Cyndi - I'm in! I'm trying to continue my slow and steady progress. Lost a little last week, but this week has not been good. And the next four weeks will be tough with the fair going on - extra hours of work - surrounded by all that yummy fair food ... I need all the support I can get! I've committed to keep up with exercise and try and make decent food choices.

Hope the first day of the new diet went well. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started.

Take care,
Dena

Dena, you are so right about getting started being so hard. Today was a good day. One day at a time. I need to plan another cruise with bathing suit weather (I wish) for the added motivation :D Since that isn't going to happen for awhile, I'll have to just do it for my health. Always a good reason!

Good luck to you for the next four weeks. All that tempting food and added stress will put you to the test. I'll do what I can to help you thru it with lots of support here.

Hi Girls -

Yes, I need to jump back in too. Cyndi, don't feel bad. You had company. I've got to get going again too.

The rehearsal schedule is not a good thing for a diet. I'm back in too. It's half portions that worked for me. I have to get myself exercising too.

Kathy - We did it before and we'll do it again!! Whenever my schedule gets so disrupted like yours has with the OZ rehearsals and all, I have the hardest time sticking to a diet. Hang in there and do the best you can. Then, when it's over you can really get back into full diet mode.

I'm also working my way back into full diet mode. I finally had the gumption to weigh myself, and I'm 4 pounds up from my lowest weight in the spring. So, that's not too bad. I just got off the elliptical, and yesterday I did my Tai Chi.

Now, if I can just cut back on my portions a little... BTW, discovered that Breyers has a new fudgicle bar which is low fat, and with no added sugar (sweetened with splenda) called Smart Scoop. At 70 calories per, not a bad indulgence!

Wendy - Only 4 lbs up!!! That is fantastic!! Especially after 2 full weeks on the PG. Way to go!!! And you are exercising too. You are really inspiring me. I'll look for the Smart Scoop fudgicle bars. Hope they have them down here. Sounds really good!

I like the Skinny Cow (also called Silouette) Ice cream sandwiches (Gelson's and Bristol Farm has them) and Healthy Choice Fudge Bars (Costo Has them). But it's also summer fruit season - nothing like a really good fresh ripe peach.

It's horrible having to watch our weight all the time. I finally got on the scale last week and was shocked to discover that I'm only three pounds over what I consider to be my "normal" weight!

Trish

Trish - what a great surprise!!! You have been so good!! Congratulations. :app: :app:

And today's mantra - please let me be motiviated!

Kathy - Ditto!!!!

Do I have to book the PG every few months just to stay motivated (wearing a bathing suit, you know)? Now there's an idea for a fantastic diet plan. I just have to find someway to pay for it :D :D

Yes Kathy and Cyndi, booking another trip is definitely a motivator. I don't need a bathing-suit trip to do so. Dressing up on a cruise of any kind helps alot.

I was just reading yesterday that the hardest part for dieters is keeping the weight off, because psychologically, there is no ongoing reward, as there is when you are losing.

But then again, if you are always trying to lose another 10 pounds or so, then maybe you could keep the motivation up.

I think maybe we should all just concentrate of eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and feeling good about ourselves.

Wendy - I'm with you 100% about "concentrating on eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and feeling good about ourselves". You said that beautifully.

My latest weight loss/regain (before & after PIP) has made me more determined than ever to ban the word "diet" and find an eating plan that fits into my life on a daily basis. It has to include the food I love but in moderation. Otherwise I will always reach a breaking point in any "diet" and go after all those favorite foods in big quantities and just regain any weight I've lost.

I've decided that even if it takes two years to lose the weight I want at a SLOW, RELAXED pace, I have a much better chance of changing my outlook about eating and finally get down and keep it off.

Wendy, I think your strategy gives that boost to the weight loss and the maintaining. Eat mostly healthy and keep moving.

Trish

You all are making so much good sense! And the support is invaluable. I've been battling this & finally enacted the "slow go" method. I totally agree that the "slow, relaxed pace" is best! I just could not give up everything. So, 4 months ago, I concentrated on healthier food choices, cut way back on wine, fit exercise into my daily routine (and with one that I really do enjoy), and cut down the portion sizes (I believe portions is Kathy's strategy-It really helps me!). I also made a point of eating more protein (i.e., oatbran or egg & toast in the morning with fresh fruit-this keeps me from getting too hungry before lunch & helps crank up the metabolism early in the day). I usually get the exercise done early. But, if not, then just do it later when I can. No stressing over it. And, if I mess up, I get back on track. I now notice how much it affects my health when I get sidetracked.

The results have been significant to me. I lost 16 pounds, lowered my blood pressure by approx. 30 points (doctor is very pleased), & noticed a big improvement in strength & breath when exercising. This is the only way I get any results AND not gain it back AND not get down on myself! I've a long way to go so I'm making it a 2 year goal. So, keep positive. I'm in the battle with you. - Michele :)

Michele, 16 lbs and lower blood pressure is wonderful!!! Congratulations. It will be so good to have you around here to help keep us on the right track. We'll work on our 2 year goal of slow & relaxed pace together!!!

OK, I'm back!!! I've been lurking the past week. Cyndi, thanks for bringing this back up. We all need the motivation.

Michele, congratulations!!! :woh: That is great news. Keep it up and thanks for joining us!

I stepped back on the scale this morning (yuck!) but am ready to take off again. My clothes started fitting tight again, but the real motivator for me is that my knees have been killing me. I just have to get back to losing the weight and get back on the bike, that is all there is to it. So I am along for the ride, so to speak!

Don - Welcome Back!!!! We need your constant enthusiasm to inspire us and your great sense of humor to keep it all in perspective!!

I know your clothes will be fitting better again in no time!! And knees feeling better too!!

Appreciate the kind words, Cyndi & Don.
If only I had logged on before I had breakfast this morning, I would have gotten strength from reading your posts and not have blown it - I had a doughnut! UGH! So, I'm off to the hills to "huff puff" in order to get rid of the it. Good grief!!

I have a bad knee also and am trying to avoid having it cleaned up. The best thing we can do is to get the weight off. I've strengthened it a lot by swimming & using a weight that works the quad. I've also noticed a difference in my waist - maybe the swimming is moving the weight around to the rear! Whatever, it feels slimmer so I'll take it!.....but, of course, not with a doughnut for breakfast!! .......huff puff huff puff!! - Michele

I know the feeling all too well - bad knee here too. And my friend steered me yesterday over to a Mexican Healthy place when I was going in for a slice of Costco Pizza. Jeesh - I'm lucky to have a good friend like that. Support is important. I'm on the fnece again as to what rreal plan of action to take. When the Oz thing is over, I will have to commit to doing something real - like a gym or a Jenny Craig - OR BOTH!

That's a great friend, Kathy! If it had been me, I would have raced you to the Costco Pizza! Whew! I guess this is my "bad" day. the gym is good if I had someone to join me, otherwise I have to just be able to walk outside and go for it or it won't happen. At least the squirrels, coyotes, rabbits, etc. don't laugh when they see me "waddling" through the hills!

Hi everyone, hope all is going well. It has taken me a long time but I've also figured out that the best way to succeed in this battle is just what Wendy and others have said. Eat healthy, exercise, and focus on health rather than the scale. I lost 50 pounds about 12 years ago and put it all back on plus more. I used a commercial program (NutriSystem) and lost the weight quickly, in just under six months but didn't have a clue how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I just slipped back into my old habits. This time I'm determined not to let that happen again! I've been having positive (though slow) results by eating healthy most of the time and allowing the occasional indulgence. So I'm hoping that this is a lifestyle I can maintain forever.

I heard this once which helps keep me motivated with the slow & steady approach - visualize each 1/4 pound lost as a stick of butter melting away. So even if the scale shows only 1/4 pound lost after a diligent week of healthy eating, I feel good about losing that stick of butter off my body. :)

However, all this talk of Costco pizza is making me hungry...yum! At least I have some nice lean beef marinated and ready to grill tonight, or I might be in the car driving to Costco right now...

Take care,
Dena

Dena,

I too did the 50 lbs loss and gained it and then some (actually ALL of it plus some) back. I like the butter thought. That is motivating when you think that's all you've done.

I have just returned from seeing my doctor in another state that did major major surgery on me over 20 years ago. I still go back to see him every 2 years. I asked him about my giant weight gain - since I have been doing all the right diet & exercise things needed to lose. What a shock. He immediately asked if I was taking a particular drug - and specifically named it. When I said yes, why? He answered it is a weight magnet. Told me how to ween myself off over the next 2 weeks. I would have never imagined this to be the cause.
Did a major internet search this morning. The drug company doesn't list weight gain as a side effect - actually says an effect might be weight loss. Then I began reading some chat boards. Well of course the doctor was right. People all over having the same side effect. So if I seem edgy over the next few weeks, it will be because I will be in withdrawal. Maybe, I shouldn't post at all. Anyway, big lesson learned - never really know what drugs can do to a body.

Betty - I hope you will get through any edginess and feel better soon, although maybe you should tell us what the drug is in case someone else would benefit from it. Don't stop posting.

:hug:

Trish

Trish
I will send you a private email with the name of the drug. And also to anyone else that wants to know. Just don't want to post it.

Betty - I'm curious too. :)

Masaki

Betty, me too, please. There's one that I am taking that I wonder about.

Me, too, Betty.

Me, three, Betty.! - Michele

Betty -

I got your message. I e-mailed you back.

Trish

Well, I just completed my first week back on program and am doing good. I have to get back to a better exercise routine though, but taking on step at a time. I only got to the gym once last week, but heading there right after this post. I did lose 6 lbs though, so the dieting part is going good.

I am feeling much better and the clothes are starting to loosen up again. Trying to lose another 3 this week. That's my goal anyways.

How is everybody else doing???

Well done, Don! 6 lbs is fantastic! That's so good that you are back on track and are starting to exercise too. Keep positive! You've done so well and the clothes certainly do tell us the tale!

It's taken me more than a week to lose 2 lbs. But that's very normal for me. It takes a huge amount of effort. I have to be extremely careful with what I eat AND have to exercise at least 5 days a week. I fall off so easily when I get stressed. For example, a woman crashed into my car Sat. (she was backing up and didn't see me and kept crunching into me! She didn't even know that she hit my car and then drove off!! My friend, who was in my car, got out and ran after her. Finally she stopped..mercy!) I held it together (my eating & exercise) but it was so hard. I wanted a bottle of wine and a package of potato chips immediately. Whew! - Michele

Michele, good job though losing those 2 lbs. I know it is tough and I know what you mean about stress. It really does have an effect. We definately had our share and all at once, but I am back and ready to go. I still like my wine, but even on my diet, I can have it occasionally (red only), but in real moderation.

Those 6 lbs were the first week back, I figure that even with working out the next weeks will be about 3 lbs. I know its not fair that men lose weight easier than women. Also the diets vary so much for different people. I am doing low carb, and it seems to work for me. My daughter and wife however do much better while on Weight Watchers.

Weight Watchers gave me a good start too. I worked its plan within my lifestyle and it really does work for me. Now I'm on my own with it. (Would like to get a nutritionist to augment my plan.)

My husband had a heart condition that prompted a procedure - nothing like getting eyeball to eyeball with a cardiologist about being on track with a healthy lifestyle. No nonsense now for him & it's working for me too.... - Michele

Well my orthopedic surgeon did give me a choice. He said you etiher lose weight and get on an exercise bike or NOT BE ABLE TO WALK!!!

Wasn't too tough of a decision. Of course I am sure that your Don's doctor. had a much STIFFER penalty!!!

Well, how did everybody do this week?

Weigh in today showed me down another 3 lbs. This week is going to be tough though. We leave in the morning for Las Vegas for 3 days with a group from our company. I am sure that the only thing lighter for us this next week is going to be our wallets! LOL

Hi Don - great job on those 3 pounds! Good luck in Vegas, hopefully you'll return home with your wallet mostly intact :) Vegas is a tough place to stick with eating healthy - watch out for the buffets!

I've been +/- a pound the past few weeks, which is OK - my goal is to maintain during July because I'm working an odd schedule (and have lots of food around at work)! Hope to get back on track in August when my work routine gets back to normal.

Dena

Hi all!

I've been too depressed to post here since I have not made any progress losing the weight I put back on after PIP. Keep losing the same 2 lbs over & over. It is so much more motivating when you have a strict deadline (like a vacation!) to stay focused every single day since you have no time to waste. Now that I don't have that deadline it is so easy to say - I'll start again tomorrow. Plus, I'm trying to find a way to eat for life that allows me to lose weight slowly so I'll keep it off.

BUT, I'm NOT giving up!!! I will do it.

Don - I'm very proud of you!!! You've been able to get refocused and back on track. Good for you!!!!!!

DenaH - Just maintaining is an excellent plan for you for July since you are sooooooo busy with the fair and all. Very wise of you.

Michele - You are doing GREAT!!! Weight Watchers is supposed to be one of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off. About your stress eating? I had to laugh because I went through just about the same situation. Right after PIP while waiting at a left turn arrow, the guy in a truck in front of me backed up and hit my front bumper. Then he started to take off!!! I laid on my horn and he pulled over. It was a company truck and his employer took care of all the damages (luckily not too bad). But the worst part of all was that I had just gotten my car back from the shop right before we left for PIP because some woman backed up into my bumper - same front bumper!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it when this guy did the same thing. Luckily her insurance took care of everything on that one. But the hassle in both cases was something I didn't need or want. Anyway. . .that's my story :D

Cyndi,

Sometimes we have to give ourselves an A just for effort because it's the best we can do. Are you still doing Denise Austin workouts? And the car thing would be very frustrating.

This Oz thing has taken so much time and the schedule is so erratic that any eating plan would be hard to follow - even a healthy one. Yesterday I ate lunch at 2 and then had rehearsal at 6 with Daisy. I brought a peach but no healthy way to eat Dinner. Some nights Frank has brought me a salad or worse I've had only time to drive through somewhere, avoiding the really bad hamburger and fries thing. This week rehearsal is from 5 to midnight.

I have a daily buddy (he's a client)I talk to about his finances and we moan about our lack of exercise and good food plans when we've completed our business stuff. We made a pact to talk everyday at 7:20 as we leave for the gym starting the day after Oz ends. Only two more weeks.