You all keep me motivated and I appreciate it. Even if I don't always comment, I'm reading!

@drags59: Health issues can be so difficult to deal with. When I was diagnosed with heart disease, I went to a counselor to help me deal with the lifestyle changes and the stress of those changes, doctors, and insurance companies. My insurance company also assigned a phone nurse to me who called me at least once a week to make sure I was doing what I should and do help me navigate all the medical redtape. So lean on people. Us. Your family. Or a third-party. It can become manageable.

@MapDancer: So glad you went to NYC. We can do new things even at our ages. Just need to be adventurous! I think MFP has helped us all with self-confidence and new enthusiasm. Don't you? FYI: Hated to see "Fated to Love You" end. Really loved it! I am now watching two in real time. "All Night Restaurant" which are 30 minute episodes once a week. Different story each week, but same restaurant owner, Kim Seung-Woo whom I liked in Hotelier and another drama. I have also started "The Time That I Loved You, 7000 Days." I have a little catching up to do on it. They both are pretty good so far.

@gaylebodine Send all snails my way! I love escargot! My ex always said they were like innertubes in garlic butter. He said it made sense when my favorite local restaurant for excargot opened another restaurant in Akron. All the rubber they would want!

Going to a Theater/Dance production called All Night Strut tonight after Tai Chi. Big band era! Should be good! I'll need to come up with something to eat between Tai Chi and my 3 block walk to the theater. No time for dinner until after the production which probably will not be until 10 or 10:30. If I don't eat something though, I'll binge!

I have buckled down this week. Has helped that we have finally had a few days without any rain. Makes me feel so much better. I'll talk to you all tomorrow for weigh-in!

gaylebodine wrote: »

gmabethof3 wrote: »

gaylebodine wrote: »

Beth, me too! I need to stop and admire how clever we are for a moment or two here! I don't remember there being a National Donut Day or a National Ice Cream Day in the old days, do you? But I'm not complaining. Wonder when National French Fry Day is? OMG, just found out that I missed it, it was July 13th. Look at this calendar and there is no wonder that we Americans are fat, lol. http://www.food.com/food-holidays/french-fries-day-0713

No Gayle, never remembered National Donut Day, National Ice Cream Day or even National French Fry Day (I missed that one too LOL) Your right, no wonder us Americans are fat. Maybe We should start a National Cherry Day or National Carrot Day. Wonder if this would catch on? LOL

Beth, National Carrot Day is April 4th http://www.carrotday.com/ But even more important (lol) is National Carrot Cake Day http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-carrot-cake-day-february-3/ LOL

Carrot cake day sounds good to me LOL

Goal: 161.5 (15 lbs.)

July 3 - 176.5
July 10 - 176.0 = .5
July 17 - 174.6 = 1.4
July 24 - 174.4 = 1.6

Challenge Goal: 245

July 3 - 260.4
July 10 - 259.2
July 17 - 258.4
July 24 - 253.4

@gaylebodine I understand your struggles. Did you read the blog I posted in the articles link about illness and weight? Read it if you haven't. For years I did things right, but couldn't lose. It was the heart for me. But inflammation can come from many things. And, stress doesn't help either. If I didn't have good healthy insurance, I would be stressed just worrying I would get sick. And, as you mentioned to Pam, things slow down. Look what you have accomplished to date!

@gmabethof3 As Gayle said, things slow down. At 248, it was easy to lose 2 or even more pounds a week. Then one, now, although I'm still active and at 1200 calories, I stick on plateaus forever. I have done 1200 calories from the beginning. I lost 55 pounds the first 6 months. 27 pounds the next 6 months. And only 5 pounds in the last 6 months! And although you don't see all my exercise, because I don't log most of my walks, I average about 14,000 steps a day and quite a lot of those are "cardio" steps. My exercise usually runs about 600 calories a day that I don't eat back. So, at your weight I was still losing about a pound a week, but it was really hard and required a strict 1200 and a lot of exercise!

@gaylebodine I am always busy! I love it. I leave the house most days at 6:30 a.m. and I never come home unless I forgot my workout clothes or something until 9-10 at night. My friends look to me to plan stuff because they know I will always have something I want to do. Mostly I do by myself as no one else gets motivated. Gotta wake up in the morning and look forward to something fun everyday!

Gayle there is much stress in just the plateau itself. It is so unfair!
I live in dread of it because it is has always made me give up and gain more.
I so admire you for sticking with the program despite your plateau!
Would it help the "plateau stress" to focus on fact that you are not gaining weight back?
So until the plateau relents, your weigh ins can be spun as victory?
E.g. "Yay! I did not gain this week! Take that you evil plateau!"
Xxxooo

Hi all,

Just caught up with reading posts. I have been away and no internet. Not much control over food when visiting other people's homes, but I am doing my best.

Cheryl, I am so sorry about the loss of your dog. I am a dog lover with many past four footed friends in my life, and I really miss them. They are very much a part of family and we all mourn their loss. Hang in there and take care of yourself.

It seems it has been a tough time for a lot of us.Weight gain, plateaus and slow losses. I too appreciate that you are all here to support. I am still getting back on track after my long absence. Logging is the first step.

My husband's doctor has recommended the Atkins diet for him and he is contemplating it at the moment. It would make life a great deal easier for me if he too was watching what he eats since he is primary cook around here. But I lost weight before on my own, so I can do it again, regardless.

Have a better week everyone.

marney

Gayle there are a number of health clinics up in your neck of the woods that work with low income folks. And there is the CICP as well...I used them back in 2008 as I was diagnosed with a blood disease at the 9 health fair and at the time had no job or insurance. Google the CICP, I think you can sign up over the phone and at your advanced age, there are other options as well...

RE: my sweet puppy Thank you everyone, she was my best friend and when I took her to the vet, I had no idea we would end up where we did. Her face is the one you see each time I post something. I had a really hard time with having to put her down and literally the reason I got online was to post my food diary, as I really didn't care about much of anything else.

Thanks Gayle! I saw your post after i added my "sheesh"

Actually Charlie, this last go round with my back was actually due to PT...so at the moment am looking at PT in water to lessen the impact to my body. But other than that, am being very careful as that was some pain I do not wish to revisit! The other thing that will help is losing the weight. So doing a very small bit at a time!