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 several 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've been reflecting on what the turtle philosophy means as we start our second hundred posts. The turtle philosophy was a difficult one for people to accept. People want the weight off--NOW!! But reality is that it took time to put it on and it will take time to take it off. People want it to be easy to take off the weight. But reality is that it's not easy. You can have a program that's easy to follow, but following it steadily--that's hard. People don't want to exercise much, if at all. But reality is that our bodies were designed to move. So, we're setting realistic goals that take the weight off at a healthy pace. We're setting goals that will keep us moving steadily toward the healthy weight we want to be. And we're just plain moving. We're setting realistic exercise goals that will move our bodies the way they were meant to be moved.
We've also noticed that our turtle philosophy has affected the rest of our lives. I've started writing fiction again. I realize that I can finish a novel, or two, or ten. All I have to do is to set realistic daily goals, work steadily toward achieving them, and they will build up into finished books. Turtle Power at work in my everyday life.
Anyone who wants to join us in steadily moving toward all of our goals is welcome. I've met some wonderful people on this thread. I hope to meet many more. I know the battle with our weight is a difficult one. Having such supportive people come and post regularly keeps it from getting overwhelming. I hope to see many more people join us as we move forward on our journey.
Well, just lost my lengthy reply. Netscape is getting very wonky on me. The Cliff Notes version: I'm down 2.5 pounds this week, which is good, and I'm aiming to break the 200 mark again by July 4.
Lin, glad your brother is OK, that's great news. How is the move going?
No time to say hello to each person again; I'm thinking of you all and wishing us a great week.
Lauren! Yay for the 2.5 and getting close to being back under 200!!
I'm moving today. We're breaking down the computer in a couple of hours. I don't know when I'll be back online. I'm going to be sharing a phone line with my mom for a little while, until we either get a cable modem or a separate phone line.
Good luck, everyone. Keep moving. I'll see you in a day or two.
Hi Turtles,
My computer joined the wonked-out for a couple of days. However, Lauren--weigh to go! You're heading in the right direction.
Lin,
good luck on your move. I hope this opens new opportunities for your family. Lots of to you.
n 2 a swan,
Thanks for starting the 90 day project. Your better choices will lead to a great end result. Weigh to go! The exercise is key.
I've been crazy busy, and a little overwhelmed. However, I'm planning for my social occasions and doing the right thing. I WI today at my WW's mtg. We're having friends over for dinner, so I invited them to come after my mtg. I'm in charge of the food and I'll make it me-friendly. It looks like I've lost a bit, but I'll post tomorrow (if my computer lets me.)
Bandit, how are you doing? Keep up the great work.
Everybody have a great day and keep on keepin' on.
Love,
Judy
Hi Turtles,
Good news for me. I'm down 2#. True--I have gained back some weight from my low and it's discouraging. But my leader said this today and it's really applicable to me at this point in my journey. Think about this journey as you driving in a car toward your destination of healthy lifestyle and losing weight. Wouldn't you be better to look ahead through your windshield rather than continually looking backward? Of course--this makes it sound so easy, but it's great advice. I was all set to beat myself up because (even though I lost 2# this week) I am up about 4# from my WW's low. I didn't even stop to congratulate myself for eating well even though I've had lots of social challenges. Well, my leader helped me to straighten out my head and I feel better.
Lots of luck to all of us. Keep stinkin' thinkin' away and do the right thing!
I have been super busy lately - away last week for 4 nights then trying to catch up at work.
Lauren - nice job of your 2.5# loss
Swan - wtg on the exercise - that is really being focussed (good for you)
Judy - What did you make for dinner? I am always curious what to feed other people.
Great job on the 2# loss & listen to your leader, you are doing great. Can't change the past - so don't dwell on it.
This weekend is bf birthday so am having his family & some friends over on Sunday.
Also new trailer is up & running so we will be there sometime this weekend to get more organized.
Didn't do great with my eating while I was away, but went to Curves last night.
So that helps me to keep on track.
Not going to ww until Monday. Bye for now & drink your water!
WOW! Lauren is down 2.5 lbs and Judy is down 2 lbs. That's terrific!
I took an off day from exercise (was up too late the night before and then had to take mom to a doctor's appointment). So, I hope to finish the week strong. That said, I'd better go to bed so that I can make the treadmill class in the a.m.
Hi Turtles,
Bandit--For my guests I started with a shrimp ring I bought at the supermarket, some plain whole almonds, a wedge of provolone cheese(I skipped this), pita chips I made (8 for 1 point) and a garbanzo bean/roasted red pepper spread (almost no points and yummy). If the appetizers sound like way too much, that's because this particular group of friends loves to stall dinner and snack and sip. For dinner I had a romaine lettuce salad w/yellow peppers and a homemade roasted pepper vinagarette dressing. Then grilled veggies, glazed carrots, and flank steak on the grill. I picked up a foccacio bread and kept myself at one slice. For dessert I had a bought cheesecake. My supermarket makes small ones and I had a sliver and threw out the rest. It worked out fine. I even had leftover steak (I weighed it: 2oz.=3pts.) over cold grilled veggies the next day and it was delicious. I grilled eggplant, large onion slices, and two kinds of zucchini. To me the secret is to cut the slices large enough that they don't fall into the grill and to spray them with Pam or use 1T. of olive oil and toss the veggies in that. Yummy.
More social obligations this weekend, but I'm hanging in there. Got back on the treadmill for the first time in ages yesterday so that's a big help.
Bandit, enjoy the birthday and keep up the good work at Curves.
I can't stay online for long. I'm moved, but far from settled. I'll be using my mom's phone line until I finish researching what's available in this area and get our own connection set up.
I've been getting a lot of walking done these days. Right now, that's about all I can do. All of my WW materials are in a box somewhere in my mom's ex-bf's old shop. I have to do it a little bit at a time.
I'm glad to see you're all doing so well these days. Keep moving and I'll see you all soon.
Had a good but busy weekend. New trailer is going to be great - lots more room.
Rented my house on Sat & people want to move in July 1st so I will be busy packing the rest of our things. Yesterday had bf family over for his birthday & decided to have
Chinese (his favorite & it was stormy so thought bbq wouldn't be good). So today I feel yucky & puffy & have my w/i tonight so I am not looking forward to that. But I am determined to face up to it. Doing my curves first. This week we have daughters rehearsal & recital on Sat then dancing will be over for this year. On Fri afternoon we have university interview & they say it takes the whole afternoon. So lots of stuff going on for winding down the school year. Anyway, hope everone is doing great & will talk to you soon.
Didn't get to w/i last night afterall - my girlfriend cancelled & she is getting her 10# ribbon so we are both going Thurs instead - maybe that will give me a chance to get rid of my chinese overindulgence. But I did get to curves - so that was good.
The weather here was severe downpour last night so I didn't have to water my new sod at old house.
Tomorrow is day 21 and I will have exercised 16 of those day. I may be noticing a small improvement in my waistline, but I am unsure. I am a bad judge of all things weight-related. Once I saw a woman on television and I thought that she was my size. It turned out that she weighed over 300 lbs (whatever the show was it gave her weight). My highest weight was 235.2 and at the time I saw her, I was probably a little less than 200. You wouldn't think it would be possible to be that far off, but I was. This explains why it is always a shock to me when someone comments that I have lost or gained 5 lbs. I think, 'how can you tell?' and then 'why does it matter?'
I always thought that I was fat when I was 135 lbs. I look at those clothes now and they look so small. If I didn't remember wearing them, I'd swear that someone was playing a joke on me.
I have to report that I must be making some progress. How do I know? The saboteurs have reappeared. One told my mother that I should make her an apple pie. When that didn't work, this person asked me directly to bake apple pie (the only type of pie that I like), presumably because I would eat some of it.
And remember that neighbor that I mentioned sometime before? She always commented on my weight and appearance until finally I told her that I never wanted to hear any comment again. Anyway, she said that we would have to go out for ice cream when she returns from vacation because my mother likes ice cream. We have been neighbors for over 25 years (since my childhood) and we have never gone out for ice cream with my mother. Since my mother is disabled and I am her caregiver, this offer almost guarantees that I would have to go. Additionally, the neighbor talked about how she hadn't eaten a thing all day and paused, waiting for me to fill in what I have (or have not) been eating. She's still waiting.
Nice try, but it won't work. Does anyone else have instances where someone is overtly or subtlely trying to keep you fat? You would think that people would have something else to do, wouldn't you?
Anyway, I have completed day 21. This is the longest that I have made a concerted effort in quite a while.
Lin, hope you get settled. Bandit, how was your weigh-in? Lauren, how are things with you and DH?
Hi Turtles,
Crazy busy along here. Had a retirement party Friday night, a 50th. birthday party for my niece Sunday, funeral Monday, Tuesday I recouped and the weather took hold of me. Yesterday dh and I went to dd's house to try and get the baby's room going. The previous owner had glued down paneling. The paneling is off, but the glue needs to be sanded smooth. Ugh! So yesterday that's what we did. I also planted some impatiens around the trees at their home and hung a couple of curtains. DD works such long hours and is pregnant, so she's sleepy and tired a lot. Am trying to help her and dsil get their house up and running by helping out with finishing touches. Will help dd with her filing system on Friday. I love doing things like this--I'm very organized and love completing projects. Food has been good considering all the eating events, but I do think I'm retaining fluids with the extra salt.
n 2 a swan-- on completing 21 days!!!! And good for you for getting in so much exercise. I know just what you mean about comparing body images with people who are a great deal heavier than you are. I do that all the time. When I guess right, my family is suspiciously quiet and then I know I'm on target with the body type.
I have thought about those pesky neighbors of yours. What nerve they have! The ice cream one--tell her your mom would be delighted to go with her and that you'd love the much needed break. The apple pie one--tell her apples aren't very good at this time of the year. Actually--you don't need me to tell you what to tell them. You're doing a great job yourself! People are odd. I think these two sense your determination and want to undo it for reasons of their own. Good for you for letting it roll off your back. Hey, I bet swans have the same water-proofing that ducks have, so letting those remarks roll off would be a natural for you!
Bandit, glad your new trailer has much more space. You sure have had a busy life lately. Good luck on your move. You and Lin will have lots of tips for the rest of us, I'm sure. Good luck with your WI. I had to do the same thing this week and I will WI tonight. I hate missing my Wednesday meeting, but we couldn't finish up at my dd's in time and what we did there was important. for getting to Curves.
I've gotta run. You all take care. Exercise and weeding in the garden and getting to WW's mtg. are on my schedule for today.
Love,
Judy
Turtle Club #130
Lauren! 
Yay for the 2.5 and getting close to being back under 200!!
to you.
