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

@trooworld I know from experience that an iron deficiency can really tire you out. Hopefully with the extra iron you’ll feel better. Too bad about traffic. It’s really good that one meal can last for 3 meals. @its_cleo The bike really helps with knee and hip pain. You’re doing great with your takeout limit. I hope you enjoyed the baseball game. Hi, all. Today was a swim day. Dinner was leftover lasagna from Sunday, salad and Italian bread. I had lasagna for another meal so I put that in the freezer.

@trooworld Good job with the gym! I hope you enjoy your day. Hi, all. Today is a swim day. DS is cooking dinner tonight. He is grilling salmon and Caesar salad (ATK recipe). The Caesar salad is really good. It’s fairly healthy as he’s using low fat mayonnaise. Our daughter and her husband are eating with us so we’ll have some nice family time.

@trooworld That was nice of the woman to give you help. It’s always good to learn new things. The coffee sounds really good and refreshing. Too bad about the sauce on the living room floor. @its_cleo The perogies sound good. I love going to a farmers’ market. I’m glad you enjoyed the game. Good job on limiting takeout. Hi, all. It’s super hot here and we’re supposed to have a heat wave this week. I went grocery shopping to get ingredients for omelets tomorrow morning as DS has a day off. I also got ingredients to make 2 ingredient pizza for tomorrow night. We have some Greek yogurt that we have not eaten and it’s perfect for pizza. This will be traditional with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and turkey pepperoni. We are eating at our daughter’s house tonight. She is making Skinnytaste sloppy Joe’s.

@trooworld It’s good to take a day off from exercise. That was scary that your dog was barking at a big dog. She probably thought she was protecting you from the dog. Hi, all. It’s really hot here. The high today was 97 or over 100 with the heat index. I ride my recumbent bike. I had a doctor’s appointment to check my blood levels. All was good. DS made paella on the grill for dinner. It was really good. We leftovers for tomorrow and probably another day,too. The recipe was supposed to serve 8. The servings must be really large. I don’t think I could eat that much!

@its_cleo Good job with tracking. I had to laugh at the image of you wearing a sweater and covering up with a blanket because the AC was on. DH and I wear flannel shirts year round. And we have our blankets to cover up, too. The mobility class sounds interesting. I hope it helps. @trooworld That’s terrible that people are so rude with their dogs. It’s always good when a day at work goes by fast. Too bad about the salad. That’s cool about the jacket and you seeing how much weight you have lost. Hi, all. Dinner was good last night and we will eat it again tonight. Today is a swim day.

@trooworld The meal your husband prepared sounds really good. The vegetable soup from ATK also sounds good. The .2 weight gain isn’t too bad, especially since you know what caused it. Hi, all. Today was a swim day. It was not as hot as it’s been lately. I think the high was 85. But it’s humid. That’s summer in the South. Tonight we had steaks and they were good.

@trooworld I can't believe it's been 6 months since your surgery. I'm glad it was a good report. You know plateaus will come. Just a part of the journey. But your habits and body will be changing in other ways during this time. Think of some NSV you have had recently.

@fabgeekmom I think it seems to be hot everywhere. I'm ready for the fall. My plants keep dying. The kielbasa sounds good.

@its_cleo I've never eaten buckwheat. Thanks for sharing the workout.

I went to a public gym on Thursday so I could use the sauna afterward. I'm trying things to motivate me. I always love a good sauna session. Although I could probably just sit outdoors and have the same effect. 😀 I remembered why I built my own gym in my house. Busy and couldn't get a bench when needed. One lady was sitting on the leg extension machine just scrolling through her phone. I did 2 sets on the leg curl machine and she was still just sitting there so I did the "rude" thing and asked if she was finished. She said no she'll be done soon and I said but you are doing anything but looking at your phone. I'm sure she loved me. I did some kettlebell squats in the meantime until she finally got up and moved.

Yesterday I did nothing. My daughter in law to be was trying on wedding dresses and I was there via Facetime. Wedding is not til next year. So I want to work really hard between now and then. A couple of more appointments today. So I will get in my treadmill early. That's the plan.

@fabgeekmom I have a mental block I think on soups in the summer. While I do eat other foods that are hot, thus the mental block. I had chicken and corn yesterday for a late lunch.

I did not exercise yesterday. The last appointment was moved earlier so my plan of exercising between them went out the window. Could I have exercised later? yes. Did I? no. Today will be weight day. I bought a couple of new gym outfits for motivation. I'll go throw one of those on. Maybe even sit outside pretending I'm in a sauna. Hubby wants me to swim tonight. We'll see.

My mil likes to watch a set of YouTube videos involving a Ukranian couple, I think, on their farm just living their day out while they cook the old fashioned way. I think they are grinding the corn for cornmeal now. Between two big rocks that go in a circular fashion. I might just be thinner expending more energy throughout the day if I had to live like that. God knew I needed my appliances.

Hi everyone :) @trooworld Thank you for sharing your before and after photos. You can definitely see a big difference. It’s a shame your work colleague seemed to think weight loss surgery is an “easy” way to lose weight. It’s a tool - you still have to watch what you eat and exercise. I friend I used to work with had weight loss surgery and has lost about 40kg or more, which is about 100lbs. She watches everything she eats and goes to the gym - she works so hard, just like you do :)

@fabgeekmom I’m glad it wasn’t as hot for you recently. I don’t like humidity very much. I can’t remember if you have mentioned, but do you have your own pool, or do you go somewhere else to swim? I can’t actually swim at all, even though I live near the beach, which is a little unusual I guess. It’s not that hard to live near the beach in Australia. They’re everywhere lol.

@its_cleo I think you did great to only eat takeout 5 times in June. I agree with @fabgeekmom, that eating the leftovers the next day doesn’t count as extra takeout. What is buckwheat- is it a grain you can eat instead of rice? I’ve heard of it but don’t actually know what it is.

@theslightedgeforever Good on you for telling that lady at the gym to move it - I can’t imagine just sitting there looking at my phone while people are waiting to use the equipment I’m on. I wouldn’t have had the nerve speak to the person, I just would have given her an angry look, so you’re braver than me lol. Cool that you could see your daughter in law try on wedding dresses via FaceTime. Does she live in another state, or in the same state as you?

Unfortunately I’m not doing very well with my weight loss and exercise. I seem to lose weight one week and gain it back the next. I need to try and be much more disciplined. It’s a lot easier for me to eat better and exercise if I have support from people around me, which is why I kept going back to WW. I was looking into overeaters anonymous, as they have meetings too. I don’t know if I feel comfortable with their philosophy though. I’ll discuss with my doctor my difficulties- maybe I could go back to seeing a dietitian, which I last tried about 1.5 years ago. Sorry for being a downer- you’re all doing so well, hopefully I can start to do better too :)

@theslightedgeforever – good for you for asking that woman what she was doing. That’s irritating. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. I love buying gym outfits. Workout clothes are pretty much the only clothes I like, and sweat pants etc.

@fabgeekmom thanks for the support with the takeout ! I always end up with leftovers and I hate to throw it out bc it’s a waste, but then it’s just extra calories for me. …That’s great you have access to the rec center.

@trooworld I think I did better in June with takeout , not sure. But it’s a new month so chance to start fresh! Today I’m making some red lentil soup for lunch and some pasta for dinner. ….Ohhh I’m so sorry about your knee. That is awful. What a pain. I don’t know about you but I find these setbacks emotional, like with my hip it’s been an emotional roller coaster. I feel like it's one step forward two steps back all the time. I hope you can treat yourself a bit to make up for it.

@mh7816 yes - buckwheat is a grain. I like it better than rice. I also really don’t like quinoa or cousous, so buckwheat is usually my go to for those type of meals ie stirfry. It’s a little more filling. I also tried a grain called farro, which is ok, but I can’t seem to find it in the stores here. …..You’re not a downer, you’re just trying to see what works for you. It takes time, and it’s not easy.

Well as for me, I’m on vacation this week, which tbh I’m finding a bit tough bc I’m not as mobile as I was with my hip. Normally I would be out a lot biking all day or hiking. I’m still struggling to get 3.3 km a day walking without pain, but I haven’t given up. I read gluteal tendonopathy, which is one of the problems I have, can take up to a year to heal. So it happened in Oct. So reading that actually made me a bit optimistic it might still get better.

Today I am doing 3.3 km walk, and going to a yoga class later. Then watching baseball on tv. Tomorrow I think I’ll go to the pilates class although it kicks my butt.

@trooworld I’m glad your knee is better. That’s too bad that you have to cook. I hope it’s something good. Hi, all. I had a good birthday yesterday. Today was a swim day. DS is off today and is going with me to Sam’s Club. Dinner tonight is salad with last night’s chicken, chick peas, raspberries, walnuts and a homemade dressing with lemon juice, honey and olive oil.

@its_cleo Thanks for the birthday wishes! @trooworld I’m glad your knee is better. I saw that recipe on ATK. That would be a good way to use leftover chicken. Hi, all. I rode my bike today and went grocery shopping. We’re having salads with chicken for lunch and steak for dinner. Today’s my son’s birthday. We’re eating a lot of special meals and after Sunday when we have the family over, I’m going to have to get back to regular eating.

@trooworld I do have a pool but don't really like to swim. I'm more of a layout beside the pool and read kind of gal. Because of my skin cancer I try not to go in the pool during the daytime. Although that would be the most fun. Dh swims at night and does exercises in the pool. I got in once with him and just jumped up and down imagining I was on my mini trampoline. I hope it simulated the same thing to get some lymphatic drainage moving. Don't know if that's a myth or not, but I definitely burned calories while doing it so not a total waste of time. Some great NSVs you are having. I want to have the one where I walk up hills or stairs and not be winded. I'm working on an incline program on the treadmill at the moment 2 days a week. omg! Just read about your knee post. I'm so sorry. I know that pop. Can you tell me a little more about the mental switch in your head that now has you going to the gym and exercising. Remember before you would say I don't have time because of your commute and all. Are you still working in the same place? So how has the surgery helped you in that regard? Glad your knee is getting better.

@fabgeekmom Read my above to @trooworld about the swimming. I will try tonight if dh goes in. I don't know when his rest days are. He wanted to work out together and I said no our gym is too small. I know he'll be using the equipment I need. We've done this before. Happy Birthday. A little late.

@mh7816 The weight loss journey is a hard one for me. I've gained back about 35 lbs since covid. That's ugly to type out. I even did the math again thinking that can't be possible. But I'm still here. My current philosophy is don't worry about reaching tomorrow's goal. Can I just reach today's? Can I reach part of today's? Also changing the environment I'm in. My other son recently got married and he now lives in a new environment. :) he never followed my environment though either I keep reminding him. I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't know what buckwheat is. in my younger years I would have just glared. Unfortunately my mouth doesn't cooperate with my brain anymore now that I've aged. I keep trying though. Dil is in another state.

@its_cleo I think the worst thing about sudden injuries is it disrupts the momentum towards a goal. That's how I find it for me. It's like things are going really well and I'm losing and then BAM! an injury or a sudden surgery like in February. Then I had to pause exercise for 2 weeks. It's the getting back started for me that takes time. Once I'm consistent again life goes BAM!

So I went to the gym yesterday and the sauna. I laughed at all the women who used the sauna door as a mirror looking at themselves and not realizing I guess that I was inside watching. You could easily read the expressions on their faces. I'm sore today but Friday is my rest day. I've been very consistent this week that I can say I deserve this rest day. My tracking has been 100% consistent. Those are the two things I've been working on. I'm trying to be methodical this time round. See if I will win the consistency battle.

Happy July 4th to those that celebrate.

@trooworld I forgot to comment on your post. Congrats on the weight loss! You really are an inspiration with all your hard work.

@trooworld Your day with friends sounded like fun. Nice snacks. Good idea to skip the gym. You don’t want to overdo the arm exercises. @theslightestedgeforever Chicken in the air fryer is always good. I like smashed potatoes. Potato salad from leftovers should be good. A light walk is good. Hi, all. Today was a swim day. The day was a bit cooler and I sat outside for a while. But got a mosquito bite on my leg. DS grilled shrimp and made rice for dinner. I made a tomato peach salad with basil. My daughter and her husband joined us.