Kat: I know what you mean. It's the fact I let something get to me that is unimportant that "gets" me too. Maybe you think the situation is childish but it always helps to talk to friends. :)

Glad you made it to the gym.

WHAT do you mean where am I??? At 4AM I am sleeping!!!!!

Andria: You sound psyched and happy with your week going so well.

Barb: :dance: Happy to see you post. I know my life is so much better when stay positive and peaceful. The question is "WHY" do I slack off???? But then like everything else staying peaceful and positive takes work too. ;) I loved That's what we are here for!!! :yes:

Kiteen: My plan is to exercise a lot. I have heard from others that that is what works the best. Well, other than surgery.


Hmmm my timeline:
High School - Don't really know. We never owned a scale :D
I weighed 130 to 135 until 7 years ago. But, I wasn't all that happy during that time - just treking through life. I guess I am, at my age now, trying to have a happy, fulfilling life - once again WORK!!!!

I guess that last paragraph shoots down the theory that I will be fulfilled and happy when I lose weight!!!!

Tony: While having the fulfilling, happy life thought I realized I have many people of many religions that pray for me. So, I was wondering if a Buddhist prayer might be just what I need?

I desire a right & perfect mate (male); wealthy; supportive; understanding; loving; romantic. Oh, and he worships ME!!! :lol3: Oops forgot sexy - I may have to keep adding things to the list but you get the idea. The reason I want this is because I have failed at it in this lifetime and don't want to leave this earth until I get it right. NOT just because I want a wealthy man so I can quit my job and travel to New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Utah, and the state where you live that I forgot. :sorry:

Okay, it's late and I haven't done a darn thing yet.

Thursday I weigh in and from there on it it's exercise, exercise, exercise, exercise, exercise, exercise, exercise!!!! You will help me, right. :^:

Hey everyone :)

Things are just nuts in my area. My house and about everyone I know here is safe tonight, but the flooding has become much worse. People are sandbagging as fast and hard as they can, but homes are still being washed away. I haven't heard reports of anyone dying, and we'll just hope things stay that way. There was a landslide up in the park (we live 20 minutes outside Zion National Park), lots of roads are closed, bridges have been washed out and at least one dam is looking like it might not hold.

I still haven't been able to sit down long enough to rewrite that other post. I have a big family, and they all keep calling here to check on my dad's house since it is just down the street and within about 60 yards of where the river is running right now.

I think I've talked to all of them for now, so I'm going to take a break and go make dinner. Take care!

Andria

Andria: You and yours are in my prayers - keep safe.

Hi all!
I love the idea of a "santuary"! The thread name intrigued me and the posts here sound all too familiar...at least with my own story! I am hoping that this group will fit my need for support. And santuary (I really like that!).

Background info on me: I'm a 46 (almost 47) year old mother of two and 1st grade teacher. My household consists of husband who owns a Little Debbie distributorship (how's that for a weight watcher challange), a 15 year old boy with a learner's permit, a 13 year old boy with a strange sense of humor, a spoiled Springer Spaniel named Hershey, and two equally spoiled classroom pet guinea pigs (who come home with me everyday because I feel sorry for them being left alone at school).

I've lost weight on numerous occassions but have unfortunately gained it back. The timeline concept is an interesting idea. I'll have to see if I can remember back that far...

This year, I've made a promise to myself that I will lose this weight and keep it off. I'm tired of being unhealthy.

Andria, I'm saying a prayer for you and your family. Things sound really scary where you are. I look forward to getting to know each of you and wish you well through out your weight loss journey.

Laura

http://home.ripway.com/2004-11/20371...h20violets.gif


Laura,

After reading your 'background' I definately need to go to bed - it made me tired reading it! :lol:

AND a Little Debbie distributorship - Oh My!! I LOVE those chocolate/wafer/peanut butter ones - I NEVER buy them because I can't resist them!!!

Looking forward to getting to know you. :lucky:

Good morning everyone! :)

I woke up early again! At least it was an hour later than yesterday. :lol: I'm sitting here with some peppermint tea (sweetened with Splenda) and a piece of whole grain wheat toast with FF cream cheese and SF blackberry jam. It is nice and quiet except for the wind howling outside, and quite frankly, this is the best time for me to find Sanctuary. :)

I got my first restaurant review job! I am so nervous, you just don't know. I'm supposed to go eat at this totally swanky restaurant, interview the owners, and write about 800 words on the whole experience. I've only eaten lunch at this spot once, and it was a really terrific experience. To be honest, dinner is way out of my price range there, and my weight loss efforts are just fine with that as well! :lol: I have decided that I will eat and enjoy the dinner, but I have promised myself that I will order responsibly.

I'm also supposed to be turning in one of my opinion editorials today, but I've been waffling on the subject matter. Part of me is angry and wants to write about the evident graft that must have occurred to let people buy and build in what is obviously flood plain. Too many people have lost their homes. My original intent was to write about the contract I made with myself this time last year and how far I have actually come since that time. I wanted to encourage others to follow suit and show that it really can be done. That reminds me. I seriously need to get them to put a new picture of me in with my byline. The current pic was taken at my high weight, and I'm told I barely resemble that person any longer. One serious compliment there!

Laura, Welcome! I'm glad you found us, and we hope to hear a lot more from you. :) I don't think I could survive the Little Debbie's thing. But then, I am not sure I'd survive 1st graders, either! :lol: My oldest daughter is 14 going on 30, and my youngest is 8. :)

Lucky, you know we will be helping you with that exercise the best we can! Did I mention that I have a whole new series of physical therapy exercises that involve the big *** ball? I love that thing! And we'll keep putting energy into the perfect guy for you. :)

Kat, sounds like you really did have a great day! Bravo on the way you traded out your foods and stayed OP. :) I really understand the problems some days of exercising when your knee is acting up. Have you considered asking your doctor for a physical therapy referral? They could give you some specific exercises for strengthening that area and might possibly help you to avoid an injury. PT is spendy, but I can't believe the difference it is making in my recovery.

Kiteen, I've heard of Nutri-Systems, but I haven't ever tried their program. Sounds like you are really happy with it, though! :) As far as extra skin goes, my understanding is that a lot of it is genetic, and the rest appears to be slow and steady weight loss backed up with toning exercises. There are two ladies at the Curves I go to that have lost over 100 lbs. now. Neither of them has any extra skin on their body, and they are so excited! Both of them are later 40's, and they assumed that losing the weight would mean surgery for extra skin removal. I guess we will all have to wait and see. :)

BarbPA, you do realize that Sanctuary was partially your creating, don't you? You had posted elsewhere about the safe, quiet space you had created for yourself, and the idea just naturally grew into this. :) I think that happy place is important for all of us, especially when the outside world seems intent on banging at our door until we answer. You and your DH are in my thoughts and prayers. :)

Fierum, hey you :) (Yes, this is my sweetie!) We don't really reply to each other on here because we talk daily, so no one get weirded out over that! Actually, I love one thing that he does which allows me to be supportive of his weight loss as well, and I wanted to share it with all of you. Several nights a week he calls while he is at the gym. Since I know he is going to be calling from there, it encourages me to get off my duff and get to Curves! Yes, I did go last night. Forgot to tell you. :o

The youngest is up and thinking she wants breaky or something. Silly child! The girls are both home today because school was cancelled countywide. At least the sky is blue this morning and I can't see the river from my house anymore! Thanks for all your prayers, everyone :)

Andria

Another Pound Bites the Dust!
 

Oy, I need two windows open to post; one to keep up with what's going on, and the other to actually write a post in. I guess all that means is that I should post more often, huh ;)

Kat: I knew if anyone would be able to appreciate it, you would :) There are just some tasks in life that are just so innately satisfying when you do them well, you know? ;)

Lucky: Of course you'll be in my prayers (of sorts) :) I don't particularly pray nor meditate, but do know that I'm sending happy lucky thoughts your way ;) And the state I live in is posted just beneath my avatar *blink* :)

Kiteen: I'm glad to hear that Nutri-System is working out for you! It's my opinion that there is no "right" nor "wrong" way to lose weight; you just try them until you find something that works, and you stick with it. And yes, I know that the 1 pound drop seems like such a small step, but all great wonders were made up of such small steps (except for the Pyramids of Egypt...those ancient Egyptians were hardcore, I tell you.)

About the loose skin, I find that the skin tightens up in time. Remember, your body isn't a static structure; your cells are continually remodelling it into how they feel will be the best form for what they need to do. Once you lose weight, it may take a while, but your body should remodel itself tighter so it can better support itself. And if the results are still unsatisfactory, then there's always the option of surgery.

It's unfortunate that society has such a love/hate view on plastic surgery. The very idea of it has become a social taboo linked with vanity, even though there are some very valid reasons to have it done; personally, I believe this to be one of them. You've worked hard to get rid of the weight, there's no reason you shouldn't have the self-esteem to match.

Laura: Wow, two teenage boys. I bet there's never a dull moment around your house :) And welcome!


BarbPA: Good to see you here, as well! :)

I finally kicked my butt into gear and started working out this week. After the winter break and being sick at the end, I was soooo unmotivated. However, I've shed 6 of the 10 lbs I put on, so I'm well on my way again *cheer self*. Unfortunately, my left shoulder's started giving me issues again...it's been getting sore since about August, but especially during the times that I'm consistently working out. Can't seem to find anything overtly wrong with it, so my best guess is a small tear in the rotator cuff. It doesn't affect my strength or freedom of motion any, it just aches.

Back to study for me, I'll check in later :)

--Tony.

Tony, I was thinking on the way home you should know the answer to the skin question HOWEVERfrom your picture I know you are young - SOME of us have OLD skin - which brings up another question.

If skin is constantly replacing itself - WHY oh WHY does wrinkled skin come back as wrinkled and NOT nice new fresh and smooth skin???? :?: :?: Huh, WHY?????

Also did you hear that the people who think they know everything annouced we are to exercise 90 minutes a day!!! GET REAL....not many have that much time each day!!!!

Off to see my Dad - later :lucky:

Hey everyone :)

:bravo: Way to go Kiteen! I have to totally agree with Tony, some things are done best one step at a time. I have to remind myself of that constantly, it seems! But then, I remember when just getting back under 300 seemed like it wasn't ever going to happen. Almost all of that came off one pound at a time. I haven't ever dared try Pilates. Let me know how it works for you, please. :)

Tony, You already know how proud I am of you for your terrific weight loss and how well you are doing at maintaining it. :) Take it easy on that shoulder. *Hugs* Somehow I need to talk you into posting a pic of us back in May of last year and then the one you took in December. You can see real improvement in both of us, but mostly you. :)

Do any of us have small goals on the way to our larger goal? I know WW usually does 10% goals, and that is what I decided to go with. My first 10% came at 304. My second will be 274, and I am within 10 lbs. of it now! Now, for some fun with numbers (I really am a number crunching fool at heart!), my third 10% is 247, fourth 222, and fifth is a nice, even 200! One more after that, and I will have reached my major goal of 180. Broken down into manageable chunks it doesn't seem so bad. :)

I've got to go. This should have been posted quite a while ago, but my best girlfriend just called up, and we had some serious catching up to do!

Take care!

Andria

P.S. Lucky! Just saw your post :) You know, I'd love the answer to that wrinkle question as well. And 90 minutes of exercise? I certainly hope they just mean 90 minutes of generally active lifestyle, cause 90 minutes of aerobics or something would probably kill me! :lol: BTW, the welcome picture was really cool! Have a good evening with your dad. :wave:

Well Hello Beautiful People!

It is wonderful to see all of you. I've missed you all. Right now I am on my laptop and it is slow. And do you know what it is doing outside. It is thunderstorming outside. In the middle of January, we just had a snow storm and now there is lighting and thunder and rain outside. What a wacky state I live in. Well, Lucky, you are in a wacky state too. How bout those Packers hey? I told ya that they would lose, how great is that. People are upset about that whole mooning thing, but I thought it was funny.
I am glad that Andria started this thread. I believe that this will be a more positive and open place to post. I have come to care for many people here and know that they are very trusting and supportive individuals.
I am not completely moved into my house yet but I am planning on being in there by tuesday.
Hello to Laura and Kiteen. I am sure you will enjoy it here with these lovely people. To tell you about myself I am 36, married to a great man, and I am at 318 pounds. I am using the Dr. Phil/my doctor method of losing weight. So I know that I will be a different person by the time I go home for Christmas again this year. Because of the move and illness my year is going to start feb 1st. It just seems like it will be easier for me to focus on journaling and menu planning and exercise logging.
Speaking of exercise, I have discoved that I am afraid to exercise, and Tony maybe you can ease my worries on this one. I am afraid if I start exercising that I am so fat I will have a heart attack or stroke. Is that a strange fear to have? I know that I need to exercise to get healthy but I am just scared. I watched a little bit of that Biggest Loser, and watching those people I thought I would just pass out and die. But can we push ourselves in our conditions?
Anyway, dinner is ready and I need to do some packing and Lost is on tonight. I am so glad this is here now.
Love ya all
Skittles

Swinging by real fast to answer a couple of questions posted to me :)

Lucky: Remodelling is just like any other repair system in the body; the cells try to do what they feel will be the best adaptation possible. For instance, when you get a deep, open gash, and it isn't stitched together, your body heals by creating a huge collagen scar. While it looks unsightly, it makes sense on a repair level...that part of your skin isn't ever ripping open again :)

And you're right, age plays a role in it as well. Like all repair systems, this also slows down with age. As a side note, wrinkles are a problem for people losing weight, because the main cause of wrinkles is the loss of subcutaneous fat that helps "plump" out the skin. While this normally occurs with age, you can also see how being on a weight-loss plan can cause the arrival of wrinkles. Just remember, your health is more important than that; my thought is that if you are healthy and have a few wrinkles or sagging skin, you can get cosmetic surgery to get rid of all that. Your health, however, is what needs to be fought tooth-and-nail for :)

Skittles: Good to see you! And the short answer to your question is: No, as long as you don't overdrive yourself when your body is telling you to stop, exercise should be perfectly safe. That being said, there is always the _chance_ of some freak occurrence happening; however, the benefits far, far, (did I mention far?) outweigh the risks. Furthermore, the more fit you become, the lesser these risks are. Now, to address your specific concerns:

Heart attack or stroke: Highly unlikely. Most heart attacks are due to a sudden blockage in a coronary artery, usually by a blood clot formed somewhere else in the body. Strokes are the same way, except now, it's with an artery that goes to the brain. The entire deal with fatty plaques in atherosclerosis is that a) they narrow the vessel, which makes it much easier to clog up (think about clogging your sink with hair vs. clogging your toilet with hair), and b) these can rupture, exposing the underlying tissue to the blood. The body is a marvelous system; it's designed to know that if the underlying tissue is exposed to blood, there must be a rupture somewhere, and it should start its clotting cascade. Unfortunately, these small clots will go and jam themselves into critical spaces, like already narrowed vessels for the brain or heart, and yield the dreaded stroke or heart attack.

But see, none of this really affects exercise. In fact, you can argue that exercise will help prevent this; stagnant blood clots much easier than freely moving blood. To clot, the body basically weaves a meshwork of protein together, capturing red blood cells in processes, and plugging up whatever the trauma is. Imagine weaving outdoors in a nice, calm spring day...now imagine weaving in the middle of a hurricane. The latter doesn't work too well, does it? :)

All that being said, it is important not to overdrive yourself. If you start getting chest pain on exercise, this is what is called effort, or classical angina. There are medications specifically indicated for this, so that you can exercise in comfort. Likewise, if you have an issue with high blood pressure, make sure your blood pressure is well controlled when you start your exercise regime.

Hey Gang!
How is everyone this evening. I have so much I want to write, but I don't have a lot of time so I will do my best. I am sitting here in my personal sanctuary. It was so neat to hear that I had a part in inspiring the title of our group. :D Just a little background for those that don't know....with the incredible stress of undergoing IVF right now I decided that I had to make a peaceful place in my house. I turned a spare room into what is called "Barb's Positive Place". There is even a sign on the door that says, "Shhh...do not disturb...Peaceful and Positive thoughts in progress...No boys or dogs allowed". The key parts of this room are a CD player for meditation music, dim light so that I can see to write in my journal, which is a part of my nightly ritual, nice ocean breeze candle and a water fountain - which is a new addition given to me by a dear friend. Each night I come in here to be alone with my thoughts, journal, think, type messages (thank goodness for a laptop and wireless internet). This room has been such a blessing. My DH has no clue what goes on in here - he doesn't get it, but he respects that I need it! :) I have always heard how important it is to find time for yourself each day, but I never did it until recently.

I also started back to acupuncture today. Some of you may know I went last year for about 5 months and then stopped while we were on an IVF break. I started with a new Dr. today. He isn't quite as warm as the last person I saw and the atmosphere in the office isn't quite as comfortable - it's a little on the "medical" feeling side oppossed to relaxed, serene side. But, that's all ok - because I still felt wonderful after the session and I didn't have a headache today --- first time in 4 days!!!! His appt times and price work better for me so I am going to see him 2x a week for the next 3-4 weeks. I never thought I could enjoy "have needles poked in me", but now I realize it's so much more.

Sadly I have not been on my scale since about a week before Christmas. I typically weigh myself on Friday mornings. I just haven't had the courage to face it lately. I've still been eating well and exercising, just not doing either to the best of my ability, but juggling them fairly well for now.

Anyway, enough about me for the moment....

Andria - I am so relieved that you and your home are safe. I saw the devastating coverage on the news. The devasation going on around the world is unbelievable lately! The restaurant review sounds like a lot of fun --- I know you will do a fabulous job!!!

Kiteen - I followed the Nutri-System plan about a million years ago. Actually it was 1988 and I was a freshman in college. My parents pretty much forced me into it and I did well initially losing 40 pounds. However, after time I got physically sick at the thought of preparing another pre-packaged meal. Not to mention it was rather difficult to follow a plan like that in college. I am sure the program has changed much over the years. I hope it works out well for you! I echo Tony's sentiment.... I don't believe there is a right or wrong --- just what works for you! Great job on the additional pound gone! Every stinkin little pound counts! :D

Laura - Hello and Welcome to the group! This is gonna be your year!!! :) Little Debbies --- oh, the strawberry roll things are to die for. How do you do it?

Kat - You ROCK chickie! Great job on the exercise and food! Keep it up!

Lucky - You ready for the Eagles to kick some Viking butt this weekend??? :p

Tony - Great job on the weight loss front!!! WooHoo!!!! I do use two windows when I am writing --- one for replies and then I toggle back and forth to make sure I'm not missing anything!

Skittles - Hey girlie! Great to see you! Exercise is not going to kill you. :lol: If you need to start with 5 minutes a day and before you know it you'll be going non-stop. When I first resumed working out in 2/03 that is what I did - got a treadmill, started at 5-10 minutes and worked my way up to 45 min or so. Then eventually joined the gym and started doing more and more! You can do it my friend!! I have all the faith in the world in you!

Ack --- I hope I didn't miss anyone. I am going to sign off now, write in my journal and try out a guided meditation CD I got today.

Have a Peaceful and Positive Night!!!!
Barb
:grouphug:

WOW, great to see all my buddies posting.

BUT now (after reading Barb's post) I feel like some relaxing, peaceful time before bed.

It is suppose to be 20 below with 40 below wind chill tomorrow and then 20 below wind chill until Monday afternoon. I figure I will be here posting A LOT this weekend.

Well, except for when the Vikings kick the Eagles butt. You had it backwards, Barb.

No one here cared about the mooning, Skit - we were WINNING!!!!

Okay all you Eagles, buds...NO MORE football talk. I don't want to have to feel bad OR gloat Sunday night!!!!

I will respond tomorrow.

Tony, it is great to have your medical advice. Because of my age I worried about exercise too, but if I haven't done it in awhile (which WON'T be happening anymore) I just go slow and build up. I trust my body and listen to it. So far, so good. :lol:

Hello everyone!
Thanks to all of you for making me feel so welcome. I am having such a wonderful time reading these posts! Everyone is so positive and that is just what I need to hear in my "sanctuary". My husband and kids don't have my weight problems (thank heavens) so they try to be supportive but really don't have a clue what I'm going through.

Thanks for the answers to so many of my own questions! I've worried about the sagging skin thing (think old sagging skin!) and the possibliity of a heart attack while exercising. It is nice to hear that the odds are against it! I am borderline on high blood pressure but it seems to stay under as long as I walk/exercise. That is another health issue that I'm concerned about and just one more reason to lose this weight and keep it off this time.

If possible, could someone who knows the regulars that post on this thread make a list of everyone, with occupations or something to help me keep everyone straight? I really want to get to know everyone so that I can be supportive! I'd appreciate it!

I've still got some school work to finish up (started late working on it because of choir practice tonight) so I guess I better go. Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow with lots of positive food choices, plenty of water, and some fun exercise!

Laura