Hi Ladies - I'm still around - just been very busy lately.
Was down 1.5 this AM - which means I'm 1.5 from my 20 lb star - yipee!!! I've been walking every morning at 6:30 AM with my neighbor and all our kids - and we are really enjoying it.

Need to run right now - but I hope everyone is having an active summer!!!
Kim
1/2001 258
3/2001 WW 239/220.5/140

Hi all...
Well I did the 3.5 mile fitness walk in town today for the fourth of July festivities - it took me 58 minutes. My husband ran the 5 miles run and my sister was nice enough to forgo the run to walk with me - even though I know she can racewalk 5 miles in just under an hour. I've really been preparing for today over the last 2 months. Walking hills (because I knew the course layout) and being sure I walked in the morning hours and on the most humid of days. I really thought a lot of people would have come out for the fitness walk... but as it turned out there were only about 20 of us!!! There were approx. 700 runners and maybe 100 racewalkers. (The racewalkers did a 5 mile course instead of our 3.5 miles).

When the walk started - the first 5 people began racewalking so they were so far ahead in just a matter of minutes. There was a clump of 10-12 people in the middle and then me and my sister and a mom and her 8 year old daughter brought up the rear. Here I thought I was going to be so charged today because in March I couldn't even walk a 1/4 mile and lately I have no trouble with close to 4 miles at a clip.... I never realized though how SLOW I walk compared to "the average"..... I really began to feel depressed because there were women much older than me in that middle clump and I could NOT walk any faster. I really had too much time to "think" on the walk. I asked my sister at one point if we could let the little girl behind us pass us because I didn't want her to go home saying she came in last.... my sister just laughed at me and said - you really aren't very competitive are you? (But just after that she told me to go on while she grabbed a cup of water from a little 3 year old boy who lived on the route... his eyes lit up because she walked directly toward him and he knew he was about to hand out his first cup of water!) On the last 1/4 mile the runners (who started 10 min after us - and did 5 miles) were passing us heading toward the same finish line.... and I was so surprised to hear all the "Great job girls" ... and "Keep it up girls only a little further" coming from them as they were sweating and panting so hard.... They were honestly very happy for us and when we came across the finish line people were cheering for us too! It was kind of nice... and thankfully we finished before my husband passed us by... we were determined not to let that happen :s: So now I really need to concentrate on my speed. There is a 5K race comng up in October that I think I'll sign up for next...let's see if this body can work up to a jog ???? I feel really bad that I was so bothered so much by how slow I realized I walked... I need to remain focused on getting healthy and not let this get to me. My sister said that because only 20 people did our walk I cannot use that as a guage... her last race with my husband had 8,000 runners and she said when there are that many people - you aren't so self conscience about what position you are in - just that you are DOING IT!

Kim
1/2001 258
3/2001 WW 239/220.5/140

Hi Everyone! Happy 4th a little late.

Kim-You go girl! You are doing great on the weight loss and walking. I remember my first walk....I ended up with the #1..I said watch #1 come in last. I was silly and bought a new pair for shoes the day before...what was I thinking?????:?:

Loodie-Hope you are having fun on vacation! :) I remember you too. Glad you started posting again.

Cynthia-Sorry I haven't been keeping up with emails lately. Hope you are doing well. Did your hubby come home with a "summer car"? :dizzy:

Sheri-Thanks! I am still having the migraines among other things. I have to go back to the doc on the 12th.

Countdown Sherry-Hope your medical issues are all better now.

I have been on vacation this week and nothing but auto troubles..I think we are up to about $700 now :devil: ...what fun. I plan on cleaning and relaxing the next 3 days. I just decided I have to remember the positive....at least we didnt have to try to figure out how to get to work since I was off and saved on a rental car:dizzy:

I rejoined WW this past Saturday. I am hoping to see a loss this week but it has not been easy getting back OP.

Where is everyone? Hope to hear from you all soon.

Love
Setina

I'M BACK !!!
 

Hi, just wanted to drop by quickly to let you know that I am back. We got home yesterday afternoon and am back to work today. Boy, am I ever having some problems switching from the vacation to work mode :( .

I've only had a chance to quickly browse the thread and will try to catch up tonight or tomorrow. Where is everybody??? Vacation???

Good news was that I weighed this morning and actually lost 1/2 pound. That was a pleasant surprise. I'll write more later this week when I've had a chance to catch up.

Going Off of Weight Watchers
 

Hello, Folks.

Sorry for not posting for so long. It's been nutsy-coocoo around here for the last month or so. I just wanted to let you all know how much I've appreciated your support in the past. But I'm not going to be following WW anymore. A coworker convinced me to try the Atkins diet for two weeks as a dare (she'd lost 31 pounds in 3 months without being hungry). I took up the challenge. Guess what? I'm converting. Not only have I lost 4 pounds in 3 days but I haven't been a bit hungry and have absolutely no cravings whatsoever. I've had an abudance of energy and have slept like a log -- awaking feeling more refreshed after less than my normal 8-10 hours sleep (averaging 6-7 hours). Do I miss the carbohydates? Sometimes. Like when we had spaghetti & meatballs with garlic bread. I had some meatballs with melted cheese and a small salad with bleu cheese dressing.

So I'm off of WW for good. It just wasn't working for me. This time I think I just might make it to my goal weight. ****, I might even be able to make it to my doctor's goal weight! :)

I will be checking in now and then to see how the rest of you are doing. I wish you all the best of success!

:wave:

Joanne - I'm sorry you are leaving us.
Before you go nuts over Atkins - PLEASE read up more on the diet and the MANY medical problems people have had with it. You know there is no harm in following a more sensible plan like WW and cutting way back on your carbs. Studies have shown that restrictive diets will not be a solution in the long run and somewhere down the road another more sensible plan will be needed.

My mom lost 80 lbs on Atkins 2 years ago and was thrilled. BUT she finally realized as we all did that you cannot live with a menu plan like that for the rest of your life - imagine eating an Atkins dinner at the age of 75 - it just can't be done. She stuck with the program religiously for 2 years straight...had lots of health troubles and gained back 100+ in a matter of 9 months. My dad and my sister all had the same track record except they stayed on it less time. My mom is now on WW and feels 100% better. It's more sensible and it's plan does not wreak havoc on your kidneys, gall bladder etc. Even Suzanne Somers plan is more sensible. Please be careful and read as much as you can - my mom is a nurse and she kicks herself everyday for being on it and ruining her health - but the quick loss was all she saw until it caught up with her.

see:
http://www.thedietchannel.com/atkins.htm
http://www.cyberdiet.com/diet_detective/dr_atkins.html

Good Luck - it is a battle no matter what plan is chosen. :(
Kim

Hi, Kim.

Thanks for your concern. I did research the diet before going on it. Maybe it's changed since your mom was on it? My doctor was OK with me trying it. I take daily vitamins/minerals and I do get carbs (just not white flour items or anything containing refined sugar). I feel great and am existing on less sleep but still feel refreshed. My kids don't like this diet. I have too much energy and expect them to get off the couch and do things with me. :eek: :)

Today was my 1 week weigh in -- I've lost 9 pounds and never felt hungry or deprived.

I'll keep in touch with you all.

:wave: