Yeah, guilt and stress, leading to overeating, causing more guilt and stress. Pretty much the pattern. Mom went away for the weekend so I had a lot of down time and ate more than I wanted to. But, the good news is, not as much as I have in the past, and I'm back on track today. Last week, I successfully scaled back to salad and fruit for lunch. This week, I am adding exercise to the mix.

I don't generally eat after 8pm, but I will be sure not to. And I will be kinder to myself and others.

Thanks for the support! Hope

Hope,
Did I tell you I fell in a hole the dogs made in the pasture? I sprained my knee so bad I can barely walk. It happened a about 6 days ago, right in the middle of a great exercise a diet run! bummer!

Although I am not over eating I am making some wrong food choices. You know the old F*** it thing? I will say that the injury makes me appreciate the ability to exercise all the more.

I also have some very upsetting family issues going on right now. Thank God I don't drink I would be smashed I'm so pissed. Well all in all as my dear older friend says to me....Onward!

Liz

Oh Liz, sorry about your fall! That's gotta hurt.

Family stuff is always fun. I always say, "If it's not one thing, it's my mother." But somehow we get through. Now that we've traded the drink AND the carbs, do we actually have to start dealing with this stuff in a heathful manner? Yikes. Hard to be the grownups!

My 1st reaction to the stress is "Hungry!" It used to be "Wine!" Now I guess it's "Whine" and move on. So whine if you need to and hang in there! This is the easier, softer way.

Hope

Hey, if I can survive 5 days from **** being surrounded by my in-laws, stuck in a hotel room for three days out of five because my husband and I had a fight about their cruelness towards my kids, and hence, I did not go to his brother's wedding, anyone can do it!

Oh, and for all my pain, humiliation, and hurt that my *bleeping* husband put me through, not talking to me or seeing if I needed anything to eat or drink or if I was alive or dead those three days, I gained back two pounds.

I didn't even eat much, I stayed under 1600 calories a day, some days less than that, but the food sucked. I had to go to the Jack in the Box one night and get 3 breakfast items to eat for that day, the next day, I had to go to the store across the street at 5:30 am when it wasn't busy, or I'd never get across that highway. That store had premade sandwiches, so I bought one tunafish, one turkey and cheese, and one ham and cheese sandwich, two packages of Rice Krispie Treats which were 310 calories each (I ate those for breakfast the last two days) and two small packages of Combos. There were no stores that had any fruit or veggies around me. I was stuck in a hotel where there weren't any decent food places, so I had to make due with what they had. My exercise was basically walking to the two food places, crying, and swimming when all of my family was out of the hotel. Yet, I still gained two pounds and can't seem to lose it since I got back on Monday.

I'm not giving up, though. I refuse to let what happened last week depress me into eating. It just proved to me that I need to care more about myself and to take good care of myself, because nobody else will do it for me!

Oh, and I can relate as far as taking care of Mom. I lost mine 14 years ago, but took care of her for most of my life, as she was chronically ill for almost all of my life. My Dad died before her, and my siblings were of no help, so it was just me and Mom for a few years, then hubby, Mom, myself and my oldest daughter until she passed away.

Ladies,
I am in a hurry today and only have time for a quick reply. I will get to you guys later we have alot to talk about!Women have sooooooo much in common.
I'm in a hurry because I'm incorperating today, whahooo, yes my Gourmet Shop and my individual life (and money) from my husband shall live! Empowerment women I think that is the key to all our weight loss.....I'll write later today....

Onward!

Lizzy

Dear Steels, I'm sorry you had such a tough time of it last week! Other people's expectations of us can drive us mad. I'm so impressed that you stood up for yourself and moved out of the way of the fire. And, I'm impressed that you didn't go into a big binge-fest. I can't say that I wouldn't have. I will take your example with me today. Meanwhile, those two pounds will drop off if you stay on track so head-high strong woman!

Lizzie - Hooray for you! Congratulations on your success! Head-high to you too! Isn't amazing to look at where we've been and where we are now? Be proud!

I'm in the process of moving my offices this week and am dealing with painters, carpeters, contractors. They are all late - behind - flippant! And one of my agents said if he doesn't go to the gym today, he will have a headache. Poor lambchop. There's 1 1/2 hours out of the day when I could use him. But maybe I should take his example of taking care of himself.

Meanwhile, I'm carrying my water and fruit back and forth between the 2 places. My computer is going down today and I won't be back in touch until Monday (hopefully). Good luck to all and stay strong!

My thoughts are mixed on men and my relationships with them. I have been married twice and have always been in long term relationships. I was the most needy Woman in the world .....currently men are just a side line in my life.

You want to talk about Mother-in -laws from ****! I have had two and no it's not me,I just pick Mama's boys. Steele, girl I'm proud of you staying in the hotel and standing your ground, he thought on his own turf you would cave , and you didn't! I have no Idea what your situation is with your man but I would love to help you figure it out. I have done a 360 in my life and reinvented it to a new and happy place, come along, both of you.

As far as the diet ? well the knee is killing me I haven't been exercising at all. When I'm not exercising it's F the diet. I'll be back on track by Monday....

I love our little group here lets keep it going, Women need each other for support.

Lizzy

Hi ladies! I've been looking around trying to find an active 3-hr diet thread and was SO happy to find one!

I'm 33 & dh is 41. We've been doing the 3-hr diet since January this year and have EACH lost 50+ lbs. I just LOVE this plan since it's something I can definitely do for a lifetime to keep off the weight off already lost and the next 150 lbs that I WILL lose. I too follow a kind of "Wendie Plan" way of doing it. *Wendie Plan is a WW variation that allows for fluctuation of points each day to help you not get stuck in plateaus and keep your body kind of guessing how many calories must be burned each day. Google it & you'll find tons of info - if you're interested.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Hey all! It's Monday; rise and shine!

Welcome Wings2fly! I'm so impressed by your weight loss victory so far. Sounds like you've hit a good program. Can you give me a sample menu of your diet? I'm looking forward to losing with you!

Steel - How are you doing? Things settle down yet? I've been thinking about you.

And Lizzie, our founder and incorporated business owner, how are the 'f' it's going? Are they still hanging around? I've had those many times - and acted out with food, procrastination, wine, men - you name it. I know I'm in a better space when my 'f' it's are about going to the gym or eating chips. How are you feeling today?

I'm going nuts. Everyone needs me or wants something from me. My mom's driving me crazy. She is very needy at the moment and worries about everything. Seems like I just get one thing done for her and she has already moved onto the next. She just called me at work to tell me she couldn't find something at home and was very worried about it. What can I do from here? I try and just listen and reassure her but that doesn't always work. Anyway. What can I do? I'm her caretaker.

Foods been good though and I've been walking about 3 miles a day which is good for the diet and the soul. Tomorrow, I weigh in - we'll see!

Hang in there. Hope

Thanks for the welcome!

Here's an average day's menu: (1700-2000 calories)

Breakfast:
2 Waffles Quiches (I'll share the recipe later - SOOO good!)
100 cal yogurt or a piece of fruit

AM Snack:
Carrots w/YUMMY Fat Free dip (I'll share this recipe later too!)
Sometimes I'll have a lean pocket, little sandwich, or a 100 cal pack of something.

Lunch:
Usually leftovers from night before's dinner or a meal size salad.
*My salads are AWESOME - Several different kinds of lettuce (iceburg, romaine, curly leaf, spinach, spring mix, etc), broccoli slaw for a nice crunch, cucumbers, tomatoes, green and/or red onions, apples or grapes (if you haven't tried apples or grapes in a salad, you're missing out!), little sprinkle of cheese, and sometimes some leftover grilled chicken.

Dinner:
Veggie Beef chili, fajitas, or grilled meat of some kind with some veggies.

Can't think of any others off hand. I'll be posting recipes for a bunch of these today or tomorrow. I love to cook and am having a lot of fun finding ways of making healthy food with A LOT of good flavor.

Sorry I haven't written I have been driving for hours all day. We are happy to have a new comer here, more support the better!

I still have not been working the plan as I should, I can barely walk. I feel as though every calorie I take in I'm gaining 20 pounds. I will be back in the saddle soon.

Remember I am chef and have many recipes to share!

Liz

Hope...we have to talk about our Mothers ! that is where I was all day back and forth.....I need this, I need that and then she pooped on the floor...aughhhh. My step daughter is coming for 2 weeks too, with a additude I might add...someone shoot me....

Lizzie

Hey Lizzie, I haven't posted on this thread much (or maybe not at all), but I keep up with what you're all talking about. Eavesdropping, I guess. I don't have mother troubles, but I hope you all are doing ok with that. It has to be tough.

Just a quick question though, Lizzie. Grilled corn... love it, but I'm wondering what you would do as a butter substitute. I am not a fan of fake butter (after reading about their chemical make up, I'd rather pass...). What do you suggest?

For some reason I'm not getting the latest reply...hummm...I missed 2 yesterday!

Sorry guys, as far as butter substitutes I have used "Molly Mc Butter" on or off a diet on veggies. It has a high butter flavor and "O" calories. As far as I know and I have used it for at least 15 years, there are no residual effects. When cooking or buttering toast ect.I use "Olivo", most of my clients are Doctors and the reccomend both of these products.

Who is up for some weight lifting? I know that we lose muscle mass as we age and it burns 3 times as many calories as cardio 24/7. I'm going to start today as a sort of experiment. My sister is 62 and looks great using mostly weight lifting. I'll do upper today and lower tomorrow alternating days, we'll see.

The rest of life is interesting, my step daughter of 15 will be here with her additude on Thursday for 2 weeks. Pray for me!.....LOL

P.S. Slashnl, get out of the background and start chatting girl!

Lizzie

Good morning everyone!

Wings - thanks for the menu. I'm not too far off that. I have 1 whole wheat english muffin and 2 tsps peanut butter at 7am, fresh fruit and a cheese stick at 10:30, big salad for lunch at noon, yogurt at 3 and then dinner at 6:30 with mom. Usually lean meat, lots of veggies and a small potato.

2 changes I've made since starting are smaller lunches and no eating after 7. My lunches were out of control. I think because it is the only time during the day I have to myself and food is what I use for solace. Now I'm taking a short walk instead. I still don't get as much satisfaction as I do with cookies, but somethings must change.

I saw something on the news last night about stress creating obesity and I thought, "No kidding." I mean, we know this right? But apparently when we are stressed our body holds on to the calories so for us compulsive eaters we get hit twice. So, okay, reduce stress.

I guess this means, yes, Lizzie, I will add regular exercise to the mix! Ugh! And I mean more than the walk for coffee.

Lizzie - caring for our Moms is tough. My mom has Parkinsons and one of the symptoms is anxiety. Her fears wrap around bills. We are fine financially but she just worries constantly. I try to practice patience and love but sometimes it's tough. A lot of this is hormonal - premenopause - and hopefully when i get my August operation, I will feel a little better.

Finally - UGH! - I am grateful for losing 4 pounds but - come on! - back in the day I could lose 4 pounds in one week. Okay - I am over it and say "Hooray! I've lost 4 pounds!"

Have a great day everone - Slash - good to see you here! Hope