Hi, everyone. The other thread seemed longish, so here's a new one.

I thought I'd start by listing what I'm thankful for this year, as it relates to this weight-loss journey:

-- Getting to know my online weight-loss friends. Thank you so much.

-- Having more energy than I ever remember having in my adult life

-- Being able to move and exercise, to walk for miles, to stretch my body and make it work without pain

-- To see a waist again!

-- To finally feel that I have the tools to control this area in my life that has been so out of control in the past, and that I'll be able to do it for the rest of my life

-- To be able to fit into that size L denim shirt I picked up at the consignment shop last week. I almost didn't even try it on because I figured it would be pointless -- I'm just now getting into XLs. But it fit! It's from the Gap, and it cost me $6. (Oh, I did finally get my winter coat at the consignment shop, too. It's wool and in great condition, dark green.)

I did my weekly morning weigh-in today, and I lost the two pounds from last week, as I thought I would, plus two more! So I'm still losing an average of a pound a week, which makes me happy. Only three more pounds until my Christmas goal, and even with Thanksgiving coming up, I believe I'm going to do it!

How are everyone's Thanksgiving plans going?

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/202/199 by Christmas (home scales, a.m.)

Howdy all!

Thanks for the clean, new post, Lauren. Are you still enjoying those days at home or are you looking at the want ads? I wanted to be outside all day long. It was a bright, sunshiny, crisp, windy day. And I was stuck inside. Wah! Oh, well. Maybe there'll be another chance tomorrow.

Lauren -aren't you excited about nearing the big 199?(or tiny 199? ) I am so proud of you for sticking to your guns. You can be the new poster child. The incredible shrinking woman!

I was down .5 last week. That was after a box of Hot Tamales at the movies and then Chinese afterward. So much water retention!! The last two Thanksgivings I've managed to show a loss. Don't know about this time. I've been on a don'wanna exercise week and off the supplements doing a "cleanse" cycle. So I"m very interested to see what happens next week.

I've promised myself that a very long walk is in order tomorrow. No excuses. I'm off work and have only to pack and make a two hour drive to Pop's ranch. So I have plenty of time to get up and sweat.

No worries about most of turkey day. We are going to a rinky-dink restaurant for their buffet. Oh, joy. The food is only mediocre and we won't have leftovers. So I'm feeling pretty confident about that whole day. The main thing is to get to Ft. Worth the next day and gift wrap a bunch of stuff bought in January! The only downside is that I can't deliver them to the house that will have Christmas -they're out of town.
And I have to find time to address Christmas cards. Usually my hubby drives and I address cards this time of year. By the time we're home, I only have to get the stamps.
Hopefully DH's landlord will adopt him for Thanksgiving. They are Guatemalan, so I'm sure it will be a different sort of T-day all around.

This is funny. The landlord had never heard of Rotel dip. Or even cheese dip. So my non-cooking hubby made about ten calls to ask questions about how to make it (only slightly more complicated than a PBJ) At least he found the new Rotel with cilantro and lime juice. That sounds really good. The landlord liked the dip and treated my hubby to...are you ready? An avocado milkshake! Sounds disgusting. BUt DH says it has sugar, milk, cinnamon, and of course, avocado. Uh huh. Except for the healthy fats, it almost sounds like a Crisco shake.

Yessiree, I'm expecting to hear interesting things about his Thanksgiving day.

Mostly, I am thankful that he is well and enjoying his adventure. And that we girls are healthy and haven't killed one another just yet.
And that all of you are out there and trying hard to do the right thing.

May God richly bless you all.

Dora, your post gave me a huge chuckle. A crisco milkshake! What an image! Please do let us know what he ends up eating on Thanksgiving. The mind boggles.

Er, I hate to admit this, but ... I don't know what Rotel dip is, either. (Cheese dip, now, that one rings a bell.) Maybe it hasn't found its way to the Midwest?

Have you ever written for a living, or for fun? You have a marvelous style. I've been a professional writer and editor for years, and I know a good one when I spot her.

I'll be busy all day today, partly getting ready for tomorrow. I'm cooking, but just for a few of us. We're also bringing food to church, because our church does a big dinner for the homeless on Thanksgiving. I helped out with it last year, and I have to say I received far more than I gave. We'll be helping out this year, too. Also, DH's sister and family (3 kids) arrive today to pick up MIL. They may or may not spend the night; they may or may not have dinner here. Either way, I have to be prepared. So I'll be fighting the hoardes at the grocery store today, unfortunately, because there a few things I still need. I should probably think about vacuming, but some things just won't get done.

I hardly slept last night, which won't help. I think it's just PMS; I always have one or two insomniac nights before TOM these days. I haven't slept well this past week, though, mostly because of the cat.

Last night at my WW weigh-in, I lost a startling 6.4 pounds. OK, 3 of those were the gain I had the previous week, but the other 3.4 weren't. I looked back at my journal to see what was going on, and the only thing I can think is that I ate low in my points, even in my new range, every day -- banking 29 points for the week. This wasn't intentional. It's my reaction to stress, and I've been pretty stressed out about Snickers. (And probably finances, too, what with my still being unemployed.) I think I'm calming down a little as she improves, so now I'll have to watch for the opposite problem: I often overeat after stress passes. Anyway, WW had me at 205 pounds.

Also, I've been very hot all week. I'm not sure what's up with that, because it's gotten very cold here. Hormones? Upped metabolism?

Anyway.

I hope you all have a marvelous Thanksgiving. I may try to check in, because that helps me, too.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/202/199 by Christmas (home scales, a.m.)
279/205/199 by Christmas (WW scales, evening)

So how was everyone's Thanksgiving?

I ended up having a good day yesterday. I had a lot of banked points but ended up using just a few. I had a good-size breakfast with lots of protein and fiber so that I wouldn't get too hungry later on. Then I had a very light lunch, just a few points. Dinner was about 15 points, but I had 'em coming, so it wasn't a problem.

Here's what helped me:

-- I wore my tightest jeans and my smallest shirt. That really helped me remember my goals! I *hate* tight clothes.

-- When I wanted to reach for seconds on the dressing (my biggest Thanksgiving/Christmas downfall), I reminded myself of my Christmas goal of getting below 200 pounds, and I stopped myself. I'm so close!

-- I had small servings of everything, and I didn't deny myself any food I really wanted.

-- I did most of the cooking myself, so I was able to reduce the fat and calories in some of the dishes.

-- We sent all the leftovers home with my bachelor brother!

To those who didn't do as well as they'd hoped, remember -- no guilt and move on. Today is a new day.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/202/199 by Christmas (home scales, a.m.)

Hi Ya'll ,

Wow I had alot of posts to read since I last visited . You guys shame me on my lack of weight loss . You are all doing so well .

Dora , I just read the other thread to catch up . Your story about your hubby's milkshake & your dads franks cracked me up .

Lauren you have really dropped alot lately , are you eating ? Stress does weird things to people . I eat . I've been stressed alot lately .

#1- My son made a stupid deal (back when he was dating a girl a block away from us) he traded a rebuilt computer & the promise of a cupboard to her mother for a beater 260z car . He gave the computer to her & signed an agreement to have the cupboard done by November . He could only get $ 400.00 for the car & decided he'd been taken . As it got close to the deadline the people started threatening to take him to court . Of course he wasn't dating the girl anymore . He doesn't know the first thing about making a cupboard , either . Anyway I got so upset thinking about these people who live a block away . They are lowlifes & I could imagine them doing something bad . So I made arrangements to construct the cupboard . A nine foot long cupboard ! Three 3 foot sections , each with a drop leaf & shelves & one long counter . It took me over two weeks of working 2-4 hours a night at least . I installed it on sunday .

#2- My mom who is only 61 is tired of being sick (she has emphasema & chronic asthma ) . She has been talking about death alot . Very upsetting.

#3 - My son is messing with drugs again . So far he hasn't done them when the kids are here , as far as I know . I told him i'd return the kids to their mom if he did . He knows I have zero tolerance . I constructed a huge sign & placed it in my garden , by the studio . It says , " NO DRUG ZONE . VIOLATORS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE PROPERTY . ONE WAY OR ANOTHER" . My mother was appalled that I would put it in my yard . I don't care what my snooty neighbors think .

#4 - My son has a new girlfriend . She is kind of wild , & is 2-3 months pregnant by an ex-boyfriend . Chris has only known her 2 weeks & is smitten . I don't like her . Of course her family has disowned her . She's from SanDiego & is now homeless . I've already told her she can't stay here .

Well my note is long , so i'll let you all go . Keep up the hard work . Kathy

Kathy, wow, you've got a lot going on in your life right now. I'm so sorry to hear that your son is doing drugs again. How painful that must be to see. Is he living with you? Will you be kicking him out?

I've often thought how hard it must be for the people who love us to watch us kill ourselves with food. But there's nothing they can do. We're the only ones who can make ourselves stop overeating and start taking care of ourselves. I imagine the same would be true of watching someone smoke too much, or drink too much, or drug too much.

I hope your son can turn his life around. I hope we all can.

I am indeed eating, never fear. I've been losing at a good pace for me -- an average of 1 to 1.5 pounds per week. It just looks like a lot all at once because of that 6-pound drop last week, but that was after a 3-pound gain. So don't worry.

Yesterday I was down a half a pound on my home scales. After Thanksgiving, I'll take it. I plan to go outside today, walk to the coffee shop and see if I can't write something.

Last night at WW we talked about dealing with upcoming holiday temptations. I find it helpful to think ahead about these things.

Got a possible job nibble yesterday. There's a short-term project I'm being considered for. The downside is that it starts in two weeks, and I'd rather not work while family is visiting. (We've got family here off and on in December.) I asked if it would be possible to take Christmas week off. Haven't heard anything yet.

Bought my first pair of size 18 misses (not women's) jeans yesterday (that I could zip up, anyway). They're stretch jeans, or I wouldn't have been able to zip them. But they look great. I also visited Lane Bryant and tried on one of their size 18-20 shirts, and it was big. I realized I'm truly on the cusp of getting out of plus-size clothing. Within a couple months, I'll be there.

Hope everyone checks in. I miss our group.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/201.5/199 by Christmas (home scales, a.m.)

Lauren , I doubt if i'll be kicking my son out anytime soon . It's tough , when he's on them his personality sucks , he's depressed , makes rash decisions , etc... When he's not on them he has a wonderful personality . And he wonders how I know . I haven't seen any signs of him on drugs when he's been around the kids . I saw signs while his kids were at their moms over Thanksgiving . I still won't tolerate it , even if his kids aren't here . i'm glad you're eating . I bet you feel so good about your new size .

I feel like such a failure right now . I can't seem to get back in the swing of things . Some positives are :#1- last year I participated in a cookie exchange . It was too much work & too much temptation . i'm not doing it this year . & #2- Every year I make everyone fudge . I usually make at least 8-10 batches . It started out just making chocolate , then mom wanted to know if I could make white vanilla almond , my sister wanted peanut butter . The next year my sister wanted 1/2 peanut butter & 1/2 chocolate , like a peanut butter cup . Last year she wanted peanut brittle instead . This year no one gets anything edible from me . I know i'll feel better , not having sampled 8 batches of fudge . You HAVE to sample to make sure you don't poison anyone .

Take care . Kathy

Howdy Howdy all you lovelies!!

Looks like the Lauren & Kathy show in here. Too bad they don't pay big bucks for talk shows online.

Kathy - You truly have a burden right now. I am glad that you are making decisions to de-stress your life. (I've decided a january newsletter is much better for me than Christmas cards this year) December is amazingly hard for so many of us for so many reasons. Isn't it ironic that a joyous occasion, the celebration of the birth of the Christ child, can be so grim? BTW, make mine peanut butter (imaginary, of course)

Lauren -youare so very right about killing these bodies with food. It seems to be a pardonable sin in most churches. The pastor might rail about drugs, alcohol, and terbacky, but he's not a word to say about the gluttony seen all around. (with the definite exception of the illustrious Brother Joe. He often preached that if sin were instantly visible, those twinkies would pop right up on our thighs)

We have quite a cold snap now. I've not been able to force myself up for that invigorating walk. It'll happen, soon.

The hubster had a very normal Thanksgiving as far as food. He took a dish -rotel dip!! Lots of races at the table. His landlord is ElSalvadoran. Mom is married to a whitey. Sis is married to an Armenian or Iranian -we aren't quite sure. He felt blessed and comforted to be there.

My step-mom nearly came unglued when she saw my DD carrying that sweet little blanket with "Frank" in it. I guess the other doggies got to eat em. My sister loved "Hank" so much she adopted a sister pooch. Guess who got to carry a scared-stiff, unhousebroken pup in her van? Luckily, she was worn out from playing with Hank and slept most the way. Thank you, Lord, for not letting pup puke in the van. So far the new dog has been named Slinky (for her ability to crawl away): Ginger -nah, she's too mild; Sidney -OK; and Pat. Get it? Pat the dog. And, Pat Sidney.

My stepmonster has requested an updated "Mom" shirt. Years ago she asked to be called mom. So I had a sweatshirt made with MOM embroidered in big letters on the chest. All around it were the names of us kids and grandkids. The back has the names of pets. Lots of new names have come along (and one death of a dog) so I have to round up everyone's names and proper spellings. Messed up a few names last time and forgot my sister's birds. Which is really crummy of me cause they used to be my birds. Now she has SlinkyGingerSidneyPatSidney the dog. I told her she has a deadline to name the dog. Maybe I should name it for her.

Lauren -darlin,you are truly a babe in the woods. Rotel dip was a staple of the 60s. Sorta like hot Dr. Pepper with lemon. Kathy did you ever see those commercials? Take a large block of Velveeta sorta-like cheese stuff. (I think it's the 2lb box, maybe 4lb) and a can of Rotel tomatoes. put into a bowl and microwave til melted or throw it in a crockpot on "low". Yum. Truly an all-American heart clogger. Some folks like to add browned ground beef or sausage. I had a friend who kept it in his house ALL THE TIME. He would walk in the door and throw it in the microwave, then snack on it while the wife was making dinner. And he wonders about his health...
It's good and worth trying. Don't worry about it being spicy, the Velveeta mellows the chilies in the Rotel. Do make it when you can leave it at someone else's house. Cause it never goes bad in the fridge...:wink:

Hey, Lauren, where canI get one of those high-falutin' writer type jobs?

Good luck on the job nibble. Chuck just got a call about a temp-to-perm job here in Austin. The perm part is not so definite, so he quoted pretty high to check their interest. Plus he hates to leave a project undone, so the deal here would have to be pretty sweet.

I'll miss weigh-in again this week. Goin' back to Ft. Worth to attend a seminar and spend a bit more time with my precious MIL and FIL.It will be worth it.

Stay good, ladies!

Hi Dora & Lauren (since it's just us here apparently)

Dora , are you still thinking about selling your house ? Or is it a wait & see deal ? Your hubbys Thanksgiving sounded entertaining .

Speaking of entertaining , get this : My son's ex girlfriend got pregnant (quite awhile ago) ,& midway tried to pin it on my son , (but her addition was a couple of months off ). When confronted she admitted to the attempted deception, saying the real father was crazy & so she wanted my son to be the father instead . Isn't that touching ? She then ended up with a guy much younger than her & became engaged to him . Today she called my son up & said she was in labor & wanted him to be in the delivery room . She also said she wants him to be the godfather . Can you imagine ? I'm already raising her two other kids , my luck something will happen to her & i'll end up raising this one too .

I've had a couple of ok days this week , which is good . I've had major pms . I've even hurt my own feelings . I sure hope tomorrow isn't too bad .

TaTa Kathy

Howdy Howdy all!!

Maybe I got lost somewhere. But I do remember writing a longish note back last week. And the two threads show this one for 11/20 and onward, and the old one with a last posting date of 11/06. The twilight Zone has come and stolen two weeks of positngs from my 'puter!

Anyhow, hope everyone is warm and happy and healthy. It's cold and wet here again. Tomorrow will probably be sunny and dry. And I have half the week already booked solid. And still haven't traveled 45 minutes to see my newest nephew. His poor mom now has pulmonary edema (probably had it before his birth) her heart is enlarged and she is still on complete bedrest. With a newborn and a very active 8 yr old. After a horrendous pregnancy that included mostly bedrest. Bless her heart. I sure hope she can stand the not getting up and doing things. That's going to be hard for her.

My sister's new dog is still Ginger. She (the dog) is already liking her harness, learned to sit and is nearly housebroken and trying to shake paws. What a smart doggie I brought! See, I do remember talking about that dog. Must be a second page to that other post. In that case, thank you Lauren for starting this one.

I gotta go. Was out of town this weekend and the laundry is calling my name. (and the sewing, cleaning, lunch-making, bill-paying, drama-learning)

Dora, I can see your earlier post (the one including info on the dog) just fine in this thread. Not sure why you can't see it. I hope your DH's job nibble works out.

Kathy, wow, you have a complicated life. Stop hurting your own feelings! I know how PMS can get. Hopefully yours has eased up somewhat by now.

Well, I have an announcement to make. This morning at my home weigh-in, I lost 2 pounds and finally reached ONEDERLAND!! OK, it's just by the skin of my teeth, it's still a half pound from my Christmas goal, and one salty meal or a humid day would kick me right back into the 200s, but BY GUM, I'LL TAKE IT!

I was hoping it wasn't just a fluke, and it wasn't. The numbers were still there this morning. Wow, it's been a while since I saw a "1" in the front of my weight. I feel like singing!

So the title of this thread has finally come true for me. I wonder, though, if everyone else has dropped out because they know they won't make it to 200 in 2001, so they feel like this group isn't for them now. I hope not -- I miss you all. Maybe we could give it a new name next year? Unless you find the title as inspiring as I did this past year.

The sun is trying to come out here, and it's supposed to get up to 60 degrees. It ain't Christmasy, but it's good walking weather. Think I'll take advantage of it.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/199.5/199 by Christmas

Lauren: I just KNEW that you could do it. You have been hanging in there, posting, and giving support. You are a real trooper. Nothing stopped you! I'm sooo happy for you. I'll even do a happy dance for you . . .



Congrats,

Annie

Lauren,

I just had to take the time to write a note to let you know how fabulous I think you are! Congratulations! I must admit that I say it with a small bit of jealousy but feel great for you just the same. Make sure to do something nice for yourself to celebrate.

Ruby

Hi everyone .

I tried to post on thursday night & my mouse went wacko & then died . I just got a new one today .

Lauren congratulations , you have worked so hard . You deserve it .

I have done okay this week portion wise , but we had our annual Christmas party on wednesday . We had a potluck & it lasted 3 days . I ate real small portions , but I guess three days of it were too much anyway . I didn't lose . But I didn't gain either & that's a plus these days . None of the food seemed very healthy & I should have foregone the whole thing . Oh well . I have been doing better , even though the scale doesn't show it . My son got a job , Yeah . But got a letter saying that his license is suspended for 30 days , for too many tickets . His job is in town . But he can't find a licensed daycare in town . And DSHS will only help with daycare if it's licensed . A friend of his will watch the kids in the meantime , until he can find a licensed daycare .

Have a good week everyone . Kathy

Howdy Howdy all,

I am sooooo confused. Where are all the other replies to these threads?:confused: I know I've seen them. But they keep disappearing!

Lauren -by now I am sure you have sailed past the big 200 number. Congratulations. Pretty soon, you will zoom past me. You tortoise, you.

I'll check in later when i have a few minutes!

Happiest of holidays to everyone!