hi everyone.. just checking it.. still not doing so good on my diet, but i only ate half of my dinner yesterday.. i;m getting ready to nuke the rest for lunch... and i did not have hot fudge brownie sundae for breakfast today, I had 2 cups of coffee with low fat cream and fat free milk... not so good, but not as bad as i have been..

MomX3 and LisaWY: WOW... congrats on the weight loss.. I am soo proud of you...

that is awesome.. and really motivating.. and somehow still a little saddening as well because it makes me realize that I should have stuck with it and wouldve been down there with ya'll.. and everyone else is doing so well..

Ok guys.. so heres my plan.. right now I have so much food in the house and since I've gone part time at my job I cant afford to restock with super healthy food, I dont have any really "BAD" foods, and cooking at home is alot better than the crap i've been eating at restraunts, especially since I will not fry food when i cook.. its too much work and oh so messy.. :-) ha ha well.. I plan to only go out to eat like once a week.. and only have 1 cheat day per week.. I'm not going to track my fat and calories yet, but I will keep a food journal.. and back to excersizing... its funny how I became addicted to it, but when i stopped it was so easy to not do it and now im dreading it.. I bought these pink stretch jeans when I first posted PIC they are a size 8 but will probably stretch to a 10.. so my goal is to fit into those pants by Easter... I will weigh in every Saturday, and post my progress for ya'll.. sorry to keep this so short, but my dogs are anxious to go outside.. I'll try to get back to ya'll later..

wish me luck

love ya

Deleted my rant
 

I'm sorry for posting that rant and I have since deleted it. This thread is not the place for me to vent about my journal and/or problems with chicks. I'm sorry to have pushed that on all of you.

I took today off also and I'm probably going to have to simply go to bed and sleep and/or nap to prevent over eating. Thanks for all your support and PM's. You guys are great. And DOING great. Awesome job.

we have to do 5 hours a week of mandatory overtime... and since i have procrastinated all week i only have today and tomorrow to cram the time in.. lol i still need 4 hours and 15 min.. BUT i am not gonna give up my workout time, so wheni get off at 5 im gonna go workout and then come back at 630 and stay till 8, if i do that today and tomorrow i can make my 5....... GRRRRRRRRR

I need a husband!

p.s. I finally whipped that scale into submission... but since i am not supposed to be lookin until next monday my lips are sealed!! ;)

Hello everyone. As you can see by my ticker, I am basically back where I started. Went to the doctor on Monday, never looked at the scale number, and I didn't want to hear it. Well, I called him and asked what it was :mad: 280 while wearing a paper dress!!! It's gotta be that paper dress!!

So, I wanna lose 30 pounds by Halloween. I think I can do it. I am praying that I have a lot of water weight (edema in my legs are really bad and none of my rings fit)...

I drank myself ill with water today...104 (add a little) ounces (64 ounces for an average person, and then 8 ounces for every 25 pounds over (130 pounds over - 5, for an extra 40. WHOO HOOOO!!!! i did it though.

I totally busted myself eating one of those baby chocolate covered doughnuts. Get this....I put the whole thing in my mouth and chewed it at once so others did not know I ate it. WHOA!! Is that like a binge-eating-in-privacy habit or what???!! :fr:

I just scared the daylights out of myself with that one. Serious time for the L2L. I need a serious kick in the pants, but they don't have a smiley for that.

Just wanted to check in with everyone to say hello, and let you know I'm thinking about you.

Love & Hugs to all...Keep posting, keep moving, keep breathing, keep strong!!!

a mini success.....
 

Hi everyone.....

Well I dreaded going out today for lunch with the girls as I only knew 2 friends and was meeting 3 more for the first time. The dread part is going to a chineese buffet restaurant. This restaurant has over 100ft, with 5 mini stations of food, food and more food. :fr: They even have a chocolate fountain!!! :nono: My success is that I stayed to a selected list of food that I looked up and calculated pts for, before I left to meet them. I WAS LEGAL FOR THE WHOLE MEAL!!! :cb: The best part was one girl said about my plate...."oh, that looks healthy". YES!!! I DID IT!!! :cb: They all went back for seconds and thirds and I slowly munched on my steamed dumplings, beef n' broccoli and steamed spinach. Then when it was desert time, I stayed cleared of the chocolate fountain and just had fresh fruit....watermelon, strawberries and pineapple. AGain....some of the girls had 2-3 desserts also. This is a real mini victory as I'm ALWAYS the one going back for more servings. YIPPIE!!!! bEST OF ALL....I STAYED TO MY PT LEVEL !!!!

Angel Eyes: FEEL THE POWER!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone !!

This is going to be really quick as I am in between meetings, but I haven't had a chance to get on here all day to see how everyone is doing.

Things are going well for me.. still getting up at 5:30 to walk the dog on my work days. Yeah for me :) I have been studying each night this week, so probably won't be back to check in till some time tomorrow.

Keep on keeping on my partners in crime and I will TTYS.

Howdy Everybuddy!!!

Turtle: Don't worry about your rant. We understand. This isn't all about losing weight...this a friends helping friends!!! We care about you!! I am on some parents lists and you ought to hear it when you say your spank your child. YOu would of thought you commit a deadly sin. Big difference in spanking than beating..same with a kitty. ALthough my older one responds well to the newspaper. All now I have to do is pick one up and crumble it...and he straightens out. You might want to try that. (PS it doesn't work on M.....she just looks at you like, yea mom....)

TEB: YEa for getting your exercise in. THis has been a strange week for me exercise wise. I got in a lot of AP's early in the week but the last few days I have been really busy and they are non existant.

CUrly: Good for you for not letting overtime get in your way of exercising.

L2L: Yea..must of been the paper dress. LOL Don't think about it being 280...think about losing the first 10..and then break it down into 10's or 5's..what ever you need to do to stay focused. Post often here. We are here to support you on your journey. This isn't a race...we will all finish in our own time frame. Give yourself rewards... make it a game and you can be a winner or loser (which ever way you look at it) Good on the water...YIPPPEEEE I honestly thinks it helps ALOT!!!

Dee: You picked your plan now you have to let us lift you up to start on your journey. Like I told L2L...stay focused and your race will be won in no time. Focus on the first 10..then the next..then the next. I sent another friend of mine my new picture of me in my "non fat ladies" clothes. I put a note in there that said I am a 1/3 of the way there. It didn't register with her I needed to lose 120lbs total to get to WW goal. I am not sure I will get down that small. I am focusing on the next 10. I may never get to 144(WW goal) ...but I will get to the 160's. Then I will see what my ultimate goal will be. One of the things I do is read the success stories everyday on http://www.wwfamilyforum.com They motivate me to get to my next level which right now is to get below 220. My feeling is if they can do it...so can I.

Angel: Great on knowing what to eat before you eat it. LOL We went to chuppers(church supper) last night. They now hired a chef to prepare the meals. He had chicken/rice soup.. I left out the chix..don't like it anyway. He also had egg salad and deli sandwhiches. I wanted another 1/2 but didn't do it. LOL Desert was fruit salad (they brought out some cookies for the kids) plus they had a lettuce salad too with the meal. Very well balanced and healthy. Dinner was enjoyable and cheap. LOL

Petra: Our church had a concert last night and that was very enjoyable. IT was a young group that goes to the elem. schools to sing about the good things. On Wed and Sun...they sing in churches. Beautiful voices. I was sad by the amount of people there but school started yesterday in the public schools so I think many stayed home. I do have a question for you. I started a multi-vitamin...would that change my bowel movements?? The last few days I've had trouble going?

Jennie: How are you doing???

The last few days have been hard for me. I need to exercise but really haven't had the time. I am drinking my water and luckily I can pull my pants down without unbuttoning them which really helps with the dash to the potty. I am exercising as I go to the potty and coming back at work. I know I look strange but normally no one is there.

Some of you might know I have mentioned my sister before. She has cancer. She went through WL surgery and now can't stop losing weight. SHe is down to less than 100lbs. She is in the hospital today. She is not doing well. Mentially it is taking it toll on me. I want to be there but can't right now. I can't take the time off work, I really don't have the money to go to Fla, and I honestly can say...I don't want to see her in this condition. I also have Dave and Mallissa to think about. Mallissa can't be out of school for a week. IIf I went without her, Dave can't get her to school etc. HE leaves for work at 3am... My sister is living with my mom. I know it is hard on my mom, she is almost 70, although very healthy, I am concerned about her too. She has spent her life taking care of others.(7 kids, my grandmother in her last year, and my dad was sick for 10 years) My niece and her baby live with her too. My parents raised my niece and now my mom is helping raise her great granddaughter. I talked to my niece yesterday and gave her the lecture of stepping up to the plate and helping out. Nothing else matters now but helping her mom and grandma and taking care of her baby. I know in my heart it is toward the end. She is not there more than she is there. I have gone through several deaths of cancer and she is showing signs it is the end. She had her kidney out last year due to cancer and they think it has spread to her colon and other kidney. Please put her in your thoughts and prayers. My family has a habit of not telling you the whole story. A few weeks ago my mom mentioned hospice was involved. My niece said yesterday on the phone that the hospice nurse told her it was getting toward the end. I guess I figured that out when my mom told me about hospice. If you talk to my niece she says..oh mom is getting better. My mom says she has good days and bad days but I have noticed the bad days are more and more. They are in denial. It is hard being so far away but in reality if I want there ..there is nothing I can do. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

I am sending vibes that everyone stays OP today and everyone has a great day.

Lisa
Wyoming

Lisa: sending you a big :grouphug: and i will keep you and your family in my prayers..

Good Day All!!
 

:) Good Morning Everyone!!

Lisa - I have sent prayers and angels your way to you and your family. Stay strong.

All - congrats on the exercise and staying OP. This week is tough. Apparently everyone and their brother things we need more donuts, and Krispy Kremes, and cookies, and cakes, tarts, pies, tortes, mousse, i'm about to scream :devil: Why do they have to the put it on the counter next to the same refrigerator my healthy snacks of veggies and my turkey wrap are in!!?? Somedays I hate being a cube-farmer! That is why I wore these tight pants to work. They just fit me so I can sit in them. I figured it would be motivation to not eat junk!! :comp:

Hang in there Divas...we can pull together and get through anything!
Love & Hugs,
L2L

The start of September
 

Morning all. I'm still feeling "punk" as my late Mama used to call it. But I'm trying to fight my way out of it this time, instead of my usual shutting down and shutting out mode. I could just kick myself for even whining, when I see all the other problems in the world (and those close to home as well). My problems are just minscule and ridiculous in comparison. But I still feel like crap (maybe because of that fact). I HAVE to go to work today, so getting showered and dressed is a good start. Maybe getting out is what I need.

Lisa: My heart goes out to you and your family. I'm so sorry you're not only in pain, but torn. That's a painful thing. I wish you all the best. I wish you all peace. :grouphug:

To all the other PIC's:Curlylocks, TeaElleBee, Angel-Eyes, Petra,. Hang in there. You're all doing great. It's wonderful to have L2L and Dee back. If I missed anyone, it was just an oversight. I'll check in from work.

lol here at work when we have a big ta do and everyone brings in food... they used to tease about everyone wearing their BUFFET PANTS... ya know the kind that stretch out easy.. so u can get more food in ur tummy..

Lisa-I'm sorry to hear about your sister. I hope that she is comfortable and glad to hear that she has so much family with her now. Those are the important things. You are right, it does sound like the end.

I think you all have misunderstood my distress about the hurricaine. Yes, I'm disappointed about my vacation being cancelled but that isn't what has me so upset, I"m not that selfish. I truly love the city of New Orleans and watching what is happening there is tearing my heart out. I have actually decided that when I get my refund for my plane ticket I'm going to donate the money to the Red Cross or Salvation Army or something to help with the relief effort. I don't know how many of you looked at my website but the majority of the pictures on it were taken in that region. The giraffe pictures were taken at the Audobon Zoo in New Orleans, even the Magnolia blossom on the first page was taken in New Orleans, all of the wildlife pictures were taken in the Louisiana bayou. I also have a lot of pictures of a famous neighborhood (the Garden District) which has probably been destroyed if not at least seriously damaged. When I get a chance, I'm going to add them to my website as a tribute to the city. Most of those houses are from around the time of the civil war and many of them, I"m sure, will have to be torn down. This was a truly beautiful, unique place on earth. Under normal circumstances, there was an unusual sense of racial harmony there. What is going on right now is nothing short of a national disgrace and you will have a hard time convincing me that race has nothing to do with it. Even conservative news shows are outraged and that says something.

I agree Petra it just makes me sick..and disgusted that in a country with the resources that we have that it takes 4 days to finally get some drinking water to these people....and 3 days for the government to get legislation to get some money together for them.. for craps sake look how many companies we have in the US selling bottled water... dont u think they could provide some?????

I wanted to thank everyone for their kind words. I am surviving and staying OP. I think I am going to have a small loss this week. Atleast I hope so. I have decided to wait and see in regard to my sister. These illnesses can take a while. They did figure out her shaking was her blood sugar. The HIPPA laws are making it hard for my niece or mom to find out info. Mom did say the nurses have been great with her.

Our other piece of news this week is my stepson (M's bio dad) is moving to Colorado. About 3 hours from us. He got a job in the mine. The pay is wonderful and great benefits. He has been playing Mr. Mom with his other 2 kids b/c he couldn't find a job here. We are sad they are moving away b/c he was finally in our lives again. I am keeping the 2 year old this weekend. They wanted me to take the baby but she is sooooooo much work. LOL We are also going to my sis in laws Saturday to help build a fence.

Petra: I understood and realize you love the city. They are in my thoughts and prayers. Dave talked to a Fox News reporter on his show that is in NO on Tuesday...he said it is unimaginable what is "really" going on. He has chased hurricanes for 30 years and he said this is the worst one. The destruction is miles and miles..he compared the area from Cheyenne to Kansas City. I know Red Cross does good work, I used to work for them before we got M... but after the media spin they did after 9/11... my bet it with the SA. I think right now "everyone" is so confused they are unsure of what to do. This is massive.

Turtle: Stay our of your shell and you will be fine!! Put some of your nervous energy into exercise. That is what I am doing. I feel better and I am sleeping better. I am determined to go to the gym tonight and tomorrow morning. I need it for me mentally. I need to focus on me for a few hours.

L2L: I am glad I am normally the only one in my office!! I control the frig. LOL My coworker said to me the other day when I gave him some mini plums...I hate you healthy eaters. LOL He finally noticed I loss weight. Could it be the fact my pants are falling down?? Good for you for staying away from the goodies.

Curly: Keep your eye on the prize...LOL(might it be the man?) and you will be fine!

Dee: Hoping your picked your plan..picked yourself up and dusted off and now back OP.

Momx3: How are you doing?

TEB: I may be getting my exercise by walking or biking to work if gas continues to go up. Great for you that you are getting your exercise in early!!

Jennie: Still thinking about you girl. HOpe all is well.

Lisa
Wyoming

Friday
 

Peace, good luck, happy week end and thank you, to all who post here. I couldn't fight this fight without you PIC Divas. :grouphug: You all are wonderful in my book. :grouphug:

I took another day off for today. I have the time to take, but I just feel guilty taking it, knowing an officer has to be put on the desk in my place. But Squeak (my cat) is pretty bad sick and I have to take her back to the vet (yes, again). I could only get an early afternoon appointment, (which interferes with my shift) so I originally asked my nephew to meet me there and then I'd go on to work (and he could take Squeak home). But with gas prices as they are, and his HUGE truck, I decided I'd just take the day off and go by myself. No sense dragging us both out.

I had gained three (of seven lost) pounds back since my week end went to pot and I took two days off (four total) and mostly pouted, ate and played on the computer Tuesday and Wednesday. But mysteriously (and "freakily") those pounds dropped off and this morning there's even an extra one gone! I was 228 this morning. The lowest I've ever seen in years. TOM came too, I think. Which is almost a week early by my estimates. The meds I was on, must have messed my cycle up. So I suppose this could be a "whoosh" and may come right back on. But since I've nothing else to do today but wait until it's time to take Squeak to the vet, I'll go ahead and change my tracker for now. Maybe it will help to keep me motivated. :^:

Congrats Turtle. Somehow, I managed to lose a pound this week as well. My eating has certainly not been perfect and I haven't been to the gym since last weekend. I'm on call this weekend as well although the day is getting off to a slow start. I just got my first consult so I guess it is time to get my butt in gear. I will talk to you all later.

I really need to get back to my regular life. There is unfortunately not much I can personally do about what is going on in the Gulf regardless of how upset I am about it. I called the airline again today and believe it or not, they will still not refund my money. I have to call again on Monday or Tues. before my scheduled departure time despite the fact that EVERYONE knows there will be no commercial flights going into that airport for weeks or months. They are playing a ridiculous game with us. I think they are hoping people will just get frustrated and give up and they won't have to refund their money.

Yeah Turtle! just jump back on the beach... You can do it!!

I need to stop staying up all night watching the news.. cuz i end up falling alseep on the sofa and now i cant turn my head cuz i have a big kink in my neck!

yesterday when i went to exercise my arms felt like they had lead in them... i am wondering.. if i am having a lactic acid build up in my body from the metformin.. but i read up and they say only one in 30,000 have this side effect... so maybe im just tired..

Curly-go to bed, get some rest. I doubt you have lactic acid build up. I was talking to one of our social workers today and she was saying she is starting to have bad dreams from watching the news. I just get myself so upset I start crying. Yesterday, there were scenes in New Orleans of places I have actually been. I recognized the buildings. They even showed a hotel I stayed in. I think someone was trying to break into one of the windows of the hotel.

Somebody sent this to me..It is a good read...even if you are not doing WW.
Lisa

50 Ways to Make Weight Watchers Work for You.
Mar 11 '03

The Bottom Line Weight Watchers works but it requires focus and commitment, but so does everything that you really want in life, right?

Since this is my 50th review here on Epinions, I thought I'd write about one of my favorite topics.... Weight Watchers. Since I've been on again/off again on Weight Watchers for the last 12 years, I thought maybe I can share a thing or two with you guys about Weight Watchers.

Here are my 50 Thoughts on Weight Watchers and how I Have Succeeded Thus Far! I wouldn't say that all of these tips are Weight Watchers related but combine all the tips and tricks with the program and you can SUCCEED on Weight Watchers too!!

1. Journal journal journal. You absolutely cannot keep track mentally of what you consume on a daily basis. You are bound to forget that handful of pretzels or that snickerdoodle. Write it down and own up to eating it. BITE IT WRITE IT!

2. Drink drink drink. Sip water all day. Eventually it adds up to the required 6 glasses you need. Not only will you feel more full at mealtime, your body will be happy because it is hydrated.

3. Have a glass of soda when hunger strikes. This is a personal tip I use to curb hunger. A diet Pepsi is sweet enough to curb my longing for a treat and the carbonation will help you feel satisfied.

4. Buy precut, pre-bagged finger veggies like carrots and peppers. Then when you feel a need to gorge on food, you can gorge on these for crunch and for a satisfying VOLUME of food. This only works if you need massive quantities of food, not if you have a chocolate attack.

5. Buy bagged salads. They are infinitely better than a head of iceberg lettuce. It adds a touch of gourmet flair to your meal and gives you more vitamins and nutrition than plain old varieties of lettuce. And they are delicious. Shoot for baby greens and arrugula blends.

6. Buy grape tomatoes instead of large beefsteak ones. They look better tossed in salad, they are sweeter and they don’t need to be cut. Also, they are good snacking foods!

7. Buy I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter butter spray. It is very low in calories and provides the same great taste as regular margarine.

8. Use Dotti’s Weight Loss Zone for point values of tons of popular restaurants and for snack ideas. Her website is www.dwlz.com

9. Air pop your popcorn instead of buying microwave popcorn. Then add the butter spray and you get TONS more popcorn for less points.

10. Buy Skinny Cow flying saucers when you want flavor variety for your dessert. Weight Watchers, I’ve found, only come in vanilla and chocolate. Skinny Cow brand comes in those two flavors AND coffee, strawberry, and strawberry cheesecake. And all for just 2 points!

11. Use the Weight Watchers Just 2 Points bars for your treats! They are delicious and they are packed with fiber.
12. Buy the Weight Watchers Fruities treats. A whole pack is 2 points. And they are the perfect treat for the movies.

13. Cook with fat free chicken broth. It adds flavor and is no points.

14. Don’t deprive yourself. Don’t switch to skim milk in your coffee. Simply pour yourself a cup of coffee instead of a mug of coffee and then measure 1 points’ worth of creamer!

15. Buy a scale. I genuinely recommend the Weight Watchers scale. It weighs in grams and in ounces (and I have used both settings). Nothing is more of a reality check than actually seeing what 4 ounces of chicken really looks like!

16. Measure everything! Measure your creamer. Measure your margarine. Measure your rice! Going overboard just a little on things adds up in the end.

17. Don’t cut up all your food at once when eating. Cut each piece as you go along. This seems simple but sometimes it is easier to cut up your entire piece of chicken at one shot but don’t do it! Cut as you eat!

18. Make cauliflower your friend!! When cooked until soft, you can mash it and add lots of fun stuff like reduced fat cheese, garlic, broccoli… and then you can bake it!! It has the same consistency as mashed potatoes!

19. Handle buffets better by only eating things that are special for instance, instead of gorging on the sausage and peppers (ordinary) or the baked ziti (also just ordinary), help yourself to the dishes you wouldn’t normally prepare yourself! This way it is more of a treat to be at the buffet and not just another meal. Have picatta, marsala, any fish, the filet mignon…. Whatever is unique to you so that your indulgence is not wasted on the ordinary.

20. Eat more shellfish! Shrimp is unbelievably low in points especially for the volume you get! And it’s good for you! Enjoy scallops too! These are low fat high protein and LOW POINT alternatives for dinner.

21. Don’t deprive yourself of indulgence. If you really want that dessert (cheesecake, carrot cake, etc) order it to share with someone. Then take the FIRST bite and while you are appreciating that, let the other person eat the rest and save the LAST bite for you! In essence, you really only taste the first initial bite of something and you really only remember the last so save yourself all those calories and fat in between!

22. Find a friend you can share your successes and setbacks with. This person does not have to be on program, they just need to be there for you when you need someone to talk to and bounce things off of. I found that the friends I made at my meetings were the best to talk to!

23. Recognize that each moment stands alone and that no one binge or one gorged meal wrecks anything! It is part of living and learning and that a bad eating decision doesn’t have to snowball into a weeks long or months long setback. It’s like riding a bike, when you fall down, you get right back up!! You don’t walk the bike 10 miles up the road and THEN get back on! You get back on right away! Consider each moment as just that and know that you never really go OFF program. Weight Watchers allows you to incorporate setbacks into your lifestyle without punishment and guilt.

24. Make informed decisions. Use the points calculator to figure out exactly how much something is valued at. Don’t guess. Knowing exactly how many points a food item is allows you to fit it into your daily intake without sacrificing it and without overdoing it.

25. EXERCISE! Exercise works to benefit you in many ways. It helps you to lose weight, build muscle, burn fat, AND it enables you to eat more if you choose to! Activity points can be added onto your daily intake so the more you exercise, the more you can eat (but seriously, make it a heathly intake so that you can truly benefit).

26. Build more activity into your lifestyle. Walk more, climb the stairs more, stretch your legs more. MOVE MORE! Any movement is better than no movement.

27. Experiment with new recipes. Be creative in the kitchen (like I said with the cauliflower!). Try root vegetables, try different squashes, try different potatoes, try flatbreads instead of chips.

28. Buy reduced calorie light bread.

29. Drink flavored hot tea as an afternoon indulgence. It is no points!

30. Order your Chinese food steamed with your sauce on the side. You will be able to eat much more and you will feel so much less bloated from the MSG and salt.

31. For a sweet treat, try to find Barry’s Bakery French Twists. They are one point each and are a true sweet treat!

32. Treat yourself to frozen yogurt (there is a Weight Watchers brand that you may be able to find at a shoppe). It is fabulous and treat yourself to the chocolate sprinkles!

33. Switch from skim milk to Skim Plus if it is available in your area. It tastes great and it packs more nutrition.

34. Buy Fat Free, Sugar Free Jello chocolate pudding to satisfy your nighttime chocolate cravings. It needs NO time to set when mixed!

35. Weight in at meetings. Don’t skip a weigh in if you think you gained weight. You must own it!

36. Prepay for the 10 weeks. It makes a mental difference on your commitment level.

37. Don’t hang out in your kitchen. You will only hear the pantry calling for you. Move to the den!

38. Avoid buying the junk food if possible. You truly can NOT eat it if it isn’t in the house. Save your indulgences for when you eat out. Make them special instead of the norm.

39. Eat a small protein within half an hour of exercising. This helps your body’s metabolism work better.

40. Avoid those quick energy bars as snacks. Eat them only if you plan on using that energy for activity! If not, it is nothing more than an empty carb that you could probably have better enjoyed somehow else.

41. READ LABELS when shopping! Make sure you check the fat content and the carbohydrate content. You don’t want to eat TOO much sugar! Bring your points finder with you to help you make the right choices for you.

42. Understand serving sizes. If the label says that a serving is 40 grams, then measure those 40 grams out so you familiarize yourself with what 40 grams actually looks like.

43. Do NOT punish yourself for a weight gain one week. That sets off a snowball effect that could take you YEARS to get under control. Instead, try to change one thing in the next week to counteract your gain.

44. STAY FOCUSED. Your goal is to lose weight and get healthy! The occasional trip to McDonalds is ok and the occasional chocolate bar is fine but IN MODERATION. Keep focused on the end result and the good choices will counter balance the poorer or weaker ones in the long run.

45. Don’t think of yourself as constantly “on a diet”. This is a setup to failure because it categorizes you and if you decide to have something not considered “dietary”, then you feel like you cheated. You NEVER cheat! You DECIDE! Weight Watchers is built in such a way that it incorporates every food into a point value and YOU get to DECIDE how to spend those points. But trust me, using your points daily for McDonald’s is going to be a slower weight loss than grilled chicken points.

46. You cannot eat unlimited amounts of zero point foods. 0 + 0 + 0 does not necessarily equal 0. Every food has calories and if you eat unmeasured unlimited amounts of zero point foods, they ultimately total up to a calorie count that warrants a point. Just be careful.

47. Use Weight Watchers.com for help with recipes! They have wonderful ideas for low point recipes that I have used.

48. Try Weight Watchers.com etools to figure out the point values for your home recipes and for online journaling if you hate writing down your food and are married to your computer! Online journaling has a database of food point values so it makes it easy to figure out your daily points.

49. BUY THE FOOD COMPANION. This is priceless. I use it as my bible. You may also want the Dining Out Guide.

50. Live your life! It isn’t about what you eat and don’t eat, it’s about making food choices on your own and putting the power in your own hands. It’s CONTROL. You control what you eat, when you eat and how much you eat. Just account for everything and you will see where you can cut back, eliminate, and enhance and you WILL lose weight!


Well, I didn't think I'd really have 50 things to say but frankly, I could probably have gone on with a few more! I have lost 76 pounds to date and am shooting for 10 more but trust me, these last 10 ain't easy!

Good luck to you! Weight Watchers is there to help, not just as a business but as a support group. Find that great leader that inspires you and you will succeed.

Hi everyone.....

Lisa......My heart goes out to you and your sister and family. From your post and your sister's condition, it does sound as though her end might be near. I hope she is not suffering. Keep us updated, sending you big {{hugs}}.

Curly......The news is never ending with one tradegic story after another. My dh stayed up until gone 2am last night trying to make sense of it. It is so overwhelming and I cannot believe that the food and water is taking so long not to mention the 'promised aide'.

Hotcup......Early TOM? yuck. How did your appt go with Squeak? I had both of our pets into the vets yesterday. Our dog has a wild rash/staph infection causing lesions all over her tummy and legs. And my cat, needed her blood pressure meds renewed. What a day....just when I get over them shaving her paw for the blood pressure test....she throws up and pooh's in her cat carrier. She is definitely not a car rider!! :nono:

L2L......good for you to stay away from those nasty donuts!!! Not sure if you're doing ww's or not, but one glazed donut is 5 pts. AND WHO CAN ONLY HAVE ONE!!! STAY AWAY!!! :lol:

I made it to the gym again today....( :cp: yeah for me) and although I hated the instructor for the step class, I made it through 3/4 of the class and then did 45 min on the treadmill. :tread: I was totally getting mixed up with her routine and she was of no help to correct the class. grrrrr that darn Rebecca!! :flame: I'm off to a party tonight, so I will eat/supplement with good foods before I go....that way less temptation!!! Have a great friday, long weekend!!

lol im having breakfast for dinner....waffles made from whole wheat flour.. with a lil turkey bacon on the side!!

Good Morning!

I am going to WI in a few minutes and then to the gym to work out. I did make it last night and did the elipitcal for an hour last night and a few abs weight machines. We are going to sil's house to help build a fence. We are headed to the farmers market too. I am not sure if I lost this week or not. I only count my official WI but my scale at home seems stuck. LOL I know it weighs me more at home than it does at WW. Same with the scale at work. Ok, I admit..I am scale addicted. I really want out of the 220's and work toward my goal of onderland by Halloween. I journaled well this week and got in my exercise. I am hoping that is enough. I ate more heavy meat this week early...with all the left overs we had. Told dh..I can't do that anymore. So we will see if the scale is good to me this week.

Lisa
Wyoming

I made it to the gym last night for the first time in a week. Did my upper body weights, abs, and 35 minutes on the treadmill. I'm going to plan on getting back into that more regularly. It looks like things are getting a little better in the Gulf. People are starting to discuss the race issue. I can't believe that anyone really doesn't see this. Does anyone really believe we would let rich white people die in the streets like animals? The sad thing is, I'm sure this isn't even at a conscious level for many of our elected officials but it has been part of their cultural upbringing and they don't realize what they are doing.

Im at work... sigh i decided i cant deal with trying to get my mandatory 5 hours of overtime throughout the week... it just wears me out... So i will try to get the 5 today, and be done with it for the week...

I think they would also let poor white people die... I think its a money issue... it just so happens that the majority of the poor in NO are african american.. either way its just sickening!


Lisa: Ive noticed that when i eat more protein i tend to lose.. so maybe the meat wont hurt u..

Turtle: whats up there???? focus on your acheivements... and jump back on the beach... We are gonna make it to our goal !!!

haha dont know what my goal is but... i'm gonna keep pluggin away till i get there!

Hi everyone.....

Back from the gym with a good solid workout under my belt. I was there bright and early. It was a great body sculpting class and then I did a great walk on the treadmill. I can't believe I sweat so much during the class!! That makes 5 days in a row that I was at the gym for a class and treadmill. Next week the new schedule starts and I can't wait. The party was good last night. I made sure I ate a little snack before going so I wouldn't over eat and it worked!! I only ate 1 small pc of pizza and it sure tasted so good. I've never eaten anything so slowly and with such savour. Dh is out with the boys and I've had the afternoon to putz around and do whatever I want. LOVE THOSE DAYS!!! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their long weekend.

Curly......Hang in there girlfriend!! 5 hrs every week? that just sucks!! Hope the day goes FAST for you.

Petra......Good job on going to the gym. Sounds like a great workout.

Lisa...... I'm with you....I want out of the 220's....210's and the whole 200's!!!! We can do this!! You know it just dawned on me.....how much I love reading and watching tv specials on 'success stories'. I want to be my OWN success story!!!

ME 2!!! I wanna be 199 sooooooo bad!


this is rent week.. so not much left over for groceries, but i am gonna see what i can get that will s-t-r-et-ch lol maybe a good chili week! the last time i made it with an assortment of beans and it was pretty good and stretched out for @ 4 days .. lol

Checking in from work...
 

Hello. I had to leave Squeak at the hospital Friday and over night. But I picked her up this morning before work and she seems to be doing better. They said she had a soft tissue injury to her front leg from playing Psycho Cat/Mountain Lion on my head board (sticking her paws down in behind the bed trying to attack me when she was feeling better) and she has a systemic infection which they are treating her for. The systemic infection, which I guess they mean is everything is infected (she had a temp of 105) made the soft tissue injury worse. She does seem a lot better, but I nearly got sick when they told me the bill was $238.00. Holy Stretched Out Checkbook, Batman! At least I had it to spend. But I told the receptionist that Squeak better start laying golden eggs to earn her keep. This makes over four hundred dollars spent on this stray just since March! I took her home and she ate like a little piggy, drank some fresh water and was sleeping in the window, soaking up some afternoon sun, when I left for work.

My weight is down to an all new low. But sadly, it's from not eating well, or at all. I'm trying to settle my nerves and mood back into an even keel. And will probably need to stop for a few groceries tonight (which will hopefully get me back on track and program). I want to refocus and start South Beach over and try to get myself to exercise. I've NOT been able to add that back in successfully yet. :?:

Two day week end coming up. I only worked two days this week, but thankfully am paid for five. I'm glad I have the days to spend. Now if I can just find someone to invite me to watch the Mountaineer game tomorrow. My brother has a new house and a big screen TV. I hope he invites me. Anyone gonna watch it? I'll bring some diet pop and uhhh eggs (I've got lots of eggs) :^: :^: hint hint hint.

I hope everyone is doing great and has a spectacular week end. Jay can't afford to come and see me this week end. Gas is up to $3.38 here, so I guess I can't blame him. But it's going to be a lonely holiday. Check you all later. Hang in there! :wave: :grouphug: :wave: :grouphug:

uh.....
 

Okay....this might sound a little dumb, but what is ' the mountaineer game?' :?:

Sorry
 

WVU (West Virginia University) and thier mascot is the mighty Mountaineer. You know, Davy Crocket lookin' dude. Coon skin cap, wearing buck skins, musket? Sorry... :smug: Let's Gooooooooooooo Mountaineers! We're playing Syracuse (New York)

Oh, and that's a football game... btw

Turtle-that's a cheap vet bill. When I checked Buddy into the University of Penn for his cancer surgery, they said "That will be $1100.00 deposit" I almost fainted. Altogether, I think his cancer treatment cost me about $5000. I know people who have spent more than that so I consider myself lucky in this case.

spooktacular weigh in
 

Checking in for my spooktacular weigh in!....:dancer:

245.5

:cheer:

Well, the good news is..I didn't gain...the bad news is I didn't lose. I maintained. At first I was mad, then decided to go ahead and go to the gym and work my butt off. I have noticed I can stay on the machines longer and work up my strides. I am setting small goals for myself...to keep up with a certain pace for x amount of minutes. I am pushing myself a little. I also added a lot more weight training this week. I looked back at my menus and other than having meat 2 days more than I normally do... I was OP even with the meat. I was within my points range and didn't use my flex points. I only use 1/2 my exercise points. This is a new week and I will work harder on my exercise. I think my body is going through an adjustment to the next phase. I have been OP for 18 weeks and this is only the 2nd time I haven't showed a loss and the time before..I lost my average for both weeks. I am not going to let it get me down..I am just more determined.

We are helping my bro in law and sis in law build their fence. I got to load up posts yesterday on the 4-wheeler and drive them around. I also got to take the kids for rides around the yard (10 acres) on the 4-wheeler. My bro in law said I was having too much fun. LOL I have to admit..I was. The kids like my driving because I am safe. I also went on the trampoline with them. They thought that was kewl. It is great to have the energy to keep up with the little gang. LOL

I have 3 sleeping girls upstairs. I bought them back with me last night. My stepson and his wife are moving this weekend so we have their little girl. My niece and M are upstairs too. They are having a slumber party. LOL I am taking them to Sunday School and church..although we are leaving after the singing. Our pastor is gone this week and the man that is filling in has a speech problem and there is no way I can listen to him besides it is family Sunday so no children's church. I know that sounds horrible but 3 girls under 5...no way I could sit through it. We are going back to my sis in laws to help with the fence. Dave is skipping out on church. I am taking over my fat free hotdogs for dinner BBQ.

The farmers market was great. Next weekend we are going to the farm. We will spend the day riding around the hay wagons picking our own veggies. Think of the AP points I will rack up. LOL It is the same place we get most of our produce at the farmer market. http://www.millerfarms.net
The big fall festival is wonderful. M is going with school the following week. You have to give them kudos on figuring out how to suppliment their farm. LOL I also got some homemade salsa..it was wonderful. Albertson's isn't carrying low fat chips anymore. I don't know why. So I looked at all the packages to find the lowest calories and fat content. I knew I needed some chips to go with the salsa. I also had some salsa on my red potatos last night..it was good too. The peaches were wonderful!!!!!

I do have to say..I knew what a mountaineer was. My family is from WV. I was born in Parkesburg and my parents grew up there. We left when I wsa 3 to Florida. My dad's stories of walking in the snow up to his tush in the dead of winter......umm...we so untrue. LOL We went there when I was 10 to visit..his house was across the street from the school. My mom did have to walk about 4 miles everyday... several times a day..her father was sick and she went home for lunch to take care of him. Turtle, my dad was their biggest fan. We always watched their games on national tv. My mom would make us doritos with bean dip on top and cheese melted from being baked in the oven. That was also our super bowl food. No wonder I have unhealthy eating habits. LOL

Well, I really don't have time for personals this morning and since I already wrote a book...... I hope everyone has a great day OP and get in your water and exercise. Have a safe Labor Day weekend!!!!

Lisa
Wyoming

Morning everyone!! :wave: What a beautiful day so far, I was up early 7am and took the dog for a nice long walk. I was thinking of you Lisa!!! Not quite your 5:30 am but still glad I went. The gym is closed today, so every little bit helps...right?

Hotcup......I'm so glad that Squeak is starting to come around. I know you felt badly for her but the meds seem like they are helping. I just paid a good bill also for the vet, it never ends sometimes!! uh...thanks for the update on what game you were watching.....DOH!! :doh: hehe...kinda clueless there.

Lisa......Good for you on going to the gym to work out your scale frustrations. :cp: I am getting the hang of 'just going' also. I'm leaving right from the morning busstop for ds....NO EXCUSES THEN!!! My gym has their new fall schedule starting with alot more variety of classes. I can't wait. I'm going to pm you a new recipie I tried for a pasta salad, very tasty and low in pts.

Petra......YIKES!!! :fr: That is quite the dollar amount, but nothing compares with having him around and healthy. He is your 'boy' afterall.

NOthing much planned for today, dh is going to help a friend stud his basement so he can then finish it. hehe....I always knew my husband was a STUD!!! :lol: lol Have a good day!!

Good Morning Partners !! Before you sent out a search party for me I thought I better check in.

Life is pretty busy for me right now, so I may not get the chance to post as often as I would like. But I will certainly try to keep up with everyone and post as much as I can.

I had a sneak peak at the scale this morning and it is looking good, so hopefully no major swings over night !! Everyone is doing well on the challenge and getting over the obstacles that they are presented with. So a big :bravo: to us all !!

Hotcup ~ glad to hear that your kitty is doing better. You have such determination that you will be back on the beach and losing heaps again before you know it.

Petra ~ i can't believe the airline is acting like that (or maybe I can) :?: You are probably right though, they are probably hoping people will get frustrated and just say "forget it".

Curly ~ love the new avatar.. is that a self portrait ?!!?

Lisa ~ you sound as busy as ever. Well done on maintaining this week...definately better than a gain.

Angel ~ you are doing great with the gym. I have been keeping up with my early morning walks on week days and have really been enjoying them.

Mom, Jennie, L2L, Dee ~ hope you are all doing well and enjoying your weekend

Well I best hit the books, but first a nice :coffee: is in order.

Have a great day and TTYS.

ooops....
 

hehe.....sorry TLB.....that was YOU and your 5:30am morning walks!!! darn it all, knew it was someone here getting up early!!! LOL :D

also.....curly......forgot to say CONGRATS on your weight loss!!! woohoo :cb: I like your new avatar also!!

thanks! i guess it was all the salt on my boiled eggs that was getting me! lol yep that av looks just like me in the morning minus the bow!

Hi Ladies. I have to work this weekend. It hasn't been too bad so far but lots of drinking and driving unfortunately. I'm on the phone with the airline for the 3rd time. I'm giving them the option this time of either giving the money to a charity on my behalf or donating the ticket to someone who needs to evacuate the area. Let's see what they have to say about that!

I also officially signed up to be a volunteer to the Gulf today at work. I don't know if they will ask me to go. I think they are looking for trauma surgeons, ER docs, paramedics, EMTs, etc more than people like me at this point but I put my name in.

I took my boys out for a nice walk this evening. The weather here is really nice. It is the 80's, not too humid. It will be fall before you know it.

The airline has decided to give me a refund. How about that. I think I'll either go with the Salvation Army or the charity through my church.

Have a good holiday everyone. Be safe and don't drink and drive.

Congratulations Petra!!!....I admire you!!....you perservered and won. YEAH!!! I think its a testiment to your character that you held strong for your refund at the airline (and won) and that you are being so generous and donating the refund amount. Thankfully much needed help is finally making its way to the gulf coast and just in time. God bless.

spooktacular weigh in !!!
 

i need to change my weigh in cuz this morning i am 244!! :cheer: