SHIP OF FOOLS SISTERHOOD - Strong & Healthy in 2005!!!

[mississaugamom]

Well Denine, I don't have anything to brag about either. I had a .4 gain.

Got a call from my doctor last night. My thyroid is definitely right at the point of needing low dose medication. The doctor said it was up to me. I chose not to take anything. What do you guys think? Denine recommended having it checked again in 6 months and I believe that is GREAT advice. Thanks Denine.

As someone who takes thyroid meds on a daily basis (and will for the rest of my life) I'd agree with having it checked again - maybe 3 months instead of 6, though. Once I needed meds, it was a long process of "balancing" them so I know how quickly levels can change. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them.

Great job on your weight loss so far!!!

Arlene

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Thanks Arlene. I am happy to hear from someone that knows about it first hand. I first heard from my doctor at 8:00pm by a phone call. Maybe I need to just schedule an appointment just to talk to him about it. I did some research on WebMD.com. The heart thing really scares me as I had rheumatic fever as a kid and it did do some damage. With dieting I was able to reduce my cholesterol down to a good number and I know that the thyroid does tend to increase the cholesterol level. Also, thanks for the encouraging words on my weight loss so far.

 

[winotracy]

I lost .4 this week! More later on the topic, but I'll leave you with a quote

Stop thinking of reasons why to fail, think of reasons why you are succeeding.

 

[Denine]

Sandy: You are doing wonderfully in the weight loss department. Look how much you have lost even with a borderline TSH. Imagaine what you could do if you took the synthroid and got your levels to a more normal range. Since you are unsure, I would talk with your doc some more, see what they say and why they say it and then make the decision to medicate now or have another test in 3-6 months.

One of my best friends from college has been on synthroid for at least as long as I have known her. She is also doing WW and has lost some weight, but it is a slow go for her. She is Kaleigh's godmother.

I am heading up the 8:30 AM deck walk. Any ideas to make it fun? I was thinking of looking for trinkets to hand out to those that come and some sort of prize for most miles walked. Of course, I through away my Oriental Trading company catalog. I will have to look at their website.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Denine, I love the Oriental Trading Company. I used it when I was in charge of the Secret Santa Shop at my girls elementary school. No ideas for you. Sorry! Thanks for the encouragement and advice. I believe you are right on the money!!

Way to go Tracy! The unfortunate part is I found your .4.

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Lisa F. – Glad to hear you are getting better, and I hope soon it will be a thing of the past! Congrats on your weight loss!

Denine – Great idea for snacks! I love meringues. What is a Slim a Bear? Can I find it at the grocery store? You made me think twice when I wanted to eat one night and was out of points. I thought to myself, Denine has good will-power, I can do it too. I did not eat more that night and lost more weight! Hey Denine, did you know we share being adoptive parents in common?! Aren’t we blessed a million times over!

Sandy – Have you tried to do pelvic tilts for your tummy? Here is a book on weight training that I like and use their program (though modify to what works for me as far as number of exercises and times per week). I like it because it describes how to do the weight training safely. This is so very important, especially if you have arthritis. Here it is:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_9/102-9978980-2148939?v=glance&s=books

I see on amazon that she has other books, but this is the one I have used. Best wishes Sandy, congrats on all your successes!

Gabrielle – I think it’s wonderful for you to see yourself loosing inches. I have had weeks where I know my body is changing for the best, but there has not been any weight loss. So, hang in there. It takes our body awhile to adjust sometimes. Good work!

Tracy – Glad you got your group arranged! It’s more important to decrease body fat than weight. You must be seeing some terrific changes in your body as body fat decreases! Kudos to you!

eye R.N. - Yummy, homemade fudge! I’m glad my dear grandma is not up to making that anymore…it’s to die for! Hope your trip to WDW is wonderful, and that you get to see “Soarin.” It’s one of our very favorite attractions at DL/DCA here. Sounds like you are very prepared to eat healthy while on your trip. Know you will enjoy seeing your dd, and best wishes with obtaining your parents home items.

Arlene – Thank you for sharing with everyone about your thyroid testing and meds. You are always so caring to share with all of us!

Happy Easter and Passover everyone!

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

THE SKINNY ON SLEEP

(Real Simple / April, 2005)

A good night’s sleep has well-known perks – you look good, you feel good, and you don’t wake up crabbier than the Chesapeake Bay. Now recent studies suggest a surprising new benefit: More sleep may help keep your weight in check.

When you sleep less, your body produces less leptin, a hormone that helps you feel full, and more ghrelin, a hunger-inducing hormone. In a 2004 study from Stanford University, people who reported sleeping five hours produced 15.5 percent less letpin and 14.0 percent more ghrelin than those who reported sleeping eight hours. (No wonder, then, that when you’re exhausted you often have the munchies.) More evidence: A study from Eastern Virginia Medical School, in Norfolk, showed that people who reported getting eight hours of sleep a night, compared with those who said they got just over seven, had a body mass index (BMI) 5.5 points lower on average- the equivalent of 33 pounds less for a five-foot-five woman.

To help keep your weight where you want it, set a bedtime and stick to it. “The body craves regularity,” says Meir Kryger, M.D. author of “A Woman’s Guide to Sleep Disorders” (McGraw Hill, $25). He advises making sleep a priority. This may involve banishing pets from the bedroom, given their restless nature, or recording TV shows that keep you up past your bedtime.

And you don’t have to go to bed at 8:30. Robert Vorona, M.D., a coauthor of the Eastern Virginia study, says that though researchers don’t yet know if more sleep helps in weight loss, “just 20 extra minutes a night is associated with a lower BMI.”

 

[Denine]

Barbara: Interesting sleep article.

Glad you found some will power! I didn't realize that your kids were also adopted. It is a long process, but well worth it!

I was so hungry on Saturday. I did get into a few bonus points. I did pretty well for Easter. I ate more than I should have, but then you see all that food you don't get on a normal basis, like kielbasi and spaetzel.

Slim a Bear is made by Klondike. Just check out that section of the freezer.

Roasted garlic-tomato soup tonight. 1 point per 1 cup serving.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Barbara, thanks for the link. It really does look like a book for me. I will have to order it. Also, the sleep article caught was very interesting. Glad you posted it.

Denine, I have been dieting since Sept and never really felt hungry until the last week or so. I never really did have any cravings and now I do. I hope this passes quickly. I am so tempted now. I put a turkey breast in the crockpot for me and served ham for all the others for Easter. I tried to stay away from all the side dishes as well. I had a MAJOR loss from last Monday to Friday so I am so concerned about gaining a little of it back. My weight loss history is a BIG loss and then gain some of it back the very next time.

 

[Denine]

Sandy: Maybe it is the change of seasons. I haven't been hungry until Saturday. I am better now. I even had 1 point left yesterday.

Tomorrow is weigh in. I really hope I lost something.

Soon, I will be outside working in the yard, planting all the plants and shrubs I ordered. Not to mention the painting that has to be done on the inside.
There is a lot of work to do even when you purchase a brand new house.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

By the looks of my scale at home, that BIG loss didn't last long. I think I gained a pound of it back but I THINK I will still be able to report a loss tomorrow. Cross your fingers! I have now learned not to get too excited with a big loss as it never stays long.

 

[Denine]

Sandy: A loss is a loss! I have never lost more than 3 pounds in 1 week.

I did lose 1 pound this week.

It is nice out today. I really want to go for a walk outside and not go grocery shopping.

I bought a formal for the cruise last night. It zips, but it is snug. More encouragement to lose that weight.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I can report a 1.8 loss this week. Made me happy.

Denine, good for you on your pound!! That dress will help keep you on the right path!

 

[gaba2de]

Great job on the weight loss Denine and Sandy! Keep up the good work!

Gabrielle

 

[Denine]

Thanks guys!

Where is everyone?

 

[pampat]

To answer the question, "where is everyone?", I can only reply for myself - hiding my head in shame. I lost 4 lbs and then this week have put 3 back on. I really can't seem to get my head around eating properly this week. I have no excuse, just a weak-willed woman. I have so much incentive, but just can't motivate myself. HELP!!

Pam

 

[mississaugamom]

Where is everyone??? Well, I've gone into hiding for awhile. This group is wonderful and I'm thrilled for the successes some of you are achieving.

YAY, SISTERS!!!!

For myself, a period of discouragement has set in. I'm not making any progress, whether I eat perfectly for days at a time, or I eat pizza for lunch, a Big Mac and Fries for dinner, and potato chips, chocolate, and ice cream for evening snacks! (And yes, sadly, I DID do all that one day.) There doesn't seem to be any change on the scales OR in my clothes from either eating style.

I should probably be exercising more - just walking on the treadmill every day isn't doing enough, but I've got a lot of other issues on my plate just now and can't seem to motivate myself further. I'm finding myself wondering what kind of large, baggy clothes I can buy to just hide myself on this trip rather than thinking about pretty clothes or, God Forbid, a Bathing Suit!

I've re-dedicated my efforts to trying to follow the South Beach diet and started Phase I again this week. However, even those efforts seem doomed to sabotage. I went out for a colleague's birthday today and she chose the local Thai restaurant. Not wanting rice or noodles, I decided to order grilled Chicken Satay skewers after asking the waitress about whether there was any curry used. (Severe allergy here). When they arrived, the chicken was LACED with curry! Luckily, my colleagues tried it first so I didn't have a reaction. When we talked to the waitress again, she said "Oh this is THAI curry - you asked whether it had curry in it". Didn't offer to change the meal and charged me for it anyways! I ended up eating the spring roll appetizers from my colleagues' meals as lunch.

Congrats to everyone doing well - I'll continue following the thread and cheering for you!

Arlene

 

[gaba2de]

I haven't been doing too well myself lately, but I did loose another pound to put me at around 12 total.

I don't know why, but for the past several weeks I have had zero motivation. It just seems so hard to loose weight, and I get so down on myself. It really is all just a head game that I happen to not be winning right now. I feel a little better after talking to my counselor at Jenny Criag last night. Because I am such a visual person she suggested doing the following: Find a picture of myself at a weight I was feeling more comfortable at, blow in up, and plaster it everywhere for reminders. I know exactaly the picture I need so I am going to try this this weekend to see if it helps. I am also going to try, although I know it won't be easy, to stop beating myself up for making diet mistakes.

Pam and Arlene - just keep your heads up. YOU CAN DO IT! If I, who has never lost a pound in her life can loose 12 pounds, so can you. As I posted above, forgive yourself for any mistakes, find what works for you, and stick with it. I know, easier said than done, for me inparticular. But I am going to try my hardest to get back on track, and I know you gals can do it too.

Have a positive weekend everybody!

Gabrielle

 

[Denine]

When you need encouragement, this is exactly the place to be! We have all been there! I didn't think I could lose weight and eat. I thought I had to starve on 1000 calories a day. I started WW and am losing weight while eating. It is something I didn't think I could do and I am doing it. Yes, it is difficult sometimes, especially with portion control with foods I love, like pasta. I get disappointed that that is all I can have. I keep thinking back to our cruise in October when I refused to be seen in a bathing suit. I wore it, but I was covered up all the time. That was the first and last time I will do that.

We are not perfect here. If we were, we wouldn't need to lose weight in the first place!

We all have a common goal, to look and feel good for the August cruise.

 

[Denine]

I'm sick this weekend. I have been eating goofy, but still trying to watch the points. I hope this doesn't have a negative impact on my weight this week. I really want that 15 pound clippy.