300+ Chat Thread December, 2015
 

WELCOME!!

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, inspiration, 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 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!

Happy December! :snowglo:

I have a slight headache but otherwise my carb flu is OK.
I am starting to get the diet high and I'm loving it!
How is everyone else doing?


Sam would you mind re-posting your link to your latest picture on this thread? It is so inspirational.

Good Morning! I can't believe it's December already! Nothing too exciting going on here today.

Yay! December! So close to vacation and home time! Not much to report but happy to star packing a suitcase soon!

Hope you all have a great day!

Hey everyone,

Sorry I have not posted since right before Thanksgiving. My life has been pretty crazy since then. DH and I are house and dog sitting for two weeks so that has been a huge change of pace for us. It's for my grandma's neighbor. He and his DH went on a cruise so we are watching their two bichons.They're really sweet. We've been here since Friday and just got finally settled in here on Sunday. The dogs had a rough first day but they're warming up to us. With us being here DH and I have had to drive over to our place taking turns caring for our animals, then walking the dogs here and somehow get our workouts in. I am so exhausted by the end of the day I have just been passing out without needing much time to get settled into bed.

Thanksgiving was nice. DH and I spent over 9 hours cooking so we were exhausted from that too. I think for the most part I did good with keeping my portions into control but I did eat a ton of carbs where I normally don't do that so my weight has fluctuated. I'm not happy about it, but I'm doing what I can. Also being in this house has been hard because these people have cabinets and cabinets full of junk food. It's hard not to sneak a little piece of something here and there, and I know that isn't helping me any either. I want to get to my goal for this year so bad but it seems like time is working against me. I'll be bummed if I don't make it but it won't be the end of my journey...I'll keep moving on.

The end of last week was such a blur that DH and I didn't make it to the gym but I forced myself to do some cardio videos at home. So far this week that's all I've done. I'm just trying to get back in the swing of things and moving my schedule around these dogs is what has been so hard. Tonight we walked them for an hour so I got a little bit of a workout in. We tried to get them to run, but they are such babies lol. I didn't feel like I got a good enough workout in with that so I did a 30 minute Turbo Fire video and just finished. It's already late here and I still haven't eaten dinner lol...I'm getting there though.

Melissa Sorry you've been sick. Hope you are feeling better. My vacation is getting closer too and I can't wait. I don't even know if we are going to go out of town but just to be away from work is good enough for me :)

Ubee You are rockin it girl!! So proud!! Here is the link to the photo you asked me about: https://www.instagram.com/p/-hfkt4J3JZ/
Going to need your support big time over here!!

Mae Happy December!!! Hoping this is a good month for all of us!

Going to cut it short but will try to check in again when I have a free moment.

Take care all!

Hi everyone!
Sam thanks for putting up the link. I went through my closet today and found all my cute smaller clothes. I had forgotten about them until I saw your picture. Stay away from the junk food!!! Look at your beginning picture! Junk food got you to be 300+!!! Stop now!
Hi Mae & Melissa! Glad you stopped by even if it was just for a quick "Hello".
I seem to be in my clear all the junk out of my life mood which is really a good sign. I was not eating healthy, not taking my vitamins and not exercising. I started to gain weight and got depressed at the same time. I am now back taking my vitamins and a big dose of D3. I am eating healthier, exercising and the depression is lifting. It feels good.
See you tomorrow.

Ubee Thank you. I needed that. Although I haven't gone off the deep end with not eating the right foods, it could swing into that very quickly. I'm glad to hear that things are turning around for you. :)

I'm exhausted today. I wanted to go to the gym today even though this is usually my rest day since I want to get this weight off so bad, especially with the holidays being here. I got off work and went to my house to feed my animals. By the time I got to the house I'm sitting I shut down. My body and my mind is tired. I thought I was busy just doing my every day life stuff but having to watch two sets of animals while going to work every day and trying to eat right and fit in gym time has been hard. I've gotten all of my workouts in so far this week. I just need a day where I can relax and get a good night's sleep. I'm trying not to beat myself up over it, but I'm getting discouraged at not seeing my weight fluctuate much this week. I'll get there though, just have to be determined. I think I'm already in the right direction. Haven't gone off plan at all today. I just need to keep telling myself the little piece of candy here and there is not worth gaining weight back and possibly derailing all of my goals.

Hoping to get back in the gym tomorrow. As much as I love doing my HIIT at home, I miss picking things up and putting them back down again :)

Hope everyone's had a swell day. Take care :)

Hi Everyone!
I had another good day.
Sam I had company this afternoon so I spent all morning picking things up and putting them down where they belong. Not sure why you would miss that.
This sure is a mind battle. I am trying not to beat myself up for my regain. Let's tell ourselves we are doing great. We can and will do this.
See you tomorrow.

Ubee Something about testing my limits to see how far I can go with my strength. It's something I never though I would enjoy. When I sit and really think about how much my life has changed...it's incredible. I'm glad you had a good day yesterday :) You are starting to sound like the old Ubee, and that makes me happy. You are right, we can do this, and we will! Just keep on truckin down the road :)

Yesterday was so exhausting to me so that's why I didn't get a chance to post. After work I had to go to my house and feed my animals, clean the turtle's tank and the litter boxes, then ended up going to the grocery store twice, then pick up my package from Target. I ordered some boots, DH a Doctor Who t-shirt and a new sports bra on Black Friday. Then after I left I forgot I had to stop at the ATM and had to turn all the way around and go back there. By the time I got home last night it was after 7 and I hadn't even eaten dinner. Needless to say I didn't get a workout in. I'm not upset about it, I did something that was far more important to me and that was to check on my grandmother. The house I am watching is her neighbor's house so I am right across the street. My mom has told me that she has had really bad bleeding coming from her back end and they had to take her to the doctor earlier this week. The doctor didn't want to give her a colonoscopy unless it came back that she was anemic because of her age. They called last night and she is anemic so she will be having the colonoscopy next month. I just worry that there may be something bad going on in there and maybe a month is too far away? She's supposed to be leaving next week to fly to Texas for my cousin's graduation and she said she is not missing that no way. She doesn't seem to worried, but I told her to be careful with what she is doing and what she eats until the colonoscopy so she doesn't make things worse.

I got home a little late again today. This seems to be the trend while I'm house sitting. But I did manage to get in a workout. I did another Turbo Fire video. It just made sense to stay home and do something. Hoping to actually get to the gym tomorrow since it's the weekend, and hopefully color my hair. The pastel purple I had attempted to do has now turned white is most places so it's time to do it again lol. I was trying to quick fade it so I could redo my hair. My first attempt at pastel purple came out a little darker than I wanted, and I have figured out why so hopefully I'll get it right this time :)

Oh....So I did something that was very hard for me to do last night. I was so excited about getting this new sports bra. Honestly I've been wearing the same 2 that I've had since I started losing weight and there was nothing holding the girls up at all. I tried it on (size L) and it fit perfectly and my tatas felt like they were being held in! I decided to snap a picture and posted it on Instagram. That took a lot of guts because as you all know, your body from a lot of weight loss is not perfect, but for some reason I felt confident even though my body isn't perfect. Here's the photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/-2fN0UJ3...sameatsclean26

DH is making dinner and I'm a sweaty mess. Time to relax for the night :)

Take care my friends......

I'm back! My long sabbatical to finish the house projects and reclaim my yard are finished. I found myself checking in here every day starting a couple of weeks ago, but decided I wasn't going to start posting again until I was back to the "current" weight......and decided to just update things, accept that I basically haven't lost one pound this entire year, and figure out how to get myself in gear.

I've printed out my meal plans for back when I was losing weight and realize that my weight loss periods always center around doing IF or limiting my eating to 2 meals a day. And since most of my friends my age have also cut back to 2 meals a day -- even if they don't need to lose -- I've decided that I'll do that.

The other thing is that I read an article about secrets to weight loss (one of thousands I've read over the years!). One "secret" that hit home was believing in yourself that you could lose the weight. It kind of hit me like a sledge hammer because deep down inside no matter how many times I say "we can do this" I don't actually believe it. So, I'm focusing on believing in myself.

Anyway, it's good to be back. It's a lot quieter group, but so comforting to see so many good friends here. Back to the personals in a couple of days.

Hey everyone,

Just a quick check in. I have no motivation to do anything. All I can think about is going home. So the next two weeks will be a struggle.

On a positive side I have been openly admitting my fears, weaknesses and real feelings to some people over the past few months and I think I'm actually becoming a stronger person for it. Normally I keep most things inside, but I'm learning that sharing what I feel or why I feel weak/inferior etc. gives me more control over things. Maybe this is a break through I needed?

Hope you all have a great day!

Hi Everyone!
Melissa when I let go and start to accept myself as I am and face my fears I stop stuffing all my feelings inside of myself with food. You are having a very important break through!
Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in. BETSY! I thought I would never hear from you again. I went through a grieving period when you left. (No guilt trip intended. Just want to let you know how much you were missed!) How is your health? Last I heard you were having trouble getting around. We will get this weight off and we will keep it off. I am so glad you are back. Sam is going to be jumping for joy too. Do not ever leave us again! Please when you have time let us know what you have been up to. How is Toby? How is Bill?
Sam nice tata picture! Your skin really bounced back nice. Hope your grandma is OK. You are so sweet to check up on her. I know I keep saying it but you are so motivating to me. Keep on being you. You are perfect just the way you are.

As for me, food has been good. My new plan is that I eat very healthy all week and on Fridays hubby and I go out for a nice dinner. I will make a somewhat healthy choice but not completely on plan. My problem is that the chef is amazing and I want to also share dessert with my hubby. Do you think I can still lose weight if I am an angel the rest of the week? (Angel with my eating, not the rest of my life!) Betsy it is so good to hear your laugh again!

See you tomorrow.

Hello! Didn't get to check in last night, was crazy busy at work and when I got home, I had to prep for today's craft fair. Went to my WW meeting this morning and I was down 3lbs, which I'm super excited about! Craft fair was eh. I sold 5 of the 25 homemade candles I brought, but also spent some money on some beautiful handmade soaps. Usually Sunday is my rest day for workouts, but decided to take my rest today after being on my feet for 10+ hours. I'll find a DVD to do tomorrow morning :)

Betsy, welcome back! I have a lot of respect for people who do IF. I would be straight up hangry, and I think my coworkers would probably tie me down and force feed me :)

Sam, that bra is CUTE! Congrats on posting that selfie, you look great and it takes a lot of guts to pose without a shirt on, period.

Good morning everyone from the very soggy, very windy, very dark Northwest. I don't care if it's not December 21st yet -- winter has arrived!

Ubee -- I missed you, too. Actually missed all of you, but Ubee and I share the same warped sense of humor. Toby is now full grown, 101 pounds, and king of the house. Becky is his BFF and it only takes 3 days to clean the house after Becky has been over for a play date. And she's here quite a bit because Bill has a girlfriend and he's in the throes of elder love. It is evidently results in people acting just as dopey as teen love or any age new love. I'm happy for him, but the girlfriend and I are going to have a talk soon since her answer to every question that involves leaving Becky for a day or so is "Betsy will take care of her." On the diet front.......well, I guess I year of not gaining any weight should somehow be considered a success although I'm having trouble viewing it that way!

Sam -- I've missed you, but child you are the poster child of our group. Your confined ta-ta picture is inspirational. No sagging skin and you look great. With the weight loss slowing down this year, I've been really impressed that you've stuck with it and are so near getting into Onederland. WOW! Can't even imagine what seeing a one as the first weight number would be like. Heck, right now I can't even imagine what seeing a 2 as the first weight number would be.

MaeCrochet -- Hi back at 'ya. I'm in awe of being able to stand for 10+ hours. I did chuckle at the craft fair with selling five but buying a few things. My BIL (that would be Bill) carves decoys and he almost always buys something at the shows where he sells his decoys.

Time4Me -- I used to live across country from my family so I understand the anticipation of getting to go home for Christmas. Self reflection is something I'm finding is helping, too.

Terra -- I've seen you post on here and just wanted to say hi.

Off to the gym and then home to do the dusting of the upstairs and clean up the bathrooms and start working on the Christmas cards. Oh yeah.....need to make an appointment with the cardiologist which hopefully won't be until late January so I have some time to lose weight. Anyone else have successful weight loss before doctor appointment so we can avoid the "look?" Maybe I just need a drill sergeant to stand in front of the frig and give me the look!

Have a great day.

BETSY I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I have missed you terribly. Fi has fallen off the planet, and I worry about here. I hope she is ok and will come around soon. I'm glad you've been able to do the much needed house work and get your life in order. Sometimes we need to drop off to get ourselves back in order. It's ok that you haven't lost. What matters is you came back, you're here, and you plan to get back at it. It doesn't matter how many times you fall...I can't stress that enough! The weight loss has slowed but I knew that would happen eventually. I'm not giving up!! Thank you for your kind words about my picture. I think angles are everything though. Granted, my skin probably isn't as bad as others. Below my belly button is the worst of my sagging skin. My "chef's apron" hangs down to my thighs and has a weird overlap on my hips. I really want to get it cut off but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I couldn't even tell you if I'd ever have the money to do it. That is the one thing about weight loss that no one mentions unless you're in a group like this. If it weren't for my stomach I could probably be in a size 12 right now. But I have to buy pants that are bigger just to be able to fit my stomach in them. A lot of times now I have resulted to wear stretch pants or leggings because the fit my legs and my belly so I don't look like I'm wearing droopy drawers. I'm still happy with my progress. I wish I was doing better but I definitely can't complain.

Melissa It's normal to be in the state you are. You can't wait to get home :) Don't worry about those things, you need to take time to enjoy yourself. It's so hard to be so open with people. I totally get that. DH gets mad at me because I don't even like to speak up when it comes on deciding on a place to eat if we go out for dinner. I'd rather let him pick and deal with it even if I don't want it. Hope you enjoy yourself, you've worked hard for that vacation! :)

Ubee Haha, thanks for the compliment. Like I told Betsy, looks are deceiving. However, I really like the fact that I have a bra that doesn't show how saggy my tatas really are. They look like two deflated balloons lol...I think if you treat yourself once a week you can still lose weight. It's all about eating things that are good for your body, cut the junk, get some movement in, even if it's only a little bit to start and portion control. When I have a cheat meal portion control is what saves me. I'm not going to lie, sometimes portion control goes right out the window, and that's ok too. So long as you pick up the pieces, don't make a cheat meal into a cheat month, and you get right back on track and push yourself in your workouts come Monday.

Mae I haven't been to a craft fair in such a long time. They are fun and it's so cool to see all the stuff people have made. Sound like you got a good workout in with being on your feet, great job! Thank you for your kind words. It definitely was hard to decide to do that. I have contemplated taking a photo that really shows my excess skin but I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet. Enjoy your rest day, you've earned it!

Had a great weekend. Didn't work out once and I loved it. I actually got to spend time with DH and enjoy his company. Watching these dogs and going back and forth to check on my cats has been very tiring. When I have worked out it was at home. I'm thinking that will probably be the case this week. Luckily we have just one more week until they get back then I will be back on schedule. After that I'll have 10 days until I go on vacation! I'm so excited to finally get away! I'm not stressed about work anymore. I'm getting ahead fine now and haven't had to come in and work on the weekends. Just so close, I keep telling myself that :)

Not much else going on. I made this cool recipe I found online, it's called eggroll in a bowl. The title is pretty self explanatory. I've brought it for lunch this week with a side of green beans and it turned out pretty well. I need to tweak the recipe though. It ended up having about 900 mg of salt per serving and it was low sodium soy sauce. Does anyone know if there is a very very low to no sodium soy sauce out there you can buy? I've heard of vegans using Bragg's liquid aminos as a substitute for soy sauce, but have never tried it.

Well I'm off. Work is done for the day and time to check on the kitty cats! Take care all!

Hi Everyone!
Just a quick one today.
My MIL passed away for real this time. ;)
I am proud of myself for not diving into food with all the family drama.
Hope you are all well and I hope to check in soon.

Ubee, so sorry to hear of your loss. We are here for you if you need some extra support! :hug:

Well, gosh darn it. I already wrote a post and got a message saying I wasn't signed in so I signed in for the 3rd time. So, instead of regaling you with witty repartee, I'll just let you know I'm out here in cyberville thinking of you all.

Ubee Sorry for your loss. Please let me know if I can offer any support through this difficult time. Always here for you, (((((HUGS)))))

Betsy Happened to me a couple weeks back too! Glad you at least said hello....Hope your day turned out better than trying to post here lol :)

Just a quick check in. DH and I finally decided last night we are going to skip our trip to VA this year. Part of me wonders if he'll change his mind before then but meh, we'll just roll with the punches lol...This will be the first time in at least 3 years that I will be home for Christmas. I decided I'm going to put up a tree since I'll be home and hopefully be able to get DH and I a few gifts for each other. Hopefully will be doing that sometime this weekend. I'll be home cleaning my carpets over the weekend so maybe I can work on it then too. I'll be back in my bed Monday night when the people I'm house sitting for comes home. I love their doggies, they are so sweet, but I'm ready for my life to be back in one piece. I've struggled with wanting to do much of anything lately because my routine has been interrupted. I'm trying to push myself to get my exercise in, even if it's not at the gym. So far so good this week. I'm pretty exhausted today but I'm pushing myself in my head as I type this to exercise even if I am tired.

Be well everyone! :)

Greetings from the incredibly wet, windy, and flooding Pacific Northwest. Fortunately for me I live at elevation so no flooding, the power stayed on at my house, and I evidently can sleep through anything as updates on Facebook would indicate that most people spent the night trying to get through the night.

Sam -- I totally understand what you mean about not wanting to do things when your routine is upset. While it's no excuse for my prolonged absence from trying to get healthy, all the house projects this year just got to be too much of a distraction. It one of the things that naturally thin people don't understand -- just getting through the day with staying on plan and trying to exercise and break all of our bad eating habits is exhausting. Screw around with our day-to-day routines, and it ends up messing up the incredible concentration and focus that losing weight requires. Glad for you that you're going to try to stay home for Christmas. Sometimes that makes for the best ones.

Ubee -- Sorry about your MIL's passing although I did have to chuckle about your passing for real this time comment. I have missed you and your wit.

I had decided that while I'll plan my meals that my focus would initially be on just getting myself to not snack or go off plan. Well, yesterday I totally went off plan. Seems like I just don't want to fix any supper -- actually just don't want to cook anything. Again, I need to get into a mindset of KNOWING that I can do this. Sigh.....

Off to the gym and then home to finish the cleaning and order a new battery for the alarm system. Gifts are slowly -- very slowly -- arriving at the door, and hopefully I'll be able to start wrapping next week. I wrap everything at once, so I hope that everything will have arrived by then.

Have a great day.

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry I havent posted in awhile. I'll try to be back on a daily basis again. I'm still on the diet and exercise band wagon though so thats good. I'm looking forward to catching up with all of you.

Good morning! Woke up with some stomach problems so staying home today (at the request of my supervisor...I told her I would just be in late). I ended up cutting my morning workout down by half because of feeling sick. Bummed to not finish, but need to listen to my body!

Hi Terra! Looks like you're doing really well and I'm looking forward to catching up with you.

MaeCrochet -- Hope you feel better by the weekend (actually by the end of the day!). Smart supervisor to ask you to stay home especially with tummy stuff. I'm impressed that you even tried to do a workout when you're not feeling well.

Still raining and blowing and yucky here. Becky will be spending the night again so all the cleaning I've done this week will have to be redone. Ugh! Almost all of my Christmas presents have arrived so I can start with wrapping soon. We go up to the kids house on Christmas morning so no night before wrapping.

Off to figure out what I'm going to eat today -- ever have one of those days where nothing sounds appetizing!?

New here! Starting a VLCD on 12/14/15 under doctor supervision. It will be 100% liquid based as per my doctors suggestion. I'm currently 5'1", 356.6 lbs, goal weight of 130 lbs. I'm excited to be here.

Betsy I think during this time of year even if you are able to maintain your weight that is a huge accomplishment. I'm giving myself a little more leeway with exercising and such until I get back home. Sometimes life isn't an excuse to let it get in the way of your goals but depending on what it is it can be hard to push yourself over the edge to exercise after you have gotten up at the *** crack of dawn to walk dogs, go to work and deal with people, feed your stupid cats, run any errands that need to be done, come home, walk the dogs again if needed and somehow fit in a workout in there between dinner and bed. It's been hard. We both just need to keep telling ourselves we can do it.

Terra Hi! Glad to see you check in!

Mae Sorry you aren't feeling well. Kudos for even getting half way through a workout. When I don't feel well there's no way I'm working out lol...Don't beat yourself up, like you said you have to listen to your body.

Mommy_On_A_Mission Hi welcome to the thread!!! Tell us more about you when you feel comfortable...We'd love for you to stay awhile!

Took a day off from working out yesterday...usually it is a scheduled rest day anyway so I could go buy DH and BIL some christmas presents. I got a few things but most of the other stuff I'll have to get on my paycheck I get on the 23rd...Ugh I hate last minute shopping. Kinda makes me realize why I was glad we hadn't exchanged gifts in years lol...I've been doing a lot of online shopping and picking it up at the store so I don't have to go search for things and be in the huge crowds. If you guys do a lot of online shopping you need to check out ebates.com. Depending on the store you get a % of cash back on whatever you spend at any store that participates with them. So far I haven't gotten but a couple dollars but it's pretty cool. My boss has over $600 in hers, but she is a shopaholic. She is always buying stuff. Yesterday I ordered the girl I work with kids their christmas present, my best friend and her 2 year old son and her 1 week old daughter their presents. Most of it will be in by next week with Walmart. I got my nieces who live in Colorado stuff today so just need to get my niece that lives here something and I'll be done with all the kids. What do you get a 15 year old girl? She is so dang smart I don't know what she is really into. She is 15 and will be graduating high school next year you guys!!! I don't have a lot of money to spend but trying to think of ideas. She likes music, she plays violin and she likes to cook so maybe I could get a a cook book or something? Only other thing I could think of is clothes or makeup or something...Why is it so hard to buy for people? LOL

DH is making grilled flank steak tonight...It is smelling so good I can't wait to eat it. I'll be having mine with grilled onions and mushrooms and on a bed of lettuce. I'm not sure what the flavor is like, I think he said something kind of dominican or south american. We'll see....

Be well!

Good morning everyone. I feel like a beached whale who has filled up with gases. Isn't that a lovely description to start the day! ;)

Mommy-on-a-Mission -- Welcome to the group. If you don't mind sharing, please tell us a little about yourself and your diet plan. Is your liquid diet a commercial product or one that you create at home?

Ubee -- Where are you????? It's not your turn to go missing yet? I imagine that with your MIL's passing, you're busy dealing with all that can involve. Hope you're getting through things OK.

Sam -- I use ebates. I don't get much back because I tend to buy almost everything through Amazon and don't buy much in the way of clothes through them. But I do get a lot back using my Discover card or else my American Express -- both of which have rebate programs. It does add up over time. In terms of a present for your 15 year old -- you mentioned that she's into music? Does she have an ipod? If so, my guys love getting itunes cards. Amazon also sells music now. I also always get a Barnes & Noble Gift card so they can get books when they want them. They are hard to buy for at that age.

Back to the feeling like a whale. I have struggled all year with just eating half way decently. First it was the stress from the house/yard projects and then I let myself get caught up in taking care of Bill's dog -- she was here over 60 days this year. I have a bad habit of having these internal arguments with myself about doing things for people because "it won't kill me" and then resenting the infringement on my life while they go off and have a great time. It got to the point where I wasn't able to take a couple of trips this year because of dog sitting requests. So, I finally asked him to make other arrangements. He has done that starting last night with boarding her while he went to his girlfriend's house (he's 75, she's 77!). Normally, I would feel terribly guilty and bend over backwards to make amends for not putting myself at the end of the list. This time, it felt remarkably freeing. I don't want to turn into a selfish me-first person, but at the same time, I'm beginning to realize that I've spent way too much of my life using food to fill the gaps caused by doing for everyone else but me. We've all mentioned this before -- we put ourselves at the back of the pack and take care of everyone else first. Well, maybe I'm beginning to accept that if I want to get healthy and lose this weight, I'm going to have to learn to say no.

OK. Philosophical musings done. Time for breakfast, the gym, and then start on the Christmas cards. Hope everyone has a great day.

Hi my name is Samantha. I'm 24 years old and a mother of one. I've been overweight pretty much my entire life. The diet I am going on is under doctor supervision but is not a commercial diet. I will be using a good quality protein shake mix as well as other liquids approved on the list such as sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, broth, ect.

The plan consists of 800 calories a day which I will get primarily from protein shakes. I'm planning to do 4-5 shakes a day as well as plenty of water and make up the difference in calories with broth and jello.

I don't lead a very active lifestyle currently so my doctor is not worried about such a low calorie intake. I will up calories once weight is down and add in exercise to the plan. She wants to see me bi-weekly for blood work and weight check. I start officially on the 14th as I have to wait until payday to get supplies.

Hi there everyone. :)

I'm semi new around here. I was a regular(ish) here in the fall of 2013... but fell off the wagon a bit & gained a little weight back. (I had lost 82 and put on about 30, I'm just thankful I didn't fully gain it all back.)

Now trying again, but my financial situation is making it a bit tough at the moment. That, and my fiancee while supportive, is a junk food junkie. It just sucks sometimes feeling like... but why can other people eat junk and not gain weight / show any health problems!

My current long term goal is 150... but secretly I'd like to see what I'd look like at around 135ish just once. :P Thinking about needing to lose another 110+ pounds is overwhelming. I don't know if the person is still active but last time I was active around here there was someone who had a quote in their signature that said something along the lines of I may not be able to lose 100 pounds but I can lose 10 pounds 10 times. I like to think of my weight loss in those terms. :P

My lowest in my adult life was 248, so my current goal is just to get back to there. I've been fluctuating between 269 and 263 since around Thanksgiving. :x

Anyways... just wanted to say hello. I do better when I have a little group to chat with.

Hi everyone.

I wanted to check in because it has been several weeks since I have and I need to be here. At the same time I feel like I shouldn't be here if I'm not trying to lose weight, and I have not been trying very hard. I manage to be on plan for part of every day but it's been quite awhile since I've had a completely on plan day. Depending on the day I've gained between 10 and 15 lbs. back. :( I have been busy trying to get ready for Christmas. I do a lot of shopping online too and have almost everything wrapped. DH and I put up the tree and other decorations last weekend. I was planning to bake this weekend, the things I can do ahead of time and freeze anyway, but we are having company Sunday. I can still probably get some done tomorrow. Christmas Eve we will be having most of the crew here - DH's adult children, a lot of the grandkids and at least one of the great grandsons. It will be chaos but it's also something I really look forward to. :) This year I will be doing all the cooking and baking, and I will be packing goodie bags for people to take home.

I haven't found a new job yet. It still feels surreal that as of 12/31 I won't have my job anymore. Some days it hits me harder than others. This week has been mostly hard days. Everything seems to make me cry. I'm looking exclusively at the job postings at work for now. In January DH, his son and I are going to South Carolina and Florida for almost 2 weeks. This was planned months ago and we're still going to go. When we come back I will start looking elsewhere for a job. I have been looking forward to this trip and I hope it will be fun. I'm not thrilled that DH's son is coming with us, but he wants to see his brother in S. Carolina who moved there in July. We get along fine and are actually quite close, but I just wanted a vacation with DH. I know in Florida we will have some time on our own and I'm sure it will still be a fun time.

Betsy, I'm so glad to see you back and impressed that you didn't gain any weight while you were gone.

Sam, you are such an inspiration to me.

Hi to everyone else. I will try to catch up with you all soon. I hope you all have a good weekend.

Hi there Cindy.

I'm kinda feeling like I'm only half in it right now. I'm about half on plan, but I'm not exercising. I'm not sure if I'm just making excuses to myself or what.

What happened to your job if you don't mind me asking? I've been unemployed since August myself... and my unemployment benefits have been exhausted as of November. Financially it's really tough at the moment... and healthy food is expensive... and food banks don't always give out fresh fruits and veggies... but we take what we can get. I'd love to get back to the gym but again, I need to be back to work before that can happen.

I got back into eating semi back on plan because 1. People kept asking if I had lost weight.... I weighed myself and sure enough I somehow had lost about 7 pounds. I figured I may as well get back to it... and 2. I got an email from my insurance company offering to pay for this program called prevent. It's meant to help people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. It's been a really awesome program so far but I feel like I can't fully commit due to the aforementioned financial hardships... but I'm trying to make the most of it. The goal for the program is to lose 7%, I've lost I think 21% of the 7% if that makes sense. :P I'm at week 5 of 16.

Anyways, I'm sorry you seem to be going through a rough patch as well. You seem pretty down in your post. I hope things look up for you very soon. :)

The goodie bags for Christmas are a great idea. We always do an annual cookie swap of sorts, basically everyone brings a batch and you all take what you want home. It's going to be SOOOO hard to resist. I love cookies. We go away for Christmas so the leftovers aren't an issue luckily for me.... it's just going to be the cookies that will be tough to say no thanks to.

That said, my fiancees birthday was on the 4th... and I owe her a batch of her favorite cookies still.... and our anniversary is this coming Monday... and then Christmas. So much temptation. I'm going to try mostly to stay in the range I'm at... I mean if I could be under 260 that would be great... but as long as I'm not back in the 270s I'll be happy. :P Then after Christmas HOPEFULLY be really committed as much as I can be... and maybe use any xmas money I get if any to join a gym?

I think just being self aware and posting here even though you don't really FEEL fully committed is in itself being committed. :)

Hi Everyone!
Wow it has been a busy week on here. Seems like the stress in life is getting to some of us. Please remember to take your Vitamin D3. I think I would not have had such a large regain if I would have kept taking it. :soap:

Cindy :hug: take care of yourself. I stopped making such big meals for the holidays a few years back and nobody said a word. It is OK to not be perfect. It is OK to say "No"'. It is OK to cry and acknowledge that life may be good but not as good as we had hoped. I am so glad to have you here with us. I think we can all relate to your feelings and it reminds us to be kind to ourselves. Please keep posting. You are an important member of our little community.

makebelieve so true about doing better with support! Cookies are evil.:devil: They are like potato chips for me, I can't eat just one.

Mommy welcome! Now is a great time to get in shape. Your little girl needs a mommy to share her life with, not just watch from the sidelines. You can do this we all can! :cheer:

Betsy I had gone into a coma. All that family drama can be exhausting. Stop being too good for your own good. It is OK to say "NO". I am with you on the fact that it is freeing. No guilt trip allowed. I am struggling with my meal planning also. Before my MIL drama we were on a salad spree. I think we will go back to that. Thanks for helping me to give it some thought. FYI I am feeling like a cow:moo::cheese:. Not for long because I am back in the saddle!!!

Sam we sure can be routine girls. I do so well on a routine but boy the slightest thing and my diet slate is wiped clean. You are doing great! I think Betsy has great gift ideas. My rocket scientist daughter loves those 2 gifts. Have fun putting up your tree.:tree:

Mae let me get this straight. You were sick and still did half a workout??? A gold star for you! :queen: Hope you are feeling better.

Terra :hug: I thought you were a goner. What have you been up to? All ready for Christmas?

Whew that was a book. Hope I didn't miss anyone. Sorry I feel a bit chatty today.
Have a good day.:rudolph:

Good morning everyone. It's nice to see so many posts on this cold, blustery Saturday morning.

Mommy -- Thanks for sharing some background on yourself and your diet. Once you get into it, please let us know how it is from a hunger perspective. With protein shakes, that should help keep the hunger pangs at bay.

Makebelieve -- I totally get the 21% of the 7% -- Congratulations on the progress. I think that losing weight at any time is hard, but when we've got lots of worries going on, it's just that much harder.

Cindy -- So glad to see you posting and sharing with us. We're all of us probably emotional eaters, and losing a job is pretty high up on the emotional impact level. It sounds as though you have wonderful holiday plans, and hopefully the trip to SC and FL will be fun.

Ubee- I take my Vitamin D3. When one lives in the land of the eternal rain, D3 is a requirement! Your metaphors have given me all of these images -- you riding on a saddled cow one of whom is eating a salad. This may be my last week for salads -- don't know what's going on at the grocery store, but lettuce was priced at $3.49/head for iceberg lettuce when I was in this week. No way! I've also been on a there-are-other-kinds-of-salads kick and have been having broccoli salad and cucumber and onion and sugar free applesauce made from the incredible apple harvest this year.

Time for coffee and the crossword and whatever else I can do before I start on the Christmas letter and getting the cards addressed. I'm not doing any candy making or baking this year -- too much of it goes into my mouth instead of into the gift cans! Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Quick check in

My mum had to put our dog down a few days ago... She was 17 so mixed emotions.

I am sick again, but already know I am working late tomorrow to help a friend. I fly home on Friday so I am hoping to be well soon.

TOM is here so I feel bloated and fatter than usual.

Just counting down the days.....


Hope you all are doing well

I've been off the grid for a few days due to a variety of health/sickness issues (migraines, vertigo, nausea, etc.) Pretty much hung out on the couch Thursday through yesterday evening. I was finally feeling well enough last night so my sister and I went to the symphony with some friends. It was nice to be out of the house for a bit!

Good Monday morning (or is that an oxymoron?).

Time4Me -- One more day in the countdown to mark off. I know you're so excited about going home for Christmas. Hope you're feeling better and have a wonderful trip.

MaeCrochet -- Oooohhhh. Whatever you have sounds awful. Did the silver lining appear and your weight went down? I'm glad that you were able to go to the symphony and hope that means you're back to feeling better.

We had a miracle occur here yesterday -- I made it through an entire day without cheating. Didn't lose any weight, but mentally it helps to prove to myself that this is doable. Also finished up the Christmas cards and will start wrapping this week. I also watched Episodes 5 and 6 of Star Wars so I'll be able to talk with the "boys" (ages 5, 8, 39, and 44!) when it comes out and they get a chance to see it.

Just did my meal planning for today and now I'm ready to head to the gym. I've got to vacuum today. A friend sent me a wreath which is beautiful, but which shed fir needles everyplace. Hope everyone has a great day.

Quick check in just to say hello...Will catch up with personals within the next day or so.

Lost 4 pounds this week! Don't even know how I did it as I barely got many work outs in this week, not going to complain at all! I just might make that goal for the year I set myself.

I've been slammed at work today getting things cleaned up and preparing for my upcoming vacation...8.5 days woot woot!!!

Tonight the owners of the house I've been sitting and watching their dogs are coming home. DH and I have to rush and pack our stuff and tidy up before they come home. They offered to let us stay tonight as well but I just want to be back in my bed. The doggies started having a rough night last night because I slowly started packing some of our stuff...The mama dog jumped in between us last night and just cried so hard, I had never heard anything like it before. They know we are leaving soon...Maybe they worry that we're leaving and their owners aren't coming back so they'll be all alone? I'm not sure but while it's been nice being with them, they are so sweet...It makes me glad I only own cats and a turtle...They are so much easier to care for.

Work is about through and I got to leave on time so I'm off...Just wanted to stop by so you didn't think I fell off the earth :)

Good Morning!
Today is the first day of making my health one of my top priorities!!!

Sam 4 pounds!!! You are so close to your Christmas goal. I am so proud of you. You have been through so much yet you stayed on plan. Thanks for being our role model. I am so happy for you!
Betsy hooray for one day without cheating! I feel like I am ready to jump on the wagon with you. (better check the tires and axle!) I like the different types of salads too. I need to make a better list before I go to the store. Betsy surely you are worth whatever lettuce or healthy food costs. Your kids would rather have you around longer then an extra $3.49 to fight over when you are gone. Yes, that was a scolding! I missed you so much when you were gone. Being selfish I want you around as long as possible.
Mae how are you feeling?
Melissa I am so sorry to hear about your dog.

I am getting in the groove. Worked on our $ budget today. Way too much waste going to our waist. Time to clean up the house and take a load to the thrift shop. Time to spend less on the computer and more time moving.
Have a good day!

Good morning. Heavy frost last night and all the roofs in town are white. Pretty!

Sam -- Wahoo!!!!! You are so close to your goal and it is inspirational to know that goals can be reached. With 2 weeks to go, hopefully you'll be ringing in the new year as a member of Onederland. I completely understand about just wanting to go home and sleep in your own bed. The reaction of the dog is a little weird, but there may be separation anxiety there. A lot of dogs have problems with it evidently.

Ubee -- Actually I'm so sick of eating lettuce that the high cost of a head will get me to be more creative in my lunch planning. There are so many salads that are both delicious and healthy that don't require a bed of lettuce. I've gotten in a rut. Glad you're back in the groove because it does help to know that others are making it happen. I missed you, too, Ubee and am glad that we've reconnected after my sabbatical.

I was 4 pounds lighter this morning than when I went to bed so obviously I had a whoosh. Unfortunately, I was whooshing a good part of the night so I'm not feeling very rested. Oh well. I'm retired. I'll rest up today and take it easy working on wrapping gifts.

Off to the gym and then home to wrap some more. Have a great day!

Hi everyone.
Day 1 of putting myself first was an epic fail. Spent the day with the youngest at Urgent Care and going to two pharmacies. She will be fine with rest... Tis the season.
I will be ordering myself some feel good clothes today. Big step as I hate spending money on myself.
Betsy do you have a site to recommend for your salad recipes? One day with no cheating and you get a 4 pound whoosh. Maybe we should take it as a sign to stop cheating.
Have a good day. I'm going to try to get back on track.

Good morning from someone who is fuller of it than normal--still got the cold and nose is running to beat the band!

Ubee -- auto spell just changed your name to Uber. Bet you didn't know you were a taxi service. Oh wait. You're a mom. Of course you knew you were a taxi service! :) So sorry about focusing on you got side tracked in such a bad way. Glad everyone is ok, and there's probably no way to get around those kind of situations even if we wanted to. In terms of salad recipes--it was extremely creative.......I Googled salad recipes. Pages and pages of them. Some of them aren't practical for a dieter (like potato salad made with mayo and sour cream), but the quinoa and veggie salad sounded good and healthy.

6 pounds off this week. 99.9% of it is water as I've spent the week in the bathroom, but mentally it helps. I'm back to doing IF so 2 meals a day. And I'm working on portion control. When I go off track is when I just have to have some high carb food. I had mashed potatoes last night but just served up 1/2 cup instead of the entire package. Who knew that eating right could have results!

Off to get my hair cut, then the gym, and finish up the wrapping. Hope everyone has a great day.