Here's the deal http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid Random thoughts about diets and everything else en All rights reserved Weight loss extrapounds v2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 1440 http://www.extrapounds.com/images/avatars/users/julyorchid.gif Avatar http://www.extrapounds.com/ 100 100 Random thoughts about diets and everything else Round 2 http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/243852/round-2 &nbsp;I've fallen of the wagon and I have to get back on.&nbsp; I gained 11 pounds since April, so once again I find myself starting a diet between Thankgiving and Xmas.&nbsp; I started the phen again just to give myself a jumpstart.&nbsp; I've lost 1.8 pounds so far and weigh 185 today.&nbsp; My mini goal is 180.&nbsp; My ultimate goal is 150 by July 1.&nbsp; I absolutely refuse to be 50 and overweight!!!&nbsp; Wish me luck, here we go.... again. <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/243852/round-2">Comments(5)</a> 243852 Tuesday, October 31, 2006 22:07:23 okay....this is weird http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/235706/okaythis-is-weird I THOUGHT there were posts on my friends pages, but when I went to check on them none were there.&nbsp; So I went to my blog.&nbsp; Again, no posts.&nbsp; I know better than that.&nbsp; What the heck is going on???? <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/235706/okaythis-is-weird">Comments(0)</a> 235706 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 00:02:23 Hello strangers! http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/232432/hello-strangers <p>First I have to apologize for not blogging or answering your comments to my blog for so long.&nbsp; A couple of days ago I received 15 messages and some of them were from September!!!&nbsp; I'm SO sorry everyone.&nbsp; I wouldn't ignore you on purpose.&nbsp; I hope to answer each and every comment within the next few days.</p> <p>When I came home after going for the birth of my granddaughter, I started a new job.&nbsp; Its a great job and I love it, but like a fool I didn't quit the old job so I've been trying to keep up with both of them since October 1st.&nbsp; I finally got tired of having no life and gave my notice at the old job but I won't be done with it until November 2nd.&nbsp; I promise to be around more after that.&nbsp; Right now it seems like all I do is work and sleep!</p> <p>For those that asked about my granddaughter, thank you, and she is doing fine and growing like a weed.&nbsp; They say she weighs 8 pounds 12 ounces now!&nbsp; I'm sorry I don't have a new picture to post.&nbsp; My DIL is not very good about sending them, but I'll post a later one than what is on my blog now.</p> <p>Weight has been an issue lately.&nbsp; When I came back from WV I had gained 5 pounds.&nbsp; Two weeks later I went to 3 days of training for my new job and when I came home I had gained another 7 pounds!&nbsp; Now how the heck does that happen????&nbsp; I've been taking a pill called Lyrica which they say wil cause you to retain water in your hands and feet but I think I must be retaining it in other places too!&nbsp; I've managed to lose about 5 pounds since I came home from training, but I've still got 7 more to lose to be back to where I was.&nbsp; I WILL get it done</p> <p>Hope everyone is doing well.&nbsp; I'll give my best effort to visiting your blogs and getting caught up.&nbsp; I miss hearing from everyone and reading your blogs.&nbsp; I guess EP is addictive.&nbsp; Have a great day everyone!</p> <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/232432/hello-strangers">Comments(1)</a> 232432 Monday, October 30, 2006 22:04:00 I have a new granddaughter http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/221356/i-have-a-new-granddaughter My granddaughter was born today.&nbsp; I got to watch her be born AND I got to cut her cord.&nbsp; That is so extremely neat.&nbsp; She is just a beautiful baby, of course I know we all thing our children and grandchildren are beautiful, but she REALLY is!&nbsp; I'll post some photos in my album.&nbsp; She weighs 7.5 pounds, pretty good size since her mom is a tiny little thing.&nbsp; I'm away from home so I won't be posting much for a few days but just wanted to share the good news. Take care everybody <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/221356/i-have-a-new-granddaughter">Comments(7)</a> 221356 Friday, December 8, 2006 22:02:00 Commercials should be illegal http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/219667/commercials-should-be-illegal I'm watching a show on Oprah about food and how to eat healthier&nbsp;and what do they show on the commerical break?&nbsp; Microwave brownies with a voice in the background saying &quot;fudge is your friend.&quot;&nbsp; This should be illegal.&nbsp; This constant advertising of food is almost like brainwashing.&nbsp; If they're so concerned about Americans being obese, they need to put a stop to all the junk food commercials! <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/219667/commercials-should-be-illegal">Comments(3)</a> 219667 Friday, December 8, 2006 23:08:00 Nonscale signs of progress http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/219261/nonscale-signs-of-progress <p>This has been a subject of discussion for my EP friends and I lately.&nbsp; I read an article recently that gave us other ideas to consider when we're measuring our success.</p> <p>How does your clothing fit?&nbsp; <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Take out a pair of pants that fit snugly before you began your new, healthy habits.&nbsp;Are you able to ease into them, when before you had to sit (or lie) down and yank them up your legs?&nbsp;This is a sure sign of progress toward a leaner you!&nbsp;What about an old shirt?&nbsp;Is it now a little loose around your waist or arms?&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Look for improv</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">ed muscle definition when you check out your body in the mirror.&nbsp;There are many everyday indicators that you are firming up your body, from how your clothes fit to sitting more comfortably in a booth or small chair.<br /></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Even if you are not losing pounds, you very well may be losing inches all over your body as your figure slims down and tones up with muscles.&nbsp;Measuring your body is more reliable than the scale alone.&nbsp;Other indicators include a reduction of BMI and body fat percentage. </span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How does a health diet and excise affect your energy levels</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&nbsp;Not only will you be able to work out for longer intervals of time, but everyday chores will also become easier.&nbsp;Whether cutting the grass or simply walking up the stairs, these behaviors will come effortlessly.&nbsp;<br /></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I am a scale-o-holic, but I need to learn new ways to measure my weight loss that are a little more reliable. Hope this helps someone else too!</span></p> <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/219261/nonscale-signs-of-progress">Comments(2)</a> 219261 Friday, December 8, 2006 23:07:03 Diet cake http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/216660/diet-cake <p>It seems we have a birthday cake in our office every other week and this is torture for us dieters.&nbsp; last week one of the girls brought the BEST cake I've ever tasted, diet or otherwise, and I wanted to share the recipe, so here goes:</p> <p>Mix any chocolate cake mix and 1 can of diet coke - no eggs, no oil - just these 2 ingredients.</p> <p>Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes and let cake cool completely.</p> <p>Make one package of fat free, sugar free chocolate pudding with skim milk, allow to set.&nbsp; Mix in one small tub of fat free cool whip and use this mixture to ice the cake.&nbsp; </p> <p>OMG, this is just heavenly!&nbsp; I don't know this to be true but I was told that one regular slice of this cake is&nbsp;about 200&nbsp;calories or 3 weight watchers points.&nbsp;&nbsp; Give it a try next time you need a diet dessert for a social occasion or a family meal.&nbsp; </p> <p>Have a great day guys.&nbsp; TTYL</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/216660/diet-cake">Comments(4)</a> 216660 Saturday, December 9, 2006 00:09:01 Waist managment http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/214520/waist-managment One of my EP friends brougth up the issue of waist management.&nbsp; This is an issue for me.&nbsp; Everything seems to be slimming down except my belly.&nbsp; Maybe its my age.&nbsp; Maybe its the fact that I have done any serious abdominal exercises for years.&nbsp; I've started doing situps in hopes of rectifying this situation.&nbsp; My friend recomended cinnamon and cayenne tablets and I read in a magazine that broccoli florets contain something that encourages fat loss in the abdomen.&nbsp; Not sure I eat broccoli every day, though I do love it.&nbsp; Does anyone else have any ideas, tips or suggestions to whittle your waist? <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/214520/waist-managment">Comments(4)</a> 214520 Saturday, December 9, 2006 00:02:22 Raisins http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/211445/raisins I read in a women's magazine that raisins are a good snack because they contain boron which helps that mid afternoon slump and improves your thinking.&nbsp; I do have an issue about 2:30 in the afternoon where I feel tired and start to crave&nbsp;chocolate and caffeine.&nbsp; I usually respond to this by getting chocolate and a soda pop.&nbsp; I'm going to try to replace the chocolate with raisins and the large soda pop with a small one and see how this works out.&nbsp; I have a &quot;better than&quot; attitude toward dieting I guess but it seems to be working.&nbsp; Anyway, I'll let you know how this works out.&nbsp; :) <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/211445/raisins">Comments(5)</a> 211445 Thursday, December 7, 2006 22:05:23 New look of EP http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/211032/new-look-of-ep I like the new look of EP, don't you?&nbsp; Its more modern and up to date I think.&nbsp; The new support group thing is really interesting too.&nbsp; I'm going to try that when I get the chance.&nbsp; I've found 2 new friends, which is great cause a lot of my old friends have stopped blogging.&nbsp; Hopefully I can find some support with them.&nbsp; I've GOT to get back on this weight loss wagon.&nbsp; I have 11 months to go until I'm 50 and I don't want to be fat and 50.&nbsp; My new granddaughter is coming next month and I hope that she will never have known a fat grandmother!&nbsp; Anyway, I&quot;m off to physical therapy.&nbsp; Everybody have a great day!!&nbsp; TTYL <a href="http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/julyorchid/comments/211032/new-look-of-ep">Comments(4)</a> 211032 Thursday, December 7, 2006 22:04:11