Hey everyone-

Sorry I haven't posted. I went to visit my parents at the beach for the holiday--which was good and bad. Good to see them, bad to be tempted with eating out and old habits. But I did ok. :)

But the good news.....I weighed myself this morning and I'm at 204! YAY!!! :cb: I know that it was the consistent exercise last week that pushed me out of my plateau. I'm hoping the positive reinforcement will keep me heading to the gym this week!


Tardy>
CONGRATS on your loss! Yay you! I bet the nasty guy has heartburn right now and he doesn't even know why!!

Susie>
I love the comment about Christmas and Thanksgiving! It's so right on. As a binge eater, I've found that depriving myself of cake/treats during the holidays/birthdays/etc. at the table would only lead to me sneaky eating in larger amounts later. It's better for me to have a piece, be OK with it, try to exercise a little more that week and get on with it!

Have a great vacation! I haven't been to Niagra Falls since I was 8. All I remember is crying because I didn't want to wear the big black poncho on the Maid of the Mist!! Good for you for planning to exercise on vacation! I was just reading an article in Shape that even if you decrease your exercise by half, keeping it up on vacation will make it easier when you return to fall back into your routine!

Pray>
Happy birthday to your husband! It's sounds like you've had a relaxing vacation!

Elizabeth>
Congrats on the loss! I bet you get a workout just keeping up with your toddler! I have twin nephews who just turned 3. Their energy level is amazing!

Darcye>
Welcome and congrats and making a decision to change your eating! Have you thought about what you’re going to do? When I first started I tried to make one change a week. I had so many things to change it was overwhelming! I started with drinking enough water each day the first week. Then the next week, in addition to drinking water, I added in eating a serving of veggies at dinner each day, etc. etc. It helped make it more manageable!

Pseudo>
First, yay for throwing away cheesecake! I tossed half a ice cream cake and a whole things of nuts after my birthday party. It's just too hard for me to have them right here. I feel guilty wasting food sometimes (flashbacks to "there are starving children in Africa..."), but I know that I can't always control my eating.

I know just what you mean about guilt/frustration! I can remember crying in my room about how fat I was and how lonely I was and how life would be *so* much better if I lost weight. So did I go do something about it??? Like exercise? Nope. I usually ate a box of cookies. Then the guilt would set in and I would eat more. It's a nasty cycle.

It's kind of weird; in some ways my self-esteem is lower now that I've lost weight. Mostly it's better--I physically feel better and I'm proud of my weight loss. I have more energy and can do more (ride roller coasters, go whitewater rafting, walk in walk-a-thon). I don't feel like people stare at me anymore ("look at that fat lady!"), but I have some body issues.

I think when I was at my heaviest, I never looked in the mirror--why would I! Now I do and it's hard. I have A LOT of baggy skin and stretch marks. I carry my weight in my lower tummy and it sags. I lost a lot of weight in my breasts making me pear-ish shaped. It's hard. I love that I'm skinner, but sometimes it's frustrating knowing that even when I reach my goal I'll have to deal with the residue of having been fat.

Thanks for listening (reading!). It’s amazing how putting things into words helps. :goodvibes

Hello everyone. Did eveyone have a nice holiday weekend? Avery glad you got to spend time with family. Glad your plateau is over, good for you and keep it up. God Bless. Will catch you all tomorrow.

Avery, I can't help but say that I know exactly how you feel. I know what you mean about not attracting stares anymore...and yet, at the same time, I'm not invisible. I remember wondering how people could walk right in my way, like I wasn't even there, when I was so big. Were they just pretending not to see me? Being invisible in a crowd is definitely an odd feature of being overweight. And now...I have the exact same problems as you do. Deflated breasts, pear shaped body, stretch marks and skin that sometimes reminds me of a sharpei. It's mixed curse/blessing, losing weight. I'm considering surgery to help with the skin when I finish losing weight, but...geez, it's expensive. I'd better start saving now! In other news, I'm &#@* plateauing. I hate plateaus. I guess it's better than a gain *glum* Well, I hope everyone else is doing well, good luck today!

Gosh, hello everyone. I'll be gone for a day or two...remember my hubby's grandma being really sick? She passed away last night very suddenly. It looked as though she may have been on the road to recovery, but all that is gone now. Her husband has terrible Parkinson's so I know that this will not be good for him. I'm scared that he will decline terribly fast now. This makes the third funeral for me in 5 years...my grandpa, my brother, and now grandma. I'm so upset, we were at the hospital until 4 am and here I am at work trying to finish up my overtime work! Hubby's crushed, father-in-law is devastated (it was his mom) and my kids don't know what to do. Plz keep me in your prayers and I'll post as soon as I'm able.

Hello Angel. I am sorry for the loss of grandma. I will keep your family in my prayers. It's hard to explain death to children. Depending on the age the best way is to tell them that she was sick and suffering and that she is in Heaven with Jesus and she is no longer sick and suffering and is watching over them from there. Anyway hang in there and God BLess.

Hi All:

I've been gone for about a month and gained 6lbs :(

But the good news is that I'm back on track and started to go to the gym. I even bought a few trainer sessions to help me stay on track. I realized that there are a few people in my life (namely, ex b/f) who totally make fat. Isn't that so true! I have "fat friends"! So I was with him for a few weeks again and I just fell into old habits.

I'm glad to be back. There are alot of new people here which is great!

-Beth

HW: 260
Height: 5'7"
CW: 251
Goal: 150 (oh my god, could it be??)

Hello Beth and welcome back. Glad you are back on track. Sometimes we have to stay away from people who say they care about us and try to bring us down. So be strong and hang in there. We will be here for you. Take care and God Bless.

I exercized, I exercized! Hehe, sorry. I know everyone's gloomy right now *hugs* I hope those who are experiencing bad times get through them fast and well!

I'm going to weigh in today, already crossing my fingers and wincing. How is everyone else doing? Hope you all have a good day ^_^

Had to join this thread. I'm so ready to see the 199! I'll even take 199.9999999! :dizzy:

Kamitwi-how did your weigh in go? Hope it was a great one.
Angelic Me-welcome. We are all so ready to be out of the 200s. Have a great evening. God Bless.

Good job beth for coming back, and for realizing that, its kind of a hard insight. I actually have that problem, to a much lesser extent, with all my friends. Though it really isn't them, its my own lack of willpower. Either way, its very frustrating, I think.

I just got back from the gym, which was the third time this week, the second kickboxing class. I have one more to go to my goal of 4 times a week. Oh, and I only had like 4 bites of chocolate cake for desert, and they were little bites, rather than the whole slice. We're going for milk tea and tapioca in a little while, which I am rationalizing as added hydration. Tapioca can't be that bad for you, can it? The big balls you suck up the fat straw, not the pudding.

Hubby and must have over celebrated his birthday because weigh in was not so good, but it was not expected to be good, so we are back on track and that's all that matters, and the good Lord willing we will have a better weigh in next week? How about everyone else on this challenge how did you all do? Have a blessed weekend. God Bless.

Hey pray, hey all. Did okay at my weighin, lost one pound, 224 *shrugs* better than plateau! I'm hoping for a more significant losses soon though ^_^ *crosses fingers* How about everyone else? Hope you all are having a good one--is anyone as hot as we are out here in Nevada (USA)? I'm DYIN'!

Hello everyone!

Okay, I've been gone so long I don't even recognize anyone...and I started this thread! LOL. Anyway, welcome everyone! I'm sure we all have had these moments when I just don't want to think about my weight, and I just want to hide. Summer makes me want to do that. In the past few years, I tend to lose weight around Feb, March, April...and then I slack off as it gets warmer.

Why could that be? I think I just feel so nasty that I want to hide in my house, away from the gym, etc. The funny thing, I could be well below 199 by now if I had kept up the good work.

Also another funny thing is that my friends and such are coming up to me and asking me if I've lost weight. I haven't done an official weigh in since I last weighed what...a month ago maybe? But I was at a friend's place and weighed on the scale that just happened to be in the bathroom and it said 227...so I don't think I gained much. But still...it sucks to think where I COULD be right now.

Okay, I promise to go back to the gym. I MISS it. Now it's been a few weeks and I was almost able to do an hour on the elliptical and I have to start over again at 30 minutes. Yikes. But guys, I have to do this. I stil have the rest of July and August. See, I love fall and winter clothes and I really want to have a great wardrobe this fall LOL! Silly reasoning, but if it gets me back into my old stuff, then so be it. I felt better today when I went into Lane Bryant and the girl there asked me if I've lost weight. Sad when the girls at Lane Bryant know you by name and everything! Anyway, I didn't try on any clothes. I just haven't been in the mood to.

I bought this great dress at Famous Barr about a month ago to wear to a family reunion...sleeveless and short...I thought it looked good but when the time came...I didn't wear it. I got all self-conscious! And that's so weird because I never used to be.

Well, I am going to get to 199 by my friend's wedding in October if I have to cut the weight off! LOL okay not really. But I really want to do it. My eating hasn't been all that terrible, it's just being so darn sedentary is what's killing me and I can already see my leg muscles going flabby again.

So, I will be back and posting regularly, hopefully. I look forward to getting to chat with all of you who I haven't "met".

Back to Reality
 

^_^ hello Donna, welcome! Welcome back girlie! It must be weird to see a thread that you started take off like this ^_^ do you get that, "Ohh, I'm famous" feeling? I probably would...in other news, though I've only lost 1 pound in the last little while, I fit into a size 14 dress that I bought at a garage sale for a quarter. I figured I'd give it a try, and give it away if it didn't fit...but it did! I'm so ecstatic ^_^ Maybe I'm losing inches, not pounds...pounds are easier to see, but I'll take inches! I hope all are doing well ^_^

Oh, anyone got any good ideas for weight rewards? I can never think of anything good. My mind immediately says, "ICE CREAM CONE!" Bad mind.

Hey Ya'll,
I'm home from vacation and I'm worn out! But I had a great time! It was beautiful at the falls in Canada and also up on Lake Ontario. I can't wait to get my pictures developed.

We had a great time. I don't feel like I overate..and if I did, I'm sure I walked it off! We must have walked 4 miles everyday. That's ok...it's good for me. But I sure could feel it in my calfs.

It's good to be back. I'm trying to catch up on everything. Looks like most of you are doing well, and even for those that the scales didn't go the way you wanted, you have the right mind set, so you KNOW they will go the way you want this week.

It's good to be home.

Susie

Oh, can I relate to this!!!!
 

In August of 2002 I started WW at 239. I couldn't wait to hit 199. In March I was 189! But in May I quit smoking and guess what I am now? 208!!!! HELP!!! Advice anyone? Kerry

Hello everyone. Wow, it's neat to see a couple familiar faces!
Jenn, good for you on the tattoo! I secretly have kind of wanted one...hello kitty...maybe some day I shall too! You definitely deserve it!

Kamitwi - Yay for the size 14! We're about the same weight and I'm not NEARLY a 14..still trying to get straight into an 18 on the bottom without that 20 dangling on the end. You definitely are losing SOMETHING if you say you aren't losing pounds.

Kerry - Where is IL are you?
I quit smoking in April...shortly before I quit posting here. I am not sure if maybe this has affected my gaining a few pounds...it's definitely lack of exercise. I hope that exercise and breathing is better for me when I head back to the gym.

The plan, ladies, is for me to head back to the gym tonite. It's always so hard to go back after I haven't been in a few weeks. I mean, I don't look any different, but it's all mental! I feel like this giant fat thing rolling around and everyone is thinking, "my, I haven't seen her in a long time...fell off the wagon..."

When in reality, no one probably remembers me (except for a few who I talk to regularly) and after a few days on the elliptical and kicking butt, I'll feel better.

So...keep me in your thoughts tonite when I go to the gym. I was close to going last night...got dressed and everything and it was storming outside...what a wimp I am! Plus it's getting really hot here in central IL and I'll feel so good if I get into the gym. I won't feel so fat and lazy.

Talk to you soon!

Girlie

Hey, Girlie, get out there, you can do it! If you can just get in the car and drive there, you'll HAVE to do something, because otherwise, you'll feel even MORE guilty! You can't go to the gym and not exercize! Actually, I think that 14 was a fluke. I'm just squeezing into a 16 pants size lately, but trust me, I was happy for irregularities! I'm off to exercize now, hope all are having a nifty keen day!

That's great advice Kamitwi! You are so right...just go. Sometimes I just don't want to and I would classify myself as someone who loves to work out. But sometimes I just want to stay home...when those times come, I tell myself to go for just a walk; or if that seems to much, to just go for 10 min and if I want to leave after that, I can. But I never do.

I got on the scales this morning and I'm up...must have ate more on vacation than I thought I did..so I've got some serious work to do. There's no way I want a gain at my weigh-in on Thursday.

I'm going to journal my food, so I become aware of it again. I'm also headed to they gym in about 1/2 and hour to meet my workout partner. Looking forward to getting into my workout again.

I'm a little tired from working all day and trying to catch things up, but I know that after I work out, I'll have more energy and my mind won't feel so sluggish.

Have a good evening everyone.

Thanks so much for the reply. I'm new to this site and haven't quite figured it out yet. Does 3fatchicks email you if you're watching a topic? I'm in Roselle by the way. Anyway, as far as exercise goes, remember, it's probably the only thing in your life that you'll ever do that you WON'T regret. You may say you wish you hadn't gone to a certain party, or bought a certain dress, or eaten a certain food, but you'l NEVER say, "Gee, I wish I hadn't exercised today!" I WILL figure out this not smoking/eating thing and hope you don't mind if I tag along on your thread! ;) Kerry

Hey Kamitwi. It's hot over here too, the only difference is we get so humid being right next to the Gulf of Mexico. Here the humidity is sometimes higher than the temperature! The only good thing is the rain, but after the rain it's a sauna. Glad you had a loss, remember that a loss is always better than a gain. Talk to ya later. God BLess.

It has begun!
 

So I made it to the gym last night. I was kind of excited to go because I knew I was ready for it. I did a decent job...15 mins on the bike, 35 on the elliptical (though it was getting tough!) and another 15 on the bike and light stretching. I rewarded myself with a 45 minute shower! I miss showering at the gym...great water pressure and no water bills lol! I had my mint sugar scrub in my locker so I did a great exfoliating and it was So relaxing. I weighed myself after I worked out, unclothed. It was 224.1! Amazing! So back in May at my last weigh-in I was 223...I've only gained a pound! And I'm so close to 223.

That is really amazing, having not exercised in a month! My muscle has turned to flab though. This has really motivated me because I was sure to have gained at least 5 pounds. My eating must not have been all that bad...I mean I've been eateing fatty, high-calorie foods but I always stop when I get full and cut down on breads and pastas and eat more meat and veggies. I LOVE meat lol! I admit!

Anyway, thanks for your support. You are right, just go and do it. When I got to the gym, I felt icky because it was so packed and things had changed...my favorite exercise bike was gone...they replaced them all with these weird new high-tech ones. But the hour went smoothly and I feel like I can do it again tonite.

I really want to get to 199 by November. Our 1-year anniversary is on the 8th. i think that's attainable.

I had a bowl of Multi-Grain Cheerios today around 7am. It's 11am and I'm having microwave popcorn. My favorite is Pop-Secret Butter Light. And I'm about to eat the whole bag lol! It's the best, butteriest light popcorn I've had...and when I was doing WW, it was I think 3-4 points for the whole bag. I'm going to stick to protein for the rest of the day. Last night I made little steaks for DH and I...and I made green beans with bacon...SO good!

Have a great day and stay cool!

Hello Everyone!
 

Good Day All!

I am back. The funeral was a big mess. Amazing how family has a way of getting ugly and selfish during a funeral. Fortunately for me, I wasn't involved in it (it was her kids and I'm a grandchild-in-law). I watched what I ate (good) and kept me and my kids away from the drama. But the whole event was very stressful for my husband, who's father was one of the people in turmoil argued it up with his sister.

Pray - TY so much for the kind words! I really needed someone out here to acknowledge the situation and am thrilled you did :)

Beth - Welcom back! Glad to see you have recommitted to the process, and I hope to hear you reach your goal!

Kam - *HUGS* back to you. I really needed one that day!

Angelic - Welcome. You're only 19 lbs away (you go girl!)

Jenn - Welcome back you "REBEL", lol! Give you one week and you tattoo yourself --- what's next? ( OoOoOoOo sounds like a dare ;) )

Girlie - Welcome back and I know exactly how you feel.

Susie - Glad to hear the vacation was a smash! I love knowing people are out there having fun (makes the world a happier place!). And yes, Canada has a way of making you work them calories off. Niagara Falls is infamous for it, lol! We should go there more often!


Quitting smoking? YUCK, I did that and I gained many more lbs than you. There is no easy fix. I chewed on straws, lol. But it has been my motivation not to start back up (I don't want to pack the lbs back on).


Hope all have a splendid day and if I didn't get to you I'm sorry, I had a lot to catch up on, but I did read everyone's posts :)

Evening all! No more computer at home so I'm checking in a lot less. Down a few more pounds thanks in part to the 24 hour bug! lol I'll take it any way I can get it.

Updating sig....

Hi everyone.

It's so great to read everyone's posts...everyone seems so hopeful and ready to begin their own personal challenges again. We do need to renew ourselfs again and again don't we? I call that success..getting up one more time than we get down.

I'm finally caught up at work..that feels good. I'm working out hard at the gym and that feels even better.

I decided to take the plunge and start journaling publicly on this site. It's something that I do from time to time, but then I get lazy because no one is going to know if I don't. So, I'm telling you guys..I'm doing it..hold me accountable! I'm the type of person that needs the accountability.

Elizabeth2: I hope you are feeling better and I totally understand about taking any loss..no matter the reason!

Jen: I was up on the scales a little bit when I got home from vacation, but it's going down too..I think we will be alright!

Tardy: I always say God gives us our family because He knows there is NO way we would hang out with those people if we didn't have to! Great job on not "stress eating".

Girlie: You are doing it lady! Hit those weights and thos muscles will respond..our bodies are amazing like that...they remember being tight and tonned!

Anyone else that I missed...it's good to read your post as well..keep posting and we will all get to ONEderland.

Have a good evening ladies...I'm headed to bed to read my new Oprah mag. My brother asked me what I watned for my birthday and I told him subscriptions to Oprah, Fitness, and Shape..he got them all for me!

I'm excited!!

Hello My Choice-you seem to have a very nice brother, what a blessing! Good Luck Thursday with weigh in. Hubby and I will weigh in this Friday, I'll be glad if I just lose the weight we put on celebrating his birthday.
Tardy-sorry the funeral was so stressful for you and hubby. It's sad but you really see people's true colors when there is a death in a family. A death in the family will either bring people closer together or tear them apart. I have only one child, so no fighting over who gets what, of course the only think he will inherit is bills!!
Anyway on a more positive note good for you for not overeating due to the stress! You deserve a pat on the back.

Good Morning all. My wrist is killing me...I think it's a seasonal polyp that I get. Ick.

Anyway, I'm feeling a bit bloated...time for TOM pretty soon. Plus I opted not to have my Cheerios but a hot breakfast of eggs and toast. I just want to see how true it is when they say to have a hearty breakfast. It is very true that most of us either skip it or eat very little.

I went to the gym early last night...I took the very hot afternoon off of work (I had a job interview) and I got to the gym before the 5pm rush hour and it was VERY nice getting off and having 6pm through the rest of the night off for relaxation. I did 20 minutes on the bicycle, 30 minutes on the elliptical and 10-15 minutes of walking around the track and light stretching. I want to start using dumbells but I'm embarassed to do this at the gym for some reason. I have to find mine at home and do squats and arm work.

In my month's absence from the gym, they got all this new equipment...I decided to try one of the new stationery bicycles. It was crazy! It was too darn comfortable for an exercise bike. The seat was great and had a high back so I wasn't straining my back...plus these bikes have these built-in, adjustable fans. I felt guilty for being so comfy...my legs were working hard but my arms were resting on the high arm rests and I felt like a queen lol! The new treadmills also have built in fans - one on each side of you! It was so strange. But I hope this will give me new incentive to get on the bike and maybe try out a treadmill. I have a secret fear of treadmills for some reason. I can never seem to find a good pace on them.

Hope you all have a good day.

Girlie

Hey Girlie! I find that when I eat a heartier breakfast that I stay full longer. I rarely skip breakfast, actually, any meal for that matter. Glad you got to go to the gym. When I was going to the gym before their membership became a little too steep for my budget, I used to do interval training. Walk-run-walk-run, etc. It helps burn more fat. Anyway you may have to play around with it until you find your pace. Hope you get the job you went interview for. Make it a blessed day. GOd Bless.

I know how you feel Girlie. It's that feeling of self consciousness that just can't be avoided ^_^* it's hard to get over, but just think, all of the muscly people are focused on building their muscles, so they're ignoring everyone else. The skinny people are focused on staying skinny, and the people like us, are focused on becoming skinnier! The world is much too self absorbed to have much time to think you or I are looking silly ^_^

Got in my exercize today, on my one day off (bleh) so now, all I have to do is try to keep my food choices good ones for the rest of...MY LIFE! Hehe, but I'll start with the day. Hope all are doing well!

Bleck, I had a rotten day. Flat tire, arguements...to look on the bright side, I did have to walk after I got my flat tire XD god this day was karmic. Wish me better luck tomorrow, hope everyone is well as can be!

Tonight will be my weigh-in night, and I don't think I'm going to be pleased with the number on the scales.

I'm hoping that I will have stayed the same. But I think I'm up a bit.

I'm trying to not let it set me back emotionally. This is what I'm trying to focus on:

I've worked out everyday since I got back from vacation.

I've had a lot of ice cream (I'm on a ice-cream kick for some reason!), but I DIDN'T have any last night after dinner, I was able to "self-talk" myself out of it. I had a milkshake at noon, so I wasn't depriving myself, but I sure didn't need to over-in-dulge, so for the first time since last week, I listend to myself and choose my goal of losing this weight and being satisfied with myself long-term, instead of going for the instant gratification.

And this morning, I packed my lunch instead of thinking, oh well, I'm up so I'll just go ahead and get something out (which I wouldn't have chosen to make a healthy choice) and deal with it all tomorrow. No, I'm dealing with it now!

This is a journey and sometimes we take the wrong turn--I know I did..I turned left at the ice cream sign! but I've circled back around and I'm going in the right direction now.

Thank goodness for this board and the fact that we can be real here and share our ups and downs.

Have a good day everyone. I'm going to, even if the scales don't say what I want tonight..they can be changed

Way to go MyChoice, what a wonderful way to look at it. You know, that ice cream sign is a dangerous one, it's so easy to make that detour! You just convinced me to get off my bottom and exercize today--thus not breaking my streak. If you can resist ice cream, I can resist the temptation to be lazy. I know that if I were faced with ice cream, I'd probably have trouble today too!

Jenn-- ^_^ thanks. Just gotta dust myself off and keep trying, thankful for wonderful people who help me out when things happen ^_^

I'm off to kick my exercize bike into shape! I hope all are doing well today, good luck with the weigh-in MyChoice!

OMG OMG PPL!!!!! I think it's time for a new goal!!!!!!!!!!!

I got on the scale today, and do my eye's deceive me or did that scale say 251?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

OMG OMG OMG! Lol! That's 69 lbs for me. I'm 2 lbs. from my first goal!!!!! My next goal is gonna be 220 (if I make that, it'll mean I've lost 100 lbs!!!!)

I officially am wearing a 1x or 20 (down from 3x and 28). My bra size went from 44D to 40C (don't like the cup lost, lolol). My underwear is down from a 10 to an 8...dear lord! And my ring size from a size 10 to 7 1/2. I almost can't believe it. I love shopping at the cheap plus girl size (instead of the good stores so that the material is cut bigger). On the flip side I look in the mirror and still go "yuck". I don't know if I'll ever stop doing that. But at least I don't have a double chin to match my yucky feeling anymore.

Hope everyone is having a good day, and sorry about the flat tire too. That's a serious bummer.