Okay I am in!! I have enjoyed watching Sandy's success and look forward to having support here at TQS for losing weight and gaining health.

Good for you, Eileen! Dancing at DGSs wedding sounds like a great short-term goal, but we all need to make healthy changes that we can live with for the rest of our lives! I know that for me, massive changes in diet and routine will not be something that I will keep up. I intend to make small changes that I can live with that will add up to big changes long-term.

One of the things that I'm going to try is to not eat anything after 7PM. That means I won't eat the dish of ice cream or fix a big bowl of buttered popcorn for an evening snack. That should help some, right?

I'm also going to start eating breakfast, which I have skipped for years. This morning I had a bowl of oatmeal with raisens, and enjoyed it!

Hi Margo and everyone,
I have no choice, I'm going to have to join. :shock: But since I'm coming in late on this, I'll start on Monday. Usually our holidays extend to January 8th since that's my birthday. But if I start before, it'll make my day even more special.
The reason I have no choice is that my pain doctor told me she wants me to lose some weight; it'll help the RSD and the fibro. A few months ago she recommended I buy "Walk off the Pounds" dvd by Leslie Sansone. I did it once. OOOOHHH!! can you stand it?

Are we going to reveal our weights? I don't have a problem with that-it might make me more accountable. Who knows? I need to lose about 45 lbs. Believe it or not, back in the 80s and early 90s I used to work for Weight Watchers so I do know what to do. I just hate doing it. But if I want to dance at DGS Tyler's wedding I'd better get in shape.

So here I am.
eileenkny

WHOO-HOO!! I'm lovin' that I'll have company on this, and that you are all coming up with your own ideas for what will work for you. If you need some more suggestions, check out this article:

http://www.prevention.com/smallchanges/index.shtml

Tomorrow I will start a new topic for January and we can begin by stating what we want to acomplish, now that we've had time to think about it for a few days.

BTW....counting Lynn ( ) there have been 33 of us who want to start this effort together, and I hope that it turns into the rest of our lives! Here's to Getting Thin in 2010!

I have been re-visiting what worked for me before when I lost weight the healthy way and so out came the food journal, new shoes were purchased (Reebock-Easy Tone Shoes) with the hope for no heel pain, and some pretty good recipes have popped back into my head. One more Holiday celebration this weekend with 10 of us scheduled to eat up all the extra goodies (or to take them home with them) and my plan is coming together for my new routine. Curves every other day and walking on the days off Curves. Anyone else find that "not on Sundays" works for them? I have found that I need a day off once a week when I am starting an exercise program. A day to let the muscles rest and the mind go to cruise control to recharge....works for me. My house will clear out on Sunday morning the 3rd so I will be a couple days behind in some ways....not to worry...I know it isn't a race anyway. As Bobbi and I discussed last week...take it 10 lbs. at a time....goal reached then go for the next 10 lbs. I am anxious for my clothes to fit better ...another goal. Better sleep...oh yeah....that will be a plus for sure. Here's to all of us taking this road to a better 2010 with Margo...

Oh, you'll be thanking yourself once you get going. It just takes that very first small step, then followed with another and right after that another......... You'll wonder why you didn't start sooner. Bobbi

So far, all I'm willing to say is this:

I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE I RESPECT SUGGEST SOMETHING I KNOW I NEED TO DO.......... AND AM NOT WILLING TO DO! IT JUST EMPHASIZES MY STUBBORNESS!

MAYBE MORE PRAYER?

Oh, well, I'm considering it. I KNOW my cardiologist would love it!

I want to join in also. Recently, my doctor told me the same thing I've been telling myself for a long time, that I need to lose 50 pounds. Unfortunately, I won't be walking for a while. I was back in to see the doctor on Christmas eve. I sprained my ankle, so I need to be off of it for a while. I went to Frys with the kids yesterday, walking didn't seem to upset it, but the driving did. Going to the chiropractor today and shopping with Brandi, but she will be driving. My big thing will be exercise and changing what I'm eating. I bought a Wii and the Wii fit, both are still in their box. When the ankle is better, out they will come.

Fiberwoman, thanks, I will look at the videos. I see she is not giving out recipes for free. I went on Amazon and bought the smoothie recipe book. I didn't know about the balancing of food. Did you learn about this on her videos? I hope this is not like my usual venture, start doing this and then give up after a while. I really need to do something about my weight and sugar. I took the nutrition test on that sight and got an F. My DD has been visiting from the east coast over the holidays and has gotten me up and out of the house. She flies back home later today but this morning we are meeting the DGC and my DS and taking a 2 mile walk around the lake. I have got to get motivated like the rest of the members who are complaining about the same thing as I am. Judy in AZ

jbtaz36 wrote:
Way to go on the hiking; I sure wish it had gotten above 25 degrees here. The extent of my hiking was up and down the stairs. Sigh.
When the sweet fruits are in the smoothie, the fiber from the greens, as well as the fruit, helps balance out/slow down the sugars. Like when you leave the skin on the apple, it does the same thing. I suppose that was redundant? LOL. Some people will be able to eat bananas alone more easily than others. Pay attention to how your body feels with the banana in the smoothie. So much of this is learning what works for YOU. Yes, you can add more berries and/or Stevia too. You're getting the idea! On the GSG site, watch her videos, - they're informative.
Jan.

Okay, another question for Fiberwoman. If you are supposed to watch sugar intake and keep it low, bananas and apples are very high on the glycemic index and dates etc. How can one keep the smoothies low in sugar content and still be sweet? I guess I can answer my own question by adding agave syrup or stevia, right? But still, the banana gives a lot of bulk to the drink. I know that berries have a low glycemic level. Guess you could add more of them. I went on the website of the green smoothie girl. I will have to pursue that one a little more carefully. Judy in AZ who went hiking in the desert mountains today

I already own Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus, and some of the more active games. For Christmas, though, I was given Wii Active Personal Trainer. I'm on day 2 of the 30 day challenge. On Day 1, I chose to do the high intensity workout, since I'm used to exercising. BIG mistake! My workouts are generally low-impact but these had me running and jumping. I made it through, but I was worn out. Today for Day 2, I picked medium intensity. That was a little better but still included some high impact work.

I also got a set of Zumba DVDs and a pair of the Zumba toning sticks, which make a sound kind of like castanets. I haven't had time to watch all the DVDs, but what I've done so far is fun, although I don't really keep up with the steps accurately. I should be all set for workouts until our regular classes start back on January 4.

Santa brought me a George Foreman grilling machine. Anyone have any ideas for good and different things to cook on it. I need some new recipes, so we don't get bored with the same ole thing.

Thank you for the freezing info.... I have three freezers so surely I have plenty of room!!!.... I have an old mixer but it will have to do for now, maybe middle of Jan. I can get a newer & better one... My husband is hunting this next week so I am making him take all the candies etc out of the house to his hunting buddies.....now just go & hit the produce section & do some freezing....... I have been walking a little each day, although today I cleaned my sewing room instead of walking.........but I did some dancing while listening to my cd's so maybe that helped some....hahaha.......figure next week while he is gone will be a good time to start the smoothies.. one of the hardest things for me is to 'cook' for me & still have to cook for him also....although he is behind helpng me loose the weight and get healthy.... he still likes a full meal at dinnertime...
he will help anyway that he can so.....we will just have to work a meal schedule out that will work for him also........... I will start my food journal in the morning as it does help to keep one, you will be surprised how it stops you from putting that next sweet or mouthful in your mouth knowing you will record it........ well off to do some sewing........ till tomorrow ladies
MC