WW Clubs and Groups - 50 or more, 10-7

If you have 50 or so pounds to lose, or are losing, this is the group for you! So stop in and say hello; you'll be sure to get a warm welcome!

Group, how about we keep a thread for a week, and start a new one every Monday? What do you think? Even if it goes to 2-3 pages ...

Everyone have a great week! What are your plans for Columbus Day weekend?

Jan

Great idea to start a new thread every Monday, Jan. I vote for that! Wow, your dh has lost fifty pounds??? Oh, my gosh, that is just wonderful! I'll bet he is feeling so much better than before. Please tell him that I am very impressed, and that I admire him for losing that much. So he was your only help peeling and boiling all of those potatoes? What a treasure. Well, even though you don't really care for potato salad, I still think you are doing very well not to have sampled right along with your dh. :)

Texaslady, how are you doing these days? Carol, how is the Florida weather? And Janet, how is your journaling going? I'm behind you; you can do this!

...are a good idea. thanks Jan.
I just got home from an all day event at church...well it took all day becaue i was in charge of everything. :dizzy: but it went well. I had lots of help and totally exhausted. I ate only a salad plate full of assorted salads and 1 rib! no dessert. threw my left over cake in the trash rather than bring it home. :)
Only the chili cook off to go, and my resignation is in. I think I have folks convinced now. :cp: They just didn't want to believe.
We had 300 people show up, it was a great celebration for our new Christian Ed building.

dgd doesn't have a holiday for dear old Columbus...I better check my class schedule...but life as usual I suppose. What do you have planned Jan?

I am so very tired, gonna sign off early tonight.

ttyl

Hi all!

I'm a 21-year old belgian girl and I would love to join your group of supportive and kind people (I have been lurking for a while.. :D )

I have been comfortable with myself and my weight for many years (or at least that's what I told myself..) but two weeks ago I decided to make a change. I stepped on the scales for the first time in a long time and I'm so glad I did that! 220 pounds it was (I guess... In my country we use kilo's..) and I decided to start WW on my own.

Since then I've lost 10 pounds, and I'm really thrilled with that. :)
I know it's gonna be a long way, but for the first time in my life I feel like I'm ready for this. Now is the time to change my life and my lifestyle, and I hope that your support will help me do this.

Lots of love :)

lilithu

Welcome Lilithu! We are so glad you joined us! :)

Congratulations on your ten-pound loss; that is really terrific! It sounds to me like you have heard that "click" people talk about that turns us on to a new lifestyle, and you are so right, that's what it takes to lose weight permanently. And when it's done the right way, like you are doing with the WW program, it does take a while to get there. It's SO worth it!!

JOYce, wow, 300 people!! And I'll bet it went off beautifully; you are such a pro at organizing events! Good for you, though, giving notice that others need to take the reins now. I know it wasn't easy for you to do that, but you are so wise to adjust your priorities right now. Hope you got a good night's rest after all that! And kudos to you for throwing away the cake!! Way to go!!

Linda, thanks, I'll pass that along to my dh. He started seriously losing way back when I started (we did the SlimFast plan together before I joined WW) but he had stalled out last spring. (Didn't gain, but didn't lose either.) He feels so much better now, and is actually charting his weight and journalling, so I just know that he'll eventually make goal.

Gotta run!
Jan

JanetMae, thanks a lot for your warm welcome :)

I have always been overweight, ever since I can remember, but I never was a diet-person.. When I was 10 years old my mom put me on a diet, and I lost 26 pounds back then, that's a lot for a young child. But eventually they all came back, because

1. I had never learned that dieting isn't the answer, it's changing your lifestyle

2. I didn't really want it and I saw being on a diet as a punishment.

But two weeks ago I suddenly felt that 'click'. I don't know why it happened, but I realised that I don't deserve to be fat for the rest of my life, I'm 21 years old and if I want to make a change this is the time to do it. Now I don't even see it as a punishment, I see it as the best thing that could happen to me, actually :)

The WW-program is just great, I don't feel like I'm starving all the time.. Last week I even went to a birthday party with loads of food, and I didn't gain any weight because of the points I banked.

Is there a topic where I can find how much you all lost and are planning to lose? Or should I start reading all the other 50 or more topics? ;)

I'll be back :D

Welcome to lilithu! I'm so glad you are going to join us, your observation was right in that we are a very supportive group, and so ready and glad to welcome any newcomers to the thread. Are you a native of Belgium? I was there about 30 years ago when my family went on a summer-long tour of the British Isles and Europe. Belgium has a lot of history, and it is a beautiful country. Do you live in a metropolitan area there? Are you a student? Tell us more about yourself!

I am so glad that you have decided to join WW; it sounds as though you are doing a fine job staying OP (on program) so far--my goodness, you have lost ten pounds in the past two weeks? That is just wonderful! Ten pounds is a goodly amount to lose, I'll bet that you are feeling better already. Good for you for responding to hearing the "click" which you and Jan were discussing. :)

I am a Southern California native and joined WW about six years ago. I reached my goal weight (and therefore, lifetime status) about three years ago, but have gained back about 17 pounds from not continuing to attend the meetings after I reached goal (a suggestion to the others to keep going to those meetings after you reach lifetime!). I have lost about 3 pounds of that extra 17 because I am now back at the meetings. JOYce and I are good friends and live only about 3 miles apart, she is also a California native. We attend the WW meetings together, and give each other encouragement when it is needed.

Again, welcome to the 50+ thread, please keep posting of your progress!

Lilithu, I just knew you'd heard that click! And good for you, banking points for the birthday party. This plan really is very practical, isn't it?

Re: info about the group, there isn't a thread on that, but I feel sure everyone will be introducing themselves to you as soon as they log on next. My story, briefly: I'm 50. I was overweight from my late 20's on. Tried WW in my thirties, lost a lot of weight, but didn't follow through. Joined the new WW program in my late 40's, and reached goal & lifetime a little over a year ago. (These ladies were SUCH a help to me along the journey, too!) Have been going to meetings as a lifetimer at least once a month. Have lost over 100 pounds, but want to lose about 10 more to reach a personal goal.

JOYce, I forgot to answer your Q about Columbus Day! Dad, dh and I are going to Rockport for the weekend, and will go kayaking, grill shrimp on the bbq, swim (I hope, if the weather cooperates), shop, and just sit on the porch and watch the waves! I can hardly wait ...

Hope everyone had a great Monday!
Regards,
Jan

JAN, Rockport sounds like such a nice place. I think you posted pictures of there, before.
Remembering this is the weekend we were supposed to be at your place! :(
I'll go see Mother on Friday and stay with sis for 2 nights. sounds like she is getting pretty weak. :(

dgd got asked to homecoming today! She is walking on air!!
:dance: Guess that explains where texaslady is, she is busy making mums for homecoming, I suppose.

lilithu, I am a Calif. gal, as Linda told you. I am a 61 yr old great gma with 100 pounds to lose, I have been a real yo-yo with my weight.... most discouraging. I know when I ache and pain that it would not be nearly as bad if I weighed a lot less. I think you lose 10 pounds of pressure off your knees for every pound you lose. Imagine how good I would feel with 1000 punds off my knees!!! I know that when I follow the plan, I lose. (duh!) just can't keep that in my head!!

gotta go for now
ttys

Hey girls!

Once again, thanks for the lovely words. :)

Linda Jean asked if I could tell a little more about myself, and in fact, I can ;)

As said, I turned 21 last August and I live in Belgium.
I am a native belgian, living in the Flemish part of the country where we speak Dutch. In the other part people speak French. In the third and smallest part of Belgium people speak German. So Dutch is my mother tongue, I can manage in French and German and by posting in this thread I hope to improve my English (and to find support and nice people, ofcourse ;) )

I am a journalist, or I should be, but I just graduated and at the moment it is extremely hard in my country to get a job. So I spend my time going to job interviews, surfing the net and staying OP :D Being at home during a big part of the day doesn't make it easier to stay on plan, but the 'click' I got two weeks ago makes me believe that they could lock me up in a chocolate factory and that I would be strong enough to resist. :o


This is my choice and I really don't want to disappoint myself. I wanna be a thinner me, and in fact, I'm becoming one..

I've noticed that JanetMae and Linda Jean are lifetimers. :eek: That is just amazing. You are such an inspiration and a walking succes story. :)

How did you manage to stay OP? Did you have difficult moments during all this? I would love to hear your experiences.

Bye bye and I hope to hear from you all soon :)

lilithu

JOYce, I am sorry to hear that your sister is feeling tired. I'm sure she'll be very glad to have you staying with her! And yes, I sure wish things had come together for us all next weekend, but we won't give up! And remember, if y'all can stop by when you come to Texas this winter, please do!

Lilithu, I am so impressed that you speak four languages! I'm sure that will really help you in your future career; good luck with your interviews!

Re: staying OP, I wasn't perfect all the time, by a long shot, but I found that I was developing new habits (like walking every day, and eating breakfast) which really helped. I had some plateaus when I didn't gain or lose for a while, but I'd see other improvements like more stamina or better muscle tone. As time went on, I noticed that I could handle stress more easily, and was much more cheerful. And my friends here helped me get past the plateaus and celebrate every little success along the way, which made the whole journey so much more fun!

I hope everyone's week is off to a good start! Mine is pretty calm, after all the stuff happening last week and weekend. Whew. Last night I fixed a crockpot dish that was really easy, low point, and "guy approved." (Lilithu, I cook for my Dad and dh, though dh also cooks a lot.) You open a can of black beans (drain and rinse) and two cans of corn (I used 3 fresh ears) and mix with 1/2 cup salsa. Put veggies in crock pot, top with skinless, boneless chicken breasts, top that with 1/2 cup salsa, and cook on high for 3 hours. I made homemade corn tortillas and a spinach salad with fresh pears to go with it.

Texaslady, as JOYce reminded us, I guess you're in the middle of homecoming season right now! Stop in and say hi when you can!

Janet, so glad to hear that program is working so well for you! Hope your computer starts working soon. Is it not dialing in to your ISP at all, or is it just this site it has trouble with? If the latter, maybe upgrading to a newer Explorer version would help?

Carol, are you finding any time to rest in between your daily commute and the flu clinics? Are your little darlin's allergies still improving in the new climate?

Linda, how is the remodeling project coming along?

Guess I'd better get back to writing those lesson plans. It takes a little longer when you have to learn so much new software all the time, but at least it's never dull!
Regards,
Jan

lilithu, so glad you posted back so soon! I think that your English skills are just wonderful; you don't seem to struggle at all to get your points across. Now, if I were to try to speak or understand German or French, I would be in deep trouble!;) I so admire your drive to stay OP, even if locked in a chocolate factory. That was funny! You asked about how I stayed OP in order to reach lifetime status. All I can tell you is that I journalled faithfully, and stayed within my points range most of the time. I ate a lot of fruits and vegetables (I know that helped get me to lifetime) and drank my water. It isn't hard for me to drink water, as I love a good, cold glass of it; I generally drink about a gallon a day (and have done so most of my life). It's funny; I have gotten to the point where every time I see or hear the word, "water" or see a glass of it on TV, I pick up my glass and have a swig. You asked when it was difficult to stay OP, I would say it was harder when we went out to dinner. I still tend to see going out for a meal as a "special occasion," and eat accordingly (overeating more points-heavy foods). Our leader said last week that we need to treat going out for dinner as just another meal, and eat accordingly. Oh, off subject, but I forgot to say, that I am 56, we have one daughter who is 24 and married, no children yet.:^: We don't put any pressure on them, but I'm here to say that we are more than ready to have a grandchild! I'm sorry that the employment in Belgium is such that you haven't been able to find a job in your field. What exactly is it that you would like to do with your journalism degree?

Janet, texaslady and Carol, how are you all doing?

Hi, Jan! Guess we were posting at about the same time. Our remodeling is going great guns -- dh has almost half of the ceiling done (nailing up paneling). Since the ceiling is now covered with either the boards which he has put up or fiberglass (on the half he still needs to cover with wood), he can leave the door to the new room open and get air conditioning in there. For a long time, the ceiling was missing and the room was open to the attic and we didn't want to air condition the attic, so he kept the door closed when he was working in there. Poor guy! Thanks for asking about it. :)

1 pound closer! :)
ttyl

I was so happy to see JOYce walk into the meeting today with her sweet smile--congratulations, sic!!! You are indeed one whole pound closer to your goal! Way to go! :D

I'm down 2.4 from last WI, I am so happy! I haven't started eating more fruits and vegetables yet, but I am being very careful to journal everything that I put into my mouth, and I am more aware of when I need to stop eating for the day.

Jan, another "thank you" for steering me toward the "Heart to Heart" cereal. It is really good; crunchy and sweet, but low in points. I have even been known to have a serving in a bowl with no milk on it to save a point when I'm getting close to the top of my range in the evenings. :)

Texaslady, how are the Homecoming Mums doing? Janet, how is your weight loss coming along? And Carol, are you terribly busy these days with the flu clinics? And last but not least, please let us hear from you, lilithu, what's new with you? How is your weather there in Belgium this time of the year?

Plans are confirmed. We are going to AZ for the Thanksgiving weekend. dgd has a soccer tournament there.
No turkey leftovers for me! It's been a looooonnnnggg time since I "didn't" cook the big dinner. Will be fun....different. :)

Jan, your crockpot idea sounds like something my little group will enjoy...but homemade corn tortillas???! You are amazing! You must be loading up those kayaks for your trip to Rockport. Hope the weather is cooperating for you.

ttyl

JOYce, congrats on the pound lost! Way to go! Glad to hear you won't have to cook turkey-day dinner; your plans for AZ sound like fun! (This will be the first time in years I haven't cooked, too, as we'll be on that cruise.) Re: the tortillas, they're easy, as we can get fresh masa here and I have a tortilla press from Mexico that is so much fun to use.

Linda, sounds like your remodeling project is moving right along! Glad your dh has A/C now; must have been hard working in that heat. And major kudos to you on your big loss! That's great! You'll be at goal again very soon, I'm sure.

Hi to Lilithu, Janet, Carol, and Texaslady! Let us hear from you!

Dh and I will be loading the kayak this evening, and have already started packing. Looks like the weather will be cool and lovely. And I just found out there's a big festival down there, with music and arts & crafts, so that should be lots of fun!

Dh and I will probably go to a WW mtg in Corpus Christi on the way down there tomorrow. Have been OP all week, so it looks like I'll make my lifetimer monthly WI okay. I can't wait for the time change, though, and cooler weather, so I can walk in the mornings instead of the afternoons. Have been using the treadmill in the afternoon, which isn't my favorite thing.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Jan

Jan those tortillas sound so much simpler than I ever thought! I'll have to check out that press 'when I get to Texas'.
I know we can get the masa in some stores here.

It turns out I have to stay home this weekend, I am getting a cold and sis doesn't need any germs in her home, (in her fight against Cancer, her immune system is very low.)Hopefully I can go next weekend. October is such a busy month for me!! DD gaduates next weekend, and the following weekend brings homecoming and the chili cook-off.:dizzy:

Hi Janet, lilithu, Carol, texaslady! check in and let us know how you are!

ttyl

JOYce, I am so sorry you have a cold! Hope you feel better soon. Get lots of rest, lots of water, vitamin C, etc. I'm sure Carol would agree! Wow, sure sounds like a busy schedule, with a graduation, homecoming, and a chili cookoff, no less! I know the cookoff is your last church project, but I hope you will have some help with that, especially as you're down with a cold. (Have you had your flu and pneumonia shots yet? It's time, I think, isn't it Carol?)

Well, we've got the kayak loaded and the nonstick pans, etc. packed. Heading for the coast in the morning; hoping for lots of activity, and not too many points! See y'all Monday night or Tuesday!

Regards,
Jan

Yes Jan, I'm doing all the right things for my cold. :)
I haven't had a flu shot, dh had his this week. I think when I get one I get the flu worse that year. :?:

I will definitely have help with the cook-off because it is the same night as homecoming! the same thing happened 2 yrs ago, but it was my partners daughters school's homecoming, so it is her turn to take over this time. :)

have a great time on your trip!

Hi friends!!! Remember me??? Sorry to be awol for so long- things have been complicated here- but I'll get into that a little more in a minute.
Lilithur, welcome to our group! I am in my mid 50's. I lost about 95 pounds so far on WW- had many changes in my life in the past year and hit a plateau and ultimately gained almost 10 pounds, but am getting back on track, and have learned much about how to manage my weight. I am separated for the past 7+ years and have a married daughter, a 2 year 9 month old grandson and a 6 month old grand daughter. I moved to Florida from Maryland in May. My exdh lives down here also. My dd, dsil and the 2 little sweeties moved down here in July, and live 6 miles from me. So, that's more than you wanted to know about me!!!
Joyce, your sister remains in my prayers. Isn't it amazing how thoughtless some people can be? Congratulations on your weight losses- you are back on track again- go girl!!! How are things with your health issues? I worry about how all this stress is affecting you. How is your mom doing now?
Linda, congrats on your weight loss! You will be back to goal in no time!! You and Jan are such wonderful inspiration for all of us! My first flu clinic is next Saturday, so I haven't been running with that yet.
Jan, your weekend plans sound great! I work Monday. Congrats to dh for his weight loss and perseverence! Give my beat to him and your dd. The weekly thread sounds fine if that's what everyone wants. I pop in so sporadically lately that I don't want the decision to depend on me!
Janet, it was nice "chatting" with you on line last week (or was it the week before????) Congrats for getting back on WW!! I'm so sorry to hear about you skin cancer, and am thankful it is the "best" kind. Will hold you in my thoughts and prayers, especially on Monday when you see the doctor!
Texaslady, where are you? You are worse than me!!:lol: I hope it is just that you are busy, bot that you are having more health problems!!! Drop by and say hi!

Well, to update you on me and part of why I have been so scarce lately: the job I have been in since moving here in May has really become a less-than pleasant situation and also a financial liability. By the time I get home, I am drained, mostly emotionally.I love the work, the doctor is wonderful and my coworkers are great, but the management of the office is done by an individual who has many health issues which make her behavior very erratic, to say the least. An enmasse exit was being considered by the 4 of us at one time, but unfortunately we all need to work. About 2 weeks ago I happened to see an ad in the paper for an R.N. to coordinate and supervise one of the satellite clinic offices for the county health department, and decided to apply and sent my resume along with the application. State jobs are hard to come by and have wonderful benefits- I spent the first 12 years of my nursing career as a community health nurse with the state in MD. So, I got called for an interview, and much to my surprise, got the job! I am so looking forward to it- it is all the things I love to do, and combines all the things I have learned and enjoyed from my past 36 years in nursing. It is 15 minutes from home, and my salary will be almost $11,000 more than I make now. I start on Oct 28.

My little sweeties are doing fine, and thriving in Florida. Dgs's allergies seem much better down here. DGD is getting so big, and at 6 months is already crawling all over the place- much ahead of when he big brother did. I think she will be an early walker.
Exdh is doing fine- when he is not on the road we eat dinner together- cooking for 2 is better than cooking for one, and we share the duties. He treated me to dinner the other day to celebrate my new job.

My back has been a problem for the past few weeks, but hopefully will resolve before I start the flu clinics and the new job! I can't pick up dgd, but can hold her seated, or if someone hands her to me. I'm supposed to not lift over 10 pounds right now.

Well, ladies, I've bored you enough!:yawn: Take care- I promise to try to do better at keeping in touch!
Carol :wave:

I am so happy for you with your new job coming up soon -- how wonderful that you will be doing what you love, and that it is only 15 minutes from your home! That is just wonderful. You have certainly been blessed! :) It was really good to hear from you, I am sorry that you have been so tired and overworked and especially that the situation at work has been less than desirable. Hang on, better days are coming. ;)

I ate four or five pieces of peanut butter fudge yesterday afternoon, ate them as fast as I could get them into my mouth. Stress eating. Anyway, last night I didn't feel very well because of all of that SUGAR, which really does bad things to me if I eat very much at one time. Stuffy head, tummy ache, generally felt blah. The candy is all gone now, thanks to dh (he said he wanted to take the temptation out of my way, how considerate); and I'm off sugar for awhile til the next time....:lol:

Hope everyone is having a pleasant weekend.

Lilithu, I'm looking forward to your posting again, drop in and let us know how you are doing. :)

CAROL! so good to hear from you! Congrats on the new job! sounds great!! That should 'round things out' quite nicely for you! I'm pleased to read that everybody in your family is doing so well!
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for my family. My sister keeps telling me that she is fine, she just has Cancer.:(
Mother worries too much for the shape she is in. has gotten the strength back in her legs since her last hospital visit, so will stay where she is for now, was afraid she would have to be moved to skilled nursing, but not yet.

I took dgd to the mall this afternoon for a dress for Homecoming. the very first dress she saw was THE ONE!! (she looked at others before purchasing) got her hair appt made. WHEW! Now tomorrow, I have to tell my team at church that I won't be at the chili cook-off til it is half over, so that I can dgd off to the dance!
QUE SERA`Can't miss her big night!
:)
It will be fine!

I'm sorry it took me a while to log in to these boards again, I have been quite busy looking for a job. Not that I've found one, but at least I'm trying :D

The weather in Belgium is horrible. It has been raining for days now, but thank god my weight loss is keeping me happy. Really, I haven't felt this great in years. Seeing a change without feeling that I'm missing out on things just keeps me going.

Last night I went out with my best friend and I drank a few beers without feeling guilty. This morning I stood on the scales to see that I've lost almost 16 pounds in less than a month! I never thought it would be this easy. I'm still very motivated and I realise that things will eventually slow down, but I'm happy with every pound lost. :)

People start noticing my weight loss and tell me I look great, so that's a big motivation too. Two of my friends have even started the ww-program because they see how great it works for me, so now I've got competition.;)

Thanks to everyone for your kind words, I really love reading your stories and I promise you'll hear from me soon.

Take Care!

A very happy lilithu :)

lilithu You're doing great!!!You are a true inspiration !
Keep it up! you are so wise in knowing to enjoy this first big loss, realizing that it does slow down a bit, even when you follow the program exactly. Isn't it great that on this program you can celebrate once in a while and not have to feel guilty.
Keep up the good work!
Good to hear from you again, the right job is there for you, be patient.

Hi, lilithu, welcome back! JOYce is right; I'm sure the "right" job is out there for you, just keep looking and discerning what you think is the best road to take. Sixteen pounds is a lot to have lost in that short amount of time -- good for you! I'm glad to read that you are feeling so much better, both physically and emotionally. :)

Texaslady and Janet, how are you two doing?

Today is wonderful outside; cloudy and cool. So nice to be able to open the windows, finally! This summer was very hot, I am very glad autumn is here.

Congratulations, Lilithu!!!!!!!!!!

Friends, I think we've found the problem with a new thread every week- whose going to start it??? :lol:
Carol

Hi Carol! The new thread is there (I started it yesterday) but everyone's still posting to this old one. Will bring up the new thread to the top again... see you there!
Re: who starts it, I guess whoever logs in first on Monday morning?