Posts by bendlaurie

Someone else may have mentioned it already, but I love being able to wear clothes that I haven't been able to get into for awhile. It's like finding a store in your closet. I've pulled out all kinds of stuff, some things I've never worn, that I can wear now.

It's also great to toss old stuff that is now too big. Especially the old, ratty underwear that I just kept wearing because I didn't want to buy anything new. OUT IT GOES! We deserve new stuff.

My friends know, my family knows, and all have been very supportive. I didn't start out telling everyone I was going on a diet, but after losing 30 pounds they started to notice and wanted to know what I was doing to lose the weight. My friends and I are all in our 50s, we share lots of info about our kids, menopause and other things in our lives, so talking about eating healthy and exercising was just another topic.

Our group walks/hikes 3 times a week, and I have shared this web site with them. We're all in the same boat and its great to have that friendship and support.

Since I do all the shopping and cooking for my family they noticed when we started eating more fish, veggies and whole grains.  They like it.

I try not to make a big deal about it, which is hard since this process is very important to me. I save my calorie counting obsessions for this web site!

How about getting a big exercise ball and sitting on it while you work at the computer. It won't help with the cardio, but it will strengthen your core.

I found a mix called Kodiak Cakes from a company called Baker Mills. www.kodiakcakes.com

It's lower in calories, sugar and fat than Krusteez, 100% whole grain and has more fiber. I don't eat pancakes often, but these were good.

Does this mean my batwing arms will tighten up?

Hi guys! Nice to hear from some other tall women. I'm 6 feet and just dropped to 210 pounds. It took me a long time to accept that I was always going to be bigger than most of the women around me. I look at photos where I was 180+, thinking at the time I was so fat. Now, I'm working hard to get back to that weight.

It was helpful that my mom is tall - 5'10''. My daughters are also tall 6 foot and 5'10", so I've tried to be a good role model for them.

Clothes have always been a problem. It's hard to find anything that is long enough. All the plus sizes assume that you're as wide as you are tall, and the tall sizes have a rise that is way too big for me. Try to find a shirt with long enough sleeves. Clothes seem to get wider as they go up in size, not longer.

You sound like an intelligent, sensible woman who just needed to rant a little about some of the frustrations we all have at one time or another. Welcome to the club!

You are going to look great for your wedding day, and I hope you enjoy your honeymoon. Jamaica sounds like a real treat since its still snowing where I live.

Don't stop working out after the wedding. I don't know what it is about husbands, but many new wives gain weight after the wedding. Domestic bliss seems to pack on the pounds - all that man food - so keep taking care of yourself.

Is your body shape typical of the women in your family? Sometimes fighting mother nature is frustrating. If you are eating right, exercising regularly, and working to tone your trouble spots, you're doing all the right things.

You might try the fitness forum for some suggestions on weights and exercises for arms and legs. They've got some very knowledgeable people on that forum. I've been using a bosu ball alot and have really noticed my thighs and butt slimming down.

You probably won't get the kind of results your looking for in just six weeks but keep trying.

From what information I could find, you're at about the ideal weight for your height. Maybe you can't drop those last few pounds because your body is at the weight it need to be. Explore this web site for more info on ideal weight and BMI: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-livin g/weight-management/learn-the-basics/ideal-we ight/best-weight?ipc=B00497

Exercise can help you get swimsuit ready, toning those parts of your body that you're unhappy with. Have you worked with a trainer to put together a weightlifting workout that meets your needs? Try using a measuring tape to chart your progress over the next six weeks. It may show you more positive changes than a scale.

Congratulations on your wedding. I'm sure it will be a beautiful event and you will be a lovely bride.

Hi Victoriagirl:

We've talked about how fun it is to finally fit into "skinny" clothes that we hardly ever got to wear, but going the other direction is no fun at all! When I think about getting rid of clothes that are too big I also hear my mother's voice in my head telling me that they are still good and I might need them someday. I chalk it up to her being raised during the Depression.

I say toss them. If for some unforeseen reason you gain weight you'll want some new clothes anyway. No matter what we weigh, we deserve to have nice clothes that make us feel good.

When I was at my heaviest I decided that I wasn't going to put things off until I was thin. Life happens every day and I was going to enjoy it. What got me to lose weight is the desire to spend more time with my loved ones and to be healthier while doing the things I enjoy. I'm not going to put my life on hold while I work to reach some ideal weight. I might miss something!

You look terrific and have really accomplished something. By the time winter weather comes back around, you can confidently treat yourself to something new.

Happy Birthday Ka2007!

My husband and I did a special out-of-town weekend and I decided not to worry about calories. Of course, when we got home I went straight to CC and added up everything I ate. It wasn't too bad!

We walked everywhere. The weather was wonderful and it's nice to be in good enough shape to think a mile+ walk is nothing. 

Its so cool to see that by making changes in diet and exercise we are changing so many other things in our lives for the better, and having a positive influence on our families as well.

Seeing the scale move in the right direction is a huge motivator. Noticing all the other little changes has been a fun bonus for me. I knew my clothes would fit differently if I lost weight, but it still came as a nice suprise to actually see some results.

Seeing my waist measurement reduce; getting into clothes that wouldn't fit before; cutting down on sodium and fats and feeling so much stronger and more fit have become more inspiring to me than losing weight. I'm starting to feel like the person I used to be. My biggest concerns about my weight gain were the health risks and the loss of fitness. Its exciting to feel so much better even though I have at least 40 pounds to go.

Folks on the forums are so inspiring, supportive and generous. It's been a wonderful resource. Thanks!

I once lived in a house that had sat empty for several months while the landlord cleaned up after the previous tenents. When we moved in there was still a horrible roach problem. It took me months and cases of roach motels to finally get rid of them. I'd make lots of noice before going into the kitchen to give all the roaches time to scurry away - yuck!

Every bit of food in my house was completely encased in plastic containers. I hate the little buggers. Luckly, where we live doesn't have roaches, or fleas, or ticks. My kids don't understand why leaving food on the counter, or in their rooms, or in their car, still freaks me out!

I think we should have a log for all the calories we didn't eat 

Melly991 - my husband used to buy clothes for me that were always too small. On the one hand, it was kind of a compliment that he thought I was a smaller size. On the other hand, it made me sad that those nice clothes never fit. Now, we don't buy clothes for eachother because it's too hard to get the right size, style, color and such.

Maybe when I get into shopping mode (I'll run out of old, smaller clothes eventually) we can go shopping together. He has great taste and it will be nice to show off for him! That would be another victory.

Hi Ka2007

I looked into weight vests as a way to give my walking workout a boost without straining knees and feet. A friend of mine recently got one and really likes it.

 I also found info on nordic walking, which was perfect for me since I already had the poles. You can find info about it at http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/nordicwal king_2.htm

It burns 40% more calories than walking alone, while keeping stress off knees, back and feet. I live in a community that has lots of crosscounry skiing and snowshoeing but people still look at me funny when I use the poles on dry pavement. For 40% more burn, I don't care!