***The Senior WW Challenge*** - MONDAY 12/19

The Virginians arrived at 7 last night which was a surprise as we expected them much later. But our son then went to meet his sister at Mass and we ordered pizza for them as they hadn't eaten since 11:30. My daughter-in-law wanted me to get pizza that we like but we had already eaten so I just asked what they liked and then got a pepperoni for the girls. They thought we were going to eat some as well but Fred did and I visited with everyone and nobody even noticed that I didn't eat any. So one night down and good on eating!

Not much planned for today. The girls are at Debbie's as they love spending time with her and Maija and Jeff. I know at some point Mike and Cindy will be checking into their hotel and I think Adam might go with them to use the workout room there. So Fred and I will have time on our own.

I felt so bad for Bailey last night. First I have to say our son Mike absolutely loves dogs, they have two Jack Russell's. With his two he gets on the floor and pulls up his hoodie and wrestles with them. He loves it and so do they. Well he did that to Bridgette and Bailey. Bridgette just looked at him as though to say okay crazy human I don't play like that and ignored him. Bailey was absolutely terrified! She kept looking for a place to hide and he thought she was playing until I told him she was scared to death of him! Then he felt bad and tried to make up with her but by then she wanted no part of him!

Actual temp this morning is -3 with wind chill of -13 but they say it will get into the teens today and warm up through the week.

Good morning
I stayed the same for my online ww weigh in and I was happy with that, especially since I haven't been able to exercise at all this month.

We are having our TOPS Christmas party tonight finally after cancelling it twice due to snow storms.
Sandy.... glad the Virginians arrived safely and good job in resisting the pizza.
Sharon....I've been watching movies and love them.

Greetings:  Just read a bit from yesterday.  If I don't respond, I'll forget it, I fear!

Sharon, DH absolutely despises quinoa.  He won't cook it either.  so, when we have it I first cook chopped red peppers, onions, carrots, celery (all or an any of the above combination) in olive oil or coconut oil.  In the summer I tried chunking a summer squash and cooking it a bit first.  I've tried high heat to bring a little brown to them as well as low heat just to soften them.    Then when they are at least getting cooked (but not too much or they turn to mush) I add low-sodium chicken broth and then the quinoa.  Spices vary but always salt and pepper.  And rosemary.  

Sandy, great your Virginians got there.  Our PA crew leaves tomorrow.  Going back into worse weather.  I listen to what you say and think that next year I'll be doing the same thing in the winter!  I am really concerned about DH's footwear.  He's not too steady on his feet and I see him falling.  Just have to figure out what's the very best thing for him to wear.  I was going to get him a pair of something but have decided that the best place to buy it is there.

Back to reading posts.  

I have managed to lose a fraction more.  I have tried to keep up my exercise routine because I keep telling myself I don't really need to be anywhere.  When I'm here I'll help with the kids, but for myselt I need to go to exercise.  

I am so pleased about my eye appointment.  I'd started meditation recently and have kept it up.  And my eye pressure was the lowest recorded in years.  She asked what might be different, if I knew of anything, and I told her about the meditation.  She said that would do it. Meditation lowers the blood pressure which also lowers the intra ocular pressure.  So, another reason to meditate.

Thanks for the thread encouragement, Sharon.

I am looking forward to turning the TV back on.    In our PBS market Miss Fisher is back for a new season.  I missed seeing the beginning of the season, but have set the DVR to record the series.  Hope to get the first one at some point.

Time to go to zumba.  Hope to be back.  

Good morning all, the sun is shinning, little wind, about 3 above. They say in the 20 today and 40 Friday. I AM READY. We had the ice with some snow on top and DH says they have not cleared our road the best yet. Was -11 yesterday morning and didn't get above 0 all day. When we got ready to go to bed DH didn't think the furnace was working correctly, so he shut it off and restarted it. He told me to keep check on it and went to bed, I spent the night with one ear listening, not a restful night but furnace seems to be working.

Sandy so glad your family arrived safely and the pizza does sound really good, kudos for not partaking. I have 2 days down of very strictly watching what I'm eating. Not sure about a whole week though.
Sharon, there is no special pattern for the sweatshirt pillows, that is just what I call them since I took DH's sweatshirts with the logo's on front that he no longer wears, cut them up and made pillows for the kids out of them. Most were from our feed business days and thought they would be a memory for the kids and out of my house. They can take the camping or whatever they choose to do with them. I am not a quinoa eater, would be cooking it for myself, and just have not bothered cooking it.
JoAnne hope you are feeling much better and that your home is cozy and warm.
Jane how is Kelcy today, and what is the busy lady cleaning today. You must have large rooms, I could not get all that furniture in our bedrooms. Please don't over do.
Ann how are you and Brownie doing today? Mom & Dad had sheep, mom loved them and dad was always saying there are ly two kinds of sheep. A healthy one and a dead one. Guess he thought they were a challenge to keep healthy.
Gail another .8, way to go but are you eating anything. I know that you are just kidding. Seems you know the plan very well. Congrats on the 100# loss to your goal.
Karen AZ, I would have a feeling that you will notice the big change in weather conditions.
Ruth, are you going to miss your teacher status, but do enjoy your retirement.

I read the message on Facebook about Sharon, TN but had no idea she was a friend. Hoping things are improving for her and her family.

Gifts, have received many special gifts in my lifetime, but off the top of my head I can not put my finger on the most special. Gifts given away tend to be memories of my family and child hood times that I can pass on to my children hoping they truly see the importance of family.

Yesterday was sort of a disaster for me. Spent the entire day working on the calendar I give the kids. Have done this for a few years with no problem, although it does take some time to organize all the pictures and how to sequence them. Well, the company redid the program this past year and I would get the picture's on the months I wanted, enter the person's birthday on the calendar section, in a few minutes some of the entries were GONE. Told DH I would try it one more time and if it didn't work, they just would not get one this year. Hurried with the process one last time and sent to printer quickly. Hoping that when they arrive all is there and in the right place. Nothing more frustrating than a program that won't work and they want paid for you to use it.

Salty foods may be triggering your overeating.
A recent study found that eating well-salted foods may have the unintended consequence of making us want to eat more. Makes sense, since salt often enhances food's flavor, and if it tastes better, we're probably going to want to eat more of it! Knowledge is power, people. Pay attention to your food intake when you reach for salty snacks.
QOTD: 1. Do you feel that salty foods are a trigger for you to want more.
2. Are you a person that likes or prefers salty foods.
3. Do you have health issues that restrict salt from your diet.
4. Do you feel salt is a cause for fluid retention for you.

AOTD: 1. Not really in my case
2. Salty foods are not my food of choice, would rather go for the sweets.
3. I do have a thyroid condition, therefore I closely watch salt intake.
4. Yes, I do think it is a fluid retention for me. If I am going to pick salty foods I usually do that on Wed. & Thurs.

Now I need to work on the 2 shadow boxes. Everyone have a cozy, enjoyable day. Hello to all those I have missed

Karen E., Great QOTD and something I don't always think about.

QOTD:
1. Do you feel that salty foods are a trigger for you to want more.

Probably but have not really noticed
2. Are you a person that likes or prefers salty foods.

No, I prefer sweets. I do not add salt to my recipes or my foods just to keep unnecessary salt out of my diet because we all know that sodium appears in just about EVERYTHING.
3. Do you have health issues that restrict salt from your diet.

No.
4. Do you feel salt is a cause for fluid retention for you.
Yes. Whenever I eat Chinese I have a gain on the scale the next day.

I've rejoined my exercise and had a good workout while Don got started on his knee therapy. I thought as long as he was going, I might as well too. The weight is not coming off so perhaps this will jump start it. So no nap for me today.

Ruth that's nice of you to help Rue get situated here. You are our tech guru.

QOTD: 1. Do you feel that salty foods are a trigger for you to want more.
2. Are you a person that likes or prefers salty foods.
3. Do you have health issues that restrict salt from your diet.
4. Do you feel salt is a cause for fluid retention for you.

AOTD: I love salty foods, not sweet so much, and they don't cause me to want more.   I just like them.
I have high blood pressure which is under control. I often salt my cooking a little and avoid as many processed foods as possible. I think they have more of an effect that table salt. Eating out is the worst. Ruth I suspect the Chinese food has msg, which also causes water retention.

Actually sugar is more of a problem with me for water retention. And a good cure: exercise! Even mild exercise.

Dinner is in the slow cooker and I have some time to relax. ah

Sorry I jumped off. I was on a VERY long wait to talk to DSW shoes on line. This is the first time I've used them and I won't use them again. I like 6 PM much better and will stick with them.

Back to the QOTD: I have no health issues around salt, possibly because I have never used it on my food. I don't allow myself chips and fries often so don't have it on those treats often enough to have an impact.

Rue: Welcome back!

Sharon: Good for you for getting back to exercise. I think for the first time in my life I have let that go. I think I need some serious self reflection!!!!!!

Have a good night, all.

Ann