MONDAY: Today is Mission Monday and our very important mission this week is to work on the whys of BINGEING! We all seem to have a slight to large problem with this. Let's carefully look at the reasons we binge, the time we tend to binge, and how we can help ourselves NOT to binge.

Bingeing is basically an outward reaction to something going on inside our head. Since that is the case, we can conquer bingeing by conquering what in our head makes us binge. Too many of us feel failure is an ultimate. By that I mean, if we fail to stay on program for a day, our head tells us it is COMPLETE failure so we say to heck with it and binge. I don't see it as failure at all. Just a time when it wasn't so good. I wish you all could just climb inside my head and see what I mean. I really don't ever feel I have failed when I overeat for the day. I just let it go. I don't try and complicate it or make it worse by eating MORE! The key is NOT to let yourself feel as if you EVER EVER fail when things don't work out for the day. We also binge for emotional reasons. This one is harder to break because food is a comfort to most overweight people. We have to break the idea again in our head that it will comfort us. FOOD DOES NOT COMFORT, IT MAKES US FAT AND THUS MISERABLE! I would make a sign that says that very thing and tack it up in the kitchen. Lastly, you need to help yourself not binge by providing yourself with distractions. Reading a book, taking a walk, cleaning your house, exercising, sewing whatever you do that you enjoy when you are NOT wanting to eat, you should have ready to do when you feel like you are losing control and DO IT EVERY TIME! Just like making exercise a routine so that you do it everyday, have something handy to do as a routine when you feel the urge to binge and put all your effort into it. **LIGHT BULB MOMENT** Can you binge when you are at working at work? No! Can you binge when you are in your car driving and you left the food at home? NO! See what I mean?

Ritu: We do points just day to day to help keep us on track. I keep track of any of the challenges, points etc so your job is just to report to me. For example, for yesterday did you get any points for any of the three items? It is just a way to be accountable every day to help us stay on our program and exercise and get in enough water.

I got a: for points and like the old southerns say, feel like somebody shot my dog. I hope I feel better later on this morning when the kids get here.

Check in later ladies.

Faye

Good morning ladies!

Have been really busy this week and this is the first time that I have got to check in. OK I would defiently have surgery ifin I could afford to. It seems no matter how many ab workouts that I do my lower abs go nowhere. I have even wore a really good girdle as well. Time to try something different. It's like the child branding iron is still here(lower ab). Glad that this is Mon. The start of another week and I need that ssoo much! Got in a great workout yesterday. Went hiking up to some falls. In the rain nonetheless. It started pouring about half way up so we decided to continue. It was worth it.

Here's a little question for everyone and I know that this isn't Sunday but here goes. I have to give myself rewards along the way and my next reward is a trip to the local day spa when I hit 160. Does anyone else do this and if so what type of rewards are you usig? Need so mew ideas.

Gotta go and get ready for work

sandy

Good Monday Morning My Dear Friends,

pts for yesterday: 1pt for water, 1 pt for exercise (make-up day for Saturday), and 2 program pts. feeling good

Sandy, regarding rewards...I try to do a little something for myself after every 10lbs lost, like a new book I have been wanting, small things. I plan on rewarding myself with a new outfit when I am 50 lbs down! From Catherine's...do they have one of those stores where you live? They have the most beautiful clothes there, and if you can catch them when they are having a sale, that is fabulous. I got a $ 39.00 blouse there for $11.00!!!! I bought it to wear for a wedding that is coming up I the middle of next month...I have the skirt picked out, now I just have to go and get it. There is not one here, so I have to either go to Decatur which is 30 mins away or to Huntsville which is about 45 mins from here. Other ideas, a bubble bath, that is definetly on my list!! Cant get out of the tub just yet, (so probably not a good idea to get in uh??? but I cant wait to do that!! I am thinking a trip to the day spa would also be lovely!! Gives me something to look forward to.

Faye, you are absolutely right, food does not comfort us!!! I looked to it for years to do just that...if it did at all it was only for a few mins..and then the emptiness was still there rearing it's ugly head. I had a void there that no amount of food could have ever filled. I am filling it now with good things, with positive things, it feels better, and I am ever grateful. The best thing I do now for myself is come here and be with all of you. It fills me up!! I get nourished here in a way that food could never nourish me, and I thank all of you for that, you are all

Ritu, you mentioned you have a shipment leaving tomorrow, what is it that you export? hope you are doing well, and I am so glad that you are here with us!! Oh...what is the time difference, I am on CST, it is 6:59am here on Monday 9/1.

Amanda, Sheffield? always wanted to visit England. (it is in my blood!!) I adore English Gardens and Manor type houses, tudor houses, thatched roof houses, all of it. You live in a beautiful country.....I travel there often in my mind, and of course I do the arm chair traveling when I watch the Travel Channel. It is most definetly on my list of places I want to visit...so, one day you just might find me at your door!!! Have you ever been to the states? Would love to have you visit!!! Come anytime!!! It is just across the pond you know!!

Ladies, gotta run now, have two more places to post then have to get on with my day, exercising to do and all!! Later girlies

Morning Chickitas.......I'm BAAA-AACCKkk!

Wow, I had an absolutely FABULOUS weekend of dancing and sweating and lugging tables and setting up stages and sweeping and vacumming and dancing some more. I'm exhausted!

For those of you who joined us over the weekend, WELCOME! We have lots of fun here.

So, I didn't stay OP at all, but I knew I wouldn't. I work so hard to help put these productions on and participate in them that I just don't worry about what I'm eating. HOWEVER, I'm so proud of myself this year. Instead of just totally blowing off the diet and eating whatever and whenever and as much as I want, I ate Consciously.....I knew exactly what I was choosing to put in my body and I paused long enough to consider how it was going to make me feel in an hour. After eating "clean" for so long (what, about a month now) I get sick from eating refined sugars and white flours. we always have really great, rich Greek foods at these events, so I did indulge a bit in the feta and the baklava (only 1/2 a slice!) and I had a couple of Cokes to keep me awake. But I really didn't do too badly. I ate whole wheat breads and one of my dancers' husband made some awesome vegetarian soup right before the show.

I did drink my water, and I *Certainly* got more than my share of exercise for the weekend! So, I don't even care about the points right now........I did well!

Oh, and the best part was that one of the vendors there loved my costuming for our sword dance so much that he hired me to do as much sewing for their company as I can handle!!!!! So all that sewing last week paid off bigtime! I'll actually be able to make some decent money while being home with the kids. I'm psyched!

SO, it looks like everyone had a great weekend too......hope you're all enjoying the day off. I'm with you on the week's challenge. I'm resting my poor aching body today, but I'll be eating and drinking well....then tomorrow it's back to normal for me!

Gosh, I didn't realize how much I missed chatting with you all.......
Talk to you soon,
Julie

Hello ladies!

Yesterday I got 2 points for eating, 1 point for water but didn't do any exercise (but I wasn't planning to do any because I was still a bit poorly)

BINGEING:- Yes, I totally agree with you Faye. I suffer from depression on and off and I definately use food to help comfort me ( and then I end up feeling much worse). I remember when I first went off sick from work, my first thought would be 'Great, I'm going to go out and buy myself cheese and crisps and chocolate' and just the thought of it was soooo comforting. But another time I was on a diet and realised I couldn't go out and buy these things, and I felt really sad! The funny thing is that I have found that being in control of my eating has helped with my depression, so I KNOW that comfort eating does not help me in any way. When I had the pizza for 2 nights in a row it was more that I couldn't be bothered to cook - although I was also fighting a big craving (and lost!)

PAM:- Yes there are parts of England that are very pretty and nice, but where I live is very post- industrial, as are most of the big cities. I live about 45 minutes from the peak district which is beautiful countryside and lots of little villages, but because I don't drive I don't go there that often. My partner and I are planning to move to the south or west coast of Ireland which is absolutely beautiful, really unspoiled and rugged. I'm looking for a job at the moment and just can't get there soon enough.
I haven't been to the US - I'm not much of a traveller ( never even been on a plane!). When I went on holiday to Ireland last year it was my first holiday since I was a child! My friend travels alot through his work and has been to Louisiana and L.A I think - he says it's a different world, and everyone is really friendly (not like us Brits!).

Anyway, see you tomorrow!

Amanda xx

Hello everyone1

You lost me in the shuffle. I am one of those people that the computer just doesn't like. I finally found your new thread. Faye, if you don't warn me carefully I could be floating in cyberspace for weeks! I am getting the hang of this thing. I did my exercise yesterday and today but I was only so good on my program. I drank my water. Do I get any points? I enjoyed reading all your posts when I found them.

Ritu--I think your house sounds great with people around. My family would make each other fat trying to find out who make the best dessert. And one lady wouldn't cook a thing. I hope you have cultural inhibitions against such things.

Amada--you sound very nice and every Brit I have ever met was very friendly.

Faye--you look great and you are an inspiration. I read all the things you did on a down day. I'd hate to chase you on a good day

I've got to run but I'm glad I found you. Your so right about the binging as well.

Lee

Pam: YOU GET A: for points! Good for you!

Julie: We are so glad to have you back ! We missed you!

Amanda: YOU GET A: for points! Yeah for your! I am so glad to see you working hard to get on track!

Lee: YOU GET A: for points! Yeah for you and welcome. We are really glad to see you here!

Here's to having a great week! I will talk with you tomorrow. Hopefully I won't feel so crummy. I only did half hour in the pool and no glider I felt so yucky!

Faye

Good Evening ladies....I have yet to exercise, and it is 8:30pm!!! I am going now!!! WILL NOT PUT IT OFF ONE MORE MINUTE, WELL ONE MORE MAYBE TO SAY NITE!!!

Hello Again Chicklets,

just wanted to let you know, I did what I said I was going to do, did that watp tape!! now I will sayGOODNIGHT FOR REAL THIS TIME

Good moring.

Had to take a day to let the topic for yesterday digest. Here goes my take on binging. I too suffer from depression but it isn't from that that I tend to bing. My is often brought about by bordem. To me one of the worse places that I suffer that is at work. I know that there is lots to do but I have been out of heart with work for sometime. Also another thing that bothers me about binging is the way that it is sometimes glorified on television. After all think about how many shows where this is a part of the characters daily(weekly) routine. Gee right off the bat Golden Girls comes to mind. As people we are products of our enviroment but we have to try to rise above it to an extent. This is one of the few changes that I am trying to make. To have the ability and the inner strenght to say to myself that I know that I shouldn't and then follow thru with that. I know that I might be setting myself up for a fall but hey if this road to success has to have bumps I might as well hang on and enjoy the ride.

Time to get a move on this morning. Catch eveyone later

sandy

Morning all----
Gosh Faye, you haven't posted yet this morning. You must really feel crappy! Hope you feel better today!

2 pts for op yesterday, didn't get enough water and I hadn't planned on exercise....in fact, it was all I could do to haul my sore butt off the couch to make dinner.

But, today I'm back in on the week's challenge.......I want to actually post some results this week!! I've still got enough time to make the 5 days.

I binge when I'm bored, but I'm worse when I'm in social situations. I'm so busy talking to friends that I don't even notice how much food I'm shoveling in my body. Why is it we feel we have to have enormous spreads of food just to have fun with our friends and family? hmmmm.

Gotta take the kids to school now. Talk to you later.
Julie

Greetings my friends,

pts for yesterday: 2 pts for program, 1pt for water, (Wow did I ever have the water yesterday, was out and about and moving, so I just chugged it down!) and 1 pt for exercise, I got it in, it was late last night but I did it. Starting off the day right though and doing it this morning. Food should be good today, I have more of a regular routine, I got to work at 3. So, should be able to adhere to a more normal eating routine today. These are always easier for me, it is those crazy shifts that take so much planning, but, hey you do what you have to do right???

Faye, hope you are feeling better today. Get some rest, you deserve it

Mirabelly, I know what you mean about the "family gatherings", fortunately for me, we didnt get to have one yesterday....but we do but on the "feed bag", do we not?? It is a lonnnnng standing tradition in our family, if you go to visit, you go to eat!!! do not suspect now we will get together till next month for Jane's neice's wedding. I will have to have a real heart to heart with myself before hitting that reception. I have worked to hard to blow it in one afternoon!

Sandy, aka gigglez, you are so very right, it is glorified and television and right there IN YOUR FACE...I have stopped watching television as much and that helps, all those ads!!! especially for the fast foods...I use to find myself going to the refigerator all the time!!! and I was constantly watching the FOOD NETWORK!!! Well, I cant do that anymore. I may on occasion watch it if I know Kathleen Daelman's is on there, she has a show called Cooking Thin that is very informative. But had to say goodbye to Emeril and the gang!! THERE WAS TOO MUCH BAMMING FOR ME!!! JUST ADDED THE POUNDS!

Well ladies, I have 2 more posts to do, then it is time to get off this @*! and move!!

Have a great day!

TUESDAY: Today is Target Tuesday. This week we are going to target high calorie/fat snacks and foods and try to control them. It is not necessary to eliminate them unless you eat a certain thing every time uncontrollably like I do regular soft drinks, but you have to have control over them and not let them control you!

Good morning girls. I am still not back to 100 percent but I am going to try to stay op and get back to eating correctly as I have gained a lot the last few days.

Pam: YOU GET A: for points.

Julie: YOU GET A: for points.

Sandy: Good morning to you and hope you are up and at em on your program this morning.

I am going to get my chores done and get into the pool and try and get an hour in today and get back on the glider.

Faye

Hello all...sounds like everyone had a great weekend, so did I !

This morning I weighed myself and I was at 219.5!!! Woo hoo..last Friday I had not lost any and was actually up a pound...wow, so I did not make the 8/31 challenge of 218 for 10 pounds down but I was damn close!! And I am feeling great to be under 220!
Now for the news that has me depressed this morning...so I did go to the dermatologist for the hair thinning thing and he wants to take a scalp biopsy!!! ugh!! sounds like it will hurt....he says he will have to put in stiches after...sounds pretty thorough, huh?
He said it may also be hormonal and wants me to check that out with my ob gyn....so I was expecting better, easier news than that...but I guess nothing is ever easy....
Sorry for the belly aching but it just seems that nothing can work out together and all for the good...I finally get the handle on the weight thing and then the hair is going.....
I can keep on Target this week....I was all 4 points all weekend except Monday....had a cook out and ate what I wanted...

See ya

Looks like I have missed alot here!

Good news is that I was able to stay OP alllllllllll weekend!! I have never been so proud. We went out to eat and I made healthy choices every time. I even passed up my favorite goat's milk cheese dip (mexican dip and just heavenly!) and didnt take a single bite. We did so much walking and sight seeing that I got in my exercise and water every day!

We had a wonderful time

I have missed so much so I will just say hello to the new members and to everyone else!