Weekly Chat April17-23/06
 

Putting the coffee on.......be back in a bit

We had a very nice easter dinner yesterday with the family. I gained 8lbs yesterday :eek: I hate when that happens!

Im going to buckle down and get busy getting this weight off. Like I mentioned the other day, Im to a point where its now or never. It absolutely has to come off....Ive had enough! I am so sick and tired of being on a diet, way of eating, whatever you want to call it....Im sick and tired of it! I want to be a normal weight, and I want to eat like a normal person!

So my new journey begins today.....to Normaldom! :queen:

I had a nice Easter too. Not OP but not off the hook either. It was nice that my Easter outfit (something I hadn't worn in several months) was significantly looser than the last time I wore it.

I love Robin that you mentioned normalacy. That is a pretty illusive thing for me. I think the best I can hope for is to make peace with my relationship with food. I have no idea what normal is? My DF has been the same weight for 30 years and doesn't seem to care about food one way or the other. Is that normal? I have no idea!

Robin, I don't think it is going to work that way honey. For those of us who have been very obese, we'll never be able to eat like "normal" people because we don't know what normal is. Normal is different for differnt people too.

I've noticed with my husband who is thin as a rail and has a high metabolism to go along with it, he can eat or skip meals and it doesn't seem to matter. He never gains. Most mornings he doesn't eat breakfast, but he drinks this coffee loaded with sugar and creamer. Then for lunch he may eat a big meal or he may skip it. Or he may eat an average size meal. At dinner he never takes seconds, but he always has a full plate. If he doesn't feel like eating he just won't, but at other times he has to eat NOW. He doesn't eat sweets much though (unless you count that horrible coffee).

I know I couldn't eat like he does and be as thin as he is. My metabolism just isn't the same, I love my sweets and I have any number of times wanted a second helping. I don't much eat breakfast either, but I'm not sure that is a good thing, I think with my metabolism it would probably help.

No. I don't think normal is normal. There isn't any normal. All of us are programmed a little differently and what works for one doesn't always work for someone else.

I can understand your frustration and your desire to be there, but this has to be a lifelong journey. It has to be something you can live with and something you think you can do forever. I'm not saying you have to eat at 20 grams or less forever, but for this to work, you have to accept that there is no going back.

The going back will lead to what happened to me where you get to a nice reasonably low number (like where you are at) and then you start gaining until you have most of it gained back. I was at about 222 to 225 or so kind of fluxuating around that point for a long time feeling like you are and then I just got sick of the whole process. Started eating whatever I wanted because "I wasn't losing any way" and gained back up to 268.5 which is where I found myself last December. You don't want to go there.

We have to learn to love ourselves where we are. We have to celebrate EVERY success. And sometimes the only successes we have to celebrate are the losses we've already made and our ability to maintain those losses!

When I was at my lowest, I kept being unhappy and complaining that I couldn't lose any more. Maybe my body needed a rest, maybe I needed to see some progress I wasn't seeing, maybe I needed to buckle down harder or maybe my body had just reached a plateau and it wasn't budging from there.

But people said some things to me then that hurt, that made me feel like they were assuming that I "cheated" too much or wasn't following the plan correctly. Maybe they were trying to be helpful, but it was really hurtful to me and it made me very discouraged. Made me feel like I was never going to be "perfect enough" to lose the weight I wanted to lose. And I just got so sick of feeling like I had to be "perfect" to do it all. I knew I could never be perfect. I think that kind of thinking made me give up.

It wasn't the diet, it wasn't the WOL or the effort to eat right that was discouraging me, it was the lack of progress and the beating of myself up all the time. I got tired of working so hard and still hating myself for not being able to accomplish what I wanted.

You know what? This isn't a race. It doesn't have to happen today or tomorrow. It doesn't have to happen this year (although we would all like that). And there is no failure in continuing to do our best. We have to learn to love ourselves right where we are, in the skin we are standing in. And we have to do this weight loss thing in a way we can handle for the long term. If we can't see ourselves living this way for the rest of our lives, then we are kidding ourselves. We will gain it back unless we are determined not to go back to old habits.

Try and relax. I know you want it now. I do too. But love yourself. Celebrate your successes and realize that you may never be "normal" like you imagine others are. They aren't normal either. Each person must find their own normal.

What is normal to you and what is normal to me are 2 completely different things....that much is obvious. Telling me to relax will not solve my problems. Relaxing is what got me in this situation...and YES it has to happen now. You know this or you wouldnt be fasting the way you have been. I have come a very long way in my weightloss journey, and Im not about to give it up now. I was "normal" once....but **** happens and life gets in the way....new habits are formed, and learned....I need to get back to my "normal" self. So yes......I can say I want to be normal again, and I will be. With or without support from anyone else!

Robin it sounds like I have upset you and if so I apologize. I meant relax emotionally, not with the diet. You just sounded like I did when I got so disgusted with the process that I gave up, and I didn't want that to happen to you. I was trying to be supportive, not to hurt you at all. Please forgive me if I said something that bothered you.

Morning! Actually afternoon.
I have to say I really feel like Robin about getting this weight off now, already. I was looking at exercise stuff and found a statement that exercising before you eat is more beneficial for fat loss, alot more. I figure I'll give it a shot. exercise can only help anyway. So it is after 2 and i just ate breakfast. Yeah it was a busy morning. we have an acre out in the country and it is beautifull. I mowed (with a push mower) half of it this morning; kind of broke something off the lawnmower so dh will have to look at it later.
I applaud everyone with the courage to weigh this morning. I had a delightfull Easter meal. A couple of times yesterday. So today it is time to buckle down and get things done. I'll weigh in on Friday. My birthday is basically in 2 weeks and I had so wanted to be in shape for it, but I am going to concentrate on the first day of summer (June 21st) to be at or near goal(size 8). And that is 21 pounds in a little over 2 months so very doable (2 sizes). Anyway I have already found keotsis again and plan to stay there.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

I know this is hard. You are both wonderful people and I'm glad we have this forum to talk in

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Thanks for that Sherry, but it wasnt how I read it. I understand that you meant well, and Im sure in a different frame of mind I would have taken it for how you meant it. But relaxing is not something I can do right now, its not an option. If anything I have to tighten everything up and not let anything relax....otherwise Im not going to get to where I need to be. my "Normal" So, its all good, thanks

Ciarra, our goal dates are very close, mine is June 27th. The last day of my dd's school, and the beginning of summer vacation. We can do this!!

Lacey :hug:

Made it to the gym with my new gym buddy. She is too funny...doesnt like having too many men around here either!! :lol: It's going to be nice to have someone to go with and keep each other motivated.

Well, I took too much time off this afternoon at the gym and Im behind on some of our work....so Im off. Have a nice evening ladies.

I agree with you Robin, I was "normal" once, had some major crud happen in my life, and poof.... all those bad habbits I fought for 10+ years and never gave them a 2nd though came back. It wasn't over night but boy is sure feels like it was.

I need to get this weight off NOW too. I need to change.

Good luck ladies in your journey.... I'm behind you all the way :grouphug:

Hi ladies. Just poping in to say hi and that I am still alive. I will be MIA for the next couple of days, but promice to catch up and catch you all up. -Sandra

I'll be popping in and out throughout the next week. No need to worry. DH is off from work (vacation) so we'll be doing fishing and other stuff ;) I'm back on induction and thinking of doing the fat fast. I don't drop the weight like Sherry did on it---but if I can drop a few pounds or get the metabolism jump started to even drop a pound I'll be happy. Time to run :wave:

Hi sweeties!! Thought I'd jump in and see how everyone is doing
:hug: Have a great day!!

Brenda, hope you have a blast spending time with your dh!!

Hey ladies. Well I'm finally back online again after 5 days of pure chaos. My kids went to their grandmas for 5 days and I had a thousand things to get done while they were gone and still work nights. So obviously I'm exhausted. But I think we'll be back in our routine starting today...thank goodness.

Brenda - have fun with dh. Fishing sounds fun...especially this time of year when its not too hot yet.

:wave: to everyone else too. I'll never get caught up on all of the posts I missed, but I am trying to read some of them.

Good Morning :coffee:

Brenda~ have fun with your hubby! I love having mine all to myself too.

Well, 4 of the 8 "easter" lbs are gone *whew* I even feel better today! Im moving in the right direction.

Have a workout planned at the gym, and some yardwork. I have a flowering almond I have to get planted. Of course I decided I want to put it right where I have beautiful bunch of daffy's blooming. I should be able to move them without too much trama....I hope :crossed:

Have a great day ladies, and thanks :hug:

Morning:
Finished the yard last night and I know I retained a ton of water. But is done for a week or 2. Scale read 196 this morning. Nasty thing....
Anyway, walked this morning and did light weights for the arms.
Have a great day ya'll!

Good morning girls. I've got nothing new to report, but I did want to say hi. I'll be back on Atkins in a few days. Right now I'm trying to just go easy on my stomach. My stomach seems to have shrunk on the inside since my fast and I think it will be easier to eat small meals, so long as I don't stretch it out again by eating too much.

Hey Ladies:

I'm alive, and should be jumping back in next week. I'm enjoying my brothers visit, and have been busy busy! See you all later.. sounds like you all are doing wonderful.

Sherry - glad you are well. I was getting a little worried with the fast. Hope it stays off. :)

:hug:

Hi everyone! I've been going nuts and haven't been on line. We have this house guest that is turning into a very unwelcome house guest and I don't know what to do with him.

He's a friend of my DH who if he had lived 100 years ago would have been a snake oil salesman. He's always into some new venture that's going to earn him $10,000 a month -- and then he never makes any money.

He was living with his girlfriend and they broke up and she kicked him out. His parents won't let him stay with them any more. He had nowhere to go and no money, so we said he could stay a few days until he worked something out - which has now been a few weeks.

He's hooked on playing poker on the computer -- he doesn't play with money, but he's on it for 8-10 hours a day - stays up all night. If he's not on the computer, he's parked in front of the TV.

I want my house back! We are going to have to tell him we don't need a roommate, but I feel kind of bad because I don't know where he'd go. But he's also a big user and he'd stay with us forever if we don't tell him to get lost.

Susan - that sounds like a yucky situtation to be in. I hope you get it resolved and you regain your house. I don't think i could stand that. :hug:

Hi girls! Sounds like everyone had a nice Easter :) Mine was very nice. I worked in the yard for 6 hours on Saturday, and again on Sunday for a few hours, cleaning up storm damage, mowing, tying up rose bushes, trimming hedges, etc. I have a nice Easter dinner with friends, ham, cauliflower cassarole, asparagus - yum. A bunch of us ended up at the lake in the late afternoon after all our various obligations, and it a was nice relaxing end to a good weekend.

My weight is WAY up today, probably because TOM came this evening, and from all the exercise in the hot sun (it was in the 80's this weekend). Someone mentioned in another thread about antibiotics, and since I did just take a round of penecillian, so I guess that could have something to do with it to. I'm up to 236, and feeling discouraged and disheartened because I haven't cheated but it still keeps going up. I know I'm retaining a TON of water because my shoes are tight, so I'm drowning myself with water to try to get rid of it (drank 120 oz. each of the last two days). The little devil on my shoulder says that I since I keep gaining, I may as well just eat cake so at least there's a reason for it, but I know if I give into that "screw it" attitude the only way is up, and I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get back with the program.

I keep thinking about changing plans, but I never felt as good on WW as I do on LC, and I keep thinking that if I just stick it out, things will improve. I'm going to go back to induction next week if I don't see a big woosh in the next few days, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

wah, wah, waaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

Tenn

Ok so now that I have a few minutes I can jump on here. Well Easter went really bad for me and I have been doing fine since Monday. I started my new job and get to start my regular hours tomorrow, so then I will be able to go to the gym in the mornings from now on. I am not even going to try and step on the scale (I say that now, HA!) I know I have gained and TOM is knocking on the door this week, but is ok cause I have picked myself up and dusted off and I am back on again. Guys this new job is anyones dream job. I cant even begin to tell you how awesome it is, not to mention they have 3 gyms on campus and it is only 10 bucks a month for membership. Yes I have already joined there too, so that way I can hit the gym in the mornings near my house and then do some cardio for a bit after work. Well I gotta get going I will catch up later.
-Sandra

Oh yeah, and does anyone know if we can have balsamic vinagarett (sp) on induction. I couldnt find it anywhere. Thanks guys.

-Sandra

ilovemike: check a natural food store, I thought walmart had it too but I could be wrong

Susan: that sucks! A very sticky situation you are in, I'm so sorry!!!

We are getting ready to close on a new house and our nerves are shot!! It's one of the scariest things I've ever done. The payment is significant and I wonder if we'll be able to handle it every month. It means no extra shopping, EVER. anyway, I've gotta go walk before it's too late, maybe that will help my nerves :)

Lacey

:cheer: :cheer: Lacey on the new house. That IS very exciting!!!! :hug: I hope you get your nerves calmed down.

Sandra: Your new job sounds fantastic. Hope it all works out perfectly for you.

Tenn: Sending you lots of :dust: and a big :hug: don't give into that little devil on your shoulder.

Not much new with me....I'm headed to bed shortly.

Morning Girls:

I'm so behind on personals, but I have really missed ya'll! I need to come back a little more often while my companies still here... make it priority! :)

I am excited to report, I got on the scale this morning and finally made it to 179 so i'm super thrilled.

I also picked up some protien shake mix i've never had.. Vanilla by Carb Solutions. Any experience with it here? Good or bad?? I really am tired of eggs! I also picked up some phsylium husk (powder) that I want to be able to mix into something, and so that's the plan. I'll try it this morning.

SUSAN: He's gotta go! For the sake of your sanity! And the simple fact that you are a no non-sense kind of woman, it shouldn't be to hard to get rid of him. My husbands best friend sounds like the same guy. Snake oil salesman is the most befitting description. They have known each other since they were 5 yrs old in Chicago, and he now lives in Walsenburg. That's to close for my taste! LOL

Hope everyone else is well. It sounds like you all are.. Big :hug: to each of you!

I'm off to change my ticker dangit! I need it.. :D

Tennessee, I don't know if you are taking vitamins or not, but if you are retaining water Vitamin B complex (actually the B6 in it) will help with that. Too check your salt levels. And of course you know TOM and working in the hot sun causes water retention. Hang in there it will pass when TOM does.

Susan: Freeloaders are used to being told to take their problems somewhere else. Is he looking for work? If not, then let it be known that he has maybe a week, or two which ever you decide is reasonable to get out of your house, that you really aren't ready for a constant houseguest. Or just mention "I thought you were staying for a few DAYS?" Let him know you feel like the days are up, but that you might be willing to give him X amount of time to find other arrangments (if you are). I had that happen to me when I was renting a house from my mother. SHE objected and insisted I get them out of there. It was only supposed to be a "few days" and it worked into over a month. I didn't mind really as much as she did, but I did find that I resented being the only one working in the household while they seemed to have all this time.

This same "friend" (or at least his girlfriend) wound up stealing from me. A few things disappeared during that time and I have evidence of where it went. Anyway you are not alone, people like that go from pillar to post and they know what they are doing and just how to use people to their advantage. You don't have to allow yourself to be used. Kick him out. Even if he has no place to go, do it. He'll bounce. Those people always do. And if he doesn't maybe it will be his wake up call to actually get busy and make a life for himself. Enablers who give these people a break are actually helping them to preserve the illusion that they don't have to grow up and become responsible adults like the rest of us have. (This last statement isn't meant as an insult to you, I've just been there done that and this is the conclusion I've reached. My own "grown" son is a similar type and he does well when you force him to face it all, does terrible when it is too easy).

Lacey: What you are experiencing is called "buyer's remorse". It hits us all. We begin to panic and wonder if we can handle the extra expense. It happened to me when we bought this place. Unless it is WAY beyond what you have been paying now, you should do ok. For us, the price seemed SO high compared to what we were used to, but now, you can't rent for the price we pay to own. So it all works out over time. Also right after we bought, my husband lost his job and didn't earn for a month. That was scarey, but we got through it. I'm sure it will work out with you too (assuming you haven't gone way out on a limb, and I doubt you have). Enjoy your new home it sounds wonderful and exciting.

I had my first meal last night with meat in it. Chicken, and brocolli, and my scale is up too. I don't think it is water retention so much as undigested food in me. I expected to gain some after my fast. Hoping this is it, and that the scale won't keep climbing. We'll see.

So I'll be cutting out the salty stuff, the higher carb things and going to mostly vegetables and a small amount of meat. I think I can keep my portions really small right now and I think I will because there just isn't any reason to do anything else.

Plus I'm going to have to start fitting exercise in so that I can build back any muscle I may have lost recently. I don't want to give my metabolism any excuse to slow way down.

One good thing the fast did for me is to make me more aware of how much water I need and want. I don't think I drank near enough yesterday and when I did drink it, it was late in the day. So that is another goal.

Hi everyone! I'm just waiting for today to be over! I've been staying up way past my bedtime watching TV and I'm sleepy. Early to bed tonight. At least I can watch the American Idol results in 3 minutes -- yeah for TIVO!

Falon, does your friend in Walsenberg need a roommate?

Lacey, congrats on the house. You will love it and you will find a way.

Sherry, my house guest does at least have a job -- he sells security systems to homes and businesses. But he only gets paid commission so if he doesn't sell, he doesn't get paid.

Sandra - I looked it up and all the balsamic vinegars I found have 2 grams of carbs per tablespoon -- except for Paul Newman's which has 5.

Hey Tenn - don't eat cake. Cake is nasty. Especially chocolate cake.

M&G Mom -- I can't remember your real name right now but :cp: I'm so bad with remembering all the names!

I lost 20 lb while I was on induction last year. When I started to add things back in and felt like I had been successful all the pounds plus came rushing back. I have a hard getting back on it. I stuck to induction for 2 weeks last month and lost zero, so I was pretty discouraged and it makes it even harder for me to get motivated again. It worked so well the first time, I don't understand why it isn't now.

Janetska, Sometimes it doesn't work as well the second time because we aren't as conscientious. We think we are being careful and sometimes we really aren't. There are those who say you only get one "golden" chance for it to work well, but I'm not sure I believe that.

It has worked for me every time I really buckle down and do it right. But it is so easy to let the low carb "treats" sneak in and they can mess things up.

You know what. I am having the same issue. I lost so much the first time and I think you are right Sherry. I am so discouraged right now and I am so tired of dicking around, excuse my language. That is it!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to do this and I am going to do this 100%. I let the low carb stuff in like the shakes and bars, but you know what, why not snack on something healthy like a veggie, why use a processed food. I didnt use them the first time, why do i think I need them now. I am starting over today!

Hi girls!! Thanks for the home advice, HOPEFULLY we did not go over our heads but we shall see!!!

I'm thinking being so broke to buy groceries definitely has it's advantages!!!I'm not sure if it's that or stress but something is really kicking me along and I'm not complainin!!

Hope everyone has a beautiful day, I'll try to get personals in tonight, I've hosting a baby shower tomorrow and still haven't started the lining to her moses basket, aaaahhh!!

Lace

Morning :coffee:

Its been beautiful here, and Im hoping to get digging in the garden this morning!

Lace~ Im terrible with the stress that comes with buying a house....it always turns out just fine....it'll be ok. Otherwise the bank wouldnt have given you the mortgage.

Having food issues today....the sugar monsters are in high gear :(

Have a great day ladies!

Morning,
We got a ton of rain last night. Lots of lightening and didn't sleep as well as I like. we desperately need the rain though. Gotta get motivated to go walk and get some exercise in.
Lace congrats on the house and on your ticker moving so well. everything will work out fine.
Robin: I hate those pesky little sugar monsters. Lock them in the closet if you can.
DH is trying to start Atkins. Tapering off his carbs and having severe sugar withdrawls. He's diabetic and his blood sugar was awfull yesterday. Hoping his day goes better.
Anyway ya'll have a great day.

Morning everyone! It's not even noon yet and I'm already on my second 32 oz bottle of water. But I keep having to run down the hall.

It's freezing cold in my office today. The girls in my department say it's because all the guys are out of town and there's no hot air blowing around in the department today.

I think I'll go out for lunch and go shoe shopping to get warm!

being concious
 

I was writing everything down. I think it might have something to do with the fact that the first time I was not on hormones and now I am. I am pretty frustrated. Induction is easier than going on to the next level because I don't have the options like fruit and things I like to eat a lot of.
Also, there are soooo many different eating plans out there that during this last year I have been jumping from one to the other depending on my mood. It would help if I could stick to one thing. I have decided it has to be low carb. I know it works and I just need to quit dinking around and do it. I am such a whiner sometimes. I love this dancing carrot.:carrot:

:wave: Just thought I'd say hi. Had a busy day so no time so far to catch up with everyone. Hope everyone is having a great day!

Ok I did really well on my eating and my water today and I am sitting here waiting for my friend to call me so that way we can go to the gym. Sorry about this morning. I was really frustrated and had to let out some steam and if I offended anyone, I do apologize. But I am doing really good today and I think I have recruited a few ladies at the office to even begin.

Susan, how are things going with your “house guest”? Has your hubby kicked his butt to the curb yet? Since its his friend, I think he should have the honor BTW. Yes, cake is evil, full of poison and just all around horrible stuff
(still want it though LOL).

I’m sorry you had a difficult time with Easter Sandra, but it’s only one day. Are things better for you now?

Lacey, what’s the news on the house? And, more importantly, when do we get to see pictures? I’m so excited for you, being a home owner is scary at first, but it’s a wonderful thing and I know you guys will be so happy.

Thanks for the will power dust Jackie, I wish I didn’t, but I need it.

Sherry, I take a pre-natal multi my doctor prescribed. I figure that ought to do me, but I’ll look into a B complex if I don’t woosh when TOM concludes. Thanks for the idea.

I'm dragging my feet about going walking this evening, but I guess I better get to it before it gets too late and I whimp out all together! Have a great evening girls!

Tenn

http://www.stinkbugdesigns.com/fpdb/images/house1.jpg
http://www.stinkbugdesigns.com/fpdb/images/house2.jpg

found some pics!! It's on 5 acres, is 2 stories, has a basement, a big shop with an office and a shower in it for my grubby husband :carrot:

We're closing next Friday!!!:carrot: :carrot:

I just got back from work and am exhausted I hope everyone has a good evening!!