Hi, tortoises. Lin suggested I start a new thread, since the other one is getting long and she needs to stay off the phone right now. So here's her turtle tale:
Here it is - Lin's "official" version of the fable:
The Hare and the Tortoise
A hare met a tortoise one day and made fun of him for the slow and clumsy way in which he walked.
The tortoise laughed and said, "I will run a race with you any time that you choose."
"Very well," replied the hare, "we will start at once."
The tortoise immediately set off in his slow and steady way without waiting a moment or looking back. The hare, on the other hand, treated the matter as a joke and decided to take a little nap before starting, for she thought that it would be an easy matter to overtake her rival.
The tortoise plodded on, and meanwhile the hare overslept herself, with the result that she arrived at the winning-post only to see that the tortoise had got in before her.
Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.
This comes from a book handed down from my grandmother to my mother to me. The book is so old it doesn't have a copyright date or an author/editor's credit.
That fable has been the motivation for us turtles for about two years. Someone on the ancient WW forum mentioned the fable and I discovered it was very motivational for me. I talked about it in posts and other people said that the tortoise philosophy worked for them, too. So, I started a thread for us turtle types.
We work toward accepting that our bodies have a natural speed of weight loss when we choose to live a healthy life, instead of "going on a diet". Many of us have experienced "the diets" as go on/lose weight-- go off/ gain the weight plus more back.
We choose to perservere with each choice we make throughout the day. We believe that choosing to be slow, steady turtles helps us to learn the skills we need to learn in order to not only lose the weight, but keep it off and become the healthiest people we can be.
So, welcome to all who realize that losing and maintaining a weight loss is a lifestyle change. And who want support as we all learn the skills we need to successfully make the changes that will allow us to reach our goals.
Lin, we won't stop praying. I can only imagine what you're going through. Wish I could give you a real hug.
Erin, good for you getting through a half class of spinning after so long away! I know how tough that is. It's been a whole week since I got any exercise thanks to that bronchitis, so today I took it easy and did a Leslie Sansone 3-mile walk tape. (Which isn't 3 miles by a long shot, but hey.) We'll get back up to speed eventually; just hang in there. As for your food -- here's my unsolicited advice: eat what you need right now. Keep it healthy, but don't sweat the points. Personally, I think eating just 17 points in one day is a bad idea and sets you up for overeating later on. Eating a bit over your maximum this week is probably what your body needs, especially since you ate so little last week. But do what you think best.
Judy, WOO-HOO on that loss!! What a great kick in the butt that must've been! I'm so glad. I like your leader's comment -- what's in it for you? I'll keep that one in mind while I go up north this weekend.
We leave today and won't return until late Sunday. I can't wait. Tonight we're eating at one of those amazing restaurants, and I'm so glad I can taste food again after this cold!
I've eaten very well, toward the middle and bottom of my range, but my weight is still up. I've decided it must be hormones and if I just stick with it, it'll pass. I'm still in the 180s -- by the skin of my teeth! Actually, I'll bet the lack of exercise this past week has had an effect, too.
Have a great weekend, everyone -- it's finally spring here, and I'm thrilled. Hope your weather is as nice. And Lin, you and your family will remain in my daily prayers, no matter where we go.
Oh Lin, my heart goes out to you. Don't forget to take care of yourself, please do whatever you need to do. It is not being selfish to nurture yourself.
Judty, congrats on your loss! Your dedication is paying off--you've found what works for you.
Lauren, oh, I didn't have 17 points, I just had 17 points already planned*. Right now my body seems to be desperately trying to find its balance again--yesterday all I wanted was vegetables. The day before that I was stuck on carbs, the beginning of the week I was craving sweets...my body seems to still be confused. So, I'm trying to give it a balanced version of what it wants, and we'll see what happens.
In theory I have a Spinning class tonight, but I'm up early (4:30) to review for two tests I have today so we'll have to see how I'm doing later. I can come home from school and nap, which is a good thing.
I've just about accepted that I'm most likely going to fail Physics. There's 3 more tests (last 4 weeks of the semester) and I can't short my other classes to focus on Physics. I'm getting As and Bs in my other classes, and I don't want to let those slip just to MAYBE pass Physics. SDSU has a system called "forgiveness": if you fail a class, you can take it again and have the original grade stricken from your record. You only get three forgivenesses, but I think this one's called for. Hopefully, next semester this Physics will be taught by a different instructor. I'm not going to just give up--that's why I'm up at 4:30 in the morning to review before the test--but I'm not going to abuse myself if I fail, either.
Have a good day, Turtles, I have to get to campus.
Lauren,
Thanks for starting a new thread. Enjoy yourself and your neat vacation.
Mousie,
You're smart not to give up on Physics. Maybe you can pull it through. Does your college have a free tutoring service? Maybe a session or two will help. Your other grades are fabulous. good for you!
Lin,
There's nothing I can say except that you know we're all praying for you and your family. This is a very sad time.
Thanks for all of your support. The funeral will be on Monday. Tuesday I start sending out resumes for Paul. His company laid off 8 people yesterday. That's almost 20% of the workforce. His job is only in jeopardy if the whole company goes under because no one else knows how to do it. But, he wants to start looking and I'm going to push him to do so. I don't want to have to go apply for welfare again!! That was the worst. I feel like there's been a black cloud over us since we moved here.
On the up side, I surfed the local job market. It's picked up since I last looked. There are jobs I could apply for that don't require an applicant to be bilingual, so I may start job hunting. I hate that process, but I must do what I must do. We so desperately need more than one income.
I'm not giving up on the book, though. I'll write at night and on the weekends, if I have to. I certainly don't want any of the jobs I found to be my whole life. They're just "extra money in the bank" jobs, not exciting careers.
Lauren, I hope your trip is splendid. Have a great weekend off traveling. I envy you a little. We had planned to take our ds back from Spring Break on Saturday and just have a play day. We haven't done that in a long time. Maybe next month we'll be able to do that. But, we're taking him back on Monday instead.
Erin, it sounds like you have a great plan for dealing with Physics. Most schools will allow you to retake classes that you did poorly in. I know it's hard for a smart cookie like you to fail, but maybe you'll find that what you learned by studying so hard this time will help you next time and you'll end up with an A or B instead of a barely passing grade.
You have a great plan for dealing with your food, too. I think you'll find that about a week to a week and a half after you were sick, your body will get back to it's normal self.
Judy, thanks! I hope you will have time later to write a post and tell us how you're doing.
Talk to you all later.
Have a great day, a great weekend, and happy turtlin!
Lin,
God bless you and your family. I'm so sorry about your brother.
This is very sad.
Lin
Glad you're being pro-active about your husband's job and also glad that there seem to be some job possibilities for you at this time. It might make a big difference as far as money to work outside the home for awhile and that can lighten a lot of stress.
As far as food, remember why we're called turtles and do your best.
All,
After my WI I've been having a few setbacks. There has to be something about me and success that doesn't jive. There must be a thread that says I don't deserve to lose weight. I counted points and journaled on Wed. Counted and journaled and used banked points on Thursday, and didn't count yesterday and went bonkers.
Today I'm back on track with journaling. I'll pick up some good food for myself while I'm out today and I'll work this through.
Everybody have a good weekend.
Love to you all.
Judy
219/217.6/lower
Judy, I'm sorry you've been having more setbacks. Your post seems to be saying that you think that after a success, you sabotage yourself out of further successes. Have you thought about doing some journaling on that subject? Maybe, buried in your brain, is something that is telling you that you "don't deserve success" in this area and if you can figure out what that is, you could figure out how to stop that obviously false message from wrecking your efforts to gain a goal that's important to you.
I'm hanging in there. I haven't skipped one day of writing in my journal and getting stickers for that, even if I'm not following the program exactly the way I planned to. I know that when I'm ready, having that journal up to date will help me get back OP quickly. That's the best I can do right now.
I am, at the moment, afraid of my scale. Well, afraid to step on the scale, I'm not quite yet at the "nightmares about being stalked by a scale" stage. Anyway, this last week has been a rough one. Any gain I show right now is going to be elevated because of this. So. I chose to skip weighing this morning--seeing a gain would knock me off track. I've written another contract for the week, though, and I'm still planning to do 210 points for the week. I'm working toward 3 hours of exercise with at least 1 full hour of Spinning (still have a rattle-y cough), water, and vegetables at least once a day. Last night I made a thick veggie soup (Lin, I read your recipe on the other thread, and it's almost EXACTLY the same as mine. Does the orzo get mushy? I hate mushy pasta) and I've just had a big bowl of that. Yummy.
So anyway. Next week I'm at 5 weeks of the Total For the Week method, and we'll see what the cumulative total is then. And, I'll have 10 weeks until my summer goal. Whee, next week should be fun.
I also have 4 tests next week, bleh. At the end of the semester every prof decides there haven't been enough tests...so let's all add more!
Erin, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. Next week will be better, I'm sure.
As a well-bred Italian-American princess, I don't like mushy pasta, either. When I first make the soup, the pasta is nice and al dente. But after a night in the fridge, it gets large and soft. The thing is though, the soup gets thicker and more satisfying so I sometimes make it in advance just to get the pasta that way. So, I guess for every rule, there is an exception. If you don't mind spending an extra point or two, you could substitute rice, which doesn't get mushy.
I'm doing as well as I can. Tomorrow is the funeral and we will be in San Jose all day. I probably won't be able to post again until Tuesday. Talk to you all then.
Lin, while I was driving to work on Thursday morning, I was strongly prompted to pray for your brother and your family. So I held him especially in my prayers at that time. I haven't stopped praying; I know what a hard time this must be for all of you.
Judy, sounds like you're hitting on some interesting stuff. Do you journal? Does that help you? I have a little card in my WW bag that says "IWI." It means "It's worth it." Maybe you need one that says "I'M worth it."
Erin, yikes. I feel for you on the Physics. Sounds like you've got a good attitude about it.
Our trip away was wonderful, very relaxing and enjoyable. I ate WAY too much and didn't exercise enough, so my weight is up. That's what happens when I stop journaling. The woman who took care of our cats double-fed them while we were away, so they're fatter too. We're all back on the wagon today.
Ah, Turtles, gray and rainy here today--isn't that just like a monday?
But, I have good news. I finished the whole hour of my Spinning class! I'm very glad to be back, although I'm definitely not as powerful as I was. It's amazing, you get into this mindset where you "need to push harder" (or at least, I do, when I'm exercising) and then something happens and you come back weaker--and you realize how hard you were already pushing! Kelly was understanding and encouraging, and everyone in the class asked how I was doing, how I was feeling, that sort of thing. It's nice to feel like you belong.
Planning a low day today, to try to balance out an unintentionally high day yesterday. Lots of protein and veggies today, and already planned a lot of comfort foods. This is a good thing, considering the weather.
I have a test this afternoon in Physiology, then I'm done for the day. Test tomorrow in Philosophy, though, so I'm not done studying*. Then a test in African-American History and a second test in Philosophy. End of semester is SO not fun. I've planned to take 3 classes at summer session, and yesterday realized to my dismay that I have one more class I have to have that unlocks another class--and that other class is a prereq for EVERY SINGLE OTHER CLASS I NEED. I'm going to go talk to the prof and see if I can possibly take the 2 prereq classes consecutively--if not, I'm at school for another semester.
I must go get myself cleaned up after class, Turtles. Lin, I'm thinking about you all day today and sending any good karma your way.
Lin,
I'm sending you good vibes. Thanks for the tips about journaling.
I need to make time to put myself first and I'm struggling with that. I've been so tired lately that I'm rethinking my working goals and may retire sooner than I thought.
Lauren,
I am so glad your vacation was wonderful. You know what else is great? The fact that you're not beating yourself up over eating higher points over the weekend. How smart of you. I like your tip about "I'm worth it." Thanks.
Mousie,
Keep on keepin' on with your exams. You're getting there and almost through for the semester. Accolades for getting through your spinning class. That's tops and I know each time should be easier for you to tackle.
Ate a little higher over the weekend than I wanted. Had a good day today, but higher points again. I think I'm hungry and tired and too busy and that doesn't add up to anything too good.
I do keep journaling for points and I know that helps. I'm just disappointed that my points are running so high.
Take care and keep on keepin' on.
Love,
Judy
219/217.6/lower
I can't thank you enough for all of your continuing support as, yet again, my life faces major changes. Thanks!!
Lauren, I love your attitude of acceptance of the choices you made and that you enjoyed yourself. Now, it's back to the regular routine. That's the way naturally slim people act, so you're well on your way to everlasting slimness. Congratulations!
Erin, congratulations on making it through your spinning class. Your strength will return as your body heals.
I hope your professor OKs your plan with regard to your prerequisites. I know that when I was in school, the prerequisites added a quarter or two to the lenght of time I needed to get the degree, but they were all worth taking.
Judy, your journaling will help. I've found that after a few days of writing and looking at higher points than I want to eat, I start to get back into control because I get tired of writing those extra things down. I know that you will get to your goal. You're just in a phase of discovery about what works best for you, long-term. You'll figure it out.
I'm doing OK. It was really great to see people I hadn't seen in years, including a lot of my relatives who no longer live in this area. However, it certainly was discouraging to see that my genes are fighting me every step of the way regarding my efforts to lose weight. Few of the women in my family have been able to maintain a normal weight as they've aged. There are only two-my mother and one of the daughters of one of my cousins, if that makes sense. The rest of us look like overly plump, little Italian mamas. I know it's a stereotype, but it's the best way to describe us.
That tells me that I'm going to have to work extra hard if I want to be successful. It also tells me that just maintaining the loss I've maintained for the past couple of years is a huge success. So, I'm not discouraged. I've just learned a little more about what I'm up against.
I'm slowly getting back into my point range. The weekend was a lot of hit and miss. Some meals were right in the range I usually eat and others were way over. I wasn't really in my top mental form over the weekend and I did the best I could.
Today, I'm finding it difficult to get back to my regular routine. I know it will take time and I'm doing my best to deal with it all. So, I'll keep you posted and my current goal is to work my way back into my regular eating and exercise routine. I did get a walk in this morning and yesterday, which helped a lot.
Erin, way to go getting through a whole hour of spinning again! That's great. It must feel wonderful.
Judy, good for you continuing to journal, even with the high points. Yup, journaling will show you your high points in black and white, and it DOES get discouraging. So how do we react to discouragement? Do we say "Uncle" and fall into a pity party and eat the house? Or do we let it motivate us and say "I'm not going to take this lying down!"? This past weekend, I didn't journal. But when I got home, I wrote down everything I ate -- I post-journaled, I guess. It was pretty sobering -- one day was in the 40+ point range. And it wasn't even the day I *thought* would've proved the highest. For me, I found it motivating to get back on the wagon and get those points back down. Thankfully, a couple of days of healthy eating have taken off the 1.5 pounds I'd gained. This DOES work if we stick with it! You can do it.
Lin, what an interesting observation about your family. Are the men heavy too? My family is mixed. Interestingly, the fatter members on my dad's side are now dead; the thinner ones are still alive. There's motivation in a nuthsell. Good for you, writing it down and just doing the best you can right now. And a BIG good for you for recognizing how great it is that you've maintained your loss.
I'm doing well on the program; having some personal problems that are causing me a fair amount of anxiety. We'll work through them, but this is tough.
Also, last night two strange cats had a cat fight in our back yard, and Chloe -- who was watching from the kitchen -- went ballistic and attacked Snickers, who had wandered in to see what was going on. We separated them and put Chloe away for the night (which we always do anyway), but both cats were seriously freaked out. Even this morning, it has taken them a while to get back to normal. Those of you with cat experience, how have you handled this kind of thing? Chloe has never reacted that way before.
Well, best get to work. Temps in the 80s again today and low humidity. Someone said yesterday "This feels like California!" I must say, if that's typical for California, WHAT am I doing in Michigan??
Turtle Club #61
So here's her turtle tale:
What a great kick in the butt that must've been! I'm so glad. I like your leader's comment -- what's in it for you? I'll keep that one in mind while I go up north this weekend.
I'm very glad to be back, although I'm definitely not as powerful as I was. It's amazing, you get into this mindset where you "need to push harder" (or at least, I do, when I'm exercising) and then something happens and you come back weaker--and you realize how hard you were already pushing! Kelly was understanding and encouraging, and everyone in the class asked how I was doing, how I was feeling, that sort of thing. It's nice to feel like you belong. 
