Hope everyone is having a good day!

Carol, you're doing a great job in planning ahead for a healthy camping trip. I hope that you have perfect weather and no more itchy vegetation.

Skininy, tell me more about your walks! I hope the scale reflects your hard work, but if it doesn't, you're still getting closer to your goals. When I can fit into a size 14 like you can, I will shout hallelujah!

I'm doing well today, did my long (55-minute walk) this morning and will be heading to Curves shortly. Thanks for asking about my brother. The doctors say that he doesn't have blood clots after alll, and have taken him off blood thinners. But they don't know what to treat him for, so he's still weak as a cat and having trouble breathing. He's never stayed at a hospital before, but he's being entertained by a steady stream of visitors and is in good spirits, I think.

I will have five days off over Labor Day. If I don't go home to Ohio to see about my brother, I plan to play Spa Vacation--spa menu, lots of working out and pampering, just being as healthfully self-indulgent as I can!

Keep making good choices--judy

Judy, I'm really glad for the good news about no blood clots and still will keep him in my prayers for a diagnosis. Good job on the walk and Curves. You and I will both be shouting hallelujah together. I wear a comfortable 18 now and have been happy about that. 14 will be even way better.

I rode the exercise cycle for 30 minutes, did my situps and arm weight this afternoon. I'm starting to feel a lot better. The headache is easing and my neck isn't as stiff. The nausea and runs aren't as bad so I think whatever bug I had may be easing.

Talk to you all later.

Hi Judy, Marie, Carol, Skinny, Roll (where are you?),

Wow! You're all off to a running start despite so many issues arising all around you. Skinny, I'm so sorry about your DS - it's so hard to have a child with a problem you can't fix. It's so hard to see people struggle when you know they have to find their own way. You and your DH have been great supports. The Honduran trip sounds wonderful. I'll be heading south to a family reunion in Brazil in April. So I have an incentive to lose the flab too. Just think we can be talking about the shorts and t-shirts we'll bring with us.

Marie, the concert, though a long trip, sounds like fun. You have been so positive and inspiring. Thanks. Thanks for encouraging me for back to school. My home life has been so crazy lately and very, very busy that the first week of school is looking like a vacation to me - some time with only adults.

Judy, I'm glad you're looking at your visit to your brother as a vacation for you too. Is this the brother that visited you. It sounds like you two have a great relationship.

Carol, as always you have the right thing to say and wonderful advice. I'm sorry to hear about your neice too. I hope your poison oak is better.

I'm off to the mountains for a few days. We're planning to climb Mt. Washington tomorrow - New England's highest peak. We're climbing with my sister's family. I'll let you know how it goes when I return on Monday. Until then, enjoy one of the last weekends' of summer.

Hi all, just a quick note before to share the good news. I lost another pound. That's 6.5 pounds since I returned from the cruise 4 weeks ago. I'm so excited, I had to share wiht my friends. Definitely it was the meds that was causing my body to hang onto the weight. I haven't eaten more or less since stopping them.

IT'S FRIDAY! HAPPY, HAPPY FRIDAY!

TTYL.

Hey, there--

Marie--congratulations Happy, happy Friday, indeed! Keep it going!

Yes, Tired, this is the brother who's visited me last month. They finally figured out that he has 'atypical' pneumonia, so they've begun treating him for that. It's still a bit mysterious, and we're wondering if there was a problem with his lungs before which was exacerbated by the hike up Mount Fuji. Poor guy, every time I call him on the phone someone has just stuck, probed or drained him...In any case, it looks like he's finally on the mend. He's beginning to eat again and hopes to be out of the hospital in another day or so. Thanks for all of your prayers and good wishes.

I didn't have time for my long walk this AM, so I did the 25-minute alternate route, and will do it again this evening--or maybe the long walk, it depends on how hot it gets later on. So far none of my joints are complaining about so much walking and going to Curves, so I'm feeling very good looking towards a fall routine. I still struggle not to eat extra snacks in the evening, but it's getting easier.

I've been trying to visualize success, which is always hard for me. What am I really looking forward to when I reach my first big goal (200 lbs)? I'm looking forward to wearing cherished winter clothes that I haven't been able to wear in years (if ever), and to not laboring to get up out of low chairs or couches. Anticipation....what are you ladies looking forward to?

judy

Good Afternoon.

Congratulations Marie! That's a lot of weight to lose, enough to really make a difference in how your clothes feel and look. Inspirational once again! Keep it up!

Judy, great job taking an alternative route rather than skipping it all together. It's good to hear about your visualization - I want to do that too.

Great hike up Mt. Washington - 11 miles round trip (5 miles up and about 6 down - two different trails). The view up and down was spectacular. If you haven't hiked a mountain in a while I highly recommend it - a fun way to exercise. I took my time and was the last one up and down but I did it - first time in 23 years. The good news is this year I've run three miles and hiked many mountains - things I haven't been able to do well in a long time. The challenge remains to eat healthy and live a more balanced life. I'll do some visualizing about that today. Take care all. Time to rest now.

Tired. I've hiked up Mt McLoughlin that is around here (all right I quit about 150 yards formt he top but the angle was horrible and it was all lava gravel - I was terrified) and it was quite a workout. At the time I was 35 pounds less and very into exercise. I couldn't move for days. I definitely couldn't do it now.

DH and I talked about next summer when I'm slim and fit (pretty cool conversation). I told him I wanted to start biking and rollerblading again, that at this weight I'd be terrified of falling and hurting myself. We also talked about where my goals are. I'm an 18 right now and want to be a 10. Alas, I will need a new wardrobe and he was okay with that. I did tell him I could stay fat and save us clothing $$$ but the food $$$ would go up. He chose the slender me. I think he really uinderstands that this is the focus of my life. This is something I want so bad that nothing and no one will deter me. I wish the millions of other times I started a diet I wanted it this bad - then I wouldn't be in the place I am now - 194 pounds.

We finished walling in where the garage door had been. Tomorrow I will paint the siding so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, but we made major progress.

We also took the dogs for a hike on Hamaker Mountain. It's about a 2 mile hike and it was great. For the first time this summer, I didn't have to take rests on the way up. Could be that I was breathing decently since I used my inhaler before we started. We also lounged in the pool late this afternoon to cool off.

Yesterday and Friday I used the exercycle for 30 minutes each time. Once when I was chatting on the phone, I sat on the cycle and pedalled for the 5 minutes of the call. Much better than sitting on the couch.

So basically I had a good weekend. I've still had a slight headache, but much better than early last week. I'm still a little nauseous, but that's okay - makes dieting a breeze.

TTYL.

Hi Marie, you are doing awesome. I like your goals. You'll save lots and lots of health dollars by losing weight. So many health problems in older age are related to being overweight like diabetes, joint replacements, asthma, etc. I imagine that my weight is about 180 now. I haven't weighed myself in a while but I'm around a 14-16 size. In Feb. I was a 12-14. A 10-12 is a perfect goal size for me. You'll be able to chase your grandchild around better at a lower weight too. I'm trying to imagine myself without all the flab - I just want to get rid of it. I know I will feel great. I'm still slimmer than I was last year at this time and that feels good.

I start back to work today. My dh took the week off to support me and the children. That will really help me make a good weight loss start too. Take care all.

Hey, Tired, congratulations on the hiking trip! I like the idea of hiking, but I am never sure of my footing and am miserable on steep, uneven surfaces. It's wonderful that you've been able to do some new/old things this year. Good for you!

Marie, your hubby sounds very cool and supportive. Does he have any brothers .

Don't look now, but I've changed my ticker--down a few more pounds, or 7.5 lbs less than two weeks ago. I started the Fat Flush detox yesterday and am doing pretty well so far. I really want to see 229 by Labor Day, to give myself some momentum. So far, so good.

I'm thinking a lot about people I know who are affected by this latest hurricane. I've spent a lot of time in New Orleans, and it's hard to see the pictures on the internet of the damage being done. And the storm is moving up through one of the poorest regions in the country. We should all count our blessings!

Carol, Roll, Skinny--I hope you are all doing well.

judy

Hi all. Judy, thanks for heightening our awareness about the storm. It looks awful on the news. My heart is with all those people. A few years ago we lost power for four days in the winter. It was so hard and it's so minor compared to what they have to deal with.

Congrats on the awesome weight loss. You'll definately hit 200 in no time - you're on your way! You must feel good.

Yesterday, I started back to school. I'm hoping to have a healthy routine this year.

I ate
two apples (140)
two granola bars (300)
one tuna sandwich (400)
chips with avacado (400)
one chocolate sorbet bar (excellent chocolate fix) (80)
watermelon (50)
tomato (50)

all in all about 1500 cals - a good start. I really want to achieve my goal of 150 by next summer. I know I will feel great without all this flab. Plus I love to wear nice looking clothes and last night when I went shopping I was feeling the extra weight.

Take care all.

I'm 41 & married, we don't have any children. I've been struggling with my weight since I was 12. I've never been this heavy. I'm 5'7" and weigh around 275, but I want to weigh about 150...I know its going to take a long time...I work in an office so I'm stuck behind a desk all the time...I think my main issue is getting into a set plan & sticking to it...My work hours have been changing from week to week & nothings regular for me...

I started my first diet at 12...my babysitter encouraged me & the only thing I remember about it was a breakfast bar for breakfast...

When I was 18, I did some strange starvation diet..during the week..mainly only eating dinners...and blowing it every Saturday. I did get down to 135..but too many men were noticing me, so I put the weight back on...

I tried WW 15 or so years ago, that worked pretty well, but I hated the meetings...who wants to be weighed by a bunch of strangers?

I'm starting the OA diet (Plan "A" Abstinence) on Friday.. My sisters been on it for 5-6 years & it worked really well for her (shes a size 8 or 10 at tops)

When I met my husband 11 years ago I weighed about 170 (used fen-fen to get there) from 220

My husband & I tried the Southbeach diet about a year ago...but it got too expensive..we have limited income...hopefully that will change soon.

I just had shredded wheat with skim milk & a cup of coffee with skim milk.. not sure of the calories...i know i won't be able to eat this way after friday...

I'm looking forward to meeting lots of supportive people in this forum...I like the posts I've read so far...

Thanks for listening,
Alipea

Alipea welcome this is a good site for support, encouragement and full of new ideas on how to reach our goals. Welcome aboard!
Marie keep up your good work it is starting to show on the scale just think what it will be like if you continue to be good and reach for your goal. I am going to set some mini goals for myself next week. After my camping trip. We are off and running again on friday. Last week end I did pretty good didn't really over induldge too much. I did have a bit of white wine. Snacks I kept at a limit. In fact over all I did pretty good. Not as much exercise as some other trips. This week is suppose to be beautiful so kayaing is in the plans for at least a couple of times an hour at a time. I am taking extra funds for that still haven't bought mine yet. Gotta ck it out this week. I am planning the menu for this weekends trip. I am adding in fruit, veggies and lean meat to be grilled. I think we might try some grilled marinated veggies. I haven't been on the scale but feel good and the clothes fit well. I have had a few compliments from others on my wt. Thats always a nice feeling for all of us. When other women notice you've lost and are nice enough to say so. I love it! I did attend the fair two days in the row lots of walking. I didn't do to bad with the eating yesterday I had a chicken pita. It was good. The other day camping I took a whole wheat pita put lean hot shaved ham on it an jalopeno cheese slice wrapped it in some foil stuck it on the grill to heat up! Yum! And the calories not so bad. I haven't been doing a lot of snacking on chips etc. I have indulged in fresh fruit lately in the evening. Well thats it on me!
Judy you are doing well trying your best to stay on track even know you've had extra to worry about. Hope your brother is doing better you two seem pretty close. I wish my brother was more like yours. He is married and all for her side of the family distant with his own more so. Oh well what can one do? Move on I have lots of my own family now. My grandsons went to the fair with me yesterday lots of fun and so well behaved. My 9 yr. old grandson and I built a blue bird house together my treat. That was fun!
Tired glad your thinking ahead about school setting up your room and thinking of how you will handle stressful times. That is important don't forget to have some good treats in your desk to choose from for when you need a little something. Brazil sounds wonderful you will have something nice to work towards. I am working towards Hawaii in the spring time or summer. When ever I can budget enough for it.
Skinny your doing well keep it up girl!
I think it would be a good idea if we all wrote what we do for wt. control or loss. Mine is calorie counting trying to stay at 1400 or 1500 a day. Some special occassion days it goes up but then I try to preplan the day ahead. THis has helped me to control my wt. I like calorie counting as I feel I have more control over what I can have to eat. I just need to count it in or pre plan. How do you do it? What has worked for you? Why do you like your plan? Don't want to put anyone on the spot just wondered what others are doing out there?
Hope i DIDN'T FORGET ANYONE?

Morning everyone, Alipea, welcome to a great thread. Sounds like you've been on the weight merry go round for a long time. I hope that your OA plan is exactly what you are looking for. I've never tried their plan (or know very much about it for that matter). I have tried Adkins, the Weight Loss Clinic (lost 85 pound with that but they're out of business now), briefly WW and now I just watch my calories. I stay about 1300-1500 calories a day. Someday a little less, rarely any more. I don't count per se, I know the calories of pretty much every food I eat, so I add it in my head. I stay around 300 calories for breakfast, 500 calories for lunch and 500 calories for dinner. Makes adding it really easy.

Carol, making the blue bird house sounds like fun. I'm looking forward to playing with my grandbaby and doing grandparent/grandchild things with them. My kids didn't have involved grandparents. Your grandkids are really lucky. And your meal planning is great. Pat yourself on the back - camping is not easy to be on a diet.

Tired, I thought of you yesterday. Our teachers returned yesterday too and I know how stressed you get at work. I hope that you've been able to de-stress other parts of your life so that this year doesn't have you in so mnay knots as it did last spring.

Judy. You are doing great. What is the Fat Flush detox? I don't think I've heard of it before. You'll make your 3 pound loss by Monday and if you don't Tuesday will be okay with us I hope you do make it but if you don't you're doing so great and doing what's good for your body that if it takes a little longer, then it takes a little longer. But if I were a betting person, I'd bet that you'll make it.

I had weigh in this morning and stayed the same. I was so hoping for a little movement on the old scale (just to perk up a day that I know will be yucky at work) but the scale said so sorry. I'm not as bummed as I was an hour ago. I made myself a real breakfast of an egg, 3 slices of bacon and a half and english muffin (=299 calories according to Lifeform) and I'm ready to hit my day. I woke up an hour early so here I am surfing before work. I'm teaching an 1.5 hour inservice to the teachers this afternoon and the presentation is only about 1/2 hour long. So I've got to work on it this morning and get it up to at least an hour with time for questions at the end. I don't mind teaching, it's just not my favorite thing to do. Tired, FYI, it is what my masters is in - I just don't do it.

My headache is back - I think it is a M-F thing. I know excedrine will get rid of it temporarily but I don't want the caffeine. I think that it is work (which has really been irritating me lately) or still the withdrawal from the bipolar meds. I don't know but it is starting to make be grumpy. I do think that the mania has subsided and I'm coasting along at a normal level. Certainly not depressed, but I'm not acting manic. (Could be the headache that is toning the mania down).

My thoughts and prayers are with those in the gulf south. The devestation is just so horrible. Katrina looked terrifying. Judy, I agree it makes one realize how lucky they are.

I suppose I should should stop rambling. I only have 15 minutes left before I have to go to work. TTYL.

PS Hi Skinny!!! Where are you?

Aahhh, it's good to be back. My computer has been less than well-behaved since last Weds. so that's why I haven't been around. I missed you guys!

Things here are going well. I had a bad day Saturday; very grumpy and moody and no-it wasn't TOM! I had some things running around in my head that I should have talked to DH about instead of keeping it inside and brooding. So, I did some emotional eating but not bad. I'm back on track now with exercise and eating so no worries. Oh, I also talked to DH about what was going on in my heart and head. We've worked through everything and have decided to be more committed to making time for each other. Bottom line, I was feeling a little neglected by DH b/c we've been so busy and we have to focus on our kids so much right now. So, committment is there for daily communication, a date every three weeks-alternating who plans it-prayer time together at least twice a week and a weekend couples retreat within the next 6 months. It's such hard work to have a great marriage and its easy to get distracted but we're getting back on track. I want my marriage to be a good example to my DD's.

Marie-Congrats on your weight loss. Don't get discouraged b/c it didn't move today. You're doing great. Just stay faithful to what works for you and you'll come out a winner, I have no doubt! Hang in there. Are your kids going to find out the gender of the baby? Feel better soon.

Judy-How is your brother? He's in my thoughts and prayers. Congrats on your weight loss. Way to go! I've been thinking about what you said about visualizing. I have a formal, long black velvet dress that I'm looking forward to getting into. When DH and I are where we want to be with our weight loss, I'm going to wear my dress and DH is renting a tux and we're going to the opera and a weekend out of town. *sigh* I can hardly wait! Also, I just like being able to play volleyball with the kids and not feeling like I can't breath!

TOF-Sounds like you're hike was great! Congrats. You've come a long way, haven't you? Keep up the good work! How's your first week back at school? I've been thinking of you. My oldest DD is in an Honors English class this year and they're reading the Shining by Stephen King. UGH. I really wasn't crazy about her reading that but expressed my concerns and left the decision up to DD. She's very grounded and I decided to trust her judgment. She's reading it. She actually likes the plot but could do without all the language and sex. She's very excited about this class and it's good prep for college.

Alipea-Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! You are in the right place for encouragement and good info. It's so great to come here and to know everyone here is pulling for you. I am doing WW right now and I love it. I don't go to weekly weigh ins at WW. I weigh in w/a group of friends from church. That way, no strangers and no $$! Be sure to check in often to keep us updated.

Carol-Congrats on your good eating choices-especially at the fair. I don't know if I would have been able to pass up the cotton candy! Glad you had a great time w/your grandkids at the fari. You're doing well with your healthy lifestyle. Keep up the good work.

Ladies, my DH has been doing WW for 6 weeks and has lost 26.5 pounds! I hate him. Seriously, I so glad he's doing well. He was on the verge of giving up b/c nothing seemed to work for him. It's so much easier to do this when he's doing it as well.

My thoughts and prayers are with the folks who were caught in Katrina's path. It does truly make one realize how blessed we are. Those trivail complaints just die on my lips when I think of all they're going through. I was watching the news at the Y this morning and just about cried right then and there. They interviewed a man who couldn't get out. He was protecting his grandchildren and wife; trying to hold onto his wife to keep her from being swept away. She looked at him, told him she loved him, to take care of their kids and grandkids and then she was gone. I felt so sorry for this man! Ugh. We are blessed, indeed. Hug your family extra tight tonight.

Gaaaaah!!! Once again I type a lengthy mesage, and lose it because I get kicked offline if I don't post or click regularly. So here's the Reader's Digest version of my post.

Alipea--nice to meet you! We have a lot in common. I used to weigh around 275, although most of my adult life I've been between 220 and 240 (which partly explains why I've been stuck in the 230s for so long this year). This is a great site, and I'm looking forward to your support on this thread.

Tired, you are starting the school year off on the right foot! You deserve a gold star today.

Carol--I rarely associate "yum" with camping food, so I admire how much thought you're putting into planning delicious, healthy choices for what I know will be a great trip.

Marie, I'm sorry to hear that those headaches are back. Have you tried alternate therapies, like acupuncture? I hope they go away soon; M-F is too long to deal with headaches!

Skinny--your husband is a WW poster boy! He lost nearly five pounds a week, that's really something.

My brother is hanging in there, thanks for asking. He made a dr's appt for Friday, and realizes that he's just got to let his body recover from the pnuemonia (and from the hospital "treatment").

Carol asked us to describe our programs. Ignoring this detox thing, I'm eating lower-carbs, good-fats, avoiding sugar and processed flour. I do cardio most days, mostly 25 minutes-one hour 20 minutes of walking, plus Curves three days a week.

Okay, gotta get back to work. See you tomorrow--keep it going, ladies!

judy