Hi!
I've just joined the group and saw this 40+ thread ... that's me!! I'll be 45 on Jan 26th so I guess that makes me an old Hen!

I've already lost some weight and am about to change plans to finish the task. Looking forward to meeting you all.

Hi ladies,

What a nice Saturday we've had here in Missouri.

I went in to the office for a few hours this morning. I was a little surprised that none of my staff were there. Hello, its year-end, we have financial statements to review and make sure they are right, we have accounts to reconcile, analysis to do, messes to fix and no one thought it necessary to be there? And they wonder why their careers are limited. I guess I am from the old school. Back in the day when I was coming up through the ranks of accountants, we were in the office every Saturday and in the evenings as necessary during year-end close. Our managers did not work more than we did. And then they will wonder too why they aren't retained when jobs are eliminated.

It was so nice this afternoon that I decided that I needed a horseback ride and that Ginger needed to be ridden. I have decided that she's not ready for retirement. I want to take her on trail rides this spring. She can't do anything overly strenous or overly long but no reason why she can't do 1-2 hour rides on pretty flat ground. So she needs to go in training since she's only been ridden once in a year. We rode for about 30 minutes just out in the pasture. Spice ran like the wind and then she'd stay up by the boys in the round pen. She is getting more and more independent. She is getting about to the point of being weaned. I wore my new pink straw cowboy hat that I got for Christmas too! Loved it!

I got myself a JMS Yoga DVD (stole that idea from Lilion) and tried it this morning. I really liked it; especially when they showed how to modify poses for our larger bodies. I hope that JMS comes out with other DVDs; I'd like a longer yoga workout eventually.

Has anyone downloaded the spellchecker that is available for here?

Thin - Remember the commerical about with the man with his wife attached to his back and he was having to carry her around. The point was that the wife wasn't getting off her husband's back until he scheduled a colonscopy (or something). I remind DH about that commercial when it comes to his health. I'd like to see that movie that you mentioned Hilary Swank is such a good actress. How much more to do on the exercise room?

Speaking of exericse rooms, Lilion had asked about the spinner. I actually have two stationary bikes. I bought the spinner when I was doing a lot of outside bike riding (before marriage) because it is closer to riding outside on a stationary bike as you can get. It is indeed that same bike used in spinning classes. I have built up my endurance (in the past) to be able to do a spinner cardio video by the guy who developed the whole concept. But that was far in the past! Then DH had his heart attack and had to do cardio rehab. He needed something to exercise on after rehab and he hated the spinner. So I bought him a Schwinn Airdyne which is the stationary cycle with the fan and the arms. That's the one that I refer to as the "borecycle". It is boring if I don't watch something however it is a great workout. The spinner gives a great workout too but in a different way. That was a long-winded explanation.

Lilion - I am so proud of you for sticking with the morning exercise and for working up to 20 minutes. Such a great feeling. Great job on your loss too.

Angela - Sorry to see that the scale is being ugly. Sorry too that its time for the semester to start already. I see on the exercise thread that you're doing pretty good with that. Don't let this get you down. Just keep working on it.

Valerie - That is great that your job has gone to more full-time. Time to get it all together. Spring will be here before you know it and time to ride your boy!

Barb.G - for making it to exercise class and working on your attitude.

We're watching foodball and the Kansas City Chiefs purely suck today. They have no business being in the playoff.

I am going to post this before I screw around and lose it like I did yesterday morning.

to everyone!

Russiandoll - You snuck in while I was writing that post. Welcome to the group! Jump on in and tell us about yourself. Congrats on your loss.

Thanks for the welcome dts!

I quick bit about me ... I'm 44 and married; have four daughters (26,22,19 & 11) and two granddaughters (8 & 5).

I've been 'slightly' overweight since my teens but it only became a serious problem after I lost my only son in 1986 - everything seemed to go a bit pear shaped from there.

I've always had a lot of self-esteem issues and have always doubted my abilities. Consequently, I've spent my adult life working in jobs such as cleaner, shelf stacker etc. Nothing wrong with that - they're all good honest jobs but, always afraid of failure, I just never pushed myself to achieve anything more.

Well, last year I decided to give myself that push and went to college as a mature full-time student taking six subjects: psychology, philosophy, biology, sociology, maths & English. I spent the entire year with my nose in various books but I'm pleased to say I passed with flying colours and am now an undergraduate at the University of Chichester studying for a degree in English and History.

It was discovering that there was more to me than mum/daughter/wife that was one of the factors in my decision to be all I can be in every area: including my health. So on March 24th 2006 I embarked upon a weight loss programme that has brought me this far. Now that I'm feeling jaded with that plan, I've decided to switch in order to re-boot my enthusiasm and finish the task!

Well, that's me in a nutshell - hope you all haven't fallen asleep!

Debbie

Debbie and congratulation on the fantastic weight loss and in taking the risk to go back to school You'll have that degree in no time!

I'm still in a slump. Not out of control (at least most of the time) but not working anywhere near as hard as I should on staying OP.

Looks like the Spring/Summer weather may disappear into Winter for a few days here but by next weekend it's back to rain, rain, rain.

Hello my chickies!

I am in serious need of motivation and accountability, and I realized that this is the place I need to come back to. While I was here before, I really thought I did great, but since I've been gone...I've regained about 8 pounds or so. I'm still having problems with this leg of mine. I've had a couple surgeries but still have to visit the wound care center weekly, which is driving me batty. My husband has been changing the bandages every other day, also. I've gone through laser therapy for two months with no results...in fact, the wound got a little bigger, plus the massage therapy drove me crazy. It wasn't a normal relaxing massage, this was for lymphedema, which I don't have, but to have the laser therapy, I had to also have this massage therapy. I was not allowed to ride my bike or walk for exercise, so that's where my problem started! I'm feeling really sluggish and just generally lousy.

I've decided to get back on that bike of mine, since NOT riding it sure didn't help matters. I've done 22 minutes today, 11 minutes twice and I was pooped! But I do feel better, mentally and physically. I have missed it but it sure is hard to get back on once you take a long break.

I see lots of new people and that's great! Hi Lilion, Val, Thin, Terri, and all the others that were here when I was posting a few months ago.

Charlotte

Hi everyone -- I think you'll see me posting here more regularly. I am definitely over 40, though, so I'm kosher!

I just wanted to send out a welcome to the new and returning folk and remind you all about our exercise thread -- we individually set goals for the number of minutes we want to exercise in a month (I started doing that because I knew that some weeks were better than others for me). The exercise can be whatever you like, and the minutes can be as low as you need. The point is to help make exercise a habit. I have found it to be great for that and accountability.

Then we post our minutes in the thread -- we count our own minutes as well as keep a running total of the group. It's fun to see just how much we can move -- last year we did nearly 200,000 minutes!!

WELCOME BACK, CHARLOTTE! I was thinking of you just yesterday! Hey, did you ever finish filling us in on that dessert table at the wedding?
I know what you mean about the sluggishness and how good it feels once you're back at the exercise. I'm feeling the effects of 'letting go' thru the holidays, but already feeling much better now that I'm getting back on plan. Our bodies respond so quickly to how we treat them. And as for coming back here, well that sure makes a huge difference too. Good for you! getting back on your bike!

G'Mornin' Hens!
I made some lasagna last night adding zucchini and mushrooms, using LF ricotta and whole grain pasta. In moderation it's fairly OP since I went light on the pasta. It would have been better if I hadn't been inturupted by the phone so much. I forgot a few things, like the onions and baby spinach, but it still came out OK. I found some really interesting things at the grocery yesterday, too, like Thai red curry paste and coconut milk, so my stir fry chicken will be taking on a new personality, too.

The scale finally (can I say 'finally after only 4-5 days?) budged downward this morning. I really want to stay off that thing and just surprise myself at the end of the month. I'm such a numbers junky tho, that I'm not sure I can resist the daily doses of encouragement or defeat.

HOLEY FLIPPING MACKERAL, DEBBIE! I just checked out your pics and you're AWESOME!!! What a fabulous, inspiring difference! I'm SO impressed, and thrilled for you that you've gone back to school and are living out dreams. Wow. Really wow! Let me get this straight - You lost that 111 pounds in the last 9 months? I am knocked-on-my-backside flabbergasted. You've shown me what I can do, if I just stop slacking. Please tell us, what exactly has worked so well for you? ...Besides, obviously, duct taping your mouth, exercising like a fiend, and STICKING to the plan.

TERRI - Did you see Debbie's pics? She's going to be off riding jumping my horse before me! ** I'd love to see you in your cute new pick hat. Sounds adorable. And I'm glad your putting Ginger back to work. I'm sure it will be good for both of your spirits. I'll be working as many of the boys as possible this afternoon.


Between all my existing motivation, that encouraging slip downwards on the scale this morning, Terri's post about riding, Lilion's newfound victory over the I.M. and Debbie's phenomenal pics, I'm feeling as cranked up to DO THIS and RIDE this spring as ever before. I don't believe that Nike's are mandatory, either.

THIN, I haven't thanked you for your very nice Christmas card, either. I LOVED it!

ANGELA, See you over on the 21-day Challange. I'm not up to perfect yet, but having to answer to that list makes me try harder every day, in little ways that add up, like drinking my water.

JUDY, Where do you want to be in 3 months or 6 months? Hang in there! I know I've been struggling lately too, and getting back on the wagon is harder than staying there. But I'd love to look back in a few months and see the thrilling progress that Debbie or Zelma or others have had, rather than the mess I made of the last couple months. C'mon. I know we can BOTH do it!

BARB, What's going on at the office? How's your New Year progressing?

RUTH, How are you doing dear? I know I've been MIA until recently, but I don't remember hearing from you.... although, I miss things sometimes. More often all the time, as a matter of fact.

OK, Hens, I have to shuffle off. Breath deeply today. Be glad of the chance to. And let's even get a little sweating, water chugging and laughter in, while we still have time.

>>>>Ah, WYLLENN, you snuck in on me! Greetings Fearless Co-Leader!

heh. fearless. That would be neat!

I am trying to work on a couple of 3fc related projects. If only my dogs would give me a chance -- but they are so needy sometimes!

Dogs - I know what you mean. Simon, the doxie, is always looking for a way to climb onto my shoulder when I'm on the computer. It can't be done, but that doesn't stop him.

I often sit on a couch with a laptop and pacify them that way... though the puppy wants to sit on my lap TOO! Luckily, my lap has gotten bigger through weight loss, but it's a juggling act.

Today I am trying to work at the desktop and there's less space to snuggle so they get annoying! Especially if one IS in my lap and the other one gets jealous... oy!

Thanks for the kind comments Valerie!

The transformation you see on the pics did indeed take place in nine months (although as you can see, I still have a way to go)

As it's happened so quickly, I've had people literally not recognise me in the street which has been quite funny!
I did it so quick by using the Cambridge diet - a VLCD (very low cal diet) which consists of three meal replacements per day, lots of water and NOTHING else!

It was tough but worth it.

Now I've decided to do the last 55lb more slowly using a more conventional method. One of the things I wanted to do again was ride a horse (we had ponies when I was a kid) but I wouldn't subject any poor beast to having to bear 306lb on its back ... it would have ended with its legs splayed out like Bambi!!

Anyway, hopefully I'll get up the nerve to get on horseback again soon.

wow - a thread for me!! Yipee!

I am a 45 year old lady with lots to lose! I have been wandering around this site, and everyone is great!

I have many health issues - so I am also in search of others with similar troubles. I posted on a thread for heart issues, but it doesnt seem to be an active thread. Maybe I'll start my own and invite others.

Gotta go for now - I'll be back - nice to meet everyone!!

Patti

]

Welcome Debbie and Patti, and anyone else who is new around here, and welcome back Charlotte.

Debbie, Boy did your siggy hit me between the eyes!!! In my mind I'm perfectly OP and in great health, and wear normal size clothes But in reality... But I'm working on being more action less talk!!!

Nothing new around here, just wanted to check in on eveyone else.

Terri, no I haven't tried the spell check here. I didn't realize there was one. Where is it? I have the goole toolbar and I love it. It has a spell checker that you can use on any site, It's awsome, but it's like the exercise videos. You have to use it for it to do any good. I just don't understand why the excerise video don't work sitting in the VCR. I mean, they are MINE!!! I boutght them!!! They should be powerful enough to make the pounds fall off me, just because like Debbies siggy, I THINK about using them!!!