DIS 'WISH' Challenge UPDATE Clipart example added!

[goofy4wdw59]

I've noticed the "WISH" clip art in others' posts. With my most recent decision to get "back on track" with weight loss, I discovered the separate WISH board. Hello to all of you!
The short of it is, I've been playing this "weight" game for too long & I don't want to fool around with this anymore. The facts are very clear for me:
I'm the mother of three young children.
I'm getting older & I don't take my health for granted anymore--it's so much more important to me & I want to keep up with my kids, fully participate in their lives.
We are going on a Disney Cruise in Nov. and I would really, really like to be thinner. We've been saving & planning for this a long time, and, I want to enjoy my cruise (instead of constantly worrying about appearance, etc) & picture memories.
This is a vain thing, but, I don't want to be the BIGGEST mom in my kid's class. (I speak from experience--I've already been the biggest mom in my DD's pre-school class).
Also, I'm so tired of carrying around the extra weight, & my joints are letting me know they can't take it, ha!
SO...I'm on the Atkins diet and have a few days successfully done. I'm feeling strong that I'll be sticking with it. (I first tried Atkins in 2000 and had the best results in years.) I will be trying some of the low-carb recipes! One of my downfalls with Atkins is not getting enough variety (and, avoiding the dreaded sweets).
Before I go out and buy new tapes or equipment, etc., (oh how many times have I done that in the past?), I'm going to use what I already have...do what I can, and...make sure I'm committed! I've dusted off my old "Sweatin' to the Oldies" exercise tapes and started using them for the first time in years. I also plan on getting up early enough to exercise with Denise Austin on the Lifetime channel. I have to get my "Nordic Track" out of the closet--it's in great shape, Ha!
I'm 5'4" and I think I have a med frame--somewhere. I'm focusing on just losing pounds right now so I don't get overwhelmed. The long-range goal is my "ideal" weight somewhere between 138 - 149.
Good Luck to all of you and lets all hang in there!
Margaret

 

[Sharon A.]

Hi all,

I joined WW online 2 weeks ago to take off the weight I put on while injured. I love WW points so far. It's so easy. Some days I have trouble getting enough points in. I also love how flexible it is and how you can eat anything.

So far I've lost 6.8 lbs in the 2ish weeks I've been doing it. I know it's a little fast, but I'm sure I lost a lot of water. I also started exercising a lot again now that my knee is getting better. My goal is to lose 20 so I've still got another couple months to go.

 

[wdwaholic]

Hi everyone-
This is great!I've finally found a support group that revolves around my favorite things!!(see my ID!!).Seriously though,I am one of those diet for liferswho have lost and gained more pounds than my 8yo weighs.I am embarrassed to look at myself in pictures and usually wind up being the head in back of others in our pictures(bet I'm not the only one who has done this!) and I need to get back on track.Will try Atkins again-going out food shopping today and stocking up on good foods.Will also return to CURVES(great for those allergic to sweating!!)
We will be @FW cabins in 8/18-25 so I am setting a goal for myself of about 15-20 lbs by then.Now if Atkins would come out with an "Affordable" ice cream I'd really be in heaven!!

Good luck to all,
Trish

 

[regi]

I am joining Weight Watchers on Saturday and would love to join in with your challage. Please let me know what to do. Thanks.

 

[nativetxn]

<b>goofy4wdw59</b> Welcome to WISH. I'm glad you have decided to join us here.

We have lots of WISHers who follow the Atkins nutritional plan, including me. We are having wonderful success and I'm sure you will too.

If you have any questions about the program all you have to do is ask, we have some real low carbohydrate experts on WISH and you will get speedy and knowledgeable replies.

I think you're going to like it here. WISH has been very helpful to me and I know it can help you too.

<b>Sharon A.</b> Welcome to WISH!

We have many WISHers following the WW program. You have a ready made support group specific to your program. Sounds like you have had some pretty good success already.

I'm so glad you decided to join us. WISH helps keep us all motivated and determined. You are going to make a great addition to our support group.

<b>wdwaholic</b> I'm really glad that you decided to join us. I think we all understand how you are feeling. That is the magic of WISH, everyone here faces the same challenges whether they have 10 or 100 pounds to lose. It is helpful to have a support group like WISH. It's helped me a lot.

I also follow the Atkins plan and so do many other WISHers. If you have any questions about the program just ask, you will receive speedy replies. I hope you will also be sharing your experiences with Atkins. We all learn from each other here.

<b>regi</b> Welcome! I'm glad you decided to join us. You've already done all you need to do--you posted here. You are now an official WISHer. You are joining the greatest group of losers you could ever hope to meet.

There are lots of WW here on WISH. If you have any questions about the program or need suggestions of recipes, all you have to do is ask. Everyone here is happy to share their knowledge with you.

<i>I love seeing all of these new faces, here. The best part of WISH is our support group which is made up of men and women following all different kinds of eating programs. They are here to support, guide, advise and help you reach goal. All they ask in return is that you help <i>them</i> if they need help. It's a pretty good deal

There is a WISH member clipart that you may add to your signature if you choose. What we do is begin with a <b>zero</b> loss, no matter how much weight we may have lost prior to taking the challenge. Then every time we lose 5 pounds we get to "trade up" to a new clipart if we want. It's motivating and lots of fun.

There is a post telling you how to add that clipart right <b>HERE</b>. If you need help adding this to your signature just send glo, Kelsie or me a private message and we will find some help for you.</i>

Good luck everyone, I know you're going to reach your goal because all of your new WISH friends are going to help you.

Onward and downward!

Katholyn

 

[jsmith]

Ok nativetxn here I am! (I was so sorry I missed meeting you when you were in Denver!) officially signing up for WISH.
I will be using the South Beach diet and Curves and am motiviated by a 20th annivesary trip to Hawaii in November.
And now I am off to get my clippie!
Thanks for the warm WISH welcome!
Julia

 

[MelanieC]

Hi,
I am officially joining the Wish Challenge!!
I am using Weight Watchers

Melanie

 

[nativetxn]

<b>jsmith</b> I'm sorry you couldn't make the meet. We had a lot of fun, just talked, talked, talked. My dh even treated everyone to dinner at PF Chang. Of course, there isn't too much we could eat there now. If we make another trip to Denver we'll have to choose a steakhouse instead

Thanks for posting here too. I think you're going to like WISH. It is just a very positive, friendly and helpful forum.

Boy! An anniversary trip to Hawaii is certainly a wonderful incentive to do well with this and you <i>are</i> going to do well, just you wait and see

<b>MelanieC</b> Thanks for posting here too. I use this thread as a guide for keeping our member roster up-to-date and if WISHers don't post here too, I leave them out sometimes. I really hate when that happens

<i>I see that you've added the member clipart to your signature Melanie. It looks really good on you

<b>jsmith</b> You may add the member clipart to your signature if you choose. There is a great post telling you how to do that right <b>HERE</b>.</i>

I'm really glad you both decided to join us. One South Beach Diet devotee and one WW. That is perfect for our support group.

Visit WISH often, if you can and no lurking allowed. Your participation on WISH will help <i>you</i> and it will help all of your fellow WISHers. It's a great place to visit, too. Where else will you find such a great group of people who face the same challenges you face everyday and know exactly how you are feeling? Doesn't matter what our eating plans may be we all are going through the same thing you are. It has helped me a lot to have WISH to visit, it keeps me motivated and strong. WISH makes me smile and I really like that part

Katholyn

 

[NikiM20]

Id like to join if I may............we are planning our very first trip to Disney next May. I need to lose about 50 lbs I think it will be more fun for everyone if mom isnt too "big" to ride rides

 

[poohraedopey]

Can I join in? It's a late start but that's okay! I got on the scale last nigth and saw my first 10 pounds is gone. Now on to the 2nd 10! UGH! I have managed to regain a ton of weight I had already lost during the winter *sigh* so it's time to take it all back off. And then some to actually get to my origional goal of course! I have about 50 or so to lose from here out. I will be at goal for my next Disney trip in 2004 or 2005 ( I say 04 DH says 05 we'll see who wins )

 

[nativetxn]

<b>NikiM20</b> Welcome to the DIS and a very special welcome to WISH. I'm so glad that you have decided to join us.

Will you be following a formal eating plan or will you be "eating sensibly"? No matter what plan you follow you will find a lot of advice and information here.

I see you have added the member clipart. It looks good on you.

<b>poohraedopey</b> You're not making a late start, you are ready to do this now, so your timing is perfect for <i>you</i>.

I'm glad you are going to be here on WISH now. WISH is a great place, very friendly and very helpful. You'll see. Will you be following a formal eating plan or "eating sensibly"?

You may add the WISH member clipart to your signature if you choose. What we do is start with a zero loss, regardless of how much weight we may have lost before taking the challenge. Then everytime you lose 5 pounds you can "trade up" to a new clipart. It's fun!

The best part of WISH is our support group which is made up of men and women following all different kinds of eating plans. Kind, helpful and emotionally generous people who face the exact same challenges you face. It's a great help to me to know that the support group is always here and always ready to help me. Now, they will be here to help you too. No judgements, no ridicule just support.

All they ask in return is that you help <i>them</i> if they ask. It's a pretty good deal, actually

I'm sure you will both reach the goals you have set for yourself. With the WISH support group behind you, you are definitely on your way to goal now. I hope you will visit often and join in with the discussions and fun here. It truly has empowered me to do that--WISH has been my very best DIS friend ever.

Katholyn

 

[poohraedopey]

Thanks for the Welcome here! I will make a real post below about me and my ".plan"

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I started dooing the Adkins diet in the beginning of June. not being too strict, just really watching my sugar and carb intake. I let my self "cheat" on weekends with popcorn of an occasional potato. Just really blew it today and baked choco chip cookies for the kids. Actually ate so much I feel sick which really inspired me to start right back in tomorrow!!! I have lost 15 pounds as of this am( after those cookies though who knows what tomorrow may be) I'm also starting those videos "walk away the pounds" My goal is to loseabout 40 pounds. I can remember what my face looked like then. I still won't be thin or even close to it, or even close to my "ideal body weight" but thats my personnal realistic goal that I can live with. A kind of little inspirational goal is to weigh below 200 by my trip to Disney scheduled for August 16th this year. Surprisingly I'm much closer than I thought I'd be, and I still have about 8 weeks to go. certaintly not bikini weight but livable!!

Thanks to all of you who have been so kind as to post your stories here, It helps people like me just trying to help myself to a better lifestyle!!

 

[Lisa96]

Ok, I'm ready to "de-lurk!"

After reading so many of the wonderful WISH posts I've decided to finally make a real effort to lose some much needed weight. Even though I love my potatoes like any other good Irish girl, I'm going to try the Atkins plan. I've read many of the posts here and on the Atkins site and books and I think I do have a blood sugar problem affected by carbs, so I'm working toward better health along with weight loss. My goal loss is at least 60 pounds.

I've started Induction today. I'm so glad all of you are here because I know I'm going to need the support! Thanks for all you guys do - just reading all the kind words you share and your successes has given me so much motivation.

Lisa

 

[nativetxn]

<b>Camping Griswalds</b> HI! I know you. You post on the theme parks board. You ask some great questions and are always ready to answer questions. I'm so glad you decided to join us here on WISH.

Sounds like you need to jump right back on induction real quick and try to get into ketosis. Once you do that, if you don't eat anything high in carbohydrates your appetite will go away and it just gets a lot easier to say "no thanks" to bread or a potato.

I also follow the Atkins plan. So do a lot of other WISHers. We've had some really good success with it too. I think you are going to like it here, Camping Griswalds, WISH is a very helpful and motivating place.

<b>Lisa96</b> If you've been reading WISH for a while then you probably know that I've been saving you a place here. I'm so happy that you have decided to delurk. I think that you are going to be happy about that too.

Did you ever read my posts about my husband and his type II diabetes? His blood sugar is normal now for the first time since 1988. He feels so much better and he loves the things he gets to eat on Atkins. He doesn't miss the things he can't eat. It has worked so well for him. His physicians have actually told him not to stop this eating plan and honestly told him that he is "saving his own life" by eating this way.

Good luck with this. Once you finish induction it will be easier for you.

<i>I see you both already have your member clipart, it looks good on you too.

The best part of WISH is our support group. The men and women of WISH follow all different kinds of eating plans but they face the same challenges and the same problems.

If you have a question about your eating program or if you just need to borrow some of our strength, we'll be here for you. We're going to count on you to be here for <i>us</i> in case we need <i>your</i> help, too. It is just <b>magical</b> how helpful our support group is--many caring, thoughtful, emotionally generous men and women--and they are so clever, too. An unbeatable combination.

Looks like you are both all set. You have your determination and motivation or you wouldn't be here, right? You have your plan. You have your goal set. You have WISH. Yep! That's all you need. Get ready to <b>succeed</b> my new friends--you are WISHers now and that's what we do here. We <b>succeed</b>!

Onward and downward!

Katholyn

 

[CyranoJones]

Hi! I would like to join the WISH challenge too. I've already gotten some great information from this board. Thank you!

I am on Atkins and almost finished with the initial induction period, although I'm going to stay on induction longer. So far I'm down 8 lbs. I've never tried to lose weight before without feeling deprived and generally miserable. I haven't experienced that with Atkins at all.

~Ellen

 

[Zarr aka Joe]

Ok kids, count me in for WISH! Katholyn (nativetxn) and I had a lot of nice chats about WISH about a month ago at Epcot and now it's time for me to join.

I joined Weight Watchers about a year ago - I don't go to the meetings but do all my point counting fun at home.

Problem: I lost nearly 50 lbs by last March, but between weddings, vacations and final exams, I've put on about 15-20lbs back....dragging that total down to approx 30 lbs. Needless to say, I'm pretty disappointed in myself right about now.

The big goal - is to be within 25 lbs of my goal weight by next May when I finish Grad school. So, that gives me approx 10 months to get there.

The current in-between goal: lose that 20 lbs over the summer, before the Fall semester starts!

Special thanks to Katholyn for all her encouragement. Love ya Kath!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hi - I posted for my first time today and an really looking forward to joining your group. As a victim of the 10-15 winter pounds I need al the support I can gte. I weighed myself this morning - intend to get a new scale this week - this one is sooo old and not quite sure how accurate. Also plan on buying "Walk Away the Pounds" - my SIL reccomended it.
My goal is to lose 10-15 pounds - eat healthier (no more oreos for breakfast) and be able to eat all foods in moderation.

Paula

 

[clhcpaca]

I am interested in joining the WISH group. I really need someone to talk to along the way....and it will be a long trip!!!

I am going to use the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Dr. Rachael Heller---it a modified version of the Atkin's Diet, incorporating diet, exercise and meditation in a week by week lifestyle change. You choose each week a different thing/change (from a list) to add to your life.

My goal isn't just to lose weight, but also pills, if that makes any sense. I figure a weight loss will result in my discontinuing some medication...and that is really important to me--the health results.
Anything else I need to tell you?

I will now try to add the clipart. I just figured out the countdown clock yesterday.

Thanks, Cindy

 

[Claire4dpins]

Hi Katholyn & everyone else,

Please can I join WISH because I want to get more healthy and comfortable with myself.

I am very over weight and depressed about it, I have been hiding from photos and mirrors for a long time now. I am ashamed of myself because I have previously lost over 100lbs which I kept off for over three years but due to various circumstances in the last 5 or 6 years I have put it all back on again.

I am trying to loose weight again - started the diet I am on now three weeks ago. I lost 6lb in the first two weeks and today I weighed myself at the end of the third week and I have lost nothing this week. I am very very down about that and would love to join WISH for some support.

I have been just cutting back and calorie counting for the past three weeks - that is what I did over the long term when I had my previous successful diet. Not sure about a diet plan - I am seriously considering Atkins - but I don't know that much about it - but I do know I LOVE pasta & potatos and so on. Have any pasta lovers made a success of Atkins? I must admit I do not even have the book at the moment so am ill informed - would welcome advice.

Well don't know what else to say really - but hoping that this will be a sucessful new begining.
Claire

PS Cindy say Hi to Mickey when you get there - we arrive the day after you - hopefully a little slimmer by then!