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

@its_cleo That's good you have an MRI coming up. Have you had one before? I've had a couple, they aren't too bad. I'm sorry about your mood. Is there anything that helps you when you feel like that? I still have Christmas decorations up, too. I want to take them down but no time this weekend.

@cbabie You must be feeling better lol. Mobility is a good goal. As you know, before my surgery, I was quickly losing my mobility. It was one of the reasons I had surgery. I haven't needed my cane since surgery! What small step can you take this next week towards better mobility? That's great you quit smoking, that's very difficult. My Mom only stopped smoking when she had a stroke from it (and from other things...basically, medical reasons made her quit cold turkey). Yes, less stress is good lol. You are right about only eating that much, I would have said no way! Thank you.

@fabgeekmom Thank you! I am enjoying my food. I don't blame you for not leaving the house, I hate when it's cold. That is very interesting, what the instructor said. Good job with the exercise!

Hi all. We did a lot of running around yesterday. My SIL invited us out to lunch so I went and had water. BUT...I didn't even realize I was drinking from a straw until my husband said, "Are you allowed to use straws?" and I said, "NOOOO!". I drank about 25% of the glass of water before realizing I was doing it. Ugh. It was freezing at the restaurant. It was outdoor seating and, although they sat us near a heater, the heater wasn't working. So I was pretty miserable but it was nice to spend time with my SIL. Today, I'm getting ready to go back to work tomorrow.

Water yesterday: 81 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@its_cleo The cold does bother me. It’s good that it doesn’t bother you. I’m glad you’re in a better mood today. It is a let down after the holidays. I hope you do okay with the MRI. You’ll probably be okay but I understand your trepidation. @trooworld That’s great that your mobility is improving. Losing weight is so good for your joints. Hopefully you didn’t feel any ill effects from drinking from a straw. Hi, all. It’s cold here again and will be this way for a while. I rode the bike today. DS made soup for lunch which was good. He got a dessert cookbook for Christmas from my daughter ( I think the gift was self serving) and is making lemon shortbread cookies. We’re eating dinner at her house tonight and I know it’ll be healthy. So I’ll have calories for cookies.

@its_cleo I'm glad your mood improved. Oh, I see. I hope it isn't painful and you get the information you need out of it. OH gosh, I'm sorry you had to type up the recipe! Thank you, it sounds really helpful and delicious. I'll let you know when I make it. It would be perfect for this stage of my diet! I've always been curious about the meal services but have never done any. I've heard Skinnytaste is involved in one of the meal services, but I forget which one.

@its_cleo Yes, I'm very happy. Good job with the bike. The cookies sound really yummy, shortbread are some of my favorites. That's good you had balance in your meals.

Hi all. Yesterday, I was mostly getting ready for going back to work today. We did go for coffee and run a couple of errands as well. I am going to try to walk on my work breaks today. I hope my knee doesn't start hurting. It would be a shame to have to start using my cane again. I tried to eat scrambled eggs for breakfast yesterday and that didn't work out: it felt like a rock going down. Some foods will work for me and some won't. Coincidentally, I made avocado egg salad for lunch, and that went down fine.

Water yesterday: 56 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@fabgeekmom It's okay, I don't even like eggs lol. Yeah the eggs in the egg salad were more soft and I pureed them so it worked out better. Good job with the swim. That soup sounds good. Thanks for the recipe.

Hi all. Yesterday was my first day back in the office. It went okay but I was kind of fatigued by noon and took a nap in my car for lunch. I walked on my afternoon break: my goal was to walk both morning break and afternoon break but my knee was bothering me some and I didn't want to end up hobbling all day if I walked in the morning. I think this week, I'll just start out walking on my afternoon breaks to be on the safe side.

Water yesterday: 70.6 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

As usual not even going to try and catch up....

So my oldest son got married over the weekend and my youngest proposed the next day. Luckily they are going to have a long engagement. I'm all "weddinged" out. I'm so tired. Good news is that I lost weight this last week since too busy to eat. That's always a win.

@its_cleo Weren't you with us before? the name sounds familiar. Welcome to the group or back to the group.

My goal for 2025 is better mobility. I have really left my stretching by the wayside and I can feel it in my hips. I used to joke with my mil about walking like a penguin and now that's me. 😒

I've been doing the Just Give me 10 Days challenge. I've done 7 rounds which is 70 days and I lost 4.4 lbs plus an additional 4 this week. But I didn't participate since I was busy. Next round begins on the 11th. I like it cause I don't have to do anything but post my stats each day. My goal there is to lose a pound a round. Which as you can see I was losing about 1/2 lb a round average.

@trooworld Thank you for welcoming me!

@its_cleo Take care of that hip, you don't want it to get worse. Good you took it easy yesterday. I think you are right about it being natural and taking a rest. Yes, it is.

@theslightedgeforever Nice to see you! Congrats on the family wedding and engagement. And the loss. Yeah! That's a good goal for 2025. Wow, good progress with the Just Give Me 10 Days challenge.

@surananc No worries! Jump in when you can, we'd love to hear from you when you are able to.

@fabgeekmom It seems that it was more than just one day (see below). Good job with the bike. Yeah, probably good to get out even though it's cold. Good dinner.

Hi all. I went to work yesterday but felt awful: run down, fatigued, just blah all over. Almost like I was getting a cold or something. I asked to work from home the rest of the day so I did do that. While at home, I asked to work from home the rest of the week and was given permission to do that. I think I overdid it on Monday and I don't want to set back my healing. I'm doing what's best for me. I'm going to call the dietician today and make sure this is normal and to see if there is anything I can do to improve it.

Water yesterday: 96 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@trooworld I’m sorry you feel bad. Hopefully the dietitian will help you do what you need to feel better. @theslightedgeforever Good job on saying no to your daughter on eating. That’s good to start new goals. Hi, all. I have been sleeping fitfully for the last few days. I’ve been cold and had a hard time getting warm. This morning DH noticed that the cord to my side of our heated mattress pad has been unplugged. So hopefully tonight I’ll sleep better. I went to Sam’s Club this morning and stocked up on some meats and other stuff. I have started tracking a new habit on MFP. I’m trying to meet my protein goal. Unfortunately as I exercise the goal goes up. Tonight I’m making Shinnytaste Korean beef bowl with rice. I thought we would have leftovers from last night but there was only enough for DS to take to work. I guess that means it was good!

@its_cleo Good job on the weight loss!

@fabgeekmom I love Korean beef. How close were you to your protein goal yesterday?

@its_cleo Woohoo on the weight loss. That's why we are all here. That and a healthy journey. Hope you get your internet back soon. I was telling my hubby that there are 3 things that I find hard to live without. internet, my Apple watch, and my food processor. I thought my apple watch died last night. It keeps me motivated.

@trooworld Me saying no: Right now it's not really intentional but what she eats just doesn't sound good to me. I also noticed I would eat a bit less. Now if that would just continue, it would be a great thing. I hope you hear back from the surgeon soon.

Off to do some reading. I'm hosting book club next week. We are reading The Measure by Nikki Erlick. Everyone 22 years of age and older gets a box with a piece of string in it with a cryptic message that says the measure of your life lies within. Some are short and some are long. So far it's a good book.

@theslightedgeforever Ah I see. Well, that's a good start. Thank you. I wish I could have a book club in my house but my dogs hate when people come over and act like little jerks lol. Interesting premise of the book.

@fabgeekmom I think that's exactly what happened. I do feel better since being home. Good job with the bike. I love falafels. I hope the storm isn't too bad. Yummy dinner.

Hi all. I called the surgeon's office when they first opened and they said they would send him another message. I guess that's all I can do. I am feeling better since working from home. I wish I could ask to work from home another two weeks but I can only drop hints. I don't have the guts to ask for it directly. I worked all day yesterday. I gained two pounds this week. This is not my fault: I am eating an average of 600-700 calories a day, so it's not what I am eating. I think it's just the ebb and flow of weight loss at this point. It plays with my head. I have to be careful about that.

Water yesterday: 55.6 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@its_cleo Thank you. I am starting to feel better. Ugh I hate workplace politics! At least you measured the ice cream, that's good. Did your lunch and dinner take the takeout cravings away? Happy Saturday (now)!

@cbabie Is grandson your healthy eating buddy?

@fabgeekmom Yes, it is troubling but from what I read online and from another support group, it's normal at this point to have a stall or even a gain. Good job with the swim and meeting your protein goal!

Hi all. I'm part of a bariatric community online and they said that stalls or even a gain or two are normal at the 2-3 weeks out stage. So, I won't worry about it. I know it's nothing I've done. This morning, I am going to the country part of the county to go to a "hawk watch" where I might see hawks, wild raptors, bald eagles, and more. It's led by a wildlife center. I'm really looking forward to it and seeing my friend who I haven't seen in a long time. Tonight, my husband and I are going to a comedy show at the coffee shop we regularly go to.

Water yesterday: 83.3 oz

My phrase for the year: "A new era of me."

@fabgeekmom Tell me how you like the book when you finish. I'm enjoying it so far. About a 1/3 of the way through. That salmon recipe sounds good. Yaay for meeting your protein goal.

@trooworld For some reason I don't like falafels. I love hushpuppies though. They seem so similar just different ingredients. Ask to work remotely for two more weeks. All they can say is no. Be your own advocate because no one else will. Maybe your body is just holding fluid. It's the overall downward trend that counts. I read your next post which it says is normal. How often do they want you to weigh? The hawk thing sounds interesting. I've watched them on TV on National Geographic.

@its_cleo I'm glad you found an alternative to your takeout craving? I have been having the munchies craving but there is nothing left in my house. I usually have corn nuts but I'm out and haven't replenished my supply. So you had Chinese. It happens. Look at all the other good meals you have planned and eaten. So keep looking forward and back to eating good healthy food. My daughter wants to go to Tanzania. I'm trying to talk her into Bavaria, Germany in 2026. We have a long lost relative from there.

@cbabie My daughter left today so now back to my routine. The good news is that this is the first time I've actually lost weight when the kids come home. Cause they are always eating something out or bringing some goodies home. They turn into small children I told them. My son had me buy lots of soy milk and oat milk and frozen fruits so his fiance could have her smoothies and I guess she was taking a break from smoothies. So guess who is going to try soy and oat milk. I'll need something to mask the taste. Tell your grandson to take the cold back with him.

My legs just hurt all the time right now. They are yelling STRETCH ME.

Well I am back on the wagon with my calorie goals today!