Nancy, a FQ is a fat quarter - 1/4 yard of fabric made by cutting a half yard in half. 18"x21-22". The people on this thread can join the contest by posting their intention by the 5th of the month and sending meanmom their fat quarter. Some of us follow and only join when the weight starts sneaking up. For me, it was a great incentive when I had pounds to lose. I rejoined in August when I needed to lose a few. (August was batiks). Recipes are shared, encouragement given, a sounding board offered, plus other benefits. All in all a win-win situation.

Pat, it all sounds good. I just went to a local Guatemalan restaurant with my son. Fajita salad. His burrito looked good, too. Off to take the dogs to the dog park, then a bike ride to work it off.

I have been having back problems for the past 3 or 4 weeks. I finally let the doctor give me a steroid shot AND I just finished a steroid dose pack. I have heard that steroids make you gain weight. I have been so extra careful with what I have been eating and I have made sure to drink extra water. I have not gained any, but I have not lost an ounce. I wonder how long the effects of steroids stay in your system. Has anyone had experience with this? I was doing well last month and am still sticking with it. I have told myself that I have to be more stubborn than the steroids!

This is my winning for September. Thank you everybody

Wow, that's quite a collection of blues! That's sure an incentive to lose me some pounds this month. Congratulations on your win.

Those blues sure are pretty. I don't even remember which one was mine.
I am back from China. The trip home went much better since I got some compression stockings. Today I had a massage and she worked on my lymphatic system so I am hoping by morning I will be rid of the rest of the water I am retaining. The trip was very good and the wedding was beautiful but this fluid retention was unbelievable. I lost 3 lbs from yesterday morning to this morning.

Indeed wow! That is a nice collection. Well deserved. Enjoy!

Wow Becky! That should serve as inspiration for the rest of us to work harder! Congrats on your win.

Pat, just fyi - put my FQs in the mail just now.

Haven't been on the board since late Spring, and unfortuntely I gained weight and am so disappointed in myself. I knew I was eating food that I shouldn't have been and now I am paying the price. I don't want to buy bigger clothes but unfortunately none of my pants close, at least not easily. It's too late in Oct. to join for this month, but I am trying to knock a few pounds. I have to keep telling myself NO NO NO when i look at certain foods - like cookies!! I also have a sensitivity to gluten and have to watch out for that nasty item. I tried getting on my scale a couple of weeks ago, but the batteries were dead and I had to go get some. Got them, but afraid to put them in. I know I am going to really kick myself when I see the number on the readout. Good luck to everyone this month.

jeanne, take away the negative and find something you can have. None of us likes to be told "No." Two little gluten free crackers eaten very slowly at the table, followed by one Dove dark chocolate will take away the craving without much damage. The crackers and chocolate both break up to nibble slowly. Eating standing in the kitchen is a killer for me. Those calories DO count. I like Blue Diamond multi-seed Artisan Nut-Thins right now. Each cracker is less than 2 grams of carbs and 10 calories. I have to be low carb to lose weight - counting calories doesn't work for me. Eating at the table, preferably with a favorite placemat makes it more satisfying, IMO.

Becky, pretty blues. You deserve them. Good luck to all contenders this month. Tomorrow evening will be halfway. Remember to buy a Halloween candy you don't care for to remove that temptation.

Where is everyone?
Jan, I never found injected steroids caused any weight gain, though I haven't had many. Medrol pacs were an automatic 15 pound gain which took months to lose. I dislike the word steroid since I received the contaminated ones. Obviously, I survived, but I was sick for 18 months. I also dislike getting mail from lawyers about the class action suite. The company conveniently declared bankruptcy so there will never be a settlement. Let it be!