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NILLYWILLY
11/29/06 8:49 P
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Thanks for the encouragement, Martha! I think that you are right about watching portions and not tracking because I am just stressing myself out even more because I am not getting it done.
My Curves closed about a month ago. I don't know if I had told you or not. But, I am being faithful. I get up every morning and alternate days doing either an aerobic tape, a stability ball routine or walking 2 miles. That is not a problem. I am back to trying to get my water in too.
But, I just don't think that with the holidays I am going to accomplish the tracking.
Today I worked at my volunteer job at the local historical museum. Then I went to the post office for Jim's mom, the library for my mom. We designed and made Christmas decorated doors for both sets of parents at the
retirement apartments. I went to the grocery and I had choir practice at church. I am very tired!
Bet you were glad to see your girls. Since this just seems to be us talking, do you want to keep writing here or do you want to switch to spark mail? Let me know. Thanks for the prayers. I will keep you in mine.
Have a great day tomorrow! Nancy
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Thankgoodness you are still here! I think both of us are busy...I didn't celebrate Thanksgiving up here, but my older daughter was home from university for the weekend, and my younger daughter was acting in a play at school on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Just seems like life in general is flying by--it will be like this for us until Christmas is over!!
You know what? Why don't you forget the food tracking for a while? You already know what you should and should not eat. Last year I was seeing a bariatric doctor, and he told me to watch portion sizes. But the best advice he gave me was that when I fill up my plate, make sure veggies cover half the plate, meat covers 1/4 of the plate, and carbs cover the other 1/4. (Obviously, the plate shouldn't be a huge one, but a smaller one!) You could just do that for your main meal of the day.
The other secret is to eat small amounts of food throughout the day. I usually eat breakfast, then a snack at the office, lunch, a snack in the afternoon, and then supper. Seems to keep my blood sugar at a level where I never get so hungry that I grab whatever is handy to eat!
Do you get exercise in? I just walk on my treadmill usually.
Nancy, you and I have to do this together. I am like you, I want to get out of plus size clothes!
Of course, I will pray for you....let's pray for each other! And don't be afraid of the scale!!
WE WILL DO THIS! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
11/28/06 6:28 P
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Hey, Martha!
I bet you thought that I forgot you. No way! It has been a hectic time. My mom's birthday was 2 days before Thanksgiving. Then Lindsay came home and we had THanksgiving. She was home most of the weekend. It just seems like I am busy all of the time. Sometimes I wonder how I ever tracked my food and wrote on message boards and read articles, etc. I can't even find time to sit down now! I didn't weigh on Monday. I was too scared after Thanksgiving.
I haven't accurately tracked since then. I did a couple of days on paper but not the computer. I am still frightened. I seem to be struggling so to start again. I don't want to gain it all back!
How are you doing? I know that you have been and will continue to be an encouragement to me. Besides writing to me would you please pray for me?
Thanks!
Do you have a lot of holiday plans and things to fix food for?
One of these days I will send you some Hawaii pictures. Hope you are doing great! nancy
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Oh, Nancy, I am so glad that you are getting back in the groove! Don't worry about the scales...the advance planning of calories and portions is great!
Wish I could see the pictures!
I belong to an Anglican church, and we have about 300 families (500+ people) on our parish list--but like most churches in Canada, our average attendance on a Sunday is sparse, about 80 - 90 people total over two services.
This year we have the 5 services on Dec. 24 because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. The regular 8am and 10:30am services that day are normal. Then in the afternoon there is a creche service for families with little kids, and then our regular Christmas Eve eucharist services at 7pm and 11pm. It will be busy!
But I am off work from Dec. 26 - Jan. 9 -- HOORAY! (I just have to come in periodically and check the mail and the phone messages and make sure we have no burst water pipes!)
So now I am going to enter my lunch into the tracker and then go do some Christmas shopping! I like to get it all done before the rush. Talk with you tomorrow, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
11/20/06 1:50 P
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Thanks for the encouragement, Martha. I successfully tracked yesterday and I am doing it today. We are having Jim's folks for dinner to show our Hawaii pictures and I have already figured out my portions and calories. I feel good about that. I forgot to weigh this a.m. though. It may have been unconsciously avoiding it. I'll try to remember tomorrow.
How has your day been? I know that you are going to do great because you have a wonderful attitude! How big is your church that you are having 5 services?
We had a little snow this a.m. and I am in heaven! I love it! Talk soon. Nancy
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Nancy, I know you can do this! Just have one goal this week to track your food. I had gotten away from doing that on a regular basis, and then I put my weight back on slowly. Until we get probably 20 lbs. off, we both have to watch food so carefully.
And make up your mind to enjoy Thanksgiving! It's not about food...it's about FAMILY! I will do better keeping in touch with you this week. Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
11/19/06 2:22 P
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Oh Martha, I am struggling so! It is so hard to get back to tracking. I think in my mind "you can do it without all that, you have a lot of counting experience" But....it doesn't work! I know that I said the last couple of weeks that I was going to get started, but I just haven't been faithful. Well, I started today and I hope to keep it going. I was on the computer every day several times a day before vacation. Now I feel like I don't have time. Part of that is probably with all of the holiday stuff but it's really an excuse. Please help me stay accountable this week!
Congrats on your weight loss! That is super. I'll do my very best to get on here every day this week to encourage you to continue! Have a great day! nancy
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Hi Nancy! I have been crazy busy this week at work. Guess it will be this way until after Christmas...I am already working on Christmas Eve bulletins at church! We have 5 services that day!!
I was in a challenge this week, just to track my food more strictly; it worked...I lost 1.5 lbs. But I am STILL not below 200!! It must be a psychological barrier for me! Maybe next week.... But I am determined to track my food closely again this week and try to stay on the lower end of my calorie range. Hope this will work for me.
What about you? Let me know how you are doing! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
11/10/06 9:38 A
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Hey, Martha!
Sorry that it has taken me so long. I am having a terrible time getting back into the routine....not only tracking and eating but just the normal routine of my life. Vacations are great but they sure do take a lot out of you!
This is the first morning that I have actually been able to get up on time, do my Bible study, my exercise, and all other normal morning things without just dragging around. Hopefully, I am now on the right road.
My eating has not been perfect but better. It's amazing how being tired can just drag you down and make you not care what you do. I am committed today to tracking and eating right. I sure don't want to stay in this limbo forever.
It sounds like you had a big day at church! I love to clean out and pitch things. So it sounded like great fun!
I am glad that you are having a good attitude about your weight, accepting 4 pounds a month. That's great! I am scared of the holidays. It's my favorite time of year and I love to bake and make candy and do all that fun stuff. I just hope that I can stay in control.
Well, I'll try to get back to you sooner the next time. Take care! nancy
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Well, for me, today was pretty good. The birthday cake is almost gone (she says, with crumbs on her chin -- haha). My husband and I and another friend worked like dogs at the church today. We hired a dumpster to get rid of the trash from our Oct. 28 church flea market, and also went all over the building and in every cupboard and threw out broken chairs, broken tables, trash, and the oddest assortment of stuff! Took us three hours, and many trips from the basement level up to the dumpster. I got my exercise today!
The weather here is perfect for fall. You could go around with a jacket rather than the heavier winter coat. We managed to get home in time to cover a couple of shrubs with burlap and do a little raking.
Now I am heading into the kitchen to fix supper--I have started being very diligent again about tracking everything I eat. I didn't lose anything as of yesterday's weigh-in, so now I am back in "serious" mode. Glad you are too!
You got lots of great exercise on your vacation! Even if you might not have lost weight, you probably lost inches!
I would love to lose 8 lbs before Christmas, since it appears I am losing at about the rate of 4 lbs per month. We'll see--I just have to keep at it. I already decided I am not going to do the amount of Christmas baking that I usually do. None of us needs to eat it!!
Let's keep checking in with each other every day and stay on the "straight and narrow"! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
11/6/06 6:00 P
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Hi, Martha!
Yes, let's get going again. I did pretty well yesterday but not so good today. Once a year I make apple dumplings for my family and parents, etc. Today was the day so I knew that I would be eating one. That really sent me over on the calories. However, I did start back on my exercising this a.m. Of course I did a lot of walking on tours in Hawaii, including a hike up to the top of Diamond Head. So, I did get exercise. Actually, I had to get weighed before I got on the helicopter on Thursday and I had only gained 2 pounds which I believe was water because my feet were swollen every day!. I have not weighed however since I got home. I don't want to discourage myself. I just want to start again and get going. So, let's get back to checking in with each other every day and really encouraging each other.
How's your weather now?
Hope that your day was good. Hi, to Gloria and all my other friends from this site! How's everyone doing? Nancy
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Hi, Nancy! I am so glad you are back safe and sound. I know what you mean about the plane travel, though--I have never flown as far as you did, but even about 6 hours is my limit! After that I am like a "caged animal", and forget sleeping on a plane. Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful time while you were there!
Would you like to start SparkPeople again with me? I have just been through the renovations plus my husband's birthday yesterday....the birthday cake is constantly calling me from the kitchen..... Let's make a pact that today you and I start back FOR REAL!! Okay? We can do this, you and I both know that we can. So let's DO IT!! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
11/5/06 8:43 A
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| Hello, everyone! I've safely returned from my cruise. It was a great time, but I found out that I do not do well with that long of flights! I don't lose sleep well and it was hard on me....up almost 24 hours going both ways. I did pretty well on the cruise as far as eating, but the days since then have been trouble. This is my new beginning as I am back on SP now and ready to start counting, tracking, etc. It is amazing and scary how fast one can lose their new habits and revert to the old ones. So, I will probably need some help to get jump started again. Anyway, it's good to be back and hope to hear from you soon~
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| Have a great time and come back and tell us all about the cruise. I have never been on one so I want you to tell all. Gloria
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NILLYWILLY
10/20/06 8:42 P
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| Thanks for all of the encouragement, ladies. We leave the day after tomorrow for our cruise. It scares me a little that I will gain a lot of weight but I am going to try to keep portions small and enjoy the food without stressing about it. I will let you know how things went when I get back! Nancy
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| I stayed stuck on the same weight for almost 2 months and then finally a break through of down 2 lbs. So just hang in there and keep doing what you are suppose to and one day the scale will move again. It is flustrating as the devil but this does work, just not as fast as we want it to. Gloria
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MARIJEIGHN
10/16/06 1:57 P
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| Hi Nancy I dont understand why sometimes we dont lose either. I have had a few really good weeks kept right on track with calories and am getting lots of exercise but I have only lost 2 pounds in 4 weeks. I guess our bodies just do things in their own way LOL. Have fun on your cruise and then climb right back on the healthy eating track. Hope you have a swell time !! MJ
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SAMSGRANNY
10/16/06 1:55 P
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 don't dispare, as u exercise you gain muscle mass, which replaces that other stuff and will often put u on a plateau, use a tape measure to gage your success, u could be losing inches but not pounds at this time.
Good luck and enjoy the spa and excercise room on the cruise...
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NILLYWILLY
10/16/06 1:45 P
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Hi, Martha and Gloria and MJ and anyone else I've missed. Well, still no good news for me. AFter 5 weeks I am still stuck. Not one pound gon e! I am amazed. How can I have increased my exercising so much and cut my food so much and not lost anything for over a month!!! It's a mystery.
Anyway, I am not giving up. Of course I am supposed to leave on Sunday for my cruise and so of course I don't expect to lose anything on that. Oh well at least I am trying to stay positive.
Congrats, Martha! That is great news! I must admit I'm a little envious but I am very happy for you and so proud that you didn't give up! Nancy
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MARIJEIGHN
10/15/06 7:14 P
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| Oh Martha I am so glad you are feeling better. You and everyone else here is a blessing to me. I am glad that I found Sparks and all of you. MJ
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Hey, MJ and Gloria! Thanks so much for supporting me. I finally moved into a more positive place after my venting all the frustrations last Tuesday. Guess I need to learn patience and know that I am going to plateau for weeks and just not worry about it. I must admit, I feel better when I track my foods.
You are all a blessing to me!! Hugs, Martha
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| Way to go Martha. It is hard not to get discouraged when that scale refuses to move but you can out wait it and it will have to give in. Proud of you. Gloria
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MARIJEIGHN
10/15/06 1:18 P
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| Martha That is so great. I am so proud of you for not giving up !!! MJ
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Nancy, I finally have good news to report. After 4 weeks, I have dropped 3 lbs! I was dead on 200 this morning!! Boy, was I relieved.
What about you? Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
10/14/06 10:34 A
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Martha, Sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you. I hope that you haven't quit yet! Go back and read all of those encouraging words that you said to me and then take them to heart. I get weighed tomorrow and am a little unnerved by what that will be, however, I keep telling myself that I HAVE
changed the way I eat and it is impossible not to lose after awhile. This is probably the point that we always give up and I don't want either of us to do that now. Persevere! Try not to stress about it. Just think.....okay, I am doing the right things and sooner or later it will come off. I think we get caught up in wanting it all off right now. It sure would be nice but it isn't going to happen that way. You can do it. Don't beat yourself up for a little Thanksgiving rebelling and just get back to doing what is right. I know that you can do it! Keep communicating with me, please. I really need it! Thanks Nancy
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Hi, Nancy! I can tell that you feel better, and thank goodness you saw your doctor! thyroid problems can really play havoc with your body!!
I am in the same boat as you right now. I have lost nothing over the past three weeks...in fact, I have put on a pound over that period of time. I am so mad at myself and just want to quit. Trying to follow a diet is just too stressful for me.
I was expecting the scale to be back down to at least the 202 that I had reached 3 weeks ago, and I even did mega-exercising last week to get back down. But I was the same as last week, 1 pound up. What a bummer! Seems I can't do whatever it takes to lose weight.
It is very depressing, to say the least. I didn't do any exercising yesterday because I was so mad, and I had Thanksgiving lunch over at a friend's house and had two glasses of wine and dessert, just to rebel even more.
My daughter wants me to keep on the SP program, but I am not sure if I want to -- no positive results for 21 days is a really good reason to quit! My only real reason for doing this program is to lose weight, and it's not happening.
So that's my rant for the day! Good way (NOT) to spend Thanksgiving, huh? At least your news was good!! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
10/9/06 1:01 P
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Thanks for the good advice! I had to see the doctor today for some blood work to check potassium level and thyroid level. She said that the extended plateau is not unusual for someone with low thyroid issues such as I have. She is going to check on that and see how the numbers are to maybe change my med to help get the ol' metabolism kicking in again.
Anyway, I took Friday completely off and Saturday I had a lazy morning. Both of those were great. I had an unexpected visit from my sweet daughter on Sunday afternoon and that helped my spirits a little bit.
I have a great female doctor and she said, "OH, Nancy, I'm so proud of you!" She is the first doctor I have ever had that ever gave me any encouragement. I thank the Lord for you guys and for her and for my family who continues to encourage me. I know that I will get over this hump sooner or later.
Hope that you are having a great week! Nancy
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Again Martha is giving you excellent advise. Such a wise woman! Can you prepare a lunch to take with you or some veggies that would not have to be refrigerated. I find that eating out increases my sodium levels a lot, when I eat at home I use very little salt and can really tell the difference in my body.
Well, I have got to get ready for church. Hugs to you both, and don't give up. Gloria
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Nancy, seems like with the start of the fall, everything is back to high speed again. And it is so much harder to follow an exact program while trying to do everything we have to do. Why do we do this to ourselves?
Stress plays a big part in this whole weight-loss (or "non-loss, I should say). You sound like you are bone tired...not a good thing! And tears tell me you are at the breaking point. Try to get some extra rest. Take off an hour every afternoon and read a good book if you can.
Can you carry some healthy snacks in your purse or car? I found I was eating breakfast at 6:45am and then working right through until I got home at 2pm...with nothing to eat in between. Now I keep Kashi TLC Crunchy granola bars (extra protein) in my desk drawer, and I have one around 11am with some coffee. Then I don't over-eat when I get to lunch.
But it is so hard to eat at someone else's house and then try to account for calories. Just keep to small portions and don't worry too much about it. The more you stress about it, the less chance you have to lose the weight! Vicious cycle, eh?
This is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. I am so thankful for an extra day off work!!
Take care of you!! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
10/6/06 10:28 A
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Thanks girls! I am shedding a few tears as I write this. I guess that right there should probably tell me that I am not in a good place for me. I am really tired! I have been going very strongly now with lots of physical work besides my exercising and I am worn out. It was so good to open this up this morning since I didn't have any time yesterday and to see 2 people encouraging me and sharing the same problems! Thanks so much! I am drinking a lot. I think that part of the problem has been that I have been so busy that I haven't eaten at home a lot lately. Even though I try to have small portions, it's hard to know exactly how many calories I am eating when other people are preparing it. Plus, when I am putting my food in at the end of the day because I have been so busy, it's too late to eat less if I have gone over. I don't know how I am going to change this right now, but I think that I must look at a way to have some more time for myself and to cut the activities for awhile.
Anyway, you both were great to encourage me. Thanks!
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| I agree with Martha completely, Just keep plugging away. Are you drinking enough water. How about fiber do you have enough in your diet? You can track this and sodium along with your calories each day. I have been stuck for weeks too, but I am just keeping on eating what I know I should and keeping with the program. I know that one day the scale will move for both of us in the downward direction! Hugs, Gloria
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Nancy, first, DON'T QUIT!!!!! When I see your photo on the message board, I know that you are a person I would like to be friends with. You have a beautiful smile, you take care of your family (both older and younger generations), and you participate in a Christian community of faith. This weight loss is a journey that we are on...both of us have come to a dead stop!
Are you taking care of YOU?
Are you eating enough calories, especially if you have increased your activity? Your body will go into starvation mode if you don't eat enough to support the exercise you are doing.
Are you getting enough sleep? (I'm not, so I am trying melatonin every night...seems to help a little.)
I weighed yesterday, and I was up another whole pound from my Sunday weigh-in! So I am trying to decrease the bread I eat and add veggies instead. I have been eating in the mid-range of my calories, so I am trying to stay at the low-end of the calories.
The other thing I did that really helped me was to start a new thread on the 50+ females message board. Describe what you are doing, where you are "stuck", and see if others have some suggestions for you. I got lots of help with my addiction to sweets!! At least I know lots of people go through the same things as me--there's a strength in knowing that.
You deserve that cruise, and you will look fantastic, even if you don't get to 200 before you leave. After all, it's just a number--it's not a measure of your worth on earth! (But, like you, I sure want to get down to a weight that starts with "1" instead of "2"!!)
Just keep on track...it will work eventually. I believe that!! Hugs, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
10/4/06 9:30 A
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| Martha, HELP! I have been stuck on the same weight for 3 weeks! It is so discouraging. I increased exercise. I know that due to my little vacation and having out of town guests last week I may have eaten a little more but I tried to stay in the guidelines as best as possible. I wanted to get below 200 before we leave on our cruise in 3 weeks and now I have about given that up. Needless to say, I am discouraged. I have been so busy that I haven't had time to do a lot of reading on SP. I hope to get back to that and find some helpful motivational articles. For you, I know that you will be beback on track....1/2 pound isn't much. You can do it! Nancy
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Hi Nancy! Well, my weight was up 1/2 pound today--I am so mad at myself. Just got off the "dreadmill", so I hope to reverse this gaining trend this week.
How about you? Did you have a better week than me, hopefully? cheers, Martha
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Hi, Nancy! I figured you must be busy since I hadn't seen any postings from you.
I am anxious to see my weigh-in tomorrow. My weight hasn't changed over the past two weeks, but this week we have celebrated an early Thanksgiving--complete with big turkey dinner, pumpkin pie, the WORKS!
Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October, but my university daughter is working all that weekend and cannot get home. She came home this weekend, so we just moved the holiday up two weeks!
Anyway, I have eaten lots of rich food...tried to increase the exercise, but tomorrow we see what the damage is! AND TOMORROW I GET BACK ON TRACK--PROMISE! I feel so much better when I am staying within my calories and eating healthier!
Tonight we have a pot luck supper at church....I will really have to watch it! I offered to run the dishwasher so I could get some exercise and get away from the food table early.
So I will let you know tomorrow what has happened with me! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
9/30/06 11:04 A
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Martha, that was great! I, too, have had out of town guests for the last few days which is why I am behind in posting. I didn't do great, but not terrible. Plus, I tried to increase my exercise a little since I increased my food a little. I actually didn't gain any the weekend of the houseboat trip, but didn't lose. I anticipate that happening again, however, this is really slowing down my progress!
It is good, though, isn't it to have a more positive attitiude about getting right back on track? Let me know how you ladies are doing now. Nancy
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MARIJEIGHN
9/20/06 5:24 A
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| What a great attitude Martha. I think we all need to realize that there will be times when we will go off the program a little. We just need to realize that when we go stray the trick is to get right back on program and dont quit. I know for myself at least I used to give up if I had a bad day and then start the yo-yo pattern again. MJ
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Nancy, there is so little time left before we hit the cold weather--it's great that you had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the Fall! You probably didn't gain much...or if you did, it will go away again pretty quick if you get back on the program.
My parents are here now. I have been good until tonight. We went out to dinner to celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary...I ate almost everything on my plate AND THEN ATE A DESSERT  ! But you know what, mentally I prepared...I let myself enjoy the dinner, but promised myself I would not let go of my goals. I am actually looking forward to eating less tomorrow and walking more.
Maybe my brain is starting to click in. In the past, I have just given up because of one or two bad weeks. This time I feel so much better that I don't want to give up. And it's all of you who are helping me--I couldn't do it without you, and it sure wouldn't be as much fun! thanks, everyone
Hugs! Martha
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NILLYWILLY
9/19/06 1:23 P
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Hello again, ladies!
I've been on a mini-vacation for the last 4 days....a houseboat trip on Norris Lake with some other couples. So, I've been missing out on all of the good news from you. Congrats to you, Martha, for those 2.5 lbs! MJ and Gloria it sounds like your attitudes are in the right place. Hurray! That's a good part of the battle won.
I didn't do as well as I had hoped on the trip although I could have done much worse! I had a few slips....which now make me feel like I have gained it all back even though I know that I haven't. I did stick with small helpings and no seconds and made fairly good choices until the last day. I know that I should have weighed yesterday but I just couldn't make myself get on this a.m. I was so afraid that I would be so upset it would really bring me down. So, I got back on the program today....but didn't weigh.
Martha, I'm envious of the changing leaves. I know that we will get them eventually but fall is my favorite season and I can hardly wait! My daughter loves her new job and it is so good to hear happiness in her voice when she tells me about it.
Well, I've lots to catch up on so I'm going for now! Great going girls!
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| Martha, I know that I will win the battle with the scale in the long term, but I am just like everyone else on here wanting it "NOW". Hugs, Gloria
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MARIJEIGHN
9/18/06 10:23 A
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| Thanks Martha. I am having so much fun being able to wear clothes that I have not worn in so long. I have a whole wardrobe of things that got too small for me and now some of them are beginning to fit. Hope you are having a good day !!! MJ
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| MJ, you are doing great! Ditto about the friends we meet on SP! There's no end to the support, especially for the rough times. You are probably having to buy new clothes now with that amount of weight lost. Cheers, Martha
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Gloria, don't get discouraged! I try to make myself understand that plateaus are just our body's way of adjusting to the weight loss. Be good to yourself when your on a plateau...new fingernail polish, new lipstick, or something special like that.... I love the image of the scale giving up the fight! I will think of that when I hit a plateau.
Enjoy the fall! The leaves are really starting to turn up here. Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
9/18/06 5:59 A
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| Hi Martha I am feeling fine. I have lost a total of 15 pounds in the last two months. I really contribute my success to Sparks. This site made me realize how important good nutrition and doing exercise on a regular basis is. I also need to give thanks to the wonderful friends I have made on here. I think its great the way we are all in this together mades the journey so much easier. MJ
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| Martha, right now I am just holding my own. It gets a bit discouraging, but at least I am not gaining so I will be happy with that for now. I know the scale will give up the fight one day and be down another lb so I am just waiting it out. Have a good night. Gloria
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Thanks, MJ! Now if I can just get back BELOW 200...
How are you doing? Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
9/17/06 6:35 P
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 Martha Great Loss this week !!! MJ
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Hey, Everyone! Finally good news to report this week. I am down 2.5 lbs!! So the pound that I gained last week came off plus more--whew!
My parents are visiting us this week...more challenges in the food department, but if I can just maintain where I am now, I can start back on the regular routine after they leave. For now, I am going to enjoy their visit. (We are going out to a buffet dinner tonight, so it's small portions and healthy choices!)
How are the rest of you doing? Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
9/14/06 4:16 P
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Hi, friends!
Yes, Martha, I think that smaller portions is the way to go. It definitely helps. It's hard, especially if it's a dessert that is yummy, but think about being full and not needing dessert. Also, make sure you drink a lot which will help fill you up. Someone else also suggested eating a small healthy snack before you go somewhere so that you won't be as hungry. I know that these things are probably not natural for us....but that's what making a lifestyle change is all about! Good luck!
I'm going away with my small group from church for the entire weekend....Friday through Monday.....no control at all and we will be on a houseboat so not much chance to pick anything other than what people bring. I am going the small portion route! I'll let you know next week how I do.
I am more concerned because on a houseboat....there's not a lot of chances for major exercise. I'll just have to do my best.
Talk to you all next week! nancy
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| When you eat at other people's home or church socials just take smaller portions and at people's homes. At church socials you can do the same and/or just skip the things that you know are not on your good list and go for the things that you can eat. this is what I do anyway.
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Hi, Nancy! I will read that article--I need something to keep me on the program!!
We have 15 weeks until Christmas, and I want to be down 15 more pounds by then--but I guess that's impossible!!
It's getting harder, too, because now we are doing more things at church that involve food, plus we are visiting friends more for dinners. I never have had much success at eating over at a friend's home while I was dieting.
Help, everyone: please give me some tips on how to diet when you have no control over what food is being served!
I do drink at least 8 glasses of water or unsweetened ice tea or Crystal Light per day. In fact, it's usually 10 for me.
Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
9/11/06 12:41 P
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| Hi I do drink half my weight about 11 glasses a day. I make sure I get water before and after exercise and somehow I am not having a problem drinking enough. I believe you can count iced tea or other water based drinks as long as there is no caffiene in them.
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NILLYWILLY
9/11/06 12:24 P
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Hello, everyone!
Martha, 1 lb is nothing....remember when I gained 2 just a couple of weeks ago? You are still trying and that's what is important! It will come. You might try reading the article (if you haven't already) called Body Composition Measures Results. It talks a lot about other ways to gauge progress than just the scale!
MJ, good work! How much water are you drinking a day? I can get the 8 glasses down okay but I read an article that said you should drink half of your weight in ounces. It's those extra ounces that give me grief. Do you count anything other than water like iced tea?
Well, we are all still here and still working and to me that is progress! Have a good one!
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MARIJEIGHN
9/11/06 5:41 A
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| Hi Martha I have lost a total of 14 pounds, and 6 1/2 inches since I started 2 months ago. I had a week where I lost only 1/2 pound and one week of no loss but then it started to come off. I am concentrating on the water and exercise, and being very careful with the food, but I believe the water and exercise is making the difference. MJ
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Thanks for the support, MJ. It's just that we are all so scale-oriented and have been all our lives. I am anxious to see the number of pounds come down. Oh well, tomorrow is another day to get back on track. I had to eat out at lunch today, so I hope I didn't blow it too badly in the calorie department.
How are you doing? Have you lost pounds or inches (or both!)? Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
9/10/06 10:59 A
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| Martha please dont be overly concerned, a one pound gain could be temporary water weight and it certainly will go away with the rest of the weight as we follow our journey into being healthy. MJ
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Hi, Everyone! Bad news for me this week. I gained a pound :-(. Sure hope I can turn this around next week! Don't know what I did wrong, but I am going to cut my calories a bit and see if that helps.
Let's hear some good news from someone else!! Cheers, Martha
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Doesn't that sound like a lovely weekend! Lots of fresh air, good food, and fellowship....my kind of weekend. Have a great time, Klompeno!
I just got back from visiting my older daughter who is in university in Kingston, Ontario. She and her 4 housemates were having problems with the landlord...fortunately, everything was settled just before my husband and I arrived as "back-up".
I took a day off the diet--too much going on and not alot of control over food, so tomorrow I must get back on track!!!!!
Then Sunday we are driving back to Kingston for the day. Hopefully I can watch the food better.
Everyone have a good weekend! I'll let you know on Sunday how the weigh-in goes. Cheers, Martha
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| Hi, well just wanted to say I hope everyone is having a great day. In just alittle while I be leaving for a weekend ladies retreat in the mountains Every year about this time our church holds one for ladies and it really is wonderful time. All the meals are prepared for us I have no doubt they will be healthy. This be the first time in awhile I not fix my own meals, Nice
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NILLYWILLY
9/8/06 11:22 A
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Klompeno,
Glad to hear that things are going well for you! Keep up the good work!
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| Hello Everyone, Hope you are all having a great day. Our holiday weekend turned out to be really nice one the rain stayed away until Tuesday evening and its raining again this afternoon. Its alittle soggy on this side of the US to. I sure nothing like where Ernesto left its mark and I hear another storm is brewing in the Alantic ocean. I certainly keep all you folks along East coast in my thoughts and prayers. My eating and excersising has been going good I started stage 2 this week. I still struggle with balancing out carbs, fat and proteins, but I keep at it. Really like this site alot you all very encouraging. Bye for now.
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Hey Martha....it looks like that weight is coming off!
I will keep you in my prayers for that whole "imaginary brake" thing. I remember the first time I took Lindsay out she told me that she would like driving a lot better if there weren't other cars on the road! I wondered if we would ever make it, but she did! Good luck. Of course you have previous experience in this with other kids, right?
I had a great day yesterday with eating but didn't feel much lighter so I just decided to go back to weighing on Sunday this week. No use making myself upset if I hadn't lost.
Any good recipes that you have tried from here anyone? I am getting ready to try two new ones this week. I'll let you know how they are. nancy
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 Hi, Nancy! I used to be a health care aide in a retirement home, and I know how painful those fractured vertebrae can be! Your poor father!
And tell your daughter to enjoy her new job and not look back! Her former employers didn't deserve her if they couldn't be nice when she resigned. It's not fun to be in that situation for either you or your daughter. Still, life is a highway...MOVE ON!!
You are amazing, though. With all of this, you have lost 5.5 inches!!! Way to go!!!!!!!!!
We had a quiet weekend. I did get the chili sauce made, and we got to the ballgame, but Hurricane Ernesto made it up here over the weekend, so things got pretty soggy. Still, we didn't get the high winds that MJ down in Florida would have gotten!
Today was the first day of school, so now things will settle into the normal routine. My younger daughter has her learner's permit, so I am taking her out driving in the afternoons--my right leg is sore from pushing the [imaginary] brake on the passenger side of the car--haha! It's a stress, but so far I am able to manage it without heading for the frig when we get back after each lesson!
How about everyone else? Let us know how your weekend went! Cheers, Martha
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Hi,All!
I hope that the holiday weekend was a success for all...both in fun and eating.
I spent Thursday and Friday with my dad in the hospital. He is 86 years old and has now had 8 fractured vertebrae. They just break....osteoporosis. So, there were a lot of long hours at the hospital and not great food choices. But I think that I did okay....not great but okay. I guess that I was just kind of stressed from that and my daughter got her new job (yea!) but when she turned in her resignation where she works now they weren't too nice to her. So, she was upset...which as we all know....then makes me a little upset.
So, it wasn't a great weekend but I weighed yesterday for my challenge team and I had not lost or gained. That's satisfactory for now. I did manage to get 5 1/2 inches off so hurray for that!
I'm glad to be back on the computer and have time to talk to all my spark friends! I'll be looking forward to hearing how all those weekend activities went.
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| Hi Everyone, Hardly believe its fall, but look forward to some of this seasons best foods. I love Tomatoes and can imagine how great your chili sauce. I hope you all have a very wonderful Labor Day weekend. It is suppose to rain here so don't know if we'll do any outdoor cooking but do so look forward to a day of relaxation. Have fun.
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| Glad your tomato plants have done well. I bet we put out 20 plants and hardly got any tomatoes. Planted 4 more for fall Tomatoes and two of them have died and it is all due to the heat we have had here I guess. You could water and water but the heat was just to much. Never had such a bad year on tomatoes.
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| Thanks Martha and I hope you have a grat weekend too. We are planning a neighborhood cookout so I know I am going to have to be careful with the side dishes. Homemake chili sauce sounds great !! Have fun at the baseball game. MJ
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Hey, Nancy, Gloria, Gloria, MJ, Klompeno, and anyone else who reads this message board!
I hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend, get lots of exercise, and eat "within reason" [I know, that last part is the hardest].
The Tomatoes are at their peak up here, so I will be making chili sauce on Saturday. The Ottawa Lynx play their last baseball game on Labor Day, so we will be out at the baseball field that day.
Holidays are hard to get through without gaining, so let's help each other through this one!! Cheers, Martha
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Nancy, 
See, you did lose weight!!! I am so happy for you!
Now just keep doing what you are doing....it's working.
I just know that I feel a whole lot better when I am watching what I eat. The acid reflux (yuk!) is gone, I don't feel bloated all the time, and I have a better outlook on life. I try to think of all of this whenever I get down about not showing a loss on the scales. (Of course, I still get depressed when I am not 20 lbs lighter overnight [haha])
Anyway, glad to hear your news! Cheers, Martha
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| Hello to all my new friends, It sure is great to hear that there are many of you like myself working hard to get fit when over 50. I felt for some time that it going to be hopeless until I came to this site. What a blessing to have found SP. Last few years Alaska winters have been fairly mild it gets cold but it doesn't stay that way for long periods the same with the snow. Do love the beautiful scenery
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NILLYWILLY
8/29/06 12:13 P
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Hey, friends!
Welcome Klompeo! We have a great site here. Everyone is very encouraging and caring about each other.
I am 55, live in Ohio and love winter! (Sorry Martha!)
Okay, Martha I am picturing you in the frig! That really made a smile come to my face. I never thought about there being extra salt in restaurant food. That could be it.
Anyway....against all advice I am weighing 3 times a week. This way if I happen to be up on "my day" I don't have to wait a whole week to see if I made any progress. This is what I did once before and I thought it was easier to deal with the little fluctuations that way. This is just me though. I know the recommendation is only once. So, I weighed this a.m. and had lost 3 pounds!
Gloria, you asked about my calories. My usual day is between 1100-1200. Once in awhile I stick in a day above 1200 to try to keep my body from thinking that I am starving it.
You were all so encouraging. Thanks! We are in this together! nancy
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| Hi Klompeo I am Gloria and just been part of this team for a few weeks. You will love the support and advice you receive from all the Spark people. It gets to be harder to lose weight when we get a bit older, but it is not impossible just slower so don't get discouraged. Post your food, watch your portion sizes, and exercise however you can. Alaska....isn't it really really cold there? I start freezing when it hits 55. Gloria
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| Hi, Klompeno! I'm Martha, 52, originally from North Carolina but living in Canada--I HATE the winters!! Anyway, welcome to SP! Isn't the site great? I find something new every day. But the best thing is the support from other people through the message boards. We all go through the same emotions as we lose the weight...but the good thing is that when you are depressed, there's always someone who can sympathize and keep you going. So nice to meet you! Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
8/29/06 4:57 A
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| Thanks Martha I think the hardest part is just waiting. I appreciate your prayers. MJ
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MARIJEIGHN
8/29/06 4:56 A
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| Hi Klompeno and welcome. I am 59 years young and the big 60 is coming in Sept. I live in Florida with my daughter, son in law and three grandsons look forward to getting to know you better. MJ
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| Hi, I started with sparkpeople one week ago and what a great site. Am 58 yrs. young shortly due to add another one they go by so fast! Hoping to get healthy and in good shape again, God knows I sure do need to. Live in Alaska with married daughter and 13 yr grandson. Avid hockey fans and animal lovers. I hope to chat with some of you soon have to go away now for awhile. Will check back.
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| Oh, MJ, I will say a prayer for you and your family! I know you will be worried until the storm passes. Good luck and God bless you. Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
8/28/06 9:44 P
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| Hi Martha I am so sorry to hear that your wallet was stolen. I had a pretty busy day today. We are very close to the projected path of the hurricane headed for Fl, so I spent the day rounding up batteries, water, blankets and ready to eat food. Right now it looks like they are downgrading it but since we live in a mobile home, we may have to evacuate anyway. I will stay in touch as long as I can. MJ
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Hi, Gloria! Thanks, too , for your concern about my stolen wallet. I think I have gotten most everything replaced, but took all day to do it. It was sure a stress on my dieting.... But all is well and I can be happy again. Hope you had a good weekend!
Hey, where are Naturallady Gloria and MJ?
Cheers, Martha
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Nancy, thanks for your concern about my wallet.
Listen, don't be concerned about your gain--IT'S TEMPORARY!!!!! Gloria said this, and I believe it, you probably ate something that contained more hidden salt than your usual amount. That really happens in restaurant food. So, don't worry....keep doing what you are doing and the weight gain will even out over a week or two. Also, I retain more water when the outdoor temperature goes up, and we have had an increase in temps. up here over the last 3 or 4 days...that could be a contributing factor.
Don't give up, whatever you do. We have to keep each other motivated...just get a mental picture of me sitting in my frig and then laugh! It's easy to get depressed over our setbacks. We've all been there!!
Just look at where you started, focus on how well you feel, and get past this disappointment. You are so positive and helpful...and we're here for you!
Cheers, Martha
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Martha, how awful to have your wallet stolen. You just cannot be to careful these days even when you think you are someplace safe. It is so discouraging to see how this world is turning out.
Nancy, I can gain 2 or 3 lbs just from holding water. Maybe something you are eating is salty and then with all the water you are drinking you are retaining some of it. I suggest not to weigh more than one time a week just because of these flucuations. I know it is discouraging, but hang in there. how many calories are you eating a day? Gloria
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NILLYWILLY
8/28/06 6:18 P
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Martha,
I was so wrapped up in my selfish concerns.....sorry to hear about your wallet. What a pain that was for you! Yes, I know the desire to eat your way out of problems like that! Glad you were able to keep it under somewhat control. Any progress is better than none! Good job. Nancy
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NILLYWILLY
8/28/06 6:17 P
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Hi, everyone!
What a weekend! On Friday a.m. I weighed in 207...loss of 1 lb. I was a little discouraged that it wasn't 2 but I'd take it. I read some more about plateaus and how you should not be eating below the minimum calories...which I have been. So, I decided that Friday I would eat a little more. On Saturday we went out to eat twice but both times i only ate half of the entree and boxed the rest. Got on the scales Sunday morning for the weigh in for the challenge team I joined and/........209!!!! gained 2 lbs. Needless to say I was devastated and discouraged. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up, but it so frustrating when you are trying so hard and measuring and weighing food and tracking and working out etc.etc.etc. and the results are not there. I even drank 12 glasses of water both days over the weekend! Anyone have any suggestions?
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Hey, Everyone! I have been extremely busy today....I managed to lose 1/2 lb. last week--not as much as I had hoped, but guess it will have to do.
Had my wallet stolen out of my car when I was at the church doing some gardening on Saturday. Needless to say, I was on the phone for a couple of hours Saturday night cancelling cards, etc. I was so mad and so frustrated that I really wanted to sit in the frig and eat to comfort myself. Anyone been there?
Well, I didn't go overboard, but I did eat a little more than I should have. Today I was on the road from 8am until 4:30pm getting replacements for my driver's license and registration, new bank card, new insurance card, and new OHIP card....everything is done except for receiving the new Mastercard, Visa, and Airmiles cards in the mail. I stopped at noon and ate a sandwich,which I hope I have entered into the food tracker correctly.
So how is everyone else? I hope your weekend was better than mine!!!!!!!!! Cheers, Martha
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Gloria, I have been using the Kashi brand granola bars for a snack at work. They have more protein than the regular granola bars...I am trying to get in more protein.
And MJ, we are all in this for the long haul--we have to get HEALTHY!! My daughters are 18 and 20, so I have a few years before they settle down, but eventually, I want to be able to keep up with my grandchildren! So even if we treat ourselves now and then, the overall effect will be positive.
You girls have a good weekend! Martha
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| Love the little packs of Oreos and Chips ahoy. My main problem is bread. I am a carb junkie. I could eat a whole loaf of white bread and cheese whiz and not blink an eye. Starches and fats call my name. Uggg!
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MARIJEIGHN
8/25/06 8:03 P
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| HI MARTHA I think you will be pleased with them. I have three different kinds and so far I am able to control myself and have just one bag. In fact since I got them I have only had them twice. I almost think just having them there I am not so tempted by other sweets I know I can't have, and because I am in this for the long haul I will need to splurge on once in a while. MJ
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| I bought some slimfast snack bars, but found some lower calorie granola bars at the grocery store and switched to them. They are a bit smaller in size, but still satisfy. Gloria
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Thanks, all of you for the help! I bought a box of the 100-cal packs of oreo cookies....it's great just to know I have one little treat for those "hard to get through" days. Now if I can just make it through the weekend...thankfully, no dinners out on Saturday or Sunday, so I am hoping to show a little loss on Sunday! Cheers, Martha
 Good luck to everyone over the weekend!!!
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| I keep pretzels, trailmix lower fat kind, low fat animal cookies, and get low fat chips. Whenever I have to have something I measure out a serving and put it in a bowl. When bowl is empty I do not have the package in front of me to have "just one more".
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NILLYWILLY
8/24/06 4:36 P
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Hi, ladies!
I have decided that I can only eat really good chocolate if I am going to splurge. So far, I haven't bought any so I am without. I have had some Slimfast snack bars.....chocolate/carmel/peanut. They are 120 calories (I think) and it has satisfied me pretty well until that day when I get something great.
MJ, are you talking about the 100 calorie packs of chips, etc? I saw those in the grocery and thought that would be a good idea for me too. However, I haven't bought them either. I am trying to satisfy my crunchy snack food with pretzels so far. Three of them (the ones I buy) are 120 calories.
When I weighed on Tuesday to get on schedule with the challenge team...I had not lost anything since Friday. Now, I think they are going to weigh on Sundays. So I will weigh then and let you know. I don't feel like I am losing. I have been madly reading the plateau articles. I may not be eating enough calories. Plus, I've been drinking 2 quarts of water and according to one article you are supposed to divide your weight in half and drink that many ounces. That means I need 3 quarts!!! Guess I'll be in the bathroom a lot!
I am good in the emotional realm today so that is a positive! Glad to hear from all of you again.
Martha, you were a busy girl!
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NATURALLADY
8/24/06 6:36 A
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Welcome MARIJEIGHN AND FATMAMA10,
MARIJEIGHN,
I have a major sweet tooth as much as you do. I try to have me something in the ice box as much as I can to eat. I make that sugar free chocolate pudding. I put it in a small glass and then I put part of a banana and more chocolate and then put sugar free cool-whip on top. It looks beautiful and taste great. You will have to find deserts that you can eat so you won't feel neglected when you do eat.
FATMAMA10,
My husband eats whatever he wants to and it is hard to watch someone eat all the things you want to eat and know you cannot have. Also my husband is some overweight to. Every little success I have keeps me going. I was 230 and now as of this morning I weigh 198. My goals are in 10 pound goals. To think I have to lose 80 pounds was just a little too much at once.
Good luck and God Bless everyone,
Gloria (naturallady)
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MARIJEIGHN
8/24/06 5:40 A
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| Hi Martha I am having the same problem with sweets. First of all I am a junkaholic LOL my biggest problem food is potato chips, now those I have given up completely because I know I cannot moderate my eating them. My second fav is cookies and such. My daughter, who by the way is completely supportive of my efforts which makes it easier, bought me some of those new 100 calorie snack packs. At first I was afraid to even look at them for fear I would eat the whole box but now I can have one pack and feel completely satisfied. I am determined this time to make my new eating habits a lifestyle, not just a diet. Diets dont work for me never have and probably never will. I realize that at least in my world that snacks and Goodies are a way of life but I think that if I can control the urge to overeat them I can beat the problem. So at least for now I save 100 calories a day so that if I have that old sweet tooth urge I can have one without blowing my eating for the day. The funny thing is that now that I have "allowed" myself the option of a sweet, many times I will munch on a piece of fruit, go figure LOL MJ
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Hey, Nancy! I was swamped at work yesterday...managed to clean up 3 weeks worth of mail, e-mail, and phone messages. Today the "real" work started. Ha ha! So far I am managing to fit in the exercise each day.
What about you? Did you weigh in yesterday?
Do you still find you are craving sweets? I can't seem to get past wanting chocolate, cookies, and pie. Right now it is sheer willpower getting me through this, but I sure hope I get used to not eating sweets so I don't crave them so much!
Anyone else have this problem? Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
8/23/06 8:53 P
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| Hey, what happened to everyone? Are you still there? How's it going for everyone?
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Hi, Janatee! It's great to have you on this message board. I had never posted messages like this until I joined Sparkpeople. Everyone is so encouraging and helpful, and I have learned so much.
Keep replying to us so we can get to know you! Cheers, Martha in Canada
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NILLYWILLY
8/21/06 9:49 P
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Welcome Janatee! We are glad to have you and I think that you will enjoy the encouraging support from this group.
Martha, way to go! That was super!
Hey, where has Naturallady Gloria been lately?
MJ and Gloria, we will keep on trying hard with " a little help from our friends"!
I have had a good day. Normally, I weigh on Fridays but I am on a team challenge to lose 20 pounds by Christmas and they weigh on Tuesdays so I will have to weigh tomorrow. I don't expect to have lost any since Friday so I may need to hear those encouraging remarks. We'll see.
Thanks to all of you for being there!
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| Janatee, if it makes you feel better, we all felt that way with our first posting. I had never posted on message boards either till sparks, but I felt comfortable posting after the first few times. You will too. You will make some good friends. gloria
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MARIJEIGHN
8/21/06 7:58 P
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 Janatee I hope you feel as comfortable with these lovely ladies as I do. Look forward to getting to know you better. MJ
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Thanks to all of you. This is my first posting and
reading yours helped me say Hello! I feel more
comfortable now. I've never used a website like this
and think it's awesome. Thanks again!!!
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 Glonski, you are so right to be happy! Any week that we don't gain is still reason to celebrate! Hang in there....Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
8/21/06 3:54 P
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| Hi GLONSKI You're darned right it is good. Our bodies are adjusting to the new routine and it takes awhile sometimes for the losses to show. MJ
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| Way to go Martha. I weighed yesterday and I have just stayed the same. That is better than gaining though so I am happy. Congrat on keeping us on our toes.
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MARIJEIGHN
8/21/06 11:33 A
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| Martha Great Job. Have a nice week too. MJ
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Hi, Nancy, Gloria, Gloria, MJ, and Babe! Good news to report--somehow I lost 2lbs. last week. Boy, was I surprised! I go back to work tomorrow morning, so I am going to enjoy today with a baseball double-header tonight and some sunshine this afternoon.
Hope all of you have a wonderful week! Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
8/20/06 9:09 A
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| Hi NILLYWILLY sounds like you had a fun day ! After church today we are going to one of the big flea markets in our area. Hoping to pick up some exercise videos and check the prices on a treadmill or elliptical so I am really looking forward to it. Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday. MJ
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NILLYWILLY
8/20/06 8:50 A
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| Good Sunday morning to all from Canada to FL and all around! I am just entering my food and have a few minutes before we leave for church. This has been an interesting weekend. Yesterday I played in a golf outing and we had a meal afterwards. I am pleased that I took very small helpings of food and no dessert and I didn't feel that I was having to try to do that. It is starting to feel more natural to think small. That's encouraging! Hope that you are all having a great weekend and look forward to hearing from you!
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MARIJEIGHN
8/18/06 12:03 P
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| Hi Martha It is still very hot here in Florida, so looking forward to it cooling off a bit. I am a native of NH and even after almost 19 yrs here I still miss the fall weather sometimes, but I dont really miss the snow !! Baseball game tonite sounds great. Congrats to your daughter, my grandson is getting his soon, cant believe he is almost 16, time sure does fly. MJ
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Hi, MJ! I am just in my second week of SP, but I love it. You have really done well for your first month--I hope I show that much progress.
How's your weather? Up here in Canada it is beautiful today...should be 80 by this afternoon. We are going to see the Ottawa Lynx (International League baseball) play the Buffalo Bisons tonight. It's fabulous baseball weather.
Before that I have to get my walking done!!
Oh, Everyone, my younger daughter got her learner's permit this morning!!!!!!!! One more driver in our household...........
Now I have to get moving.... Cheers, Martha
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Congrats, Nancy! I visualize a pound of butter and think to myself, "That's what I lost!" A pound lost is great, and you even had to deal with a pot luck lunch at church!!
Keep smiling, tracking your food, exercising--it's paying off!! Cheers, Martha
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MARIJEIGHN
8/18/06 10:35 A
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| Morning All I am MJ 59, from Florida. I joined Sparks 1 month ago tomorrow and am so appreciative of all the help and support I have been receiving from everyone I have met here. Look forward to getting to know you all better. MJ
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NILLYWILLY
8/18/06 9:26 A
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| Oh Martha....it looks like we both went down a pound! Boy, are we really sticking together! I had hoped for more but worried about no loss, as you know, so I'll take the 1 lb and be happy!
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NILLYWILLY
8/18/06 9:24 A
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Welcome, Fatmam10! We are glad to have you! This is an encouraging group of people so we hope that you will stick around! My husband supports what I do but it doesn't change his eating habits. I am trying to learn to ignore what he eats and be totally focused on what I eat. Yes, it is harder when it is in the house but I just keep asking myself...."Who rules? the food or me? " I have decided to be in control. Look for something like pretzels(make sure you count them) or frozen grapes or something that is kind of like a treat to substitute. Since I am trying to drink water I keep my diet soda as a treat too. So when he is eating in front of the TV at night, I have that and actually feel like I am being treated!
It's a rough road but we are all here to help you! There are lots of great articles to read too. I recommend them highly! Good luck and keep in touch as often as you like! nancy
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| Thanks, Nancy. Skipping lunch is definitely a habit I need to break. I also find that now I am really starting to want comfort food! Think I will go have a big glass of water. Hope you had a good day...Cheers, Martha
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| When I started with Sparks my husband was a junk food junky. I finally told him that if he wanted to have junk food around then he had to hide it from me and not eat it around me. He hid it and would not eat in front of me. However, now I have gotten him interested in Sparkpeople and he is on it too so now we just don't have junk food around. There are times I would give my right arm for something, but if it is not here you just deal with it and find something around that is healthy for you to eat. If your family will not put the junk food out of your site then you better have a lot of will power because it will be difficult to pass it by. Gloria
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Hi, Fatmama10! Sorry about the flood disaster for your mother and sisters. That must have been awful! Thank goodness they could turn to you!!
As for the weight loss effort, We are all in this together. Right now I am starving and ready to eat anything in the house--and my daughter has crackers, nachos, and candy bars within my reach! I am into just my second week, so I still crave all the stuff I shouldn't eat!!
Sparkpeople is really a great program. Keep reading our message board and get to know us. We'll be there to encourage you! Cheers, Martha (Momzo52)
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| Hello, I'm new at the Sparkpeople messaging. I really am looking for support in my effort to diet. I weigh 185 pounds and would seriously like to lose 50 pounds. I don't get much family support in my effort to lose the weight and I don't even know how to begin. My mother and two of my sisters moved in with me recently due to losing their home in a flood. The junk food in my house is unreal. HELP!
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NILLYWILLY
8/17/06 7:31 P
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| Martha, it sounds like you have a good plan for keeping things at the office. I have always felt it dangerous to for whatever reason have to skip a meal and then be starving. I usually end up eating way too much. We'll try to keep you encouraged as you head back to work!
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Good Morning, Nancy, Gloria, Gloria, and Babe!
You guys are all so lucky with the various brands of "diet" foods available in the USA--we made a quick cross-border trip to Ogdensburg, NY, yesterday on our way to Kingston. Up here in Canada I can only get the Kashi brand cereals and crackers. When I was in NC in July, I picked up a box of Kashi crunch bars. Yesterday, I bought their chewy granola bars. I find these are really helpful in the "snack" department. I also plan to keep a box at work.
I have to go back to my church secretary job next Tuesday...after 3 weeks off! My desk will be piled so high, and I dread opening the e-mails on the computer...I will probably spend the first day back just going through snail-mail and e-mail.
Anyway, I only work part-time, 8:30am - 12noon. I should be off at 12noon every day, however, for various reasons, I rarely leave before 1 or 1:30. Sometimes I am there until 2 or 2:30. I never take a lunch in with me, because I never "plan" to stay late--it just happens. Then I am stuck at church with nothing to eat. Needless to say, when I finally do get home, I stand in front of the frig and grab the quickest things I can find.
My new plan is to keep healthy snacks at the office. Then I can get through until I can get home and eat properly. We'll see next week if it works!!
You wouldn't think a church office would be stressful, but it is. Even my husband admits it--he has observed me working on several occasions since he retired. He can't believe the various things I come up against in an average morning! And don't even begin to think about the stress associated with Christmas and Easter....
So that's what I am most afraid of with my diet program--I am definitely a stress eater. Starting this program while I have been on vacation has been easy, but the hard part comes next week!
Sorry to run on so much.... Have to get to the dentist now, so everyone have a fabulous day! Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
8/17/06 10:18 A
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| High school reunion....yea! I am rooting for you to make your goal. I went to my 35th heavy and trying to tell myself that it didn't matter. However, when the 40th rolls around I hope to be much smaller! good luck!
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| It does take time to learn the calories, but it will come. I think the hardest for me was portion size. Trying to think what 4 oz of something is ....well, that is kind of hard, but after a while it gets easier. I also try to make a game out of it by guessing how many calories, fat, fiber, and then compare to the actual numbers. Making a game of it seems less like having to work at it. Gloria
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NILLYWILLY
8/16/06 6:54 P
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Good job, Gloria!
I can't believe how encouraging this is to hear from you ladies all the time. It really keeps me accountable and encouraged! Thanks!
I think I am getting the portion sizes down a l ittle better but I still have to look things up for calories. Guess that will come.
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| Well, today was a good test for me. My husband and I went to Red Loster for lunch. I came back home and figured out my calories for lunch and it was 400. i thought I did well so maybe I am learning! Gloria
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| journaling and posting encouraging and supporting each other increases our chances of keeping on track with our calorie counting and forms new habits
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| You know the funny thing is before I started Sparks I thought I did pretty good on calorie intake but when I started posting I found all about the to large size portions, or foods that were higher in calories that I thought etc. It was an eye opener for me. Now I can almost know things by heart, however, I keep posting my foods just so I see that daily total.
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NATURALLADY
8/16/06 9:28 A
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Martha,
Have a great trip.
Gloria,
Thanks for the encouragement. I learn everyday one thing or the other about myself and how I have ate wrongly.
Nancy,
You are doing fine. We will all make it. The more we learn the better off we will be and the easier it will become.
Gloria (naturallady)
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Hi, Everyone! We are off to Kingston tomorrow, about an hour-and-a-half drive from here. This will be tough because we'll be eating out probably at lunch and supper.
I'll catch up with you all on Thursday. Cheers, Martha
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NILLYWILLY
8/15/06 9:11 P
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Thanks everyone for the encouragement about my not being perfect. Today has gone better. I have known for quite some time that most of the food issues I have are in my head not so much my appetite. I think that you will all help me in that area more than anything else!
Martha, have a safe trip! nancy
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NATURALLADY
8/15/06 7:23 P
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Nancy,
One of the first things that I learned that has helped me the most is to forgive yourself. I have had a bad eating day. I don't know how many calories I have ate today because I didn't keep track but I know I ate way too many but tomorrow I will be back on track. Forgiving yourself is the most important thing you have to do. You are not perfect and never will be I am not either but we can do the best we can and keep going. Don't give up because you are not perfect no one else is either.
Gloria (naturallady)
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| I can sympathize with trying to be perfect and organized enough to log everything in but I have learned to relax enough to realize that One bite isn't gonna kill my new way of eating ..... it's all in our heads.... just an excuse to let us eat.... so I try to be mechanical about eating now instead of emotional and so far it's working.....
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Nancy, I'm with you! My past experience is that when I couldn't track every mouthful of food, what was the point--I was going to fail because of this. It was that thinking that caused my failure to lose weight. I couldn't seem to get past the day that I couldn't track everything. Then I just stopped it all and started back to eating whatever I wanted.
Hopefully I can be smarter this time and not give up everything because of just one day's lapse. This is the big thing I am trying to get through to my brain.
Today's a busy one--my university daughter has several things to get done before she returns to Kingston tomorrow. If I don't get back to anyone, it's because I am on the road!! Have a great day! Cheers, Martha
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| There will be lots of times that you just have to give your best guess on what you ate. As you said you have no idea when at a potluck what ingredients are in a dish so you just have to give it your best shot. This does not happen often and 99% of the time you do know exactly what you have eaten so you will just have to slow down and know that nobody is perfect nor will they ever be. You just have to do the best you can and tomorrow is another day. Gloria
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NILLYWILLY
8/15/06 9:03 A
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| Another question.... does anyone else struggle with perfectionism? I could feel yesterday that I was struggling with feeling down because over the weekend I didn't do everything perfect. My thoughts were..."I probably won't lose any weight at all. This isn't going to work. " All this because I couldn't accurately count what I ate at the church luncheon! Sometimes I wonder what in world is wrong with my brain!
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NILLYWILLY
8/14/06 2:42 P
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Hello, again, Ladies! Yes, my husband is retired and has been for two years. I pretty much make him get his own lunch and I do my own thing. That helps some. We do almost everything together (which was a big adjustment for me) but we like the same things and have hobbies together. He is very good about trying not to tempt me with things.
When one of us...Gloria, I'm sure ....makes it below 200 we will celebrate! (not with food)HA!
Yes, being in the sandwich generation....young adult daughter, not married and 4 elderly parents.....is not always easy. My big thing is not letting them be an excuse for eating when I get stressed. And I do!
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NATURALLADY
8/14/06 2:16 P
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Martha,
Thanks I am hoping myself I will go under 200. I was 230 myself. We do have a lot in common. It looks like you are doing fine on your diet. All we have to do is just keep on keeping on.
I don't know what my husband will do when he retires. I hope he will find things for him to do.
Thanks again,
Gloria (naturallady)
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