Yea Kandice!
 

Yes, I understand about the struggle with relatives/friends being understanding. As far as explanations....I think you explained it very well in your message! Sound like all good reasons to me! Mostly I get "growls" from people who need to lose weight, but haven't the muster to do it. It's like I am making then feel weak about their problem when I am strong and doing something about mine. As we all know...we can't make someone face up to their problem, whatever the addiction may be (ours just happens to be food!). They have to find it in themselves on their own to make a lifelong change, THEN we can influence them by being supportive, etc. We ALL here had to dig deep within ourself and do that. My sister, for the first time in her life, weighs more than me. I know it bothers her to be around me when I am in "diet mode" because she hasn't found it in herself to do anything about her problem. I can't get her to that point either. BUT I can't feel guilty for her either. I have to take care of me. If what I am doing, being strong and taking care of my health, inspires her, then that is all I can hope for and I have to just focus on myself. Whew, glad I got that off my chest!

Have a great day, everyone.
Sweetpea :^:

I was wondering...
 

Dena, Could you tell us more about the body flex video. Although I am walking and strength training, my main focus on the physical part of my plan is to increase my flexibilty and balance. At 43, I see those things really becoming a problem. Activities that require a lot of balance, such as skating, skiiing, kayaking....all of which I used to be pretty good at... I have noticed I am having trouble with them. Plus, my posture is getting bad, especially when I am tired, and my flexibilty has diminished. Pilates seems to focus on strengthening the innor core by contracting muscles. I guess I am looking for something to stretch them. Any hints from the rest of the gang??

Thanks!
Sweetpea :^:

sweetpea- it was in the christmas challenge that I was talking about my stepmom- she tried everything and always loses and then gain all + back. She hadn't been supportive and was comparing my success to her history. Dreaded seeing her at Christmas and her making a comment or not accepting my loss (buying me "fat clothes" still). You said it exactly right! I wish my stepmom would see what I'm doing and inspire her- I've even brought "home" a guestpass from Curves and asked her to go, but she was "too busy". 30 minutes out of your life a day (2% of your day!)- you at least owe it to yourself. But I can't make her see it- she's gotta want it.

sweetpea- are you near lima, oh? they had a picture on the front page of our paper today about the ice storm. all the trees hanging down with ice. I was in Maine in 1998 during our ice storm up there. 11 days without power and the HS turned into the the Red Cross shelter- showering with strangers, was not fun.

Good afternoon to all of you.

Dollar and Sweetpea, thanks for the feedback on the water/tea issue. I appreciate it.

Kandice, I’m glad things went relatively (pun intended) well with your stepmother during your visit. I’ve been wondering how things turned out and was hoping you’d mention it. I think it says a lot that she fixed you eggs without asking. If she were in full sabotage mode, she would have made a big deal about it.

Regarding relatives and friends and negative vibes about our weight loss, there was an interesting article on weight loss in Parade Magazine last Sunday. Did anyone else read it? The gist of it was that losing weight has as much to do with the brain, as it does with the stomach. It talked a lot about the importance of positive affirmations and positive images in attaining and maintaining weight loss. For example, visualizing one’s self as a thin person and saying things like, “I am in control of my eating” can improve the outcome of a weight loss program.

I’m giving it a try. I’ve created an image in my mind of how I will look in a pair of jeans when I’ve reached my goal weight. I’ve also started saying little positive mantras throughout the day. I figure it can’t hurt, and it just might help. ;)

Thinking good thoughts,
Florafae

Wow, is this place jumping. I love it! Everyone is so motivated. Cheers for us!!

Yesterday I walked for an hour and did my Body Flex tape. I drank my 10 glasses of water and ate right, too. I'm so happy I'm doing the right things.

Sweet Pea, you asked about my Body Flex tape. It's a combination of breathing while tightening your muscles. It's great for the circulation, breathing, strenthening muscles, flexibility and stamina. I know it works because I did it religiously for a year, and I lost many inches. And it only takes 15-20 minutes. But somehow life got in the way, and I stopped, and I when I started up again a few days ago, I was surprised to see how pathetic I am these days. My flexibility and stamina really need help. What an eye opener! By the way, SP, I like looking at old movies, too. I love looking at the costumes and decor. Of couse, I just love movies in general. And before I finally got cable, I went to the library for my videos, too. :D

Kandice, I'm glad your step-mother is trying. I can relate to your situation. My mother tries to sabbatage my success with lots of temptations and then watches every thing I do. She doesn't try to make things easier, always harder, and somehow gets satisfaction when I fail. No compliments when I look good, but lots of comments when I gain. (She has lost weight with my help, so you'd think she'd be understanding, but my hubby thinks she doesn't want me to succeed.) Just thinking about the situation is very irritating. I can't seem to win either way. I just hsve to believe I can do this! With God's help and the support of our little group, I will reach my goal!

Flora, I like the idea of visualization. I definitely know that I dress and act differently when I'm looking good. I'm a lot more outgoing and fun, too.

dollar, you're doing a great job. Keep up the great work! It's snowing here fabulous in Las Vegas, too. What a crazy winter. It hardly ever snows here.

Cole, I think it's great that you are joining a gym. I know I do better at a gym. It's good to have a regular schedule and routine. And you get tons of motivation from watching all the other people work out.

Like I said, it's snowing here today, so I'm freezing. Not used to this cold weather. Can't wait for Spring. Hope to be looking great in my new shorts!

Have a great day, everyone!
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

Bonnie,
Great to see you back! :) I'm glad your trip went well. Sounds like you had a great time, and that what life is all about. Sorry about your sister's pain. But congrats to you for your wonderful Christmas present!
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

night-night
 

Hi Gang
Just time for a "quicky". ;) I've had a good weekend. Still struggling to get my butt moving in the morning and motivated to work out. I seem to be really run down until late morning....ach-y even. By that time, my exercise "window" has passed and I am full-swing into my day. I'm thinking I may still be adjusting to the change in diet and my body is reacting (or retaliating!) Late this afternoon, I went for an hour walk and was happy to go and it felt very good. Sooooo, my goal this week is to really work on getting my workout done early.

**Dena...thanks for the info in the stretching tape...I will definitely check it out. I think something like that would help "loosen" me up in the morning so I can move on into a work out.

**Bonnie...yes, my mother had knee replacement two years ago and it was over a year before she was "painfree", although she still complains sometimes that it "bothers" her. She is 72. Still, it is not as bothersome as the pain she had BEFORE the replacement. And I do know several of her friends who have an knees, hips, shoulders replaced and have no complaints.

**Flora...what a good idea..."mind over matter", so to speak. Can you share with us some of your mantras??

**Kandice....no, I am south of Columbus. But we now are having terrible flooding....in JANUARY!!!! School busses can't run and roads...heck, major highways, are closed everywhere. I think EVERY place in the USA is experiencing UNUSUAL January weather.

** Dollar?? Cole??? You still there?

Hi all, hmmmm...flooding, doesn't sound like fun. Seen it, but never experienced it. But we do have a ton of snow, which is great, it feels like winter. But it's also bitterly cold which sucks (-30's, celcius). I guess I could say that it makes it feel like winter as well.
Okay, a gallon of fluid a day WOW. A few questions about that, are you on the can all day, how about at night. Do you make sure you drink all your fluids before a certain time so that you're not peeing all night? How about weigh day. How do you make sure that your'e not up 2 pounds because you jsut drank a liter of milk? :?: Just wondering. I think (or rather, know) that I often eat when I'm actually thirsty, maybe I should try what you do.
Okay Kandice, in that picture, you were in the white sweater? Okay the girl in the pic looks fantastic and doesn't need to lose any weight??? I'm a little confused:?:
Tomorrow is my weigh day, I exercised well and ate like a pig. :o I think it will show up. I've kept up with my exercise though, and I feel good about that.
Well, goodnight all

okay, just finished biking. That's 9 days in a row of 1 hour of biking each day. And my situps, still doing well with those. Today was the first day since my New YEar's resolutions that I actually ate well :spin: starting is the hardest part, and now I've started. My fourth resolution was to drink more and really ahve to work harder on that.
well, it's after midnight and I'm tired, goodnight
diana

Dew Can- Congrats on the biking! That's something I wish I could/ would do. I know alot of people set it for a goal when they lose weight to run the marathon or bike or something but I would too. I don't remember the last time I biked though. I was young. (when I was 8-9-10 years old, somewhere around there, the neighborhood boys said, "I didn't know Shamoo knew how to ride a bike" :cry: )
and :lol: to your other post- about not needing to lose weight. thanks. My upper body has always been fine- I've been happy with it- My arms when I started exercising/ dieting were only 12.5 inches anyways and my waist was only 33 inches and My calves. I like my calves too- so knees down and waist up. what you can't see is the bum and thighs in that picture. They've come down a lot though. (lost 8.5 inches on each thigh)

I've going to Curves tonight (we're celebrating a birthday at work at lunch time so no curves lunch time :( ) I'll weigh in tonight too.

Movie review- we rented The Butterfly effect this weekend- it's been out for a while now but we hadn't rented movies in a long time. It was weird but GOOD! recommend it. and then I rented the terminal with tom hanks- it was cute. Chris didn't care for it though.

Have a great day everyone!

Measurement/Weigh in Day
 

Hey, hey, hey~~it's weigh in day!

It's January 10. Ten days into the New Year. How are we doing so far this year? Are we sticking to our weightloss plans?

I'm happy to report that I have lost 4 1/2 inches. 3 1/2 inches in my waist, 1/2 inch around my bust and 1/2 around my thighs.

I'm proud to say that I've been eating right (around 1300 cals with no starchy/processed foods, exercise and 8-10 glasses of water. :)

OK, who's next?
(Hugs),
Dena :cool:

Dena, That's terrific! way to go! :cheer:

I'll post mine after 6 pm. My newest "worry" is that I'm not going to be able to stop losing weight when I reach goal. I didn't do very well this weekend, not nearly as much water as I should have, lots of fried foods, little debbie snack cakes invaded my house (Chris stopped at the discount bread store Friday evening) and no exercise since Friday afternoon, all that and I still was down 2 lbs this AM on the bathroom scale. Maybe it'll (the weight consequence) show up- I can't keep eating like that!

Kandice,
Thank you, thank you very much! (Said in an Elvis style. Las Vegas, land of Elvis impersonators). :lol:

Good luck to you tonight!
Hugs,
Dena :cool: