Support & Discussion Week of 3/30/04

[diphthong]

:coffee: Good Morning All!

I hope everyone had a healthy and restful weekend!

I was about 300 miles south of where I live near Indianapolis, and was so uplifted to see Spring! It's finally catching up here, although we have rain predicted for most of this week. I have a list of so many things to do in the house, but would rather be working outside.

Any one see Monday's Dr. Phil and the teens who have been successful with the UWLC principles? One young man lost 102# and what I was tickled about was how his demeanor and self-confidence changed. We think we have it bad - the cruelty of children, especially immature adolescents has got to be devastating, especially to a youngin' who is trying to find their place.

Does anybody have any accomplishments to report? I always get encouraged and enthused by others' successes, so bring 'em on!

Have a great day!

dip

[DeenieD]

This has been a rough week for me - I broke out in horrid hives, started a new quarter of school (teaching) with a pretty low energy group (of adults no less) and my oldest is getting married on Saturday.

I have really keyed into how much I am an emotional eater and how I often give up on myself quickly - now to get back on program - - -

[diphthong]

Hang in, Deenie! Don't stress about the stress and just get through each day best you can. The wedding will be over, and you'll get used to your new class. Don't let them bring you down, but try to inspire them to liven up.

Let us know how it's going, 'kay?

dip

[Jo_Pointer]

Hi friends!

I could use a pep talk! :stress:

I have had a hard time staying focused on my weight loss efforts this week, and I have made almost no time for exercise! I've been busy and in good spirits overall, but I am feeling a little derailed by:


I turned 37 on Wednesday and I'm a little uptight about it (Why? It's just a number and I've never been bothered by my age before!)
My son's birthday is next week and I'm trying to coordinate two birthday parties and an Easter party
I'm preparing for a house full of relatives for above mentioned parties (lots of relatives in a little house = chaos!)
My parents are leaving their moose of a dog with us starting next weekend while they travel abroad for two weeks, and she wreaks total havoc in our lives; not to mention our backyard and our belongings, plus stressing out our two dogs (the things we do for love!)
My tenth wedding anniversary is two weeks from now and I don't have a clue what to get my husband yet (diamonds or tin!)--any ideas?

So it isn't an overwhelming list exactly, but it has me a little keyed up. I haven't been horrible on program, but I don't feel like I've been great. On the plus side I have been very aware of what I've been putting in my mouth, but on the down side, it has been more than I *should* be eating, and the scale will most likely reflect that. I'm not looking forward to weigh-in this week. :(

The reason I'm reaching out to you for help is...in the past this is the very type of stress that I would let completely derail all of my efforts, and I will not allow that to happen this time. This is exactly when I have gained weight historically--at the littlest amount of extra stress in my life.

Sorry if this sounds whiny...I need to shrug this off and get my :censored: to the gym tomorrow!! :tread:

Thanks for listening. I'll get my impressions of the latest chapter up this weekend!

Peace,

Jo
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205.2/190/135

I am mindful that progress, not perfection, is my goal each day.

[Irish Tart]

Hey Jo, You don't sound whiney at all. I think that it will be hard to maintain your routine for the next couple of weeks. Try to break it down to what is doable and then do what you can. This is only temorary. You are not suddenly going to lose all of the progress that you have made so far.
One good trick to help relieve stress ( This is from the book Feel the Fear and do it Anyway) is to say to your self when you get over whelmed, "I can handle this". Another is deep breathing several times during the day.

As far as the parties go, try to plan what you are going to eat ahead of time so that you won't have to think too much when you are in the moment and faced with all of the temptations. Since you are the one planning the parties you will have more control over the menu, so you can add some OP choices that will make it easier to stay within your limits.

Is your parents dog an and indoor or outdoor dog? I'll be thinking about this one for a while to see if I have any ideas.

As for as the present for you husband goes, what are his hobbies? Golf? Fishing? Woodworking? Maybe you could get him something to add to what he already has. Or how about a week-end get away to a hotel spa for the two of you. You could always take it later when the kids are out of school.

I saw a model of what recovery and life style changes looked like in a pychology book, that showed progress as circles instead of an arrow that pointed straight up, so this is part of the process. I think that you are ahead of the game, because you have identified the stessors that you will be facing in the next few weeks, so you will have a plan in place to reduce them and won't be broad-sided by them.

Well, that is all I can think of at the moment, but just wanted you to know that you really can handle this. I have faith in you. Even if you don't lose any weight in the next couple of weeks, if you can just maintain where you are then you can get back to normal in a few weeks.

We will be here for you before, during, and after. Hang in there, girl!!!Irish

[diphthong]

HI Jo!

I agree with Irish - you've recognized and know ahead of time what's coming. Like she said, plan ahead and know what you're going to do in the event you get broad-sided.

I give you mucho credit for lining out the potentials because I avoid all the stress I can while going through this lifestyle change. I've surprised myself at how easy it is to say, "No." I started this past Holiday season, and everyone survived, and I lost 12 pounds instead of gaining like the previous years. But with a little guy, I realize you still have to do for him.

No doubt, we will be here for you if you need to rant, rave or hopefully report all is going well.

Hugs,
dip

[Irish Tart]

Well, I got my book back from my sister, as she just read it and is now doing her own thing. She has lost six pounds in two weeks so it must be workng for her. I already read the book but will have to look over the first couple of chapters to refresh my memory and will post tomorrow.

I bought a new video by Kathy Smith, Lift Weights To Lose Weight 2 , and veiwed it tonight and it looks doable. The group used 3lb, 5lb, or 8lb weights. She really stressed and showed the way to use good form on the lunges and other exercies that she did. I am going to start it next week while my grandson is sleeping (or as much as I can) She also recommended doing some form of cardio as well, such as walking so I'll see what I can do with that as well. I am walking my dog once a day, but as yet have not gotten into a routine. Talk to you ladies tomorrow. Have a good night. Irish

[Jo_Pointer]

Thanks for the support, friends!

The scale news was as expected...up 1 pound. But I wasn't upset about it as I would have been in the past because I was prepared for it. And in all honesty, the delicious Chinese dinner on my birthday was worth it! :yes:

I decided that the best thing I could do for myself this week was to make a meal plan for the week. Then I will know exactly what to eat and won't just grab for something on the go as I rush around.

I'm back up on the proverbial "horse" for this week and am NOT berating myself for anything that is in the past. I am feeling very committed and encouraged! You guys helped me stay focused on what matters to me, so I thank you!

Good luck with the new excercise Irish, let us know what you think!

xxoo

Jo :wave:
205.2/190.6/135

Eighty percent of success is showing up.

[lindseyp]

Hi,
I am new to 3fc. I am a member of LAWL and 21 years old. I have lost 40 pounds, but am struggling severely with 10 more pounds. I workout 6 days a week, cardio and strength. I am 5'11" and 170lbs. ANy ideas for a renewed weight loss perspective. I find myseld craving constantly. It was never like this in the beginning. My fear is gaining weight, Ive worked so hard. HELP ME!!!
Lindsey :(

[diphthong]

Hello Lindsey!

Well, I think you need to establish if those cravings are carb cravings or emotional cravings.

Also, there is a Maintainer's Forum here at 3FC with alot of wisdom from those who have lost it and kept it off.

Good luck!

dip

[Irish Tart]

Hi Lindsey, What Dip says and also you might consider looking at Dr. Phil's companion book that has a quick start diet in it that is suppose to help restart weight loss. Congratulations on your forty pound loss. I think those last few pounds are the hardest to get off. You have a lot to be proud of! Hang in there you can do it!!

Good morning all! I hope you have a great day! If baby with cooperate and sleep in his bed today, instead of on me ,I will do the exercises in chapter two and post later. :)

[Irish Tart]

woo-hoo, I walked my dog for 3/4 of a mile. We were both huffing and puffing when we got home, but we made it. This is a small start but it was good for both of us.

[Jo_Pointer]

Good for you, Irish! And poochie too! :)

Baby steps...

Jo :wave:

[diphthong]

Irish, good for you! :bravo: Are you going to strive to go just a little bit further with each walk? There's little ways to make it fun. I still challenge myself to go a little further. I also record each day my time and miles and add it all up at the end of the week trying to beat last week's totals.

Hi Jo! how you doin'? You're so close to the 180's, I just know it will be any day now.

Sorry I've been MIA but it's that time of year where so much around the house and outdoors need my attention. Also, I stopped smoking and have been avoiding some of the places, like the computer, where I would smoke. So I'm basically breaking the smoking *and* Internet habits. I'm hoping it won't be too much longer where I can be on the computer and not want to smoke and drink coffee.

Hi to all! Hope everyone is moving forward an downward!

hugs,

dip

[Jo_Pointer]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Dip! I'm so ready for the 180's--I can almost taste them! :T

CONGRATULATIONS on quitting smoking!!!! :cp:

You already know you can do it, but I am here for you if you need any support at all. I quit cold turkey back in 1990, and if I can do it, anyone can! Good for you for realizing where/when you smoke, and for breaking up those routines! The awareness, enlightenment, and healthy lifestyle changes you have made are truly inspirational! I'm PROUD of you!!!

:bravo:

Things are coming together for my family convergence/birthday party/Easter party weekend. I made a loooong list of everything that needed to be done and have been steadily working it. My parents decided to kennel their moose-dog instead of leaving her with us for two weeks, so that is a huge stressor removed from me. The dog is just too big, untrained and unruly, so I'm VERY grateful that they changed their minds. I did succumb to birthday cake on my son's "official" birthday, but I had made it with applesauce instead of oil, so I had less guilt about it! :coffee:

I will try to post about chapter 8 soon--it is on that loooong "to do" list! :smug:

Have a WONDERFUL day everyone!

xxoo

Jo
------
205.2/190.6/135

Persistence can be an exercise in humility.

[Irish Tart]

Thanks for the encouraging words Jo and Dip. I am going to try to increase my distance as much as I can, but part of my problem is that I have asthma and I have trouble breathing the pollen. Spring is a tough time for me. I haven't used my inhalers in a while but I may need to start using them again as preventive measures if I get outside very much.

Good going Dip on the no-smoking. I quit several years ago and used Nicorette gum. . It was the hardest thing that I have ever done. I was hooked on the gum and it took everything that I had to get off of that. With time it does get easier. I don't even think about smoking at all now. You will get there too. Staying busy helps to keep your mind off of it and your hands busy.

Good for you, Jo on all of your hard work on the parties. I'm happy for you that "Big Dog" went to the kennel. I love it when things work out right. You can be proud of your self for eating one peice of cake and not obsessing over it! That is a good sign of progress when you can enjoy a meal without beating yourself up for it.

My husband and I are renting a cabin for a few nights to get away togehter. Since I have started keeping the baby,(my husbands grandson) we have not had much time together. I really look forward to reconnecting with him and remembering the good things about him that made me fall in love with him. This year has been hard for us to adjust to each other especially since his kids live with us. I just need to keep things in perspective and remember that it won't always like this.

You ladies take care and I'll talk to you soon.

[diphthong]

Hi Ladies! Thanks for the encouraging words and thoughts on the smoking. Since you've both been there, you can understand what I'm going through. It's been 2 weeks and still very hard, but what my incentive has been is being able to run longer distances each day. The one thing I can't get used to is the smells. What I used to think smelled bad now smells horrible. :?:

Jo, so happy that big dog went to a kennel. I am not one for putting dogs up at a kennel, having 6 of my own, but big unruley dogs are just too much trouble for any one but those who love them. When I read your first post about him, I pictured a big ol' tail wagging vigorously knocking over everything within range. Good for you for making lists and getting your stuff knocked off one by one! It's almost over, and you'll be back to your routine soon - amen, huh?

Irish - Hope you and DH have a great get-away! I can't agree more that it's important to re-connect, and keep the intimacy going between you and your partner with all the distractions we have to cope with. And keeping your own self in perspective on top of that. It is hard having the kids come back home - been there, done that - and with a baby in the house? My neighbor and I were just talking yesterday about the same thing, and how we both need a vacation, alone. And how to say "NO!" to our grown kids. Some times it's hard to draw the line between helping them and enabling them. She's going to Vegas by herself at the end of the month, and I'm taking a week on our sailboat by myself as soon as the weather gets a little warmer.

I'm still very busy, getting ready for sailing season, the house and the yard. We just bought another boat, so I'm going through all the stuff on the old boat, cleaning and deciding what to keep for the new boat. The new boat has to be cleaned too, and yesterday I staked the sails out in the yard and washed them down. The new boat is bigger and will stay in the water, 275 miles away, so I have to do as much as I can here and drag it all back down there. I swear it's just like moving, long-distance. The old boat is on a trailer in the front driveway, and I have to get it ready to try to sell. But I'm not going to knock myself on it. We will be going down to sail the new boat for the first time next weekend.

Well, enough blah-blah and on with the day. Hope everyone is doing well - and have a great weekend!

Best!

dip

[Irish Tart]

Good morning All, We had a wonderful time on our trip. I have some pictures to post when I can find time. Just a quick hello and then I have to go. I'll write more tomorrow.
Have a great day!! Irish