Troops, this has been a tough week. We have touched on the mind-body connection, contended with saboteurs, worked on internalizing information, and struggled with paying attention to the details. So, what's next?

REVEL IN THE REWARDS! Enjoy the fruits of your labor, so to speak. I want to hear about the rewards you are enjoying as a result of your new, healthier WOL! They can be as tangible as being able to wear a favorite pair of jeans again, or as esoteric as how you feel about the new you!

I don't want you to get so caught up in the process of getting healthy that you forget to enjoy the journey! We talk a lot about NSVs (Non Scale Victories), and they play an important role, to be sure. And in some ways NSVs are the same as REWARDS. But to me, there is a difference. NSVs tend to be short term, one time things...like a compliment from a coworker or turning down your favorite desert. REWARDS are the lifestyle changes you reap as a benefit of all your hard work.

I think for me the biggest reward has to be the change in my attitude towards myself, and by extension, the rest of my life. For so long I saw myself as this depressed, overweight, middle aged woman who had little control over her life. But I don't see her anymore when I look in the mirror. I remember her, but I don't see her. I see a fairly confident, active, happy person who doesn't look like she is 43 (and really doesn't care if she DOES!) The change isn't so much the result of weight loss as it is of TAKING CONTROL OF MY LIFE!

Another major reward is seeing how my lifestyle changes have spilled over to my 7 yr old DS. He is now very interested in activity and exercise, and talks about what foods are good for us, what our bodies need, and how we can be good to our bodies. I only hope he continues to internalize all the messages he is getting about his health!

Group Activity for the Week of 9/21-2064 minutes! Whoo Hooo, we met our goal of 2000 with a day to spare! Congrats to each and every one of you!

sflake-I love your new avatar!

Robin-I never noticed the snail before...very cute. You can also insert smilies as you type if you use the REPLY option, then click on the GET MORE link at the bottom of the box of smilies. This only works if you don't use QUICK REPLY.

Ellis-I love that message! It reminds me of my son...he reads like an adult...misses small words, changes the order, anticipates the next words...I have to tell him to slow down a bit! I will have to show him that and see if he can make heads or tails of it!

Tricia-I'm glad you liked the WATP tape better the second time. I am still enjoying mine, but I do switch them around a bit. They can get the sweat flowing, can't they?

Sharon-your neice is lucky to have you! It is great that she has a strong advocate in you as she negotiates what has to be a difficult process.

Lizzie-You sound busy as a bee! Good job on the activity...I know how hard that can be when you get wrapped up in life!

Kathy-you did post on Thursday but that was for the day before...I'm pretty sure! Anyway, we got ya covered!



I can't wait to hear about all the rewards you are reaping! So, let's hear 'em!

Good morning, girls!

Rewards, huh? Well, the other day my Mother told me that I was looking great, and that earlier this summer she noticed when I sit down and cross my legs that my legs were HUGE. And now they're not. (did that make sense? I just woke up)

My biggest reward this winter would be to wear a winter coat that I LIKE, and be able to button it up. Instead of walking down the street with it casually flung open as though I'm warm as toast.
Maybe I'll go and try one on... see if there are any improvements from last year... back later...

Franny, I hope you're having a good sleep.
By the way, how is your daughter doing?

Congratulations on all the activity, girls!!

Rewards? Well, I'm not dropping the pounds right now but my friend Claire keeps making positive comments about my jeans getting baggy! Time for size 16, I guess. Yesterday I tried on a dog walking outfit that was too small for me last March and it is fine! NSVs are wonderful.

Now I just need to figure out a way to keep my pedometer from migrating into my undies!
.

I am going down a size To a 16 jeans. I started at a 20! So this is obviously working

Ruth isn't it weird how weight & clothing size are not related all the time. Some people weight more/less but wear a diff. size. Also don't even get me started on the clothing companies. We all how different the same sizes run from company to company. Long story short (too late I know ) screw the numbers something is working if all our clothes are suddenly too big, no matter what the scale says.

My DH made me feel so good the other day when he hugged me and said that he could feel my ribs!! Now that's a real NSV for me.
I also noticed that when lying down in bed, I can actually see my pelvic bones!! Wow!!

I'm now fitting into all my size 10's which have been collecting dust in the rear of the closet. When I began SBD, I was edging into 14's.....and that was the latter part of Aug. This is really a plus!

I am so proud of everyones progress both mentally and physically. You are all my friends and motivators.

Have a great weekend.
Franny......45 minutes of walking today for me.

~Sharon

Hi all ...

Rewards ... two days last week I wore my shirt tucked in to my pants to work and was totally comfortable ... three people at work told me how "trim" I look ...

I've been feeling "skinny" lately so haven't bothered to weigh at all, I guess I should do it tomorrow. It's just that I've been so comfortable in my clothes and feeling so much better that I'm concerned that if I get on the scale and haven't lost anything that little happiness bubble will dissappear ... maybe I'll just skip the scale altogether.

No matter what the scale says I KNOW I've changed the way I look.

I've done some shopping but not gone overboard (I'm going to buy a house so can't blow the budget) but I've been buying things that really fit me rather than buying clothing that have "a little room to grow" ...

Congratulations to everyone on all your victories, nsv or actual pounds lost; it's obvious how much better we are all feeling about ourselves (at least most of the time); and thanks Franny for trying to keep us moving in the right direction.

Good afternoon everyone. Pvt. Lizzie reporting.

30 minutes at Curves yesterday, and a 30 minute walk today. Then we went to Sams'Club and the mall and did a lot more walking.

Rewards: Since I started at Curves in April I have lost a total of 10.50 inches from various parts of my bod. What was really good for me was that I lost an inch around my waist this month. Haven't lost as much weight as I would like but all my clothes fit better.

When I started this weight loss program about 3 years ago, I wore 18 and 20s on the bottom half and 18/16 on the top. Now I am 16/or large on the bottom, sometimes even medium, and 12/14 on the top. It is not realistic for me to think I will get to lower sizes, but I like the fact that everything fits better and people notice the change in my body. And we all know that every clothing manufacturer has their own size charts. The more expensive the clothes, the small the size we can wear. The cheaper the clothes the larger we need. At least that is what I have found.

Can't change my avatar until my figure has improved a bit more.: Have a happy weekend. Lizzie

ok, I know i'm not in the boot camp yet...but I enjoy reading all the posts. However, I did put on my pedometer this morning, so I'm getting there!

Lizzie--do you like the Curves program? I don't know much about it, but there is one nearby to me. I REALLY hate to sweat, but I am curious. Ususally, walking is the excersize of choice for me, I just wish I had a walking buddy.

Good going to all you movers!

Sue, I hate to tell you this, but if you post on the Boot Camp thread then you're at Boot Camp! And all that really means is you join in the fun and discussion...no rules, no regulations, no expectations. We just try to motivate each other to make good choices. So, consider yourself a recruit!