Thanks so much for the welcome! I'm actually a Michigan girl too. Born and raised in Kalamazoo of all places! Graduate of MSU (GO Spartans!) and have only been living in Florida for 6 months (post - England) and for 1 year (pre-England). I haven't made any friends yet as I won't let myself go out until I'm at least somewhere near goal. Sounds harsh, I know, but I don't want to make my debut in the Sunshine State looking like Free Willie! But, I work with a great bunch of people and I go to Curves so I stay semi-socially active.

Best of luck to you and everyone. Have a fab holiday!!!

~Alisha

Welcome new buddy!!!!! Everyone is always so welcome here in our group, I was reading your post and I totaly hear you about getting into some cute panties.. my goal is to get into a jucy sweat suite. I welcome you with open arms and if you need anything please feel free to ask.

Vi

H there! You chicks have certainly grown into a super support group.
Since you are up to nearly 100 posts, I will be moving your thread into Support Groups. Have you any suggestions for a name for your group? PM me and I'll rename when I move you.

Good Morning gals! mmmm coffee....

Welcome to the group Alisha! You've come to the right place for support, and we could always use another buddy. You should go buy some sexy lingerie (go by the cheaper Walmart brand ) then hang it where you're going to see it everyday for motivation because it's something you really want. It might help you stay focused.

Vi, congrats on the weight loss! Were you able to get measured last night? Let us know how many inches are gone! And you should go buy that juicy sweat suit you want for motivation! Do something now for youself, you don't need to wait until the very end to reward your accomplishments.

Debs, I'm typing really slow so your computer can keep up with me You sound like you have a busy weekend, have a blast!

So I have exactly 3 months until I start my new job and I really need to buckle down and get to work. I do ok in the mornings and afternoons, but I have a hard time in the evenings. I used to have such strong will power, but I seem to have lost it in the last 5 years. I was putting up old some pics on our smugmug site and I got depressed. I looked really good, and I wasn't happy with my body. Now that I've gained 50lbs I wish I weighed what I did back then. I guess I should stop feeling sorry for myself and get my butt to the track!

Today I commit to exercising for 45 minutes and eating no bad food. How about the rest of you, are you with me on this today?


Do any of you have an idea for a group name, because I'm at a loss.

Have a great day gals!
Kathy

Hi everyone and good morning to you! (Well, it is here at the moment )

What a fantastic group! Vi, it was actually your first post in this thread that made me register because I could SO identify with you. (Congrats on the loss!!! Way to GO!!! ) I had a boyfriend for 4 years (when I was still in England - he was a Dutch guy) and sometimes people are just NOT who you think they are. After 3.5 years he decided to move in with me - only to spend ALL of his savings on bills so he could sit around for 16 hours a day and play computer games! What a joke! He didn't want a relationship, he wanted someone to cook for him so he didn't starve to death in front of the computer screen! Well too bad! He could move back home and his mommy could do that for him! Out he went and I came home and now, at least for awhile, it's all about ME! I figure I deserve it. As I said to my mother - I'm 34 years old and finally I am able to say that I don't want or need a man in my life right now to complicate things. I want to get this weight off and make my life into what I want it to be without having to worry about the effects on someone else. How liberating!

So, here we are ladies!! It's day 5 for me on my Medifast diet. I'm down 8 whole lbs and feeling great. I don't have any plans for the 4th but I think Deb is doing enough for the both of us! Have fun at your parties!!

Wow, our own little group! Thanks Ruth! The only name that kind of 'came' into my head (and don't laugh - I know it's cheesy) was the Can Can Club. It's the best I can do at 10:30am but I know we all CAN do it! (I did briefly think of the Can-Do Club but that reminded me of the kids' bathroom wipes!)

I'm with you, Kathy! I can't commit to the 45 mins of exercising because it's not recommended on my diet BUT I sure as heck will commit to NOT eating anything that isn't on my diet - so it's shakes for me! I haven't cheated yet and by gosh I'm not going to! It is definitely NOT in my best interest to do that!!! The first two days I spent somewhere in the seventh circle of **** as my body fought to rid itself of all the junk and toxins in my body and I sure as heck don't want to go through that again. What a motivtor!

I hope everyone is having and will have a great day! I'll check back to see how everyone is getting on.

All the best!

~Alisha

I've only posted here a time or two, so you all probably don't really know me yet as you seem to know each other. I will change that!! LOL
I'm only down a few pounds, but a lady came up to me this morning (she had no idea that I'd just started trying to lose weight recently) and said to me, "Girl, you've really dropped some weight! You look really great!" I'm quite sure I beamed...and of course I thanked her. Made me not want to eat anything today....but then lunch came and I was starving...and....well.....um......no, just kidding. I didn't totally blow it. I'm doing weight watchers. My point target is 26 (actually 28, but I'm saying 26. That just means I eat less calories, which I know won't hurt me one bit). So far today I think I've had approx. 13-15 points. It's hard to calculate exactly when you go out to eat, but I'm pretty sure that's a pretty close count. I had 1 1/2 C. mashed potatoes, 1 1/2 C. Cabbage, and a baked chicken breast for lunch. Would have been satisfied with just the cabbage...it was soooooo good!!!
The first few days are the hardest, but the longer you do it, the easier it is. After being on it the first time for about a month or two, I ate some pizza and it almost made me throw up...it was so nasty!!! My husband and I just looked at each other and said, "How'd we used to do this all the time???" It's habit, though. Your body gets used to eating junk and that's what it wants. If you train it to want other things...good for you stuff, then that's what it wants. I lost 30 lbs on WW about 1.5 years ago and had gained 10 back. I'm hoping to be back down to my 30 lbs this coming week.
Sorry to rattle on and on.....

HUGS AND WELCOME TO ALISHA and GainingWeight (I didn't see your name)

Alisah-where in SUNNY Florida do you live? I live in FL! Hey-don't stay in the house. Go out in the evening....find a nice park and walk! Trust me......I kept myself cooped (sp) up inside and regreted it! Go to the beach.......no really cares if we look like!!!! I don't know what the Medifast diet is? What is it?

Kathy-you don't start work for 3 months! WOW...you can come to my house and clean...I go back to work on the 25th? of July...boo who!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yo, VI! AWESOME on the 16+ lbs! Girl send those unwanted pounds..wait I mean send the loss to me..not to add to mine but to get off of me! On the neighbor........I laughed out loud and my dh asked why....the guy already thinks you're a doll-how could he not! Remember......YOU ARE FIRST right now! Hey if you read this before the 4th-----if your sis says anything nasty...just say thanks sis I'll keep that in mind......NO ONE is going to get you off this new lifestyle!!!! YOU ROCK!

Hi gang! I was actually thinking of a new name for us since we do have a lot of posts-which is great!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the Can Doers. I'm game for anything.

Our computer part didn't come in, so here I sit at this old computer. We'll need to get it fixed up a bit for our son to use....eventually! LOL

Food been so-so this weekend. We are NOT going to the beach on the 4th. We are going to go over to a friend's house from church. They have a pool--I won't be swimming....TTOM.

I'm going to be making a fruit pizza for the get together tomorrow. Never made one!

Ok...I ended my other post because I thought--open a word document this way I can toggle back and worth. Well guess what? This dinosaur doesn't have WORD on it. Don't ask!!!! My dh put xp on this computer and it really should not have it.........poor computer....Wait...poor me!

Oh and for some reason I can't read most of my PM's...urgggg

Ok....I'm gone a few days and I'm so far behind with posts....BUT we have new members!!!!!!!YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Connie-welcome! Teachers rock!


LOSING weight in LA-(gaining not no more!) Congrats on the new baby girl! You and your husband were chosen for HER! I know it's hard to get out there! My 6 yo is noticing my big belly-and it's not a baby it's FAT!

I was holding a 6 month old yesterday--it felt so good--but I realized there is no way I can handle it at this size! I must lose 50+ pounds--but I have way more to go!

AHHH.. I didn't realize the time.....urg....I better get going..we are going to a famiy night w/fireworks.

Happy 4th of July to all!

Debs

Okay I've been lurking around and decided to go ahead and post because I truly need some support and encouragement in losing these pounds.

Debs, like yourself I'm also a teacher and I know about Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), I'm also ESOL certified (English for Speakers of Other Languages), I've taught pk-8, ESL (that's what we call it in Texas), Special Education or what they call ESE in Florida. Goodness...sounds like I'm posting my resume LOL
I'm in the process of relocating to Florida in a couple of weeks!!!

So did you say teachers get in to Sea World FREE!!!

Do I ever need help in shedding these pounds!

Welcome Healthy! What part of Florida are you looking to relocate in? Yes, if you have a FL certificate and a job(I think you need a job..I can't remember if I had to show a pay stub) get into SeaWorld for free, also Kennedy Space Center.

It's going to be HOT today! Just hanging out at home-cleaning up a bit...packing???? and then going to the friend's house at 2. My dh's bday is Saturday...we are not doing anything fancy. I might surprise him with a party in November when he least expects it!

Still looking for a place to live. I'll be looking hard starting tomorrow. I know we'll find something.

I better go. I have the cookie recipe in the freezer and I have to roll it out for the fruit pizza. I have 1/3 less fat cream cheese--so that's probably the only low fat part of this Holiday! LOL

Enjoy!!!!!!!


debs

Happy 4th of July everone!

Welcome to the group healthy! We're here to help you lose those pounds!

I don't have a whole lot planned for the day, because my family is still all away. I'm going to go with my sister and brother-in-law to watch the fireworks, and that's about it. I'll get in my workout too, and I guess since I'm not going to a BBQ, I'll have an easier time eating right. My kids come home tomorrow, they've been away for about a month now visiting my parents in Colorado at a dude ranch where they spend the summer. I'm really excited to see them

Debs, my new job starts in 3 months, but I have to start 2 months of training the beginning of August, so I really don't have all 3 months off. I think I would go crazy! I think the Can Doers is a good name for the group, and since you did start the thread, I think you should name it.

I hope all of you have a fantastic day!

Kathy

Thanks Debs & Kathy. Debs I understand about looking for some where to live because the real estate market in the Orlando area is wild. It's definitely a sellers market and the sellers are getting whatever price they ask. I'm already certified by the Florida Dept. of Education and I'm looking forward to my new position with the school district.

Kathy where can I get that tinker tape?

I signed up with fitday.com yesterday so I'm going to give it a try by monitoring my food portions. For the last couple of weeks I've been exercising and losing inches although the scale remains the same I know that will change soon. Hopefully, by logging daily my calorie consumption I find out where I'm going wrong and make the necessary adjustment.

I look forward to giving and receiving support .

Have a great day!

Welcome to the group GainingWeightInLA and Healthy! I'm so glad to have you here! Don't worry, I'm new as can be and everyone is SO nice!

Gaining - How fantastic that someone noticed your hard work! Doesn't that make you feel so good? It sounds like you've got your head on and you're succeeding in a very good way! How fab. I'm very proud of you

Debs - Hey there busy gal! I hope everything turned out okay for you today but it sounds like everything will be fantastic! Yeppers, I live in Florida - right near St Pete Beach. The place is lovely and it sure beats the English gray skies and rain all the time for sure! I must admit that I feel like I'm under constant attack from the Raisin People, but once I get this weight off I can take a trip to Ybor and join in the night life. I can't wait for that. I'm not a drinker but I'm sure as heck a 'go to the club' kind of girl

Kathy - I sure envy you. I want to teach more than just about anything but I will have to find someone to hire me without the cert so I can get the temp cert and then go forward to permanent cert. Oh what a tribulation! I want to teach high school English (that's what my degree was in) and I really think I could do a fine job given half a chance. Cross your fingers for me! I'm not doing anything today either (not even fireworks because I can see them from my balcony) so I understand. It's kind of frustrating to be locked indoors with nowhere to really go. Oh well, the less temptation the better I say!

Healthy - it's great to have you on board. It sounds like you have your plan and we're right behind you ALL the way! You go girl! Think Loreal... you're worth it!

As for lil ole me... well I hopped on the scale this morning and I was happy to see that I'm down 9.5lbs since Wednesday. I'm beside myself with encouragement and, if I squint really hard, I think I can see a pinpoint of light at the end of the tunnel for once.

Take care everyone and I wish you a safe and happy holiday!

*virtual hugs*

~Alisha

Hello Alisha, I like your name (same as my dd) . Now how did you lose 9.5 lbs since Wednesday?

Gaining, those are truly wonderful words to hear. I look forward to hearing them on a regular basis real soon. We Can Do This!

Hi everyone!

Hourglass, I really appreciate the kind words, but I'm affraid they weren't directed at me! I unfortunately don't have the patience to teach, but Debs and Healthy do, and possibly one more of us. however, I do agree with you, teachers are wonderful, and I hope you get to be a teacher too! Congrats on the weight loss, things are looking up for you!

I had a wonderful suprise show up at my doorstep today.... my sons came home!!! I have 2 sons-11 &13. They were supposed to go to their dad's house but everyone was sick there so I get them by default.

Ok gals, I'm off to watch some fireworks. You all have a great night - no matter what you're doing!

Kathy