Hi Ladies,
Today I made a big decision and I need encouragement to stick with the plan. I was horrified this morning when I stepped on the scale and it read 208#!!!!! I'm about 5'7" so that's AWAY too much for me to weigh! My blood pressure has been creeping up also - borderline hypertension - NOT GOOD! And I'm concerned about possibly getting diabetes - my brother is the only one I know of in my family that has it, but that doesn't mean I couldn't get it! And the excess baggage is taking it's toll on my feet, knees & ankles.

I know I'll never be as slim as I was 30 years ago - BUT - I need to take off at least 40 pounds. My problem isn't so much "what" I eat as "how much" I eat. I love good food and if the first helping tasted good, the second and third are even better!!!

So I'm going to try for a 2# loss per week - may not be able to do it, but even 1# will be good - will just take longer to get rid of this blubber!

Does anyone want to join me in this endeavor? We could post our success each week and encourage each other so we stay on track. Maybe even have a prize for the bigger loser at the end of a certain period of time - like some nice Fat Quarters!!!!

Nola

(5/6/08 - 208# - Goal - 170# by 9/13/08)

Nola, I am sending you a PM.

Nola, you have my complete support and encouragement. I managed to lose about 25 pounds int he last year and a half. I have always heard, the slower it comes off, the better that is. I like you, had a "portion control" problem. It isn't so much that I don't eat anything good. I just don't eat as much of anything..and I switched from sugar to Splenda..but I really think the biggest difference for me was the exercise..I joined Curves, and faithfuly go three times a week. Then about 6 mos ago, I started yoga two mornings per week. Yoga is amazing..relieves stress and tones the body!! we do about 15 minutes of pilates at the end of each yoga session. I would like to lose 10 or 15 more pounds, but I am not putting pressure on myself to do it. I am kind of letting nature take it's course and seeing what happens. I would love to be your cheerleader!!

Thanks so much!!! I used to belong to Curves - in fact I was one of the first to join when they opened a facility in Decatur. Unfortunately, that was right when my Mom became a total invalid, and there was just so much to do that I couldn't get in very often to work out. And now, being faced with hubby's job loss in a month, and no job in sight yet, I can't afford to rejoin Curves. I do have a gazelle machine at home, and now that warm weather is here, I'll be riding my bike a lot. In fact, I'm going to put a basket on the bike and start riding in to town when I have to run in for just a couple small items. It's only two miles in to town and I can take the back road in. I've even walked to town a time or too when my car was in for repairs!

I love the gazelle as it gives a pretty good work-out without being so hard on the joints. I've been having lower back problems and my left knee is giving me fits - keeps "popping" and is very stiff. So I think losing a few pounds will be a big help.

I've set a short term goal of 20 pounds by the first week of August (but even 10 or 15 pounds will be great.) My long term goal is to get down to 160 - that's only 48 pounds which should be do-able over a period of time. Summer is a great time to start a weight loss program since there are such good fresh veggies and fruits to rely on for lunches. I can make a meal on a salad and cottage cheese with pineapple - or a yogurt/banana smoothie.

Nola

Current weight: 208# Short term goal: Aug. 5 - 188# Long term goal: 160# Lost to date: none - just started today.

Nola -

I have started walking more - trying to lose 20 pounds and get more exercise. I have also walked to the bank and grocery store - for more walking and to help lose 15-20 pounds that I haven't been able to drop for the past 4 year or more.

My second reason for this is to get ready for my Mediterranean cruise later this summer. We plan to do a lot of walking tours in the different countries/cities we visit, and I want to be ready.

PLUS I have arthritis in both hips and want to keep this at as much a minimum as I can. We will all be here to support you.

I read somewhere recently that for every one pound of weight a person loses, he/she reduces 4 pounds of pressure off knees. Wonder if it is true for hips and ankles as well? I am using that to help motivate me, anything I can do to help these arthritic knees.

Nola you can do it just one step at a time, like Linda O, I am walking 30 minutes a day in the morning to start the day off that is too loose about 10 pounds and also to help lower the BP/ my mother has diabetes however none of my sisters have it and I am for sure aim to keep it that way for me so excercise is the key along with watching what I eat, never have eaten too much oh but the sweets they are my enemy, so will keep reading this thread and sending you all the encouragement I can to help you with this great healthy way you are going.

One week down!

2# gone!

Didn't do good at all today - ate away too many homemade french fries then went to a graduation party - had too much cake and punch (but it was SOOOOO GOOOOD!) - so tomorrow I'm back on the diet!

Nola

Nola,
I completely understand what your going through and I completely encourage you in your efforts. I am also 5'7" and this past January I got tired of my clothes not fitting and being out of breath from walking up the stairs. So I joined Weight Watchers. They are fantastic! They teach you that its okay to eat "regular food." Its not a diet and its so easy to stick with. In the past 5 months I have lost nearly 20 pounds. All from changing the way I eat and taking a 30 minute walk every day. So I would encourage you to check Weight Watchers out for yourself and see if that's something you feel would fit for you.

All the best,
ShannonL

Nola, how are you doing with this?? thinking of you daily!