Hello! It's been a while again!! I have not been doing well in the eating area. I just seem to be having trouble getting focused on eating right. I eat what is convenient. Not good. I did take out some fish today and we're going to grill veggies with it. Should be a nice healthy dinner.

Remember way back when I asked you all to pray for the exam that I was taking? I finally got the results yesterday. I passed!! I am so relieved. Thank you all for your prayers.

I don't have time this morning to talk more but you are all in my prayers.
Have a great day!

Hi Wilma!

Hi to our newbies!!!

I have a question: when the heck is all of my exercising gonna make a HUGE dent??? I eat pretty well, on the elliptical at minimum 3 days a week for 30 mins each time. I've already done 2 @30 and 1 @15 (later in the day after a 30) and have added back in some weight lifting.
I'm guessing doing the elliptical 2x a day may be a little much. My hip joints were sore last night.
My weight goes down 4 then up for then down 1, etc. It finally makes it down to where it dropped (like 167-164 then 168 to 165 to 160, etc.) i had gotten it to 154 then at the end of last week it shot up to 158 and today is 157. IRRITATING!
I know exercise is key. I feel SO good when I do it. Any ideas on all of this? Should I do the cardio 2x a day?

HI GALS ~

Taking a few minutes between chores to catch up...already snuck in a little nap after a 3 mile walk with the dogs this morning.

I am slow at work right now, which is fine with me, as I need a little break to catch up on stuff around here...now I just have to do it! I had a slow day and an extra day off last week too. I was able to clean out some of my closet and dresser...making Angie very

She still doesn't understand how or why I need to keep 56 of my t-shirts...women!

I have a huge project, close to home, that I have been working on for a few weeks but we are caught up now. It should bust wide open for my end of it within 2 weeks then I will be super busy for a few months.

I don't know if you all saw my thread in general chatter "But Babe...the game was on"....but I had to run Angie to emergency a few days ago...she is fine now...but was having heart attack symptoms. Details are in that thread. She is feeling well today and will see our doctor on Monday.

BEV ~I wrote your brother a week or so ago with an invitation to connect if he wishes. Just keep plugging along, listening to your body on that exercise. Remember that it takes 3,500 calories lost to lose a pound and walking a mile just burns about 100...it is a sometimes slow process. The more you burn of course the more you lose but you must remember to eat enough quality food to have the energy....we have many here that have posted their success stories in the goal section...Counting Down for example...me too...but I tend to be different than the women on some things I did/can do.

WILMA ~Congratulations on the test We all go through our eating and exercise slumps...get over it

SCOOTER~ Glad your trip was fun...weather is nice...wii is rockin'...church has ya busy...solid...just solid

RONNI ~ Praying for great weather for you this week-end and endless $$$$ coming in! My children did get scholarship money. I will say that they were real active in school and got pretty much if not all A's...but that isn't the only way! I saw many kids receiving $$$ from various sources for their individual talents. I know my son received one from a private party because he wanted to be a teacher....the agreement was he would get $1,000 a year until he got his credential as long as he was still on track to be a teacher...if he changed then the money would stop...if it didn't he would continue to get it until he was finished. That sure helped each year. He received paper work to apply for that through his high school career counselor. My daughter got all of hers the same way...by going to the career counselor and picking up the forms. Just apply wherever you can...my ex and Angie did all the paper work requesting financial aid and grants. You might call the college he wants to go to and see what they may have to offer.

LEANINGONTHELORD ~ I AM HIS ~ DAWNIE 524 Welcome

AGGIE ~ Where you been?

gotta go gals....Later ~ Gary

Hi there everybody,

It is so nice to know that I have been missed. The first day back to work was really good, a nice day, and then yesterday they kept in the building wHich I was not expecting or ready for. That eight hours on that concrete tore my legs up and I came home early, but since I did not feel well, took pain pills and was down for the count. This brings me to today. Stayed inside the warehouse for the first half of the day, (where I should have stayed), but left out around 12:45 to do my outside marketing. Are you ready for this? I fell again. I am beginning to believe that my feet are somehow having a love affair with every crack, hole, and dip in the ground that they can find. Hit my nose, Yes, you heard right, my nose, my knees and this time, my right wrist. I guess it just wanted to be part of the action. They sent me home, and if I do not feel any better tomorrow it's off to a workmen's comp doc. Oh the joy. I don't believe anything is broken, just very very sore. Makes me think, what have I done in my lifetime that keeps me falling down. TAKING ALL PRAYERS

Bev, I wrote to Dennis, will be dropping it in the mail tomorrow. Not to worry kiddo, your weight will drop in time, just you hang in there.

Gary and Bev, thanks for looking for me. You made me smile. Might be back later.

WILMA,
OF COURSE YOU PASSED, TOLD YA!!!! LOL I HAD FAITH IN YOU AND GOD!!!

WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW FOLKS, SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE!!!!!

Ags

Amanda Glad you joined us! This is a great place to hang out as you lose that weight! Lots of "losers" around here
And some mighty fine "prayer warriors" as well

Ronni - glad to see you posting, we sure do miss you when you are gone! Congrats on that empty closet, but you need to hit the thrift stores soon - we can't have you running around naked

Wilma - on the test results - of course I never doubted it for a minute! How is the new job going? I find that I need to keep healthy foods very very "handy". Otherwise, I can be in trouble. Plan ahead and have foods in mind when you get home from work. Once you get started, it isn't hard at all. I cook ahead on the weekends, and always have a "go to" meal in the freezer. Thank heaven for microwaves!

Bev - you and I are a long way apart in age, so my advice may not be helpful, but here goes:
1. Exercise IS important, but it won't help you drop the weight much faster. The few hundred extra calories that you burn are often eaten back because of the need for more fuel. You are mixing it up and that is very good. The body reaches a plateau when your muscles do the same thing all the time. So keep up the variety. More is not the answer - just mix it up.
So - that brings me to the thing that will really affect your weight loss - calories. Are you journaling what you eat? To break through a plateau, you may need to mix up your eating as well. Try lowering for a day or two, then back to normal - then higher for a day (only a couple hundred calorie swing usually works).

Eat clean - the quality of your food does make a difference. Make sure you are getting enough protein and healthy fats - overloading carbs is a sure staller for me.

Finally - balance. I find that stress stalls weight loss every time. Make sure you are getting enough time for yourself, fun, meditation and prayer, the stuff that keeps you healthy!

Given all you have been going through lately, life events are probably front and center in your stall. Hang in there - you WILL start losing again.

Gary - I hadn't seen the thread - prayers ascending for Angie. Let us know how it turns out on Monday! Your thread made me laugh because I KNOW how lost you would be without her. Who else would keep an eagle eye on your beer consupmption

Ags - good Lord, girl - we need to get you a rubber suit! I'm glad you weren't hurt worse, but whoa - that is scary!
I hope you are feeling better soon! Let us know how it goes!

A busy day here - more shape boxing after work. It is a really good workout! I am feeling it! I am dog tired tonight, work is stressful and it doesn't look like it will let up any time soon. It was a blessing to ride the scooter to work, however

Prayers continuing for all! Blessings!

Laurie

Gary, Dennis had not gotten any mail in a while when I was there Tuesday. He's kinda concerned about that. I am sure whenever he gets the letter, he will write back.

Thank you AGS! I can't believe you fell again! i will be praying for you.

Laurie, I will take that into consideration. I'm very stressed right now. I am barely eating.

I've got so much going on in my head, life and heart. I almost can't bear it anymore. I don't know when I am going to get relief. I can pray, but it isn't helping. My emotions are ALL OVER the place and it's making me totally nutty. I feel psycho. Very uncomfortable. I HATE THIS FEELING!

HI EVERYONE ~ We've been very blessed to have lots of sunshine for the last couple of days, so that means lots of that ***** stuff has been melting away. Not much left, but some of the hills that had piled up in certain places; folks were even out raking their lawns today. I think everyone really welcomed spring this year, as it was a bit late in coming!

to all the NEWBIES ~ and to those are just returning too! Yes, just jump right in and post a lot; come back often, so we can get to know you all better ...

Oh dear, AGGIE ~ you ARE having a time of it -- we need to pray ANGELS around you to protect you from tripping and to keep you aware and alert. Not sure if I mentioned this, but I have tripped a few times myself over the last while, and twisted my left foot; it is still taking its time to heal (more sore than anything really). We have all kind of lips and such around here that we didn't have in our last place (all the doorways were smooth and these ones aren't seamless at all), so we forget or don't notice them, and we keep tripping over them. As you know, sometimes you can catch yourself, but sometimes you just can't no matter how hard you try!


GARY ~ sorry to hear the ANGIE has been unwell -- will definitely be sending up some prayers for her heart and overall good health! That must have been scary for all of you ... to you and yours.

HI LAURIE ~ nice to have your cheerful self back here posting again; and, you are as busy as ever, but hope things don't get too razzled for ya! Good advice to Bev.

WILMA ~ CONGRATULATIONS -- we all had no doubt that you would pass that test becuz we know how smart you are; and your bank and boss know that too (that's why they hired you for the job)! Now you can relax and meld into your job without that added concern!

RONNIE ~ I think the advice you received from GARY is the really good. I don't know if things are different here, but we have all kinds of bursaries and grants and scholarships just like GARY stated. You definintely should make an appointment for your son to see a career counsellor at the high school he is taking the chemistry class at, plus the colleges or universities that he wants to attend. They know all about these programs; and about any 'Government Funding Programs' that may be available as well.

Depending on the field he is pursuing, there are monies available from 'Like Groups', like the Medical & Science & Teaching fields, and so on. In Canada, you can even get 'language' scholarships (meaning those who pursue a post-secondary education in French, for instance). In many places, there are similar programs for Afro-Americans, Christians, Sports, the Arts, Specialized Technologies, and the like. We are praying that he will find lots of help ...

BEV ~ the advice from LAURIE is as good as it gets; she's a pretty smart cookie, I mean -- lady. I think she is right on the money, I mean -- the mark! PS: you posted while I was typing, but 'NOT EATING' will definitely cause a stall, as your body will panic and not allow you to lose. Sometimes, you just have to force yourself to eat something small (especially protein to protect your major organs)! Soup is always good for the body and soul ... so they say!

Well, just did a bit of light housekeeping today and made some bran muffins for DH. We had some nice homemade chicken-veggie soup for lunch today; and it was pasta night at our house. We had a new pasta with added protein and omega 3 fats from flaxseeds and lentils -- with mini-meatballs in the sauce too.

That's pretty well all the news here, but DH overdid it again and has strained his back again; so he is in bed early tonight trying to rest it. That's the best remedy at this point -- lots of rest and prayer! Time to be off to have my nightly tea and put my tired ole legs up. Take good care, folks ROSEBUD

^^PRAYERS^^ for you and yours continue ...

You guys are the best. You always make me feel good! My job is going well. I'm still in training and am slowly starting to do loans. Sometimes it's too slow for me but I also need to learn the job really well before I get into taking more appointments.

I did really well with my dinner last night. And after being duly reprimanded by Gary I feel that I am back on track. I know what I need to do, I have all the tools I just need to get the desire back again.

Rayne: I'm not one to give you advice on exercising but I was watching Biggest Loser a couple of weeks ago and one of the girls gained weight and it was mainly because she had been really stressed out that week. Our emotions can really affect our body. I wonder if that's a part of why your weight isn't dropping like you would like it to.

Gary: I'm so glad that Angie is okay. That must have been scary for both of you.

Rosebud: It's raining here today. At least it's not snow like some of the province got. Hopefully it'll start warming up here. It's been unseasonably cool. Your chicken soup would hit the spot right now!

Ags: Thanks for saying that. I left the exam in God's hands while I was writing it and He chose to let me pass it. I actually did a bit better than I thought I would. Relief!!

I hope you recover from your fall. Keep an eye on those cracks!

Laurie: I went shopping last night and stocked up on veggies and fruit. My big problem is my dinners. I have breakfast and lunches under control. I know my biggest problem is inactivity. Will definitely work on that!

It's off to work for me. Have a good one!

Hi Gals ~

Off work again today I took the dogs out for 4 miles this morning...a gorgeous one!

Had to chew my gardener out when I got back. He left both of the gates open to the back yard. Now, I had the dogs with me but he didn't know that. He is supposed to close at least one of the gates when he is here. Now my dogs don't usually go out when he is here, but if they were already out there running around they could...I don't think they would...but they could take off, especially if Reba got scared of scary things like the lawn mower Rylee doesn't seem to mind....anyway, all is well but I am still I never raise my voice but I think he got the message He said he didn't know!!!!!!!!!!! Which made me madder...since I went over it with him thoroughly when I hired him a year or so ago....and for the first several times I left a note on the gate....arrgghhh

Whew....I feel better

BEV ~ I sent the letter to Dennis on the 20th of April, he should have it by now. Maybe they only give them mail every 2 weeks or something? Sounds like it's time for you to "rest" in the Lord Sometimes when we quit trying to make things happen and "save the world" we learn a little better to rest in Him and allow Him to speak to us through prayer and guiding our walk, even though we really don't know He is....until we reach the end of that path

WILMA ~ Angie is much better yet this morning...still not sure what it was/is. We didn't doubt your score! Work on those dinners...planning!

ROSEBUD ~ Sorry about DH's back...ouch! Pasta sounded good. As I mentioned Angie is much better today.

AGGIE ~Girl what are we going to do with you? I hope it is just a minor setback and you are better today.

SCOOTER ~ Yep, I would be lost w/o Angie....she doesn't count all my beers....she can tell when I have had too many I am doing much better on that score too! Been hanging around 3-4 most days....which...for me is good! I know that doesn't say much

I will check in later...off to more picture hanging and dusting!

Hi Brothers and Sisters,I'm new here to 3FC's.Well kind of new.I have been here for about 3 weeks.I started in a Celebrate Recovery Program for hurts,habits, and hangups over 6 weeks ago at my church.Im in it for food addiction and co-dependancy.So this relates here as Im on a journey for a whole "me makeover",and I believe that this thread here is another part of it.So I look forward to getting to know each one here.So onward in the journey and downward in weight loss. :

Welcome Nspired2lose....we will be here for you as you continue your journey.

Nspired2lose - so glad you joined us! Post often so we get to know you and your prayer needs. This is a GREAT group of folk to help you on your journey!

Gary - prayers continuing for Angie - sounds like you are getting some balance to the calories I know being home more helps! Thanks for your kind words on the shout out thread. You made my day

Wilma - keep looking for ways you can activity into every day. That way - even if you don't "work out", you will still be working muscles and burning calories. DH does squats while brushing his teeth and flossing. He does sit-ups while waiting for the tea kettle to boil. Stuff like that. Now I can't seem to do those things, but I do park far away from my destination, pace while I am on the phone, doe toe raises while waiting for the microwave - stuff like that.

Also, keep looking for activities you enjoy. I can't abide treadmills, gyms, and repetitive exercise - but I love my workout DVDs, my Wii, and walking. I go through phases and when I get tired of type of program - I move on to the next. I allow myself splurges when it comes to new Wii games, exercise equipment and DVDs. I know that the money is well spent if it gets me moving

Rosebud - prayers for your DH ascending. Good advice to Bev regarding eating. Absolutely spot on!

That pasta sounds GREAT! I love some of those enriched items that help me get in all those healthy ingredients in fewer calories

Bev - Sounds like you need to schedule some prayer/meditation time, girl! Gary and Rosebud gave exceptionally smart advice. I'm not you, but my experience is that I sometimes get so involved in things that I start to want be in control - move and shake things the way I think they should go. Now of course GOD is in control, not me. And he sure sends me a wake-up call when I get moving too far down that path.

I loved a quote from Henri Nouwen in our Lenten Study this year. "Aren't you, like me, hoping that some person, thing, or event will come along to give you that feeling of inner well-being you desire? This compulsiveness keeps us going and busy, but it also leads to spiritual exhaustion and burn-out. This is the way to spiritual death"
"Dear God, quiet our anxiety and give us the grace to really open our hearts to you. To wait on you - on your will and your timing. We give up control of our lives to you. Fill us with your presence and your Spirit."

I have found that prayer is essential - but just as important is "being". Being in the presence of God - sitting and listening and waiting and experiencing. Too often my prayers are more like monologues - I do all the talking

Let the Spirit wash over you - nourish you and restore you.

My, I'm preachy today Not much new here. DH is working late, shape boxing was tiring, but very restorative. Now - time to practice what I preach and take advantage of this quiet environment and spend some quality time with my best friend and Savior.

Blessings to all! Prayers continuing!

Laurie

ok I get the HINT! lol...If i can finish my paper tonight...I am going to fly out of here tomorrow...I thought I would go hang with my friend in Austin...but maybe I need to go somewhere by myself and wander down the beach. hmmmm. I would like to go spend some refreshing on the beach. it's just that is MUCH more costly...hotels, etc. oh well. if God wants me to do that, then He will open a door for it. Maybe I'll just split the country for a couple of days. I don't know. be in prayer for me.

thank you for all of your words of wisdom. I have gotten in over my head with trying to figure it all out and control. i know better!

i had a nice chat with a WONDERFUL friend who happens to be a minister too. he soothed my soul. it's SO nice to be understood by someone...totally understood.

to the new ones.

I don't have time to say anything personal...to anyone. I have got to knock 12 pages out before I go to bed!

Peace!

Oh....any travel ideas...shoot them to me. I fly almost free, so that part is easy!

Hey GALS it's MAY...will somebody please start us a new Christian Encouragers....somebody....anybody....I'm not gonna do it....

Hi Group,
I have had a heck of a last couple days on a OA(Overeaters Anonymous) forum online.Wow!I expressed in a long post about some negativity being expressed on there that could destroy ones hope in God as their higher power.I also gave some hope in searching for God as our higher power to those that don't know him,and gave the comparison that the Lord gave me once,which was...

Searching in faith is like walking into a very dark room,trusting that there is a bulb in a socket somewhere and a switch plate somewhere.You walk in stepping out of your comfort zone,it's very dark so you could stumble over anything,but you know you must take the risk in order to turn the light on.You discover the switchplate and that it has many switches on it.You know others that have done this before you and found a switch that worked right away,while others had to search longer before finding it,some gave up and went out of the room into another room which had no light in it to turn on.So,you search to find the one that works,You find it.Walah,the light comes on and you can see.You have just found the reward of your search in FAITH, the reward of your HOPE...the LIGHT.I also added my own little quote that;not all agree which one works,or if just one worked,or all.All we know is that those ahead of us who did not give up,found the light.

I also thought that giving a message of hope for those injured by their negativity was needed so I gave up my affiliation in my recovery group as christian and spoke just a few words concerning belief in miracles in recovery.I believe I got the biggest reaction from athiests or ones that don't believe in Jesus or the christian belief.I never once even talked of christianity or Jesus.I just mentioned that I went to a christian 12-step and believed in miracles.I believe that this must have been why my words were turned around and they refused to recieve a proper understanding of what was being said.The one thing expressed most from them was that OA expresses God as "A GOD" Of MY UNDERSTANDING.They said it can be a ANYTHING or ANYBODY as long as it is not just us.I heard this many times before.New age garbage!All I expressed was that they need to be sensitive to others that are trying to find God in their recovery process.I guess the trigger for them was in my admittance of regular attendance in a 12-step christian group.Man they tore me up and turned my words around.Can you say attack of the enemy?

One person even had the nerve to tell me to go read the ORIGINAL core of AA,and the ORIGINAL AA.I had this info in front of me,as it was written in the AA christian 12-step book also and so I quoted it.I then bowed out gracefully and told them I wipe the dust off my feet and turn elsewhere.I also told them that I will Pray for them to MY God!I never argue with people online nor get into heated debates.But the first person replying sure wanted one.So being bold as a lion and harmless as a lamb,I proceeded.I will leave the post there long enough for them to read it then I'm deleting it like I did the first one I wrote there after their nagtive reactions.I sure found out that opposition and careless ranting is an absolute when talking in the Overeaters Anonymous Groups unless Christian.It's so anti-Jesus and anti- God in AA affiliated groups that are not christian based.God,grant me the serenity.I'm in the Celebrate Recovery Christian 12-step and 8 Godly principles group in my church for co-dependancy and food habits.I love it and cannot let these kind of groups creep in again and discourage me.Please pray for God's comfort and peace for me in this.I won't go there again for discussion.: