Happy Election Day. I have pretty much ignored the election this year. I decided I needed to concentrate on my health and ignore the news. It has been interesting to watch people and just not feel involved. I voted early and it will be interesting to watch as a spectator and not emotional mess.

It is another beautiful day in the 70's again. If it were ten years ago it would have been a day of cleaning up leaves. Now the lawn guys will do that. The meme reminds me of a day I was visiting a friend. Her lawn guys were there and she always bought them fresh donuts. She decided to give them a healthy treat and roasted kale. They were not thrilled when she bought it out to them.

I have been underweight all summer but somehow found six pounds in the last week. I needed it and not so dehydrated. The water fills in the wrinkles.

No menu plan for today. I will heat apple cider with a cinnamon stick and have it with a cake donut. My favorite fall treat.

QUOD: When was the last time you climbed a tree?

I was 42 and had a kitten that kept running outside and climbing a tree. She was afraid to come back down and would cry for help. I started climbing the tree and bringing her back down. I developed a terrible pain in my leg and ended up going to a doctor.

He said I was doing something that was stressing my leg muscles, I was too embarrassed to tell him I had been climbing a tree. I made sure the kitten stayed inside and my leg healed up.

You have done a great job with this every day. I will try to start it if nobody else does. I am just not consistant with the times that I wake up in the morning. I will have to find some funny memes.

QOTD: What I used to hate was doing things like eating an ice cream cone in public and thinking that people were looking at me and laughing at the fat lady eating ice cream. I am very aware that people do that. I was at a doctor's office not long after I lost all my excess weight and he made a remark that some people take up more space on earth than they should. He said they are one person and taking up the space of two.

Those kind of remarks stay with me and remind me that others are always judging. I worry that I will be prescribed a medicine that causes quick weight gain. So far that has not happened but I have so much compassion for those who suffer with obesity.

Good morning! Wow that weekend went fast. Enjoying my time with Ryan. We've had some amazing food, played cards, met a bunch of fun new people , gambled some (I'm going home a winner!) and had a bunch of laughs. We are flying home this evening and meeting back up with him in Paso Robles on Wednesday for more adventures.

I have totally been off plan in every way you can think of this weekend. Dusting myself off and trying again this morning.

Amy, you've been a champ starting us off. Thank you!

QoTD: my hip issue is reminding me of how miserable I was in that old body. More than anything I relish the freedom to move and participate. And the fun clothes doesn't hurt!

again, no ideas on food today. Or the rest of the week. I'm just going to try to balance the indulgences with lots of water and movement. I'll be taking workout clothes with me on this next leg of travels. That removes one excuse from my repertoire.

Peace and please remember to VOTE!

Good morning all and Happy Monday,

It was a good weekend. Hippies, family, tough conversation, adventures, lions, tigers, and bears, oh my.

QOTD- it's the ongoing gratitude for all the things that I can do now. This weekend, fitting into an auditorium seat without intruding on my seatmates' space, going from underground to street level on a steep set of stairs, being invited to play basketball where the invitation wasn't extended in years' past.

Steps- 6285

Accountability - so ashamed but a whole box of fruity pebbles. I bought these to mix into rice Krispy treats. Saturday, I wanted something sweet and had nothing in the house. I grabbed the box and ate it by the handful. Before I knew it, the box was gone. That's a big L for me. It happened. I can't do anything about it now. I'll put in a little more active time this week and full steam ahead.

B: Dannon Light and Fit Coconut Yogurt, tangerine.

L: Rib tips. Cole slaw.

D: sashimi or ahi tuna steak. Salad.

Good morning ~ Feeling this meme today! Monday, Monday here we go again! I had a very nice weekend that was way too short. Lots of shopping and relaxing. Kiddo came over and we all had fun. Next Monday I start a new work schedule so heads up, this will be my last week starting the thread. I will be going in later and working longer with every other Friday off. I need to change my sleep schedule, go to bed later and sleep in later to accommodate. It's been a long time coming so I'll just enjoy the last week of my early schedule that I've had for over 10 years. Today I have a meeting all morning and training staff on one of my monthly reports. After a few months, I won't have to do it anymore.

QOTD - Most of us are vets now so this far out, what keeps you motivated beyond the scale or health rewards?

Comfort - feeling comfortable in my body, being able to move and do everything I need to do with minimal effort. It's easy to dress this body and feel comfortable in practically anything. Freedom - I don't want to struggle with weight stigma ever again. It defined me for too long, I don't want to stand out, let me blend - please.

Accountability - Great on food, 4 active minutes, 4,511 steps. Today I'm 170.0 and bloated as hell. I have 30 minutes done on the treadmill w/a 10k step goal for the day,

B - coffee, cottage cheese, tomatoes

L ? ham and cheese on protein bread, pickle, tomato

D ? chicken, cheese and green chili burrito

s- jerky, string cheese, apple

Have a wonderful day!