By the way, Derry! It's Wednesday here, first day of Lent, right?! I'm going to do something. Are you still game?

Gosh, Chach, I feel for you. What a situation you are in, no wonder you turned to your friend food. You are right in saying "when will it all end".I hope your son is better. My son was home sick the last two days and went off to "try" to make it thought a day today. He's had a cold/virus/flu thing with a bad cough and whatnot. Not fun. So far, the rest of us have not "fallen".
Jolly, you must tell us more about this procedure and how it all went for you. I have thought of it myself, but am scared.
How's it going Red? Any news Raven?
Apple Blossom, you sound much better today. I agree that sometimes I do think that if I just could finish losing this weight that everything would be ok. But, you are who you are, no matter what. I guess that's a good thought for the day.
I'm still ME, I will still have insecurities and still do about the same things I do now, I guess. I just need to establish more self control.
I was in control for supper last night, and I was proud of myself. We ordered take out from a local pizza place, as we had two meetings to attend. I usually can't resist their onion rings and French fries as well as pizza. It's really, really bad. But, last night, I ordered a pita sandwich, turkey on pita with lettuce, tomato and VERY light mayo. It was good. In fact, it was so big when I got it and it was cut in half, I put the other half away to have for lunch today, an NSV!
Today will be a day of being very busy, it will be a test of my control.
Also, we're expecting up to 18" of fresh snow today, now what will be do with that? We still have tons left over from the last storm.
Linda

Good morning, Ladies.

Jolly: I'm so glad everything went well for you. We welcome you and your new eyes back once you can make it! I'm so glad you got this procedure done. I'm sure it's going to make a world of difference for you.

Linda: Okay, Lent started, right? I couldn't remember the exact date. I am joining you for this. I had some time to think about it, and I know what I need to give up. I could say chocolate, but I would fail at that. I could say sweets, but I would fail at that. So, I'm going to try and tackle one of my biggest hinderances in my weight loss struggles. I am a compulsive snacker. Not even when I am hungry. Just snack snack snack. I woke up this morning and decided on it. So, here is what I shall do to make sure I am successfull:

On days that I work, I will allow myself one snack mid-morning (preferably a fruit) and for mid afternoon/evening snack I will pop a bag of FF popcorn. What I don't eat mid-afternoon will then be my evening snack. I will cut about 8-10 points off my day by doing this. Now, when I am on vacation, I will also have two snacks in a day, I just can't tell you what they will be.

Some may think this is not a big thing to give up, but let me tell you, considering I usually have 4 snacks at work and two at home, it's big.

I'll commit for the next 45 days, or whenever it ends.

Happy Wednesday!

Chach

Hi all. Well, I had my check up this morning, and I am now 20/25 in one eye, and 20/30 in the other. Good enough to drive. They think it will get even a little better as the eyes stabilize, and I will most likely not need another procedure. This is pretty good, considering how bad my eyes were to start. The procedure does not hurt at all. The hardest part is when the make a flap in your cornea. it is hard to stay still as they are coming at your eye. We are all so protective of our eyes!! Again, it doesn't hurt. YOu do feel a little pressure - kind of like when you get stitches. There is some tugging, but no pain. As freaked out as I was yesterday, I am so glad I had it done, and it is well worth it.

Chachee, i hope things work out for your folks, and settle down for you soon.

Apple, I used to think I had self esteem problems because I was overweight. As I travel on this weight loss/ self discovery journey, I have come to realize, I have my weight problem because I have low self esteem.

I think I will give up chips for lent. I already gave up caffeinated sodas, and am trying to only drink non-caffeinated ones as a last resort. Chocolate would be a bit hard right now, so I will try chips. I too am a queen snacker.

Have a great day all. 6 more days until I need kicks in the butt to get back to the gym.

Hi guys! Fascinating to read about your procedure, Jolly. Cool! Glad to see some others giving up something for Lent. We can do it! Today is DAY 1 without chocolate! I've done it and I bought the snack packs of pudding in vanilla and tapioca (just 2 ww points each) to have for my desserts. I like them, especially tapioca.
It's funny, I didn't miss chocolate today, at least. Maybe I just knew that I was "off" it today and that was that? It seemed almost too easy. But, the true test will be Valentines day, usually a chocolate festival in this house.
So, chips, extra snacking and chocolate are now "out" until Easter. Anyone else "game" for this?
Linda

Hello all. I'm on the second day of no sugar, none at all, no added sugar in sauces or crackers, nothing. The only thing I'm allowing myself is sugarless gum and that just sometimes. I will not worry that much if I eat out though, like if there's sugar in a sauce or bread, but if I'm buying, I'll check the labels.

Actually I'm making this a "Four for Forty" thing. I'm giving up four things for Lent.

1. Sugar
2. these filled dumpling things I always buy at the covenience stores
3. these deep-fried "croquettes"
4. all nuts!! (natural peanut butter is OK)

I decided if I'm going to do this I may as well go all the way. Giving up sugar is not that hard for me anymore as I've done it many times before, once for a whole year. It's just recently I didn't feel like "deciding" to do it. But I am decided now and so I know I can do it. But then I got thinking, why not really suffer a bit and give up all the things I turn to when I give up sugar, which are the above three others! The nuts is going to be hardest because I love cashews and have them every day!

I didn't think of this soon enough though so I started No. 1 the first day, No. 2 and 3 today (the 2nd day) and will start No. 4 from tomorrow, Day 3 of Lent.

Wish me luck!!

derry -- Good luck with your challenge. You've got a three-way one, don't you? Don't even mention chocolate. Please! I have been on something of a chocolate kick myself these days, which is odd, because normally I wasn't that big into chocolate. Really, with Valentine's Day, I was thinking, I can't remember ever having not eaten chocolate then so I guess even if I did give up something for Lent, VDay was considered an exception I guess. Sorry to hear your son's been sick. I hope he's better now and you don't come down with anything.

jolly -- yes, thanks for telling us about the procedure. Very interesting. I wonder why they do the procedure with you awake. I don't think I could do that! You're much braver than I am! I really hope your eyes improve and you won't need another procedure. Interesting point about the self-esteem -- weight problem vicious cycle. I suppose everyone's slide into overweight is different and then once you're there it makes a lot of things worse and hard to see whether it was the chicken or the egg. Good luck on your Lenten chips abstinence too! You're making me feel very bad about not getting to the gym. I haven't been there in weeks now. Wanted to go tomorrow morning but since I just remembered it's a holiday here they won't be open early enough to go in the morning and they'll close too early at night to go after work. Darn!

Chachee -- you too, good luck on your regulated snacking! Sounds like a great idea and believe me! I DO know how snacks can get out of hand. Lent is until Easter, 40 days from Feb. 9. How is your son as well? Over his illness? Really sorry to hear about the money troubles. I suppose it was very hard for your parents to talk about not being able to pay the bills. Only 1.5 months behind is not much. Perhaps they were hoping for another way to get out of it or just wanting to turn a blind eye to it. I know how disappointing and problem-causing it can be to be counting on money and then not have it come in. Wow, I've flipped a few times in such cases. At least it'll be there come next month. Hang on!

Apple -- How are you doing? It sounds like you calmed down a bit. That's good. You sound like me, trying to stay away from the beer. I don't think I could handle baking cupcakes and not eating one or two or three. . .

michelle -- good to hear from you again. Wow, a lot of illness going around. Are you totally over it yet? I had bronchitis very bad once. Doc put me on bed rest for a week. Said it was nearly pneumonia. On the weight loss side, however, WOW!! look at you go!! It must be so exciting for you to see your body changing this way. I sure hope you can keep this up after this challenge is over. It sounds fantastic. Have fun!

Wow, Red, are you ever on board with the Lent thing, cool! My son is better, now my daughter is sick. I wonder if she's got a sinus infection? May call the doctor, but getting her there would be difficult as we are in the middle of what New Englanders call a N'Oreaster (blizzard). Wonder if they would give her something over the phone?
They usually don't.
You know, I don't recall any Valentines Day, ever, that I didn't have chocolate. But, I will get through this! Day one was easy. Just finished breakfast and day 2 is starting out "in control". I haven't been working out that much as I've been totally swamped. But, today, I will.
I really wonder if chocolate has made me more out of control with my cravings? Seems like it became awfully important to me, more than just sweets or anything else. I wonder if I might do better, overall, with my weight loss with this challenge? Time will tell.
Great job everyone, really amazing!
Linda

Hey all. Back to work today - oh joy, oh joy. Wait - I can't see! I must go home

OK. Enough of that.

Red, you have to be awake because you have to be able to focus on the right spot, to have your eye positioned properly for the laser. Otherwise it might not hit the correct spot, and you wouldn't get the right correction. Like I said, it is painless, just freaky being your eyes.

Well, the hardest part for me is being back at work and not snacking on chips or having any soda. I will allow myself some caffeine free soda, but ONLY if I can't stand it otherwise. I would really rather not spend the money.

So, back to work. I hope everyone does well with their resolutions, has family getting better soon, and sees the money they expect to.

Have a wonderful day.

How the mighty have fallen. And in such short order, too. But I will not let the disappointment of my shortcomings dissuade me from my goals.

I was up to running nearly 5K last fall. Today, I am so tight and inflexible that 3 minutes into my walk (WALK!) and my achilles tendon is aching like ****.

It is all about building up to it again, I know that. Again. Again and again and again. When will this become my life instead of something I do for 6 months and stop? This must happen.

In the face of all this, I still felt wonderful on the treadmill. It felt so GOOD to be on the right path again. It is one of the few places I can go to get away from everyone. I listen to my music with my headphones on, and everyone knows to not bother me when I’m out there. It’s my private time. Time to daydream, visualize goals, create plans of attack, and let my mind wander.

Treadmill - 2 Miles, 38:30.

Hey all. Just a quick flyby post. I caved in this morning and got a doughnut and some low fat chocolate milk. BUT - I passed up the chips several times, and that stubborn little twit of a child inside me really wanted some, just because I said I wasn't going to have any. Same thing with soda. I almost bought some diet, decaf - just to have in case. In case of what? I teleport into the Sahara??? Stupid. So, two mini battles won.

Have a great night all.

Hi people. I'm wrapping up Day 3 of Lent and so far so good. The sugar is the hardest. I know I can do it because I have done it before but today I think the hardest was remembering I wasn't eating certain things, especially sugar. It was as if sugar in all shapes and forms suddenly became the only things that came to mind. It was ridiculous! My world has been reduced to visions of sugar plums!!

Derry -- Sorry to hear your daughter is now sick. These things do go the rounds, don't they. How is the weather? Hope you were able to see a doctor or get some medicine. How old is your daughter, by the way? Yes, Valentine's Day will be a problem I'm sure. Perhaps I can get around it by buying up some post VDay chocolate cheap and saving it till Easter. How are you doing? I think you can do better with weight loss if you try to substitute low calorie things for the chocolate. I usually don't do this, that's when I turn to nuts and deep-fried things, even chips, which I normally NEVER eat. Be careful you don't compensate in a high calorie way! Good luck!

jolly -- Thanks. I now understand about the operation. I don't think I could do that. Honestly. I can't even put eye drops in without holding my eyelid open and I can't be looking at the bottle. I do it in a mirror. Do they hold your eyelids open with something? Despite your little cave-in, it wasn't so bad. Like you said, you didn't have the chips and great save with the soda. Count down til Easter. Eyes on the goal!

Raven -- It's all about starting over again, isn't it? Take heart. Even top athletes have to start from zero after an accident or injury. Think of yourself like an athlete in rehabilitation. I was *****ing in the same way you were on another thread about the again and again and again and I am SO sick of it!! But let's just do it again and again. At least we're alive, at least we can. Let's have fun with what we have now. There is a young man in my neighborhood in a wheelchair. He was hit by a truck when he was 18, about 10 years ago, All he can use is his left arm. I talk to him and we've been out drinking. I think of him when I'm complaining about not being able to exercise, or not wanting to. I think of how he doesn't even have a choice and though maybe it doesn't make me get to the gym or work out I realize I am so privileged to even have that choice. Yes, you felt good on that treadmill. Do it because it feels good. Maybe you're putting too much importance on these goals of weight loss and a great body. I know I do. We have to just feel good in our bodies and then maybe improve just a little bit BECAUSE it feels good too. Let's try it, Rave.

Red - I think that's where I'm trying to get to. I have a great appreciation for the fact that I'm healthy and have the use of all my body parts.. I've gone through enough in my life to really respect that. It isn't something I take lightly, or for granted. In an instant... too many things can change. I think what I'm frustrated by is that I'm not taking full advantage of the capabilities I DO have. That bothers me. I'm strong, I'm healthy, I have all this wonderful potential. But it's only that, potential. If I don't do anything with it, that will never change. I think if things don't bug us, don't bother us about ourselves, we get complacent. I think there is a place for dissatisfaction within us. But it has to be to get us moving forward, not depress us to the point where we sink into being a blob.

I know that by choosing to move into a career that will demand that I be physically fit - not necessarily beautiful or slender - but strong and capable, I'm making a very positive change in my life. If I want to excel in this field, I'd better take care of my body. This has given me kind of the "reason" (I hate needing one) to get in shape again. Not "just" because it's healthy or "just" because I *should*. It's kind of like changing your life because you have diabetes or something... why can we do it then, but not to PREVENT it from happening? Bah. Anyway, my goals have changed a lot in the last couple weeks. And the feeling of doing this because my livelihood depends on it is kind of unique and cool.

Good morning ladies.

Not much going on here. I've been struggling with some back pain this week, so my exercise is not where it should have been. On the other hand, eating has been very good. So, it's a 50/50 sort of week.

I'm not going to weigh weekly anymore. I need to get away from validating my new lifestyle with the number on the scale. Things are looser, I feel better and can do more things by being active. The numbers on the scale will go down, but I am not giving them the power they have had for so long. I think I'll weigh on the last day of the month and have that be my number.

Good to see you back, Raven. Its always tough starting back again, but the only other option is to not do anything, and I know that is not in your plan. Good for you for following your dreams.

Red: Excellent job on the Lent thing. I am also doing well. No mindless snacking so far. I truly examine if I am hungry. If not, then no snack. If I am, have a healthy snack instead of junk. Works for me.

Derry: I'm going to be good for Valentines Day. Hubby and I are only exchanging cards. We are going to stay overnight at the beach when we get down to Oregon. That is our present to ourselves. Not food. Makes me happy.

Jolly: I'm so glad things are going well for you after surgery. I would be way too freaked out to have it done. Thankfully I don't have eye problems---yet. Great job on the mini victories!

Well, I'm outta here for the weekend. We leave next Friday for two weeks. I won't be checking in on the thread, either. No computers or anything--just having fun with my family and friends.

I'll keep checking in next week.

Happy Weekend!

Chach

Hey, I haven't posted, but I've been keeping up with everyone.
Jolly, I'm glad surgery went well.
Raven, sounds like you're on the right track. I had a job working with animals that demanded physical fitness and left little time for poor eating habits. I weighed the least ever in my adult life at that job. Life changes/choices have alot to do with.... well.... everything!
I hope everyone's Lent committments go well. I'll try not to bring up the "C" word anymore!
I am still feeling a little bad about making my sister-in-law sound like a person who isn't as awesome as she really is. On the other hand I can't deny that I usually leave their home feeling bad about myself. But that's my fault.
Diet-wise I've been doing terrible. I've been eating alot, and beer is still my friend. Fortunately there isn't anymore and I'm not going to buy any either. I replaced my scale battery and amazingly I haven't gained. Maybe I needed a few more calories to nurse the baby. Growth spurt or something.
My mom might be moving out here. She lives with my brother on the east coast now. She had a stroke a few years ago and isn't doing too well. She's going to move into an assisted living place about 20 minutes from here. Hopefully she will do better around other people her age with organized activities to keep her busy. She's pretty much housebound now and it's no good for her OR my brother. It's going to complicate my life some. I'll have even less time to myself, but I'm excited that I'll be seeing my mom weekly rather than twice a year as it has been since my oldest was born. And my brother can have a more normal life too.
Well, I hope everyone has a great week-end. I'm not planning anything exciting, maybe some house work. Whee.

Hi people. Saturday night here. Just in from work. Have more work to do. Wanted to reply and keep caught up here. It's the fourth day of my "4 for 40" challenge. That's what I'm called this thing for Lent. So far, so good. It is hard though. The sugar, as I've said, I've done, but now I'm looking for other foods to take the place of all that munching. What I really need to do is change the excessive eating but . . . that'll have to come later I think. Right, now, kill the trigger foods, the high-calorie foods. I made a big salad though today. Not much in the exercise department though. Really ashamed of that kind of, ah well. Ah, no wait! I did walk! Got on the train THREE stops later than usual and got off it ONE earlier than usual. Yes, that was good.

*******

Raven -- Oh, don't think I've "gotten" there quite yet. I'm still trying too, getting there, slipping away, back again. But I feel a lot better about my efforts than before. Oh, I definitely think we need to always feel that healthy dissatisfaction. It's necessary to change I think, develop, progress, explore. But not feeling ticked at ourselves doesn't necessarily mean we are complacent. I know what you mean totally though. I'm trying to rail against the same thing, the contentedness, passivity and complacency that is what you get when you give up on your dreams, citing "reason" after "reason." I think it's very rare that people don't give up on their dreams. There is really very little support because getting to them means hard work and sacrifice and a **** of a lot of uncertainty and moments where we, to use a Bible analogy, cry out with the, "why hath thou forsaken me?!" bit, make ourselves really unpleasant to be around and send friends and lovers running! But, you know, recently, I really think I'm changing. It's a part of why I'm not working out and all right now I think. I just decided to slow down, go a bit easier on myself but I haven't at all given up. I'm regrouping my resources I think. Raven, how can you not need a "reason" to get in shape? I certainly wouldn't feel back about that. I don't think anyone doesn't need a reason. And I don't think you're the kind of shallow person who lets appearance dictate to you. You're not morbidly obese. I think you're pretty fit, right? So, I think this career change is perfect. I think I'm the same. I don't know. If I can get really excited about being real strong and lean I think it will have to be the feel, not the look. Maybe I could start thinking of the "feel" of it. Hard to do when I've never been there but. . . Raven, as far as changing because we have diabetes or something, well, heck, that's mostly just fear and most change is fear motivated, probably the biggest one is the fear of rejection by a lover or the fear of not being accepted. I mean, why do so many people balloon after marriage? In any case, I think you can really use this career change as a good motivation for your "new you," -- RAVEN NTH EDITION. REVISED. -- Not only is it necessary to be strong, but you will want to be lean so you'll be more comfortable and heck, it can't hurt to be good-looking too. You can be the new poster model for the Farriers Association of America! (photo of you holding your hammer in one hand, the other hand rests on a horse's backside as you wink) "Com' on sweetheart. Give Raven a leg up, will ya."

Chachee -- Good going on the eating. I think I've been decent, still consuming lots of calories but I don't think I can go quite so overboard as when I'm eating the FAB 4!! that I have cut out for Lent. Glad to hear the clothes are looser. I'm the opposite unfortunately but I really think these next 5 weeks should show some improvement. Sounds like you'll have a thinning Valentine's Day. That does sound nice. Have a good weekend and hope to hear from you next week before you're off. You must be excited, no, about your coming vacation?

Apple Blossom -- I couldn't figure out what the "C" word was at first! But then I got it! You bet, evil stuff around here til the Bunny comes! Oh, Apple, don't worry about your sister in law and having slandered here and dragged her name through the mud!! It was nothing like that! We all need to rant and we all exaggerate. We were just concerned because we don't know how much is truth and how much exaggeration. But now we do, so don't sweat it! I mean, heck, it's like the kids screaming, "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!!" They don't really hate you, just a teeny bit maybe, but it feels great to say it. That's what you were doing. So, laugh. I think it's funny. We won't tell anyone! Sounds like you're going through a diet slump, eh? Well, at least the scale was gentle. Are you nursing now? Oh right, the little one the son was "punishing." Sorry, all the stories don't stay with my sievelike mind! I think you'll enjoy being able to see your mother more. I mean, they're not with us forever and she needs you for sure. I miss my father whom I never see since I can never get back to the States. My mother died when I was 23 so I never got really to know her when I was a mature adult (if that's what you can call me now! )

Hope to hear from the others, Derry? Michelle anyone else? Newbies out there. Jump in!