This is my first visit to W.I.S.H. Where do I start?

[sasha]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time visiting W.I.S.H. Even though I knew it existed I never clicked on it. Obviously I've been in denial for quite some time. I'm finally ready to face reality and reclaim my life.

I have gained a lot of weight since getting married and having children and I HATE my body the way it is now. I am so upset because I'm missing out on wonderful moments with my children because of my weight gain. They have never had me swim with them or run wild with them in the backyard like DH does. When we go boating it's always DH who goes in the water & tube with them. I stay in the hot boat and take pictures so I don't have to dare get into a swimsuit. In all of my scrapbooks there are just pictures of my girls with DH because I can't stand to look at myself in pictures anymore. I'm afraid that if something were to happen to me they wouldn't have any pictures to remember me by. And by looking at the scapbooks they'll wonder if I even existed.

I'm not an emotional eater, but a social eater. I go out to eat way too much and I choose the wrong foods. I have never had much of a sweet tooth, but carbs are my weakness. I obviously lack will-power and my metabolism stinks. I have a closet full of size 8-10 Bebe suits that I just can't seem to get rid of. I think someday I'll fit into them again, yet I can't get motivated enough to do anything about it. I used to be attractive and get a lot of attention, now I can't even stand to see my own reflection in store windows. I literally look the other way. I used to have a great sense of style, now I dread shopping because they don't make anything "cute" in my size. I miss who I used to be, but I have no one to blame but myself. I have so many old friends who call me and want to get together, but I either make excuses or don't call them back because I'm ashamed for them to see what I've become. Last month I even missed my 20 year high school reunion because I couldn't bare to let people see me now. Back in school I was voted "cutest", but I'm far from cute now. My DH deserves so much more! He's a wonderful, wonderful man and he never says anything about my weight gain, but I'm sure he would like me to be like I was when we met. You'd think if not for myself & my health I'd at least be able to lose the weight for him and my children, but I can't get myself motivated. What's wrong with me? I've missed out on a good part of my 30's because of the way I look and I don't want to waste anymore time. I want the old me back!

I'm fortunate enough to have an aunt who said she would completely pay for Jenny Craig for me. I'm just not utilizing it. How stupid is that?

I want to turn my life around. Please help me!!! I can really use the support. We're going on a Disney Cruise next May and I would love to be able to get into a swimsuit by then so I can finally swim with my girls. I would love to be a part of this group, but I don't know where to start. I need a big kick in the butt. I just called Jenny Craig and made an appointment for Friday, plus I went on a 3 mile walk this morning. It's a start....

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Welcom Sasha!!!

WISH is a wonderful place and you will find a lot of support here. WHere to start??? You already did! Congrats, just by posting and letting us know about you and your dreams, you are on your way! Check out some of the threads that are out there. There are some great challenges that are up and running that you can surely jump right in on. I think in September we might be doing another biggest loser challenge, that might be something to help motivate you.

Your trip on DCL will come soon. The time will pass no matter what, so when May comes and you hear that beatiful ship's horn, I want you to be happy and proud of what you did! You can do it!!! I have let many vacations pass and say I will loose the weight before I go, and unfortunately, I never lost the weight, but next year we are planning a trip out west and a trip to Disneyland, and I want to be proud of myself and my accomplishments. So far so good for me, and I know you can do it too!!!!

What an amazing aunt you have that will pay for Jenny Craig for you. congrats on taking the step to make that appointment. Keep the faith, and keep going! You CAN DO IT!

 

[Amy]

Can I jump in here? I used to post on the WISH board way back when it first started. I've done Weight Watchers quite a few times in the past. Lats time was in 2002, and I was about 5-10 lbs from my goal. Then I found out I had breast cancer. Put WW on hold while I dealt with surgery, chemo and radiation. Then I had to take Tamoxifen and Arimidex for 5 years, and they have a wonderful side effect of weight gain - 45 pounds for me. But last week my oncologist said I can stop the Arimidex (yippee!), so today at lunch time I re-joined WW.

My onc. warned me that the weight won't come off as easily as it went on (does it ever???). And I'm also aware that I'm 5 years older and menopausal, both of which will also work against me. But I'm going to give it my best shot and hope I can at least lose 1/2 the weight I gained. It's going to be tough, with 2 teenage boys, one who loves chicken and hates fish, the other loves fish and hates chicken. My oldest DS is a stock boy at a grocery store, and he's famous for bringing home the Doritoes and other yummy snacks.

So I guess you'll be seeing me around the WISH boards!

 

[Zoesmama03]

Welcome. There is such inspiring women here, and a few men too.

I got one week of crazy sleep schedule left and then hopefully can get to more workin' on my weight. A few ladies in my class are starting walk on break so I think I'll take that up too. I can get a 15 minute walk in atleast on the first break and then eat a snack on the next which is 30 minutes. It will be a good way to get extra exercise in.

 

[VernRDH]

Sasha- Welcome to WISH!! You will find everyone here is supportive and has been in your shoes. I don't know how much you need to lose, but I will tell you that if you think you have it bad, odds are someone has it worse. At age 36, I started WW in Feb at 215 lbs. I am only 4'11". I need to lose 100 lbs. That's right 100 lbs. I have lost 39 lbs so far, and it isn't easy. Not nearly as easy to take off as it is to put on. But I decided after our last trip to WDW last December that I was not going to be FAT at 40, but FIT at 40.

We are going on a cruise in May '08 as well (RCI's explorer of the seas) and I would LOVE to be at goal by then. I probably won't, but I will be MUCH smaller than I was on our last cruise. I have already started selling off my fat clothes, as I am never going to wear them again!!!

You have come to the right place. Jenny Craig will definately help you, and others here will give you the support you need as well. Check out the different threads and don't be afraid to post up. We are here to celebrate your victories as well as commiserate with you when things aren't going well.

Good luck on your journey!!

 

[sasha]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Princess Vija - Thank you for the encouraging words. I think I'll take your advice and look into some challenges on this board. That would be a great motivation! I hope there is another "biggest loser challenge" in September because Autumn is my downfall. I LOVE fall foods like soups, stews, breads so I'll need the extra incentive like the challenge. I look forward to losing weight with you and encouraging each other.

Amy - I'm sorry for all of the struggles you had to endure. Cancer hits close to home with me because I saw first hand how it affects a family. I hope you can finally put that chapter of your life behind you. Congratulations on going into WW today! That's a big step. You've proven that the program works for you. Yes, it may be more difficult now that it's 5 years later, but you're obviously a courageous woman - you battled cancer! This should be a piece of cake. Okay, wrong choice of words for this board . You can do it!

Zoesmama03 - Thanks for the welcome! It's great that you're taking up walking on your break. I'm glad you have other ladies to walk with. Walking is my favorite form of excercise. It's all about getting our bodies moving!

I look forward to losing weight with you wonderful ladies!!!

 

[sasha]

VernRDH - We must've been posting at the same time. Thank you for the welcome and congratulations on losing 39 pounds!!! You're close to your half-way point. What an inspiration to the rest of us. I need to lose about 80-100 pounds. Probably closer to 100 . Ouch - that hurt to write. That goal sounds like it's so far away, but I guess I should make "mini goals" for myself instead. I'm glad we have our May '08 cruise in common, even though they're on different ships. But we can encourage each other as we work our way to May. As you said, you'll be much smaller on your next cruise than you were on your last. That's a huge accomplishment in itself! That's my goal too. I won't be in a bikini, but if I can (somewhat) comfortably put on a swimsuit I'll be happy.

I'm 37 now, so that should give me enough time to be Fit at 40!

 

[TinkOhio]

Hi Sasha!

I'm going to jump on in with you if it's okay. I've known about the WISH for a long time, and I just can't stand the way that I look and feel anymore. I will be starting WW on Monday, and I could really use some group support.

I'm 43, 5'8'' and need to lose around 30-35 pounds. I know what you mean about having a great husband and feeling as though I should look more like I used too. DD is a tennis pro and is in awesome shape. I feel like a blob next to him. I also know what you mean about not feeling secure enought to do some fun things like swimming with the kids because of how I look. I also have about a million pictures DH and the kids, (escpecially at WDW ), but only one or two of me with them. I finally just recovered from a hysterectomy and several big-time complications that left me lying around and packing on the pounds, and I'm at an all-time high weight except for my pregnancies and really need to do something about it!


I havn't done WW before, but a did Jenny Craig about 13 years ago. It was expensive, but the wieght FLEW off. Most of the food was very good, too. I do remember that you had to buy their vitamins, but they made me sick to my stomach, so I just used my own. You are very lucky that someone is covering that expense for you! I wouldn't hesitate to do that if I were in your shoes. I hope that you like it!

I start back to school next week and will be using these boards as a reward, source of inspiration, and source of motivation. I hope to get to know many of the nice people here on the WISH. I know that will be posting in times of temptation and celebration. If you need a diet friend to talk to/ work with, please just pm me!

Karin

 

[sasha]

Welcome Karin! Sorry to hear about the complications from your surgery, but I'm glad you're finally recovered. Congratulations on starting WW on Monday! I notice there are many WW women here. I wish there were more JC women. I'm glad you had success with JC before. I was on it about a year ago and lost 26 pounds in only a few months, but I gained it all back . Why is it so hard to lose but so easy to gain? I know what you mean about their vitamins. I use my own too.

I'm glad to have so many of you to share my weight loss struggles/successes with. I really think this support will help me through the rough times. As I said, I'm so sick of being overweight and I feel like it's now or never. I REALLY want to lose weight for my cruise. I have about 9 months. I wish I could lose 10 pounds per month so I'll lose 90 pounds total by then, but I don't know how realistic that is. Especially during the holidays. Oh well, I'm going to aim for 5 pounds at a time.

I look forward to losing weight together...

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am so happy you have found us! It is exciting to be on this journey with you. It seems like you have found the determiniation and with that you WILL do this!

Please do join in on any of the challenges that you feel will suit your or even make one of your own.

I already like that you are challenging yourself to the first 5 pounds. Get that WISH 5-pound clippie in your signature and you are on your way!

 

[TinkOhio]

Hi Sasha!

It's Monday morning and I thought that it was time to pop by and see how your efforts are going. I hope that you have made it through the first few days--the hardest part for me! Stick with it!

I go to my first WW meeting pretty soon and I am SO ready for it! From the meeting, I get to go over the materials while waiting for my mom's surgery to end. I'm a stress-eater, and it's time to do something else besides eat as a coping mechanism for stress.

Hope you have a good start of your week and things get easier as you go along!

 

[sasha]

Thanks so much for the encouragement Karin!

I went to JC on Friday and got all of the food. So far, so good. Except we decided to do a last minute trip to DL yesterday. I didn't eat too bad while there, plus we did A LOT of walking. I'm back on JC today and plan to stay on it until weigh-in on Friday.

How did it go at WW? Will Mondays be your weigh-in day? Also I hope your mom's surgery went well and wasn't too stressful for you. Hopefully you were able to read through all of the material. Are you doing the points or core program? I like that on WW you get to eat "real" food. But actually I really like JC food so I shouldn't complain.

Good luck with school! How often are you going?

 

[crewriam816]

Also something you can consider, is it you go to tickerfactory.com, they have a weightloss thing, and you can choose what you want to do. Add a ticker of how much weight you want to lose, or how many miles you want to walk by may. I calculated an half hour each day, until March 29th (the day of my baby shower...after my baby will be born). And thats what I got. Im pregnant, so my main goal is too stay healthy and within weight range. I am over weight, and have been my entire life, so when this baby comes, i want to lose all the weight, and then some like my mum did. Ive started eating healthier, and im on my way. I think the ticker will help me because I will see it EVERYDAY and think, oh, i should do my walk today

I am also NOT going to count the time we walk while we're at disney. Its never a steady pace, and theres a lot of stop and go. I want to do a half hour of continous walk, the RIGHT way. 16 oz of water before 16 during, and 8 oz after. That waY I get a good amount of water intake as well. Which also helps in losing weight.

 

[TinkOhio]

Hi Sasha!

Hope things are going well this week!

 

[sasha]

So I went to weigh in at JC today. I'm afraid to see what my actual weight is so I turn around, but she said I am down 5.8 lbs so far. I think what really helped me is the water I've been drinking this week. I'm not much of a water drinker, but I added a little Crystal Light to it and it made a huge difference. I was able to drink 8 glasses every day. This coming week I'm going to incorporate excercise into the program. Maybe just 2 days to start.

Karin - How is WW going for you? Are you going in to weigh on Monday? That's brave of you because the weekends are the hardest for me. That's why I weigh in on Fridays so just in case I slip on the weekend, I have several days to get back in line. I hope your first week is going well and I hope your mom is doing okay. Also, how was your first week of school?

crewriam816 - Congratulations on your pregnancy! That's such an exciting time. During both of my pregnancies I lost weight because I wasn't hungry for anything except for fresh fruit. It was great! Unfortunately after I had my babies my appetite came back in full force. Thanks for the info on the ticker. I'm at my "signature limit" right now and was told I couldn't add on anything else.

Amy - Are you still here?

How are the rest of you doing?

 

[Amy]

Hi gang! Wow Sasha, you did great!

Just checking in. Had my 2nd WW meeting on Wed., and I"m down 2.8 lb, so I'm off to a good start. This is awfully difficult, having 2 teenage boys at home who eat everything in sight. But I'm going to stick with it. I know not to expect miracles, that it's going to take quite a while to lose the weight, but as long as the scale moves DOWN, even a little bit, I'll be happy.

This weekend will be tough - my boys are in the high school marching band, and the band is marching at our local amusement park tomorrow night. So I'll be eating park food tomorrow. While I'm not going to over-indulge, we only visit this park once a year, so I'm not going to deprive myself, either. Life is too short!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I'm so glad to see that there is a good effort to keep at it.

You can do this and you ARE doing it!

Way to go, keep on keepin' on.

 

[TinkOhio]

Wow! Sasha--that's a great start! I'm so glad that things are going well for you. I know what you mean about the water. I now realize that I was eating when I was really thirsty. With the heat that we've been having, it hasn't been hard to to hit 6 cups.

It hasn't been that difficult to stick to the plan this week. Weekends are actually the easiest for me because I have the most time to prepare all of the fresh fruit and veggies. I grow tomatoes and keep on popping them in my mouth as I walk out to the car!

School is going well. It's a tough adjustment, but it's also a great distraction from any cravings. My kids go back at the end of this week, so the following week will be a better time to really get into a routine. It's hard to squeeze everything in!

Crewriam816--Congrats! Hope ypu are feeling well.

Amy--I know what you mean about feeding teenage boys and trying to stay away from all the food that they want! My DS caddies and comes home ravenous. He's an absolute stick, but eventuallty he won't be able to eat the way he does. After all, he is partly made of my genes!

Lily--I just noticed on your siggy that you're from the Cleveland area. I'm from Lakewood--a house from the valley. Your picture on your sig looks so familiar! Do you play tennis?

 

[TinkOhio]

Hi again, Sasha! Hope things are going well this week.

I went to my one week weigh-in and was down more than expected--6.4 lbs! This probably doesn't reflect the real deal becuase I pretty much ate anything that I wanted to the weekend before my initial wiegh -in. I think that it's really about 4 lbs. off, but I'm happy with that start!