Superb fzzy!

I am working on busting down 5 that I put on in cookies when I first found out about the surgery. Funny the cookies didn't change things I still have to do it :D

Note to self: Cookies are not medicine :D

I got to the gym yesterday, and ended my day at 1800 calories...which is better than I had a right to expect. I checked my weight at the gym on the digital scale -- I am not up...but I am not down. I guess I should thank my lucky starts that I haven't gained weight.

fzzy, the soup is a GREAT idea. I may try this next week when I am solo. :) I tend to eat my extra calories at lunch (I work downtown and there are lots of good restaurants) so if I bring soup I may be better. :)

Lil -- Try making oatmeal cookies with applesauce. They are low fat and high fiber and fill you up faster -- but they're still sweet. If you're interested I could post a recipe. :)

All right...I went on a "bender" yesterday. I didn't necessarily eat things that were BAD for me so much as I ate a lot. I realize it was stress, and I also realize it was an inappropriate response to trying to fill a void of another sort. I've played around with the same three pounds for about three weeks now, and it's getting annoying. Back and forth, back and forth, like some playground swing. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Rant over. :D

osuche,

oatmeal cookie recipe sounds good.

Oatmeal Cookies (lowfat)
 

Original recipe yield: 30 cookies.
Prep Time:25 Minutes
Cook Time:8 Minutes
Ready In:45 Minutes

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INGREDIENTS:
2 cups brown sugar
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup applesauce (can also use 1/2 cup prune puree instead)
2 tablespoons water
5 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (I use 1/2 cup, or 1/4 walnots and 1/4 cup almonds)
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots

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DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Make a well in the center and pour in the canola oil, applesauce, water, egg whites and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Stir in the raisins, walnuts and apricots. Scoop cookies using an ice cream scoop, or roll into golf ball sized balls. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets and flatten to 1/2 tall with wet hands. These cookies do not flatten very much while baking.

In the preheated oven, bake 8 minutes for chewy cookies 10 to 12 minutes for dry cookies. Cookies will not get crisp. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

ending my day at under 1700 calories today ... I'm very pleased with that!

osuche ... the cookies sound great, but I know myself well enough to know that I'd sit and eat several of them (if not all) ... so I'll keep the recipe in mind, but probably won't use it for awhile yet ... although, for those with a whole lot more will power then me, an idea might be to make it like a freezer/frigerator dough .... my sister used to make oatmeal cookies and freeze them in a shape kind of like the slice and cook cookies you get in the milk area of the grocery store, and the dough would keep for 6 months or more like that, so it may work to even freeze them in the individual serving sizes and then just bake a couple at a time ... an idea anyway.

IAKG ... hope that you manage to get off the "swing" soon ... you've done great!!! I know for me it seems like every once in awhile I need to kind of stop for a short time to kind of catch up mentally with the physical changes that have been happening.

Lil ... have I told you lately that I love you! and all of the rest of you as well) thanks for all being here in the journey we are going through!

I did much better yesterday. Staying swamped at work helps.

I did well yesterday, too. Maybe Lilith was sending me positive vibes.

When I bake cookies I bring them into work, or send them to school with Mr Osuche. I'll keep 4-5 at home for me....of course, last time Mr Osuche ate those too...and I didn't even have ONE. But I guess it's good for my diet.

yay for both Lil and osuche on good days! I'm ending another day in the "black" (so to speak) under 1700 calories, the veggie soup seems to be working great for me ... at least for the time being ... so I'm sticking with it ... and it is really helping me to get more healthy food into my routine!

Yesterday I intentionally had a Wendee plan day -- 2100 calories (when I'd been closer to 1800 for the week) and kinda splurged. A tough week at work and an upcoming final made me decide to let off some steam.

fzzy -- congrats on another good day. Glad the soup is working for you.

I am really not coping well when I am at home all day! I can't justify going out "shopping" anymore, my checkbook can't take the damages. And the weather isn't cooperating at all with any outdoor plans.

I really have been lazy in my efforts but I woke up with a resolve today that I would get back to my journaling as I'm eating - not waiting til the end of the day to do it all or not doing it at all. It's the only thing that will keep me honest and on track.

I hopped on the scale this morning and I think I managed to do something right this past week, but I will confirm tomorrow morning on my official weigh in day.

I feel like all (or nearly all) of us are hitting a slump at the same time. We have done so well and come so far... let's get it back together and recommit ourselves to the resolves we made 5 months ago.

Guilty as charged on the slump, maddy. But the journaling is a step int he right direction -- I've been staying loyal to my Fitday.

I'm down about 1.5 lbs this week, which is funny because I'm *supposed* to start my stint in the Hut sometime soon.

Great loss osuche. I'm impressed you keep up with your journaling.

I'll be meandering into the Hut this week as well. I think it's part of why I'm putting an end to my laziness today. If I don't do it now, the week will spiral out of control before my eyes.

My upcoming goal is going to be to not consume anything containing high fructose corn syrup. I am very curious to see how that affects my sugars. For now the stress of the impending end of the school year and the surgery has me all over the place. I need to live on coffee just to remain functional. OOPS! WI don't read that.

It's so nice and cool here that I went for a long walk to the cow pasture to see the baby cows. Found a huge patch of blackberries as my reward.

I'm glad to hear you got a nice walk in Lilith - and berries as a reward - how lucky!

I weighed in officially this morning and lost a pound since last week. Hopefully I'm finally done "maintaining" as I have pretty much stayed stable since mid April. I'm at 30.5 lbs lost since 12/31 and I have 26.5 to go toward my next goal at the end of July. That's a lot, so I had better get my butt in gear!

On a highly positive note, I'm just about shrunk out of my jeans again. I don't have any "next size down" ones to go into so I will have to go shopping soon enough to find some more jeans. I also probably need to find some shorts. I haven't worn shorts publicly in a few years because my legs are fat and ugly. And now the shorts I have are all baggy and ugly. In the meantime I have some cute capris that I can run around in.

Well, I got blood drawn this morning for both blood sugar and triglycerides and I am curious what the results will be. :) I keep a close watch on blood sugar because my dad died (at 36) of type I diabetes.

Other than that, I had a day slightly over my calorie range, but I did have a fair bit of physical activity. I'm also headed to the gym in about an hour (my normal lunch time routine).

Lil-- I love taking walks, but it's hard to get myself motivated without a companion. Cudos to you.

Maddy -- You've come such a long way and I'm so proud of you!! You are one of my inspirations here....if only I could have lost 30 lbs in the same timeframe. I think you give yourself too little credit

*skipping* I pulled my jeans off tonight when I got home - without undoing the button and zipper... wiggled them right down over my hips. It's the sure sign I need a smaller size.

Superb maddy! You have made such remarkable progress!

Yay maddy!!!! congrats ... great job!!!

osuche you are doing so great ... you exercising efforts are such a great example to me! thank you!

Lil ..great goal with the HFCS ... some of the reports I've read on it are really interesting on how it so negatively impacts our bodies! And great job with your walk and get the berries as well!

My weekend wasn't nearly as good as I would have liked, but I'm in my calorie range as I end the day today and amazingly I didn't seem to do any lasting damage over the weekend.

Excellent fzzy. One rocky weekend doesn't mean it's all over!

thanks osuche, fzzy, and Lilith... it's another wet day in New England... and I'm chugging down some liquid poo before I run out the door for an appointment. I'm feeling the need for something greasy and bad for me... can you say pre-HUT?

I hope all of you get some lovely weather soon and can take lots of walks. Me...I'm picking up Mr Osuche's bike this afternoon. And I *might* just have to give it a test ride tonight. :p My bike is still MIA -- I am close to reporting the EBay person I bought it from for lack of communication. :(

I spent lots of time at the gym Sunday and Monday, and I am *very* sore from weight lifting. My behind hurts so bad, it's hard to get up and down from a sitting position!

Other than that, 1850 calories yesterday and I still got some "treats" -- Indian food for dinner. Today I will try to do better, but I am going out with a friend for dinner...so who knows? I need to be more committed to this diet, and less to my social schedule. :p

Ending my day in my range ... It is so much easier to stick to the plan when I'm at the office during the day!!!

Good for you ... although instead of new jeans, you could just get us pixie guys to come and cheer you on. :)

thanks db :)

I committed a food sin today. And as of this evening I'm in the HUT. I knew that is what was making me a mad woman for chocolate of any form today. I at least made up for some of it by getting on the treadmill for a bit tonight.

I went to weigh in tonight... last week I had gained (for the first time since 2/8) 2.6 pounds... needless to say I was a bit discouraged. I went tonight... and I lost 5.8 pounds this past week.... down a total of 32.4 now... very excited.. and it has given me a much needed boost in my determination :)

This sure is a long road...

Hope all of you had a wonderful day :) Skinny thoughts!

maddy ... I empathize ... I keep telling myself at such times that this is a journey and there will absolutely be times during the journey when we step a little bit off the path .... as long as we manage to get back on the path fairly quickly, then we are still headed toward success!!! So way to recognize the moments and keep yourself focused toward the ultimate goal!!!

YAY jenna ... wooooo hooooo!!!! ... great job ... it's hard to have the discouraging times, but you obviously kept working at it ... sometimes there will be those weeks of water retention and they lead us to a false conclusion ... way to keep at it so you could get to the true forward progression. And I know what you mean about this being a long road ... for me, I have to just look at the choices and changes I'm making as being about choices and changes for the rest of my lifetime ... never want to get back to the place I'm leaving behind!

So having said all that, I had another good day and stayed within my calorie range goal...that keeps me happy!

I stayed inside my calories, but I didn't get in enough exercise yesterday, and I may not today either...I have a big meeting at 1 pm, followed by a 5 pm "interview" for consulting work...and I probably shouldn't be sweaty for either one. I'd work out after, but I have a 7 pm meeting with the homeowners association. <sigh> Some days are just cursed.

I am up 2 lbs, but I don't know what to think...this happened last month too post-period. I think I get reverse bloat now! :p

jenna and fzzy -- your determination continues to inspire. :)

jenna -- WOW -- oyu've had wonderful progress! :D

maddy -- Now that you're in the Hut, you should be safe. But think of it this way...you pulled the jeans trick while pre-Hut. Pretty impressive. ;)

Thanks fzzy & osuche... It helps me to know that so many here are going thru the same process... and reading about everyones experience... their struggles.. and successes is a great motivator for me... not to mention that each of you have given me great ideas to incorporate into my own journey...

I don't know how you ladies survive the hut on a monthly basis. My visits are less frequent, and this one has been particularly rough. I want to eat EVERYTHING in sight, and I think I pretty much did.

I did the grocery thing today and restocked my kitchen with fruits and vegetables, so hopefully I will again find the will to snack on veggies instead of ice cream. I also stocked up on Lean Cuisine as they were on sale and hopefully that will relieve some of the boredom I've been having with my food lately too.

I'm expecting to be down a bit this week thanks to losing some of the water I'd been retaining pre-Hut.

Hope everyone else is having a great weekend - we are actually seeing the sun in New England - what a treat!

((((Maddy)))) ~~ congrats ... sounds like you had fun trying on smaller clothes this weekend, and "purging" the bad stuff.

I've been struggling a bit...not with calories, but with finding the motivation to go to the gym. I only went 3 times last week, and I really need to go today...but I can't seem to make myself yet. Some of it's lack of motivation, and some of it is boredom. Maybe (should the weather hold out) I'll take a bike ride.

thanks osuche :)

I've been going to the gym this week and have found that I have no muscles that I use consistently - particularly in my core. This translates into abs that ache and realizing that I have no good balance. If I can stick to it, I know only great things will come after the aches.

Eating is a bit better now that I am beyond the hut. I'm trying to make sure to have at least one fruit/vegetable with each meal and it's working. Essentially I'm going back to day one to a degree. I know how and what to eat to get full and not waste calories, I just need to be serious and accountable again.

I'm still getting comments about my weight loss from colleagues which is entertaining, mostly because the scale has really slowed down. I'm probably about 5lbs away from another change in pants in my wardrobe (that would make change number 4!).

I've gained 983457239857390857349578239057 pounds.

I'm down about a pound, and I've been *much* better about my calorie intake. However, I've been awful about working out...done it twice in the last 7 days. We've had parties and commitments, and I've started class again...but the real reason is lack of motivation.

<sigh>

So...How do you all get motivated when you're just tired?

(((Jenna, fzzy, maddy)))... Great job on your continued success!

((((osuche and Lil)))))... Keep at it and don't give up! (or I'll have to come visit each of you and chase you around ;) )

uh...'scuse me! what's the incentive, then? :p

pixies power has done such a tremendous job in helping you all stay focused and fessing up when you aren't at your best. the support, kudos, and friendship i see you guys offer each other in here brings a tear to my eye.

good job, all of you!!!!! (((hugs)))

osuche, I know where you are at... I've been there very recently. What has worked for me is I finally let someone talk me into going to the gym with them...and was truly honest with myself that I have too many excuses not to use the treadmill. I know I shouldn't depend on someone else to drag my lazy ass to the gym... but whatever works, right? So there's my suggestion, is there someone that goes to the same gym as you that you can buddy up with?

maddy ... you are doing great ... yay for you!

osuche ... you also are doing great ... I've been having that exercise motivation issue myself for awhile too ... actually a little longer than a week or so, but I know where you're coming from and I don't always manage to get myself moving nearly enough.

Lil ... man oh man that's a big number .... :) hope you are able to move forward as soon as you're ready!

wyndhy and aqua ... thank you both for your kind words and positive thoughts!!! They make a difference!

me, I know I haven't been reporting in as much lately ... not been being perfect, but not been TOOO bad either, most days I fall within 100 calories or so of the top of my range, which considering just how much weight I have to lose, is still a very positive outcome ... still losing inches and feeling more energy and ease of movement ... which is really what I started this whole process for, so I'm happy that I'm moving forward in my goals still (just a wee bit slower at the moment then I was doing at the beginning).

fzzy -- glad to see you're continuing your quest. I was wondering...

I've not worked out since Monday -- and I have this horrible cold....bonus is that I haven't been eating as much so I'm down another pound. :p