DIS 'WISH' Challenge UPDATE Clipart example added!

[Auntmeme]

I've been checking out these boards for the last month as I prepare for our first family trip(son is 2) in October. The information and support is fantastic! I need WISH to help me get back in a size 10, it's been a longgggg time. I've been following Atkins for a few months, though I am a good cheater. It has been working and my clothes fit much better. But I have held on to those size 10's thinking next year and that next has turned out to be at least five. I need help finding time to exercise, I work fulltime and have a husband and a toddler. Sometimes my husband is the most work Well I'm glad to be able to post my progress since now I will have all of you monitoring me.

 

[MandaMom]

Hello all.

I would like to be a part of WISH. My husband and I are going to WDW in August. Planned a very last minute trip. But my DH and I will be trying to stick to our diet while at WDW and we are both striving to acheive our goal weight before our trip on the 3rd week of May.

BACKGROUND

Me Elaine -- AKA MandaMom

Was my heaviest at 20 (after my father's death decided to lose weight) I weighed about 315 to 320 pounds. Not sure because I stopped weighing myself for obvious reasons. But I do remember I was unable to fit in size 28 (the biggest size I could find at the time)

Lost most of this weight on my own ate a 900 calorie /lowfat diet and exercised daily. I was down 100 pounds in 7 months. I gradually got down to my goal weight of 145 pounds. I am 5' 6" but I am a big boned girl. I was this weight when I met my husband.

My DH -- Russell

When I first met him he worked out everyday. Was sculpted in every way. Trained with a bodybuilder as well as ran 13 miles 3 times a week with a girl who was training for the olympics. He was in awesome shape. Abs everything. Quite honestly a perfect physical speciman, not bulky steroid like muscles but long lean sculpted muscle.

As soon as he finished school you can guess what happened.

After the birth of our daughter Amanda we both gained more weight.

Elaine (my) goal -- would like to lose about 77 pounds to get back to my 145 pounds. Also sculpt my arms and find my waist/stomach again.

My DH Russell's goal -- would like to lose about 80 pounds, gain lean body mass, would like to be about 10% fat.

We would really like a healthier life style, both for our daugher and ourselves.

WE are trying the SOUTH BEACH DIET for the first time.
We purchased the book at Barnes and Noble yesterday it was 30% off but only came in hardback.

We have been on the Zone diet by Dr. Barry Sears before, and were very successful. We wanted to try something different.

We are also starting cardio and weightlifing at our local gym. I will be taking a pilate/yoga class twice a week as well.

We always compete to see who loses weight faster (always Russell) It is a big motivator for us. We are also very supportive. We just need to make sure we do not sabotage ourselves when we go on vacation.

This is our second day on this diet. I felt a little light headed last night. I am better today.

 

[kimszath]

Today was the weekly meeting--I lost 6 1/2 pounds! Sure feels great to back on Weight Watchers. Of course, the first week is a biggie, since you start drinking water like we ALL should. But it sure is a great motivator. Sign me up for the 5 pound clippie!
Thanks!
Kim

 

[nativetxn]

<b>Auntmeme</b> Welcome to the DIS and a very special welcome to WISH. If it's motivation and encouragement you need you have most definitely come to the right place. That's a WISH specialty, you know ;-)

I follow the Atkins plan too and so lots of other WISHers. We're thrilled to have you join us. You're going to love it here, I sure do.

<b>MandaMom</b> I'm glad you decided to join us. Will your husband be posting on WISH too or will you be doing the posting for both of you? We have a couple of husband/wife WISH teams here--it's great to see another one joining us.

I've heard good things about the South Beach diet. There are several WISHers following that plan now too, so you will have some company as you get to know the plan a little better.

You sound very determined and motivated and you have a reasonable goal set, now that you have WISH for support you are going to be very successful, I'm sure of it!

<b>kimszath</b> Way to go! That's wonderful progress. Don't you just feel proud? All of your WISH friends are sure proud <i>of</i> you. Keep this up and you will be at goal in no time at all.

Be sure and post your progress to our weekly checkin thread so that all of your WISH pals can help you celebrate your success. In the meantime, I'll send a private message to one of our tech mods and see if we can't get that new 5 pound loss clippie added to your signature.

<i>If you would like to add the WISH clipart to your signature there is an excellent post telling you how to do that right <b>HERE</b>. What we do is begin with a zero loss no matter how much weight we may have lost before taking the challenge. Then each time we lose 5 pounds we get to "trade up" to a new clipart. The WISH member cliparts are exempt from the clipart guidelines so you won't have to give up any clipart you may already have in your signature. Isn't that great? Trading up to new cliparts is a lot of fun and very motivating</i>.

The best part of WISH is our support group which is made up of men and women who follow all different kinds of eating plans. We understand each other here on WISH and that is such a help. Need advice? We're here for you. Need support? We're here for you. Need a smile? We're here for that too. We're always here for you. All we ask is that you will be here for us when we need <i>your</i> help. It's a pretty neat little deal and there are no weekly dues.

Let's get going then. You are all on your way to goal now and you are going to do just great! Honest...really...I promise...we all plan to help you do great. It's practically a done deal ;-)

Katholyn

 

[MandaMom]

nativetxn/Katholyn

I will be posting for Russell and myself. He had already been doing a low carb diet. He lost 17 pounds. I had also been on the low carb/Zone diet and have lost 4 pounds. We are now on this South Beach diet. So far so good.

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Elaine

 

[Steffi]

Hi, I'm Stephanie. I'm so glad I found this board! I'd love to be a part of WISH; everyone here seems to be so supportive & encouraging. And so many people seem to be peeling off the weight - that's very motivating!

In January of 2002, I weighed in at 199 pounds, my heaviest ever. I started eating healthy meals & no snacks in addition to exercising almost every day. I lost 50 pounds by July of last year, going from a size 18 to a size 10. I managed to keep it off briefly, swearing that I'd never let my weight get so out of hand again.

Well, (insert numerous excuses here) I've gained back 30 of those pounds and I'm back up to a size 14.

My goal is to lose those 30 pounds, plus 20 more by eating wisely and exercising (cardio + muscle toning) almost every day.

So far so good today. I've exercised & eaten healthy meals. And I haven't even considered attacking the Oreos. My problem is mostly late night eating, though, so leaving the Oreos alone all day isn't as hard as leaving them alone before bedtime! But after reading everyone's success stories here, I feel extra-motivated & ready to be a loser!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Welcome Steffi, I'm new to WISH too and want to tell you that everyone here is wonderfully supportive - it's a great group.

Hugs and positive thoughts,

 

[nezy]

Hi all! Well I lost my first 5 lbs. and moving on to the next!!

Where do I get my five pound icon thing for the bottom of my post?

Steffi-I also have late night issues w/ the snacks. I start off the day with a great healthy breakfast and a healthy lunch. It is dinner and post dinner that I start to get into trouble. DH like the big dinner meal. so now I just make sure that I make a big delicious salad for me with every meal and it helps me to eat less of the other stuff. Sometimes I also skip the carb.

I also brush my teeth after dinner and then I drink alot of water. For some reason-in my head -I say now that my teeth are brushed I can't eat anything. I do have to go to the bathroom alot before bed, but that adds a few more steps to my day!!

I have lost over 30 so far-5 since being on the WISH boards. I have given away all of my size 14 and 16 clothes, so I CANNOT go back. I can't afford several sets of clothes!!

Good Luck everyone!

Remember: be kind to yourself.

 

[nativetxn]

<b>Steffi</b> Welcome to WISH! I'm so glad to see you here.

I sure know how you feel about that "yo yo" weight thing. Gain, lose, gain it back, lose it again. I can't tell you how many times I've done that but I've finally found my lifetime eating plan and determination to remain healthy. With the help of the WISH support group I am working my way to goal.

I'm really glad you will be part of my support group now. You and I can work our way to goal together. I'll help you and you can help me, we can both count on the support of our other WISH friends. WISH is just a very helpful place.

You've got a reasonable goal and a plan that works for you. I think you're going to do great and I know you're going to like it here. WISH is a friendly and helpful place. Lots of <i>losers</i> here...now you're one of us.

Onward and downward!

Katholyn

 

[Steffi]

nativetxn, thank you so much for the warm welcome. It's so nice to know that I'm not alone!

nezy, thanks for the tips. The big salad at dinner sounds like a great plan! And congratulations on your 5 pound clippie!!!

I've put my scale in the kitchen. I figure if I lose my willpower late at night & make a mad dash to cram Oreos down my throat, the scale will be sitting there, staring me in the face and making me re-think the 'cram session'.

I'm on Day 3 & going strong. Thanks again for the great welcome and support!

 

[honeywolf7]

I'm here. I'm drinking a gallon of water per day, walking two miles per day, doing isometrics, and eating sensibly. My long term goal is to lose 70 pounds....my short term goal is 10 pounds by August 21st.

 

[A1A1]

Guess I'll admit to my failures. I have joined WW. Want to maintain a healthy lifestyle instead of having a healthy lifestyle for a while and then forgetting about it and then feeling like a failure. Viscious cycle........It's got to stop.

Don't know exactly which eating plan I am on. I lost forty pounds on Atkins-like program. Made up my own low carb. Weight just melted off. I started to eat carbs again...and everything else, and gained back twenty pounds in the past six months. What a failure!!!!!

I joined weight watchers with my friend on a whim two days ago. I am going to give it a good effort. I suppose I can use all my points on protein, right? I loved Atkins at the time. It was easier for me to just cut out a few foods altogether than to count and add and subtract, and try to remember which foods had how many points. I hope I can do this. Can't stand the feelings of self-hatred for not being able to lose weight. I really hate myself sometimes.

 

[Twang]

I want to play now, too! Obviously my real name is not Twang, but it IS a nickname and my closest friends call me that, so that's the name I shall use here, too. I have a feeling that this is a place where common interests could make for some close frineds. AnNyway, I have dieted for years with some hits and some misses. After starting up again last Oct/Nov (and really trying hard, I might add) with minimal results, I contacted my Dr. who asked me to try counting carbs instead of fats and calories. I have had much better luck with that! Anyway, in total, I had lost 29 pounds as of a few weeks ago, but then started backsliding. Through the urging of a couple of friends, I have decided to come here for support. I am now down 21 pounds and my goal at this point is somewhat uncertain--maybe another 30 or so. Good to be here!
Twang

 

[tinaw]

Hi, I'm Tina and I want to lose 80 lbs by July 12 of next year. It sounds like a lot but if you break it down it is 1.53 lbs a week. I didn't think that sounded too unreasonable. My short term goal is 20 lbs by Sept. 19, the day we leave for Disney.
I am doing Atkins. I have lost large amounts of weight in the past, only to regain them. 5 years ago I lost 55 lbs in 7 months on Medical Weight loss, no pills, just healhty diet. I went off my diet and got pregnant the next week. I gained 55 lbs during my pregnancy and just kept adding after.
I have gained 40 lbs in the last 3 years due to stress eating. My husband has health problems. He will be having 2 major surgeries before the end of the year. There are no surgeons in our state that perform the surgery he needs so I will be traveling with him to the Cleveland Clinic and staying in hotels ( I guess) while he is in the hospital for approx 2 weeks each time. One of the reasons I am trying to get myself on the right path now so I can keep my weight under control during his recovery.
I started Atkins 13 days ago and have lost 7.5 lbs. I'm already ahead of schedule for my 1.53 lbs a week

By the way, can I have my 5 pound clippie? I signed up for my clippie when I started but didn't realize I was supposed to sign up here too.

 

[Peg]

Hi
Count me in! I need to lose about 5o pounds and have finally decided to do something about it. I joined Weight Watchers 4 weeks ago and have lost 8 pounds. My goal is 2 pounds a week (which I find very doable, any more than that and I feel defeated before I begin) My first goal is 10 lbs, that should be 1 dress size. From there I'm counting on you guys to help me along.
Here's hoping for the best
Peg

 

[Gillian]

Me too! Me too! I want to lose weight like all the WISHers.

I am going to do Atkins with some extra carbs since I'm nursing my newborn baby girl (5 1/2 weeks). Long term goal is 50 pounds and short term is not to gain! I lost 25 after having the baby and now have stalled. It's time to get rid of the sugar & start eating better.

I love how supportive everyone is here & I can't wait to be the one saying if I did it, so can you!

 

[*Flower*]

Can I join too???

I'm tired of feeling like a (insert blecchy name here).
I have clothes in my closet that I could wear before I switched jobs 4 years ago. Of course it was more physical than the desk job that I have now........

I'm going to try doing Atkins, and DH is thinking about doing it too.

Do I have permission to add the clippie to my signature???

 

[mom2smjn]

Okay everyone...My name is Kelly and I would love to join your WISH challenge!
I am going on a reduced carb way of eating, but I think I may have to come up with the specifics myself. I do have medical issues that severly hinder weightloss BUT on the bright side my new doctor thinks new meds and a diet that restricts simple refined carbs may help...he also wants me to eat plenty of FRESh fruit and veggies.

I am currently reading up on several diets out there that may help me....but I believe it will come down to seeing what works.

I look forward to being a part of this group!

 

[nativetxn]

Look at all of my new friends! This is so exciting, I'm so happy to see new members joining my support group. I need all the support I can get, you know

<b>honeywolf7</b> Welcome to WISH. You have set a very reasonable goal to lose 10 pounds by August 21st. I'll bet you make it to goal, we all plan to help you do that.

How great that you are able to eat sensibly. If I could do that I wouldn't have had 100 pounds to lose last January. Good for you!

<b>A1A1</b> It's great to see you here on WISH. We need to have a little talk, though:

What a failure!!!!!

Stop that! You are <i>not</i> a failure. You just weren't motivated before. You're motivated now, I can tell. I think a lot of your fellow WISHers have gone up and down with their weight. I know that <i>I</i> have done that most of my life. So right off the bat, start thinking like a <i>loser</i> and you will be successful. Be positive, it is such a help, it truly is...I am probably <i>too</i> positive but it works better for me to be that way.

We all hate ourselves sometimes. When I feel that way I come here to WISH and I offer encouragement to others. You know what? It is such a help for me to do that, I help <i>myself</i> and I help my WISH friends too. At least, I <i>hope</i> I help my friends. Don't hate yourself. Look what you have done--you have taken <b>control</b>. You are in control now and you're going to do great.

We have lots of WISHers who follow the WW plan. If you have any questions about the program all you need to do is ask and you will receive many speedy replies.

You're going to do great with this, A1A1, you just wait and see. You have the entire WISH support group just sitting here in case you need our help. We're always here for you.

<b>Twang</b> Welcome to the DIS and a special welcome to WISH. I'm so glad you decided to take the challenge. You have done very well without WISH, so far, I'll bet you do even better now that you will be surrounded by friends who are facing the same challenges as you. It sure has been helpful to me.

I will just list your eating plan as "Controlled Carbohydrate" since you aren't following the Atkins plan. You're going to do just great, I'm sure of it. Never hesitate to call on your new friends for advice, help or support--we'll be right here for you.

<b>tinaw</b> Thanks for posting here, I would hate to leave you off the roster. You are already a success, aren't you?

I'll see if I can't get some help for you with that 5 pound loss clippie. You've earned it. You are doing very well with Atkins. I love that way of eating.

<b>Peg</b> Welcome to WISH, I'm glad you decided to join us. You have lots of fellow WISHers following the WW plan. If you have questions about the program don't hesitate to ask.

You have a reasonable goal, an excellent eating plan and you have WISH. Looks like you are already to succeed. You're going to do great, just wait and see.

<b>Gillian</b> A new baby! I love babies. Will you share? I can't seem to get any grandchildren of my own ;-)

Good for you, taking control and getting your weight back where it belongs so soon after having a baby. I really admire your determination.

I would be willing to bet that if you just cut out the refined carbohydrates, not the good complex carbohydrates, while you are nursing, that you start losing pretty quickly. You're going to do just great, sweetie. Honest.

We have lots of Atkins WISHers, if you have any questions or need a recipe all you have to do is ask and you will receive all the help with the program that you need.

<b>*Flower*</b> It's great to see you here on WISH.

I hope Atkins works as well for you as it works for my dh and me. Excellent health improvements with a nice side effect of weight loss. I love this plan and we have both taken it for life. We are planning to never eat refined carbohydrates again.

Of course, you may add the member clipart to your signature. You're a WISHer now. If you need help, let me know.

<b>mom2smjn</b> Thanks for posting here too. I make up the member roster using this post and I would hate to miss anyone.

I sure hope the new meds work for you. I'll put your plan as controlled carbohydrate, will that work?

I'm really glad you are going to be part of my support group now. You're going to love it here, no one is judgemental. Everyone here is very caring and helpful. I love WISH a lot.

<i>I'm very glad you all decided to take the challenge. You may add the WISH member clipart to your signature if you choose. What we do is begin with a <b>zero loss</b> no matter how much weight we may have lost before taking the challenge. Then every time we lose 5 pounds we get to "trade up" to a new clipart. It's fun and motivating. There is a great post telling you how to add the clipart to your signature right <b>HERE</b>.</i>

I hope that everyone is ready to <b>succeed</b> because you are all WISHers now and that's what we do here, we <b><i>succeed</i></b>!

Onward and downward, my friends!

Katholyn

 

[Disneymoon04]

and added the clipart. I hope staring at it everyday will give me a boost of will power... and hopefully you folks will give me a solid kick in the rear sometimes - goodness knows I need the accountability or I won't keep it up.

I have a post below this... I'm doing round 2 of atkins hoping to take off what i put on when going off and them some.

Hello everyone!