300+ Countdown to Jan 1, 2009 !

   T O T A L   L O S T   I N   2 0 0 8 :   9 9 3 . 9  L B S   

       LINK to *NEW* Jan 2009 / Jan 2010 Thread 

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      We share a long journey.
      January 1, 2009 is coming ... IS HERE ! 
      What progress we'll make ... WE'VE MADE !
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~ THE 2008 300+ COUNTDOWN CLUB ~
      Counting down to JAN 1, 2009!
 1. Post your 1st of month weigh in.
 2. Check your updated number below.
 3. Let me know of any corrections.

.......................... GROUP WEIGHT LOSS ..........................
SW: 320.0   JAN 1st 2009 185.0     Lost  135.0  bigbrett22
SW: 340.0   JAN 1st 2009 173.0     Lost  167.0  danielle_20077
SW: 343.0   JAN 1st 2009 275.0     Lost    68.0  denise07
SW: 326.0   JAN 1st 2009 280.0     Lost    38.0  freethrowtommy 
SW: 354.0   JAN 1st 2009 328.0     Lost    26.0  humorpam
SW: 329.0   JAN 1st 2009 295.0     Lost    34.0  korali
SW: 329.0   JAN 1st 2009 221.0     Lost  108.0  laurabow
SW: 370.0   JAN 1st 2009 286.0     Lost    84.0  mnic
SW: 442.2   JAN 1st 2009 392.0     Lost    50.2  mwiowa
SW: 325.0   JAN 1st 2009 267.0     Lost    58.0  punkrockriot
SW: 315.0   JAN 1st 2009 226.0     Lost  100.0  renaer14
SW: 317.0   JAN 1st 2009 311.0     Lost      6.0  shnitzel (tracy)
SW: 465.0   JAN 1st 2009 220.8     Lost  244.0  sun123
SW: 385.0   JAN 1st 2009 336.8     Lost    52.0  sunnyone24
SW: 305.0   JAN 1st 2009 234.5     Lost    70.5  Tina_4792
SW: 367.0   JAN 1st 2009 299.0     Lost    69.4  topeze
SW: 576.0   JAN 1st 2009 447.0     Lost  129.0  velvetkiss 
SW: 325.0   JAN 1st 2009 255.0     Lost    70.0  watchmeshine82
SW: 355.0   JAN 1st 2009 287.0     Lost    68.0  wobbley
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I know Ang - the 100s seems a bit surreal.  Dont mean to be a buzzkill but your birthdate is extremely short time for dropping 15 lbs so dont be disappointed if you dont make it because if not, you'll be as close as possible.  Im there with you on focus and control - I think your birthday (like my Feb 6 trip) is a powerful force when confronted with holiday tempations to not lose time.

Liza, great that you have the awareness of emotions and eating. I know it doesnt mean the issue is solved but being conscious of it may help the next time your facing stress. Ive actually found that when I get stressed, its a saving grace that at least my dieting is something I can depend on as a positive with my upcoming weighins. Im not saying its a cure all for everyone but just an idea since its helped me.

Velvet - I hear you on the calves. I spent yesterday "out". First store was noon-ish and didnt come home until 10pm. Granted I was hurting much earlier than that but since I was already out, pushed on through the day.  I woke with a limp but it wasnt my calves or knees but actually my foot. I feel a cramp in the top of it. Its lessened so hoping for another outing tomorrow with a list of stops.  Youre right - a workout doesnt have to be defined as exercise.  Compared to sitting at home, activity does add up.

Sine, thats great that others here are helping you being accountable to yourself. I certainly find it helps me - CC threads and my diet plan (because it works for me) combined have carried me through my losses.  Your not alone on thinking of eating though not hungry.  There was a day that a thought occurred to me- I dont have to do anything spectacular or amazing. Just repeat yesterdays good eating today and that concept has carried me through months of weightloss. 

Sine, I think the first two weeks are definitely the hardest.  Once you get certain habits and figure out what foods work best for you, it makes it so much easier to make smart choices.  And yes, you can absolutely do this.  I think all of us can relate well to thinking that.  We all have given up at some point, but one day it clicked.  And that's why we're here now.  So glad we can help, since I was probably exactly where you were about 7 months ago.

Sun, I never really thought of using my control over my food and weight as something to build hope when overly stressed.  I'll have to think about that and see if it helps.

Well, I'm heading out tomorrow and don't think I'm going to be able to check in until after the new year.  I'm looking forward to it, hoping that maybe I'll actually work my way to the low 290s instead of the mid/high 290s.  I didn't check this morning, but I did see 296.0 yesterday.  I'll check myself tomorrow just to see if the last 5 days of eating well have had a good effect of my weight, especially since I'll be away after that.  And I have hopes that I'll be back on the downward trend.  Only bad thing is that apparently the foods I ate today were higher in salt than usual.  So, we'll see.

But, wishing everyone Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and whatever else that you might be celebrating!  And see you in the new year!

Although theyve lost weight, some still see themselves as if they hadnt. 
Im the opposite - I know Ive distance to go but early on I felt so wonderful having got control over my eating that throughtout my weightloss, Ive felt smaller than I am LOL.  Not so much in a conceited way but as in, "So what if Im still large - I look so much better and am still losing."

So with that, I could really appreciate this video I came across: LINK

Liza, do you wnt to use your weighi tomorrow before departing or when you return and if the latter,when will be back.  Good luck!

Just had to post, I weighed in at an all time low (only 0.4 lbs from my prior lowest) at 294.0!  I was very excited about this and needed the reminder that I just wasn't doing what I needed to do. 

Sun, no way will I use that as my Jan 1st number!! Unless my weigh in when I get backs absolutely sucks, which I won't let it.  I am using this excitement that I can do it, I just need to refocus, to bring me through the new year and all the tempting foods.  Will update you when I get back, but probably won't do my weigh in until Jan. 3rd, to give my body time to adjust to the flying and stuff that may have messed with it.

Merry Christmas Everyone !!

Thanks for clarifying, Topeze! Realizing need to check posts to see who would be gone at the 1st.  Betting your motivation will payoff and would wish you luck but instead, supporting you to just stay stong.  You can shake that scale!

I weighed in this morn at 295.6 and thought, I stripped in this cold house for that LOL?!  I was that yesterday :D.  If I thought I shopped long Sunday (10 hrs), yesterday was nutty.  Started at noon and didnt come home until 3am.  With my house so freaking cold, much motivation to stay out and continue moving. Thinking it will show up before Jan 1st but it may just be too early to be on my scale yet.

Pumped up the credit card with some self purchases but lucked out with clothes.  I tend to feel guilty spending money on myself - not like a martyr but just because I dont need to. Yet, I did great with sale items.  Ive been very content to work with my old clothes but Alice taking me shopping for clothes got me pumped for new stuff. My daughter joined me during the end of it and said my boobs looked bigger. Its actually because Ive started wearing things that show my waist (since I seemed to have gotten one now) so theres some shape definition now.

Christmas Party tonight. Excited to be dressed up again!

Its so quiet - makes me nervous, everyone doing okay?

FINAL COUNTDOWN!!
Whoa - less than a week left, mere days and wishing everyone the best as we go through them.  I could use some luck, Thursday 227 and yesterday/ today at 226. I know month ends stagnate for me but really could use my normal month kickoff losses a bit early as would love to hit or drop below 225.

Ive been crazy driven to continue keeping out of the house, store strolling and running around. My daughter brought over the wii fitness last night and wow, very cool.  Didnt know what to expect but it really lets you start at your pace. Did well compared to her girlfriends although neither are what you would describe as 'fit' (nor I for that matter).  I didnt catch my daughters BMI - she has a weight problem, but she said that my BMI was lower than her and hoping that motivates her to stay with the wii fitness program. She is anti low cal, nutritious food unfortunately but Im glad to see her interest in her fitness.

I learned how off my balance was and it measures how you distribute your weight when standing (basically posture). Mine has always been poor as standing straight strains my back so I default forward but it was good to be reminded and made conscious of this.

Good thoughts to everyone in our final days and hoping the 'quiet' is due to all get the most of the holiday!

HELLO! (...ello ...ello ...ello ...ello)

So quiet, waiting for everyone to jump out and yell, "Surprise!"

Just crossed below 225 today - I am pushing activity still like crazy in the final stretch. Finding excuses to leave the house.   

Great - got a belly button rash. Assuming from the excess skin, mositure maybe, whatever and boy is it weird.  Literally just red, enflamed skin within the fold of my belly button (fold, if you know what I mean) - isnt that a lovely visual image.  Ive heard such rashes in big weight loss can be used to fight for insurance assistance in skin removal so planning a dr visit to document. 

Im here .. been reading .. not posting tho.

In the weight front Im not doing so hot, Ive gained 8lbs since last week, Thank you salty olives !!! I also ran out of my duretic pill last week, and ive been waking up so swollen its insane, I wont get to the dr for a refill tho untill after the newyear. So its gonna take me a while to go back to my normal weight.

You can just use my Dec1st weigh in as my Jan1st, cuz without these pills I cant get a real reading of my weight, since im very sensitive to even the smallest amounts of salt. Also I have been getting plenty of exercise, on the days that i havent been cleaning my house from top to bottom, Ive been helping my mom clean hers, or shopping, or getting on the exercise bike for 20mins or so, its that reason that im not freaked out by the weight gain, Its to be expected when salty foods are around, and when we exercise we retain water apparently, that coupled with my prescription running out = disaster !!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season !! I know i am !

Well, so far I have gained at least 10 pounds.  I totally understand the fluid retention problem,  as I have had swollen feet and overall puffiness the last few days,  even while taking my three doses of diuretics per day.  So,  It is not looking good for the January 1st weight in.

I updated you Korali for Jan.  Good to hear your not thrown by the numbers knowing the activity your putting in and you holding water.  Pam, youve made progress this year so please dont take this month too strongly.  Plus look what you were able to do mobility wise and thinking you werent aware you were capable of. 

~finally~ found socks that not only stretch around my swollen calves but actually extend to my knees too. Others have stopped midway so that eventually dug into my calves plus would fall down.  Since I wear a black floor length skirt, my hidden ankle/calves peeked out occasionally and now these black socks help my pale swollen calves/ ankles hide.  Since my calves are 20+ inches, finding these was a small miracle.  

Jan 1st is my usual weigh in Thursday so I should be ready to weigh in on the dot.  Looking forward to concluding our groups year progress and hearing from all. Realize this may be a month for gains with the holiday but its not about one month but our year.

Hi all, surprise!!

I'm back home now and can post again too!

I have been away since 24th December, staying at various houses (relatives) so not wanting to rock any boats, I had to eat when and what was on offer (95% was all bad processed foods, pies etc). My diet has been out the window and all over the place and I have been without my water pills so my ankles swell too.

Glad to hear Korali that your OK with your weight gains. Pam, you have made such great strides (forgive the pun) you must be so pleased with your progress despite the gain over the holiday. I too am having problems not having my tablets for water retention so am also expecting a big gain on the 1st. We must all pull together now and start the New Year with a vengence. I know the first 2 weeks in January are going to be like starting again from day one, I must keep focused, it can be so easy to throw in the towel now and not bother any more.

I really am scared to weigh myself as I gain weight soooo quickly, It could easily be a 10lbs, gain plus I got new scales just before Christmas and they weigh 6lbs more than my old ones so the "damage" I will report on 1st could really be deadly 16lbs+, I must prepare myself for the shock as I know I will be very depressed for days and want to eat twice as much to compensate.

Wow Sun, you are an inspiration!! Still losing too, I know what you mean about the socks, I cant get any to fit me as my calves are too big. Look forward to the day I can fit in normal boots!!

Hope everyone had a good time and looking forward to catching up with everyones news. 

My doctor told me a few days ago that I need to NOT be walking for exercise right now because of my back and knees.  He told me that he wants me to do the recumbent bike instead.  So,  I will again start over and see how that goes.  The recumbent bike and I never got along,  but I will give it another try.

It took a few days but all this activity has bumped me but no final word until weighin day. 

Wishing you relief from the back/ leg pain, Pam. Still excited for your potential to begin walking again.  Do you have something to do while biking? I used to love reading magazines or books because I'd become so engrossed, I'd lose track of the exercise. Some like TV although I found reading more distracting.

I'll try the reading.  Thanks for the suggestion Jayne.  The back and leg feel a lot better since I am not walking.  The rest of my body still hurts like heck,  as usual,  but I don't know of anything that is going to change that except God Himself.

The ony reason that im not kicking myself in the butt, is cuz I know how bad I retain water, esp if i dont have my pills, and I know that i have eaten alot of salty stuff like sweet pickles and olives !!  Also low fat cheese ( which has ALOT) of salt !  so im ok =)

42lbs lost in one year is good. Im ok with that. Its not what i wanted, but its ok, Im proud of it, and as someone said on her earlier. I could have been 380 by now with the way I was going.

I will start again in the new year. go back to the stuff I was doing when i first started last year, and see if that kick starts this weightloss again =)

Happy New year to all !! I dont want to see ANYONE discouraged by a gain in Dec, it happens, its life.. and we really need to live it and not sweat the small stuff.

OH and Jayne .. I dont even know how you are doing this, its so amazing, what an inspiration !!

~K

Wobbly .. the same thing happened to me. I thought i had lost 30lbs and when i got a new scale I realized I had only lost 24lbs .. I was devestated !!! but its ok... new year. means new beginings !!

hey all!

I hope you have all had a good Christmas. I have indeed! I was soooo scared of getting on the scales this morning after a complete cheat week. I ate too much, drank too much and ate 2500-3000 easily every day. I have put on 2 pounds but I know that will come off pretty quickly.

SW: 329

CW: 221

Total: 108

Sun- I doubt I will lose any more in the next few days so I will keep 221 as my Jan 1 2009 weight!!

Hope you all have a fab new year! :o)

Great update, Laura for December despite those calories.  Ive updated the OP with your weighin.  Im glad you said that about December, Korali - I was thinking the same thing! Imagining the changes in your appearance with those 42 lbs *woosh* gone - thats stuff to be proud of. 

Wobbley, thats a tough spot - nobody wants to be a difficult guest so I can imagine the swelling.  Agreed coming from dieting mode, the body does seem to grab those lbs when off it but bad as it could be, it will be a kickoff to work from Jan 1st going forward.  Betting you'll be able to do great things because of it for the month of January.

Its a bit early but I appear to be addicted to Wii fitness - well, in love might more applicable.  This is exercise, right? Oh yeah - my hearts going but boy is it fun.  The last time I had such fun exercising was playing as a kid. 

Any New Years eve plans?

My tradition has been to fall asleep before the ball drops. Since Ive recently been sleeping in naps mid day and early night than being up all night morn, thinking I'll get to see it (no biggie but it will be a change). Big Elton fan and he'll be broadcast on Carson Daly so made note to catch that.

Quiet as its been, hoping not a sign that final weighin will be long in coming in. My Thursday weighin is timed conveniently for the year end.  I know a few said they'd be away returning early Jan but lost track of who.  Currently focused on that and my remaining 5 week countdown to Feb 6th trip.  With this strong month, going to have to fight my way thru January not to rebound into a plateau before I leave.