Morning Ladies!
Walking is wonderful Nichola, and popular ... as you can see by the number of us (even just in this thread) who do it. It's not hard, it's cheap and with either music or a friend ... very pleasant.

Kim -- I truly believe that this whole weight loss/exercise thing is 90% mental. I've said this on so many threads but I feel really, really strongly about it. It's so easy to just "give up". It's so easy to self name-call, put yourself down, look at the past and figure "what's the point". To anyone who is doing this, STOP playing that mental game with yourself NOW! It does absolutely no good; it only delays what you need to do to get to where you want to get. If you think you can do this, you will succeed. If you think you can't do this, you will not succeed. I think there is a "Bob Greene" or who/what ever out there for everyone that will just "click" and a mental shift will happen. That mentality will get you to your goal; I've no doubt about it!

I also know what you mean about emotional eating. My son was dx'd w/atypical autism when he was 6 (he's 13 now). TONS of behaviour problems then and now. STRESS out the wahzoo! I remember many, many, many times being frustrated or angry at him and all I could think was "m&m's, m&ms" It's all I wanted. I actually paid attention to this and it was like "duh, stress = wanting it to stop = FOOD". It was such a light bulb moment. Anyway, it's so easy to just ignore why we eat but it is imperative to really listen to your body and give it what it wants.

As for the saying "no" to to folks -- you and I are in sync w/that!! I used to be the yes person. Always, regardless of whether or not I really wanted to do whatever it was. I've learned - alot from my son actually - that saying no is fine. More importantly, I don't need to give a reason for saying no. They frequently ask me to come into the school for my youngest to help w/parties and such. The parties are always at 2:30 in the afternoon, which is when my son gets home. I'll say no and give no explanation other than I can't. I don't feel like going into his problems, explaining away, sounding like this extremely apologetic person, etc. No is fine. My daughter didn't want to go to Philadelphia w/some friends this week. They're all pesting her. She's like "I don't have an excuse for not going" I told her sure you do; not wanting to go is a reason. If they don't like your answer, it's their problem not yours.

Nichola - EXCELLENT job on the saying no to the wine!! Each time you stick to your plan it gets just a little, tiny bit easier. You can have a glass or two of wine though; just plan it out and figure it into your day's or week's total calories. Very do-able. Keep up the good work!!

We got our DDR game yesterday. Haven't had a chance to really look at it yet. Kids off all week. But am very excited to have an option other than the treadmill for cardio. Did my UB workout yesterday; have to fit my LB workout in today. The scale is the same for me at the moment, but TOM is finally subsiding and I'm hoping it drops another lb. by Sunday. However, my measurements are down some -- FINALLY!!!! Yahoo!!!!!

Guess I'd better get going. Have a great day everyone!!

Jop

P.S. Kim -- my daughter went to see "Spamalot" at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia this past Saturday. She said it was a riot! Got a couple of "Ni!" and "I'm Not Dead Yet" pins. She went w/the French club from school. No, she doesn't even take french but knew the teacher and managed to snag a spot. Don'tcha think it's hysterical that the French Club went to see Spamalot? "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries." Aahhh, they crack me up!!!!!!

Here's my yahoo health tip for today .....
The Surgeon General and American Heart Association agree -- you can walk away from serious disease. Each says adopting a routine of daily physical activity will help you achieve this goal and more. For starters, daily walks help control your weight, both by burning additional calories and by increasing the size of your working muscles (which in turn reduces the number of calories converted into body fat). Regular walks also reduce your risk of dying prematurely, significantly reduce your risk of dying from coronary artery disease or a heart attack (exercise has as much effect as quitting smoking), and increase your likelihood of quitting or cutting back on smoking.

Hi everyone.

I do enjoy walking haven't got a walk today yet . We're under a severe thunderstorm warning and are going to get hit soon. So I will wait until later.

Ok, I just PM'd about 7 or 8 of the posters from the original "47 And No Idea" thread that was in the "Intros" forum, including harpandflute (she started the thread). Hopefully they'll find us!

Jo

hi ladies,
I'm a 45er and would love to join your thread! The past 3 years my body has been going through menopause. Missed periods, hot flashes, headaches, moodyness. Then I had the period that would not go away , Dr. and I tried everything. Finally I had a hyst. they left my overies but had to have 2 blood trasfusions Thought that would straighten me out but the hot flashes continued, every hour, day and night. Finally brooke down and went for the Estrogen drug therapy. Life has been great now All my symtems are gone but feel a little uneasy about taking HRT. Going to see my Doc in a few months to see about going off it a see if my body can adjust now. I have found losing weight a little harder but possible and feel I'll reach my goals if I stick with eating healthy and exercising . I have some limitations with my back but find the best exercise for me has been biking. love , love ,love it!!! Makes me feel like a kid again . I know I need to incorporate Weight training in my program but can't seem to get started.I've actually got a great pair of legs, probably from biking, but look up and woe, there's all my excess weight right in my middle. I havn't always been overweight and remember how good I felt when my body was normal and I want to get back to that feeling . Well ,here's to another day and I'm going to take them one day a time.
Rhonda

Ok, a couple of good things today. First, I had to move a button on a favorite pair of pants over an inch 'cause they just kept slipping and a sliding down my body. They still slide down some but it feels really great to have HAD to move the button over. I actually moved the button too; didn't just safety pin the pants as a temporary fix. I am not ever going back to what I weighed -- EVER!!!

Second, I took the kids to the mall today. Eating at the mall is a nightmare if you ask me. They wanted to eat at Friendly's. Cripes, everything there is fried. But they did have a deluxe turkey club. I got it but made them only use 2 slices of toast instead of the 3 the normally use. Mayo on the side. They screwed the order up twice -- how hard was my request anyways? - and the mayo looked like it had been sitting out awhile -- eeewww! So I used the honey/mustard sauce that came w/the kids stuff and put that on the toast. I also peeled away all the crust from the toast. Ate one freakin' french fry!! I'm very pleased to have resisted the junk and ice cream. I didn't even take a taste of my youngest Reese's peanut butter cup sundae -- but boy it sure looked tasty!! I had eaten b-fast at 9am then a banana w/some peanutbutter around 10:15am, even though I wasn't hungry. It held me but good and I wasn't starving at lunch so I could make the best choice.

Hope everyone is doing well. The Easter bunny is coming -- aaaahhhhhh!!!!

mudbug -- glad you're here!!! It's a great place to

w/others in the same boat!


Jo

Hey All,

Jo, Rhonda, Susan B, Clydegirl, Nicola......

Welcome Rhonda I think that we chatted on another thread...

Jo I am glad to hear that you messaged them...it would be nice if we are on the same thread...I don't have Friendly's near me...infact I can't think of anywhere else except the USA...I love Denny's so they are the same...

Hope everyone is well...and doing well...
The exercise thing is getting so much better...I make sure that I have my steps in each day (6000)... and if I don't get in my steps in...I go for my 2 kilometre walk...

I really have taken Bob Greene's plan and made it mine...so some stuff I am really wedded to and other stuff not so much or I couldn't keep going on...as long as my fried food is on a non-stick I will fry it but the not eating 2 hours before bed is a must...but I am really having some difficulty with getting in my water...

But I have been following Phase II for one week tomorrow and tomorrow is weigh in and I am ready...

Hi Everyone and welcome to mudbug

I haven't been around for a couple of days because I haven't been receiving any email notifications for some reason

Anyway, I've had a good week so far ... managed to stay within my calorie allowance and I'm feeling really positive.

Jo, good for you having to move your button over ... I look forward to the day when my clothes start to feel loose!

I've had a good experience this week ... On May 5th, hubby and I are going to a ball ... I was dreading this as trying to find an evening gown to fit me in Hong Kong is almost impossible! Anyway, I came across a website last week of a company in the states who specialises is plus-size dresses. I've never ordered clothes on-line before as I have enough problems getting clothes to fit when I take twenty items into the changing room, let alone ordering something that I can't try on! Anyway, in my desperation, I came across a dress that was actually in the sale and in my size (they give measurements and advise how to measure yourself and what size to order). I decided to order it and as it was a good price I thought what the heck if it doesn't fit I'll just have to find something else. Anyway, it arrived yesterday ... only took a few days to get here ... and I can't believe how well it fits! The style, colour and fit were perfect and the quality was superb ... Amazing! All I need to do is get it turned up as it's too long. I am so pleased ... now, instead of dreading going to the ball, I'm feeling quite excited about it. If anyone ever needs a special dress for a ball/party/prom/etc. I would definitely recommend them. Not only was the dress great, but the service was fantastic too ... Sydney'sCloset.com.

Hope everyone is having a good week and to you all!

Hi There everyone!!!
Thank you "is that really me" for the invite ( I feel so dumb for not finding "US" sooner)
Boy- oh- boy SusanB, I feel your pain!! Because of my hbp i have to take dieretics-so every morning I feel like i lose 10 pounds in water weight, but of course no such luck, if I turn around and look into the mirror( which I normally avoid at all costs) I find that same 10 pounds hanging off my rear-sigh-its really not fair!
I've been under the weather for the last few days and I have been using that as an exuse to not go to the gym. Stupid I know, so today, trailing used soggy tissues,I will go to workout (I am sure it will make me feel better, if for no other reason than I won't feel so guilty)
Well, chins up ladies, all 3 of mine are no longer on my chest, time to go do me some good.
Will type again soon
Hi there kimush and is it really me, so glad to be "talking" to you again

HELLO,
jo - way to go on resisting mall fast food. Exspecialy Friendly's I recall growing up the mall close to us had one we loved to eat there, haven't seen one around in a long time { maybe that's a good thing for me }

fat in HK - sounds like your in for a lovely evening! I'm happy for you that you found a beautiful dress and your ready for the ball have a great time!!

susanb- I love reading your healthy tips

I"ve had my dh home on days off and he's been a bit underfoot . If I can get through till monday without it will be a miracle
Rhonda

Hi Everyone!

Well, I'm a very happy bunny today ... and not just because it's Easter! I started my new plan on Monday of this week, but as I like to weigh-in on Fridays, I hopped (like a bunny! ) onto the scales this morning ... and to my great delight I'm down 6lbs!!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes so I got on and off the scales a few times to make sure they weren't broken, but no, it was definitely correct! It's the most I've ever lost during my first week of a 'diet'. If I stay on track like this for the next month I'll be getting that dress taken in, not just up!!

'Hi' notfatjustfluffy ... nice to meet you

I've got a very busy weekend ahead ... cooking Easter Sunday Lunch for 10 people , so lots of shopping and housework to get done today and tomorrow ... and a big turkey with all the trimmings to cook on Sunday ... I'm going to have to be careful, but I'm cooking lots and lots of nice veggies so I'll fill up on the good things and leave the other stuff to everyone else!

Have a great weekend!

Nichola congrats on that 6 lbs. Good for you finding the dress for your ball. I can't remember the last time I wore a dress. You'll have to post some pictures when you're all dressed up.

Happy Easter everyone. My oldest will be home from uni so we'll have a full house again. It's funny how the dynamics of the house change when someone leaves and then they come back and the routine changes again.

I will get a small ham and turkey and do a lot of veggies and potatoes.

Remember it's only one day don't pig out all week

I so know what you mean Rhonda! I love my hubby but he throws everything I usually do into disarray when he's off from work. While he finds it fun to go to the grocery store or Target, I'm like "I go there all the time. It's what I do; the novelty left ages ago!".

Nichola - - NICE JOB, WELL DONE!!! Nothing bolsters your willpower like a great loss, huh? Keep up the great work!!


My kids have been home all week and I'm looking forward to when they go back on Tues. If I hear "hey mom?" one more time . . .


Still trying to get that lb. off by Sunday. I've been getting in my weight workouts; if I could only have gotten cardio in I just know the scale would be down. Can do TM intervals tomorrow; keep your fingers crossed that it's just enough to move the numbers down!

Have a great Easter Sunday everyone!!

Jo

Hi, I was looking for some "40 somethings", glad I found all of you! Just starting out on this site, hope I have something important to contribute soon. Hoppy Easter