Hi, all!! I started this "new topic" because the other one  was getting so big and I didn't always find the right page. Hope you don't mind.

I have been having some really good days. I don't know what got into me. I have been staying within my WW points and under 1500 calories. I am wondering if I am doing better because I just visited with family and I will be seeing other son and family in Sept. They need me to watch the kids while they go to Md to look for somewhere to live. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

I haven't had anything sugary in the past 5 days either. I am eating carbs, but whole grain ones with lots of fiber. I also have treated myself to some fresh picked corn on the cob from a farm "out East". It is certainly sweet enough for me and a good all natural "whole" carb. That may be keeping me satisfied also.

As I mentioned, I don't know why all of a sudden I have been able to stay on track. I wish I could bottle the feeling and use it when I have trouble again. I bought a pair of jeans today because they were 30% off the reduced price. They are from Old Navy and they are a teeny bit snug. I am hoping that by looking at them I will be able to continue to stay on track. I am pulling out all the stops to get through these 2 weeks. I made my own personal challenge. I thought when I made this challenge for myself, (there were no plans to go to parties), I would have no excuses to goof up. Well, that has changed but I am volunteering to bring a green salad and desserts from the Entemann's outlet that I won't eat. I looked at the nutrition labels!! I will bring my bottled water and just drink that. I usually only drink water, but I don't trust tap water all the time.

Oh, I certainly went on!! It felt good to talk to my friends and partners in crime...LOL.

Hope to see you at chat. Hope it is going well with you all. Jeanne...you have to tell us how your tests came out. Hope that cholesterol is going down.

Hugs!!Grace

I got a big gift from the powers that be today:) I have been praying that somehow I could get an exercise bike.Just couldn't figure out how though since we just don't have money for that kind of thing. But I figured I'd ask and see what happens. Well, today we were looking around at garage sales and there it was waiting for me And the even better part was the sign on it said "FREE". I couldn't believe it. Someone is definitely watching over me :)Now that my legs start hurting for me to walk very much , I still will be able to exercise . I'm just so happy.Maybe i  an start losing some weight now , it should help. Just thought I'd share that incredible story:)

hugs, jeanne

Sweet Jeanne -What a wonderful gift from the universe!!  See, sometimes our higher power wants us to succeed, even though we don't have the means or the money to get there ourselves, and *plop* out of the heavens comes a little unexpected gift!!  A free exercise bike!  Wow - that is truly cool!!  :cool:  Ride it well, my friend, and enjoy every minute on it.  I'll be thinking about you!Hugs,

Uh oh Jeanne,

No excuses now! :biggrin: :biggrin:

What a god send. Cool!

Take it easy and try not to make the mistake I did. Too much, too fast.  I learned that lesson over and over before I finally got it!  

Hugs, Chris

Hi, ALL!!

Jeanne...that is great that you got that exercise bike. What a great way to get started and do take Chris' advice and don't do too much too soon. It is also a great way to find out if it is the exercise for you!! With an investment of $0, how can you go wrong??

Well, all, you know that great week I was having?? Well, I blew it at the party yesterday. I went 7 days staying on program...staying within my WW pts and under 1600 calories, exercising 6 out of 7 days, drinking my water, getting in more fiber and no sugar. Well, I lost it over dessert. Was it because I didn't have any sugar all week?? I don't know, but it proves that I have no control when I see food I like when not at home. I am discouraged...the scale has not moved. How can that be with being good all week and goofing up only one day?? I am trying not to get discouraged and I will wait and see what happens when I go to WW  on Tues. Wish me luck!! I will be totally stumped if I don't see any results.

Hope to see you Tues with good news.  

Grace

How much are you trying to lose Grace? Could it be that maybe you are a good wieght right now? I don't think blowing it on desert one day could do it. Could it be not enough variety? I seem to remember Zelma saying something about eating a variety and making sure of the fruits and vegies. Just a thought . Anyway, even if you aren't losing fast , remember that it still is making you healthier. You didn't fail at all! you did really well.  I think that scale of yours is messed up.It can measure different at different times of the day too. Well, I could go on and on (as you know :biggrin:) so bye for now , hugs , jeanne

Thanks for the input Jeanne!  All good ideas there. I did really well again Sun and Mon. I will see what tomorrow brings!!

Grace

Lonely chat last night...for a while it was Jeanne and I. We were able to keep it going between the 2 of us for awhile and then Robin joined us. We even talked about weight loss!! We had our own private chat.

I couldn't wait to share that I lost 2 lbs at the WW weigh in yesterday. That is the best I have done in  long time. I am still on track even after going out for dinner last night. I ate my salad and brought home more than half of my entree of chicken and ribs. Ribs were for husband to eat tonight.

I am determined to be really good for another week and see what happens. I am going in week intervals and not looking too far ahead. The motivation is still here and I am taking advantage of it!!

Hope all are doing well. Missed you Dearest and Mary last night. Hope you are OK!!

Grace

Hi Gracie, Sorry I wasn't there last night either.  And sorry to hear it was such a small chat.  You saw my post about the cheeseburger and awful choices I made last night.  Well, today I feel . . .hung over!  Yes, all that fat and starch put me right into la-la land, and I am feeling heavy and sleepy today.  I'll be trying to have a better week . . .and hope to join you next Tuesday!Hugs,

Hi ladies,Do I have a feeling that some of us are giving up on our weight? We need to resolve to keep trying. I just got a free exercise bike and it has made me very determined to at least get fit. And who knows maybe I will lose some weight too:)Remember -- eating healthy NOT dieting . Eat what you want just don't pig out (heehee-like I use too )We can do this I just know it!hugs, jeanne

Grace, I'm ok  

My scehdule is so messed up right now that I forgot what day of the week it was LOL

HI!

Mary...glad you are OK!! See you next chat.

Jeanne...you are one motivated lady. Keep peddling...the bicycle I mean...LOL!! Good luck with your exercise program.

Sylvry...Boy do I know what you mean about that hung over feeling. That saying is so true...you are what you eat. I know I feel awful the day after I eat too much sugar, or in another word...crap. OOPS! Are we allowed to say that?? Drink lots of water to flush it out. Now don't stay away if you have a bad day. If that was the case, none of us would be here.

Hugs to all and keep plugging away. We can do this.

Grace

Today was a typical example of why healthy eating is so difficult for me . . .

In the wonderful world of automotive America, where females are in the minority, I had a meeting at one of our plants (may I add, BIG plants -- as in, General Motors).  The meeting was at 10 - so I had my banana and Revival Shake at 8am, and drove the 90 minutes to the meeting.  As usual, I was the only woman in the meeting.  (sigh! sometimes it is good to be in the minority - but at lunchtime, it is not!).  By 1pm, I was ready to eat the overhead projector!!  But the guys (numbering 6 in the meeting) said, "I'm Not Hungry! - Let's Keep Going!".  (typical male macho).

By 2pm, I was not only fantasizing eating the overhead projector, but the projection screen, the hand-out materials, and all the goodies in the nearby snack machine as well.

And by 2:30 pm, when the most powerful manager in the meeting said, "I had breakfast, I don't need lunch"  I was ready to faint, collapse, and die.

So I spoke up for myself and said, "Well, I need SOMEthing -- I'm quite starving!"

And what did they do?  Brought in a pack of M&M peanuts and a granola bar.  :angry:  And that was my lunch.

BAH!!  What am I to do -- when that is the representative of my days!!  

I want to be healthy, I NEED to be healthy, and I'm stuck with granola bars.  And by the time I left the meeting, I was soooo starving, I stopped at Mickey D's and got a QP with cheese, supersized fries, and diet coke!  UGH - I hated it, but I needed the food!

Please!  Any one's suggestions would be greatly appreciated, before my thighs expand any larger than they are!

Hi Sylvry, This is going to sound quite simplistic, and I know it can't be this easy , and don't hit me I'm taking blood thinners and bruise easy. :biggrin:, However, seems to me when you know there is a meeting and you may not be near a place for a good lunch(healthy , but filling) wouldn't it be a good idea to bring along a sandwich and a piece of fruit ? Or even some of that snack size fruit cups or something like that?That's what I would do. I even take something with me when we go to the casino so I won't be tempted to get something at the snack bar. Anyway, that's what I'd do. :)But a McD now and then ain't gonna kill you. :)hugs , jeanne

Grace,

Congrats on your 2 lb. lost!!!!!!!!!  Sorry I didn't make the chat--having orientation this week for my PHD program--been wiped out every night!!!  Keep going, girl, you're doing GREAT!   :biggrin:

Zelma

Hi, all! I am at chat, and no one else is there yet. I am so discouraged today and I have no one to talk to. I weighed in today and didn't lose anything after being really good with staying within my WW points/calories and exercising. I am trying not to give up. I will give it until Sept 1st. After that, who knows??

I guess I need a shoulder. Oh, well...see you on the boards.

Grace

Hi Grace, here's my shoulder

I forgot until 7:00(i'm in Pacific time) so I went in and nobody was there, then I went to the 24/7 Power Surge chat room on AOL,,,,,,,nobody there either.  I know how you feel, I had put on 5 lbs recently in addition to my already 20 lbs, but in the last few days I've lost a couple.  I can't figure things out either. I think we use so much energy trying to do the "right" thing, eating and exercising, trying to think positive, etc. sometimes I think if we just be sensible, and not be a slave to the issue of our "fluff" it'll happen.  I'm trying to eat smaller portions.  I'm still eating, just smaller amounts.  Will see.  My problem is finding my stamina, to get up and go, to do my walks, and Yoga,(I'm new to that, my fluff gets in the way).  Energy has left me big time.  People say that it does come back, so I'm waiting patiently.  

Its just one of those days Grace, tomorrow is a brand new one.  It'll be a good day Grace, smile and know that your not alone.

GG :biggrin:

Hi Grace ,I showed up late too. I can't figure out what happened to the Diet chat ???anyway, i am exercising a lot on that bike and having fun even if i don't lose a pound. i haven't weighed myself in a while -kinda afraid to. but it should help me lose shpuldn't it? I know at least it is good for my heart and lungs. sorry you haven't lost. But it seems to me 2 pounds can come and go so fast with water gain and loss during your cycle. I use to gain 5 punds and lose it all after my period, so I guess that can still happen. What i don't get tho is how you don't lose when it sounds like you do everything right. have you asked a doctor about it? There has to be an explanation. It is very puzzling and I'm sure very frustrating for you. At least I know why I didn't lose. I wasn't exercising at all. Sure would like to know the reason. Discouraging for me too , to hear  all that and no results. I'll keep trying though. Maybe it just takes time. Try to stick with it . It worked for Zelma to the tune of over 100 pounds so it has to work! take care and hang in there . I will too :)hugs, jeanne

Thanks GG and Jeanne! It was nice to have your shoulders around.

I got very discouraged again today, and then I went out for lunch with 2 of my girlfriends who just had surgery. One had a hysto last Tues and the other had a breast biopsy yesterday. Here I am feeling sorry for myself for not being able to lose weight and they have these medical problems. How shallow!!

I handled not losing by pigging out today. Well, it was just soup and Greek salad with grilled tuna that I didn't finish, but it felt like so much food! I ended up having a slice of pizza for dinner even though I said I wasn't going to eat anything. Nothing like self sabatoging me. Well, it can't hurt me anymore than not eating did. I wasn't losing "dieting" so what could happen??

I  really think it is not working for me because I already eat low fat and healthy and exercise almost everyday.There is really nothing much I can change to lose. I started counting calories just to see how much I do eat and it is not that much different from my normal eating (except for special occasions). I practically cut out all sugar and still no results.

I am hoping I got it out of my system and I will be back on track tomorrow. I am teaching 2 classes in the morning so I will have a jump start there.

Jeanne, great job with the exercising!!  I am so glad you are liking that bike. Keep it up!!

GG, you will get energy from the exercise. Don't give up!! It WILL help you feel better!!

Sorry I missed you last night and thanks for listening!

Grace

Hi Grace,I don't dare get on a scale right now . I think I may even have gained a few pounds. I am like you quite discouraged really. maybe I am just expecting too much too fast , but geeeeeez!!! I am eating right , exercising everyday at least 30minutes, staying away from carbs and sugars , grrrrr. I haven't strayed yet , but I feel like I too might as well just pig out.I need to keep my will power up though. *sigh* I just want to see even a LITTLE improvement. Oh well, such is life I guess. Sorry about your friends , I hope they all turn out fine :)hugs, jeanne

Grace, Your pigout doesn't sound too bad to me!   Try not to get discouraged--we all have weeks of not losing.  Some of us have even notice a bit of a lag in results--you lose the second week after you've been real good.  Unfortunately, sometimes that works for gaining too--show the gain 2 wks.  after you've been "bad".  Try to stick to it and see if you lose this week.  Also, make sure you are getting enough fruits/vegs and water and at least your min. number of points per day.  That helps too!

Hi, all! After the horrific happenings in NY, I have not been on track at all. I don't even care except to be in front of the TV hoping and praying that there will be some miracles and some of the victims will be found alive.

I am in Charlotte right now. I wish I was home in NY with all my family around me. I want to give everyone a hug. It was a rough few hours when the lines were down and I couldn't talk to anyone. The closest call was daughter's husband in the city and right outside the WTC when it happened. He did witness first hand the poor people jumping. He is now safe and sound back in NJ.

Well...when I get back home I, if I get back home anytime soon, I will post and we can try again to get back on track. It just seems so unimportant right now.

Hugs to all...Grace

Hi Grace,

I understand how you feel.   When your basic sense of safety is threatened, it seems like other things are trivial.

But I do think eating to be healthy is really important to deal with not only meno but this national crisis as well.

If we feel ok, it is just easier to deal with stress in general, so taking care of yourself is even more important now....even if it doesn't necessarily lead to weight loss for right now.  

Take care....  

Good point NancyV, no use adding more agony to an already dreadful situatuion. Besides we can't let those *#@%@#+*&# get us down or they have won. And we just can't let them win anything!Take care Grace ,it matters because YOU matter :)hugs, jeanne

MIDLIFE WEIGHT ISSUES CHAT!In our Web chat room Weds., Sept. 19 5 PM, EST - 2 PM, PST

Bring all your questions about midlife weight issues (and bring some M&M's, too!)  

Our own HSpec, a teacher, who lost 40 poundsand her take charge atttitude will whip.. errr..encourage us to get with the program!

in our Web  chat room.