sad here
 

Thanks everyone. All of you are so young and cute. I guess I am the Granny here. I am 48 not sure how old everyone else is. I am just a plain ole country gal that lives right close to the lousianna border. All iI have been able to do is cry since the storm. We have 50 families coming to our small town today 15 kiddos enrolled in school so far. My son works on rig right out of new orleans or he did now not. It is so horrible to see all of these sad homeless people. I have a hard time even eating thinking of them.
Sorry post is short but right now I am just heart broken for all these souls. Please remember them all and give what you can. Even if it is one meal it is one less we need lol. Salvation army money goes faster than red cross not as much red tape. I hope it is ok to post that soliciting but it is for good cause!!
I am sorry if I missed anyone. I love all you guys and trying to learn who each and every one are. We need to a get to know you post.
Thanks for offer of training. When I get my heart back in right place I am going to take you up on it. I am still doing my walking and weights and eating right. I will talk to yall later going back to my tv and knees

It's funny that there are 3 of us from Texas here. I'm in Austin right now for school.

Melanie, I think I'm going to try the tea thing. I don't really have any money except for the money which is on my meal plan and our coffee shop on campus is open till 12 and has lots of teas, so I'll give that a try. Thanks for the idea!!

Nicki, it does suck, because its like all day I'm doing great then at night I just splurge, it's not worth it! We just need to keep remembering that. Perhaps you should try the tea thing, too?

Debbie, like you it makes me so sad to think about all the homeless people. I feel so sorry for everyone who has to go through that. I have several friends who live in New Orleans and they're all alive, but have no idea what the state of their place is. My heart goes out to all of them for having to deal with this.

I'm gonna go to the gym now to get it out of the way. Hope you all are doing well!

I am from Zavalla Texas close to Beaumont and Lufkin kind of in middle of two big towns. Our population is 987 lol but right now climbing fast. I lived in Bastrop Texas for 13 years. Both of my kids born there. Bastrop is close to Austin.
I know what you guys mean about the snacking. I have found that if i eat a bowl of frozen chocolate yougart ate night or rainbow sherbert 0 fat it satisfies me. In morning I make me a big ole cup of cappichino (sp)Son bought me expresso machine so I can make my own decaffee coffee and use 1 percent milk. That also helps.
Remember we are not on diets. We are on healthy way of living. The best thing you can do is do not ever let yourself get hungry. Find something that is legal to eat. We are all in this together. Hmmmm Texs must have a higher ratio of chubby people lol. Before long won't be nothing but sexy babes here though. Well I am going to go get back to begging food and hygiene stuff for these folks here. We seem to have enough clothes but not enough diapers and personal grooming things. The most important things they are wanting is their own tooth brush hair brush and clean undies and sanitary stuff. Can you imagine tom at this horrible time. God bless these people. I am trying to get a donation of stuff from all my friends so we can take to our church. Make sure to thank our lord for all we have because it can go in a second. I love yall.

I'm so sad for the people who were affected by Katrina. I'm trying to see if there's a place that we can donate clothes too. I've got tons and tons of baby, plus size women's and men's clothes that I'm sure someone will need.

Debbie, have you heard of Nederland?

Heck ya!! I have friends there and in Orange which is close to it.

wow, cool! DH's brother lives there. His mom and grandma live in Jasper.

Debbie - Thanks for being such an advocate for all those in need in this sad time! I wish they had more donation places here in California because I also have clothes I could give. I will keep my eyes out for something.....You are so right that we need to be thankful for everything we have right now - we just never know what's around the corner and every minute we have family, friends, shelter, & food is precious.

no way i shop at jasper walmart all the time wow what small world email me some time

The babys mom that I keep Paula just got back from one of the camps. She was crying her heart out. We don't have enough food and stuff to feed everyone coming in. Doing all we can here. They are raping women and children on the streets and shooting at all passing cars. When will this stop. I don't know how many people we have here in our small town everu one is cleaning pantries and cooking and doing all we can. The poor babies I got to stop my heart is broke. All of our churches are open now and we accept anything we can get. This is just one story of the millions just like us. What part of california are u in Mel? I have friends in Aneheim. If nothing else just everyone pray for this to end.

Debbie - It truly sickens me to think of what evil perverts would take advantage of women and children in such a time as this! I pray the Lord will take justice on those sick men! I cannot believe how bad it really is - it brakes my heart. May the Lord continue to give you strength to help in anyway you can. I know it's hard, but please try to have some rest and peace tonight.......you'll need it for tomorrow.

Goodnight and God Bless!
Melanie

Well Im new to this thread.. I also think Im probably the youngest, but Im Caryn & I am 16 years old. I am looking to lose about 68lbs.. My goals are in my siggy as are my stats. I live in Washington state.. uh I have a bengal cat named Allie.

I hate exercising, but am trying to get into it. I am going to buy a couple yoga videos and try those along with walking and maybe some raquetball.

Anyways, thats me in a nutshell..

My name is Shirah and I am 29 years old. I live in Toronto with my husaband of 1 year. I work in education. I would like to lose 65 pounds, and so far I have lost 11.5. But I think I may have a gained a lb back!!! :o . I need to get back on track and I need lots of support. Can my weigh in day be Wednesday?

I just can't watch the news anymore. Yesterday, I was just bawling when I saw the people begging for help at the convention center.


Yesterday I ran for an hr and 15 min! I'm going to have to be REALLY good today. Every Friday we go out to eat with our friends. I don't do HORRIBLE but I eat more than I should.

Hi Caryn! Welcome! OOOH!! How neat that you have a bengal kitty! Those are gorgeous! You know, that was my problem too, I hated exercising. I finally found something that I really love, and I'm addicted to it :lol: I hope you find something you enjoy doing!

Hi Shirah! What do you do in education (if you don't mind me asking). Congrats on losing 11 lbs! This thread has been a HUGE support for me, especially these past few weeks.

Hello everyone! :gossip:

Welcome to our too new gals! Shirah and Caryn

Shirah: Weigh in is anytime you want to do it! Welcome to our group, it has been alot of fun and support for me.

Caryn: I like how you made your goals. That is great! I like doing yoga too. I do it at least once a week. I am finding that I want to get my mind and body together for weight loss.

Well, gotta go for now....

Hey ladies, Nicki, Melanie, Celeste, Haley, Sarah, Debbie, if I don't hear from you have a wonderful labor day weekend!!!!! :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

Welcome Caryn and Shirah, I am glad you found us. The support here is tremendous. I am sorry to say you joined us at a sad time, lots of us focusing on the loss of katrina. I was up all nite last nite with night mares of babies crying. We did get several families placed last nite and got together money to get some personal stuff. One lady said all she wanted was a bra. How sad is that. She has a 3 month baby she is nursing thank god for that. Remember these are people just like us. Give till it hurts but make sure it is going to right place where it can help the fastest. Lots of communities are needing help with the new citizens. I refuse to call them refugees. They are american just like us. Even if it is the price of a meal that we don't need send it and just feel how good your heart feels. I love you guys. Going back to the phones to see what and where needs. Keep up the good work and exercise exercise.

Thanks for the welcomes. This is a terrible time, but I try to limit what I watch about it.. I feel too helpless sometimes.

I hope I can find some exercising that I like.. I really enjoy Yoga so I hope that works for me along with walking and crunches.

Bengals are very pretty..they're also very wild. Allie is great at driving us insane at all hours of the day and night. Shes like a toddler who gets into EVERYTHING possible.. then you clean up the mess and she goes right back and does it again.. and the cycle is endless lol

Welcome Caryn and Shirah! You've definitely come to the right place for support.

Caryn, I don't really enjoy exercise either, I just know it's helping me lose weight so I do it. The yoga is a great idea it strengthens and tones muscles. The walking and crunches are also very good ideas, make sure when you are walking it isn't leisurely, so that you have your heart rate up. I'm with you on the can't watch too much thing because of the helplessness feeling. I've pretty much stopped watching the news and I'll read about what's going on online, but I can't do much more than that, it's too sad.

It's so great to have so many people here!! Gotta go to class now, adios!

My Darling Debbie - You are a real trooper! Keep up the great support, but do try to get some rest so you have the strength to move forward!

Welcome Caryn & Shirah :D Hope you find it helpful here......it has been my lifeline! :angel:

Thanks, Karen - you have a great weekend too :flow1:

Be back with my weigh-in soon!

Melanie, hurry and tell us how your weigh in went!

I'm at 204 this morning. I can't remember what I was last week. I THINK I was 205. I'm working my way back down. I have been doing REALLY good on my exercising! I'm happy because today is leg day, so I don't have to go to the gym and do cardio! YAY! I have weights here, so I'll do lunges, squats... stuff like that.

Anyways, welcome Caryn and Shirah! Shirah, how do you pronounce your name? I'm bad at things like that, sorry! And Shirah of course your weight day can be on Wednesday! We will be looking forward to it! You two joined a great group, let me tell you! :D

Debbie, I agree w/ what Melanie said. You are SO great and helpful and thoughtful, but please, try and get some rest!

Celeste I can't even believe you ran that long! That's insane. I could never do that, lol. I have a hard enough time w/ my 30 min.! On good days, I'll do like 40 min., lol. But good for you! :D

Hi Karen! Are you not going to be around this weekend? :no:

Thanks everyone for the praises. Not what I am looking for but I know yall know that. It is hard to turn off tv here or not see what is going on because it is right in our small town. I am very proud of my community. People have been calling me all day telling me what they have and where can they take it. I don't have lot of money but I do have time and that is what I am doing. Kind of head chief over the indians trying to feed the masses. It is amazing how everyone here has come together. I have lots of my friends on my other post mailing me stuff to donate also from atkins or bust. It makes me feel better knowing I am doing all I can.
Every one is doing so great on diets. I can't believe how easy this is after all the years of being atkineer. Ten lbs gone and not a hungry moment.
I would love to see a picture of the bengall kittens. My daughter collects anything tiger. She even has a giant tiger tattooed down her thigh ( shhhhhh dont tell her dad) She had a big wine spill birthmark and had that done to cover.
Shirah
congrads on loosing post here often it is great help. I was in education for years. I did iss in school suspension for 3yrs then went to day care. I love kids matter of fact I keep three here in my home.
I am getting rest lol it is just at night when I try to sleep I hear the hungry cries. I came from abuse lived on streets from age 12 to age 16 so I know hunger abuse molesting and my heart goes out. Thank the good lord for my wonderful husband who found me on street took me in married me 6 wks later and we have been together coming on 33 yrs
Opps didn't mean to get carried away sorry. But now yall will understand I am why I am right now. been there done that.

Weigh-In
 

Hey Ladies! :D

Here's my weigh in;

Week 1 - 190.5 (7/10) - 0
Week 2 - 185.5 (7/22) - 5
Week 3 - 181.5 (7/29) - 4
Week 4 - 178.5 (8/5) - 2
Week 5 - 179.0 (8/12)+ .5
Week 6 - 176.5 (8/19)- 2.5 lbs
Week 7 - 176.5 (8/26) -0
Week 8 - 174.5 (9/2) -2

Total lbs lost: 16.0

Well, being that I didn't lose any weight last week, 2 lbs doesn't seem like much this week, but I guess it averages a 1 lb a week and that's better than nothing, so I'll take it - LOl! :lol:

Nicki - Great job on exercising - you sound so motivated and jazzed - it's great!! :dancer: Good job on the loss too!

Debbie - What am amazing testimony you have! :sunny:

Celeste - I agree with Nicki, running for an hour and a half is insane to me - you are marathon woman! I don't even know how long I can run? I mostly speed walk, but I should give running a try. How did you start off?? :shrug:

Hugs to everyone :grouphug:

question about walking on tread mill
 

First let me say yea Mel. :cb: That is wonderful. I hope I can average at least a lb a week.
I have question about walking on tread mill. I can't walk past 3mph for 30 min and wonder what I am suppose to be doing. I usually keep it on 2.8 and make 1.5 miles on average. Is that pretty good for an old beginner. I just got tread mill this week and started monday and about the calories and fat burned I am not sure which is which or if it matters.Crud it disappeared before I could read 145 calories I think and 45.5 on the other is that average. I do know I am sweating like a pig and stayed in oxygen for 30 full minutes. I just need to know what is average for person my age and weight and how much I should be doing. Thanks. I am still trying to remember all names and who does what. I dont mean to leave anyone out. Yall are all wonderful!!!! Imagine some day I can run for hour half :joker: How old are you as matter of fact how old is everybody. I think I get the granny crown for being oldest huh :crazy:

Hey Debbie - Whatever workout gets your heart rate up is a good workout for you! It sounds like the workout you are doing now is what you should be doing based on the fact that you said you're sweating and your oxygen level is up. Great job!! :cp: Maybe try increasing your time and speed by a little every week. You said your speed is 2.8 mph and your distance is 1.5 mph - well maybe next week you can try doing a speed of 3 mph at 1.6 mph distance. A little at a time is best. I have a Proform treadmill and use to do a speed of 3 mph w/ no inlcine for 20 minutes (about 1.25 miles) and now I do 3.5 mph w/ an incline of 7 for 45 minutes (about 2.6 miles) - so I have really increaased my time which burns a lot more calories than before. One day at a time!

Thanks for the encouragement on my weight loss. You asked about ages......well, I am 25 and I have a one and a half year old little boy and a 28 yr old husband.....it's coming up on our 4 yr anniversary. :hat:

WOW!!!!! :dancer: WAY TO GO NICKIE AND MELANIE!!!! :dancer: On your weigh in!!! I hope to do well on my weigh in on Saturday.....

Debbie: You are doing such a great Job! I wish I had a threadmill. I like Mel, advice. Listen to your body!

Nicki: I am going to have a buzy weekend, so I do not know if I will post as much...but I will try...because that is when I need it the most.

Oh yeah....I am 37 years old, my hubby is 35 years old, I guess I like them young. LOL! We have been married for 3 years. And have had two wonderful kids in those years..Jessica 2 and half, and Charlie 8months.
:df: :df: :df: :df: :df: :df: :df: :df: :df: :df:

Hello Everyone
 

Hello, I am really glad I found your support group and hope you do not mind if I join! My name is Amy and I have tried every diet and plan under the sun so it seems. Out of all of them I have to say that I like weight watchers the best. Since I do not currently drive and would have a hard time getting to meetings, I am hoping to do it from home and get the group support from here :) I am starting first thing tomorrow. I am currently 5' 2" and I weigh 193 lbs My goal weight is 120 but I would settle for 130 ;) a little more about me...I am from Vermont, I have a loving supporting boyfriend of 1 year, I have a dog named Nautica aka Naughty Dog , I am 22 and I am very glad to hear of everyones success! Looking forward to being supported and being a supporter! Take care All :)

Welcome Amybeth!

Our group has grown in size in the last few days! That is so wonderful! Celeste has done WW at home too! She does it on-line I think? Hopefully, you will hear from her soon. We have such a wonderful group and great support. Glad to have you here too!

Melanie – GREAT job on the 2 pound loss! Geez, I can’t believe you have lost 16 pounds already! Well, I CAN believe it, but you know what I mean! Do your clothes feel looser? I can’t wait until I am 16 pounds down!

Debbie, what you’re doing right now is GREAT. Especially for a beginner. You’re actually walking pretty far! If your oxygen rate is up and you’re sweating and tired by the end (you don’t have to be REALLY tired, but feel like you got a good workout), then you’re fine. Just like what Melanie said, increase the speed/distance a little bit every week. So yes, you’re doing awesome. :D

Hi Amy! So glad you could join us! Weight Watchers is pretty good. I sometimes wonder if it’s enough calories, though. But for the most part I think it’s great. We like to weigh in once a week (whatever day is fine), would you like to do that as well? If not, that’s not a problem either! :D

Karen, try and check in at least once with us! Especially if weekends are hard for you (they are for me too). If you can’t, though, it’s obviously fine, lol. But it could be great to hear from you! :D

Oh and I am 23 years old! :p

ps....I like your weight loss trackers....where or how did you get them into your messages? thanks :)

Hello Nicki , Sure I would like to post how my weight loss is going... since I am starting tomorrow how about I post every Saturday....thanks for your fast response... take care :)

Karen, thank you for such a warm welcome! I look forward to chatting more with you soon. Well I am gonna go out and enjoy my hopefully last night of eating and drinking without counting. I am bound and determined to give this a fair shot. Wish me luck. I will check in and let you know how its going. As for everyone else...keep up the good work and keep losing! ;)

Hello Amy! Welcome aboard :D

Nicki - Thanks for the encouragement on my WL! To answer your question, yes, I can tell a big difference in how my clothes fit. Before I lost the weight I was a true size 16, but after losing 10 lbs, size 14's were a bit loose and I was able to fit into a size 12 jeans! All my clothes are too big now and noticeably so - my hubby told me I will have to get a new wardrobe when I hit my goal weight.......I am thinking I will need to get a few things at this in between weight too because everything looks baggy & big. It's weird because my clothes have been a better indicator of my success than the scale or even how I feel I look. I can't tell a big difference when I look at my body, but others say they can? Either way I am just glad that I have come this far - I have always had a problem with committing to bettering myself in this area. No more wishy washy thinking, I know what I want and I am going for it......even when it's tough and I really want to overeat or not exercise.

Wow, I guess I am pretty passionate about this.....I wrote a freakin' novel - hah! :comp:

Keep up the great work ladies!
Melanie

Hello Melanie, so great to hear about your success! keep up the good work! its great to be so determained! congrats! :)

Hey ladies!! hope you guys are doing well.

Tonight is "date" night with Bill. Taking Kalynn to my friend's house. Hopefully, I"ll make good choices.

Someone asked about ages? I'm 29, Bill is 36 and I have a 3 yr old little girl (who's starting school 9/13 :cry: )

Melanie, way to go on the weight loss!! That is GREAT that your clothes are fitting loose! That's one of the ways I was able to tell. I couldn't really SEE the difference, but my clothes were getting looser!

Amy, Welcome!! I do WW's online! I've lost about 50 lbs on it, and I never felt hungry. You just gotta make good choices and it teaches you portion control.


Everyone have a good weekend!!!

I started a WL blog, check it out!
http://celestejourney.blogspot.com/

hi Celeste, I am starting WW today. Hope I am as successful! I looked at your before and after pics....you look fabulous! you must feel so much happier and healthier. Congrats :)

Hey Amybeth, how are you doing today so far w/ W.W.? :D

Melanie, that's so cool. And it's so funny that others can always tell the difference, even if you can't! It helps though, I think.

And shopping is one of the fun parts of losing weight! YAY! :D

popping in to say hey
 

I just wanted to pop in and say hey and welcome to all the new comers. There are so many things I want to respond to in post but I just haven't had time. We have so many new citizens in our community now( I refuse to call refugees) The stories are so sad and pitiful. I just got email from my other diet post I use (when I was atkins) Give that one up I am a pro at that one and it isn't good long term. You got to learn to eat healthy. Dang there I go rambling again. Any way Kimmy from Maryland went all around her small town taking donations for my town and sending to me. Thank all you people there in Maryland that helped. It does my heart so good every time we send more stuff to these people. We have them living everywhere here.
I am still taking time to work out and eat right. Holding steady at 189. I really encourage everyone to read this book I keep harping on. Stop the insanity. I got mine on half.com and food from susan powter. Give up the notion you are on diet just eat right. If you don't eat fat you don't make fat. Makes sense to me. So far down 11 lbs this month after trying atkins for over a year and keep yo yoing. I do know atkins works because in 1981 I went from 173 to 126 in 6 months. But when you start eating carbs again ( believe me you will) it comes back and more. Totally messes up metabolism and your cholestral out the roof. Sorry if i offend any atkineers here but believe me I have been there and I know.You got to get healthy eat right and exercise and you will lose.
Hubby is really taking notice of me now. It is so nice finally to be able to eat and live with out saying sorry I cant cause I am on a diet. If you mess up work harder the next day and don't get back in the rut. This is the true way of life.
Well I better get back busy. I just wanted to let all know I am alive and well and think of you often and read post I have just been so busy. Welcome everyone this is a wonderful place and I hope we continue to grow.

Weigh In...
 

Here it is:Okay my weigh :goodscale in:
5-11-05 229.0 (0)
8-01-05 225.0 (-4)
8-06-05 222.4 (-3.4)
8-13-05 221.7 (-0.7)
8-20-05 220.1 (-1.6)
8-28-05 219.1 (-1.0)
9-03-05 218.3 (-0.8)
9-10-05 216.5 (-1.8)
TOTAL LOST: 12.5 POUNDS!!!

Sorry I don't have a chance to post more right now. Hope that everyone is doing well!

Karen

Hi Nicki, I made it through day one and am down 20 lbs yeah! if only it were that easy....but seriously I had a very good day. I didnt use any flex points today, I didnt deprive myself and I didnt feel very hungry today.(found myself having to eat more points because I hadnt eaten enough) that probably wont happen again lol but we will see. I always do well for the first 2-3 weeks and then I start cheating and feeling like I have less and less motivation. I am hoping that the support and sharing of others stories will get me through those tough weeks to come. All and all I am feeling very positive. Thank you for asking! How are things going for you? Are you counting calories? Do you have any fun suggestions that you have tried, heard of or are doing for exercise? I dont mind exercising but I like to switch it up. The same thing can get boring after a while. also if anyone has any delicious WW recipes that they would like to share I am all ears! Take care all, check in with ya later

Debbie, I totally agree with you on the Atkins. Seen it happen with my family.

Karen, go you for the weight loss!! Woohoo! You are doing GREAT!

Amy-I'm glad you had a good day! I have to say that this thread has really helped me and really supportive.

I have a WW's recipe. I actually got it from allrecipes.com

Angel Hair Chicken

6 pts
INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
• 12 ounces angel hair pasta
• 1 carrot, sliced diagonally into 1/4 inch thick slices
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen broccoli florets, thawed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2/3 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and saute for 5 to 7 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (no longer pink). Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, or until al dente; drain and set aside.
3. While pasta is cooking, heat 2nd tablespoon oil over medium heat in same skillet used for chicken. Stir fry carrots for about 4 minutes, then add broccoli and garlic and stir fry for another 2 minutes. Finally, stir in broth, basil and cheese and return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 4 minutes.
4. Place drained pasta in a large serving bowl. Top with chicken/vegetable mixture and serve immediately.

I added mushrooms to it and it's YUMMY! And I used whole wheat pasta which brought it down to 5 pts