Hello ladies. I hope I can join this board, though I won't be too active for awhile as I am currently 'in stork' as TOPS calls it. I am due on June 26th.

I joined TOPS last January and lost about 17 pounds before I got pregnant in September. I really like the environment and the fact that I can just go along and lose slowly with encouragement but not pressure. I am the perfectionist personality type that always sabotages myself by thinking I have to do everything 100% all the time. Of course, after a few weeks or months I'd give up trying to lose because *surprise* no one can stay perfect for long. Going to TOPS has really helped me focus on being more like the turtle than the hare. Of course, joining the Flylady group for home organization also helped. These two groups have made huge strides towards changing my habits and self image- one baby step at a time.

This is in part why I am so bummed out that my chapter may be folding. All at once more than half the chapter has to quit or take a break for various reasons (including me). The few that are left are not enough to keep it going. This chapter has been around since the 60's so it is sad to see it fold. We may be able to save the chapter if the local Senior's Center agrees to take it on. We'd be able to get enough membership to keep it going then, though almost all the new members would obviously be seniors. In either case, I will need to find a new chapter to meet with after the baby arrives and I can pursue my weight loss goals again. I will miss my old chapter and all the fun ladies I've met. Hopefully, I can make some new acquaintences here.

I am so motivated to lose weight right now but obviously can't. Instead, I am focusing on improving my diet by drinking more water and adding more fruits and vegetables. I am also trying to make sure I gain enough weight for a healthy pregancy but not so much that I will be totally overwhelmed by having to get it all back off after the pregnancy. Sorry my intro is so long. I am looking forward to talking with the people here!

I had this started and my little one decided to shut the computer down, or closed out of everything. Anyway, taking it one day at a time is all anyone can do, well there's more, but not looking into next year, will help one focus on the now. The now is our problem. Staying healthy for the new baby is good now too. Sounds like you are in control. Good thing. About your chapter, maybe everything will work out, keep praying about it, or i will, or maybe it's meant for you to be somewhere else. Again, taking it one day at a time is good.
Congrats on the baby. Do you want to find out if it's a boy or girl? Or do ya know. Wish you the best, and come back and post, and talk all ya want.
The ladies here are awesome.

later

You keep us posted on your chapter!

Welcome to the boards,

You can meet some great ladies here on the boards. Everyone is very encouraging. We all have our good and bad days. We are like family here. Feel free to come here when you can and just jump in. If there isn't a thread started for the day start one. Most times we got busy and didn't get here too early.
Looking forward to learning more about you. Congratulations on the pregnancy. Now we have 2 expectant moms on here. It will be a great year.
As for the weightloss. You can still exercise and if you were overweight to start with and you eat healthy then you will lose weight and it won't effect the baby. I know of some people that have only gained a little weight or none and had a healthy baby. Just focus on you and being healthy then it will be easier after the birth to deal with the weight issue. Like wendy said take it one day at a time. That is all we have is today so lets enjoy it and not think about tomorrow. We worry so much about tomorrow or the future and we miss today.

Sherri

You only need 4 members to keep the chapter going or even to start a new one if needed. Maybe you can keep things going with 4 and the rest will come back as they can. Does your chapter do any advertising? Where I live there are monthly town papers and you can "advertise" under the Announcements heading for free. For instance, I sent one in a couple of years ago that just talked about our officer installment (be sure to mention names, people love that) and then one where several of us participated in Race for the Cure as a group. Worth a try! Hey Bindersbee! I just realized that you are in Utah too! I belong to UT 66, Riverton myself, nice to "meet" you!

Hi Bindersbee
Welcome to the group. I myself just joined here last week I think it was, and they make you feel at home. It is nice to have a group of people with at least one thing and usually several in common to chat with. Sorry your chapter is closing, have you been a member there for a long time. I joined my chapter in September of 2002, however, I was a member several years back, but this time I plan on staying.
Hope everything works out well for you and your pregnancy,
Virginia