Good Morning, Turkettes!

Scooby, so sorry about your grandmother. I know you must be very sad to have lost her. I'm glad, though, that it sounded as if she had a very good life, full of the love of a wonderful family. Take care!

Wildfire, I also find that Northern Reflection clothes fit me really well. I was so thrilled to go there last summer and get a pair of jeans that actually fit Then, to see what the deal was on that, I measured myself and found that my measurements were an exact size 18. Now, I also like the fact that Northern Reflections size 16 fits me better... but the proportions are just right for me - usually if they fit my hips they're too big in the waist.

Kaylets, hope your 'puter's okay! What would we ever do without them!

Amarantha, don't forget to count your exercise points. I would guess that most days you probably earn at least 5 or 6 of the little gems. Finally, brownie points we can use for something (even brownies, I suppose )

Anagram, hope the news is good about your husband. Your evening by the fire (even if it was a small one ) sounds lovely. I have an awful tendency to "lose" my evenings. Sit, read the papers, go to bed. I think I've got to start filling some activities in.

Dollar, good luck with WI!

Punkin, that was very brave of you to update your stats. I have a hard time owning up to pounds that are in the wrong direction. Often I think I'll "ignore them until they go away" and they invite a bunch of their friends to come take up residence in my capacious thighs No more, I say! My stats are off (I WISH I weighed 207!) I'm at 215 now, but don't worry about updating until after WI this week. (i hope i hope i hope)

Let's get out there and make this a good one, gang!

Good morning!
I realize I'm a little late here but hope you'll allow me to jump in and join you all on your turkey day challenge. There's over a week left till t-day....should be able to lose a pound by then, right?
Currently at 232...so will set my goal at 231.
Thanks.

Welcome to all the new members.

This is a great place for the support you need to that dredded battle of the bulge.

I have reinjured my back and shoulders. I fell about 3 years ago and it hasn't been the same since. I hurt it again while rocking my 5 month old niece in my arms.

Some times I get so sick of not feeling well. And the fact that holding my nieces and nephews can is cut out unless I am sitting is killing me. I have to go to therapy twice a week for the next 4 weeks.

I am sure losing this weight will help with most of my problem. But my doctor said that I can't even swing my arms when I walk. I am going to look really funny on my walks. But I will be out there.

I am hoping that my pilates tape will help stretch my muscles with out the pressure of strength training.

Everyone seems to be going through such stressful problems this month. I hope that each of you has the strength to face each day with a positive outlook and to remember that what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.

Better get to work.

Love the quote again today. Can't promise much yet for how I'll make my way today except that it will be with a smile on my face.

Hope y'all have a good one too.

Points Pilgrim Amarantha here, reporting in on her second day o' point calculating. Hmmm. Arabella, I thought one could only count up to four activity points. Now I'm looking at the book again and I see you are right! Good! Had to add more calories last night, didn't count the points, probably totaled approx. 1700 cal. ... 1300 way too low for me. Thanks for pointing that out!!!

MAY AMARANTHA ASKETH A FAVOR O' THIS GROUP? (Ok, thanks! ) AMARANTHA WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A SURVEY HERE AND ASKETH FOR SPECIFICS ON WHAT WEIGHT LOSS & EXERCISE PROGRAM EVERYONE HERE BE ON? BE IT WW IN MEETINGS OR AT HOME OR CALORIE COUNTING OR ATKINS OR THY OWN INVENTION, INQUIRING AMARANTHA WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT IT & ALSO THY OPINIONS ON HOW THAT BE WORKING OUT FOR THEE (as Dr. Phil sayeth). IF THIS BE TOO PUSHY O' AMARANTHA, SHE APOLOGIZETH. SHE JUST BE CURIOUS.

Tipper!! So sorry you hurt your back! Can you use walking poles on your walks ... I love mine and you can also get these with springs that take pressure off the upper body as you use the poles. Maybe you could ask your doc about that. Pilates is wonderful, too, though.

Welcome, Teachrbabe!!! Glad thou hast joined in the Turkey Hijinks!!! Good luck on thy goal!!

Thanks for the good quote again today, Kaylets!!! Hope thy computer be not ill!

Anagram: Also crossing fingers for thy dh! Hope all is well!

Amarantha:

I have kind of developed my own. I guess you could say it is part low fat, part Atkins.

I have a cup and 1/2 of cereal with skim milk for breakfast (usually raisin bran), I have subway for lunch (turkey no/chesse, no mayo, no oil, all the veggies), fat free chips and diet coke or a lean cuisine. Dinner is usually one meat (usually chicken the size of a fist) and a salad with lots of veggies and light ranch dressing. I try to fit in a if I get hungry inbetween meals. I drink at least 70 ounces of water a day. And I take a multi-vitamin pack everyday.

My exercise consists of walking/slow jog 2 miles every day except fridays and 20 minutes of pilates every other day.

It seems to work for me.

I also so take metabolife on those days that I think I could eat everything that is not nailed down. You know on that one week of every month.

Let me know what everyone thinks and if you have any ideas on anything I need to improve on.

Pilgrim Progress...

Scooby - 186 goal 180
Bobsgal - 251 goal 245
Dollar - 199.2 goal 193.2 (-.6) CURRENT 198.6
Amarantha - 165 goal 164 CURRENT - hangin' in there!
Anagram - 229.4 goal 225 (-1.4!) CURRENT 228
Punkin - 244 goal 240 (-3.0) CURRENT 241
Arabella - 217 goal 209 (-2.0) CURRENT 215
Hotsplash -177 goal 175 (-2.0) CURRENT 180
Whisper - 187 goal 180
Jadcie - 180 goal 175
BoatingMommy - 169 goal 165
Eydie - 153 goal 145 (-4.0!) CURRENT 149
Wildfire - 178 goal 173 (-1.0) CURRENT 177
Tipper - 209 goal 200 (-5.0!) CURRENT 204
Senamay - 247 goal 242
Ceara - 192 goal 190
Cybele - 179 goal 175 (already a looser - in a good way of course!)
Kaylets - I don't know what your goal is but you're down -2.5
Teachrbabe - 232 goal 231

Bobsgal, Whisper, Jadcie??? Where are you????

Hi everyone...

Sorry about the goofy-ness of the progress posts. I've been denying that I've been dealing with a small cluster headache episode since Thursday (I always swear it's 'just a headache'). When they hit, it makes me a bit loopy, emotional, tired and I feel almost stoned - disconnected. I thought I was just tired on Friday, but this weekend the flashing lights started, dizziness and the disconnected feeling - yup, cluster . Yesterday in the grocery store I actually argued with the checkout lady over something really stupid - I felt pretty bad about it afterward because I'm just not myself, but like I said, my brain doesn't work right when it's like this. I actually barely made it out of the store before I burst into tears (which just makes your head hurt worse and more flashes of light, etc...) then another 10 minutes to get it together enough to drive home. Anyway, hopefully this will be over soon and I'll be back to my ol' put-together self.

Obviously didn't make it to Curves yesterday, we'll see about today. When I'm like this I really don't have any business driving, never mind even thinking of exercising. I honestly think I'm going to donate my brain to science when I die so maybe they can learn something from freaky brains like mine...

Wildfire - I'm so sorry you work with the woman from ****. She sounds like a doozy... You just keep doing the excellent job you do and ignore her. She's just jealous she's not as good as you

Anagram - I will keep you and your hubby in my thoughts for his tests. I hope all goes well - keep us posted ok?

Amarantha - Weight Watchers and Curves. WW I'm not following nearly as close as I should - but I hope to be changing that. I *want* to start, it's just a matter of actually doing it now. I haven't kept a journal in a month (gee, wonder why I've been gaining?) and that's the first thing I'm going to start doing. WW has always worked great for me - it's when I think I'm "cured" that I goof it all up! As for exercise - Curves is my thing. LOVE IT!! Friday is my first 1-month re-measure day. I may not have lost any weight, but I tell ya, there's hard and defined muscles that I haven't seen in a long time showing up on MY body!

Tipper - I hope you're feeling better soon. There's nothing more stressful than a body that won't let you do what you're used to. Take care....

Teacherbabe - Welcome welcome! Nah, you're not too late at all... Besides, we'll probably (most likely, ok, definately) be doing a Christmas/Yule challenge too! Something like "Ho, ho, ho, this fat's gotta go" (or something like that... )

Well, s'all for now...

Terri

Amarantha here is what you asked for I have been doing weight watchers since mid Feb 2002 for excercise I walk but with the nasty weather upon us I borrowed an air walker as I can't use a tread mill and I also purchased this weekend an excerciser by Bally that you put one end over the door knob and it is a set of pully's. I used one of those years ago and for a person with a weight problem I had great abs. So I will try to get there again in this new thinner body. I have lost 73.2 lbs to date although my WI is tonight. Hope that is what you wanted.

Hotsplashes, the wagon sounds great. I love station wagons; I drive one now--can't imagine having anything else.

Amarantha, Let us know about your Weight Watchers adventure. I've toyed with the idea myself...

Wildfire, I am so impressed with your shopping prowess! And hearing about your embroidery--I wasn't blessed with the crafting gene--unless you count cooking!

Welcome Senamay, Ceara, Cybele and teachrbabe!

Scooby, sorry to hear about your grandma. I know that you'll look back on her last days and be happy and peaceful about the time you spent with her.

Punkin, thanks for keeping up with all the numbers. A daunting task 'cause we all keep changing! Hopefully going down! Sorry to hear about the hellish headache--that sounds scary!

Anagram, I'll be thinking of you and your husband. Keep us posted!

Hello, Arabella, Tipper and all others!!!

Hi all!

Kaylets, I have made a few quilts, but it never became an obsession....er...hobby. I do sew and spent a few years working as a full-time seamstress. My favorite things to make were always the wedding gowns and formal prom gowns. So pretty! Do you quilt? Hope your computer is feeling better!

Arabella, actually I have the opposite problem! If pants fit my waist, they're too big in the hips! I have no hips, actually. I know...you'd probably give anything to have less hips and I'd give anything to have more!

Welcome, teachrbabe! It's never too late to start!

Tipper, sorry to hear about your shoulders/back. You take it easy and hopefully it will feel better soon!

Amarantha, I count points even though I no longer go to WW meetings. I also try to eat other things than starchy carbs, which I tend to eat because they are "safe" for my digestive woes. I don't do low-carb, just try to make sure I get in some protein/veggies/dairy, too. Fruit is tough for me. Love it, but it doesn't love me. Exercise is usually a walk outside, yoga, some free weights...if I do an exercise video (other than my yoga tapes), I go for Richard Simmons because they're just FUN, dancing around like a fool, and great old music.

Punkin, I would LOVE to join Curves but there isn't one nearby. I should check again, because I know they open all over the place. Oh, the woman from **** stuck her head in my office a few times today to drop off faxes in my in-bin. Usually I will say "Thank you" to whoever brings them, but I just ignored her. Hope that cluster headache is over with. Had one of those once, luckily haven't had another! Nasty, horrible feeling they give you.

Eydie, we are all crafty in our own ways . Cross-stitch really is a simple thing to do. Anyone can learn it! I do counted cross-stitch, where the pattern is on a grid. Each square on the grid is one square on the fabric. The fabric most people use for cross-stich is called Aida cloth, an even-weave that actually has little squares that are visible. You just match the pattern grid to the grid on the fabric as you stitch. There's also stamped cross-stitch...more for things like pillowcases and tablecloths, where the pattern is actually stamped on the fabric and you just stitch over the stamped areas. Oh, there I go again, rambling...sorry!

Gosh the evenings go too quickly! Better get done what needs getting done. Everyone have a great night and tomorrow!

Punkin - hope your cluster is soon over and goes the way of the poundlets. I used to get severe migrains and know how headaches can affect your life, your head and your sweet personality.

Amarantha - my "program" is just basically making the healthier choice and keeping below 2000 calories. I know I'll have to adjust that sooner or later but for now it's ok. When I started out I had a Monday Slimfast and used their meals occasionally when I felt I'd go supercalorific on sweets if I didn't. Now it's just if I'm on the run or something.

For exercise, I do water moving (not swimming) at a local rehab. Basically mostly exercises that you'd do on "land". However, I've only been there once a week this month instead of three times a week. The other thing I do is walk. Outdoors, I'm up to about 25 minutes but sometimes not that long. Sometimes in a store or craft fair I can do an hour and a half but that's of course slow. However, I am exhilarated to be able to do that because before I had knees replaced, it was ten minutes. I do drink at least 64 oz or more of water most days. I enjoy reading of all the exercise you turkeyettes do but mine won't get me too far. However, I do feel a lot more healthy.

Thanks for all the good wishes re dh. His diet has affected my choices to some degree as I try not to too often eat things he used to especially enjoy unless we're eating out (obviously that also might mean cooking separate meals and THAT won't be).
One think I had not had in the last two and a half months is a banana. Today I had to make a quick run in a grocery store and while there I bought me ONE banana and enjoyed that in the car.
Oooh, was that good.

I also take a multivitamin and calcium supplements and drink green tea. In a little less than six months (I think) I have lost about 25 pounds, slowly, slowly.

In the past, I've done Diet Workshop, Atkins, carbo addicts, etc. Each worked for 16-20 lbs but then I'd find good reason to go back to my old ways. My main goal has been to change my bad habits. And to be more healthy. Not obsessively so but not compulsively in the other direction.

Very sleepy today. Hopefully we'll get some sun tomorrow - I'll take a downright rainy day anytime instead of the gloomy with a little rain day we had today.

Hello all!

Hello Teacherbabe! Never too late, never behind, !!

Wildfire, No, don't quilt although I have always had a love of quilts -- however, my mother has been quilting a while now, many classes, even the famous school in TN-- I love being in craft or fabric stores but just can't fit the project around my schedule and then years later find the fabric mildewed or dryrotted, you get the idea. Just like the knitting machine waiting for me in the basement!!

Anagram, I too try to be careful around my DH -- Just this past weekend though, while salmon was cooking, DH found the cooking smell very distasteful. I hope that passes because I do enjoy salmon.

Aramantha, in answer to you question- We follow the WW's plan but have to admit, although we belong on line, I prefer this board. I do not use the online journal for the very same reasons you mentioned although in June (?) I started using the weight tracker which is a simple system. (DH keeps a spreadsheet which also includes his Blood sugar readings). If we had to be in a category, we fit closest to the vegatarian plan. We focus on what makes us feel best and the weight comes off --- eventually!! DH has lost 2x as I have in the same time frame but that's a whole 'nother subject!!
For the most part, we 'bank' our activity points, but this summer when DH was building the patio, he stopped losing-- as soon as he increased his food, the weight started coming off- evidently, too much activity--not enough food-- his body started to resist losing--
We do what we can for activity-- We do physical projects around the house, park the car far away, walk the big stores-- (have you ever gotten lost in Lowes?) Treadmill revs up our systems too much at night and the past 2-3 weeks our am schedule has gotten away from us-- We're finetuning that one!
We continue to try 2 new "foods" a week, (spice, dressing, vegetable, recipe) - to keep things interesting- continue to focus on just doing more activity than yesterday-
And have I mentioned water? Without at leat 60-75 oz I don't feel right- and feel temptations too--
We "tweak" as we go- Lately, I've decided that unless its something I really love, I'm not going to waste the points-

Hopefully, I won't bump into any good Italian cannolis because than I'll be helpless!!


Today's thought is:"The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg -- not by smashing it." Arnold Glasow ---

Morning all!

Still a bit gloomy"ish" weather-wise here....I like some of winter, but not the dark mornings. It makes moving real tough.
Good news is that I've not been jumping on the Scale every day, just every other . I guess that is better. It appears to be moving in the downwards direction, but I'm not giving Stats 'til Sunday....but my jeans are looser, and the camel body has been giving up its' stash of water ( I never know where that darn ' goes in this case.) Last week I was on a seefood diet, and some of the food I was seeing was pretty saltly...so major bloat.

Sorry to hear about your Gramma, Scooby. I have one left and they are so precious. Mine is 94 and going strong but.....I still appreciate every minute that I am with her....

Amarantha, I don't follow any plan....it is funny though. I was thinking yesterday how I admired you guys for counting all that stuff...calories in and out. Such dedication....I tend to fly by the seat of my pants. My goal is to eat healthily, exercise moderately and keep goin' down. I have been a yo-yo most of my life...lowest adult weight was 125, before I was married....back in the days of King Arthur it seems. But last year was the highest....210 and I decided this was dumb. So I started walking...1.5 miles/time and I tried to do it 5x/week. Then came winter, and walking in the snow and slush with fogged glasses is NOT my idea of fun. I could have been attacked by some gorgeous hunk and missed the whole thing 'cause I couldn't see! Twenty pounds came off and then I started playing up down within a 10 lb range. I lurked with you guys and maintained better, but finally bit the bullet and decided I need support. None from my DH, he is almost a male anorexic IMHO (humble). I have joined a gym similiar to Curves with the hydrolics (sp?) and I really like it...I aim for 3-4 x/week. No walking 'cause of the mush right now. I live on gravel roads. So I guess I'm wingin' it....reading the Glycemic Revolution and am adding more fibre....though bread of any sort is addictive for me....danger Will Robinson!

So onwards and downwards ladies!

Ceara