I am SO proud of you for going to that PTA meeting, it's hard to put yourself out there when you are not comfortable doing that, but y ou're not doing it for the other moms you're doing it for the kids and that makes a HUGE difference. I had to pull away from the p.t.a. because I was becomming too involved and I just dont' have the time to devote to it. Keep up the good work and each day we'll see how we're doing. I think it will help us to not feel so alone as we are further out and it's easier and easier to eat or make unhealthy choices. ANDI

Hi everyone Well for the last 2 days I have been finding out that if I eat a bagel and sf strawberry cream cheese for breakfast,that I am good to go until lunch!!! Not even hungary,of course if I think about it,I would be,trying to keep my mind clear of food and snacks! Chewing allot of gum!!! Darn head hunger!! Then I am starting to fix supper as soon as I get home,too. That helps me from snacking as soon as I hit the door! Then I try to keep myself busy until betime...I have been snacking on grapes and prok rinds at night... I have really been trying hard to get tha****er in! Itake 3 bottles to work with me,thats only 49 oz. but I try to get more in at home,plus my coffee at work. I haven't seen the kids since Sunday,I think they are still at the hotel. I am waiting on a call from the lawyer,hope it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to get the kids,but it will be worth it,than to see them live the way they are now! Just been praying allot,hope it helps!

Oh Andi my prayers are with you and your friends family

Last night and this morning i've had a few revelations and I'm going to share them with you as I hope you share yours with me: 1. i forgot my food at home yesterday but i still managed to stick with the plan and do pretty well on the whole, more carbs then i'd like but less then i'd usually have so i guess that counts as a plus 2. I got some upsetting news last night and instead of turning to food for comfort (as per my norm and my hubby wasn't home) i turned to meditation and prayer and was able to find some peace 3. I'm down almost 2.4 pounds as of this morning so YAY for back to basics. I have also come to realize that I poop regularly when I drink enough (for me that's over 70 ounces, 64 doesn't cut it), go figure that it was that simple after I've invested in every pill, powder, tea etc known to man! 4. My mood swings have abated now that I've got the carbs under control 5. I'm stronger then I thought i ever was. My mother in law is terribly ill and going to visit her every Sunday is not healthy for my middle son, he suffers from night terrors. I put my foot down that every week was a little much and that we would do every other week and on our off weeks my sister in law could bring her kids down. This way the kids aren't competing for grandma which tires her out quickly AND my child is not too terribly frightened. If she is having a "bad" day then we won't go we'll call her and we'll arrange to see her on another day. 6. I have my breakfast, lunch and snacks sitting on my desk, my plan is all mapped out and I'm ready to do what's right for me. I WILL be back down to the 141 mark before my period next week so when it goes up again i know it's pms bloat and not true Andi stop eating nonsense bloat! By the time we get to the 18 months out mark i'll be in the 130's solidly and I'll be halfway through charting my rashes for plastic surgery which i'll be looking into for winter or Summer i'm not sure i'm debating the merits of each! Keep in touch, tell me how you're doing. What can I do to help you stay on track today? I need to exercise more but i've been averaging about 1.75 miles walking at work per day, not a bad gig but i want it up to the 2 mile marker by the end of the week. Hugs, ANDI

So, how did the rest of your day go? Did you guys stay true to your "back to basics" plan? I did pretty well...stayed around 1200 calories, drank my water (which I hardly ever do) and worked out with a trainer...it was a challenge though when on the way home from the gym my mother called and needed to "talk" at a restaurant of course...but I ate all protein...cup of chili and beef brisket. Trish