[coco99]

Hi everyone. I am new to all this computer stuff. I am not sure what all I need to do. I do read all the messages on most days. I have been a TOPS member for about 3 years. At first I done well. I lost 65lb. I now have gained it all back but 5 lbs. I have been having a very hard time. I want to lose weight. I am miserable at the weight that I am. But I hit a place were I wasn't losing and I was exercising. And I started gaining. Then I got discouraged. Thought why should I do all this and gain weight. May as well eat. And right now I don't feel I am getting what I need to out of my TOPS meeting. Sometimes our meeting only last 15 minutes. I figure I work hard all week. And have a loss. Then I want to be with people to share that with. Then I get discourage. I will excercise and really watch what I eat. And may only lose 1/4 lb to a 1 lb. But this other lady. Who I know my lose 5 lbs. by doing what I am doing. And I think how does she do it. She had lost 70 lbs. She now has gained 55 of it back. So I thought I would get on here. The chicken that I am. And see if I can get any help. I do get a uplifting out of reading your postings. And think I can do this again. Then I think. But I didn't do it before. What would make the difference now. So if anyone has any advice for me. Please let me know. I think to if our meetings were a little better that may help also. Thanks for listening.
A TOPS Pal

[FLgal]

Hi Coco...

Welcome to the board. You'll find a lot of nice people here. I haven't been able to be on the board much myself lately, but I'm planning on getting back with it.
I have been having problems with losing lately, too. But, I know that we can do it! It's a new year and a new beginning. It sounds like your TOPS meetings need improving. I don't see how you can accomplish much in meetings that are only 15 minutes long. It takes our chapter that long to have role call. Then, we have to go thru our incentives and contest, among other things and we always have a program.
Don't get discouraged!! The most important thing that we need to lose weight is the right frame of mind. We have to set our mind to losing that weight, and we do need encouragement from others and you will find a lot of that on this board. You did great by losing 65lbs before. And you CAN do it again. Good luck and keep posting.

Nita

[lady06498]

CoCo,

Hi and welcome. Nita is right. I had a hard time this summer and before that also with my weight. I lost 30 lbs and put it back on as well. It is a new year and I have decided that this is the year I WILL lose this weight. It is all in your mind set. If you think you can then you do what you know to do is right and you will lose the weight. If you are depressed and say you can't then you won't try and you will be behind the 8 ball all the way and you won't get anywhere.

I learned 2 years ago that we have to accept ourselves for what we are and love ourselves. Sit down and make a list of all the great and positive things in your life. Starting with you have all of us here to support you. Sounds like you are really down. Then just look in the mirror and say hey I really like myself. Once you get into a different frame of mind and you can like yourself then you are ready to make changes to get the new you that you want. What counts is what is on the inside not what is on the outside. So get writing and come up with at least 10 things. It helps to think positive and you really need a buddy you can talk to daily to help each other when the hard and trying times hit like the office parties and birthday parties. I have proved to myself in the past that if I want it bad enough which I do then I won't touch any cake and ice cream at the birthday parties. I really made it through and felt so proud of me for it. It wasn't easy but when everything was said and done you can honestly say I am closer to my goal because I was in control and I made the right choice. We never have to eat the bad foods no matter what. We are the only ones that put it in our mouths so we only have us to blame. If we want it bad enough then we compromise and stand up for what we want and say no thank you. Even if we have to say it a few times it is worth it and so aren't you.

I know you can do this and we are here for you. Just come here daily and give support and you will receive it back again to help you. We are in the same boat here with the same goals to lose this weight together. You lost the 65 lb before so you know that you know what to do. Now just do it.

I am looking forward to hearing more from you. Don't be afraid to jump right in.

Sherri

[coco99]

Hi
I want to thank you for the replies. I tried to get on here Monday night. But I couldn't. Our phone company has been doing some upgrading for the e-mail stuff. So sometimes I have trouble getting on. Last night was my TOPS meeting. I lost 1/2 lb. Not much. But I guess better than a gain. Our meeting did last about 45 minutes last night. We have 16 members. We just had 3 new ladies join last night. So we now will have 19. I got the book Inspired to Lose. It was through TOPS. I haven't got a chance to read it yet. Has anybody read the book yet? I thought it might be helpful. I did make a small change last week. That was not to eat anything after 7:00pm. I did all right. One night I ate four cheez-it crackers. Done it before I realized the time. But I stoped. One other thing I have been doing also. If I want something to eat. I like to do the stamped cross stitch. I have been picking that up. Trying to keep my hands busy. Or I will fix me a cup of tea or hot cocoa. Thank you for listening. Hope everyone has a good day or evening. Take care!!
A TOPS PAL