Posts by brendaminor448

Congratulations! 

Original Post by meganwilliams2:

Food:  Banana PB oat pancakes with PB/honey syrup

 OMG... I love pancakes with PB!  I thought my mother & I were the only ones who ate them like that.  Never tried it with honey PB/honey syrup, but it sounds just delicious!  Never tried it with banana either.  Please share your recipe with me.....

Thanks... I'll visit the link you gave and try to educate myself. 

It's been so long... that I don't know if I'll even remember what to do!!!  I've lost 111 all together and some of the old feelings and desires have come back.  Of course, now I'm kind of worrying about being flabby and am nervous about being touched.  I'm just wondering if there is anyone else who has been there and knows what I'm talking about....  I'm 50 years old now and I know it's not going to be like it was when I was younger!  But I'd like to think that part of my life isn't over yet.  I do have to admit... I'm feeling a whole lot better these days. 

Your vomiting may produce some short term results for you.  But at the same time it's doing other things to your body.  Like damaging your teeth, your esophagus, etc... How are you going to feel somewhere down the line if your Dr tells you that your teeth all have been damaged and they have to be pulled out?  How old are you and are you ready for dentures?  Are you prepared for him to tell you that you've caused irreversible damage to your body?  Things that just can't be fixed? 

A relative of mine passed away last month and I had to take a trip back because of that.  Well, I got sick the very first day of the trip.  Don't know why.. But I did.  It was food poisoning or a virus or something!  Well, I attended a funeral and a luncheon held just prior to the funeral.  Because of my 6-months of dieting, I ignored my being sick the previous 2 days and allowed myself to eat the goodies in there.  An hour later, I was puking it all up.  There was nothing pleasurable about it.  And yes, part of me thought: "Well I won't have to worry about those calories!"  But I gotta tell you, it was not pleasant and I'd rather not go through that again.  Not voluntarily!  I'd rather lose my weight in a healthy and productive way.  A way that will spur me to keep going and inspire others to do it too.  There are family and friends watching me and rooting for me to succeed.  I don't want to let them down either. 

After that day, I allowed myself to cheat while on that trip.  I ate Cheetos and candies and other stuff I might like to have if I were not watching my eating habits so closely.  Well, after a week of being gone, I got home to see I'd put back 5 lbs.  Let me tell you, it was not a happy feeling to see that reading on my scales.  Especially when it had taken me most of November to drop that 5 lbs.  Now I'm working to take it off...again!  But I did not like having my stomach feeling like it was a churn.  I did not like the vomiting and I didn't like the feeling that I had to worry about eating again and me getting sick again.  Which is how I felt.. I was scared to eat anything for the fear of it all coming back up.  Sure it's just a few brief moments and it's over.  But damage is being done in the process.  We are not animals and our bodies were not designed to regurgitate our food on a regular and/or consistent basis.  That function is there to help us.  Like in my case...  I'm not bulimic.  But after years of battling with obesity, I can honestly confess  that there have been times when I wanted to become bulimic.  I think I may've even tried it once or twice.  But that was it.  I believe I'm a strong enough person that I can say no to a stupid candy bar or hamburger.  Most of the time.  I just have to care enough about myself to do that.  I have had to become my own boss and my own coach.  And my own best friend.  And it seems to me, that if you want to be around for your daughter... Then you need to do that for yourself, too.  Be your own boss, your own coach, and your own best friend.  Take the bull by the horns and tell yourself.. "I'm better than this and I can do it without taking the shortcuts."  Be committed and determined. 

And one last thing, just because a man comes into your life, is no excuse to let your goals and your plans fall by the way side.  He probably wouldn't respect you much if he knew that's what you were doing (getting sidetracked, not the bulimic stuff).  Take care of yourself first, then your daughter, and then if there's room for love and romance.... bring it on!  Just don't lose yourself in it.  Love is wonderful... But he'll love you more for taking good care of yourself.  I'll get off of my soapbox now and wish you much luck.  And seriously, if you don't think you can stop that destructive behaviour on your own (like it's an addiction or something), then please go get some help.  You deserve to live a long and healthy life with your daughter.  I wish you lots of luck and strength!  YOU CAN DO IT!!

Hi Doobie....

I've seen LOTS of really good advice here.  Some I'd like to remember for myself.  Making the right choices and eating the right things takes a lot of energy and if you're trying to lose weight, it also takes a whole lot of determination.  Some have called it "will power".  I don't know about that.  To me, it just boils down to how much I want to lose weight and then just how determined I am to make it happen.  I do not like to be a loser at anything.  That includes losing weight.  Once I get started, there's no stopping me.  However, there are times when I do feel like quitting.  And I cheat.  And yes... it slows me down some.  But I get up the next day and start my regular program again and I move forward with my goal.  Like the 5 lbs I gained on my vacation last month.  It could've been worse, but it wasn't.  It took me about a week & half to take that back off.  Some people might have gotten discouraged and quit.  But I didn't.  Then I took another trip on Oct 4 where I spent the weekend with family.  More cheating.  And tempted by Fudge even.  I allowed myself to indulge.  Again, it slowed me down.  But it was oh so good and I think telling myself "no" would've set me up for failure.  So sometimes you have to allow yourself the goodies and you have to be ready to get back on board the next day or at the end of your weekend... trip... or whatever. 

As to starving at the end of the day and having a headache.... You are not eating enough!  Use Calorie Count and keep track of everything you're eating and MAKE SURE your eating enough.  EDUCATE yourself on what are some good meals to have.  Make sure you have several choices to chose from.  Write it down... make a poster and post it in your kitchen so you don't have to think about it when you go into the kitchen.  Make it easy on yourself.... And make sure you have the stuff you need in there.  It does mean shopping more often and regularly. 

Everyday I wake up and know that I have several choices for breakfast:

Toast w/2 tab peanut butter & an Orange, banana, or other fruit; or

Mexican cheese toast (toasted bread w/1 oz cheddar cheese sprinkled with chili powder & Mrs Dash) w/fruit & a drink (2 % milk or Chrystal Light); or

oatmeal or another healthy cereal w/fruit; or

1 Frozen French Toast w/no topping & fruit. 

And for Lunch... I've had

turkey sandwiches w/fruit & vegies;

Chef's salad (lean meat & other goodies thrown in: raisins, nuts, carrots, cabbage, fruit like pineapples, etc....); or

1 can Sardines (no oil), 5 whole wheat crackers, 1/2 cup Cottage Cheese, small salad, and a fruit of my choice.  This one is high in protein.  (So is the peanut butter). 

For dinner.... I usually have a frozen TV Dinner:

9-10 Shrimp w/cocktail sauce & salad; or

Salmon w/vegies; or

Lean Cuisine's Paremesan Encrusted Fish, or

Smart Ones Turkey Medallions, etc....

For snacks: fruits and vegies---only my favorites. 

Baked Tostitos & Salsa when I want something salty. 

For sweets... I've tried some of the Chex Bars and they're a good substitute for a candy bar.

Fast Food: this is the hard one for me.  I'm having to relearn what I can eat while I'm out and about.  So far, it seems like Wendy's has some good options.  So does Taco Bell.  It pays to get online and browse their nutrition menus.  When you see how much fat content is in those burgers, it'll be hard to eat another one w/o knowing you're packing the fat on.  We need to know what else we can have. There's always Subways..... Lol... 

I also allow myself a cookie or very small piece of cake or sweet bread occasionally.  I've switched to using light mayo and Smart Balance Butter and other "light" products.  I've added Splenda to my cabinets for times when I feel I might need some sugar.  Popcorn is another good snack.  I bought Act II's Kettle Korn and limit how much of it I eat.  The smartest thing I did was to stop drinking Coke everyday.  Lots 23 lbs right away.  Now I drink Chrystal Light or water.  Just found Sprite Zero and will allow that occasionally. 

Start preparing some of your meals ahead of time and that will make it easier for you too.  When I make a salad, I make 2.  One for now and one for later.  I really am a firm believer in eating lots of fruits, vegies, and protein.  Your body needs these things and you really must put them in or you will be malnurished.  Ditto for the water.  Drink lots of it.  That's a hard one for me.  I only like to drink it when I'm being physical. 

The bottom line is: educate yourself and make it as easy as possible for you to attain your goals.  Do the opposite of starving yourself and EAT!  But EAT GOOD FOODS.  Your body will thank you.  5 months ago I had edema, high blood pressure, and severe sleep apnea.  I've lots 48 lbs and no longer have the edema, the blood pressure has improved, and so has the sleep apnea.  My Dr told me I was saving my life.  I told him "I know."  I want to live and I want to be around long enough to see my grandchild grow up, graduate, get married, and make me a great grandma!  THAT gives me the determination I need to fight this battle.  So, I will ask you to ask yourself "How important is my goal and how BAD do I want it?"  Your answers will decide whether you'll reach your goals by April or not.  You can do it.  If I could do it, being as sick as I've been... I know you can do it!  So good luck to you.  Oh, and one last thing... this forum is here to help you succeed.  So don't feel you have to apologize for posting a message.  The more the better.  Every time you do one and get the answers you need... you're one step closer to your finish line.  So, GO FOR IT!! ....I hope you have a great birthday!

"Does it take until you reach your goal weight? Months? Years?"

I would think that it takes a couple of years.  And I'll tell you why.  I've gone on diets that have lasted anywhere from a couple of days up to 9 months.  On the 9-month thing, I passed the 3-week point.  And 3-months...  Things got whole lot easier as time passed because I REMEMBERED what to eat and what I needed to do to burn it off.  I learned when I could cheat and how much.  I even managed to make it through the hardest time of the year... the holidays.  But!  I reached a point at 9-months, where it just all fizzled out (in the Springtime).  All it took was me getting depressed for an extended amount of time and all of my work just went out the window.  Or so I thought.  I just started working on losing weight and improving my health again.  This time, it all seems to be a lot eaiser for me.  I basically know what to do and have just gone back to doing what I know I need to be doing.   I've also learned that I have more to learn!  So, it's an ongoing process.  As to the 3-week habit thing.... I used to work as a maid and I hated it so much in the beginning!  I was in a great deal of pain (back, knees, legs, and feet) and I tried to quit about 3 days into the job.  I was asked by the Executive Housekeeper to just give it 3-weeks and if I STILL felt like quiting....then quit.  Well, I gave it the 3-weeks.  At the end of that time, most of the physical pain had subsided and I had learned the routine.  So I didn't quit.  I was still there 3-months later.  By then, I had not only adjusted, but I excelled at what I was doing.  So, I think the 3-week thing is true in some things.  To an extent...  Whether or not that can be applied to a lifestyle change or not... I don't know.  I'm still learning myself.  But I would think, from my own experiences, that it takes a couple of years.  And a whole lot of committment and determiniation to stick to one thing.... TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF.  You can do it.  Good luck to you.