I just had to share - The pants I am wearing today are a size 16 and they feel good. I honestly do not remember the last time I was able to wear anything from the Misses Department. I don't weigh until tomorrow and while I would like to see the scale go below 200 my week has already been made. Thanks everyone for helping me.

Yeah Eileen, that's been my mantra for a year here in the Detroit area, I need an adovcate. Can't find one. As far as surgery, I've resisted it because of the weight and it's getting down to the only option with the nerve which was the final straw to force me back to calorie counting.

Sandy, I hear you about the small increase on the treadmill. I was so proud of myself by upping my stomach exercises yesterday by 2. It's small but gives you a boost cause you know you're moving forward.

Okay, I'm going to whine. There are not very many reasonably priced restaurants around Hanscom AFB in MA. We've been to a place called Not your Average Joe's, Friendly's and The Weathervane. I have no idea where we're eating tonight. It's making me crazy paying $30 or $40 for a meal every time we go out. Everyplace on base closes after 4pm!!
I know I'm doing bad for dinner so I've been eating my oatmeal every morning here in the room. The info on the Hanscom Inn said there was a microwave and fridge and coffee pot. I have to wash our breakfast bowls in the bathroom sink, and the coffee pot is only a 4 cupper.
Mike only has an hour for lunch so we're confined to the places on base here. There's a pizza/sub place, and a "diner". All they have is fried food. What happened to the Air Force supporting healthy lifestyles??
Well, we're going home on Friday. I'll start over again. Thank goodness for all of you.

Patti,
I've just caught up with our little group here. Are you willing to think about disc surgery? Is it an option without the weight loss? It can be a Catch 22 in these situations but it sounds like you have to find a patient advocate, someone who will help you fight your battles.
Know that you're in my thoughts as well as everyone else here.
Eileen

Has anyone here tried Alli? I'm wondering if it will help me discipline myself.
E

One of the best things I do in the summer is I take pinapple juice put 1/4 cup in several small bowls then let it chill in freezer until it starts to get slushy then add mandrian oranges, or strawberries. Then let it freeze. This is the best snack when you are really hot and it doesn't have a lot of calories. Plus pinapple is a good fat burner. By the way it also works with orange juice really well. Rachel

Great new about the Scooter. My brother has had multiple hip replacements and he purchased a used scooter to use at Car Shows and for days when he just doesn't feel like walking to the mail box. I am watching calories a bit more this week, eating lots of fruit and salads and I have increased my treadmill speed a tenth of a mile. Doesn't sound like it would make a difference but I certainly feel it in my legs.

You're doing great Patti. You Rock! I'll keep a good thought for your continued success.
Karen

well fresh pineapple or canned in water would be fine. Salsa is a great low cal dish. I make a killer fresh salsa from a recipe one of my students gave me when I was teaching new hire classes in West Virginia for UA. Miss those tomatoes and can't wait for them to show up at the Farmers Market! Well I've been compliant to my 1000 calories and exercises twice a day for 3 days now Yippee!

Got a call from the scooter store who's been working for months on getting the insurance OK for a powerchair and I got approved today. This is such good news as I can rejoin the world when I'm able to sit again. Here's to dieting right out of that chair (if my back gets better as I expect it will when the pounds go)but I'm so so grateful for the help now.

I had to re-post, Last post was long!

Okay you guys may think I'm silly but I weigh 118 pounds and some times 122, I gain / I loose. But I'm over weight for my size either weight. I'm not as active as I use to be because of getting tired easily, its the fybro/arthritis. Alot of folks would think how is 118-122 pounds over weight, lets just say it is for me. "Truth" I have a heathy gut/bigger thighs,fatter face...never mind you can trust me,I'm over weight.

Okay

I have a sausa dish for you guys to try if you like:

two cans of pineapples/chopped
one red or purple onion/chopped
selantra/chopped
mix altogether and eat with corn chips.... I would call it a light snack but the corn chips with salt might not be forgiving,I don't know.
Daughter just gave me this recipe if its not good for the diet then just eat a couple, I'm so sorry. Though it would be great to get afew good diet recipes going here. I'm not good with the dietary depart. but I know I like the sausa's.

All my best to you everyone, Kathy

Sandy
Nice Thread,very supportive, very eduacatinal, very inspirational. "Good Luck on the weight loss and a very happy reunion"

( Good Luck to everyone trying to loose weight.)

Patti
Yes, Check on the Social Services in your township they should help you out.
I'm in Ohio and I had an Uncle in Kentucky that needed help and I called Social Services in Kentucky and told them the situation and you talk about getting help fast,they were right on it. They were really nice, they helped out alot. Though my uncle was on disability. I was worried sick but I couldn't get to Kentucky at the time. My Uncle is an Achoholic and He set out in the cold rain drinking and he had a very bad cold, I was afraid he was going to die of phemonia. Well I have another uncle that lives with him but he is disabled too he lost his mind due to a divorce,he's not right minded,drinks too. One takes care of the other. I'm sorry,I got mixed up here on my uncles the second uncle was one that got ill. I not much on editting! First Uncle has drank since I can remember,he got hit by a car from walking on a side road drunk,broke his neck. Dr. said if he hadn't of been drunk he wouldn't have lived through this,I'm like it wouldn't have happened if he hadn't of been drinking.
"I did what I thought was best at the time". I did fess up later to my Uncle that I called social services for them because I was worried over thier wel-being. He was happy that he got the help. They took my uncle
To the hospital and got him well,they also made sure he was a a fit bill in health needs all the way around.Eyes/ears,complete physical, They even made sure he got his dental care taken care of.
I really felt bad in way of thier privacy but they did get the help they were needing. I felt it was a life & death situation,he taking better care of himself now. The S.S. keep in contact with them AND DO HOME VISITS BECAUSE NEITHER HAVE DRIVERS LICENCE,sorry caps.
So with being out of state don't ever think you can't get someone the help if needed, I did. Though they do have to have disabilities benefits.


Kathy

Unreal the churches wouldn't help you. I thought for sure they would especially as you were new in town. Another avenue you could look into is call your local hospital and ask to speak to their social worker. Explain your situation. She usually will be able to point you in the right direction for assistance. By the way if you had called any of the churches that I have gone to in the past. They would have deffinately have helped you out. Then again I am from a small town and have lived in small towns all my life. I am sorry they were not more kind to you. I can also sympathize with your nerve pain and back pain. I do hope that your ailment heals quickly. Remember just move as much as you can. Rachel
P.S. And put the pizza down :shock:

You are right there Florence. As I am filling out disability papers I worry about not being able to work again. But please God I will be and yes it be great if it worked out that way.

Patti there could be a silver lining in that cloud of concern about losing your benefits...IF you have to get another health insurance plan, (which can often be cheaper than COBRA) they can no longer deny coverage for "pre-existing conditions" so long as you have not had a "break in coverage", or I think only as long as your break in coverage was... ie, if you went a month w/o insurance, they could only deny coverage for that condition for a month... so obviously w/ the disk issues, you won't want to be w/o insurance, but maybe you'll find a plan that covers MORE than your current one. I realize there's a price $$ to pay, but you might get more benefit than what you pay in...
Florence

Thanks guys for the support. I only had to eat pizza I forgot to say for about 6 weeks and then I came up with the brilliant idea of a neighbor who offered to be a handyman when I moved in and I called and asked him if I could pay him to shop and he did a great job. I had already felt like I gained the 41 lbs back and slipped into tho putting off the calorie counting until I was back on my feet. I didn't break my leg, I have a ruptured and herniated disc and pinched nerve. The nerve causes too much pain to allow me to sit up for more than 30-40 min. I have the added stress that the airlines are laying off people and if I get caught on medical leave and get laid off, I'm out the door without benies. So I've done drugs, PT and now the shots and nothing is working. I am doing the stomach exercises but not as much as I could so that plus going back to strictly counting calories is what I should have been doing more faithfully and am now scared enough to force myself to it. The most disappointing thing is I DID call area churches. I became disabled shortly before I moved and never got out to find a church but was sure I would get some help but was unable to find a willing source.

Everyone has a story! And that is certainly true of the TQS family. I am so amazed at what so many of you ladies have accomplished and so proud I am a part of your family. Pattisure, I wish I lived close to you and could help you out. I’m sending you a big hug of encouragement.

I do a lot of sitting at work and when I am quilting. I am trying to get in the habit of taking a break at least every hour and move around some. But time sneaks up on me so I’m thinking about picking up a cheap watch with an alarm and setting it to beep me every hour as a reminder to move.

Stressed spelled backward is desserts. Do think there is a message there. I certainly eat more when I am under a lot of stress and that used to mean sweets.