Margo-why, oh why, did you have to mention getting on a scale?! I was so happy when the batteries in mine died! OK, I promise to at least replace the batteries today. No promises about stepping on it! I lost 45 pounds in the last 2 years but have gained at least 15 of it back over the last 6 months. I know this from the tightness of the pants I was so proud to get into. I need to own the fact that this is a never-ending journey and be ok with that. Guess pride does go before the fall! Now, where are those batteries? Sally in sweaty NE Ohio

OK...I'll jump in here too. I am SO BLESSED to be healthy...I know it and I give thanks for it every day. My weight has never been an issue for me until this past year. When DH was diagnosed with cancer last July (has it been almost a whole year already???) taking care of Margo was not even on my radar screen. I used to walk 2 miles every morning until my walking buddy had the nerve to move to Atlanta when her husband got transferred. In just the last year I've managed to pack on 15 pounds and feel miserable. I know it's not much compared to some, but I've never toted this much extra before (except during pregnancies, several decades ago!) and I don't like it. I've purchased 2 pairs of larger pants that I can zip, and REFUSE to buy more of the large size. After reading this thread, I realize how important getting into the right frame of mind can be. We all know what we should be doing differently, or at least where to start. We just need to DO IT! Sandy has been a huge influence on me. Her dedication is impressive, and I want to follow her lead. I went out this morning and walked. That's one in a row!!! I'm going to get back into that routine. I'm also getting off the Splenda. I think it also makes me crave carbs....oh, how I love pasta! So, it's back to a little sugar in my morning Green Tea. Caffine gives me a headache, but I like that morning cuppa tea! And back to breakfast. Gotta get the morning off to a good start so I don't graze all day! OK....I'm committed. I guess I need to get on the scale to see where I'm starting. That's scary! :shock:

Rachel do you have to use a smaller plate I do Happy

Keep an eye on your coffee creamer. Those flavored creamers that are so wonderful. Really pack on the pounds. Most people think "oh but I buy the sugar free"...WRONG it still has fat. You are better off buying the fat free. I too had the gastric bypass and after my accident I quit loosing weight and actully gained some back. First I thought lack of movement. Wrong when my Dr. found out about my coffee habits. He read me the riot act. You can lose up to 7 pounds by switching from 2% to skim milk. and you can gain some major weight if you don't watch what you drink. Also if you chew your food propperly you will notice that it really doesn't taste that appealing as the meal goes on. This really is true. Try it chew your food 40 times each bite. as it breaks down in your mouth you will notice that you really don't want to eat as much as you thought because it just does not taste the way you wanted it to. Also get away from the table. When you are done leave the table. I make a point to put all pots and pans in soapy water right after I put the food on the table. I also make sure that there is smaller containers ready for the food for after dinner. This way there is no temptation for me to just take one more bite. I also have learned to throw away that little bit not worth the smaller container. If no none wanted it at dinner they are not going to get it later they should have ate it when they had the chance. This way I don't have so much to clean out of my frig. and I won't be so tempted to just finish it off because you shouldn't waste food. Take your usual amount and then put half back. you can always go back for seconds. this way you won't feel pressured to clean your plate. Also quit feeling guilty about not cleaning your plate. Those starving children half way around the world were never going to get that particular peice of chicken anyway. So get over it. Mom was wrong life will not end and you will survive if you don't eat everything. In fact you will probably live longer OK I will stop for now Sorry for going on for so long. You folks probably already know this stuff but it never hurts to hear it again. Rachel

Thanks for the reminder about Stevia! I have used it; takes VERY small amount. I'm thankful for the newer formulations that aren't quite so bitter. I've yet to be successful using it for baking
Eileen.....try Googling "aspartame". I know there is an aspartame victims group. One very informational (and helpful) site for me has been http://www.mercola.com As usual, I don't agree with EVERYTHING he says, but he has been right on about many things, and way ahead of his time. There are forums on subjects there, too. If you search aspartame on his site, you'll find enlightening info.
As for coffee, look out for decaf. Sorry. I learned when I was a hairdresser that Sebastian removed methylinechloride (sp?)from their hairspray (because it is carcinogenic), but that it is commonly used to decaffinate coffee :shock: Look for the "swiss water proces" decaf. It's also a good idea to buy organic here, as coffee beens are high on the list of amounts of pesticides used.
Someone mentioned a Naturopath - excellent! Mine has been the center of guidance for me along this journey to health. Acupuncture also. As with all health information, no one thing is right for every person. You have to learn to listen to your body. If you can find a Naturopath, or Chiropractor, or other health practitioner who utilizes applied kiniseology, there IS a way to test (ask) your body with every substance. I've learned a way to check foods for myself. For instance...I've been back and forth on the coffee issue - is it good for you, is it bad for you....aaaaarh. Coffee is actually benifcial to my body (I don't overdo it tho) It might sound woo-woo at first (as it did to me), but over the years I've discovered that almost ALL of my previous fears (about many alternative methods) were simply due to lack of information.
Hooray to all who are interesting in giving their bodies the nutrients necessary to function optimally. I have no intention of attempting to add years to my life, but certainly DO plan to add life to my years.
Jan

Another thing that I try to avoid is fats and carbs in the same food or meal. Foods like doughnuts, hashbrown potatoes, french fries, breaded deep fried anything, etc. I have read that the two combined really puts on the pounds fast and it seems to for me. Some fat with protein is O.K. but not if you mix carbs with it. Be sure to eat a good filling breakfast too.

Mandy,
We use the Maxwell House Lite coffee. I swear there's no difference in the flavor. We even cut that with 1/2 Lite and 1/2 decaf. I know I can't go cold turkey on the caffeine. I get the caffeine withdrawal headaches.
Jan,
I, for one, will never turn down free information! I think the fact that we're on this thread says that we're open to any and all advice and encouragement. I have never heard that Nutrasweet was linked to fibro! Can you tell me more?
Wanda,
I have been on Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, WW, diet pills from a doctor and every fad that has come along, including Atkins and South Beach. They've all helped me lose but I gained it back plus lots more. My mother took me to WW for the first time when I was 14-I was definitely not ready.
I was able to keep my weight within reasonable limits while I was in the Air National Guard. There used to be a regulation-AFR 35-11. You had to adhere to the standards or be kicked out. I yo yo'd constantly but never to where I am now.

DD, who is also heavy, and I are going to wean ourselves off of the soda. I've read, and been told by friends who are RNs, that the carbonation leaches the calcium out of your bones. Since osteoporosis runs in my family, I'm going to have to get serious about this.
Okay, I've run my "mouth" enough. I love this thread.

eileenkny

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!! I think I will try and find some of the Xylitol and try that, and otherwise just try and cut back on sugar in general. I already reduced the amount of sugar in our tea - currently we are down to 1 cup sugar to just over a gallon of tea (down from a cup and a half) and we are cutting back pop in general. We have been caffeine free on pop and tea for a while now, but I think I am going to go for decaf coffee too if Rj will stomach it.

Wanda - I understand completely. Be sure not to let yourself get overly hungry. That's when the snacks get to me and it's hard to resist. Have some high fiber low calorie snacks handy for emergencies.

Sandy, this is a great topic. I've been reading your progress in your blogs and you have encouraged me to get back on the treadmill at the gym after work.

I've played the yo-yo game almost my whole adult life. Gained weight with each child, would lose some weight, gain it again plus some with the next child, and so on. You get the picture. I reached my top weight of 250 after I had a hysterectomy. That was about 15 months ago, since then I'll lose some weight, get discouraged and gain it back! The good thing is that I have not been near as ill after the surgery as I was before surgery.

I'm a stress eater. My job is pretty stressful so that doesn't help. I also just love food! I don't tolerate a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, so salads are out for the most part. I really need to concentrate on portion sizes and exercising and with the support of this group hopefully I'll see some change. I'd love to get back into a size 16-18. I have no fantasy or desire to be "skinny", just fit! I'd love to shop in the misses size of the dept store!

I'll get of my soap box! Thanks for reading!

WandaM in hot humid TX

I've been reading this thread since the beginning, and following Sandy's updates since I started looking at this site in March. I'd like to lose 40-50 pounds, lost a few last week courtesy of a bout with the flu. I lost weight years ago with nutrisystem and slowly gained it all back. I don't really want to use a system that gives me the food, I didn't like it back then. Managed to lose some with Weight Watchers and like the idea of losing weight while making my own food. I really want to be more active but I'm still having problems with my ankle. Finally asked the Dr for a referral to PT only to find out that my PT is not on my insurance anymore (not her choice). I really can't do a lot of walking, I want to get out into the pool. But I have hip problems too and don't want to aggrevate that. So now I am looking for a new PT person. It's easy to just get depressed and go have a bag of chips or something. What I really need to do is the food diary. Frances in Austin where it was over 100 again

Someone asked about my use of the treadmill. I have a small TV at eye level and I watch HGTV at about max volume. I am in the basement and so far no one has complained . I could never do it without the TV. I'm going to start keeping a food diary. I think (know) I have a tendency to forget the nibble of this and the bite of that. Gloria

I am interested in this topic, also. I have been overweight for most of my adult life. I'm short, so the extra 40 pounds really is a problem for me.

I tried Curves, but that did not work out. I tried an online support group, but really wasn't committed.

I've made some changes in our eating habits over the years because my husband has high cholestorol. I am borderline high cholestorol and bordeline high sugar.

I've been having trouble with my right knee for some time and more recently it is worse. This has prevented me from wanting to do any walking for exercise.

The only time in my adult life that I really lost weight was when I was on the Weighdown Workshop program. I did not stick with it and gained back the weight. Although I remember some of the principles and try to go by those.

I'll be checking back on this topic. I can use all the support and encouragement I can get!

Joyce

I never had the bad reactions to Nutrasweet or Splenda that others have had but didn't like the idea that it more or less turns to formaldehyde in your brain...I need to hang on to as many brain cells as I can for as long as I can. I have switched over to using Stevia which is a plant byproduct. I have my daughter buy it for me at Whole Foods Market (none in our area). It comes both as a powder in packets or a liquid in a dropper bottle. The liquid is the way to go if you are wanting to sweeten cold drinks. The powder seems to clump in cold liquids. Everybody keep up the great work!!