WW Clubs and Groups - Turtle Thread #140

Hi, Turtles, and welcome to all lurkers or newbies. This is a group of folks dedicated to staying the course, no matter how slow. All are welcome to join in!

Choosewell, I'm so glad to see you posting again. How are you doing after your operation?

Swania, we miss you! Are you still reading? Did you send a note to Suzanne yet?

Bandit, way to go on that great loss! What an inspiration!

Judy, you're an inspiration, too. I know you don't feel much like one, but you are. You're a faithful poster and cheerleader, and you don't give up even when you backslide. Thanks for that.

I've backslidden quite a bit during the past couple of weeks, which also explains my silence. :( I know that's precisely when I shouldn't be silent, but there you go. Old patterns are so hard to break. It's been quite tense around here with job issues, and that's had an impact.

However. Yesterday, DH's former boss (whom I'll call "Grizelda") finally signed the waiver papers. He is free of her at last! She made him pay her legal fees to the tune of a whopping $600 in order to get the papers (turns out she's been waiting for her lawyer's bill before she'd turn the papers over to him), but it's worth it just to get her out of our lives. So that's done!

DH is now beginning to start a new practice, really from the ground up. Grizelda is telling all his old patients that he has gone to work full time at the VA. It's not true, of course, but it keeps them from trying to find him. So he's going to have to advertise in a big way; we're starting to work on that.

My job has been pared back to 20 hours per week, so we're dealing with a greatly reduced income for a while. We estimate things will be tight for the next 6 months or so, but that's OK. If we're careful, we'll make it.

And it's a bright, sunny spring day out there. I'm going to write down what I eat, and I'm going to walk. I will find other ways to deal with stress that are healthier. And I'll try to check in here more often!

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/213.5 (sigh)/ down

Hi everyone:

Lauren - thanks for the encouraging words & glad your dh situation is improving.

I have been sick all weekend with a cold & sore throat but still managed to OP for the most part. Have my w/i tomorrow night so hoping for another loss of some kind.

Things are going OK at home, just been packing up some stuff. Only 2 weeks to go & I am looking forward to it.

Hope everyone is well & will talk to you all soon.

Stayed the same at w/i last night. Must have been all the vodka & oj I drank Sun night - because other than that I was within my target all week. Have a nasty cold, other than that things are good. How & where is everyone??

Bandit, alcohol always makes me hold water for a day or so afterward. Hope you're feeling better.

Just got a note from Lin; good news!

---
Hi, Lauren,

Feel free to pass this along to the Turtles. Paul finally got a real job. It's temp to perm and the guy basically said,"If you perform, you're in. If not, you're out." They hired him because of his experience, which is a nice change of pace from, "Well, gee. You've done a lot, but you don't have a degree." And he's got a nice pay raise. It's enough to afford to live here, but it's going to be a while before we can actually start looking for a place.

I'm still working on the book. David's gone back to school as a business major with an emphasis in marketing. Chris is still trying to figure out what he wants to do. We can afford community college, so I'm hoping he'll decide to go back to school.

I hope things are going well for you and Phil. I hope your weight loss is still moving forward, too. Or at the least, that you're maintaining what you've worked so hard to achieve.

-- Lin
--------

I told her I'd pass it along, so there you go.

DH saw four whole patients yesterday, which is one more than last week ... one day at a time. My eating has been erratic, but my exercise has been steady, so that's a victory.

It was 85 degrees here a few days ago, and tomorrow it's supposed to snow! So I'm pulling back out the winter clothes. Gotta love Michigan.

How is everyone? Please check in when you can.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/213.5/down

Hi, everyone.

Lauren, thanks for posting that from Lin. Also...when you feel impatient about your current loss, look at that fabulous tag line you have! You are doing great.

Also, your remark about alcohol made a lightbulb go off for me. While I was in the first 3 weeks of recuperation I had no alcohol...I wanted to be able to take a vicodan if I needed one. Although I rarely did need medication, that meant I didn't have my usual glass of wine on Fri/Sat nights. That might explain why my wt loss was so steady then, although I wasn't able to do any exer. Hmmmm....

I had business travel this week, and survived ok. I get my big check up Tuesday and I'm very excited about it. Maybe I get a patch!

Just reread all the ups and downs for the last week. Bandit, does your cold at least make you feel like eating less and drinking more water? :cheers:

I have a GREAT book to recommend. It's about a heavy heroine, and I can't believe a man wrote it. "Every Inch of Her" is about an Irish woman who leaves her husband and kids (her husband is verbally abusive about her weight), and seeks asylum at the convent in her neighborhood in Dublin. That she doesn't go very far shows that she's not really leaving, just checking out to check in, if you know what I mean. It's very funny, touching and Irish, this book, and I really enjoyed it.

Off I go. I ate terribly while I was away (open buffet and donuts, my new arch enemy), and regained some weight. I wrote specific goals for today, and I'm excited about meeting them. xo

choosie. 224.5/219.5

Dear Guys,
I just had a D&C and it's been an emotional up and down for me. I will respond to you all--in a bit I'm just tired right now.
You all take care. I am so glad to have this group.
:grouphug:
love,
Judy

A hug for you, Judy. BA. xo

Hi Turtles,
I'm doing fine. My weight is way up with the worry about the cause of needing a D&C.
My results are all back and I'm fine. Hooray!!! Now back to the business of protecting my health by proper eating and exercise. Today was a great day with correct eating and I will go to bed if I have to to keep it that way!

Lauren,
You and your husband are facing huge challenges right now, but look at what you've accomplished. He is practicing in his own business. Word of mouth will discount what the doczilla has been misrepresenting and his patients will find out where he is. You're the perfect person to write advertising copy for him and that will help tremendously.
If you're tight for money for a bit, you'll rebound from this and be in such a better place. So, good luck and good vibes and :grouphug:

Thanks for passing on the great information about Lin. I think of her so fondly and am glad that Paul has gotten the job he deserves. This has been a tough journey for their family and it does my heart good to hear that they are all thriving. Man, I hope she lets us know when her book is published because I want to buy a copy and have it autographed!!

Choosie,
Thanks for the kind message. And thanks big time for your insights about your weight loss during your recuperation. It's always interesting to hear what you and the turtles are doing.
Gotta run--thunder storm moving in.
Love you all,
Judy
Bandit, I'm with you in spirit. Keep on keepin' on. Your life will be less stressful back in your own place.

Hi Turtles,
Yep, we lost electricity, but only for half an hour. Bandit, I hear you and am so happy that you are taking care of yourself. As far as the weight gain, I also think that having a cold can play havoc with your system. You could be retaining fluids, etc. but the important thing is that you have been on target and that you'll be losing weight again soon. Keep up the good work.

Choosie,
thanks for the book recommendation. I'm always on the lookout for things to read that make me laugh or at least smile. Glad you're back to chiming in.

Swania,
Are you still here? Miss you. Take care of yourself.

:grouphug:
Judy

{{HUGS}} to Choosie and Judy for your recent health challenges. I'm so glad you're still posting and are doing well. Judy, aren't those scares terrible? I'm just a wreck over things like that.

Thanks also for the kind words, both of you. This is certainly a challenging time; I find myself wanting to eat everything in sight often. But so far I'm maintaining; I think it's due to the exercise. (I'm walking pretty much every day.)

Choosie, I'm definitely going to pick up "Every Inch of Her." Sounds like my kind of read. Thanks for the recommend.

We've had crazy weather here. It was in the 80s a couple weeks ago; last weekend we got 5 inches of snow! Ah, Michigan; you just never know. Today it's sunny at last, though just in the 50s. Everything is blooming, which really lifts my spirits. I do love spring.

I'd better get to work, Turtle Ones. Oh, this weekend is our Easter, so I may not write much; we'll see how it goes. But I'll check in soon.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/213.5/down

Hi everyone:

At my w/i Tues night I was down 1.6# so I was happy with that. DD is back from university & we will be busy next few days packing & organizing back at home. I am hoping to be back at home by beginning of next week. Also trailer season is coming really quick - park opens May 6th but I ususally don't go up til May 24th weekend.
So between the 2 places & having dd home & all of her friends back from school, it will be a busy next few months but I am really looking forward to it.

Sounds like everyone is doing great, so keep up the good work & I will check in soon.

Bye for now.

Bandit, Weigh to go!!!! You are inspiring losing weight during this challenging time. Glad you've got your dd back and her friends. They'll keep you hopping. :bravo:
Love,
Judy

Lauren,
Happy Easter!!!!!!
Love,
Judy

Thanks, Judy. We had a wonderful Easter celebration, as always. We stayed up until 5:30 a.m. Saturday night (well, Sunday morning), and then had another big party on Sunday afternoon. I certainly ate enough. :dz: But it was grand.

Since then, I've been OP for two whole days. It feels good. I'm writing down what I eat and staying within points. Back in the saddle, slowly but surely ... got out all my summer clothes yesterday, which was also a BIG incentive to stick to the program and lose weight.

My weight is up, largely thanks to Easter, but I have confidence that I'll see lower numbers soon.

How is everyone doing? I sent a note to Swania; she's still trying to get back to the boards without success. But she did read our notes here.

Onward and DOWNWARD for summer,

Lauren
274/215/down

Hi ladies - didn't have a good w/i last night - was up 2# but I know why. Had chinese the night before & could tell I would be up since my feet felt puffy. Does anyone else have that problem - must be all the extra sodium & makes me retain water. Anyway after a few days it will be gone but boy did it ever taste good. But I am back on track & was glad I went to my meeting & weighed in. At first I thought I would skip the w/i - but decided to "be accountable". Tennant out of my house & left quite a mess behind. Have cleaners going in tomorrow & window washers Friday. Then I will start bringing stuff back in. Next Tues having the hardwood floors re-done & have booked a mover for next Fri. I can clean myself - but she had 2 dogs, 3 cats & hamster & I think didn't clean up after dogs. So cleaning company is in order first then I will fine tune it from there. Also the yard is full of dog-do so that is my project this weekend - to get that cleaned up so I can at least cut the grass. I really don't know how people can live like that. Also everything that was left in yard is smashed (bird baths, flower pots, moon rays, chairs) - so I got that cleaned up the other night.
Also she left 29 bags of garbage on the curb! Anyway I am glad this little adventure is coming to an end.

Bye for now.

Hi Turtles,
I need to get back on track. But I'm very glad that Swania is still keeping in touch.
You're in our thoughts!!!!! :grouphug:
Also kudos to Lauren and Bandit for keeping OP and doing the right thing. Lauren, glad your Easter was so special.
Bandit, boy I bet you're glad that messy tenant is gone and you'll be back into your place after getting it spiffy.
I'm running ragged with my grandson, but nothing could be more wonderful.
You all take care. Choosie, good luck to you.
I'll write soon.
Love,
Judy

I got back to WW's yesterday because I had started making some really dopey choices. I had gained 6#, lost 3#, and put back another two. My middle name is Yo Yo. Not fun==but I weighed in and was happy that I got back sooner than I have in the past. The last time I overate and stayed away from WW's, I finally went back at 221#. This time I was 219# which is an improvement. I am still aiming for 199# by July 4th. and know if I can keep it together, I really can do that. It will take exercising and taking care of myself and I will do that.

Sorry this is so self-centered, but I find if I put my aims in writing, I do better.
:goodvibes: to everyone and :bravo: to us all for writing and keeping the Turtles going.
Love,
Judy

Judy, good for you, getting back sooner this time. That's definitely a step in the right direction. I hear you about the yo-yoing. I wish I knew how to stop this.

Bandit, good grief! I hope that tenant paid you a hefty security deposit. Sheesh. This is why I would never want to be a landlord ...

I'm still tracking. Yesterday was a high-points day, but I have the flexpoints for it. Just went a bit nuts on the carbs.

On Monday I start another project at work, so I'll be doing two projects now and working full time again. That's good news. The project involves designing something (sorry; can't go into details) that will be used by tourists on cruise excursions. So guess who they're sending on a cruise, free of charge??? :) Yup. I don't know yet where they'll be sending me, though right now it's looking like the Caribbean because it's cheap this time of year (due to downpours and, shortly, hurricane season). We're trying to get the cruiseline to donate a second cabin, since the other person going with me will probably be a man.

I must say, I've never had a job perk of this magnitude before. Heck; I've been happy in the past with free popcorn!

Onward and downward,

Lauren

Yikes, quiet here, huh? I hope you all aren't making as stupid of choices as I have been lately ... :o ... not good.

But each day is a new day, and I will NEVER give up.

Warmer weather here, sunshine ... it has been lovely.

How is everyone?

-- Lauren

Hi ladies:

Stayed the same at my w/i Tues night & had fun with my friends over coffee.
Floors were done yesterday & look great & I bought new living room set that gets delivered next week & I really like it. Tomorrow will be a busy day - movers coming, cable guy coming & TV being delivered. So will have lots of unpacking & organizing over the weekend. But am looking forward to finally being back home (so is dd).
Planning on opening my trailer next weekend & will go there most weekends. It is close to home (1/2 hr) so can go back & forth easily if need be.

DD got part-time summer job at driving range around corner from home so that will be handy for her & bf is OK as well. He keeps making references to how things will be like they were before we lived together, but time will tell. I think it will be too hard to just go back to the way things were especially since I now know he has a drinking problem & unless that changes (which I doubt) there is no real future for me with him. He will be happier having his privacy back & can start drinking at 5 pm everyday without me nagging about it - but I will now know what is really happening & can't just sit back & not say anything about it.

Anway, that what is happing with me. Hope everyone is doing great & staying OP.
Talk to you later.

Hi Turtles,
This will be a real quicky because my dd and db just walked in. I'm hanging in there.
Good to catch up with you guys. I lost 1/2# this week and that's fine with me! Will chime in whenever I have a chance. You guys are the best.
Love,
Judy

Hi Turtles,
Well, first of all Lauren, I'm so glad you've got so much work right now. :goodvibes: It has to ease the financial jitters you were having. I'm also so glad your dh is in practice for himself and is off and running (get it==podiatrist/running )ugh. Anyway, you sound in a much better place than before. Thanks for keeping the site going. I am going to try and post as often as possible to get and lend support.

Bandit, I'm so glad you joined turtles such a long time ago now. You're really going through the ringer but you sound optimistic as though you've climbed the mountain, checked out the view, and decided where you want to go next. I'm so sorry about your dbf because you two seemed to have good times together. However, drinking is an addiction that's so tough to beat and now you are enlightened about his circumstances. You have a very clear head about you. It sounds like you're making your home really spiffy. Good for you! Nothing like lovely environment to keep our spirits up. :bravo:

As far as me, I'm making good choices again. Battled a cold and was surprised at how much a simple cold/allergy can knock out my energy. Egads. But I wanted to share something my dear WWleader talked about. She had the group contribute to what keeps them on track and doing well. She calls that "climbing" as opposed to "camping"
which is what I've been doing, or "quitting" which we can all relate to. The group came up with a list: journaling ,water, being prepared, having good foods available,
not getting too hungry, etc. She said ,"Write these down in your beginning booklet.
The next time you lose motivation--don't worrry about it. Put the mechanics of WW's into effect. You'll lose weight, and your motivation will return." Hey, that's simple and we've all done it. I think we call it baby steps, but it's good to be reminded. It's so easy as life hits us aside the head to give up and eat scrumptious things that throw our weight loss off track. So maybe by writing this, we'll all remind each other of what we need to do.

Choosie and Swania, thinking of you and wishing you well. July 4th. is a date we can work with. Love you all,
Judy :grouphug:

Hi Turtles,
Just checking in to wish everybody a great OP day! :grouphug:
Love you all,
Judy

Hi turtles:

Judy - hope your cold is better & thanks for all the encouraging words & ww reflections. Good for you for getting back on track!

Well, dd & I are back at home & feel great. Did a big grocery shop & only OP food/treats in house so hoping that will help keep me OP. Storage unit boxes are now in my basement & that is one of my main priorities - to get all that stuff either put away, gave away or ready for yard sale. We are planning to have a yard sale after long weekend so that should help.

Lauren - you must be so excited about the cruise. That is one thing I have always wanted to do. Maybe next year - maybe a singles cruise - or maybe with dd. Anyway would be fabulous. Anyone I know that has gone on one has absolutely loved it - you are so lucky!!!

Where are all the other turtles?? Everyone have a great OP day! Bye for now.

Hi Again,
Had an e-mail from Swania and she could use our prayers. Swania, I'm thinking of you and your dm and am praying for the both of you. Good luck!!!! :grouphug:

Yesterday was a throw-away day. I ate in spite of myself. Frustration and being much too tired contributed, but so did the fact that we had high calorie foods in the house from our celebration on Sunday. They're gone, so that will help. Plus today I'll be out of the house.

Good luck to everyone. Post when you can.
Love,
Judy

Hi - went to ww last night & was down 1.2# so I was happy. Had coffee with girls afterwards & that is always fun. My ww buddies are also my trailer friends so I will be seeing them on the weekends again. We will have to come up with some better point-friendly snacks & drinks for up there. Anyway hope everyone has a great OP day!
Bye for now.

Lauren,
How did I forget to mention what a wonderful perk you have coming up because of your writing? My goodness. A cruise!!!! Let us know all about it. It sounds fabulous.
I am down two pounds total from my weight gain. If you're having trouble tracking this, don't worry--so am I. As I sat at my WW's mtg. Wed. night, I thought, "Gosh, now I know what I'm doing. Can't I just wish those 5 pounds away?" It doesn't work like that, so I'm laboriously chipping away at them so I can get back to 212 nekked at home in the morning. Then I'll start chipping away at the 13 pounds that separate me from the 190's. I want to get there so badly, it hurts. Egads!!!! Enough of this extra weight. I am soooooooo tired of it.

Anyway, Bandit, good for you for progressing so well with everything you need to do with your house and your weight. :bravo: Snack ideas are always helpful. Are you on Core or do you count points?

Choosie and Lauren, I'm thinking of you. chime in when you can. Lauren, glad to hear you're keeping up your exercise. Choosie--we're sending you :goodvibes:

Love,
Judy
234.6/217/thinner

Hi everyone:

Judy - I do the flex points. Tried the core but run out of points within 2 days - so obviously I eat lots of processed/quick things.

Opened trailer this weekend so that was fun & floors are being finished today. So hopefully can get house back in order. Living room furniture was delivered Fri so everything is all over the place.

Have my ww meeting tonight - don't think I will be down. Had a few things I shouldn't have had but we will see.

Hope everyone is doing well & talk to you soon.

Dear Turtles,
Bandit, I admire your attitude. You are just going full steam ahead and have had to deal with a lot lately. Hope your furniture and everything look as nice as you hoped.

Tough day today, but the food was okay. It seems so silly, but I have forgotten to drink all the water I need to drink and this hadn't even been an issue a few months back. I like water and I like to drink it. It's tough keeping all the balls in the air at once, but it's up to us to do it.

Bandit, good luck with your weigh in. :bravo:
Love,
Judy

Hi turtles:

Stayed same at w/i but meeting was good - had coffee with girls afterwards & that helps get things bacl in perspective. Guys coming back again today about floors & we can't stay there overnight. BF wants us to go to his place, but maybe I will go to trailer - see how days progresses. Always starts out good then life happens & some things just get buggy.

Judy, l also like my water & have no problem drinking it. My friends are always trying to come up with new ideas about how to drink it all. I carry a bottle with me all the time so it is always visable.

I tried the new cracker jack rice cakes & they are really good. Last night when I got home I made my lunch (chicken burger = 4 pts) & some hard boiled eggs (2 pts each).
So that is what I brought to work for today.

Judy, nice job on your weight loss. Have a good day. Bye for now.

Dear Turtles,
Bandit, good for you for getting to your meeting and for chiming in here. We've gotten very quiet again and I know everyone is busy. My food has been deplorable, but there seems to always be so much to do.

I'm here and reading whatever's written. Let's all try to get on track on stay there. Onward Turtles!!!!!!! :bravo: :grouphug:

Lauren, I know you're busy, and I hope all goes well with you.

Choosie, how are you doing?

Swania, always glad to hear from you.

I'm wishing everyone well.

Love,
Judy :cool:

Hi turtles:

How & where is everyone???

Judy - what is going on with you & your food? Try to get re-focussed and motivated.

I was down 1.8# at my meeting last night & that felt good. I was totally OP all week & got in 3 walks as well. This was the 1st week I was away from bf for most of my meals and planned all of them beforehand.

I know everyone is really busy but it would be nice if you all checked in.

Have a great OP day :-)

Dear Turtles,
Bandit, I hear you! My food has been a puzzle, but I'm doing better and knocked off a little weight. I had been away for a couple of days to NJ, but am back and trying hard. Thanks for the encouragement and Weight to go!!!!! with planning your meals and following through. You're the best.
Love and :goodvibes:
Judy
:grouphug: to everyone--try and chime in when you can.

Yikes! New thread time!

-- Lauren