Trying hard to lose the pounds!!!!!!!!!

pconn03

Hi All Lovely Ladies:
Just thought I'd write this note before leaving on Friday morning. I went to WW this morning and had gained a pound but I'm not really too worried about it because I haven't been as careful as I should have been.

Janet, Lois and Patti: The business meeting is in Marina del Rey - Southern California, near Los Angeles. I've been to California a number of times and it is always a treat!! We leave on Friday morning and come back on Monday. I have a niece and nephew with their families out there so on Sunday afternoon we are all getting together for dinner - it should be great fun.

Janet, you're right about keeping on the plan with all of the frest veggies and fruits that are available. I just need to watch my intake of wine at dinner. I think if I keep it to one glass per night, I should be ok, don't you guys??

Lois: You are so funny!!!! I would probably be the bad influence on you, not the other way around!!

Patti: I know you'll get your visit to California in some time soon. That's the way to do it - make a list and just keep chipping away at the items on the list, right?? Thanks so much for asking about Julie and Meghan. They are both doing great, thank God. Julie's date is coming up very very soon - and I'm getting nervous. I haven't held a newborn in many and many a year but I am so excited I don't think I'll be able to stand it. ha,ha

Cowgirl: Hope all is coming along well for you. Please let us know how you're doing. God bless . . . and Eileen we haven't heard from you for awhile now, hope you are doing great as well.

You gals are the absolute best and I hold you all in my heart. I'll be back next week - in the meantime,
God bless,
Pat

raven81

Hello Divas, Sorry I have been AWOL for so long. When I have more time, I'll have to read all your posts to catch up.

Been struggling lately--had a lot going on and I'm a stress eater--but I'm maintaining what I took off, just not loosing anymore.

Having my ovaries out Friday--say a prayer that all goes well. Tomorrow is prep day--have to drink that lovely concoction thats sends you running to the ladies room--not the way I really want to loose weight

Hang in there ladies--slowly but surely we will reach our goals!

Eileen

LJC

Pat, the weather is very warm this week - be sure to bring your summer clothes for daytime - been cool in the evenings. Although, should be nice at the beach.

Eileen, sending you good vibes and prayers for your surgery - hoping for speedy recover.

NYJanet

Eileen: Just wanted to let you know I will be thinking of you on Friday. Good for you for maintaining during stressful times. That's hard to do. - Janet

LJC

Good Morning Divas, I received an email this morning regarding calicum, since we had this discussion - thought I'd pass this along - hopefully the link works. On the bottom of 2nd pg, there is a link to a PDF that tells you exactly how many calcium tablets you need to take for the recommended dosage based on the type of calcium.

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jhtml?story...tr@algxmail.com

beachcottage

HI Diva's...

Eileen I will be thinking about you on Friday...How are those lovley children of yours doing? Hope you have lots of help while you are recovering....Please check in with us as soon as you can..Love and prayers are on the way...We are with you in spirit on Friday.... Thanks for all the info on Calcium...I have to schedule a bone density test...

Lois thank you for the calcium link......I will have to check it out.....It has been so cool here also....I have been gardening and hoping that my plants make it... ....I already had two tick bites.. ...

Rosemary I am glad you mentioned bone density...I have to make an appt for one...Glad you started this conversation...

NY Pat...Do you have any good recipes to share with us? I am always looking...A friend is going to send me some recipes for the grill...I will share them as soon as I get them......

Pat you must be busy preparing for you trip....Wish I could stow away in your luggage.... ......Have a safe trip and lots of fun.....Try a new wine while you are out there...And then have a toast....To all of us
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here's to a wonderful trip......

Help....I have been so hungry!!!What is up with this???? xoxoo,Patti

LJC

Patti, I spent a few days last week constantly hungry. I don't know what was up with that, but things have seemed to calm down a bit. Maybe it's the weather, we are expecting 100's over the weekend. YUCK!!! I don't like it that hot - I'll be spending every minute indoors.

Pat, have a great trip - take lots pictures for us to see.

Rosemary, I had my bone density a few weeks ago - was suppose to see my onc this week for results, but she's been ill. Now I find out she'll be having surgery and won't be back until July! I see her associate next week for my results. Hopefully, she'll be back by my next appt on 7/6 - otherwise I'm going to change it so I can see her.

Eileen, thinking of you today - good luck!

cowgirl

Okay stopped in, drugs are running out and I am up waiting for time to move to take my next pain killer. I gained a lot during surgery, but I think after I stop the pain killers it will go down. I eat because I have to take meds, food doesn't seem to taste good right now. Temptation isn't a problem.

Remind later about calcium, I am lactose interloant, can't spell with darvocet apparently! I take citracal D normally!

Dragonflyer

Hey Cowgirl!

Glad to see you back online. I see you're taking Darvocet, so I guess you're working through the post-op pain right now. Hang in there and feel better. We're all pulling for you.

Best Wishes,
Jan

Rosemary44

Patti,
Ok, your forcing me to come to your hunger rescue. You said help. Then I have to charge right in.

I just posted this on the other thread and it does work to keep you from hunger:

www.konjacfoods.com

1 tsp a day mixed with water 20 mins before your major meal of the day. It's either this or I start singing again.

La, la la la la la laaaaa, Oh, I'm in fine tune.


Rosemary

Rosemary44

Lois,

It sounds like you may be hearing a good report. If it wasn't good wouldn't they have called you with the results before this?

One question I would love to know the answer to is: if you have a good report, should you be taking calcium anyway?

I've been looking all over the net for chewable calcium citrate type wafers and I can't find it with or without other ingredients in it. Does anyone here know of any out there?

Howdy Cowgirl,

I'm sorry to hear about all that pain you're feeling now. I'll say a prayer that these days go by quickly for you till you heal.

LJC

Rosemary, I'm hoping for a good report, but don't think my dr. would have called if bad news though. She's been ill - so not working alot. Anyway the bone density is not life threatening, but will find out Thursday. You know that's a good question, but I think the answer may be to MAINTAIN good bone health, I should take the calcium. Particularly since I am post menopausal and on Arimidex.

Hey Cowgirl, glad to see you post and everthing seems to be going good for you aside from needing the paid meds.

I stayed inside all weekend - way too hot for me outside. Did go out early am and water my container plants. About the only exercise I got was Saturday when I decided to rearrange my living room and Sunday doing 3 loads of laundry! LOL (I had to get up - go to the garage - go back to family room - go back to garage - take clothes upstairs - go back to garage etc.....)

LJC

Hey where is everybody????????

I got report of my bone density - they say I'm in the "normal range". My T scores for spine were <.1> and hips were <.23> I was hoping for PLUS, but they said I was normal. Guess they don't know me very well LOL!!!

While I was at oncs waiting, they had a recipe book "Healthy Eating Through Cancer". Recipes to eat while going through treatment and after. They looked good and low fat. So I wrote down the website and went there this morning. www.hollyclegg.com She has several books available on Amazon and I order 2 of them this morning. Her website also has quite a few recipes from the books that you can print out. Patti, I know you're always looking for low cal - low fat and tasty.

Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend - be safe.

beachcottage

Hey Divas...I'm here.....

I knew there were several reasons for loving Robert Redford!!! "Health food may be good for the conscience but Oreos taste a hell of a lot better."
Robert Redford


Lois so glad you passed the bone density....Thank you for the link to the low fat recipes...I will have to check them out.......Have you started packing yet? The days are getting closer.........Take lots of pictures for us...And hug everybody for me.......

Cowgirl sending vibes of healing and comfort....It is great to have you back posting with us....

Pat you must be off having a blast...We miss you....

Rosemary I was a bad bad girl yesterday........Celebrated my birthday and had lots of everything! It was great...Now back to the drawing board...After this weekend though! LOL!!! Keep after me....

Janet you will have to help me too! I slip every now and then...You have been so supportive....

Dragon nice to see you here again...

Ladies have a wonderful Memorial DAy...I think we will be BBQing under the umbrella here in NY.....Be safe...Have fun...And lets get back to business here next week....Love to you all...xoox,Patti

pconn03

Hi Girls
I'm baaaaaaack . . . had a wonderful time in California. We were in Marina del Rey and it was a business meeting so we were at the Ritz Carlton. Talk about being spoiled!!! Wow!! Anyway back to reality . . .

Patti: Once again, so happy you had a wonderful birthday. You more than deserve it, girl. I know what you mean about going off the course - I think I have added that pound or two back on again, so I'm not going to WW until this coming Wednesday and then I'll see if I've been able to get rid of it (and more, if possible). We need those 'off-course' times once in awhile though, don't we, i.e., birthdays, vacations etc.

Lois: Happy your bone density turned out so well. I've been on Fosamax for about 3 1/2 years now (before breast cancer) and I don't find it hard to take so really don't mind - other than I wish my bones were better!! You sure were right about the warm weather in California but in Marina del Rey my niece tells me we were about 10 to 15 degrees cooler and I believe it because on Sunday when we went to meet up with my niece and her family and my nephew and his family in Burbank - it was unbelievably hot. I was so shocked because it was much cooler where we were staying. Thanks for the tip!!!

Cowgirl: Hope your healing is continuing along in a speedy and peaceful manner and that the pain is subsiding.

Now how are Eileen, Rosemary and Janet doing???? Great I hope!!! Let us know what's going on and in the meantime, I hope everyone has a wonderful, healthy, happy weekend and I agree with Patti - we'll back to serious business next week.
God bless everyone,
Pat

NYJanet

Pat - So glad you enjoyed California. You are definitely right. We do need those "off course" times. I've had it for the past week and a half. In fact I gained a lb. back this week. I'm still below goal but I really need to get back on track. It was hard my daughter was home last weekend and asked for all her favorite (fatting) foods (plus she's thin so it doesn't matter to her). I did feel good though when she and her boyfriend commented how "skinny" I was getting. I'm a long way from "skinny" but I really appreciated them noticing my hard work.

Patti - I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday. If you can't splurge on your birthday, then when can you. I glad I can be supportive for you wonderful ladies. It's so hard. That's why I continue going to my WW meeting. It's a daily struggle even once goal is reached. I'm here for the duration.

I have a great grilled chicken with baby spinach and raspberry salad that I will be posting. I just keep forgetting to bring it to work with me. I'll try to post it later when I get home. Extremely easy. Plus my hubby enjoyed it so it can't be that bad.

Cowgirl and Eileen: Thinking of both of you. Hope you are both starting to feel better.

Have a wonderful weekend ladies. Let's enjoy ourselves this weekend and get back to reality on Tuesday. You guys are the BEST!!! - Janet

beachcottage

Pat welcome home...We missed you....I am so glad that you had a wonderful trip and got to spend some time with your family also......An added bonus!! It was very rainy and damp here in NY...It is beautiful here today.. ....It is sunny and in the 70's.....So happy your arrived home safe..sound...and happy....

Janet so glad you treated your daughter and yourself to some comfort food....It is always nice when we share our favorite recipes with loved ones.....I can't wait to try your chicken and spinach recipe....Maybe it will inspire me to get moving next week....I took a long walk this morning with a friend...It was along the Hudson River and it was lovley...

Pat,Janet,Lois,Rosemary,Raven and cowgirl .........Have a wonderful holiday weekend....Same time same place next Tuesday.... xoxo,Patti

Rosemary44

I thought I'd share again..this showed up in my email. It tells me we are all doing the right things for ourselves:



http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050526140455.htm



We are well ahead of the curve for survival, or should I say curves? Va va vooom. We are all going to look so good.



Patti, a little Bcake doesn't stick on the hips. Not everyone knows that... I know I read that somewhere. Congrats!



Lois congrats on the bone density test. I want to do what your doing. Enjoy the weekend all

raven81

Hi Ladies--Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. I'm recovering a little more slowly than I anticipated (still have pain in my incisions), but I am improving and just glad that this is behind me.

I made it to WW's Saturday and I'm actually down .6 over the past 3 weeks, and except for exercising, I haven't been very good--so I'm happy I didn't gain anything. I'm trying to get back on track, started journaling again--haven't gotten back to the treadmill yet, but hoping to do so in the next few days. I'm down 31.4 pounds total--25 of which was thanks to chemo, but that's still at net loss of 6.4 pounds! I would like to loose another 20 and get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm not sure if removing my ovaries is going to make this even harder, but I'm just going to keep on doing my best.

Lois--so glad you're bone density test results were good. Thanks for the link to the cook book--please let us know if the recipes are good (and if you think kids would eat them!)

Patti--glad you had a happy birthday--we really appreciate these happy events now, more than ever!

Janet--looking forward to that chicken and spinach recipe. Is your daughter spending the summer at home?? My WW's leader is always saying how you have to continue to come to meetings, even when you reach lifetime. I agree with both of you in that regard, it really helps keep us on track.

Cowgirl--how are you feeling?? Hope you're doing okay.

Pat--glad you had a great time in California and a safe trip.

Rosemary--thanks for the link to that article on exercise, it gives me even more motivation to stick to my walking regime.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day everybody! It's beautiful here in NY, and I'm going to go get some fresh air with my kids--my DH is working today so it's just me and the girls.

Remember--INCH BY INCH IT'S a CINCH!

Eileen

cowgirl

Well I am okay, but let me say this pain is bad. I never thought I was a wimp till now, but my recovery is much slower than I would like. So far I am still on pain killers and I hope to get the drains out Thursday. Two kids and hubby are gone today, hopefully my youngest will be a good nurse and cook.

I miss veggies so much, my family finally gave me green beans Sunday. I have had a few salads but man I miss good veggies.

Take care ladies and loose some lbs for me, I miss WW so much

LJC

Cowgirl, you'll be back in the saddle in no time. I hope you get the drains out - that's the worse part and you'll be feeling better once they are out.

I saw this recipe today and decided to share, it sounds delicious. But for me I would use a store bought angel food cake (I like the semi-homemade route) - I love anything with raspberries (especially chocolate - but not to worry - no chocolate in this recipe - although a little dark chocolate drizzled over the top might be nice! Of course, that would then defeat the purpose of something low cal and low fat - note this recipe has ZERO fat).


Angel Cake with Summer Fruit Salad and Raspberry Sauce

This recipe serves: 14
Preparation time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Angel Cake:
1 cup cake flour
1 1/4 cups egg whites (about 10 large egg whites) at room temperature
1 1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Summer Fruit Salad:
1 cup mixed berries
1 mango, peeled, pitted and cubed
1 nectarine, pitted and sliced
2 tablespoons orange juice

For the Finest Raspberry Dessert Sauce:
3/4 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 to 4 tablespoons sugar


Cooking Instructions

For the Angel Cake:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Sift the flour twice with 1/2 cup of the sugar.
3. With an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form when the mixer is removed from the batter.
4. Add half of the remaining sugar and beat for 1 minute. Add the remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating after each addition.
5. Stir in the vanilla.
6. Fold the flour and sugar mixture into the egg whites, 1/4 cup at a time, just until incorporated.
7. Put the batter in an ungreased 10" tube pan and bake until the cake is light golden brown and springy to the touch, about 1 hour. Invert the pan and let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan.

For the Summer Fruit Salad:
1. Mix fruit in a bowl.
2. Sprinkle with the orange juice.

For the Finest Raspberry Dessert Sauce:
1. Puree the berries in a blender with the lemon juice. Blend in the sugar by the tablespoonful, tasting after each addition, until the desired degree of sweetness is reached.
2. Strain through a fine strainer, pressing with a rubber spatula to release the juices.

Put it all together:
1. Place a slice of angel cake on each plate. (Store the leftover cake in an airtight container or freeze for longer storage.)
2. With a slotted spoon, place a portion of the Summer Fruit Salad on a corner of the cake slice and let it spill over the side.
3. Drizzle the raspberry sauce around the fruit salad.


Nutrition Facts


Serving Size 1 slice (1/14) of cake with fruit salad and sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 79 mg
Total Carbohydrate 37 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Protein 4 g
Percent Calories from Fat 1%
Percent Calories from Protein 9%
Percent Calories from Carbohydrate 90%

NYJanet

Eileen & Cowgirl: Glad to see you both back and feeling better.

Eileen: Unfortunately, no my daughter is not coming home this summer. She was offered a job making excellent money near school which will give her excellent experience. I miss her. We are going down there to move her into an apartment she will be living in for her senior year. Enjoy your girls now, they grow up so fast!!

As promised, here is the Grilled Chicken and Baby Spinach Salad with Fresh Raspberry Vinaigrette (Lois you said you love raspberries):

10 ounces baby spinach, washed well and spun dry.
12 ounces grilled boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced (about 16 ounces uncooked)
1 pint fresh raspberries (divided)
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon orange-blossom honey
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small shallot

On a serving platter arrange baby spinach, grilled chicken breasts and three-fourths of the raspberries.
In a blender, combine vinegar, honey, oil, shallot and remaining raspberries; blend for 1 minute or until smooth.

Drizzle over salad.

Makes 4 servings.
Nutritional Information per serving:
250 calories; 29 g protein; 20 g carbohydrate; 7 g fat; 7g fiber

My hubby & I really enjoyed this recipe and could it be any easier. I'm looking forward to trying Lois'. Sounds delicious. I'm also a raspberry lover.

I didn't make it to WW this week. I was TOO BAD over the weekend. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves as well.

Today starts a new month and back to basics. - Janet

Rosemary44

Cowgirl,



Pain is pain, no matter how you slice or dice it, it hurts.



I'm sorry you have to go through all of this. If there is a magic word for it, like poof you are dancing in the Rainbow room on top of the lights, I'd wish it for you.



Instead of seeing stars, dream along with me your on your way to the stars. Feel better soon.



/////////////////////////////////



Hey Eileen, I've been thinking about you. I'm happy you checked in with us to tell us all is well after your operation. What incision? I thought they had a new way of taking care of business with ovary removal??? No?



I'm glad to hear that you're doing so well.

raven81

Thanks for the recipe's Lois and Janet--they sound delicious.



I'm having a bit of a roller coaster ride this week--good days bad days. I was able to get back on my tredmill yesterday. Did 20 mins. yesterday and then 34 mins. today. Want to get back up to my 50 mins. I am soooo tired. Having wicked hot flashes and night sweats this past week. All a part of instant menopause I guess. My GYN gave me a prescription for Effexor, but I don't know if I want to take it.



Janet, I know it's good for your daughter to get a good job this summer, but I'm sorry for your sake and I know you will really miss having her home. I really try to savor my time with my girls now, they do grow up way too fast!!



Rosemary--I think some women do have their ovaries removed vaginally--not an option for me as I had 2 C-sections. Mine was done laparscopically. The four "incisions" are tiny, excepct for the one that I assume they removed everything through--it's about 2 inches long. That was the one that hurt, along with the one in my belly button. They're still a little sore, but I saw my GYN yesterday and he said I'm healing very nicely. The worst part of the recovery was dealing with the gas pains--they last about 3 days.



Cowgirl, hang in there, it can be a slow road, but you will recover.



My 5 yr. old had her preschool picnic today--it was so cold at the park!! I came home feeling as exhausted as I did during chemo--and I've been eating all afternoon to try and stay awake--not helping much though!! The only good thing about how cold it's been in NY this spring is that we have more time to loose the pounds before we're sporting bathing suits



Have a good weekend ladies. Stay strong.



Eileen

pconn03

Hi everyone:
Thought I'd better post now because now sure I will be around next week with my daughter's due date fast approaching (June 5 - 10) and when she calls, John and I will be 'off and running' to Milwuakee. We are so excited. I pray all goes well for both Julie and little Twig (as we've been calling him/her).
Anyway just wanted to touch base and let everyone know I'm thinking of you all. I hope and pray that the pain subsides for you Cowgirl and that you gain your strength back, Eileen. It always seems to take so long and I know I can get impatient with myself but you really do need to allow yourselves the time to heal.
Now for WW - I've been at a real standstill, in fact went up a couple of pounds - UGH. But I'm determined to stick with the plan because I know it does work.
Lois and Janet: Thanks so much for the recipes. Janet it sounds like you and I are doing the same thing with the down two, up two dance, but I know we can do it and that's the important thing, right????
Patti and Rosemary: How are you guys doing anyway? Patti, your walk along the Hudson sounded soooooo nice. It really does good for the soul, doesn't it?
How's exercise going for everyone? In the past two days I've really goofed up with getting ready for my 'quick getaway' but I'm going to try to make it today and each day until I get that call!!
God bless you all,
Pat

LJC

Divas, I've been busy getting ready for the Tahoe trip, went shopping Saturday. As fat as I am, I was able to find some new pants (that's the hardest) and several new tops to take. I really need to get back on track, I looked at those pants and they are so big around the waist and butt, it was disgusting!!!! That should be motivation enough. I haven't really had much of an appetite with this cough, lost a few pounds but with all that I gained it's not much.

I wish you all could join us in Tahoe, I'll be thinking of you. I'll try to check in again before I leave Weds. night. Got lots to do at work before I take off for a week.

beachcottage

Hey Divas....I am tring hard to get back on track...It is soooooooooooooo Hard.....
LOIS>>>>Have a wonderful time....Give everyone a big hug !We want to hear all about it when you return...WE will miss you....
I know what you mean about finding pants.....And what is with the low low waist lines? I need support!! Around the tummy! LOL!!!

Pat you must be so excited! Thinking about you and your family today and sending prayers for healthy babies....And to the expectant mom's and dad's.....WE are waiting with excitement for your post GRANDMA....Love to you and your husband as you wait for your new bundles of joy!


Raven my girl...So glad you are back...We missed you so much...I hope each day finds you stronger and back on your feet...Please take it slow...Do not overdue it...Give your children a big hug .......I have slipped so many times here....I need to get motivated....

Janet I can not wait to try your recipe...Thanks for posting it....I need some variety....Especially now..Finding it hard to stay focused.......I went clothes shopping yesterday...What a bummer.....I am having a hard time losing my belly fat!


Roemary how are you doing? As you can see I am having a tough time of controlling things.... It is like a roller coaster.......Hoping the heat of summer will control my eating.....

Cowgirl so glad to see posting again.....I hope each day finds you stronger...Wish I could say that I lost some pounds for you

xoxo

Patti

beachcottage

Lois wishing you a safe and wonderful trip! WE will miss you.....Waiting to hear all about your adventures in Tahoe......Give our friends a big hug.....Lifting my glass to all of you.....xoxo,Patti

raven81

Hello Divas!

Lois--Have a WONDERFUL time!!! Please let us know all about it when you get back.

Been doing okay--back in the groove with the walking, and tracking my points again--though sometimes it's hard to stay within the points limit

Well, now that we're all in summer clothing, we should all loose a few pounds just from switching from pants to shorts--I'm actually looking forward to weighing in this week!!

Patti--thanks for always thinking of my girls--I'll give them an extra hug from you!

How's everybody doing?? Hope you're all well and enjoying the nice weather.

Have a great day,

Eileen

cowgirl

Alrighty! I am back sorta! I got a fill today and went to my first meeting in a long time last night. I am sure I gained but I haven't looked.
Beach I thought you would lose mine at least .

There is so many posts and so much news just glad to be back and up. I miss exercising so much, but I am worn out at times.

I am not ready to get back on points, I am still having to take ibuprofen and tylonal and I eat way too many crackers to keep it down. I feel like I had to get to a meeting for support!