Chris: I should also explain that I normally spread my 35 flex points out over the week. I don't use them all at one time or I would starve for the rest of the week. I get 24 points a day so I normally will use a few extra from my flex if I have a higher point supper or lunch.

I agree with Judy, as soon as you can afford it go and join up. The meetings and W/I's are painless. You get a ton of information in them and you will see that you are not alone, not by a long shot. You can be by yourself or talk to other people, that is your choice. But join as soon as you can. They run specials and have coupons all the time so I would search and see what kind of deal you can find. Right now it only costs like 20.00 to join at the one I go to and then 13.00 each week after that but they are going to be running a special starting next week that is even cheaper... like 9.50 per week and that includes a free membership to the online etools which I hear are wonderful.

Susan

Happy Thursday all
 

Morning everyone. How is everyone doing today?

Judy: Yup, I joined a mystery book club about 5-6 months ago that meets at one of the Barnes and Noble's here in Indy. They are not sponsored by B&N we just meet there. But the meeting in December is a party meeting and there was food and everyone brings a gently used wrapped mystery book to have a gift swap with. It was fun and I kept my eating in check for the most part but it was very hard... One of the guys makes hand made chocolates and I just about fell over when I saw them. I ate the veggies and bean dip with one slice of ham and one cracker and I did have two pieces of the chocolate but that was it. I felt pretty good about my decisions considering what food was there.
I love to read but I have not read the two books you mentioned yet, I will have to look for them the next time I am at the book store or library. I read all kinds of books with the exception of horror novels... I don't do horror in any form, books or movies. But I read just about anything else.

All: Is everyone ready for the holidays?

Susan

Ladies: Good afternoon! How is everyone? I'm feeling especially chipper because I lost 1 pound at WI, after a week of feeling unwell after coming home from CO, then the following week I was actually sick; I hadn't weighed myself in two weeks, but as soon as I well enough, I worked my way up to a normal workout load, and I lost weight! I was really worried that I'd gained weight, that I'd no longer lost 50 pounds, but I actually lost, so I am quite tickled. :D I did spinning for the first time Tuesday night, and I made it through an entire class, cool, huh? :D It was really hard, and I didn't up the resistance when she said to, I just focused on getting through the class -- but I'm going to keep doing it. I think it's good cardio, and it seems to be helping. So, does anyone have any fun weekend plans? I'm going to do spinning again Friday night with a friend, and then we're going to clean up and then go out to dinner together. Saturday night I'm organizing an event for my social group where we go to a local mexican food restaurant and then walk to Winterhaven, a neighborhood here in Tucson where everyone decorates their houses, and goes all out. It'll be a blast.

BTW: I am very happy to report that my sewing machine will be fixed and ready for pickup after 2 pm today, so I will be happily sewing again on Sunday! ;D

Princess: It sounds like you did well at your party. Congrats! :D Also, I think you have some very good advice for Chrily. (FYI -- Laurie R. King's "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" is a great mystery, more character-based than a standard potboiler, but excellent -- it's about a retired Sherlock Holmes who takes on a female apprentice.)

Judy: Thank you! It felt great to help out kids and do one of my favorite things too -- buy presents! ;D I think I was able to bring together people who otherwise might not have bought gifts for a christmas angel, and allowed them to pool their resources and do good together. Thank you for your sewing-machine-sympathy -- it's my biggest stress reliever next to working out, and I am relieved that it will be fixed by the end of today. Thank you for all your WL support. I am excited and very optomistic. ;D BTW, what do you mean by unit foods? You mean eating a portion size? Anyway, .2 is good too. Congrats! :D

Chrily: First of all, stop and take a few deep breaths. Now read over all of the advice that Judy and Princess have given. It's all good advice. Here's my 2c:

1) First, set aside 30 minutes every day for you. Declare it Chrily time, and no husbands or children or relatives or friends are allowed to interfere with that time. 3-4 times a week, take a walk during that time period. The rest of the days, do something that you enjoy and that relaxes you. And don't tell me you don't have 30 minutes free a day; you may be very busy, but you may just have to start turning things down, or doing less -- you don't have to be perfect, and you don't have to be everything to everyone. And don't feel guilty about it; you will be a better wife/mother/friend/relative if you take care of yourself and aren't so stressed. Make Chrily time mandatory, NOT optional.

2) Healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated. There are many low point meals that are easy and quick to make because they don't involve any cooking or complicated prep. For example, veggie soup, a 1-point tortilla (look for low-carb tortillas, they're usually low in points) and low fat or fat free cheese is a good choice. Or pre-washed greens and canned chicken. Or a roll, some turkey, ff mayo, lettuce and tomato. There's always lean cuisine, healthy choice and ww entrees too. Or a 1-pt tortilla with black beans, fat free cheese and veggies. You get the idea. These are simple combinations of low fat things that made low fat meals. If you get tired of these simple foods, then make a few quick soup recipes -- I think that the one princess gave us is quick -- and could probably be done while your kids are telling you about their day, or you are doing some other small task. Many crockpot dishes are also good, and some are so simple that you have to open a few cans, throw the contents in the crockpot, add the chicken, add the water and leave it going.

3) Eat your 5+ fruits and veggies every day. Eat a veggie with lunch and dinner; it will fill you up.

4) Split your meals up if you don't tend to stay full. For example, I eat oatmeal for breakfast, then a piece of fruit two hours later, then lunch two hours later, then a piece of fruit 3 hours later, then dinner after I workout. Spreading your meals out allows you to eat every few hours and means you won't get as hungry as you would if you just ate 3 meals a day.

5) Start using, small salad plates for your entree. The same amount of food looks much more generous on small plates than it does on a large plate. Or, if you use large plates, put your veggies and fruit on it too, and the plate looks more full. Silly, but quite effective.

6) Determination, as Susan said, is IMPORTANT. Know this -- you CAN do this, and more than that, you WILL do this. Keep repeating it to yourself. Make it your mantra. As you start to lose weight again, believing will be easier. Trust me. It IS doable. I gained 60+ pounds in college in four years; I went from a 12 to 22. And I have lost 51 pounds now! And there are others, in this group and outside of this group that have been very successful. Don't let yourself think that failure is imminent; that will self-sabotage, and besides, it's NOT TRUE. Failure is only imminent if you give up. If you keep trying, success is imminent!

7) This is a lifetime change. I heard that from WW leaders so many times, I'd just roll my eyes, because I was sick of hearing it, but it's absolutely TRUE. This is not temporary; you will be eating healthier and working out long-term. Don't let that depress; it's not a bad thing, and it's not as hard as it sounds. Also, the fact that this is a permanent change in your behavior means that your WL will stay off. That's the point.

8) I know that WW is expensive, but if you can swing it, you should go. You don't have to talk if you don't want to do so. You could also do WW online, where you also pay a monthly fee, but they offer a recipe database, a points and progress tracker, and weekly blow-by-blow menus. But if you don't have time to cook now, they may be too complicated for your lifestyle.

You can do it, Chrily, but you need to do it *now*. Get started *now*. Today, set aside your 30 minutes. Today, start tracking points and eating as healthily as you can (or switch to core, and follow their rules.) Take it one day at a time, do the best you can, and remember, if you persist, you will eventually succeed.

Now, I REALLY have to go back to work, having written this novel; I've been thinking about it all yesterday and today, and that's the best I can offer.

Let me know how you're doing, ladies, and if you have anything exciting planned.

Happy Friday all!
 

Ariana: Thanks for the book title I will have to try it! I love to read. We have a book chain here, not sure if you have them or not but they are called Half Price Books and I could loose myself for a week or so in there :D And since there are new and used books and nothing is over half price I can go in there with a 20 dollar bill and have a wonderful time... So glad your sewing machine is repaired!

Judy: Awesome job on the W/I... this time of year a loss is a loss! How are you doing other wise?

Chris: I hope something of what I said was helpful to you... Ariana always gives good advise so listen to what she says. Basically it all comes down to how bad we all want it... it is not any different then any other addiction... actually it is worse since all we have to do it walk into our kitchen or the nearest drive thru to get a fix. If you treat it like that and make up your mind to change then you will succeed... once you do that failure is not an option. You can do it and you are worth it.

Bandit: Are you back to your normal routine after your trip yet? Sometimes it is so hard to get back to normal after being away.

I have to run but will check back later on.
Susan

Good morning, Turtles:

Princess - yes, I am back into my normal routine & actually this afternoon going to check out a new gym nearby. Curves has been great, but I would like to have an option of a swim during the winter months. So, we'll see how it goes.

The rest of you all sound like you are doing great. So, keep up the good work.

Ladies: today seems to be DRAGGING at work. I am doing a very boring and mundane part of my job, right now, but it'll de done in a few days. I have fun plans for the weekend, so I feel as though I'm about set. Take care, ladies, and let me know how everything is going when you get a chance!

Susan: No, we don't have one of those, but we do have several Bookman's, which is a local chain that sells everything a bookstore would, gently used, and usually at half price. I could spend hours there. Let me know if you like it. I am delighted that the machine is repaired in time for the weekend. I'm glad you thought my advice was sound; I was afraid I was being a little too pushy...but sometimes I think we need a push. Each time I've lost my momentum, I've become frustrated, vented to you guys, you all gave me support and sound advice, and I was able to get back on track.

Bandit: Glad to hear that you are getting back on track. Tell us more when you get a chance.

Dear Turtles,
Oh my gosh! Chrily, thanks so much for asking for help. Did our turtles deliver the best help possible? Fabulous answers.
I was away for a couple of days, but it's time to start our next thread.
We are triumphant!
Judy
Look for us at #173