Canadian Newbie
 

[COLOR=DarkOrchid]Hello!! I'm a 26 year old female from Toronto, and I'm really new to these message board things ... :o I guess basically that I'm looking for a few people that I can chat with and get to know a little better. I have about 50 pounds that I'd like to lose, but before I can commit myself to a specific weight loss plan, I' d like to talk to a few people who have either been through what I'm going through, or are in the process of doing it right now! My friends and family just don't seem to understand my desire to lose my weight and my fiancee thinks I look fine the way I am (Bless his heart :love: ) I know that it's just a personal thing that I'd like to do so I feel better about myself. Anyways.... thank you for reading this and hopefully we can talk soon!![/COLOR]

I too am Canadian and would like to chat with someone who understands weightloss. My DH is a diabetic who has an extremely high metabolism and could eat at McD 7 days a week and not gain a pound.

I lost 30lbs on Weight Watchers and highly recommend it. The initial idea of spending money every week to weigh in is a little daunting but when you look at other things like Jenny Craig or LA Weight loss, it is actually cheaper to do it this way and it rewires your brain to food. Enough Preaching!!

I am 33 and have a 2 year old son (the cause of my weight gain, but worth it all the way). I am happily married to a wonderful man who also thought I looked good the way I was.

When are you planning to get married?

Maura

We're aiming for Sept 2006, but the way things are going now.... looks like it'll be 2007. I was considering weight watchers, but I don't know if I could stick to the points thing.... I don't do very much cooking for myself because I live with my in-laws and my mother in law cooks for the family. I have a hard time with healthy choices because shes and old fashioned Italian who LOVES to cooks YUMMY, FATTENING foods!! I think I might be addicted to carbs too..... does WW help you with things like that?

Wild,

You may want to look into the new Core program. You don't count points except for stuff that isn't on the core food list and that list includes all of your lean meats, all veggies, all whole grains, all fat free dairy. I bet there is over a 150 items on the Core list. Then you get 35 Point for other stuff.

Let me know if you want a quick list of the Core foods.

Tobaccy - Sorry I can't help you I don't make Poutine. Good luck on your quest for new ways of preparing.

Maura

Wild,

I was wondering if you wanted to start a Canadian Thread with me? We have unique food and there are a lot of weightloss tools that the US gets but we don't.

Maura

Tobaccygirl,

I've made a slightly healthier version of poutine by making my own gravy with chicken broth so I can control the fat content (I'm partial to usinging corn starch as a thickener), and cutting my own fries but instead of frying them, broiling them in the oven. This crisps them nicely, and gives great colour, but vastly cuts down on the fat. As for cheese, try substituting shredded monterey jack--its mild flavour is at least somewhat similar to cheese curds. If you can find it, go with a reduced fat cheese.

Maura and Wild,

May I join in on your thread? I'm not in Canada yet, but am getting ready to apply to immigrate, and spend as much time as possible in NB or NS. :)

The more the merrier Willendorf. What's your story about moving here? I love to hear when people choose my wonderful country to move to. I have a Aussie friend who is in the last stages of citizenship.

I have wanted to leave the States and move to Canada for many years, but have only just recently been in a position to make the change. I absolutely love Canada and am a much better fit philosophically there than in the States. I think your priorities are much more in order and certainly a lot saner than are the case in the US. I also have a LOT of CDN friends who tell me they think the stork dropped me off in the wrong place by mistake. *grin*

I just graduated with my BSN and have passed my boards, so I now have skills that are very much needed in Canada, and which will improve my chances of being accepted by immigration. I would file my paperwork now, but I have a two year work commitment to practice where I am now, so I am timing my application so that I will hopefully have landing papers about the time that obligation is fulfilled. (I got 15k in scholarships, and so long as I work the two years I won't have to pay any of that back. Sweet deal, eh? :D )

At any rate, NS is calling my name and I'm very much looking forward to buying a house and settling down there. I've been researching immigration requirements, the cost of living, labour market, weather, etc for nearly 3 years now, and have given a lot of though to where I would want to settle. What provinces are you all from?

Maura,
Hey Girl!!! I haven't had a chance to respond in a couple days because I was out of town for a wedding, but I think a Canadian thread would be a fantastic idea!! Thanks for the advice about WW, I think within the next couple weeks I'm gonna make a commitment and try out at least one meeting!!
And Tobaccygirl.... as far as POUTINE goes, I think Maura has a great idea with the baked fries as opposed to the deep fried ones, but personally I think that you can't go wrong with a nice beef gravy. I usually just take the stock from a nice lean roast and thicken it up a bit with some corn starch solution and a few flavor accents (Mrs. Dash works wonders!) and VOILA!!
Willendorf, Actually I was born in NS, but have live in ONT for most of my life. I'm hoping for my honeymoon that we can take a trip down east. I haven't been back in YEARS, but I have friends and family that tell me its beautiful down there, so hopefully!!

Another question I had was..... Has any one here tried "Curves"? You know the "30-minute weight loss gym for women" There's one right down the street from me, and I was thinking about checking it out, but I don't wanna spend all that money on a membership if I'm not going to stick with it. Every time I see the commercial on the TV, I feel like I'm gonna cry because they all say things like " in 30 minutes I became a bigger woman..... in a smaller dress size" ect...., and that song!!! "This little light of mine.... I'm gonna let it shine..." DANG!! Just gets me deep down inside somewhere!!

Fellow Candian who wishes to join
 

I am 32 and have lived in Toronto all my life (never actually been anywhere) and I would love to join you guys. It has been awhile since I have joined a thread and I really need it for motivation. I have a 11 year old daughter, finance, 2 cats, a turtle and three goldfish (three for now because really they are the turtle' food but he can't seem to catch them) My life is revolves around making them happy and work. I haven't had alot of time (or the energy) for friends lately and I think joining a thread would help me be more social.

You guys talking about poutine makes me hungry. I can't go near any sort of potatoe as I know that my body hates bad carbs and as long as I stay away from them I continue to gradually lose weight, so no potatoes, rice or bread of any kind for me right now. So far I have lost 37 pounds since March and looking to loose another 25. I find when I join a thread that has a challenge I hold myself more accountable and do not cheat as much.

I could also help with the immigration process to Canada if you need any advice as that is what I do for a living. :) but it sounds like you know all about it already.

Dale