Company just left. We went through a mountain of food this weekend. I'm taking a deep breath and trying to regroup on healthy. I sent 90% of the cookies and pies back with their owners. They wouldn't take all of it I got on the scale on Christmas day and haven't had the nerve to recheck. I think with all the work I've been doing to cook and care for 23 people for 3 1/2 days has kept me from falling behind on the exercises, it's just been a different kind of exercise. I did not overeat I guess I'm feeling pretty good about myself.

gran5 wrote:
EXACTLY! Thanks for expressing my feelings also, Mary.
Karen

Seems to me that joining together to keep fit while we do our quilting, which can sometimes lead to "fat quarters" of the non-fabric variety, is very much appropriate to a world-wide online quilting community. Just my two cents. But I do like it that it's a forum topic that can be passed by if not appreciated. Cheers all.

Paula - I don't consider this topic or the prayer list to be "clogging up the world's best quilting site." This topic is under the heading "Quilting Frame Conversations." I'm sure our mothers, grandmothers, and on back didn't talk just about quilting while they were sitting around the quilting frame. They probably talked about their children, food, farm life, and maybe even gossiped a little. If this topic and the support it gives can help some of us to have healthier lives, then I think the quilting world will be just a little bit better. If there are topics on the forum that one has no interest in, then they can just be skipped. Just my two cents worth. Mary

Good luck to all of you. My weight loss hints include moving your iron away from the sewing machine so you have to GET UP and move every so often. Second, NO SNACKS in the studio....But I'm disappointed to see this topic (and praying, for that matter) clog up the world's best quilting site. There are SO MANY internet sites that are up JUST for these purposes. You don't see quilting conversations on say, Weight Watchers!! Just one small voice among the thousands...

gran5 wrote:
Mary - I used to feel the same way about water - it just never seemed to be something that I wanted more of. A few months ago, I started carrying around a 24 oz CamelBak refillable water bottle with a Camelbak straw-like-thing to drink out of..... now with that water bottle, I carry it around all day, sip out of it often, and drink 2 full bottles a day (and that's always my goal is two bottles (48 oz)). And I carry this thing everywhere and sip out of it - around the house, to work, inside stores, in the car, etc.... Once I got in the habit of drinking the water, now I enjoy it a lot more.

So, you may want to look around for a method for drinking the water that appeals to you - sometimes in in a glass, maybe a big mug with a cover, maybe you would like drinking out of the water bottles that you can buy at the store, I am sure there are lots more options too. I just mention these ideas, as I found for me that using a different method to drink enough water made a BIG difference to me.

Mary Kay

One of my problems is that I have never cared that much for water. I take my meds with it and drink it occasionally when I'm thirsty. Mostly I drink sugar free tea and diet Mountain Dew (only one or two a day). I'm going to try really hard to drink water because I know it really helps with weight loss. Tomorrow is "D" day for me. I've been grocery shopping and bought plenty of fruit, veggies, and fish. DD challenged me to lose 30 lbs by our joint birthday on June 7. That is very doable, and then I need to lose an additional 20 lbs. Thank you all for holding my hand in this endeavor, and heres to a healthier bunch of quilters. Mary

Just checking in. What an enthusiastic bunch you are! But I'm eager to see the results of all of our focus on health and weight loss. And how nice to do on on the web site we all frequent anyway!

One Stop Weight Loss, Healthy Living, and Quilting at TQS!

I don't have a scale at my mountain-retreat but do have jeans that have not gotten tighter over the holidays so think I'm starting in a good place. My goal is to 'loosen' them! ha

And to get to know my HQ better.

Doing well on both counts so far.

Water is no problem for me as I love it! And it does help with hunger, doesn't it.

See Margo, no whinning!

Everyone is starting out great. Remember small walks to begin with and maybe more than 1 a day. Veggies are great and have no points! Also, Vitalicious Vitamuffins are great, give you fiber, a litter sweet and are only 100 calories, 1 point. Some stores carry them in the frozen food section or you can order through their site or Amazon. Just do a search for "Vitalicious". And like Karen, KakeM, says, drink water and lots of it. I go for about 80 oz/day minimum and in the summer it goes up to 120 oz/day (it gets real hot out here and with exercising the extra is needed). I know each and every one of you can do it, just find what works for you. I'm here holding your hand (can you feel the squeeze?), pushing, proding and pulling - what ever you need. Bobbi

quiltycrafts wrote:
Great advice, Bonnie!

Now....WHY do you have chocolate covered peanuts still in the house??? :shock:

Number41 wrote:
WAY TO GO, MARIA!!

Bravo to all for a positive start!
You don't have to go out on major walks, runs, or any of that in order to get started! Work within comfortable activities for you - there are many exercise programs out there that can be used even if you have restricted motion, arthritis, back problems; many while sitting or in a semi-reclined position.
Please don't put off going to a physician if you are having joint problems! You can always insist on pursuing conservative treatment first, which may include going to physical or occupational therapy. Please don't settle for "I'll prescribe this medication. Take this for 10 to 14 days and then get back to me." Let your physician know that you want to actively pursue a treatment for the problem, not just mask the symptoms!
Sorry, I jumped on my soapbox again. I'm ok, I'll jump off again.
Have had a good start today. Now if I can just keep my fingers out of the chocolate covered peanuts!

It is about 10:00 pm and I was just about to eat some left over gourmet christmas chocolates but reading all your motivatioinal posts has allowed me to pass on the chocolate. Thanks to all

snowplow3840 wrote:
You Go, Girl!!!! Pace yourself!!! I am looking forward to seeing you at Festival in 2011!!!