Hi Ladies! Figured I would jump in on the chat! My name is Toni. I'm 27/f/Harrisburg, PA. I am on my second "unofficial" day of Core. So far, okay. I messed up last night but today I'm doing fantastic. I am not going to beat myself up for my mistake yesterday, I'm going to learn from it and move on to the next! I say unofficial because I haven't joined weight watchers AGAIN yet. I was hoping to go Wednesday night but something came up and I couldn't get there and I plan on joining next Wednesday. My highest weight was 307 and with my own diet and exercise plan I'm down to 278.5. ALMOST THIRTY POUNDS! But it's taken me an entire year almost to get here, so I figured it was time to get the extra boost I need and that is help with my eating. I'm already an avid exerciser. I go to the gym often, walk on my lunches, and play Dance Dance Revolution every chance I get!

Hopefully with my good fitness habits and the knowledge I will gain through WW I can finally hit my goal!!

I look forward to being in this journey and getting to know everyone as a result!

(((HUGS)))

I remember you well, Linda. Girl, I am so proud of you. What a wonderful achievement getting to 119 lbs! You rock!! It's so good to read about your success. Thank you for sharing.

Vickie, Linda's inspiring me, too. What do you say? Let's do it.

Toni. And on your fantastic job of losing. I am so excited to have you join us on this wonderful journey.

Rhonda, I hope you can sleep better tonight. Do you ever take Tylenol PM? I do when I can't sleep.

Coco? Where be you, lady?

Hello All,

We are back from vacation now I need to unpack, do laundry, make a menu and go grocery shopping. Plus the brakes went on my car before we left so DH wants to do those and the handle on the toilet broke the morning we left so I get to fix that (why did I want to come home?). I went to WW this morning and was up 2 lbs not to bad I don't think. I was hoping for less but I'll take it, I think most of that is due to more sodium and less water so hopefully it will come back off this week. I rode my bike to the meeting and could tell I hadn't been on in a while . We then went to pick up the dogs at the kennel, everyone is happy to be home. Tonight we're supposed to go to my bil's for my niece's b-day, we're trying to decide if we want to play the just got home from vacation card or not.... Of course we don't have food in the house until I go to the store, so that may make the decision.

Oh well, I need to get moving. So I don't have time to respond to everyone, I will get back on track posting soon, I promise.

-Tech

Hi All:

Wow Linda! what a wonderful story. Very inspiring; thanks for letting us know what happened to you.

Toni! 30 pounds is a great loss and I'm sure you'll continue.

I haven't been on the scales lately, but will weigh on Monday. I think that I've lost some more because my clothes are looser. I certainly hope so.

I'm just running errands today. We're going out to a friend's tonight. I won't be Core but it won't be bad. She eats well, giving thought to what she serves.

Did anyone see Dr. Oz and others on Larry King last night. It was fascinating. I cannot remember his name but a journalist has written a new book called "Good fat, Bad fat" or maybe it's "calories" instead of fat....but, it was really apparent how much disagreement there is out there about why we are getting fatter and what to do about it. Dr. Oz was very respectful of the ideas, but stuck to his point of view. I was really intrigued by how much the scientists know, and how little they know.

But, I'll eat the Core way and try to get more exercise!

Take care all,
Rhonda

Thanks Vickie, Sandra and Rhonda. I just had to share because most know the struggle I had with Core. Now it's like second nature to me. It's how I eat now, is what I tell people. Frank became a member as well..he lost 33 lbs, and has made lifetime. It's hard to tell on him because he doesn't appear heavy, so people can't tell..but he looks great. He's 6 weeks into Lifetime, and loving it.
Matter of fact we just finished our Menu Planner for the Week. I picked a recipe from the WW magazine. We will use 2 of our WPA for it, the rest is Core. Doesn't get too much better than that
For what ever reason, today at weigh in I was down another lb, that brings me to 118, and I cannot, by WW guidelines, go below that range. I did use 31 of my WPA, but did not go into the additional 28 we can have on maintence. I will TEST those waters this week. That is the only way I'll tell what my real WPA's are.
Using 31 - I lost..hhmm!!
I'm not worried if there is a .5 or 1lb gain. I have plenty of cush!! But the waters have to be tested.
Frank pushes the envelope every week, and is doing so great. He thinks he can use btw 50-55 and that is a safe number for him. It's all a learning process, and we are learning.
I actually love Core...you'da thunk!! Me!!! I can't imagine doing any other program. What a simple easy way to eat. Takes a while to get the hang of it, but once you get it...the rest as they say is history.
I want to wish all of you the best in your journey. It's been tough for me, really tough, I just didn't care...but 23 weeks ago something clicked!!

Continued success to all of you! Glad this board is still here!!

Linda

Hi again.

Linda, this board needs all the contributors it can get. We used to fill up 6 pages a week, now we're down to 2 or 3. I hope you continue to bring your enthusiasm here.

And, congratulations to Frank also.

Rhonda

I really need to become reinspired and I think Linda might have done it for me. I can't seem to put it all together lately. Either I exercise and don't eat on program or vice versa.

Tomorrow is a new day and Monday a new week. Maybe I can start going again. I've not gained anything since I stopped posting but neither have I lost anything.

Well, Vickie, you ARE missed!

Thanks, Rhonda. Time is somewhat of a problem for me since Honey Lamb is not happy with the amount of time I spend online. That's primarily why I'm just lurking right now.

Did anyone go to the meeting this week? It was about eating out. We did list of pts and Core meals from different types of eating places. For example : One list was from a steakhouse, the points added up to 13 but had it been core, it was 0 pts. Also a breakfast example was given. Pts wise 5 or 6 can't remember for egg whites, canandian bacon, 1 slice tst and something else...core would just count the toast. Just so much easier to me. There is always something, we can get that is prepared for Core. Even Macaroni Grill has ww pasta now.
I had to start making better choices. I also DO NOT have dessert out. We wait till we get home and have a portion controlled treat. If it's Sat. night, we'll have 2pt WW Ice Cream cup, with a serving of 0pt FF coolwhip!! De-lish, I even add 1 pts worth of choc chips and a banana,and sometimes make a banana split. Either way, I put my 'treat' into a nice dessert dish.
We went to Applebee's Friday night, had the steak and portabela mushrooms, brocoli and red potatos...It's a core meal...it was good and I had a successful weigh in on Saturday.
I think Flex is just as good, and let's face it they both work, but now I just find core so much easier. Snack of mini bags of popcorn, fruit, fruit smoothies, WW smoothies, raw veggies (if you like them) and NO Counting!!
Daily Points just add up too fast, and I found myself grabbing for those 'empty calorie' snacks...and after a while I always felt like I was on a weight loss program, with Core I don't feel that way...Like I said, it's how I eat now. Families can transition into it (mine did) as well, after all aren't we cooking the same meals for each program, with the exception of a frozen meal...but on Flex you count what you ate. Even when my husband wasn't on program, we ate the same meal.
We all need to DO what best fits us.
I do make good use of my WPA as well, and allow for my 'cocktails', and that's what makes the difference when you're just 'wanting' to have a Non-Core item...Go For It and just use you WPA....
We can do this...we really can.....

Hey Vickie, can you believe "Smoothies" have become a lifeline for me!!
I've even switched to Soy Milk-Silk (the Core one) Unreal, right?? Me??
Love the WW chocolate smoothie. Will have WW once in a while, with a banana...best part NO COUNTING!! and it's dee-lish!!!

Hi Everyone
Well finally getting back on here.
I am having a really hard time. I am really off track. Like I am not even following any plan right now.
So I figured with me being that messed up. I didnt have anything to pass on.
So I stayed off here. I have missed you ladies.
But maybe this is where I needed to be. Maybe you ladies could have helped me through.
I know all the food I have ate. Hasnt helped any. But for the minute it was on my lips if did. But now it is all on my hips. So have to deal with that.
But hope I will get back on track soon.
I will have to go and read the post and catch up on everyone.
As I am sitting here. I know I have missed you all. But I didnt realize just how much.
Hubby spend the other night in the hospital. Was having shortness of breath. And said his lungs felt like the were burning. But took him in. Kept him overnight. Said all test came back ok. Sent him home. Said it may be his acid reflux acting up. So dont know. Hubby still isnt feeling real good. So dont know.
And I think I am now stressed about him. Wondering what is going on. But I know the food is going to help. But for those few seconds it does.
Am going to try and go to WW tomorrow night. Went last week. But didnt get to stay at the meeting.
Well ladies I am going to get off here. Wrote a book. Sorry.
Will go and check up on all of you.
I did miss you.
Hope everyone is doing ok.
Thinking of each of you.
coco

Hi Coco!! Nice to see you back. It's hard to stay on track under stress, especially being worried about a loved one. But, we all know that the BEST we can do for them, and ourselves, is to take care of ourselves. Be "selfish" in the sense of really re-focussing on what you need to do. If you aren't taking care of yourself, it's hard to take care of others.

I have to re-learn that lesson every darn day!!!

I made a core pot roast and a delicious cole slaw for our lunch. DH loved them both. Later this evening we head out for our ballroom dancing class. He is enjoying the classes more this year since the pressure is off for learning the wedding dance routine.

I'm just doing work at home, putting away summer clothes and also working on a talk I have to give. A little bored with it all, but it's a beautiful day here for all to enjoy. I wish I were outside but the tasks keep me indoors. At least I have a wall of windows to sit by while I work.

Take care all,
Rhonda

Thanks Tejas
I know I need to take care of myself. So I can take care of hubby. And learn to put myself first. But have a hard time doing that. Think I need to put him first. And then me. And with the way I have been eating. I feel so sluggish. and very cranky. So hope I can get to me meeting tomorrow. And maybe get refocused.
coco

Vickie, I understand about being online a lot. Sometimes Curtis gets resentful, too. We do what we have to do, don't we? How are you doing with weightloss. I hope you're doing better than I've done lately. I'm dusting again today.

Linda, thank you again for your posts. What an inspiration! I just got home from the store and I'm loaded with fruit and core friendly foods. I may even make some smoothies thanks to your input.

Coco, I'm sorry dh is having so much difficulty. I know you're stressed. Please take care of yourself so you can help take care of him. You made me remember a quote from WW. "A minute on the lip; forever on the hip." (Me, too!) We're quite the hipsters.

Rhonda, sounds like you and Doyle are having a good day. Enjoy your dance class. Just think of the good exercise you're getting.