Hi all, remember me?????


Yes I know, its been months and months since I've been around. Fallen off the diet wagon more times than I care to remember, and made so many 'this is it' promises that never became anything.

Anyway, now I'm well and truly back and going to be losing for good too, although not entirely from choice. I think the last time around I was struggling with depression...well over the last few months my health began deteriorating. First off I was having really heavy constant periods (which the doc thinks is fibroids, so before Christmas she booked me in to have a scan)...the scan will be in March!!! (the joys of a National Health Service). Anyway I felt the depression wasn't improving on ADs.....I was constantly tired, no matter how much sleep I had. Then on top of that I started becoming constantly thirsty.

Went to the docs just over a week ago and she did one test and said 'I know what's wrong....you're diabetic'.

Came as a **** of a shock, I can tell you!

Anyway I have type II diabetes, which means I don't need insulin, but I have to maintain my glucose levels with pills and diet. No more chocolate, no more sweet stuff. I know there are plenty of diabetic foods, including chocolate, but I feel that my lousy eating habits are what got me here in the first place so I am going to avoid substituting the sweet stuff.

I've changed my diet, now it's healthy, with fruit and yogurt as my 'sweet' things. Even cut out the diet coke.

I've been feeling ill while my body adjusts to the changes, I can see the computer screen ok, but cannot read books. That's caused problems as I've had to miss three exams (I'm going to have to battle with the university once I'm feeling well enough to go back).

I've come off the ADs too, because I think what I mistook for depression was the start of diabetes, and to be honest I'm not depressed just tired.

Anyway, just thought I'd pop in and say hi. You won't believe the trouble I had trying to find you!!!!!

Hope you're all well.
Love
Jo

P.S. Anyone heard from Ali????

Jo! YAY!!!! And no, we haven't heard from Ali (does anyone have the addy for her site? Maybe we can ask the lady who shared the site with her? She might have an update?) in ages but it's GREAT to hear from you! So sorry to hear about the diabetes thing but it must be nice ti know what's going on. And good job on taking it seriously. So many people don't. Good for you!

As for me, still eeking off a little here and there - still might make my 10% by the end of Jan, girls! I'm getting closer! Will post my official # on the first day of Feb.

Also, fried my laptop and am sharing with Mark till his new one comes in so I may not be around as often for the next few days. Poor, poor laptop. She was a good old soul...but I guess being on 18 hours a day for three years straight finally got the best of her.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Brandy

Welcome back JO. Glad you are dieting it will help a lot with the d2. I have polycycstic ovarian syndrome and my periods are really wacky. I am on gluco XR and its helped a lot. As food plan I am doing WW at home and its worked fine for me.

Brandy- glad you getting there...can't wait for your stats- you go girl! Oh and sorry bout the laptop.

Everyone else take care

Welcome back JO!

Welcome back, Jo!
I concurr with everyone, good job getting serious with your eating. I hope you feel so much better!

Keep it up, Brandy! You can get there, girl!

Dot - What's up, girl!? Keep up the WW!

Lots of exclamation points in this post. Sorry. I'm just excited b/c my boy and I are having a cheezy Golden Globes party. We have seen every single movie nominated b/c we are losers like that! Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Love,
Mari

JO!!!!!!!! I swear, everytime I read one of your posts I feel like I've found my long lost sister. I'm so happy to hear that you're getting your health issues sorted for yourself. There is no greater gift. Now if only I'd pony up and give myself the gift of health too! I'll be back in a few hours to post some more, just going to get the munchkin in bed and DH settled. He just came back from a weeklong business trip to Texas and he's bagged.

Lorraine

Awwwww Lorraine, I've missed you loads too.

Mari, I love the sound of the Golden Globes party!!!

Well, I need to go get the kids breakfasts sorted.
Have a good weekend

Jo

Hey All! Pissed again this morn'. Last week I weighed in at 291 and this week I'm 294.5lbs. I must stop yo-yoing on the scale! :mad:

Regarding Ali: I emailed her quite a few times and also posted on her website with no response.

Jo - Glad to hear the Drs finally figured out there was a reason for the way you were feeling. It gives you some peace of mind. Are you following a specific foodplan?

Mari - I don't think your GGs party is cheesy. I think its a wonderful idea. They are on tonight, correct? I preset the DVR to tape it tonight so I can watch it during the week.

Dot - Keep up with the WW. How's it going? Do you have any good low point breakfast ideas?

Lorraine - Glad to see you are back as well. Missed you!

Brandy - Good luck with your 10% goal!

Hope I didn't miss anyone.

Take care,
Raff

Morning all~!

Well, I have yet managed to get to a WW meeting. I swear, they need meetings on Sundays...I could get to one on Sundays. But really, I can't blame my lack of motivation on just a meeting. I need to get my butt in gear. I did have a success last night however. I was getting all nibbly at about 10:30 last night. I was going to get a nice big ole bowl of ice cream, but I opted for a glass of water instead (as I figured I may have been thirsty, not hungry). I had the water, waited 10 minutes and was still nibbly, so I WENT TO BED! Amazing in my books I tell you. SO I killed two birds with one stone. Didn't eat, and went to bed relatively early! Yay!

Off to look at kitchen appliances for the new house today. Ugh. I didn't think it was going to be this hard, I just thought it would be fun.

Lorraine

Hi Girls,

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Jo, it's good to have you back :) Hope you get all of your health issues sorted and good luck with your new healthy eating lifestyle.

Brandy, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you to reach that 10% goal :crossed:

Lorraine, very well done on not giving into the nibbles ... now that's what I call willpower!!

I managed to stick to my new plan last week and dropped 2lbs when I weighed-in on Friday, which wasn't quite a full week (5days), but I prefer to weigh-in on Fridays. Fingers crossed that I can keep it up. Must admit that I haven't found it too difficult so far.

Hope everyone else is doing ok :)

Have a good week.

Nichola

Nichola - congrats on your loss! YAY! :bravo:

Lorraine - have fun preparing for the new place and good job on getting over those munchies. Good job!!! :cheer:

Raff - sorry about the bump up but it will be off again next week! You can do it! :cb: I've tried mailing Ali a few times, left messages at the site, and even tried ICQ but no response. This worries me. A lot. :(

Jo, it's SO great to have you back with us! :wave:


Mari and Dot - HI! Hope things are going well with you guys :D

I'm still trying to get there but I've had TOM which has ment - I'm struggling to stay in control (and making it, just) but the scale won't budge. I'm not giving up. If nothing else, I'll get as close as possible to that darn 10%!!! :crossed:

Happy Manic Monday!

Lorraine - Happy hunting for appliances! I love that kind of stuff.

Nichola - Good Job girl! Keep it up!!! :strong:

Brandy - Although the scale isn't budging, maintaining is a goal too! Especially during TOM, which is just awful. You're doing a good job hanging in there though!

Raff - It happens to the best of us. Just focus once again and you'll be right back on track!

Dot - How are you? Where have you been?

Golden Globe pajama party went well. I made New England Clam Chowder from scratch and it turned out really well. This is one of my favorite dishes and is usually made very fatty in restaurants. I basically took the Emeril recipe from the Food Network website and re-configured it in a low fat version. And it turned out really great!!!! So success on the experimenting, which I'm usually not great at.

Also, bought the Juiceman Juicer Pro on sale at Macy's and I'm addicted. I did this because on my big running days (when i crank out 5 or more miles at a time) I'm usually never in the mood for some big meal. It just feels too heavy in my stomach. So this is a great alternative and a good way to get in my veggies and fruit. And it works fabulously!

Have a wonderful Monday, ladies!
-Mari

Hi Girls,

Just read the "Weight Loss Headlines" on the front page of 3fc's regarding "Eat Carbs, Lose Weight?" Found the results very interesting ... and reassuring. What, with all the hype lately about the Atkins Diet and similar diets that cut out or restrict carbs, I've been totally confused about whether or not I should be eating carbs at all. Being someone who loves pasta, rice, etc., the thought of having to give it up in order to lose weight really concerned me, as I know I simply would never be able to stick to a diet without eating some of my favourite foods (within reason of course!). Obviously, I realise I can't eat unlimited amounts of carbs, but a reasonable portion, served with lower fat foods, will hopefully do the job :^: ... At least I now have some hope anyway!! :yes:

Nichola

Raff, I'm not following a specific foodplan. I expected to be given one, but was simply told to eat healthily...which wasn't totally what I wanted to hear. I'd have been happier being told EXACTLY what to eat.

Anyway, I eat healthy, low fat, I do have carbs, although some are better than others (ie, wholegrain bread rather than white). I have eliminated sugar from my diet. The only sweet things I have are diet yogurt and fruit. It's meant Alan doing a lot more cooking from scratch, processed food is off limits to a huge extent. They are going to arrange an appointment with the hospital dietician for me, just to make sure I'm on the right tracks.

Ooooh that's something I never got round to saying. About three months ago Alan started doing the cooking for us. I don't do any!!!! He wants to be a chef (not that it pays well enough for him to actually do), so he has taken over our kitchen to keep himself happy! I am a good cook, but there are always things I'd rather do, so this has worked out perfectly for me!!! ;)

Today has been a good day for me. First my Mom told me she could see I was losing weight. Then my neighbour asked Alan if I'd lost weight cos she thought I was thinner!!!! I've lost about 7lbs, maybe slightly more in the last two weeks, and don't look quite so jowly (is that a word???)

Mari your clam chowder sounds fabulous. What is the recipe for it???
I love clam chowder......mmmmmmmmmmmm :hungry:

Right, need to get the kids organised for bed.

Jo

:cheer:

Jo - I'm so happy for you!!!! It is always wonderful to get reinforcement from others and you got some fabulous compliments! Keep it up, you are doing fabulously! And I'm glad Alan doing the cooking is working out! You get more free time and he gets to work on his hobby! Have him try the New England clam chowder recipe....I wish I could say it was mine! It is from the Emeril show on the food network. The link is here:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/reci..._23672,00.html

I substituted half-and-half for the heavy cream and then I used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter instead of the unsalted regular butter. It cuts the fat to about 1/6 of the regular recipe!!!! And tastes fabulous! I also added 3 tsp. of all-purpose flour at the end (while simmering) for thickness. (I also took his suggestion on mashing up some potatoes.) I like my chowder thick

I'm getting pretty good at substituting the right things in recipes. I'm so addicted to the food network, but the recipes are always full fat. (which is why they taste amazing, but not good for you.) I think I do a pretty good job, always cutting the fat to atleast 1/4th of what it would have been.

If you guys like New England Clam Chowder, this is an amazing-tasting low fat version!! Don't cut out any of the seasonings, they are awesome.

Alright, done yapping!
-Mari

Hi all!

Mari - I have found you can cut the fat WAY down in just about any recipe - I don't think I ever use full fat anymore and honestly, Mark has no idea - so it must be ok! I thank Cooking Light for turning me on to that - I like knowing that we can pretty much come up with a less killer version of pretty much anything.

Jo - you lucky thing with a cooking husband. Mine offers to make dinner from time to time - this usually involves ordering take out or beans on toast. Lovely. Oh well, he tries. Sometimes ;) And isn't it great to get all that positive feedback!

Nichola - I haven't read the article on the first page - I think all the conflicting nutritional info is starting to rattle my brain. I just keep telling myself, "What works for you is what WORKS for YOU" otherwise I'd worry myself into a tail spin about it. :spin: That's the closest I could find to a spinning icon. Doesn't exactly capture the feeling I was going for. :crazy: That guy is slightly better - I'm going for me as a confused nutter, can you see it?

Making my 10% goal is seriously lookin doubtful (by the end of Jan, anyway, no doubt that I'll make it at some point!). I seem to be slowing down. Not worried. Still trying, will get there eventually. Mark has apparently gotten wind of the "Dr. Phil" challenge which has a lot of men doing well on it and doesn't involve counting (in the nutrition bits) so he wants to give it a go. I told him I'll be happy to read both books (the Seven Keys which I started and then LOST and have now found again so I can finish) and do all the food prep IF he promises to read both books himself. I can not do this for both of us and I refuse to drag him along and get fifty calls a day about what he can and can't eat. It pissed me off with Atkins and WW - he can read as well as I can, I am not his mother. I am happy to help and have a partner, but I will not be the brain while he just wanders about letting me do all the thinking for the both of us. Forget that! So now he's going to read the books. If only I could get him to exercise...oh well, one step at a time I guess.

MIA For a While, But Back for Help
 

Hello Lovelies!!!!

Okay my most sincere apologies for my absence. I have been wallowing in my latest round of self pity and total loss of appetite control. I managed to pack on 10 pounds from Thanksgiving to now and I have had enough.... time to pick myself up and start from scratch.

This is going to be a challenge because this semester of school looks to be the hardest yet, but I don't want to fail in my fitness goals!!!
So here I am, begging for mercy and hoping you will continue to give me support dispite my weakness.

Mari -- do you have good "recipies" for your juicer? I am always tempted to make myself some sort of veg/fruit drink with the blender, but am not a culinary genius that can mash foods together and it turns out heavenly, quite the opposite.

Work has gotten busier, and so I may have shorter conversations with you all, but the last time I was here I developed a good sense of well-being and I miss that happy feeling.

Happy Friday to Everyone! :D

Hi Volley,

Glad to have you back :) and I'm sure we'll all be happy to give you our support :D

Well, I didn't lose any weight this week ... hubby has now managed to lose 7lbs in 2 weeks and I've lost ... 2lbs!!grrrrrr!!!!! I think I'm going to have to reconsider the calorie counting again, as although I've been eating healthily, I've still got a huge problem with portion control! :o

Let's see what next week brings.

Nichola

Welcome Back Volley!

Had a WW meeting and sad to report that I'm up 1 pound. No worries, one day at a time, no guilt and move on (as DWLZ likes to say). Time to refocus and see what I can achieve.

Goal: 10 pounds in by Feb 29th. It's a bit of a big number, but I expect a nice loss next week as it's really my first week of being OP all week. So on the 29th of Feb. I will report in. In addition, I'm going to make a fitness goal and a Lifestyle Goal. My fitness goal is 3-45 minute workouts of my choice for this week. Lifestyle Goal will be 3 litres of water a day. I'll keep you all posted, and by all means, feel free to join in!

Lorraine

Hi guys.

First, let me just say - it's the end of Jan and I have not made it to my 10% goal. I sort of got to 247 and floundered. Still, my husband has now taken an interest so maybe with both of us working at weight loss, I'll be encouraged to give it that extra effort. I hope. So, re-setting my goal - 239 by the end of Feb. I think that's plenty of time.

Lorraine, we have a simlar goal! Good luck to the both of us!

Nichoal, men lose faster than women - way faster, it's just a fact. Don't let his progress make you feel badly about yours! You can still have portion control without calorie counting - keep up with your healthy eating, just make some "rules" for yourself to cover your weak spots (my first rule would have to be that I should go to bed at 9 pm before the 10 pm munchies set in!). You're doing great! Keep it up!

Volley, great to have you back!

We'll I'm off to do the shopping for this week. We are not football people and I just read that the Super Bowl is today. If I can find out when it is, THAT is when I'm going to do my shopping - the place should be empty!

Hi Guys! Just wanted to say that I'm here, reading your posts but haven't been posting because I've been in a funk.

I am thinking about you all and wish you well!

Take care,
Raff

Well snap out of it! That's my favorite line from Moonstruck - where Nick tells Cher he's in love with her so she slaps him. Love that!

I've been sort of funkish myself but I've got to shake it off before I start gaining. So nothing like a new Plan or Project to get me focused. Hence the Dr. Philishness. I know I keep flitting from thing to thing but I really am picking up good habits from all of them!

Hope you feel better. We miss you!

Brandy

Good Morning
 

It's Monday moring and I have packed healthy small portions of food for this bleek workday.... always starting out great, but at the end of the day I can clear the kitchen like one couldn't believe... give me strength to resist today! Maybe I should plan on staying in town to study for my exam rather than going home and making frequent trips to the cupboards for comfort.

**thinking happy thoughts** We Can Do This Ladies!!!

It's going to be a marvelous week - but only if we let it.

:)

Volley, as I packed my husband's lunch (if I pack a lunch, he'll eat what I send - left to his own it's McDonalds) this morning I was looking at allllll the stuff he has to choose from. In one (or both, I can't remember) of the Dr. P books there's a sort of template for a typical day - concentrating on the things we SHOULD have, there's certainly not enough room to think about the things we shouldn't. Very clever. He never comes out and says to think of it that way so I don't even know if it's intended but I noticed yesterday when we were doing the shopping that we spent so much time making sure we had enough veg to have 3 - 5 a day, enough fruit for 2 - 3, enough protein, etc - we never even made it to the junk aisles.

Anyway, good luck. Good Monday vibes! And good luck on your exam!

Brandy

Happy Monday, ladies!

I did a whole lotta nothing this weekend besides get my running in. I know that I shouldn't be complaining, because I'm not on the East Coast or anything, but it's coooollldddd over here! And it's POURING rain, so it's hard to drive and my pants are always soaked from the knee down. I know that cold to me is like, 30 degrees...but hey, I'm a California gal!

Raff and Brandy - I'm sorry about the funks....doesn't winter always make you feel like that??? I know I do...

Volley - Keep it up, girl! I'm like you, I've got my ziplocs and tupperware of small portions! In terms of juicer recipes, if you want sweet, I usually have 1 orange, 1 Fuji apple, about 6-10 strawberries and a handful of grapes.
If you want veggies, I had 2 largish tomatoes, about 4 stalks of celery, and 1 large carrot....it was very very good!

All you other ladies, hang in there! I'm feeling the winter sludginess too but we have to push through it! Let's think about the summer months when we will want to feel good in shorts and bathing suits!

Good Monday vibes and hugs for all! :goodvibes :grouphug: :goodvibes
-Mari

Hi girls just popping in to say hi and hope you're all doing good...ttfn!

Dot, you met your January goal! Go girl!

Congrats Dot! YAY! You met your GOAL!!!

And Happy Birthday!

:balloons: :bubbles: :hb: :dance: :dancer: :gift: :cheer: :cb:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOT!! :hb: Hope it's a good one! :)

Well, I'm very ashamed to say that I'm back up to 175!!!! Just couldn't keep control over the weekend ... we were out for hubby's secretary's leaving 'do' on Friday night (she's off to travel around Australia for 12 months), and at our friends for a BBQ on Saturday ... unfortunately, the willpower was non-existant!! :devil: I'm trying to pull myself back on track this week and I'm writing all my cals down again ... although I am finding it difficult. I was desperately trying to find something in my wardrobe to wear for both occasions ... something that I could actually fasten myself into!! But nothing in my wardrobe fits!! I'm even having problems finding clothes that fit to go to work in each day (seem to be rotating the same couple of pairs of trousers and sweaters ... wash 'n' wear, wash 'n' wear!!).

Looking back over the past 12months, I've probably gained around 10-14lbs!! ... No wonder nothing fits!! I was all set to go off to the Marks and Spencer sales to buy new clothes to fit me, then I thought ... What the **** am I doing?! ... if I do that, it's just another excuse for not bothering to lose weight!! I know it's possible ... I just don't know why I can't do it. I mean, it's not as though I'm not bothered about the way I look ... I HATE the way I look!! ... I could cry when I look at myself in the mirror ... How did this happen to me????? And it's not as though I haven't got any incentives ... Summer's just around the corner (believe it or not!!) and I so much DON'T want to spend another summer like the last X amount of years. I've got a skinny friend visiting in the summer hols and I will positively die of shame if she see's me this fat!! Nick is being supportive, he's also doing well at losing weight, so why can't I do the same?

It really struck home last night when my son, Tom, was talking to one of his friends on MSN ... they made some jokey comment about me being FAT!! ... Tom thought it was hilarious, but although I laughed about it at the time (and typed a sarcastic reply back to his friend!) it really got to me, as it's made me realize that's how others see me ... FAT! Sometimes, when I see a fat woman, I find myself thinking, "What a terrible state she looks!" or, "How could she let herself get like that!" It's so easy to kid yourself into thinking that you're not really as FAT as you are, but when you know how others see you it becomes reality. Perhaps Tom's friend has done me a favour ... I hope I can thank him in a few months time :thanks:

Well girls, sorry about all the moaning ... but thanks for listening! :)

Nichola

Congrats Dot on reaching your goal!!!!!!!!!

I went under the 18 stone barrier this weekend (I'm 251.5, if I've worked out the conversion right). I figure I've lost about 10lbs since I became ill, three weeks.

Awwww Nichola, I wish there was something I could say that would take you out of this self-destructive mode (I know how you feel I've been there plenty of times myself!). It really hurts when the kids refer to you as fat. I've been there so many times over the years, from my 6 year old niece, when I was in my early 20s commenting on how I had REALLY fat legs, to Dom the other week coming home upset because a kid in his class made up a song about me being fat.

I know it sounds silly but you need to stop looking back. Look forwards, and hopefully somewhere you'll find the strength to get where you want to be.

Hugs
Jo

Yay Jo on losing, but what a tough way for it to go. Hope you're feeling better.

And comiseration to both of you about rude kids. I'd hate to smack a kid, but that would tempt me. If I could get through my childhood without making fat jokes (and God knows of the big mouths of the world, I must be in the top ten) then I know it's possible for all the rug rats.

Hi guys! Where is everyone? How's the week going for you so far?

I've had a busy week. My grandma died on Saturday (a blessing as she's no longer in pain), and the funeral is tomorrow. I'll post properly on Friday

Hugs
Jo

Sorry for your loss, Jo. Sending good thoughts your way.

B

Jo, sorry to hear the sad news about your grandma, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Nichola :grouphug:

Jo, I have yet to get to know you yet, but I am sending you a hug regardless. I am sorry for your loss, but it is also good to hear she is no longer in pain.

:grouphug:

Jo - Hugs and prayers to you and your loved ones.

-Mari

Well, it's Friday and we've been at our new healthy eating thing (my husband and myself) for a week. I think we're doing ok, but I doubt this is going to be fast weight loss. Probably about the same as WW (but without all that pesky math ;) ).

Hope things are going well with everyone else. Jo, still thinking about you.

B

Hi Ladies!

Been MIA for a while, but have been on program, just busy.

Jo, so sorry to hear about your gran. ***Hugs***

Nichola...I say go ahead and buy yourself one outfit that fits nicely. I was doing the same thing "If I buy something that fits, then I'll quit trying to lose" but I found that when I bought something that I looked nice in, I felt much better about myself and was motivated to keep going.

I've had a pretty good week. I haven't journalled, but I've been very mindful of my choices, and I've managed to exercise three times so far. I've been having lots of trouble with my back. Had some Xrays done and there is some degeneration in one of my discs. I'm pretty sad about that as it is basically irreversable, but I'm determined to lose the weight now more than ever. It has to hurt less if I'm lighter right?

Have a Masked Ball to attend tonight. Doesn't that sound delish??? :lol I'm looking forward to avoiding the h'ors d'ouevres and the champagne (just a little) and really dancing up a storm. Still have to decide exactly what I'm going to wear, but regardless, should be grand.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Lorraine

Brandy, well done for staying on track all week with the healthy eating, keep up the good work :)

Lorraine, I took your advice and went to the M & S sale ... managed to find two pairs of trousers and a shirt in my size :) ... not exactly what I would have liked (nothing I really like suits my body shape!!) but at least they fit and I can now go to work wearing something that I feel comfortable in ... and your quite right, it does make you feel much better about yourself :) Hope you have a great time at the "Masked Ball" ... sounds very glamorous, have fun!

I weighed in yesterday and lost 2lbs ... that's the same 2lbs that I've been losing and regaining for the past few weeks so nothing to get too excited about!

Hope everone has a good weekend :)

Nichola