Hi Ladies, This has to be quick. Don't know what happened but my We've Moved Dont Post Here message on our last thread disappeared and Ladyinred, aka Donna posted there asking to join us. I invited her to join us here. With the limitations of WebTV I can't figure out how to move her intro. over from the old thread. If anyone knows how, give her a lift over here would ya?

Should not have had chinese yesterday. Up 2 lbs., hopefully just water. Not in the dumps lke a I was two wees ago tho.

Catch ya all later. (Nope I'm NOT changing my sig.!)

Well I had intended to lurk for a while but Linda BC's comments about tofu and its resemblance to grout got me laughing so hard I've forgotten my good intentions. So I'll introduce myself.

My name is Donna. I'm 49, divorced for quite a while, living in Columbus, Ohio with two grown sons who live in California. Yesterday I finally said "Enough is enough!" and dug out my old WW 123 materials. I don't plan to attend meetings at this time but will gain my inspiration from online. I have about 130 lbs. to lose, depending on where I set my goal ...

Today is going well so far ... worked out to a Richard Simmons tape, have had my first big glass of water, and an OP breakfast. Will need to go shopping before I can have lunch, though.

Guess that's enough for now ... am very much looking forward to getting to "know" all of you!

Donna

Just a quick post this morning.

I'm slowly getting back into my morning exercises (weights and strengtheners). Bear and I walked last night which felt really good.

I did hop on the scale this AM. I've been yo-yoing being 257 and 260 for seems like forever. The scale this morning was 256.5!!! Here's where I ususally go on an eating spree so I need lots of strength not to do that to myself this time. I think having all the projects around the house are helping to control mindless eating. Wish me luck!

Got to get to work. I should be there already because after having a few days off, I'm so far behind.

Have a great OP day.

... you can't hide from me! I found you! <insert madwoman cackle>

Had a good day yesterday -- didn't quite get in all my water, but achieved all my other daily goals. Went to the grocery store and did my first major restocking of the shelves and got out of there for a tad under $100. Believe it or not, I was pleased -- figured my total was closer to $125. According to my receipt, I saved close to $11 by using my store card. I ought to do something with that $$ I save -- donate it to charity or use it for new clothes or something. :s

Determined to Succeed: I really envy you, having a bulldog puppy. Best dog I ever owned was an English Bulldog named Miss Molly. So loving and full of personality ... I got her as an adult -- her people were moving out of the country and couldn't take her -- she would have been absolutely adorable as a puppy. Hang in there -- just like children, they don't stay "babies" very long.

Did a 45 minute/3 mile walk this morning -- felt like quitting at 2 miles but got sucked in to continuing on. Hope everyone else is feeling as good as I do today!


Donna

Hi Everyone,
Welcome Donna, glad to see you found us and joined us. Well it's been an ugly couple of days between the freak snow storm we had, the nicotine withdrawal (aaargh!) and that stubborn Spawn of Satan scale. I have been OP without any deviation for at least 4 weeks and weighed in today. I'm up 3 lbs.!!!! I'm done with that time of the month so it can't be that - there just is no rational explanation. I only follow the WW program but don't actually belong anymore so I'm weighing at home. I am feeling very discouraged and very, very twitchy without my cigarettes. I REFUSE to allow this to lead to unhealthy eating. Well, I hope I refuse to allow it....
Terri, your "vacation" sounds like most of mine. Don't you find that when you work all the big chores get pushed to vacation time, because the weekends are so full of cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping etc. We never seem to get a break.
You know, I'm going to stop writing now, I'm just so negative today, don't want to get you all in a negative frame of mind. I've got to refocus. Talk to you all soon.
Stasia

I saw Donna's post in the other thread and asked her to join us here as well. I hope she makes it.
Today I had to go for a mammogram and it wasn't as uncomfortable as the last time. It sure makes a difference what technician you get. This gal was really gentle. It also helped that the equipment was newer and not as awkward to use. I urge all of you to get regular mammograms. My younger daughter's MIL, who is about my age or a bit older recently noticed a slight irregularity in one breast. She didn't think it was worth worrying about but to be on the safe side went and saw her doctor. He ordered a mammogram and this disclosed a very large tumor that had started very deep in her breast and must have been there some time. She had to have her breast removed immediately and is now undergoing chemotherapy. She had never had a mammogram before because there was no history of breast cancer in her family. Remember, ladies, there are always exceptions so please, schedule that mammogram NOW.

I always go with a friend and we console each other after with lunch out. I did very well. I ordered a grilled chicken salad and, although the dressing was a rather sweet peanut type, I'm pretty sure the salad didn't have more than 4 to 5 points. I gave it 6 just to be on the safe side.

So far I've managed to stay totally within or under my points range for three weeks now. The Meridia is really helping to keep me on an even keel. I haven't had a severe snack attack in all that time. I still get hungry for my regular meals but can stop when reasonably satisfied without wanting second or third helpings. Of course, it also helps to keep guzzling that water and write everything down. Sometimes I get bored writing the same stuff down every day, especially breakfast, when I usually have either light cream cheese on multigrain toast or a poached egg on multigrain. Still, it keeps me honest so I will continue to do it.
No weigh in tomorrow (my usual WI day) because of the holiday so I won't know for sure how I did this week until Saturday. On Sunday my sis and her hubby and older daughter and her younger son will be coming for Easter dinner. I have a small turkey and will probably make the traditional springtime accompaniments such as asparagus and a salad. The hardest thing for me to resist is the stuffing. Maybe I just won't stuff the darned thing. That would settle that temptation.

Anyhow, I hope you're all having a lovely holiday weekend. Don't forget "If you bite it, WRITE IT!"

Stasia - I read your post and felt your frustration. I just wanted to reach out and give you a hug. This journey is so darn frustrating and discouraging. About every other day I'm ready to throw in the towel. Especially when the scale doesn't move. I rant and rave to myself about what's wrong with my body and sometimes htat helps me to remember the little things that I ate and conveniently forgot. Or else maybe I forgot to exercise. But I try to get myself into the mindset of look where I'd be if I hadn't done all the healthy things I had done. I try to remind myself that this will be lifelong, not just today or tomorrow. Getting myself into that mode helps me forget the evil scale. Not that this is always easy. Sometimes I just have to get busy doing things to help work out the disappointment and negative feeings. So just don't give up. Don't give in to the disappointment. Just cheer yourself on for all the good things you are doing for your body. You can win this battle.

Donna - Glad to see you found us! Good for you for hanging in that extra mile.

Linda - Looks like the meridia is a good thing for you. My doc has tried to get me to take it but I have resisted all her attempts. Maybe I should have listened more. I'm happy for you that its helping you get past your plateaus. Your easter dinner sounds very healthy and yummy. DH is smoking a chicken, turkey breast and a ham tomorrow. Lots of meat for the freezer.

Gina, Bunny, Lilac, Joyce, J-Ann - Hope you ladies are doing okay. Miss you! Have a great holiday weekend. Looks like spring may be here for real this time.

I'm sending positive vibes to everyone to have a great OP weekend and avoid all the chocolate bunnies!!

Hi Everyone,
I'm back and in a better frame of mind. Terri, thanks for the encouraging words - it's nice to know someone shares the same frustrations. Well, that came out sounding as if I'm glad you're frustrated! LOL You know that's not what I meant. It just that this time, I have been so faithful to everything I am doing. In the past, I would have "just a few ______" (fill in the blank) and not count it or conveniently "forget" about it entirely. This time, I have counted every morsel of food that I've even caught the fragrance of - that's why I think I'm frustrated. I think it was on another site (or maybe it was here?) someone wrote about a good friend who is very slim/trim, exercises conscientiously, watches every bite of food that goes into her mouth etc. She told her friend how tired she was working so hard to keep her weight down. I guess even the people who have no extra weight are working very hard to stay this way. As you so rightly point out, it is a way of life not just a temporary measure to lose weight. The pounds will have to come off eventually.
Linda: I am so long overdue for a mammogram and have been procrastinating making an appointment. I will do that this week. I intend to roast a leg of spring lamb for Easter, but haven't really decided on what to make to go with it. Usually, when I'm having guests for dinner, I have the whole menu planned out weeks in advance but I have been so busy with work this week, I'll just have to finish my planning tonight.
I wonder what has happened to the others on the board - everyone seems to be taking a small Easter break. Well, Happy Easter to all who read this and will post again soon.

Stasia

Stasia, I meant to reply to your post about being frustrated but I guess the thought slipped through all the cracks in my mind. You really are not alone. Just because I've been having a couple of weeks with slight to moderate losses as a reward for staying OP doesn't mean I haven't been where you are. Man, oh man, have I been there and done that! But I think when you're feeling the most discouraged and hopeless is the time when you really have to fight the hardest because I'm convinced that success is just around the corner at those times and we just have to be patient. So many times I've let my anger and frustration get the better of me and stuffed my face in retaliation (retaliation against what, is the question?) Just cutting off my nose to spite my face. We have to face the fact that we're committed to a new way of eating for the rest of our lives and this is NOT a short term cure. So, if you have stuck to your program for two or three weeks and haven't lost or even gained, you have to try to be philosophical about it. There are any number of reasons you showed a gain rather than a loss. You don't have to be at "that time of the month" to experience fluid retention. I just have to have a little extra salt and whoops, on come an extra 2 or 3 pounds. You could have gained a little muscle weight too. The point I'm trying to make is don't take it personally. It's just the normal fluctuation of your body and probably next week you will be down several pounds. Just hang in there, ok? We're all in the same boat.
LindaBC

Good Evening Everyone

Terri - Way to go! Congrats on the loss.

Donna - Hi and welcome to the group. I'm glad your here and look forward to getting to know you.

Stasia - Hang in there! Here's a big {{{HUG}}}. I think all of us have felt that frustration. I know I have plenty of times. In fact now is one of them I've losing and gaining the same 4 lbs for a month. I don't remember if I told this group or not but a registered nurse/dietician told me that plateaus are generally places that we maintained our weight for a long period of time. So we create a set point. But if we keep sticking to our program the weight will eventually come off. Just try not to give in to the frustration. I know that when I give in I usually end up feeling even worse. I am sending warm thoughts and wishes your way and hope you feel better soon.

Linda - Sounds like the Meridia and new meds are really working for you. Have you had weigh in this week? I'm cheering you on. I look forward to see how your doing every week. Your an inspiration.

J-Ann - You'll get rid of that Chinese in no time. The 2lbs is probably water.

I hope everyone has a wonderful OP weekend and a very Happy Easter. Hello to anyone I've missed.

Lilac - We miss you.

Joyce

Had my WI this morning and was down another 1.6 lb. That makes 3.6 lb in three weeks. I'm very happy with that rate of loss. Just another half pound and I'm into virgin fat.
There was a woman at meeting today who has lost 55 lb since last August. Gosh! I've been going since last June and have only lost 18. Of course, she says she has been totally faithful to the program the whole time and I have to admit I certainly blew it over Christmas, all of January and February and part of March.
Well, I'm not going to compare myself to her. Maybe it was her first time trying to lose weight. I'm convinced that our bodies become very resistant to losing weight when we've lost and gained many, many times and I sure have....especially the gaining part.
Tonight we went out to dinner at a pub with friends. I had a small steak, a salad with dressing on the side and a baked potato (I think it had butter and regular sour cream on it too) but I didn't eat all the potato and I left some of the steak and I only ate half a piece of garlic bread so I still managed to stay within my points range for today.
Happy Easter everybody.

WhoooooHooooo!!!!!! Linda! Congrats on that 1.6 lbs. Doesn't it feel good to see the scale go down consistantly every week?

Not much going on here. But the weather was beautiful today in the 70's with the sun shining. It really gave me spring fever.

I just popped in to say hello to everyone. Have a Happy Easter.

Hugz
Joyce

Just a quick post to wish everyone a happy Easter. I have a bunch of "stuff" to accomplish before I take off to have Easter lunch at my best friend's house with her and her family. They always include me for all holiday gatherings which has made a tremendous difference in how this empty nester feels about holidays.

I'm planning to make Oriental Crab Coleslaw as my contribution to the festivities. We're having a pork loin, prepared in the rotisserie, and she's making a couple of desserts made with sugar free/ fat free substitutions. I'm also going to have a bowl of vegie soup before I leave to help fill me up a little and try to ensure I get in that demon vegie allotment.

Been staying very busy, highly motivated ... food, water, and exercisse all going well. First weigh-in is Monday -- it's not quite a week, but I'm sure I'll have a loss since I'm just at the beginning of my journey ...

Donna