Hello Everyone!!!!

It has been a while since I have been on line and have missed everyone!!!!

Let's Start A New Challenge!!!! Instead of 10 weeks at a time lets try one month at a time....

Everyone can do something a little different but we are here to help, support, and encourage everyone.... We have are ups and our downs.... we try to stay up.....

I think we should start off with an introduction of who we are and what are goals are......

I am a newly married (May 3) mother of a 15 & 17 year old (TEENAGE DRIVERS - UGH!!!).... challenging to say the least. Was a single mom for 13 years. I work out of the home although I am on the road alot (in sales). I am very unhappy at the way I look and how little motivation and self discipline that I have had over the past few years. I am looking to change all this.

Name: Ursula.... aka Angel

Age: 35 Height: 5'2" Weight: 206 Clothing Size: 16/18

Short Term Goal: 10# Weight Loss by September 1st.

Long Term Goal: 130- 135#ish

Exercise Routine: Looking at going back to (M-F) 30 min cardio; 30 min Circuit (alternate upper & lower); 10 min stretch
I am also trying to include walking and yoga in with this....

Food Routine: I think I am going to start Weight Watchers with a 20 point food goal a day....

Water: 8-12 glasses a day

Biggest Weakness: FOOD in the evening.... I graze at night when I am tired. I especially crave sweets.


What I would like to see from everyone else is their starting point.
You can follow what I did above: Name, age, height, weight, size, goals that you have (which dont neccessarily have to be weight related, could be want to walk a mile by 4th of July.... whatever is important to you). Give us a brief introduction and the we can go from there......Anything else you would like to include do so....

I am so glad that all of you are here to help me, encourage me and support me.... THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

I'll join you on your challenge.

I'm 5'2" and 193.5 lbs.
Clothing size: 18 or 16 depending on the cut.
Age: 48
Short term goal: 5 to 8 lbs. by Sept. 1st.

Long term goal: 130 to 115 depending on how I feel when I get to that point.

Food Routine: 1,300 calories divided into mini-meals during the day. None to exceed 300 calories.

Exercise Routine: None at the moment. Once I lose about 25 more pounds, I'll take up walking. Until then, I don't think it's wise for me to put too much weight on bad arches for extended periods. I do wear orthonics, but they're not foolproof and I don't want to end up making matters worse.

I'm not in a hurry. It took me years to get this heavy, so I suppose it's reasonable to assume it's going to take equal time to get myself back in shape.

My biggest challenge is eating when I am depressed. If I can control that, I will succeed.

I have two kids, both teens. They're sweethearts (personality wise). My son has an ongoing medical problem which is the root of my depression. I gained weight once the diagnosis was made and I realized he has a permanent condition. I ended up eating everything not nailed down. Over the years I've come to some acceptance of the situation. However, most of this weight was gained during the time when I was still going through the "why did God do this?" phase. I seem to have gone beyond that -- so I should be able to diet now.

Although I'm kind of laid back about doing this diet, I think I can manage to support others who might be on a different time table than myself.

Hi - Welcome Rainbow!

Thank you for joining me in my journey....

We sound similar in alot of ways.... height, weight although you are a little ahead of me.... teens.... etc.

Today has been a rough day! My teen son is driving me insane.... some days he is the sweetest nicest kid you know, then other days he turns into this creature I have never met.... UGH!!!!! Today is a day that I am an idiot that he is amazed has been able to live so long without his infinite wisdom! There are times I am amazed myself!

I havent worked out today or even started back into that routine... I was doing really good until I got married back in May and still havent been able to pick that back up.... working on it though.....

Rainbow as far as working out have you heard of this book called 8 minutes in the morning by Jorge Cruise (he also has one now for people that need to lose more than 30#s which is the one I have been looking at)... basically you just do 2 exercise moves a day for 8 minutes.... nothing real hard and you wouldnt have to be on your arches too much.... I think it is a good starting point.... maybe see if you can find it and take a look.... just a thought.

I am sorry to hear about your sons condition.... what does he have if you dont mind me asking.... my nephew was just diagonosed with diabetes.... he is 7 and it has been hard... threw my brother in a real tail spin...

Where do you live? I am in Georgia outside of Atlanta.

Anyway, I am off... talk to you soon and hopefully others will join us.

Hello People,

I'd like to join up but haven't decided on what to do. I'll be thinking about it and get back to you. I'm already more than halfway through the 21-day Challenge on another thread but like the idea of something short, just August, at least for now.

Just wanted to let you know. Will be back!

Hey Redballoon,

Welcome! It is OK if you dont know what you want to do.... even if it is one thing at a time.....

For Example today I just have one main goal....

GET IN ALL MY WATER!!!!!

I figure one step at a time is easier and not so overwhelming! Plus it is easier to pat yourself on the back for accomplishing one thing than trying for 20!!!!!

Hi Rainbow! How are you doing?

Off to work! Talk to yall soon!

Ok, thanks Angel. I'll be back tomorrow to write more. Turning in here.
Hello rainbow.

Hope you're both doing well and moving toward your goals. I see, by the way, that we're all about the same height. I'm a half inch shorter even!

Hello All!

Angel glad to see you back! I don't have time to post know I am expecting an important phone call. But just wanted to let you know I was still around! Glad to see some newbies!

Beth

Hi Beth!!!! Long time no see..... I have been missing everyone!!!! My computer crashed bad and have just now got back on!!!!

Looking forward to hearing from everyone!!!!

Red Balloon - I just realized that you live in Japan- WOW! Just goes to show how small the world has become since the internet. Hope to hear from you soon!!!

As for me.... starting to look at the WW and points... been keeping score today and if I was actually really working on it I wouldnt be able to eat for the rest of the day ..... I need to start making better selections.... I am at 1100 calories and still have dinner yet.... not enough fruits and veggies I can already tell and a little too much sweets.... Just trying to get a grasp on what I have been doing so I know where I need to go....

Rainbow - How are you doing today????

I will tell everyone this.... Having Beth on board is a wonderful motivation.... she has been doing wonderfully well!!!! So dedicated!!!!

Hello Everyone!

I'm checking in!

I am doing well and keeping to my program despite being in a somewhat gloomy mood due to rainy weather conditions here in the Midwest.

This mini meal program I'm doing is absolutely the best approach I've ever tried. I'm eating every two hours (not exceeding 300 calories and usually more around 200). It is really interesting how I simply am not hungry with the food coming in at regular intervals. There must really be something to that science research I read regarding this approach. This will definitely work for me because I've always had problems with appetite. This mini meal method seems to keep it at bay.

Angel -- you asked me what my son's medical condition is -- he's autistic. That's a hard thing to deal with because it's permanent and changes your entire life. But I've finally come to terms with his condition enough so that I'm no longer spiralling up the scale. During the early years of his diagnosis, I simply didn't care about myself. With this massive problem staring me in the face -- my "weight" seemed (to me, at the time) a frivolous thing to dwell on. So I kept eating to deal with the stress and getting bigger and bigger. Once I finally went through all the stages of grief up to acceptance (of something that I can't change) I took a good look at myself (someone took a photo) and almost died. I've been dieting in stages since then. Lost fifty pounds on the first go-round and now am moving in to rid myself of another fifty on a second go-round if I can.

Hello Red Balloon. Let us all know what you decide to do -- there's so many different types of programs, to choose from. I'm sure you'll be able to find one that works for you.

Take care everyone and we'll get through this month one day at a time!

Hello Everyone!!!!

I hope all is well!

Well I havent really been doing good with the food thing.... trying to wrap my head back around getting going....

Watched Good Morning America this am and Jorge Cruise was on.... he is the one with the 8 minutes in the morning exercise rountine.... he had two ladies with him and they had both lost weight doing this.... one lost 20# in 2 months.... I have the book and it isnt a hard program.... I did the rountine a few months back and it did work... maybe I will start back on that and slowly go back into my whole routine...

Rainbow I am sorry to hear about your son.... I know how challenging that must be.... just realize letting yourself go and your health go doesnt help him and could hurt him because your energy and self esteem and self confidence goes by the way side. You do have to take care of yourself to be able to truly take care of someone else..... just know we are here to help you and support you all that we can.....

Well I am off to cook dinner..... one thing I am trying to get back into.... we have been eating out constantly again and it is way to hard to eat out all the time and actually be on a diet.....

Hi People, I'm back and reporting in on my goals for the month. I gave it a lot of thought and like Angel said, just am going to keep it simple for now.

But first an introduction, I'm 5' 1 1/2" and currently am between 68-69 kgs. I had that figured out for you in pounds but don't have it with me now. Well, it's easy. A kilo is 2.2 lbs. I'm single, never been married, no kids. Have four cats and co-own a horse and have been here in Tokyo for an unbelievable 20 years. Heck, it's believable. 20 years is really nothing. I'll be 44 on Friday. Happy Birthday to me!! I work in journalism, other language-related things, translating, interpreting, editing, that kind of thing.

Anyhow, my goals for the month are to weigh 65-66 kgs on Sept. 1. I plan to get there by:

1. Keeping a detailed exercise and food journal. I'm not going to actually count calories because I hate that. But after years of having counted calories, I have a pretty good idea when I'm eating too much.

2. I'm going to try to get to the gym a few times a week.

Right now, I'm doing the 21-day challenge on another thread. There I'm not eating any sugar or sweetener (except a bit of sugarless gum) and I must do a minimum 15-min jog or bike ride to get the pulse up. I'm on Day 16 and going strong.

So, my long term goals may be to get down around 55 kg but since I've never been below 60 I wouldn't know what looks good. I also am into weight training, used to do powerlifting but I always just bulked up without losing the fat. I'm going to stay away from the heavy weights, at least until I get the fat off. But I really am inspired now and I'm going to try my best to get there this time.

My problems are simple overeating, and eating from boredom, anxiety and anticipation. Plus, I get discouraged easily because as I'm sure you're all aware it's not just the food intake that's stressing us out. It's all those other things in life. And my freelance kind of life in Tokyo amid an economic slump isn't easy.

So that's it for now. Ask me anything you like.

Rainbowmyst, I can really relate to your eating because of your son's condition. My weight problem started almost to the day when I was 14 and told my mother had been diagnosed with cancer. I turned to food because I felt I had no way of dealing with things. There was no one to talk to, no way to deal with all the sorrow, anger, grief, pain and loneliness. I think it may be very similar to how you felt when you learned your son was autistic and then all the problems and pain and stress that followed. You have no one to get angry at, no one to blame and it's not something that is going to go away. It's ****. I remember it well.

Go easy on yourself though. It's better to be overweight a bit than to have an ulcer or worse. Angel put it well though. You will eventually make it easier for yourself and your son when you feel on top of things and loving your accomplishments in this area as well as all those other obstacles I'm sure you've dealt with along the way. Life gives us challenges and we learn to rise to them, or we try. It takes a lot of lot of time sometimes though. That is awesome that you have lost 50 lbs already. That took an awful lot of effort and you should be very, very proud of yourself, as I hope you are! I think you've got the power now to keep going.

How old is your son, by the way?

Angel, eating out is a tough one. I'm a vegetarian so a lot of the dishes are things I wouldn't eat anyhow. Whenever I go to the States, oh, I'm from Pittsburgh originally, I can't believe all the food there and the portions are huge!! I automatically take half home. Still, it's so easy to overeat when you live there. After a while it seems normal to have so much food put in front of you and if you're like me I tend to clean the plate!

Well, gotta go. I'm at work now.

Losinginillinois, hello to you too. Are you still there?

Just checking in for today...

I had a strange diet day. I probably didn't eat enough overall, but I was pressed for time. My daughter came home with two of her friends from a meeting they attended at the home of their teacher. It's was for some kind of project they're setting up for this coming fall. I wasn't expecting her friends and I had a raging menstrual headache.

The girls had nothing to do, so I ended up taking them to the show to see "Bend it like Beckham". All this unexpected running around broke up my day, and although I did pack some stuff in my purse for mini meals to be timed through the show -- it seemed rather weird eating a low fat yogurt and a fat free cheese sandwich during the course of the movie. I kept wondering if anyone could see me in the dark theater and was thinking I was some kind of nut. These aren't exactly standard movie snacks.

Truthfully, I felt goofy too, but there really aren't any low fat type of snacks available at the movies. Even the popcorn is made with high fat oils. But it seems to me that if I am going to bother trying to lose weight, I might as well just do whatever I have to do even if it's a little unconventional.

After the show, I took the girls out for pizza and the only item on the menu that I could eat was a plain garden salad. It had a little cheese on it, so I didn't bother putting on a dressing. By the time I returned home, it was way past 7pm and I hate eating late. But I'd had so few calories in my daily total that I had to fit in a Lean cusine and a banana. Even with those additions, I'm probably a little short today, but that's the best I could do with all the time restraints.

Angel -- sounds like you had a good day today too. I know exactly what you mean about the eating out problem. It seems that the portions are always too large, high fat, and you pay so much for them you feel obligated to eat them whether you want to or not. That's why I stopped going out to eat about three years ago.

Red Balloon -- we must have been typing and posting at the same time because your post showed up on the board when I pressed my submit button. So I came back to edit this post. You seem to have a very good handle on what kind of program you're going to do. If you're on day 16 of exercise, I have to give you credit. Exercise isn't exactly my favorite pastime. I'll eventually work it in to my program when I lose a little more weight. Right now the thought of dragging 193 lbs. around isn't too appealing to me -- I think I'll wait until I lose about thirty more pounds before I approach that hurdle.

Have a nice evening and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

_____________

Rainbowmyst

Rainbowmyst, that was a great save at the movie theater. Oh, don't be worried about looking weird.

I always think of Walt Whitman's words from Leaves of Grass:

". . .Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.) . . ."

"I contain multitudes." Who cares how we look to others? How can they possibly know all that we carry within, all we have done and seen and experienced. Looking weird doesn't mean weird and what if it did?!?!

Power to you Rainbowmyst. You do what needs to be done, what works for you and you alone. That is the beauty of it. We all are so different and yet similar enough to support each other.

Oops, gotta run. I'm typing messages instead of doing my work.

Hey Everyone! A quick post before I head to bed....

Well I didnt get the exercise in - I had to do 2 reports for work for tomorrow- at the last minute my boss called and said he was going to go around with me tomorrow and wanted to see them. I wasnt planning to have them completed until Firday.... UGH!!!!

Anyway, I dont think I did too bad in eating today... I havent done the totals yet even though I have written everything down... which for me is a BIG Step!

At any rate I am so glad to see yall posting! YEAH!!!! I will chat more tomorrow!

Hello All!

I have a few minutes to actually post. It is great to see some new faces.

Real quick about me. I started my weight loss journey on Jan 14th this year. I have lost 59.5 lbs. I started out at 200lbs and I am about 5'2. I have pretty much been heavy since high schoolaand have lost weight before. I struggle with maintenace and have already found it to be true again this time. I am simply exercising cutting back and drinking lots of water. I have a wonderful dh and two dk's Chase 4 and Kaycee 2. My ds will start kindergarten in a couple of weeks. My dd woke me up today at 6:00am, isn't she lovely.

Rainbowmyst my nepehew is autistic. He is two and we found out about 6 months ago. He is still pretty young so only time will tell. My sis and bil are seperated right now. My bil does not believe there is anything wrong with him and says its all in my sis head. They definately have lots of issues to work out but this has definately not helped. Do you have any other children? My sis has a 6 month old also. I know she has fears that this will happen to him also. Did you suspect the immunzations? I know this theory is very controversial.

Red Balloon nice to meet you also!

Angel it is great to see you back. Sandie is still around occasionally. She has no computer right now. Her dh ended up leaving and taking it. But she seems to be doing better with out him!

I myself have had a very rough week. Loooong story real short. Recieved money from insurance company for hail damage to home. Hired contractor. Gave contractor money. Contractor ripped half of siding off house three weeks ago and has not returned. Found out she has ripped several people off. In the process of speaking with the detectives and the States Attorneys office. As well as trying to find anywhere I can squeeze money from to get the house sided. We can't leave it. We are getting water damage everytime it rains. So this is keeping very busy. So I may not be around much until this is a little more settled. I am literally only on line right now because I can't make any phone calls until people open at 8:00 am anyway. I am either going to lose weight from this or gain it. Have not been able to tell the consequences yet.

I really hope everyone else has a great week and if I will try to check in again soon!

Beth