NON WW & WW NEWBIES, OUR NEW LIFE, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL

trooworld

@fabgeekmom No, she does: I asked my husband and he said she does realize. I think she just wants me to enjoy the holiday. Oh yes, that is like my husband! Good job with the exercise. Too bad it's cold. Enjoy the 50s!

@gemwolf110 Hi! Thank you! You both are right, I think. I remember it being very hard to do anything during my master's program. I don't know if they do in-person meetings anymore at WW? Enjoy the 12 weeks off!

Hi all. It was super warm yesterday here, not to rub it into those that are experiencing cold. It was a high of 80F. It was nice as it's been in the 50s and 60s here lately. I went to a jewelry pop-up event at a jewelry designer's house. She's from Hawaii so has a lot of island-inspired modern jewelry. I met my old boss there as well as my officemate whom I work with. I bought a pair of earrings for my BFF and a pair for me as well. After we shopped, we went for coffee. It was nice to catch up. For dinner, my DH and I went to an Ethiopian restaurant. It is a cuisine that I love (and I've even made it several times) and the food was really good. If you've never had Ethiopian, it's a bunch of stews served on a big round platter. The base is a bread called "Injera" made of teff flour, a special grain from Africa. I ordered the vegetarian combo (here's a pic but it's a pic from the restaurant's website). My husband ordered a beef dish.

Water yesterday: 25 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

gemwolf110

@trooworld i should check before I sign up if I do sign up. I’m a member of the local WW Facebook group and it sounds like they still have meetings. I assume they’re in person. I’m friends with a couple of the leaders there and will ask. That sounds like a fun day! And I should add Ethiopian food to my to try list. It sounds like it would be yummy and the picture looks good!

fabgeekmom

@trooworld The meal looks delicious and healthy, too. The jewelry party sounded like fun. @gemwolf110 I saw on one of the WW groups I follow that WW is changing its food plan. I think there will be more 0 point foods. Actually 0 point foods are not my friends. I do miss the excitement of a new plan but I’m not willing to pay for the WW app. The meetings are too far for me to drive to. Hi, all. The weather is warmer today and I went for a walk after lunch. Tonight DH and I are eating at my DD’s house. She is preparing chicken soup with dumplings from theskinnyishdish.com.

trooworld

@gemwolf110 Yes, maybe so. It was a fun day. Ethiopian food is yummy and fun to eat (you eat with your hands, you use the bread as a utensil!).

@fabgeekmom Yes and yes! I'm glad the weather was warmer and you could go for a walk outside. Yummy dinner!

Hi all. Instead of Salvadoran food for lunch, we went to Little Italy for pasta. It was fun: good people watching and good food. Our table was right on the walkway to the main area so we saw a lot of dogs, lots of tourists and locals. I made a beef broth last night that I will drink this week. I'll probably freeze part of it for after my surgery. I still need to make a chicken broth. I'll probably do that tonight. The liquid diet starts tomorrow!

Water yesterday: 25 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

cbabie

Morning all, just got back from therapy. Feel like I should cancel my remaining appointments, but I don't have the trust that I will make myself do the exercises..working on a meal plan for this week today..weekend didn't go as planned. lOL

@trooworld wow it's come so fast. I can't believe you will be starting the process tomorrow. DH thinks he is helping, but as a woman I would say NOT...hope he lives to tell the story of how you won the battle. When we as women get our minds fixed on something..LOL. My DH used to say well just don't eat as much...Him at 140 soaking wet....LOL

@gemwolf110 I am sure you are super busy...but 12 weeks off just enough time to recoup and start over. LOL.

@fabgeekmom I hate the cold I am with you. If I can do it inside I will. I am careful on the bike. I didn't expect the strength of the bike speed to be that difficult to slow. I learned and now know test things first. LOL.

cbabie

theslightedgeforever

@cbabie I wonder if the PT was talking about a big trampoline vs a mini-trampoline. I'll have to do some research. The reason for the trampoline anyway is the good it does for the lymphatic system. It helps drainage and that is good for immune function and overall health

@trooworld I don't think the surgery helps you lose weight it's the 645 calories you get to eat. LOL I truly wish you much success in this journey. I'd stand my ground and have Christmas on the day that is the best for you.

@fabgeekmom 50s sound good. You can take a nice brisk walk. I'm glad you can still mention your food.

@gemwolf110 Knee is fine. Now it's the hip. lol Aging is the pits. Although really aging is fine it's the inactivity in our younger years that I think causes most of the problems.

fabgeekmom

@trooworld Pasta is always a good choice! And people watching,too. @cbabie That was good to keep the appointments. I’m glad you are careful on the bike. @theslightedgeforever Yeah, aging is the pits. I’m just grateful of what I can do. Hi, all. I had errands today but found time to ride the bike. Dinner is Skinnytaste Crockpot Sesame Chicken, Jasmine Rice and broccoli.

trooworld

@cbabie I hope you don't cancel your appointments then. Sorry about your weekend. I know, it has come really fast! HAHAHA I hope he lives to tell the story, too, but I'm going to be really grumpy this week and he may not survive! LOL I think in the past, my DH said that very same thing. lol

@theslightedgeforever lol yeah it's basically starving. Thank you. I'm just going to let the Christmas celebration happen this weekend: I think my MIL wants to go out of town for Christmas. I have to sit through my work's potluck next week anyway so as my husband said, "I may as well get used to it" lol.

@fabgeekmom Yes, it was nice! I'm glad you worked riding the bike into your day. Yum to dinner.

Hi all. I started feeling nauseous and dizzy/lightheaded at work so I left at lunch and worked from home. I took my blood pressure as I assumed that was the problem but it was fine. When I went to bed, I turned my head to the right and discovered the problem: vertigo AGAIN. At least now I know what is going on, I can drink ginger tea at work and just be careful not to turn too quickly to the right. We got Salvadoran food for dinner last night: pupusas + plantains with crema. It was delicious and was my last actual meal. Today is the liquid diet. The below is what I can eat today.

Water yesterday: 25 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

theslightedgeforever

@fabgeekmom The sesame chicken sounds good. I should make that.

@trooworld I looked at your menu. The peach yogurt looked good. I first when I read Oikos my brain read it as Oreos.

I need to get back to my regular exercise. I had caught whatever hubby had. His turned into a sinus infection. He went to the dr today. I'm still lightheaded at times and the occasional cough. Yesterday I tried to do my sunshine stroll and about 3 min in I had decided this wasn't a good idea. I made it to 10 and then sat down. So we'll see tomorrow. I might just have to do short stints until I get back my full strength.

fabgeekmom

@trooworld The menu is interesting. If you get hungry, can you have more of the same? I’ll be thinking about you and hope you’ll be okay. @theslightedgeforever It stinks getting sick! I hope you get your strength back. Hi, all. I went swimming for the first time in a while as the pool deck was finally at an acceptable temperature. I spoke to one of the aquatic employees and he said he hoped they would get heat next week. Tonight I’m preparing Skinnytaste Baked Pasta with Sausage (turkey )Spinach. I’m also preparing salads and I bought Botthouse Farms salad dressing. DD had some on Sunday and it was good. It’s yogurt based.

trooworld

@theslightedgeforever HAHAHA! No, no Oreos! I actually had banana yogurt, same brand. I don't necessarily like the Oikos brand, it tastes artificial, but it has high protein so I eat it. I'm sorry you are sick. I'm glad you are listening to your body. How do you feel today?

@fabgeekmom If I get hungry, I can have another protein shake or 6 oz of nonfat sugar-free yogurt...that's it. Thank you! I'm glad you were able to swim. Yummy dinner. I love Bolthouse Farms dressings.

Hi all. I survived my first day on the liquid diet. I did okay. I wasn't hungry. I ended the day having eaten 1,013 calories: 121 grams of protein and 87 grams carbs. I felt less nauseous and dizzy yesterday, thankfully. They say the first few days are the hardest. I didn't have a hard time so hopefully the rest of the time will be easy, too. The beef broth I made tasted really good and was a nice change from the sweet of protein shake and yogurt: it had Vietnamese beef noodle soup (pho) flavoring without the noodles, beef, and veggies. I may have mentioned that my work is having our holiday party next Weds. I am fine with it. It will be awkward drinking a protein shake while everyone is eating real food but it will be fine. My officemate and another coworker don't even want to have the party because they can't eat what they want for their own reasons but I want everyone to enjoy themselves. I want to have the party.

Water yesterday: 100 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

fabgeekmom

@trooworld I’m glad the diet wasn’t too bad. The party will be hard but hopefully you won’t be too miserable. Perhaps enjoy the fellowship. The broth does seem a relief from the sweet yogurt and protein drinks. Hi, all it was stormy today so I exercised indoors. Dinner was salmon, salad and wild rice.

trooworld

@fabgeekmom Thank you. Yes, I hope so. And yes, the broth is a nice treat! I hope the weather is better today. Dinner sounds nice.

Hi all. My knee is really bothering me, I could barely walk at work. I don't know if it is because it is supposed to rain and it is cold or if the arthritis is just progressing. I don't think it feels much better today and will likely get worse as the day goes on. At least it's taking my mind off not eating lol.

Water yesterday: 100 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

cbabie

Morning all, my mornings have been so hectic, I can't seem to get on here. I went to PT yesterday and my knee has been hurting since before I went. I am going to chalk it up to the weather. It's really cold here. I am maintaining and not losing weight. But I will take the maintaining right now. LOL

@fabgeekmom that will be nice when they get heat into the pool. I wish I liked fish. My whole family does, but I just can't get past the fishy taste. My family loves Salmon and I cook it...just won't eat it.

@trooworld I am glad your first day went well. I pray the following days do too. I went on a fast one time and had to watch people eat...I just kept talking..LOL Sorry about your knee, I am having sympathetic pains with you LOL. Vertigo as well...They say when it rains it pours...but just think about the Rainbow that will follow..you will get all this. out of the way and enjoy the view. I do pray you have a better day than it has started.

@theslightedgeforever Sorry you are sick...yes please listen to your body and do what you can and then rest. Tell DH thank you...NOT..LOL. If it makes you feel better I read Oreo's too..:)

Cbabie

theslightedgeforever

@trooworld I'm glad you found your new eating plan doable. Just enjoy the people and conversations. I probably need to do an eating plan like yours for a day or so.

@fabgeekmom I am glad you got to swim. I know how much you like it.

@cbabie Maintaining is always better than gaining.

I'm hoping next week will be better for me. I started off losing and then have gained here at the end so I lost 0.3 lbs.

fabgeekmom

@trooworld Sorry about the knee. The weather does affect arthritis. I find that icing helps. @cbabie Cold and arthritis don’t mix! I hope you get relief soon. Yes, maintaining is better than gaining. @theslightedgeforever Sorry about the gain. Hi, all. It’s cold here again and the pool is closed. The water is heated but the pool deck is not so when the temperature gets below a certain degree, the pool is closed. So I rode my bike and went to the grocery store with DS. He is off today and made America’s Test Kitchen tomato soup for lunch. Dinner will be air fried chicken sandwiches, also America’s Test Kitchen. I don’t have to cook tomorrow through Saturday as DS is cooking. And Sunday we’re eating out.

trooworld

@cbabie Sorry about your knee, I can relate to knee pain as you know. Maintaining is good for the holidays, at least you aren't gaining! Thank you, they are going well. LOL well talking is better than eating when you are fasting. Thank you!

@theslightedgeforever Thank you. It really isn't too bad. My friend who had a gastric sleeve said I would miss chewing. I don't like chewing gum, so I can't do that...I don't even think I'm allowed chewing gum anyhow. I'm sorry the week wasn't like you had hoped but at least you didn't gain for the week.

@fabgeekmom Thank you. Icing helps me too, but it is hard to do at work: there are a limited number of ice cubes and they are in another building. I did use a heating pad and that helped some. I'm sorry about the pool. That's good you rode your bike. The soup I've been having once a day is a tomato-roasted red pepper soup and it's really good. I bet the ATK recipe is good. Yay for not having to cook!

Hi all. My knee didn't hurt as bad yesterday. Not nearly as bad as the previous two days. I have to stop taking my Celebrex (arthritis meds) today. All I can take is Tylenol and I don't find Tylenol very effective. Hopefully, I'll be okay. One week from today, my life will change!

Water yesterday: 53.3 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

fabgeekmom

@trooworld I get it that you can’t ice at work. I love roasted red pepper tomato soup. I make one with jarred red peppers. It’s too bad that you can’t take the Celebrex. Wow, one week! Hi, all. It was too cold to exercise outside so I rode my bike. I didn’t call the center as I know it’s too cold. Tonight was steak night. I made the salads and air fried the potatoes and DS prepared the steaks.

surananc

Great to see this. I am a lifetimer WW and usually free but when the pandemic and my 65th birthday hit a couple of years back started slowly inching up. Want to inch down and be free again!

trooworld

@fabgeekmom Me too, it's really good. Yes, and I thought about putting voltaren on my knee but I can't do that, either. Yes, I can't believe the time has come! Good job with the bike. I hope it warms up. I hope you enjoyed steak night.

@surananc Hi and welcome! Congrats on your progress, hopefully you can inch back down with MFP.

Hi all. We went out to get some Christmas presents after work and a coffee. I got just a plain coffee with a little oat milk and some Splenda and it was good. I put up a small tree that my MIL lent us...it's really more of a Christmas shrub lol, it's about 3 feet tall and skinny, but it's pretty. I'll put more decorations up, probably today. Today, we are celebrating Christmas with my in-laws. There will be food and beverages which I cannot have. I will probably pick up some Tom Yum soup broth from the Thai restaurant and bring that over along with a protein shake. I feel fine about this. We'll watch a movie and I'll concentrate on that.

Water yesterday: 60 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

fabgeekmom

@surananc Welcome to our group! I’m also a lifetime member of WW but stopped going to meetings as they are too far for me to drive to. @trooworld Getting the broth to take to your in-laws is a good idea. The protein drink should also help. The tree looks good. Hi, all. It’s cold here and I don’t plan to leave the house. DS is making America’s Test Kitchen Congee (Porridge) with stir fried pork for dinner. It’s served with peanuts and soft boiled eggs. Calorie wise it’s not bad as he is using 93/7 ground pork. It probably could be made with ground turkey.

trooworld

@fabgeekmom Thank you. I hope you enjoyed dinner.

Hi all. The Christmas celebration went ok, I got the broth and drank that and we watched a movie. It wasn't too hard except when we first got there: when I told my SIL I couldn't have any wine, she said, "You can't have wine???" and I almost gave in and had a glass but I didn't. We exchanged presents and my thoughtful but unknowing SIL gave me a bottle of wine and some fancy chocolates (and some other stuff). I gave the chocolates to my husband and I will keep the wine for when I can have it. I ended up in the bathroom from the broth: my body was not used to all the spices and flavors since I've been on bland liquids for 5 days now. Lesson learned. Today, I am making pretzel turtle bites for my coworkers. Not the best thing to make for them when I've been on a liquid diet but it's easy and they will like it.

Water yesterday: 60 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

theslightedgeforever

@fabgeekmom I never thought about air frying chicken sandwiches.

@trooworld I did end up gaining this week. Ugh. What would happen if you did chew gum? Tomato roasted red pepper sounds good. I love the snowman ornament on the tree. Way to stay strong on the wine.

@surananc Welcome to the group!

I'm starting to feel better. I walked 10 min yesterday. That's a start.

fabgeekmom

@trooworld Good job on avoiding the wine and giving away the candy. Too bad you got sick from the broth. @theslightedgeforever I’m glad you are feeling better. Hi, all. I went for a walk this morning. It was cold but not freezing. It felt good to be outside. Tonight we are going to see our granddaughter perform in her rock group. Afterwards we will eat at our favorite Italian restaurant.

trooworld

@theslightedgeforever I'm sorry about the gain. Well, nothing now but I can't chew gum after my surgery (puts too much gas/air in your system) and I don't like chewing gum anyway. Yeah the soup is a Pacfic Foods soup, it's good! My brother's wife made that snowman ornament for us. I love it, too! Thank you, it wasn't easy lol. Good job with the walk.

@fabgeekmom Thank you! Yeah it was a bummer about the broth. I'm glad it was tolerable to be outside and you got your walk in. I hope you enjoyed the performance and dinner.

Hi all. I did a bunch of running around yesterday doing the last things I can do before surgery takes place (things like getting the water jugs filled, getting dog food, etc). After surgery, it may be up to a week before I can drive and then I don't know how well I'll feel to drive. I will be off work for 2 weeks. I also made broth and froze it for after my surgery. The turtles came out well, I think my coworkers will like them. I didn't taste them but they look good. 4 days to go!

Water yesterday: 25 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

theslightedgeforever

@fabgeekmom Yaay on your walk. I did that for 10 min the other day. Fresh air was nice but then I realized breathing cold air probably wasn't good for me so I stopped once I hit 10 min mark. A rock band! That would be so fun.

@trooworld You sound all prepared and ready. It's amazing how much willpower we have when undergoing a procedure or surgery. You not tasting a turtle because you knew you couldn't. Prepping for a colonoscopy for instance. In regular life we can do those things and say I'm just having liquids but then on regular days it's not so easy to abstain.

I did some light dancing and walking around moving my arms in big circles to get some exercise. I'm still coughing. I'm behind on my steps so I need to walk around a bit more. I think also I will try some stand up sit down exercise in a chair. Hubby said the other day I look like an old lady getting up. He says I'm slow. My hip hurts when I sit more than 15-20 min.

cbabie

Hi all, I am still here. I did gain 2 lbs..so ugh.. but i should have known. I am not been eating properly. It's very cold here, but in the afternoon it's nice. Still doing therapy, but will be glad when it's over.

@trooworld I am so proud of your discipline. You are doing great. I love your little tree...

@fabgeekmom I am now craving tomato soup. LOL. I like them with grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches..

@theslightedgeforever Don't over do it, but walking in doors should be better on your breathing. Do you remember when you used to make fun of my helicopter workout? I just could see you moving your arms big and that thought came to mind I just laughed.

@surananc welcome to the group. small but fun.

Cbabie

fabgeekmom

@trooworld That was good that you made the turtles and didn’t taste any. @theslightedgeforever has a good point that we can be motivated for a short term goal but not long term. I look forward to you telling us about your progress after surgery. @theslightedgeforever That’s too bad about your hip pain and trouble breathing. You’re doing some activity so it’s all good. @cbabie That’s too bad about the weight gain. But you know what to do. Hi, all. The pool was open today so I went swimming. The HVAC system still isn’t fixed so there’s no heat. The water is warm, though. It’s really cold when I get out. I made some soup this afternoon. One is a roasted butternut squash with onions and garlic, then simmered with white beans and chicken broth and puréed with a stick blender. The other is a vegetable soup with lots of vegetables. Dinner is burgers, fries and vegetable soup.

trooworld

@theslightedgeforever Yes, I agree. I thought I would be starving and was worried I would stray from the diet, but I haven't. Yes, if it was this easy to have willpower, I wouldn't have needed the surgery! That's great you are getting some movement in while you aren't 100% better. Keep it up!

@cbabie Sorry for the gain. With your busy life, I don't blame you for wanting the therapy to be over. I felt that way, too. Thank you thank you thank you!

@fabgeekmom Yes, I'm very pleased with myself that I didn't taste them! Yes, @theslightedgeforever is good for insights. Thank you. Oh gosh, I'm glad the pool was open but you must have wanted to stay in the water lol. The soups sound delicious.

Hi all. Not much going on here, I am just counting down the days until Friday. I called to ask how long my surgery will be and it will take 2 hours. My SIL and my husband will be there. I woke up with a migraine. I took some medication. If I wake up with a migraine on Friday, I can't take anything so hopefully this is the last migraine for a while. I decided to wear an N95 mask this week because last Thursday, someone who was sick and knew it came to work and was talking to me. I can't afford to get sick right now. Then I found out someone else did the same thing and didn't tell anyone they were sick. We are having a department party tomorrow and it's in a small conference room. I am NOT taking off my mask (I wasn't going to eat anyway, I was going to drink a protein shake).

Water yesterday: 73.9 oz

My phrase for the year: "New year, new me!"

theslightedgeforever

@cbabie At first I was thinking what helicopter workout were you talking about then I realized you went waaaaaay back. I always called that windmills. lol Did you ride your bike again?

@fabgeekmom I might make your soup this week. It sounds good. I made some vegetable soup last night. My breathing problems come from my reactive airway disease which cold is one of the triggers. Also stale air. In my bedroom I either need a fan or a window open. Hubby says it's too cold. (put on another blanket) Sheesh, I just realized I turned into my mom. She would keep the room so cold and then have four blankets on the bed.

@trooworld You are doing so well. Keep it up! Fingers crossed you don't get sick.

That's what I'm trying to do is not get sick again. My oldest son is getting married the first weekend in January. So I'm not really pushing the exercise as much as I know I could be doing since I'm still coughing. I think it's just my RAD now but don't want to tempt fate.
I walked 15 min on the treadmill while my food was cooking.

Yesterday I stayed within my calories. My friend dropped off some cookies and candy today. Luckily one type is gingerbread which I don't like. I had one of the other ones. None of the candy.