mnem- Yes we are in the drought area but have gotten some rain lately. We are also blessed with the much cooler temps. Its so nice to be able to take the kids out to play again. I really missed having a tan this summer but it was just to hot to let the kids play outside. Hoping to get some nice color before we go on vacation in late sept. We are going to the smoky mountians. I have visited the rockies and the blue ridge but never the smokies. Im excited!!

Oh, Rosebud - congrats on your loss! It is always brilliant to see the results of hard work, especially when you can still enjoy company and dessert and meet your goals and keep on going. I have never actually had rhubarb before, in any form? Which is a bit odd since I do like to try fruits and veg that are new to me, but I don't see it much in the stores around here. I wonder if it is more of a cool-weather crop?

Regardless, congrats! And, by the way, I checked out your progress pics. Wow! You look great.

And heh, I know what you mean about how the weight comes off. I think it is coming off me fairly proportionally, but uhm. Hand to heaven, I would like to spot-target the upper part of my stomach, as it is the WORST. Alas. I also have a weird bit of extra weight at the top of my calves on the front. Ugh, if not for that my legs would look pretty nice. All things considered.

watchoutforthatcar - that is NOT a silly NSV. It is one of the best. My favorite pieces right now are the ones I had and tried to wear when they were too tight, which fit or are loose now. Even if the difference is small, it is really motivating. And underwear are even better; something to celebrate and carry around with you everywhere.

I think you have the right attitude, too. Honestly, you need to work at a pace that fits in with the rest of your life, and pick yourself up and keep going. Smaller (celebratory) goals make that so much better. And you're so young! You can absolutely do this.

dgramie - hah, I would look better with a tan, but am way too pale to tan. My arms have a bit of color, but mostly I slather on the sunscreen so I do not burn. Maybe you could try a self-tanner? I was thinking about trying one just on my legs since I have been wearing more dresses lately. But soon I will be able to wear tights and that will solve the problem of my pasty white calves.

I have not been to the Smokey Mountains before (except driving through and a spot of touring), but it sounds lovely. Loads of people from around here go to Gatlinburg and the like for a long weekend. Late September should be gorgeous there, too. Not too hot!

CAR ~ ^^^this, this, this!!!^^^ I sooo agree with all MEM said there ...

MEM ~ thanks so much! I know those pics really surprised me too. I had told DH that I thought my face was thinner than the pic I had in my profile before; becuz to me, I looked different when I looked in the mirror. My SM & DAD actually asked me if I was getting enuff to eat. I told them that I was trying to lose on purpose and that I am getting lots to eat, so not to worry.

Yesterday, I ate less at BF and Lunch, so that I could have a larger dinner and a piece of pie for dessert. I put the rest in the freezer for another time. Rhubarb is only 18 calories per cup, and it is tangy/tart like bing cherries. It takes on the flavor of any fruit you mix it with (actually, Cherry & Rhubarb is one of my most favorites). It not only lowers the calories of the dessert but makes it go much, much further. I often used it in compotes, crisps, crumbles, and pies. My great-uncle loved Rhubarb pudding cake; the kind where you put it on the bottom of a casserole & top it with a plain vanilla cake batter. It is particularily nice with strawberries or cherries; and with apples (or alone) with cinnamon/nutmeg type of spices too. I even put it with raspberries or blueberries. BTW, since it is a tart fruit, you do have to put sugar or some kind of sweetener in it. Many people just love to stew it with sugar and cinnamon.

RE: GROWING RHUBARB ~ Our Rhubarb patch is still producing good rhubarb and it's August -- I think that is becuz of where it is (near the house, in a partially shaded area, right beside our rain spout so it gets lots of water too). Many people like to plant them along their garage walls (ie south side) for the same reasons. Along a fence is a good place too. Some people think that it is a spring or early summer crop, but you can get it all summer. Yes, some farmer's markets may carry it, but often they bring it all out as soon as it is ready (late June or early July here). I pick some fresh to use during the summer; and put some away in the freezer for the wintertime too. You should never take all the rhubarb out; I leave a few stalks on each plant for next year. Rhubarb likes some compost each year too; and it is a perennial plant that comes back year after year.

RE: WL PATTERNS ~ Yes, when I was younger, I lost weight more evenly all over my body; but now that I am older, I am losing more slowly off my stomach. I wish that wasn't so, but what to do? I actually look like I am preggo, unfortunately or fortuneately, depending on whether you think that is an advantage or not ... As I said earlier, it will have to come off there eventually -- as the rest of me is getting very small. At this rate, I figure by the time my belly is a size 16-18, I'll be a 10-12 on the rest of me; and by the time it is where I want it to be, I may be a whisp of a thing ...

I know my grandparents use to eat rhubard. I have never eaten it and only seen it a time or two.
I am going to start canning this evening. I think I will make green tomato relish today and tomorrow try some green salsa.

Ladies, I will need strength this afternoon, as I am going to the Indian restaurant, which has a buffet lunch. I just love Indian food. It is mostly healthy, but they often use cream in their sauces, and they always have some sort of appetizer and dessert to tempt me! I will be judicious.

Rosebud - hah, rhubarb sounds almost like a miracle food! I think I know it mostly from listening to Garrison Keillor on NPR - Prairie Home Companion, which is based in Minnesota, up near the Canadian border. Still, I'm going to look for it and snap some up if I see it just to try. Also, it's sweet that your dad and step mother were concerned about you, and really reinforces how far you've come, you know?

dgramie - I have made green salsa, but only with tomatillos. It was tasty! I also made a green enchilada sauce with the tomatillos. I'm not sure whether you can make that with green tomatoes or not, or even if it is something you can can. I have never canned anything. The closest I've come is refridgerator pickles, which aren't really canned.

I bought organic, whole-wheat, locally made crackers yesterday at the farm-to-table place. They are tasty, but would be tempting for me to keep in the house so I am going to hand them out at work. People here will eat anything.

I also have a bunch of sugar baby watermelons in my little watermelon patch. I never know when to pick them. They don't ripen after they are picked, and 3/4 of the time I get it wrong. Mostly I grow them because they are fun and kinda adorable.

JustWant2 -- I meant to say...congratulations!! You're making your way down that thinner path everyday!

mnem -- Yes, I'm trying to enjoy all of the small unexpected goals as they come a long, because it takes time for the bigger milestones to happen. I think that's why I've always failed, too...because I wanted instant gratifcation and when I didn't get it I gave up. To me, it was easier to sit on my a**, eat all day, and feel miserable. But I seriously don't want that...I don't want to see years and years past by when I can do this now.

I really envy you gals that enjoy exercising. It kills me...I wish I liked it because maybe it would be easier to do but I hate it. I literally had to force myself to do my wog (walk/jog) last night...once I was out there and almost finished I was definitely proud of myself but it didn't make me like it anymore.

I also read somewhere in one of the posts where someone was complaining about people asking if they were done dieting since they had lost all of their weight. I think that's why I failed before too...because for whatever reason I thought if I got low enough I could just quit and go back to the way I was eating...and then when it was taking too long to get down there...I just said screw it and gave up. Now I know the way I'm eating is forever...with more calories, THANK GOD, but literally never the way I did before. I will allow myself cheat days or meals as I do now (not very often) just to keep myself sane, but I've finally realized this lifestyle has to be forever. I just hope I can remember that as I go along.

Hello ladies! I'm back from Thailand (got back yesterday). We had an amazing time (although I got a nasty cold on the plane on the way there, got sick with cholera and now have 2 ear infections). I'll post some pictures and give more details. Just wanted to say a quick hi!

i got my canning finished up. I ended up making 16pints an 1qrt of green tomato relish. It turned out great and didnt even make too big of a mess in the kitchen.

mnem - I hope you had a good dinner and was able to resist most of the unhealthy things. But I hope you were satisfied with what you had either way!

amal - Glad you had a good time! Boo on being sick. Get better soon.

dGrammie ~ I used to can a lot; one of my favorites was chili sauce, which is a nice verstatile condiment like your relish. Now I just make freezer jams; quick & easy.

ALEXIA ~ wow, the trip sounds fun; but the sickness not so much. Hope you are feeling better real soon.

CAR ~ thanks! I have a ways to go yet, but I'm on my way, for sure!

MEM ~ hope the dinner was nice on Friday night. We don't have any exotic places like that here, but we do have a couple of Chinese places -- one is run by a Vietnese couple and they do make good food. He once told me "I'll make you anything you want" so I ordered a beef vegetable stir-fry; and it was lovely. I think of all the main restaurants they have some healthier meal options.

EAting went well this week; even with having some treats along the way. Planning them in ahead of time with the snacks as well, has really helped me stay on plan and continue to lose at the same time. I am enjoying an eating style that I know that I can continue for the rest of my life -- that IS my plan!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful OP week coming up ...

watchoutforthat car I have had exactly the same problems in the past wanting instant results and being desperately upset when I didn't drop 6 dress sizes in 2 months. I think that is one of the biggest reasons for my recent ( mercifully short) meltdown. But hey! I have been very overweight for years and that is not going to melt away in a couple of months is it?
The next lesson I need to learn is to build in some flexibility into my diet because this is for life!!!
Happy Monday ladies...it's a bank Holiday over here and it's pouring with rain!

mountain walker -- Yep, that's exactly it. And sometimes it's hard on here, becuase several of my milestones coming up is normally where people are JUST starting at. And it's really discouraging when they say how fat and disgusting they are because that's where I'm trying to get to. Also, when they only have 30 lbs to lose...so I normally am proud of everyone, but feel more connected with people who have just as much or around the same amount that I have to lose. And I need to remember that in the higher weights it takes a lot more to lose a size. We don't have a lot of leeway between sizes...but we ARE getting smaller so that's what matters.

This weekend losing weight wise was good because I was somehow able to knock of 2.6 this week and I can only contribute that to the fact that I was perfectly on point all week until the weekend, lolol. I was successful with all my meals, but I decided to make a dessert on Friday from Pinterest. It's dirt cake...which is basically chocolate pudding, oreos, cream cheese, and whip cream. I didn't eat any of it Friday because it was late and I wasn't even that interested. But I ate more than I would've liked Saturday because it's soooo good. And I ate way more on Sunday after weigh in. But thankfully when I stepped on the scale it only showed about 2 ounces more than my official weigh in. It's almost gone so I'm thankful for that. But I know not to make it for a while (as I clearly have no control for anything chocolate). But I enjoyed it and didn't make a dent at all in my weight loss, so I'm okay with that.

The bigger issue are the two weeks to come. I have a friend's kid's birthday party (which is a cookout) next weekend. And then the weekend after that is my neices birthday which is also a cookout. I love BBQ. I've been trying to cut out diet coke...just because I've done it before and I know I can. And leaving it for special occasions. So I'll more than likely bring bottles of water with me if they're not being given out. And eating small portions of what I like. I hope I can do this.

CAR ~ I think the best thing about BBQ's is that you can fill up on the meats and salads, which makes it easier to stay on plan. Maybe do that and just have a small piece of cake to keep the day in check, yet still feel like you are celebrating a bit too.

MOUNTAIN ~ ... and becuz we have all started higher, it will take us longer to get it off too; but the advantage to that is that we can learn some maintenance & perseverance tricks along the way too.


We are having steak + a veggie medley + cob corn for dinner tonight. I may have a small salad on the side too, I think. We have lovely weather here today, so really enjoying that.

Welcome back amalexia. Glad you had such a great time, and am looking forward to details. Though I'm terribly sorry you got sick. Ear infections are the worst. I am prone to them when I'm swimming alot, so I always wear ear plugs. And I often get colds when traveling. Having a cold on a plane is the worst. The worst flight of my life was from Dublin to Amsterdam (on RyanAir!). I was starting to get a cold but hadn't realized it yet before I left. I was just in the grouchy phase. But I was stuffy enough that I couldn't equalize pressure in my ears, and was in so much pain half-way through the flight. Then when I landed my ears stayed "popped" and I couldn't hear very well. So Amsterdam was visited through a fog of congestion and ear pain, and I did not get to visit one of their 'coffee houses' for that reason. And I kept trying to figure out the cold medicine in the Dutch pharmacy (closed Sunday and not open Monday until 11 a.m.!) hoping to find some sort of decongestant because I was scared about my flight home. Cold medicine does not translate easily, but in the end I was fine, no real ear pain on the way home.

Now it is just a good story and a reason to go back to Amsterdam. For you, though - active ear infections? Get better soon!

car - thanks! I did fine at the Indian restaurant. Sampled everything I wanted, didn't stuff myself with the appetizer. And well, I have to MAKE myself exercise, every time. I don't like it until I am DOING IT. Until I am in the middle of it, I hate it. I wish I could be better about that.

And don't worry; we will be here to remind you that it is forever along the way. I have failed often enough that hopefully this time I know it for good!

Oh, ALSO: you are a BIT taller than me, so you are probably in a lower size than I was, but I found I saw sizes really start to move when I was right where you are. They still move slowly, but, heh. Until now, I have basically only been able to shop at Catherine's. Now, I fit into my fav brocade coat from Target, and have bought things at Marshall's, CJ Banks, Target, Lane Bryant, et cetera. I wear usually the largest size at any store, but now the 3xs at Catherines are a bit too big. It's nice!

For the BBQs, you might offer to bring a covered dish to both? And make a healthy salad or even veggie sticks that will give you something you can munch on guilt-free to distract you from more tempting snacks?

dgramie - I am sure you will be happily enjoying the taste of summer in your relish deep in the doldrums of winter, when I am just dreaming of fresh summer produce!

Rosebud - I think of this as a small town, but really it's a small city, so we have plenty of options. I love Indian food; it is delicious. I have a thing for their appetizers, but have a health(ier) way of making samosas, which I will try more in the fall. Mind, I would like more options. I have had Ethiopian food a couple of times on trips, and really liked it.

We had that dinner last night! Well, I had a grilled portabello mushroom in lieu of steak. BUt: otherwise, the same.

mountain walker - hah. We are back to dry conditions here, but rain is forecast for this afternoon (maybe), and I hope it rains. I don't want to water the garden today, but will have to if it doesn't rain.

I had a reasonable weekend food-wise. I meant to work but never did, though instead I got out some of my supplies and made a necklace and bracelet I've wanted to make for a while. Just simple things. I also made some ratatouille. I have baked eggplant parmesan for dinner tonight, and salad, and some left-over green beans, which I'm looking forward to having. I also picked up samples of the paint shades I am considering and painted patches on the walls so I can live with them and decide. This has helped. I am decided on the living room, but am going back and forth on the dining room. Which will be a teal color, I'm just trying to decide whetherI like the darker shade on the lighter shade.

Here's to a great week (and the waning days of August!)

Hi everyone

I'm new to the forum, a bit about me. I've decided that I finally need to make an effort to be healthier. I'm soon to be 36 and I never thought I'd let myself slip into the 300's but I have.

I'm from Canada but 4 years ago I moved to my husbands home country in Sweden. It's been a difficult change for me at first having no family and friends here. I ended up staying in most of the time doing what I enjoy, cooking and baking for my family. Which also ended up making my husband fat LOL...

I also have 2 kids my daughter 17 my son 19. My daughter suffers from kidney disease and may need a new kidney one day and I have been thinking to myself if I keep gaining weight that maybe one day I wont be here to help my daughter in her life when she needs me the most.

So that has been my motivation to start on my lifestyle change. I started a month ago at 311 and I'm now at 302. I know it's a small goal but it would really make me happy just to get in the 200's.

Last week I started the dreaded exercise lol I just started walking every morning and my feet are filled with blisters arghhh!! but I feel I did pretty well but the very week I started exercise was the week I lost nothing.. go figure! lol

Anyway that's when I came looking for some support forums to have a chat with others that are going through the same things and seems I found a really great one. I look forward to getting to know you all!

good luck everyone