What we really want in a weight loss support group, boils down to one concept; we are looking for a sanctuary.

Sanctuary means different things to different people. Sanctuary is a place of peace, rest, safety, and rejuvenation. It keeps our spirit and our sanity intact.

Many of us who have a long journey down the weight loss path find ourselves in need of a break. Sometimes our bodies crave it, and sometimes the choice isn't ours, but circumstances forces it upon us. Other times, we need the clamoring throng to cheer us along our way as we breeze past milestones and overcome obstacles.

Sanctuary can be all that as well. It is what you need and when you need it. Sanctuary can be found in good friends who aren’t afraid of your truths and in an open, honest atmosphere.

Sanctuary isn’t judgmental, neither does it discriminate or ask to be censured. It is open to anyone with a desire to share, and especially those in need of and willing to offer support

As you know I have been listening to Dr. Phil on my morning and evening
commute. This week I have had “control” stuck in my head. There are so
many things that happen that I can’t control – my Dad being sick, flu,
death, but I can control my eating. So a couple times when I felt myself
starting to waiver towards the chocolate at work I thought “ I can make a
choice to keep myself in control”. It worked!!!! One week down – too many
to count to go!!!!

Off to have some dinner and read all the posts I have missed.

Bon Voyage Chicks!

Sorry I can't stay long. It's been a crazy week. I've been working pretty much non-stop and now I have to get us ready for the trip - after a little more work, that is. We are outta here tomorrow for our cruise. We'll return home on March 14th!

We had a consult with our fertility specialist yesterday and discussed the protocol for our next cycle. We are mixing up the drugs a bit and hope to improve response a little more. We'll do another IVF cycle in mid-April.

In the meantime, the focus is on taking care of myself and having a wonderful time with my hubby!

Have a great week and I'll talk with you soon!

Hugs!
Barb

Cheryll:
I hear ya ... I don't know how I get so off track sometimes. At least now I don't wait months and months to start again.

BarbPA:
Way to go, exercising. Ya gotta keep in shape so we can handle that Mall when it doubles in size - plus gambling. At least they are trying to get a casino there too.

I am looking forward to seeing those happy vacation pictures!!!!

Gloria: Congrats on the 2 lb loss.
I don't know, Gloria, WHY do want such a small house?

It looks like not only your mother-in-law gets her own rooms but there are enough for each dog too.

It is really beautiful. Looks like you will have room for company?

Tricia:
I enjoyed your rant!

I do that too, find some food I like and eat it and eat it. Your burito sounds good.

Andria: Are you getting some sleep now? I miss your regular posting.

Speaking of regular posting - ( I know I shouldn't be pointing fingers) but Dawn and BarbG WHERE ARE YOU, COME OUT AND TALK.


Kat:
I would think for you this should state:

Quote:
when I'm good, I'm very very good, but when I am bad I'm better

I might even discuss diet and exercise tomorrow.

Oh Lucky, that would be just to cool to have everyone here staying at my house in Georgia. We could go white water rafting and horse back riding in the state park. Of course, there is no furniture in the house now except for a bed and a rocking chair. Plus, there is no hot water because the previous owners let the house sit empity for two years so now we have to replace the hot water heater. We could have a painting party, and i think it was Tricia that said something about free labor?

I hope I'm not to late in wishing your Bon Voyage? I hope you two have a wonderful time. That is something i have always wanted to do. To take a cruse with my hubby. Cant wait till you get back so you can tell us all about it. Have a gret time.

Hay Tricia, don't you just love it when your kids say stuff like that, and they are so honest about it. They probably don't see you (Mom) as fat or thin, but that you lost weight. Boy i miss my kids being little again. Enjoy them now while there young. It feels like it was just yesterday that i was tucking them in at night.

I don't weigh myself everyday Cheryll because for one, i don't have a scale, and two, i don't care if i weigh 500 pounds. As long as i can get into my size 12's, thats all that maters to me.

Its after midnight and I'm starting to miss spell words so i guess i am tired. Good night to all. Or should i say good morning to all.
Gloria

Good morning all. Be wary I am waiting for my coffee to get done!

I don't know why, maybe Dr. Phil, but I keep thinking and feeling I want to be more athletic. Or maybe because in my younger life I was naturally able to do many sports but didn't really take advantage of it. Now, with fibro and being out of shape and old I want to work at this. Not sure I can or would want to but be fit enough to do anything I wanted too.

The thing I struggle with now is - when I exercise I am fat and clumsy and don't FEEL good doing it. I know the way to get fit is to keep doing exercises but I keep having thoughts like - why bother, too far to go etc.

But then how else will I get there? Okay there is magic

I try to encourage myself by saying, 'if I lose weight and get in shape look a the example I will be for my nieces and nephews'. Maybe I need to repeat this more often to get this show on the road!!!

I know I am sounding like a but feel the need to get it out. Again, Dr. Phil, says just acknowledging something isn't good enough you need to write it down. It's suppose to help. So, you are all SO lucky -my Sanctuary friends, you get to listen to my stuff

So, I declare here and now to work on working out religiously this week.


I do admit that I almost everyday. It helps keep me in line plus I read Tina Turner does it so if it's good enough for Ms. Legs it's good enough for me!

Gloria:

A bed and a rocker - a perfect house for me!!!

White water rafting - is it like they show on those adventure shows??? I don't like to do anything that increases my chance of death by 99.9%

Horse back riding I could do if the horse is old and slow!

Then as I write this I had a sneaky thought - LIVE, TRY NEW THINGS. my mind is scaring me!

I know, I need

I love white water rafting! You can go from as calm as can be to serious white water, whatever suits your abilities or sense of adventure! We've done it down the Delaware River in the Poconos (PA) and down the Sacramento River (CA) neither one was very scary. We would hit a few rough patches, but all in all it was great fun! Much nicer going in the summer though, cuz I hate wearing those wet suits!

Lucky...you just keep working those issues out right here...that's what this is for. FREE THERAPY!

Gloria...no need for furniture! We'll bring our sleeping bags! And paint brushes!
That WOULD be fun! BTW...That chocolate shake looks good! Can't wait to try that!

Andria! Good to see you're still hanging in there, sludge brain or not. Working nights definitely does that to you. I hope you are getting some MUCH NEEDED rest!

Tricia...what a sweet thing to hear from your son! Awww. Makes you want to work that much harder! Sounds like you are really on a roll...good for you!

Cheryll...I know they say to weigh yourself only once a week, due to daily fluctuations, blah blah blah...but I get on almost every, if not every other day. When I'm doing well, it confirms that...when I'm doing not so well, it can keep me from getting too out of control! When I'm doing REALLY badly though, I just stay away altogether, which is when I really need damage control!

Barb PA...Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful, relaxing cruise!

SKittles...Where'd you go, chickie? I hope all is well.

Food and counting points still going well. I snuck a peek at the scale and it says I'm down five lbs. I'll wait for Monday's official number though. But that does keep me motivated!

I'm babying a cold today. Been off for two days and now that I go back to work tonight, I feel lousy. Bleh. Good thing is, I'm not hungry at all! I'm off to get a cup of tea and snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and a book.

Have a great day, all!

Have any of you ordered flowers, plants etc from a catalog?

The only place around here with plants is the local Wal-Mart and that is limited so I was toying with ordering some through a catalog but I know that can be risky.

Wouldn't that be something, all of us togather and going white water rafting. I know there is also a place in Helen Georgia where you can rent a tube for 5 dollars and flote down the river. Carl and i did that a couple of years ago and it was a nice, cheep, relaxing day. If there was any way we could all get togather i would more than be willing to offer the use of my house.

Have to get lunch going so hope to talk to all of you soon.
Gloria

Happy Sunday to everyone!

I haven't had time to read the posts yet I need to get my house cleaned this morning.
I guess I'm back on it for the millionth time. I worked out 4 days last week and weighed myself sat. and had put on 3 lbs. For me it's definately all about the food.
I've never had trouble exersizing, it's just staying on track with my eating. I got a dose of reality this weekend. My husband and I went up north to the lakes and we bought a jet ski. We took our camera and I wanted to take a couple of pictures to show my daughter and grandson. We came home and developed the pictures and I guess pictures don't lie. What the heck. Who's that fat chick standing by the jet ski.
Oh! It's me. And in 6 weeks we will be heading up to the lakes and the thought of going up and being uncomfortable in my clothes is more than I can bear. This is ridiculous. It's only food. Well this morning I got out my nutri counter and started logging in my calories. I don't know if anyone has ever seen one of them, but they count your calories, fat, carbs, sodium, sugar, etc. all for you. It's looks similar to a calculator. But anyway, I am going to start back on the counting and try my best to get back on track. So thats, that.

I'll check back later when I can read all the posts. Have a good one.

Later gators,
cheryll

Cheryll: Where do you get a nutri counter ? I did try to use Fitday on the computer but failed at that. I would write down what I ate but would put off entering it in Fitday (no time) or would lose my note on what I ate during the day.

I would like to see one of the nutri counter to see if it would work for me. If I could carry it with me that might work. Do you enter as you go? I was thinking if I entered what I have planned to eat for the day then I would always know where I stand.

The thing I have always hated about "counting" is figuring out the size and it's nutrition content of each thing I am eating. I think that is why I tend to go towards easy to count stuff. 1/2 cup of cereal, two strips of turkey bacon, Lean Cusine lunch etc.

I don't know what I did but my back hurts today. Once I have finished my coffee I will try some stretches - it feels tense so hopefully that works.

Off for more

Cheryll, I looked on the internet and it showed me a calculator nutri counter but when I click it takes me to a "palm pilot" type recorder.

Does your nutri counter have any other name on it? I liked the calculator type one better than a palm pilot - accounting person that I am.

Maybe I will check ebay.

Congratulations to you, Cheryll. I think more often than not it takes a harsh eye-opener like a picture. But whatever gives you that "I've GOT to do this" mentality is a good thing. And, to be honest, I don't think I'll ever stop looking for it. It is a very delicate balance between being negative towards your body image and being so positive as to become complacent. I'm a little past half way to my goal weight. This is typically where I've gotten off track in the past. I start to like how I look and feel then get an invincicble attitutde - that measly doughnut can't make ME fat. I'm looking for that balance now. Something harsh that will help me keep my "got to" attitude but that isn't so negative that I can't enjoy all the positive changes I see and feel.

Lucky, I'm like you. I find all of the measuring and weighing very daunting. I am not one of those that will ever be able to eyeball a portion. I don't think I would trust myself to do it anyway. I love fitday though. It was a pain at first but it only took a month or so before I had all of my custom recipes entered and now it isn't much trouble at all. I very rarely have to use their lists of foods. I used to enter what I planned to eat ahead of time to make sure I was on track. Now, though, I enter them as I go because I have a pretty good idea of what my standard menus will be. If I'm am considering something unplanned or new I add it BEFORE I eat it so that I can decide whether or not it is worth what I'll have to give up later in the day. The biggest obstacle I've ever had with counting calories is being honest. I used to sabotoge myself with a nibble here and a little bite there. Little things that on their own didn't seem worth logging but that put together over the course of the day could easily add up to 200 or more calories. Something like a cake was always the worst because instead of just getting a piece of it I would fork it to death over the course of the day. If I'd just measured a piece and sat down and enjoyed it I would have been okay. But those 20 "too little to count bites" probably added up to 3 pieces that, unfortunately, did count. Anything I can stick my hand in and grab a handful of is a problem for me too. So, if I make the choice to eat it I always measure out a serving and be done with it. Otherwise, I'll be grazing all day long.

I went shopping this weekend and, for the first time in years, actually enjoyed myself. I bought all new bras and was down from a 40 to a 38 (no cup size change yet - keep your fingers crossed for me). And I bought a couple of new gym outfits and - sit down everybody - they were size LARGE. Not XL, not Women's L, but plain old normal larges in the regular ladies section. And I tried on some jeans that were 12's and they didn't just fit, by golly, they LOOKED GOOD. It was really hard not to buy a pair but I knew I wouldn't have been able to stop there. If I got jeans, I would have wanted a new top, and then I would have wanted new shoes and new accessories, etc. So, I'll save that shopping spree for the size 10s that I hope to be in later in this summer. And my best news this week? I weighed 169.4 this morning! Okay, it is only half a lb out of the 170's but it was so nice to see that 6. It helped me imagine what 159 will feel like and that was quite a motivator! In case you can't tell, I'm very pleased with myself.

It is a beautiful day so I am going to get out and start prepping our garden so we can put in our vegetables next weekend. Hope you all have a great day!

Tricia