A COURSE OF CHANGE GETTING BACK TO WHERE I WANT AND NEED TO BE FOR A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Good Morning Vicki,

I haven't tried the NutriSystem, but several years ago I did another program and lost 33 pounds in 3 months.  It was great at the time, but expensive and then when I got the off of the program as careful as I was I started gaining back after several months.  I just could not afford or eat their food anymore.  Eventually I gained it all back.  So, I am going another avenue, willpower, changing habits, walking and doing weights more and drinking lots and lots of water.  Thank you so much for your input.

Good Morning Debb,

Thank you so much for the encouragement.  I know I can do it, I just needed to make up my mind and be serious, for me I know eventually it would be a health issue and I do not want to go there. Thank you Debb, as well for the wonderful comments, you are a great lady in my book and I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to meet you.

Oh Lynn, thank you for those great comments.  I will definitely look up Roger's Blog.  I am 5'3" and used to wear a size 8/10, but that was long ago and at that time I was a little too thin, worked out 5/6 days a week including swimming.  The swimming has always been the best for me, however I do not have access now to a swim facility, but walking has become a good thing for me if only I keep at it.  It is now back on my agenda.

I have always enjoyed beef and other meats, but now my husband and I are beginning to enjoy fish again, some chicken and ground turkey.  Beef is off of my list for now.  I do love the vegetables and will eat any kind, I especially like the darker greens and it is alright with me if that is my entire meal at times. When my granddaughter lived with us (up until August this year) I cooked more in the vegetarian way because she is, now that she has been gone...well you get my drift.

NOT ANY MORE !  I cannot think you are older than dirt, sometimes that is how I feel, but I figure I have another forty years in me if I take better care and I am 66 almost 67 in two months, and being the Sag that I am, I am very positive about doing what I need to by taking care of me.  Thank you Lynn for commenting and I love your motto Lean and Mean.

Good Morning Hella,

Thank you so much for your input and support.  Many years ago my mother-in-law in my first marriage had adult onset diabetes and she had to eat as your family always has.  She had a poster on food for diabetics that she gave to me and somewhere along the way, I lost it (sad for me).  It was the best thing for me and my family and I followed it closely, lost weight and became the size that I was in my late teens and early twenties.  It was great, I have since looked for something of the sort because it was right there all in one spot and I did not have to look things up in a book or on line.  It really is a good way to eat.

Again Hella, thank you for your input, comments and support and I can and will do it.

Good Morning Mel,

Yep, sometimes we do need a good kick in the panties (LOL), and just looking at the latest photos of me and looking in the mirror plus what my doctor said was just that kick.  The appetizers were really great tasting but not so much for food intake, still I loved them as well.

I am looking forward to it rocking my world because I do know it is all for the betterment of me.  Thanks Mel, what a great time we did have and I look forward to more times.

Good Morning Cindy, you are so right 500 calories a day is not so much to reduce intake so that you can lose a pound or so a week.  The chart said if I followed what I need to do, that it should take about 20 to 30 weeks to lose the amount (like around 30 pounds) I would like to lose.  A slower way so I know it will stay off as long as  I am doing what I need in order to achieve the goal and it becomes a way of life. Lucky for me my husband is very supportive.

I am not craving sweets so that is good for me and I have cut out the sugar, so if I want a sweetener then I use Truvia which seems to be natural and satisfying plus no calories.  Thank you Cindy for the compliment, when I am so much heavier, I surely don't feel like that, it makes me feel "old",  that I am not going to accept, the being "old" stuff.

If you choose you can do it to and you my dear, are as lovely as your photo, actually a lot more so in person, inside and out.  I am so pleased we finally met.  I walk with a dear friend and if you ever want to join us, please do.

Good Morning Marge !

Good for you walking on the treadmill.  We used to have one many years ago and it was the best investment ever.  It would go up and down so I got all kinds of hard work in.  I did lose and got in shape, did it everyday and was eating right.  I was also 20 years younger, faster metabolism, and a lot more energy.

I am like you and have acquired these "pounds" in the most unsightly places, like all over, it has not left one inch untouched! You will be surprised one of these very soon days and you will notice a difference besides having more energy.  Remember when firming up those muscles and gaining strength, they weigh more so you may not see a lot of difference in the weight but I bet you do in the inches and the visceral fat (the fat that hugs your internal organs which you cannot readily see).

You go as well, and keep in touch, let's see how it goes for both of us.  Thank you so much for the encouragement.

Amy, thank you for the comments. I think there are a lot of us in the same boat and I am so happy to find a group of supporters that do not ask me to literally weigh in front of people, it feels so naked when that happens.

I congratulate you on quitting smoking, I think that is among the hardest addictions to get rid of at least that is what I have been told.  So good for you, and perfect that you will continue to take tennis lessons.  It was one of the best games for me and I really liked playing singles.  I just hated when playing doubles the other person would step into your space and you would almost collide with them trying to get the ball back across the net.  The game will help you with your stamina too and help you to lose weight and keep it off or at least it did for me.

Dear Pam,

First I want to thank you for your comments regarding my post, I am so glad you enjoyed reading it.  I had a sales associate in Nordstrom tell me a few years back that she had lost about 60-80 pounds.  Now she is a tall girl and large in the manner of her bone structure.  I asked her how and she said by drinking a lot of water every day.  She said she did nothing else, just drink the water.  I asked her how much and she said about 32 ounces something like that.  Plus we do need a "hug" button.  Wouldn't that be great?

Pam I watched the video, it was so touching, my throat was tight and the tears were there. I have been watching in segments different things about 911 and it is such an emotional thing.  I pray everything will be alright tomorrow, it does worry me somewhat.  Thank you so much once again, you are very much appreciated.

Mary

Thank you Connie,

I am working on it but not making myself miserable either.  I am walking each evening not as far as I would like but justgetting my legs back to the point where they do not want to give out on me.  Yesterday my husband and I took our dog Henry to the Willamette Park by the Willamette River and walked and walked.  It was good.  I am also not eating as much at each meal and drinking more water than before, a process I am thinking.  the middle part of me I know will be the most difficult but I can do it even if it takes me a while.

Thank you for being supportive, I know I am surely not alone, and I am looking at your 15-20 miles a week and am in awe, it makes me know I can be there if I choose to be and I do choose to be.  Thank you so much!

Hi Leah

Thank you so much for your comments and encouragement.  It is a lifestyle change isn't it. Water has also become my new best friend, and I am drinking a lot of it.  Funny thing is I am not so hungry right now and when I sit down to eat (smaller plate, smaller portions) sometimes I can barely get through it.  I think perhaps the change in my mindset and the other things I have put in place is helping, plus I am walking faster and more just to get my metabolism up a bit as well. I, like you, do not want this extra around my middle, on my my legs, arms or anywhere else.  When you look at actual photos of the visceral fat (what our body hides inside) wrapping around your vital organs, well you get the point.  Pretty scary.  Thank you so much Leah, we both will do it!

Lenn,

I have to agree with you that what you eat and how much you eat is so important. Was it Jack Lalane who said "you are what you eat"?  I have cut my portions down and use a much smaller plate.  No sugars not even Truvia which I like, and I am reading labels like I never have before.  We love vegetables, do like pasta but do not eat much of it.  I have to say I surely love a good plate of pasta with my home made sauce (no meat) which I make from scratch.  I make a lot of it because I don't know how to cook it in small portions, but I freeze it in parts for other meals.  Works beautifully.  We do eat meat, i.e. fish, chicken, beef (although not any more, not on my list of foods good for me) and turkey ground.  Most meals I have to say though, I have taken to not eating any meat or not very much of it.  It is beginning not to settle with me very well anymore.  I am drinking a good amount of water and that I believe is also helping.

I have only been real serious beginning last week on Wednesday, but I am doing okay and so far have lost 5 pounds.  Does not sound like very much and could just be water weight, but it is 5 pounds and I will take it.  I am also liking how I have been feeling lately especially the last few days.  I will keep it up, I am determined.

I can say that I am looking forward to being able to fit comfortably into jeans and my middle does not roll over the sides.  Uck!  That is not a good picture.  Lenn thank you so much for your good advice, trust me, I have taken it all in.  It is appreciated.