Jacci, I lived in Ludwigshafen, about an hour south of Frankfurt (across the river from Mannheim) but I was born in Heidelberg on the base. I actually had to learn english. My mom and I both. My mom did a lot of crossword puzzles.

Hi PR,

I'm Donna. Guess we're all in the same boat. Just trying to carry on for ourselves. Stop in often. The only day I'm not on here is Tuesdays. I work from home, but have to go in on Tuesdays.

Do your best to log in EVERYTHING you eat. I got a good digital food scale, keep some measuring cups on hand and a couple shot glasses (it's an ounce right?).

It really makes you aware of what you're eating.

Christine,

There are plenty of weight training things you can do without getting a bench. They have exercises on Youtube that you can follow. I used to keep my weights in a nice wicker basket on the floor and worked with them. You don't HAVE to buy weights. Look at some of the food cans in your cupboard and see how much they weigh. You can use a paint can with water in and a lid on to lift. If you have a decent scale you can add water to make 5, 10 or so pounds and work your way up.

pick a part of your body you want to work on and do a google search or Youtube search. There's all kind of stuff out there. Don't start too crazy. I worked with a trainer several years ago and it's not how heavy the weights are, it's how may reps you do and doing them slowly and in a steady/smooth movement that works best.

Do different parts of your body every other day. Another words, don't do the same arm area two days in a row. Stagger it. And make sure to take a day off from everything. If your body gets too used to the routine, you lose the effectiveness.

I hope everyone has a really good day!!!!

Having a depressing day. It's hard to realize that many time friends and family just aren't there for you. It can be a lonely place.

Things are calming down at this point. I'm going to take a nap......... Donna

Marbisi,

I know exactly what you mean. I'm the same way. I don't drink enough either. Never did. I would say go with your cravings as long as you log it. Add extra lettuce to your sandwich! I'm of the firm belief that, changing your lifestyle is REALLY hard and near impossible for me so I'm trying incorporate the changes slowly. I eat the way you do. Not much at work, but it builds up and then I go nuts when I get home.

I read a really good plan somewhere. Here it is:

1. Make a list of everything you want to change where eating is concerned.
2. Put the list in order of easiest to hardest.
3. Do the first thing on the list for 6 months. (I read it takes 6 months to CEMENT a habit and 30 days to firmly break a habit)
4. This list can change. (I put "no eating after 6" at the top of my list which supposedly meant it was an 'easy' thing to do. OMG It was sooo hard. I moved it further down the list. Actually It was almost 2nd to last it t was THAT hard.)

It took a long time for us to get as heavy as we are so it will take time to get back to some kind of shape.

Small steps. Good luck everyone.

Donna

Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I'm up and down. It's so hard after eating anything and as much as I want to try to curb that. How is everyone else?