Hi everyone.

Ageoldie, welcome back. I have found this to be a great group and we're all supportive of each other here and we talk about everything. I think most of us have had the experience of losing only to gain weight back. I hope you find a connection with us.

Teena, I think about the loose skin too. Heck, it's already loose so I can't imagine how bad it will be when I lose all my weight. At my age and history of gaining and losing I doubt my skin has much elasticity left. I hope your back is feeling better. That pain sounds like the muscle spasms I sometimes get in my side if I twist wrong. Ouch!

Betsy, thanks for setting me straight on the water weight gain and fat loss. I like your way of thinking better than mine. Holidays tend to derail my progress also. Glad to hear that you're getting close to your signature weight again. Being an asthma and COPD sufferer, I can relate to the trouble breathing. I definitely have an easier time when I lose weight.

Magpie, I loved reading about Alaska through your eyes. I have always wanted to see it and still hope to one day. I imagine the winters are really tough there, so when I go it will be in the summer.

DH is going away overnight tomorrow night. The weather here is supposed to be beautiful, so I'm going to open windows and air out the house. I also need to vacuum and dust. If I get really ambitious I'll go clean off the patio furniture outside so maybe we can eat out there Sunday when its supposed to be be in the 70s. I think Spring is finally here!

I hope you all have a great day tomorrow.

Yeah it's Friday!!!

Cindy: I just love when I get the house to myself on occasion. It is so peaceful.

Betsy: I agree. I would rather be healthier then worry about my Shar Pei knees. Not being able to breath is scary. Thanks for the idea to use youtube. I just never think of it.

Magpie: So true about being able to use photographs and not having to climb a hill to draw a picture. I love old barns and I had a friend take pictures of some. I would love to paint those.

Been doing well sticking to plan. A guy at work is always bringing in these hot spicy do dads for people to try and I always turn him down because I don't like my face burning off. Well today is his last day, so he brought in extra dark chocolate (Lindor?) to give to everyone one. I took it and thought- it is dark chocolate... I can have this. But I gave it away. I just don't want to go there and start a chain reaction. My DD wants a cheat meal. Pizza or hamburgers. Dieting for me is like gambling. If I loose $5 at the casino, I am so mad I wasted it. I might as well through it down on the street and gave it to someone who needed it. If I eat something I shouldn't, I am upset because that might have been that extra lb. I wanted to loose this week. I know, I am coo- coo for cocoa puffs.

Back is much better today. Thank goodness. I think I might hold off on moving refrigerators and ovens around for a while.

I am off to figure out what is for dinner. Laters!

Just a short into... I am a young 69 yearold. I'm married and just celebrated my 50th wedding anniversary in January. I have been up and down forever, but not by a lot. I have basically been in the same size (3X) for the last 25 or so years. They just fit differently at times. My 2 sons are grown so it is just my husband and I at home. He is wheelchair bound, but still has a job and works.BUT.. he was in ICU aof 5 days ant then the hospital anothe week and now he is in his third week at a rehab facility. That's over a month without him home. I still work and I have been going to the rehab after work and staying until bedtime. It's about to get to me.
I have got to get myself motivated and get busy trying to take care of myself for a while. I have just been stopping at FastFood places and picking up something fried to eat in the rehab room at night. During the day, I work in a doctors office and the Drug Reps bring us food all the time. We have lunches catered in 2 days a week and "snack" two more days. The snacks are usually enough for full meals too,(pizza, wings, chicken nuggets, etc) and alway desserts. Desserts are my weakness. Anything sweet and you are my friend for life.
Right now I'm trying to find a meal plan for when my DH gets back home and I start cooking again. Any suggestions? I want something with meal plans that say eat this and this and this. I don't do good with too many choices.
I checked my ticker and it is close enough, but I will try to get it updated soon. Thanks for the welcome.

Hey guys I know this is kind of random (I haven't read through the whole thread because I'm basically about to go to bed) but I had a question...

I've been having some bizarre dreams lately...Like last night I dreamed that I was an evil witch/dentist who loved to swoop down on her patients and scare them senseless and do whatever dental work I could mid-swoop. I woke up feeling like the dentist from Little Shop of Horrors minus the gas addiction. I've heard that losing weight can improve your sleep (still waiting on that) but has anybody else had bizarre dreams??

I mean I guess I have always had weird dreams but it seems like they are happening more frequently and I wonder if my attempt at losing weight has had any bearing over them...

Good morning. It's supposed to be gorgeous here for the next few days, so yard work awaits. I'm definitely going to throw open the windows and air out the house since it's supposed to get up to 80 on Monday. Love this kind of weather.

Magpie -- WOW! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! I have copied and printed off your suggestions and please keep them coming. If others don't want to read they can skip the Betsy-is-going-to-Alaska part. I love it. I want it to be a laid back trip, but at the same time planned enough that I don't get home and wish I'd visited something. Hearing from people who have lived there definitely helps a lot. I have already bought a Milepost and am going to start planning the route and things to do seriously in the next couple of days. I'm even more excited now with getting your suggestions.

Cindy -- Glad you're finally getting some of this spring weather. Enjoy your day to yourself. Doesn't it smell wonderful in the house when it's had a chance to air out after having the furnace on all winter!

Teena -- I wish I had your resolve when it comes to sticking on plan. I have a tendency to go with the a little cheat won't hurt approach. Unfortunately, that usually leads to a bigger and bigger cheat until I've regained everything. It is so hard in the work environment to resist the food that is brought in. I love the social part of it, but wish it didn't happen so much.

Ageoldie -- Thanks for posting some info about yourself. I'm 66 so you're not alone with being in this age range. Actually the group ranges in age from 20s through 60s and we all seem to share the same common problems when it comes to weight! Your schedule for the last month has been stressful both emotionally and from an eating perspective. In terms of web sites that have actual menus -- I have used genaw.com for low carb menus and recipes. I like her site because she actually uses her left overs in her menus. Her menus are actually what she has eaten. However, my suggestion would be to look on the Internet for whatever type of diet plan you're using. Good luck with it. Don't have any advice for the office situation -- can you just take in your own snacks to eat while everyone else has the "bad" stuff?

Mrslovette -- No, I haven't had any weird dreams during dieting times in my life.

Haven't heard from several of our regulars in awhile. Fi, Sam, Donna, Tootsie (and I know I'm missing others -- sorry), I hope you all are OK. Several of you have had medical issues lately, so please know you're in our thoughts.

As I mentioned, today will be work outside day. I need to finish getting the raised beds weeded and ready for planting, reset the pea tower, and start with the spring yard maintenance -- lots to do there!

I've been staying on plan and am encouraged with the weight coming back off. I'm still having trouble with walking more than about 20 yards, but it's better than it was last week. Hopefully I'll start seeing some serious improvement soon.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Hello everyone
I have finally gotten back on track. I had gained about 10lbs a yr for the past 7 yrs after a 90lb loss.
Today is day54 of low carb. I'm not doing Atkins. Just kinda do my own thing. My carbs range from 30-70. Hubby is also doing it. His dr cut his glucose meds by 3/4. Hoping I'm a few wks to be off of it. He has lost 26lbs and I have lost 20😀
We are lifting weights daily and using a gazelle. I also am jumping on a mini tramp a few times a week.

Hi everyone.

Teena, Ooh Cocoa Puffs! I used to love those. Good job resisting the chocolate and the spicy treats at work. When I'm doing well on plan I hate to give into temptation too. I do have cheat days that are just that, but lately they have turned into more than just a day, so I'm swearing off them for a while.

Ageoldie, I hope your DH will be home soon. I went through a very similar situation 4 years ago, except I waited til after I left the hospital at night to get my fast food. I usually brought my lunch and snacks to work and said no to all the stuff people brought in. As for meal plans I would look online as Betsy suggested. I kind of do my own thing when it comes to menu planning and usually just keep it simple.

Mrslovette, I have always had bizarre dreams at night, so I don't think mine are related to weight loss or eating a certain way.

Betsy, good luck getting the yard work done. Being a renter, really the only outside stuff I need to take care of is cleaning our outdoor dining set, until we plant our veggies next month. I hope the walking and breathing improve soon.

Dgramie, congrats on getting back on track and staying there for more than a month and on the weight loss. Being able to decrease or get off medications is wonderful.

The scale keeps moving down and I finally changed my signature to reflect that. I think I'm finally in the groove again.

Windows are open even though it;s only about 60 outside. It feels slightly chilly in here but it's better than the stuffy winter air. I haven't accomplished what I wanted to today but I'm enjoying my time alone. I'm making myself some salmon patties without any breadcrumbs tonight. DH doesn't like salmon so this is a good time to have them. I hope they turn out well. I never tried this recipe before but it sounds good. I'm also going to make a cucumber salad to go with it. I mention it only because often when I'm alone I will take the opportunity to order out and get something that is definitely not diet friendly. So this is kind of a big deal for me.

I hope you're all having a great weekend.

Another quickie: Still hurting in my legs, but the medication I'm taking (the cannabinoid) is making the pain more bearable. But I've been so upset about whether my insurance will pay for it, I was extremely depressed last week. But it's not as bad tonight. I think I'll have my act back together in a few days. I'm gettng more resigned about the insurance company... whatever...

Hello Ladies,

Just stopping in for a quick note. I have not felt well today. Maybe a stomach bug I think. Good choices have not been the best. A piece of baked chicken for breakfast. fresh veggies, summer sausage and string cheese for lunch. Skipped dinner. I did manage to do some laundry and change the bedding. Then I crawled in it and watched a couple movies.

I will check in tomorrow. ciao!

Just woke up after sleeping through the night -- that doesn't happen very often and it I feel so refreshed! Hope everyone else is having a great morning.

Dgramie -- You are definitely in the groove with the lower carb. Do you find that when you keep your carbs within a range like you're doing that it feels like something you could do long term. It's definitely working for you and DH. Great news about his medications getting adjusted downwards!

Cindy -- Good for you for fixing healthy meals while DH is gone. It's been a long time since I was in a relationship, but I, too, would always use an absence to have all of my favorite foods. Unfortunately, that was always in the chips, chocolate and ice cream family! Your salmon patties and cucumber salad sound good and healthy. Enjoy the fresh air in your house. It's supposed to get up to 80 here today, so I'll definitely be opening all the windows with you.

Fi -- Good to hear from you and hope that the worry over the insurance is resolved one way or the other soon. I did hear on the news that the government just approved having medical marijuana included as an approved treatment for vets.

Teena -- Hope you're feeling better this morning. Stomach bugs are definitely no fun. What movies did you watch?

I didn't get outside yesterday, but did get a load of laundry done, folded and put away and started on the planning for the Alaska trip. It's about 2500 miles from where I live to Anchorage so I figure I'll be gone a little over a month. Looks like it will be a fantastic trip, although there will be a lot of road prep for the RV -- special cleaning and waxing ahead of time, making sure I have replacement belts and hoses with me, etc.

Foodwise wasn't so great yesterday, so I need to get back on the straight and narrow today. I can tell the difference in my breathing and walking with each downward movement of the scale. I'm really looking forward to having food out of my garden this summer.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Hi, everyone.

I'm not losing weight-just staying at 289. That's my fault-not completely following the plan.

Analyzing a couple of memory images, so I kind of hibernate until I'm done-my spouse doesn't like this. He's jealous of the computer. The files on one image appear to have some kind of malware. It showed up on 43 scanners as being infected. The files on the other image shows up on a couple of scanners, but it's inconclusive whether it's infected or not-there are false positives at times.

Betsy: I watched The Mummy and The Mummy returns on netflix.

Tootsie: It is good to hear from you.

Fiona: Thanks for keeping in touch. I am glad the medicine is helping. I know it is hard not to stress over the insurance. You are in my prayers.

Cindy: I love salmon patties. My recipe calls for crushed up soda crackers. What do you use in yours to avoid the carbs?

dgramie: Well done getting back in the groove. Congrats on your losses so far. It is nice having someone eating healthy with you, isn't it?

I am feeling much better today. Thank goodness. I got up early and went to the yarn store and got the yarn I needed for the new scarf. I didn't get it the last time I ventured to the store because I waited to late in the day and they didn't have a cart I could use. I found the prettiest variegated pink, purple grey and white. It is my next baby blanket. Which I have got to get moving on too. There are three babies on their way by July. All girls.

I did my grocery shopping for the next 2 weeks. Spent way more then I wanted to. My DD is going to be tight on funds this next couple weeks, so I bought extra groceries to help her out. It makes it easier having someone doing this with me. So if she is willing to eat healthy to keep me on track... I don't mind buying the extra.

Todays eating is better too.

B egg and turkey sausage
L: fresh veggies, low fat triscuits, string cheese.
D: rotisserie chicken, green salad, cottage cheese.

New collage: angel on the prowl. This one's kind of strange, but the theme for the week is "Gothic"... =shrug=

Hi everyone, sorry I have been out of touch, my partner and I took a week long holiday, deliberately without the internet. I had a weigh in this morning, and I have gained 1.5kg in the one week we were away. I am not really surprised, as I ate quite a few naughty things, but the weird thing is, my body fat percentage went down by an entire point; my gym instructor thinks it is because my body has started putting on a little more muscle. I feel disheartened, however I know it is my own doing, and the instructor knows that, which kind of makes me feel like she only said it to spare my feelings? I don't know. I also have suffered for 3 days with the worst food poisoning I have ever had, which made the weight gain even harder to bear because I hadn't eaten in 3 days, and I had spent the 3 days and nights on the toilet.. Ahhhh. Anyway, I am back, feeling better and back on my program, back at the gym for the 1st time in a week which hurt more than I thought it would, and back at work. Nothing has changed, which doesn't surprise me. I am just trying to do what I can to get by. I hope you have all been well, I thought about you all when I was away, and I hope things have improved for you all and that everyone is kicking goals

a bit discouraged starting off today. In the last two weeks, I have only succeeded in gaining 1 lb. Looking at my menus, I totally expected better results. It makes you think...I might as well of at this or that, It made no difference that I didn't.

I am off to find inspiration...