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Welcome to the Group (Part 2) 11/25/08 to 4/30/2009

Welcome! We would love get to know you, so please tell us a little bit about yourself. You can choose any format you'd like, but most of us here share some or all of the following details:

1. History with weight loss:
2. History with Calorie Count:
3. Reason for joining this group:
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:

And now just go ahead and make that first post!

Hey guys,

I'm 26 years-old and currently...I think 166.4 pounds. That was what I weighed two days ago. I am trying to get down to my goal weight of 136 by Christmas, but who knows if it will happen? I know exactly what I need to do in order to lose the weight, but I just have such trouble controlling myself. My life is too hectic sometimes. :\

I have been a Calorie Count member since March of this year. I originally lost 20 pounds and was down to 156.4, my lowest weight in two years, but then I got a boyfriend and the guy loves going out to eat every night! My weight slowly crept back up to 175 (my starting weight in March) and I have since lost about 10 pounds, but I need to lose more and I just keep pushing my diet off more and more each day as I have new obstacles each day I must overcome before I can focus on my diet.

I joined this group for spiritual motivation. I have fasted before for religious reasons, and feel guilty about the way I've been treating my Temple, and my spirit is weak and I have to admit, I suffer from gluttony. I can eat about six times more than most people can, and I'm not even that heavy. I just have an insatiable appetite and about an hour after eating, I'm hungry all over again. I think it has to do with being raised to eat constantly. And eat big portions. I was a skinny kid, and my parents and relatives all constantly fed me, not thinking it would catch up with me some day! So I assume that is where I developed my bad eating habits.

I am currently a college student majoring in Computer Animation & Special Effects. When things aren't chaotic, I eat a healthy diet of lean meats, fresh fish and vegetables, and whole grains. I live alone which helps me focus a bit more on my diet. I only work two days a week due to the recession, so I spend my spare time going to the gym twice a day. I normally would go once, then go on an evening hike or swim at the beach, but now it's gotten too cold out for that. :)

I have a dog and a cat, but right now my cat is incredibly ill and I am still waiting the results of his biopsy. I took him in last week to be checked, and he was so weak they checked him into the veterinary hospital so a vet could keep a constant eye on him and administer medication as necessary. It's costing me an arm and a leg, but I'll do anything to save him. I hope he makes it out okay, I love that little guy. He's like a little person! :)

I either just need a new perspective on dieting, or perhaps I just need things to settle down a bit. I get very easily frustrated because I have so many things I need to do, and it never stops. Things just keep coming.

Welcome to the Group

I have added you to the Group's Progress Chart for our Weigh In Weekend with the following information:

* deloughy ........................ New on 12/03/08 ... 166.4 on 12/03/08 ... 0.0 loss *

I hope that you find strength and enjoy your time with our Group.

Denna

Welcome, Deloughy!

26 and chaotic life. Sounds about right! It's been longer than I like to admit since I was 26, but I remember it being chaotic!!

You are light years ahead of me at 26 by striving to maintain a close walk with the Lord. Keep your focus on Him and you can never go wrong. I wasn't there at 26 and my life was a train wreck until I came back home to HIM!!!

I hope this group is a help to you as your work on your temple maintenance plan! Contact me anytime if you need a little encouragement.

:) dawn

Original Post by sevsmom:

I hope this group is a help to you as your work on your temple maintenance plan! Contact me anytime if you need a little encouragement.

:) dawn

**  hammers pounding  **

**  saws humming  **

**  hanging up sign  **

PLEASE EXCUSE OUR MESS.....  TEMPLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION   

Mine seems to have a permanent need for repairs!!!  :)

Hello,

I am a 31 year old wife to a wonderful man. We have three children 20mos, 3 and 5. I have recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disease that makes my body destroy my thyroid little by little. My endocronoligist says I have had it my whole life and it's too bad no one found it sooner. Oh well God uses all for good! I am hopeful but frustrated if that even makes any sense. My thyroid disease makes me have way too much insulin which stores everything I eat, to have low blood sugar, and causes me to be considered "pre-diabetic".  The last 2 years I have been to psychologists, psychiatrists, a nueropsychologist, and two naturopaths. I am thankful that I kept searching and that God has shown me the truth behind things I've struggled with for 18 years.

I currently weigh 235lbs and am 5'7". My short term goal is 220. My long term goal is 165.  I cannot blame my weight completely on my medical issues but they work against me in a major way. For example; Last Jan. I trained for 16 weeks to run a nine mile race. I lost 2lbs....no joke! Talk about dissapointing. My endocronoligist has told me not to try to loose weight until he has all my hormones balanced out. Which I get and agree it's not worth the frustration and disappointment.

However, with that said, I do want to work on treating by whole self better. Like a daughter of the King should be treated! I am an emotional eater and a PMS eater . My reason for joining this group is not to obsessively count calories (I don't even agree with the word diet). My reason for joining is to find support as I find my way through this journey to better wholeness. The bible commands us to fellowship "that you and I may be encouraged by  each other's faith" (Rom?) I am seeking wholeness in my food choices, spiritual disciplines, exercise choices, my outlook on life, and my relationships. It is also my hope to be an encouragement to others in this group. One last thing, another reason for joining this group is for accountability and to have others call me out on my stuff. So please don't be afraid to confront me about things that don't seem to add up!

Thank you for taking the time to read my long, arduous gut spiller, but trust me there is more where that came from !

My name is Elle (pronounced Ellie). I moved here to Scottsdale, AZ about 2 years ago. I have a boyfriend who is trying his hardest to help me lose the weight I would like to, but he's a very skinny guy, and really has no idea what it's like to be over weight. I really hate dieting, and I really hate exercising. But history of heart attacks and heart disease run in my family. My dad passed away from a heart attack when he was 43, so I am trying my hardest not to follow in the footsteps of the rest of my family. Obesity does run in my family, I've never liked using that as an excuse, b ut right now, it's the best I have. I've done the calorie count thing before, lost weight from it, had one cheat day and that took me down the hill. People always tell me that if I cut out the pop I'll drop weight, that's never worked for me before, so we'll see if it does this time...

1. History with weight loss: I can usually drop the weight, with no problems. It's just keeping to the "diet" I've started that is the problem. I've had a problem with my weight my whole life, but started mostly after the passing of my dad (I was 13 at the time). My mom offered me and my sister both $100 for every 10 pounds that we lost and were able to keep off, but for me, I could never keep it off. I would always go back into eating like I used to and not exercising anymore. The lightest I've been in 6 years has been 160, I would like to say I can get back to that, but with no "physical" support it's harder too.

2. History with Calorie Count: This is my FIRST time actually doing something ONLINE, but I used to keep a journal of my calories consumed in a day and my exercising. I did well with that for about 2 months. In that time I actually did lose close to 20 pounds.

3. Reason for joining this group: I just wanted to give it a try. Others that are struggling JUST LIKE ME. It makes it easier to know that you have a friend to lean on... I'm just really desperate to lose weight right now. I know that I have to get healthy. I like to have support from people other than family.

4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests: There really isn't that much that is interesting about me. I work in an accounting office at a resort in Scottsdale. It's hard work, but it pays off (sometimes :o) ). All my family lives in Michigan where I was born and raised. In the same town as a matter of fact. I never left, until I moved here. I am the first person to leave MI. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, along with that I have 2 awesome sister in laws and a crazy  brother in law. I have 3 nephews and 3 nieces. My little sister is my best friend. My mom got remarried in October of 2001, my dad passed away in 1996, he's with Jesus, and I know he's being taken care of. I have a strong relationship with my family, and I miss them EVERYDAY! I am also a strong christian, my walk with Christ is very important to me. He's the center of my life. My boyfriend Troy and I have been together for about 6 years. He's seen me and my best, and my worse. I really don't have any interests. I usually come home, chat online with family, and check my myspace and facebook info. That's how I keep in touch with everyone back home. If you have any questions, let me know, I open up to people. That's how you make more friends :o)

Thanks for letting me get involved in this, I can't WEIGHT (he he) to get started!!!

A Hearty HELLO to Elle.

I hope that you find this group to be supportive and uplifting.

May you find the Love of Christ and have a Blessed time with us.

Denna

History with weight loss:
I've always been on the heavy side, but really had no idea I had gotten as heavy as I did until i went to the doctor in June.  A couple of times in my past, I've lost a few pounds, but not really understood all that I needed to do to make life changing habits.  I'm the kind of person that needs to understand "why" in order for it to take hold.  I had led a pretty sedintary lifestyle and now thoroughly enjoy going to the gym.

History with Calorie Count / Reason for joining this group:
Just found the site this week and joined after i saw how easy it was to track everything with the site.  The commraderie with others with similar goals was attractive also.  I'm also hoping to share tips with one another. 

Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:
I'm 45 and live in the midwest.  I've been on a "Me Journey" over the past sumer and fall months.  I had a terribly rocky start to my summer which led me to learn to take better care of myself - in all ways.  Things started falling in place for me and now all areas of my life are back on track.  From July-December 6, I lost 74 pounds.  You can read my bio about that.  I took a couple of weeks to ease up a bit and maintained, so now I'm back on track to lose some  more of my weight.

My husband is great and very supportive.  This week he began working out with me at the Y.  That is very helpful.  I have 2 grown children age 19 & 23 and we're expecting our first grandchild in March.

My faith is my rock and what has given me the will to keep going when it seemed impossible to keep on.  I don't give up easily - on people or circumstances.

Welcome, Mamacarp!

This site is very very useful and I find our group very encouraging as well. Lots of people to offer encouragement and biblical perspective, too. Bonus!

Congrats on teh 74 lbs so far. That rocks! I hope we'll get to continue cheering you on. 

Hi,  I'm Lorraine.  I live in Florida, am 46, have 4 children (ages 16-26; only 2 at home now), and have been married for 25 years. 

My goal is to be in better shape at age 50 than at any other time in my adult life. I first started gaining weight the end of high school and then yo-yo'd for years. I lost about 75 lbs once and reached a goal weight of 165 after my 2nd child, then didn't gain weight again until after my 4th child was born.  I wasn't handling motherhood well and gained 100 lbs in 1 year and have added a few lbs. each year since then.  (A few times I've lost 20 or 30 lbs only to gain them back plus some.)  My current weight at this time is an unbelievable 354 (which had topped off at 360 when I first signed up with Calorie Count.)

My mother told me about calorie count when I at her house for Thanksgiving.  The first week I mostly journaled what I was eating on my computer (and not on the website) It still isn't a habit to go into the site daily, but have really enjoyed Norma Jean's others posts. 

I am a born again believer in Christ (since age 16) and the Lord has changed my life so radically from the rebellious teenager I was when he saved me. Over time the Lord has shown me who I was (a sinner in need of a savior) and has removed many things from life that were not pleasing to Him, and I am starting to see that I've held on to this eating thing as a way of not fully trusting Him. When things didn't go my way - I would eat - when I was scared - I would eat - when feeling inadequate in my parenting - I would eat, etc . . . and there you go - and here I am. 

Last summer when witnessing to a young lady about Jesus's love and the forgiveness he so freely gave for our sins, I came to a deeper appreciation and understanding of His love for me - and how patient He has been with me for not letting go of everything and truly trusting Him. Everytime I would I turned to food for comfort and not him, it was clear where I was putting my faith and trust in those moments.  There were times that I did seek the Lord's way and not my own, but when I didn't, the guilt mounded, and bad habits are hard to break. I feel I know the agony the apostle Paul felt when he said the very things he doesn't want to do - he does ...(and visa versa).  I have finally repented and asked the Lord to help me to trust Him more, and to help me to remember.

I have a desk job, where I've been for seven years now and a few weeks ago started using a Gold's Gym Stayball that a student intern had left behind, and have been "bouncing" while doing my work. The first week I noticed that my usual swollen ankles, by the end of the week, were not holding water at all. So then I bought one for home too and have been bouncing every chance I get. I can feel stomach muscles I haven't felt in a long time. (I had hernia surgery Jan 08 and thought I would never regain stomach muscles again)

I was thankful to see this group listing because I do believe "we can do all things through Christ who stengthens us" and am looking forward to getting healthy with all of you!!

Love in Christ - Lorraine 

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa, I'm 31 and I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I've never been extremely overweight but I started to gain weight in my teens. I turned into a couch potato and developed problems with anxiety/depression which led to emotional eating. By the end of university I was maybe 20-30 pounds overweight. I tried to lose it but I really didn't know how to do it. A couple of years ago I decided to try counting calories and joined CC. It worked! I lost those thirty pounds. Unfortunately, I then decided to move cross-country and also considered going back to school so I started in on the emotional/binge eating again and I've gained seven pounds back. So I've joined CC again. I want to lose ten pounds or so in time for my cousin's wedding in July. My reasons for joining this group: a few weeks ago I made the big decision to convert to Christianity (and it feels really good so far!) so I thought it'd be nice to connect with other Christians.

Odds & ends,

Welcome to our group. So, you are a few weeks into your new life with Christ?!?!? AWESOME!!! So many of us here have been Christ followers for a while, and it is always like a breath of fresh air to meet someone new in the faith. I hope you find our group useful for your healthful lifestyle pursuit, but I also hope we can help build up your new faith.

I hope you enjoy Christmas as a brand new believer. What an EXCELLENT way to experience Christmas. Awesome!

dawn ~ sevsmom

Hello to all. My name it Autumn, I am 28 and have been a child of God for 13 years now. I work at a grain mill, I don't really have one area that I work on at work. I guess you could call me a Jack of all trades around here. I worked in the scale house for a 1 1/2 and was moved up to the bosses office and became an assestant, but I still do a little bit of the scale and watch over that, but I also do some of the bosses work and some of the work from the other ladies in our office. I love to learn new trades. I may not master them but I know them:) I have been married for 6 years to a wonderful man and have 3 beautiful children with him. 1 that is in Heaven. I have struggled with my weight for some time now. After my 2 pregancys I just could not get the weight off and have struggled with it for about 7 years now. I am hoping this is the year for me. I had to take about a 5 month break from the web sit and from trying to lose weight 'cause it got between God and I. I became so consumed with losing weight that somewhere in the mix I took God out of the weight lose picture and tried it on my own. I know that was not a good thing to let the devil use this as a tool to try and separate me from my Lord. I am back in it now With God on my side. I know all things are possible with him in my life. I can't wait to get to know ya'll and thank you for letting me in:)

God Bless

Autumn

Hi all, My name is Bethany, I have a wonderful relationship with my saivor but not so much one with my body.  I have tried and tried and tried to lose weight but nothing seems to ever work and it's so hard and so frustrating, as I'm sure I'm not alone in that problem  so I am here to lose weight and have a support system.  I can't wait to look amazing and be able to  fulfill God's purpose for my life in a new fit way, and finally love who I am.

Hi there, my name is Suzi.  I didn't struggle with my weight until after I got married 23+ years ago.  It's been up & down since then, and at age 43 I need to take off the weight and keep it off.  I don't have much to lose, about 15 pounds, but now that I'm "older" it's harder to do.  I've gained 13 pounds since June!

I've been with CC on & off for about 3 years now, and whenever I log my food & activity I'm golden.  But when I get into maintenance mode I'm not consistent at all.  I don't keep myself accountable.

My reason for joining this group is so I can be accountable to fellow Christians who want to remodel their Temple.  This is at least my 2nd remodel!

As for personal info, my hubby is awesome (he's 46, I'm 43), we live in mid-Michigan with our wonderful 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.  I've been a Christian since about 12 years old, though I've only been walking closely with Him for about the last 5 years.  I've been a glutton and haven't been listening to my body or the Holy Spirit for a long time as far as food is concerned.

There's much more to tell but I'll stop for now.  I look forward to hearing from you wonderful Sisters and Brothers!

Hey i'm tricia, i've struggled with weight issues when i was 12/13 because i was scared that i would end up being like one of my sister's who is obese. There is also a lot of diseases in  my family such as, heart diseases, osteoperosis, alcoholism, diabetes, and cancer , i tried to be conscious of this always, but ended up yo yo dieting and also restricting too much in my diet which made me binge very often.

Now i struggle with binging on a day to day basis. i eat pretty healthy, but my portion size is out of control.

i've been with CC for a year now, on and off again, but i try, and i keep coming back because it helps me. My reason for joining this group is because i'm Christian, and i know that i can gain guidance and advice from ppl who know that everything is of God, everything we say and do.

about me, lets see. i'm 17 i live in northern alberta canada, with my parents. i have 5 siblings, and 6 neices&nephews!

Well, today is my first day with cc.  I am 41 years old.  I have tried many diets on & off.  Emotional eating is my downfall and eating for energy.  I am an RN, work midnights, have 2 teenage boys & an enabling disabled husband who tells me, "you deserve it" when the dessert plate comes around.  I have about 50 lbs I need to loose.  It is hard to even type that number!  My member name is based on the Bible verse in I Corinthians 6: 19-20, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body".  I have not done a good job of glorifying God in my physical body.  It is to Him I am going for strength & help in this area.  I have depended on diet plans in the past and I am too weak for that.  I will use a plan but I want to change my focus to my user name:  I am not my own.

Suzi~ I don't know about you, but I find mid-west winters are just BRUTAL for staying active. My treadmill and workout tapes fail to inspire me by about 12/1!! Good luck in attaining the weight that will make you feel comfortable! We're here to encourage.

Trishy~ Well, I hear ya' about the sister thing. My big sis is 11 years older than me and significantly overweight. My dad was obese as were both his parents. I've been terrified of that my whole life. But, now as a parent (my oldest is 10 days older than you) I know that I need to be healthy. The visual impact my body has is much less important than how strong and healthy it is. I'm never gonna be 19 again (Thank you, Jesus!!) so this body ain't gonna look that way again. But, God gave us the responsibility to maintain these bodies for our time here on earth! I hope we can encourage you to take good care of yours.

Notmyown ~ AWESOME screen name. Love it!!! the #50 many seem overwhelming, but just take it a pound at a time. We are all hear to cheer for you on your journey! A pound a week, and by this time next year you'll have kissed those 50 good bye! YEAH!!! :)

Welcome to the group!!!

dawn

In my early 20s I had a healthy weight most of the time.  However, I had horrible eating habits.  I would put on a few extra pounds and I would eat just popcorn and exercise to take them off.  That changed at 25 my metabolism started to slow down (I found out later that I had a hypothyroid.  That was later jump started by medication).  I began to gain an average of 5 lbs a year.  I was pretty complacent about them.  Its just five pounds.  They added up to 209 lbs.

My weight loss began with helping my husband prepared for his gastric bypass.  I walked with him everyday and prepared healthier recipes as he had to loose some weight on his own before his surgery.  It makes the liver smaller and affords better access to the stomach during surgery.  I was making the changes to support him.  When I found some success I added other things, limiting deserts and measuring servings.  I researched online and found out that reducing your calories by 500 a day equalled a 1 lb per week loss.  I coupled that with exercise and lost between 1 1/2 to 2 lbs per week.  I never really gave up any foods or eating out.  I just got a lot smarter about it.  I found this sight during the course of doing research online.  I was trying to find the calories for something that I had eaten out and calorie-count.com came up on the search list.  I used it to determine a healthy goal, 148 puts me at a healthy BMI.  I got half way to my goal and my efforts stalled.  Half way there felt good and I was no longer obese.  So I began to eat normally and kept the weight off for a year. 

My grandkids came to live with us in August 2007.  That is when I started to gain again, not quite a 1 lb a month.  Ten pounds equals a pant size.  I have gained 12.  Rather than buy new pants again.  I am determined to recommit my efforts. 

In the past, it was by my effort and determination.  I have never successfully turned this area of my life over to God.  Which explains why I didn't reach my goal and am backsliding.  I am trying to change my mindset, in the past I have seen a struggle with my weight as a self control issue and not a faith issue.  I have made so many changes as a result of my faith in God.  I understand that God has allowed my to go through so many things so that the work he has done in my life could be a great testimony to Him.  I am often asked to share my testimony with others and I love to tell of the work that he has done.  I am hoping that this group can help me to lay my struggles in this area at the feet of Jesus to.

I am the mother of 7 children at 39.  I have my son, Bronson, two bonus kids, Melissa and Rick, and we are raising Rick's kids, Alyssa, Logan Rayna and Emily.  We will be adopting them this year.  The bonus kids comment will confuse some of you.  I refer to them as bonus rather than step children.  I choose to have them when I choose to marry their dad.  So they are my kids that I picked.  We had 3 cats and 1 dog.  I no longer work as four kids ages 3-7 require me to stay home.  My husband spent 7 out of the past 12 months laid off from his job.  He just started a position as a corrections officer.  PRAISE GOD.  There is a lot of stress associated with having four kids dropped on your doorstep all at once.  They have all suffered from abuse and neglect so their needs are many.  But once again I have found that, God is good, all the time.  He has given us enough.  Not abundance by enough since the changes have begun.  I finally know what Fully Relying On God means.  The scope of my interests has narrowed dramatically.  My husband I used to go the movies every week, we love garage sales and bike riding for fun.