hey ladies! I can't find any other LDS threads, so I'm going to use this one I found out how to get our own forum- basically, we have to keep this thread going... a lot... so they see there's interest. Here's what one of the mother hens had to say:

In general, a forum [or in this case, a subforum, comes about when a fair number of members are committed to it - and they show it by posting regularly, and sort of 'outgrowing' a couple of threads. the more you and the other members post, the faster it'll happen.

So, if we all post here when we're surfing about, we'll have a special place to comune with others who live the same lifestyle and are facing the same struggles

Hope to hear from you all soon!

Valarie

http://www.3fatchicks.com/member-gal....php?uid=44196
I posted some new pics- they are all either "when I was smaller" or future "before" photos... hopefully I'll have some "afters" in a few months!

Thanks for checking, Valarie. I will be active on the thread and/or forum except when I'm travelling for work -- which is about 1 week a month -- although I've been gone 3-1/2 of the last 6 weeks, will be home this week and gone again part of the next week.

I spent 4 days in NYC a week ago, and most of last week in Philadelphia. The 4 days in NYC was for pleasure. A friend and I shopped like there was no tomorrow, saw three musicals (Wicked, The Lion King, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and also saw a taping of The View. I had arranged to work with a personal shopper at Macy's and did some serious shopping.

I hope you all had a nice Sabbath.

Good for you! I love some retail therapy myself, but it doesn't happen very often. We don't have children, so I think I get to shop more than most of the LDS ladies I know... We only have to feed 2 mouths, as opposed to thier 6-8. We just got new furniture from IKEA. Is IKEA big out west? We still have early marriage hand-me-downs in out bedroom, but we outfitted the rest of the house with new stuff.

Hubbie offered today to get an Old Navy credit card when I have the surgery so as I lose i can easily get new clothes, and when I hit goal I can get a new wardrobe... he's fabulous. He's also a girl on the inside. I'm pretty much a 16 yr old boy stuck in this body, so we get along nicely! We play video games together, go get facials and manicures... We're similar to lesbian couples I know We're also sort of weird mormons- he's the typical "Peter preisthood" and I... well, let's just say I've packed a lot of living into my 23 years! But we're having fun!

What is everyone doing to lose weight?

I've been at WW for a few months, I go to Curves2-3x/wk, I have a trainer 2-3x/wk, and I clog one night a week... that's right, I said clog It's very southern, and kinda silly, but I'm hooked! When I'm a bit smaller I'll be heading back to Judo classes 3x/wk and get rid of Curves.

You guys?

Hi. I've been low-carbing since June 29, 2004. I joined Curves in March of this year to compliment my treadmill workouts. I had lost nearly 50 pounds as of April this year, but then everything plateaued so I switched to maintenance mode until after my cruise and NYC shopping vacations.

Now I'm back seriously low-carbing and am within a couple pounds of my April low -- at which point I'm hoping things will speed up again. Because of all of my travel, my treadmill needs to get dusted off and I'm back at Curves this afternoon.

Valarie: It sounds like you aren't especially happy with Curves. I haven't decided whether to renew my membership in March 2006 or not. I felt that I was having better results with the treadmill and The Firm video workouts -- but my mom thinks Curves is what helped me drop a size this last spring even when the weight wasn't moving. I have a while to decide still...

Yep, I'm not so sure about Curves either. My main goal in my workouts right now is not to lose weight, its to gain muscle- something that doesn't happen much at Curves, especially since I started there with a lot of muscle. Weightloss isn't the goal because I know it isn't going to happen without surgery, so until then I have to diet and exercise to maintain weight! I figure if I go into WLS with a ton of muscle my metabolism should be pretty high and the weight should peel off fairly quickly.

Also, I like high intesity work, and Curves is pretty laid back. It's hard to run in place when those around you are standing about, doing nothing. I think for women who have not worked out much in their lives, Curves is awesome! I've seen my friend have success there- she has never worked out before, and Curves is changing her body.

I do not plan on renewing, though I'll enjoy it until then. My friend I go with loves it, and I know it is easier for her to get out of bed if she knows I'll be there!

Valarie

Hi Valarie.
I take it from your message that you haven't completely decided on WLS yet. I'm sure you've heard the latest about the surgery that's been in the news lately. I still can't help but think that you would be successful low carbing. Have you ever tried it.

I have found that the Curves circuit doesn't get my heart rate up like it used to -- so I have to be much more active on the so-called recovery pads. It used to be that I had to slow my heart rate down a bit on the recovery pads, but now I have to work harder to get it up to 80 to 85% of max.

So, besides Judo, what else do you do to help build up your muscle mass?

Okay I'm extermely excited to see other LDS women here.. the thought never crossed my mind when I joined here... It's nice to know there's some who have the some faith as me.. yay! okay that's it for now I think...

I have tried low-carbing in the past, I mostly pass out a lot when I do it, though I do lose a little weight... if I didn't have to walk or go to school I could do it!

I've been lifting weights since I was about 14... nine years now! I am freakishly strong for a woman, and I must admit... that makes lifting even more fun! I have also done "body pump" classes at golds gym- you lift a small amount of weight for a very long time. It's great for overall fitness. Right now I'm working with a free trainer available through the college, and I hope to build up massive amounts of muscle before surgery. It should make my recovery easier

I really wish there was a better way than surgery- hubbie and I had the "what if" talk the other night... what he would do if I died. It is very scarry. At the same time, it appears that I can either do this now when I am young and mildly healthy, or do it after years of morbid obesity have wrecked my body and my chances of dying are higher. Also, we don't have kids, so I feel if I have to go, at least he won't have to care for kids without help.

I am in the process of gathering "evidence" of my health problems for my insurance co. letters from all of the specialists I've seen, medical records... I'm beginning to think the actual operation may be the easiest part of all of this!

Valarie

I have two reasons for posting tonight- one, tomorrow is my birthday, and I am underwhelmed with my progress since last year. Two, I wanted to keep this thread going... it's been a bit dead the last week

This time last year I was 250-ish lbs and miserable. I vowed I would workout several times a week, eat whatever I was told by a nutritionist, and LOSE THE WEIGHT!!!

I did workout, I did eat less, but I have not lost any weight this year. I have been hungry and cranky, but no smaller. The only thing that makes this any easier is the knowledge that it is not because I failed or gave up...

Hopefully I will be approved for the surgery soon, and by this time next year I will be a healthier girl Who knows... at this point I'm working with my insurance co, and I get the feeling they are not being honest... not a surprise, but still irritating!

Anyhoo, here's my birthday wish: I wish that by my next birthday I will be a healthier weight, produce a healthy amount of insulin, and have a fabulous birthday!

Valarie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VALARIE! I hope that this year will bring you everything you desire in your life.

To help control the insulin/PCOS-related issues, I assume that you DO avoid sugar, white flour, white rice and white potatoes -- in favor of whole grains, brown rice, Splenda and the occasional sweet potato.

I found your comment interesting about not having sufficient energy when low carbing. I had the exact OPPOSITE happen. After the first few days (while my body was adjusting to the shock of no refined carbs), I suddenly found myself dealing with boundless energy as my body became efficient at using stored and dietary fat for energy.

Have a wonderful birthday!

Hi ladies, I just signed up and was looking for some friends. I live in Utah, and am also LDS trying to bust the bulge.

Welcome! Hope we constantly add new friends here

So, I had a setback last week... Hubbie lost his job, so no more insurance! I went to the doctor last week and he confirmed that my health is getting worse and I need this surgery, but now I have to find 18k to get it... Anyone have 18k they're not using?

I'm still dieting, but I have to be honest- after 8 month of being really well behaved on the diet with no results... I'm just not trying so hard anymore...

On the brighter side, my mom is thinking about financing the surgery so I can do it over Christmas break and not have to miss school for it. That would make me so happy I'd piddle!

Also, I have to supervise a scrapbook class at Enrichment next week... My cousin is in charge and she'll be bringing her books- all about her kids and hubbie... I think I'll bring mine from before I converted... the RS ladies should get a hoot out of my page deicated to my first tequilla shot! or maybe one of the pages where assorted drug paraphinalia can be seen in the background... Sometimes I think about me being Mormon and I laugh... if I can do it, anyone can!

Valarie

HI ladies,


Welcome to any newcomers! Sorry I haven't been around much. I've been sick for a month it seems like. It's really making my weight loss goals hard to reach. First it was a version of the flu, then a serious respiratory infection and I finally stopped taking antibiotics on Monday and now I've got the flu or something like it again! AH! I haven't exercised in a long time and it's killing me! I know I can't lose weight without it and it always makes me want to eat better when I do.

Modemama, welcome to 3Fatchicks! What plan are you using? Where abouts in Utah? I have family in Lehi and St. George and soon to be somewhere else...I don't remember where they are building their retirement house.
Hopefully I'll be ready to exercise again by tomorrow or the next day! Good luck with your efforts! I promised to read my daughter a book and both kids need to clean their room before I take Roman to Kindergarten so off I go to crack the whip *smile*

Amber

Valerie, good luck with the surgery. My neighbor just had that done, and she's already lost 40 pounds.

Amber, My family lives in Eagle Mountain just west of Lehi. As of diet plans I am not using one. I've been on WW Flex, and I've done WW core. So I am familiar with eating healthy, and shouldn't have a problem staying on track with a little support. Though I'm pretty sure I have an underactive thyroid, and won't have good enough medical insurance to actually do something about it until after the first. Even with diet and exercise, I'm slowly gaining weight. By eating right I can generally maintain without much gain, but can't seem to lose anything since having kids.

We just switched insurance plans when DH got a new job, and so we have to start over on this years medical deductibles. So the copay would be 15 to see the doctor, and the perscription would be 20, I'd have to pay out of pocket the cost for the blood work. I have no idea how much that would be, but I'd rather have any out of pocket expenses go towards next years medical deductibles. KWIM?