Hi all, I had a mjor victoryin the battle this week. I could use some help. I am an administrator in a school it has been my habit to limit liquid intake because I often don't have time to go. I am trying to get in my 60 oz of water daily but old habits die hard. Any suggestions?
Nancy-I lived in an old building like that in Florida. I put up those metal chrome shelves on one wall, and I bought this rolling tool caddy thing. It had a metal top, but the rest was that heavy duty resin stuff. It had a big drawer and a two door cabinet below. I put the microwave on top, and used little dividers in the drawer. It was plenty big for all silverware and kitchen tools because it was about 4 feet wide.
Annie-I have gone back to doing my situps and leg scissors and flutters. It will be a while before I am back up to the 1200 situps I used to do each day, but I’m doing 400. I have my husband freaked out. He couldn’t imagine someone my size being able to do half that many. He started coming in to do them with me. I only hope the bed doesn’t collapse. That’s over 700 lbs exercising at the same time. I half expect to see the bed run screaming and jump out the window when it sees us coming.
I had a horrible experience yesterday. We decided to go to Chinatown to have some Vietnamese Pho, and our regular place was full, so we started down the block looking for somewhere else decent to eat that wasn’t all fried rice and sweet and sour. We had a friend of ours with us who is Chinese, so we could venture into places we wouldn’t ordinarily, not because we are prejudiced or afraid, but because the only Chinese word I know is thank you, and some places down there have no English speaking waiters. Anyway we first stopped at an old favorite place of his family’s. It is a Chinese bakery downstairs, and a hole in the wall restaurant upstairs. We got there, and the upstairs had closed to expand the bakery. So we went to his next favorite place, and had quite a time what with the menus all in Chinese. I finally picked a noodle bowl that is vermicelli noodles in the bottom of soup with steamed chicken on top. When they brought it to me, I normally stick my face in and smell soup. At the other place it smells so good I will do that for minutes sometimes. This smelled foul. The chicken on top, honest to God had blood running out around the bone. I have been cutting up chickens since I was big enough to hold a knife, and some of the pieces in there I could not recognize. I spent a summer in Mexico where I even ate iguana, and it didn’t look like that. It could have been dog or cat or rat. The noodles were brown. I sat there stunned. How do you complain when you don’t speak the language? I didn’t want to complain to our friend because I guess I thought he might take offense. I was a little afraid that they served it to me because we were the only non-Chinese in the restaurant. I played with my food while they ate, and we then went back to the bakery, and I had some still warm almond cookies. I was actually surprised that I was able to eat, but put me in a bakery on an empty stomach…I woke up this morning wondering if I was never going to eat again, or eat everything in site. I couldn’t eat breakfast, but by lunch I was okay. We had a long day, and were tempted to stop at a buffet on the way home, but we stopped for soup and salad instead. I’m relieved that I didn’t use this as an excuse to go nuts. In the past, I have found it easy to justify bad eating because I had a bad day, was tired, had a good day to celebrate, it rained, etc. It was nice to know that I could get through a day without using food as a drug, or an excuse, or as a weapon against myself. With my history, if I can make that jump, so can the rest of us.
Hi Ladies! It sure has been a while. I have missed reading all yalls stories! I am still the same. Still 345lbs! UGH! I don't know how to keep motivated to do anything. I am walking on my lunch break. But now that the weather is getting warmer I find myself making excuses not to walk. I still have a swollen foot. Don't know how many of you remember that from months ago but I am sure that it is from my weight. Other then drinking water and exercising any advise? I am scared as well. As you ladies know being obese is not healthy. Also Wyellen said you write down everything. Do you do calories? Or points? I know when I was in my nutrition class she had me keep track by doing the diet exchange? But it was hard to me. Or maybe that is another excuse. Any advise would be great! I know you ladies are teh best!
Patti: Hang in there. Glad your leg is feeling good enough to dance! You are doing so great. I still think you need to go see a DR as soon as you can okay?
Catherine: Wowie from 0 to 400 situps is so awesome. I'm impressed as heck. I can do about 250 of the regular ones on my bed. I luaghed at the picture you painted of you and hubby doing situps at the same time. That is so sweet though. My DH started to do situps tonight and he did 20 of them and is complaining already. How is it that someone our size can do more than someone that is 220 pounds? I just encouraged him and said I am proud of him. He has been kind of exercising and dieting along my path too. He is about 30 pounds over weight. EWWW on the food. I think you are such a trooper. I would have been ill I think. Just thinking about what else it could be. Proud of you for not blazing through the buffet too. Good job. You are really doing well.
Cyn: Hi and welcome back. I can only tell you what helps me is to come here daily. To also journal my feelings and concentrate on the positives of what I want to happen in the near future not how awful I am right now. It is so darn hard. I wish you luck. Nice to see you back.
Sharon - right now we are only friends. and im totally ok with that. we spend almost every day together, and he makes me laugh. not to mention hes EXTREMELY adorable
Brenda - im glad that you found a plan that works for you. if i could keep food in my house i know i would do a lot better...
i don't have much time as i have to leave for work soon, but i just wanted to let you know we got the treadmill in last night (boy was that sucker heavy!) and i made sure we arranged it so it would face the tv lol.
i do have a question though, when starting out, do you think it's better to go slower for a longer period of time, or go faster for a shorter period of time? i'm not new to walking on a treadmill, but it has been a few months...ok ok, about 6 lol...just looking for some opinions. though, after 8 hours on my feet at work i dunno if i'll want to walk more lol.
Well, life has been 'interesting' to say the least lately. I'm not sure what I said in my last post (or even WHEN it was) so I'll start from the beginning and you can just skip what you already know.
Last week I kinda had a mini meltdown. I have been feeling out of sorts for a while, but it got worse last week. I warned the poor kids on Thursday that I was feeling 'weird' "You know, one of those days when you just don't feel right?" They all said that they knew what I meant (their Mums said later that they probably understood because their mothers are like that sometimes) and that it was OK. They were SO sweet! Well, I still managed to be really mean to them a couple of times that day. I went home feeling really awful and telling myself what a bad person I was. But I also knew that there was something just 'not right' with me and I decided to book a relief (sub) teacher for Monday and Tuesday to have some time to myself and try to figure out what was wrong. On Friday I tried REALLY hard to be nice to the kids, and I managed it, but I was exhausted by the end of the day. I decided to book an appointment with the doctor on Monday and see if she had any suggestions. I was beginning to think that there was a little truth in what another teacher had said about me not giving myself time to actually reflect on Dad dying. I even HATE using that word. I always say “passed away”. Somehow that seems a little softer, although I know it doesn’t make any difference in the long run.
Well, I had a chiropractor’s appointment before my doctor’s appointment and my chiropractor asked me how I was. Well, I told him I wasn’t feeling the greatest and we talked a little about it. His daughter had a lot of trouble when she was born, and he had prostate cancer last year, so he has had a rough time. He gave me a hug as I was leaving and said that we had all supported him when he was going through a lot and he just wanted to do a little something to help. Well, that brought a few tears to my eyes, but I was OK after that. Then, on the drive home, for some unknown reason, I just started crying. By the time I got home I was sobbing out of control. I’m glad it wasn’t TOO bad while I was driving. At one stage during the 15 minute drive I even thought that I just wanted to go out for lunch and not have to worry about what I am eating for once!! I was SO angry at that moment. I have NEVER thought like that since I started my new lifestyle. I have always been happy with what I eat and have made good choices when I go out. Oh well… hopefully it was just a random, once-off thought. When I got home hubby was home from work and he just held me (and stopped me from collapsing in a heap) while I kept sobbing.
When I finally got in to see the doctor she was SO good and listened to all of my whining and confused thoughts. She said that my Dad’s passing away was probably the catalyst that set this all off, and I haven’t given myself any time to stop, think and grieve. She also thinks that this has been boiling up for a while now and I still have trouble accepting the size I am now. I always said that if I couldn’t get my head around my weight loss I would seek counseling, because it is pointless being physically fit if you are a wreck mentally. Nobody ever warns you about the mental ramifications of losing this much weight. I truly never expected to have a problem with it. I STILL have people telling me I look ‘great’, ‘slim’, ‘wonderful’, ‘little’ etc, and I just can’t always believe them. Also, when I do something ‘silly’ I tend to insult myself, using words like ‘fat pig’. I don’t think that is necessarily healthy, and I want to stop it.
So, to cut a long story (or novel) short, she has told me to take two weeks off work! That was a shock! I was hoping to get a certificate for the Monday and Tuesday I had already planned to have off, and someone had said that I could have to have the rest of the week off, but I wasn’t expecting to need two weeks. She also wants me to go back after that to see how I am going. Hopefully I will be fine, because I don’t want any more time off. I only have a week and 3 days of teaching, after these two weeks, before our next school holidays.
I have an appointment with a Clinical Psychologist tomorrow morning. Luckily she had a cancellation, otherwise it was going to be a few weeks before I could see someone. I am hoping that she will be able to sort out something in my head. The doctor said that it was OK to just take the time to think about Dad, and it was OK to cry. Well, I have become a little teary a couple of times yesterday afternoon and today, but whenever I think of Dad I just kind of freeze up and just CAN’T do it. Actually I have even noticed yesterday and today that I am fine when I am in the house, but when I go out I start to feel a tightness in my chest and my head starts to feel as though someone is squeezing it. These are VERY new feelings for me and I have a feeling that I may be getting close to having a panic attack. I seem to be OK after a while, so I am hoping to sort myself out before they develop into anything more.
OK… so that is me in a nut (or nutcase) shell at the moment. I can smile about it all at the moment, but then I turn around and it all hits me like a lead balloon. I am thankful that I have this time, although two weeks still seems like a VERY long time. I think it will be better for the kids too, as they don’t deserve to be snapped at for minor things. I love them dearly and hate myself when I am mean to them like that.
Well… what else is up with us. Neil has been building a couple of computers for people and it isn’t doing OUR bank balance any good at all. When he was building one computer we had to go and pick up a printer for him and I liked what I saw, so I got myself a new printer as well. I will take the old one to school (I may have mentioned that here already, but I’m not sure) so that purchase wasn’t TOO bad. It also prints beautiful photos, and uses less ink, which will be a bonus. Then today Neil had to pick up the parts for another computer and I saw a great ergonomic keyboard that I decided to buy. I already have an older one, that works OK, but needs a good clean, and I figured that I would clean it as best I could, then that could go to school and I can use it with my laptop, because those small keyboards drive me nuts. I may end up with a LOT of stuff at school if this keeps up.
We went out today and bought me some new runners for exercising. I have been getting sore feet lately and I think it is because my shoes are wearing a little too much. I got Asics again, because they were SO comfortable before. I wore them on the treadmill this afternoon and walked for 40 mins on an incline of 5 at a speed of 3.8mph/4.2mph. I stopped after 40 mins because I was getting VERY sweaty and I was feeling a couple of pressure points in the new shoes. I figure that wasn’t too bad for new shoes though. Hopefully things will be better in a day or so.
I got an email yesterday from a friend I had taught with in the country and hadn’t seen in probably 14 years. She had seen my website somehow and wanted to congratulate me. I emailed her back with our phone number and she called today. It was great hearing from her again. We are planning on having lunch some time while I am off.
I think that is all about ME for now. Let’s get on to some important stuff now.
Jill – CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope Jeff realizes what a lucky man he is! I can’t wait to hear details about wedding plans. That is always so exciting. I won’t rush you though. I know it could be a day or so before you are planning a wedding. LOL
Catherine – YUCK!!!! I am not sure I could have sat and looked at whatever it was that was in your dish. You are a very nice person to not mention it to anyone. I don’t imagine you will be rushing back to that restaurant any time soon.
Well done on the sit ups! I have done some in bed before, but find that I can’t do them on the floor because my backbone and butt bone press into the floor too much and it is WAY too uncomfortable.
Oh… I forgot to say before that I hope you get your paperwork for residency sorted out soon. When Neil was applying for residency here the lady dealing with his case went on holiday and his file was not looked at for 12 months! It was only because I called to check on things (even though we had been warned to not do that, because it made them angry and they moved your file down the pile) that they even realized he hadn’t had everything finalized. Amazingly enough, things were sorted out VERY quickly after that.
Ammi – I truly hope that things get better for you soon and we see you back here with at least a little smile on your face. I can only imagine what you are going through, with not being near your Mum when she passed away and not even finding out until quite a bit later. There must be an awful lot of things racing around in your head at the moment.
Sandy – I’m not sure when our daylight savings time ends. This is the first year we have had it in a LONG time. We are trialing it for 3 years. I actually don’t mind it at all, but I understand that if you have kids it would be very hard to get them to sleep in the dark. It is also too dark in the mornings for me to walk now, which is a bit of a pain.
Nancy – I hope you have some success with your flat hunting soon. I like the sound of Catherine’s solutions for not having cupboards in the kitchen. Perhaps that would help you.
Sharon – I hope you are still finding that the flavours of your drinks are quite nice. I am really glad that you could change to having a bar now and then. I know I would have to have something to ‘chew’.
Heather – I am sorry that you are finding it a little rough while your hubby is away. I would be lost if Neil went away like that. I get lost when he is just out for a few hours! I understand that you will be busy shortly though. You will probably not have time to scratch yourself for a while I suppose. When does your school year end?
Lisa – I’m glad you have found some flavours that you like. I hope you can swap the ‘yuck’ ones for these better ones. Well done on making it through those first few days. Hopefully it will be easier the further you go.
Luan – I want to add my thoughts that your new ‘friend’ is very cute and it sounds as though he was just the breath of fresh air that you needed. I am glad that things are going so well with you both at the moment and I will keep my fingers crossed that it develops just how you want it to.
How is work going? Are you still doing makeup and working in the movies? I think that all sounds just SO exciting! I have often thought that I would love to teach child actors or children of actors so I could get to spend time on movie sets and see how it all works.
Lee Ann - I have read/heard comments about the benefits of both types of exercise, but the most recent stuff I have read has said that a combination of both is of most benefit. It is called "interval" training, where you keep to a moderate pace for a number of minutes, then you speed things up for a minute or two (or even 30 seconds), before slowing it down again. I have found that this gives me a good workout, and it also makes the time go faster because it is being broken up into those intervals. Just something to think about.
Well, I know I have missed LOTS of people, and I am sorry about that. I have been typing for quite a while now and my fingers are getting a little numb. This new keyboard is great though!
I am SO happy for those of you who are seeing losses – and some of them are BIG losses! Well done!!! I wish I was seeing a loss lately, but I am just giving myself time to recoup for a while, then I may put more of a push on. I am still exercising well most days of the week, and I am still eating well, although my portions could be a little smaller I suppose. I am finding that I am quite steady at the moment (fingers crossed) and I will just be happy with that if possible. I just don’t want to put too much pressure on myself when I am feeling a little ‘vulnerable’.
Hi girls
Just on my way out the door to work at the store this morning. I probably won't get a chance before I head off to the evening job so I am just here to share some and love and wish everyone a wonderful day OP.
Ammi~ Sorry to hear you are having a rough go at it. I can't imagine the pain of your loss. Know we are here for you and thinking of you...
ok, i am out of here... need to pack my snack and head out. I really am tired today and DO NOT feel like being pleasant to the general public *L* Oh well, money hungry thing that I am will grin and bear it
Thank you so much for the congrats, everyone. I don't have a ring yet as we will go shopping for that together (and I'm thinking of getting maybe an amethyst or a sapphire as the main stone with just accent diamonds...we'll see). We have not yet set a date, and I have no idea how we'll do it. I know I do not want a big traditional wedding--no sir, no church or normal ballroom-style reception for me. I loved it when my sister did it, but I want something a bit more "us," as we are not much for dancing or drinking or having to mingle with family we haven't even seen in 10 years--my sister and her husband were good at that, but it's not for me.
We'll be waiting at least a full year till the big day, maybe even till fall 2008 or so. My parents are putting their house in CT on the market April 1 and moving to Va Beach to be close to my sister when their house sells, and then Jeff and I are moving later in the fall, so I don't want to toss more balls into the air than I can juggle at once. We'll wait to figure out exactly when, where, and how. I told my mother I wanted to wait until they were moved and settled and Jeff and I were moved and settled so that all attention could be on me
Oh, and Jeff took me out for dinner last night, so I ended up being over in calories. I will likely be over again tonight since we are going out again to celebrate the 3-year anniversary of our first in-person encounter. But from here on out, what better motivation to lose weight than to want to be fit and healthy for the start of our married lives together? Not that I want to pressure myself into reaching my goal by the time we say the I dos, but I would at least like to lose some substantial amount of weight by then. I brought my sneakers to work today so I can go walking at lunch if I'm not busy
Zelma--I'm so glad you have such great doctors who really take the time to listen and consider your needs both emotionally and psychologically rather than just physically. My mother had a very difficult time when her mother passed on and was fortunate to have a great doctor to help her along, too. Hopefully, two weeks will be a good amount of time to relax and sort through things and feelings
Lee Ann--I would warm up for a few minutes slowly, then go fast for as long as possible. Going faster will increase your heart rate more for better fat-burning efficiency, plus going faster for shorter bursts is more likely to help to increase your endurance, so before you know it you'll be running for longer periods of time. You ould also try some intervals of slow and fast to help your endurance as well. There is a lot of information on the best ways to do this if you look up stuff on the "couch to 5k" plan. Do you have a heart rate monitor? Just be careful not to push yourself too hard so that it puts strain on your body rather than helping it.
azcyn--Welcome back! Personally, I count calories. I never much saw the point in converting calories to Points (since a WW Point is based on 50 calories with minor adjustments just based on fat and fiber content), and food exchanges drive me batty since some foods can cross into multiple categories, plus then you have to dissect your meals (well, this sandwich has bread, so that's grain, plus cheese, that's dairy, plus meat, tha's protein...)--too much work for my little brain. But whatever you choose, it should work as long as you stick with it and work it into your lifestyle. Good luck in finding what works for you!
Catherine--congrats on avoiding the excuses to overeat or eat poorly. I've been really bad at that lately. Actually, I haven't even had much excuse--it's been more like, "I feel like eating this junk!" so I do But now I need to feel like getting thinner and healthier instead. And I agree about Jeff--it IS about time! I had told him I wasn't going to buy a place with him in the fall if we weren't at least engaged first--no potential 30-year financial commitment from me without a personal commitment from him first.
MsOnemoretime--Maybe instead of trying to get all of your liquids from actual water, you could try to eat more water-dense foods like lots of fruits and veggies throughout the day? I always have to pee after a bottle of straight water, but after an apple and an orange, not so much.
Brenda--Jeff wants to see 300 as well. He's a comic book geek, and it's based on a graphic novel, so it's right up his alley. I'd like to see Zodiac. I save the tampon movies for DVD rentals and spend the bigger bucks to see things with action, horror, and special effects in the theater.
Lisa--I remember when I started increasing my water--I was constantly in the bathroom! But I think our bodies adjust. I still drink at least 3 liters of water a day (plus some diet soda, plus whatever fluids I get from fruits and such throughout the day), but my bathroom trips have become both less frequent and less urgent.
Annie--good job on th exercise--look at you go! And thank you for keeping us posted on Ammi. She will definitely be in my thoughts.
Nancy--Apartment hunting can be such a pain! Around here, nice apartments are a dime a dozen, but it's hard to find anything liveable for less than $1300 a month. In fact, a friend of mine just put in an application for a 1-bedroom (yes ONE bedroom) apartment that's maybe 700 square feet for $1340/month. It is absolutely insane. So definitely take your time and find what you want--like a kitchen that actually has cabinets (that is the strangest thing!).
Heather--haha, feel free to wisecrack away
Patti--Hopefully a change in workouts will help your knee a bit. I have bad knees--they don't hurt every day, but when they do, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with!
MsOneMoreTime – Are you trying to drink more water for a specific reason?
It’s very important to remain hydrated, but everything I’ve read indicates that you don’t only have to drink water. Tea is a great choice (even caffeinated). Soups count. There’s lots of water in many fruits. So if you don’t like water and that’s the problem, there are lots of choices.
Catherine – I lived in China for 2 months and have been there several other times. I understand what you mean about not being able to complain in a foreign language and not wanting to upset your friend. Sounds like you handled the situation really well!
Cyn – What to write down depends on your goals. I started writing things down to hold myself accountable and help limit my calories. There are lots of online programs like fitday that help. Then I moved to tracking all sorts of things, but it happened over time. So, different people track different things. What are you considering?
Lee Ann – Zelma is right that both are good. But if you’re just starting out, I’d focus on just walking for a while and not worry about anything else. Add speed when you feel more comfortable and are ready to challenge yourself.
Zelma – I’m glad you’re taking some time and talking to some professionals!!!
I know what you mean about not being comfortable about your size. Whenever anyone congratulates me I deflect it. “Most people gain it back. Check back in 5 years”. It’s like I can’t admit my own success and sounds like I am expecting to fail!!!!!!! I think I just can’t handle it yet.
My school year ends in early June. I have had this term off from teaching, but have a very busy term coming starting at the end of March. I think you’re right, I won’t have time to scratch myself!
I had a much better eating day yesterday, and a terrific yoga class. I hope today is good too!
I've been sick for a few days and not up to posting. I'm back at work today and feeling better, but still tired and "muddled". I wanted to pop on and reply to a couple people though.
Jilly~ BEST WISHES! Not congratulations, because Jeff is the one who deserves them, for being lucky enough to have YOU say yes! I'm very happy for you! I wanted a ring like you describe, saphire with diamond accents, but my DH surprised me with the ring, so I didn't get to pick it out. Wouldn't trade it for the world, even though he offered, but I still covet the ones like you describe.
Zelma - I'm very glad you are listening to your doctors. You really do sound like you need time to deal with all the upheavals in your life. My mother passed away when I was in law school, in June to be exact, and I honestly don't remember anything from June to September. I thought I was fine. I thought I was dealing. I got thru the summer and started school again and attended classes and got good grades. Then one day it was like I "woke up". I remember that I got up one morning and the air was crisp and the leaves were turning colors and everything seemed alive and real for the first time in ages! After that I really was fine, but my roommate later told me that men and women I really only knew as classmates had come to her and asked what was wrong with me and if I was okay and if they could help. I'd had no idea either that I was so profoundly affected by my loss - seems everyone but me had noticed. I guess my point is, you do whatever you need to do and don't feel as though you don't deserve the time off. You need it. You need to devote time to yourself and to grief and in time things will come into focus for you again.
Had to pop in and extend a big CONGRATULATIONS to Jilly!! That is so wonderful. I think you are being smart to let all the dust settle with the moves, etc. before "the big day" so that nothing will eclipse your moment!!
What a hard day I had yesterday at work!! It continued when I left work. I had a headache and I was **hungry**. I have not felt like that in ages. I ate my dinner and was not full. Waited a half hour to see if I was really hungry...YUP. I ended up making a lower calorie version of my favorite oriental slaw and had a bowl of that. It hit the spot. I think i am going to keep this on hand. It has sweet and crunchy and fills me up.
On the exercise front. I got 6700 steps in yesterday and did 20 minutes on the stationary bike in the AM. I never thought I would be able to do that, but the bike is in the same room as the TV and it is a *quiet* bike so I just pedal away while watching the morning shows.
Thats it from me. Sorry not too many personal responses, but know that I am reading your posts and thinking of you. Have a great OP day!!
Jilly -congratulations on your engagement! That is lovely news! Very happy for you. I have been married for nearly a year and the day was amazing and everything everyone says it would be and being married is pretty neat too!! So well done you!
I am having a good day, out for lunch with my mum and had a yummy sandwich and half a bowl of chunky chips (yum!) and to burn that off going out for a family swim later. need to be in bed early as its a 12.5 nursing shift tomorrow, argh!
The sun is shining brightly here and it soooo lifts my spirits!!
And also last night had a strange moment where I felt like I wanted to reconnect with God and my faith in him, which is rather profound but totally heart felt, I feel like life is a struggle at times, and why do I struggle through on my own when I can ask God for help?? Feels great tho. Thank you to Him!
Well I am feeling 100% better off of those blood pressure pills! I was really getting sick. On a sad note my cat Alex is sick! He has a infection in his mouth and looks to have melanoma. My two cats are like my kids so its been rough the last two days. He will have the surgeries next Friday. I am just worried about him being under anesthesia because he is older and sick. Guess I will just have to wait and pray.
JILL-That is so wonderful about your engagement! Congrats hun!
ZELMA-Good to hear from you hun.
LILION-I hope you feel better soon!
EMILY-I am glad you are feeling better hun. I know what you are saying about feeling like you need to reconnect with God. I always seem to feel that tug when I am away from him.
And finally congrats to all of you who have had losses or NSVs! Some wonderful big losses!
Any advise would be great! I know you ladies are teh best! 
and love and wish everyone a wonderful day OP.
But now I need to feel like getting thinner and healthier instead.
That is so wonderful. 
