Good evening Ladies.....My name is Kim and I am happy to have found you all.

I have been following your thread for about the last 3-4 days, sounds like a great group here.

I went for my consult on Wednesday. I also looked into Herbal One, but haven't decided which one yet.

I have mentioned to a few people that I am thinking of joining and I didn't get a good response from some, as they either failed at it or knew someone that did. I do however have 1 friend that had a sister that did HM a couple of years ago and did fantastic with it, losing 50lbs. Had another friend do HO that I work with and she lost 40lbs and is on maintainence now.

I am 35 years old, married for 9 years and have 3wonderful children. 1 dog and lotsa fishies.

I weigh 210 right now...I have approx 70lbs to lose, and on my 4'11 frame it is killing my knees, I feel it is time that I need the professional help, I just cannot do it anymore on my own. I get too depressed and I shut down which ends up coming between my husband and I because I get soooooo miserable. and I hate to burden him with my weight issue as it has been an ongoing one for the 12 years we have been together.

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions or pointers for me at all.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post....keep on keeping on ladies, you are doing fantastic!!

Kim :hug:

Wow I had to go through 3 pages to see what was going on. Dria your pics are amazing and your dining room looks better than mine when I was renovating;)

I am 29 and married and no kids, one of the reasons I wanna lose weight is becuase I wanna have kids soon and dont wanna lose complete control of my size when that happens.

I am restarting the program Monday, with the flu and everything I fell so far behind in my planning that I had to let the rest of the week pass by. But I am back on track with the planning and am soon going to get the recipe book.

The great new through my week was my WI on Friday went really well I had dropped a pound so I was super excited about that. I guess I will be measured next week and I have my fingers crossed for that.

What kind of excercise does everyone do or recommend?

Kim welcome to the group.

welcome Better life/Kim! I hope that you find success with the program and that you will become a regular part of our group here. Good luck with this investment in yourself and your health.

Aditi: Sickness happens. Way to go on your fresh start! We wish you well.

About exercise: It depends on your fitness level. If you have been completely inactive I would start with 20 minutes of walking/day. But if you have been relatively active then you can do more diverse stuff like cycling (stationary or the real thing), weights (light), and whatever else strikes your fancy. I think the point is to get moving period and doing it in a way that works with your lifestyle. I personally love being outside so the more I can do outside the better. Heck! Mowing the lawn is exercise. My main point in this long babbling session here is find what works for you. I love yoga and walking, swimming, trampoline, and so much more!

Quick question, how long do i have to wait before I get to have a cool siggy like most of you guys?

Welcome newcomers! The more the merrier!

Aditi: I JUST got my signature privledges a few days ago. I think it is a minimum of 20 posts and 20 days (or something like that)

As for exercise, when I started HM I wasn't doing anything but a little over a month ago I started adding that to my day. I started doing Wii Fit each evening and then I also started the Couch to 5K running program (I can't even believe it myself really!). Then when the EA Active Sports for Wii came out, I started doing the 30 day challenge on there so Wii Fit has sort of fallen by the way side (I sometimes do it on my rest days for Active). Although I haven't noticed a big difference in the scale movement since I started exercising, I have definitely noticed the inches coming off faster. And, even more importantly, I FEEL better!

How do you like the Active Sports Momo? They came out with a personal training one too that we are thinking about...

Honestly, as someone who wasn't able to be physically active until just the last month I can say without a doubt that it makes a huge difference to inch loss, not to mention the amount of energy you will have. I saw literally 2 inches come off of my thighs the week after I started exercising. If you want to really excelerate your loss you can work out like a crazy fool with lots of sweating and such... just like the biggest loser and you will see big numbers all around.

Happy Monday ladies!!

Welcome to the newbies!! :D

Well, I'm here...
I did a lot of "soul searching" this past week.
I feel as though...my life was only about food...only about my weightloss.
That was the only thing going in my life...really...my only happiness.

My husband and I talked a lot last week...and he made me realize that this is not a race... that I was getting obsessed, that I didn't want to go nowhere, that I wasn't living anymore. I became obsessed with food, and weighin' food and reading about food... and I became miserable... I became miserable cause I wasn't enjoying life anymore...cause I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone.

I need to find a balance...a balance between losing weight, making good choices, but still living. I need to trust myself to KNOW when to stop, what to eat, what not to eat...when to cheat, when to be good...

This week was a test for me. My goal for this was to be close to the same I weighed last Monday (last time I had a WI). Last night, I was at the same... but I might be over one pound or so...we'll see.

I ate many things that I'm not supposed to.... I didn't follow the program meaning I had issues with water, veggies..and I cheated...boy did I cheat.

I had a bag (big) of chips, I had chocolate cookies (a box), I had on one night - half a club with fries, I had movie popcorn & chocolate, I had a double stacker from Burger King (no fries).... you get the picture. This was cheats of my week. And if I'm one pound up tonight, I'll be ok... cause I know. This might show me that... listen - one cheat a week - you AIN'T going to DIE.

Not that I NEED to cheat...but like my BDay is coming up on Friday and yes, I'll celebrate and yes, I'll have a drink or 2 or 3.... I mean... I was depressed just thinking about my bday...I didn't want to celebrate at all...

So this is my rant for this Monday. I'm very proud of what this week has thaught me...and my goal is now to find BALANCE in my life.

Chantal, I think that this soul-searching and your cheats over this past week are going to be a milestone for you in this journey. I think that you will find as you search for balance in life that you will find success and you will be happy. I think you should be very proud of yourself as you are still committed to the journey but more importantly you are committed to living a healthier life. I think it will take trial and error but I think you will find just the right mix. You are a strong woman.

Thanks Meme - appreciate it.

I'm also thinking that going in for WI 3x per week is maybe too much.
I'm upset when it's not down enough, etc... a whole lot happens during ONE week. So maybe I should drop to 2 weigh-ins & see how I feel...
Go in on Monday...and maybe do Thursday or Friday.

Thoughts?

I am doing the opposite. I wasn't able to go in more than one visit/week because of my back. Now I am trying to go in 3x for a bit and see how that goes. I think anything that we can do to 'shake it up' a bit takes away from the monotony of it all. We'll see how my back likes this change ... if I don't respond well to the extra travel/sitting time then I'll have to cut back again. You are so right though Chantal, so much can happen in a week.

Hello there sexy ladies!!!
 

Welcome to all the newbies to the group!!!! I wish you well on your weight loss journey!!!


Good news... I am down 2 pounds since last Monday!!! I had a interesting weekend... soccer tournament, girlfriends birthday party, and anniversary dinner. I had wine, pasta, which I only ate a quarter of, garlic bread, ice cream, 1/2 sausage on a bun, and oh yeah I can't forget the alcohol........ so needless to say I drank gallons of water this weekend. I enjoyed my weekend and I was short on veggies this weekend. My center told me to drink lots and lots of water for the next few days just in case my body will catch up with the overindulgence's and I might gain. Back on the wagon I go... see Chantal don't obsess do what you can and get right back on track!!! My girl at the center told me its the difference of knowing to get right back on track the next day after an indulgence or saying what the heck I blew it I might as well continue on and cheat. That's the difference of how we got to where we needed to lose weight because we ate like that ALL the time!!!


I am glad Chantal that you talked to your hubby... he is right this not a race we all will get to goal... yes it may be expensive.. but we do have to live life to our fullest and healthiest at the same time!!! I am glad your spirits are up!!!


Talk later

lee2lee

Well Im back on track....after a week of using the flu as an excuse I got my prep work done and am back on track to lose.

I only go to the centre once a week mostly Fridays becasue of my crazy commute to and from work but I use email as my favourite tool to interact with the group at the center and it works perfectly coz Im online all day.

Chantal, you are doing fantastically well and this past week of setbacks you had forget about them. Just keep your ultimate goal in mind thats all you need to do. Remember the weighing and the measuring is just a means to the end. The not measuring is what brought us all to the place we are at now. The extra work is going to help me get to where I want to be and that is all that matters. Kepp your goal in mind, imagin what it would be like, go shopping and look at the size you wanna be and you will come home thinking that the weighing and measuring is easy;)

I am going to now try and get some walking in this week too so i can lose more than the 2 lbs :D

Well I did my wi this afternoon and was only down .2 pounds (boo!) but that was still 2.4 last week and I lost 4 inches so I'll definitely be happy with that.

Aditi: I didn't even know that email communication was an option? Hmmm.

I don't mind the visits and I have just learned not to get too worked up if the numbers don't look like I wish they would when I am weighing in 3 times a week. I totally know that it depends a lot on the time of day I go and the clothes that I wear so I have to look at the big picture and that is fairly consistant downward numbers. Yay!

Keep at it ladies!

Welcome Newbies! WI for me tomorrow a.m. TOM is coming close so we shall see.
I have to be honest just for a minute, and please, I mean no offense at all to anyone! So here goes... I started this journey around March 25thish, and I chose HM because I wanted someone to kick my a*s when I messed up, not someone who pats me on the head and says "its ok", over & over, cause its NOT ok for me. I can honestly say that I have not cheated AT ALL except for 2 mini chocolate eggs around easter, a BITE of cheese cake @ a friends anniversary party, and ONE of my sons french frys last week. All this talk of major cheating, is triggering some old thinking patterns in me. I'm beginning to think that maybe I can cheat big too, and it won't make that much difference. I hate these thoughts, because thats what got me here to begin with. A little cheat here & there, a large cheat now & then, and everyone around me saying "its ok, just try harder next week". That didnt/doesnt work for me. There I said it. Again I apologize if I've offended anyone, because thats not what I meant to do. I just wanted to express the type of thoughts that it's triggering in me. "Its ok, I can do it, then I'll just get back on the wagon", type thoughts, and if you do cheat I think thats exactly what you should do, get back on the wagon. But for me, cheating large would be a MAJOR trigger, and could make it all come crashing down. Anyway, have a good night all!

Witchie: Everyone is entitled to their opinions for sure. Everyone is also entitled to do what is best for them in their own life circumstances. Most of us have some baggage attached to our weight loss journey so it takes longer to accomplish what we set out to do. However, in the long term ... if we deal with those issues effectively thru this process then we are more likely to be successful with this lifelong battle against weight issues.

HM gals are good at butt kicking. However, on here we are allowed to be gracious to one another because someone else is already kicking our butts and sometimes we just need a kind, encouraging word. More often than not we are already kicking our own butts pretty hard when we mess up so the last thing we need is yet another whupping. That is my opinion. So for those of you who are choosing to take a 'balanced approach' to the program rather than 'whole hog diet' my opinion is that it is ok. You will suffer natural consequences for your choices whether good or bad and from that you will learn. The key as I recognize it is perseverence overall.
And Witchie, I am truly impressed that you have had very few slip ups. I think that is more the exception than the rule but it is inspiring nonetheless.

A few months from now I hope that every single one of us has found what we are looking for on this journey. I hope too that we will be able to rejoice together in our continued victory in the 'battle of the bulge' :)

Again, I meant no offense, I don't expect many to understand unless youre a long time EDNOS sufferer, the details I'd rather not express at this time (another trigger). Like the rest of you I have issues & baggage that I need to sort out. What I was trying to say (maybe not very constructively) was that conversation that describes binge eating, especially if the element of "getting away with it" is involved is a very BIG trigger for me, and causes my disordered brain to revert back to a very dark place. It is nothing personal, it is not the mention of cheating that is the trigger, its the actual listing and description of large amounts of food consumed in a short period of time. Again, I meant no offense, and I apologize if I caused any.

Witchie I am right at the same place as you.
Which is why I always talk about my ladies teasing me when I go in and admit to my less then half an ounce of apple crisp I indulged in or my 2 fries I stole from one of my girls meals........
I cant cheat big...... Or it shows.... Id love to have a cheat.... say a whole friggin bowl of ice cream just ONE night just one night in one months time... But I cant..... Cause I am strict with myself. Also..... it shows on my scale.
For me... THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION AND MY PERSONAL WAY on this program I do not expect anyone else to be the same or at the same mindset as me.
But going in.. I decided if Im gonna do it.. dammit Im gonna do it! I refuse to put money into something (lots of money lol) And undo it by going and having the burger I want.... Cause Ill keep spending money but undoing what Im paying for the pills to do. THATS MY WAY. MY MINDSET. Thats all.

Reading about a cheat like that..... thats fine by me.. Cause its not me. She needed to do that I believe for her journey!!! Its all part of a process and everyones is different. Some of ours are similar we identify with certain ladies on this board cause the journey they are going through is so similar to our own personal experience. Like I first off said. I identify with Witchie. But were similar weights etc etc etc. Starting at a higher weight is a longer time doing this diet.
Im not trying to put words into her mouth but I think her point may have been trying to get at.....
Ok this is what one person does but we should not suggest we all do that lol. Chantal absolutely needed to do that I have no doubt in my mind. Do I luv her any less? Not one bit. Do I think less of her? **** no.
Will I be here supporting her today Absolutely. Will I tell her I think she is stunning you betcha cause she is!!!! DO I think she is gonna pick up and keep on. I dont doubt it for one second. Will she reach her goal.... Shes too determined not to!!
Just because its one persons way of doing this. I dont think we should say Hey I should go have that burger and fries like she did... so me too. If you can manage not to Good for you... if ya have a slip up... good for you. Were all still here..... ready to support you!!!!


Also on the going into the centre again I made a commitment when I joined to go in 3 times...... Actually I agreed to 2 times but after doing that for one week. I needed more support. Going in 3 times a week keeps me motivated!!! BIG TIME
My friend... didnt she went in 2 times.... whatever works for ya!!!
On that note......
I drastically had a high note this weekend. Everyone was normal. But instead of me killing both my starches off by lunch I had scetti and meatballs for supper. Well didnt that raise my scale. I saw 130 on my home scale the OMG moment happened. I drank lots sunday and went back to my starches by lunch routine.... I was still down .2 today. But could have been more if I didnt switch it up. This is a lesson learned LMAO


I also lost 3" last week!!! YAY

Im glad we have lots of communication going. Im glad that we all have a place to come talk and share our successes. Our behaving badly moments and anything going on in life in general.
Lets keep the peace :) Hope everyones weigh in goes well this week
( And hope I havent ticked anyone off. Offended anyone or put words into anyones mouth)

I wasn't offended at all. Sorry if it might of come across like I was. And for me on my journey... when I mess up it shows on the scale ... that is why most of the time I don't cheat at all ... not one bit. But when I have a bad moment I go way off ... briefly.... and then I'm back to it and losing big numbers to make up for it. As time goes by it becomes easier and easier to stay on track rather than have off moments. I identify with all of you and I know we all have our triggers. . I was just trying to make sure that nobody else was feeling badly. Thanks to Witchie and Dria for your thoughts.

Thanks meme.
Dria, girl I swear we are related, we think so much alike. Thats interesting about the starches, I'm going to try that, having them done by lunch. Anyhoo I hope everyone is well, WI later this a.m. Cheers!

Hmmmm
 

I see things are getting emotional here..... Hey we are all human. How we individually approach Herbal magic is totally up to each and everyone of us. I had joined HM a few years back and quit after a couple of months because I was becoming depressed because I couldn't do anything. Made it very difficult to go out etc. Which to me is so upsetting because I am social by nature so I gave up but like I have said hundreds of times... the dining out guide gives me that little extra "hey I can do this" which with my work and kids sports schedules I need that flexibility. And I am loving it... I lost 20 something pounds since April that is amazing to me!!!

As for those who may have healing eating disorders... whatever they may be when I talk about my experiences of indulging I am looking for a sounding board I don't need one of you to tell me what a bad girl I am... and I should be able to be free in what I say on the boards.. with in reason of course. I am responsible for what I put in my mouth, only me... not anyone of you... and vice versa... And if there is no cheating involved in some of your approaches I tip my hat to you because you have discipline and you should be commended for it.

I am on this journey of HM until February.. I had 88 pounds to loose... I don't have only 20 pounds or 10 pounds to loose I have 88 of them... that's alot so if I slip up along the way oh well... as long as I know to get back on track immediately. Trust me once I am done I don't want to go back to where I was EVER!!!!!


Thats my rant for today take it however you want to. No offence will or is taken but I just had to have my say once again!!! LOL


Lee2lee

I Hear ya Lee!!!!
Like said its nice to have somewhere to go to let go. I honestly think this is one of those places. I agree being on til Feb is a long time cheats happen!!! Cheats happen with me too they are just very small ones. But still cheats none the less.
Im looking forward to seeing some W.I numbers today ladies.... lets get em coming. I wanna do some cheering.... or consoling lol

Lee: Absolutely I agree, yer kickin butt!!
Am not, and would not, I was refering to myself. I totally agree with this being a sounding board, and thus I was using it as such.

Talking of indulgences and cheating doesn't bother me. It is the literal listing, and description of binge eating that is a trigger for me. Like I said I don't expect most to understand, **** most of the time I don't. Anyhow, enough of that, how was everyones WI? Mine was ok, down 1 lb. Have a great day all.

Whoa! Where do I start? haha

I'll start by apologizing if my binge created some triggers for some people.
But here again...I have to say... you'll never be safe. Triggers are ALL AROUND us... and I had to share what I did, only because I'm human and we all are. FOR ME, to say this to ALL OF YOU, was being accountable...that's why we have the board, right?

I decided that YES, I cheated big time... YES. I came back on the board, I went to HM...cause that's what I need to do - GET BACK ON THE WAGON.
So yes, I shared with you guys...and I did it cause I had to overcome SHAME and I wanted other people to know that we are ALL human and we ALL have setbacks (but some of you seem nearly perfect!).

I've ready many books on eating disorders and emotional eating, etc... and it's funny how we keep RESTRICTING our food, when we need to ALLOW.
Look at me...I'm still restricting - I'm on HM !!

It doesn't seem right in my mind...I'm afraid. You mean, I can eat EVERYTHING I WANT??? WOW... what will happen to me? I'll weigh 400 pounds by Christmas... lol

Anyhow... I'm still on this quest to find the answer, to cure this once & for all.
HM is working for me...but a little voice inside me is telling me that I need more than this... that I cannot remove those foods, those triggers from my life completely...it'll never happen.

So thanks to those who support me...and again, I apologize to those that didn't like me telling it like it is.

I decided to go for WI twice a week instead of 3x per week. It might help with my obsessiveness!!!

I went in last night for WI...I'm up 0.8 pounds. This lesson has taught me something... that if ever I need to cheat for like my bday or on vacation, I won't gain 10 pounds!! I need to r-e-l-a-x about it... I need to chill.

BUT THAT'S ME HERE!! NOT SAYING EVERYONE NEEDS TO CHILL (LOL)

I need to chill cause I was on the verge of depression and so obsessive!!
I wasn't living anymore.

A little something I read today...

Every time, before you eat, take a moment to be silent. Close your eyes if you like, or just fix your attention on a neutral object or point. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Think about your body and that you’re about to feed and nourish it. Gather a sense of gratitude about the food, and know how lucky you are to have it when many others don’t. Remind yourself of your commitments to eat well, but just enough. Remember that you love your body, and yourself. Then be silent again for a little while. Silence is anything but empty!

All I can say to every one of you is PREACH ON SISTER!
We all have a story. No two are alike. But we are in this together.

I was down 2 lbs at wi today. YAY!

way to go Meme!! Great weightloss!

I totally support you and think you are doing an excellent job, and I think this board is for "telling it like it is", thats what I was doing aswell. I also think that you are absolutely right about never being totally safe, although I haven't encountered exposure to binge eating type stuff that would set me off lately (except for some past posts). When you were retelling all the stuff that you ate, I just kept thinking "I soooo want to do that, how can I get a pizza delivered here without anyone noticing, or maybe once everyones in bed I can sneak out and go through a drive through.etc, etc" Seriously, this is one of my last triggers, and I am trying, trying, trying, to get past it. I suppose maybe I should try to expose myself to binge eating type material to somehow overcome? I don't know, I'm sorta at a loss......
Anyway enough about me, WI's girls, how'd ya do?

Meme: Good goin, somebodys been a good girl!

I totally understand the trigger part Witchie...but for me, it's emotional... not really somebody else talking about food or whichever. I can even sit beside my husband who's eating a bag of chips and have NO desire for it...NONE. Are you ok with seeing tv commercials about food? Is that a trigger too?

For me it's emotions...and unfortunately, they live with me forever! lol
Sadness, happiness, stress, tired...name it... food is usually around somewhere in the back of my mind...and in some instances, I cannot say no.
I try to REPLACE food with something else... At times I succeed, other times I don't...

I was thinking myself to attend some therapy... maybe even hypnosis...
Hypnosis is great! I've done hypnosis for my fears.... I was so bad.

I wouldn't sleep with the window open, I wouldnt' take a bath while I was alone, I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking someone was in the house, waking hubby up to go & check (this was like every other day). It was so bad. And one session of hypnosis.... I now sleep with the windows open, I take my bath with the doors unlocked! I sleep through the night, no issues at all...

So if it worked for this, I'm sure it would help for my emotional attachement to food! Anyone else thought of this??

Random thought here... isn't this thread going to be full soon? Anyone want to take the lead and start a new one when we get to that point? 2 dogs lady where are you?!?

For interest sake for those this applies to:

Evaluate the reasons behind excess. Your food journal should also have a “feelings” category, where you can recount whether you ate something out of frustration, boredom, or if you were truly hungry. Some people snack often without reason or hit the office vending machines in times of stress, whereas a short walk and some fresh air could’ve also produced calming results.

WOW... witchie.... have you received help for this??? I do sense some sarcasm in your words.. if i am mistaken please tell me.. I am being totally serious because if you get upset just because Chantal listed her indulgences...there must be something that can help you with this. Because when you are done herbal magic you are going to have a battle on your hands... with food. We all will have a battle because we all have our own problem with food... on an emotional level some more than others. I am like Chantal... I eat for every emotion under the sun.... but whether I indulge those emotions is a decision only I can make at that time.

I do hope you come to some peace in your life with food Witchie I truly do.. I think help for this would be a benefit. And again this is meant to be a help not a slap in the face.. so read this with your eyes wide open and stop to think of what is said, in my words. I wish you well.

Girls we are all doing fabulous with all our emotional baggage we all have to come to terms with it in our own way one day at a time we are all wonderful and we are doing an amazing job with our weight loss efforts!!! You all deserve a hug:hug:

Not til 500 posts.... I dont see any reason to eject this thread. I think that some good points. Feelings and thoughts and suggestions are in it. As long as no one has hurt feelings I think us ladies can keep on keeping on!!!


My internet friend.........
Sitting in front of my computer
and waiting for your replies
When ever I hear from you
my days are brightend
No body has ever spoke to me
the way you do
Even our friendship exists
through the net
Though I have not seen your face
I have not heard your voice
I don't know who you are
But I know what ever you say
that's comes from your heart
I have pictured you what I think of you
perhaps you too have done it
I thank you for considering me
your forum thread friend
I am glad that I met you
Now you are my best internet friend

I need help... your help.

I want to find a new breakfast idea that doesn't have any starch.
I eat cereal at work but I would need to eat something else.
Ideas? Preferably protein & dairy

Scrambled eggs with salsa is my fave. Sometimes I add in my cheese for the day...or some veggies....or all of the above!

Thanks for the suggestion momo.
Ok but I can't make that ahead right? I mean... could it be reheated?

Geeze...I guess I didn't read your post that closely :o

I think that you could make it like a scramble and microwave it when you get to work. Or the protein bars I bought at the clinic are really tasty (the chocolate one makes me feel like I'm cheating and I'm not!). You could have that and a fat free yogurt and you'd be good!

The snackers premium bars are a protein..... good for on the go and super filling!!! Option?!?!?!

Momof5k are you talking the crunchy chocolate ones.. OMG OMG OMG MY FAVORITEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE super yum.
My fave chocolate besides anything dark chocolate is double crisp.. chocolate with krispies and tis just like that

Here is me being boring... In a pinch I have grabbed my 1/2 oz almonds (unsalted of course) and a fruit portion. That always does the trick. More often than not I have a hard-boiled egg on hand too so if you added that to the mix you would find yourself quite satiated. Again.... BORING but effective. 1 Fat, 1 Fruit, 1/2 Protein.