PROVIDA SUPPORT COMMUNITY

Welcome Casey!  Hope you have very good luck here again.  We have all been there.  I lost 95 and gained most of it back.  So we all come back to where we feel at home.  This is my home.  I am trying very hard to get my life in order and get back on plan.  I am in the right mind set now.  I am getting myself back! 

Karen, Jean, Jane Sally, Carole, Nancy and Sally, I miss you guys!  Had to drop in.  I am having a deck built and the floor is done and the ramp mostly done.  The railings and stuff have to be done also.  I am so excited.  It is 16 X 20.  It is so big.  I am so excited.  I love to sit in the swing and watch the dogs play.  It is the highlight of my day. I will post a pic maybe from the 4th.  We will be able to sit on the deck and watch fire works!  I am happy about it.  It will take awhile to finish it cuz money issues.  The new renter is behind again!

Beth 

Casey----if I didn't know better, you sound like you're my twin.  Isn't the thyroid thing a real bite!  I had to wait 20 years for my to burn out to a sub normal level.  For 20 years I suffered with mild symptoms.  This past winter I was needing 3 hour naps everyday.  FINALLY, I was put on meds when my levels went way down.  My miniscule dose, however, has done little for weight loss.  I'm single, too, and have 2 shelties?  What kind of kids are yours? 

Carole----hang in there.  Enjoy the holiday weekend if you don't have too much pain.

Jean--good to hear from you.  Are you working the plan right now?

Beth---I've been thinking a lot about you.  I'll e-mail some thoughts to you.  You know me---always trying to analyze the situation. 

Lunch went well yesterday and I have a really cute story to share when I have more time to write it.  I am swollen today---perhaps from the marinade on the chicken or the salsa I used for a dressing? 

Best be off----today will be an early in and early out day.  I have no appointments with my folks.  Everyone is too busy.  Yesterday's cancelled for a death of an in-law.  After the 4th will be very busy.  

You're right Jane, Thyroid does nothing to help you LOSE weight, but it does let you feel like you have enough energy to move around.  I smoked for many years and smoking will mask a thyroid problem (who knows, it may cause it). 

My problem was I think I got whacked by the anti-biotics and prednisone I was given when I got the lung infection.  You see, I had never been on medication in my life.  I was one of those insanely healthy people who never even took asprine. 

How long did it take you to get the 95 lbs off Jane?  Did you bounce around at all?

HI Casey, Thanks for sharing. I take thyroid medication as well, but it has never helped me lose weight. I remember the first time I was tested. My mom had a really low, almost non existent thyroid and thought I might have similar problems so she wanted me checked out when I was in my late teens. My levels came back lower than hers. I don't know why, at that time I tried using the medication but it didn't seem to make any difference. I didn't go on it again  until I was married in my 30s or 40s. I really didn't have the drastic differences that you and Jane experienced.  I hope it really kicks in for you and the weight comes off easily. How frustrating to be on plan, exercising and not lose!!! (I have had those kinds of day -luckily just a day here or there.)

Beth, Remember if you can't be fully on plan, you can start working towards it by eliminating or adding things to bring yourself gradually in line - so it isn't a big shock all at once. Glad your deck is moving along, hope everything comes together by wedding time.

Jean, you are so clever. I never would have even thought of doing a faux finish, let alone knowing how to do it! Hope you are sticking to plan.

Carole, hang in there, wellness is just around the corner.

Jane, I like applebees too.  Usually their grilled chicken oriental salad doesn't cause a big gain for me.

I've been sticking to plan. Today will be a little harder as we have almost emptied the refrigerator in preparation for our trip. But I still have some fruit, eggs and cooked protein for today. I'm going to have hubby get me two ready made salads without the extras for lunch and dinner so I can use my own dressing. Gee that just made me think about potatoes and onions. I'll have to make sure I get rid of those too. They could get very stinky under the sink being gone 2-3 months!

Hi everyone!  Hot and muggy out today but I already got in my 45 minutes on the bike.  I never used to exercise in the morning but I'm finding I really do like it.

Trying to think of something different to eat.  I'm down to turkey crumbles and taters.  I may try the crock pot rice and see how that turns out.  I haven't had rice in a long, long time.

I've found that exercising in the morning helps me stay OP with food.  I mean, why throw all that hard work out the window by eating bad stuff. 

I have a breakfast to go to this morning, but I'll eat before I go and just have coffee at the restaurant.  This was a last minute get together.  The call came in last night. 

I have a couple phone calls to make-----the outside painter for the fall.  The french door and window guy came last evening to see what needed to be done.  I don't have a clue what the cost will be.  Perhaps he'll have some numbers for me today.  He's from out-of-town and is doing a job next door.  So he'll be back today.  Hope he has some numbers for me. 

I've had my little girl here for a year on Saturday.  What a pleasure she has been.  So silly with moving all the pulled weeds to the back corner of the yard.  She is festidious about her "pen."  The pen, of course, is the entire back yard. 

Today should be a short day and I'm looking forward to it.  Friday is sign making day for the float.  Then Saturday is the big parade.  I really don't want to do this----but I guesss I have to.  Rain is now in the forecast.  Did I write that yesterday? 

Best go---lots of e-mail to answer. 

OH NOOOOOO, you mean it's going to rain on your parade?

(giggle, sorry I just couldn't resist)

I think you're right Jane, it keeps you on plan with the food and it also seems to give you more energy for the day.

Took the dog to the vet yesterday for his ears (drop ear dog, yeasty ears) and today I have to go to the doc.  I'm trying to get him to coordinate my meds so I don't have to call his office every time I'm about out of something. 

I'm also hoping to get him to bump the thyroid up a bit.  He put me on BP meds that are known to put weight ON people and it's hard for me to get my heart rate to go above 65.  Trying to burn fat under those conditions is really hard!  Is anyone here on BP meds?  I hate them!

Anyway, enough about me me me. How is everyone doing? 

Just a quick note to check in.  Has been a bad week body wise.  Been on plan as able with the medical.  Haven't been checking in as I should cuz' I just can't get the positive going.  Am hoping to hear the results of the last biopsy and CA-125 before the long weekend.  Don't know why, but just can't focus on anything else right now.

Staying with the food and water and trying to get some walking and toning in but pain and problems are kind of interferring with the latter.

Promise to post when less self-absorbed and able to concentrate.

Hang in there, all!

Carole

Carole, you will be in my prayer's hun. Think positive and it will all be ok. I know it's hard but I do believe it works. I really do.

Carole, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.  Please let us know as soon as you can about the results.

Well, I had a pretty rocky day today.  I went out to the shed where I keep the freezer to get some chicken for my dog (I raw feed him) and discovered that the day before I had somehow not closed the door completely.  The freezer was full of warm, defrosted chicken, beef etc. and there were puddles on the floor.  I ended up throwing out about $300.00 worth of food.  All year long I buy extra when things are on sale so I have enough to make it through the summer so the freezer was stocked to the brim.  What a disaster.  All my food was in there too, the chicken and salmon etc.  Terrible waste.  The only fortunate thing is that there will be a garbage pickup tomorrow, I can't even imagine what it would be like if they didn't pick up for a couple of days.....rotting chicken in 100+ heat!

Poor dog couldn't figure out why I was throwing out all his food.  He usually only sees it coming in (mom is a fearless hunter) and being given to him, so all that food going out the other way was really confusing to him.

Casey----oh what a shame about the food.  My sis raw feeds her Lhasas, too.  I just do the Foster Smith thing. 

Carole---I have been totally impressed with your desire to try to work this plan even though you have felt so totally miserable.   I sure wouldn't want to do toning if I was having pain.  Fingers crossed that the reports come back soon----so you will have an answer.  Please write on Monday, if you have time, to let us know if your surgery is still scheduled...what time....etc.  If you don't get back to us, please know that I am/we are thinking of you.  Don't worry about being positive here, right now.  You are under more stress than any of us can imagine.  We are here to help.  Feel free to let it all out in this place. 

Laundry is going.  Started that effort at 6 AM.  Sign making for the float at 9.  Then I HAVE to mow the backyard, at the minimum.  Rain should move in around 4 PM.  Sure hope I get the mowing in before it starts to rain.  

Casey---the forecast has changed and the rain will happen til early morning.  It shouldn't rain on my parade. (wink)

Jean----good to see you check in.  We can use some words of wisdom from our fearless leader. 

Karen---what are your plans for the holiday weekend? 

Beth---I promise to e-mail you over the weekend. 

I have a 130 lb Anatolian and I usually cut up half a chicken per meal for him so you can imagine what that freezer looked like.  I think I had almost 50 chickens in there to last the summer, all picked up on sale.  I guess I'm going to Costco today to pick up a few to get buy until the Wednesday sale papers come out. 

Well, look at it this way, just think of the exercise I'll get loading and unloading the car in 115 degree heat.

Quick note-pathology is not showing obvious cancer(YEA!!) but still no true idea as to what is causing the problem(UGH!).  CA-125 is only mildly up and many things cause that so that is also good.  Think these were getting to me more (waiting wise) than I wanted to admit.  Surgery is a week from Monday so hopefully all will be good after that...thanks to some great drugs and time!   

Can't tell you how much the good thoughts and prayers are helping right now.  They mean a lot to me.  I have the usual routine worries about the surgery, but know it will enable me to do the plan and lose this weight the way I need to, so am holding on to that.  

Like many of us, this plan is teaching me about me and my problems with food and how I have used it to deal/not deal with life.  The weight has been my armour, so to speak, and has now got to be dealt with to allow me a chance to live life.   I know, for me, that working the plan helps with the stress, fear, and self...worth, I guess.  It is all a part of the whole me.  THIS is what I work with daily and hope to see others learn, too.  This is why this thread has always appealed to me.  We know we have to face ourselves and our eating straight on-no holds barred-and, to be honest, a part of why I left before-when it became more social networking and not about the plan.  Sorry if that sounds rude, but I knew I needed to be here giving AND getting support.  I learn from the giving and "teaching" through learning far more than just the getting and receiving of the support. 

What is important is, I think, getting the mind into the plan and therefore learning about ourselves.  This will ensure the success(especially long term) of the plan in ALL aspects.  I can't just do this alone-not now-am still learning to trust in me and not all the negativity that I have allowed to become me.  That is when I fail; myself, my friends and family, life... 

Hope that makes some sense and will stop the soapbox spewing now. 

Carole

Hi Galpals,

Carole,I'm so glad you're posting and even happier that it doesn't look like cancer (that stinkin' beast).

This is our moving weekend and I REALLY,REALLY want to come back after we get at least a little settled in.I AM tired of being a fathead...or rather having a fat mind.I need to stop waiting for conditions to be perfect in order to do what's best for me.

Love you all,and I'll be back when the move is done.

I think it was the old Nike slogan years ago that said "Just Do It!".  That's the way it is with this plan.  You just have to DO it.  I think the thing that amazed me was how easy it was once I just decided and started.  You have to tell yourself that every cheat puts a week onto the time it will take to get to goal, so why do it? 

I have almost a hundred pounds to lose and that looks so daunting because I am losing so slow, but I figure at some time along this journey I am going to cross a breaking point and it will begin to come off in 2 lb a week clips.

Carole I am so glad it doesn't look like cancer.  I hate that beast with a passion, it steals good people and leaves broken hearts in it's path.  They WILL find out what you need and fix it, I am absolutely sure.  You have a lot of people in your corner here.

Sally---glad you popped in.  And yes, hurry back.  You of all people know that life can never be perfect, or close to it!!  Happy moving day and we are waiting with open arms for your return. 

Casey--I'm glad, "Just do it" works for you.  I'm at a place in time where I really need more motivation and determination.  The determination aspect is AWOL---so "doing it" is increasingly difficult.

Carole-- for some reason I thought your surgery was the 7th or 8th.  Did the date get changed with the change to the hospital?  Did I miss that as I hurridly read posts?  As for armour-- yeah sometimes I wonder if that's why I indulge.  But there is nothing for me to feel that way about....I have no real fears in that realm. I think that I just like the heavy foods.  I eat out of boredom and for comfort.  I have discovered, recently, how much I detest this added poundage. The fellow at church giving me so much problems is the "chair" of the float group.  I have been watching him interact with people.  He truly has a prejudice toward heavy people.  Those with added weight do not have any good ideas.  If a thin person suggests the same idea---it's a really good idea.  So----OH how I wish I hadn't let all these added pounds creep back on.  I will never have that man's respect until I am an acceptable size. 

I will have a long day--- have to be at church at 8.  Travel to the parade judging area at 9.  Parade starts at 10.  I understand there will be about 100 tractors in the parade.  Oh...Whooppie! (said with sacasm)  I'll try to get a nap in this afternoon.  I have been invited to a cook out (steaks) and plan to go.  I've been asked to bring some beer---so I know I won't be 100% OP.  Rain/drizzle should subside by parade start.  Thunderstorms will develop later for the cook out.  HA!  Don't know why I just lost color. 

Chat again on Sunday afternoon.

Casey--I'm glad, "Just do it" works for you.  I'm at a place in time where I really need more motivation and determination.  The determination aspect is AWOL---so "doing it" is increasingly difficult.

Jane, you of all people know that what you need shall be given.  If you need motivation, that motivation will be there.  You CAN do this because of who you are.  I'm not going to tell you that food is a crutch or something to hide behind because it's not, it's just a habit.  It's something that is familiar and easy to return to when we decide to be mindless and unthinking. 

You need to lose the weight not for vanity, but for health reasons and it's the same with me.  We can no longer fool around sabatoging our bodies, we both have work to do.

I know I'm new to the thread and I know you might resent me talking like this, but we have to keep after each other. 

Happy 4th everyone!

taking a break from cleaning my pit of a room/office and prepping for the week or 2 or more I will not be able to do much.  I hate cleaning...the one place or time when being a bit obsessive really paralyzes me.  End up feeling like there is no hope and shut down on it.  UGH!

Jane-I might have forgotten to post the date change during all the turmoil I had in my head.  Yes, the date was the 7th but because of the move to the hospital is now the 13th.  I won't know if it will be outpt only or inpt until after...depends on what they find or happens during the surgery.  Am doing like a friend suggested and preparing for the full on abdominal incision so I won't have to worry about my food or environment.  I do have the roomie and her son to help, but 1) don't want to be burden, 2) he is having scopes to try and determine the cause and therefore treatment for his constant reflux-he is nearly 12 and has had issues since birth, 3) know if I don't have the stuff laid out I will end up backsliding and know how hard I have to fight to get back on, 4) am kind of using the plan as an anchor to keep me grounded with all the stress.  The food is going to have to wait until next weekend, though-payday is Friday and need that to be able to stock up and cook up for me and some for them.  Roomie cooks some, but I am the main cook here and don't want to leave them out in the cold with him growing and her doing another weight loss plan.  (for her will just prep the meats so she can grab and mix with the rest of her stuff that she can make easily)

I am "working" on a response to the other things you brought up, Jane, and all of the rest of us.  Not really sure how to do it yet, but think we all touch a bit on this.  Keep in mind your ideas of self-worth; your own, your definition, what is important to you and how you see worth in others.  Whether we realize it consciously or not, this is, I think, a big part of our relationship with food and our weight.  We all know this plan works and works for us, but the plan doesn't "cure" our problems with the food.  We have to learn along the way how to deal with mental and let the plan be our way to do the physical.  Does this seem like something you guys would like to read?  If not, no worries, will just do for me, but would share if you would like.

Have to stop avoiding my mess.  Talk to you all later, and thank you, again, for all the support.

Carole

Hello all and I hope you all have enjoyed your 4th of July. We just stayed home and rented some movies. I have done wonderful with my eating. I'm going to stick with the living lean part of it un til I can stock back up of all OP foods. I just eat very healthy right now. I found my Black Book or binder whatever you want to call it. I plan on re-grouping and doing rapid results starting the first of August.

I'm so glad to see so many posting. Sally, Beth, Carole, Jane, Karen. Janet where are you hun. And I miss you Donna. 

Yeaaaa!  Good for you Jean.  How's your back?