I am looking forward to 199, too. I am a SAHM of 3 young kids, so I try to exercise as much as possible - the treadmill, walking around the block, weights at home, sit-ups. And chasing my 2-yr old around. I am just trying to incorporate everything I know - mostly WW - and make a whole healthy life-style change. My first goal is the 10% at 207. It's seems to be going SO SLOW, but I know that's how it is and it's better that way! Thanks for listening and I can't wait to get to onederland with all of yoU!

Hi,
Well, I was up BIG time at Thursday's weigh-in. I gained 3.75 lbs. Since I was ready for it I'm doing ok with it, because I know that I did it to myself and I also know that I can undo it as well.

The good thing is that I'm still under the weight I've promised myself I will never go back over again and that's 245. I had a heart-to-heart talk with myself, in front of the full length mirror. I asked myself a really important question: Do I want to stay where I am or do I want to continue on in my weight loss journey. It was something I had to be real with myself about. Right now, I'm doing ok. I'm finding cute clothes I like. I can even wear regualr XL t-shirts. I'm fairly fit. I can bench press 65 lbs and walk 2 miles in 30 min. Men find me attractive (I was shocked by this!--my husband pointed it out to me) and my husband loves me as long as I'm happy with me. From a health point I'm doing ok. Blood pressure is good, cholestrol is good, etc. My doctor even comments that I'm in great shape despite my weight. But you know what? I want to be under 200..so I'm not staying where I am...I want that 199 (actually I've set my goal as 170 and a size 12-14)...so I'm choosing to go on. It was high time I had that talk with myself.

I'm a huge Oprah fan. I subscribe to her magazine and the April issue is a great one. In her column, What I know for sure, she is talking about: The Ultimate in being healty is to operate at full throttle-physcially, emotionally and spirturally...I WANT that. She talks about struggling with what she thought was a weight problem for over 25 years, instead of looking at my out-of-balance life and how I used food to repress the facts. (Ladies that's me!). She goes on to talk about caring for your true self and about conquering the fear that we need to work through instead of overeating. She says "Conquer the fear and you'll fly. This is the par that got me: "You need to schedule more rest and stop sprinting through your life as though it's some race you have to win. You've already won. You're still here, and with another chance to get it right, to do better, and be better--staring now".

So if you are doing well...keep going...you are an inspiration to the rest off us...continue to tell us how great it feels to do this to take care of yourself.

For those who have lost their way...every day is a chance to get it right...keep pushing through...have that talk with yourself...in that same article I was readying Oprah says "What you do today creats every tomorrow. To own the abundant life that's waiting for you, youv'e got to be willing to do the real work. Not your job. Not your career profile. But heading your spirt, which is whispering it's greatest desires for you. You've got to get silent sometimes to hear it. An check in regularly. You must feed your mind with reading material, thoughts, and ideas that open you to new possibilities."

I've put the entire article in my journal. I know I"ll have to pull it out and read it again and again..but for me I know it's time...and I'm starting NOW.

Spores: I think your plan is a great one. Believe it it...I do!!

Anne: How exciting that you found a walking buddy..you are really going to enjoy those walks and you will build a support system.

Judy: Tell us about the pep talk.

Mar: Welcome to the board.

Holly, Debbie, Girlie...thinkng about each of you.

Today I went with our friends to Children's Hospital while there 16 month old was beign checked out for a heart mummer. Thanks be to God that she is healthy and it's nothing to be worried about. You want to talk about knowing what's important...it was very effident to me today.

I'm detoxing ladies...no sugar sweets...I made it though today without them. I journaled, I posted, I napped (we were off work for Good Friday) and I'm happy.

How are you doing?
Susie

Good morning everyone,
How was your Easter holdiay? We had a very nice day with friends.
DH and I get each other small Easter baskets. DH was very considerate and didn't get me much candy. Only a box of peeps and he's agreed to hide them from me and ration them to me (I just can't control them). The one thing that he really surprised me with was a gift certificate to a spa in Cincinnati. I was so shocked! He had been saving money for it since Jan and I can't wait to use it.

I'm headed to work. Just wanted to do a quick check-in.

Susie

Happy Monday Everyone!

New day, new hope. This starts my first week with my walking buddy and hope to get to TOPS tonight. Yahoo!!!

Susie - I loved the info from Oprah mag. It is all so true. We hear many positive ideas that we need to truly apply to our lives. That is certainly one of them. Thank you.

Spores - I think your goal is very doable. I am with you on the great plans then falling off the wagon with what was planned in just a few days. Maybe we need to talk to ourselves more and try not to give in to the evil ways of eating. I really relate to your delimma. Let's make this work this time. Wadda ya say?

Hope everyone's holiday was wonderful. The tacos were delicious, and can say I over ate like crazy. Am still full this morning. I had this yummy strawberry cake that my nephew's GF brought. She used fresh strawberries and rich creamy butter (lots of it). It just melted in my mouth, however stuck to just one piece and declined taking some home with me. (small victory) However the chips, salsa, and gaucamole' were quite calorie ridden. I kept thinking about today being my new day of a new eating habits and exercise. Going to try to eat more protein, less carbs (but not eliminate carbs), little or no sugar, drings lots of water, and walk with my buddy. Planning on TOPS tonight also.

Today for breakfast, thus far, 2 hard boiled eggs and a handful of peanuts. (not the healthiest, but better than the past few months of eating junk for breakfast).

Lunch will be breakfast food again, as we are having an all site luncheon today and they are serving breakfast food. I figure I can eat the eggs with salsa and the fresh fruit.

Hope all your days are positive, upbeat and OP.

Hugs to all...

Annie

Welcome Marque! I am a SAHM with 2 kids and I babysit 6 others.

Susie~ what a thougthful gift form DH!!!
Annie~ good luck with your new initiative!

Easter was perfect!!!
Nice, nice ,nice!!!
Saturday was relaxing, sorta. DS played hockey but DD and I stayed home. At 11am I took the kids to town for an Easter egg hunt put on by Optomist. There were at least 200 kids. Fun!
Then we went for groceries. It was social hour at the store. We saw about 10 people we knew. That was fun too. Came home and fine tuned the Parent Handbook. I need two blurbs from other sources and it will be mostly complete. It is coming along well. I have put about 20 hours into it. My hip are sore from sitting. I have been doing lots of stretches. I have no idea how people with desk jobs do it.
I made my desserts for Sunday. The fudge is yummy, needs to be room temp to get the full Irish Cream flovour. I made a frozen Maple Syrup Mousse. It is probably the very best tasting, looking, feeling food I have ever made. This was my second time making it for Easter. It may become a tradition. If it ain’t broke, dont fix it.It is nice and cool and light and mapley. I may post the recipe if there is interest. It is NOT diet friendly.
Sunday was the LAST day of hockey. The kids played the parents. My 2 boys went. DD and I went to church. The kids sang Do Lord and Jesus Loves Me.
At home. DH cleaned up the back yard and I power cleaned the house. Zip, zip. I set a pretty table. I made personal CD’s for each person as a place card/gift.
My 2 angels and DN hunted for treats out in the yard( snow). There are 11 of us all together( my family). Much wine, laughter and chat all afternoon.
Dinner was a roasted leg of lamb, lemon&herb roasted new potatoes, blanched asparagus and my aunt made a stunning marinated salad with thinnly sliced: red onion, beets, oranges,celery tossed with pecans. YUM!!!
More wine and laughter & chat to follow. Both 6 year old boys had mini melt downs and everyone went home at 8pm. Kids went straight to bed. I watched Desperate Housewives and soon followed!!
Had a deep sleep. Just enjoying a coffee at the moment.
That it!
How are all you other wonderful chicks doing?

I'm struggling to get to the 199 mark myself. I feel like I'll never get there! But I've come such a long way already I'm just working hard on staying positive and reading the stories here of people just like me. It's keeps me very motivated. Thanks Ladies!

Marquetho: Welcome! Glad to have you aboard. Hop on in!

MychoiceSusi: Sounds like you have some really great perspective. Thanks for the inspiration. Good for you on the easter stuffs. It's great to find a way to make holidays not be all about food. The spa sounds amazing...what a great gift! Have fun!

Annie: Sounds like you did really well in the face of a totally overwhelming social eating situation. Good for you! I too am starting fresh today, so let's kick those bad habits out together!

Holly: Sounds like you had a lovely Easter with lots of great food but even more great fun with family. Glad to hear it!

SoccerGirl: Welcome, glad to have you. Feel free to join in!

Whoo. Okay. Monday morning. Spring break is over, and I'm feeling very back-to-business. New eating plan starts today. I have planned each meal and snack for the week, and I have scheduled my exercise. I have all the tools I need to succeed. So now it is a simple matter of just doing it. Good start so far: breakfast of oatmeal with fat-free soy milk, wheat germ, a touch of honey, and lots of cinnamon. Lunch will be a low-fat noodle cup. Will carry my water everywhere and drink lots. I can do this.

Hope everyone's week is starting off great!

Hey everyone;
Sounds like everyone had a great easter. we got 2" of rain sat and sun. They even had snow just a few miles away. We just had the 4 of us Dgs spent Easter with his moms (real bummer). He's too old for egg hunts but we still miss all of that. That is best part of getting old is grand kids.
I haven't made it to curves yet today, but I've been doing better with food. I haven't given up sweet tea yet, but I always drink diet sodas go figure that out if you can.

Spores: I have oats 6 mornings a week. I feel like it a better choice than what I was eating. Sundays is a traditional breakfast day. We have eggs and sausage gravey and biscuits. Bad I know but thats the compromise I had to make with dh to get him to eat oats the other 6 days.

Holley: Your Easter sounds wonderful. You have such a full life.

Anne: welcome! I love your outlook new day, new hope. That's me if I slip up I'm ready for a new start the next minute.

Susie: A spa, How wonderful!!

BIG HUGS TO ALL.

Afternoon check in.........

Did really well with lunch. Eggs and fresh fruit, 2 turkey sausage links. Not bad, could do better, baby steps.

Still looking forward to TOPS tonight.

Have a wonderful evening.

Annie

Hi, all--I had a lazy, uneventful Easter weekend, a good mix of chores, working out and being self-indulgent. I spent much of the weekend gearing up mentally to reach my Memorial Day challenge of losing 12 pounds. I made lots of lists, thought about obstacles, and really tried to visualize achieving my year-end goal.

Spores: yes, we can do this! We ARE doing it.

Holly--what a nice weekend you and your family had! Sounds like Thanksgiving in March.

Susie: your DH sounds like a sweetheart. To answer your question, my weigh-in pep talk came from the senior nutritionist. She encouraged me to use my natural creativity (craziness) to make a game out of the challenges, particularly in social situations when I go with the flow and have dessert or margaritas because everybody's doing it (and because of course I want to). She also encouraged me to exaggerate the consequences, if that's what it takes to say no to temptation. If I were diabetic, I'd certainly say no to things that are unhealthy for me. Mostly, I needed to sit with someone who would give me the drill sergeant treatment, and push me not to make excuses about lapses.

Annie: I think that small victories don't get enough respect! If we put together enough days and weeks of them, we'll certainly reach our goals.

Hey, Debbi, I'm getting into a groove with Curves. I made it there Saturday AM and this morning. I can feel my muscle tone getting better every week.

Marque and Soccer Girl--it's good to hear from you. This has been a great group for me.

judy

hello everyone! sorry i have been MIA. i am here in spirit with you all though. i have been struggling a lot to say the least. i managed to go to my WW meeting saturday and was up 2.6 not bad considering i haven't been taking very good care of myself. i am back on track today and will give it a good effort this week. easter was great! relaxed and fun. sounds like everyone had a good holiday! spring is on the way and i couldn't be any happier.

mychoice- i love the O mag, she really gives good advice on many things and is a real inspiration to me. no worries about the gain, you have been really stressed with school and DH. look forward girl!! lets get back to it!!! i'm with you!

holly- upbeat and positive as usual! it is so nice to read your posts! glad you had a nice easter!

annie congrats on going to TOPS!! and the walking buddy good for you!!!

hello everyone else time is short so sorry about the group hi, but it comes with a hug and i'll post more next time welcome newbies!! hop right in!!
have a great evening everyone!

Debbie: Glad you had such a nice Easter. I too tend to splurge on Sunday breakfasts. I am finding that it's easier to stay on plan if I know I can take one day off. Compromises.

Annie: Good for you on making good choices! Best of luck with TOPS; let us know how it goes.

Judy: I also sometimes wish for a drill sergeant to yell at me and get me going. Guess we all have to find our inner drill sergeants. And then also find our inner nurturer. And keep the two from fighting in our brains too much. Sheesh, I need a few more personalities!

Jodi: Sounds like you've got a lot going on; just keep going. You can do it. We're all pulling for you! Take good care.

Well, the first day of the rest of my life went well. Stayed on plan, did my exercise, journaled, didn't freak out and eat an entire resturant. Now on to tomorrow. One day at a time. I keep reminding myself that this is not going to be a repeat of past failures. This is about my whole life. So I will go to bed and get some good sleep and repeat this success tomorrow! One day down, one lifetime to go.

Good morning everyone;
Dh's new job has up by 4:30 now. Thats ok since I'm a morning person. If something needs done it best get done by noon or it probably won't get done at all. I did fair yesterday on food, but never made it to curves. I didn't go in the am and got distracted and didn't make it at all. I feel like I'm making progess with portion size. That is what I am focusing on for the time being. I do better that way. If I work on too much at once I somehow can't keep up. I no longer have a snacking problem. Next I plan to tackle my sweet tea addiction. I use a cup of sugar per gal. I drink no less than a 1/2 gal a day. We make it so weak the dr says it is counts as water, but I have got to give up that sugar. The puzzle is I like Splenda and use it in most everything else. I guess the tea is one of my comfort foods.??? As a child tea was served with every meal. Hot or cold.
Today, I plan to be at Curves when they open. No excuses....


Spores: Great outlook... I am a hopeless optimist. My glass is always half full... of sweet tea. lol


Jodi: Good to hear from you. I guess we all ramble some. I sometimes have a problem sharing keyboard time. With 4 adults it can be a challenge.

Judy: I'm also feeling stronger and have more energy since I've been going to curves. The only machine that gives me any trouble is the squat thingie. I do it my 1st curcuit then next times do squats behind it without the weight. It makes my knees hurt so I'm going to work into it slowly.

Anne: Baby steps... Those will take you right to your goal.

Holley: I'm sure you are up a running already.

Girlie, Susie: Hope ya'll are well.

Everyone have a great day.

BIG HUGS

Good Morning Everyone!

Bright and sunny, high 70 today. Whew weeeeeee, good day to take off! ;^) It sure makes your outlook and attitude more positive and bright. Altho I will be at work, I will do my walk today and truly enjoy it.

Judy - sometimes I think I need a drill sargent also. Just someone to watch me so I don't eat the wrong things or too much of them. Wouldn't hurt to whoop up on me to exercise either.

Jodi - Hang with it, you will do it. Be strong.

Spores - Great job on staying OP with your new plan for life. One day at a time and baby steps, that is my motto these days.

Debbie - sweetened tea can be hard to kick. It took me one entire summer to kick the sweet tea habit. By the end of summer I was drinking it straight. Now sweet tea taste funny to me.

Holly - You holiday weekend sounded wonderful. I love how you make the best out of everything. How is the parent guide book coming along?

Hello to everyone I may have missed. Welcome to others I have forgotten. Great place and great support.

Didn't do too awful bad last night on food. Didn't exercise. I did go to TOPS and guess what? They no longer have the meeting at that site anymore. However I am still motivated and have found even a closer TOPS meeting that meets on Tuesday nights (tonight, yehaw) with better times for me too. So tonight will be my first night at TOPS. I am actually excited about it.

I go to the doctor today for my check up on meds (blood pressure, anxiety, and depression). I am hoping with weight loss, I can come off most meds. Will get my official weight at the docs too.

I had a major melt down last night and cried an hour for no apparent reason. My head hurts and eyes swollen this morning. I think it was just the, I am overweight, lonely and struggling to come out of a financial mess from the divorce. Sorry to unload. Today is a new day, better attitude, and it's sunny out.

SOOOOOoooo, everyone have a great Tuesday, stay OP, and be happy.

Annie

Annie: We are all here for support. Venting is part of it. Putting a voice to our problems helps us cope. Sounds like you have a good outlook. Just keep your head up ad stay focused on your goals no matter what or how many. Remember baby steps! Always be kind to yourself. It is sppose to be in 70's here today also. I'm dressed and ready to run out the door to Curves, Just waiting on washer to stop.

ENJOY THE SUNSHINE TODAY!!!