Welcome to everyone!! We are a wonderful group of friends from all over and from various starting points. We're here to share laughter, frustrations, disappointments, and wonderful successes. If you're looking for support, we're here for all. Come on in and join the group.

Hello ladies!!

I'm so excited that I don't have to work today. This is my second Saturday off since Christmas. Today I'm relaxing around the house going to do housework, laundry, bill paying, yard raking, dog training and some exercise. I'm giddy to be home.

So far, I've sat and read a magazine!! Better get moving soon.

Once again, I had a good week going foodwise. I was really proud of myself on Thursday. A sales team from a recruiter firm stopped by on Thursday to meet with me just to introduce themselves and hope that I remember their name whenever I need to hire someone. So of course, they come with food. Fresh bagels and cream cheese. I had already eaten breakfast but that didn't stop me from eating one. So I did the right thing and made that my lunch with some added fruit and nuts later on. I was able to squeak by within my points for the day. But yesterday, a different firm dropped off two dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. I ate three. THREE! and I wasn't smart about lunch that time. All that carb and sugar left me starved and way over in points for the day. I really did not like the way I felt after that sugar rush bottomed out. YUCKY and starved. Maybe that will be a lesson learned.

Here's the other stupid thing about it. I had finally gotten the scale to budge and was back down to 257 that morning. Then I'll wonder why I can't get past the plateau. GRRR. Oh well, that's why all the planned activity today.

I hope everyone has a great and OP weekend! Let's beat the sabotage

More replies later! Laundry is calling.

Well, maybe I won't quit WW after my 12 week prepaid runs out. It certainly does help to keep me more or less honest. I'll think about it. I truly do get more inspiration here than from WW meetings though.

Last night hubby and I went to a small wedding reception for one of my dearest friends who got married in a very private, family wedding two weeks ago. She and her new hubby have just returned from their Caribbean honeymoon and the party was held at his sister's house (a gorgeous home). Anyhow, we ate dinner before we left so I was easily able to avoid all the goodies set out on the dining room table. But, no way could I turn down a slice of the wedding cake and I enjoyed every sinful bite of it too. Trying to stay OP today.

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend.
LindaBC

Hello,

I've been looking at the message boards and think that this one would be a good fit for me....very supportive and honest.

Now that I'm 45 I'm feeling very motivated to lose weight. Feel that there's no more time to fool around with my health.

Plus, I have a three year old daughter and I want to stay healthy and be here for her until SHE's 45 herself!

I'm following the WW program online. One problem I've had with losing weight is not doing the journal. So, as I begin here I'll make a committment to myself to journal everyday.

Looking forward to being here!

mom2xiaomei

grrr lost my long post! off to work to sulk. I am doing ok, in fact very well.
Cant believe it went! But no time now.
love to all
lilac

This weekend was a "shop 'til you drop" weekend -- we left the house by 5 am every day and didn't return 'til past 10 pm! One of our favourite places to buy stuff to resell was holding a clearance sale -- and we hit every store in 200 miles! Yippee skippy!

I'm tired and hurt a bit -- back, legs, arms -- but we did great. Plus I kept on track eating-wise -- and I can't ask more than that! And shopping is a GREAT workout -- at least when you're at it for 12 hours a day.

Terri I hope you enjoyed your Saturday off. I've been struggling with eating well too lately. I do very well for many days but then I'm overwhelmed with a "but the chocolate eclair from ABC is only 3 points -- so I can have one every time I go" or "but I can have a serving of sunflower seeds in the shell for 3 points -- so they're a great car food" and then *poof* I'm treating myself to "treats" more than I'm remembering that "treats" don't necessarily make for the body I want. Arg.

Linda - I toy with quitting too -- lately I'm only weighing in every other week -- 'cause I get my support online and at home so weighing in is really all I look for from my WW center... but then I realize how much easier it is to lie to myself when I don't have someone else holding me accountable so, for me, for now, its best that I check in.

mom2xiaomei -- Welcome!! I journal online and love it!!

Lilac -- I hate missing message syndrome. In fact, I'm gonna copy this message before hitting reply so I can paste it if it gets lost! I always mean to do this -- but never remember until its too late.

Well, I am going to have a go at actually getting a decent post up on the board today instead of it disappearing off!
I lost .5 last week, which was ok. I expected it to be more, but then again there were a few chocolates (but I had counted them in points......) I am getting towards the weight now (16 stone) where they cut my points by two a day (we dont get a range of points in the uk, per se - we just get x number (I am on 26) and told we can save up to four a day, and earn up to 12 a week from exercise). So I am thinking that my body is wanting to go down to 24 a day, which I do when I hit 16 stone (224). I am 232.5 now. I will probably stick to 26 until I get to 224 pounds though - I dont mind it being slow.

Lunch today will either be zero point soup (I put too much green veg in and it is a bit insipid this week... ) or left over lamb curry which will have 4 points a portion. Tonight I am having north african lamb......I am going to marinade it in cumin, coriander and cinnamon, and then lightly grill it, and stuff it in to a warm pitta with a spread of hummous, and some roasted red and yellow peppers! Yum! But it is college night so I wont be in until 11pm which means I have to leave clueless house mate in charge of the food preparation so no idea what will happen really

In fact she is very good at cooking, but panics a bit when I suggest something different.

Glad to meet momxia, and hello to everyone else. Your shopping trip sounds amazing Bunny. I have been following that dreadful story on the news about the crem. in Georgia - that is near to you is it not? Why did they do it? How shocking. Linda, I think it is hard to decide what is best to do as far as ww is concerned. You could take a break all together from weight loss - if it has become a burden and a 'have to' I certainly get paralyzed and want to scream LOVE ME FOR MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!! from the top of all the steeples! But that is just me. I find the meetings keep me on track as it is a regular fixture for me to moniter how I am doing. I hate all the talking to other people stuff though (I like to just weigh and go, although I stayed to meeting this week which was ok). And Terri - I know that sugar feeling. I think I am addicted to sugar. I have a lot of these 1.5 point bars during the day which are basically pure sugar. It has got to stop at some point.

Anyway, love to everyone, and sorry about yesterday's post, which said all of this (so much more eloquantly...!) not making it. Off to marinade my lamb and roast my peppers....
love
Lilac

Good morning!

Wow, its Wednesday already. Where does time go so quickly?

I'm hanging in there and doing well with food. I've also been doing well with my determination about exercise. I've been doing strength training (for weak upper body and midsection) each morning. Its starting to show a smidge. I've also been working on the spinner to get my biking legs broken in. Actually last night I did 18 mins and cranked the tension up a notch. I'm trying to etch this unto my brain that this is what it will be for the rest of my life. Although I have determined that once I reach 70 I'm eating whatever I want, laying on a chaise lounge all day if I want or whatever not good for me thing I want!!!

Lilac - North african lamb. Made my mouth water this morning. Not that I've had north african lamb but it sounds delicious. Congrats on your loss this week and last. Slow and steady is the best way for the long term. If you only lose a pound a week, that's still 52 pounds a year. How's the walking?

Bunny - Wow, what a power shopper. That had to burn a few points!

Mom2 - I do the WW online and love it. I especially love the menu plans for ideas. Welcome to the group!

Linda - I know the feeling about the WW meetings. That's why I do the WW online. I have weigh-in's on Monday and if I don't record it, there is a message reminding me. I also gave up on looking for motivation from the meetings. But everyone's different so good luck and hang in there!

I need to go do my morning exercises and get ready for work.

have a great day!

In another rush this a.m., that's all I seem to do lately. But did take the time to read the posts. It's good to see the accomplisments you are making with exercise, wise eating choices,

I have been on the upward swing for weeks now and have decided to abandon the meetings because paying to be told I gained is very defeating. This on line thing sounds interesting!

Things have been hard around here with my son and wife going through a very emotional time, lots of fights, you can see and feel the tension and hurt. Whats a parent to do? It stresses me out, I hate confrontations.
So, to make my stressed life better... eat comfort food! Maybe a shopping spree, exercise bike ride, curried lamb dinner???

All I know is between work, volunteering at 2 places, my family, I am exhausted, mentally physically and emotionally. Want to withdraw from both volunteer positions ( leader of both groups)... just want to be quite and at home.

Sorry for the whine this a.m. Thanks for listening...I still am motivated to loose the weight and I sure like the support from this thread.

Talk to you soon

Hi --

I really had to talk myself into posting tonight. My pattern in the past has been to make all kinds of "promises" to myself about changing behavior but I'm realizing that those "promises" were really lies I was telling myself to avoid feeling guilty and anxious about not making the changes I need to make.


So I'm trying to do something different ---- checking in with you like I said I would

I have been journaling and it has not been a pretty sight. I'm finding out that If I go "off program" a bit then I say what the "he double toothpick" and pig out. But I am journaling it all --- another step toward being honest with myself I hope.

Exercise has never been a problem for me...I'm thankful for that. I walk or treadmill half an hour a day and also do weights three times a week.

Teakie, sounds like the family scene is pretty rough right now. I hope you'll listen to yourself and take care of yourself (give up those volunteer positions if you can for right now anyway!)

Glitter, what's your secret in having time to prepare all that lamb??? Do you roast a leg of lamb and then use the leftovers? Or do you use another cut of the lamb??? I love lamb but only eat it once in awhile because it seems like such a chore.

Hang in there everyone!

Mom2Xiaomei

Hi everyone!
it is thursday evening. I had a computer training today, on Advanced Excel. what was all that about??? I think I got a few bits of it. It is all a bit abstract for me, but I can see the benefits of all those scarey formulae etc. It is a long time since I had to worry what a 'function' was or what 'sigma' was etc!

Today is veggie delivery day so tonight I am going to roast a chicken and have it with steamed broccoli, and a sort of braised savoy cabbage with some bacon, and maybe some baby turnips.

Mom2xia- there is no secret, except just doing it in the morning before work, although that probably only works if you enjoy cooking. I buy any lamb marked 'low fat' or 'lean'. This time I used these things called 'lean lamb steaks' which were thin cut bits about the size of your palm. They were good. It only takes two minutes to take them out of the supermarket pack, sprinkle the herbs and spices on with some lemon juice, and put them in a bowl in the fridge covered with cling film. I find it is really worth it as it keeps me interested in my food, and otherwise I end up eating 'easy food' ie high fat pre prepared food. Roasting a leg of lamb would be a good idea too, although a bit fatty and I cant resist it once its there.... . I am going to save some of tonight's roast chicken to put in to another dish, maybe a pasta sauce or something.......but I suppose I will have to throw away the skin. How hard it that!!! I LOVE chicken skin

Teaki........Sounds like things are stressful at the moment. I think it can be a mistake to take on a lot of voluntary work (I have been there, and done that myself, and I know how tiring it can get). I also have two voluntary things which I do, and sometimes it can seem too much. It is important to get space for yourself at those times and let others carry the load of it for a while. you can come back to it when you have more time (although I dont practise what I preach on this one! )

Terri........I am so pleased to hear that it is going well and that you have started with the bike! I cant wait to hear how that all unfolds. Is it a sponsored charity thing? can I sponsor you? I would love to.

And hello to everyone else out there too!

I am off downstairs now to read my book for a couple of hours before cooking dinner, what luxury.
love
Lilac

Hello, everyone!

Tonight's ham, scalloped potatoes, and lima beans. It means smaller portions than my pre-menstrual body would prefer (I crave salt and fat when I'm, er, monthly) however, I can manage as I bought only as much as my family o' four can eat -- which should make it easier.

I just finished making my first ever graphic for our gaming website -- I "dressed up" the logo with little video-gaming things. It was fun!

Now I find I'm at loose ends 'cause I got up so early this morning that I've already finished all I had planned for the day. I've even begun loading The Sims on to my lap top to amuse me when we fly to LA in May. That's how bored I am! LOL!

Sorry I have been MIA lately! I had a maintain this Monday at WI. This week has not been so great either. I already have vacation brain, and am not real motivated to diet right now. I don't know why, but I just don't feel like counting those damn points! So for now, I am concentrating on water, and excercise (30 minutes on the treadmill per session). I will walk the treadmill whenever possible. Who knows! I will continue to weigh myself and try to eat health, but I don't want to count! Please know that I have read every one of your posts and send my love and support to all!

LindaBC - It is bad luck if you don't eat a slice of cake at a wedding reception

Mom2 - WELCOME!

Lilac - You should write a cookbook... Everything you make sounds so delic!

My love to you all!
G

Well, tomorrow morning (Fri) is another WI. Gosh they come quickly! On the weekend I think I can cheat a bit because there's still a week to go but by Wed I'm thinking ... "Oops, better smarten up here". Actually, this week has been mostly OP for me and I've been to the pool twice. I'll go again tomorrow morning before WI and hope my body doesn't soak up several pounds of water...hey! it can happen!
Today I went to a Creative Memories scrapbooking party and got two pages done of a book I want to make for my older daughter's June birthday. Just memories of her life until now. I can't believe the damage done to my old photos by those old fashioned "magnetic" albums. I ended up buying a starter kit to the tune of $175 but I'm sure I'll find lots of uses for the paper cutter alone. I already had some stuff from when I put together my Memories of Scotland album last fall. My friends, if you aren't using acid free albums to store your photos, you are in for a nasty surprise in a few years. I was going through some of the albums my Mom left me and her treasured photos have deteriorated so much I worry that it's too late to save them.

A dieting challenge coming up for me on Saturday when we attend the retirement party of a friend. There are bound to be lots of nummy goodies. Hopefully I can overcome my natural instinct to pig out and damn the consequences. One thing I never do though is lie to myself. If I bite it, I write it even though I feel terrible. Better to face up to my indiscretions than pretend I don't know why I've had a gain.

Anyhow, I'll let you know how I make out at tomorrow's WI. (gulp)
LindaBC

Hello everyone
I had half a day of computer training today (Access databases) and that was quite enough for me, so I have come home for the afternoon. Skiving off! I am now happy that I can do the basic things I need to in Access though, and maybe even review how we have the databases set up at work and make some changes, so it was a good course to have done. Also it was run just for the voluntary sector in my area so I met some people and did some good networking.

For breakfast I went to starbucks and had a mocha with soy and no cream (dont know how many points but I am counting it as four) and some cake (3.5), and for lunch I had a pitta bread 1.5 and trout 4 and mayo 1 and sugar snap peas and tomatos (zero) so my total points today is 14. I have a prawn curry planned for tonight.

I am glad it is the weekend. This has seemed like a long week. I have been feeling a bit non specifically stressed out, for no reason I can identify. Money has been a bit tricky, as Australia, Christmas and the new computer all came in at the same time and I had completely under budgeted, and I am having some decorating done and had forgotton to count the decorators money in to my reckoning (and he is £100 a day and I have had him for nearly 10 days since November....... ). So that is part of the worry. I need to have a rebudgeting session . I really cant believe I totally forgot to count £1000 worth of decorating expenses in to my calculations. It is like when you forget to count your wine points!!

Does anyone else out there use windows xp by the way? and is anyone else having teething troubles with it? it is doing something funny to my email

Linda, the scrap book sounds wonderful. I used to love doing that when I was little, but have not really done it since I grew up. I often look at the albums and scrapbooks in the shops and think I might have a go, but never quite do.

Gina, your idea of me doing a cookery book has set me going a bit, and maybe I will! I wanted to learn microsoft publisher and that might be a project to learn with. I could do it over the next 18 months or so and then when I get to my goal weight I could give a copy to all my friends and ww people I know to give them ideas and say thankyou for the support....! now there is a thought. I am going to muse on that.

Bunny, bored! I know what you mean, me too at the moment! I am going to load up Balders Gate which is my Game of Choice for those kind of moments. I cant get to grips with the Sims as they keep wetting themselves In my current computer frenzy I have bought a book about how to work windows media player in xp and I might begin working through that........

Love to everyone
Lilac