Hi all,

Skinny, I'm glad that your sons meeting went well. Someone in my family had similar issues. One thing that really helped him recover was yoga - he's an addict and it has had a great effect on his life.

Marie, sorry to hear about your mother. Good for you sticking to the plan somewhat and having a reasonable goal. It's hard supporting aging parents especially when they are ill. I'll be thinking about you. I wish you well.

Thanks for the encouraging words Skinny. I've started getting a lot of questions, comments at work about my weight. The best encouragement of all though is this site because people here really understand what's important to us. We want to be healthy. We want to feel good. We don't want to be judged for our weight whether we're thin or heavy, we want to be judged for who we are. We have probably all felt the prejudice and pain that goes with being overweight. In many ways it has probably helped to make us more sensitive, caring people. We're on a journey and we're finding strength with each other.

Thanks a million!

Good morning, ladies
 

Hope everyone is having a good day. I have my cappucino and Toby Mac in the cd player so I'm good to go! :D

Marie-how are things going w/your parents and your eating habits? We're thinking of you. You've set reasonable goals for yourself while at your parents so I have no doubt you'll be fine! Check in when you can. :) We're here for you. :grouphug:

TOF-I once heard someone say (about me) she's really cute; too bad she's so fat! OUCH! Whether people would ever admit it or not, we're quick to make judgment on first apprearances sometimes. I know I've done it in my past. Sometimes, there's a part of me that thinks-you know-you don't deserve to know how intelligent, kind, patient and compassionate I am b/c I've always been that way-slim or overweight. B/c you judged me while I was overweight-I don't think I want to know you. But, that would put me on their level and I'm trying to be better than that! :D Anyway, I do indentify w/those feelings you were talking about. I try to always keep my eyes open so I don't do the same thing. It might be for different reasons, not b/c someone is overweight, but it's easy to slip into the judge's seat!

Reds-missing you, girl. Ck in when you can! We're thinking of you. :grouphug:

Ladies, I'm feeling a little sad today. I found out yesterday that one of our senior saints at my church has inoperable pancreatic cancer and has been given 1-3 months to live. Everyone calls him the "candy man". He always gives out the bulletins and has a basket of candy as well. We will miss him.Then this morning, I got an e-mail from my brother that a senior saint at the church I used to go to passed away. I know he's in no more pain but it's said to see our senior saints go. They have so much to offer. Anyway, just feeling a little sad this morning.

Exercised 45 mins. yesterday at the Y. Walked for 25 minutes early, early this morning. Making good food choices so feeling good about everything. Have a great day. Be kind to yourself!

Hi Skinny, I'm sorry about the elder at your church. It is sad to see people get sick and go particularly those who have touched us in a significant and special way. I've never listened to Toby Mac, but I will. Music is a wonderful replacement for food - it can really fill the soul. Last week I just sat in my living room with a seltzer and listened to a singer (I can't remember her name right now but you'd know her) and it just filled me up. It's interesting how eating better has given me a more patient perspective on life. I'm noticing so many things about my thoughts and behavior. For example tonight my husband mentioned that he saw an old picture of me and boy was "I big." My immediate reaction was to want to eat and drop the diet - funny that a feeling like that should emerge. I have more patience though so I thought through it - for some reason when people mention my "fat self" I want to dive back into the food and deny some kind of feeling. I'll have to analyze that further. I didn't eat, I've stuck to the plan today. I'm planning on going to the gym early tomorrow morning. Like you, I feel a great deal of peace today. Thanks for checking in so often.

Reds, I think of you too. I hope you are well. I miss you.

Marie, good luck. I continue to think of you and hope you are well.

Hi it's me again. I MADE IT TO THE GYM FINALLY!!! I did a 30 minute workout and weighed myself. I'm down six more lbs so I'm at the halfway mark to my goal. Thanks, thanks, thanks for all your support. I hope I can be there for you. Now I'm going to write in my journal to center myself for the next leg of this incredibly challenging and rewarding journey.

sw 210 cw 180 gw 150

Hi Chickies,

Just a quick note to thank you for all of good wishes. This places is a sanctuary. I love being here. Diet wise, I'm doing okay. Exercise wise, I'm doing so so. Today should be better because my mom is home from the hospital and when she's napping, I'm going to exercise.

She is doing really good. The operation was successful and she is out of pain (except at the incision). I don't recall if I told you all that she had back surgery. She had a bunch of chips from an extruded disk poking at a nerve tha ran down her leg. So that she is out of pain is fabulous news.

Being at my parents house has taught me where I get such stupid ideas about food. It is the focus point of their lives and I now know that was passed down to me. I just thought that I was strange because I liked food so much. Not quite the case. I inherited it.

Talk with you all later. Again, thanks for the good wishes. My mother and I both appreciate it. Yes, I've told her all about you guys.
Marie

Congratulation, TOF. Six pounds is FABULOUS!!!!!!

Good Morning Marie. You have such a great attitude. I can imagine you home with your parents. You are so loving. I can tell by your responses. Your parents are lucky to have you. Thanks for the support too. I'm thinking a lot about attitude as I move into the next phase of this diet. Take care.

p.s. By the look of your stats and Skinny's we should all be on this journey for about the same amount of time until we hit our goals.

Hi all. Just checking in to say good morning. I hope everyone is doing well.

Good morning, ladies
 

Just checking in. Things here, diet/exercise wise, are well. I took yesterday off from exercise but walked for 30 minutes this morning and will go to the Y tonight. I've had to adjust my exercise routine since Justin has been staying w/us. I usually exercise in the morning in the living room. But, as he's sleeping on the sleeper-sofa, I've started just walking in the morning instead. At least I didn't use him being in the living as an excuse to skip exercise all together! :D That's what I would have done before! I'm staying on my eating plan although it was a difficult, emotional weekend. I'll share before signing off.

TOF- :cp: congrats on the weight loss and making it to the gym! :dancer: It sounds like sticking to your eating program, even though you haven't been able to go to the gym as often, has really paid off! Way to go! Any time to analyze your thoughts about your "fat self?" For me, I think it's fear. I'm so afraid of going back to where I was that it scares me and what did I used to do when I was scared (or happy or sad or mad....) I ate. So just continue to be kind to yourself. You did good by stopping and thinking about what was going on w/your emotions. It's always good to stop and take a few deep breaths in times like that. Proud of you!

Marie-So glad to hear your mother is doing well. I have a friend who has dealt with similar back pain and I know it can be excruciating. Glad she's doing so much better. Also glad to hear your diet is going well and it sounds like you have a good plan for exercise. Way to hang in there! :) I understood completely what you mean about getting your food ideas from your parents. I know that's why I overate as much as I did. I was taught to turn to food. The good thing is that we recognize it and we're trying not to repeat the pattern. It does help explain a lot about ourselves, doesn't it?

Ladies, if I could have gotten ahold of some chocolate on Friday (11/5) I would have eaten my weight in it. Got a t/c from my DH around 3:00. He had been going to work early all week so he could take a late lunch on Fri. and go to the chiropractor. This was approved by his supervisor. When he got back to work on Friday, they told him they were going to have to let him go. Said they didn't think he could keep pace w/the orders when business picked up in the spring. We were totally flabbergasted! This is the same company that gave him a $1.00 an hour raise three weeks ago! Of course, this is attacking DH sense of self-worth. His super told him that it wasn't his decision, it was the owner's decision. The super also told him that the company has had eight, count them, eight, different people in that position in the past two years. So sounds to me like there are some kind of internal problems there, Anyway, men's identity are very closely tied to their jobs and their ability to provide for their family. I don't how many praying people we have here but if you are a praying person, please remember my DH and my family. He already has a couple leads so I'm just going to trust that God will provide. After all, God is our provider, isn't He?
And a dear friend of mine passed away this weekend. He's been sick, brain tumors and heart problems, for a very long time but it's still hard to say good-bye. Plus, we sent off one of our church members to Iraq yesterday. Lots of heavy stuff but this weekend wasn't all bad! Saturday I spent the day w/my best friend. We went to her mother's in TN and got our hair cut and colored. Also, stepped on the scales yesterday and was down two pounds! Woo-hoo! Oh and our son got a job! So, counting my blessings anyway!! :)

Hi all. Skinny, I'm sorry to hear about your DH. That happened to my DH last year so I know what it's like and you're right about men's self esteem. Like you, we tried to look at the sunny side of the situation - he had more time with the boys, I got to work harder and achieve some professional pursuits and our house was more organized with someone at home every day. There were trying times too when a job offer didn't pan out and when he'd get discouraged or I'd get tired of him getting discouraged. Anyways, after some time he got a new job with new opportunity and it's worked out well for all of us. If anyone can support your DH it will be you. I can tell that you have a gift for that. You are wise and loving. I hope you will feel free to vent on this site as this situation plays itself out. I'm sorry about the loss of your friend and church member too - what an emotional weekend for you! And still you can count your blessings. I think of your strength often as I've come to know it through this thread.

Congrats on the 2lbs - that's awesome. You are doing great with this diet. I know what you mean about the fact that you would of turned to chocolate before and now you turn to something else for support. Well, got to go as the boys are asking "when are we going to have dinner?" I had mine early - a healthy stir fry and smoothie. Take care.

TOF-thanks for your words of encouragement. I know things will work out. I just have to let God do whatever he's going to do and not try to help him! :D

Oh, today is our anniversary and I got a nice "bouquet" of balloons delivered to me today. We're going out for dinner tonight as well. Looking forward to just being w/him. Fixed crock pot chicken and stuffing for the kids so we can go out w/no worries. I also have plans for my DH later tonight but probably better not post them on a public board! hee, hee. :D

I'm so grateful for this site to unload when needed. It's part of the reason I didn't turn to food to feel better this weekend. I knew I could come here and get encouragement and advise.

Gotta run-going to the Y before dinner w/DH. Again, thanks for your support and encouragement! It means a great deal to me.

Good morning, all! Hope you're having a great health day! Things here are good. Walked for 30 minutes this morning w/my oldest DD. Enjoyed having a little one on one w/her. Eating is going well today. I'm munching on a granola bar as I am a little snack hungry. Cheerios doesn't stick to my ribs like oatmeal! :)

Had a wonderful evening w/DH last night. Got home and there was a nice mixed bouquet waiting for me! We ate mexican food last night-which I haven't done in a looonnngg time and it was wonderful. We had to go later in the evening as DH had a meeting last night and we were the only ones there. Nice. I ate what I wanted, including dessert, but don't feel that I blew it-neither does my accountability partner and that was the real test.

Marie-hope your mom is continuing to recuperate rapidly. How's it going for ya?

TOF-let me know how life is treating you. How many more weeks of class do you have?

Reds-miss you! Ck in soon!

Well, gotta run. Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Hi Skinny, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the evening. It sounded like a good time. I've allowed myself to eat whatever I want on a number of special occassions since August and didn't find any real problem on the scale since I got right back on track afterwards and didn't go crazy by binging and eating too much. I'm sure that's what you'll experience. It's so great to celebrate special occassions.

The course is like a heavy weight on my back - it's putting everyone around me in a spin. There's only five classes left and I figure three really tough weekend days of studying. I'm going to try to knock off two this weekend. I better alert the family. Then I'll only have one more big day near the end of the course to study for the final. I must admit this is the hardest course I've ever taken - the amount of work is incredible! I have learned a lot at least and the information has already started infiltrating to my classroom and students so that's the upside of the whole thing. Thanks for asking.

Fairly good eating day today. I'm looking forward to having Thursday off and then a short week Thanksgiving week, that should take a bit of the pressure off. I'm not having Thanksgiving this year so that's a real treat. We're going to celebrate in Connecticut.

Keep in touch.

Good morning
 

Hope everyone is having a good day. Things here are good. A little office tension but that's to be expected every now and then.

Walked for 35 minutes this morning. Won't get to the Y tonight b/c church responsibilities but will make it there tomorrow. Good eating days this week. No chocolate sightings! :D

TOF-I'm glad that, even dispite your class being a hardship, you are learning a lot. Your family sounds like troopers and I'm sure everyone will be okay! Only a few weeks left! YEAH! Hang in there. Enjoy your time off in a couple weeks and have a great trip. Be sure to let us know how it goes.

We will probably be traveling to my sisters in Wilmore, KY for Thanksgiving. She and I will cook dinner together so I'm looking forward to that.

Marie and Reds-I know you guys are probably busy but I MISS YOU!! Ck in w/us soon. Hope to hear from you soon! :crossed:

Hi Skinny, I agree I miss Reds and Marie too. Reds, you have such a wonderful spirit. I hope you'll check in soon and let us know how you and your little boys are doing. Marie I hope all is well with your family.

Office tension for me today too - maybe it's that time of year? Like you though, nothing too heavy. Cooking with your sister sounds nice. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Are you buying a new outfit for the event. I'm planning to go shopping the weekend before and treat myself to a nice casual outfit. Most of my clothes are too big now - I love it!

Thanks for the support. I don't remember the last time I felt this squished and overworked in my life. This may be the most busy I've ever been. I think what makes it worse is that my mind is elsewhere. Where I really want to be is with my boys, working around my house, doing my classroom work, thinking about life, spirituality, enjoying music and living. I guess I've just taken too many ed courses in the past couple of years and I'm tired of all the theory, etc. I just want to practice for a while and live the rest of my life. Interesting how we move through different stages and interests in our lives.

I can't complain though - the big things of life are in place right now including health, family and the basic needs. When I feel like this it feels like God tugging at me to recognize a change that's necessary. When I think of it that way I like it because I know I'm being moved to a better place of being, one where I can be more loving, peaceful and good. I like that idea.

Thanks for listening to me go on and on. I needed to "talk" today. In the old days I would have eaten when I felt like this.