Claire-we all have those blah days and times. It is hard to stay motivated sometimes. I always have to hit a "rock bottom" to get really motivated but am trying not to do that this time!

Karen-I hope I can get great abs in just 8 mins a day. Heck, I would even do 15!

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Okay, so with Jend jumping into the mix and the other updates so far, we've done it -- we broke 500lbs! Total lost to date for the group is 501.9lbs!!!

Just one pound for me recently; I finally weighed in again Sunday. I'm not surprised. I've really fallen off my game in the past month; too much stress, lack of sleep, depressive behavior, blah blah blah. BUT, I have learned something. Even though I've barely SEEN a green veggie or a pushup, I'm still eating better and staying more hydrated than I used to, by far. I'm not overeating, and that's not taking effort. I'm not craving sweets or junkie carbs stuff almost at all.

SO, not too bad. Considering this is about as bad as my habits/sleep/mood gets in the past month, depression, and stress, I'm not doing to bad. My weight is maintaining. SO, I've learned that my new 'worst' is still not too bad at all. And that has been important for me to learn. That tells me that even if emotionally I'm a mess, I've still changed my eating lifestyle enough to at least maintain. That is very, very good. Go me. Finding little things to be proud of myself about.

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BTW, Claire, I REMEMBER that episode of CSI!

And by the way, girls, while you're looking at the back of those pot pie boxes, check out the sodium content too. Now, I like them -- and why is it that the cheapie ones are the best? -- or, well, I used to. I don't know. There is a whole bunch of stuff in this weird category; I like it, I used to eat it, but it doesn't fit my tastes very well anymore, I guess is the best way to put it. Most pre-packaged type stuff falls into this category now. If you go REALLY GOOD for a couple months, your tastes will change. I've all but lost interest in any micro-type meal. I bought a little cheese Digorno single pizza the other day, and I swear I ate maybe half of it. I just didn't dig it. And I used to LOVE micro/oven pizza. Anyway, . Yes, pot pies = bad. LOL!

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Yay Steph! That's awsome that you have really changed your lifestyle and habits. Not to mention, I bet your metabolism is a little faster and can support more slips now. Ok, I don't actually know that...just a theory.

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Oh, yeah, I hadn't really even factored that. I KNOW I changed my metabolism big-time last fall, when I made all the big changes all at once. Honestly, I'll be really proud of myself to get my original goal (only 11lbs to go), but I'd be happy too if I can just tone up my tummy and arms a bit at this point. I'd be satisfied. Those things may go hand-in-hand.

I'd like to be comfortably in a 9/10. I can get into them now, but they're too snug to wear 'in public'. So, though some 14's fit okay still for the most part, I'm pretty firmly in an 11/12 at this point. Which is great down from a 20!

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Steph, that's awsome! I understand wanting to hit your original goal, and yep, I think the toning will probably take care of it.....but seriously, a 12 from a 20! That's great! I was a 14 once when I was about 18. After I had my tonsils out, I couldn't eat for a LONG time and I lost a TON......*sigh* too bad my latest surgeries didn't have that effect....maybe I could just get my jaw wired shut? *snicker*

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Yeah, I need to remind myself how much when I was bigger I would think of how I'd KILL to be this small again!

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Yep, I agree. Oh, and I saw in IF thread about the job. Don't worry...and no OVERthinking, remember? You'll do fine! Glad you got some stuff thrown away.....that wasn't all your big clothes that you threw out, was it? If it was-wow, how liberating! Actually, given the circumstances, I think cleaning/packing is liberating either way.

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Actually yes, there were a lot of clothes I threw out. And yes, I got a little twinge that I should have donated them, but at the same time, a lot of my stuff was getting old, had safety pins, linings coming loose, etc. And I just felt like I NEEDED to throw them out.

No overthinking, no overthinking...keep reminding me...

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Steph- This is one of those situations when "don't think, just DO" is a good way to go! And yay for getting rid of the big girl clothes. Unfortunately whenever I am getting rid of clothes it is because they are too small, lol.

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Steph- you are SO golden! Look, you said yourself that your current job will have a hard time replacing you.....you'll find another place in a snap. And this latest one sounds REALLY promising. you are just gettting butterflies is all.

About the donating thing.....I know what you mean, but I find it so cleansing to just throw stuff away. Whenever I try to "donate" stuff....well, first my mom wants to go through it, then my aunt, then they give it back to me to donate. So I just toss it now. I know, my carbon footprint and all *smacks self on wrist* BAD AMERICAN!

Bina- I hate throwing out the too-small clothes!

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Yeah...yeah...(breathe)...yeah...okay, now I feel like Rainman...yeah...LOL!

I'm going no matter, so...WTH. It's not like I wanted to start work the day after getting down there anyway. Okay...in off the ledge. I think.

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LOL- Rainman. I'm so jealous! I'm not sure I ever knew WHERE in FL you are going?

Well, lunch is 1/2 the size today as yesterday. Yesterday I was actually FULL after lunch. It's just iceberg, handful of onions, little parmesan and newman's light Italian.....Have ya'll tried that? 60cals a serving and really good. Oh yeah and a couple handfuls of light popcorn.

Steph, I really wish I could get to where I have changed my food tastes. Maybe I'm still de-toxing, but sometimes I just HAVE to have something gross. I'll be good all day and I'll find something like chips or chocolate and just stuff it in my mouth like a crack addict! Maybe I have issues......

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We just got back from our vacation to my friend's house in Houston. Her DH cooks delicous Cajun Food every night, plus we ate fast food while traveling. And dinner time isn't until at least 8pm at their house, so no eating after 8 didn't work for me. But, small victory here, I wanted cake around 10pm each night but managed to go to bed w/out it. Tonight is our anniversary dinner, but I'm going to get in a little exercise before then.

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Claire- I am LMAO at the CSI comment, I remember that one. You are NOT going to smother your DH LOL

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Hey, Kel, a victory is a victory.

Rhea ~ It took a few MONTHS of being quite strict with myself, then I could let up a little, THEN I noticed I didn't want those things anymore, and that my tastes had changed for real.

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