cariwaldick Member

Uh....can anyone join in here?

I'm way behind you, at only 177 days. But I seriously think I'll need to be on here the rest of my life. I can't yo-yo; my health issues will kill me if I do.

I've lost 84 lbs too! I've got another 60 to lose, and I'm also menopausal so I've got that box checked as well. I don't think I was an emotional eater, but boy have I got the bad habits. Boredom is my nemesis, not stress. I also don't feel better with exercise, but I do feel a sense of accomplishment if I do something I…

Hi everyone. I figured I'd check in here, and let everyone know I haven't died, or fallen off the wagon. It's been over a month since I've checked in. I'm still using MFP every day, and I'm down a total of 82 lbs as of today! Yesterday I wore my first size 14 pants. It's going a lot slower now. I'm still eating the same,…

Welcome Heather. No judgment here. Is that you in the picture? You're young and pretty, with your whole life ahead of you. You're doing the best thing you can to live your best life. Lots of great advice has already been offered. You can do this. There are lots of fads out there that may work for some, or some times. But…

What an adorable essay by your grandson, Karen. You might point out that you're not trying to be mean, but hoping to inspire him to go above and beyond what's required. The world is full of people who do what's required, but being successful sometimes means doing more than the minimum. Since it's only extra credit, maybe…

(Interesting questions recap: What tiny object is most precious to you? When you've had a tough day, what makes you feel better? What would you like to celebrate? What's your biggest wish in life? If you were to send a thank you note to someone, whom would you thank? Who is a good friend to you? What small thing did you do…

Welcome to the community! Go to work prepared. Take your own healthy snacks, and make sure you're not hungry. Keep a big cup of water (Crystal Light, tea, etc.) handy near your desk, and drink from it all day. That will keep you from feeling like you're deprived. You could allow yourself a taste--like a bite of cake for…

(Recap) What tiny object is most precious to you? When you've had a tough day, what makes you feel better? What would you like to celebrate? What's your biggest wish in life? If you were to send a thank you note to someone, whom would you thank? Who is a good friend to you? What small thing did you do recently, that made…

Hello everyone. I'm behind again--seems to be a natural state for me. I've noticed I tend to stay away from here when the scale is moving in the wrong direction. Or maybe, the scale moves in the wrong direction when I stay away from here? Anyway, I'm down another pound toward my goal weight, so here I am to brag. Y'all…

I'm with smolmaus--you shouldn't have to change your behavior, if you've got an expectation that friends and family will be supportive. Sure, on the internet in general, anything goes. But among family, friends, and co-workers, you should be able to expect support--or failing that--silence. The internet gives people…

You're not far from me! I'm in Lewisville, so my closest Chinese buffet is Regal Buffet. Sushi is my weakness, and all that rice is not helpful. Salmon and green beans are my go-to.

When I go out to eat, and don't even think about french fries.

Margaret--I don't think I'm stressed. Granted, I have the ability to make mountains out of molehills, but I lead a pretty carefree life. I'm just going to blame genetics, since I'm short, and both grandmas carried weight around the middle. Yvonne--I think I'm a word nerd too. If only my brain wasn't in opposition to my…

I try to limit myself to one plate. Look for steamed vegetables, and make half your plate veggies. Don't let the cost make you overeat; who cares if you're paying enough for three meals, stick to your plan. As mentioned, there's usually a good selection of fruit and salad to choose. I skip the rice and lo mein for their…

Roz--welcome to this fast-moving group of darling women! Visit often, and join in as you like. I'm in the US, so I had to look up what three and a half stone was--about 49 lbs. Of course, we're behind the modern world still using pounds. I prefer whichever measurement is in smaller increments; it seems more accurate that…

I may be old as your mom, so if she isn't patting you on the back and cheering you on, I will. You're doing the hard work, and you deserve lots of credit. Don't give up, just because you don't get the encouragement you deserve. I suspect if you're young and had such a weight problem, it probably started when you were a…

When I started, I didn't like many veggies either. I mean, they were okay, but I'd never choose them. Losing weight and getting healthy, my tastes have changed. I love fruits and veggies now, and even eat Chinese food--which I hated before. I still don't care for salads, but that's because iceberg lettuce is boring, and…

Jello lakes are my comfort. DOWAT

Tracey--Everything lives on the internet. I had never heard of Stacy's Country Jamboree, so I looked it up. First listing was that song you remembered. http://wblm.com/staceys-country-jamboree-jennie-shontell-sings-on-the-wings-of-a-dove/ Penny--That bit of sunlight is like a spark of hope. I could take the dark, but that…

Leslie--Welcome--another Texan. We're still fewer than the gals from the Pacific Northwest, but we're catching up. Then again, I don't think I can count myself a Texan yet, since I'm from all over (California, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas.) Pip--I don't know how you handle those big, soulful eyes. He's such a cutie, and I…

I've done the diet thing several times in the past, and once even lost weight while I was pregnant--with doctor supervision. Intense diet and exercise plans don't work in the long run. What does work is accountability, and lifelong changes. I've finally come to understand I will always be on a diet. I'm never going to be…

Laura--Yay, another Texan! I'm in Lewisville, and there are a couple others on here. I'm 53, obese, and had the trifecta of terror. My diabetes is borderline now, and I'm determined to knock it down so I don't need medication. I've lost 71 lbs since August, and I'm still obese. I'm not going to stay that way.…

ljhendrickson--To join here, you just jump in. Respond to any comments, or drop one of your own. Check in as often as you can; it moves very fast here. (19 pages in 5 days.) We talk about anything here, since many things can affect health and fitness. Some are maintaining their goals, and some are still striving to reach…

I eat out a LOT. With all the folks in the household, it's rare to cook something everyone will eat, or serve it at the time everyone is hungry. I've managed to work the restaurants into my eating plan, and still lose weight. I also don't care much for salads, so I've gotten good at finding choices that work for me. Salad…

Since August, I've lost 71 lbs. I'm eating 1000 calories +/- a day. I'm 5'2", so the losses are harder to see. I know from the way I feel--more energy, less pain, and a a feeling of confidence I never had. Shorter frames tend to carry weight different than taller, so don't worry about the image in the mirror. Weirdly, the…

Machka--So sorry for your loss. Your grandmother sounds like a great lady. Salt of the Earth people like that just live their lives, make memories, and leave big holes when they're gone. While we're on the subject of grandparents, I'll add my 2 cents. My grandmother died when she was only 58, but she really lived. She was…

Thank you to the runners and cyclists giving me tips. I still haven't been out to enjoy my new bicycle, since it was raining again today. Going slow for the running sounds like great advice. I read about a marathoner who, in spite of being much older than his competition, still beat them in a days long marathon. He wasn't…

Felicia--For a week in Cancun, I'd gladly leave the kids. I left mine a time or two when they were the ages of your youngest two. Lots of checking in, and talking to both of them. Hope you have a great time. Your pup is seriously cute. I read about an issue dachshunds have when they do a lot of jumping to get up on laps…

I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'm not going to try to assign individual responses this time. I'm a night owl myself. I'm usually up around 8 am, and go to bed around two am. Some of my most productive hours are between midnight and sunrise. I've always preferred late nights. As a kid, I'd go to bed as ordered, and stay up…