200 + weight loss buddies

Hello, I'm looking for others trying to lose a lot of weight, to keep each other motivated threw our bad days and cheer us on on our great days! to keep each other going threw out the week by staying in touch. I want people who want to reach there goal weight and wont quit tell we reach them! who's with me?!?!

I am 5'3 and weigh 217 pounds, my goal weight is 127lbs by May 30th of 209  

Sarah~

=)

Schatzi I found the link to a 100% seated workout. With my arthritis, I find that's best. One caveat: I actually pulled a leg muscle doing one of the lower body things on the ball.

I'm doing some more research on about.com for seated workouts. If you have broadband, they have videos (I have dialup at home, so pooey).

http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts /l/blobeseexercise.htm

Hey Gang, it's been 4 days since I weighed myself and I'm going nuts not knowing.  I know I've been "good" all week...I excercised 3 days (out of 5) and was at or just below my calories for the day but not seeing my hard work validated by the scale is haunting me!  But at the same time I'm scared that when I do get on I won't see a loss and then I'll be really bummed out.  Ack!

Hope you all had a great week and stay strong this weekend! 

Hi everyone, it is snowing here in NY and I'm just enjoying a hanging out day at home, reading, watching TV and catching up on laundy.  Hope everyone is having a good weekend.  

Penny - glad to see you - hope you enjoyed the holidays!!

Welcome to all the newcomers!

Hi Jodi - I think you're doing the right thing holding off on weighing yourself.  I think once a week is good or at most a couple of times per week, not every day.  A couple of my co-workers who are in the contest at work were checking their weight every day and it was constantly changing.  You can't really get a handle on whether or not it's really working that way.  The contest is going okay.  Our first weigh in is Monday.  We elected one person to get to see the starting weights and write them down, so not everyone know what everybody else weighs.  I think having the weigh in on Mondays helps because it is motivating me to stay on track through the weekend.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!

Welcome back Penny!  Sounds like you had a great New Years.

Jodi, I don't know how you are doing it, holding off weighing.  That takes willpower. lol  I weigh every morning, but I know to expect fluctuations.  It just helps me to stay on track.  If I'm down it encourages me and I eat better to keep the pounds going down.  If it's up, it worries me and I eat better to get the pounds going down again. 

Leelee, good luck at the weigh in on Monday.  I think it's amazing your doing that.  We're all cheering for you.

I am watching the news with all of the snow up north and I don't envy any of you at all.  It's supposed to get down in the 40's next week and I'm already shivering.  But at least I'll enjoy walking more.  I hate walking when it's hot and I sweat.

Gracie

well Gang, I caved and got on the scale this morning.  I was pleased to see a 2lb drop...back down to 210 (last time I was 210 was in July...still got 8lbs to get to my recent low of 202 in September) 

I'm hoping to lose a little more before my official weigh in on Tues.  But then again, I haven't exercised this weekend so I might not see much of a change.

Gracie, We did get about 3" of snow last night, but not nearly as bad as they predicted.  The real bummer is that this coming week it's supposed to get down into the single digits!  Ack!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Jodi

Brrrrrrrr, Jodi - single digits!  I'm glad the snow wasn't as bad as they were predicting, but 3" is still a nice covering.  If only you could just sit inside by the fire and enjoy it. 

Congratulations on being down 2lbs.  You are headed in the right direction and that's what counts. 

Hope this is a great week for everyone!

Gracie

Hello schatzigirl

It's been a long time since I have been on site. Great to hear that you are working on your weight.  I have been obese all my life (58yrs.) and about a year ago I finally convinced myself that it is now or never to repair my life. 6 yrs. ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hips and knees. Lost my job and became depressed. I have been in a wheelchair all this time.  After having gastric by-pass surgery which by the way did not work! I knew I needed to find a solution. Since I could  not exercise like you I had to find another way. After searching I found the right diet for me. Low fat, no salt and not sugar. In the past year I have lost 86 pounds. My highest weight has been 370, when I started this this plan I weighed 280 and now I am at 194.  I can now get up and exercise and even walk without crutches. Last time I was at this weight I was in high school.  I have had a low impact glider for many years and I can finally use it.  My goal is to reach 150 by June.  I have found setting small goals works for me than thinking about where the insurance companies say I should be.  Best of luck and if you would like to exchange emails (chefjbp@yahoo.com) please do.  Anyone else is invited as well

By the way I am in Seattle and between the snow and floods getting out has not been fun.and

Hi everyone,

Today was the first weigh-in for the weight loss challenge here at my job.  I lost 2 pounds.  Not bad!  I'm in the middle of the pack so far. 

Jodi - congrats on your 2 pound loss.  That's great!

Chefjanice - congrats on your fantastic weight loss and lifestyle changes.  It is truly inspirational. 

leelee

leelee, congratulations on your 2 pounds loss!  I think it is fantastic that you are doing this weight loss challenge at your work.  Way to go!

Gracie

Wow. Everyone is losing and doing great

Leelee, Jodi-congratulations.

Check out graciek82's journal on exercise. Magnificent!

Chefjanice: thanks for checking in with us and telling your wonderful story. Up and walking after 6 years, that is tremendous and does inspire.

I've had 3 good days in a row. Don't it make ya smile!

Hey Gang,

I've been starving today!  I don't know if it's a combo of me jogging on the treadmill...yes I did say JOGGING!  or that I ate unhealthy food yesterday at lunch (onion rings and sweet potato fries) while resulted in my having a stomach ache until 9pm.  But I can't seem to feel satisfied.  This is the first time since I've been back on the wagon that I've been truly HUNGRY.  I tried to fill up on carrot sticks and broccoli with a little light dressing.  I even ate a bag of frozen veggies (heated of course) an orange and lots of water!  But I'm still hungry!  And I've only got 500 calories left for dinner.  Ack!

Earthmom, congrats on sticking with it!

Chefjanice, you are an inspiration!

:) Jodi

Hello everyone!

IT sounds like everyone is doing really well. I think that everyone here is a inspiration for me because when I want to give up (and believe me that is probably everyday), I just come here and start reading.

Jodi, Way to go. Don't worry you will do okay at dinner.

Chefjanice, congrats on your progress. I still haven't found what works for me. My doctor told me to do Atkins and I did and I always do really well, but then I want to have sugar free pudding or oatmeal and I end up getting off of it. I don't think I follow Atkins correctly because I eat lots of salads and veggies more than the protein, but it always works for me till the craving for the sugar free pudding comes. HA! HA!

Hi Penny, Leelee, gracie, schatzi, earthmom

Here I was thinking it was cold here and ya'll are making me shiver. Its only about 30*degrees. I think its going to warm up to the low 60's later today. Have a great Wednesday!!!!

Prissy

Went to the dentist & had my teeth drilled. He's a wonderful dentist and there's never any pain, but I would like to be cavity free the way I was as a kid. Toward that aim I am doubling up on my brushing and flouride rinsing along with flossing every day. I do have dry mouth from various meds and nothing will cure that except getting off the meds...which causes other problems. We'll see.

Yesterday's headache went away, but today's is hanging in there. I really want a nap. I can always find things to worry about, but that is fruitless wasted energy. I am working on "be here now" and "If a thing shouldn't be, then it wouldn't be." Everything is as it should be in the hands of All Perfection.

Got up late today, didn't get my exercise, but I did meditate. Sticking to the eating plan! 4 hours of work to go.

Good evening!  Hope everyone had a good day.

Earthmom, hope your headache is better. 

Jodi, hope you are having a better day today.  But you did jog yesterday, that is great!!

Prissy, I too find this site inspirational.  It's what keeps me going most days.  All of you are so welcoming and motivational.  When I have a slip up and want to give up, I read here all of the amazing stories of people who have done phenomenal jobs of getting the weight off and keeping it off.  And they all say the same thing.  It takes time.  I just have to remember that.

Good night!

Gracie

Good Morning Everyone,

Thanks for the props, gals.  It make me feel so much better to know I'm not alone in this quest for a healthier lifestyle. 

And Gracie, it does take time.  I've been making a conscious effort to change for 2 years now and although I've yo-yo'd quite a bit my net weight loss is about 45lbs over the past two years.  I forget day to day how much of an accomplishment that is.  

Prissy, I've never heard a dr recommending atkins.  Especially since it doesn't work for some people and it's not something you can stay on forever.  My doctors have always recommend weight watchers or similar well balanced meal plan with exercise, which is essentially the same as CC.  Try using the "Analyze" tool on CC, the closer you are to a calorie split of 45 -50% calories from carbs, 20-25% from healthy fats and 25-30% protein, the better your "grade". I often check it before I eat so I can pick a snack or main component of a meal that will help me reach an A...I love seeing A's  :)

Hope everyone has a good day.  It's only 12 degrees here today, so I'm staying in!

Jodi, it's good to hear I'm not the only one who gets stuck from time to time. Jogging on the treadmill is awesome! I haven't jogged or even walked any distance in such a long time. I got on the bike this morning.

Prissy, I have heard of doctor's recommending Atkins because they use it too...there is a version of it called the "Mayo Clinic" diet that is recommended for heart patients--temporarily. I had a boss who would go on it periodically, and look great...then go back to eating chocolate candy and cake and get big-assed again. I agree with Jodi that it is not a sustainable life change. That's what I'm after, something I feel good continuing, making sensible changes I can live with into the future.

Some of my changes are physical: I slowly modify my diet and gradually begin moving around and exercising more. Some of them are mental: I work on my attitude and perception of myself, changing my food habits and bedtime routine. And some of the changes are spiritual--meditation, trying to become more positive and realistic about my current situation and my goals and plans. It's a balancing act, trying to make changes on all levels consistently and persistently.

Man what a bad 2009 it has been for me. Yesterday I was let go from my job because my position was eliminated due to the economy and in November my Fiance was let go from his job due to the economy. He has not found another job yet. Thankfully I had been looking and tomorrow I go for my second interview. I hope it works out.
My mom started to pack for Texas. She is getting very excited. I'm slowly adjusting to it. It will be hard at first but we will all find a way to communicate. I am very happy in the inside for her.
My weight has been up about 4 pounds. I noticed that I have been eating more and not exercising, so no one to blame but me......

Sunday morning, my Fiance and I are just going to up and leave our apartment and go on a road trip to Colorado Springs. I am very excited to go and take a break from my life, so to speak...I have never been on a road trip and we will be going through a lot of states I have never seen. I have never seen the mountains either, so I think it will be a good thing for the both of us to take a break and go and do this. We will come home in about four days.........

Good morning everyone!

Kekri, I am so sorry to hear you are having a bad start to 2009.  Good luck on  your second interview.  Hopefully the economy will turn around soon.  It's a little scary out there right now. 

That is great that you are going on a road trip.  I love road trips.  It's just so fun to get out and see all the different scenery.  This is a beautiful country.  It will be good for both of you to get away and enjoy discovering new things.  Have a great adventure!

Earthmom, I so agree with you about this being a balancing act.  I too am trying to be more positive.  It's easy when the weight is dropping, but not so much when it isn't.  Then the self-doubt and negativity rear their ugly heads.  That is when this site is such a lifesaver! 

Gracie

Hi everyone!  I hope everyone is doing well.  Have a great weekend!

Hi earth mom - I love that you are also focusing on the spiritual and mental aspects of changing, verses just what you eat and how much you exercise. I f you think about it, how can we expect ourselves to be successful with meeting all of the stresses, challenges, and disappointments that are part of losing weight if we are not strong mentally.

Hi Kekri - Sorry for your recent obstacles. Your road trip sounds like a lot of fun and hopefully it will help relieve your stress a little.

Leelee

Kekri, sorry to hear about your lousy start to the new year.  But it sounds like you're making the most of the situation by taking a road trip!  Hope all works out with the 2nd interview!

Earth Mom, I agree with leelee.  This is a much bigger "quest" for most of us than just losing weight.  I know for me there are many emotional reasons for my eating which will never get fixed without counseling.  For now I'm working on replacing bad habits (or coping mechanisims) with better alternatives.   Instead of pigging out on oreos I do it with popcorn.  Less calories and I don't feel guilty afterward. 

Well, yesterday I made the conscious decision to "indulge" a little.  which is super scary for me because usually one indiscretion leads to a month off the wagon.  I went out to dinner with my hubby and I tried to make good choices, but also had my dessert.  I feel pretty good about it today, but WAY too afraid to step on the scale. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Jodi