I got chubby again, so I'm back.
 

Hi ladies! I was here almost a year ago, I think? I lost 40 lb on WW, but "found" most of it once I got lazy and went off program.

I'm going back to meetings this week. Evidently I need the accountability. So I'm coming back here too.

Starting - approx 170? (Edited to add, initial WI 166.5) Goal - 135. I should be able to do it by my anniversary in May, so that's the target, is to be on maintenance by then.

Challenges: it's been much harder since my husband got out of the military and moved home with me. He's very much more into meals than I am, and heavier kinds of food. Also I have some dietary restrictions.

I can do this. I know I can. Nothing to it but to do it. (See the positive self-talk in action?)

Welcome back Freeda! :)

You can do it! :cheer:

:welcome2: Freeda -- You can do this and the help here is wonderful!!!;) :carrot:

Welcome Freeda. Oh how I know the ride of the weight loss roller coaster. In Januray of 1991 I was at 250 and did a program called Form-U-3. It was much like WW. I got down to 160 and while still on the program I got pregnant. Doctor told me to eat...well give a murder a liscense to kill why don't you. That was all the permission I needed. By 1999 I was back up to 250. At that time I was going thru a divorce and the weight was falling off me. I got down to 190 in now time. I moved to VA, met Larry, got married, and was found to have fibromyalgia as well some other ailments. In 6 years time I gained 100 pounds. I started this journey at 294.

What is different this time?? I am not looking as this as a diet. When I loss the weight I am not done with WW. I will be forever on the program. It isn't a diet it is a lifestyle change. I have set my ultimate goal lower than any weight I can recall being. I have broke that down into little goals. This way I don't have to look at the big picture. So far so good.

Wishing you well on this journey.

:) I appreciate the welcome. :)

And welcome back from me as well Freeda. We all have our day when it's kind of a "day of reckoning" and we just finally recognize what we have become and realize it's time to start being a better person, both physically and mentally.
I commend you for coming back. Why don't you post some of the meals that your husband wants, and maybe we can help you lighten them up a bit?
I, often, do two different versions of the same meal at times. If my husband wants hamburgers, for example, I skip the cheese and the roll. I have oven fries (I found a frozen brand called something like Alexia) that are two points per serving and have those with a 5 point lean hamburger patty. I then have a nice salad (and big one!) alongside both our meals. He eats the cheese and the roll and I make his hamburger a bit larger than mine. We both eat the oven fries and salad, he gets "regular" dressing and I sue fat free. I save probably about 5 points on that type of meal.
Truly, I don't know how he can eat all he does without gaining weight, but he can. He's lucky, he has a totally different metabolism that my own.
When we have baked potato, I have FF sour cream or lite margarine on mine and he heaps butter over his. Must be nice. I allow myself butter on special occasions, only.
My WW frozen desserts are a Godsend when he eats Ben and Jerrys and Hagen daz premium stuff, and eats it out of the container. I look longingly at this stuff when he is eating it, but try to stay in control.
It's very hard having a person sabotage your efforts and I live with it every day. Sometimes, I lose control and give in, and other times I do OK.
Losing weight is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do in my entire life.
Linda

Linda
I can so relate to what you said. DH is a diabetic and should be eating much better than he is. I have been cooking healthier. I have been cooking with ground turkey instead of ground beef. We eat a lot of chicken. So the meals aren't the problem.

DH doesn't eat all day. He says if he eats while working (he is a mechanic), he will get sick. So he eats from the time he gets home till the time he goes to bed. I had stopped buying all the junky stuff. DH got upset. He wanted his candy, cookies, ice cream, and chips. So there he is sit at the other end of the couch eating all the foods that I miss and can't have. I guess I shouldn't say can't have since you can eat anything you want as long as you have the points. But the problem is if you spend the points eating that stuff you will be hungry real soon.

Dh has been off his medications for over a year now. (a result of no money and no programs for those who have insurance and can't afford her co-pays. Thank goodness, for Walmart's $4 generics) As off last week he is back on them all and seeing the doctor and I am hoping he will realize he needs to eat better...for his health and my drooling.

Wow, I hate to say this to you, but a diabetic who is eating like that is really asking for big trouble. He just HAS to know this. I'd get myself to the library and take out whatever books on diet and diabetes that I could find.
Sounds like he is in denial.
I'd plan to distance myself from his uncontrolled eating as best I can. I'd plan low point or no point (veggies) snacks for the times when he is eating like that.
Gosh, I think living with an ice creamaholic is bad, but that is just awful. To top it off his condition is not one to fool around with.
Is he close to parents or a sibling, I'm wondering if you could have a chat with them and beg them to try talking with him.
Keep posting and let us know more.
Linda

Linda

I have been in the medical profession most of my adult life. I used to work for kidney specialist. Most of our patients had diabetes and/or high blood pressure. (DH has both). Not a day goes by that I don't say something to him about his diabetes. His mom, dad, and one of his sisters has diabetes. (In the case of his dad it is was...he is deceased). He has watched his mother deny it for years. At this point he doesn't have much contact with his family (long story). I do believe he is in denial. When the doctor told him he needed to go to diabetic education classes his response was my wife knows all about that stuff. I have asked him many times to go. He uses one excuse or another. I have even made he appointment for him and he won't go. Using one excuse or another. I don't know what more I can do.

Oh Chris. :( I'm so sorry.

For us, it's more along the lines of "he's hungry when he comes home so THAT is dinnertime, not when I get hungry." He's helped me with WW before and we're used to making separate dishes because he loves cheese and I can't have dairy.

Some of it is as simple as he likes meat and potatoes, but I'm happy eating soup for dinner. He works very very hard and physically during the day while I sit at a desk, so he requires a lot of fuel.

That, and he eats dessert EVERY night. Some cookies, or ice cream, or chips and salsa... I'm trying to get him to eat breakfasts more often, and I pack or bring him lunches to work, because otherwise he'd only eat in the evening! I don't think he realizes how much fuel he really needs. Between this, his thyroid, his apnea, and some *undisclosed other issues*, I guess he is a *little* high maintenance. haha

I've been eating 2 point mint fudgie bar things in the evening while he eats his treat, and that's helping. And adding more veggies to our meals is never a bad thing! We already do things like serve my dinner on smaller plates, etc.

If you can't afford the doctor and medication but can afford junk food, your priorities need to get straightened out. I don't buy that stuff for my husband, he has to get it and store it out of my sight...and he needs to gain weight (147 and 6 feet, health problems).

I am leaving this posting. I am tired of people thinking they know what is best. I guess I just share to much of my self and then end up very hurt when someone thinks they know what is best for me

I'm not sure who this was directed towards... The only person one can control is ones-self. If someone's husband is self-destructive, it can be hard to not only influence him to make better decisions, but to keep him from dragging you down with him.

If only life were always as simple as people think!

Wow, whatever happened with Chris, I'm really sorry. I thought we were tying to be helpful. I hope you come back and we can still work together on what you can do for yourself. If you don't want to speak about your husband, no big deal.
Take care of yourself and I hope I was not at fault somehow sweetie!
Linda

I am still here. Just don't appreciate it when someone wants to make hurtful commnets. I feel QuilterinVA was way out of line.

I'm sure she meant well.
It's so hard on forums like this when you can't see a smile, frown or a facial expression.
I just left a grief support group this morning, in fact, as people were doing and saying very hurtful things, it sure wasn't helping anyone who is in this kind of very tender circumstance. I may have overreacted, but I just hated how the "flavor" of the group had changed.
Maybe it was ME, though? It's just so easy to get upset.
At any rate, let's get back to basics and chat about what we can do to help each other and great ideas.
Hey, if your husband chooses to eat junk, what will you have at the same time to keep yourself feeling as if you are not getting cheated and stay in control?
I'm thinking the 94% FF popcorn might be a good choice, keeps you busy for a very long time! Maybe he'll decide to have some too and it will help him?
Take care and be happy.
Linda

Thanks for the kind words, Linda. I guess I am just a bit touchy this time of the year. I have never liked the holidays. Now on top of everyhitng else I have been told I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

I have been eating 94% fat free kettle popcorn for 1 point. I love it while watching tv. Today is hubby's birthday. He loves angel food cake with strawberry frosting. I know it isn't good for either one of us but I did make it for him. He has promised that once the cake is gone he is going to eat healthier snacks. (wonder how long that will last).

:hug: to you Chris! The holidays are ROUGH. I know how you feel - I've had a really pretty good year but this week has just been icky. I was snarky all weekend with my friends for no reason, and last night I was just crying at everything on tv. And sadly, I can't blame hormones since i'm on the pill and haven't had PMS in 4 years! LOL

And you're right, it's NOT a diet. It's a lifestyle change. I really truely belive that. As my...ohhhhh maybe 5th time doing WW I have to keep remembering that. Diet's don't work for a REASON!

I'm so sorry about your DH. It sounds like he's having a hard time coming to terms with his illness; I know that can't be easy. All you can do is be supportive and do the best you can and work your own program. He needs to come to terms with his own issues, medical or otherwise before you can help him.

And the $$ for medication issue - BANG on what's wrong with America. There is NO reason for your health to suffer because you can't afford the medications. That's just not right. Having been unemployed for a year, I know that you have to make some tough choices to survive and to balance that budget, so I sympathize. Not to compare you to anyone, but when there are mothers working 2 jobs and not eating themselves so their kids can eat or have their $567 asthma medication, that's just not right.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL!!!!!

Stepping off the soapbox now, and good luck with your week!

I agree that we need a national healthcare system. We have insurance but can't afford the co pays. When WalMart first came out with their $4 generic Rxs I thought sure since I have insurance I won't qualify. WRONG. Even if you have insurance you can get your meds for $4 each. There is a list of about 150 meds that they offer for $4. DH and I went to a new doctor last week and he told us about the program. He changed a couple of my meds so they came from this list and all of hubby's are from that list. I was hoping the shrink could replace one of my meds so it was off the list but she didn't think the drugs listed were right for me. So out of 4 drugs I have 3 that I can get for $4 each and the other one is $24. Major savings. It is a shame that it is the working man that suffers when it comes to getting help.

I'm glad Walmart did the new drug program, it can help many people. Unfortunately, not anyone in my family. Oh well. I did get a copy of their list from the pharmacy last time I was there.
Good thing you've discovered the 94% FF kettle corn. I'm not big on kettle corn, but the "regular" butter flavor is basically the same concept.
As of yesterday, I switched to the WW CORE plan for a few days. I need a break from the "limitations" of the Flex Plan and I am hoping that the CORE plan will be a good thing for me, considering Thanksgiving is next week. I'm really worried about Thanksgiving, the excess calories and the fact that we are spending two days of that weekend away at my in laws house. I love them dearly, but I tend to do what I refer to as "party eating" there. I hope I can stay in control or some of the foods are WW friendly?
I plan on staying on the CORE plan until Thanksgiving Day. Maybe if I am really good and motivated, I won't regain all my weight over one weekend? I hope to get some exercise as well.
Do you all have big family plans for the holiday? Any fresh ideas on how to control yourself?
Linda

It is just me and DH for Thanksgiving. I am going to make the traditional dinner but I think I am going to leave out the sweet potato casserole. If I do, it is looking like 12 points. Not bad at all.

Today may be a stressful day. My computer has been acting up for a while now. My cd drives haven't beem working. The computer is acting like it wants to crash. My best friend is coming over in a little bit to see if she can get the disc drives to work so we can backeverything up and re-format. I am so afraid something will happen and I won't be online for a while. I will let you all know later how it goes...if I can.

new to club and doing ww at home myself
 

hi im new here , first time to post not sure where to start at i love the scales thing on everyonepost they are cool how do i get one? i started out doing ww at home for several months in 2004 around christmas time we started a weight loss at our womans church meeting on wed and i won i lost about 4o some lbs using ww at home , than i joined curves in feb 2005 and up to date there ive lost 45.50 inches and 45 lbs i go three times a week and ive lost 32.18 body fat .but i feel like i need to go back to ww or something ive done the low carb for curves but dont stay on it like i should i guess im missing food or something if i cant stay on it or maybe it just i need a change .we are doing amonth thing at curves we have to stay at our weight or lose if we gain we dont get a chance for a drawing , i find i flex alot up and down all the time .
i have three children 21 yr old, twins 11 boy and girl and im a new grandma to a three week old girl she a doll im hoping this will keep me accountable to my weight i have the old books i think 2005 so im sure the points are all different now .

Welcome to stram! To get the counter things on your signature, click on where it says private messages and you will see something to click on to change your profile, I think. Then you click on signature.
If I have time tomorrow, later, and you haven't figured it out, I'll click on my own and write it up for you.
Chris, sounds like an amazing Thanksgiving if you can do it for 12 points. Having a small meal with no one else to cook for makes it more simple. The more people that come, the more elaborate things can be!
We're eating out and I pre-calculated that the meal would be 22 points and then pie and whipped cream about 12. That is if I don't totally lose control!
BUT, it is Thanksgiving and I am going to eat what I want and forgive myself and then move on the next day. However, the problem is that Sat./Sun. we are going to my in laws. Goodness knows what she will serve.
Linda

I had orginially figured our dinner to be 21 points and was a little concerned about it. So I talked to DH and we decided to cut a few things. So dinner will go like this

Turkey 4 points
Stuffing (made in muffin tin to ensure portion size) 4 points
Mashed Potatoes 2 points
Green Bean Casserole (made with 94% fat free muschroom soup and no friend onions)1 point
Crustless Pumkin Pie 1 point.

With only 12 points if I like I can add another serving and not be all that bad on points.

Chris, that is a very conservative estimate for your Thanksgiving dinner. Will you REALLY only have 2 points worth of mashed potatoes, for example? What about gravy, cranberry sauce, etc?
I hate to say this (shhhh!!! keep it quiet) but I am truly going to enjoy my Thanksgiving Day. I have a journal that ends on Wednesday, and for one day, I am taking a vacation day from it all on Thanksgiving. I will certainly watch portions and not go totally wild, but I am taking the day off and for that I will be truly Thankful!
Friday morning, I will begin anew with a journal, forgive myself and move on!
Though, we are going away on Saturday and staying at my in laws on Sat. night and my meals will not be in my own control during that time. I may have to forgiven and begin anew on Sunday afternoon?
One thing I have leaned as a veteran of WW and a lifetime member is that when I deny myself things on special occasions, I feel totally denied and unhappy. This will often lead to me being so unhappy that I totally go off the wagon. I want to succeed this time as I have made many mistakes and put all my weight, and then some, back on again. When will I ever learn?
But, the key to sustained success, for me at least, is to "stay the course" it is the day in and day out maintaining of the WW program combined with exercise and drinking water that works. Getting to meetings and following suggestions and programs works. But, if I deny myself all the special things, the treats and those special holiday things that I love so dearly, life will become a very unhappy thing for me. I will end up leaving WW and going off on my own and I have proven that is not a good thing for me.
I hope that makes some sense?
I hope you succeed and make it happen, but forgive yourself a few treats on Thanksgiving, but make sure you only do this for ONE day.
I hope your husband is doing well, by the way. How is he?
Linda

Thanks for the advise Linda. I may have 4 points of mashed potatoes but that will be it. I don't like gravy or cranberry sauce so not a worry there at all. If I were going somewhere else to eat or if I were cooking for guests I would do as you are...eating what you want and forgiving yourself. Around here both Thanksgiving and Christmas are just another day. We have no family to speak of. The kids are with their "other parents", so it is just DH and I. In past years, I haven't even bothered with a turkey. I have one in the freezer (oh that reminds me I need to get it in the refrig today) so I am cooking it up. All DH and I do is watch tv and kick back. For Christmas we don't even bother exchanging gifts. The kids all get money or gift cards so I don't even do any Christmas shopping. DH is doing good. He is starting to watch what he eats and is trying to get the diabetes under control. Thanks for asking about him.

Chris, are your parents still living, or not in the area?
If it was just my husband and I, I guess I would also have a more simple meal. Though, I do love the traditional extras that only seem to appear when we are having a big meal such as this. Being a "foodaholic", I would probably make up those extras and serve them with other meals on the days/weeks preceeding Thanksgiving and then freeze portions of them so that I could have my usual spread on the holiday.
But, this year, we are going out to dinner and I will be missing some of my usual stuff. Life does go on, food is not the most important part of the day - I have to keep telling myself that.
Today is weigh in day for me... I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a decent loss.
Linda

Last I heard my parents are still alive. They disowned me because I divorced my ex. It will be 15 years Dec 25th since I spoke to them. I have made repeated attempts to mend the fence but nothing works.

Ah-ha, I just put two and two together and realize you are the same Chris from the Supporting Each other Thread!
What a shame that your parents are that unforgiving. You would think that they would want you in their lives regardless of the X husband, you are their kid after all.
I wish you all the best in terms of making the best of things with or without them.
Guess this thread is kind of "dead", Chris, glad you are on the other one now as well.
Linda