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

@theslightedgeforever lol about hand signals. And you can text DH. Sorry you're not feeling well though, that really sucks.

@trooworld that's great about the library card. You remind me of myself- I used to be a huge reader, just non-stop, then somehow over the last 10 years my interest really changed. But I did get an audio book, it's nonfiction about bad habits and how our brains work, so if that sparks my interest I will try some fiction. I'm sorry you're having trouble with your bank too. It really sucks. i feel like they have all the power.

@cbabie yeah I think babies will eat healthy food, then learn bad food habits and tastes from us....good luck with it!

@joannadavison I'm around that macro split, 30% protein, 30 or 40 carbs I think. Sometimes carbs goes up but I try to keep my protein and fats around 30% I think.

I took a day off exercising today. I went out for brunch with my uncles and splurged and got waffles with bananas, pecans, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. It was super good but what an indulgence! It will take all week to work off lol.

Y'all inspired me with all the talk about tzaziki so I bought some lamb and made wraps for lunch tomorrow.

I've seen the chiro for my wrist twice now, not sure it will heal or not. Giving it twice more and then I don't know because I have to pay for it.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

@its_cleo I LOVE your SMART goals! I think you're doing a great job making incremental life changes and I love that you're setting yourself up for success with future maintenance.

@TeresaW1020 Fabric resistance bands sound way less painful! Keep me posted on how they go!

@trooworld I'm pretty lazy with breakfast so I do grab and go things. String cheese, hard boiled eggs, nuts, bananas, protein bars, etc. It might be helpful to think along those lines instead of adding the pressure of cooking.

@theslightedgeforever Losing your voice is so frustrating! I hope you gain it back soon and take care of yourself.

@cbabie Sorry to hear about your weight frustration. I think it's easier to try to help others eat healthy than to do it for yourself, because fighting against yourself is the hardest thing!

@joannadavison Congrats on shrinking out of your work pants! Sounds like it might be time to give the next size a try since you don't want to lose your pants at school! lol

@nighthazel01 I'm glad you're able to take some time for yourself to get a walk in, that work schedule sounds so stressful!

So pretty sure I was the wicked witch this weekend, or the creature from the black lagoon. Either way it wasn't good.

I ended up doing social things both Friday and Saturday, which means I didn't get any schoolwork in so I had 200 pages to read, a presentation to record, and an 8 page paper to complete on Sunday. My partner was trying to be so sweet and affectionate, doing the dishes, going to get breakfast, trying to find something for us to do together, but I just needed to be left the %$*& alone to get all this done so I totally snapped. Which made me feel like an awful person, cause he was being so sweet and trying to be helpful, and I became the dragon lady.

I apologized and we ended up spending time together in the evening, but I still feel awful. I was even snapping at the dogs Sunday cause I felt so stressed and overwhelmed. And it's not like I wasn't working on homework throughout the week or that I was behind, this is just how heavy the workload is ALL THE TIME now. The first class ends in 5 more weeks so I'm looking forward to being able to take a breath then and just focus on one class.

Hi everyone, I’ve been on MFP for years and only just found the forums last night 😂. I’ve also followed WW on and off for about 10 years, and didn’t like it when it changed to flex as those few months beforehand I had lost over a stone and then I couldn’t keep it up. But now they’ve changed the plan again so liking green but I tend to use MFP more for tracking then WW app. And so far in less than a month I’ve lost nearly 6kg 🥳

@cbabie I am definitely at my pressure cooker moment! Thank goodness this vacation is coming soon. I've got a group project that needs to be done Sunday, but one of my group members signed up for this week but is vacationing IN MEXICO and is not responding to anyone....seriously, who does this to other people???

@TeresaW1020 Keep me posted on how they do with shorts cause I do the same thing as you when I work out at home (no sense in creating more laundry and sweat when it's just me!). I'm so jealous of your day off today

@trooworld Thank you! And I'm so grateful I have a vacation on the horizon because I am not holding my %*@# together right now!

Welcome @swazzom93

Well, the anxiety continues today. I literally stress packed my suitcase last night....for a vacation isn't for another week and a half...

I tried to relax with an hour yoga session and a hot shower, but I feel like nothing is working right now. For those of you who struggle with anxiety, it's that pressure in your chest that won't release and all the spinning thoughts of everything you need to do but can't do because you have to do other things. I'm drowning.

In better news, I lost the weight I gained last week along with another .3lbs this week, so I'll take it!

@cbabie I often struggle to catch up too. When you're so busy it's so hard to stay on track. I'm trying hard to plan.

@trooworld I hope they do your bank transfer quicker than that. You should ask for the interest you've lost. UK tax office same. I'd been in post from Sept & they'd put me on "emergency tax" (basically taxed on everything you're paid without the untaxed allowance- about £10thou/year). Come April, end of tax year, & I get a letter in May saying I've paid too much tax & they owe me about £200 and changing my tax code only they put me on supertax- as I don't know codes I found out when I was paid about 2 day's salary to last a month!!!! Took about 3 months to get it sorted!!

@theslightedgeforever feel better soon!

@its_cleo mmmm bananas, waffles & caramel sauce- yum!! I got some bananas to go in my sticky toffee pudding flavour protein powder when I add to yoghurt! Not quite the same 😜. Hope you get better news about your wrist.

@TeresaW1020 pleased your Pastor made for the dedication service. Sounds an interesting work out. I need to start some basic core & yoga poses at home.

@mswatson0777 I tried my normal work trousers- they were too tight to wear all day & bit unsightly but they did fasten. Another week or 2. Workload does cause stress. My eldest has a ridiculous amount of homework this year in prep for GCSE exams and some nights she's so overwhelmed it's just best not to speak to her! I had a morning like that with one class- thankfully rest of day was better.

Just enjoyed a lovely pasta & tuna bake!! Lovely comfort food & high in protein. Work a bit manic as data entry post internal exams (I suppose like mid-terms) but we have 2 key staff off ill. On top of that we go from 2 to 1 school site next week. I'm getting new lab (the new build is portacabin but should be good space) so having to pack up all my stuff. Had 4 Year 11s turn up after school to help, we put Grease soundtrack on youtube!! (This year's school musical & they are all in it).

@its_cleo Thank you for your kind thoughts. I do journal pretty frequently and it is very calming, but sometimes nothing calms the storm if that makes sense. It is a group project and found out NONE of my groupmates realized they signed up for the one due Monday...I hate people. So I gave them all homework assignments and a deadline because I am too old to deal with that level of stuff from full grown adults.

@trooworld Not gonna lie, I'm totally jealous of your food day yesterday. I haven't seen a single girlscout yet (which is probably good for my weightloss, but I really like supporting the organization and I have a few favorites I buy and ration out). Sorry to hear you struggle with anxiety too, it's the worst.

@joannadavison Your evening packing and listening to Grease with the students sounds like so much fun! I love that you made a typically onerous task into an exciting one. And I bet you'll be in those trousers in no time!

@nighthazel01 It sounds like you've got a lot of stress going on too, which is manifesting itself with food. Keep up on those 30 minute walks and maybe see if there are other de-stress tactics you can fit in to distract yourself from eating your emotions?

I'm feeling a lot better today school-wise. I finally got everyone in my group project on board. We have an article and they have their homework assignments and deadline. I hate group projects since its always one person who does all the work while everyone else coasts (you'd think it would be better since we're all older returning adult students...you'd be wrong). I also did a two hour jiu jitsu class last night which made me feel a lot more calm and centered (yoga's great for a lot of things, but brazilian jiu jitsu is my ultimate mood booster). I'm going back today for another two hours and I can't wait. Hope you all have wonderful Wednesdays!

@nighthazel01 I also find weekdays easier to stay on track than weekend. I'm trying to be better planned for slip ups & more mindful. Look after yourself even though work is busy. I fell into that trap years ago. Older & wiser now - I might do an odd day or 2 like that but never again. Just make sure you're looking after you.

@trooworld -was it the mint ones? Girl Scout Cookies, that is. My sister brought loads over one year for my girls & their Girl Guide Unit. Any time she visits if the cookies are for sale we get those mint ones!! If we're feeling like need a quick pizza we often get the fresh made ones & load up on the veg. Tuna & pasta bake- new comfort food!

@mswatson0777 the kids picked the music, not me, was still good fun. I've just got a couple of displays to rescue & pack the kit I'm currently using. I hate the idea of group projects. I do them in class but never set as homework for the exact same reasons you've said. Both my kids have been stung with group work before. I do agree that you'd expect adults to be more cooperative & organised. Enjoy ju-jitsu.

@theslightedgeforever LOL at the "No Whispering". Not good to do as it strains voice. You need a whiteboard & pen! Brilliant that you are staying on track thoughout this.

I has really good gym session. I did 3K on cross-trainer at better pace & then same routine as did with trainer last week. (HIT). Then some serious stretching. 800 cals gained! And I haven't used them. Got next weeks plan sorted & chilling before bed.

@cbabie PB? As in peanut butter? Are you using the low fat & sugar powder form? I've been buying PB Hottie- which is supposed to be a drink but makes excellent cheaper version of PB Fit powder! That might actually be good with yoghurt & banana. I've been putting flavoured protein powder in my plain soya yoghurt & adding fruit eg coconut & tropical smoothie fruits, chocolate with raspberries & sticky toffee pudding with banana.
Totally busy & totally shattered today. My room is almost packed- just things I need for tomorrow out. I've got a huge set of books to mark - been trying all week at work but given in & brought them home. Once Friday over I can chill again- students aren't in on Monday so we can get sorted.

@trooworld I got WhatsApp msg from my sister today- she's bought is Girl Scout Cookies to bring back in August. I think one of her work colleagues is a Leader. 🤣🤣 I'm going to have to walk a lot when we are over- I can see that now!!!!

@trooworld & @mswatson0777 thanks for gym comment- I knew I needed to make it a good one as dentist today so no time to go! I now need to repeat that every Wednesday!! 🤣

Trying out slow cooker tonight. DH used it successfully so I'm doing a vegetarian version of Pinch of Nom's Hunter's Chicken. Suppose I'd better get laundry in & start marking!

@theslightedgeforever, yikes!! I hope you get to feeling better soon.

@mswatson0777, how awesome to look at pictures of yourself and like what you see!!

@cbabie, I was addicted to peanut butter and wouldn’t even keep it in the house other than some super cheap brand that my husband shares with the dog. Yuck!! Then I went off Keto and started back to my beloved PB & J for lunch, but I’ve found myself a few times now eating it out of the jar and if I don’t stop I’m going to have to get rid of it again. Why does it have to be sooooo tasty!!! But yeah, at least we both are aware. Let’s control it so we can still have it!

@joannadavison, how did the Hunter’s Chicken turn out? I love my slow cooker!

@trooworld, thanks for being honest about the Girl Scout cookies and pizza. I went out to lunch with the staff yesterday and ate wayyyy more queso and chips then I should have and then had a smothered chimichanga. And if that wasn’t bad enough, I spent the rest of the day nibbling and going to bed last night feeling awful and mad at myself. Yeah, I don’t need to be told what I could do better. I just need to do better!! At least we are keeping it real, huh?

@nighthazel01, it sounds like several of us have had struggles with food this week. But yayyyy for sticking to your commitment to walking 30 minutes a day no matter what!! I struggled with being consistent with exercise for a long time but you really do have to just make it a priority and do it.

Good morning. It’s cold and rainy…again!! I’m so ready for spring! So, I’m ending the week with a gain and the month with a ½ pound loss. Big whoop!!! I’ve done terrible with my eating and I’ve already had the talk with myself about my behavior. I do great for a few days and then awful for a day or two, so my weight just keeps bouncing up and down the same few pounds. But today is a new day and we are going into a new month so I’m drawing a line in the sand, forgiving myself and moving forward. I took yesterday off from working out but today I will be back at it and my food has already been tracked for the day. I got this!! And so do you!!

@mswatson0777 - A vacation sounds so good right now, anywhere with a little sun. It great that you feel you're looking better, that's great personal feedback for yourself.

@theslightedgeforever - I hope you're feeling better soon

@TeresaW1020 - Love your positive attitude. It's smart to plan ahead, it really helps to stay on track. I know I'm going to have days that I indulge, I'm trying to limit how long that indulgence lasts. In the past, it was hard to get back to a healthier routine, I feel I'm doing better with getting back on track sooner. Tracking my food makes a huge difference

@cbabie Fighting fatigue when there are young children in the house is so hard. I'm addicted to anything carb loaded, and/or strach. I can eat endless amounts of pasta if I let myself, I'm not sure what comes over my brain, but there's no off switch to tell myself I'm full.


All three of my kids are home from school this weekend. I'm not sure how that happened, usually they trickle in at different times. It was cold and drizzly here yesterday, and I believe a cold front is moving in soon. My goal is to continue to track my meals, no snacking or munching, choose healthy meals, and enjoy the meals I have with my family with guilt or worry. Also, be up and moving as much as possible.

@theslightedgeforever wow sorry about the bronchitis that sucks. Just take care and rest. I’m not sure a brace would help, I wrote more about it below.

@nighthazel01 those sound like great goals

@mswatson0777 that is what I prefer to drink, rum and diet pop. It is the lightest calories drink I could find. I also think it is relatively ‘clean’ as they say. I love beer but it is full of stuff and it always makes me feel like crap after. So I only drink it when I’m with my hiking club which is about once a month. I don’t drink wine either for the same reason- whatever the chemicals are in it they make me feel terrible. >> Hopefully you are on your trip by now!

@trooworld good luck at the DMV! Identity pictures…I had to get my passport renewed last year and the woman that took the picture took a lot of pride in how good her pictures are. So I don’t know it looks the same to me lol but she really tried…..I would have found it hard to do a degree online I think. I did it in person, it was a compressed 12 month program. It was exhausting lol. I loved school but I will never go back.
Another peanut butter fan here- I like peanut butter with apricot jam. Apricot jam is the only jam I will eat.

@TeresaW1020 ½ pound loss is great, at least it isn’t a gain! I’m ready for spring too. I don’t mind the cold but I can’t stand the gray skies.

@joannadavison glad you have an extra day Monday…I could never be a teacher, it always seems like such hard work!

Well my update: I’ve stayed on track with calories all week. I met my exercise goals (8x) but some of my exercise is like very lowkey rehab type work.

Injuries- the biceps tendonitis should heal with rest, it is just caused by overuse. So it is slowly getting better I just have to be smart and not overdo it. I think in 2 or 3 weeks it should be back to normal.

My wrist is another story. All along we thought it was a tendon injury. My xrays were delayed so we weren’t sure though. So I finally got my xrays back and the tendon is likely fine, but there is osteoarthritis in my wrist. I was pretty upset. 43 years old and I have arthritis?

This kind of arthritis happens when the cartilage on the bones wears away, so somehow that has happened to the bones in my wrist. I still have a couple of appointments next week but I read that it really can’t be reversed and it is degenerative, meaning it can get worse over time. So I was super upset when I found out. But today I feel a little better. Ironically I have been keeping my arm still bc I thought it was a tear and didn’t want the tear to get worse. But with arthritis they say it’s better to move it, bc if you stop using it will just get worse. So I’m going to try doing some gentle stretches.

I can still lift weight, just there are a couple things I can’t do bc it hurts too much. So I guess I have to start working around it. Bah.

disregard, didn't realize this was such an old thread

@RetiredAndLovingIt I'm not sure about the last comment either. I was going to come on and say- we aren't that old! Sorry about the coughing that sucks...it's especially hard when you don't know what's causing it.

@TeresaW1020 sorry to hear about your back! Yes definitely listen to your body and take care with it. Foam rollers really do work but they can hurt. I have very slowly become a foam roller convert.

@trooworld that is amazing about the recipes. I have one recipe book I use but i get tired of it. I have some recipes from online that I saved to my hard drive. I try to keep organized but it's hard. I hope your migraine improves, we are really a collection of aches and pains this week!

@theslightedgeforever hope you're feeling better.

yesterday I did my stair/hill circuit and did pretty well with it. I do 30 second jogging intervals going up and I was able to do a bit more than I usually do.

Bicep - yesterday I did some massage myself and it seemed to feel better. So i'm optimistic it's slowly improving.

The wrist- I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. It's just so weird to think I have arthritis. I associate it with age I guess. So because I thought it was an injury I've been keeping it still for months. So yesterday I tried some very gentle movements- like make a fist and bend up and down. And yep within an hour it stiffened right up and hurt. It kind of always hurts a little bit just this low grade pain. It's so weird mentally to get used to. I bought one of those topical creams but it doesnt really work. I don't want to take painkillers every day so I will stick with the topical for now anyway.

So I'm trying to be optimistic- the one step forward last week was getting a proper diagnosis. The upcoming week I see my family doc so hopefully she has a good perspective on what I should do.

Cals- did really well and no drinks at all this week. My weight dropped on Friday and then came up today so there is no gain or loss this week but that's ok.

@mswatson0777, ugghhh your weekend doesn’t sound good at all! The good news is that it’s Monday and a fresh week. You got this!!

@trooworld, glad the acupuncture helped you! Bummer about the meal prepping not getting done. I know you like to do it. Hey, what are you eating this week for breakfast?

@its_cleo, I hope your doctor can give you some ideas or medication to help your wrist. My husband has pretty band arthritis in his hands, and I hate seeing him in pain all the time. He is convinced that my knee pain is arthritic, but I reject that idea for just being overweight. Time will tell, huh?

Good morning! I’m sitting here at work and have a ton to do but thought I better check in or I won’t do it later. So, this happened to me this morning! I drove to work and was talking to God and asking for his help this week to stay on my plan and only eat what I pre-tracked. Then I come to work and there is this insurance guy waiting for me to give me some info on his company. Really nice guy and in the bag of info is a super nice pen (which I’m keeping!) and a small bag of gourmet chocolate chip cookies. Are you freaking kidding me!!! After he left, I stood there looking at that bag of cookies and shaking my head. How many times have I been determined to stay on plan only to be confronted with a temptation and giving in to it? I mean no one would EVER know right? Except for me of course. So, I opened that bag of cookies, smelled their deliciousness and then sprayed furniture polish all over them and tossed them in the garbage. NOT today Satan! NOT today!!