Looking for a Buddy 50+

[Lorilynne]

:D Am 56 and need a buddy. I am married , have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a nine year old stepdaughter who lives in home fulltime. Do alot of gardening, live in the sticks, LOL Want a buddy who needs someone to help them and vice versa. Two years ago lost 80 lbs. on Atkins. went back to old way of eating, gained all back. Started back first of month. Little harder now, at home all the time, was working at a very physical job before. Have fibro. and diabetes, lo thyroid., so losing this weight has meaning other than looks.

[Chloë Mae]

Hello Lorilynn,

My goodness, when I read your post, it was like you were describing me.

I am 59, married, stay at home Mom. My 3 grown sons are long gone and I have a daughter home from college. I love to garden, we have 21 rose bushes, her and I tend.

I also have low thyroid, still being adjusted. Only recently was diagnosed with fibro and arthritis. No diabetes, but my dr. said that is around the corner, if I don't get this weight off.

I was doing WW for almost a year. I lost so slowly and then would regain when I couldn't exercise. This is my first time ever on Atkins. I am definately a sugar/carb addict. I had the most awful withdrawal symptoms. I lost 14 lbs. during Induction and am at a stand still, but still doing Induction with a tiny bit of fruit and nuts.

Would very much like to be your LC buddy. I will offer encouragement and support in return. Hope to hear from you soon.

My email addy is in my profile, also my IM AOL name is Junebugofva.

[Chloë Mae]

Whoops, my email is not in my profile. I can't send you a PM until you have 25 posts.

But you can send me your email in a PM.

[chiqui]

Hi - I'm also over 50 and am having a hard time getting back on Lo Carbing. I lost 50 lbs some time ago, went back to my old eating habits and gained it back.

I'm still working, too broke to stop. Don't have any kids, threw out the husband a long time ago. But I do love to work. And I love to eat. That's the problem.

I am trying to get back into lo-carbing but just cannot get started. I need the support.

Cheers from Chiqui

[chiqui]

Today is June 1 and I tried to not overeat. So far so good.... but the day's not over.

I have a terrible problem going thru shopping ctrs and always end up at the food court. Today I controlled it, only had a chicken on pita bread, then some soy nuts.

I really enjoy 'shakes'. I found cocoa powder for flavoring, but I like them thick. Something called guar gum, just a pinch, will make it like the soda fountain shake.

It's been a month since I weighed myself because I was afraid to. Now I know why. I just hit the scales and I'm at 205. I'm only 5 ft 1, so you can imagine how that looks.

I'm more interested in being healthy and able to move quickly.

Take care and enjoy this weekend. Cheers from Chiqui

[fishie48]

I'd like to join your little group. I'm 55 and as my stats record below, I've been doing Atkins for a little over 3 months. I really don't exercise. Work 10 hour days and am exhausted at the end so besides being more active on weekends that's about it for any formal exercise. I have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren which I take care of whenever I get the chance. I really want this woe to work. All the stories I hear of people re-gaining after going off leads me to believe this is going to have to be the way it is always. I love chocolate and before Atkins I lived on pasta and bagels.

[chiqui]

Dear Fishie:

A 50+ group sounds good to me. We older folks have other issues, such as losing weight primarily for health than for looks, altho being able to wear nice clothes is certainly an incentive.

I am now at 205, heaviest ever, and feel physically awful. I work on my feet and my knees are starting to hurt me. I want June to be my startup month to get things going.

Your weight loss progress and the goals you set out for yourself are impressive. What did you eat on induction? Perhaps I could do the same in order to get started. I need some outside direction; I can't get started by myself, in spite of knowing what to do and wanting to do it.

Cheers from Chiqui

[fishie48]

Hi Chiqui,
I found that I ate 2 eggs and 3/4 pieces of bacon or sausage every morning. The first month or so I ate as much as I wanted, never kept track of calories or anything. For lunch I would eat egg salad, tuna or chicken salad, (3 eggs, 2 cans of tuna, 1 cup of diced chicken), 2 tbsp of mayo and chopped romaine. Usually a cup of sliced cumcumber with it. (I take my lunch to work). For dinner it could be a roasted chicken, hamburger patties (4), fish, steak-ums with mushrooms and more romaine with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Snacks usually just at night, but I do keep a bag of pork rinds in my car were usually the 20 black olives, sometimes fresh shrimp or peppperoni. I started using fit-day on April 1. I didn't eat any fruit, lo-carb candy bars or nuts until I was 2 months into it and even now that is just occasionally.
Sorry this was so long.

[chiqui]

Dear Fishie: What is fit day and how do you use it? And what are steak-ums? Here in Canada we have fiddleheads from the Maritime provinces and poutine from Quebec but I usually don't eat them as they are regional foods.

Your appetite sounds as large as mine. I also like fried eggs & bacon, plus any fish from a can.

I often use the crock pot, throw in some chicken or a piece of meat, onions, garlic, and a dry spice mix, even a dry soup mix. Then leave it for a couple of hours.

Last night I ate late at night - another no-no. I haven't done it so much lately but it certainly puts a damper in your diet.

I bought a house 2 yrs ago and am making an apartment in the basement for me. The other tenants share the kitchen. I am moving all my kitchen stuff downstairs as they keep inviting me to eat some of what they made. Frequently it's hi carb or I'm not hungry but just can't say no.

Thanks for the advice and I will try what you've been doing.

Cheers from Chiqui

[fishie48]

FitDay.com is a great web site where you can enter everything you eat and it keeps track of fat, carbs, etc. Its a little tedious at first but if you eat mostly the same things every day it remembers about 10-20. You can also customize some things. It also charts and graphs your calorie intake, weight changes, etc.
Now for the steak-ums. You may not have them in Canada. They are frozen, almost paperthin steak that comes in a box with individual pieces of meat separated by paper. Its so easy to just brown them with sliced mushrooms in a teflon fry pan. I don't know the manufacturer but when I go home tonight, there are some in my freezer. Its a quick easy main dish. I get home later and usually try to fix something quick because I'm starving.

[chiqui]

Hi Fishie:

I signed up on FitDay and logged in my stats. The hard part was remembering what I ate all day.

When I posted my food, I couldn't believe it. No wonder I can't lose. It's so much that I had no idea I was doing this.

Furthermore, I watched Dr. Phil today, who's program was on overeating. Believe me, I am not alone. There are others like me who can't get started dieting and can't stop eating. It's insidious.

Thanks for the tip. I want to get down to 198 in 3 weeks and I can do it.

Cheers from Chiqui

[fishie48]

I checked the steak-um package this morning Chiqui and I think you may be out of luck. That is the name of the company and they are manufactured out of Connecticut, USA, so if you haven't seen them in your frozen section of the market, they probably aren't distributed in Canada. I'm sure you will be able to reach your goal if you stay true to the Atkins legal foods even if in large quantities.

[chiqui]

Thanks for checking, Fishie

Yesterday I ate compulsively. It was really bad. I didn't finish taking my kitchen stuff downstairs. When I went upstairs, my tenant had made mashed potatoes and offered me some. I have no willpower to say no.

I overate last night and feel awful, very full still. And worse, I get gas when I do this so I spend a very uncomfortable day. This has got to stop. It's as if I am punishing myself by hurting myself with food. I can't understand why I do this.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

Sincerely, Chiqui

[fishie48]

Don't beat yourself up over a cheat, just start immediately to get back on track. I think people make a mistake saying tomorrow I'll be better and continue to binge in the present and it just makes it worse later. If I eat more than I should I start drinking water like crazy. Somewhere in my unscientific brain I think I'll just wash that food right out of my body. hang in there....

[chiqui]

Thanks for the support, Fishie.

I went to choir practice tonight and so few of us showed up that we didn't have any practice at all. So I went to eat, ended up at KFC, where I shouldn't be. You're right, I should just stop and have a large glass of water.

Another good idea to keep me on track is have my goals, as you do, at the bottom of each message. I don't know how you do that on the computer, but it must keep you centered.

How is your diet doing? I am entering everything on FitDAy and it's an education.

Cheers from Chiqui

[Lorilynne]

:wave: CHLOE MAE...Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Am looking forward to having a buddy to talk to! Couldn't send you a private message to give you my e-mail. My aol im is ___Lorilynne1128____ Last few days have been very hectic for me. Been staying on diet though.. Water has been another story though LOL. Grandchildren are here for a few days. Weather has been nasty as usual. I downloaded AOL Mess. hoping I could send you an offline message like on Yahoo. Couldn't do. Hoping to hear from you..Lorilynne

[fishie48]

Chiqui, If you go into your profile to edit (do you know how to do that?), scroll down to a box labeled signature. That is where you can type your goals or anything else you want and it will show up on each post. Hope you are having a good day.

[Chloë Mae]

Hello Lorilynne,

Happy :D to hear from you.

Will try to contact you on AOL IM. My name there is junebugofva.

I don't think we are allowed to put our email addys in the threads.

If I can't get in touch with you, keep posting until you hit 25 posts, then you can send me a private message with your email addy.

I finally got thru the stall I was in. Dropped another 5 lbs. Same here about the water. I barely get to 64 oz. And water is the secret to losing, so why don't I drink more ???

Talk to you soon, I hope. :rose:

[chiqui]

After a week of stumbling, I finally got under way. It wasn't easy. Thanks for Fishie 48, who introduced me to FitDay, it opened my eyes to the tremendous quantities of fat and carbs I was eating. IAnd I was supposed to be on a protein diet!

Again, many thanks.

Chiqui

[fishie48]

Chiqui, Remember on Atkins, fat is good, carbs are bad. I lose the best when my fat % is way up there. Hope you are doing well. Stay in touch.

[madcreek]

I'm an over 55er and would love to be a part of your group. I'm kind of discombobulated right now because I'm either at my son's or daughters houses. Their father died of a heart attack on March 19th and I came to FL/GA to be with them and think I got Momnapped!!!

I need to go home and get with it again. I just weighed at Publix the other day and found out I did lose 17 pounds. What a great feeling.

When I'm with it, I usually eat a cheese omelet and bacon with cottage cheese for breakfast. I like salsa with it.

I do mostly exist on cottage cheese, eggs, cheese and soy products. For snacks I eat peanuts to make up for the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I no longer eat. Madi

[chiqui]

Madcreek, you responded to one of my emails a while ago. I realize you weren't answering due to a death in the family.

I have finally gotten on track and the best thing is that I don't have a craving for sweets.

Not very much weight lost, but at least it's a start.

Congrats on your 17-lb loss!

Cheers from Chiqui

[Chloë Mae]

Have been reading and enjoying all the posts here.

Cottage cheese sounds sooo good. I am going to break open the container I bought and have some berries with it for lunch.

Last night, I also went carb crazy. I had made beans and rice for my DH and I just had to have a BITE.

Well that bite turned into another and another and another, til I bet I ate a cup of the stuff.

Then I got hungry!!! And this is at 11PM. So I ate my SF jello and whipped cream, then some chicken and cheese.

The chicken and cheese quieted me down. Of course I went out of ketosis really fast. Like carbs react on my body sooo quickly. Maybe it is because I ate so much white junk for so many years.

It's like an alcoholic, one drink and you go into a binge.

If this has happened to any of you, what do you do the next day?
I am going to drink water til I slosh around and stay below 20 carbs.

Thanks for listening. :rose:

[Chantel30]

I have a whole entire person to lose. If you need anything let me know and check out my profile. Can't wait to hear from you. :p

[Lorilynne]

Chantel :wave: Hi, happy to hear from you. Been lo carbing since May 11. Lost about 16 lbs. Have you locarbed before? Most days are pretty good. Last nite that little guy on my shoulder, was a pain. Will be happy to help you anyway I can. Lorilynne

[Lorilynne]

madcreek :wave: Sounds like you are doing well. Working hard at it, meds. make it harder..But I am determined. Any help I can give or receive would be wonderful. Lorilynne

[Chantel30]

I will be keeping in touch and as far as that monkey Smack him around everynow and again, let him know who is in control, and no i have not low carbed for more then 5 days :( but this time will continue the rest of the year until I am were I need to be. I put you on my buddy list I hope you dont mind. This whole forum thing is confusing at times and It may take me a while to get the hang of it but I WILL kept up with your progress. :)

[Chantel30]

How do I go to check my journal and how does my journal stay updated??? :help: please

[Chloë Mae]

Welcome to the thread, Chantel and Madcreek, :wave:

Hope I got the names right. :thdown:

How is everbody doing :q:

Tuesday was my :bday: and I did good at the seafood lunch, but then just had to stop at Kroger and buy an ice cream cake for the family and friends. Ended up eating way too much of it. :nono: Gained back 2 lbs. sooo quickly. I was surprised how fast it can come back on one cheat.

Now stuggling :tears: with all those nasty Induction symptoms and trying very hard to get back into ketosis. The day after the cake I was starving and wanting to eat, eat, eat all day and into the night. It has calmed down somewhat. Just goes to prove what carb overload does to my body. :bash: Makes it hurt !!!

The pool water finally warmed up enough and have been able to swim since Weds.

When will I ever learn :confused:

[Chantel30]

Now you know and knowing is half the battle :) I was glad that you had a good day.

Well I do have a question to allow my most recent posting t appear first in my journal should I reply to my first posting on that page?? :confused: Did that make any sense?

[chiqui]

Dear Over 50's:

Last night I went to a movie with a friend who met up with a group in the theatre. They'd planned to go to a restaurant afterward but I didn't want to go.

I went home, then ate, then ate more. I don't know why I did it but I'm still stuffed. I've had a big problem with night eating. I've overcome it but every now and then it comes back with a terrible force.

I saw on TV that there is a part of the brain, a type of pleasure center, which is stimulated by doing things that make you feel good. They showed a rat with an electrical wire attached to his pleasure center.

The animal would touch a metal bar to receive a pleasure stimulation and completely ignored the things which produce pleasure naturally, like sex and food. FOOD???

Wow, I nearly fell off my chair. Yes, I know that food gives pleasure, however fleeting. It's like drinking, shopping, sex, drugs, gambling, and smoking; all those addictive pastimes. Unfortunately, they're all followed by negative consequences.

One of them is guilt, which I'm suffering from right now. And escaping from is guilt the perfect reason to seek out more pleasure, like food.

So around it goes. You eat too much, feel guilty, eat more to sooth the feelings, feel worse, get fat, eat more to forget the guilt, and on it goes.

Chiqui

[moussie48]

Hi all. Count me in the over 50 group. Chiqui try not to beat yourself up too badly. I have a problem night eating also. If I'm down about something I'm apt to graze all night and never really be satisfied by what I'm eating. If I see myself heading that way I try to remember to drink some water or make something hot to drink. When I slow down by sipping something hot the urge to binge usually passes. I don't keep junk food in the house so if I do overeat it's LC stuff at least.

[chiqui]

Mousie, thanks for the good words. I will try hot tea and see what happens. Sometimes here in Canada it gets cold, even in June, so I will try LC hot chocolate.

You are right - food, even LC stuff - only fills the space but doesn't satisfy. Sometimes I have this uneasy feeling that something's not going well. That's when I want to eat. I can't put my finger on what's bugging me.

Sincerely.

Chiqui

[Lorilynne]

:wave: Hi everybody! Doing real good on my diet. Lost nineteen pounds so far. Had to stop using heavy cream in my coffee. Three days keto strips did not change color, before I figured out what it was. Hot today. Went to yard sales for a while. Been eating a yogurt every day. Look forward to that. LOL Let me know how you are doing. Lorilynne

[chiqui]

Lorilynn:

Can't use heavy cream in the coffee? Have you found an alternative? What kind of yogurt do you buy>

Cheers from Chiqui

[Lorilynne]

Chiqui, Dannon Plain full fat, or any Blue Bunny variety(find at Wal Mart) it is sweetened with splenda. Or you can make your own. Can also make yo cheese. Use in place of cream cheese or sour cream. Also good mixed half yo cheese half Blue Bunny. :)

[fishie48]

Hi guys, speaking of yogurt. I buy that full fat stuff too. Try adding a teaspoon of sugar free jelly, it is such a creamy dessert, quite a few carbs but not many calories.

[madcreek]

I can identify with the night eating! It's like I've turned into a newborn again and need my 2 am feeding! I do it to put me back to sleep.

I'm a horrible sleeper in the first place and have been since my son had seizures 37 years ago. I would be up all night just feeling his forehead to see if it was hot. He had the seizures that were caused by a temperature but his temp didn't have to be that high.

[COLOR=blue][B]ChloeMae[COLOR=green] Belated Happy Birthday! Hope by next bday you'll be able to eat cake without guilt?

[COLOR=red] Lorilynne I don't understand why cream in coffee reduces ketosis? My sister makes a great pudding with whipping cream and gelatin, see recipe at Mischa's journal. She is down to her last 10 pounds and lives on the stuff.

[COLOR=royalblue]Chiqui - why don't we invent a pleasure bar so we can quit getting pleasure from carbs? I'd be willing to touch a tingler if it took away my desire for carbs!!! Some days you just have to have them! It is such a battle!

[COLOR=green]Chantal30 That journal thing is hard at first but once you catch on it's easy. I forget now what I did to get mine to show. Try and ask the person in message #1 in your journal section. If not, PM me and I'll try to help. I have a whole nother person to lose also.

I love cottage cheese with cinnamon and Splenda - makes me think I'm having dessert and I don't have to cook anything - I hate to cook! Of course, I used to eat cottage cheese with catsup also which makes friends look at me askance!

[COLOR=purple] I finally got an appointment with a dentist for 12 noon tomorrow. My tooth is acting up again and I dread what he will say! Being on Medicare without good dental insurance can sure put a dent in one's pocketbook! That is why I've put it off - dont' know what to expect in the $$$$ bracket - it's the first time I've been without dental insurance in years. Retirement can do that to ya! Madi

[chiqui]

Dear Group:

Yesterday I went to a family function at my cousin's house. I took a look at my relatives and we all look similar - round! Everybody brought a dish. The food was good, but sooo much of it. We devoured the whole thing.

I got this insight: Isn't stuffing yourself an abuse of food? Isn't it as deadly as drugs in the long run? Would any good doctor prescribe overeating as a remedy for anything?

Yet I do it all the time, and sometimes with foods which are no-no on anyone's diet. I am medicating myself via the fridge. This is dangerous territory.

I don't mean to sound morose, but with what the rise in morbid obesity, with it's related heart disease and diabetes, it's good reason for concern. I read somewhere that it's like digging your grave with a knife and fork.

So I came up with this new idea. I pretend there's a doctor in the house (no, not Doctor Chiqui). Every doctor has to take the Hypocratic Oath which begins with "Do No Harm". I've written this on the board at the entrance to my room.

I am listening to "The Invisible Doctor" and she's telling me "Do not harm". I am trying to unburden not only my spare tire, but the very heavy mental notes I carry around all day regarding crucial things I didn't feel like doing.

Procrastination is doing me a lot of harm. For me, and I suspect for most of us, NOT doing it is more painful and time consuming than just doing the darn thing and getting it over with.

So today, I started doing them. I went thru a pile of mail that previously I just didn't want to deal with. Found some surprises and important papers I'd been looking for.

How do I usually deal with undone tasks? By eating the emotional fallout. And that's really dumb. How can a donut renew your prescription? Will a hamburger take those pants to the tailor for alteration? No way. And isn't that doing harm to one's soul?

So I am listening to the Invisible Doctor today. And she's telling me to get off line and take those clothes to the tailor right now.

I know this is not low-carb stuff but if anyone else is overeating when they should be doing other things, you might recognize these feelings.

Chiqui

[madcreek]

I love your way of saying can these inanimate objects do our chores for us while we stuff ourselves. Great!!!

That was an excellent story and very interesting!

I know I have medicated myself with carbs for years and then beat myself up afterward. Is that anyway to treat my best friend? After all, I'm the only one who will not leave myself until the very end!

I was really putting myself down for not being able to control my eating habits and it was such a great revelation to me when I started LCing - it wasn't me - it was the choice of food. When I LC, I do not crave food and in fact I have to force myself to eat. My Aunt told me I had a weak character - one more reason for a good beating of myself. I did tell her, she's wrong - I have a wonderful character - it was just being besotted with carbs. Hugs, Madi

[chiqui]

Dear Madcreek:

Wow, what words... are you a closet librarian?

That aunt who said you're weak was probably not so strong herself. I know that people of her generation were not as sophisticated as now. But it still hurts. Here's another gem from the same generation.....

My brother told me, during a discussion on our fractured family, about an opinion voiced by my father. My Mom said to my brother (and maybe to me), "Your father told me that 'you're nothing and your kids will amount to nothing'."

Isn't that a lovely message to relay to one's children! How much harm can you do in one saying? My dad demeaning us kids, and mom mother repeating it to us. My mom was ignorant of the fact that words spoken by parents have a direct effect on a child's idea of himself/herself.

So it's a good thing, Madcreek, that you know your aunt was wrong, even tho the words stung like daggers.

Sometimes those words come back to haunt the speaker. Like my Dad. He never made anything of himself and, sadly, is in poor health because he never took care of himself. My mom remarried and had 30 years of companionship and travel with her late husband. But both had strained relationships with their children.

As for us grown-up kids, we're screwed up but 2 out of 3 went to University after age 35 and are homeowners. One's got a degree and a good job. One is happily married and has a bread&butter type of life. And the last one is me. Having been raised poor in the city's worst slum, I think that 43 countries and 3 languages later, I haven't done that badly.

So let'em say what they want. The rest is up to us. If I have to get my life back on track by watching what I eat, so be it.

Cheers from Chiqui
PS: The doctor was out today

[moussie48]

Hi all. I hope everyone is doing well. I'm doing fine food wise but I just lose so slowly. I was at goal and could just kick myself for pigging out from Christmas until New Year's. It's been this long since I'm back LCing and all the regained weight still isn't gone. I can't believe how fast I gained some back and now it's months and some of it is still hanging on. That should teach me a lesson!

[chiqui]

Mousie,

I LC'd about 20 yrs ago and lost quite a bit of weight. Nowadays, older, and on medication, it's a different story. It's more difficult to move.

I noticed that the weight comes off very slowly. The scale doesn't move much but the clothes become slightly looser.

Keep trying, you'll get there. We who were jackrabbits are now turtles.

Cheers from Chiqui

[madcreek]

How'd ya know? I've been a librarian and loved every minute of it except putting soiled books away (you'd be surprised how dirty they can get, a lot of people like to eat chocolate and read). Ha!

I was a childrens, county and state librarian. My favorite thing in the world is to read. I used to eat and read but have toned that down considerably. Nice thing about LCing is you can eat and read and not gain as fast as you would otherwise.

I guess we all have those "skeletons" our parents put in our closets. My mother, the night she died, told me she should have never given birth to my sister or me. By then, my heart and mind could handle comments such as that and laugh. She said it because my sister and I never did embrace her religion. We do learn to not let comments such as this ruin our days anymore.

My daughter and I have gotten to the place we can discuss the past and our reaction to it. It really amazes me what influences a childs mind. Things we don't even have a clue about are the things they remember. Madi

[moussie48]

Madi - are you a Flybaby? I think I read in one of your messages that you were doing a fling - or maybe it was having a fling?

[chiqui]

Hi everyone:

I just finished a conducting a 2-week tour by train thru the Rockies. It was 2 weeks hard work, very tiring, no days off, taking care of 43 passengers. Even tho the group was great, no whiners or gossipers, I am worn out.

I learned that sitting down on a bus or train for hours on end is very bad for the figure and psyche. Furthermore, we literally ate our way across Canada. Now starting again with the diet and exercise.

[Fat]

Hello eveyone,
I am a total LCing Freak. That is the way I eat in my life and I love it. I am 55 have 3 children and one of them is still at home and in high school. Also have 9 grand children. I tell everyone that will listen about LCing, because I want them to see what junk they are eating and what a great diet this is. Also what a great way to lose it without being hungrey. It won't do me any good to LC diet, and eat bread and pasta and junk sweets. The combination of bad and good carbs will store fat, fat, fat, and more fat. I Look at the LCs on everything I eat. LCs are green veggies. I lost my weight so far by completly staying away from bad carbs. It is the only way this diet will work for any one. If I get hungry at night I eat a piece of no carb meat. That is feeling and does not put fat on me. Glass of water, or a diet rite. I hope everyone here has meat, fat and greens on their brain. Went to a family reunion and everyone brought bad Carb food. One person made a LC dish and I had some of that which was mainly green beans, and I ate a lot of turkey. I was happy and full. I brought a chocholate cake and mixed veggies. There are a lot of people in my family that do not have a weight problem, unlike me. Never even wanted all the sweets that were there. When I first started LCing it took me two weeks to stop wanting sweets and breads, because by then, after not eating high Carb foods, my body cleansed itself of all the bad carbs. It works for me, and it can work for anyone. My diet consist of eggs, bacon, ham, hamberger, roast, chicken, salads of all kinds. Cheese, diet rite, water, Heavy Cream in my diet rite when I want a treat, about a tablespoon. So creamy and good. Yum
Happy Carbing everyone.

[chiqui]

Wow, Fat:

Right to the point. No whining. This is the way it is and it works.

But........ do you have to use that name???? Yikes!

Cheers from Chiqui

[Fat]

I call myself fat, because that is what I eat. Plus it reminds me of where I am. Plus that is what I look like. I do not ever want to forget why I am fat. It is from years of bags of chips, gallon ice cream, cake, soda's, half a loaf of bread with jam and peanut butter, candy of all kinds, chocolate of all kinds and brands. Cheese burgers with french fries, and o ya, give me another one, I am still hungry. I never want to forget how I got this way. Fat is also now what I eat to loose all the fat I gained through all the above of high carb foods. Seems you are not the only one here on the forum who wants me to change my name......LOL.....

[madcreek]

Fat, I like it - you come right to the point, no hemming and hawing around. We all need to face this in our lives. I too got this way from eating all manner of foods that were terrible for me. I've been having a party in my mouth for years and eventually it was the only place I could party!!! Madi

[Fat]

:lol: You are so funny, maybe I will change my name to something else. It must offend some. Have any suggestions?

[pattie]

HI THERE
I am 52 and on the road to a new life..thought after I got a new husband and home..things are going well time to get this weight off once and for all.
Having trouble with hunger late at night can any one give some tips ..
I have also found that pork rinds stall my weight loss..sigh one of the few things low carb I can get here in Germany .

[chiqui]

Hi Patti: I am also a late nite eater and was going to ask you to call me but.... Germany? I'm on the other side of the world in Canada.

Having trouble distinguishing the difference between hungry and tired? Me too. Get into bed. You won't eat your crackers there. Or have a liquid, like hot tea or whatever you'd like.

Often the urge to run to the fridge at night is indicative of unifinished business during the day. Think it out.

Cheers from Chiqui

[pattie]

aHi Chiqui
Wonderful to hear from you. Yes to bad we are so far apart. ut nice to have the net to get support when you need it most.
My DH is a nibbler and sweet eater(big sigh) and sits and muches while watching the T.V. The sweets do not bother me now but at first they would trigger my oral addiction for holoate...
I am suprised ,while doing LC the cavings and desires are gone. If I have to have something sweet a bit of cream cheese flax meal,and cocoa powder sweetened to taste(SF sweetener)
We do not allow any fod in the bed room and the kitchen is on the first floor...so I have to think befor making a run. I am trying to get all my liquids in first before I eat anything at night. This helps some..also running to the computer to read some of the wonderful posts is also a very big help.
I also found peppermint tea with sweetener also helps.
I see you have done well and I am proud of you keep up the great work!!

Keep posting evryone I love to read even if I don't write a comment or two all the time.
Best wishes,
Pattie
-------------
today 221..that is now a 15 lb. loss :)

[Fat]

I ate half a bag of PRins last night around 11:pm. Maybe I will try eating them earlier in the day and see if that will work for me. I think about just going to bed, but first I have to eat a bite.

[chiqui]

Fat: What are PRins?

Cheers from Chiqui

[pattie]

Today was my shopping day..I herd the pork rinds calling..bought two bags..I think I had better divy them up for the week. I love tem so..but they make me stall. I AM STILL TRYING TO GET OVER THIS LATE NITE EATING::MAYBE IF I save them for the late nite nibbles attack Iwon't feel so hungry.
Next weekend we are going to my Mother in laws..I fear this time. Germans are big coffee and cake eaters. I will have to ask DH if it is proper to bring my own goodies and not ofend...
The little culture differences can drive you crazy :daze:

Chiqui I think you are right about the un finised business and eating..but my un finished business is "trying like hell "to learn German.
This one just drives me bonkers and I did not think it would be so hard.

tschuss
Pattie

[Fat]

:lol: Chiqui.......Pork Rinds.......My DH keeps eating them for me. His Doc put him on a low fat diet. He is not suppose to eat pork rinds. I grab my bag and say, "Leave my pork rinds alone." When I was on a low fat diet I did not eat them. Now I love the hot ones.

[MizSteaks]

Good morning everyone! It's nice to see a bunch of determined lc'ing women my age to hang with! I'm a 58 yo Mother of 3 and Grandma of 8. I feel too young to be that and I owe that feeling to this WOE.

DeAnna, I figured out how to be comfortable with your screen name of 'Fat'! From now on, to me, they are initials for Fit And Trim! I look at your current weight and that is five pounds under my goal weight so you MUST be Fit and Trim! Sweety, you call yourself whatever you darn well want to and if it makes me uncomfortable then, dang it all, that's MY problem...not yours! LOL!

I also love your point blank way of looking at this weight issue. I am so tired of being told I am 'doing damage to your body'. WHAT? Can't you SEE the damage I did to it eating the way
society eats? Hello?! You'd have to be blind to not be able to tell I have about 40 pounds I DON'T need hanging around my middle! That's not a 'fluffy apron"...that's belly fat!!! I sure don't have a six pack...that's a case! A case of bad carbs.

Now I just tell everybody that I have 'allergies'. That's a word everybody knows and accepts. I just don't tell them that I am allergic to bad carbs 'cause they make me break out in FAT!!!

Anyway...I have trouble keeping the enthusiasm in check. Sorry about 'preaching to the choir' here! Just hope to find a group of people with the same interests as me to help me through the peaks and valleys of this WOE. I figure if there's enough of us to hold hands, we can pull each other out of those 'depths of depression' that hit us all some times. Sort of a human chain of friendship, prayers and encouragement. Yeah! I like that mental image!

When it comes to late night eating, I am lucky I don't have that problem. I have a lc dessert with dinner and that is the last food of the day. I make rules for myself and I hate to break them. That dessert might be one piece of Russell Stover SF chocolate or whatever my carb count for the day allows, but it is the 'signal' that all eating for the day is done.

Patti, I don't even look for lc snack foods. You can make delicious peperroni chips...and I am certain Germany would have that delicious sausage. We can buy packages of already thin sliced pepperoni for pizzas here in the U.S. Place them on a napkin in one layer and microwave for 90 seconds or so until they are crisp. That's my snack when I want a crunchy. Mainly I grab that or a cheese stick or a piece of chicken/turkey/bacon. I told myself that I would NOT look for substitutes for the foods that got me in trouble. For me that was the breads/pastries/pasta carbs. Instead those were 'allergic' foods for me. I would not expect my alcoholic uncle to look for and settle for drinking near beer and being happy. That's just too much temptation for him. So...like it or not....those foods belonged to the poisons in my OLD life. That change in thinking was a tough transition, but so worth it. Now I don't even think about eating those snackies...and I still buy them for hubby.

Sorry this was so long! I just can't turn the enthusiasm off and on yet! Hope you folks all have a terrific low-carbing day today!

Peace on ya!
Nance

[Fat]

:lol: Fit and Trim here???? :lol:
Steaks you make my day. I just love the way you word things. What a great attitude you have toward your body. I wish I could do that. I am 5'2" and not Fit and Trim at all. I always say I am short and fat. My daughter says stop that mom.

I feel the same way about using LC subs........but I cannot give up my daily heavy cream and diet rite.

[MizSteaks]

Hey there 'Fit and Trim'! I LOVE your bluntness! LOL! That's exactly how I am...much to my family's distress sometimes!

I might have a problem breaking some of my 'precious rules' if I could find Diet Rite around here. Since I haven't tasted it, I don't miss it. I settle for water...gallons of it...and sometimes I add some lemon juice or one of the sf davinci syrups to it for a change. I do have some Crystal Light but don't make it very oftern. It feels like 'cheating' somehow. Guess maybe I am making myself do penance for all of the gorging that got me FAT in the first place.

Nance

[Fat]

My DH gets upset over my mouth...LOL....I can be myself on here...LOL. Diet Rite stinks, no caffeine to perk me up. I hate the tast, but it is good with the heavy cream.

[chiqui]

Dear Pattie, Fat & Steaks - it's Chiqui here. sounds like we're a barbecue, with hamburger patties, chicken & steaks, plus fat!

Such terrific advice. I am having a hard time convincing myself to get with it. Can't stay on the low carb altho I know it's the best for me.

I should make my diet a priority but I keep going on and off the wagon. Now I have a trip coming up with 30 passengers, taking them on a 2-weeker, with half the meals included. As the tour guide, I have to eat with them. We go to nice places with great food. It's very hard to say no, even tho I know what's good and what isn't.

Pattie, re the language, either you're a language learner or your not. It's like drawing or singing.
Either you can do it or not. I can't draw at all but I speak a couple of languages. So don't fight it.

Learn some key words, like yes/no, please/thanks, the numbers 1-10, then 20,30, to 100. Learn how to say time, the hour, the days of the week, the months, the seasons. The colors.

I used to teach English as a second language. Some crucial words are want, like, have, go, see, say, make, spend, cost, big/small, good/bad, worse/bettter. Also when I travel (43 countries) I have to make myself understood. I use my hands a lot and draw pictures but it works. Be patient with yourself.

Cheers from Chiqui

[pattie]

HI ALL!!
Well I see by my post that my typing is awful..I have taken classes and failed all three!! One teacher told me Please do not become a secretary or work with computers..giggle she was right. But I have no trouble with numbers or chemistry :lol:
Nance thanks for the pep talk& great advice..love the allergic idea I think I'll use it :thup:
I have finaly found some turkey salami with cheese YUM,most of the sausages here have some sugar in them so I have to read the lables very carefully. You are so right not to go looking for replacements with lc foods. It is best to keep it pure and simple. I am able to get flax seed and also found a protien powder with .03 carbs per 100ml. Have not had time to try it. I am slowly getting tired of eggs and want to try some of the flax cereal recipes I have seen here.
Chiqui.. Hang in there ,you got a great start just keep eating lc. It took me 5 weeks get over sweet cravings but now I have none and DH can sit in front of me and eat his "Gummy Bears" or chocolate and I have no desire for them..wow never ever thought I would say that.
With all your travels and resturants..I was wondering..when you are in the nicer resturants ask the wait person if thy have a dibetic list..I know that the Hilton in Seattle has one..you just have to ask, also tell them you are "algergic to rice and wheat flour". Apple Bees has some great things you can eat. And there is always chef and taco salads(ohne shell) ask for extra kase.
Thanks for your thoughts on German ..I am one who has a hard time learning and I think you are right, don't make a big thing of it. I have been having lessons for 2yrs. I can barely get by..but then that is something. This old dog can still learn new tricks just a lot slower.
Just have to thank you all for all the support and encouragement :yay:
Take care and keep on LCing!!
Pattie

[MizSteaks]

Good morning you lovely low-carbing folks! I just got bumped off-line after writing a loooong entry! Good thing too! It was all self important lecturing! LOL!

Pattie, isn't it nice when that sugar craving finally leaves?! I can now bake cakes/cookies etc for hubby and not be tempted in the slightest. I sitll have trouble believing that.

I type like I think...faster than I should with lots of mistakes (MizSteaks! :)) I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. We can certainly figure out what you mean. :D The main thing is...keep chatting with us!!

Chiqui, please do put yourSELF first! You will never have to see your groups of tourists again...but you have to live with YOU. The Atkins diet has gotten so much notoriety now that most restaurants know what you're talking about when you ask for a low carb meal. I just tell the wait person that I have severe allergies to grains/sugar...can they guarantee they won't bring me anything to cause a medical emergency?!! LOL! That's pouring it on MUCH thicker than need be...but it WORKS!!

OOPS! Company just drove in...EVERYBODY have a terrific, successful lc'ing day!

Nance

[MizSteaks]

Hey Pattie! I was just over in Karen's Corner in the recipe section poking around and guess what I found? A whole web site loaded with low carb recipes that is from...drum roll please....Germany!!! Go check it out gal...it's got LOTS of recipes and it says right up front which ones are allowed on induction. I'm headed back there right now! :D :D

OOPS! LOL!....Guess I'd better give you the web address:

http://www.titanic.kn-bremen.de/allrec.html

[chiqui]

Dear Miz: How is it that you sense I never put myself first? Is it so obvious? And you're so right. I must make my body and soul my priority.

Physically, I have always been high energy but lately it's harder to keep up the pace. When I run for the bus, I'm gasping for air.

I must give more attention to myself. I am very concerned about my health. I've never been so fat and it's bothering me. Heart disease runs in my family and I have high blood pressure.

I have almost nothing to wear. My hips are hitting both sides of the aisle of the tour bus. I just fit into the airline seat and can hardly reach for down to get my hand luggage.

I find food less and less satisfying. But I still suffer from HALT - hungry, angry, lonely, tired. Should be HALTED, with exasperated and depressed included.

The site for low carbing from Germany is FABulous!! One of the reasons I cannot keep on the Atkins diet is that it's soooo booooring after one week. The German site has recipes. I never knew what to do with them. Wanted to prepare the dish and then eat the whole thing. But the dear soul who made up the recipes has charted out how much to eat. I will do this when I come back from this tour.

Cheers from Chiqui

[MizSteaks]

chiqui, I'm not extra smart or anything, but aren't most of the people who have our trouble exactly like us? ALways put other people first and how do we handle OUR problems? We stuff them with food more often than not! Literally and figuratively!! It was purely a good guess and a desire to see you place more importance on your own self worth. Just like I'm trying to do for myself.

Your tours sound exciting...and exhausting! I would hope that you would choose the diet that provides the most energy so that you can continue to work since you've already said that you NEED to. And you know what? I think you described just about every over weight person I know with the word HALTED that you used to describe yourself!! You are NOT alone! Neither am I!! We have now found each other and I'll sure try to help you if you'll try to help me. Deal?

[chiqui]

Dear Steaks... or is it Miz?

Okay, it's a deal. The reasons I subscrib to this site is to do LC, to start, to continue, to accomplish. I know I can't do it on my own for very long.

I need help when I get off track. All of the participants help me resume where I left off, same as I help them. I couldn't get that from anywhere else at 2 in the morning when I need it most.

For those of us who don't have a regular 9 to 5 life with regular days off, this is the best alternative.

To all of you who mentioned the "allergic to wheat and sugar" diet, that's a great idea. Never thought of it. It's easier to never have it on your plate instead of trying to resist the temptation of eating it.

I want to say so many things about how I treat others in comparison to how I treat myself. When I felt really bad, I realized that I wouldn't put up with somebody else who treated me the way I treat myself. Like ignoring me, not taking my best interests to heart, leaving me to the last minute. Yet I do it all the time to myself. Don't I deserve better?

Sincerely, Chiqui

[pattie]

Good morning from Düsseldorf!
Just sat down and started to read all the new posts. Wow think we have all hit the nail on the head. I too "use to" put everyone befoe me and really beat myself up for not being perfect. I too come from a disfunctional family. Father told me I was so fat that I could not use the scales at home because I would break it....hmmmm that one I have trouble letting go of. But I woke up one morning and thought why am I not happy. This is my life and I am the one who controls it. Once I decide to start doing things to make me happy I have been a much better person and I do not feel guilty when I say "no" to someone. yes now and then I get a twinge of guilt. But I cleaned house and got rid of the extra baggage that weighed me down and made me sick of heart and mind. Yes,that was my ex. I am now on the way to a better and happier me.

My one main goal is to loose this weight and do it for me not anyone else.
Chiqui hang in there ,I can see you are a great person. You have come a long way and be proud of yourself.
Misteak..oh thanks for the sight looked a few recipes and they sound yummy! I have booked marked the sight..looks like there are some nice German recipes hubby will enjoy along with me.
Now I am off ..have German lessons today..but will not beat myself up..will let it flow in and retain what I can. But hey last year I could hardly ask for a thing and I am able to do the shopping and communicate pretty good. Sometimes you just need to step back and look at the big picture and say " I have done a great job so far"
Did a lot of nibbling last nite..stayed in my carb limits but OMG the calories were awful. Should I also be watching the calories are there some rules for this?

Bis Bald,
Pattie

[Fat]

Afternoon all,
Do any of you not feel hungry. This has been going on for 2 weeks....I force myself to eat every day, and only eat one time, and a snack. I have heard somewhere on here to eat when you are hungry

[MizSteaks]

Good afternoon gang! Got a late start today. Gonna go backwards on the new posts.

fat (Fit and Trim :)), I would give my eyeteeth if I was to the point of never being hungry. Sigh. That's one of my problems is a ravenous appetite. Fortunately I have found that protein and fat satisfy it for the longest period of time.

Pattie, You have such a postiive attitude today! I can feel the force of it and I feel better for it. Isn't it amazing how we can feed off each others positive energy?! That's why I am so thankful to have found this site and this group!!

chiqui, you just need to make up you mind to treat yourself better than ...or at least as well as...you treat the people around you. You DESERVE at least that much if not much much more! That's a message we're gonna keep reminding yu of, okay? chiqui comes first. chiqui comes first...your new mantra for the day!

Take special care friends!

Nance (hubby was peaking over my shoulder last night and said I blew it. He told me my 'perfect' sign off signature should be......Mooooo! :))

[Fat]

:agree: Steaks, I miss eating, believe it or not. Never thought I would say that.

I have a neice that is 9 and is 140 lbs. Her mother is going to put her on Atkins. Do you think that is too young. She is getting her thyroid tested next week.

[chiqui]

Dear Fat: re your niece who's only 9:

I would have a doctor check her for physical and emotional reasons why she's that weight.

Being the fat kid at school means the fat kid gets teased. Kids are cruel and you don't want your niece to suffer.

I was chubby, looked a lot older than I was as the fat fills in the breasts. The guys started whistling at me and making remarks. I was a very young girl is not mature enough to handle that type of unwanted attention. I felt very uncomfortable.

Perhaps something's going on in this young girl's life that is making her turn to food. Maybe she's trying to fill an emotional void. Maybe something's bothering her or maybe she's afraid of something.

My mom, out of ignorance, didn't do anything. So I suffered the consequences.

Sincerely, Chiqui

[MizSteaks]

Gosh DeAnna, I'm wracking my brain trying to think if I have read anything about young children being put on low carb...just not getting anything back at all.
I agree whole heartedly with chiqui that something needs to be done to throw this child a life line...just not sure what it would be. I would guess the very first step has to be a thorough physical and blood work up...preferably by somebody who is favorable to the low carb approach. I would think that if the child took a good vitamin/mineral supplement geared to growing children, that LC wouldn't hurt her a bit. Just my UNeducated opinion though.
(The only thing in DANDR referencing children is to keep them off sugar. I will check my other books too)

Chiqui, it breaks my heart to hear about how cruel people were to you at that age. I am so sorry you had to go through that. You deserved better. :( I was the biggest girl in the class, but I wasn't fat. I was my current height and 107 pounds in 6th grade, could beat all the boys in throwing/running/ climbing/spitting..you name it!! My weight problem came later in life...sigh.

Have a terrific evening Gang!

Nance.....Mooooooo

[Fat]

Yes, I agree. Her mother and I talked about this last night. She told my daughter while they were playing pool that when she was old she was going to kill herself. We told her mom and she told mom, it was a cruel world and she did not want to live in it. She asked her why, and she said it was because her grandmother had a heart attack. The poor girl thought her grandmother attacked her own heart and killed herself. I think there is something else going on, because the family is split up and she lives with her dad, xcept when summer comes around. So her mom does not know what is bothering her. Her x won't let her take her to a doctor, so she is doing it when he does not know. Please pray for the girl.

[chiqui]

Fat.... Believe me, I'm praying! Suicide thoughts is a cry for help!

Find out what's happening in the father's home. Maybe this girl is competing for attention with a stepmom or other kids in the dad's home. I would question the doctor issue.

A person with experience in youth matters should explain to the girl in a way that she can understand about the death of her grandma. Obviously she is still mourning. If she was close to Granny, she misses her. And sometimes kids think that when something bad happens, it's their fault.

The girl is numbing her feelings with food. I don't have to explain to anyone out there what that means and the consequences.

I wish her well.

Sincerely, Chiqui

[Fat]

No female in her dad's home, just a younger brother. Mom is going to get to the bottom of it. It is weird, that her mom is a thin person too, and dad is not all that fat.

[MizSteaks]

Oh DeAnna! That breaks my heart! Poor pumpkin. I checked about half of my lc books today and can find nothing about lc'ing being BAD for a child. There are references to the 'other diet' being the one that is bad for them with all of the mumble jumble scientific explanations to support that. I certainly hope your Sis can figure out what is going on with this child before any further problems arise. If I find anything in the rest of my books I will post it.

chiqui...were you good to you today? I hope you were better to you than to anyone else! Got my hand out to you girl...grab hold if you need to, okay? Remember, we're gonna be strong together.

Could you both weigh in on the thread I posted? Even if it is just to tell me to sit down and shut up...you like this forum the way it is!! TIA.

Have a safe and serene evening Friends!

Nance

[Fat]

Thank you Steaks

[chiqui]

Dear Steaks:

I have tears in my eyes. Your concern for me touched my heart!

At the nursing home, I signed the papers this morning as the person responsible for my Dad. This caused mixed feelings in me. My dad walked away from us when we were little kids, with no visits, no support. Not only was he irresponsible, but he was violent with my mom. It was a terrible childhood.

Maybe an embittered daughter would ignore an aging parent as he ignored me, but that's not right. He needs care as he no longer can live on his own.

And you're right, Steaks. I forgot to take my pills & vitamins as I am not putting myself first. But I will today, right now.

I appreciate your support. Sincerely, Chiqui

__________________

[pattie]

HI EVERYONE
I am sending a test..I have posted several times but I see nothing has arrived here..
Testing testing?

[MizSteaks]

chiqui, again the pain in your life breaks my heart for you. :( Arms reaching out to hug you Sweet one...all day today. Be strong.....and be kind to yourself. Thems ORDERS Kiddo! LOL!

Pattie, reading you loud and clear! Glad to see you back!

Have a greatday today gang. I'm off of here now to call my Mama who's almost 80. We spend an hour on the phone every Saturday. :)

Be extra special KIND to yourselves today!!
Nance

[pattie]

CHIQUI
My heart goes out to you. I know what it is like to look after a father who was abusive ..you are so torn up inside with hate ,pity and even love.
It must have been so hard for you when growing up.. My father didn't leave us he stayed around to abuse and belittle us...
Wish I could be there to give a hug and hankie..
Please stay with the program and do this just for you. You have so much going for you and you have come so far..I think that is just fantastic :rose: :rose: :rose:

Have a good weekend

Pattie

[pattie]

Mizsteaks
Oh how wonderful you call your every Saturday! :sunny:
You have given me insperation to do the very same thing. She is soooo far away I owe it to her :agree:

[chiqui]

Dear Nance:

Thanks again for the kind words. I really need the moral support as I'm carrying a heavy load here, not just on my feet, but in my heart.

I'm glad you speak to your aging Mom. One day we'll be in her shoes, needing all the company and TLC we can get.

Yes, today I am going to be kind to myself. I am starting now by checking my messages and responding to those who need to hear that somebody cares about them.

I have a 2-weeker by train across Canada starting tomorrow with 31 passengers. Normally I attend the tourists 150% and ignore myself. I am taking your advice and not ignoring me this time. I will get the proper sleep and try to enjoy some of the trips.

Pattie: here in Canada I get a notice from Active Low Carber Forum that somebody has sent a message to the same place I send messages... lilke here. I am involved in a couple of them. Perhaps the internet provider you have is not advising you that somebody's written something. So keep checking.

I want to hear from you as you're very insightful and your opinion is important. Also, you need feedback and support. So go back to the forum and jump in.

Cheers from Chiqui

[chiqui]

Dear Pattie:

Oh, gosh, you too had an abusive father. It scares kids to death, being afraid of his presence, hearing the screaming and crying when he's hitting a family member. I have not had these thoughts for a long time but I will never forget them.

Many of us who turn to food for solace have been abused in one way or another. The pity is that I abuse my body with food and I know it but it's hard to stop. Sometimes I use food as a sedative, other times to stop feeling bad.

This forum is a godsend and opens my eyes to the fact that there are others out there who are going thru the same thing.

Pattie, I wish you the strength to accomplish all you try. You are making a tremendous effort. I know from experience that it's hard living in a land that's not yours, with a culture and language foreign to you. The 2 weeks of culture shock I felt when living in Latin America were overpowering. But you will make the best of it as you are strong.

Sincerely, Chiqui

[MizSteaks]

chiqui and pattie, OMG!! The wonder is that you guys survived your abusive childhoods in as good a shape as you did! Those are horror stories....and bring tears to my eyes and pain to my heart.

Only have the briefest of moments right now, but, chiqui...have a very good excursion this time. Do spend some time thinking of things...healthy things....that could take the place of food for those 'comforting strokes' we all need. There are healthy replacements for all of us if we can just figure them out.

Stay as strong as you can until you return to us. Know my prayers for your success are with you daily and my hand is ALWAYS held out to you.

Take VERY SPECIAL care this weekend Dear Ones,
Nance

[joizienew]

Hi Lori, I'm 63, (64 in Sept). I can relate to a lot of what you say. I tried Atkins about three years ago and did lose weight, but gained it back in a minute as soon as I started back with the carbs. Now I am determined to focus on health and body building, in other words, a life style. I don't have much to loose at this point and am working out with weights so the little bit I was loosing has stopped. I have a weight trainer who says all is well and that I am building muscle. So anyway, I am feeling great and am ready to trust the program and keep on working. I also started walking in the a.m. in the park. It's a great meditation time for me and I feel like I am in paradise, it's so beautiful there. take care, Joyce :smile:

[MizSteaks]

joizienew, welcome to the group!

DeAnna! There is a whole sub-forum on here to help with your niece's problem!! It is 2 clicks under the Elders Lounge in the main menu...or go to LC Parents. There is a ton of help there! Good luck to your sweet niece. :)

[chiqui]

Dear Nance:

Thanks for the kind support. Yes, I am not going to drive myself crazy on this tour. In fact, I have a day without tourists tomorrow to dedicate to organizing my work and myself. But I do love that outstretched hand you extend to me.

Today I made my first visit to the nursing home. My dad looks so much better. I went to his former apartment to clear out his stuff and found a picture of me and him when I was about 3 yrs old. I cried like a baby.

Deanna, take care of that child. She needs to know that someone like you is interested in her and watching out for her.

And Joiz - welcome to the group. We are a caring bunch and we are truly spreading our blessings to all.

I'm off to Vancouver tomorrow to meet my group. We'll go eastward across Canada by train. Hope to get your messages when I check my email.

Big hugs to all and Cheers from Chiqui

[MizSteaks]

Chiqui, I know it's hard when parents let us down for all those years and then have to depend on us at the end. They are the ones that we are supposed to be able to trust to take care of and nurture us. (pattie, this is for you too Love). None of us is issued instructions when we have kids and some of us just should NOT be parents. That's bottom line. It is up to us to do the best we can under challenging conditions and to survive the best way we know how. Lots of really mixed emotions, huh?

There is more than one kind of abuse and my father was the king of a different kind. He never laid a hand on us four kids for the most part. But oh could that man drone on and on and on with his lectures. (Remind you of me maybe?) He was the king of the put down, the dire prediction, the off base conclusions not based on fact but on his own faulty thinking. I was told that because I 'looked' like a 'bad seed' cousin, that I was going to turn out like her. HUH? I was going to be in reform school before I turned twelve...this told to me when I was about 8. My sin? I took 2 cookies instead of one! I was nothing but a whore. That one because a boy actually dared to telephone me when Iwas a junior in high school! He wanted the days English assignment...but to Dad I was a 'whore' and he said it loud enough the boy heard him! Didn't matter that he wouldn't let me date...irrelevant to the need to 'put down'.

Unfortunately, Dad died before we had a chance to really resolve any of the hurt or anger. The closest we came was when he actually told me after Jim and I had been married for about 15 years that 'you were a challenge, but you turned out pretty good 'because' of me". I looked him in the eye and told him..."No. I turned out DAMN good in SPITE of you". That was the day that I took control of my life and he couldn't hurt me any more. He knew that I knew the truth. He died 6 months later.

Whew! THAT was cathartic! Been carrying that crap inside for almost 25 years now! See how 'safe' you ladies make me feel? What a gift that is!

Chiqui, we need to work on some low carb snacks and stuff that you can carry with you on these excursions so that your blood sugar stays more level. Does that sound like a good idea? (Mine dropped to low today and I fell off the wagon HARD! My arse still hurts! LOL!) Why not spend some time..if you can...making a list of the snack foods you like to nibble on and we'll come up with some recipies or something so you go off prepared. There are some great ideas and suggestions on another bulletin board that I go to that I can bring over here. It's all in the planning to be good to YOU!

Have a terrific trip. Hope your group is a good group and not a bunch of funky monkies. Check in with us when you can and know that you will be missed!

Have a safe and happy journey!
Nance

[Fat]

Sounds like a lot of us had a hard time as children. My papa was a heavy drinker and beat my mom and abused us kids. And a JW, but when I was 22 he said he was sorry. He also ended up in a care center and I took care of him. He only knew who I was once when he was there. He died without knowing me. I guess we all have a lot to carry. I hope everyone forgives and forgets.

[chiqui]

Dear Nance & Fat: Oh, how we kids suffer. Our parents drink and rave on or ignore us. And we little ones have to stand there and take it all in. The sad fact is that when parents say something, we think it's the truth, eg you're a whore, you'll never amount to anything, you're in my way, you were a mistake, and so on. Then we spend the rest of our lives trying to prove it's not true.

I'm glad you got a chance to level with your father before he died. That's exactly what I did - and am doing with mine. I already did it with my mother so she can't insult me anymore.

Thanks for the idea of snacks. it's hard to do on the confined environment of a train where all the food is included. I have some great ideas for when I get home from this jaunt.

Take care all... Cheers from Chiqui

[pattie]

Hi all
and a big welcome to you Joyce!! :sunny:
Looks like we all come from a not so "Leave it to Beaver Families" but then hey,did you ever see your do the house work with pearls on or where them to a picnic?
I think the way we were brought up has made us all strong and fighters..but we just learned that many times food is and was our salvation from the bad things around us.
So now we just have to funnel that strength into ourseleves once agin and use that power to guide us each to a new future and a new us!!
Nice to have others around who understand why and where we came from.
Giving you all a big Hug. :bhug:
Chiqui
here is one of my fav snacks (thanks Nancy!)
thinly sliced salami..nucked for about 2 min. nice crispy like chips .. :yum:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am always dreaming of the future becasue that is where I will spend the rest of my life (and not fat). :sunny:

[joizienew]

Well, I know for sure I am a fighter, and nothing brings out my strength more than someone telling me I can't do something. I think that when we get older we age much faster because we lose focus on something to get excited about. When we are young we are full of goals for the future and optimistic that we can achieve them. :agree: But, I find that at my age, people don't really have any goals, and are just sitting around watching the days go by. :nono: Our culture is so youth oriented that it's easy to give up on life. I'm really excited about body building and since I have a trainer to help me I'm optimistic about what I can accomplish because he encourages me and never fails to tell me how awsome I am to be doing what I'm doing. I think that it's exciting to focus on health as a life style, and spending time on this site every morning stimulates my mind and gives me that "I'm learning something new" fix that I need so badly. Not to mention the feeling that I have peers that I can communicate with. (Since I am new to Tennessee I am missing that) We are so lucky to have places like this that supply support, information, encouragement and fun. :yay: And now that I am experiencing more energy, I am starting to think about planning things to do on the week ends that I would enjoy. There is a lot going on around me but I haven't taken any steps to get out there yet. "Be here now. This is the only place you need to be. And from this place, all things are possible"

[Fat]

Late Morning to all out there....
Well Joizienew, sounds like you are getting your life all together. That is wonderful. I am so happy for you.....some like me are at home doing nothing.... Unless you want to count caregiving to my mom.....It does tie me down, but I am happy to do it. It is hard on my 15 yr old daughter, because she does not get to go places with me any more. My DH and her spend time together, and that is good. She is learning to drive and she finds that very exciting.

Unfortunately, when I was 16 I married an alcoholic like my Papa and he ended up abusing me and the children. I thought I was going to change him....NOT! So now my son is an alcoholic and an abuser to his 5 children. That is how he was raised, so that is how he is now. His wife also is abusive toward her children and leave them out of all family functions...such as being huged, loved. It worries me that the children will follow in the same footsteps as their parents. All I can do is pray for them.......My daughter is an alcoholic and a drug user. She has 4 children and an alcoholic husband. Sometimes I feel that I ruined their lives by living with their dad so long. I should have left long before I did. By then it was too late.

[joizienew]

Hey Fat, Thanks for taking the time to read my stuff and respond. I can tell you that parenting (especially being the mom) can fill anyone with guilt. I lost my daughter when at age 32 she got on her new motorcycle with a blood alcohol level of .24, and crashed about 2 minutes later, killing her instantly. I have spent many years working as a drug/alcohol counselor and it was so hard to accept that I could not help my own daughter because she could not accept help and just wasn't ready. Still, I can get to beating myself up over how I raised my kids every once in awhile. I am excellent at counseling others in this area, but not so good when it comes to my own guilt. My oldest son is also an alcoholic and his family suffers. His wife is a typical co dependent and this hurts the kids too. We must remember that addiction is passed down from generation to generation, but it doesn't start from 'bad parenting'. What thing that helps me is the expression: I will not "should" on myself today. So the next time you start beating yourself up for what ever, tell yourself that, and move on....love from me to you girl.....

[MizSteaks]

joizienew, welcome to this fabulous group! I LOVE your attitude!

I feel more alive since I got this stupid computer than I have in the last 15 years! I have a curious mind and now I can look it up and satisfy the curiosity. That curiosity is what led me to look for recipes and end up on this wonderful site. I give thanks every day for that happening.

DeAnna, you did NOT fail your kids. I believe that alcoholism IS a disease. Your kids are more susecptable to having it because of the lineage...they didn't 'get' it because of anything you did. Anybody caring enough to take in an elderly parent cannot be a 'bad' person in my book. :) You be nice to you!

I watched my husband battle alcohol dependence for the first 22 years of our marriage. I'll give him a modicum of credit as he chose to drink in a bar and not bring it home to the kids and I, but the kids were still harmed by it. I learned some great lessons by attending Alanon classes, but the biggest lesson I learned was choosing the wrong door and ending up in an AA meeting one night. That's a story for another day.


I have to run for now, but wanted to welcome Joyce to the group. Everybody...take special care!
Nance

[Fat]

Thanks Joizienew, I really appreciate your love and understanding. I am so sorry you lost your daughter. I cannot even imagine what that must be like for you. My daughter is killing herself with a slow death that she cannot even see coming. I have tried to help her, but she is blind to her life style, and her husband also is just as blind.

Steaks, thanks to you too. My mom used to send me into a bar when I was a little kid, to ask my papa for money for food. He never gave it to me...... So many memories of childhood and then adulthood going through what our mom's went threw. One would think I could learn something from all that. My first husband died at the age of 45 from abusing himself with the addiction. Sad, very sad for the children.

[MizSteaks]

Joyce, I agree with Fat (Fit and Trim!, AKA DeAnna!) about the tragedy of losing your daughter. I have always felt that that would be the very worst thing a parent would have to endure. I cannot in my wildest dreams comprehend the pain you must be in. I wonder....does the process of being a counselor for others help you heal...or is that a pain that never goes away?
Forgive me if that is insensitive to ask. I am really interested if you should choose to talk about your daughter. That was an awkward way of saying we're here to listen any time you need to talk about her.

DeAnna, your poor mother. That had to have been hard for her to send a child into a bar. My son was always hurt because Jim would miss his bseball games in order to drink beer. Many of Tony's games were in a direction where we had to drive right by the local 'watering hole' and Tony would see the pickup there and know Dad wouldn't make to another one of his games. Heartbreaking. Now, however, they have resolved all of those issues and have a marvelous relationship. It took years though.

For anybody who grew up with an alcoholic parent(s) or spouse, I think the very best thing that you can do is attend Alanon meetings. They're everywhere and they really REALLY help.

chiqui, I'm thinking about you! Hope the tour is going well!

Have a glorious evening!
Nance

[Fat]

I tried AA once, it was a disaster, they said that if I drank at all I too was an alcoholic. I called on the phone to an 800 number and the lady on the other end told me it was my fault my husband drank because I was driving him to it. I hung up. I also gave up.

[pattie]

Hello from Germany,
Have been reading all your posts...and the tears come into my eyes for all the pain you have all gone through. But I see a very comman strand and that is you all have the fight and power inside to concure our problems together..
This grougp should becalled
Fit,Fiesty and over Fifty
You all give me the desire to keep on going!
Today went to Dr. no Knee operation! Just need some injections to rebuild torn cartilage..then I can once agin start my walking program:)
Went to AA with a friend ocouple times..hmmmm they also told me I was an alcholic if I drank any kind of alchol. I was there to support a friend and I was torn down hmmm I got the feeling they were looking for soemone to put the blame on. But it is a sickness you can not blame some one for that. Give a helping hand and support and then they have to learn to walk on their own..and this is so hard to start those baby steps..amd as we all know when you learn to walk you also stumble from time to time..but you also get back up and you are stronger.
Happy LCing all

[joizienew]

I have grown spiritually throughout my life as I am I 'seeker'. I had to leave the Catholic Church years ago, mainly because they insisted that I wear blinders among other problems, and I am grateful that I had the courage to do that. I became 'born again' and was baptised in a river. This was something that was perfect for me at that time in my life, but I also grew out of, and moved on. My point here is that my spirituality is what keeps me going and growing, as it keeps growing. I have always been attracted to any belief system that makes me feel good, not condemed as a sinner, but loved as a precious child of a loving and generous God. The pain of loss is one that never leaves, but it does not remain constant. After my daughters death I told my story to women who were in prison for driving under the influence. I cried through those talks and was able to just let it all out. At times I expressed my anger and at other times I wept for my loss of a wonderful child. I don't know if it made any difference with the women who heard it, but I worked to cleanse and heal me. Now, when the pain comes on, I take the time to acknowledge it and grieve. Then it passes, and I carry on. One of the most up lifting books I have, and read over and over is, "Conversations With God". I have many books that are inspirational and uplifting and I refer to them often. I also recommend anything by Melody Beattie. May I quote her here:
"Stay committed to your growth process until you wake up one morning and ask yourself, "What is this strange thing I am feeling?" Then know what the answer is: The answer is Joy."

[MizSteaks]

Joyce that was beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I get the feeling that I am going to learn so much from all of you guys. Rusty is stretching my mind; Chloesue has me up and moving again and now Joyce is indirectly encouraging my spritual growth. pattie, chiqui and Fat are making me aware of the fact I'm not alone in the pain of how alcoholism affects families. I feel blessed that I found this forum and I literally RUN to my computer each morning to see what new discoveries and friends await me. Life is GOOD!

Fat and pattie, I am shocked at your treatment at AA! Maybe that is how AA itself responds since that is a tenet that they cling to for THEM, but it is so opposite my experience with them! Alanon is for the families of alcoholics and they taught me that Jim's drinking was HIS problem. How I reacted to it was MY problem...and the choice of how I reacted was mine. They taught me that there was NOTHING I could do to stop his drinking....that the only person in this world that I can change is ME! Like with this forum, I was surrounded by people who shared the same problems I had and it gave me a place to vent, rant, cry, laugh and finally...most importantly, I think...to finally accept and to heal. It culminated with me giving the responsibility for Jim's drinking BACK TO HIM. No more recriminations. No more making excuses for him. No more tears and threats and begging and brow beating...etc, ad nauseum. I told him I understood that he had a disease and that, while I would always LOVE him, there was nothing I could do to HELP him. I also made it clear that I had no desire to hang around and watch him kill himself or somebody else. Our good fortune was that within six months he got another DUII and decided that drinking was something he just could not do anymore. He quit cold turkey and we spent the next several years getting reacquainted as a couple and a family. To this day, he will argue that he is not an alcoholic. The term is not important. The fact is that he cannot drink and control the urges to drink more that alcohol bring out so he chooses not to drink for now.

patti, you need to go over to the 'remodel our forum' thread and add your name suggestion to the list so it doesn't get lost. I like it too! My problem is I like all of them for different reasons!

Nance

[Fat]

Glad you had a good Alanon group Steaks. My DH and I ended up in a split and then divorce. He just kept drinking until the end.
I also love the support here. Everyone is understanding and caring to everbody. Real good listeners too.

[MizSteaks]

DeAnna,
If you ever want to talk 'off-forum' let me know and I will send you my email addy. I still have a couple books that helped me...I would love to send them to you.

The one final point I want to make about alcoholism and its' ravages is the similarity it shares with carb addiction.

I believe there is a correlation, at least in the affect it has on our appetite for it. I was/am addicted to bread products. I could eat sandwich after sandwich after sandwich...and never feel full. That was until an hour later when the gas/diarrhea/bloating/flatulence showed up. I call it...for lack of a better word...an allergy to bread/carbs.

The term doesn't matter, what matters is that ingesting it sets off a chain reaction inside the body that causes adverse health problems without satiating our hunger for the substance. The alcoholic has that reaction to beer/wine/hard liquor. The carboholic has that similar reaction to bread/pasta/potaotes/sugar. The only cure seems to be abstinance from the problem product.

That's why I refer to my problem as being 'allergic to ' carbohydrates. I am really hoping to learn different ways to describe it that make sense to 'non-allergic YET' people (The YET because we know that there's a good chance they WILL be some day! LOL).

Thanks for listening everybody!
Nance

[Fat]

Thank you Steaks,
I agree with you about the addiction. I also am allergic to HC foods.

Joizienew, you have really come a long way in your Spiritual Life with Christ. I am very happy for you.

[joizienew]

Hey Ms Steaks and Fat, I was listening to a tape on protein power and they (Dr's Eades) said that carbohydrates i.e. grain etc. were mankind's first addiction. That we were hunters but when grain was tasted the addiction kicked in and cause people to work with the grain to refine it, so on and so on. Anyway, the jist of the whole thing was that man eventually became farmers all because of the need for the carbohydrate high. I don't know how creditable this therory is but when you think about the addictiveness of carbs, it makes for a good story.

[MizSteaks]

Thanks for that nugget of information Joyce! Sure makes sense to me! And boy! can I identify with a 'carbohydrate high'! LOL! That is also in keeping with everything else I have read about how our diets evolved from hunter/gatherers to farmers.

Do you think the Eade's tapes are worth purchasing? I have considered it, but something always stops me.

[joizienew]

Hey Miz, I purchased the Eade's tapes at a discount store for really cheap, so for me it was worth it. I also got a paperback book with the two tapes that lists food and the carb content. I carry this in my purse and it comes in handy.

[Fat]

Joizienew,
That does sound right to me too. I don't crave meat, or fat. Makes good since.

[MizSteaks]

Joyce, I like your new picture! Your hair really is lighter isn't it?

Fit and Trim (AKA Fat), whatcha doing over here all by yourself? Come join us over on Chloesue's excercise challenge thread. We have a few of us that are going to do a cyber walk/bike to the middle of the US!!! LOL! It's promising to be great fun and makes excercise a lot less boring.

I like the point you made also. I don't believe I have EVER had an uncontrollabel craving for meat or fat. But carbs....Katy bar the door!! Different story entirely! LOL!

chiqui, if you check in...I'm still thinking about you and hoping the tour is a good one! And, has anybody seen pattie around? I miss her. :(

Have a good weekend folks!
Nance

[Fat]

Hey Steaks...I am myself?...LOL

[MizSteaks]

DeAnna AKA Fat AKA Fit and Trim, of course you are yourself!! Silly girl! LOL! I did that for the newcomers since I call you all THREE names! Aren't I awful hard to follow sometimes?!! LOL Like that damn bouncing ball Lawrence Welk used for the sing along....OMG..did THAT date me?!!!

Hope you're having a GREAT weekend!
Nance

[Fat]

Steaks....I meant to say I am by myself?....LOL
Yes it did date you.....LOL even more...LOL

.

[joizienew]

Hey, Good old Lawrence Welk. :) I am recalling that time of the week when the whole family gathered around the TV to watch and enjoy his show with all the 'regulars'. As Bob Hope would say, "thanks for the memories".

[Fat]

Joizie, My mom, Bless her soul, loves that show. Me myself got so over it years ago. She responds to the old days.Those where her younger years.

Steaks.....I was born in 47...DH in 57. I have always called him my young stud. Most think I am his mommy....LOL

[MizSteaks]

Fat, if he's anything like my husband he sometimes ACTS like he needs a Mommy and not a wife! Jim's a sweety but he can open the frig...look right at the milk and ask..."Honey, do we have any milk?" Hello?! Or without looking..."Honey...do I have any clean socks?" Huh? Open the drawer where they've lived for the past 40 years and LOOK! LOL!

Young stud huh? Oolala! I have an old stud now and we make great 'plow mates' any more. We both pretty much plod through life at the same pace now. Some days he pulls harder...other days I pull harder. After all these years we make a fair to middling team. :)

Keep the spirit!
Nance

[mizholly]

Greetings All,

Catching up and crying with all of you. I am also the adult child of an alcoholic - lots of issues, abuse and so forth. Used to be my ego was virtually non-existent, thanks Mom. One of the hardest things to deal with was when she died I was happy. I had guilt about that, but then again, not really - conflict. I have come to know that it is a good thing - I have been released. Strange.

Now, I'm an ego-maniac - in a good way. I can look in the mirror and say, "hey, you're great!! and pretty good looking at that!!" It's a nice feeling. Knowing that you're smart and worthwhile is a real gift, ya know?

By the way, Nance, wasn't that bouncing ball a Mitch Miller thing?? [talk about dating ones self - Oh My!! -- guess that makes me an ancient 52 :-)]

Keep the faith y'all, it really is a matter of one step at a time!

Ever Onward,

Holly

[Fat]

Steaks, are you sure you are not married to my husband....LOL... I have 2 children instead of 1 at home. I wait on him hand and foot just like a two year old. But he does have his good days.

[MizSteaks]

Sorry Fat, my 'stud' was born way back in '40! He likes to be waited on for sure, but he has kept me well the past 40 (lmost) years so I don't complain too much! :D

Holly, we had some real 'cathartic' moments during the first parts of some of these threads. Seems we most of us have LOTS of things in common. But I sense a lot of really strong people have come out of the fire...don't you? There's STRENGTH here. Must be why I can't stay away.

Mitch Miller....Lawrence Welk....did you see that memory thread I posted? I CAN'T REMEMBER!!! LOL! :D
Nance

[Fat]

Steaks how long have you been married. I was married way back in 84. City Hall wedding. My husband says I made him marry me.

[MizSteaks]

DeAnna, Jim and I got married in December of 1963! We have the big 40th one coming up this year! Hardly seems possible!

He also has made claims that I 'made' him marry me! LOL! Anybody that knows him knows that you don't make Big JIM do anything he doesn't want to though!! He has also claimed at times that he married me because his mother told him he couldn't!! That's a true story, too! I just tell everybody that I married him because I am so compassionate and nobody else wanted the poor boy! LOL! LOL! LOL! Can you tell we tease and laugh/....a LOT?!!!

Oh...and his Mother? We ended up being the very, very best of friends before she died and I miss and talk to her daily! We got off to a rocky start, but that changed quickly.

Have a good evening DeAnna, I'm with you in spirit!
Nance

[Fat]

Your DH sounds sweet. You are a lucky girl.

[MizSteaks]

DeAnna, you made me stop and think about what you said! I don't do that often enough and, you"re right! I am a lucky girl! Thanks for reminding me!

Not that we don't have our problems, but, life is finally what I dreamed it could be all those years ago when we got married. Just took a lot of pain and effort and forgiveness and 'blindness' to get there. Not just on my part either! Believe it or not...I have faults too! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Fat]

Steaks, I am still dreaming. One day at a time sweet Jesus. Thank you Steaks.

[mizholly]

Nance,

My life is full of love and laughter too. I have come to see that we are definitely in the minority. Paul and I will celebrate 29 years this October - we sure are lucky.

Holly

[mizholly]

p.s.

Nance, I'm sure it was Mitch Miller, but you never heard it from me.

Holly :-)

[MizSteaks]

Holly you may very well be right...couldn't prove it by me!! :D LOL!

DeAnna, that's all any of us can do...live one day at a time. It took some major 'mind shifts' to get where we are in our marriage. I had to decide that I could either find ways to make it work or be miserable the rest of my life. As soon as I worked on MY attitude, I discovered that things weren't as bad as I perceived them. If I looked for the postive things only and ignored the negative things my life was pretty darn good! Guess I went from a glass half empty to a glass half full way of thinking. Made all the difference in the world. Now instead of getting irritated or mad at a silly remark...I laugh....and it diffuses the situation and we go forward. That's been going on for the last 8 or 10 years and we are finally at a comfortable spot. It didn't just happen though. It took some concentrated effort.

We still have our 'moments' too! Right around the first of the year Jim made a remark that hit me wrong and it took me 3 days to speak to him and tell him what ticked me off! LOL!

I have a question for you. How tall are you? I see your weight down where I can only dream about being and I wonder just how thin you really are? :D Nosey Broad, aren't I? Hope you understand the spirit in which the questions is asked!

Have a successful day!
Nance

[Fat]

Steaks,
You are the sweetest. You always know just what to say.
I am 5' 1" and shrinking. I have what my mom has, that bone disease, just the begining of it. I used to be 5' 2". Now my DH is 5' 2" and looks down somewhat on me. My DM is 4' 10. I really look down on her...LOL She weighs 99 lbs. My DH is 109 lbs a size 5.....and you know my lbs.

[MizSteaks]

Well Fat, good things usually come in small packages! I think of chocolates, and perfume and diamonds...and now YOU! Goodness, you re a tiny little thing. :D And your Mom and hubby too. You spoke of that bone disease...do you mean osteoporosis? That's what Aleka has so you could learn some tricks from her I am sure. I have heard that excercise is supposed to prevent it so that's one reason I am trying so hard to keep my body moving.

I like your new avatar...the puppies are almost as cute as you!

Stay safe!
Nance

[Fat]

Hello Steaks, yes that is what I mean. Did not know how to spell it...LOL At lest I can laugh at myself....Thanks for the compliment...( bashful )

[MizSteaks]

Oh! You changed your avatar again! Is that your little dog? Cute.

[Fat]

You know on my other post I wrote that my DH weighed 109 and wore a size 5....LOL Suppose to be my DD.....
Yes that is our little doggie Feather. She is so sweet. Only likes the family. Dosen't like my mom though.

[MizSteaks]

LOL! Deanna, I had kind figured that one out...unless you were married to a jocky and even they are usually around 120 pounds!

Have a good day today!
Nance :wave:

[Fat]

Very funny

[MizSteaks]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Fat]

Where is everyone at that used to come here to talk? I am going to go see where they are. :p

[MizSteaks]

Deanna, I know what you mean!

I know that patti is roasting to death in the heat wave over in Germany. She can't post much because her computer keeps shutting off because of the heat.

Chicqui left on a tour for 2 weeks but should have been back by now. I wish she's check in...I worry about that sweet lady! :(

Joyce is busy cleaning programs off her computer and looking for a house to buy so she is 'otherwise occupied'. :D

Guess that leaves you and me and anybody else that wants to join us. Actually, since my Mom comes tomorrow...I won't even be here much for a week or two. Guess it's just that time of year. SIGH. It'll get better once the weather cools off and school starts.

have a good day!
Nance :wave:

[Fat]

So that leaves me here. DD started school on the13 th. I miss her all day long. She gets home at 3:11. I have my DH bugging me all day now....LOL

[joizienew]

Hey folks, I'm still hanging around, but going through a very busy time and struggling with some tough emotions. I'm still bouncing around the forum with my morning coffee, reading the wonderful things you all post and replying to some. Time is always running out on me lately. I feel so rushed and stressed that there is not enough time to get it all done. I hope this phase passes soon. I have eliminated many of my morning walks to give me more time to get to things, but I am working at at the fitness center at least two days a week.

[Fat]

Hello Joizie,
Glad you are here. Thought I would have to talk to myself. I do a lot of that anyway....LOL
I know what you mean about not having time. Sometimes I get so bored after I do catch up, I try to find something else to do. My favorite thing is to catch up on here.

[chiqui]

Hi Everyone:

It's Chiqui. I just read your messages quickly and you've been awfully busy communicating with one another. That's great... along with the additional new members. Thank you for thinking about me. Believe me, I didn't forget about you either.

Going from Vancouver to Montreal is wonderful but hard work. It takes about 2 weeks via train, and making stops in cities for a few days. I was so busy that we spent 2 nights in Toronto, my home town, but didn't have time to go home.

The trip was good, the passengers were civil and, at the end, generous. I have another 2 trips with this company before the season ends. The salary and tips are paying my mortgage. Then look for another job for the winter.

I got a couple of guys to re-do the basement for renting it to a student. When I got home, all the basement furniture is in the living room. It's a mess.

Just as we were cleaning it up, the Blackout. My neighbourhood was the last to get power. 41 hours in the darK! I've lived in 3rd world countries so am used to blackouts but only for a few hours at a time. This shouldn't happen in North America, especially to Toronto, where Niagara Falls and its generating stations are less than 2 hours away.

Back to eating... At the farewell dinner, my remarks were "Dear Tourists: You saw it all, you did it all, and you ate it all" (big laugh). Honestly, we ate our way across Canada. The food in the train was excellent and plenty of it.

It got to the point where I was eating to just satisfaction, then pushing the rest away. That's a good sign, friends. I didn't stuff myself, which is vital, because I get GAS. What am I gonna do with gas while enclosed in the train filled with my clients?

You wouldn't believe how normal rational people act when they're offered food. The clients, mostly middle aged and older, well educated and traveled, ran like a herd of elephants to the dining car when lunch was called. Just like they hadn't eaten for a week!

The only exercise I get on this trip is slugging bags and getting on or off the tour bus or train. Yes, the hotels have gym rooms but there's no time to use them, or even the pool. Maybe having to move furniture now is a blessing.

Low carbing on these trips? Good luck! I'll be back on track during the interim and when the season's over. It's hard to pick and choose on fixed menu, easier on the buffets. I don't eat the sugary desserts, well, not always. And when meals are not included during the city visits, I go to the supermarket deli for a roast chicken and salad take-out.

Again, thanks for mentioning me while I couldn't participate in the discussions. You keep me connected to who I am, which is a little bit of all of you.

Cheers from Chiqui

[Fat]

Hi Chiqui,
I am glad you are back on, even for a short time. Are you going to do this next yr too. Or look for a different job. I think what you do is really interesting. You meet all kinds of people and eat all kinds of different foods. No chance to eat just the veggies and meat huh?
I was imagining all those people running to eat, and it was very funny. I hope you did not get stampeded in the rush....LOL

[MizSteaks]

JOyce it's always good to see you on here...and today you sound so up and glowing! Rock on!

Fat, keep holding down the fort Sweety. I'll pop in and out when I can for the next couple weeks. My thoughts are here with you guys in any event!

chiqui! Hi gal! I was starting to worry about you so I am really glad you checked in with us. You did your best...that makes us proud. That's all any of us can do...our best. I am tied up with my Mom here for a couple weeks so will be scarce company I'm afraid. Will take time each day to sneak in here and stay up with what all of you are doing. LOL

Have a wonderful day!
Nance :wave:

[Fat]

Happy to know you are around us

[chiqui]

Dear Fat, MizSteaks and Others:

Thanks for a pleasant response. Miz, I hope your Mom is okay. I am dealing with my dad whom I put in a nursing home just a few days before my last trip. He's not adjusting well and his mind isn't working at all. Very sad situation.

Fat, yes, I will do this travel job again as I've been in tourism for 20+ years. I worked at large airports for a long time, also ran a tour program in the Caribbean for 15 winters. You wouldn't believe what people do on vacation. They pack everything but their common sense.

I haven't had a job with regular hours for a long time. Travel is seasonal and so is my job. I make the best of it while the season lasts.

Vacation travel depends on so many thiings, like the weather and the economy. People won't travel if they fear their job won't be there when they get back. After Sept 11, the travel business stopped suddenly for a few months. Then it changed drastically. When they're afraid, folks won't get on planes, nor will they go far from home.

I bought a house last year and now have a mortgage to pay, so I do the travel thing in the summer and something else (usually boring) in the winter.

Travel business is very interesting, no 2 days are the same. But it's hard on the diet. You have to be very disciplined, which I am not, but have to learn to be. I have good people skills, speak a couple of languages, but still can't stop eating crap.

Cheers from Chiqui

[MizSteaks]

Joyce, Fat, chiqui and Patti (if you can check in)...Good Morning!! I have sneaked in here to log on for the excercise challenge and need to type fast!! Mom is usually right here looking over my shoulder! LOL!

She is doing better and eating better already. I think being lonely is part of the problem at her home even though she lives about 30 feet from my sister's house. They don't talk about significant things and Mom needs that connection to her past right now. I believe that's part of the transition process to the next phase of life which is the afterlife. It is going okay for the most part. :)

Mom's got atrial fibrillation which is not as serious as we first thought it was...that is a HUGE relief. However it is extrememly uncomfortable to have your heart beat like a triphammer all the time. Feels like it is going to leave your chest and just fly through the air.

Hope all you guys stay successful on your WOE this week. I'm off to a good start but my calories are too low I think. Been keeping track on a downloaded carb program (free trila) and am only at 1,400 max for the past 5 days. Usually around 900 to 1,100 for the day. Maybe that explains no weight loss for months now. :( Gotta run for now. Love you guys!!!

Have a glorious day!!
Nance :wave:

[chiqui]

Dear Miz: I can relate to your mom needing a connection to the past. When my dad was more lucid, he talked about his years in the army, and all the card games & horses he bet on. He still thinks that a man should support the wife, who should stay home and have kids. He was stuck in the 1950's. No travelling by plane (take the car) no concept of credit ratings, stock market or anything modern. Gift? A box of chocolates. Tell you