4 The Birds #96

[PattiG]

Hi Friends,

Just back from Thanksgiving dinner at my brother's house. Normally I'd come back and say that I'm stuffed to the gills because my brother is an excellent cook. But this year (for the first time ever) he got tied up with things and my sister in law cooked most of the dinner. ROTFL....It was TERRIBLE! Needless to say, I didn't overeat because I didn't really like it. LOL Eureka! This could be the solution to our WW issues. Just eat the things that you don't like.

I'm trying to remember all the things that you just posted on the other post Maple, but my mind is a little muddled. Ok, so I did enjoy a glass or two of the holiday spiced wine, but I'm normally muddled. I've never seen a Grossbeak or Redstart here on Long Island but if you get a chance, take a look at how similar the Black-headed Grossbeak and the Baltimore Oriole look (which we do have for about 2 months in the summer). As far as I can see, they aren't related at all except for their markings. Maybe somewhere along the line they diverged from similar lines.

I'll catch everyone again tomorrow. One more glorious day of vacation.

Patti
So how many are we now in this nest?

[KramerFoxworthy]

I hope I'm following the posting plan of Patti and Maple. It looks like a new thread has begun. Lemony Snicket indeed you found the right place. I was pleased to see you pop in. Didn't I tell you these gals knew their birds? Now all I hope is you find us on this continuing thread. I find 4 the Birds to be a little less food orientated and find I'm not always thinking about eating when I come here. Of course the reason for being at Bootcamp Buddies is clear. Just the function of being here posting does the trick for me. My missus is an excellent cook and has a way of wafting tempting scents in my direction almost all day long. Hence, my weight problem due to my inability to restrain myself from sampling. So far, since I found this site, I've been much better. If only I could get the missus to join me in dropping the needed stone or two.


Patii I enjoyed your Robin story. There are many many Robin stories and children's songs here in the UK. I'll look one up to share as soon as I can find one to copy.

Maple your thoughts on the Robin and it's "cousins" was interesting. Your Varied Thrush is indeed a cousin of the Robin. I think there is a blackbird that is related too but I'd have to do some digging to find out for certain. Before it slips my memory Maple, what does LOL mean? Is that an American thing? All I can think of is Lots of Lorries but I'm sure that can't be it. Ha Ha

[Lemony Snicket]

Good Morning, Once again I hope I am in the right thread.

Let me briefly introduce myself: As I'm sure you have surmised, I am a bird lover too but not nearly as well versed in ornithology as Foxworthy. He and I are acquaintances from a previous web-based birding board and he thought it might be helpful to combine our field interests with our weight-loss efforts using the proverbial "kill two birds with one stone" approach.

As you can see from my earlier post at 2:30 A.M., I may occasionally be a late evening writer. Having dropped out of the corporate America well before retirement age, I am a stay-at-home Dad of two twin young children. With all the pressure and stress of the rat race, I happily handed the torch to my wife. I hail from Baltimore, Maryland and look forward to discussing birding topics (my primary interests and experience in the field are Eastern Bluebirds) as well as weight-loss successes. To date I have already lost 22 pounds on Weight Watchers. I hope to continue for an additional 15 lbs.

[Maple]

Bravo Lemony! A great weight loss so far. I too am hoping to lose or should I say re-lose 15#'s. I'm hoping the distraction of getting back to bird discussions instead of food all the time will be the distraction I need. Did you know Patti is from the east too.............not too far from where you live. I'm way over on the west coast and in Canada so our bird species vary somewhat. Then of course, we have Foxworthy. Dare I call him the "Birds" expert in our little nest. I'm sure you are equally as versed in birds. In any case you two know a lot more about it than Patti and I. Speaking for myself, I look forward to learning a lot more about our dear feathered friend in the days to come.

[Lemony Snicket]

A belated Happy Thanksgiving Patti. You just ate some Meleagris gallopavo.

Here are a couple of interesting turkey facts for you:
Did you know that Ben Franklin wanted to make the American wild turkey that national bird instead of the bald eagle?
The flap of skin that hangs over the turkey's beak is called a "snood". It turns bright red when the turkey is upset or during courtship

A case of mistaken identity resulted in the American Turkey being named after the country of Turkey. When the Spanish first found the bird in the Americas more than 400 years ago they brought it back to Europe. The English mistakenly thought it was a bird they called a "turkey" so they gave it the same name. This other bird was actually from Africa, but came to England by way of the Turkey (a lot of shipping went through Turkey at the time). The name stuck even when they realized the birds weren't the same.

[KramerFoxworthy]

So turkey it is then. Patti do you also cook a turkey for Christmas? It seems not much time between your Thanksgiving and Christmas, I imagine you might prepare something different. We often have Pheasant or Goose for Christmas which I prefer. When I was a nipper my dad would take me Pheasant or wild Turkey hunting up in the Lake District. Whatever we bagged was Christmas dinner. As I recall, we never had a birdless Christmas so I'm sure me mum would have something tucked away in the larder just in case.

Now then Lemony, lets talk turkey.

Turkeys have great characters and they are easy to keep, as long as you do not have too many in a small area. An average garden could accommodate a pair.

Turkeys are native to the Americas and were domesticated by the Aztecs in Mexico.

They were taken to Spain in 1500, and introduced from there to England in 1524. The Norfolk Black and Cambridge Bronze are believed to have been the first turkey breeds in Britain.

Have a cheery weekend. I'm off for a stroll in the country then a pint at the Fox and Hounds.

[PattiG]

Hi Friends,

I went back to WW this morning in a torrential downpour (shows you how serious I am about this) and weighed in and stayed for the meeting. Well, the results are as bad as I thought plus a little worse. Weight-wise I am back where I was 3 yrs ago with an addition pound or two. ~ugh~ (I now need to lose 17 pounds to get to my personal goal). The good news is that I feel that I finally did something positive and I think this 9:00 Sunday morning group will be a good one. Ya think God will excuse me from church for awhile to tend to this? The women at this meeting were very friendly (more so than usual) and I think that will be helpful especially since a few of them are returning (once again) like me.

There were also 3 sisters there who I had met last Spring. All three of them had quite a bit to lose. Well, today they spoke about how they've been doing....get this....they have lost 45 lbs, 62 lbs, and 72 lbs respectively. How's that for dedication and success? It was inspiring. That's a 179 lbs collectively.

So, this morning I'm feeling a little more positive and I have decided that I don't just want to maintain through the holidays (I've got 2 weddings, hopefully some interviews, and a host of other things), I want to start losing now. So here goes nothing. Holidays or no holidays, I'm desperate. As of 9:00 this morning I am starting Day 1 (FOR THE LAST TIME) RIGHT NOW!

Lat thing, yes Foxworthy we had turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and yes it does seem like such a short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year it will seem especially short because we will be celebrating Christmas a week earlier since my brother's family will be away in TN at that time. Sooo, I need to get moving on the Christmas shopping and quick!

Patti

[Maple]

Hi everyone,

Patti good for you! You just get on marching right along to your personal goal. What WW Plan did you decide to follow this time? I'm really trying to get it back together again myself. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get back to a meeting too. I'm 15#'s from my WW goal which is OK, but if you remember I got down 5#'s below that this time last year. I'd be really happy with my WW goal right about now. If I hold it together tonight I will be able to say the same as you.

As of 9:00 this morning I am starting Day 1 (FOR THE LAST TIME) RIGHT NOW!

Burr it's been wintery cold the past two days. Some of the outlying areas even had a dusting of snow. I guess winter is really here since I'm wearing a scarf and gloves again. How's the weather in England Foxworthy? What about your weather Lemony............about the same as Patti I'd imagine. Are we all ready for Christmas? I am.........HeeHee. Sorry Patti, just had to rub it in. Overseas cards when into the mail today and most of my shopping is finished and wrapped. I still have a little shopping to do, but that won't take more than one outing.

My birds are weird this year. The Juncos and Towee's are up off the ground eating the suet cake. Don't they know they are ground birds? I wonder why they are doing this? It might be there isn't enough spillage since I'm feeding hulled sunflower chips to reduce the mess of shells and other seeds that get tossed. Lately I've been having a large flock of Bushtits swarming in and covering the suet entirely a couple of times a day. As far as I'm concerned they are the cutest of all my feathered friends. They look like soft browish-grey cotton puffs with tails, and only that big too. They are quite a bit smaller than the chickadees but are in the same "family". I suppose one of our resident ornithologists might care to elaborate on that......

Bye for now. :angel

[Bailey's Mom]

Hello all you birders!

I have been extremely busy at work doing up my bosses' Christmas card list. I am at 1200 and counting! Almost done though so that is ok.

Congrats on your weigh in Patti. I am going to weigh in next Tuesday night and stay for the meeting. I have been attempting to journal this week, but did a bad thing last night. We were grocery shopping and both hungry and decided we couldn't wait to cook anything once we got home (it was also really rainy, cold, dark and dismal outside - setting the mood) so we ordered take-out from a pasta place!!! EGADS! I ate a whole plate of chicken fettucini with cream sauce (finished it off at lunch today). What is with that? I can't even imagine how many points that will be for my journal!!!! The only good thing is that I have been eating healthy most of the time (lots of fruit and veggies and small portions).

So I hope to check back with you after my weigh-in next week with lots of positive news!!!!

What upsets me the most about the weight I am at right now (15 pounds above my goal weight) is that I was so good at losing when I first joined WW. I would never have tolerated the cheating and I never really fell off the wagon over the nine months I worked at achieving my goal. Now I am weak and excuse filled. And I don't like the way I look at all. I loved the way I looked when I reached goal and swore I would never gain it back and here I go, half-way there. I just don't get it. I don't know if it is my new situation with the boyfriend and cooking for both of us or what. I pretty much make my WW recipes when I am cooking and do a lot of veggies, so maybe it is more alcohol that I am drinking? Well I will gladly give that up as I felt like crap after being out Saturday night and only having four or five beers (how many points is that you are saying? about 12 or more!!!!). I need a really BCB Kick in the Bum-bum (hope that doesn't get censored) and have someone hold me accountable and not let me wriggle my way out of things. I sense Patti and Maple that you both have been doing the same thing as I have, just trying a little each time and then falling off the wagon and saying you are really going to give it a try "this time". Same as me. I just want to be really happy with how I look and feel again and should know the reasons why I am not losing (ie eating a whole container of fattening, yummy chicken fettucini with cream sauce).

So may the bird lord assist me in journaling my butt off, attending my meetings each week and losing something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suppose I need to set a little goal for myself and that would be journaling as that is where I will notice where I am going off course. Even though I am going to feel as though I am starving myself to death, I will do it. I want my boyfriend to see me at my goal weight and know that he has a girlfriend that has a little will power.

Anyway, talk to you all tomorrow.

Charmaine

[PattiG]

Hi Everybody!

I thought maybe everyone had jumped ship there for a few days. Yes, yes, it was a bold and tough-skinned move to finally go back to my WW meeting and get on that scale, but I must tell you....I'm feeling so good and motivated about this I think I will be unstoppable. I'm not sure what finally got into me (yeah I do know, it was called total disgust!) but I have been so perfectly OP the past two days (journaling EVERYTHING, drinking water, exercising, etc) that I'm actually not even feeling tempted by "illegal" foods. In all honesty, I haven't felt that in the 18 months.

Maple and Charmaine, you ladies both sound as if you are right where I was in terms of "readiness" to get back OP on Sunday. Please let's do this together. Maple, think about your little black evening dress....Charmaine, think hunky boyfriend and an even sexier new you. And just a quick bit of advice...stay away from the beer and alcohol as much as possible unless you plan and calculate it in your daily points...those are are waaay too many empty calories to use up your points on.

LOL OK Miss-I've-got Christmas-right-on-schedule Maple, stop rubbing it in! Your Christmas cards are finished and mailed? Your presents are wrapped? ROTFL Oh please, you make me sick! Charmaine...1200 cards?! YIKES! Actually, I went on a shopping blitz last week I was off from work. In my entire life I've never been this far along with buying gifts this early in the holiday season. I'm not even close to catching up with you Maple, but I'm working on it!

Foxworthy, Lemony...Do you gentlemen weigh-in at meetings regularly? If so, what day? Lemony, 22 lbs lost already is excellent. You must be right on target with your motivation. Please wing a little of that our in the direction of our friends here if you have any left over.

Patti

[Lemony Snicket]

Dear Ladies,

I realize that I am a newcomer to your thread and what I'm about to say is not intended to offend but rather to point you in the direction of success. Having previously been a senior member of a large corporation for many years I believe the direct approach to a problem is the most effiecient means to achieving a goal. It may be seem blunt at first, but it works. Reasonable goals can be reached with the right attitude, confidence, and training. Without that, all attempts will fail before ever beginning.

To that end I will say the following: Having read your posts carefully the past few days, all I detect is a lot of self-pitying, poor judgment in choice, lack of self-control, and attention-getting behavior. If you were my employees you would have been fired long ago. You all state that you feel disgusted with your eating behaviors and self-image, but there doesn't appear to be one iota of true effort to change.

Patti, you seem to have taken the first steps to getting back on track, but the only reason you didn't over-indulge over Thanksgiving was due to the fact that you didn't care for the food very much. Had you enjoyed the food, you'd be in worse shape than you are now. You were merely lucky, not steadfast or disciplined or motivated. Given the next challenge, I wouldn't give you two bits for your efforts. You state that you haven't felt so motivated in 18 months? What's given you this miraculous change of heart? Put a little backbone into your atttitude and you'll get positive results.

Charmaine not only did you go off program by having the chicken fettuccini for dinner (which due to circumstances may have been out of your control) but you added insult to injury by indulging in the leftover for lunch the next day. You're not trying. Not at all. You say you need to be accountable to someone here at Bootcamp for support? The only person you need to be accountable is to yourself. Digressions are an inevitable part of life, and that's what "support" is all about. But, rationalizing every digression with an poor excuse does not depict an individual who is serious about their weight goal. Who are we fooling here?

Maple, you stated "maybe I should bite the bullet and go back to a WW meeting." I suggest that if you are serious about losing weight, there shouldn't BE a "maybe." You've waited long enough, your method apparently hasn't worked, and you've gained back what you worked diligently to take off. Never, NEVER be satisfied to "just" get to your WW goal. If you have a goal, work on it, deal with it seriously, deal with it carefully, and don't waste your time and efforts with a half-baked approach. If you can't make a firm commitment, you don't deserve the support of your fellow weight watchers.

Finally ladies, it might help reinforce your resolve to re-read the BootCamp philosphy. You are no different from any other member on this website. Get it together, work together, or give it up all together. You each have a choice, make a decision.

A BCB knows that THEY are in complete control of what goes into THEIR mouths. Happiness, sadness, stress, anger and other emotions do NOT control us. We take charge of ourselves, and are responsible for ourselves. We make a commitment to ourselves to journal each day, and WRITE EVERY BITE.

A BCB does not ever DELIBERATELY go off program for ANY REASON. There are NO EXCUSES for ever going off program. We will face challenges each day of our life, and have to learn that stress or social situations are not reason to go off program. We as a BCB must always PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!

If a BCB should "slip," they shall immediately take steps to understand what caused the slip and to rectify the situation. We shall use these "slips" as a learning process so that we may learn not to slip again. A BCB does not ever whine, cry, or complain about being off program, but jumps right back but on track! (not tomorrow, or later -but RIGHT AWAY).

[KramerFoxworthy]

Christmas already! My goodness, where does the time go. I'm not a shopper myself and am at the mercy of my dear missus. She's been off a lot lately and hiding parcels so I imagine we are almost set for Father Christmas's arrival. We have no children of our own but we do enjoy the festivities with several young neices and nephews.

I don't attend meetings for weight loss but am following the instructions given to me by a mate at the local. His missus goes to Weight Watcher meetings and is only too happy to help us blokes out. I agree with you Patti regarding the alcohol. It really doesn't have much of a place if you want to achieve weight loss. That was the hard one for me. I enjoyed a pint or two at the local several times a week. Now I only imbide on a Friday night and keep it at one pint. My dart game has really come along since I've not been tipping as many. In fact, I've begun playing table tennis with the mates at the local to help divert my inclination to order that second pint. I've managed to lose almost a stone (14 pounds) beginning of October. Since I done own a bathroom scale, I don't weigh myselft very often. I go by the fit of my trousers and belt, which is in 2 notches.

I'd enjoy discussing those Chickadees Maple, but duty calls and I have work to do. Maybe next time. Oh by the way Miss Charmaine, I detect a little weight watcher rebellion going on with you. Am I correct? We all have had difficulty at one time or another keeping on the straight and narrow but I find successful posts more supporative than hearing all the details of what's been eaten that isn't on program. So you asked for it. I'll give you a big BOOT right now.

[PattiG]

Snicket that was quite a tirade you went on. Harsh, direct, and no holds barred. Yes, that was a bit offensive. In all honesty though I don't disagree with you. Your observations are valid and perhaps we all do need a more positive approach to losing the extra pounds. I personally will take your advice. But for the future....know that a little tact goes a long way.

[Bailey's Mom]

Hi everyone!

I need to let out a little chuckle and wish I had come on and read Lemony's post before I did my own somewhere else on this board about my chicken fettucini. I added up the points and in all the fettucini and garlic bread were 71 points in all. Can you believe that?????

Good point Lemony that I didn't have to eat it the next day for lunch. Although when ordering that was my plan, I can eat the leftovers the next day. I didn't think it was going to be that many points!!!!

So here I am back on track and 60 points over my range two days into my week.

I am not rebelling though - I have been doing that for too long. I just can't figure why I let myself eat the things or too much of the things that I know aren't right for me.

So it sounds like we are all positioned for success this week - can we forget about my fettucini now that I have learned my lesson the hard way (another roll of blubber under my belt)?

Like I said, I will be weighing in and attending my meeting next week and am journalling everything even if it does take me over the allotted days worth of points. I need to see where I am going wrong and in the past as soon as I go one point over my day's range I stop journaling.

Thanks so much Lemony for the "boot" it is just what I needed. And you too Patti, you put things into perspective for me as well.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for a drink for me to sip on while out socializing with DB? It doesn't have to be alcohol, but something tasty.

Thanks,

Char

[Maple]

Holy Moly where the "H" did you come from Lemony and why didn't you get here sooner? If you had, we'd not be in the pickle we are in now. I agree 100% with everything you said and am standing corrected and at attention :bcbsalute for the march ahead. From now on, no more excuses or whining in this thread period. OK? If we feel a need to report our digressions DON'T POST until the urge is gone and the attitude is corrected. Do we all agree? I for one will not be posting a "tell all" post because it tends to be disruptive to the rest.

Patti you are the first of us to get back on track and by darn I'm going to be the second. No more "I thinks" just "do its" for me. I cannot continue this insane mind set I've been in. The last 2 days have been a lot better than what I'd been doing previously but still not 100% on track. Tomorrow, I pledge I WILL BE OP 100% ALL DAY.

Charmaine for a social drink have you tried some sugar free flavored sparkling sodas. Personally I like to add a pinch of Chrystal Lite to a plan glass of ice cold water instead of the carbonation. To make it special, use a nice wine glass. I like to have a glass of dry wine from time to time but when I do I make sure the points are available. The key is to feed your body the nutrients it needs first and if there is a little room, you can have a drink. JUST ONE. I look at a drink as a dessert replacement. If I have dessert, then I don't have a drink too. If you notice, even our friend Foxworthy has cut his consumption to one pint a week.

[Bailey's Mom]

Hi everyone,

Well thanks to Lemony's kick in the pants, I did print off the BCB philosophy to read at my leisure, over and over again.

It is like I am relearning this all over again. I went to buy what I thought would be some good muffins the other day at a nice deli (Daniel's Patissierre if you know if Maple) and they have flax seed and bran and look pretty high in fibre. Well I am sure they are high in fibre, but they are also high in fat and sugar. So I ate one yesterday (need to count the darn points somehow) and the rest went into the freezer and I will cut them in half and put in DB's lunches. See Lemony, not eating them myself. I spent $8 on them and thought that is too much money to waste, but thankfully I don't think of DB as a waste. He loved them when I brought them home last week.

Another thing I need to do is start drinking my water again!!! How did it get to the point where I sip on one (large) mug of water all day long??? I love water and since I don't drink coffee/juice/other bevies, it is the only fluid I consume. I will drink tea at work when I think I am hungry and want to stop the driving urge to eat something. And then it is herbal (green usually) tea with no milk or sugar.

See I do some things right!!

I can't wait until my weigh-in next week. I know I won't be down from where I was the last time I weighed in, but I am not getting on my scale at home from now until then.

This will be my first Christmas staying OP. Two years ago I reached my goal weight the weigh-in before Christmas and so I let myself go over the holiday and that is how I gained the first five pounds back that I never got rid of. So I am determined, driven and destined to make it through this Christmas with oodles of will-power and a strong reserve. I will question everything I put into my mouth that isn't already on my journal (that is a technique I used to lose weight initially - the day before I would write out my next day's food in pencil in my journal so I didn't end up starving at dinnertime having used up all my points during the day. As I preplanned all my menu's then it was easy to do).

I did realize last night that cooking for my DB is hard. I feel the need to cook something tasty and satisfying for him that doesn't necessarily work for me. So I am going to start cooking some healthier things and if he revolts then he is going to have to start cooking some meals on his own. Last night I was good and had a small portion of chicken and then some peas as I ate that muffin in the afternoon. So that was minimal for points and it was enough for me. But when it is something that I love, like tuna casserole, it is hard for me to control the portion size and only have the allotted amount. Amazing how food can trigger those feelings in our brain.

Well I don't want to bore you all with my long post. But I will be checking back in later to see any updates and to post my thoughts again on weight loss.

Thanks to everyone.

[Maple]

I DID IT !


I went to a WW meeting this morning, weighed in and have officially restarted. When I got up this morning I just knew this was the day. By the time I was dressed I realized what I was to do. Away I went to the first meeting without a moment of delay in case changed my mind. It was a huge weight off my shoulders and by next week off my butt.

I guess that's it for today because I've not been doing much you'd all be interested in hearing other than reading the new WW material. Patti I'm going to follow the Flex Plan until the New Year because it allows me a bit more room for some Christmas treats. Are you doing that or the Core Program? What are you doing Charmaine?

I know Foxworthy doesn't attend meetings but what about you Lemony? Are you a meeting sort of guy? Lemony you sure stirred up the pot here didn't you? LOL :crazy: Thanks for the Boot!

[PattiG]

Holy Mackeral! What a ruckus you've stirred up Lemony. I can't say that's a bad thing though. Maple...WAY TO GO FRIEND!!! I think that was a good move going back to a meeting. I sometimes think that when we do that as our "Day 1" it is a firmer committment and a more pro-active step that just saying it in our heads. OK, I'm expecting good results from all of us this week! As for the WW program, I'm still counting points. It works well for me because I know I can't be trusted to limit portion size on my own with foods I love. On the other hand, one lady told me the other day that people on the core plan are losing weight like mad after the first week. She said many people have a hard time with week 1 finding their food comfort zone. Since you are already familiar with that plan though, I think you'll do great.

As for me....I'm going strong! I've had an excellent week and have gotten in my water, exercise, journalled and planned like crazy. I'm FEELING GOOD!

Charmaine, I agree that food triggers so many different kinds of emotion. Sounds to me as if you are getting into a good place now and moving forward. Getting in all the water is difficult. That's one thing that I have a hard time with cause I'm not a water drinker, especially in the winter. Just one quick word of caution: Green tea has oodles of caffeine which will be counter-productive to your water-drinking. If that's the kind of tea you like, find a tasty decaf one.

OK, gotta run. my in-box is overflowing with work today.

Patti

[Bailey's Mom]

Morning Patti, Maple, Lemony and Foxworthy,

Well guess what? I had an OP day yesterday - yippee! It wasn't that hard either.

This morning I am trying something different, I had my breakie before I left the house (so at about 6:30) and I am not having lunch until 1:00 (going out, but chose a restaurant that is supposed to have a great veggie quesadilla), so I have to get from now (8:42) until 1:00 with only a fruit snack, tea and water to keep me going. Can she do it you ask. She can, but she will be inhaling previously mentioned quesadilla.

Am also taking DB out for supper tonight - ironically as my treat to repay him for that damned chicken fettucini earlier this week - but will again choose a restaurant that will have healthy options and have something that will keep me OP.

Tomorrow night we are entertaining some friends, so I will make sure to invite them over AFTER the dinner hour so I can have something healthy and then I will find some of that sparkling water someone mentioned as being a good alcoholic drink replacement and some OP munchies if needed.

Sunday should be a breeze as nothing food-related is planned.

The following weekend is another story though. I have food commitments five days in a row!!!! Hopefully the restaurants we go to have some good food choices and as for the potluck, I am going to take an appie or salad that is healthy and then at least I can eat that if there is nothing else good. I heard somewhere to only fill half my plate and that is it, so that will be something else I do.

Thanks for the advice on the green tea Patti as I have been drinking lots this week and that could be why I haven't slept well the past couple of nights. As I am not used to consuming caffeine, it is most likely affecting me quite a bit. I will drink it for the rest of today and then this weekend buy some good caffeine-free varieties.

Ok - my coworker has just used my special mug again today. So I told her today that I am going to gift it to her since she seems to like it so much.

Well will let you know how lunch goes. Take care and ta-ta.

Charmaine

[Bailey's Mom]

Hi,

I forgot to let you know which plan I am following - I am doing the Flex Points (basically the same at the one before it). But I am a Core Plan person at heart, just not doing well with that at the moment. But I did pick up two bean recipe books at the library the other day and a whole food diet will soon be back in my life - and DB's.

Take care.

[Lemony Snicket]

Good Evening One and All

Well friends, if it seems that I stirred the pot, then my point was well made and my words had their desired effect. Your posts now sound stronger, positive, and definitely more motivated. NOW you'll lose the weight. Maple, it was a good move going back to your meeting. As for me, I weigh in every two weeks (as a lifetime member) and completely keep off the scale at home between weigh-ins. I use the comfort and fit of my clothing to judge how well I'm keeping to the diet regiment. Getting hung up on the numbers can be very distracting (and deceiving) to how well you're progessing. The numbers will tell you when you've reached your goal, but it's how you look and feel at the end that's important

[KramerFoxworthy]

My, my what on earth has happened since I was out of town? Looks like everyone has got serious about losing weight. As for me, I'm still working at it and with the extra bit of walking and fewer pints, my trousers are getting lose. Now if only I could convince the missus to join me. She's baking Christmas sweets this week so it will be a challenge. If necessary, I'll give up my weekly pint at the local and go walking instead.

Bailey's Mom it occurred to me when I read your post that starving yourself between an early breakfast and a late lunch might not be in your best interest. That sounds like a diet and not a new life plan of eating healthy. By going hungry I believe you are setting yourself up for failure.

Lemony, BRAVO! my dear man. What a scathing you gave us all and IT WORKED! It looks like our wayward ladies heeded your admonisment and are now towing the line. Personally, I thought Maple was about to become a drop out. I always thought Patti would pull it together so she didn't surprise me. Bailey's Mom, I surmise still has some learning to do but she does sound more positive now. So for all of us........Hip Hip Horay!

Earlier in the week Maple mentioned something about Chickadees. We don't get them here but we do get their "Tit" cousins, which are all part of the same Parus family.

Blue Tit

Throughout this morning a family party of nine blue tits has been active in our garden searching the gnarled Bramley for insects and spiders.

Each twig and leaf is thoroughly examined, the birds advancing in small rapid hops, seizing items either while perched upright or hanging upside down. While searching, each blue tit has a habit of holding its head back as if short-sighted! This constant activity is enhanced by persistent flicks and twitches of wings and tail and frequent calls.

Blue tits frequently, especially in winter, tear open the foil tops of milk bottles, drinking the top layer of milk. Groups of these ever-restless and inquisitive birds have even been known to follow milkmen or wait for milk deliveries.

The nest is in a hole in a tree, wall, stump, gate-post or outhouse. Few birds more readily accept the shelter of a nest-box. The same hole is occupied year after year. The blue tit is a close sitter hissing at an intruding finger. Nesting material is usually moss, wool, hair and feathers. A clutch of eggs is often large. From 12 to 18 eggs are on record. Probably seven or eight is normal and large clutches are laid by two or even more hens.

Main predators include grey squirrels and great spotted woodpeckers. In the past, nesting blue tits have been taken over by tree sparrows. But this is hardly a threat nowadays following a dramatic decline in tree sparrow numbers. I have a list of unusual blue tit nesting sites, among them the pair which raised a brood under the capping at the top of West Harling church tower more than 60ft from the ground, with other nests in water-pumps at Little Ellingham and at Bunwell.

On rare occasions spectacular numbers of blue tits have arrived on our coast in autumn following high late summer populations on the Continent.

During a single day observers at Hunstanton once noted 600 coasting in one and a half hours. And at nearby Snettisham the hour total exceeded 300 tits. At this time the extensive saltings at Blakeney, Morston and Stiffkey held dozens; a party of four landed on a yacht sailing in Blakeney harbour.

Many blue tits sought refuge on drifters (now defunct!) fishing off Yarmouth and yet others appeared in reed-fringed ditches in the centre of the vast Halvergate Levels. In northern Europe blue tits undertake wildly fluctuating eruptive movements from time to time. Birds ringed in autumn in Sweden have been recovered in Germany and Belgium.

Happy Birding!