LDS Support?
 

Hello.. I was wondering if there are any other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on this board?
As much as I love to speak to everyone from all faiths..and all denominations..it would be great to make some friends who are going through the struggle of loosing weight who belong to The Church.

I have only just started this jouney (again) and have only lost a few pounds..but I can't wait to keep going and I am looking forward to making a bunch of new friends!!!

Welcome! I've been a member here for a few months now (mainly a lurker) and it's so great to see another LDS person! I've reached my first goal of 35 pounds, and am currently trying to loose another 5, but haven't been working as hard at it as I should. :P

Good luck on your weightloss journey! What are you doing to try and take it off?

Hi Gategirl and Xuzi. Another LDS member here! I'd love to join you two and have an ongoing support thread on this board. I'm enroute to a Baltic cruise (and am in Boston tonight -- fight tomorrow) so I don't know how much online time I'll have over the next couple of weeks. But I'd love to offer my support to others on a weightloss journey. I've lost 45 pounds over the last year and a few months...but am in maintenance mode until after my vacation. Then gotta get diligent again and lose the last 20 to 25 pounds.

BTW, I live in Bountiful, UT and as you can tell from my screen name, I graduated from BYU.

HI ladies,

I'm glad to see other LDS ladies here. I see a lot of other demoniations chatting but I hadn't seen any LDS before. I'm mostly on the 20somethings board but would love to join in here too (especially since I'm barely hanging on to my 20-something status *smile*).
I've lost 26 pounds this go around (lost around 10 last year and then lost my motivation) but I still have PLENTY to lose. I'm getting there slowly but surely though.

Good luck to you all and hopefully we can get a support group going!
Amber

Yay!
 

I'm so happy to meet each of you!!!
I am 27.. I've been a member of The Church for 7 years now.. I live in AZ.. I am just starting my weight loss journey..so I have only lost 5 pounds. But that 5 pounds is a HUGE accomplishment for me! I have been dong the South Beach Diet for a week now. So I am still on phase one. I can loose up to 13 pounds in the first week...that it just to clean out my system and reduce my addictions to certain carbs. After the first two weeks you only loose 1 to 2 pounds a week...while you slowly start adding the carbs back into your diet. It's all about teaching yourself how to eat right. Which is what I desperately need, being a compulsive overeater. I also go to the gym and walk on the tredmill for 30 to 40 min. and do a half hour strength training session. I'm also going to be trying yoga for the first time this week. :D I need to loose around 130 pounds. My goal weight is only 120..but that's because I am a small girl.

I would love it if we could keep this thread up and really get to know eachother and become a real support for eachother.. I have a bunch of inspireing scriptures I would love to share with you if you'd like to hear them! From the Bible and the BOM.

Congrats to all of you for loosing as much weight as you have!!

BYUGRAD- You are so lucky to get to go on a cruise!!! That has always been one of my dreams!!! I'm sure you will have so much fun!

I will be back as often as I can..(once or twice every day or two) and I hope to see each one of you here again!!
*hugs*
Gategirl (Kelly)

I lost 10 pounds!! I have been on phase 1 of the South Beach Diet for a week now and I have lost a total of 10 pounds!!! I am so proud of myself because I am a compulsive overeater and I have managed to watch what I eat and follow the phase 1 rules which have always been so difficult before!!
I hope all of you are doing well also!

The Church? How is your church "The Church?

Sorry, I realize that may have been offensive. This isn't the place for that sort of thing. I just never heard of the LDS church being referred to as "The Church"

HyperduliaJMJ,
I don't think she was trying to say it is "The church" as in the only one that was true and correct (everyone who is in this thread are members so she wasn't trying to be a missionary or anything). She was speaking to the other members in this group who belong to the same church she does...or "the church" instead of saying "The church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints" which is a lot to type. It's like talking to people who live next to you and saying you are going to "the park", it doesn't mean it's the only park...it's just the one you all go to. I think you are reading too much into it.

By the way, great job Gategirl! I'm trying to get back on track and losing 10 pounds right now sounds wonderful! Good luck on keeping it up.
I'm trying to keep up with my exercise and get rid of all chocolate in my house...so far I've been using the method of eating it all and I think I should change my methods!!*hehe* I'm trying to get re-hydrated and lose back some of the 2 pounds I've gained this month. We have our Primary Program in a couple of weeks and I'm stressing out so hopefully I can get my eating under control now that we have everything done that is possible to get done.
Amber

HyperduliaJMJ- AmberM is right... The Church fo Jesus Christ of LAtter Day Saints is alot to type out...even alot to say.. that is why people started saying "Mormon", in my opinion. I would rather just say the LDS Church or The Church... it is shorter. :D

AmberM- Get that chocolate out of the house!!! LOL Chocolate is my biggest weakness...well...along with cheese. I can't have it in my house or I go nuts!! And I know how hard it is not to eat when you are stressed out.
I'm sure your Primary Program will be great...try not to worry about it. Just watching all those cute kids making the effort will be enough to make everone happy and bring smiles to people's faces. Kids are so cute! :encore:

I know I would be loosing even more weight if I could get my big butt to the gym. I have a membership but haven't been able to get myself to go lately.
I get really bad cramping and back pain from endometriosis. I tend to just want to lay on the couch alot. My doc. says I should work out through the pain..but that is alot easier to say than do. :tread:

Have a great night everyone!!!!

Hi girls.
I'm back from my vacation / cruise. I also took a vacation from low carbing, and as a result have an extra 8 pounds to lose now!!! YIKES! This is about how much I gained last year when I went to Italy, and luckily it came off in about a week. So, after one final high-carb meal at Carnegie Deli in NYC on Friday night, I'm back low carbing.

The cruise was terrific. Since I booked the cruise through an LDS cruise travel agent, there were about 100 LDS on the cruise (including 3 ladies from my ward and the friend who went with me). The Sunday we had on board ship we had a Sacrament meeting where Michael Ballam was the speaker (and singer). It was fabulous.

Back to work today -- in about 45 minutes. But since I'm still adjusting to Mountain time, of course, I was up at 4:00 a.m. this morning.

I hope you are all doing well with your diet/eating/exercise plans.

Word of Wisdom
 

Hello all! I'm Valarie, a member from Atlanta, GA. I've been a member for almost 3 years, and have never been happier... with everything EXCEPT my weight! I have PCOS, and have gained a lot the last two years. Long story short, I'm hoping to have a RNY gastric bypass as soon as possible- as far as anyone can tell, it may be the only way to cut my insulin production, other than removing my pancreas :)

It is really nice to be able to share with other people who live the WOW- Every time comeone tells me to go high protein I have to explain why I have to eat meat sparingly, and then they tell me green tea would help, and it gets old explaining!!! Do you have the same hard time? Anyhoo, a little about me:

I'm 23, and am close to finishing my B.A. in psychology. I'm planning on getting my masters at BYU in a few years, after (hopefully!) competing in the 2008 Olympics in Judo. When I grow up I want to be a sex therapist- I especially want to work with members of the church who are preparing to marry in the form of "pre-marriage counseling." You know, getting kids ready for the world of marital sex- which I consider to be the greatest gift we were given when we came to this world! After the atonement ;)

Anyway, I can't wait to get to know all of you better!

Valarie

I forgot something...
 

Would you all be interested in an LDS forum? I was thinking it would be a cool thing :) let me know and I'll ask one of the admins about it... or, if an admin happens to read this they might PM me and we'll figure something out :D

Valarie

Hi Valerie. Nice to learn a little bit about you. I started a new LDS thread a couple weeks ago -- but not much action on it. I would love for there to be a weekly thread for LDS folks.

I've come across loads of women with PCOS who have had tremendous success with low-carbing. I'm sure you've considered all of your options before thinking about surgery, but thought I'd mention it just in case.

While I don't have PCOS, I have had success with low carb. I've been a bit lax over the last couple of months (2-week european vacation which included 10-day cruise and I just returned from 5 days in NYC shopping and eating and 5 days in Phila. for work.) Hopefully I'll quickly get back into a routine so I can lose my last 20 to 25 pounds.

Good luck with you BYU plans. And congratulations on joining the church a few years back!

Welcome Valerie! I'm a 4 year member myself. It sounds like you have great goals! I'd post more but I have some Primary stuff to do for tomorrow! AHHHH...the Primary program always worries me to death. I will be a much happier camper tomorrow when it's over.

Good luck!

Amber

LDS Ladies- Please read!
 

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.

Shopping
 

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!

Our plans
 

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...

Curves
 

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...

Muscle Mass
 

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

My Birthday
 

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.

Setback
 

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? :lol:

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... :D 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. :carrot:

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?

Thyroid
 

Hi! I noticed that you suspect a thyroid problem- FYI there is a syndrome called PCOS that has a lot of the same symptoms as underactive thyroid & a lot of docs don't know to test for it. I went to a gyno at 16 and told him all of the issues I was having with weight, not menstruating (or when I did for weeks on end) and other things- he didn't even run blood work! He assumed any teenaged girl having problems was fibbing to get on the pill...

I went to an endocrinologist last year suspecting my thyroid and he found an insulin/hormone issue (PCOS). So, I too have to diet and exercise to maintain weight. I pretty much ignored my diet because I was frustrated last week and gained 3 pounds! Oh well...

How is everybody else doing?

Valarie

Valerie, Thanks for the info on PCOS, but I'm pretty sure that's not it. I menstrate every month, though my cycles sometimes run a week longer. Bleeding is normal. I don't have fertility problems. My insulin levels are great. I read that not getting enough iodine can cause hypothyroid. I'm starting to take my prenatals religiously again, and I hope it helps.

[hr]

I had a good and bad day. I ate great all day long, was feeling pretty good until DH came home from school with a pizza. :devil: He and I ate it all. :o I felt so sick afterwards. The better eating has shrunk my stomach some and I was miserable after the pizza. I went and worked out pretty hard for about 30 minutes at the fitness room to boost my metabolism to burn off some of that pizza. :o

I went shopping and was tempted, since I already blew it, to buy some chocolate. I resisted the temptation, and didn't! Yay me, I didn't give in to my inner demon. :devil:

Hi girls I am new to this whole Internet thing and am excited to find this neat place to share.Congrats to all for your weight loss efforts.I am the proug grandmother of five and an empty nester.I am now working to get rid of my "two Tummies"as my grandson age three calls them.

where do you get all the cute cartoon things by your names?

welcome gramma mouse!

If you want to change the picture on the side you go into the "User CP" control panel button on the blue bar above. The pictures are avitars, and there are quite a few to pick from :) or you can use one of your own pictures like I am doing. This pic is of me and my little girl Jamie.

Dear mama thanks so much for the help. Now all I need is to figure out how to get a tracker on here. I hope all you girls had a great sunday. for some reason sunday is my hardest day to stay on program. I am doing weight watchers it worked for me many many years ago while I was having my kids and so far is working now Ive lost 6.6 pounds in three weeks.I know this weight didn't get here over night but i wish it would leave that way.

I can totally relate to the wanting the weight gone overnight. I could easily lose weight before kids. After having kids, I can't seem to lose weight. Some weeks I try hard and the scale doesn't budge. Some weeks I don't try at all and drop 3 pounds. I just don't understand. [shr]

Hey mama! There is just no tellin with weight.But I see that you have lost 10 lbs. that is a great start. Having people who support your efforts is a big plus. My family is all rootin for me and I have been setting little goals for each 10 lbs I loose. sorry about my spelling my hands can't keep up with my brain.

I need to set little goals. How about this? If I lose 10 pounds I'll go get a manicure. :D I had one last month and loved it.

Yesterday was day 1 week 1 of the 'couch to 5k' program. I survived and am happy I did it! I hope I can keep up with the program, but being as heavy as I am it may be harder. I'll give it my best shot.

There is a 'Race for the Cure' 5k event in May. That's my goal! I also want to find a Tuberous Sclerosis walk-a-thon near by and go do that too. Though I'm not sure what's being planned. I was too out of shape for that one last May, and I'm not going to let that happen again. :carrot:

Trying not to give up
 

So, I have to admit... I have given up on dieting the last few weeks and just eaten what I want, when I want... I went to my endocrinologist and he said that since dieting and exercise aren't working, I should be happy and content, but keep working out pretty hard. There's very little motivating me at this point!

My hubbie lost his job recently and is searching for something else, so we have no insurance. That means I have to come up with $24,000 for my surgery now! Mom can do about 6k, and my brother can do 1k. Only 17k more to find! I'm thinking about emailing Oprah and asker her for the money :)

The cool thing is, I never knew my brother loved me until I asked him for this money- he is in a very bad place financially, but is still able to give me something...

Anyway, wish me luck on finding money, and I'll be wishing you luck on avoiding pizza and chocolate!

Valarie