also have sort of a disability as well; I have very bad knees, and another thing that no one knows here is that I also had a total hip replacement about 7 years ago on my right side. The hip feels great, but the knees hinder me from doing things like jogging, step aerobics, things like that, I just have really bad joints, so I rely on my stationary bike to get my workouts in. We all understand that some of us have limited capabilities, so we encourage each other to just do the best we can in our exercises, and to incorporate great eating habits for effective weight loss -- welcome to our group; so happy you are here!!

Velvet Slipper!! Hi Velvet, looks like you are interested in being part of our phen family as well; welcome aboard, glad to see you, and I wish you all the success in the world in your weight loss journey!! We are a great group to join, look forward to seeing your progress!!

Elliesmom: Hi, welcome to our new challenge, and not to worry, you're right on time to start with us as we continue in our weight loss journey!! I see that you have two little ones at home; and even though my two daughters are grown, I remember when they were little (you never, ever forget that!!). And I see that you want to be out of the 200's by the end of this challenge; sounds like you are planning to step right into "Onderland" (199 pounds or less) -- it's the greatest place to go, I'm pushing to get there myself so we're gonna encourage you every step of the way!!

A New Laurie: Welcome to our challenge!!! Excited to have you with us, and I'm so glad that you have decided to join us!! You said that you were a "lurker" before; no need to lurk any more, we want to embrace you right into our phen family. As you have no doubt seen, we are great for giving encouragement, sound advice, and I think we give the loudest yells, yodels, etc. in the world for weight loss achievements!! And I see that your goal is to also step into Onederland - you can do it, we know you can!!!

Hello to all my other phen family!!! I'm so glad to see that a lot of us moved from the Valentine's challenge right into this challenge!! I have so many personals to do to you guys, so I'll post later this evening. Thanks for asking about my finger; it is doing better today, not as sore, but I was really scared yesterday, it was not a pretty cut, and I didn't want it to become infected ... So I am about to write our motivational comment for the day; I'll be back shortly!!

[CDCreations]

"MOTIVATIONAL MOMENTS" ~ Sunday, February 17, 2008

I would like for each one of us to start this new challenge with really good and positive thoughts about yourself. This is the beginning of a brand new journey for you, one filled with expectations of losing weight, and being all that you can be. It is about weight management, food control, exercising, drinking lots of water, and changing the course of your life forever!! Think of yourself as a flower … You are in the first week of this challenge, just a rose bud, just starting out, but always remember that right now, you are beautiful … Our petals have not sprouted yet, for we will need our phen family to encourage us, to be there for one other, and to help us when we have moments of weakness. But through this whole process, always remember to smile and feel really good about yourself, knowing that you are doing a great thing for your health and overall well-being. Then, as you go through this journey, like a rose, you will begin to change and bloom, and people will start to notice that something is different about you – your body will start to become slimmer, and you will have an air of confidence about yourself. And then, in your season, you will blossom into a magnificant rose!!! But always remember that through your whole journey, from beginning to end, you are -- and will always be -- beautiful!!

[Raquel]

I'm SO lurking here - I'm too chicken / nervous to be in a challenge, but I love this thread ! !

Great Motivational Moment CD!