I've logged in going on a week now. I'm still very up and down with eating but at least I'm logging most of it! Mary (MSH) and I used to be neck and neck but she got back to consistently logging. It's been almost a year now (if I remember correctly). It's amazing how quickly it adds up. She's an inspiration to me!

Today 2 of my kids and their families got together with me for a birthday dinner. (My real birthday is tomorrow.) I enjoyed being spoiled but ate way too much, ending with chocolate decadence cake. That's about as decadent as I get. (And that's pretty decadent. LOL.) Tomorrow will not be perfect either, but better. My younger daughter is taking me out for sushi. I love going with just her for sushi and a good chat.

Exciting news...I'll be joining the gym and starting aqua aerobics this coming week. I was talking to the gal who lives at the end of our lane about the gym. I was complaining because it costs $71 per month for a single and just $100 or so for a couple. She said, "Mary...I think we're a couple." That gave me a good laugh. By golly, there are two of us and that makes a couple! I like the idea of paying $50/month much better!!

The really great thing is having a workout buddy. My friend doesn't drive because of epilepsy that started up a couple of years ago. I'll be the driver, giving me a double incentive to make it to the classes. I'm thinking we'll go 2-3 times a week. We'll split the cost of fuel, which will be nice with the cost being so danged high these days. (If you live in Europe, close your ears. I know you've been paying a lot for fuel for a long time.)

The DD and her family that I share the house with (I have my own apartment) adopted a puppy a few weeks ago. That makes a total of 3 with Bode (half Lab, half Southern Bulldog and about 80 lbs); my Izzy (mini-poodle/yorkie mix and weighing 12 lbs); and the new pup, Porter (half Yellow Lab, half Chocolate Lab and growing like a weed). I love having the kind of relaxed household that has lots of dogs running around. It's perfect.

DD and SIL have been out on the excavator and skid steer for the last week digging a pond and building a rock wall. The pond started out as a hole to see if we couldn't drain off some of the water that accumulates under the house. Apparently, when we built the foundation 3 years ago, we disrupted a spring that had previously stayed underground.

We've pumped literally thousands of gallons of water out of the hole and it just keeps coming so they decided to use it. They're building a waterfall, large fish pond, and stream going down the hill that may be year round!! The best news is that the ground under the house is drying out.

Living in the country is a challenge for us city folks but a good challenge.

I hope the rest of your weekend is delightful.

Mimi SVQ

Michelle I think its the eggs and flour that makes them more cakey, when I make choc chip cookies I decrease the flour by 1/4 cup and add a bit more sugar to get them less cakey and more chewy, hope that helps

Jane another thing that you may want to try that has worked for me in the past with the moodiness is Estrovin, I get it at Costco, but you can also get it at most drug stores...these is NO estrogen in it, its mostly herbs and natural supplements but it also helps with insomnia which I used to suffer from, not so much now since Ive lost weight and the exercise seems to have helped with sleep too, but you may want to try this

Love
Kat

Nothing it seems has helped me with my typos!!!!!!!!!

Mimi - Happy Birthday tomorrow, yes you CAN diet and Eat your cake too.... just get in some exercise!

Amanda, great story, husband, ring! I can totally relate to the support of a good man. Thanks for that blessing.

Sounds like everyone else has tons of plans - good! Have fun. I work at the hospital, which of course is 24-7, and I drew the 'short' straw ... but you know working on a weekend means no (or fewer) politics! And I am off by 1530 (3:30), so that still gives me lots of daylight as the days get longer ... even managed to treat myself to an hour on a lounge chair with a good book today. Family all went to the cabin ... so, very quiet, but kinda nice. Finding I want to eat, boredom of not rushing around like a crazy mom?! So, think I will just head to bed to ward off the temptations.

Have a Happy Sunday. To all that has family around - ENJOY. If you are on your own - you are not alone ... I challenge you to do some sort of exercise and check in

Mimi have a wonderful birthday tomorrow

Amanda what a lovely surprise for you, the ring sounds lovely hope you get to show us it soon.

Jane hope you are feeling better soon, I had the weepies a few weeks ago, I made a mistake at work and it really really upset me when it was pointed out. It really knocked my confidence for a while. Some people take HRT but I've also heard that taking it can cause breast cancer in some folk. I am suffering with hot flushes (flashes) and sometimes they make me feel quite ill! If I'm at work they can reduce me to a gibbering idiot I left a very garbled message on an employees answer machine last week It's as if I have no control. My friend recommended Kalm tablets (they are supposed to be for short term stress relief rather than menopause) She said since taking them her flushes have almost gone especially at night. I often wake during the night. I think I'll give them a try.

Almost sabotaged my weight loss yesterday, for some reason I couldn't stop eating empty calories. I must do better today! Didn't feel 100% either yesterday, so ended up having a bit of a lazy day. I'll try and keep moving too as the last two days I've not reached 10,000 steps on my ped. I'll have to walk up and down the hallway/stairs etc to make up my steps today.

Still no sunshine here but at least it's not raining. I wonder if we will every get any spring type weather, or if all of a sudden we go straight into summer? As long as we get some sunshine I'll be happy.

Have a good Sunday.

Viv xx

Happy birthday Mimi!!!!

I hope you have an awesome day.

Michele – I have the Flex Edge blade and my machine is the Artisan model. I know you can adjust the height of the bowl, as Sally mentioned, but I never could get mine just right. It was either hitting the bowl too hard with the beater, or leaving cookie dough glued to the sides of the bowl, so I gave up and got the beater.

Mimi – Happy birthday!

Loved the gym couples idea; that was a great solution! I am a gym member too but ours is very cheap, so I don't have to get as creative as you. I get a senior discount too – have you asked if your gym has one as well?

Jane – In addition to what other have mentioned, melatonin is good for helping you get to sleep. That was a major problem for me. I didn't use any HRT and made it through menopause with the help of melatonin and the products others have listed.

I'm trying really really hard to get back in the groove here. I think I'm about there mentally. You know, I think I have been reluctant to lose lately. I've been trying to dissect just what my problem has been and I think I was afraid of being able to maintain a smaller weight. Now that I have been this weight for a while, 20-30 pounds smaller than I was, I think I'm ready to find a new smaller me.

It's strange I should feel this way because I was in denial that I was as big as I had gotten until I saw a picture of myself in a swimsuit. I had been quite inactive the previous year due to a very bad foot injury and wow did that ever show up in the photo.

Where I am now is where I was before the injury, but I need to get another 30 or more off to be healthy. The remaining weight has been with me for so long that it seems odd to get rid of it, but I think I'm ready to find the old me under here.

This is a mental process more than a physical one it seems.

Time to get off the computer and move. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Faye

Having a great long weekend. The weather is perfect! And it's nice having my girl home with me. She has a friend who lives down the road from us who is big time into fishing so she went out kayak fishing with her friend. She didn't catch anything but did catch a huge frog. How do you post a picture in this forum?

This morning we headed out early for a run but it was hot hot already. I was sweating buckets. I'm feeling sad that I have to drive her back to Toronto tomorrow.

I copied the code but it still won't work...anything I'm missing.

Hello all,

It’s a warm Sunday here & most relaxing because we have Monday off too. It’s the official town celebration “Blossom Festival” this weekend. Yesterday was the parade and the farmer’s market, today the antique car show & shine, tomorrow the airport open house. Such excitement. We’d usually go to our cabin at the lake, but I can’t do much there from a wheelchair or on crutches, so we are staying home.

I definitely jumped off the wagon yesterday. Lunch at the pub (Greek salad & chicken donair, a pint of beer) was fun with friends and not too bad, but the wine and the peanut butter sandwiches in the evening were not a good choice! (No, I did not wash down the sandwiches with wine, it was more like the wine reduced my desire to resist the temptation to have a late night snack.) The MFP elves pointed out that I’d weigh 8 more pounds that I do now if I kept eating like that every day. No wonder I got fat! So, sprinting to catch up and hauling myself back on to the wagon today …


Faye, I definitely struggle with the snack free evening (see above!) and sometimes just go to bed to resist temptations.

Amanda, I love the ring story, and your DH sounds like a treasure.

Rachel – walking in place while watching TV – that’s creative commitment!

Mimi, good job joining the gym. I’ll bet you find lots of interesting ways to stay fit and active.

Michelle, two websites & podcasts I get really good cooking tips are “Cooks Illustrated” (they explain the science behind the baking) and “The Splendid Table”. They might have an answer for your brownie question.

Always Nancy, I envy you having your girl home for the weekend. Mine is all the way over in Vancouver (12 hour drive) so I don’t see her often. She never was a “hang around with Mum” type, but we do have some good fun together, and I miss her.

Oh do do de do…time to wheel myself down the hallway and choose something charming to wear to the antique car show. It has to fit over the robo-boot and not get to crumpled in the chair. I’ll be at eye level with the hubcaps, so it will be a novel kind of experience this year. DH is trolling Ebay for an old car of his own and has a nibble from an owner in Illinois. That could be an interesting road trip!

Hasta pronto,

Nancy

Happy Sunday, Ladies!

Just got home from our weekend away...wonderful fun with old friends, but I am tired. I realize now that I have been doing all of the driving for DH since his back surgery, what a tiring thing it can be! I am honestly thinking of a nap right now...something I very seldom do! Didn't do very well with my eating...too many temptations all over the counter tops and my friend is an awesome cook. I did make our lunch yesterday and it was healthy, had baked fist that the husbands caught off the dock for dinner, but it was the little nibbles here and there that I am mad at myself about:...(and the extra glass of wine here and there!!!) angry: BUT...I've been very good today and have everything together for a healthy dinner tonight, so back on track right away!

Mary: (Mimi) HAPPY Happy Birthday I hope this is a great year for you. The pond sounds wonderful and your house full of puppies & dogs & grandchildren even better:-)

Amanda: Love, support and diamonds from DH make for a very perfect combination!

Jane: Hope you get everything evened out. It's worth experimenting with a few herbal remedies...the ones mentioned all sound worthwhile, just be careful not to mix too many things together. They are still "medicines" and can have unexpected interactions. Perhaps ask your doctor and/or PT what he/she would suggest you start with. I would certainly talk to your primary doctor about the issue when you next have an appointment. Exercise seems to be the one thing that is most effective for me with mood and sleep as well as being outside a good part of each day. But I did take Black cohash some years ago when my periods were out of wack in order to regulate them and it worked. (That's why I would talk to Dr. before starting something like that)

Gotta go shut eyes for a bit

Take care, all Kackie

Happy birthday Mimi xx

Happy birthday Mimi hope it was a good one.
Thanks for all the suggestions for menopausal symptoms.Have a appt with the gyn dr tomorrow and tues with the primary care.So will ask both.I have to watch the supplements as I take other medication as well.
Hope everyone had a good week-end.
Had such a nice time yesterday with family.Got a new brag book for the new baby coming in Oct and her or his 1st ultrasound pic.
How exciting!!
HUGS
jane

Did an hour of training games on the Wii today, tomorrow I'll do a little bit of yoga and then take the extremepump class.

Made the brownies in the KitchenAid. One definite advantage to this flat beater is that there isn't as much for me to "clean off" (meaning it gets cleaned by me and then in the mouth....lol). I didn't have a problem with the ingredients getting mixed enough, so it's just that I didn't use a high enough speed last time. I guess I never USED the mixers at the high school, I only got them out/put them away but when I had the other beaters, I could usually move the beaters a bit out of the way so I could add the flour, etc. Now with the KA you really can't do that. Guess it's just something that I'm going to have to get used to. "Speed 2, speed 4, speed 6" when do you know which speed to use? I made them with only one egg and instead of the walnuts I used chocolate chips. Here I am -- just getting used to this and ALREADY I'm modifying the recipes...lol

Faye - a couple of the reviews said that the fins of the side swipe either came off or severly cracked. If it had only been one reviewer, I would have chalked it up to that person having mis-used it, but not more than one. So that's one's out for sure. the flex Edge looks good. Only thing is that it says that it's for a 4.5 qt bowl (which I have) but it doesn't specify the model number(s). I might wait until tomorrow and call KA customer service to inquire if it does fit. I really don't like ordering things that I have to return

Happy birthday mimi! Hope you have a big party of veggies....lol (while you're at it, have a glass of wine to go with them) WTG girl on joining a gym! Have you ever taken a water aerobics class before? I find that when I workout in the water, I honestly don't feel like I'm doing anything at the time. But the next day......................... Sometimes I swear that those instructors are in cahoots with the people who install the bars around the toilets.....lol The good part is that you don't want to get up to go into the kitchen to get something to eat, tho. another advantage is that it's good for the keigel muscle ("I REALLY don't want to go to the bathroom, I REALLY don't want to go".) One time I had a hot flash in the pool...good place to have one if you're going to have one.

Nancy - thanks for the suggestioni of the websites. I'm going to check them out right now. Pretty soon you'll be in shorts and won't have to worry about something to wear that fits over the roboboot! When we were selling Bryan's car (we're in NC) someone from Ohio wanted to buy it, they said that they'd send a truck etc for it. It sounded like a scam so we didn't pursue it. Hope things work out for your hubby. People who sell on eBay are usually pretty decent, so he shouldn't have any problem. But Craigslist! We will be selling some fish aquariums and pumps on there, but they are light enough and small enough to fit in the back of our Outlook so we'll take them to a parking lot somewhere to let the person see them rather than have the prospective buyer come here. We couldn't do that with Bryan's car because his car was a manual and neither of us feels confident enough to drive it anywhere. I must say that whenever someone came to look at the car, Vince ALWAYS had a gun with him (he has a concealed carry permit). Just checked out Cooks Illustrated site. In order to gain access to the videos and review or equipment, it appears you had to take out a membership to the tune of $35/year. Honestly, I don't think I'd use it enough to justify that expense. However, I did sign up for a free issue of the magazine. It sure looks like one that I got a Whole Foods once and thought was really great but was unable to order it. If it's not the one I'm thinking of, I'll just write "cancel" on the invoice.

Here's hoping everyone has a great evening.

Michele

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Jane, you are very smart to talk to your docs about adding herbals- hope there is a combination that will work for you.

I am seeing more and more how working nights is a problem for my health, just need to balance that with the financial aspects of giving up shift diff that is 10%. Did get my walk in today, and planning a second after dinner.

Hope everyones week starts out well!
Barb

Busy weekend and have stayed on my diet and swam Sat and Sunday for my exercise. I weigh in again on Tuesday. I know my clothes are fitting better so hopefully it will be good. Going to log in my food then off to bed.
Lynn

house guests went home this morning.....dogs come home tomorrow morning.....the house is quiet......Bernie is worried because he can't find his doggie sisters

we ate a lot of restaurant food and snacks---full of sodium so the scale has some very bad numbers.....it was so nice to get back to my normal eating today

I tried to do my weight training this evening and was interrupted by several phone calls and several texts, but even so, it felt good to be active after two days of too much sitting.

I've read all the posts but can't reply individually, but I will say that there is a theme of gratitude running through everything I read.....mixed in with aches and pains and family troubles and financial troubles is an attitude of gratitude for loving family members and friends and all sorts of blessings......you all inspire and encourage me.

see you in the morning
Barbie

Just found you, hoping I will fit in! Be encouraged and be an encourager!! Obviously, I have a lot to learn and I'm believing y'all are the ones with the knowledge! Yep, you can tell by the "y'all" I'm from Texas. My name is Lynda and I'm excited to be here!

Had a wonderful weekend with son #2 and DH along with my sons family posted twice long drawn out posts commented on other posts and both tiems something happened and they disappeared I dont have the energy to go thru it all again so happy night to you all

Monday is always such a good day. Start the week out well. I just wish every day was Monday. Oh well. I have been given another chance to get it right this week. Weekly shopping done, lots of fresh vege in, zumba tonight. Must learn to do well no matter what pops up in my life.

Important for me this week to get in some form of exercise daily, and plenty of rest. I'm guilty of spending to much time on the internet, if I was a teenager I would be in trouble from my parents.

Well, feeling a little 'sorry' for myself, as I am 'stuck' at home working while the rest of the family is at the cabin having fun.... so started to eat thru the pantry Should be enjoying the peace and quiet ... so after my 'pity' time ... got onto the stationary bike. Figured if I ate the calories, I'd better try to wear them off. That's more like the 'new' me I want to be .... having some dicipline. Now I feel invigorated and ready for a good nights snooze. And I won't beat myself up tomorrow. To all my fellow Canadians - Happy (Queen) Victoria Day tomorrow! To my international mfp friends, have a GREAT day! Thanks to all just for being here.

Hello everyone

I'm reading with interest all your menopause tips. The hot flushes wake me up in the night and I just try to keep calm and breathe through them but I might give a few of your remedies a go.

I've ordered my pedometer and can't wait for it to come. It's silly like I can't walk without it but when it comes there'll be no stopping me!

I had a very bad day on Saturday night when friends came to dinner, the wine and pudding being the main "baddies" of course but I think that I have managed to counteract it by being extra good yesterday. I've now got to be extra good in light of the coming weekend. We're going south to see our daughter off on her travels and then visiting a few friends. When I say weekend, it's actually going to be 6 days away.

Must get ready for work now

Cath x

Happy Birthday, Mimi

Yesterday was very very frustrating. I stepped on something ( I think it was a blackberry branch burried in the grass) and my foot bled and then burned all day. It continued to be very painful all night. Needless to say I barely got in 1200 steps yesterday. My foot is also huring because I was holding my foot so tense and strange because it hurt so much. I would have gone to the doctor this morning but I have my interview so I had to come in. I hope I can keep half the pain out of my face and do well on the interview. I am just so pissed that I hurt my foot as I was really getting back into the walking. At least I didn't eat much yesterday since I was just sitting around all day.


I hope you all have a really magnificent Monday.

Robin, Bodi boy and Ritter bit.