Hi all,

just starting up thread #4 as promised.

My Girl

Hi all,

Happy Monday to you. I am glad it is a short week!

MyGirl, thanks for the new thread.

Hope everybody has a happy Thanksgiving. I am taking control and making 2 or 3 dishes that I can eat; I'm vegetarian, nobody else is, so I am not going to get stuck eating pie and salad!

I am proud of myself, I did some yoga this morning. I am NOT a morning person at all, so that is a massive achievement.

Good Morning all,

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, I did ok with my eating, not to much damage I hope. What type of yoga do you do Jennifa? I tryed a couple tapes but they were kind of confusing so I havn't done it again. Walking is my biggest form of exercise. Glad to be on the new thread, it doesn't take so long to load. My puppies are now starting to crawl all over and even attempting to escape their box! They are a lot of fun though. Couple more weeks and I can sell them, but that is the hard part, you get so attached to them. Keep in touch.

Daytona

Hi Daytona,

Sounds like those puppies are really cute. I hope you find good homes for them. I am a cat person myself, but I
do love a well-trained dog. I know several dogs and just love them so much, but the barky dogs in the neighborhood
are an anxiety problem for me. Any clues on what to do about that? I'm considering the "black box", a box you
put on your house and it shushes barking within a 500 yard radius.

Thanksgiving... I hate Thanksgiving. It sucks. We slaved all day and then dinner was cold because the game wasn't
over yet. Then my mom is a stress ball and we all have to cope with it, it is 12 hours of work just so you can
overeat. I ate ok but I drank too much wine. Next year I am running to a spa. I think Christmas with the family is much nicer, it isn't all about football.

I got my scale back. Didn't want it but I knew that I needed it and the person I loaned it to is now thin. So
it's back, my nemesis. It says I am up a bit; 206. So I am working out every single day and really watching what
I'm eating. Very strict. I do not want to wear a sequinned tent for New Year's Eve.

Jennifa
216/206 /170

hi all,
Hope you all survived it! I did - only just.

Way to go on the working out everyday jennifa - all that hard work will pay off especially since you are watching what you eat.

I've also been working out at the gym during the week. I leave weekends gym-free to maybe go out for a leisurely walk with dh.

I hope to see some results in the next 3 weeks as that will be my first goal just before Christmas. I am responding so much better than what I thought to the exercise (it's almost addictive ).

So, I'm just putting my head down and am focusing on getting thru one day at a time. I am NOT weighing myself until I get to my first goal date.

My anxiety seems to be under control at least for the present so I am happy about that - have been out a few times eg; dancing, and that feels so good!

Take care,
MyGirl

Hi everyone,

Wow Jennifa, I thought I was the only one with that attitude about Thanksgiving! I got to do all the cooking, clean up and over ate too!! It's over so lets try not to repeat it for Xmas LOL. I love cats but they don't like my house, everytime I have a cat it sprays around my house. I have gotten them fixed etc so I have accepted the fact I just should have dogs. Any ideas for me as to why I have that problem with cats? Someone said maybe previous owners had cats here and they sprayed? New Years eve, what a scary thought, another year gone.

MyGirl, good job on the exercise, I still have not offically joined the Y, I am such a procrastioner (sp) but you know what I mean. I am sure you will see results and it will make it all worth it. Glad to hear your anxiety is under control now. I think we have to be grateful for each good day we have.

How are the rest of you doing? Janney, Gobbie? Keep in touch when you get a minute.

Daytona

Man are we a pumped up group! Look out Hans und Franz!!!

Daytona, cats will spray if they feel like their territory is in danger. For the first day or so, keep them in a small room like the bathroom. This way they know that they have a safe and close space they can be in, and they don't feel threatened, but they also know that you will check in on them periodically. If there are dogs or other cats around, they may spray. Also, if you have carpeting, the only way to really get the smell out is to replace the carpet. YOU might not smell it but they can. If the cat has his or her own space, though, they will be a lot friendlier and might not spray. I am not a fan of carpet anyway, it is really quite disgusting if you think about how clean it can actually get, but giving the cat more space has worked for me even when I lived in apartments that had carpet.

I do love dogs, especially when they are well trained!!! The neighbors have been keeping the dogs in, thankfully. Do you have photos of the babies? You should post one!

Well, girls, the holidays are almost OVER - woo hoo - but let's keep our exercising habits intact, K?

xoxox,

Jennifa
216/202 stupid water weight, stupid scale, *#*%^@#&%!!!!/170

hi everyone,
just a quick note today to let you know that I am doing SO much better!!!
This is now my 4th week of going to the gym and guess what? people have started noticing a real change in my figure! I can't believe the difference the exercise has made in such a small space of time - I'm finally making a move in the right direction and I've got to say - IT FEELS GRRRRREAAATTTTT !!!!!!!

Take care,
MyGirl

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the tips on getting a cat Jennifa, I am still taking it slow because I have so many dogs and my vet thinks that cats are just to overwhelmed! But I admire them from a far LOL. I don't have a photo of the puppies but I do have a digital camara so if I can figure out how to do it I will post one. They are getting so cute and playful now. I have one dog who has been to so many obedience classes she has a good canine citizen award. I never knew they had such a thing. Anyway she goes into hospitals and nursing homes and visits the residents. Quite an honor in the dog world!

Way to go Mygirl, I wish I had your motivation, I am not doing anything but my usual walking. Doesn't it feel good when you make a positive change? You will loose your weight in no time. I am still deciding what gym to join, I may never make a decision LOL. I am such a procrastionater (sp) but I will make the choice sooner or later. Keep up the good work.

Daytona

Hey MyGirl, will you come over and kick my butt into gear???? Congratulations on your dedication - commit to it!

Daytona, good to see you. I bet you are having lots of fun with the puppies. Hope you get the digital camera working. If all else fails, read the manual! I am an avid manual reader (lots of fun at parties ) and as a result I get to program everybody else's vcr! I am getting reading to (eek) take in a kitten! I haven't had a kitten since I was a child. They are so fun but man do they shred your house! I had 2 cats but one died a couple of years ago and now the one kitty is quite moody and needy. I think she enjoys the company of another kitty. Ah, kitties. They are so fun. I love puppies, too, but there is something about a cat's innate independence that is so much fun to see at play.

It is hard to say how things are going. I am so fed up with the whole holiday thing and the

STUPID TERRORISTS

don't make things easier, do they. I think anyone with anxiety issues must be anxious about what's on the news these days. I have banned the tv news but I do get cnn online.

Anyway, I'm hanging in there and trying to stick with Deepak's plan even though I loaned his book to someone else... Sigh, these things are never easy, are they.

Everybody, calm down and have a great day!

Jennifa
216/200/170

HI all,

have been REAL busy exercising this past week - I can honestly say that I have been working my butt off - I have been at the gym a minimum of 3 days a week with last week at 5 days!!! phew - shake that healthy butt alright - lol

People I haven't seen in a while have actually started noticing my weightloss and change in body shape and THAT feels super!

Jennifa
you're an angel thanks for the encouragement believe me it took me a long time to get to this stage in my life. I was the queen of excuses and had come up with ALL the best ones in the world as to why I couldn't exercise and the anxiety was the main excuse that I used. The anxiety held me back all these years. It took my dh's persistence and pushing (God bless him) to get me to the gym.

Glad to hear you are still using Deepak's plan - just perservere with it and be patient even if you don't feel like doing it and it will get you thru. As for the holidays, well, I can honestly say that I will avoid the mall at all costs I hate holiday crowds even at the best of times.


Daytona
You're an angel too - thank you also for the encouragement and yes, it feels great being focused and knowing that everyday I'm taking steps in the right direction. I have just made it part of my routine. I also love dogs they are very affectionate and always happy to see people.

Great going on the walking - consistency is the key keep it up. Don't worry too much about procrastinating over the gym - when the time is right you will make the right decision.

How are our other regulars doing? Drop us a line and let us know what you're up to - even if it's not much at all.

Take care,

MyGirl

Good morning everyone,

Jennifa, I try and avoid the news, but it is almost impossible! No matter where you look you read it or hear it. Just try not to let it get you down to much. Did you get the new kitty? I can hardly remember having a kitten, they are so much fun. Watch out for the extra sharp nails they have or you could be in for stitches LOL. Hope you are feeling less stressed by now, they say having a pet goes a long way to clam a persons nerves.

MyGirl, you are too good! I am so proud of you exercising that much and now that people are noticing you will surely keep it up. It goes a long way to keep me motivated when I see results. What type of eating plan are you following? Do you set mimi goals for yourself? Keep posting about your success and maybe it will rub off on us LOL.

I am still playing with my 2 pounds, one week up the next week down, could be worse, it is just frustrating. I know I need to stop grabbing a hand ful of chips, cereal, or whatever and I would be ok. Well the puppies go to the vet tomorrow and then to new homes, it is so hard to see them go. I love them at this age when they are all cute and playful.

Take care everyone and post so we know how you are doing!

Daytona

Hi MyGirl and Daytona, hope you are well.

MyGirl, gee, I am no angel! But thanks for the encouragement. You are an inspiration. I think you did send
some exercising thoughts my way, I have definitely been barking up that tree and I'm finally getting results. I have
also cut out "that one candy bar can't do any harm" and "I want this, therefore I must eat it." It's working,
I am back down to 199 and right before TOM! I think the 2 hours a day workouts are helping a lot. The only
time I was ever thin I was eating whatever I wanted and working out for FOUR hours a day!!!! Of course I can't
do that now but I think that if I watch what I eat and really bump up the workouts it might have the same effect.

Daytona, how are the puppies? I haven't got a kitten yet. I don't think they are old enough. Anyway, my vet said that the owner will only let them go to good homes indoors. So I'm pretty sure they will give me a call. Working out a lot will definitely help your weight loss efforts. Get your indoor workout plan ready - it's cold out there!! I find that having the plan really helps. I have an extra room in my house that has quickly become a gym! I keep adding things to it as I lose weight. My most recent acquisition is an exercise ball. I love it for situp crunches, it takes all that ouch off the lower back. I also have weights, a toning wheel, and a stationary bike. Maybe when I hit goal I'll get a treadmill. Oh yeah, and I have a rule - if I want to watch TV I have to be exercising. The only tv in the house is in the gym.

Daytona, are you near the beach? I wish I
had a beach, I love to run on them. It's the best running anywhere. Usually I can go for miles and miles since I live in the mountains and the beach is at sea level. Hmmm... I will have to make plans to do that next time I go to the beach!

Do you guys have the same problem as this? I think that if I am in the 190s that I haven't really lost weight. To me, real success will be when I start into the 180s. What is up with that? Am I in denial over weighing as much as I did? I feel like I have lost 2 pounds, not 17.

Jennifa
216/199/170

Hi all,

Just have a moment to post, but this painting made me LAUGH, laugh laugh out loud. Saw it the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and I thought that you all (especially Daytona) would get a kick out of it, too... Alice Neel is an AMAZING painter, it was a fantastic show.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/pma-store/neelthan19.html

Just quickly checking in...have been Christmas shopping but avoiding the peak periods and whatsmore is I am almost done!

I can't say I have done it all without some discomfort some days have been a bit of a struggle with the anxiety rearing its ugly head even if only momentarily.

Take care,
MyGirl