Hello Ladies,

Way to go specialk and Dakota! You both are doing fab!

I am so happy for you both.


ok, I need to get ready to head off to my job as a glorified paper pusher.

Until later,

C

Howdy all!

Wow!! It's been waaaaay too long since I read the threads or posted. Or watched my food intake....
Howdy and a big wave to all y'all new chicklets. WW is such a great program. It's really just "normal" living. <sigh> but I'm so much above normal....:-)

Been way to crazy at work - mostly mentally. In fact, the last time I posted in late June was right before I wanted to kill my boss with my own bare hands. It was the first really crazy hormonal menstrual cycle I ever had. Since then I have seriously considered quitting and going back to school and taking much better care of my home. Long story there, now I just have to get up the gumption to give notice.

On a good note, I've been to the gym 4 times this week -woohoo!
Cya soon!

Hi Everyone! I'm home from vacation!!!!! It was a great trip. My WW went well. I did pretty goodl! Got on the scale this morning and lost 1#! That was the hardest vacation I have ever been on. lol! My family was pretty encouraging and helpful tho!

***QUESTION - Does anyone have the booklet with the "allowed" points for your weight? My 18 year old daughter wants to start the program with me and I can't find my book with that info in it .............So I need to know how many points you can have if you weigh in the range of 175 - 195#. I did get on ebay and get her the points slider and some other small things!

Dora - Great job on the exercise! Thats commitment!
Dakota & specialk - woohooo! Keep it up!

Talk to you all later!

meram - 24 pts. Congrats on the vacation! I sure wish I could take one lol.

Hope everyone else is doing good...

I'm sticking to it, but havent' lost anything so far this week. Me thinks it's almost TOM again {ugh}. I did buy Yourself Fitness, a cd rom that acts like a personal trainer and I'm loving it!

Hi Dakota! Thanks so much! She is starting tomorrow! Wish us luck!!!!

Howdy all!!

Jeanne -I have some extra weekly journal from 3 years ago -they indicate the point spread to be 22-29 for the weight range of 175-199.
This is from when you could count all of your fiber against the total calories. And when carrots and onions were considered FREE veggies. So, being old school, I figure they're still free in my book.
Really, how many folks truly gain weight because of overeating carrots?

Dakota, I don't usually do home cd workouts, but this one intrigues me. Could you tell us a bit more about how your personal trainer works?

WTG, Curvy Chick!! And it is NOT SILLY to feel svelte. Or Skinny, or lean, or strong, or sexy, or beautiful. You have done a lot of work and accomplished great good for yourself. Plus, your clothes are literally hanging off of you. So go ahead and enjoy the new you and re-focus on the upcoming version.

Wow, there are so many cool ladies on this thread. I just have to keep reading and learn more about you all.

Tina, welcome aboard.

And about the chocolate shop employee - Good luck with that. I'd be having to take lots of strong mouthwash and my toothbrush to work.

And, speaking of work, I actually quit my job Friday. It took me all week to do it cause I love my boss. He is mentally ill and really should not be trying to run a business. But a special person pointed out that perhaps I am abetting the situation by trying to cover for him all of the time. We are still friends and he asked me to stay until Aug 12 to cover a co-worker's vacation. Which is fine, but I keep kicking myself for not doing this in June and having some of the summer left with my daughter. Whatever.

So, now I am making a mental list of all those small home projects that can be finished. And saying goodbye to the collection of dust bunnies -if anyone wants em, speak up now.! And planning to either hit the gym harder (now that my time won't be limited to early mornings) or add the 3 mile walks that I used to do years ago. And perusing the community college offerings for the classes I want to take. Nothing strenuous, just several outlets I would like to sample. Aaahhhh, and the joy of having the house to myself.

Here's a fun thing: I just bought a Soda Club carbonating machine. I've been trying to kick the "coke" habit for years. The amount of artificial sweeteners I've ingested since high school would probalby kill a lab rat family. And, now that my unemployment is looming, I figure saving a bit of money in the long run would be nice. Anyhow, the starter kit comes with a large canister of C02, the machine, two pop bottles, and a 12 flavor sampler pack of syrups. Doh, I didn't realize that there weren't any diet ones in there, but that's ok.

This thing fits under my cabinets, was easy to assemble, and we made lots of soda right away. So far I have a 2 liter bottle of sparkingly water in the fridge, waiting for my kid to flavor or for me to just drink plain.(crushed limes are good, too) The CO2 cartridge is supposed to be enough to make 110 liters of soda -probably less for me as I really like lots of fizz. And, a 12 pack of diet DDr. Pepper cans costs at least $2.50 and only lasts a week. I realize that I spend hundreds of dollars each year on just my own soda intake. So, if I actually use this contraption, the initial cost is covered in less than a year. If my hubby and kid find flavoring that they like, then it pays for itself that much faster. The replacement cartridges are only $20 at my local store. If you are interested, surf sodaclubusa.com -there's a list of dealers or you can order online.

Sorry for the novel. There's more to come when I actually leave the ole job and turn to you ladies for my support system. LOL, I was using this site and losing before I went to work. Been there a month shy of 5 years now and have lost and then re-gained way too much fat.
Good news, I did go to the gym 5 days last week. Hurray! And didn't totally pig out yesterday. Hurray!

Have a super day, ladies. I"ll see you soon!

well, it's called Yourself fitness, and is available for PC, Xbox, or PS2. Basically it has this trainer, named maya, who evaluates your fitness level at the beginning, and then designs workouts for you. There is over 500 different exercises on the program. You can choose a focus and work toward that, or go with whatever Maya chooses as your focus. It also included a meditation garden where you can do a yoga workout as well. She also lets you adjust the difficulty level of the workouts if it's too hard or too easy. I'm loving it, and am very glad I spent the $30 for it. You can also use weights, a balance ball, a step, and a heart rate monitor in conjunction with it, but you don't have to. However I'd recommend getting the balance ball and hand weights because it gives you more viariety in the workouts, esp upper body. The website on it is www.yourselffitness.com and I believe it has a free workout if you'd like to see what it's like.

I love it, and it's cheaper than a gym membership!

Now where did I put that motivation??????? I know it's around here somewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 cities in 2 weeks.........I'm so glad I'm home (for at least 3 weeks!). But I think I gained 3 or 4 lbs.....no time to work out, and eating odd things at odd hours. So I'm gathering up whatever motiviation I've got left and recommitting to WW........I'm so close to 250lbs, I just can't stand it!

I've been reading all of your posts to catch up and I'm feeling the waves of motiviation beginning to roll over me.......my WI is on Wed, and I'm going to deal with whatever the scales tells me.

I don't feel out of control, I just don't feel that I'm being pro-active like I need to be to be successful. My 43rd bday is Friday and I had hoped to have my 250lb 'prize' by then (charm bracelet)---I'm sure hubby and the kids will still buy it, but I won't consider it MINE until I hit that 250 mark. My first non-food related reward.......what a concept!

I'll give you an update on Wed, whether it's good or bad!

Welcome back Thekidsmom! Ahhhh, sounds like it has been hectic! Good luck with your WI! What a great accomplishment so far and Happy Birthday!

Dora - Thanks for the info! My stuff is from the old book as well! My daughter is on her 3rd day. She has done awesome and seems to be very motivated and excited! Oh.....and.......I'm the "chocolate shop employee" - Had a terrible first day back after vacation!!!!! I can't stay away from the stuff! Grrrrr! I will have a salad for dinner tonight and I am going to exercise some of that chocolate off this afternoon!!!!! You know what really gets me.........I know when I'm "pigging" out that I'm going to pay for it over dinner and I'm going to work that much harder with exercise............but I do it anyways!!! Sighhhh! Oh well..........back at it effective immediately!!!
Soooooooooo - how is the Soda Club carbonating machine working??? Very interesting! Good luck! They say soda (coke, pepsi, mt. dew) is one of the hardest things to kick?!?!?
Well, gotta do dinner and run my youngest to gymnastics!
Everyone have a good night!

Hi, everyone. I'm new to the forum, too. I did WW before my first daughter was born and loved it. I have been steadily gaining weight ever since. My wonderful husband and I talk occasionally about going on a diet and agree that yes, we need to do something about it... but we never actually do anything about it. I think we are both waiting for the other one to push the "Start" button. Well, now I'm 265 pounds and I'm tired all the time and am uncomfortable, I hate my pictures, and I am starting to outgrow my jeans and I REFUSE to buy the next size up!!! So I am pushing the "Start" button NOW!

We can't afford to do the real program right now, but I'm going to dust off my points books and find my slider and get going. I'm SO thankful I found all of you!

~ Marylyn

P.S. Regarding my user name, I was eating carrots when I signed in. I actually like rabbit food. :-)

Welcome Rabbitfood! Congrats on hitting the START button! I, too, waited for my husband to agree to join me for a number of years........finally I just had to make this work and started out on my own. Now, if he doesnt like what I've made for supper, he's welcome to find something else in the kitchen. But, for the most part, he just makes a face at the veggies and eats them anyway!

I'm happy to say that in the last 4 weeks, I ONLY GAINED .8lbs! This is a HUGE accomplishment! Between our vacation, then 3 back to back business trips, and no time to work out, I truly feel successful. I hadn't been trying to lose for the last 4 weeks, just maintain. It was a stressful month on the road, and I felt if I tried to count points, or focus on the food, I would lose what was left of my mind. So I made the best choices I could each meal. I'm a happy girl tonite!

Tomorrow morning I will get up early and mow the grass b4 it gets too hot here--a 'cold' front has moved thru and the morning is promising to be cooler. But I'll still sweat like a pig! I wonder if I'll sweat less when I weigh less?

Dora--have you tried the WW 1pt chocolate/caramel bars? They are SO not in the league of the real chocolate at your shop, but they aren't bad (as long as you don't compare them bite for bite). With chocolate (and pop tarts as previously posted!) I'm an all-or-nothing gal--much like an alcoholic. Once I have one, I have to have them all! So I just don't buy them---I truly feel your pain working every day! Good luck tomorrow.

Well, ladies, thanks again for listening to me rant, and posting your own successes and failures--it keeps me going! Good night.............

Oops! Sorry Dora--it's Ram that works at the chocolate store, not you!

Ram--sorry I got confused.......maybe it's due to lack of chocolate!

Welcome aboard Rabbitfood!!!! Good job taking that first step! WE ALL KNOW how hard that is! Here's to success!

TheKidsmom - Nice! lol! Lack of chocolate!!!! That was a good one! Hey, I'm so glad to hear only a 0.8 gain! Woohooo.........thats probably just water. Thats what I always say anyway!

Dora - I'm taking mouthwash and gum with me today!!!! I am nervous about work today..........PMS!!!!! CHOCOLATE!!!!! They kinda seem to go together.

Well girls I don't get on the scale until Saturday morning and I'm not sure how it is going to go. I'll let you know. My daughter, Jessica, is on day 5 and still doing great! She says "it's fun"! Okie dokie then! lol! Well, anyways I'm so proud of her for even attempting this! She did sign onto 3FatChicks to the Teen Forum and met a nice girl about her age!

Well gotta run............working at 10! Have a great day everyone!

Howdy all!!

I'm getting excited & frustrated the closer my job comes to ending. Excited cause there is so much I can get done -more exercise time, massive overgrown yardwork (did I mention that my yard has 78 shrubs?) finally finishing the 3 paint jobs I started over the years. And frustrated because my boss seems to have done nothing to replace me (I plan to kick him in the rear about it today) and because those undone jobs are calling out to me....

But, overall, I am in such a happy frame of mind again. I've truly missed that.

Dakota, I like this trainer idea. I assume that my hubby & kiddo can do it also? Or is it more of a one-person trainer? Anyhow, it's on the cool things to investigate after August 12th.

Jeanne, I hope your daughter enjoys playing with the points. If you like, I would be glad to send her my material. I'm pretty sure I've memorized most of it. Too bad knowledge by itself doesn't make me fit. Send me a PM and we'll get together.

Here's a few junkfood ideas that helped keep me on track the first time.

Nachos -Baked Tostitos (or the spicy Doritos are good) beans of your choice, just a bit of shredded cheese. Pop under the broiler til the cheese melts. Add lots of free pickled jalapenos and salsa if you like. Mmmmm, salty, crunchy, cheesy, spicy.....(looks in cupboard for ingredients...)

Mini-pizza -split an English muffin, add tomato sauce of your choice (I use the cheapest spaghetti sauce available) Add toppings like free onion bits, mushrooms, chopped ham, and a tiny bit of that shredded cheese. Broil and enjoy.

I think it's a lot more fun to play with the ingredients and see how much free stuff you can get in there. Plus, with an English muffin, a couple of slices of the lower fat turkey pepperoni (hormel) are satisfying, and fairly cheap points-wise. I know I find it very very very difficult to have fewer than 3 slices of "regular" pizza. And that's enough to set the old food plan back for a week!

The Soda Club machine is pretty cool. Since one of my goals is to eliminate caffeine and aspartame from my life, I have ordered some of the malitol-based Da Vinci syrups to add a bit of flavor. Right now, I am just enjoying sparkling water with the occasional squeezed lime in it. Yummmmm. Hopefully, the syrups will help me create drinks that the whole family will enjoy. I"m a touch frustrated with how quickly the fizz departs when I re-bottle a drink. Perhaps I need a more rigid bottle to store stuff in. It's fun for now, I just hope it does what I want it to do.

Welcome, dear Bunny! I do love rabbitfood, but now I want a major salad to go with my nachos....I was right where you are a year ago. Shaved off 15 lbs just by going to the gym regularly. Now for the food part....Anyhow, glad to have you here!

Here's something fun that happened to me. I found something "foreign" in my bag of Baked Lays. So, I called the company and they sent me a special envelope to return the remains. And, they included lots of coupons for free Baked stuff and for free Frito-Lay products. Nice. So, after I send back the questionable product, they send a nice letter and MORE coupons. Wow. What a nice boost to the old grocery bill.

OOOps! Gotta Run

So Ram, your little Ramette says 'it's fun!'.............??????????? Maybe I was that happy and positive about the program when I first tried it (back in the late 1800's!). I can't say that it's FUN.......I will say that it's rewarding when I see a loss, but FUN? Nope. But, more power to her for jumping in with both feet and a good attitude.

Dora--I can totally understand your excitement the closer the end of your job gets. We recently had a large client leave at the office.....they were very demanding...which would have been fine, had they been willing to pay for the time we were all putting in. Believe me, no one cried as we packed up their files. However, it was disconcerting to see all the work we've done in the last 3 years walk out the door. Just make sure that you don't get 'sucked' in doing more than you should (or staying longer than you should) out of a sense of guilt or responsibility. Tho, based on how much your excitement level is increasing with each passing day, I don't think that's going to be a problem!

And I'm dying to know what the 'foreign' substance was in the Baked Lays!!!!!!!

I'm off to have my snack--milk and cereal, dessert of champions. Good Night!