Caldaw, Don't be so hard on yourself. I know it can be very discouraging when you see a weight gain. However, even someone who stays strictly to their diet plan can see a gain every now and then. It could be just water retention. The important thing is that you are still here and still fighting to loose. You can do this! Keep a positive attitude and fight your way through and you will definitely see things moving in your favor again soon.

Cindy and Sami: Praying for your family members. Heart issues are scary. You are in my thoughts.

Hi Chick

I have been off plan cant seem to get more than 2 days under my belt before I binge :( this IS so hard pah :(

Cindy Hun so sorry you have struggled to :hug: bipolar is hard. I want to be at my goall weight of 140 lbs by the time I am 40 and have a party to celebrate so it gives me time to loose the weight slowly, 5 years in fact. so I am happy with 1 lb a week off. well done on your walking hun. xxxx

Hope everyone is ok?

xxxx

Hey everybody...how are you all?
Hi to the newbies...hope it is going well?
Topsy I know exactly what you mean about 2 days and a binge. Once I have managed a full week on plan I know I am on a roll but how many times I have managed until Wednesday and then crashed and burned I can't begin to tell you!
Fi...I forgot to mention that I loved your Victoriana college!
I have had a really rotten few days...well few weeks really. My chest is getting better....much better....but I am having some unpleasant side effects from such high doses of antibiotics and coming down from steroids always plays havoc with my mood. I have literally sat on the sofa eating whatever I fancied and watching NCIS feeling sorry for myself. Sam was at his Dad's so he wasn't exposed to my wallowing.
I rang my therapist to rearrange an appointment and ended up having a short consultation on the phone. I ended up crying but it made me feel better as she "gave me permission" to take it easy as I get over this infection,instead of feeling like a useless lump for being ill yet again.
I have set myself some really small tasks to complete over the next few days so I get to the end of the day and feel like I have actually achieved something! Am hoping to slowly get back on plan over the next couple of weeks as I increase my exercise levels. So will be checking in more often I hope!
Keep up the good work my lovelies!!

It's a gorgeous day here -- and will be all week -- so maybe I can get started on the spring work. Not much time for personals today as I'm really running late. Just wanted to let everyone know I'm thinking of you and will write more tomorrow.

On the diet front.......this weekend was not kind to me.

Feeling a little down today. It's beautiful outside here. I have to figure out what I'm going to do with my time. My contract didn't get renewed. So as of Thursday, I'm done for now. They said that I did a good job, and they'll keep me in consideration if other opportunities arise. I've worked for them before, so I guess that I left on a good note if they keep hiring me. I'll probably do some studying while I'm looking for a new job.

Hi Mountain Walker sorry you have been struggling to sounds like you have been really poorly hun... I hope you feel better soon sweetie :hug: and I hope you can rest up a bit. What diet are you following well done on your weight loss already hun :) Glad you managed to speak to your therapist on the phone.

Besty Hope yur day went ok hun? We had sunshine today too :)

tootsieroll81 so sorry you are feeling a bit down :hug: So sorry your contract didn't get renewed

xxxx

Today was our "Monthly Birthday Potluck". It was a potato bar theme. Well I just didn't participate. I suppose I could of had some chili and cheese. But people bring all of these nummy deserts and treats. I just stayed away from the whole thing. It really didn't sound good. I brought my half sandwich loaded with turkey and a slice of cheese topped with tomato, lettuce and spinach. It was the best sandwich ever!

I got in an argument with my brother. His voice really carries and I overheard him saying things regarding me. He is always talking crap about people when they are not around so I am not surprised I was his topic. I guess it wasn't quite an argument because I didn't let him speak. I said my peace and walked away. He is so ungrateful and entitled. GRRRRR! I am still mad. I need to learn how to let things go. Here it is 24 hrs later and I am still letting it bother me.

At work I sit all day. I do try to get up on my breaks and walk around the floor a bit. I do have lot of pain when walking and have resorted to using a walker to get in and out of the building because I just couldn't make it from my car to my desk without being in so much pain I was crying... anyway, I feel because I am sitting all week that I retain more water during the week. Especially in my legs. Any ideas on how to help with this?

^^Sorry you got in an argument with your brother... Things like that bother me I had a snotty parent at dance on sat and even though I knew I was in the right ( her daughter had been away for dance for 3 weeks so didn't get a letter about the change of times) I still worry about it and go over and over what I said! I wish I could lean how to let things go!

Can you do any starching exercise when you are sitting at your desk hun Maybe have a look on u tube? You are doing the right thing by walki8ng in your breaks so sorry you are in pain :( HUGS

I walked about the shopping mall today :) and went for a 10 min walk with mum not a lot but all the steps add up :) Going out tonight to Nandos and I have already added up my cals so I know how many I have for the rest of the day feel like I am on this!!!! Hope it stays like this!

xxx

Good morning. This is one of those weeks where it reminds those of us who live in the Pacific NW why we live here. Beautiful weather and beautiful scenery.

Fi -- Hope your back is doing better. People who don't have mobility issues don't understand how easy it is to get other body parts out of whack from doing something that is so easy for them -- like walking.

Teena -- Being on a diet and having people at work to celebrate or commiserate with is always a challenge. But don't ever let people keep you from celebrating your wins and feeling good about your progress. Setting smaller goals definitely helps with getting us all to the big ones. Sounds like you handled the birthday gala the correct way. I used to take my own food for things like that and if someone commented, I would just say that I was on a medically supervising diet and couldn't partake of the food that was offered. It's not a lie -- the doctor has been telling me to lose weight for 40 years!

Sam -- Hope your grandma is doing better. I know you're close to her and it's always a worry when they (that would be people in my age category!) have health problems. Great news on you and DH getting the brakes done yourself. Not something I would even begin to tackle -- good for you!

Cindy -- With all that is going on in your family right now, I imagine that going off plan on a holiday is the least of your worries. And I totally agree that life happens. I don't want my family to look back and remember that every holiday was filled with me fretting over what I could and couldn't eat. I want them to remember good meals, laughter, and love. Hopefully things are looking up for your BIL and step son -- sounds serious for both of them.

Calda -- Weighing in a group setting is always an exercise in bravery in my opinion. And there are going to be times when we all have weight gains for no known reason. It happens. Now just get back on plan which is easier said than done and definitely some advice that I should follow myself. One of the reasons I have stayed with this group is the support I get from knowing that I'm not alone in the battles that we all fight. It's hard.

Topsy -- We're on the same diet -- stay on plan and then have a binge breakdown. OK. We can do this. I have figured out that I have problems with holidays and realized that the next holiday where we celebrate as a family (which always leads to having eating problems!) is not until Thanksgiving. So let's give each other support and stay on plan.

Donna -- You have been through the wringer and then some with these chest infections. I'm glad you're reporting that you're slowly healing. I prefer to think of wallowing as doctor ordered rest. Actually, the "wallowing" is probably something much needed by your body to heal, and beginning to take those small steps back to being more active shows that it's helped. So sorry you're having to go through yet another round of these infections.

Tootsie -- Yes, if they keep asking you to come back, they definitely like you. It's hard to be a contractor, but also provides you with so much flexibility.

Well after getting down to my signature weight, I did what I've done for the last 18 months and let myself go on the eating path to weight gain. Somehow I've gained 9 pounds in the last few days -- ridiculous and totally my own fault. I know at least some of it is water weight because I'll weight 2-3 pounds more from day to day, but still. You'd think I'd learn that I can't do this!

I am starting a challenge with a friend of mine here in town. We are setting small goals, but we want to lose 5 pounds a month. If I do and she doesn't, then she cuts my hair for free. If she does and I don't, then I pay her double. If we both do -- good for us. If we both don't......we have to post our current weight on FB. That alone will keep me on plan!

Guess I'd better get it in gear. Hope everyone has a good day.

I woke up in such a grumpy mood today. I can't remember when I have been this irritable. I lost another lb and that didn't change my mood. So now I am watching my "feel good" movie, The Santa Clause and enjoying peace and quiet. Tomorrow is a new day.

That is a good idea Topsy. There used to be a show on PBS years ago, Sit and Be Fit. When I was quite a bit younger, I thought how boring. I sure would appreciate that show now. I will google some exercises to do.

I am sure part of my mood is because of my brother. I play things in my head over and over wondering if I over reacted and of all the other things I could of said (not nice things). I think he owes me an apology. But it would never occur to him. Maybe I expect too much out of others.

Betsy: I tell people I am allergic. If I say that I am watching what I eat or on a diet, 9 times out of ten they will say..."just one won't hurt". For me it will, especially right now. Is their a time frame on your change? Is this challenge for the next 3 or 6 months? Just the fact that I may have to post my weight on facebook would scare the 5 lbs off. I barely tell myself what I weigh.

I hope it is ok to add you all to my prayers. It sure sounds like we all have had some struggles lately.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and encouragement.

Hi everyone.

Caldawg, I hope you're feeling better by now about your gain, and realize that it's a temporary thing. For me I know this weight loss thing is going to take a long time. I also know I'm not perfect, and that's okay. Weight fluctuates and sometimes goes up even if we do everything right. Please don't beat yourself up about it. Every day, every meal is another chance to get this right.

Donna, it looks like many of us have had some struggles with staying on plan lately. I'm glad you got to talk to your therapist and she gave you permission to take it easy while you get well. Sometimes we just need a weekend in front of the tv, eating comfort food.

Tootsie, sorry that your contract didn't get renewed. I'm sure that you will find something else to keep you busy.

Topsy, I have a hard time staying on plan all the time too. I'm not sure I will ever master it, but I keep trying.

Teena, congrats on avoiding the monthly birthday bash at work. We used to have those too where I used to work and holiday-themed munchie days. I used to bring my own food too. As for the water retention, try to watch your sodium intake and believe it or not drink more water. When your body doesn't get enough water it holds onto what it has and that can contribute to swelling. I also try to elevate my feet whenever I can.

Sam, great job getting your brakes done, and good luck with the A/C if you and DH decide to do that yourself. I hope your gma is doing better and if she's had those tests already, hoping they reveal what is going on.

Betsy, if you figure out how to stop eating so much that you gain 9 lbs. in a few days, please share your secret. You could make millions. I gained 8 between Thursday and Monday so I feel your pain. I'm sure that some of it is water weight gain. Half of mine is gone already. 5 pounds a month sounds completely reasonable. That has pretty much been my goal too but I keep sabotaging myself.

My stepson is home after having his seventh stent put in Monday. I worry about him because I know he's not going to change his eating habits any. And I worry about his kids and their future health because the whole family doesn't eat right. When they lived with us my DIL used to make dinner for all of us because she got home from work earlier than I did. (It was part of an informal agreement we had.) However after a very short while I told her I would cook for DH and myself, because almost every meal was loaded with processed food and/or fat. She was raised eating stuff like that and sees no reason to change. Meanwhile she complains she needs to lose weight, tries to count calories, but is always hungry because she will use most of her calories on fast food for lunch. Honestly I don't get how people constantly eat like that.

MY BIL is doing well. They postponed his bypass surgery and will most likely do it Monday. The ICU Psychosis is completely gone. He called DH last night and just a little while ago as well. They've done a bunch of tests and think most of the problems he's having are due to his Diabetes, and again to not taking care of himself. His wife says changes are going to be made and I think he is realizing the necessity of that too.

On the diet front I'm doing well. I have stuck to plan for three days and strangely I'm not feeling the fatigue I usually feel after a couple of days without carbs. I'm not complaining about that though. I spent a small fortune at the grocery store today so I have plenty of healthy stuff to eat for a while. Because I was sick it's been a few weeks since I stocked up, so we needed a lot of stuff. Our landlord was here when I got home and said it looked like enough food to feed a family for a month. DH told him "Nah, she'll be getting more next week." He knows me so well. ;) I will, but on a much smaller scale, probably just things like salad stuff and milk.

Time to call it a night. I hope you all have a great day tomorrow!

Hello all, I am new to this site and have been reading quite a few posts and find them very encouraging.
This site has given me the
encouragment I have been
looking for.
Can anyone tell me pls how i can subscribe to a trend?
I'm still trying to figure things out. Thank you all.

hi Dina and Welcome!

You can subscribe to the thread up at the top of the thread under "thread tools".

Hope to see more of you.

Hi everyone, just checking in quickly; having a manic week! I have stuck to my diet, and I am feeling better about the gain.. It happens I guess. I am feeling slimmer, so maybe I will have a significant loss this week? I hope everyone is going well, I will check in again over the weekend :D

Still very sore from the injury to my back....