Hello ladies!

Michelle: Excellent week! I hope the scale is rewarding for you tonight. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't go down as far as we hope it does. I know you will do well, though! You are so OP! Your motivation is inspiring. I love the new Applebees menu. I had the chicken fajitas and they were good, just not enough because I was way too hungry the night I went. That chocolate cake is to die for! Let us know how it went!

Linda: See, you didn't do too badly! If the scale is up, you know why and will work to get it back down next week. I feel good that since February 18th, when I started, I've only showed a gain one week, and that was 0.8. I'm really focused, and it's really noticeable now. The Swan, well, I do think some of those ladies look a little strange with the cheek implants, etc. I think maybe next time they should focus more on the counseling and stuff on their insides. That may make it a little better. It was really neat to see their new confidence and self esteem shine, though.

Dotti: You continue to do a great job. When you lost your 70 pounds before, was that goal for you? I was just wondering if that was something you attained. I was happy to find I was wrong on what my goal weight range was. I thought it was 130'ish, but when I looked it up yesterday, the lowest they want me is 131, the highest 158. That makes me feel better, as my personal goal is 155. I might get my doc to write a note as to what he thinks it should be. I hear you can do that.

Well, one more day until weigh in. I hit 10% last week, and my 25 pound bookmark, but I wanted to wait until this week to have my leader give me my 10% award. They had a fill-in leader and I didn't stay last week.

Have a great day!

Chach

Michele you are so on. I can feel your excitement everytime I read your posts. Way to go. You have to be proud.

Chach I understand wanting to have your real leader and not a sub give you your recognition. Isn't it a wonderful feeling.

Actually Chach, I have been a lifetime member since 1980 having lost 110 lbs. I was 41 years old and my weight watcher goal was 154. I had gone down to 144 from 254. Was very skinny actually. My rib bones poked out of some of my clothes.

This time around at age 65 weight watchers had my goal at 155. I got to 168 last year losing 70 lbs. I started at 238 and I was getting very drawn looking in my face and neck. I said that is it, and my doctor agreed. He said he didn't want me losing anymore. So he changed it to 170.

Being big framed sometimes backfires on me. I can gain 20-25 lbs and still wear the same clothes and not look like I have gained anything. That is why I can very easily slip into a false sense of looking good. Then one day forget about it, it's all there and I really need to get with it.

Hopefully this time I have caught it in time.

Low Point Meal
 

Thought I would share a great recipe with everyone for when you need a low point meal!

This is my daily salad I have. Sometimes I'll add a can of tuna, 1/2
package lean ham, or 1/4 cup of shredded mexican cheese. If you do
that, then it brings it up to a 4 or 5 point meal. It's excellent!
Enjoy!


3 point salad
POINTS per serving | 3
Servings | 1

Ingredients

3 cup romaine lettuce
1 large carrot(s)
1 serving dill pickle(s)
4 sliced Green Olives
1/2 item bell, red, orange or yellow pepper(s)
3 Tbsp rice vinegar
1/4 cup crunchy Chinese Style Noodles

Cut all ingredients, except noodles, and toss together. Add noodles and
enjoy!!!

weigh in report!
 

I weighed in better than I thought I would today! I guess I work so hard during the week that going off program on the weekend doesn't completely throw me off for the entire week!
I have been totally on program today and yesterday and was on Tuesday - Friday of last week. It was just the weekend where I went "off".
So, here are the results:

Five weeks ago, beginning weight 162.4
Today's weight, 156.4
I weighed in with a .8 loss for the week, not too bad.
Total lost since beginning this crusade, 6 pounds!
Memorial Day weekend, here I come!
Linda

Linda: Great job on your weigh in. See, it wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be. Mine is tonight, and I don't really expect more than a one pound loss, so we will see how it goes!

Hope everyone is doing well. Not much action on this thread, so I am hoping everyone is okay.

Michelle: You didn't tell us how it went. How was first week weigh in?

Hi Heather! Hi Dotti! Julie, Labmom, Cris, come back and see us! Sassy???? Hello??

Chach

my AWESOME news!!!
 

Okay ladies....here it is, my AWESOME news!!!! I've been finishing up the main wedding cake all morning, so this was my first chance to come on here and share with y'all! ;)
7.7lbs!!!!! :D I was down 7.7lbs last night at weigh in....can you even believe it!!! I about keeled over in shock and disbelief. I accomplished all three goals I had set for myself last week....water, journaling, and not weighing....and this week's goals are continue journaling and exercise three times!!! Woo hooo!!! I was soooooo happy. My buddy lost 6.6lbs, I think it was.....we both did soooooo well this week! Can't wait to weigh in next week....although I know it'll never be that much in a week ever again....any loss this next week will be welcomed with the weekend I have ahead of me (wedding).
I'll pretty much be missing in action until next Tuesday, won't be around the puter and won't have any free time, so don't be surprised if ya don't hear from me for awhile....just warning everyone.....but I WILL be OP, and will check in as soon as possible.
Went out to supper last night after weighin....and ate at Culver's and used some of the rest of last week's flex pts before I had to give them up....that was a nice lil treat!!!
Looking forward to Friday's facial, pedicure, and message....that will be a reward for sure!! That's going to be the most relaxing part of the whole weekend...lol....tomorrow's agenda is to decorate 28 cakes for the tables...tan...get my nails done....pick up wedding attire...do supper...and decorate reception hall....and that's just my Thurs. Now you know why I'll be MIA.....although with all that running, I should technically earn some activity pts...hehe. Well better get back to the kiddos! I'll check back in this afternoon!!
Michelle :dizzy: :lol: :D :)

I'm still around-- just been busy.

I HAVE been going to the gym daily-- yay for me! ;-) Of course, I ate everything that wasn't nailed down on Monday (stress is the killer for me), but I'm back on track, and we'll see how that affects the scale on Saturday.

This weekend, I think, will be a challenge. I've been stressed with my relationship to DH and figuring out where I fit in with the stepkids (i.e., a major thing happened two weekends ago-- DH found out the 16y.o. girl--my SD-- has been sexually active-- and I wasn't told about it until last Friday) . . . basically, he didn't tell me because he "needed time to process it" . . . but meanwhile he and the ex were talking every day about it and what to do (I don't count because I'm not her "mom") I'm expected by BOTH of them to be a parent when the kids need $$, a chauffer, a cook, etc. . . . but no one cares if I'm out of the loop on what is a major issue. It's frustrating to say the least. And I'm still short-tempered and emotionally frazzled, and I'm starting in my PMS phase . . . WATCH OUT! ;-) Ah, well. My big goal this weekend (the skids are over) will be to get away for a while. I've told DH that I want some time to myself on Saturday. I had originally planned for that "time" to be my WI. I think that my "me" time will extend into mid-afternoon. I'm NOT the kids' parent, and I'm NOT going to be responsible for entertaining them for at least half of a day. Instead, I'm going to go get a book and a cup of coffee after the meeting, and walk around the local lake (and then sit and read). It's supposed to be near 80F here, which is far warmer than it's been lately! :-)

Sometimes you just have to take care of yourself, you know? That's one thing that has been keeping me going with WW, even though I have my slip-ups. If *I* don't take care of me, who will???

So . . . take care of yourself, everyone!!!

Chach, good luck with your weigh in!
Michelle, congrats on your great loss! You've been doing so very well. Just forgive yourself for anything that may happen during the wedding weekend, you'll get back OP next week!
Heather, boy I don't envy you with the step kids. Sounds familiar as I have a brother in law and his new wife seems to want to take control of his kids and my former sister in law get's all wound up about it. Situations like this are just a huge problem and no one is happy, just don't let it ruin your relationship with your husband. Taking some time for yourself is important, and also exercise to de-stress.
Just some "sisterly" (we're all weight loss "sisters" in my mind) advice. Don't judge the step daughter, but if you and she are along, be her friend and tell her you know what's going on. Don't judge her, but tell her that if she needs to "talk" you are there for her. If she doesn't want to talk, leave it be.
As for me, guys, I had a chocolate attack today and raided the Nestle's chocolate chip bag a bit, but only about 4 points worth, so that is going into my bank of flex points. I "need" chocolate when I'm feeling blue and stressed. These new terrorist warnings are concerning me and I worry for my family, friends and our country. No matter what political leanings you have, we all share these concerns.
Some sunshine (which we've not seen in days) would be helpful to lift my mood!
But, aside from the chocolate raid, I've done well today. Have had my water, exercise top, treadmill and have been OP other than the Nestle "fix".
So, I'm happy with what I'm doing. My pants feel a bit looser and I continue to persevere.
Missing you Sassy, Julie, Labmom, Cris, etc. Have we lost you guys?????
Linda in cloudy, dreary NH

Hi ladies.

Weigh in went well, again, tonight. I think I'm on a roll, or getting rid of one around my tummy! Down 2.2 to 227.2. Total loss since joining WW Feb 18th is 27.8. Slow but sure!

Michelle: Wow! I know you will be missing for awhile, but wow! See, now you are making it tough on me to catch you. I see how you are! Honestly, that is amazing! Big congrats to you. Have fun with your day of pampering and have a wonderful time at the wedding.

Heather: I can't say I know how it feels, as my hubby did not have kids with his ex. I guess I'd be a little resentful that my money and time and energy are valuable enough to help out with SD, but when it comes to matters of the heart I'm left out? Sorry, but I think that was almost cruel. I know you don't need to know anything, but doesn't he realize if it affects him, it affect you and your relationship? Maybe I am speaking out of turn, as I don't have steps, but I think that was very rude. I'd take the whole day to myself, if it were me, and give yourself some good pep talks! You deserve it!

Linda: Not bad for a chocolate attack. I have two itty bitty Milky Way bites. I think they were 1 point each. Had two small slices of pizza tonight but a huge salad with it. Wednesday nights are my splurge nights. Still have points left over and don't ever use my flexers.

Okay, busy week/end for me. Testifying at a Murder trial tomorrow, a wedding on Sunday, my cousin gave birth this morning, so getting her presents out. Hubby home in 2 weeks from this coming Friday. Guess I need to get things done!

Have a great day!

Chach

Wow, Chach, testifying at a murder trial - yikes! Sounds scary to me. Hope you didn't know the deceased, at least.
I think what you said about Heather's situation is right, it was rude and when I made a remark on the situation, I neglected to say that part too. Married people shouldn't have secrets or keep things from each other. I do hope you can work that out. I hope I didn't speak out of turn either, but I do think we are becoming friends as a team, and we are sharing more than just our weight loss stuff, which is GOOD. We all know that outside stressors affect and sabotage all the best intentions to stay OP. It's things like feeling left out of a situation that can lead to a binge. I know, when I am not a happy camper, the food is calling to me and I often eat thinking I will feel better. But, we all know that is temporary feeling better, the hurt one feels inside, doesn't really go away, no matter how much chocolate we consume. Then, after consuming whatever we eat, we feel guilty and "beat ourselves up" becuase of what we have done to ourselves. A viscious (sp?) cycle.
By the way, Michelle, when you are back. I was wondering if you should re-start this thread as Sassy had done before. I guess some people (not me as I have a very high speed connection) have trouble downloading when the message board gets larger. So, maybe re-starting the thread would bring back a few of our missing people? Don't want to do that without YOU, though, as this is YOUR thread that you started.
How's things going with Lindsay, the one who is denying her problem, by the way, Chach. When I see people in my travels who are clearly VERY overweight and out there eating tons of food, I keep envisioning her.
But, there was a newcomer at my ww meeting this week who looked really sad, scared and overwhelmed. She had to be nearly 350 pounds, more than likely. She came all alone, looked like she was about to cry and sat in the back. I was thinking of your friend, Chach, when I observed her. Next week, assuming she comes back, I hope to say hi to her and offer her some encouragement.
I thought of you all at that meeting this week. One woman made her 10% and her friend made Lifetime, they were up in the front of the room together and talking about what they did to be successful. They said it was group support, which we all know about here! They started a sub-group, aside from their ww meetings and have been meeting for dinner at each other's houses once a week and the objective was to serve a low point meal. They have collectively lost something like 200 pounds as a group of about 6 or 7 women. Each week, when they met, they put $10.00 in as "dues" and then celebrated their combined weight losses when they had enough money. They rented a condo on the beach in Maine for a weekend and all went up there together. They walked, cooked, and went to a spa for manicures, massages, etc. Sounds like heaven to me! But the most wonderful part of their success was that they supported each other and were a unified team. Some have/had lots more weight to lose than others, but no matter how much or how little one has, we all know it's still the hardest thing you've ever done in your life!
So, my buddies, I thank you for supporting me and being my friend through this time period! I'm there for you guys and know you are there for me! Cool!
Linda in NH, thankful for you all!

Thursday
 

Chach 27.8 lbs in 3 months is not slow. That is fantastic. Wish I could see hubby's face when he sees you. You go girl!

Michelle that 7.7 lbs is awesome! And your friend 6.6 lbs. What a team partner. What an incentive for a first week back. Enjoy that facial, etc and have a great time at the wedding.

Linda you can also be proud of the 6 lbs since we all began the challenge. The group of women at your meeting have a great idea they are sharing. That is fun. There is strength in numbers.

Heather your situation with hubby and his daughter is stressful. This is something that can really put a strain on a marriage. Have you talked with him about it and expressed your feelings? Sometimes people feel embarrased and ashamed and don't want their partners to feel it is a reflection of them. Take some time for yourself and know you can vent here. You are right, you have to make yourself number one. That is something we all forget at times.

Rainy here today as was yesterday. See you all later.

Hello Ladies,

Linda: My friend Lindsay has not done anything about the weight issues, although she is not sabotaging me as much as she used to. She acknowledges I attend WW now by saying, “I know you are busy on Wednesday nights”. That’s about it. Her eating is still horrible and not exercising at all. She is the one I helped move last weekend. She pretty much stood around and told people where things went, and didn’t do any of the actual moving with us. It was okay because I got a great workout in! She is watching my son tonight while I attend our Homeowner’s Meeting. I am running through McD’s to get dinner for all of us, and I asked her what she wanted. I, of course, am getting a salad, but she wanted a chicken McNugget meal supersized with Orange soda. That’s fine, because I’m just slowly and surely plucking away my pounds and she is noticing. She’s not commenting as much anymore, but it’s getting obvious with the clothes I am wearing. When she wants to address the problem, if that ever comes, I’ll be there for her. I’m just standing back and not making a big deal about it anymore. She did say that if her butt got any bigger, she wouldn’t be able to make it up her new stairs. Silently, I thought to myself, “Yep, you are right.”. I think the best thing I can do is be a good example to her, but do it silently.

Dotti: It’s a big rainy here also. I do love that kind of weather, although it makes it harder to exercise while I’m at work and don’t get to do my walking on my breaks when it’s raining. Just love the way the rain sounds and smells!

Well, off to get my stuff together for the retirement lunch, then review my report of finding on the trial, then off in about 4 hours to testify. Love my job!

Be good!

Chach

Hi everyone!
Today, it's raining again here. Wish I could have your attitude about the rain, Chach, as I am just so sick of it! It's rained here in NH every day in the last 9 days, except one day. Thank goodness the weather for the long weekend sounds good!
We are going to my parents summer cottage tomorrow morning and staying overnight for one night. I am not worried about staying OP this weekend, as I am in control.
Also, we're kind of broke. So, when we eat out tomorrow night, I'll not be able to go wild ordering tons of extras! In fact, I will be encouraged to just ask for water with my meal and the expensive prime rib dinner, or whatever, will be replaced with the grilled chicken and salad, more out of financial necessity.
I bought low fat hot dogs for my lunch, the rest of the family is having Oscar Myer cheese dogs, they love them and I dislike them, so won't be tempted! I hate putting cheese inside a hot dog, whoever thought of THAT? I love cheese and like hot dogs, but putting them together is distasteful to me.
I am making dip, but will use fat free sour cream and use the baked lays chips as well. So, will be more incontrol. I'll end up using flex points over the weekend, but not ALL of them!
Memorial Day is a big day for cookouts, are any of you going to be challenged with that this weekend? I know Michelle has the wedding, so that will be a HUGE thing for her.
Dotti, you are a great person showing support for others in this group, don't worry about being "big framed". You'll get where you want to go, I know it!
Linda

Hello Ladies!

I'm so glad it's Friday. I am exhausted and looking forward to some down time. I have a date with Chuck E Cheese this weekend, then a wedding on Sunday. Other than that, my schedule is very much booked up with being a slacker. I feel so run down that I really need to just chill and hang out.

Going to go home tonight, get all my housework done so I can relax for three days straight. I have about 3 hours of work in front of me, as I am going to really get all the hardcore cleaning done before my hubby returns in two weeks. That way next week I'll just have to do minor cleaning.

Linda: Oh my gosh, my hubby loves those disgusting cheese dogs also. I personally haven't had a hot dog in about 20 years and plan on keeping it that way. Too gross for me, any type!!! Sounds like you have planned ahead and are going to have a great weekend! Don't get in the way of any of those nutzos!

Not much else to report here.

Have a great weekend!

Chach

Thanks, Chach!
Well, I'm off until Sunday night. Be good everyone and have a good time.
Like Chach said, don't get in the way of all those nutzos!
We'll be careful and we are towing a big boat behind us, so we won't be going all that fast! I heard there was a two mile back up at the toll booths on Rte 93 North last night here in NH, people come into our state in droves for vacationing due to the lakes, mountains and tax free shopping. We live here, but head further north for fun and relaxing. Mom and dad's cabin is on a tiny lake about a mile long up in the mountains, it's away from civilization and we have good friend and family around us! Can't wait!
Take care!
Linda