Rogues and Alternatives, week of 12/19

[bkm]

Body image: When I was a kid, I didn't know of anyone who owned a scale - you got weighed at the doctor's each year and that was it. I also don't remember anyone in the neighborhood being particularly overweight - which makes me agree with the researchers who claim that our current weight problem may well be connected to food additives, etc.

And my mother bought all of our clothes (she made our dresses and coats) - huge bags of panties, socks, undershirts - and they were divied up, never knew there were a variety of possible sizes! I was a skinny kid, so much of my life was spent hiking up panties, safety-pinning slips so they didn't fall off, and trying to keep my bra where it was supposed to be (Mom used to buy "formed" bras, 34B - they were sort of a hard cup that broke into lots of smaller pieces after washing - so it was very likely that you looked like you had a "bumby chest" and if the darned thing rode up, you had 4 "bumps" I was fitted for a bra for the first time when I was a senior in college - and I wore a 30D (not a 34B)!

As far as "liking" my own body - can I be a "sort-of" liker? I am pleased with my body - after all, I am 67 years old and have nothing wrong with it, no medications, no disease, no problems - just a few wrinkles - not bad!

But ... I have a belly that I really want rid of ... and I've never been happy when the scale creeps up!

[DisneyPrincess]

I have so much energy I went ti the store and saw it was almost 70* out so I decided to strap on my sneakers and take Ds for a run. We went 5 miles! He's heavy so it was slow going, but a great run anyways. This might be a fast breaker for me but no hunger to speak of now, just a small headache. If I feel I need something I'll have an apple to start

[minimonkey]

Wow -- you ladies are posting up a storm today!!!

Whooohooo on the inches and lbs lost -- the inches actually are better in the long run, but the pounds are darn nice, too.

Yahoo on the drop, Disney! I'd be thrilled with 2 lbs!

I am almost afraid to face the scale since it has been going up -- but I want to know what the fasting did or did not accomplish weight wise -- so I will go face it....

Still feeling good and without hunger today, so thinking today should go relatively easily -- and glad you are jumping on board Cathy! So sorry you are feeling so awful -- it makes my body hurt just to think about being that swollen!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Nice job on the 12s!!!!
Enjoy p3. I'll be joining you very soon

Cheryl- I guess I can live with snow for a week or so. At least I can hide my fat rolls under sweaters and hoodies

Good morning everyone. Got a call at 6am that my one kid isn't coming today so I turned off the alarm and went back to bed. Ds is still sleeping while I have my coffee and wake up some.

Scale is down 2 pounds today. Was hoping to get all 3 from my cracker episode off, but I won't complain. I'm sure I'll be back to my low by tomorrow.

So I've been thinking about moving to p3 and I don't know if I'm ready! I've also been thinking about the plans we have in ny and there really is no reason I can't stay in p2. Christmas eve is just ham and veggies and Christmas day I can keep it low carb and even pretty low on the calories. We do so much running around that we actually only sit for dinner. We have a few dinners planned to go out but for me that's easy. I'm going to think about it today some. I mug stall out for a few days with added sodium but I think I'm in such a groove that I just want to ride this out. The thought of having to start another diet in a few weeks just has me

for sleeping-in! I'll bet that doesn't happen very often. WTG on the 2 lbs, too! No matter what you decide to do when in NY, I'm sure it will be fine. I think the one meal off idea sounds perfect. As long as it doesn't trigger an 8 day catastrophe!

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Whooohooo on the inch loss, Pugs! I am getting quite a bit, too, even though the scale has gone up the past couple of days (not much, but it has).

It is sad to read how you feel about yourself --- and this isn't a pity party, it's me saying that it is sad that so many of us are so damaged by the images we carry -- and I really believe that healing them is a good idea.

Cheryl -- so glad you are back on track ! I think your current signature is great!

What did the scale do to you today, Mini? Is it being a bugger again?

Originally Posted by Violet_Dream

Today is my phone interview and then I'll have a face-to-face one. Wish me luck! I'm ready to get out of leadership and stop babysitting. I always say, our 12 year-old son has more maturity than most of the adults I babysit on a daily basis. Everything happens for a reason, if I'm meant to have the position, I'll have it. Either way, I have a job that I do like, but unfortunately it has more cons that pros - I am grateful every day. Pretty soon, my resume will be on two pages (which I always avoid) because I'm currently on the third position I've held in my seven years with the company.

Congratulations to everyone and make it a great day!

I hope it goes well today! Sorry for the bump-up on the scale. Apples are no-no's for you. Isn't it weird how our bodies are so particular? I think it's all about listening to what works for us and avoiding what doesn't. In the end, that's about all we can do.

Originally Posted by HexaTheAmazon

Good Morning Ladies!!!

The holiday smells are in my house. Yippppeeee.

Congrats to all those who are lossing, even during the holidays, those who are maintaining, because that is hard to do during the holidays, and those who have gained and are continuing on their journey, because that takes courage and heart

Yesterday was a correction day for me. I was 1.2 pounds outside of my window and I knew it was coming. I no longer eat beef or pork so I ate salmon and a salad for my one meal of the day. Lo and behold.... I am .1 ounce outside of my window

I guess the real question is do I do another correction day for .1 ounce or call it a day and move forward I am not really hungry today and I do have weight training tomorrow which will cause me to exert great amounts of energy.

I must weight the cost.

Well, have a great day everyone!!!!!

I wouldn't do a CD for just .1. That's splitting hairs. In fact, just pluck out one single hair and reweigh and there you go! Nice CD results, Hexa!

Originally Posted by Gremom

Thank you all so much for all the support!! You just proved why I don't want to leave you all!

I guess I am in the P3 mode now and my LDW was 145 and I have been between 144-145 since I stopped P2 2 weeks ago. Not bad considering I lived on ice cream and sweet potato soup last week! And i do want to do another 3 week round come January.

I think between the teeth, Christmas, adoption, 3 crazy kids and balancing foods for all of us is quite stressing to me. I usually handle it well, but Ig guess we all crack at some point.

A big thing I am struggling with too is that I need to give up dairy. My body truly hates it and it always has, but I LOVE it. I am committing for the New Year to be totally dairy free except for greek yogurt and butter. I can handle those just fine. I have several eczema patches from dairy and I hate them, so they have to go.

And then I am gluten free too (for 18 months now) and i have to deal with DS who is deathly allergic to nuts, peanuts, eggs and seeds. Those are all things I enjoy. My head just spins when I try to feed us all at the same time. I am tried of making several different meals to make everyone safe. UGH!!

Okay, done venting! Sorry!

Oh, no! I love dairy. If I had to give it up I don't know what I'd do. Eczema is the pits, though. I had it when I was young. Dinnertime does sound like a challenge at your house! That's terrible that your son has so many deadly allergies. Does he have to use an Epi pen in an emergency? I hope not.

That soup sounds lovely! Thanks for the link to the recipe. I love soup but that's one thing my family never has at holiday dinners. Maybe they don't want to mess with a bunch of bowls on top of a bunch of plates and desert plates and cups, etc. I may have to start a new tradition! I started one with Sweet Potato Casserole a number of years back and it's been on the table every year since then.

The stress of life really can wreck havoc on us. We need to find good and healthy ways to cope and vent. Easier said than done!

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Minimo, I was so bad I barely checked in yesterday either.... I did not do well and did not even look at the scale, I am sure its absolutely mortifying, but thats it... TODAY... fasting for me too, and tomorrow if I can do it, and eat straight and narrow until Christmas Eve and then get downright serious after that... I hate myself right now!!

Cheryl, I wish I had read it yesterday and listened, but tortured myself again for one more day.... But not today!! Today I listen to the gross disgusting feeling and today I am fasting too!!

Cheryl,
Totally hearing you on this one too. I am not even going to get on the scale today to see the number and know what I drop tomorrow.... but I can tell you I am so bloated and swollen its grosser than gross... I have never done this quite to myself before... and I am very unhappy with myself, but I am going to hopefully start fixing it now. No one to blame but me, and I deserve to feel like this after the sugar bingeing... but UGH!!! Congrats on the 6.8.... whooo hooo... I am going to just do water and coffee today, no chicken but I am so glad it worked for you!!!

Good for you, Cathy! It is hard to stop a binge cycle but we can all do it and we have all done it and will likely need to do it yet again in the future. When will we ever learn? But guilt and shame only compound the problem within us. We need to learn to forgive ourselves and let things go. (The chicken wasn't part of the plan. I was only going to drink coffee with cream. I'm thankful for any day I can get through it to break a feasting period.)

Originally Posted by bkm

I actually prefer the inch-loss to the weight-loss - no one can "see" the numbers on the scale, but they sure as heck can see the smaller, better fitting clothes!

And I'm starting to get nice comments from people about how I look - now, if I could only figure out how to get rid of this darned belly!

I've started doing some crunches (Calinetics, I think they're called) - some of you on this board really do a lot of body-sculpting-type work, but that's not for me - I just want a reasonably flat belly and the ability to stay limber/active ...

I like the scale numbers more than the inches. I know the inches will catch up to the number on the scale, so I want the scale number first! I find it a pain to measure myself, too. I had been doing it and keeping a log book but stopped doing it. I'll do it one more time when I'm in the 150's, just to see how things have changed.

I hope you find something that helps the belly pouch. I have no suggestions to offer.

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Yup
I will go for that!
It is a good idea.
After all , how many women do you hear say , "I love my body!, it is beautiful.."

That's a very good place for us to start! Positive affirmations! I have a small spiral notepad (was like a bunch of recipe cards in a binder) that I once wrote a large affirmation on each page. I did it years ago and I still have it. Then when I had to return to working as a nurse in 2008, I recorded more positive affirmations on a mini tape recorder and did them each morning on my long drive into the city. It really helped! It gave me a measure of peace and made me see that I was capable of doing what had to be done.

So, although you all know I'm not a "joiner", I'd be into making a new list of positive affirmations to recite daily in the new year. How does that sound to y'all? We can make our own list and we don't even have to share what they are. (Unless we really want to.) I'm a list maker, so this is right up my alley.

Well, this is a first for me. Down 10 lbs in two days. Whatever causes Cathy to gain so much so fast and then turn around and shed it (flush-flush) is happening to me. I'm not at all happy about that, but it shows me that my body has had more than enough of my shinanigans. Time to face facts and really do things for health-reasons rather than comfort and vanity.

My face is still puffy so I have no idea what is going on with my poor body. How can it be more water weight? I'm surprised I'm not down on all fours, panting for water!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

I have so much energy I went ti the store and saw it was almost 70* out so I decided to strap on my sneakers and take Ds for a run. We went 5 miles! He's heavy so it was slow going, but a great run anyways. This might be a fast breaker for me but no hunger to speak of now, just a small headache. If I feel I need something I'll have an apple to start

You literally carried him on your 5-mile run? At first I pictured him in one of those strollers that runners use for thier kids. Yowser! I'm impressed!

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Wow -- you ladies are posting up a storm today!!!

Whooohooo on the inches and lbs lost -- the inches actually are better in the long run, but the pounds are darn nice, too.

Yahoo on the drop, Disney! I'd be thrilled with 2 lbs!

I am almost afraid to face the scale since it has been going up -- but I want to know what the fasting did or did not accomplish weight wise -- so I will go face it....

Still feeling good and without hunger today, so thinking today should go relatively easily -- and glad you are jumping on board Cathy! So sorry you are feeling so awful -- it makes my body hurt just to think about being that swollen!

Good luck, Mini!

[star a.d.]

good morning, ladies!

I'm near the top of my window today. last night was the first yoga class I've been to in ages, and I can't believe how much strength I've lost over the course of my last HCG round! I think I'm going to do slightly higher (again) calories this next time and maintain my practice, low energy or not.

interesting to read the BDD stories. I grew up with much older siblings. so when I was old enough to notice, I felt inadequate. they were all tall, and had boobs and hips, and I was just this little thing. so I never got used to feeling little. I was marginally chubby as a kid, and was always called fat, which was horrible for me, and it's like part of my brain went "well, I guess we're fat then" and made it so. I went on my first diet at age 9. NINE! my father was a very large man, and our family doctor (a pin-thin JERK) scared my mom into putting me on a diet, despite my age. I have NO idea what it's like to be able to eat like a "normal person", but I think I'd have a lot more mental energy for a lot more things if I could use all that brain space elsewhere. and I've very often pushed people away because of how uncomfortable I am in my skin. it sucks.

wow, vent much? hah!

[minimonkey]

I was thinking the same thing about Disney's run!!! Wowza -- talk about adding weights to your workout! ROCK ON!

Scale was down a tad (.4) from yesterday, but still nearly a pound up from where I was before. I do have those "water retention" lines in my skin, so it pretty much has to be that... but GRRRR nonetheless.

With me, it could always be TOM arriving -- he doesn't have a schedule these days, lol!!

Who knows... I am not going to stress it -- just proceeding as planned with another fast day and cleansing. Still not at all hungry -- which sure makes fasting easier!

I am definitely losing fat, visually. My stomach is flatter than it has been in a long time -- and my legs too -- my butt is in that jello/jiggly stage -- ugh! -- and that actually might explain the scale bumps, if that is water filling up the space that fat used to occupy (as Simeons says it does.)

Simeons' science is a bit behind what we know now -- he says that fat cells will be broken down and absorbed by the body when we lose weight (Oh, I WISH!) -- but he had the main points down.

[DisneyPrincess]

No you silly guys! I pushed him in a jogging stroller!! It's still heavy though. The stroller weighs over 25 pounds and Kyle is almost 30 pounds. It's a lot of arm and back muscles being used to maneuver it no way could I carry him that long or far!

[minimonkey]

Star -- I remember going on a diet of my own accord at age 10 -- I'd put on a lot of weight due to the arrival of an abusive presence in my life -- but I remember being teased about it, and going on a diet.

I spent the rest of my childhood on one diet or another -- my mom was always on the fad diet that was popular at the time, and I tried them all with her-- until at age 15, I discovered that straight-up starving worked just fine, and that sent me spiraling into an eating disorder for the next few years

I am rather dreading those first few times in the gym, Star -- I suspect I've lost a ton of strength, too... but there's nothing to do but gain it back.

[minimonkey]

Okay, well that is a tad more sane, Disney -- but still a lot of weight to add to a run!!!

[star a.d.]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

No you silly guys! I pushed him in a jogging stroller!! It's still heavy though. The stroller weighs over 25 pounds and Kyle is almost 30 pounds. It's a lot of arm and back muscles being used to maneuver it no way could I carry him that long or far!

count the exercise as double!

[minimonkey]

Thanks so much, everyone, for all the honesty about body image -- it breaks my heart to read it, on the one hand -- but it also makes me feel much less alone, and it makes me feel some hope that we can heal these wounds.

There have been a few discussions like this in the past -- little bits and pieces -- but then it seems we usually go back to discussing fat, calories, etc. and lose sight of the emotional component -- so it is wonderful that we are taking a look at that piece, and not letting it drop away.

It's the former therapist in me speaking, but I do believe that is the crux of the issue for many of us -- yes, finding a diet plan that works is also necessary -- but the emotional piece of it determines how well we can stay on that plan, whether it is worth the sacrifice, etc.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by star a.d.

good morning, ladies!

I'm near the top of my window today. last night was the first yoga class I've been to in ages, and I can't believe how much strength I've lost over the course of my last HCG round! I think I'm going to do slightly higher (again) calories this next time and maintain my practice, low energy or not.

interesting to read the BDD stories. I grew up with much older siblings. so when I was old enough to notice, I felt inadequate. they were all tall, and had boobs and hips, and I was just this little thing. so I never got used to feeling little. I was marginally chubby as a kid, and was always called fat, which was horrible for me, and it's like part of my brain went "well, I guess we're fat then" and made it so. I went on my first diet at age 9. NINE! my father was a very large man, and our family doctor (a pin-thin JERK) scared my mom into putting me on a diet, despite my age. I have NO idea what it's like to be able to eat like a "normal person", but I think I'd have a lot more mental energy for a lot more things if I could use all that brain space elsewhere. and I've very often pushed people away because of how uncomfortable I am in my skin. it sucks.

wow, vent much? hah!

Wow, Star. That's so young to go on a diet. Talk about messed-up metabolism! You were screwed from an early. How chubby were you? I'll bet you weren't bad at all. My middle sister was always the "big boned one" in our family, but when we look back at pictures of her as a teenager, she was "healthy" but not super fat, by any means. But it still got into her head that she was "the fat one" and it colored her entire life. Naturally, the problem got much, much worse over the years.

I always had a little pouchy belly when I was a kid. It was probably malnutrition because I was a terribly picky eater. My mother would do things like spread mayo on a lettuce leaf to get me to eat something green! I didn't like jelly so she'd make me peanut butter and fluff sandwiches. I remember eating shrimp salad (mayo; always mayo) inbetween two potato chips. It's amazing I wasn't a tub o' lard back then.

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I was thinking the same thing about Disney's run!!! Wowza -- talk about adding weights to your workout! ROCK ON!

Scale was down a tad (.4) from yesterday, but still nearly a pound up from where I was before. I do have those "water retention" lines in my skin, so it pretty much has to be that... but GRRRR nonetheless.

With me, it could always be TOM arriving -- he doesn't have a schedule these days, lol!!

Who knows... I am not going to stress it -- just proceeding as planned with another fast day and cleansing. Still not at all hungry -- which sure makes fasting easier!

I am definitely losing fat, visually. My stomach is flatter than it has been in a long time -- and my legs too -- my butt is in that jello/jiggly stage -- ugh! -- and that actually might explain the scale bumps, if that is water filling up the space that fat used to occupy (as Simeons says it does.)

Simeons' science is a bit behind what we know now -- he says that fat cells will be broken down and absorbed by the body when we lose weight (Oh, I WISH!) -- but he had the main points down.

I remember not long ago that you were saying, "I just want to see the other side of 110!" Well, here you are! Don't forget how hard you worked to get right where you are today. (Speaking to myself here.) WTG on the flatter belly. Sorry about the @$$. (Here we go again!)

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

No you silly guys! I pushed him in a jogging stroller!! It's still heavy though. The stroller weighs over 25 pounds and Kyle is almost 30 pounds. It's a lot of arm and back muscles being used to maneuver it no way could I carry him that long or far!

I thought so. If you could do that without a stroller then you should be Ms. Universe. However, with the weight of the stroller and the baby you did an awesome job

[minimonkey]

Bonnie -- wow, about the bra sizing! I just recently invested in some bras that truly fit -- size 30 DD -- and I had been making do with 32 or 34 D -- wow, the difference a good fitting bra makes!

I can now put the 34s on OVER A SWEATER -- guess those are going in the recycle bin!

I actually think I've lost another band size -- my 30s are getting loose -- and so I probably really need a 28 now -- when I hit goal, I'll measure and order a couple of bras that are the right size -- though I am dearly hoping I will gain a bit of muscle in my back over the coming year-- my back and chest have gotten downright skinny.

[minimonkey]

Oh, Cheryl -- it wouldn't be a proper p2 without me having a crisis or ten about my butt!!! Come on, you guys know you secretly live for my tell-all butt-reshaping exposes!! Admit it!

[star a.d.]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Wow, Star. That's so young to go on a diet. Talk about messed-up metabolism! You were screwed from an early. How chubby were you? I'll bet you weren't bad at all. My middle sister was always the "big boned one" in our family, but when we look back at pictures of her as a teenager, she was "healthy" but not super fat, by any means. But it still got into her head that she was "the fat one" and it colored her entire life. Naturally, the problem got much, much worse over the years.

I always had a little pouchy belly when I was a kid. It was probably malnutrition because I was a terribly picky eater. My mother would do things like spread mayo on a lettuce leaf to get me to eat something green! I didn't like jelly so she'd make me peanut butter and fluff sandwiches. I remember eating shrimp salad (mayo; always mayo) inbetween two potato chips. It's amazing I wasn't a tub o' lard back then.

yup, that's exactly me. I actually did some things in my later teen years that should have landed me in eating disorder treatment. I had NO idea at the time, I just thought I was doing the right thing for my health and weight, hah! 12 or so years later, I was reading an article on eating disorders, and was like "but that's just what I di....ohhhhh, ok." ha! oh retrospect!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

No you silly guys! I pushed him in a jogging stroller!! It's still heavy though. The stroller weighs over 25 pounds and Kyle is almost 30 pounds. It's a lot of arm and back muscles being used to maneuver it no way could I carry him that long or far!

Sorry! I combined the words I put in bold below and it came out differently than what you clearly said:

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

I have so much energy I went ti the store and saw it was almost 70* out so I decided to strap on my sneakers and take Ds for a run. We went 5 miles! He's heavy so it was slow going, but a great run anyways. This might be a fast breaker for me but no hunger to speak of now, just a small headache. If I feel I need something I'll have an apple to start

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Star -- I remember going on a diet of my own accord at age 10 -- I'd put on a lot of weight due to the arrival of an abusive presence in my life -- but I remember being teased about it, and going on a diet.

I spent the rest of my childhood on one diet or another -- my mom was always on the fad diet that was popular at the time, and I tried them all with her-- until at age 15, I discovered that straight-up starving worked just fine, and that sent me spiraling into an eating disorder for the next few years

I am rather dreading those first few times in the gym, Star -- I suspect I've lost a ton of strength, too... but there's nothing to do but gain it back.

I remember doing my first fast thing when I was about 13. Actually, I think it started by an episode of "Mono" and I dropped some weight fast. Then it was like, "Okay! I want more of that." Then of course, the teenager hormones were raging and it was all over from there. Why do girls develop at such an early age? Were we really meant to "procreate" that young?

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Thanks so much, everyone, for all the honesty about body image -- it breaks my heart to read it, on the one hand -- but it also makes me feel much less alone, and it makes me feel some hope that we can heal these wounds.

There have been a few discussions like this in the past -- little bits and pieces -- but then it seems we usually go back to discussing fat, calories, etc. and lose sight of the emotional component -- so it is wonderful that we are taking a look at that piece, and not letting it drop away.

It's the former therapist in me speaking, but I do believe that is the crux of the issue for many of us -- yes, finding a diet plan that works is also necessary -- but the emotional piece of it determines how well we can stay on that plan, whether it is worth the sacrifice, etc.

I totally agree, Mini. It's the engine that's driving our machine, yet we are so out-of-touch with what makes us really tick. If only we could reprogram ourselves! (Let's do our affirmations list!)

[star a.d.]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Oh, Cheryl -- it wouldn't be a proper p2 without me having a crisis or ten about my butt!!! Come on, you guys know you secretly live for my tell-all butt-reshaping exposes!! Admit it!

that's why everyone keeps coming back...for your butt updates! BUPDATES!

everyone has a problem area, right? mine is just everywhere from my neck to my knees, and when I want to buy boots, my calves too! hahahaha!

[minimonkey]

Bonnie -- yes, you can be a "sort-of" liker about the body!

My goal is acceptance -- to try to see my body in a realistic light, and to be happy with my accomplishments rather than obsessive about the flaws that I perceive -- to keep working towards my goals, but not beating myself up in the process --

Like Disney's signature (which I love!) says -- "progress, not perfection."

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Bonnie -- wow, about the bra sizing! I just recently invested in some bras that truly fit -- size 30 DD -- and I had been making do with 32 or 34 D -- wow, the difference a good fitting bra makes!

I can now put the 34s on OVER A SWEATER -- guess those are going in the recycle bin!

I actually think I've lost another band size -- my 30s are getting loose -- and so I probably really need a 28 now -- when I hit goal, I'll measure and order a couple of bras that are the right size -- though I am dearly hoping I will gain a bit of muscle in my back over the coming year-- my back and chest have gotten downright skinny.

You will, Mini. That's funny about the bra over the sweater. Now, just how did you discover that?

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Oh, Cheryl -- it wouldn't be a proper p2 without me having a crisis or ten about my butt!!! Come on, you guys know you secretly live for my tell-all butt-reshaping exposes!! Admit it!

Yeah, but when do we get pictures?

Originally Posted by star a.d.

yup, that's exactly me. I actually did some things in my later teen years that should have landed me in eating disorder treatment. I had NO idea at the time, I just thought I was doing the right thing for my health and weight, hah! 12 or so years later, I was reading an article on eating disorders, and was like "but that's just what I di....ohhhhh, ok." ha! oh retrospect!

I think we've all acted on some "bright ideas" in our day. Anybody here ever tried the Cabbage Soup diet? I did that one right before my wedding. I didn't discover Atkins until 2 years later. Oh, the remorse!

[minimonkey]

Star -- I knew it! I know you ladies all secretly have all my "bupdates" saved in a huge file somewhere.....lol!

Cheryl -- my eating disorder followed a bout of mono, too -- isn't that interesting? I was already trying to lose before that I think, but then the mono really kicked it into high gear. I wonder how much of that was physical effects from the virus itself?

Star -- I have problem calves as well! I have always had a hard time finding boots that fit well -- part of my problem is that I do have big, muscley calves, especially at my higher weights-- but I am also so short, my legs widen out much lower than legs of someone who is taller -- so I end up with boots that are too tight on my calves, but then really loose up around the knee.

I love stretch boots for that reason!!!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by star a.d.

that's why everyone keeps coming back...for your butt updates! BUPDATES!

everyone has a problem area, right? mine is just everywhere from my neck to my knees, and when I want to buy boots, my calves too! hahahaha!

Cute! I have the same distribution of fat. I literally am now wearing a size 8 shoe again and could never understand why I needed 9's during my really big years. My scalp gets tighter on my skull when I'm down at a healthy weight. I can move it around when I'm washing my hair (if I really try.) That tells me more than taking a tape measure to my body parts! Then the real indicator of being near a healthy weight is when the sexy collarbones reappear!

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Bonnie -- yes, you can be a "sort-of" liker about the body!

My goal is acceptance -- to try to see my body in a realistic light, and to be happy with my accomplishments rather than obsessive about the flaws that I perceive -- to keep working towards my goals, but not beating myself up in the process --

Like Disney's signature (which I love!) says -- "progress, not perfection."

So true. To be able to say, "I'm working on it" is like gold. "Monday" never comes.

[minimonkey]

Oh, yeah -- we did the cabbage soup diet for a while -- there was always a crockpot going with that concoction in it. The soup was good, the first few times... but then I got to the point that I'd rather just skip eating altogether. That was one of many, many fad diets along the way.

I didn't discover Atkins in earnest until 2003. I'd tried it once when I was younger -- but I had been underweight at the time, so I didn't lose on it --

[minimonkey]

LOL Cheryl -- you had to ask about the bra over the sweater, didn't you???

I was cleaning out my drawers last week, and I thought "I should probably just get rid of these bras" -- but it was cold, and I didn't want to get undressed... so I just put the darn thing up and around me without taking my sweater off! When it fit loosely over the sweater, I had my answer.

And, as much as I could probably take to wearing them that way, and maybe start a new trend, I am just not quite that "fashion forward".

[CherylB]

When I did Atkins in 1998, I lost 40 lbs in 4 months! And I drank Vodka with Crystal Light every day. (Oh, youth.) On the Cabbage soup diet, I dropped 18 lbs and just barely fit into my wedding gown (which I brazenly ordered 2 sizes smaller than I was at the time.) I got it zipped and I looked amazing in it, but I couldn't raise my arms to wrap them around my hubby's neck when we danced. If I can put the gown on someday and lift my arms up comfortably, I'll know I've arrived.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

LOL Cheryl -- you had to ask about the bra over the sweater, didn't you???

I was cleaning out my drawers last week, and I thought "I should probably just get rid of these bras" -- but it was cold, and I didn't want to get undressed... so I just put the darn thing up and around me without taking my sweater off! When it fit loosely over the sweater, I had my answer.

And, as much as I could probably take to wearing them that way, and maybe start a new trend, I am just not quite that "fashion forward".

Belly-laugh city!

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Star --I am rather dreading those first few times in the gym, Star -- I suspect I've lost a ton of strength, too... but there's nothing to do but gain it back.

The reason I decided to exercise on P2 is very disturbing. While I was living out of country I decided to do HCG. Now, they have the real thing and I saw really good results. Well, I had lost about 15 pounds and decided to get lipo on my stomach and back because everything was shrinking except Melonie the monster/devil.

The docs in this country were excllent because to make a mistake in this country would be a bad thing. The doc was impressed with my weight however, even though I was about 165 pounds the doc told me I had to lose 8 more pounds and I needed to gain 8 POUNDS OF MUSCLE

In the States I was an exercise fanatic however, when I left country it was difficult to find places to execises so I let that go. In addition, I had been on hcg twice and really did not exercise much while in P2. I did lose the weight but my muscle mass just wasn't cutting it.

When I go to the States, I decided to go on hcg again and continue to exercise. Somedays I lost nothing and some days the weight would drop right off. This time I decided to weight train while on P2. Was it difficult? Yes. Sometimes my legs felt like rubber and I had little energy however, I refused to lose any muscle. I thought, at least I would lose inches.

I have not lost all of the weight I want to lose but at least I am a size 8 and have some visible muscle. Protocol does say that a person can exercise while on protocol, just not excessively.

I know exercise stalls some but it is my belief that hcg does contribute to some muscle loss and muscle burns fat.

So, just a thought.

The good thing is the strength will come back after exercising and increasing protein intake.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by bkm

Body image: When I was a kid, I didn't know of anyone who owned a scale - you got weighed at the doctor's each year and that was it. I also don't remember anyone in the neighborhood being particularly overweight - which makes me agree with the researchers who claim that our current weight problem may well be connected to food additives, etc.

And my mother bought all of our clothes (she made our dresses and coats) - huge bags of panties, socks, undershirts - and they were divied up, never knew there were a variety of possible sizes! I was a skinny kid, so much of my life was spent hiking up panties, safety-pinning slips so they didn't fall off, and trying to keep my bra where it was supposed to be (Mom used to buy "formed" bras, 34B - they were sort of a hard cup that broke into lots of smaller pieces after washing - so it was very likely that you looked like you had a "bumby chest" and if the darned thing rode up, you had 4 "bumps" I was fitted for a bra for the first time when I was a senior in college - and I wore a 30D (not a 34B)!

As far as "liking" my own body - can I be a "sort-of" liker? I am pleased with my body - after all, I am 67 years old and have nothing wrong with it, no medications, no disease, no problems - just a few wrinkles - not bad!

But ... I have a belly that I really want rid of ... and I've never been happy when the scale creeps up!

Bonnie, I have no idea how I did this, but I totally missed your post! Sorry for not responding. It was a good post, too! Glad I came across it finally. That's so funny about the formed bras. That's a long time to go without a good-fitting bra, my friend! (I was a 34B and I wore size "B" pantyhose. I've been in "Q's" for so long that it will be shocking to fit into B's again, if I ever do.)

WTG on no diseases, disorders and medications! I'm a semi-liker, too.

[minimonkey]

Hexa -- I have definitely lost muscle this past round -- no doubt about it. If I had been willing/able to exercise during the process, I undoubtedly would not have lost nearly as much muscle mass... but I am also not sure I would have been able to lose the fat/inches/pounds...

So, you did or did not end up getting lipo? It sounds from your post like maybe you didn't -- are you glad about that or not?

I'm not against plastic surgery, at all -- for some people, it really is the answer to living comfortably in their skin. To be honest, if I had lots of disposable income, I'd probably have a lot of tinkering done to my body! (I find the whole process extremely fascinating and appealing.) I've had laser/botox on my face, and it did a lot to reverse some longstanding sun damage -- if I could afford it now, I'd be heading right in for a tune up on that When I had money, I also used to get fillers in my lips and the hollows in my face -- honestly, I loved it, and wish I could do it now.

I am the kind of girl who would be all over every new available treatment if income allowed -- I just know it! I would definitely get my butt fixed!!!!

But (or, uh, butt...) -- since I do NOT have that income, I need to do it the old fashioned way.

I do a lot of home skin-care -- but the professional treatments just are not in the realm of possibility right now.