50 or more pounds #81
 

If you have 50 or more pounds to lose, jump on in and join us! You'll be sure to get a warm welcome! :)

Hi all! Sorry to be awol; guess the holiday season is busy for all of us.

Welcome, Michelle! So glad you found us. How do you like the WW program so far?

JOYce, congrats on the loss! I hope you're feeling better by now. Re: the Garden Goddess, what a shame she broke! Sounds like you're making the best of it, though, as always. Glad to hear dgd's hand wasn't broken; I'm sure that was quite a scare for you all.

Linda, thanks for the crock pot idea! I recently bought that WW crock pot cookbook, I think it's called "In Good Time." Has anyone tried any of those recipes?

Carol, thank goodness your marathon flu clinic work is over! I don't know how you do it. Is your little darlin' getting excited about Christmas yet? I guess he's old enough now to be more aware of it.

Texaslady, I also thought of Saara when the torch went through S.A. (Saara, drop in and say hi!) And I agree, we all need to get together again and hit the border! (Or at least the S.A. Riverwalk and Mercado!) When do y'all think would be a good time of year? Weather-wise, late March is usually very nice. (Last year, we did early March, and it was still a bit cold and wet. By late March/early April, the flowers are much prettier, too.)

DH and I went to S.A. Friday night; the Marriott on the Riverwalk was having a special deal. Had a great time; did lots of walking, and an early morning jog along the river. Then we went to a cooking demo that was supposed to be healthy Mediterranean cooking, and by golly, they had changed it to a Christmas cookie theme! It was fun anyway, and instead of eating all the samples, we put 'em in a doggie bag and brought them home for our friends to have, at a dinner party last night. Still haven't lost any more weight, but at least I'm holding the fort for now!

Gotta run ... everyone have a great Monday!
Regards,
Jan

Jan, I hadn't heard of the WW crockpot cookbook, I am interested in that. Thanks for mentioning it.

I'm afraid I've been overindulging the past couple of weeks -- all of the Christmas goodies I've been making; guess I should give more of them away. :) I know that these few pounds I've picked up will come off in a short while, 'cause that has been my experience lately. How are the rest of you doing with all of the temptations you're facing? I like the saying on Dotti's website: "One day at a time, no guilt, move on!" :)

Happy Monday night to all.

Hi Linda! I know just what you mean about Christmas goodies; I think I've gone up a pound too. (I'll have to do my monthly check-in at that meeting with the light scales!) But I've been trying to be good. Seems like there is chocolate *everywhere,* a real weakness for me! This morning there was a whole mug full of it in my mailbox. (We teachers exchange lots of little gifts like that, unfortunately!) I had one piece and gave the rest away to my students, who demolished it all in record time. And I brought half a cheesecake to the teachers' lounge after the dinner party; even tho' it was WW, dh and I would have slivered it away in no time if it stayed around our house. There are two faculty parties after school Thursday; I'm trying to figure out what to bring that I can eat too. Maybe baked chips or veggies and a lowfat dip, or that trash recipe in this month's WW magazine... anyone have a suggestion?

Jan, I continue to admire your discipline! Good idea to take that cheesecake to the teachers!
I remember those days in the breakroom! Always something good to munch. I think veggies and dip or fruit plates are always a good idea. They always are appreciated, especially I think when there are lots of rich foods around that need 'balancing out'.

I'm continuing to lose weight, I think it has something to do with the medication he gave me for my 'bug'. Or maybe I just don't have an appetite.
I think I saw a new low on the scales this morning. :) And that is after going to a fabulous Christmas tea on Sunday. I think it was in a WW magazine that I read that tearooms are a good choice for lunches. Of course this one had more sweets than usual. One of the ladies that works there attends the same WW meeting that I do, and she was saying one day that they use low-fat mayo and such, which helps in addition to the small size of sandwiches etc.

Crockpots were my friend when I was teaching! what a timesaver, to come home to dinner almost ready! I must admit that I have not seen the WW book eiither, I'll try to remember to do that Friday when I weigh in. Would be nice for days when I take classes.

Jan, is the WW crockpot book brand new? I can't find it online. And I echo JOYce's accolades to you for your taking the cheesecake to work and staying away from that chocolate after having only a piece or two. Good job!

Went to dd and dsil's apartment today to help her clean for a dinner party they are having tonight. I got my exercise!

Good morning everyone!
Sorry to be awol for so long. it's been a busy couple weeks- someone's on vacation, so I've been doing the marathon days.
Is everyone ready for Xmas? I'm almost there- just a couple more odds and ends to pick up for my little sweetie now that dd and dsil have finished Santa shopping (long story). His birthday is tomorrow- can't believe he's two already.
I am not exactly behaving myself foodwise lately- for some reason the treats are harder to resist this year. The past couple years I seemed to have more fortitude or something.
Joyce, congrats on your weight loss, and on seeing an all time low on the scale! Atta girl!!! I hope you are feeling better. You want to be able to fully enjoy that wonderful trip to Idaho! When do you leave? Glad dgd had no fractures.
Texaslady, we are still unseasonable warm, although it was quite windy yesterday and felt cold. My little Xmas tree that's in my room sounds just like the one your mom has. My little sweetie loves it. Can't wait to see more wedding pix.
Jan, how about veggies and fruit with appropriate low fat or fat free dips? That low fat Hershey's chocolate syrup makes a good fruit dip, too, for almost nothing in points. I've got to do some cookie baking- promised my dd if she made the family tradition candy canes (it's her generations turn, thank heaven- I hate making the things but they sure are good!), I'd make some other kinds. I found a few new egg free recipes- little sweetie is allergic to eggs, so I'm afraid I'm watching that more than fat this year.
Janet, where on earth are you? I've tried emailing you, calling you- and haven't seen you here on this board in ages! Hope all is well.
Saara, are you ready for the holidays? What are your plans?
I guess I'd better run- work calls. Just left there at 7 last night- I should have just curled up on one of the exam tables! :lol: Hi to everyone- have a great day.
Carol

Carol! I don't think I have heard of anyone making homemade candy canes! WOW! I am impressed.
Baklava is my 'fame'. Everybody wants it, and it is fun to please them. I need to make a 3rd batch today or tomorrow, so I will have some to take with us. also need to make rumballs for dd.
she expects them along with Wassail when she comes home. :)
I already have the Wassail ingreds on hand.
We leave Saturday morning, will spend one night on the road before we arrive in Idaho...stay 3 or 4 nites and come home.
We are promised that tomorrow's rain will be the last til the new year, so should have good weather for the trip. The kids will be disappointed if there is not any snow, but must confess that it won't break my heart!
I have just a trip to Blockbuster, for a gift for dgd and a trip to the market to get food for Fridays "Xmas dinner" for those staying behind, and I am ready!

That idea of the Hershey syrup is a good idea for the holiday dip. do you have favorite fruits to use with it?

Have a great day!

JOYce, way to go, reaching a new low!! :) I'm doing the happy dance for you right now. And you're so right about those breakrooms; ours is loaded w/cakes, candy, etc. even on "non holiday" weeks, and especially now.

Linda, the book is called "In Good Time: 123 slow cooker recipes to come home to." Copyright 2001. It's one of those paperback books that sell for around $11. It doesn't have an ISBN no., but a bar code on the back says 116068. It's about 97 pages, and most of the recipes look pretty good, though I haven't tried them. How did DD's dinner party go? How sweet of you to help them clean!

Carol, whew, what a schedule! Thanks for the suggestion re: Hershey's low fat syrup; will see if I can find that in our little town!

Wonder how Janet is? That worries me that you can't reach her by phone either.

Guess I'd better get busy; am making a bunch of little gifts for coworkers, and I'm all thumbs at things like that. Sure wish I had even a fraction of JOYce and Texaslady's talent!

Everyone have a great Wednesday. Tomorrow is our last day of school, and we're all SO ready ...

Regards,
Jan

JAN, what little gifties are you making for your co-workers? Sounds like fun. Thanks for the full title of the crockpot cookbook. I know I can find it.

JOYce's baklava is fabulous -- she gave us a tin to have and to share with DD and DSIL. Yum. And yes, it is made from scratch! Wish I could share it all with you.

I am so excited that Christmas is almost here! :) :)

The Dr. said:
 

...the congestion that I have been experiencing is Congestive Heart Failure. And it will only get worse if I don't lose weight. He also said I have to exercise! for now, it is walking, when I get back from our trip, I will check into water aerobics, although I can't imagine me doing that. :( We have a friend at church who is also in the same WW class who goes to the YMCA every morning for water aerobics, I'll talk to her, and also the Dr told me about a spa for women that has a good program.

I lost 9 pounds this week from water retention....hence the low number on my scale...and he is keeping me on the same med dose, so I will continue to lose in that way.

I'm telling you gals all this for accountability sake. I appreciate your support. I'm not sure who else I will tell. It is really an embarrassing situation to admit that I have gotten so obese that I am endangering my life.

Thanks for 'listening'.

JOYce, I think that your telling the board about this has shown what courage you have. I know it was hard for you to say it. I admire you more than I ever did, and I didn't think that was possisble. You are quite an amazing person, and I know that you are going to win this battle.
Love!

JOYce, *everyone* in this group has been at some point endangering their health with weight. You can tell us *anything*. That's why we're here helping each other, so don't even talk about embarrassment, my friend. Not so long ago, I lay awake at night listening to my heart pound, exhausted from just going through a day, *knowing* that at 256 lbs I was shortening my life. (I was too embarrassed to go to a doctor.) Heck, I couldn't even climb the stairs in my house without effort. You are SO far along now, and heading down as we speak. How wonderful that you are seeing a doctor and getting good advice. Just remember everyone else's advice here: put Joyce first for ONCE, and take those walks (or water aerobics .. sure wish we had that here!). I used to dread exercise, and now love it! Let others do the organizing and work at the church, and know that by putting your health first, you are really helping your family, church and community in the long run .. they can't afford to lose you for many, many years! Wish you could see and hear me now ... darn this internet! ... I just want to give you a hug and let you know how much I care. You can beat this!!!

Linda, I know that if Joyce made the baklava, it is out of this world good! Re: the Christmas goodies I made, nothing special, but I made little red and green light-shaped candies on sticks with gold foil and lots of ribbon. Not much candy, but lots of decoration! And some home-grown plants for dh's office ladies, mule ears I think they are called, with some bronze lizards we found in Mexico (so cute!). I put ribbons 'round their necks too.

Poor dh is down with a bad cold, so we didn't go to the faculty parties tonight after all. I had made tons of that WW magazine "trash" snack mix (really good btw!) but will find someone else to give that to. Just hope he gets to feeling better soon!

My secret mission for 2002 is to get dh to actually join ww. Have told him (and it's true) that I want to lose ten more pounds to reach my personal goal, and won't get there unless I go to weekly meetings in SA (where there are men at the meetings btw). We shall see. He's an all-or-nothing type, and I'm just hoping he hears that click ..

Love to all,
Jan

Jan, I can hear and see you...or at least imagine it. Having spent one afternoon with you, I can imagine what you sound and look like. Thank you so much for that pep talk, and the hug. What I can't imagine, is you at 256 pounds...except I think you showed me an old picture. The picture that I do see everyday, is one that pops up on my screen once in a while of you and dh in your front yard.

We just got home from the airport a few minutes ago...there was an awful thunder and lightening storm, but we still got there in plenty of time, the plane was a bit late, and 2 planes came in at one time so there was a delay getting the luggage. It is good to be safwe at home again and to have dgd here yakking with her sisters....busy planning the days they will have together.

I need to get to bed now, I plan to get up for the early meeting tomorrow...I think the doors open at 7:30.

'Talk to you' tomorrow.

Joyce, dear friend, I am so sorry to hear about your trouble, I know you can beat this! Think of it as God giving you a health challenge that you have the power to do something about. I'm glad you told us about it, so we can help you through. I would make one suggestion, though- don't just tell us- tell everyone you're around- friends, family, church members, etc.. You do so much for others, now it is not only time to do something for yourself, but to let others help you be strong and take care of yourself. I know how hard that is when you are such a giving person. Let your friends know what the doctor said, and enlist their help. Ask them to make their times with you that involve food healthy times. Get friends to walk with you, or go to water aerobics with you, or just enlist their help when the munchies hit! This isn't about wanting to lose weight for vanity's sake- it's about your life, and there's no shame in asking for help and leaning a little on others the way they always lean on you! All of us in this group have said to you that we wish you would spend more time doing things for Joyce- now's the time to really do it! You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself first. I too wish we were near each other so I could give you a huge hug and let you know how important you are to me, even though we have never met. Have a wonderful Christmas, and enjoy seeing all your family! Can't wait to hear all about it.
Carol