In It For The Long Run #2
 

Looking for "COUNTDOWN TO 250 AND BEYOND" ? Well you've found it.

Drum roll please ..... WELCOME TO "IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN". It's our new name but the same group of losers (In the very best sense of the word).:)

We're still the same bunch of folks who started with more than 100 lbs to lose and are doing our best to attain healthy bodies through weight loss and exercise.

Most of us are using Weight Watchers to help us along this road but we welcome anyone who is trying to successfully change to a healthy lifestyle.

Got a lot to lose? Pull up your keyboard and join us for fun, support,advice and just plain talk. We love to "see" new faces so jump right in.

j-ann

:wave: Salutations Ladies, :wave:

Speaking of State Fairs; ours here in NY begins Thursday and it's only 5 minutes from home. :cool: I used to go 3 or 4 times but now if I get there once it's enough. I like to get there early too. The grounds are clean and cool, the buildings are'nt too crowded and the food doesn't start to smell great til it's time to go home. It is an awful temptation tho to run down for dinner at least once. OOOHHH those Italian sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions. YUMMY:s: !

Off to work. Yesterday was pretty good but not as good as I like stayed within my point range but didn't make great choices so I was hungry. :( Today will be better.:dizzy:

Hello! :wave:

Starting day three of being back OP. I didn't get as much exercise in last night as I had planned. I did do my strength-building and then got distracted by DH. We needed to run an errand and it always takes twice as long as it should because we drive around the world to get where we're going. But I did work in the back yard pulling weeds and starting to take down dead garden stuff.

Nothing too exciting on the agenda for today. We have to haul off tree debris. Right now, there is a big black dog hopping around the rec room trying to catch a fly. He's loving my being home and letting him in "my room". He has more energy than I do at this time!! :lol:

Have a great OP day!

We are having a downpour right now! Boy do we need the rain tho.

I've had a couple, not so good food days this week. Gotta get my mindset back from the fast food devil :devil: again.

WOW! Ladies have you seen the new smiles. We now have 88!!! My new favorites are: :grouphug: :cookie: :faint: :censored: :judge: :snail: :ziplip: :cloud9:

Where is everyone??

Love the new smilies!

I was over in points yesterday (after I posted) but I journalled every one of them. I'm back within my range for today. The scale isn't budging but this past week has been a hard one between being so upset for a few days, humidity, TOM and too many salty foods. I bought Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds set today at Sam's Club. It was only 17.99 for the set (3 tapes and the balls). I love the workout (tried tape 1).

Sounds like dinner is about ready (pork roast) so I better scoot.

Hope everyone is doing okay. Come out and post!!

Weighed In!
 

Happy to report I've lost 14.5 pounds in the last three weeks! :cb: :cb: I didn't expect this much of a loss this week as it's TOM and I traditionally gain several lbs.

This little success should bolster my efforts on today's job -- lunch will be catered and while the catering is always good it's ALWAYS something like lasagna. I plan to take an extra high protein low carb bar (150 calories, 15 grams protein and only 2 carbs) and, if necessary, have one instead of the entree. The ditzy boss is also supposed to show up today to sit in with me -- it's been months since she's written and she's expressed a desire to get back into the swing of things. Knowing her she probably won't show but if she does, I plan to give her a couple samples -- I know she usually doesn't eat breakfast or lunch then wonders why she crashes in late afternoon. Even a HP bar that supplies 15 grams protein would be better than nothing!

Feel a bit more self-confident about the possibility of her showing up knowing that I'm looking better in my clothes. :dance: My ring is getting loose too -- will soon have to shift it over to my pointer finger.

Happy Friday everyone! Donna

DONNA: WEEHAW!!!! You are on a roll woman!!!! Congrats on sticking to your program and making great food decisions . I'm sooo happy for you. Keep it up. :flow1: :flow1: :flow1:

Well yesterday was better for me than the previous couple. Not perfect but better. We also had a different aquajogging instructor and did she ever give us a workout. I was tired when we were thru but I was able to pop up the ladder out of 10 Ft. of water like a 15 yr. old! YES! :cp:

Got to get to work now, ttyl

Did well at work yesterday as far as food. As I'd suspected, the main entree was pasta, but there were a few slices of grilled chicken breast scattered here and there. I ended up with a salad, steamed broccoli, maybe half a grilled chicken breast, then retreated back to the conference room before we resumed and had my bar.

The ditzy boss did not show up, as expected, but "thinks" she will come over today -- her new boyfriend will drop her off and after we talk I'll talk her over to her sister's house. I don't really expect her to show up today, either, but it will give me a little push to pick up the living room and get my weekly home blessing hour (vacuum and dust) done. I know she's got something up her sleeve and also know she won't tell me what it is over the phone. So I'm pushing to meet face-to-face -- I find it irritating when I know there's something going on but don't know what it is ...

Hope everyone's weekend goes well!

Donna

please visit my website!
www.thediet123.com

Hello Ladies...

I love the name of your group... Let me begin to tell you a bit about myself... I recently got back on the WW at work program after being on/off for a while. I am 27 yo and live in the new england area. I hope to be at my goal weight of 145 (that means a weight loss of 96 pounds) by the time I am 29 which gives me 33 months - do you think it's possible??

Ladynredd - that is an amazing weight loss in 3 weeks!!

Talk to you soon I hope....

Merri

WELCOME MERRI,

Glad you stopped in. I( and I'm sure this could b a "We") have found that expressing myself to the group helps me mentally face the challenges of going from a large, sedentary, woman to a healthy, active woman who knows how to meet food issue challenges and make the right decisions. We also have an ongoing "Challenge" Thread and of course you are welcome there as well.Now is the time for you to do this :dance:, while you are still young. DON"T PUT IT OFF!
YOU CAN BECOME A SLIM, HEALTHY PERSON. and, if you are true to your goals I'm sure in 33 months you will have succeeded.

Stop in and post often. We seem to have lost some members over the summer. Hopefully they will return with the onset of Fall and once again, we will be a busy :smoking: lttle group.

Donna: CONGRATS on the loss. What a great :gift: to yourself. Keep it up! :yes:

Gotta get this house cleaned before I type another letter .... :dizzy:

Hi ladies,

Not much happening here. Went to church and had lunch. DH made a wonderful roast with knoefles (like a dumpling). I won't feel bad about it because we didn't have breakfast and will have a very light dinner if anything at all.


Merri - Welcome to the group. Looks to me you've set a very reasonable goal. Definitely "long run" goals!! :p Good luck as you begin this journey with us!

Donna - Way cool :cool: about your successes! You're taking herbalife right? Looks like its working great for you. I'm curious about your work and the "ditzy" boss. You've probably told it before :o and if so, I apologize for my lapse of memory.

J-Ann - You're doing great with the exercise. Too bad about the pool. Maybe we can encourage each other to doing video workouts. I *mean* to do them a lot more than I actually get them done. Something always distracts me.

Bunny - Where are you and whatcha' doing? I read a little blurb in the current People magazine about the 450 mile garage sale. Did you find cool stuff? How's your daughter? Hope she's doing okay. Drop back in when you can. We miss you!

:D Just stopped in for a quick "Good Morning",

Didn't get to WI last night. Actually was so busy I forgot to go. :nono: Food could be better. I'm going from here to the Challenge thread to print out my challenges and post them where I can see them during the day. Everyone here, at work, thinks I a little nuts :dizzy: anyway, so they just smile at my reminder.

Hope you all have a great day.

Ditto what Terri said: BUNNY WE MISS YOU .... PLEASE STOP IN AND VISIT.

Good morning, ladies. :)

We left for Florida middle of last week - my husband spent his time smartly curled up on a sofa in the AC reading and watching the telly. I was out helping my father rebuild their sun porch - there was a roof leak which has led to rotted wall support wood and the fun began. Per his scale, I lost a pound a day. Much of that was water weight, I'm sure - we went through gallons EACH of water every day but its hard, hot work in the Florida sun.

Els had her first appointment yesterday and today my job is to find a physical therapist who accepts our insurance. She'll be going three to four times a week, for months and months. This beats all to heck the idea of surgery, though. :) I'm hoping the closest PT on the list I was given takes our insurance though - she's 40 minutes away. The furthest is over an hour and a half from our home. Yikes!

I'm glad to read and see everyone making progress, checking in, doing well. I feel like I'm drifting - bad, bad, bad.

Thought for the Day
 

Found this quote in "Sacred Contracts," by Caroline Myss, and thought it applied extremely well to all of us on our long journey:

"You have to give up the life you have to get to the life that's waiting for you."

Donna

Hi ladies,

Just checking in with my new cable access. Woohoo much faster than AOL.

I've been so busy this week with work and catching up from being off on vacation. Been in meetings all week with catered lunches and cookies! :fr: Yesterday's meeting was so negative and grueling, I succumbed to the sugar rush just to get through to the end of the day. Ever sit in with a bunch of salespeople who are unhappy? Talk about a bunch of whiners. They are very vocal in their opinion that home office staff are stupid and lazy and try to avoid them as much as possible. Of course, we think they are a bunch of whining prima donnas only looking for a money ride! :lol: Another day of that today so I'll steer clear of the goodies.

Tonight is a jewelry party at my SIL's. One where you go make your own necklace or whatever. Monday night was a pampered chef party. I got conned into doing a book party for that. I might consider doing a kitchen party - one way to get the whole house cleaned all at one time!! :o

I better get ready for work. I'd love to sleep more or just lay down on the floor in a daze.

Donna - Love the quote.

Bunny - Good to see you back. Manual labor is great for burning calories. Also good for working out stress.

J-Ann - Keep those goals close at hand so you can keep out of the fast food places.

Have a great OP day!

Bug-Eyed with Amazement!
 

Had my weigh-in today and am please to announce that since August 1st I have lost (drum roll please) TWENTY-FIVE POUNDS!!! :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: I have never lost weight this well before, even after delivering my children!

I am so happy with these Herbalife products -- I would eat rocks to feel this good and I even like the way they taste! Woo-hooo!

Donna

:cp: :cp: :cp: Applause, Applause for you Donna.:cp: :cp: :cp:

Bet you're on :cloud9:
I'm so glad the Herbalife program is working for you. I know in my first month on WW, last year I dropped 31 lbs. It made me feel like a new woman!

Keep up the downward trend. I'm rooting :cb: for you to continue you success!:cb:

I'm sticking close to home over the holiday weekend AND the rest of the household is away so if you ladies have a free minute stop in and post.;)

Terri, Bunny, Donna, Darlene and anyone I forgot .....
Have A Great Weekend.

Hi ladies!

I survived the horror week at work. It was so grueling but it was a great experience. To work together, share ideas and earn their respect was such a good feeling. It was also a proud feeling watching the guys give their presentations and seeing senior management nodding and showing enthusiasm at their ideas and presentation. Very cool. :cool:

Alas, it was not a good week for food and exercise. On the food front, what really did me in was succumbing to catered sweets and desserts as a stress mechanism. :devil: :ink: Not too smart. As far as exercise, I spent so many hours sitting in horrible chairs or standing that every bone in my bod ached every day, all day. Plus they were long days. Thank goodness, I had today off because I am still tired.

DH had a colonoscopy today so I had the day off to be with him. No new polyps but the doc did a biopsy of a small bump in the small intestine. He feels confident its nothing but still we won't know for sure until the results come back. We're going to believe everything is great until told differently. So he doesn't have to go back for five years. Woohoo! :dancer:

Tomorrow, I'm going down to mom & dad's and see them and the horses. They took mama Ginger over to the same stallion as before and there may be a new baby next summer. Time will tell! Other than that, it will be a quiet holiday weekend. I have some new magazines plus the new cable access :D so that's all I plan to do! :spin: I want to get back on track. Get organized again so we're eating well and I have time/energy for exercise. I sure don't feel as well when I don't move my body.

J-Ann: Sounds like a lovely quiet weekend for you.

Donna - Wow, you're kicking butt and taking names with the herbalife. Congratulations on your great losses.
:dance: :hat:

Bunny - Good luck with the PT. Drift on back our way. Just don't give up! You've done so well and you don't want to undo all your hard work.

:yikes: That's my favorite smilie. I just love it so I put it in for no real reason. :lol:

Everyone, have a great weekend. Be safe and joyous!

I would like to join your challenge. I am also in it for the long run.
What is your challenge for this week

Hi Mediclerk,

Glad you stopped in. You can find our Challenges under "LONG RUN CHALLENGE". I think Terri just started one for Week 3 but anyone can join in at any time.

Good luck on your weight loss jouney. Stop in often to visit. :dancer:

j-ann

Just back from Mass and checkin' my email before we head out for the Flea Market for the day.

Its lovely to come by and read (which I do every day - even though I don't always have the wherewithal to reply each day) and see how everyone else is doing. :)

I'm still knitting up a storm - I've begun my Christmas knitting already. I've finished a sweater for my gramma (who is coming here for the holidays), and I'm working on one for my mom and for my 11 year old right now. Next up is mittens for my teen (who won't wear sweaters), then I begin work on a pattern I'll be submitting for publication to a knitting magazine (wish me luck). :D

I'm trying hard to stay focused and get back on track - its been frustrating though. I'm tired of losing and gaining the same darn 5 pounds over and over and over again. I've cut back my weigh-ins - monthly now instead of weekly - because I found that seeing the yo-yo was getting me off track.

Blech.

Hi Ladies! Do you mind another face in your crowd? I am getting back on the WW wagon after a very long hiatus!!! I have enjoyed reading through your posts ... you all seem like such a nice group of people, and so very encouraging! I hope to chat with you all soon.

Cjane :)

Hello fellow Long Runners! :wave:

Its been a quiet, lazy Sunday for us. Which isn't a bad thing. I've been working on my enthusiasm or at least trying to find it again! I did have a lovely nap on the couch this afternoon!! :o

But I also have earned six exercise points so I don't feel too bad about that. It was hard making myself do it but what a great feeling once I did. My back feels better and all my muscles. I've been sitting way too much lately.

Lunch wasn't too great but we didn't have breakfast so that offsets some of the points. But I've been to online WW and journalled so I've been accountable. :p DH is making a wonderful smelling gumbo. He's been on a quest for that ever since we had a great gumbo at Joe's Crab Shack. I printed several recipes for him this AM and he's in cook heaven right now. He's making it with chicken, oysters and andouille sausage. I'll have to be careful about how many sausages I get.

Tomorrow, my goal is to get a plan for the week as far as food.

As far as the challenge goes, I'm going to try to start posting every day how I do on my goals for the week. I'll be posting my food plan over there too. I'm going to make it sort of an online journal for things other than my food journal. Come join me if you need help getting focused or need to set some small goals.

Bunny - Always good to see you. You're such a travelin' gal these days. We'll all be anxious to see your new pattern and all your new stuff. I there with you on being frustrated with the same five pounds and staying focused. Sometimes it gets old just talking about being (or not being) focused. Just try to focus on one day at a time. I know its hard. Setting the scale aside is sometimes a really good thing when it seems to be a demotivator instead of motivator. Don't lose the faith and you'll get it all together again. We're here to help.

Mediclerk - Hi and welcome to the group. Sure, check out the "Long Run Challenge" thread. Its us from this group that want to set challenges or small goals or just need something to keep us accountable or focused on the long run results. Join in anytime!

I need to get scootin' Gumbo is ready! YUMMMM! :D

Welcome to our little group CJane. Glad you found us.

Spent most of the weekend outdoors it was gorgeous. Part of yesterday I tackled cleaning out a bookcase in my room. It's become a "catchall". Well, It's 1/2 done and still looks like a disaster so I'll have to finish that today. :mad:

So far today has been good food wise. Admittedly it's still early, but I feel lke I'm going to be successful today. That's usually a good sign. :angel:

We are having a huge picnic here on Sat. I hate big get togethers. Can't help it I'm a one on one person. We'll have 7 overnighters staying here. (I have no idea where they're all going to sleep. :lol: ) Anyway, I have to not let myself eat while get stressed about this
shindig. So send me calming thoughts all week would ya?

Bunny: The sweaters are sure keeping you busy and, hopefully, away from snacks. You are so versatile (sp?). I'm jealous.

Terri: I like your idea for the check in on the Challenge thread. I may try it too.

The bookcase is calling. :)
ttyl

J-ann... thank you for the welcome! DH and I woke up today and tried to figure out some plans for this last day off from work. We decided to stay home... YAH!!! We are going to take our daughter to the pool here in our neighborhood in a little bit, and after that maybe watch a movie or something relaxing like that. Maybe it's a good day to catch up on some crafts... I love cross-stitch, and am also making a crazy :dizzy: big crochet afghan (just one big granny square) with all my leftover yarn... it's pretty pathetic looking, but my five year old daughter loves it, and is having fun picking out the next color... it's a mess. :lol:

Our meals for the day are pretty easy... we are going to grill out (of course...it's Labor Day!) chicken breasts, and I have some beans and corn too... very easy...very points friendly!!

Do any of you here watch your carbs? Personally...I LOVE my carbs...but am trying to switch to whole wheat pasta and brown rice. I can handle the rice okay, but am struggling a bit with the pasta.

Well... that's about it for now... hope you all have a great day! I look forward to chatting with you all.

Cj :wave:

Hiya, Cjane - I watch my carbs but only in the sense that I eat with my eyes open. ;) I love breads, grains, etc - far too much to give them up! Instead I moderate generally in how many calories I injest vs how many I expend. (Er, maybe I'm not the best one for advise these days though as I'm stalled out).

Dinner tonight is: blackened chicken caesar salad. I make my own dressing with those egg whites you buy in the box in the refrigerated section of the store, lemon juice, garlic, parmesan cheese and spray olive oil. On the side is rolls and (for those who eat it) butter.

Tomorrow is pasta with meat sauce (or without for my and my vegetarian daughter) also with rolls and a small side salad.

We're headed out hiking again this week (if the weather holds).

Thinking good thoughts for all of you,
Jen

Happy Labor Day!

I can't hardly believe that summer has gotten by us so quickly. Its terribly hot here again today so we're all enjoying a lazy afternoon in the A/C! :lol: We started to take the boat out this morning but it was so windy we decided it would be safer another day. :(

Food was not the best today. :devil: I had a slice of banana bread for breakfast and BBQ (beef and pork) for lunch. I only ate a bite of coleslaw, a couple bites of beans and some sweet potato fries. I figure that is still a lot of points so I'm done eating for the day. At least for this day, I'm able to quit when I know I've had almost too much. I have earned five exercise points so far.

I'm not sure what's up for the week. I've been to a pampered chef party recently so I'm in the cooking mood. Since I don't know what's up for the week then I shouldn't have too much problem working in exercise right? :lol:

CJane - Welcome to the group. We must have been posting at the same time earlier. Hope you had a nice relaxing day. I am a carb fiend. I have acknowledged that if I'm not careful, I eat too many carb points and am not satisfied. So I try to "eat by the numbers" so that I get a balanced intake of veggies, protein, and carb. Not that I'm perfect everyday but when I do, I do feel more in control and not hungry.

J-Ann - When you're done with that bookcase, come on over! I am so ready to have my big dog back in walking shape so we can spend time outdoors together. Good for you for keeping it together. Keep up all the good work.

Time to work on bills and see what needs to be paid. Hopefully nothing but I doubt that's the case. :spin:

TTFN!

Hey!

Where is everybody?!:hyper:

Yesterday was back to work actually in the office. Feels like I've been gone for a month. But it helps for me being OP. I had a good day yesterday. Plan on haivng a good day today too!

I better get to my morning exercises and then off to work.

Have a great OP day!

I'm here!

No WI for me this week. WW was closed on Monday. I didn't have the best weekend re: food. Got a lot done around the house tho.

BTW if you can get Eddy's Frozen Fruit Bars where you live try the tangerine ones. Lime has been my favorite for a couple of years but the tangerine ones ar out of this world. YUMMY!

I got a call last night from my Saturday morning, aquajogging instructor. She's trying to get enough of us together so she can teach a class in "Women On Weights" after we get out of the pool. It's an intro. to using "weight room" at the Y. I said yes!!!! I know I need to work on exercise and I know lifting, even itty, bitty, teenie, tiny weights will really improve my muscle tone and endurance. So what the hey. It's a good way to start. If she gets enough interest we'll start a week from Sat. If nothing else it will get me into the Y. in between swim days. I can go right after work. It's only 5 minute from the office. :strong: :yikes:

I really feel inspired to stick to program today. IT"S ABOUT TIME!


Hey Everybody. At least come on out and say Hi. It's pretty quiet here.

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm reading this thread, and I might even write occasionally (feelng a little bit shy).

I just went to my first WW meeting in quite a few years. I weighed in at 264.0 pounds, within easy striking distance of 250. (Which is a nice way of looking at it....)

Anyways, I look forward to hearing everyone's stories, and perhaps telling a few of my own. *smile*

Good morning!

I'm liking cable internet (now that its working all the time)! Much easier to post more regularly.

I've been up and did my morning exercises. Now, if I could just go back to bed instead of work it would be heaven!! :p :yawn:

I'm doing good with the challenge this week. I will be wrapping up the "three week" challenge and starting a second round on Friday. It may not be making a differnce yet on the scale but I remind myself that I wanted to alter behavior.

This week I'm eating at the top of my range. At least with my focus on journalling, I can figure out why and what I can change. Today my snack will be fruit not something from the vending machine.

DH made a wonderful grilled chicken last night for dinner. I made a light cheese sauce for steamed cauliflower and topped it all off with a salad. A very easy and wonderful meal. Best of all, OP friendly! :D

J-Ann - That class at the Y sounds great. I'd come join you if I were just a few miles closer. :lol: Go girl!!

A_P - Welcome to the group. Don't be shy - we don't bite....unless you're made of chocolate and if so, you could be in danger!! :lol: Congrats on your first steps and good luck on your journey. We look forward to getting to know you better.

I better scoot to get ready. Have a great OP day!

MORNIN'

Doing okay. Stayed OP yesterday.

Managed to back into a friends car last night. It's in our driveway while she's on vacation ... NOT GOOD:bomb: Hope she's in a really good mood when she gets home. I dented the door and the front panel. Looks like I'll be paying for, at least her deductable and my own. :eek:

TERRI: What's the recipe for the Low fat cheese sauce?

AUNTIE P: Welcome, you should easily meet that 250 goal. We'll help if we can. Stop in often.

Got to get to work,

STOP! DO NOT PASS GO< DO NOT COLLECT 200 DOLLARS AND DO NOT POST HERE!


I've started a new thread at IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN #3.

SEE YOU THERE!
:wave: :cb: :cb: :wave: