Need help - MASSIVE amounts of weight to lose

[LaLaroo78]

Hi everyone!

I would like to lose 100+ pounds too. When I saw your thread and started reading it I thought this is the support I need!

My quick story is I have been overweight all my life and I have tried every diet on earth it seems like! I have lost weight in the past but the problem for me has always been keeping it off. 2 years ago I hit my highest weight ever! Well that just disgusted me so I decided to do something about it. I did manage to lose about 30 lbs but have gained back 10 because I got lazy with the exercising and snacking on those bad foods!

I am tired of being the fat girl of the group! I started Nutrisystem today and I am almost through 4 glasses of water. I plan on using my eliptical tonight for 20 - 30 minutes. I turn 30 in January and I do not want to spend my 30's overweight so I am determined to do this!

Here's to all of us being the thin girls we all know lives inside of us!

Thanks for letting me share my story!

 

[ashleypmo]

Hi everyone, mind if I jump in here too?

I'll keep it brief, but here's my story in a nutshell: I'm 46, married, 2 teen sons (19 and 16), and I was not overweight most of my life. I did gain some AFTER I had my sons (I didn't gain much at all during my pregnancies), but then took that off. I moved from the Jersey shore to Massachusetts 10 years and THAT is when I really put a ton of weight on. I went from 155 (which I know sounds like a lot, but I honestly looked pretty good and felt very comfortable), to 223.5. I hadn't gained any in the last few years, but I was at 223-225 until 6 weeks ago when DH and I started the South Beach Diet.

Welcome to the group! Glad to have you here!

223ish was my starting point back a year or so ago. Now I am officially down to 155, and I feel pretty good, so I know what you mean! Being height challenged (I'm 5'4"...in my 2-inch wedges ! ) at 5'2", I still need to keep workin'. But for the first time in a long time, I have shoulders! Of course on the down side, my girls are leavin' town. I'm now a 36D, but I was busting out of a 38DDD not too long ago. I'm much happier w/ my girls at 36D, but I'm just worried that they won't stop there. I guess most of my adult life I've felt that they at least balanced out my backside, but if my backside will just follow suit and disappear, I won't need as much balancing!

I was talking w/ my kids about how my tastes have changed over the last year. I used to love fast food; now on the rare occasion that I do grab a burger for lunch, it's almost always a disappointment. So today for my reward meal, I made a yummy taco salad w/ some black beans & salsa on top (I make a big batch of black bean soup every week and try to have some as a starter for lunch every day), and a little pasta salad, and some other stuff, and for dessert I had a piece of my leftover birthday cake. Now, I always make our cakes because 1) I have a great recipe and 2)w/ DD3's nut allergy, we can't get anything from a bakery. I am somewhat famous among family and friends for my cakes. So I cut myself a piece for dessert and really found it to be too sweet (ate it anyway.... I need a script for next time so that I can have one bite & say "mmmm...but too sweet. that's all I can take"). I can't imagine that 6 months ago I would have thought anything could be too sweet. I really could have lived w/ about 1/2 the amount of frosting--& I am the frosting gal.

I tivo'd the Shaq show where he's helping kids lose weight. I started my kids out eating healthy from day 1, because I never wanted them to have the problem w/ food that I've had all my life. They still love sweets and junk food, but they are only allowed those treats infrequently. We try to have lots of veggies and fruit. No high-fructose corn syrup for them. That stuff is so evil, and lots of experts really believe it is the root of a lot of our obesity & diabetes rates.

I also keep them away from MSG, which is added to lots of foods. When farmers want to fatten up their livestock, they add MSG to their feed, because it breaks down muscle mass, which in turn decreases metabolism and increases fat storage. Plus it has an addictive quality, stimulating receptors on the tounge that make you want to eat more and more (the reason why everything tastes so darn good w/ ranch dressing).

 

[VernRDH]

Hi everyone!

I would like to lose 100+ pounds too. When I saw your thread and started reading it I thought this is the support I need!

My quick story is I have been overweight all my life and I have tried every diet on earth it seems like! I have lost weight in the past but the problem for me has always been keeping it off. 2 years ago I hit my highest weight ever! Well that just disgusted me so I decided to do something about it. I did manage to lose about 30 lbs but have gained back 10 because I got lazy with the exercising and snacking on those bad foods!

I am tired of being the fat girl of the group! I started Nutrisystem today and I am almost through 4 glasses of water. I plan on using my eliptical tonight for 20 - 30 minutes. I turn 30 in January and I do not want to spend my 30's overweight so I am determined to do this!

Here's to all of us being the thin girls we all know lives inside of us!

Thanks for letting me share my story!

Welcome LaLaroo!!

I hear ya about being the fat girl. Except I am approaching 40 quickly and have decided I don't want to be FAT at 40 but FIT at 40.

Everyone here is in the same situation-needing to lose a lot of weight and needing a support group to help them achieve their goal.We are here to cheer on your victories and commiserate with you during your slip ups. No one here is judgemental-that's what we want to avoid.

Post up regularly and let us know how you are doing. Good luck with Nutrisystem-I have never tried it, but if it works for you, then that is what you need.

Brenda-How are you doing? Let us know how the visit with the baby is going!!! Keep the faith!!!

 

[Jerseylicious]

We still eat potato chips (i know not great, but I eat WAY less than I used to and I just can't eat a sandwich without them).

Hey Veronica!!! My Aunt SeaSpray told me you guys found each other over here!

I was just reading the posts, and I have to tell you about a new chip out by Frito Lay, since you mentioned you love chips. (My DH works for Frito Lay, yes this is true, however this is NOT a plug!! LOL ) Anyway, it's by a sub-company called FLAT EARTH. They have baked chips, that are made with REAL veggies. In fact, there is a half serving of real vegetables in every serving of chips. They come in real chippy-type flavors, like Tomato Ranch, and Garlic & Herb, and they are FANTASTIC!!!! Then they also have fruit flavors too! I'm not a huge fan of the fruit ones, but the more chip-type flavors are out of this world! And I am NOT a chip person. But these are wonderful! So I figured if ones does like chips, you should definitely give these a try!

Here's their site: http://www.flatearth.com/ (there's also a coupon on their site for $1.00 off!)

Also, I wanted to say how proud I am of my Aunt SeaSpray...she looks wonderful and I am so proud of how motivated and committed she is to a healthier her!!!

 

[VernRDH]

Hey Veronica!!! My Aunt SeaSpray told me you guys found each other over here!

I was just reading the posts, and I have to tell you about a new chip out by Frito Lay, since you mentioned you love chips. (My DH works for Frito Lay, yes this is true, however this is NOT a plug!! LOL ) Anyway, it's by a sub-company called FLAT EARTH. They have baked chips, that are made with REAL veggies. In fact, there is a half serving of real vegetables in every serving of chips. They come in real chippy-type flavors, like Tomato Ranch, and Garlic & Herb, and they are FANTASTIC!!!! Then they also have fruit flavors too! I'm not a huge fan of the fruit ones, but the more chip-type flavors are out of this world! And I am NOT a chip person. But these are wonderful! So I figured if ones does like chips, you should definitely give these a try!

Here's their site: http://www.flatearth.com/ (there's also a coupon on their site for $1.00 off!)

Also, I wanted to say how proud I am of my Aunt SeaSpray...she looks wonderful and I am so proud of how motivated and committed she is to a healthier her!!!

Christie-

Girlfriend, what the hay are you doing over here?? Great to see ya. Yes you should be proud of Aunt Terry she is doing great!! We are all hoping to have the same success and lose our unwanted pounds.

Thanks for the info on the chips. We have a FL distribution center right here in our town and I have seen the Flat earth stuff. I will print out the coupon and give it a try!!

Hows life at the Shore? We have to do another GNO at some point, but I figured we could catch up once the summer season was over and your life got a little more back to normal!!! Only 15 more weeks until your EOS cruise-you must be psyched!!! We have WAAAY to long until we go, but I am hoping to have reached my goal weight by then, so I will look super in my new formal wear and bathing suits (going to try to be bikini worthy ).

I'll see ya over on the CC boards and we'll chat soon!!!

 

[Jerseylicious]

I'll see ya over on the CC boards and we'll chat soon!!!

Sounds great, Veronica!!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Welcome to the group! Glad to have you here!

223ish was my starting point back a year or so ago. Now I am officially down to 155, and I feel pretty good, so I know what you mean! Being height challenged (I'm 5'4"...in my 2-inch wedges ! ) at 5'2", I still need to keep workin'. But for the first time in a long time, I have shoulders! Of course on the down side, my girls are leavin' town. I'm now a 36D, but I was busting out of a 38DDD not too long ago. I'm much happier w/ my girls at 36D, but I'm just worried that they won't stop there. I guess most of my adult life I've felt that they at least balanced out my backside, but if my backside will just follow suit and disappear, I won't need as much balancing!

I was talking w/ my kids about how my tastes have changed over the last year. I used to love fast food; now on the rare occasion that I do grab a burger for lunch, it's almost always a disappointment. So today for my reward meal, I made a yummy taco salad w/ some black beans & salsa on top (I make a big batch of black bean soup every week and try to have some as a starter for lunch every day), and a little pasta salad, and some other stuff, and for dessert I had a piece of my leftover birthday cake. Now, I always make our cakes because 1) I have a great recipe and 2)w/ DD3's nut allergy, we can't get anything from a bakery. I am somewhat famous among family and friends for my cakes. So I cut myself a piece for dessert and really found it to be too sweet (ate it anyway.... I need a script for next time so that I can have one bite & say "mmmm...but too sweet. that's all I can take"). I can't imagine that 6 months ago I would have thought anything could be too sweet. I really could have lived w/ about 1/2 the amount of frosting--& I am the frosting gal.

I tivo'd the Shaq show where he's helping kids lose weight. I started my kids out eating healthy from day 1, because I never wanted them to have the problem w/ food that I've had all my life. They still love sweets and junk food, but they are only allowed those treats infrequently. We try to have lots of veggies and fruit. No high-fructose corn syrup for them. That stuff is so evil, and lots of experts really believe it is the root of a lot of our obesity & diabetes rates.

I also keep them away from MSG, which is added to lots of foods. When farmers want to fatten up their livestock, they add MSG to their feed, because it breaks down muscle mass, which in turn decreases metabolism and increases fat storage. Plus it has an addictive quality, stimulating receptors on the tounge that make you want to eat more and more (the reason why everything tastes so darn good w/ ranch dressing).

Wow, congrats on your weight loss!! I'm really looking forward to the 155 range!

I've explained to my DSs all about high-fructose corn syrup too...it's poison for the body, basically. I really had no idea about MSG though, thanks for mentioning it! I always thought it was just something they used to add to Chinese food.

My taste buds have definitely gotten used to this new way of eating; tonight my DH and I went out for dinner and he had a biscuit on his plate. After dinner I tore off a very small piece (about the size of a nickel) and ate it. It really tasted good, and I'm not even a bread person! It tasted as good as cake does! LOL I was happy with just one small bite, and I was amazed at how fully I could taste the flavors in it. Back in the day, it probably would've tasted very bland to me!

Hi everyone!

I would like to lose 100+ pounds too. When I saw your thread and started reading it I thought this is the support I need!

My quick story is I have been overweight all my life and I have tried every diet on earth it seems like! I have lost weight in the past but the problem for me has always been keeping it off. 2 years ago I hit my highest weight ever! Well that just disgusted me so I decided to do something about it. I did manage to lose about 30 lbs but have gained back 10 because I got lazy with the exercising and snacking on those bad foods!

I am tired of being the fat girl of the group! I started Nutrisystem today and I am almost through 4 glasses of water. I plan on using my eliptical tonight for 20 - 30 minutes. I turn 30 in January and I do not want to spend my 30's overweight so I am determined to do this!

Here's to all of us being the thin girls we all know lives inside of us!

Thanks for letting me share my story!

Welcome to the group, I'm new too! Way to go with your exercising! I've been doing South Beach now for 6 1/2 weeks and I have not increased my physical activity at all! That's one area that I really need to improve on. I have plantar fasciitis as well as rheumatoid arthritis, so the idea of moving more than I have to just doesn't appeal to me, and I worry that my feet and joints will end up hurting more. I know that logically I should just do SOME kind of exercise (I work 30 hours a week and at least half of that time I am moving around, walking, etc, so at least I'm not as sedentary as I used to be!).

You're still young enough that you'll lose the weight and look and feel great afterwards.

Hey Veronica!!! My Aunt SeaSpray told me you guys found each other over here!

I was just reading the posts, and I have to tell you about a new chip out by Frito Lay, since you mentioned you love chips. (My DH works for Frito Lay, yes this is true, however this is NOT a plug!! LOL ) Anyway, it's by a sub-company called FLAT EARTH. They have baked chips, that are made with REAL veggies. In fact, there is a half serving of real vegetables in every serving of chips. They come in real chippy-type flavors, like Tomato Ranch, and Garlic & Herb, and they are FANTASTIC!!!! Then they also have fruit flavors too! I'm not a huge fan of the fruit ones, but the more chip-type flavors are out of this world! And I am NOT a chip person. But these are wonderful! So I figured if ones does like chips, you should definitely give these a try!

Here's their site: http://www.flatearth.com/ (there's also a coupon on their site for $1.00 off!)

Also, I wanted to say how proud I am of my Aunt SeaSpray...she looks wonderful and I am so proud of how motivated and committed she is to a healthier her!!!

Aww, thanks, Christie!!! You did such a great job in supporting my weight loss efforts while I was staying at your house last month!! I really appreciated it! Also I appreciate the fact that you've taken control of your family history of high cholesterol and not let it run your life! You've become such a great health and fitness expert! You are living proof that people with strong family histories of bad health issues don't have to succumb to the illnesses! (<---healthy banana dance! LOL)

And I agree with Veronica! Get back over to Cruise Critic where you belong!

P.S. I had some of those veggie chips while I was at your house, they were VERY good!!!

 

[ashleypmo]

I've been doing South Beach now for 6 1/2 weeks and I have not increased my physical activity at all! That's one area that I really need to improve on. I have plantar fasciitis as well as rheumatoid arthritis, so the idea of moving more than I have to just doesn't appeal to me, and I worry that my feet and joints will end up hurting more. I know that logically I should just do SOME kind of exercise (I work 30 hours a week and at least half of that time I am moving around, walking, etc, so at least I'm not as sedentary as I used to be!).

IMO & based on my experience, if you are losing weight w/out exercise, I wouldn't add in the exercise program until you plateau. Just read an article where they compared a group that did just diet w/ a group that did just exercise, and they both did fine. And they actually found that people who have a hard time w/ exercise can actually end up failing because they feel like they won't succeed w/out it. Same for those who are okay w/ exercise, but can't deal w/ dieting.

But once you hit that plateau (why do we always hit that plateau???), the exercise can get you losing again. I always feel that if you do everything all at once, then what R you gonna do to knock yourself off that plateau when it hits?

One exception I'd make is for strength training. Adding muscle boosts your metab. Squats (freestanding or w/ exercise ball), dumbells, etc.

Also, heard from a friend that used to be in the "biz" that it takes 3 years for your "set point" (the weight your body "thinks" is where you should be) to readjust to weight loss. That is why it is sooo stinkin' easy to gain those pounds back. But that totally psychs me up, because I was thinking my body would always want to go right back to my highest weight, and that this would be a never-ending battle . But now I'm really encouraged to think that after 3 years, I won't have to be as paranoid. That doesn't give me license to eat Nacho-cheese Doritos & drink Coke all day after 3 years (rats! I wish something would give me license to eat Doritos & drink Coke all day. In heaven, Jesus is going to point over to a big table and say "Precious daughter, ta-dah!!! Doritos & Coke! No calories! Welcome to heaven!" ) But I'll be able to treat food like a "normal" person (whoever the heck those "normal" people are. I hate them. )

I am getting soooo excited about our upcoming WDW trip....in 10 months ! I'm thinking about doing a pre-trip report, because once we start up homeschooling next month, I won't have time to do it. I pretty much want the whole trip planned before the school year, and then I can just do trip maintenance stuff like checking for discounts, ADRs, etc. If I get around to a pre-trippie, I'll let you guys know!

Good-night, dear Minnie Sistahs!

 

[lorli]

I've been reading this thread for more than an hour now and want to be a part of it. I too have over 100 lbs. to lose and I've lost 55 so far. Ok I'll be realistic, maybe not 100 more for real but it wouldn't hurt me none, but not sure if that will really happen. I have been overweight my entire life, but as a child I was very active and played all kinds of sports so my weight was just off the mark not entirely off the scale. Once I went to college and was no longer involved with sports I put on 100+ pounds got in a very bad go no where marriage and found my very best friend in the whole wide world. It comforted me when hubby was and a**, very often, celebrated with me because hubby was an a**. This went on for 10 years then I kicked hubby out, but I still had to have my friend for support. Remarkably I met a wonderful and supportive man, who Ihave since married, it will be 7 years, and started a new friendship. If it could have been that easy. I was lucky I didn't gain much weight with pregnancies, in fact lost, but had very difficult pregnancies and recovering, well I ate. However, after the second, my angel is in heaven, I turned to the old stand-by, food and ate and ate and ate to numb my feelings. Two years later my mom got very sick, fought but died at what I believe is a young age 60. I was orphaned at 38, my dad died at 48. I ate and packed on a little more weight. After reaching my all time high 320, I decided I have a 6 year old dd and a darling husband, I lost my parents young, it was high time for me to do something to help myself not bow out of my daughters life prematurely and hey I have a great dh I want to be with him for a very long time too. So on Dec. 30, 2006, I set my mind to it and joined LA Weight Loss. It was expensive but I'm so worth it.

I lost steadily,48 pounds, until we went on vacation, June 26-July 5, I put on some while at Disney. When I got home I had breast reduction surgery, yep I was huge, they took 4 lbs. and I'm still big. Now I'm back on track and I'm down 55 pounds. I have to keep looking to the bright stars because I have another surgery scheduled - foot this time, not as invasive, then back to Disney in August, but no dining plan so hopefully won't be so bad. I keep looking to the scale and will do something nice for myself when I no longer need to go to the 250 mark then use the littler weight.

Well, I've been long winded but I found you guys to be a great group to read and very encouraging. I've been looking for something like this since I joined W.I.S.H., a group of people with a lot of weight to lose, like myself, others that can identify with all associated with it.

Keep up the good work!

 

[LaLaroo78]

Good Morning, Everyone!

SeaSpray have to tried chair yoga? A lady I work with does this and loves it. It's not extreme just a lot of stretching while seated.

Lorli Welcome to the Group! You're story was very touching. You are a very strong women and have overcome a lot of grief in your life. Congratulations on your decision to take control of your life and weight and also your weight loss! Keep up the good work! I hope your surgery goes well. Keep us posted!

Well so far I have stuck to the plan I am on for 2 1/2 days now with no cheating! I have drank more than the 8 glasses of water and exercised on the elliptical on Monday for 30 minutes and yesterday for 25 minutes. I am not going to get on the scale until Friday. I hope that I loose something!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[ashleypmo]

Lori--
Welcome to the group! 55 pounds; Hoo-ray for you!!! I know what you mean about wanting to be around for your daughter. My dad died at the age of 52, when I was 30 and 7 months pregnant with my 2nd child. Ironically, I was at Disney World when he died. Some of my favorite memories are of being at the World as a child w/ my dad, especially on the Pirates ride, and when I got the call that he died, we still stayed an extra day so that my DD3 could have her Disney trip, but I couldn't bear to get on the Pirates ride. My dad died of heart disease. He was very thin and physically in good shape & active, a jogger. BUT he ate crazybad stuff like bagfuls of chips, those huge bags of prepopped popcorn that are full of hydrogenated oils (which we knew nothing about back then, 8 years ago), and he smoked Lucky Strikes, and drank. But I know how it feels to lose a parent when you still don't quite feel like a grown-up (will I ever?).

When our 4th child was born with Down syndrome, I learned that the average life expectancy of someone w/ Down syndrome is 55 years. That's an average, and many live well into their 60s. Well, I was already 37 when he was born, and being a homeschooling mom, I'm pretty good at math ! When he'ss 55, I'll be 92, and DH 94. Thankfully--God is so good!-- Mason has 3 wonderful older siblings that will always be there for him, and regardless of what society thinks, adults w/ Down syndrome can live wonderful, semi-independent lives. In fact, we're starting a non-profit and will be founding a residential farmstead for adults w/ cognitive disabilities, but that's another topic for another day.

Back to my train of thought (it derails quite often!): I realized that God has given me both an awesome blessing and an awesome responsibility, not to mention the fact that having two little ones 1-1/2 years apart requires a certain level of physical stamina that I had long since abandoned! And then I realized, it's not just that I need to be around to take care of Mason, I need to be around for all of my children, of course. I need to be there for weddings and grandchildren and looking through old family albums after Sunday dinners. I need to pass on the stories of how Grampa Boo scared the peewaddlin out of that poor family with the 3 year old on Pirates of the Carribbean by saying "This is such a fun ride, but I'll never understand why they don't warn people about that drop. It must be 20 feet!" .

So you go girl! You're awesome!

LaLaRoo-- sounds like you are doing a great job on your program! Keep up the good work! Some days I do great w/ my water, some days I get so busy I just don't think about it. I do better when I fill up a large container w/ my "quota" for the day and pour from that. Also, I've really become a decaf green tea addict. I was out for a couple of days and you'da thunk I was detoxing! but I have a double-sized mug and I make it 2 cups at a time, and it counts toward my water quota, so that helps a lot. But it's still a challenge some days.

Brenda--still hangin' in there girlfriend??? Was the grandbaby visit wonderful? I'd love an update!

Veronica & SeaSpray&JerseyGirl (Christie?? or am I mixing people up? If so, sorry! Me & pooh, we're bears of very little brain. All stuff 'n' fluff!)--how cool for you guys to all connect here! My kids tried those Flat Earth chips and loved them (I didn't get one because it wasn't reward meal time. Well, duh! I was in the grocery store ). They don't eat chips often, usually only picnics or if I'm running low on food and I feel really guilty about fixing them some bizarre leftover montage for lunch, so I'll let them have 4 or 5 chips. I have coupons, but I'm a grocery gamer, so I just can't buy something until it goes on sale AND I have a coupon, but I may make an exception for them. Just this once. (pretend the smilie's eatin' those Flat Earth chips instead of popcorn).

All of you wonderful ladies- have a great day!!! I know I've forgotten to say "hi" to someone, but my DS1 is protesting being in his highchair quite vehemently and vociferously (this kid's makin' some noise!), so I'd better go!

 

[DeAnna-YIKES!]

Wow! How cool! Several new folks while I was gone! Woo-hoo! Welcome to everyone! We had a great trip to Indiana. For the most part my plans worked very well. There were only a few occasions which were out of my control in which I just did the best I could. Such as we were invited to some other folks home for dinner and I just had to do the best I could. All in all not bad. I am back on track strict again. Had to do 13 loads of laundry when we returned yesterday! Yuck! We had all that we had taken with us plus the girl who stayed here while we were gone swam apparently a lot! LOL Plus changing sheets and such whew! no fun. The friend in Indiana who we went to visit joined WW yesterday! We are gonna' support one another there too! We will get to see one another again in October. Hopefully less of one another LOL! I am going to go to WW on Monday ... I am being extremely good until then and walking and swimming to make up for slip ups on our trip...

So, Brenda, tell me how wonderful the grandbaby is ... having a blast?!?
I sometimes miss my girl being little.... but, my niece has 5 kids under 10 so, when I need fix, I'll call her and have one or two over for a few days.

Has anyone here tried stevia as a sweetner? My step-mother uses it a lot and I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with it? When we use anything at all we use splenda, any idea how the two compare? Well, guess I should get going ... lots to do to get the house back in order. DD went back to work today, DH is off until Friday. So, since he has gone to run some errands think I should take advantage and get some things done!

Keep on keepin on!

DeAnna

 

[ashleypmo]

Wow! How cool! Several new folks while I was gone! Woo-hoo! Welcome to everyone! We had a great trip to Indiana. For the most part my plans worked very well. There were only a few occasions which were out of my control in which I just did the best I could. Such as we were invited to some other folks home for dinner and I just had to do the best I could. All in all not bad. I am back on track strict again. Had to do 13 loads of laundry when we returned yesterday! Yuck! We had all that we had taken with us plus the girl who stayed here while we were gone swam apparently a lot! LOL Plus changing sheets and such whew! no fun. The friend in Indiana who we went to visit joined WW yesterday! We are gonna' support one another there too! We will get to see one another again in October. Hopefully less of one another LOL! I am going to go to WW on Monday ... I am being extremely good until then and walking and swimming to make up for slip ups on our trip...

So, Brenda, tell me how wonderful the grandbaby is ... having a blast?!?
I sometimes miss my girl being little.... but, my niece has 5 kids under 10 so, when I need fix, I'll call her and have one or two over for a few days.

Has anyone here tried stevia as a sweetner? My step-mother uses it a lot and I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with it? When we use anything at all we use splenda, any idea how the two compare? Well, guess I should get going ... lots to do to get the house back in order. DD went back to work today, DH is off until Friday. So, since he has gone to run some errands think I should take advantage and get some things done!

Keep on keepin on!

DeAnna

Hey DeAnna! Glad you had a great trip! 13 loads of laundry, eh? I have a running joke w/ a friend of mine who also has 4 kids that we are 8 loads of laundry behind on any given day. Actually, it's not really a joke. I can promise you I have 6 loads in my laundry room, 2 more in my bedroom, probably another full load between all the kids' bedrooms, plus I have 3 clean loads waiting to be folded. I probably should have been folding instead of working on my scrapbook while the kids were napping, but I am determined to get our 2002 Disney scrapbook finished before we go next May!

Stevia is natural, vs. Splenda being "manufactured". Plus, there have been studies that have indicated that some peoples' metabs respond the same to artificial sweeteners like splenda as they do to sugar, and also that splenda can trigger cravings for sweets. I myself do not do artificial sweeteners because of the links to neurological disorders such as MS, which I was prediagnosed w/ a decade or 2 ago, but to much of a sissy to go in for that MRI. Plus, I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners. I drank diet coke like a fiend for 10 years and never developed a taste for the stuff. I am a certified (or certifiable ?) Coke addict (as in "-a-Cola.").

There have been some studies that show a possible link between Stevia and infertility, but those central american indians have been using the stuff for thousands of years.

Stevia is very low-glycemic, and I've heard it can actually help to regulate blood sugar. I find it to have an aftertaste similar to artificial sweeteners personally.

I prefer Agave nectar, which is also all-natural. It tastes like honey, but not as thick. It is very low glycemic. It is also sweeter than sugar, so you can use a lot less. All health/natural foods stores should carry it, or you can order it online (google "agave nectar"). Super Target stocks it by the honey.

How come every time I intend to chip in my .02, it ends up being more like $2??

 

[delilah]

I have been following this thread since it began, and I am hoping to join in, too. I don't quite have 100lbs to lose, but, unfortunately, when I started my weight loss program, I weighed more than 100lbs more than I did when I got married, but, I only weighed 95 lbs when I got married. As background, I am 51 years old and a family physician. I have one son, 9, who is adopted from Korea. In terms of my weight, I was never overweight at all until my first year of medical school (and when I say overweight, I mean a strict medical definition of BMI over 25). I attended graduate school the first five years of marriage. I had maintained a weight between 95-110 from the time I was in eighth grade until the last year of graduate school. Due to a stressful situation that ultimately caused me to leave grad school, I gained 10lbs that last year, and continued to gain up to about 140lb at the end of the first year of medical school. We made a quick trip to visit family Memorial Day weekend that year, and my MIL totally humiliated me about my weight. I mean, really, technically, I was less than 10 lbs overweight. So, I lost back down to 103, and maintained that until late third year, when, I was started on an antidepressant. By the time I started residency, I weighed about 120 lbs, and quit the antidepressant. The stresses of residency got to me, and I was put back on the antidepressant, and became seriously overweight by the time I finished residency, about 150 lbs. I got even heavier the first year or so in practice, and finally did something about it when I discovered that I had become obese. I had also contracted thyroiditis. I once again lost weight, with a goal of 115-120 lbs. I maintained that weight loss until we adopted that son. I had been in a consistant exercise program up until then, and attribute the weight gain I've had to stopping the exercise program. I think the lunches the drug reps brought in didn't help either. I always intended to start the exercise program, but kept putting it off. Soon, it was three years later. I knew I had been gaining weight, but had no idea how much. I was in shock to discover during an exam for life insurance that I weighed 191lbs. This was in August 2001. That weight loss program was cut short by stress because of 911. Actually, I had been trying not to gain any more weight, and I was semi-successful. I weighed 197lbs when I started the weight loss program I am doing now. Six lbs in six years is not that bad. But, I had developed high blood pressure and pre-diabetes, so, it was time to get serious about my weight problem.

My current weight loss goal is 115-120 lbs. That seems reasonable. I have been exercising (which I think is crucial for me), and have been losing consistently 10-12lbs a month. I am now at 156lbs as of this morning. My blood sugars have been less then 100 every time I've checked this week. My blood pressure is down to 120/80, on medication, but, my initial blood pressure was scary--170/100, and at first, I was only able to get it down to 140/95 the first two weeks. My current motivation is the knowledge that when I get to goal, I absolutely can't let myself gain weight again. Just the weight loss the past two weeks, from the "obese" range to the "overweight" range has made a big difference in my control of my other health issues.

As an added plus, I also look better. Yesterday, I had quite a discussion with a particular drug rep about whether I really was the doctor I said I was. He had called on our office sometime ago, and just returned to our territory. Finally, my nurse stepped in and explained to him that I had recently lost alot of weight, and, indeed, I was who I said I was. I am looking forward to looking and feeling better. Well, now it is time for me to go down and do my daily exercise routine.

 

[VernRDH]

WOW!!! Lots of activity from the Minnie Sistahs today.

Lori-Welcome to the group!!! We are glad to have you here. We are all in this together, so feel free to share whats on your mind or going on with your WOE or exercise. Congrats on your loss so far!!! Keep up the good work!!

DeAnna-Glad you had a great trip to Indiana!!! Laundry is no fun, but eventually it gets done, right?? How cool that your friend is joining WW and you can support each other!! DH's cousin is my WW buddy, she lives in Mass. and I live in NY, but we keep in touch by email and compare notes.

Ashley-How goes your WOE? I like to live vicariously through your reward meals. Thanks for sharing about your father, I lost my mom 3 years ago. She was 56, I was 33. It totally sucks to lose a parent that young. The last time we saw her was my and DD's birthday. If I had known that was the last time I was going to talk to her, I would have said so much more. But she taught me so much about being a good mother and a good person. She weighed only 80 pounds when she died, she had loads of intestinal problems. She actually had the surgery that they do for gastric bypass, but not for that reason (they had to "rework" all of her plumbing, due to all the ulcers and intestinal issues). She varied from her highest weight of about 140 (she was 5'2") to 75lbs when she was extremely ill.

I truly believe that God does give you any more than you can handle, so I think he must think a great deal of you, giving you a special angel like Mason. Many people with Downs can do wonderful things in life, and have much to offer the rest of us.

LaLaRoo-Good job with your plan!!! Keep up the good work. I know how hard it can be to do the water. I take 3 16.9oz bottles with me to work each day. I make myself drink one before lunch, one at lunch with my food, and one more before the end of the day. Since I am a dental hygienist, I can't keep my H2O with me in my operatory. So I have to go back to the kitchen to get it from the fridge. I have now made it part of my routine, that inbetween patients or while waiting for the dr., I go drink some. It goes quicker that way. Once I get home, I have at least another 30 oz of water throughtout the evening. So I do get all the water, but it can be a struggle.

Brenda-How are you doing??? Hope the visit is going well. Let us know how you are doing. WE BELIEVE IN YOU, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

WELCOME DELILAH!!!! We must have been posting at the same time. Glad you can join us. Congrats on your loss so far!!! I hear ya about the HBP-I have been on meds for the last 3-4 years and am hoping that by the time my physical comes up in Nov, I will no longer need it. I have a strong family history of diabetes and cardiac issues, and had gestational diabetes during my only pregnancy. Was told by the endocrine specialist that I would be diabetic at some point in my life as my pancreas is "lazy". But if I lost the weight, it might not happen until I am 70, instead of at 40 if I stay overweight. Thanks, but no thanks, this girls really not crazy about the finger pricks and testing, etc. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Sorry this is long winded. Talk to everyone later.

See ya Sistahs!!!!

 

[SeaSpray]

IMO & based on my experience, if you are losing weight w/out exercise, I wouldn't add in the exercise program until you plateau. Just read an article where they compared a group that did just diet w/ a group that did just exercise, and they both did fine. And they actually found that people who have a hard time w/ exercise can actually end up failing because they feel like they won't succeed w/out it. Same for those who are okay w/ exercise, but can't deal w/ dieting.

But once you hit that plateau (why do we always hit that plateau???), the exercise can get you losing again. I always feel that if you do everything all at once, then what R you gonna do to knock yourself off that plateau when it hits?

One exception I'd make is for strength training. Adding muscle boosts your metab. Squats (freestanding or w/ exercise ball), dumbells, etc.

Also, heard from a friend that used to be in the "biz" that it takes 3 years for your "set point" (the weight your body "thinks" is where you should be) to readjust to weight loss. That is why it is sooo stinkin' easy to gain those pounds back. But that totally psychs me up, because I was thinking my body would always want to go right back to my highest weight, and that this would be a never-ending battle . But now I'm really encouraged to think that after 3 years, I won't have to be as paranoid. That doesn't give me license to eat Nacho-cheese Doritos & drink Coke all day after 3 years (rats! I wish something would give me license to eat Doritos & drink Coke all day. In heaven, Jesus is going to point over to a big table and say "Precious daughter, ta-dah!!! Doritos & Coke! No calories! Welcome to heaven!" ) But I'll be able to treat food like a "normal" person (whoever the heck those "normal" people are. I hate them. )

I am getting soooo excited about our upcoming WDW trip....in 10 months ! I'm thinking about doing a pre-trip report, because once we start up homeschooling next month, I won't have time to do it. I pretty much want the whole trip planned before the school year, and then I can just do trip maintenance stuff like checking for discounts, ADRs, etc. If I get around to a pre-trippie, I'll let you guys know!

Good-night, dear Minnie Sistahs!

Thanks for the exercise info. My RA (rheumatoid arthritis) is acting up lately and I feel extremely achey and my bones and joints hurt. Honestly, the thought of doing any more physical activity than I do during the course of my regular day is just not appealing. lol I'm sure I'll be in a wheelchair at WDW once again (9 days until our trip!!!). I'll probably be OK for the first day, but I won't push myself because then I'll be in extreme pain and unable to even walk a few feet. I've learned that it's better to pace myself, in the long run. When I finally get back to a point where I'm not in such pain, I'll add some exercise in. At least I do get exercise every day in the form of walking, bending, stretching, etc while at work, and at home doing the usual things.

Enjoy the 10 months of anticipation of your next trip! I love the pre-trip stage almost as much as the trip itself! lol

I've been reading this thread for more than an hour now and want to be a part of it. I too have over 100 lbs. to lose and I've lost 55 so far. Ok I'll be realistic, maybe not 100 more for real but it wouldn't hurt me none, but not sure if that will really happen. I have been overweight my entire life, but as a child I was very active and played all kinds of sports so my weight was just off the mark not entirely off the scale. Once I went to college and was no longer involved with sports I put on 100+ pounds got in a very bad go no where marriage and found my very best friend in the whole wide world. It comforted me when hubby was and a**, very often, celebrated with me because hubby was an a**. This went on for 10 years then I kicked hubby out, but I still had to have my friend for support. Remarkably I met a wonderful and supportive man, who Ihave since married, it will be 7 years, and started a new friendship. If it could have been that easy. I was lucky I didn't gain much weight with pregnancies, in fact lost, but had very difficult pregnancies and recovering, well I ate. However, after the second, my angel is in heaven, I turned to the old stand-by, food and ate and ate and ate to numb my feelings. Two years later my mom got very sick, fought but died at what I believe is a young age 60. I was orphaned at 38, my dad died at 48. I ate and packed on a little more weight. After reaching my all time high 320, I decided I have a 6 year old dd and a darling husband, I lost my parents young, it was high time for me to do something to help myself not bow out of my daughters life prematurely and hey I have a great dh I want to be with him for a very long time too. So on Dec. 30, 2006, I set my mind to it and joined LA Weight Loss. It was expensive but I'm so worth it.

I lost steadily,48 pounds, until we went on vacation, June 26-July 5, I put on some while at Disney. When I got home I had breast reduction surgery, yep I was huge, they took 4 lbs. and I'm still big. Now I'm back on track and I'm down 55 pounds. I have to keep looking to the bright stars because I have another surgery scheduled - foot this time, not as invasive, then back to Disney in August, but no dining plan so hopefully won't be so bad. I keep looking to the scale and will do something nice for myself when I no longer need to go to the 250 mark then use the littler weight.

Well, I've been long winded but I found you guys to be a great group to read and very encouraging. I've been looking for something like this since I joined W.I.S.H., a group of people with a lot of weight to lose, like myself, others that can identify with all associated with it.

Keep up the good work!

Welcome, and thanks for sharing your story with us Congrats on losing 55 pounds so far! I'll be thrilled when I can say that I've lost 55 pounds!

Good Morning, Everyone!

SeaSpray have to tried chair yoga? A lady I work with does this and loves it. It's not extreme just a lot of stretching while seated.

I'll look into that, thanks!

Well so far I have stuck to the plan I am on for 2 1/2 days now with no cheating! I have drank more than the 8 glasses of water and exercised on the elliptical on Monday for 30 minutes and yesterday for 25 minutes. I am not going to get on the scale until Friday. I hope that I loose something!

Have a great day everyone!

Way to go on the exercise and water drinking! I do an official weigh-in at work every Friday. We're doing a "Biggest Loser" type of contest, and so far I'm in the lead!

Veronica & SeaSpray&JerseyGirl (Christie?? or am I mixing people up? If so, sorry! Me & pooh, we're bears of very little brain. All stuff 'n' fluff!)--how cool for you guys to all connect here! My kids tried those Flat Earth chips and loved them (I didn't get one because it wasn't reward meal time. Well, duh! I was in the grocery store ). They don't eat chips often, usually only picnics or if I'm running low on food and I feel really guilty about fixing them some bizarre leftover montage for lunch, so I'll let them have 4 or 5 chips. I have coupons, but I'm a grocery gamer, so I just can't buy something until it goes on sale AND I have a coupon, but I may make an exception for them. Just this once. (pretend the smilie's eatin' those Flat Earth chips instead of popcorn).

All of you wonderful ladies- have a great day!!! I know I've forgotten to say "hi" to someone, but my DS1 is protesting being in his highchair quite vehemently and vociferously (this kid's makin' some noise!), so I'd better go!

Christie (Jerseylicious) is my DNiece We both know Veronice from the Cruise Critic web site, as well as her own web site with great pod casts about the Royal Caribbean cruise line.

Wow! How cool! Several new folks while I was gone! Woo-hoo! Welcome to everyone!
Has anyone here tried stevia as a sweetner? My step-mother uses it a lot and I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with it? When we use anything at all we use splenda, any idea how the two compare? Well, guess I should get going ... lots to do to get the house back in order. DD went back to work today, DH is off until Friday. So, since he has gone to run some errands think I should take advantage and get some things done!

Keep on keepin on!

DeAnna

Welcome back from your trip!! I've never heard of stevia, but I'm going to research it. If there's a healthier sweetener out there, then I'd like to know about it!

Stevia is natural, vs. Splenda being "manufactured". Plus, there have been studies that have indicated that some peoples' metabs respond the same to artificial sweeteners like splenda as they do to sugar, and also that splenda can trigger cravings for sweets. I myself do not do artificial sweeteners because of the links to neurological disorders such as MS, which I was prediagnosed w/ a decade or 2 ago, but to much of a sissy to go in for that MRI. Plus, I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners. I drank diet coke like a fiend for 10 years and never developed a taste for the stuff. I am a certified (or certifiable ?) Coke addict (as in "-a-Cola.").

There have been some studies that show a possible link between Stevia and infertility, but those central american indians have been using the stuff for thousands of years.

Stevia is very low-glycemic, and I've heard it can actually help to regulate blood sugar. I find it to have an aftertaste similar to artificial sweeteners personally.

I prefer Agave nectar, which is also all-natural. It tastes like honey, but not as thick. It is very low glycemic. It is also sweeter than sugar, so you can use a lot less. All health/natural foods stores should carry it, or you can order it online (google "agave nectar"). Super Target stocks it by the honey.

How come every time I intend to chip in my .02, it ends up being more like $2??

I've never heard of agave nectar either.... what forms do these come in? powder? liquid? thanks

 

[SeaSpray]

Good morning everyone! MY SCALE ISN'T WORKING!!

I'll probably have to go out and buy a new one tonight because every Friday I bring in the scale for our weekly weigh-in at work! Do scales tend to show different weights? I know that a lot of time I weigh different at home than I do if I get weighed someplace else.

 

[LaLaroo78]

Congrats Seaspray on being in the lead that is awesome! Sometimes with scales I think it depends on how level the floor is actually. I can weigh myself in the bathroom and weigh one thing and if I move the scale to the hallway I weigh another.

I did not exercise last night because my calves were killing me! So one day off is not bad. I couldn't wait until Friday to weigh myself. I did this moring and I lost 3.5 lbs! Yeah! Off to a good start so far!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[VernRDH]

Terry-

It must be an epidemic!!! I don't think my scale is working either!!! It says I only lost .6 for this week, and I ran 3 miles this am before I weighed in!!! But I guess a loss is a loss, so I should be glad I didn't gain!!! Thanks for the mad props on our podcast BTW. We appreciate it!!! We are hopeful that we will get a nomination for the Podcast Awards. We don't expect to win, but it's nice to be nominated!!

LaLaRoo-WAY TO GO!!! Good job on the loss. Keep up the good work!!

Well Im off. Gotta take the kidster to the orthodontist, then camp then I am off to work.

 

[delilah]

Good morning everyone! MY SCALE ISN'T WORKING!!

I'll probably have to go out and buy a new one tonight because every Friday I bring in the scale for our weekly weigh-in at work! Do scales tend to show different weights? I know that a lot of time I weigh different at home than I do if I get weighed someplace else.

Generally, a good quality scale will weigh consistently and agree with other scales. I know that all the scales at my office weigh the same (I was curious to know if they did, so, I weighed myself on each of them and they do). Furthermore, my scale at home (a doctor type balance scale) agrees with the ones at my office (as much as can be expected that I need to drive home or to work before reweighing myself). Years ago, I had an electronic type scale which was awful. That is actually why I invested in the doctor's type balance scale.

I had a patient the other day who told me that she weighed herself at home, and she weighed 130 lbs. The scale in the exam room weighed her at 140. So, I took her to a different scale, and that agreed with the first. I guess scales at the doctor's office will always weigh you 10 lbs heavier! But not if you are a doctor, yourself. (She was really quite insistent that there must be something wrong with our scales).