Good evening!

Countingdown- don't you love fall/winter foods? Real comfort stuff- and I just love how the smells fill the house. How did your chilli come out?
Congrats on getting the pilates in.

Ruth- welcome to our little group........what a friendly and encouraging group. Post when you can- it will be nice to get to know you.

Paige- how funny we find each other again!! I just started up once more with this group about 3 weeks ago. I've been absent from this site for about a year- and came back because I need the daily accountability. Congrats on graduating and your 50# loss. You are so right, this is a struggle, and from one of the WW leaders I have known, it is a lifetime struggle. But nothing we cannot handle with the Lords help and grace. Its great to see you here again....where are you working? (for the rest of you, Paige and I live approximately an hour from each other, but have been unable to actually meet each other because of kid/schedule constraints.)

Kind of tired here......my tooth is bothering me a bit- but I guess that is to be expected. I did get my walk in this am.
Guess I'd better finish my homework.
G'nite
Ginny

Happy Wednesday all! Today is a working day for me. I work part time three days a week, and am a stay at home mommy the other two days. I love being a sahm, but boy, do I LOVE my job! I am thankful to God for sending me in this direction (even if I am surrounded by sweets all day!) because so many people are unhappy with their jobs.

Countdown-I will have to look for the devotional you mentioned, thanks! I have to make chili this weekend for my church's craft fair (we also sell soup in the kitchen.) I have ground venison in the freezer; I was thinking about making some extra for us at home and using that. It's supposed to be rainy here all week, so it would be a good time for it!

Ginny-I am working at Something Sweet Dessert Cafe. It's almost right at the intersection of North St and East Main (downtown Middletown,) around the corner from the Old Erie Pub. It's a nice, cozy little coffee shop, but we have nice lunches and a short dinner menu, as well as two cases full of desserts and baked goods. Usually I'm able to not pick at the "scraps" but some days are hard. I've been trying to take my lunch, too...but when I look over and see yummy, yummy lunches and I have a turkey sandwich or a Fiber One pop tart...my will power kind of goes out the window! I started a food blog, too http://chefpaige.blogspot.com so I've been doing a lot of baking at home. It's worse to bake at home because then I have the food right there...it's really difficult to avoid it. I've been absent from here for awhile, too...I've tried to come and post to the old thread, but my heart just wasn't in it. It's not like it used to be.

Anyway, it's getting really late, and I have to get the kids up and around. I hope everyone has a fabulous day!

Hello Everyone and to our newbies! We enjoy having new people, so visit as often as you can!

I know it's only been a few days, but I feel like I've been gone 6 months! You've all been in my prayers, though. I just missed the support very much

Everyone here has caught the 'bug' with sore throats, stuffies, cough, and very tired. So, we've not been fun to be around. Our h'ween alternative party at church Fri, was incredible-so many kids not even from our church came and heard about the Lord! We took over 70 photos of kids and that wasn't anywhere near half of the total that were there! Incredible evening!

The deposition was challenging-opposing attorney grilled me for over 3 hours, but my atty finally got the offending party to admit fault, so we may not have to go to court. Unfortunately, we found out (3 years after the car accident!) that she is an under-insured driver and may not have enough coverage to pay for our medical bills! We're letting the atty's hash that one out. Just some advice-check your insurance policies-we were advised a long time ago to make sure we had at least $100,000 medical liability per person in case we'd have an at-fault incident. It's unbelievable how fast the medical adds up when there's an incident with more than one person in the vehicle.

With all the stress, activities, and a couple days eating very little (less than 1000 cals each day), I've started having heart palpitations. Docs are running tests & I'm wearing a monitor for a few more hours. They think it's hormonal and stress-related, but will let me know if it's something more complicated. I'm bummed, because it's messing with my training for the Turkey Trot 5K!

I can't believe how those 2 low calorie days messed with my weight loss though. I was starving for the next 4 days! Ate everything that wasn't nailed down, but still stayed below my high range, but the weight loss got stalled I know God will get me through all of this, but today just fits my mood-rainy and miserable! I have to go to a neurologist today to see if he can figure out why I still get headaches almost 3 years after the car accident and will get the heart monitor off after that, so won't get much done at home, but you all will be in my prayers! I thank God for friends that I can come to and share my worries. You are all blessings to me! Have a great day, everyone!

Good morning everyone!

I was a little discouraged this morning when the scale moved up a .6 after eating so well and exercising but I know I have lost fat because I feel thinner.

Ronni: You will be in my prayers. I had to wear the holter monitor, have EKGs, and an Echocardiogram done last year. It wasn't fun, I had a tremendous amount of anxiety over it but the Lord so graciously brought me through it. That issue that I was going through is what caused this extra 15-20lbs that I have right now.

Ginny - chili came out GREAT! I just love using my slow cooker this time of year. I love to make soups and stews and chili. I come home and the house smells divine! I gotta find some more vegetarian slow cooker recipes, I'm kind of in a rut. Thank heavens for all the wonderful recipe sites online

Paige - your job must be challenging! I have enough trouble with free food in the break room. School lunches just don't tempt me like working in a Dessert Cafe would! I will keep you in my prayers!

Ronni - prayers continuing for you! I'm glad that you got through the deposition - and it sounds like it will go as well as can be expected for you! You need to EAT when you are stressed - seriously - you need to take care of yourself! Hopefully, you won't be in such a stressful place again, but - if you are - please, take time to eat - even if you don't feel like it! Hopefully, the effects of not eating for two days will be short-lived and your system will get back to normal soon. Make sure you are getting enough protein over the next few days - you don't want your body to start eating away at your muscles! Maybe even boost your protein for a few days - it should help get the metabolism back in sync too!

Ruth - .6 is nothin' to fret about. Water weight, probably. My weight can go up or down a couple lbs. on any given day - even now - in maintenance. Keep to your plan, and all will be well.

Prayers continuing for everyone! I hope God has showered you with blessings and peace today!

I am new to this group. I am glad to find a christian group. I am 65 years, been married almost 47 years to the man God chose for me. I have 4 adult children and 4 teenage grandsons. My husband and I are active in our local church. I am active in women's ministries. My strongest spiritual gift is prayer, teaching is another gift that I love to use.

My background: I was a Psych nurse for 18 years. I retired on disability (I had heart surgery as well as ongoing angina for a long time). I love young people, especially my grandkids and their friends.

I have spent the last year preparing to have Weight Loss Surgery. When I went to the surgeon on Oct. 27, the doctotr said the risk is too great for me, 15% chance of not making it out of the surgery. That was enough for me. I am blessed that the two nurses running the Bariatric Center wanted to take me on as personal coaches. I could not have wanted anything any better. On Oct. 27 I weighed 366 and when I weighed this morning I weighed 353.

I am glad to have a place where we can pray with each other as needs arise.
I look forward to getting acquained with all of you.

Daiseymae

Daiseymae

WONDERFUL! We LOVE new folk! And, we can certainly use another prayer warrior around here

While it must be discouraging to know that you can't have surgery, there are many chicks around here that have lost weight without it. You CAN do this! Prayer is a marvelous thing, and being Christian makes so much difference on this journey. Seriously - I couldn't have done this without prayer and God's constant presence. The folk here have been so encouraging and helpful as well. Their prayers and presence has been inspiring and life-saving.

We hope you will come back often and let us know how you are doing. Congrats on your loss so far

HI EVERYONE ~ Have been MIA as we have been moving over the last few days, and we have been exhausted; dropping into bed each night ... and I am not exaggerating at all. We made several trips ourselves, as some of our hired help never showed up: that is not what you need when you are on a deadline.

Anyhow, some good friends took 3 loads with a small cube trailer; we have a bit left to do ourselves over the next couple of days, but hopefully, we'll be done before any snow falls. GOD has been so gracious, we had lovely sunshine and warm temperatures today ... it felt like spring!!!

Some of our birdie friends came to our deck to say HI: we had filled up their feeder a pile high with the last of the food we had left, and I told them to make sure that they store some of it for the winter.

to all the NEWBIES and RETURNEES ~ RUTH, PAIGE and DAISYMAIE ... nice to have you all join us!

HI also to WILMA ~ glad to hear from you too; there are a lot of weird flu bugs going around these days: almost every other person you talk to is sick. DH and I have been concerned about coming down with something when you are run down, tired, and around people who have been sick.

Anyways, it will take a while for me to catch up on all your posts, but glad to hear from you all ~ BARGOO ... it's nice to see you here and sounding so good; RONNI, am sending up some extra prayers for your health issues too!

HI also to GARY, GINNY, COUNTING, and RAY OF SUNSHINE ... I sure hope that I didn't miss anyone.

Take good care everyone, your fellow encourager ROSEBUD ^^PRAYERS^^ continue for you and yours ...

I am here!

I promise to catch up...maybe Friday!

Hi everyone,

I am a newbie just looking around and saying hello. You have such a positive Christian atmosphere in this form, and I'd like to thank you just for having this space. I'm going to cheat with my intro and use the little introductory form that a couple of the other fora had. Please forgive me! I'm up past my bedtime, but wanted to say hello to you fine people! And i didn't know if you had a proper place to introduce oneself. So here goes!

First name: Sam
Geographical location: Louisiana
Age: 28
Marital Status: M
Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Part-time office work; Full-time MA student; Part-time university work

Pets: 3 cats (2 indoor, 1 out)
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Photography, Cooking, Letter writing, etc.

Height: 5' 8"
Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Brown
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 11/06/2008
Starting Weight: 285
Present Weight: 285
Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Self-control (eating out of boredom, as a reward, even out of self-loathing)

Following any specific plan: Not yet, will begin the research phase soon.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel more determined than ever, and I intend to make a real plan this time. This one will be one that can endure. All I have to do is follow-through. No easy feat, I know. But anything worth having is worth fighting for!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I plan to start making the greatest effort the week of December 8, 2008. I am currently in one of the busiest 3+ weeks of my school/work life, so I'm being realistic with myself. But in the meantime, I will continue work on portion control and self-control. One thing I have recently conquered is caffeinated beverages (a major migraine trigger for me). I went cold turkey nearly 3 months ago. Now, I need to cut out sodas (sprite, ginger ale, etc.) altogether. As I had some today, I will begin that tomorrow. After conquering caffeine, I *know* I can beat this.

There is so much more, I don't even know where to begin! I have achy knees, regular headaches, and PCOS. The main thing is I am just not healthy. And that is my primary concern. There is a history of cancer in my immediate family, and obesity is a big problem for the women in my immediate family. I want to live a long, active, and full life with my husband. And maybe someday, God will bless us with children. But for now, our main concern is growing very old together!

Hello, Friends!

Daiseymae and Schmalger! This is a great place. Glad to have you here!

Rosebud-glad you're getting lots of moving done, even without all the help you were planning on. It's wonderful when the weather works in your favor, as well!

Thanks for all the prayers. Neuro doc says it's not unusual for people with whiplash to still have pain even longer than 3 years after the incident, which is actually a relief to know. At least I know it's not some other injury or degeneration. Now, the attorney can get down to business and no one can question the medical results anymore.

We're still having rain here, but snow expected tonight or tomorrow, which will make the quarterfinal football game a real nightmare! I don't think I've ever been to a game in the snow before (grew up in S. Indiana, so we rarely wore long sleeves to games!). It'll definitely be an adventure if it does snow! I'm absolutely never going to get used to how long winter is in these northern areas-I don't know how those of you in Canada make it! -lol!

Hope you all have a great day! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. to all!

I thought maybe I should do an intro too,
I am 29 years old, soon to be 30. I married my wonderful husband when I was 17 and have two great kids. We live on some acreage and have dogs, cats, goats, and chickens (I LOVE farm fresh eggs!). I am a stay at home mom and homeschool my kids. Sometimes I feel like I hardly have time to exercise and fix healthy meals but I've made it a priority, so what if the chores don't get done on time, right?

Justwant2Bhealthy: My son has been learning about birds in science and has taken quite an interest in them. He filled our feeder up and put it in view of his bedroom window. He wants a chickadee to land on him so bad! I told him it would take a lot of time and patience before they would get that close.

Have a blessed day everyone!

Just a short hello. What a stressful week! I am so glad that the Lord is in control, I sure feel out of control of my life! Hi to everyone.....I hope that I can post more later tonight or tomorrow.
Ginny

Rosebud - so glad you have you back posting. We sure miss you when you are gone! Glad that you are getting moved without too much difficulty. Do take care of yourself, because you are right - there IS a lot of sickness going around. An elementary school in a nearby city is closing tomorrow. They suspect norovirus. Lots of handwashing going on around here these days! :LOL:

Gary - we miss you too! Hope you are doing well and getting in some treadmill work and/or dog walking soon!

Sam - Very happy to have you join us here. It is my favorite forum! So many wonderful Christian folk and it is a blessing to have so many people praying for you With PCOS, this will be a slow journey for you, but you CAN do it! I was pre-diabetic and insulin resistant when I started. For me, watching the carbs, adding in fat and protein so that I got a good balance every time I ate was very important. Also calorie counting, since - like you - I did a lot of emotional, reward eating. I recommend Claire Clondinger's book Faithfully Fit. It was a good daily reminder for me to work on giving things over to God!

I look forward to getting to know you! Come back and post often!

Ronni - your post made me laugh. Usually several of the football games here are in the snow. This has been the nicest weather I can remember here. I was in marching band, as were both of our sons. I remember many, many games where we couldn't see the lines on the field because of the snow!!

Ruth - I like your style! This "older" chickie agrees with you! I don't regret not doing chores over the years. So many other things SHOULD take priority!

I was a SAHM until our youngest was 6, and then I went to work part time in his elementary school. I have worked for the school district ever since.

Ginny, sounds like some extra prayers are needed! I hope things become less stressful soon! And God IS in control, so hang in there!

I just had a thought, with so many newbies on this thread, if anyone wants to do the 40 day devotional plan (Faithfully Fit) as a group, we could put together a thread. I was planning to re-read it, and haven't started. PM me if you are interested.

The book is mostly stuff you already know, but a systematic way to remind yourself of those truths. An excerpt from the back cover:
"Faithfully Fit is not a diet, not an exercise plan. It won't tell you how much you ought to weigh or what your heart rate should be or how many miles you should walk to burn up three cookies and a slice of cheesecake. It offers no quick fixes or miracle cures.

Instead, it offers motivation, encouragement, and inspiration to help you change from the inside out -- the only kind of change that lasts.

It is guaranteed to give you hope, courage, challenge, insight, and humor on the long road from overeating to overcoming."

Hope you all had a blessed day! Prayers continuing for everyone!


Laurie

HI GALS ~

I am still trying to catch up!

So nice to see new people to go with our awesome regulars

The Lord has truly blessed our thread!

I will catch up tomorrow night...Angie has yoga teacher training...almost finished!

Prayers for all of you!

Gary