Weight Loss

I have looked for twins and poked around other groups without finding a real support group.

I am 48, 5'5", SW 151, CW 134, GW 128

I am the school teaching mother of three in their upper teens, wife of my 3 lbs from goal hubby.

SO...

Anyone interested?

Hi you guys (Philly, not the south or NE!).  Just checking in before the busy weekend starts.  I like being busy, too.  Otherwise I wouldn't know what to do with myself and would probably get into lots of trouble!

Jenny-good luck today with everything!  All your hard work will pay off so enjoy the day!

skn-praying for the foal to do better and for you to be able to catch him!  Maybe you can count it as exercise for the day?

My son is definitely a musician.  His main instrument is trumpet but he also plays piano, organ, guitar and handbells.  The Kimmel Center is the main concert hall in Philly and he has one concert there each year with his orchestra.  It's usually fun but this year he says the violins are really terrible!  He hopes to study music in college after he graduates next year.  Yes, we have a pool.  The people who lived here before us put it in.  Apparently we enjoy it much more than they did!

Connie-have fun tonight!!!

Getting together sounds like a lot of fun!!!!  Something to look forward to and keep us all working hard at this. 

Hi to everyone else, hope you're doing well.  Have a great weekend everyone. 

Hey everyone,

Sorry you havean'y heard from me. Wallet is still missing!!!!! Monday my computer crashed and I am using my husband's laptop (that is why I haven't been chatting lately,I dspise a laptop). Guess something is better than nothing.

Welcome back, CHO. I echo your feelings about laptops, so much harder to type on, I think. But, we're glad you are back.

Now - we need to put a missing person's report on Alylou. Where is our founder?

I did my (4.25 mile) walk this AM and have to confess I spent much of it spinning a little fantasy (noooo, not THAT kind) in my mind. I usually sort of let my imagine take me where it will on my walks, it gets my mind of the step-by-step drudgery. Anyway, here's the idea: we make plans to meet somewhere in about 1 year (I think most of us should be at goal or close to it by then. And lots of you will be at maintenance for a year by then, you lucky losers), and in the meantime, we let some news outlets (Oprah, the today show, etc?) know about this great group of friends who has never met, but has cumulatively lost XX number of pounds and inches. Doesn't that seem like something you'd see on TV? And then, we get our meet-each-other trip courtesy of the news organization that wants to do a diet-related story on us. Hmmm - is that a good idea, or not? If you think "not" - it's okay by me. Like I said, it was today's little walking fairy tale.  Comments?

Connie - can't wait to hear about the date. I'll bet you look GORGEOUS!

Hi to all - welcome to all - missing those who we haven't heard from.  Sue

*nose rises briefly above water*

Hi all, I am swamped figuratively and literally, the camping trip will be a "good stories" trip as the kids all compete for the -who was wettest- prize. Sigh.

Camping field trip, daughter's HS graduation, last day of school, now graduation for my 8th graders. all in 5 days. AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGG!

OK: I have a cabin you are all invited to when you all hit goal! (it is "central" if you just don't look at that north/south part!) I posted a photo in my gallery...now it is up to the rest of you to work out how to get Oprah to pay for it!!!

I will be reading up on all our newbies and catch up on the regulars tomorrow!

Edit: could only find winter picture of back half of cabin (it is 3 bedroom/6 beds). will post better on later when I am on my laptop.

G'nite

Sue/mom-I like that meeting idea! And Alylou - how nice to extend the invite! A whole year seems so far away but then that's the time for my goal weight so it makes perfect sense! So Sue, since you've suggested it, are you planning to get in touch with "O" and making the arrangements?? I've found that making good suggestions is generally the same as volunteering... which brings me to...

North Yarmouth Trails Day! Which was fine but not as many people showed up as we had hoped for. A few more than last year. Mostly families with little kids. In Portland (ME- the FIRST Portland) which is 15 miles away, they had another Trails Day and SCADS of people showed up and they were mostly there to WORK! I've decided that city folk cherish access to the outdoors more than country folk... which makes sense - you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone... they paved paradise and put up a parking lot... shooooo bop bop bop bop.

Unfortunately I did come home with a terrible case of depression which I think is a combination of anxiety-let-down, not taking my depression supplement that morning, and being overwhelmed with life's chores - nothing new really. Since I was in my teens I've battled mild-moderate depression with all the usual weapons - therapy, meds, exercise (yuck), light, supplements, etc, etc. I joke a lot - that's my survival mechanism. I'm still struggling today but I got out of bed and made my kids do some chores so now I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed. Reading and writing here is helping too. It's like being on a roller coaster without the huge "ups". If I wait a while and do my self-caring stuff, I will feel better.

Animal update - One of my horses, Rusty the Curious, got a snootful of porcupine quills late Friday night and I'm waiting for Monday to get the vet here (can't afford a $300 emergency call surcharge.) I've had dogs get quilled but never a horse and there's NOTHING on the web about it. Sue/skn - any experience with this? I did read that a mixture of baking soda and vinegar applied to the quills will shrink them but he won't let me near his poor nose with a weird smelling sponge and a spray bottle would send him away for good. If he were one of my dogs I could just sit on him but that won't work on a 1200 lb horse. So hopefully the Vet can come tomorrow and knock him out. He's eating ok but today is HOT and BUGGY so he's definitely uncomfortable. Sue/Skn - I don't know how you manage with a whole barnful and babies every spring to boot.

Aly - I went to your gallery to check out the cabin and I found that you had posted some photos of yourself. You look GREAT! You are now officially one of my role models. The cabin looks really nice too... especially when I'm looking at it on an 87 degree humid day in Maine! And Sue/mom - I know AZ is hot but you know... it's a DRY heat.

Sorry no personal notes today... just don't got it in me. And I'm supposed to be catching up on work. Bye bye all you lovely losers!

Ok Hi girls heres the update!!!!! I ended up TURNING DOWN Jeff the ex and went with a group of friends to a club (my best friend sings and plays keyboard in the band at this place) I haven't been out out in a long time. Well I got all dolled up even with my 2 new zits and guess what????That "puberty" zit look apparrently had some effect...I was asked to dance by 4 or 5 younger guys but the biggest deal was one of the friends that went (I had never met) HIT on me asking me out etc and he was 26! I could be his MOTHER I of course declined but was very flattered. I did drink AGAIN a little too much...gosh I am sounding like I need to go to an AA forum these days.BUT the BEST  news is I weighed this a.m. and drum roll please 133!!!!!!!! YIPEE (probably from drinking and peeing myself to death but I'll take it today ANYWAY!!!!!!! Girls I hope that the horses both get well bless they're hearts (and yours) cause I know you are both worried about them. My 2 kittens who I swore I was NOT going to get attached to or name are doing well but are still pretty wild ummmm I have been calling them jazzmen and jaspurr they are twins and so beautiful....GOT to find good homes but with my arm troubles have not had time to tame them so.....Jen I understand about the depression but you are such a fun person and keep everyones spirits up here so remember always we are here for you anytime good or bad days!! The oprah idea sounds fun too but like I think Jen said the one with the idea gets to do the research!! Now I mst go check out the cabin pictures and rest awhile. Last night wore me out!!!!!!!  Connie

Hi everyone, just taking a break from the craziness of the weekend to say hi!  My daughter came in 2nd in her competition yesterday so that was a good day for her.  My oldest son's concert wasn't as bad as he said it would be so that was a great thing.  And my husband and I got to go out to eat in between the two things so that was the best thing!  Today my son had an audition and thinks he did well, one more tomorrow and then I hope everything will calm down for a few days!

I've been sticking to doing the food logs and activity logs (well, when I have an activity to log!) and I think it's really helping me focus.  I've lost a little, too, so that helps me stay on track.  Thanks everyone for being here to chat with!

The weekend together sounds great!  The cabin, too!  I agree that if you suggest something like O then you must be in charge!     

Hope the horse is doing better and the vet can get there.  It must be hard to see him in pain and not be able to help.

Connie-great story!!!!!  You must look terrific! 

Gotta go, kids are calling.  Talk to everyone soon.  Betsy

Hey now - it's Monday (7:30 am local time) and I'm the first one writing today? Hmm, I'm supposed to wake up and see all the morning messages from all of you out east of me.

Connie - sounds like you had a great night out - better w/o the ex, than with him, huh? Also, congrats on your weight loss. Still going strong, our Connie. But, where oh where are your skinny pictures, Connie? Still holding out on us, huh? Come 'on, take one of you AND the cat-kids.

Bets- sounds like you had a busy and fun weekend. Great job to your daughter and son and best wishes on your son's auditions. As a mom of a fellow-musician, I know how stressful those days can be (both on us and the kids, as we wait in the hall and listen at the door. At least, that's what I do)

Aly - we're all looking forward to your camping stories, when you get time. Did school end for you last week? Congratulations to your daughter on her graduation. Is she your oldest? How did that feel, mom?

Cho - hope you're still ok. Looking forward to more from you, when you can.

Jen-I'm feeling blue for you. You gotta' get that chin up, dear friend. You are doing a great job - getting stronger, getting healthier, being a role model for your children. I went through some pretty dark days about 5 years ago - and I know the blah feeling you described. So, do one nice thing for yourself today. You deserve it. I used to sometimes live by this: FITYMI (Fake it till you make it). You are in my thoughts and prayers today. Jump up and push that cloud back - you are stronger than anything that gets in your way.

Since you all, so far, have seconded my idea about "O" - I'm gonna' be working on that when the time is right. I don't mind doing it - I just wanted to be sure you all agreed. Can you imagine how fun that would be? Weight loss is always a big topic on those shows, and ours has an interesting twist; some producer just might be interested.

(Anyone who hasn't responded to that idea yet, check post #343)

bye all - happy Monday, Sue

Sorry... just didn't find the time or energy to catch up over the weekend (my bad!!!).

Jenny - my note is obviously too late, but I have only had one experience with a horse and quills. How is Rusty now???  My stallion did the same thing and got a nose full of quills.  He of course had NOTHING to do with letting you touch them (poor noses are just sooo sensitive).  Luckily I had some tranquelizer around (do NOT use ACE for boys -- you sometimes can get permanent penile retraction issues) but even that was an ordeal after starting to pull a few.  You should snip the ends off the quills before starting to pull as that helps a tiny bit.    I waited until this morning to have the vet out too for my three legged baby.  We *talked* Friday night and from my description had mutually decided we could sneak thru til Monday so no emergency call.  My colt is starting to put a little weight on his leg so we will go toward the end of the week before deciding if the vet has to come back and flush the joint.    And I do hope that the mild depression you are experiencing is lifting now that forgotten dose day is behind you?

Aly/Sue - Love the idea of a "gang-get-together".  A year seems like a loooong ways away.  I am hoping to hit my goal and HOPEFULLY not letting myself ride the weight rollercoaster back up by the time a year rolls by!!! 

Aly - you must share some of your camping stories too.

Connie - Your *night-out* sounds like it was terrific and the ex is probably still miffed to have been turned down.  :-) 

Betsy - Congrats to your daughter for coming in 2nd - she must be thrilled.  I am glad that your son's concert did not live up to his fears and that the audition did indeed go well!!

I am in a conference call... so must go as they will be calling me soon.

cheers, skn

I spent most of the weekend walking and working on my final paper for my bachelors. I hate this paper. Only have until June 30th to finish.

Icy Hot seems to help with legs cramps. When my muscles are knotted, I rub some on. I walked twice Saturday, but ate too many calories Saturday, so it kinda evened out. I don't like diets or exact anything, but my way seems to be working for me. Although only 4 lbs in 6 weeks. I only walk about 1 to 2 miles, and sometimes 3 times a week and sometimes everyday. Slow is better anyway.

I start a second job on Father's day as a bartenderof well crink at at AAA baseball park nights and weekends.

OK... so I took a quick peek *out there*.   I found The Joy Fit Club link and browsed thru some of the stories.  Many very similar to ours -- and also sorta encouraging to see others that struggled and hear their stories. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21627769/?pg=95#T DY_Joy_Fit_Club_MAIN_Apr08

Sharlie - good luck on your final paper.  At least you are not procrastinating right up to the eleventh hour!!   We are here cheering for you too!!!

skn

Thanks regarding the paper.

I had a feeling we were similar to others. Is anyone else getting hips pains? Both my hips have been hurting me. I thought that it was the roll above them, but now I'm wondering if it something else. I had my bone density checked already, and I know that I have bersitus in my left hip. Although it hurts more, my right one has been hurting too.

I only walk about 2.5 mph.

Hi! Late today because it was busy here.  Another audition for my son, last one until next spring!  He thinks this one went well, too.  I also have a Chinese class today.  But the best news is that we got travel approval from China to go and get our daughter!  We should be leaving about June 27 or 28!!!!  Too many things now to get ready and plan, an already full schedule is now even more full but in a good way.  We should have definite travel dates by Thursday.

Sue-we're never allowed to listen at the door!  Someone comes and takes them away!!!  Very stressful, maybe more on me than him sometimes.

Hope both horses are doing better!

Sharlie-good luck with your paper, June 30th will be here before you know it and you'll be done!  4 lbs in 6 weeks isn't too bad, much better than gaining.   Not sure about the hip pain, though.  I usually get pain in my feet or knees if I'm going to get pains.  Sometimes it's ok to walk through but other times it means I need to slow down or rest.

Have a good night everyone!

Hi All,

Vet comes tomorrow. He demanded to know why I didn't call him Friday night and I told him I couldn't afford the emergency call. He said "Well I still have to charge you if I come today" and I said "what about tomorrow?" Then he proceeded to tell me that quills ALWAYS abscess. I am dreading him coming and if he's a pain I'm going to find someone else. He has an associate who's really great but she can't come I guess. Rusty's fine really, even let me touch his nose tonight but not the quills of course. He's eating and doesn't seem too bothered oddly enough.

Depression is still with me. Called the doctor today but he wasn't in. I'm just trying to stay busy. Mornings are the worst. At least I'm not tempted to overeat (she says ruefully )

Betsy - that's great news about your daughter. Congratulations! I met a woman last weekend who has two 3 year olds from Guatemala. She told me that it took so long to adopt the first that they started the second adoption right away figuring it would take as long. It happened in a month! So now she's got two kids 3 months apart and is in 7th heaven!

Sharlie - a paper due... oh the memories. I can't imagine trying to learn new stuff now! My brain feels too full (old?). And yes, I get pain in my hips, especially when I sit on the floor. We recently bought a memory foam mattress for my husband who has a bad back. He loves it but I think it's not so good for me... hips definitely hurt on some mornings. My sister swears by these weird and VERY expensive shoes she got with curved bottoms. She had suffered for months with hip pain and she says the shoes cured her.

This is why I love this thread. Those 20-30 somethings would NEVER understand.

Sue/skn - thanks for the tip about snipping the quills. I had heard that from another person and now with your experience i can be forceful with my vet if he doesn't think it makes a difference. I hope your baby is doing better. And what are you doing snooping around on other sites?? You are needed HERE.

Sue/mom - thanks for the pep talk. I'm absolutely doing the FITYMI thing. Life is just pretty overwhelming right now.

Connie - You go girl! What a hoot! That's certainly a very nice way to get some positive feedback on your looks. And I don't think anyone would've believed that you would be able to resist little kitties! Come ON!

Aly - have you recovered from your busy-ness?

Cho? Axe? Who did I miss?

Time for bed...

Original Post by betsybell:

 the best news is that we got travel approval from China to go and get our daughter!

HI to ALL - but especially this morning, my heart is soaring for Betsy! From one adoptive mom to another -- I'm so happy for you.

I'll write more later - it's a busy day.   Sue

Morning all-
Sharlie - Hip pain; yup, definitely with you on that one.  Can't walk even a flat 1/4 mile hike without it flaring up big time.  It is definitely bursistis for me.  I was scheduled to get cortisone injections about a year ago, but my dad got ill; so here I am a year later thinking of walking all over Gettysburg with the kids on vacation next month and I realized I had better get moving.  The orthopedic guy I was going to go to last year retired over the winter, so I was referred to another of his colleagues in the practice.  This gal wants to go the Physical Therapy route first to try and get to the root cause.  I am game to try but it will be 3yrs in August since this started, so I am a little dubious and am wondering if it is just one medical practice lining the pockets of another.  But what the heck -- nothing to lose but money.  Bug me in a couple of weeks and ask if I forget to update you on the PT front.

Betsy - well you must be just SOOO excited with a go-date to meet your new daughter.  How about a nice family photo to share with us when you return?

Jenny - your vet does sound a bit persnickity.  It doesn't hurt to shop around and talk to other vets in your area, even if you decide not to switch.  I get a little irritated with some of the emergency vets that show up (our vet practice shares emergency hours with another practice - so every other weekend it is the regular practice) as some will treat you like you are a blithering idiot before they even say hello.  Actually a partner that joined my regular vet practice was a bit of a ego-maniac too.  He tried to stuff some high-cost approach for treatment down my throught on a regular visit.  When I suggested a lower cost alternative that would yield the same results, he started berating me about having horses and not being willing to spend money on them.   It was barely under control rage... but I did manage to tell him to pack up his truck and get off my property and that he was not welcome back in a neutral tone.   I guess he tried to spin the "she's a b*tch" line with the senior partner who had known and worked with me for years and that didn't fly with him. I had kept abreast of current repro procedures and so I could often suggest using or looking into them before my vet had even gained the knowledge.  He was actually very appreciative of the sharing of info (the vet practice is large animal so to be an expert across the board would take superman, so it doesn't help to have willing clients do some of the research for you).  At any rate the new partner didn't last too much longer with the practice so I suspect he was a PITA with everyone, not just me. 

gotta run... more later,

skn

Hi All,

The vet came today and WHAT A FREAK SHOW!! My younger of two horses, Rusty, is very rude and smart and not very well trained due to problems with our finances when he was young. And did I mention that he's BIG... like 1200 pounds half draft horse big. So what ever I said about the vet being cranky yesterday... I forgive him after what he went through today.

Due to the quills sticking out of Rusty's nose, which have been there since Friday night and are probably somewhat sore (although they haven't affected his appetite of course), I didn't have his halter on when the vet came. Rusty's good about coming along with a lead rope around his neck and he was this afternoon, until the vet tried to give him the tranquilizer. OMG. First touch of the needle and Rusty was up and all around trying to get out and away any way he could. It was UGLY.

After three or four (lost count) more attempts, Dr J gave up the needle idea, got Rusty haltered and standing still and hobbled up one leg. Ugly became nightmarish. Picture a big black horse with spines sticking out of his nose, rearing and jumping around on three legs trying to get his hobbled leg free and escape. Dr J held onto the end of the lead rope and just let Rusty fight with the hobble (while jumping out of the way when necessary). I was humbled and felt REALLY BAD about not having a better trained horse. Finally Rusty got tired and lay down on his side, which was what Dr J was waiting for, and once the tranquilizer was in it all went very smoothly. Maybe a couple dozen quills and one little abscess and two vaccinations while Rusty was "compliant." After it was all over, Dr J said, "Oh he'll be down for another hour or so" and we went to give my other guy, Boomer, his vaccinations. He was a perfect gentleman... hard to believe these guys are half brothers. As Dr J is giving the shots, I look up, and there's Rusty, bloody nose and all, standing up looking like an Irishman after a drunken brawl (I can say that... I'm Irish). The vet was impressed.

Now before anyone worries that this was cruel treatment... have you heard of the people who "whisper" to horses, the natural horsemanship way of training? This is what they do... the hobbling thing. I've seen it before and it's very effective. And this vet did a great job (he's done Natural Horsemanship training clinics with several horse "whisperers"). So really whatever I said yesterday - I eat my words. Of course, Dr J was still cranky to me yesterday but like I said, I forgive him if he forgives me for having such a BRATTY horse. I'm putting my name on a trainer's waiting list tonight! Thats' what my big tax rebate will be buying! When's that coming anyway?

Moral: Train 'em when they're young and relatively little... that goes for kids too.

I am feeling better. I've been taking my supplement for three days straight and I think the anticipation of the vet coming was really wearing on me too. Also talked to my Dr today and he's prescribing a new antidepressant which my sister takes with tremendous results. So I am more hopeful too. The food's been easy since I've been uninterested for much of yesterday and today.

Well, as usual I've written too much and won't take up more space. Suffice it to say that I am wishing you all (and myself) a very peaceful contented evening and I look forward to reading more about what's going on for you all.

Jenny

PS: I think I must have done some calorie burning today but they don't have watching-horse-freak-out-with-heart-pounding- in-throat on the activity list.

Hello All!

I may be about to come out of the crashing rush I have been in for nearly two weeks. What a blurr! anyhow, middle daughter is graduated (so now TWO in college!), classes done for my son and myself, I was told I got the "best BSing award" for saying niceish things about my graduates that were...um...how about:not popular with the teachers. and now we are into the grade all the final reports etc and make report cards.  ...I see light at the end of the tunnel!

Betsy, I am so excited for you, many blessings your way!

Skin and Jenny your horse stories had me wincing and LOLing. My daughter worked for a time with a BIG Belgium draft horse, I was always worried he was going to step on her! Such big animals...

The camping trip: 4 tents, two with 2-4 inches of water in them, another so wet the man in it bailed out and moved into his car! and my hubby's and mine...the only dry one. (I know, pride leads to a fall...) My students were troupers, we broke camp (getting soaked in the process) and fled the forest for a dinner where we dried out while eating greasy eggs and loving it! The hit of the trip was the pudgy pies we ate the first evening...they might be a pretty Midwestern thing, I know we did not have them growing up in Oregon. Sue, as a former Midwesterner,  have you had the good fortune to indulge in a pudgy pie?

My cabin, a year does seem too long, I'll be there Saturday...will that be too quick?Connie, any time you want to come you just show up with that pitcher of yours and you will be welcome!

Sharlie, ugh, I have to take a class or two pretty soon. I dread it. You have my full sympathy.

If you watch the news at all you know we are floating here in Wisc. My house is fine, but I am sure glad I am not the farmer that owns the fields behind our house, I can stand on my deck and HEAR the water rushing through his field of 4 inch corn plants. There go food prices again! We had water pouring into the church for graduation, I got to open my remarks with a comment about gathering hickory bark for boat building after the service...

Now for my brag...will you forgive me? I hit goal. 128. briefly, but hit it. I am slowly shifting my thought processes to maintenance. My daughters got tired of laughing at me hitching up my size 12s and hauled me from store to store to get pants for summer and that I can teach in....four pair of size 6, one pair of size 4! I was wearing 14s in January! I promise to put up a "goal" picture soon.

I'm sorry, I know I have breezed over a LOT of posts....being gone for too long is a bummer!

G'nite all!

Good evening everyone - I read with great interest the horse story and the camping story (sorry about all the Wisconsin rain) and the other posts. Sounds like everyone is keeping busy. Sharlie - welcome, in case I hadn't said that earlier. We are glad you are here.

Alylou - whoo-hooo to you on those size 6s and 4s - UN-BE-LIEV-A-BLE!! You are an inspiration to me. I'm just happy to be into a 14 now from a 1x or 18 when I started, and here you are starting out at a 14 and getting all the way down to where you are now. I am so impressed, and feeling encouraged by your accomplishment, too. But, I haven't had the good fortune to eat a pudgy pie - what are they? My favorite "mid-western" foods are Fanny Mae brand chocolates, and a wonderful Czech (that's my heritage) pastry known as kolacky. Do you know those?

Skn/sue - best wishes with the therapy. I too have lots of aches and pains. I've been told that it is everything from ostea-arthritis to rheumatoid arthritis, to fibromyalgia, to anklosing spondylitis. Wow what a mouthful, huh? Anyhow, I've had assorted pains from mild to intense for about 25 years now - the best thing for me when it is bad, are giant ice packs. I'm hoping weight loss will help, too. Since I've started moving more, I am feeling more aches, but I am also feeling like my muscles are getting stronger - so overall, I think it is helping.

Have a great night everyone - Sue

All I have to say is AAAAHHHH!  I have to get my oldest son ready for India and the rest of us ready for China in 13 days!  We leave on 6/27 and will have our daughter on 6/29 and be back home 7/9.  Less than one month and it'll be over.  We're all excited and panicked at the same time.  I'll put a picture up when we get back. 

Alylou-congratulations!   That sounds great, you must be so happy!

Glad I don't have horses, but happy to know that they are doing well.  My daughter has been asking for one, though.

I know I didn't get everyone but you're all in my thoughts.  I'd promised to have a swim party here today for my daughter's friends so I gotta get busy!  Have a great day.