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 loose 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

Pleased to meet you Dale. :)

My big question about immigration is when to file my application. I have that work commitment here and I know landing papers are only good for a finite period, so I need to time things carefully in order to be free to move when those papers come through.
In the interim, I'm going to sit for my CDN boards and get my license to practice as an RN (I have a BSN, which is what the provinces are working towards) and open a CDB savings account. That way I can easily prove that I have the requisite funds to resettle (though as an RN employability is NOT going to be a problem) and that I am able to work ASAP once I do arrive. Hopefully that will help my case with immigration.
If you can think of anything else I can do to improve my odds of acceptance I would love to hear them :D I'll be putting my three children on my application as well, ages 13, 15, and 17 currently. With respect to my eldest, how many days a year must she physically reside in Canada to keep her status as a landed immigrant? She may choose to attend University in the States as opposed to Canada but does not want to lose her imigration status.

Wild,

I have a Curves membership now and like it. Its quick, easy, and reasonably convenient, though I do wish they had Sunday hours. :( There is a nice sense of community as well, and that helps keep up the motivation to go. Other than that, I'm on my 1st week of WW, doing the flex plan. So far no loss (pouting a tad) but I am sticking to my daily points range, so I'm hoping I see a change soon.

Hey there everyone.

Talk about not being able to chat in a while.

Wild, I love weddings. Where was it? I know the comercial you are talking about. I have a neighbour who goes. She has twin 3 year olds (when I think my life is tough I just think of her a quit wallowing in self pity) and she loves it.

Willendorf (is that what you want us to call you?) - I sure does sound like you are a Canuck at heart, so we would be happy to have you!!!

Dale - You are more than welcome to join. Sure sounds like you have a full house there. I just have a son, husband (an amazing one at that (just let my mother stay for 8 weeks :love: ) and I can understand how hard it is to get out there with friends.

Wild - You posted is just the time it took me to hit "Post a Reply". I can't think of anything but I will chat with my aussie friend and see if she has any tips. She has had an application since before 9-11 (which added about a year and a half on to the process) and is a resident (pardon the pun) expert. I think I will start using my membership to our local pool once a week as me time.

Does anyone have mother-in-law issues?? I love mine but sometime she frustrates me soo much. We live in Airdrie (just outside of Calgary) and they live in our home town of Winnipeg. We are just starting to work through debt issues and all I get from her is "why aren't you coming home at Christmas??" Well for starters it cost us $3000 and that would put a serious dent in our debt reduction in 3 months time. :mad: . she always has her 2 cents to say except when we say for her to pay for us to come, then silence. AAAHHHHH! Thanks for listening just needed to get that off my chest.

Willendorf Woman is a reference to the Venus of Willendorf, which is a beautiful little statuette that was carved in paleolithic times in Europe. The Venus is an even more robustly shaped woman than I am, and is thought to be a fertility symbol--what I love about her is that she seems so serene and comfortable in her body. I also love the fact that she was obviously cherished enough in life to serve as a model for this statuette, girth and all. :) Do a web search on Venus of Willendorf and you will find a lot of images of her--the actual statue fits in the palm of your hand, and the detail is rather amazing given her size and the fact that she was probably carved with stone tools. :o

My real name is Katlinel, but most folks call me Kat. I'm a 37 year old single mother to three teens (13,15,and 17), three cats (1, 5, and 11), and two rats. I have a good 90 lbs to lose and right now seem to be holding steady at 222. I wish the scale would go dowm, but at least I can take comfort in the fact that its not moving up.

Willendorf Woman,

I would be happy to answer those....The application process will be about 1-1/2 years (depending on if you have to attend an interview) and you will have to land in Canada within one year of when you have taken your medical (usually at the time of interview or interview waiver). In order to maintain PR status you must reside in Canada 2 out of every five years (so summers can usually add this up and still be okay to attend university) Hope that helps!

Just wanted to post that real quick....at work now but will come back again tonight from home if my daughters homework is not to heavy


Dale

This is turning into quite a group. Would you like me to move this thread to the Support Groups Forum? Or would you like to stay here and "troll" for more of us Canuks? Let me know if you want it moved and also if you want the name changed.

Ruth,

Unless anyone else has another suggestion I think moving it would be good. That's where I went when looking for other Canadians.

Does anyone have a name for us??

My 2 cents is: Crazy Canucks!!

Maura

If anyone is interested you can check out my Blog at maurabirch.blogspot.com

How about "Oh Canada!"

Oh, exciting news...I'm down 3 lbs! The scale has been firmly at 222 for two weeks now and registered 219 today! I'm thrilled! I was a bit frustrated as I had been staying within my points and had not lost an ounce.

Well, you Canuk Chicks just decide on a name and PM me or holler at me over in the South Beach Forum. Then I'll move it and rename it.

CanaChicks? What if a guy joins? Geez, maybe one has already!

Hoorayy For Willendorf!!!!
 

:cb: Congratulations. I know how hard it is to keep with a system and not see results. It took me almost 4 months to loose 5 lbs to get to my goal weight :cp:

Keep up the good work and remember you can do it.

I have been meaning to ask you if your Avitar is a picture of your tatoo?

BTW do you have a suggestions for our Thread name?

M

Can I join?
 

Hi!
I'm in Toronto and would love to join you!

sounds good!
 

Maura ..
I wouldn't mind some more information on that 'core list' you were talking about!
I'm in my early 30's with 2 small kids (3 and 1 1/2) and would love to lose 50 lbs. I was quite successful with WW and really like the program - just looking for some variety now as I tend to get stuck in the rut with certain low point foods and then get sick of them and revert back to my old ways.
I'd love to join your thread! I need the motivation from people that understand exactly where I come from!

Originally Posted by BabyAnne:
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

Hello my fellow Canucks! I am from the GTA (grew up in Richmond Hill, currently live in Burlington and am moving to Orangeville next month). I would love to get in on a Canadian Thread mainly because we don't access to half the weight loss stuff that the US gets. Damn FDA...LOL

I love poutine, but as much as I want to lose weight, I can't butcher Poutine to fit my diet. I would rather have the real thing once in a blue moon and be able to eat the real thing!

You guys should try Poutine Italianna. Its big in Montreal, its got fries, spaghetti meat sauce and cheese. Sounds gross but its great! Granted, most people think gravy and cheese curds sound gross too...

I love the idea of naming the thread "Crazy Canuks" IMHO!

P.S ( I am also interested in the core list. I've done WW several times and the counting does get tiring..)

Go for it
 

Canadian Newbie just go for it, get up and go. In the last 18mths I have lost 126lbs. I did join weight watchers and I walk, walk, and walk some more. I have not got to my goal yet and am having some trouble getting on track after summer. I could use some advise from someone out there on how to keep the focus for the long haul. thanx

Okay for anyone who want to know here it is. But remember I am not a leader and anything that I say here is directly from the BOOK that you get with WW.
The core foods consist of all fruits and vegitables in their pure state (no juices, sweetened canned fruit etc), soup that consist of only core foods, whole wheat pasta, lean meats (all kinds), fat-free dairy and eggs and sugar free beverages. Like I said there are over 150 food on the list that you don't have to count, with a few exceptions. You can only have 1 potato a day.

You only use your points allowance for foods that are not core or food that contain non core ingredients (ie Pita with veggies (core), lean meat (core) and mayo (non core) you only count the mayo).

The other thing that this system is promoting is knowing you hunger comfort zone. This is where you aren't too full or too hungry.

If you feel like you are in a rut this may be the system for you but I strongly encourage checking out a meeting. I lost all of my weight with the support of my leader and knowing that others were going through the same thing as me. And the best part was when I had a question that I thought was dumb enevitabily there would be someone at the meeting who was brave enough to ask the question.

I hope this answers some questions.

Bonnie you are more than welcome to visit anytime you want.


Looks like I am representing the west here!!! So Crazy Canucks it is.

I will start a new Thread tomorrow in the Groups area? OK?

Well, my suggestion was "Oh Canada!", but as I'm a Gonnabecanuck it has what, half the suggestion wallop as that of you fortunate died in the wool Canucks. *grin*

Oh, yes that is a photo (scan actually--we took the lid off the scanner and pressed it to my back--I guess you could call it a Kat scan *giggling*) of my tattoo. The only thing it doesn't show are the series of moons in a semicircle below it. I had the phases of the moon tattooed below the main image to complete it. Doea anyone else have any tattoos?

Wow!!! Here We Grow Again!!
 

I know its only been 2 days since I've been on, but it seems like everytime I do we've grown!!! :wizard: WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!! I think that its wonderful that we have all come together !! You'll all have to excuse me if I forget to answer a question or two, I just sorta woke up ;)
Trixi,
Welcome aboard!!! I also live in Toronto, and am working hard on cutting out those carbs....the only problwm is that I think I'm addicted :eek: !!

Willendorf,
Thankx for the info on curves... I think I'm gonna head down there this week and check it all out ;)

Maura,
The wedding was really nice! The weather was tremendous and they had it in the garden. The reception waas nice too!! Roast beef, Turkey, Mashed potatoes, mmmmmm :ink: *tee hee* And as far as MIL issues.... well that a WHOLE different subject!!! I don't have enough time to get into it now, but let me just say that I live with mine!!! LOL!

And to the person asking about tatoos... (sorry I forgot who it was :o )
I have 6 of them right now and I can't wait to get another one ;)

*lol* That was me asking about tattoos. :) I only have the one, but its huge--a good 7 or so inches across. My kids were so shocked when I got it--they never expected me to to show uo with a tatttoo. *lol* I actually designed it myself and put a lot of thought into it, so it has a lot of meaning for me.

I have one on my back. It is about 4 inches long and 3 high. It is a celtic knot representing my DH and I and when we are finished having kids I am going to get another just under it to represent them. I loved getting it and dream of the next.

Did we want to move this thread to the groups section?

Maura

This thread is continued in the Crazy Canuks Thread which has been moved to Support Groups. Please join us there.