I didn't go to WW today because I was still digging out from under my vacation pile.

I am not sure what it was, can't put my finger on it, but I did not go to the interview this morning.  Give me a little credit, I didn't now show on the guy, I got up and emailed him before leaving for work (6 a.m.) so he knew when he got to the office. 

I gave some b.s. story about something to keep my options open with this company in the future, ya know?  You never know....

Anyway.

So.  Tomorrow starts a new WW week.  While I didn't do too horribly while in CA last weekend, I have been off track since returning with both my exercise and eating (sigh)

Now I will get back on track tomorrow.  I am going back to the "not eating my flex points" option.  That worked really well for me last week, remember?  When I pulled the 3.something loss last.  So, I will get my water, fruits/veggies and exercise in and be a good girl.

O:-)          See my halo?  Happy Thursday tomorrow - I do plan to go to the interview tomorrow (LOL).

Here’s a little inspiration for those of you who are worried about not seeing any changes in your body so far.
It’s called the “Paper Towel Theory”.

Let’s assume you go out and buy two rolls of paper towels, each with only 84 paper towels on it.
You put one aside, and keep it for future reference (this is your “before” picture).
The other one represents you.
The cardboard core represents the lean you.
The towels represent the fat that is covering the lean you. For argument's sake, let’s say you want to lose 21 pounds of fat, so (84/21) each sheet represents a quarter-pound of fat lost. Let’s also assume that you lose the fat equally every day.

Each day during the first week, you tear off a sheet of you, this sheet represents the fat you have lost for the day. (Or take off 7 sheets in a week!)
Next, you put yourself next to the full roll for comparison. No noticeable difference, even at the end of the week!
Now you're wondering if you've been doing something wrong!

But, being a good you, you continue to exercise and eat sensibly. At the end of weeks two and three, you continue to compare you to the other paper towel roll, and still notice very little difference. Now you're seriously beginning to doubt your exercise and portion control efforts will ever work!

But you're determined!
You work hard!
You continue to exercise and are careful with your meals.
Three more weeks go by, the sheets peel off day after day, before you get up the courage to compare yourself to the other you (the other paper towel.)
WOW!
It is working!!
OK, so you're not skinny, but you are smaller!!!

By the end of two more monthly challenges, you're down a good few pounds and closer to your ideal weight, you're happy. And we're all happy for you too.

What did you learn?
The lesson to be learned here is: Fat is like paper towels, it comes off in sheets.
When you are heavy, you are big around. And when you are big around, that fat is spread over a MUCH larger area.
The closer you get to the lean you, the more each lost pound of fat shows, because it is spread over a smaller area.

While the outside sheet may only cover 1 layer of the roll, the inside sheet may go around 4 times. That last sheet looks like it gives you 4 times the results of the first sheet, but in reality, the results are the same – your perception is just different!
Remember: You can't hope to see that inner core (the cardboard roll) unless you're willing to patiently peel off each sheet of towel to get there.

(Source:  Unknown, found on TBL forums)

Sub-titled:  I was a good girl on vacation

.... or so we'll see this week on the scale!  LOL!!

I'm b-a-c-k!!!!!

Let's see.  Really, we didn't do too poorly with our choices.  We *did* go to Chili's and I did *not* order from the guiltless grill; however, I did have the "Southwest something-or-other Tilapia" with veggies and salad.  We only had a handful of the chips that come with the food.

Bad choice of the weekend:  Garlic Fries

Those are a new obsession LOL!!  OMG they are goooooooooddddddd!!

Went for lots of walking and my hunny took me shopping.  Got a couple of tank tops and a blouse/crop pants outfit.  I love going to "Avenue" to shop (thank God they don't have one here in my city, or he'd have to get me gift cards LOL!!)  Anyway, it's a store for larger women (14 in size) and I am almost out of the 18s, so won't get to shop there much longer.

OH!  Remember the resume I screwed up last weekend??  Where I put the wrong company name and job title in the resume/letter?  OMG the HR guy called me Thursday morning before I left work, so I have *that* interview this week also!!

Yeppers:  an interview on Wednesday and Thursday this week!  That's exciting!!

Anyway, I just got home basically and had to come do an email dump (I had over 200 emails LOL - and that was after doing a mass delete from Jay's house)

Shelley:  it wasn't bad at Jay's - he lives in San Luis Obispo, which is what 15-20 miles from Morro Bay - it was pretty nice and sunny the whole time.  MB is always more cool, since it's right on the ocean.  We went to Avila Beach, but it wasn't too bad there and then Santa Maria where Avenue is at was nice. 

I wanna go back!!  Dang, I am glad I have time off booked for next month to go there!!

(( HUGS ))  I hope you all had a great weekend and are having a good new week.  I'll get back to visit some of you laters.

She's feeling hot, Hot, HOT!!

Yessiree EP friends!!  That "Coming to Jesus" meeting I had with my body last week worked!!

CA-CHING!

-3.4 lbs this week!

Oh.My.God!

Yeah.  I told my body you will NOT die, but you WILL lose weight!!  LOL!!  Ok.  I did not exercise like a crazy woman this past week due to the heat.  I did subtract 2 pts from what I had been eating per day (dropped down to 28) and I barely used any of my flex points.  So, this was a good combination.

Like I said the other day too - I just got over TOM, so maybe last week I would have shown a loss had it not been for TOM <shrugs> donno.  "Something" worked.  And, now that I am in the 240s for my weight (looking pretty solid too, unless I mess up major big-time in CA this weekend).  Officially, I am supposed to be at 28 pts per day now.  I won't lower it for a couple of weeks on my own unless/until I show signs of stalling or yo-yoing again.  And, since I am traveling, I will allow myself my APs and my FPs for the week.

I'd rather pull a maintain (or even a TINY gain) to not feel deprived with my hunny LOL!!

Chicken-man (I mean, Jay) is going out tomorrow morning for the block of chocolate that he has grown accustomed to buying pre-trip.  LOL!!  I told him I am over the chocolate need, especially since TOM just left and it's too soon for PMS, but he'd rather be safe <whatever>

One of the places he wants to go to for dinner is Chili's - they have a new one down there and he's never been - so, tonight I need to hunt down their website (or on Dotti's) and look for options.  I was all prepared for Red Lobster and stuff, ya know!!

OH!  YEAH!  Phone interview today.  Went as good as you can expect for one of those.  I had the lady call me at work so I had to talk quietly....I didn't want co-workers overhearing, ya know??  I felt bad having to do it that way, but my other option was to "call out" for the morning" like I overslept or something and would "be late" to work.... I didn't want to do that, since I knew this call would only take 15 minutes maximum.

OK.  So it went ok.  The gal I spoke with was "the recruiter" and she "will forward my info (aka answers) to the hiring managers and if they are interested in an in-person interview, I'll get contacted" *next week* - to which I replied I will be out of town until Monday night, so if I do not see any messages from her, I will contact her Tuesday.  I felt this was fair and safe.

She called me back within the HOUR to schedule an interview - they musta liked something I had to say LOL!!  So, since I won't be here Friday for an interview, I am having it next Thursday 7/24

I am so excited!!  Like I said, if it is meant to be, things fall into place.

Their head office is in Seattle, so part of the training would be in Seattle (Company paid travel/lodging during the training) for 2-4 weeks.  Yippie.  Did I say I was excited??

Anyway.  I have tons o laundry and dishes to do, as well as packing so I am ready when I go to work tomorrow.  If I can get back on here to check on you all, I will..... if not, I'll check in next week!

(( HUGS )) and have a fantastic weekend!!

Weight this morning: 247.8
** I know this is TMI and so we aren't going far there, but thanks for all the lovely comments LOL - but sometimes you just can't force a poo before a.m. BAN weigh-in

It's ok - it's coming down.  I actually think it was up yesterday because Sunday night I made this beef stew type stuff for dinner and those things can have sodium in the sauce, ya know?

Today was "P Day" - not pout or anything like that, but Princess Day (aka pedicure day LOL) - I always treat myself to a pedi before I go to see Jay because of course I am down there in sandals and such and it's bad enough that I am the lightest colored person in the state since I hide out indoors all day LOL but I like to know my feet look pretty in their sandals.

Weird, I know, but it's my thing!

Get this!  I have a phone interview tomorrow for one of the jobs I applied for.  No, not the one I screwed up the email/application for, but that's ok!  This one pays great!  The one that I messed up on, the pay wasn't announced and I hate that because how do you really know if it is worth it if they won't tell you the pay up front, ya know?  It's like you go through this whole long, drawn out process and then are shocked with the pay rate.  Ugh.

So, tonight, I am taking the little man (youngest ds) to the pool for swimming and then I need to fill out their "official" online application and be ready for this phone interview tomorrow.

** Crosses fingers **

** PRAYS **

Hope this a good thing and if it is meant to be, all the pieces will fall into place.  I'll let you all know what I think tomorrow night.

Thinking skinny thoughts for WI tomorrow - hugs to you all!!  If I am not dead tonight after swimming, I'll come back and visit some of you all!!

Yeah - one of the resumes I sent out yesterday:  I had the wrong company information, job title, etc on it.

Yeah - how's that for "pays attention to detail"??

Oh.My.God. 

They probably looked at that and said "NEXT!"

LOL!!

Weight this morning: 248.8 (eh, TMI but this was before potty LOL)
Exercise today:  certainly not c25k - it's 90-plus out for a temp today!

But, it's an ok day.  Two of my team mates were gone today, which meant I was "on call" for their clients too.  Nice.  Happy Monday.

Oh and Starbucks listed on their website the first 50 stores that will be closing due to their cut-backs.  No word from corp, just the news on the website.  Did I ever say I hate that??!!  I wish they would give us info up front and not have to rely on their website or CNN.

Sigh.

Oh well.

Hope you all had a great day - I'll be around later to check on you all!

I get tired of living j.o.b. (just over broke) with my job - so it's always about looking out for #1 and what could be better (LOL!!)

So, today in the paper I found a job in there that pays $1.50-2.50 an hour more than I am making now.  To start.  Plus benefits.  Sure, I have benefits now; however, it would take me 3-5 pay raises to get to that level, or 3-4 years.

I'm sorry, but sometimes it IS about money!!  So, I applied.  God, I hope I get an interview!!  Please, please, please!!

... so earlier I tried to post this magnificent post about how I was staring down one of my red light foods in the super market and EP didn't like it:  said the format was wrong or it was too long or something.  LOL!!

Yeah, it let me post that book the other night, but it wouldn't let me post this.  Weird.

So anyway.  I walked to the grocery store this morning and there were packages of SOFT BAKED SNICKERDOODLE cookies staring at me.  I love snickerdoodles!!  I love soft cookies!!  Mmmmmm!!

BUT!

The scale read this morning:  246.8

And I knew I wanted to continue to see the # getting lower on the scale this week for WI on Wed!!  So I didn't get them.

Plus:  they aren't a "10" for me and I'd rather hold out for ice cream or something today since it's almost 90 outside.

I have still only used 1 of my FPs for the week - holding steady.  Wouldn't it be freaky to pull a 5 lb loss this week??!!

Have a great rest of your Sunday and fabulous week!!

A man found a cocoon (chrysalis) of a butterfly.  One day a small opening appeared.  He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.  Then it seemed to stop making any progress.  It appeared as if the butterfly had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.  So the man decided to help the butterfly:  he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.  The butterfly then emerged easily.  But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.  The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.  Neither happened!  In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.  It never was able to fly.  What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were nature's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings.  It would thereby be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need to make us grow stronger.  If we were allowed to go through life without any obstacles, it would cripple us.  We would not be as strong as what could have been.  And we could never fly.

Your own metamorphosis takes time:  eating wisely, moving more and thinking first all take time to make these changes.  Give yourself the time YOU need to change.

(Source:  Unknown - this was in my WW leader's newsletter today)

I always compare my "diet" to a life of Christianity....

... this is my take on things:

Have you ever noticed that it seems Satan doesn't go after the sinners, he already has them??  It's true, he goes after the "good" people that are trying to live a life as they should.  That's why we're tempted.  Just my thoughts.

So.  When we're "dieting" and doing crappy, off program and barely exercising, we don't have many, if any, temptations that knock us out of the ballpark. 

Nope.  It's when we think we're doing "good":  exercising, eating "ok" and drinking our water that this demon tempts us, sends thoughts into our minds and such to send us into a tail-spin.

Well.  I'm out of the grasp of him AGAIN for this round.  I can tell.  My mind feels better.  My heart feels better.  Thank God!  Thanks for all the support and motivation and eHugs and prayers  you have all sent my way.

I even told Jay that he doesn't have to buy a block of chocolate for me for next week.  GASP!  That's almost unheard of and I think he's a little leery and will have one anyway LOL!!  The man is a good boy scout:  Be Prepared.  That's their A - Number One Rule!

I'll be honest.  I don't want to have to go back on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds.  But I have been feeling like I need to.  With the crap going on over the trial/hearing coming up in September and stress, etc at work.  But, I hate how they make me feel.

So.  I have been trying something *new* which really isn't new:  Regulating things with the foods I eat (or don't) and herbals/supplements.  St. John's Wort.  I'd always like to treat things naturally, but sometimes get lost in the medical world.  My doctor (Gosh, the druggies would love him) is always quick on the script pad.  I've also been taking the Cinnamon and Magnesium again.

I think the Cinnamon is to help regulate the blood sugar (can't remember where I heard that).

The Magnesium is supposed to help with cravings (I think).  Don't you love me?!?!

LOL - I read something somewhere that says "hey, this may work for this and that for that" so I try it and then I can't keep everything straight.

But.  I have been taking the three together for <several> days and I feel better.  I got through TOM relatively unscathed.  I didn't eat the house.  Didn't steal treats from my kids behind their backs.  I think I have been sleeping better.  It helps that it hasn't been 85-plus degrees in the house at bedtime!  My mind feels better.

La de da de dahhhhhhhhhh - yep!  Think the St John's Wort is working LOL!!  For future posts, I'll just call it SJW - remember that!  LOL!!  Just kidding!!

It's been 3 days of my "new week" of points.  I am eating 28 pts a day vs the 30 that I "should" be having and am skipping the WPAs.  I've only used one of those and that was on an oatmeal snack.

I'm almost sugar/chocolate free.  I say almost, because I haven't gone out of my way to make sure of it, but I am trying to stay away from "snacks and treats".  I know this form of detox has helped immensley (sp?) in how I am feeling.

I went for a walk this morning:  40 minutes
I went for a walk this evening:  40 minutes
I stepped on the Rock & Roller this evening:  15 minutes

Instead of the typical pizza Saturday night, I had a chicken breast sandwich from Subway and ds picked a burger from Wendy's.  He gets the jr bacon burgers so in the WW world, is only 9 pts I think.  BUT instead of fries, he wanted a potatoe.  Good kid!  He's getting healthier too!

Mom called.  She made a cake "if either of you want any" - remember she just lives across the street and two doors down LOL!!  I could RUN there now for that cake if I wanted it bad enough.  Amazingly, neither of us wanted any!!

Then, I colored my hair and painted my fingernails!!  Well, I did one hand.  I'll do the rest tomorrow <wink!>

Hope you all had a fantastic Saturday - I'll try to check with more of you tomorrow!!