Good Morning All,
Just checking in. Carol Sue great advise. Andi I know others can influence how you eat, but you have the control over your own body. I too often give in, then afterwards I am so mad at myself. I have been on antibotics and some strong meds, it keeps my stomach upset. I feel bloated, puffy and I stay hungry. I can't wait to get off the stuff. I have found that the things I give in to, are no more than just plain BAD habits. It is a struggle to stay true to what you want and what you need. I hope we both will be more focused and strong against those who seek to trip us up and ourselves. We are after all, our worst enemy. I hope every one will have a great week.

Good morning Chicks!

I just posted on GG's but always like this thread :-)

Izzy, sorry to hear you're on strong meds that mess with your system. :-(

I agree with you that we mostly revert to old bad habits and that's what's sabotaging our weight loss goals. I've been trying hard to create and stick with new habits that are healthier and I think I've made some headway. For example I keep my breakfast the same every day, and lunches are always a big salad first, then a small piece of protein and usually some berry fruit. Then I have a home-made flax muffin or a handful of almonds as an afternoon snack. It can get boring, but that's not a bad thing because eating lunch shouldn't be something I look forward to with any kind of mouth-watering anticipation - and I actually like the foods I chose. Dinner varies, but it's usually something heathy and correct portion size. When I'm alone, I make sure the pantry is free of bad/tempting snacks or cookies, but DS is home now and there are some snacks there for him.

Carol Sue, it's great that you set a goal for your next surgeon's visit - have you made any headway yet? Also - after abdominal surgery I'm sure it's very difficult to try to spot-reduce that area. If you lose the 10 pounds, I'll bet it comes off all over and you'll notice a difference!

I'm really looking forward to the weekend going to the country with DBF - we plan to hike a lot and burn some calories, and drown as many worms as possible! Unfortunately he likes to cook, so I'll have some challenges there.

Have a great day everyone!

Andi

Izzy - I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. Hopefully you will soon be finished with your meds and back on track again. It's sad that medicine that is supposed to help you can make you feel so out of sorts.

Andi - Although I know that weight usually comes off all over, my upper body fat has always been the first to go when I've lost in the past. Also, I think some of this upper belly bloat is the result of the surgery because I started to notice it as my incision started to heal. I know my abdominal muscles will never be the same.

I did very well yesterday and it gave me a good feeling. I was concious of everything I ate. I avoided starchy carbs and sugar. My blood sugar was good every time I tested yesterday and this morning, and I am down 2 lbs. So I have proven to myself that I don't need a change in my BS meds, I just need an change of attitude. I CAN do this, but I have to quit whining and just do it! I also exercised. It was only 15 minutes, but it's a start. If I start slow and add a few minutes a day I will be back up to par in no time. You are doing so well that you inspire me. I tell myself there's no reason why Andi can do this and I can't.

I'm glad to hear you're ienjoying having your son around and I hope you have a nice weekend getaway with your DBF.

Hello Ladies,
Thanks for your well wishes and I hope you all had a great Mothers Day.
I am almost finished with the meds, and hope it has done it job. I want and need to meet my goal of 7 pounds this month. I had better get busy. How is everyone doing?

Hugs
Izzy

Hi all,

I'm back from the country and back at work. We had a great time, and it was very relaxing and good for stress reduction. We fished, hiked, read a lot, played cards, built fires...a very nice time, and because of all the hiking up and down hills, I didn't gain any weight!

Came home to find no groceries in the house due to 19 yo son (must have a tapeworm!), so need to make a Kroger run this afternoon. I'll be sure to stock up on veggies and healthy stuff for me!

Izzy, glad to hear you're almost off your meds. I, too need to get busy and lose a couple of pounds this month!

Have a great day
Andi

Hello Everyone,
And welcome back Andi. I am glad you had a wonderful time. I have been busy with spring cleaning & work. I feel like I never have any free time, but thats ok. Its nice to get away and just relax, you can come back and be ready to tackle things you put off. I am doing better and finished my meds today and I am so happy about that. well its back to business, check in later.

hugs
izzy

Welcome back Andi, sounds like you have a very enjoyable trip!

And Izzy, you sound like you're feeling much better, too.

Have a good weekend!

Good Morning Everyone,
Just Trying to get moving this morning. Mondays are always those get back to work/ start something new day. I have a lot I want to get done this week,
and one being getting in to shape. I feel like a tired, run down couch potatoe.
I just need to do some serious moving. I saw to ladies out for their morning run, I was so invious. I remember doing that every day and loving it. Its amazing how far off course we can get. I hope that everyone is doing well and that you will have a great week.

Hugs
Izzy

Happy Monday Girls,

It's just a perfect morning here and I'm kicking myself that I didn't get up early for a morning walk - but I'll get a walk in about 10:00 I think. This weekend flew by - I went up to visit DBF and actually did some shopping for new summer clothes for myself - a new pair of shorts, dress pants, capri jeans (all size 12) and 4 fancy summer T shirts in size Medium! I just hope the T shirts don't shrink in the dryer, but the larges look a little sloppy.

I saw my sister walking today and it looks like she's lost some more weight, but her body type is different from mine. When she loses, her legs and hips get slim but she carries weight in her middle, while I'm the opposite.

Anyway, that motivates me to lose more weight and I want to get to 150 by the end of May, which is doable because it's only 3 pounds. I've packed a great lunch of a huge green salad and strawberries, and will have a can of tuna with that. Will walk for an hour total today!

Anyone want to join me on this end of the month push?

Have a great day!

PS Izzy - get out there and Walk!

Andi

Hi andi
I got out for good walk this morning and it felt great! This needs to become a habit. Andi a size 12 Wow! that is so wonderful, you are a great motivator.
I am trying to lose 5 before May 31.

ok have a good night.

Andi - Good for you on going down a size! That's wonderful. You are five inches taller than I, so 150 lbs would probably put me in a 14. I am in a snug 16 right now and an XL top. When I was in a 12 I was 130 lbs. I am built like your sister.

Izzy - You will get back to exercise, now that the weather is nicer and you are feeling better. You see how much better you feel afterwards.

Hi everyone,
andi congrats on your awesome weight loss & your new size! Way to go!
How long did it take you to get where you are now? Did you have a hard time committing? I figure that if I research how others have done it, maybe it will help me to do the same. Did you at anytime recieve help from say"WW" or any other diet centers? I am sorry for all the questions, but I am trying hard to find that missing piece of the puzzle. The piece that makes sense to me. I know that there is that one thing that will finally hit home and thus get me motivated. Thanks for all your support.

Hugs
izzy

Good morning all,

Izzy, as we all know there's no secret to losing weight steadily, and I didn't join any centers for help. I had done WW in the past, but it became expensive, I didn't like journaling everything, and I don't like the idea of unlimited fruits (too much sugar). It's taken me a long time just to lose the weight so far, and I'm still not where I want to be. I've been working on this for about a year, but no one's perfect and It's been slow going.

There are three things which I would attribute to my loss:
1. Very Low Carb menu. I might have 1 bagel or 2 pieces of whole grain bread, or some brown rice a week; no cookies, cake, muffins, etc. (unless I slip) Big salad every day at lunch with a piece of protein. Proteins and veggies for dinner, maybe with some rice.
2. Very Low Sugar. I switched to Stevia and read labels on everything now. This helps prevent cravings, too.
3. Exercising a lot more, almost every day. This may be the most important, and my exercise is usually fast walking about an hour a day between outside and a treadmill, but I'll also do some floor exercises and use dumbbells for my arms every so often. Here and there I'll attend an exercise class at my rec center, but not on a regular basis.

You can see how I'm generally still following the BFC plan. The hardest part is to walk by that snack table at work, where people bring in muffins, cookies, cupcakes, and other sweets on a weekly basis. Several co-workers have commented on my weight loss and that helps me resist.

We have to re-think what a normal meal is for us, which is hard to do if you're living with a DH or others who think a good breakfast is pancakes with hash browns, sausage and toast and a good dinner always includes potatoes, rolls, and dessert. Oh, and nix the fast food unless it's healthy and not on a bun.

My advise is to embrace exercise as something you WANT to do instead of a chore. Once you make it a habit, you'll feel stir-crazy if you're unable to move. This happened in the country last week when we had a rainy day and DBF and I were cooped up in a house. Fortunately they had a treadmill there and I jumped on it for half and hour and did some floor exercises.

It's amazing how empowering exercise can be, because you really are in control of improving your fitness and health. Setting small goals around events has helped me, too, such as the wedding last month.

Have a great day and let's get out and walk!

Andi - You are a very good role model and have some good advice to pass on to those of us who are still struggling. I'm sure you find that every time you pass up on the snack table at work you feel so good about yourself for resisting. Each time you do it, it makes you stronger. It wasn't until I retired that I realized how much junk food I ate at work.

Thanks Andi for the great advise and I know you are right. I have walked a couple of days this week and it did feel great. I want to make it daily.
Carol Sue,
When I learn to pass up the snacks and stay focused, I know I can do this.
But it won't be easy. It seems that friends, family etc. really are out to get me. But when I see the weight start coming off, thats all I will need. Thanks everyone for sharing and have a wonderful Memorial Day, stay safe.

Hugs
Izzy