Welcome to the group. We're a lovely group of friends who come here for support, guidance and friendship. We share recipes, meal plans, frustrations and successes in our weight loss and everyday lives. We've started at various points above 250. Feel free to join us no matter where your journey starts and ends.

Out with the old; in with the new!! Time for new motivations, new resolutions and new lifelong habits!

Happy New Year!

Hope no one minds if I started a new thread. I can't believe I've gotten behind again. For the next few weeks, it may difficult for me to keep up on regular postings. This is my really busy time at work and will be working lots of long days and Saturdays. But I do plan sticking with WW, my online journal and exercise as best I can. It will just have to be a priority. Even if I don't get to post, I do read the thread almost daily. You are all such inspirations to me and can't lose that! I've been drinking lots of water and working on menu plans for the next week. I enjoyed going to the grocery store today as it was so quiet there! That will help avoid those "there's nothing to eat and nothing sounds good" evenings. That usually leads to pizza or high-fat comfort food. So with a plan and stocked refrig I can get back on track.

I've got a recipe for caramelized apple salad that is a WW recipe. I got it from my SIL over the holidays. I'll try it this week and post it.

Bunny - Congrats on your .5 loss over the holidays! Your little MP3 player sounds fun and great for the gym. So much easier than portable CD players. I've got the fixin's for your apple tortillas that you've shared before. I'm looking forward to trying those. We've done the seafood linguine a couple of times. I've got some other recipes to try so maybe I can share with you for a change. Keep up all your great work.

Lilac - Hang in there with the food. After the holidays is a good time to get a fresh start. Sometimes fresh starts are what we need to get revved up again. If I remember correctly from a previous post, aren't you taking another trip over the new year's? Hope you're having a great time.

Well ladies, I must get back to getting all the Christmas stuff packed away. I hope everyone else is doing well and be back to join us soon. Take care and have a great day and new start!

Well, last night (New Years Eve) was supposed to be the last night of my holiday binge. Today was to be a fresh start. Well, I did okay for breakfast and lunch until I saw the can of cashews sitting on the counter. There was nothing for me to do but finish them off. Should have put them down the garbage disposal.
Last night we went to our neighbor's for a New Years Eve four course dinner. She's something of a gourmet cook and it was delicious but I ate WAAAAAAY too much. It started with appetizers, then a creamy wild mushroom soup, a salad which contained sauteed prawns, then grilled steak, veggies and cheesy potatoes. The dessert was a chocolate/boozy torte. I won't even mention all the other nibbles that somehow found their way past my lips.
Still, I'm ready to get back OP and also back to journalling faithfully. I'm afraid for the first time since starting WW I have been lazy (guilty) and not journalled every day. Yes, I even have to write down that quarter of a tin of cashews I noshed on today.

Hope you all had a nice holiday season and are ready to get back on the right track with me.
Happy New Year
LindaBC

Morning, ladies!

And HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!

I've managed to stay on track thus far -- so I'm darn pleased with myself. I'm getting back on the exercise horse slowly -- my schedule has interferred more than it should but so it goes. We're back on the road chasing product five days a week -- and usually to far flung corners of the neighboring states so that means I'm no where near my gym during its open hours but I'm making up for it by walking tons where ever we go.

Last night I had a strange experience -- I'm a BIG-TIME salt craver ... and when I sat down to my usual bowl of airpopped popcorn with tons of salt, I found that I couldn't eat it! Tooooooo salty -- something I would never have imagined existed! I wonder what's up with that. LOL! Oh, well -- it'll save me buying so much cheesy popcorn salt anyway.

I'm also in the middle of knitting a sleeveless sweater for myself. Its an XL pattern that would go great with some of my new size 18 slacks -- so I'm hopin' that it'll fit. *g* I've never knit something without first measuring me and it and making adjustments. I felt cocky this time though and I'm going with a pattern that says it fits a size 18. I figure at worst, it'll be too small and I'll wear it this summer (that's why I went with a sleeveless pattern). Also finished scarves for both kids -- and just in time -- looks like maybe some snow this week for us!

Ta!

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ONE AND ALL !!!

Thought that I would come and join you on this thread. Have been trying to follow WW for about 10 weeks now. Am down 6.8 pounds and at the lowest weight in MANY, MANY years. Have done a lot of really stupid things in my days of trying to loose the weight... you all know the story!!

Was absolutely blown away at the scales on fridays weigh in... down 2 pounds over christmas... hope to just stay the same over new years dinners though.

A little history:
10 years ago - top weight of 337.50
5 years ago - down to just around 300 and holding,
Dignosed Diabetic - control by diet and exercise
1 year ago - 298.50 just couldn't get below 290

Start WW Oct 2001 - 293.6
Janurary 1, 2002 - 286.8
Thats 6.8 pounds at WW, the most sensible way to loose.

When I did the math, I almost fell off the chair that's a total of 50.70 pounds gone... WOW !!! Guess I shouldn't be so hard on myself!!!

Take care and talk to you later!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Welcome Teaki. It's nice to see a new face in the crowd, especially one that's doing so well.

I made it through the holidays without any gains. No losses but I can live with that. It sure is good that life is getting back to normal though. I've managed to stay OP today and will be hitting the pool in just a little bit.

There's snow all around us, but by some miracle we've had almost none. Buffalo about 120 miles east has had 80 + inches. Little Montague, NY about 40 miles (at the most) north has over 120" and here we are, near Syracuse, and in a traditional snow belt, with less than an inch on the ground and a total of less than 7" for the season. Last year we'd had over 100" easily by now. No excuse for missing a WW meeting or getting to the Y. Roads are in great shape. Everyone here is just waiting for the other shoe to drop. We could be in big water trouble in the summer if we don't get a LOT of snow in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, I'm going to enjoy every flakeless day.

BUNNY: You're doing great. Did you have to dust of the shovel this morning? Keep up that walking and keep us posted on that sweater. 18's WOW! I can only dream.

LINDA: It's tough to get back on track once you slip. I know from personal experience, as I'm sure, does everyone else here. Keep journaling and remind yourself HOW WELL YOU'VE DONE. We're here for ya.

TERRI: Keep us posted when you get a chance. Don't let those snacks at work get to you while you're working those extra hours. Stock up on low point snacks to grab as needed.

LILAC: We miss your daily notes. Hope you get the new computer soon. Really miss your recipes AND your upbeat outlook.

Hey, great to see my pal, Teakie here. We go to WW together and then go out for breakfast and a natter afterwards when we can. So nice to have a friend who is in a similar state both health and weightwise.
Today I've managed to stay OP. It's now 5:25 and I'm feeling a snack attack coming on but I'm going to do the sensible thing and make myself a bowl of oatmeal and apple. That should hold me until DH comes home for dinner (usually not until after 7).
I also did about 10 minutes on my Aeroglider this afternoon. I hope to increase that by a few minutes every day while watching Young & Restless.
Tomorrow is my WI and I just know I'll be up, up, UP from all my transgressions but I'm ready to bite the bullet and start over.
I'll let you all know tomorrow what damage I've done. I'm not going to beat myself up over it though. Heck, it was Christmas! I now know that all those goodies still taste good and still have the same horrible effect on my metabolism and my appetite. LOL
Of course, I knew all that already so could have saved myself the extra weight. When will I ever learn?

Heya, guys!

I've been struggling this week -- not so much eating badly as just being lazy about it. And its been an awful exercise week. Tomorrow we have a buying trip to Charlotte planned which should involved hours and hours of fast walking -- so that will help. I'm not sure whether to be sad or relieved that I'm missing weigh-in this week (its tomorrow morning for me and I'll be long gone by then). Sigh. Battling depression (usual for me this time of year -- lack of light and so on). Argh. At least I'm not binge eating -- just not making the healthiest picks, ya know? Below points -- but all my choices seem to be bad ones even though I'm OP point-wise.

Teaki - great to have you here with us! I started off around 330 a couple years back and then stalled out until I began again this fall at 276. You've done GREAT so far -- and just think what you can accomplish with support and WW!

J-Ann -- no snow to speak of -- LOL! -- it all hit south of here! My kids were sooooo upset 'cause we've been ready for sledding for months now! On the other hand, I didn't have to navigate the snow while driving today so that was good.

Linda -- so you brough Teaki to us! Very coooool! Good luck at weigh-in -- I know how ya feel.

Well, I knew I'd gain but I really had hoped it wouldn't be too much. With my smaller gain at Christmas plus today's WI, I've put on 5 pounds in December. The good news is that I've recommitted and am already back on the right track. With lots of water and good planning, I intend to lose all I gained plus more in the next couple of weeks.

Well, the weigh in for me went better than I had hoped... down 1.4 pounds this week, that's amazing! I am so thankful, I didn't always do good over the holidays but I was so much more aware of what went into my mouth.

I work as a live-in relief caregiver with a lady (78yrs) that has dementia, in a 48 hour time block and 3 extra hours another day. ... Big change from being a secretary !

This lady has a candy and cookie department in her house, and nibbles on them... wrong "devours them" one after another. Making it very hard for me to avoid them, and I am a stress eater so some find there way into my mouth.

That is my biggest challenge ... to stay away from all cookies and candies when I am at work. And drink lots and lots of water.

Keep that chin up LindaBC, you are going to have a good week I have faith in you!!!

Talk to you soon!

I am not doing very well with getting back on track after christmas, but you ladies are very inspiring. Hi Teaki and welcome!
I have done soup a few times but keep finding the christmas leftovers. Hopefully I can get rid of them to someone's office on monday so they are not around the house. I am doing mushroom and sage soup for lunch, and a ww pork and lime (????!!!) curry recipe for dinner tonight. If it is any good I will post the recipe. I had porridge with apple in (3.5pts) for breakfast. So today will be a good day.....and I have planned the week's meals. I am just struggling with the chocolate which is ALL OVER the house (who brought it here???? chocolate fairies.....)
Bought three new sets of boots (ankle size) this morning! brown suede, green suede and black soft leather. I have ordered some blue ones too, so I am set up for the year. Oh and I bought some trainers too as I ruined mine in Australia and was using it as an excuse not to exercise . They are building a new gym and health spa down the end of my road! about 10 or 15 mins walk away! How cool is that! It is going to open in March, and I am going to join.

My aim is to get to 13 stone by 31 Dec this year ( that is 182 pounds). I think I can do it. It works out at something like 1.5 a week, or a bit less. I wonder what size clothes I would be wearing then? I seem to remember that when I was 11 stone (ie 156 pounds) I was a size 14 heading for a 12 (our sizes here are one up from yours so in us sizes that would be a 12 heading down to a 10). Well I suppose that 182 lbs will be around a uk size 16 (USA 14). That will really be something!!! and it is so achievable. provided I cut out the chocolate....!!

Bunny - I have faith you can get back on your exercise track really easily. you have been doing so well. I have been thinking of taking up knitting. I used to knit when I was a child but have not done for 20 years or so. I was thinking it would be good to knit my dad a jumper as he used to love what mum knitted but these days she cant because of having artheritic hands.

Linda - do not worry too much about the 5lb gain. as you say, its christmas. I think that weight that goes on quickly can come off quickly too. Journalling is the thing (altough I dread to think how many points in cashew nuts....but writing it down is the thing. I love cashews.....I bought some at christmas but put them in my mum's handbag to take home with her afterwards as I know I would have scoffed them all otherwise, which as well as the points gives me upset tummy too ). And good for you for bringing Teaki on line! true support!

J-ann - you are Mrs Inspiring so often for me! No gains over christmas! well done. and 60lbs off so far is magnificanso ( I made that word up - its a good one though isnt it )

Terri Hi there!!! Post if you have time - You Know It Makes Sense! ~And caramalised apples......yum! can we have the recipe? I have just bought a big bag of cooking apples so I could try it out.

Teaki - Nice to meet you....I am trying to think of some tips for keeping away from the old ladies sweets and biscuits - very tricky. How about a flask of zero point soup for snacks which would fill you up? I find I can more easily resist sugary snacks when I am full.

Love to all......cant wait to get a new computer that I can access when I like. This is friends lap top again (nice piece of kit...!! want one want one ........... cant afford one cant afford one ).
Lilac

Me again
Having a good day. The pork curry was a bit questionable (grey food.....yuk) so wont post the recipe. Roast chicken tonight.

My cat has just (strangely) jumped in to a cupboard and is sitting on the top shelf. Now why would he do that? odd.

I have started decorating my study! so far I have done the shelves and radiator pink. Hope it works. It looks a bit weird at the moment, to be honest.........

Hope everyone is having a good time
love
lilac

Before the holidays...and by that I mean Thanksgiving, I was posting somewhat regularly on here. Then the days got the best of me. Hopefully I am back now. I gained too much over the holidays and I am ready to get back on track. My goal is just to forget about the holidays, until they come again, and hopefully I will do a better job this year managing them.

I really need to get serious about my weight goals. I also know I need help. I eat, I eat all day, munching on whatever I can find. I am going to try to eliminate eating in the car. I commute an hour to work M-F and I sometimes eat breakfast or an afternoon snack while in the car. However, the weekends are hard for me. I am going to go to the store this afternoon, with a list, and get lunch for the week. I also want to plan out some meals, that don't require a whole lot of prep work or strange foods.

Good luck to all, and I am happy to be back.

Melissa

Tonight we'll be warming up with Cream of Wild Rice Soup -- recipe seems to be from Light and Tasty magazine this fall, but maybe not -- that's just what it looks like I might have jotted next to it. It is a GREAT recipe! Serves 10 -- VERY filling -- and tastes even better as leftovers -- my kinda food! I'm writing it up as it was when I made it -- a couple modifications from the original.

Melissa!! -- its great to have you back!! For car snacking, I try to keep some small, hand-held foods that I find satisfying around. I drive a lot -- and not eating in the car isn't realistic for me. I bring baggies of airpopped popcorn, single Slimfast bars, or even apples and bananas from time to time. Then if I get the munchies I have something "healthy" available for me! I gather that the average American gains something like 10 - 12 pounds over the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Consider yourself very lucky that you know its time to get back on track! And come by more -- we missed you!!

Lilac -- Its a shame the curry wasn't better -- I need a good curry recipe! I've gotten a subscription to Cooking Light magazine from my sister for Christmas, so I hope to have more recipes to share soon. This week we're trying Spaghetti Carbonara and Stuffed Potatoes (with gruyere and ham) at some point. Maybe one of those will be good enough to post.

Tonight we plan to play the exquisitely illustrated, cooperative Lord of the Rings game with our kids. We bought the game at a cramped, basement-level store in Winston-Salem, NC while on a buying trip on Friday. We'd seen it reviewed very favourably a couple months ago in Games magazine and couldn't find it locally -- so this is quite a score for us! Yippee!

Have a good day, ladies!

I don't know if the rest of you got the latest menu and recipe suggestions pamphlet from your WW this week. There are some terrific menu plans in it. Today I'm following the high protein day (making substitutions with equal point items if I don't have their choice on hand). So far, so good. I just have dinner and a snack to get through.
Guzzling lots of water and wearing a path in the floor to the bathroom.
I bought myself a subscription to Light & Tasty. Wouldn't you know that I'd already bought the first edition they sent to me? Oh well, looking forward to some great ideas from them as well. Their menus make it easy to calculate WW points too which I like.
LindaBC