WW Clubs and Groups - Turtle Club #133

Hi, Turtles,

Here's my "official" version of Aesop's fable:

The Hare and the Tortoise

A hare met a tortoise one day and made fun of him for the slow and clumsy way in which he walked.

The tortoise laughed and said, "I will run a race with you any time that you choose."

"Very well," replied the hare, "we will start at once."

The tortoise immediately set off in his slow and steady way without waiting a moment or looking back. The hare, on the other hand, treated the matter as a joke and decided to take a little nap before starting, for she thought that it would be an easy matter to overtake her rival.

The tortoise plodded on, and meanwhile the hare overslept herself, with the result that she arrived at the winning-post only to see that the tortoise had got in before her.

Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.

This comes from a book handed down from my grandmother to my mother to me. The book is so old it doesn't have a copyright date or an author/editor's credit.

That fable has been the motivation for us turtles for several years. Someone on the ancient WW forum mentioned the fable and I discovered it was very motivational for me. I talked about it in posts and other people said that the tortoise philosophy worked for them, too. So, I started a thread for us turtle types.

We work toward accepting that our bodies have a natural speed of weight loss when we choose to live a healthy life, instead of "going on a diet". Many of us have experienced "the diets" as go on/lose weight-- go off/ gain the weight plus more back.

We choose to perservere with each choice we make throughout the day. We believe that choosing to be slow, steady turtles helps us to learn the skills we need to in order to lose and keep off the weight. Our main focus is to become the healthiest people we can be.

So, welcome to all who realize that losing and maintaining a weight loss is a lifestyle change. And who want support as we all learn the skills we need to successfully make the changes that will allow us to reach our goals.

Hi, Everyone,

Well, I managed to lose my whole post, so I'll give it another try. :rolleyes:

Thanks, everyone, for your good wishes for my husband's job. He loves it. He says it's the best job he's ever had. And hopes they decide to make it a permanent one. :cool:

Thanks, too, for your congrats on my weight loss. You know, I somehow feel almost guilty about it because I didn't really do anything for it. I mean, I wasn't following a program or working hard, the way you ladies are. But, I'm not taking it back. ;) I am, however, walking almost every day with my husband after dinner.

You've all been working really hard. It's so good to read your posts, even though I've been mostly not here lately. It's partly because I've been busy and partly because it's been a difficult adjustment moving in with Mom. I didn't want to bring you guys down.

I wonder if any of you could email or snail mail a copy of the new program. I'll cover copying and postage, if necessary. I'd buy the At Home thing, but with my mom's health issues, food rules and kitchen rules, there's no way I can do any kind of formal program right now. I just want the information so I know what you all are talking about. Thanks!

I've been writing like mad. I picked up a workbook for writers. The exercises have been really helpful in teaching me how to get the complex stories and characters in my head onto the page. So the book's going well.

We've started back at our old church. It's so wonderful. I can't wait for choir and bell choir to start again in the fall. We also take Sunday as our time together and go to brunch. We're trying a new restaurant this weekend.

On Saturday, we're meeting some friends we haven't seen for a couple of years for dessert and coffee. I'm looking forward to it. I've known this woman since high school, although we went to different schools. We met at our church where we were both active in the youth group.

That's what's been going on with me. I hope to hear about all of you, soon. Do keep moving. :tread:

Hi everyone,

Lin, I am so happy for you that things are looking up after your period of trials. Kudos to you for hanging in there. You wouldn't have brought us down if you had chosen to share your difficulties of adjustment during this time. We don't mind listening and we always wish you well.

Lauren, I am relieved that learn about the results of your mammogram. Hallelujah! Let this be a catalyst for you to commit yourself to living your healthiest life. God has given you a great blessing!

Yesterday, was my mom's birthday. She's 72 (although I think of her as being younger). She asked for me to make an apple pie and have ice cream. So, I ate pie and vanilla ice cream and I don't feel the least guilty about it. :)

I have been fighting hives - still. I have tried not to take the medicine to see if they have gone away, but inevitably I must take the meds. The last time I tried to skip a dosage, my lip became swollen. I'll have to check with the doctor to see what comes next. He mentioned blood tests to check my thyroid if the hives continue. Needles are my phobia so I'm am hopeful that things will clear up before tests are needed.

And the plumbing problem is back. Oh well.

Life never slows up, does it?

I had a good time challenging myself with yoga this week. When I realize how flexible I am and how much more I could be, it makes me value my body in a different way, recognizing it for its strength instead of its aesthetics.

Have a good weekend!

Hi, tortoises. I keep waiting for Choosewell to come and correct me when I say that ... I miss our tortoise queen.

Lin, I'm so glad things are looking up for you. And SO glad DH loves his job! How soon before you can move out? Maybe in the new year? I know it's got to be tough living with your mom. That's also great about getting back into church. I know I miss it when I don't go for a while. I love bell choirs, too; that's one of the things I miss in the Orthodox church!

Swania, it sounds like you're really being good to your body, listening to it and helping it improve. I loved your yoga comments. I've found when I start working out again after a period of inactivity that I get teary-eyed! I think about how good my body has been to me, and what a loving thing I'm finally doing for it, and it breaks me up a bit. I'm a leaky faucet anyway, but it does get to me -- how much I neglect my body, when it has been so good to me.

Today is the first day on Core for me. I'm really looking forward to it. I did well last week on points until the weekend, then I blew it. Sugar does it to me every time. So I'm back to where I started weightwise.

Lin, Core is basically this:

WW now has a list of "core" foods. They include things like lean meats, all fish, poultry with skin removed, all vegetables, all fruits, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, couscous, nonfat dairy products, eggs, some cereals, nonfat dressings, 94% FF popcorn, oatmeal. You must eat 2 teaspoons of healthy fats per day. I can email you the complete list if you like, or you can track it down at www.weightwatchers.com in the forums. Or you can buy the updated complete foods book (which also includes points), which I'm going to do. Basically, if it has added sugar, it's not on the list (except for some FF dressings, I think). Kashi is unfortunately not on the list because of added sugar. Ditto for All Bran and most other prepared cereals. Shredded wheat is OK, as is puffed rice or puffed wheat. Dried fruits and fruit or veggie juices are not. Oddly, FF flavored yogurt is not. WW tried to eliminate everything they found to be a "trigger" food, and apparently flavored yogurt was a trigger food.

You can eat cereal WITH milk at one meal, and you can eat EITHER brown rice, pasta, or potatoes at another meal. Other than that, there are no restrictions on core foods. (You can eat couscous anytime, which I think is odd since it's basically a pasta.)

You do not have to count these foods, nor do you have to measure them. The goal is to listen to your body and stop when you're no longer hungry. Hey, where have we heard that before?

You also have 35 points per week that you can allocate on any non-core foods you want. (Like bread, sugar, alcohol, white pasta and rice, peanut butter, etc.)

You can feel free to bounce between Core and FlexPoints as much as you want, though you should stick to each plan for at least a week at a time (Core for a week; points for a week). I plan to do points when we're on vacation or when I know we've got a very social week planned, since the points plans are more flexible regarding food choices.

You can learn a ton about the new program by reading the forums at the WW site and at Dotti's.

Well, best go have my first Core breakfast!

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/211/onederland again

Hi, Turtles,

Thanks, Lauren, for explaining the Core program. I'll see if I can locate a list. Thanks for the tips on where to look.

Hope everyone is doing fine and keep moving. :dance:

Hi Turtles,
Lin,
I am so glad for the turn around for your dh and that he loves his new job. Ditto on your writing up a storm. That's great. How was your weekend meeting with old friends? When things settle down for you a bit I hope you peruse the Core program on WW. You're such a great cook and I know you'll come up with innovative ways to
combine the foods to stay core and still eat well.

Swan,
So glad about your exercise, et al. Congrats on your mom's birthday. :hb: Good luck and continued success.

Lauren,
I miss Choosewell soon and think I might just send her an e-mail to see how she's doing. I think you are going to like Core very much with your sugar issues.

Bandit,
How are you doing? Is dd in school yet? You sounded very busy.

As far as me, I'm doing great. I started the Core program last Monday for dinner right after my WW's meeting. I found that I had cravings for the first three days. By the fourth day, my cravings subsided and I felt full more often. I went from being starving all the time on regular foods to feeling comfortable on Core. In a strange way it is freeing to me--even though it has limits. The part that is freeing is that I can have the quantity of food I need even if it is high in points. That does the trick for me. I have definitely had a weight loss this week. It was challenging because I prepared food for my daughter's baby shower, then had the shower the next day, and then had my married children stay over for the third day. We also had a birthday celebration which lasted the three days as well. We try and do a birthweek because a birthday seems too short.

I am flying high because I ate tiny amounts of what I wanted and mentally calculated the points. I stayed as Core as I could and am very pleased. Thanks for kind thoughts and prayers. It looks like I have lost fluffy weight and am on my way again to a real weight loss. Swan, I lost track of my challenge for the summer, but I'm right here with Core for a challenge for now through Oct. 31st. Sound good?

The shower was wonderful. My dd appreciated seeing her friends and my friends and our families. Really nice. The grandkids were great and the whole weekend was lovely. It's especially nice that I didn't backtrack with a weight loss. All summer I've been up 2#, down 2# and made no progress at all! Now I'm back on track.

Good luck to all and :bravo: to our good choices.
Love,
Judy
234/221.5/thinner WI on Wednesday this week! :goodvibes:

Hi Judy/ Great minds think alike! I was going to mention a challenge from Labor Day to Halloween and you neat me to it. I will definitely sign on. Good luck on your weigh-in.

Lauren, thanks for explaining the Core program. I'll have to look it up.

Must go as I will try to attend the 6:00 a.m. treadmill class and it's already 10:00 p.m.

FYI - Today's Oprah is a rerun, but worth taking a look. She has a doctor who shows the audience what healthy organs look like compared with damaged organs. It is a realistic look at what happens when one abuses his/her body with food and drink. If you are squeamish, then you'd probably want to skip it. But seeing tangible proof of neglect and abuse of the body is worth every article and medical study that I've ever read. As someone approaching middle age (or at 38 perhaps I am already there), I definitely want to make the changes necessary so that I won't have a dozen pills to take sometime in the future (let alone medical procedures).

Hope all is well. :)

DEar Turtles,
Hi. Quick update on me. A week ago Monday I went to a WW mtg. to find out about Core. Starting with dinner that night, I ate core. Then I went to Wednesday's mtg. with my regular WW's group. In the meantime I cooked for 6 hours for my daughter's baby shower, had the shower, had all my kids and families in for the weekend which means lots of food around. The upshot of all this is that I lost 5.6#!!! :bravo: I can't tell you how thrilled I am. I've got my fingers crossed to say that this can work for me. I'll break that 200# mark yet!

Good luck to you all. I love the Core program.
Love and good vibes,
Judy
234/216.6#/thinner on my way to onederland :goodvibes:

Judy - Hurray, hurray for you!!!!!!! That is a great loss and I'm really happy for you. You will break that 200 mark. It's only a matter of time. I know what a boost this is and I couldn't be more excited!

Your loss is especially fantastic given the amount of cooking you did and having so much food around. Keep up the good work!

You inspire us!

OK. Hello!
I see that my name was mentioned above by Lauren. Thank you Lauren for thinking of me. And Judy, for writing to me after Lauren included me in 2 emails. I couldn't respond to Judy's email for some reason, so here I am. Very sneaky, Judy, did you do that on purpose? :)

Here is my update (which is actually my email to Judy that wouldn't go through):

It's so great to hear from you. Oddly enough, I rejoined WW on Monday at my lunch hour. I was teleworking and thought "that's enough!" I am not convinced the group environment at WW works for me, because I don't find the leaders that inspirational. That said, I am more tired of my fat than I am of going to a group, so I rejoined.

I weigh 9 pounds more than the last time I joined and 9 pounds more than the last time I weighed in at Turtles! That sums that up.

Other than that, I've been assigned to a new group at work, with a not so nice female boss who treats me (alternatingly) like I'm dumb, then like she'll be mad if I leave her group. Saying that, now I know where the 9 pounds came from. I am used to being underestimated...my flippant sense of humor and offensively flirtatious nature (this is on the current list of punishable offenses in my office) lead some unobservant dupes to believe their own shallow surmises, but I think I am getting too old and too tired (=too wise) for this nonsense anymore.

Doesn't the Core Plan sound suspiciously like South Beach phase I? hmmmm....without the nuts, of course.

I meant to respond to Lauren's emails...I still have them and look at them and say to myself "respond to those." Two of you, now I must respond. I haven't even read 3fc in over almost a year!!! I guess I really am a mess.

What's new with you?

Thanks for writing to me.

choosie.

PS. Did you notice that Subway stole my name for its advertising slogan? The noive of 'em!!!

Yay Choosie!!!!
I'd love to say that your not being able to reply to my e-mail was part of a master plan I have for getting you back here on this site. Unfortunately I probably just did something stupid because I am semi-inept on the computer. In any case, it was so much fun to see your e-mail on the 3fatchicks site. Hooray!! I love your sense of humor. I can't say anything about your offensively flirtatious manner--whatever that is--but it sounds like your boss is a real loser. Egads.

Sorry to hear you're up in weight and sorry to hear your boss is so miserable. Of course the two go hand in hand. It is interesting that you rejoined WW just as Lauren and then I really wanted to hear from you. I think the new program (and I get its comparison to South Beach) is pretty terrific and if your leader isn't too inspiring, at least the program is. My leader runs the mtg. like a psychobabble support group and my dd couldn't relate, but it is perfect for me because I really absolutely believe that the leader wants every single one of us to be thinner and healthier. She is the best!!!
Good luck with WW's whether you decide to do Core or stay with Flexpoints.

And how dare Subway steal your name for its advertising slogan! Are you going to sue?:high:

All goes well here, but I think I got a little cocky with the Core program and ate beyond the full comfort level--probably closer to Roman orgy stage with grapes and dancing girls--but yesterday and today I am working on paying great attention to whether I am hungry or not and eating accordingly. Hopefully the two silly pounds I put on will come right back off in time to get back to my WW mtg. with another real pound loss this week. That would be lovely.

Everybody do well. Have a great Labor Day weekend. Watch the food :chef: and have a great time :dance:

Yay for all of us and so good to hear from Choosewell! :cp:

Love,
Judy
234/216.5/thinner

Choosie,

We haven't met, but I am already happy that you've returned. I simply loved the part of your post which referenced your 'flippant sense of humor' because I have one myself and I am often underestimated. Infuriating, isn't it? I look forward to your posting more often.

Nice to make your acquaintance,
Sonia (or, as Lauren calls me, 'Swania')

hi turtles,
I'll be heading off to see my sisters for the next week, so I won't be chiming in. Everyone do well. I can't wait to hear the results of Swan's summer challenge. Choosewell, glad you're back. You've been missed.
Bandit, how's everything goin?
Lin, ditto.
Lauren, has your company headed for other quarters?
Good wishes to all. I'm back on the treadmill.
Love,
Judy
234/216.5/thinner :grouphug:

CHOOSIE!!!!!!!!! {{{HUGS}}} I am SOOO glad to see you back again! I hope you can feel free to post here even when you're not following WW or any other plan. I value this little online group for lots of reasons, not just weight-loss related. And that goes for everyone else, too. Just tell us what's going on in your life and keep us up to date!

Bummer about your threatened boss. And GOOD FOR YOU, turning the gain around before it becomes bigger. I realized I've packed back on 33 pounds from my lowest point two years ago! :( It didn't happen all at once, just slowly and insidiously. Last winter before we went to Italy, I was 189. Now I'm 209. That's 20 pounds in just 8 months! I'm still not clear how I let that happen, but I know eating junk at work had a lot to do with it. I think I got bored and had a lot of time on my hands, a bad combination.

Now I'm on a new project--just started this past week--and I'm SWAMPED. I'm too busy to overeat at work, which is a very good thing.

Swania, wow about the organs. That would be a powerful thing to see.

Judy, WAY TO GO on dropping that weight!!! Wow! You go!

I've done Core for one week now, and I've dropped 2.5. I think that's mostly just water weight from hormones, though; I know I'm eating too much on Core. Waaaaay to much fruit.

Choosie, Core really isn't like South Beach in that it allows far more carbs. The carbs aren't simple, but you can have a lot of them. Unlimited amounts, actually, though you're supposed to let hunger be your guide. (And you're not supposed to have them throughout the day; there are some restrictions.) I've never been good at letting hunger be my guide, so I'm not sure how this is going to go.

My monitor is making some very strange noises. I have a feeling it's about to blow! Well, it's about 8 years old; it doesn't owe me anything. I'd better wrap this up.

If you don't hear from me as often as before, it's because I'm much busier at work and don't have time in the mornings before I go anymore. But I'll be checking in! Uh-oh, monitor is flickering --

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/209/down

Hi everyone!

Been busy up here with getting dd off to university and getting some painting done at the house. We went to the CNE Friday & it was great. Went through lots of buildings and played lots of games. Then Sat went to annual horseshoe get-together at my cousins and that was lots of fun too. Then went up to trailer on Sun & stayed overnight & had big bon-fire with other campers. So, overall the weekend was great.
Too much eating though so I will have to get back on track this week. My regular ww day is Mon & it was closed for the holiday, so I think I will wait til next Mon for my w/i.
This Thurs we are going to see Brooks & Dunn at the casino up here. BF is a big country fan so I bought the tickets awhile back - so he is excited about that.
Anyway hope everyone is doing well. I keep going back & forth with my weight loss plan - but I think I will try the Core plan for the rest of this week & see what happens.
Ony problem I can see I might have is "eating til satisfied" - I usually don't do well without portion control & structure but everyone else seems to be doing good, so maybe I will try that. Have a great day.

Hi Turtles,
Bandit, you certainly have been busy. I like the Core plan, but this week was tough as far as portion control.
Everybody have a great week. I'm off to see my sisters in NC and am determined to stay OP during the week. Lots of luck to everyone and I'll chime in when I'm back.
Love,
Judy
234/126.5/thinner on my way to onederland

Howdy, howdy -

Time for a quick note. I weighed in on Labor Day and was disappointed. I was at 201.5 at least 7 pounds more than I expected. I had been exercising as I have shared and my clothes are noticably looser. In some places, they hang. The best explaination I can come up with is that I had eaten hotdogs 1 1/2 on Saturday and Sunday each (a rarity for me). I wonder if the sodium amount had anything to do with part of that extra weight. Does anyone know? I do not use salt at all. Also over the weekend, my grandmother had to go to the ER. I spent hours there and besides the hotdogs and baked beans leftovers, I didn't eat much else. I didn't drink any water either so as not to have to keep going to the bathroom. Can sodium and/or fluid retention account for 5-7 pounds?

So, I am discouraged but not out. I still plan to do a Halloween challenge. I will think about my goals and post them here. Anyone care to join me?

More tomorrow.

P.S. I haven't weighed again because it is easy for me to fall into a trap of constantly weighing myself to see where I am. I don't want the scale results to determine my happiness. I will next weigh on Halloween and with better results.

Swania, weight can fluctuate wildly depending on water retention from food (like salty hotdogs), hormones, starches, lack of water, even heavy exercise. Also, when I first started exercising, my weight plateaued for a few months, even though I lost inches. Since you (wisely) don't use the scale as a barometer for how you're doing, have you taken measurements? Obviously that's where you're really seeing big changes. And that's where it counts, too.

A former WW leader once asked: If you could be a size 8 but would still weigh 250 pounds on the scale, would you consider yourself a success? It was an interesting question. We get so tied up in that doggone number on the scale!

Anyway, you're very close to onederland -- way to go! I'm sure you're doing all the right things. Keep it up.

Judy, I hear you about those portion sizes. I'm not doing well in that area. I'm down a couple of pounds, but I think it would be more (due in part to initial water weight loss) if I were eating the right-size portions. I suspect I'll be going back to points after this week; we'll see.

I certainly am enjoying eating all this fruit and not having to write anything down, though! :)

Bandit, have fun at all those events!

I've been very busy with my new project at work, and I still can't seem to find time to make it to WW meetings. Which is supremely stupid, since I've already paid for them! Gack. I may end up going this Saturday, of all things.

Well, best get back to my (boring) writing; I have to finish an article tonight.

Onward and downward,

Lauren

Thanks Lauren for the explanation. I am hopeful to have a much better weighin next time.

Along those lines, there are approximately 50 days between now and Halloween. Has anyone set goals to work toward by then? I want to be especially focused so I am still thinking about mine. I hope to have them in place by the next time I write.

Hi Turtles,
I'm back from NC. I went to WW's mtg. last night and was up a pound from my first week of success on Core. I got grocery shopping and have what I need in the house. I'm comfortably full and ready to go! I'm going to check out a couple of recipes for Core. Our center ran out of cookbooks that feature the Core foods, but I think I can come up with some pretty good ones on my own. As far as portion control, I think I can work on that now that I have proper foods available to me.

Week with my sisters was fun and productive. Even though we ate most meals out, I did okay. We also worked so hard helping my one sister that a lot of sweat equity ate up the extra calories I consumed. Helped my youngest sister get her place back in shape. She had remodeling done and it lasted about 5 months longer than it should have. She is so nice that her contractor kept on finishing other people's jobs. Not fair, but it's what happened. I don't know how she lived in such a wreck for so long, but she did and was very grateful of "the sisters" help with restoring her place back to normal working with boxes and moving stuff around and getting her back to normalcy.

I felt really good helping out and now I have to put myself number one on my list to make progress with Core and get myself into the healthy weight range I want to be.

Swania, I am sure you lost more weight than you think. Looser clothes are a sure sign.
Also, salty foods can put me up a good three or four pounds--and who knows what you really weigh right now? It's a great idea to keep going and to head for a Halloween WI. I'm with you. My goals include working out, staying OP while using points when needed, and thinking before I eat. I will determine if I am hungry for food or if I'm doing emotional eating. Big goals for me, but I can do it.

To everybody,
Take care of yourselves and chime in when you get a chance. :grouphug:

Love,
Judy
234/216.5/thinner :high:

Hope everyone is doing well. Over the last 2 weeks I gained 2.4# which puts me back
to 202.2 - so I was a little bummed about that. I have been completely OP since Mon & have went to Curves Tues, Wed & today at 6:30 AM. Don't know how long that will last but it felt great starting the day like that. I have been eating more core foods but
counting my points as flex so I will see how I do at Mon w/i.

Keep up the good work & talk to you soon. Bye for now.

Wow Bandit! Great work getting to Curves so early in the morning. It will pay off.
Love,
Judy :grouphug:

Just a quickie here. I've been swamped with the new project and mentally exhausted so haven't been on the computer much.

I gained back what I lost on Core plus more during my second week on the new program. So much for that. I'm back on Points and have lost what I gained. I'm also walking about 45 minutes each day, thanks to my new project. (I have to park about 15 minutes from the office, plus I have to walk each day from the office to the client site.) It's all hills, too, which is great. Gets that blood pumping!

Judy, good luck with Core; I'll be really interested to see how it works for you. Glad your trip was good.

Bandit, good for you being back at Curves. You'll get that weight back off in no time.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/208.5/down

Hi Turtles,
Lauren,
I think that this latest choice at WW's is great. There are people in my mtg. who are doing well with Core and love it and others who are already back on points because Core didn't fit their lifestyles. I like Core because I can eat more food and it looks like I'll still be able to lose. This week will tell me more because I am more on Core than I had been in the middle two weeks. I hope I can make this program work because I like eating and I love losing weight. I can't believe it is taking me so long to get back to 205# where I had been about 3 years ago. It is discouraging to throw away years and I wonder why I make it so hard on myself. I know I have trouble keeping weight loss on my list of important things to do, and yet in the long run it is the one thing that really makes me sad. I hate being heavy and I hate buying clothes and I have high hopes to be thinner and I give up too easily. So, for today (and the last few days) I've been on Core and happy about it. I've got my fingers crossed for a good weight loss that will take care of the pound I'm up and also drop me another pound. I have to get exercising again to make that happen.

Bandit, I hear you about being up. It is something that most people experience when they are trying to get the food situation under control, so your getting to Curves will help a lot.

Everyone take care and good luck.
Love,
Judy
234/216.5/thinner :grouphug:

I hear you, Judy. Why do we keep giving up and falling back into old, comfortable bad habits when they ultimately don't make us happy? Maybe because it's so easy to exchange what we want most for what we want now. Or maybe what we want most really is the quick fix, the little pick-me-up. I don't know.

I do know what it is to regret not maintaining my weight loss from a couple of years ago; I'm up 32 pounds from where I was almost exactly two years ago. That's a real eye-opener for me. On the other hand, where does regret get you? If it's motivating, then it's useful. If it's debilitating, it isn't.

So these days, I'm focusing on each new day and what I'm doing right. I'm having success counting points again; I'm down a couple of pounds for the week in spite of TOM looming. I'm feeling fairly at peace with my eating these days, and I'm getting some exercise most days due to parking so far from work.

Let's keep at it. No guilt and move on!

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/211/onederland again

Hi Turtles,
Thanks Lauren. No guilt and move on is the way I have to think! My WI is tomorrow.
I'm cutting myself some slack because the program is new and I'm getting used to it.
Portion size is something I have to manage. I'm sorry about your 32 pounds, but you're doing something about it. Maybe the baby steps day by day is absolutely the way to go right now. Good luck to all of us.
Love,
Judy
234/thinner

Folks, here's a note from Lin. Let me know what you think.
----
Hi, Lauren,

I have no idea if the Turtles are still active or anything. I'm having problems with the popups and ads on 3FC and haven't been to the site in a while. (I suspect the spyware I can't get rid of came from an ad on 3FC.)

I'm considering either doing a live journal, with you all able to comment and make it a private forum. Or do a private forum from another host. But essentially take it off 3FC. I wonder if you would ask the Turtles if they'd be interested in something like that, if there's still a Turtle Club going and let me know what they say.

I really want to try to set up an ad-free place where we can support each other and have it be private, so we can be more honest because we'll know no one but us is reading it. We could set it up so we can invite people we meet who want that kind of support. I don't want to make it exclusive and never have new members. anyway, would you ask on the site for me and let me know. If they're receptive, I'll research the options.

Thanks!

Lin

Hi Turtles,
I miss Lin and also love the turtles site here on 3fatchicks.com. Would there be a cost to a private site? How would that work? I'd be happy to do both if that would help Lin out.

In the meantime, I'm down a pound at WW's WI. I got back to exercising and I'm doing great.

Love,
Judy

Hi everyone,

I have been swamped with one thing and then another. It is so hard to balance everything and the first thing that goes by the wayside is taking care of myself.

I am trying to figure out why that is. What does weight loss success represent to me that is so daunting? At first glance, losing weight seems to be a win-win situation (better health/decreased risk of disease, better fitting clothes, more choices in styles, better appearance etc.). So what is the disadvantage? There must be something we are gaining (pun intended) by allowing ourselves to abuse food on a continual basis.

I don't want to make anyone feel bad about having setbacks. Lord knows, we have all had them. But I am working to understand how/why I have let this happen. In fact, I have MADE this happen. Somehow, I think this is key to resolving my weight issue for good.

Anyone have any ideas about what their initial trigger was?

Just musing...(feel free to ignore this)
Swania

P.S. Oh, I am going to start a Halloween Challenge for myself. Anyone is free to join. My goals for the next 5 weeks are 1) to write my thoughts about food, weight and related issues at least 5 times a week and 2) to eat one serving of everything. I'm keeping it simple. :)

Hi, Swania, it's me, Choosewell.

Your last post echoed my own thoughts. Why do I do this to myself? I know the coaching version of support says not to ask questions, just ask what's next?...but I can't seem to get beyond this question "Why?". Why in the world would I choose this layer of extra instead of something else?

I had an interesting weekend. I went to hear a seminar by someone who changed my life in a dramatic way by his writing (you are about to know why I do not mention him by name). I drove to Houston, 4.5 hours away, paid for a hotel, paid for an evening presentation and the next day's seminar for writers. I drove home 5 hours, with rain. It was well worth it. He was a great instructor, and it was an excellent refresher for both my master's work and my fiction writing. I also got a free, unexpected lesson of my own:

I was waiting in line to have him sign my copy of his book (much dog-earred), and noticed that he was focusing on each person he spoke to. I was two people back when I saw he was distracted by a (slender) blonde to my right. She didn't cut in line, he didn't stop what he was doing, but he was definitely distracted.

Last night, after I had settled into my own bed, two dreams came to me that reflected my devaluation because of my weight. Whether or not this is a true perception doesn't matter, because my subconscious and my unconscious minds are telling me it is, so on some level I must believe this.

Part of the discomfort of this weight is that I think it gives others an opportunity to judge me and my ability to take care of myself...or lack thereof. Hence, the underestimation we talked about earlier. But if I (we) know this, then what's the deal? Why not just deal with it? Why be safe when it would be far more fun to be OUT THERE? It would, I know because I've not always been this size, and it is such a blast to feel good about my body. It is such a blast.

So, here we are. Sunday, a day for excellent beginnings and asking the right questions. I hope you check back, Swannie, and see this. I will be doing the Halloween challenge with you. My goal is just water and walk every day. 80oz and 12,000 steps. Occam's Razor ...KISS...whatever, I am with you.

BA

88 oz water; 13,024 steps.
I feel better already, just meeting these simple goals.
choosie.

Hi Turtles,
Okay. I am coming off the fence and saying I want to stay right here with this site.
I will be glad to respond to Lin's site in another place if she chooses to do that, but I am used to coming here and it's a place for people to reconnect with us. As in Choosie. Choosie and Swania have started a very deep line of thinking.

Count me in for Halloween. I am doing Core, eating when I need to, exercising as I can, and using very few foods off Core.

When we can lose weight, why don't we? Great question with a million different answers. My WW leader says, "What does the weight offer you? What comfort will you lose if you reduce your size? What do you like about being heavier than you say you want to be that makes it difficult to lose weight?" Trust me, she says it better, but that's the gist of the question. For myself, I know the answer is that I choose food over other available coping skills because it is so easy and so available and it works. When I am emotional, I abuse food, gain weight, and feel sad and guilty. Why do I do this? What can I do to overcome it? For all of us, here we go!!! Onward and downward again. I am doing well on Core, ordering correct foods when out, and keeping on keeping on.

Here's a great tip from a mtg. a while ago that stuck with me. If you have an ongoing obstacle that prevents you from losing weight, think of eight ways you can work around the obstacle. Think of these ways before the obstacle stumps you again, and put the best one into practice. For example, I socialize with friends and family a lot.
One group always has a pizza party and movies and all sorts of junk food. Nothing on program, nothing to eat and not go over by at least 30 points. In that case, I planned ahead and actually brought my OP dinner with me and I brought an OP dessert that everyone else could have as well. Did I still want the junk food? Yes, but I would have hated the feeling of "doing myself in" one more time. So I have been successful in the past. My problem is putting in enough OP days in a row to make a difference in my weight. I have stopped gaining weight, but because I weigh so much, I have to do better than that. :high:

Let's congratulate our successes and meet simple goals. You gals are really onto something.

:grouphug:

Love,
Judy
234/215.6/thinner

Hi, Judy! It's so nice to hear your voice again. :grouphug: I'm in the right place.

Just thinking up 8 ways to outstrategize an obstacle is charming me into thinking more creatively: clamber over it, limbo under it, see right through it, knock it down, pull its hair, read it to sleep, tip toe around it, tickle it to death...distract it with a photo of Lauren's shoe tips in Italy.... Making a list is a trick I use to get myself writing sometimes, and this will be a fun one to do, probably even helpful. Imagine that, helping myself. Harumpf.

Day II of the choosewell 12K/80 oz: 12,027 steps and 90 oz water. I have to count the days til Halloween, so I can keep tabs on myself. Swan, thanks for setting a good example... :angel:

Keeping it Simple, choosie.
I checked: 36 days from yesterday is Halloween (someone better check my math!)
2 down, 34 to go. It only takes 21 days to make a habit! Might as well make it a good habit, huh?

Hi Turtles,
Yes, good habits are the way to go! Of all Choosie's obstacle solvers, I think I like distracting myself with Lauren's pointed toe Italian vista shoes the best. Happy times.
Feels good to have you here with your sense of humor intact.
Swania, thanks for starting the Halloween challenge with a point! So far I'm doing great. When I get antsy, I eat something on Core and it's working so far. I've lost almost 7 pounds since I started Core (about 4+ weeks) and I am one pound from the lowest I've been since April. Okay--I am almost 20# down from my original WW starting point, have 5 pounds to go to conquer the lowest I've been since starting, and I'm ready to go the distance. Need to put these good days back to back and make them count!!!!

Believe it or not, I'm off on a 3day mini trip to PA. I'm counting on the fact that every place has protein and oatmeal and baked potatoes and salads and Diet Coke and I'll be okay. Send some good vibes for me please.

Bandit, how are you doing? Lauren, how goes it? I know you're super busy right now.
Lin, are you established in your new spot and how can we join you for a friendly hello?
Everybody take care and do well.
:grouphug:
Love,
Judy
234/214.8/thinner

Hi ladies. You look very slim this evening. ;)

Judy I hope you are visiting someplace fun? Wyomissing, and the outlet stores would be nice. Pittsburgh, my birthplace, would be lovely (say hi to Gramma's house!). In any case, good for you for making a plan.

Day III: 12,130 steps and as soon as I finish this water, 84 oz.

I walked up and down the driveway in the dark for the last 1200 steps, but I'm determined. The dog slept in the grass, some protection, huh?

3 days down, 33 to go.

Lauren, I hope your project is going well, and Bandit, I am reading back and see you started at Curves again. I haven't been in months. (and I wonder why I might have gained weight?) Congratulations on your early bird good health habit.

See you tomorrow. I haven't had 3 days in a row of meeting small goals in forever, so thank you for allowing me back into the fold of turtles. Herd of turtles? xo choosewell.

Hi everyone:

I am doing OK - just got back from a 3 day stay in Toronto with bf who was on a tax conference. Didn't do too bad with my eating & got in a couple of swims & a big long shopping walk. Bought some new tops & earrings. We had fun - nice & relaxing for me and had no problem entertaining myself. My biggest challenge is too many social functions but when I make good choices it pays off. Back at curves tomorrow - I really like going in the mornings - no excuses for something to come up later in the day. DD is doing great & actually she has been home every weekend even if it was just for a short time - but I am still missing her big-time. Got to meet her roommate since she brought her home this past Sat for a party. She seems really nice.

Everyone sounds like they doing great so keep up the good work & I will talk to you all later. Have a great day!

Hi everyone.

Bandit, good for you for finding ways to stay healthy during your trip. :)

OK, Day 4 (can it be?): 12,840 steps, 80 oz (barely made it).

Just to let you know, I drank two glasses of sauvignon blanc and ate 5 hostess cupcakes. Don't ask, it's mortifying but I am compelled to be honest.

My arms are tired, we pulled brush to the curb for pickup tomorrow and I'm feeling it. At least I got many steps that way.

Goodnight, you gorgeous women. choosewell. 32 days left in the Boo Challenge.

11,117 steps and 90 oz water.

I'm counting this a success. The old me would have said I got the 12K in, but really, I found myself at 730 with only 7k done and marched while flipping through the debate and something more interesting (tivo)...got 4k that way.

Anyway. It's more important to me that I be honest with myself than that I hit that 12K. Close enough. Today I'll make up with an extra K.

I'm starting to think about what my next goal will be. It has to be measurable and has to be small, and it better be around food since I'm not losing an ounce. (Reference cupcake binge earlier this week.). :^:

Have a wonderful day everyone, and Feliz Friday! Got any healthy plans for the weekend?

choosie.

It's me (It is I)...I'm back...I just realized it's October! Happy October!

Hi, everyone. Hope you're all doing great?

Today, me: 13,528 steps, 90 oz water.

I am happy. To get in those last 4K steps I actually took a 2mi walk, which I haven't done for a month or so. Felt good...I'm a little out of breath because of asthma, but that will go away with practice. I made up for the 900 steps short yesterday with 1500 extra tonight, a net gain.

It's over 90degrees here in north Texas, so I'm hopping in the pool, in the dark, to do arm exercises. Anyone else in the pool tonight? :devil:

Ciao, choosewell.
6 down, 30 days to go. xo

A few days ago, I wrote a long e-mail to all of you only to have it disappear somewhere into cyberspace. I hate when that happens!!

Choosie - I am so happy to read about your progress!!! Bigtime congratulations to you!

I have started journalling and asking the 'whys' about my weight. I will share any enlightenment I receive.

Just a few thoughts - I have noticed in recent years that I am often underestimated. I had assumed that it was because I look younger than my years. When I speak about an issue with authority, I often get asked my age and if I have finished college. Yes, but it was in 1988! I also have attributed some of this underestimation to unspoken racial biases. While I do not assume prejudice lurking in every heart, there are negative stereotypes which affect peoples' judgments and it is not uncommon for someone to comment that I am not 'typical' for a black woman. Whatever.

But Choosie, you have me considering that some of these judgments may be related to the extra weight I have gained. Is there a stereotype that overweight people are stupid and/or uninformed? Have others of you experienced this? I am particularly interested in hearing from those of you who have not always been heavy. How have people treated you differently?

I think I have received the most flack for gaining weight from acquaintances. I'll explain sometime later when I gained the majority of this weight. But as I was gaining, it was church members who mailed me unsolicited diet aids (even when they had never spoken to me before) and called to ask me if I had gained any more weight. I replied, 'If I have, do I get a prize?' They never did quite understand me anyway and I think this went over their heads. :) They often perceived me as untouchable and/or aloof because I am content with my own company and not at all interested in the gossip or minutia of others' lives. Picking on my weight was an opportunity to knock me down to size (ironic, huh?). And since I'm stubborn, I subconsciously wouldn't lose weight just to please them.

Another benefit from staying fat, I get less attention from men. When I am more in shape, I am the object of overly aggressive men (ie. attempts to grab me in broad daylight, being followed in grocery stores). I have noticed that when I get around 185 (halfway to my goal), the attention starts up again. Recently, a cab driver followed me home from the post office one mile away just to give me his phone number. I'm in a large city (Chicago) and this kind of thing is really intimidating for me. I don't shirk away from a mind-to-mind exchange, but somehow the potential for a stalker or rapist is a dominant theme for me. This isn't why I gained the extra weight, but staving off aggressors is a boon. Maybe I watch the news too much and shouldn't worry. But I do.

Feel free to chime in on any of this. Have a great weekend. I did write a long response after all. :)

DAILY INSPIRATION

When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.

-Anthony J. D'Angelo

Just wanted to share this with all of you.

Hi, everyone. Sorry for the silence; things have been pretty busy.

We leave tomorrow for a 10-day vacation in the Adirondacks, our usual fall jaunt to go gawk at leaves and spend time with dear friends. I'm bringing my journal with me, and I plan to walk every day. It's easy to do in such gorgeous surroundings.

I'm loving all the posts lately, lots to think about -- no time to respond right now, but once I get back things should settle down. In the meantime, you're each such an inspiration to me!

Onward and downward,

Lauren

Hi turtles,
You are inspiring. Lauren, hope you get this before you're off to Adirondack country.
Have a great trip and enjoy the walking and eating right for you!!!!

Choosewell,
Wow! You are amazing the way you're carrying out your promises to yourself. Way to go! The walking and heavy work (shrubs, etc>) will pay off. Ignore the Hostess cupcakes. That happens to all of us. In the meantime you're responding well to it.
I love the way you're coming through for yourself in being honest and meeting your daily exercise goals. You're the greatest!!! :bravo:

Bandit,
I bet you do miss your dd. It was hard when each of my kids left the house. But honestly, our relationship as adults now is so wonderful and I think you have even better times ahead with your dd. Enjoy, enjoy. So glad to hear you're back at Curves. I hear you with the social occasions. Egads. It is tough to eat out and do the right thing. Even in doing the right thing it's sometimes tough to get food that you need to lose weight. Good for you for keepin' on!! :high:

Swania,
Oh my goodness. You really are writing up a storm of thought provoking ideas. Here's a :grouphug: to come through this the way you want. I'll share my thoughts--no question when I was young and pretty and curvy but not fat I got a lot more attention and respect than I do now. What is that due to? Who knows. I do feel that being overweight determines how others see us. In a funny way, the more space we take up the easier it is for others to ignore us. So, exactly what it is for you is tough to determine. As you think this through and as you continue to lose weight, you'll be solving some of the immediate problems. As far as your image and the attention you get from guys, you're a smart gal and I know you'll figure out a way to cope with that as it occurs. Here's a :bravo: for starting the challenge and being successful!

To everyone,
I'm back from my trip. Choosie, I didn't get to the places you mentioned, but I saw the Wellsboro area, took a Connestoga wagon ride into the Grand Canyon of PA, took a ride on the Tioga RR, saw some beautiful Victorian houses, rode through Bucknell College, saw buggy making museum in Mifflandburg and had a very nice time. DD is very close to delivery of her baby and so my DH stayed home "in case". My girlfriend came with me and we had some good laughs and fun. It was a bus tour and I learned a lot about myself. I'm pretty stuck in a routine and getting up and on the road by seven o'clock was a little tough. The hardest part was selecting good foods at limited places. I did well with selection and varied from OP only on the third day. I'm back on track today and will use my points allowed on Core for my birthday cake. Tomorrow I'll be at a Christening and will have to prepare and eat properly there. Wish me well and give me strength! I'm up about 1/2# from the trip and I'm counting on the fact that the food was salty. That always makes me gain weight. I'll drink plenty of water today. My DD is here, my other DD and her DH will be arriving later. I am having a nice day and wanted to chime in.

You are all inspiring. Let's keep up the good work. The Halloween Challenge is working. I can be the least I've been since March when I WI this week. Let's do this!

Love,
Judy
234/thinner

Judy - Thanks so much for being the positive light that you always are! I really appreciate it. And kudos to you for being up only 1/2 lb after a trip! I think that's a tremendous victory! Sending you good vibes for your WI this week. It makes me angry that you too have been the object of disrespect since gaining weight. How shallow of people! I wonder how much extra weight is acceptable - 20 lbs are ok, but definitely not 30+ lbs. How arbitrary. The cads! One positive note, you and Choosie have taught me that the disrespect I've experienced is a shared experience and I will no longer take it personally.

Bandit - Does Curves work for you? I have a friend who has been going for a while now and hasn't lost anything. Do you consider the workout strenuous? Do you sweat? I don't want her to lose hope and she's pretty discouraged.

Lauren - Have a great time on your trip!

Today my mom and I took my grandmother (her mother) to lunch for her birthday. She'll be 91 on Monday. I baked an apple pie and bought some Edy's Grand Light Vanilla. I didn't feel bad eating the pie and ice cream since I ate a salad at the restaurant. Besides, there is always tomorrow.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Hi everyone.

Swan..that's a very appropriate quote considering our recent discussions! Re: underestimations...I agree, it's more a reflection of the non-observant people in our lives than it is us. My reaction to it can range from entertained to irritated, depending on how patient I am feeling..is it the same for you? I do like your suggestion that there's a weight gain boundary that people associate with goofiness. Yeah, like any sane, thinking person would let herself get 20 pounds over weight but only a total nitwit would let it go any farther. Further? (See? I prove my point, I can't even formulate a sentence tonight.) :lol:

Has anyone else noticed we have several very healthy loving mother-daughter relationships in this group? That's so nice to hear.

Judy, I did not know that PA had its own canyon! I have to mention this to my mom, she loves trivia like that. She'll probably jump right in with many "fascinating details" (this is a joke among her kids). Did you feel trapped on the bus tour? That would have been the difficult part for me, I think.

OK. I added my food goal to the list, and succeeded for the first day. Don't laugh...it's such a teeny goal: 3 veggies a day. I am Back-to-Basics-Chick right now, what did I tell you? :o

Today's score: 82 oz water, 11,577 steps, 3 veggies, and a haircut. Tomorrow I'll pick up that extra 500 steps. 29 days to go!

Lauren, have a blast! choosewell.

Wow, we are clicking!

Choosie, adding a food goal is great. :chef: Back to basics and baby steps have worked for many in the past, so I know it will work for you. As far as the "weight gain boundary" that you and Swania have been writing about, I think 20# is perfect. I suggest that everyone who has gained more than 20# have their new weight tattooed on his or her forehead. T hen as they gain or lose weight they can have additional data inked on to inform the populace as to their current weight. This way onlookers will know automatically if you are a nitwit or a thinking person without having to gauge exactly how much you weigh. LOL. As far as the bus trip, I didn't feel trapped on the bus, but I did realize that this trip in particular had me up and about in a more regimented way than I wanted to be. It's really something to think about. I have a feeling I was too tired going into the vacation because of all the running around I'm doing with my baby dd and the new routine and rigor of the trip was a bit much. Luckily the bus driver and tour escort were very even tempered and efficient and calming and that helped me a lot. Grand Canyon of PA used to be called a gorge around Wellsboro--National park there built by CCC in the late '30's. Really beautiful.

All goes well here. For my birthday dinner, my dh got takeout from Outback Steak House. We all enjoyed it and I was able to stay OP. My birthday cake was good, and I think I made the slice small enough to be okay. I didn't snack all day and I made a bean/ww pasta soup for lunch with lots of veggies. It was a good day. :hb: Today my challenge is to arrive at the Christening with a full enough tummy to be able to nibble on food if it's off program and use the remaining points I've got left for this week. I've got to keep my head straight. Thanks Swania for the good wishes in this food effort! I'm keepin' on with the challenge.

Swania,
so glad you won't take dopey people's comments or even stares personally. I have gotten to the stage where I think people who always act inappropriately have a problem with their personality and it really isn't me. I'm glad we've had this group conversation because there are a lot of silly people out there and it's good to know that overweight people are looked at differently and that it isn't personal. Yay! :high:

Love,
Judy
234/thinner

Judy, happy happy birthday. I'm guessing from last year's photo of you dressed in Little Shop of Horrors gear that you are in your second childhood? :lol: I hope you had a lovely day!

Today, happy Sunday: 12,544 steps, 84 oz water, 4 veggies. I'm going to have to rub out my 50 lbs overweight tattoo if I'm not careful. :p

I'm going to bed. To each of you, you look gorgeous!!

choosewell. xo

Hi everyone and Happy Birthday to Judy!

Swan - regarding curves - I haven't dropped alot in lbs but some of my clothes are fitting better even when I show a gain at ww. I wore a pair of jeans this past weekend that were too uncomfortable to wear a month ago. So if your friend sticks with it she should see some changes in the way her clothes fit.

Told bf we are going to walk at least 1/2 hr a few times a week starting tonight.
I will keep going to curves in the morning as long as the weather is OK & walk at night.
Then when it is snowey I will go to curves at night. Didn't do great over the weekend with my eating - starting getting off track at the fall fair. But am going to ww tomorrow so will see what damage was done.

Hope everyone is doing great & keep up the good work with all your exercise & water drinking. Bye for now.

Hi, hi.

Bandit, my hub will sweat in the middle of the day in the Texas sun in a softball game, and then whine when I suggest we could walk together. High fives for you!

Today: 16,000 steps (dog was missing, I walked the neighborhood about 477 times looking for her - and she was stuck in the neighbor's fence next door, of course), and barely 80 oz water (sucking it down now). I ate 2 veggies, which means tomorrow I have to eat 4.

As Lauren says: Onward and downward!

nighty night. choosewell.

Happy Birthday Judy!! I hope this will be your best year ever. :)

Bandit - Thanks for 'weighing in' on Curves. I'll pass along the information to my friend. It's wonderful that your clothes are fitting better.

Choose - It sounds as if you are doing really well with the steps, water, and veggies. Keeping track of things is half the battle. Mindless eating (and living) is all too easy. Congratulations!

I have been journalling more regularly. I think I am learning some things. The biggest obstacle for me at this moment is to stop thinking of food in inappropriate ways. For example, I sometimes think that I 'deserve' to eat X food. How crazy is that? What about poor, starving populations all over the world? If I 'deserve' to eat more than my share of the world's food supply, does that mean that the starving don't 'deserve' to eat at all? I know that this may sound crazy to some or all of you, but I must find new ways to entertain the very idea of food, new ways to relegate food to its proper place as fuel for my body's sustenance and nothing more.

Keep reading and I'll get crazier as time goes along. :lol:

Oh, Swanie. I think you are on to something there...

Instead of "I deserve to eat x" (where x is NEVER a cucumber, right? :lol: )why don't we try "I deserve a walk around the block" or "I deserve a big ole glass of water" or "Gosh, I really deserve to floss my teeth!" for a change? Do you think it would work? I think it might! Between that and thinking of 8 obstacles to eating the wrong thing a la Itryharder, we might be on to something big here.

Yesterday my day was long and I didn't get to post my stats:
Monday: steps 7607, water 80 oz, veg 4
Tuesday: steps 12252, water 90, veg 4

We're working on saving a little dough around here, so eating at home more. I had forgotten the control I have over my meals when I prepare them! :^:

I started literacy tutor training two weeks ago. What a challenge, and I'm realizing how different life would be without reading and writing. Reading skills = life skills. This is going to be difficult, turtle-paced, and exciting in a very understated way. Goal setting by the student is an important part of the process, so I'll be mindful of setting small goals for myself, too.

Does everything I learn reinforce everything else? Sometimes it seems so.

Good night, ladies. You look lovely...and sleepy! zzzzz

Choosie - 'Where x is NEVER a cucumber...' Too funny. :lol: We have similar senses of humor/thought patterns. I totally relate to your posts.

And I've been a literacy tutor also. One man I tutored and encouraged achieved his GED after 13 years of attempts. Ever so often he calls me just to say hello. This type of tutoring can be extremely frustrating at times yet rewarding when the student makes a gain and/or understands the benefit of learning literacy skills.

Take care all.

Yes, I never think I deserve a cucumber. My "deserves" are always more interesting and ultimately more destructive.
Swania, You're onto something if you can figure out why you eat.
Choosie, You're into the swing of things when you control your food.
I am still a juvenile. I didn't go to my WW's mtg. on Wed. because I was up in weight.
I just can't stand that! Today I knocked off some of the water weight and I promise I'll WI tomorrow. Egads, I can't believe I am still doing this childish approach.
Today I promise I will exercise. Yesterday I had to rest because I've been doing much too much of everything, but today should be a better day.
Good luck to us all and yes, we're getting prettier and prettier!
Judy Thanks for the :hb: wishes. Here's a :grouphug: for us all

Hi Turtles,
Hey, I acted like a grownup and it feels good. I knew my weight was up because of heavier outfit and Chinese food (water retention) but I weighed in anyway. I was up 3# on the scale, but the next day I had lost two of those. So, I am OP on Core and doing fine. I love how comfortably full I feel. Still having to watch portions, but i like the foods available. Hopefully next WI will find me a pound lighter.

Good luck on the Halloween challenge everybody. :grouphug:
Love,
Judy
thinner

I forgot about that book. I Deserve Love...maybe it's a redefinition of love from food to .....well, to love that we need. Why in the world would food feel like love?

And why is anything better when you sneak it? Food, gossip, infidelity... Answer me that and we can make life in general and marriage in particular alot better place to be.

Apparently there are things on choosie's mind this morning...

Judy, congratulations for acting like an adult. I am here for the same reason. I had to kick my own you know what. Two days of stuck-at-my-desk meant I only got
Thursday: 7098 steps, 80 oz water, 2 veg
Friday: 8800 steps, 90 oz water, 4 veg

but like I said it's more important for me to be 'adult' (honest, not snnnneaky) about my choices than it is to meet the other goals. So here I am again, and I'm on track because I'm accountable to me. Like, when I SNEAK who am I fooling??? Not me, that's for sure.

Thank you, Itry, N2, Lauren, Bandit, Lin. Thank you. choosewell.

Hi Turtles,
Real quicky. Choosewell, I hear you loud and clear. I'm sure that sneaking and food and love all go way back to childhood. It's so sweet to thank all of us Turtles, but I know what you mean. This group is invaluable to me!
Good for you for journaling here and saying you're on track again. Being accountable to ourselves is the best. I often thought, "And exactly whom do I think I'm fooling when I gulp something high in calories?" Egads. And knowing me the way you do, you know I really *would* say "whom."
Day going great. Cooked up some OP foods and am working hard this weekend
and am sending :goodvibes: to all.
Love,
Judy

I'm not going to cut in on you all (even though I'm known as Java Turtle on 3FC's threads and journals) but I wanted to let you all know that I spent the afternoon reading all your posts and you all are SO INSPIRATIONAL. I'll continue to lurk and read here (I've joined WW and am currently on my fourth week of Core) but I won't cut in. Have a great day. You all Rock and Turtles Rule! :D

Well, Hot Joe (your nickname for tonight...your name lends itself to GREAT nicknames), what a sweet thing to say! Please feel free to amble in, turtle style, any old time.

Did much better today. It's raining (oh, yay, I looove rainy days) so I made turtle tracks at the Maxx, Ross's, Barnes & Noble. Result!

Steps 14,191, water 84 oz, veg 3.

I left a pm for Lin at NaNoWriMo (it's coming again already, and I have her to thank for the introduction to the experience). Haven't heard from her yet, but maybe she'll be checking in as we near November.

Swania, I didn't realize the tutoring would be so all-encompassing. It's as hard for me to imagine a world without reading and writing as I'm guessing it is for someone who doesn't to imagine a world with reading and writing. That, at least, will even the playing field of experience a bit. Ignorance: the great leveler!!! :) Congratulations on your success, and that of your student. You changed his life, and in turn he no doubt changed the lives of others.

Meantime, I am learning how to teach the sound ch chimp, chicken, chile, Cher, chiton, cello...oh, save the tough ones for last.

Hugs all around. choosie.

Wow! There's been so much activity here lately. Cool!

Welcome, welcome Java! There's no need for you to feel as if you're intruding. I am fairly new to this group myself, having 'met' Lauren a few years back on the 100 thread. I just butted in and with a BIG BUTT (the reason for my being here) and was welcomed with open arms. I hope you'll post again when the spirit hits you. :)

Choosie, wait until you actually work with the students. This is when the challenge begins. My first tutee was a 56-year-old man who read on the first grade level. He could sign his name, but had to carry around and look at an envelope with his address on it so that he could copy it. He held a pencil in the unsteady way of young children. I tried to incorporate writing into his tutoring which angered him. He yelled, 'I didn't come here to learn how to write. I came here to learn how to read.' Add on a drinking problem and he soon dropped out of the program. People with literacy problems quite possibly have or have had other problems sufficient to prevent their progress.

With my G.E.D. student, when we met he was working at Popeye's Chicken 80 hours a week for minimum wage with no overtime pay. He fried the chicken and had burns all over his arms. He didn't understand that he could expect more. For an assignment, I had him look at his and my pay stubs and calculate how much we each earned an hour. When he realized that I earned more in 35 hours of work than he in his 80 hours, he started looking for a job and was hired at one of the local utility companies and has been employed there for about 15 years. He got a raise when he received his G.E.D. and makes a good living.

I have just rambled again (another bad habit) and all I wanted to say to you is to try not to take someone's progress or lack thereof personally. I tend to get overly involved/attached and it's not the best thing. Try to maintain a healthy distance.

I must break the habit of offering advice when none has been requested. So many bad habits, too little time.

Just ignore me and eventually the refrigerator's contents will call me.

What is NaNoWriMo?

Bye all.

P.S. Maybe someone could start another thread? This one is getting long. If I knew how, I'd do it myself. Thanks.

Hi Turtles,
Hotcuppa Welcome back!! It's so good to see your name again. Glad you're peaking now and then and the e-mails are helpful. I love this group!!!!

Choosie,
Way to go on the training period. You'll make a huge difference for someone learning to read. And many congrats to Swania with the progress she encouraged her tutoo (tutee?) to make. Life changes and a GED. Way to go!!!

I'm on track and it looks like my WI this week will be good. It's up to me to make it so.
I don't know how to start a new thread, but know Lauren will when she's back from viewing leaves.
Good luck everyone--Bandit how are you doing? How's Curves? Love your plan.
Judy
thinner :grouphug: :bravo:

Steps: 11,191, water 60 oz, veg 3. Which completes two weeks (already) of writing it all down.

For the last 4 days I have added my a.m. speed yoga and today am officially adding one dance to something with a beat. That should help my steps.

Now, why do I still weigh 218.5 pounds? Wine? Fritos Scoops? I gave up most sugar and reached for these. Sigh. Where are those cukes when you need 'em.

Happy Monday, everyone. In the spirit of Columbus Day, what can we discover about ourselves today?

Fritos and wine, that's a real revelation, huh? :^: choosewell.

Choosie - What a major accomplishment of writing your stats down for two weeks! That is a hard habit to maintain. I think you should be ectastic with that progress. Only 3 weeks ago, you wouldn't have done that. Losing and maintaining weight loss is difficult. I now understand why alcoholics have that 'one day at a time' philosophy. One can always make a better choice tomorrow. :)

I do yoga in the morning too. Are we twins? For those of you who have the Oxygen cable network, there is a morning yoga class called 'Inhale'. If I awake in time (5 a.m.), I do it. Is the speed yoga on VHS? Yoga is so cool.

Have a great day everyone!

Hi Turtles,
Swania, glad to hear you're doing so well in the yoga/activity dept. You're inspiring.:high:

Choosie, so maybe Fritos aren't working for you right now. That's okay. I'm with Swania in congratulating you on writing down your stats and actually walking that much! Way to get yourself in gear. :bravo:

Well, I have some very nice information for you all. My dd gave birth to her son, Dylan, today. Baby and Mommy are doing fine and her dh is none the worse for wear.
I'll be with them for a week or so starting on Friday . I'll be helping her out since she needed a C-section. The little guy is so cute. I got to see him when he was only minutes old! What a miracle birth is.

Gotta run--my nerves are shot but I'm feeling good. I must say I am glad the labor and delivery are over. My dd is so petite and these last few weeks have been tough for her. She really is a trooper.

Love and good vibes to you all.
Judy :grouphug:

Well, Judy, aren't you the lucky turtle? Congratulations and best wishes to you and your family, especially that daughter of yours. What a wonderful gift a baby is!

Swanie, maybe we ARE twins! It's so hard to tell, because when I see me, you're not there, and when I see you, I'm not there. lol...silly choosewell. You can do that "Inhale" show? Sheesh! We are not twins, after all. Speed Yoga is me doing the a.m. Yoga video then the dvd for so long I memorized it, and now do it all in about 5-7 minutes without that cutie Rodney Yee. I'm amazed at how even just that little bit can tighten the old tummy. Imagine what would happen if I did something serious? Naaaah....

I'm sleepy. I had a great day. I'm too tired to go back and see if I posted yesterday, so I'm possibly duplicating:

Monday: Steps 8012, water 84oz, veg 3, danced to Cher "Believe"
Tuesday: Steps 12438, water 92oz, veg 4, song Cher "Heart of Stone"

Guess what's in my cd player?! I actually left the house for a 2 mi walk today, and speed yoga. Maybe that's why I'm pooped.

Judy gets the quote of the day: "Choosie, so maybe Fritos aren't working for you right now." That's so sweet and funny! I sure hope Dylan inherits his gramma's sense of humor. ;)

OK, you are a lovely bunch of turtles. xo choosie.

Judy - Congratulations on the new addition to the family! I am sure that you all are thrilled (and relieved)!

An interesting thing just happened - I noticed the 'Dry Tortuga' thingy under Choosewell's name and I 'Chick' under Judy's. I went in search of my last post and found that I am only a ' registered user' and the post totals must be wrong. What's up with these titles? But the reason I'm mentioning this, it appears that I registered in April 2000 which means that I have been this approximate weight that long (I had previously lost some weight and have maintained). Sheesh! Somehow that really brings it home to me that I haven't given my all to this weight loss. Being a turtle is one thing. Apparently, I have been awaiting for my turtle's arrival from Outer Mongolia! This must change. Now.

A new reality series will be starting next week and I probably will watch it. It's called something like 'The Biggest Loser' and will have a weight loss competition like Dr. Phil had last season, only this will be a weekly show. What I like about this is there will be no surgery or 'quick fixes,' just eating less and exercising more. And, of course, there will be the moments of staged temptation probably at the hands of ratings-seeking t.v. producers. I'll weigh in (pun intended) about the show if I watch.

Choosie - Congratulations on the 2 mile walk. Are you in a climate where you can walk the year around?


Daily Message from Norris Chumley
10/13/04


What are you waiting for?

What's holding you back from beginning to lose weight, once-and-for-all?

What are you afraid of? What would happen if you really lost weight and solved your weight problem forever?

Would your success be too much to handle? Are you supposed to be overweight, unhealthy, unhappy, unsuccessful? Is that what you're programmed to be?

Or are you waiting for some really serious, life threatening illness to force you to solve the weight problem? (By then, it may be too late. The damage could be irreversible.)

Ask yourself these questions, in a loving, caring way. Let them help you unravel some personal mysteries as to why you're holding onto the excess weight.

Hi everyone:

Judy - congrats to you & your family on your new addition! Curves is going well - have been trying to go in the a.m. before work while the weather is still good & that seems to be working better - no excuses - just do it! At w/i last night I was down 4.8# & was thrilled with that. Nice boost to keep me on track and turn down temptations.

Everyone sounds like they are doing well & keeping busy, so keep up the good work & drink that water!

Bye for now.

Hi Turtles,
Thanks for all your kind comments about my dd and db (dear baby). I am so thrilled.
You guys are doing great. Bandit! Please tell us how you lost so well this week. What did you do different and how did you handle social occasions?

Swania, I hear you loud and clear about staying the same weight for a couple of years now. You know, as I get older weeks last as long as a day--so I know how important it is to make each day count. Time actually flies and I want to spend this precious time thinner. Have had a great week--lost the 3 pounds I was up--and am heading in the right direction. Looking back over my WW booklet, I see I was this weight in March. However, I'm not down, I'm working Core well and expect to see continued weight losses. Let's not let little things of emotion or worry get us down and lets keep on keepin' on.

Choosie, glad you liked my Fritos comment. I think all the exercise you're getting is fabulous. This is definitely a nemesis that I must work on.

I've gotta run and catch some sleep. You all do well. I spent day in hospital with dd and db and it was wonderful. What little sweeties they are. Having your child have a child is one of life's biggest blessings.

Love,
Judy
By the way, I weighed in at WW today. Couldn't stay, but bought the new Core recipe
book and will work on it. Lost the 3 pounds and I'm in a good way.
234/214.4/thinner
Also Swania, at one point 3fatchicks let us decide what we wanted under our names. I wonder if you can still do that? :grouphug:

Hi everyone:

Judy - I got some exercise & when I had "second portions" it was veggies only.
I think this has helped the most & I still had my pumpkin pie (& it was delicious).
Congrats on your weight loss - that is great!

Almost lunch time & today I am having a salad with tuna/mayo on top with balsamic vinegar dressing & looking forward to it - so yummy. I usually have this on Thursday for my out of office lunch.

Anyway, everyone keep OP - bye for now.

Holy tamole, you folks have been talking up a storm! Great posts; I'm looking forward to reading them more carefully.

In the meantime, it's definitely time for a new thread!

See you there,

Lauren