Patti – I am pretty sure that you can get decaffeinated green tea. I know that you can get decaffeinated normal tea, but I also think I’ve seen the decaf green tea. I couldn’t find any one time and decided to try the ‘Infusions’. Some of them are delicious. I don’t normally drink a lot at all, especially during winter, but I found that I was happily having a couple of these a day as they are so YUM. My favourite is a strawberry/cranberry/raspberry mix. Even the smell of it is delightful. You may want to try those if you like hot drinks.
I’m glad you made hubby a small birthday cake, but I’m afraid mine would have had to be happy with a single muffin or cupcake in the early days of my journey. I wasn’t good at resisting yummy food when it was staring me in the face. Well done on being able to throw the rest out. Please wish your hubby a happy birthday for me.

Misti – That park you went to looks lovely. I hope you managed to appreciate the surroundings and the mud didn’t cause you too many worries. It sounds as though it gave you a really good workout. You may be sore now, but I bet you still feel pretty wonderful that you managed to do it.
I am SO glad that someone told you what the driver had said. Often people don’t know whether to pass on information like that and I know how great it feels when you hear compliments like that. You certainly deserve them!
What are Danskin workout balls? I’ve never heard of them before. I’m assuming they are attached to something so you don’t throw them away. Or are they more like weights?
Yep, it was me who said that I had a dent just like yours. Well, that is if you are talking about that dip at the very base of your throat. As my neck became more defined, so did my dip. I really like it now. It makes my collarbone show up more.
I’m sure I would get driven nuts with too much snow. And I KNOW I would freeze! I would just like to experience it once. Being from Canada, Neil isn’t too eager to head back there for a winter any time soon. One of his jobs used to be shoveling the snow and I don’t think he misses it one little bit.

Heather – I love hearing you talk about the new things you are finding out about yourself almost every day. I love the positive approach you have to exercising, even when you don’t REALLY want to do it. I am SO happy for you that your hubby is on this journey with you, as you can both share these “A-Ha” moments.
You are right, I DID give myself this gift, but I am so overwhelmed by the simple fact that I was actually able to do it that I sometimes feel as though there must have been some kind of outside influence somewhere that made me strong enough to accomplish what I have. I am not really a spiritual person, so I can’t explain it as many people probably could. I don’t even really understand it myself. Perhaps I just find it hard to believe that ‘little ol’ me’ could actually do such a great job. Maybe I need to work on that thought a little, to believe in myself more.
Wow! I’m having SO many deep and meaningful moments lately. I’m not sure where all of these breakthroughs are coming from.
You asked if I am still tired. Well, I do tend to get quite tired at times, and this was worrying me until I found out that there is nothing medically wrong, so now I can just put it down to normal things like a busy schedule, or walking for a long time in the sun, etc. I saw that everyone else was tired at the end of the term too, but I thought that maybe I was MORE tired than them. It is amazing what you can convince yourself of.

Valerie – I LOVE the photos you posted. My favourite is the one of you with Simon when he was little. I think you look great (Is your hair naturally wavy? If so, I am SO jealous!) and of course Simon looks absolutely adorable – and VERY comfortable.
I have to say that in the picture of you with the horse and your ‘girl’, you don’t look too big to be riding. Mind you, I have NO idea how big/small you have to be to ride a horse, but when I compare you to that HUGE horse, you look tiny! I know you said that you did have a ride the other day, but I just think you look small enough to be riding THEN, and you have lost weight since then I think (if I read the ticker right). Oh well… just my 2c worth as usual. It IS possible I have NO idea what I am talking about and am just waffling as usual.

Lavandel – I LOVE your new avatar! NOW we can see what you look like. Oh, and you look lovely by the way. That is a very classy photo. Is it a professional shot?
I actually never had any medical problems when I was bigger either. I was the same as you, and I often expected to see something wrong because I was so big, but things kept coming back clear. Mind you, I did realise that I was a time bomb, waiting to go off. Earlier this year (I think it was then, time has flown by) I was tested and found to have low B12. I ended up having shots over 6 weeks. The doctor is pretty sure now that it was just caused by me losing so much weight and my body just had to adjust and be given a little kick along with the shots. That is also why I had to have the colonoscopy/gastroscopy, as sometimes that shows up a problem ‘inside’ that causes people to now absorb B12.

Angie – Sorry that PMS gave you a real kick in the pants just lately. I hate it when that happens and you KNOW that there is a reason for it, but you just can’t drag yourself out of the hole. I really don’t like it when I am being snappy at people (usually poor hubby) and I just can’t stop myself. I know I am being TOTALLY unreasonable, but things just keep pouring out of my mouth. I hope you and hubby managed to get to the store to get the vitamins you need, and you are feeling MUCH better soon.
At least you realise that the weight gain is just fluid and will go away soon. It is a pain that it has to come anyway, but at least you know that it won’t stick around permanently.
OH!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!! My hubby is Canadian and I didn’t even know when your Thanksgiving was. I asked him and he said it was this Monday. I hope you have a wonderful time. Do you have anything planned? Are you visiting people, or just spending it at home relaxing… and recovering from TOM’s visit.

Kim – It sounds as though you have quite the backup exercise team there. It must be great to have so much support. It must be great to know that you are fitter than people who are smaller than you. I suppose I had that realization during our summer holidays when we went exploring some caves. There were a LOT of steps involved and people were coming up puffing and panting – people WAY smaller and younger than me – and I was a little worried. But I went down and came up with no worries at all. I was VERY impressed with myself.
I sometimes wonder whether I should REALLY get into exercise again, and do two strenuous workouts a day, so that maybe I could lose those last pesky pounds that I would like to get rid of. But then I gain my sanity back again and remember that I am HAPPY with my weight at the moment, and I am carrying quite a few pounds of excess skin, so I really shouldn’t be worrying about losing any more weight. Once I have that firmly in my head, I allow myself a little more flexibility with exercising and I don’t beat myself up about having a shorter workout or missing a day or two a week. It truly is a good feeling.
Well done on not gaining when TOM arrived. THAT is some kind of achievement.

Melissa – It doesn’t seem as though anything is going to slow you down with the exercising. Please try to not overdo it though. And this comes from someone who did that TWICE. Nothing like not learning from the first time huh? Both times I ended up making myself sick and sabotaging my weight loss. My body held onto every little thing I was giving it because it wanted to prepare itself for the strenuous workouts I was giving it. Who would have ever figured that I would OVERDO it with exercise. I learnt something new about myself.
Anyway… I just want you to be careful. I’m not saying that you are doing anything wrong, but I know how easy it was for me to just creep up with the exercise until I became obsessive about it. It was quite funny really, because when I stopped exercising for 4 days (NOT easy to do, but I was sick for the last two, so that made it easier) I actually lost weight again, where I had been on a plateau for a while. Our bodies work in mysterious ways.
Did you end up all wrinkly after spending so long in the pool? I remember when I was younger and I would spend so long in the pool I would end up with fingers and toes that resembled prunes.

Brenda – OK… I obviously had another ‘duh’ moment somewhere along the line. I missed what Steven was having surgery for. I hope it wasn’t anything too serious and that his recovery is quick.
It must be SO tempting to pinch some of his ‘treats’. I hope some people bring him fruit so you can nibble some of that.
OH! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! I hope you have a wonderful time at your mom’s. Luckily turkey is a GOOD food. Just pinch all of the white meat before anybody else does and try not to have too much gravy/dressing with it. I’m sure you will be able to find some healthy vegetables to have with the turkey. Those cheesecakes sound delicious. Have you posted the recipe anywhere? I would love to see it. I’m not sure if we get Oreos over here (maybe I have seen them), but I am getting very good at substituting foods in recipes, so I am sure I could tweak it.

Annie – I am sorry I made you cry, but hopefully it was a GOOD cry. I truly know how you feel. Sometimes we just need SOMETHING to remember and cling onto when times get a little harder than usual.
It is funny about not checking seats. It was actually a while after I reached a ‘normal’ size, that I realized I could fit into any seat I saw. I was still a little worried about the size of chairs even when I should have KNOWN that they wouldn’t be problem. It takes the mind a while to catch up with the body.
I am glad my words of FREEDOM have been so uplifting to so many people. I kinda just started thinking out loud, and everything just flowed so naturally. I am glad I made sense to you all.

Kelly – Welcome to a wonderful place! You will love the people here and I hope you become part of the ‘family’ soon. I would love to hear more about you.
I have never heard of Sugar Busters, so I can’t help you with that. I am another one who just changed what I ate and moved more. If you are interested in reading what I did, you can go to my website (link is below my ticker) and there is a link to My Weight Loss Document (I think that is what it’s called). It kinda lets people know how I started and what I’m doing now.
Good luck with your journey!

Amanda – I am glad you are feeling better today. I hope you are 100% soon.
Thank you for the lovely comments to Kelly about my post on freedom. I truly am glad that I can make a different to other people in any way, even if it is just sharing my struggles or ‘a-ha’ moments.

Katt – Yep – Scoot sounds like a definite keeper. It is funny how many people I hear/read about who met their partners online. I met Neil online. We didn’t MEAN to meet, but we used to frequent the same chat room, where a mix of people used to just get together and talk about families, work etc. Well, one day we were the only familiar names to each other… and to cut a long story short, we ended up emailing, sending letters/cards/gifts, calling each other CONSTANTLY, until we worked out it would be cheaper for him to come and see me for a holiday. So he hopped on a flight from Canada to Australia and arrived late October 1998. We have been together ever since. I have said it before and I’ll say it again – I never believed in fate or soul mates until I met Neil. I am sure I could never have met anyone like him in a bar or wherever. The Internet can be a wonderful thing at times.
Anyway… what else was I going to say before I got all dreamy-eyed again.
You know, I hadn’t even put my tiredness down to stress before, but you could actually be onto something. I DO tend to get tired when I am stressed, but I had totally forgotten about that. Zelma!!! Think girl! Thank you Katt.
Oh! I LOVE your bears! I have a LOT of bears in my front loungeroom. I don’t just have classy ones, but I have a real mixture. Most are ones Neil has bought me, but others are ones I have picked up from here or there, or ones students have given me. I will have to take a pic of mine some time. I also have quite a few Winnie the Poohs. I have never grown up and I never used to have a lot of teddies or Winnie the Pooh stuff when I was little, so I’m making up for it now.

Well, I think that is about it for now. I will get these posted then head off to bed I think. I am looking forward to a lovely busy day tomorrow. I MAY get some more housework done, but if not, it will still be there the next day huh?

Take care all,

Zelma

Zelma~ There are many days to come with LOTS of snow here. I'll certainly share it with you Steve had a vasectomy so no nothing serious. Some men seem to think it is but he's doing marv. An oreo is a cookie sandwich, cookies are chocolate and the icing in between is white.

Annie~ thats awesome that you are still doing so well. Another 5 down is amazing! I'm so proud of you!!!!

Well guys, I finally got rid of that 6 lbs of whatever it was that I put on over the past 2 weeks. I am actually down another lb too! Yeah me!!

Time to go and make pies and cheesecakes. Ugh, Katt, they are by no means lowcal *L* but they are made with ultra low fat cr cheese and splenda so it could be a lot worse! I'll let ya know what they taste like later

Brenda

Well, looks as if we are posting at the same time, Zelma!

Here are the Danskin balls

http://www.danskin.com/em-da-1060r.html

LOL they are wong when they say it won't roll. But I suppose that is because we have so many hills here and everything will roll.

I have two 3-pound ones and they are about 4" in diameter. They are soft and squishy so you can kind of grip and hold onto them but LOL yes I did drop them a few times in the wet street! I had to make certain I kept them VERY low when I was close to cars as I want no broken windows or dents to be responsible for! But most of my walk was down a back "alley" type street where they are building a new division. But these are great for just lying in bed watching TV and getting in a bit of arm exercise! They also had 5 pound ones which I would like to have. But wow the prices online are WAAAY high compared to WalMart!! Mine came in a set of 2 for $13 or so at WalMart.

And oh my you have never had an Oreo? They are THE chocolate cookie over here! But just as well you don't try them LOL. The best are white chocolate covered which you can only get at Christmas and are my huge weakness which I shall have to resist this year... or fudge mint covered, usually available only during the Christmas season.

Hmmmm I missed the new Avatar of Lavandel which must have the photo... will have to go back a thread and take a look!

Good morning to everyone! Happy Sunday!

Zelma it sounds great. i am in a christmas mood for decorations too. we didnt decorate last year and it was SO DEPRESSING. so i ordered a few small things this year and cant wait to put them up!

Better example of toning balls... you can get a better idea of the size. But they fit nicely in one hand

http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...428-00982-2646

In fact I would like to have these 4-pound ones and the price is more realistic

Brenda congrats on getting rid of the 6 pounds! Yay for you!

I am still fighting with gaining and losing those same 5 pounds. The last time I lost was Sept. 11 and I am still not back down there. It does get discouraging and hard to understand. <sigh>

Zelma -- Again, you said EXACTLY what I'm feeling. Now that I've lost so much, I am simply amazed that I -- MOI -- could lose 100 pounds. I tried on some of the clothes I was wearing before I began this, and I simply cannot believe a) I WAS that big and b) I am no longer that big. I was NEVER successful before, why now?

I feel that only NOW am I starting to believe I can do this, and I am amazed that I could do all that without believing in myself.

I am starting to believe that it is not necessary to set amazing goals, but to set out on a path that is likely to result in success and STAY on that path. When I tell people what I have done to lose the weight (eat reasonably and exercise), a big comment I get is "Wow, it really works!" Doctors say "That's what we tell people to do." So, it works, and all we had to do was stick to it!

My favorite poem is from JRR Tolkien (from Lord of the Rings). I find it appropos in many situations, and I think it also fits this weight loss journey.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can.
Persuing it with eager feet [though other versions have "weary feet']
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

I'm off to Six Flags -- first time on a roller coaster in 15 years or more!

Craftygarden: Welcome to our family. Everyone here is so sweet, supportive and will give you a little kick in the butt if you need it. We are so glad you are here. Post as often as you feel comfortable and don't worry about keeping up with us. Just post when you feel like it. No pressure.

Misti: Great job on the hill!

Val: I can't wait to go look at the photo page and see your smiling face!

Zelma: oh, it was a good cry. I really needed to be reminded of other reasons to keep on trucking towards health.

Wyllenn: Thanks for the poem. Lovely and so apporpriate. Have fun on all those coasters. Ride one for me!

Brenda: Thanks for the compliments. Congrats on getting rid of the 6 pounds. Keep up the good work.

Well all, happy Sunday. I'm op again today and yesterday I jumped back on the elliptical after months off. I was able to do 4 minutes without stopping. For me that is excellent. LOL. Hoping to do that a few times a day in addition to my other exercises.

Blessings all,
Annie

Mellisa- congrats on being half way through your exercise goal- and it’s only the 8th of the month-looks like you are really going to exceed your goal this month too!

Patti- Your husband should be- but I guess it is his birthday…I will probably still eat cake on my b-day. It sounds like you had a good plan though- how’d it go?

Brenda- good to “see” you- glad that you’ve been doing well staying OP- especially with all the goodies your hubby has! I think I would blow it! Good luck with the turkey dinner! Congrats on being down the 6 pounds- plus one!! Woo hoo!

Annie- Congrats on being down another 5 pounds!!! I know it can be tough- it is for all of us, but remember why we are doing it, just like Zelma said- it makes it a little easier! Good luck!

Misti- congrats on making it up the steep hill- what proof that you really are getting in shape- even if it did wipe you out- imagine trying to even do it before!!

Kelly- you are in the right spot- especially for motivation. Everyone here is so supportive, and struggling the same as you are. Welcome, and I look forward to getting to know you and cheering you on as you lose away!

Amanda- I’m glad today was a better day!

Valerie- Thanks for crossing your finger for me- I’ll take all the hope I can, who knows what could happen between now and Friday, I’m not taking any chances!! I am so shocked to see how choosing the right foods fills me faster than the ones I used to eat- For example (WARNING: this is pathetic): My typical order from McDonalds used to be 2 double cheeseburgers, 2 McChickens (with extra mayo) a large fry and either a large coke or chocolate milkshake. All that to fill me up- now, I go and get the snack size fruit and walnut salad with a water and I feel satisfied. What a change!

Katt- good for you getting the tv intime to work out- I’m so thankful that the only sport my fiancé has to see is the soccer tournament that comes once ever four years—I don’t know what I’d do if he was one of those guys that had all those sports he had to watch! Thanks- it looks like the post is fully operational, so I guess I got it right! I’ll be crossing my fingers for you to hit the 80’s this week, looks like it’s very attainable!! Good luck! Oh- BTW- I love your collections (especially the bears) how cute!

Zelma- your xmas village sounds wonderful! You will have to take a picture for us all to see! I didn’t know you had excess skin- you can’t even see it in your pics! Forgive me if I’m being nosy- you don’t have to answer- but how much do you have? Where? Is it a big problem? I have to admit it’s one of my biggest concerns about losing so much weight is that I still won’t be able to wear the cute clothes I want to because I still have all this crap…well anyway- I wouldn’t stress about how much you exercise- as long as you are able to maintain still.

Hello ladies- just doing a quick drop in to say I am doing well- staying OP. We took my step son Franky and his cousin Beto to Chuckie Cheese- and I didn't eat any pizza- I got the salad bar, and I drank diet soda. Very proud of myself! I went and bought some new excercise clothes, I've gotten tired of wearing ragedy sweats and shorts that ride up- so I went to Target to get something not too expensive. I picked three sizes because I just wasnt sure what would fit- and none did- I had to go back and get a smaller size! In pants I got a 18/20 and in shirts I got a 16/18- it was stretchy material, and I'm sure if it wasn't the size would have been much higher, but still I couldn't believe that i fit into a smaller size. Okay- gotta run- talk to you later!

KIM, I when I first started to cut back and eat better, eliminating the refined carbs especially, I even noticed that food TASTED better. It was weird. The other weird thing the still amazes me every time I go shopping, is that 'skinny food is very heavy, and 'fat' food is very light. You can almost tell if you should eat something, just by hefting it.

HEATHER, I loved the poem. I liked the Lord of the Rings, too. I read the books years ago and was really impressed with what they did with the movies. They did a much better job than usual.

ANNIE! WTG on the elipical!!! Those things are supposed to be great for you ... if they don't kill ya! I hope you aren't too sore after tackling that machine, but I'm so proud of you for DOing it!!

MISTI, I can't believe how stubborn and discouraging those the scale can be at times! I'm glad to know that you'll hang in there and win out over it though!

BRENDA - WHOOP WHOOP!!! on those discarded pounds!! Doesn't it just stink to have to re-lose them?? I know that feeling - we ALL know that feeling I bet - but it's great when it's done, we know we can do it, and we're moving on down again! BRAVO for you for conquering those pounds - and their friends and relatives!

ZELMA, Yes, my hair is naturally tempermental and eccentric, that is to say, curly. It's a blessing especially since it's gotten rather thin as I've gotten older. I like it much better now than I did as a kid, when I had a thick mane of it, but on rainy or misty days it can still be pretty freaky. * Thanks for your kind comments on my pictures. I was so excited when I finally figured out how to to it.
As for riding, a stout horse might be able to carry the weight, but riding well is quite dependant on balance. When you were heavy did you ever try walking on a balance beam, or a curb even? How about ballroom dancing, perhaps a tango with a professional dance partner? When you're on a horse, (who is a professional athlete by birth) you have a living and somewhat unpredictable partner that you have to reflexively coordinate your balance with. It doesn't hold still like a curb, and even though you have a leg on each side, well, that can change without notice if you know what I mean. All your communication with the horse is physical. Your balance has to be decent so that your hands on the reins and your legs against his sides can give subtle cues and instructions. There's a difference to him between whether you're using your thigh or your calf, on one side or both, and exactly where on his side your leg even IS. Even your balance on his back tells him whether to speed up or slow down, whether there's a left turn, right turn or dead halt coming. The more sloppy you are, the more he assumes that he can make decisions because you don't know what you're doing. This is all even assuming the horse is calm and already well trained. Try and ride a horse who isn't clear on all the signals himself, or gets frightened either by you or a rabbit or log or some other stupid thing, and your balance is ESSENTIAL to survival. Even if the cues are clear, it's just plain frustrating to be the guy on the bottom when the one on top keeps slipping even minutely, throwing your balance off. Personally, as the one on the top, I'm frustrated because I simply can't balance like I used to, so my cues are sloppy and I just KNOW how much better I used to be and will be again, but not soon enough. It's would also be dangerous for me to get on Gabriel at this weight because he WILL spook or jump a bit at something, and I just couldn't stay with him at this weight like I could before. So yes, I can get on a horse and it can carry me around, but to "RIDE", to me means something more. It means a graceful, physical communication and harmony with the motion of my partner. It means... freedom.

Greetings all,

I hope everyone had a decent day today. The weather in NH was absolutely gorgeous...clear as a bell, 75 degrees, and leaves in their autumnal glory. I just couldn't stay inside and did 3 separate hikes, although I'm a bit sore now.

Zelma, add me to the list of folks who were moved by your Freedom post. In fact, I think it should be stickied at the top so that I can read it whenever I'm having one of "those" days.

Kelly, welcome! I understand your desire to keep motivated. For years, when I would see someone on TV who had lost a ton of weight, I would always wonder how they became motivated. I've recently learned that it isn't really motivation, but a decision. I've made a decision to exercise so many minutes of month or day and that is that. Like you, I hated exercise for years because I became so frustrated so quickly. The first month was HARD. Now, though, in only 3 months 4 days, my strength, endurance, and ability have greatly improved. We have an exercise thread stickied to the top of the page, which you are welcome to join. Set a small goal for yourself, maybe just 10 minutes a day at first, and keep at it. It gets better!

Valerie, your pics are great! So was your post on riding. I've only been on a horse once in my life and the experience wasn't all that pleasant, though I could see how it could get into your blood. Your post made a lot of sense about how your weight affects your balance. Good stuff.

Melissa, 3mph on walks?? Wow. I can't seem to get my legs to move faster than 2.5 and then I can't keep that pace up for long. I'm impressed!

Kim, what a great NSV for you! Interestingly, I've been thinking about going to Target for exercise clothes. I have been wearing capris as they are the only pants I have that are fitted and work well for exercise. However, with the weather changing, capris just are not going to do the job soon. Hopefully, I'll be down some sizes as well.

Not much new here. Weekends are always challenging for me to stay OP and with this weekend having 3 days, I'm a little concerned about my Tuesday weigh-in. However, I don't think I've been too bad and I've definitely been getting some exercise, so hopefully I will be down another lb or 2.

Do good tomorrow!

Hello Ladies,

I have been lurking but not enough as the threads are flying by. I have been trying to catch up today but have only read the latest three threads. With breaks and even a walk thrown in between threads. I have noticed that many of you are near my wieght but wear much smaller sizes. It reminds me that i am short (not that I mind being short just that it is hard work hauling around this wieght on a 5ft 2inch frame)

i keeop forgeting to wiegh my self before i eat breakfast. Friday was my day to wiegh in but i missed it so I am going to do it tommorow before I go to work. My last wiegh in wasnot so great so but i knwo that I need to have some idea of where I stand other than the clothes test (jeans not so tight, breast fit in the bra)

I better get off line and do the dishes so i will have clean kitchen to cook in and start the week off right. Hope you all have a good start to the new week. congrats on the scale and nonscale victories! And to those of you stuggling every good food choice and minute exersized is a step in the right direction...

ugh... i ate too much... Somebody needs to i ate too much turkey, ham, and dessert.... the thing that I didnt eat too much of was veggies ... FIGURES! Why do we do this??? Because of a holiday? Isn't there always a reason!!!

I did however work out for 90 min afterwards but man.... I still am full as a tick! I am heading upstairs while hubby plays his game. Maybe paint my toenails.... that is if I still can reach them

Night girls!!! Feel free to me
Brenda

well things could have been better with the cake but could have been worse. i did eat a wee bit too much of it but its ok out the door now then it was so rich it really made me sick so i hope maybe FFm will have mercy on me on Friday!