WW Clubs and Groups - 50 or more pounds #81

If you have 50 or more pounds to lose, jump on in and join us! You'll be sure to get a warm welcome! :)

Hi all! Sorry to be awol; guess the holiday season is busy for all of us.

Welcome, Michelle! So glad you found us. How do you like the WW program so far?

JOYce, congrats on the loss! I hope you're feeling better by now. Re: the Garden Goddess, what a shame she broke! Sounds like you're making the best of it, though, as always. Glad to hear dgd's hand wasn't broken; I'm sure that was quite a scare for you all.

Linda, thanks for the crock pot idea! I recently bought that WW crock pot cookbook, I think it's called "In Good Time." Has anyone tried any of those recipes?

Carol, thank goodness your marathon flu clinic work is over! I don't know how you do it. Is your little darlin' getting excited about Christmas yet? I guess he's old enough now to be more aware of it.

Texaslady, I also thought of Saara when the torch went through S.A. (Saara, drop in and say hi!) And I agree, we all need to get together again and hit the border! (Or at least the S.A. Riverwalk and Mercado!) When do y'all think would be a good time of year? Weather-wise, late March is usually very nice. (Last year, we did early March, and it was still a bit cold and wet. By late March/early April, the flowers are much prettier, too.)

DH and I went to S.A. Friday night; the Marriott on the Riverwalk was having a special deal. Had a great time; did lots of walking, and an early morning jog along the river. Then we went to a cooking demo that was supposed to be healthy Mediterranean cooking, and by golly, they had changed it to a Christmas cookie theme! It was fun anyway, and instead of eating all the samples, we put 'em in a doggie bag and brought them home for our friends to have, at a dinner party last night. Still haven't lost any more weight, but at least I'm holding the fort for now!

Gotta run ... everyone have a great Monday!
Regards,
Jan

Jan, I hadn't heard of the WW crockpot cookbook, I am interested in that. Thanks for mentioning it.

I'm afraid I've been overindulging the past couple of weeks -- all of the Christmas goodies I've been making; guess I should give more of them away. :) I know that these few pounds I've picked up will come off in a short while, 'cause that has been my experience lately. How are the rest of you doing with all of the temptations you're facing? I like the saying on Dotti's website: "One day at a time, no guilt, move on!" :)

Happy Monday night to all.

Hi Linda! I know just what you mean about Christmas goodies; I think I've gone up a pound too. (I'll have to do my monthly check-in at that meeting with the light scales!) But I've been trying to be good. Seems like there is chocolate *everywhere,* a real weakness for me! This morning there was a whole mug full of it in my mailbox. (We teachers exchange lots of little gifts like that, unfortunately!) I had one piece and gave the rest away to my students, who demolished it all in record time. And I brought half a cheesecake to the teachers' lounge after the dinner party; even tho' it was WW, dh and I would have slivered it away in no time if it stayed around our house. There are two faculty parties after school Thursday; I'm trying to figure out what to bring that I can eat too. Maybe baked chips or veggies and a lowfat dip, or that trash recipe in this month's WW magazine... anyone have a suggestion?

Jan, I continue to admire your discipline! Good idea to take that cheesecake to the teachers!
I remember those days in the breakroom! Always something good to munch. I think veggies and dip or fruit plates are always a good idea. They always are appreciated, especially I think when there are lots of rich foods around that need 'balancing out'.

I'm continuing to lose weight, I think it has something to do with the medication he gave me for my 'bug'. Or maybe I just don't have an appetite.
I think I saw a new low on the scales this morning. :) And that is after going to a fabulous Christmas tea on Sunday. I think it was in a WW magazine that I read that tearooms are a good choice for lunches. Of course this one had more sweets than usual. One of the ladies that works there attends the same WW meeting that I do, and she was saying one day that they use low-fat mayo and such, which helps in addition to the small size of sandwiches etc.

Crockpots were my friend when I was teaching! what a timesaver, to come home to dinner almost ready! I must admit that I have not seen the WW book eiither, I'll try to remember to do that Friday when I weigh in. Would be nice for days when I take classes.

Jan, is the WW crockpot book brand new? I can't find it online. And I echo JOYce's accolades to you for your taking the cheesecake to work and staying away from that chocolate after having only a piece or two. Good job!

Went to dd and dsil's apartment today to help her clean for a dinner party they are having tonight. I got my exercise!

Good morning everyone!
Sorry to be awol for so long. it's been a busy couple weeks- someone's on vacation, so I've been doing the marathon days.
Is everyone ready for Xmas? I'm almost there- just a couple more odds and ends to pick up for my little sweetie now that dd and dsil have finished Santa shopping (long story). His birthday is tomorrow- can't believe he's two already.
I am not exactly behaving myself foodwise lately- for some reason the treats are harder to resist this year. The past couple years I seemed to have more fortitude or something.
Joyce, congrats on your weight loss, and on seeing an all time low on the scale! Atta girl!!! I hope you are feeling better. You want to be able to fully enjoy that wonderful trip to Idaho! When do you leave? Glad dgd had no fractures.
Texaslady, we are still unseasonable warm, although it was quite windy yesterday and felt cold. My little Xmas tree that's in my room sounds just like the one your mom has. My little sweetie loves it. Can't wait to see more wedding pix.
Jan, how about veggies and fruit with appropriate low fat or fat free dips? That low fat Hershey's chocolate syrup makes a good fruit dip, too, for almost nothing in points. I've got to do some cookie baking- promised my dd if she made the family tradition candy canes (it's her generations turn, thank heaven- I hate making the things but they sure are good!), I'd make some other kinds. I found a few new egg free recipes- little sweetie is allergic to eggs, so I'm afraid I'm watching that more than fat this year.
Janet, where on earth are you? I've tried emailing you, calling you- and haven't seen you here on this board in ages! Hope all is well.
Saara, are you ready for the holidays? What are your plans?
I guess I'd better run- work calls. Just left there at 7 last night- I should have just curled up on one of the exam tables! :lol: Hi to everyone- have a great day.
Carol

Carol! I don't think I have heard of anyone making homemade candy canes! WOW! I am impressed.
Baklava is my 'fame'. Everybody wants it, and it is fun to please them. I need to make a 3rd batch today or tomorrow, so I will have some to take with us. also need to make rumballs for dd.
she expects them along with Wassail when she comes home. :)
I already have the Wassail ingreds on hand.
We leave Saturday morning, will spend one night on the road before we arrive in Idaho...stay 3 or 4 nites and come home.
We are promised that tomorrow's rain will be the last til the new year, so should have good weather for the trip. The kids will be disappointed if there is not any snow, but must confess that it won't break my heart!
I have just a trip to Blockbuster, for a gift for dgd and a trip to the market to get food for Fridays "Xmas dinner" for those staying behind, and I am ready!

That idea of the Hershey syrup is a good idea for the holiday dip. do you have favorite fruits to use with it?

Have a great day!

JOYce, way to go, reaching a new low!! :) I'm doing the happy dance for you right now. And you're so right about those breakrooms; ours is loaded w/cakes, candy, etc. even on "non holiday" weeks, and especially now.

Linda, the book is called "In Good Time: 123 slow cooker recipes to come home to." Copyright 2001. It's one of those paperback books that sell for around $11. It doesn't have an ISBN no., but a bar code on the back says 116068. It's about 97 pages, and most of the recipes look pretty good, though I haven't tried them. How did DD's dinner party go? How sweet of you to help them clean!

Carol, whew, what a schedule! Thanks for the suggestion re: Hershey's low fat syrup; will see if I can find that in our little town!

Wonder how Janet is? That worries me that you can't reach her by phone either.

Guess I'd better get busy; am making a bunch of little gifts for coworkers, and I'm all thumbs at things like that. Sure wish I had even a fraction of JOYce and Texaslady's talent!

Everyone have a great Wednesday. Tomorrow is our last day of school, and we're all SO ready ...

Regards,
Jan

JAN, what little gifties are you making for your co-workers? Sounds like fun. Thanks for the full title of the crockpot cookbook. I know I can find it.

JOYce's baklava is fabulous -- she gave us a tin to have and to share with DD and DSIL. Yum. And yes, it is made from scratch! Wish I could share it all with you.

I am so excited that Christmas is almost here! :) :)

...the congestion that I have been experiencing is Congestive Heart Failure. And it will only get worse if I don't lose weight. He also said I have to exercise! for now, it is walking, when I get back from our trip, I will check into water aerobics, although I can't imagine me doing that. :( We have a friend at church who is also in the same WW class who goes to the YMCA every morning for water aerobics, I'll talk to her, and also the Dr told me about a spa for women that has a good program.

I lost 9 pounds this week from water retention....hence the low number on my scale...and he is keeping me on the same med dose, so I will continue to lose in that way.

I'm telling you gals all this for accountability sake. I appreciate your support. I'm not sure who else I will tell. It is really an embarrassing situation to admit that I have gotten so obese that I am endangering my life.

Thanks for 'listening'.

JOYce, I think that your telling the board about this has shown what courage you have. I know it was hard for you to say it. I admire you more than I ever did, and I didn't think that was possisble. You are quite an amazing person, and I know that you are going to win this battle.
Love!

JOYce, *everyone* in this group has been at some point endangering their health with weight. You can tell us *anything*. That's why we're here helping each other, so don't even talk about embarrassment, my friend. Not so long ago, I lay awake at night listening to my heart pound, exhausted from just going through a day, *knowing* that at 256 lbs I was shortening my life. (I was too embarrassed to go to a doctor.) Heck, I couldn't even climb the stairs in my house without effort. You are SO far along now, and heading down as we speak. How wonderful that you are seeing a doctor and getting good advice. Just remember everyone else's advice here: put Joyce first for ONCE, and take those walks (or water aerobics .. sure wish we had that here!). I used to dread exercise, and now love it! Let others do the organizing and work at the church, and know that by putting your health first, you are really helping your family, church and community in the long run .. they can't afford to lose you for many, many years! Wish you could see and hear me now ... darn this internet! ... I just want to give you a hug and let you know how much I care. You can beat this!!!

Linda, I know that if Joyce made the baklava, it is out of this world good! Re: the Christmas goodies I made, nothing special, but I made little red and green light-shaped candies on sticks with gold foil and lots of ribbon. Not much candy, but lots of decoration! And some home-grown plants for dh's office ladies, mule ears I think they are called, with some bronze lizards we found in Mexico (so cute!). I put ribbons 'round their necks too.

Poor dh is down with a bad cold, so we didn't go to the faculty parties tonight after all. I had made tons of that WW magazine "trash" snack mix (really good btw!) but will find someone else to give that to. Just hope he gets to feeling better soon!

My secret mission for 2002 is to get dh to actually join ww. Have told him (and it's true) that I want to lose ten more pounds to reach my personal goal, and won't get there unless I go to weekly meetings in SA (where there are men at the meetings btw). We shall see. He's an all-or-nothing type, and I'm just hoping he hears that click ..

Love to all,
Jan

Jan, I can hear and see you...or at least imagine it. Having spent one afternoon with you, I can imagine what you sound and look like. Thank you so much for that pep talk, and the hug. What I can't imagine, is you at 256 pounds...except I think you showed me an old picture. The picture that I do see everyday, is one that pops up on my screen once in a while of you and dh in your front yard.

We just got home from the airport a few minutes ago...there was an awful thunder and lightening storm, but we still got there in plenty of time, the plane was a bit late, and 2 planes came in at one time so there was a delay getting the luggage. It is good to be safwe at home again and to have dgd here yakking with her sisters....busy planning the days they will have together.

I need to get to bed now, I plan to get up for the early meeting tomorrow...I think the doors open at 7:30.

'Talk to you' tomorrow.

Joyce, dear friend, I am so sorry to hear about your trouble, I know you can beat this! Think of it as God giving you a health challenge that you have the power to do something about. I'm glad you told us about it, so we can help you through. I would make one suggestion, though- don't just tell us- tell everyone you're around- friends, family, church members, etc.. You do so much for others, now it is not only time to do something for yourself, but to let others help you be strong and take care of yourself. I know how hard that is when you are such a giving person. Let your friends know what the doctor said, and enlist their help. Ask them to make their times with you that involve food healthy times. Get friends to walk with you, or go to water aerobics with you, or just enlist their help when the munchies hit! This isn't about wanting to lose weight for vanity's sake- it's about your life, and there's no shame in asking for help and leaning a little on others the way they always lean on you! All of us in this group have said to you that we wish you would spend more time doing things for Joyce- now's the time to really do it! You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself first. I too wish we were near each other so I could give you a huge hug and let you know how important you are to me, even though we have never met. Have a wonderful Christmas, and enjoy seeing all your family! Can't wait to hear all about it.
Carol

Thank you Carol even tho it made me cry.:cry: I did take your advice, already. Sitting next to my friend at meeting this morning, I leaned over and whispered that I am now under Dr. orders to be there, and why. She immediately asked if I want to go to water aerobics with her. She will take me as a guest the first time. and she stayed after wards explaining more about it. I plan to go the first opportunity in January...I'll see her at meeting next week, and arrange the time.
When I weighed in this morning I startled the leader when I had lost 5.4 in addition to the 4.6 last week. she started to tell me that something was wrong, when I quickly told her that it was all water and that I am under Dr care and on 'water pills'. and why, and then I was fighting back the tears. She gave me a hug and said that we would get thru this.

I stopped at the market for things for dinner, with points calculator in hand. some foods really scare me now. I know that being on the road for 2 days will be a challenge, so I got some cans of prepared tuna salad and crackers, 3 points per package, and some fresh fruit. DD-i-l has already asked me to be chief cook, so i can be in control of that. Cooking in her kitchen doesn't bother me a bit, she loves to clean up!:lol:

ddg's just left for their last minute shoping, but promised to be home to help with dinner. There will be 10 of us for our early Xmas tonight. I must go finish wrapping while they are gone...and there is now a package under the tree with my name on it, so must shake it a bit. :)

Thanks to all of you for your love and support, it means so very much. and if I don't get back on before I leave tomorrow,

Merry Christmas to all!

Well, Joyce, I didn't mean to make you cry!!! :o
Carol

Hi girls! Well, it HAS been quiet in here and I know that I am partly to blame! Sorry about that.

JOYce - I know that your doctor's diagnosis has really thrown you for a loop and scared the heck out of you! I am so sorry you are feeling so down - wish I could join the others here for a huge group hug! We have all been in that place where we have endangered our health because of our weight! Carol's advice was excellent & I am glad you are sharing the news with others. Water aerobics is supposed to be great fun, and I am so happy that your friend is going to help you get started! Boy, between your garden goddess & your health, you have had a lousy week! I am so sorry. But perhaps this is the wake up call which will get you going down the right path. You know we are all here to help. I guess you won't get this until your return, but I wanted to say it anyway!

*Listening* to Linda, Jan & Carol all discussing how difficult it is to stay on the straight & narrow is hitting home for me, too. ! What is it with that? Sometimes I think (OK, perhaps I KNOW) that I think - "It's OK, I can eat that. I will lose those few extra pounds next week." Only I don't and then, of course, there's another extra pound! I think I "pat" myself on the back for the 75 pounds lost and "forget" about the 0ther 40 that still needs to go. I have been slacking at this for almost a year now. It's definitely time for me to get back to business!

Well, I bought myself a Christmas present Tuesday evening. A new car! I got a Toyota Camry LE - it's so beautiful & rides so smooth. My Mazda 626 was getting to the point where it needed a little more maintenace work than I was willing to put out the $ for. I looked at another Mazda but they haven't changed much in the six years! that I have had my old one. I wanted something that looked different! Anyway, its a beautiful medium blue color & I just LOVE driving it!

Carol - What's up with Janet? Have you heard from her at all? Guess you are getting ready to go to Florida in a few days. Hope your job search goes well. ANYONE would be lucky to have you - you just have to convince them of that!

Jan - Sorry about dh being sick. Did he get a flu shot? I have been meaning to get one but I somehow keep putting it off. I think it would be great to have dh join you at the meetings. I think a major key would be to find a meeting that does have some guys as regular members. The men always lose so much more quickly than we do - it would be great support if there were some others there too. I think it would be great to have another get-together - our "second" annual 3FC gathering! How do the rest of you feel? Any chance we could all get together - even our California coalition?

Michelle - Welcome to this wonderful group!!! The weight loss journey is difficult & we all need all the support we can muster. There are ladies here who have lost a LOT of weight - a couple are at goal & managing to stay there. A couple of us lost a good deal of weight & have not gotten to goal but are maintaining our loss - well mostly, anyway! :D Some of us are in the process of losing - we are all at different points in the journey & hopefully can offer you our own wisdom & support.

Guess Saara is so busy with school that she can't get back here as often as we would like her too. There's so much on TV about the winter Olympics - I think about her a lot. I hope she will be able to get into some of the events. Saara, let us hear from you!


I am cooking Christmas Eve dinner for dd & sil, my Mom, & sil's parents. My Mom's sister who have joined us from Louisiana for the past many years is unable to come this year. I know Mom will miss having her here. They have such a good time together

Tomorrow we have one more post-wedding event. We need to go to the place which is preserving my dd's bouquet & pick out the framing and design. Then, other than getting the wedding dress out to be heirloomed, we are officially out of wedding duties. A new year looms....... now, if I could JUST find something to do with all this leftover "wedding stuff" in my dd's old bedroom!!

Girls, I may not be back in before Christmas. Let me wish you all the best in the world & a blessed Christmas. I will be thinking of you all - kind of neat, thinking about friends residing from coast to coast - all enjoying their own Christmas! Even though some of us have never met in person, I feel I know you all so well and feel truly blessed to have made this connection.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all are having a holiday filled with peace and joy. Our day has been lovely so far. Little sweetie got everything under the sun and is having a ball. He's been on his extra best behavior, too, and his nasty cold, which had flared his asthma, seems nuch better today. I volunteered for dinner duty, and did all the shopping, cooking and cleanup for the dinner (we ate around 1 PM so it's a done thing. I wanted my dd to be able to get a break.
I won't be posting again for a couple weekes- I leave for Florida bright and early tomorrow morning, and won't be home until the 7th. How WILL you all survive without me??? :lol: :rolleyes:
Texaslady, I did finally hear from Janet- she called me Xmas eve. She is well- it has just been a busy, hectic time for her in the past month. I was quite relieved to hear from her!
Now I'll be the first to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!! Talk to you when I get back.
Carol

We are on page two, so I will start a new thread.