I just finished reading The Ultimate Weight Solution in it's entirety, and now I'm ready to work my way through piece by piece. I think it'll sink in a lot better if I actually take the time to think about it when I'm not reading (as I plan to re-read and refer to the book often).

Is there anyone else out there who would like to go through it with me? New readers, old readers, whomever wants to discuss is welcome, of course!

I plan to go through chapter by chapter, perhaps a chapter a week (but I will let the discussion go where it will).

Any takers?

someone just gave me this book, (they didn't like it?)....It's sitting on my coffee table, if I get to it tonight, I'll speak to you tomorrow. I haven't a clue what's inside it....

I read the book about a year ago and felt that it was a very common-sense approach to weightloss for life. I look forward to the discussion.

I am 33, a stay at home Mom of 3 and I had some success with Dr. P's book about 2 years ago. Since then, I have moved and had many stressors that I caved in to. Now...I am ready! I want to re-read the book and go through chapter by chapter too. I was in the 20% that didn't get it but I know if I put some time in to me this time, I will achieve my goal. I have about 65 lbs to lose to reach my goal weight and I am ready to get on track and stay there. I have a membership to the gym that I plan to take full advantage of when my kids start school in a week.

SW: 209 CW: 203 GW: 138

Count me in! :0)

Shelly

OK, chicks! Here's the plan: let's wait until after the holiday weekend, then we'll jump right in. I'll post discussion topics on weekday mornings, and we can go from there. Sound good?

One thing I will say is that I will be on vacation from Sept 10-14, then at a company meeting the 19-20, and I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have at either time. If you think it would be better to wait until I get back from the company meeting to start (so that it's not too choppy in the beginning), just let me know. Of course, you're all perfectly welcome to chat without me!

And can I just say that I think you're all doing really great! Really!

Would you like to take this time to introduce ourselves and get to know one another?

I'll go first.

Hi, my name's Elisha, and I'm a fat chick. I'm 25, and I've been overweight my entire life. Mom, Dad, both grandmas overweight, and now the boyfriend, and my brother is headed in our direction. I've been fighting back since about February of 2004, and I made it down to 197 in August of '04, but I've been headed back up ever since and nothing I do seems to help me lose again.

As for diets/eating strategies, I count calories. I aim for 1600 calories a day, but less than that is of course good. I can't seem to eat less than 1400 without being constantly hungry. I drink a ton of water, and I've recently increased my exercise (though I still don't get enough as I'd like). I'm trying to take up jogging, but it's slow going, as out of shape as I am (and the fact that it's been raining for a week hasn't helped). I have an elliptical, a stairclimber, and a weight machine that are the majority of my workouts, along with a library of aerobic videos.

Other things about me... I live in the middle of nowhere in northern West Virginia and work as a Document Specialist (copyeditor) for a business consulting firm. The boyfriend and I are in the process of buying a house, and we're planning to get married in January of 2007 (he's not a fiancé yet because I don't have a ring yet, but there IS a wedding in the future, we've agreed on that much). Currently we're living with my parents and a plethora of animals, two of which are my cats, Camilla and Maggie. And when we get our house, we're getting a dog.

Right now I'm suck at 213, and I'm planning to get down to about 160-170. I don't know exactly because I've never been that weight before (on the way up I think I was about 12 or 13, so that doesn't really count). I'd like to fit into a size 10, but it could be a 12 or an 8, doesn't really matter. I just want to be comfortable with my body and healthy enough to have kids in a few years.

OK, I'm sure I've rambled enough for one morning. If there's anything else you chicks would like to know about me, just ask. I look forward to hearing more from each of you!

~Elisha

Elisha, I looked at the book last night, but didn't open it. Hopefully I can get to it over the holiday.

I live in NJ (about 30 miles from NYC), I'm 48 and was always thin and athletic when I was younger.....the weight krept up on my butt during some adverse events during 1997-98....and I took off 60 lbs. and felt looked better, it took me 2 years to get it off but it stayed off until 2003 (where I had some bad things happen resulting in meds and major depression)...I decided to make a change this past January and once again am working towards being healthy and looking better...I've got an entire closet of very expensive clothes I can't wear!

I'm a better exerciser than dieter so I try to work that angle...but am currently on Meridia which sometimes helps and sometimes I think it's baloney.

I've heard that old Dr. Phil works with your head, so maybe this is the push I need.....

I am so excited to have found some people in the same boat as I am and am really looking forward to supporting you and getting a kick in the rear from you if I need it. :0)

I am 33, have been married 12 years as of 2 days ago and have 3 beautiful children. I have twin boys Evan & Ethan who are 10 and my precious princess is 5 and her name is Elisha! Currently I sell clothes on e-bay and take care of my family. I also have a cute little corgi named Kirby that I recently got. He is a sweet little dog who helps me get in my walks and makes me smile.

When I was in H.S. I was very athletic and played every sport at my school. I really packed on the weight after high school by getting a sedintary job at a call center which I worked for, for 13 years. Having 3 kids didn't really affect my weight but having 5 surgeries between having my boys in 1995, and now really has. Having twins mushed every organ in my body and I had my gall bladder out, a mass removed, organs detached from my insides, an abdominal hysterectomy, a 2nd c-section and they found out I had the opposite of endometriosis where I was bleeding outside my womb into my abdominal wall. Anyhoo, lots of healing and not much excersizing was the order for a lot of it.

I am proud to say I have been two years without a surgery and when I read Dr. P's book a few years ago, I lost 35 lbs and my weight was on the way down. Since then... I had to sell my house because my husband got transferred, moved to the coast and had the worst time for a year and just recently was transferred to another city. Also, the hubby and I had some problems in January. Needless to say, I gained 20 lbs back and am now at 203 and ready to get the weight off.

I know this plan is doable. I have a girlfriend who lost 150lbs by working the WLC plan. I have been putting everyone else first in my life and I am now ready to work on me. Dr. P really focuses on healing and moving on which is really great.

Sorry that this turned into a book. Thanks for starting this thread. I don't have a problem with starting after the holiday weekend. I am eager to have some successes with you all.

The things I need to work on most are drinking all the water I need to, going to the gym and eating a lower fat diet.

Best Wishes,

Shelly

Ok Shelley, being formerly athletic might count for something....we know how move and just have to do it...now I'm anxious to read the book....(I think I'mthe only one who HASN'T read it)......I eat fairly well and still lose very slowly, never more than 30# a year.

I keep making "little" personal challenges for myself....the first was to exercise for 3 weeks (21 sessions for 20-30 mins. each)...after I completed it on 8/26...I set up "lttle" challenge #2.....20 mins. of intense cardio and 20 mins. of wts...(like interval training) for 2 weeks...I'm on day #3...

BUT life and stress intevened and after 2 nights with little sleep and an early time for work (I'm in Surgery and we start at the crack of dawn) I did NOT want to do anything today...so I kicked *Plan B* into action.....15 mins. of wt. training this AM...better than nothing. My job is so involved that I can't get to the gym I belong to which is in my work complex and costs almost nothing....by the time I get done with work, I'm too tired...so I just do it before I shower, I get up early (430-445AM)

I don't have the capacity to run like I used to or do step-aerobics, but I've found that a rebounder helps me to exercise at a higher intensity for cardio without killing my knees, feet and back. I'm able to keep my HR at 80% for 20 mins. (I do FIRM and Cathe Friedriche at home, the dog and cats don't care) I'm also a lot clutzier than I was 20 years ago, so there is the balance/injury factor.

I keep thinking if I could just get the right combination...I would be more successful.

marbleflys,

I think you are doing great! You are losing weight and seeing your numbers decline and I think your idea of setting up mini-challenges is fantastic. I am going to set one up for myself to kick start an exercise program for myself. I have not been exercising as much as I should.

You sound so busy and yet you still keep at your exercise. You are inspiring me to not make excuses and to get back on the horse so to speak lol.

I think you will get a lot of insight with Dr. P's book about the right combo to keep you losing even more. It will be fun to discuss each chapter and to see some positive results. I am looking forward to the discussions.

Yesterday, I walked for 30 mins while my kids rode their bikes and today I think I will do the same. I drank my water too. I think for a mini-challenge, I will exercise 4 days this week for 30 mins. I am working up to jogging but have back problems. For now, I walk really fast.

Take care,

Shelly

Missy, I need this, thanks for inviting me, I haven't navigated my way through the site yet and your invitation brought me here. I can quote Oprah and Dr. Phil and seem "normal"
I'm 31, 2 kids, happily married, Public Health Nurse and an RN at a hospital. I volunteer alot!! I live in a small town in Ontario and love to be involved in creating its culture. I'm currently 180, want to be 160 or lower I reached that goal in Oct 2003, but since then the gradual wt gain has taken over.
I have been heavy all my life...don't remember anything under 160 (probably that 12-13 age too .
I'm ready, I've had the book for a year, stuck on chapter 'healing feeling' and can't get passed it. work, volunteer stuff, kids, husband, family, sports, schooling stuff have shoved weight loss to the back burner..no more excuses, I'm owning it.
Look forward to the discussion!

Bubblymom, it's nice to meet you! And it's great to have you here for our little discussion group!

If you read through the posts you'll see that we're holding off on starting our discussions until Tuesday, September 6th, since this is a holiday weekend for us American chicks. (My mom seems to have borrowed my book for now anyway--hopefully I'll have it back by then so I know what we're talking about! )

If you ever need any help navigating the forums (or even the journals, for that matter), please don't hesitate to ask. I've been around 3FC for about a year and a half, so I can usually figure stuff out by now.

It seems like a lot of us are stuck on the "Healing Feelings" chapter. I'm sure that one will make for some interesting discussion!

Question for everyone: Do we want to start with the first key and work our way through the keys, or do we want to start at the beginning of the book? I'm open to suggestion!

~Elisha

Morning everyone!

I just wanted to let you all know that I have posted a separate discussion on Key 1: Right Thinking. Please join me on that thread to talk about the book. I have asked a few specific questions, but please feel free to discuss whatever you wish.

Thanks!
~Elisha