Well, I did ok today until dinner. Pizza again. our schedule on Thursdays is hectice from 4:30pm til around 9pm. So the easiest thing was pizza. I haven't exercised this week, though thought about it I will do it tomorrow morning. If I don't, I want everyone to give me a good cyber kick!!!! Actually, I weighed myself and have gained another pound Hubby, says--trying to be encouraging I know--- I knew that would happen as soon as we got back. But, I will do better. I will write more tomorrow. Gotta get the kids ready for bed.

Debee hang in there...keep on track...keep doing your daily routine....I agree with Miki...exercise is an amazing stress reliever...if you continue exercising but you comfort eat...at least you wont put back the weight you lost...so dont give up. I am sorry to hear you had a car accident...but glad to know that you and your son are okay.

Miki...ok...lets become one person I will exercise for us and you will eat a balanced meal ...deal? I wish...oh well...just keep trying...I know everyday I try...and yesterday... Imy calories were at 1856 and 59 grams of fat...I did exercise for 30 minutes and burned off 367 nasty calories.

Lady...I used you formula to figure out my RMR and it is 1536 My daily maintenance calories are 1997(I was conservative and multiplied it by 1.3). If I subtract 500...to lose a pound per week...I go below my RMR at 1497...My aim will be to eat at my RMR level and try for 1550 cals per day...I know if I could stick to this...and with the excercising that I have been doing...a pound per week is definitely doable...ok guys say prayers for me

Taiwan....NOOOOOOOO dont give up...keep exercising...you gotta keep at it. Look at me...I havent lost a pound since before the holidays and I am still trying...if I can do this..you can do this...come on girlfriend...dont mess up all the progress you made...I remember reading your posts and they were full of excitement and self satisfaction....just remember how it felt when you were losing and all the positive encouragement you got from your friends and family...Okay?

well ladies..gotta get back to work.

Big hug

Cyan

Hi,

A quick post. Well, today is better. Both Jake and I are less sore from the car accident and mentally I am trying not to worry as much. Seeing the missles around the pentagon where my cousin died brought back alot of the emotions of 9/11.

I am trying to think positive. I guess the good news about Philly is if they do bomb New York and Washington, they may not waste a bomb on Philly, we will only get the after effects. I know that my family probably has a higher chance of getting hit by a truck than by being hurt by terrorists.

Today, I dediced that I was going to listen to all of your posts and start exercing, I did some yoga with Jake, put on a soothing tape (shut off CNN news) and had whole wheat toast with cherry jam. I told my friend that I did not want to discuss the terror attacks and instead started to make plans for our trip to Florida in April.

This afernoon I plan to use my nervous energy to clean the house. Believe it or not, when I am stressed cleaning the house helps me to calm down. Maybe that is why my husband stresses me out so much ...he just wants a clean house lol.

Valentine Day is Friday and I made the kids valentine cards with coupons that they could use in the next month for things like pizza for dinner, stay up late, extra cookies, mommy or daddy would read an extra bedtime story...I think they will like the coupons better than candy. As far as my husband goes I also made up a few coupons...cook favorite dinner, no yelling at him for one day, and wild card (I know what he will use that one for) I also bought him some crown royal whiskey, a reflexoy/massage kit and a soothing cd. I set the dining room with the nicest china and linens and will have a special dinner at home Friday night...cresent rolls, filet migon, twice baked potatos, salad with pears and spiced walnuts. I will make beef satay for the kids (they like food on a stick) Dessert will be brownie cake with raspberries. I know it is high calorie but if I eat small portion I think I will be ok.

Thank you for letting me vent yesterday...I really needed to...the eating was out of control ...I will not even mention what I ate...fat and calories would probably be equal to what all of you ate for the day.

I'll try to post later and write individual posts.

Debee,
I am so sorry to hear about your car accident, I am glad to hear that you and your son are okay!
I am really sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time with all that is going on out there. I went through a horrible time after 9/11, with anxiety and stress, and I didn't know anyone out there. So I can't even image how bad it is for you.
Take the advice of all the ladies, exercise and keep busy, and keep that CNN off! It will do nothing but feed that anxiety!'

Your valentine's day sounds like it will be fun. We are expecting a storm out here, so I had dinner reservations, but I might just cancel. I have been feeling a bit of anxiety that I will not come home one day. I get this every so often. I believe in that saying that death comes in 3's. Well I went to a funeral yesterday for my sister's grandmother in law, and my boss's friend died, so I just sit around and wait for that third one to happen. Yeah, I know I am a freak, but my anxiety gets the best of me!

Lisa, I totally forgot to tell you about the zoloft and the sexual side effects that come with it or should I say the lack thereof. It is really really bad! and I couldn't ever take a 100mg. I was always on 25mg and that made me tired, so I can image how you were at school.
Sorry to hear that you had such a stressful time with the test. Just keep studying..

Cyan, you are a tough cookie, and I know you will get those calories and fat grams down. How is it goin gwith the cheese?

Miki, hang in there, I am sure you will get back on track with the exercise. YOu are doing good foodwise???

Lady, how is the mental attitude this week, getting better? I have to say that mine has been pretty crappy since Tuesday night.

I dont' know, but maybe because I am PMS'ing?? Or I can blame my 4-year old, for leaving the open bag of oreo's in plain view?? Needless to say that I scarffed those down without thinking.

I went to Costco yesterday and they had Chipotle Lime Shrimp. I just had to buy those and come home and make it with Pasta! So all together I will account for my bad days and say I had three all together.

I did, with much of a fight, pass on a hand size fruit tart this morning. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy!

But this week is over as of tonight and I predict that I will only have one off scale day, and that will be tomorrow, when we go out for Valentine's Day. If not, then there is no excuse to eat out of program.

I hope everyone weighs in and doesn't hide from the big bad wolf of a scale!! I know I will account for my gain, if there is one! Which I am praying there won't be. So I am off to go find some clothes that weigh the lightest so I can weigh in tonight. Every ounce counts in WW>>>

Have a great day!

Just a quick note to everyone. I did it!!!!!!!!!!! I exercised this morning. Ok, it was only 15min. I planned more but our booger butt woke up and started crying. I have some more energy though I am a little tired, but what do you expect when the booger butt was up fussing all hours of the night. He wasn't quite this bad as a newborn!!!!! I hope this will pass. Anyway, my exercise was a quick fix DVD. I did 1.5segements of the arms and legs workout. I was sweating and breathing heavy. I guess not doing an aerobics workout is ok, sweating is important right? A question though---everytime I work out (This happened before too), my feet would start aching, the part on the sides where the main bone is. Any idea why?
Well, tonight we have friends over for dinner, don't know what we are going to eat. So far, for breakfast I have had 8oz of skim milk and the fruit bar (total of 189cal and 3.25fat grams). Gotta get my water intake up and work on stuff.

Ok, I think I am back ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grrrrrr....kids calling me from 2 different rooms and hubby waiting for me to come watch ER so I guess I may as well get off here and see to them. I still havent gotten on track with the exercise ( did 8 min on the Air Walker lol ) but foodwise, I've done really well all week. I actually think I probably lost some this time. Keep your fingers crossed!! I'll post tomorrow nite. Well, if I hear MOMMMMMMMMMMM one more time, I think I'll scream so I better go. Good luck to all of you on tomorrow's weigh-in!

Miki

Ok, I know how I said I didn't think I did good all week, but I did exercise!!!
Well it paid off.
I went to weigh in and I lost another 1.6lbs this week. I am on a ROLLLLLLLLLL And I didn't even know it!
Ladies, don't give up!

Taiwan, Good to hear that you got to exercising. I love it, now that I am really doing it and I just can't get enough of it. Ok, I can, but I am starting to see some results in my clothes, so it is like an addiction, I want MORE!!! Good for you, keep it up.
I get those pains on the outer part of my foot. I thought it was from the shoe not being tight enough, I want to see a doctor about it, but it only happens when I wear certain shoes, so it could totally make the difference on what you are wearing to work out. Not all shoes work for you!

Miki, I recorded all my shows and did some shopping, I hope ER was worth the hype!

Glad to hear that you ate good.

Well, My hubby couldn't resist, because he knows how much I love stawberries, so for Valentines Day, he bought me Chocolate Covered Strawberries. I know, I know, its a bad thing, but it is the thought that counts. RIght???

Have a great weekend!

Happy Valentines Day ... My love bag is empty this year but thats okay...I will love myself instead and offer myself some virtual chocolates.

I was bad yesterday...I was good all day and then I broke down and had about 8 tablespoons of cheez whiz.... I am so embarassed...but its true...I have been good all week with the cheese and last night....it all came crashing down around my ears.

Reina...congrats on losing another 1.6 pounds...you rock!

Taiwan...welcome back!

Miki....MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM...oops..not the momma! Okay..good on you for eating right.

I havent weighed in this morning..no time...I will weigh in tomorrow morning and let you guys know how it all went down

K talk to you later

Cyan

Fat: Is it all
in our genes?

Latest research suggests DNA even more to blame for weight

By Linda Carroll
MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR



Feb. 11 — Despite all the public service announcements telling people how unhealthy it is to be fat, Americans just keep larding on the pounds. Studies have shown that as many as 60 percent of the U.S. population is overweight, while almost 30 percent is classified as obese. Some say the fast-food industry is to blame while others fault super-sized meal portions. But is it just a problem of unhealthy lifestyles or is there something else going on deep down in our cells?

MARY BETH Syrnick had always had trouble with her weight, but when the scales tipped over 175 pounds the 4-foot-8-inch Philadelphia woman got scared.
Syrnick, 54, knew there was a history of stroke and high blood pressure in her family and arthritis was already making it difficult for her to walk. Many times Syrnick had unsuccessfully tried to shed the pounds on her own, but to no avail.
Eventually, she went to a weight-loss clinic where doctors prescribed a low-calorie diet, exercise and the weight-loss drug, Meridia. Two years later, Syrnick has lost 53 pounds and, in a dieting success story, has kept most of it off.
Although her story has a happy ending, it wasn’t long ago that doctors used to wag their fingers at pudgy patients like Syrnick.
“You just need to be strong and resist those Twinkies,” they’d say.
But these days, experts concede that shedding pounds is a lot more complicated than that.
Instead of telling patients to tough it out, weight-loss doctors are increasingly advising their most obese patients to undergo stomach shrinking surgeries. And for those who are overweight but not obese, there is the promise of drugs that will make shedding pounds a lot less difficult.

THE ROLE OF GENETICS
Why the sudden change in weight-loss philosophy? It’s simple. Scientists have learned that while willpower is important, much of what, when and how much we eat is dependent on our genes. In addition, the urge to exercise may also be related to the DNA we inherit.

When it comes to losing weight, we’re fighting against a body regulatory system that has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to keep us functioning no matter how sparse food becomes. And, scientists have been learning, this genetic influence is stronger in some people than others.
As a prime example of the role of genetics, researchers point to two groups of Pima Indians, one living in Arizona and the other in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains. The Pimas in Arizona have long been known for high rates of obesity, diabetes (almost 50 percent suffer from this disease) and high cholesterol.
The Pimas in Mexico, where food is more sparse and manual labor more common, tend to be lean and have a much lower rate of diabetes than those in Arizona. But despite their healthier lifestyles, the Mexican Pimas still have higher rates of obesity and diabetes than the general population, a finding that leads researchers to point to genes as the culprit.

THE THRIFTY GENE HYPOTHESIS’
After studying groups like the Pimas, scientists have developed a theory known as “The Thrifty Gene Hypothesis.” This idea suggests that some of us are born with the Honda of metabolisms — we can go a long way with little fuel.
Other, more fortunate people — fortunate, that is, in times of plenty — have metabolisms that more closely resemble gas-guzzling SUVs. They burn fuel fast leaving bodies slim.
In 1994, when researchers discovered the chemical compound leptin, they thought they had come up with a cure for people with thrifty genes. Leptin is released by fat cells and the larger fat cells get, the more leptin they release. Normally, when the brain gets a surge of leptin, it concludes that the body has a safe store of fat and sends out a message to dampen appetite.
But, much to their dismay, when scientists tried giving overweight people more leptin to see if it would kill appetite and cause weight loss, the experiments failed.

Harnessing the dietary role of hormones in the body is an important step in developing effective weight control therapies, experts say.
Click on a button above for the latest science on the so-called hunger hormones.

Scientists have isolated the short-term hormone PYY3-36, which is secreted by cells lining the intestines after eating. The so-called “third helping hormone” sends signals to the feeding circuits in the brain that convey a sense of satiety, which reduces the urge to eat. In a small experiment, people who received an infusion of the hormone ate one-third less over the next 24 hours than those who received a placebo. Researchers think a medication based on boosting levels of the hormone might reduce overeating and between-meal snacking.
Ghrelin, named for the Hindi word for growth, was the first hunger hormone found circulating in the blood of humans. It has been found to stimulate hunger in rats and make people so ravenous that they eat nearly a third more food than usual. Ghrelin has also been found to rise in the bloodstream after dieters lose lots of weight, possibly explaining why it’s so hard to keep weight off long-term. The hormone is considered a potential new treatment for both obese patients and those with conditions that cause a dangerous loss of appetite, such as cancer.
Leptin is a hormone involved in the normal regulation of body weight. It’s supposed to signal the brain to stop eating, but the signal does not get through in some overweight people. At one point a few years ago, doctors thought leptin could be used as a breakthrough obesity drug. So far, it has not lived up to its promise, but a recent study showed that tiny doses of leptin taken after weight loss could help people keep weight off.
Melanin-concentrating hormone, or MCH, is one of many compounds found to stimulate appetite. Scientists have discovered the receptor for MCH in the human brain, which could allow them to design drugs to block the hormone’s action.


Source: MSNBC research; AP; Reuters
Printable version


“Most obese people already have high levels of leptin,” explains Dr. Jeffrey Friedman, an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Rockefeller University in New York City. “But they seem to be insensitive to it.”
Advertisement

Friedman suspected that there might be a way to bypass leptin by looking at enzymes the hormone regulates. Last summer, he and his colleagues found an enzyme related to weight control called SCD-1 and studied the effects of the enzyme in mice genetically engineered to be deficient in it. These mice tended to stay thin, even though they ate more than normal mice, because they had faster metabolisms.
Apparently, the body needs SCD-1 in order to store fat and, without the enzyme, most fat is burned instead of being stashed away.

DNA ALSO AFFECTS WORKOUTS
Another factor in determining whether someone will be heavy or not is the amount time they spend working out. But new research suggests that whether one chooses to become a couch potato may also be the result of their DNA.



Researchers looking at a gene labeled Nh1h2 found that mutations of the gene impacted the impulse to exercise. Mice with certain mutations of Nh1h2 tended to be lethargic.
“Basically, if you put a normal mouse in a cage with an exercise wheel, he’ll run,” explains Deborah Good, an assistant professor of vertebrate molecular genetics at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
“But the mutant ones, if you put them in a cage with a wheel, they’re not interested in running,” says Good. “There’s nothing physically wrong with them. They did as well or better in tests with forced exercise. They just don’t want to run.”

THE FUTURE OF WEIGHT LOSS
While genes may ultimately explain why some of us tend to be pudgy and others stay slim, research into one’s DNA won’t offer any practical help with weight loss for the time being, experts say.



“At present, we’re at least five years away from having any therapeutic applications based on genes,” says Thomas Wadden, director of the Weight and Eating Disorders Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Wadden is one of the weight-control experts who’s changed his mind on surgery.
“I used to think it was barbaric,” he says. “Now I think it’s underutilized. If you’re extremely overweight, you should explore it.”
For those like Syrnick, who are overweight but not morbidly obese, the only options available now are calorie counting, exercise and the current generation of medications that make it a little easier to pass up that extra slice of cake.

Linda Carroll is a free-lance reporter based in New Jersey. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Health and Smart Money.

Hi everyone,

I am feeling much better today--food and mood wise. I think because I was sick and with the car accident I was over reacting to the terror threats. Much more grounded now and able to control my eating. My husband took today off beacuse we were suppose to be going skiing but now they are reporting a big storm for tonight and Sunday so it is probably better that we stay home and not get snowed in at the lake house.

I made a 16 bean soup that was great last night and I plan to have the rest for lunch in the next few days.

Reina, way to go another 1.6 pounds soon you will be getting that red dress you want.

Miki, sounds like me when I am trying to post to you guys... "mom I need you" ..at least we know we are needed. By the way you still motivate me to exercise.

Taiwan, I love your nickname for you son"booger butt" sounds like he is getting very active.

Cyan, I can not believe your love bag came up empty...what is wrong with those guys in montreal....cann't they see what a smart, funny, loving, determined , and beautiful woman you are? Well, hope those compliments can fill your love bag a little.

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone!

Very good news today....those last 2 weeks of eating right altho I wasnt seeing results on the scale finally paid off. Today I was 5 lbs less than last Friday!! I could not believe it! For real, I mean. I actually weighed 3 times then drug out my old ones and weighed again. Every single time it showed the same thing. Talk about incentive!! I am once again motivated to keep on keeping on! So everyone who was like me and not seeing results...Dont give up!! Sooner or later, it will all catch up and show on the scales.

Well, going to take a hot bath now. For some reason, my legs are aching really bad tonite. ( I can assure you not from excessive exercise ) Had to take time to share the good news first tho.

Hope you all have a great weekend. We're taking the kids to a circus tomorrow nite and I'm working tomorrow so it may be Sunday before I have a chance to post again.

Goodnite all

Miki

Miki, I am so happy about your weight loss...5 pounds ...wow!

Well, I can not report a loss this week..I gained 2 pounds. Current weight 133. Now I am mad at myself and will be back to battle that fat. Junk fat beware...I am not eating that junk.

What I did bad this week.

1. just let myself go into a downward eating spiral.
2. Did not exercise.
3. had a bad mental attitude

What I am going to do better this week

1. exercise
2. eat breakfast
3. no eating after 8p.m
4. healthy snacks not junk food

Hello ladies. It's me. I know I'm hardly here anymore! I'm here today to get back in the game. I gained 2 pounds this week. I'm not surprised. Valentines Day includes lots of candy and chocolate and stuff. Plus I was just plain awful when it came to food this week. I even started to look at other overweight people and say, "She seems happy and she's pretty, I can be overweight and happy too." I can't believe I was going to settle for being less than my potential. I am smart. I'm not stupid, therefore no more stupid food choices. I am stronger than the cravings. I am in charge. I woke up this morning and laid in bed and started imagining myself in the future. Whenever I do this I imagine myself thin. However, I never imagine myself doing all the hard work and proper eating to get myself there. Today is the start of a new me. I will do this. I will be thin.


Miki, congrats!!!! Five POUNDS!!!! You Rock! You are an inspiration to me.

Debee, I know what you mean about a bad mental attitude. This week we'll do better!

Reina, great job for another 1.6 pounds! It's great to see success!

Well, I'll be back tonight to post. I've been missing you all lately with my new schedule! Lady, Taiwan, Cyan, CJunk, Lobacal, Precious One, Annie, hope to hear from all of you soon!

Lisa

I weighed myself this morning and I lost 1.5 pounds!!! So now I am 168.5...almost back down to 167 and then...the real challenge begins So all that exercising is paying off.

Miki congrats on the 5 pound weight loss...WOW

Debee and Lisa....you are back..sounding like the confident smart women that I know you are....thank goodness....we are back and we will lose lose lose once again.

Hope all the rest of you lovely ladies are having a wonderful weekend

talk to you later

Cyan

Hi Everybody!

Taiwan – Welcome Back! Good for you! Hey, give yourself credit for exercising those 15 minutes, and Yes sweating is important! Just grab a few minutes of exercise any time that cutie pie Booger Butt will let you and it will soon add up. Are you wearing shoes that give your feet good support? That may solve your aching feet problem.

Lisa – I’m glad to hear you aren’t going to settle for less than you deserve. A 2lb gain is frustrating, but you can turn it around in a hurry. You are smart and pretty. No reason you can’t add healthy too! I have a cousin who has had a weight problem for years. She said it just wasn’t important to her to be thin and she liked herself just the way she was. Well, the thing with weight is that it doesn’t stop at some magical number; you just keep getting fatter and fatter. Joan is now in her early 50’s and about 300lbs. She has diabetes and her medicine makes her vomit spontaneously, so she is not able to work and is on disability. She told me she stays home all day and doesn’t do anything. All because she chose to be ‘happy’ being fat.

Miki – FIVE POUNDS! Incredible! What a payoff! You must be on cloud 9. I am so happy for you. You are truly an inspiration to the rest of us for not giving up when you didn't see immediate results.

Reina – Down 1.6 lbs! Excellent! Way to Go! You really are on a roll and success is just around the corner. I am so proud of you! You’re right, losing is like an addiction. One little success feeds on itself and pretty soon you have a whole string of successes.


Cyan –Wooweee! Another winner! Or should that be loser? LOL Good for you, girl! And by the way, don’t be so hard on yourself over those 8 tablespoons of Cheese Whiz. It’s not a big deal when you weigh it against the successes of the day. It’s a small thing. Not a big failure, ok? On the other hand, it’s good to keep a close eye on those cheese snitches.

Debee – Hey girl, I’m sorry about your gain. What a bummer. Following your new game plan will get you back on track though. And don’t forget that positive attitude.
BTW, what an awesome Valentine’s Day, you are so creative! Glad you and Jake are feeling better and putting the accident behind you. Shutting off CNN is a very good idea as was telling your friends you didn’t want to discuss the terror attacks. Focusing on family is much healthier right now. Glad you’re feeling well grounded and back on track.

Cjunk – Betty – Prescious - Cjunk How are you all doing?

Me – Bryan has been giving me compliments all week. He took me out to dinner last night and right in the middle of the meal he stopped to tell me how thin I was getting. He had this big grin on his face. This is a new side of him, and I think I like it! Anyway, it has helped me to stay on track. Everyday isn’t perfect, but I’m still losing a pound a week and if all goes well within the next two weeks I will be in the 130’s!!!! I have been craving those boxes of Valentine chocolates that are everywhere, but so far I’ve resisted. I was hoping Bryan would give me one, but he said he didn’t want to jeopardize my success. Darn. Then I was hoping my son Tony would bring me a box. I mean I would have to eat it, right? So I wouldn't hurt his feelings? But he bought me a balloon instead and then told me he thought about getting me a box of chocolates, but that would be insulting after all my hard dieting. Isn’t great to have such support? Darn!!

Have a great Sunday, everyone! And Keep up the great work!

Lady