NASTY NIGHT over here on the WEST COAST OF FLA....rainy, ucky, thunder, lightening....TROPICAL DEPRESSION #8 soon to
GABRIELLE!! We're not supposed to get anything bad. A lot of rain mostly...
DEB Coastal flooding mostly...yes, it's bad down in Naples..reminds me of the day I motored over to see you...
Tell ELI to be careful...there are some NASTY PEOPLE out there, and I wouldn't want anyone to think he's from the "bad side of the desert" !!
No, I haven't tried the ANNIVERSARY BLEND a friend of mine says its GREAT...so I'll have to have some this weekend...
I'm sure that all of you by now have heard about the training that these mop headed, camel jockey SOB's got in VENICE<FLA.....that's the town that separates LAURIE AND ME!!
KAREN ....shhhhh......listen....hear that????IT's ME BOB....i'm here to pick you up....bring out all that nasty sugar for the horses....CLIMB ON UP IN THIS WAGON AND HOLD ON!!
I'll be happy to kick your butt....it helps...if you don't believe me, just ask DEB how good it felf to kick my big old ARSE back into gear!!
FLY SKEETER has quit eating DOG FOOD!!! Yes, taking him off the wheat based food helped his allergy problem..His little ears are more clear than they ever have been...BUT now he won't eat DOG FOOD AT ALL!!! Of course, he's still getting his string cheese and bolognaSO...HE'S NOT STARVING!!
I'll be sure to give him a "rub" behind the ears for you
MELF My back is aching for you! I know you only saw stars, but the back pain radiated to me! Hope your mouth is feeling better..
One of the Teachers (at the school where he "BIG SHRUB" was yesterday here in Sarasota) BIL worked at the first building on the 87th floor...he was on the phone with his wife when the first plane hit...told her "something has caused a lot of smoke to come in here...I'll call you back"..... To my knowledge, they still haven't heard from him. So please include him in your prayers tonight.
Ladies, I'm sorry, I just can't address each of you.. let the
watch over all who need their services.
Oh, according to the chat board for BB....it won't be on for a while, but check just to make sure. They didnt' tell them what happened, but did tell them about a plane hitting the WTC. They evidently checked with Monica's sister to make sure she had no relatives that worked there.
And if you've noticed all the athletic events that have been cancelled ???? NOT THE TENNESSEE-FLA GAME!!! How about yours SUSAN...FRUIT....GATOR WHERE ARE YOU? After all of this, I'll need a good football game to build my spirits on Saturday...
Well, like the rest of you, I've been sitting here soaking up as much news coverage as I can. I can't say my feelings any better than you all have already done. Just so shocking and so incredibly sad and disturbing that even ONE person in this whole world would have that much hate inside. God help us all. And God help the victims and their families. And God help the people trying to rescue. My heart was breaking last night as I thought of all those loved ones who would not make it home. The whole idea is simply numbing that something like this has happened.
This is just terrible. Very hard to put into words the feelings I have right now. FiIrst and formost I have to be so thankful, I do
not have any family or friends in the worst areas. I do feel terrible for the fact that some people at work did have people in the Towers, and a few know that family or friends did not make it out. I feel helpless, well not totally, because I can pray. I would like to donate blood, but I can't even do that due to having cancer three years ago.
But like BOB said down here in SOuth West Florida we are getting ready for rain. Work is already getting ready for possible flooding, and I am on call on Friday, Saturday and SUnday, and in the hospital at times like this they sometimes make us stay there.
So it could be a long weekend.
WIW wasn't great for me, up a pound, but like others said, that doesn't seem really important tonight.
Well I am sending my prayers to all who have been touched by the pain and saddness of yesteday, sending my wishes of a better day tomorrow, and I am hoping that we all can see what we can and need to do to make this a better place.
Laurie
I've been in front of the t.v. on and off all day. It is so depressing to know that so many lives have been lost and my heart goes out to all the victims and their families. What a tremendous job the rescue workers have.
Mel - So glad to hear that your parents were safe. That must have been a scary time you had wondering where they were.
Viv - Glad to hear your Mom is safe and hope she is able to get home soon.
Deb - No I have never heard of Dermalin but just as you said, to me, also, it sounds too good to be true. I'm just too much of a sceptic to believe in things like that. Probably someone trying to make a fast buck.
Fillise - I don't know what you consider a large amount of weight, I have lost 39 pounds in the last two years but certainly qualify on the getting older bit. I haven't noticed any sagging under the chin yet but I am keeping a close watch on it. Soon as I start to get wrinkles or having a sagging chin or neck then I will have to stop trying to lose. Where I do notice sagging though is under the upper arm but at least this can be covered up. Does anyone know of any remedy for this. Would weight lifting have any effect on it? I hade to smile at you looking in the mirror after trying out the different skin creams
I am down another pound this week, now 196 lbs. That's six pounds from my initial goal. My next goal will be 180 lbs depending on how I look (see note to Fillise above).
Hi everyone I'm so glad I found this site. I've been posting on SB site. I'm horrified at whats happened in our country yesterday. Have been glued to the TV most of the day. Finally had to turn the channel this evening. Am praying for those who have lost their loved ones and the ones that are still lost but hopefully will be found alive. Never in my 39 yrs have I ever saw anything like this in the USA. Never thought I would see it either. Loved reading all your posts they are very good for the moral of this WOE. I have been overweight most of my later teens and up till now. I started SB July1, 2001. I was so depressed and wouldn't hardly go anywhere unless my husband made me go. But now I feel great and wake up every morning ready to greet the day. I weighed 264 lbs bigger than I've ever been in my whole life. But in July I lost the first 18lbs. In August I lost only 9lbs (but I lost them . Then this month I've lost 7 so far and am enjoying the comments and looks I get from the family. My husband has been working since the first of this month and will be home on the 20 this month....He hasn't been here for the last 10 lbs Boy will he be surprised at the change in me..: Again praying for everyone who lost loved ones. Hope everything turns out ok.
Greetings thunderwoman62, so glad that you found the board! Sounds like you've really made a dent in the weight deptment. Your dh will surely be surprised when he gets home this month, huh? Hey, we're neighbors across the way! I'm south of I-10 & I believe you're north of Alex?
Marie, another pound! WHOOHOOO!! You're really getting down to business
BOB, no my back is fine. No problems there. As a matter a fact, I didn't even hurt the next day from my fall. I am getting use to the splint the dentist made for my TMJ, but I'm afraid since late yesterday evening I have been having some returning pain from the neuralgia. Again tonight I have felt the old familar tooth pain that had been completely gone for the last month or so. GRRRRRR
Laurie, sure hope they take it easy on you & not work you too hard this week end. Hope you & BOB don't have too much flooding your way.
Kim, I know...it's hard to stay away from that TV. It's hard to see all of that & yet we still watch it over & over. It just doen't make any sense that anyone could hate us that much.
Debbie, sorry to hear that you're getting so much rain too. Too bad Eli had to work today when you were stuck inside alone
Well ladies, I bid you all good night & pray that tomorrow will be a brighter day.
Hi Gals,
We got back from our vacation in southern PA this evening, and I just had to check the board first thing.
We intended to leave from PA today and arrive home tomorrow, but our planned route was down I-95 through Wilmington, Baltimore and Washington DC. We were eating breakfast at our darling accommodations and happened to turn on the TV just in time to see the second plane fly into the WTC. Horrible! Unbelievable!
We knew then that going through DC would be a nightmare, so we left a day early and drove west to Gettysburg PA and then south, finally getting I-95 in mid-Virginia.
MELERIS--We were in Montchanin, just about 2 miles west of Wilmington, and south of Chadds Ford. We drove up to Lenape to visit Baldwins Book Barn. We had a great time. There is so much to do there.
SolShine--I’m sorry to learn about your loss of job. I hope you get just the new one that is made for you!!!
Hope by now you are enjoying your waterbed. We’ve had one for years. Probably at least 15 years and really love it. We bought an almost totally waveless one about 5 years ago and are almost uncomfortable on a “regular” mattress. I just love how you can get into bed on a cold night and it is already warm and cozy for you.
Hi Big Orange. I just read on the Gator board that the SEC is giving $1 million dollars to help the people in NYC. In addition, they will be taking any offerings people wish to give at the gate. All SEC games will be played this weekend, with a special program regarding the acts of war committed against our country, and our resolve to stand strong. Apparently Friday will be a national day of mourning, according to that Web site. We plan to be in Gainesville on Saturday. My husband says that we will not live in fear, and that would be doing what the cowardly perpetrators intend.
Well, I’ve got to go. Just wanted to check in. But I’ve still got to unpack and get the stuff off my bed so I can go to sleep. Take care.
Hi everyone - here's hoping the rescue workers can find more survivors today and that others who are in such pain from the loss and the unknown will find some comfort.
Gator - glad you were able to avoid the trouble spots. You sure have been on the road lately. I must have missed any post you previously made, but did you have fun in Wisconsin? Hope you had good weather.
Deb - Yes, I can really relate to eating something not on program with no bad effects, and then it escalating. More of a problem for me is the "last supper" where I "promise" myself that after this last meal I will get down to business and stay OP and not go off program again. I can find myself doing that every meal. I'm still fighting to stay OP though. The scale only said 2 lbs more than the lowest number I reached, but that was back in May or June and I get disgusted with myself for the time I've wasted. I realize that now is the time to get a grip and back OP before all the holiday eating starts, and that is my immediate goal.
Sol - I'm sorry I'm so late in my acknowledgment of your job situation. You seem to have a good frame of mind about it from your posts, but I'm sure it's a very difficult situation. I'm so glad that you seem to have a lot of leads on other positions and hope that what you decide on is better than what you left.
I better get back to work. Take care and stay safe.
Just got home from taking Lauren to school, the roads are wet and some areas are flooded, so traffic to say the least is worse than normal, which is pretty bad most days.
I got in my walk and have a new second best walk time of 49:45, just 24 seconds longer than my best time. I was walking and thinking about what's transpired in our nation the last two days and started to do my jog, well, to go explain, when I walk/jog I'll walk then go into a jog usually from one light pole to a few away (usually anywhere between 1/10 of a mile and 1/5 of a mile), then I go back to walking for a bit and start over again. When I came to where I would normally go back to walking, to the point I thought I couldn't jog anymore, I thought about all the victims that are possibly still alive by the grace of G-d in the rubble of those buildings and thought how they must feel, how, if anyone is still alive, how some will give up and others who think they can't go on anymore but find the strength to hang on in hopes someone will find them. Thinking about that I had the strength to continue on where I did my jog, then the part I usually walk, I jogged and then continued on to the next part I usually jog (did I lose anyone ?) I did this 4 times in my walk, which gave me my good walk/jog time as well as something to really think about while I was doing it.
In talking to so many, I think what's bothered me personally the most, besides this entire incident are 3 things-seeing the 2nd plane fly into the 2nd Tower, seeing people jumping to their deaths and seeing the heartless Palistinians celebrating. Unfortunately, from what I hear on the news, people here in the US are blaming all Arabs in general, which is not right and thus not only shows their prejudices, but they're lack o knowledge. People like this would rally against anyone who in not white American-black, Chinese, Jews, etc. etc. I'm sure there are many Moslems that are fine people, just like there are in most religions/races-and all sects of society have their bad apples. Eli has always told me what fanatics the Moslems are and how even the Christians in Lebanon are fearful of them. He explained to me they are taught to kill, it's in their Bible. I've met Moslems that are nice and then questioned him about that, then why don't all Moslems kill, he said, to give you an idea, it's like Christians, many people say they are of this faith, yet, you'll find many going against the faith (sleeping before marriage, having affairs, etc). He said the TRUE Moslems are the fanatics and you should be fearful of them. Before Eli came to this country, his home was raided by Moslems who wanted to take over the territory in Southern Lebanon. He lost EVERYTHING. He came to the US with a briefcase and the clothes on his back, nothing more. Everything he worked so hard for in Lebanon was gone-they trashed his entire home, down to the tiles on the walls. I saw pictures of what they had done-it was nothing but a shell-even the toilets were gone. He did nothing, they knew nothing of who he was, they only cared that he wasn't one of them - Christians there in Lebanon are the minority and looked down upon by the Moslems. Anyhow, I guess my point is that we, as a Nation, can't start picking on anyone with an Arab sounding name and attacking them, it just makes us as bad as the scum who did this to us.
Okay, back to some normalcy here...
VIV, boy you must of been relieved to know your Mom was okay-what a day for those who were on flights while this was going on. What's the latest status for her? Any idea when she'll be able to get a flight out? Thanks again for giving me a heads up on Tuesday, I don't know how long I would of sat here not knowing what was transpiring if it wasn't for you!
FILLISE, I felt exactly like you when I woke up, that it was just a dream/nightmare-I'm sure we all thought the same way. I went to the site you linked with the column, but I couldn't find it-am I looking at it and not realizing it??? Good for you for staying strong against wanting to eat emotionally!!!
MELIRIS, yes, our weight seems so insignificant compared to what's going on, but still, life does go on and we have to concentrate on things that keep us going on a daily basis. Congratulations on another pound off!! I may just try that cream, lots cheaper than surgery, which will come in the future, I may treat myself to it with whatever b.day money happens to find it's way into my hands in a few weeks Good luck with those job prospects!
SEF, as you can see above, I totally agree with you and what you said about lumping all people together because of their race. Glad to hear you're feeling better!
MELF, CONGRATS, back down to your low and only 3lbs from goal! You're almost there girl!!!! Congrats for turning up your nose at those doughnuts! Yeah, it stunk that Eli had to work, but he got home in time for us to go to lunch at SHORTY'S-BOB liked that place!!
BOB, hope the rains don't flood your area down there, lots of rain here, mostly been at night though. Seems Lake Okechobee is finally rising a bit! What's new on your end??? When you coming for a visit again? Has that teacher heard anything from her BIL???? I pray so!
How can BB not be on, I mean, I know because there are more important things right now, but aren't they suppose to get out of their soon, do HOA, and so on? At least they told them about what happened-seems from what I read they know, but not the magnitude of it all-I'm surprised at CBS not letting them see what's happening!
QUILTER, how are the walks with Paul going???
LAMAP, hope you don't get too much bad weather where you are. Don't worry about that pound, I'm sure you aren't, you've been doing so well, you know it's just temp.
ROSALIE, WOO HOO! Congratulations! Another pound!! Is this now your lowest since starting SB??? I'm awaiting some e-mail replies from people who posted on a board about using the stuff, some seem to think it helped, but since that was about 3 months ago, I e-mailed them to see what they had to say as of now, waiting for replies. I think it's actually a large company called KLEIN BECKER that makes the product. I'll let you know if I decide to splurge.
THUNDER, WELCOME TO THE BOARD! Glad you've decided to join us! Sounds like you are doing well on SB thus far and are headed in the right direction. Don't ever say I've only lost XX amount of pounds-be proud for each and every pound you lose-we all know how much of a struggle it is to lose and we congratulate every ounce we/you lose!!! I can so relate to where you've been with your weight, my highest was 284lbs, and I'm only 5' 1.5" tall (take a gander at my fat picture on our PHOTO ALBUM BOARD). Just keep focused and you'll get to your goal weight-of course, stick with us-you won't find a better support system than right here-these gals have kept me going for 1 1/2 years now!!!! I'm sure your hubby will be pleasantly surprised at the "new you" he comes home to find-you'll have to let us know his reaction!!! BTW, you're our second SONYA! SOLSHINE'S real name is that as well AGAIN, WELCOME!!!!!
GATOR, welcome back-glad to hear your back safe and sound-where are you going next???????
KAREN, my sentiments exactly about them finding more people. It seems, from what I hear on the TV that the centers were connected underground and that one of the people who's worked there for over 19years thinks many are down there and possibly alive. I wish there was a way to speed things up, but I'm sure they're doing whatever they can. As for eating, get a grasp and see what you are saying-that you are only 2lbs higher than your low-if you don't take charge, you will be saying only 5lbs, only 10lbs. I've been there! When I lost weight last time, the only successful time I guess one could say, and then I started to gain I would get on the scale and find myself up 5lbs and swore I wouldn't go up to 10, before I knew it, I was saying 15, then 20-well, before too long I had gained 65lbs-something I swore would never happen again. Grab the bull by the horns before that bull crops up behind you and gnaws your ***! THINK before you eat something and I bet if you THINK about it, you'll THINK twice about eating it. Don't undo everything you've done.
Whew, where did the time go???? I must jump in the shower now-haven't done a darn tootin thing.
I will get a few recipes posted on the RECIPE BOARD later today.
{{{HUGS}}} to you all!
Debbie
194/126.5/129
SB since 3/22/00
Reached goal 6/10/01
The following was printed in yesterday's MIAMI HERALD by columnist, LEONARD PITTS. I saw someone else had posted it on the 3FC'S site and went to the Miami Herald site and copied it from there.
WE'LL GO FORWARD FROM THIS MOMENT
It's my job to have something to say.
They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering.
You monster. You beast. You unspeakable *******.
What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed.
Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause.
Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve.
Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together.
Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God.
Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals.
IN PAIN
Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before.
But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice.
I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future.
In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined.
THE STEEL IN US
You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold.
As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish.
So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started.
This is Pitt's article from today in the MIAMI HERALD:
HATRED IS UNWORTH OF US
Episodes from the aftermath of tragedy:
In Colorado Springs, Colo., four men threaten to burn down a mosque.
In Irving, Texas, someone fires shots into the Islamic Center.
In Chicago, a passerby threatens violence against an Arab man.
The sad and awful truth is, you knew this was coming. Could have predicted it the moment four stolen planes plowed into a nation's heart. This is, after all, a troubling strain of our national personality that rises reliably to the surface in moments like this.
During the First World War, Americans of German heritage were widely treated as traitors and spies. During the Second World War, Americans of Japanese heritage were rounded up by the government and interned. During the Iranian hostage crisis, Americans of Middle Eastern heritage were reviled amid loose talk of mass deportation. And Tuesday afternoon, a friend of mine -- though in that moment, I was embarrassed to call him that -- said we should search out everyone in this country from the Middle East and send them back home.
In the wake of sentiments like those and against the backdrop of our history, let me say just one thing to my sister and brother Americans.
Don't. Please, don't.
Do not give terrorists the victory a hundred Pentagons and a thousand World Trade Centers could not. Hatred on account of culture or religion is unworthy of us at any time. But in the wake of Tuesday's events, it's tantamount to giving aid and comfort to the enemy, a group of petty thugs who tried to bring us down to their level, make us just like them.
I'm reminded of something I heard a man say on the radio Wednesday morning: that it's important that we save Americans, but also important that we save America.
As we grapple with the unthinkable, it occurs to me that his observation, which came and went in the media maelstrom of experts and pundits, encapsulates much of what is ultimately at stake here. Meaning human lives, yes. But also, that which ennobles them.
As these words are written, brave and sweat-streaked women and men sift the rubble of iconic office buildings in Manhattan and greater Washington and a crash site in the Pennsylvania countryside. The work of saving Americans continues apace.
But the work of saving America is a trickier, knottier task whose results are less readily seen. Because it is the work of saving an ideal and an identity, preserving -- and uplifting -- the best of who we are. Meaning, an experiment in individual liberty, a research project in human tolerance, a people bound to one another not by blood but by fealty to a extraordinary ideal.
And if you don't understand that ideal, well . . . you could pore over the Constitution, you could read the thoughts of Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King. Or, you could simply recall the five words at the end of the pledge we once said as children. ``Liberty. And justice. For all.''
In this moment when emotions are high, it seems prudent -- vital -- that we stop and remind ourselves of what is meant by ``all.''
Every one of us, no one left out. We are not a nation that is only white or only Christian. We're a people of rainbow hues and multiple faiths.
If that heritage has taught us nothing else by now, it should have taught us this: It's ignorant to think you can judge a man's soul by looking at his face. Yes, I saw Arabs cheering our pain in the West Bank. I also saw them issuing condemnations in Washington.
Take it as a reminder: The enemy is not Arab people or the Muslim religion. The enemy is fanaticism, extremism, intolerance, hate. The madmen who commandeered those planes don't represent the followers of Islam any more than the madmen who blow up abortion clinics represent the followers of Christ.
Yes, we're angry. We're supposed to be angry. We have a right to be angry. But at the same time, we must be wary of the places to which we allow that anger to bring us.
If we let it deliver us to the doorstep of fanaticism, extremism, intolerance, hate, we might as well give up now. Because everything that matters has already been lost.
Thanks for that last post. I whole-heartedly agree with the writer of that piece. We must NOT give into hatred, not try to lump all races or religions into the same pile. We are NOT all the same.
The enemy is not Arab people or the Muslim religion. The enemy is fanaticism, extremism, intolerance, hate. The madmen who commandeered those planes don't represent the followers of Islam any more than the madmen who blow up abortion clinics represent the followers of Christ.
Let us all remember that & not put the blame where it does not belong. Yes, someone is the blame for this mess, but they will get their justice when the time comes. It is not our place to try to punish anyone. Our duty is to raly together, to pray for those involved directly, & to continue to hope & pray that others will be found alive in the rubble as they did this morning. And also to pray for our leaders, that they will make the right decisions for ALL concerned.
Saw this on the e-diets web page and thought you might be interested:
Weighing The Pros & Cons Of The Scale
by Dr. Susan Mendelsohn
eDiets.com Psychologist
Do you use your scale as a way to seek approval? Or to tell you how “good” you are doing on your diet? Do you feel the scale is your best friend or your worst enemy?
Some of us may use the scale to tell us how we are supposed to feel, but at times it may result in a form of punishment.
Let me relate an example of what I'm talking about. Let’s say we overeat in a certain situation. At this time our thought process kicks in telling ourselves that we are a failure, we have no willpower, etc. This in turn, compels us to jump on the scale solely to prove what a failure we are, giving support to our irrational thoughts in the first place. This vicious cycle only serves to punish us over and over again for being human. In this case, does the scale really seem like a logical tool in helping us improve?
If this pattern of behavior sounds like you, I strongly suggest that you get rid of the scale! It is now time to listen to your own feelings and start to focus on the process of becoming healthy and listening to your own internal messages. You can trust yourself!
The scale really only tells you how much your physical body weighs. It does not take body composition (muscle weight, fat tissue, water, etc.) into account, nor does it account for your bone structure. The scale tells you how many pounds you may have lost, but certainly doesn’t tell you how much fat tissue you have lost, how much muscle weight you have accumulated, what types of nutrition you are getting, and so on.
In addition, the scale will even show when there is an increase in weight but not give you any indication that it may be muscle mass (which weighs more than fat) that you have gained. (Muscle actually takes up one-fifth of the space of fat which results in inches lost, not weight lost.)
In my opinion, I’d much rather lose inches than pounds because feeling good in my clothes is far more important to me than what the scale tells me. Losing pounds does not guarantee comfortable fitting clothes.
Most importantly, the scale does not account for your emotional weight. Emotional weight refers to the 5 pounds of guilt, 20 pounds of loneliness, 10 pounds of pain, and so on, that also becomes a physically visible part of your body. Beauty comes from within and projects outward. The emotional pain of gauging your process through the scale may be what is keeping you from seeing that internal beauty.
For many individuals the scale only serves to make you feel more frustrated, guilty, anxious and worst of all it makes some feel like a failure. Thus, the vicious cycle of emotional weight gain continues.
Here's the problem with relying on external cues. After someone compliments you on how good you look, this euphoric feeling disappears after a couple of hours and you find yourself searching for another “fix.” This can cause that dangerous roller coaster effect. By this I mean if you are looking for another compliment and not getting one for a great deal of time, this may cause you to spiral back into your old habits of negative thinking, overeating and sabotage.
The scale also serves as an external control. Jumping on it all the time in hopes that you will find a loss of pounds, only to find that you have maintained your weight one time, and put on a pound the next, will cloud your perception of your true success. Constantly searching for that external reinforcement prevents you from focusing on what is truly important for your health and well-being.
Therefore, internal controls will serve to help you accomplish not only your weight loss goals, but your internal happiness objectives as well.
By sticking to internal controls, you and only you are in charge of how you feel. No one or nothing else has that control over you! Looking inside yourself will provide more consistency and more hope for the future. When using your internal controls, you take full responsibility for your behaviors without blaming others for your failures. There isn't a person or thing that can make you think or act in a negative manner unless you allow them to.
Relying on the scale is not a good measure of whether or not you are a successful dieter. The scale only has the power you give it. It will not provide you with a sense of accomplishment. This sense of achievement comes from within. Behavioral techniques can replace your scale to provide you with the sense of accomplishment that you require to stay motivated.
Behavioral techniques include counting caloric/fat/protein/carbohydrate intake; documenting your exercises (amount of time spent, heart rate, type of exercise); journal writing; number of times you are consciously aware of your intake prior to eating; number of times you were able to say “no” to your trigger foods; number of times you were able to substitute an alternate activity for food; inches lost; fat tissue count; and so on. These behaviors will all give you that sense of control that you require to succeed.
Find peace and fulfillment from within and begin connecting with others in a more healthy manner rather than for “dieting” approval.
Dr. Susan Mendelsohn is a licensed psychologist who works with a variety of addictions and specializes in managing eating disorders. In addition to teaching and maintaining a private practice, she counsels eDiets.com members online.
For those of you who went to the Purepolitic web site, I guess it didn't occur to me that you don't know my fill name. Here is the speific URL that will take you directly to the article.
I'm still in shock. I heard today from the one friend I was worried about. Thank God!
The worst thing about terrorism is that is really provokes everyone to operate out of hatred and fear. At the prayer service I attended tuesday evening, we had to remind ourselves that these terrorists are no more representative of all Moslems than KKKers are representative of all Christianity. None of us are immune from the dangers of fanaticism.
Deb--It sounds like Eli had it rough and was very strong to come over here and start over again. My grandfather's family did something very similar when their farmlands were siezed by the italian criminals (think mafia) and drove them to this country with nothing more than they could carry.
BOBand Gator--I have to admit I am ready for the diversion of a football game. I feel guilty for that. I was talking to the wife of Auburn's president and he was very worried about asking 90,000 people to gather in one place when we don't know who is still out there and what they might do. I think if he had made the decision we wouldn't be playing.
Everyone else--hang in there. We have to keep going--though most of the time I want to lie down and cry.
Thunder--welcome--it sounds like you are off to a great start!
Boy will he be surprised at the change in me..
Good luck with those job prospects!
