Hi Everyone,
I accidentally found your group while searching for a recipe, and was happy to find a support group of WW lifetime members. I think it's harder to keep this weight off than it ever was to lose it. When you say you're on a diet, people just look at you like you slapped them in the face. Then you get the usual, "but you don't need to lose any weight". yada yada

I've been at goal for almost 3 years, but would like to lose a bit more to get my BMI in the mid-range. So I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you as I work toward that goal.

Hi ladies! Had a good day yesterday. Still shedding that water weight. I'm really proud of myself for sticking to my plans the past few days

GrammaKnits - Welcome to the group! The first time I became a WW lifetime member, I moved and started going to a different WW site. After a few visits, a newer member came up to me and asked me why I was there (in a not so nice way). Once I told her why, she felt really bad - I could see it on her face! I am not at my personal goal yet (although I am at my WW lifetime membership goal again) and it has been just under 2 years since I started losing again. Sometimes it is hard for even me to remember exactly what it was like when I weighed 70 pounds more, so I don't blame other people when they forget (especially if they see me every day). New people who meet me just don't know about it, and if I need to explain (for instance, why I take a really long time looking at the menus while at a restaurant) then I will!

Pam - on the weight loss! My DH has never had a weight problem, but he is VERY supportive and understanding of my efforts. I always feel very lucky for that!

Lisa - Way to go on your OP day! I don't think I could have resisted those cookies

Melissa - I really need to get back into a WW meeting soon. I've been doing this on my own since the beginning of December. It ALWAYS helps when I go to meetings. I wanted to go this past Monday night and didn't end up making it. I don't think they are open this coming Monday, but I'm going to try to get in there Sunday morning.

Hello to Susan and Tanya!

Grammaknits: Welcome to the group! Yes, I agree it's a lot harder to maintain than it is to lose! I've been at goal since 1999 and have found lately that it's been harder to maintain so after a lof of though I changed my goal weight by 3# and so far I've been doing okay. I still attend weekly meetings and WI because I need to stay accountable--it's really become a way of life for me. I know when new members come in they sometimes don't realize that I'm a Lifetime member who still attend meetings (there's about 5-6 of us at that meeting) so our leader makes sure to acknowledge the fact that we're still coming. I'm working at losing about 5# to get more into my "comfort" zone.

Lori: I know our center is open on Monday so you might want to check and see about yours. I enjoy my meeting and seeing the friends I've made through the program. We have some members at our meeting who have lost a significant amount of weight and it's so hard to picture them at their heavier weight. Good for you for your 70# loss!!

I had a much better day of eating and am really trying to stick with my plan. I need to throw some things out that I've been getting into and even though it's hard I know I'll be better off not having them around! My plan of action is to eat more POINTS for breakfast/lunch than I have been previously and I think that will help and I'll be sure to leave just a few points for a snack in the evening so that I won't feel deprived.

It's dreary here this morning although the temps are supposed to start rising and then later today rain/snow are supposed to arrive followed by the artic blast of cold air! I'm walking today at noon with my friend--I need to get more activity in!

It's rainy here today in Florida, but warmer. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow as DH and I have a tee time with friends. I fear that we will be rained out though. DH and I took a tough Pilates class last night and we feel it today, but it was worth it. I'm taking a yoga class tonight.

Not doing as well OP today, but I'll keep at it. Melissa, You are so right about eating more earlier in the day and stopping that snacking at night. It's easy to talk about, but difficult to implement.

Lori, Although I lost only 30 pounds in WW (woo-hoo to you again for the 70 pound decrease), I also run into folks who give me a hard time about watching what I eat, etc. I try not to let them bother me.

Grammaknits, Yes, welcome! We try to support each other here. It's tough keeping that weight off, but we work at it every day.

Hi Ladies,

Hope Everyone is doing well today. I am having a MUCH better day. The past few days were rough for me and especially for Jackson. He is doing much better. Thank you to everyonefor being so helpful w. your advice and letting me know that I am not the only one to deal w. this stuff and I am not in it alone. Sometimes I forget that women have been doing this for years

I hit the gym this morning... actually everyday this week This morning's was a great workout though. I did 20min on the upright bike on a hilly terrain setting, and 30 minutes on this elliptical machine that has you striding upward. It really works your butt and thighs, which I need and it keeps your arms moving too. I did my upper body weights and was able to lift a bit more easily than in the past few weeks .

Lori Good to see that you are back OP and feeling better. It's amazing what being sick can do, and good for you for not giving up and bouncing back better than before You are soooo healthy. I eat too many processed foods, but not so many that I couldn't eliminate them. I do eat the smart ones or lean cuisine one in a while, when my sodium intake isn't too bad. I by mostly organic since we had DS and I cook a lot. I don't buy meals prepared from a box, except for maybe Annie's mac n' cheese and Amie's Veggie Lasagna... I love it. My mom is a true Italian cook, so we were raised on whole foods, and produce form our garden. In our house it was a treat to have honey nut cheerios instead of plain, and we only got take out on New Years Eve Once a summer by the pool, we would order pizza and subs, and it was a BIG deal.

Pam, congrats on the weight loss. It feels so good when your efforts pay off.

Lisa, your movie roll sound so cool. Good for you for having a great day OP and resisting those cookies. I'm w. Lori, not sure if I could have resisted those cookies.

Melissa, Good for you for making it to a meeting and for staying the same. Especially w. your recovery and after a small gain last week you should be proud. My mom's big issue is also the BLT's. I am usually good w. those, but last night after a stellar day I ate a big spoon full of taco meat and full fat cheddar cheese It was sooo good, but I wasn't hungry and I don't know why I didn't resist the temptation. I just let it go though. If not I would cont to feel bad and make bad choices. I went home had some water and went to bed.

Grammaknits Welcome to the group I am new to this group and also the only on who is not lifetime, but everyone has been so welcoming and supportive that I decided to stick around. I had been looking for a 20s and 30s mom's WW thread, w. no luck. I would still like to post w. women who are still in the thick of the weight loss process, but I am going to stay on here as well. I need all the support and advice I can get and these ladies are wonderful. Do you still go to meetings?

Good morning ladies! First off, thank you for all those kind words My journey has been long and filled with many obstacles and I am very happy to be where I am right now with my health and my weight.

Yesterday was an OP day - very happy about that!

Well I finally did it. I broke down last night and joined a gym! DH joined with me. We paid everything up front - the annual fee. If we did that we got an extra three months, so we really paid for 15 months up front. What I love about this gym:
* It doesn't smell (like the Y I went to - gross!) and is very clean
* Pool!
* Lost of classes at times later in the day that I can make (including spinning and yoga)
* 3 personal training sessions free per year. They also said if I needed one or two more they wouldn't charge me since I have those back and hip problems and will probably need my routine updated more than others.
* Lots of machines
* Sauna and hot tub
* Literally 2 minutes away from my house. No excuses not to go.
* You can "freeze" your contract for any reason. So lets say during the summer all I want to do is jog outside, hike, and do free weights at home. They will "suspend" the contract from say May - October and add those months on to the end of the contract which I think is one of the awesomest things EVER.
* If something happens and I can't go (because of my back or hip) they will cancel my contract and refund my money for the months I haven't gone yet

I'm very excited! I'm getting some new sneakers after work today, and then I have a meeting with a personal trainer at 6pm. Wish me luck!

Melissa - for throwing things out! I did that this past weekend when I truly re-committed myself. Well actually I just put all the leftover holiday chocolates in a bag and forced DH to take them to work with him on Monday Glad to hear you had a good day! How is your recovery from your procedure going? It has been overcast here for DAYS. I have been turning on an extra light in my tiny cubicle lately so that it seems less dreary and blah.

Lisa - Do you like pilates a lot? I tried pilates once, but I can't do it because you need to have enough lower body strength to even start it. I don't have that because of the two slipped discs in my lower back That is why I am working on strengthening my core (in PT). I think I'm going to try the yoga class at the gym. I really want to be more flexible. I used to be when I was younger (I took dance and gymnastics, as well as martial arts, for a very long time). I think I have more range of motion than most, but I have definitely lost a lot of flexibility that I used to have.

Tanya - Yes, when I am OP I really try to avoid processed foods. That is one of my downfalls when I an not OP is that I'll just eat whatever is placed in front of me Today again the only thing processed is the Fiber One bar I have. Otherwise, I have planned:
Breakfast - Oatmeal
Snack - 2 clementines
Lunch - 15 Bean soup (homemade) and Green Pepper strips
Snack - Carrots and Stonyfield Farm plain yogurt (I never eat anything but the natural yogurt)
Another snack since dinner will be late - Fiber One Bar
Dinner - Pasta with tomato sauce, veggies, and ground turkey

Ok well I suppose the pasta is processed but it is still only made from natural ingredients so I tend not to really count that on the processed list since I buy a natural pasta!

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm glad it's Friday! It's been a long week and the temps are dropping--it was 41 earlier and now it's down to 26! Brrrr! It's gray here today and I don't think it'll be getting any brighter as the day progresses.

Lisa: I think the reason I don't like to eat "heartier" in the early part of the day is because I'm afraid I won't have enough to eat later on! Crazy, huh? I'm working at it and each day is getting a litte better.

Tanya: I am happy with staying the same--my goal is to lose this week and I know by watching the BLT's I'll do better. I just need to make sure there aren't things around that I can pick at.

Lori: Good for you in joining a gym! We have a great deal here--we're able to join a wellness facility at a fraction of the cost so I did that. When the weather is bad I go there to walk (it's only a block from work). I really need to start using it more frequently--they have treadmills, elliptical, etc. I'm feeling less tired and am feeling more energetic. I walked yesterday with my walking buddy and didn't feel exhausted at the end of the day which is a really good sign in my book!

Pam: Hope you're staying warm! I'm sure the cold weather that we're getting is heading your way too!

I'm looking forward to a 3-day weekend. I'm going to the Cancer Society's Daffodil Days Kick Off on Sunday which is always a nice event. They have a style show, chinese auction and some other things that are fun. I'm also working at WW tonight and Sunday so I'll be busy. I'm planning on doing some cooking over the weekend too.

Happy Friday Ladies

I am sooo happy it's Friday, but also a little worried about the weekend and week ahead. I have a birthday party tomorrow for myself and my nephew. We celebrate together because it's easier than getting everyone together w. in a 3 day period. I have a BIG family! Just my sisters and our BF/DHs and our kids is enough, but than of course my sisters in-laws are all there too for Orlando (my nephew). He is 9 tomorrow and I am 29 on Tues! I also have a Christening and reception on Sunday w. my whole BIG Italian family. There will be lots of tempting treats I am sure. I am super nervous I am also starting my anatomy and physiology class on Wed and I am terrified. I only have a few ,ore classes until I can be "officially" in the nursing program. I am nervous about this class, and I am hoping that taking only one class this semester and having gone to school for Medical Assisting will help me. Also DH is traveling to Charlotte for work on Sun and will be gone for 4 weeks!! He will be home on the weekends, but that leaves me to handle:
Getting myself and Jackson up by 6:30
Getting us fed and out the door by 7:30
Drop of DS at daycare
Get to school by 8:20 on m-w-f, class till 9:30 w. a lunchtime lab on Mon
Get myself to the gym and work
Pick up DH and do potty training, dinner, bed-time and everything else ALONE!!

Ok I know that millions of single moms do it and work full time, rather than pt, but I am blessed and my DH does so much. He helps me w. every aspect of our life and he and DS are basically inseparable. DS is more clingy to me by far, but he and DH are like best buddies and they play together so well. OK now I am freaking out

Good news: I went to me weekly WW meeting today and I am down 3.2, which puts my total loss at 8lbs in 2 weeks I also edited mu signature and added a new mini-goal. DS picked out the dino ticker.

Oh also good news: a patient at work deliv twin boys on 12/24 and brought them in today to say Hello on the way to the pedi office in our building. Well they were sooo cute. She and I have become close, so I gave her some baby gifts and we made plans for a visit w. DS. Hopefully he won't think they are toys?! He needs the practice, I am worried what he will be like when we have a 2nd. He is so good, but very busy and not intentionally spoiled but being an only child for 2+ yrs has definitely gotten to him

Melissa It wasn't too cold today, but wet and the constant cool temps and moisture chill me to the bone. I have been taking baths at least every other day, but now my skin is dry It seems to be the only thing that warms me up, and if I take a good book or magazine and some water it keeps me from eating for a while and I get some me time. If I can squeeze it in, I may try to make that lentil soup this weekend.

Lori Good for you joining a gym! I go to a YMCA, but it's BEAUTIFUL. It;s newly renovated and very clean. DS goes to a seperate daycare through t the Y in the next town over and LOVES it. Our Y's are all pretty nice, but I know the ones in NH are not so spiffy. Ours have two pools, sauna, tons of machines and classes and DS and I do swim and mommy and me classes too! It's very pricey though. I volunteer in the sitting room here and there and get a my portion of the membership free, so that helps. I used to do Golds, and also Planet Fitness, but wasn't thrilled w. either, although I have friends at both gyms that love them. I think the Y works for us because it's more family friendly.

Lisa If you are crazy than we are in the same boat! I also feel that I should eat heartier early in the day for the same reason. Oh well, we may be nuts, but at least we are not alone

Pam How are you? Ready for the frigid temps this weekend and the BIG GAME?!!

Well I need to return the shoes I bought. They are not wide enough. I tried to tell the guy I needed wide shoes, but he said he didn't have any and maybe if I just tried the normal size ones... I bet he just wanted his commission or whatever So now I can only use the bikes because all I have are flat skateboarding shoes (not good for walking or jogging) until they order me new shoes and they come in. Bummer

Melissa - I have a gym at work too, but DH can't go. So I never do. So its really no use to me It is also really tiny!

Tanya - Your schedule will definitely be different for the next month but you will get through. I bet you once your DH starts traveling that the thing that will worry you the most is Jackson asking for his dad! As for the party with the Italian family... I know how that is. My mom's side is 100% Italian. When I go to visit my great-aunts, all they want me to do is "eat, eat!".

Quick visit--DH and I did a 5K this morning. He ran and I walked (ran a little). It was fun. They had healthy lifestyle literature afterwards and healthy snacks. DH got a medal for 2nd in his age group. Then we went to an art show. It's almost 80 here today. Crazy weather. Tomorrow we will be lucky if it hits the mid-50s.

I'm pretty much OP. WI is Monday and I'm scared, but I need to bite the bullet.

Tanya, awesome weight loss.

Lori, great for you and DH joining the gym. If he'll go with you that will keep you committed. The contract sounds very flexible. Very different from the old gyms I joined years ago.

I do like Pilates. It's actually good for your back because the core supports the back; however, if you have back problems, it's tough. Yoga is really great for flexibility. I enjoy that.

Hope the games are good tomorrow. I have an audition tomorrow night--wish me luck.

Sorry this is so late in reply, but thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I'm an occupational therapy assistant in a nursing home and we've just been swamped with people coming in from the hospitals. I haven't had much computer time. Guess it's just that time of year. Consequently, my exercise has kind of been hit or miss this week and I haven't lost an ounce. The only good thing is that I don't have time to snack during the day. So as they say, today is a new day and I'll start fresh again. BTW, what does "OP" stand for? Maybe "on points"? - Theresa

Tonya, happy birthday and congratulations on the weight loss this week. I went back to school at age 50 to change careers and still remember that dreaded anatomy class. You'll get through it just fine. It's kind of like weight loss in that you just do it one step at a time.

Theresa - OP stands for "On plan". Don't worry about not losing. I'm happy sometimes when I simply don't gain!