Good Morning Chicks! I've been SO busy. Cassie was so sick when we got her home from the test on Monday. We fed her too soon. We knew better but she had fasted and was starving. She puked at least 6 times until there was absolutely nothing left in her stomach. She's fine now though and we are awaiting results. I'm going to be very busy for the next 3 days so I don't know how often I'll be able to get here. Starting at lunch tomorrow, I'll have lots of challenges in the eating department. I'm just going to be as good as I can be and try not to sweat the small stuff.

I have been very successful at eating out at restaurants and losing weight. In fact, I was eating out at the various meals several times a week during the time I was losing my 45 pounds. It just requires that I choose carefully and make sure my preparation requirements are communicated clearly. I think some people use eating at restaurants as an excuse to eat badly. I try not to do that. So...I know I can be successful if I choose to be. Now I must convince myself that I want to be successful as I eat out at restaurants for the next 3 days after today!

How are you all?

Melissa, I am SO proud of you! You are so mature and wise beyond your years. Life is way too short to rush through and make yourself crazy and stressed. You and Aaron need to enjoy each other and your lives while you can. Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. You can always go back to school later, if you choose. I have a friend who is 41 who has just gone back to school to get her BA after working for almost 20 years. I think our life plans are meant to be reviewed and adjusted periodically. I'm so thrilled for you that PC is going well and that you are already being viewed as someone to model. I think there is nothing in the world wrong with doing PC fulltime if it gives you joy. We all know that your current fulltime position steals your joy. Listen to your heart and talk to Aaron. You two will figure it out together.

Rhonda, Congratulations on your dance practice! Even if you make a mistake or two I'm guessing that the two of you already look a million times better than most couples do for their first dance. Did you manage to stay away from the cookies? I notice that I, too, get hungry when I'm tired. I've been trying to go to bed when this happens instead of eating.

Paula, good luck at your meeting today. I'm guessing he'll have nothing to say like last week. You stood up to him. Most people back off once you stand up to them. I think hitting your real boss cold with your commitment question is a good idea. It should give you some real insight into the situation. How did the mammogram go? Welcome to the club!

Angela, Congratulations on your recommitment! :carrot: I know it isn't going to be easy but we'll certainly help in any way we can. I love your plan with your list. I'm list motivated also. I don't mean to put pressure on you but I do look to you as one of my major Core role models. I wish you the best!

Frouf, I laughed when I read your pedometer post. I KNOW that I'm not getting 10,000 steps in a day. Although it helps when you get forgetful and have to go back into rooms several times before you remember what you went in there for! How's it going today? Are you logging more steps? Any decrease in high blood pressure is great. Keep working at it. Darn I can't believe you peeked at the Wicked story! You'll still enjoy it if you go. I hope you find tickets. Maybe you GF can find some for you? I can't believe that your Elton John concert is here already. I'm sure I'd enjoy his concert too. The tickets are just way too expensive for a retired girlie! You did a great job at East Side Mario's. Very good choices!

Sandra, I'm so glad that you're having fun. You sound like you're on a whirlwind band tour or something! I hope you make it to weigh in on Thursday. I know how important they are to you. It made me smile really big when you said how much fun you are having and that Curtis is laughing. Isn't it wonderful when you have a spectacular relationship and each of you goes out of their way to make the other happy? That's how Jim and I are too. Best friends.

Tina, squeeze right in! We were all new at one time or another. I said on the other post how happy I was for you. Huge Congratulations on that 4 pounds down. That is truly spectacular!

Kathy, it really sounds like you are enjoying Kate and Erin. It must be so fun once they grow up and become big girls!

Ok, Jim just went to the library and to the laundrymat. I have a four foot octagon rug under my kitchen table that Cassie decorated several times on Monday. I used Spot Shot but felt the rug was still dirty. He's going to get it washed for me. I just said I wanted to do it and he's already gone, taking care of it on his own. What a guy! Life is truly good.

Morning!

Vickie, how is Cassie now? It sounds like she's really having a tough time with it, especially the fasting and then reintroducing food. I had one like that too, and I know what you mean about decorating the rug. It's not pretty.

Sandra, I am on pins and needles until Sunday! I can't WAIT!!

Rhonda, guess what? My mom is having Thanksgiving on Saturday. Sigh. In Tyler. I suppose you know what that means. I'm very unhappy about it, but that's their only day since she has to work over the holiday. She is a home health care worker for Alzheimer patients and holidays are just another day since illness doesn't take time off. Hopefully we will figure out some other way to get together before the wedding.

I liked the journal idea, too, Angela. I am a writer deluxe, which is why I still journal all my food, my chores, my lists of things I want and things I did and should do and don't want to do ... pretty much have to have a Master List to keep all the lists straight! :lol: I hope it works out for you.

It's so funny you should mention restaurants, Vickie, because I'm the exact opposite. Special occasions are one thing, but just as a regular meal, we don't do it. For one thing, the portions are way too big. I suppose the main reason though is that because of being at (actually below) my WW goal, I've had to take more drastic measures than someone who isn't near goal. Those last pounds are brutal. I DO like the idea though, of not having to cook and clean up. I should really try and figure out a way to make peace with restaurants because Judd would prefer to go out, and it would make my evenings easier. I usually bring home half of what I order, but generally, it's just not as good the next day. Oh except in the case of Italian food! That sort of food is even better as leftovers.

Frouf, I hope you enjoy the concert! That sounds like such a great time!

Okay, I need to go check my other forums and make sure it's all going good. I'll be back later!

Kathy, you are such an orderly control person that I would think that you would have no trouble with restaurants. Eat the portion that you think is appropriate or stop when you are satisfied and pack up the rest for leftovers. I know you don't eat much so you should have lo's for several meals. That would make it very ecomomical. I never eat all they give me except for the veggies and the salad. I think one just needs to exercise control, which is where it breaks down of course.

I have to respectfully disagree about the difficulty of pounds to be lost. I don't think it's any easier for me to lose two pounds with 120 pounds to lose than it is for you or anyone else near to their goal. I could be wrong but I think they are just as hard to lose no matter how much you have to lose, with the exception of water weight that a very overweight person loses in the first week or two of dieting. JMHO.

LOL! I have no problem with you disagreeing with me! I've lost 35 pounds in the last two years, and when I first started it was very easy. I think as time goes by, when you get close to goal, you start feeling entitled to rewards. Plus there's the dealing with people who says "you don't need to lose anymore". Maybe I should have said it's easier to stick to a plan when you have more to lose.

Yes, I have to agree...I don't think the actual pounds are any harder or easier to lose, it's just that it's harder to be motivated. When I had a lot to lose, I was motivated by my health, by wanting to lessen my varicose vein problems, by looking bad...etc. When I was at my WW goal, everyone said how wonderful I looked etc and I felt like I "deserved" treats. It's a slippery slope.

Anyway, I'm still doing well...I was very hungry while cooking dinner last night, so I probably sneaked too many BLT's (bites, licks and tastes :) ) but I didn't go off plan. I dug out my pedometer and am wearing it today. I'm already up to 3500 steps and it's only 10:50. But my walk this morning helped with that. :lol:

Time to go clean up and get working on my list.

Angela

Yes, that's exactly what I meant, Angela. Thank you. I know you realize how difficult it is to maintain.

Although when you're at or close to goal, it's impossible to create the calorie deficit that's necessary to lose. If I wanted to lose a pound a week, I'd have to drop my daily calories down below 1000, which is unhealthy and something that isn't recommended. Someone who has much more to lose can easily create a 500-1000 daily calorie deficit and still have plenty to eat.

Sometimes it's even hard when you have a lot to lose to remain motivated. It's not easy to keep plugging away when you know you have 120 pounds left to lose. I still have all the same reasons to do so that I always did but sometimes I just feel like it's impossible.

Kathy, not everyone who is overweight is eating so many calories that they could afford to cut 500-1000 calories from their daily diet.

Hi everyone.

Angela and Kathy, I so agree with your comments on it being easier to committ when you have more to lose. When I started back in Sept 2004 it was so easy to stick to plan and lose consistently. When I finally made lifetime the following June, I was actually at 170 - 4 pds below my goal. Now I'm 5 pds above it and it so incredibly hard to stay on plan. I still am in my size 12 clothes, everything still fits, and I do like the way I look. UGH, why can't it all be easy! I keep having issues with committment!

Vickie - how is Cassie? I hope better, any word from the vet? The mamogram was just so much fun -- as long as I don't hear anything by tomorrow all is good. That is not a job I would want to do - can you imagine if that is how you spent 8 hours a day - squishing boobs!

Weclome Tina - jump right in. Its actually very easy to join in the group, I'm a more recent member. Congrats on your loss!

Well, I had my weekly meeting with that sort of boss who gave me greif last week --- And what did he have to say as follow up?? NOTHING! Absolutly NOTHING. I'm glad there wasn't any additional confrontation, but jeesh, could you sort of acknowledge what an A$$ you were? I did not send the email I drafted and now I'm just not sure if I should send it. I have a meeting with my "boss" on Friday. I do plan on just asking him how he feels my committment has been. UGH............

Sarah is doing much better, she is 1/2 way through her prescription and her cough is almost gone. She still isn't eating the way she should, but maybe the amoxicillan is throwing off her appetite. She is drinking and eating some, but just not her usual. Oh well, not going to worry about that. Sooner or later she'll get hungry.

For me, I'm doing better foodwise. I was tied up at noon and wasn't able to wi, per my scale I'm still holding my own. Which is OK for now.

Well, got to get back to work. I'll check in later.

Vickie, I sincerely hope you don't take any of my comments as criticism of YOU in particular. It is not intended that way at all. There are people (hello, lurkers!) who are interested in Core and we have to make sure they have all the facts. I have been contacted by people who have specific questions, and very often those questions are about things we discuss here. It's important to discuss them thoroughly (and will also cut down on the number of PMs I get with such questions). ;)

I fully realize that not everyone who is overweight eats enough calories to cut 500-1000 daily. However, when someone who has more to lose figures their daily maintenance calories, it usually is high enough to allow for the cut. The calorie deficit is the only way to lose, whether created through more calories burned or less calories consumed. If it takes a cut of 3,500 to lose one pound per week, which is a cut of 500 per day, and someone has a daily maintenance of 2,000, there IS room to cut 500 per day. That's not true for someone whose maintenance is 1,200 calories.

I don't know how else to explain it, so I'll stop trying.

Paula, I'm glad that Sarah is feeling better. I agree that this guy could have owned up to being a jerk. He has nothing to lose and lots to gain by just saying he was sorry.

Okay, back to work. No matter how much I cross my fingers and wish, these lessons aren't fixing themselves. :)

I feel that there is no other way than for me to take it personally. I am one of the people of whom you speak. I am following the Core program which does not require me to consider calories, but rather to eat specific foods and to monitor my level of satisfaction. Similarly, the Flex pogram also does not require calorie counting but rather the counting of points.

I don't agree that it would be any easier or more effective for me (or others at my weight) to cut 500-1000 calories. WW gives me more food at my weight because I burn more just by being fatter than you. I'm told NOT to cut my points below what is designated for my weight when following the Flex program. I choose to follow WW's guidance because I don't want to deal with calorie counting. When I am on program and exercising, the program works for me.

Since Core doesn't require people to track calories, I would think that it would be more confusing to people trying to learn about Core to talk about calories and maintenance levels here.

Hi All:

Well, finally I finished those student papers (only to get more on Monday!) and can get a little rest. I was really, seriously worn out and giving in to those #%* cookies at the office. But, today I've been really good and feel strong.

Too bad about the conflict with the wedding time Kathy, but I understand. I sent you and Sandra my arrival date; I bet we can find a way to get together.

Vickie, I hope Cassie is better today. That's a sweet husband to take the rug to be washed. We have had one in the trunk of the car about a year NOT taking it to be washed! :freak:

You know the restaurant thing is interesting. Sometimes I can go and be sooo good. Then, kaput! It's the bread that gets me. I guess I really like baked goods! But, I have been doing better with it since I came onto this board...in fact, I've been doing better with everything...THANK YOU.

Tina, congratulations on those losses. Very good job!

Rhonda

OK, :freak: should be :fr:

I'll learn someday!

Vickie, believe it or not, the Core list of foods isn't a magical combination that will automatically combine to create instant fat loss. Calories still DO count. It IS possible to overeat on healthy foods. Whether calories, or points (and in case you didn't know, points are based on calories so YES, CALORIES DO COUNT) ... you must create a calorie deficit, no matter what foods you eat, in order to attain a loss.

I'm done trying, though. :) I'll concentrate my efforts elsewhere.

Hey all...just got home from work and I'm SO tired. We had a "spa" night for the clients and it was good.

I wanted to say thanks Vickie for your sweet words. I really appreciate your encouragement. In fact, that goes for all of you. It's really nice to express what I'm feeling and be encouraged and not told that I'm crazy. Well I mean, I am crazy, but you know. ;)

:grouphug: I hope that you're all having great op weeks.

hi there, chickies. looks like the boards have been busy today. we've been busy today, too. flung some arrows, practiced some w a, shopped some stores, walked a bit at the ranch, and are now chilling in front of the tv. looks like i will go to ww in the am. sure am hoping for a loss.

vickie, we've been eating out daily since we got to texas. curtis and i have both made mostly wise choices but have faltered a bit every now and then. you're right. we can lose and eat out. i am hoping i made enough good choices this week. we'll see at wi tomorrow.

tina, i am proud of you for sticking with the plan. you should be proud of those 4 lbs. that's impressive. i know what you mean about trying to get to know everyone. when i first came here, i printed out everyone's core-profile and even did some studying. you're right. this is like a family here. welcome aboard cuddin.'
first time i joined ww was october 1968. i'll bet you weren't even born then. i couldn't tell you how many times i have rejoined. i did finally get to goal in 2000 and stayed there about 15 minutes.

rhonda, i doubt that anybody at the wedding reception (including curtis and me) won't even know a mistake if one happens. you and doyle will do fine. just think how all of us will be smiling with joy and probably a few tears while watching. we will be in canton shooting a tournament november 18 but will be around the rest of the time just waiting on you two to get here.

kathy, i'm ready for sunday, too. ain't it going to be fun!!!! darn!! i just saw what you told rhonda about the wedding. now that is a bummer for sure. i understand that family comes first, though.

all i have to say about losing weight is--if it were always easy nobody would be overweight.

paula, sounds like your boss isn't going to apologize or even acknowledge any wrongdoing. that's the pits.

rhonda, you're 100% correct. you get an A+. this board is a great motivator to help us all do better. i am so glad we have each other here. okay, now you and doylie boy hurry up and land at dfw.

melissa, howdy, podna!! i've been called crazy more than once myself but i'm perfect now. :lol: i'm glad you were able to get here today. i always miss you when you're away

we're still at the ranch but are leaving in the am and won't be back till sat night. i'm doing laundry right now. it's 86* now and we're both in shorts.

i went to wi this am and almost fainted. well, not really. i did have to look at my ww card several times. i lost 3.4 lbs. and that was after eating out every day this past week at least once.

vickie, you are right. it can be done. i made good choices most of the time. right now i can only think of one meal that i went haywire.

Sandra, that's AWESOME! You go!!

Knowing what to do, and then actually DOING it, are two separate and distinct things. Looks like you've got a firm grip on BOTH!!

Hey chickies,

Crazy busy day at work and almost time to go home - thank goodness!

Angela - how's it going? Hope the BLT's don't get you (try a stick of chewing gum while you cook - prevents you from putting other things in your mouth!)

Vickie - I must confess I am sometimes one of those that does use going to a restaurant as an excuse to eat poorly - this is not a good thing. If I am in a good frame of mind I will (out of guilt?) make better choices - as I did the other night at East side mario's. My first feeling was well they probably don't have anything healthy/core I can eat so I'll just pick something else - but then I found the whole wheat pasta/tomato sauce/grilled shrimp - and felt compelled to order that - the lesser of several evils?

I am always impressed Vickie with your commitment when you eat out as I know you order very very carefully and make your wishes known - good for you!

Kudos to you Sandra for making good choices when eating out - maybe a bit easier if you are eating out a lot of meals - you are more motivated to choose carefully than if it's a one time special treat!

Tina - fabulous loss - good for you - I think you will see that Core is definitely a healthy way to eat and you will feel fuller longer - keep up the good work.

Kathy - I remember once getting down to about 138 lbs and freaking out - yes I was on WW - but honestly I had to eat like a bird and exercise like a maniac - certainly not something I could easily maintain. Yes it could be done but at what cost?

My current goal would be closer to 150 - not exactly the right weight for my height - but given my body type and lifestyle at least I know I could probably maintain that without going crazy. Sometimes those last few pounds don't want to come off for a reason!

Rhonda - how's the dancing going? I am getting very excited for your wedding? When is the big day? (I forget) and the cruise!!!!!!

Yesterday I stayed home - bit of a headache/backache and just didn't feel like going to work! Bad froufie. Unfortunately being at home meant eating all day long - and going to bed feeling awful - not sleeping well - and feeling tired all day (with lots of meetings to boot!). Sure wish I had a couch in my office for the occasional nap!

But tomorrow is the BIG DAY - going to the Elton John concert and I am going to be sick with excitement - I know all the songs, I know all the words (okay except for the new cd which just came out and I don't yet have!).....and I will be GRINNING from ear to ear for 2.5 hours. I will be wearing my Elton John sweatshirt to work tomorrow (please god let it still fit!) in anticipation. Have to get there early early - so I can suck up the atmosphere and buy a t-shirt or program? Maybe dh will bring his camera and take some pics!!! (I have great pics from last concert - 3rd row seats - just amazing!).

Yes the tickets were SUPREMELY EXPENSIVE (more than the Wicked prices Vickie!) - but for me worth it - luckily he only comes here every 3-4 years and as I don't go to many concerts I feel I can justify it? (ya right).

Okay time to pack up and head home! (LO froufie roast for dinner)

Frouf

Kathy, I guess I'm guilty of wanting to have at least one more word on the subject. Of course calories matter. That was never my point.

I'm not stupid. I understood what you were saying in your first post. I have chosen to follow Core/Flore and do not want to deal with calorie tracking and the stress associated with it. That is why I opted to follow the WW program.

I'm very well aware of the fact that there is nothing magical about the Core list of foods. I understand that I must not overeat and that calories count. I also understand that it is possible to overeat healthy foods, hence the emphasis on monitoring the satisfaction level. I also know that the points are based on calories, approximately 50 per point. The Flex program as developed by WW did the work for me so that I don't have to worry about it. I choose to believe that WW did sufficient testing on the Core program and believe that it can and does work when I apply all of the principles.

Now I'm done trying to defend the Core program and myself.

Vickie, you can take personally anything you want. You aren't the only member here though -- there are 49,000+ in addition to you. If a comment happens to apply to you, or describe you, that doesn't actually mean that it's directed TOTALLY TOWARD YOU.

I'm tired of walking on eggshells. I'm tired of watching every little word I say for fear that it will upset someone's fragile emotional state. I'm tired of not being able to have an opinion because there's a chance that someone will take it personally, whether or not it was directed to them. I'm tired of having people PM me asking about the Core program and if it works or not, because they have read the posts here and are puzzled ... wondering how it's possible given the stats they see. And yes, they do read and they do ask. They do wonder how someone could adhere to the plan (exercise or not) and yet not lose more than a pound or two per month on average.

And THAT'S why I'm done.

Hi everyone!!

First off - I just wanted to apologize in advance - I still feel like I am getting my bearings in here - feeling out the dynamics of the group - and will probably be a bit self centered in my posting - until I feel more comfortable re: being outgoing :)

On a side note - you may think this odd, but I actually find it a bit comforting to see some debating among the 'family' here. It's good to know that people can express opinions/feelings - and not necessarily agree - but still get along here. That's what is important. We can all provide support to each other even though we may not be in 100% agreement.

Vickie - sending you big hugs dear - is it your cat that is sick? I think I read that - how is she doing?

Everyone - thank you very much for your supportive replies. I really do appreciate the support. :hug:

I had kind of a rough day - totally due to my stupidity - but long story short - I forgot to eat lunch. I didn't get hungry, and didn't really try to eat until I started to feel ill around 3:30 this afternoon. I did eat then, but that and dinner after - well - I still feel crappy. I have had this happen before - and KNOW better - but just kept thinking how 'not hungry' I was and didn't want to eat anything. I was full. Menu today:

Bfast
1.5 egg/Ham/FF cheese
Coffee
Oatmeal Cookie

Lunch
Chicken salad
Banana

Dinner
Milk
3 oatmeal cookies
FF Hot dog/ light bun 1 pt each (2 pts total for the day)

will probably have another glass of milk and some pudding

Tina

I am actually getting a bit concerned - a friend told me today that when she was at her meetings - the majority of people doing Core didn't lose weight. Now I'm hearing that too here(maybe I need to read up more :( )

I'm feeling good about the plan really - but am beginning to worry that the success may be short lived.

I guess I need to read some more of the posts.

Tina

Tina, Core works if you follow the program, eat only until satisfied, follow the guidelines (veggies, fruit, dairy, water, healthy oil) and exercise. I lost fabulously in the beginning when I was following the program religiously and tracking every single extra WPA I put in my mouth. I'm 50 years old, perimenopausal, and haven't exercised much in the last 9-12 months for physical reasons and I've gained a few pounds back. It isn't the program's fault. There are two people following Core at my meeting. One lost an average of 15 pounds in 6 weeks and the other lost 12 in 6 weeks. I guess it will all come down to how carefully you follow the program. I don't claim to be an expert. I have to admit that I trusted WW enough to give the program a chance. It worked better for me than Flex.

Kathy, you don't have to be on eggshells. I'm not fragile at all! In fact, that's why I decided to speak up. I'm following Core and I'm tired of hearing the program knocked. This is the Core board and I shouldn't have to defend the program here. Good healthy debate is always appreciated, but for a long time now you have commented that you don't think the program works. That's the beauty of 3FC. If Core or WW doesn't work for someone or if it doesn't mesh with their philosophy then there is likely a board or a program that will match.

Hi:

I just learned that if you type a message, then go back on the boards to read, you lose the message! Oh well, I was just complaining about being tired and wanting to eat everything in sight. This has been such a lesson for me. I really had NO idea that I was so orally fixated..if you don't mind a little Freud here on the boards.

To those of you who are losing this week...congratulations...I'm so jealous! I wonder what I can do in the 16 days until the wedding? Let's see..what would only bread and water do? ;)

Isn't it ironic that so many people in the world can't get enough good food and we have to work so hard to control intake? This is a very strange world sometimes.

I hope all are well and have a great Core/Flore day tomorrow.

Rhonda

Hello all, this is my first post although I have been a lurker. It's hard sometimes to get the courage to make that first post. I'm going to be eating mostly all core foods but will also count points because my satisfaction button doesn't work all that well and I don't mind counting the points. It is sometimes hard to find a program that fits exactly but I believe this one is as close as I can find to what I'm looking for. I'm also from Canada and we don't have all the fat free foods here but we have some and the others that are 1% will have to do.

I know I'm jumping in at a time there is a little tension but I hope it gets worked out as you guys seem like such a great group. I think it's great to get different opinions on any subject and core is no different.

I'm hoping to get a lot closer to my goal by Christmas so wish me luck I'm sure I will need it lol.

Areil

Hi Areil and :welcome:

It IS a great board. I'm one with a faulty "satisfaction button" also! But, I'm learning.

My current struggle is staying away from empty calories/non-core foods when they are put in front of me. In other words, it's hard to say NO in the face of most of the crud that passes for food! But, I'm getting better at it and that's the point. The board has helped a lot in that regard. I hope it helps you in whatever is your hardest challenge.

Rhonda

Thank you so much for the welcome!!! I know what you mean about the empty calories that are hard to resist. At home it isn't hard for me because I just don't buy them...I am one of those people that can't have treats at home because I will eat them all at once until they are gone. It is definately harder when you go to places you can't control but I am going to try my best.

areil

Morning all. To those of you wondering if the Core plan works or not...it's the same as any other plan. It depends on how well you follow it, and your own body's unique way of handling weight loss. All I can say is, I followed the plan religiously for the most part, and lost 50 pounds in about 9 months. Granted, the weight was half "baby fat" and was probably easier to lose than some, but the second half had been with me for at least 8-10 years. Also, I think since I am younger and active, my metabolism allowed more "cheating" than, for example, my 53 year old, premenopausal mother. We could eat the same, exercise the same, and NOT lose the same. She did have more weight than me to lose (like 100 pounds) but she's managed to take off 50 pounds and is now in to the old, old fat that has been there for 20 years. It's been a struggle for her.

I really think that the Core plan works, but you have to take it seriously, and truly follow it. Even then, we all know everyone's weight loss history/experience is unique. I wish everyone would acknowledge this. I know some people here on this board are doing variations of Core, which is great, because they're tailoring the plan to their own lives. And I think these people, if asked, would make sure everyone knew that's what they were doing. They're not trying to pass it off as Core, but I can see that it would be confusing to someone coming in new. We tried for a while on our menus, etc to mark clearly what was Core/not, but we don't do that so much anymore. I think since this isn't an official WW website, we shouldn't be taken as the Core authorities, or be questioned because we're not following Core exactly but are still posting on a Core board.

We all came here because some element of the Core plan hit a chord with us. For me, it was the healthy, whole foods and the ability to eat when I was really and truly hungry. But regardless, we're all here because we want to have healthier lifestyles, and want a friendly support group. I love what we have here, and I don't want to see it go away because of misunderstandings. I have been disillusioned several times lately, and I really don't want it happening here too. :( That's all.

Angela

Well I see that everyone has been sufficiently scared away today. That's a shame. I think Angela stated things nicely...I consider you all my friends and that's that.
So on with life...
I am doing very badly with being on plan...any plan for that matter...I've even broken my exercise habit already. But I'm determined to get back on board. I have decided not to go back to school next semester, so I'll have more "me" time to take care of myself, my home, my business, etc etc etc. And hopefully my kid!! ;)
We went to look at laminate flooring today and found a place that we can get it much cheaper than other places. Very exciting! I've been saving my PC money just for it, and we have enough. I think we're going to go ahead and buy it but probably not put it down until after Christmas. With school it's just too much right now.
Well Aaron needs my help with something so I have to run.
I hope that all of you are doing well. I'm sorry for any and all hurt feelings. I have considered you all to be the best support group a girl could want. It's nice to have a "safe" place to vent!
Have a great weekend everyone!! :grouphug:

I just love the idea of old, old fat! I feel like a geological experiment now :lol:

I did very well today, after all my "stuff" about cookies. I hope I'm through a phase. I had to go out tonight and was concerned that I would not do well. BUT, I did. I found a way to eat only Core foods when I was surrounded by many other choices.

I also did an hour of Pilates. I must tell you that Pilates is fantastic. If you haven't tried it and are the least bit curious, go for it. Not all teachers are the same I know. Mine is unusual and we do a lot of power yoga with the Pilates. I have been doing this a few months and I do see and feel changes. I feel much, much stronger. I AM much, much stronger.

Angela, the friendly support group won't go away. I'm sure. Just keep writing, and encouraging others to participate. It's going to work out :cheer:

Rhonda

I see Melissa and I are writing at the same time. Good for you with your decision Melissa. I really hope for the best for you and your plans.

I would love to have some laminate flooring, but I have two dogs and I hate the sound of dog claws on laminate. I'm considering cork since I have a small space. It's expensive, but durable and quiet.

Rhonda

Rhonda congratulations on having a great day op!! :bravo: I'm very impressed. You are one determined gal. You are making me think about my pilates again...I have the Winsor pilates dvds but have never done them regularly, just sporadic here and there.
So what's the countdown to the big day?
I think cork floor is really neat. We actually looked into it because we thought that it was less expensive but soon found out we were wrong! :D
Good night!

Good morning everyone, it's Remembrance Day in Canada today so my thoughts are with the many men and women who sacraficed their lives and for the men and women that still do to fight for freedom and democracy.

My husband will be off work on Monday because Remembrance Day is a paid holiday for him and since it falls on a Saturday he will get Monday. We plan to put plastic on most of our windows this winter to keep the nasty winter cold out this year so that should keep him busy. We rent the house that use to belong to my stepmother's parents before they passed away and it is over a 100 years old so there are many drafty places that we need to put some spray foam in. The insulation is not very good in this house anymore so I'm sure the heat will cost at least $400 a month this winter. We have been here a few years and every year we get new air holes lol. Other than that I just plan to try and eat really good this weekend as it's my first back on plan so I really want to prove to myself I can do it.

Angela- You have been a great success on core and your message was a really nice one and very fair to all.

Melissa- I know what you mean about not being on plan as it has been awhile for me and I decided unless I want to go naked at Christmas(not a pretty sight lol) I better finally get serious again. Good luck with the laminate..I remember when it first came it there wasn't much to choose from but now they have so many different colours of stain and styles that I think I might get laminate when I get a house.

Rhonda- You sound like you are doing very well on plan and congrats to you for finding a way to eat core when surrounded by many other choices. That is so great that you love your pilates. I tried doing it at home and I did like it but I think I would like to go and have a teacher to make sure I'm doing it properly. I know I can sometimes get a little lazy with doing workout tapes at home. I always wondered what cork would look like but where it is more expensive and I don't have any pets I probably wouldn't get it but it sounds like it would be really nice. I guess no point on worrying what I will put on my floors when I don't even have a house yet lol.

Angela, thank you very much for your beautiful post and heartfelt support of the Core program. I especially appreciate your sharing the details of your Mom's weight loss struggle since they are so similar to my own.

I wish everyone the very best of success in their weight loss endeavors.

Good Morning All:

Cork floors: my sister is 16 years older than I am and when I was a teenager she had a home and a family of young children. They installed cork floors and they were beautiful, easy to clean, soft and sound-absorbing. I've always wanted them. Just might get them in the kitchen area.

Pilates: I think that whatever the physical exercise it helps to have a teacher get you started and, if you can't go all the time, then go back for check-ups. It's important to do any exercise correctly to get the most benefit and to avoid injury. I'm sure I'm "singing to the choir" here.

Today, as already mentioned, is Remembrance Day in Canada...Veterans Day in the US....it's dreary, grey and wet here in Toronto...fitting weather for the melancholy brought up by the tragedies of war.

So, we've got the menu for the wedding reception planned or ordered. Well, it's not very CORE! The meat is of course, but I don't know about that Bar-b-que sauce!

We're cleaning house, getting ready to get packed and doing all those things you have to do to get ready for a trip. Froufy, come on down here to Toronto and help me pack...you regaled us so much with your packing adventures that I know you're an expert!

It's a good time to want to snack on something so I pulled some apple-oatmeal muffins out of the freezer...really yummy on a dreary day like today.

Well, I'm just chatting away about nothing really....so, have a great day everyone!

Rhonda

Okay is it my imagination? or are we missing a bunch of posts from nov 9-10?? I know I posted something on Friday and it seems to have disappeared? Very strange indeed?

Rhonda - okay first you need the froufie packing list spreadsheet - and the rest is a piece of cake! :D:D

Dreary day here today - I agree w/areil - very appropriate for remembrance day - little ds and I were watching tv this morning and they had the minute of silence and little ds was so cute standing at attention in his jammies in the family room - then he had to go find his historical moments dvd (handed out last year at the War Museum - 1 minute historical canadian vignettes - used as commercials - many of which depict some of the war stories involving canadians! (Areil - where in canada are you?)

Last night I was at the ELTON JOHN CONCERT - it was amazingly fantastic - I just went crazy - the very typical opening of funeral for a friend/loves lies bleeding in my hand - wow! The crowd went crazy! It was non stop entertainment - esp at the end with crocodile rock, the ***** is back and saturday night - all in a row! He signed many autographs of front row fans - and came out to do an encore - candle in the wind and the Your song! I was in heaven!

I am however livid about today's review in the paper - seems the reporter is out to lunch and doesn't seem to check facts - said EJ has not been in ottawa since 1997 - which is untrue as I saw him here about 5 years ago. Then mentions his rendition of 'don't let the sun go down on me' - which actually was NOT sung last night - how stupid is that?

And yes elton is getting older and can't hit those high notes anymore - I noticed a couple of lyric flubs (only the diehards would note this) but otherwise supremely great - lots of improvisation and jazzy/bluesy numbers - he still has many songs left in him!

Today was a boring day - started out with big fights as dd started the dryer at 8 am waking us up - not good! And did I mention her FACE PIERCING - which she did herself! She is insane - decided she wanted a 'monroe' - beauty mark area earring piercing - which she did with a stud she found - I am livid and am insisting she remove it esp as it is now looking red - she is not even talking properly and the inside is scraping her teeth.

Says she won't take it out unless I promise to let her have it done properly and get the right 'ring' (lebret) - am I too conservative and battling this for nothing? (yes all her friends have various piercings and their parents don't seem to object!).

So I figure we will be ending up in the emergency room pretty soon. Told her I was not driving her to dance classes until it was out (of course says she will get there on her own) - and yes she is the stubborn type as many of you know! I feel my hair turning gray as I type - I can't seem to make her understand she is harming herself!

Took her and ex for more groceries and back to his place - she is there til tomorrow. dh has been at local university library doing research on work project so little ds and I on our own. Drove big ds to his work/gig tonight - and then decided to go out for pizza together - yes I ate too much and I am now bloated - what else is new.

dh on way home with rental movie I think for tonight!

Frouf

Hi everyone, I am new here, but have been on the core plan for close to five months now. I have lost 33lbs. to date and I couldn't be happier. I am reaching out now, looking for some support as the holidays draw near and I am starting to struggle. I have been pretty good this week, but have had a tough month. I had 85 lbs to lose total, so I am about 50 lbs. from goal. Most people have not even noticed that I have lost over 30 lbs!!! I will never switch to flex and will continue to eat this way forever - that is the plan. I have great family support and my 21year old daughter is on program with me. I personally feel that the core plan is a near perfect diet. I try to exercise daily, but as I said, the last month has been tough. I hope to meet some great people here and give and receive some great advice and tips. I have lost weight every single week, with the exception of the last two. Not even much of a gain to count- two tenths of a lb. But, I want to nip it now!!! Looking forward to meeting some fellow core planners!

:welcome: Beckley. What's wrong with those people who haven't noticed! We did ;) Congratulations. You'll do well and this is a good place to come for support and you're lucky to have your daughter with you on the journey. I'd love to lose another 50 pounds myself and I'll see what the year brings.

Frouf: I am so envious of the Elton John adventure. I must get to see him sometime.

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's possible inflammation. I do hope you're able to get her to pay some attention to the potential health problems. There are safe ways to do piercings and try the public health people there in Ottawa, especially if she won't see a doctor. There may also be a youth clinic somewhere that provides safe piercing information. I'm not so keen on some of the piercings myself, but the kids are really doing them, so we need to try to get them information on safer ways to do it. Maybe she knows all of that??

Rhonda

Good morning everyone,

Well last night I definately ate more than I should of but I'm ready to get right back on the horse today. We went to the mother in laws last night and for some reason I always seem to eat too much there..I guess I should come up with a better plan. I was so full last night I thought I was going to blow up..at least I did learn a lesson as I was so uncomfortable. Today I plan to drink lots of water and eat normal portions.

Rhonda- That must be so exciting planning your menu. You are getting married very soon I take it? Even if the BBQ sauce isn't core it usually isn't too bad in points...usually not much fat and maybe a little heavy on sugar but all in all it's not a bad thing to eat. How long are you going to be gone for? Those apple-oatmeal muffins do sound very yummy..I wish I could even have something like that in the house but unfortunately I would eat them all at once.

Beckley- Welcome to the board!!!!!!!! You are doing so great. You must be very proud of yourself. I know what you mean about people not noticing..it took awhile for some people to notice when I was losing. It's so hard to tell if someone just hasn't noticed or they are afraid to say something. I know some people don't like people to mention their weight even if they have lost weight and then there are other people who want you to notice and say something. Personally I don't mind if someone mentions I look like I lost weight lol. That is so great that you have lost weight almost every single week..you definately know how to work the program! Congrats to you!!

Frouf- That is so cute about your son standing at attention in his jammies. I feel kind of bad I didn't go to any of the ceremonies around here but I was thinking about them yesterday. About you daughter..I'm not sure what to say about that. I had my nose pierced when I was in my early twenties. I thought that was brave for me at the time and even put a hoop in it a few times lol Personally I'm not a fan of the other piercings for me but they really don't bother me on other people...although I must say if I had a daughter I wouldn't really care for it on her too much either lol. I probably would let her do it tho because I guess I believe in personal expression even tho I wouldn't like it one bit. In the end it's your daughter and she lives under your roof so I believe until she lives under her own roof it's up to you what you decide..not her. No matter what you decide I would make her take out the one she did herself as it doesn't sound very safe. I'm in my early thirties and I have a younger sister that is 18 and she just got a tattoo of her initials on her neck lol..I just shake my head at her..I guess she can put her hair down and cover it up if need be but I'm wondering what she will get next. She has had her belly button pierced for a few years now but she never did any of the other piercings although I did hear her talk about them many times.
I am on the east coast frouf..Fredericton, New Brunswick. Have you ever been to the east coast? I have been to Toronto on the bus a few times..umm can you say crazy. I'm not a big fan of flying but let me tell you it is quite a long bus ride lol. So I have been to other parts of Ontario..whatever the bus route that goes from Montreal to Toronto. I always left Fredericton in the early evening so of course by the time we left Montreal the next morning I usually slept most of the way from Montreal to Toronto so I'm not sure what places we passed through lol. It's been awhile now since I have been to Toronto but always had a great time there. Someday I would love to go to Ottawa and stay a couple days as I would love to see the city. It sounds like an interesting place to live.
Sounds like you had a great time at the Elton John concert. Evertime I think of him I think of my cousin who moved to Toronto when he was 19 and he ended up catching aids and passed away from it in the 90's. He was older than me but when I was a kid and he was teenager he would put on Elton John all the time and make me dance to it lol. I haven't ever seen him in concert although my mother in law likes to make me watch him in concert on dvd everytime we go over there lol. It's nothing like seeing someone live in concert tho. The last concert I went to was Dolly Parton last year..even tho I don't listen to country music that much I have always loved Dolly. Anyway it was very disappointing because they didn't have a screen up and we were so far away from the stage that she looked like a little dot on stage..even with those big boobs lol. That's too bad about the review..sounds like the person didn't know much about the concert or Elton John.

Anyway I'm off to hunt down some breakfast..have a great morning everyone!!

Areil