hey all, i know that sooner or later i'll be under 300 hundread pounds and i want to celebrate that some how...non food related because i know that i havent been under that weight in a long time..so how are some of u guys going to celebrate that goal...or any others?

Carol - You know, I've looked more than once for an answer about the water issue, and never really found one. I did it again just now and the Mayo Clinic gives the generally standard answer of 9 cups per day (2.2 liters) for women. It does follow it with:

"Even apart from the above approaches, it is generally the case that if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce between one and two liters of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate."

Now, I'm not measuring my urine, but on thinking back.... when I don't get enough water (ie. feel thirsty and can't get to water) my urine might be a darker yellow. Honestly though, I don't pay enough attention to it. I found a calculator about.com which asks for your weight (boo, it doesn't go over 300), about exercise, and a few more questions about climate, etc. The thing is, it has a link to the Mayo clinic website which doesn't suggest that the number is weight specific.

And I'm not too sure I'd trust another calculator I found from the International Bottled Water Association...

I'm actually kind of curious as to where the trainer gets the info. I take in about 12 cups (3 liters) each day, but I also take some in with protein shakes, and I don't measure what I drink at dinner, just count it as 2 cups (it's probably more).

I loved having to buy new underwear because I realized how uncomfortable baggly undies were...I tucked away one pair of my biggest jeans (size 26) to remind me where I was and where I didn't want to be...and my fave was when I had lost 25 lbs. I went to the grocery store and tried to lift a 25 lb. bag of dog food...and couldn't...and wondered how I had been living with that weight on my back.

Anne - he told me early on that the rule of thumb is water should not exceed 50% in ounces the amount of weight you are in pounds.

Example - 200 pound person should not exceed 100 ounces of water. Said past that you overhydrate and will retain. I will ask him where that info comes from on Tuesday when I see him - I've used it as a rule of thumb for some time now - although I do tend to go over at times.

Thanks for the input,
Carol

Sugarcoatit07,

I think when I reach little goals, partularily about being under that gawdawful 300 pound mark, I would like to celebrate by going out and buying somehting motivating. Like new work out clothes or the rediculously expensive over complicated scale I keep eyeballing at the store! I mean just something that says Yeah meee, and also says KEEP IT UP.

It's hard to think of non-food celebrations since that is how my family has ALWAYS done it. You accomplish somethign, or have a birthday or holiday it is always accompanied by food! It's hard to think outside of the box for me. I want that comfort of food with each big milestone but i know it will set me back!

Dusty

yea dusty i know excatly what you mean..in my house u make a good grade u got to go out to eat..lol

Brenda: Thanks for the comments. You are always such a sweetie. Hope you got all of your chores done!

Tina: How did the pizza project go? I hope it turned out nicely.

Ammi: Do you guys have the WW snack things over there that you can buy? They have cookies and cakes here that are like 2 pounds each. Some are 1 point each? I hope you are in a better mood my friend. Thanks for the comments on my picture. Glad you had a nice Sunday. Hugs.

Donna: That sounds scary someone messing with your Son. I hope things don't get anymore serious than eggs. Hugs.

Cyn: Thanks for the comments on my pics. Hugs.

Nancy: I admire your energy too. All of the classes you take and going out dancing. It is just so inspiring. I get to thinking everytime you talk about classes you are taking that I want to sign up my DH and myself for a dance class. Did you end up going to the movies? I hope if you did that you had fun.

Julee: Thanks sweetie for helping me remember we all go through the same thing. I am going to try to go look at your photos. I tried earlier but wasn't able to so maybe next time I will be luckier. lol.

Debbie: Okay, You are right. I need new pants. I was looking at the photo and then tried the pants on again. They are so baggy in the legs. Maybe I need a different cut or something. Maybe it's time to try on some 24's! Is is snowing there yet? We are getting hammered with snow but I LOVE it! Sorry you had some cookie/pretzel issues. I know you will do better next time. Hugs.

Carol: Sounds like you had a great day the other day with yoga and a foot rub. Sorry you are struggling but it sounds like things are better today. Hugs and never ever give up. Just when you feel you are about to, something will change. Hang in there sweetie.

Val: I am so proud of you how you handled Gabe after the scare wore off. You have every business, right and ability to ride that big ole guy. Don't ever doubt yourself my friend. Hugs.

Alison: Hope you are able to get to the gym soon too. I opted to stay home and clean the entire house and snow shovel the driveway then walk and ride the bike. I ended up doing lots of exercise but no swimming yesterday for me.

Sandy: Hi and welcome back! I am so happy for all the accomplishments you have achieved in this past year. Under 300 Pounds!!!! Woohoo to you Sandy. Loss of 50 pounds and almost reaching your goal! You are really doing well and all the NSV's saying no to icky foods. Hugs.

Xena: I hope that you are able to find a way to not let the stress get to you in these next few months. Hugs.

Battle: Great job talking yourself out of cookie dough. That is such a huge thing to overcome that evil little guy in each of us that wants to eat what it wants. Hugs.

HeatherDW: Anne has some really great advice. Hang in there and take a deep breath. Maybe it is water weight that is hanging on. Try drinking a bit more if possible. Just don't give up whatever you do. Hugs.

Sugarcoat: How I celebrate my weight loss milestones is in a few different ways. When I was at 510 pounds my first goal was to get to 499. I rewarded myself with an Italian Charm bracelet and every time I reach one of my weight loss goals I get a new charm for my bracelet. In addition to the charms, I have other rewards for myself. For instance I just got under 300 recently and my rewards were: 1/2 hour body massage by my DH, 1/2 hour foot massage from a professional foot massage lady, getting my eye brows waxed, getting a manicure and my charm. When I reach 250 my reward will be a Nintendo Wii. Things like that. I don't have lots of money but it makes things more special. I have met 8 goals so far since I have implemented this system. I always get excited to add a charm to my bracelet. Hope this helps. Great job planning for it though!

On Tuesday at my Group Therapy for Weight Loss surgery patients we are going to be trying on a "fat suit". It is a jumper that has tons of pockets on it and you add into the pockets the amount of weight you have lost. It should be interesting to say the least. I have lost 216 pounds since April 16th 2007 and 95 pounds since surgery on August 29th. I don't know which one they will do, most likely the whole 216. Our therapist is very big on giving us credit for everything we accomplish. I'll let you guys know how that goes.

I hope that this week is a great one for all of us. Drink lots of water, move your bodies and stay op. We can do this.

Blessings,
Annie

Dusty and Sugar: My house was the same way and when I got married and started my own traditions that is one that I didn't change. I think it needs to change you guys are the ones to do it! Start your own new traditions of celebrations without food. Food just for fuel. It is a hard one but one I am finding is getting easier and easier. It also helps so much at work with all the snacks my co-workers have around. It sits that but I don't let it call my name anymore because if I'm not hungry and it isn't going to fuel my body, I don't need it. Hugs to you both.
blessings,
Annie

yea it did...i could really use a day of getting pampered!!!

I went over on calories today. I knew I would. I didn't even exercise. I'm just in such a funk

Val, that is so great that you got control of yourself and Gabe. You guys are meant for each other and you will learn each others little tricks and be more in sync with each other as you ride him more. He sounds like sucha sweetie. I'm so jealous!!!

Alison, O that ones sounds so delish!!

Sandy on all of your NSV's which are outstanding...but mostly for being so determined that this is you life and you want to change it to be healthier and happier. You are doing just awesome!!! And on top of everything, losing 54 lbs AND (drum roll please) getting into 2town. You are just super duper fantastic!!!! I'm so proud of you.

Carol, sorry to hear you're having such a hard time right now. I hate when the scale doesn't show any losses. But hang in there, my friend. I'm positive there will be a whoosh in your near future. If not I'm gonna come over there and scare the living daylights outta that scale of yours!!!!

Nancy, how did it go at the Indian restaurant and dinner with your Dad? I'm sure you handled it like a champ!!

Xena, glad to see you checking in with all of us. We miss ya! Hope work slows down soon for you to where you can get your head back in the game of WL. Just take it easy and take some time for yourself.

Battle, glad that you were able to get yourself under control. That had to be a frightening time while out to dinner. You're really working on handling situations pretty well.

Yesterday Jim and I went and bought another pad for the DDR. We do battles and he usually wins but its the fact that I'm moving ALOT now. I don't get to rest inbetween songs so I'm really sweatin'. It's a great feeling. We did 2 hours yesterday and 2 hours today on basic which is alot more steps than beginner. I get stiff, but just knowing I can do this is a HUGE NSV for me. Last year at this time, I was lucky if I could get up and move for 5 minutes. Now I'm doing 2 hours of movin' and groovin' to the songs. Wow! I feel good.
We got some snow last night and it was so pretty but melted pretty much. We hope to get more tonight and they say even more on Monday night. Yippee!!! I'm lovin' life right now.
Debbie

Geeze, I missed a whole page of posts, so here I am again...

Heather dw, don't give up and don't give in to the temptation of eating because you don't see a loss on the scale. It doesn't mean that you aren't getting healthier. Just hang in there!!!

Carol, glad to hear you had a better day. Nothing like exercise to help get all that bad vibe stuff out of the system. Hope the steak was delish!

Sugarcoatit07, I go out and buy myself some clothes. Or I go to Bath and Body works and buy myself some great lotions and potions. Nothing food related. Go and get a manicure and pedicure. Just something that is really a treat for yourself that makes you feel good about what you accomplished. It's so much fun!!

Julee, isn't it amazing how much weight we get rid of and then try and carry it like you did with the dog food? Just imagine how we all felt with that extra weight on us and how we've lost and get around so much better. I put away a pair of size 32 jeans away too. I want to remember what it felt like when I was that big and hopefully it will give me the incentive to keep losing and keep it off when I get down to goal.

Annie, Yeah!!! go get those 24s~! O my gosh!! That fat suit thing is going to be so enlightening. I like the idea of the charm bracelet too. What great memories you'll have of your WL journey.

toodles

thanks you guys...i cant wait till i'm there...good luck everybody