Good Evening Ladies
 

Today I got more answers from the doctors..they have pretty much figured out her problem...for not wanting to eat and losing so much weight. They found high amounts of calcium in her blook...which can mean two things...her parathyroid gland is cancerous or not working well or she may have some form of other cancer like bone cancer or breast. They are quite certain that it is her parathyroid gland that is not working well and not the rest...even if it is cancerous, it is a very non agressive type and is easily treated through minor surgery for its removal. They have started flushing out the calcium from her blood by doing an IV of cerain fluids. And boy, what a huge improvement...My Mom is reacting very much like her old self and is starting to want to eat again. High levels of calcium in the blood cuts your appetite and exagerates confusion and memory loss. Tomorrow I will find out conclusively if her parathyroid gland is not working well or cancerous...in any case, it is most likely that it will have to be removed.

Thank you everyone for your prayers...it is helping my Mom...all this good energy and prayers are being answered in a positive way...Thank You from the bottom of my heart...and keep them coming:D My Mom should be home by next tuesday if not sooner.

As for me, :s: well today I binged...I felt like eating and eating...I worked myself up to 1812 cals and 80 grams of fat...yep, for real, I just felt so relieved when they pin pointed the problem and survivor finally was on and I had a party in my mouth...:o I have given myself a virtual kick in my butt and tomorrow I will try again...although I have to go to my work christmas party...a very post thai restaraunt...my favorite type of food...yikes....wish me luck...I will have the lemongrass soup and a shrimp curry..I should be ok if I stick to these two choices.

Hugs to all of you...and thanks so much for all your good energy and prayers.

Cyan

I am still here ladies....
 

feeling much better thank you, but still don't feel the same. I don't know, can't explain it. Trust me, it was not my idea to lose weight like that. I just figured, it's healthy, low calorie and low fat, it'd make a good breakfast drink. Now, I can read Chinese and it said nothing about having those type of side effects. Won't touch that again unless I'm clogged up:p

I don't know why, but just feeling totally -----blah!----- lately. Can't figure out why. Didn't exercise Thursday because just to much to do and no one else will do it. But such is life. I am still watching my calories. I don't think I am going over 1500, though probably would be very suprised if I figured it up. Unbelievably though, I did loose 2lbs this week:cool: so now I can redo my stats at the bottom. That was a little encouraging. Maybe it has to do with our fosterdaughter leaving. She is our first one, and has been here a year. She's more like a little sister than a fosterdaughter. She is going back home and we think (and anyone else who knows her) feels the system is really doing an injustice. I won't start on this subject:mad:

Cyan--glad to hear your mom is doing better and that they seemed to have pinpointed the problem. You've been so stressed lately, I think you can be easy on yourself this time for binging:p Have fun at your Christmas party and get some rest and relaxation in (I know easier said than done!)

MikiG--glad to hear you are feeling better too, but sorry to hear that your hubby is getting sick. I understand that Norwalk virus is really hitting alot of places in the states. They say it lasts for 3-4days. When men are sick it's just like taking care of another kid--to them it's like the end of the world is coming or something. But why is it when mommy is sick she doesn't get much rest? WOW!! that's scary about the tornado. Never seen one and don't particularly want to either. Glad you and your family are safe and sound.

Reina--glad to hear you are getting back on track. We all gotta stick together. You sure are going to keep busy this weekend. Have fun, but stand strong;)

debee--In the states, we call home Wilmington Delaware!! you are close (well, when we are in the states). Wow!! size 12 to 14, I think I wore that my freshman year in college:lol: One day, though, one day I will see that size again (may be a year from now). Hey, my mom and sister did good with WW but didn't have the discipline to stick with it. Well, my sister didn't, but my mom was diagnosed with a thryoid problem and has to take medicine that made her gain like 30lbs:o she was so upset. You know all, I really don't know how to help my sister. She is 25yr and probably at least 300lbs. She is legally blind so can't do awhole of exercising. I suggest things, but just goes in one ear and out the other. Or she thinks I am being mean. Not any meaner than her dr (a family friend) who told her she wouldn't live to see 30yr if she kept it up. What can I do for her?

Lisa--have a great trip. We never had to travel far for Christmas as all lived in the same state. And Delaware isn't big--only takes 1.5hours to get from one end to the other.

LadyRider--you have great willpower to only eat that much when making fudge and chocolate covered pretzels (do they have a smilie for drooling:D ) Wow!!! That's one reason why I am not making cookies, I am afraid I'd eat them:p

Well, ladies. I am not going anywhere during Christmas. I'll be hear reading the posts. Still have some things to do for Christmas. Can't get my hubby to realize you aren't supposed to know what you are getting for Christmas! So I gotta sneak out and get him something. I know I'll get jewelry again as it's hard to find clothes to fit me here.

I better get off here. This is long!!



**as of 12/20/02**
210/195.8(hey, every bit counts)/145

Hello everyone:wave:,
Ok, Debee, I can totally relate, if there is one thing that I lack, it is WILLPOWER!!!!
I totally understand how one comment, can make you shove food in your mouth. I am so good for that, I can sit here and talk about drinking my water, and thinking of the veggie sandwich that I will eat for lunch, then I will get up walk over to our company kitchen and eat 5 cookies:s:
What is us with us! That should have been the first thing on my wishlist, is WILLPOWER!
Debee, I send you strong willpower vibes and hope we can get past the weakness together.

MikiG, so you lost one whole inch. I don't know what to tell you about the boob area. I always lose there first before anywhere else. But keep up the good work, and I hope you and your hubby feel better.

Cyan, I am glad that you are getting answers for your mom. I pray that it will be something that can be corrected and she will be back to normal and home for the holidays.
As far as binging yesterday, I send you back your same words. They really help me.
...dust yourself off and try again...you are doing so well...keep it up...
Minor setbacks will always hit us, but only we can kick them aside.

Taiwan, I think alot of us are just felling that Blah feeling. It is normal around this time of year. Be strong and keep up the good work.

You all have a great weekend and I will check in sometime this weekend, if I get a chance, I have those 40 dz of tamales to make and only 4 days to make them.
Have a great one..

:grouphug:

Hi Everyone!:wave:
Reina - I can't imagine the work involved in making 40 dozen tamales! But I can imagine how good they are going to taste! :T

Debee - OK, your friend lost 40lbs in 6 months. That means you could be 40 lbs thiner by June! That is assuming you have 40 lbs to lose. You might not, because size 12/14 is not fat. It may be overweight, but not fat. I don't know how tall you are, but you can't weig a whole lot and wear a 12/14 - unless you're only 3 ft tall! ;) Are you exercising at least 3 days a week? I was stuck in a losing battle with dieting vs willpower for years. I tried dieting and I tried exercise, but never together. This time I tried combining the two and the weight and inches started coming off the first week. That's what made me motivated and helps me to stay on task. For me, believing I could lose weight was half the battle. Once I started to succeed, I knew I was on my way.

My friend is on WW and doing very well. In fact she told me last week that she will continue counting points after she makes her goal because it gives her control over what she eats and once you get used to how many points everything has, it is really simple. She said it is the easiest diet she's ever been on. It's certainly a healthy plan. You can check it out on the net, in fact I understand they have a way you can join on the net and never attend meetings, but I'm not sure how much support you would be giving up if you didn't go to the meetings.

Cyan - I'm so happy for you and your mom! Aren't you glad you were strong enough to admit her to the hospital! Don't beat yourself up too much over one day of binging. You're still on task and winning the battle.:bravo:

Taiwan- I'm glad you're feeling better. You can read Chinese! I'm impressed, that's a difficult language to master! I have no ability when it comes to learning foreign languages, so I really admire someone like you. I understand why you are so worried about your FD. My sister, Colleen, had foster children and became especially attached to one teenage girl. When the girl had to go back to her disfunctional parents, my sister let her know she was only a phone call away and would always be there for her. Sure enough, a few months later Lauri called to ask if she could live with my sister. Colleen said yes, and Lauri's mother agreed, so Colleen and her husband raised Lauri and she stayed in touch with her biological mother. Now Lauri is a corporate attorney, married and has 3 great kids. She calls Colleen mom, and her kids call her grandma. They think nothing of the fact that they have an extra pair of grandparents. So the moral of this story is: If it is possible, let your FD know you will be there for her, if only as a sounding board and advice giver- you're only a phone call away.

As for your sister, I wish I had a magic answer. Unfortunately, you can't fix her and "encouraging" her to lose weight is probably doing more damage than good to your relationship. I know you're really worried about her, but it's her decision to make. Try to accept her and love her just as she is.


Miki - WOW! You've lost 2 1/2 inches! Excellent! AND you haven't gained! Our goal was to maintain and not gain, so you're ahead of the game - You're winning girl! :dance: Yea! Oh, I hope you feel better soon!

Well, after all my bragging about not eating the fudge and chocolate pretzles - I now have to eat crow! :o Yesterday I baked Christmas cookies and couldn't resist eating the dough - or the cookies! Actually, it wasn't all my fault. My black lab was acting as Official Quality Control cookie taster and she kept egging me on for one more taste, so I would take a bite for me and give a bite to Molly. We tasted ourselves through 4 different batches of cookies and agreed the rolled sugar cookie dough was the best, but the Italian Nut Balls were the best cookies. Then last night I assembled the gift baskets I baked the goodies for. Now I ask you, is it fair to expect someone to pack fudge, chocolate pretzles, spiced pecans and four different types of cookies and not taste one or two? or three or four? Or more? :lol: Oh Well, today I'm back on the wagon. I ran and worked with weights in hopes of burning some of those calories. :dancer: Besides, my Weight Commander predicts I will lose tomorrow and there is a lot to be said for the power of suggestion. ;) Cyan, the program costs $9.95. You try it for 5 days and if you like it you email the owner with your name and address. He emails you a code and sends you a bill via snail mail.

Well, I've rambled on long enough. It was great talking with you all!
:grouphug:
Lady

Evening Ladies
 

Well the doctors told me today that my Mom is cancer free and the high calcium levels were due to her kidney's struggling to work properly...My Mom had stopped eating and drinking which was forcing her kidneys to fail. So now that she has been on IV and eating and drinking, all is back to normal. She will be released from the hospital next tuesday. The not eating and drinking was due to the cocktail of meds she was on which exagerated her alzheimers and made her nonresponsive. Yeesh, meds...but I am feeling a whole lot better....the only thing is that I hope my Mom continues to eat when she comes home.

Your prayers helped...thank you all so much. Well I gotta get ready to go to my work christmas party


Talk to you later

Cyan

Cyan, I am so happy to hear about your mom! what a great Christmas gift. I hope you had a great time at the work party. I loved your comment about When you were eating you had a "party in your mouth" Next time i eat a cookie i will think of my tastebuds with little party hats on.

Ladyrider, thanks for telling me that my size 12 is not fat. I am 5 '3 and a giant pear woman. All my weight is in my stomach and hips. Very depressing and hard to lose.

Got to goTalk to everyone later.

P.s. Taiwan, I was a big sister in the big brother big sister program for 15 years( since my "little sister"Tammy was 5) and now as a 20 year old woman she finished college (the first in both her immediate and extended family to do so). You never know how you touch a life. I hope I was a role model for Tammy and I am sure you are one for your foster daughter.

Sorry I had to cut it short in my last post. As I mentioned before we are remodeling our basement into a theatre/media room with an art deco theme and my husband wanted me to go and pick out carpet samples with him. I didn't trust him to go by himself.

Miki
I hope you are feeling better. A few moms and kids at preschool seem to be coming down with a flu.

Reina mia, thanks for your words of encouragement. I felt so ashamed that I was jealous of my friend that lost all the weight. I know I should have felt happy for her and I really did but a part of me was jealous and focused on my shortcomings. I guess the last straw was when my other friend starting talking about body fat on her size six bod it just triggered the chocolate urge. That girl doesn't even have butter in her house how can she have body fat? Sorry, here I go again venting. Willpower would be the best gift of all this Christmas and I guess I would add little self esteem for myself.

I just signed up on FitDay and will be tracking my calorie intake. I'm afraid to find out how many calories I eat. I love food.

Yesterday was the closing on our vacation lake house and it was very stressful. We almost did not close because when we went for the walkthru and turned on the water, the water heater gushed water into the crawl space. Finally we got it resolved.
Hopefully with this house I 'll be getting more exercise. In the winter it is near a ski resort and I plan to take some ski lessons with my family. There is also hiking and biking trails and tennis. Best part is the closest Mcdonalds is 15 miles away.

Speaking of McDonalds, this morning my husband and kids wanted breakfast there. I love their hash browns and steak and egg bagel but I went through the drive-thru and ordered my families breakfast and just had a coffee for myself. Score one point for willpower.

Well, I have gifts to wrap and a house to clean so I better go. Take care everyone.

Good Evening Ladies
 

My Mom is doing much better...she is anxious to go home and she will be released on tuesday...My work party went well and I had a great time...Debee...I had another party in my mouth...with posh thai food...I couldnt pass it up...I had squid, a mango thai salad and a shrimp red curry...soooooo good.....I calculated how much it totaled and it came out to....drum role please....1956 cals and 83 grams of fat:fr: This was my total for the whole day...I weighed myself this morning and I havent gained a pound...now isnt this a first for me....but I know this was a one off.

Tonight I am going over to a friend's house for christmas party...but I will be on good behaviour...I will post everything tomorrow.:lol:

Debee...I know what you mean when thin people complain about their "fat" it makes me jealous too...got to admit it...but overall I am happy for them and wish them well...ok maybe just a little weight gain would do:s: Let me know how you like FitDay..its very easy to use and really opens your eyes as to how many calories and fat grams you are eating...keeps me on track....usually:^:


Reina, LadyRider, Miki, Taiwan, Debee, Annie, PreciousOne and Cjunk...I send you all lots of hugs and good wishes and thank you once again for all your prayers...I truly believed it has helped me and my Mom...thanks

Cyan

Hi Everyone! :wave:

Well, the car is all packed and we're ready to drive down to Miami tomorrow morning to have Christmas with our daughter and son in law. It is a 6hr drive and feels like an intirely different state. Miami is in the far southern tip of Florida. It's sub tropical; hot, humid, sunny and very crowded and fast paced. We live in North Central Florida. The temps are anywhere from the 50's - 70's. with low humidity, lots of farms and a very laid back lifestyle. It is quite a radical change. We will have a good time, but I know I will be glad to get back to our quiet little three stoplight town.;)

I will be reading your posts, but won't be able to contribute until I get home Thursday, so you all have a wonderful holiday!

And Cyan, I know you will be especially thankful to have your mom back - in more ways than one! Have a blessed holiday!

Take care everyone,

:hat:

Lady

Hi everyone, just finished the last of Christmas shopping. I bought myself a new body fat scale hope it doesn't get me too depressed. We went out to dinner at an Indian resturant tonight and afterwards to a live nativity at my son preschool/church. I ate too much but I once read that spicy food burns fat. I hope so.

Lady rider,
My sister lives in Marco Island, Fl and my sister-in-law lives in Hollywood, Fl so when we visit I always take the kids to Parrot Jungle in Miami or visit South Beach. Hope you have a wonderful visit and holiday.


Cyan,
How is your mom doing now that she is home ? Is she eating? Hope all is well.

Reina, Mia
Did you finish making your tamales? You should send us the recipe.

Taiwan,
I just went on your web site. Your boys are so cute.

Miki,Lisa
Hope all is well and we hear from you soon.

Seems like I havent been here forever! Very busy weekend and will be that way until after Christmas, but I did want to stop in and say hello to everyone. Cyan, I was thrilled to hear your mom's test results! LadyRider, have a wonderful trip and enjoy the visit with your family. Debee, I heard that about the spicy food too and wondered myself if it was true when I overate the Mexican food the other day.lol. Reina, Lisa, Taiwan...Missed your posts! Hope you're having a nice holiday season and will be back soon to tell us all about it. Cjunk, PreciousOne, and Annie...still missing ya'll bunches!

Oh, by the way, I am finally feeling MUCH better. Appetite is back too so I have to be careful. I know I overdid it yesterday with the TWO Christmas get-togethers. I hate having more than one in the same day. Had a good time at both tho.

Hope you all have a productive and exceptionally nice Monday!
Bye for now..

MIKI

Hello everyone! I'm back from Branson! I've been reading everyone's post and it sounds like with help from each other, we'll make it through this Holiday season without causing too much damage.

Our trip was great. We left Thursday evening and went to Joplin, MO where Jeff's biological father lives. We stayed with him and in the morning he made waffles. Yummy, wonderful, waffles....with butter and syrup and one fried egg. YUMMY. How could I say no? It's like tradition that everytime we stay there, he makes some. Okay, then it was off to Springfield where we visited the Bass Pro Shop. Very fun and lots of walking. About 2pm we were on our way to Branson. We got a little lost when we got into town, but we managed to find the right hotel...which was beautiful. We decided to eat dinner next door at a place called the Hard Luck Cafe, where the waiters and waitresses walk around singing. My daughter loved it but my son spent the whole time with his head hiding behind me. He was so embarrased. I was enjoying my Bacon Swiss Hamburger and Fries. (hey...it was a vacation!) So, after that we did some shopping which took a lot of walking. We then went swimming. The swimming pool was very far away from our room so that took a lot of walking also. I sat in the sauna and in the hot tub and spent a little time in the pool with my kids. It was very relaxing and fun. One of the little cousins pulled the fire alarm and that added some excitement to the night also. Saturday morning I got up and went to the Exercise room and did 1.3 miles on the treadmill. :bravo: and then went down to the continental breakfast and had a bagel with cream cheese and a doughnut. Hmmmmm. Silver Dollar City was the rest of the day and it involved lots of walking. I went on the Marvel Cave tour which was a 1 hour strenous hike up and down this gigantic cave. It was very cool, but I know i had to have burned lots of calories. It was about 620 total stair steps in total...plus the additional walking. Then, we went to see Lord of the Rings The two Towers in the IMAX. It was amazing!!!!!!! LOVED IT! Sunday morning was another waffle and then it was on the road again. We stopped in Springfield at Lambert's Cafe for lunch and YUMMY!!!! They throw everyone these fresh from the oven Hot rolls. I smothered mine (all 3 of them) with butter and honey. I had smoked ham with a baked potato and fried apples for dinner...my hubby had pork jowels and I had to try those. YUMMY!!!. We got back home about 5:30. Put up all our laundry and getting the house put back together....about 7:15pm, my son trips and falls and hits his cheek right under his eye on the wood frame of the water bed. I rushed him to the ER. I was concerned that his orbital bone was broken or cracked, but he was fine. Just a small cut and a very large black eye. Poor thing. He was quite the tropper at the hospital and talked to everyone. Wouldn't you know that today is family picture day??? Well that was my trip. Hope I didn't bore you too much. I know I ate horrible, but I'm back on track and trying to get some exercise in. It's going to be a challenge for the next couple of days with Christmas,,, but exercise is the key. \

Hey Lady Rider...where in Florida do you live. I will be flying in to Pensacola on Friday and driving to Fort Walton Beach. Do you live anywhere near those places? I will be there until Monday. If you're out of town and can't post messages...email me at [email protected]

I'm happy to be back and I missed you all.
Cyan, glad to hear your mother is doing better. She's lucky to have you there for her.

Hope to hear from the all of you soon!

Lisa

Hi everyone!

Taking a break from cleaning house. Busy with last minute shopping, cooking but just thought I would post since I probably would not have the chance until after Christmas. Christmas eve we are going to dinner at a country inn we go every year, then to a friends house and church. Christmas Day my brother and sister-in-law were suppose to visit but they are predicting a snow storm so they decided not to come. I must admit I am a little bit happy it is going to snow. Now I can stay all day in my pj's. I think that will a great gift.


Lisa, welcome back! Reading your post made me so hungry I had to go to the kitchen and get something to eat (apple with brie cheese) It sounds like you had a great time, even with your sons black eye.

Merry Christmas to everyone and hope Santa is good to you.

By the way here is my e-mail address :

[email protected]

Merry Christmas Ladies
 

Today I go pick up my Mom at the hospital....she will be discharges and seen in january to have her parathyroidgland removed...her hypercalcimia keeps coming back so they now think that her gland is not working properly...at least its a small operation.

As for me, I am doing well, I have not exercise at all in the past week and two days and my eating has been eratic...but yesterday I did ok at 1457 cals and 50 grams of fat. I am hoping to do the same today.

I want to wish all of of you a very Merry Christmas...and hope you get all the that you desire this holiday season.

I will a post a more detailed letter later, write now I am off to go collect my Mom...talk to you all later

Cyan

Merry Christmas everyone! :gift:

Have just a few spare minutes before I have to get to cooking for tonite's gathering. Cyan, I am so glad your mom will get to be home for Christmas. Like you, I havent exercised all week either but we'll get back in our groove as soon as the holiday is over!

Lisa, Welcome Back!! Missed you and happy to hear all about your fun vacation. Made me wish I was there!

Debee, a day in pj's sounds wonderful to me too. Unfortunately, we very rarely have snow here and when we do, not much of it sticks. Think of me as you enjoy a white Christmas. :)

I hope the rest of you have your happiest Christmas ever and that your holiday is one of good health, peace and joy.

Ohhh, It's Christmas Eve and I still havent made out my WishList for Santa..soooo, here it is!!

(1) Cyan's determination and inspiration

(2) Lisa's sense of humor ( I love the pig stories and little cousins
who pull fire alarms..lol )

(3) Debbie's Size 12 clothes!!

(4) Reina-Mia's persistence and encouragement

(5) Taiwan's dedication to helping others

(6) Lady_Rider's enthusiasm and love of life

(7) Good health for Annie

(8) Happy holidays for Cjunk and time to come in with us

(9) Merry Christmas and Happy upcoming year for PreciousOne

(10) and last but not least...To be able to use all of the above to
help and encourage others as much as they have helped me

Have to run now but MERRRRYYY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!! Thanks soooo much for EVERYTHING you each have added to my life!!!!
:grouphug:

Love you all,

MIKI

Good Morning Ladies
 

Merrrrryyyyy Christmas and good cheer to all. I just wanted to drop in to wish everyone the happiest of holidays....I send good energy and lots of hugs to all you wonderful ladies.

I'll drop back in later to tell you all how the eating is going today

cyan

Just got home from family Christmas gathering with the in-laws. There was TONS of food which I ate plenty of, but I did skip the desserts. I dont think I have gained anything over the last 2 or 3 days, but I do know I have definitely got to get back on the AirWalker first thing in the morning...no excuses!! My kids said this is their best Christmas ever. It was a nice one. I hope all of your are enjoying yours also. I may be back later on tonite to see if anyone had time to post.

Good Evening Ladies
 

Well tonight I had a lobster dinner with all the fixin's and my total calories for the day are 1419 and 46 grams of fat....I also cycled for 30 minutes for a distance of 9km and burned off 330 calories....I back ladies, I am back to exercising and it feels great!

So I challenge all of you to get back to exercising! Remember to work on your part of the letter to Oprah! The deadline is jan 5th...post what you would like to say here and I will join all the pieces together and email it to her staff incharge of tickets.

Big Hug to you all and I hope this day is filled with lots of happiness and joy

Cyan

Ok, so I skipped the desserts at noon. BUT tonite I had a ham sandwich and a bowl of banana pudding. Yummmmy! Since then hubby and I have been piled up on the couch with blankets watching TV wishing we could do nothing but that for days. lol I promise, tho, tomorrow the exercise begins again. I accept the challenge, Cyan. :)Gotta work off all these calories before the next weigh-in. Can't wait to hear from the rest of you. I just know you're all having a wonderful time enjoying the holiday. Hurry back and fill us in on all the details!

G'nite all....

MIKI

Hope you had a great Christmas
 

Hi ladies......it's now 10:54pm here in Taiwan and rainy and cold (well, cold to me anyway, after being used to 70's this weather feels cold!:dizzy: )

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas time. We had a good time here. Joshua is now 4.5yr old and gets more into it. Josiah is only 6months old and thought big brother's toys were interesting. He is starting to crawl---well pulling himself across the floor. Watch out:lol:

I wasn't exactly a good girl this week, well from Friday until Christmas day. We were hustling about with things for the Christmas program and all, that eating wasn't exactly good and didn't exercise at all. Though I did get my Donna Richardson 3-day rotation DVD on Christmas Eve!! So did that right away and have done something each day since. Boy am I feeling it!! Had muscles I didn't know about:o I 've done her kick and jab (love it) and toning--love that too!! I have tried her Dance aerobics, but ain't too coordinated, but will try again. I have another DVD of hers in the mail, it was out of stock. SO now that the holidays are over (well until Feb. 1st here as that is Chinese New Year) I am determined to get back into action!!! Cyan, glad to hear you are back to exercising too. MikiG, let's go girl:D Who else is determined to get back into exercising? Hey, is there a specific weigh in time? I have started taking measurments (so depressing) and dh got me a digital scale for Christmas (I don't know if that was a hint or not!!) so I am raring to go. Got two compliments about looking like I've lost weight today--I felt really good:smug:
Well, ladies, I am starving. I know I shouldn't but I am going to have a cup of Quaker's 3-1 instant cereal, only 110calories. I know, but really, I can't sleep on a growling stomach. I had dinner, soup and steamed bread (whole wheat and packed with grains) and the water thing just ain't cutting it tonight.

Hope you all have a great day. Get those tushy's movin'

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Cyan, please fill me in on the Oprah letter (if you don't want to repeat it here e-mail me at [email protected])

We had a white Christmas in Philly. My family and I stayed in our Pjs all day. Even our friends came over in their pjs. Maybe we just started a new Christmas day tradition. A pj party. Much better than black velvet and bows.

I made a standing rib roast that came out great, twice baked potatos and many more fattening dishes. I t was like my" last supper" I kept telling myself tomorrow I will get serious about dieting.

Well today is tomorrow so I am going to get motivated!! I am going to give myself the gift of control over my weight. No longer am I going to let my weight control me.

I started thinking about ways that I can start. Here's my list.

1. Track my food intake on FitDay. I think keeping a food journal is one key to weight loss.

2. Exercise. Things that I like to do--taking walks in the forest, maybe join a walking group at my local mall.

3. Be accountable -- to everyone here. Before I get the urge to binge write a post here. Weigh myself everyday. Be accoutable to myself if I am not losing change my plan--increase exercise, eat less.

4. Find additional support by joining my local weight watchers group.

5. Instead of snacking in front of the tv, spend time playing and reading to my children, painting, talking to my friends, even cleaning the house.

6. As soon as I am stressed out about something stop myself from reaching for food. Write down what is bothering me, how i can solve it or if I can not solve it how can I deal with it.

Well, I am sure I can think of more but for now it is a start. What will you be doing to motivate yourself?

Did you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS??
 

Hello everyone :wave:
I hope everyone had a great holiday:gift:

It sounds like you all still did very well, and if you had that extra piece of cake of cookies, you were acountable for it. :lol:

Well, the tamales were done Tuesday morning about 3am and I was off to bed to start the 2 day holiday extravaganza! Christmas Eve, we went to my family's house up on the southside of Chicago! Had to hit two houses there, but I realized at the end of the night that I hardly ate, I was too busy getting pictures of Alex opening his gifts and running around the house asking for more:lol:
We didn't get home until about 2:30am that night, and I still had to clean the house for Christmas Day! We were going to have my in-laws over for dinner:yikes:
Well we got up christmas morning and opened all our gifts and started getting the house ready for the family. I started cooking about noon and they were expected around 5:30 or so. I made Ham, potato salad, Turkey Breast, Mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, tamales, cakes, cookies, and Hot apple pie!
I think I had 4 fork-full bites the entire nite. My in-laws had Flav(DH) and me at the edge of our seats. They couldn't have looked more excited to have been here. It was so depressing! I was thankful that my son's godparents were here, I don't think I could have made it through the night without them.
But it is over, and I am scheduled to pull out the scale tonight to see the damage that may have taken over my body!.

I hope Santa was good to you all, and Cyan, I am very happy you got good news from your mom's doctors!

I will check in later. YOu all have a great day!
Take care,
:balloons:

Good Evening Ladies
 

Hello...today I had 1557 cals and 52 grams of fat...not bad but no exercising...friends came over ..oh well.

Debee, we have decided to meet next year in chicago and go to the oprah show so we are writing in for tickets...so join us for the fun.

Well this one is short cause I am off to bed...till tomorrow


Cyan

Hello everyone. Our posts have been few and far between because of this Holiday Season. I hope everyone is doing well and having a great time. I had a Great Christmas. I've been eating very badly....or goodly..however you want to look at it. Tomorrow morning, I'm off to Florida for my brother's wedding. I am trying to get packed and put up with my family at the same time. I'm going insane. My flight leaves at 5:25 am. I'm already tired. I will be back Monday afternoon...I'll post then.

Lisa

Well I must have burned a few calories cleaning up the presents under the Christmas tree. How many calories do you think it burns bringing landry upstairs? With the seven loads I did yesterday I hope I lost at least a pound!

Last night we went out to dinner and I tried to be good but... they had hot rolls with honey butter (I ate 3) so instead of a full dinner I had a shrimp cocktail.

I would love to meet everyone in Chicago for the Oprah show please let me know when you are planning on going.

Miki thank you for the e-mail photo I hope to e-mail some photos to everyone next week.

Happy to report
 

Ok, I did it, I pulled the scale out a last night, and low and behold, I haven't gained a pound. I did go up 2 oz. but that is is.
Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:cb: :dance:

I thought I was doing bad, but I guess my subconscious was telling me not to pick up the extra piece of cake or something. So I got up this morning and worked out for a little bit, and I am drinking my water today too....

Cyan, I am starting my portion of the letter, should we all be targeting something special or just full letter from each of us on how this group has helped up?

I would love to have all of you out here in the big city. When the time comes, I can make all the plans for everyone's visit. I know some great budget hotels and hot spots.

Have a great day everyone, I am going to dinner tonight with my sister and brother-in-law, and my family and then we are off to see The Lion King on IMAX.

Have a good one.!

Good Evening Ladies
 

Debee we are planning on meeting up in chicago some time in the fall of 2003 depending on when we get the Oprah tickets.

Reina...write about you and how you feel about our little team of determined ladies...the kind of support you give and receive, or anything really...and how much we would like to be part of the audience at Oprah...and that it will be our first reunion in person of our group and we chose Oprah because she is a great role model for women everywhere...well this is what I think...I dont know if you agree but anyway, something along those lines is cool...but feel free to write about anything....the deadline is jan 5th...also maybe we should include you as our contact person since you already live in Chicago...how do you feel about that? Let me know. And Kudos on you for not gaining...you go girl:D

Well today, I ate 1310 cals and 48 grams of fat and I exercise for 30 minutes for a distance of 8.3km and burned off 300 cals. I used my new heart monitor chest strap and watch...and boy oh boy....it sure makes you exercise harder cause it tells you if you are in you target zone...I didnt realize how hard it is to stay within that range...I peddled at a high tension and fast...wow what a work out.

Lisa have a blast in sunny florida:)

Miki How are you doing on the exercising and food? Keep going...you cant sabotage yourself now..you are doing good.

Taiwan the same goes for you...lets keep on track and keep going...on to a healthier thinner sexier you....onward to a healthier thinner sexier you...now repeat it again until you believe it and then...just do it!

Ok Ladies, we have been doing well during the holidays so let keep up the good job.

Cyan

Good Morning Ladies
 

I guess everyone is very busy cause no one has posted.

Well I exercised last night for a distance of 8.3 km, 30 minutes and burned off 320 cals. I ate 1963 cals and 87 grams of fat:o
so my net total is 1643.

Can someone please give me a cyber kick!

Thanks

Cyan

Happy Monday All
 

Good Morning everyone, I am hoping to see some faces today:?:
I checked over the weekend and saw that everyone must have been pretty busy!

Well, I am not feeling too good today, I haven't been able to keep any food down for the past 2 days:( I think I may have the stomach flu or something....

But all things aside, my New Year's Resolution is to try to lose the 1.34lbs per week to make my 50lb goal by June 30th.:jig:

I have so many plans for when I reach this goal. I can't see anything else ahead of me. So I hope everyone comes back with the winning attitude and emotional strength to achieve all our goals.

Cyan, How is your mom doing? I hope she is feeling much better!

Once everyone is back, maybe we can set up a Chat night(Is it still available??) for all of us. If not, we can work something out. There are tons of free chat software out there.. If anyone needs help setting up one, please don't hesitate to ask. I have mine open all the time. I know of one free software that allows you to talk to all the different chat groups,(AOL, Hotmail, MSN, etc.)

You all have a great day and I look forward to hearing from you.

:grouphug: :wave:

Hello Everyone!:wave:
Boy, I'm looking forward to getting back to a normal routine and back on track with my diet. My weight chart looks like a yo yo for the past month, up 2lbs, down 2 lbs. Up 1 lb down 1 lb. Right now I am 2 lbs above thge 146 I was just before the holidays and I'm hoping to take that off this week. I'd like to start the new year at 146 and continue on down from there. I was able to continue running and using weights while I ate myself through the holidays. LOL

Reina - I'm so sorry you're sick. Feel better soon. Congratulations on not gaining! Wow, I'm impressed! Your goals are the same as mine; to meet my 50lb loss by June 30th. A 1-2lb weekly loss is reasonable, so we should have no trouble doing it.
Your Christmas dinner sounded wonderful. I'm sorry your MIL can't appreciate what a sweet person you are. I can't log into the chat room with my browser, so I would love to get with you all through another software. We could set up a regular scheduled time, like Mondays from 7-8pm (or whatever works for the group). What do you think guys?? I can use AOL or MSN, but I really like the idea of free software that will let you talk to all the different chat groups. What is it and where can I find it?

OK Cyan - Bend over - here comes yourrrrr cyber Kick! The New Year is just around the corner and You, oh Fearless Leader, must lead us on to the Land of Success! So Buck Up and Carry on! :lol:

Debee - You did good, girl! You chose shrimp cocktail instead of a full meal, I don't think I could have been that strong. The PJ Christmas sounds like a blast. What a wonderful way to chill out and enjoy each other's company. I Like the gift you gave yourself and with the goals you've made, you are sure to succeed.

Lisa - Hope you are having a great time in Florida. You were about 2 hrs from where we live, but we were about 6hrs away in Miami! Darn! I would have loved getting to gether with you!

Miki, Prescious, Taiwan - hope all is well. I look forward to us all being back on the list again. :D

:grouphug:

Lady

Hi everyone,

I can not wait until the holidays are over! The house is a mess and the kids and husband are home. I am stress eating big time!
January 1st I am motivated and determined to start.

I was thinking that it would be great if we could all post our weekly results maybe on Fridays? Maybe a short list of weight, what triggered any binge eating, how we were able to stay on track, any new rec ipes or websites we found... any more thoughts?

I would love to set up a chat time, but I may need help with the software since I am "computer challeged" Once our basement is finished we are setting up a computer area and hiring a computer expert to set up everything (my camera, new software, ect) Right now I just use my laptop.

Cyan, maybe instead of a kick you just need a hug. I am sure it was an emotional holiday home with your mom and sometimes we eat because of our emotions-- at least that is what I do. I hope all is well and that 2003 is the best year yet for you.

Ladyrider, June 30th is a great deadline for me too. My birthday is June 18 and I will be 43. I think losing 30 pounds would be the best birthday gift I could give myself.

Reina, I hope you feel better.

Miki, Taiwan, hope to hear from you soon.

Good Evening Ladies
 

LadyRider thanks for the cyberkick and Debee...thanks for the hug.

Today I ate 1606 cals, 66 grams of fat...I exercised for 20 minutes for a distance of 6.5km and burned off 250 cals for a net total of
1356...not the best but better than yesterday.

So I start a new thread for the new year...let me know what you think....a fresh start to start off the year

Debee...friday updates is a great idea! I'm up for that. I use MSN chat and I dont want to dowload other software...too much stuff already on my computer...I'm a webdesigner...:lol: But chatting online seems fun to me ..so keep me posted.

Reina congrats on not gaining thus far...kudos on you...you've made it thru christmas...there's new years tomorrow...you can do it.

And Lady, I am sure you will get thru and lose those extra two pounds...I too yo yo up by two and down by two...sometimes its very frustrating.

Well, this one is a short one, I will see all of you ladies in the new year....feel free to start a new thread...if you see fit or let me know if you want me to start a new thread...lots of hugs

Cyan

deadline for Oprah letter is jan 5th...post your part of the letter online.

What a weekend....
 

Usually Sat and Sun are our busiest times because of church things (ah, the joys of being a pastor's wife/missionary). Sunday was my turn to teach Sunday school (yes, in Chinese) and it takes me a while to prepare it. Then last night, Monday night here, a missionary friend (he started our church 20years ago) and his kids, who grew up here, and their kids, and his neices, and nephews and their kids (over 20 people--and 7kids all under the age of 5yrs!!!) came here for a visit (not to visit us specifically, but to vacation sorta). Anyway, we went out to eat with them. And my computer still isn't doing what it should be doing, missing alot of mail:mad:

Anyway, other than that, we are all ok. Have to take Josiah (our 6month old) to the dr as he has started to have a bad cough. A runny nose, I can deal with, but his cough sounds bad and is just getting worse. Of course the weather going from 50something for two days to 70's and back to 50's isn't helping I am sure.

Weight wise, I have lost one pound. I am fine with that since I have had to go out to alot of parties this past week. I haven't been walking since it's either been raining, something comes up, or my walking partner is sick (I hate to go alone now). BUT I have been exercising since 12/24. I only missed Sat and Sun, but did something for 20min or 40min each day. Tell, ya, I feel great though. And I measured today (I decided to take measurements every 2weeks and weigh myself once a week, though I was thinking of rotating the two) and I have lost at least 1in everywhere!!!!:D :D :cool: :cool: I can feel a difference in my clothes and a few people have mentioned that it seems like I've lost weight:cool: I am close to my first goal. I originally set one too high and then lowered it. I think I will treat myself to a massage when I reach it:D

Well ladies, hope all it going well.Tonight we are going to watch an Austrian aborigine festival with fireworks and all. It should be interesting anyway. Hey, debee, my 6month old's birthday is June 18!!just like his Taiwan grandfather's birthday. I do like the weigh in thing, keeps me accountable. Hope to hear from you all later.


210/194.7/191/145
highest/current/1stgoal/end goal

Ok ya'll, I need a big push in the right direction please. I was doing fairly well thru the holidays and managed to maintain my weight, plus lose an inch or two, but the last 2 or 3 days, I am out of control!! I know if I weigh, I'll be depressed so I'm going to get back in check and not going to weigh again until Sunday. Phil ( my hubby ) lost around 60 lbs a couple years ago and has gained some back. He said today as of Jan. 1, he is going to be heavy duty into his healthier lifestyle again also. That should help me stick with it too. So anyway, if ya'll dont mind, I'm going to hold off posting my latest measurements and weight until Sunday and hopefully I'll be doing much better by then. I did drink my jug of water today. Havent done that in a long time. I'm off the rest of the week so I should have plenty of time for my Air Walker. I really really really want to accomplish my goal of losing 60 lbs, and I am going to TRY to lose 30 by the end of March. I know I'll need all of your support and encouragement for sure. ( as well as the occasional kick in the butt lol ) Glad to see everyone is getting back in here. I've been soooo busy and have missed you all!!! I"m ready to get back in a regular groove. Gotta run for now but I"ll post again as soon as possible. Everyone, take care and let's do this!!!!!!! I know we can. :)

Miki

Just wanted to say....
 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hi my friends. It is already new years here. We just got back from a celebration at the local museum, they had a concert outside. I want to thank you all for the support you've been to me the past month or so I've been on the list. This is a great group, so supportive and that helps alot. Thanks. May we all start strong and finish even stronger this year. This will be a great year for all, I just have this feeling



:smug:

Again, Happy New Year

Hey girls! I'm back! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I did. My trip to Florida was beautiful. I really really really enjoyed the Gulf of Mexico as it was the first time I had ever seen the ocean or a beach. My parents and sister and I flew in together. We arrived in Pensacola where my younger brother met us and we followed him. He knew I wanted to stop as soon as possible to experience the water and beach, so we stopped at Pensacola beach. It was wonderul. I immediately kicked off my shoes, hiked up my pants and went into the water. I picked up shells througout the trip to bring home for the kids. My mom took pictures and my sister and I played. It was great. We drove on to Fort Walton Beach and our Hotel was right on the beach. I was elated. It was beautiful. Some highlights included feeding seagulls from our ocean front balcony, watching dolphins swim along the bay, relaxing in an outdoor hot tub and then jumping into the heated outdoor pool....all in about 48 degree weather, making sand castles, standing backward in the ocean so you don't know how big the wave is that is about to hit you, sinking my toes and feet into the sand, and watching the sunset only to wake up to watch it rise again. It was heavenly. My family was a little up tight, but I can tune that out. My brother's wedding was small but nice. If only my brother could convince me that he was ready to be a husband.

Okay, now for the eating part. I was HORRIBLE!!! I was a pig the entire time. Not just for the trip but ever since I went to Branson. I know that after Christmas I had only gained half a pound, but I am very scared to get on the scales now. On Sunday, we went to a restaurant called FudPuckers. We were rolling ourselves out we had eaten soooo much. When we got back to our hotel, (after about 2 hours of FActory Outlet shopping)
we found out that the bride's family wanted to take us to dinner. We couldn't say no but we were about to burst...and then they took us to a steak house. It was very very good and I can't believe I cleaned my plate. I had a half order of grilled shrimp and french fries with a salad. I had water everytime we went out to dinner, maybe once I had a diet pepsi. It's a terrible feeling to have those pants feel so tight after eating and all you want to do is sleep. My meals weren't THAT bad, but the snacking in between was horrible. We had a gift basket in our room from the bride's family with beautiful chocolate of all kinds in it. It was wonderful....I mean horrible. LOL. However, I know I had my full share of water everyday of my trip.

Okay, so let's get positive. Tomorrow is the first day of the year and I am getting back on track. I went to the gym this morning and I had a Slim Fast for Breakfast. I am envisioning myself thin and fit and cute. I want to be a size 10. I am drinking my water and working out and thinking before I put anything into my mouth. Next week I am getting my gallbladder out so that will be a set back in the working out plan for a while, but I will have to start back small with some walking. I can do it. I want to weigh 140 by the end of 2003. That's about 45 pounds to lose.

MikiG, YOU CAN GET BACK ON TRACK! We will do it together. Our eating habits are learned and we just need to learn different habits. We will feel better and look better and be healthier.

Taiwan, you sound like you are doing so well and you have a great attitude! Congratulations on meeting your goals. A massage sounds great and you deserve it!

debee, Friday progress reports sounds great. It gives us a specific day where we must be accountable for our weight loss or gain. And I would love to chat with y'all every week, I hope we can find a day and time that works for each of us.

LadyRider, I was thinking of you while I was away. I would have loved to have met you. That would have been so fun! I know what you mean about getting back on a regular healthy diet. I have felt awful after eating so horribly. I've been soooo nausious but I think that's my gall bladder making me feel that way. I can't wait to get it out.

Reina, 1.34 pounds a week sounds pretty reasonable. Can I try to meet that challenge with you? I know with a buddy, we can do it for sure!!! Great job on now gaining over the holidays!!

Cyan, I will have a letter for you to Oprah by January 5. I have a few questions. First of all, how long do you want our letters to be? If it's too long, they will get bored reading them, if they're too short, they won't get our point. Maybe you could be in charge of cutting and pasting. That wouldn't offend me if you cut out some of my stuff that might seem irrelevant or boring, or whatever. Second, I go to school full time, so what dates are we looking at? August would work for me and maybe early September. Does she do shows then? Just wondering. I don't have class on Fridays either. So, I could come in on a Thursday night late or early on a Friday morning and stay until Sunday. That's my 2 cents worth.
Also, Reina, if you could do some homework and see how much a hotel room costs and how many of us would share rooms and where we would eat and so forth and put together a package price, so poor folk like myself could start to save up.

Okay, that's all for me for now. I'm going to weigh myself now and report later.

See ya!
Lisa

Good Day Ladies
 

Its so nice to read such positive and happy posts...it truly brightens up my day.

Lisa, a paragraph or two...short ones...would be more than enough...as for the tickets I will ask for september but I guess its really up to the availability of the show...but I will ask for a friday...lets keep our fingers crossed. And yes, its time to reafirm your goals and get back to them...by the sound of your last post, it looks like you are well on your way.

Taiwan...Happy New Year:D Glad t hear you had a wonderful time...and kudos on you for being determined about your health...onward we shall go together...to a healthier, sexier, thinner us....cheers!:lol:

Hey Miki your airwalker awaits you...so get on it and glide glide glide your way to a thinner and healthier you...you can do it...just repeat after me...I can do it, I will do it, I am doing it...ok again...keep saying it until you are on your airwalker...keep going.

So I guess are first weight in and measurements as per our pre-new years challenge is this friday...so here is to not gaining and possibly losing a few pounds...if we can make it through the holidays without gaining, the rest of the year will be a breeze and we will lose lose lose....together we will do it....yay!


Looking forward to hearing from the rest of you gals...tonight I am off to a New Year's party...:s: and there will be lots of finger foods and alcohol...I will keep my fingers crossed.

Later Ladies

Cyan

Happy New Year!

Tonight we are going to a "bellydancing" mid eastern resturant with the kids and afterwards to a kids new year eve party. I made a few resolutions that I hope to keep:

1. To take time for myself.

I made an appointment for a massage and a seaweed wrap on Jan. 6. The seaweed wrap is suppose to help to detox your body and help lose inches. I will tell you about it once I'm done.

2. To post daily in the Fitday food journal.

I would like to keep my weekday calorie intake to 1,200. Weekends I think I will have to up it to 1,500.

3. Get more organized.

Finally clean out the closets,toy boxes. Get all of our computer stuff set-up.

4. Appreciate what I have.

Realize how lucky I am to have my health, family and friends.

5. Last but not least, to lose 30 pounds.

I would like to take Reina goal of 1.3 pounds a week. Post my weight here every Friday.

Hey I have an idea. If we meet next year in Chicago we should also write to "E Fashion Emergency Show" and see if we can get a makeover. The show is on the Entertainment channel (they probably have a website) and is hosted by Emee (the plus size model). Each segment they do total makeovers. I think our group would make an interesting show.

I know that 2003 is going to be a great year for us! Just think how great we are all going to look in our slinky little dress on New Years Eve next year.

I just went on the "Eonline"website and Fashion emergency is no longer accepting makeover requests, oh well.

By the way,

Cyan, maybe we could use MSn chat. Let's pick a time and day. Great idea about a new thread.

Taiwan, I will have to send you son a birthday card. Both my sons were born in June. Jimmy is June 21 and Jake is June 25.

Lisa I love the beach too. Now everytime you look at your seashells you will have your memories. Next year you can frolic in the waves in your bikini!

Miki, I think we all were a little bad over the holidays but who could blame us. What is important is now we are going to get motivated and start losing.

Reina, I am there with you girl. I will try to lose between 1-2 pounds a week. Let's all weigh in on Friday.

Lady rider as always you are so positive!

Hi Everyone! :wave:

It sounds like everyone is ready to get back on track and start losing weight again. Yea! We're hot! We're doin' it! We Are Winners! :cb: or maybe that should be "losers" :joker:

I like the idea of Friday Progress Reports; let's start this Friday. That makes three of us working toward a June 30th deadline. 1.34lb per week is a good safe goal, too. Count me in!

Cyan, will you start the new thread? A new beginning for the New Year. A great idea. And congratulations on getting back on track! Eating better today than yesterday is how it all starts, making that first turn around gets us on the right path again. I'm working on my Oprah letter and I'm getting excited with the idea of us getting together. What a blast!

Taiwan, Wow! Down in weight and inches after the holidays! Good for you! Massage sounds like a wonderful reward, good thinking.

Miki, don’t worry about gaining a few pounds; they'll come right off as soon as you start eating healthy again. I gained three pounds over Christmas and have all ready dropped two of them.

Lisa, I'm glad you had such a great time in Florida. Isn't playing in the surf a blast? I wish you had warmer temps, though. We live about 2hrs from a beach and although we don't get there often, I’m always surprised at how much fun we have when we do go.
I'm sure you won't have any trouble losing 45lbs by 12/03.
By the way, what is the name of that chat freeware?

I really like that we are all taking this as a permanent life change and not a temporary diet. That attitude is what's going to make us stay thin and healthy.

I tried the Taebo 10 minute workout for the first time today. Actually, I thought I would do Taebo and then run my 2 miles ...HA! :lol: I had to stop and rest twice during the 10 minute workout, and was too exhausted to even consider my run! So, I've decided to do the Taebo as an alternative to running. Seriously, I like the way Billy Blanks explains the exercises and encourages as you struggle through it; especially when he reminds you that you're working toward a goal and it is achievable with a little work.

Talk to you all tomorrow,
:dizzy:
Lady