I guess since my doctor told me to lose some weight, that makes it a problem, and I don't know how tall you are Derry, even so. we don't weigh that differently. But I am aware that it is a vanity thing for me mostly. I was going to say TOTAL vanity thing, but I don't feel the need to return to high school size or anywhere close. That would be 125! Thats 50 pounds. yikes. And that is where the vanity comes in, I am not happy that I look the way I do when lots of women my age DO look like they did in high school, and I've "let myself go". Anyway, thats the weight "problem" for me, vanity. Will my life change if I lose 20 pounds? Probably not. But I will feel better about myself, and that certainly can impact other facets of my life. Another "problem" is the closet full of clothes that won't fit me anymore and the financial pains of buying new stuff, especially to fit my fat arms. So I need to do what needs to be done! (Name the next thread that, Red!) I CAN eat less at parties and cut out the beer for a while. Yes, I can.
However.....I did forget again about the hula hoop so I have to restart. Oops.

Day 4 recognition.
Apple, I'm 5' 2" tall, so 165ish is not a good weight. According to the charts, the very top of my weight range is 140.
I was 124 when I got married 2 years ago, and have seen that weight only once since then - after I worked very hard at Weight Watchers and really did it well. It was with fierce intensity.
Many years have come and gone and here I am.
Recognition. This is where I need to be. I need to think about this.
I need to find the right way to work activity into my life. I need to make it happen and make better choices.

I'm going to post personals later...but for now, I'll just say that I'm just glad we're all here!!!

After a rough week of battling a stomach virus which felt like it was coming back today...but so far so good, here's where I'm at:

64 ounces of water - 4 day complete, 0 pauses allowed
4 servings of fruits/vegs - 4 day complete, 2 pauses left
30 minutes of exercise - 3 days complete, 2 pauses left
No sugared soda - 3 day complete, 2 pauses left

Glad you are feeling better Diyana!
It's Monday, and the traditional day to start anew. Yay.
There is no beer in the house and so I am going to take advantage of that opportunity to start a no beer challenge.
Hula hoop, Day 0, 2 pauses left
No Beer, Day 0, 2 pauses left
Calf raises, Day 0 2 pauses left
I added calf raises because when I do my gym work out, my calves are neglected for some reason.
Have a great day everyone!

Hi everyone -

As promised...I'm back with personals.

Derry - I think a bit of introspection to evaluate how/why we sabotage ourselves and our journeys to wellness is great. I think it would be good for you to determine if you can have fun without food...or at least without food that you perceive as bad choices? Getting healthy is not something you can only do when it's convenient. Diets don't work...temporary quick fixes only tend to lead to yo yo dieting. The key is to acknowledge the emotions/situations that lead to sabotaging behaviors..and to figure out how to do them differently. WW has all those weekly flex points. Can you allow yourself to use those once a week for a special occasion? I agree with Red that 20 lbs or so isn't as big of a weight problem as someone who is morbidly obese (me - I am also 5'2")...but I really, really, really applaud you for getting serious and losing the weight now. I regret ignoring the weight gain when I was just 20 lbs overweight. The question is...are you going to get/stay serious? Or just until the next vacation, dinner out or "special occasion"? How are you doing with eating and exercising on your vacation?? I also applaud you for tossing out the unhealthy Chinese food.

Apple - The thing about beer (or any alcohol) is when you have some...it makes your willpower or resolve weaker. At least it does for me. I am more likely to say...."this is a special occasion" or "I deserve to treat myself" or whatever after a beer or two. So for me...I need to recognize that beer results in calorie intake of much more than just the calorie count of the 1 or 2 beers. How is the hula hooping going? I tried doing that a couple months ago...but my back said it wasn't ready for all that hula-ing just yet. I'm proud of you for starting the "no beer" challenge. Now just don't get any at the store and don't have any when you're with friends or at a restaurant, and you'll be fine.

Red - Good for you for weighing in every day and "keeping it real". I agree with you that having 15 or 20 lbs to lose is not really a weight problem. I'm at a weight problem stage...when I have difficulty sitting in airplane seats, getting through some turnstiles (and I'm not even as big as many people), walking upstairs, walking more than 15 or 20 minutes, breathing, I have sleep apnea, and the extra weight is causing problems with rehabbing my injured back. I HAVE to lose weight for my health...not just so that I'll look better...I want to be able to do more, to be more active, to enjoy life.


I'm not trying to minimize anyone's challenges/struggles. We are all dealing with different things. The important thing is that we keep posting here for support and for "reality checks". We can do anything for 21 days...so let's choose to succeed!

It was just too dang hot and muggy to exercise...plus, I had to run some errands with DMIL. Tonight, however, I promise to go to Ball Zumba.

64 ounces of water - 5 days complete, 0 pauses allowed
4 servings of fruits/vegs - 5 days complete, 2 pauses left
30 minutes of exercise - 3 days complete, 1 pauses left
No sugared soda - 4 days complete, 2 pauses left

Good morning ladies -

My company's intranet posts daily inspirational quotes...and today's was so fabulous, I just had to share! In fact, it's so good, I added it to my signature.

Red - Good for you for resting and taking proper care of yourself. I hope you can avoid the alcohol and cigs as those only weaken our bodies and our immune systems. I hope you feel better soon so you can work.

Sorry about the "good morning"...I wasn't thinking about the time difference. I'm so sorry your world is being continually rattled by more quakes. When I read that quote it says to me that all is not lost. I have not lost this battle yet. The only way I can lose is by continuing to do the behaviors that got me here in the first place. My physical therapist keeps reminding me of the unofficial definition of insanity...to continue to do the same actions and expect different results. Time for different, healthier actions.

It was so dang hot and muggy last night that I really felt slothful and didn't want to go to the gym even though the gym is air conditioned. Probably just an excuse I know. But I also needed to take DMIL shopping.

Tonight, I will get my big butt to the gym...no matter what.

Red - Way cool videos. Thanks for sharing! Those guys are in awesome shape! I am realizing that the best way I can get my back better, reduce the pain and be able to do more fun stuff is to have a lot less weight on my frame. And while I want to lose 100 lbs to get me to a "healthy" weight. I understand that even just the first 25-30 lbs or so will improve my health and reduce my pain. Which is not to say that I'll stop there, but it helps it feel less daunting if I break the 100 lbs I want to lose into smaller chunks. And I definitely do NOT want to delay any longer. I'll be 50 in 13 months...and I would really like to be close to my goal by then.

No Beer, Day 1 completed, 2 pauses left.
Hula hoop, Day 0, 2 pauses left
Calf raises, Day 0 2 pauses left
I went swimming yesterday and today. I swam laps for half an hour. I love swimming, it doesn't really feel like exercising, I guess due to no sweating. I'm starting my "training" for the triathlon in late Sept.
On my way to bed, so until tomorrow!

Apple - I am SO proud of you and inspired by you! A triathlon? Wow! That's awesome! I'm not a huge fan of lap swimming...though I LOVE water aerobics and walking against the current in the indoor lazy river at my Y. A great workout and no sweating...well, maybe just a little. Bravo on starting the no beer challenge! Keep up the great work!


Last night, I went to the gym and did 35 min. on the recumbent stepper, followed by a 1/2 hour of Ball Zumba. I LOVE LOVE LOVE endorphins!

64 ounces of water - 6 days complete, 0 pauses allowed
4 servings of fruits/vegs - 6 days complete, 2 pauses left
30 minutes of exercise - 4 days complete, 1 pauses left
No sugared soda - 5 days complete, 2 pauses left