New Year, New Goals, New Friends

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
New Year, New Goals, New Friends
24
Mon, 01-01-2007 - 8:57pm
Hi, my name is Marlene. I am 51 today and need to lose 100 lbs. I am looking for friends to help encourage me and friends that I can encourage also. Today I joined Fitday.com and ivillage just to get me started in the right direction. Like all of us I know what to eat and have a very good diet. I have a problem with hunger. Seems I am always hungry. Portion sizes are too big and I can't think of a single food I don't like. I love food, eat too fast, and have a hard time chewing as I should. In my late thirties I started to pick up weight and now I am twice the woman I was.
I started a new business this past August and that helps keep me busy, but still have too much time on my hands. to exercise and love TV. Could be in trouble, but I have high hopes.
If my life sounds even a little like yours perhaps we can help each other. I'll be waiting to hear from you and wishing you great success this year. We can do it...together. MAR
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 5:42pm

Yay, Mar! Glad Red Lobster went well. You did good!

I used to think I needed a diet too, but I find that I just get too bored and feel restricted eating what they tell me to and when, especially when it's something I don't care for. We've been to the M.D., and she gave us "The Diabetic Diet" - 1800 calories for hubby, 1200 for me. We aren't diabetic, and hope never to be, but it works well for us. It's just balanced nutrition. It tells me to eat, for example, one starch, one milk, and one fruit for breakfast. What those things are is up to me. One day I might have 1/2 c. oatmeal with cinnamon, 1/2 a banana and a glass of milk. Today I had a piece of whole wheat toast with 1T. reduced fat peanut butter (sometimes I throw in a bit of protein) and a 6-oz. container of fat free yogurt. I didn't feel like eating more right then, so I saved my fruit for a morning snack. It's just so nice to pick and choose what we eat and I don't feel like we're really "dieting," except for the smaller portions.

What we have is a folder put out by Astra-Zeneca (I think they make some diabetic or weight loss drug) and I've gotten the same diet from two different doctors, so you might be able to find it at yours. It tells you what a serving size is for a wide variety of foods, and others I've found online or on food labels.

One thing I do have to do, and I don't mind, is keep a food journal so that I can see what I eat every day and where my calories are. I aim for 1200 to 1500; anything in there I consider a successful day. I also only weigh myself every few weeks, so that I don't get mad or overly dependent on seeing that number change! It's been really nice. Makes me feel like I finally "get it" and I know how to eat like a thin person. I still have my "screw-ups" of course, (I'm so glad the holidays are over!) but it's so easy to go back to plan at the next meal.

Now my only hurdle is exercise! I know I've enjoyed it in the past and I belong to a great gym, but I just can't seem to motivate myself yet. One hurdle at a time, I guess.

And thank YOU for your kind words, Mar. It's nice to know that all my babblings are not in vain! LOL. I hope these ideas help. Feel free to email me or post again if you want to know anything else!

Mary
247/221.5/135
(I weigh in this Saturday, so I'm being extra good this week! LOL.)

Edited 1/3/2007 5:45 pm ET by ursaluna




Edited 1/4/2007 6:30 am ET by ursaluna
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 4:11am
Belly dancing? You know we have a few belly dancing fans on board (me included).. and quiet a workout!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2005
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 6:21am

Hi Mara,


I'm happy to see so many other newcomer's, like me!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 10:19am
Mary,
Thanks again for the input. I am really starting to look forward to these daily notes. It's now part of my morning routine.
My father in law is diabetic, so I am familiar with the diet. Not to bad and you are right, it does give you freedom. I went to Fitday.com and started charting my daily intake. I also try to keep it around 1200, I had no idea how much I was eatting until I started adding up the calories. I've done Weight Watchers points in the past and that really worked, but got tired of food turning into numbers. I guess that really is the key...Food as Numbers. When I think of every bite as a number it's scarey.
I had a hard evening last night, I just could not get full. I was really hungry. I know it had to be head hunger, but it is still real. I broke down and had a cup of yogurt with 1/2 cup Raisin Bran in it. Boy, it was really good.
I exercise, I have had so many pieces of equipment, either sold them or gave them to the kids. I really liked Jane Fonda's first workout tape, still have that one, but at this weight 2 minutes into it and I am done. Think walking is the answer. JUST DO IT!
Well, better close this for now. I am babysitting my youngest granddaughter for a while today. She's on her way.
Have a great day and low calories.
Thanks again, MAR
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 2:31am

Hi, Mar, and me too! It's nice to have a little back-n-forth with someone. Aw, I wish we had grandkids, I feel ready for them now! However, we don't have kids so that's a problem, lol. That's why I teach Kindergarten; gives me my "kid fix" and then I can go home to a quiet house. Perfect world!

I can relate to "head hunger". I find it comes on more easily after I've eaten more than I should, like for the holidays or whatever...like my head is saying, "Hey, you've been eating all day anyway, why deny me now?" Now that I've been back in the groove for a few days, it's easier to fight off.

So you're familiar with the diabetic diet. I really like it. The only time I think of food as numbers is when I'm planning the meals and writing them down. After that, hey, I just try to make it last!

Hope you had a good day with your granddaughter! See you tomorrow? And low calorie wishes to you too!

Mary #3

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 11:12am
Belly Dancing is so much fun. My granddaughter laughs herself simple when we do it together. I don't wear any of the outfits (yet), I may work myself into it.
I really love this site. So much encouragement and joy. Thanks, MAR
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 11:21am
Thank you for the nice words. Yep, I to diet. I have come to the conclusion that the "D" word should not be used around me. I like the "change of life" plan. I really need to (at 51) decide what's eatting me and why I feed myself to deal with it. This month I started the Lose it for life book and workbook. This has been a real eye opener for me. So far it has helped me deal with control issues and realizing that I cannot do this on my own. I need Grace and lots of it. I need support like you and this site. Also went to Fitday.com and keep a journal of what I eat, it doesn't feel like a diet, more like fun trying to keep those calories under control. This year I am making this a fun trip, I refuse to be defeated or to feel like a looser anymore. This is my time to grow and to become the woman I've hidden for years.
Also, wanted to add that you have a beautiful child. Congrates.
Best wishes and dreams for our success in this coming year. MAR
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 11:36am
Mary, Good morning. Hey, before I forget...does your preview page sometimes leave out words? It's driving me nuts. Oh well, people will just have to fill in the spaces. That might be fun.
I have worked for a Christian school for the past 7 years, just resigned to take of family issues and work on my business. I sub, but my title was Program Development, it is a fancy name for Fund Raiser. I planned and carried out all the community relations, put on concerts, dramas, sold tickets, begged for support. Not my strongsuit, but I feel good about all I accomplished. My business is Prop People Deliveries and Parties, you can find us on the web if you type in the name and add the .com. I love my business. My kids help me and we've made it a family thing. You can also see pis of my grandgirls. Check out every page if you want to find them.
Well, back to the "D" thing. I am having a great week! I know it is because I can count on encouragement from you and others on this site. I have been promoting it to my friends who need the same support.
I so happy that you're doing well also. We need to store up this great feeling of success for the harder days ahead.
Our worship leader at church teaches Kindergarten, she has the best voices and tells the funniest stories about her class. I have sub for K4 and K5, it is not where I belong.
Runny noses, tears, and wet pants, Oh MY! They are soooo cute, but everyday...NO WAY!
God bless you for your strength, you truly are a gifted woman.
Have a great day and low cals to you, MAR
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 2:13pm

Good morning, Mar! Hey, look, I'm up before noon! I'll literally have a rude awakening next week when school starts again, lol.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "preview page" but I haven't noticed any words missing. Just fill in your own, like that game, the name of which escapes me right now...where you fill in the verbs, adjectives, etc. Know what I mean?

Thank you so much for your lovely post! What a mood booster to wake up to. I wish we could bottle that good feeling for the harder times (we'd be rich!), but know that your post will be going into my bottle!

Your business sounds like so much fun! I will definitely check out your website. It's such a gift when you can do something you love, isn't it? I will say that SUBBING kindergarten is really hard; the kiddies don't always do well with change. But having my own class has taught me that it's really much easier that way. And you get to see them soak up the knowledge like sponges. It's amazing how fast they can learn. A couple of weeks ago, I subbed for a 2nd grade class that had one of my former K kids in it; she is a wonderful reader now and so smart and articulate! I certainly don't take credit for that, but I was so proud of her. I reminded her how far she'd come since K, how smart she was and that I was proud of her. She just beamed from the inside. Ah, I love teaching. Cross your fingers for me; I've just applied for a position for next year!

Glad to hear you are doing well with the D thing! LOL. I weigh in tomorrow, which will be the first time since Christmas, so I'm curious to see the numbers. My brain certainly feels thinner!

Have a wonderful day as well, and thank you for being an inspiration to me!

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 10:44am

Mary, Good luck and many pounds gone on your weigh in. You sound so confident, I really believe you and I can do this. Yep, it will be hard at times, but I am storing up all my good feelings, just like you.

I love subbing 2nd grade. They are my favorites. Still cute and warm, but so funny. The person they want to be is coming out. It's funny how even in K4 and K5 you can almost see the future. The , the wallflower, the bully, brat, the genius, and so on. At our school, we go to 12, I can sub for all grades. I love History and Lit. English and Math. Oh well, we go where they send us.

I'll be praying for your new job. Sounds like you really want it. Fingers crossed.

Found out the problem with the missing words. My fault. This computer has a key that causes me great confusion from time to time. I hit it and didn't realize it. Fixed now.
Thank God!

My website is coming along. I worked very hard on it last night. After publishing, I checked it out and found a few mistakes. Up early this morning to fix them.

Yes, the business is fun, but it's slow now. The holidays were hectic, we did so many Mr. and Mrs. Claus visits. We made many children smile and believe in fairy tales just a little longer. Now, we are gearing up for Valentine's Day and hope to pick up a few parties along the way.

Tell me about California, where do you live? Am I allowed to ask that? I know it must be very different from PA. However, this winter is the warmest we've had in 12 years or so they say. It is between 50 and 60 everyday. I love it, but it's weird.

Well, today is housework day. My favorite. NOT!

Have a great one and keep on track. MAR