Kermie--no word from Lynne yet--I'll try again soon to her regular e-mail. She may be without a computer at home using her mom's--I know that was the case the last time I heard from her. Hope she is doing ok--widowhood at her age has to be very difficult--especially when you factor in the financial instability--and 2 young children.
I haven't gotten too motivated yet--still pretty bummed that I can't get in to my doctor until December--and now more menstal problems--of course that could be a blessing--maybe I'll get to see my doc. sooner and can bring up the weightloss problems on that visit
One pound at a time does sound more managable than thinking about 40 or 50- so that''s my plan too--one day at a time and one pound goals at a time. Rainy again today--but I'm sure hubby will get the bug to get out soon and we can walk at the local mall or something. Just running around amounts to some exercise. I am going to return the pedometer he bought me and pick out one that I can figure out how to operate. I had really wanted him to just pick out the kind I had before (and have somehow misplaced) One of those things that disappeared during out move last year. As soon as I relace it the other one will show up I'm sure.
Chris--how goes it for you??? Are you finding work and baby stressful?? It does help working out of your own home--as long as your disaplined. My daughter has done it for several years now with 4 children--but she does have live in help. Still she has to stick to her daily planner as well as she can--can't give in too often to unplanned walks in the park etc. Is your hubby pretty good about watching the baby when he gets home from work??
Gonna run--I've been doing a little long neglected housework--how can dust get so thick so fast????? Looking forward to hubby's appointment with the nutritionist next week--maybe it will help me get started on a diet also. He is feeling better now that we have his sugar levels a little more stable--but so far we don't have the prescription for a monitor so I'm not sure how stable I have him. His eyesite has gotten much better and he isn't getting the light headiness and headaches any more so I know we're going in the right direction.
Talk tomorrow. Good to hear from you Kermie and thanks for the day brightners you sent. How is your weather now?? We are cooling down--but yesterday was in the 70's--un-REAL for late October! Today only expecting 52 and rain.
Jo

Jo: Weather has been wet and cold...but today is brighter and NO RAIN.

I had a pretty bad wk. end, baked a ham and my company couldn't make it, just flushed 2 litres of Ice Cream down the garburator...vanilla with white chocolate in it...and froze the remainders of the ham, now I'm ready for bear! Going for a pedicure in an hr. so this will be short too....still doing the treadmill, find it best at 7:00 am, then it's done!

Be well girls, and Jo, take it easy, Dec. will be here very soon, and get your hubby a monitor....being in control of our lives (and having the right attitude, and equipment makes it ALL easier).

Love ya.

Kermie (aka Sandy).

Hey Sandy--we checked into the monitor today. He tried reaching his doctor--only to find he's on vacation. He is seeing the nutritionist and diabetic educator on Thursday--so I guess we wait until then for the monitor. Just doing the best we can until then. I had a pretty good day. Walked before work--Did 13000 plus steps. Yes I did finally find a pedometer I liked! So far eating today has been in control-so one day down. Did get on the scale today--the same as last month so no dmage done on the new meds--or if there was i've lost it. Planning on weighing once a week--it's better for me that way-- Talk tomorrow--having a busy day--election day and all. Hope it goes the way I'm voting!!
Jo

Jo: One good day of eating under my belt too....so we're on the right track Jo. Must tell you, when I was going to WW, Tues. was my day, and the stress feeling would be building by now (Mon.), I'd starve most of Mon. and eat nothing til after my weigh in Tues., bad - bad....but that's the way it was....stress - stress...I'll weigh in a couple of times a wk. at home and track it on a chart....

I have a BIG date on Dec. 10 (VERY formal), got my long black skirt today and a couple of new tops...it's a gourmet dining group of men (13 of them), who have done this for yrs., and once a yr. they take "their ladies" along, very posh...tuxedos - the whole bit...so I'd like to drop 10 lbs. before Dec. 10, and am really giving it the old college try....am going with a real gentleman - who's tall and slim, and feel quite excited about the whole experience.

Wish me luck, and I'm going to make it happen!

Good luck Thurs. with hubby, monitor, etc.

Kermie (aka Sandy).

Hey Ya'll!!!

I just read your posts and I wish I could say that I had one good day under my belt like ya'll have, but alas, I cant. I can say though that I am feeling stronger and sent Barry off to work today with every single left over piece of Halloween candy that was in the house. I had oatmeal for breakfast and a cup and a half of black coffee, so, so far only 3 points consumed! Yeah, for me!!!!

This is going to be a short post....my computer is doing something funky. The cursor keeps jumping around and sometimes deleteing things I have already typed. Been doing that for a few days now....dont know much about computers. Will have to have Barry take a look at it soon.

Weather here has been sunny and in the 70's over the last few days. Absolutely beautiful!!

Good for you Jo, getting in all those steps. I wish I could find time to do some sort of excerise, but things here are soooo busy all the time!!! Maybe soon.

Sandy, I know you can lose those 10 lbs by Dec 10th. Stay focused and drink your water. And good for you as well for all the time you are putting into the treadmill!!!

Well, better go before I lose this post cause of this dang computer. Besides, I need to write some thank you notes, shower, clean the fire place out and OH the little prince is starting to scream bloody murder---((((sigh)))

Love to you both!!!!!!!!

Kermie & Chris--gald to see a post from both of you. I'm on bedrest so your giving me something to do. Ended up in the Emergency room early Tuesday morning then in surgery for a D & C. This one really took it's toll on me. Came out of it with a hemog. count of 7.9. They didn't give me a transfussion--because my docotor says I've always been such a good blood rebuilder on my own. Really feeling it today. Very headachy, sluggish and SORE from my head to my toes. Turned out to be almost 2 hours of surgery--followed by 3 hours of diareaha and vomiting--not my best day Taking it VERY easy today--and tomorrow. I will go with hubby to his appointment--just so he gets everything right. We did test him at the pharmacy last night and his blood sugar was 130--not too bad. The doc wants it at 120 or lower.
Gonna go--have to get my feet back up.
Your fancy party sounds wonderful Kermie--good motivation. Just think about how great you'll look everytime something tempting to eat comes along. Chris--good idea giving the candy away. I think I may do the same. I will send part of it hunting with my son this weekend. Right now it doesn't sopund good to me--I KNOW I'm not feeling well when chocolate doesn't call my name
Jo

Hi you guys!

Chris: Spent the day with Allison yesterday, and we took the wee man grocery shopping, and he slept thru it. She's got him sleeping in the car seat all day and all night...I feel he'll have curviture of the spine, but she won't listen to me...and gets cross when I mention these things...I know about the screaming...where do they get THOSE voices? They have such impact!

Jo: A D & C, yikes....that was a real ordeal....and you must feel like a truck hit you!
And you have to keep going....yikes...what a girl...hope things go well with you and your husband....please keep us posted...

My weight program is going well, all I needed was something to look forward to....my life is good, am counting points...and still treadmilling....seem to be heading the right way on the scale...down....

Kermit...

Kermie--feeling better by the hour. Slept most of today but I am moving around more tonight. Sat on the deck for a while to get some fresh air --think maybe that's what I needed to clear the rest of the anesthia gas from my system. Also drinking lots of water. Headache is finally gone. I have a freind who let her daughter sit in the car seat and let her sleep in it too for several months. Her spine is fine--but I know it worried me too at the time. Can't be too terrible comfortable but it must be some sort of secure feeling for a baby. Does your daughter have one of those rocking seats for in the house? I can't remember what their called, but its a low sling type chair that runs on batteries and gently rocks the baby--I'm babysitting my 4 grandchildren the weekend of the 19th. Looking forward to it. We haven't seen much of them since early September. I got on the scale Monday and it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. Weighed this morning and I was up a pound but I'm pretty sure that has to be caused by 16 straight hours of IV's. As soon as thats o;ut of my system maybe I'll see a little loss. Appetite is better tonight--but I'm having to watch it--1 med you take with food, 1 on an empty stomach and one 2 hours before my iron pill or calcium---it's almost easier not to eat for a while!!! Haven't taken any pain pills today--just regular tylenol. I figured the extra iron pills are constipating enough without throwing in the codine which also causes constipation. Taking tomorrow off too. My blood preassure is still very low and my hemog. will be for several weeks. Glad to hear you like the scale these days---is this a new gentleman friend your going out with?? My husband has his 40th class reunion in May--so maybe thats what I'll set my goal weight loss for. I should be able to take off quite a bit in that amount of time--especially if I toe the line to make it easier for him to stick to his new diet. 6 months--5 pounds a month--that's do-able!
Chris--how are you feeling?? Brooks will get his schedule down soon. Do you have family support close by??? If not--maybe you can hire a sitter for an hour or two a day until you get your work/baby schedule working out to both of your satisfactions--
Gonna run--or walk SLOW! Hubby is due home and I haven't even made the bed up--no sense when I was in it most of the day!
10 pounds to go-----
Jo
Chris

Hi to you guys I just read some of your threads I sure would like to lose 10 lbs by Christmas Grandma3 I have been a yo-yo dieting all my life up and down I am sorry to hear your husbby was diagnoised with diabetes.....well I have 2 sons with diabetes one was only 6 years old and the other was about 12 years and now my Hubby has just found out he too has it but not on insulin yet just diet and boy it isnt easy .So you really have to watch the food in take and excerise so it is good you are going to see a dietian if you have any ???? feel free to ask if I can be any help to you Jean

Jean--thanks for the response. We are seeing a diaician today. So far he's feeling pretty good. He is having vision problems that have him very concerned. We are going to a optomoligist as soon as we can. Once he gets his monitor it should help also--we are playing it by ear right now. His doctor is on vacation and won't be back until te 11th. Hopefully he will get the prescriptions today for the monitor and testing strips. Right now he is on Amaryl. We did test him at the pharmacy the other night--1 hour after eating and he was as 130--not great but better than the 362 at diagnoisis.
Kermie--I'll post later to you. We/re about ready to head out the door. I am feeling better today--still light headed when I stand to quickly--but that is to be expected.
Jo

Dear Chris, Jo and Grandma! Glad to see a new face in here! Welcome Jean....

Jo: You're doing good girl, resting and staying low....and relaxing...you will surely be ready for hubby's reunion in spring....and

Chris: My daughter won't allow her baby to cry, I think that's bad, she thinks it upsets the dog, the cat and her husband (but I'm sure it's hereself it upsets the most), baby's need to cry, it's good for their lungs or something (and gives everyone else a headache), but if they can't talk or bark or meow...they have to do something...am I scewed on this one?

I'm still "on program" had lunch out today, had my salad and NO homemade hot breadsticks...I did well...pat - pat.....

Be good, and we'll all be 10 lbs. lighter by Xmas...I find my 20 mins. on the treadmill just flies past now.

Kermie.

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Hi again Kermie just notice you are Canadaian too eh I am in Sault Ste Marie Ontario Hope every one is having a good day I am trying hard to stick to eating right I was down to 174 this summer and now I am 179 not good but going to keep that 10lbs gone by Christmas Jean

Hi Kermie & Jean--dang--had a post started to you both and I think I lost it--went back to check on something and it wasn't here when I returned--Kermie--loved the shower post--SOOOOO TRUE!!! Jean-glad to see your sticking with us. We love to hear from new people--let us know a little about yourself--I know you have 2 sons and a hubby--how old now--if your a grandma--they must not still be 6 and 12
I have 3 adult children 35, 33 and 29. My oldest daughter is married with 4 children--so I'm really grandma4 now but never changed it--- I live in Minnesota--just north of the twin cities. Work in Human Services with handicapped adults. My husband is semi-retired--works 2 days a week. Empty nesters these days in a new home we built last year. Enough info about me
Kermie--I am laying low. Worked all day yesterday and came home exhausted--in bed by 7 pm. Hubby and son are hunting this weekend--so I only have to worry about me. Planning on a little early Christmas shopping this afternoon but I will take it easy--and not over do. The good news is DOWN 2 POUNDS THIS MORNING!! Just hope it doesn't take surgery for the next 2 pounds
Heard from Lynne this morning---she hopes to re-join us soon. Is having sporatic computer problems still--Said she is doing ok. and misses us all. She is up for the Christmas challenge. Hope to see a post soon.
I agree with you Kemie on the crying thing--but your daughter will have to learn on her own---or have a very spoiled baby!
Chris--how are you and your little guy??? Haven't heard from you lately.
Gonna run---or walk slowly---maybe there are two post from me today--not sure where the other one went.
Jo

Hello again well I have 4 grand kids One is 23 today and one 19 the other two are 10 and 7 .Well I had three boys oldest 44 and 2nd one was 39 when he passed away then the youngest is 36 . One lives about 7 hr.drive and the other is about 3 hrs away so I dont see them as much as I would like .I have been dieting all my life up and down .But now I think I am going to do ok just have to put my mine to it I like to walk and I have a excerise bike and Leslie Sansone walking tapes so no excuses for me I am 62 years young and weigh 178 lbs so hoping by Christmas I will be 168 ...... well thats it for now Jean

Hello strangers!

Firstly, THANK YOU all for your thoughts and kindness in remembering me. I had tears in my eyes tonight from reading that you hadn't forgotten and wanted to know how I am - it makes me a little less lonely!!!!

Secondly, I've had to change my name cos I couldn't remember my password, and then they gave me a new username, but the activation wouldn't work, so I had to completely re-register! But that's cool, cos it's kinda appropriate to be starting new.....

Although it's only been a few months, it feels like a lifetime ago since I talked to you all. My life before Marc's death is such a blur, and pretty much everything since then has been too. But I'm attempting to function, mainly cos everyone expects me to - I've got children, I'm not allowed to crawl into a corner and mourn for months! Pity...

Life is slowly taking shape again. I've gone back to work, which was hard. I got a call from a recruitment agency that I was listed with, asking if I was interested in a part time job they had. They knew I wasn't really looking at the moment - I wasn't going to consider work until next year - but they said the job would be perfect for me. It was really hard to say yes. I get panic attacks every time I try to do anything that takes me out of my little cocoon of safety at home with the kids and my family. But I'm so glad I did. I started 2 weeks ago, am doing 15 hours a week, and really enjoying it. I really thought my brain was too mushy to be much help to anyone, but it's actually got the old wheels turning again, and I'm finding I haven't lost my touch.

I signed up for a gym membership just before Marc died, and I started back again a couple of months ago, and discovered they're offering a deal at the moment where you can have a personal trainer who helps you with your diet and exercise for a 12 week period. I have always wanted to do that (oh the envy of people like Oprah!), but because I inherited some money from Marc, I was able to afford it. I've been doing it now for 5 weeks. I haven't got very far with weight loss, but it has certainly helped me get back on track with food awareness and regular exercise. The last couple of weeks have been hard, cos of starting my new job and being really emotional and stressed, but coming out of that adjustment and trying to find my feet again.

I hate the fact that the sadness won't leave me, and it creeps up on me at unexpected times, like hearing a song in the car that gets me crying again. People find it so hard to deal with, they either pretend they don't notice, or immediately start suggesting counselling. It's a very lonely time, and I'm trying to deal with it as best I can cos people expect me to, but sometimes it really pisses me off.

Although it's not good how it happened, Marc's dying has lifted the awful financial burden off my shoulders. I'm now completely debt free, have a car, and my house and gardens are actually looking really nice. I was able to pay for a gardener to come in and get everything tidied up, and get a few bits and pieces for the house so it doesn't look so much like a garage sale!

I still have to pinch myself, cos it all feels like some really bizarre dream where really good stuff and really awful stuff has happened, but now I'm getting adjusted to the fact that the dream won't end, and this is my life now. I hate being a widow at 34. It doesn't seem right.

The kids are doing ok. Josh is coping a lot better now - oh the joy of being a resilient kid! - we are able to talk about Marc and our memories without him feeling he has to blame himself for what happened. Becky is now 20 months, very little, very cute and certainly knows her own mind - 3 very independant, stubborn people in our little family! It makes me sad that Marc is missing out on all of this.

Anyway.. now to you guys...

I'm really really really really happy to see you all here still - I think that's SO cool!

Chris, congratulations on your little man. I wish I'd been around to talk about your pregnancy and upcoming birth. I had caesars with both mine - Josh was breech too - and I know how hard it is to deal with being a first-time mum when you're recovering from an op! Sounds like you're coping really well! Josh went on bottle when he was 7 months, cos we were having so much trouble with the b/feeding, and Becky only lasted 2 months. My opinion - formula these days is so close to the real thing that if that is what makes mum and baby happy - GO FOR IT!! I agree that formula fed babies seem to be a lot more content, cos if the milk supply is slow, baby can get distressed and unsatisfied. Mind you, Josh got TOO much milk and ended up with chronic wind.
I really wouldn't be stressing too much about not losing weight - it's only early days! Be kind to yourself and your body - you've been through a rough time and you need to look after yourself. Don't push yourself too hard, otherwise you might burn out when baby starts having growth spurts and waking you 2 - 3 times during the night!
Watch out with the dummy!!!! With Josh, he wasn't interested, and took to the thumb right away. Which was great, cos he slept so well, and has kept him happy the last few years - admittedly he's only just stopped, but he was only doing it at night, so that didn't bother me. I didn't realise how lucky I was - Becky was given a dummy after birth to help her settle, and it started a pain in the bum time of it right up until she was about 1 1/2 - she'd keep losing it during the night, and there would Marc or I be some god-awful time in the night, crawling around under the cot trying to find the darned thing!!!!! It wasn't until she was 1 1/2 that I got fed up and attached the dummy with a small piece of ribbon to a small dummy clip to her pj's that I actually started getting a full night's sleep! Obviously you've got to be careful that the ribbon is short to prevent choking, but she could actually find it herself and resettle. But my god the dramas we go through if I won't give it to her (she's only allowed to have it at sleep times). I'd love to be able to toss it in the bin, but I know I wouldn't get a moments rest if I did!!!

Jo, what is a D & C? Sounds awful, whatever it was, and I hope you're now ok. Sounds like you're having a rough time of it in general. Sorry to hear you so down - you're always such a motivated optomistic person! Still busy with your groups too. Hopefully you'll have a quick recovery and will be able to absorb all our renewed motivation to get you moving!
Sorry to hear hubby is having a rough time as well - you 2 must make a right pair! Good luck with your appointments.

I really need to get myself a treadmill or something. It's so hard to get the walks in - it's supposed to be spring here, but it's been raining all week!

Kermie, lovely to see you in here too. What's this dinner you're going to? And who's the man?! You sound like you're doing really well - I think we all need to take a leaf from your book! I totally agree with what you said about babies - you can't creep about and not make noise and freak out the moment they cry. You have to try and have as normal a lifestyle as possible, and don't fly off the handle the minute they make a squeak, otherwise you'd go crazy! It was really funny when Becky was born, cos I was pretty casual about it all, whereas Marc was the frantic first time parent, and he kept saying he was glad that at least one of use knew what we were doing! ha ha

Jean, welcome to the group - hope we can help you gain your goals!

Ok, hope I've got everyone up to date. I feel like I have to get to know you all over again....

I'm really glad to be back. It's nice to talk to people who are in the same boat as me - I'd forgotten how much I appreciate it!

Here's where I'm at:

I'm 113 kilos, which is 248.6 pounds
I'm 34, 170cm tall (luckily I am, helps carry the weight!)
I want to get down to about 75 kilos (165 pounds), so I've got 38 kilos to lose (83.6 pounds)
It's a lot to lose, but one thing I am finally learning is PATIENCE. I have finally accepted that this weight will not come off quickly, but each kilo I lose brings me just that one tiny step closer to my goal. I am learning to accept that it is not easy, changing a lifetime of bad habits, but I am reintroducing myself to regular exercise and healthy eating that I used to have as a child/ teenager. For example, I'd forgotten how much I love almonds (not too many tho'!) And I've discovered dates. I've started keeping multiple bottles of water in the fridge so I can just grab a new one out without thinking. I've reconciled myself to the fact that white bread is JUST NOT GOOD FOR ME! I've bought a Crock Pot so I can make meals for when I get home from work, so I don't grab crap because I'm too tired to cook. I've taken to carrying a "snack bag" in the car everywhere, which has meusli bars, boxes of dried friut etc, so that I won't buy chocolate. And the list goes on!
At the gym I am actually improving - my trainer, Kerrie, got me to go up and down 3 flights of stairs 4 TIMES last week! The fact that I was almost crawling by the end is beside the point! ha ha

Definitely up for the challenge - I'm sure my trainer will love to see the scales move when I have my next weigh in! Maybe we should do what we used to do, where we have a weekly focus. Would I be right in saying that EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE is the one?! Should we make a promise to exercise at least 4 times over the next week, and then compare notes at the end of the week? Make Sunday's our catch up and compare time? Then Monday can be the first day of the next week in our challenge. How does that sound to you all?

I'd better sign off - sorry this has been so long - bit of catching up to do!!!

Missed ya, love ya, will be back real soon!!!

Lynne