My Lenten Journey

40 days....that is what Lent is about for Christians. We remember Jesus' journey to the cross and his death for our sins. Lent gives us the opportunity to examine our lives and determine what is of real value to us. Lent is a season of reflection and spiritual discipline. We are encouraged to look into our innermost being and to make corrections in our spiritual lives and direct our thoughts and deeds as His servants. This season is a time to concentrate... to let go of guilt, sin and stress and dwell on God's amazing love on the cross.

My body is the dwelling of the Holy Spirit within me. I have been keeping a messy house this past year! It is time for me to be more obedient and "clean house"....lose the fat that has accumulated and work toward a healthy body once again.

One year ago I entered a period of depression diagnosed as a condition of menopause often experienced by women of my age [50 at that time]. Being my unique self, I did not suffer from no appetite, and thus weight loss as is typical for many who experience depression. Instead I had the version where one overeats, the body trying to get some seratonin [our "happy" chemical in the brain] through that avenue...but when you have depression it is a chemical imbalance in the brain and requires treatment to regain a normal everyday life. My doctor was away and in the 2 weeks it took to get an appointment I gained 10 pounds. My weight gain slowed and stabilized over the summer; dropped a bit with the work of harvest and then took another jump in late Oct/early Nov. when I again experieced out-of-control eating. With checkups over the months to monitor the anti-depressant level needed, I had missed scheduling my annual check-up, including the typical bloodwork done then. In Dec. I found out that my thyroid had gone hypo [low] sometime in the 18 months since it had last been checked. Sooo...whether the depression was from low thyroid, as it could have been or not, I am presenting myself back here this week....about 25 pounds heavier and ready to publicly declare my intentions and thus be accountable once again. No more ignoring what has passed. God presented me with these circumstances for a reason. I hope through my journey, I may help some others of you that are struggling as well. I have [with God's help] been successful at the PFA before, and with HIS help, I will create a healthier body for His glory once again.

40 days....Ash Wednesday [yesterday] to Maundy Thursday [the day before Good Friday]....my journey beckons....~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON FEBRUARY 26, 8:58AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	Lora Sue said... Welcome back. My thyroid went hypo during menopause also. I understand eating to get the happy feeling, or trying to get energy by eating. Blessing on your endeavor. Lora
	DebbyF said... ((HUGS)) Welcome back Maxine! So glad you're ready again! God bless!

Prisoner of Hope

I have been struggling for months. I have lost my enthusiasm and drive to keep my body in the healthy shape I had acheived. I admit I was perhaps over zealous with my drive to achieve and maintain that physique. I crashed and let it go, but once again I seek to climb back up and look toward a future state of physical and mental being that sets me free from the lack of balance that has been my life's story to this point.

As I read the following biblical passage this morning I found the hope I having been seeking....from the Lord who will be my strength....I cannot do this alone and succeed, I have already found that out.

Zechariah 9:11-12 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

So here goes.....no more waterless pit! I shall drink more water today and all of the days ahead, as well as get an eating plan and stick to it!

May you all have a blessed day! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 30, 8:0AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	Lora Sue said... We have all been there honey. The Lord bless you and me both in our struggle to keep our bodies healthy and fit. Lora PS. It took a long time to load your blog so you may want to shrink some of your pictures or something so we can continue to read your blogs.
	mary2 said... Hi Maxine....We all go there. When I started this back in June 2006 and lost over 20 pounds I said I would never gain it back. Well I have gained 10 back. We get so caught up in life that we lose focus sometime. It would probably help if everyone was doing this but they're not. We always seem like the odd one everywhere we go. Since you have now recognized the problem it is time to get back on the horse. That is what I have done. I'm in my third out of four weeks of conditioning. Hang in there Maxine...you will figure out a way!~Mary
	DebbyF said... Hi Maxine, The Lord will surely bless you, as you turn it over to Him. His promises are true! He who the Son sets free is free indeed! I echo Lora's suggestion. Maybe you should start a webshots page & post the link in your blog, so we can open it. Bless you, Debby

For every thing there is a season

I think I have written this title before! Spring seeding of the grain and oilseeds is underway again for this year. Hopes of re-gaining my physique once again are also underway! It is a busy time...I'll comment more later!~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 16, 6:33AM    

	1 COMMENT:
	Jamie said... I know you can do it! I've seen Maxine in person and she looks awesome. She inspired me to start this program! :)

Fitness progress over last 6 months

Although I have only been with this program for 2 months, I decided to post a picture comparison of my 6 month progress in my "Fit by 40" personal challenge. The PFA is definitely helping me to take it further than I could on my own. Thanks to all of you who continue to help and encourage me along the way! I really appreciate your support!! :o)

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON MARCH 20, 6:11AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	rooney3 said... Very noticeable improvement, Renee! Keep up the good work.
	LizziTish said... If I'm following your pictures, correctly - this is your starting picture in Sep 07 compared to now in fat burning? Nice job. What a difference you'll show on the beach this summer! Beth

A bittersweet anniversary......

I have just realized that it is three years since I have signed up here. I have had many ups ands downs as everyone does....but it just happens to be a downer in my head right now that is manifesting itself in an upper number on the scale today.I have struggled since the beginning of this month and have returned to old eating behaviours that I thought were long since retired. My success here just one short year ago stares me in the face when I record my weight and check my weight history for 3 years. Examining these numbers saddens me even more. I have been avoiding the scale for several days and was brought to my knees early today with the realization that my weight has gone up 10+ lbs. in just over two weeks. Until I can once again find the will to plan a day here and actually eat to the plan, I know I will once again be swinging through the cycle of reaching rock bottom before finding some balance again. The logical side of my brain just doesn't "get it" why I have sabotaged my successes here in this way. On a couple of days lately that I actually did sign in to the PFA , "Today's popular profiles" popped up and there I was at the top of the list each of those times with 2-9 people out there checking on me... I know it is not coincidental either....my faith tell me that the LORD knows that I needed that boost each time. I know who a couple of you are that I have leaned on with my struggles.... but the rest of you checking on me for no apparent reason other than that you care about me......thanks so much for your caring and/or prayers for me. It means a lot to me and I thank you whoever you are. ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MARCH 17, 4:43AM    

	6 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... When I first saw your post I wanted to respond - you have always been there for me. But I didn't have any motivating words of wisdom, so I didn't. And i still don't. But I wanted you to know I feel your pain, and that I'm thinking of you and that WE WILL turn this corner and rise again to the more healty, happy women we once were. We will. Beth
	grarey said... Maxine, I just reread all your posts. I do think winter has a way of taking us back to innate stages of the seasons. The ‘Wow’ factor for the program is not as it was in the beginning when you could get through anything. On top of all that you have the cravings that come with menopause and the emotional upheaval. I am experiencing much of what you speak. It is hard not to feel ashamed and embarrassed, when in reality, we are the only ones who can see the 10# and I know that as long as we put the limit there, we can be ready for the sun to come out and our attitudes to change. I think having been so disciplined in this has made it hard to get back to the original level of commitment. Now might be the time for us to figure out how to make a daily plan that keeps the weight off but also factors in something we crave now and then. I don’t like to think we’ve sabotaged ourselves because it sounds so final. Let’s just say we are challenged! I pray that we will soon feel the sun on our skin and be enlightened. I’m with you girl. Gwen
	Jeanie2 said... Maxine, I understand. Just remember there are seasons to life and that includes diet. Don't be too hard on yourself. Jeanie
	DurtGurl said... Spring is around the corner for you and with that will come a fresh start (and lots of hard work in the fields). First step is to strap on those running shoes and go for a run! Remind your body how good it feels to move. Food choices will fall in line. Take the time for *you* and accept that we all have backslides. We love you no matter what, but it is important that you love yourself!
	somrok said... Hi Maxine, I don't understand why our bodies just can't find that perfect weight and have it stay there!! I was hoping that might be a benefit of the PT - but alas it just seems to be pie in the sky (sorry for the food reference)!!So here's the challenge for you now - you need to kick those 10# out of your life. Luckily you have the tools - you know what works!! Remember those days before PT of aimlessly going from program to program wondering if anything would actually work? You KNOW what works - Put yourself first. That sounds so selfish doesn't it? But it truly isn't. So many people rely on us that we owe it to ourselves and them to put our health first. Try something new. Either a new kind of exercise or something that will spark your interest. I have recently started doing the GET RIPPED DVD's for weight training and I really like it. Try to get rid of your problem foods from the house. Remember that your physically demanding work is ahead of you with spring coming and you will probably lose the 10# just doing that. You can do it Maxine - Blog every day if you need to - you have been such a help and inspiration to us all!!WE LOVE YOU!!HANG IN THERE!!!Debbie

Something wonderful is happening!! :o)

And to think... last week I was so frustrated I was almost ready to quit! Today, I am happy to see that my body is changing and I am feeling thinner!! :o) Best of all is that the layer of fat on my abdomen is starting to change!!! It's still there but it is softening like it is getting ready to go away... WOO-HOO! I'm starting to get the hang of fat-burning. For me, it was like when I started conditioning and couldn't quite figure it all out. Now I'm getting the hang of it and I'm excited to start seeing some changes! My weight and inches have not really changed, but something wonderful is happening!! :o)

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON MARCH 10, 8:56AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... You know that poster you see with the cat hanging on a rope with the caption: Hang in there, baby! Well, keep it in mind during fat burning. In the several years I've been here, I've seen that women really fight to lose their fat. Each time someone posts that they've had it, or they are frustrated, they are besides themselves, they want to quit, they can't do it, etc - within DAYS, they post again, thankful they hung in there because the the scale dropped or the inches did. I swear, the fat literally fights its way out causing us to be angry/frustrated/tearful/raving maniacs, right before it goes! lol! You watch - you'll see it again in yourself, or on someone else's blog. Hang in there Momma! Beth
	Lora Sue said... We call that goopy fat and you are right, it will soften and then all of the sudden it will shrink! Keep up the good work and congrats for sticking with it. Lora

Sorry for whining!

Hey everyone! I appreciate the advice given yesterday. I've decided not to do weight training and cardio on the same day, and I will use only whole foods on my low days (no protein shakes). My husband reminded me I promised myself to see this through a full rotation. He read a quote to me last night by Lance Armstrong saying, "Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." Hope this inspires you as well. :o) Renee

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON MARCH 04, 6:29AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... You are a very lucky woman to have such a supportive husband. :)
	Lora Sue said... Good decisions! Lora
	somrok said... Way to go Renee you can do this!!!We all felt like idiots when we started because it was hard to get the hang of the food input. You will get your own formula down that will work for you and it will start to be quite easy. Also when you take a drop in calories the first week is definitely difficult but after that the body adjusts and you won't have nearly the hunger (if any) that you had the week before. Just do not drop your calories too fast. When I dropped to 1019 from 1219 I immediately got massive sugar cravings and it was very difficult to resist them. I also went into a plateau as well. Your goal of finishing the rotation is excellent. Keep up the great work - Debbie

FB... not so easy!

I'm struggling with the fat-burning phase! My low days are 1572 calories and I find it hard to be satisfied with that, especially since these are the days I weight train and do cardio. I find this program hard to follow since it is such a change of lifestyle for me. I've got the gym thing down, but this food part has been difficult to figure out. I know you all are going to tell me to hang in there and that it is all worth it... I hope so because I am growing weary. My husband says, "If it were easy, everybody would do it!" :o) ~ Renee

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON MARCH 03, 3:38PM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	Lora Sue said... Broccoli, carrots and cucumbers are great to help you feel fuller and less calories. Save half of your carbs for veggies. Make sure not to drink any of your calories, they do not satisfy hunger. You can do it, just remind yourelf that you can squeeze in a little treat on high days. Lora
	46Dave said... Smart Husband! Dave

SURPRISE! First day of Fat Burning...

Yesterday was a shocker after 5 weeks of constant eating... WHAT? No more food? I'M HUNGRY!!! Since I just graduated from Conditioning and did not know what the new plan was, I could not plan my food the night before. I was gone all morning, then the system was down and I wasn't sure what I could eat. It came back up right before dinner so all I got was two chicken breasts. NOTHING else would fit and I still got a "B". :o( I was hoping to do better and I was HUNGRY, especially after that extra cardio I did! I now know how to better plan for my low days. It's all about learning, isn't it?! :o)

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON FEBRUARY 26, 8:7AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... Congratulations on pulling off a B with the obstacles you had! Way to go. I posted in my old blog (since deleted) on how I hated veggies - until fatburning hit and the calorie levels started dropping. At that point, they became my best friend (and allowed me to keep the "noshing all day" thing going). Great progress so far! Kudos for the loss of inches before you even started PFA (and thou not as evident as from the first to the middle picture, the middle to 3rd picture definitely shows some change). Beth
	Cozy said... Me too, yesterday was my first day. Being a vegetarian I was pulling my hair out trying to get a 90 but when I sent out an SOS email I got much needed help. It will be an adjustment to all that food but just knowing I am on a really good program with "real" food helps. The results will be the real prize.
	redvelvetskull said... I know exactly how you feel! I started mine yesterday and I wish I would have spent a little more time on the website before going to the grocery store! I just bought a bunch of food I can't eat. :( Looks like I will have to reprogram my thought process when it comes to the fat burning portion of the plan. I just spent about 3 hours trying to figure out how to get those A's that were so easy to get during the conditioning pigout phase.

Starting FB after 5 weeks Cond. (pics posted)

Okay… I just posted my updated photo “After 5 Weeks of Conditioning”. My weight initially went down then back up so I’m back where I started. I’m hoping there is not too much of a delay for the Fat Burning Phase fat loss to kick in. I was feeling quite pudgy at the gym today. My initial weight drop was a teaser and I want it back!! I think all those carbs went to my stomach because my trainer said my waist measurement was up (from 5 weeks ago) although my arms and legs went down slightly. I’m hoping to post amazing photos sometime in the near future! ;o) I hope to go beyond where I’ve been before into a whole new level of leanness. Although I’ve been skinny-fat and fat-fat, I’m hoping to get fit-n-fabulous! :o)

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON FEBRUARY 25, 3:3PM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	rooney3 said... Your hips and glutes are noticeably smaller in the last pic, Renee.
	somrok said... Great Job Renee - You can already see a difference in the photos. Keep up the super work. You can do this!!!Debbie

Last wk Cond.~Bloated!

I was concerned about conditioning since I thought I would gain weight. To my surprise I lost two pounds and was feeling really thin until this last week. Now I feel fat and bloated! :o( At first I thought it was something I ate, but it has been this way the whole week. I've got my eyes on the prize and trust this program works the way people say it does. It will be so worth it if (or when) I meet my goal!!! Any reassurance is appreciated! ~ Renee (FB starts Monday... yea!!!)

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON FEBRUARY 22, 4:5PM    

	4 COMMENTS:
	DurtGurl said... I understand the bloated feeling... I too had it just 2 weeks ago when finishing my conditioning. But as soon as FB started, the bloat disappeared! You many not see immediate progress but hang in there. Here I am after two weeks of FB and I can feel and see the rolls disappearing. Pants are looser, hip bones have reappeared, and I feel good in my skin! Trust in the program, stick to your meal plans, and you will have success. oh, and enjoy these last days of high calories - Monday and Friday may come as a shock when you are HUNGRY!
	DurtGurl said... p.s. I really can't wait to see your progress. Thanks for being brave and posting your "before" pics. You are a beautiful gal and I see an amazing transformation in your future!!!
	somrok said... Believe it or not Renee you will have many times in Fat Burning when you will YEARN for all those calories and carbs of conditioning!! You can do it - Debbie

Introducing myself :o)

I thought I'd post some pictures and write a little about myself. I'm in my 3rd week of conditioning and my body is already changing! I believe the proper diet has been my missing link in my personal training. I am so thankful for the PFA to show me how I'm "really" eating! I hope I can be an inspiration to others through this. I keep telling myself, "You can do this!" Changing the way you eat is definitely not easy! A special thanks to Ric for making this available to all, and for personally emailing me back when I was first getting started (I was truly impressed!) :o)

POSTED BY MEMBER MOMMA BAIRD ON FEBRUARY 06, 8:17AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	DurtGurl said... Welcome! You've already made great progress with the trainer... just wait till you see what changing your diet can do! Sounds like you're already feeling the benefits. However you will soon be able to SEE the benefits!. Love the tandem mtn bike. Looks like you have a good activity partner -Kathleen :)
	Dolly Mama said... I read all your blogs, and was so encouraged!I love to grow herbs and vegetables, and your FB sounds like I can do it, really! I still in conditioning. I will pray for your family tonight!

100% score

It's been a long time since I have chosen to put in the effort to get a 100%+ score...but I had the luxury of some extra time this morning and the ambition to do it. I have been keeping very close tabs on Kathleen's [durtgurl]score and I know it takes a lot to push close to her's as she has a diet very low in sugar and sodium. I have this pie in the sky goal of keeping ~10 lbs under her for awhile - there is just enough height and body shape difference that we can both be at healthy weights at that spread. However, when her conditioning soon comes to an end and she hits the cardio again...I know that I will have a task at hand! There's nothing like a bit of healthy competition to spark a bit of new excitement in the 'ole mind and body! Kathleen - did you see I sneaked up behind you in score this morning [well for a moment in time at least!!!!} ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON FEBRUARY 01, 8:14AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	DurtGurl said... The competition is ON! You are in luck as I seem to be packing it on during these last 2 weeks of conditioning. I'm feeling bloated at 149 this AM and am looking forward to fat burning! I will post in my blog soon, but I'm continuing to suffer from extreme neck pain making life pretty darn miserable. My eating is the only thing I seem to have under control - thank you PT! Regarding my "good" scores... I now use all "real" foods, no shakes. I fine tune my score with grams of certain foods like shredded wheat and grilled chicken and peanut butter. I eat little fruit and no dairy which is why my sugars are so low. I am adding a pink grapefruit a day since the tree out back is now ripe and ready for dining. I keep my sodium low by eating very few processed foods. I can rattle out a 98+ score in about 5 minutes every morning. It does help to have a high-speed computer connection :) -Kathleen
	RayS said... You don't have to hit every number to get to 100. My sodium is never even close, usually close to 200%, but my averages have been in the 99s and last week it was exactly 100.0. The trick is to get the big numbers perfect by having foods you can adjust. Like having a cereal you can add by the gram till you get the carbs to 0 left. It can be done and with real food, not shakes. ciao, Ray

It is done

It was a wonderful day in Phoenix for a run yesterday! Cool morning and warming up nicely as the race progressed. I won't say the race was a breeze ...I had my moments...but the message was there on a fellow racer's t-shirt that I followed dilegently for awhile "Enduring hardship is discipline" [a passage from Hebrews]. Focusing on the end goal makes the difficult times pass by without us giving up - just as we all must do here! I completed 26.2 miles in 4:56:16 beating my previous time of 5:17 by 20 minutes. I am happy at this goal met and I have the sore quads and a medal to prove it! Thank you all for your encouragement and best wishes on my and Kathleen's blog. You kept me accountable in the last miles as I struggled to make it under the 5 hour point. ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JANUARY 14, 10:48PM    

	6 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... Way to go Maxine! I've always been in awe of people that can run for that length of time. It just boggles my little mind. But what do you expect from a sprinter? lol Glad you enjoyed your visit with Kathleen. And thanks for the pics! Beth
	pringle said... Congratulations on finishing and beating your previous time!
	Jeanie said... Congratulations, Maxine!
	grarey said... Fabulous results Maxine! You trained with purpose and got what you wanted. I can't wait to hear more about it. Be easy on your body as get back to getting around like the rest of us. I'm sure your trip to AZ was special in many ways. Gwen
	DurtGurl said... Maxine - It's been a great joy to play host during your marathon quest this past week. Congrats on meeting your goals. You are so right... Doing such an event is like our path in PFA where success only comes from careful planning, dedication, and discipline. Meeting you in person has been a great inspiration to me. I look forward to a long friendship!

PFA in Beautiful & Sunny Arizona

It came to be! I arrived on Durtgurl's [Kathleen} doorstep yesterday. It is so wonderful to visit a PFA friendly home and just carry on with the food side of things as I am accustomed to doing. No one is offended by low sodium/low sugar etc. I am chowing down my BBQed chicken breast that is such a treat to this Canadian gal who just left the snow and cold and had no hope of opening the cover on the BBQ at home for many months to come!

Now let's see....I think I'll go have a nice soak in the hot tub and then lounge in the sun enjoy Boojum & Jupiter's company [yes - Kathleen's two dogs are every bit as loveable in person as they are in the photo's she posts!]. I have to rest these legs for the big race on Sunday and what wonderful place to be able to do it at. I feel truly blessed to have the health and opportunity to able to run another marathon at 50. Thank you Ric, for the PFA program....without it I wouldn't be here! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JANUARY 10, 1:49PM    

	8 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... We shovel a path thru the snow to the grill and BBQ all year round (made easier this past year by simply moving the darn thing closer to the back door!). Of course, we don't get as much snow here in CT as you do in Canada! Enjoy the time with Kathleen and the pups. And a safe run on Sunday! Beth PS And a "hi" to DurtGirl!
	LizziTish said... PS And don't forget some pictures!!
	lorap said... Best wishes for a good time! Lora
	pringle said... Have a great run in the sun and enjoy your visit with Kathleen. ;)
	grarey said... Maxine I was trying to remember yesterday when your race was..I am so glad you posted! What a wonderful thing to roam the country checking in on other PFAer's. How lucky for you to have Kathleen to download pictures! It won't take you all day. Best to you on your race. I know you and Kathleen will have a blast. Can't wait to hear more about it. Gwen
	DurtGurl said... The Canadian-meets-Arizonan experiment seems to be going quite well, however it is odd to be responding to your blog when you are right now in the guest bed of my Arizona house! Sharing life stories and PFA secrets has been a delight. We'll get pics uploaded for all to see via my high-speed internet before you head back home next week! -Kathleen
	somrok said... Hi Maxine and Kathleen, Best of luck in the marathon. How wonderful to be able to meet in person. Hope you both have a great time - Debbie

Ode of the Old-timers...response for LizziTish [Beth]

Beth's post brought out the "Wendi Girls" school graduates that are still around here. Why? Because it sounds to me that we are all pretty much struggling with the same issues as Beth was so honest to verbalize! We all have learned so much here, from Wendi and from all of the rest of the PFA community. But I guessing that a number of others of that era are still around here for one main reason and that is we are still dealing with the emotional side of our eating selves. Intellectally we can quote the good eating habits needed to succeed in achieving and maintaining the physique we came to PFA for, but emotionally we all have our moments!. Some of these "moments" are brief [a few minutes long]; other "moments" last for months. I believe that at the very least all of us old-timers have learned that no matter how long we away from eating the PFA way, it is ingrained in us [our body and our mind] and therefore we KNOW we merely WILL return to the discipline of eating that was successful for us and our bodies respond in a positive way. It is a mental exercise....it is successful only when we truly are ready mentally to succeed. I pray you are ready again Beth!

Someone with high speed internet should start a "Wendi Era Girls" group!!!! Has anyone heard from Wendi lately? ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON NOVEMBER 15, 7:29AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... I heard from her also - she's out of the PT business. But happy and doing well. Beth PS: your blog is taking longer and longer to load - you might want to consider deleting some older posts.
	Jeanie said... I heard from Wendi about a month ago for a recipe exchange ... I don't know how she's doing though.
	rpf said... Wendi started the PFA about a year, and a half after I did; I remember when she had told me that I WAS the PFA, because I had done so well,for so long, and was such a help to the others, but a while AFTER that discussion, while doing the program, I FELL OFF THE WAGON,(after I gained 36 pounds in TWO months) whereas Wendi stayed with it and did a FANTASTIC JOB, with the PFA, and with her offshoot PT business!! I can only hope to do HALF as well as she did. It will truly be a challenge this time, since I am nearly 57. I will need ya'll's support. Thanks! Rachelle

Speed bumps in life's journey

It's been a month of extremely testing times for me. My daily calories and weight will attest to some of the eating issues I had. Why? I can only [in hindsight] attribute it to menopausal changes that continue to haunt me.

We completed a long harvest season on Oct.10th. Due to the extremely long days of physical labor during that period, I consumed around 2600-2700 calories a day near the end and came out of the season at 130. All set to enjoy those couple of pounds off I found myself, by that week's end, bingeing more often than not. It is such a hormonal issue for me after all this time on PFA. If I have the occasional binge I recover on the scale in a couple of days. Because the menopausal time went on for upwards of 3 weeks this time, I had a huge struggle both physically and mentally. You see those "before" pictures? I felt like that. I was experiencing belly bloat to such a degree that I would see myself in the mirror and just cry [any of you out there experiencing the big "M" know of what I speak....you can cry over most anything....but to me this was [and is] not just anything! I have invested over 2 years of my life in obtaining a healthy body shape. I have come to know that I will suffer monthly periods of time at this age, of generally a week to 10 days where I get extreme cravings to overeat and sometimes headaches and so on, but with awareness of the calendar date, I generally just carry on, knowing that the bit of bloat will pass, the cravings will pass and generally I am able to resist these urges to overeat then. But in the mere span of 3 weeks, my weight fluctuated in a 9 pound range, mostly higher than my highest weight of the last year. I was breaking down mentally under this stress. ALL of the PFA things I had learned, I kept practicing good ratios, calorie level as before, clean food choices and drinking adequate amount of water - but that is a struggle when you are bloated. I just waited for the switch within my body to turn itself back to my "normal". I ate 2350-2400 calories on non-exercising days and slightly more when I was exercising and/or doing more work....and I waited. I was having a difficult time finding pants to fit, as they were all getting too small in the waist and snug in the thighs but I waited. This week I cried...and I cried some more, and even included my husband in my very real concerns that somehow in this menopausal time I had turned down my metabolism and this was the way it was going to be. My tears related a lot to the wish not to give up the calorie level I had been maintaining at [~2400]. I was resisting the non-PFA typical knee-jerk reaction to this situation which is to cut calories drastically [as in "eat less - lose more weight"]. I have come to KNOW that the muscle mass I have attained in my body needs feeding!

Well as the journey continued this week, the last crying bout was the worst - a last fling for this session I guess! I woke up the next morning lower on the scale and less bloated belly and a lower weight and this trend is continuing daily. So "the witch" is no longer visiting in this house. She has been sent packing and there are hopes she'll stay away for a longer time now!

But in terms of stress, the week involved "out of the frying pan and into the fire"! An early morning phone call from my son at university alerted us to the fire that blasted into his apartment from the deck, caused by the careless smoking habits of his roommate. The apartment is non-livable due to some fire damage, but mostly smoke damage. We spent the last two days removing the contents and many smoked items were thrown away, and the remains [now in our garage] are emitting a strong smoke odor. Any of you who have heard previous discussions of my son, know he is very musical. He owned many instruments and a very nice Yamaha digital piano. Some were completely destroyed in the blast, others seem fine, others are smoke damaged. As we handle this detour in life’s journey, if anyone out there has any helpful tips to pass on about removing smoke from damaged items of all sort, I would love to hear from you! I had so many other things I had planned to do in the next few days, especially now that I am feeling more normal physically, but life goes on. We are most thankful to the LORD that no one was hurt. Damage seems contained mostly in his suite. "Stuff" can be replaced! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON NOVEMBER 04, 6:47AM    

	4 COMMENTS:
	mary2 said... Maxine, Call a cleaning/restoration company and see if your son's things can be closed up in a room with an ozone machine. I think ozone is really the only thing that can take the smell of smoke out of things. My son had a house fire in college several years ago and I know what you are going through. I also relate to what you are going through with the menopausal issues. I've been real bloated the last few days as well. It was so bad on Friday I thought I was going to explode. It sounds like you are doing everything right to get through it. A good cry doesn't hurt anyone and you earned your right to do that. Husbands will never know what a women goes through.I really don't think men would be able to handle it. Take care.~Mary
	callie21 said... Maxine, I will pray for you as you deal with these issues plus the hormones. And also, I wanted to add that i was diagnosed with estrogen dominance a few years ago from pcos and it caused me to be extremely weepy and moody and I would eat sugar and junk practically all day long. You might check out Female Formulae or Female Balance by Dr. Schulze. It's an herbal tincture that i've been taking and it's really been getting my cycle and moods back into balance. Dr. schulze is a big advocator of the idea that menopause doesn't have to be hell for women. herbdoc.com is the website. I'm proud of you for pushing through- you really inspire me.
	somrok said... Hi Maxine, I am so sorry to hear about the fire - but your last comment is so right - stuff can be replaced - it is a blessing that everyone is fine. On the big M issues - have you tried Evening Primrose Oil? I find it does seem to help with some of the symptoms. I am amazed you are able to maintain such high calories on your little body - my weight loss is now stalled at 1200 calories on my low days. You are such a wonderful writer - would it help writing your feelings/moods/etc? I have been going through the big M for the last 5 years and while I am a lot weepier - I don't seem to have a lot of mood changes (at least that's what I say maybe my family thinks differently!!!) I'm sorry that I don't have much insight here - you are the pro at this. Just remember the old saying "Life is what happens when you've made other plans"!!Please take care of yourself and don't work too hard get lots of sleep to regenerate.- Debbie

Durtgurl & lorap - sorry to have to use this space!

I'm sorry everyone for cluttering up this space with e-mail issues! Kathleen and Lora: I'm getting your comment replies from this spot....but nothing else! Private e-mails are not coming through and I don't understand why! I don't want to put my regular e-mail address here, so this is an alternate to try: maxine@marathoner.com and let's move this discussion attempt to the Yahoo support group site and try there too. I really want to hear back replies to my e-mails to both of you! Thanks! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 23, 6:45AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	lorap said... I tried the email you posted, but it came back as undeliverable. I find it is taking a while to access your blog. You may want to delete some old posts and some pictures so people don't end up timing out when they try to access your blog. I don't know why it takes so long, but internet blogs usually don't contain pictures (just a question??) Lora
	lorap said... You are correct, there are no private emails coming through to my email address. Try the support board since I moderate that, I will catch anything coming through. (Sorry folks, my server was down this morning)

Durtgurl...are you out there this morning?

Kathleen, please e-mail me...I'm trying to get a message through to you and this is my last resort! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 21, 8:0AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	lorap said... I think her last posting she said she would not be on the program for a while and would check in sporadically. If you can find her fitness league page you could probably send her a private message. Lora
	DurtGurl said... Maxine!! I did reply to your message, but I guess it didn't it? e-mail me at: durtgurl at AOL dot com and let's see if we can make contact!

My eternal PFA quest...to keep milk in the lives of FBer's!!!!

I just posted a reply to LeAnn, who has reached FB after 6 weeks of conditioning and is excited about it, but worrying about not having milk in FB. A couple of replies had referred her to me, so for the benefit of others...once again I'll repeatmy battle cry on milk!!!!

Yes indeed I included skim milk in almost the entire 40+ weeks of FB I completed. Please do read my blog for more background if you wish....but what it comes down to here in PFA [as in life in general] is choices.... what choices are you going to make today that will affect you only this day? and what choices are you going to make that will affect you long term? I believe that milk products are unfairly targeted here in PFA simply because folks don't entirely understand the difference between the types of sugars in foods. I have explained the difference between lactose and sucrose here, soooo many times that today I am too weary to do so! Suffice it to say that PFA measures all sugars - whether they are healthier type [e.g.lactose "milk sugar"] or not so good for losing weight types[e.g sucrose "table sugar"] and scores your daily food list accordingly. You will be penalized by getting lowered points for going over 100% in sugars [and also if you over 100% in sodium, fat and calories]. However if you satisfy the PFA and go for the competitive side of your personality and get a high 90's score in PFA by cutting out a food group [milk products] what have you done for your long term bone and tooth health? Have you learned a healthy habit you can continue for the rest of your life? I believe you have not! Supplementing with calcium alone is not a viable solution...again read my blog please. You ultimately must decide on your course of action...but a lower 90's score can be achieved by including skim milk - you'll go over 100% in sugars, but if you couple that with reducing your sodium to UNDER 100% and keep your fat grams slightly under 100% and get your calories and ratios right on - as I did - you can acheive mid-90's scores, achieve results [i.e. fat loss with lean muscle gain and indeed the physique transformation we are all here for!]. It takes time and committment - but you will have achieved a lifestyle that will serve you well for the longterm! I think in regards to breakfast LeAnne: Scrap the Cheerios [they are higher in sodium than you need!] Introduce yourself to oatmeal - I would bet that a huge number of successful PFAers have it daily! - and have it with skim milk and enjoy the moment each morning - knowing you are nourishing your body in a healthy way and PFA perfect score be mocked if you wish!!!!!~Maxine~ P.S. I'm interested in receiving a reply here if you have oatmeal everyday?????

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 15, 8:18AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	Olerica said... While I don't have oatmeal every day, I do have it. I don't think it's more difficult to incorporate than rice (but then, I eat it cooked with water, no milk). A comment on bovine dairy, while it might be fine for many, bovine dairy is highly suspect for being a mucous producer in many - inflamation has shown greatly to increase weight - unfavorably. It is true for me, therefore I choose to take in my calcium with green leafy vegetables which by the way is a more bio-available way to take it. Though I will agree with your battle cry of don't neglect your calcium (and other mineral) needs, there are other ways to achieve the goal. But you are right, it is a choice.
	LeAnn said... Maxine...I did take the time to read your blog this weekend after it was referred to me and I got a lot of good information from there. I am going to try to keep the skim milk in as much as possible, at least for now until I come up with more menus that I can use here. I was able to get a 93 today and for day 1 I am satisfied with that. I actually split my breakfast every morning so that I can eat within an hour of waking to jump start my metabolism, but also accomodate my morning break at work without cheating. I have the cheerios and milk upon rising and oatmeal fixed with water for break at work. I am working on menus and will definately keep the suggestion on the cheerios in mind as I have already noticed how much sodium they have. Thanks for your reply. LeAnn
	lookgreat said... Hi Maxine I eat 1.5 cups of oatmeal every single day. I add 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 10 raisins, 2-4 packs of equal and 1/2 cup of skim milk. With this for breakfast, i still manage to score in the mid 90s. I think everyone would love to see a 100 score everyday, but you do have to cut out certain food groups, like milk, to achieve that. I am doing great with the mid 90s. I have been eating better and getting the nutrition I need than I have in years. So have that milk and be happy still getting an A!!!

If you are a Canadian PFAer, let's congratulate Debbie[Somrok] by signing a comment here please!!!!

Will you please join me in congratulating our very own Debbie (Somrok) for defending her women's title from last month in the September Fitness Leagues winners circle!Debbie is a Canadian hailing from stampede city - Calgary Alberta! Debbie you are an inspiration to so many with your results based advice. May you continue to have a successful path toward your goals.

Please add a comment here if you are a Canadian and wish to add your support to Debbie. I will pass this blog on to her. Also a note to any Canadian PFAers out there that may not have joined the Canadians... Eh? group, I invite you once again to join! It's easy = just click on the group and join as indicated. There is power in a group! [Hey we have "power in the dollar" over the USA finally....let's show them in our group too!!!!!] ~Maxine~

P.S. Would someone also send me a list of the members of the Canadians Eh? group please. I may be the "founder" of the group, but my slooooow dial up times out trying to tap into the collective information there, so I've given up trying!!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 02, 10:20AM    

Body Fat %

Callie asked me what my starting BF% was and what it is in other pic's. Sept/05 measurements pegged my BF% at 34%. The Nov/06 photo of me on the beach in Mexico [within my blogs] was my lowest scale weight of 127.2 and BF% of 20% according to the PFA BF% calculator. I've believe I have not commented on it here before...but I will say today.....my body physique obtained through diligent following of PFA has created very muscled thighs and virtually no hips in comparison .... for this particular type of physique, I don't believe the BF% calculator is measuring the real me! It really was disheartening to do measurements in Nov/06 and not break below the 20%BF mark here. There was virtually no fat left anywhere on me to go! I spent the money and had a DEXA scan in Nov. and it showed me to be at BF% of 9% which is rather dangerously low for long term for females. I have yet to reconcile the two differing numbers obtained within a day apart on the same body. DEXA scans are supposed to be one of the most accurate forms of BF% measurements. Can anyone offer me any insight into this whole area of accuracy on BF% measurement???? ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 28, 9:35AM    

2 COMMENTS:

Jeanie said... Maxine, I'd go with the DEXA scan. It is the gold standard for measuring body fat. It does have a margin of error, as does every form of body fat testing, but it is only 2-3%. I've had my body fat done my pfa, handheld bio-impedence, and scale (bio-impedence as well) and the PFA always has me MUCH higher. Yes, it's just a number but essential body fat is called 'essential' for a reason. You have a concern I doubt I'll ever have - is my body fat too low and cutting into my essential fat!

One year ago yesterday...

As I entered my weight last night, I found a rare occurence: an exact match to the same day a year ago @ 132.2. I entered maintenance in early Oct/06 and my scale weight has been about 6 pounds lower at my very lightest shortly thereafter and during some menopausal blips has been breifly up close to that amount at the higher range. All in all...it is well!~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 24, 7:20AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	DurtGurl said... Congrats on your successful maintenance!
	callie21 said... Wow Maxine, you are such an inspiration. I was wondering what your BF% was in the first pics compared to your current pics?
	somrok said... Congratulations Maxine, You are such a tremendous inspiration for us all. That is what I truly am working towards is to know that once I am in maintenance that I can keep my weight at a constant. Thank you so much for all you do for everyone here - you are a tremendous role model! Keep up the amazing work!!! - Debbie

What should I title this....?

I could call it ‘dancing with the Devil’ ‘a big M episode’ or just say ‘binge’ .....whatever I call it, my journey this week took me there. I had far away friends stop overnight this week at a time when I was already struggling through a day after a poor night’s sleep anda couple of previous days of some overeating – I was tired and hungry – the kind of hunger that is produced in the mind – when I made some really nice meals and let my self go off track in a big way. Once I started moving in that direction, I was on a day and a half of ‘painful’ experience. DUI !!!!! Driving under the influence! [of those %*#! hormone surges and ebbs!] down this road of life. And a huge “hangover” to show for it the next day. The next morning...... I chose to handle the problem with honesty to myself by trying to record in my PFA food list all of what I had consumed. That was a painful experience as I brought to mind much [but likely not all] of what I had consumed and tried to estimate its quantity. Only then did the horrible picture further hit home. Guilt and regret were very real feelings at that moment. That, combined with the fact that when I overeat like this, I spend the night in a huge sweat as my body tries to process that volume of food and since no part of me other than my basal metabolism was using the energy – it dissipated some of it in waste body heat. Imagine a campfire stoked with a huge number of sticks and logs of a variety of wood species just before bedtime .....and the flames and glow of the embers that would linger for hours and hours afterward into the night....that was me.

The logical side of my brain can only explain it as that ....after the fact. During the incident, however, there are such feelings of hopelessness – of months, and now years of PFA good habits all for what? – to blow it in a ‘moment’ of reckless behavior? I thank God for the PFA – it allows me to just put aside moments such as this and plan my days again and carry on with the good habits established over time and take my experience to the PFA masses as a lesson once again learned and perhaps through baring my soul here will allow someone else out there to make it through a bad spell in their life.

Some observations made from the sane side of the fence: Why a majority of folks with overeating behaviors find weight loss impossible and PFA principles HARD to adopt at first and why they may not be able to start a program and/or complete a PFA rotation.

1. When your stomach is full of food constantly,,,,you cannot physically drink the quantity of water that is needed to properly process that food. Unless you KNOW that you must drink copious amounts of water afterwards...you’ll continue to feel terrible longer. Lots of water is so important everyday to feel good. Where did I learn that? PFA!

2. If you overeat constantly during the day, and then into the evening, your tummy is still full in the morning. Of course you would scoff at someone suggesting that you should eat a good breakfast because this is one of the few times of the day that when you are not feeling the least bit hungry, you actually heed that body signal and you don’t want to eat. The rest of the day, you develop a routine of eating whenever your mind thinks you might want to – seeking out food pleasures of the moment – absolutely no plan in place and certainly not in response to body hunger! Yet the PFA suggests you eat often during the day – and really a lot of food in conditioning and still plenty in FB – but you think it is a crazy diet! It is the planning you won’t do – it is the choosing of healthy foods in combinations that have a purpose that put non-PFAers off.
BR> 3. Exercise? I tried to run the morning after......how did I feel? I don’t think I want to put down the words describing it here! Suffice it to say: I felt poorly! Lethargic...I didn’t even want to. I put my tights on and saw a distended belly worthy of a 6 months pregnant female profile....and stifled a sob. I got out the door after much mental argument and ran poorly – amongst numerous other “off” feelings my body sent to my brain, my bladder offered the comment that there was little room for it’s contents [remember now that I drank a bunch of water just prior] in amongst the excess that lingered inside me still. If I faced this everyday ....would I want to exercise in any form regularly? Likely not!

4. Weigh myself daily? I have to comment that this time I made myself skip a weigh-in for two days [just ignore those PFA bars in weight above for Thursday and Friday – the PFA filled in Thursday a.m. weight for both days - not me!!!] because I would be like too many folks out there that overeat... I would seek evidence that it really wasn’t so, i.e. I could eat all I want and not gain weight. But the scale would show I was heavier.... and the untrained non-PFAer would assume that a higher number under their feet was fat and only fat gained. They would beat themselves up mentally and just send themselves to the fridge and/or cupboard to console themselves in more poor food choices and continue the vicious circle of self defeating behavior. This time, I felt that the mental beating of recalling and recording what I put in my mouth in the previous 24 hours was sufficient and avoided the scale for two mornings as a conscious choice!

I could go on and on.....but I’ll stop the list there.

I drank a lot of water since I overate on Wednesday. I planned and ate two days of normal food choices for me in maintenance. My weight this morning is back to normal range, as is my belly profile. The menopausal hormonal incident that showed its ugly head [and seems to do so every two or three months in an unmanageable sort of way] seems to have moved on. PFA is the pillar in my life I cling to at times like this. It gives me stability and assurance that I’m not entirely crazy! Practicing good eating and exercise behaviors are a must for me, and will be for many of you out there. If you have read this far....thanks for being there. It feels good to cleanse one’s mind of these issues and move on down the road! May you all have a fulfilling day, meeting the goals you have set for yourself and feeling the accomplishment of achieving them! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 01, 8:10AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	DurtGurl said... Hi Honey! During your rough week, I've been on my first week in maintenance after rotation #2 and have thought of you often. I've been planning good days but then I slack off and try in my head to do substitutions. I think - as long as I eat a slab of good protein and a pile of good carbs every meal then I should be in the zone. I do not desire sweets or even my previous vice, salty chips. Beer and wine are my weaknesses. Ahhh, how I love a beer at the end of the day... but booze is not on the plan most days! So I think to myself, "What would Maxine do?". I have been watching you successfully maintain for a while now and I look up to your stamina and dedication. This is a life choice - we have to stick to the plan! I wish to someday not have to enter all my foods and be able to eat my 5 meals per day by instinct. But obviously we not there yet. So, we stick with the PFA to guide and remind us. So you had a bad week... it happens. Please let it go and move on with a smile. Thanks for sharing with us and for being so honest. Your words meant a lot to me this Saturday morning. -Kathleen in AZ
	callie21 said... Wow, I am in awe of your honesty. I have been down that road so many times before, and it's encouraging to see the way you have dealt with it. I know if I ever am in that situation, your post will come to mind and I'll think, "Maxine kept with it- so can I." Thanks so much for posting, you have been a major source of encouragment throughout my time using the pfa. God bless:)
	somrok said... Hi Maxine - as I have said many times LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'VE MADE OTHER PLANS!! Thanks for so eliquently sharing your thoughts and feelings. I think if everybody just remembers tomorrow is another PFA day and gets right back on they will be fine - as you were. Perhaps these little blips are also there for us to appreciate the clean food/exercise. Thanks so much for sharing and being such an inspiration Maxine. Debbie

Learning Curve...whenever you try to learn something new!

Harvest has barely begun in this part of Alberta, Canada; usually we are into full swing by now but due to a late planting in spring because of wetter than usual conditions, so is the harvest later.

My harvest job is to truck the harvested grain from the field to the steel grain bins some miles away. This year I have a new truck [diesel engine]with many more bells and whistles than I've been accustomed to on my gas engine trucks. As I learn how to drive the diesel truck, I have to switch my thinking on driving technique to be in many instances the total opposite of how I drive the gas engine trucks. In my few moments that I was not constantly changing gears or thinking about changing gears yesterday, I thought that it is not unlike how many new PFAer's are here....learning a whole new set of eating techniques that are in many instances quite the opposite of how they used to travel through a given day! All of us old timer PFAers keep telling you it will get easier the more you practice it....but darn it some days are just tough to get through no matter how encouraging other folks are! However, I know that for the new PFAers there are also moments of tremendous joy at accomplishing another successful journey through a day well planned with good healthy food and exercise and the scale and tape are recognition of that. The opportunity that each of you have to share your joys and frustrations here in blogs is one of the more powerful aspects of this website. If you hven't yet experienced blogging - try it today....your efforts will not go unnoticed and you will find it helpful in your journey!

Now, can anyone tell me if there is a good support group for new drivers of a 1998 International Eagle 9400 with a 13 speed Fuller transmission please?!!!!!~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON AUGUST 25, 7:19AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	Jeanie said... You nailed it on the head. Change makes people uncomfortable, unhappy and stressed but change is the one thing we all need to grow. You're right though, once you get past that initial learning curve, it becomes, dare I say, easy!
	westgirl said... Maxine, The joy of harvest time. I remember as a child thinking it was the best time of they year. As an adult I recognized the stress and test of endurance harvest can bring. I pray you have a safe and bountiful harvest. Dianne
	somrok said... Maxine, You write so beautifully. I hope you are writing a book. If you're not - you need to. You should write your story and put it in the success stories. Unfortunately - this city girl cannot help you at all with the truck predicament!!! You've probably already go it mastered though!!! Best of luck with the harvest. - Debbie

Anyone else unable to see Riotgirl's blog?

Tanya, I'd love to be able to follow your journey once again, but I consistently get the following message when I click on your title in the Recent blogs from members" section at sign in. PROPERTY VALUE RUN TIME ERROR Line=0 NodeID=0 Property=null Error=Exceeded maximum cycles per page (10000) What can be done?.....anyone? ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON AUGUST 22, 7:25AM    

	5 COMMENTS:
	lorap said... Me too! They either have too many pictures, too much fancy stuff, but it takes to long to load and I get a timed out error. Lora
	Jeanie said... Me too!
	JustPeachy said... I have all the fancy hubber jubber wireless and a new fangle dandle laptop and can't pull it up. I will send to Erik and see if it is an "overweight" blog issue. Crystal
	laurae said... I can't get either Tanya's or Elise's up either--haven't been able to for awhile
	Olerica said... Maxine, I have the same problem - with Challenge1 as well. I think it's a space issue. I think that their blogs are too long. Perhaps they can delete old posts (that are no longer relevant - like technical problems/answers) I'd love to see these blogs (and others) as well!

Inspiring thought to share

Balance is one goal that I am continually striving for, so when this newsletter came across my screen I thought these words worth sharing with fellow PFAer’s.

REFLECTION: Slipping out of balance can take a lot of different forms: gorging on a pint of ice cream or a bag of cheezies (even though you're not really hungry), snagging another pair of shoes or the newest techno gadget (even though you already have more than enough of both), spending another Saturday morning at work (even though you've already put in a week of 12 hour days). What drives those choices - even though you might suspect they're not serving you well?

Laurel Mellin, the author of The Pathway, says that we shift to excess and slip out of balance because we haven't learned to give ourselves what we really need. As a result we substitute as best we know how. What's missing in the skill set? Self-nurturing and effective limit setting. Skill one is the ability to stay attuned to our feelings and needs throughout the day. Skill two is the ability to sift out unreasonable expectations about the nature of life and the world around us.

Without a healthy dose of both skills, we may find ourselves in one of two places: on an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows (what I call crash and burn) or simply growing numb and burying emotions inside (what I call blur and endure).

I was intrigued to read about Mellin's ideas because in so many ways they closely parallel my own thinking about the importance of pausing for renewal and growing more thoughtful about issues of load.

ACTION: Although Mellin's solution is more complex than what I've been able to describe in a few short paragraphs, she does recommend a three step practice for beginning to strengthen those self-nurturing skills.

Several times throughout the day, pause and ask yourself three questions:

How do I feel? What do I need? Do I need support?

Give this a try. See if tuning in to what you really feel and need in any given moment cuts down on reaching for some of those pacifying treats that end up creating more problems of their own.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "You don't have to be perfect to be wonderful." - Laurel Mellin

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: Recommended reading: The Pathway by Laurel Mellin, Harper Collins, 2003. For a brief intro article, see: http://www.thepathway.org/spirituality_health_2003.asp

Reprinted from the e-zine, 'PAUSE '. Copyright 2007 Patricia Katz, Optimus Consulting. www.pauseworks.com.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON AUGUST 10, 7:10AM    

	6 COMMENTS:
	grarey said... Thanks for sharing Maxine. I hadn't noticed your new picture. You are just one tight, strong woman! Hope all is well with your family. Gwen
	DurtGurl said... "we shift to excess and slip out of balance because we haven't learned to give ourselves what we really need. As a result we substitute as best we know how." How true!!! It's so easy to slip back to the old bad habits... for me it's a constant battle although after almost a year on PT I like to think I'm replacing some of those old habits. I like the idea of taking reality checks during the day. Self-awareness is key! Thanks for sharing those wise words from the article. Also Maxine, not sure when you posted the May 07 pic of yourself, but you continue to look fantastic!! What a huge difference from the unhappy pic from Oct 95. You've made PT a lifestyle and it shows. -Kathleen
	Challenge1 said... Hi Maxine, I'm catching up on blogs today just to have some "time to myself". Thanks for the words of inspiration and encouragement. You're looking great! ~elise
	ladybug said... Hi Maxine I must say reading your posts and seeing your pictures was very inspiring for me. This is my first week in conditioning and I have a long road ahead of me. Thank you for posting this message it was something I needed to hear. It also gave me an opportunity to see your other blogs. You look great, I hope I look that great when I turn 50. -Grace
	somrok said... Great article Maxine thanks for sharing - your 50 pic looks absolutely marvelous!!!Thanks for the inspiration!!!Debbie
	rpf said... Your posts are FANTASTIC, as well as INSPIRATIONAL, Maxine! Congrats!

Happy Canada Day long weekend!

Wishing all my fellow Canadian PFAer's a safe and happy weekend. Plan your food well and celebrate... but choose wisely so you are not unhappy with your choices come Tuesday morning! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 29, 6:7PM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	grarey said... Hi Maxine. Finally able to open your post today! Hope all is well with you and your family and that you enjoyed a great holiday. Been busy here but hope to write a note soon. Gwen
	DurtGurl said... Happy Canadan holiday weekend to you, Maxine! I begin a 5-day biking vacation to southern New Mexico on our Independence Day, this Wednesday. My weekend adventures do not count - this is a true vacation and I am quite excited!! Will do my best to eat well and not blow the recent slow progress I've seen in FB :)
	callie21 said... Thanks for the very helpful comment on my blog- I've decided to not take the drop yet:) Hope you have a wonderful day!

Rhubarb!

Nothing speaks to this farm girl of spring like enjoying fresh rhubarb! For you urban folks information, the rhubarb is a hearty plant that has been growing in rural areas [and in a "few" town backyards too!] since homestead days. Abandoned rural residences may not have much else left....but many have rhubarb to show the fruit of the prairie that would grow through drought or rain. Typically in the past, it was eaten with much sugar added to overcome the tartness of the fruit. As such, I had pretty much quit enjying it as I cut table sugar out of my diet in the past few years. However, last spring in FB, I desided to try it cooked and unsweetened made into a sauce. I enjoyed its tartness in yogurt, with added Splenda. Now I add the sauce to my morning cooked oatmeal in addition to my blueberries and with a touch of Splenda as needed. If you google rhubarb, you can find out it does have many healthy properties - often overlooked as a nuisance plant! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 10, 8:12AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	pringle said... Mmmmm! My mom always cooked the sauce with sugar too, the splenda idea sounds good. I've been thinking about getting a rhubarb plant for my garden. :) Peggy
	Imdetermined said... Hey Maxine - I've never had rhubarb or even seen it (city girl here), but it sounds like you are SOOO enjoying it! Good for you! And happy birthday!!! Happy onward journey. Good job finding and staying at your healthy weight! Sheryl

This is for you Durtgirl!

The photo is of our seeding machinery - so referred to by Durtgirl as the seeding "thingy". Kathleen, I guess you must know how often I refer to certain computer "thingys" too [grin!]. Anyway, the rig in the photo ONLY got stuck in the mud 5 times this season. [That is tongue-in-cheek comment] in other years we normally don't have that much moisture to worry about. Thankfully we are blessed with abundant moisture this spring. We are experiencing very unseasonably warm temperatures now: 30C[86F] so surface of soil is drying out quickly. The seeding equipment was parked yesterday afternoon as it's job is now completed for this season! My 5 a.m. to midnight days can now be shortened a bit and sleep is in my immediate goals! As well as starting back at running again...25 days with no runs folks... I've never done that before! I thought I'd give that injured hamstring a real rest and further chance to heal. It also allowed me one less thing to juggle in my full days during planting. I get plenty of resistance work during seeding just in the general nature of the work I do. This 50 year old body wasn't quite feeling as young as it used to during this spring's work, but it did FB nicely during the positive and negative stress that the season brings. I increased my calories to 2600 [from 2400] as my body started dropping pounds back to 130 and have maintained at 130 for at least 10 days now. Thank you all for your kind words of support and inquiries as to our planting progress....It is done!....and yes Gwen, this morning I am saying AMEN!!!~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 03, 7:21AM    

	4 COMMENTS:
	pringle said... I'm glad the planting is done. Enjoy catching up on your sleep and starting your runs again. Peggy
	grarey said... Well, Praise the Lord! All of this should put you in high spirits. That and the prospect of a nap! I still want to hear more about your prize. Talk to you soon. Gwen
	DurtGurl said... Thanks for the pic Maxine! In any occupation, the tools of the job are soooo important. Keep them in top working order and the job gets done that much better and faster. Let them get sloppy or out whack and the job takes that much longer and is never done right. Kind of the same with our bodies, I guess! In PFA land we are working at getting and keeping our bodies into optimal working condition. All the hard work is paid back by allowing us to finish the seeding (in your case) or riding another super tough trail on a mountain bike (in my case). Enjoy getting back to running and other "you" pursuits now that the big push is over for now.
	somrok said... Get some well deserved rest Maxine! Congrats on the seeding!!!You really amaze me how you are able to maintain your eating plan so well under the stress of long hours and hard work - it is very encouraging to me that this is really a plan for REAL LIFE!! Thanks for being such an inspiration. Debbie

AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE ON MY LIFE'S JOURNEY

Often in my comments here, I speak of the journey that we are all on through the path of our life here on earth. I find this analogy best describes the the day to day circumstances we must all must experience and that no program will ever take us to a perfect "place" where we are happy and fit and can eat and drink anything and never lose the physiques we have acquired. Rather, the journey takes us down paths we planned to take, giving us pleasurable moments of goals completed and from time to time we hit the potholes or the "ditch" in unplanned events.... but we learn to get our selves back on the right path and journey on. Sometimes the repairs needed after those events are slight - other times major - but all in all we CAN [for the most part] choose the paths we want to take and continue on in the direction we want to go. We can enjoy sidetracks [that is "spur-of-the-moment"] decisions to do something different for a short period of time - but always returning to the path set out before us. The PFA is our road map - always there to be referred to even when we are very familiar with the road ahead. This journey allows us to meet some very interesting people along the way and enjoy their company for a time. Some folks journey along side us for only a short moment - others will accompany us for many miles.

So what is the important milestone on my journey this day? While making a rare check on my own profile today......hmmmm......something was different......it no longer said "40's".....as of today, folks it is the "50's" for me! I greet my first day of this decade of my life with a weight of 130.2 pounds and I am satisfied. It's not 129, not 125 not 139, 160 or 180+.... all these numbers I seen under my feet in the last 6 years. 130 is a very healthy and fit state for me and this is the number where I want to journey the greater part of my life ahead at.

Many of you that have come to know me in the past couple of years know that I am a western Canadain grain farmer. We are in the midst of planting our annual crops of field peas, canola, wheat and barley. As I have often have said in the past, our lives in this profession depend heavily on the whims of the weather. This winter we were blessed with abundant snowfall, followed by spring rain showers that have re-charged our previous few years of dry soils with much needed moisture. Alas... however this also made a very late start to the planting season and we are still at it. I wish that I had high speed internet to post a photo of the seeding machinery stuck in the mud for yesterday's 5th major time in 2 weeks! But we journey on with the tasks ahead and so you'll get no bikini pics of me on my birthday, but I promise some soon! I must sign off and get back to the work yet to be done. I thank the LORD for all the blessings of the support of each of you in this journey here over the past couple of years and wish you all a joyful day too! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 29, 7:16AM    

	9 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... A very happy birthday to you, Maxine! And good luck with the machinery. From a very appreciative cyber-friend,Beth.
	ChefKimmer66 said... Happy Birthday Maxine. You are a very hard working lady! May the weather stay on your side throughout your farming season. Kim
	erikwells said... congrats to you maxine.... and you do know that 50' is the new 40' (grin).
	wendi said... Happy Bday! You've maintained beautifully and I am so proud of you. You'll see those 120's again when harvest begins- I'm sure of it!!
	pringle said... Happy Birthday! Hope it dries out a little for you to get the planting done, and you don't have to treat yourself to one of those mud spa treatments today. ;) Peggy
	grarey said... You seem to be taking the path for eating and exercise that keeps you slim Maxine. It's nice to see a blog from you again because everyone will benefit from your insight. Keep planting. Gwen
	DurtGurl said... Happy Birthday Maxine! I would love to see a pic of your grain thingy stuck in the mud! Isn't it great that PFA brings people from all walks of life together to the common goal of good health? How else would this microelectronics engineer in the Arizona desert meet a grain farmer from western Canada? I bet it's beautiful up there right now... enjoy the spring even if you are working super hard! And enjoy the beginning of new decade as you enter in fitness and good health :)
	westgirl said... Happy Birthday Maxine! I totally understand where you are at farm wise. Congrats on the new decade - I look forward to that in 11 monthes...the best is yet to come. Thank you for your support on this new food venture. You have been a great help. Dianne
	somrok said... Congratulations Maxine - Welcome to the 50's! You look absolutely wonderful and I can tell from your blog that you feel marvelous!!! Enjoy!!!!!

Water, Water, water!!!

As an "old timer" on this site, I cannot reinforce enough, the importance of drinking lots of water and the relationship of that habit with success here in this program.

New folks to this program often have a difficulty in getting as much water in as needed. Many of you are probably chronically dehydrated and don't even know it! It takes time to change your personal habits to include drinking water often and in copious amounts throughout the day.... but over time you will do it and you will benefit from it! And your body will turn on the switch again that signals thirst as a "real" sensation too. Do you know that many of you probably have bodies that presently are sending you confused signals? Often you will get a hunger sensation.... when really your body is "hungry" only for water and not for food. Chronic dieters and/or thirsters(is that a real word?!) may have come here with that issue too. I know I did.

I found it difficult to drink as much water as I was asked to in the beginning. First of all it was mental. I could only think of how much extra I was weighing because of all that water in me. With personal issues of water retention, I could not understand how drinking higher amounts of water can fix that problem over time! Believe it! In conditioning it is extra hard to drink a lot of water due to sheer volume of food and drink in your stomach....where does it all fit....just keep trying and keep track of how much you are drinking and aim each day to get a little more in you! It can be decaf tea or other beverages if not water, but limit caffienneated (sp!) drinks they are counter-productive; water is best!

In FB when you first experience hunger and it is not a scheduled "feeding time" DRINK WATER first! It will help you understand true food hunger vs. thirst signals even more and continue to strive for the upper limit of water consumption. OK yes... you will pee all of the time....it is just what happens.... but it is good for you! Monitor your urine color; in the end aim for "clear and copious" [a runner term of how to know we are hydrated in days just prior to a big race!]

Water will even out many indiscretations of diet and or exercise when these issues occasionally happen in your journey. We will often suggest you "hit the water hard" for a few days and your system will level things out and be humming along normally again.

How much is enough? You will find your balance point. Read Ric's recommended amount ( I can never remember the conversions: Canadian gallons are different size from US ones) but I have settled in at roughly 6 liters of water daily.

Raise a drink to me today if it helps you in this part of your journey!!!!! [WATER that is!!!!!} ~Maxine~

P.S. How do you know you are an "old-timer" PFAer??? Well sonny.... I recall a time - way back then.... when a 92.5% score got me a top 10-15 placing on the Fitness Leagues!!!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON APRIL 30, 6:55AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	erikwells said... 3.78 liters = 1 US gallon = .8 British gallon and I am finally up to about 1.25 US gallons a day of water/4.7 liters... which seems to be about my limit.
	Imdetermined said... Hey Maxine! As another relative old-timer around here, I am raising my water glass to you right this very minute! Cheers!!!!!!! Sheryl

Did you send me an e-mail?

Someone(s) sent me an e-mail through this site today ...but I never got to see it! My hubby was cleaning the spam out of the mailbox on the server and accidently hit the "delete all" button. All he remembers of the title was that it was from this site!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON APRIL 29, 8:58PM    

	1 COMMENT:
	DebC said... The email from this group was probably one of the replies someone wrote after one of your blog entries. The replies I get usually end up in spam and I go in and move them to the inbox. Of course some of my normal mail ends up in spam too so who knows. Have a great day! debbie

My Affair

Funny that the thoughts for this blog should come to me this day...and possibly be posted right after Ed's marriage analogy! On my bike ride this morning I was thinking of a phrase from Ed's last blog about no more visiting the "City of Excess". I began to think that my recent episodes of overeating (aka binges) were not unlike what it must feel like when someone has an affair outside of a marriage. Some issues of discontent arise [for me it has been my hamstring injury and needing to change exercise routine coupled with nasty menopausal issues counter-productive to weight control!] and a person who has been very committed to another [Ed's marriage analogy of each of us and the PFA] all of a sudden causes a person to yearn to try something that they have not experienced within the "marriage" and until that point - never wanted! But circumstances that day/week or whatever put them in a different frame of mind....and they began the hunt! Something that had been forbidden; something "out there" that they are suddenly missing is calling them and they can't resist. They indulge in an affair with another - they are not faithful to their partner - they go all of the way and then.....they come to realise what they have done and they are so ashamed.....and come crawling back to beg forgiveness. The marriage is still there...it hasn't fallen apart...it's just that vows need to re-spoken and re-committed to in order to build the strong relationship that once existed. The power of forgiveness is a great and healing thing. The toughest part of it all is to forgive yourself for perceived failure after the high of success. It's a journey, folks... a life-long journey....not a destination.....I know I'll always be travelling along and I must remember that there are some great times on the way - enjoy them!!!!!~Maxine~

P.S. HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY WENDI!!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON APRIL 28, 9:34PM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	29640red said... HI MAXINE I GET TO SAY HI TO YOU THIS TIME, PRETTY SCARY YOU AND I ARE IN THE SAME MIND FRAME 2NITE. THX FOR ALL YOUR GREAT SUPPORT. ED
	mary2 said... Maxine you could have not stated that more perfectly. That's exactly how it feels. I just started conditioning today. I hope I can keep my head in the game. We are all going down this road together.Thanks for the terrific blog.~Mary

Struggles.....

Where do I begin when I have not put into blogs all of the months of thoughts since I last connected here? A few comments and e-mails to others have kept some of you in the loop of my life. In maintenance last fall, I found some balance and was enjoying my lot in life for awhile. My body was in the shape of my life, my calories levelled off at a high number which satisfied my life-long wish to eat, eat, eat! I began training to run my second marathon and was proceeding into the serious part of training when just before Christmas I was on a run in circumstances I usually avoid (dark/icy streets in town/running with others) and following with the group, I slipped on ice in the dark and did a huge forward lunge with my right leg and apparently overstretched my hamstring at it's point of attachment [a literal "pain in the butt" as that is where it attaches!!!]. I didn't realize I had injured it at the time - the group always offers me a good workout run that I'm sore after, so the injury did not become apparent until a long run later on - through which I likely injured it more though not realizing it until later. To fast forward the story a bit.... time off for the first injury recovery of my short running career [of less than a decade] coupled with a struggle to find another form of cardio I could do that fit as well into my rural lifestyle had me wavering on the edge of feeling in control for some time in the dark, cold Canadian winter months of early 2007. I know that my struggles are to a great extent self-induced and in my head [I think the term is "excuses"!]. Here are some of them:

Hormones!!! I can't live with them/I can't live w/o them! And I cannot control them; they control me at their whim! As I struggle through this given age of my life, they fluctuate so terribly! They can mess up a perfectly good plan of clean eating and adequate exercise and put me on the edge of control even when I'm doing well, but throw in a length of time when they flip around in my body at random several times a month [w/o any prediction of when!] they can & do offer me such lovely things as GI tract slowdown for several days or a mood swing episode that will send any good hubby into the hills for mere survival or headaches/sleep disturbances that exhaust a poor soul or far too many "tropical moments" in the dead of a Canadian winter when I'm at home - if you get my menopausal joke! It is so frustrating when I'm doing well.... but when I'm not able to run, hormones can be the last straw of control lost. Without running, I don't get my needed endorphins; I don't get the solitude of time spent out on a rural road with no other human in sight - just me and the good LORD having a chat! I can't seem to burn the calories I need to, in order to continue to eat the high number I had settled into. Mentally I struggled with letting go of those calories. They are important to me finding balance in my life. The process here over two and half years has proved to me that I'm wiiling to give up a number of specific foods I once loved as long as I get to consume the volume of food, I was satisfied at the result and could see some future in continuing this way long-term. I looked forward to reaching out for the goal of a second marathon completion with a better time than the first. I lost that dream in that injury moment. I accepted that it had to be postponed and re-visited later at a post-50 age. I gave the hamstring the rest it needed for recovery, I struggled through cardio woes and getting better weight training sessions completed. Things settled down -- the rhythm seem to come back into my life a bit. The scale was telling me that I was doing ok, a couple of pounds fluctuations above 130 rather than below it, but I had come to accept it too [why do we have these defining numbers that cause us unecessary woe?]. We planned a vacation in late March. My hubby convinced me to leave the scales at home this time. I can never eat as well as I hope when away from home, so I like to have the accountability of the daily weigh-in. However, I guess the greater reality is that as soon as I get to the warm weather, I always bloat up, even before I get lot of extra sodium that comes with eating differently. I think it is partly also due to plane travel and the difficulty of consuming the amount of water necessary. The rules for getting through security in a Canadian airport now prohibit any liquid in more than 3 or 4 oz. size and forget about trying to find a bottle of water in a 1 liter or larger size to purchase in the secured section of the airport. Even on the plane it is difficult to get a constant supply of water. One flight this trip gave free drinks of alcoholic beverages and whole cans of pop etc. to make up for a flight delay - but to get a glass of water - I was handed one barely 2/3's full and no offers to refill w/o a struggle...sometimes you just give up!

That last thought is just the thing that is rising in my life tight now. I ran well on holidays; perhaps too well? [too many miles too quickly]. Now back at home, my hamstring is bothering me again so I have been backing off the running again, but not adjusting my calories down and not finding an alternative cardio to fill in. I've had bingeing behaviours come visit too often lately [hormones raging?!!]; the result is showing on my belly and on the scale [when I finally got back on it] and in the way my clothes fit. My hubby says I still look good. I have lost the angular nature of my body as the fat fills in once again. I'm just on the edge of a pant size and a bra size, so although I know I look ok, I'm not happy at the loss of what I had attained late FB/early maintenance. I know it is not all gone, but it FEELS like grains of sands slipping through my fingers and I can't seem to close up my hand to stop it.
BR> Water issues abound here too. We have a water distiller that is old and has quit working properly no matter that we have tried to fix it and will have to replace it soon. This has restricted the amount of good drinking water available to me lately. I can't even get bottled water in me at the 6 liter/day level I'm accustomed to, because I can't get it past my taste buds! It now is getting close to a month of water issues for me and I bet that alone is a factor in my struggles. I've noticed that once you drink less, it is just like starting PFA all over again as you srtuggle to find how to drink all of that water!

I've missed my chance to talk with all of you and tell you about what is happening to me and seeking your support in the mental battle that is often greater than the physical one here. If you have read this far...thanks! I'll try not to wait so long before I blog again. ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON APRIL 16, 9:51AM    

	9 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... Wow, I didn't realize how much stuff you were going through. I wish there was something I could say to make you back to your "perfect spot". Hang in there. Some people offered some good advice and you will be out of this valley before you know it. debbie
	LizziTish said... Maxine, I'm sorry you've kept quiet all this time with your struggles! You reached out to help me without a mention of your own struggles. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you as you sort this thru and tackle them one by one, as we know you will. Beth
	ChefKimmer66 said... Maxine- I'm sorry things are not going as well as they could but you are a very strong lady and these struggles will only make you stronger. You've had a great teacher and you'll be back on track soon but in the meantime do what you should to heal your body and vent all you want here to save your hubby's ears! Kim
	29640red said... maxine, you of all people know ,that when you struggle it effects us all!!! this is the place to talk about your struggles . none of which are unimportant. whether they are in your mind or not they still will hinder your progress. so stay in the loop and confide in your friends in pfa land . now take a deep breath and tackle one problem at a time till you feel well again . take care ed
	wendi said... Hi Maxine, I'm sorry to hear you are struggling so much lately. I know the determination that is within you and I know that as the weather warms, you will find those peaceful roads and walk, if not run, to get your exercise and tranquil moments. As for food, scale back on the starchy carbs and replace them with veggies until you can increase your calorie expenditure again. For fluids, if you can't tolerate the taste of the water, flavor it- try lemon, orange wedges, etc. Some like cucumber, I like to make sun tea- doesn't have to be warm for that! If you use decaf tea, it makes bad water more palatable and doesnt increase the calories or hydration factor. I'm sure this post took you forever to type- thanks for sharing your struggles. The coming months will bring you back to your heavy work outdoors and I know that will help get you back on track. Please email me if you need to talk some more!
	pringle said... Maxine, My prayers are with you. You will persevere and overcome. God has something great in store for you on the other side of these struggles. Peggy
	Jeanie said... Those hamstring injuries are tough. I didn't hurt that end of the hamstring but the other attachment that attaches on the tibia. I'm out of PT but I am strugging to getto more than 50% of my weights on my legs. Everytime I cross that 50% mark, it hurts, enough to stop me for a good week. The PT told me to expect it to be a full year before I push it like I was doing before the injury. Probably not what you wanted to hear. Just take it easy and keep doing the stretches and PT exercises. You can deal with the extra weight - you KNOW what to do!
	DurtGurl said... I believe that one must have "down" periods to truly appreciate the "up" times. You will perserve and get thru this time. First and foremost you must let yourself heal. And with that comes an adjustment of eating and finding new exercise outlets. Nothing is static... we must constantly adjust and readjust in life. I'm going thru a time when I need to re-evaluate and haven't quite figured out what's next (thus my lack of blogs!). I try to think of myself as an experiment - "if I tweek this factor, how to I respond?" But that is the scientist in me and may not apply to everyone. Thru whatever you do, remember to BREATHE. It will get better! Thanks for sharing and best wishes to you. -Kathleen in AZ
	Challenge1 said... OK, put it in your schedule to blog! No matter what! Just like a vitamin -- create a "BLOG food item" with ZERO calories. Oh, and hot flashes = power surges, OK? That's how I'm mentally dealing with those. ~elise

I dream of High Speed

I just spent close to an hour with a detailed update of me, thought I'd add a photo and neglected to copy and save the text as often is necessary in dial-up internet. When the session times out (normal) I re-post the text only. But I'm eternally hopeful and am occasionally successful in posting a photo...so I keep trying. Any computer folks have any method of somehow recovering that elusive post? ....I know - dream on!! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JANUARY 11, 7:30AM    

	5 COMMENTS:
	wendi said... I sent you an email to see how you're doing but never heard back- shoot me an email and let me know how you're doing and what your plans are.
	grarey said... I hope you'll recreate your blog so we'll get caught up with your progress. I'm not one to talk about pics, but I'd love to see an update! Hope all is well and you're staying warm. Gwen
	mary2 said... I will be looking forward to hearing about your progress.~Mary
	DurtGurl said... Happens to me too on high-speed!! I get distracted and don't send the blog and then when I try I get the time-out notice. Sometimes my blog will post even though I've timed-out. Sometimes not. I find that if I immediately hit BACK then it will go back to the Welcome page with my text in the box. Since you've already posted another blog, you may be able to get to the previous screen by hitting BACK multiple times, but I suspect that update is lost. Try again because we want to see an updated pic of the awesome Maxine!!
	Challenge1 said... I was having the same problem, so I created my blog entry in a word processor and then cut and pasted it in. It helps. ~elise

This is the life!

Hi everyone... it's been a long time since I have checked in! I am having great fun tonight sitting at my laptop in a hotel room and enjoying HIGH SPEED INTERNET - YAAAY!!!! I sound like a real country bumpkin - but I'm only 45 minutes from home! I just happen to live in an area that is far enough from one city and too close to another and there are a few terrain issues thrown in so that I'm restricted to dial-up internet at home!

My hubby is attending a conference that he was invited to attend (a rare time that we are not attending the same one!). I was planning to stay home, but he talked me into staying in the city with him and having a mini-vacation instead. I said yes, on the condition that I could order a fridge into the room and pack my own food (his meals are all provided with the conference). So here I am - reading blogs again after a long absence of time to do so - and munching on my superb salad I just created in the ice bucket "bowl". No sodium added! No sugar added! Low in fat! What a nice change from the weekend of eating at my sister's New Year's get together. I'm close to flushing out the sodium finally! Actually it wasn't that bad! We served a good healthy bunch of choices - most of my overload was a sudden "fling" I decided to have with a wee bowl of tortilla chips! But her well-water is terrible tasting and I ran out of the distilled water I had brought from home. I have a whole backpack of bottles this time!

Do I sound a little obsessed with this? Yes, some would say so, but I like the shape I have become and I want to stay here for a long time. I am willing to be an odd-ball in some people's eyes. This is me: I eat 2400 calories now and maintain my weight. I run two times a week and increase the calories on those days - I want to feed the runs - I do not want to slow my metabolism by taking in too few calories. Yes, I do have stuggles when I get too much sodium and I have stayed away from sweets so long that I'm not tempted any more. Those that care about me have a sense of acceptance of what I'm doing now because they can see it works for me. My biggest goal yet to be achieved is to have the confidence to accomplish this daily without the "crutch" of the PFA to tweak my menu. I still feel lost when I don't login daily! My other hope for the near future is that my body will pass into menopause "gracefully" and quit the occasional "kicking and screaming" [or should I say "crying and bloating"???!!!] issues that it throws at me still! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JANUARY 03, 8:52PM    

	5 COMMENTS:
	29640red said... hi m,axine, you sound great . you enjoy that mini vacation with hubby and be well . thx ed
	pringle said... Well, aren't you living the life of luxury compared to home. Sounds like your maintenance is going well, and New Year's was a learning experience.
	Jeanie said... I especially have a hard time imagining that being obsessed with one's health being bad thing in any way. Well, given my past, you know what I mean. You sound good and that makes me happy! Keep up the good work.
	grarey said... There's just something about entering your weight everyday that keeps one accountable that's for sure. Sounds like you've got the mini vacation under control. Have fun. Gwen
	Challenge1 said... LOL! Hi speed sure is faster than DSL! Wishing you and your husband the best of times even if it is "work". ~elise

Had a great vacation!

This is a shot of me on morning #1 in Mexico - my leanest in some time! Unfortunately I can't say that I have been eating 100% "clean" since then and have some bloat and/or too high carb % in my ratios the last few days that I will have to deal with when I return home....sorry Wendi (and sorry "self").... I did very well until about 2 days ago and then some old behaviours creeped out of the past and gabbed onto me ["I'm heading home soon - how much more of this fresh fruit can I eat befeore I go - hee's no protein left in my fridge - oh well I'm starving after that scuba dive, just get some food in" ... and so on.....

No excuses - just reality that reminded me once again that this is a lifelong journey and although I may have temporarly "slipped", I will do better this day and beyond. I have had no internet access until a few days ago when the WIFI was repaired at the small hotel that we are staying at in southern Mexico. So I was "winging it", that is to say that I had to actually plan my days with what I should know how to do after a year+ on this program! BUT - it's a personality flaw of mine - I like to depend on the technology to do the thinking for me - PFA has been my "crutch". Until I get past that - of course Ric is going to have a long term paying customer! The weather lately has been cool for here and cloudy with one after another "cold" front arriving. I checked the weather at home in canada and I can see why - it is bitter cold there too (-33C last night.... just remind you all that the Celcius and F temperature scales "meet" at -40 so it's VERY cold!) so "cold" here at upper 70's F is not so cold! The sun is shining outside the palapa - I'm going to get the PFA meal planned quickly and try for a tan on this last day here! Cuidado! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON NOVEMBER 27, 7:15AM    

	10 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... Maxine you look wonderful!! Enjoy the rest of your trip. Beth
	illuminate said... U look amazing! I am so impressed!
	wendi said... You've done amazingly well, give yourself a break! (Certainly better than I would do with fresh baked muffins for breakfast each day) I just looked over your numbers and am very impressed with how well you've done- it's a minor blip and you'll be back down in no time! Have a safe trip home!
	pringle said... Your picture looks great. You sound like you're having fun. Your body will forgive you and remember where it has been. Peggy
	Imdetermined said... Baywatch, watch out!!!! You look great! Congrats!
	Jeanie said... Maxine, you have done so well and it looks like you are having a great time looking good in that bikini!
	grarey said... Maxine..it's great to hear from you. Sounds like you'll be tan and well rested when you return. Your picture is great! Gwen
	mary2 said... Hi Maxine, I don't know how I missed your blog. Great to hear from you and boy do you look great. It's a challenge to go on a vacation after going through what you've been through but you'll soon be back on track. Take care and keep us posted.~Mary
	DurtGurl said... Alert Alert - Hottie spotted on a Mexican beach!!! Sounds like you've had a fantastic vacation. PFA will be waiting for you when you return home. I've been trying to build a personal database to use on the PDA when I'm away from internet connection. I too need the crutch of technology to keep me on track. Once I get it working, I'll share to the Yahoo group. It works as a Document-to-Go on a Palm but users would need to hand-enter their select foods prior to use. Enjoy your last day of "warmth" and sunshine!!
	Challenge1 said... Brrrr. Are you absoultely sure you want to return to penguin weather? Glad you enjoyed your vacation. ~elise

What happened to "6"?

Size 6 that is. Well you see it is this way.... I needed to get a new pair of black dress pants to wear to a conference I'm attending next week. My last new pair of size 8's purchased just a few months ago were falling off. I have been waiting for the more classic styles of slightly higher waist to get into the stores. I don't like spending a higher number of $'s on a "trendy" design for a basic wardrobe piece that I want to last me a long time. I save those splurges for bright colorful less expensive items.

To continue the story of my shopping trip yesterday... I was temporarily blown away when I hauled a bunch of size 6's & 8's into the dressing room only to find that the 6's were now TOO BIG! I had to leave the first store because they had nothing in a smaller size than 6! The second store found me trying on size 5's and I felt like Goldilocks when the "right" pair was on me! I was going to pay the ticket price even though I had set out to spend less, only to find a sale tag underneath and even less at the till when it rang in...I was one happy camper all round!

Intellectually,I know that there is likely little difference between one store chains 2/4/6 and the next's 3/5/7.... but hey I'm a 49 year old woman, who never in her wildest dreams thought she'd be a size 6 ANYTIME in her life and now I'm on maintenance and I'm here!!! My mind has grabbed onto that magic number 5 and is just purring over it still! Wishing you all a blessed Sunday and wonderful paths in pursuit of your dreams this coming week! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 29, 6:18AM    

	8 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... Missing a "6" couldn't have happend to a nicer person. Congratulations! Enjoy that size 5 pair of slacks....you'll wear them well! Beth
	29640red said... WAY TO GOOOOOOOO!!!! CAN'T WAIT TILL I AM A SIZE 5 LOL ONLY KIDDING ! GREAT JOB BUDDY ,I START MON MORN . ED
	chris said... Maxine, I just noticed the last picture you posted and couldn't stop but look at it several times. I think you look absolutely great and you have done an amazing job. You go girl! - Christine
	wendi said... Hey don't spend too much on those pants, I think 4's are in your future! Your body is shredding through the calories we are building each week and you are continuing to lose fat. You are the poster child for how this should work!
	pringle said... Congratulations, missing a size is great! Peggy
	Jeanie said... Maxine, what a great way to start my day by hearing how awesome you are doing!
	grarey said... Maxine you must feel fabulous! I know you look fabulous and it's fun to hear such happy sounds from you. Can't wait to hear more. Gwen
	Chantelle said... What a nice feeling to put hose 5s on. Congrats!

Up go the calories.... down goes the weight!

I have just begun my 4th week of maintenance under Wendi's guidance. I am at 2100 calories with 18% fat! I continue to lose weight which is just fine with me! Quite frankly, a month ago I was afraid to leave FB because I was hooked on losing. But I've got to tell you....I'm loving this! The food choices that fit! Wow...after a year+ at conditioning and FB I really did change my eating habits! I changed a lot of what needed to be changed inside my head. I'm beginning to see that I can maintain this weight loss with SOME care and attention. Each week as I have increased my calories and fat content, I've wondered if this is where I will level off - but as Wendi has commented - my body loves food! Hey I've known that for 49 years!!!! [Last night I participated in a focus group on a health topic. I didn't know the other 11 people attending. One fellow asked me if I was a a body builder - and commented on my "natural" leaness...he could hardly believe that I have been 50 pounds heavier! That muscle likes to be fed!]. Wishing you all a fantastic day! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 26, 6:51AM    

	10 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... You are doing so great! I can't to hear what else you are going to accomplish. debbie
	LizziTish said... Gosh, you sound so happy! And I'm happy for you. You've worked hard. Now start enjoying the rewards of your labor! Accepting compliments gracefully is a great start. Thanks for sending some "sunshine" our way this morning. Beth
	illuminate said... Maxine you are seriously my inspiration! I would love to be at 18% bf.. I remember when we were both around the same weight.. You went on to loose more and be more fabulous and I gained lots of it back! Yep, my goal is to be more Maxine like every day.. :)
	29640red said... hi maxine, that is so great to see the ladies see progress . keep that ball rollin now ,don,t let up .ed
	wendi said... Your dedication to your program, attention to detail and commitment to your running have a lot to do with your success- take credit for your hard work! I have a feeling this week is going to show a continuation of that downward trend on the scale. :-)
	pringle said... You're doing fantastic! Enjoy maintenance. Peggy
	Jeanie said... That is such great news. That compliment had to leave you flying pretty high!
	grarey said... Maxine I had noticed that you'd dropped more weight and I'm so excited for you. Can't wait to hear more. Isn't it great when you get a chance to hear how others see you? I think it's a real help in adjusting our own self image. Gwen
	tots205 said... Maxine - isn't Wendi great. I too was amazed to increase my food and fat and still lose weight. It is a wonderful thing. You go girl!! Peggi
	DurtGurl said... Maxine - you are such an inspiration!

Have you ever felt like this?

After catching up on blogs last night I was reminded after reading Wendy's glycemic food concerns, that I was going to post info regarding hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). I have self-diagnosed this in myself in the last few months of FB especially, but know that for me it is an issue any time my calories are too low for what I am doing (be it work or exercise) for years. Ironically, I set myself up for it again last evening! I have a 2 week period (out of a 90 day cycle)of bone metabolizer med I must take at or near bedtime (directions are that it must be taken at least 2 hours after a meal on an empty stomach with nothing consumed again for at least two hours.) Yesterday was the first dose of this round and I ate my supper and tacked my usual night time snack onto it for "dessert" - with the hope that I might "last" till morning without the usual symptoms of night time hypoglycemia, which I have been able to control with my bedtime snack better with increased calories (but main thing is that the snack has protein + fat to offer gradual release from your stomach all night). As I "googled" the subject this morning - this is a description I copied of classic night time hypo. symptoms: "Many of the classic signs of low blood sugar—including shakiness, light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, irritability, and extreme hunger—can occur during the day or at night. Nighttime hypoglycemia has also been known to cause night sweats, headache, restless sleep, and nightmares". Well, I didn't even make it the two hours without recognizing the symptoms changing from mild to moderate before I got to the right time to take the med.(I can pass right over an hunger sensations to a dull headache or "pressing" feeling on my skull and I clench my teeth w/o realizing it. Then as it progresses I open my mouth to speak and I start to slow my words. My brain can't concentrate on anything and the very classic one: I'm totally irritable! So guess what - I had a horrible little row with hubby over a non-issue!!! Normally in our house it is a sign of what he has termed over the years as "time to feed the bear"! But when neither of us is acknowledging the symptoms, it is just not funny - and because it was the need to take the med properly, I couldn't eat to fix the problem. (I have decided that for the remainder of these two weeks I will just take the med in the middle of the night when I get up to go to the bathroom anyway!). So there you have the info I wanted to share, in case it helps someone else out here! (P.S. I have had my fasting blood sugar checked and it was ok - but I will be checking again soon - as all folks should...Don't rely on self-diagonisis of this stuff for the long term please!!!) And lastly I'll paste below a couple of other bits I copied from my search this morning.

Mild Hypoglycemia: Sudden hunger, Dizziness, Shakiness, Nervousness, Pounding heartbeat, Drowsiness, Tiredness, Sweating, Numbness or tingling of mouth or lips.

Moderate Hypoglycemia: Personality change, Headache, Irritability, Blurred vision, Confusion or difficulty concentrating, Poor coordination, Slurred or slow speech.

Severe Hypoglycemia (needs emergency treatment): Passing out, Convulsions.

"Other causes include changes in diet or exercise on the day you have the problem. It is important to realize that increased exercise can lead to low blood sugars many hours later because it uses up stored sugar your body needs when you are not eating. If you are trying to lose weight and experiencing hypoglycemia, this suggests you are on too much insulin."

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 17, 8:48AM    

	4 COMMENTS:
	sandyzona said... Great post Maxine! I also see some of these things in myself if I have went too long without eating anything. Especially the drowsiness, tiredness, and irritability issues. There are times when I literally feel drugged, and just want to nap. When that happens now, I realize that I need to go eat something, not nap. I saw it in my 6 year old son last night. He came in after playing outside with his friends for hours with no major snacks. Friends went home, and I was working on a late dinner. He was crabby, mouthy, sarcastic, etc. Luckily I realized it was a food issue, and didn't get too angry with him. Sure enough, as soon as he had a few bites of spaghetti, his personality changed back to normal. He was happy, and VERY talkative. It's amazing what healthy eating can do for us! I loved your hubby's "time to feed the bear" saying. It's good you two can handle these things with humor and understanding.
	CiaoBella said... Great post, Maxine. My issues seem to come from adrenal fatigue (big surprise, ha). I am the girl who doesn't just burn the candle at both ends but burns ALL candles at both ends. Similar symptoms with adrenal fatigue and hypoglycemia. In fact, a lot of people with adrenal issues also have hypoglycemia. I always keep my sugars low with my PFA stuff, but find that my issues are with starch (even if I eat protein and fat with starchy carbs, I still feel like sleeping afterward). With the last 2.5 weeks of conditioning looming ahead, I'm lucky that I rediscovered quinoa which is fairly low glycemically. Can't even remember the last time I had table sugar! W
	grarey said... Maxine, that is a very informative post. Since I've started PT, I have not had as many issues because I try very hard to eat every several hours. Irritability is my classic symptom. While my husband doesn't understand it because he can't see it in himself, he at least humors me when we're traveling and finds someplace for me to get a snack. Thanks for the info..sorry about your spat..hope all is well today! Gwen
	Suzy said... Maxine, this was a really helpful post. I hope you see my response as I know you posted it a while ago. I definitely suffer from mild to moderate hypo. Diabetes runs in my family and I've had all the tests and nothing seems wrong according to the doctors (I'm from the UK to possibly a different test procedure?) but I know when I feel 'wrong'. I'll re-think the way I space my meals and see if that helps.

For you Peggy!

It was funny how you should ask about the trees Peggy. It was a cloudy/rainy day but the late day light was pretty so I snapped this photo of the view from my front door (on the deck where I stretch after those runs!)

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 06, 9:7PM    

	4 COMMENTS:
	pringle said... To echo Jeanie, Beautiful! It reminds me of some of the lanes on my parent's farm where I grew up.
	Imdetermined said... Wow. No wonder you sound so tranquil and mystical and peaceful. I started with Wendi this week, too - we can compare notes!
	Jeanie said... Beautiful!
	Chantelle said... Beautiful view and so tranquil-it clears your mind just looking at it. Great job on your progress and meeting your goal.

One year ago today...

....I started my second round of analysis after a summer of 20+ pounds of "no limits" overeating. I have come a long way in this year - both physically and mentally. I have transformed my physique and my mind has moved along with the changes (for the most part - although many of you know I have my "moments"!). I have brought my body shape and weight to a better place that I had even planned for this rotation - but it took a full year and much patience! After much consideration of many goals I have in mind to yet accomplish in my life, I hit the "End Physique Transformation Program" ~10:00 p.m MDT on Tuesday of this week and entered into the Standard mode. By no means is my weight control journey complete! I know that I have a huge challenge to find a maintenance level and stick to it long term. For the next few months, however, I have a physical challenge goal in mind (I'll let you know more about that later). So ....my news is that I have asked Wendi to join me for part of my next journey to accomplish this goal and we began our "hike" together this week. I am eating 1800 cal/day to start with and 12% fat and am enjoying the food opportunities this provides as I think of different foods to try again. My work pattern this week is minimal as my husband pursues some of his favorite activities with visiting friends of his, so I also get to run more to compensate for work and enjoy the beautiful weather that we've had for a few days. All is well in my life this day - and hope it goes well for other PFA'ers too! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 06, 10:26AM    

	5 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... Maxine, can't wait to hear your new goals. And working with Wendi!! Definitely will be reading your blogs. Have a great day! debbie
	LizziTish said... You sound so at peace! And mysterious!! I'll have to stay tuned to see what is going on. lol! Beth
	pringle said... Maxine, Great progress for 1 year. Keep us updated on your new goals. How are the color of the leaves up there? If I were a runner, I'd love running in the fall. It is my favorite time of year. Peggy
	Jeanie said... Time for a new chapter. I can't think of a better help than Wendi either. You will do well.
	mary2 said... Maxine, Good luck on your continued journey. I will be looking forward to your blogs. Your commitment to this is certainly going to yield you positive results. Keep up the good work!~Mary

I feel like I have a hangover.....

I went out to a fund raising dinner last evening. I had been on the planning committee in years past, so I felt a need to attend again this year. I faced the fact yesterday, that there always seems to be these kind of events that come along just when you don't want them! Eating out at the point when you see a new low one day and have it disappear way into sodium oblivion the next day is not terribly rewarding! I knew the menu in advance and planned it into my menu, but one can never seem to account for the hidden sodium that the world out there craves (as well as likely a smattering more fat than I wished for also!). I did not drink anything with alcohol, but this morning I feel like the days of my youthful overindulges of drinking - headache/queasy stomach/tongue that feels like I ate salty snacks all night/tired after more time in bed than usual - and rather upset to face that 4.8+ number on the scales this day. But as in other times I will get over it! Just to mention that last weeks whiney blog was a huge PMS issue! Sorry about that! With my mind under the stress of the unfinished harvest and as I move further into the big "M" I did not realize I had hit the "all systems hold" time of month for me and it was worse than usual.I have next cycle marked on calendar so my forgetful mind will have advance warning! The bloat passed and I saw that new low by weeks end. Thanks to all that offered your once again kind and supportive comments - they do help so much. And by the way we did finally finish harvest on Friday afternoon - sneaking a few hours in on three separate days this week in between the constant showery weather that has prevailed here. We are so thankful to be done! So onward today and drink that water till I float away and see how it goes!~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON OCTOBER 01, 8:49AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	grarey said... Maxine, I used to feel hungover almost every Sunday morning after a late night catering. It was the result of dehydration and fatigue as much as anything. If you do get too much sodium, you know the same thing happens. Women's bodies are so much fun! What an adventure we face. I wear socks and a pullover around the house and then get a surge of heat that makes me suffocate. I'm trying to enjoy the ride. Glad all is well. It is fun to go somewhere w/o doing the planning isn't it? Gwen
	mary2 said... I feel your pain. My niece got married yesterday. I drank one shot of peppermint shnapps. We toasted to my Mother-In-Law that was not there because she passed away 9 years ago. I weighed 143.5 on the scale this morning after all the sodium and additional fat I consumed. I weighed 139 yesterday morning. I knew that would happen and I'm sure it will be gone in a few days along with hopefully another drop. Life goes on!~Mary

Further info...

My stomach has not been flat this week - but it doesn't get measured in my waist measurement as it sits below. I have played around with reducing fibre lately and wonder how much that is playing a role in this on top of everything else. Then there's the menopause issue. I have had no periods since I went off the low dose bp pill I was taking for hormones in mid-June. Suddenly sometimes I have hot flashes and times of fluid retention (these might be a time - I'm in denial on that - spouse says he sees some in my face & neeck). I have drank a lot of water lately.

I really need some positive feedback from this "family" as the "one" here who's experience with weight loss is "if the scale [aka "early warning system"] goes up automatically eat less "(he is a sorta active person but does not do any exercise for exercise sake just adjusts his food input} and has maintained a 50 lb. weight loss that was initially achieved by a huge calorie reduction (since 2003) and I KNOW this acheivement should not be discredited. He attributes weight gain to steroids used to control asthma as well as over eating...So he's the expert right? All that I've done which has worked for me and for many of you is to be changed quickly before the scales go up any more (according to the expert). I have never disclosed the details of my ups and downs in a weekly period before - only because he kept asking this week - and I decided on full disclosure - bad choice!

So what to do? I need to go back to exact menus of past weeks for a couple of weeks at least. Stabilize the food side of the equation as well as making sure I complete equivalent cardio and resistance work to match what might have been happening then too and just see what my body does. This will continue to make me unpopular in this household so I'll probably continue to vent here in order to keep my mental sanity and to avoid saying these things inappropriately here - when I know the issue will pass in time and I can settle this body down again. I feel better already having "talked" about it here. ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 10:28AM    

	9 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... Sorry about the hubby. My hubby lost about 40 pounds a couple years ago. And since then, his weight is creeping up along with bodyfat. I can't say anything, because he is right and my way is totally crazy. So, I don't discuss that with him. If he asks something, I will answer but it is like walking on eggshells. So, don't worry about him. That sounds like a good idea to redo old menus/exercise and see what your body does. The big "M" can be such a pain. debbie
	LizziTish said... Maxine, there is definitely something in the air these days. I'm struggling, as are you, with the dear hubby. Its hard enough to deal with some of this without having to defend yourself or your methods as well. I wish I could offer some advice to help you out, but I'm so turned around now with what works and what doesn't, it wouldn't be helpful to you. Just know that I heard your call, I know what you are going thru (you are not alone), and I'll keep you in my thoughts for a speedy resolution. Take care, Beth
	ChefKimmer66 said... Maxine- As hard as it is to believe right now, this is just a minor bump in your road to success. You have done wonderfully and you will continue to do so. You know what works no matter what you here from the homefront. Keep your chin up, we're all in this for the long haul. Kim
	sandyzona said... Hi Maxine. I hate to think of you feeling down, you are so uplifting to all of us here. You know I understand and sympathize about the whole hubby thing. Hopefully someday they will "get it", until then we'll just have to be here for each other. All of our pfa family here cares about you. I used to live on a farm too, only about 100 acres though. We raised wheat, alfalfa, and cows - a good way to grow up. I think you have a good idea about getting stricter with your menus again while you are in the house more, with the rain. Let us know how your're doing. Sandy
	Goddessrenee2 said... It is very common at this time of year to hit a slump. With the season changing the body goes into a tail spin. You just finished a week of lots of rain and a big change in routine. There are some natural therapies you can do to lift your serotonin and dopamine levels. These are the two that most affect depression. They are notorious for dipping in the fall. You can email me goddessrenee@msn.com if you like. This too shall pass, nurture yourself during tough times and you will get through this soon enough.
	wendi said... Sorry you're feeling down. Remember that during harvest you're expending a lot of calories and you've had a break over the past week from that intense activity. Give yourself a break and don't worry about small blips in the big picture.
	pringle said... Maxine, It is probably your body adjusting to changes in the routine, but getting a handle on the menus and exercise will definitely help to figure it out. But it may also be your body's way to say it's time to try maintenance or a break, with consistent calorie intake. Let us know what you find out. Peggy
	lsketoe said... Maxine, Sorry to hear you are having a hard time, you are always an inspiration to the rest of us. I think you have pointed out what the "problems" are and you are probably correct, especially regarding the fiber and water retention. I am sure you are panicked by the thought that all of your hard work is going down the drain but this has to be something that will correct itself. Have faith and this too shall pass. Stick with what works for you and ignore the hubby as he is doing what he knows works best for him. Keep your chin up and know that we are all in this with you. Lori
	ohplease said... Maxine - You're going to be fine. Its a couple of days, and take it from someone who freaks out every day all day, it sucks to feel that way, and most times it doesnt help because you start trying all sorts of different things and that doesnt work and then suddenly you've made the situation even worse than it was. This week is going to pass and you'll be fine next week, just don't freak out. Your body does even crazier things when you can't settle down.... This is probably the biggest lesson I have to learn in all of this, and this is coming from a place of absolutely no results this far. You look GREAT in your pictures, you've been very successful. Its only a week, let it go...

I'm having a bad week

It has been 9 full days of wet weather and no sunshine thus no progress toward the 1½ days of harvest we have left to complete. It is getting me down! I'm around the house mostly and have struggled all week with balancing food and exercise. Obviously I get a lot of cardio and resistance during heavy work periods so planned ones this month have been few. Now that I have time... I'm in the doldrums and have little motivation. This week I'm tired of being a slave to cardio! I'm denying (or is it common sense resistance with what I've learned here?)that I need to do more. Monday (low cal day) was a lingering hunger feeling all day. After supper I gave in to extra fresh tomato and puffed wheat...probably too much. Tuesday I dragged about all evening..finally had my 1 tablespoon of PB and then I just added another w/o giving it the thought required... but I had energy all of a sudden. It was great! Wed. I stayed completely on plan. I have been re- working menus for variety and more real meals rather than my carry lunch plan I've used for a long while. Yesterday I re-worked the plan numerous time so that in the end I forgot to look at amount of PB my final version had and this morning I see that I had a bit more there so have to reduce score again. I honestly would fail this week if I put in all of the true amounts eaten this week (I can't do it or I'd fail the round).

So the result of all of this is that as fast as the numbers were sneaking down daily for the past 2 or 3 weeks on the scale...this week they are sneaking up as quickly. I did my measurements today and in 3 weeks I have come down 1.4% on PFA BF% calculation. My Tanita scales have been telling me similar drops (only they are sneaking up from showing 16.5% early this week to 18+% today - but still down from 19% low of previous weeks. PFA has me at 22.1%). Unfortunately my hubby is dwelling on the scale number of pounds this week too and is hinting I'm eating too much not gaining muscle. So will somebody please tell me to smarten up and quit moaning about 133.8 on scale and likely more muscle mass... when I want the 130.2 back in whatever fat/muscle mass I had that day that enabled me to generate that number on the scale......

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 7:39AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... It maybe just a change in your routine. It seems like you are always going, and for the last couple days you haven't been doing the same thing. That gives your brain alot of time to convince you to do things you wouldn't before because you were so busy. I do 90 to nothing all week long, food is not a problem, but come the weekend when things lighten up, watch out. I like the comment about starting each day with a renew commitment. Yesterday is the past and you can't change that, and today is here to do something about things. debbie
	Jeanie said... Sounds like you're having the same blah period when schedules change.  It always throws me off, add to it a change in seasons and well, good thing I'm in conditioning.  It will pass, just recommit every morning to what you REALLY want yourself to be doing. You've been in FB a long time.  Perhaps your body wants a break?  If it only takes a few tomatoes and some puffed wheat to bring on weight gain, you may need to up your calories a little.  I know that's not what you asked me to say but just consider that your body may want a break.
	grarey said... Maxine...I wish I could copy all the advice you've given to others and send it back to you! Even I know how important the BF% is compared to weight. I saw your picture. Take your clothes off and look in the mirror at your flat stomach. In the mean time, try to enjoy your time off and realize that more of it will come after harvest is over. Celebrate your success even if the scale moves up some, if the BF is moving down all is well. Strong women rule!! Gwen

This weather is unbelievable!

We were 92% complete on our harvest efforts when the rain began and have had close to 3 inches of rain in the last 2 days. Rain was very much needed after the long stretches of extremely hot conditions and little or no rain in the area. Our water bodies were drying up and the soil was suffering. But with only 1½ days of harvest left to do, it would have been nice to have it done before this came! However as in an analogy to diet - it's like a blip up on the scales before you go for an extended downward trend - in our case this rain is a huge investment in next year's crop and harvest will get done - just a little later this month. Meanwhile another 1-3 inches are forecast, that is ...rain mixed with snow! That's right - last week was in the 90'sF and this morning it is sitting around the freezing mark. We have a saying here - "if you don't like the weather - wait 10 minutes" it can be that changeable - thus the drive that farmers have to get their harvesting done with 12-16 hour days when the window of weather opportunity presents itself! May you think of that when you enjoy your wheaties/oatmeal/canola oil margarine/barley muffin for breakfast today!!!!!! Enjoy all of your food today - someone worked hard to produce it for you!!! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 15, 6:29AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... You guys were so close to being complete. Hope everything will make it. We have snow here in the mountains and I just brought in the plants outside. It is suppose to be a hard freeze tonight. It is way too early for us. Usually the end of Oct. is when all this starts. Have a great weekend.(what is let of it) debbie
	RBinMS33 said... I guess that rain is a mixed blessing, huh? They're just now getting the soybeans in down here. It's finally cooled off some and was actually 53*F when I went for my walk this morning in the moonlight. Almost time to switch from the shorts to the sweats and from the sleeveless t's to the long sleeve shirts....LOL. I've never done any harvesting, but I have baled hay so I understand windows of opportunity. It's either balls to the wall or waiting. Thanks for all you do!!!!
	LeverAction said... Hi Maxine...sorry, wasn't here in time for your team-building; great to have another Albertan online. I'm in Calgary. Fortunately, these last few days have been made available for me to try to refine some of my PFA skills as I recover from the nasty virus I caught. This rain is unbelievable (snow in the west near Hinton etc!) and reminds me of last June. Hope it doesn't cause you too much grief. Moose, Deer, Elk; we are privileged in this province, for sure. Take care.

I shaved my legs for this.....

It rained this morning - so harvesting is out of the question for a bit. In a huge bolt of lightning and thunder above the house I believe the good LORD was calling us to church today! I've got a few extra minutes to relax today so I'm catching up on things. So here is a photo taken today just for you all! I am just so thankful this day for all that is good in my life! You are all part of that success and I thank each and every one of you that has given me feedback from time to time. Some of the shortest comments have been the gems that that have made a difference in this journey through PFA and life in general.[I think of Ritchie's "drink more water when you work" and Riotgirl(where are you these days??!!) "eat more carbs in the morning"] to others too numerous to mention by name for your outstanding cheers when I post a new low or a photo. May God bless you all this day and throughout your life's journey. I only hope that I have been able to inspire others and offer similar feedback to others that I think might help them.

And I want to also say what a blessing my husband has become over these months also. From a disbeliever in the whole concept of this program to a "let's take pictures for you to post" or "plan a high calorie day for our anniversary" (even before I think of it) kind of guy! It just takes support from all around you for success to happen but you can all do it!!!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 10, 4:17PM    

	15 COMMENTS:
	rooney3 said... Wonderful job so far, Maxine. You should be proud of what you accomplished for yourself and how your results will inspire others to follow your lead.
	DebC said... What a hotty, you look great! Time to reward yourself with something.(non-food)LOL debbie
	ChefKimmer66 said... Maxine- to echo all of the other posts...Congratulations and WOW! You have truly transformed your physique. Your hard work has gotten you this great look and your willingness to help others with encouragement and knowledge has made you an invaluable vet to the PT family. Kim
	RBinMS33 said... WOW!! I can see a difference all over...your face, arms, middle and your legs. Very well done so far!! You have done such a wonderful job so far and your efforts really do show. Keep up the good work! You're doing great!!
	redboxingirl said... Wow Max! You are such an inspiration! I've been having trouble getting remotivated after my vacations and your photos really did the trick. You should be so proud of your new physique. Amazing flat abs and awesome arms! You go girl! Now I know I can do it.
	pringle said... Great picture and fantastic job!
	Imdetermined said... Yeah, you!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!! Look at those gorgeous arms you have, and those flat abs, and yes - it was WORTH shaving your legs for this pic!!! Terrific job Maxine. And we all thank you for being an inspiration to us as well! Sheryl
	Trix said... Wow! What an amazing transformation! You look fantastic - your hubby has great reasons to be proud of you! Thank you for posting an updated picture. It's wonderful to see these kinds of results, and I know it will help me keep on going strong! Keep it up! You're doing great!
	Jeanie said... I looked at your before shots and this one. Wow! Very impressive. I hope you've taken time to reward yourself (non food rewards of course) because you have done an excellent job and look awesome.
	grarey said... Maxine, you've been dropping weight like you're on a 10# in 10 day diet! You look strong and healthy. Good job. I'm glad you were given the gift of time today. Enjoy. Gwen
	tots205 said... Maxine - you look absolutely Marvelous - good work. What a difference you can see with all that hard work. It is great you have a good support system. It makes a difference. I think many of our support people are skeptical at first but they when they see the progress they too become believers. Keep it up - I am proud of your progress and tenacity!! Peggi
	Chantelle said... Great results-you look so toned and lean. Your comments have always been helpful and appreciated. it's great that your husband has turned around and been supportive. I'm sure that brings your relationship even closer.
	mary2 said... Wow what a difference 11 months can make. You looked like the last rose of summer in the pic from Oct 05 and now your beaming from ear to ear. Congratulations Maxine for your great accomplishment. Here's proof to all the naysayers out there that PT works but just takes a little patience. Maxine, you look great!Take care~ Mary
	lsketoe said... Maxine, Wow! you look amazing and I love the muscles in your arms. Thanks for sharing as you inspire the rest of us. Have a wonderful week!

Harvest in Alberta (and weight loss) both continue!

Today marks the one month mark of harvest this year (and is my only son's 22nd birthday too!). It continues to amaze us how different every fall has been in terms of weather in the last ten years. Last year was so cold and damp that we had to fight to get the grain in the bin before winter and then dry it all later because it came off damp. This year we have about 400 acres (out of 2000)left to bring in and and normally we would only have been just getting into the swing of things! Since June we have had way too many hot hot days of 29/30C (88-90F) which has brought down the yields but encouraged the early ripening of the grain. We will not have the task of re-handling the grain to dry it this year - it is coming off extremely dry!!!

I have continued at same calorie level since somewhere back in March. During harvest, my runs are short and infrequent (due to time constraints). We have had 3 days in this last month "off" actual combining and truck driving the grain to the bin (i.e.rain delays). But these days require maintenance of equipment and other such tasks - the breaks will come this winter when many of you will be dragging yourself out of bed and into cold dark work world ....I'll be in sunny Mexico with my bikini on my "new" body lying on the beach (132.2 - new low today!!!) ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON SEPTEMBER 08, 6:46AM    

	6 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... Glad your harvest is going well and you are doing so well with your weight loss journey. You are awesome.!!
	RBinMS33 said... It's been a hot one down here too, Maxine. And very, very dry. I'm sure there's a couple of our trees that won't make it back. Congrats on the new low!! And keep on thinking about that Mexico vacation. It will be well deserved and you're gonna look hot on that beach!
	Imdetermined said... The amount of work you have to do is amazing - esp for city girls like me who forget how grain gets into that package I find on the shelves at my local supermarket! We will all be jealous of you come bikini time! Sheryl
	Trix said... Girl, you already look terrific on your pictures, I can imagine how great you will look in Mexico this winter!!! All this hard work both on the fields and with regards to PT will pay off BIG TIME. I live in Calgary, and I'm really enjoying this beautiful weather we're having this year... Keep up the terrific work!
	grarey said... Maxne, I'm so glad harvest is going well for you. I want to say that you encouraged me not to drop calories too soon (which I may have done already) and I have held on to what I have left and am glad for it. Hope today is a grand one with your boy. A big congratulations on your new low...that's really a low! I'm just trying to get into the 150's by the end of the month. Gwen

Was it my time?

I was happy to see everything up to date on the profiles Saturday morning, only to re check Sat. night and found mine had joined the recent rash of computer code instead. Good luck on getting everybody's profiles working at the same time!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON AUGUST 20, 12:45AM    

	1 COMMENT:
	RBinMS33 said... It does seem to be floating around. TAG....you're it!!

Looks like profile pages are up to date!!!

So glad for you Ric that the site is coming together after a struggle! Thanks Erik! I really like being able to check individual stats - it helps sometimes to be able to study the info before commenting on blogs.

Harvest is progressing quickly this year. August 18th is the earliest we have ever started in a previous year. Last night we completed our 5th quarter section field. [A quarter section is 160 acres - actual cultivated acres varies with the terrain - these ones from 80-150 acres each]. This puts us at one third completed by a date we generally start! Yield was down by ~30% on the field peas due to heat stress in flowering stage. Winter wheat however, was average to high yeild, as it is planted in previous fall and matured before heat affected it.

And by the way... a new low for this rotation.... and approaching the leanest body of my adult life at 134.6 pounds this morning. Thank you LORD!!!! And thank you all PFAer's for your continued support along this journey!!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON AUGUST 19, 6:57AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... Congrats on your new low!! debbie
	pringle said... Geat job on the new low. Good luck on the harvest. Peggy
	Trix said... Good morning Maxine! I'm doing a happy dance for you!!! Congratulations on your stats, you look TERRIFIC! And I must say that I have a lot of respect for the people that work so hard to feed the rest of us. Farming is such a difficult profession. I'm very happy that harvest is going so well for you. Keep up the terrific work on all fronts :-)

How many versionS of the "Happy Scale Dance" are out there????

I wondered this as I did my own this morning! 135.4 !!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON AUGUST 15, 6:35AM    

	7 COMMENTS:
	chris said... High five for Maxine!! - Christine
	wendi said... I'm with you there today! Congratulations! Despite the fact that we know it's just a tool to gauge some of the progress by, it still elicits a lot more gratificiation than waiting to take measurements, doesn't it?
	RBinMS33 said... Well, let's see.....there's the giggling, grinning version....there's the jumping up and down version.....and of course, the "Omigosh, I'm at 135.4" version. Way to go, Maxine!!
	pringle said... I'm sure you made up a couple of new ones today.
	Trix said... Great job Maxine!!! There's also the "jump up and down, all around, go running around the house with your arms up in the air screaming..." :-)
	Jeanie said... That's great news Maxine!
	mon said... You go!!! Keep it up!

It's been awhile!

Okay, so I have been "lurking" in the background (stole your term Ritchie!) and not blogging!!! I had good intentions after I returned from Alaska trip, but not enough internet time to capture my thoughts so it didn't happen. Today it is raining so I'll sit here in front of my keyboard and try summarize my last month.

Trip to Alaska was an adventure! Check this out on your map: Calgary (Alberta) to Seattle then Seattle to Fairbanks - fairly simple eh?.....Horizon Air cancelled the Calgary to Seattle flight at the last minute! In order to get to Fairbanks for the wedding we were attending the next afternoon in Fairbanks this is what we flew: Calgary to Las Vegas/to Seattle (3 hrs. zzzz's in hotel room at Horizon's expense I might add!)/Seattle to Anchorage[AK]/Anchorage to Fairbanks! Simply said - food was an issue (or would have been if I hadn't packed my full day's lunchkit! Even in a first class seat (at Horizon's expense) there was one meal served to both my husband & myself due to last minute booking on an Air Canada flight. I wanted to say "stuff the wine somewhere and give me real food" but instead I grabbed my lunchkit from overhead bin and ate my sandwich while my hubby ate the served "meal" such as it was! The next 10 days were off eating plan to some extent as I was staying at a friends' house. I know him well, but only met his wife a couple of times. So eating was a challenge - trying not to offend with not eating all that was served, but balancing ratios with snacks as needed, all the while trying to predict the next meal time and so on. I spent a lot of time either very hungry or over-stuffed when I guessed wrong! One day we had on our own was a treat - we packed a lunch; rented a car & took off out in the bush. I knew I was hooked on PFA for sure when eating less sodium/fat and total calories felt so good! Anyway - after 10 days away - I came home to 7 extra pounds on the scale. I just about flipped, but knew that the last few days my jeans had been feeling snugger than before. I vowed to get back to PFA and for a week I stuck to plan very closely - and 5 pounds were off the scale in that time. Then the next week - I had a few "off" days i.e. I was doing pre-harvest machinery preparation with my hubby and had a few days of not getting food breaks when I needed them - followed by low-blood sugar issues (you probably know then sequence of physiological chain of events) which lead to overeating to try to feel "right" again. But they were not huge blowouts and after the week passed, I think in hindsight there were hormonal influences too. My weight went up slightly for a day or two, but was back down quickly as I continued back on schedule.

We began harvest on August 7th (last Monday). This is 2 to 3 weeks earlier than normal here. Two extended heat waves in July caused this early maturation of crops and resulting yield drop (and drop in our income for the year I might add!). However we are just as happy to get out and get er' done (as Ed would say!) & get on with life. I have always liked harvest time for losing weight (before PFA) and I have finally realized why. I could pack my lunch for the day and eat a bit here and there and as time and hunger permit - just as a good PFAer would do! This is one of the greatest challenges I face in working day by day with a business partner (who happens to be my hubby) is being able to eat when I need to eat - not when he needs to (he can ignore hunger entirely if he feels a task has to be completed in a timely manner). My coverall pockets only hold so much puffed wheat and other appropriate snacks - if I have had the forethought that I might need to have them there that day - when the house is a minute walk away from where I am working and I can't find the 5 minutes it would take to munch something that would remedy the situation! Please don't think I am bad mouthing him - overall he is very supportive of this diet - but there are days when we have to work it out. I sure that this likely doesn't make sense to some of you in office situations with regular co-worker's - but then I might not understand that either - we each deal with our own situations and realize what we must do the make this work. I know I USED to overeat a lot at a meal just to be sure I wasn't hungry by the time (which I couldn't predict) that we might sit down again to eat.

This has been a good week for me on PFA. It is week #39 in FB. My low day has 1728 calories and my high day is 2328 calories (been at this level since about March). PFA asks for 3 cardios/week but I often do 4. I haven't entered much lately for resistance work on PFA because I need to leave energy for work (although some of what I do for work would qualify). I have had two new weight lows this week and weighed in at 135.6 pounds this morning. This is a milestone in this rotation. My goal weight originally on first rotation was entered as 135 (but if you remember my "scale" story that would have meant 140 in reality!). And I'm so close! My BF% says 22.9% and I can't imagine going much lower. I have to be careful around machinery as I don't have the padding on hips/ribs/tailbone and notice a bit of discomfort when I bump too much! So I plan to ride this out till harvest is complete because I know how to do quick menus and time computer is an issue when we get into full swing as the month (or whatever it takes - depends mostly on the weather!) goes on. I should get a few more pounds off during this time in order to maybe level off where I am now in maintenance (I want to be there with you Kim!). So I'll sign off for today - I pray that all of you will find the motivation you need to follow your plan today - for food - for exercise - and that all will feel right and good in your world! ~Maxine~

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON AUGUST 11, 8:16AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	RBinMS33 said... Hi Maxine! Good to see you posting. Even lurkers need to come out and give a rundown of events from time to time. Your blog had me feeling deja vue twice. First, the AK trip. I used to have to fly standby from Memphis to Minneapolis all the time and they would route me all over the country to get me there and back home sometimes. Been stuck in a strange city more than once because of that. And two, I don't know what it is about guys but I'm the same way as your hubby. Give me a decent breakfast and I can go all day long without eating to get a job done. Of course, then I go inside and gorge myself on food. Definately outside the guidelines of PFA. Rach keeps me in check because she does have to eat every couple of hours. That really helps on the weekends when I sometimes lose track of time and meals. Glad to hear you're doing so good. Woohoo on the new lowest lows. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Sorry for the early harvest, the farmers down here are having the same issues. Not so much the cotton farmers but the soybean/corn farmers are most likely going to see a smaller year too. Hope to see you around the blogs more often once the harvest is done. I'm trying to come out of lurker mode more myself. Take care and check in when you can.
	grarey said... I love that your low days have such a substantial amount of calories! That helps so much with the sugar and fat ratios. I also had no idea you'd been at FB 39 weeks! I hope to stay at my current calories for quite awhile...it might take longer but I think it laso will be worth it. The lower they go, the harder for me to put a menu together of real food. Glad you had a chance to type a note. Gwen
	mon said... Quite a lot of obstacles to overcome. It's frustrating when you don't have complete control of what you eat and people do indeed take offense if you don't eat what they make, it's a touchy subject with most folks. Good for you for getting back on track, I can definately tell a difference in moods when not eating right too. Take care and glad you are back!

Alaska - here I come!

Our driving trip has turned into a plane trip to Alaska to attend a wedding this weekend. We just can't afford the time away from the farm (drive would be 3 weeks +) as the near drought conditions (1/10" of rain since June 16th) will bring on the grain harvest earlier in August than normal. I'm not sad, as being on this program will be easier to manage on a plane than in a car for 8-10 hours/day! I can continue to drink gallons of water to my heart's delight! A vacation is always a challenge to manage food intake, however I am ready for a "mini-conditioning". I am at a new low this week, so that will be a motivator to not overeat to a great extent.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JULY 13, 7:28AM    

	1 COMMENT:
	grarey said... Maxine, the mail I sent you was undeliverable. Write me at grarey@aol.com

Sunday at camp

Today my husband and I volunteered to do a couple of shifts at a gospel music fest at a bible camp nearby.I was unhappy to hear my shift was at the concession booth. His shift started 4 hours earlier than mine so I decided to drop him off and drove the short distance to the trail I had run my 25K trail race on in May and have a good long run to clear my mind and enjoy the sunny day. It was wonderful - I ran for an hour and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I ate a good lunch and we spent a couple of hours visiting before I started at the concession. I found out it was open air with only hotdogs/pie/potato chips/cool drinks. So with my snack all ready to go when needed I found myself not tempted to eat off plan at all. I just kept having the nutritional info from regular hotdogs flash through mind and thinking "All I want to enjoy today is the pleasant aroma of them cooking on the grill and handing them out to folks who don't have the problems with food as I do" and that was sufficient!

Still no rain (well... 1/10 inch Friday night hardly counts!) but more forecast for tonight and I pray it comes here and gently - no hail!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JULY 09, 9:36PM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	Jeanie said... Hotdogs are one of those things that smell wonderful when cooking but don't taste like they smell. You did well to avoid them - they are about as far as one can get from a natural food. As I'm sure you read on the ingredients. Here's praying you get a good soaking rain so your peas will be more like mine!
	grarey said... Just remember the line you posted in reply to a blog, "nothing tastes as good as thin feels". That's a post it for the cookie jar! Sounds like you had a nice day with your husband. Gwen

Weather is getting me down

An extended heat early heat wave is deteriorating our crops in a hurry - especially the ones that flower visibly i.e. field peas and canola. We have had 30+C(~90F) temps for close to a week. That is August weather for us (and usually one or two days here and there only). The blossoms on our pea crop are literally "blasted" off in the heat and would have recovered with some moisture, but we have had no rain in ages. A fantastic potential crop of two weeks ago is fast becoming a "will we get anything?" crop. So as you enjoy the heat and top up your tan just think for a moment about the effect that same weather has on the food you are about to consume. If you have a mind to do so - I ask for a prayer for rain for all of the parched crops - not only here but in many of the other areas of the world too. This is just starting to look like a season of drought like 2002. I was last at my lowest weight then - perhaps I worry it off too?

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JULY 07, 7:28AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	sherjack said... Hi Maxine - it's definitely another hot one! And nothing but +31 in sight for days to come! We were in the Stampede Parade this morning (I perform with an Old West entertainment group) and there was a nice breeze, but we still cooked in the sun!
	Jeanie said... That's terrible! I understand about the heat wave. We had one here just a little bit ago of 100+ weather but it only lasted 3 days. My peas (I'm just a gardener) didn't like it much but a week? Here's praying you get some of our 70 degree weather.
	grarey said... The West is burning up as we speak..my son is in NV and my husband still in UT...and there are many more fires in the SW. I notice Idaho (Boise) as being hotter earlier than usual and fortunately we are out of our drought this year. There's the flooding in the East. I will pray for gentle, nourishing rain to sustain your crops. This alone should remind us why we give thanks at meals..that all glory will be His. Thanks for the reminder. Gwen

An analysis of my own

I keep a chart of sorts beside my scale that I record my daily weight and Tanita scale bf % reading. If I don’t have time to enter it in the PFA right away then I have a number to go back to. I circle the low weight of the week if it is lower than the week before. I was then noting the loss from week to week of low weight to low weight. However for the last several weeks I had only got to circling the low weight of the week and then checking that it was lower than the week before. I knew I was losing a bit but I was not analyzing it otherwise. So this afternoon I sat down and look at the numbers closely. Here is what I had on this sheet of dates:

FBWk 24: Apr.24 (sheet start date). Low was on Tues.

FBWk 25:Low Sat. Loss=1lb. Days between lows=11

FBWk 26:Low Sat. Loss=2.8 lbs. Days =7

FBWk 27:Low Sat. Loss=1.6 lbs Days=7

FBWk 28:Low Sat. Loss=.2 lb. Days=7

FBWk 29:Low Thurs. Loss=.2lb Days=5

FBWk 30:Low Tues. Loss=.2 lb Days= 5

FBWk 31:Low Sat. Loss=.2 lb Days = 11

FBWk 32:Low Sat. Loss= 1.6 lb Days= 7

FBWk 33:Low Sat. Loss=.6 lb Days= 7

A definite pattern emerges! The interesting thing as I think back was my binge behaviour in this period: one incidence end of week 24; another near start of week 25; then mid-week of 30 & 31.

If I can learn and maybe help someone else learn from this analysis, I think I would point out two things. First is: a loss of any amount week to week shows progress! Just decide how quickly you want to progress and balance that with a sense of what is realistic for the next few weeks of your life before you drop calories too quickly and can’t handle the hunger! Secondly: Give the program a chance to do its work! Pay attention to how your body is responding not only on the scale but with inches too. If I had been paying better attention to the cycle of Sat. drops I might have avoided the binges when I “gave up” temporarily. But I did figure out by week 31 that my body at this stage is forgiving. If I must binge at least be careful about the foods chosen and hit the water! Figuring that out has been a huge relief and helped me break the cycle. And the result is I have seen bigger losses since as I don’t have to lose days to get back where I left off before overeating. My body WANTS to lose fat when I stick to the PFA calorie cycling. I am nearing the end of this rotation and so I expect lower weekly loss. That said: if you add up all of those pounds it equals 8.4 for an average of .93 lbs per week - that is darn near a pound/week - and that is just fine for the long term in my books! (And the last 5 are really ones I feel show the most!)

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JULY 02, 10:53PM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	grarey said... Maxine, thanks for the great information. It also helps to remember how successful we are when we lose any weight during the week. Gwen
	Chantelle said... Great progress. Sometimes it helps to look at trends over time rather than the immediate goal.

Where are some of you? redboxinggirl?RBinMS33?Riotgirrrl?

Redboxinggirl? RBinMS33? Riotgrrrl? just to name a few PFAer's who checked in often (previously).....How are you all doing lately???? And I think it was Tonia (?) that once posted photos but didn't blog so we couldn't tell her how fantastically well she was doing? If you or others haven't blogged for awhile - please take a few moments, especially if you are a regular reader of other people's blogs and check in. Let us know how you are doing - whether it is good or not so good progress (even if you are "not losing" - "not gaining" is progress too!)

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JULY 02, 7:34AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	Jeanie said... I've been wondering about them as well. Also LauraMarie seems to have just disappeared as well. Hopefully they'll all pop up soon!

Happy Canada Day to all Canadian PFAer's!

I'm happy to report a new low today of 137.8 - This one I wasn't exactly expecting as I have missed doing 2 out of 3 "official" cardios this week (Tuesday & Friday) but in exchange I had been putting in some long hours consolidating wheat from further away storage to steel granaries at home as we clean up in preparation for harvest starting in August. Much of that was done on the warmest day of the year (~30C or high 80'sF). So my body did get a workout in spurts of resistance/cardio as I worked I guess!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JULY 01, 8:17AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	grarey said... I am sure you got it all. That's the functional exercise the body craves to do. Good for you on your new low! Gwen
	TanteTasha said... Happy Canada Day to you too! Hopefully it will cool off for you soon.

Oop's

When entering my weight I noticed that earlier this week I had entered 130 instead of 139 (wishful thinking?!!!). I corrected it yesterday but see it is not updated yet, so I hope the system does update it! Today is my second day at 138.4. I know for me to sustain new lows on higher calorie days means good things are happening inside! But I'm at the point again where heaven help me if I can't eat every 2 hours!

I had posted a comment recently about my scale that I had when I started this program in March 2005. It was a digital scale I had had for some time, but it was beginning to cause grief in the household! My husband I were both losing weight (through calorie reduction and exercise - no particular plan other than low fat). My husband was not an avid scale weigher before that. Every morning it became a race to weigh first because the second person would always get a "wonky weight" if done right away. So we eventually got tired of that and purchased a new scale, well actually 2 new scales that both were returned to the store! Why - you ask.... because they both showed us weights that were 5 pounds heavier than our old one and we both could not handle losing those same pounds (psycholically) a second time! It was a prime example of how attached we come to the number under our feet! After awhile we got over it, I bought a Tanita bodyfat scale with an athelete mode (because I was very muscular then) and could live with the weight number because the bf came along with it. Although when I started PFA I was still recording in my records both the old and new scale weights and had posted here the lower of the two when I did my first round. I had forgotten that until I was checking my paper records recently and that helped me over a hump one day to be able to add an instant further 5 pound loss when comparing my present results to the previous year at the same time.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 25, 7:13AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	CiaoBella said... Ha, too funny about the scales and having to return them. I can completely relate to that! I couldn't bear to pyschologically lose the weight again either. It's hard enough the first time!!! Congrats on your new low. That is great! I'm eager to see where I am at on 7/21 after my scale moratorium. :)W

I noticed!

Further to yesterday's blog, I am at a new low today! I could see it and feel it before the scale told me so. That darn scale! Why do we all insist the number doesn't matter? It takes a long time to re-program our heads after years of not accepting the changes our body makes until the scale # tells us so!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 24, 6:4AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	wendi said... You've got it! You reach a point where you will be able to predict what the scale will say based on what you see in the mirror. This is where the changed start to become addictive!
	Jeanie said... That's great Maxine. You must be getting close to goal! Congratulations on all your hard work - it's paying off.

Don't rush it!

Words That Inspire "In this age, which believes that there is a short cut to everything, the greatest lesson to be learned is that the most difficult way is, in the long run, the easiest." -Henry Miller, American author

I copied this quote from the Runner's World newsletter I receive online. I think that it is so appropriate to what we are doing here. There are new folks on the program that are wanting to quit because they are not seeing results yet. You have to be patient! I have learned over time - on this program - that I begin to see my body changes more clearly, I know now that scale weight is not the be all to end all; that things are happening and I notice them before the scale confirms them. I know that I'd be lost back in a world of non-structured eating too - that if I could eat anything I want I'd be unhappy. That although this program may seem to a difficult process to follow - to me it has become the easiest because I am ever so slowing seeing my tummy flatten, my muscle build, my fat burn off. All this leaness with a moderate amount of exercise. I can live with this - it is not a quick fix - there are results for the long term. There ends my thought for the day!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 23, 7:17AM    

	5 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... Your message was very timely. Something I needed to hear today. Thank you! Beth
	wendi said... "Never discourage someone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow"- Plato Seems people have been trying to rush things for centuries! :-)
	grarey said... Great post Maxine. There comes a time when you just have to decide to make a change to get a change. The days will pass sure enough, but it's the discipline we have today that grows into the lifestyle we will have tomorrow that will set us apart from our former selves. Gwen
	tots205 said... It is so true Maxine - this is a slow process. There are not short cuts. I am in week 9 of FB and feel like I am just really noticing the changes. The scale hasn't moved much but is just beginning to. People are starting to notice which then makes me keep on going. I feel the difference and I love it. For all of us who want instant gratification - this is not the program. Peggi

We have met!

I had a great day yesterday! My goal was to link up with Tracey and it we made it happen! We had a long chat and I felt like I was meeting with an old friend, not someone I was meeting for the first time in person.

My body is doing further "interesting" things this week. I was quite satisfied yesterday on my low calorie day - just like a switch had been flipped off. The remaining bloat in my belly disappeared as the day progressed and I dropped on the scale from 142 yesterday to 139 today - my current low. I have woken at 3-4 a.m. with hormonal related headaches the last two mornings but I am hoping they will leave soon too.

We have had a tremendous amount of rain here this month. As a farmer, I tend not to complain about too mush rain, but it is beginning to hinder the timing of the work we need to do, so I am hoping the forecast for more today will some how be wrong and the rain would stop and the sun would come out again and then life would be truly wonderful!!! But it is awfully darn good just the same!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 17, 6:56AM    

	6 COMMENTS:
	rooney3 said... Excellent you two! That is very satisfying to me that this site can make friends out of stangers while getting them in shape at the same time!
	wendi said... How wonderful! I think the internet is amazing- you get to meet people who you really connect with that you might have otherwise never known. Having someone around that really 'gets' what you are doing is key to success. Sounds like you are doing fantastic!!!
	pringle said... That's so cool that you met. You both look like you are having a good time. ~The last quarter of Alberta Bound~ Pringle
	grarey said... I'm sure there are some who would think we're all a bunch of weirdos, but at least what interests us won't put us in jail! Congrats on the weight loss..you do look great. Gwen
	mon said... Send of some of that rain to the DC area - our grass is starting to dry out! Hopefully, you will get a break in the weather soon. Thanks for your suggestion on the free day. I made the mistake a couple weeks ago eating a bunch of junk and was up 3 pounds - a lot of salt for sure. But I like your idea about the fruit. I miss that a lot. I used to eat tons of fruit and really didn't think too much about it having so much sugar. Off to the store to get some fresh pineapple and strawberries!! :-)

What's with Wednesday's?

Two weeks in a row and I have not been able to get through a wednesday eating on plan. I'm done my food by 6:00 p.m. and I crave more. Why Wednesday? Is is still a cycle/hormonal issue this week? Am I just at a point in PFA where my body is starting to say enough? I have not done a set of measurements in about a month, but I know that I have lost fat. I need to post an e-mail to Ric on the Yahoo site to check on my waylaid tape measure order! But I know fat is going off of my deflated "spare tire" area, that is to say: my tailbone no longer is covered by much of a protective layer. We have an antique set of dining room chairs with a vertical wooden slat on the chair back. When I sit back in the chair I bump my tailbone. If I'm not careful in the bathtub, I bump my tailbone and it is getting sore! Like you mentioned, Ed, I think my body is trying to send a message....but I think I want to see a few more pounds down on that ole' scale before I go into maintenance so that I have a "cushion" to work with when my fat calories are increased. So I'll drink lots of water again today and keep pluggin' away at this and hope the next few weeks will give me positive results again. I am NOT ready for any calorie drop - but I could get more regular with the resistance work again. Although the two days ahead of shipping grain [about 3-4 trucks - commercial semi (super B's)] and the shovelling that comes with emptying the bottom of several grain bins will probably mean I won't head to the basement and work with weights this week!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 15, 7:11AM    

A pep talk

I see that my team is having a bitof a struggle maintaining our lead and for the moment we have slipped. That said, Peggy: you are doing fantastic and are carrying us right now (Top 10 list in fitness is an accomplishment!!!!)Soon the rest of us will be along side you. Sherri: hang in there (you know what I mean!). Tracey: Things are quiet in your direction? Ready for big drop to happen? Please contact me at Maxine@Marathoner.com I want to talk to you. And me: I'm stuck on the scales and haven't measured in a while as I am still waiting for my "new fangled" tape measure to come from the online store and it's going on 3 weeks! (Ric: did you get my e-mail or do I need to post it on the Yahoo site for you to receive it???)

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 13, 7:5AM    

What lies ahead?

I have had an "interesting" week. I struggled - I mean REALLY struggled with PMS cravings. Wednesday was a breakdown - I was starving for my supper meal at 3:45 in the afternoon so I went ahead and prepared it and ate it and was just not satisfied. Unfortunately, I was alone for the evening. I did lots of mental games to convince myself to avoid eating off my menu (well I had already eaten my menu all up!).It was the mental hunger that you can't ever fulfill with any amount of food. I even convinced myself at one point that if I wanted to eat something else I must thoroughly clean the kitchen first!!! Each thing I did worked for a little while, but unfortunately the craving didn't pass and I gave myself permission to have extra food. To make a long story short - I binged (said with head hanging low....) Although I find this happen less often these days I look forward to a day when they never happen again. When I start eating in that frame of mind, I just lose sight of the brake pedal and don't stop until my tummy literally says NO MORE! Funny that at least it was foods like ham (salty) that attracted me this time - not sweets as in the past. Well I felt horrible but the miracle of water drinking means the episode is a blip on the bigger picture and the demons are back under control once again.

At the same time at the end of this cycle I have just gone off of hormone replacement (been on it for 2½ years to help my bone density). Dr. says it is time to see what nature has in mind for me right now. Hubby is happy - he says I've always gained whenever I've been on them. I'm a bit apprehensive of what my body will be up to next hormonally vs. weight loss? And we are planning a huge rode trip to Fairbanks Alaska to attend a wedding in July, so eating and exercise routines will all be thrown off. Especially water drinking....so many miles to be covered - can't stop and pee as often as I normally do! What do you think of a port-a-potti in the back seat of the car?

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON JUNE 12, 7:30AM    

Clear Head

Okay, so I really didn't cry!!! I am finding these blogs useful to share the emotion of the PT process. Sometimes you need to just "dump" that negative stuff out of your head early in the morning and get on with it! But I do like to share my "joys" with you guys too, so I hope it all balances out. Thanks so much for all of the warm bday greetings. I had a good day...no cake...but then I haven't had any on my birthday for years and probably no cake of any sort for 6 months. Hit the water hard yesterday and with low cal day I've only got ~½ pound hanging around this morning.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 30, 7:10AM    

49 and holding

It's going to get better...this new year of my life, but it has had a lousy start! Although today is my birthday, I went out for supper last night on a higher calorie day. (I also had a "potluck" lunch after church service too). But I choose wisely and ate according to plan as much as possible. I just wonder how much sodium was in my soup and entree last night? I felt a low grade headache come on after the soup and it lingered. At 4:30 a.m. it was semi-pounding but I forced myself to doze off until 6 a.m. so I wouldn't be so tired later. Usually just getting up and having my one cup of coffee gets rid of it (I think these occasional ones are hormonal related). But coffee is in me and I'm not feeling any better... and the number under my feet this morning is up nearly 2#. I drank nearly a pitcher full of water during the evening too! The logical side of me says it will be gone soon but I really wanted that number to be in the 130's on my birthday to record for future reference! It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 29, 6:48AM    

	6 COMMENTS:
	RBinMS33 said... Don't freak out about the gain. I've been having the occasional unavoidable luncheon/dinner lately consisting of high sodium foods as well. It's always a guaranteed 2 lb rise in the AM. No biggie, it's usually gone in a couple of days. Just drink your water and flush your system.
	redboxingirl said... Happy Birthday Maxine! Those lbs. are only water trying to make you feel bad, and you are too smart for that trick! They will be gone in a day or two. You are nearly at your original goal - that is a huge accomplishment! You are starting this year leaner than last. Well done! Jan
	pringle said... Don't cry you have accomplished so much in the last year. Sodium is so sneaky. I wonder if it could be a factor in headaches? I get headaches around that time of the month, but they also seem related to aspartame, so I have almost eliminated diet sodas.
	sherjack said... Happy Birthday Maxine. You look fabulous girl!!!! I hate water gains as well, but you just KNOW the pounds will be gone soon. Hang in there and enjoy the day knowing that there aren't many women your age (our age ...) who can show off in a bathing suit! Sherri
	grarey said... Happy Birthday Maxine. Look at your picture again and I think you'll find something to celebrate! You look fantastic and other than a sodium headache, I bet by tomorrow you'll feel that way too. Gwen

P.S.

Last sentence should have said "What's the point of putting the right stuff in you if you are NOT sending it out to be used right away?"

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 28, 9:29AM    

3:12.59

That's my time for the trail run yesterday.I guess I had lofty goals at hoping for 3 hours! However it is a new PB (personal best) for the course. I took 3 minutes off my time from 2 years ago and 15 minutes off last year's time. Each year is an adventure as the weather conditions play such a role. Yesterday was the perfect temperature for shorts and a t shirt but not so warm as last year (that sucked all sorts of energy!). Only the worst parts of the trail were greasy from the rain earlier this week. I ate more during the race than I ever have before. I have always "bonked" in my long distance races previously and wondered why. I recently read an article about bonking and it reinforced a lot of what we are doing here. The article says that in exercise and especially endurance exercise we musn't forget the to feed the brain. It burns only liver glycogen and is a glutton. As the fuel demands of muscles and brain draw down blood-sugar stores, your motivation, decision-making, and agility can go on the fritz. It's a perception by your brain that you are tired, even though your muscles are fine. Ever felt that on a really low calorie day?!! Other points in the article are: "A long run is no time to lose weight" - a fact I have struggled with in recent years as I wondered why my performance wasn't up to par! Another: Even in endurance exercise adding protein to carbs boosted performance. Another: timing is everything: eating at the right time during endurance exercise and after exercice. A study of seniors showed that consuming a supplement immediately after a once-a-day workout enjoyed an 8% improvement in lean body mass over those who waited 2 hours each time. And on the hydration issue: even slight dehydration slows the removal of food to your bloodstream. What's the point of putting the right stuff in you if you are sending it out to be used right away! I better quit as I have blogged on a long time. Someone please remind me how to put paragraphs in these blogs please!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 28, 9:25AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... Congratulations on the run! To make paragraphs, use < B R > < B R > without the spaces in there. Beth
	sherjack said... Hi Maxine - way to go on the run! I can't imagine sweatin' it out for more than 15 minutes (well, maybe 20!) - I'm inherently lazy! Your pic posted earlier looks great by the way - I'm not ready for a picture yet but soon ...

40 days

Looking at my charts this morning, I have blown through the 140's in about 40 days. I'm pretty happy about it on one hand but on the other I also have this lingering doubt that it's not for the right reasons. I recall one gal I used to work with that finally started to lose weight and get where she wanted to be only to find out she had developed diabetes (weight loss is a classic symptom along with thirst and lots of peeing!). I know this is a stupid thought and part of my classic (I hope now "former") way of not accepting my new shape. I just needed to express this thought to clear my mind and find new focus. Thanks for listening!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 27, 6:38AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	rooney3 said... Don't let your mind mess with the body, Maxine. This is what I used to joke are 'Forces of Fat' that once they realize you are now firmly in control of your body, have nothing left to attack but your head. Don't listen.
	Jeanie said... 10 pounds in 40 days. Those are fantastic results ... you should just celebrate it because it means this program is working!

Blackfoot Ultra here I come

Glad to get the feedback from yesterday's blog! Today is very cool for this time of year here (~33F) but the rainy weather is most welcome for our crops. Tomorrow I run my 25K trail run. It will be muddy but the cool weather suits me fine as I perform better then. I have run it in 3¼ hrs and 3½ hrs (the hilly terrain makes it impossible to compare to a road race time!). I'm going for the 3 hour mark this year! Wish me luck! Oh yes...Tracey tell me sometime if you are in the northern part of the province (I see Sherri is in the south). I will be racing at the Blackfoot Recreation area (east of Edmonton).

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 26, 7:8AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	traceydesroches said... hey maxine, I'm in north west Edmonton. Tracey

Size 8 it is!

I went shopping for a few new clothes yesterday and found that I am a solid size 8 now. I'm 5'4½" (I always like to see mention of other people's height as it gives me a perspective when I look at their pics). I really didn't need to buy a bunch of clothes but bought some for a couple of reasons: Ya..... it was a reward (I had fun trying on stuff!)but the main reason was this: I was down to this weight for a bit of 2002 and most of 2003 - it was the only other time in my life I have been a size 8. When I bought a new pair of pants then, I remember thinking "these are mislabeled" not believing that I was truly that small. To some of you it may not seem small but to me who has filled size 16 clothes and spent a lot of life in size 14 and who thought size 12 was pretty good and size 10 to be absolutely great, I can hardly describe how good size 8 feels! I guess what I'm saying is that this time I intend to wrap my mind around it NOW - that is to "psychologically" lose the weight as well as "physically" lose the weight. Last time I could not accept compliments about my weight loss without thinking "I'm still really fat - look at my belly". This time I thank everyone for their comments and accept that when I look down I see a tummy that is going to look different from my close perspective than anyone else's and it is okay - actually it is fine! Those pictures tell ME so too! Okay enough rambling! I wish success to all of you this day too! (oh ya did I also mention a new low today...140.8!)

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 23, 6:51AM    

	12 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... New clothes, how exciting! I bet you were having a blast trying everything on. Congrats on the weight loss and the clothing gain. debbie
	illuminate said... I am going to take some of your enthusiam and pretend its mine right now.. Congrats on your new size! How wonderful this must be for you!
	RBinMS33 said... A size 8! I'm so happy for you! A size drop is cool but a size drop AND a weight drop? That's awesome! Way to go!
	CiaoBella said... Such a great post, Maxine. Your enthusiasm and glee are inspiring!!! Yay you! Wendy
	Margrock2 said... Congratulations - your exhiliration is infectious! I can't wait till my rotation is over and I can go shopping - even if it's the smaller sizes hanging in my closet! Your pics are great - fabulous job! Peggy
	pringle said... Great job on the 8's. I'm looking forward to getting back to 12's and then who knows.
	Jeanie said... Congrats on a new low. New clothes are a great reward. I am really looking forward to losing another size myself. When I embarked on my weight loss three years ago, I was a size 22 and a rather tight 22 at that. I'm now a 12 and it took me forever to be able to go to the rack with the number 12 on it. For quite a while I kept going to the wrong department section to get clothes to try on. In now time, you'll be heading to the size 6 rack!
	grarey said... Congratulations...you really do look fabulous. Gwen
	LauraMarie said... Congratulations! Nothing is as emotionally gratifying for us girls as getting into smaller sizes :0) It's a great feeling, one I haven't had in awhile and hope to re-visit soon....
	tots205 said... Maxine, I can totally relate to you and shopping. I remember when I lost 35 pounds on atkins and went from a size 16 to a 12. I still gravitate to the larger sizes 4 years later. I was a solid 10 (5'4"1/2) but now I am starting to lose steady - hope to be in the size 8 very soon. Peggi

What overwelmingly supporting comments from you all!

Thank you all so much for the feedback on my photos! I just want to tell all the new PFAers that it is so important to take those "before" photos (set up the digital camera on timer and run and get in the picture!) Nobody has to see them now - just burn them to a CD and put it away. Then when your time comes: post your progress-it feeds your soul and gives you renewed enthusiasm to succeed.Thanks again everyone!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 22, 8:19PM    

I am happy in the skin I'm in

Here's an update on inches lost to go with the pic's I just posted: Oct-May inches lost: Chest -3.25", Waist -4" Hips -3".And the one I love is 2" below my waist (aka "the belly") -5.25"!!!!Pounds lost: 23.50. I think I should buy some new pants this week just to see what size I really am. My farm clothes all seem to be boys sizes as I wear out my son's old jeans!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 21, 9:56AM    

	12 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... Man, girl, you look great! Congrats on all that loss. Have a blast shopping. debbie
	ChefKimmer66 said... Maxine- Your smile in the new pic says it all. Great work! Kim
	Bomber67 said... I concur! Nice Job! I love update photos....way to go!
	RBinMS33 said... Wow!! You look great! You can definately tell a difference in your pics. Way to go!!
	CiaoBella said... Congrats!! You look fabulous and am sure you feel every bit as wonderful as you look!!!!! Nicely done!!! W
	redboxingirl said... Your measurements and huge weight loss are so inspiting. Thanks for posting your wonderful results pics. I'm motivated!!!
	superfit said... You look GREAT!!! Thanks for the inspiration and the post. It helps me to know there is life after binging!! Way to get back on track!
	pringle said... You're doing fantastic!
	Jeanie said... Wow, you look great!
	TanteTasha said... Your changes are great! Inspiring!

For every thing there is a season

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 if you are interested in the rest of the story). Our time to plant is finished for this year (yeah!). This month seems to have been my time to lose also! Whether is was the stress of seeding and /or the extra cardio in my training runs for the upcoming race or just was the time... I have lost pounds and I have lost inches! I can wear my skinniest jeans again today (yeah again!). I will tally up my inches one of these days and continue to try and post a photos or two. If the computer co-operates - one of these times it WILL get posted!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 20, 5:47PM    

Practice what you preach

Two evenings ago, I was finished my planned menu for the day but was still so hungry. I thought I was finished work for the night so I planned to just go to bed (this usually works fine for me), but got a phonecall from hubby saying I needed to bring a truck out to the field at 11 p.m. Oh I struggled for two hours! I just wanted to eat,eat,eat I was so tired and hungry. But just that morning I had blogged about preventing that! Go figure...life happens! Anyway I made myself stop and I reworked and lowered my diet score a bit but managed to work out some more food to eat, drank diet soda and tea and water and kept thinking about all of you out there that are struggling too. And I especially thought about my team..can't let you guys down or myself. So thanks Jan again for sharing your eating hardships on the weekend too and to everyone out there that is looking out for everyone else's successes too. You made a difference to me!!! And hey "Alberta Bound" we're doing great...you astound me with your high diet scores - keep at it and I will promise to do better soon also.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 18, 8:33PM    

	1 COMMENT:
	RBinMS33 said... You could have gone into it blind and just grabbed something when you headed out the door but instead you took the time to work it in. It definately shows willpower and discipline to the program. This is life and things happen, and while we may prepare the best laid plans, there are in the end just that....plans. I think you did great under the circumstances.

H.A.L.T.

Yestrday I listened to a radio program where a fellow spoke of all of the distractins that can lead us away from reaching our goals. He suggested that one uses what he called the H.A.L.T. principle to prevent oneself from making choices that may lead us away from accomplishing our goals. Don't let yourself get too Hungry/Angry/Lonely/Tired that any one or all of these cause you to be distracted from making sound choices with a clear mind. I just found this too be so true in my life! How many times in the past has especially hunger, but also anger and tiredness caused my brain to lose it's clarity of direction and often times I choose to (over)eat to deal with the situation instead of making a better choice. Now with this idea in mind I must think HALT (Stop!) and Think! Do I want the outcome of the self-defeating behavior I could choose? or would I rather work towards my goals? Hope others will also find this idea useful.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 16, 6:6AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	LizziTish said... Thanks for sharing. I had heard this before but have yet to properly utilize it! lol! Maybe hearing it again will make it stick for me. Beth

Choices we make

I have had many new lows lately, that's why I was up at 5:30 yesterday morning despite the fact that it was forecast to rain and the weather radar picture showed it to be coming our way within a short time. I should have crawled back into bed and slept another three hours like someone else in this household did!. But no, I was too excited to get up a weigh myself and then well... I was up and it was raining so we wouldn't be working too hard today I thought.....so why not go for a run to satisfy the little red man and keep up my training for the 25K race at the end of the month? Wrong choice! The energy bar I ate before I went out was long gone (burned up like a piece of paper in a campfire!) before I was very far down the road because I waited for a heavy shower to pass before I started. With a low calorie day I haven't much to work with and another part bar got me home again but I was exhausted already. By the time I got back my dear hubby was rested....the clouds disappeared and I had to get to work until supper time when rain shut us down again. I dragged around with little energy and I longed for a nap all day. Mustn't make those same set of choices again. On low days I need to leave the calories just for work until the seed is in the ground! But all that said, I have a new low again today!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 13, 6:44AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	rooney3 said... This is all part of the learning process that PFA'ers go through if they have the patience to finish a rotation. You get to the point where you understand your body very well, how food and exercise effect it and most importantly, knowing when to push it and when to back off. Great job so far.

Pitter patter of raindrops on my window

This morning it is raining... not so bad... the soil needs it and I needed the extra rest! Had a very busy and tiring day yesterday. Normally we don't ship out last year's harvested grain during seeding but in the present market conditions you have to deliver when the opportunity arises. So four super B's of grain had to be loaded yesterday (Ed at least you will know what I'm refering to in size of truck I'm sure!) one of which required a steady effort on the working end of a shovel... plenty of cardio and resistance work all rolled into one! Normally I share the shovelling with husband and/or truckdrivers but hubby was on the seeding unit all day and a new truckdriver didn't know the routine! Even more than sharing this teaching moment about agriculture (I used to be a classroom teacher and I feel that just too many folks out there have no idea how their food is produced!) is the fact that I want to share with you that today I hit 144.2!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!! I'll rest up further today and be back hard at work as soon as it dries up enough again to go.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 09, 9:0AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	illuminate said... Congrats Maxine! You are doing great! And your right about people not understanding their food. I have NO idea what you were talking about! LOL! :)
	redboxingirl said... It's great that you can get your cardio and lifting done in a day's work. But what a hard day! It's good to really think about what it takes to get food grown and distributed and to our tables. I'm so thankful for you farmers!!! Great job with your weight loss too! Jan
	pringle said... Yeah you! I can't imagine shoveling all day long.

May 8th

My post from yesterday went to never never land I guess! I 'll repeat my congratulations to Tracey on reaching 144! Way to go!!! I have been in a holding pattern through my higher calorie days - yesterday 145.4 and today 145.6. That in itself is an accomplishment for me. I enjoyed our wee competition within a competition as the extra motivation makes me stonger in the weaker moments. See you at 140 on on of these tomorrows Tracey. Haven't had a lot of time to check lately but last I looked Sherri you were doing fantastic on your diet scores! Keep it up! Our planting is a little over 1/3 done Peggy (thanks for asking!) I hope you too are finding this team an extra help. Perhaps a wee blog from you soon Peggy????!!! Thanks also to all who have offered advice and comments lately. They help make it easier to get up in the morning (when the night has been too short!) as I look forward to logging on and seeing them.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 08, 6:58AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	DebC said... You are doing great! And I love that you can weigh to the 1/10th. I can only weigh to the 1/2 pound and my scale is still new, can't sneak out and buy another one yet. Keep up the great work!! debbie
	sherjack said... Hi Maxine - you are doing great! Our team is working hard to "keep Alberta beautiful!).

Not quite there yet....but soon...

To keep you all posted: A new low again this morning - 145.4. I hope you have good scale news this morning too Tracey. Gotta go.... a busy day awaits me!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 06, 6:26AM    

	2 COMMENTS:
	pringle said... Awesome progress, how's the planting going?

145.6 and holding!

Need I say more?

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 05, 6:36AM    

	4 COMMENTS:
	illuminate said... You guys are doing great!
	RBinMS33 said... Good for you! New lows are awesome and really give you a boost. Keep it up!
	traceydesroches said... 146.2, after a high day, it's usual for me to go up. I'll be down Saturday, just you wait!

I'm sneaking closer...

A new low today....145.8.....Yippee!!!! Hey Tracey did you go and beat me and get to 144 today????

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 04, 6:39AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	traceydesroches said... Not yet, 145.8 yesterday, 146 today! I feel like a ping pong ball. LOL
	pringle said... I'm rooting for both of you also. Go Team!

Fitness Team addition

I'm happy to welcome "pringle" as the fourth member of the Alberta Bound Fitness Team. She has just become an honorary Albertan! Thnaks for joining Peggy! I'm feeling rested this morning as I woke up to a snowstorm and rolled over and went back to sleep for awhile. I feel energized and have a strange urge to hit the weights and spend a leisurely couple of miles on the treadmill to rack up those points for the team! Being part of the team has given me renewed thoughts of disipline with my diet. Starting today I must plan better meals that fit with the season but also are more than a "getting by" low 90's...I'll do my best! Have a great day team members and keep blogging!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MAY 02, 8:29AM    

	1 COMMENT:
	pringle said... I'm proud to be an honorary Albertan. I'm glad you are getting a small break. I hope to do the team proud.

Exhausted!

I know I should be blogging more, especially now that I have a team formed. However, it is springtime on the Alberta prairie and my business is primary agriculture - specifically growing the lovely grains that many of you enjoy in your everyday life. It is an exhausing season. I literally rise before the sun and am often working all day until after it sets to try and get the seed in the ground in the proper short window of opportunity (4-6 weeks). And I am realizing that I am not getting any younger! I need my sleep but it is not something I get a lot of this coming month. I need fuel to do the physical labor I must do. I was on this program last spring but I was 300 calories a day higher and that is something I need right now! Those of you not in this business likely wouldn't relate to the "weight training" and "cardio" I do each day this time of year and as I grunt and groan as I sling a 40 pound box of calibrated seed back into the airdrill and wonder why my quads are screaming as I climb the 8 steps up with it in hand ( for the 14th "rep" of the day! ). I wonder how I get to quantify that and record it but generally just find time to enter my food in the PFA and leave it at that! Enough whining! On another note, last week I discovered that I am not getting any personal e-mails if they are sent from this page - so I'm sorry if some of you have tried to contact me and I have never replied. The last time I got anything sent from here was last December. If anyone wants to be a 4th member of Alberta Bound please go to the Yahoo support group posts and get my e-mail address and contact me directly please. Team member Tracey would you do that too please? And Happy Birthday (yesterday) to team member Sherri! Go team go!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON APRIL 30, 10:26PM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	Riotgrrrl said... Would it help to get more carbs in the morning and then just a bit of protein in the evening? - T
	RBinMS33 said... Don't forget your water! Dehydration brings with it fatigue. I am absolutely terrible about my water consumption on the weekends. But I do tend to notice this when I'm out working in the yard.

Finally...

I am at a new low today - 148.4 - down almost a pound from previous low. I have been waiting [TRYING to be ever so patient]for it to happen! Between my cycle, occasional social obligations and just plain giving in to cravings last week on two days....it finally happened. It is the motivation I need. I have been so hungry since the last calorie drop that it has been hard to maintain my drive to stick to my plan everyday when I couldn't see the results on the scale. I'll measure in the next day or two also now that my cycle bloat is passing (you guy's out there must really hate reading about that from us gals!!!). I have to go out to supper at friends home tonight and now have renewed wish to eat on plan so scale will continue downward!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MARCH 23, 6:48AM    

	4 COMMENTS:
	illuminate said... Congratulations! I am patiently waiting to be out of the 150's myself.. You must feel wonderful!
	Ksue said... yipee! I'm so proud of you! You motivate me to stick with it, enjoy the runs and the never ending journey!!
	CiaoBella said... It is an awesome feeling to see that scale move. Keep it up!!!
	Imdetermined said... I'm another member of that "waiting to see 149" crowd....GOOD FOR YOU!!! I hope to follow in your footsteps!

Things are changing within

I reached my low again for this rotation (was last at 149.2 in Jan). I haven't taken my measurements today but I just feel that I'm not the same size...more muscle/less fat than Jan. I tried posting photos today but the horrendously slow dial-up service I have just times out on me so I gave up after one photo of near the beginning of this rotation. Another time...

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MARCH 16, 1:46PM    

Success!

Finally after months of pushing the same buttons, my headshot uploaded to this site so you can all see my smiling face! Other accomplishments include finally this week getting back down to my January pre-trip weight. Not that I put on a lot then, but I was just at a plateau and life as it happens - special occasions as well as the mundane (i.e. my husband's surprise 50th birthday party and my cycle and so on)- I just wasn't making any progress. I resisted cutting down on calories as I don't like being hungry! However I just said "NO" and dropped them one week and after no noticeable change the next week (and it being Lent) I gave up some more calories! I'm seeing progress slowly. Although I have had some hungry moments I have endured them. I have started hitting the weights like never before and that is where I am seeing the difference too. I started this program a year ago and although I didn't stick with it, I am back very near the weight I started with then. But it is much more muscle and a lot less fat this time around. So if I truly stick with this I will get where I want to be and I will stay there! (It is kind of sad when I realise I lost ~10 lbs. from this point last year - then gained ~20 lbs. and lost ~15. That's a ~25 pound weight loss! How cruel of me to make it not count other than as another life lesson not to be repeated!!!

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON MARCH 12, 5:28PM    

	1 COMMENT:
	sherjack said... That's a great photo maxine - and it sounds like you're really getting in shape! I hear spring's coming for us Northerners soon - time to get scary hot, eh? Sherri

Made it to the 140's!

I made it under 150 today! I have now lost 15 lbs exactly (don't you love these scales that tell you to the .1 of a lb! ha,ha). I am going to work so hard at never seeing 150 again after this rotation. I think this is week 7 or 8 of fatburning and weight and bf has been steadily coming off. I did measurements the day I started this rotation but was too busy at completing harvest that I didn't enter them and lost the piece of paper, so I don't know exact bf% numbers but my clothes fit so much better. I just love to see how my body is being reshaped this time. This program (both last spring and this time) takes the belly fat down as one of the first areas I notice coming off. With low cal dieting I would take fat off my hips and thighs but I always had the little "potbelly" even at my leanest otherwise. Of course when one looks down at oneself it is always so easy to be discouraged by that belly and not see the other parts of yourself improving....but fb here is different and I like the skin I'm in this time. I need to leave the fb after this week to leave the following week for a vacation in Costa Rica. I'm glad to be happy with my new bathing suit look, but a bit saddened to leave fb when things are going so well. I have to figure out what the program will do in maintenance with no entries for awhile. Will I be able to pick up and carry on when I come back or will I have to start conditioning again?

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON DECEMBER 31, 7:16AM    

	3 COMMENTS:
	rooney3 said... Well done so far, Maxine. You should be proud of what you're accomplishing and as importantly, learning, this rotation. That fact that you had the discipline to come back for a second shot at this program and are now mastering it, says a lot about you...that sound you hear is me clapping in admiration.
	redboxingirl said... Thanks for your words of encouragement! Reading your blog this morning really cheered me up. 15 lbs!!! That's great! I love the part about belly fat going down quickly. That's the conditioning gain I'm struggling with now. These blogs are so helpful. Thanks for sharing! Good luck on your vacation. Can you plan ahead and enter your foods for the week before you leave so you only blow 1 week on vacation? Then you can get back into the game when you get back home if you haven't failed more than twice before. I think it is really hard to go 10 or 12 weeks in "real life" without some bad days. Maybe they will loosen up the 3 strikes you're out thing in the later weeks of fatburning. (Am I dreaming???) I too am stressing over a 2 week vacation in the middle of fat burning. Ric! Can several weeks of good behaviour cancel out a failed week? We need to be able to recover after a slip up without having to go back into another full rotation!

Sodium down and I got a 96+score!

Thanks Lora for your ideas. I wasn't even into "tweaking" mode yesterday and I ended up with 95 so tweaked it up over 96 all because of keeping sodium under 100%. I think I can handle a few days of lower sodium balanced with higher days to enjoy my food more. I really like how this program makes you want to gain higher scores as you get into it (if your slightly competitive at all) and of course you see the results show on your body in the long run! Thanks Ric for this blogging portion too, I find it so much more enjoyable in this rotation with this feature available. The ability to follow other people's journeys and offer and gain support is much easier (for me) with the blogs than with the other support group.

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON DECEMBER 13, 7:24AM    

Suggestions to make food less bland?

I have reached a bit of a plateau with my weight so yesterday I decided to tackle the high sodium in my diet and cut it down considerably. Today I am down a bit (not quite a pound but a new low) so I think that was a good choice. I'm wondering how other PFAer's handle the blandness of their foods when they are getting high scores? Or do they just decide they have to live with it? I top out in the 92's because of my wish to retain milk (1½ c./day)in my diet due to osteopenia (a condition one step below osteoporosis). The PFA measures the milk sugar (lactose)so you would think I have a sweet tooth looking at my score. I do not enjoy bland food but condiments generally have high sodium....any suggestions?

POSTED BY MEMBER MAXINE ON DECEMBER 10, 7:7AM    

1 COMMENT:

lorap said... I can understand your dilema. I love my milk but I have bought powdered calcium and magnisium and put that in my protein shake in the morning and be sure to take a multiple with vitamin D and boron with it so it is absorbed. As far as bland, get some salt substitute like NuSalt will help. I have found a couple of brands of salsa with low sodium that is very tasty. I also use Mrs Dash and lots of Chili Powder. Ginger in stir fry(no soy sauce or a spray or two of Briggs Aminos) gives it a real zing. Buying low sodium tomato sauce really opened up my choices of cooking. Also you can buy dehydrated refried beans that will not hurt your sodium too much and you can make mexican. Lora