Messages By: brenbiel

Hi Megan, 

Don't you see the picture of Jen's baby on the left side, under her name? That's what I was referring to.  Thanks for your kind words. I really prioritized time for myself to do some serious key work today, and it was so helpful! Now, to just keep doing that day after day till my snug pants are loose again! LOL  Brenda. 

Thanks for asking Gail.  Thankfully, I’m feeling much stronger again. I just hate when I start slipping and before I know it, things have gotten way out of control. This is when I  know that this key ring of mine is a life saver. It’s not just about will power, all of the keys in this program are vital. The fact that I’ve continued with my IE, I’ve learned to quickly check my self-talk, and my circle of support is in place really saves my neck if my no fail environment starts to fail or mastery over food and impulse eating gets sloppy. Yesterday’s eating was good again, and so far so good for today. I missed my workout yesterday, but Sunday is usually my day off, and I've been doing lots of gardening, so I think I've made up for yesterday. (If my clothes are getting wet from perspiration, it must count towards IE, don't you think?)  

I didn’t even bother stepping on the scale the other day because when I did check a few days earlier, I was up at least 4 pounds, then I had a few more “bad eating days”, and some water weight days on top of it. So, I’ll just take one day at a time and check in another week or so.  

Melissa, how’s it going for you these past few days? I’m thinking of you. 

Hey Gail, are you back yet? Don’t know how long your cruise was, but I know you left last Sunday. Be sure to check in with us and let us know how it went. Sure hope you had a great time! 

Looking forward to hearing from everyone  a.s.a.p. Hope that computer of yours is up and running again soon Linda. Take care everyone. 

Brenda. 

Way to go, Jen -- 16 lbs. kicked to the curb!  I know you're finding it more challenging on weekends, but  you're doing great.  I've forgotten what your goal weight is, but I bet you're getting close!   

How's everyone else? Got those keys out and working?  Have a great day, everyone. 

Brenda. 

Megan, so glad to hear that your little one has decided to co-operate for you and turn!   

I’d love to see your new pic, but hesitate to post my email address since this is such a public site. Maybe you’ll be able to attach a picture like Jen suggested. Actually, I’m going to try it with a picture that I just came across last week. At Curves we were asked to bring in an old school picture to be posted, so we can try and match who’s who. I found an old gr. 5 class picture (I was 9), and cropped myself out of the group. It just goes to show how long I’ve struggled with my weight. I remember going on my first “diet” when I was 9, so that would have been just a while before starting grade 5.   

Hey, it worked. :-) 

Brenda. 

Melissa ~ Hey girlfriend, did you just knock off 8 lbs. in 2 weeks?! Good for you! J I know that getting in the IE can be a real challenge, especially until it becomes a real strong habit. I’d just encourage you to do what you can each day. Try to make small, manageable goals and just work it in as early in the day as possible. I realize that I’m speaking as one whose children are grown, and I finally am freed up in the mornings. I know it’s much more difficult when they’re little, but I’d just encourage you to do your best, one day at a time.  From what I hear, “Self Matters” is not the simplest read, but can be very beneficial! Good for you – let us know how it’s going.   

Jen ~ Two more pounds gone for you – that’s great! You must be excited to be so close to your birthday goal. Woohooo! 

Gail ~ So, did you get a chance to stock up on those fruits and veggies? Something that I’d like to do is learn what to do with some different veggies. I’m in such a rut. When I go to a market and see so much variety, I don’t know how to prepare them, so I think that’s something I’ll aim to learn. 

Bren ~ good to hear from you again. How’s your program going? You mentioned getting glasses in gr. 5. I probably could have used them about then. I remember getting my first pair in gr. 7 and I couldn’t get over how much detail there was to see outside!  

Linda, Megan, Deb and anyone else I’m missing, hope to hear from you all again soon. Take care and check in when you can. 

I haven’t posted my weights in a long time, as they just haven’t been doing anything exciting. However, I’ve joined in on a little group challenge with a few others and I’m planning to start posting my stats weekly. I’ll wait to the end of my “TOM” (I’m in peri menopause so things are unpredictable lately) then start posting weekly. I’ve said for almost a year now that I want to lose another 12 – 15 lbs., so my plan is to aim for 1 lb/week for 15 weeks, which will take me exactly to my daughter’s birthday on Jan. 2. Hopefully that will help me get through Christmas with minimal damage! Anyone else care to join me?  

Good night all. J 

Brenda.  

Alright Melissa, we're in this together. I know that you've been interested in posting stats, and I'm finally ready to join you with that. (Of course I know that at least Gail and Jen have been in active wt. loss mode already.)  I like the four number format that they've been using.        

     Starting wt. / last week / current / goal wt. 

That's great that you've got your "in person" support group, Melissa. I know you've mentioned them before. We can use all the key 7 support we can find! 

Excuse me if I've already mentioned it, but just thought I'd point out a useful tool at www.fitday.com  I've used a similar site before, and I think this one looks good. I don't meticulously analyze my food every day because I try NOT to have food on the brain 24/7. However, I do need to keep a check on it occasionally, to keep myself honest.  

Well, that's what I'm about to do, then go tackle my workout before heading off to the office. Have a great day everyone.  (Linda, hope your computer work's finished soon. We miss you! 

Brenda. 

Good morning my friends.

Well, today starts the challenge that I’m joining in on with another part of my circle of support, so thought I’d post my goals here as well, and then my weekly stats. It’s officially supposed to run for 13 weeks (till about Christmas), but my plan is to go till my dd’s birthday, Jan 2/06.

Okay, so what exactly are my goals?

Goal wt. is to reach 135 -- this has always been my dream weight. I believe that's close to what I weighed for our wedding (26 yrs. ago), but dropped from 160 when we were engaged, and the weight started going right back on with pancake breakfasts and sweet desserts on our honeymoon! That being said, I will re-assess when I get to 140, and if that's more like my "get real" weight, that would be fine. (I want a realistic & healthy weight where I can comfortably maintain.)  According to Dr. P's chart, at just over 5'2" I should weigh 120 if I'm a medium build. At almost 49, I don't think that's very realistic for me!

My starting, current and goal numbers are: 209 / 150.8 / 135

So, in order to lose 11 - 16 lbs., I want to lose an average of 1 lb./week.

In order to achieve this I will:

• drink min. 8 -10 cups of water/day

    

• eat three balanced meals and two planned snacks/day (high cost response/high yield)

    

• "kitchen closed" after evening meal

    

• work out 6 days / week; 3/ 30 min. sessions at Curves and 3/ 45 - 65 min. sessions at home, combining interval cardio, weights (upper body needs to be limited because of a shoulder injury) and occasionally Pilates. 

    

• journal food daily, and check it on fitday at least 2 X / wk to keep honest

    

• make pot of green/mint tea by afternoon, being prepared for hunger or "munchies" 

    

• enjoy a planned extra of 3 bites of a sweet dessert once/week -- typically on a weekend date or a special celebration.

    

• continue reading UWS and journaling key work

    

• continue checking in and staying accountable to my circle of support

    

Thanks so much for your on-going support, everyone.  

Linda, you had me so excited when I saw your smiling face again, but then disappointed that your computer issues still are not resolved!  Oh well, keep teasing us every chance you get, and lets hope that next week you’ll finally be re-established back home. That’s so exciting that you’ve been contacted by a magazine to write your story! Wow!!!!! I know it’ll take some time till it’s written and actually printed, but please keep us posted. Perhaps when it’s finally published you’d be able to scan it into a document and attach it for us to read. Hmmm, maybe there’d be copy write issues? Anyway, I’d love to hear how it goes.

Have a wonderful day, everyone. 

Brenda.

Gail, that was funny about the veggie recipe. I did a little peaking around some other boards the other day, and I think I saw the one that you were referring to. Don’t both Linda and Jen post there too? I’ll go take a peek for the recipe there (if I can find it again.) 

Hey, we’ve got a lot in common. My dil’s name is also Liz, and her oldest of 2 boys is close in age (he’ll be 4 in Dec.), and also had recent surgery. He was hospitalized for 8 days in the spring when he had a ruptured appendix. Then when the infection finally cleared up and it finished draining, he had to go back for surgery to have what remained of the appendix removed. It was a very difficult time for everyone, and yes, it’s so hard to see them frightened and crying for mommy. L So, will your grandson be hospitalized for a few days, or are they sending him home very quickly? One wonderful thing about young children is that they bounce back so quickly. Our little Cameron was playing outside 24 hours after his appendectomy.   

How’s your hubby doing this evening? I bet he’ll be feeling rough for a few days. Hang in there Gail. You’re going to be in high demand for a little while!  

Brenda. 

Thanks Bren. I really appreciate the encouragement. I'm feeling really pumped and optimistic right now. Of course the trick is keeping the momentum going, but that's what a change in lifestyle is all about. Hope you're doing well :-). 

Brenda. 

Gail – so glad to hear that the men in your life are quickly recovering. I couldn’t help laughing at what your grandson said about getting out of that “stupid place”. It reminded me of something that our Cameron said on about day 7 of his hospitalization. “I don’t like the hospital. It’s full of all KINDS of  . . . . . . DOCTORS!!!”  One day after a real ordeal when they had to restart his IV – again, my son was trying to calm him and said, “I’m so sorry that it hurt you, but the nurses have to do these things to help you feel better.” To which he promptly replied, “Well, it DIDN’T WORK!” 

Congrats on dropping those 5 pounds. You’re making good progress. J  And thanks for the recipe. I did find it on the 30 LB booty busters bd., but likely others here will appreciate it too. 

I’ve hardly walked outside at all since spring because the summer was so hot. Today however is just gorgeous, so I just got back from a good hour long power walk through the park with my dog. Poor thing, if I don’t walk her, she hardly gets any exercise other than when she tears around the house in her nightly burst of energy. (We call it her Boston 500.)  I’d teach her to use the treadmill, but it’s manual, and I don’t think she’s strong enough to get it going. LOL  

Have a great day, everyone. 

Brenda.