300+ And Ready To Try Again...#197
 

WELCOME

We are a group of people who are working together to lose our excess weight.
We are on different plans and are of different sizes.
We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We recently started a Topic of the Day.

Monday........Motivation Monday
Tuesday.......Tuesday Tips
Wednesday.....Wednesday Weigh ins
Thursday......Thankful Thursday
Friday........Friday Facials, Fingernails and Fun
Saturday.......Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Sunday.........Soup and Salad Sunday - recipes

These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We have found them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears...joys and celebrations.

Please feel free to jump right in with us.
And be sure to check if there is a second page. We don't want anyone to miss any posts.

WELCOME!!!!

Tina sorry for your loss {{{{HUGS}}}}}

Where is everybody

Tina, know that I, too, am thinking of you.

Food today has been BAD....okay, I will take a deep breathe and start again tomorrow.....

TINA, Losing a friend who is one of your anchors is so very hard. My thoughts and prayers are with you. {{HUG}}


So Far so GOOD. This is the fifth day in a row I've stayed within my WW point range. :cb: This "little engine" may be back on the tracks.
I sure hope so.

I did my water class at the Y this AM and came out to find that our predicted, one day, lovely, break in the weather - broke :spin: It made it to a muggy 87° today (we weren't supposed to see 80°) and tomorrow 90's again. Bummer!

Gotta go move the cat off my spot on the bed, in front of the fan.:)

Just checking in...time for beddie-bye here on the east coast...sweet dreams, all...

Well.. here is the end to another wonderful day for me.
I really really like this "no cheat" way of life.
I can't explain it. It is simplicity I guess.
Gee... who would of thought. LOL :lol:

I had several over for a barbeque tonight. I made salad and veggie tray for me. I made baked beans and macaroni salad for the rest. I had chips and desserts.
LOL... I made it all for everyone... you know what I mean.
But what I am trying to say is.... I made sure I had plenty of yummy food that I could enjoy as well as the "normal" picnic fare.
When I layed it all out on the table... I made sure my foods were at my end of the table. LOL And I made sure those high carb foods were at the far opposite end of the table. LOL

It is getting late. I am going to get to bed by midnight tonight.
No more all nighters... I HOPE.

Mornin Ladies,

It's 6 AM and time to beat the heat and take the dog for a walk.
The baby hawks are in the woods out front screaming their little lungs out and crashing into trees. :lol: They can wake the dead!

BAYLEE: Thanks for the WebMD article. The plateau part describes me to a tee. I'll try to think about group adventures for weekends during the day. Nothings coming to mind right away rxcept those 100 mile weekend bie trips. Never did one of those and, most likely, never will. :)

Have a wonderful day,

Baylee , I am so happy to see you post again. I missed you. Okay, for your weekends how about your drive west and help this Chick mow, rake and cut down trees?????

I do know what you mean. It sounded like you live in a much bigger town than I live around but even when I was in Minneapolis it seemed easier to “vegetate” than get out and about. For me I think a lot of it was depression. I did find joining groups and activities at church helped. Do you know many people where you live? I found that didn’t help, however, when they were married and I no longer was. Is there anything you can join? Habitat for Humanity? Start a hobby? Knit, crochet?

Also, on your article. I have been thinking about what they wrote along with things in the news about low fat versus low carbs. Atkins versus Ornish. I can’t help but have the thought process that goes: I always fall off, give up on diets; so what if I lose a lot of weight doing Atkins – the weight is gone and that is better than the way I am now – how many healthy “looking” people eat exactly right? So, now I arrive back at what to do? I think this is why I liked the article I have been posting written by the thin guy. He just seems to be more realistic than all the doctors and so called experts that bomb barred us with information. I think striving to eat “healthy” is the way to be but not to get so obsessed we fall off achieving our healthy weight completely.

I mean look at the weight loss industry – billions of dollars and we (as a nation) are more over weight than ever.

Sometimes I think food isn’t as much an issue as our lack of movement in this society.

I just remembered….I also eat much less when I am with other people. Like Friday I had lunch with an old friend and I was enjoying talking to her so much my lunch hour was over and I had only eaten half of my lunch.


Kat Oh, I just hate driving in storms. I am happy you made it safe and sound.

Malia I watched a show on “Signs” with Mel that was interesting. It seems most of these ‘circles’ are man made. I can tell you the farmers around here would be furious is someone was doing that to their crops. Some of them looked so intricate that I don’t know how some guys with a board could do it. Mel thinks it is a gimmick to get tourists.

Tina (((((((((HUGS)))))))))

j-ann Congrats for staying with your program.

WHY DO WE EAT?
Big lie number 2: You must eat 3 regular meals a day.

Really? Why? Why do we have to eat 3 meals a day?

Are 3 meals a day necessary for survival? Hardly! Are 3 meals a day necessary to relieve my hunger? Maybe – sometimes. On the other hand maybe 1 meal a day will to the trick or maybe you sometimes need 4. No, we do not have this 3 meal a day pattern out of necessity. We have it because it’s convenient. Families eat together (sometimes) in the morning and then again in the evening (sometimes). During the day, people need/want a break. That’s lunch. I would bet that if you polled everyone in the country you would discover that almost all of the people who are hungry enough to eat a substantial meal at lunchtime did not eat breakfast that day. Those who do eat breakfast usually are not particularly hungry by noon. But you know what ? They eat anyway. After all it’s “lunchtime” isn’t it? And of course you are supposed to eat at mealtimes – that’s what they are for. It’s interesting the way labels can affect our thinking and our behavior.
This one is a “no-brainer”. There are no biological rules about how many meals you must eat every day and how they must be spaced out. This is purely an artificial concept. Now I know that many people will protest that it’s not just a matter of convenience but it is a necessity. People work, go to school, shop etc. Oh, places to go, people to see … There must be some regular pattern to our day-to-day lives that takes meals into account. Yes, that’s right. Some sort of order is necessary in most people’s lives. But, whether you eat or how much you eat at those “set-aside” times is up to you. If a bowl of consommé satisfies you for supper why on earth would you eat a plate of meatloaf and potatoes? A bowl of consommé wouldn’t fit the “regular” meal model, would it? I mean supper is supper – you are supposed to eat a lot at supper, aren’t you? NONSENSE.
:idea:

WHY DO WE EAT?


Big Lie Number 3:
You must eat a hearty breakfast every morning.
This is obviously a corollary to Big Lie Number 2 but I am treating it separately because breakfast has come to be regarded as “special” and this lie has almost become scripture. I could be burned at the stake for the heresy of disputing this one. After all, it’s not just your parents who hit you with this rule. It’s your family doctor, your teacher, the Surgeon General, the President, probably the Pope and the Dalai Lama…everyone. Surely this one is unassailable. After all, it makes such perfect sense:
You’ve just gone several hours without food…you need energy to start your day’s work. Baloney! I am going to repeat myself …Are you hungry???? That’s the question to ask yourself when you get up in the morning. The question is not: “ Will I be hungry later if I don’t eat now?”

If you are hungry in the morning eat breakfast. If not, don’t. If a cup of coffee or a glass of juice and a piece of toast is all you need to get the wheels greased then have a cup of coffee or glas of juice and a piece of toast. It is highly improbable, notwithstanding the expert’s warnings, that you will drop dead before lunch. If you do, I apologize. I would go even further in questioning this conventional wisdom about the necessity of a “good” breakfast and would suggest that it can actually be a bad thing. The next time you eat a hearty breakfast – standard American bacon & eggs fare, or bowls of uppie Scandinavian high fiber, low-fat cereal that looks and tasts like sticks – ask yourself 20 minutes later if you actually feel “energized” and ready to meet the day head-on, or do you not perhaps feel a bit on the sluggish and bloated side. I think you might be surprised.



So, what do you all think so far? I do find when I have breakfast I feel better but I have a protein shake, which is fast and easy. My kind of meal.

Sunday...the day of rest...

I have NO intention of resting today, too much to do! Food shopping, taking my daughter to apply for a job at the new Old Navy opening near by...cut the grass, (I haven't done that in about a month, but it's been so hot, the grass hasn't really grown, only the weeds in the backyard...)but if I do THAT, I must scoop dog poop first...my official dog poop picker upper is going to a Mets game today with his dad...&%$# Once I get outside, the weeds will beckon, and then it will be an all day affair. Oh well...I spent all day inside yesterday, doing laundry and clearing "hotspots," (a la flylady) all the piles of papers: bills, mail, paperwork from the closing, newspapers, college stuff...all reviewed, then filed or tossed...I'm feeling very accomplished.

Once again, I'm renewing my efforts to get this eating under control. If I can get myself decluttered and organized around the house, it seems to unclutter my brain and I can focus on the task of improving myself.

So on to a new week...have a good one girls...hope to see a few posts today.

Oh yeah, Miss Baylee...I was thinking about what you can do on the weekends...here are my thoughts...Are there parks nearby that you can volunteer your services to? My mom used to volunteer at a park nearby;she weeded and transplanted and watered...her passion is gardening so it wasn't work to her...sometimes local parks have historical demonstrations, they usually need volunteers too. Museums need volunteers too. What about book clubs? At the Barnes and Noble around here, they have discussion groups that meet weekly. The parks system or the adult high school usually have classes in a variety of subjects from low fat cooking to Tai Chi. They also run trips to different places. Do you knit/crochet/do needlework/quilt? How about a new project if you do? Ooh, I just thought of something else...Home Depot always offers classes and demos in all kinds of "how-to" stuff...so does the craft store.

Of course I'm speaking of what is offered around here, hope it sparks some ideas for you!

If I think of more, I'll let you know.

Gotta run, the boys are leaving. See you all later.

Good Sunday Morning to everyone.
It is going to be another HOT one around here today. I am going to play catch up with my laundry and then this afternoon I think my hubby aand I are going to the lake. I can't wait to jump into that water.

I never finished cleaning my kitchen last night. Just couldn't seem to make myself be productive after sitting at this computer. I do best BEFORE I get on the computer. LOL

Hope everyone has a great day. It is Soup and Salad Sunday... don't forget to share your favorite recipes. I am headed out to make myself an omlete. Mmmm good. I think it will be a veggie omlete for me this morning. :)

G'day Ladies!
 

Thought I should give myself a kick in the pants and get on here and post as I've been somewhat lackadaisical about it in the last couple of days (although I have faithfully been reading everything posted!).

My hubby is away this weekend at his parents house. I declined the invite to go in favor of having a weekend all to myself. Yesterday I did a bit of shopping at an outlet plaza--I picked up 2 new bras and a cute little skort. I went down a cup size and can now fit, albeit snuggly, into a 38DD! PLUS... the skort I bought was in a size 16! I'm not sure that I truly AM a size 16 but nevertheless, all my purchases were encouraging! :D

Today I plan to kick back, dye my hair, give myself a pedicure and watch a couple of movies I rented.

I'm actually feeling pretty blah today. I'm feeling concerned about my oldest sister. Keep in mind, I'm only 25 and she is only 32. Last year she was diagnosed with Lupus and within a few months, she went from the sister I have always known, to almost losing her this past Christmas. Really, we were all TOLD to expect the worst. Miraculously, she pulled through and started to make a recovery. She was allowed home from the hospital for the first time in four months and eventually was well enough to play with her one year son! Anyway, she got some pretty discouraging test results back a couple of days ago and the whole family is disheartened. She's been through SO much, lost all her hair from chemo, etc. and now they're talking about starting it back up again! The other thing is, she lives WAY out on the west coast, and the only way to see her is to take a $600 plane ride, so I can't do that every month! *sigh*

Anyway, I think I'm gonna take off for a bit and pop back in later today to do some replies!

See everyone soon,
Sara :)

'Evening, everyone! :wave: I hope you are all doing well. The thread is hopping and there was plenty for me to read and respond to when I got here.

The reunion last night was great! I really didn't want to go, I have only eaten since I got the notice it was coming. I didn't fit in the dress I was going to wear, so had to find something else. It was fine, all in all. The buffet was great, the DJ was good. DH and I got to do some dancing and there were just enough people that I enjoyed seeing to keep the night interesting.

Funny, how you go to these things and worry about being the only one in the room who has to sit by themselves and that no one will want to talk to. Well, this time, that wasn't me! Woohoo! By the time we were there 15 minutes we had 3 invitations to sit with different people for dinner. It was really very nice.

I would like, however, to be 'stunning' at the next reunion. :p But I have 10 years to accomplish that, and at the rate I'm going, it will take me that long!!! :o

Well, girls, I think I may be ready to jump on the bandwagon again. Woohoo! I went shopping today and bought the essentials: salad, fruit, veggies, chicken breast. I'm returning to WW in the morning and will take measurements sometime tonight or tomorrow to get a new starting point. I have gotten out my exercise bands and the directions (I've only had them for a year! :rolleyes: ) And I have a new ambition to get healthier. :)

I have decided that our non-conventional dinner time here is going to revolve around me and what I want to cook and anyone that wants to eat it can, and anyone that doesn't can get out a Lean Cuisine or Mac and Cheese or do whatever they want. I need to do this for me, and by George (Foreman, that is) I'm going to! :lol:

And of course, just when I want to be long-winded the darn thing won't take all my smilies. I'll be right back with part 2

Part 2
 

I'm baaaaccccckkkkk!

Baylee: It's so good to have you home again! :D 15" is wonderful! I would take 15" of less jiggle anytime, no matter what the scale says. * Hope your abs are feeling better. * The oatmeal cookies sound great. I'll be trying those real soon. * Your granddaughter should be whipped. (Not really, I never believed in 'whipping') That's just really a shame, sorry to hear that a family member took advantage of you.

J-ann: Sounds like you are back on track. Good for you! Stick with it.

2cute: It's so great to see you on this new weightloss high! Good for you, stay with it.

Katrina: What a storm! My DH usually decides to let me drive just before a storm too. What's with that??? * Ok, you asked for it, spin this. We left for up north in a caravan with my girlfriend and 2 teenagers in one vehicle, her husband, MIL (who has dementia and is very confused) and another teenager in another vehicle and my DH and I taking 2 more teenagers in our vehicle. We were at my friend's at 11:00 to leave, we didn't leave their house until 1:00 (sat around for 2 hours, listening to them yell orders to everyone about getting ready) We stopped at Big Boys for breakfast/lunch an hour up the road and found that the husband's (hers, not mine) truck's alternator was going so we found a auto parts and bought a new alternator. Got back on the road at 3:30 (it's still another 4.5 hour drive). Long story short (too late :o ) we got to the lodge at 8:00 and I made dinner for everyone, we ate around 9:30! MIL is up every half hour during the night shuffling feet down the hallway talking to the dog. Oh, did I mention the dog? Monday: Got drunk, the day is mostly a blurrrrr!!! :D At night, MIL does the 'granny shuffle' once again all night, this time yelling 'where's the bathroom in this place' as she goes. Tuesday: Friend's husband decides to go to the casino with girlfriend's father, uncle and sister who were also there with sister's son. Said they would be a couple of hours, left at 11:00 and returned at 8:00 at night (so much for nice visit) In the meantime, back at the lodge, girlfriend's middle son (who has had brain surgery several times and isn't all quite there anymore) decides to go on several 'missions', gets cranky, gets out brother's gun, big fight.....luckily no one got hurt! :spin: Later......this kid, who is addicted to big time drugs because of major headaches, ransacks his dad's pants pockets to find the key to the prescription meds box and takes/hides bunches and bunches of pills and now mom and dad don't have enough for their aches and pains for the rest of the month, and.........he also takes/ingests a bunch, parents find pills missing, big fight ensues........child ends up crashed in the chair, dad sleeps with pill box on his chest for safe keeping. Wednesday: We got up early and got the heck out of there! Now.......aren't you sorry you asked? And this was just a nibble of the story! :rolleyes:

Mary: I got a perm on Thursday. Couldn't stand going to the reunion the way I looked.

LuckyLadyBug: Thanks for the second installment. I'm saving it all to a disk. * Is your car ok from all the hail? * I think this really sums it up. No one cares to get out for anything any more. We strive to get the closest parking spots, drive up at the bank, drive thru to get a burger. We don't walk children to school, we drive them. We have become a very immobile society.

Marusha: Sounds like you'll be standing in line for Mel's attention. Too many heart-throbs here waiting for him to become available.

Malia: Hopefully with 2 months to go, you're mom will be fine for the trip. *fingers crossed*

Michelle: Our windows need to be replaced too, just don't want the mess!

Tina: I'm so sorry for your loss. Special people like Linda come around but once in a lifetime. I know how much you'll miss her. [[[[[[[hugs]]]]]]]QUOTE]Sometimes I think food isn’t as much an issue as our lack of movement in this society. [/QUOTE]

Sara: I'm sorry about your sister's bad news. That doesn't sound good at all and I know how hard it is to be 'here' when they are 'there'. [[[hugs]]]

Well, girls, I hope I caught up with everyone. If I missed someone, please forgive me. Hey, what happened to Car? Did we scare 'em off already? :o

I've been here for hours. Gotta run. Love :love: to all!

Hello my sweet friends. I can't stay long. I am drained both physically and emotionally. We stayed at the funeral home for about two hours today until I just couldn't stand it anymore and I had to leave. Her husband and children are a mess. I just feel so helpless. They are having her funeral tomorrow at 3:00. I'm going to take off work early so I can go. Thank you all for your loving thoughts..........I appreciate you so much. I hope I never let a day go by that I don't tell ALL of you how much you mean to me and how much I love you. :love: