150 Club...care to join???

[chrismiss56]

Morning Losers!!

Well the decorations are up, the presents are bought (maybe one or two small items yet) and the cards have been mailed Not too worried about wrapping - this is the last week of work......those of you working don't groan I might not be working but it also means that I don't get paid.........

So now I can finally focus on me again........have not done well since the beginning of December. I am stalled at 173.5 lbs. The TM is stuck behind the Christmas tree and still trying to sell the pool table so I can have a place to put the TM. Working on it.

So today I am focusing on WHAT is going in my mouth rather than just shoveling the first thing I see. AND trying to find a new home for the TM

What about you?

Jen - I am SO EXCITED for you and your family. Take lots of pictures and let the magic flow through you.....ENJOY!!

Tara - Glad your back is feeling better.

Debra - How was the band concert? We attended DD17 winter concert yesterday. She is in show choir and chamber. What do your daughters play? Which daughter's concert was this?

Tiff - How was the circus?

Kathy - Have a great time at WDW!!!! Take care of your neck!!!

To all my other friends - KEEP MOVING AND LOSING!!

Have a Magical Disney Day!!
Linda

 

[schatz5k]

Hi Loser's,

Kilimanjaro way to go on the weight loss. I'm very impressed that you are able to stick with those meals. Has it been easy for you or do you sometimes find it to be a struggle. How did you feel when you saw you lost those pounds.

Well this weekend was an adventure. We went to NYC for the day on Sat. What an adventure. 5 adults with 12 children. What was I thinking. I wanted to go to the Disney Store but we didn't get a chance. I'll have to save that for after the holiday's. The crowds were terrible. When we went to Times Square there was absolutly no room to move, we somehow managed to get in the line to enter the Toys R US there, but that was a chore. My DH is not a crowd person, but he kept his cool and sense of humor. We did alot of subway riding, which with the 12 kids was a bit nerve racking at times. There was one time when our group was seperated between two train cars and the DH of one of my friends asked us over the Walkie Talkie's how many kids we had with us. My DH told him we had 4 with us. He was only counting 7. My heart sank, I thought for sure one of my boys was missing. Well it turns out that he forgot to count the child he was carrying. AAARRRGGHH. I also waited the longest I have ever waited to pee. We were looking at Ground Zero and the kids were screaming they were hungary so we stopped in the BK across the street. This place is 3 stories high with 1 mens room and 1 ladies room. Each room had 1 yes I said ONE toilet in it. I wonder who the genius who thought of that was.

Anyway. Got to the gym today, walked 2 miles at at 17 minute mile. I probably do it faster but that time includes my warm up. So maybe a should do a 5 minute warm up on the TM and than start the mileage count when I bring it up to 3.7. I am really going to start the week with concentrating on my water drinking. And hopefully I'll be able to come up with something that I can keep track with.

So yes there are two weeks till Christmas and I have an 11 yo dd who still believes and I don't have a clue what to get this child. Any ideas. I'm stuck. Her friends are getting Ipods, phones and other high dollar items. She has no interest in this new FLY pen out there and has no need for a phone or an ipod.

Ok my little one is beckoning me.

See ya later losers

 

[lmhall2000]

Debra...I'm actually usually pretty good with squeamish things...but I will admit even I was laying on the table going WHAT AM I DOING!!! When they started in on my eyes...but I have to say, it only took a total of 3 minutes for the WHOLE PROCEDURE!!! So, I just counted to 180...the actual lasering only took 30-45 seconds...once it's done..they just put lots of ointment in your eye and you're so blurry and teary that you don't notice much...you go to a room to rest your eyes for 15 minutes and then you're out the door. You have to put alot of drops in your eyes for the first two weeks..but waking up that first morning and seeing clearly was like a dream come true! So, one day if you decide you want to take the plunge..just know it's over quickly and the results last. How was the band concert? I love Christmas concerts!

Linda...I'll be praying you get a call for the pool table this week! That would be a great deal for someone and a cool Christmas present! If all else fails..put the treadmill on top of the pool table..

Tracy!!! I had to laugh at your trip with 12 kids! That is nerve-wracking!! But I bet it's something they'll never forget! WAY TO GO on making a memory! For your 11 year old, (my 10 year old son asks questions, and we debated on whether or not to tell him...but we didn't want anything getting out to our 6 & 7 year old...so he still "believes")...when the time comes we'll have the talk about faith and hope..we try our best to keep it a holiday about our faith and tell them the history of St. Nicholas and that he brings each child 3 gifts to celebrate as the wise men did. It also helps us keep from over giving! My 10 year old said the SAME thing..he can't think of anything..but I went with his interests..he loves birds, eagles/raptors/woodpeckers...you name it...so we got him a bird nest building work bench and several books on building birdhouses....he also still loves his stuffed animals and I was able to find a stuffed eagle....it will give him a hobby and introduce wood-working to him (and to my dh who knows nothing about it!)....we hope it will branch out into a business to teach economics/industry to him. So try and think of a hobby she has or interest and go with it...sewing machines/quilting/drawing supplies/painting easels/I bet you'll find just the right thing for her!

I was up 1.8 pounds from last week...TOM is here and I never can lose while he's here...so I'm at a 3 pound loss for 2 weeks. But I'm not fretting..3 pounds in 2 weeks is on schedule for how I want to lose...1-2 pounds a week...so next week should be a good loss for me...

Talk to you guys soon!
Tara

 

[westjones]

Linda: The band concert was nice. No holiday music, which I was surprised (the stage was all decorated so beautifully for the season, but I guess the kids didn't know any holiday songs--I think it takes them awhile to learn any songs. It was funny, they played BEACH BOYS songs!

Tracy: I have twin 12 year olds and they are getting iPods, and so are their friends, so I guess I am at a loss what else is 'in' for their age. The other things I am getting them are clothes and a sleeping bag (for sleepovers--one that doesn't have rips in it like the ones they are using from our camper). For my girls clothes, hair stuff, iPods and cell phones are the IN thing (they are NOT getting the cell phone though--the iPods are cool though, I love my MP3 player which is much less expensive than the iPod. Actually Disney has it's own MP3 player with preprograms inserts with Disney songs on it--if I hadn't gotten them the iPods, I would have gotten then the Disney ones for a lot less than I paid for the iPods, oh well, live and learn). Oh, I also am getting them each a Disney CD (they can load to the iPod) and I am going to the store this morning to look for just one more gift (I will let you know if I find anything good) .

Well, nothing good to report food wise. I am binging and I am not happy with myself. I bought a 1/2 gallon of mint chocolate chip (light) ice cream yesterday morning. It was gone by evening and I am the only one who ate any---of course it WAS light! This was not the only thing I had yesterday either (we went out for Mexican food after the band concert). So today I am trying to get back on track. Next week is my last weigh in for the year, and I want that 70 pound clippie (which will be my final clippie--then I will be at goal). So for the next 9 days I am hoping to do better, and I am NOT buying any more ice cream. I can't control myself.

Do any of the rest of you have food like that? You just can't control yourself? I should have known better. I have always had this problem with ice cream. Oh well. The past is over and the future can be brighter just taking one step at a time!

Debra

 

[donac]

I am glad that some people have not finished their Christmas shopping. I have hardly done any of it. My husband has been away most weekends and I have not had a chance to shop. I am promising myself to do a little every afternoon this week on my way home from school. My sons are 15 and 20 and they are getting mostly gift cards. I don't know what kind of music they like and my older son is working and usually buys himself what he really needs. They aare both getting gift cards to an elctronic store from their aunts and uncles. My younger is saving for an ipod and my older really wants a laptop. I think he will lose it or break it.

I will say that I did a great deal of cleaning this weekend. I got the kitchen floor clean and that is a feat in itself. the family room is in good shape and the living room is getting there. That is a big help.

 

[TiffJ]

The circus was great. The kids loved it & we had good seats.

Debra-I have alot of foods like that. That's why I need to lose weight. But you are right, all you can do is move forward & make better choices in the future. There are some things I know I can't buy because I wont have just 1 serving of. Food is my drug, I am a foodaholic!

I had the Lasik surgery done 2 1/2 years ago & I loved it!!!!!!! It is so great not having to fool with contacts. They give you a valium to calm you down & if you are really nervous, they will give you 2. Like Tara said- 30 sec. max per eye. I had dryness the first couple of months & just used the drops as prescribed. Hardly ever use them now.

Kathy-have a great time at WDW! And you get to go again in Jan. SO LUCKY!!!

Keep up the good work losers!

 

[westjones]

Tiff & Tara, thanks for telling me about the eye surgery. I didn't realize how quickly it was over. Still scary to me, but at least it goes by fast. It is something to think about. There isn't any blood involved is there? I really hate the sight of blood (I know....I am a real wimp!).

Debra

 

[chrismiss56]

Morning All!!

3 - 5 more inches of snow head toward Chicago tomorrow AND it is not even officially winter Have you figured out yet how much I hate winter

Yesterday was an ok day eating......not bad but definitely not GREAT. Have this sweet thing going on which I never had before...........I have decided no sweets until I see the 160s

The bloat from TOM has left and I am back to 172 wanting to see 169. Really need to figure out where to put the TM

Debra - I am with you on the lasik surgery. I came very close to losing my eyesight in my right eye when I was 17 and can't even bring myself to thinking about surgery in my eyes. Plus I was told that it would correct my distance vision but would still need reading glasses (us old people ). I have glasses - don't do well with contacts at all - too dry for me. Bottom line you need to do what feels right to you.

That is strange that there was no holiday music. Which school is this?

Tiff - We need to become RECOVERING foodaholics!! Come on we can do this.

Donac - Hang in there - there is still time to finish your shopping!! Think of the last minute running around - you will be burning more calories than a leisurely stroll around the mall

Tracy - Bless you!! 12 kids in New York City........you are a brave soul Bet you were tired by the end of the day.

Ok gang - off to work today. Morning - teacher assistant in a special needs preschool room and afternoon regular ed music teacher When my kids were little and I used to sing to them they used to cover their ears and ask me to stop This should be interesting..........hopefully not too painfull

Keep Moving and Losing!!

Have a Magical Disney Day!!
Linda

 

[Worfiedoodles]

A good Tuesday morning to everyone!

Even though I really didn't feel like it yesterday, I got on the TM and did 41 min/2.8 mi/1.5 incline. The first few minutes were pretty rough, then I realized I wasn't warmed up properly, so I lowered the speed from 4.2 to 4.0 for five minutes. Then I was ready to go back to jogging! I'm so glad I didn't just give up. Since I intend to get up to 13 miles, I know I will have to push through on hard days.

I gave my dh my official Christmas list, and it has two running/marathoning books and a workout journal on it. We limit our lists and spending, so this will be about 1/3 of my Christmas, assuming I get it. He asked me if I'm really serious about getting in shape to do the half marathon, and I told him I am. I"m having a few internal doubts, but I really want to be able to do this. I'm looking forward to starting training after I get the Marathoning for Mortals book. Kathy, I would have never thought of this without you! Thanks for the inspiration to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new.

Yesterday's eating left something to be desired. I did fine with breakfast and lunch, but then ended up with ravioli and two pieces of bruschetta from a restaurant for dinner. DH was too tired to cook. Hopefully I will get last night's healthy planned dinner - baked chicken, mashed potatoes and a green veggie to be named later, tonight. I'm also out of Philly Swirl bars, so I have to get myself to the grocery store!

My dad is coming for Christmas today, so he will be living in my treadmill space. I can still work out, I just feel odd throwing him out of the basement (it's been redone into an in-law apartment) to do it. He'll be here 'til the 30th, so I really do have to be motivated to work out. I look at my belly and I know my scale isn't going down, so I guess that's pretty good motivation! I took tomorrow off from work so he and I can spend the day together. My dad still lives in St. Louis and he is retired, so he comes out a couple of times a year. Anyway, I still intend to do my workout tomorrow, I'll just fit it in whenever.

Linda -- Have a great work day. It must be challenging and fun doing something different most days. I guess it's never boring! And I hope you don't have many of those scary days!

Debra -- You have the right attitude. What's done is done. You deserve to forgive yourself and move on. You have done so well in the past, I know you will quickly get back on track.

Tiff -- You make the laser surgery sound so simple...I guess I'm like the cowardly lion. Probably not going to happen. But I'm glad it worked out so well for you!

Dona -- I think gift cards are definitely the way to go with teenagers. My nieces are teens and I wouldn't dream of trying to please them.

Tara -- It sounds like you are right on schedule. I think it's pretty unrealistic to lose more than 1 or 2 pounds a week for a woman. Those men, though! When my dh tries, he makes me feel very ineffective. He can lose 5-10 lbs in a week like it's nothing.

Tracy -- Wow! What a fun idea to go to NYC, but you are brave! My ds wants to go to NYC, but we've told him we're waiting until he's a little older. He's too big to carry, and too small to do all the walking we'd like to...

Jen -- I hope you are having a fabulous time in the World!

Kathy -- I hope your neck is feeling better, and you are having fun, too!

KS -- I'm so proud of you for getting started! Your eating has improved so much, I know you are feeling better. Congratulations on your initial weight loss! That is fantastic!

Haley, Jean, and everyone else -- Have a great losing day, we are going to get through this season and hit the New Year with our feet on the ground running!

Maria

 

[NYcpa]

Back from Long Island. Eating was lousy, exercise was non-existant. Have to be to a clients by 8 tomorrow morning.

It is currently 0 here and the low is supposed to be -5. Can't wait to see the sun and have warm temps on Sat when we get to WDW.

Really need to get on the treadmill tomorrow. Have a 10 milers scheduled for Sun at WDW. At least it will be in warmer temps. My neck is feeling like it did before the accident. The dr is trying a new med to try and get rid of the constant headaches. The ns is also sending me to a pain clinic to be evaluated for possible newve blocks to releive the pain. I'm not sure I will know what to do without a constant headache. I have grown accoustomed to them.

Maria - great job for sticking with the treadmill workout. I thought of going to the workout room last night after getting back from dinner with a co-worker. Erin talked me into going across the street to Bennigan's to get dessert. I got the sizzling apple sundae while she got a sundae with 3 scoops of ice cream, chololate and caramel syrup and brownie bites. She managed to eat almost all of it. For me it would have been the complete meal.

Will check back in tomorrow.

 

[Danauk]

Hi everyone,
I went to weight watchers last night and lost 1lb this week taking me to 152lbs. I would love to loose 2lb this week and get to 150lb before I leave for WDW next Wednesday. I was quite pleased this week though as we had our family Christmas meal at the weekend and I ate sensibly but indulged a little (had fruit for pudding and no cake though.) I was pleased yesterday though as I went shopping and bought a skirt in a size smaller that what I had been wearing so now I am back to my size 12's (US size 8 I think.)
This week will be tough. I have lots of late nights at work as we have concerts and things on (I'm a teacher so we have plays etc to do at Christmas.) Plus we have our class parties which involve lots of food and too much temptation, but I will try hard to resist. I just keep reminding myself I have lost 43.5lb so far and I don't want to put any of it back on.

 

[chrismiss56]

Morning All!!

Chicago is bracing for 3 - 5 inches.......last time they told us 3 - 5 we got 8 - 10 YIKES!!! Headed your way Easterns........

Holding at 172 - today I have a pair of pants on that haven't been on in a while and they are TIGHT So I am going to turn it into a positive and say that the tightness will remind me to eat better today!!

Still trying to get rid of the pool table and the TM is stuck behind the Christmas tree. Thinking of pulling it out anyway (yes that means moving the tree) and walking......frustrated. DH doesn't understand the need to move the TM and need for me to MOVE!!!

Danauk - Way to go on the weight loss!!! The last 2 pounds will melt away!!!!

Kathy - The magic of Disney will help the neck and headache issues Seriously glad the doctors are able to help you!!

Maria - What a jogging queen you have become.... Keep moving and losing!!

Off to take Cody out for visit number 2 of the morning. Why do dogs have to poop in the deepest snow?

Have a Magical Disney Day!!
Linda

 

[TiffJ]

Maria-training for this 1/2 marathon has been a great experience. I had never even done a 5k before I signed up for this thing. I am of the belief that if I can do it anyone can, you just have to put in the steps. I am doing the Marathoning for Mortals program and love it. The WISH marathoners have been a great source of inspiration & support. Alot of us plan on being there for 2007 & we always welcome new people to the group. I have figured out that I have to have something on the horizon to keep me off my butt (i.e. cool races to train for) so I am planning on doing the Minnie Marathon 15k in May and also a Triathlon at the end of May. This is now a way of life for me. You CAN do this!!! Go for it, you will not be sorry.

Kathy=so sorry about your neck! That neck is a tricky area. Hope the new med works for you. Maybe all the PD in WDW this weekend will make it magically go away Have fun doing your 10 miler in WDW!

Linda-That's funny about the pants. I've done that before. And it does seem to remind you to watch what you eat (especially better than baggy pants)

Danauk-congrats on the 1 lb It feels great getting into those smaller sizes, doesn't it Keep up the great work!

Tara-How've you been? It's has been crazy around here & doesn't look like it will slow down until after Christmas. Maybe we can meet up sometime between Christmas & New Years.

Keep it up everyone! I know its hard this time of year, but any little bit will put us ahead.

 

[westjones]

Danauk - I just realized! You are in England! How Cool! So the sizes for clothes are different there? Maybe they are like they use to be here in the USA. I didn't realize that women's sizes were 'changed' over the past 10 years so I didn't know what to expect for my 'size' when I got to goal. When I was at my lowest weight in college, I wore a size 12 (in 1980). NOW I am bigger than I was then, and I am wearing a size 6! Of course, the number sounds great, but since I 'grew up' on the other size chart I had trouble accepting it--it just didn't sound right.

Off to take Cody out for visit number 2 of the morning. Why do dogs have to poop in the deepest snow?

Have a Magical Disney Day!!
Linda

LOL! Well if you lived in MY neighborhood, your dog would want to poop in MY yard. I am always seeing my neighbors in my yard with their dogs going to the bathroom. At least they all carry bags and clean up after then. I guess it is because I have a corner lot and so there is more yard for them to use.


Hey! I cleared off my treadmill yesterday! I was only on it for 10 minutes, but its a start! So now the Christmas decorations are sitting on the floor beside it, so it is crowded out there, but you can get ON the treadmill and use it now. I will give it another try today. My 'motivation' is that I seem to feel warmer after I do it . I have been SO cold . We have a freezing rain/snow storm heading our way right now. I have been wearing my long underwear and sneaking the heat up whenever I can (DH turns it down when he gets home). So now I am turning to my treadmill as a means to WARM UP! Isn't that funny! I guess whatever motivates you, right?

Hope everyone has a great day! I have to go make potato soup for my DD's class European Lunch today (she has Ireland). She actually helped make the soup this weekend, but I have to defrost it and heat it up and take it in for their lunch in a couple of hours. Yesterday she gave her presentation on Ireland and we took in her Celtic Harp to play. She was SO nervous, but it went great and everyone loved it so she was happy! She had been practicing a LOT for the past 2 weeks to play The 12 Days of Christmas (and Irish AND American Christmas song) for her class.

Debra

 

[westjones]

.....but in the 'good' way.

I can't believe it!

You guys, this is so unreal to me.

I just got back from weighing in at Weight Watchers. I decided to weigh in this week instead of next because my 'baking' DD is off school next week and wants to bake cookies, and I figured that this week is as good as it gets.

Anyway. I did it. I am there! I am AT my goal! I just put in my final clippie! I have lost a total of 71.4 pounds since January 1st of this year. I am at the lowest limit for my height according to Weight Watchers (actually I was .2 under that even).

I am there! WOW! I don't know what to think or do!

I know the battle isn't over, I know I have a long road ahead learning to maintain. I have lost weight before and it comes back very easily for me. I love to eat TOO much and I have to learn my limits.

Anyway, they were all very excited at Weight Watchers. They asked me to think about coming back as a leader (I told them I would think about it, but I don't know--I still feel like I am not 'stable' yet, and how can I inspire others when I still feel so unsure of myself).

I want to thank ALL of you. I did a search and I saw that I joined this club back in March, and I honestly don't think I would have lasted this long without your daily support. You guys are wonderful and I thank you SO much for all you have done to help me through this.

I hope it is alright if I hang around still. I would really miss you guys, and, as I mentioned, maintaining for me is as scary and as much of a battle as losing the weight. I have never kept my weight steady for more than a couple of months before (I have lost and gained the same pounds over and over and over again).

I hope everyone is having a good day.
Bless you, all of you! I do feel like crying right now, so please forgive my blubbering post. I just can't believe I made it to my goal by the end of the year! I just can't believe I did it!

OK, time to go have breakfast (I don't eat before weighing in on my WW days).

Talk with all of you later,
Debra

 

[lmhall2000]

Girl!!! Do we ever need you around here!! You have been such a losing and encouraging force for all of us!!! We hope you stick around as long as you can handle our nagging and celebrating! GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL...what a glorious word!!! Now quick, tell us how you are going to REWARD yourself???? And, no, ice cream won't do! It must be a cool outfit, a special treat you'd never allow yourself (jewelry, shoes, plants, appliances, furniture, trip, anything!)

Share with us your best tips...I know you stick to 1200 calories a day most days and that is HUGE!!! Trying to think of that each time I eat a meal!

I'm doing better now that TOM is gone! I'm weighing in MWF to keep myself true to the plan...need to get to 170's by January 1st...then hoping for 160's by February 1st...and 150's by April 1st...that's the plan! And I'll be at goal around 148 somehow!

Talk to you guys soon!
Tara

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi!

Everybody ready for the weekend? Who's getting snow? We are! Snow, sleet and rain all tomorrow. It's like a weather jackpot, and we're getting it all. Does that make the Northeast big winners?

Today was a pretty good eating day for me:

B-- Oatmeal w/raisins
L -- Soup & 100 cal Ritz
S -- Apple
D --4 hot chicken fingers, 1/2 Greek salad & 1 dark chocolate peppermint cherry cordial

It wasn't a TM day for me, but I did walk to work from the furthest subway stop, and do laps around the office for 60 minutes. Hey, the first 30 were needed just to get warm again!

Tomorrow night I have another eating challenge. We are having dinner out and then going to a Celtics (that's basketball) game. I don't mind going to the games, but I have a habit of eating my way through them. This is my first game this season, so I'm going to have to show alot of restraint. Hopefully the game will be so exciting, I won't even think about eating. That's what happened to me Sunday. Some of you will laugh, but I went to a figure skating event, and almost burst my buttons -- no, I didn't eat at all. I was about 20 feet from Dick Button, Peter Caruthers and Peggy Fleming, and even closer to Tenley Albright (for those of you that don't know, these are all Olympic medalists). Peggy Fleming is absolutely gorgeous! If I didn't know she was in her 50s, I would never believe it. Plus, I saw really great performances by Kurt Browning, Johnny Weir and Sasha Cohen. I was so caught up in everything, the thought of food never crossed my mind. That's how I want to be every day!

Debra --
What can I say?! I'm so very happy for you! You have been such an inspiration to us all, I really hope you won't leave us! Congratulations, Best Wishes, and a big WOOHOO! I'm also glad you cleared off your treadmill. I've had 5 workouts, and I already feel much stronger. It's all in my mind, but that's a good place for it to be!

Tiff -- Thanks for the encouragement! I expect a full report after each of your events! This really does seem like a great way to change your life.

Linda -- Those tight pants are a killer, aren't they?! I have some, too, trust me. You are absolutely right, they are a great inspiration to really get moving and losing!

Dana -- You are doing great! Even if you don't make 150 before you leave, you have come so far you should be very proud of your progress. Congratulations!

Kathy -- Have a wonderful trip, and no worries until you return! You are going to breeze through that 10 miler, I just know it! Travel safe!

Dona, Tracey, Jen, KS & everyone else -- We are on our way! Think how great you will feel on January 1st knowing that you have already started working towards your goals!

C'ya Real Soon!
Maria

 

[chrismiss56]

Morning Losers!!

Holiday Stress has set in!! Counting the days until this is over........was so much easier when I was a kid

Just trying to make it through each day without totalling sabotaging myself.

Deb - CONGRATS!! on making your goal.........want to be like you in 2006!!!
If you leave we will come hunt you down........you are leading us to healthier lives

Need to get my day going...........take care all..........Keep Moving and Losing or just hang on until the holidays are gone.

Have a Magical Disney Day!!
Linda

 

[westjones]

Share with us your best tips...I know you stick to 1200 calories a day most days and that is HUGE!!! Trying to think of that each time I eat a meal!
Tara

Tips? You are right, I stuck to 1200 calories a day, and rarely ever went over that (but I would say about twice a month I would go up to 2000 for a splurge, and for our week at WDW in June I ate everything and anything I wanted, but for the rest of the year I did stick to it).

My daily bowl of carrots really helped. I had (and still do have) them every afternoon around 2:00. Even if I wasn't hungry. These helped me keep from getting hunger pains. It is easier to stay on track when you aren't feeling hungry. I needed 'filler' and the carrots worked for me. I would then have a low calorie ice cream bar after my carrots were gone. Sometimes in the evening I would have a second bowl of carrots if I was really hungry. I usually wanted chips or something, so my 'deal' with myself was that I had to eat a bowl of carrots first, then wait 20 minutes and THEN I got my treat. So I would often have the 100 calorie packs of Ritz Snacks for my treat, but I enjoyed them more since I wasn't feeling so hungry.

The Philly Swirl Bars were a lifesaver. I had one every day after lunch and then ANYTIME during the day that I wanted a sweet treat I would have one. For those of you who are new, these are 10 calorie frozen treats that look sort of like popsicles but they are softer than popsicles and taste a lot better! If you are on Weight Watcher they are FREE (meaning 0 points!)

My Ice Breakers Sugar Free Sours. Who would believe they would ever come up with a 0 (zero) calorie candy! I love the berry and sometime get the apple/watermelon ones too. I had them in my purse all the time and I kept one by my couch in the living room. Just when I needed a little something, I would reach for those and not have to think about calories (Maria, I would take these with me to church or movies or other places you find yourself sitting a long time and often just want something as a treat--and that way you don't waste calories on buttered popcorn or candybars).

Those are my best tips, at least these are the things that helped me.

As for treating myself. I honestly don't need anything new because I have so many new clothes from going down in size, my closet has been restocked! My REAL treat that I had planned for myself if I made goal was to get a Family Picture while on our Disney Cruise in March, so I really have to maintain! I have been avoiding the camera for the past 10 years. I realized that one day my kids are going to look back at our vacation pictures and they will wonder if mom was ever with them! I am always the one that says, "I'll take the picture." So my TREAT to myself is I am going to be in a LOT of picture in March and we are going to get a beautful family picture.....and I can't wait! We haven't had a family picture in 10 years (before I gained all of this weight).

So I don't feel like the battle is really over---I am still going to be fighting to stay at goal and right now I am going to have to work at finding my level of calories that I can handle without gaining. I'm afraid I won't really be able to get a good feel for this until after the holidays because eating over the next couple weeks will be crazy. But come January, my NEW New Year's Resolution will be to still be at goal by the end of 2006 (for those of you who are new, losing weight was my New Year's resolution for 2005 and I started my weight loss program on January 1st hoping to be at my goal by the end of the year, and it happened!).


Anyway, enough of that stuff! We all need to hang in there and be supportive over the next 2 1/2 weeks as we go through the holidays. Don't hide anyone! We are all going to be dealing with the holiday treats, but if you just hang in there, do your best, but still enjoy a few treats, by January 1st you will feel SO motivated to kick it in and lose it for 2006!

Debra

 

[schatz5k]

Westjones....Awesome Awesome Awesome. I am soooo impressed. I love your tip about eating the carrots and the swirl bar. Where can we non WW gals get them. The swirl bars not the carrots. What was your excerise like when you first started to now?

OK so i have been mia for a few days. Monday I was able to get to the gym, did 35 minutes on the TM at a 3.7 pace. That was good. Tuesday, my 1 yo daughter(Mickaellya) decided that she missed me and slept or should I say tossed and turned all night in my bed. Needless to say I got no sleep, so my gym day came and went. I did work at the gym on Tuesday evening and did 20 minutes of a beginner ballet class. That kicked my a$$. My legs were hurting the next day but I'm going back because she was doing things that I think will loss those saddle bags I have on my hips. Anyway, Wednesday was another night with Mickaellya. No sleep, No gym, guilty me. Thursday, I was up at 4:30, warmed up the car and was in the gym by 5:00. I didn't do the treadmill though. I watch the personal trainer with a client to get some ideas, so I did what she had her client do, which also kick by behind. Anyway, this morning no gym, we had an ice storm here so the roads were yucky. Another day of guilt. So today I'm focusing on the water intake and the watching what goes in the mouth.

Our trip to Disney is in 147 more days and I would like to down 20 15 to 20 lbs. I am hoping changing my workout will kick start the metoblism. I havent lost anything. I also have no idea where TOM is. I KNOW I'm not pregant again. My suburban is full, so no more babies for me.

Anyway, please post some of the things that worked for you to get you though the peaks of losing.

Have a wonderful day losers.