Woo-hoo, Kimmers, on the 9.5 pounds! Wow! And good for you on the healthy shopping, too. I hear you on that perfectionism thing, and I think it's the single biggest reason I gained all my weight back in the past. Like you, I was all or nothing -- with a vengeance! I lost a ton of weight in one year -- around 100 pounds -- on the incredibly restrictive Diet Center program (couldn't even eat tomatoes) because I was letter-perfect. Then, when I hit goal weight (which was the awfully low 124 pounds), I said "Cool, I'm done!" and went right back to eating the way I used to. No moderation for me.

This time, I'm all about moderation. So I'm losing slowly, and when I gain, I gain slowly. I don't know why I finally seem to be able to do this, but I'm glad, even though it means I'm a tortoise. Even though I have months like this one, where I've lost nada.

Judy, excellent work on that treadmill. Running! Wow.

So last night I averaged my points and my exercise for the month, and this is what I discovered: My average points per day was 30. This is one point over my maximum if I don't exercise. My exercise average was almost 19 minutes per day, or one minute less than what WW recommends.

I found that very interesting. It means, at least in part, that by eating my exercise points, I maintain my weight rather than lose. It's possible that that would've been different if I'd eaten meat and dairy.

I was surprised by the 30 points per day, because the vast majority of my days I'm at 29 or under. But I had enough over-point days that it bumped my average up into a zone that's too high. So I obviously need to take those over-point days more seriously.

Now for the good news: I lost an entire inch off my waist! And almost another inch off my abdomen. (Those are my two biggest problem areas.) Also a half inch off my upper arms and neck. Wow! Just for grins, I took the measuring tape and extended it to my largest recorded measurements and held it around me. It was a dramatic reminder of how far I've come. I strongly recommend it when you need a pick-me-up.

That's my news; sorry to go on for so long.

Oh, it finally really feels like spring here. And I LOVE daylight savings time!

Onward and downward,

Lauren

Hi, Turtles,

Lauren, I'm really glad to hear that your exercise program is working out so well. (Hmmm... I didn't intend that pun, but I'm not taking it out. It's got to be at least a two groaner! ) Congrats on the lost inches! The pounds will surely follow.

It's also interesting to me to hear that it took about three months for exercise to become a habit that you look forward to. I guess I've never stuck it out long enough. I planned to set an exercise goal starting this month, now that I'm back on track with the rest of the program.

I think it's also really great that you've written down the pizza and Chinese and estimated the points. I know that for you, that really helps. It does for me, too.

I envy you your bookstore date. Paul and I used to do that. It was easy because there was a bookstore with lots of comfy chairs and a coffe place right across the street. And if we wanted a change, there were two more within a five or ten minute drive. Here, we have two small bookstores with no chairs and the same, limited stock.

Kimmers, first, congrats on the large loss. You're on your way, again.

I know that perfectionist mentality very well. I used to copy lists over if I made a mistake. I got tired of wasting time on being that picky, so I decided to work on learning how to do the best job that was appropriate for the occasion. Now, after many years of practice, I cross out the mistakes on the list, but I still take a great deal of care in the kitchen. The important thing is to learn to stop and think about those little choices. When I slip, I learned to think of it as a learning experience instead of proof that I'm a complete failure who will never get there. Then, I learned to step back and look at the experience, learn from it and move on. That way of thinking isolates that one slip, which helps to keep it from becoming a pattern. I don't think any of us every learn to do anything perfectly, but we can do better, once we figure out what gets us moving in the right direction.

Why do you say that wearing a swimsuit means you're in denial? It's only because our culture says that only people who are the "right" weight should wear one that you think that you shouldn't. If we take that idea to it's logical conclusion, 90% of the population would never go swimming or to the beach, since at least that many people don't look like the ideal. Wow! We could take advantage of uncrowded beaches. Wouldn't that be great? Anyway, I believe in the attitude that we're more successful with our weight loss goals if we don't "wait until we're thin" to do anything that is within our physical abilities. I'd definitely go swimming, but not try to run a marathon or dance en pointe!

Judy, that mall turned out to be a corner with four separate sets of stores. It's all strung out. You can really walk your feet off. There were five (five!) china outlet stores. I was in heaven! There were at least four kitchen stores. But mostly there were the usual clothing and shoe stores. There's a Bose outlet store, which is Paul's favorite.

I finally did my official weigh-in. I'm really turtlin'. One pound for the month of March. PMS really did me in, but I'll get that worked out, somehow.

Now, I have to get through this day. I'm afraid that Paul and I are going to have a major disagreement this evening and I'm feeling a bit stressed about it. There's an art store opening in the mall closest to our apartment and he wants me to apply for a job. I have so much retail experience that he's sure I can get one. I started temping to get out of retail. I was tired of putting up with all of the bad things about retail for such low pay and no respect. Then I went back to school to get out of temping. So, we moved and I had to drop out of school. So, I signed up at the temp agency. They haven't had any work for me. Now, Paul wants me to check out retail work again. I'm going backwards. I feel like my whole life has spun totally out of my control and someone is pressuring me to choose the life from Hades!

There are only two positive things about the idea. The work is in Salinas, close enough for me to walk during the hours Paul has the car. And it will bring in some extra money, the amount depending on whether or not they have management positions open.

I keep wondering if maybe the problem is my attitude. Most of the people I know think that I need to grow up and just do whatever it takes to get by. Take any job I can get because Paul's at the top of his salary range and it's not enough to live on in this area. Accept that my family will not do very much of the housework or any other chores and if that means that I spend most of my time working, either outside of the home or inside, welcome to reality.

I really feel sick inside at the thought of giving up every dream I've ever had because grownups in my situation have to do that. Paul keeps saying that most people don't get to do what they want. I keep pointing out that he likes the work he does, even if it wasn't his first choice of careers. And I tell him that I'd be happy to take a second choice, if it didn't have to be one I absolutely hate! That's why I went back to school-- to have a choice I could live with. He says I just have to get over it and do what I have to do.

I suppose I'll end up doing the "grownup" thing. I always do. But I resent it like crazy because it seems as if I get to be the grownup and everyone else gets to have a life. They do their school or job and come home and expect to have time off. Right now they do dishes and some chores on Saturday morning cleanup. But when I'm working, especially when I've worked retail with it's nights, weekends, and holiday schedules, plus the fact that the schedule changes every week, they don't do even that much because I'm not here to nag them. My guys won't do housework on their own unless they're hungry and need a dish to eat off of. So, I end up doing more at home chores when I'm working outside of the home than I do when I'm not. Is it any wonder that I don't want to do this? I don't know what will happen, but I'll let you all know.

Despite it all, I'm determined to stay OP today. So far, so good.

Well, I've got to go. You're so great to listen to my stuff. Writing to you does help keep me from some of the stress eating. It gets some of the stress out of my system. I'll keep you posted.

Happy turtlin'!

Lin
272/229/lower

So my first thought is -- who are these people who are telling you this? Would it be your mother, by any chance? Anybody other than family? Seems to me you mentioned before that your mom thought the man was king (including sons), and it was a woman's job to just make nice. Is that where this is coming from?

It seems to me you could work this out with some ground rules. In other words, you'll take the retail job if:

1. You keep your name with the temp agencies, and if something with potential comes along, you'll dump the retail job and take the temp work. Even if it means leaving two weeks after starting the retail job.

2. Work at home gets spread out among other family members in some specifically defined manner. If someone doesn't hold up his end of the stick, that work just doesn't get done, or something else gives. If that means nobody has clean socks to wear, then so be it. This would also mean you'd have to be willing to live with those consequences (i.e., ignore the dirty laundry piling up on the floor). Maybe you could limit the amount of time per day that you'll spend on home chores, and whatever doesn't get done during that time just doesn't get done.

I think it's worth noting again that Paul could make enough in other parts of the country for you guys to live better than you do in California. Engineers, even without college education, own houses, put their kids through college, and have a decent standard of living. They did it where I lived in Virginia, and they do it here in Michigan. I'm saying this because not only is Paul doing what he wants, he's doing it in an area that pretty much prevents you from doing what you want. From where I'm sitting, you guys have made a lot of sacrifices for Paul to have his career in the second-most expensive state in the country.

The people we bought our house from were a case in point. They decided to pull their kids out of school and sell a house they loved in a place they loved so that they could relocate to South Carolina. Why? Because the standard of living was cheap enough to enable her to stay home and raise the kids, which was important because the kids were having some problems. She couldn't do that if they remained where they were.

It's also worth noting that a setback doesn't mean giving up your dream forever. But I can also imagine how incredibly frustrating and depressing it would be to have to take these steps backward when you were progressing toward what you really wanted.

Anyway, congratulations on sticking with making yourself healthier in spite of all the setbacks and disappointments. If worse comes to worst, maybe you could at least set a time limit on how long you'll work in retail (until, say, your youngest son turns 18), after which you'll pursue your dreams come what may.

Hang in there, Lin. We're rooting for you.

--Lauren

Hi, Turtles,

Thanks, Lauren for the thoughtful response! You're right in guessing that my mom is one of the main proponents of that women make the sacrifices attitude. Of course, she comes by that honestly. My grandmother gave up her dreams because her father didn't believe in educating women. She wanted to go to college. She also wanted to be a singer, and boy did she have the voice for it! She gave it all up because in the 1920's the idea of women doing what they wanted was too new for her with her tradidional Italian background. She didn't have the resources to follow her dream. My mother, OTOH, claims that she never had any dreams other than getting married. Since she thinks daughters are just extensions of their mothers, she still doesn't understand how I can have dreams that are different from her traditional one.

After Paul and I talked we decided that I'm not going to do the retail thing right now. I haven't said I'll never do it again, but I'm not unless we're really desperate. Paul said that he really does understand why I don't want to do it. He doesn't really want me to because it really disrupts family life for so little gain, financially and the long hours on my feet are really hard for me. He doesn't really want me to commute to SJ for temp work, either. But things are really tight. We're surviving, but we'll be in trouble if the car breaks down or anything major happens. All of our money went to pay for this move and there hasn't been much to put aside for future emergencies yet. I do understand why he feels the way he does, but for now, we just have to do the best we can.

Paul and I have discussed moving away from California after Chris graduates. I don't want to make him change schools again. Acutally, we have our fingers crossed that we can do two things--cash in his IPO and have enough left over after taxes to outright buy a house elsewhere. And two, that we can find work to cover the regular living expenses and property taxes. It's just getting through the next couple of years until he's vested in the stock. Of course, the given is that their IPO does well and the stock market picks up again. They put off their IPO because the market is in such a slump right now.

I don't know if that will happen, but for now, I'm writing. I've decided to work on a humorous novel that's been kicking around in my head for a long time. I need to laugh. I'm also thinking about writing some short stories so I can start racking up some rejection notices, or, maybe even a check or two. I have a writer friend who won a car in a contest. She has a master's in music and used her talent to write the book and music for a children's Christmas program. It's terrific and I hope she can find a publisher.

I'm still OP, despite my stressed out day yesterday. I decided to let the tears fly instead of eat. I've never been a weepy female, but lately, I just cry. It keeps me from eating.

One last thing--Lauren, how did you do the quote? I haven't been able to figure that out.

Anyway, I'm feeling much better about how my life is going. Now I have to go do some research for my book.

Happy turtlin'!

Lin
272/229/lower

Hi, Turtles,

I'm OP so far this week. I've also been consistent with the milk and calcium supplements. I feel really good about that because I do find it hard to do. I've been writing down which meals I take the vitamin, have a milk serving, or take a calcium supplement so that I don't get too much. The thing is, I forgot there was as much calcium in my vitamin as in a serving of milk. It took me a couple of days to realize that and start counting that correctly.

I'm doing fine otherwise. Things are much better. I suspect that my moods and emotional issues will continue to ebb and flow over time. But I also expect my natural optimism to prevail. When I start feeling helpless, hopeless, despairing, or depressed, I eventually seem to get disgusted with the self-pity and figure out something else to do. I often wish I could skip the uncomfortable emotional roller coaster and get on with my life. But that's unrealistic, so I'll settle for skipping the stress eating and learn how to deal with the rest.

I hope all of you are doing OK. Have a great day!. Happy turtlin'!

Lin
272/229/lower

Hello, tortoise beings.

Lin, I'm glad you and your husband worked out the retail issue. My mom worked retail for years, and it really is a tough row to hoe for most people. The hours are just awful. I've worked retail jobs, and I'm not cut out for working with the public!

About the quote thing. Look at the post you want to respond to. At the top right corner is a string of small type. One of the words is "quote." Click that, and voila. I did some cutting and pasting of meta tags so I could quote parts of your post, but you'll figure that out quickly.

I'm OP, averaging about 27 points a day so far this week. I've worked out three times, so I should easily meet my goal of four to five times. The scale went up a half pound this week, and I'm ignoring it, so I didn't post a new weight. :P My clothes are fitting better, and people are commenting about my loss, so I'm obviously doing something right, even if the scale doesn't move.

Next week will be a challenge. I'm going to be in Houston for three days on business, and then next Saturday night is our church's major Easter celebration, including a MASSIVE potluck meal at around 2 a.m. This is followed on Sunday by lots more food at people's houses. I don't count points on Easter; it seems counter-productive considering what we're celebrating. I just try to eat modest portions and not go nuts. But unless I'm very careful while in Houston, next week could be a bit of a blowout. At least the hotel has a great exercise room. I plan to use the treadmill.

Hope everyone is doing well. I miss Beth.

--Lauren

DEar Turtles,
I've been reading the posts religiously, but things have gotten crazy again and I haven't had time to write.
One thing I have noticed is that we are all analyzing how and why we eat, what we can do to change past practices that didn't work, and what we are happy with now. I don't hear a desperation that can be debilitating. I hear us losing weight at our own paces and figuring out how to be successful.
Lin and Lauren, you've got so much going on now. I wish you both the very best. Kimmers, so glad you're here and I'm looking forward to your next post.
I'm taking time to exercise and that's cutting into my computer time. I know it's for the best. I WI on Wednesday and this week I lost two of the three pounds I had put on over the last few weeks. That's a very good thing. So, it's onward and upward. My next step is to have a real weight loss, feel like I deserve it , and hold onto it.
I'll write more soon.
Good luck to us all.
Judy

234/207/thinner

Hi, Turtles,

Lauren, thanks. I knew that I'd seen that "quote" thing, but when I was trying to quote something once, I couldn't find it. I realized why. It's not there in the reply screen. I know how to get back to the regular screen so that I can quote stuff if I want to, but it does seem a bit illogical not to put a quote on the screen where you write your replies.

I'm so glad to hear that things are going well with the program and your clothes fitting better and . . . I doubt the scale is an indicator of anything for you right now. I remember that last year you didn't count points on Easter, either. I think it's a wise thing to do. It relieves some of the stress that could cause more problems when you recognize that this is a specific occasion that is not going to fit into the "rules".

The biggest challenge in Houston will be sticking to the no meat Lenten plan, rather than staying OP, I think. Restaurants are notorious for being difficult with regard to vegetarian meals. Texas, I understand, is especially difficult. Perhaps you could take a trip to the grocery store for some fruit and other things to help you stay closer to your points and your Lenten meal plan.

I miss Beth, too, Lauren. I hope she's one of the lurkers. If not, I hope she knows we're thinking of her. I think of many of the turltes we don't hear from anymore. Diana, for example. I hope they're all doing well.

Judy, your observation is really appropriate for me today. I really had a hard time last night. I ate way too many points at dinner and bedtime. I realized that I had eaten at the low end of my range yesterday. And that was a mistake. I need to eat between the middle and the high end. I shouldn't bank more than about 3 points in a day. If I do, I get really ravenous and overeat at night. If I don't, I never get hungry or eat after dinner. (Not even during PMS/TOM!) Lesson learned. And today I'm just eating in the point range I usually spend on each meal, even if it goes over the total for the day. If I try to eat lightly to make up the points, I'll just end up doing the same thing all over again. That's not a cycle I want to get inot. I guess in this instance, it's not the total point count that puts me back OP, but the balance of foods I choose over the course of the day.

We understand that you need exercise, Judy, and that you may not be able to write as much because you have to balance your computer time with your exercise. Go, go, go! You'll get your real weight loss. And you do deserve it.

Actually we all will and we all deserve it. We're doing so much to get there.

But I have been thinking about something lately. I realized that the fun seems to have disappeared. There can be fun and joy in this and in the other things we do. I decided to take the word "goal" out of my vocabulary for a while. I want to substitute "dreams". I think the words we use can really make a difference in our attitude. I'm looking at the words I use. I want to move toward using words that remind me that life isn't just a series of chores. For example, WW is not really a chore. Parts of it are tedious, like writing everything down. But the whole thing is really a game. A puzzle. How can I fit the pieces together so I can reach my dream? Anyway, I think if I can be successful in changing the words and the attitude, it will be easier to stay motivated since I know that it will take me at least one more year, maybe two, just to reach a comfortable goal weight. Then I need a reason to keep doing this so I will stay there. Thinking of it as a game may be one way to do that.

I realized I need to approach exercise like that, too. The best exercise is play. I used to exercise a lot when I was a child. I skated. I rode my bike. I simply walked around the neighborhood, usually daydreaming or reading a book. Sometimes I'd walk to the local shopping center or to church, just because I like walking. When I took dance I used to put on the records and practice because it was fun. I didn't think of these things as exercise. They were play. If I can find that feeling when I do "exercises", I will stick with it. I used to go skating once a week when we lived in Modesto. They had a weekly "coffee hour" skating time for adults only. It was terrific. I ablsoutely loved it and my kids couldn't believe how fast I could skate. I never missed it because I really enjoyed myself. It was a treat. The same thing with tap dance classes. Somehow, I have to get back to doing exercise stuff that is fun, playful. Then I'll be able to stick with it.

I'm still working out the details of this. What elements do games have that we could apply to WW? Anyone have any suggestions? Do you all want to come out and play today?

Happy turtlin'!

Lin
272/229/lower

Dear Turtles,

Just browsing by and was intrigued by the title of your thread. You have no idea how very encouraging your postings are! I have been trying for 18 months to conquer the mental part of changing my eating habits, because I've found when my head is in the right place, I have an easier time of staying OP. I've tried to re-define success so that it doesn't depend on the scales, but rather on small victories that reflect changes in my attitude towards emotions, life, food and eating. Nonetheless, there is a part of me that admittedly would like to lose the 2 pounds per week, which I am not, and so I often need a reminder that the journey itself is as important as the end result. Hooray for the turtles! I often feel alone as I strive to meet my mental goals because many people around me caught up in the diet mentality. Thank you all for your willingness to promote the slow and steady approach, and for openly modeling the attitudes I would like to make a permanent part of my life.

Annie
290/210/150-ish

hi
Wow, there's so much to reply to. I love the way you all think and express yourselves. Lots of good mental activitiy going on here. Does WW have a slider for mental activity points? If so, we'd all have lots of points to fool around with. LOL.
Lin,
I love the ideas of dreams and enlightened attitude. I was going to say positive attitude and all of a sudden that sounded so dreary. Yes, life should be fun and playful. And this is our journey--our life. How we spend it is up to us and how we respond to the things swirling around us. So, I'm with you--my aim is to fulfill dreams, sometimes to even wonder what dreams I have, as I keep my weight loss uppermost in my thoughts. Dreams can keep us upbeat and content as we do the right thing.
I'm jealous of your California weather. Aren't you lucky?
I am so glad you and your husband worked out the retail situation and that you've decided to write. Good luck.
Lauren,
Isn't it rewarding when other people notice and comment on how you're looking better? They don't see the numbers on the scale and simply are aware of how you look. Terrific inspiration. Weigh to go! Those inches lost are terrific.
Good luck in Houston. I'm sure you'll figure out a way to stay OP. Most hotels have fresh fruit even if it's not on the menu. As far as protein, maybe you can bring garbanzo beans in your suitcase or something like that.
You are very busy and you've had a great overall weight loss, so this is a challenge you're up to. Having an exercise room in the hotel is a help too.
AnnieV,
Glad you saw us and posted. I find that the women who post here are so thoughtful and understanding and they still know how important it is to keep on losing weight at their own pace. Keep coming back here. We'd love to hear from you. And good luck on your weight loss. It's fabulous so far.
I've got some challenges coming up because I am lucky enough to be on vacation this week. A lot of the time will be eaten up with family visits, but that's one of the things I like to do, so I'm not complaining. I'm traveling to a seder today and then next Sunday I'm having Easter here.
I just got a call from my son, so I'm going to sign off now. Everyone take care. Have great holidays and do what you know you want to do!
Judy
234/207/thinner

Welcome, Annie! Wonderful to meet you. I know what you mean about feeling alone on this journey sometimes; the diet mentality is pervasive. I'm also very grateful for this little group of turtles, where I can return and get a sanity check.

I heard a wonderful quotation yesterday: "If you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING." I applied that to my previous weight-loss attempts. What I've done in the past has not worked for long-term, permanent weight loss (obviously), so why would I keep trying to do the same thing again and again? Trying to lose weight as quickly as possible has not worked for me in the past. I got the weight off all right, but I didn't learn the lessons, and I didn't keep it off.

This time has to be different. And it has been. In one month, I'll have been doing this for three years, the longest I've ever stuck with a new approach to eating. I've learned so much during those three years. I can only imagine what the next three will bring. They may not bring me to 145 pounds, or whatever WW says I should be. But I hope they'll bring me to more wisdom and to more success on this journey.

Judy, hope you have a marvelous vacation! We'll be thinking of you. And way to go on doing the exercise.

Lin, I love what you said about bringing the fun back. What a wonderful insight. I think one of the main reasons I've been sticking with the exercise this time is because I'm finding it fun doing these different video workouts, jumbling them up, learning new steps, moving to music. I'm looking forward to being able to get some of the dance videos down in particular. I think I'll pay attention to whether I still find this approach fun in the coming months, or whether I'll need to shake things up and try new activities. Once I'm more fit, I may take fencing!

As for making the eating fun ... that's more of a challenge for me because I generally don't care for cooking. I tend to get in a rut with my eating. I need to look at that and figure out new ideas.

Well, I weighed in today in part because I'll be out of town next week and also in part because I tend to weigh less on Saturdays because I get up later! I think I'll move my regular weigh-in to Saturday. Today the scales showed that I dropped a pound, which means I finally hit that 60-pound mark. I told myself when I hit that mark, I would take a long soak in the tub with mineral salts. So that's what I'm going to do this weekend. And I'll bring reading material, too.

I also went clothes shopping last night for the first time in a while. (I need summer business casual clothes for this business trip next week. Everything I have is either too casual -- I wear jeans to work usually -- or too dressy and/or hot.) It was interesting. I discovered that I fit pretty easily into a size 20 now everywhere, and probably an 18 in stretchy things. I'm on the cusp between a 2X and a 1X. Unless I shop at Eddie Bauer, where even their 2X (their largest size) doesn't fit me. (Which is weird -- I have a couple of their 2X items from a few years ago, and they're too big now.)

Anyway, it was fun trying on clothes for once. I found I spent too much and am going to return a couple of items today. I think I just got carried away due to actually looking good in some of these things!

If I don't have time to check in tomorrow, I won't see you all until the end of next week, if then. We get pretty busy during the few days around Easter, so it may be a while before I post again.

Turtle on!

--Lauren
274/214/down

Hi, Turtles,

I tried to post this morning but the site was having major problems with their database.

Welcome, Annie. Wow! You've had a great weight loss. We keep hanging in there. I know that I have come to believe that the journey is the whole thing because once I reach whatever my goal weight ends up being, I don't get to stop. Just turn the corner to a new part of the journey and keep on going.

Judy, I love your comment on our California weather! We had the first blush of spring. Followed by overcast and super windy skies. Today it was overcast and cold. Then it got sunny. Then it clouded up and we had major thunder and lightning, but no rain. That was weird! We don't get thunderstorms very often, but I suspect that there are more here, closer to the ocean than in Silicon Valley.

Lauren, I'm so glad you enjoyed trying on clothing. Don't let the clothing size numbers get you down. They don't mean a thing. They vary from company to company. I have two pairs of Venezia jeans that are the same size. One pair is newer and I can't wear them. The other pair is old and fits just fine!

I love your quote about the hole!

You can make food more fun, even if you don't like cooking. Look for simple recipes and try one new one every other week or once a month. Or you could just mix up what you do cook and serve different veggies or side dishes with your main dish than you usually do. Or check out an artisan bakery and treat yourself to a new bread to have with a soup or stew meal. Put a different veggie in whatever your usual salad mix is. That kind of thing can make it a bit more interesting without you needing to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Also, remember that a recipe takes longer the first time you make it. After you've done it a few times, it gets a lot easier and takes less time as you work out the best way to make it.

I'm still OP for the week, but facing a real challenge. I got my first call from the temp agency. I'm working for two weeks and I'm a little nervous about handling the commute. And handling my food. I made a plan and we'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted. It comes at a good time because we really need some extra money right now.

Talk to you all later. Happy turtlin'!

Lin
272/229/lower

Lin,
that's great that you have an opportunity to do some temp work. It'll be a good experiment. I'm glad you have a plan for the commute and your food. That's a big part of the key so I'm glad you're putting yourself in the picture. Sorry for the weather change in CA, but even though I'm controlling I don't think I caused it!LOL
I'm on vacation, but we're staying home. Weather has been so bad I don't even want to talk about it. I'm trying to catch up on other things that have been hanging over my head and I'll do a bunch of paperwork and filing today to clear my desk. I hope to catch a couple of movies and enjoy the leisure time.
I let WW go by the boards,at the Seder and beyond, but I"m OP today. I think I'll step on the scale just to see what I've done because it may not be as bad as I think and that'll give me some positive energy.
Everybody take care, have a good week and let's keep turtlin'.
Judy
234/207/thinner

Hi, Turtles,

I'm still laughing, Judy, at the thought you could control our weather! Too funny! I'm glad that you're back on schedule. That's the key to success. Getting back up and moving on.

I'm doing fine with the program by sticking to my plan to eat often. I have enough breaks that I can do this. It's helping me to keep my energy up so I don't get munchy from being too hungry and too tired. I've been splitting my lunch up so that I have a pretty substantial meal in the late afternoon before the commute home. It's working so far.

The job is OK. I've never really liked running a switchboard, but I can do it for two weeks.

One of my coworkers has gone from a size 56 toa 24. It's taken her five years. She's not following any particular program. She's just trying to choose healthy foods and not lose too fast. I think she's an honorary turtle.

I hope everyone is doing fine. Have a great day.

Happy Turtlin'!

Lin

Lin,
I am so glad that you're working and OP. It's great to analyze what needs to be done and what you want to do to keep on this healthy journey. Good for you! Figuring out that eating often and then supplying yourself with low point foods throughout the day is great. I see that you're also eating a good sized meal before your commute. That's terrific. WW wants us to personalize this program and that's just what you've done.
My husband is very close to joining WW with my daughter. Unfortunately she has our genes. She exercises like a bandit and eats small amounts of food, but is still gaining weight. It's a crying shame because in high school she didn't have to even think about what she ate, and every once in awhile she'd watch what she ate and that week she'd lose the 4 pounds she was worried about. Well, she's out of h.s. now and finding it difficult to knock off any weight. Please send her good vibes too.
While my hubby was thinking of joining WW we had a nice talk over breakfast out. I had eggbeaters in a mushroom omelet and a piece of dry whole wheat toast. It was delicious and so was the milk I put in my coffee. I've learned the "safe" foods I can eat in diners and restaurants. I've really learned a lot this year. The main thing is that I am a turtle. I refuse to be hungry (really hungry) and I refuse to eat disgusting foods because they'll help me lose faster. My aim is to eat well, find LF low calorie foods that I love, and to knock off pounds. I hope that it doesn't take me a gazillion years to lose this weight, but I know what I am and am not willing to do to achieve my goal. I really do want a healthier way of eating without deprivation. I want something I can handle for the rest of my life.
To that end, I'm back on the treadmill. My aim is to get on the treadmill for half an hour and walk a mile and a half three times a week. Any more than that is a bonus, and I really want to do this. Now I have to keep on reminding my mind that this is my choice and I feel great when I exercise.
Sorry to make this so long. Annie and Lauren and Kimmers and Lin--have a great Easter and if you're celebrating Passover, I hope it's working out well.
Take care and keep turtlin'
Judy
234/207/thinner