Prayers to Catherine and Austin.

Hi girls! WI was today............nothing changed!! Maybe I shouldn't say that because I guess my atittude changed! lol! I normally would be sooooo bumbed if the scale didn't move. But..........I know that I'm working and staying OP and my clothes fit different, it's easier to tie my shoes, and I fit different in the bathtub! **just a little observation I made last night!

Jessica stayed the same too! I'll tell her you all asked about her. I think she is turning to muscle!

Heatherdw - Happy Birthday!

Dusty - that sauna suit sounds pretty cool! Oh, and I love your name!

AmmieUK - Jessica is 20 - and she is 5'2" and needs to lose about 50#. 16 year olds can be so challenging. I have one of those too! Fortunately she is in great health/shape so that is one challenge I don't have with her. However.....................BECAUSE OF THAT SHAPE I have many other challenges!!! lol! Just to let you know, both of my daughters love love love the ddr............so maybe that is an option if you don't already have it! I saw in one of your posts that you have a 16 year old step daughter too! So do I! They can be so tough on "us" step moms sometimes! However - WHEN - she is around - we have a pretty good relationship! How do the two 16 year olds get along?????? It can be tough at my house at times.

Well everyone - I'm in chocolate heaven so I better get back to work! We got the ty beanie babies 2.0 ineractive today - so I have to get the display up! Yay! We have had Webkinz for 2 1/2 years now and I was ready for a change! We also have been putting our chocolate hearts out all day! Yay again! I love my job!
Have a great day and hello to everyone!

Heather dw, Happy Birthday to you!! Where did you go to eat? It sounds like you did fine on your calories yesterday. You'll figure it out what works for you.

Brenda, on the 6.5lbs gone forever!!

Battle, how did it go eating out last night? I'm sure you did fine. Yes, the financial situation here in America is getting pretty worrisome. I hope our government can come up with something. Today they said that middle class is $100,000. That means we're poverty I guess. Sheesh. Who would of thought?

Dusty, good for you sweatin' all that fat and impurities out!!

Annie, thanks for the heads up on Catherine and Austin. What a shame. I was hoping she would carry this one. She would make a super mom. My prayers go out to them.
You ARE helping people Annie. I read your post to Emily, and even though you're not treating people health wise, you are helping them in other ways. Silly woman

Nancy, TOM is still going crazy. I'm still going to exercise today though whether it likes it or not!!
WOOOOOOOOWWWWW! what a difference in your photos!!! You look so pretty! Have you asked at the gym how to handle the weight training and dancing? They might be able to help.

Jar, I still want your job!! It just sounds like so much fun.

I'm still struggling with TOM. I still hope to see a weight loss tomorrow though. I've been pretty faithful in all aspects of my journey. I didn't exercise yesterday but plan on getting back to it today. I'll show TOM who's boss!!
Everyone who struggles, to those who are losing
Debbie

Greetings and salutations...

I am a former regular here...and scanning through the thread I was so happy to see familiar names and faces...you all were the ones who inspired me and kept me going on so many tough days. I'm also happy to see new names and faces because it means that people are still realizing that this is not a battle to be won alone.

So welcome back to ME.

Life Update:

11/25/06 MARRIED!!! Beautiful wedding...beautiful pictures...beautiful day. Could not have asked for more.

11/26/06 Honeymoon and complaceny begin!!! Hooray for food!! All food! Lots of food!!!

In the meantime Hubby and I try to stick with WW when we get back...which we do for a while but not with the success we once had. We get lazy, we cheat, we have great reasons to not go...we get fat. Then in the Spring of 2007 I have a meltdown at WW when the lady weighing me in "tsk tsks" me for gaining that week. EXCUSE ME??? So not her business. She is there to weight me, give me my sticker in my book and say "Next!" I needed to be judged that day like I needed IV chocolate syrup in my veins...so I talked to my leader and she reassured me that I wasn't making a big deal out of it and that she would talk to her. Would you believe that it happened again? So I quit. I had a total block against going...the very mention of it sent me into tears. I was still trying to do some things healthy in the house for my Hubby's sake...but I coud not go back and ake it work.

Over the summer, I auditioned for "The Singing Bee" a Karaoke game show on NBC here in the States. In early September they called me to ask me to be a potential contestant in their audience. Wouldn't you know it...I got picked!! LOng story short...I WON!!! $50,000 on the first episode I was on. I filmed a 2nd show as the returning champion but since it has not yet aired, I can't discuss it. The first episode aired on December 28.

Sounds like fun, right? Well it was until I saw the show on TV...I looked so god-awful I wanted to cry. I looked short and fat. Lots of people told me my outfit looked good and that I looked good..but all I saw was my gut and my thighs everywhere and how fat I looked...I saw everything bounce and jiggle and I was mortified. Talk about a moment of truth...to see what America saw...millions of Americans at that.

So...when hubby turned to me last weekend and said "We're going back on Wednesday [to WW]" I did NOT argue one bit. I out on my big-girl pants and just avoided the awful lady like the plague.

So...I'm now back up to 273. I figured I was closer to 290...so that's something. I am trying POINTS this time instead of Core...I got too good and cheating on Core...so a fresh start was in order.

I am so looking forward to meeting and remeeting you all...thanks as always for the support.

Best,

Julee

Julee,
Welcome back. I just joined a few days ago but I have read the forums on here on and off for 3 years or so.

Your story is so cool! The singing bee! My gosh how wonderful for you! And getting married too! Congrats all around!

You are brave in my mind, I would never go on a TV show right now. The thought alone makes me want to cry, and I am proud of you for doing it.

As for weight watchers….I tried that too. And I even wrote a short story about it for my class, about how it feels to be subjected to that each day. That tsk tsking from women who are lifetime members because they got their goal weight by losing 6 pounds in 1986 and then were offered a position on the ‘team’. It’s so difficult!

Good luck getting back into the swing of things! Iam sure you will do well with your supporting husband at your side!

Dusty

Debbie – The idea about asking my gym is a good one. In fact, they have a special for January where you can sign up for 3 trainer sessions (45 min once and 30 twice) for only $79, so I think I might do that.

Julee – Welcome back!!! You were so active here when I started and such an inspiration to me! So you have had some setbacks – sure it’s not great, but the important thing is that you are doing something now and not even further down the road. That is so horrible what happened to you at that WW meeting. It makes me want to come over there and smack that woman!!!

Sharon – I went ahead and posted my pics in the “normal” thread as well. I also added a pic of the haircut I got today. I really like it! I wasn’t at all offended by your comment about how big I looked when I started. It sometimes strikes me as odd too. I never felt that big, even when I was starting to have trouble getting around. In that picture I am in the Bahamas on vacation at the beach. There are also pictures from that vacation with me in a bathing suit sitting on the beach. As large as I was, I had decided I wouldn’t let it stop me from going out and enjoying myself. I feel pretty strongly about that and so I do have a sense of pride when I see those pictures for that reason. At the same time it was definitely limiting me tremendously and I am SO HAPPY at how far I have come. I look at those pics and think I also might have been larger than 350 at the time. Since there were several years when I wasn’t able to weigh in at the doctors’, I really don’t know. I only weighed myself for my starting weight after I had made the decision to lose weight.

Nancy, I absolutely LOVE your new haircut!!!

Luv,
Ratkity

Julee -- Welcome back!!! I remember you! I'm so glad you rejoined us! A while ago I remember people asking about you. I'm sorry you gained but I hope you'll join back up and bring the weight back down again!

Well, I have had a long week, but made it a little longer today when the circuit breaker on our fridge and stove failed (let's just call it "user error" and move on)! I moved all the freezer food to our downstairs freezer (though today, I could have left it outside) and the fridge food went out into the cold garage.

I didn't have an electrician, and I was in back to back meetings/classes from 8 am until nearly 2pm. But after that I found one who was at the house by 3:30 and had replaced it by 4! The breakers are really old and we were already considering replacing the box. I asked him to work up a quote to replace it while he was at it...

Anyway, it was just the cherry on the ice cream of my stressful day and week. I'm glad it wasn't serious, but I so need a break! Food-wise, I haven't handled it well. I have inhaled junk food today! Back on track tomorrow!

Awww Heather, sorry for the breaker break!

I've had my 72 yr old house's breakers and box replaced. It's called a Heavy Up cuz I upgraded the service amperage to the house as well. I sorry I can't rem how much it was, but I do recall it being pricey cuz of the mess my box was in at the time. I think my box was recalled and outlawed a few weeks after it was put in after an upgrade in 1967 (I didn't do it!! I was only 5 yrs old at the time and in another state). It was bad work to begin with. It's what happens when you have an old house... there are always the DPH (dreaded previous homeowners!).

I've been decluttering and cleaning here. Since decluttering the kitchen, I've been making an effort to keep it clean. I hate doing dishes! I'd do them once a week, whether they needed it or not! hehe

Special Hugs to my HippiVanLady and Himself.

Luv,
Ratkitten

I think we're going to increase the amperage... we'll see how much it is, but I have a decent idea as we had another quote a couple of years ago.

I had a good birthday! Brian let me pick what I wanted from this high end mall. I ended up going to Bath and Body works and hitting up the sales! I got these "Shower Sherbet" things for 2.80 marked down from 24.00 plus some lotion and body spritz. He also bought me a Nintendo DS game, and a 30 dollar taylor scale that figures BMI. I weighed tonight to try it out. It gave me the same weight twice which was 333 but that was at the end of the day and after birthday supper. We went to Macaroni grill since their nutritional info online and even if calories were bad, I could figure them in at least. I only ate half my entree (bowtie pasta with marinara sauce). Tomorrow is official weigh-in day and I am crossing my fingers. I had like... no water today and didn't get to do WATP because we got home late. I did walk all around the mall and all over walmart grocery shopping. On the way home, we stopped at Sonic for a drink and I got this thing called a Double Berry Smoothie. It was raspberry, strawberry and fat free yogurt and it was sooooooo good. It was cold and smooth like it had ice but it didn't. Maybe frozen fruit?? I want to recreate it so bad.

Just a quicky.

Heatherdw: Glad you had a great b day!

Julee: Welcome back. I remember you and have often wondered how your wedding was. Congrats to you. So sorry that you had a bad experience with ww lady. I had something like that happen too but, I also went back and was very glad I did. I learned a lot. Congrats also on the singing bee. Sorry it made you sad to see your weight gain. I bet you will start loosing soon again.

Well, Just wanted to say hey to everyone before bed. Hopefully more time to post. Today was my weigh in day and I actually forgot to weigh in. I will hopefully remember tomorrow am.

Blessings all,
Annie

OK - it's catch up time for me. Seems like I have been in a lurking mood and not very talkative.

First and foremost - my prayers are with Catherine and Austin at this time. Annie thank you for updating us.

Battle - when do you go east for the interview? What are your 3 fields of choice? At the point where you are I just don't see you eating your way through this process - just let us know if you start to though - we'll be glad to remind you of your own wisdom.

Debbie - sorry TOM is overstaying its welcome. I have been very fortunate to have zoomed right through menopause - finally one thing in life came easy. Just a very few hot flashes and about 4 months of very mild depression 5 years ago and I was done. Hope the back is feeling better too! Were you up to exercising today?

RK - hey girl! The parents getting older isn't easy is it. I live on the same block with my folks, I have a sister who is about 10 minutes away but one of my brothers wasn't sure they could grow old without him so he moved back from Texas. Sounds like your folks are very active - especially if your mom can out DDR you. Could you send some decluttering motivation this way - I've been thinking about it but that's as far as I've got. My next door neighbor is moving and I've been helping her - all the while thinking it should be my house I'm working on.

Dusty - A BIG BELATED WELCOME - great job! Keep posting.

Cyn - get up and leave your workstation (if you can). I actually set a meeting time in my calendar to get up and move every hour and I have a self-imposed rule I cannot snooze it more than once. Keeps me from getting stiff too!

Heather DW - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! Glad you had the special day you deserve. Hubby sounds like a great guy and that he spoiled you today. Good luck on your WI. What part of Missouri are you in?

Nancy - I love, love, love the new haircut. But I loved it before too. You are so photogenic - your smile and eyes radiate the warmth of your personality. Do you think we will ever give up the black clothes? My DH decided it was time for me to have something other than black trouser socks - so he got tan, navy, brown - then I saw the lightbulb come on - OH - you only have black dress pants. Gotta love him.

Kimmie - love the new avatar!

Moosegirl - so how is the juicer? What kind of juices do you make? I'm not very adventuresome in that area - can you offer any inspiration.

Val - great to see you - you have had so much going on but you stay strong. Do things ever settle down for you? I need my "down" time - just time to unwind without something pressing on the schedule. Hugs to you!

Heather - HI to you in your crazy times. Sending a ray of sunshine your way!

Kayley - I hope you love your new job. Did you choose this one over Fashion Bug? I think I missed something. Glad to hear you are doing well.

Emily - good luck in adjusting to your new schedule. I never could get used to nights. Great NSV on your uniform being looser. Keep up the good work.

Jeanne - you (and your daughter) are doing so well. Chocolate heaven - how do you do it? I would set a cot up and never leave. I stayed the same this week too - I noticed things feeling different too. I so wish we didn't have a little bathtub - I love a good soak.

Tina - have you found the protein helping? It has really helped me. I find having string cheese (70 cal) with my apple in the afternoon takes the edge off when I walk in the house - which is a danger zone for me.

Brenda - YAY on the 6.5 lb loss. You go girl.

Sharon - I'm gonna ask you until you say yes - did you submit the story?

Ammi - I love the idea of a cuddlefest - no PC, video games, maybe even no TV - maybe I will suggest that for Valentine's Day - and he wouldn't have to worry about it being the wrong size.

Annie - you sound tired - are you getting enough rest? You are juggling a lot right now - don't forget to take care of yourself too! A new routine can certainly take some time to work through. Hugs my friend!

Julee - welcome back. What a sad story about the weigh in clerk. When I used to go to WW meetings there was a very elderly weight recorder who spoke your weight out loud (very loudly) so she could remember it until she wrote it down - sometimes she might say it 4 or 5 times. Glad you're back.
-------------------------------

On Tuesday night my trainer pulled me aside and said I had been selected as one of the 7 people the hospital would like to represent them for the year for the heart association. I asked what the criteria were (mainly because I thought - oh boy, they're looking for a fat girl poster child) and he listed a number of things - none of which mentioned my size/weight. I told him I'd think about it. Tonight I actually confronted him - telling him I would not go public with my weight loss journey as he has (this is the guy who has lost 170 lbs.). He said it wasn't his decision but he was the messenger - I am active in our community and apparently the president of the board chose me. He said he wasn't sure why - then I had to laugh - the pres of the board is a good friend who has tried for years to get me to do this. I relented.

Then tonight I was quizzing him about how I could get a membership to the fitness center where I take the classes - the only way is to be an employee or a member of the medical staff. I mentioned to him I would like to come more - it is a 24 hour facility and I'm quite an early bird. Anyway - he said - not much we can do about that. By the time I had finished my work out he told me if I want to come on Sunday mornings I can - no charge. How bout that! Yes - I had to pinch myself to make sure someone else hadn't taken over my body wanting to exercise more.

I'm actually thinking of doing a series of personal training sessions in the water with him if we can work out a good schedule. Maybe start in April - then I should have a good routine down by the time we open our pool.

A big hi to everyone I missed - Sandy - where are you - hope you're lurking. Hi Johnnie! Donna - keep up the great work! Big hugs to everyone.

Time to end this novel.

Hugs,
Carol

Ammi – Juicing is going well, veggie juice is a case of hold you nose why you drink lol Fruit juices are just delish, this morning breakfast was fresh Orange and Pineapple!

Heather – Happy Birthday for yesterday! Sounds like you had a great day! The new scales sound great!

Jeanne – Maintaining is good, it’s better than seeing a gain! Well done!

Debbie – Good luck for the weigh in today!

Julee – Welcome back to the board…

Carol – Juicer is great, well the second one is I had to return the first one as it was broke when I took it from the box but this one is great, fruit juices are great, veggie juices I may adjust lol. At the moment I am loving Orange and Pineapple or Pear, Apple & Grape!

I’ve ordered some juicing books to get some better ideas!

So officially back to the gym on Monday for my introduction and kick start the exercise. I need to go pick up a sports bag later since I remember giving the last one to charity but I am sure I can find one in the sales somewhere…

I hope you all have a good weekend!

Alison
x

Alison, have you tried ORGANIC carrots yet? I had some juiced every morning, they were so sweet! Apparently beetroot is good but I couldn't bring myself to try it. Pineapple was my fave too, but too expensive to have every day, at £1 foe one glass, I could get 4-5 glasses of carrot or apple juice, they are good together too.xxxxxx
Nancy are you using some kind of ALIEN TECHNOLOGY? lol as not only do you look pretty (as usual) but YEARS YOUNGER!!! I never knew a hair cut, diet & exercise could work such wonders!xxxxxx

Ggirls, thanks for the comments on my story, I will ask my tutor what to do about submitting it. I never though you were old enough to have gone through the menopause! I thought you were about thirty! Oooh & WTG on the 'free' sessions AND the offers of being an advertisement/poster girl, hey why are you telling me to get published yet you won't let people see how fit & healthy you are? lolxxxxxx

Heatherdw, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, at least now you can get 'proper' reliable readings on your scale, congrats on the sales buys too. The meal sounds lovely,we are going to an Italian near my parents house on the East Coast(Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire) for my birthday in two weeks, we get to stay for a long weekend, I get spoiled a bit AND WE GET BABYSITTERS AT NIGHT! We rarely get out at nights here as there's no one I trust with my boys except my sis & she has her own kids. Well done on only eating part of your meal, is an 'entree' the main meal or starter? being a Brit I'm confused.xxxxxxx
Jeanne, your job sounds fantastic! I'd love a daughter, I have three boys, but from what I've heard of step-daughters...well I'm glad I don't have any!xxxxxx
Heather I'm sorry the power has acted up, don't feel bad about the food. You are at a 'healthy' weight and an odd 'blow out' when things get tough is normal, I'm sure with the good eating & exercise you do it won't affect you at all, my dream is to be 'normal' like you one day!xxxxxx
Debie, sorry the scales are acting up, well TOM, why can't we just 'switch' it on & off as we need to be fertile at least a couple of times if we want kids, but switch it off for good when we're done. To have no puffiness, mood swings, cravings, pain...etc..etc..it would be bliss!xxxxx
Julee, welcome back, I remember you planning the wedding, how about some pics?xxxxxxx
Well I weighed today & lost 3lbs, I'm a bit sad as Tuesday or Wednesday it seemed I'd lost 5! I only weighed coz I was SO hungry I needed to see a result, that spurred me on to exercise, now I'm 3 down..sigh.... still I'll take the three & try for more next week.
xxxxxxxxxsharon