Howdy all,

This thread consists of a group of friendlies on the path to a healthy lifestyle. Come on and join us! :D

Oh happy Saturday!! :D
 

Howdy all,
It's a happy day here in Texas! Wonderful mild weather and I somehow managed to lose 2 pounds and make the 65# star!!! :):D:):D

What a wonderful surprise. The only thing I can guess is that the foods I went over on were mostly whole or lightly processed. And probably ate less of them than I would have in a previous life.

AND, our weight-loss queen gave me a large sack of name-brand shorts, capris and tops. I feel rich. Still need a pair of black jeans for work, though. Hate to spend the money and might get a pair of 14s just for the challenge. Course, I still have to be able to breathe in them, too.

The Queen will end her maintenance in two weeks and I want to have a WW luncheon. The leader has agreed to attend (she's so cool) and I hope enough folks can come and bring a lite dish so we can have some variety and take the $$ load off me. This will be nice, too cause our group is starting to do things together. Like the walking teams, and donating old clothes to the crisis center. I think this will be more like we are friends getting together. Any thoughts on what to serve? I'm leaning toward enchilada casserole, spinach salad, maybe the 3fc hoppin jalapenos and a jalapeno grilled chicken dish.

(((({{{Kathy}}}})))) Here's a big hug to start you on your Hawaiian adventure. Don't worry, we won't be the teensiest bit jealous.NOT Hope your mom phones with the best of news.

Michelle -Welcome back, doll. I spend way too much time climbing back on the wagon,(gained 4# last month :rolleyes: ) but WW does work and you CAN do it. You know you can. Man, you can come clean my house, too. If you want, you can stay for the luncheon.:D


Lauren - I ain't gving up, just whinin'. Don't you know true Texas whinin' when you "hear" it? (thanks for the kick up to the wagon steps)

As an extra incentive to control those points, I am now "dangerously" close to another decrease. I either gotta up my exercise (ain't gonna happen any time soon) or get with the program. Already I am a teeny bit nervous thinking of how I'm going to work exercise around my DD swim team activities, but this too will pass.

Enough of my blather. What's up with y'all?

Here I am again. In my last post I forgot to mention a momentous occasion that happened during my absence. I turned 40! It was really not a big deal except for my office at work being dressed up with black crepe paper, tomb stones, and black roses That didn't bother me at all, as it is pretty much expected when someone hits a 'big' birthday. I'm actually enjoying saying I'm 40. There's some sense of power in it for me.

The bad news is that I'd hoped to reach the 50# mark by that birthday and I didn't, but I know I'll reach it while I'm 40, so it doesn't bother me too much. I'm bothered more by the fact that I didn't give reaching the goal my best effort than I am by the fact that I didn't reach it. Story of my life.

Anyway, I'm back on the wagon, feeling good, and just generally enjoying life. Hope everyone else is doing well. Check in, and let us know.

Michele

ME2: Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I am 40 also, but not as excited about it as you are, ha, ha, ha. I think there IS something about being 40. It's sort of I now realize my maturity in my thinking (or at least part of my thinking) yet it's on the young side of maturity. Does that make sense? It was pretty cool that your co-workers decorated your office for you - shows they care. As far as the weight goes, you'll have that off in no time. You seeem so motivated.

Dora: Your WW meeting sounds like such fun. What luck. And what a wonderful group.

Have a good Tuesday.

2oM (Annie)

All us 40 somethings...
 

Howdy all!

And a belated, but heartfelt HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! TO YOU, Michelle. Gee Whiz, I turned 40 in December. And y'all are both right, it does seem as if now we are mature enough to be "right" and young enough to go and do.
This milestone also makes me seriously consider how I want to spend the 2nd half of my life. Certainly not lolling about on the couch feeling sorry for my fat self! So, WW, I am here forever.

Come on, Michelle, kick it gear this week. That 50# will come quickly.

Annie, our group is fun. There are alot of people and different personalities. One lady has been at goal for years. She lost 40# or so and is barely 5'. She has a degenerative disease that is gradually going to take away her ability to walk and causes great pain. In spite of all that, she comes to the meetings and causes a great ruckus. Such fun! I gave her a cowbell, too. Like she needed an excuse to make noise. :D

My boss' birthday is tomorrow. Just cooked the pudding for a chocolate pie. Hope he likes it -he's sorta picky about things.

Did any of y'all catch that fantastic PBS show about food and diet studies with Alan Alda? Truly amazing how our ideas of serving sizes, indigenous foods, and low calorie diets can make such huge differences in our lives.

Gotta go. Y'all drink that water!!!

Maybe 250 in 2001?
 

Hi! Even though 200 in 2001 might be a little too fast to be healthy for some of us, I like your spirit! And, I will definitely be right on your heels as I work my way down to 250. :)

Dora, good heavens, you're really losing! It's great to see. Way to go.

I've gradually gotten back into being able to work out after spraining my arm. Today I even used the arm during the workout, which is a big step forward.

Also, I've lost four of the five pounds I gained after spraining the arm (business travel plus Easter celebrations seemed to derail me). I'm thinking of going back on 123 instead of WP, because I just haven't lost well on WP. (A half pound since the end of February!) Anyone else doing 123?

--Lauren

This will be my last post before I head out to NYC for the weekend. Need to get packing.

I've been having a great week....until today. Being tired really is my big trigger. I keep thinking that food will make me feel better, but guess what....it doesn't. Luckily, I recognized what was going on before it got too out of hand, which I is progress, I guess. The other 'stress' was the in-laws stopping by on their way to NC last night. They are very nice people, but they are parents. DH has 'issues' and rather than deal with them, I get to listen to it. Their gone now, so life should get back to normal after the hiccup. I'm really glad to be getting away for a couple of days.

Annie - I completely understand what you mean about having a maturity in my thinking. I am definitely more reflective about my life than I used to be, and I think I'm a happier person because of it.

Dora - How'd your boss like the pudding pie? I didn't catch the PBS show with Alan Alda, but my in-laws were talking about it. They tend to be pretty healthy in their eating since their watch word is 'moderation', but they don't have a lot of tolerance for people they label 'kooks' (like vegetarians for instance) who don't do things the way they do. I don't talk to them about WW because I know what their reaction would be. Luckily they don't ask.

CLCinNOLA - Welcome! Would you be from New Orleans by chance? I've never been, but it's definitely on my to visit list.

Lauren - Hooray for exercise! Takes a special person to keep at it with an injury. Also, hooray for getting rid of most of that 5 lbs. I know that has to feel good. I say I'm doing WP, but my behavior really isn't much different from 123. I was never a big carrot eater, and I still don't count my exercise points. The biggest adjustment I made was my calcium sources have become more nutritional, i.e. yogurt instead of pudding. I say do what works for you.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Michele

Howdy all!
It's been bright sunshiney and windy here. Even managed to mow a tiny strip of my yard before dashing off to a parents'meeting at school. The one thing I miss most since going back to work is TIME. Have to make an appointment with myself to go to the gym, cut the grass, sometimes even wash my hair. (ok, that was too much info, right?)

Lauren -glad to see you are on the path to healing and moving again. About the plans (had to think about that one) I don't count carrots or onions, but I do count beans at 4pts per cup (from a gal who eats LOTS of 'em). And I observe the new points limits, but since I exercise most days and didn't count those towards food, it seems a bit moot. I know you are a slower loser. Have you had your thyroid or BMI checked? My adorable friend Tara has the thyroid issues. What a bummer. But she's a trouper and has learned to eat actually below her points for her particular journey. Still it's slow and I'm soon to catch up to her cause I'm so very normal. (yeah, right :D)

Carole -WELCOME ABOARD! You just adjust our title however you like. The important thing is that you're doing it for you and keeping with it. I sorta count those 8 pounds lost before WW as another mini-goal. Just hit 66 # with WW -so in my head it's a total of 74# . Only one more pound for my personal total of 75#. Wierd math, but it keeps me going.

Michelle -I'm so very jealous. I love to travel, my DH loves to camp out in his computer chair :rolleyes: So, I don't get to "go" nearly as much as I think I should. Am working now on getting him to OK a 20th anniversary cruise. We haven't hit the 19th one, yet, so you can see how I have to connive and wheedle.
Man do I hear you about being tired. And people can be triggers, too. My grandmother is so very prim and proper. She has three things that she judges everyone with. (don't tell her that!) Whether someone is educated, slim, and cleancut (read: short hair) I don't meet any of her standards and for most of my life felt like diving into a bag of chips when she was near. Now she is much more feeble and it doesn't seem to bother me as much.

Bossman loved his pie. He laughed and dug right in. I bet it's gone when I go in tomorrrow. Since I used whipped cream in the can, I bet I find it sprayed everywhere, too. :eek:

DH says I can surf to PBS.org and look for that food show and order a copy. Says to search Nova. It was on Tuesday night, I'm definitelly going to take a look.

Here's just one of the studies: young children (4YOA?) were left alone in a room with a few art supplies and a huge assortment of junk food. They were told that the adult would be gone for ten minutes and that the art supplies and food were available. The kid who came from a home that allowed treats without limit only nibbled a bit of popcorn. The one whose parents control the junk didn't even look at the art stuff. He gorged on every bowl of food. So, as that controlling parent with a "blossoming" child of 9, where do I start to make those changes? Argh. My DD is at least 20# over normal. She has almost broken 100. The good news is we started practice for swim team and so far, she loves it. Maybe this could be her sport. But how to change my ways of making treats available? God will help me in this, I know.

Now that I've written a novel, I'm going to hit the sack. It's already way past my bedtime. Gotta rise & walk, walk, walk!

Howdy all,
Ok, this is wierd. Changed my profile for the new WI info and realized that the new 3fc software changes all the profiles in my previous posts, too.

Whatever. The iron monster showed me down 2.4 even after 2# last week. Woo hoo. I did spend more time staying OP and even in the low range of points. Had two days over and actually less exercise than normal. Go figure. Only 1 more til 70#!

Happy Saturday!

Happy Monday morning!

The weekend was pretty good to me, other than dealing with prom, my daughter (who doesn't want to listen to common sense), and her boyfriend (who doesn't have any). :rolleyes: Yesterday we prepared stuffed jalepeno peppers for the graduation party. They aren't low fat, so it's good that I don't like them.

ME2: How was your weekend in NYC? Did you come home to rest? Or are you going to work to rest? (That's what I do.)

Dora: You are really kicking butt with getting to the 70# mark. How inspirational. You'll reach that in no time. Don't forget to reward yourself with something fun or nice. You deserve it.

2oM (Annie)

Howdy all,
Whew! This must be "Sabotage your healthy lifestyle" week. Haven't walked at all this week and spent today chauffeuring 16 3rd graders first to a pizza joint then to Krispy Kreme all in the name of a field trip. The pizza was yummy. Pappa John's will have to watch out. And I can now say I tasted and rejected the illustrious Krispy Kreme donut. Yuck. Way too sweet and pasty. Our local offering has nothing to worry about. then I came homw and ate candy. Bleah. Now to start over, thank you very much. Haven't had to climb back on the wagon for a few days, so far.

Annie, all the best with that daughter of yours. I'm dreading those days already. Today my 9yoa DD informed me that she was almost grown-up, wasn't she? :o I'll pray that yours matures quickly and without doing anything stupid that will stay with her forever.

Hope y'all lurkers out there are doing great!

Dora: You can be thankful that you hated the donuts anyway. The rest of the day you can either figure the points and make up for it the rest of the week, or simply forget about it and move on. Count it as a learning experience. (I'm beginning to think everything is a learning experience. LOL) I kind of like it when I find something fattening that I don't like - one less thing to be tempted by.

I've been very restless with DD and boyfriend. She is doing so well with school and work and he is just a bump on a log. I truely don't want to be unfair to him because he's had a hard life. However, I feel that he can now move on and make his own life what he wants it to be, yet he keeps using the past as an excuse or a crutch. I don't want to see her dragged down by him (or anyone else for that matter). I talked to a VERY reliable source - has spent a lot of time near him - last night that said that he seems to be manipulative and arrogant. I was also told that he may be looking for a mother figure in a girlfriend and when he finds that, he may treat the mother figure as his mom treated him. That didn't sit well with me, but made a lot of sense. Unfortunately, my DD thinks she can help him and get him up on his feet. She seems to be the giver and he's the receiver.

As far as us parents go, we can do the best we can, set good examples, be there for them, and teach them responibility and kindness. What they do with it from there is out of our hands. (I say this even as I try to keep it in my hands, still trying to mold.) I don't think being a parent stops when the magical 18th birthday rolls around.

2oM (Annie)

Hello everyone. I'm back from NYC and had a wonderful time. Of course I ate too much and drank too much and slept too little...a deadly combination...and today is WI, and I know I'll pay the piper, but it was worth it. Had a lovely time with my SIL. We didn't do too much, just went to the Metropolitan where we looked at Renoirs and had a wonderful conversation about beauty and body image. The weather was lovely so we spent quite a bit of time walking in central park. Did some shopping and people watching from the cafes. On Friday, before she got in, I was able to meet a friend and we went down to the village and SoHo to the art galleries. All in all, a lovely, adult, time. I wish it had been more than the weekend, but of course a lot of it had to do with the freedom. On Monday it was back to reality and back to work. School is almost out here, 11 more days, so there's that end of the school rush. I dread it more than the beginning of school because my kids have all this energy and they don't always use it constructively.

Annie - I wish you peace. Sometimes I think all we can do with our kids is cross our fingers and hope for the best, which is not very comforting! My DD is only 8 and I dread the teenage years. We are so much alike, we already butt heads over every little thing. At least it sounds like you can talk to your daughter. Even if it doesn't seem like she's listening, you know your planting seeds that may take root.

Dora - I hate Krispy Kremes too! What's the big deal? It's just a donut, and you're right, they are too ooey and gooey. I wish I had as easy a time turning all sweets away as I do those.

Michele, your trip to NYC sounds lovely. We're heading on vacation for a week, starting this Saturday. We're going to stay in B&Bs and hang around Lake Michigan. We've planned three major gourmet meals at great restaurants; beyond that, we're aiming for healthy. I also plan to walk as much as possible.

I've continued with the walking video, 5-6 times a week. It's keeping me sane. I'm also writing down what I eat and drinking the water. But I haven't been within points often enough. Somehow, I'm maintaining my weight. Probably the exercise.

It has been a tense time, first due to all the layoffs we're having at work -- and now it turns out DH may have cancer. :( We won't know for sure for a while. He has an ultrasound when we get back from vacation. I'm having to fight feelings of panic every moment. Maintaining weight is about all I'm aiming for right now.

--Lauren

Lauren - I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties and stresses that you have had recently. I will cross my fingers and say a prayer for both you and DH. Having lived through similar situations, it's amazing to me that you are able to maintain your weight at this time. That is incredible and awe-inspiring! Keep up the good work! Enjoy your vacation and try to leave all of the problems at home.

Sending healthful thoughts your way!

ME2: Glad you had such a wonderful time in NY. When is your next trip planned? :)

LaurenH: Am thinking of you and hubby. n 2 a swan has the right idea - try not to think about it on your vacation, however hard that may be. Enjoy your time away. Waiting always seems to be one of the worst parts.

2oM (Annie)

Howdy all,

Dearest Lauren, I logged on to whine, until I read your post. A prayer releasing your DH from any cancer and you from stress has been said. I hope your vacation is fabulous -gourmet foods, and all. Most of all, I hope it is a sweet time for your and your hubby. Who can forget the man who wants to be your personal mirror? what a guy.
Jobs will come and go. My own DH is living the nightmare at Dell Computers -this time the layoffs are expected to go on for 4-6 months!:eek: It is hard this time to give the stress to God, but it will be better on His shoulders than mine. That's a fact.

My DD is playing with a friend in the next room. a fact I am grateful for. She is having a very difficult time at school and I finally figured out why. Third grade appears to be a time when the kids pair up into best buddy groups and take great joy in excluding others -guess they feel more exclusive. My DD is one of the excluded right now and it's really hard for her. Putting on even more weight recently hasn't helped, I'm sure. And there aren't any appropriate-aged kids on our street. So, I have to make a new commitment to invite kids over. Y'all pray for me in that endeavor. I wasn't one that had a best buddy, either. I am grateful that she is really enjoying the swim team. Hopefully there will be some local friendships developing.

Gotta go ration my points at a "Ladies Night Out". :rolleyes: Don't know if I'll make that pound for the next star Saturday. Oh well.

Y'all be good!

Hey all .
I'm back from glorious hawaii . I had a great time , despite having a sinus infection the whole time I was there . I wasn't going to let that ruin my trip . Thank goodness for over the counter meds . Next time i'm going with a closer friend , though . Nancy & I didn't really connect about certain things . I think there was a little generation gap (she's alot older) . My sister said , i'm just twisted . We got along real well , though . I snorkled !!! I absolutely loved it . I took pictures under water , with a disposable . It was so awsome . The last (& only other time I went) I didn't even take shorts . I was 100 pounds heavier . This time I swam every day . I saw everything . I had to practically force my friend to do physical things , but I wanted to do all the stuff I missed out on last time . I ate alot & really enjoyed some lava flows (a drink) . I had a nightmare before I left , that I gained 35 pounds . Well , I did pretty good . I only gained 3 pounds . Last year I gained 10 , when I went to Disneyland .

Lauren , I really hope your husband is okay . My mom is having a lumpectomy on May 30th . Her lump is pre-cancerous , so she shouldn't have to have chemo or radiation . Thank god . She had breast cancer 7 years ago .

Dora , I see you've been busy losing , since i've been gone . I bought another swimsuit today , i'd like to get back into swim aerobics . My other one is still okay , but I figured I'd better get another one while the price was good . You know what chlorine does to swimsuits . I bought the most recent buy-out with some of my vacation money , before I left . I figured it was money well spent . It's good until September .

About age : there are sure alot of us that were born in 1960-61 . I'll be 40 in August .

I hope everyone's been well & happy . TTFN . Kathy

I just stopped by to catch up and let everyone know how I was doing, but it all seems insignificant now.

Lauren - My positive thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. Enjoy your vacation as best you can and keep us posted.

Kathy - Glad to see you back. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Good for you for trying something new!

Michele

Back from LaLa Land
 

Hi, everyone! Sorry I haven't checked in for a while. I had a web page & program I was working on for a few weeks & dictation I was trying to get done at work so I got a little cross-eyed there for a while at the idea of more computer time.

Happy Birthday to all of you 40-year-olds. Hope you're enjoying your new "maturity".

On my weight-loss front, I'm at 72 lbs gone, but still haven't broken the 200 wall. Got a thrill @ the vet yesterday, however. According to THEIR scales, I weigh 188:D, probably as a result of not zeroing the scale before I stepped on. Have to go back there again!

Howdy all,
Just a quick note as it is way past my bedtime.

Lauren -hope that vacation is wonderful. You both deserve it.

Kathy-speaking of vacation. Welcome back, you bronzed beauty, you. Aloha. And where did you hide that beach boy you promised to bring me? mmm? Water aerobics sounds like fun. I got out of practice before really getting into it. Lately it's been a real struggle getting up to exercise early in the day.

Gizzi- are you sure you are back from lala-land? Not many folks I know that get weighed at the vet!!:haha: Uh, I ain't nearly mature, yet.

Well, ladies, I managed to gain .2 this week.(a major relief) but also forced myself into a Ross clothing store to buy some summer tops. Bought several brands, each in a size MEDIUM!!!:D:) I don't exactlyu feel like a medium, but 'll sure take it. Still gotta work on that major arm flab. That part is still an XL. :p

Off to sleepy land!

Happy tuesday , everyone .

Good for you Gizzi . I cracked up when you said you weighed at the vets . Most vets are digital now , aren't they ? So , you could hop on & off without too much notice .

Dora , you are doing so well . Why were you releived about the gain ? Were you expecting more ? I left my surfer dudes on the plane . My plane home had 6 attendants , only one was a woman . The 5 men were gorgeous & Hawaiian . There was a pleasing sight at each direction I looked . I thought God had decided I was good & deserved a happy flight . A yummy olive skinned man with a pretty smile makes me sing inside . Doesn't take much to make me happy , does it ? I won't get to go back for at least 2-3 years , I imagine . I hope my uncle keeps his condo that long . I tried so many new things , it makes me itch to try more new things . Unfortunatly it won't be in the ocean , here . Washington's part of the Pacific ocean is too cold to swim in unless there's a heatwave .

So far , my week is going well , points wise . Of course it is only tuesday . TTFN Kathy

Howdy all,

Wah! Kathy, how could you leave my souvenir behind? Oh well, my hubby might have been jealous.

Y'all say some prayers for us. DH was just let go at Dell. He has a nice severance package, but we really need his income. The good news is he is one of the early ones and he is pretty high up on the programmer food chain. So hopefully he can find the right job soon.

As for the gain, I was on my regular "don't wanna journal" week. And there's always a gain then. This week I would get my 70# star, but I'll be at a reunion instead. Hopefully I can drop a bit more by next week.

Gotta go! Y'all drink that water.

Hey Dora - Sorry to hear about your husband's loss of employment. :( I'm sending prayers your way that this will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Keep your head up!

Happy Thursday .

Dora I bet your husband gets a new job in no time . I'm sending good vibes your way {{{{{{ }}}}}} .

I went to my local pool & got a brochure for the swim aerobics . I haven't gone for a few months , so I thought there might be changes . There were . New instructor (good , I think) , increased cost (bad) . It's now $4.00 a session . There are 2 sessions a week , for what I want to do . $8.00 a week is a small price to pay for my health , though . So , I'm starting on Tuesday , & i'm going to buy a punch card . It'll save me a couple of bucks & obligate me for 10 sessions . I do like water aerobics , but I didn't care for the instructor . & that's fixed now .

TTFN ;) Kathy

Howdy all,
Let's do start a new thread!