Not really but when the scale goes the other way, I tend to look the other way.

I can't say that I'm surprised. I found food that I could eat. Food with no gluten, problem was, I had only digested baked potatoes and gluten free chicken hot dogs the week before, at least that's what it seemed like. Hey, I was starving, so when I found gluten free chicken taquitos I splurged. Then of course there was the gluten free vanilla ice cream, the rice pudding, and the rice Chex, let's not forget the rice pasta.

It's all good, I mean really it is, at least I wasn't eating hot dogs for yet another week. But, I have to tell you, all I want is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I'm hoping I can find 'rice' bread.

It's all part of the learning process of what I can eat and what I can't. On Saturday, I found out just how sensitive I am to gluten and I guess I can't risk even a small amount of cross contamination-yeah, I didn't even know that was possible until Saturday, or let's just say, I can't believe how much of a reaction anyone could possibly have by cross-contamination. I won't touch gluten with a ten foot pole. No way!

So besides putting on a few pounds, my cleavage still blistering, as are my arms and legs-this now being a week and four days later, and the fact that I want a pb&j, I feel great. I feel healthy and alive!

Weight-in 183.5

I think I'll cut back on the vanilla ice cream. ;)

Ok, so here it is, the new hair. The photo is a bit dark and yes I have clothes on, but as you can see, I'm slightly burnt. This is three days after the burn. I'm still in pain, believe it or not what you see isn't even the worst. My back and legs are pretty bad, it makes sleeping interesting.

The caramel highlights are quite vivid and extreme, but I love it. I hope to get a decent photo soon.

Any way the hair was a reward for dropping to 180. My next reward spot is 160, I hope it's soon. I'm beginning to need new clothes.;)

When I first started this, I wasn't real optimistic. I usually never am. I think at the beginning putting my weight out here had something to do with the few pounds I had begun dropping, now, I believe it's a combination of a few things, the main factor being I took all gluten out of my diet.

If you recall on June 4, 2008 when I began this whole thing I weighed in at 193.5 and my BMI was 32.2. Well today, I'm coming it at 180 pounds with a BMI of 30. 180 is 13.5 pounds lighter than I started six weeks ago and 23 pounds lighter than I weighed in almost a 5 months ago. That leaves me with 35 more pounds before my goal weight, but to be honest I'll be overjoyed to reach 155, but I'll keep going for that 145 goal.

Renee

I've not been the best blogger lately. Since I've gone from being a stay at home mom to helping Mr. Scott get the business up and running, it seems all I do is work and sleep. There hasn't been much going on other than that. I've been able to work on my query letter a bit, but not much else.

I've got this desire to write, scenes keep flashing through my head, but it never seems as if I have time to sit down and flesh them out. I'm hoping soon that we will settle into a routine so that I'll know my writing schedule. I'll also need to learn how to take advantage of every free 15 minutes that comes my way.

Well I just wanted to say hi and if I haven't commented on your blogs, I haven't left you, I'm working on catching up.

Renee

I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

Mr. Scott's mother has been in the hospital since Monday. Initially, they thought she had another stroke, now it looks like it was a TIA, which is a mini stroke. This is good news considering the alternative. At first her speech was slurred and very broken, now she's able to talk.

After receiving the good news, she went down hill last night and they moved her to ICU, it turns out she has sleep apnea, which explains many of her symptoms. Right now, we are very thankful and counting our blessings.



OK- here's my weigh-in for this week 184.00. I'll take every bit of it I can. ;)

Have a great day!

And please, please, don't take things for granted, for tomorrow is never a guarantee.

Renee

4th of July is like Christmas around here. Mother-in-law #1's birthday is July 4th, but we always celebrate it on July 3rd with a somewhat large fireworks display. Her favorites are the fountains, so she gets plenty of them. I think next year, instead of candles, we'll buy her fountains.

This year, 4th of July, or the month of July is extra special around here. Not only had mil #1 survived another year after a serious stroke, but, July also marks the one year of mil #2's diagnosis of uterine cancer, we still have a few weeks before the official anniversary. Also last July, my own mother gave us a scare when she ended up in the ER, thank the Lord, again, it was only a kidney stone.

Happy 4th everyone, and do me a favor, don't take for granted the love of those around you. Life is precious and sometimes short. Live it to the fullest.

Renee

It's been a some what tough week. I dropped the soda at least for the last four days. And I've really tried to eat healthy, other than my panic on Saturday when I scarfed down a MacDonald's double-cheeseburger from the dollar menu and a few slices of Totino's party pizza. Last night, we needed something quick and easy so Mr. Scott picked up a couple of Tony's pizzas since they were out of Totinos, and guess who was up at 2:45 rolling around in pain.

The good news was, he forgot the Oreo Cookies. And he brought me home cantaloupe and grapes. I guess threatening him with bodily harm did the trick. ;)

So this weeks weigh-in....186.5. Since my birthday is next week and I wanted to be at 180, I'm not quite to my goal. And although 6.5 pounds is a lot to lose in a matter of days, it's possible. If I don't make it then I'll still be happy. Hey, at least I'm loosing.

My favorite food from the last week-Teriyaki Salmon
My favorite exercise from the last week-Swimming laps

What about you, do you have a favorite exercise? Are there any cool suggestions for workouts during the hot summer? Favorite recipes?