Re: Tammy

[Guest guest]

Dearest Tammy :)I am so glad you found us! Please do become active in this group, it is a wonderful group of VERY accepting and loving people. I am so sorry to hear about your troubles! (((BIG HUG)))I'm Lindy and I also live in a rural area and do not have the funds to join a health club or a diet program. I am upset with weigh watchers for charging so much!! I belong to SparkPeople.com and it is free With them I have lost 20# since the end of June and I currently weigh 349. I walk and started a couch to 5K walking plan online. When I started I could not walk for 10 minutes with out having to stop and catch my breath. If you want the help I am SO willing to befriend you in any way I can! If you need anything let me know! When I say that you can do this with just using the internet I am saying that because it is true

take care and welcome!Lindy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy, You have found your group. We all have different ways that we are using to get healthy, and many of us have various health issues, but we share information and most importantly serve as a sounding board and cheering squad for each other.

Having a good day.? There are people here to be glad for you. Having a down day? There are people to emphathize and help you regain perspective and hope.

It helps to hear that others get off track, forgive themselves, pick up and go on.

You have shown yourself that you can lose. With the techniques that fit you, you can do it again, this time without the pills. You have weathered quite a few storms in a very short time. Now you have come to a place where you have to get fit and healthy in order to lead any sort of productive life. This is plenty of incentive,and you come across as an intelligent person who realized that this time lifestyle changes are for keeps. Expect to get off track now and then. Last week I had lots of out of town company and went out to eat several times. I was already on a plateau, and expected to have gained a bit. I was thankful to discover that I had essentially just held my weight at the same level. It gets more and more about the lifestyle than numbers on scales.

I found an articlle in a magazine at work about what they called a "modified Craig" diet. Portion control is my major weakness, and this diet consisted of buying the low cal frozen dinners for lunch and dinner and the 100 calorie snack packs for between meal snacks. For breakfast I alternate between instant oatmeal (fruit and cream varities two packs 260 cal),( Walmart blueberry pancakes with diet syrup(270calories), and Jimmy Dean sausage, egg and cheese muffins (310 calories)> This with V-8 and coffee. You can see that breakfast is an important meal for me. The other (frozen dinner meals) I have with a tomato and cucumber salad or toss salad with only vegetables and either one teaspoon of regular dressing or a tablespoon of diet dressing. And fresh fruit once or twice a day. All this will come to 1200 to 1500 calories a day. I started at 320 pounds the first of April and am now at 268 pounds with about 110 to go. I wrote down every bite I ate and recorded calories for four months. Now I eat essentially the same things over and over, so no longer record, but am thinking about going back to recording in October just to be sure I am not sliding. This is only one method, and may or may not be the one for you. Someone on here will have suggestions that you can incorporate into whatever method you use. Good luck and welcome to the group.

W.

Tammy

Hello all,My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts (reason why I subscribe to Backpackers). I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore you with. Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence, motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs. I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over 100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a diet medication and depression. I originally started taking diet meds for the "quick fix" only to find that the dr. didn't really care about me or my health but I didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore. Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say, I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it. Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now with gas @ $3 a gallon. Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another "convenient" way to help me lose weight. Thanks for reading and I look forward to "meeting" you all. Tammy

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

Welcome to the group! You are carrying around a ton of stress and I am hoping you have at least a friend you can talk to about "stuff". I don't have any advice or suggestions to offer you, but I can offer a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen if you would like to talk about stuff.

with a warm welcoming hug,

Kathie in chilly Michigan

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

Lindy,

Thank you so very much for the heartfelt welcome;

it truly is appreciated. I hope you are serious about helping me lose weight

(LOL), I’m probably going to need a lot of it. I

will definitely check out the spark website (if I can catch my breath from all

the other crazy stuff). I took today off work so I could get ready for my troop

meeting, run errands, get household chores done, and guess what? I forgot one

of my dearest friends was having surgery today, my 10-year-old is having a

little respect problem with the teacher, and the list goes on. I’m sure

as it is with everyone else, if it’s not one things

it’s 20 others. Needless to say, I didn’t get much done other than

being ½ way prepared for my troop meeting. Stopped at Sonic for chicken bites and coke for lunch.  How else can someone

with my lifestyle have time for anything else?

I’ve heard it said that if you are

too busy during the day to exercise, get up extra early in the morning. I don’t

have time for that. I already get up @ 5am and don’t get to bed till 10pm—midnight.

Anyway, I can whine about it or do

something; I want to do something. Have any ideas?

TAMMY

BUSSEY

PO BOX

2471

NEW

CANEY, TX. 77357

tamdarbus@...

HOME

ALTERNATE

From:

thefatmanwalking_group [mailto:thefatmanwalking_group ]

On Behalf Of lindy of the shire

Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006

1:33 PM

To:

thefatmanwalking_group

Subject: Re:

Tammy

Dearest Tammy

I am so glad you found us! Please do become active in this group, it is a

wonderful group of VERY accepting and loving people. I am so sorry to

hear about your troubles! (((BIG HUG)))

I'm Lindy and I also live in a rural area and do not have the funds to join a

health club or a diet program. I am upset with weigh watchers for

charging so much!! I belong to SparkPeople.com and it is free

With them I have lost 20# since the end of June and I currently weigh

349. I walk and started a couch to 5K walking plan online. When I

started I could not walk for 10 minutes with out having to stop and catch my

breath. If you want the help I am SO willing to befriend you in any

way I can! If you need anything let me know! When I say that you

can do this with just using the internet I am saying that because it is true

take care and welcome!

Lindy

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for the welcome and the advice.

Aren’t those frozen meals expensive? Also, I have to cook for the kids as

well and with the tight budget I’m on, it would be hard to buy separate meals

for myself. I DO NOT like oatmeal (LOL). I have tried planned meals for myself

and I can’t seem to stick with it. I would have a boiled egg and toast

for breakfast, dry turkey sandwich (on wheat) with an apple for lunch, and then

eat moderately for dinner. I always have fresh fruit ready to go. I’m

really not a big eater but I have found myself binging in the last couple of

years and I’ve never done that before. How can someone just start doing

that?

I can remember watching shows or reading

articles about people who ate out of depression, anger, loneliness, or binge

eaters; I never understood it. Now that I am one of “those” people,

I still don’t understand it.

Anyway, I’m hoping this group will

help me come to be understanding of all this and I really appreciate the

support from you.

Thanks,

TAMMY

BUSSEY

PO BOX

2471

NEW

CANEY, TX. 77357

tamdarbus@...

HOME

ALTERNATE

From:

thefatmanwalking_group

[mailto:thefatmanwalking_group ] On Behalf Of labtrek1941

Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006

1:41 PM

To: thefatmanwalking_group

Subject: Re:

Tammy

Hi Tammy, You have found your group. We all have

different ways that we are using to get healthy, and many of us have various

health issues, but we share information and most importantly serve as a

sounding board and cheering squad for each other.

Having a good day.? There are people here to be glad

for you. Having a down day? There are people to emphathize and help

you regain perspective and hope.

It helps to hear that others get off track, forgive

themselves, pick up and go on.

You have shown yourself that you can lose. With the

techniques that fit you, you can do it again, this time without the

pills. You have weathered quite a few storms in a very short time.

Now you have come to a place where you have to get fit and healthy in order to

lead any sort of productive life. This is plenty of incentive,and you

come across as an intelligent person who realized that this time lifestyle

changes are for keeps. Expect to get off track now and then. Last

week I had lots of out of town company and went out to eat several times.

I was already on a plateau, and expected to have gained a bit. I was

thankful to discover that I had essentially just held my weight at the same

level. It gets more and more about the lifestyle than numbers on

scales.

I found an articlle in a magazine at work about what they

called a " modified Craig " diet. Portion control is

my major weakness, and this diet consisted of buying the low cal frozen dinners

for lunch and dinner and the 100 calorie snack packs for between meal

snacks. For breakfast I alternate between instant oatmeal (fruit and

cream varities two packs 260 cal),( Walmart blueberry pancakes with diet

syrup(270calories), and Jimmy Dean sausage, egg and cheese muffins (310

calories)> This with V-8 and coffee. You can see that breakfast

is an important meal for me. The other (frozen dinner meals) I have

with a tomato and cucumber salad or toss salad with only vegetables and

either one teaspoon of regular dressing or a tablespoon of diet dressing.

And fresh fruit once or twice a day. All this will come to 1200 to 1500

calories a day. I started at 320 pounds the first of April and am now at

268 pounds with about 110 to go. I wrote down every bite I ate and

recorded calories for four months. Now I eat essentially the same things

over and over, so no longer record, but am thinking about going back to

recording in October just to be sure I am not sliding. This is only one

method, and may or may not be the one for you. Someone on here will have

suggestions that you can incorporate into whatever method you use. Good

luck and welcome to the group.

W.

Tammy

Hello all,

My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read

a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested

enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts

(reason why I subscribe to Backpackers).

I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes

trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore

you with.

Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce

myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)

I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence,

motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs.

I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over

100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a

diet medication and depression.

I originally started taking diet meds for the " quick fix " only to

find that the dr. didn't really care about me or my health but I

didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs

and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still

and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore.

Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in

w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say,

I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain

the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it.

Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in

the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to

lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural

area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny

craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now

with gas @ $3 a gallon.

Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another " convenient " way to help me

lose weight.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to " meeting " you all.

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy!

Boy did you ever come to the right group! I think we can all be described as over achieving, caring for others, generous to a fault, (I always wondered exactly what that meant!), reach out to others people with a few weight issues! lolol. I am a married 49 yr old 5'3 1/2" grandma, down to 185 from 223 in the last 6 months. I walk, hike, garden, backpack, run after grandchildren, help my friend with ms, take care of my husband who is 71, take care of my mom in WA (where I am going this weekend as her identical twin passed away Sat morn...hope to get her to come back with me for a bit.) I daycare grand kids, volunteer at their schools, am active in my religion, and oh yes...I have a business (in my spare time?!?!?) lol

And talk to this group on here.

They are all great people.

Jane

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

Thought I'd introduce myself at this time.

I am Gerard, 62 yo bachelor, living again in my home town of New Orleans. I

don't nor ever have driven a car in my life hence either use public

transportation or walk. Because of Katrina spent September through February

living with my brother & sister-in-law in Austin, TX.

While in Austin I (as I call it ) became a house potato. Pretty much stayed in

the house or with my brother, sister-in-law or both rode with them to other

places. I in turn gained weight.

As W. and Lindy have said you will have to find what is best for you as to

how you do achieve your goal. Lindy mentioned Spark People which can be found at

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

In almost all cases there will be walking involved and this brings up the useful

item of wearing a " Pedometer " which is used to count your steps.

Walking at About.com (for me) is a very helpful site to reference and possibly

subscribe to their e-mail list.

http://walking.about.com/

Their article on pedometers is at

http://walking.about.com/cs/measure/bb/bybpedometer.htm

Other walking websites you may here talked about are:

AOM which is America on the Move

at

http://www.americaonthemove.org/

Several of us are members at this site and Steve has created a group that we

belong to.

Feel free to explore the site, a pedometer is almost a necessity if you join.

Just ask if you do decide to join & want to get into the above mentioned group.

IF you do join then by all means get into the group. DON'T worry about how much

walking you can currently do. Every recorded step adds to the group total of

recorded steps.

The group has recorded a total of 36,949,113 steps

Based on their average of 2,000 steps equaling a mile that is 18,474 miles.

Another walking website is:

Walk Around the World

at

http://horsetooth.net/walk/

There are no groups within this site and anyone can join. At this site you will

definitely need a pedometer and will have to convert the steps to miles or

kilometers before entering the info.

This website was founded in 1998, currently had 85 members registered although

obviously quite a few inactive.

Two items to note on the home page:

1) Will you be the first club member to walk 24,903.4 miles (40,078.1

kilometers), " around the world? "

2) We completed our first lap around the world on July 4, 2006! Will it be

another 8 years before we complete our second lap?

Just looking at those numbers, our " Thefatmanwalking virtual walk " on AOM has

walked 74.2% around the world and we have been in existence as the group less

than a year!!!

Anyone thinking of possibly joining and not wanting to bring down the averages -

I say forget the averages but look at the total. Your one or two steps added to

the total brings the total that much higher. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to

when we will record 24,903.4 miles or 49,806,800 steps?

Gerard

[Guest guest]

Gerald,

Wow, thanks for all the helpful leads; I will look into them. Sounds a

little more involved (referring to joining additional groups) than I really

have time for but I will definitely look into them for references.

Thanks so much.

TAMMY BUSSEY

_____

From: thefatmanwalking_group

Subject: Re: Tammy

Tammy,

Thought I'd introduce myself at this time.

I am Gerard, 62 yo bachelor, living again in my home town of New Orleans. I

don't nor ever have driven a car in my life hence either use public

transportation or walk. Because of Katrina spent September through February

living with my brother & sister-in-law in Austin, TX.

While in Austin I (as I call it ) became a house potato. Pretty much stayed

in the house or with my brother, sister-in-law or both rode with them to

other places. I in turn gained weight.

As W. and Lindy have said you will have to find what is best for you as

to how you do achieve your goal. Lindy mentioned Spark People which can be

found at

http://www.sparkpeo <http://www.sparkpeople.com/> ple.com/

In almost all cases there will be walking involved and this brings up the

useful item of wearing a " Pedometer " which is used to count your steps.

Walking at About.com (for me) is a very helpful site to reference and

possibly subscribe to their e-mail list.

http://walking. <http://walking.about.com/> about.com/

Their article on pedometers is at

http://walking. <http://walking.about.com/cs/measure/bb/bybpedometer.htm>

about.com/cs/measure/bb/bybpedometer.htm

Other walking websites you may here talked about are:

AOM which is America on the Move

at

http://www.americao <http://www.americaonthemove.org/> nthemove.org/

Several of us are members at this site and Steve has created a group that we

belong to.

Feel free to explore the site, a pedometer is almost a necessity if you

join. Just ask if you do decide to join & want to get into the above

mentioned group.

IF you do join then by all means get into the group. DON'T worry about how

much walking you can currently do. Every recorded step adds to the group

total of recorded steps.

The group has recorded a total of 36,949,113 steps

Based on their average of 2,000 steps equaling a mile that is 18,474 miles.

Another walking website is:

Walk Around the World

at

http://horsetooth. <http://horsetooth.net/walk/> net/walk/

There are no groups within this site and anyone can join. At this site you

will definitely need a pedometer and will have to convert the steps to miles

or kilometers before entering the info.

This website was founded in 1998, currently had 85 members registered

although obviously quite a few inactive.

Two items to note on the home page:

1) Will you be the first club member to walk 24,903.4 miles (40,078.1

kilometers), " around the world? "

2) We completed our first lap around the world on July 4, 2006! Will it be

another 8 years before we complete our second lap?

Just looking at those numbers, our " Thefatmanwalking virtual walk " on AOM

has walked 74.2% around the world and we have been in existence as the group

less than a year!!!

Anyone thinking of possibly joining and not wanting to bring down the

averages - I say forget the averages but look at the total. Your one or two

steps added to the total brings the total that much higher. Anyone care to

hazard a guess as to when we will record 24,903.4 miles or 49,806,800 steps?

Gerard

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy :)We are all serious about helping you out. Yes, it is very hard to find time to exercise! I end up going in the evenings because it is the time I have away from family obligations. I can imagine that having children at home makes it even more hard.

What can we do to help?I take food with me when I go out, along with water so I am not tempted to stop and eat somethign I should not when things get really hectic. I like Clif Bars because they do not need to be refrigerated and they pack nicely. Sometimes I put fruit in my truck too. there was a post the other day about the Gov. of AR and how he keeps a cooler of food in the trunk of his car I just can't stop anywhere either because I have eliminated a lot of foods that are common in our society from my food plan, so I need to take things with me or I will be destin to fall. imho you don't have to do it all at once Maybe you could start by just tracking what you eat to see how many calories you are getting. For instance I was so surprised just how much peanutbutter I ate in a day and how fattening it was! Just cutting it down to 1Tbl a day made a world of difference! That is how I started and then I slowly started making changes. The slight changes are the ones that last imho if you change everything drastically all at once you could get a case of whiplash lol Just kidding but it can be shocking to your body because it is used to eating fast food and possibly high fat diet and sugary things and maybe lots of carbs. I just took everything slowly with baby steps. COuld you get away for 10 minutes or 15 minutes and take a walk tonight? That is all you need to start out Perhaps have your dh, if you have one, mind the kids for a bit or take them with you or ?? If they are older maybe say " Hey lets all go for a walk! " or have them gather some toyse or coloring up and have them sit for a bit while you walk.... I don't know ... maybe I am over simplifying things but brainstorming maybe you can come up with something or perhaps someone else will Also there is freecycle, an email group where people who need to get rid of stuff put it up for giving. THere is exercise equipment that comes up from time to time. I am too heavy to use the treadmill but maybe a stationary bike? Okay... enough of that I need to scoot off to help my mother can tomatoes. This is the first time she has wanted my help... she is one of those " I'll do it it is no problem " and after going for nearly two weeks straight she is ready to " give " and let me help so I had better get over to her house lol

Remember! We are all pulling for you and when you get to a moment of weakness we are here for you and if you need to talk :)sorry my sentance syntax is cruddy loltake care , I wish you wellLindy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I'm glad you have joined. You've got company here. I hope you can

find some inner strength and determination to start on this long

road to a smaller and healthier you. I KNOW it is so hard to start.

I am also a super busy person, so I totally sympathize with you. I

have collected the nutrition lists from most of the fast food places

so I can make better choices for my lunches. I think the chicken

bites were fine for you, but diet coke would be better. If you go to

Taco Bell, you can get a chicken taco and chicken fiesta burrito

both fresco style and it is pretty healthy. turned me onto the

Mc's Egg McMuffin for less than 300 cals. If I have time to

stop in the morning, that's what I get for breakfast.

Here's today for me: up at 5:30, let the dogs into the yard for

their morning exercise, shower, check on my 70 sheep, make lamb milk

replacer, feed the bottle baby lamb, pen up newborn twins with their

mom, put the dogs back into their kennels with a biscuit, change the

water in a water bucket, dress for work, run out the door with no

breakfast, drive 80 mph to get to work at 8. WHEW!! I'm lucky my

husband gives our son his breakfast. I finally had 5 mini-Reese's

and coffee for breakfast at the office. (Sometimes it's all I can

get). I walked 2 miles in the mall at lunchtime. Quiznos flatbread

salad for lunch. I'll leave work at 5 pm, pick up my 8th grader at

school, drive 50 minutes home, let the dogs and cats out, change,

feed the bottle baby, put the sheep out in the field and medicate

any sick ones, change the water in the fish bowl (been meaning to do

that for a week), put the cats back inside before dark, water a few

outside plants (my garden is almost non-existent this year), spend

about 15 minutes on email, do a few household chores, feed the

sheep, feed the dogs, grab a bite to eat somewhere in here,

(sometimes I might grab some M & Ms that we reserve for hiking, bad,

bad, and eat them as I feed the sheep). By now my husband has

usually already gone to bed. Check my son's homework, make sure he

gets a shower and goes to bed, spend a little while longer online or

working on a couple of chores, and go to bed by midnight if I'm

lucky!

I have been committed to my lunchtime walks all year since Jan 1 and

have lost about 25 pounds. I am also hiking at least twice a month

but I try to go one day every weekend. I have had to give up some

other activities to do it, but most of the activities were just

demands other people were making of me that I really didn't want to

do. I think I could lose faster if I paid better attention to my

eating all the time instead of just some of the time.

Bottom line, it's NEVER EASY, and it's a long-term lifestyle

change. You have to come to grips with that. But I know you want

to be around for your kids and then your grandkids, so you have to

do it!!

Let us know how we can help, but for right now, make a committment

to find 15 minutes a day for walking. Walk with your kids - it will

show them that Mom wants to be healthy and give them good habits.

Do it!

P.S. what age are your kids?

Alice

>

> Lindy,

>

> Thank you so very much for the heartfelt welcome; it truly is

appreciated. I

> hope you are serious about helping me lose weight (LOL), I'm

probably going

> to need a lot of it. I will definitely check out the spark website

(if I can

> catch my breath from all the other crazy stuff). I took today off

work so I

> could get ready for my troop meeting, run errands, get household

chores

> done, and guess what? I forgot one of my dearest friends was

having surgery

> today, my 10-year-old is having a little respect problem with the

teacher,

> and the list goes on. I'm sure as it is with everyone else, if

it's not one

> things it's 20 others. Needless to say, I didn't get much done

other than

> being ½ way prepared for my troop meeting. Stopped at Sonic for

chicken

> bites and coke for lunch. How else can someone with my lifestyle

have time

> for anything else?

>

> I've heard it said that if you are too busy during the day to

exercise, get

> up extra early in the morning. I don't have time for that. I

already get up

> @ 5am and don't get to bed till 10pm—midnight.

>

> Anyway, I can whine about it or do something; I want to do

something. Have

> any ideas?

>

> TAMMY

>

[Guest guest]

Kathie,

Thank you so much for your warm welcome and your extension of a “venting

source.” With all the really nice people that I’ve encountered (thus far) on

this site, I’m already getting high hopes of my success with all of your

support. You’ve been so kind and it’s only my 1st day. :-)

Thank you again,

TAMMY

_____

From: thefatmanwalking_group

[mailto:thefatmanwalking_group ] On Behalf Of

blubutch@...

Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 1:52 PM

To: thefatmanwalking_group

Subject: Re: Tammy

Tammy,

Welcome to the group! You are carrying around a ton of stress and I am

hoping you have at least a friend you can talk to about " stuff " . I don't

have any advice or suggestions to offer you, but I can offer a shoulder to

lean on and an ear to listen if you would like to talk about stuff.

with a warm welcoming hug,

Kathie in chilly Michigan

_____

<http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615326657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=ht

tp%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaol%2Ecom%2Fnewaol> Check out the new AOL. Most

comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions

of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

Jane,

Again I have to say WOW! You are as busy as the rest and man, did you hit

this nail on the head by saying, “we can all be described as over achieving,

caring for others, generous to a fault.” You guys are just too great! Thank

you for the welcome. I know I’m going to enjoy my new found friends.

TAMMY

_____

From: thefatmanwalking_group

Subject: Re: Tammy

Hi Tammy!

Boy did you ever come to the right group! I think we can all be described as

over achieving, caring for others, generous to a fault, (I always wondered

exactly what that meant!), reach out to others people with a few weight

issues! lolol. I am a married 49 yr old 5'3 1/2 " grandma, down to 185 from

223 in the last 6 months. I walk, hike, garden, backpack, run after

grandchildren, help my friend with ms, take care of my husband who is 71,

take care of my mom in WA (where I am going this weekend as her identical

twin passed away Sat morn...hope to get her to come back with me for a bit.)

I daycare grand kids, volunteer at their schools, am active in my religion,

and oh yes...I have a business (in my spare time?!?!?) lol

And talk to this group on here.

They are all great people.

Jane

[Guest guest]

Lindy, I have to tell you, I find you amazing. At your weight you really do a lot. It's fantastic. Most people who weigh 349, and much less, cannot hike or walk a 5k. You're truly an inspiration.

Elaine

Dearest Tammy :)I am so glad you found us! Please do become active in this group, it is a wonderful group of VERY accepting and loving people. I am so sorry to hear about your troubles! (((BIG HUG)))I'm Lindy and I also live in a rural area and do not have the funds to join a health club or a diet program. I am upset with weigh watchers for charging so much!! I belong to SparkPeople.com and it is free With them I have lost 20# since the end of June and I currently weigh 349. I walk and started a couch to 5K walking plan online. When I started I could not walk for 10 minutes with out having to stop and catch my breath. If you want the help I am SO willing to befriend you in any way I can! If you need anything let me know! When I say that you can do this with just using the internet I am saying that because it is true take care and welcome!Lindy

[Guest guest]

Tammy, you have already received lots of great advice from some truly

wonderful people. So I don't have much to add. I've been overweight

all of my life, even as a young child and have tried many different

types of diets. The only one that has had a lasting effect and has

been the best for lots of reasons, is eating as healthy as you can --

eating real food that has to be prepared by you and beginning with

only a couple changes at a time. Sounds like something that is too

simple but really, it works.

It does take more time to cook and chop and wash the vegetables, etc.

I don't really appreciate doing that. But I do as much as I can one

or two days a week and then I only have to reheat things. I get all

my vegetables washed and ready to go. If I buy something like a

melon, I chop it into bite-size pieces and put it in a bowl. Then

it's ready when i want some. I freeze lots of stuff, in individual

portions because i live alone.

As others have said, make changes a few at a time. Think what is

doable for you right now. What can you change today that you know you

can stick with? Each week make two more changes. Get your kids

involved in everything from cooking to exercising because they need to

learn this stuff too. As they get older they can be a big help to

you.

Best of luck to you. We are here for you -- and you are here for us as well.

Elaine -- still with a fractured finger. I don't think all this

typing is helping it.

> Hello all,

>

> My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read

> a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested

> enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts

> (reason why I subscribe to Backpackers).

>

> I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes

> trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore

> you with.

>

> Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce

> myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)

>

> I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence,

> motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs.

> I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over

> 100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a

> diet medication and depression.

>

> I originally started taking diet meds for the " quick fix " only to

> find that the dr. didn't really care about me or my health but I

> didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs

> and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still

> and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore.

>

> Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in

> w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say,

> I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain

> the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it.

>

> Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in

> the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to

> lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural

> area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny

> craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now

> with gas @ $3 a gallon.

>

> Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another " convenient " way to help me

> lose weight.

>

> Thanks for reading and I look forward to " meeting " you all.

>

> Tammy

>

>

[Guest guest]

I totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!! And you just gotta love that heart felt perky personality she has. Leena

Re: Tammy

Lindy, I have to tell you, I find you amazing. At your weight you really do a lot. It's fantastic. Most people who weigh 349, and much less, cannot hike or walk a 5k. You're truly an inspiration.

Elaine

On 9/11/06, lindy of the shire <lindorneagmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Dearest Tammy :)I am so glad you found us! Please do become active in this group, it is a wonderful group of VERY accepting and loving people. I am so sorry to hear about your troubles! (((BIG HUG)))I'm Lindy and I also live in a rural area and do not have the funds to join a health club or a diet program. I am upset with weigh watchers for charging so much!! I belong to SparkPeople. com and it is free With them I have lost 20# since the end of June and I currently weigh 349. I walk and started a couch to 5K walking plan online. When I started I could not walk for 10 minutes with out having to stop and catch my breath. If you want the help I am SO willing to befriend you in any way I can! If you need anything let me know! When I say that you can do this with just using the internet I am saying that because it is true take care and welcome!Lindy

[Guest guest]

your plan sounds good and I am proud of you. Just one little thing, watch out for the V8, it is supposedly loaded with sodium. Many people call it a glass of salt, ncluding my doc.Perhaps it is time for you to get a little juicer and do your own. Just a thought. Leena

[thefatmanwalking_ group] Tammy

Hello all,My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts (reason why I subscribe to Backpackers) . I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore you with. Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence, motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs. I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over 100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a diet medication and depression. I originally started taking diet meds for the "quick fix" only to find that the dr.

didn't really care about me or my health but I didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore. Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say, I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it. Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now with gas @ $3 a gallon. Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another "convenient" way to help me lose weight.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to "meeting" you all. Tammy

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

Thanks for the vote of confidence and the advice. I hope your finger gets

better.

TAMMY

From: thefatmanwalking_group

Subject: Re: Tammy

Tammy, you have already received lots of great advice from some truly

wonderful people. So I don't have much to add. I've been overweight

all of my life, even as a young child and have tried many different

types of diets. The only one that has had a lasting effect and has

been the best for lots of reasons, is eating as healthy as you can --

eating real food that has to be prepared by you and beginning with

only a couple changes at a time. Sounds like something that is too

simple but really, it works.

It does take more time to cook and chop and wash the vegetables, etc.

I don't really appreciate doing that. But I do as much as I can one

or two days a week and then I only have to reheat things. I get all

my vegetables washed and ready to go. If I buy something like a

melon, I chop it into bite-size pieces and put it in a bowl. Then

it's ready when i want some. I freeze lots of stuff, in individual

portions because i live alone.

As others have said, make changes a few at a time. Think what is

doable for you right now. What can you change today that you know you

can stick with? Each week make two more changes. Get your kids

involved in everything from cooking to exercising because they need to

learn this stuff too. As they get older they can be a big help to

you.

Best of luck to you. We are here for you -- and you are here for us as well.

Elaine -- still with a fractured finger. I don't think all this

typing is helping it.

On 9/11/06, tammydbussey <tamdarbus@sbcglobal

<mailto:tamdarbus%40sbcglobal.net> .net> wrote:

> Hello all,

>

> My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read

> a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested

> enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts

> (reason why I subscribe to Backpackers).

>

> I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes

> trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore

> you with.

>

> Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce

> myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)

>

> I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence,

> motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs.

> I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over

> 100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a

> diet medication and depression.

>

> I originally started taking diet meds for the " quick fix " only to

> find that the dr. didn't really care about me or my health but I

> didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs

> and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still

> and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore.

>

> Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in

> w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say,

> I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain

> the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it.

>

> Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in

> the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to

> lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural

> area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny

> craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now

> with gas @ $3 a gallon.

>

> Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another " convenient " way to help me

> lose weight.

>

> Thanks for reading and I look forward to " meeting " you all.

>

> Tammy

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

I know you have been given quite a few suggestions as to how to possibly achieve

weight loss but some things to remember.

Each person has to find what works or doesn't work for them. It may be good for

one person but bad for another. Jane, the grandmother that hikes alone on the

west coast, has to eat more to lose weight!

Slowly change your habits incorporating one or two suggestions at a time letting

these changes have time to take effect. Adding too many changes at one time or

too quickly may cause you to not see a bad change cancelling out a good change.

As to keeping us informed, feel free to tell us as much as you want or to not

tell us. Just don't try to do things too fast. Give your body a chance to adjust

to the new you.

Gerard

[Guest guest]

Gerald,

You are absolutely correct. I was talking

to a friend last night and telling her about all the wonderful people I’ve

“met” and all the great suggestions I’ve been given. The one

thing that hit me during my conversation w/her is my own advice that I’ve

not taken when it comes to my health.

A while back, I read that it takes 21 days

to form a new habit and I’ve tried in on little things and it actually

works. Therefore, I’m going to try these two things for the next 21 days.

I want to ride the stationary bike and eat “something” for

breakfast every day for 21 days and see how it goes. If I make it with that, I’ll

decide what to add or delete in my life to improve my over all health.

I can’t say it enough, to all of

you, thank you again for ALL the wonderful advice and votes of confidence.

TAMMY

From:

thefatmanwalking_group

[mailto:thefatmanwalking_group ] On Behalf Of Mr. Quiet

Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006

6:56 AM

To: thefatmanwalking_group

Subject: Re:

Tammy

Tammy,

I know you have been given quite a few suggestions as to how to possibly

achieve weight loss but some things to remember.

Each person has to find what works or doesn't work for them. It may be good for

one person but bad for another. Jane, the grandmother that hikes alone on the

west coast, has to eat more to lose weight!

Slowly change your habits incorporating one or two suggestions at a time

letting these changes have time to take effect. Adding too many changes at one

time or too quickly may cause you to not see a bad change cancelling out a good

change.

As to keeping us informed, feel free to tell us as much as you want or to not

tell us. Just don't try to do things too fast. Give your body a chance to

adjust to the new you.

Gerard

[Guest guest]



I use the low sodium V-8, Leena, and add lemon and a tiny bit of Tabasco sauce. Also do not add salt to anything, but thanks for being concerned..

[thefatmanwalking_ group] Tammy

Hello all,My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts (reason why I subscribe to Backpackers) . I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore you with. Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence, motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs. I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over 100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a diet medication and depression. I originally started taking diet meds for the "quick fix" only to find that the dr. didn't really care about me or my health but I didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore. Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say, I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it. Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now with gas @ $3 a gallon. Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another "convenient" way to help me lose weight. Thanks for reading and I look forward to "meeting" you all. Tammy

[Guest guest]

Does it taste good? See

I thought I was doing god by drinking a glass every day. That is how I found out.Instead, I made a big pot of veggie soup, and would have a bowl for breakfast... man did it give me energy. Did the same with a pot of mixed beans.Had energy galore and felt so full.My daughter started eating it for an after school snack. She is a very healthy person.Also a cold salad with warm black beans is great.Thanks for letting me know about the low sodium one. Leena

[thefatmanwalking_ group] Tammy

Hello all,My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts (reason why I subscribe to Backpackers) . I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore you with. Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence, motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs. I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over 100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a diet medication and depression. I originally started taking diet meds for the "quick fix" only to find that the dr.

didn't really care about me or my health but I didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore. Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say, I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it. Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now with gas @ $3 a gallon. Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another "convenient" way to help me lose weight.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to "meeting" you all. Tammy

[Guest guest]

Oh I almost forgot. If you had a teaspoon of jam to regular oatmeal would the calories be about the same. Also is it good? My kids always sem to eat all the good ones out of variety pack and we have the reg left every time. LOL Also for those of you who eat fish, my daughter makes this colslaw type salad, it is shreddded cabbage, shredded carrpts, cut up mango and a wee bit of mayo.Is great for a fih or chicken meal. Leena

[thefatmanwalking_ group] Tammy

Hello all,My name is Tammy, I'm a 36 year-old single mom of 3. I recently read a story about Steve in Backpackers magazine and it got me interested enough to join this group. I am on a simialar group for girl scouts (reason why I subscribe to Backpackers) . I live in Cleveland, TX, self-employed, attend college classes trying to earn my AA degree, and a million other things I won't bore you with. Once I was accepted as a member I recieved a request to introduce myself. So here I am; nothing special, just me. :)I joined this group primarialy to give me hope, confidence, motivation, and etc...to lose weight. I am currently 5'7 and 280lbs. I've always been rather large but never obese. I've gained over 100lbs in 3 years and believe the cause was the result of stopping a diet medication and depression. I originally started taking diet meds for the "quick fix" only to find that the dr.

didn't really care about me or my health but I didn't care, I was losing weight and fast. I started out @ 220lbs and dropped 40 within the 1st 2 months. Then I was at a stand still and the dr. wouldn't prescribe the meds anymore. Now during that time I lost my mom who was 49 and my dad moved in w/me once he was diagnosed terminal w/lung cancer. Needless to say, I easily and readily found comfort in food and not only did I regain the weight I lost, I've almost tripled it. Honest truth now? I have had 2 heart attacks, have SVT (puts me in the ER about once a month), and have absolutely no motivation to lose weight. I don't have time or money for a gym. I live in a rural area so for me to go to wieght clubs like weight watchers, jenny craig, and stuff like that is completely senseless; especially now with gas @ $3 a gallon. Anyway, I guess I'm looking for another "convenient" way to help me lose weight.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to "meeting" you all. Tammy

[Guest guest]

>

> Oh I almost forgot. If you had a teaspoon of jam to regular

>oatmeal would the calories be about the same. Also is it good?

>My kids always sem to eat all the good ones out of variety

>pack and we have the reg left every time.

I just googled " calories in jam " , one link lists a tbsp of strawberry

jam as 50 calories. So yeah, if you add a tbsp of jam to anything, you

have added 50 calories. But as far as oatmeal goes, the flavored stuff

is overpriced, chemical-laden junk. Have you ever READ the ingredient

list? You can buy a huge cardboard can of plain " quick oats " for a few

dollars, then flavor it yourself with healthful stuff. Like a tsp of

pure maple syrup, a handful of dried raisins or cherries, etc. Way better

for you. Way healthier. WAY cheaper. And much lower in calories.

[Guest guest]

I make my own low sugar jams...they are great in oatmeal...I also use raisins or bananas or some fruit I dry myself (especially when hiking). It is great!

Jane

[Guest guest]

I agree with this. When I used to eat those little packets, not only

did I get too many calories and sugar from it, I was always still so

hungry. Cooking quick oats only takes one minute once the water

boils. You can also put it in the microwave, so it doesn't take long.

So much more filling and you can put lots of things in it. I use a

teaspoon of honey. I've seen people put in chopped apples, raisins

and/or bananas, walnuts, brown sugar (can't get carried away with the

sugar though, incl honey). Jam sounds like a great idea.

It's so much better for you. There's so many pluses with real oatmeal

and no real ones with the instant stuff.

Elaine

> I just googled " calories in jam " , one link lists a tbsp of strawberry

> jam as 50 calories. So yeah, if you add a tbsp of jam to anything, you

> have added 50 calories. But as far as oatmeal goes, the flavored stuff

> is overpriced, chemical-laden junk. Have you ever READ the ingredient

> list? You can buy a huge cardboard can of plain " quick oats " for a few

> dollars, then flavor it yourself with healthful stuff. Like a tsp of

> pure maple syrup, a handful of dried raisins or cherries, etc. Way better

> for you. Way healthier. WAY cheaper. And much lower in calories.

>

>