[EasterGoal]

Hi,

I just wanted to say hello and that I'm glad to find this thread. I too am on a weight-loss journey. I don't post often but hope to leave, and to find, encouragement here from time to time when I pop by.

I seem to struggle to keep weight off once I reach my goal. I'm mad at myself for it as last summer I was 20 lbs less than now. This discouragement isn't stopping me from trying again. But, this isn't the first time I've done that up and down thing either. Has anyone else yo-yo'd like me for years? What do you think the secret is to maintain over the very long term a reasonable weight once you reach it?

I loved reading this passage this a.m.:
John 14:21 "Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them." I love the idea that we obey because we love, not because of fear or sense of duty, but out of the freedom that comes from a loving relationship. I pray that all of us feel that love and are governed by it in all we do today.

hugs to all...

[beth1167]

Easter Goal Hi, I too have yoyo'd quite a bit in the last 15 years or so and each time I am on the up part of my yoyo, it seems that I gain more than I lose. Most of my problems have been relying on the wrong things - diet pills, unrealistic exercise goals, and listening to the "evil voices" in my head. Yes, I have named them. Those temptation breakers. For example, just today I was going back to work from a doctor's appointment and even though I had a Healthy Choice lunch waiting for me back at the office, I had an extreme urge to stop at Burgerking and get a chicken sandwich value meal. Well, I fought the urge and yelled "No" to myself and went and got a fruit and yogurt parfait and fruit and walnut salad from Micky D's instead. So here I am eating my HC lunch and will save the yogurt and apples for afternoon and evening snacks.

15 years ago I weighed about 60 lbs less than I do now. In the meantime I gained 20 lbs, lossed 10 lbs, gained 18 lbs, loss 15 lbs, gained 30 lbs, loss..............well anyway, you get the idea. Until the last few months I have delt with that "internal brick wall" (that was built up because of yoyoing and disappointment - one after the other) that would not let me lose. Brick by brick I have been tearing that wall down.

I think you will find alot of encouragement and alot of people who can relate to what you feel. So welcome to our corner. We are glad to have you.

[doitforme]

Sprout- Congrats 3.1 lbs down, way cool and walking so much, your doing great, keep on keeping on!
E.Z.- Wacka mole for real, I have an image of caddyshack in my mind, too funny. Cool DS getting married, you'll be grampa before ya know it.
Welcome! Campbellredhead- post and let us know how your doing! And Welcome to! Eastergoal- Glad you decided to join us! :welcome3
Pixie-Hi there! E.Z. is talking about a fish - beta's are a really pretty Japanese fighting fish, you can only have one in a bowl, or they fight.Prayers for your Aunt, for strength and healing!
Ms. Beth - wow! exercise queen, you go girl!
Mavnan- Congrats! Making good choices, sorry to hear about your house, pray that things will soon work out with selling, and everything works out well.
Wilma- Cheer up Dear! Here is a great big group hug, pray rest of day went much better- Your chicken recipe sounds yummy!

[mavnan]

I don't know what has been happening but the latest is that the garage door opener has now broken. And yes the car is locked inside the garage. I went to take a look at my bike to put air in the tires and the garage door wouldn't go up. So I never got to exercise today and tomorrow I sit and wait around till someone shows up to fix it. I hope that it will be easy and fixed quickly. God seems to be really testing me on how much patience I can endure. It was a struggle all day not to give in and eat everything in site. I am very much an emotional eater. I don't do well when things are out of control.
Praying that tomorrow is better

Hello to all the new people. Post often for encouragement and support. It seems that we all have gone through a lot of the same struggles.

Nancy

[pixiefalls]

I think my patience is being tested now. I had written a response and it didn't post. Oh well! I had said:

Hi guys.

EasterGoal -- I'm glad you stopped by. I know what you mean. I gained so many pounds in so little years, it's crazy. I think patience and understanding is the key to keeping it off. I'm learning patience and am trying to understand everything about proper eating.

Sue -- Thank you for telling me what that was, I had no clue! I felt silly for not knowing and I was way off, but I find it funny! And also, thank you so much for the prayers, I appreciate it very much.

Mavnan -- I know exactly where you are coming from. I have used food all my life as a way out or a comfort. Finally I realized that I was wrong and I can gain control. It's working at it's own pace and I'm learning that's okay. You could read the Bible and pick a passage that is peaceful to you or one that you don't understand and give yourself a challenge. You could always do crafts or even clean the house. I hope you keep that patience.

Have a great night everyone! Prayers for everyone<3.

[crk05]

Hi everyone, we meet again! I have been traveling and doing lots of things the last two weeks so I've been very absent. I had two law school visits and DH had surgery. Nothing major - he had a tonsillectomy because his tonsils were making it hard for him to breathe while sleeping (so he'd be VERY tired all the time) and he got a lot of nasty infections last year. So out they came. It went very smoothly and he's at home for two weeks eating ice cream and watching cartoons.

So I've decided on a law school. In August, I'll be joining the BLUE DEVILS!!! I'm very excited about it. I decided yesterday after my visits were complete. I was very impressed with the Duke faculty, job prospects, and the opportunities I'll have academically. And the other students seemed very friendly and not cutthroat competitive either. I'll be graduating with my PhD in August then heading straight up to NC to start law school. So lots to do now in preparation...no more traveling, just WORKING!

And so so happy that my UF GATORS won the NCAA championship!!! I did half of my undergrad at UF and I'm thrilled!!! (Sorry Gary ) Very bummed that Maryland got the Duke women in their championship game though
That's all with me. I caught up on all the posts, and it has been nice to hear from all of you as always!


Sprout ~ So glad to hear about your progress with the weight loss and walking. It's a great feeling, isn't it???

Gary ~ That's wonderful that everything went well with Ryan and his girlfriend's parents! The proposal he has planned for her sounds beautiful and I'm sure she's going to love it.

Pixie ~ I will pray for healing for your aunt. I'm sorry to hear about what she is going through.

Wilma ~ That Miracle Whip chicken sounds really good. I may have to try that one! (Of course I have a stack of recipes waiting to be tried because you all seem to come up with so many good ideas!) But that one just sounds like something I would love to eat RIGHT NOW.

Campbellredhead ~ Nice to meet you! I hope you find this forum to be as supportive and wonderful as I have. This is a great group of people.

EasterGoal ~ It's so nice to have you here. I'm sorry to hear that you've been dealing with some ups and downs, but at the same time it's inspiring that you have the determination and strength to get up and try again. So many people lack that drive. I have no doubt you will get to your goal! I hope you come back and keep talking to us because the people here are so warm and encouraging.

Manvan ~ Sorry to hear about what happened with your door. I have the slight problem of giving in to food when I get stressed or sad It's tough not to! I hope everything gets better for you today.

Everyone ~ I hope you're doing great! Prayers and hugs for all of you!

[sprout]

If you will check my tickers, you will see that I have lost 5 pounds - actually 5.2 in the last 15 days, and have walked 45 miles total.

New program is working

Hello to all newbies - great bunch of people here.


Tired as we have been working on house - could be ready by the weekend for listing it. Just waiting right now for the basement - cement floor - to dry - taking forever it seems just because we want to rush it

[doitforme]

Nancy- Prayers that things start going smoother, it is so fustrating when you go to do something and can't even begin. Pray doesn't cost much for repair.Good job not giving into temptation, he is always giving it his best shot.
Pixie- Your welcome! It actually was quite funny! E.Z. has a great sense of humor, never know where he comes up with stuff!Prayers all starts going well for you, persever through those tests of patience. God bless!
Christina- congrats! on making a decision on the right school, pray it all works out for you
Sprout- WOW! Awesome job you are doing really well! Keep up the good work.
Prayers for MIA'S that everything is going well and your just busy! Home this weekend, always fun!

[doitforme]

That didn't work right- was suppose to be a Palm Sunday graphic- way to small and posted wrong and it won't let me alter it. Testing my patience? Let it go, see ya all later have a great weekend reflecting on our Savior's love.

[EZMONEY]

HI GALS~

I will try and catch up a little. I have been working a ton ~ Angie is making me ~~ I am finishing up a big project first of the week and may be able to sneak a few days off .

Well tomorrow is the BIG DAY for my son ~ he will be asking Nicole to marry him!

Angie tripped over a shoe Reba left on the stairs and has a very bad sprained ankle. She was training for the 5K on Sunday but the doctor said NO WAY! now. She may try and walk with me and then we will just both pull out if it bothers her. We shall see. My daughter and her boyfriend and Ron will still be in it and my ex's sister will be going with us too to walk.

Step-d has a small part in her school play, mil coming down Saturday so we will be going to see that ~ Wizard of Oz ~ so far the reviews have been good.

Not much cooking to brag about this week. Monday was pizza for the BB game, Tuesday Angie made quesidillas and tortilla soup, Wednesday we went to the pot-luck at church, I took because it is a big hit that night from the kids, we have an awesome pizza place near us, last night Amanda was cooking her "special" but had such a from working in heat chambers testing Navy Seals all week, so we just made quick soft tacos. Tonight is ???

AUNT SUE~ Looking forward to the Palm Sunday graphic if you get it going! I think I got that darn gopher but I'm not sure, there are a bunch in our area right now ~~ if I don't get them soon my house may be swallowed!! What are your Easter plans? Gonna be fun with the little one!! As far as "gramps" hummm...I WISH!! but....I don't think that is in my future daughter in law and my son's plans ~~ i know my son would love to give me a grandkid...but, at the same time he isn't ready to start a family yet. You have no IDEA how many HINTS I give on a daily basis to my daughter and her boyfriend, and my son and his girlfriend. I hint around saying things like .... "I'm getting tired of waiting for you guys to get married, just give me some grandkids and I will get off your backs! We can worry about the marraige stuff later " You would think they would get the hint?

MARILYN~ Awesome job on the walking girl!! That house must be looking pretty sharp by now.

HILARY~ Sorry you didn't get my little joke dear. I must have really confused you!! How is your "after" spring break going?

WILMA~ I will try that recipe, it looks good. Have you heard the Bjoernar Haakensmoen ~ Sara Renner ~ maple syrup story?

CHRISTINA~ Congratulations on your choice! Right now that BLUE lacrosse team could use a good lawyer! Congrats also on your Gators, they sure did deserve to win that one! Much better than my UCLA BRUINSMy nephew had Florida winning it all over UCLA in the final, so for all of the tournament, until the final four, he was in last place ~~ ends up winning the whole thing!! over me!! Now if I could only get him to

[B]MAVNAN~[/B Sorry about your door, with our garage doors we can set it to manual if the unit breaks by simply pulling a cord. Prayers for things to turn around for you.

BETH Still knocking them dead at jazzercise? I think that program was started by a lady in my city many years ago, Judy Misset, I may be wrong.

EASTER~GOAL

Well, off to run an errand or two...

Have a great week-end gals and ~~~~~~WORSHIP!! because you can!!!

[pixiefalls]

Hey guys, I just dropped by to respond quickly because I have to finish studying for the ACT tomorrow.

Christina -- thank you so much for your prayers<3

Sue -- it was funny and he does and who doesn't like a good laugh? Thank you!

Gary -- My after-spring-break is going alright.. weightloss is going good. My stomach has been hurting all day though. I think I have an upset stomach and the past couple of days I have been in knots even though I know God forgives all of your sins. I still feel guilty when I do/did them and still have to realize God *does* forgive me even though I don't deserve it (A couple months ago I said the Lord's name in vain.. and I mean in the Lord + cussword way and I'm tearing myself up about it because I know I shouldn't have done it and I had no right to. I was angry when I said it and it's no excuse but the Lord still forgives me because I am sincere about it, I know.)

[EZMONEY]

HILARY~ Oh my goodness dear! God certainly forgives you AND doesn't even SEE that sin through your repentence and the gift of OUR LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

I will tell you though that God would much rather you spent your time in HIS WORD (as you seem to be doing!) and not only focusing on doing good for others but YOURSELF!! TOO!!

In fact God has just spoken to me and said with EASTER coming up he has been real busy planning the festivities with all the the egg hunts and all and asked me if I could help out and send you: and just a little more of HIS for you!!!!

Well Angie and I are off to the dog park then to the dog wash ~~ those mutts are gonna smeel so good.....uhhhhh...for at least ONE DAY!

[campbellredhead]

Have any of you had issues where your husband doesn't seem as close to God anymore?
I dont' know what to do about it.
I desperately want God number one in our home, and our lives as a family.

[EZMONEY]

HI LADIES~

Back from dog park ~ the mutts loved it as usual! they just go and go and go. Then dropped them off at the grooomer, they love that too

CAMPBELLREDHEAD~ PRAY! That is about all you can do ~ maybe a little inviting to church or Christian activities....but be careful. All any of us can do for another person is pray and plant the seeds...our relationship with God and Christ is a personal relationship, we can't "bring" anyone to God, only invite. As far as making God #1 in your family ~~ YOU CAN DO THAT! Jesus tells us we are either with him or against him ~~ stay on the WINNING TEAM for your family. Prayers!

Later girls...Gary

P.S. My ex-wife just dropped off flowers for the BOY'S big day...I will send pictures later.

[pixiefalls]

Gary -- I loved your response. It made me feel better and smile. That was the problem too! Once I realized that it was my anxiety over it and knew that God is here for me.. I felt a weight lifted off me. I'm thinking about putting up a sign where I can see it every day that says "Forgiveness is a gift. Be patience and always live in the Spirit of the Lord." -- very inspirational to me. Also, I would love to see those pictures!! This is such a special day for you guys and I know it will be great!