Well, I've been doing ok. Eating healthier, tracking points. Avoiding the receptionist's office and her bowls (literally-- she has FOUR BOWLS) of chocolate on her desk. Still not the best with exercise, but when I get home from work I'm taking care of DH and trying to do housework/ study for my final next week, so I've been a busy busy girl.

DH said that once he gets the OK to start walking, he wants us to walk together. And once we have some $$, he wants to get a bike so we can go biking, as well. And (this is a big step for him), he will be going with me to WW once we start getting his disability checks. We'll only be going e/o week (too expensive to go every week), but it's a big thing, because he's not a "group" kind of guy, and so we'll see how that goes. I think he's doing it more for me than him, since he sees that I'm depressed about the weight issue . . . but if it makes him healthier, too, then it's a good thing for both of us.

So, that's where I'm at. :-)

Hello Ladies,

I am home with a sick son today, but wanted to jump on here and talk to a few of you.

Linda: Great job on the loss. I think that is awesome and you are doing so well!

Dotti: I have been off the scales until today and then bam! It hit me that I needed to get on them. Don't know why, as I am pms'ing and geez, don't you just know the numbers are up? Oh well, such is life!

Sherry: Glad we can help motivate. That is what we are all here for...support. We all have similiar struggles and it's good to come together and help each other get over those things! Keep up the great work and the positive attitude.

Alright, now to Michelle and Sassy. First and foremost, I care for each of you and think you are both awesome and wonderful women. I think, Michelle, that Sassy was just trying to share that you and her have some of the same struggles and she understands where you are coming from. A lot of us on the WW program need to journal to be successful. It's just something that some of us have come to realize is going to be part of our lives for the rest of our lives! The fact that you, Michelle, can do the program, not journal, and be at the lowest weight in a long time is incredible and something to be proud of! Myself, I need the journal and need to be so strict because I have allowed myself to get out of control over the last 10 or so years. No one else is to blame, just one of those things that happens.

I really think we should use this thread to support and offer words of encouragement and also support. Sometimes the way we word things may come across wrong, but it is not meant that way. (Remember Heather how you were there to inform me of the plusses of gastric surgery? I was unaware before!) Life is a growing experience and we are constantly learning and growing from each other.

Heck, I am pms'ing and know I am a little on edge lately. (Shoot, I know I also need to have someone kick me on the butt about my scales and the fact I can't resist those darned M's lately!!!!) I think we all have so much to offer each other on this thread and would hate to lose anyone.

Okay, big group hug and let's get butt kickin'! (Right, Michelle?) Weigh in for me tomorrow. Oh deal scale god, let it be good!

Chach

Okay...this will be the last thing I say on this subject......as I said before, I'm all for constructive criticism, let's just say maybe I was shocked to come on this morning and see someone had taken over the thread I started and start naming names, in particular....me. As for her references to my past threads....the last big thread I had was almost two years old, and I didn't feel it was pertanant, plus back then I was a "die hard WW's freak", and I've have since learned other routes. Also as I said before, I knew it was coming off harsh, but there isn't exactly a sarcasm font on here to use, so it's read and interpreted the way you want to read it. Normally, yes I could have shrugged it off, but when I came on this morning I was all excited to update everyone from the weekend, and read that and it was just like all the air in my balloon went out....it's one thing to get the comments when you deserve the extra lil kick, but it's another when you're doing everything right, and still getting them. Granted I know some of you are still having an issue with this "journaling" thing, and would argue that by my not journaling, I'm NOT doing everything right, or the fact that I don't check in fifty times a day on here....ect...but I'm here, am I not? A whole week never goes by without me checkin in an giving an update. I don't WANT to be in the same place I was in past threads.....I'd like to grow and have new outlooks and inputs, so if I'm not sounding the same as I did at the beginning...that's fine....that just means that I have settled into my new lifestyle, and there's nothing to get all gung ho about, because it's just routine now...just the way things are....as long as I don't make it a "diet", it isn't.....and I've had more success this time around with that frame of mind....then my old days of mindless point obsessing and meal planning galore. For me....if I make it about the food...it's about the food.....but when you get in the mindset, that food is just fuel.....and that it's NOT the good part of life.....all the fun things you do, family and friends, activities I love, all of THAT is the good stuff....food is just what I need to stay going and be able to enjoy the rest of it.....it took me a long time to get to this point, and I was one of those people would always say, "I just love food" or " I just love to eat", but it's just a crock!! I was also one who said, "I'm not an emotional eater", but it's all denile!!!! If at the end of the day I'm still in love with food, then I haven't done my homework, and if eating the cheesecake is more important than being happy....again haven't done a good job. Okay enough ranting and raving....it's seriously making me tired today thinking about it!
I'll chalk it up to this.....truce....I read it wrong, you read it wrong...we're all moving in the same direction, so let's keep at it!! nuf said.
M-

It's me again, more time to write!
 

Well, finally, I am HOME - yippee! What a long day, I hate days like this. I managed to stay on track today, so far, as well.
I wanted to finalize my "weekly" report. I'm not doing well reporting on Sundays as I have ww meetings on Tuesdays and I really know what's happening after that!
Chach, don't worry about the scale going up a bit, it's bound to happen to all of us now and then. I've had it happen in the past.
Well, first I want to report my weight stuff:

Challenge beginning weight, weight in at ww on 4/20/04 at 162.4
Last week at weigh in 4/27/04 160.6
This week at weigh in 5/04/04 159
Total loss so far since the beginning of this challenge: 3.4 pounds!
Left to lose by memorial day 6.6 pounds!

I've had all my water every day
I've worked out 6 out of 7 days each week, about one hour each day!
Have journalled, except for this weekend, and kept within point ranges. For this past weekend, I actually think I ended up using all my flex points and adding two or three extra points? But, I guess as I was being so very good throughout the rest of the week, I ended up losing just the same! :^:
So, two weeks into this challenge, I'm on target and doing ok I guess!
I still can't believe I had a loss after binging on brownies, chocolate and all the entertaining food, etc., but I guess those flex points really help and I guess being really good all the rest of the week was really important!
So, on to another week for me. I have every intention of losing up to my 10 pound goal by Memorial Day!!!!!
Linda in lovely spring weather in southern NH

Linda: Hey, you know what I have found? The weeks I try to be so good with everything I don't lose as much. When I eat some "bad" foods, I do better because I am more conscious. Hey, maybe the M&M's will work towards a benefit this week? Just wishful thinking! Great job on the loss so far. You are doing so good. I have 9 to lose by the end of this challenge, so I am right on track with it. I want to lose 8 pounds by the end of the month, so here's to us!!

Michelle: Great job on your new lifestyle. I love the fact that you are in such a positive place right now. I think what we view as "exercise" doesn't always need to be so structured. I love going outside and working in the yard or taking my son and two dogs for a walk. Hey, it might not be the structured exercise most people tend to view as being beneficial, but I think any amount of movement above and beyond just sitting around is awesome.

Alright, off to pay bills. Ick!

Happy Early Mother's Day to all of us mom's out here!

Chach

Hey, team!
I got confused by the different threads - hadn't read all the posts on the last thread and feel very much behind!

A couple of answers to old questions -
Dotti - the workout is based on "perceived exertion" from 1-10. With level 1 being asleep ;) and 10 being almost tooooo much, barely able to do it. So the routine is this. Warm up for 1 minute - level 5...Then 1 minute at 6, 1 minute at 7, 1 minute at 8, 1 minute at 9...back to 6, 7, 8, 9 - do that a total of 4 times (1 minute at each level) on the 4th time, add 1 minute at 10, then 2 minutes cool down at level 5 and below. It adds up to 20 minutes and boy, am I dripping wet! I up the levels by increasing speed or incline.

Chach - this wasn't a question - just a comment on the .8 gain. It must definitely be muscle! I am so impressed by your commitment to exercise and I'm definitely trying to follow your example! I know we all carry our weight differently - and I definitely favor the butt region, but I weigh 177 now and I still can barely fit into size 18 jeans! So you're an example to me of how you can change your body with exercise. :bravo:

I've been disappointed that after my first 2 weeks of 4 and 3 pound losses I've slowed to 1 pound a week. And then this last week in WW, our leader said to us - "If you just do what the program asks of you - follow the 8 healthy eating habits - you WILL lose weight - how many have 'adapted' the plan?" I realized that's just what I'd been doing - staying within my points, but maybe not eating all the vegies....maybe having WW ice cream instead of getting in all my milk points (and I'm supposed to be doing 3 servings since I'm 51) So this week, I'm really trying to follow the true program.... I just need to improve my grains to whole grains - I've been eating white rice instead of brown...and I believe I'll see a difference this week.

As for toughing out menopause - NOT ME!!! I'm very much into my premarin and my progesterone!! I tried to go off after that study came out about heart problems (which my gyn said had no relationship to my situation) But the hot flashes were so extreme I couldn't take it. If I'm LATE on my premarin, I start getting hot flashes. There is NO Estrogen in my whole body! And I'm also convinced the hormones are helping my cholesterol - my HDL is a 65! And I know it's not because of my great eating or exercising before now!

I was also one of those who wants to be a WW leader - one of my "Top 10 reasons to get to Goal" I'm a trainer by trade, so it will be a good fit for me!

Take care, TTYL
Cris

Wednesday morning
 

Cris, hey whatever works for with the HRT therapy. I'm on "trial", I think, taking Black Cohosh and hoping for the best. It's been too short a time for me to know if I'm going to be miserable or not. I'm trying to add soy to my diet, which I hate.
I made a fat free banana bread yesterday (if anyone wants the recipe, let me know and I'll post it) and substituted only 2 tablespoons of the flour with soy flour. I'm hoping I wont notice a change in taste or texture. If that works, every time I bake, I think I'll try doing something like that. I hate soy milk and soy supplements are very expensive and seem to "bother" me.
Man, that workout you described sounds like I'd be dead afterwards! Bravo to you to be able to do that!
By the way, someone else on this thread mentions "gazelles", I've been meaning to ask what that is.
I was a "good girl" yesterday, stayed exactly on target. I didn't have time in the morning to go on the treadmill and made a point to do that in the afternoon. I generally don't bother if I don't have morning time. I may do that again today!
This morning, I am off to my bi-weekly quilt group. We usually pig out on junk like doughnuts, etc. The fat free banana bread (3 points a slice) is something I have planned for. I just had yogurt and fruit this morning and my "starch" will be that banana bread. Normally, I would have eaten a full breakfast and gone for the junk! So, a change in plan will work for me and I am proud.
Oh yes, I asked at ww about something I heard the week before. If you are weight training or working out a great deal, you must increase protein in your diet. We talked in the meeting this. I was glad I asked. I have to admit that I need more protein. Today's lunch will include more than usual for me.
Take care everyone, you are all working so hard!
Linda in NH

When it rains, it pours.

My grandmother had a massive stroke last night, and is having seizures. It's unclear what she'll be like for at least the next 24-72 hours, and the Dr. is prescribing anti-convulsants, which will knock her out, essentially, until they can get the seizures under control. :-(

I alternate between wanting to eat the house, and feeling absolutely nauseous. Hopefully, they'll balance each other out.

I'm back to my "exercise" regime of taking the stairs to a hospital room. I'm so tired of hospitals right now. I'm weary.

Today, I'm just functioning on autopilot. I'm not trying to follow a program. I just want to make it through the day without crying. But I do have to say . . . hearing our family medical history spoken (all of grandma's brothers and both parents died of a stroke) is making me more conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth.

Our eating habits are life and death, folks. Maybe not today . . . but years from now we will reap what we sow. Sure, some of that is genetics, but some of that is lifestyle, too.

So, my challenge to everyone (myself included) is to do one thing that is "good" for your cardiovascular system today. Eat a salad instead of a high-fat food; get some exercise in; smoke one less cigarette today than you did yesterday, if you smoke. Take care of yourself.

Good morning everyone,
Heather, I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I know what you mean about genetics and lifestyle. My father died of a heart attack when I was 19, he was only 56 and my mother had a triple bypass several years ago. She is currently 85 and is doing quite well. I hope I have her genes.

Michelle, I really liked what you had to say about not being on a diet but developing a way of life. My head gets so tired of thinking about food. Too often I am eating a meal and thinking about what can I eat next? I spend way too much time thinking about food, especially in the evening. I need to try and focus on some other activity when that happens, but sometimes in the evening I am too tired to get up and do something else. I am going to have and try harder.

I did pretty good yesterday I am happy to say. So now I have two good days under my belt. I feel good about today and logging in here really helps me stay focused. I am still struggling with getting in all of my water for the day, but I am doing better. I haven't had any yet today so I better log off for now and go get in a couple. I will check in again later today. Wishing everyone a great day. Sherry

Hey all,
Maybe some of you have read this before but if not I hope it brings a smile to your face.

A Shared Prayer
Author Unknown

Lord my soul is sipped with riot,
Incited by a wicked diet!
"You are what you eat!" Said a wise old man.
And Lord, if it's true, then I'm a garbage can.

Give me this day my daily slice,
But cut it thin and toast it twice,
I pray each night with heavy prayers,
Deliver me from chocolate eclairs.

And when my days of trial are done,
And my war with malted milk is won,
Let me stand so proud with the saints in Heaven,
In a shiny robe, size 6 or 7.

I can do it Lord, if you'll show to me,
The virtues of lettuce and celery.
If you'll teach me the evil of mayonnaise,
The sinfulness of hollandaise.

And crisp fried chicken from down South,
Lord, if you love me - SHUT MY MOUTH! :lol:

Wishing everyone a great day or as I tell my fiance "Have the best day you can! Sherry

Egads! Weigh in tonight!! Okay, so I slipped and got on the scales this morning. I know I will have a loss this week, but I don't know exactly how much. I am proud, as it is a pms week, so I must have done something right. I will know tonight for the official weigh in. Don't think it will be enough for my 20 pound mark, but hey, it's going to be close.

So, my goal AGAIN is going to be to avoid the scales. Tough road to travel, but I must consistently chug away at it. My last missing piece of the puzzle.

Cris: Thanks for your kind words. I'm so happy to be in the "teens" with my clothing again. So very nice! So, we both have the same goal of wanting to be a WW leader, huh? Cool! My first week was only 0.6, then 4.2 the next two weeks, then another 1.6. It slows as your body adjusts to the changes. It will all come off, just takes time.

Heather: Sorry to hear about your grandmother. That's going to be really tough for you. Just take your time and try to get through this. We will all be thinking and praying for you.

Linda: Please share your recipe! Sounds like something I would like to make. Also, a Gazelle is Tony Little's exercise machine. It's zero impact and has two "skies" that you step on that are suspended. You just act like you are walking and they move back and forth. You can search the internet and get a picture of it. The are wonderful and I love doing mine!

Sherry: I have not struggled with my waters, but I have heard some people use different techniques. One uses a smaller cup that only takes 4 to get the amount it, one uses a big one that only needs two to get it all in, heck, there are probably a million ways to get it in. I need mine cold in a 33 ounce container, so when I am done with two, that is it for the day.

Hi Sassy!

Hi Michelle!

Hi Dotti!

Okay, gotta go. Wish me luck tonight!

Chach

Wednesday
 

Sherry love that prayer. So cute. Happy your week is going well. It is a struggle. One we all share.

Heather, I am so sorry about your grandmother. I do hope things improve. You have really had your share of health issues lately. Hang tough. Your words to us of doing something healthy is right on. That is something everyone benefits from.

Cris thanks for the explanation of your treadmill routine. (I think I will pass :D ) Your 4, 3 and 1 lb losses are great. You can't expect your body to give you big numbers every week. If you are on program and you are, that is fantastic. There were weeks when I would stay the same or just lose .2 and I was right on program. Your body adjusts and it will show you what you want to see when it is time. Don't push your body.

Linda the banana bread sounds interesting, but I don't like soy flour. But if it is only a little bit...please post the recipe I may try it.

Chach hope your son is better and your ww weight in goes good.

Michelle keep up the great job.

My treadmill came yesterday. So now I can walk no matter how hot it is outside. Naa Naa Naa Naa Naa! :dancer:

Hey everyone!!!!
I woke up this morning, and was down another lb....love stepping on the scale now...it just puts this big o smile on my face!!! Got my nails done as a reward for my May 1st goal....wooohooo....that felt good, and they look great!

Been drinking so much water this week, I swear I'm turning into a fish..hee hee....boy does my Culligan man love me...I keep his kids in shoes!!! Went through my five gallon bottle in just over two days!!

Been organizing my house this week....it's kinda like I feel like ALL of my life needs to be in order and not just the food and exercise part, but in cleaning I've had a workout going up and down my stairs, so that's a bonus!!! We are gone AGAIN this weekend....what I wouldn't give for a weekend with no plans! Eating out doesn't worry me though....it's all in how and what you order, and I stand by the fact that ever place has acceptable choices. I just get sick of being on the run....although I did check and see that the hotel has a health club, and spa....woohoooo that part will be worth it. Maybe that'll be my reward this weekend....if I get atleast one workout in while we're gone, and eat and drink wisely....then I'll get a massage as reward!

Well I suppose it's time to hop on the treadmill now that every one is nappin!
Michelle

Hi Ladies,

Thought I would check in and let you all know how weigh in went. Down 2.2 to a total of 19 lost. Yes, 19 and not 20. Oh well, I'll get em next week! PMS acting up.

I'm really sleepy, so I am going to bed. Just wanted to jump on here and let you all know how it went.

Chach

Congrats to all on their weight losses!!! That's so cool! I just know this summer will be one of your best ones yet. :-)

I'm maintaining, rather than gaining, which is what I'm ok with right now. Just need to get through this week! I did do some smart planning today-- my work group is going out to lunch to say goodbye to one of our interns, and I went online to check out food choices. I won't even have to look at the menu! I am splurging a bit (it's a good mexican restaurant, and I only get to eat *good* chiles rellenos once or twice a year), but with the flex points, that's ok. Plus, I'm having a light lunch and supper tonight. So, all's good.

Our finances have loosened up a bit-- DH's work gave him his check early (his last one before disability), and his short-term disability case worker says she's mailing him out his first week's check today because she knows how tight money is right now. So, by Saturday evening, we should be doing OK financially. And I will get to WW within the next week! :-) Yay! And even better-- I had a buck to buy a coffee on the way in to work today . . . oh, goodness . . . I had missed COFFEE!!! (I'm such a caffeine junkie!!!)

Grandma is getting a feeding tube placed today. The doctor thinks that she'll eventually be able to walk (with a walker), because she's demonstrating some sensation in her left foot. :-) She is a candidate for long-term care following her discharge (they're sending her out in a week or so), BUT . . . if she goes to LTC, her rehab will not be the best. So, the family is going to take her to her home, and people will be taking turns taking care of her and driving her to/ from the best rehab facility in the area (Medicare will only cover their services if she's living at home-- how crazy is that???). My uncle is going to widen her bathroom and build a ramp into the house this weekend. It seems fitting, somehow, that he's able to do this work-- my grandfather, after all, built the house himself-- it SHOULD be family doing the work. So, there's some hope there. Thanfully, she still can talk, they've calmed the seizures with medication, and she has her own personality/ recognizes everyone/ makes sense. That's a blessing.

Anyway, I had best run-- take care, and have a good day! :-)