The Bella Club! (Closed)

grmpy1

Well I can see that we are all so extremely busy we haven't been around. I am beginning to wonder what is happening here. Maybe I scared everyone away with all my drama. Sorry, if I did.

I hope that since a new week has started everyone has gotten their weekend out of their system and can refocus on our journeys. I miss you guys!!

Denise

RILEYRED

Happy Monday,Bellas!!! Sounds like a busy weekend for everyone. Marianne, I am so jealous you have your camp closed!!!!!!:grumble: We are camping this week, start closing it Sunday, then go back for a few hours next weekend to finish the job!!!!:sad: I wanna be done with it now. We met a real nice family there this summer, and I promised them chili and wings this weekend, so I have to fix that on Saturday. Denise, your weekend sounded like so much fun, I hope you are all rested and relaxed,:smokin: ok,minus the cigerette!!!!!lol The Thomas's Pumpkin bagels are everywhere here, I wish everyone could try them,did you get some yet? I wish they weren't seasonal,sooooooo good. Oh,back to camping,I won't be able to weigh in,we will be gone Wed. to Sunday, guess I could take my scale, but I don't want to,:noway: Lori, I have really missed you,hope you are better.I'm glad your dad is doing good.It sounds like your week will be busy. Elizabeth, miss you,hurry back. Dodie, where are you???? Evelyn, have a good week with your daughter,how's she doing? Denise, have fun with the hubby today, I hope to be watching Caden for a couple hours, I'm in love, what can I say

grmpy1

Denise, have fun with the hubby today, I hope to be watching Caden for a couple hours, I'm in love, what can I say

Ken is mad at me because I got ticked off at him and his eating habits. He didn't like my "lecture" as he called it. So we aren't really on speaking terms. That's ok. I have laundry and lawn mowing and a lot of other things I can do today. He can go ride with himself.

MamaCat9

Morning Bellas! (yes, notice no Good with that) My new pic sums up my morning... hoping to snap out of it! Just too much worry in my head. Long distance care and concern is not as comforting as home. But, thankfully, I leave Friday am to go there.

Denise sorry for the Ken situation... he must realize you mean well and care for his health... good luck with things evening back out between you. And on the unfriending topic... just do it if it seems right to you... she probably won't even notice if she is so busy with her stuff.

Peggi happy camping later this week and getting it all closed up for the winter. And FYI I'm so not a party girl, well any more I do seem to be on the go a lot but not much partying to it, mostly just lots of driving! I should live in a city... our little town is too boring and gossipy. Enjoy your Caden time today!

Marianne must feel good to have the camp closed up and done. Nice that your weather was good. Isn't it interesting that some people don't realize or notice that they talk non-stop? Seems like they'd wear themselves out or something. And what... they think the rest of us have nothing to say or contribute? Glad you survived!

Karen what a fun time you had. Yay for you!

Ok all, let's buckle down and focus on our journey and weigh in later this week! We got this! Right?

ihavenowaist

I assume everyone here has seen the movie The Breakfast Club. I have been thinking of this for awhile. All of us have become pretty close through this board (altho I have been incommunicado, I am breaking that as of this post!), so my question is.....had we sat together at a luncheon, or seen one another at the gym, nodded at one another at church or temple or the local hangout, or shared a campground location a number of times, would there have been a connection? Or would each of us have just passed the other by, too concerned about ourself or our family or our problems?

Related, how do you label yourself? How are you labelled by others? Does you evil inside voice label you differently than your heart? A brain, a jock, a princess, a criminal, a basket case?

How do you shuck a self-imposed label?

Food (aughhh!) for thought...maybe just my thought, but on my mind.....Peace

Majunta

Well I can see that we are all so extremely busy we haven't been around. I am beginning to wonder what is happening here. Maybe I scared everyone away with all my drama. Sorry, if I did.

Denise

You didn't scare me off!

I have been wondering the same thing lately (the last month or so). I think part of it is the newness wore off. I think another part is not believing this can be done; not believing this is a life time situation; getting so fed up with not seeing “pounds” drop every single week (disappointment) that you want to give up; not wanting to share the same struggle over and over with the team because you're embarrassed; or don't want it on the thread (which is understandable); wanting to quit…the list could go on and on.

We cannot expect to lose 2-4 lbs every week. If there are people out there losing 2-4 lbs every week, I would bet that in a couple of years, their weight will be back. Losing slowly is extremely important. If we lose or if we gain; it is what it is. Staying committed and obsessed is what will push us over the finish line. For goodness sake, it has taken me 3 months to lose 4 lbs. But I won’t let that discourage me. It’s a hell of a lot better to lose 4 lbs than it is to gain 4.

Then we have to think about maintenance. Sistas, this doesn’t end when all the pounds are gone. We have to be prepared to work at this the rest of our lives. If that scares you, I’m sorry but it’s the truth. This isn’t a diet and damn it, YOU’RE WORTH IT. You have done for others all your life, now it’s time you do for yourself.

I will support each and every one of the sistas, although I said I’m a pit bull, I cannot make any of the sistas change their internal dialog. We are all beautiful in our own way. FIND THE BEAUTY IN YOURSELF. Only YOU can change how you treat yourself. So, if you want to quit, I will try to talk you out of it but ulitmately YOU make the decision.

I think we all have to participate on some level. Giving advice sometimes helps one see the answer for themselves.

I’m worth every moment I think about what I’m going to eat or how I am going to eat it. I don’t care what others think or say. It is not obsessive for me. That is the only way I will change my poor eating habits.

My rant is over….

Majunta

so my question is.....had we sat together at a luncheon, or seen one another at the gym, nodded at one another at church or temple or the local hangout, or shared a campground location a number of times, would there have been a connection? Or would each of us have just passed the other by, too concerned about ourself or our family or our problems?

Peace

I don’t think there would’ve been a connection. At those type of events, a person is less likely to “open up” about such a private matter. There are some people who are extremely overweight and would be insulted about such conversation. Therefore, no connection.

I believed we are on MFP at the same time for a reason; plain and simple. Now, someone else may not believe the same things I do but that’s ok; it’s your gig. We all have our own way of processing things and I believe we were all brought together by a higher power (whatever yours is). I do not believe in coincidences. We have stuck together for some reason. We could’ve ended this after the first 10 day challenge; but we didn’t. Why? Because we have built a safe haven; because we pretty much know how the other is feeling when talking about weightloss. Not sure how many more times I can say it until everyone believes it….but this IS the soft place to land. Take if for what it’s worth…To YOU.

Related, how do you label yourself?

Depends on the mood I’m in. If my self-esteem is low that day, I may label myself as a burden to people. If my self-esteem is high that day, I may label myself as a valuable team member. We are many many things in life. I couldn’t confine myself to one label. Some days my label is b!tc&ie and the pit bull comes out in me. But the bottom line is: I love every one of those personalities. No, I’m not crazy…just very aware of my moods.

How are you labeled by others?

The label others adorn me with is: b!(c^. Have been my entire adult life. That’s because I tell it like it is and people do not like the truth; because I will only put up with so much crap; I stand up for myself; I can say “no” without any problem.

Does your evil inside voice label you differently than your heart? A brain, a jock, a princess, a criminal, a basket case?

Yes; my evil inside voice wants me to be a pansy *kitten* and my heart keeps telling it to take a hike. My evil voice wants me to believe I am not valuable; my heart tells me I’m very valuable.

How do you shuck a self-imposed label?

Peace

Keep listening to my heart’s voice.

RILEYRED

I assume everyone here has seen the movie The Breakfast Club. I have been thinking of this for awhile. All of us have become pretty close through this board (altho I have been incommunicado, I am breaking that as of this post!), so my question is.....had we sat together at a luncheon, or seen one another at the gym, nodded at one another at church or temple or the local hangout, or shared a campground location a number of times, would there have been a connection? Or would each of us have just passed the other by, too concerned about ourself or our family or our problems?

Related, how do you label yourself? How are you labelled by others? Does you evil inside voice label you differently than your heart? A brain, a jock, a princess, a criminal, a basket case?

How do you shuck a self-imposed label?

Food (aughhh!) for thought...maybe just my thought, but on my mind.....Peace

RILEYRED

Good to hear from our pal!!! Elizabeth,that's a great question, and I absolutely say .for me, NO, there would have been no connection,and pretty much for the reasons marianne said. People are too self conscious to talk about weight face to face,we have been at camp for3 years, and this is the first time we have befriended anyone there,a nice family across from us. We wave, we're cordial, but, we stay to ourselves. I do think there is a reason we all became friends with Evelyn, and she brought this together. I really didn't want to do it, I thought it would be too time consuming because I try to keep up with the other mfps,it was all strangers to me except Evelyn.I started to write to her to say no thanks, and instead I said"sure, sounds great"!!!!! It's meant to be, and I have such a pull to all of you, that it almost disturbs me!!!!!:frown: I label myself as kind, giving, nurturing.My evil voice tells me I'm a fake! My huband, kids, think I'm a push over, sap!!! I could really give a **** what anyone thinks, unless I love you, then I care. Marianne, this is a soft place to go,peaceful,kind,people can rant, be funny, be moody, I don't care,this is like free therapy!!!:noway: Right? And the best part is, we like our therapists!!!! I would be surprised if there's a person here who doesn't like another,it's not like that in camps, schools, jobs,neighborhoods, etc.Wow,ok then!!!!lol Denise, I always say,"men, can't live with them, can't live with them"!!!!:laugh: Evelyn, SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!!! hahahha Did that work???

ihavenowaist

I ate two sleeves of Ritz crackers last night before I went to bed. And they werent reduced fat. Sigh. :sick:

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end.
It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing;
it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it."
- Margaret Thatcher

I do too much lounging around doing nothing. It's time for a change! I'm working on it........

grmpy1

Ok today is heavy thinking day. Thank you for asking, but NO I wouldn't be friends with any of you if I saw you out somewhere. Why you ask? I don't talk to people I don't know. I stay far away from them. I am an introvert to the core. Always have been. And it can be a rough way to go, but if I am not noticed or expected to contribute, I can't screw it up. See, I am a huge chicken. Failure is my first name. I always manage to mess things up. So, I hide. Now you know the real me.

I am totally different on the computer when I talk to people. I know that 95% of these people I will never meet. And that is good, because they can't judge the real me. There is no self esteem here, never has been. I was brought up thinking I was no good, too fat and had no real friends. Eating was my way of life. I could do that, and if I was eating, I wasn't talking.

Guess what guys...You know the real me now. You know more about me than most of my family. I can talk to you, I can relate to you and I really feel that you can relate to me. The more we get to know each other, the more I hear words coming from you that I could really have said myself. But no one would have ever heard them, because I wouldn't have spoken them out loud.

My evil force (or evil twin, as my husband calls it) would love to scream from the roof tops that I am tired of being the one to have to hold it all together all the time. I would love to just say to heck with all of this and do what I want for once. Unfortunately, I am still working on that person inside me. Maybe some day, she will come out. But until she does, I know I have you all to help me get over whatever hurdle has come across my path!!

Man, I did it again. I wrote another friggin' book. Time to go find something constructive to do before I bore you to death. Then who would I talk to??? Myself again..and that isn't fun.

Denise

Majunta

Man, I did it again. I wrote another friggin' book. Time to go find something constructive to do before I bore you to death. Then who would I talk to??? Myself again..and that isn't fun.

Denise

We bring out the best in you Ms. Denise!

A book? Man oh man, I've been boring you guys all day! Mine must be a sequal. This is constructive! I love reading your "books".

And you know the old saying, talking to yourself isn't bad except when you start answering; that's when the real problems start! HAHAHAHAHAHA

grmpy1

And you know the old saying, talking to yourself isn't bad except when you start answering; that's when the real problems start! HAHAHAHAHAHA

But I like my answers, it is always what I want to hear!!

RILEYRED

Ok today is heavy thinking day. Thank you for asking, but NO I wouldn't be friends with any of you if I saw you out somewhere. Why you ask? I don't talk to people I don't know. I stay far away from them. I am an introvert to the core. Always have been. And it can be a rough way to go, but if I am not noticed or expected to contribute, I can't screw it up. See, I am a huge chicken. Failure is my first name. I always manage to mess things up. So, I hide. Now you know the real me.

I am totally different on the computer when I talk to people. I know that 95% of these people I will never meet. And that is good, because they can't judge the real me. There is no self esteem here, never has been. I was brought up thinking I was no good, too fat and had no real friends. Eating was my way of life. I could do that, and if I was eating, I wasn't talking.

Guess what guys...You know the real me now. You know more about me than most of my family. I can talk to you, I can relate to you and I really feel that you can relate to me. The more we get to know each other, the more I hear words coming from you that I could really have said myself. But no one would have ever heard them, because I wouldn't have spoken them out loud.

My evil force (or evil twin, as my husband calls it) would love to scream from the roof tops that I am tired of being the one to have to hold it all together all the time. I would love to just say to heck with all of this and do what I want for once. Unfortunately, I am still working on that person inside me. Maybe some day, she will come out. But until she does, I know I have you all to help me get over whatever hurdle has come across my path!!

Man, I did it again. I wrote another friggin' book. Time to go find something constructive to do before I bore you to death. Then who would I talk to??? Myself again..and that isn't fun.

Denise

RILEYRED

See, this is what weirds me out, we start saying things everyone else is thinking or wanting to say, I sit back reading and thinking, omg, I was going to say that, but didn't want to say it out loud, just like Denise just said!!! We really think alike!! Denise, I love knowing the real you,it's honest,I don't make friends easy, and I don't trust easily. Elizabeth, you're coming back, girl, I love it!

ihavenowaist

Hee hee hee...the heavy talk was simply to divert your attention away from my Ritz cracker disclosure...worked like a charm, didnt it ladies?

grmpy1

Hee hee hee...the heavy talk was simply to divert your attention away from my Ritz cracker disclosure...worked like a charm, didnt it ladies?

It didn't work on me. I just decided that you needed that break from the things that have been getting you down. No sense in beating you up about it, you seemed to be doing a good enough job yourself!

Now, get back on track and only eat one sleeve of crackers next time!

ihavenowaist

Hee hee hee...the heavy talk was simply to divert your attention away from my Ritz cracker disclosure...worked like a charm, didnt it ladies?

It didn't work on me. I just decided that you needed that break from the things that have been getting you down. No sense in beating you up about it, you seemed to be doing a good enough job yourself!

Now, get back on track and only eat one sleeve of crackers next time!

Even though my underarms flap way too much, I think I best go sleeveless for a bit.

grmpy1

Flapping arms...you looking in my windows? Oh my, they are bad aren't they. :embarassed:

To sleeve or not to sleeve, that is the question of the day....OK ladies....I have flapping arms, do I cover them or be comfortable and wear the kinds of tops I have always worn?? Tank tops and sleeveless tops. I always hated the tan line (or farmer tan as they call it here in Ohio and farm country) so I have always tried to avoid one. Lately I have been having second thoughts. Is there a certain age where we need to cover up?

Help me decide, please!

RILEYRED

:laugh: Mine flap so bad, they could hit a person and knock them out if they got close enough!!! I don't go sleeveless,because, seriously, mine are bad, but I say go for it if you're comfortable. Elizabeth,you sneaky little chick, good diversion, I'm more gullable than Denise,hahaha I liked the heavy talk, but now it's time to enjoy this journey and have some laughs!!!!:drinker: Yes, I'm having wine!!!!!!!

grmpy1

Peggi is drinking...time to put the lock on the reply button

Have a super evening Peggi. Enjoy your wine. I will be on the look out for wayward replies and messages and try to decipher them.

LOL having an smiley kind of night

D

ohhhhkkkk

Good evening Bella girls!

I have been lurking, but not saying much. Been busy with the season end garden stuff, freezing and canning. looks like I have most of it behind me except for 2 billion jalapeño peppers and 4 billion Serrano peppers. The jalapeños will get roasted, I like to leave them to turn red and then pick them. The serrano's I let turn red and dry and deseed then grind for pepper flakes. Lots of canned tomatoes and spaghetti squash. Denise, I have 3 zucchini that we left grow that are over 5# each. I had no intentions of doing anything with them, but every time I walk by the counter whew they are I think of you& zucchini bread. Thinking pumpkin zucchini bread. Maybe I will get creative this weekend.

Good job everyone that lost weight, and those of us(me included) let's try to focus better this week.

I went to the store at lunch and bought 2 cooked chicken strips at the deli and 4 bags of chocolate candy for the office, it was my turn. I don't usually have goodies at work. It has always been one of those "rules" I have had. Who wants to see someone that is 100# overweight eat a donut or piece of cake or cookie. I must be PMS because all weekend I have been wanting chocolate, but what was in the house didn't cut it. I ate about a half a bag of Hersheys nuggets, and my craving is gone. I mowed the lawn to work off some of it, but overall a bad food day.

Elizabeth, glad to see you back. The questions, I may or may not have connected because when in a group of people, I tend not to say much, if anything because again, I don't want to be the fat person being judged, but depending on the personality or mannerisms of the person, I may have struck up a conversation. Over the past 3 or 4 years I have seen just how short life can really be. I try and live each day in a positive light and try to find or point out the good in every situation, be patient and considerate and truly do onto others......and random acts of kindness, and I go out of my way to avoid conflict. If something makes me mad or bothers me, by the next day I have totally forgot what ticked me off, or as I like to say, Frosted my cake!

Marianne, sorry to hear you spent the weekend with chatty Cathy. Sounds like a lot of work packing up for the season. I am not going anywhere, and have not given up. This is the longest that I have stuck with a weight loss attempt. I have realistic expectations on if I lose one pound per week I had a Great week, especially if I am not working out. Thanknyou for all the words of
encouragement, and I know you will kick my *kitten* if I quit!

Denise, so there is another Denise hiding inside you! I would not have pegged you as a total introvert, I just figured with the trick or treat at the camp ground, you just didn't like people in your space. You are a very smart person, and your advice and comments are always amazing, spot on.

Lori, sounds like you have been busy too. Hope the classes are going well. Have you picked up more people since your grand opening? Hope your dad is doing better, mom is holding up, and daughter has not had any more cerrpy crawly visitors.

Evelyn, how are you feeling, has your guru come back to town?

Red, sounds like you had some great weather for some outdoor activity. Enjoy your last camping trip of the season. How is Caden doing? I bet it is

Karen, sorry you had such a rainy weekend but sounds like a great time for you and your mom. Great job at red lobster with. The biscuits. I would have eaten 5 or 6. Tastefully. Simple has a great biscuit mix but it is very pricey, it reminds me of the red lob biscuits.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Kim

ihavenowaist

Flapping arms...you looking in my windows? Oh my, they are bad aren't they. :embarassed:

To sleeve or not to sleeve, that is the question of the day....OK ladies....I have flapping arms, do I cover them or be comfortable and wear the kinds of tops I have always worn?? Tank tops and sleeveless tops. I always hated the tan line (or farmer tan as they call it here in Ohio and farm country) so I have always tried to avoid one. Lately I have been having second thoughts. Is there a certain age where we need to cover up?

Help me decide, please!

Well, I vote you wear what you like if you are comfortable doing so. I myself never wear sleeveless..even when I had lost weight before. It might have something to do with my inability to shave the pits well. :laugh:

But I have looked at women who have far more sagging flab than I do on the arms and thought how nice they look in sleeveless tops and wished I had the confidence to dress similarly. I just cant do it. Perhaps if I had done it years ago, I would not be uncomfortable doing it now, but I cant even remember the last time I wore something sleeveless. I was probably around 8 or so.

I dont believe that age defines appropriate dress. "Appropriate" dress can hide flaws, but who says you have to hide them?

ihavenowaist

Frosted my cake!

I love that expression! Never heard it before (I dont get out much!) but gonna use it from here on out!

grmpy1

Frosted my cake!

I love that expression! Never heard it before (I dont get out much!) but gonna use it from here on out!

Just don't use it too much on here....we will all be craving cake with lots of frosting!!

grmpy1

OK, It's Tuedsay..must be drama day in the household!! Newest adventure for me is gonna be a tough one..but I think in the long run it will help almost everyone involved.

I guess my youngest and her daughter may be moving in with us. No our house is not big. No Ken doesn't know it yet. And yes he is going to hit the fan. But he would do anything for my girls and the grandkids so he will smile and do what is necessary.

She has been having marital problems for quite awhile now and I think it finally has come to a head. I am here for her and I hope she can handle what she is about to do. I did it and I know what it takes to wallk out even when you really want to stay. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I just hope she can get past this and move on.

I am also hoping that if she moves in here I can get her weight situated. She is on MFP but she isn't doing what she needs to do. By being with me, she can get the meals she needs and the support, which I know she wasn't getting at home. And my granddaughter needs it too.

I will admit, I am scared of this. I hope we all can adjust to this change and work through it together. I know one thing though. This isn't going to make me go backwards. If anything it pushes me to be a better role model and keep on track. New challenges keep me on my toes. Oh man, I must be a ballerina by now!

Have a good day everyone, I have some major cleaning to do.
D

Majunta

Denise - *****APPLAUSE******

I will admit, I am scared of this. I hope we all can adjust to this change and work through it together. I know one thing though. This isn't going to make me go backwards. If anything it pushes me to be a better role model and keep on track. New challenges keep me on my toes. Oh man, I must be a ballerina by now!

You can do this D! Being a good role model for the kids is extremely important. I have faith in you D. You and Ken will provide a safe haven for your daughter and grand baby. I'm glad you have something to push you but I'm sad your daughter has to endure the possibility of divorce. No matter the situation, divorce always sucks.

Majunta

Flapping arms...you looking in my windows? Oh my, they are bad aren't they. :embarassed:

To sleeve or not to sleeve, that is the question of the day....OK ladies....I have flapping arms, do I cover them or be comfortable and wear the kinds of tops I have always worn?? Tank tops and sleeveless tops. I always hated the tan line (or farmer tan as they call it here in Ohio and farm country) so I have always tried to avoid one. Lately I have been having second thoughts. Is there a certain age where we need to cover up?

Help me decide, please!

Sleeveless! If you're comfortable....wear them. I don't think there is a certain age whereby one should stop wearling sleeveless shirts. Now, if we were talking mini skirts or Daisy Dukes, it would be a different story!

Majunta

Frosted my cake!

I love that expression! Never heard it before (I dont get out much!) but gonna use it from here on out!

What about "Chaps my hide"? That has always been a favorite of mine when trying not to swear. Ya know, I have a sailor's mouth most days.

Majunta

Are we all introverts?