In It For the Long Run #13
 

WELCOME TO "IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN".

We're a friendly group who have all 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.





:strong: :cb: :grouphug: :cloud9: :high: :balloons:

Hello gang!

Its been a sluggish Saturday. I didn't sleep well last night so I've been out of it most of the day. Plus its a overcast day and that makes me want to snooze. :tired:

I've been down here at the computer area trying my best to purge old paperwork. I'm on this Flylady kick of cleaning out the clutter. However, tell that to an accountant who is very anal about paperwork. Good grief, I just threw away receipts for maintenance on a truck we haven't owned in 8 years. No wonder I have so many file containers. Plus I'm on this "scan and shred" kick (been on it for awhile). Takes a lot of time but I WILL get rid of all this paper. In my own defense, at least I had it organized in files and file space.

I've had a few boohooing attacks over sending our bullie to a new home. I finally asked my DH if I'm crying over the dog or is it leftover emotion that I have been ignoring over losing my dad. Probably both because I been in such a "can't change it, don't be miserable, got to go on with life" mode that maybe I needed to cry.

Linda - Welcome back! :grouphug: We have certainly missed you. It looks like you have been on a tough journey with your weight. My DH is diabetic and it is a challenge to plan healthy meals. We used to think that it was about controlling sweets but I was surprised to learn that it was more about controlling the high-glycemic carbs. It gets complicated and sure takes the fun out of food. Take it one step at a time and here's good vibes for you! :goodvibes:

Amber - My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss. It is so hard to lose a loved one no matter their age or health condition. Be there for them and don't fret about WW at this time. Do what you can but don't be down on yourself. Take care!

J-Ann and Cynthia - Hope you're doing well!

Better get to doing something physical. Take care all and have a good OP weekend!

Terri - Too bad about Sadie, and I know how you feel about the defection. When we left the Philippines we had to leave our dog behind. He generally tried to bite anyone who wasn't family, which was part of his function - it was good to have guard dogs there. Anyway, dad had to find him a home and put an ad in. This guy came, with treats, and Butch took to him like I've never seen a dog take to a stranger. I watched him drive off with my dog and couldn't believe it. I assume he didn't bite anyone in the family since we never heard back.

One zip that works is Omaha, NE, but I don't have that on me right now. You can probably do a zip search.

I do quite a bit of exercise. Morning walk/jog for about 60 minutes 6 times a week. Free weights 3 times a week. And the spin bike in the evenings - which I'm now up to 55 minutes - 6 nights a week. I'm staying with the morning walk but it's time to start mixing up the cardio in the evening so I'm going to check out the gym schedule. DH and I are going to start taking Aikido lessons once we get back from Singapore - and that will take up two nights a week. I know it's a lot but I have the time for it now, and I really need to get in shape for the upcoming hiking/backpacking season.

Linda - Hello from one of the newbies. Glad you are back on WW. I've always wondered about Xenical but the side affects have always sounded too scary for me. Hope nothing really embarrassing happened while you were taking it :( !

Amber - Sounds like you had enough to deal with that day, don't worry about the rest. Just get back OP when you are feeling a little more settled. Do the best you can for now. I'm sorry about your loss.

Today went pretty well. DH came along on my walk to check out my jogging form. I want to make sure I'm not doing some stupid movement that will cause injury later on. Tomorrow I get to finally try out my cross country skis. I'm heading to the Nordic Center in Frisco while DH skis in Breckenridge. I'll probably spend some time on snowshoes as well. Should be a darn good workout, but fun :) .

Thanks for the welcome back.
No, nothing terribly embarrassing happened while I was on Xenical but I had the most horrible, constant, putrid-smelling GAS and I never knew if it was just gas or would it be something more (if you get my drift). It made me afraid to leave the house and a couple of times I had to miss my pool exercises because of my concerns.
Gosh, some of you sound so very ACTIVE! That's one of my biggest problems. I have back, knee and feet arthritis so I have to be very gentle with myself. Yesterday I worked in the garden doing some pruning and clean-up for a couple of hours and I'm really feeling it today. I know I should do more exercise though, if just to maintain some flexibility.
I got great news on my 60th birthday last week. #2 daughter, who lives in Scotland with her hubby of nearly three years, announced that they're to become parents for the first time in early November. It's been a long, dry spell between grandchildren for us. Our two grandsons from #1 daughter are soon to be 19 and 16. I hope I haven't forgotten how to cuddle a baby. LOL I hope I get a CHANCE to cuddle the baby. It's awful living so far apart.

Linda - how much longer will your daughter be in Scotland? At least it's a beautiful place to visit, from what I've seen on tv and pictures anyway. Also, curious if you live in BC, Canada, based on your username?

It was a beautiful day here in Colorado. DH and I went for a walk together. It was nice having that time without distractions of television or chores. Think I'd like to make it a weekly date!!

Terri - I found out yesterday just how dedicated I am to the exercise. At the last minute, right when I'd gotten on my bike, DH came down and told me I had to get a cashier's check and deliver it to the title company (refinance). He had a business conference call he had to make so he couldn't do it. At first I whined because when my routine is messed up I get stressed. I told him I wouldn't be able to get my exercise in because I hate to exercise at night, blah, blah, blah. But it was something I had to do.

During the errand I reminded myself of my motto "Find a Way". I decided that applied here as well and if it was important, I'd just have to figure out how to get the exercise in. The errand didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would and I was able to do the bike and weights like I'd planned. Felt good about it.

The Sunday we get back from Singapore DH and I are going to participate in the Runnin' of the Green. It's a 7k race here in Denver. I signed up as a walker and DH will be a runner. Should be fun.

Whew :crossed: , definitely had those crossed. I was nervous that I'd have a gain at WI. I had to go to the meeting two days early, TOM started yesterday, and I had that huge loss last week. I didn't even want to look at the scale. Fortunately I lost 0.2 lbs., so I am happy :) !! Taking off now, you guys have a great week. I'll post again when I get back (around the 11th).

Cynthia, I really like your motto. I'm going to have to adopt it for my own because I succumb so easily to any excuse not to exercise. I must learn to "find a way".
Yesterday I went to the Annual General Meeting of our local Hospital Auxiliary. I'm not a member but I do volunteer occasionally at the baby clinic where my friend works every week so she figured I qualified for the free lunch. Well, for that free lunch I had to listen to three hours of speeches and then the lunch was very high carb. Dinner rolls, salad, potato soup and vegetarian lasagne. Well, is it any wonder I gave in to temptation and had two pieces of cake for dessert? I also sort of blew the rest of the day. :o But, in adding up my points it was just under 50 which really isn't SO bad, is it? :?: Then I remembered the Wendy Plan which I used to use occasionally whereby you stagger your points through the week, some days higher and some days lower (it's supposed to fool your metabolism into giving up the grease :lol: ) so today I'm having a low point day.
I tried a recipe out of the WW magazine for lunch and have enough for three more lunches. It's a 4 point Clam Chowder. It's really quite good once you add some salt and pepper. What's with them these days? Very little seasoning in their recipes and if I have to diet, there's no way I'm going to go BLAND. Anyhow, the recipe is in the Jan/Feb 2003 issue. Instead of 1% milk I used a mixture of No Fat Evaporated Milk, water and 2% milk.
Trouble is, it's only 2:30 and I'm already hungry. WAAAAAAH!!!

Hi ladies,

Just time for a quick post. We have snow and ice so the commute to work will be a long one and I better get on the road very quickly.

I just finished the one mile WATP tape this morning. Last night, I actually got treadmill and airdyne time in for a total of 40 minutes. And I felt great all evening.

Linda - I'm with you with it being so easy to find an excuse not to exercise. It so easily slips my mind. Maybe you can start with some hand weight exercises with small weights and do sitting? Something that you don't aggravate arthritus but still get your muscles moving. Good save by remembering the Wendie plan. What's really great is that while you had a high point day, you didn't use that as an excuse to blow the rest of the week. High days will happen - its how we adjust our reaction to them that really counts. Good job!

Cynthia - Have a great trip! We'll be anxious to hear all about it. Congrats on another loss!! :dancer:

I better get moving. Have a great OP day.

Linda, looks like it will be just you and me for a few days. Let's keep in touch and not lose our focus.

Take care!

Newbie again to WW
 

I'm back - but, um, new, too!
 

Hi, guys! I'm back - but darned if I could remember anything useful about my old account (slutbunny for those who are confused) - so its a new name. Same gal though!

Down 5# this week - so I'm off to a good new-get-back-to-it-start.

New computer, too - which explains at least part of my absence. Combine with with a feeling of utter-dispair and failing-miserably and you have the whole store.

I'm much better now. :-)

My goodness, it's JEN! I remember Slutbunny. I think we left this thread at about the same time and now we're returning at the same time. What a coincidence!
Well, I managed to lose 2 lb this week. I guess it's better than nothing, considering I overate on Monday. I missed my swim two days this week which is not a good thing, and I'll be missing it again on Monday. Other days just don't work for me. Maybe I will haul out my old weights and start doing a workout with them. I also have a stationary bike that glares at me accusingly every time I open the guest bedroom door. I honestly don't know why I bought it last summer. I really, really hate it....and I think it hates me.:lol:
We actually got a bit of snow today. The first this winter. Anybody who is misguided enough to think that all of Canada is snow and ice 8 months of the year (at least), should realize that here on the west coast our temperatures are modified by the Japanese ocean currents (sort of like the Atlantic Gulf Stream) that keeps our weather very mild most of the year. But, today some of that arctic air snuck in and we had a few light flurries. Not enough to cover my blooming pansies, daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops though. The interior of BC is getting hit hard with heavy snow though. I grew up in that area so I feel I've paid my dues and they can have it. LOL
Nice to meet you too, Sherry. I look forward to getting to know you better. I just turned 60 and have been married to the same workaholic, perfectionist dh for nearly 39 years and so far have managed not to bump him off. One of these days though. One of these days. Our two daughters are in their 30s. One is married with two teenage sons and the other is expecting her first in November. She lives in Scotland which makes it difficult but I will find a way.

A recipe from our leader (I dunno if they all get the same ones to give out or not...)

Cheesy potato casserole:

Preheat oven to 350. This will bake for an hour once you put it in. It makes 1 cup servings at 3 pts a cup. I think its about 6 servings as I recall - but my recollection is probably off. I served up a measured cup for me and divided the remaining for the family.

1 bag thawed (but purchased frozen) hash brown-style potatoes
1 small onion, chopped up
2 tsp pepper
1 can reduced fat cream of mushroom soup, condensed
1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
2 Tbsp margarine

Mix it all up, put in a 9x13 pan you've sprayed with cooking oil.

It's actually quite good! I serve it with toast (high fiber, reduced fat at 1 pt per 2 slices) and fruit salad for a low point meal.

~*~

It's good to be back. I needed to get "right" in my own head before I could do this again - and I found, sadly, that I just felt inadequate reading everyone else's posts. I fixed my head (at least for a while) - so its time to start again.

I didn't put on the weight over night. I'm not gonna lose it that way either.

Ugh! Monday!
 

The weekends go much too quickly.

I'm sitting here resting from doing the 1 mile WATP tape. Its a struggle to get energetic at 5:30 am. :dizzy: But I did it. I'm not sure what my evening will be like so I wanted to be sure and "make it work" as Cynthia would say about not having excuses to miss exercise.

I had a wonderful day down at mom's. We worked outside all day long. We moved, we lifted, we carried, we heaved and we ho'ed. It was a beautiful day - in the sixties but with the March gustiness. It felt so good to work in short-sleeves. We accomplished a lot for her. They live on a farm and dad tended to collect iron junk. He also tended to just leave it whereever. So we're helping her to sort out the good stuff and what can be hauled off and get stuff moved around. We were exhausted but exhilerated by our accomplishment. I expected to hurt bigtime on Sunday, but thanks to all my recent exercise, it was very minimal. :D I also managed to avoid the food disaster that normally happens. I walked on by the cookies and desserts and only ate lunch and couldn't eat much then at that. By the time we got home (2 hour drive) it was 28 degrees. :yikes:

Linda - Congrats on your 2 pounds gone! I hear you about the exercise bike. The minute I get on any type of exercise equipment, I start thinking "I can't make it" and I try to recognize that its a sign of boredom and occupy my mind with music or TV. When you hate the exercise though, its hard to get motivated. I used to have one of those Easy Rider things which I hated. I could barely last two minutes before my arms gave out. Just find some movement you can do when you can't swim that you enjoy and doesn't cause pain.

Jen - Thanks for the recipe. I love that casserole but only fix it at holidays. Mainly because I forget but your menu idea is a perfect "comfort food" fix with a healthy twist.

:goodvibes: to us all at this start of the week. I better get my butt moving and get ready for work. The management staff in our department is putting on a chili lunch as "manager appreciation" day for our staff. I've got two batches of chili in the fridge and a container of brownies. I will "find a way" to eat what I need and avoid too much.

Have a great OP day!

Morning, ladies!

Today's challenge is dinner out with a friend - it's her turn to pick the place, and she's chosen Lonestar Steakhouse. Yipes!

I haven't yet managed to eat more than my minimum points in a day - so I'm set, points-wise, for this... but its sorta scary from a newly-returned emotional perspective.

We're meeting prior to our knitting guild meeting tonight; she's planning to open a yarn store (and I plan to work there part-time). She's going to show me what's arrived so far (with the plan of a mid-April opening).

Have a great day!

Good morning!

Last night's challenge was met well with grilled chicken and salad with low fat dressing and poorly with steak fries. I had over 20 pts left for the day when I arrived at the restaurant. :-)

Today's challenge: all day travel (we're headed to Chatanooga TN) with the associated restaurant meals. I'll do fine though. :-)

I hope your days are filled with goodness and challenges that can be met!

WOW, I get depressed and don't post for a while and JEN & LINDA come home.

WELCOME HOME LADIES!!!!:wave: :balloons:

I'm really not motivated (I HATE that word). Every morning I get up all ready to begin a new day and by 10AM BOOM!, it's down the tubes. I know I have to change my morning pattern but I can't come up with one that works. I'll just keep plugging along. I know one of these days everything will click and I'll get back OP. Just wish I could get it together. :?:

JEN: I'm going to try that potato recipe. Sounds great. I'm soo glad you are back. I MISSED YOU!

SHERRY, MRSHUMMER: WELCOME:D
Glas you've joined us. I don't have a lot of time right now. I'm at work. So I'll greet you more nicely later.

LINDA, CYNTHIA, TERRI: :wave: Love you guys. I promise a nice long catch up post later today.

Y'all take care and stay OP!

j-ann

BACK AGAIN :)

Today went fairly well. Still eating a few too many carbs., but on the whole, I was OP.! YAY! Jusy got back from an hour and a half in the Y pool. I'm tired but it's a "good" tired.

TERRI: Chilli Cookoff? I could pass on that one. Never met a bowl of chilli I could eat. Don't even like the smell. Now, cookies ... those I could taste test all day. :lol: Bet Bear enjoyed his walk. We're still innundated with snow but we may see 50º by the weekend. Spring is in the air. MMMM

JEN: A yarn store? You will be in your glory. That knitting machine will be running at all hours if you can get an employee discount on yarn. Good Luck! Hope you enjoyed your trip and met your meal challenges successsfully.

LINDA: I remember you and your gardens. You enjoy them so much and you live where flowers abound. Congrat's on that two pounds. I know that had to make you feel FANTASTIC!:flow1: It's like old home week around here. I'm so glad we're all back together.

MRSHUMMER: You've joined a great group. We sometimes don't post as often as we should but we are plugging along and doing our best to become healthier, thinner, more active women. Take care of that heart and take your meds. Getting the weight off will help you a lot. Anything we can do to help ... just ask. My question to you: Are you Sherry? or am I confoosed??? :?:

CYNTHIA: Singapore???? Wow, you and DH get around. Good for you!! Your exercise program is great. Between that, and your new eating habits, you won't know yourself by the end of the year. You have reason to be PROUD.

Well, like I said before, I'm going to keep on trying. Y'all will hear from me again soon.

j-ann

Good morning - and hello, J-ann!

Yesterday was a disaster, point-wise. I haven't even taken the time yet to calculate lunch. You see, there's this restaurant in Florida that we LOVE. I mean really and truly LOVE. But its in Florida, so that's okay. We go once a year. I eat heartily. All is forgiven.

Yesterday while in Cleveland, TN we discovered that family has opened a sister restaurant here. Oh. My. God. So I had two small chicken fajitas, salsa and chips. Yeesh. And Yum. Plus, yeesh again.

So, let's figure the points:

2 6" flour tortillas: 4 pts
3/4 cup fajita chicken: 3 pts
lettuce: 0 pts
1/3 cup refried beans: 1.5 pts
1/4 cup Spanish rice: 1 pt
1 cup salsa: 0 pts
35 tortilla chips: 9 pts
TOTAL: 14.5 pts

Okay, so it wasn't as gawdawful as I thought. Combine with dinner (1 taco at the Bell, 5 pts) and breakfast (2 Slim Fast bars, 4 pts) and snack (another Slim Fast bar, 2 pts; air popped corn, 1 pt) and I'm at 26.5 pts for the day - or right on track. That was unexpected!!

On the other hand it was heaven. And it's still 3.5 hours from home so it won't become a daily (or even weekly or monthly) treat. (And did I mention YUM yet?!)

Today I plan to eat like I was already skinny - today will be all about moderation and filling, low point, high fiber foods. Yay, me!

Just stopping to say "good morning" and to wish you all a great OP day. :wave:

j-ann

GEEZ LOUISE! I came home to find a letter from the Federal Court system. I've got Jury Duty for A MONTH, in April. I'm going to have to ask for an exception for 4 days. I have travel plans and I don't want to defer the whole thing. I just want to get it over with.

j-ann

http://www.jenanne.com/mt-static/arc...312cookies.jpg

We made cookies last night! Actually we just decorated them. These are my three - (3 cookies, 1 pt + frosting, just a guess 2 pts) - aren't they cool? I ate all three last night, but didn't worry about the frosting points as I was WAY low yesterday (ending the day at something like 20 pts outta my 26 - 31).

Terri, I hope things settle down at work - insane work weeks (months) can be soooo hard. My mom is the budget gal at the University of Florida's libraries and she has two really, really awful weeks every year while things wrap up.

J-Ann, Jury duty for a month sounds dreadful! I've always wanted to serve - but putting my life on hold for a month would be, well, rough.

Today I'll finish a sweater I'm working on to wear to an event I'm going to this weekend (a machine knitting seminar). My teen is coming with me - bonding time, doncha know. Food should be great as she's always super supportive. We've already started a box of healthy treats to take along with us.

Those cookies are beautiful.

Yep, DH and I are back. Man, were we tired the first day back. We went almost three days without seeing a bed or shower, due to the flights and the layovers. Hawaii was gorgeous though we didn't get much time there. We did get to hike, though, and that was way cool - part of it was a bamboo forest. Singapore was interesting, rather urban and modern and all. The food courts were fantastic, especially if you like Thai and Asian foods. A whole meal for $2 to $3 U.S. We even hit Raffles hotel and had a Singapore Sling. But glad to be back and in my groove.

I lost 4.4 lbs this week, so you can tell we walked a LOT! I was also very careful about portions, kind of guestimated on the points for some things. DH and I started Aikido Tuesday night, so that will be interesting. See just how clumsy we an be I guess.

I did read the past messages, you guys got pretty talkative while I was gone - that's great!! Glad to see some "oldies" back, :) .

Well, still catching up on things around here and I have to get on my bike. Take care all and "talk" with you again soon.

We're headed off to Columbia - just the teen and I - in a few hours. This weekend I'm attending a knitting conference, while the teen plans to use the pool and work out room and watch the telly and so forth. We've already gotten quite a few healthy (or healthier) snacks for the trip put together in a box. The plan is to remind each other how important it is to keep our bodies their best (sure, she's already there - but she's soooo supportive!).

I posted a picture of the sweater I finished here: http://www.jenanne.com/blogger.htm It's hard to take a picture of yourself! LOL!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Pretty sweaters there woman. Thanks for the pics.

And speaking of pics, I've changed my avatar. A little wishing here since the weather's so nice this weekend. Time to get ready for GOLF!!!

Hi there all, I had posted on my own, and the wise and very energetic Cynthia directed me to this thread.
So I'd like to start with a little about myself. I'm 30ish:fr: I've been married for almost 11 years to a truly great man. I have 2 totally gorgeous boys, 2 and 7 years old. The lights of my life. I work part-time on the weekends as a critical care nurse.
I am having some health problems due to my current weight. My GP says everything comes back to the weight:stress: So now more than ever I need to lose it and I find myself needing food more than ever.:dizzy: I sometimes wake early in the morning and lie awake thinking about dying young and leaving my children without a mum. I was recently denied long term disability insurance because of "my frame":hot: Now I worry if I become ill I won't have an income. And of course back to food being my biggest comfort. Talk about your vicious circles.:dizzy:
Anyhow, I few observations I've made from reading through your posts. Obviously exercise is huge:barbell: :barbell: I too have discovered that when I exercise that I'm more likely to eat better and lose weight. Yeah I know I'm a rocket surgeon.:joker: And secondly that as long as you are counting points regardless, of your day this is also effective. And lastly you seem like a very loving bunch who truly care about one another, aside from why we are all here.
So anyhoo, sorry to run off at the mouth. That is just me. I hope to get to know you all really well.
And if you hadn't already noticed I LOVE THEM SMILEY ICONS.:cb: :cb: :dance: :dance: :dancer: :dancer:
I know, I know, just cool it.
Tx
mandymc:df:
260ish/160

Morning, and welcome, Mandymc. :)

I'm still in Columbia this weekend - but I've been good. I haven't counted points properly (and my schedule is VERY off as we're up and running with classes and events from 7 am to after 9 pm every night) but I've been restrained. I requested a low-fat meal before coming. I've skipped dessert every night ('cause I just can't see fitting cheesecake into my busy schedule). Today we head home - where I have a keyboard bigger than the one on my laptop and will, therefore, be more prone to prattling on.

Have a happy day!