300+ Weekly Thread #1167
 

We are a group of individuals who weigh or have weighed 300+, or near there. This group was formed to provide a place for others like us to find support and hope. We are aware of the distinct problems that come with weighing over 300 lbs.

We want to invite everyone (roosters as well as chicks!) to join us in our journey. We share laughter and tears, heartaches and fears ... joys and celebrations. We also share what works for us and what doesn't.

We know the thread can move very quickly, and that people often make "personal" remarks and keep a number of conversations going. Please feel free to contribute even if you can't make personal comments all the time.

Finally, we also have several extra threads going on simutaneously such as Monthly Challenges, Weekly Weigh-ins, Recipes, Bios, Photos, Exercise, Info for Getting Started and more. Many of these threads are stickied at the top of the page. Please feel free to check them all out.

We have found this thread to be more than just a support group... we have found it to become a home. We invite you to join us.

I know you'll all agree that we are really thankful for the free services here at 3FC. The sisters offer all of this support and information with no charges to us. There are a couple of ways though that we can help out.

If you are thinking about buying anything at Amazon, why not help out 3FC at the same time? You can do this by clicking on the button for the Amazon "store" in the upper right hand corner of the screen on the PURPLE tool bar. A portion of your purchase price will be given to 3FC by Amazon. It doesn't increase your price at all, but it does help out 3FC. You can use any of the Amazon.com links that you see on the site in order to help contribute to the site.

Also, BTW, in case you didn't know it, you can view the message boards "ad free" for a minimal charge. I think it's $15 for 6 months. A very small investment to be rid of the annoying ads and make your pages load quicker.

There have been some concerns expressed by the powers that be about copyright infringement. So please, if you are directly quoting someone else or printing an article in whole or in part, please give credit where credit is due!!!

Debbie-boy do I know that feeling that I could even eat the wall paper. When I know I shouldn’t be hungry, I just try to figure out what else is going on in my head. Usually lots.

Annie-Some people will say GB is taking the easy way out, but I think it must be so much harder. I’ve had so much more time to adapt to the changes in my body than you did. The weight is just a symptom most of the time. We still have so much more work to do, and if we don’t deal with it, gaining the weight back is the least of our problems. I guess I’m going to have to teach you some wrestling moves I had to learn as a kid to hold my own against my big brothers. You have to use his size against him.

Penny-I hate going across the border too. The last time I came, I was coming to stay, but couldn’t tell the border agent that, or he would have turned me back. Once you get here, and get married, you can file with immigration and stay while it is being decided, but they don’t like for you to do it that way. So if they know, they can boot you, and even exclude you from the country for up to 5 years. I was just glad he didn’t go through my bags and find my wedding gown. That would have blown it for sure. I was practically a smuggler, except I was smuggling myself and my wedding gown.

Rat-My inner ear stuff gets worse when the barometric pressure changes. It changes the thickness of something in there. Hurricane season was always interesting.

I’m semi-miserable. Himself is in Montreal for the week. It’s nice to have him out from under my feet to finish my spring cleaning, but I miss him. At least I’m not eating out of boredom. I actually don’t eat much when he’s not here. It doesn’t seem worth the effort to cook for just one anymore. I had dry cereal for dinner last night. Now I’m off to get my head shrunk a bit more. The older I get the younger doctors seem to get.

Good Morning!
Well, my daughter and I just moved out a desk so now I have room to set up the exercise home gym that we got. I can't wait until hubby gets home Wednesday to put it together now. I may have to try and read the directions myself! HA! HA! I can't wait to get the gym, bike, and treadmill all in one area in the house. I have a loveseat and my computer desk to move next. Not sure where they are going. I think the desk will go into younger daughters room and my computer not sure. My house is so small. I am still waiting as people tell me when the kids move out I will have lots of room. I have 2 kids out of the house and not sure where the extra room yet. I then was told that it is because the "girls" are still at home! They do have so much more than the boys. Anyone else notice that? Well, I did inform them that they are going through their things too, as it was way too much! School will be starting before long and they will want new things. Well, I better get back to cleaning. I will check in later. Penny

Hi all!

As I’m sure is obvious from my lack of posting over the past two weeks, I once again lost focus on my health plan. Although I remained conscious of what I was eating and tried to make reasonable choices, I didn’t journal my foods, I ate a lot more snacky, processed foods than I should have and I didn’t make the time for exercise. I did my regular Sunday weigh-in yesterday, and I’m up to 284 . . . I can’t say I don’t deserve the gain, and I’m just grateful it isn’t worse! I’m back on plan as of yesterday. I did my 5-mile walk and journaled my food . . . calorie deficit -562 . . . I’m going to make my goal of -1,000 today!

I really need to get a handle on controlling my eating and making time for exercise when I’m traveling, since I’m leaving on Wednesday for two-plus weeks in Vegas. I’ll be playing bridge part of the time and spending some time with my brother who lives there, helping him look into residential options for my father. My friend and I will be staying at a condo rental for most of the time, with a few days at my brother’s place at the beginning and end. Here’s my plan for dealing with this trip.

** I’m going to exercise 5 mornings per week, BEFORE anything else I have planned for the day. I expect it’ll be too hot to walk unless I get started really early, but the condo rental has an exercise room, so I’ll just have get back on the elliptical.

** I’m going to journal my food as best I can, even if I don’t know the exact values for most restaurant food. I’m going to try to choose plainer & lighter options to make this easier.

** I’m not going to eat any pre-dinner bread in restaurants and I’m going to limit beer or wine with dinner to a single glass.

** I’m going to keep up with reading and posting, at least every other day . . . for me, there is no better way to stay motivated.

This board has a whole new look to it . . . Anne, Penny, Debbie, Annie, Bernice and Carol, I LOVE your new avatars . . . you’re all looking great!

OK, that’s it for now . . . I’m off to the park to get my walk in. Have a great on-plan day, everyone.

Catherine: I am so out of practice with wrestling. DH is getting much more playful now that I am not a lump sitting on the sofa anymore. I am up and around and moving. I will have to rethink my strategy lol. Sorry you are missing your dear himself. Hopefully you will get some things done that are hard to do when he is around.

Penny: How exciting to be getting your home gym up and running so to speak. Good luck getting the girl's rooms in order etc.

Ria: Sounds like you have an excellent plan. Good luck hun.

Well, I am having such a lazy day again today. I need to get my bootie in gear. lol. I am sooo premenstral and can't seem to focus. I am hoping to go spend time with God then brush my hair and dress for a bike ride. My house is pretty clean but could use a vacuuming and unload the dishwasher. I have a load of white clothes to wash too and some ironing to get done. I am looking forward to my interview tomorrow.

Well, Hope you are all well and having a wonderful day.
Blessings,
annie

Hiya Peeps - today is day one of being back in my routine - it's only been half a day and I already feel better. I love spontaneity too but I so miss my little rut-dwelling life at times. I also miss my water and veggies - both of which I had found again today. Annie mentioned focus and that's exactly what I've been thinking - that I've allowed myself to be distracted the last couple of weeks and it's time to "focus". I'm going to think on an acronym for focus that will help motivate - got any ideas?

Back to the office I go - hugs to all.

Carol

Jumping in about barometric pressure changes. It doesn't affect my inner ear or make me dizzy but it can certainly play **** with the rest of my body. Today I am feeling particularly achy, much more than normal so I was not surprised when the weather report showed low pressure and high humidity.

Catherine - I'm dying for a report on the new bathroom. I am green with envy that you got the tub and toilet free :p. I would love to have those in my bathroom, but the cost is way too high and medicare nor insurance covers things like that, they won't even cover a regular shower chair.

Wishing everyone a great OP day.

Catherine—I’m just like you—if I lived by myself, I would have nothing but cold cereal and rice cakes all day. I can’t cook for just one person, it’s like putting on make-up before bed!

Penny—Our house is small too, and my siblings and I have mved out and moved back in, but it still feels like no mater how many people are home at any time, we are still shoving stuff from one room to the next. *sigh* I have fantasies about a basement suddenly growing under the house. Last year my dad built this huge, ridiculously ugly barn-shaped shed in the back yard (and to make matters worse, he painted it bright red) with the hopes of creating more room. No such thing, we just distributed the furniture around a little bit better but it’s still a mess! So stoked about having an exercise room though, I wish we could find the room to do that, it would be awesome!

Merksie—I’m where you are. Off plan but being at least aware of what I am doing and NOT doing. I am going to follow your ideas you listed too. Keeping up with the forum really helps and working out regularly too.

Annie—good luck with your interview!

Carol—I’m struggling to focus too. I think it’s the heat. I desperately need school to start again for me.

Well I am having a major setback. I have a Planters wart. It’s horrendous. If anyone knows about them or have had one, they are terrible. It’s disgusting and it hurts. I thought it was gone, I went to the doctor who froze my skin and I couldn’t walk on it for 2 weeks because of the resulting wound. Now it’s back and right now I have to put acid on it to get rid of the skin. Then it’s a series of home remedies including Baking soda mixed with oil, banana peels, lemon extract, and drinking Mangosteen juice (Xango). I can’t go barefoot ever or I could give it to my family. It’s soooo horrible and painful I can’t even stand to walk on it!

So that’s where I am right now. I am too afraid to go have the shot and let the doctor dig it out. I have had one of those shots before and it is too painful! You’d have to drag me in there kicking and screaming to get to do that again. So I’m not working out right now, I’m barely walking. I can’t even get my poor foot in a regular shoe.  It super sucks.

Dusty

I thought I'd add my 2 cents about barometric pressure related issues... I get headaches and my tummy sends me to the loo all too many times. Anyone else with these issues? Everyone at work thinks I'm loco when I say I have a headache, "the weather must be changing". Once or twice a year, I end up taking a sick leave for just such a headache.

I need to prepare myself for the rest of the week. Wisconsin is supposed to hit 90 on Wednesday. Yikes! I hope the AC at work can keep up.

Hope you're all having a op day!
Miz M

Catherine, I would imagine you would have lots going on in your head after everything you've been thru. :lol: It's good to know that some of you are still fighting that "want to eat anything and everything" battle even after you've been trying to lose for so long. I wonder if it will ever go away?
I know what you mean about the doctors getting younger. It's awful getting older.
Hope you don't miss "himself" too much. Hang in there.

Penny, glad to hear that all the exercise equipment will be in one room. Makes it so much easier to get in the mood when you have a special area set up. Have fun!

Ria, sounds like a good plan to me!

Annie, since you think you couldn't handle me on the handle bars, how bout if I get on a skateboard, hang off the back end of the bike, and you pedal us around?

Dusty, it sounds so painful to hear you describe the wart. I've heard they can be sooooooooo painful. Here's a big "hug" for you and that poor foot. Maybe they can put you out and then give you the shot?

Tomorrow I go to the doc finally to see what the heck is going on? I changed contacts, so I know it's not that. Maybe it's just the weather, allergies, and the cold I got. I sure hope it goes away quick because my brother and fam will be here next week. I sure as heck don't want to fall over right in front of them.
I've been really crappy in the food department too, so I'm wondering since I've more or less fallen off the wagon, that that could have something to do with it too. It's just been this week that it's been really bad. My ears do get plugged up when I blow my nose.
I think I'm going to try and maintain for a while. I have been struggling with the same 10 pounds for so long now and I keep fooling myself into thinking I'm eating right, when I know I'm not. I sure didn't last long on SB. I started writing what I ate down again...I had even quit doing that. One thing though, I haven't gained alot, just sorta bouncing the few pounds back and forth which I know isn't good either.
Hope the rest of you don't fall into my footsteps and you all see a loss this week.
Debbie

Carol-If you figure out some way to stay focused, please let me know. I have a short attention span at times, and my mind wanders.

Johnnie-I tried out the new tub this morning. Haven’t gotten the new toilet yet. It was so strange to be able to walk into the tub. They basically cut a elongated U shaped hole in the side of the tub, and put this fiberglass collar across the new opening. It has a little door that attaches to the inside if you want to fill the tub up. It was nice not being afraid of falling. It’s some kind of city program that pays for all sorts of ramps or conversions. The man that came over to have us sign papers said that in a couple of years, if we felt that we needed an upgrade, they could come back and put in a completely roll in shower. Canada doesn’t have anything like the American’s with Disabilities Act, and things are very inaccessible, so I think this program is a way of trying to help out people who have it harder to begin with. I couldn’t have lived in the city easily while I was in my wheelchair.

Dusty-I haven’t had a plantar wart, but I’ve had plantar fasciitis. That is like walking on broken glass. Once it gets started, it just takes forever to get over.

MizM-I am practically a walking weather station. What really freaks me out is my knee hurts when it is going to rain, but gets better once it starts, but my back only starts hurting after the rain starts.

Debbie-I used food at sedative and pain killer for a long time, so I’m not sure that is every going to go away. As to getting old, having doctors younger than me certainly makes me feel that way, but what made me feel ancient is having a priest younger than me. Going to pre-marriage counseling with someone the age of one of my kids, was bordering on creepy.

Debbie - I so hear you - thats the reason for my "focus" - but in all honesty I started out the summer saying if I could maintain I would be OK with that until Labor Day knowing what faces us during the summer. Although I want to hit 75 pounds lost in a year too - which is September 4 so I need to decide where my "focus" is. It does feel good tonight though having a fantastic OP day.

Catherine-Hubby made it across the border alright. He actually said it was a little easier this time! Kind of surprising as I was the one worried. He took some powdered shake mixes and then put some extra powder protein in a baggie. I thought for sure if they searched his bag that they would question it! I told him he should write on it what it was. He said any dog would sniff his nose up at it, as he didn't even care for it plain. That is why he mixes it in. So I was glad it made it alright! Kinda funny if you think of it though. I told him good thing no problems cause if he was calling to say he was going to have to stay in Canada longer, I was going to send you over to throw frozen hotdogs at them to release him!! I agree with you, it is nice not having the hubby under feet so I can clean, but I miss him lots when he is gone. Also, we eat a lot different when he is not home and it is me and the girls. Or if older daughter gone to work it is me and little one. I try to stay focused. It is hard though.

Debbie54-It will be nice to have all equipment in one room. But that one room is half of my front/living room. I made the decision to get rid of my 4' x 8' desk that I use to sew on. I can sew on the kitchen table it is just a pain to have to get it out and put it away when it is time to go to the kitchen to cook. So it won't get out much. (Sadness!!) But I need to get healthier.
I hope all goes well at the doctor for you.

Dusty-If I built an extra room it would be for me! Only me! It seems like we find a room, like the boys bedroom when they left, and it became the music room. That is where the piano/guitars/flute/sax speakers and hubbys lettuce aero garden is at! They used to be all in the other half of my living room. I hope you have the room someday.

Mizm-I am midwest too, and it sounds 90 the rest of the week. I hope you have air conditioning!

Carol-Sorry I haven't came up with an acronym for focus to help you out. But this afternoon I could have used one. You are always so encouraging to me! Drink your water! You always say, so that is what keeps me drinking. I know how sometimes our lives get in a "routine", just remember jump back on! You are doing so awesome!!

Annie-Good luck on the interview tomorrow!

Well, I have some boxes to move upstairs so I better get to it. Penny

Oh my - tired, tired, tired. So today was the start back into my strength routine, which is only part of it. This morning, before I started, I got a call from the cherry orchard that the cherries would be available in the afternoon. I always buy sour cherries, which will be available for at least a week, maybe longer. However, this year I wanted to buy fresh sweet cherries as well. The girl told me that I should really come in the next few days if I wanted the fresh sweet cherries. They mainly freeze them for sale later. I bought a couple of small buckets (4.5-lbs) during the winter. This year I wanted to can them though (in the sour cherry juice, really quite nice).

A smart woman would have left the lifting for another day. I've never claimed to be smart though. So I did my routine, had a shower, had lunch, and then my mother and I trucked off to Vineland. We came home with 2-30lb pails of sour cherries and 1x20lb pail of sweet cherries. The first pail of sour cherries is already in the dehydrator. I had originally planned to do the canning tomorrow but then decided to do the sweet cherries tonight. So I ended up with 26 pint jars of cherries. They are really simple to put in the jars... except you need to sterlize them. They only need 20 mins in the sterilizer, however, it takes about 25 mins to come to the boil once they are in it.

So batch #3 is almost ready and I figure I might as well finish them off before I go to bed. I'm going to be tired and sore tomorrow... and still have the sour cherries to can (although I'll do them in quart jars so there won't be as many). In fact, while typing this I've gone and put the last batch on so I can go to bed in less than an hour!

Other than that, I'm doing well today. :p

I'm finished with my rest/maintenance week, and so far really happy with how it went. As of this morning I'm exactly where I was a week ago Sunday. The initial weight I gained is now gone. The real test will be how my weight loss goes over the next weeks though. It was an interesting experiment and kind of nice to have a week off with slightly higher calories. Of course none of this is worth anything if I can't stick to my lower cals now. So far, so good though.

Catherine - I know what you mean. Sometimes I like being alone, but generally I like the company, even if it's my mother. :)

Penny - yay for a room with lots of gym stuff. I keep thinking of the house that was sold when we moved here. It was my mother's house and I took my savings to help buy this one here (so it's ours), but boy, did it have a lot more room. I wouldn't have been fighting for space for things. Of course, I wasn't planning on living in that city so it really doesn't matter.

Merksie - sounds like a good solid plan. Traveling is tough since you don't prepare the food, but I suspect you'll find some reasonable choices. Also, ask for modifications if you can. I went out last week and asked for a few changes before the dish ended up at the table. Best of luck.

Annie - sigh, you mentioned cleaning. We're having company this weekend so I'll have to clean as well. Tidy up really, as well as cleaning. Oh well, has to be done. Good luck on your interview tomorrow!

Carol - no acronyms, but good luck on the focus. :hug:

Johnnie - I tend to have sinus problems with the pressure jumps all over the place. And although I love the heat... just not the humidity. We've actually been pretty good lately. I suspect it's because we've had a breeze. It always makes it feel cooler than it is.

Dusty - I know you don't want to, but go see the doctor. You just don't want to mess with your feet. I'm not against home remedies but you really don't want to leave it too long.

Miz M - I used to occasionally get the bad headaches (crawl into a hole and die types) but a couple of years ago someone handed me a couple of liquid Advil. For me these were fantastic. I still have to watch that I don't wait too long to take them, but even then it will usually push the pain far enough back that I can function.

Debbie - sorry that you're struggling. Maintaining is probably a good idea until you've sorted out what's wrong. Get well and strong and then go back and hit the weight loss trail again.

Well ladies, I think that's me caught up. I'm still waiting for the sterilizer to come to a boil but it shouldn't be long. I'm definitely looking forward to my bed tonight. I did a bad thing while canning this afternoon - did it barefoot. Tomorrow - definitely wearing shoes!

Carol – I’m glad you’ve found your way back to your routine. I’ve been circling op, but sometimes that brownie or chips are too big of a temptation. I started out bad this morning, but now I’ve redoubled my efforts and I’m fully back on South Beach Phase 1 for the next two weeks. I already feel so much better without the white flour and sugar floating around in my system. I have an overnight trip to Chicago planned for early September and it’s my goal to stay focused and work hard so I can buy a few new pieces of clothing for the trip.

Debbie – for me food is a distraction that numbs me. Recently, I’ve had a few occasions when I was able to identify the exact point when my brain shuts down (usually due to the beginnings of a stressful thought) and I find myself reaching for something soothing. I’ve used food and soda as a reward for “dealing” with life, since I was a child. This is how I handle life and I’ve done it for so long that it’s now an ingrained habit, but I’m really working on changing it.

Ria – Good luck on your trip to Las Vegas! It looks like you have a good plan for handling the situations you may be faced with during your visit. For me, planning ahead is more than half the battle.

Anne – Thanks for the tip about the liquid Advil. I’ll have to buy some. Your headaches sound a lot like mine. If I can catch them early and take a couple of pain relievers and go to sleep for a while, it will pass. If it gets too far along it’s horrible, to the point of nausea. Fortunately, I don’t have them too often and usually the weather is the culprit.

Penny – I’d love a place for my sewing machine. I have an ancient Singer that’s all metal so it weighs a ton. Every time I want to use it, I have to drag it out of its hiding place (it never gets put back in the same place twice). It’s so heavy I’m positive one day it will drop out of it’s case and break my foot when I’m hefting it up onto the kitchen table.

Annie – I hope you enjoyed your lazy day! Sometimes we just need a down day. Best of luck on your interview tomorrow!

Today at work my old boss knocked on my door. I wasn’t happy to see her even though I’m starting to get over my anger. She left without saying goodbye to most of the staff, but one or two of her pets got hugs and taken to lunch. She has a real Jekyll and Hyde kind of personality. One minute she’d ignore you, later she’d praise your hairstyle, then she’d jump down your throat about some minor issue. She was very light on her feet and was always lurking about listening to conversations. An internal joke was she needed a bell around her neck so we’d hear her coming. It got to the point that people were acting guilty even if they hadn’t done anything. Six years ago, she was just starting and we had our first full staff meeting. Someone asked what she’d prefer to be called, “Sue or Mrs. Ormond?” She said just call me “Queen Sue”. That about says it all. Our new director is just great and it’s finally a pleasure to go to work. She has a great personality and the bonus is she was promoted from a supervisor, a position that was equal to mine. Let’s just say she has had a lot of experience on the other side of the fence and knows what not to do.

I just heard the weather update and now they say the hot and humid weather is starting tomorrow. I hate thinking about it. We had a terrible tornado a few years back. The path was just a ½ mile north of our house. My mom and brother were home and I was working that evening. I’ll never forget being in the basement at work and trying to call home but all of the lines were down. Several houses were destroyed and a man who was one of my customers was killed when he was in his basement and the chimney fell on him. (Just awful). This year we’ve already had two tornados. The path of one went about ½ mile south and then east of our house. I was home for that one. We never realized it had touched down until it was all over. We found out how close it was when we were listening to the police scanner and started to hear the officers talking about streets that were just down the way. The 2nd tornado was actually a series of a dozen or so sightings with multiple touchdowns. I was at work that night. It was overwhelmingly like the tornado that had gone through in 2005 with such devastating results.


Well, it’s getting late and I need to get to bed so I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed for tomorrow.

I hope everyone has sweet dreams!
Miz M

Sigh. I too am the human barometer. I get terrible pressure headaches and am hypersensitive to changes in pressure.

Not much to report here. I am being surrogate mom tomorrow for one of my teens and taking her bra shopping. She is an adorable girl...will be a 10th grader and is being raised by a single dad (just like I was). She is also very very busty and does not wear proper bras and does not dress appropriately. I promised her a field trip and tomorrow is the day. We are both looking forward to it. I just hope that finding her the right sizes is not too difficult. Step 1 is getting her measured and we'll move on from there.

DH and I are heading to Buffalo for the weekend for my great aunt's 90th birthday. I promised him a trip to Niagara Falls on Saturday. It's been so long since I have been..any tips from my Canadian chickies?

Happy days to all...

oh jesus. its days like today im glad im not an emotional eater (im an emotional starver, actually)

it sucks. i dont even know how to put everything in perspective. but basically the one person i have been in love with most of my life (for over 10 years), that im just not the girl for him. we do have a long and sordid past, but its the past. i know most of you will just say "there are other men out there, or just let it go..." please dont. i appreciate the thought, but until you feel what i feel, you'll never know what its like. my heart is broken into a million tiny little pieces right now.

julee - do you want a Gazelle? i havent touched it in over a year. its BRAND new. you can just have it if you want it.

im gonna go take a xanax and go to bed.

also, for those of you that have had gastric surgery, PM me what youve had and what you thought of it. im seriously considering it. im tired of fighting, and im tired of being fat.

good night

OK - I'm still working on the F-O-C-U-S acronym but my focus is back. I am up 2 pounds this week. I do not like the feeling. I've played around too much the whole month of July. Yesterday was day one of staying OP, drinking my water and again using the daily plate - today is day two - I have the "power feeling" right now and wish Anne would can it for me for later use. The past two weeks have been the most off program I have been since September and I like my new lifestyle better. Social situations are definitely something I need to learn to deal with better.

As always I appreciate everything each of you has done for me - without the support I would not have had the success I have had thus far. What is kinda scary is the eating I did on Saturday normally would have stopped the weight loss train for who knows how long - that is a huge behavior change for me to be right back on. I'm alternately patting myself on the back and beating myself up over the slip up.

Soooooooo..........move your bodies, drink your water and SMILE (me too!)

Hugs to all,
Carol

Wow I am to far behind to catch up on personals.
Penny _ i finally have a home for my sewing maching, for years i had to drag it out of the cabinet to use it. I now have it in a bedroom upstairs. My daughters room who is in college. I am finding I use it alot more often with it out!
Nothing really new going on here. Trying to get a shower planned for my daughter in law..I kinda put it off and now the date for the shower is a week and a half away. Gotta get things going on it.
A friend came by last night with a bag full of 18/20 clothing last night.I was able to get a few things out of it. I even kept a pair of size 16 black dress pants(hopefully by the middle of winter they will fit). It was so nice of her thinking of me while she was cleaning out her closet! I gave her a dress my daughters refuse to let me wear...they say its ugly and that i look like a grandma in it.LOL Its new and she was thrilled with it.......she said with her being 6yrs older than i am its ok if she looks like a grandma.LOL I will be a grandma in a few months!
Im glad my daughters give input on my clothing right now. They are actually getting into our shopping trips and picking clothes out for me to try on. To bad i cant afford to buy many..besides i dont plan on staying this size!
I know that i could not have made it to this point without each and everyone one of you!! Thanks to everyone for always being there to give me a kick in the butt when i need it .....or the hugs when i needed them!!
dmpls- let us know about your head and how your feeling.
debi


Hope everyone has a wonderful day..
debi

Feeling a bit better today....head only hurts if I move it quickly......and then the pain goes away....its normal for an after migraine pain for me.....so I think I will be fine!

Dh just sprung on me a possible visit to his Brother (who is visiting down in Louisianna his son has a new baby girl) it is a 12 almost 13 hour drive......but we might be able to do it thurs night spend all day friday with them and drive back friday night sat am....Dh has tickets for a mets/reds game in cincinnatti for sunday we were suppose to go down early saturday and find something to do and spend the night in a hotel......however if we drive down to see his brother & the new baby.....we will probably have to skip the hotel & the sight seeing on saturday! Which would be ok with me........however my youngest was lookikng forward to it! She wouldn't be able to go with us on thursday since she is committed to watching the teacher I work with's baby on friday (actually all week so she can earn some mula for school clothes! LOL)

I posted my WI on monday not thrilled with it but still posted it........I maintained my 3lb gain for 3 weeks and this week had a 4lb gain! UGH! need to get motivated DH got on me last night about our plan....he walked for 30mins on the treadmill and then talked to me about our plans! We want to continue........he said if you don't want to tell me and I will quit too...........LOL I don't want that!!!! so I have to kick it into gear!

LOve all my SIL here and thanks for the kicks in the butt and the encouragement!

Good Morning Everyone!

Anne - As usual your energy just amazes me, I would have been prostrate with exhaustion just getting home with the cherries, not to mention doing all that canning and dehydrating. My mouth did water though just reading about all those scrumptious cherries.

Luann - So sorry for your heartbreak. I do know just how you feel, having been there and felt how you are feeling, more than once. Reading your post was like reading a diary from my younger years. In fact, in my past when I had significant weight loss (100+ lbs) it was triggered by relationship breakups. But since time does indeed help heal the heartbreak, the weight lost plus more always came back. This time around I began my current program just for me because I wanted to feel and move better and I feel more successful than ever in the past. I know you don't want to hear it, but I'm going to tell you anyway based on my experience, time does indeed help to heal heartbreak, but in the meantime I know how badly it hurts and my heart goes out to you :hug:

Carol - Quit beating yourself up. Don't focus on the "slip" on Saturday, focus on the fact that you jumped right back up on Sunday. Kudos to you for that and if you don't want to pat yourself on the back, I will do it for you. You are still doing great my friend. Remember we know based on recent weeks, that 2 lbs is most probably water weight.

Wishing everyone a great day.

Good Morning!
I am tired and feeling kinda lazy today, but know I have to get moving and drink water! (Right Carol) The plan for today is to take some shelves off the wall and clean them so I can get ready to paint. . . . . . someday! I have been saying I want to paint for 6 months. I gotta get the girls moving too. They just got finished with breakfast, so now is the time! They are not going to like me too much today as I am going to tell them they have to help!! They will get over it, cause I know they will want to go somewhere and they will have to ask me! HA! HA! Sometimes it is just fun being a parent. lol
Anne-Yeah on all the cherries! They sound yummy!
Luan-Sorry you are feeling yuk! I think I am an emotional starver too! I can't tell you anything about surgery from me, but from a hubby 10 years ago. It is not an answer, it is just a tool. And you have to work at that too! I know you will make a choice that will work best for you. Here is a hug from me girl! And know that we are here for you.
Carol-Good Morning! I hate water gains, but I am sure that it will be gone tomorrow. Stay positive, today will be a good day for you, I just know it!
Bernice-NO QUITTING. You have been doing wonderful! Your hubby is there doing it with you, that is great. The trip sounds nice, have a great time. Sorry to hear about the headache.
Well, I better go and start "torturing" the girls, as they would say(cause they have to clean)! lol Penny

Penny-When I’m doing well on trips, I have a travel sized blender I take for my shakes. Most of the time though, travel is just killer on staying OP, especially when it’s all expense account surf and turf and wine.

Anne-I saw a show on the half week diet. It’s for people who have trouble keeping their energy level up, or metabolism. You basically go low calorie for 3-4 days, and just when you body wants to shut down and go into starvation mode, you up your calories for 3-4 days to stoke the fire. I go through periods where I just don’t seem to have any strength, and I’ll up my calories for a couple of days. The problem with me is that once I up the calories, it’s hard for me to go back. I can’t eat off plan stuff, I just have to eat more on plan foods.

MizM-Growing up in Oklahoma, I have the same kind of tornado stories. The day I was born my folks lost the front windows on the house. That should have been an omen.

Julee-We’re still supposed to be going to Niagara Falls in October, and besides the falls, I want to go to the big outlet mall. I’m fairly uncomplicated. I like to window shop, but will only buy stuff in thrift stores and used book stores. I remember taking the boys down to buy their athletic cups. I asked the older boy’s dad to do it for me, and he came back with an adult one for an 8 year old. So off I went to Walmart, hoping no one I knew would see me reading labels in that department. I wasn’t about to ask for help. I kept the adult one, and they younger boy used it years later. I’m so glad I didn’t have to measure them anywhere for it. Those things pretty much only come in two sizes. I just couldn’t figure out which end went up.

Luan-you’re right, I can’t know what you’re going through. I do understand about getting tired of the fight though. I go through that everyday. Get some rest.

Carol-Don’t you hate having a relationship with food where you have to beat yourself up over eating? Eating should be something we just do, and instead it seems to fill almost my every waking moment. Sometimes I wish they’d come up with some kind of astronaut replacement that I could eat at intervals, and never mess with real food again. Alcoholics don’t have to drink every day to live.

Debi-I love having my sewing machine out most of the time. I can sew for 30 minutes here or there, or all day if I want to. I only put it up for dinner parties. I’m trying to get ahead on my sewing this summer for next winter. I’m making this whole layered coat outfit.

Bernice-One thing I miss about Florida is getting to go to spring training games. I love baseball. In spring training you get real close to the players too. The parks are smaller. Have fun which ever way you decide to go.

I’ve got loads of laundry waiting on me. I’ve got to get it cleared to make way for a suitcase full of it that I know he will come home with from Montreal. My energy is okay today, and that’s always a bonus.

Afternoon Ladies -

Debbie - 30 day shred is a 20 min work out by Jillian Michaels Didn’t get you use is yet. Having problems with my DVD player. :(

Annie - The movie was fun. It has been a long time since I have seen a 3d movie.:D Jacob loved it. But really what 7 yr old boy wouldn’t? Now he wants me to read the book to him by Jules Verne. I’ve been praying for ya this morning! How did the interview go?

Merskie - and others. I am feeling kinda too focused!:dizzy: I backed off my meal plan last week. Kept up my exercise. I felt like all I was doing was paying attention and fixating on food choices. So I sat down and did a whole week meal plan. So there will be no more daily planning. I just eat what is on the calendar.

Catherine - Hope you are missing Himself but still enjoying some private time! I am in a similar boat. Ryan is gone Sun to Tues and Wed to Friday each week. I love the evenings when the kids are in bed and I am by myself. Then I love the nights he’s home. It is a good balance for me. Love how you word "food as a sedative and pain killer". I do that too and I hope you don’t mind if I use the phrase occasionally especially in my journal.

Dusty - I had one removed from the sole of my foot! The pain was worth it! I would rate the pain as medium. More than a tattoo but less then giving birth!

Bernice - You can do it!:cheer3: You rock!

Carol - No acronyms from me either. None I would want credit for any ways! :p;):p

Luan - Hugs are sometimes all ya need for a broken heart!:grouphug:

For all who are suffering from seasonal allergies I hope that you are feeling better.

Julee-I would love to go to Niagara Falls! Hubby has seen it so maybe someday I will get there. Enjoy and take pics!

Julia-sorry about DVD player not working. Let me know about the workout when you can. I have thought about getting it. I didn't know your hubby travels too. It is nice to have some quiet time. Mine is going to work, I don't even turn the radio on.

Catherine-Yes, hubby takes a small blender with him too! We also got one for the camper so it was nice. He complains alot about staying op when traveling too.

It's lunch time, I'm hungry and the Schwans man just came. I did alright though I only got turkey filet mignon and some chicken and rice bowls. Oh and a mushroom spinach pizza that I have to put garlic on. I am thinking that 1/4 of it will be my lunch. I will put the rest in the freezer for 3 other meals. The kids don't like it. I have got half my water in so I should make it for the rest of the day. Still working and pushing the girls. They still aren't happy! HA! HA!

Help me out here - I need some suggestions - this is some of the better options that have been running through my mind

F - facing, forging, forming
O - opportunity, obstacles
C - creating, choosing
U - unlimited, unabridged, unbridled
S - SUCCESSES (can you tell I like that one)

Thanks for the help - now Johnnie if you could please turn around so I can pat you on the back we'll be even - thanks everyone!

Carol-me and the girls have been tossing it around too and we thought of some that you did. Facing obstacles creating ultimate success! But we are still working on it too. The others were O=only,obesity,open & other S=SANITY,safely & F=Finally
It is hard to think of. We like ultimate because they said I was giving them an ultimatium on having to do chores or else! lol

Carol & Penny - I like "Facing Obstacles, Choosing Unlimited Success". Now that you got me thinking about it, I'll have to see if I can come up with some other variations that I could use as motivation tools at work.

Miz M

Catherine, I bet you were wondering what that young whippersnapper could enlighten you on marriage. :rofl: I know I would be wondering. Yep, getting older sucks.

Carol, I'm sure you will get to the 75lb with your "focus" and motivation. Just don't do what I did and put so much focus on getting there, that once you reach it, you falter....which I have. The goals are nice, but for me, they make me backslide. I figure since I reached the goal, I could do what I want for a while, and then that's when I gain my weight back. Good luck to you, my friend.
When Anne cans the power feeling, can you please send me some?

Anne, all I can say, is you wear me out just reading about your day. Whew!!

MizM, I hope the tornado season won't affect you. Those are so devastating and I can only imagine how scary they are. I so hear you on food being something there to sooth you. I'm the same way. My need for food right now is the stress of my brother and family coming, money problems, and plain old boredom. I have to sit myself down and tell myself that the food isn't going to make this go away. Easier said than done.

Julee, have fun with your shopping trip. That's so sweet of you to take her to help her since she doesn't have a mom. It's going to be something she remembers forever. Have fun in Buffalo. The falls sounds like so much fun and so beautiful.

Luan, sorry to hear about the guy. No words can help you get thru it, just time, which you probably don't want to hear right now. I think most of us have been where you're at now, so we know how you feel. Take care and try and heal.

Debi, I want to go buy clothes so bad too, but won't because I'm hoping to be in smaller sizes in the near future. But it sure is fun to shop and dream. I'm glad you have the input of the girls to help you figure out some flattering clothes.
How's the shower planning going?

Bernice, that's so great that your hubby is encouraging you to stay on track. It sure does help when you're feeling at a low point.

Johnnie, Penny, :wave:

Julia, hope you get the DVD player working so you can try out the Shred. Sounds interesting. Let me know how it goes.

I went to the doc, and my A1C for diabetes is at 6.7. When I first was diagnosed, it was at 7.5, so I've come along way, and the 6.7 is without any meds, so I'm doing it thru food and exercise. The numbness in my feet, I will never get the feeling back since they've been numb for 3 years now. I have more feeling in my left foot, and my heel on my right foot is pretty much numb. My blood pressure was up a bit but he said it usually is in the morning. My dizziness he's said is probably from being dehydrated, so I have to up my water. I just haven't been drinking like I should since I was sick. He did check me for vertigo, and I don't have that, thank goodness. My cholesterol , the bad one, was a bit high, and the good one, a bit low, so I have to work on that. All in all, not the best report, but he didn't have any concerns, and told me to just keep up the good work on losing that weight.
The feet are what upset me the most. I don't want to have them go any more numb that what they are now. It's sorta scary to think that they could be chopped off. So again, this will keep me on the straight and narrow. I think I just got my motivation back for losing weight again.
Gonna go down some water.
Toodles,
Debbie

Greetings all!

Work has had me running in circles. At least it's on a big project where everyone is overwhelmed. I have 2 days to finish a "book" discussion on an issue that is humongous.

I worked late and then went on a bicycle ride for 10.2 miles. The squirrels didnt bother me at all (always a good sign).

Luan, *hugs* to you. Time is the only thing that takes away the sharpness of your pain. I'm sorry your heart is broken.

Anne, I'm exhausted listening to you too! Yum.. cherry jam. *dr00l*

Annie, fingers crossed!! How'd the interview go?

Debbie, sorry about your numb feets. Mine go numb from putting them in my mouth too much hehe.

I like the FOCUS acronyms!! I seem to come up with dirty words.. sorry. Mind in the gutter.

Off to the showers,
Luv,
Ratkitten

Hi all,

Good to see so many folks posting. Quite update on me. TOM is knocking on the door, and although I haven't seen a marked weight gain (I have been at or under 2000 calories for a few weeks now, and working out when I can), I have felt such frustration and anger with everyone around me. OK, mostly co-workers, and yes, they deserve it. But still, anger to the point of rage it feels. Argh, come on TOM, let's get this over with.

I am going to for some personals.

Ratkitty - the naughty FOCUS words, I have come up with some fun ones. Why oh why must my mind go directly there? Oh well, yours went with it. Glad to see you are doing ok, other than work kicking your butt (same here). I have written 3 150 page documents, 1 300 page document, and reviewed another 500 pages in the last 2 weeks. Ack.

Debbie - Sorry to hear about your feet. My father has diabetes quite bad, although he is controlling it better as he got older. But his Drs have told him the won't get better, just worse. And his feet ache horribly, which his Drs say is "good, at least you can feel them". He doesn't find that entertaining. You have done well with your diet, and I really hope to follow suit.

Carol - I would tell you to focus, but I won't since my "focus" doesn't say something inspirational. Sounds like you are getting it going though, so that's great!

Luan - keep fighting the fight. Why? Because that's what we do.

Annie - Any job news? By the way, you look FABULOUS!

Catherine - I am absolutely pathetic when DH isn't here. At work I am harsh (shocking, I know), self-sufficient, etc. At home, I can be harsh :o but I depend on him just to be here. And cook. And love me. He just needs to be with me, and everything will be ok. Or way more ok than without him.

I know I didn't get you all. Sorry about that. Need to eat some dinner, then hop on the bike at some point I think.

Angie

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! DH is walking as I type right now......boy I wish I enjoyed the treadmill more!

ok so we decided we are going to Louisianna to see his brother & new grandbaby, not to mention a nephew we havent seen since he was 10 and now he is 24 or 25! We are driving down thursday daytime.......getting a room....staying till Sat afternoon for a BBQ they are having....then driving home so we can leave for Cincinnatti and the Ballgame on sunday we don't have to be there till Sunday around 1pm....and it's only 2 1/2 hours away so we should be good to go! Also we wouldn't have to drive necessarily to Cincinnatti since the oldest Son & his fiance plus 2DS's gf will be coming they all can drive the 2 1/2 hours LOL!

youngest DD isn't too thrilled that she wont be going with us down to see her uncle & cousins....but she is committed and new clothes is a huge motivator! LOL Tommorrow she has a dentist appt... so her older sis who is in town will be babysitting for her....and I am taking her to look for a JOB tomorrow after her dentist appt!

Tomorrow I am going to fill my brita water jug and keep it filled I am going to set a new record for me in amount of water in one day! eat a healthy breakfast and MOVE MOVE MOVE those are 3 minoot goals for tomorrow in the MORNING! I will post my afternoon goals tomorrow after breakfast........lets see how well I do this way!

Hugs to everyone.........yes I'm reading........my head is not in the slightest ready to post comments for anyone else who is struggling right now............wish I could be a bigger motivator! At least know my heart is there with you all!

I'm similarly a bit of a mess without hubby. I was single and independent until my mid-30's, and yet I feel like I turn to a bit of goo when he goes out of town. I tend to overeat.

He goes out of town 3 of 4 weeks and sadly, but usually it's just for 1-2 days. I do seem to be getting used to it and don't have the same kind of reaction I used to.

I don't do well with hubby gone either - I travel every other week and don't mind but I sure don't like it when he is gone.

Tonight I didn't go to my exercise class - BUT - when I got home I did 45 hard minutes in the water - I think I will try to do that tomorrow night too.

Catherine - it's an unhealthy relationship we've all had with food. I would just like to not think about what I can eat, or what my next meal is, etc. Times like this though then have me obsessing over journaling, exercise, etc. A happy balance is what I'm after. I thought about you tonight while I was working in the pool - wished you were here.

Rat - gotta admit that some of the same ideas crossed my mind.

Angie - how great to see you - you're doing well - keep up the good work!

Thanks for all the acronym suggestions - still trying to come to grips with it all.

Annie - how was the interview? Hugs to you.

Hugs to all,
Carol

Hi all,

Interview was great. Sadly they had over 80 people apply for the position! So, now it is a waiting game for at least a week they said. So, I will continue to search.

Carol: I like the focus. I was thinking of face our compulsion until success! lol. Glad you are back on track sweetie.

Johnnie: Hi girl. Glad to see ya.

Dusty: so sorry about the feet problems you are having. It sounds very painful.

Mizm: Hot, hot and more hot for you it sounds like. Stay as cool as you can.

Debbie: I love the skateboard idea. Glad that your Dr report was better than last time.

Catherine: Your tub sounds cool! Enjoy your time with "himself" when he comes home.

Penny: Hi

Anne: My goodness you are a busy little bee! No wonder you are tired.

Julee: Have fun bra shopping. That is such a sweet thing to do.

Luan: Double hugs to you. Do you still have my email address? If you don't let me know and I will pm you with it again. You can ask me anything you want but believe me having gastric bypass or any weight loss surgery doesn't end the fight. It makes it a bit easier and a bit harder. Hugs.

Debi: Yipee for new clothes in smaller sizes.

Bernice: Hope you have a really fun trip.

Julia: Glad you enjoyed the movie. I will have to give it a go.

Rat: Don't work too hard! I think of you every time I ride my bike. I did 8 miles yesterday all at once. Huge accomplishment for me.

Angie: I hope Tom shows up asap!

Well, I think I am alllll caught up for now. Hugs to everyone who is in need of one.

Blessings all,
Annie

Hi All,

I'm kind of just diving in here, testing the waters. Hope you don't mind. I just wanted to pop my head in and say hello and introduce myself. So HELLO!! :D I'm a little overwhelmed with this thread...lots of post on here!...but I'll try to participate more on the next one. Or at least when I can wrap my head around this one. :dizzy:

Take care everyone...I look forward to getting to know you!

Hugs,

M'Chelle aka Bumblebee

Carol, how about....

F ~ fulfillment
O ~ of
C ~ creating
U ~ ultimate
S ~ success

Debbie - The doctor is glad of your progress with losing weight. That is great. Sorry to hear about the numbness. I like the "focus" you came up with too!

Bumblebee- Welcome!!!!

Annie-glad the interview went well. I always hate the waiting too, I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you!

Carol- Glad that you got some exercise in. Young daughter and I went to the Y tonight and played some basketball and then an hour of pool. She is getting so good. I wish we had a pool, yours sounds nice and I am glad you are using it.

Ratkitten- You are doing well!

Angie- I'm with you I just want TOM to hurry and be done.

Well, Older daughter just came home from work so I will have to go and talk to her for a little bit. Goodnight all! Penny

Yeah my FOCUS acronyms all had a dirty word in it too..and thoughts about Chocolate Understanding Sorrow...but that's just me :)

Bra shopping was nice. We also got all sorts of discounts and stuff because the gal at the store remembered my young friend and my mom had coupons in their system...so we cleaned up. I treated her to a bra and bought a few myself. We were at SOMA Intimates, which is owned by Chicos. They have several styles of bras up to 42DDD and they were lovely. I actually got properly fitted and the 3 I got are amazing. I got a $55 strapless for $19 and 2 other that are rather sexy if I do say so myself (hello leopard and lace!).

Luan...refresh me..what's a Gazelle? Does it have to be fed? (kidding) I am so sorry for your heartbreak. It never feels good...even when they "mean well". I once had a man tell me (after a rather intimate weekend together) that I was practically perfect and that if the think girl inside me came out I'd be the one for him. Be strong...for yourself. You are so wonderful and such a fantastic person.

Catherine...I hit the outlets once I think. DH is not a shopper and although he would tolerate being dragged along we aren't going to have too much time so we'll make the trip worth our while. I just don't dig the boat ride and the ponchos and the water....ugh.

Nothing else new here...it's hot and I am trying to not be too lazy each day. My exercise bug went away and I haven't dine anything since my walk last week. BOO. Tomorrow night we have tickets to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Manhattan Transfer at an amazing outdoor concert venue and it's my job to bring the picnic dinner. Whee.

julee - google "tony little gazelle" its like an elliptical.. kinda

as for the gastric bypass. its not just a snap decision i made. ive been looking at information for a long time. i know its not just a snap solution. im sorry if i came off that way.