my motivation
 

hi everyone,

im new here and love this.

my highest weight was 228 got down to 204 then started back up to 221 so i joined t.o.p.s.(take off pounds sensibly) it is a non-profit weight loss support group. 20.00 to join and very low weekly dues (our chapter is .50) There are thousands of chapters around the world. go to www.tops.org to find one near you if you are interested. i guess my motivation is the weekly weigh in and knowing it is being recorded. we have information, support, contest.and more, but most of all we have a lot of fun.

i tell myself every day that i am NOT on a diet but that i have changed my BAD eating habits. i will get healthy and i will survive. it took me 44 years to get to where i am now so dont expect to get rid of it overnight.

i didnt even realize how much i ate when i wasn't even hungry. like at work
( buzzer goes off for break so i would eat) or hubby wants lunch and i would eat too even tho i was not hungry yet (we have been maried 21 years and he still wears 32" waist jeans and weight is 145) . or just board so i would go to the fridge. now i am only eating when i am trully hungey and am eating healthy .i am exercising somewhat but nothing to extreme (walk a mile in 25 mimutes) i joined tops march 11 at 221 1/2 and on march 25 was at 212 1/4 so hope to keep going at this rate, but i wont let a gain discourage me.

Well i better end this and i will keep coming back here for more motivation and support.

TALK TO YOU ALL LIGHTER !!!!!

Peg

Greetings, :queen: Peg! So glad you joined us! We always welcome new royalty to the palace. :yes: Kettle is always on, pull up a chair and have a chat. You're making some great progress, congratulations!! :cb: My best friend in the entire world is from Indiana.

Kaylets, I watch "What Not to Wear" when I can. It's interesting what you can learn from their makeovers. I know exactly what you mean about buttoned shirts! I'm busty, too, and those shirts if just buttoned up made me look like a tent missing its poles. :lol: Now I actually buy them just slightly smaller so I can wear a tank underneath and leave it open. Not to mention the importance of an open neckline! I have learned to buy pants that fit the widest part of my body, in my case it's the waist as I have no hips. I buy a wide leg to balance, and what a difference having the waist fitting properly makes...all my shirts fit better, too! Oh, and I love the knee-length skirts. No worry about them being too short, but still get to show off a little leg and a sexy shoe. See what you've started? I could go on for days. :blah:

Arabella, glad to hear you are in better spirits. Yes, exercise cures a world of problems. Too bad it didn't help our memories retain such facts!

Amarantha, I would love to have birds but with three felines I would fear for their safety too much! I always stop to visit them when we go to our pet store. One of the macaw parrots, Ruby, has started talking to me, I'm there so often! :lol:

QOD: While I don't like going back to dark mornings, I do like the longer evenings. The mornings will catch up soon enough.

Now I have a question for you all: Do you think you are beautiful? Vanity aside, how do you really feel? Nevermind the weight you want to lose. The reason I ask is that I don't believe I am, never have. When anyone tells me I am my immediate reaction is "yeah, right!" or "no I'm not". I know I'm not hideous or anything, but I just don't have that perception of myself. This comes from a conversation with said best friend a few days ago. I made a comment in jest about being ugly and his reaction was surprising. He was quite upset with me and I got a bit of a lecture. His words have really stuck with me. I suppose if my DH and my two best friends (both male) tell me I am beautiful, then what does it matter what the rest of the world thinks, right? The people who love me are the only opinions that should matter. Since my discussion with him I have been holding my head a little higher. The whole thing is strange since I tend to be very confident on the outside, yet I am my own worst critic. What do you gals think?

To Do List for today includes a haircut and the much dreaded bathing suit shopping. I ordered one from a catalogue and it is way, way too big so I now I have to face the fluorescent lighting beaming off my snow-white skin in the dressing rooms. *sigh* I think bathing suits should be on the list of What Not to Wear!!!

Adding a howdy to Peg and am so excited you're here ... :wave: ... will write more later as I accidentally posted the following on our CCRRMM food & exercise thread (please join us there also and on the CCRRMM Easter challenge thread ... you'd be most welcome) instead of the main thread here and now I'm realllly running late:

Yo! Warning, don't read before breakfast unless you like dogs a lot! :)

Sorry, I have to share another cute dog story ... just scroll down if it bores thee :queen: s!!!! Today I was driving back from gym really early (I have a challenging day and have to eat out for at least three meals ... will report on the food thread as to how I do) ... anyhow, I had to stop in the middle of what is the main drag here because a beautiful and very excited golden retriever wearing a red collar and tags (e.g., not a stray, he/she was somebodies little darlin' that likely escaped for the morning) was trotting across carrying a (sorry here) giant thing that I thought was a piece of bark, except that it was an, er, deceased animal (I think an armadillo) that had been sort of flattened and dried out. I really apologize ... that's a gross image but I died laughing at the pride and happiness in the retriever's whole demeanor ... to him/her this was the coup o' the century! I don't even want to think what his/her human mom or dad is gonna feel like if Golden brings that thing home and presents it!

Sorry.

On to more unpleasant venting. I would like to ask the :queen: 's opinion of what to me feels kinda knifeish-in-back! Well, no I won't because I just realized that I know others who read this forum and this situation could be kind of recognizable, so, suffice it to say that I've sorta been stabbed in back by another friend ... this one is in my profession and it's related to career, so I'm not going to let it get in the way of the friendship, I guess ...

Ceara, I'm glad thou be back. I'll be back on the food/exercise thread anon! Or later because I'm running late~!!!

Kaylets, how art thou?

Since you're not here yet can I ask a QOD? Ok, I will, thanks! :s: Question to all :queen: s ... Have you ever been betrayed by a friend?

Woo, I need a life~!

Welcome Peg! :D

Wildfire, Thanks for sharing the pics of your feline. Such an elegant black nose! About your question, yes, Most of the time I think I'm beautiful----unfortunately I have the old tape playing in the back of my mind that always pulls me back saying, 'who do you think you are, missy?' Oh well---I guess I'll always be a goddess-in-progress! :o

Amarantha, I know that prideful dog prance so well. In the fall, our neighbor hunts and when he "processes" the deer, he tosses the unusable parts away, so our dogs come prancing up with these huge ribcages and other unmentionables. It's completely disgusting, but the dogs are so darn pleased with themselves. Our front yard looks like a crime scene or a horror movie set, but the boys are so happy gnawing on their 'prizes'!
I wanted to tell you that we have a hound like the one you mentioned the other day, and he howls---it's one of my favorite sounds in the world. It's funny; I can remember asking Garry not too long ago when Jubal [8yrs. old dog!] would appear wise and not goofy and suddenly he's at that point---where he appears wise and elegant. Maybe he just seems so mature compared to our 1-year old dog. Ahhh, I love dawgs!
I'm really sorry you feel betrayed by a collegue. Can you talk to her/him about it?

Hey, not only did I survive bathing suit shopping, but I went down a size! I told the girl I needed suits in a 16, but they were too big. The 14s fit perfectly. :cb: So I bought two! :cb:

I just found out that my *darling* husband booked us on the 7:30am flight, which means we have to be on the road at 4am! Grrrr.

Take care, and I'll see you all when we get back!

Yo!
 

[color=bluue]Well, again, I've told the story of my day on the food/exercise thread so if anyone wants to know what I ate/did today, it's all over there!!! :s: Seemingly my life revolves around food and exercise! :cheer:

Eydie, I gave thee some unsolicited advice on that thread re CHOCOLATE!!! :chockiss: I think thou needeth some.

I loved thy description of thy friend Jubal and also thy own dogs when the neighbor hunts ... yea, canines are a bloodthirsty but lovable lot!!! My cat thinketh she's a dog as well and she and Old Dog are dogging me ancient steps as I move from room to room and staring at me as I type!

I did kind of send the friend an email regarding the situation I was talking about. Haven't received a reply. This is the problem when one's friends are all in the same profession and it's a really competitive profession. I also sent an email to an ex-employer because I found out that a member of that staff said something negative about me to a prospective employer and I felt that was uncalled for.

I've had a very communicative day, all-in-all!

Kaylets, for some reason I thought thou wasn't here and now I see thy post ... must have posted at the same time ... very relieved as I was missing thee!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 2 POUNDS DOWN!!! :cheer: That's great!!! Sis boom bah! I'm going to post this on the Easter challenge thread if you haven't already!!!! Hope that's ok!!!

Wildfire: My cat doesn't bother the birds at all ... and sometimes when they are loose in their room (yes, they have a room) during their free flight period, Old Dog will just go up and lovingly nudge them. I don't let the cat in while the birds are free, as she doesn't seem to want to eat them by why tempt fate?

Peg: Again, I'm happy you're here! I think TOPS is a good organization. At one time I was going to join online but they'd shut it down or something and I never got back there. I'm going to check it out. You've done great on your weight loss and BTW, a mile at 25 minutes is quite good!!!! Keep going and do join us on the challenge and the food/exercise thread because we need LOTS of motivation and friends to keep us honest!!!

Ceara: What is quack grass? Is it like Bermuda grass? I really HATE Bermuda grass!!!! :)

Arabella: Glad thou be feeling chipper today!!! I also have issues about control ... I let things I can't control control me! In reality, sometimes the only thing we can control, IMO, is ourselves and our reactions!!!! I need to work on this a lot more!!! Total agreement on the cardio ... it's great and running is the most fun, although I really enjoy all forms, including just walking fast enough to get the heart rate up. Have you ever read Jeff Galloway's books ... he's a long-ago winner of the Boston Marathon who about 10 years ago had a business training people to run/walk marathons. He came to my town last year for a marathon but I didn't go see him. But he advocates not being afraid to walk during runs ... the run/walk thing ... very good way to get more fit if the legs/feet aren't what they once where (as in my case). No one should feel they have to run, though, because walking is great exercise ... I kind of enjoy aerobics classes and tapes, too. The :tread: kind of bores me, but I do it.

Ok, rambling, gotta rest!

Bye all!!

Wildfire, congrats on going down a size ... I'm going to post that on the challenge thread as well!!! Sis boom bah! :cheer:

Oh, and yes, I do think I'm beautiful, Kaylets! :)

Yo!
 

Hello all!

Welcome Peg! Glad to see you! I just made a pot of your favorite tea, lets have a cup and you tell us more about yourself!

So, last night's weighin at meeting mirrored the loss I had seen at my own private weighin ( for here on line... that's where I had begun tracking over a year ago..)
So, I am impressed that upping my activity is seeming to make a difference.
I still am not up to 30 minutes... And for the most part, am doing 5 minutes here and there... but I have tripled the flights of stairs I'm climbing so I know I AM doing more...

And then this am, the home scale was even kinder but I think it was just a glimpse of what the future is.... The scale went into the next 10lb range... First time I have seen that in years and years... Hope I see it again and again !

Does anyone else notice that their weight seems to "float" in a range and then finally, will go the lower number and then "floats" again ??
Another lesson about how we are constantly in motion...contstantly changing...


hmmmm......

The 2nd level of the Toastmaster Speech Contest is tomorrow night... All the clubs send their winners to compete for an "area" winner. I represent my club. I am very nervous. So far, I am managing to not use food to mask my nerves....I've been trying to do physical things....
But am realizing I really did expect a lot from myself to think I could enter a Public Speaking competition.... DH says, " Just have fun with it" ... I'd like to, I know I'd be so much better at it... but I want to do well so badly too....
Maybe I need to look at my priorities about the contest....
Maybe I've already won because I entered the contest in the first place....

YIKES!


*********
Thought of the day :

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you fail, you'll land among the stars."
--Les Brown


Question of the day :

"Have you ever felt as though a friend has become a traitor?"

*******
( Empress, I saw your qod yesterday and since I had posted one earlier on the thread, am using it today as its a very thought provoking question in my opinion!~)

And yes, Empress, I agree... I have finally seen the light go on regarding
" whether we like it or not".... whether its running, climbing stairs, etc, etc.... most of us need to have consistent activity as part their plan the same way we'd have to maintain a car.... Whether we like it or not... and get so used to doing it that we don't like the results when we don't do it... Like the feeling you get when you've forgotten to brush your teeth or the oil light goes on......

Some us need more than others but for me, compared to the .5 losses each week and then after kicking it up a couple notches consisently for about 2 weeks, I saw a 2.4 ( YES!) loss in one week....I think proves my case...
Although, I admit, I am not impressed that this is what I am going to have to do... but ... if I want to get the weight off... I am going to have to
"SHAKE MY MONEYMAKER!!"

Oooopppsss ....sorry if I offended...

I feel less stressed now that I 've vented about the contest ...
another lesson I guess...

Thanks for listening. You are the best.


Look at the time!

Would somebody put the Kettle on??




KETTLE IS ON!

Morning, Glories!
 

Welcome, Peg!

Wow to Wildfire, Kaylets, and Empress - I'm grateful some in court are losing!

I'm too abashed to tell the story - you're all familiar with it I'm sure. The days away were ok, not good, not too bad. But for some reason, last night when I was home and feeling good, the demons overtook me. I am not proud of me this morning. I had been pleased with how I was doing and even though I felt cravings I thought I'd make it. Now I realize it was time for "chocolate" and I ignored it. I'm not really a chocolate type but occasionally I do allow myself some other sort of treat, usually picking out something of real quality and appreciating it. This sort of keeps me from going bananas on whatever happens to cross my path. So I should have had and enjoyed my peanut butter eggs. Instead I was eating things last night that I'm not even that fond of. Two good quality eggs would have been MUCH better. (Eydie - heed.)

Well for being "too abashed" I certainly went on.

My "joys" for the weekend were all from the princesses. Their excitement and faces when they put the new Easter outfits on their twin dolls, etc. For yesterday it was the face of the 3 yr old when she looked out her bedroom window and saw the tree there suddenly covered with white blossoms. "Look, look, look!" So we did a little ramble around the neighborhood in awe of the trees, the daffodils, and all the other little bloomers.

QOD - maybe I'm lucky but I don't think any friends have been traitors. I've had people do me wrong, for sure, but they seem to have been more acquaintances than friends. And in some cases, almost professional troublemakers.

And sorry Empress that you had another bad experience with someone you thought a friend (even though also coworker). Am glad you had the good experiences with the nomadic (and real) friends.

Yes, Kaylets, I float within (usually) a two pound range (certain days like today excluded) and that's why I'm pretty much only counting/reporting "new lows" or "almost new lows". I love those little peeks ahead and craving to get there.

I'll go with the theory that you're a winner for entering, Kaylets. I think you've been so brave.

Ok, Wood Nymph and Wildfire, get out there and have marvelous times despite early departures and serious concerns on the homefront. The opportunities don't come along all that often and the Court NEEDS you to have a ball. And Ceara, I'm so relieved no one died. Perhaps a few chafings here and there but......

Ok, I'm now convinced that our Punkin and wsw are having serious problems. I'm hoping they're computer related rather than health related but I think they'd have popped in if they could. And hoping Frogger's job and financial probems are on the way to resolving as well.

Better go work on a few problems of my own although today as a whole seems better. Arthritis not as bad even though it's expected to rain here the rest of the week (blah!). May try on a few clothes to see what stays/goes - can only stand to do a few at a time. Bit more paperwork of course but I'm going to soon be able to take the remainder off the dining room table and inegrate into other piles. That's progress. Planning a runaround this afternoon with dh and we've resolved to get back to our earlier habit of trying to have an "us" day a week (Wed. preferred). We did this before he became ill and so this will be another step back toward "normality". Am excited because yesterday he signed us up for a bus trip to Wolf Trap in Aug to hear the Boston Pops. Have wanted to do this forever but didn't want to have him driving in all that traffic.

Well, must now work on regaining my confidence re food and health. All of April is full of exciting opportunities to overeat. Do we have Fresh Start Tuesday cards?

Oops, looks like I was posting at same time as the Wood Nymph.

So, past QOD - no, I've never been in danger of being considered a beauty (maybe by dh but not by most). I'm not ugly, attractive might have come up a few times in my youth. Never cute. Now up to here I've been talking physical. Since I've always considered true beauty to come from within (we less than beautiful people have to), I've always worked harder on that than on the physical stuff and here I would rate myself higher though not, of course, "beautiful". That's why I hang out with you beautiful people. Because of course your beauty "rubs off" on me.

Got a lot of dumb stuff done already so I "earned" a break. But now it's back to work.

:lol: :queen: K, thou never offendeth!!!! Yup, we've gotta shake off the weight (or just keep it off in the case of our maintainers)!!!! If not now, when? Full speed ahead and dang the ammunition. Thanks for using my qod ... and yea, I'm still feeling betrayed, but (addressing Wood Nymph now), I think the friendship IS worth it and so found a novel solution to make me feel better and yet the friend in question will never know I got a tiny bit of revenge (evil, I know)!!! Can't talk about specifics as, again, it would be recognizable!

To all mentioned or unmentioned, I'm sorry not to address everyone right now as I gotta go to work!!! Later, gators!!!

WE'VE STILL GOT SOME MIA :queen: s OUT THERE AND THIS IS NOT ALLOWED!!!! :nono:

You know who you are. We're taking names.

:)

Hello,
I missed work yesterday so I missed my semi-daily posting. I called in sick for the first time in a while. I could not keep down any food yesterday. Today, however, the stomach of steel is back in action.

Anagram - I read you post about the princesses getting all excited about Easter and I suddenly was impatient for Maggie to get big enough to enjoy all of the holidays. Then I can spoil her like a good auntie.

Welcome Peg. This is a pretty good place to be.

So, I was wandering around town this weekend getting errands done when I passed this house that has always intrigued me because it is so grand and yet so in need of help. They had a sign for an estate sale and so I went in. It was an amazing mansion that had huge rooms with 14 foot ceilings and 8 fireplaces. I know that it is something that I could never afford, but I am bound and determined that someone who knows how to fix it up will buy it and restore it to its former condition. Unfortunately I do not know anyone who has that kind of money plus the kind of drive to make this place into what it should be. I know some people with one or the other, but not both.

QOD: I have actually had to break up with a friend in the past. It was odd. I actually formally broke up with him. No hard feeling now because it was so long ago, but he totally betrayed my confidence.

Past QOD: I do not know that I have ever been accused of being beautiful in the traditional sense. I tend more toward the "interesting" than pretty. I would not want to change how I look though (aside from getting more fit of course, but that is something I see as more of a health issue). I am also a very sloppy dresser, but I know that I can clean up pretty well if necessary. But lets just say that I have not lost sleep over my appearance since I was about 17 and went to college and started getting dates :)

Wildfire: congrats on being down a size. Especially in the treacherous land of swimsuits. Also, you cat is a real beauty.

Kaylets: Yes my weight seems to float in ranges for long periods of time as well. It seems kind of like a doctor's scale where there are greater value weights that they slide and then refine it with a lesser values. So I will be in a ten pound chunk and then, shazam, the next ten pound chunk. Strange how that works. Congrats on the loss.

I am going to look at the other threads and get back to work, so hello to everyone else.