Hi, fellow losees. (Sounds better than "losers" somehow.) Starting a new thread because the last one was getting long.

Kathy, 4 and 6 years old? Wow, you do have your hands full. Hope you can manage to take care of yourself as well as the family. I know that can be hard, especially when one has a warm heart like yours. But you're worth it, you know.

Tammy, good job on that big loss this week! Hope the flu passes quickly. I don't know what's in the popcorn seasoning you have. What's the nutritional info? That ought to have your calories, fat, and fiber.

Cynthia, I think you're right -- some of the hunger I'm experiencing is the increase in exercise. Last year when I first started to work out, I was extremely hungry for a while. Now that I've increased my intensity again, I seem to be having the same response. I find, though, that if I eat my activity points, I don't lose. And unfortunately, this week I did indeed eat all my activity points! Oh well. I'll keep chipping away. Way to go mixing jogging in with your walking! I don't think I could handle the pounding on my feet yet. I have rotten feet.

I haven't tried anything with wonton wrappers, but I do love them. I love the steamed veggies in those wrappers -- I'm just too lazy to prepare them. If you find a good recipe, I'd love to hear about it.

Marion, wow, look at you go! All that exercise! If your weigh-in is soon, don't be discouraged if you see a gain -- ibuprofen really makes me retain water. But you should definitely take it if your back is hurting. Are you doing some relaxation exercises for you back, too? Those help me a lot.

I am having a tough time with PMS again. I've been taking calcium but not as regularly as I need to. I've been VERY hungry the past few days, have eaten at the top of my points (and one day over), and now feel bloated. Harrumph.

As I expected, I'm finding it a challenge to get used to working again. But I'm looking forward to buying a laptop with the money. It's time to replace our home computer, and I'd like to do it with a portable. So I'll keep focusing on that as I sit in my little, windowless cube and try to figure out what I'm doing.

I'm finding sitting at a desk all day doing something boring just makes me want to eat. It's like a form of entertainment or a way to break up the tedium. I brought fruit and veggies with me to work, but I also brought WW bars and popcorn. I think maybe this coming week I'll just bring fruit and veggies to work, other than my lunch. And maybe I'll also have to just grit my teeth and bear it. Whatta concept.

Well, have a great weekend, all. I'll be watching the olympics.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/195/189 by April 17 79 pounds down!

HI Lauren, and all
I am on my way to bed, but thought, i would suggest grapes, you can eat about a gazillion of em if you need too. But the deal is you can spread them pretty far if you only eat one or two when the uge to eat gets to you. I find them a good nibble food, better than popcorn for me
I made it to the gym again today, but because i was already sore i just did 2 slow miles so as to make sure i didnt tighten up too much.

nighters

Marion, if you can eat two grapes at a time, you are a stronger woman than I am! I love grapes and can pop them by the gazillion. Unfortunately, they're high in points -- at least when you eat a half pound of them. I did eat a bunch today, though, instead of popcorn, and I thought of you.

BOY, have I been hungry lately. And as of yesterday, I was up 2 pounds. Bleah. I've been over points several days this past week. I'm getting in lots of fiber, eating lots of protein, getting in my fats, drinking my water, etc. It's got to be hormones and stress. But I'm genuinely hungry. Anyway. This too shall pass.

The main thing for me right now is I want to stick with the exercise, no matter what. I can't believe how different I feel now. I don't even have that big mid-afternoon slump anymore, when I work out in the morning. That's a first for me.

Today for the first time in a very long time I was getting stuff at the salad bar at work, and I thought to myself -- "Oh, I'll just load up; I've already had a bad week points-wise, what's one more day?" I haven't thought like that in a long time. Fortunately, I saw the thought for what it was right away and was able to remind myself that it's the LITTLE decisions we make that make the difference. ALL the little decisions. So I made a little decision to take a little less and just start again, no guilt and move on. I'll tell ya, much as I hated gaining back those 16 pounds last year, I sure learned from the experience.

I also think this time of year is just plain hard for some reason. I have traditionally plateaued this time of year, or gained. And here I am again. I'd like to break that pattern, but I suspect I'll only be able to do it with some discomfort and difficulty. Why would this time of year be difficult, do you think?

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/195/189 by April 17

Hi lauren,
I think for me this time of year atleast her in mssachusetts is colllllllllld, so i always tend to wander to warm comfy comfortlike food and also that same kind of ambition, i would much likely be found curled up under a blanket with a book, then doing something else i ight get chilled with, i hope you get what i am trying to say cause i am not saying it very well

Hey everyone,
I have been traveling and haven't been able to post. I am trying to get back on the weightloss wagon. I was doing great last month and for some reason I took that flying leap off the wagon and have gained 3 of my 5 lbs back.
But I did better at breakfast and lunch today. I actually ate vegetables at lunch (greenbeans). I don't usually fix something like that for lunch since I tend to eat at the office. But for some reason I was craving them.

I hope all is having a great day.

Glad your back on track mystery girl!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Marion.
I just hope I can stay on track. I seem to have such will powers to do other things, but my weight has always been an issue. I sometimes feel like I sabotage myself. Not sure why.

Anyone else ever feel that way?

I feel that way ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

Hi, folks.

Mystery, you can do this. You're worth it. Take a minute and list all the reasons why you're worth it. Why this journey matters to you. Sometimes it appears that we're sabotaging ourselves when what we're really doing is believing the lies. Lies that overeating is nurturing rather than poisoning. Lies that food is our friend, when it's not -- it's just food. Lies that being thin will mean we have to become someone else, with all the scary threats that brings up. ("If I'm thin, I'll have to be successful. I'll have to be sexy. I'll have to be perfect.")

If you find you're "sabotaging" yourself again and again, maybe you need to look at what's going on underneath. Do you journal? That can help. Remember, we're pulling for you. We've all been there; we all have these struggles. YOU CAN DO THIS.

OK, here's my thought for the day.

I discovered the way to break a small plateau. This morning I finally managed to hit 194, which puts me at 80 pounds down and in the lower 190s. This isn't my official weigh-in, but so what? I'm thrilled.

Here's the secret . . . wait for it . . .

Develop a urinary tract infection!

All those fluids will magically fall off your body, even if it's almost TOM! Sure, there are some drawbacks, like running to the bathroom every 5 minutes and that special "zing" you'll experience once you get there, but these are minor inconveniences in the long run. Get in extra exercise from running down the hall 75 times a day! (Extra benefits if your desk is a 10-minute walk from the nearest powder room. By the time you return to your desk, it'll be time to run down the hall again!) Take it from me, folks; this is a foolproof way to get that extra water off. Watch that scale drop! Feel the burn!



Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/194/189 by April 17 80 pounds down!

Lauren, thanks for all the advice and encouragement. I should get back to journaling. I think I will dig out my old journal and start back.

I was doing so good during January but then lately I have been eating things I know I don't want or need. But I am getting back on track.

Hope the UTI is better even though you did get into the lower 190's ( I am so jealous by the way ). I will be in the lower 190's by mid-summer. I am determined to do right now.

Gotta run, much to do b/4 I leave for an early afternoon. I am heading to the library to write not in a journal instead I am working on mystery writing. Maybe ya'll get to read a book by me some day.

Hi all .

Lauren , I think i'll skip your method of breaking a plateau . But thanks for the advice .

Marion you are sure dedicated to your exercise . Have you gained weight ? I know alot of people who gain when they exercise so much , because of the developing muscles .

I have been on the slow track . I have been averaging a .6 loss for the last few weeks . I expect a gain this week , damn it ! I'm PMS'ing & stressed + uncontrollable hunger + water weight = gain . I am going to file to be my grandchildrens guardian . Thieir parents both love them , but they're both irresponsible . My son won't get a job , & is too irresponsible to keep on welfare . So i've been going broke in a major way . If i'm thier guardian I can get them on my insurance & will get money from the state . My son will have to pay child support & so will thier mom .

Gotta go put the munchkins to bed . Kathy

Kathy it seems we are both having a simular week. My sister in law's boyfriend left her, their 22month old and five week old on Saturday and I suddenly have a very large family. It is the same here-too irresponsible. So I have been eating everything that is in sight. I only was up a pound today so it was not as bad as I thought. I really need to manage my stress better.
My doctor told me that I am borderline diabetic. Anyone been told the same? I basically am to eat what I have been only watch the sugar. However, I am not comfortable with the word borderline. I wish for once she would tell me I am borderline overweight instead of "a little chubby" (I really dont care for her-it is just so hard to find another woman doctor).

Tammy , that made me laugh . I too would like to be borderline overweight . Instead I have about 75 more pounds to lose . I've lost 85+ . I had lost about 105 but the kids & stress hit on June 8th . I'm slowly on my way back . I should say weigh back . I've had hypoglycemia since I was in my early teens . I've also had hypothyroidism for 23 years . Both are the pits , but i'm used to them since i've had both most my life . I too worry about getting diabetis since alot of people with hypoglycemia end up with it . My dad had it . It's hard to one day have a quiet peaceful life & the next minute your life is utter noise & confusion . Do'nt get me wrong , I love the munchkins more than life itself . It was tough at first . They had had no structure , stayed up till all hours , were allowed to walk around with food . There was alot of yelling & crying (they got upset , too ). now they know what to expect & life is good at least 60% of the time . That's as good as it gets with a 4 & 6 year old .

I thought i'd gain what with stress & pms , but I lost .8 . So , I was thrilled . Here I am 40 & my face is more broke out than when I was a teenager . have a good weigh in to you all who weigh in tomorrow . Kathy

Howdy Howdy all!!

Man, do I feel out of it! Not only have I leaped from the wagon, the horses took off and there's only a cloud of dust in the distance. Bye, wagon. See you soon, I hope.

Then I come here and find that Kathy is a "new mom" (no wonder you weren't posting much before I disappeared) and Lauren is among the employed (and already whining about it ) and there's folks I don't know posting. Howdy newbies!

And, last but not least. My newest challenge for 2002 is to get back under 200. Dadgummit!! I haven't been doing much right for myself in the way of weight management. And my daughter's figure reflects that also.

Course, you can see how devoted to that I am by looking at the crumbs on my chest. They are from the package of hi-fat cracker that is slowly emptying. Maybe I should try that UTI method to kick-start a loss period.

Tammy Fancy -I don't know you and probly you don't know me, but that " little chubby" comment is demeaning IMO. Just cause she's a woman don't mean her bedside manner is the best or that she's a good doc at all. (my mom was a DO, her bedside stunk!) Unless you have lots of private woman problems, I would jump ship.

It's wierd about gaining families. I just sorta fell into this odd "supper club" -we meet at a non-cooking members house, cook, boss each others kids around, clean up and socialize. Then, a member had an ooperation and died of a blood clot. Her 15 year old is 240lb and autistic. He's about the level of a 4 year old. There is no dad and Grandma doesn't want him. So the non-cook is trying to adopt and cope with adding him to her other 4 kids. He finally realized at the memorial that Mom wasn't coming back. So he had a violent fit and had to have two grown men sit on him, the police on hand and meds til he calmed down. We all plan to help raise this manchild, but what a difference from "normal" it is. So, in two weeks, I have gained lots of new friends (a big THank YOu, Lord) and a new "nephew" who can toss me across the room if he so wishes. Whew. And tomorrow I get to go to my first new bunko group. I am blessed.

So, now I just need to kick myself the butt repeatedly till the good-for-me stuff takes effect.

Sorry to whine. I'll be better next time.

Welcome back Dora ! I have missed you . That was tragic about your friend . I have some experience in dealing with autistic people . They are challenging to say the least . They can be so hard to "read" . You don't always know if they get what you've said to them , they may just mimic what you're saying . They usually have much more strength than other developementally disabled people & often are either overweight or skinny . Poor kid , autistic people tewnd to be slow in bonding , too . It's bad enough when one of us loses someone , but when a d.d. persn loses their parents it's worse , because they may never have that kind of nurturing love again , unless someone takes them under their wing like your friend who's adopting him . As far as your weight goes , as long as you keep trying , you're a winner . It's tough . Glad you're back . Kathy