[Happy Apple]

Hey folks!

I posted a thank you a while back to the support forum, planning on staying in the background, but you all were so nice to me I decided to stick around. I figured I'd make it official by posting here.

Not sure what to tell you. I'm a non-traditional student even by non-traditional standards - I'll graduate with a masters degree in speech pathology when I'm 50 (in 2008), the same year my oldest niece graduates from high school, ha! So between my degree and my weight I guess it's just time to get my life in order.

Actually, my degree is a big part of the reason I've decided I've had enough of being unhealthy. I will start my clinical year in August, which means I'll be working with clients. In my mind, I've always known I wanted to be down on the floor playing with the kids, on my knees if I needed to be helping the elderly patients. It's hard to do that when you're seriously overweight - and certainly not enjoyable.

I started out two weeks before Thanksgiving and emotionally I'm still feeling pretty good (knock on wood!). I decided to go with South Beach Diet because my endocrinologist recommended it for PCOS and it's worked really well so far. After all the times I've tried and failed, no one's more surprised than me, lol!

Anyway, thanks for having me and I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

[srmb60]

Hi and welcome! Have you found the South Beach Threads?

[Happy Apple]

Absolutely and it's fantastic. The recipes there helped me sail through those first two weeks, which I thought would be horrible. I bet I refer to the information out there at least twice a day, still feeling the ropes.

Actually, this week I've been following with SBD but splitting the meals out, eating a small amount every few hours and it's seemed to make a difference. It's been years since I've had luck losing weight and my friends are convinced I'm starving myself or made a pact with the devil or something, lol! I told 'em no - just a pact with 3 fat chicks, lol!

[carolr3639]

Hi, I'm impressed with your academic accomplishments. I once was in speech pathology but when I transferred to my dh's school I switched to special ed. I never did get my masters I had 10 kids instead......said I'd never go back. But your post intrigues me. I am 57. The trouble with getting older....isn't it hard to get hired? Just wondering.

[Happy Apple]

Hey CarolR!

10 kids?! Mercy, you've already learned more than most folks come out of college knowing, hahah! life has lessons all its own and I'm sure you've had your share of them with 10 kids, lol! That's so great - I always thought I'd get married and have kids, but God had other plans (still don't quite know what that is, lol!) That's so great, 10 kids. What a mom!

I worried about age thing, too, but a friend of nearly 30 years (also named Carol) who is a counselor in a middle school assured me it wouldn't be a problem, especially in this field and those in demand - like special ed (hint, hint, lol!) She said the maturity is a plus in a lot of folks' eyes. I spoke to instructors about my concerns before I registered and most of them laughed. One said "People will fight to get an educated, competent person who doesn't rattle easily when thrown curve balls. Don't worry, you'll be in demand."

If you want to talk more about it, just let me know - I'll let you know what my experiences have been so far.