OMG Alan!!!! What a horrible thing to have to go through... Just be thankful that they caught it early and that they can treat you.... I hope you can still go through with your surgery next month... Keep us posted on how you are doing!!! Hugs, Shawn M.

After being sick for so long, I am finally better.... I was excited about the weight that I lost from the illness, even though that was not a good way to lose it.... I was really worried that once I started eating again and not running to the bathroom all day that I would gain that weight right back... but I haven't.... I amazed myself... Now I just need to keep it up..... Here are my stats: Starting weight = 309 Last weeks weight = 176 This weeks weight = 176 Loss this week = 0 (Woooooo Hooooo!!! I maintained that big loss from last week!) Total Loss = 133 HUGs to All, Shawn M.

Thanks for the kick in the butt we all need it. My plans for the week are Aqua Jogging 3 times this week and doing a weight training segment on my Prevention DVD 3 times this week. I'm also doing the knee strengthening segment 3 times this week, I will also attempt to do 2-30 minute sessions on the elliptical at work. I'm going to make a pot of soup also. I have 2 containers of chili in the freezer so I'm going to do one of those for lunch tomorrow. I'm really working on no night time snacking. Deb

Hi Deb, Could you tell me more about the 5-day pouch diet? I don't think I've heard of this one. Thanks, Deidrah

So here it is Monday again and I know many of us are getting back on track after the holidays. So, what's your plan for the week? Are you scheduling time for exercise? What are you going to do? What if something pops up? Have any contingency plans? And, what are your eating goals this week? Since I teach, I'm at the gym by 7:45 several days week. We worked hard today too. We do a short cardio warm up and stretching before the weights and we did full body strength training today including squats/shoulder presses with knee raises, then a 3 part move that is a wide squat, a lunge back and a curtsy lunge. We did 12 of those on each side. We then did Romanian dead lifts, forearm curls, front raises, side raises, plie squats with side raises, bicep curls, triceps, push ups, worked the back, did several sets of planks, worked abs and then stretched. WHEW! After that, I went to another gym where I'm a member. I had planned on doing a class but the class I wanted wasn't on the schedule so i got on the Elliptical and then the Stair Climber (the one like an escalator). So, I've had good strength training and cardio! My exercise plan this week is to exercise at the gym Monday through Friday and get in some other activity for the weekend. Tomorrow I will do more cardio and possibly do a Body Pump class. Wednesday I'll teach and do cardio - maybe a Spinning class. Thursday - cardio and abs. Friday - teach Strength Training and do cardio. Eating plan - KEEP TRACK of protein, fat, carbs and calories! Plan meals and snacks ahead of time! Yesterday I cooked a huge pot of healthy soup and some chicken salad with low fat mayo. I have some skinless chicken breasts ready to cook tomorrow and, of course, the soup will last for days! I started the day with my cottage cheese, protein powder and 1/2 pear. I'm drinking my fluid too! A few days of paying close attention to my food intake will help me end my snacking/grazing addiction! Ok, there are people who haven't posted in the last few days! Let's hear from you! Trudy, how's the recovery going? When do you go back to work? Have you started buying clothes? There are some great sales here! I'm trying to stay away!!! I've bought SO much! Shawn, are you feeling better now? Hope so! Come on, everyone! Let's get this board BUSY again! It's too easy to stay away when you're busy, stressed or not doing too well so take time to check in. Take time to make a plan, set some goals and work that plan! We are worth it! CeCe