[QUOTE=SheriaVa]If it's emotional eating, start by switching your snacks to healthier things like air-popped popcorn (or the 94% fat free microwave variety if you don't have an air popper). Then start thinking about what emotion it is that you're feeling and think about how you can meet that need in non-food ways. For example, if you're feeling lonely or in need of some conversation, pick up the phone and call a friend or family member and have a chat instead of snacking. If boredom is more the issue, get involved in a hobby that will keep you busy in the evenings--especially some sort of handcraft (knitting, needlepoint, etc.) that would involve you using your hands. Get into a good book that you can pick up each evening. Write poetry if you're so inclined.
QUOTE]

This is just what I needed to read tonite!! Thank you Sheri - you always have such good, sound advice!

Janet: I really like that your SIL makes an imaginary course. I get so bored on machines... maybe I'll try it!

I've been way off-course and subsequently quiet on the board (i know that's when i should be more "vocal"... ?!). I'm trying to focus my mind (always have a lot of thoughts buzzing around). Do you think that - mainly - weightloss is mind over matter?

I happened across a motivational speaker on TV yesterday and a point that he made was that the Wright brothers didn't achieve flying by dreaming of staying on the ground. What do you guys think of that? For some reason, it speaks to me... although sometimes if I focus too much on trying to lose weight - it becomes too much and too overwhelming... ?!

Anyway: thank you for all the posts... y'all are motivating me to put one foot in front of the other.

ok... p.s. I guess I have no idea how to "quote"!! hahahaaaaaa (sorry!)

You're most welcome. I'm so glad you found it helpful. :)

While I completely understand the thought process of staying quiet when you're off course (that has seemed to be predominant attitude on 3FC overall in the time I've been here), I do find it really helpful to "talk it out" when things are going crappy. There are times when I'm feeling SO down that I'm not up to sharing but, more often than not, I find that posting when things are rough--and getting support from the group in return--are helpful to keeping a small stray off-course from being a major detour. Just a thought!

Yes and no. Everything I read about weight loss from "the experts" says that weight loss is pure science: calories taken in - calories expended through exercising = weight loss. However, I know that, for myself, this is not always true and I have heard the same thing from other women, esp. women over 40. For me, eating too few calories on a consistent basis tends to be a problem. I've noticed that, on mornings after a bigger day of eating, the scale goes DOWN not UP...if it was just science, that wouldn't happen.

I do believe that a positive outlook has a lot to do with everything we try to achieve in life, including weight loss. I have been plateauing for a year this month and I beat myself up pretty good about it in the first half or more of that year ("you're a failure," "you can't do anything right," "why can other people do this so easily and you can't?"). Just recently, I've been trying to be more positive. First, I started several months ago by reframing the plateau (i.e., looking at the silver lining) as not wholly negative. Now, I'm adding to that by repeating positive affirmations to myself. I am FEELING more fit and lean, but it's not yet showing on the scale. I only just started the affirmations this past week or so, so I need to give it more time.

Oh my! Once again time has slipped away from me and I just haven’t had time to sit down and post…..officially I am back to work…but just 3 days this week and next then back to full time! Oh well it has been a great summer and I am ready to go back!

I REALLY wanted to be at 230 by the end of the month….but I just am stuck bouncing around between 238-240……so I may not make it…but I am not giving up!!!!!

Sheri…you are SOOOOOOO correct…cal in/cal out is the science…..there is more to it than that…..I used to be able to lose 5 pounds so easily…now I just can’t…..I, too, am thinking about how much fitter I feel and how much better my clothes fit and how good my health is….the weight loss will come if I stick with it!!!

Wander….just keep reading if that is all you have time to do…..I know I post for my own well being….”getting it out” so to speak….nice to know someone reads it!

Oh yes….I did 5 days of exercise last week again……and already did two days this week….I start my weeks on Sunday…..so I am doing the right things!!!!

Well just wanted to touch base…..good eating and exercising to all!!!

Lilybutt

YUP! That's my philosophy too.

Way to go! I got my 5 days in last week too...but barely. I got into a serious emotional funk this weekend and just didn't want to do JACK. I skipped the gym on Saturday and that's usually my longest and most intense workout of the week. So that left Sunday as my last day to get in my 5th exercise day of the week (my exercise week runs Monday to Sunday). It was until maybe 5 or 6 p.m. that I finally got it together, but I did it! Not only did I exercise, but I picked the toughest workout I have on DVD--Tae-Bo Cardio. WHEW! What a workout. :)

Five days a week is always my goal. Last year, I did 6 days a week for much of the year, but found myself feeling resentful about always having to work out--it just felt like I wasn't getting much of a break. Since I went to 5 days a week, I find that I am able to keep up with the schedule more often than not and that I don't feel overworked or resentful about it. As a result, while 6 days of exercise may be better for me physically and help me lose weight better, it's bad for me emotionally/mentally and that means I am more likely to blow off exercise more days a week and that's counterproductive.

It's all about finding out what works for our body and doing it consistently! :)

I think, I say in a whisper, with my fingers crossed, knocking on wood wearing my lucky charms, I may have broke the plateau.....weighed in today....down 4 pounds!!!! But I am being reserved and waiting to see what happens the next few days....maybe??? the exercise is working?? LOL

Lilybutt

hi
 

hey singles! i'm still here. haven't had a lot of time to sit down and post though. it seems when i do get the time it is late and all i want to do is go to sleep. been going to bed earlier that i used too. i haven't figured out as too why i am so tired lately.

welcome back holli's human! glad to have you return. great job on the 6lb loss!! keep it up! :)

my weekend away went ok. it was expensive for just a volunteering job. and it wasn't a charity or anything so i probably won't do it again. i ended up taking monday off just to catch up on some sleep.

my tops meetings are going well. i think i remember telling about a exercise contest i volunteered to be captain of.....well, my team won!!! :D i was so excited. it also feels good to be moving a little again. i will get back to par slowly but surely.

sheri- i have to agree with wanderlust, you do give good advice! thanks! :cool:

well, i will check back soon. hopefully after august i will have more time to myself. happy thursday!
kathy

lilybutt: i'm crossing my fingers too!!! good work!!!! :)

hi
 

hi singles! another weekend over! :( nothing much eventful here.

lilybut - i hope your plateau is broken and then some!!! i posted this in a previous post but for some reason it isn't here.??? i have faith in you and please rub off some of that determination on me. :)

i bought some books this weekend. the one i started is "Tales From the Scales". i've only read a little but it sheds some light from other women's view of the things i think and feel. it's a wierd kind of funny to realize they actually think the same things i do. and when i read it, i can't believe i have those thoughts of low self esteem like others. i always feel i am the only one who thinks those stupid things. i'll keep you up to date on it as i read it.

i hope everyone had a good weekend and have a great week too! :D
kathy

Hi all……well I haven’t weighed myself since I dropped the 4 pounds. One reason is that I really was not in a place to see it go back up right away. The other is that I have had a few nights out, and have eaten somethings that I shouldn’t have….so waiting to be on track for a few days to weigh again….giving it a few days! Still exercising, but not today…instead I did a TON of yard work…edged the yard, mowed, weeded, and fertilized! I think that counts! And I did a great job eating today! Back to work tomorrow and back to a work/eating routine. I have done a good job with drinking less diet pop, I hope I can keep it up when back at work. I bout a box of 100 calorie microwave popcorn bags….for the afternoon munchies, if they hit! So trying to be prepared!!!

Best to all of you for the week!!!

Lilybutt

Have you ever read "Passing for Thin" by Frances Kuffell? I may have talked about it here when I was reading it--think it was earlier this year or late last year. It is by a woman who lost half her body weight. I did not end up liking the author after reading it and I was very disappointed in her weight loss methods (they weren't all that healthy) but she does touch on a LOT of issues that are pretty universal for overweight women. She is also one of the few people (at least at the time the book was published) to address what it's like to be thin after being morbidly obese. A lot of people put their lives on hold, thinking that life will begin when they are thin. For her, she still had major problems--they were just different problems than when she was fat. But she had a horrible time adjusting to being thin.

Though I did not like her weight loss methods and I really ended the book disliking her pretty intensely, I would still recommend the book to anyone who is or has been overweight (and I don't mean by 5 or 10 pounds).

I was only about 65-70 pounds overweight when I started my journey and I still got a lot out of the book, so it's not like you have to be 100-200 pounds overweight to benefit from it.

Kathy, please keep us updated on "Tales from the Scales." I'm always interested in books that delve into that area.

hi
 

hi singles! i am having trouble posting this reply so i hope it gets thru. i am having a so so week. pretty boring actually. :p

sheri - so far this book is "ok". i don't see what scales has to do with anything as of yet. there are different anecdotes from several women about different subjects. i believe these women are no longer overweight. the example that comes to mind is a story of what one women felt like when she had to endure gym class as an overweight kid. if you are interested, i will be happy to mail it to you when i'm done. i usually give my books aways after i'm done anyways, unless it really strikes a chord with me.

i don't have much too report, except i am loving this beautifull cooler weather we are having.it feels like fall and fall is my favorite time of the year!!! :)

have a good thursday!
kathy

Hi!

Still here and hanging in there. Right now not counting calories.....just watching it and concentrating on eating when I am hungry. Oh yes and drinking water…..the pop addiction has gotten much better, keep it to one a day now and I think that is fine. I put the calorie counting on hold because I have had lots of “events” this week to go to. Went to the state fair and knew I would be eating fair food. I won’t share the gory details, but I went a girl friend and we ate food on a stick, but bought one of everything and shared it so we didn’t each too much. Then we went to the Big and Rich concert…those are some crazy boys!!! Last night I had dinner with girl friends, but ate a salad. This weekend I am going to go visit some relative and it will involve eating out…..so instead of worrying about calories, I am going to make good choices and go back to the calorie count on Monday. That’s my plan!!!!

Thanks to all of you for being there. It is so nice to log in and see familiar faces that I can connect with….Everyone have a good weekend!!
Lilybutt

Hi Singles!

Have not had a very good few weeks as I've been sick and as a result, not sticking to plan! Last week was better, but the eating was out of control! I got a load of dried wors and biltong (dried sausage and ?jerky) and just ate way too much! So I've managed to put on a pound. I'm just glad that it's not more!

Self mag has a new fitness plan that covers a month and I plan to start that today. I need to get back on track now that summer is on it's way. I finish my six month probation at work this week. I can't quite believe that I've been here six months already! (Maybe I'll get another raise?!?)

At least I do have a bit of work and aren't just surfing the net or playing games! Let me go and print out some plans.

Have a good week.

Meg

Hey all! Just a quick note to say hi. Was in Ohio from Friday through this morning for a family reunion. Hope all are well.