we all need to have patience- but you girls really help! We'll make it together! :hugs:

I posted a couple of pictures in the low carb- I'm posts 12 and 14

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50112

the first one is my family Christmas picture and then the last 2 are me in my celebration dress- size 8
(I started with a tight 16/18) the size 8 is still obviously tight and a few more bulges than I like but it WILL fit by the time I get done. hanging on my closet door right now- I said before it probably should go in front of the refridgerator!

tell me what you think!

Our successes since starting the Merry Christmas Challenge:

Florafae - Lost 9 lbs.
Kandice - Lost 8 lbs. (Goal!)
Bonnie - Lost 5 1/2 lbs.
Dena - Lost 4 lbs.
Skinny - Lost 1 lb.
Shelbi - Maintained

Congratulation to everyone!!! We didn't gain over the holidays! We did really well! Let's keep at it.

Skinny and Shelbi, glad to see you both back!

Shelbi, congrats to you for hanging in there and not giving up (when we all know how easy it is to throw in the towel, especially at this time of year). Let's keep at this together.

Skinny, I'm sorry you are going through some really stressful situations. I'm impressed that you got right back to your weight watcher's plan and are exercising again. I'm sooooo proud of you!

Kandice, great pictures! What an accompishment! I can see Chris and Christopher are very pleased and proud of your progress!

Gotta run.
(Hugs),
Dena

Hope everyone is having a good health day! Thanks so much for the warm re-welcome and encouragement. It helps tremendously!

Good eating day yesterday and did 45 minutes cardio. I am, however, beginning to feel the effects of getting back into exercising. You should have seen me coming up the steps at work this morning. It was quite comical!

Dena-thanks so much for starting this challenge. I don't know if I'll reach goal but I'll do my darndest! I'll be praying for you as well! If I can get back on track then you should have no problem correcting your mistakes! Hang in there, girl!

Bonnie-that darned old scale being mean to you again today? You sure are doing well w/exercise and everything. Just remember to keep on going! Easier said than done sometimes, believe me, but you can do it. We're all cheering for you!

Shelbi-welcome back! Hope things start picking up for you soon. You're on the right path and making good, healthy decisions. It will show itself in time. Don't give up!

Kandice-you look mahvelous!! What a lovely young lady you are and what a lovely family! Keep up the good work. You're an inspiration!

Well, gotta run. Coffee and work are calling! Hugs all around.

Happy Friday, Everyone!
It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood. It's sunny out and 60 degrees! Great weather for my morning walk!

Well, I've done all my Christmas shopping. I'm so glad that's taken care of, but of course, there's not much money to go around after that. No wonder I've been stressed.

We're going to California next week for a few days, then back here, then back again closer to Christmas. That's a 5 hour drive or so--one way. So I'm trying to get ready for that. I'm so looking forward to our trips, yet overwhelmed by it all. Plus, I want to clean the house so it looks great when we get back. I better make a list to get things done, so I can cross them off, and not feel so overwhelmed.

Ler's keep eating right, exercising and drinking that water.
(Hugs),
Dena

It's rainy "cat's and dogs" here in KY but it's still a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Doing well today and yesterday was good as well. Stayed w/in my points and even managed to sneak in a couple of homemade choc. chip cookies. Yum. Walk/run-2 miles.

Dena-you are a lady after my own heart! We must be siblings separated at birth. I always, always, always clean my house before leaving on a trip and I always, always, always make a list. My family thinks I'm crazy but there's nothing I dislike more than coming home tired from a long trip to a dirty house. Yuck! Glad to know I'm not alone!

Hope your trips are wonderful!

Onward and DOWNward, ladies!

Dena-
congrats on getting all your shopping done! have a safe trip- we'll be thinking of you!

skinny- nothing better than staying within your points and being able to eat a treat! yesterday I was still within my carb limit and I had a tortilla sheel with my quesilda stuffing (usually I eat just the stuffing by itself and make quesildilas for the boys) YUM!

Have a great weekend!

I haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been scurrying around trying to get as much done as possible before my father arrives next Wednesday for a three-week visit. He comes every year (my mother is deceased). I’m just heading out the door right now, but I wanted to check in quickly and tell you what happened yesterday.

I had a doctor's appointment (just a check-up, nothing important.) The doctor was very encouraged to see I had lost weight, and asked me what program I was using. I told him I wasn't on any specific program but that I had joined an online support group, and I found it extremely helpful. He thought it was such a good idea, that he wrote down the address of 3fatchicks.com and said he was going suggest it to some of his other patients who were struggling to lose weight and having no success. So, the good word is spreading.

Have a good weekend everyone, and drive safely, Dena.

Florafae

Congrats Bonnie!

Dena- we'll be thinking of you during your trip!

Yay Flora for spreading the news of 3fc!

I've finally lost another 2.5 lbs (182.5). so now at 10.5 lbs since the christmas Challenge. I'm not going to change my ticker until I get weighed and measured officially next friday- the 24th.

Congratulations Kandice and Bonnie! Kandice, see how quickly you came off the plateau. Good for you.

Bonnie, I sympathize with your predicament. Every family has special foods associated with different holidays, and it seems as if most of those foods tend to be very delicious and very fattening--at least that’s the case with my family. Then there’s the other side of it. So often, family gatherings often stir up all sorts of stress and strong emotions (both positive and negative) that make it even harder to stay in control eating-wise. But you’re right: that’s life, and it’s up to us to try to eat responsibly, no matter what the circumstances.

I had a good week and was able to lose another 2.5 lbs. My total is now 11.5 pounds lost since I joined the challenge. For some reason I was really hungry this week, even though I was staying in my usual calorie range. I suppose it’s Christmas stress. Still, I was able to stick to my diet most every day. Saturdays and Sundays, are the hardest for me.

This coming week the real challenge begins: my dad arrives for his 21-day visit. This is a man who ONLY eats high-carb high-fat foods. (Would you like some more mashed potatoes and gravy with your slab of ham?) Also on the horizon: the company Christmas dinner/party, and the arrival of Christmas goodies from distant relatives.

I’m just going to try and stick with what I’ve been doing. It feels so wonderful to be able to check in on Monday and report the loss of another pound or two. Again, I am so thankful that I found this group. It is such a help to me.

Dena, I hope you had a good trip.

I wish you all a good week.
Florafae

Flora- I'm in the same boat- my family are carb lovers and I know they think my diet is "silly" and that I'll gain it all back (because that's what always happens with my stepmom) She's not supportive at all. she always tries to say- "well, you remember when I was on WW and how I lost x lbs? well, x + 20 came back on" totally takes away from my happiness when I call and say- I got weighed today- lost another x lbs. and then her response is always a negative. I've just stopped telling her now. We're staying them for a week- my dad and stepmom. I really hope they don't try to sabotage me since I'm doing so good and happy with myself finally. But I know there WILL be mashed potatoes and not just any mashed potatoes but potatoes with parsley and garlic salt... MMMM, and of course all the pies and everything for Christmas... oh man! We'll get through it together! Another thing- my stepmom- she's been in my life for 19 of my 24 years, she buys me clothes- (and good ones that I like) but I really hope she won't say something or mean something by the sizes she bought. In an email I told her I dropped a size in pants and I'm wearing a Med/ large in shirts now. I really hope she doesn't buy me "fat clothes".

I weighed last night at Curves- again not officially but I was down to 179- 6 lbs from my ticker. that's half way to goal! 24 more lbs! I can't wait until next thursday when I weigh and measure for real to see the results of this month.

Have a great weekend ladies!

Hi Everyone!

I'm back from my trip and then we leave again on Tuesday. I want to thank you gals for keeping our little group together by posting. I just loved coming back to the message boards and seeing you all here!

Just before we left I wasn't feeling all that great, and wasn't sure I could make the trip. I managed to get a urinary infection (I was totally stressed)and was in major pain. But I drank a gallon of cranberry juice, and thank God, I felt better the day we had to leave, sipping hot tea all the way on our drive to keep warm. Sheesh. The drive was a long one. It should have taken about 5 hours, but because of several accidents it took 7! I'm very thankful we weren't invoved in any. When we got to California the weather was beautiful--mid 70's. The winter weather in Las Vegas is colder than what I'm used to. My body hasn't really adjusted yet. It was great to be in LA and Beverly Hills. I just love it there! The Christmas decorations were so beautiful. On Rodeo Drive the lamp posts had chandoliers inside boxes hanging as ornaments. Their huge Christmas tree was all lit up in white, with gold and violet.while the Beverly Hills Spanish steps were decorated in bows and little white lights. We ate at a couple of our favorite restaurants and really enjoyed being back home!

Our drive back wasn't so bad, and I must admit I was totally happy to see my house and the fact that we arrived safely.

I promise to respond to everyone's messages later, but for now, It's great seeing all you gals again!
(Hugs),
Dena

Kandice, you’ve broken the 180 barrier! That’s wonderful. Hurray for you.

I am so sorry that you are not receiving any encouragement from your stepmother. Some people get locked into thinking about us in certain ways, and feel threatened when we make positive changes in our lives. It’s unfortunate that she had a negative experience with her weight loss, but that is her history, not your future. Pay no attention to her. There are many, many, many success stories out there.

You aren’t going to change your stepmother. All you can do is change how you respond to her, and how you let her affect you. Just recognize her subtle and not so subtle sabotage attempts for what they are and try not to get sucked in by them. If she gives you “fat” clothes, accept the gifts graciously, and then return them for something your size. If you make a big deal of it out, or act really hurt, you’re just playing her game.

You deserve to feel very good about yourself. You’ve been incredibly successful in meeting your weight loss goals, and you’re healthier and happier person than you were a few months ago. 2005 is going to be a great year for you!

Hang in there.
Florafae

Dena- welcome back! glad you got over the uti, never had one but I heard they were plainful. if you have some pictures post them! I'd love to see them.

Thanks for your support and encouragement Flora- that's what I needed- thank you.

been bad this weekend- ate whatever I wanted to- toasted cheese sandwich with 2 slices of white bread, chocolates, twix bars.... bad... but only up 2 lbs- I'm still 178 naked at home in the morning. weighing in on wednesday so I have to be good the rest of the week. hoping for a 180 or less on the curves scale (with clothes and shoes on obviously). Back on the meal target today- 48 carbs today.

Have a great monday- christmas week!

203 wow! go bonnie! you'll be in Onederland soon!