Weight Watchers - Down from 250+! Marching on....

Welcome to everyone! This is a supportive and friendly thread and you are welcome to join in! We are all people who have a lot of weight to lose, and are Marching (ohhhh bad pun I know....) together towards a healthier lifestyle.

Welcome.

Good morning everyone
I am making beetroot soup this morning. What you do is get some beetroots and boil them for about 2.5 hours, then whizz them up in the food processor with a couple of ladles full (however much it needs for the consistancy you like) of the cooking juice, and also with a spoon of mustard and some salt and pepper. Zero point. Yum.

You then spend a few hours trying to get beetroot juice off your clothes....:lol:

Today the new gym opens! I am very excited. I will report back to you when I have been. I suppose I should look out some gym clothes - I dont really know what to wear. Hmmm.

Have a good day everyone
Lilac

Good morning!


Beetroot soup. Ummm........I think I'll have to find some something else as my zero point food. That sounds like a very much aquired taste. Ya know............I've always wondered why I'm so fat since I'm sooooooooooo picky about the food I eat. - lol.........if only I hated chocolate, cake, icecream, etc as much as I do beets. <sigh>

I'm looking foward to a great OP day. Hope you all have one too!

Hizzie:)

No meat today -- so we're having the seafood fettucini Alfredo again for dinner tonight. I love "Fish on Fridays" Fridays! :lol:

Actually I have no time and all but wanted to check in. :)

More later this weekend!

WELCOME TO THE NEW FACES! Glad you've joined us.

It's been a busy week but at least I was able to get to bed at a decent hour now that the Olympics are over. Didn't get to WI but suspect I'm down a lb.

Jen, Fish On Fridays ....YuMMMy. Especially fried haddock. :o Everyone here is getting some from church (Lenten Fried Fish dinners are a Friday event at our church.)
I had some last week but today it's tuna for me. Fried fish is a trigger food so I try to stay away from it when I can. Besides the points OHHHH how they add up for fish and fries. :?: It's awful.

Planning a quiet weekend at home. Ma do some on line shopping but then again, the car insurance is due soon. Probably should try to keep my wallet closed. :)

Lilac if beetroot soup is like borscht you can keep it on your side of the Atlantic. My Mom used to make it and I could never get it down. Pretty color tho.

Congrat's to all who have lost or managed not to gain this week. A good restart to those who strayed off program.

I had my weigh-in this morning and, just as I suspected, I'd gained back the 1.8 lb I lost last week. This is the fourth week in a row yo-yoing with the same amount of weight and I'm sick of it. Of course, it didn't help that I wasn't totally OP all week. When I found myself scraping whipped cream and chocolate shavings off my Black Forest birthday cake, I realised just how far gone I was and flushed the rest of the cake down the garburetor. Of course, by that time the damage was done.
Well, as Scarlett O'Hara was fond of saying "Fiddle-dee-dee! I'll think about it tomorrow. After all, tomorrow IS another day."

My meeting lecture (Yes, I did actually stay for it) was about exercise and how to incorporate it into your life. (sigh) I'm afraid it's never been my favourite thing. There were all these women at the meeting who didn't look as though they should even be there extolling the virtues of one gym or the other. I think before I do anything physical on land (like walking which is the cheapest exercise) I simply MUST go and get some orthotics made for my shoes. From what I hear, properly fitting orthotics can make all the difference between a pleasant, beneficial walk and one that causes untold agony. I'm pretty sure that I'm suffering from plantar fasciatis in one or both feet. Even when I'm just sitting around, it feels like a cramp in the arch of my foot and it doesn't loosen up with walking. God! I never thought I'd need orthotics. It sounds so.....OLD!!!

Oh well, tomorrow, I am truly going to get back on track. Make lots of veggie soup and plan my meals and, hopefully, get this show on the road again. I'm so fed up with trying to lose the same five pounds over and over again.

Welcome to newcomers. Glad to meet you.
LindaBC

Good afternoon everyone. Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far.

I was missing for a couple of days. We raise fancy guppies (about 6 different strains) and sell them to pet stores. Thursday afternoon and Friday were my delivery days. By the time I got home I was tired.

I stayed OP for two days then went wayyyyyyy over yesterday while on the road. I did not make good choices for fast food. Had a Wendy's Jr Bacon Cheeseburger & Fries for lunch and Chinese for supper. :eek: My fault just didn't stay in control.

I plan on having soups & veggies today and see if I can do a little damage control before I weigh in next Wednesday. Besides the 0 point veggie soup, I love spicy, Tex-Mex food and make a soup using Ranch beans, tomato sauce, 2 cans stewed tomatoes (you can experiment and use the ones with seasoning), 1 zuchini, 1 yellow crookneck squash, 1 carrot, 1/4-1/2 onioin (to taste), 1/2 pkg of HOT chili seasoning mix (this is to taste too as mild or hot as you like). Serves 8. The calculations on Master Cook show1-1/2 cups to be only 1 pt. I like to eat it with a few crumbled tortilla chips and reduced fat cheese. 1/2 srv chips, 1 oz cheese and soup only come to 5 points. Very filling and you get those veggies in.

I love the sound of most of your recipes Lilac, you usually have my mouth watering. But I think I'll have to pass on the beet soup too. I love to cook and try new recipes all the time. I have a husband that is not picky so I can try just about anything at least once. :D Thank you for sharing with us.

LindaBC thank you for the warm welcome. I remember you from one of the boards a while back, was it low carb???? My memory is just not what it used to be. I too have been playing with the same 5 pounds for months up/down, up/down. It IS TIME to get SERIOUS!!!! ....this is coming from me who cheated yesterday. ;) Hang in there & the pounds will eventually go in the right direction.

J-Ann, Hizzie & Jen hope you have a great weekend. I look forward to getting to know everyone better.

I have to go shopping later this afternoon. So I've got to run.

Joyce

Hello ladies!!

Well the weather purely is miserable. Last weekend it was 65+ degrees and this weekend we have six inches of snow and its 18 degrees. Certainly not motivating. I've been fighting the blues this weekend. I took yesterday as a day off and had such great plans of working around the house. Too cold to start the landscaping prep and I was too much interference to DH's and the dawg's normal inside routine yesterday. Apparently I was making it difficult to nap. I got paint for the main bathroom plus new border. Now I can't get the old border to come off and that's frustrating me. The builder must have used superglue. I did get some closet rearranging done.

I rented several movies for the weekend. Last night we watched "Don't Say a Word". Not bad. Good plot twists. Today I watched "Bridget Jones Diary". I loved it!! One I might have to buy for those rainy day weekends that will be coming.

No exercise yesterday and I'm certainly not walking this afternoon. I should make myself get on the spinner but am fighting that too. With the weather front, my allergies are acting up. Good excuse to go paint on ceramics.

Don't you just hate those whiney, bluesy, depressing days? When you have to force yourself to do the right things whether its eat right or just get off the butt and do something rights.

DH learned how to make sweet and sour shrimp the other evening. I had him get pineapple, yellow and red peppers, onion, S&S sauce. and a half pound shrimp. We had brown rice to serve with it as well. It was very good and took care of the Chinese food craving we both had. We didnt' have the crab rangoons or eggrolls that we normally eat but that's the good thing. I can't remember how many points I calculated but the highest points were in the rice. A very easy and low point entree.

Welcome to all the new faces!!

Lilac - Beetroot soup huh?! Is that like just plain beets to us in the states? Sounds intriguing. Your redecorating sounds lovely and more successful than mine!!

Linda - I feel your frustration with the scale so well. I drop down to 257 for two days and then it jumps right back up to 260 and I can't get beyond this point. I'm about ready to thrown the darn blasted thing out the window. Hang in there because all the good things we're doing for ourselves has to pay off in the long haul.

J-Ann - Good luck on your weigh-in. I hope you're down the pound. I need someone to take my wallet away for awhile! I've been doing too much shopping between a few new clothes and house redcorating things.

Bunny - We miss you but its good too that your online business is keeping you hopping! How's the exercise front? Soon it will be time for hiking.

I just about have myself talked into getting on the spinner. So I better just go do it before I change my mind.

Have a great OP day and rest of weekend.

Take care!

My parents are coming to visit Monday so everything has been topsy-turvy as we plan for their arrival. I think they're staying all week -- but I may be wrong. We've got some light hiking planned (one thing we've learned is that none of the "flatlanders" are really up to for-real hiking, ya know?) and some lunches at my favourite low-cal eateries. I'm also gonna wow them with WW dinners (and stuff from Cooking Light Magazine, I'm sure).

Today was spent in large measure working with my younger daughter who is learning to sew so that she can create new outfits for her doll, Heather. She learned to knit well enough to make a nighty, a skirt, a top and a jacket ... oh! and slippers ... for her doll. Today we made a sundress (complete with snap closures) together.

I also took my older daughter off to her archery shop for a practice session. She practiced and I went off to *ugh* exercise. It would have gone better had I not had a headache when I started. Tomorrow should be less painful I imagine.

Lilac -- I gotta join the "I hate beets" crowd -- but I'll admit I haven't really given them a fair shot since my mum fed 'em to me when I was younger. Maybe I'll add 'em to my garden plans this spring and try homegrown beets in some form or another.

Hizzie -- I think figuring out your downfall foods is a good use of time; I'm not a sweets babe but more of a salt addict (which is in and of itself bad of course). It helps me to stay more in control to realize what textures and flavours I'm looking for when I wanna binge. Er -- of course it doesn't always work. :o

J-Ann -- I can't abide fried foods any longer. My tummy just won't take 'em with any measure of grace. Sooooo I'm limited to taking my seafood broiled or baked but without any added fat. Its healthier I guess but I sure do miss a good fried anything. We live in a decidedly non-Catholic area; our local church isn't large enough to support a regular Fish-on-Friday get together sadly. Yours sounds lovely.

Linda -- I felt the same way about my bifocals when I got 'em at the ripe old age of 17. Sometimes our bodies just need things we usually associate with aging -- even if it isn't really an aging thing. On a related note, I spent sometime at the cosmetics counter today discussing the ever-changing needs of my skin. Seems that I've hit another aging milestone as all the clerks seemed determined that "anti-aging" serums were my next step in caring for my skin. *horrors* :lol:

Joyce -- Damage control is what thin folks just "do" near as I can tell -- bravo for gettin' it back in control right away. That's how you succeed long-term, I figure. :D

Terri -- I wanna come to your house for dinner (I'll even brave the snow and ice) if you're havin' sweet and sour shrimp. Slurp!!! We're gonna hike some this week but the weather has been very uncooperative -- either very cold and windy or raining steadily. Wah!

This is a quick check in as I am at work and really ought to be...err...working. I have been a couple of points over each day at the weekend, so today I am having zero point soup for lunch, and I have a new spicy suffed aubergine recipe for 1 point for dinner tonight - I will probably have some rice and yoghurt too, and some fruit, but it will pull back the weekend points.

I will email more when I have more time, but now I must do some work
Katy

I like beets. I don't serve them very often because DH doesn't like them but I enjoy them when I do. I've had Beet Borscht and enjoyed it very much. However, I prefer a different Borscht that I got from some Doukhabour (Russian) neighbours we had in the 60's. It's mainly cabbage, tomatoes and potatoes with just a couple of beets for colour and flavour but they get removed before serving. Too bad I can't make a low points version of this soup. Well, I can but it's just not the same. The original has great swathes of butter and cream in it. YUMMMMY!!

It was a lovely weekend here. I spent several hours on Saturday and Sunday doing garden cleanup. Cut back lots of perennials I didn't get around to in the fall. Counted my crocuses, miniature irises, snowdrops, etc. Checked where other bulbs are popping through the mulch. Spring has sprung here but it was frosty this morning and quite chilly today so I guess I shouldn't count my chickens just yet. :)

Bunny, I think it's great that your younger daughter wants to learn to sew. Neither of my girls has much interest in it at all but I used to sew a lot of their clothes and things for their dolls. I think I had more fun making Barbie garments than they did playing with them. I remember designing and making a very elaborate wedding gown I was especially proud of.

Joyce, I did used to post regularly on the Low Carb board so that's where you probably remember me from. I still stop by there from time to time. Nice folks and low carb really does work for some people...just not me anymore. Darn. I sure did enjoy those bacon and egg breakfasts. I still do have bacon and eggs once or twice a week but a lower fat version.

Lilac, aubergine is what we call eggplant, isn't it? What are you going to stuff it with to keep it at just 1 point? I like stuffed anything actually. Peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, potatoes. Lovely filling stuff.

Hizzie, I'm a bit of a salt addict myself. I'm trying to learn to make do with less. You know you've got it bad when you buy low salt soups and then proceed to apply the salt shaker. Well...they just don't taste right!!! What can I say?

As for fried foods (as in batter fried), I find them just too greasy for my changing tastes. Last night I made weiner schnitzel (lean pork cutlets pounded thin, breaded and fried). They turned out lovely and crispy and I enjoyed every bite but we ate quite late and I had a problem getting to sleep. The last time I ate Kentucky Fried Chicken I couldn't believe that I used to adore it. Now I find it way too salty and greasy. Must be getting old.

So far this week I have not done well at all. I made this Chocolate/Tofu Mousse out of the Cooking Light magazine. It was supposed to be one of the top rated recipes of 2001. Well, I don't think it's all that terrific. As far as I'm concerned tofu is tofu, no matter how you slice it, chop it, puree it or flavour it. Texture and flavour of grout. But, it IS mixed with chocolate, hence it can't be all that bad and I've managed to polish off all 8 servings in just three days. Hmmmm, did somebody say the words "Trigger food?"

I'm also not getting in enough veggies which is something I'm going to start working on tomorrow. First thing on my to-do list is make a pot of WW Veggie Soup. That will help me get through my days without cheating. I also plan to start having my mid-day hot oatmeal snack. I'd gotten away from it lately and I do find it very satisfying and comforting, especially with some chopped apples and raisins or dates mixed in. As a snack it has to beat dipping into the peanut butter jar with a large spoon and a squirt bottle of low fat chocolate sauce on the side. :o :o :o

So, that's how my week has begun. How are things with everyone else?
LindaBC

Hello ladies,

And the frustration continues. I came home full of great intentions to get my walk and spinning done plus lots of other productive things.

It was a beautiful, sunshiney and MUCH warmer day. The walk was cut short by two big black dogs stalking us. I walkie-talkied DH to come pick us up. One dog was a rott mix and one was a big lab. I have seen these dogs running the neighborhood many times and tonight I did not like them following us. Which seems stupid since my dog is 135 lbs; I just did not want to be in the middle of a rott dog fight. Then I went on an errand with DH which took forever so that cut out the spinning. I tried to do some work from work and my laptop would not boot up. So, I do believe that I'm going to get a book and go read. How much trouble can I get into reading?

Foodwise, I am doing good for my first day of a new week. Got a bit of the hormonal thing brewing so the scale isn't budging no matter what I do. That's been part of my mopey-whiney behavior I've had going for a couple of days.

DH is planning on making fish one night this week. We bought something we've never tried but you fish gourmets are probably familiar with it. I can't remember the name or even how to spell it but the counter guy said its a Vietnamese catfish. Very mild. We'll probably have that with broccoli and brown rice. Plus I want DH to do smothered steak (round steak with sauteed peppers and onions). We're going out on Saturday so I have to start banking points.

Bunny - I do admire your daughter for making doll clothes. I could never sew things that small!! I used to sew a lot but now it seems that has gone out of style. Good for you for encouraging her. Have a good visit with your family! Don't kill them on a hike! :lol:

Linda - I have a chocolate tofu recipe I got from a WW leader once. I can't tell its got tofu at all. Her recipe calls for adding a couple spoons of peanut butter. I love it but it gives me indigestion. I have found the same thing about greasy foods myself. Food I used to think I couldn't live without; now give me indigestion. What a bummer! But on the other hand, GREAT@!

Lilac - There you go, cooking those great (and exotic to me) sounding recipes! I used to love to watch the Two Fat Chicks (?) cooking show although most of the time I had no idea what they were cooking!!! Loved them!

Well, I'm off to read and relax some before bed. I'll have to get up early so I can get to work early and finish what I tried to do tonight. :(

Oh no way
I just typed for forty five minutes (worrying my post was too long) and included two recipes and personal repsonses, and I lost it!!!! too many smilies and when I tried to go back I got 'page expired'. AGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! :(
I know, I should have saved. In fact while typing I was thinking 'I must do what Bunny said to do and copy before I send just in case' and then I did not do it.
OK, I am not going to retype now, cos of time, but I am here, happy (well.....I was until three minutes ago) and all is ok.

grrr.

I will type a proper post when I regain my equinimity....

love to all
lilac

Has everybody joined a different thread or something?
I'm having a terrible week and I'm even considering doing the unthinkable....skipping tomorrow's WI. I've eaten so much of all the wrong foods I just know I've gained even more than last week. I really don't need the extra guilt trip of having it confirmed on a scale.
It's like I'm deliberately setting out to sabotage myself. I will do fine OP for morning and noon, but by mid-afternoon I'm scrounging around the house looking for goodies and eating everything I find. I know, I know...I shouldn't have any in the house to find but there you go. I'm human. Anyhow, when I'm truly OP and totally committed, you could wave chocolate nut clusters under my nose and I wouldn't yield. I have no excuse for this slump I'm in. Life is pretty good and, up until recently, I've felt fairly positive about WW. I guess I've just lost such a small amount of weight in such a very long time that it's getting me down. Why I turn to food instead of exercise is beyond me though.
Anyhow, just thought I'd dump on your shoulders cos I know you all understand. Give me a swift kick in the caboose and get me going again, ok?
LindaBC
:^: :^: :^:

Linda -- you strong, amazing woman, you! Just tomorrow look to exercise instead o' food when you're restless in the afternoon. Tomorrow only. One day. :) You can do that, right? Heck, I've been feeling very binge-y lately and tomorrow I'll promise to exercise (even if its just walking down the driveway) instead of eating when I feel that at-loose-ends feeling. Deal?

My folks leave tomorrow morning; its been a week of shopping and good food and I'm on track so that's cool. I'll miss my folks when they go - but I'll be glad to have my own bed back. :D

More then -- I'm still entertaining tonight. ;)

Come On Linda, you CAN do this. :)

Like Bunny says, One day at a time.
One hour at a time, if need be.

I think I'm back OP but it hasn't been easy these last few weeks. I'd been puting things into my mouth that 6 weeks ago I would not have touched, much less ate in multiples. (Can you read Milky Ways, cookies and even my #1 trigger food, the dreaded greasy as you can buy 'em, potato chips, into that last sentence?) I'm on my third totally OP day. It's still hour by hour and my journal is in my back pocket but I think I've got "it" beat and I'm back on track.

You can be too. DON'T GIVE UP and don't come down too hard on yourself. We're all human and those of us in this group have loads of weight to lose. We will all fall prey to stuff occassionally. And when we do we have to put it behind us and move forward from that point. Nobody said it'll be easy. It isn't. I know sometimes I just wish I could stop eating forever (like giving up alcohol or drugs) but, hey, food is an essential of life so we have to learn to feed ourselves in moderation if we want to go on living.

You're on the right track. You've been exercising, that hasn't stopped. Maybe spend an extra 15 minutes in the pool on each visit. That's what I've been trying to do. Class is 7:30-8:30 PM so I try to grab a lane at 7 and either warm up or, if I'm really ambitious, swim a few laps.

If you purposely skipped your meeting. Write it off. The world won't stop turning. Just commit NOW to being there next week, whether you've lost or not, and maybe offering suggestions when you get there. Who knows? Someone there may bring along an idea that may help you.

Remember: ONE DAY AT A TIME. We're here for you.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. I feel better just having said all of this. (I think putting thoughts down on paper (???) helps me see WW in perspective.) Think I'll go for a walk on this gorgeous day. Off to fill my water bottle.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have to confess I haven't even been exercising lately though. Haven't been to the pool in over a week. Our weather turned very cool and the ladies I go with didn't want to go. I confess I was feeling lazy too.
No more excuses though. I am determined to turn this slump around.
If any of you successful dieters would be so kind as to post some of your daily menus, that might be a big help for me.
Thanks again.
LindaBC

Hello everyone! :wave:

Sorry I have not posted this week until today. It has been really busy around my house. DHs' sister is getting married next Saturday and I've been shopping for a dress and a gift for them. It is going to be very small and informal. My husband needed a new suit since his old ones no longer fit. We found one but I will have to do the alteration on the pants since the store did not have anyone to do it. :mad: I can sew pretty well, but I do not care to hem pants. OH Well!

I've have stayed OP for two days now. Last week was really bad. It was PMS time and I wanted to eat everything in sight. I did manage to drop 5#'s once it passed.

LindaBC - Hang in there girl. We all have bad days. Look at how I did last week. It got to the point I would just write Blew It! in my journal. :nono: You can do this. I like what Bunny & J-Ann said "One Day at a Time!" I am going to really try this week to stay OP let's help each other okay? Even small amounts of weight add up. My sister in law told me to think of the weight like sticks of butter. When I think of even a 1/4 # of butter leaving my body I feel better. I guess the visualization helps.

Bunny - You really are an inspiration. I admire that you can go exercise when you feel the need to binge. I really want to work toward getting to that point.

J-Ann - Way to go getting back OP. I use my journal faithfully even if I have a bad day. I try to write it all down if possible on bad days too, if not I'll just write blew it and try to write how I'm feeling. I figure eventually it will show me a pattern of when or why I want to overeat. I do know that PMS time is bad for me. It's like I can't get enough food to eat and NOTHING satisfies me. I also agree that we have to forgive our mistakes and just keep trying. Eventually we'll all make our goals. :)

Lilac - Sorry about your post :(

Determined - I am terrified of strange dogs. I got chased down an alley by two huge german shepards when I was a little girl. Ever since then I've been very wary of strange dogs. I do love dogs, we have a chocolate lab (@ 140 lbs.) He walks me.... when I take him with me, which isn't very often. :lol: Great going on staying OP. I had the hormonal thing going last week. When it was over the scale showed 5 lbs gone. I'm not real excited since it was probably mostly water weight.

I tried a fish recipe from the Simply the Best WW cookbook. It was fantastic & I don't really care for fish. I'll try to post it later.

Hello to any I missed & hope everyone has a great weekend.

Hello ladies!

The week didn't go quite as I had planned. It wasn't a good week for me exercise wise and I had an okay week going with the food until last night's absolute blowout with pizza. DH has been sickly with a cold and he didn't feel like cooking. So I said I'd do what we rarely do and that's go get pizza. I parked him in the bedroom with lots of blankies and meds while I chowed down on breadsticks and pizza. How stupid was that? It was like a bottomless pit. My only weak defense is that I've been hormonal for a week or two.

Today I have been trying to redeem myself with lots of activity. I have been doing a lot of housework. Vacuuming stairs, mopping, shampooing the rug downstairs etc. I've also been working on stripping the border in the bathroom. A gal at work loaned me her steamer and its been working great. I've been perched on the bathtub side, tiptoe trying to scrape the border. Very strenous on the upper body.

I better get scootin' We're having dinner with friends we haven't seen in a long time. I'm not sure I'm going to worry about being OP tonight. If they have blackened prime rib on the menu, I doubt it.

Everyone, hang in there and be strong. It truly is one meal at a time. Lots of us are struggling with getting it all together for more than a few days at a time. But in the long run, we are doing so many more right things for ourselves than we used to. Keep up all the great work.

Linda - I'll try to work up a weekly menu plan for DH and I and post it tomorrow.

Take care!

Tomorrow, my women's group is having our Spring Workshop. It's more of an informal get-together of the six groups that comprise our region, of which I'm president. The workshop part of it is where we share craft ideas. We also have a competition and for tomorrow we were supposed to have made a tote bag, any materials, any method. Of course, I left it until the last minute so most of today was spent trying to fashion a tote out of some lovely tapestry fabric I found. It has a pattern of jungle animals. I got it finished but not sure if I'm happy with it. I also had to make a dish for our pot luck luncheon. I threw together a salad using a recipe from Simply the Best with a few minor alterations. It called for cauliflower and brocolli and shredde carrots. I just used a bag of frozen mixture. I also added cooked pasta and drained the hot water over the frozen veggies and drained everything well. Then I had to make something for our bake auction, so I used my bread machine to mix up a batch of Hot Cross Buns, later baked in the oven. They turned out pretty good (of course I had two of them.) There's just no holding back my appetite this week.
Tomorrow will be a lost cause as far as being OP goes. We will be greeted by the hosting group with coffee, tea, muffins, scones, etc. and then our pot luck luncheons are always fantastic. Trying to find OP foods amonst all the pasta, rice and potato based casseroles is like picking your way through a mine field.
I have made up my mind though. After tomorrow's luncheon, I am going to get myself back on track. No more dithering about.
You folks are so inspiring. It really helps to hear about your successes and even your failures. Nice to know you're all human.
Bye for now.
LindaBC

oh Linda so sorry things have been tough for you - me too! I have been eating everything in sight. I have been pre menstrual which sometimes makes things hard for me. I had this overwhelming craving for chocolate, so in the end I just had some, and then chips and then half a bottle of wine....and so it went on for several days. I even put a piece of choc cheesecake in my bag to take to work today, but i am going to put it back in the fridge. I dont really want it, what I really want is to reduce my weight some more.
This time of the year is horrible for me, every year. But it is nearly spring, and so it will pass.
Strange how we are all (or most of us) finding it a bit uphill at the moment. I wonder why? Are we telling each other it is hard instead of 'it is easy'? Dont know.....but it is worth us looking at. Or are we getting in to comparisons with each other and being sneakily competitive? I dont think we do that, but what do we think?
Hmmm......food for thought. Anyway, love to everyone and lets be all that we can be for ourselves and for each other.
love
Lilac

http://www.jenanne.com/03072002jenanddadtree.jpg

While my folks were here we did some walking. This is a photo of my father and me standing in front of a truly large tree which arcs over a part of a stream near the NC entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We'd just come from Harrah's casino in Cherokee and were airing out (gads but I hate smoky rooms) before heading home for some very low point soup and some (sadly) high point bread. My favourite bakery in Florida is something I've missed since moving here two years ago and my folks kindly brought two loaves of my all-time favourite bread -- rosemary bread -- with them. *yum*

I actually stayed on program mostly while they were here; but I was at the upper end of my points which means I probably won't have lost anything.

It's been a month since I weighed-in officially (though I keep weighing-in at home). Frankly our funds are very tight right now (only have money for shopping and shipping LOL!) and Friday mornings, my weigh-in morning, are the hardest for finding that extra $11. Yeah, its a pathetic excuse, but its what I'm using right now. I plan to weigh-in officially on Friday but who knows?

I'm off in a moment to meet a friend for breakfast and some consulting on the state of her business. She's in online sales (like us); she and her partner primarily sell items which overlap with what we sell (though they do have some other things they sell that we don't). This makes the friendship a little more complex as it can be hard to share with a friend when you realize you're also sharing with a direct competitor. I want her to succeed -- but I really don't want it to be at my cost (any more than she'd want me to succeed at her cost, I assume). We've talked before about "partnering" -- each of us choosing a market and staying out of the others marketplace, however our spouses aren't really gonna do that so ... we're just competing and trying to figure out the friendship thing at the same time.

I guess I should go now -- I think I'm late! :o

Here is my today menu

Breakfast
porridge with soy milk and a banana (4.5pts)

mid morning
Marks and Spencer range 'count on us' cereal bar 1.5pts

later
another one 1.5pts

lunch
cold left over pasta from last night 4pts
a banana 1.5pts

dinner
grilled chicken breast 2.5pts
steamed leeks 0pts
with bacon (lean)1pt
cheese sauce made with one ouce flour 2 teaspoons butter, and soymilk and matchbox size piece of cheese (8.5pts the lot, I will have half)
zero point veggies whatever

which comes to 23 points, and I will have a large glass of wine as I cook (2pts).

Tonight I will make a big pot of zero point soup, as follows (but check butternut is zero point, as it IS zero point here but last time I posted this someone said that in the usa it is has points, which did not make sense to me, so check your materials and do what is right for you. This is nought point here........)

Take a butternut squash, and slice it in half. scoop out the seeds and place it face down on a baking tray. Bake it in a hot oven for about 45 mins until the flesh is soft. Leave it to cool if you want to do that bit in advance.
Chop up an onion and some garlic and soften them in a pan, using a splash of veg stock, or water, rather than any oil. When soft add a teaspoon each of cumin, coriander and cinnamon. Also half a teaspoon of cloves and some grated ginger if you want. Then add the scooped out flesh of the butternut and about a pint of veg stock (made with a good powder or cube). Heat it up and simmer for 10 minutes. You can liquidise it if you like smooth soup, or not if you dont mind 'bits'. Yum.

My menu for today:

Breakfast: Cheerios, Skim milk, sliced banana, toast w/jam
POINTS: 7 pts

15 minute walk: 1 exercise point

Lunch: Bean buritto, diet coke
POINTS: 8 pts

30 minues, elliptical trainer: 3 exercise points

Dinner: Ham, scalloped potatoes (no fat, homemade), snow peas
POINTS: 8 pts

Snack: Airpop popcorn, sugar free jello x 2
POINTS: 1 pts

TOTAL POINTS: 24 pts
Total exercise points: 4 points

From there, I'll snack as needed, with an emphasis on low point snacks like sliced apples, air popped popcorn, and sugar free jello. If my elliptical trainer really tires me out and leaves me craving eats, I'll go for a 2 point Slim Fast bar 'cause it feeds my chocolate craving nicely.

Thanks for sharing your menus, Bunny and Lilac. I really appreciate your taking the trouble.
I see you both have cereal, fruit and milk (or soy milk) for breakfast. I've tried that and it just doesn't work for me. My blood sugar goes through the ceiling and then does a crash within an hour leaving me shaking. (hypoglycemia). I try to have some protein every morning, either an egg or light cream cheese on multi-grain toast. My points range is 29-34 so I can eat more than you do.
Today was really blown due to the pot luck lunch I went to. As I predicted there was nothing even remotely OP to choose from so I just enjoyed a bit of several kinds of things and hoped for the best. I noticed that I got full a lot quicker than I used to so I guess that's a good thing.
Thanks again, my friends. If you don't mind, could you post a couple more days of menus?
LindaBC

Hi ladies!

here's the menu plan so far for the week:

Breakfast: choice of
2 slices high-fiber bread or english muffin
2 TBsp peanut butter
8 oz milk

or

2 slices bread
egg
8 oz milk

or

yogurt
oatmeal
8oz milk

Lunch:
frozen dinner
salad from the cafeteria (mostly veggies with a smidge of dressing instead of lots of lettuce)
orange
apple

Dinner:

Monday:
roast, skinny mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup corn (yes, too much carb but DH forgot the salad)

Tuesday:
baked chicken
steamed cauliflower
herb pasta (cooked pasta, small olive oil, lots of seasonings)

Wednesday:
baked fish
sauteed peppers and onions
brown rice

Thursday:
chicken breast done on the George Foreman grill
steamed broccoli
baked potato

Friday - undecided but probably lean pork loin or hamb patty on the GF grill and veggies.

My breakfasts and lunch tend to be routine. That works for me because it makes it easier to get ready for work and easier to plan the groceries.

Hope this helps someone else and helps me remember what we're eating this week!!!

Take care and be strong!

Hi everyone
Menu for today is as follows

breakfast
banana porridge with soy milk (as yesterday)
a lot of black coffee;)
4.5 pts

lunch
zero point soup as per yesterday's recipe
big slice of bread
spoon full fromage frais
4pts

dinner
Not sure as my oven has broken :mad: so it has to be something stove top, but I have a recipe for cauliflower curry which is 6.5 per portion, which I would have with rice (4 tablespoons for 3 points)

So that is 18 points, and I will make up the rest with two apples, two 1.5 point bars, and a slice of 'healthy' cake in starbucks which is 4 points.

Hope this is helpful. It is helpful to me as I am thinking it all through.
Running off for work now
lilac

Linda -- I have to eat regularly all day long or I end up with a migraine. :( My breakfast yesterday was actually pretty heavy for me because I went to breakfast with a friend at Cracker Barrel! Today's meals are more typical.

Breakfast: Toast, very light smearing of jam, water

Exercise: walking up, then down, 10 flights of stairs

Lunch: Roast beef with swiss sandwich (no mayo), Cheetos, Diet Coke

Exercise: 40 minutes on the elliptical trainer, 20 minutes lifting weights

Snack: Slimfast bar

Dinner: Mexican casserole (ground beef, beans, no-fat tortillas, low-fat cheese, enchilada sauce, onions) and salad

Snack: Air-popped popcorn

And again I'll add sugar free Jellos (10 calories each) as needed to keep the migraines at bay.

I'm in desperate need of a grocery trip so we're down to eating what's left in the cupboards, ya know? Typically I'd add a piece of fruit in there somewhere (I don't like fruit - go figure) but we're out.

I really appreciate your menu input. I hope you don't think I'm criticizing if I just make some comments or question some choices. Heaven only knows, I sure don't choose very wisely much of the time. One thing I DO know about myself and my doctor concurrs is that I must have more protein, especially for breakfast which is why I have an egg in the morning at least three times a week and some kind of cheese on multigrain toast (usually light Philly with a touch of jam), or light cheddar melted under broiler. Bunny, I'm totally amazed that anybody could climb 10 flights of stairs (and then down again) on only toast and jam. I'd be passed out before reaching the first landing! BTW, nice picture of you and your Dad. Thanks for sharing.
Terri, you seem to get a lot of use from your George Forman grill. What size do you have and are you completely satisfied with it? I've been thinking of getting one for myself but not sure how much I'd use it and do I really need more small appliances taking up space in my kitchen?

Lilac, what exactly is fromage frais? Is that like cottage cheese? Just wondering, I don't see any meat in your menu plan. Are you a vegetarian?
Today I went to see my doctor to get a referral for orthotics. WHile there I talked to him about my dieting woes. I had kept a journal of my early morning blood glucose test results and he feels they're a bit high. He wants to try me on Metformin to help metabolise blood sugar better. He also wants me to try Meridia for a while but he will keep a close watch on my blood pressure while I'm trying these things out. I haven't picked up the prescriptions yet but I just know they're going to blow my bank account all to ****. Plus the cost of the shoe orthotics which will probably be $350 to $400. But , if it will help me to walk a block or two without excrutiating pain in my feet, knees and hips, I'll be delighted to pay that much.
Anybody ever tried Meridia? Did it help you lose weight? I think it's supposed to help curb the appetite. We shall see. I'll let you know. Meanwhile, I'm all revved up about getting totally back OP. Your menus have inspired me. I think part of my problem is not having enough milk products. That's something I seem to find easy to ignore so I will make a special point of eating my yogurt this week and see if that helps.
LindaBC

Hi Ladies,

Love the menu ideas. I just type in mine and POOF they disappeared just as I was getting to friday. :( :( No time to redo now. I'll try to get back later tonight when I get home from the pool.

Love ya all,

Linda -- I'm only just learning this year to eat breakfast at all; our usual schedule prior to this year was "lunch" around 10.30 am with "dinner" sometime around 4.30 pm. We're just not morning eaters for some reason -- or not whole meal eaters anyway. Toast is a big concession for me. :D The stairs actually turned out to be much, much easier than I'd though they would be! We were visiting the Law Library in the Ashville Courthouse -- and its housed on the 10th floor. The stairs begin as a central, open staircase and then turn into a more standard one-flight-landing-one-flight-landing from the 2nd floor to the 6th floor. Finally, from the 6th floor to the 10th it was a twisty half-flight-landing-half-flight-landing and so on set o' stairs. Very steep! But we all made it (my kids were with me).

J-Ann -- I hate lost post syndrome!!! I hope you enjoy your time in the pool!!

OK Let's try this again:

My menu's for breakfast and lunch are a lot like Terri's. I usually have breakfast sometie betwee 7 & 8 A.M. at my desk.

BREAKFAST

1 Toasted Eng. Muffin (a lite one if I'm eating heavy later in the day) or a bagel
2 tsp. peanut butter or jelly
1/2 c. oj
Coffee, lots of coffee.

SNACK

1 C. Lite Yogurt

LUNCH

a 5 or 6 pt. frozen dinner
fruit or a salad w lite dressing.

or, in place of the dinner:
2 oz. tuna or chicken
2 tsp. lite mayo
1 slice reg. or 2 slices "diet" bread

SNACK

a few m&m's or 1 oz. nuts

DINNER

Monday:
3 oz, roast venison w/1 tsp Cumberland Sauce.
a baked potato with some horseradish as a topping.
Steamed veggies

Tues:

3 oz grilled chicken and mixed steamed veggies over
1 C. Angel Hair pasta

Wed.

3 oz. grilled chicken with a spicy dry coating.
1 C. brown rice
Salad w ite dressing

Thurs.

Left over venison 3 oz.
1 slice garlic toast
Cucumbers and onions in vinegar
Prob. also a salad w lite dressing

Fri.

3 oz. Cornish hen - roasted
1/2 acorn squash baked with 2 tsp maple syrup
Baked potato

EVENING SNACKS

Depending on pts. left for the day:
1 skinny Cow
small apple
small salad
air popped popcorn
a couple of oreo's :)
1 Dole Fruit Juice Popsicle
Nothing :(

WATER I try for 50 - 60 oz. thruout the day.

I also take a multi vtiamin, calcium and Vit. E each day


I'm not a venturesome eater. So I stick to variations on the basics.

Oh well so much for my wonderful menus I gained two pounds this week :(
But I did not have good eating over the weekend as I was completely undisciplined so I suppose that is to be expected.
I have a problem with sticking to healthy and productive food chioces (as they say) when I am less than happy. Further as my oven has broken, the week's planning went out of the window and I thought I could plan 'on the hoof' and that did not really work. So lessons all round.

Today I dont know what I am going to have for lunch. I am out from 10am until 10pm today. When I get in, late as it is, I shall have pasta, which is 7.5points for half the pack. I will also have a ww dessert which is 1.5. For breakfast I had a bagel (3.5) spread with low fat soft cheese 1 point and jam 1 point. I will take some rice in a tupperware thing for lunch I think, and maybe mix in some tuna and some kidney beans but I dont know how many points are in kidney beans. i will have to check.

Feeling a bit glum about it all. I think I have got woolley round the edges with my eating. I also detect that I have stopped really accepting myself for me as I am. I have subtly sneaked in to the mindset of 'better to be slim and light than fat and heavy'. So life has become a bit of a 'I HAVE to lose weight' thing. Guaranteed to grind me down. Especially when under that there is 'And I cant I just cant do this....' which is the sneaky fear. Do you know what I mean?

Hmmmmm. The truth is that I dont want to do this because I HAVE to, or because of anything anyone else (including 'society' ) says. But how to scalpel that out from my thoughts for what I want truely madly deeply for me????

I want, truly madly deeply, to be accepted for me, for me and who I am no matter what shape and size. And above all I want ME to accept me. Only when I love myself that much can I keep, easily, making the powerful food choices.

I dont have a punchline today, like 'and now I have typed that I know that I love myself enough to eat lettuce for lunch' or whatever. It helps to pause and reflect on these self image things though (for me any way). It is not a substitute for sticking to a good programme, but it helps me understand why sometimes it is hard to.

I have lost nearly 30 lbs all in all since I started posting here on this board. That was last august. Not bad! I am glad to be 30 pounds lighter.

Love to everyone - oh by the way fromage frais is a sort of soft cheese a bit like very mild yoghurt. It is good in soups or to cook with (and some people I know use it a lot in desserts).
love
Lilac

Today's menu:

Breakfast: Ice cream sandwich :o

Lunch: Bean burrito, diet cola

Dinner: Pressed turkey/bacon/cheese sandwich, WOW Tortilla chips

I'm hoping to exercise today as well but dunno when as yet.

Busy, busy, busy!!

Hi Everyone:
I'm brand new here and am not sure of the etiquette. Is this a closed thread or are you welcoming new folks? I have 142 more lbs. to lose - have already lost 14. I use the WW point system but am not currently a member. I am 48 years old, work full-time at a charity, have three children who are all in University (I'm financially strapped!) and live in S. Ontario, Canada - a ten-minute drive to Niagara Falls. I would like to give and receive support if you are all willing. Please let me know.
Stasia

GREETINGS STASIA,

You are more than welcome to jump right in and join us. We're a pretty international group and always welcome new "faces".

I'm not too far from you. Near Syracuse. My best friend is a Torontonian who is on maint. at WW after losing about 50 lbs. several yrs. ago. She helps me get past some of the "Hard spots" along the way. It helps to know that she still goes to meetings 2 or 3 times a month if she needs the support.

If you've followed the group you knw that we all have many lbs. to lose. Some weeks we are very successful other weeks we are greatful to just maintain what we've lost, and sometimes we need help remembering why we need to complete our journeys to good health. You've made a super start. That's 14 lbs. you'll never wear again, aye <g>.

Stop in often. Glad you found us.

Off to WI now.

If they would let me in here, they will take anybody. :lol: :lol:
Well, today is my first day on both Meridia and Metformin. The first to help control my appetite and the second to help get my blood glucose back down into a safe range. One of them is making me quite dizzy and I think it's the Meridia. There's a warning of this side effect. FUnny thing though. Another side effect mentioned is increased appetite. Can you figure that for a weight loss aid? :?: :?:
Here's my menu for today....roughly. Nothing is set in concrete.

Breakfast:
Pre swim:
1 slice high fiber toast with light Philly & a dab of jelly.
AFter Swim: (40 min in pool)
1 slice high fiber toast
1 poached egg
1 oz ham
1 tsp light Becel margarine

Lunch
Bowl of WW veggie soup
Sandwich with high fiber bread
2 oz deli turkey
tomato, lettuce and fat free mayo
(Couldn't eat it all so have saved half for later or tomorrow)

Planned Snack
1 apple
1/2 cup n.f. yogurt

Planned Dinner
3 oz ground lean turkey patty
Stir-fry of mushrooms, zucchini, onions, carrots & asparagus
1/2 cup rice

Planned Snack
1/2 cup sugar free/fat free pudding with Light Cool Whip

Thanks for sharing your daily menus with me. I'm really planning to get totally focussed on this. I'll worry about loving myself as I am after I lose some weight. :lol:
Lilac, not really making fun of you. I've been through the same black funk as you seem to be and I'm just pulling myself out of it. It's really difficult and especially hard if you've convinced yourself that you've been OP and then gain weight. But, as you said, usually our weight gain is because we've gotten a bit "fuzzy around the edges" and perhaps haven't journalled everything as honestly as we should. Just for this week, Lilac, try to go back to the basic program with me, guzzling water, writing it all down, eating low carb veggies and fruit and all the recommended milk products. We'll get back in the groove together....AND love ourselves doing it. OK? :^: :^:

Hi ladies,

Just a quick note to say that I've got three decent OP days under my belt. I even have a few banked points. Woohoo!! All the menu posting has helped.

All else is going well. I've been working on paperwork this evening. I did get a good walk in with the dog this evening. A beautiful springish evening.

Linda - We love the George Foreman grill. DH does all the cooking on it. He does chicken breasts, boneless pork chops and hamburgers the most. Its great for making fast meals and it does drain the fat off. I think we have the medium sized one. I know its not the largest but I'm not sure about it being the smallest. Its a good size for two. I'm with you on the protein. I have to be careful and get enough protein at each meal or I get weirded out. Thanks for getting us pulled back on track with the menu requests.

Stashia - Welcome to the group. We'll do our best with the support. I've been posting to this group since Aug 2000. Great group of ladies.

Bunny - Wow, I'm truly impressed with 10 flights of stairs. My knees would never take it. You go girl!! I love your breakfast ice cream sandwich. :D

J-Ann - Do you buy your venison or hunt it? I miss not having any deer meat this year because DH missed on his one chance at a nice buck.

I better get my stuff done and off to bed.

Have a great OP day tomorrow.

Busy morning -- two large orders through our website (yippee!yipee!!). I just finished breakfast (Cheerios, skim milk, water) but I'm not yet sure about the rest of the day. I expect to exercise today (probably elliptical trainer at the gym). Lunch will either be Taco Bell or Subway. Dinner -- we have friends coming and I haven't decided what to serve as yet. They come about twice a month and I've served them all my "star" meals -- so I'm at a loss. I considered making something new but I'm afraid -- what if it turns out so badly (as a couple new ones I've tried have) that we then have to order pizza? :lol: :o

Anyway -- enough of that. :D

Stasia -- We're delighted you came! One of the coolest things about the internet is how easy it is for a wide variety of people to get together to talk about something that matters to them, ya know?

J-Ann -- I hope your weigh-in went well. I'm dreading mine tomorrow. :^:

Linda -- I love your menu -- 'cause it looks like I wish mine did. I'm a picky, picky eater -- don't like fruit, don't like many veggies, not fond of meat. Really, I'd live on bread if I could! Getting more variety in my meals is my biggest challenge.

Terri -- Great to see ya!

I don't know if I've mentioned this but a few days ago my doctor recommended I try the drug Meridia to help me jump start my weight loss. I've only taken it for a couple of days and so far I've experienced some dizzyness, which I was told could be a side effect. I've also managed to stay totally OP which is encouraging as I've really been having a struggle with cravings lately. Giving the credit to the Meridia. I still got hungry at meal times though so it doesn't totally kill appetite.
I realise that WW doesn't promote the use of diet drugs but I've really been at a standstill and even gaining lately. I have to get my weight down in order to control my diabetes. He also put me on Metformin (sp?) to help control the diabetes so with my thyroid meds and these two new ones, I'm afraid I'll turn into a druggie. :dizzy:
Today's menus
Breakfast
2 slices hi fiber toast
2 tsp light Becel margarine
2 tbsp light Philly cream cheese
2 tsp jelly

Snack
1/2 cup yogurt
1 cup strawberries

Lunch (planned)
0 point WW veggie soup
2 hi fiber bread
2 oz turkey deli slice
tomato & lettuce & non fat mayo

Snack
1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 tbsp raisins

Dinner
Reheated turkey patty with mushrooms
baked potato
2 tsp butter (need butter on baked potato) :^:
3 tbsp light sour cream(need sour cream on baked spud)
green salad with 1 tsp olive oil & balsamic vinegar
some kind of veggie

Snack
1/2 cup diet pudding with Light Cool Whip

I actually dragged myself off to the swimming pool yesterday morning and managed 40 minutes of light exercise in the deep end (mostly yacking with my friend) :D

Today, I go and have my fitting for orthotics, so hopefully in a couple of weeks I will be able to walk without so much pain.
Have a nice day.
LindaBC

Thank you all for the words of welcome. I weighed in today and am down at the mouth because I only lost 1 lb. I know, I know...it's a long process. I've been telling myself this all day and trying all the remotivation techniques I know to counteract this unreasonable disappointment. I'm down 15 lbs. but it's taken me seven long weeks of religious point keeping to get there. I keep looking at the big picture and imagine myself still counting points and losing 1/2 lb. a week until the year 2093 - and still not at goal! Well this pity party I'm having is not a good way of introducing myself to everyone...sorry, I'm not usually this negative.
Anne: I noticed you're a fellow Canuck. I didn't know Meridia was available here. It's something I have been considering but I don't know how helpful it will be as I seem to eat whether or not I'm hungry.
I'll post my menu today to see if that helps me to stay on track:

Breakfast: 1 boiled egg
Slice high fibre bread
1 tsp. light becel
Lunch: 2 slices high fibre bread
1 tbsp. lite peanut butter
1 tsp. honey
1/2 banana
Supper: (planned, but not yet eaten)
2 small taco shells (soft)
3 oz. lean ground turkey
low-fat sour cream
2 tbsp. shredded low-fat cheddar
salsa, lettuce, tomato
small salad with fat-free italien dressing
Scheduled Snacks: 1 c. tomato soup
fat-free, sugar-free yogurt
pear
Hopefully, that will be it! Even if I have to go to bed at 7 p.m. that's all I'm going to eat.
Best Wishes to you all,
Stasia

Oh Stasia, wouldn't I have loved to have had your pound loss yesterday. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, always have, always will. I've been gaining and losing the same 2 lbs for about 10 weeks. The last two were perfectly OP weeks. When the leader told me I'd gained a lb. I almost lost it right there at the scale over 1 stupid little lb. For once she was concerned and we chatted about what I'd been doing. She's going to review my journal next week but this is the best part: Here I was sitting in the car, trying to regain the composure I'd lost upon leaving the building. She'd given me the "Breaking Through" pamphlet about getting over plateaus. Sounds great. It asks a bunch of questions. Then it says if you answered no to all questions go to the last page. Okay, I thought, finally we're getting somewhere. Well I got to the last page and it basically says; you're doing fine, just stick with the program and you'll lose. Good thing the car widows were up. I actually said "big fxxxing deal" as I threw the pamphlet across the car. It was not what I expected to read and I don't usually lower myself to crude profanities, YEP I was UPSET!

It took me a few hrs. to cool off but I'm back in the real world. OP and trying hard to convince myself that eventually my body will let go of some of the weight it's so determinedly hanging on to. It's not like I'm 10 lbs. from goal. Geez, maybe 125 lbs to go, maybe even more. I'll admit to a popcorn with real butter (God, did I get sick) pity party last night. It was my dinner :)

Today, I'm back in control, journaling, eating carefully and e×ercising but I still would LOVE to have that pound loss.

Terri: We have a freezer full of nice, lean, elk and venison. One of my housemates hunts "for the table" and the other is a fantastic cook. No one ever leaves our table saying anything about the meat tasting "gamey" cause marinated, and cooked properly it's delicious.

Linda: Sounds lke you're doing alot for yourself I won't do any type of drug to lose wright but if it works for you, and doesn't make you ill, I say "Go or it!". I just worry to about the side effects that you don't hear about til the stuff's been around a while. Be sure to keep in close touch with your Dr. Hope the orthotics help. I've started to walk a little. Did 3/4 hrs today at a slow stroll thru the woods out behind our home. It was great to be out and about.

Stasia: Be sure you are eating a least to the low end of your point range. You'll pay later if you don't. To be onest, I lost the best when I ate a he top of my range.

Off to beddy bye,

Hello everyone! Welcome Stashia. :wave: I am also new here to this board.

This week has been eventful. My husband had a doctors appt. for a problem he was having and while at the doctors office his blood pressure was up as well as his weight. My dh has NEVER had to watch his weight because he has been in construction since his teens. BUT since his accident and change of employment he is more sedentary. THUS the weight gain. So as of 3/13/02 he is doing WW with me. Yippeee!~ We are doing it at home and basically he asks me what the points are and I record it for him. So far, so good. It is so great knowing that he now understands that this is not so easy. He said that even if he loses his weight first (which he will) that he will keep on helping me. I really love this guy!!!!

I'm sorry I have not posted my menu's. This week has been pretty stressful. Cottage cheese/fruit/Oatmeal for Breakfast, soup (garden veggie) & tuna salad for lunch & homemade chef salad or chicken or pork chops for dinner with sweat potatoes and vegetables.

J-Ann & Terri - My dh usually brings home venison at least once a year. I miss it. It is SO LEAN better than chicken in fact. And like you'll said prepared right it is wonderful. My dh got a wild pig this year. The meat is fantastic. Lean, white & low fat. In fact the ground meat we have is better than hamburger.

We own 60 acres so we have plenty of land for the pigs. We also have a pet deer named Honey. We do not pen her up she is allowed to run free, but she chooses to run with our cattle. :D

I've been OP for several days now and my scale shows a 1# loss this week. :)

Now, I just want to express myself. I just wanted to be part of a group that is going through the same struggles as I am. It's hard and we all need support. BUT, I feel unwelcome here. If you don't want me here just let me know and I'll move on to a new board. I've tried to be encouraging and if I've offended anyone I apologize.

Sincerely
Joyce

HEY JOYCE ..... HI :wave:

Please don't feel unwelcome. I'll be the first to admit that when I post I usually don't have a lot of time so I sometimes miss things. Yep, even new folks. :(

You are more than welcome here and very lucky that your dh now understands what you are trying to do and is not only supportive but joining you in your journey.

Please stay with us .... we really aren't trying to be mean, Forgetful, well ... that's another whole post.

Glad you've joined us.

Joyce -- I know I'm bad at gettin' everyone into a post when I reply; I mostly do it by memory (not the best choice) and sometimes I expect I even get the names wrong (I'm bad at both names and details). My apologies if this has in any way made you uncomfortable. Truth be told, I'm thrilled each and every time we have someone new come and join us -- its wonderful to get extra bits o' support and new perspectives. It can be daunting (I felt the same way when I joined this board and yes, there's a thread or two that I joined for a little while and then left because the fit wasn't right -- not their fault, not mine, we just didn't mix properly) to be the new gal on the block. Keep comin' back -- I know I enjoy reading what's new with you. :)

Linda -- you do whatever you and your doc feel is right for you. :) You knew that alreay and definitely didn't need my permission -- but if I'd gone on meds, I'd want support in it -- so I'm offering it up to you as best I can. :D

J-Ann -- I just hate some parts of the WW program!!! You've put your finger on one of them -- simply saying "keep on doing what you are already, it will work" isn't nearly as helpful as they seem to think it is! I mean -- it makes me feel like who ever is writing and approving these materials can't have had much to lose ever!! Dang. I expect you've tried all manner of things (and reported on it but my memory isn't letting me know which you've told us before)... My sister swears by fruit for breakfast as a way of getting past a plateau (when she plateau'd, she'd eat only fruit before noon and then "normally" for the remainder of the day). I always try for a fifteen minute walk after each meal -- sorta encouraging the food to digest and exit ASAP. :lol: There's that nifty eating plan with very high and very low points -- I haven't tried that one yet but I hear good things about it.

Stasia -- Thank you for reminding me that soup can make a great snack!! I always forget that there are other low point snacks besides popcorn. :o

I gotta go -- work calls!

Hi Everyone,
After my pity party yesterday, I feel more energized and motivated today. Joanne, you're so right - I should be happy with 1 lb. loss and be thankful I'm not at a dreaded plateau. I noticed how much weight you have lost so far and I'm impressed. My last bout with WW I got stuck on a plateau for eight weeks and it was ugly. Finally broke through by changing my foods. I shook up my whole menu, stopped eating my usuals and tried new foods - also changed to more protein and fewer carbs. This method helped me to get off that god-forsaken plateau. I noticed your weight-loss to date - WOW - good for you and hang in there. I nearly ate a piece of fossilized chocolate last night that I found in a search and destroy mission through my cupboards, but thought "what have I sunk to?" and threw it in the trash.
Joyce: You live in Texas! I live in the frozen north and have always dreamed of visiting Texas. I have never eaten game in my life - except for moose - and am intrigued. When you say you had pig - was this wild pig? Anyway, Texas sounds wonderful. Please stick with us - I have to lose about 140 lbs. so I'll be here for a while.
Slutbunny: I often have soup and salad with fat-free dressing for a snack - it's filling and low in points. It makes me feel like I've actually snuck in another meal. I guess the trick for me is volume of food. This is what keeps me OP.
Thanks for all your responses. Stick with it - remember we're all struggling with you.
Stasia
p.s. I'm trying to figure out how to insert faces but having trouble so if you get some inappropriate angry face etc. in this message just chalk it up to techno-foolery.

Good Friday afternoon everyone! :wave:

Thank you for all of your warm words of encouragement. I'll keep coming back. I was feeling a little senistive yesterday - okay -more than a little! ;) But, I'm better now.

Welcome Stashia glad your here. :wave: I'm going to stick around. When it gets OVER 100 DEGREES in the summer here in Texas I'm wishing I lived in the frozen north. :D
I have trouble inserting the icons (smilie faces) by clicking on them too. But what helped me was to print them out and know what symbols did each one. You can do that by going to the left of the reply screen where it shows the smilies. Click on get more. I printed the page out and usually type the symbols in. Hope this helps. I would be happy to learn the shortcut if anyone can tell us. :)
And yes it was a wild pig. We have a bunch of them on our place. I feel that it's better than the meat you get at the store. No preservatives, hormones or chemicals and less fat. I don't mean to offend any out there who does not hunt though. I usually don't even tell anyone because there are so many that are really sensitive about hunting.

Slutbunny - Thanks for the kind words. I lurked here for several months to get a feel for the group. All of you were there for each other and that is what I needed. I am a little shy when I am first getting to know people and it's hard for me to be the new gal on the block. But I'll keep trying. Thanks again.

J-Ann - Thank you for your encouragement. I really appreciate it. Yes it does help having my dh do this with me. He's so funny because he'll ask the points on something and then decide he doesn't want it and asks what he can have for zero or fewer points. It's really nice to have someone just starting out to put a little zing back into how I do the program.

I've pretty much stayed op all week except yesterday. My dh's sister invited us to lunch yesterday so my husband could meet her husband to be for the first time. **They are getting married Saturday** :eek: We had Italian food. I went to Dotti's site and found points for Italian restuarants so that I could make better choices. I chose lasagna and salad with dressing on the side. I figured it to be about 16-18 points. I ate salad for supper. Not the greatest but not too bad since I can have up to 31 points. I did have a couple of banked points from the day before also.

Thanks for all of the menus they really are helpful. When I get to where I'm staying OP everyday I'll try to jump in.

Sorry this is so long but I promised myself that if I need you to be there for me then I've got to come here more often for you'll. Have a great weekend. I probably will not be here tomorrow because of the wedding. I'll check in on Sunday though.

Happy Saturday!

I just wanted to drop in and report that I've had a good OP week. I've done a lot better about putting my meals in the online journal before I ate them just to make sure I'm okay with points. That helps because its the carbs that usually tip me over the edge. I've haven't gotten any time in on the spinner this week but I am walking the dog 2 miles a night. Now, the weekend is here and that's where I usually lose it. We are having surprise dinner for one of my brothers who turns 50 on Monday. We're going to a BBQ place. My sister and her DH are coming to stay at our house afterward and stay until tomorrow afternoon. She and her DH have just started back on WW so maybe that will help me. I really want to have a good WI on Monday instead of a maintain. So I cannot do stupid things today and tomorrow.

That's my challenge for the weekend.

No time for individual replies this morning. I'm going to do a flurry of housework. That should burn a couple of points. I have read everyone's post and am here thinking about each of you. Looks like we're getting back on track and in a more positive place with the program. Good for us all!! :D

Have a great weekend. Be strong!

Finally, a chance to get in and get caught up on everyone.
Stasia I was so impressed that you have lost 15 pounds in just...whatwas it?? six or seven weeks??? Gosh, girl, it has taken me 8 MONTHS to lose that much. How tough is that!!!

Well, so far so good with the Meridia. It's only been a few days and already I'm noticing a decrease in cravings (meaning I don't want to rip through cupboards, drawers and closets looking for one forsaken bit of moldy chocolate) :o :o Yesterday at my WW WI, I was down 1/2 lb. That's not much but at least it wasn't a gain and I'm happy about it.

Other good news is I think the Metformin I just started taking for my Type II Diabetes is starting to work as well. Even if it's only lowered my blood glucose levels by a couple of points, it has made a world of difference in my energy levels. Today I've been on a mad rampage with vacuum cleaner, Windex and Swiffer. Even cleaned sinks, tubs and toilets! Good grief, where will it end?

One more improvement I've noticed. Since seeing the orthotics specialist on Thursday, I've been wearing some new Birkenstock sandals around the house. I'm normally a barefoot Momma because I can't stand my feet too warm but this has really done a number on my arches causing chronic pain in my feet. What I didn't realise was that this foot pain was also causing a lot of agony in my knees, hip joints and lower back. Who woulda thought??!! So, even though it's been a bit of a struggle to change my evil (barefoot) ways, I've forced myself to wear these sandals and I can't believe the difference it's made already. No more pain in knees, hips and back and I'm sure my feet will eventually get used to having the extra support in the arches. Once my custom made orthotics arrive and are in my walking shoes, I will be heading out for daily walks...no more excuses!

Here's my menu for yesterday and today in case anyone is interested. I had a large breakfast yesterday but it was spread out from before my swim to a brunch with a friend.
Points Range 29- 34

Friday's Menu
Pre-swim
2 crispbread with fat free process cheese
1 Sun-Rype Fruit & Veggie Bar 3 pt
1/2 cup yogurt
1 apple
2 hi fiber bread
1 poached egg
2 oz lean ham

Mid-Afternoon
1 cup hot oatmeal
1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup 2% milk

Dinner
Recipe from Simply the Best
Scallops & Veggies over Pasta
1 small dinner roll with light margarine

Snack
1/2 cup n.f./s.f. pudding & light Coolwhip
This was a 30 point day with 2 Exercise points saved for another day.

Today (Saturday)
Breakfast
2 hi fiber bread
1-1/2 oz light cheddar melted over mushrooms & tomatoes
1/2 cup n.f. yogurt
1 apple

Lunch
3 oz lean turkey patty
2 hi fiber bread
with lettuce, tomato & n.f. mayo
WW veggie soup

Planned Snack
Oatmeal & 2% milk
1/2 banana

Planned for Dinner
Leftover Seafood with Veggie Sauce over
1 cup brown rice
brocolli

Light Microwave Popcorn (NO added butter- a bad habit of mine)

WOO HOO LINDA!

You ARE rapidly becoming my inspiration! :angel:

I'm so glad to read how things are coming together for you. I'm gonna get me some of 'dem' Birkenstocks too.

Isn't it amazing how a few little :?: things can make such a difference in our lives? A good Dr., feet that don't hurt and the support of friends makes the sun shines a little brighter. And you lost that weight too. I'm doin' a jig to celebrated your success. :jig:


I've had 3 good days in a row :strong:.

Here's todays menu:

BREAKFAST (on the road to the pool)
toasted multi-grain bagel
2 tsp. p'nut butter
coffee

LUNCH
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
(2 slices high fiber bread, 4 oz. griled chicken, 1 tsp. mayo)
Salad w/ 1 tsp. lite Ital dressing and some red wine vinegar to make the dressing stretch.
20 oz. h2o

SNACK
15 peanuts

DINNER
3 oz. grilled steak w/horseradish
Mushrooms sautee'd in PAM
Salad (same as lunch)
Steamed asparagas (SP) with a teeny sprinkle of Parm. cheese
Very small round of french bread
made into garlic bread.

TONIGHT
1 Skinny Cow

I'll finish my water tonight too. Missed out on fruit but had lots of fresh veggies.

This all came to 28.5 pts.!

I'll try to catch up with everyone tomorrow.

Hi Linda! Congratulations on the 1/2 lb loss :spin: I'm happy for you that the Metformin is helping with your energy and that the birkenstock sandles are helping with your feet. Sounds like things are starting to get better for you. I wish you the best. Can I ask you a question regarding the Meridia? Are you taking this with other medications? I've been wanting to ask my doctor about it. Just to get me jump started, not for long term. But I am on thyroid medication and high blood pressure medication and not sure if I can take it. The only thing my doctor mentioned that he might prescribe for me is Xenical and I've heard so many bad things about the side effects that I don't want to even try it.

Well the wedding was very nice. Very simple. We did not go out to eat with the bridal party. So we came home and made a nice vegetarian chili for supper. I've been OP for 4 days straight now. Can't wait to see what the scale says next week. I just need to work on exercise and water now. I'm really tired and will probably turn in early tonight. Hope everyone is having a great OP weekend.

ps. J-Ann we were posting at the same time. Sounds like you are having a great week and need to do a little celebrating of your own so here's a jig for you :jig:

Joyce

;)

Just checking in for Saturday. Hope you are all well and OP. I'm glad this week is over. I'm embarrassed to admit that not only do I have about 140 lbs. to lose but I have been a life-time smoker. I was a heart attack waiting for a time and place to happen. Last Sunday I decided that enough was enough and have quit smoking. Despite using the nicotine patch, this was a very hard week for me and my moods have been up and very, very down. Today, I finally feel more like myself.
Anne: So happy to hear that you are feeling better, both with your energy levels and with the pain in your feet, knees etc. A little fine-tuning and you sound as good as new. In your last post you mentioned that you have only lost 15 lbs. in 8 months. I admire your strength and perseverance. Weight loss is a lesson in patience - and this week with its nicotine withdrawal was a lesson in patience for me too. Hope your sense of well-being continues and you really should get a kick-back from the Birkenstock group as your endorsement made me want to go right out and buy a pair. Like you, I'm a barefoot Mama.
J-Ann: 3 good days in a row - good for you! Take a look at my Saturday dinner menu, looks like we were on exactly the same page tonight. I really enjoyed that meal.
Joyce: My experience with Xenical was not a good one. I don't know how to say this delicately but I'll try...bowel control was a real issue. You do not have to abstain from fats, in fact you have to have a certain amount of fat grams a day but when I ate any fats at all, I had embarassing bouts of flatulence and a sudden, uncontrollable need to hit the potty. I stopped taking it within a very short time. On the other hand, my sister has been taking the medication for more than 3 years with no side effects. She has not lost a dramatic amount of weight (about 15 lbs.) but she claims it allows her to eat a little more without gaining. Hope this was helpful.
Terri: Good luck with your weigh-in on Monday - hope you show a good loss. Weekends are so much more challenging than the weekdays when you are in a routine. Maybe having guests who are also OP will be the key to getting you through today and tomorrow.
Well I'll just post my food journal for today and then I'm off to read for a bit before bed. I've had a full day of grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry and cooking. (Why do we working girls look forward to weekends?)

Breakfast: Whole Wheat English Muffin
Lite Cream Cheese
Tomato
Orange
Lunch: Vegetarian vegetable soup
Bean Salad (marinated in wine vinegar only - no oil)
whole wheat roll
Dinner: 4 oz grilled steak
asparagus (1/2 tsp. lite becel)
mushrooms - sauteed in butter flavored pam
slice italien bread
nectarine
Snack: ffree yogurt - 3/4C
cherry tomatoes with ffree sour cream dip
For a total of 26 points. My point range is 29-34, so maybe I'll have some microwave popcorn while I read.

Have a good week-end and stay strong!

Stasia

Well I had intended to lurk for a while but Linda BC's comments about tofu and its resemblance to grout got me laughing so hard I've forgotten my good intentions. So I'll introduce myself.

My name is Donna. I'm 49, divorced for quite a while, living in Columbus, Ohio with two grown sons who live in California. Yesterday I finally said "Enough is enough!" and dug out my old WW 123 materials. I don't plan to attend meetings at this time but will gain my inspiration from online. I have about 130 lbs. to lose, depending on where I set my goal ...

Today is going well so far ... worked out to a Richard Simmons tape, have had my first big glass of water, and an OP breakfast. Will need to go shopping before I can have lunch, though. :)

Guess that's enough for now ... am very much looking forward to getting to "know" all of you!

Donna

Welcome Donna,

I don't knoe what happened to our end of thread message. We've moved on to "Down from 250+ March 17th and beyond".

I'll try to copy you post over there. We alwys welcome new members :wave:.


DO NOT POST HERE. We've moved to Counting Down From 250 and Beyond March 17.

Judy