Betsy Yeah I guess you could say I want to lose weight more than enjoying the bad stuff. I'm just tired of starting over...seems like my whole life I've tried and failed at losing weight so many times that I wanted to just seriously try and not give up and see what happens when I don't. No need to be jealous of me either lady!! You have done a phenominal job with your weightloss and I'm just happy to be a part of it. Losing weight is hard as ****...just don't give up and you reach your goal...it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you never give up :) Great job at losing the 10 lbs!!!! Put your mind to it and you can achieve anything!!

Shan So sorry to hear about your food poisioning...I've had it before and it's not fun...take time for yourself and get better...that's more important right now. Great job on your loss this month too!!

Terra Great job on 25 lbs down!!!!

NCQueen Welcome to the thread!!! You are in GREAT company here and hope you'll stay awhile. What part of NC are you from? I live in Myrtle Beach, SC so we are kinda neighbors :)

Ubee Can you believe it?!! I'm so proud of myself and keep inching to that 100 pound mark!! Thanks for the kind words on my pics...I wanted to share them specifically for you to look at them :) you really help keep me accountable and I love you for that!!


Tami Great job on your loss this month girl!!

Silent I'm glad you still pop up here and there.
Miss you being here more regular but at least you posting shows not all hope is lost with your journey. Keep doing what you can and we'll always be here for you!!!

Fi Honey I'm so sorry you had another depression pain dip :( I'm just glad you had the extra Geodon there to help you out. I love the collage!!

Today was a stressful day at work...I have a week and 2 days until I go on vacation so it's crunch time to make sure the week I'm gone goes smoothly for the other girls. Went to the gym for leg day and I'm sore as ****!! I'm at DH's band practice now and they just finished up so I gotta run!! Hope everyone's day was well!!!

Sam— I just gotta say that I looked at your photos, and they are indeed impressive. Ubee is right that your beautiful face is really emerging now—what a lovely smile!

I'm still in -1 tonight but I'm hopeful that tomorrow I'll be back into zero land. I'm doing my Qigong practice and my leg exercises to my favorite deejay's show, and thinking hard & fast about more monster collages. =laugh= I'm hosting a series of monthly swaps on swap-bot where the challenge is to make a collage that is mostly neutral hues with just "a bit" of color. The collage y'all saw with the pink fish surrounded by black-&-white abstracts was for the "A Bit of Pink" swap. I just put the finishing touches on the "A Bit of Orange" writeup and posted it today. And I found an orange Godzilla, of all things, in one of my favorite photographer's collections. I know she'll give me permission to use it. =grin=

Thank you for the welcome everyone! I live in Cary, NC for those who are curious :)

Shan, we've had similar temps here and I feel like my fingertips will surely freeze off...and winter doesn't hit us hard until January, so I'll probably be a popcicle by then!

Togden, that is awesome!

Fiona, I scrolled through your collages! Love them :)

Silent, You've come so far! I'm sure you can get back on track before the new year!


Today was good as far as diet and exercise went. I was a bit light headed when I went running. My doctor said it could be a reaction to a lack of gluten, and to just see how it goes. She warned I might feel a bit out of it for a few days and to take it easy on the running...so I guess it is the stationary bike for me till the wooziness wears off!

I found the dress I would like to wear to my husband's graduation, I'm hoping that i can at least get down to a 14 before I need to buy it!

NCQUEEN WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME .... These ladies are awesome. Great advice and support!

Terra CONGRATS on the weight loss!!!! Keep it up!

Silent Stay strong and positive .... The journey or weight loss can be long and hard but there is so much support here and strength within yourself you can do it.



Goodmorning all .... I woke up feeling pretty good about myself and excited about the day. I also woke up a little concerned because as you ladies know I have a beautiful 6 year old little girl and as some may expect she is not a tiny little girl ... Although she is about 4'3" much taller than your normal 6 y/o she also is about 100lbs already. Recently she has been waiting for me to go to sleep and will go in the kitchen to eat things I have told her she could not have. I noticed she only does it when I have snacks in the house and I only but snacks when she is packing lunch for the week. I'm trying to teach her that she doesnt have to eat something just because she sees it but its like pulling teeth once she sees it thats all she can focus on. We can be eating breakfast and she is talking about dinner and dessert. Any suggestions on breaking food relationships! Sidenote - my daughter does love fruit and vegetables and if there is no cookies or snack fruits in the house she will opt for those OR she doesnt even think about snacks/desserts.

Good Morning!
Betsy I could have reached into the computer and hugged you when you reminded me how good I felt when I started Grain Brain. I want that again. I let my surgery sidetrack (excuse) me from my WOE. As of this morning I have 5 of my 10 pounds off so 5 more by Jan.1. Keep yours off and add more to it.
Tami 19 pounds is awesome! Good job! Can you notice it in your face?
Silent you know you don't need a scale. Just hang out with us and slowly start adding in healthier choices. When we get in that ugh mood a little action is better then none. Are you still exercising? There is no best solution in our world just ones we can live with at the time. However, if your fairy godmother does show up send her my way when you are done.
Fi I love Gila Monsters. Have you found your way to zero land yet? How are the kitties and operation ringworm?
shan we are having your "cold & wet" weather today. We are all running around in our Spring jackets with big smiles. This is great. After last years record breaking cold I am looking forward to a brown Christmas! Are you noticing changes as your weight goes down?
Sam I am an emotional mess today. I started to cry when I read your post. You are so sweet. Keep working it and I am going to celebrate your 100 pounds down like nobody's business!
ncqueen once the gluten gets out of your system you are going to feel higher then a kite. I find myself a lot less crabby when I stay gluten free and low carb. I'm excited for you!
Tami I will just share my experience because I can relate to your daughter. I have just come to terms that I am a sugar/carb addict. Strong and scary language I know. The other day someone gave me candy and all I could think about was getting out of public view so I could eat it all. I can not have any treats in our house. I will steal it from my kids. Your daughter does not need treats, she needs good health. She needs someone to set a positive example for her about healthy eating. May I suggest involving her in new and healthy cooking. Once she learns salads, veggies, and meats can be delicious, losing sweets will not be as hard. PLEASE read the book Why We Get Fat. Go to the carb counters part of 3 Fat Chicks and read as much as you can. She needs you to do this for her. She is just a little girl and she is lucky you are on this journey while she is still young enough to make a lifestyle change easily. Good luck. I wish I could go back in time and help my daughters before they grew up.
On that note...I am determined to set an example for my daughters. Good health is more important then any treat.
We can do this. Have a peaceful day!

Hello everybody. I am beginning to emerge from chest and sinus tunnel of doom (or rather world of snot). The antibiotics are working but I may need a second dose as I only have 1 left.
Fi...... I am so sorry that you are having such awful pain. I talked to my therapist about the physical sensations associated with depression and anxiety as I too experience something similar....though not as intense and paralysing i don't think.
NcQueen....welcome my lovely....I am the only voice from across the pond but feel very welcome on this lovely forum
Well done all you losers ( if you see what I mean!)
I have finished my Christmas shopping (sorry to sound smug!) It has been a struggle to go out when I have been feeling rough for weeks but it has been worth it as I have it all done when my daughter comes home from Uni next Monday.
Hope you are all having a great day.
Donna

Good morning all. We're back to normal weather here for us -- rain. But it's one of our nice gentle rains as opposed to being accompanied by howling winds. This is rain where none of us use umbrellas. It always feels so clean out here in the winter because it feels like everything gets washed frequently. Nuts, I know!

Tami -- Yipardee! Good for you on the 19 pounds off. You're going to get to change your chick pretty soon. You're doing so well on this and seeing the results.

Silent -- So glad that you posted and just posting shows that deep down inside there's something that wants you to stay mindful. Ubee's suggestion is a good one. If it helps, remember that several of us on here have had our ups and downs weight wise (me as a prime example), but posting here frequently has helped with keeping it under control and finally getting back in the groove. :hug:

Sam -- Your comments about feeling as though you've tried and failed to lose weight so many times and just want to show you can do it really resonated with me. Great insight. And sometimes a little jealousy is a good thing as long as it's recognized for what it is.......and why it's there. We need to have a big group party when you hit the 100 pound mark.

Fi -- Hope by now that depression pain is back to 0. And you are not a horrible person in any way. Look at what you accomplished this year and the only thing you should be saying to yourself is Darn, I'm amazing!

NCQueen -- Thanks for sharing your location. I always loved the Raleigh/Cary area -- actually thought NC was a truly beautiful state no matter where one lived. Definitely watch that light headedness especially when out running. Our bodies are definitely going through some significant changes, and I think that as we wean away from sugar, carbs, gluten, etc. that the physical impact is a modified version of coming off of drugs for an addict. Neat that you found a dress -- I'm hoping a desire to look at clothes will return some day!

Tami -- Just read your last post that included your concerns about your daughter. You're right to be very concerned about her eating habits. I just googled changing children eating habits and lots of articles came up. Maybe there are some good approaches defined that would help. Good luck.

Ubee -- Reaching through the computer screen would be wonderful! And congrats on getting the 5 pounds off. You're half way there and you can do this. Reading your note to Tami my thought was that one of us is the clone of the other.

Donna -- Glad to read that you're beginning to feel better. Only on this forum can you call someone a loser and they take it as a compliment! Congrats on getting all of your shopping finished up -- taking some of the stress out of your life makes the dieting part easier somehow.

Off to the gym. I did get the great picture hanging exercise done yesterday. I've got an appointment this afternoon, but then I'm going to start on the wrapping. I still need to go into town and find a storm door and gates for the fence that are part of the great maintenance project. And I just volunteered to take all of the food to my BIL's family Christmas party down in Portland because his niece was in a serious accident a month ago and just got home. So, hopefully being busy will keep me away from the temptations and not result in stress eating. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Betsy & Ubee .... Thanks for the suggestions ... I'm definitely going to look into it and figure it out ... Want to make changes for her now like you have said than wait for later when it will be harder.

Off to bed and forgot to post!! I'll post more tomorrow but quick shout out to Fi, Betsy and Ubee...I love you ladies and thank younfor everything!!!

Ubee ~ Thanks for commenting on my weight loss, Yeah I think some of it is due to cutting down from 2 frozen meals to 1. I'm sorry your not ready for Christmas yet.

Betsy ~ Thanks for commenting on my weight loss. Yeah I know I need to brag on myself more lol. I gave Clyde two bath's in one day because I gave Clyde a bath early in the morning and then he went to the bathroom in his cage so I had to give him another bath later on that day. Most of the time he cries and barks telling me he needs to go outside but he doesnt cry and bark all of the time sometimes he just goes in his cage.

Sam & Tami ~ Thanks for commenting on my weight loss

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

Today I went to my weekly therapy appt and thats it. I lost two bus passes on Monday at a doctor's appt. Next time I will take one bus pass with me and I'll leave my other one at home so I'm not completing out of them. I hope everyone had a nice day today.

Good Morning!
Terra that really stinks about your bus passes. I feel for you and Clyde but am glad you give him such tender loving care. As for me not being ready for Christmas I'll get there. Tomorrow will be my big push to get stuff done. Do you and your mom have any special foods you make for the holidays?
Sam love you too! How are food and exercise?
Tami thanks. Sometimes I get nervous when I give my opinion that it will come out wrong. Sometimes my words do not match my thoughts. I always hope to be encouraging on this thread.
Betsy you sure are a busy elf. So nice of you to make the meal. Will Bill"s niece be OK? Yesterday I made the green bean casserole from genaw, it was delicious. I will never go back to the cream of soup one. This is much better and on plan. My family says thank you! I am getting little odds and ends done around the house. This always happens when I am losing. It feels so good to be eating healthy and getting my house in order.
Donna so glad to hear the antibiotics are working. OK to feel smug about getting all your shopping done. It can be a big job. How long will your daughter be home? Mine will be home for 21 days. She said she has gained 10 pounds so she wants the house to be a clean food environment. Like me she struggles with temptation. She had been doing so well but I am glad she is catching it before it gets too out of hand.

I am doing well. I am very determined to get my 10 pounds off by the New Year. Time to get some coffee. My daughter is back to 4-4:30 am rise and shine time. Not too much shine on my end until I get my coffee.
Have a peaceful day.

Ubee ~ Yeah it defintely sucks that I lost both of my bus passes but I shouldnt of been carrying both of them together also, I wont do it again and I'll make sure I'll keep them in my purse,bag or coat which all 3 have zippers on them so they wont fall out. Thats good today is the day your gonna be your big push to get stuff done. My mom makes water gate salad for my brother every Christmas so thats something she makes every Christmas and I make Deviled Eggs with Caesar Dressing,Mayo and Mustard and the yok of course and I also make Strawberry Cheesecake Salad every Christmas as well. Everything else is normal Christmas food.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I woke up a little after 5 a.m. this morning cause Clyde started crying so I got up and I took him outside but I was gonna get up at 5 anyway so I went ahead and stayed up for the day even after I bought Clyde back inside. Its now 5 mins before 8:00 a.m. My plans for today are to do my 40 min Chair Exercises at 9 (in an hour) and my 30 min walk dvd at Noon or 1 pm and I'll do my 40 min Chair Exercises again at 7 p.m. tonight. I also still need to clean the bathroom. Those are my only plans for today.

Just posted a reply and had some sort of hiccup with the 3FC site. Too rushed to retype everything. I've been noticing lots of problems lately with the site in terms of getting dates and times wrong -- probably server problems for them.

Anyway, if it's working better tomorrow, I'll do personals. Hope everyone has a good day!

Ubee Food and exercise are wonderful! I've been eating a lot of soups for lunch this week. I normally like to make my own but haven't really had time this week to make a big pot but plan to this weekend. I found a real good veggie soup that is low in sodium by Dr. McDougall's and have had that for lunch the past two days. No sugar this week and I'm back to drinking plain old water this week so I'm sure that's helped the cravings. I've been sticking to fruit when I want something sweet. Last night was cardio only night for me and as sore as I am from doing that on top of legs on Monday I'm still going tonight. Going to do arms tonight but take it kind of easy on the treadmill for my warm up so I don't end up hurting myself. I want to try and get as many days in at the gym as I can this week since I will probably be missing some days next week if DH and I end up going to VA. We won't know until next Wednesday probably if we're going. He goes to a addict's recovery clinic and takes a prescription to help with his addiction. He usually gets a week at a time and his pick up day is on Thursdays and with that being Christmas day we're thinking they'll give him an extra day this Thursday and will have to pick up on Friday, which means we wouldn't be able to go to VA until Friday, the 26th (my birthday btw) :)...So it's all up in the air on what we're going to do which I hate. Luckily though I go on vacation starting next Wednesday so when I get back from out of town I'll be hitting the gym every day in the morning so I can enjoy the rest of my day :)

Fi Thinking of you today, hope your depression pain is gone today. Thank you for the lovely words about how my face has changed. I really notice how mad and depressed of a person I was before I lost weight...you can see it in my face. I still take Geodon to help with my bi-polar disorder and still have my depressed moments but I don't think I've ever been this happy. It's amazing what weight loss can do to really change all aspects of your life.

Betsy Don't you just hate when all of your work goes down the drain?? Hope your day is productive and full of smiles :)

Well I'm at work right now...but since I've busted all kinds of butt the past couple of weeks to have everything in order for when I go on vacation I'm all caught up!! LOL...I literally have nothing to do right now....I have a few things here and there to do by this time next week but it's just some loose ends to tie up with some of my clients. Most of the day I'm going to be spending pretending like I'm working LOL.

Going to the gym after work to work on arms...going to take it easy on the treadmill tonight for my warm up because my legs are super tight and sore...I busted all kinds of butt at the gym Monday and Tuesday with Legs on Monday and 65 minutes on the treadmill on Tuesday....I burned over 900 calories last night!!! I want to take a break today but my goal is to go every day this week so if I want to rest this weekend I can...My best friend is hopefully coming down this weekend...Her birthday is tomorrow and I'd like to spend some time with her while she's here....Her birthday present came in the mail yesterday...I ordered her a small bottle of the Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume...It's an expensive perfume so I had to get a small bottle that was $50 but I had a $15 gift card for the store so it didn't cost much at all...I also got her a knitted cowl neck scarf similar to the one I got myself, just different color combo. She's been begging me to tell her what I got her and I usually give in and tell her before she gets it....Yes, I'm one of those people that hate keeping gifts a secret lol....She's usually pretty good about coerce me into telling her but this year I'm not budging. I know how much she loves that perfume and can't ever afford to get it because it's so expensive....plus I know if I told her she'd think I spent a fortnune on it and be mad at me, so I'd rather her be mad at me when we can talk about it in person and I can tell her to shut her mouth LOL....That's really the only holiday shopping I've done. Usually DH and I don't have the money to buy eachother gifts...We probably haven't done a family christmas gift giving in about 4 years....We usually end up spending the money we would have for gifts to go visit our family instead.

Well I gotta get back to work...going to try and work on my continuing education since I have to finish that by the end of the month....Love you all have a great afternoon!

After getting caught up on reading postings, I'm so excited that almost everyone is focused on weight loss and healthy habits: there's so much positive energy in this thread! I'm back to having 0/0/0 days, but it isn't easy: I feel pretty fragile, like the tiniest bit of unanticipated stress could throw me off balance and back into depression pain.

Sometimes just maintaining an even keel is hard work. I have to practice a defensive strategy that Bob and I, being college basketball fans, call "full court press." What I have to do during "full court press" is to stop briefly whenever I finish one activity and am about to start another one, and ask myself, "Will doing this make me depressed, make me manic, or keep me in equilibrium state?" Even something as simple as reading a magazine could send me in the wrong direction, so I have to be very careful about what I'm doing.

At least the kittens, now eight months old, are a reliable source of good feelings. Nénu is no longer in that horrible Elizabethan collar: she's SO happy about that, it just radiates from her face. She and Oscar are thrilled to be back to their huge tussles with lots of mutual neck biting, which eventually unfurl into embracing each other and washing each other's faces and necks, and from there into taking a nap, legs outstretched on each other's bodies.

In the past when Bob and I have had new kittens, we spent a lot of time talking about the emerging personalities of the two individuals, but this time 'round there's a third entity to discuss: their friendship. These two were pals from the very beginning of their lives, and their strong bond is a wonder to behold. Oscar takes so much pleasure in doing things that Nénu will enjoy watching, like doing multiple mid-air flips while chasing a paper ball. Nénu likes to strut around and show off her lovely long, lean body, with Oscar as her adoring audience. And of course they both want Bob and me to be involved in everything they're doing.

And finally (finally!) I'm not having to give them multiple medications twice a day. Their nasal congestion is ongoing, but it's much better than it was, and for that they get just one tiny quarter of a pill twice a week. They do have to stay on the anti-fungal medication, but just one daily med is a piece of cake to give: I just squirt it in, get them to swallow by stroking their neck, and it's over. Multiple meds is a whole 'nother story, because they squirm and fight to get free, and scratch up my hands and arms. They may only weigh six pounds, but they're so strong, they can overpower me! And as you might imagine, I've gotten royally sick of being the bad guy who picks 'em up and subjects them to all these nasty-tasting substances.

Operation Ringworm is sort of stalled, due to Bob getting depressed over his mom's dementia and her upcoming move to a treatment facility. Not to mention my own tendency to dip into low numbers on the mood scale, during which I am absolutely useless. But it will get done, slowly...

I'm drifting downward toward -1 as I've been writing this posting, so I have to stop doing this and figure out how to elevate my mood. Some rock-n-roll would be helpful, I think...