WW Clubs and Groups - 50 or more pounds #97

If you have 50 or so pounds to lose, or are in the process of losing, jump on in and join! You'll be sure to get a warm welcome!

Hi Carol! So glad to hear you had a quick and easy trip. Congrats on being a new Floridian! I'm looking forward to our visit in July!

JOYce, sorry about your sunburn! I agree w/Texaslady, that *does* sound like Texas weather! Glad to hear that the fish will all be cleaned and frozen for you; that sounds like a good thing! And yes, I speak some French (took it in HS and college, but that was a long time ago!). I'm trying to bone up on it a little now. Dh speaks Spanish pretty well, which he found many French people also speak; he used it on our last trip, actually!

Texaslady, I've heard that siding lasts a long time. Sounds like a good plan!

Gotta run; taking Dad up to SA to get his stitches out this afternoon. Everyone have a great Wednesday!

Jan

Good morning! We are a quiet group again this week!
Things are going well here in the Sunshine State. I now have my driver's license and am registered to vote, so I guess that makes me an official Floridian. I haven't been doing much except unpacking and organizing, but yesterday exdh and I did go to Cypress Gardens. We both have annual passes.
So far the weather has been perfect- low 80's with a wonderful breeze- but the heat is supposed to creep in over the weekend.
No job news so far- I am sending out a couple more resumes today in response to ads in the local paper. I won't get into a serious panic/search mode for another week or 2, but I must admit I'd be more comfortable if I knew I had a job!!!!
Jan, Paris sounds wonderful! When in the summer are you going (if you said I missed it)? I just read an article the other day about Paris- it claims that August is one of the least crowded times to go because the Parisians all go on vacation in the month of August.(well, maybe not all of them :lol: ) Anyhow, good luck with your high school French- I took two years in high school too (longer ago than you) and it amazes me that I can still understand some conversations in the language. Now my speaking ability is another matter!!!! :eek:
Joyce, how's the sunburn? I'm trying to be so careful! I burn easily, and I can see myself hobbling into an interview looking like a lobster and barely able to get shoes on! What a first impression that would make!
Texaslady, what's the latest from your doctor? I hope you are not trying to do too much too soon! :nono: When will you be allowed to return to work?
Janet & Linda, where are you? Please stop in and say hi when you can!

I'd better go. I want to run a couple errands before it gets too hot. Have a great weekend, everyone. Happy Memorial Day if I don't "talk" to you all before then!
Carol :wave:

Wow, Carol, you move fast! Sounds like you are already a bona fide, card-carrying Floridian! And I'm sure the job offers will come flooding in as soon as they get your resume. Re: our summer trip, we're leaving in late June and returning in mid-July. We plan to rent a car and drive around in Provence, which will probably be very crowded, but this is our only vacation time. (One of the drawbacks of teaching, I guess.) In a couple of years, when we retire (or rather, redirect, as we'll have some other kind of job) then we may head back there in the spring or fall.

And you're right, it has been way too quiet in here! C'mon, folks, drop in and say hi, and let us know what your plans are for this holiday weekend!

Jan

OOPS!
Missed the new thread!
Carol, you don't mess around, do you! good for you, for getting all that done so quickly! re the sunburn: it quickly faded to a nice tan on my arms.

Can you believe: On Thursday, I got a card returned to me that I sent to texaslady in the hosp, on April 26th! Where has it been for a month???:dizzy:

dh has a bday tomorrow, so need to get a cake baked today.:hb: 3 more grandkids and their moms will be over tomorrow for lunch, to celebrate with him. I'm going to make some salads and deli sandwiches for them. so need to go to the market after I bake this cake.

Haven't heard from dgd since the day she arrived in OK...but heard from her future b-i-l, from the other side of the world, that she had a job interview. He is scheduled to return home in 2 weeks. I guess it is really hot where he is stationed, and even had a typhooon last week. :eek:
I've started re-doing her room into a guestroom, I want to go see Linda's bedroom to see what her dh did for a headboard with some wooden lattice. it sounds like what I need in this room, which has a garden atmosphere wallpaper.

I have been to h2o fitness 3 times this week, and am doing o.k.

Have a good weekend!

Wow, JOYce, you are busy, as usual! Way to go, three times to the water aerobics, that's great! So glad to hear you are feeling better, too. Hope you and your grandkids have a great time at dh's birthday party! I'm sure it will be lovely.

Dh, Dad and I are heading to Rockport in an hour or so; plan to go to the wine festival (reminder to self: just *taste* the wines! ;-) We're staying 2 nights at a new place that has a kitchen (so we can cook healthy stuff) and more space, though it's not right on the water. Plan to get lots of swimming in, and will try out our new kayak! Yes, dh finally wanted to go kayaking himself, so we bought a two-person kayak (that one person could use too) and are taking it down with us. Dh spent two days building a roof rack for it, and it's loaded & ready to go! I'll see if I can get Dad to take a picture of us in it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Joyce, I got back the card I sent Texaslady in the hospital about 2 days before I moved to Florida!! Wonder if they will be that slow on their bill?:lol:
Carol

Well, for heaven's sake -- I got my get well card to texaslady back, also! I had sent it the day after you entered the hospital, and I got it back just yesterday, so like JOYce, I am wondering where it has been for a month's time??? And how are you doing, texaslady? I've been absent for awhile and have missed updates.

Carol, so glad you are settled in in your new home, it sounds like the weather has been perfect.

Hi y'all! How was everyone's holiday weekend? It was quiet here- exdh and I went errand running some and out to eat once or twice. He's working in GA all this week, so he left for Atlanta yesterday morning. I also planted flowers and did some organizing of stuff. I'm not used to having so much time where I don't have to do anything!
I'm kind of getting back on track as far as WW goes- eating healthy again, and at "normal" times, drinking lots of water and getting plenty of exercise walking. My development is quiet and safe, so I usually walk around several times a day. Then there's that wonderful pool! I went in it this evening for the first time for about 45 minutes. It was great, and I had it all to myself! I could get used to this! Now all I need is a job.:^:

Well, I'd better run- just wanted to check in. Have a good evening, everyone.
Carol

Carol, good for you for your new regimen of healthy eating and exercise! I am still carrying around about 15 pounds over my goal weight. DH and I are continuing to walk around the block most days, but what I need to do is get back to healthy eating, as you have.

Has anyone ever tried to eat within your range, but eat unlimited fruit and veggies, and not count them into your daily total? I read somewhere that someone was tempted to try it and the reply to her was "we didn't gain all of this weight eating lots of fruit and vegetables!" Now that it is coming into summer fruit season, I wonder what you guys think about it.

Linda, I don't know whether that would work or not. :?:I would think you'd need to count the fruits and veggies as something. No, we didn't get fat eating fruits and veggies, but they do have calories. It sort of strikes me that it would be like people who only eat one meal a day and can't figure out why they don't lose weight- when the 1 meal is 4 pieces of pizza and a hot fudge sundae! I think fruits and veggies are a wonderful substitue for higher point items in the diet, but I think they should still be counted. But then what do I know? I'm the one who's been stuck on a plateau for a year!!!:lol:
Speaking of fruits, I got some wonderful Georgia peaches and fresh tomatoes from a little stand near here. Today I'm going to find me some fresh Florida oranges! :p Also, we have a local couple who bring their produce and set up here in my development once a week- and I believe today is the day. I love fresh fruits and veggies- definitely one of the perks of living in Florida!
I took my morning walk- I'm trying to increase the distance every day. I need to drive around the development and "clock" it so I know just how far I'm walking.
Did I tell you all that my dd and sil put their house on the market and if it sells they will be moving to Florida near us? :dizzy: It will be great to have the grandkids near- as long as they don't see me as the built in anytime babysitter!
Gotta run and work on my organizational chores while the mood hits. Have a good day, everyone!
Carol

Carol, thanks so much for the pics of dgd and dgs; they're precious! Great news about your ds and dsil maybe moving to Fl, too. Glad to hear you are enjoying your new home; I envy you that swimming pool! And it sounds like a great place to walk, too. Re: the plateau, I think you should be proud of yourself for maintaining your terrific loss. Now that you're ready to tackle that last little bit, I'm sure it will come off steadily and you'll be able to maintain at goal just as you maintained this year. In fact, the more I read about it, the more I believe that it's a good thing to plateau for a while, to give the body a chance to adjust to all the changes. I think that's what helped me (the plateau princess) learn how to maintain.

Linda, I agree with Carol re: unlimited fruits and some veggies. Carrots have about 50 calories a cup, one banana over 100, and even blueberries are 90 calories a cup! A whole mango is 152. So they could add up, without a person realizing it. I really do think the point system is a very workable one, and there are still many "free" veggies that are unlimited. The idea of filling up on veggies is great, though! Vegetable soup helps me a lot. Have you read that book Volumetrics? Next to "Thin for Life," it's my favorite healthy eating book. It even has some good recipes. And good for you, deciding to continue on the journey to goal! I know you'll do it, too.

Re: the weekend, Dad, dh and I really enjoyed Rockport. We cooked most of our meals, so ate very healthy stuff like Kashi, grilled shrimp & veggies, and salad. Swam in the pool, and took the kayak out in the ocean! (Well, across the entrance to the harbor bay, anyway!) Dh now loves kayaking, and was amazed at how fast we could go. (Guys!) We even saw an entire family of dolphins, close up! They were jumping out of the water all over the place! Not a bit afraid of us.

Re: the iron monster, am still holding right around my goal weight of 155, + or minus 1 one pound, but am still hoping to reach my personal goal of 144 or so. Hearing everyone else's determination *really* helps! I was so excited to read y'all's posts today. Here Carol is doing the healthy Florida lifestyle, Linda is walking and eating all those veggies, JOYce is doing water aerobics, Texaslady is recovering nicely and eating light, and Janet (oh Jaaa--net! We miss you!) last time I heard from her was journaling faithfully.

How about we make 2002 the year that we all reach our goals? We have over 7 months left! I was reading some of our very first posts, over two years ago when this group started. We talked a lot about exercise, points, and overcoming challenges. Maybe if we focus on the weight loss journey (and now seems like the opportune time) and post as frequently as we can, we can all help each other get there?! (Boy, now *that* would be a good story for Oprah or something like that!) What do you think? And anyone else reading this thread, if you're ready to take up the journey with us, we'd love to have you!

Hope to hear from everyone soon!
Regards,
Jan

Jan, you are such an encourager! How can we not want to succeed?!? You are loaded with useful and helpful information!

I went down to the church while ago to clean some cupboards, and reached for my soda to take with me to drink, but then had another thoght and dug oout my WW sipper and filled it with ice water. Drank every drop and refilled for a second cup.:angel:
It's a start.

How fun it must be to kayak with your dh! did you get pix to share on this trip? I loved seeing the pix of Carol's little sweeties!
I think there was more dress than baby! what cuties!

dh smoked some of his fish, so I am off to share with some friends.

have a great day!

Hey, Jan, I really like your challenge to all of us. I think that is what *I* need, anyway; a swift kick in the bumpus to get back OP and going again. I will say that I had oat bran for breakfast this morning for 3 points, and I not only wrote it down, intending to write down all of my points today, but I actually entered it into my WW blue points calculator in order to keep track that way, too. Hey! OP for a few hours already today -- I'm totally on my way! ;)

Carol, I'm happy for you that your DD and her family will be moving to Florida, that is just great! Hold your ground about not being "on call" 7 days a week, though! What a wonderful reunion that will be, I can just imagine how you are looking forward to their being close by again. I do believe that you and Jan are probably right about not eating unlimited fruits... and what an opportunity you have now to be buying fresh fruits and veggies right there in your complex! Keep up the healthy eating and the exercise; you can do it!

I am so happy; it is 6:17 and we haven't had dinner yet, and my points so far today have added up to only six points! JOYce brought us some ahi (we are grateful for being on her list of recipients) and we'll have that in a cold pasta salad tonight. I am soooo jazzed.

I actually measured out my Wheat Thins this afternoon and was horrified at how few added up to three points...heretofore I had been eating at least 3-4 times as much at a sitting (no weighing and counting). Jan, thanks for the challenge, and to sic JOYce, thanks for the smoked ahi! I am indebted to you both for this OP day I'm having.

Blessings!

JOYce, way to go on the water! It's choices like that, that we make every day, that add up to ultimate success. And you have already done much more than make a new start, with your water aerobics; that sounds like such fun. Sure wish we lived close to y'all, what lucky friends you have; that smoked fish sounds great! Re: pics, Dad was taking a little nap when we kayaked, so didn't get any. But we'll get some next time!

Linda, wow, I don't think I've ever managed to go that long on so few points; you go, gal! Just be sure to get in your minimum so you keep that metabolism hummin' along. I know what you mean about measuring; I finally bought one of those neat little Teraillon scales, and it helped a lot. Sometimes I measure out larger bags of stuff like pretzels and crackers into those little snack bags, and label the points on the bag. Made it easier to take them along to work as snacks, or at home, to avoid having more than I'd intended. Re: wheat thins, that's my all-time favorite!

Had a good OP day today too. Dh and I walked 2 miles this morning at sunrise, but the rest of the day I've been working at the computer on this deadline. Sure will be glad to get this done! (It's a curriculum writing contract I took on a few months ago. Almost done! Whew.)

Hi to Carol, Texaslady and Janet! Janet, drop in when you can; we miss you!
Regards,
Jan

Hi everyone
I am new to this site. My name is stennie and I need to lose 45 lbs. I am on ww and can't seen to stay motivated. I have only lose 9 lbs since January but that's ok I am not goinh to give up. I need all of you all support becaue I am not going to give up until I meet my goal. I will post/read this site daily. Also I live in the south (Louisiana) so to me all the food is good:lol: until tomorrow
stennie-9

Jan, I think you must be our "walking queen." Two miles -- at sunrise, no less! Good for you and DH, keep it up, and please keep cheering the rest of us on.:)

JOYce, knowing how much you love your Pepsi, I am very pleased and impressed with your swapping it out with good ol' h20. Good for you! You're on your way, friend. Our pasta/smoked ahi salad was fabulous; your DH certainly knows how to spice 'em up and smoke 'em. ;)

My low-points day may be due to a sore throat I've had for the past 24 hours, that could certainly be it because I have almost no appetite. I only finished half of my pasta/ahi salad tonight and need to finish it plus eat two more points in order to reach my minimum for the day. Thanks for the reminder about eating up to at least that, Jan.

Stennie9, we must have been posting at the same time; I just read yours after having posted mine. Welcome to the 50 or more group, I think you will find that it is a group of friendly and encouraging ladies. Please post regularly and let us know how you are doing. I lost 35+ pounds on WW and gained lifetime status a year or so ago--so I know that it can be done. We have another lifetimer (but unlike myself, she is at goal), Jan, who is a great cheerleader and encourager for all of us. Again, welcome! :)

A good points day here too! :D It's amazing what a difference being able to do my own cooking and shop for what I want to eat can make! I'm also into water drinking again! [b]Jan/b[b], I too like your challenge!!
I have an interview today at 1 P.M. with the allergy practice I mentioned before I left MD. Wish me luck!
Talk to you all later.
Carol

Stennie, welcome to our group! So glad you joined us. And congrats on losing the 9 pounds, and especially on your resolve to stay on this journey all the way to goal. I'm sure you will make it! Re: Louisiana food, you are so right; it's all terrific, I agree! We used to go to Mulate's in Lafayette, and I'd have all kinds of fried seafood, remoulade, etouffee, etc. (That was when I was size 24.) But now I've developed a taste for gumbo, rice and beans, and boiled crawfish or grilled shrimp instead. (Did you know that Tony Chachere's Instant Roux mix has only 10 calories per teaspoon? If you make the gumbo recipe on the label, that's just one point per serving for the roux itself. If you add shrimp and crab instead of sausage, that's a really low point gumbo! We stock up on that mix every time we go to Louisiana.) Anyway, sorry to ramble! Tell us more about yourself! What day do you go to WW? Dh and I go on Saturdays, but we have to drive a pretty long way. He just joined a few months ago, and has lost about 20 pounds; I'm so thrilled for him. He has about 60 to go, but is now 46 down from his highest wt. And I'm trying to reach my personal goal, about 10-11 pounds less than the WW goal I'm at now.

Linda, I hope your sore throat is much better today! Way to go on the OP day yesterday! That ahi and pasta salad sounded terrific.

Carol, good luck with your interview this afternoon! (They will be thanking their lucky stars that you came along!) Way to go on the OP day; must be great to have your own kitchen and schedule now, and the local fruit stand, swimming pool, etc. This is the summer we do it, I can just feel it!

Guess I'd better get back to work; almost finished with this writing project. Then, maybe I can get back to planning our vacation and helping dh with the cooking!
Hi to JOYce, Texaslady (hope you are getting plenty of rest!) and to Janet (we miss you!)
Regards,
Jan

Stennie, I'm sorry I didn't welcome you to our group before! For some reason I didn't see your post! Congrats on your 9 pound loss, and your resolve to hang in there! Tell us a little about yourself. I am in my mid 50's, separated for 7 years and have a daughter, a son-in-law and 2 beautiful grandchildren ages 2-1/2 years(boy) and 2 months(girl). I just moved from Maryland where my dd and family live to Florida. We're glad to have you with us- it's been all too long since we've had a new "face" in our group!
Carol
P.S., folks- I GOT THE JOB- I start tomorrow!! :smug:

I am so happy for you!
They obviously saw a good thing in you!!
*YOU GO GIRL!!!*

Welcome Stennie I'm a grandma in California, been yo-yo-ing with my weight. :( It is 'weigh' past time to get serious!
I have to be 'mother of the bride' in my granddaughers wedding in August, so really need to get busy! I have been sorting thru old photos today, I have been 'fat' for too long!

ttys
gotta scoot to pick up a dgd from conditioning class. Her soccer coach really works them! She is building muscles!:eek:

Hi to all....be back later! :)

Wow, Carol, way to go! (Of course we all knew this would happen; no doctor in his/her right mind would let a prize like you slip away!) Is the office nearby? I remember all that driving (often through bad weather) that you had to do up north; won't it be great not to have to cope with that any more?! I am so happy for you!
Jan

Evening, girls!

Carol - Congratulations on the new job! I knew it wouldn't be long before someone snatched you up. Good thing you had a few days to yourself since you are starting tomorrow already! Your development sounds nice - I am so glad you are enjoying it. That would be amazing if your dd & sil could re-locate. Did dd even finish her Master's or did the new baby put everything on hold? Does sil do the kind of work which would allow an easy move? And DO NOT become chief baby-sitter - no matter how much you love those little ones! How about your hours on the new job? I hope they are reasonable and that you will have some extra time to enjoy your new place.

Jan - Glad you had your usual good time in Rockport. I can just see you and your dh in the kayack paddling away! Sounds like fun. School must be out for you guys now - I think the last districts around here got out today although many finished last week. Paris looms ever closer!

Linda, Carol & Joyce - I am so sorry to hear about the return of all the cards you girls sent me while in the hospital. I don't know why they didn't reach me while I was there (4-24 thru 5-1) - and I certainly don't know where they have been for the past month! I appreciate all your wonderful thoughts and prayers, though, - probably more than you realize.

I am feeling stronger these days. I started back to work last Tuesday - but only working 6 hours a day. I come home and take a nap & then go to bed early as well! I will go back full time next Monday - I am sure I will be dragging big time for a while. But staying home was driving me nuts. When you know the daytime TV schedule, you know you have been home too long!

Stennie-9 - Welcome to our group! It's been a long time since we have had a "new face". Please come back often and let us know how you are progressing. I am so glad to hear you say you are going to hand in there no matter how long it takes! That's certainly is one of the keys to success! You have probably figured out I live in Texas - as does Janet Mae. So we are not too far from you. Tell us a little more about yourself.

While in the hospital I lost about 10 pounds - but sitting at home for the following 5 weeks doing not much more than opening the refrigerator promptly put it all back on. Jan, thanks for the challenge. I am going to get myself to the store this week-end and stock up on healthy stuff and get myself back to counting points again.

Has anyone heard from Janet lately? I know that Carol sometimes talks to her either on the phone or by e-mail? What is she up to these days?

Will go for now. Everyone have a wonderful TGIF day - except for Carol - Guess it iwould be Monday for her! :D No big plans for the week-end here - how about you?

Texaslady, it is so good to see you "up and about" on the thread! I'm glad that you're starting out with a 6-hour day and that you are able to get some much-needed rest. I applaud your intention to stock up on healthful foods when you go to the store, good for you! Please continue to take care of yourself; it was so good to read your latest post.

Carol! that is wonderful that you got the job just like that! I imagine that helped to boost your spirits quite a bit, even if you weren't down in the dumps to begin with. I'm impressed, but honestly not surprised that they hired you right away. Blessings on your first day at work tomorrow! I'm so happy that you are now able to shop for exactly the foods you want and that will be good for you and assist you in following our Jan's challenge, what a good start for you.

I still am feeling sorta "blah" and haven't eaten much today, I think it'll be a struggle to eat up to my minimum by the time we go to bed tonight. Anybody got a chunk of lard I could lick for awhile? :p (Eew.)

Hi everyone! TGIF!! What's everyone got planned for the weekend? Exdh and I are going to run to a cute little town called Mt.Dora which I saw not nearly enough of when I was here in January, and I have a couple organizational projects that require lifting that he volunteered to assist me with. Other than that, nothing special- but every day seems special here.

The first day on the new job went well- I think I'm really going to like it. I worry about how tight money is going to be- I may be down to ice cubes and bread crumbs some months when the bills are all paid :lol:, but I'll worry about that later.

I got a call from dd this afternoon- little sweetie was having a fit- he wanted to go out to my former room to see me, and she couldn't make him understand that I no longer live there, that I am in Florida. She said he packed up all the stuff in his little doctor's kit and said he wanted to go see Grandma!! She finally called me and asked me to talk to him- he was having an absolute fitand she couldn't get him to calm down!! I could hear him in the background calling "Grandma-Grandma", which of course made me cry.:cry: She finally got him on the phone and I talked to him and told him I love him and I'll see him soon, and he gave me an "I wuv you" and a kiss, and then he said goodbye and seemed happy. Poor baby!!! I sure miss him- I'll be glad when they are closer again. At least I know he hasn't forgotten me!
Linda, I hope your throat is better! Be careful about those low point totals, like Jan said- you sure don't want your metabolism to slow down!
Joyce, good for you for increasing the water! I'm trying to do that too, now that I don't have to walk 6 miles to the bathroom anymor! :rolleyes:
Jan, your walking is always such an inspiration to the rest of us! I like to walk in the early morning too (but not 2 miles yet!!)- much cooler, and quiet and beautiful. I'm a morning person for sure. My job is 45 minutes from here in Gainesville- it's an easy drive with no bridges or traffic lights. Rush hour here is a piece of cake compared to where I used to live! Unbelievable! No wonder people get shell-shocked when they move from an area like this to the D.C. metro area- it must scare them to death!
Texaslady, dd's master's degree has been put on the back burner since she first was pregnant with dgd. I don't know when she'll finish it if they move down here.
Stennie, how are things going with you?

Somebody asked about Janet- I did have an email from her the other day. Her home computer is broken down, and she's ben too busy at work to be able to post or even check the site regularly. She hopes it will be fixed over the weekend. All is okay with her.

Well, I'd better run. Have a good weekend, everyone!
Carol

Oh, Carol! That phone call from your little sweetie #1 must have almost torn your tender heart out of your chest. Poor little thing, indeed. Any idea when DD and the troops will be moving to Florida?

We went to a brewpub for a late lunch/early dinner today (I made sure I didn't have to make dinner tonight by asking DH if it counted as dinner) and I had a brew :) and two fish tacos and I am stuffed. Still not much of an appetite; I knew that I needed something solid to eat though, so I wouldn't get all shaky and faint-feeling. I feel like I could go til tomorrow without eating anything else. I may be feeling "blah," but this is a great way to cut down on my points. :)

Glad that you liked your first day at work, Carol. How nice it is to enjoy your job. "...ice cubes and bread crumbs..." I had to giggle over that. You'll make it just fine.

Texaslady, how are you today? Was this one of your stay at home days, I hope?

I'm going to start a new thread since we're on 2 pages- come on over to #98
Carol