Hmmm, I typically go for a less "caloric" choice (a fresh pot o' coffee, maybe). If I'm avoiding stress eating, I'm usually drinking a bit more coffee or unsweetened iced tea... That way I get "something" even if its not the bad stuff...

Doesn't always work, but its better than just trying to have nothing and still stay on the wagon.

Good Luck!

Dean

Hi Everyone!
Dean so sorry your meds make your coffee not taste as great as it used to but glad you still enjoy it.
Natasha I am glad you asked that question. I like Deans answer about the drinks. I think Fi uses chewing gum. I need to learn and stop and think of options.
annsokos good job staying on plan!!!
Sam cleaning carpets is as much exercise as going to the gym in my book.
Fi hang in there. We are all rooting for you. Do the seasons effect your depression?
fightbrave I am proud of you too! Just remember if we keep moving we will be less of a big mama.
Betsy not to be needy BUT... I miss you.
I am feeling such a strong urge to get my house in order before the winter. Last winter was awful and this one is supposed to be worse.
Have a peaceful day.

Good Morning!

Nice cool morning here in TN. Doggies were sleepy when I headed out the door.

Starting the day with hazelnut coffee again today. Looks like its shaping up to be a great weekend. I'll likely try to make sure I've got a good coat of wax on the vehicles before the cold weather gets here.

Take care,

Dean

Good Morning!
Dean we will have a high of 64 today, right now it is 55. What is your idea of a cool morning in Tennessee?
Busy day planned today with grocery shopping, cooking, errands, and kids. Food is going better but still not good enough to be losing...
Have a peaceful day.

the scale says i lost 4lbs!.cant believe it!!.i need to weigh again!
I AM HAPPY!

50s in the mornings... Likely upper 70s by afternoon. bright and sunny...

Not too cool, but just enough to make sure you know its fall!

Dean

Good morning all. Sounds like all of us are continuing our daily struggles with losing weight -- some more successfully than others. Put me in the "not as successful" column!

Just a short pass through to say hi to everyone. Miss you guys, too, Ubee -- I feel very disconnected! Off to take Bill to PT then I'm going to shampoo the rugs in the living and dining rooms and reconcile my accounts. I also need to close out some accounts and need to update some medical services providers about the switch over to Medicare that occurs on October 1.

Still yo-yoing on the weight loss. Mentally I start the day raring to go and by mid-morning it seems I've completely lost the will. But, I know I'm the only one who can change that!

Have a great day and a great weekend. The mood to get ready for winter has hit me, too, Ubee -- I'm starting way early with getting the screens down off the back porch, power washing the deck, pulling the old plants, etc. I give it about 1.5 hours before this mood has passed!

Pls send me some of your cool temps - it was 85 today, & that's cool for us!

I love the look of all the Fall displays in magazines etc. but it just looks all wrong to start decorating here when it's blazing sunshine & still just too hot to move much, lol!

Off the wagon agin........sigh
 

Oh for heaven's sake, just when I was feeling ....you know......almost that I was in the groove with it all along come several challenges and upset the applecart (mixed metaphor....sorry!)
I tripped on one of the puppy's toys and went flying....landing very heavily ( how else to land when you are the size that I am??) on my already grumpy knees. So bang goes the walking for a couple of days until they settle. Then my ever present rattly chest has a bad couple of days.
To really top it all, my beautiful daughter has just gone to University.
Don't misunderstand me, I am incredibly proud of her. She has wanted to be a doctor since she was 8 years old and has worked really hard in high school to get to Uni. I also have her gorgeous 9 year old brother still at home, but I had a really special bond with my girl as for a long time there was just the two of us.
We moved her into a lovely en-suite room in purpose built accommodation and she was happy and confident and ready for it all...it was wonderful to see.
In a really selfish way, I wished it was me! When I left home for college I had had such an awful upbringing I had no self esteem and no confidence, couldn't mix and spent a lot of my time in my room. Oh! To be able to do it all again! I know this sounds a bit dramatic, but since I had to give up my profession as a Physiotherapist, I have felt that I don't have much of a purpose or relevance any more. I think it is just middle-aged lady angst but does any one have ANY advice ( apart from what I am telling myself ...which is "Stop feeling sorry for yourself you daft old lady")
So sorry guys, I will pull myself together soon!
Big Hugs from a very sunny Wales!

Good Morning!
I need to make getting on here a priority. I know I am slipping when I think it is OK to have nachos for breakfast!
Donna there is something so peaceful about accepting where we are in life. What could possibly be more important and rewarding then teaching and nurturing your son? What about all the support you give us by being part of our group? Let's not forget your doggies. (Right Dean?) Sometimes it is hard not being in the glitter and glamor of life. Take pride in living a simple but very meaningful life. I do. If you ever need more just let me know. This is one of my favorite topics!
Shinesgirl I'll send you our gentle rain and temps in the 50's this morning getting to a high of 62 however, I do not want your hot weather until January! How are you doing?
Betsy your working moods can last 1.5 hours??? No wonder you get so much done! Now what are we going to do to get back losing weight?
Dean how was your weekend?
fightbrave yipeeee! on the 4 lbs! That is a bag of sugar!
Hope everyone is doing well and has a peaceful day.

Hi everyone!

Just thought I'd jump in and introduce myself as a newbie in town. I'm 27, from Sydney, Australia and entering the final 6 months of my PhD.

I also weigh just over 370 pounds. *tires screech/glass shatters* Shocker!

I've been obese my entire life. Fat family, mother who showed love with food and of course your standard gen Y laziness addiction. Enough is enough. I can't be this size at 30. No siree.

So I'm here. I'm calorie counting and getting back into a consistent workout schedule. Would love to support others along the way, and hopefully get some in return. HI!

Welcome MissBB!
I love your positive energy. With an attitude like that it will be a fun journey.
What will you be getting your PhD. in?
Good luck and glad to have you join us!

Thanks Ubee :D
My thesis is about the appropriation of the Southern Gothic genre of literature to screen and it's resonance with an avant garde critical theory from the 50's called psychogeography. #yawn
That's just the roundabout way of saying I'm a terminal film student ;)

Happy autumnal equinox. Time to start winterizing the house and yard to get ready for rainy season......and if I'm a really good girl, a winter trip in the RV to warmer climes. More on that later.

MissBB Welcome and Ubee is right -- love your positive attitude. Your PhD sounds interesting and challenging. This is a very supportive group and we're all devoted to getting healthy. I can honestly say that while I've been struggling mightily to get back into a consistent losing trend, this group is what has kept me from just giving up and regaining all of the weight.

Ubee I'm sure they were a very healthy breakfast type nacos, right Ubee! I totally understand as I'm finding that staying on plan for even half a day is becoming a challenge. And on that 1.5 hours of working.....one does have to actually start instead of just planning. In other words, I've managed to do the one thing that I have down pat--procrastinate. And the fact that there's a direct link between being able to do house/yard work and my weight does not seem to compel me to stay on plan. How can anyone who is supposedly so smart be so dumb (that's me, not you)!

Donna Any time I read about a single mother who has successfully raised a child or children, I am in absolute awe. And if you didn't have the background to make it a natural event, even more credit should go to you. I would say that you have done one of the most important things in life - much more than I was able to accomplish. Hope those knees are feeling better -- mine hurt just thinking about landing on them. Be kind to yourself.

Sam How are you doing these days? I've read your posts, but just haven't been doing one offs. You remain my inspiration for staying on plan and being able to see results. Now please come to WA and kick me in the rear so that I get back on plan and stay there for more than 20 minutes.

Fi Hope that depression pain is beginning to abate for you. Sounds like it's a really bad period for you right now, and wish that there was something that I could do to make it better.

I know I have skipped some people, and hope that no one is insulted by it -- I'm slowing getting my life back after caring for my BIL after hip replacement surgery. I'm using the equinox as starting point for getting me back on track. After yesterday's complete failure to last even through the morning, I've decided that I'm going to literally do this on an hour by hour basis today. My goal will be to get through an hour without cheating. Longer term goal is to stay on plan through the end of September. I want to lose 30 pounds by the end of the year and 50 by the end of February. If I do that, then I'm going to let myself take a winter trip to the Southwest. Otherwise, I have to stay home and watch it rain. OK, anyone else want to set some goals and see if we can give ourselves a specific reward? It has to be something that we really, really, really want and that is reasonable to have to give up if we don't stay on plan.

On that note, I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend and has a good week ahead. More doctor's appointment and PT for BILL, but we're coming in to the end of this little journey.

Ubee ~ Yes Zebra's are my favorite animals, Zebra's and Long Haired Chihuahua's.

MissBB ~ Welcome to the thread and the forum

Thanks Betsy and Terra! After poking around various big calorie counting website forums, I think this place is much more my speed ;)
Looking forward to being more of a part of it.

Good Morning!

Weekend RACED by, but we went to a Sandy Patti concert yesterday afternoon and had a great time.

Starting off the week with McDonald's coffee this morning.

Have a great day!

Dean

Good Morning Everyone,

The week passed by me last week...I hardly posted here...Trying to get back in the groove of things...I was doing so well with eating this week but was having a hard time getting back in the gym. I only went once, it kicked my butt but it's what I needed then with various things going on with work and home I wasn't able to get in the rest of the week...Then my friend came down for the weekend to visit. I love her but I'm starting to realize that she is a bad influence when it comes to me staing on plan. I didn't eat on plan at all the whole time she was here. Got on the scale yesterday morning and it said I had gained 4 lbs :(....I'm not going to sweat it, I just gotta get up, dust myself off, and push hard this week to make up for it. I ate cookies and cakes, and had greasy mexican food....I did make chicken salad for us one night for dinner but that was the extent of my good eating. I was wanting to go to the gym and take her with me but because of time with my trial run on Saturday for a wedding, it didn't happen....

So I come here with my tail between my legs because I knew I shouldn't have eaten that bad this weekend but I've got it out of my system and I'm back to being me...My infection has fully cleared and I'm going to push it this week working out at home and at the gym AND eating right. This morning I had some left over frittata that DH made us for breakfast yesterday with some coffee...DH also made a big pot of great northern beans that we had for dinner last night so I brought left overs for lunch today. I think I'm going to try and work out at home tonight while DH is at practice so I can roast my pumpkin tonight...I got it to have a nice salad this week with the pumpkin flavors...yum, I hope it turns out well.

Anyway I gotta get back to work but I needed to come and see everyone's love and support since I know I was a bad weight loss buddy this past week...I missed everyone!! I hope everyone has a great day!

Good Morning!
Sam come on girlfriend stay on plan! So, what are you going to do about this friend? Is she doing this on purpose? Sometimes our friends get weird when we lose weight. I know some of mine freak out if they think I might get thinner then them.
Terra are you shopping at Walmart or just going along to hang out?
Dean sorry I am not a fan of McCoffee even if it is free. Looked up Sandi Patty, nice. Must admit it is strange but good to see a large mature woman on stage.
MissBB how is it going? Thanks for explaining that you are a film major. I was not too sure about that!
Betsy sorry but I've got to speak my mind. I think you should go on the trip no matter what. The reward should be during the trip. This way you know you will be going no matter what and you do not have an out. It will keep you on track otherwise you can procrastinate by putting off your trip until... You know if you are going for sure you do not want to go at this weight. It is kinda like losing for a wedding. There is a definite deadline.
I had a very bad time with food lately. My head feels more in the game today.
Have a peaceful day.

MissBB Welcome :)
Fightbrave Congrats on the 4lb loss. Keep up the great work.
Mountain Walker Sorry about the fall. I am happy for your daughter her going on to bigger things speaks volumes about what a great mom you are.
Dean It was hot all weekend (like 95) but we have a cold front coming in soon. Morning temp 60's which is perfect since I am going to try the C25K tomorrow morning. I am sure the concert was wonderful.
SamIam Glad the infection is cleared and don't worry about eating bad. You are back on track and thats all that matters.

Thanks for all the suggestions on what to do about stress eating. I couldn't really stop myself this weekend. I just felt so down with everything that is going on with my kiddo. He is an awesome little guy and super smart it just hurts that I can't get this resolved for him any faster.

Hi everybody!,
Sam....I had someone that I worked with who was an incredible diet saboteur and would bring in cakes etc when she knew we were all trying to stay on plan.....but she never ate any herself!
Betsy...thanks for the good wishes my knees are still grumpy but not as bad as I had feared!
Dean....I am with you for a MACOFFEE it's cheap, it's handy and you don't even have to get out of the car in the rain!
Well my big news is that I have had an attack of common sense and decided to downgrade my fundraising walk to 2 miles instead of 8. This is partly due to the grumpy knees but also my ever-present chest problems make themselves known again and 8 miles would just not be doable. I would rather aim modestly than aim too high and fail!
Food rubbish for the last few days but back to it now and slowly back to walking so we will see!
Have a great day!!

Ubee I'm back at it lady don't worry!! I don't think she purposefully tries to sabotage me...She is kind of trying to lose weight herself but she always wants cakes and cookies and stuff at night and she drinks soda...so when she's around I have a hard time trying to say no...and I think that's because the food is around me, and when she's not here, it isn't around. I would hope that she isn't trying to make it any harder for me to lose weight. She is getting ready to have to relocate again for work so instead of being an hour and a half away from me she's going to be close to 3 or 4 hours away from me so she won't be able to come down as often. I'm not really even sure when the next time I will be able to see her so I'm not to worried about her hindering anything...I just have to keep pushing like I always have. Thank you for the love and the extra kick in the butt I need to get back at it <3

Believe You're right, and thank you for love. I'm back at it and as long as I continue to try and push harder, I will continue to get to where I need to be. :)

Donna I also have someone at work who does the same exact thing!! She has been bringing me pumpkin pie donuts a couple times this past month and it was really hard to resist it...I'd feel bad because she would get a special one just for me...Ugghhh...I don't think she's trying to sabotage me either, but she eats nothing but junk and when she brings her kids in after picking them up from school they eat junk and drink soda too...My boss is trying to get her to feed her kids healthier things and quit with the soda drinking...She spends all kinds of money on food for them that they never even eat!!! They definitely have her wrapped around their fingers so my boss is trying to help break them of that habbit.

I wanted to post again because my boss isn't here today and it's extremely slow lol....Plus is makes up for the time that I haven't posted in the past week hehehe =smile=...Trying to get my water intake in as much as possible because I drank soda this weekend..Just had a mid morning snack about an hour ago (grapes) and I have a white bean soup for lunch that DH made last night that is delicious!

thanks to all who assisted me in losing this weight!

Popping in again.
fightbrave glad you find the support here so helpful!
Sam you know I'll be keeping my eye on you to make sure you make it! Let me know if you figure out a plan for the pumpkin doughnut lady. Some people I can say no to but not the sweet ones.
Donna good move on shortening the walk. Progress not perfection.
Natasha sending you a hug. It is so hard to watch our children struggle. Let us know how it goes with your little guy.

Just typed out a long post and the system froze (3FC, not my computer). So, instead of individual greetings, you're getting a group wave. All fingers are involved on the hand as I know these things happen.......

I'm still not feeling very well, still in the midst of a bigtime episode of depression. I have reason to hope that it will come to an end soon, but in the meantime I'm still dealing with a lot of pain.

Not all is downbeat, though. This morning it happened that I tossed my tie-dye skirt on the couch, and immediately the kittens jumped up on it. I grabbed my iPad and started taking photos of what started with them washing themselves apart, then soon became a frenzied bout of tussling combined with mutual washing. They looked like they had a fabulous time, and at the end of it they went to sleep. Obviously most of the pics I snapped were too blurry to use, because of how fast the kittens were moving, but I did manage to find fifteen that had temporarily frozen motion, so I give them to those of you who appreciate my kitten pics. They are absolutely in order of how the events occurred. I hope you find them amusing. They're certainly colorful, I can promise you that.

Here they are:
one--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight--nine--ten--eleven--twelve--thirteen--fourteen--fifteen

ubee Please keep and eye on me! :)....I just need to fight the urge with the pumpkin donut lady lol....I usually am pretty good and will tell her no at first and then she'll be all "well if you change your mind its up here" then that little voice in me fights back and forth until I finally throw in the towel and eat it...Luckily today it was just me and her and she said she was going to go next door to Subway and get some cookies and didn't even ask me so maybe she's getting the hint..you'd think after seeing me work so hard this year losing weight that she would get the picture not to offer me or get me anything lol...I'm going to keep on fighting!

Fightbrave I'm glad this thread is being useful to you...I know it has helped me out a ton since I've started my journey...Everyone in here is a part of my little weight loss family now and I don't know where I'd be without them!

Fi As always LOVE the kitty pics!! # 6, 8, & 15 are my favorite...Those big eyes staring at their mom in #6 just gets me...It's so nice to share them growing with all of us. I'm sorry you're going through the depression pain and hope that it does clear soon...((((HUGS))))

Well I think this may be the 3rd? time posting today lol...Hope nobody minds, I'm in a posting mood...Work was boring as all get out today and didn't start to pick up until 10 minutes before we closed...Had to run and get a few things at the store after work before DH left for band practice...My cats and turtle needed food :)...DH left his phone at home on accident and I didn't find it until I sat down for a rest during my work out. I decided to work out at home this evening since DH needed the car and it's raining outside....I did my Turbo Jam Cardio Party video tonight...It's been awhile since I've done any Turbo Jam and it felt great to get it done...I need to get back to doing Turbo Jam a couple times a week because I'm sure it definitely helped with my weight loss up until this point being a HIIT cardio video. I'm pouring sweat and tired, but I did it even when I kinda felt like taking a chill day...I told myself to get off my lazy butt and do it!! I didn't work out all weekend while my friend was here so I definitely got enough rest and had no excuse. I'm glad I did it because it's been kind of hard for me to get back in the swing of things since I had my infection...I really hate when things like that happen because I feel like it hinders in my goals lol...

I don't normally do this but I want to weigh myself tomorrow just to see where I am from Sunday. I talked to my friend Danielle who is a Beach Body coach and has helped me along my journey and she seems to think that maybe I'm holding some water weight with the salt and sugar I ate over this weekend. She may be right but I tell you what I've drank about a gallon of water today so I'm sure I'm getting rid of it lol...least I hope.

I'm about to go roast a pumpkin with some red onion now that I've cooled down from the work out for salads this week. I've never had a roasted pumpkin but found a nice recipe on Pinterest that I want to take a few things from and create my own salad. I have some mixed greens that I bought from the store and will have the roasted pumpkin, red onion, pumpkin seeds, tomato (not sure if I'll roast as well) and some fresh goat cheese. I also need to find a good recipe for a dressing that will go good with this...maybe balsamic?

I hope everyone had an OP day! Enjoy the rest of your night! :)

Ubee ~ Yeah I went just to hang out.

Hi everyone,

This is not my first time to 3FC but it is my first time posting here to this thread. I hope you don't mind another person joining. I'm currently 6 weeks on plan with calorie counting and exercise. A brief history of my journey:

Overweight my whole life since I was 14 years old.
Moved to South Korea in 2009 to teach internationally. Weighed 390lbs.
2011 Went back to the states for one year at 275lbs after calorie counting and exercising only with WATP videos.
May 2012 Lost my mom at age 50.
August 2012 Moved to China to go back to teaching.
August 18, 2014 Got back on plan with calorie counting and workout dvds. Not sure of starting weight.
September 20th, 2014 Finally got a scale and devastatingly says 417 lbs.


My goals:
1) Deal with the loss of my mom through a healthy way.
2) Stay on track with calorie counting.
3) Workout DVD's at least 30 mins per day with one day off a week. (Living in China as a large woman makes working out at the gym or outside walking trails impossible and too emotional due to the mean comments, stares, photo taking, etc.)

I look forward to this journey and I never want to be back on it again.

My motivation to lose this weight is because I have done it before so I know I can be successful. I also know that this huge weight gain of 125lbs I totally contribute to emotional eating and the 60 days I lived in the hospital ICU with my mom eating nothing but hospital food three times a day and sitting on the couch in that room everyday. My emotional eating has been out of control for the past two years but I know my mom would want me living a better life for myself. My boyfriend is very supportive, however, he constantly reminds me he loves me now and will love me the same after I lose this weight. It is completely my decision to do this because I want to be healthier, I want to be able to fly home to the states more often and not have to purchase two seats, and I want to be able to have a healthy pregnancy sometime in my future.

Thanks for having this thread that I hope to utilize to help keep me accountable.

Thanks for the warm welcome again everyone! Aren't y'all lovely?

Oh Shan84 you poor thing. I'm so sorry you lost your mother at such a young age. It's vicious the effect grief can have on our battle with weight. And I certainly don't envy you being a large woman living in China - I've travelled all through South East Asia and it can be totally demoralizing. I can't imagine living there. I'm glad you've found your way here! Hopefully we can kick this thing together!

It feels funny to admit that a big reason for my drive to get this weight off me once and for all is the fact that I want to be as fit as humanly possible to have a baby. I mean, not for at least 5 years or so, don't get me wrong! But I just know carrying a child at this size would be difficult to say the least. So I hear ya!

My week so far has been a combination of marking, marking, writing, reading, marking, marking. OH and long walks with my poochies. AND finally we are getting some consistent warm weather, which always equates to better food choices for me. It gets too easy to curl up with a bowl of something "comforting" (i.e. calorie laden) in winter!

Good Morning, Everyone!

Nice morning in the 50s here in East TN. Starting the day with a nice cup of autumn blend and a Protein baked bar...

The missus and I and the dogs got in a nice walk yesterday afternoon. I'm looking forward to stressful day in the office today, but I'll survive (Might have to put some music on late in the day, though).

Have a great day!

Dean

Good morning all. While I'm not looking forward to winter arriving, one nice thing is that so many people are posting and we're getting new friends on our journey to getting healthy. Hopefully I'll have better luck with posting today an not lose everything!

Dean -- Sounds like you've gotten back into your routine quickly and are enjoying the cooler temps that this time of year brings. Hope the doctor reports have been good.

MissBB -- It's a friendly and supportive group -- including giving us a kick in the pants when we need it. Glad you've joined us.

Shan84 -- You have been riding on a roller coaster for so long and have to be ready to have this ride stop. It is so difficult to deal with losing a close family member, but you'll find the support you need here. Thanks for sharing your background with us.

Sam -- Glad you're back in a posting mood and no we don't mind if you post 3 times a day. It sounds like you're beginning to get back into your normal patterns. On the donut lady front. She sounds as though she's just trying to be friendly or polite even, but I'd suggest just asking her to not include you in the snacking. Doesn't have to be confrontational, but just explain how hard you've worked, how hard it is to resist, and that while you appreciate her trying to include you that this is one area of your life where changes have had to be made. Hopefully she'll understand. If you think she's just trying to connect, why don't you suggest sharing bringing in snacks only make them healthy like some veggie sticks or cut up fruit. You're right -- you've come too far to let yourself get sabotaged now even if it's not intentional.

Fi -- So glad you posted, love the pictures of your babies (although they're getting to be so big) but am so sorry about the ongoing depression pain. I've been worried about you, and hope that this pain makes an exit pretty soon.

Donna -- So glad that you decided to still walk, but reduced that distance. It's great to set goals and try to do things that would definitely be a challenge, but not if they're going to be a risk to our overall health. Hope things are looking up for you with the knees.

Ubee -- HELP!!! I'm stuck in some crazy rut where I think that I have to get things ready for winter. Oh wait, it's almost October, I do have to get things ready for winter. Now all I need is some stamina -- back to the gym, back to eating right, back to making out lists to guilt me into getting stuff done. Love guilt -- one of the best motivators for me.

Terra -- Is it cooling down for you yet so that your walks are more comfortable?

Heading off to the gym for the first time in weeks. Going to take my BIL to PT this afternnoon, power wash the deck, and start working on sorting through pictures for scrapbooks for my nephews. I've gone back on Intermittent Fasting so I have some hope of getting my eating back under control. It worked so well for me last time I was serious and it's definitely time to get serious!

Doc reports have been OK on the blood clots/thinner front, but my A1C was higher than she liked. Currently taking metformin and trying to watch carbs...

Hoping the next test is much better.

Dean

Shan...welcome. I had an insight into Eastern attitudes to bigger women when I visited Japan a couple of years ago.....I was truly uncomfortable and had to be really careful where I sat to have a coffee as the chairs were often made for bottoms ALOT smaller than mine! How awful to have such a long drawn out final journey for your Mum. I was in the hospital for a very short time when my Mum was really poorly and I can't imagine how emotionally draining it must have been. Big Hugs xxx
Betsy: how many hours do you have in your day? You seem to achieve more before breakfast than I do all day!
Fiona my lovely....hang in there. This will pass, you know it will, the sun will shine again soon.
I am off to take my puppy to Training Classes shortly.......she was great last week, it was me that messed up! Still struggling with my half empty nest but (thanks Ubee) spending as much quality time with my 9 year old as possible!
Hi to everyone I haven't personalled!
Donna

Shan84 Welcome to this thread! You have come to the right place. No doubt will we help keep you accountable as much as possible. Everyone here is full of love, even the tough kind we need from time to time. I am sorry you lost your mother at a young age. I lost my dad when I was 4 and even after him being gone for almost 24 years, it still hurts. I hope you'll stay awhile, the more people here the better! I hope you are having a great day and thanks for sharing your story with everyone.

BB Sounds like the weather is treating you nicely in your part of the world :)....It's been rainy and cloudy here since yesterday. I don't mind it though...It's getting me prepared for the fall weather which I love. I too have decided to lose this weight once and for all so that I can hopefully have a baby. I have PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) so it is going to be hard enough to be able to conceive, I don't want my weight to get in the way...My DH also has a hormone imbalance so it's going to be double hard for us, but I'm not giving up hope just yet.

Dean Oh the 50s sound so lovely!! It's cooler here today...actually got to wear a sweater to work :) but I'm ready for it to be a little cooler out. Hope work wasn't too stressful today.

Betsy I really am focused again...Ever since my friend died I don't think I've been the same...It really did take a toll on me. I didn't even think that it was the reason why I've been a little slack with everything...even though I've been working out...I need to be 100% because 80% just isn't cutting it for me. Sounds like you still have a lot on your plate with getting ready for winter, BIL, etc...Just make sure to make time for yourself as well :)

Donna Hope the training class went well today...Don't worry about the nest being a little empty....You will be ok, and she will too :)...Just look at it in a positive way and you can now hopefully have a little more me time to focus on what you want to do with getting healthy :)

Well today I woke up with a terrible migraine and didn't come into work until 11:00. My nose was kinda stuffy yesterday too and now today its running and my throat feels sore....I really hope this isn't going to turn into a nasty cold with all of these upcoming responsibilities getting ready to be here after this week. Either way I'll have to push through because 1, I need the money, and 2, it will put more experience under my belt.

My work out at home last night went really well...I actually have missed working out at home so tonight I'm going to do it again since it's raining out, I really don't feel like going out in it. I haven't even heard from my work out buddy to see if she even wanted to go to the gym tonight...I guess maybe she's on a hiatus...who knows. Going to try and maybe do the gym tomorrow if weather is ok...or maybe DH and I can go on one of our walks that we both miss so much. I'm trying to focus on getting more cardio back in my routine and still fit in some weight lifting. I know being a cardio bunny will get the weight off but I also need to remember I need the weight lifting to tone so I don't have so much hanging skin. So far my skin isn't too bad and I think the most I'll have it will be in my stomach...hopefully I'll get it toned right to wear a bikini next summer...How awesome would that be?

Last night I roasted a red onion, a small pumpkin and it's seeds for salad this week. DH was kind enough to throw together a yummy salad dressing consisting of peach, roasted red onion, balsamic, olive oil, salt and a smidge of sugar. The salad was mixed greens with chicken breast, pumpkin, tomato, onion, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese with the dressing....It was absolutely delicious and I can't wait to have it again tomorrow for lunch. Tonight we're making a chicken pot pie with some left overs. DH is going to only put the crust on top of mine so that I limit the intake of carbs. I haven't had a home made chicken pot pie in so many years I'm pretty excited about it and he's going out of his way to make a healthy version for me which makes me feel so loved :) <3.

Well I guess I need to change out of my work clothes and get ready to work out...May as well get it out of the way so that I can relax the rest of the night. I hope everyone has had an OP day...Just take it one day at a time, and try your best...That's all we can do right? :) :) :)

shan84 ~ Welcome to the thread

Betsy ~ I hope it will start cooling off now, Today is suppose to be the first day of Fall

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got great news I went to my monthly doctor's appt. today and my doctor said I've lost 24 pounds since I started my weight loss journey in Jan. of this year, That is so exciting.

Terra- Congrats on the 24 lb lost!

MissBB- China is not kind in general to slightly overweight people let alone someone of my size. Everyday I deal with stares, people taking my picture, children and adults pointing and laughing. It's a really hard life here and I would not recommend it to anyone my size. Having said that though, I love teaching internationally and my students are great and that's why I put up with it. Plus, its cool to admit but I travel the world and it took me doing so to find the love of my life. My BF and I will celebrate six months together next week. Looking forward to it.

mountain walker- Yes, Japan is very similar to China. For the most part I have learned what restaurants I can eat healthy in and I know by the looks of which chairs to use and not use. It's unfortunate to live like that here but it is my reality and that's ok...for now. I've been six weeks on plan though and during that time the BF and I have only been out twice to eat. Everything else I have cooked and prepared for myself at home. So I feel really good. The calorie counting is working great, but I'm struggling with exercise right now. Trying to commit to 30 mins of DVD 5 times a week because that's what I did in South Korea and it worked great. I made an error in walking last Sunday that resulted in me full on blacking out. I had never experienced that in my life and I was terrified. I haven't done a DVD since Sunday because I am a little scared for something like that to happen again but I don't think it will. My plan tonight is to do a 30 minute WATP 1 mile video and a follow up oldie but super fun Richard Simmons dvd. :)

SamIam86- Thanks for the welcome. As I said in my previous post I heavily utilized 3FC before during my weight loss journey when I was in South Korea so getting back into the swing of things in this thread is really going to be so helpful for me.


I love coming on here first thing in the morning and reading up on things I missed overnight. The time difference for me depending on where you all live is basically between 16-19 hours. I live in the future!!! I think that is one of the coolest things to say about living in China. Haha. I had a great girls night last night with my best friend here in Chongqing. We have recently settled on Tuesday nights for our girls nights and we basically cook each other dinner trading off apartments and kick back and chat for hours. Last night was her turn and she is super thin and very compassionate and excited for my weight loss and super supportive. She made a great baked salmon and grilled veggies. It was fab and I was super impressed because normally I hate all seafood but last night was so great. Can't wait to make it myself sometime next week maybe. Hope everyone has a great evening/day.

Hi Everyone!
Just checking in. My day was crazy busy with weirdness.
Back to my chatty self tomorrow.
Hugs to all.
Welcome shan84! I hope we will become a place for you to heal and become the healthy woman that you are meant to be. My heart goes out to you.:hug:

Hi Hi Hi everyone!

Busy busy day it was. Meetings about scripts, peer reviews on a couple of chapters of my thesis. Argh! But rounded it out with a couple of hours at the salon getting my hair done - sooooo relaxing. And have just popped some chicken on the grill for a healthified chicken caesar for dinner.

Betsy2013 - thanks for the welcome! I'll need a few of those kicks up the bum from time to time :D

SamIAm86 - I'm sorry to hear you have PCOS, it's not fun. I'm sure you and your partner will have a bundle of joy - it'll all be worth it in the end. I need to find a fella first ;) I got out of a 4 year relationship at the start of this year.It's moments liek this where I realise "Oh thank god that didn't progress to the children-having stage..." would have been an absolute disaster!!!

Shan84 - Good on you for doing such brilliant and fulfilling work. I always wanted to teach English somewhere, just never got around to it. But yeah, China is tough on the size front. I found Vietnam totally humiliating though. I mean, it's a cultural thing, I get that. And the Vietnamese people I encountered didn't have a mean-spirited bone in their bodies... but still. It hurts.

Right. Time to check the chicken. OH AND I JUST REMEMBERED I HAVE THE DAY OFF TOMORROW. :carrot::carrot::carrot: