I like your conversations Sassy, you have a great outlook on life. You have been through a lot. I admire you. I wish you all the best.

No way are you a conversation killer! I never got an e-mail thread notification that there was another post here until this evening!
How's things going?
I'm up at our cabin on a lake, for vacation, but have web access on my laptop. Do forgive spelling errors as I have no spellcheck on this laptop like on my computer at home. The keyboard is tiny and I have a hard time getting used to it.
I promised myself, my buddies here at 3FC as well as my WW leader that I would journal on vacation. I wonder if that might mean that I don't have the usual gain?
We arrived and I went out and did a bit of grocery shopping, my daughter and I cooked a WW recipe for supper and I journalled. So far so good!

email's about posts? How come no one told me???? ha ha!

Sassypants.....let me tell you -- 42 times in court with the x...ARGHHH!

To answer your question Linda..I found my old book from 2005 -- I have lost to date 30 pounds since that weigh in! I almost died when I saw it... From April of this year that was 15 pounds...it's slow, but sure. I am kicking it into high gear. I do have trouble with carbs. I love carbs -- but I have vowed to drink my water and have been doing a good job. So water, water, water.

I also vowed to walk with a friend at least 3 times a week. She has a route that takes an hour and I figure it's better than sitting her on the computer.

As for dating..it's taken a back seat. I am getting so tainted! lol...all men are horn dogs I tell you. They have a ONE TRACK mind!!! And you know where THAT is!!! What happened to romance? courting? getting to know one another? Are we in such a society that it's instant gratification (ok for them...I just can't see myself doing that!). So, I am taking a breather. I have met some nice people and we are still in touch. That's all the news I have!

Cheers ladies! have a great weekend!

Elan, isn't it sad that you are expected to "put out" so soon? I think those things should take time as well. Have you tried talking with these guys or are they not worth it? Such a shame.
Did you know that you can click on "thread tools" at the top of this page and ask to get e-mail notification each time someone makes a new posting to a thread? This way, you can keep up on a conversation.
Well, today's goal for me (taking this one day at a time) is to eat pretty much on program as best I can for vacation. I will journal. I will enjoy. I am almost ready to get off line and will take out paddleboat out for a morning exercise break.

Ok girls...down to 181.5 -- last year I was 210....so it's a start. I have to get moving!!!!!! this is ridiculous! so slow

That is awesome Elan. Way to go, remember slow and steady wins the race. I would be terrified to date. I too agree some men are horn dogs. I haven't heard that description in ages.
Linda I hope you are having fun.
Sassy where are you? I hope you are doing well.
Lafayette, I hope all is well with you.
Have a great day.
Ann

Ann, are you married? It's been so long for me, dating that is, that you forgot how to behave. If anything though it really has made me think about what I should be doing with myself (i.e. taking are of myself, doing my makeup, and of course watching my weight). Seems that I forgot all about that. I'm learning though. We get so "comfortable" that we don't work on "us". Then when we work on "us" we feel guilty or selfish (at least that is how I feel).

My weight is ok -- I'm tall (5'8") so I carry my weight well. People are shocked when they hear how much I weigh. As for a goal weight, it was 147 when I was a leader -- and I was wayyyyyyyyyy too thin. The bones were sticking out like I was anorexic and 147 is not really "thin" when you think of a number. This time I am doing it a bit at a time. I worry about the saggy skin and the like, and also having to show that saggy skin eventually to a significant other -- but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

61 pounds.....amazing! you must feel like a totally different person! Where in Canada are you? I noticed there were a lot of Canadians around here as well as our terrific American friends. Doesn't matter where in the world you are, we all have the same issues!

So girls -- hope all is well with you. Sorry I have been absent. Work has been incredibly busy (loving it) and the social life is heating up (scaring the heck out of me!). Let us know how you are all doing.

And newbies..if you have not been here, PLEASE don't feel this is a group! We just chat about anything and everything, so if you want to join in, PLEASE DO!!!!!!

Hi Elan,
I live in Ottawa, I used to live in Calgary though. I am married. I couldn't imagine dating. Although my husband and I have dates. It is funny because I finally realized I needed me time and started to do things for me and not feel guilty about them. It is also funny you mention about the 61 pounds, for the longest time I could only focus on the amount I still have to lose, instead of what I have accomplished. I started to go to a dietician and she told me not to weigh myself until she weighs me. It is really diffiuclt not to weigh myself.
I am trusting in what she tells me for the time being. She thought i was too focused on weight. She looked at my journal and my exercising. She suggested I not eat two hours before I go to bed and just take baby steps so that I maintain this healthy lifestyle. I realize I sure am a work in progress and that she was right I do focus too much on the numbers and what I have to lose. I am glad you are back as I love reading the posts in here. I know we all get busy and just go into survival mode.
Take Care
Ann

Elan, you are doing fantastic! You are phat, not fat!
Isn't it a great feeling and when people notice and make remarks, it's such motivation to keep going!

Hey all! Well I've been focusing on my water and also making sure that I have protein with each meal. It certainly has been helping keeping the hungry monsters at bay. I am now starting to notice the shape of my body! I actually have a waist! I have a pair of pants that I just love, but I think that I need a belt now! I haven't worn a belt for years. Also (hee hee) my granny panties are getting baggy. Can you believe it? BAGGY. Strange, but oh so very exciting (ahhh the little things! :carrot: Never thought I would dance over that!)
Have a great one all!

Isn't it fun to notice a waiste and "curves" again. This kind of curve is not a fatty bulge, but a nice shape thing. I'm there too.
Happy days to all!

Well I'm sure your curves are a lot nicer than mine at the moment! But hey! It's getting there! My goal is about the 150 mark, so I have 30 more pounds to go! EGADS! that's a lot...but one step at a time!

I don't remember if it was you Linda or not -- but I find that weighing every morning has been a God-send for me. It really makes me conscious of what is going in my mouth and has been the one thing that has kept me on track.

Elan, when I am home I do weigh myself every day. This week I'm afraid is not a good one for me. I've been on vacation, away from the scale and away from the gym. We've been eating out nightly and I have lost control every day so far, so I am not reporting great successes here, sadly.
I will get back on track, but it's almost impossible here.
I did order more intelligently at a restaurant, though, last night.

1. You got back on track
2. You made wise choices in a restaurant

Just think back ... wayyyyy back....where you were 171. You didn't do either of those things! So! You came a long way.

Everyone has to have holidays where they are off a bit. It's ok. You are human and you are normal! You are probably not as bad as you thought you were. You are close to goal -- that's what makes it all the harder! Don't you DARE give up at this point or we'll have to sit on you! (trust me...I'm not a featherweight yet and it would be VERY uncomfortable!)

Hello ladies

Elan,How is that walking going? Is the dating any better? I do hope all is well with you and that you do not have to sit on Linda.
Have a great day ladies.
Ann

Hi All!

The walking is not going too great -- but I have been wearing my pedometer and I'm not doing too bad during the day! The weekends have been tough.

I have been struggling with my water (and it shows on the scale) -- not to mention I am heading into TOM -- so that will effect it as well.

The dating is going great! This being "single" is fun!

Let me know how you gals are doing!!! Have a great evening!

Hi Elan, walking is going well with me. I find that I try to beat my previous day.
I also make sure I walk at least 10,000 steps. I just walk instead of driving. It is crazy. I always drove before. It is like it is a game.
I hope you get all your water in. Start early in the morning.
That is great the dating is going well. How do you meet people.
Have fun
Have a great weekend.
Ann

Hi guys! Just stopping by. I was so busy all week, didn't get a chance to be here. I'm on vacation again and worrying, typically, about eating and how that will be.

Good morning ladies.
You will do awesome Linda. I think the journalling helps to stay on track. Have a great time.
Elan, I do hope you are doing well and having a great weekend. Keep walking, drinking water and remember to journal.
I am off for a walk right now.
Ann

Sorry I have been gone so long... I have good bad news, or bad good news, depedning how you look at it, I guess... I finally figured out why I can be "good" and still gain weight. Two weeks ago, my doctor diagnosed endometriosis (which I've had before), ovarian cysts (which I've had before) and fibriod tumors. All of which were described as how much bigger they were than softballs!!! The smallest of the five fibroids is larger than a golf ball (why do they describe everything in reference to sports objects or food?)This is bad news but the good news is I will be having a hysterectomy soon (waiting on a surgical consultation next Wednesday) and then- tada!- no more periods that make me flat-out miserable for weeks at a clip!!!

I've been reading about hysterectomies and their adverse impacts on weight, sexual function and depression. I've talked to my doctor and she feels confident that, because the science of balancing hormones chemically has advanced so significantly, I will be able to stay mentally and physically healthy with diet and exercise. Plus, my attitude toward the whole process will be a major factor in avoiding depression. I am so excited to finally achieve some "normalcy" in my life that, although it's major surgery, I just can't bring myself to feel too bad about it!

Plus, I'll have a flat stomach for my wedding in March! I keep teasing my sister that I'm getting liposuction!

I know it sounds like I'm making light of the whole situation but I have been beating myself up over the fact that I can barely last eight hours at the office and drive myself home. My immediate thought was that it's because I'm so out of shape, etc. It's such a relief to know that, while the surgery and recovery will stink, I'll feel good someday!

WooHoo!

Hi Girls!!!! I am so glad you've all been posting and keeping the WW Bus on the board! Dating has been GREAT..weight loss not so great, but apparently I am toning up. My shape is changing and my stomach is getting flatter (amazing I know because I am not really doing anything special!)

As for water...DID I TELL YOU ALL HOW MUCH I HATE WATER????? BLAH! But I am forcing myself to drink it -- thus that is probably why I have a plateau! As for my pedometer -- yes yes -- I finally figured out how to use it without the instructions -- so I'm happy about that.

Lafayette...sorry to hear about your news and happy to hear about your news if you know what I mean. A friend of mine from work had her hysterectomy and feels FABULOUS!!!! She said that she's kicking herself now that she didn't get it done years ago! So...hopefully that is some consolation. She had it done vaginally..was off of work for a total of 2 weeks and came back to work. Amazing really! I have another friend that also had it done just recently surgically, (she's never had children) and was back to work in 6 weeks (abdominal incision). Again, she says that she feels fantastic! So...with that said, I wish you Godspeed with healing and remember you will have time to keep us posted (hee hee!) You can crack the whip at all of us and send us private messages!

Derry...for heavens sakes where are you holidaying now????? Sheesh!!!! I'm jealous!

NewAnn! Glad to hear that you are keeping up with the walking. Did you know that just in one day walking around the office I put on over 5,000 steps. Good heavens if that photocopier and printer were any farther from my desk I wouldn't have to do any extra walking!

Have a great one all!!!! I'll try and check in later this week if not early next!

oh yes....and the dating with the most recent Engineer is proving to be very interesting.....he's cute...kind...a gentleman.... *sigh*....

Lafayette, I'm so sorry about the surgery. I hope all is well. It's so permanant, though, and have you discussed other alternatives? You are so young. I shall include you in my prayers.
Elan, you sound so positive and I'm glad for you.
As for me, can anyone ever just get sick of vacations? I am. I want to be in my own controlled environment. This vacationing has ruined my weight loss efforts. When I am here in RI, I don't keep up with activity and I feel kind of lost.
We'll be coming home on Sunday and I can't wait. I'm going to be back at the gym on Monday!!!

Linda what the heck are you doing up so early in the morning????? EGADS girl! It's vacation! you are supposed to be sleeping in!

Last weekend I went to Taste of Calgary -- it's a festival where all these restaurants do the cooking and you can sample their food. I was VERY good though (probably because I was with the guy lol...maybe I need to keep dating to get all this weight off! ha ) Anyways, ate butter chicken, samosa's and of course the alcohol didn't help!

Vacation for me throughout the year has been a Friday here a Monday there to extend the weekend. The kids are our of the house now, so it's just me. The extra weekend day has been nice and enough of a break. In November I am heading stateside to do some shopping! (Maybe bring some of that fabulous WW snacking stuff home!).

Elan, I naturally get up early - can't help myself. To me, this IS sleeping later, if you can imagine that!
My daughter and I just reviewed some of the better festival food choices and came up with this:

hamburger (no cheese) is better than a hot dog or sausage and pepper sandwich
popcorn is better than French Fries
slushie (ice with syrup stuff) is better than ice cream
soft serve ice cream is better than regular ice cream
cotton candy is better than a candy bar

Any other fesival/fair ideas? We are going and we are going to eat there, so we have to examine the "better" choices.

Hello Ladies,
Lafayette, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you all the best. How are you doing?
Linda, my DS has a book it is called too much vacation. It can happen. I think some places are triggers for us too. I know when I visit my inlaws I find they are a trigger and I really have to be aware of what I am doing because I start mindless eating around them.
Elan, this dating thing is going well for you. Yeah you. What type of engineer are your dating? What field do you work in? Maybe weight watchers should have a dating plan...just joking. That is great you can tell by your post you are feeling good about yourself. Yeah...now if only they would move the photocopier further from your desk you wouldn't have to walk any place. Hey you could always walk on your dates. Did you go to the Folk Festival?
Have a great night all.

Hey All! (ok...saying all in case some guy decides to join our little group! hee hee). Dating.....arghhh - pub last night, choice of deep fried this and deep friend that. Ate very little but did nosh on the salad SOAKED in ceasar dressing! ha ha. The engineer, well what can I say? He's very sweet, but not the one for me I think, but will be a great friend! I didn't make it to the Folk Festival. I am amazed at how many things they have here to do. Just nice to do it with someone else other than dragging your girlfriends all over the place!

Linda -- great work with the choices! I can't help myself at fairs -- I HAVE to have one of those corn dogs no matter what. But I have ONE. The rest of the stuff like the mini donuts and the cotton candy I can leave. I did do the diet drink (no ice..then you get more!). You'll have to let us know how you do with that!

Cheers all and have a great day!

Hello everyone.
How are you all doing
Linda, I am sure it will be nice to get home and back into your routine. From what you have been posting it seems like you are doing way better than I would be doing on vacation. How is the weather there. Here it is raining and it is starting to become cooler. It is nice after all the hot humid weather we have had.
Elan, pub food always smells good, but I find now I don't really enjoy it. It is too greasy. I think when you are drinking either the alcohol soaks up the grease or the grease soaks up the alcohol....not sure which one it is. I just know if I drink the pub food tastes much better. It has been so long since I have been to a pub. Enjoy your weekend.
Lafayette, I do hope all is well with you.
Take Care
Ann

Lafayette, I'm thinking about you and hope things are going well. This is a hard time for you, I am sure. Hang in.
Ann, I think that book your DS has is perfect for me! I'm really anxious to get home.
I am heading up to the lake next week, after a week at home, but it is just me and not DH and kids with me. I plan on being a frequent visitor at the local farm stand, swimming and walking and relaxing. It's not a family vacation, but a spiritual renewal!

Wow Linda, what a great idea a spiritual renewal, I know we could all use that. I do hope it is a wonderful refreshing time for you. It sounds so nice.
Elan, I went to the States shopping today and I bought all kinds of great ww products and 100 calorie snacks that we can't get in Canada. It was awesome. I recommend it. I met a lady at the store who asked me if I was on ww, she could tell by my cart. She was also from Canada and she goes shopping once a month to stock up on healthy snacks and general stuff she can't get here.
Lafayette, where are you and how are you doing.
Have a wonderful weekend all.
Take Care
Ann

Ann, it's a shame that you can't get the products you want in Canada. Do you know why that is that they are not imported?
Also, I'm thinking twice about heading up to the cabin next week. I think my son has been very lonely this last week and the week before when we were on vacation without him. He's old enough to be on his own, but I think he's really been missing having his family and some home-cooked meals.
I'll be thinking a bit before I go, even though I would love being there.
I have trouble with our cabin, quite honestly. It's a high emotion place as my dad built it years ago and it was my family place. When I am there with family, I am usually quite happy surrounded by lakes and mountains, but when I am there alone I am worried that missing my mom and dad will be taking over and that I might be an emotional wreck.
Maybe I should just stay home. We'll see. I am also wondering if it would be too hard for me, being alone, to be on program and that emotional eating could take over?
Linda

Hey guys! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. I got rushed in for emergency surgery last week since the both ovarain cysts burst... holy hurt!

I'm sitting up again and all is well- best as can be expected I guess. It's been seven days since the surgery and, despite the fact that I have a large lateral incision (no wimpy bikini line incision for me!), I already feel better than I did before the surgery. My recovery will be 4-6 weeks, with at least 4 of those keeping me out of work. The painkillers are weak because my stomach is not friendly towards the good stuff but I'm hangin' in there. Despite a 5 pound lifting restriction and no stairs, I am getting up on my own, making my own white toast (about all I can handle) and cruising around the first floor of my house pretty well. I find myself surprisingly grateful for the huge flat screen my fiance insisted we "needed."

As for options, this was it. There was nothing to save; the damage was too severe. So much for blaming myself for being overweight and out of shape. I could strangle the doctor who diagnosed IBS and claimed it was "in my head" but that's another topic for another day...

We weren't planning on having children since this isn't the first time I've had reproductive health issues so it basically changed our "decision" to a fact, which was it's own transition but not nearly as devastating as I have heard it has been for other couples. I'm so !#@%* thrilled it's not cancer, I don't really care! The fact that I already feel better is really motivating me to accept that this was the best decison for my health. Other women who've had hysterectomies assure me that, once I feel better, it will be the best I can ever remember feeling in my life. WooHoo! One informed me I'm now a member of the "white pants without worry" club and I have to admit, when Midol commercials come on the TV, I cheer and clap because NEVER AGAIN!

Oh, and I've already lost 10 pounds (some of which was obviously removed surgically but I certainly earned it!).

How's everyone else doing?

Lafayette, I'm so thankful you are OK. I am also Thankful that you didn't plan on having a family as that would be so awful. However, If you do ever change your mind (you are young, after all and when I got married I didn't think I ever wanted kids - then all of a sudden my biological clock ticked very loudly and next thing you know, I had two kids...) you can always adopt. I know several adopted people who have had wonderful lives. I know several people who have successfully adopted and things have had happy endings in all cases. So, you are not sentenced and committed to a permanent life without a family, if you choose otherwise.
In the meantime, stay well, follow doctor's orders and thank goodness it was not cancer! Bug HUGS for you! I wish I lived near you so I could make you some homemade WW friendly healthy meals in little "TV Dinner" trays to heat up when you feel up to it, but I am sure you have plenty of people around you to help out with all of that.
Again, I am so glad you are OK. That is the most important thing of all.
As for me, I have been vacationing and indulging way too much. I faced the music and went for a weigh in this morning. I gained two pounds. It could have been worse and I'm quite aware of that.
I can take this off in "no time" and I'm already back on track. I made a WW friendly dinner that is in the crock pot and dinner will only be 8 points. What a busy day today has been, having just been away there is a ton of laundry. My daughter is leaving on a trip for 8 days, to Ocean City Maryland, tomorrow. I'm trying to get all the laundry caught up in one day and help organize her so she will be 100% ready tomorrow.
Of course, being the over protective mom, I am having major separation anxiety. She's my "baby" and I am really worrying as she's only been away from home just overnight for sleepovers in the past. This is a HUGE step and she will be a 10 1/2 hour ride from home, it's not like mommy can fix it and help her if she runs into trouble.
That's about it for me today... sure am glad you are OK!

Linda, that much laundry will help you lose 2 pounds in no time!

My appetite is totally gone for now. Diet blessing... all I can stand is chicken soup and white toast although I did have Cream of Wheat for breakfast yesterday and some instant mashed potatoes last night. WooHoo! At this rate, I'll be thin in no time, not that that's my intention. I've been drinking the new Special K Protein water, too. Now, it's all about getting proper nutrition in spite of the nausea so I'll heal quickly.

When I went to the doctor August 2 (the start of my saga), I weighed 166. At the time of my surgery last week, I weighed 159 (several days of nausea will do that) and, this morning, I was 154. It's really nice to know that period bloat won't pull me back up... on one particularly bad day last month, I went from 164 to 172. As if PMS and severe cramps weren't demoralizing enough!

Great progress! My gi-normous cotton granny panties are starting to get baggy... I'm still wearing my fiance's sweatpants, though. The fact that my walk is starting to look less like a waddle is also a good sign!

Lafayette, what is the wedding date? Will you be OK for it? I hope so!
I'm praying for you.
What is that special K protein water like? I've not tried it. How many calories/points is it per bottle? Does it taste really good?
Linda

Our wedding is set for March 29, 2008, so I should feel much better by then. I'll still be a little tired but we've structured the reception to encourage conversation and relaxation, not dancing and mayhem. I hate it when you get rushed through the meal, lose your table to the dance floor and feel the urge to sneak out early because the obnoxious DJ makes it impossible to hear yourself think. Instead, we are having a leisurely cocktail hour with passed hor d'ouveres, a three-course meal with plantyu of time to linger over coffee and dessert, a later serving of wedding cake and conversation-friendly music with a pianist and possible a few other instruments. The entire day is structured so that I will be able to sit, relax and enjoy my guests (hopefully without drawing atttention to the fact that I'm tired). It will be wonderful!

The Special K water- K2O- is actually pretty good, if a little sweeter than I usually like. I have the lemon and the strawberry kiwi. They are 50 calories with 0 fat and 0 fiber. They do have 8g of sugar but they also have 5g of protein (from whey). It's not much protein but it's more than I would get from drinking water. The 16 oz bottle is just the right size, too. It's very important that I get my water now. Guess I'll have to get on that!!!

With each day, I feel better. Last night, I was able to roll over in bed without yelping. This is major! I'll be really happy when I can bend over without the audible "ugh!" and flat-out joyous when I can stop worrying about bowel function... yuck. Sorry for the over-share!

I'm so glad you are feeling a bit better.
I doubt I'd spend a WW point on a water, even if it did include some protein in it, sadly.
I am not a fan of some of the flavored waters that seem to be "flooding" (get it?) the market lately. Most of them are overly sweet for my taste, but I see tons of people drinking them, so I guess others really like them?
I made it to the gym today, and was proud of myself. It's 97 degrees here today and it was so easy to just say I'd pass on it and sit in my air conditioned house. But, I went and I felt really good afterwards.
I hope you will be able to do some form of exercise at some point.
Take care of yourself,
Linda

Linda, congrats on getting to the gym! Way to go! I know hot weather is a powerful demotivator. Did you end up going to the cabin?

I'll be able to start walking first and then be able to do light aerobics. Sit-ups and serious ab work are a long way off... I have to be careful not to create scarring (adhesions) by over doing it or I will have problems. I can't wait to be able to get back on the horse, so to speak. Daytime television is chock full of commercials for diet pills, Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig-type diets, and workout videos. It's hard not to feel like a blob as I lay on my couch, even if I am legitimately recovering.

I agree about the flavored water and extra points but my diet is pretty unbalanced right now and liquids are an absolute necessity. Anything bland is my friend... I never imagined I would get this excited about dry toast. I usually reserve this kind of enthusiasm for expensive dark chocolate. ;)

Can I jump in here as well.

I think you should! Welcome!

A very Short intro.
 

Hi, My name is Mary, I have been doing WW on and off for what seems my whole life.This time doing at home and saving the money for gym fees. Which I must admit have been a bit like my diet (Hit and miss) lately.Not putting on weight just staying the same. I am here nearly every day but tend to be a bit of a luker. Am asking some of you lovely people to back up the bus (don't run me over) just so I have enough time to grab hold and hoist this lazy butt on board. What sort of programmes are you doing core, Flex etc.
Exercise etc

I am not a fan of some of the flavored waters that seem to be "flooding" (get it?) the market lately.

He He I like this, not a great fan of water at all unless it's mixed with Hops.lol
Lafayette, sorry to hear you are not well, but sounds like you will be up and about soon
Must go walking DD to work since I didn't get my gym into the day.
AGAIN!!
Have a great day
Mary