Kathy

[Guest guest]

> Does everyone follow a special food plan or does everyone do

what works for them.

> Also when you all started to walk how far did you go and for how

long and when did

> you increase your walks.

We all do what ever works best for us. Different eating styles mean

different 'best' ways to loose and maintain weight loss too.

My highest was 225, I'm now down to 158 (but did it very slowly by

making small 'less painfull' life style changes so it wouldn't come

back on. (it's been 2 years now)

It's great to get different tid bits of advice and hear what does and

doesn't work here.

How WAS your eating styl before your tryint to loose? For me I ate

nothing but cake and brownies and candy bars - occational bag of

doritos (yes, a big one and the whole thing) and drank nothing but

sugary/creamy coffee or soda. Needless to say I've made some drastic

changes. For me, because I was so high on fat, the easiest way for

me to loose was to simply watch fat grams only. I cut back to 40

grams a day (which was hard at first figuring a candy bar has around

20 and a bag of chips could put you over 100. Just doing that and

nothing else lost me a good amount of weight. Then it stabled off

and I cut back to 30 grams a day (you are suppose to have 20-40 grams

per day). Again more weight slipped off and I stabalized. Then I

started looking at the number of calories I ate because although I

cut out alot of fat - I was still eating nothing but cakes and

cookies and soda (just the fat free version). Counting calories

helped to cut out alot of sugary stuffs. And as of last summer I

started a healthy way of eating that is more 'normal'.

As far as how far to walk? I couldn't walk to the end of the riveway

and back without getting red in the face and panting in the begining,

so that was my first goal. I don't 'walk' walk, but take the stairs

instead of the elevator, park farther away from the store - things

like that.

Ang

[Guest guest]

Welcome Kathy,

Good for you on the weight you have lost already! If you don't mind,

what kind of surgery are you having? I had shoulder surgery 3 years ago

and know what it is like to not have use of an arm, ugh! Fortunately

mine was my right and I am left handed but it's surprising how much you

don't realize you use something until you can't! I hope it all goes

well for you. One thing I can tell you is be patient and get rest.

Don't push things too hard. I thought after my surgery that I would go

for walks everyday and lose weight while on my 3 month leave from work.

I was a checker in a grocery store but was surprised to find how weak

and tired I was.

At my heaviest I was 284 lbs, I am 5'3. So far I am 208. It has been

slow, ok kind of stuck for awhile but the thing is to focus on

lifestyle change. Work on habits and behaviors. I don't diet. Just try

to eat better and get regular exercise. You asked about how much? Well

that really depends on what kind of shape you are in, if you are pretty

active already, ect. I'd say since you are having surgery, just wait

and see how you feel. The thing is to be consistent. I lost steadily

until I started missing days. Once I fell out of my routine it took

soooo long to get back on track. Just start slow. You don't want to get

burned out or injured. From what I have learned, it is best to just

work on getting the time in, like going 20-30 min a day 4, maybe even 6

days a week and work on speed later. I tried to push it too early,

going too fast and wound up with joint problems. I have severe

arthritis too. Was diagnosed at 13 and am 38 now. Keeping active really

helps but don't try to go too fast is all. Do you take any supplements?

I have had really great results with MSM, glucosamine and chondroiten.

My chiropractor told me that some recent studies show they don't just

slow down the arthritis but can actually reverse some of it!!!!!

Anyway, nice to meet you. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Gena :-)

>

>     Hello Everyone my name is Kathy and I just joined your group. I

> have been up and down the scales a million times and lost and gained

> so many times. Last year I had 5 operations and was home and unable to

> do anything and felt sorry for myself and so I ate. I was at my

> highest weight ever 229lbs and since February 14 th I looked in the

> mirror and deceided no one was going to do it for me and I needed to

> stop feeling sorry for myself and start doing something about it. I

> use to belong to Craig and did well but I could not afford the

> cost and so I took the diets and I use my own food and I am now down

> to 196 lbs. I have made small goals of 8 to 10 lbs a month

> and I have just started exercising. I have arthiritis badly but I walk

> as much as

> possible. In May I have a big surgery coming up and I need friends

> like you all

> to help me thru the hard times as well as the good and hopefully I

> will be able to

> help one of you.

[Guest guest]

Welcome Kathy,

Good for you on the weight you have lost already! If you don't mind,

what kind of surgery are you having? I had shoulder surgery 3 years ago

and know what it is like to not have use of an arm, ugh! Fortunately

mine was my right and I am left handed but it's surprising how much you

don't realize you use something until you can't! I hope it all goes

well for you. One thing I can tell you is be patient and get rest.

Don't push things too hard. I thought after my surgery that I would go

for walks everyday and lose weight while on my 3 month leave from work.

I was a checker in a grocery store but was surprised to find how weak

and tired I was.

At my heaviest I was 284 lbs, I am 5'3. So far I am 208. It has been

slow, ok kind of stuck for awhile but the thing is to focus on

lifestyle change. Work on habits and behaviors. I don't diet. Just try

to eat better and get regular exercise. You asked about how much? Well

that really depends on what kind of shape you are in, if you are pretty

active already, ect. I'd say since you are having surgery, just wait

and see how you feel. The thing is to be consistent. I lost steadily

until I started missing days. Once I fell out of my routine it took

soooo long to get back on track. Just start slow. You don't want to get

burned out or injured. From what I have learned, it is best to just

work on getting the time in, like going 20-30 min a day 4, maybe even 6

days a week and work on speed later. I tried to push it too early,

going too fast and wound up with joint problems. I have severe

arthritis too. Was diagnosed at 13 and am 38 now. Keeping active really

helps but don't try to go too fast is all. Do you take any supplements?

I have had really great results with MSM, glucosamine and chondroiten.

My chiropractor told me that some recent studies show they don't just

slow down the arthritis but can actually reverse some of it!!!!!

Anyway, nice to meet you. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Gena :-)

>

>     Hello Everyone my name is Kathy and I just joined your group. I

> have been up and down the scales a million times and lost and gained

> so many times. Last year I had 5 operations and was home and unable to

> do anything and felt sorry for myself and so I ate. I was at my

> highest weight ever 229lbs and since February 14 th I looked in the

> mirror and deceided no one was going to do it for me and I needed to

> stop feeling sorry for myself and start doing something about it. I

> use to belong to Craig and did well but I could not afford the

> cost and so I took the diets and I use my own food and I am now down

> to 196 lbs. I have made small goals of 8 to 10 lbs a month

> and I have just started exercising. I have arthiritis badly but I walk

> as much as

> possible. In May I have a big surgery coming up and I need friends

> like you all

> to help me thru the hard times as well as the good and hopefully I

> will be able to

> help one of you.

[Guest guest]

Welcome Kathy,

Good for you on the weight you have lost already! If you don't mind,

what kind of surgery are you having? I had shoulder surgery 3 years ago

and know what it is like to not have use of an arm, ugh! Fortunately

mine was my right and I am left handed but it's surprising how much you

don't realize you use something until you can't! I hope it all goes

well for you. One thing I can tell you is be patient and get rest.

Don't push things too hard. I thought after my surgery that I would go

for walks everyday and lose weight while on my 3 month leave from work.

I was a checker in a grocery store but was surprised to find how weak

and tired I was.

At my heaviest I was 284 lbs, I am 5'3. So far I am 208. It has been

slow, ok kind of stuck for awhile but the thing is to focus on

lifestyle change. Work on habits and behaviors. I don't diet. Just try

to eat better and get regular exercise. You asked about how much? Well

that really depends on what kind of shape you are in, if you are pretty

active already, ect. I'd say since you are having surgery, just wait

and see how you feel. The thing is to be consistent. I lost steadily

until I started missing days. Once I fell out of my routine it took

soooo long to get back on track. Just start slow. You don't want to get

burned out or injured. From what I have learned, it is best to just

work on getting the time in, like going 20-30 min a day 4, maybe even 6

days a week and work on speed later. I tried to push it too early,

going too fast and wound up with joint problems. I have severe

arthritis too. Was diagnosed at 13 and am 38 now. Keeping active really

helps but don't try to go too fast is all. Do you take any supplements?

I have had really great results with MSM, glucosamine and chondroiten.

My chiropractor told me that some recent studies show they don't just

slow down the arthritis but can actually reverse some of it!!!!!

Anyway, nice to meet you. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Gena :-)

>

>     Hello Everyone my name is Kathy and I just joined your group. I

> have been up and down the scales a million times and lost and gained

> so many times. Last year I had 5 operations and was home and unable to

> do anything and felt sorry for myself and so I ate. I was at my

> highest weight ever 229lbs and since February 14 th I looked in the

> mirror and deceided no one was going to do it for me and I needed to

> stop feeling sorry for myself and start doing something about it. I

> use to belong to Craig and did well but I could not afford the

> cost and so I took the diets and I use my own food and I am now down

> to 196 lbs. I have made small goals of 8 to 10 lbs a month

> and I have just started exercising. I have arthiritis badly but I walk

> as much as

> possible. In May I have a big surgery coming up and I need friends

> like you all

> to help me thru the hard times as well as the good and hopefully I

> will be able to

> help one of you.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy! You have been thru a lot and you sound like you are the stronger

for it. I have faith you can do this. You are having surgery on my birthday

so I will remember. Please keep us updated and I wish you the very best!

Peace,

Jen N. TX

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even

touched. They must be felt with the heart. -Helen Keller

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/12/2003 6:47:25 PM Central Daylight Time,

kannenna@... writes:

> I would like to be added to the list I started 2/14/03 at 229 and

> today4/12/03 I am at 196

>

Gotcha added!! Good luck!!

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

If I may ask, how much more do you have to lose? I started at 284, am

5'3 " and I know for me, it wasn't until after the first 30 that people

really started to notice. It's good that you realize it is for you and

you really don't need to hear it from others but I know it sure is

nice! I think sometimes it does take seeing someone who hasn't seen you

in awhile or wearing something new helps. When I was at my heaviest I

was working in a grocery store and it closed. I made my " new job "

losing weight. I hadn't seen anyone from the store in months and when I

finally did it I had already lost over 50 lbs so people went nuts! Just

recently when Mike and I were waiting for a table at a restaurant this

girl kept looking at me and then came up to me and asked if I used to

work at the groc store? I said yes and she said " I thought so! You have

lost a ton of weight! " Boy I sure needed that at the time because I had

been beating myself up about not only not losing for awhile but

actually gaining some back, so was feeling pretty down. Come to find

out after talking to her awhile, I hadn't recognized her at all, that

she had lost a lot of weight too! Way more than I had and here she was

going nuts about my loss! I couldn't believe it! She said back when the

store was open she was 230 lbs and wearing like a 22/24 and now is in a

2! Granted she is like 4'10 " but still, I was blown away by this! I

still have such a long way to go. I'm about 208 right now and really

want to at least get to the 160s. But anyway, I know what you mean. It

is encouraging when others notice. Unfortunately people don't seem to

react the way I expected them to. My own family hardly says a thing.

They say it's because they see me everyday. Whatever! My mom says she

is always afraid to say it looks like somebody has lost weight because

then they might think " they looked bad before " . I have told her that is

not so and we NEED to hear it! It helps us know that it shows. People

have many reasons for not reacting. I think some might actually have

some resentment and feel guilty because they know they should be doing

it. So hey, maybe it is a compliment in some ways? :-)

Just keep reminding yourself that you are doing this for you. Keep at

it! People will notice, believe me!

Take care,

Gena

> Even though I have lost 35 lbs no one seems to notice or if they do

> they are not saying so. Except my husband he says I'm melting when he

> puts his arms around me. I guess b'c I have so much more to lose they

> don't see it. But I am doing this for ME and no one else so it

> shouldn't matter ....but it would be nice.

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

If I may ask, how much more do you have to lose? I started at 284, am

5'3 " and I know for me, it wasn't until after the first 30 that people

really started to notice. It's good that you realize it is for you and

you really don't need to hear it from others but I know it sure is

nice! I think sometimes it does take seeing someone who hasn't seen you

in awhile or wearing something new helps. When I was at my heaviest I

was working in a grocery store and it closed. I made my " new job "

losing weight. I hadn't seen anyone from the store in months and when I

finally did it I had already lost over 50 lbs so people went nuts! Just

recently when Mike and I were waiting for a table at a restaurant this

girl kept looking at me and then came up to me and asked if I used to

work at the groc store? I said yes and she said " I thought so! You have

lost a ton of weight! " Boy I sure needed that at the time because I had

been beating myself up about not only not losing for awhile but

actually gaining some back, so was feeling pretty down. Come to find

out after talking to her awhile, I hadn't recognized her at all, that

she had lost a lot of weight too! Way more than I had and here she was

going nuts about my loss! I couldn't believe it! She said back when the

store was open she was 230 lbs and wearing like a 22/24 and now is in a

2! Granted she is like 4'10 " but still, I was blown away by this! I

still have such a long way to go. I'm about 208 right now and really

want to at least get to the 160s. But anyway, I know what you mean. It

is encouraging when others notice. Unfortunately people don't seem to

react the way I expected them to. My own family hardly says a thing.

They say it's because they see me everyday. Whatever! My mom says she

is always afraid to say it looks like somebody has lost weight because

then they might think " they looked bad before " . I have told her that is

not so and we NEED to hear it! It helps us know that it shows. People

have many reasons for not reacting. I think some might actually have

some resentment and feel guilty because they know they should be doing

it. So hey, maybe it is a compliment in some ways? :-)

Just keep reminding yourself that you are doing this for you. Keep at

it! People will notice, believe me!

Take care,

Gena

> Even though I have lost 35 lbs no one seems to notice or if they do

> they are not saying so. Except my husband he says I'm melting when he

> puts his arms around me. I guess b'c I have so much more to lose they

> don't see it. But I am doing this for ME and no one else so it

> shouldn't matter ....but it would be nice.

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

If I may ask, how much more do you have to lose? I started at 284, am

5'3 " and I know for me, it wasn't until after the first 30 that people

really started to notice. It's good that you realize it is for you and

you really don't need to hear it from others but I know it sure is

nice! I think sometimes it does take seeing someone who hasn't seen you

in awhile or wearing something new helps. When I was at my heaviest I

was working in a grocery store and it closed. I made my " new job "

losing weight. I hadn't seen anyone from the store in months and when I

finally did it I had already lost over 50 lbs so people went nuts! Just

recently when Mike and I were waiting for a table at a restaurant this

girl kept looking at me and then came up to me and asked if I used to

work at the groc store? I said yes and she said " I thought so! You have

lost a ton of weight! " Boy I sure needed that at the time because I had

been beating myself up about not only not losing for awhile but

actually gaining some back, so was feeling pretty down. Come to find

out after talking to her awhile, I hadn't recognized her at all, that

she had lost a lot of weight too! Way more than I had and here she was

going nuts about my loss! I couldn't believe it! She said back when the

store was open she was 230 lbs and wearing like a 22/24 and now is in a

2! Granted she is like 4'10 " but still, I was blown away by this! I

still have such a long way to go. I'm about 208 right now and really

want to at least get to the 160s. But anyway, I know what you mean. It

is encouraging when others notice. Unfortunately people don't seem to

react the way I expected them to. My own family hardly says a thing.

They say it's because they see me everyday. Whatever! My mom says she

is always afraid to say it looks like somebody has lost weight because

then they might think " they looked bad before " . I have told her that is

not so and we NEED to hear it! It helps us know that it shows. People

have many reasons for not reacting. I think some might actually have

some resentment and feel guilty because they know they should be doing

it. So hey, maybe it is a compliment in some ways? :-)

Just keep reminding yourself that you are doing this for you. Keep at

it! People will notice, believe me!

Take care,

Gena

> Even though I have lost 35 lbs no one seems to notice or if they do

> they are not saying so. Except my husband he says I'm melting when he

> puts his arms around me. I guess b'c I have so much more to lose they

> don't see it. But I am doing this for ME and no one else so it

> shouldn't matter ....but it would be nice.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/18/03 11:02:09 AM Central Daylight Time, Kathy writes:

> I was just so miserable being 229 lbs today I weighed myself and I'm 192 so

> its working.

OMG...for sure it is working! That is so wonderful. The progress you have

made is so inspiring Kathy!!!!!

Wow you guys walk a lot! I haven't made it over 20 minutes yet. My walks are

kind of challenging because I always take along my puppy who needs the

exercise too.

:-)

Peace,

Jen N. TX

Our greatest battles are that with our own minds. - on

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/18/03 11:02:09 AM Central Daylight Time, Kathy writes:

> I was just so miserable being 229 lbs today I weighed myself and I'm 192 so

> its working.

OMG...for sure it is working! That is so wonderful. The progress you have

made is so inspiring Kathy!!!!!

Wow you guys walk a lot! I haven't made it over 20 minutes yet. My walks are

kind of challenging because I always take along my puppy who needs the

exercise too.

:-)

Peace,

Jen N. TX

Our greatest battles are that with our own minds. - on

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/18/03 11:02:09 AM Central Daylight Time, Kathy writes:

> I was just so miserable being 229 lbs today I weighed myself and I'm 192 so

> its working.

OMG...for sure it is working! That is so wonderful. The progress you have

made is so inspiring Kathy!!!!!

Wow you guys walk a lot! I haven't made it over 20 minutes yet. My walks are

kind of challenging because I always take along my puppy who needs the

exercise too.

:-)

Peace,

Jen N. TX

Our greatest battles are that with our own minds. - on