Thank you everyone for such a friendly welcome!

Can someone explain to me what the purpose of this thread is...because in the beginning a lot of people were reporting their weight, food and exercise, and lately it's more about frustrations. Is all of that appropriate for this thread?

Neurodoc, I read your bio under introduction. I may have a few ideas on how to entice your 12 year old to become more active. I have a lot of experience with this age/boys. This is really a critical time for introducing new interests because at this age because boys at this age really start putting a ton of importance on their friends - being with them, being like them, and the friends' influence is POWERFUL. If any of his friends of acquaintenances are active or into sports, it's time to really (but covertly) encourage that friendship; suggest this friend join your son for a movie, movie and pizza night, hang out at your house....provide plenty of active equipment...balls, skateboards, soccer kickback...etc.

If your son has played a sport in the past and is fairly knowledgeable and still has interest in it, he will soon be old enough to train as an assistant or referee for some sports...the money might interest him. Being part of the sport, might spark more interest in playing it himself.

He might be able to help coach younger kids....and some boys really like being looked up to from those little ones and that keeps them engaged.

He has two younger brothers...again, if he has enough skill/knowledge, pull him aside, and "partner" him with you....say, "Your younger brother needs more time learning to kick, throw, pitch, bike, swim, etc., I would really appreciate your spending some time with little brother, and leading him in some of those activities. Or, maybe you have a friend or neighbor with a child who could use some playtime with him to practice an activity, or even just take an only child out for a bike ride or shoot baskets a couple times a week.

If you can find a way to make him feel he has something someone else needs, he might just step up to the plate.

Heck, tell him you know that soon he will be in high school, and his time will be so busy, that you'd like to take a couple times a week to spend more time with him...take a walk, garden, swing, tell him you want to learn rock climbing and he's old enough to come join you.

Are you involved with a church with youth activities?...again...it's a way to put him in some role of semi-leadership with younger kids.

Right now, it's summer. If there are neighborhood boys around...invest in some SuperSoaker water guns! Get his friends together for a big water fight.

Most importantly, (I know you're busy) but children learn what they see. Taking the kids out for an active family time makes an impact. Letting him see you being active is important (without being "in his face" about it). Go to a nice park together - walk, picnic together. Bike together, bowl together...you get the picture.

If he is one that is chronically attached to a video game...you might want to start putting limits on it. Gradually. I know boys that, if they are allowed to play all that they want...they lose the ability to enjoy anything else...including socializing with friends outside of video game activity.

Okay, this post is getting out of hand, and I have no idea if this is what you were looking for...but there it is!

I wish everyone success in healthy living tomorrow!

Jura

Hey guys!

Half way through the week already, oh boy how did that happen?

Jura--report weigh ins, meal plans, frustrations, victories, ALL are appropriate! (even my lousey spelling when I am in a hurry!)

My Beck books got here yesterday, and I am very happy about that
I have a new Wii game coming tomorrow, called Walk It Out, and I am excited about that

DH wants to do 2 weeks of veggies fruits and complex carbs, beans and tofu....and he is a carnivore, but he knows that the last time he did that he felt great, so that is fine with me

Last night we had a great summer dinner on the porch, we had a large tray of sliced fruit, cantelope, peaches, plums and cucumbers, I had WW flour tortillas, hummus Tzakiti (how the heck do I spell that??? cucumber, yogurt greek stuff) and chicken tenders cooked with lemon pepper. We made wraps with the chicken, hummus, cucs and Tz..... It was great, light, healthy and quick!

Jura,
Oh my, thank you thank you thank you. There are some really great, workable suggestions in your long list, especially revolving around youth groups and encouraging friendships with active boys. Of course, he tends to hang with the nerdy, indoor kids like himself so that will take a bit of pushing.

I agree that some of the posts on this thread get a bit off-topic, but I think it's all really an excuse to bond with each other and get whatever form of encouragement we need to keep going with the weight loss. For me, the biggest boost comes from hearing about the everyday, ordinary struggles all of us face in getting this done, and knowing that I am far from alone with my "battle of the bulge."

And no, I haven't lost anything so far this week (though my scale loves to go up and down by as much as 2 pounds, often fooling me for a day ...) :>(

Mikkijoe, I have been using the Walk it Out for a couple of weeks now. At first
even just a few minutes of walking bothered my knees, but now I can easily do 20 - 30 minutes. What I love about Walk it Out, is that I always end up doing more minutes than I intend to because a good song just started, or I'm close to enough points to open a new route or get a new song...those kinds of things just provide a little more incentive to not give up yet.

Have you tried the snowball fight game on Wii Fit Plus? I love that...I can play that several times, just to get warmed up to start walking!

I am relieved to report that although I'm TOM'ing and wanting to cram food into my mouth as fast as possible, I have so far resisted. I didn't eat the best food for breakfast...half a Panera cheese bagel (Normally, I detest white breads) and 1/4 of a 400 calorie chocolate muffin. But, there are still 3 and 3/4 muffins sitting in the box, and I've been eating blueberries like popcorn, instead of pizza and chips. We'll see how the rest of the day goes...

How is everyone else doing?

Thank you Neurodoc, for explaining about the OT tendancies in the threads...I'm a really shy person, and have a hard time joining a group that's already started, and I wasn't sure what the rules here were.

I'm glad some of the ideas could be helpful for you. My previous job was being a nanny for 3 boys...I was with them for 13 years...and saw then grow up. That experience, plus having their friends around all the time taught me a lot of boys. Because your son is 12, if you play your cards right, there's a good chance at getting him interested in more activity. But generally speaking, when boys start High School, they don't start learning a brand new sport. It's too embarrassing to be the newbie around so many others who can play well.
Usually at 12, you can still "teach an old dog new tricks"....meaning some 12 year olds still hang with their parents, and will allow themselves to be influenced by them instead of automatically rejecting anything they stand for. On average, at about 14, boys find it cool to label parents as "lame", and they stop communicating.

I will repeat what I said earlier, they love being looked up to by the younger kids....even if they claim not to! If you can find something where he can help others, be a leader...that will be so good for him. Maybe he's a lousy basketball player in his peer group...but to a group of 5 year olds....he'd be a god!

Let me know if there's anything else I can do!

Mikkijoe,

I forgot to add this. Tzatziki...OMG I just tried that a month ago, and I LOVE it! What I had wasn't fat free, but for the amount of zing and flavor it had, the amount of fat wasn't bad. I use it on bland veggies to make it taste good without adding much unhealthy stuff to it. When confronted with another dry turkey on whole wheat sandwich, I'll add a little Tzatziki, and it becomes a treat.

Tzatziki, avacados, and fresh made salsa have made dieting easier for me!

Okay, I'm logging off ladies, and saving some room for others to post!

biggest offender is more than likely ME
 

The rule breaker or biggest offender is more than likely ME! :dizzy: I tend to ramble and sometimes just checking in with my day to day insanity helps me to ensure I have posted something and not dropped off the face of the Earth. It kind of keeps me accountable. Also, I tend to find a thread/group and try to stick within that group. I am not good with trying to keep up with multiple threads and groups. It becomes frustrating remembering who is who and their story line. Frustrating means I stop posting all together, fall off the face of the Earth.

I apologize if I have offended by my rambling and off topic posts.

Jura: This thread is a pretty new one, if compared to some others within the community. I chose this one because it was newer. I do not like trying to become a part of a group that has been together a long while. I always end up feeling like the outsider, not knowing the cool kids hand shake. ;)

Annette: If I get out of hand with the off topic stuff please do not hesitate to let me know and I will check it at the door.

Regina,

There was no offense at all. My doubts were all about me being afraid to embarrass myself by not knowing how the system works here. (This is only the second forum I've ever participated in.) I would have pm'd Mikkijoe directly, but I don't have the required 10 posts.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who feels a uncomfortable being a newcomer. Thanks Regina!

Speaking of newcomers, can y'all take one more? I am looking for a thread to join. I don't do well with multiple threads either. I would really like to get to know one group well and encourage/seek support from them. I'm a little late getting to this thread. Mind if I join?

LOL I am a CHAMP at embarrassing myself! :carrot: It's OK. I learned a long time ago to laugh at myself. Laughter is GOOD! My thought is; if I mistakenly step on some toes, I hope that they will speak up and let me know. So far, so good! :D

Can we hang a sign outside the door that says "No RULES" lol

Jump right in, talk serious 'diet' chit, or talk silly day to day stuff, its ALL good.

Sunflowergal--welcome, jump right in!

At work, and pretty slammed today, but wanted to share really quick. I bought some jeans at the first of the month, in size 22 and 20. I currently wear an Avenue 26, but they are pretty lose. I tried on the 22's when I got them and had a bit to get into them, and that was the purpose of getting them! Today I got some kind of weird courage, or sick curiousity, and tried on the 22's. Guess what? With the right underwear, and a little tugging, they are ON, and now that they have been on for a couple hours and have stretched out they are fitting pretty good! Now I wont be so afraid to get back on the scale, there should be some kind of movement by now

Hey there!

Wanted to share a recipe with you, I tend to make this every couple weeks throughout each summer. It is a great, quick salad, and even better the next day

Black Bean and Corn Salad

1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can corn, or 2 -3 ears of fresh corn
1 cup chopped onion, white or red
1 cup red peppers, or various colors
1 japeleno if you would like, chopped fine

Dressing:
1-2 limes, juiced, or lemon if you must
1 TBL olive Oil
1 TBL honey or agave necter
1 TBL chopped garlic
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp red pepper flakes if you like

Mix the dressing and pour over other ingredients. Best if chilled for at least an hour.
Optional: You can use left over corn on the cob, or grilled ears of corn. Great use for the left overs, but last night I just threw 2 ears in a fry pan with some pam on high heat and kept turning until it was slightly browned here and there, then cut off the ears and tossed into the salad.
Chopped cilantro would be good too!
This paired with chicken breast is wonderful

Makes 4 good sized servings, 200 cals, 30 carbs, 5 fat, 8 protien (good fiber but I forgot to track that!)

Hi everyone,

I'm going to try to catch up with the thread and post later.
Just wanted to touch base.
I'm plugging away. Keeping up the exercise and trying to define a diet "plan" that works with life.

Annette... I LOVE tziki (sp?) Trader Joes has a great one.

WickedCrafty- I love your new blog title!

more later...
I hope everyone is well and having a great Saturday!

-teresa