age 45-50 group. Anyone interested?

I have looked for twins and poked around other groups without finding a real support group.

I am 48, 5'5", SW 151, CW 134, GW 128

I am the school teaching mother of three in their upper teens, wife of my 3 lbs from goal hubby.

SO...

Anyone interested?

Hi, Jan. I'm a newbie too, so we're in this together! Unfortunately, I have a LOT more weight to lose than you do... 35 lbs. more!  :(  But I did it four years ago and I'm motivated again, so here we go!

My target (at least for now) is 1200 calories.  Like you, I wanted to see some quick results to jump start me and make me feel like this is possible.  I lost 6 lbs in a week, although this week I've been gaining and losing the same 1 lb over and over...  lol.  That's ok, it's probably that dang water weight!  Even though I aim for 1200, there are certainly days I've gone over - once almost to 1500.  By keeping the target low, I feel that I can justify an occasional splurge when I go out to eat - as long as it's still healthy food like salmon.

All that being said, I do it by eating the same foods over and over again.  I nearly always have All-Bran or Fiber One cereal with skim milk and a cup of fruit for breakfast.  That keeps me pretty full until 10:00 or 10:30 when I spring for a 100-200 calorie snack - fat-free yogurt, an apple or a few almonds.  Lunch is usually a Lean Cuisine - not the healthiest thing on my menu, but it's so much easier to grab it on my way out the door to work than to spend time cleaning and putting together a salad.  Another 100-200 calorie snack about 3:00.  Then at dinner I make sure to eat the rest of my calories for the day.  Tonight, I fixed tacos for my husband.  I measured out my 1/2 cup of meat, tomatoes and peppers and 1/4 cup of cheese before I set it on the table.  I had a whole wheat soft tortilla while he had the hard taco shells.  Add a little salsa and I finished up the day with almost exactly 1200 calories.  I write down everything - and I do mean EVERYTHING - I eat.  Usually I don't feel very hungry between meals. But I'm definitely ready to eat something every 3 - 4 hours.

Anyway, that's my routine. Hope it helps.

They are in my gallery...

CONNIE!! Who is that gorgeous lady in your gallery? The one with the legs!?...Honestly, I wish I had your legs! You look great girl, sorry you had such a fuss getting them posted. I agree with Chris, you should at least call your gyn and check that out.

Welcome Jane! CC is a great set of tools to help you sort out what you can eat and how to best approach this whole weight loss thing! We on this forum try to support each other with a large dose of humor thrown in for fun.So welcome!

Tammy, I hope your "issues" are not serious and that you will be able to be back soon!

Sue, Although he is not a happy camper, try to remember you are doing something that is good for him! That may not help him any, but it should help your guilt issues. I am glad to hear that the gym is still "working out" for you! You have a healthy dedication to exercise that I admire (and covet!). *bows* thanks for the pict comment, if you look closely you can see my eldest in the mirror taking the pict!

Tru, I love the long toes expression! I wonder where it came from? It is not like heat makes your feet grow! I love strange expressions like that, we have a friend who has so many odd ones we write them down in a little book we call "Paulisms".

Chris, I am SO with you on the exercise!(I think Connie has mentioned this too...) I love to get out of doors I ski, hike, Ice skate, swim, and water ski, but as soon as someone slaps a label of "exercise" on an activity, it looses all appeal! Considering the winter we just had and the fact that I lost the weight (27lb) starting in January, I guess I did mine by restricting and not by exercising!

Drove down to Oshkosh today...so tired! I think I used as many !!!marks tonight as Connie!!!

G'night, Alylou

PS: I have mentioned my much loved 86 yo neighbor at the cabin:He went into the Hosp today for pneumonia.

ok my neighbor has just left....I left the room and heard him talking about the pix halfway and I have had my feelings hurt way too much. I love all u girls but wish I had just left the cat/whiskers for the conniecat photos. The worst part was the person he was joking aroung with was one of my very best friends....so I know .....pitaful aren't I?  Anyway JUST don't wont to stress EAT it all back... I'll be back in touch another time.  Connie      G'NITE and please don't any of you try and make up things to make me feel better. I'm fine.

I'm back!

Just a quick check in. I'm SO SORRY that I've been out of touch for SO LONG. Too many visitors plus too much work plus a college tour with my son equals NO TIME for CC which I realize is really inexcusible.

So many new people!! I tried to read and catch up but I can't do it all in one sitting! Anyway, I will catch up and get back into the swing soon (I hope). Being away was ok and I thought I'd gain weight but didn't. However, now I'm having trouble getting back into my food routine.

TTFN Losers!

Jenny

Connie...  I am so sorry there are JERKS in the world who say things that hurt people's feelings.  Trust me though, I checked out your gallery and I can't imagine what his problem is.  You are a VERY attractive woman and look much younger than your age.  None of us are ever going to have a 20 year old body again and that's a GOOD thing since a 20 year old body automatically gives us a 20 year old brain! My husband loves my body because it's what he calls "womanly."  And, Connie, I'm CONSIDERABLY more overweight than you are right now.  In fact, I wouldn't consider you overweight at all, judging from your pictures.  I am not "making anything up."  If I didn't honestly think you were a beautiful woman, I simply would keep my mouth shut.  Truly, whatever your neighbor said, it is HIS flaw, not YOURS!!!  Keep your chin up and keep taking care of your beautiful body....

Chris

Ok, Sue? since Connie and I were ready to come stomp on your evil trainer, will you come help me? I think we have a new evil jerk to teach respect to!

OHHH Why do people think that being MEAN is A. fun, B. Funny, C. ACCEPTABLE?

Connie girl, please don't let this undermine you. We all have our insecurities, and our weight and how we look is a biggie for a site like this, but maybe it is part of what we need to learn to get out of the whole eating issues mess: WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HOW WE LOOK DOES NOT MATTER! YOU feel better. YOU feel better about yourself. YOU like that you can wear smaller sizes. Honey, what matters is that YOU are happy and proud of what you have done!  I am so sorry that a close friend was involved, that makes wounds deep, but not fatal. You have so much joy, laughter, and strength, you will heal, and be stronger than before! We love ya girl!

PS: please note that my comments about how great you looked in post#543 were written BEFORE I knew you had been POOPED on!

Alylou

Oh Connie!! I can't believe I posted RIGHT AFTER your's and hadn't read it yet so didn't say word one about it. A pox on me!

So what did your neighbor say? I'm confused. If you don't want to explain I understand but I didn't comprehend what he was commenting on. Were you showing him photos of you? The photos you posted here? Maybe I'm thick... well, no maybe about it really.

And feelings being hurt does NOT make you pitiful!! You have a right to your feelings!

Back to reading the OTHER posts I've missed... maybe I'll go backwards...

Hello all... have been missing for a few days due to lack of computer (my hubby had to travel to atlanta on business and took the laptop I was using in NY).  Feeling withdrawal pains, lol...

Back home in Bermuda now....minus my luggage  Good old american Airlines...had a computer glitch at jfk day before I travelled but they had such a backlog of cases to clear, mine didnt make it onto my flight.  Hope it shows eventually......

Connie, Connie, Connie - it was great to see your pics...honestly..and i am sorry you are having a rough time over the 'comments' from your inconsiderate neighbour.  But what doesn't kill us makes us stronger...

And momo - hope you are okay...look forward to your return!

Okay..I have been travelling a LOT recently...and my food choices have not always been good...been stuck in the 190's for about 6 or 7 weeks now and I really want to get things moving downwards again.  I had lost 11 lbs over 3 weeks back at the beginning of CC (in early May) so I have to believe I can get things back on track again.  I kind of feel it's like a completely new start....oh well!!

Hello to everyone else, including our newest members - welcome aboard!

Happy Friday to all.....

Suz

Original Post by alylou:

Ok, Sue? since Connie and I were ready to come stomp on your evil trainer, will you come help me? I think we have a new evil jerk to teach respect to!

Alylou

I'm lacing up my boxing gloves right now; just let me at him. What a jerk.

Connie, think twice about what a "friend" is, if that "friend" didn't rise up to your defense. I had a 'friend' like that a few years ago - she was toxic to me and I finally learned my lesson- don't let anyone make you feel bad about yourself. I, like the others, thought your pictures were beautiful and I'm so happy to picture you in my mind when I write now.  You're more than fine, you're terrific - don't forget it.  Sue

Jenny - glad you're back. I know it takes a while to get caught up on the reading, and back to the eating right. I've been home almost a week, and finally feel like I am back on track with eating the "CC way".

Suz - I heard about the big Amer. Airlines luggage snafu on the network news last night. Just think, in that great big pile of luggage they showed on NBC, I think I saw your bag. Just kidding.  Sorry, it's probably not very funny , is it?

And I also hope that our momof2 will be back soon. Miss you already.

Hi to everyone else: Aly, Connie, Chris, Skn, Tru, Axe, etc.

And welcome to Jan! Sorry I haven't said HI to you yet. I hope you find a good place here with all of us crazy "losers".

Hi

Can I still join?   I just turned 50.   I a mother of 2 - 27 year old daughter and 26 year old son.   I am 5'5" and weigh 189.   I have gained weight over the past year which stalled my CC efforts (was 176) .....but I just had my aortic valve replaced 5 weeks ago and have been given the ok to start my workout routine again.   Thank goodness!!   For petes sake I live in beautiful southwest Florida and I have no good reason not to be outdoors being active.... Lot of health nuts down here and I want to be one!

My goal is to reach 135 ish.   Of course I am doing this for health reasons but would love to be close to that goal by Feb (cruise) or May (son's wedding).

HI guys,

Thanks to all of you for answering my post and wishing me warm welcomes. I hope i'm answering this in the right spot so all of you can see. I'll get the hang of it! 

You all seem so nice the way you support each other. I already like you ladies even though it'll take me a bit of time to catch up. lol

Thanks Chrisreaves for the advice.  It sounds a lot more disciplined than what I am now but I can see how eating a lot of the same things can make counting calories MUCH easier. I've been thinking about taking out my food scale and checking portions like you said you did at supper with your cup measures. It would beat guessing like I do now....

I agree alylou that CC has a lot of great tools for supporting weight loss. I especially like that I can write what I eat and the activities and it calculates clories for me. Every other time I tried doing it on paper i give up.

By the way, I forfot to mention that I have two boys (ages 24 and 21) and I live with my husband, our yougest son and our dog.

I feel bad for you Connie that you had someone say rude things to you. Be strong. People can be so mean whether it's about weight or many other things. I work in a junior high school and I see meanness all the time. Some adults never outgrow junior high.

talk to you all later. I'm gonna have to try to put a picture and look at profiles.

Jan

Hey all!  My luggage is on it's way - yippee!!!! 

And on another happier note, I reluctantly got on the scales today and I am only 192, (I say 'ONLY' just because I was guessing around 195ish) so that's technically 12lbs down since early May.  Jascat, I also am 5'5, so we are in the same ballpark....if I push hard over this next week I can maybe aim for 189...and I think that would be a good motivator for me.  I have visited Naples (twice) - are you close to there? It is a lovely part of Florida.

Gotta head off to the airport soon to pick up my husband (from a business trip to Atlanta and Miami) and then 30 minutes later my daughter arrives in from her visit to a friend in LA.  I hope to not see another airport for a while...well probably late September when we think about getting my daughter back to university in England.  Travel is lots of fun..but exhausting, lol.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Suz

Hi All,

I haven't been keeping up with all the post because most of the time I'm online during breaks at work and then I walk during lunch.  I try not to spend too much time on the computer at home because of all the time I'm on it at work.  I'll try to keep up with everything a little better so I can respond.  Every body is wanting to stay home tonight so I'm playing on the computer on a Friday night.  I rather be playing poker.  Oh Well!  Tomorrow I'm going to a water park with my sisters and hope we get there before our usual afternoon thunderstorms.  I certainly hope it's better than last weekend.

I did manage to pick up on a few things:

Aly -  thanks for the travel advice.  I wrote down Switzerland and London.  I really would like to see the States first so if  anyone has a favorite vacation spot in the US I'd love to hear it.  Details like great hotels, things to do there, and restaurants would be great also. 

Connie - I hope you saw a doctor about the problem that showed up unexpectedly.  I loved your pictures and you do look so young in them. 

Chris - I just started a few weeks ago.  Sounds like our eating plans are very similar.  I've been sticking to 1200 and every Wed. and Sat. add an extra 200 to keep my body from getting in to used to the low calories.  I walk during lunch and usually pop a lean hot pocket in the microwave when I get back in the office.  My daughter is 25, and my step kids are 24, and 21. 

I'll try to keep up and get to know everyone so I can chime in more.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Thanks for all the welcomes.

A short note before mowing the lawn - the wheather had cooled off to normal temperatures, I can think, breathe and move again, and my toes are back to normal length

WELCOME to Jascat & Jan, so nice with all the people here! 

Castlefest was great, lots of knights, maidens, hunters, a few vampires, a number of elves. My pesonal favourites were the "green goblins": volunteers painted green with loooong noses and biiiiig ears, talking and joking in high sqeeky voices - whilst cleaning up all rubbish lying about! Many stalls with all sorts of things, and things to do - my youngest bought a hunter knife from Pakistan (! - at least it wasn't from China), my eldest was poi-ing and juggling all day long. New "middle age" music - is that a hot item in the US as well? Food was good too, lots of health foods, soups, fruits etc - so I did actually manage to not break my limit by much 

Before I go for this time - Cantlose: you look great!  Satisfied with your new hair-do? Cause that's what matters in the end - how you feel about yourself and your achievements: you have reasons to be proud of yourself, and anyone not supporting that (when with you or behind your back) might not be worth your while. Did you consider confronting your friend with what was said, explaining how hurting it was on a deeper level? Hope to hear from you real soon, - keep talking to us gal!

Connie... where are you? I hope you aren't feeling bad about yourself, whatever happened. You look terrific and I'm jealous. Just think back to the night you went out and the 20-something tried to pick you up.

Hi all,

First I want to pass on that Connie appreciates all of our support and that she is OK and will be back soon, she has some activities that will keep her from us for just a bit more. 

Welcome Jas! Wow "heart surgery" has such a scary sound to it, I am glad you have come through with some determination to get fit! Florida will give you lots of opportunity to get out and get moving! You will find us a zany bunch who staunchly support one another! I have family in Stewart...

Jenny, Welcome back! Congrats on not gaining! It is so hard with visitors! (What is it about people that when you get thin, or just thinner, they start PUSHING food on you?...even my daughters have done it! grrrr) I am sure you will get back on track both with the reading of posts and the eating! Has your son decided on a school? Wouln't it be cool if our boys ended up at the same school?

Jan you work in a Jr. High? I teach 7th and 8th grade...My expression is " nothing meaner than a 7th grade girl"! (excepting a certain non-friend and a personal trainer we know). And I teach in a Christian School!-where they are supposed to know better! oh, maybe we can send them all to Tru for mental coaching! Jan did you say what part of the world you live in? It is fun to think about us all spread out and far flung!

Sue, I knew you would join me for a fight!"Toxic" is such a good term for those that pose as friends but endlessly drag you down! I watch my kids make relationships and I wish I could just stamp a forehead here or there with "toxic" to spare them the learning lesson....but alas...they don't learn from us telling them do they? As for your quip about the luggage, I sat on a plane and watched them TAKE OUT my bag from the plane! No amount of begging to the crew would convince them I knew what I saw, but sure enough we landed and, no luggage! But the worst luggage story of ours was the year we took our then 5,6,and 7yo kids to the Oregon grandparents for Christmas. Got there a day late(another story), on Christmas eve, and NO luggage. Nothing to wear to Church and parties, but worst of all: no presents for our little ones! Boy did I give some United reps an earful!

Suz, glad you got your bags! now you can get back in the swing of CC again without much of a setback-good job!

Lucy,What kinds of things to like to do when traveling? history? wildlife?hiking? resort/golf? there are so many drop dead National Parks if your family is out-of-doors types I have several of the NP to recommend... by the way did you say what part of the world you were from?? can't remember...

Tru, the castle-fest sounds like a blast! what is poi-ing??? and new middle-age music?...isn't that an oxymoron? not sure what it sounds like, but I can't speak for what is 'hot' here...(except maybe Arizona!) being the old lady that i am!!

Chris, couldn't agree more...I wouldn't go back to 20 for all the tea in China! Even if my body and skin went back, I COULD NOT live with that idiot that I was back then!

Anybody heard from Sue/skn?

by the way is anyone having weird stuff going on with posting? spell check is bonkers, for example...

Jeese...I had better end this befor it becomes an epic...uh oh, too late!

Alylou

Hi Alylou and everyone else

You are absolutely right about those grade 7 girls and what's worse than a grade seven girls is a pack of them together. I teach Social Studies in a French immersion program.

Another thing that's tough about teaching grade 7-9 girls is being around their skinny little selves when you're gaining weight. lol..Oh well I guess I better get over it.

I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I'm from the South West of the province (French Acadian area) but I've lived on Cape Breton Island (North East ) for 19 years.

Where are you all from? Are you all from the states? Do any of you know each other except for this forum?

Many of you sound like world travellers. My husband and I love travelling even though we can't do as much as we'd like to. We have a travel group at our school and travel to Europe with students every spring. It's fun but we do have to bring 20-40 students along. We'd love to do more alone when we can afford it more. We've been to New York once and loved it. We're thinking of going back for our 25th anniversary coming up next summer.

Jan

Hi all,

Aly, I'm from Alabama and have really never traveled outside the southern states.  I did take a cruise to Mexico but even that is south.  I've never played golf or skied.  I would probably like golf but not skiing.  I don't like cold weather and only like snow for a day or two.  I guess that's why I've never taken a vacation during the winter.  I do like the outdoors, fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming but prefer to sleep in comfort and eat in restaurants.  I really like to do all sorts of things.  I could probably happily live in Orlando and visit the parks every weekend.  LOVE to shop also.  The top of my list at the moment is Alaska and Hawaii.  I could deal with a trip to Vegas also. 

I spent the day with my sisters at a water park.   Most of my time was spent in the wave pool and the lazy river floating on a inner tube.  The rest I spent under an umbrella with a fitness magazine.  It was sooo relaxing and just what I needed.  The park allows no outside food or drinks but I did well and ate the grilled chicken sandwich which was the only thing not fried.  We ate at a seafood restaurant for dinner.  I shared a broiled platter with my sister but then we also shared a dessert but I only ate a small amount.  I'm about to go exercise to help work that off.  It was a beautiful day and thank goodness the rain stayed away. 

My daughter is a teacher.  She had been teaching 5th grade but this year she will be teaching 3rd.  I really hope she likes it.  She wasn't too thrilled about changing grades and basically starting over but there was a huge teacher layoff here and she was one of the lucky ones that they kept. 

Everyone have a Lite and great weekend.