All welcome!
Turtles group has been around for a good long time. We are based on the idea that weight loss for us is slow but sure. The race between the rabbit and the turtle had the slow and steady turtle as the victor. We are all on a path to victory and would be happy to have you join us.
Itryharder (for Lin and Lauren)

Hi Turtles,
I figured out how to do this and our last thread had gotten verrrrrry long.
Have a great weekend.

Greetings from Texas!
Hi, Judy, Lauren, Bandit, Swannie? Whoever else stops by, too, hello!

Hub and I are starting SBD Phase I today, after success with it last year (before various stresses and inattentiveness to diet and exer). Frankly, it is a relief. My weight is at a nasty high, and it's uncomfortable. I caught sight of myself in the reflection in the living room window last night, and it was not pretty. Has that ever happened to you?

I'm going over to the SBD threads to pick up a grocery list and some tips. I hope this finds you all well and thin, thinning, or thinking. I'll come by and read some posts.

Love and hugs. Choosie. xo

OMG - 224.5/224.5/healthy size 14

Hi turtles:

Just popping in to say good morning & that I have been trying to keep on track.
Did OK over weekend had a few extra drinks but got in some extra walks. So hopefully will be fine at w/i - think I will change my day to Wed.

Anyway bye for now.

Hi turtles:

Just popping in to say good morning & that I have been trying to keep on track.
Did OK over weekend had a few extra drinks but got in some extra walks. So hopefully will be fine at w/i - think I will change my day to Wed.

Anyway bye for now.

Hi Turtles,
Choosie, sooooooo glad to hear from you. Guess what? Mousie is back too and we're so happy to have her here to join Bandit, Lauren, and me. Swannie is having trouble getting online with 3fatchicks, but she still stays in touch. I am so glad you're going to use SBD because I remember how well you did last year with it. Also kudos to you and your dh for doing this together. Yes, high weight is not fun. I also know what you mean about an unexpected vision in the mirror or window. Just happened to me.
I've been on a roll here and have knocked off a little weight. I feel good about my attempts and think they are showing. However, what I forgot is how much I do weigh and what that actually looks like. So, for now, I'll ignore the mirror as much as possible, use positive thoughts to keep going, and soon my vision in the mirror will come closer to that positive image in my head. Wow---to be 20 years younger and 90# thinner!!!!! Please chime in when you can because I love hearing from you.
Bandit, so glad you're changing your WI to Wednesdays. Then we'll both report back on the same schedule and that will be fun. Keep on keepin' on. Glad you're back on track.
Love,
Judy

Hi Turtles. In Minnesota unexpectedly to help a friend through the death of her father. I'm not focusing on my plan right now. I bought some fruit to put in my room though. I should be home sunday.

HI TUrtles,
I've got good news. I had my WI this morning and I lost .4#. I really think I may have lost more than that because we ate out last night and the food was really salty.
So, this is my fourth consecutive week of losing weight for a grand total of 5.8#. I am so thrilled. That's almost 1.5# a week. Even more thrilling is the fact that when I exercise and eat the right way, I can lose weight. This means the world to me. I'll check in tomorrow to see how everyone is doing, but I wanted to let you know my good news.
Love,
Judy

Hi Turtles,
Oh Mousie, this is so sad. I'll keep you and your friend in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Judy
We're here for you when you come back.

Hi turtles:

Judy - congrats on your continuing weight loss, that is great.

Hope everyone else is doing good too - keep up the good work.

I had my w/i last night & was down 2.2# so I was very happy about that. Went to movies last night then got in a 1/2 walk. Last week I got in 3 walks so I think the exercise is really me as well.

The weekends are always a challenge but with planning ahead and saving some points I can get through it.

Anyway, have a great day. Bye for now.

Phiew, Turtles, my goodness! Such drama.

When I got to Minnesota, sunday midnight, I walked into the house and my friend fell into my arms and cried. I gave her hugs and support and held her for awhile, then gave similar to her mom (who is also someone I care about). Her dad was dying, and was at home. He wasn't expected to make it through the night. My friend was taken home to sleep by her husband (they had taken an emergency international flight to get home from their honeymoon, and were jetlagged) and I stayed behind.

7 hours of wakefulness later, watching over him with mom2, mom2 decided to steal 2 hours of sleep on her bed (she had been dozing beside him in his hospice bed all night). I imbibed more caffeine and stayed up to watch over him for her. 20 minutes later, he died. I went to wake her and made the necessary phone calls while she gave him his last bath. 6 hours later, having given hugs round, made sure everything was in motion, and released the body to the coroners, I managed to sleep. I had been awake for 26 hours, by this point.

I feel rather cold-hearted for being so matter-of-fact about it. In all honesty, I didn't know the man. He was "Amy's dad", but he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's very shortly after Amy and I met and I never had any actual interaction with him. I grieve for Amy and her mom, though, because the grief I feel from them is nearly crippling. Mom2 has 8 years of the slow descent of her husband to mourn, too, and it nearly makes me cry just to be around her. I'm maintaining my strength, though, and supporting her. She leans on me, literally--she'll be walking by and she'll just stop and lean against me so I can hold her and stroke her hair, until she feels strong enough to continue on. I am a bit in awe of the amount of trust and faith they have put in me--to witness his last breath, and to trust in me to hold them up for this time.

Monday (the day he died) and tuesday (planning services, grieving) were extremely hard days. I know I ate on those days, and I know brownies were involved, but I honestly couldn't tell you more. We are all waiting, now, for the wake tomorrow night and the services at the church on saturday morning.

I feel alternately proud of myself and horrible for being proud of something so petty, but I planned ahead when I was packing and threw in two sets of gym clothes and my walking shoes. The last two days I have been back counting points and have gone walking at local malls (yesterday was Eden Prarie Center for 2 miles, Mall of America was this morning for 3 miles). I made reservations to stay at ExtendedStay America because they have small ensuite kitchens, and I've gone to the local grocery store and have light yogurt, fruit, and water in easy reach. At once it seems so petty and so important, to insist on taking care of myself this way. And to be proud of doing so.

I will not weigh-in this week--no scale--but my plan is to maintain my program and pick right up at weigh-in next friday.

Honestly, this all seems unreal. That long night will be with me, in my memory. 7 hours of listening to every breath...until there were no more.

Hi Turtles,
Bandit, what great news about your weight loss!!!! Weigh to go. You must be so happy. It sure looks like the exercising you're doing is paying off. You're an inspiration to lose weight with all you're dealing with.

Mousie,
You must be very proud of yourself to come to the aid of your dear friend and her mom. This is a very emotional time for them and you're a lifesaver. I also have a comment about eating properly and getting in exercise while you're in the midst of someone's extreme sadness. What is wrong with showing some self control, taking care of yourself, and staying strong? Isn't that really the best you can do for someone else? Rather than diving into the depths of depression, you are controlling the one thing you can control right now: eating and exercising. If that felt good, well why shouldn't it? I applaud you for thinking clearly, being a marvelous help, and maintaining the vigil for this dying man. You are wonderful.

I'm just chiming in to stay in touch. I'm on track and will write again soon.

Love,
Judy
234.6/213.4/thinner into onederland

I'm home, Turtles, and very glad to be here. Mom2 is planning to go to the woods (she's a naturalist) with her dog, find a big tree, and cry out her tears. Dear Friend has a husband to lean on, and other friends around her. It was a long, slow death, but hopefully now that that chapter is finished the family can move on.

I am a bit unsettled by the fact that Alzheimer's seems to be linked to circulatory issues, the two major ones being heart disease and diabetes, and traumatic brain injury. Ummm...well, my dad has heart disease and diabetes type II (which already was freaking me out) and I was in a car accident 8 years ago that almost killed me due to a massive, destructive blow to the head. Seeing a man die that way...wow, my resolve is solid!

I'm thinking in the direction of yogurt, fruit, veggies, and lean meats for the day. Need to check the cupboards and see what we have around. Since I've been gone for a week things are a bit of a tip around here, and I'll need to clean and go to the grocery. Ah, but I'm glad to be home anyway!

Hi Turtles,
Mousie, glad you're home safe and sound. Yeah, these medical things are really scary.
That's why we're working so hard to be thinner and healthier. You are certainly on the right track and I'm so glad you're back.

All goes well with me. I've been hitting the treadmill (well, actually I'm standing and walking fast on it) and I know it is what is contributing to my weight loss. My weight loss is slow (therefore I'm a Turtle), but it is gratifying to see that by watching what I eat, when and how often I eat, and getting in exercise that I can lose weight. It feels great. You all take care. Chime in when you can and keep on keepin' on!

Love,
Judy

I have to laugh, Judy, I have this image of you wielding a vengeful, petulant fist and punching your treadmill for 20 minutes while the motor runs and you complete your miles!

I had a fantastic, back-on-program day. I've had nine servings of veggies/fruit, no simple carbs, low fat dairy, and good amounts of lean protein (chicken). I've puttered around and gotten loads of stuff done in the house, so our world is put back to rights and I feel safe and sheltered again. My body and mind are happy with me.

Everyone else, I hope you're doing well! Chime in when you can!

Weigh to go, Mousie! My WI is tomorrow and I'm hoping it's a good one. Everybody take care--and I promise not to punch out my treadmill.
Love,
Judy