Annie....Ditto to all of the above!! You typed much of what I had tried to say in the post that got lost. Thanks! It was like reading something I had written myself. I am just so thrilled that I joined this site. The support and encouragement has been the backbone of my successes lately. THanks to all of you for that!!!

Miki, I know what you mean. All of you ladies have helped me so much. There have been so many times that I felt like I was hanging on by my fingernails, I found that I was not alone in the way I was feeling. So many of you here have helped me be able to hang on day by day. Cyan has the right idea, during the holidays instead of us focusing on losing weight, let's try to maintain our weight. That's a good challenge for all of us, to maintain instead of lose or gain. Of course losing will be great, but I don't see that as something that will occur with me during the holidays. Great idea Cyan. I know with the wrong foods in front of me it will be very easy for me to pile the weight on. So I'm taking Cyan's suggestions and focusing on maintaining my weight. Somebody please hide those potatoe chips!
All of my measurements are about the same, I am round all the way down. I look like Santa So in the holiday pictures I post here I am going to hold up a sign to hide my mid section.

Thanks to all of you for the support. Glad we could all be brave and post our pics and measurements. Staying true to ourselves and each other is the step in the right direction. It's nice to be able to put a face with a name now. All of you are very nice looking ladies. Very friendly faces.

Here goes...

SW: 156
CW: 129
GW: 115/120
chest: 35
waist: 31
hips: 37

I'm with Cyan on what she posted. If anyone feels that they aren't comfortable posting a pic, measurements, weights, etc. please don't let that keep you from coming here and joining in with the support. I was alittle nervous about posting my pic, I'm an old gal, and I dislike my roly poly tummy.

Hope everyone had a good day. Have a good day tomorrow. No exercise for me tonight at all. Not feeling too great, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Take Care everyone, Stay Strong, Stay Motivated.

Hello Everyone,

Well it took me some time to figure out but I finally got a pic on the site!

I had trouble sizing it and taking out some of the colours (consider them there for effect!! as it was originally a group photo).

Here are my current measurements:

36 chest
27 waist (but fluctuates from 27-28 still not settled)
40--Yes, down 3 inches!!! Yaay!! Still a fine asset though!
Thigh-23
Upper arm-11 1/2
Weight-132 lbs

It has been a struggle maintaining weight but I think if I keep plugging away at it I will get there. My goal weight is about 120-125 which is a healthy weight for me because I am vertically challenged and not very tall.

Once again I am going to be a bit selfish and use the group for a shoulder to lean on. It seems that this few weeks have been tough. A lot of unexpected loss. One of my co-workers left unexpectedly for personal reasons and she will be missed. My role will change significantly and it will be challenging and perhaps stressful.

So, I went for a swim tonight and tried to relax and recoup. My boyfriend got me some sushi with recognition that I was likely to crash on the eating and he also picked up some flowers. He even came and read his book while I swam. What a sweetheart. In any case, she will be missed and I have been struggling with all of the loss. So I guess maintaining the weight loss has been a challenge amidst all the loss. My patterns have been a bit more lax but not totally gone. Unfortunately I am seeing it in my fluctuating measurements and a bit in the self esteem category.

Enough about me, Annie, I hope that all is well and we are here to support you to stay on track while you deal with any news you may get.

Cyan, I am happy to hear that you had a big plate of pasta--your body is probably craving some energy burning foods because it has gone with none for so many days. Not to worry--your body is naturally demanding you to replenish itself. The fact that you are getting on your bike is something else!! Great work!!

Reina-Mia, I have heard that Curves uses a form of circuit training where you keep up your cardio rate and then use high rep toning using low-level weights. I understand that they indicate that it is a form of exercise that can be accomplished in a condensed timeframe of less than 1hr. I have heard some good things about circuit training but not too much about Curves itself.

LadyRider, I hope all is well with you. I haven't individually posted for a while and am catching up on reading all of the details of everyone over the last little bit. I hope all is well with you and that you are keeping up on your running!!

I will reply more to everyone once I read all of the posts.

Didn't last in the pool for more than 35 mins tonight with a sore shoulder but it was a straight 35 minute workout. I think I swam about 1km or 40 lengths so I would call that solid for tonight. Didn't drink near enough water or eat near enough veggies today. Will get back on track tomorrow with that too!

Cjunk

Hi Everyone!
I tried posting earlier, but it got lost on the server change over, so here goes:
Chest: 38
Waist: 33
Hips: 42
Arm: 14
Thigh: 23
Weight 148
Height : 5' 1/2" (just to give the measurements prospective)

I had a great weekend for fun and exercise, but not good for eating. I took two of my granddaughters for the weekend and we had a wonderful time. We ate out, went to the movies, went shopping, ate ice cream and brownies, and generally got silly. Have you ever tried sitting backwards on a treadmill? Then when someone turns it on you slide off onto a pile of pillows and laugh yourself silly. Since Dennis's passing, this has not been a happy house, and these girls (age 10 and 14) were exactly what I needed to lift my mood. Cyanne, the 10 yr old, ran with me Sunday morning, then challenged me to the treadmill that afternoon. She said I had to do what ever she did. Well the little stinker upped the speed every 20 seconds for 10 minutes. We were flat out running by the end of the challenge. I beat her, but I had a good workout doing it. I jogged another two miles that afternoon to try and burn off the brownies and ice cream. When I weighed in this morning I hadn't lost any weight, but I did lose 1 inch.
Reina_mia - Curves just opened here in my town. I haven't looked into it because I know I wouldn't make the 30 minute drive to get there. I'm thinking if you're not sure you would stick with it, it isn't the right time to join. You know how hard it can be to get motivated to exercise when you're doing it in your own home. Now imagine having to get dressed and drive someplace to do it. It is my opinion that these places have you sign a contract to commit to big bucks because they will get their money even if you don't come. If they charged per session instead, they would never get rich. Just my humble opinion.
Cyan - So glad you're feeling better! I agree, I love seeing the faces that go with the names. You know what? We're a pretty good lookin' group of women!
Annie - It's so great to "see" you!. And you're not old, I have you beat by quite a few years. I don't know what the doc and tests may tell you, but I want you to know you are in my prayers. I'm here if you need to talk.
Cjunk - glad you're back on track with the exercise. I love your pic!
Mikki, Congtrats on posting your measurements! Just keep thinking about how good you will feel each time those numbers go down.
I'm having lots of sweet cravings. Went shopping for the ingrediants for the goodies I'm baking for Thanksgiving, and it was all I could do not to buy a candybar at the check out counter. Also, it occurred to me this morning that the last couple of times I went on a diet, I was never able to get below 148. I just got sloppy with counting calories or started cheating little by little until I gave up all together. I feel like I'm standing on the edge, If I can just make myself step back I'll be ok, but if I jump over I will not be able to get back on track. I didn't have this support group those other times, and I'm VERY grateful I have you all to help me through this this time. I wrote most of this last night. When I went to post it, my server went back to the old site, so I just saved it. This morning I was feeling worse - was even considering not running at all - Until I pulled up the list to see what you all have written. Well, that was a great help, cause I am going to run this morning. And I threw away the rest of the brownies and sweet rolls. With your help and encouragement I will step back from the edge.

Together We WILL Succeed!

Lady

Wow! We are a good looking bunch...All these wonderful faces...it is so nice to be part of this group....I cannot express the happiness I feel when I come here and read all of your encouraging posts and daily summaries of your lives...just wonderful.

Annie...first off ...You are a beautiful woman...so elegant looking and your measurements..you are tiny tiny tiny Secondly, I send you lots of good energy to face what may come in terms of your results. I am here if you need someone to talk to...about anything.

Cjunk...does your boyfriend have a brother! He seems like a dream. Good going on the swimming. I know its been tough with all the turmoil of the last couple of weeks. But you will do it, you are a tough cookie and you will rise to the challenge.

Opps before I forget...I just read this today...SELENIUM LOWERS CANCER RISK BY SUPPRESSING MUTATED GENE
New scientific findings have revealed that selenium activates a tumor-suppressing gene called p53, which seems to work by causing abnormal cells to die or preventing them from replicating. The p53 gene is mutated or inactive in many types of cancer. Although it has been known that selenium can lower the risk of certain types of cancer, the exact mechanism has been unknown. Researchers estimate that the average American diet provides only 50 mcg of selenium daily, and that a multivitamin containing selenium is a good idea for most people. They also recommend about 200 mcg of selenium per day for cancer prevention. Antioxidants such as selenium neutralize free radicals, natural but dangerous byproducts of normal body processes that can damage healthy cells and lead to many chronic diseases. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.

I have been taking a selenium supplement for the last 6 7 months.

LadyRider I know exactly what you are feeling...interms of those sweet cravings...sometimes, I swear I hear them calling my name...by then, its too late for me, I have already thrown a sweet down my neck...I love chocolate...chocolate cake...any kinds of rubbish meats...hotdogs, Mcdonald's Big Macs...fatty cold cuts...I can go on for hours...but my mouth is starting to salivate

Miki thanks for congratulating me on not binging, it has been very hard at times...I realized that in the evenings, instead of sticking around the kitchen/pantry area, I go upstairs to where there is no food, get on the computer and post here, or watch tv or talk on the phone...and before I know it, its time for me to go to bed. Another thing I do is prepare my lunch for work immediately after I eat my dinner...this way I am not tempted to eat my lunch
Yes, its true, I've been known to do this...if I wait too long to make my lunch and its been a couple of hours since dinner...when I make the lunch...I eat it, then I have to make another lunch immediately after... This is my dirty little secret.

Reina...so what will you be doing about Curves? Let us know what your decision is.

Ok Girls...stay strong...have a great day

Annie...you are in my prayers...stay strong, positive and healthy

Cyan

Cyan- Thanks for the selenium information. I will start taking it and pass the information onto my brother- in - law who is in the process of fighting cancer.
And thanks for sharing your "dirty little secret". I have one too. I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, so when I am home alone I take two huge globs of peanut butter and mix it with lots of chocolate syrup, then sit down and eat the whole thing. I'm too embarrassed to do this when my husband is home to say "What on earth are you eating?"




Lady

Welcome back everyone!
This is a great looking group. And I am glad to see that everyone is up and ready for the Challenge.

Lisa & PreciousOne - where are you guys

Cyan, pasta is my weakness when it comes to food. I can't ever stop eating it when I start. But you thought right by burning it off with exercise. I have to start reading up on supplements. I take no vitamins at all, and everyone tells me I should. Any recommendations

MikiG - I did that the other night with all my weight measurements and everthing that went on over the weekend and I added too many icons too, and then lost it all. I screamed and said forget it, I can't rememeber what I wore the night before let alone what I just wrote, so I just reposted measurement and that was that. I should have learned, I normally type as I read everything on a little notepad in Outlook. Then I copy over, and I always do this except for that night.....
We would never give up on you, just a little concerned no one checked in all day yesterday until late last night.

Annie, I had to read your post at least 3 times today. I totally relate to what you are feeling. It is in us, deep down inside I know. I have never had a strong bone in my body when it came to willpower. I am 30 years old, and I can say that I never was able to really really succeed on any diet plan. Because I didn't have the will to do it. I didn't have the 100% determination to keep going. I still look at my wedding pictures and wonder, why I couldn't lose the weight for the most important day of my life. But now, because of you and all the other women in this unbelieveable group, somehow, someway, gave me the will to finally do something for myself and help me through it. I think of all of you women like my best buddies. I don't even tell my husband exciting news first. I log on and tell you all.

Annie, sorry to hear that your dr visit didn't go too well. I will pray that you get some better news. God helps us through the worse and the best. Keep him in your thoughts.
I really appreciate you expressing your true feelings to me, and you are right, if we can't be true to ourselves why are we even here right now.
MikiG - Funny. we are very close in measurements. But I am barely 5 feet tall so I bet that is where the difference is for us.

LadyRider --I am also doing all the baking for Thanksgiving, and I am sure it will hit me by tonight how hard this part will be, I am thankful that my husband went and bought me some goodies for me to eat and not feel too burdened with making the deserts.

Cjunk, stress can be a big factor in losing your focus on your goals. Remember one things, we can't change the things we can't control, therefore it is useless in worrying about them. You know by now that I am a huge emotional eater, and like a big change like that, I would have hit the closest McDonalds or Pizzahut.. It was great to see that you went swimming And to have a boyfriend like that, he is a gem. Hold on tight to him.

Well, I went to Curves this morning for a free workout and to see what they were really about.
They are a form of circuit training with 9 hydraulic machines and 9 flat boards. You move from each machine to a flat board every 30 seconds. It is less stress on the muscles and you don't sweat as much. I was very impressed with the workout. I didn't feel my muscles being worked as much as I do it at home and I feel really great. They are very unique. They don't have showers, or daycare. They expect you in and out in 30 minutes. The rate is about the same as going to a local YMCA, but it is more convenient to me.
Now I can tell you this. I really liked it and would like to do that 3x's a week, because it makes me more accountable for working out. Whereas working out at home, I always say I have to clean this room, or give my son a bath or sleep in. This way, I have to get out and drop off my son at school and can go straight there. But I won't be telling my husband that I want to join. I want it to be his decision to give me the membership. I want him to feel that I have shown my determination to succeed. I will try to workout at home for now and see if he decides to do it. I liked it, because it wasn't too hard on my bones and muscles. It did raise my heart rate up enough where I had to slow down a little bit.

Thank you all for your words of support and input.
Glad to see everyone back.

Hello everyone! I just spent the past week it seems, catching up on all the posts! I LOVE everyone's pics! I hope to get mine up sometime soon. Not now, but maybe tonight after class when hubby is here for technical support.

Annie, we are here for you! We have all become close to each other in a weird sort of way. I find myself thinking about one person or another from the group as I'm trying to fight a craving or deciding if I should go to the gym or not or if I just have something to talk about and need advice. It's hard to explain, but this group is important to me and I really feel good chatting with you guys.

I know my measurements got lost which the server change, so here they are again:

Weight 184.5 Height: 5 ft 4 inches
BUST: 42
UPPER ARM: 15
WAIST: 39
HIPS: 47
THIGH: 24

Wow, I have HUGE hips compared to the rest of me! I must elimate them!

Well, I went to the gym today. First time since last friday. Saturday night I ate way too late in the evening and was up for about 3 or 4 hours in the night with ACID REFLUX. At least that what I assume it was. I thought I was having a heart attack. It hurt sooooo bad! Read my journal for the scoop.

I have a plan for Thanksgiving. First of all I'm going to exercise like crazy tomorrow and Friday. I will also go for a walk before and after my Thanksgiving Dinner...no matter how cold it it outside. I will first fill my plate with Turkey and vegetables. Then, I will go back for small helpings of the creamed corn and potato casserole, and stuffing, and bread, etc. I will also have a couple of desserts. I will not deprive myself of something I REALLY want. If I'm not sure it's going to be wonderful, I won't eat it. I will eat eggs for a late morning breakfast because Thanksgiving dinner will be at 2pm. I will not eat any food after 6pm. Back on plan for Friday! OH yeah, I will also drink water water water on Thursday and maybe a diet dr pepper.

That's all for now!
LISA

Hello to all the friendly faces here. I agree, very nice pics here. Everyone has such friendly and kind looking faces. It's a nicer feeling here now that we can relate to each other by our faces and names. I love all that color in your pic Cjunk. Very happy feeling seeing the colors.

Lady, thanks for the support about the age, but I know too well that the big 50 is coming in May. I hope all you younger ladies enjoy your life and beware of the middle age spread. It will sneak up on you.
Lady, I tried the cider last night. Very, very delicious! And the aroma is out of this world. Makes me think of the Christmas holidays. Thanks for the tip on the cider, it was a lift to my spirits last night. You're not an oldie, you have held your youth very well. You don't look your age at all.

Cjunk, I often wonder how you deal with all that occurs in your life. Some people have things occur over time, but lately it seems that life is throwing everything at you all at once. You continue to inspire me with your strength. When I was your age I probably would have fell down and gave up if life had dealt me the things you are going through. Now Cjunk, you don't even need to ask for support from us ladies. We're here for you even when you don't realize it. It sounds like you have met a very remarkable man. Those are hard to come by. Sounds like he is a very caring person, don't let him get away. That was so sweet about the flowers, like I said don't let him get away.
You asked for some shoulders to lean on in here, well there's lots of shoulders here, all of us are here for you. You hang in there, take things day by day. Don't let the new job responsibilities get to you. Take things step by step and don't dwell on the new pressure. You can do this, just put it in your mind that nothing will get you down. I always tell myself, nothing is going to beat me unless I let it. Always remember to take some time for yourself. Leave the job thoughts behind and all of life's issues and focus on something just for you. Life has become so busy that sometimes we don't have time to take even a few minutes for ourselves. When we come to the point that we are bogged down that's when we step back and say hey it's about time that I readjusted a few things in my life. It's so easy to lose ourselves in our daily lives. So shut the world out sometimes and focus on happy things for yourself.

Lady, I loved your account of your day. Sounds like you had a blast. That's what I call enjoying life and having time in your life to enjoy things that bring about happiness. You sound like a fun lady, see I told you that you weren't an oldie. Your story brought a smile to my face, children bring such happiness to life. You're a very strong lady, I know what you have faced over the last week. Your motivation to get through this sad time amazes me. It's very difficult to stay focused on our goals when things occur in life that sends us in another direction. It's the unexpected things that sometimes can send us flying off the edge of the cliff. We've all talked about this before about how food has been our source of emotional needs. I think all of us have done a great job with the things we have endured. You are proof that we can get through this no matter what we are faced with.

Cyan, thank you for the compliments . But I'm barely 5'3 so all those measurements are confined in a compact area. And besides I have never heard of a tiny Santa For the first time in my life I fully understand the verse about "when he laughed his belly shook like a bowl full of jelly". Except mine is layers and layers of cheesecake.
I understand your statements about the lunch making. I sometimes find myself fixing desserts for the family or snacks and I don't have any. But when I dish out their icecream I find that the last spoon of icecream I put in a bowl I seem to always leave some on the spoon. I do that quite a lot with everything I fix, I made a peanut butter sandwich the other day for my son, I couldn't wait to lick the knife. I think a lot of my calorie consumption comes from licking knives and spoons. I sympathize with you on your cravings. There's nothing wrong with having alittle something to get you through a tough spell. For a while I was banging my head against the wall trying to avoid cravings. With certain things I can have just a spoonful or a bite of and I'm content. But there are other things that I know a bite or a spoonful would only lead to total bingeing. If I may make a suggestion to you, try that cocoa that I mentioned. I also am a chocolate eater, and believe me that cocoa satisfies the craving. 25 calories and added calcium, not a bad deal in my opinion.

Miki and reina_mia, hope you both are having a good day. Looking forward to your posts.

Thanks for the support about my health. Yesterday was not a good day. I was totally worried about my blood work, but in the end it was the least of my worries. I had my second biopsy yesterday. Well seems like their first diagnosis is pretty much accurate. So I will be seeing the specialist tomorrow. They explained to me yesterday in detail what would take place. I don't care to think about the tests he is going to perform. The ones yesterday just about had me coming off the table. So I'm going to take this day by day. I am a firm believer that the Lord will never give me anything that I can't handle. Yesterday afternoon I spent most of that time crying, I guess sort of a self pity latched on and wouldn't let go. I woke up this morning felt alittle depressed but as the day goes by I am dealing with all of this very well. I guess I just needed some time to let everything sink in. Getting news that you don't ever think you will get is a big shock to comprehend. Your first thoughts are, the results are wrong, they messed up somewhere. Sorta like denial sets in. But I'm a strong lady, very strong in my faith. I'll face this head on and kick some behind. I'm not laying down, curling up and giving way for self pity and losing the battle. It's chin up, smile on my face through all of this. Besides I have a weight loss challenge going on right now with you ladies. We have the holidays coming up, all of us are going to maintain our weight through all that food and desserts that will be in front of our eyes. We're all a strong bunch of ladies determined to reach our goals. Together we will make it.
I do thank you ladies for the care and concern. You're a very special group of people. God's Blessings to you all.

So, back to our motivation and challenge. I just about have all my baked goods finished for Thanksgiving. I have two more things to bake. One is a Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip pie for my son. I'm going to bake that Wed. night hopefully. That is one of the desserts that I will have to have a lot of will power to resist. I could eat that whole pie if I started on just one bite. But it's one of my son's favorites so I will make sure he has that for Thanksgiving. Wish me luck on not eating any of it when it comes out of the oven.

There won't be any exercise for me again today. So I am staying very active in hopes that some calories will be burned in other ways. So ride that bike an extra 10 minutes for me Cyan and Lady. Swim an extra 3 minutes for me Cjunk.

Hope everyone has a great day. Keep up the good work ladies, we can make it.
Stay Confident, Stay Motivated.

Well let me tell you...this afternoon whilst at work, I was having full on illusions of food. I was craving with every cell in my body a big mac, a mcChicken and fries...and a milkshake...I even counted how many calories that would be....over 2000 cals....then I decided I would eat chinese food...general tao chicken...fried and battered and soaked in a sugary sauce...with beijing Shrimp...same thing except shrimp....so when I was walking home, I passed mcdonalds...I looked in...no line up...but I walked over to the bus stop and took the bus home...empty handed...boy was that tough...I reeeeeeeally wanted Mcdonalds..sooooo bad. But now I'm glad I passed...I had instead oven baked fries and yes...a low fat hot dog...it was ok...I consumed 1636 cals total...so now I have to go exercise to burn off some more cals.

Annie...hang in there...you are one tough cookie...with an amazing spirit...you truly are an inspiration to me...so strong and wise...I send you lots of good energy.

The rest of you gals...well, you're not so bad either

Well I hear the bike calling...better get on it...I will ride an extra 10 minutes for you Annie

Take Care
Cyan

Okay everyone. There it is. My pic. Just so you know, it was 9pm and I just got home from class after a long day.
I hope everyone had a great day. Mine was okay. I am officially on Thanksgiving Break! I'm looking forward to it! Tomorrow, I have plans to do a step circuit class at the gym. I'm way excited about that.

I also would like to share a little bit just to get it off my chest. For about 3 years now, I have been having some abdominal pain and I've been to two different Dr.'s and and to the emergency room. They've all suspected that it's my gallbladder, but we can't ever find anything. Well, now it's getting worse and I am going to the Dr either tomorrow or Monday. If anyone knows anything about gall bladder disease, I would love to have more information. My mom says I just get it out, and is angry because I have an HMO and a lot of tests are just too expensive and they won't cover it. I may have to do a little pushing and prodding to get the care I need. I really want to figure out what the problem is.

I will log back on in the morning. Just wanted to get my pic up tonight! Sorry to put such a bad pic up in the midst of all you beauties!

Good night!
Lisa

Hello All,

Let me start out by saying that Annie you amaze me in that you were able to extend such support and caring first when you yourself face challenges. I admire you for your strength and want you to know that we are here for you too.

LadyRider, what fun you had on the weekend. Sounds like it was what you needed and I think your challenges burned what you ate! Good for you on throwing away those brownies!

Cyan, you just gotta read on and I am sure that you will find some weirdness in the similarities of our day--but you pulled through it and are definitely a positive example to follow. I will definitely get back on track because of everyone's support!

Lisa I think it is very positive that you have a plan in place for Thanksgiving. In fact all of you have awesome plans in place. All I can say from a Canadian perspective since our thanksgiving is already past, is damn, I am gonna miss some good turkey!! I may have to pick up some turkey breast and think of you guys...it is one of my favorite things to eat!! I will live vicariously through all of your posts! Your comment about your hips made me think of myself because I carry everything on my hips and it is the hard part to take off. I am slowly losing inches there and seeing results. You will see results too!!!


Reina-Mia--you will also find irony in my story...read on and what you said you would do under stress is uncanny because I slipped. I gotta get back on track! Curves sounded neat--it was the circuit training I read about. The important part is keeping up your heart rate in aerobic range while you are doing the weights to get the benefits. That's probably why they hustle things. It sounds like you enjoyed it a lot which is important. Too bad they don't give you a one or two week trial?


Miki, thanks for the welcome back. I look forward to reading your posts--my boyfriend thinks it is a bit unusual that we have all "bonded" but I think he is enjoying the support that I am getting because apart from this past week he has been enjoying a more energetic and happy me.

You are all right in that my boyfriend is a keeper. He is truly wonderful and my life is much more enriched with him. I hope that I can get back on track and succeed at my goals for myself but also to show him how much his support means to me. I tell him a lot as well and he kinda blushes when I read to him what I am writing to everyone about him---cute don't you think?? Cyan, he has an adorable brother but sadly his brother is only 15! Aparently he has some cousins in Montreal because he grew up there and also speaks French fluently. I will have to dig for the dirt on them and get back to you

HERE IS MY SAD NEWS FOR TODAY:

Well gang, there's some irony in all the posts I read tonight because I cracked!! I can't believe I let myself drive the McDonalds way home from work (I should have listened to your advice about driving a different way LadyRider, it was working!!!).

Today all of the stress cumulated with a discussion with the head boss and although it went well...it's like it was all bottled up. My swim last night resulted in me pushing myself too hard to destress (it worked) but my shoulder aches a lot today. I had to cancel my climbing and avoid that kinda exercise. So I did it. I ended up finding myself in the McDonalds drive-thru with no real reason other than stress driving me there. I felt immense guilt and pressure throughout the whole event. It really wasn't worth it. I ended up ordering a McHamburger Happy Meal and eating it as if I was going to die if I didn't. And then I felt even more horrible afterwards. My self-esteem went through the floor. I felt like such a failure.

Then my girlfriend called me. Her mom had chest pains and had been in the hospital all day and she was worried and stressed and she wanted to meet for dinner (yes--dinner!!). I am always there for my friends and she really did need to talk and have a good cry. I promised myself that I was there for her and not me and I forced myself not to eat anything because I already had dinner. I did order a light beer and I should have had water instead----more guilt. But I was there to support her and I think I handled it well. Several times I did not crack under french fry and natcho and fajhita pressure which she eagerly wanted me to eat. I recounted my guilt-filled McDonalds story and it made her laugh so I guess there is a reason for everything!!

I swung by the climbing gym to say hello to some friends and let them know that I'll be back soon. I regretted not going because once I got there it looked like fun and I knew I would have enjoyed that a lot more than the McDonalds.

So there it is--what we would call a slip not a relapse. I kinda knew I was heading in that direction because I was letting little things in my diet slide each day. I will try and get back on track tomorrow. I will also book a vacation day from work to try and regroup and take care of myself--maybe swim and get a pedicure or something!

Cjunk

Lisa,

You must have got your post in just before I posted my long one! Sorry I missed your newest post. The pic is great and I think that we are all stunning!!!

Cjunk

Argh!! I had more typed in my reply and it got wiped. Lisa, I was writing that I hope all goes well with your tests. I had some challenges in the past with a chronic issue and it can be draining sometimes but your persistance to look into it further will pay off.

I will say more soon...

Good Morning Ladies, hope everyone has a beautiful day.

That's a great pic Lisa, nice to be able to put a face with your name now. You're very pretty.
Lisa, my Dad had gall bladder surgery a while back. At first they didn't know what was wrong with him either. I remember he went through several tests. He was really sick, there is a lot of symptoms associated with that disease, especially a lot of pain. The surgery is very quick and minor the way they go about it these days. That's one good thing about medical advancement, so many surgeries now can be done with minimal time spent in the hospital and a lot easier on patients recovery time. My Dad was in the hospital I believe for 2 days when he had his surgery. I will talk with my Mom most likely tonight and I'll ask her some questions about the tests involved. Hopefully you're under the care of a good doctor that is also looking for other sources of your pain. 3 years is a long time to be in pain and not have a diagnosis of what the problem is. The two doctors you have seen already should have checked for other things and if they suspected it might be your gall bladder should have progressed with further treatment or tests. I pray you find some answers and a good doctor. You're too young to have to live with constant pain. There's an answer for it, seek out every avenue until you find it. There are other alternatives for you to turn to if you are having trouble with getting tests done, if need be bust down some doors.
You have a great plan for Thanksgiving, turkey and veggies first. And remember to wait in between eating to make sure you are truly still hungry. I hope you have a great session at the gym. And please make sure you find out what's causing your pain. I can't imagine hurting for 3 years without an answer for it. You're in my prayers.

Cjunk, I came to one conclusion when I read your post about the McDonald's adventure. You are looking at the negative side of that. Think about what you wrote, you said, "It wasn't worth it". You just learned a valuable lesson, that's the positive side. Sure you ate the food, but you now know in your mind that it wasn't worth it so perhaps next time that thought will cross your mind when the craving hits again. I did that not too long ago with a chocolate cookie. Don't beat yourself up over what you did. I don't call it backsliding or giving in. Every person has a limit that they can endure. Every now and then we all take that little step beyond the line. We're human, we're not perfect. And when the everyday load becomes alittle too much we all tend to turn to somewhere for some relief. With all of us, food seems to be that source. It's like me with the cookies, I was having one of those head against the wall kind of days, I was thinking I've about had enough of this. I went tearing into the kitchen grabbed out the cookies and said the heck with it. Sat down starting eating on the cookie and before I knew it something triggered in my mind about what I was doing and mainly "why" was I doing it. I needed a release for the stress I was feeling, I thought I would find it in the cookie I was consuming. After a while you start to realize that what you consume really doesn't take away the stress you are feeling, in fact it adds to it. Just like with what happened with you. You felt guilty afterwards, which added more stress to the stress you were already feeling. Cravings vs. alternatives to rid ourselves of the feelings we are having come in on different ends of the scope. It's very hard to do, but sometimes the best medicine is a small amount of time to seriously sit down and think about why you're getting ready to eat something. Is it hunger? The majority of the time you will find that it's not. I associate food with different things in my life. It's all habit, a very hard one to break. So please don't feel bad about yourself, you're just learning step by step how to manage issues in your life. I always think about things in this way, for everything that is negative there is also a positive side. And please remember, support from family, friends and your buddies here on the board will help you through rough times a lot better than food ever will. That candy bar or cookie or hamburger only takes a few minutes to eat and your right back where you were. Where as support goes a long, long way.
That would be great, I keep forgetting about some of you not celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow. Turkey is very good for you. (white meat, no skin ) That was so nice of you to say that you will be thinking of all of us. Just picture me sitting underneath the table with my cheesecake and you will have it about right.
I hope you start feeling some relief from the pain in your shoulder. You hang in there and keep your spirits up. Don't let stress get the best of you, you're stronger than that.

Cyan, your illusions make me hungry. You did great in your choice of foods. It seems everyone here has cravings for McDonalds. They sure know how to hook people don't they. Those golden arches are in everyone's dreams. I found an article the other day about a lawsuit against them. I will post it when I finish this reply. Thanks for riding the bike for me, I really miss my exercise sessions. It has become part of my life. Hopefully in the next couple of days I will be able to get back to exercising. Depends on what takes place this morning. If the bike is out of the question for a while I'm going to have to come up with something else until I can use the bike again.
Thanks to everyone for your support and good wishes.

reina_mia, I'm very sorry my post to you came about like it did. Sometimes I ramble and get off subject. But you're right that's what I was trying to say. You have to feel deep inside that you have the determination to commit to something. You sound like you are on the right track, the things you say sound like you are ready to get busy and take things head on. Some people need a designated exercise schedule, it is a focus for them. I feel that you are taking the steps you need to take to help you. All of us are different, we're all taking some different approaches at becoming healthier. But the end product will all be the same. I hope things work out so that you can enroll in the class. If not, don't feel down about it. There are a lot of alternatives you can take. We could even start another exercise challenge in here, that way you will be setting up times for your exercise sessions and then you can post how you did here. Anything that will help you out we will be glad to do. reina_mia, I can understand perfectly why you weren't able to lose the weight for your wedding. That is a stressful, time consuming event. You have all kinds of emotions flowing during that time. Don't let the weight loss issue not happening before your wedding cloud the good memories of that day. You're a beautiful woman inside and out and I'm sure you were a beautiful bride. Don't ever feel like you could have been better in the past. Think about tomorrow, that's where opportunity lies. Life is so short, when you're young it's like you have forever. But it goes by quickly, make the best of each day. Don't frown on things from the past, you can't change them. Learn by them and go forward to enjoy what life has to offer. So keep your chin up, a smile on your face and greet each new day as a blessing bestowed upon you.

Lady, keep the motivation going. You're doing great with all that's going on in your life. Stay strong.

Miki, where are you? Hope you're doing ok. Don't forget you and I are going to try to buddy up for the tummy exercises. I'll be nice and let you go first and then you can tell me how rough they are. I swear I think I put on 2 pounds just in my stomach area last night. No matter what kind of clothes I try on nothing makes my stomach look smaller. I look like I'm 7 months pregnant if not more. My husband said to me the other day, your weight is looking good, but what are you going to do to try to get rid of the stomach. I wanted to smack him. Some people just don't realize losing weight is not an easy thing to do. Most of my problem area now is below the navel but I've still got a lot of fat to get rid of above the navel also. That's where I look like I'm pregnant at. Let's face it, like I mentioned yesterday, I've got that Santa deal going on. It's very hard getting the waistline and stomach to decrease in size. My hips and thigh weight fell right off, but from there up is a battle. My measurements might seem not too bad, but I am a small package with all the weight loaded on. With me there's about 2 feet of body that has all the weight, I look round. I keep thinking I wish there was some sort of stretch machine that I could get on. Stretch my middle section out to the top and bottom of me and that would be great. About 90 lbs. of my weight is located in my mid section. Wow! Talk about Santa resemblance. But I'm working on it, takes a lot of time and patience.
How are you Precious One? We haven't heard from you in a while. Hope you're getting along good. Come back and join us soon. We sure could use your support.

Well I'm going to stop rambling now. Need to get ready for my appointment. I'll post that article after this post if I can find it again.
Hope everyone has a great day. If some of you won't be checking in tomorrow I'd like to say at this time, have a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. I'll be back sometime this evening to see how everyone's day went. Have a good one ladies.
Stay Confident, Stay Motivated.