Battle of the Bulge- New Beginnings
 

Hi everyone!!
I thought I would make an attempt to get a board back together. :D
So if you were on Battle of the Bulge before- would love to have you back.
If you are looking for a group to join- join me and we can try to lend support to one another.

I am interested in getting a group together to lend support, give tips and tricks, talk about life, and generally cheer each other on. :cb:
I have had my problems in the past but I am ready to get off the floor, dust myself off, and change the way I live. I want to be healthy again and I want to be able to do all the things I can't do at my current weight.
I have recently graduated and moved to a brand new town and I am ready to start a new chapter of my life and I am so relieved I will have more time now to dedicate to it.

Anyway-
Hope to see some action on the board- I miss talking to everyone and getting different perspectives on life.

Until later-
;)

Day 2...
 

Hi again everyone-
I am currently working on day two and things are going pretty well..
My plan is NO:
potato
pasta
rice
refined sugar
and I am trying to exercise 4 times a week..
Hoping to stay on track and try to lose 2 pounds a week
More later

Hi, Crime Girl. Glad you are back. The thread died while you were away. Red, myself, and a few others tried to keep it going, but for some reason we were unsuccessful. Maybe with you back it will pick back up and keep going.

Glad to see you graduated. Did you find a new job? Are you still with your bf?

Hope to hear from ya soon.

Toots

Hi...I've been sorta reluctant to join other ongoing threads because it feels like coming in on a party that's already started which you weren't invited to. However, since this one is starting new I'll join in.

Today I am on track with water. 92oz so far. Food has been ok, although with less fruits and veggies than I would like. May see about making some sort of light veggie dinner. Don't have many veggies available. Spinach, Sweet potatos, onions, tomatos (which need to get eating tonight or spoil) squash, and cauliflower. Any suggestions on a meal I can make with that?

Hi shanberg!!! Glad to see a familiar face.
Welcome solus!! Also glad to have a new one.. :D

Sorry about the board Shan.. :o thanks for trying to keep it alive. ;)
I have graduated and moved to Nashville but I am unemployed - living with my brother and his fiance and the boyfriend. Little rocky right now and originally I was going to wait to start getting my life together for after I got a job but that is frankly just another excuse not to do it,right?
How are you doing?? How is the bf?? How is work?

Solus- Welcome! Glad you decided to join us- I am hoping we pick up a couple more but for better or worse I am going to make a commitment to stay on here no matter what happens. I missed the support!
As for the eating dilemma tonight- I like veggie stir fry..a little soy sauce and stir fried over rice. If not- maybe try grilling the veggies on your grill (if you have one)..you would just need to brush them with olive oil and put them on and they are yummy!
Great job with the water!! What are you doing for exercise?
I just started walking and it is going pretty well so far. Any exercise is hard for me because I am so far our of shape but I guess we all start with baby steps, right??

Anyway- need to ger back to the job search...
More later..

I was walking, but it's raining today so no walk for me. I wouldn't mind walking in the rain but my dog would, and I hate walking alone. I could do a video, but I really don't have the energy for that. I work a full day, come home and take care of the pets, cook dinner for myself, cook dinner for my fiancee if my dinner is something he won't eat, pack it in the fridge properly so he can find it when he gets home, pack us both a lunch for the next day, then clean up the kitchen. After all that the most I feel like doing is a nice walk. It gets my heart rate up and gets me out of the house for a while...but alas, today there is rain.

I ended up making a veggie soup that was rather nice. I just threw all the available veggies in the blender with some fresh herbs from the garden and some LF cottage cheese and LF yogert and made me a soup. However, since I know my fiancee won't eat it I'm stuck trying to figure out what to make HIM.

Solus-
Great idea with the soup! ;) I bet that was really good for you. Sorry the rain spoiled your walk but there is always tomorrow- even if it is just a short stroll- try to go if you can. I need to heed my own advice so I know how it is though.
You have made some great progress so far. What plan are you following? how much exercise? etc? You should really proud of the 16 pounds you have taken off so far! :bravo: You can do it! You have a really great start!

Okay- well wanted to respond to your posting. Keep up the great work! I am cheering for you! :cheer:

I will talk to you tomorrow-

Hi everyone!
Just bumping the board up and letting you all know-
I FINALLY have an interview this afternoon.
HOORAY!

Today has gone pretty well with eating and I plan to walk tonight when I get home so I should still be on track.
How are you all doing?

I am not really following a plan. I woke up one day, got on the scale, realized that I was 7lbs away from weighing 400lbs and said "I have to change my life, NOW"

I gave up soda cold turkey that day. Went from drinking a 12pack or more a day to nothing. I haven't started counting calories. I try to keep my (main) meals at 8-10g of fat or less. I traded 95% of my refined carb foods for whole wheat, multi-grain versions. Long grain wild rice instead of white, whole grain bread instead of white, that sort of thing. I went from eating zero fruits and veggies (except potatos) to making them equal 40-60% of my daily food intake. I also try to eat at least one fruit and veggie whole and uncooked a day for maximum nutrient advantage, although I usually eat more. I also try to get dairy and protein in at least 2 of my meals daily although I try to limit the fat on those...

Basically my plan is, I want to be healthy. My primary goal isn't losing weight. I want to be healthy, and I have to lose weight for that to be possible.

Anyway, this whole "journey" started Friday of last week so it's only been 12 days. However I feel satisfied with my foods and I don't feel deprived. This is the longest I've gone EVER without spiraling out of control and binging on a huge fat-laden meal. I feel better and I am sleeping better so I think that I will be able to stick with it. Also, I've already faced THREE major challenges which would have normally sent me running for food to "fix" my sorrows and not broken down. (I've had some slips, but not complete bust-ups)

I've only seriously tried to lose weight once before in my life, and that was a year ago. I ate nothing but frozen diet meals and pre-packaged diet snacks. I was hungry all the time and miserable. It only lasted 30 days, and even then I couldn't go 5 days without at least ONE day of fat-bonanza. Now I eat as much as I need to feel full and that's good.

Anyway, I know that my quick weight loss here at the first is due to water-weight loss and that it will slow down and I will probably have to be more careful with calories. I keep a diary of what I eat and how much I weigh each day so I can know when that happens and can modify my diet accordingly.

Can a person really wake up one day, decide to completely change their life and succeed? I'm not sure, but I suppose time will tell.

Last year when I tried to lose I got within 2 pounds of reaching 340. I knew if I ever got that low I could do the rest. That's my mini-goal now. If I can get to 340 I know I can beat the weight.

Anyway, sorry for the long ramble...

wish me luck!

Great to see you!!!!!
 

Hi, all. Sorry I haven't been back or posting a lot. I am training for a new part of my job and it takes a little time, since it is new and all. My eating and exercising has hit the bottom and I gained back 5 lbs. I am back on it, though.

CG - Good Luck with the interview!

Solus - Glad to see you have such a great mind-set. I am going with the "not on a diet, just eating healthy" thoughts, too. If I tell myself I am on a diet, I tend to sabotage myself!

Red - Glad you found us again. I was just lurking and saw where CG had started a new thread and decided to start back with the posting. How are the cats???

Gotta go. Having phone line problems and the Bell South person is here!

Toots!!

So Happy...
 

I am thrilled that we are starting to get postings... :cp: :cb: :dance: :flow1: :dancer: :grouphug: :goodvibes

Anywho- Just back from my interview and I am praying they do not try to hire me. The woman who interviewed me would have been my boss and she talks to her employees like they are lower than scum. EEK!:fr:

Solus- your plan sounds really great! I think you can wake up one morning and decide enough is enough. I think it is brave of you to face it head on and it looks like you are having some wonderful success. Good for you!!
I think I may try the same thing because everytime I say I am going to diet my body goes into this OH no we are being deglected! period and I start medicating with food. I am definitely an emotional eater- think maybe just try to substitute healthy food for reward rather than bad foods. Hmmm..

Shanberg- glad to see you! Post when you can- glad to have you back. Did you take on more responsibility at work??

Red- Hooray! Was wondering if I could get you to come back. Glad to see you are still fighting the good fight..how is life treating you?

Well- need to go- will get on tonight and check for posts and maybe post some more just to drive everyone insane.
For now-

Hi, CG.

Yes, one of the ladies that has been here for many years is retiring. She really doesn't do all that much, so they just spread out what little she does between several of us. I now do invoicing and accounts payable. It isn't hard, it is just very, very time-consuming. I have very little free time now a days. I think it will get easier when I finally learn all the ins and outs, but right now I am sorta just winging it. Plus, she is training two other people besides me in other areas, so we are all vying for her time. It is just kinda hectic and stressful...hence my weight gain. My plan is to make it through this week without driving myself crazy over what i eat. I am trying to eat well, but i am not pushing myself.

Anyway, that is my update. Sorry the interview did not go well. If they offer, tell them you are mulling over several and will let them know. Then, in a day or so, call them back and tell them you are going with someone else. Maybe by then you will have more interviews and a better choice.

Gotta go...end of the month and it is twice as bad now!!!!

Toots!

Shanberg,

Hang in there! More work is definitely not a plus, right? I think you are right though- in time you will learn it as well as the other things you do and it will get easier. I think you have a sound plan- just try to do no harm until you can adjust then you can back on track. Everything in its time.

Just thought I would post here and say hi since this thread is new (well...new again). I started my "new lifestyle" on April 27th and so far I am doing really well :D . I exercise 7 days a week and am eating ALOT of healthy food. It is awesome that I am not on a diet because I can't stand restricting what I can and can't eat. I eat whatever I want...just in moderation. Last night my husband came home with a big bag of Doritos ( I LOVE them) and I only ate one!!! The weird thing was, all I needed was a taste and I was fine ;) I am surprising myself llike this all of the time. It only gets easier and easier as the days go by. I also love to exercise more and more everyday. What is happening to me? :lol: Anyway, nice to meet you all and I hope I can join you all in the battle against our bulges :)

Down another pound today! Yay!

Although I think stress may be a contributor.

Welcome leannealise- Glad to have you on the board and it sounds like you have made a great start! :cp: Whatever you are doing it is working! I am like you though- if I call it a diet it becomes instantly undesirable. Then I start feeling depraved and well we all know where I am going with that..
You should be proud of yourself- I think beginning to do it is the hardest part. Once you start losing weight it build incentive.

Solus- HOORRAAAYYYY!!! :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cp: :cp: :bravo: Great job! Keep up the good work! It is working!!

Where have you been all my life?
 

So..
I am living with my brother and his fiance and she has been going to Curves everyday after work...yesterday she talked me into going and WOW- :hyper:
I really like that place. :flow2: There is no time to get bored...variety...women of all shapes and sizes and a sense of togetherness that I need. :grouphug: Going to work out is truly a tramatic thing for me..normally involves a room full of mirrors and the realization that I am a human mashmellow. :wl: I am glad I went and I think I need to join and kick my rump into gear..

Just wanted to share..Hope you are all having a wonderful day!! :D

CG- Thanks for the welcome...I'm happy to be here!! I have only heard good things about Curves, you should think about signing up ;)

Do any of you drink green tea? I have been reading about it and I don't understand why it isn't advertised more. It is full of antioxidants that help prevent cancer, slow the growth of cancer, prevent arthritis, lower cholesterol, speed up your metabolism and increase the oxidation of fat (helps you burn fat). It can also help fight against the effects of smoking and the sun. Certain parts of Asia (especially where they harvest green tea) have some of the lowest rates of heart disease and cancer in the world. Anyway, I don't understand how green tea can be used for over 4,000 years in Asia to help fight against a number of diseases and it is not advertised here in America. I've always known about Green Tea but I had no idea the range of benefits it has. There should be a media campaign for Green Tea!! Do any of you drink it? I read that we should drink between 3-5 cups a day to receive the full benefits. It doesn't taste that great but I had a cup this morning. Only three more cups to go :D

BTW- the ONLY negative side effect to green tea is insomnia :tired: because it has caffeine in it. But it has less caffeine than a cup of coffee ( 30mgs vs 100mgs). I figure, as long as you don't drink tons of it before you go to bed, you'll be just fine.

Thanks for letting me ramble :blah:

Leannealise-
No- I dont drink green tea but I might start now..
Sounds good- I gave up Coke and Diet Coke so a new caffiene addiction would be great. I miss the extra energy.
Anyway- sounds like a sound plan. Can't you get it mixed with other things that make it taste better? I have seen Celestial Seasons has some of the Green Tea options but they are always mixed with some other type of spice. It is less effective this way??

Before you go jumping on the green tea wagon you may want to read this thread in the Buyer Beware forum:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58705

Hoping to join this group
 

Hello, my name is Monique and I'm new here. I've been lurking for a few days and you folks seem pretty nice.
I'm at WW now, but I did Curves several years ago and have nothing but good things to say about them. They gave me the courage to do what finally worked for me: running. I was a marshmallow also until I started running. It turned me into an athlete. Sure, I didn't look like Serena Williams but athleticism is a glow within you. It cured me of asthma...no joke. What truly surprised me though was the running community itself. Even at my fattest, they welcomed me into every single race (5K's). And I was never the fattest one there...there was always someone further down the track than I was. Truly inspirational.

Sure, when I was out some afternoons training, I'd get the cars honking and kids snickering but I put that all out of my mind. You can make fun of my fat *ss if you see me walking down the sidewalk coming out of DQ with a hot fudge sundae. If I'm working out and hear that stuff I just say to myself "How many miles do you think he ran today you sexy beast?" I really don't let it bother me anymore. And it didn't really happen as often as I thought it did.

I'm yacking too much. Can I come on board anyway?
-Mo

http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tra...3/153/173/.png

Mo!! Hi! I havent been posting myself. No time. But just saw your post and wanted to say Hi! :wave:
I will try to get on here soon.

Hi everyone!!
Sorry I wasnt on earlier- it has been a busy day today. I got up this morning and went to my brother's 5K race which entailed me walking about a mile and a half to see him at different checkpoints. He is training for a marathon so I try to go and cheer him on. After that- I went to Curves and had my intial evaluation and worked out. After that my soon to be sister in law and I went shopping for her shoes for the wedding which is in St. Lucia in early July.
:faint: Anyway- I am now in pain from all the walking and working out.

Monique-Welcome!! Glad you decided to join our little group! We are happy to have you and hope we can provide some support for you. I am glad you have good things to say about Curves because I really like it. As for the rude people yelling at you- I think you have a fab attitude about it. People are just rude sometimes. You know what you are doing is important and frankly those people can go jump off a bridge. :D I am glad the racing community has embraced you- my brother is into it too and thinks the same thing. Everyone is SO supportive!


Solus- Thanks for the tip about green tea- I will use the link and educate myself. How are you doing today??

Red- Glad to see you pop on!! Come and talk when you can- I have missed talking to you.

Well need to run again- will try to get on later! Have a wonderful night everyone!

Hi Crime girl! Popping in to say that since I read your post. Popping out again to get to the racetrack. 'Nother big day....uggh....I love it........

I will try to get in for a long post soon. Hang in there, all!

Thanks for welcoming me CG...I'd like to amend my post to say that I WAS a runner. Back when time was something I had more than enough of. I even did a half marthon once. I didn't break any records...but I finished Not Last...always a plus. Now I'm married, working extra hours to get debt free, and renovating another house on the weekends. Almost no time. I can't even imagine what I'll do when I finally have a baby...we're working on it. Any way...my weight has come off due to calorie restriction only. I'm trying to FIND time to run...trying hard...I need you guys...
'Night

-Mo
http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tra...3/153/173/.png

Also...
Is there an easy way to get that cute weight tracker thing on the bottom of my replies or do I have to go through that whole choosing thing again? Help!
- Mo

Hey red and Mo!

Hows it going today?? I am up and still looking for a job so I am about to lose my mind. I need to do something productive!

Anyway- Mo, you need to go through the tracker thing and then at the end- the first string of code, copy it and paste it into your signature box wherever you want it to appear. Let me know if this does not make sense.

Okay well-I will check back later!

A note about Green Tea
 

It was not my intention to promote Green Tea as an appetite suppressant or a wonder drug that makes you skinny. I was just amazed by all of the healthful benefits you can get from it. We all know that anti-oxidants help protect you from a number of things at the cellular level and that cannot be a bad thing. Green Tea packs 10 times the punch that red wine does (recommended because it contains anti-oxidants) and doesn't contain any alcohol :dizzy: . The added bonus of increasing thermogenesis and helping with the oxidation of fat is just a bonus (whether it is true or not...but most studies support it). Anyway, I'm going to drink it because it has a number of positive aspects and only one negative.

CG-I think the only way that you lose potency in Green Tea is if you take it in pill form or the decaffeinated kind (although the decaf still gives a number of benefits). I haven't read anything about flavored green tea not being as effective...so drink away!! I bought some rasberry and lemon ginseng flavored green teas and they taste awesome. I like the plain green tea also but if you need it sweeter just add a splenda packet ;)

Here to lend my support ...
 

Hi ladies. Thought I'd join in your thread if that's OK since I'm new to this board. I'm impressed with your commitment and enthusiasm for getting healthy and trim!

I've been low-carbing for 11 months and going to Curves for 3 months. The new healthier lifestyle is definitely working -- although the weightloss is slower than I would like. But the good news is that I've found a plan that I can live with -- forever.

Solus: I definitely believe that you can wake up one day, make up your mind to succeed -- and then do it! Because last June 29th I did that very thing.

People often delay "getting started" on their weight loss journey because they think it is going to take forever to get their weight off and out of despair and frustration, they put it off until "tomorrow". That tomorrow NEVER comes!

However, a whole year's worth of tomorrows come and go before you even realize they happened. It is all a time warp blur and life quickly speeds by us.

Here is a quote to remember: "Time flies--wheter you are having fun or not!" or in our case, "whether you are living healthfully or not!" And now that nearly a year has gone by since I made the decision for myself, I've kicked 45 pounds to the curb forever! Sure, I wish it were all 71 pounds that I needed to lose, and yes, I wish it had happened much quicker. But do I wish I'd waited until some magical "tomorrow" in order to start? Nope!

I truly believe two things are essential to success: (1) it is a decision (just like any other decision you make that affects your life) and (2) set short-term goals with appropriate (non-food) rewards. Eventually the compliments from friends, family, etc. are all the reward you need! Oh, and shopping for new clothes is great fun too!

Hi everyone!!

Welcome Byugrad! We are happy to have you! I love when new people come into our little group!
I am impressed with your progress so far- you should be really proud of yourself. What you have lost so far is hard and I know you can continue to excel. It certainly sounds like you are in the right mind set. I know what you mean about the "magical tomorrow". That is my #1 problem- I pledge to myself "Tomorrow or next Sunday or some other day than today, I will get serious about it" and of course tomorrow never comes in that respect. You are right- time is of the essence! It seems like the years fly by while I sit on the sidelines and miss things in life because I am too big to do them or not brave enough to do them at this size. I want my life back...anyway- I digress! Happy to have you and I am glad you are a fellow Curves girl...

Leannealise- Thanks for the info on green tea- I think I am going to start with straight green tea with caffiene and go from there. I with you on the benefits. I will definitely try Splenda with it as well.

Okay- well wanted to let you all know that my future sister in law and I are signing the "oprah" contracts to eat healthy and exercise and we are holding each other responsible. It is a 12 week program that Oprah is working with and I am going to try to follow it. I will post my rules for you guys once we get all signed up. Wish me luck!

I was the same way. It seemed that the stars needed to totally align -- i.e. the diet could only start with breakfast on the first of the month if it was also a Monday -- almost like the date itself had some magical power. But you'll notice that my start date wasn't anything magical -- and the 29th of June last year was a Tuesday. In fact, there's nothing wrong with starting with lunch or dinner -- it doesn't even need to wait until the next morning for breakfast. The only thing starting needs to wait for is stocking your house with healthy foods and tossing the junk.

I have been impressed with Oprah's approach to weightloss. In addition to the eating plan, it is very exercise-intensive. But Oprah is definitely proof that it works.

I'm happy today. Can anyone guess why? :D

I'm hoping it's because the scale moved?

Hi everyone!!
Hope you are all doing great! I just completed my 4th visit to Curves and I am still loving it. I also got a temp job that starts Thurs and goes through next week- so that is good. On top of that- the employer I want to work for the most called and screened me for employment and then my resume got pushed up to the next highest person who tried to call me while I was at Curves. I am so excited! This would be my ideal job!

Anyway- how is everyone doing??

Solus- What is the happy news?? I am dying to know..so log on and tell us woman! :D

Okay - just wanted to post right quick. I will try to get back on before bed.
Have a great night everyone!!!

Oh...nothing huge, I just hit 20lbs lost. It felt like a milestone to me.

:bravo: Solus. "Nothing huge??" Sounds great to me! Well done!

CONGRATS SOLUS!!!!!!!
:bravo: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cp: :cp: :cp: :dance: :dance: :flow1: :flow1: :flow1: :flow2: :flow2: :dancer: :dancer: :goodvibes :goodvibes :encore: :encore: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

That is REALLY BIG NEWS!! I am so happy for you!
Keep up the great work!

Solus Rocks!!!
 

20 lbs. is AWESOME!!! You should be SO proud of yourself!!! I am so excited for you...keep smiling!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D ;) and keep up the good work!!