Weight Watchers - Supporting Each Other On Our Weight Loss Journey

It's great to be starting a new thread as the old one was getting too long! Join those of us who have been chatting for awhile and we will help you as you will help us.
This is a great thread, I think many of us are really getting someplace with this and it helps that we are encouraging each other!
We have a group of great people who are posting what is going on in their lives and we are working together. Sometimes I feel like our group is kind of like a mini dose of a WW meeting on a daily basis. We're making it work!
C'mon and join us and we'll help each other. We talk about what works and what doesn't work. We share recipes and we applaud and we sympathize!
Linda

Good morning everyone!

I stepped on the scale this morning, and it was down to 217, which is 3lbs lower than Monday. I have been doing so good this week, and I feel so confident that I will continue to have a successful week!

Erica-WTG on the loss! You are getting so close to your goal! Congrats on the food show, too. I get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing other people eat food, too. It reminds me of an episode of "Kings of Queens" that had Kirstie Alley in it...she kept ordering food for Carrie (Lea Remedy) so that she could watch her eat. It sounds kind of weird now that I read that back over...lol! What kind of low fat cake did you make?

Linda-Sorry your WI didn't report a loss. It stinks when you are having that "thin" feeling and then, nothing. I'm sure that after you stick to plan this week, you will have a loss to report next week.

Laura-How are you doing?

Ann-Your WI is today? You mentioned you have been hungry for pizza, you should give making your own a try (if you don't already!!!) It is so much easier to control what goes on it and in it...when dh and I make ours, it is only 3.5 points per slice, which is very managable, and you can even have a few slices of it.

Gotta run...hope everyone has a great day!

Good job, Paige!
I do hope next week will be more reflective of how I feel, meaning that if I FEEL skinnier, perhaps the scale will reward me with a number that says I truly am skinnier. This morning I did something new and it forced me to get back on my treadmill. I have to drive my daughter to school so just get dressed and once I am dressed, it's hard to get into workout mode for me. Not sure why, but I feel like my day has begun already.
So, this morning, I put my workout outfit on and put a sweatshirt and PJ pants over top of it to drive her to school. I was already dressed in it, so getting on the treadmill was easier for me. Maybe it will inspire me to stick with it this week a bit more? I'm so ______ (can't even think of the right word, so use your imagination???) when it comes to exercise. I say I'm going to do it, I vow I will do it and I do try a few times a week but I find every excuse to NOT do it.
So, today, at least I did 1 and a quarter miles and watched the last half of American Idol that I had taped last night. I can't stay up late enough to watch the end, so sadly I don't get to vote either. Oh well. It's funny that the contestants the judges said were the best were not my favorites, though I appreciate they are very good. But, I think there are dozens of people out there with similar sounding voices and I get bored. I'm a big rock 'n roll kind of gal vs. ballads, though.
I wish, sometimes, that voting on that show was for the one you want off the most, that sure would make it interesting but a bit mean perhaps?
At any rate, back to weight loss stuff.....
I tried a new cereal this morning and threw out the rest of the box, that sure was a waste of money! It's called Uncle Sams. From what I read on the box, it's a CORE cereal so I figured I'd give it a shot. Eeewwww!!!! It was worse than eating cardboard. I ate about half of what was in my bowl and threw away the rest, and then the box went in the trash as well. I learned a lesson. I even went to their web site before tossing the box to see if there were recipes that would qualify as CORE that I could try so that I wouldn't waste all the cereal (it's expensive after all) and there was nothing I could make - so out it went.
Paige, I should go back and find your pizza crust recipe again, 3.5 points a slice is sounding pretty good to me. I need inspiration and some foods to comfort me today. How is it that on a day that I should be more inspired after yesterday's meeting that I am down and feeling like "blowing it", not good especially after our new challenge for the next 2 weeks. I guess I am just bummed as my scale and the WW scale differed so much this week. I just HAVE to use their scale and not mine as I know theirs are supposedly accurate. Yesterday's meeting, by the way, was about how emotions affect what we eat. Like if we are feeling hurt, what we really need is a hug and not food. When we are depressed, we need to do something positive and not go to the drive thru, right? Ha! When my dad was dying of cancer, every time I was on my way to see him I went to the drive thru and chocolate doughnuts were my best buddies, they did make me feel better temporarily, but the after affects are STILL on my body.
Getting back to my weight loss, or lack thereof, I did eat things I shouldn't eat this past week. I didn't count flex points as I know I should have and I have no clue if I truly blew it or not or if it was sodium, etc. My daughter also gained an entire pound this week, she was pretty unhappy too. I have to do better. :book2: It's time to re-study my materials, write it down and behave.
So, today is a learning day and I must regain my focus. I need to be good to myself. It's supposed to be very nice outside here in NH today and I should make myself get outside for a little bit, maybe?
:dust:

Linda- Big hugs to you! You know blowing it isn't the right solution, but I know that sometimes it "feels" like it will be. It's hard to remember at the time how you are going to feel afterwards, but it's always the same. I always have that sinking feeling "UH, WHY DID I DO THAT?!" The satisfying feeling that eating gives is SO temporary (for me it's literally momentary) but the rewarding feeling that you have (I do anyway!) when I go to bed and know that I really, truly ate right is much more satisfying and lasting. For me, it carries over into the next day and gives me hope that I did it yesterday, so I know I can do it again today.

I'm writing this kind of laughing at myself...I feel like I'm not one to exactly give advice on it. This is the first week in months that I've been able to really stick to the plan and journal.

Good morning everyone.
Linda a big hug to you, you help to keep us all motivated. I am very thankful for that.
Paige, what a good idea your recipe is, thank you. I will try it once I get home. That is awesome how well you are doing with your eating Paige. Great job.
Erica way to go on your loss. You will be a goal in no time. Congratulations on your success at the food show.
I lost 2.4 pounds today, that means I am .10 away from 50 pounds. I am going to have a pedicure once I lose that last .10 of a pound. I am so close.
Have a great day everyone and enjoy this beautiful weather.
Ann

OMG, ANN! .10 of a lb! You couldn't of gone to the bathroom or stripped a little more?! LOL! WAY TO GO!

I know I asked is it okay if I go pee but she had already weighed me so she couldn't. I think it is a test of my patience....just kidding. I want to have a pedicure or a manicure once I lose 50 pounds, I have never had one. I did however go out shopping and bought myself clothes. that was fun and made me feel better. It was a great meeting though the people were wonderful. I think I truly am one of those people who needs meetings. This is like a meeting though and I need this thread.
Take Care all.
Ann

Hi all, I'm better tonight, but still feeling a bit down in the dumps. I did well with my eating today, at least. I journalled, I drank water, I stayed on program. I'm wanting a hot fudge sundae but I am not having one!
I had garden vegetable soup, a turkey burger patty and a sweet potato for lunch, pretty impressive when I wanted a gooey grilled cheese or pizza or something with carbs and fat content. I do want this kind of food right now and I kept right away from it today and even went on the treadmill. So, I'm holding my own.
I resisted. I was in control even though my mind was on some other hemisphere. There are going to be days like this again, I felt like (not even sure why to be honest) I was on some kind of run away roller coaster ride and that at any moment I would just lose it and dive my face into the fat and carbs.
Thanks for the hugs and concern, guys, that is what this thread is all about "Let's Support Each Other on Our Weight Loss Journey". It's so true that some days one of us is up and the others help scrape you off the floor.
Tomorrow, I hope to be back on top of my game and then maybe one of you will have a bad day.
By the way, Ann, Dawny (where are you Dawny???) that was on this thread for a long time and has kind of lost her way used to have a joke about weigh in day and I used to laugh, but part of it is true. She would say that on weigh in days she would trim her nails and her toenails and make sure to shave her legs so as not to allow a single ounce to be on that scale that didn't have to be there! You know, I found myself actually trimming my own nails (didn't go as far as the rest of the stuff) yesterday morning making the excuse that I just needed to do that, but smiling and thinking of Dawny.
So, next week I hope to have a better weigh in and that all of these bad vibes will be banished!
Thanks and have a lovely evening!

Well good morning everyone,
Sorry I was pretty MIA yesterday. With nursery school, 4-H and birthday parties, the day went by way too fast. It is just pooring out there today, there is a lot of flooding in our area, thankfully we live on a hill!

Here is the cake that I made for my dd's b-day last night, ironically I got the recipe from a man in our WW meeting who has lost 125 pounds!!

Tropical Citrus Cake
1pkg. white or yellow cake mix
1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges in light syrup
1 cup Egg beaters
1/4 cp. apple sauce
1 cont. (8 oz.) lite cool whip
1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
1 can (15 1/2 oz.) crushed pineapple in juice
Fresh strawberries and drained canned mandarin orage segments, optional
*Preheat oven to 350, coat 13x9 baking pan with cooking spray
*At low speed beat cake mix, oranges with syrup, egg beaters and applesauce 30 seconds.
*Increase speed to medium;beat 2 minutes.
*Pour batter into pan, bake 30-35 min. or until toothpick comes clean.
*Cool completely on rack.
*Combine topping, pudding mix and pineapple with juice, Spread over cake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with fruit, if desired.
Makes 12-16 servings.

Typically when I have these birthday party dinners, they are not the healthiest. Dinner and cake afterwards would usually be something full of fat (but really yummy). It seems right now there are more and more of our family members who are just not at a good point with their weight/health. Last night I stuck to my guns and made a healthy meal for all, including the cake. I just wanted to set a good example. Normally I just put all of my efforts aside, in order to "enjoy the day", which I still do on occasion, but I guess it was just important for me to do something different last night.

Now with St. Patricks's Day this weekend, and dinner reservations already in place, I'm not making any promises.... it is a holiday that holds a lot of meaning and I mean deep emotional meaning for our family.... so will I be partaking in spirits and traditional foods? Most definitely!!

Linda- I've been wondering this for awhile now, why on CORE (with the exception of your flex points) do you journal? I'm just curious, because I wonder if it's something I should do from time to time. You've really inspired me to make a batch of the garden veg. soup. In fact, I thought of you while buying my cabbage the other day! While on CORE I've been struggling with "snack/mini-meal time". I've yet to have that soup while on CORE, what was I thinking? I think the most valuable thing that I've learned on this journey so far, is not the ability to have perfectly on program days, but the ability to "move on" from a "not so great day" or even "not so great part of the day". Whether it be a missed workout, a tough emotional (eating) day, or just a downright "pigout", there's no "Monday morning quarterbacking", it happened, it's over and move on from it. You've dealt with so much in the last year (I can't even begin to imagine), recovering from a "bad day" on WW is probably just small peanuts compared to what you've had to show strength in other areas. As far as the weigh-in went, that just stinks. You are somebody (at least I think) who is painfully honest with yourself as far as all this goes, so for you to go to your WI thinking you'd have a loss and then not have it, I would question the validity of the WW scale for this week, shrug it off (if you can) and look ahead to next week's weigh-in. Probably by the time you're reading this, you've moved way beyond...

Paige- wow, sounds like you are having a great week! What is different this week? Check out my previous post for cake recipe. Surely not the works of art that you are cranking out these days. If we lived closer, I would've definitely commissioned you to do the work for me! I'm sure with that recipe you could make it look beautiful.

Ann- I can't believe how close you are to losing 50 pounds!! That is awesome! When did you start all of this again? What a huge accomplishment! Do you have people in your life who are just complimenting you all along the way?

Anyone that I missed, hello and keep up all of you efforts!

Good rainy morning all! It's is going to be an interesting morning here as dh and I go enroll our older dd in kindergarten. Pretty soon she'll be getting on that bus...I'm going to be a nervous wreck!!!

Linda-Were you able to make it through the rest of yesterday ok? I hope so! I hope you have an easier day today.

Erica-The cake sounds great! Do you know the pts value per slice? I am bringing dessert for Easter, so I think I'll make this as well as a regular dessert, that way I won't be tempted to go for the full fat stuff.

I had my annual ob/gyn checkup last night, and mentioned my concerns about how my pms seems to be out of control. I had kind of gone back and forth about saying anything, because I thought maybe I just have bad pms! But the out of control eating part of it really throws me off (not to mention that I feel like it's hurting my relationship with my older dd...she's the one that seems to take the brunt of my up and down moods.) So the dr told me my options for a non medication solution are chasteberry fruit extract and calcium supplements, and if that doesn't work she wants me to try taking antidepressants during the time of the month when I'm getting the symptoms. Have any of you ever heard or tried the chasteberry extract? I had never even heard of it.

Anyway...gotta run...check with you all later!

Good morning everyone.

Erica, I started with weight watchers on line June 2006. I have been slow and steady. I have not gained anything since I have started my journey. I have either maintained or lost. That is why for me I know it is a lifestyle change. I decided to go to the meetings because I felt I needed motivation. I wish I would have originally started with the meetings I find them much more effective than doing it on line, for me that is. I know I still have a far way to go and once in a while I feel as though I can't do it. I then come to this site and I am encouraged by all of you. I am not in a hurry as I know I did not put this weight on in one day, although it would be nice if it could go away in one day....ha ha.
I do feel good about my new lifestyle and I feel I can maintain it.
It sounds like you had a busy day yesterday. It also sounded like fun.
I must say, it sure sounds like you truly enjoy your life. That is great.
I hope it stops raining soon there.

Paige, you are doing awesome. Thanks for sharing it. It is helping to motivate me.

Linda, I am thinking of you this morning. I don't want to run on the treadmill today, but I know you would tell me to get out there and do it, so I am going to do it. Thank you for always inspiring me to go that extra step when I don't feel like it. I appreciate all of the encouragement you give to me.

Laura, Barb, Scalewatcher, and Haylo, and anyone else I missed,Hello and I hope your week goes well.
Have a great day everyone.
Take Care
Ann

Hi Paige, I guess we were posting at the same time. I have never heard of Chasteberry. I know there is something herbal some friends at work take. I will ask them what it is. It helps there mood during TOM.

Paige- this is going to sound terrible, but I just don't have the patience to calculate the points for that cake. I guess I figured about maybe 2 pts. per slice, but truthfully, I know that it's low in points, and everything in moderation anyways, right?

Erica, I think you did a fantastic job on the birthday dinner. I'm sure family members appreciated it, and even if they didn't, you did the right thing.
Now, St. Patrick's day....
I'm not Irish, but I used to date an Irish guy years ago and this day was like Thanksgiving or something in terms of it's importance to their family. They played Irish music and danced out in their back yard, which I thought was kind of odd, but it was a family tradition. Of course, the traditional corned beef, cabbage, soda bread and beer (probably green?) were served. I don't know if there are special desserts associated with the meal, you should tell us so we can learn.
However, when I evaluate the traditional "boiled dinner" as it's called in the Boston area, I do think lots of it are pretty healthy. The corned beef is high in sodium but if you have an average serving, it should be ok if you eat the lean portions. The potato, cabbage, turnip, and carrots (maybe parsnips?) that are in boiled dinner are also quite good for you, and CORE. However, I guess loading it all with butter is not a good thing, which is what I have always done with that particular meal. Maybe just for one day, you can forgive yourself? If you portion control a bit and I think a Guinness is only 2 points, you are pretty good. I would imagine an average slice of Irish Soda Bread is probably 2 - 3 points.
Let us know what else you will ordinarily serve and maybe we can all try to help with ideas. Of course, if you do Irish dancing, you certainly will burn off a few points!
Erica, wow two posts in a row. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I am painfully honest with myself, I guess I have always felt that with WW I just had to be honest with myself, why else do I go if I can't admit my faults and work on this. Interesting that you would say that the WW scales could be off, I was actually (in anger) saying that to myself.
Have they posted the turn off your cell phones signs at your centers, by the way? They have at my center and it says that they interfere with the accuracy of the scales. I wonder if that is so or not? I doubt it, it's probably more the case that cell phones ring in the middle of almost every meeting, of any kid and anywhere I go to nowadays. I hate that interruption. I always put mine on vibrate or turn it off in meetings, but some people either forget or are not as considerate?
Oh, Erica, I journal when I am "in trouble" not all the time on CORE. Journaling "freshens" my efforts and writing everything down really gets me back in the swing. Especially where I didn't have a loss this week, I consider myself "in trouble" and also if you add our little competition to the equation - I do have a competitive streak in me and I can't compete against someone who is on FLEX if I am truly not doing CORE perfectly? I want to truly see who loses the most weight in 2 weeks time, but I do realize we are from all different walks of live and have different conditions, ages and body types so it's not a scientific thing, but just for fun. If I write everything down for a change, it truly reminds me to be a "good girl" and maybe I have not been as good as I could have been? This is actually true, I think, but if I am not writing things down, how can I know for sure?
I have tried just counting flex points, on CORE, and that isn't always the best either for me as I just plain lose track and forget. I am am writing down everything, I know for sure what I am doing.
I used 4 flex points yesterday. With 35 a week and if I use 4 per day, that gives me 28 and leaves me with an extra 7 points for eating out on Saturday night. If I am careful to track, I know what I can and can't indulge in. If I am careful to use only 2 or 3 points on a few days, I can have even a better situation going into the weekend. It's not uncommon for us to eat our more than once during a weekend as well. I always presume that I will have non-CORE foods at restaurants, though I can be awfully good at certain places.
Paige, Ah, I remember the day my son went on that school bus (and daughter) for the first time. I followed the bus to school and met him as he got off the bus (and her) for the first few days and escorted her to her classroom. Then, a few days later, I stopped going. I cried each time my kids went off on that bus without me, it was both scary and symbolic. AND, my son came off the bus and said his first swear words in front of me, the very first day! That surely was an eye opener, no more babies.
I swear the bigger kids have this "swearing in" ritual just to "get" the parents? Oh well, they learn sometime.
Paige, I have heard of chasteberry extract. I think you should also be taking B complex, calcium with vitamin D, Evening Primrose Oil (an essential oil!) as well as drinking raspberry herbal tea. You might want to try Ginseng and St. Johns Wort. I study herbal cures/remedies and have several books on it. In "my next life", I'd love to be an herbalist or a doctor, but I am far to old to go back to school and really don't have the time/energy for all that stuff. So, it's fun to say "in my next life", I guess.
I also read up on things like depression on line, one article I read on a web site was indicating that one of the leading causes of depression was B and D vitamin deficiencies. I take B complex and calcium (with D) twice a day as well as Ginseng and St. Johns Wort. All of those are natural substances that I feel truly help me cope with daily life. St. Johns is supposed to help lift the spirits and Ginseng gives a positive attitude and energy.
I was on antidepressants (prozac) around the time my parents were ill/dying and it did help me, but I just don't want to be on things like that permanently and also the cost was amazing, even with medical insurance. My TOM was stopping at the same time I was losing mom and dad and I was kind of a mess, hence the huge weight gain and my spirits were low. I am so much better now in comparison and have a handle on my weight, finally, though am not at goal.
Getting outdoors, eating right and exercise are also key. You may find you need something to help combat PMS, but you might want to try a natural approach first. I'm glad you are going to the kind of doctor who suggests natural or herbal things before writing a prescription for mind altering drugs. You might need those temporarily, though, and there is nothing wrong with taking them, but it's better to try a more natural approach first! I'm glad I had those drugs temporarily in my life and I think they helped me, but life is truly good and I hated "admitting defeat" by taking something and as soon as I felt mentally "able" I cut back and then stopped. I'd rather use herbs, eat well and take care of myself naturally. I often wondered what that stuff truly does to you and if anyone really knows for sure.
I just looked up a web site and you might want to read this:
http://depression.about.com/cs/altmed/a/pmsalternatives_2.htm
I also take Black Cohosh and Soy, which are supposed to help with hot flashes. All of these supplements have been discussed with my own OB/GYN and I get cheers and encouragement nowadays. I may have 2 or 3 hot flashes in a day nowadays, but it's darn better than 30 or 40 and waking up covered with sweat. I feel safer and more positive. After reading a great deal, PMS and Menopausal symptoms are really awfully similar and when PMS starts getting really bad, it's at a time when your hormone levels fluctuate a great deal, leading up to that lovely "change of life" time, but you have a very long way to go!
Ann, you are so sweet to say that I inspire you! I think the rest of you inspire me - guess that is why we found each other and cling to this message board. We can be honest with each other.
If I had eaten a candy bar yesterday (I was close!) and confessed, you all would have totally understood.
I feel SO much better today than yesterday, it could also be that I am happier as my husband is coming home tonight. That is always good for me, he's a humorous guy and keeps me smiling.
Well, also, today is my Thursday quilt group and I love the ladies. We spend one morning a week (it's gotta be therapy!) sitting around, chatting and drinking coffee. We sew/quit/knit and share our lives. It's a wonderful thing to have in my life and I am thankful.

Good Morning to All- I have been really busy the last few days so I could not post. It missed alot looks like. I made my Flex Ticker for the challenge. I am a couple of days late starting but at least I'm doing it now. I have been walking alot the last two days. I went to Disney with my DDL and GD's and did we walk alot. I really did enjoy it but I am really tired. I have my WI tomorrow and I hope that it goes well. I did not eat anything bad a Disney so it should be OK. I think I am probably holding some water right now because of sore muscles. I am down .6 lbs this week. So even if I don't go down anymore that is still a loss from last week.
I am going to try the pizza recipe one day next week-it sounds really good. I Love pizza.

Congrats to those who have lost weight this week and to those who have been trying-- keep on and it will happen.

Gotta go for now,
Janette

Hi everyone..Sorry I have not been hwriting but I was sorta down in the dumps and enjoying the eating.....I am back on plan and did not go and wi. I am out of extra funds at the moment, but I was thinking of just going hto meetings for awhile and wi at home. The goood news is I did not gain any here at home but maybe a pd. So As off the ship I was I am back on track.

I skimed the posts so it sounds like most of you had some good wis. Congrats.....As for the rest of us at least we still oifind our way back here and continue to plug away....

Not sure if I am joing all yet on the flex?core... I have some challenges coming up in the next 2 weeks. I am hoping to lose weight, but maintaing will be great too.

I finally have a motivator to lose weight. I have a dear friend coming in July 4 . I have not seen her in 3 yrs... My goal is to lose some weight before the reunion. She knows I have put it on and all my health problems but I figured this is an excuse to do it. Something as a goal....It would be nice to shoot for 1 pd a week. About 15 pounds...

I just want to say..Thanks for all your support and great motivating ideas.... You all are great and keep me going... This is the year for me.... I have my exercise down I just need to concentrate on the food part..... Thanks

Good afternoon!
Sorry to have been hopelessly MIA for the past week or so. Life has been coming at me awfully fast......I keep trying to slow things down, spread some of the stuff out- and it is not working. My computer time has been scarce.....and I know I would not have the time for anything other than a hello.

Sounds as though you have been up to some losing ways here, which is great! I am happy for you.

Me?- I have had to miss meetings.....lost some, gained some, but have regained my focus and hope that the scale goes down. I will get to a meeting next week.

Gotta go........I hope that tomorrow, with a snow day! I can spend some time chatting.
Ginny

Janette, you have never used your "real" first name with us that I can recall, we just knew you as "Scalewatcher" (cute!) and what a pretty name you have!
Does having sore muscles make you retain fluid? I've never heard that.
DJM, nothing like seeing a person who you haven't seen in a long time to motivate you, whatever works!
Ginny and DJM, so glad to hear from you again, I'm worrying about our dear Newfoundland friend and also our dear friend from New Zealand. I hope we didn't scare her off with our questions about metric weight vs. "our" weight. I was thinking about her and wondering if we blew it. She posted her losses and all we did was (I'm feeling really bad) ask her how much that was, I guess? I hope to hear from her again, no matter what kind of measurements she uses to determine her weight!
Today's theme and this week's theme for me is:

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME???

I blew it on take out food for lunch today. I was weak+I was cold+I was feeling lonely+I was hungry+I was running late+I was busy = Linda was a bad girl.
The result of this mathematical equation is journalled, at least. It's day 2 on this journal and I was successful yesterday but today I have blown it.
So, with remorse, here I am. Corn chowder and spinach pie for lunch, not core foods and what was I thinking?
I need a swift kick in the behind!

Linda you are ok. It is only one minor mistake..You are already realizing it so move forward.. Remember we are only human.....

I am doing the BLT thing.Making brownies for a project at school. I licked the bowl and spoon...... No ideahow to calculate that..I will give it a 4 ?????

Taco or fajitas for dinner...... Hopefully I will stay focused....

Linda- Thanks, I had not noticed that I had not used my name "Janette" here before. I don't know where I heard that you retain water if you have sore muscles. But, I have held on to it for years (the information not the water):o . If it is not accurate information, I am not going to be as happy at WI tomorrow as I had planned. Don't get all worried about today's weakness, you will just pull yourself back in line tomorrow. You are always an inspiration to me and remember you will be stronger tomorrow. It is our little weaknesses that make us want keep coming here for support. Just knowing that someone else has been in the same place is "comforting".

Hey everyone hope your day has going well.

Janette

Thanks DJM and Janette, I am feeling better this morning. I just find myself totally amazed at how I can be so up on this stuff and doing a good job one moment and then the next knowingly blow it all and allow myself to do it?
We are human, I get it, but I still don't understand myself sometimes.
I did well at suppertime last night and didn't continue along the same path at least. If I can pull myself together and do OK for the rest of this week, I may still pull off a loss of some kind?
We had a very late night last night in this house, my daughter appeared in a school play and why they have something that late at school on a school night is beyond me, but of course I was there to support her.
It's supposed to snow here today/tonight and I find myself wondering if tonight's performance will be cancelled? We shall see.
As for me, I'm so tired that I may take a nap. Being overtired is not helpful to me with weight loss efforts, it weakens me.

Linda-Good to hear you're doing better this morning. I'm right there with ya in terms of not understanding yourself sometimes, because I don't understand myself all the time either.
Since my WI on Tuesday I was just really busy with everything, and I was down an additional 3 pounds! I was so excited with myself. I hadn't had that much to eat in two days. Because believe me, to drop 3 pounds that easily just doesn't happen for me. Well then yesterday, I made up for lost time. It's almost like my brain couldn't handle the fact that I was down that much and I would then have to try to maintain that until my WI on Tuesday, and I wanted to soooo badly. Well, this morning I'm down 1 lb. since my WI, which is much more realistic. But last night while I was grabbing handfuls of mini hershey kisses in preparation for another b-day party (tonight), I was saying to myself, "what are you doing? what are doing!" It's kind of that whole game I play with the scale when I weigh myself at home too much. I figured I was down, so I can indulge, wrong!! Lessons learned in the past two days: I can't maintain a 3lb. loss that happened in two days, eating handfuls of chocolate should be a thing of the past in terms of the lifestlye thing, I messed up, realized why, now I need to move on from it. It's all just such a learning process for me.

And by the way Linda, you are so entitled to this, whatever it "was" these last couple of days. You have been truckin' along and motivating all of us all along the way. Like I said, it's not the "flub up" that is the worst part, it's the ability to pull yourself out of it that we need to conquer. This storm we're suppose to get today is a real bummer, I was so enjoying the bits of green grass I was beginning to see in some spots of our yard.

Ginny-glad to hear you're back on track...

djmommy-your motivation is contagious!!

Janette-any tips for Disney? We'll be taking our 3 dd's in a couple weeks!

Ann- that is pretty awesome that you haven't gained anything since you've started this. My husband's cousin just celebrated at WW having lost 50 pounds. She still needs to lose about another 50, but... that first 50 was such an accomplishment for her and it took her a year to do it. She had lost a lot of weight on LA weight loss and then gained it all back. I don't know a lot about that program, but maybe they don't encourage the lifestyle changes that WW does, b/c it was so sad to see her gain it all back and then even more.

Paige-my sister has been experiencing some of the same stuff with regard to TOM. Her ob/gyn also prescribed her Zoloft to take for the two weeks before her period. She hasn't done it yet though, she is still researching some different possibilities of what to do.

Hope everyone has a great Friday!

Erica, I can soooooo sympathize with the Hersey Kiss thing. It's like I could have written that.
One time, when I reached my 10% goal, (still have to re-do that again, sadly) I was so proud of myself and then I knowingly went to a sub (grinder, hero or whatever you want to call it) shop and bought a large tuna sub with mayo on one of those big rolls. Why? I was hungry and couldn't put it out of my mind until I had it. I knew it was wrong and the following week (I'm pretty sure I blew it on other things in that few day period) I was back up over the 10% goal as well.
I almost think I got scared that I couldn't maintain the loss or I was "celebrating" with food that I had reached that goal. I think some of us are taught that food is a reward when we are very young and we just don't understand why something good like achieving a goal triggers a "need" to go out and eat stuff.
I know that when things are upsetting, we also "reward" ourselves with food for comfort too. I think I need to sort it all out, and then be more forgiving of myself.
I need to also remind myself that it's what we do on most days vs. the once in awhile things that are really going to make the difference in the long run.
This morning's breakfast was FF milk, shredded wheat and cantaloupe mixed with sliced strawberries. I am full, satisfied and not feeling an intense need to pig out.
Take care and TGIF!

Good Friday morning all! Yeah, so much for 50-60 degree weather! LOL! We are getting 5-8 inches today and another 8-12 tonight. We were just finally able to see grass this week, and now it's going to be covered again!

I'm still doing really well this week, I hope I can keep it up. Today I will have completed one full week of tracking...something I haven't done in a long time. I've gone the whole week without overdoing it on something, too. The weekend is always the hardest, and it is looking like we might be housebound this weekend, so I hope I'll be able to keep it up!

Linda-I am glad you are feeling better this morning. I think it is so normal to have those ups and downs during a weight loss journey.
Thanks for the info on the non-medication supplements. I am NOT a fan of anti-depressants. I have been on them a few different times, once for post partum depression and a few other times for "stress"...I say that lightly because it wasn't stress. I was having symptoms of extreme tiredness, thirst, memory loss, black outs, etc etc. My dr couldn't find anything wrong with me, so she thought I was stressed out...in the end I started to drink more water to cure my thirst (I was drinking about a gallon of water a day at first!) and low and behold all my symptoms went away. I did some research, and dehydration and a salt-water imbalance can cause all of the symptoms that I had. Anyway...that's neither here nor there...medication seems to mess my cycle up, too (especially anti-depressants...the dr's look at me weird when I say that, but whenever I go on them, TOM gets irregular) so that is a big reason that I am anti-anti depressants. They work for some people, just not for me.

Ginny-I thought of you yesterday...I was coming out of Wal-mart in Monticello and saw a Warwick bus (I think that is who you drive for?) I definately want to meet up for that cup of coffee...my older dd would probably be with me, though, as I always feel bad sticking dh with the kids. She has been pretty good lately, and she's really good in public. She just likes to talk and ask questions! LOL! Maybe sometime next week after my chiropractor (he's in Mdtn down on 211 by the post office) appt would be good for you? I'm usually done by 6:30.

Barb-Here is a little trick that I use for not licking the spoon and bowl when I'm baking. Normally baked items have eggs, right? Would you normally eat raw eggs? That is what the batter is! RAW EGGS!

Janette- That is nice that you can go to WDW easily. Dh and I are thinking about moving down to FL when I get my degree. My sister lives near Cocoa Beach, so I would like to move to the same town and try to get a chef job in Orlando (LOL...at that point, any job would do though!)

Doesn't look like I'll be going anywhere today, so I'll probably post more later! Have a great day everyone!

Good morning!
Well, so far we have only a few flakes....but I recieved word last nite at 8:50 that school was closed today. Paige and I are in for a foot....sounds as though tonight will be the worst. And no, Paige, my son is not going up to Monticello for his pitching lesson tonight! We called last evening to cancel.

Erica and Linda- well, if one of us was able to "solve" the problem of why we mindlessly eat.....or make such crummy decisions, we would be billionaires. I blew it last night too......and mind you had the high quality snacks/ foods in the kitchen too, so I could have prevented the stupid, mindless eating I did!
Erica, I too have talked myself into eating junk by noting that the scale was down, so I deserve a treat. As Linda said....I could have written that too. Been there done that.

Welcome Janette! Hope your WI goes well today. Where in Fla are you? My oldest is in Fla playing collegiate softball this week- she is supposed to fly home with her team tomorrow, but the NY airports are already posting delays....

Linda- sounds as though your eating is great so far. Hope you can finish the day strong.

So far, I have had a cup of tea (skimmed milk), 1/2 grapefruit and I bought myself a hazelnut coffee at the Dunkin this am as I sped thru the food store.
Tomorrow is Ds's 18th bday, and I needed a card and his birthday cake.......he likes angelfood cake (low in points!!!!) and strawberries/with whipped cream. At least I am not worried about how bad that will be for me, skipping the whippped cream is nothing for me..I am no big whipped cream fan.

Enjoy your day. Hope the stress monster stays away for all of us!
Ginny

"Morning Paige! Our posts crossed......yes I drive for Warwick and that makes sense that a Warwick bus was at Walmart. We are usually not permitted to leave a bus to shop,but that particular route is a special ed run, transporting the most fragile and disabled students to a facility in Monticello. Because of the very short day, and the 75 minute drive one way, that driver and monitor are allowed to stay in the Monticello area 2 days of the week and shop while their students are in school. It is actually cheaper for the district to do that- pay the driver and monitor to stay in Monticello all day- as opposed to the wear and tear on the bus (special ed wheel chair lift bus), cost of fuel...etc.
I have subbed on that route twice....(did not get to shop as I was only needed for one way). These kids are really, really the neediest.
I will PM you with what it looks like I am doing next week. No problem with having your DD with you......I am a mom too- and even though I have noone little, remember having to bring kids with me everywhere.
Enjoy the snow......we are in for a long day.
Ginny

Hello everyone,

I am back!!! I wanted and tried so hard to log on to a computer but for some reason the wireless connection wasn't working right in our hotel, I felt so deprived without reading ya'll daily posts.
Well I haven't had time to read through everyone's post so I hope everyone is doing well.

Erica: thanks for the tip on the stone, unfortunatly I read it to late.


My trip to Lousiana was good, well it was good to get away but as hard as I tried to stay on plan it just didn't happen. I am sure I am up at least 4 pounds. We went to a lot of casino's and ate at the buffets and although I tried to eat the lighter stuff it was still rich and hard to figure out how many points were in everything, oh yeah and I had to taste some of the deserts. Well I am hesitant to go back to WI tomorrow but I know if I don't go I will continue to stay off track so I guess I will go. Today my goal is to calculate my points and stay on track.

Hello everyone....So sorry to hear about more snow...Yuck..I think we are in the cleatr ...Yipee... I just worked out so I got 3 in so far this week. As the eating goes who knows I am not recording...WHY WHY do I do that....SometimesI get so frustrated thatI have to figure pts that I say I will do it later and later never comes... Oh well fish tonight, hopefully I will not bomb it than..

Tom is St Pattys.... Going to a parade and cooking the corn beef.I guess I should look into the pts...We are going to a town called Dublin.. How fun does that sound. I guess they really do it up so we are looking to have fun.,..


Paige I swear I think of the raw egg but that does not do it for me...The best thing to do is not make them....

Linda glad you are feeling better.. You are doing great...

Welcome back Haylo

Erica I am
the same way..I am addicted to jthe scale...I think I am going to go back to having the boys hide the scale for me and once a week I will wi. That way I have to stay motivated....

Well my breakfast was huge unlike a few of you. I was so hungry..I had a bowl of gronola cereal. Boy am I glad that is gone...5 pts for 1/2 cup with milk I think it is additional 2 pts..Yikes than I had a 1 pt muffin and my ds did not eat his bagel 1/2 with lite cream cheese and guess what I ATE IT... However I did a hard cardio workout for 45 min at the gym . so hopefully That equals it all out... What can I say I was HUNGRY... now it is lunch time...hymmmm not sure waht to have


Have a great day ....Happy St Pattys Day everyone...

Hello ladies, it is nice to see everyone posting here. I had a bad food day yesterday, I did well until about 1:00 and then for some unknown reason, I ate chocolate, chips, not just a few but the whole bag. I ate my DS's chicken nuggets and french fries that was after I had eaten my salad and I was not hungry but for some reason I went crazy. Who knows maybe the excitement of snow....kidding.
I didn't drink all my water, however I did exercise first thing in the morning and drank two glasses of water but like I said, after lunch kind of went crazy...oh no I am human. I am trying to stay on plan today but that hershey's chocolate is calling out my name, I don't normally like chocolate but have discovered dark chocolate is amazing. Well I should prepare a healthy lunch and try to stay on track today.
Have a great day everyone and I enjoyed all the posts. I am sure they will help me to stay motivated.
Take Care
Ann

Hello everyone,
Well what is going on with us? Or at least some of us. I started out pretty good, then I shared my dd's bagel WITH cream cheese with her. Then went out for an impromtu lunch with my sister. Did pretty good at the restaurant w/ exception of indulging on a roll. But then, came home and attacked chocolate! Ugh, it's only 3:00pm, I can still make it right for the rest of the day, water, water, water.

Hello everyone- Today's WI I was down 1.4 pounds. I wish it could have been more but I am happy it was down. I am going to make this short because I am feeling not so well today. I'll post again tomorrow.

See ya,
Janette

Hello everybody,
My name is Julie and I am from Australia.
I am about to join ww on Tuesday.
I am on a low carb, meal replacement diet at the moment. I have friends who have wonderful sucess with ww. I figure ww, is more like a normal lifestyle, and I want to eat bread again!!!!:D
I have lost 6 kilo's so far, and I have another 5 to go. My problem was I gave up smoking, and I took up eating in a major way, to give it up!!!:o
I have been told to go with the flex(the points system, as it is so easy).
I think this forum is wonderful for ideas, support, and new friendships.:)
Cheers everybody!!!!:D :D :D

Hello ladies, let's hope we find our grove/motivation, and quickly.
I hope you feel better Janette. Way to go losing 1.4 pounds this week.
Welcome Julie, That is awesome losing 6 kilo's so far that is about 13.2 pounds congratulations.
It is awesome you quit smoking too. How is the weather in Australia? Which part of Australia are you from?
Well I ran on the treadmill for 5 km and wanted to eat chocolate but had canteloupe and popcorn instead. I also went out and bought low cal hot chocolate. I will have one later if the craving for chocolate doesn't subside.
I hope everyone has a great night and stays warm, it is so cold here.
Take care and eat wisely and if you chose not to eat wisely make sure it is worth it.....
Ann

today is my first day of the wendie plan. i figure i will try it since the scale seems to have stalled out with me just eating the same points everyday. My run today was AWESOME and I am glad for that. I ate a whole california pizza kitchen frozen pizza today since it is my 37 (!!!) point day. It was the bulk of my points and all the garlic and onions have given me horrible indigestion. Never again! I have learned my lesson for next week. So wish me luck on the wendie plan- I am starting to get really frustrated with the scale.

Thanks New Lifestyle.
I don't want to make you jealous, but is nice and warm here.
I live at Port Douglas, in North Queensland.

Hello everyone, I haven't popped in here in awhile but thought I needed to for my own sake. I went to my WI today and lost .2 (that's point-two) :rolleyes:. I have to keep reminding myself to celebrate every little loss because they will add up. I haven't been exactly OP either so I have to get a grip soon and re-start journaling my foods again or I will be back to square one or worse. I KNOW this plan works and I KNOW how to do it, I just have to DO it. Ok, I got that off my chest :lol:

It's great to see new names here and the wise words from the regulars.

Ann, good for you on staying away from the chocolate and having the fruit and popcorn instead. I had some bad PMS munchies and was getting into some peanuts and chocolate chips from the pantry a few days back. bad bad bad. I love your positive attitude about things. Hope it warms up for you soon.

Welcome Julie :wave:

djm, I am in the same boat as you. We can row out of this rut together. Let's journal! :lol:

Janette, hope you feel better soon and big congratulations on your loss! :high:

Erica, hang in there, carbs always do that to me if I eat them first thing in the morning.

Haylo, I would just brave the WI and face the music. Our leader today just talked about how when you skip a WI thinking "i'll be good this week and then I'll be down for next WI..." when next week comes, you're either still the same or more. This has happened to me many times! Just get back into the rhythm of things and the weight will come off again. Glad you enjoyed your trip to LA.

Hi to Ginny, Paige, Linda and everyone... I've got to get back to work. Have a great weekend.

Welcome Julie

Meleka: thanks for your motivational words, and congrats on your loss any loss is a step in the right direction.


Scalewatcher: congrats on your loss
Erica: I had an impromptu dinner and went a little to far, my justification was that if I had been bad all week I might as well just end it off that way. Of course now I feel guilty about it. So tomorrow is back on track and off to WI. I am sure then number on the scale will be motivation for me to get back on track.

Good morning Ladies – Hope everyone is doing OK today.

Ginny – I live in Ocoee. It is west of Orlando.

Paige - You will love the weather here if you move here. Orlando area would be a great place to work as a chef.

Erica – We went to Animal Kingdom to see the new Nimo Musical Stage Show it was great the girls loved it. We spent most of the time there in Dinoland. The girls are still really young. We took them to Magic Kingdom in the afternoon. That has more rides for them. Do you plan on going to only one park or multi parks?

Noelle & Ann – Thanks for your concern and I am feeling much better today.

Ann – you will do better today.

Julie – Welcome. Congratulations on the weight loss and on quitting smoking. It is warm here in Florida also.

djm – I hope you have a great day at the parade.

Haylo – it will be ok you when you get back you can get right back on track. Thanks for the congrats on the weight loss.

futurepixie – don’t get discouraged look at how well you have done so far. You can do it just hang in there. I would love to be a runner but I can’t because of my knee. So I just walk as much as I can squeeze in.

Linda – I have had so many ups and downs with my weight, I could be two people instead of one. If that doesn’t make any sense – try this- I have lost over 50 pound three times in my adult life. I lost on a low sugar diet, low fat diet, and low carb diet. But the problem was I could not live on such a limited variety of foods. That is why I like WW it is so well rounded. Hope to see a long post from you soon. I look forward to reading them.

Laura – Is everything OK? I haven’t seen a post from you since you said you were off to the Basketball Playoffs. I hope everything is all right.

Gotta go for now,
Janette
:cupgold:

Good morning everyone,
Well hopefully all of our east coasters aren't totally snowed in and/or bogged down with ice, Linda.... I'm thinking of you..... wondering if your power is out....

Well today, I am making a vat of garden veg. soup. I really, really want to have a good WI on Tuesday and I'm hoping that the discipline of the 0 point soup will help me to get there. Also, under the inspiration of Linda, I am going to journal today, I haven't done it in so long because of CORE, and I think that will also help with the discipline. I'm going out to dinner tonight, so I really want to be able to enjoy myself knowing where I stand with things before going out.

haylo-glad to hear you had a good time, you've def. got the right attitude to just get right back into it. Step on the scale, face it, and then just dive back into your program, you'll do it!

melik-you're so right about skipping the WI. One night I wanted to skip b/c I just knew I was going to be up, but my DH was like, "you have to go, it's what it's all about", and he's never even done WW before! But those words were all I needed to hear. When I see those numbers go up on the scale, it pretty much catipults me into having a really good week.

julie-welcome! this is an awesome place for motivation, I don't know if I'd be as successful without it. I get so much daily info. and inspiration from it.

futurepixie-the wendy plan sounds interesting, i have read up on it a little bit. My DH swears that he loses weight when he follows those concepts, although he has no idea that there is an actual "wendy plan". Are you finding that you're doing well with it? I'd be interested to know more about it.

Ann- oh the discipline you have to not go for that chocolate! My DH went grocery shopping with me the other day and some how ghiradelli milk choc. chips ended up in the cart, yikes! I think I need to pitch them today....

djmommy- i've been on a long streak now as far as obsessing over the scale on a daily basis, i think putting it away for a couple days might be in order...thanks for the reminder about that.

Ginny-yum angel food cake and strawberries, what a great choice! Isn't it amazing when things like that can taste so good! Makes me think of June/strawberry season, just around the corner!

Well, I guess I better get my soup started.... hide the scales.....get my journal out.....get my water bottle filled up...... oh man.....we'll see how the day goes......

Happy SNOWY Saturday all! I think we've measured in around 2 ft of snow. UGH! Anyone want some?!

Ann-I like what you said...if you choose not to eat wisely, make sure it is worth it. I think the majority of the time if we just stop and ask ourselves that question, we KNOW what the answer will be. A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips, right?!

Janette-WTG on the loss! It might not seem like a lot, but think of it in terms of "things"...5 sticks of butter! Someone (Ann or Barb? I can't remember now...) said that once, and I think comparing weight in terms of sticks of butter is good. .4 of an ounce doesn't seem like much, but it is one whole stick of butter. I would love to have a stick of butter come off of my thighs or butt! LOL!

Noelle- Refer to the above! .2 doesn't seem like much at all, but that is a half stick of butter. Again, I would LOVE to have a half stick of butter come off my tush! WTG!

Julie-First of all, I'm sticking my tongue out to you on the "nice and warm" comment! LOL! I've been dreaming of the beach for quite awhile! It was 70 degrees three days ago, now it is 21 degrees and 2 ft of snow. That is NY for you. Just a little bit of advice...transition from low carb to WW carefully. Not to scare you away, but it might take a week or so for you body weight to get readjusted to eating carbs. If I were you, (IMHO) I would start counting points, and add the carbs back in slowly. If not, you might end up seeing a weight gain (in the beginning) because your body isn't used to the carbs. It has been my experience, anyway. WW is a better lifestyle program, though. Like you said, you want to eat bread again! It isn't practical to go through your whole life just eliminating entire foods. WW teaches you to eat in moderation, and that I really feel, is the key.

futurepixie-I have one word for you...SALT! How many mg of salt was in that pizza? I remember one time a few WW tries back I was really stalling...I was really being the model weight watcher...exercising, counting my points, etc etc...and NOTHING! I brought my journals in, and my WW leader told me to start looking at my salt intake. I started sticking to the RDA (I believe it is 2300mg now) and I lost 6lbs that week, and the scale started moving again after that. Frozen meals have SO MUCH salt...the Smart Ones are no better, either. I used to buy them, but not anymore because of that. Also, are you drinking enough water?

Check with you all later!

Janette-Right now I would give anything for that weather! You know what I worry about, though, moving down there? It isn't things like actual moving or hurricanes...nope...I worry about baking at sea level. LOL! I was down there in June and made chocolate chip cookies with my sister's kids. It is a recipe that I have made millions of times and they always come out perfect. This time they came out flat as a pancake! I was like, OMG, what did I do wrong?! My sister just laughed.

Paige, I am glad you posted and thanks for what I said about the meds, herbal stuff, etc. After I had posted it, I doubted myself and felt I overstepped and shouldn't have.
We have lots of new snow here as well, my husband is out shoveling and after I finish this post, I think I'm going to toss on clothes/coat/hat and get out there to do my share. He kindly told me to stay indoors, but I need exercise and I should get out there.
It's so cool that two of you could actually meet each other! If you have to bring your daughter with you, Paige, why not find a Mac Donalds or Burger King (no, you don't have to eat their stuff or any of their bad stuff while you are there!!!!) and let DD use their playground, if there is one near you with that kind of place. I think that is such a nice thing they provide. Or, when the weather is a bit nicer, you could meet at a park or playground where she could play and you could have a chance for a nice chat.
By the way, speaking of meeting at a Mac Donalds or that kind of place, I think our fast food industry has really gotten a bad rep and I truly CAN find food at these places that is healthier and lower in points if I want to, but I have a hard time passing up the fries. When I was gaining weight, going through the drive up and getting an order of fries as a snack was not unheard of for me. Ah, to be able to do that again with no worries.... those days are over. But, one day, when I am at goal maybe I can do that once or twice a year without guilt? Not sure if that would trigger some bad behavior. I am so hoping that I truly find a balance and a way I really CAN eat for the rest of my life. I know, even if it takes me three years to do it that I will get to goal, but I am doing it my way and as healthy as I can.
Ginny, I know what you mean. We could be billionaires if we figure it all out. Part of me wants someone to come up with one of those horrid electronic ankle devises like parole people wear that will zap me if I come near any foods with a high fat content! Such a silly thought, but there are times when I wish for that. If I got a huge electronic shock each time something like that went in my mouth, would it all be so very "fun" and "decadent" any longer? None of us would truly choose that, would be now?
Haylo, glad you are able to check in with us during your travels, sounds like fun!
DJM, my that was a big breakfast you had.... but with all your cardio stuff, perhaps it does equal?
I'm noting that many of everyone's trackers/signature weight things are not shopping up today, wonder why? Perhaps something is wrong, hope my message shows up after all this typing!
Ann, sounds like you "caught" this bug from me and a few others. I so wonder why it is we all kind of binge out every now and then. I don't understand this behavior in myself either. I got right back on track yesterday, thankfully. I was going nuts craving food, though, in the afternoon, but I didn't go really wild. I still have journalled and that is helping me. We also don't have big plans to eat out this weekend, so that will save me a bit.
Erica, you are doing so well, but the chocolate is killing all of us!
Janette, hope you are feeling better and being down 1.4 pounds is very good and I would be thrilled if that had been my loss. Keep up the great work!
Welcome Julie! We are glad to have you and maybe weight loss goes better and faster down under??? Wouldn't that be nice, but I fear we are all in the "same boat" when it comes to that. I hope we can help you out.
Futurepixie, good luck and we hope you do well. I'm awfully curious about the Wendie plan, so do share with us what you are eating and how you are tracking, etc. I tried that for about a week and kind of lost count and control, it was confusing I guess for me to track?
Noelle, I have heard it stated in a similar way at my meetings too. When you think you are up and the thought is to skip meetings as you know you'll have a gain and kind of don't want to face someone else weighing you, etc. It is time to get back in there and just face the music. Honestly, when my dad and mom passed away and I was so down in the dumps, and eating, I stopped going to my meetings as I was gaining like mad. I think I went for about 4 weeks and my tracker showed gains each week and I just shrugged my shoulders and said to myself, this is not the time for WW in my life. I went out there and tried to "wing it" on my own. I bought a few books, like South Beach and that one with the Mediterranean Diet (can't remember the name) and tried to do my own thing. I think I was embarrassed to weigh in. But, those programs didn't work for me and I need meetings and to face another person at the scale each week. It makes me accountable. So, I have been back and it's slow going for me, but I am doing the right thing I think.
Sorry I didn't post again yesterday, I was kind of busy and preoccupied. I did what I refer to as quilting therapy yesterday afternoon and kind of immersed myself in it. We haven't yet lost power, but it blinked a few moments ago. I hope this post makes it in!!!!

Oh yes, Happy St. Patrick's Day to all who celebrate!

Good Morning everyone.
We got a bit of snow, but not as much as you Paige, that is wild. I think it would be nice to live in Florida, Hawaii or Australia, well actually any place that is warmer than here.
Paige, that is funny with the baking at sealevel, I found that a problem when I lived in Alberta, in the higher altitudes.
Erica, the soup would be a good idea. Last week I tried the Wendie plan and I am still trying it this week. I was trying to get off that plateau I have been on. I am also trying to watch sodium. I did end up having hot chocolate and I had strawberries and some cool whip, it was so yummy and the fresh strawberries were so yummy.

Janette I am glad you are feeling better, I think we are going to Florida in the fall but since my ds is young we thought we would spend one or two days at DW and the rest at a beach. My DS loves water. Are there any really fun/not overwhelming places for kids under 5? It is just overwhelming when you look at all the info on Florida, where to begin.

Ginny – I hope you are not snowed in and if you are enjoy and relax.

Noelle, it is nice to see you here. You have great words of encouragement.

Julie – I hear it is beautiful in Port Douglas. I have also heard they have some of the best scuba diving / snorkelling in the world. Enjoy your beautiful weather.

Barb- Have a wonderful time at the parade. Did you end up with any snow?

Haylo – it sounds like you had fun on your trip. Is Louisianna very far from where you live? I went to New Orleans years ago and couldn't believe all the people and excitement there.

futurepixie – I am trying out the Wendie plan last week I was on it for most of the week and I lost 2.4 pounds. I had been on a plateau and Linda gave me some suggestions to help. I am trying it again this week so I hope I do have a loss again. I also run and don't tell anyone but I think I enjoy it.

Linda – I hope that you don't lose power and that you stay warm. I look forward to your words of wisdom. You are like my guiding light on this journey. Thank you.

Laura – I hope that the basketball went well. I found a restaurant that had an awesome salad bar while we were on holiday. It is Ruby Tuesday. I had never eaten there before. My DS wanted to go there so I was thinking, anything grilled would be okay, when I saw the salad bar and how it contained mostly vegetables I was very pleased. The only problem was you had to be able to sit down. I wonder if they have them to go. I was just thinking of this because you are on the road a lot with your kids. I guess you could pack sliced vegetables to eat in the car. I am babbling now....sorry.

Well today feels like a better day for me. I never liked chocolate and then I tried that dark hershey chocolate and wow. I told my DH we are not allowed to have dark chocolate in this house. He doesn't believe me.
On the Wendie plan I can't believe you can eat that much and lose it doesn't make sense to me.
Have a great day everyone, I am off to make that soup.
Take Care
Ann

I think I was writing while you were posting Linda. On the Wendy/Wendie plan I am tracking like this. I am allowed 23 points on flex. On Day 1(Thurs for me) -23, Day 2- 28, Day 3- 24, Day 4-38, Day 5 - 23, Day 6 -27, Day 7-25. It is hard to get all the points in but I have made sure I do eat them all.
I just wanted to do it to get off the plateau I was on. I will do it this week and then go to flex or core. Is the Wendy plan meant to be a long term plan, or is it meant to help through plateaus?
Also at the meeting I went to the leader said a McDonald's hamburger happy meal is only 9 points, with a diet soda. I have not figured this out. I like the Asian salad with grilled chicken and it is 6 points.

Ann-That might be about right for the happy meal. I'm not sure if they have a smaller portion for the kids fries or not...if they do, it is probably right. For a hamburger, it is 6 points, and for a small portion of fries it is 5.5.

I agree with Linda about the fast food industry getting a bad rep. If you look at the pts values for their menu, there really are a lot of items that are very do-able, as long as they are eaten in moderation. I do think, however, that this whole "trans fat" thing is going to have an opposite effect. At the food show that I went to last week, EVERYONE it seemed was offering "trans fat free food." Heinz was there and had trans fat free fries to go with samples of their ketchup. One of their reps said to me when I turned down their sample, "Awww, come on...you can have them...they are trans fat free!" That still doesn't make them good for me! I am wondering if people are going to use that as an excuse to eat more or eat it more often?

Ann, when my kids were in kindergarten and 2nd grade, we took a marathon (expensive as well!) trip to DW in FL. One thing that I learned really fast is that my kids had a time of day where they "burned out" and fell apart. By 3:30 or 4:00, each day, we retired to the hotel pool and had dinner and just went for a walk and went to bed early so we could be at the parks when they opened in the morning. We had passes where we could have returned to the parks in the evening, but we were all kind of "fried" (it was hot but by saying fried I really mean just plain overwhelmed and tired) and just didn't do that. My kids enjoyed it but were too young for night life there. We stayed in a nearby town, Kisame (sp?) and got a very good deal on a hotel there that included a buffet breakfast. I got to try grits and hush puppies for the first time. I was not worrying about WW or losing weight as we did so much walking and it was a once in a lifetime vacation. So, my advice to you is to pace yourself with a child and not expect them to have the stamina and energy to go non-stop all day, each day. One day, we just laid low and swam in the pool and ate pizza and acted like we just lived down there vs. doing the vacation thing. I enjoyed that day just as much as I did at DW as it was warm weather and we were relaxing as a family.
I like Ruby Tuesdays as well, by the way, their salad bar is a life saver! By the way, I also enjoy these new kits they are selling in the stores to make up specialty salads with the bagged lettuce they sell. But, two things are wrong with this.... I found the points to be rather high in a way for a turkey, cheddar and cranberry salad with raspberry walnut low fat dressing. I chose not to use their dressing and did olive oil and vinegar on my own. I wish there were small individual packets of olive oil and vinegar that you could buy as a take-along. I'd have some in my purse (in a zip lock bag, I'm not that crazy!) as some places we eat don't have O+V, I find, or low fat dressings. I also find the bagged lettuce goes bad sooner and they are not cheap, but I am more apt to eat a salad when I don't have all the work associated with it.
Newlifestyle: I think a happy meal is something like 11 points, I'd re-check that number. Though, I am using a cheeseburger and not a hamburger perhaps? If I go to MacDonald's, I order a hamburger with pickles and ketchup and get a small fry and a diet coke. That is 11 points, but maybe there are different sizes in the happy meals? Also, if you have a Wendy's near you, I just love their Asian salads with chicken, I've not had one anywhere else. I love that you can order a baked potato there as well.
Paige, I smiled when I read what you said about trans fat free, you are right! The potato chips are saying that on the bags as well nowadays.
By the way, isn't it an interesting phenomenon that you can buy potato chips that say under ingredients something like: potatoes, canola oil and salt. So, isn't that ALL a CORE food? Ha Ha! I think to myself, you could really stretch the rules and actually have certain brands of chips, right? But, the portion size must be watched very carefully and I don't think I could just stop at "12 chips" or whatever the size is.
By the way, I do have a nice tip for those of you who miss fries and chips, though. If you bake potatoes and have them for dinner in the evening, put in a few extra to bake during the time the oven is already on anyway.
I dice up a leftover baked potato and measure out 2 teaspoons of olive oil into my non-stick frying pan and sauté it until it's crispy and brown on med. heat. I put in salt, pepper and a bit of onion powder and it's my own version of hash browns or fries. They are tasty and you can add ketchup. It's all CORE but if you are on flex a baked potato is only 3 points and it's a way to get in those healthy oils and truly savor every bite!
Well, I am making myself hungry here so I should probably start cleaning up my kitchen and planning what lunch will be so I am not tempted to snack. I find that I eat earlier on days where I am especially hungry.
Also, I suggested the Wendie plan as a way to break a plateau as I have heard that it seems to work like that. Some people are finding that it's ok for them to stay on. I have a hard time with the points variations as I like to save almost all my flex points for the weekends when I am going out with people to eat, etc. If I planned my especially high point day for Saturday, though, it might work for me. I gave up easily with it as I was having a hard enough time tracking what I was eating, let alone confusing myself with more points changes and variations. Hope that makes sense.
BUT, after reading through the introduction about it and thinking about it, I do think it's really an intelligent philosophy.

By the way, I looked at my signature stuff in my private profile and saw something new "we reserve the right to edit extra long ones" or something like that. Guess mine was too long as it was not showing up any longer.
So, I made my own without all the graphics. After the 2 week challenge, I think I can probably go back to something else.

Well I went to WI and just as expected all my hard work over the past couple of weeks was shot with just one week of being off plan. I am up 3.6 almost four pounds so that puts me right back where I started. So today I am back on track I started the day off with my favorite excercise class and am going to be counting everything that goes into my mouth.


Newlifestyle: No Lousiana is not far from where I live, I live in Texas San Antonio so once we get through Houston Lousiana is right there. I love New Orleans we didn't get that far this time, but I did get to vist a plantation it was interesting.

derry: I have done the something to make fries, I have cut up some potatoes put them in the oven and put some olive oil ove them. I actually had sweet potato fries in Lousiana, I am sure they fried theirs but I know some people bake them in the oven. I might give that a try.

I hope everyone has a good day. Oh yeah! Happy St. patricks day.

Sorry Gang - but we got a new computer here at home and I'm having a heck of a time with the Vista portion of it blocking stuff. I promise when I get it figured out, I'll post more. I haven't dropped out, just frustrated at the computer stuff

paige- it is so funny that you mention salt. up until yesterday, I have been soooo careful lately about my salt intake. i love salt. yum.

hmmmm, i have been feeling guilty about this for a while and i am gonna confess it: I stay on my points, i exercise, i drink a TON of water/herbal teas, and eat tons of fruits and veggies. BUT- I live on frozen dinners like lean cuisine, smart ones, etc. I am single, 25, no roommate, and i don't like leftovers very much. those things are full to the brim with salt and i wonder if maybe just maybe part of my lack of progress has been the salt that i am taking in. hmmmm, maybe i will start a no frozen dinner for a week challenge for myself and see what happens.....

By the way, I just gotta say that this is a wonderful group. the support and knowledge here is wonderful.

Hope everyone has a great and on plan week!

Hello everyone - I am a newbie to the boards but not to WW. I was a member several years ago and managed to lose 11 lbs. over the course of a year. A very slow and minimal loss but I did go down two dress sizes which I was pleased with. When my membership expired I didn't renew for several reasons, primarily monetary and the confidence I could continue my weight loss journey. Needless to say, all the weight come back along with 5 extra lbs. to join the party. I used to be very physically active but complatency crept into my life and now my schedule is so sporatic it virtually doesn't exist. I would like to get reacquainted with healthy eating and exercise once again so I will feel better about myself. I don't have a goal weight in mind because I don't subscribe to the "one weight fits all" idea. If I were to follow the recommended BMI I would have to weight 140 lbs. and I would not look healthy that weight which my family physician agrees. I am curvy and I actually don't mind my "Big Fat Greek Hips" - it's my stomach rolls that I don't want anymore. My goal is to fit into a size 14 from my current 18-20. I know what I need to do to acheive this goal but can't seem to get motivated which is why I am here. I can stay motivated enough to follow the See Food diet though.............;)

alright mpaigew! I owe you a thank you! so, thank you!

I am challenging myself this week- no frozen dinners, and lower salt intake than before! mainly i think that frozen dinners are the last real barrier to my clean eating. so, i scoured the foods section, and made a chicken chili for lunches this week- and did not add the salt that it called for. the deli meat that i bought for sandwiches is kinda salty but even with a serving of it i am still well under the sodium guidelines. it will be interesting between much cleaner eating and the wendie plan to see what happens when i weigh on friday......

pixie-Yeah, deli meats can pack in a lot of sodium...anything like that that needs to be preserved. It isn't near as bad as the frozen meals, though. I've seen the Smart Ones contain anywhere from 700-900mg! I used to be such a salt junkie that I would put more salt on top of that! If you are really missing the salt, though, try one of the substitutes (like No Salt.) They aren't too bad.

curvycake-Welcome to our little group! I agree with you...I think the weight guidelines are a bunch of BS. The low end for me is 135...I would look disgusting at that weight. Sometimes I think those guidelines do more harm than good...everyone has a different body type, so how can they shove them all into one category?!

Anyway...I guess I need to get ready for church. I'll chat more later!

Good Morning everyone,
Well I am definitely up on the scales this morning, but too be expected after my St. Patty's Day indulgence last night. I knew that I was going to partake in the festivities, I kind of planned for it by eating garden veg. soup all day. I think it was the green beer that I probably over indulged in, ah well. My Irish ancestors would've been proud.

futurepixie- I used to be a big fan of the frozen dinners as well, I was also eating a lot of the Flatout Flat bread (very low in points) filled with the Tyson grilled chicken strips, which were very low in points but had so much sodium in them. It was at that point that I started reading labels for sodium, I couldn't believe what an impact it had on my weigh-in's. I love salt, but now I'm the one that determines how much I have, not the prepared dinners.
I like your saying, "in search of collarbones", so true, so true.

Paige-I can't believe you guys got 2ft. of snow, that is crazy! I think for once, we were spared. When is your official WI? I love how you have broken things down into mini-goals, that is such a good idea. How is your back doing?

curvycakes-I agree with you as well in terms of not wanting to lose too much. When I started all of this, my DH pleaded with me to not lose my
"J-Lo" butt. It is the lifestyle changes that I am after as well. Sometimes now as I get closer to my goal weight, I find myself with this confidence and I am slipping back to my old bad habits (handfuls of choc. chips during stressful times). When I started this program, I just wasn't doing that. So sometimes I wonder, are my "lifestyle changes" for real this time? I really hope so, because I am just tired of having to lose weight all of the time. Anyway, you've come to the right place......

I'm thinking of posting a before and after pic of myself once I reach goal. There is this picture of myself that pops up on my screensaver from when we got our Christmas tree in early december (just after I started all this). It is a great family pic, but I hate how I look!! It's just terrible that I'm that selfish about pictures, because I think I look terrible in it, I'm just embarassed, ugh. Anyway though, it is the picture that I have in mind that I'd like to use for my "before" pic. I'll check in later..... as I always do on these wintery weekends.

Erica-Yeah...I decided to do the mini-goals because giving myself a deadline (ex...losing X amount of weight by such a date) just wasn't working. As I would get closer to the deadline date and it became clear that I wasn't going to make the weight, I kept giving myself permission to give in ("I'm not going to lose 5lbs in the next 3 days, so having this piece of cake isn't going to matter.") Sometimes I think that setting deadline goals are kind of unrealistic...we don't know how our body is going to work. We may totally follow the plan, but only lose 1lb when we wanted to lose 2lbs. Just because our mind wants it to come off by a certain time doesn't mean our body is thinking the same thing. For me too, I have a lot to lose...I can't look at the whole amount or else I would get too discouraged. I think if I can achieve mini goals then that would keep me feeling that "success" feeling so I can keep going.

My official WI is on Monday's. I figured then that would help me to be good over the weekend. I am also going to be weighing in on Tuesdays at dd's school for the weight loss club.

My back is doing much better! I was supposed to have the MRI on Saturday, but it was rescheduled for next Saturday because of the snow. I still have some soreness and stiffness at night and in the morning, but the dr said that that sounds like it could be more of an arthritic condition (am I 27 or 97?!)

It is a lazy day today. Tomorrow I have class...it is going to be TOUGH to get back into the routine. This is the first time in 4 weeks that I have had this class (weather, food show and this past week was spring break) so it is going to be so hard to get back into it. Plus it is a boring lecture class! UGH!

Hope everyone is having a super Sunday!

Hello everyone,


curvy: is that a picture of a boston terrier on your avatar. If so I have 3 of them 2 males and one female.

mpaige: I am glad your back is better, good luck with you classes tommrrow, I have to go back to work tomorrow after having a week off for spring break not looking forward to it. So I can relate to you.

Erica: sounds like you had a good time at your St. Patty's day celebration. I did a little celbrating myself, even though I am not Irish but any way,shape of form. It's still a reason to celebrate. If it makes you feel better I am up on the scales to, but I am going to really stick to my points this week and excercise.

futurepixie: I am right there with you on the frozen dinner's. Especailly for lunch at work they are so convinent but the sodium is :o I try not to eat them all the time.

rosegarden: good luck with your computer.

Just a quick post from me.... having way too much fun getting taxes done and not having much time on computer.
Will post later on.
Linda

Hi all,
I am supposed to be doing taxes too I just can on here to procrastinate. I hope everyone is having a great day. Welcome to all the new people and try to have an on plan day everyone.
I also have a picture I should post my before picture. It is my incentive picture.
I will be back once I finish my taxes.
Take Care
Ann

Well, today is a good day for me. Lazy and beautiful sunday- i got my run in, and it was one of those that was more effortless than not. Yay!

I decided that this week I am going to focus on water retention in connection to my lower salt intake goals for the week. that should be an interesting goal for me, since this week will be TOM.

good luck with tax preparation, returns to school and work, generally staying on plan everyone! Have a wonderful week.

Good morning everyone,
Well, it's so true what Paige said about setting not "weight loss deadlines". I sometimes do that now, and I really use to do it alot in previous weight loss efforts. I think why I've been so successful this time around is because even though I love seeing the number on the scales go down, I think I focused more on the lifestyle changes and the non scale victories that were happening with me. I did this more around the holiday's when there were back to back challenges that I needed to win. I focused on how good my workouts were and how much water I had drank in a day, or how creative I could be with fruits and vegetables. I think right now I'm getting a little impatient and I've resorted back to some of my old ways of stepping on the scales way too much and setting the deadlines. I think it's so true what Paige said about "we don't know how our bodies are going to work". This past week I thought for sure I would be down a couple of pounds, but at best, I've maintained. I attribute that to the games that I sometimes play with the scale. I think it'll be good for us to be away, and away from any scale (for me). I can really just focus on each day, following the program, and not need up to the minute, immediate feedback. Because stepping on the scales after a meal, or before a meal, before bed, in the morning, is by no means an accurate assessment of how my entire week has been going, the lifestyle changes I'm ingraining in my head or victorious challenges that have come my way. Somedays I put the scales away, only to pull them out at night and weigh myself before bed, to see "how my day went". It is INSANITY!! I've had my husband hide the scales only to beg him, "where did you hide them?" It's crazy! Why do those scales have so much power? Anyone else experience any of this?

Hey everyone- I had a great weekend. My DH and I went to the trail and walked and then we went to the Winter Park Art Festival. I walked almost 22,000 steps yesterday. I weighed this morning and I was down 2 pounds from Friday, Yeah!

curvycake- Welcome. I agree that is why my goal weight is 160. I have a large frame (big bones) so at 160 I look good. I weighed 140 a few years ago and my doctor said I looked too thin. He thinks 160 is a good number for me and I agree.

Paige, I am glad your back is better. Good luck with your classes.

Laura,I hope you get your computer working for you soon.

futurepixie, I am glad you had a good Sunday and good luck with your new plan. You can do it.

Linda & Ann- How's the taxes coming?

Erica, St. Patty's Day is over and you'll do better. I am not sure which
disgusting picture of me I would post. I hate them all.

haylo, sorry about the increase.

First, I am really behind on reading all of your posts. Forgive me for not going back to review them all. I need to start fresh with you all today and will just respond to only Erica's post as that is all that is readable on this "page". I send my regards to all of you, though!
Erica, I'm a scale-a-holic. I cannot say how many times a day I get on my scale(s). I'm such a jerk about it that I even own two scales. One of them is "kinder" to me, so that is the one I favor getting on and off off several times a day. If there is a day that I do not weigh myself, that is a very unusual day to be sure. You are not alone.
I hid it in the closet once a long time ago, before buying another scale. I'm such an obsessive person about it that after taking the other one out of hiding, I purchased a newer one in hopes of obtaining more accuracy. When the scale was hidden, I obsessed about it and often would go to the closet and take it out and wieigh myself, with guilt.
I truly felt that the WW ones were always weighing me heavier and I decided that my old one was not accurate. The new one is more in line with the WW scales, I guess, but I now tend to not get on that, preferring a much more pleasing outcome.
Last week, I was baffled. I truly felt (from what both my scales told me) that I was going to weigh in at WW with at least a pound loss. That is, even with taking into consideration that, on average, the WW scales weigh me about 2 - 3 pounds heavier than my own scale does.
I was dumbfounded when my weight stayed the same. My expectations were to get one of those "bravo" stickers for my tracker and to feel the positive feedback of the applause people get at a meeting. Instead, nothing. Oh well.
Maybe tomorrow's weigh in will be better?
Aside from my bad behavior last week on one day, I was pretty good the rest of the week, though not perfect at all. I can't say if I will see any success.
One thing I am angry with myself about today is that if I am going to do this thing, I can't just drift along and do it "half-assed" (pardon me). I have to do it well and I do not feel as if I have been doing it well the last few weeks. The are peaks and valleys in our weight loss journey, though, and I think I am definitely in a valley. I did journal for three days in a row this past week, which is better than I have done in the last month or more, but I have to do better than that. By not doing my journal, I don't have a clue if I used all of my flex points or more than I should have. Things fell apart.
So, as for me on this Monday, again I vow to do it better. Each week, around weigh in day, I vow to do a better job and then for some reason, I can't stick it out for the entire week.
I wonder if I should try to get to a second WW meeting on Fridays, right before the weekends? I wouldn't have to pay a second time in one week, I know. Technically, as a lifetime member, I only have to weigh in once a month and pay only that day, but I need the weekly weigh in. But, I'm a pretty busy person and going to yet another meeting in a week takes time that I would prefer to use on other things.

Yup Erica, I am the same way too. I obsess over the scale. I have made myself so depressed over it. There is nothing more disappointing than thinking that you have been so perfect, and seeing no results on the scale.

That is why I bought a cheapo tape measure, and I started to measure myself. I dunno why the scale hasn't changed much, but the tape measure sure has! Not one pound different on the scale, but almost a half inch gone on my thighs! Two on my hips! And about an 1/8" off my bicep since about a week and a half ago! But not one pound different!

I decided that I am only weighing myself once a week, period. The stress that I was causing myself with weighing in too much was taking all the fun out of this. It is supposed to be a way of life so that your life gets better, not worse!

Futurepixie, I am in awe of your self control if you can only weigh once a week! Let me know how you manage that. I already weighed myself this morning. Fully clothe, after breakfast and got 154.... my weight last week at the end of the day, about 4:30 pm after not eating or drinking from lunchtime on was 157 at WW. So, does this new number, fully clothe, etc. mean something good is in store for me tomorrow afternoon? Your guess is as good as mine, but I sure did smile when I saw that number today.
Even if the WW scale doesn't show it, my scale shows me less today and for that I am grateful.
By the way, the taxes are done. We owe a fair amount of money this year and I shall wait to mail the returns and checks until a few weeks from now - maybe as well keep the funds and collect interest on them for as long as possible.
If we were owed a refund, those returns would have been in the SOOOO fast!

Well, so far so good today. Had a great workout this morning. Been pretty much on program all day so far (with the exception of a few bites of my youngest dd's bagel/cream cheese). There is a coffee shop right next to the gym that I go to, and between the time my workout is done, and I have to pick up my other dd from nursery school, we go to this place for a coffee for me, and a bagel for her. It's a nice little ritual, but lately, I've had the nerve to have a few bites of her bagel, which is typically something I never do. I so enjoy those few bites though, it is like a real treat to me. I guess it's better than ordering a whole entire bagel for myself and have that feel so normal.

The 4:00 bewitching hour is usually when things start to get challenging for me during the day. So I think today I'll just leave the house when oldest dd gets home from school. Being away from the house at that hour sometimes helps with things.

Ok so we've got "confessions of the scale" going on here. Linda, I think you might have me beat in this department. :) It's really kind of funny actually. My sister has the same problems. She hides her scale in her closet in an effort to not get on it so much, then really early in the morning when she thinks everyone is still asleep she tip-toes over, turns the closet light on, and steps on, her DH was like, "Um, what are you doing?" It was so funny when she was telling me this story, b/c for so long I thought I was the only one with this problem!

Linda- I don't think your ticker was a problem, b/c mine was doing the same thing the other day. It must've some glitch that was happening on this site. Bring your ticker back! You know what one of the highlights of my week is? Changing that ticker downward!! I love to do that!

Hi,
I'm a non-scale person. I used to have the scale and be on it everytime I peed, first thing in the morning, last thing at night. And the frustration at not seeing it move made me eat.

I started the thread "Keeping it a Secret", well my secret also includes my weight. The actual numbers will defeat me. I of course know where I am simply because of the number of points I can eat (29), it's easy to figure out. So when I go to WW, I just ask for the pounds lost. I try to look as the pounds lost as pounds of butter. Thats a good visual for me.

Oh and futurepixie keeps me honest by reminding me of previous posts and what I've said when I get frustrated.....lolol........

We just need to keep reminding ourselves and we need to keep sharing and posting.

As a side note and since my mind just wandered.....do you think that Oprah is on here in disguise with some different user name? Just a thought....you know we could be in some very famous company here.......wouldn't that just be a hoot?

I have to go, my dog just jumped into the bathtub......lolol...yes I know very weird.

Enjoy the day.

Hi all......sooooooo I weighed in when I got home from class today...holy schmoly I was down 5lbs! OMG! I completed my first mini-goal and reset my ticker for my second. WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

That is all that is exciting in my world today. My class today was particularly boring...I can tell my instructor is really bored by the subject matter. He has a such a monotone lecture voice, and every other word is uhhhhh or ummmmm. LOL...it is terrible!

Chat more later...

Wow 5 lbs way to go...... Have no idea how the heck I am doing cuz I STILL have not recorded..ARGHHHHH. I guess I should follow you paige and have a successful journaling week. Ok I will start today....

Sorry I have been gone again. Actually just since Friday.. My gooness this thread was busy... I skimmed over some of them but again to much to answer...

I too obsees about the scale..... I am not going to wi until next week. I am leaving to visit my hometown so no scale so hopefully this may be the beginnig of not wi everyday...

I need to get back to meetings. Kids are home on vacation so no meeting again this week.I need to go to stay accountable.....It has been 2 weeks since I had a true wi and I know I gained...I think I did. It will be TOm any day so the cravings are hitting hard.....

I hope you all have a great day...WELCOME all who are new ..

5 lbs.....Way to go......Wow that is fantastic. Congratulations.... Keep up the good work........wahoooooooo!!

Have a great visit at home........glad there won't be a scale there for you. Maybe we should contact the scale makers.....included with the numbers should maybe be a voice saying "Weren't you here a few hours ago? Get Off"
or as you weigh less and less it congratulates you.....

inhtse-LOL to Oprah and to the scale voice! I could just picture my scale saying, "Come on, seriously...give me a break already!!!"

I didn't realize that you were the one that had started that post about not telling anyone you were on WW. I am the opposite...lol...I tell the world. Part of the reason I do it at school is because I guess I kind of feel that I will have "eyes" on me when I'm in baking or cooking labs. It helps me just to not eat things that I shouldn't. Plus, my fellow students know what I'm trying to accomplish, so they will help me out by offering to taste things for me. Last semester in one of my baking labs, I had a guy that was my official "quality control" person. It sounds a lot like I really care what people think about me...I don't know, maybe I do. I guess I let people know I'm on WW because I want them to know that I'm trying to make a difference in my health and my life.

I have noticed "sabatoge" though...just the other day at church, they were having corned beef and cabbage at our Family Night. I had asked the woman who made the cabbage if it had been boiled with anything else or just plain...she said it had been boiled with the beef. She then said, "But how bad could that be?" Corned beef is fairly fatty, so if the cabbage is boiled in it, I would think it would absorb some of that fat, right? I just chose not to eat any of it, and nibbled on some carrots instead. She then said, "Well if you are trying to watch what you eat, you shouldn't be eating carrots either since they are a sugar vegetable." LOL...if I wasn't in church and wasn't such a polite person (!!!) I would of told her she was a dumba**! LOL!

Some people, even though they are trying to be "helpful" are such morons!

Hi everyone!
Futurepixie, the tape measure is probably a good idea. I have one and I should probably use it and mark things down. I know I have lost inches and it would be nice to know how much in the future I lose.
Erica, I guess I should try to bring my ticker back. I'll try that later.
INHTSE, interesting way you figure things, but if it works for you, than you are doing great! Hmm... Oprah here? I doubt she has time but if she was here, she would probably appreciate that she is "just one of the regulars" and appreciate her anonymity. It must be hard to be recognized everywhere you go. I think the internet affords famous people some degree of privacy, which I respect greatly. We could have just about anyone here, including my very own WW leader - who knows?
Paige, great job! You've been very down on yourself for awhile and I am so pleased that you, finally, have had a great loss! You can do this!
DJM, I hope you can get to a meeting soon. I know having kids makes it really hard to "break away".
My scale would say, "Stop obsessing"! But, I don't listen very well!
Well, dinner is on and I smell it starting to cook. We are having baked potatoes, an eye round roast and mixed veggies. I'm looking forward to it and the smell is yummy!
I usually have chicken the night before weigh in, I'm not sure why - maybe I figure it will increase the odds of a loss or something? But, maybe if I have something else things will change?

Hello Ladies,

I hope everyone has a great night.
I too love my scale. I weigh myself every time I go upstairs. I have a scale in the basement and upstairs.
Speaking of cabbage and corned beef, one time at a church supper I had asked if the cabbage was boiled in anything other than water. Everyone assured me it hadn't. I took one bite and realized it had bacon grease on it. One of the ladies said, that I hadn't asked what it was cooked in, just what it had been boiled in. Funny how they thought that it would be okay.
Taxes are almost done, had a few friends who asked me to do their taxes, well theirs are done, and mine are not. Oh well.
okay my challenge to myself is to stay off of my scale until my official weigh in.
Paige way to go on your loss. You rock.
Supper sounds good, how was it Linda?
Have a wonderful night and a great day tomorrow. I will post later tonight if I get a chance.
Take Care
Ann

OMG, you girls make me want to go get my scale out! I won't I won't I won't! No!!!!!!!!! It isn't really all that much self control- it is more dread at this point. I just get so sick of being so pleased with the way that i eat, the way that I feel, the way that i measure, and having all that torn to shreds by the stupid scale. i am wondering if i can wait till next friday to weigh myself- this week is TOM, but since i paid so much attention to salt and started the wendie plan, i am dying to find out if it is working.

I do need to watch out though- now that I have noticed changes, I am starting to measure myself everyday. I just love what I am seeing that much though!

paige, that is an AWESOME loss! what a wonderful kick in the pants to get!

I just get so sick of being so pleased with the way that i eat, the way that I feel, the way that i measure, and having all that torn to shreds by the stupid scale.

Well said, I think that is what happens to me. I feel I have done so well with my eating and then the scale doesn't reflect how I feel I am doing, even though my clothes are getting lose on me and I can almost fit into a size smaller. I should just give my scales away.

Good morning everyone, I hope that today is a great day for you all. Remember spring arrives tonight. Let us hope the weather co operates.
Have a wonderful day everyone.

Well, apparently I made a little "OPPS!" last night! I had 19 pts left at dinnertime, so I decided to have a little dinner date with dd after my chiropractor appt and we went to Johnny Rockets. I figured, how bad could a patty melt be? DUH! DWLZ is down, so I can't exactly figure out the points, especially considering that the nutrition info from Johnny Rocket's website goes off of the points finder! OMG! It had 786 calories, 48 grams of fat and only 3 little grams of fiber! And I had a few fries on top of that (maybe they were trans fat free?! LOL!) I'm sure I didn't go THAT far over the 19 points that I had left, but I guess I could of just made a better choice.

Looking at the rest of the nutrition info for their menu, I must say, I was completely and utterly SHOCKED! DH sometimes likes to get a vanilla milkshake when we go there; it has 1120 calories and 60 grams of fat! Their whole menu reads like that. Even the grilled chicken sandwiches seem to be high in calories and fat. The only thing (other than diet soda!) that seemed do-able was one of their plain burgers; I figured out the points value and it is about 8.5. It's funny...we were talking about fast food places getting a bad rep...here is a place that serves no "biggie size," just regular servings, and has absolutely no healthier options on their menu. It is too bad, too because it is a fun restaurant to go to. In order to go there, I have to put my health in jeopardy?

Sorry...little bit of a tangent...

I hate my scale, but it's a love/hate relationship. Yesterday I had said how my scale was weighing me lighter and today it's 2 pounds heavier than yesterday. This is a very good argument as to why one shouldn't weigh oneself each and every day, several times a day, right? However, will that stop me? I doubt it, I am an addict. I admit it. I feel like this in an AA meeting or something.....
OK. Hi, my name is Linda. I am a scalaholic.
It all started when I began to make a serious effort to lose weight. Each time I pee, each time I eat, each time I change clothes, I weigh myself. Sometimes, I just wander in to the bathroom and get on the scale just to reassure myself. What is wrong with me?
Well, maybe I will stop obsessing when my weight gets more in control and I feel even better about myself? You never know?
Ann, people seem to use bacon grease in cooking a great deal, that doesn't surprise me to hear about the cabbage. One time (this is so embarrassing!) I went to a Cracker Barrel restaurant with a friend who is a vegetarian. She ordered something like a combo platter of side dishes, it was supposed to come with biscuits and cornbread. She took one bite of the green beans and almost fainted. They were swimming in bacon fat, she violated her personal choice and was so unhappy about this. She called the waitress back and asked about how everything was prepared and ended up with a plain salad and biscuits. I think any big chain, like CB, has a responsibility to say on the menu how things are prepared. My friend is a true animal lover, she will eat nothing that has come from harming an animal and firmly believes in her personal choice. I don't eat like that, but I totally respect her and was so upset that day.
So, after going through what I went through with her, I can see how bacon fat seems to sneak into lots of things. I remember a few years back when MacDonald's was called "on the carpet" for frying their fries using beef tallow (fat) and I know several vegetarians who have eaten those fries and probably thought of them as safe. I know they have changed the process now so they conform, but we as consumers were never told about this practice, it took some kind of exposé (sp?) to bring it forth.
Futurepixie, I think I might starting calling you FP if you don't mind as it's lots to type, is that OK??? If it stands for something offensive, though, please tell me. I could just shorten it to Pixie, though? I had to laugh at you measuring yourself every day, I guess that equates to us weighing ourselves every day - each to their own?
I should try to stop getting on the scale, though. As my weight fluctuates so much day in and day out and also by hour, it is a huge disappointment if/when I got to my meeting and it's fluctuated up at that particular time. I wonder what it is that makes my weigh change so very much from one day to the next? I certainly "get it" that eating and drinking and "voiding" (nice way to put it, I guess) can affect me, but one would think that those things would be constant so that I don't gain as much as 2 pounds over a day's time? Then, it all comes down to fluid and is it sodium that makes a difference?
Newlife, yes Spring is here as of 8:00 pm tonight. You'd never know it with the snow we have right now, but it's at least somewhat invigorating to think that our days are longer and soon green grass and daffodils will be here.
Well, today is meeting and weigh in day for me. I shall try to get laundry done this morning so my "official weigh in outfit" is clean and I can know if I truly had a loss. I would very much like to add something to my 2 week challenge numbers this evening, however, I am not hopeful.
If one were to think of this 2 week challenge and only me, I was hoping it would inspire me to be better and stay on track, on program, during this period. I haven't been as on track/program as I should have been so there is no way for me to measure if I have done any better than someone else who is on CORE or Flex. Sad to say that I feel I have already failed, but that won't stop me from using this 2 week period as some kind of measuring stick to teach me something. More water, more tracking, better control needs to be my mantra!

Paige, hi - we posted at the same time and I hadn't read yours before writing my own. We were both "on the same page" about dining establishments, though. We consumers need to write places we like to eat at and tell them our wishes, if we ask for healthier foods and intelligent portions, maybe we will get it?
MacDonalds, Wendys and BK have taken this challenge, not all their stuff is "good", but as we were discussing earlier this week, they have made changes and are trying at least to fulfill a need. Look at what Applebees has done. I wish the rest of my family liked Applebees as their WW menu items are good and predictable, at least. Macaroni Grille has a section on their menu with dietary outlined items, their "skinny chicken" is quite good.
I'm sorry you were "taken in" Paige and lured into eating something that you thought was a bit of a healthier choice. You have learned, as we all have.
Linda

hi everyone, I was laughing at all the ways we insist on weiging ourselves...Would men do this No wy do we women insist on putting ourselves through this torture?????? I love the idea of a talking scale......Great idea...

I just booked a flight to vegas...Whoo,I am going with my mom who will be 80 this year and my 4 sisters..... I do not gamble but think just going to see everything and laughing with the girls will be a riot..... I got the tickets for cheap too. Dh really pushed me to go...... He says he will send the kids off to school and than go to work....He told me I would regret it if I did not go...What a great hubby.....I guess I will push him to something with his bros.....He deserves it as well.

Kids are home from school with vacation.... They are still in their pjs.....Just playing and hanging out....Laughing and ocassionaly arguing. Oh well as long as they are having fun......

I am going to journal today...... Try as hard as it may be to do it on vacation at our home town too.

Dining out????? That is where I fail all the time..... Sometimes I think it is better for me to just stay home to have control.... I always think I choose well and than I come home an am shocked that I did poorly.....There is always something that will get me ...Like those fried pickles..Yummy.... Last time I only had one though....


Good luck everyone on the wi..... I am roooting for yah.... .

i remember when i first started WW I sat down at the computer with my point counter and looked up all the fast food things i could think of. I was shocked by the salads! I mean, i guess i was telling myself that since so much of it was lettuce, that it would be better for me. But no! At chick fil a the salads are almost worse than the sandwiches!

Dining out is hard, but I feel that is part of life and I need to learn the best solutions at each place I go to.
I'm bummed out still. I have weigh in at my 4:30 meeting, which is less than two hours away. The typical scale-aholic has already pre-weighed at home and just feels like there will be a gain. Why has there been a two pound increase in my weight overnight. I was on program all day yesterday and the scale was lower, so what have I done between then and now to gain two pounds? I feel so deflated.
Well, I shall post later after weigh in, but don't expect a happy me.

hi everyone!

okey so this is my first posting here on 3 FC. and i'm so desperat.
i must have the worst diciplin ever... oh well, my situation right now is really making me gain weight. it sucks bigtime.. every night i get mad at myself because i couldn't resist those cookies yada yada, and then i promise myself that TOMORROW!! yeah!! that's when my success story's gonna start! aaaand i always fail.
so now i'm really att my lowest low, with my jeans itching and my doublechin just growing haha. oh geeze haha.

looking for someone who wants a beach2007-pal to lean on, and we could support and push each other via windows live messenger, emailing and stuff... just guide each other through pretty much every other day..!! maybe challenge each other hehe. does this sound interesting?! please keep on reading about my life as it is right now, are we maybe a perfect match!? hihi--

so yeah, i'm 20 years old and have been travelling around ever since a graduated school 2005. 6 months in austria, 3 months in the US and now 6 months in canada, working as a nanny right now. so much fun but i'm always making food, always snacking....you know how it is. the 3 months in the US made me gain so much weight, when i got back home i worked out soo much and i just love bodycombat, dance etc so that was fun. but now i don't have that here... so i'm back on square one.

im going back to my homecountry, in europe, in june and i just wanna look awesome in that bikini and fit into all my clothes that i have at home!
i just wanna get rid of those extra stupid pounds!!! i barely fit in to my clothes that i brought here 2.5 months ago...how sad is that?! haha.
i guess i weigh about 157 pounds and i'm 5.6 feet tall.
as long as my clothes get bigger i'm satisfied...haha.

i know a lot about nutrition as i wanted to be a nutritionist for a long time, i just need the diciplin and the support! and a good friend to talk to about all this stuff hehe.

as a person i'm fun-loving, caring and crazy girl with a big heart. who would love to look hot in a bikini YEAH! HAHAH.

alright, i guess that's it!
i hope someone feels like "we're a perfect match!!! let's do this!" don't hesitate!!! drop me a line and we'll be strutting around in those hot shorts in may!...haha

love,
milena

Good afternoon everyone,
Well Linda, I have my WI tonight too. How old are your scales at home? I have not eaten a lot today, b/c I just really want to be down tonight. I want that 25 pound magnent in the worst way. Sounds queer, I know, but I have been envisioning that thing for what seems like the longest time now! I've got some peel and eat shrimp for when i get home from my meeting to celebrate if I get that magnent.

Paige-5 pounds! That is amazing! Like Linda said, it sounds like you so deserved to have a good weigh in. Keep it up, you're on a roll!


djmommy- that's awesome about vegas, we just went there in January. My dh and i met my youngest sister and her dh, we had the best time!

Well, hopefully I'll be back later to report good news, I'm thinkin' about ya Linda!

Hello everyone,

Well work has been so hectic, I even missed my excercise class today, but I did notice on the schedule that they have the same on tomorrow at 4:00 so hopefully I can get out of work on time. I too am scale obssed, I weigh before I leave to work, after I get out, when I change outfits, after I go to the restroom and anytime I am bored. I guess maybe weighing myself when I am bored is better then eating because I am bored. Sometime's I even change outfits just to see if there is a difference. Hmm maybe it's some sort of game so scaleaholic I am. I guess when it all comes down to it the only number that matter is the one I get when I WI on sat.

Linda: I have a WI outfit two, funny how we do those things. I hope your meeting went well or goes well which everone.

djmommy: wow vegas how fun

paige: I hear you on the oops I didn't realize how much junk was in that thing, it's amazing isn't it how resturaunts can be so tricky.

Well I am going to count up my points and see what I can have for dinner. Talk to ya'll soon

Milene: Welcome. If you would like to join in here for support, just want to let you know that we are in the Weight Watcher's "general" section and we are not South Beach. South Beach has a different section on this web site for people who are all working on that.
We talk about lots of things here and we do discuss Weight Watchers, but some of our stuff is so generalized that things like drinking the right amount of water per day, taking vitamins, exercise, etc. are all common to us.

Now, bummer, my news is bad. I gained .4
I guess I can say that it is my fault. I did blow it on food last week, but I thought I had done well enough the rest of the week so not to have a gain.
I have to re-assess things. I've had a bad week and sometimes that just happens.
I really don't have much else to say this evening. I'm pretty down in the dumps, but I shall not give up.
I now feel as if I should have skipped lunch or something - but what is the point of that in order to not show a gain. I need to do better and as they say, "re-boot"?
I actually considered changing back to FLEX for a few weeks, but I don't think I can survive on that few points.

Hi Linda,
Here is a hug for you.
I am sorry you had a gain, but remember that you have had NSV this week. I am beginning to hate the scale. If Flex doesn't have enough points you can try the wendie plan to shake things up. 20 just seems like so few points. Maybe we should all measure instead of stepping on the scale. I know when I weigh myself and I am up, I get down on myself.
Try and have a good night. I wish we all lived closer so we could meet for coffee once in a while.
Please don't be down. I know that you are my inspiration and when I feel like giving up you talk me through it. I do appreciate you.
Take Care
Ann

Linda- I think that re-assessing as you say, might be a good thing. You might truthfully be on some sort of a plateau right now and your body is just not budging. That was happening to me about a month ago, and that is when I started CORE. I knew that I really had to do something different because my body had everything figured out. Maybe if you had a "strict FLEX week", for just one week? I never want to give up CORE, ever. I love it, it's working, but.... just like when I was on FLEX and never imagined switching over to CORE, I was always in the back of my mind knew that my body does a wonderful job of "one-upping" me and figures out what to do with the same foods, the same exercises all the time. I'm constantly having to "trick it". Well not constantly, but you know what I mean. So I maybe foresee in the future myself having to jump the CORE ship for a week or two just to get my weight loss going again, if it comes to that point. I hate hearing you down in the dumps, it doesn't even sound like the Linda I've come to know.:) I know you're not going to give up.....move on from this, whatever it is, you can do it!

As for me, I was down another 2 tonight. I'm very pleased, as we leave for Florida in the morning. I will talk to you all when we get back!

Oh, derrydaughter, I am sorry to hear about your gain! I just hate that feeling. Hopefully it was just water or something. I know that you will do better from here on out though!

Erica- Yeah you! Good job! that is a good solid loss. this is dorky I know, but i love adjusting my ticker. Isn't that silly?

Well, I didn't do so well with the no frozen dinners thing. I bought one today because I couldn't bear eating chicken chili for the fourth night in a row. I am freezing the rest and trying again another time. But, the dinner that I did buy was one of those Amy's organic ones, low in salt, and i didn't put extra salt on it or anything! I am learning.

I loved my run today. I upped the length or the intervals and it was great. I wore my favorite workout pants too, and that makes a difference. My legs looked good in them compared to the last time that I wore these pants. That is always nice. Oh! and I put my scale away because you guys were tempting me last night! and then i wandered into the bathroom to weigh and the scale wasn't there so I wandered away. To get the tape measure instead. teehee.

Congratulations Erica on your loss. You are only 9 pounds away from goal. I hope you have a great vacation. Enjoy the sun and fun.
Futurepixie you are going to find your collarbones in no time. I enjoy running too.
I only run 5k per day, but I am okay with that. Chicken chili sounds yummy.
Have a great night.
Take Care
Ann

Linda: don't let it get you down, believe me I went through that same emotion after I came back from my trip only to find out all my hard work was down the drain and that I had gainedn 4 pounds. I was very much reminded that I have hypothyroidism and it became obvious to me that I can't let myself get to off track or else I am up. You are such an inspiration and always have interesting things to say. I hate to hear that you are down in the dumps. You can do this.

Erica: congrats

futurepixie: I am glad you found a lower sodium frozen dinner. I probably would have gotten tired of eating the same thing for several nights in a row and probably would have caved in. How was that Amy's organic? At least you are learning that's what's important.

Ann, thanks for your kind words of reassurance, it truly helps when we all band together for one of us who has a few bad days.
Erica, you have a safe and wonderful trip! I look forward to hearing all about it when you return.
Pixie, I think you are right. Maybe this week I shall try really hard to stay away from that ______ scale. It's haunting me and not helping me at all in my efforts. I really must put my best efforts and concentration into getting this right!
Haylo, thanks to you as well.
By the way, I do wonder if I am on a plateau. Last week, I stayed the same and this week a .4 gain. It's certainly not coming off easily, is it?
Time to mix it up a bit. It's so hard to sail along in life with a plan to do this and then have "life" get in the way. Something I have to think about.
Pixie, I feel for you with the frozen dinners. I hardly ever eat those anymore as I feel they never seem to leave me feeling full afterwards. It's a pain to cook for only one person, I know.
One thing I might think about is buying meats, for example, and cutting them into individual serving sizes. For example, if you like to eat steak, why not buy one that would normally feed 3 or 4 people and cut it into 4 pieces and freeze each of them individually. Then, if you come home from work hungry, you can pop a piece on your grille or in a skillet and even bake a potato in about 5 minutes in the microwave. Frozen veggies that come in bags are good, as you can just microwave the size portion you want. I'd feel more full with a meal like that any day and not feel so "alone" as a frozen dinner makes me feel. Hope that makes sense.
If I made pasta, I could make a larger batch and then microwave some for lunch or another dinner later in the week. I love pasta with canned diced tomatoes over top - 1 cup of WW pasta is only 3 points and the diced tomatoes are zero points - not bad at all and filling. Salads can be made and used over two or three days before they get "wilty" as well.
I can think up a few more things when time permits.

Gooooood morning all!

Linda-I've been trying to think of something wise to tell you, but I can't come up with anything other than what has already been mentioned. I really get why you don't want to go back to flex...20 points is nothing! But maybe doing it for a week or two would give your body the change it seems to need. Maybe changing up your exercise would help, too?

Barb-Your Vegas trip sounds exciting! Dh made the comment the other day that he would like to go back. We aren't big gamblers (I'm quite partial to the nickel slots...LOL!) I think he and I just need a get-away vacation.

Pixie-Linda is right about the dinners (IMHO.) I have really gotten away from using them (besides the salt thing) because they just aren't filling enough for me. If you like the convience of having it virtually done when you get home, why not consider making up meals over the weekend and freezing them? You could dice up several pieces of chicken, cook it, then freeze it in serving size packs...then one night have it over salad (which BTW, if you put a paper towel in the container with the lettuce, it will last A LOT longer!!)...or chicken tacos...or heat it with salsa, a little taco seasoning, and some cheddar cheese and have it with brown rice. You could get some of the extra lean ground turkey or beef and do the same thing...brown it up or make some burgers and freeze in individual servings. It does take some extra prep work, but I would think it would be so much satisfying than the dinners, and YOU control what goes into them.

Ann-I agree...I wish we all lived closer, too! Ginny and I only live about an hour or so away from each other; eventually she and I will meet up!

Erica-Congrats on your loss! I hope you have a fabulous time in FL! Bring back some warm weather!

Chat later...

Ann, ONLY 5K per day? That is a good little run IMO. I don't really think that it matters how far you go. Long as you enjoy it and sweat a little, you are doing something good for yourself. I am still doing the Couch to 5K program, so that means that I am still working up to where you already are! Can't wait though- between my yoga and running programs, I feel like I have found the ultimate stress buster end to my day. There is nothing like laying on the couch after a run, some yoga, and a shower in that order. My favorite!

haylo, the Amy's meal was ok. Could have used a little salt, LOL! I really just grabbed it at the store because i was bored with chicken chili and it was getting late. Although as far as frozen dinners go, I feel like it was a good choice. I really really like the Amy's no cheese pizza! I think that here soon i will treat myself to one- but not the whole thing at once, lol.

derrydaughter, frozen dinners make me rejoice in the fact that once you throw the fork in the dishwasher and the wrapping in the trash, the kitchen is clean again, LOL! but other than that, i find them more mindless than lonely. I just don't liek that I pay no attention to what goes in my body when I eat them. And I am not a huge starch person, and that is what they are mainly full of- three bits of chicken and a few broccoli particles and the rest are noodles. yuck! I am gonna reinvest in those single serving casserole dishes, and start thinking of things to make and eat little servings of. i also have a dear friend who is sort of doing WW and the two of us talked about cooking dinner for the other one night a week so that we end up with good dinners at least two nights- she's single too and we are already inseperable so that would be easy.

all the rest, have wonderful vacations, and wonderful days, and I thank you all for being who you are!

Hello Everyone - Taking a few minutes here from work to say that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. Somehow someway I AGAIN let life get in the way of my goals. Somehow I've got to make the two of the jive up again.

My computer issues at home seem to have finally resolved. Who da thunk that switching to Vista would cause such havoc in my regular routine.

I think I dropped off the face of the earth somewhere just after the boys lost their Regional competition game. I believe my last post was the 13th! You guys have carried on well and I hope to grab a few minutes to catch up.

I'm deleting my tickers for the time being. I need to pretend that I'm starting from scratch. I'll be weighing in tomorrow after a 2 week hiatus. I am my own WORST enemy but I'm not beating myself up. I'm going forward. The weather has changed. No snow today or ice storm which they got just to the south of us but just steady glorious rain. WHOO HOO. I have been walking a bit and cleaning the yard. My back and arms felt that activity too.

Have a great Hump Day everyone and I'll be back in a bit to do some more catching up

Paige had some nice chicken ideas for single servings. I just want to add that I took leftover chicken and shredded it and added BBQ sauce to it and served it, heated, on hamburger buns (low fat wheat ones that are one point each) last week for one meal. It was really quite good. I have done this with leftover pork or browned hamburger, what you really taste is the BBQ sauce flavor, it's warm and nice with a roll - sort of a Sloppy Joe kind of idea. That could also be frozen in zip-lock bags and microwaved individually.
One thing that comes to mind, as well, is my Thanksgiving Dinner "TV Dinners". You could use the same concept on any larger meal that is for more than just one person. When we have Thanksgiving dinners, I buy those larger plastic plates that have the little divided compartments in them (they handle the food nicer and microwave well). I put meat, gravy, (it's really not all that high in points if you have it now and then)veggies and potato, and even cranberry sauce all over the platters. I double wrap them to protect from freezer burn and then put them all together in a plastic grocery store bag (for added freezer burn protection) in my freezer. You can just pop out your own homemade TV Dinner and there is a very hearty and decent, but quick, meal. You could make up your favorite meals that are healthy and freeze dinners for yourself once a week or so. If you did this even once a week, ate a portion that evening and then froze something like 5 or 6 TV Dinners, you would ultimately get into a system where you would have one or two meals a week of your home cooking, but micro ready and good for you. If you have a crock-pot, using that to make up soups, stews and all sorts of things like that could work this way. If you freeze things well packaged and labeled, you could do very well. It would take some time and an investment, sort of, to establish things like this, but it would give you a much better alternative to Lean Cuisine or WW Smart Ones. The meats and foods in that all seem to be almost "substandard". I have had a few meals that I have just plain thrown away as they weren't point-worthy!
Laura! So good to hear from you. Re-starting is a good thing. I kind of did that this morning. I have myself a mental clean slate and am trying really hard to be more on program, smarter and stop goofing off. I think I was doing rather well and my head got swelled or something. I was convinced that I was invincible, but I wasn't.
Soon, a walk through the kitchen meant having a few grapes, then it was maybe a grape and a pretzel (non-core!) and I wasn't writing things down. I was telling myself that I was really "on program", but when I think about it - maybe I really wasn't. No harm in grapes, but if you are including a pretzel here and something else there, it can all add up. When you add take out food once during a week and then eating out, who are we kidding?
Time to pull in the reigns and behave once again!
Well, back to my massive housekeeping effort. I don't do major "spring cleaning" like some people do, but somehow the start of spring gives me more ambition to work on getting my house more orderly and less cluttered.
Yippee for Spring!

Linda & Laura- Wiping the slate clean was what I did a few weeks ago when I got that new scale. I was doing the same thing on core as you, Linda...I would "think" I was being good, but when I look back and think about it, a little non core food here, a little there...it added up and I WASN'T really on program. When I got my new scale and realized how inaccurate my old one was, decided to totally start fresh and regroup. So far it is working! Maybe that IS what you both are needing...a fresh new start.

Oh, brother.....I am going to be selfish here and vent. I attend meetings, some of you do, some of you do not. I think I am about ready to leave my meeting to go to another, which fortunately I am able to do as there are lots in my area. Most of the time I meet a "friend" - gotta use that term loosely- our kids have the same teacher so we have more in common than just WW-
but this woman is SO needy...if she does not lose, or loses only .4, or gains- oh, my gosh, the world is coming to an end and she just becomes an attention sponge. If she loses, just the opposite, she practically rubs it in your face. Sometimes I just need to attend a meeting to sit and be still......don't really want to constantly be her personal cheerleader. She is a nice person, basically, just so self focused. Do I sound like a selfish brat??
Forgive me, the past few weeks have been tough....just wondering if anyone has had the same or similar experience.
Thanks!
Ginny

Ginny, so sorry about your "friend" (definitely losing that term loosely as well) and her antics. I do think that she probably NEEDS you, but you don't NEED to be around her if she is sucking all the attention and making everything all about her.
Perhaps you should try a different meeting, or two, and try to settle in to a different schedule that doesn't involve her. Maybe she isn't realizing what she is doing, I won't even say maybe I am sure she doesn't have a clue.
I wonder if you tried to go to just one more meeting but try to arrive late and not sit near her, using the excuse that you didn't want to interrupt or something.
I would just concentrate on my needs, you are paying the weekly meeting fee for this special time and it should be all about YOU and not HER. We can all be self centered at times, I know I can be.
Maybe going to another meeting is the best solution for you, where you can be anonymous.
I actually feel like my own leader is getting tired of me. I think she doesn't think I am trying hard enough and she actually seems surprised if I even lose .2. I have been at this a long time, after all. But, there are some extenuating circumstances surrounding my emotional eating, though I guess that shouldn't be my excuse forever?
I don't know if what I said helps at all.

Linda said: I would just concentrate on my needs, you are paying the weekly meeting fee for this special time and it should be all about YOU

How timely is this post. I know you are talking to Ginny about her "friend" and the meeting but your words hit me where I needed them tonight Linda. I was so dreading weighing in tomorrow as I was feeling like a loser because I lost sight of my goal but your words hit just right. That is exactly what the meetings are about = concentrating on my needs and I'm paying the fee for that. Not to compare myself to others or to beat myself up because I faltered. Thank you again for being here and getting me on back on track.

On another few notes, tonight has been a HUGE roller coaster of emotions and lordy knows I emotion eat. My son is assigned to a submarine. The submarine that is deployed to the Arctic Ocean WITH the Royal Navy Sub who had 2 sailors killed today and one critically injured. I was so excited that he was going to see the North Pole and somehow I over looked the risk and danger of the mission. My heart took a huge dive when I first opened up the internet news tonight and saw the mishap. It took a few seconds before I focused on the ROYAL NAVY part and that it wasn't my son's sub. It was the other sub on the mission.

Then I was off for my final athletic banquet tonight. They said so many nice things about my son but it was all about endings and putting that part of his life and our lives behind us. I'm roller coastering. But I'm not eating. That is a huge plus. I recognize the emotions and let them go unchecked but I AM NOT EATING because of them.

Sorry but I had to post tonight

Laura, OMG!! I'm so glad your son is OK at the moment, but what a close call situation. I guess we have to think that our military people are really putting themselves at risk for us, no matter where they are serving.

I think we all have to look long and hard at our "investment". The meeting fee for WW varies, I think, but here in NH we pay $12.00 a week. I fork over (nice phrase, using fork right?) $24.00 a week for my daughter and I at each meeting we attend. That is MORE than it would cost for each of us to go to a movie. I should be taking in as much as I can and, again, not comparing myself to others (good way to put it, Laura). For the price, it should be all about ME and no one should monopolize the meetings. It is up to the leader to control things, though. There was a person in a meeting I used to attend that took over things, week after week and I remember the leader had to speak with her. For her, she felt her personal stories and experiences were more important for the rest of us to "learn" than anyone else. Her stories were repetitious, though she was a very nice woman and had her share of reasons for weight issues. She was a cancer survivor and she sure told us all her woes. It was hard, I'm sure, for the leader to have to chat with her.
If this keeps happening, though, another thought is to chat with the leader, that is if this one woman's issues are not only taking over what you get from the meeting, but also what others there are getting.
So, for today, let's be selfish (but loving to others, as always) and let's say that "It's all about me" for one day. How many of us let others and their needs overshadow OUR needs? You go girls!!!!!
Now, my introduced topic for you all today is I need you to list your most favorite and filling snacks (my daughter is running out of points each day, but needs something after school to keep her going until dinner) for mid-afternoon.
I need ideas for 0, 1 and 2 points mostly, but if there really is something wonderful and filling for three points, let me know.
I really feel for Jamie as she "lost it" last week, she was in a play and performances and rehearsals got in the way of her eating habits. She used a no weigh in pass at the meeting. It's hard being a teenager and doing this. In two months it will be a year since she joined WW, that is a very long time for a teen to go without all the great foods one associates with being a teenager.

Ok, now I have a little more time......I am waiting for Dd to finish her Pioneer
Club meeting and there is a computer here, so I am back with some time to say
hello.

Linda-perhaps you are plateauing. (you might want to ask for the WW handout
on it, or I could mail a copy to you). Fresh start is a good idea. I remember
one leader mentioning going back to a week one way of eating/thinking- I know
I tend to get sloppy...sometimes sneaking bites of food and not counting it......not
journalling as well as I can. I think everyone else covered it above. Hope
your restart is a good one. Don't beat yourself up! While you are doing some
modified spring cleaning-make sure you get rid of any foods that cause you trouble.


Paige-how is your back feeling?? This week has been such a merry go round.......lets
see how next week is (hopefully less hectic!). Not that I am hoping you are
still living at the chiropractor, but I would love to share a few moments with
you!

Laura- well, do not feel bad! (I have sort of fallen off the face of the earth
too!). Whatever the WI is, look foward and stay positive. You will lose
next week!!! Are you flex or core? And good to see you back- I have been MIA
too, and it is great to "see you" here again.

Pixie- you have an awesome workout program! The yoga sounds so relaxing - I
guess you enjoy it! How far are you running?

Ann- 5K a day? Wow.....(I am a walker, my knees are not good). Do you use
a treadmill (guess it is still cold and snowy in Canada). How many days a week
do you run?

Haylo- how has your day been?

Well,as I bellyached before, I did get to a meeting. Used the no WI pass, as
I did just need to refocus and be there. And my "friend" just got under my
skin........a similar incident happened 2 weeks ago at a school function. She
is in constant need of attention. Nothing I can do about that, other than accept
it. And it does probably mean that I will be finding another meeting to go to
when I need a breather. I vented above wondering if anyone else had experienced
the same thing as I am. Life has been insane these past few weeks.....I really
hope it begins to slow down soon.
I did get my walk in this am........

better go. Hi to everyone!
Ginny

Good morning!
I wrote the above last nite.......while waiting for Dd to finish, but for some reason it would not post. I emailed it to myself, and posted it now. (that is why it seems a bit out of date)

Laura-I am so glad your son is ok! Can't imagine how awful you must have felt and feel. I have several coworkers whose sons are in Iraq- and they live moment by moment....hearts on their sleeves for all to see. It is so tough. I will pray for your son and the safety of his sub. Keep holding your groove.....great to hear that with all the stress you are facing you did NOT eat!

Linda(and Laura too!) thanks for putting up with my rant and your encouraging words about my "friend". I think that is just her nature- she is one of those individuals who will constantly manuever her life so that she is the center of attention. She can be sweet.....friendly and funny. But this one side of her is driving me nuts for now. Linda, as far as low point snacks- WW smoothies, doctored up with all kinds of extracts. I like the vanilla with coconut extract......made with ice and a touch of water for one point. Of course there is the 94 ff popcorn. 3 points or less for the whole bag. WW veggie soup? (no points) What about that mexican soup I posted about3 weeks ago. Or some baked tortillas and salsa. I will check my literature later......be back with more. Thanks for your pep talk about being "selfish" today.....the same goes for you too!

Gotta go face a very busy day. Hope yours is good!
Ginny

It's totally OK to vent here. You have to do what is best for your own needs, and you need a meeting that you can stay focused on and not be uptight becuase of someone else. At school functions, you can (again) arrive late (or earlier) and try to sit with others. But, if this person is really interfering with your personal success, than it's time to cut and run.
Here you are "stewing" about about her instead of having full focus on your needs. Did you get anything out of that meeting or did you spend it thinking about her and fuming? If there was nothing that you absorbed as you were so distracted, then it's time to move on. Again, we pay big bucks for this and we are truly working and needing that motivation.
You'll bump into her at school or somewhere else and she will jump all over you asking "Where have you been? I was saving a seat for you at the meeting, etc.". Just make sure you have your answer planned. "Oh gosh, I signed up for a yoga class at the library" or, "My husband needs me to be there to answer the phone when a business calls come in at that day/time and I have to find another meeting day and time that works better".
Maybe you can be totally honest with her and actually FIND an activity, such as a special class or church volunteer thing that fills up your time on that day? I try not to lie to people but I would avoid being truthful with her about the exact reason you can't be there at that meeting. If she asks which meeting you are going to, be non specific and say you are popping in at other days and times when your schedule allows. This way, she won't try to show up at the other meeting you have chosen - wouldn't that be just awful? Imagine moving to get away from a person and then finding that person moves to follow you? Then, it would be quite apparent if you moved to another meeting after that.
Good luck with this!

Hi ladies,

It's been forever since I was here last. I have not been OP. Duane will be home today and I am going back to Weight Watchers this evening. I was going to TOPS but following WW because it was cheaper but it's not working for me. They don't give you the support I need so I am going to bite the bullet and go back tonight.

I will change my ticker when I do weigh in tonight. It has gone up!

I'll catch up more later.

Kim

Thanks, I might go back and check for that Mexican soup... she might like that especially. She HATES smoothies!
Linda

Good Morning to everyone- I hope I don't sound like a needy person- but I am very disappointed in my weight today. I have been doing very well all week. I weigh in tomorrow. All week I have been going down or staying at the same weight. I actually had lost 4 pounds since Friday weigh in. Yesterday, was my day for grocery shopping. My sister is unable to drive for health reasons. I told her that she could ride with me to do her shopping so she doesn’t have to go on the weekend (when it is sooo busy) with her husband. Well, she always wants to eat out for lunch. So I tried to think of what was close to where we were and what I could possibly eat for low points. We decided to go to Cracker Barrel. I ordered just the turnip greens bowl and water. I know it has ham in it but I thought it would not be bad. According to the WW book, I can have a cup of turnips for 0 points; ham is about 2 points (cooked lean 2 ounces). I thought I had chosen very well.

Breakfast:
· fiber one cereal (0 points)
· soymilk (2 points),
· strawberries (1 point)

Lunch:
· turnip greens (0 points)
· ham (2 points)

Snacks:

½ cup of Orange juice (1 point)
frozen strawberries (1 point)
small banana (1 point)Dinner:
· spring mix (0 points)
· tomatoes (0 points)
· cucumber (0 points)
· avocado (2 points)
· carrots (0 points)
· feta cheese (2 points)
· balsamic vinegar (0 points)
· tilapia 6 oz. (grilled on George Foreman) with lemon juice (0 points) and cracked black pepper (0 points). (4 points)

I drank 80 ounces of water.

I walked 18969 steps (included in that total was an aerobic walk 3 miles). I know I didn’t eat all my points but I wasn’t hungry. Why did I go up on the scale 1.8 pounds?

Help:)
Janette

Good Morning everyone.
Laura wow. It is very scary having your child away (no matter what age they are) and the feeling that you are not able to protect them. I am glad your son is okay. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Paige-That is so awesome that you and Ginny are close enough you can meet for coffee one day.
Pixie- Yoga sounds like such fun. I know that there are classes here that people say they get a really good workout here. As I have never done Yoga I am not sure about it.
Ginny, I run 5k per day, 3 days outside and the other 4 on a treadmill. I really enjoy running outside more than the treadmill but with the weather I only chance it three days outside.
Haylo, I hope you are having a good week after being on vacation. I know for me sometimes it is difficult to get back into the swing of things.
Barb, hello and I hope all is well with you.
Erica- enjoy the sun and I wish I was there....I as so looking forward to warm weather.
Linda, I just need to tell you, that you are awesome. You are way more of a leader than the meeting I went to last night. I weighed in yesterday morning and was .5 pounds up. I thought that is weird. I ate on plan, didn't go over my points even ate all my points which I hadn't done before. I excercised. I felt good about my week(other than Thursday). I mentioned this and the person weighing me said, don't worry it could be our scale. I had missed their meeting so I decided to go to a meeting at night. At that meeting I mentioned it is frustrating when you know you were basically on plan for the most part and got all your exercise in and the leader told me I need to make this my lifestyle change. Since I have been doing ww online since June and only joined meetings a few months ago, I was suprised she had said that to me because I have made it a way of life, I just felt I needed to go to meetings for motivation. After the meeting I explained to her I felt she was being harsh and had formed her own opinion and then I told her about what the lady who weighed me in the morning said about the scale. She said I doubt that but jump on the scale. I did and was two pounds down....I started to laugh. I realzied that the scale has too much power over me and my success. I am going to try another meeting to see if it works better for me. Now my focus is going to be on healthy eating and exercising and the nsv. Linda I feel you would make a better leader as you are supportive and have so much life experience to share with us all and you are not afraid to give us a gentle kick in the butt when we need it. Also you mentioned to me once just keep with it, and you will see results. I have done better on this groups suggestions. I have decided this is going to be my meeting and you are my leader.

Sorry for rambling, I hope this makes sense.
Take care
Ann

Hi Kim, Welcome back we have missed you.

Janette, they explained to me that if you don't eat all of your points you may gain weight as your body holds on to the food. The points they have figured out for you is the optimal weight loss (1-2 pounds). I know that before I wasn't eating all my points and that is what I was told.
Take Care

Good morning all! I love hopping on here in the morning and having bunches of new posts to read through! You all were busy here last night and this morning!

I gave in to a pizza craving last night, but I must say, I am totally ok with it. Our local pizza place makes the most amazing "garbage" pizza, and we had it for the first time 3 or 4 weeks ago. It is expensive, but it is SO SO good. I did so well during the day yesterday, but could not get that pizza off my mind! LOL! Dh caved and ordered some for dinner. God it was so good. The problem is, on our grocery night (which was last night because my class got cancelled) it gets too late to spend the time to fix anything, and there are no good places to eat in the town where the supermarket is. I told dh last night that probably what I will do next week is make up some of my pizza dough, and actually make up the pizza, wrap it up and throw it in the frige, so that way when we get home and are bringing in groceries and putting them away the pizza can be cooking. So at least I have a plan for next week!

Ginny-Sometimes I worry that I am kind of a needy person like that. Maybe not to that extent, though! I need to TALK to people (adults!) and it could be anyone! For me, it is being home with my dds...sometimes I need 5 minutes of adult conversation to help keep me sane. I'm sure this person probably doesn't realize what she is doing...do you give her feedback on it or just ignore her? For example, if she gained and is moaning and groaning about it...do you console her? Or if she lost and is going on about it, do you give her the compliments that she is looking for? Do you go to Mdtn or Warwick meetings?

Gotta run...chat later!

Janette-I agree with Ann...I used to be very stubborn and would NOT believe that you had to eat all your points in order to lose weight, but it is actually true. Back after I had little dd, I had bought the 10 week pass, and for 10 weeks I was the model WW...I journalled, didn't go over my pts (didn't use my extra 35 either) exercised at least 5x's a week...I think I only lost 8lbs over that 10weeks! Dh, on the other hand...used almost all of his extra 35 each week, and lost almost 40 lbs in that 10 weeks (I was happy for him, but pretty PO'd at the same time!)

I definately seem to lose more weight when I eat all of my points and most of my 35.

So many posts, so little time!

Ginny, glad you came back and gave us some info. Yes, I have some "friends" who are really friends like that. I tend to sit around at different functions so I'm not locked into them. But going to a WW meeting, that would be hard. Good luck with crossing that bridge. The meetings are about getting the most out of them.

Linda - good day! Your posts are fab! Keep at it. You'll get there. I have faith.

Nibs, glad you wandered back in too. We're never really that far away but posting can sometimes take the extra step we're not ready for. Glad your SO is coming home ALREADY!. Wow that time went fast.

Janette - I agree with everyone, not eating your points can cause that issue but the other obvious issue would be the use of sodium that Cracker Barrel has. That soup could have had lots of sodium and that is helping you retain water. Give a good day of cleansing type foods and you'll see a good result.

Pixie - congrats on the Yoga - you go Girl!

Ann - I'm glad you're seeing that it's not about the numbers on the scale but the change of lifestyle. Best of Luck and 2 lbs is a great loss.

Gosh I hope I haven't missed anyone but I can only see this page. I'm off in a bit to do my weigh in myself. I'll check back in.

Just dropping by to for some support......coming to the end of my second week of WW, while I'm still within my points and have not used all of my weekly allowance points, I'm finding that I'm eating too many rice cakes. I know that I need to replace that snack with a protein or very high fibre snack that will last........I know all this...I'm a smart woman making poor choices. I'm not beating myself up about it, but want to be accountable for it, so I can't really come here and boo hoo at after weigh in if the scale moved up or didn't move at all, because I know where the problem is. Hopefully I can rein it in before my weigh in on Saturday. Thanks for listening, hope all is well with you. Talk later on.

Kim!!! Good to hear from you, I was thinking about you. So glad your darling is coming home again! To me, that time went by very fast, though. So, you must share what kind of program TOPS offers? I don't know if they even have a group or meetings around here. I was always under the impression that is was just a support group vs. a "program" but I could be wrong.
Janette, I was thinking the same thing about myself - was I posting and being "too needy" about my own weight too? However, I am sure that Ginny didn't mean any of us with her post about the needy person in her group. It's funny how some people can be so super sensitive. The moment she posted her remarks about the person in her group, I immediately internalized it and said to myself, "Oh no, it's me she's talking about. I need to quit whining about my own stuff, sit back and learn". But, I know she didn't mean one of us.
Your not needy and I don't think anyone here is at all. We really are trying to be brutally honest with each other, I think, though. I really find this helps me. This weight loss stuff is hard, we need to share and support each other.
Janette, I don't think you did badly at all with what you ate, sounds exactly like what I would have ordered at Cracker Barrel. I'm so sick of grilled chicken salads... seems like that is the safer choice EVERYWHERE and I am bored. One thing to consider, I wonder if Cracker Barrel ADDED bacon fat to that dish you had? It could have had hidden fat beyond what you thought was in it? Just one more thing to consider. They do that Southern style cooking and bacon fat is just everywhere. I love that place, though and love the gift shops as well, such cute things!
By the way, I weighed myself at home the day before my meeting and was down two pounds and then on my weigh in day I seemed to have gained the weight back overnight and when I weighed in, I was up .4 So, I can totally understand how your own weigh in blew your mind. I swear I was getting so paranoid that I thought the people weighing me in were creating numbers that were "good" or "bad" for their own entertainment. How silly is that?
Seeing such disappointment in me this week, my leader asked me to think about something and now I will ask you to think about the same thing. Here goes..... "When you weighed yourself at home and found you had lost and were happy, did you then eat differently that day?" I thought of this several times today, in fact. Maybe that is part of the ongoing scaleaholic problem? Maybe that is part of the key to what is wrong with what I am doing? I weigh myself throughout the week. If I see that scale move down, do I then kind relax a bit on my program knowing that I have had a sufficient enough loss? I see the loss, I "celebrate" the loss and then maybe, without even thinking, I then just decide that I can be easier on myself as I have already lost weight this week.
I'll have to think about that. But, for whatever reason, I have stayed off that scale today, so far. Perhaps I needed to be told that. Ah, such wisdom. Maybe it's better than I stop the weighing myself in-between meetings and always work under the assumption that I have NOT had a loss at all?
FOOD for thought is better than FOOD in the mouth? ;)
Ann, I am humbled by what you said. However, I do think the meetings are VERY important. There is something about getting on that scale in front of another person and having them mark your weight down in a "permanant" record that scares the every living daylights out of me (said with a wry smile) and it forces me to behave myself so much more! The little tips and tricks I learn are truly worth the money I spend on meetings. I have to say that one of the reasons maybe you look to me for support and "listen" to what I have to say is that I have had the luck to find a great leader. Actually, I have had the luck to have had several very strong leaders. I want to be just like them when I "grow up".
I really do want to be a leader one day. I must get myself in gear and get to goal. I would totally love to lead a group and it would be so cool to physically SEE people, over time, lose weight and realize that I truly helped them do it. I would SO rejoice with them!
Paige, I love hopping on here and finding your and everyone else's posts as well. You are all my morning coffee companions!
Paige, I love what you said about thinking you were being "needy" as well. Maybe that is what works for all of us.... we're a "needy" bunch and the title of this thread "supporting each other... is that we are fulfilling the neediness in each other? I like that! I, too, need "adult" conversation. I live with two teenagers who do talk to me (one on WW too) but it's just not the same. My husband is away at least 4 or 5 days a week, due to his job, and I get lonely and I am alone lots of the time. So, like you with small children, I crave adult conversation as well.
Actually, Paige, losing 8 pounds in 10 weeks isn't all that bad, but I get your drift about eating all your points. It totally makes sense as our bodies will not release weight if they think they are being starved. You need to eat, just like your body does truly need fat as well. I have had a hard time with the fat thing. I am pretty consistent with having my 2 tsp of olive oil each day now and I understand more about how the body works and how it needs the right kind of fat. I wonder if that is kind of why Mediteraians have "olive complexions" and such lovely skin? I have, in fact, read that people who do have their essential oils all the time have less wrinkles and a younger looking complextion, so there we are!
Well, time to make my dinner ahead of time. We have a crazy schedule later, my daughter is singing in a concert. I am making stuffed shells, but with FF ricotta and part skim (hate the FF variety of this - it's "dead" in taste and texture) mozarella. I hope it's fairly low in points, but will be portion controlling like crazy!

INH, we "cross posted"..... you must find something other than rice cakes. "man cannot live by rice cakes alone"! You'll get bored way too fast if you keep eating like that.
Why don't you post a day's journal with your points allowance for us, we can give you some ideas of what to snack on?
Take care!!!!!

INH - Linda had a great suggestion. Post some of your food choices and perhaps we can help you swap some of them out with different options. Also let us know what types of foods you crave or tend to like (salty/crunchy sweet/chewy or whatever textures you like)

Well I did weigh in and it was better than anticipated with a 3/4 lb loss. I was just so darn proud of myself over those 3 sticks of margarine. Whew, that task done until next week. Baby steps, baby steps.

Laura, congratulations on your weight loss. You have an awesome outlook.
I also remember when I was having trouble with not eating enough points you looked at what I ate and told me to eat more protein, and to make sure I had my fat. I love this site and all the people as they are all so supportive.
Thanks Laura for your insightfulness.
Yeah 3 sticks of butter.

Linda, you can't convince me otherwise, I have declared you my awesome WW leader. I can weigh in and work and they mark it down because when I was originally doing weight watchers on line that is what I did. It is on my medical file at work. I am going to go to other meetings and see if I find one I feel better about. If not I will go back to doing it online. Also I fit into a smaller size pants so that is good. I am in a 13 now.....yeah. I need to concentrate of nsv. I feel great about my lifestyle and have received so many compliments lately about how good I look, so I need to focus on that and not the scale.
Have a wonderful day everyone.
I have already had my 5k run and I walked for an hour not on purpose....haha.
Take Care

Hey ladies thanks for your support and advice. I refused to let myself sit here today and sulk. I got on my bike and rode to the mall which is about 5 miles away. Then I walked around the mall for a couple of hours. Of course I was hungry so I stopped Subway and got a veggie sub on wheat with only vinegar. According to WW article 4 points. I also picked up a banana. Then I walked around a little more and started back home. I stopped off at the library and walked around in there to give my bike legs a break. Then I came on home. Boy I feel like I made a good choice getting out and being active instead of sitting here whining about what the scales said to me this morning. I am hoping that tomorrow at my meeting for WI I am down some at least.

Gotta go do some laundry now,
Janette

You guys rock! Thanks.....okay here is what I had yesterday as meals minus the rice cake binge. I get 29 points a day.

Breakfast
1 English Whole Wheat Muffin 2 points
1 wedge of Laughin Cow Light Cheese 1 point
1 TBS of all fruit jam 1 point
= 4 pt breakfast

Lunch
1 cup 1% cottage cheese 3 points
1 cup drained mandarins 2 points
= 5 pt lunch

Dinner
1 cola chicken breast no skin/no bone (WW recipe) 4 pts
1.5 cups steamed veggies 0 pts
1 c. cucumbers 0 pts
1 tbs. dressing 2 pts
1 WW snack cake 1 pt
1 orange 1 pt
=8 pt dinner

Snack 8 p.m.
1/2 cup plain non fat yogourt 1 point
1/2 cup unsweetened raspberries 1 point
1 tbs. low fat granola 2 pts
=4 pt snack

8 points left over. I work evening shift so I'm home about 11 p.m. and ready to eat through the fridge so I start in on the rice cakes, 32 rice cakes = 4 pts......still 4 points left over......still hungry but don't like eating so late at night......
I work from 2 to 10 p.m. which is hard to juggle my meals around........so that was yesterdays..

Let me know what you think and again thanks so very much for the help and support...............

INHTSE- I would add some more to that breakfast. add some turkey bacon, some vegetarian sausage, some eggs- get some more protien in there! i will also dig up a recipe for Taco Soup if you like. When it is meat free it is only 3 points for a cup! It makes a great snack- lotsa beans and such, so you get more protein in there too. Snack on nuts too! You get good oils in, and they are filling and have some fiber and protein. And they are deeeelish!

I had a revelation the other day- I was trying to "use up" points, and I think that is half the battle. The other half is not just using them, but using them to the best of your ability. Meaning a chicken breast will take you much further than a chocolate chip cookie. I am trying to remember that when making food choices, and when it dawned on me, it was like a big huge piece of the puzzle fell in place.

Ann- ya gotta try yoga! it is the best companion to a running program. I have a book that is called "Power Yoga" and it is geared toward runners, and athletes in general. Really helpful! A lot of the poses help counteract the things that running can do to you- like shortening the range of motion in your hips, the length of your muscles etc. I will dig up the info on it for you if you like.

Me, I am debating on whether to weigh in tomorrow at all. It is my day to do it, but I just hate the thought of being disappointed if nothing has happened with all my efforts to switch it up this week. And it is TOM, and that never ever helps the situation. But at the same time if it isn't working then perhaps I should try something else. Who knows? What a dilemma!

Thanks Futurepixie, I will look for that book, I think I may need it.
Go ahead and weigh in. Just remember to keep at what you are doing and it will all fall into place. Remember that some people do gain additional weight during TOM, so don't beat yourself up. Good luck with your weigh in.
I just need to find a good meeting like this one in this site.
Janette, way to go with all that exercise. You must be exhausted.
you will sleep well tonight.
INTHSE, your evening snack looks so yummy, I could add that to my day. Thanks
Hello everyone. I hope your night goes well.

I forgot to ask, since I have been running everyday and walking on some of those days do I have to try and eat my activity points too, or will I be okay without eating them.
Thanks

Forgive me for posting again so quickly... but dinner (early as we have to go out) is in the oven and I will be out later on tonight. So, it's now or never.
Laura, great job on the loss! I'm even proud when it's just one stick of margarine.
Ann, OK - you can declare me as your brave and fearless leader, but do me a favor and always go by your WW materials vs. anything I tell you - if there is a conflict. I'm definitely not perfect.
Janette, so how WAS that Subway Veggie sub for 4 points? I've seen those on the menu and wondered. Is it cooked or fresh veggies and was there cheese for 4 points or does that add extra points? Enquiring minds need to know! I'd just HAVE to add points for cheese, I think? What veggies were in it? If I switched to the honey oat bread vs. the wheat, I wonder if it's the same amount of points?
INH.... I take note that you had 8 points left at the end of this day and then you decided to eat the rice cakes. If you are really hungry when you get home, I think you should eat something. You work an odd shift and I take note at meetings that people who work odd shifts often have weight problems as they are throw off by their schedule. They get lots of "quick fix" foods and it's hard.
I personally don't care what time it is and sometimes think that if you go to bed hungry you just don't sleep well and end up miserable. So, maybe you just need to plan something, a "mini meal" for after work. It would give you something to look forward to and help you relax about this?
If I had 8 points and it was near bedtime, I'd be doing that Snoopy Happy Dance thing... woo hoo!!!!!
But, I'd not make it an excuse to have a big huge dessert, which is what would interest me at that time. I'd try to make it count towards what nutritional things I had not had during the day. For example, in this ONE day you journalled for us, I see a lack of milk servings and healthy oils. I see that you truly need at least one more serving of fruit or a vegetable as well. Maybe a glass of skim milk with a whole grain crusty roll, warmed in the microwave and then dipped in olive oil seasoned with salt, pepper and a bit of parsley flakes and even a bit of minced garlic if you want it. A crusty whole grain roll (you can keep them in the freezer and microwave one at a time) would give you that full feeling and the milk, even warm milk would give you calcium and that comfort food thing. The whole grain rolls I find in my local grocery store are 4 points each (but maybe there are 3 point ones out there?) and a glass of skim milk is 2 points (one cup) and the oil is 2 points. You've got 8 points right there, and which would you want to have, just boring rice cakes that taste like cardboard or something that will nurture your body and make you feel as if you've really had something to sustain you.
But, beware, you get high points right now and as you lose weight, you will get less points to eat each day. You don't want to be in the habit of having an entire meal's worth of points each time you get home from work, but for now while your allowance is high, it would work in well with what you ate during the day. However, you really want to have balance of proper foods throughout the day and maybe just a 3 or 4 point snack when you get home, but a quality snack that makes you happy that you had it vs. one that leave you wanting something more.
WW tells us all to eat all our points range and I'd take full advantage of that if I were you as, believe me, as you lose weight (and you WILL if you stick with this) you will have your daily points cut back on. I only get 20 points a day right now and will go down to 18 a day, I guess, when I get to maintenance. I'm really running "lean and mean". Ha Ha, I say mean as my husband tells me he sometimes likes me better when I am not "dieting" as I am happier eating. But, we all have to recognize that food does not equal happiness - it's taken me 52 years to figure that out, and I'm still working on it!
So, here goes
Breakfast you had:

1 English Whole Wheat Muffin 2 points
1 wedge of Laughing Cow Light Cheese 1 point
1 TBS of all fruit jam 1 point
= 4 pt breakfast

Very good, however, I would add a piece of fruit and maybe one cup of skim milk or a low fat yogurt to all of this. You have an opportunity to get in a fruit serving and jam is kind of an "empty" point. If you had a half banana for a point vs. that jam, which would nurture your body better and "sustain" you? You have also got an opportunity to have a milk serving vs. a very "slight" milk serving in that LC Lite cheese. I love those cheeses, by the way, and enjoy them spread on the low fat triscuits along with soup at lunchtime. Nothing wrong with them, but make sure you get in the full calcium serving.
By the way, if you ditched the LC lite cheese and the jam, you could have a tablespoon of peanut butter (a luxury food for me) on top of the muffin and that would give you some necessary protein.
If you were ending the day with 8 points, you can add in milks. I don't know your age, but if you are not a teenager and not over 50, you get 2 milks? But, you weight is 230, and I wonder if you need a third milk, do check the WW materials, I truly don't remember. If they say 3 milks, check your packaging and recognize "serving size" and if it says what % of daily requirement what you are eating is.
Your lunch was:
1 cup 1% cottage cheese 3 points
1 cup drained mandarins 2 points
= 5 pt lunch

Did you know that it takes something like 2 1/2 cups of cottage cheese to give you the full calcium a milk serving should be? If you check your label, you can see what % of the daily requirement your serving size is. So, be careful. Cottage cheese surprised me when I discovered that it is lower in calcium than I thought. So, if you do rely on cottage cheese as a milk, check the labeling and maybe take a calcium supplement?
Just cottage cheese and fruit for lunch? Is that enough? I also only take note of about 3 - 4 "servings" of fruits and veggies in your day. I think (check, though) that a full cup of raspberries is a "serving". Who could afford to eat them all the time with the prices they are now! So, if you added fruit to your breakfast, or as a mid-morning snack, maybe you can add something to your lunch. But, as for me, I am a carb person and I would want crackers, bread or something of that nature with my lunch to "hold me". I wouldn't feel full with just fruit and cottage cheese. If you had a serving of legumes (chick peas, kidney beans, etc.) or melba toast, triscuits, whole grain bread or something like that, you would add the points you require and give yourself more staying power?
I like your dinner, but I might add a baked potato for 3 points or a whole cup of brown rice, and take away the snack cake (empty calories, but tasty). However, I didn't take note of any healthy oils in your diet either..... hmmm... I'm rambling. Trying to think.
Maybe what you want to do is save something healthy and filling for after work if you really need something at that hour.
I really want to see what everyone else has to say about your day as well.
They might see something I am missing. Also, remember to vary what you have. Boredom leads to cheating and binging, I think some of us can attest to that.
I think from what you posted, though, you are trying very hard and eating a very good diet right now. Balance is a good thing and maybe you want to re-read the WW materials about numbers of servings per day you should have of grains, protein, fruits/veggies, healthy oils, etc. I find it awfully hard to get in my milks, for example and rely on supplements lots of the time as I just can't "afford" the points when I am on FLEX.

So, that's my initial reaction. Keep up the good work! Share your journal with us again in a couple of days and let's see how you do?
Take care!

Linda- thanks for being a friend about this. As far as this person goes, this is just her personal "MO"- she pulled the same stunt at the same school function last year....shows up with a new hair cut/color, late, dressed to the nines (at a school science fair?? gimme a break!!!!) The whole thing choreographed to draw attention to herself. Just the way she is. The great news is that I do not have to lie about a darned thing. My schedule is nuts, she knows that, and also knows that as far as meetings go, I get to one, somewhere, sometime most weeks. But that does vary.... Except for next week when I have to be home on Tuesday to take the cat in for surgery, I am planning on switching to the Tuesday meeting- same time, same place, so I can combine all my errands still and relax. I don't like the leader quite as much, but in the course of time have found that I can accept most of the leaders and get something good out of a meeting. And the best part, is Tuesdays don't work well for her. So there will be no lying, I will just mention a change in my schedule and let it go. Oh, I am not heartless, I will still go to her meeting sometimes, as I prefer the leader, but perhaps once a month.
Funny that you mention how much I got out of the meeting yesterday. I did sort of fume....then Laura (leader) asked a question requiring input from the members, noone seemed ready to talk so I volunteered an idea. Got two bravos for it too.....which must have crawled under Mrs Attention hogs skin, as she had to then add her contribution AND of course mention that she had a bad week but still lost. (bear in mind that I did not WI and her loss meant nothing to me either way). If it means anything, she did not get a bravo.
I did get something out of the meeting, but seriously, probably thought more about leaving and getting my shopping done at Walmart, which is very close to where the meeting is. I will call her out of courtesy and mention which meeting I will be attending each week, and would feel rude if I did not do so.
Actually, with all this venting, I am now starting to look foward to the next Tuesday meeting I can get to. It is not nearly as crowded, and I can just rest, relax, and Lord willing, lose!

How has your day been?? As far as your Dd goes, did you find any good snacks for her? Is she into sweet, salty, both? I've got so many WW pamplets, books.....would love to help you out with this!

It has been gorgeous here.....hope to sneak a walk in.
Ginny

One more thing, then getting off line for sure. I don't think I'd call her to tell her what meeting you are going to! Just "forget" to do that or "not have the time"!
Gotta go. Man, my post was a long one - feeling bad that I took up too much space.
Linda

Laura- congrats on the loss!!
Paige- my meeting is in Monroe.......I am equidistant from Monroe and Mdtn- and I prefer shopping at the Walmart in Monroe.
Janette- made some great choices today, and what a workout! Keep up the great attitude.
INHSE- what are you craving????? What would satisfy you?? What about the WW ice creams? I might be tempted to try something like baked tortillas/blackbeans and salsa. Very filling....kills the salty urge too. I will check on the points, but it is low. (and I know someone else asked you what kind of foods you crave...that is important)
Ann- anyone who runs that much amazes me....wow!
Hi Kim!
Linda- and actually this goes for everyone. PLEASE do not think I meant anything about anyone here, unless Mrs Attention is lurking here under disguise......hehehehe. One huge difference here. If you are not comfortable with a particular poster (and no this does NOT apply to anyone here!) the you do not have to read that persons post, or respond to it. And we all have special needs, or times that we are needy. And this is such a "safe haven". I have said stuff here that I would never say in person to anyone. This is such a wonderful forum to use for getting in touch with feelings and emotions. Many of you hit it right on the head about that we are paying for the meetings and should get as much out of them as possible.....

Opps, my son just came home from baseball - famished.

Nite!
Ginny

Hi Gang,

Thanks so much for all the wonderful tips and ideas. I have to agree that I'm not eating enough protein. I just got home and it's close to 11 p.m. I'm hungry but not ravenous. What I'm thinking of doing is having a tuna sandwich on WW multigrain bread. I can't give up the WW chocolate 1 point cake, it's my salvation lololol. I'm a big time carb person....so I think I'm very afraid to add brown rice, or potatoes but then again I'm socking back the rice cakes which are basically empty calories. I do eat the Veggie Sausage and will put that into my breakfasts. The lunch could do with some dressing up, but by lunch I'm usually in a rush mode to get to work. Evening shift is rough. What do you guys think of the tuna sandwich. I was thinking soup would also be a good choice, warm soup and crackers.....??? I think the other part of it is to be coming home at this hour and not having any points........I don't know why but that freaks me out. My current weight is in the 220's somewhere, I originally thought I was 230. And proud to say hit the big 50 this year. I'd love to stay and chat and I may come back later, but I did 5 glasses of water during my shift and well....you know the drill.....again thanks gang....wonderful support...simply wonderful.

Seeing all of your tickers going down is inspiring to me!!!!

Welcome - nycmary. Glad you decided to join us.

Linda – the sub was pretty good. It had lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, cucumbers, banana peppers, pickles, vinegar. I chose not to get the cheese. I am not sure about the honey oat bread. I was reading my e-mail last night and HG sent me a link to calorieking.com seems to be a great resource. When I checked the NI wheat and honey oat caculate to be the same points.

Ecmom- Thank you for the cheers on the workout and attitude.

Ann- Thanks for the support. I really did have a good night of sleep.

Laura- Thanks I think you may be right about the sodium content.

Well, Today is WI at my meeting. Wish me pounds lost. I will post again when I get back.

Janette

Ginny, I truly didn't think you meant any of us after really reading what you had to say. The details were far too different to the situation we have here. My first reaction (always insecure I guess) is to always take any remarks personally - it's just how I am. I thought it was just me and then a few of us made similar remarks. No offense taken and I really do know you didn't mean any of us. I wonder if feelings of insecurity and internalizing things that are said go along with anyone who is trying to survive weight loss efforts? Maybe we all are deep down somewhat insecure and some of our eating is due to internalizing? Do you think that people who are really more self assured might actually not have weight problems? I wonder if there have ever been studies about people and how they feel about themselves. Are the thin people the ones who are naturally more self confident and secure? I'll have to keep an eye on the "fit" people to see if I think that is so. Probably not. I am left thinking of some people who are bullemic or anorecix and they appear thin and so self confident, but deep down they are beating themselves up and food is the friend and then food is the enemy. Why do we all torture ourselves in such ways?
Why has our society developed a bunch of people who clearly are not self confident, who equate success and happiness in life to that darn scale. I'm really working on this in my head.
That reminds me to ask you, Paige, how you are doing with this issue? I remember your confession to us and we are priveledged that you chose us to share with. I hope you are doing well and that episodes/binges have not been a problem for you lately. Please let us know. We truly care. I get the impression from your recent posts that you seem more happy with yourself and settled with your eating. I hope that is so. Your recent loss really must feel awfully good. Stay healthy and keep at it!
INH, definitely make sure you leave enough points for a planned snack/mini-meal after work. I think if you just came home and had nothing, you would be climbing the walls. If you think of eating, people who work a "normal" 9 - 5 schedule have a meal when they get home, you should as well. We go to work, we come home, eating is what people want to do when they return from a day's work. You deserve the relaxation that brings and the signification that it is the end of your day.
So, if you did hit the big 50 this year, then you need 3 milk servings a day. My leader told me that if I absolutely couldn't get in 3 milks a day to make sure I took calcium supplements. In this age bracket, we are in big time danger of getting osteoporoses, or however it's spelled.
A tuna sandwich sounds good to me as long as you are careful with the mayo and measure and count it. Things like condiments (mayo) and cheese over top of salads or croutons in restaurants always throw me off. They are hard to count, though you can at least measure mayo at home. By the way, your body truly does need some complex carbs. If you are eating the right kind of carb vs. white/processed things, they have staying power and really reduce your cravings. I used to get lots of headaches and muscle aches, when I eliminated white and processed foods, for the most part, I took note that I was feeling so much better without them. I don't have the mid afternoon headache and dip in energy like I used to get. It probably keeps my blood sugar up or something?
Welcome nycmary! You are very new to this forum, I see only three posts. So, I hope you do well and feel free to stop in here with us for support.
I have come to a decision this week, ta da! I'm back on FLEX for at least this week. After my Tuesday night meeting, and my gain, I gave it some thought and began to do both at the same time and journal for both. What happened yesterday was an eye opener. I had more flex points used on CORE than I did using flex. So, my natural choice was to choose the plan that gave me the most flex points, so I'm back on FLEX at least for this week. Though, I have to say that I am eating a large majority of CORE foods and will be trying to stick with that as I truly know those are the best choices.
For two days in a row, I came in short on my milks so added a 600 mg calcium tablet at dinnertime. If I had added extra milk servings on each day to fill up those tiny little check off boxes at the bottom of my journal, I'd have used up 4 more of those precious flex points. So, calcium supplements for me!
Today is grocery shopping (a mini trip as we are not paid until next week) and I plan to do some "spring cleaning" as my mom always called it. There is something about spring and the way the sunlight pours into the house that makes all the dust show up more, at least I think that. So, I hope to burn some activity points with my vacuum today vs. my treadmill.

:carrot: 2 pounds! Yay!

That makes me even more optimistic for next week since this week is TOM and i usually get a little bit of a boost in loss after that. I can tell in my fingers that I am retaining a bit of water today. But still- the scale FINALLY moved! Yay! So glad I weighed in- now i can be happy with the loss, put the scale away till next week and pray for a few more pounds- i have a fitting for my bridesmaid's dress- yikes!

Ah- what a wonderful day. I get off work at 11:30 am, and then the rest of the day is mine all mine. I am gonna go walk our big bridge here in town. STEEP grade and breathtaking view of the harbor. Then some pilates at home, and then who knows?

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

Gooooood Friday morning all!!!!

nycmary-Another NY'er! Welcome!

Ginny-I'm going to be in Middletown tonight, are you busy? My appt is at 5:30, so I probably would be done around 6:30ish if you are free to meet up. I'll also be down there tomorrow morning, too for that MRI. It is at 10am and should last about an hour. I know I'll have to be back down probably a few times next week, too. Let me know!

Janette-I LOVE those veggie subs from Subway. I used to get them without cheese, too, but with the sweet onion dressing (it is ff.) So good!

INHTSE- What do you do that you have such a late schedule? You said you like veggie sausages; do you like veggie burgers? MorningStar makes ones that I am ADDICTED to! They are SO good, and are only 2 points. I've been having one of those on two pieces of lite rye bread (not as good as whole wheat, I know...but I love it!) and it is yummy. I am on a gardenburger kick right now...I could eat one for every meal.

pixie-Congrats on the loss! I have a bridesmaids dress that I am trying to lose weight for, too. Luckily the wedding isn't till next April, but the dress is BEAUTIFUL, so I'm excited to look great in it! What does your dress look like?


Dd is calling for me...gotta run! Chat more later...

Good Morning Crew! I had a great day yesterday and got my points in and all my healthy guidelines except the oil. Gotta work on those again. That is the one conscious effort that I stumble with or struggle with alot.

Linda - I think you'll do well with Flex. I find myself using many core foods myself anyway and the variety of recipes are much greater with flex. I just like it better myself.

Welcome NYCMary! Come tell us a bit about yourself and what plan you're on.

Pixie - WHOO HOO!!!! You're doing great. A wedding huh? That's always a great incentive as wedding pictures seem to stick around a LONG time!

Janette - I personally LOVE the Subway veggie subs. After you posted the other day, I tried to find out where the closest one was to my office so I could have one for lunch but no go. I opted for a salad with the works (within points of course and FF dressing).

Well I actually have the next 2 days off from both jobs so I'm doing some planning and trying to gather some stuff for DS's open house. It'll be here before we know it and I need to pull pictures, awards and mementos from his school years for his open house tables. I know that Graduation Open Houses are over the top here in Michigan and not so much in other areas. We're planning a pig roast and I need to get all my menu, orders etc. in line. I already have a friend who's going to be my assistant for the day and the sheet cake is being made by a friend. I volunteered to do a dish for some of the other open houses, so I know I'll get in kind help. Such a huge planning and prep months coming up.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Linda-You must have ESP. I had wanted to say something, but still felt "unsure" of myself, I guess. I had been doing really well with everything...then yesterday, I just don't know what happened. Before I even knew what I was doing, I was grabbing the bag of chex mix and a handful of granola bars and sneaking off to eat them while dds were watching a movie, and then quietly going to the bathroom. The only thing I can think of is that I had been kind of stressed in the morning and had that *annoyed* feeling. It was weird because it wasn't a planned binge...it just happened, and happened too quickly for me to talk myself out of it. I think I've been cooped up inside with dds too much lately. My class (my sanity!) on Wednesday night got cancelled, so I wasn't able to get out...and I started taking the pill on Wednesday, too, so I'm kind of wondering if that had a little bit of an effect on me (it definately made me feel sick.)

Even posting this is a little hard for me...I don't want anyone to judge me, especially since there are some newer people here that don't know me as well...and I don't want anyone to tell me that maybe I should "go talk to someone about it." I've been there, done that. All it did was cost me $ that I didn't have. I do think that I am really realizing that it makes me feel worse, and IS about the emotions, not about the food (I mean, come on...binging on chex mix and granola bars?!) Yesterday I did something though, that I've never done before...I journalled what I binged on. And you know what? After I had a low points dinner, I only went over 4 points for the day. So even if I hadn't of made that trip to the bathroom, it wouldn't of been that bad.

I am still feeling kind of down today about yesterday, but that just makes me realize even more that I need to keep my stress in check.

Hugs to you Paige - I would imagine your purging is so much like our eating for the wrong reasons. We don't know why we do it, we struggle with it every day. Some days are better than others. Eventually with WW, from what I understand, it just gets easier. Our leader at our mtg yesterday stated that if we think that once we hit goal that the challenges will not be there, we need to adjust our thinking. Buffet restaurants, good food, lots of food will ALWAYS be there and we need to learn how to control it and how to live with it healthily. Hang in there. We're behind you. Come here when you are stressed, there's usually someone around. You don't need to hear why it's bad for you, you already know that. Big Hugs again.

Hello everyone, today is friday. Well I excercise everyday this week and I ate healthy but when I weight myself this morning at home of course, my weight was the exact same. I am supposed to go to WW tommorow :( I was dissapointed, so I had an indulgance of breakfast tacos and a small piece of cake. I know realized I shouldn't have done that so I will be hitting the gym today after work:D. I also brought a light lunch so maybe it will balance out I haven't had a chance to calculate point but I am sure I am probably close to my points for the day.


I didn't get to finish reading through the posts but I will. I hope everyone is doing well.

No wonder why I didn't see a difference this week I hadn't calculated my points from yesterday and I went way over, I mean I had points remaining in weekly extra but I went way over without realizing it. That's probably why I weighed the same this morning. And then what did I do because I was angry I sabotoged my morning. Okay, well now I know, I will be eating a low point dinner and lunch today.

Paige, no one would EVER look down on you for this. If they do, there is something wrong with them. It's kind of like an emotional "illness" of sorts. I'd never tell you talk to someone about it as I am not that kind of person.
I had several people tell me to "talk to someone" after both my parents died so close to each other. I truly was an absolute mess, but I fell that the only person that could pull myself out of it all was me. I am in an on line grief support group and that does help me feel less alone with my sadness. But, even knowing others feel like I do does not make me heal. I make me heal by consciously making good choices and trying to put a smile on my face and just move on.
I can recognize my own mortality, I can accept my losses and I can live each day with the concept "no day like today". Have any of you ever seen the film or play RENT? I often think of the poor souls suffering with AIDS whose stories are woven throughout that play, the music and the wonderful characters of that play have taught me a lesson. There is no day like today, we must live each day as if it were our last.
So, what would YOU want to do if today were the last day of your life, would you spend it in that bathroom, Paige, or would you rather be out there living and enjoying food, fun, people and circumstances. We all have our thing, and yours is something that I know you will tackle. Maybe journaling what you ate anyway is going to teach you something? I[m proud of you for taking that step. Is a binge and purge thing something that kind of made you cheat the system, feel like you could have the pleasure of eating and then get rid of it, not counting the points? Maybe if you get true control of your eating and start to really lose some major pounds your mind will reward you by making you understand that you don't HAVE to do that anymore.
We care about you and know that when this happens, what you really need is probably a HUG! :hug: :hug: :hug:
I didn't get on the scale today and I am proud of this fact. I don't know if I have lost or gained. I have journalled, I have eaten really healthy food and for this I am glad. Even as I say this to you all, I have this urge to run in the bathroom and get on that scale. But, what would it tell me anyway. If I have chosen to allow the WW scales to tell me if I am a success or failure, what good does weighing myself do anyway?
Pixie, congrats on the two pounds!!!! You go girl! Who is getting married and do you know what kind of dress you will wear? I used to have a "collection" of bridesmaid dresses, years ago, and they were some of the ugliest things I have ever had on. I hope you get something you can do something else with and wear again. Wish I could see what it looked like!
What kind of bridge is it that would have a view and steep grade? Sounds interesting. Do you dare give away what city you are in? When I used to live in NY, people walked the Newburgh/Beacon bridge (think it's got a different name now) and I remember driving by and seeing them and always wondering if I could stand the height and wind whipping me up there.
Paige, I love veggie burgers as well. I get the Bocca ones that are made from portabella mushrooms and they look like they have grill marks on them. I put FF cheddar cheese slices on them. I can eat them on two slices of WW bread for a point, but I have found Country Kitchen hamburger lite wheat rolls for one point each - they are sooooo good if you ever see those in the area you live in. I have those burgers with pickles and ketchup on them and I really feel like I am "having something" and the taste is quite similar to a real burger, but gosh I can have the ff cheese and all for only 3 points for the entire thing!
Laura, I am no stranger to FLEX. I was on it a very long time. I switched to CORE around the holidays and it broke a plateau I was on at that time and relieved boredom for me. I get VERY bored easily. So, I welcome this change at the moment, but surviving on 20 points a day will not last long for me. In fact, I've already used 6 flex points since Wednesday and it's now Friday. Tonight we will eat out and I have requested to my husband that I must find a place where I can order broiled fish. I want to have a fairly WW friendly dinner, but not blow all my flex points in one night as tomorrow night we dine on pot roast here at home. Gravy and mashed potatoes will be served and I look forward to it, but must be VERY careful not to go over on points and flexies.
Laura, also good luck with all your plans for the open house. I hope you survive the event's food choices. Things like that can be very hard.
Well, off to pay bills and get some housekeeping done.

Good Friday afternoon!

Haylo- sounds like a nonscale victory this week to me! Great job getting all the excercise in.....it will show up on the scale, if not this week, next! Think of all the good you did for your body by working out and eating well.:carrot:
Put the one indulgence behind you.......and hope the scale fairy is good to you tomorrow!

Paige- you have my hugs too. It takes a lot of courage to post some of what we put here- but none of us are here to judge, just listen and love.
I am so sorry, but Ds's HS play is tonite, so I am busy with that and can't make it to Middletown. WHat does next week look like for you?

Laura- glad you had such a good OP day yesterday! Hope today goes as well for you!


Pixie- enjoy your 1/2 day!!!! Congrats on the loss!!!!!

Welcome Mary!!!!!

Linda- think you hit on something there with the relationship between weight and self esteem. I know my eating is connected to my self esteem levels.....I would gather for those with anorexia the same problems exists, just manifests in different ways. How has your day been?

Janette- enjoy the meeting!!!!!!!!!:carrot:

INHSE- warm soup sounds like a great thing to come home too.....make one that you love and have single servings ready for a fast reheat. Soup is so comforting.

Gotta go back to the funny farm....so far got 3 miles of walking in, and my eating has been good. We are going out for a quick dinner to get to the play ontime, but I usually do very well in fast food places.........take care!
Ginny

Paige: I am glad you were able to share your experince with us. I am sure that must be hard for you. I give you a :hug: I am proud of you for owning up to what happend to you. We are all human here and sometimes things get the best of us and we lose control. Good luck.

Ecmom: thanks for the uplifting reply that really changed my perspective on everything. I did not think of the NSV at all, gosh I hadn't really sat down to think about it but I am really proud of myself for going to go excercise. Thanks!!!. I

Mary Welcome

Pixie: congrats!!!!

derry: all of your suggestions/meal ideas to INHSE were great IMO. I am probably going to implement some of those I am a single gal too and as INHSE has pointed out it's sometimes hard doing things when you are on the run and only cooking for yourself. Great suggestions!!

Linda-Sometimes I guess binging and purging is about food and "cheating the system" but most of the time it isn't about food at all. I used to get such a "high" from eating and purging...now it isn't there anymore, and after it is over, I have such let down and a depression-like feeling. I can't even say why I do it...it's like something in my brain takes over. It is funny because if anyone saw me in person, I probably would be the last person they would ever suspect had this problem. I'm the type of person that is ALWAYS put together...I always have my make up on, my hair done, my trendy outfit on. I always act like a really confident person; like I have my sh*t together. Sometimes I feel like my life is so scattered; I know I'm not the only one that feels like that. Unfortunately when I was younger I fell into that trap, and now I will always have it over my head.

Anyway...I am having a much better day today. My chiropractor appt got cancelled, and I really wish I could just get away by myself for a little while, but I hate sticking dh with dds as soon as he gets home.

Thanks for listening, guys, and not judging. It is incredibly embarassing for me to talk about.

Chat later...

Hey ladies,

I didn't go weigh in last night where Duane just got home but I did go first thing this morning. God he couldn't keep his hands off me....;) :devil: I was up like I suspected. I am starting again for the 100th time I think, and weigh 160.8 pounds. Not a really huge amount but on my little 5 foot frame it's all I can handle. I have been heavier but don't want to go back to that again.

Hey Linda (derry) - Time did go fast while Duane was away but it seems like it's going just a fast since he got home. He has to leave and go to St. John's on Monday morning with his father to see a cardiologist. So that is almost a week of his 12 days away from me. Tops is a support group, you just follow whatever you want to follow. There has been alot of bicking between members and staff since I joined and I couldn't be bothered with that. I went back to WW today, that works best for me anyway. I was spending just as much a week in junk food as WW costs weekly anyway.

Hi Newlifestyle and ECMom. How's it going girls?

Hey Rosegarden - I hope I don't wander away from this site anymore. Great job on the loss, 3/4 of a pound is awesome.

I better get going now and get the house tidied up.

See you again tomorrow if not sooner.

Kim

Ginny, Have fun at the play and way to go getting your walk in today.

Haylo- You are doing amazing with your exercising that is great. Good luck on your weigh in

Paige- Hugs to you. That is good your day is better today. I like to run when I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It makes me feel better. Now I think I am addicted to running. I love the high you get from running.

Laura- that is awesome you were on plan yesterday, hopefully today will go well for you.

Mary- Welcome

Pixie- Congratulations on your loss. Enjoy your day.

Linda- I hope you have a wonderful dinner out tonight. Thanks for agreeing to be my fearless leader and letting me come to the meeting with all these wonderful people. You are such a great sport.

Janette- Have a great meeting.

INHSE- Soup sounds great. I love warm soup or chili it is comfort food. I also love pasta with vegetables but I don't know if that would be too heavy a meal.
Hello Kim.
Have a great night everyone.

Good morning ladies.
Have a wonderful day. I am so happy the snow is almost gone and I can wear my spring coat.
Linda I hope you don't mind that I want you to be my leader, I am being honest when I say that I feel you would make a great ww leader. You are awesome at guiding and keeping me on plan. I am thanful for this site too as all these ladies have great ideas and are so supportive.
Kim I must have been posting while you were posting last night. Great job getting back on track.
Have a great day ladies.
Take care
Ann

Good morning to everyone- Sorry I didn't post yesterday after my WI. My DD was sick and I helped her with the three boys. I have lost 1 more pound. I am happy that it was a loss. I wish of course it would have been more. I explained to my leader that I have been weighing daily and that starting on Saturdays - Wednesdays I am always losing weight. Then on Thursdays and Fridays I am always up. She went over my schedule and journals and she is in agreement with you all I should eat more. She said that since I am walking approx. 8-10 miles per day I should be not only using all of my daily points but at least half of my AP's and some of my Weekly 35 points. She thinks because I am so active that my body is holding on to every little ounce it can. I told her I have hypothyroidism and a multi-nodule goiter. I have to go the extra mile just to see a loss. She said try to eat more this week and we will see what happens. She also said not to weigh everday. So I ate all of my points yesterday. I didn't eat any extra. I'll try again today. I had to weigh my self this morning and I was down .8 pound just like last Saturday.

Paige- I just want you to know that I have also in the past used binge and purge. Not as a daily thing but mostly out of guilt. I would be trying so hard to lose weight and then something would happen and I would lose all sense of "reality" and go off the deep end. I am a very emotional person. I have Obcessive Compulsive Disorder, Major Depression Disorder, Seperation Disorder, Severe Panic Disorder. My psychiatrist wants me to be on meds but I refuse to take them. I have panic attacts when Dr.'s say you need to take this med. I think about all of the other problems that come from taking meds. I do a lot of walking because it relieves stress. I am sorry I went off on my self. I was just trying to say I understand.

Thanks to "everyone" sorry I didn't call everyone by name-
Janette

Ginny, I wish you lived near me and could force me to walk with you. I'm such a sludge.
Haylo, glad you liked the suggestions. We can brainstorm on quick fix menu ideas for "one" for us all. As for me, I'm not a single gal but I am home for lunch by myself 5 days a week. I get bored, but need good nutrition.
Paige, darling, please keep talking about this issue of yours. It would make me proud to know that our group helped you get past this. I think one thing that was really important for me to read is that you kind of got a "high" from it before and now you feel a let down afterwards. Maybe that is a very good thing and it's showing that you, deep down, are finally going to put an end to this? Gosh, have you ever seen the show on FOX, House M.D.? There was an episode about a woman who was doing what you do. She was like the most put together woman, ever. She was CEO of her own company and someone everyone looked up to, yet hiding this secret that was hurting her. So, maybe it's many people who think they have to show the world how together they are that are the ones that are doing this in private? It's a very interesting thought. Maybe some people can't forgive themselves in public for any flaws, and this is a way to "punish" oneself for the flaws you can't show others? Forgive yourself and know you are loved and worthy, Paige! I stress how worthy you are and how admirable and just plain nice!
Please do the best you can, do not feel shameful and I hope what I said about this TV episode was ok. It's so wonderful to be honest and anonymous. We can leave this issue if it makes you uncomfortable, and I will only bring it back up if you bring it up, Paige. Just know that we care and want nothing but for you to be an outstanding success and conquer all these demons. We all have our own demons, so don't go thinking that somehow you are worse than anyone else, believe me we really all have our own stuff - just different.
Kim, I thank you for chatting about TOPS a bit. I can see why a group like that would bicker a bit if there is not one selected plan to lose weight for the group. WW, at least, has flex and core plan, but both inter-lap with each other and you can (as proven by me) switch back and fourth easily. Just stick with it. Glad your darling has returned and glad that you returned to your meetings!
Dinner out turned out not as planned, that's always the way things go with my family it seems. My son was supposed to go out with a friend, but his plans got cancelled so he ended up with DH and I. He vetoed the place I wanted to go (I so wanted my broiled fish) and I almost got totally overruled and going to the Chinese buffet place. Thank goodness I didn't end up there, as every time I go there I swear I have a gain. We went for Mexican food. I used 14 flex points, but I journalled each and every thing I had, even the two lite beers (whoops!). But, hey, you have to LIVE, right? I could have had two margaritas, which is truly what I wanted. Think of the points I saved by not having those! Think of the points I saved by not having the other higher fat foods vs. what I had!
I still have flex points and I can get by the rest of the week, I hope.
I had fajitas, by the way, they are really the best thing to order in a Mexican place as they are grilled rather than fried and there are no batters with the items. They came with two tortillas, and I gave one to my son to dip in his cheese sauce and only ate one of them. I did have a few nachos and cheese, though, I am human after all.

Cross posted again with a few of you, guess we all got up at once!
Janette, glad you mentioned your own issues. Paige, you are SO not alone - you see? Janette, it's so good you got that off your chest too.
Ann, ok already! You've got it. You make my day sometimes, in fact you all do. :hug:
Gotta go, DH and I are going to furniture shop today - oh boy do I love that kind of shopping!

'Morning - Sitting here with my cup of coffee truly enjoying the peace and quiet. DH left for work very early and my other two children left about 15 minutes ago for work. Me, I'm here for peace and tranquility and to get some things done around the house.

I'm going to try to make the homemade pizza again. I bought some yummy veggies to put on top so I'm looking forward to it. I also bought the stuff to make my own Subway veggie sub. I'm going to try to get their subway vinegar sauce down so I can get my 2 oils in. I did get them in last night in the shrimp stir fry that was so yummy, I had seconds. But that was okay because I had the points to do it and I stayed on track. Didn't get one of my calciums in and I guess I need to get a multi-vitamin with the extra calcium in it going again. I do so much better with the weight loss when I pull all the features together of this program.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday. I won't address each of you this morning but I have read all the posts and truly appreciate each and everyone of you's input here. Thanks for being here people!

paige, i am so proud of you for sharing your secret with us. It may not help to pay to talk to someone, but it is always helpful to know that you have sympathetic ears who understand- I've done it before on occasion too. For me it was always about "fixing" things. binging fixed whatever i was upset about and purging fixed the fact that i binged. either way, this is a safe place for you to be you. No questions asked.

Well, i am doing the Wendie plan and yesterday i was supposed to eat 37 points. I have every confidence that i ate that and more! I went to hang out with friends, and i drank like 4 beers, ate two pieces of homemade pizza- with a bechamel sauce rather than tomato! agh! and nie thousand triscuits with babaghanoush on them. As usual, the beers did me in. But it wwas fun and today is another day. One where I am not eating a lot and i will both get my run in and do pilates. And clean my house.

I walked the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston, SC. It spans the Charleston Harbor, and connects Charleston to Mt. Pleasant. It's very tall so bigger ships can come in our ports, which means that it is very steep till you get to the middle. Nice little workout. and it was 78 degrees with a nice breeze, so it would have been a wasted day if I hadn't done something outside.

the bridesmaids dress is horrid. It is periwinkle satin. And it is seperates- so I may one day be able to wear the top or something, but i am such a tank top and flip flops girl (raised in a beach town) that i can't wrap my head around the idea of wearing periwinkle satin ever again. matter of fact it should be illegal to make periwinkle satin. the dress is horrible, but it is excellent motivation to work my upper body, get in tons of cardio and eat well for the next three weeks, every little bit helps (and counts), right?

thanks all for the congrats on my loss. i REALLY needed it. I hoped that it would be more, but since it won't be TOM next week, then maybe i will have an extra little surprise if I do well this week. Any last little bit gone before i put that dress on will me swell. It IS annoying how wedding pics tend to linger.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. it is supposed to be in the low 80's here with nothing but sunshine- so i may just shut off the computer and not look at it again till monday.

Hi Everyone,

Just dropping by after my weigh in.....I lost another 3.8 pounds and I was totally taken by surprise, I thought it would be less. But what I really came here to say, is that I'm going to take some time during my next two days off to read about you gals and get to know you abit better. I want to be able to better support you and feel abit guilty that I'm here asking questions all the time and really not giving much back in return.

I've made some nice changes to what I've been eating thanks to all your great suggestions and am working hard on the water thing.

Just abit about me I just turned 50, it was a great birthday so I'm okay with all of it. I work in health care (not a nurse) and work 2:00 p.m. to 10 p.m., a very odd shift so a challenge to get this WW stuff working right. But hey can't argue with the pounds off in the last two weeks. I live in Canada on the West Coast in Victoria.....beautiful place. And that is about all there is to know at the moment.....oh I was married for 13 years but that's done with and have no kids, but an incredible dog!!! Have to go get ready for work and stuff, so happy weekend everyone and I will read up about you all in a few days.....thanks for being around....you gals are great!

Oh goodness, I am sitting here thinking about periwinkle satin and about ready to barf! EEEWWWWW. I subjected bridesmaids to mauve quianna (polyester) in the 70s, once. Empire waisted with sheet U necks, very 70s looking. I'm sure they never wore those again! : )
Then, I got divorced, and when I remarried there was no wedding party. My sister, as my maid of honor got to choose whatever she liked to wear and that was ok by me.
One thing that does exist now that didn't exist when I had a "collection" of bridesmaid dresses is some great secondhand shops and e-bay! Whew.
Also, if you are handy with a needle (not that you like periwinkle anyway) you can always alter stuff and have some fun with that.
Well, we went furniture shopping this morning and are heading back out again this afternoon in a little while. We're going to an unfinished furniture store later.
I'm not addressing individual comments this time, but just want to say that it's truly great that everyone feels that they can be so open with each other. SC and Victoria sound like lovely places to live, by the way.

INHTSE - Congrats on the Loss!!! WHOO HOO!!!! You're doing great!

It's okay to focus on yourself but I am glad that you're going to try to get to know some of us. There really is a diverse group here. I'm 48 myself so really close to 50. It's harder to lose weight these days but I definitely focus better on it because of that factor.

I made the "Subway" sub for lunch. WOW - was it great. I'm not sure that I got the sauce down right but it sure was good w/2 t of olive oil and 2 t. of red wine vinegar. Stuffed with veggies. Whoever was talking about it earlier this week, sure made me crave it and it was yummy. It was a 5 pt sub with the mini-sub bun I used and the 2 pts for the oil. Worth every bite.

Good saturday!!!!
No time to really get personal.....sorry......the seed company sent me our garlic sets this week, bear in mind that only a week ago we had a foot of snow ! So I am off to play in the dirt and get them planted.

Linda, wish I could walk with you!!!!! Even 15 minutes counts....think you can find 15 minutes in your day to be good to yourself?

Paige, vent anytime...we are here for you.....I know I have left some less than pretty thoughts here, but it helps! Sorry the appt was cancelled.

INHSE- a loss!!!!!!Congrats!

Sorry not to address each of you......hope your day is going well.
Chat later.
Ginny

Well I went to WI and I did have a slight loss .6 to be exact. I was happy to have some sort of result I wish it had been more but I am not complaining. I went to my excercise class today and I am going to a bday party later on tonight I don't know what they will be serving it's at some one's house but I am hoping it will be something healhty if not I will try to find the healthiest part of it and it that. I hope everyone has a great day.

Hi all...just wanted to check in quck before I started getting ready for church.

I had an ok day yesterday. We went out for lunch while we were out running errands, and I had 2 pieces of pizza; I had made the mistake of not making time for breakfast. I did have a pretty low points dinner, though. I have had take out pizza two times this week, and both times it has made my tummy scream. You'd think I would learn, right?! Sooo anyway...I stepped on the scale this morning, and so far it doesn't look like I've lost anything this week. That stinks...but I don't weigh in till tomorrow afternoon, so maybe something miraculous will happen.

Sorry to not be more personal...I'll check in later!

Morning. Getting ready for church in a few minutes.

Haylo - sounds like you had a successful day too. Congrats! How'd the b'day party go? Good food choices?

Morning Paige - keep up the good work. It'll show at the scale.

Not much else shaking here today. Have a good one everybody!

INH, congrats on the loss from me as well! Great job!
Laura, maybe I'll try to make that sub for myself as well. Sounds good.
Ginny, I do wish you, or someone from here, lived near me. I need someone to push me where walking/exercise is concerned. I am my worse enemy where that is concerned. If I had a weight loss partner of some kind to phone me and "force" me to go with them, really a true nag is what I need. I'd be more apt to get off my butt and do it. Soon the nice spring days will beckon me outdoors and if there was a person who said, "C'mon, let's go for a walk", I would probably go.
I'm going to try to walk on my treadmill today. I have a VCR/TV set up right by the treadmill and I can put it on "close captioned" and read the words if the volume is not loud enough. I got a video on home decorating from the library that I am interested in watching, so maybe I'll be motivated to get on that so I can watch it. We purchased new living room furniture last weekend (it's on order and won't come for about 4 - 6 weeks) and I really want some tips about making our room look really nice. I've not mentioned this before, but we are hoping to put our house on the market in about a year or so, as soon as my youngest graduates from high school. I want to really enhance the "image" of my house so it "shows" better. I'd rather do this with things that I can take with me vs. putting money into the house, though some things really just must be done.
I got on the scale yesterday, whoops. But, that is the first time I've been on it since my weigh in so I have made progress. I'm going to try not to get on it again before weigh in/meeting time on Tuesday.
Haylo, congrats on your loss as well. Any loss is a good loss!
Paige, ah... you live in NY which to me is "land of pizza". The Italian population down there is amazing and the pizza is fabulous. There was a place in Newburgh called Cosimos,or something like that, that had it's own wood fired pizza. It was fabulous and I couldn't go there without eating it. But, the places on every corner were just fabulous as well, it seemed. How can you resist?
One tip I have learned about pizza is to always order a garden salad with lite dressing or oil and vinegar when I am having pizza. I am a three or four slice person normally and having salad with or before the pizza helps me to not overeat. I also order water and drink lots of it before the pizza too.
Paige, eat asparagus tonight if you can - you'll see a loss tomorrow! It's a natural diuretic. It's a great pre-weigh in food, especially if you have had something in the last few days that is high sodium and you might be retaining fluid.
As for me, nothing much new here. I will try to eat well, on program, today and my entire family is home for a change today, so that will be nice.

Paige, eat asparagus tonight if you can - you'll see a loss tomorrow! It's a natural diuretic. It's a great pre-weigh in food, especially if you have had something in the last few days that is high sodium and you might be retaining fluid.


OMG that is great to know. I adore asparagus and I eat it often. Up until last week I put salt all over it but i don't anymore. now i just put smart balance in it as one of my oils. Hmmmm, perhpas i will stock up on asparagus today at the store.

Are you counting Smart Balance as a healthy oil? I am not, and am counting flex points for using it. It is made with olive oil, but I wonder about it.
Anyone else?
I got on my treadmill this morning. I had to laugh, though, as the home decorating video I borrowed from the library was sooo old, like late 80s decor. It was so outdated that it was not worth watching. I must tell the librarian when I return it.
Just had a lunch with a Boca burger, it was really good!

rosegarden: that party was fun, thanks for asking the food choice were not all that great we didn't have a choice of what they gave us they just handed us plates of food. I did manage to get some veggies because they had a veggie tray but the main entree was tamales I don't know if any of yall have ever heard of those but they are exremly fattening it basically a mexican dough filled with something meat, beans and cheese etc. After that my aunt and I went to hang out at one of her favorite bars I went a little overboard but it's not to often I get to see my aunt and we always have such a great time together. I will be drinking lots of water today and making healthy food choices.



I am a little worried about this week I am going to a confrence in houston texas we always have so much fun at these because it's like time off from work. I know were are planning on going out and of course eating out anyone have any suggestions I can take along with me so I don't over indulge. I have already told myself when I go out with them I am going to limit myself to maybe 2 beers and lite ones. Hopefully I can stick to that amount. I am just worried about food choices. I get so easily persuaded. And the last time I went out of town I thought I was eating healthy but apparently not since I gained so much weight back. Any suggestions would be great.

Well as of today, I'm down 5 lbs since I began this journey on February 28. I went from 257 to 252. I'm excited because this is a positive step towards a smalelr and healthier me.

Haylo.......congrats on the loss!! Good luck at the conference.

Linda, I have an idea regarding excercise, will PM you tomorrow when I am awake! BTW there is a Cosimos in Middletown....been there once.

Paige, how did your day go?

Hi Linda!

Pixie- yup asparagus is a diuretic........heard it too.

Sorry for being so brief.....such a busy day and I slept awfully last nite.
Off to bed.....nite!
Ginny

Hi there, our darling moderator Mauvaisroux found an old thread that I had started awhile ago. I wanted to share it with you all. I had remember that someone named Kelly made the most wonderful response to me after I had asked for Plateau Busting Ideas. I had printed it off, and kept it, and re-read what her response was to me just last week, but didn't have the thread to share with you all. I could have re-typed it all for you, but then I'd be plagerizing.
So, check this out:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46927
If you can't follow the thread, it's in the WW General section up on top. It's worth reading, truly.
Thanks to Mauvaisroux for locating it for me. It's people like her, who moderate, that make this web site worthwhile for us all!
I'll be back on line later on to "chat" but did want to post this.
Linda

Hi ladies,

I am so tired today that all I want to do is lie down and take a nap:( . I am going to go down though and get on the treadmill as soon as I finish this post and get an hour in. If I still feel tired later on I will take my nap then.

I have a Turbo Jam DVD that I want to try also so I may put that on later on just to check it out and figure out the moves.

Duane left this morning for St. John's with his dad. He's gone until Thursday I think. I won't get to spend very much time with him this time while he's home from work but maybe next time will be better.

I'll post again later after my walk....

Bye for now...

Kim

Welcome Mama Angel. I'm glad you are down 5 pounds! Keep at it!
I worked out this morning and I went on my treadmill for 25 minutes yesterday, so I am on a "roll" (not eating one - get it!).
My daughter found a great snack or breakfast idea that I want to share with you all. We can get a nice sized pita bread made by a company called Josephs that is only one point. It's got whole grains and soy in it, I believe. Keep an eye out for it, it's about 8" around.
At any rate, if you can find a one point pita (or use a 2 point one, but count it) you can cut it in 4ths and put it in your toaster, it really crisps it up. Then she started spraying the Olivio "butter" spray (you could use I can't Believe it's not Butter if you can't find the Olivio - both are 0 points). But, she then sprays it with that spray and then puts garlic salt on top of it. It's crispy, warm, tastes kind of buttery and good.
I did the same thing this morning, but after putting the Olivio spray on it, I chose to mix Splenda and cinnamon and sprinke that on top, it was really nice and kind of filling as a breakfast treat.

oooooo, splenda and cinnamon sounds really good! i bet you could even shove some apple or banana in the pita pocket too and that would be tasty (and a way to get some fruits in!).

OMG I am gonna try that for my pre-run snack when I get home. I try to eat a "good" carb before I run so that I can have a little energy boost. I love whole wheat pitas! so versatile. I buy the Toufayan ones and they are one point. I bet you could do all that with a La Tortilla factory tortilla too. The big huge ones for burritos are only two points. mmmmmmm.

I love new snack ideas!

Hi ladies! I am so sorry i keep forgetting about this thread!!!!!!!!!

I can't really find where I last posted, but I believe some people were interested in the differences between our weights/measurements & those in the rest of the world (LOL)...

We measure in kilograms.... 1 kilogram is the equivalent of 2.2lb..
So i've lost 6.2kg or 13.6lb :)

My daughter is teething right now, so i'm finding it difficult to get online ,but I will try my hardest to come back to this thread when I can!!!!!

sorry I haven't done any personals, but i have to go now & take Gaby to get her 5 month injections! :dizzy:

Emma, so good to hear from you again. I'm glad to know what the difference in weight is. Your numbers are rather similar to many of us on this thread, I think, then. You are doing well, so keep up the good work!
Pixie, also, if you cut up an apple you can microwave it (about 2 minutes, covered) with splenda, cinnamon and nutmeg on top. It takes like apple pie and if you eat it warm, it's really quite comforting.
Well, everyone. I have "done it". Today is day 6 of journaling for me, all in a row and not missing a single thing. Tomorrow, I will journal again and I still have 5 flex points left. I'm eating lunch out tomorrow and will have to be pretty careful not to eat something heavy. I don't know what my weigh in will be like, but I am awfully please with myself as I have journalled and have also exercised two days in a row!
I tried something "new" with dinner tonight and it was just awful. I ate it, as I didn't want to waste food and waste, especially, expensive asparagus. I cut it up and sauteed it with garlic (which I sauteed a few minutes by itself before adding the asparagus). The tender asparagus did NOT do well with the overpowering garlic. It was all done in olive oil so I could get in my healthy oils and a veggie. Eeeeeewwwww, don't try it!

Hello everyone,

Derry: good job on journaling, that snack does sound good I am going to have to try that.

AUGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! My poor daughter is so overloaded with school work. What a stinky day. Nothing horrible, just lots of stuff going haywire.
It has been a struggle not stuffing my face......seltzer has helped immensely, but I have snitched a bit.

Sorry not to get personal....I will be back tomorrow.
Ginny

Ginny - it's hard to stay on track when you're having a stressful day isn't it!

Derry - LOL i hate when I try something new & exciting & it turns out to be disgusting & a flop. Unlike you though, I just throw it out. I can't even look at asparagus without being sick now, it was one of my major triggers for nausea/vomitting when I was pregnant. I sometimes like thinking about my weight loss in pounds, because the amount lost sounds like so much more! But then I remember that if I was doing it all in pounds, I would have a bigger number to lose LOL

I'm still feeling a little fluey today, so haven't been eating much, I had some yoghurt/fruit for breakfast & then six pieces of sushi for lunch.. having spaghetti on toast for dinner. When i'm feeling a bit better I'll use my saved points, so I can catch up on what i've missed

Hows that, I posted in here twice in a day! :carrot:

Emma, let me clarify WHY I just "had" to eat that asparagus! I have learned that asparagus is a mild diuretic and I like to have it the night before my weigh in day. I think (probably my imagination but I'll try anything!) when I have it the night before weigh in, I usually always have a loss. I am SO hoping for a loss today. So, even if I cooked it in a way that was displeasing, I knew is was "good for me", so I just ate most of it.
Now, today is a very weird day for me, I have a doctor's appointment (allergist) and then I am meeting an old friend for lunch. I'm nervous about that as I don't know where we are going yet and it could be "dangerous" - especially on weigh in day. But, maybe it will help me be more in control. I'm only going to have a 3 point breakfast and I have 5 flex points left today.
Then, we have a WW meeting at 4:30 and I have to be at a school function at 6:00 pm. I'm going to be wiped out, stressed and probably won't post back here until tomorrow as well.
I hope I make it until weigh in time and don't "kill" whatever chances I might have for a loss by eating lunch out.
Take care everyone.

Oh yes, today is supposed to be the day the flex core challenge "ends". I will post any loss, if I have one on that tracker but I went back to flex and was on core last week, so my "results" are "nothing" in my mind. But, I didn't want to drop out and cancel that tracker.
As far as if CORE is Better than FLEX, who knows? The week before when I was supposed to be on FLEX, I "cheated" and I blew it more than once. This week, I've been well behaved and did my journal, counted everything, drank water, worked out, etc. So, if I have a loss this week, it only proves that by FOLLOWING the program, whatever it is, that is what is going to make you succeed.

Good morning all! Sorry I didn't get a chance to post at all yesterday...was a busy day.

So yesterday was my weigh in at home and I was down 1lb. Wish it could of been more, but I was good with it. Today is my weigh in at dd's school for the weight loss club, and I feel like I'm down a little more. Maybe not, we'll see!

Nothing too new and exciting here...I'm working on starting a little business with a friend of mine, so I worked on the business plan all afternoon yesterday. We are thinking about starting a "dinner solutions" type business where we make meals for people who don't have time to cook/don't like to cook/can't cook/etc. The meals (they will serve 4-6) will be frozen, and will be delivered 6 or 12 at a time. That way, a person will have quality, wholesome meals without spending a lot of money like they would if they were going to a restaurant or getting take out. What do you guys think? I was actually really excited last night because I got the new 2007 Light and Tasty cookbook in the mail last night, and it has TONS of awesome recipes in it, and ones that I would consider doing for this business.

Not much happening today...I'll check with you all later!

Well, I'm just on line a moment or two as I have to leave in a few minutes. This site is addictive, you know!
Paige, I love your business concept. In fact a dear friend of mine that loves to cook (like me) and I thought of doing the exact same thing a few years ago, then her husband got transferred and she had to move away. I could never handle something like that on my own.
One thing that was a "problem" for me is that I had trouble with the "board of health" issues about doing business or "industrial" cooking within my home. I didn't get as far as to look into regulations, however, not being the world's best housekeeper and having two cats that do jump on my kitchen counters, etc. was worrisome. An occasional cat hair finds it's way into our meals (not all that often, I do clean the kitchen of course) but if one were selling food to others, it could be a huge issue.
Our concept was more to create gourmet dinners for dinner parties than to create day to day food choices, however, we thought of both. We were more into the idea of catering events in a way, kind of like Martha Stewart started out, I guess. I think it would be tremendously fun, but then stressful if you have "duties" like kids (who get sick) and all sorts of personal things.
But, there are tons of working women who want to put decent meals on their tables for their families, people are on the run and it's a great idea.
It's hard to eat well, commute to work, have any kind of "life" these days. We know what it's like, personally.
You'd perhaps want to be very exclusive.
I'm anxious to hear your official weigh in at the meeting today, Paige.
I truly don't have a clue where I stand and am having lunch out. I have to view the lunch out thing as "part of life" though and get past it.
Well, off to start my busy day. Take care all!

Linda-We are going to be renting out my church's kitchen one day a week. They have an awesome kitchen...commercial appliances, huge prep areas. I am in the process of completing the ServSafe Sanitation and Food Safetly course that is mandatory for most food businesses (luckily this is offered through my school and is part of my degree.) To start off, we are really going to keep it low key (my friend is a the nurse at my dd's school and it is incredibly important to me to finish up my degrees, so we don't want to get too busy) so we are going to spend one day cooking, and one day delivering. We still need to work on getting a financial backer, but the start up costs are so minimal that I don't think it will be too difficult. I think it is a pretty good concept...I think it is even something that I would go for. It would be so nice to have dinnertime come around and not think, "UGH, WHAT am I going to make tonight?!!!" or to have that same old conversation with dh, "What do you want for dinner?...I don't know, what do you want?..."

Good morning everyone! I got so caught up with yard work on Sunday that I never checked back in. Between Saturday-last night, I made a small dent on the mess outside. Because of my health issues last spring (two hematomas, housebound), my trip to Hawaii and the hectic pace of last year, my yard and gardens have suffered immensely. I got brutal on a couple of bushes. DH told me to leave my hands off the clippers - he he he he - think of all the APs I've earned with all that work. I haven't been using them though but figure the physical activity is ALWAYS a plus. I also got a nice walk in on Sunday. Yesterday, our internet at work was out all day and I had work to do at home last night (see above) so I'm JUST NOW getting checked in. My eating has been great and all within flex points. I love this nice weather. Cold front is supposed to come in tonight but that's okay. It's way too early for 75 degrees in Michigan in March.

Haylo - you asked for help eating out with friends. We just had a refresher on this last week in WW. Ask for a salad to start your meal out, dressing on the side. Eat it slowly. Give the bread basket to your friends and out of your reach. Look over the menu, don't be afraid to ask how things are prepared and be assertive on asking that butter or other fattening items are omitted. Always ask for a to go container when you order. Instantly put 1/2 your meal in the container and set it aside. Eat slowly, use the salad fork for your meal, savor the company and the small bites. Drink water before, during and after the meal. For dessert, don't hesitate to ask for a skinny sugar free latte or cappachino if available or use a cup of tea or a warm cup of coffee for your end of the meal. Our leader has stressed this over and over and over. Life will not stop because you are on WW. Just learn some tools to get thru it. If you want a glass of wine, drink a glass of wine. If you want a beer, drink a lite beer. Count the points and go ahead.

I hope some of these tips help you!

Paige - that sounds like a GREAT business. THose types of kitchens where you build your own meals are taking off like crazy here. Good luck and keep us posted!

Rosegarden: thanks for the tips that actually put things into perspective. I could definatly do that. I am actually going to go to costco today and get some healthy snacks for the road as well as for when I get the earge to snack on something at the confrence.


Paige: I love your idea, there is actually a place here called super supper and you go in a prepare your meals it's like 20 dollars for a meal that serves six. Anyways they have all the ingredients and everything out all you do is put them together, put them in a freezer safe container and you are on your way. They even clean up after you. Anyways, what you were saying kind of reminds of that place except they don't deliver, but they will prepare meals in advance for you to go pick up.

Linda - i didn't know that about asparagus!!! Handy to know, if I ever get brave enough to try to eat it LOL

Rosegarden - gardening is always a great, therapeutic form of exercise! LOL sometimes i have enough difficulty watering my fuschia ;)

Paige - I think your business idea sounds FABULOUS!!!! I wish you all the best of luck!

How do you all cope getting back into the 'swing of things' after you've been out with the flu??? I was struck down on Monday with a paritcularly nasty tummy flu, and I'm still not quite feeling back to my normal self...

I had a nasty flu at Christmas time. I just focused on getting better. Then I picked back up the program and went forward

What was I thinking, thinking that this week might slow down!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emma- as far as returning to WW, eat well- don't junk out- but eat what works for your body. If you have to skip a food group for a few days until your system is "normal" do so. And excercise only if you feel strong enough. Don't push too hard. Hope you are feeling better!!

Haylo- hope you found some great healthy snacks that you like! Planning to eat well is half the battle.

Laura- glad you got some yard work in.....great for getting some AP's in!

Gotta go......Dh needs computer.....see ya!

Lesson learned today: I am in the middle of packing for my confrence and realized that as I am packing I am having to try on my clothes to make sure they fit appropriatly so I don't look like I am popping out of my clothes. It is very frustrating. One thing for sure as frustrating as it is, I think I have definatly found my motivation for staying on track while I am out of town. I hate this, I never had to do this before, in the past before I had gained all this weight I could just through together whatever and it looked fine. Definatly a lesson learned.

I am leaving tomorrow but I should have acess to a computer so hopefully I get a chance to drop in.

I'm back!!
Just wanted to say a quick hello. I'm not even going to try catching up on all the posts.... just start fresh today.
I weighed myself this morning and I'm up at least 2 pounds. Thankfully I missed my WI last night so, I have a week to get back on track. We did a ton of walking in FL at all the parks etc. However, MY DH was not helpful at all when it came to where he wanted to eat out etc. Our last night there his choice was McDonald's!!! He was in search of one of these huge Mcdonald's they have in Florida, I was less than happy. Oh well, he promised that once we got back home, he wouldn't be such a sabotager and would get back on track as well. Hope everyone is doing well!

Welcome back Erica.
Haylo, I know what you mean about trying on clothing to make sure it all fits. That totally sucks and I hope that one day soon you will not have to do that.
I'm on DH's computer this morning, mine died, something about system boot failure is on the screen. I hate days like this....
BUT, I had a two pound loss at my meeting yesterday. What a relief! I have to adjust my trackers (will keep our challenge one there for a few days)and will do that in a moment.
I'm a prime example, I think, of someone who really allowed myself to get "off track". I think one of the pitfalls of being on core for long term (and I will end up on it again, but have learned) is that one can get "sloppy" and grab snacks that are extra or not core. I think, no matter which program I am on, FX or CR (new abbreviations from me), I still need to journal all the time to keep myself "in check".
So, a new day, a new journal and I am on track. "Steady as she goes"!

Hi again, just read a few more posts from yesterday and want to respond.
Paige, I like your idea of renting the church kitchen, it totally separates your work from home issues as well. I've seen those assembly kitchens on TV and think they are fabulous, but the cost per meal is kind of high. I like that some people go and kind of party and meet friends there, assemble their food for the week(s) and leave with it all done for them. They don't have those around here, but I don't think the population would support it. I do think they would work very well in areas closer to Boston. Here in southern NH, there are a great deal of commuters, though, who don't have much time.
Sorry you were not feeling well, Emma. Sometimes it just takes a few days to regain your strength, just do what you can and get rest!
Oh yes, gardening is a great way to earn extra points, soon I shall be outside doing my own share as well. I have to admit it's not my favorite task, but sometimes it's just a necessary evil.
Well, take care everyone.
Fair warning, I'll be re-starting the thread soon - getting kind of long again. I'll maybe wait one more day and then post a link.

derrydaughter-- congrats on the loss! it is kind of nice to realize a cold hard truth about how you are on a diet. kinda liberating, or something. I know for me, i can't have any food that is "fun" in my house. NONE. I can't control myself with certain things, and I have to just not have them. sad, but true. oh, and what if we did weekly chat threads? i bet that would stay to a more manageable size......

Erica- glad to hear that the vacation was fun! Back to the grindstone!

Emma- eat hot & sour soup from the chinese place. it isn't all that high in points, and it is easy to digest. the chiken and tofu in it will help you get protein and the bamboo is a nice little bit of fiber. plus since it is hot, it helps to decongest, and doesn't sit too heavy on sick tummies. Works for me anyway!

Haylo- I feel your pain! I had to do that when I went out of town for New Years and it was awful! That was my wake up call to start WW in January- I used to just be able to make sure everything matched, and then throw it is a bag- not so much anymore! Good motivation to stay on track though!

Well, I have some interesting news: My purse was stolen two weeks ago, and I got a phone call from a nice old man who found my wallet yesterday! I have already cancelled all the cards, and I don't know what is still in the wallet, or where he found it or how he got my number, but he renewed my faith in the general population and I am okay with that. I love when things like that happen! He is going to mail it to me- can't wait to see what is still in there!

I am getting excited about weighing in. I feel like I will lose this week. I just feel it. The only thing is that I am going out for sushi tomorrow night with my mother, and I don't wanna retain water from the soy sauce. i will use the reduced sodium kind, and drink a ton of water, but does anyone else have any ideas? Oh! maybe eat light at the sushi joint and then come home and eat a whole can of asparagus?!?!

Linda-My area wouldn't support one of those kitchens, and from a sanitation standpoint, I don't think they are the best. Plus I would get really annoyed with people coming in that don't know how to cook...lol...sorry, I'm a little snobby. I don't think that it would be very convenient, either. The people still need to take time out of their day to come in and assemble their meals. Plus I would end up needing to rent out more of a store front type place, which means big $$$! And huge HEADACHES! My concept is simple...I take one day a week to make the meals in bulk, separate them into smaller family size meals, then another day I deliver them. In, out, see ya later! My life can't support the chaos of owning a business like an assembly kitchen, and like I said, I wouldn't get the business for that. For my concept, though, I already have about 7 families that want to do it.

Not much happening here today...I have class this afternoon.

Chat more later!

Pixie, glad you are getting your wallet back, but I'd definitely consider yourself "infiltrated" and I'm glad you cancelled all your cards, etc.
By the way, something for everyone to do.... if you are near a copy machine or scanner, take the time to take everything (even library cards, etc) out of your wallet and make copies. Put the copies in a file called "wallet" either in your computer or a hard copy in a file cabinet and then if you ever lose or have your wallet stolen, you've got it all at your fingertips and won't forget something. Do this Jan 1st and June 1st each year or when you change the clocks so that you remember it.
Paige, I think what you plan is just wonderful. If I was "picking" at things, don't think of it as anything towards your plans. I just have a mind that works that way, I guess. One thing I wonder is if the people who are your regular clients would trust you with a key to their home (or number code for a garage door) so you could put things in their freezers and leave a checklist on the counter or something? One drawback I might consider is trying to coordinate people being home. I think I'd set up a Paypal account and bill via e-mail to them, perhaps? This way you are not waiting for a check to be maid out and for them, it's faster electronically?
I'm excited for you and hope it works out. I'll bet some of your Christmas cookie customers are the ones that say they want this?
You just MUST share your menus as maybe some of us can copy them at home for fun? I'm assuming it's good and nutritional.
Well, as for me, I'm getting off line to "start my day" and will start it right now with a work out!

Linda-The paypal idea is really good, I didn't think of that...it will especially be good once we start using a website and having people order off of it. What I was going to do as far as delivery is have one day a week (most likely on the weekend since that is when most people are home) and give each person a small time window of when we would be there. That way it wouldn't ruin their day waiting around for us, and it would keep us on a time schedule. All of our meals are going to be healthy. I went through that new cookbook last night and came up with about 15 meals that I wanted to try. So I'm going to make up about 5 on Friday to freeze so that dh and I can try them at home, and do some next week, and the following. I also have MasterCook software, so I'll be able to figure out nutritional information for all of the meals. If nothing else, it is a good plan for dh and I!

Jeesh - I swore I posted this morning or was I up too early and "thought" I did?

Having and okay day and yesterday was great. The cool weather has arrived along with the rain so the yardwork won't be as rewarding but it's still there, needing to be done.

Paige - I think it sounds like a great plan. With 7 families, it doesn't sound too overwhelming for a starting point. Keep us up to date on it's evolution.

Not too much time this a.m. so I won't address everyone individually but hope that everyone has a great OP day and find your groove!

Morning!
Laura, hope you can get some yard work in....great for a workout and it looks so good afterwards!

Paige, your business idea sounds great! There are similar services in the city that charge big $$ for that. And with so many commuting over an hour and a half, I would think the cooked meal idea would be great. Best of luck! (can I taste test???)

Linda- you gett that workout in??? Great idea of copying all the pertinent cards......I will be sure to do that next week when things slow down.

Welcome back Erica!

Pixie- hope the WI goes well. What a nice person returning your wallet. Pfew!

Haylo- drop in when you can.....have a good trip. Eat smart!!!!!!

Got to my meeting...Mrs Attention hog was there, her usual self. With a big frown she announced that she was only down .6......get your tissues out ladies! I stayed the same, which is fine with me, my eating was ok this week, but I did not WI last week. So staying the same is good.
Sorry to be so terse.......better go!
Ginny

Hi guys...

Sorry my posts the last few days haven't been "quality." I've been so sidetracked with stuff lately.

I've been doing really well this week with eating; Saturday I had the take out pizza for lunch, but I've done well since then. Today is my 17th day in a row journalling! I have had that "annoyed, aggravated" feeling today, so I've really been watching my emotions and my stress level so a binge doesn't creep in.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day. It is a beautiful 60 degrees here today. Ahhhhhh, I love it.

Paige, you should also offer a pick up time window so that people could come if they don't want to just stay home and hang out waiting for delivery. I imagine people might forget you are coming and go someplace and it could cause you annoyance?
You could also (unless the size of everything is an issue) have them leave a decent sized cooler at their back door where you could deposit frozen items? It could be always left there for you. If you did that, a courtesy phone message would let them know the food has been delivered and you could be on your way. It could be kind of like that old "milkman" leaving dairy products on people's doorsteps?
By the way, Paige, a few of the people in this group who are single and have a hard time cooking for one and being on program would probably appreciate your services if you were close enough.
Do try to also make that wonderful WW garden vegetable soup and offer that in groupings of individual servings, but make TONS of it when you make it so that you can draw upon it. It could be sold, frozen, in quart sizes or something like that? I'd be buying that from you for sure! I make it every couple of weeks and find it takes a big block of my time. If you are already chopping veggies and the like it would be pretty easy to do, especially if you have chicken broth from other chicken recipes to use.
Laura, I know what you mean about the yard work. I can't get myself motivated. I have snowdrops blooming, though, and that made me smile today.
Ginny, sorry your attention hogging friend was there. I thought you were going to try a different meeting? I really think you need to do that for yourself. Gosh, on many weeks I would have been thrilled with .6. Sorry you stayed the same.... now I am truly wondering if you are letting this woman get in the way of your own success. Are you too busy being ticked off at her to pay attention? Think, dear friend!
Paige, just read your other posting. I hope the stress didn't push you over the edge today. Maybe it takes recognizing what triggers you to finally pull yourself out of the cycle? If not, forgive yourself and move on. You sound so centered by reporting that you have journalled so many days in a row. That is great.
For me, I had what I might refer to as a "perfect" WW day. I'm really proud of myself for a change. Every single little box is checking off on the bottom of my tracker, which means I have satisfied every single "requirement". I have cable tv, by the way, and their "on demand" section has work outs and I did a body shaping workout today with weights. I have a hard time keeping up, but I did most of it. Do any of the rest of you kind of embarrass yourself when the instructor introduces "routines" and you flub it up? Even if no one else is in the room with me, I get embarrassed - as if I am supposed to be "perfect" like those incredibly sculpted women. Oh well, I looked floppy in my Batman PJ pants and sports bra while they were in these really cute perfect little outfits. Why can't the slobs like me be on those work out videos? : )
Well, I have one more point left today and I can have one of those WW chocolate fudge bars that are pretty big in size or use a flex point and have a WW ice cream sandwich. Hmmm... what choice will I make?

Lets see if this will let me post.

OK, I am at DD's pioneer meeting and last week it would not let me post....looks as though it worked this week!

Paige- you know there have been plenty of times that my posts are minimal and not addressed to anyone. I am just glad to hear that you are ok...
Hope that the stress monster did not get to you! I know how tough it is to avoid/side step a binge. I am so keeping my fingers crossed for you and hope that today ends up well. It is great that you are on your 17th day of journalling!!!!! Just the act of writing everything down is great- so therapeutic and helpful! The weather was sure nice here too! Been in Middletown recently?

Linda-sounds as though you had a great day!! What did you use that one point on? (love those 1 point WW ice cream bars!) Yay!!!!!! You got a workout in!!!! Congrats on a perfect WW day! Hope it ends up well for you.
I muff up workout routines all the time. You got a workout in and that is the most important! Try to remember what made today such a success for you- "take a picture" of how you felt, what you did right and try to recreate that great feeling for tomorrow. Great job! As far as Mrs Attention hog, yup she got to me. I knew that this week I would have to get to the Wed meeting and be with her, so I was ready for her diatribe. Recently, I have chosen to remain silent on my losses or gains- sometimes I like to share, sometimes I do not. Today she sort of forced me to talk- and she chatters about herself to herself (or anyone who will listen) during the meeting. So yes, you hit it right on the head, this meeting was less than great for me. I know that next week I will not be at the Wed am meeting- and will not tell her where I am going. I am hoping to switch to the Tues am meeting, same place. Tuesdays are not good for her- which is fine by me. You should have seen the pickle puss on her face because she only lost .6! That is what gets to me- you can waste an entire meeting attempting to console her over a .6 loss...... Really, she is not a bad person, just needy. And I have needs too. And I am going to the Tuesday meeting without her. I really appreciate you "listening" and your insights. Thanks so much.

I am glad today is coming to a close....can't wait to get home and get in my jammies! See ya tomorrow.
Ginny

Morning - checking in early before the commute. I have real issues some days getting to this site from work. Work must have some features that the site uses blocked. Today is weigh in. Crossing my fingers. I feel good and know I had a pretty good week. I hope it shows a the scale. But if it doesn't, it's okay too because I know I'm on the right track and my everyday well being and feeling is much better this week. Have a great Thursday everybody.

Hi there!
I started the new thread, it seems to coincide with a month, so I think next time I'll wait til the beginning of May to start it again? I might just add the month on the end of the title of it? That would be a finite beginning and end?
When the thread gets too long, it seems to have trouble downloading on my own computer and I have high speed internet. I wonder if people with dial up have even more trouble? Let me know.
We could do it weekly, but that might be rather a pain to keep re-starting it each week, I think. So, I guess monthly should work?
At any rate, here it is:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108451

See you there!
Linda