Hi everyone,

Debbie: come on over! I'd love to have you. We could make some snow people in my yard. lol. Cheers to you on your "New" Start for 2008!

Donna: Right back at ya sweetie.

Battle: Hugs to you. You can do it. Just take a deep breath and get back on track as soon as you are ready. Don't beat yourself up over something so small. It is a hard time right now to try to stay on target. Just start fresh tomorrow!

Colneed: Same goes to you as to Battle. You guys are doing so well. Don't let a small bump in the road derail you for a looong time. Just dust yourselves off and get back at it as soon as you can. Hugs.

I had a little cookie monster trying to come out today. Someone placed a tray of cookies on the counter where I had to pass by it when I walked to and from my office today. I swear those things were calling my name. I had to tell myself over and over that I am in control not my cravings for a cookie. It really helped to have Nancy's magnet on my file cabinet reminding me that I don't have to cave in to what my body wants. I'm in charge. Thanks Nanc. It really helped me to know that a bunch of you were dealing with similar situations at work. I made it through the day in charge of my body not my body being in charge of me. That felt good. Hugs to all of you who are struggling with things like I did today. I havent' been bothered by them for almost a year but alas today was the day. Don't know why cause it wasn't particularly stressful at work. I guess old habits are wanting to come back.

Hugs to all of you and blessings,
Annie

Annie, i really liked what you said about ''you being in charge of your body and not your body being in charge of you.'' That says a lot, so i posted it on my frig.... thanks..
Catherine,tarra your weight loss is amazing and a tribute to your determination. Would love to sit down and just listen to your journeys of success and sometimes failures. you have all motivated me today..
peace be with us for the new year...

Zelma – Well, Andrew & I were doing our walks regularly, but now it’s winter, and snowy/freezing cold, so we’re stuck in the house doing Walk Away The Pounds! Not as good as the real thing, but it works! It’s so good to see you still posting here, and still looking INCREDIBLE!


Crock – Good to see YOU back as well! No, not married yet. Not when I look like this! :O My best friend is getting married on July 7th, 2008, and I’m her Maid of Honor, so I’m working on that for now.


Heather – You are looking AMAZING, girl! If I can’t make it onto the boards to post, I’ll try and keep track of my exercise! I do love contributing to the thread!!

As for me, it’s time for confession. It’s so humiliating, but I need to get it out of there. My highest weight when I first joined 3FC back in what? 2005? Was like…354 pounds. I had gotten to about 275. I was diagnosed with severe depression and medicated. The combination of my medicine, and my general not caring about myself anymore + bingeing because I was so upset, I gained it ALL back. It’s not something I’m proud of.


In August of this year, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and put onto more medications. I have since gone up to a whopping 375 pounds. Higher than I have EVER been. I’ve been exercising, I just need to get back into the eating good. I know I can do this again. I WILL do this again. And I WILL NOT falter this time.


I am the Maid of Honor in my best friend’s wedding in July. I went to try on dresses, and the 28 was TOO SMALL for me. Ridiculous. I’m determined to lose as much weight as I can by July.


I may not be able to respond to you all individually every day (I know how fast this board goes!), but I will do my best to keep in check, and also to post my workout times on the exercise thread, because that’s one thing I haven’t stopped doing.


Whew. Feels good to get that out.
I’m 21. I should NOT weight this much. *sigh*

Just a quick note before I head out to work.
to the new girls. You'll love it here!!

Thanks for all the get well wishes. I'm feeling better, but still coughing a lot. The cough will probably last til Spring.

Battle I too can gain an insane amount of weight in just a couple days. It's pathetic. And, it does take several weeks of very hard work to get rid of it. But, WE CAN DO IT!!!
I haven't gotten on the scale yet either. I think I'm gonna wait til the 1st. Sadly, I know the
patterns too that screw me up. But, when I get in that pattern, it's the I don't care I'm giving up mind set. I don't know what to do to break it. But, I'm back on the right track now. Back to baby steps.

Annie Thanks for the reminder that we are in charge of our body and not our body in charge of us Why do I always forget that??

Kayley I just love you. You are so brave and have a difficult year as well. Just remember, there are very famous people with bi polar, Ted Turner, Patty Duke Austin, the chick that played Lois Lane on the 80's Superman movies. I know some of the meds tend to add weight, but the people I personally know, just lay around and eat junk food. You are 100% correct that you can do this cuz you KNOW it and you have your BF and US!!!! Hugs!

Almost all the treats are gone here at home, but several family members want fudge and carmel corn. I can't have carmel corn in the house. It's just so good!!! So, I'll have to make it on a Sunday an mail it ALL on Monday.
Well, I gotta head out the door to work. Sigh. Happily it's a short week this week. Only one more special event to get through....... New Year's Eve. BUT, it's only us at home so I'm gonna plan a healthy menu for snacks. Any suggestions besides the usual veggie tray??? We're going back to South Beach too.
Hugs and have a great day!!!

Morning Peeps - I too am having a little difficulty getting completely back OP. Boy does water taste good though. There are no sweets, which is my biggest downfall, in the house - I too am a Cookie Monster Annie. Today is a new day. Need to head out but wanted to say good morning to all my peeps.

Hugs to you all,
Carol

Good morning all! It's a new day. It's a New Day. And even if it isn't perfect, I hope each of finds some success on our journey, and appreciates the chance.

I said 'no' to a tiny Snickers mini bar yesterday. For me that's a victory, not because of the calories in that one tiny bar, but because I know that that one shot of sugar will lead me down a path I don't want to follow. I wasn't just saying no to that one bite, I was saying no to the destruction it would lead to. I was saying yes, choosing, to take a step back towards health. It all happens one bite at a time.

I also planned breakfast ahead - leftover baked chicken - and lunch is already in the frig at work - veggies & cheese. I guess that path to success can't be found blindfolded and in the dark, without a map. Here we go. Planning ahead, one day at a time. First stop: Weigh in on Wednesday.

Have a splendid day!

Val -- THAT'S the attitude you need. And not only the attitude, but the self-reflection about you and your situation.

Kayley -- It's good to be able to admit where you are, but please don't beat yourself up about it. This is a lifelong journey. We will all have ups and downs. And we have to find ways to sustain the good habits as long as we can, but we also need to forgive ourselves and get back to it as fast as we can.

I'm still on vacation. Had some amazing food. Doing a lot of walking and even just got in an elliptical session. But I'm under no illusions that the scale won't reflect some of my... indulgences.

Carvin: I'm glad it helped you. I have to tell my self that over and over every single day. Sometimes my body tries to be "the boss" .

Kayley: Hugs sweetie. Most of us have been exactly where you are and therefore know what you are going through. Hang tough girl. You are a super smart and strong lady and I know you have it in you to do this! Remember, whatever your weight is right now, it is just a starting point. It doesn't define who or what you are sweetie. I used to weigh 510 pounds and for a while I might have just changed my name to 510 pounds because I let that be me. Don't do that to yourself. You are Kayley not a weight! Just pick up and start anew. Hugs.

Sandy: I think veggies are a great thing to snack on but you could make plain popcorn that is low fat, low salt, Cut up some fruit and take a box of sugar free vanilla pudding, sugar free sour cream and sugar free or low cal cool whip and blend it sprinkle a tiny bit of coconut in it for texture for a dip that is pretty good. Also how about some cheese and low cal thinly sliced meat since you are going back to South Beach? I don't know but I think it sound yummy. lol. Good luck my friend.

Carol: Hugs and have a great day today!

Val: Congrats to saying no to that snickers. I know what you mean. When I see a Peanut butter cup, okay lets me honest, a peanut butter ANYTHING, I want it. I feel like a spoiled kid and a strict mama all in one body saying, "No, it's not something you need or will benefit your goal". Then the kids is really wanting it. So, to you Cheers about saying no! I'm proud of you!

Heather: Have a great time on your vacation.

To all our missing Chicks, Hugs and hope you are all doing wonderful and enjoying the Holidays.

Today is a good day already and it is only 7:25 a.m. I have exercised again and I feel so proud of that. I have to pump myselfl up with pats on the back when I accomplish little things. I hope that today's exercising is a new trend that is going to put me back on the exercise road so to speak. I used to love it and since surgery I have been so tired and slow to bounce back. I am starting to really pay attention to my body and going to bed EARLY if I'm tired. TV will wait. My hubby is teasing me about being an old lady now. lol. I can bounce up out of bed before the sun though so that is a good thing. My health is what I need to focus on. I still have that pesky pound to loose to meet the 200 pounds lost for 2007 so I am ramping up on my exercise to get that off too. Then only 11 more to go to get out of the 300's forever. I honestly would have never thought this time last year that I would say that ever. Yeah me. lol.

Well all, have a blessed, op, water drinkin, butt movin day.
Blessings,
Annie

Hi Everyone!! Holidays are over now I can get back to some personals.

Heather - Enjoy your trip. Hope you relax and have a good time.

Catherine - You and himself are such an example of the true meaning of the Holiday season. What giving people you are to welcome everyone into your home. I am exhausted from cooking and having just 3 people visiting, but when I think of you cooking and hosting all those less fortunate people, especially with your injury, my exhaustion lifts. You are truly an inspiration.

Carol - So glad you enjoyed your cruise. Good news on the exercise classes. I wish a hospital in my area would offer something like that.

Tara - Glad to have you here & good luck on your goals in the New Year.

Linda - to you also. I too have RA and know all about "good days and bad days" The last few days have been bad days since I always tend to overdo at the holiday & it always brings a "flare", but I know it will pass. Glad to hear you are making progress with your after surgery complications, I hope you continue to get better.

Battle - I fell of the cliff too, and threw all sensible eating to the winds for five days, but today, I got up dusted myself off and am back OP and drinking my water. Like you I feel I really need to detox my body.

Debbie - I also hope some of my weight gain is water related since we also had ham & I haven't been drinking enough water. I had been avoiding the scale, but since I know that i scale denial gets me added pounds, I stepped on it this morning and it says I have gained 10 lbs in the last week I've decided not to beat myself up though, just going to get with the program again starting today.

Colleen - My family has also always celebrated Christmas with mass quantities of food & it seems to be a tradition I can't shake, but I am determined to try to do better next year. Don't cry over what is past, just move forward Thank for your gift of Will Power Dust....I need it

Annie - You are my hero turning down cookies and other goodies . I am going to try and follow your example and be in charge.

Kayley - I think we have all experienced that roller coaster of weight loss only to regain the weight loss and more. So please don't be humiliated by your "confession". We are friends and just want to support and help you achieve your goal.

For all of those I missed, wishing you a wonderful OP, water drinking day.

As for me, after my 5 day binge, I have learned a few things. 1. It is way too easy to slip into those bad habits of bingeing. 2. The pleasure of eating that piece of fudge, cookie or whatever does not equal the pleasure of putting on a pair of pants and realizing how loose they are now. 3. That "overfull" feeling is actually uncomfortable, not comforting. What I still don't know is why it took me 5 days to stop, even after I came to these realizations, I'm just glad I have stopped and gotten back Op today.


Johnnie

There's a battle raging here!!!
I know every one of you has been though it because you've JUST been talking about it. That mind/body/habit struggle for control. The first few days of de-tox are the absolute worst. If I could remember while I was back-sliding just how hard those first few days Really, REALLY are, I would probably slip less. But that difficulty is just shoved back into the darkest corner of my mind, while the object of my desire gathers every brain cell I have and puuuuuuullls me into the arguement. Right now I could convince myself that the trip to the cafeteria for that big fat slice of mega-carb bread was ACTUALLY EXERCISE! I could convince myself that -OK, has anybody heard this one? - that JUST ONE couldn't really hurt me... and that snow ball always turns into an avalanche. (Avalanche - wouldn't that be a good name for a horse?)

SO, I came here. The cravings are absolutely raging these first few days. My normal course of action might be to either give in now, or struggle through for a couple days until I convince myself that I'm already totally stable & in control and then take another header off that cliff.

I can't do that. I have to recognize this for exactly what it is, make that decision to conquer the urges. I will use every motivator I can think of - riding my horse, more confidence in my appearence, that it would TOtally p/o my evil SD, that I will live longer, be able to go trail riding with my friends, that all the people who've supported and encouraged me will be so proud of me, that every day tasks will get easier, that just standing up from my desk won't make my knees and back creak, that I can buy those riding boots I've wanted all my life - and compete in the show ring with them, that this journey isn't going to be over if I cheat and I certainly am not going to quit. I'll use joy as a motivator, and revenge if that works, or scare tactics if that's what it takes.

I need to start reading more, things like Prevention magazine, my South Beach book, or other health books (OPEN to suggestions, here!) When I'm reading regularly, my mind is caught up in the excitement and momentum of this project, not weary from battling temptations without re-enforcements. And of course I need to plan ahead, making more use of the dollar store tupperware I bought to pack lunches, and have easy dinners handy.

Thank you. All this venting has helped me deal with these horrible bread cravings. HEATHER - this is the part where I'm supposed to imagine those maggots all over that bread, squirming inside the loaves - Yup. That did it. The maggot imagery is really effective for me, but I try not to overuse it for fear of dulling the edge.

OK. I'm ready to face the afternoon sugar free now. Back to work.

Donna, you are sooooooo right!! We are here for each other and have faith we can do it!!

Battle, ok, so now you can get back to what you know works for you. You've done a great job this year, so I know you can continue to do well. The holiday season is tuff to get thru, but we did, so it's time to get back to work on us!!!!

Annie, WE GOT SNOW!!!! It's not alot but it's covering the ground. We are expecting more this afternoon...at least I hope it will fall. Good for you on passing up that crummy cookie. It probably was left over stuff that someone wanted to get rid of.
I'm sure that one little pound will be off before the new year. You've done us all proud Annie!

Kaley, you're right....you can do this because you did it before. It's just baby steps. It's the only way to get where you want to be. I'm sorry all the meds don't help much, and that you have to go thru what you are, but I know you can deal with it. You're young, smart, and in love, what more could be a motivator? :hugs:

Sandy, glad to hear that you are getting better. I just hate those lingering coughs! O the carmel corn sounds good, but even if it was here right now, I don't think I would eat it. Try and get back to being OP. Hugs to ya!

Hi Carol, Heather, Ammi, Linda,

Val, good for you on passing up the mini snickers. It sounds like you're back to OP.

Johnnie, its so easy to gain weight, and fast. I gained 15 lbs in the last 3 months. I'm not proud of it, but I know I can get it back off with determination and perseverance, and I know you can too. So let's do it together.

Story, throw it away!!!!!

We finally got some snow. It's so pretty. I stayed Op pretty well yesterday and got most of my water in. I plan on really sticking to it even better now. I got on the DDR yesterday for about 15 minutes, not much but a start. I still don't think I'm doing it right. I feel so clumsy on it and at this weight, I'm not into jumping up with both feet too much. But I will keep pluggin along. At least I'm moving. Today we are off to the store and the bank and then home to wait for more snow.
Have a good OP day!
DEbbie

You are all amazing, strong, and wise women. The postings of the past day or so have been knocking me over. I am going to print some of this out and re-read it as needed. Thank you all for being who you are and being here.

It doesn't matter how accomplished we are in other areas of our lives. This problem brings us to our knees. If we didn't have profound issues to deal with, we wouldn't be in the 300+ section. We all have some combination of genetic, physiological and psychological factors that make this the hardest work we will ever do. But now that we're here, we are propping each other up and helping through the dark days as well as cheering for the hard-won victories. We CAN accomplish our goals, even if we fall down over and over again. Improved health and happiness are within our reach.

I AM NOT GIVING UP. I want the life I stole from myself. I want you to have the same.

Many hugs to you.

I too am having trouble getting back to my healthy eating habits after much indulgence over Christmas. I meant to get back on plan yesterday and ended up buying two cookies at Whole Foods last night. It is SO HARD once the stuff is in my system to stop. There are chocolate covered oreos in the kitchen here at work and it is taking quite a lot of effort not to "go ahead and let myself have just one".

For all of us doing battle with our own cookie monsters, here is a bit of fun:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/in...-is-for-chubby