Come on guys,

DON'T POSTPONE THE VICTORY......POSTPONE THE DEFEAT!

Happy New Year 2002!

Love,
carree

Hi guys.

Its been a while since I was able to spare the time to check in here.
I started on the script of phentermine about two weeks ago and have shed 8 lbs so far. The main drawback to date is that if you take it later than 8am you will be staring at the ceiling tiles at 2am. *lol* For the most part, I simply have no appetite at all. When I eat, I am happy with a small portion and as a result, my stomach has shrunk--now, even if I don't take it for a day I'm full on a small amount. Longer term remains to be seen, but any loss is a good start. I'm now down to 205 and hoping to see the other side of 200 in the fairly close future.

Our holiday was small becuase I was flat broke, but the kids seemed to enjoy it nonetheless. I sing and performed in Handel's Messiah among other things, and had an absolute blast, so that perked up an otherwise somewhat depressing holiday season.

How are the rest of you doing?

Hi Kat,

What is phentermine?

carree

Phentermine is the generic name of a presription appetite suppressant.
It works quite well, but you do need fairly close medical supervision as it can raise your blood pressure. My own BP runs low anyhow, but if someone had high BP they wouldn't be able to take phen because of the additional elevation that the med would cause. Also, I'm told that while it isn't physically addictive, it can be psychologically, so you generally do a fairly short course on it for a month or two and then take a break from it before going back on. So far no problems on any front aside from insomnia if I take it too late in the day. I also notice that I have virtually no cravings any more and junk food/candy etc simply has no appeal to me now.

sheesh--I sound like a bloody commercial. *lol*

At any rate, its helping me get a running start on my weight--I want to shed around 30 of the almost 80 lbs or so extra I have and stabilize there before tackling the next 20-30 or so. Baby steps... the real test will be maintaining by continuing to eat smaller portions etc.

How have you been doing carree? Its been so long since I was able to check in that I'm utterly out of touch.

I am so happy to see the two of you posting again. The thread has really been quiet.

KAT, glad that the prescription seems to be working for you. I could use a pill or two myself right now. I'm fighting the urge to continuously feed my face. This usually happens when I'm stressed, I haven't really figured out what is making me feel this way.

Sounds like you had a nice Christmas. It is neat that you sing. I have a younger daughter that can sing, but she doesn't sing in public anymore. When she was younger we use to go to all the local festivals and little jamborees. I miss those days. They do have karaoke on the casino boats now, maybe I can convince her to do that after she turns 21.

HAPPY NEW YEARS to you!!! May this coming year fulfill all our wishes.

Ruth

We go to a celtic/folk festival every year and have a wonderful time. The music is fabulous...

My eldest daughter also sings so we sing harmony together at times. Occasionally all three of my kids are singing with me in the car-it was bery funny hearing my son singing the song "Bitc_h". *lmao*

Gang, we are SURVIVORS! Let's take all of our collective experiences and go forward this year to take care of ourselves. I personally need to treat myself with the same kindness that I treat all whom I come in contact with.

Love,
carree

OKAY, AM I HERE BY MYSELF?????

Thought for today:

"What would happen if we stopped LOVING ourselves with food and started LOVING ourselves with love?"

- Dr. Phil

I thought I posted a reply a few days ago, but alas, I don't see it here. I hope the three of you are doing okay and that the holidays did not do too much damage to your weight loss goals. I did great until last night. I had a bad case of the munchies and seemed to eat anything that wouldn't bite me first. So today I must pay penance.

CARREE, sorry you felt as if you were here by yourself. As I said, I thought I had replied, but I must have forgot to post it.

JANA, hope you are okay, let us hear from you.

KAT, how is the pills working.

I'll check in tonight to see if any of you have posted.

Ruth

Thanks Ruth. I was feeling lonely here for awhile, but I know that everyone is super busy. But we better not be too busy to take care of ourselves.

Thought for today:

If you don't take care of your body
Where will you live?

Today was my first day back in the academic arena.
My friend (and beloved busybody/surrogate mother) Judy loaned me $800 so that I could clear my back balance on a student loan and enroll in college again.

I'll have to borrow about $9000 in loans to pay for this semester, but will have financial aid for next semester. I had no idea this was going to happen until this past weekend, and classes started today. I called in to work at McD's and spent the day registering, picking classes, getting study materials for the pre-req class I will be testing out of this week, and obviously, attending class. McD is going to be pissed and will likely fire me as I am scheduled to work this week, but will be unavailable d/t the unexpected start of classes. C'est la vie...the BSN is MUCH more important than flinging fries.

On the weight front, I will have an official MD weigh-in tomorrow morning, but as far as I can tell, I'm down about 10 or so lbs in the last three weeks. *happy dance*

I can't see any difference in the mirror as of yet, but if the trend continues, I should see the start of a difference in another month or so. I know I'll get a lot of exercize schlepping a ton of books all over the VERY hilly campus.

How are the rest of you doing?

KAT, I'm so excited that you are back in school. Did you get enough money to help cover some of your living expenses also. My step-daughter is signed up for classes at the community college, I think she is applying for a loan, I told her that I think you can apply for so much per semester, that would allow her to set it aside for future use. Since my previous employer is paying for mine classes, I have no idea about student loans anymore.

I start classes next week. You know, before I actively trying to lose weight, I think I probably lost about 5 pounds in the 3 months I was in school. As you side, lugging those books around!!

CARREE, glad you are still here, I promise I'll check in more often.

JANA, where are you?

BTW, I lost 4 lbs over the holidays. KAT, you are doing great with your loss, keep it up!!

Ruth

The official word from the doc is that I am down to 202...my blood pressure is up a bit relative to normal, but still VERY much within the normal range. (120/80)

Not shabby for three weeks.

212/202/135

KAT, how awesome!! We are routing for you!! Another week and you will be under 200, I know you must be thrilled. I am thrilled for you.

How do you react to the pills under stress? I'm having issues with one of my daughters and it has really made me eat uncontrollably today. Talk about emotional eating!!! Anyway, do they work under stress. I have an appointment with doctor on the 24 for a check up. I may ask him for some to get me through this thing I'm going through. I sure wish the weather would start warming up, I don't think Winter is helping my mood any.


Take care,
Ruth

Well after a stressful afternoon yesterday, which led to overeating I am now feeling much better. I spent 67 minutes on my treadmill this morning, walked 3.5 miles and burned approx. 462 calories!! I just finished a 6 point breakfast, so I really believe this will be a good day.

I hope the 3 of you are doing okay. Let me here from you soon.

Ruth