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?

Connie - please don't feel neglected.  I'm sorry I haven't posted for a couple of since Thursday.  Also just realised that everyone else has put in their names but not me!  I'm Alison!!  I don't know where my head has been last couple of days but better late than never.

Well, its the weekend - sunny so far (in England - sun, here - are you kidding???) My daughter has gone off for the day to do some environmental work with a volunteer group.  She seems to be bouncing back from this virus really quickly but I've told the organisers to make sure she doesn't push herself too hard and they're all real nice so it'll be ok.  Mum is sounding ok still.  My weigh in day was yesterday but I didn't weigh myself cos I can put on a couple of pounds with my period so I'll wait till its over. 

Can't think of anything else at the moment - I'm an awful letter writer and my posts aren't much better!   Love and {hugs} to all.

Good morning Alison! I honestly was playfully being sarcastic about being neglected!  You ALL have been very helpful and sweet to me through all of my sorrows. So believe me I was only teasing about you girls neglecting me ok? Have a wonderful weekend. It is supposed to rain here all weekend and to be truthful I kinda hope it does. I could try and catch up on some NAP TIME!! LOL Take care and as always i will check back in later!   Connie

Oh!!! Phew! I'm glad you are ok.  Speak to you all later (if my children let me use the computer!!! )

So glad some of the bad news is passing!

Alison: so glad your daughter's issues are mild and passing! Thank goodness that your Mom is holding up at this point, It is a long haul, but strength will make all the difference. (an aside: MY name is Alison also! I'll keep with Alylou, many people call me that, but I thought it an odd coincidence!)

Connie: I love your sense of humor! you liven the place up! I am glad you have made it through the rough stuff. I am sure your mom will need TLC, but getting through the funeral is a major step.

This life is so weird, doesn't it seem that by this age we would have a better grip on it?  I speak only for myself here...but bad news... or just other junk (warning: major whines ahead) twist me all up.

I am posting now, then going to bed.  It is 1:30 in the afternoon! but I just got home from a nearly worthless conference where I had to share a hotel room with a woman who puts every movie joke about snoring/sleep apnea (how do you spell that?) to shame. I slept 2-3 hours a night. AND who smells bad. AND who cant walk from one room to the next without resting.  AND...AND...AND!

For all my Christian principles...I am currently a major hypocrite! She drove me BONKERS. So I ate. ARG!

The ONLY good thing about the blasted trip was the hotel had an excellent workout center, open 24 hours, so I was there venting on a machine at 4am every morning!

Whine over.

You know, some pretty great stuff has been posted on this thread... you ALL are a pretty awesome bunch of ladies!

*eyes crossed* Gotta go to bed! Alylou

Good afternoon Connie, Alison and Alylou -

Glad to hear things are getting better, at least in some small ways, for everyone. You know, sometimes we appreciate the little things more when we are in the midst of bigger problems. I was reading a book recently that talked about "Godstops" - which meant just being aware of the little things in life that you are appreciative for and taking a minute to "stop" to thank God. (Whether you attribute those things to God, nature, people, etc. probably doesn't matter as much as just recognizing the good).

I went for a long walk this AM and thought about all of you -- how strange it is to "know" you but not to actually have met. I appreciate you gals. I like getting on this computer and seeing messages from new friends.

It's hot here (Phx, AZ) - in the 90s today, nearly 100 by tomorrow. And unlike Alison's England - it's nearly ALWAYS sunny here. In fact, I crave the clouds and rain like Brits must crave the sun.

Take care all --  Oh yeah - I'm officially 20 pounds lighter today!!! YES!

GOOD GOING 20 LB'S!!!!!!!!! You ARE having a good weekend!  It's rainy here this weekend and has went from the 70's almost 80 to around 50! I live in Asheville N.C. which is the mountains of Western N.C. It is beautiful here but this time of year the weather is very unpredictable. I'm wanting to wear my shorts since I am smaller this year so I think its going to snow until August so I can bundle up and look FAT!!!! I know I'll go on line and see if I can find a goose down bikini!!!! LOL I won't be in any kind of bikini at this point no matter how the weather is!! I know that it is BAD for you but do any of you go to the tanning bed? I haven't for a few years but have went for a few weeks now and the pudgey's just look so much better with a little tan. I worry about it though. I used to practically worship the sun and hope that it doesn't come back to haunt me some day thats why I haven't tanned for a few years....but.....I really want to look good this year and OH BY THE WAY remember the ex-boyfriend..He keeps calling HA HA HA I'm not answering ! I love it too! Well gotta go. I now am at a plateau again this time it's 137 to 139. Better than the 140's but still at a stand still...  This too shall pass...RIGHT?????

Hey Connie -  Thanks for the support. I am proud of reaching the 2-0 number, it just seems like a lot more than 19. Sort of silly . . . but true. Now I'm aching for the day I can announce 25 pounds gone.

Anyway, no, I've never done a tanning bed. Leaving in Phx, it seems redundant. But I do like it if my legs get a little color - it does look better, I agree, even though we all now know how bad it is to be tan.  You must look stunning in the 130s - are you still trying to lose more? How tall are you? That EX of yours is now beginning to realize what he is missing!

"Hi" to everyone. Alison and Alylou, hope to hear from you soon.

Yes - ditto to the congrats on the 20lbs - brilliant stuff!

Hiya Connie - ok so you live in Asheville NC - the mountains of Western NC.  Um...where is that roughly in US!!!!  (See, I want to get a map and put dots on it for where all of you guys live!)

As for tanning beds - na I've never done it.  I'm permanently pale, blonde (um ...blonde/greyish) and blue eyes so typically Brit -  the smallest bit of sun and I go bright red, peel and then back to pale again.  Yes, I use the sun creams but my default skin colour is either lobster red or pale!! Oh....and I have freckles too!!!!

As for the standstill Connie - it definitely will pass - you'll do it!!

News from here - sun lasted 1/2 a day - its poured down ever since  but best news of all - my husband's doctor said he could try gentle jogging and he went out yesterday for the first time since his stroke.  He did well and his blood pressure was good afterwards!!!!  I had my second go at turbo  jam this week.  Good grief - it nearly killed me - LOL. 

Speak to you soon -{hugs} to all.

Ok where is Asheville, N.C.??!!! UM maybe one of the teachers could be more informative! I have a terrible sense of direction and really its been a long time since geography class but if you know any of the southern states N.C is in between Virginia and S.C. and Tennessee. So I am a Southerner YALL! Hope that helps a little Ms Arizona is on the other side of the map from what I remember and that is one state I haven't visited but am sure it's very nice just sounds WAY too HOT for me! Where is everyone else from? I have lived here practically all my life. Aheville itself is well known for THE BILTMORE HOUSE AND GARDENS (a big tourist attraction) as well as the smokey mountains which the parkway follows all the way to practically heaven. Really is beautiful views and mountains. Even in the hottest times of summer 90's you can hop in your car and go up on the parkway and within say a 20-30 minute drive be in the cool rustic mountains with the temp around 70! Have a nice (LOW CAL) sure..picnic and then drive back to the hot crowded city and be right back in the hustle and bustle that makes me crazy most days! OK for the other question I only want to lose down to between 130-135 but it is apparently going to take alot of willpower on my part to get there. I am 5'5 well actually almost 5'6 so I am fairly happy where I am except for the PUDGE around my belly. I just want to lose enough to where I can stay in the 135 area.  If I ever get there you will be able to hear me screaming with excitement from ENGLAND and ARIZONA!!! Ok I have rambled on enough sorry! Hope all is still well with everyone and tell you're hubby we are all pulling for him to continue with good health!   Connie 

Hey Sue! 20 lb, that is great! It is quite an accomplishment to peal that off! I am stalled at 19ish lbs so far. All these weekends and conferences, time for me to settle down and get loosing!

Connie: a goose down bikini! ROFLMAO!! (that is a bit edgy for an old lady like me, but... goose down!)

Alison: SO glad your hubby is getting back to normal! It must be a relief to both of you tho have the restrictions removed one by one. Of course with knees like mine running about gives me a stroke!

To fill out the geography lesson for Alison: I live in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and spend my summers on the shores of Lake Superior in Upper Michigan.

So we cover: the Central North USA: Alylou

                      the Southwest USA: Sue

                      the Southeast USA: Connie

                      and Merry Old England: Alison

                                           !

I don't mean to sound exclusive, I just am not sure if anyone else is still lurking about...?

Alison, you told me once where in England you were, but it did not stick in my head. I have been to London, Scotland (Edinburgh mostly), and spent a week hiking through the Dales. *sigh* It was a lovely trip! are you close to any of these? Otherwise I know a bit about the Cottswalds, and Cornwall...but I fear I will soon be shown to be the blithering idiot I am about your grand homeland.

Enough for tonight, I have to get ready for school next week!

Thanks for the geography lesson!!  America always seems so cool to me!!  I'll have to get my map and pins out.

As for England - well there is a section in the middle of the country called "The Midlands" (unique name - never would have guessed it!!)  In there is a county called Staffordshire - home of the farming industry (where they love their meat and dairy - home for a cheerful little vegan like me!!)  However, don't ever call my husband English - he's from Wales (not much good feeling between the Welsh and English on the whole but hey - he tolerates me!).  Anyway he's a proud Welsh ex-rugby player!!

As for running - I had to run for a minute or two to catch up with someone and nearly had a hernia  so I'll join you on the jogging ban Alylou.

How is everyone else? 

Jogging um perhaps the teachers could help me out again um whats jogging?  LOL IF I EVEN THOUGHT about jogging I would fall over!!!! I do good to walk at a quick pace on the treadmill on an incline...wheeze wheeze wheeze see just talking about the whole topic gets me ladies!!! Well this a.m. I'm back to 139 from 137 so.......all I can say is ....dammit! OOPS sorry! ok all I can say is...dammit! Talk to you all later! Have a fun MONDAY!!!!!   Connie

One of my favorite movies is about a bit of Wales: (may have title wrong) The Man who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain. Very funny!

Loved the geography lessons! I'm originally from Chicago, Illinois -- but if you know anything about Arizona -- EVERYONE here is from somewhere else!Ok, the younger generation may have been born here . . .but all of us who can remember the Beatles (a nod to our English friend, Alison) before Paul McCartney started Wings came from elsewhere. So, I proudly count myself as both a Southwestern and Midwestern girl. And, Alylou, I've been to Wisconsin many times - I have an aunt in Sheboygan.

Alison- I am so glad your husband is up and running. He must be anxious to get back to that being a former rugby player. Rugby is a tough sport, isn't it? I've only seen it on tv & movies.

I second Connie's thoughts on jogging: wheeze, ouch, wheeze, ouch! I've been doing some walking - almost up to 4 miles at a pretty quick pace (I think it's quick - around 1 hour for 4 miles.) outside, not on a treadmill. But, I think jogging would just about kill me. My goal this week - exercise 4 times. I've used too many excuses up - just gotta' do it.

Love hearing from all of you.  Sue

Hi all-
I posted last week just to say hi and glad I found this thread, but didn't have the chance to get thru reading all the posts until today.   I am sorry to hear of the recent personal trials and tribulations.

Alison: Glad to hear your daughter is on the upswing now and I hope your Mom is doing OK too.

Alylou I just had to chuckle about your description of your Christian principles crumbling a bit after a weekend with a not-so-desirable roomy!! 

Sue? what was the book you were reading that spoke of "Godstops".  I need that reminder!!

To add to the geography lesson... I am up in VT so I can cover as the Northeast representative!   We had a gorgeous, uncharacteristly warm week last week (high 70's) and are now in drizzle and 50's <ugh>.   I am also a Sue although because we used initials for so many years for signing off on docs at work - I have alot of people who refer to me as 'skin' - inits=SKN.

I have some of my second couisins in England (North Somerset) so they are obviously closer to you, Alison than me!!  Also more second cousins in Copenhagen. 

Now tanning beds... hmmmm.  Although I spend a few hours outside everyday (QH breeding business), I think I would shy away from tanning beds due to a bad personal experience.  I watched my dad die a very unpleasant death last summer due to melanoma - - I am more than a little gunshy.  Tanning beds could be a little different, but along those lines has anyone tried the tinted suntan / bronze lotions?   Do you think they would work to cover some of my blindingly white skin or do you think they simply would make one look like their liver is failing (yellow cast to skin)? 

Poundage: I am actually right around the 19# lost mark myself.. .so I feel right at home with you guys.  I was at my high in Feb (180) when I decided to get serious about losing some of this weight.  Probably really shouldn't be claiming it as almost 19# as my 180 mark was just after finishing up a round of antibiotics/steroids for pneumonia... but I will claim it anyway as it makes me feel better. When I found this cc site and started logging, I was about at 176 and now I am at about 161.  I tend to weigh in around 9-10am with a colleague at work so I record that weight... but if truth be told the scale actually said 158 this morning - stark naked before jumping in the shower.  So that makes me feel good too.

Sorry to have rambled on so long.  Nice to *meet* you all.
Cheers
skn (sue)

Hey skin, hope you make it to skinny soon. Ouch, that was bad. Glad to have you! I have used bronzer a bit not with the best of luck but not *gasp* ghastly either. Olay makes a face lotion with a touch of color in it that I thought helped the winter pasty whites some.

Vermont is a beautiful place too! Frankly we live in some of the most interesting places in the country. We are missing a rep from the Northwest, though...I was born and raised in Oregon...maybe that will have to do!

Sue: I have to admit, my hubby and I have flirted with the idea of becoming winter Arizonans in the future...maybe Prescott or Flagstaff...we have a few years left to decide that.

I have organized a fun walk/run for our school this Friday. Little ones will walk 2K and older will walk 5K. We are doing it 1) because I am alarmed at the growing average size of our students and 2) to raise $ in honor of a teacher we lost to cancer last summer, for a summer camp for kids with cancer. I have never organized this sort of thing before, but at least I can be sure I will do some major walking on Friday!

Hey Connie, are you feeling proudly unique? with two Sues, and two Alisons you are a standout!

Gotta go, my hubby has a wicked cold that leaves him pouting for attention...MEN...

Ok girls what am I going to have to do go and start a new forum...."Are there any other Connie's out there who are trying to lose the last few lbs!!" LOL Well I'm just stuck at 138 this a.m. I do think (for myself) weighing every a.m. has made me more aware of what I am eating each day.....any thoughts on that??? It really has been the best at not "REWARDING" myself at times! Hi Skin happy to have a new member and glad to see we all have a sense of humor that seems to help all the way around! I just love this group. I get on and read every a.m. and then again every evening and THAT has actually kept me from snacking!!!!! Thanks for getting back to me on the tanning bed deal ladies. I just feel I should stop. Looking good for now may cause a not so happy future! I have tried the self tanners and most i didn't care for plus they come off on clothing or bedding....Hey back to the ex-boyfriend maybe I should put on a bunch of self tanner and dissolve right before his eyes! Anyway he hasn't called for a couple of days so maybe he knew I was TOO GOOD FOR HIM! ha! so there! Aly good for you on organizing the walk. Even if the kids aren't heavy its good for them and maybe one or two will realize there is a whole world out there away from the t.v./games/computers....um maybe I need to go with you! LOL Everyone have a great day and I'll check in this afternoon!  Connie

Connie: Indeed! way too good for him! and we like keeping our token Connie!

Hope everyone else is keeping strong and having a blissful day!

I have a stack a mile high of papers to grade.*groan* See you all later...

Ok everybody needs to write something TODAY!!!! Apparently my little theory about keeping me from snacking only works when you ALL give me something to read because I am UP to 140 for some reason this a.m. and I am not a happy little southerner!! YALL!! I am glad to be the "token" Connie I have decided! I must go and suffer on the treadmill today because like I told you all its going to stay winter here until August since I've lost weight. It is 33 this a.m. but supposed to warm up to 68 by the afternoon...... So I hope the rest of you are doing better than I am today!  I have to go to the store today for my mom so i'm gonna stock up on "GRAZING" material.......  Connie

Hi Connie - is it too late to post something for you today!  I've just got back from taking my daughter to kickboxing and I am knackered! (Hope that's not a swear word in US).

Hi Alylou, Sue and SkinnySue!  Hope you're all ok.

Look - now I'm getting obsessed with the American thing.  I've been reading posts on other threads and people are talking about having a "muffin top" or a belly "pooch" or jelly roll.  What the..........?????

I'm guessing that a muffin top is what we call a midriff bulge (under your boobs - you know!!!)  A belly pooch is the good old English "gut" and a jelly roll - no idea.  My sons reckon "chicken wings" means the flabby bit under your arms (they live off of American films and reckon they've heard it mentioned there!)

As for me I'm starting to notice a few areas looking a bit more toned but still have a big belly "pooch" and chicken wings (LOL - I'm really getting into this now!!) My next weigh in is on Friday so we'll see (last Friday I put on 1 lb but I was on my period so I'll set more store by what the scales say this week).

Anyway - speak to you all later.  Love and {hugs} Alison