May!!! Let's Encourage Each Other, Encouragement and Challanges for those over 60 Options

[tipler grannie]

Good Morning Ladies,
I didn't get my baking done yesterday - hubby has a nasty cold and very congested and he didn't want the oven going and heating up the house. So hopefully I will get at it today. The weather is beautiful today - sun shining and supposed to hit around 60. Really great to see the sun after all the dreary weather we had lately. We had snow here last Saturday while I was in Minnesota - nothing that stayed on the ground but it was that cold!! Glad I missed it!

How has everyone been doing? Haven't heard from some of you for awhile! Wish you all a great week.
Kathy

[Attagirl66]

Good Morning, All,

To whomever asked about my knee, it's doing very well. I drive everywhere; my longest trip so far was a three-hour drive to visit friends in Virginia. It was easier than before the surgery because of the absence of pain. I'm still in outpatient PT but hope that will end next week.

As for widows and widowers buying JC food for nutritional purposes, I think it's a good idea if they can afford it. I live in a low-income, senior apartment building, which also has some Section 8 apartments. Many of the residents do not have cars so they could not easily visit JC "centres." And I, for one, don't want to pay for JC shipping costs. With the economy tanking and prices skyrocketing, it's getting difficult for me, and many people here probably are worse off than I am. On the other hand, there is a nearby continuing care community, and those folks are in an entirely different socio-economic class.

My weight loss rate is slowed a little, but last week I lost 1.8 lbs and have 68.8 lbs to go for goal. The PT workout room has mirrors, and that's good because it's a reality check for me to see how far I still have to go.

Best to all,
Mary in Baltimore

[Betty_Jo]

Hello Everyone:

Well yesterday with the realtor was very interesting. My husband and I weren't very happy with the market analysis. It really didn't have enough information in it for us to make a decision. So we are going the route we should have gone in the beginning. We are getting a full blown appraisal, which is expensive, but the realtor will provide it for free if he sells the property. So it's going to be another 10 days or so before we make a final decision. But I have a feeling my husband will want to go anyway. So the answer is going to be yes, no matter what. We just have to get the formalities out of the way.

Mary:

I'm so glad your knee is getting better. Hang in there. The pain will eventually get better. I think your 1.8 pound weight loss is acceptable. At our age, anything in the negative is good !!

Kathy:

The weather has been so dreary here. Rain, rain, rain and thunderstorms. I really don't like living in Kansas much anymore. I won't miss the allergies, the storms, and the extreme heat in the summer. Good to hear your weather is getting better though. That means the atmosphere is getting a lot more stable for all of us when it warms up in the northern part of the US.

Well ladies, I want to wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day. My husband is taking me out to dinner on Tuesday when my new glasses come in so we will miss the crowd. Hope you have a good one.

Betty Jo

[tipler grannie]

Good Morning Ladies,
Not much to report here today - I am off to work shortly but just wanted to check in and wish you all a "Happy Mother's Day".

Betty Jo - Sorry your market analysis wasn't as good as you expected. Hopefully the appraisal will come in with better figures. The weather has really been nasty the past few days but I guess I am thankful that we are only worrying about the below average temps rather that all the storms in the other areas!

Kathy

[Betty_Jo]

Hello Everyone:

Didn't do much for Mother's Day. Stayed home to avoid the crowds. My husband cooked us some chicken on the grill and I added scalloped potatoes and corn. I only had half a cup of the scalloped potatoes and corn. So I stayed within my calorie requirements.

It's beautiful here today. The sky is so blue. Can't believe it. The appraiser is coming today so I guess I better get dressed. Hope everyone is doing well.

Betty Jo

[Jomamad]

Happy Belated Mothers Day to all!

I had a fun day yesterday. Wind was blowing like winter storms! Zowee. Had a little light rain too. But today is absolutely gorgeous and cool here! Love it!!
Saturday, I was feeling down. Dont know why... just happens... but nothing serious. That mothers day commercial on tv is the funniest and I can relate: it shows each mother passing out because her son (daughter) calls. They keep colapsing. Dont know what it advertises... but even tho I get a call, it's a token call if you know what I mean. I'd like to hear from them each month let alone thinking each week they'd care to know how ol' mom & dad are doing. So, Saturday I was throwing a pre-rehearsal pity party. LOL. Anyway, yesterday, our 3 sons called. Son #1 was so funny! Him and his wife, grandson, and granddaughter were in their car coming home from eating -- each one has a cell phone (naturally)... so each one called .. my cell phone was beeping with call holding / call speaking / call coming in.... Then within that, they called the house phone too. We were all laughing so hard! haha! It is still funny to me.... because I was there. Hope you get the picture. Son #2 called after 9pm. It's always, IF they have time. But this was a fun conversation. Son #3 called about 8:30am..... courtesy call. If you know what I mean. Get 'er done early. But, I'm over all of that today. Yesterday was fun, we went to eat at Outback Steakhouse and I actually think I did good. Had steamed veggies... not a thing on them! And 3 thin slices of sirloin... yummy. And I only ate the size of a deck of cards. The baked potatoe was good too -- I guess that wasn't a good thing but I nibbled at it.... OK, now you know TMTH.

And my weight will NOT go down! Today was WI. I lost 1.4 lbs. But only 5 lbs in 6 weeks. I might have gotten help today from a 'fill-in' consultant. She is dropping my calories to 1200. And actually said that if this wasn't my pattern of eating previous to JC, than it might have too much fiber and I get "C'd". (constipated) She said 1200 calories might be enuf because I'm never hungry. She says I might need to feel that hunger pain! Gheez... I wish not..... And since the spring garden work is wrapping up to normal process, I need to add an activity. I used to do yoga... so will look at the tapes and start bending and stretching again.

Mary - glad to hear your knees are doing good. Therapy really helps if you get a good therapist! Your weight loss is good.... better than mine.
I rejoined the JC program (Jenny Direct) at the end of March... rough start with MIA consultant... I thought the shipping was atrocious too. Did it for the month of April. Then stopped by the JC Center about 60+ miles from me last week to get the next 2 week menu. With the cost of gas.... I was in the area that day.... BUT---- be careful! I learned A LOT and have returned to JC Direct. That Center was a 'franchise' (not a corporate owned center). Prices were 10% higher than Jenny Direct. AND they charged tax which is short of 10% for us. There was NO Jenny Rewards program to receive my 10% discount for that trip either. UGH. IT was a very loosing proposition (and not my weight!). I returned to Jenny Direct. The shipping runs $80 a month... 2 shipments.... and, I think, the consultants are more knowledgeable.... and I don't use up my precious (LOL) time!!! Check it out on your end.

Betty Jo -- hope the appraiser did a good job. That will also eliminate that cost from a potential buyers closing costs. My son just went thru the same thing.
Sorry that you weren't happy with the realtors estimate. They do try to make their record look good with a low price and a quick turn around for them and their stats!!! We had a realtor like that once and it was so extremely upsetting!!

Kathy -- where do you work? I'm a late comer and curious. You stay busy! And seem to cook quite a bit. You must have willpower. Thats a good thing!

Arlonne -- where are you?

Have a great week everybody! Hope those pounds melt away..... like throughout the night would be good. HaHa!!
JO

[tipler grannie]

Good Morning Ladies,
I worked all weekend so my hubby took me out for Mother's Day supper yesterday. Other than that I stuck to the program l00% this week and am happy to say that at my WI this morning I was down 4.4#!!! Feels really good to be back on track again!!!

Betty Jo - Hope your appraisal went good. Glad you had a nice Mother's day dinner - you made some really good choices!! I'm hoping I can get hubby to do some cooking on the grill this summer - if it ever warms up around here! I just love the taste of food cooked on the grill - and it is even healthier!

Jo - Glad you got to talk to your kids - having them all call at the same time really does sound hilarious!!
I am currently working at a party store - sell beer, alcohol, chips and all the other goodies. Isn't really hard work at all - basically just check people out and help them find things at times. I retired twice since I sold the Bar and Grill I owned in 2001 but I find myself getting bored when I am not working at all. The job I have now is ideal - I basically work 1 or 2 days a week and fill in at times when it works out with what I have going on. If I don't want to work on a weekend I just have to let them know and I'm off . The gal who is managing the store right now is leaving the end of September and they asked me if I was interested in taking over, but I just don't want to be that committed to a job anymore, especially during the summer months. I enjoy my 4-wheeling too much to not be able to go when we have a nice day!!

Arlonne - haven't heard from you for awhile - how is everything going? Hope you had a great Mother's Day!

Mary - Glad to hear the knee is doing good! I haven't had surgery or anything like that but before I started with Jenny mine were really bad. Now that I have some weight off the joints they are doing much better and my hip is doing much better also. I was so afraid I was going to need replacement surgery of some kind but hopefully now I can get by without it.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Kathy

[Betty_Jo]

Hello Everyone:

Today is a very good day for me. I weighed myself this morning and I had a lose of 4 pounds this week. If I lose 1 more pound next week, I will have made my May 20th challange. Yipee.

I have an interesting theory and I wonder if anyone of you posting here experience what I call a weight loss phenomonem. I noticed during my weight loss journey this time around that I get really sore at times. Mostly in the boob area and the hip area. Sometimes in the arm and leg area too. Now that's nothing new to someone who is exercising I guess, but mostly I just walk or do house chores for my exercise. I live on a farm and there is always something to do in the way of exercise. But here's something I've noticed just recently and I'm wondering if any of you have noticed the same thing. When I get really sore in a certain area, say the boob area for instance, the next day I get up and weigh myself and I will have lost several pounds. Two weeks ago I was really hurting in the hip area and I lost 5 pounds. This week, my boobs were hurting and I lost 4 pounds. So I'm thinking losing weight really hurts. I've never heard that from anyone else, but I'm wondering if we all experience it and just have not made the correlation or we just don't talk about it. I would love to hear from you on this subject.

My July 4th goal will be another 10 pounds off. I hope I can make it. I will be getting pretty close to goal after that challange. My goal is 165.

Kathy:
Girl we are knocking those pounds down, aren't we!!!! I did make great choices on Mother's Day, but we are going to South of the Border on Wednesday. It's very hard to make good choices there. The food is delicious and fattening. I'll have my JC Eating Out guide. I'll use it and take half home. Works everytime.

Jo:
Your family is hilarious. I love what they did. I'm sure you felt special. But don't worry about them not calling too much. I'm sure they love you. It's just hard when you have kids these days. To be a good parent, you have to ever vigilant and they are probably exhausted at the end of the day. I'm glad my son is grown and gone. Do you see them on Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Well ladies. Have a great day. I hope to hear from you again tomorrow.

Betty Jo

[Jomamad]

OK, somebody needs to find Arlonne. I don't remember her saying anything about being away ... but I'm new to you all and cant keep everybody straight.

Betty Jo and Kathy, you are killing me! But, I'm so proud of your weight losses. I was starting to get excited about losing a few pounds this week. I went down 2.5 lbs. -- have to weigh everyday. If I were to only weigh on the WI days and they weren't the 'good' WI days, I'd be totally defeated. This way, I know I've been down and it's just my body bouncing around. I actually hit 226.0 yesterday. Totally elated!!! That is 9 lbs. since April 1st. Not exactly the BIG start that you all had. The funniest thing, I haven't been doing anything the last few days that is as exhausating as the garden work that I was doing. And a few pounds disappeared. Go figure. I setup the dvd player yesterday to do yoga. Oh, how funny!!! I used to do yoga in a class setting. NO way anymore! I cannot even sit with legs crossed on the floor now. And the mirror is there and all's I see is an ol' lady. Sad. But, I can do it in the privacy of my own home just fine.

My neighbor told me about a Dr. Oz (spelling?) that Oprah promotes. And now he has his own show.... I don't know him - don't watch too much TV or Oprah. Anyway, he had 2 truck drivers that were fed a heavy meal (no fruit or veggies) and do little exercise. Cameras were dropped into their stomach's to watch the food digest. One took 26 hours, the other 42 hours to digest that meal. Then they ate fruit and veggies and it dropped the digestion 10-12 hours after eating. I found that interesting. And, he took 4 people with differnt backgrounds to find their 'body aging'. The guy with the 'most fit body' was tested to be aging the fastest. (Looks aern't everything) The lady with lots of facial wrinkles and body was fit was next in line to aging fastest. The doc made their day activity different and added yoga. The lady with the wrinkles started to loose the wrinkles (it was tension) and it slowed down the aging process in the both of them.

Betty Jo - No, I dont see my kids too much. WE escaped from Texas where they all live and moved to TEnn. So, it's just when we can go see them. We went last Christmas and will go down Christmas this year.
That is interesting about your pain vs weight loss. I actually have noticed my boobs hurting... but there's no great weight loss here. Just a different diet. But if you think about it, there could be a corelation.
Ok - when you go out to eat and take half home, when do you eat it? I just let the waiter take it. Just curious.

Kathy - you have great energy levels! 1-2 days work a week is enough work after a certain time in our lives. And I love riding bikes but cant anymore. So, greatly love you ride a 4 wheeler. Speaking of working - I got my notary certificate and want to do home mortgages and other documents that you get called for. You can set your own hours and the pay is pretty good.... nothing compared to the $2 for normal notary stuff.

WEll, I'm going to do P.M. Yoga (before bedtime). Never did that one before. Want to see if it is relaxing.
JO

[Betty_Jo]

OK, somebody needs to find Arlonne. I don't remember her saying anything about being away ... but I'm new to you all and cant keep everybody straight.

Betty Jo and Kathy, you are killing me! But, I'm so proud of your weight losses. I was starting to get excited about losing a few pounds this week. I went down 2.5 lbs. -- have to weigh everyday. If I were to only weigh on the WI days and they weren't the 'good' WI days, I'd be totally defeated. This way, I know I've been down and it's just my body bouncing around. I actually hit 226.0 yesterday. Totally elated!!! That is 9 lbs. since April 1st. Not exactly the BIG start that you all had. The funniest thing, I haven't been doing anything the last few days that is as exhausating as the garden work that I was doing. And a few pounds disappeared. Go figure. I setup the dvd player yesterday to do yoga. Oh, how funny!!! I used to do yoga in a class setting. NO way anymore! I cannot even sit with legs crossed on the floor now. And the mirror is there and all's I see is an ol' lady. Sad. But, I can do it in the privacy of my own home just fine.

My neighbor told me about a Dr. Oz (spelling?) that Oprah promotes. And now he has his own show.... I don't know him - don't watch too much TV or Oprah. Anyway, he had 2 truck drivers that were fed a heavy meal (no fruit or veggies) and do little exercise. Cameras were dropped into their stomach's to watch the food digest. One took 26 hours, the other 42 hours to digest that meal. Then they ate fruit and veggies and it dropped the digestion 10-12 hours after eating. I found that interesting. And, he took 4 people with differnt backgrounds to find their 'body aging'. The guy with the 'most fit body' was tested to be aging the fastest. (Looks aern't everything) The lady with lots of facial wrinkles and body was fit was next in line to aging fastest. The doc made their day activity different and added yoga. The lady with the wrinkles started to loose the wrinkles (it was tension) and it slowed down the aging process in the both of them.

Betty Jo - No, I dont see my kids too much. WE escaped from Texas where they all live and moved to TEnn. So, it's just when we can go see them. We went last Christmas and will go down Christmas this year.
That is interesting about your pain vs weight loss. I actually have noticed my boobs hurting... but there's no great weight loss here. Just a different diet. But if you think about it, there could be a corelation.
Ok - when you go out to eat and take half home, when do you eat it? I just let the waiter take it. Just curious.

Kathy - you have great energy levels! 1-2 days work a week is enough work after a certain time in our lives. And I love riding bikes but cant anymore. So, greatly love you ride a 4 wheeler. Speaking of working - I got my notary certificate and want to do home mortgages and other documents that you get called for. You can set your own hours and the pay is pretty good.... nothing compared to the $2 for normal notary stuff.

WEll, I'm going to do P.M. Yoga (before bedtime). Never did that one before. Want to see if it is relaxing.
JO

Hi Jo:

I think 2.5 pounds lost is very respectable. That's usually about what I average. I've lost 50 in 20 weeks. So my average is 2.5 pounds. Everyone loses differently. I never let some elses weight loss effect me negatively. I use it to encourage me and that's all. I still have 35 pounds to lose. I usually make smaller goals so that I don't get discouraged also. I have a couple. I'm just about to dip below 200 pounds. I weigh 201 right now. So I'm working on my short term goal of getting below 200. After that my next short term goal will be 186 pounds. That will get me 3/4 of the way to goal !!! It's only 14 pounds. Then my next short term goal will be to get to 180 pounds. After that I will only be 15 pounds from my goal weight. If you had told me I would be there last December, I would have said I don't think so, but JC has really helped me to stay on program. The only thing that is really different is the fact that I'm not doing it alone this time. I'm losing weight with friends. The therapy of doing it with friends really helps.

By the way, I learned about something really helpful from another person I converse with on the message boards. Now that I am more than half-way to goal, I'm doing some cooking for myself. So I'm really interested in the calorie content of things especially if I'm eating out or if I'm trying a recipe from my cookbook and I don't know how many calories it has in it per serving. This site and I'll give you the address (http://caloriecount.about.com) does all that and more. It even grades how healthy your recipe is. I'm very excited about it. Go in and take a look. You might be able to use it later or if you eat out.

I wanted to tell you that I think Arlonne is probably visiting her grand children or on vacation. I remember she said something about going somewhere. I just don't remember when. She should be back pretty soon.

Well, I hope you have a great week and a great weigh in. Take care.

Betty Jo

[tipler grannie]

Good Morning Ladies,
Yesterday was a beautiful day here and I spent most of it outside working in my weed-flower beds. I got quite a bit accomplished but not done yet. I would take breaks and sit by my patio table and watch the birds. I've really got lots of pretty ones coming into the feeders this year - Orioles, cardinals, indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks and mony others. Saw my first hummingbird for the year. I have to work this evening and tomorrow I am headed down to Appleton for a baby shower for my first great-grandchild. I will be staying overnite and hope to vist some of the family while I am down there.

Betty Jo - Congrats on another great loss. You are really rocking! I am doing the spring into summer challange and I am hoping to reach my goal of 215 by then. My next goal will be to hit onderland by my birthday in August, and then hopefully be close to my goal on my one year anniversary with Jenny the end of September. I haven't noticed any different aches in my body - just the normal ones in my back, knees and hip, but they are getting to be less and less frequent! I twisted my knee really good last week when I was out filling my bird feeders and it is still pretty sore. Seems like the walking up and down hills really bothers it a lot.

Jo - congrats on the great weight loss! 2.5# is awesome. I find I tend to have one good week a month and the other weeks I usually just lose a little or just maintain. I've even had a few weeks with a gain lately but that was because of my own doing! I lost quite a bit my first month on Jenny - mostly fluids - and since then I would say I average 1 - 2 # a week which I am quite happy with. I am experimenting with the MOMO's more now and seem to be doing O.K. with them except for ocassionaly when we go out to eat. I am staying away from the fried foods and desserts at least and I have to stay away from the salt! When I have anything salty at all I swear I can gain 2-3# just like that and my hands swell up really bad! The yoga sounds interesting! I think if I got down on the floor with my legs crossed I would be there the rest of my life!!! I'm not very good at doing anything down on the floor - just too dang hard to get up again! I do my sit-ups and leg lifts laying on the bed so I don't have to worry about how I am going to get up again.

Arlonne - Hope everything is going good with you!

Hope everyone has a great day. Hopefully I will have a chance to check in with everyone again tomorrow before I leave.
Kathy

[Betty_Jo]

Hi Everyone:

Well today is a great day. According to the about.com site, I am now considered a moderately overweight person instead of an obese person now Yes!!!! That obese thing really worried me. I don't like that word. Now I can say I'm no longer obese. Also, I measured and I've lost a total of 28.5 inches since I started JC. I'm still a long way from where I want to be though. I've still got to lose 6 inches in my hips, 9 inches in my abdomen, 9 inches in my waist, and 5 inches in my bust. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm in no hurry. Never in a hurry. The longer it takes me to lose it and get in shape the better I'll be at maintaining my weight when I get there .

Kathy:

Do you realize that you have already almost lost 100 pounds. That's amazing girl. You are my idol. Have you been putting your stats in the JC site. I have been and it gives me my BMI everytime I enter my new weight. I like being able to look at it go down, down, down. !!

Do you have any favorite weight loss tips that you want to share? I'd would be interested in knowing exactly what you are doing to lose the weight. There might be something I can incorporate into my lifestyle.

Hi Jo, Arlonne, and Mary. Where are you. We would love to hear from you again.

Betty Jo

[MimiJo]

Good morning, Sexy 60s!!

I'm brand-new - don't even have my food yet. It will arrive on Tuesday, but I'm spending today looking around the Jenny website and getting to know all about it. I'm so happy to have found your board. I'm 61, need to lose about 80 pounds!!!! I'm married (42 years) have two grown kids and 3 beautiful grandkids. I think I've been on every weight-loss program known to man, and have always lost weight - just can't keep it off. I just canNOT bring myself to count points again. My daughter-in-law's mom lost about 50 pounds on Jenny last year and loved it - so here I am. I'm excited, looking forward to getting to know all of you, and to losing this weight, once and for all!!

I see you have another "Jo" here - so I'll be TallJo. I'm 5'10" - or 5'11", depending on who's doing the measuring. LOL

Jo

[Jomamad]

Wow, 2 Jo's. Yeah, that will be confusing because we have quite a few things that are almost alike.
I will be 61 in August. (Hey, Kathy, when is yours in August? MIne is Aug. 11) And we've been married 42 years (43 years on July 10). I need to loose about 80 lbs too - which would put me 155-160 goal. Although I'll be grateful to loose more! That would put me at the high 'normal' for my size range. And I'm 5'9". Our little bit of differnce: we have 3 sons (in 3 years) and 6 grands. I did JC in 1993 and 1994 (4months each year) and back then it was to only loose 20 - 30 lbs. Far from that now. I had gotten discouraged because I could not break the 180 plateau. Just hoping and praying that doesn't happen this time. JC does have a wonderful retraining program about food, portion size, and things you can understand. I really do not get the 2starch, 3 protein, 8 water thing. I just want to get to shrink my stomach, weight, and mindset. My nickname is Jomama because so many kids kept trying to crawl into our house when our sons were younger. We actually have 1 'daughter' that we were her legal guardians. We never did the foster children route yet had 2 foster children that crawled in there. They were from foster families that abused them. And then several others that needed a family influence. At school, it was like "Who do you call?"....... Jomama.

Do you do Jenny Direct? or a Jenny Center? I did a Jenny Center in 1993-94 in Texas. Now do the Jenny Direct since we moved to Tenn. and the 'local center' is 120+ miles RT from here. I actually tried that center one time. Went back to 'Direct".

Betty Jo -- WAY TO GO, Girlfriend!!! Moderate Weight..... I can only imagine! And those measurements... yup, I can only imagine. Funny thing.... when the consultant sent me a measurement form.,.... because I never got one originally..... I told her at 60 yrs old, I don't worry about that bikini anymore. Altho, it sounds like you might throw that theory out the window! Good thing!!

Kathy -- your loss is fantastic!!! What more can I say. Do you find that you have more energy? Or is it still hit the ball and drag the body to do all of that weeding? I have been gardening and it seems like such a challenge to get motivated. Nothing like it used to be when I was busting to get outside to do the gardening..... several pounds ago.

Where's Barb and Mary? And hope Arlonne has lots of good stories when she returns.

JO (as in JOmama)

[MimiJo]

Jomama - we sure do have a lot in common! For one thing, I think we're the last two females in the world who have been married for 42 years!!

I love that you "foster" children, even if unofficially. I live next door in NC - and I work for NC Guardian ad Litem. We are court advocates for children who are in State custody because of abuse or neglect - so I really REALLY appreciate good foster families, and a pox on the others!

I will be doing Jenny Direct - and I've got a lot of questions. 1) Do I have to order all the food they suggest, or can I just order lunches and dinners and do my own lo-cal cereal for breakfast and my own snacks? It's pretty pricey, and I can see I'm going to be looking for some cost savers before too many months. 2) Do you all like the hot breakfasts (Sunrise sandwich, etc.) or the cereals better? This first time out, I just let them send me whatever they wanted (they said they send the optimum menu for weight loss the first time around). It all sounds pretty good, but by looking at the food lists I think I would like some other things better.

Any tips y'all can give me will be appreciated!!

TallJo

[Betty_Jo]

Hi TallJo:

Welcome to JC. Tips? Oh wow. Do we have tips on this thread. But first I've got to tell you that we are very similiar too. I'm 61, been married for 30 years (you got me beat there), 5'8" tall, and I had 85 pounds to lose when I started in December of 2007. I've lost 50 pounds in 20 weeks. I'm very impressed with the JC program. I've never done this well on any other program. But one thing is very different for me this time. Mindset!! I'm tired of being overweight. And I'm tired of being tired of being overweight. In general I'm sick of dieting. So this time, I looked for a program that I thought I could live with for life. I love sweets and when I saw the JC commercials on TV, I couldn't believe that I could have my sweets and still lose weight. But I've learned that it is possible. I really think that was a lot of why I couldn't maintain. Because I always felt deprived if I couldn't have certain things and then I would binge. Consequently, I was on the yo-yo program most of my life. Now I can see that I can live with JC and the way I'm eating. So I know this is for a lifetime instead of just to lose weight and regain it. And I feel so empowered. I just wish I would have found JC years ago.

Here's some things I've learned along the way. I've picked them up off the message boards. I'm usually in here just about every day.

1. Make small goals and reward yourself with non-food items. I made 10 pound goals.

2. Pay close attention to the portions JC puts in their meals. Burn them in your memory and any time you eat meals on your own replicate those portion sizes.

3. Come into the chat room and message boards every day. It keeps me focused and hopefully it will do the same for you.

4. Eat lots of veggies and drink lots of water. I was hungry the first two weeks, but eventually the hunger went away. I'm never hungry anymore. Also, exercise will speed up your weight loss. I do natural exercise in the form of gardening, cleaning, etc. I also take walks with my dogs. They love it and it helps me. But, I've never been very good at jumping on a machine and just exercise. My exercise has to have a purpose to make me happy.

5. And finally, don't let negative thoughts invade your mind. When I first started JC, I almost quit because I had myself convinced I could do this program on my own . Thank goodness I didn't do that because I've never been able to do a program on my own ever. But those are the types of thoughts that will invade your mind. So, anytime a negative thought enters my mind now, I just say to myself, I'm on this program for life so there is no hurry to get to where I want to be. It's worked great. I've got 35 pounds to go, but I'm not worried about when I am going to get there because I'm not going off JC. I'm more than half way to goal, so I get to cook Meals on My Own JC style. But don't start doing that until you get at least half way to goal. You need to learn portion sizes and get your bad eating habits under control and eating JC's food will help you to do that.

Well, TallJo, I hope some of these things help you and I wish you luck at your first weigh in. Come back often and let us know how you are doing.

Betty Jo

[Jomamad]

Very good points from BettyJO. Funny how many "Jo's" there are here.

I like to do natural exercise... because that is part of my life. A beautiful yard, a clean house, and happy dogs! I used to do yoga in a class structure ... now, I started looking at a few dvd's that I have to do it in the privacy of my own home. Talk about laugh! I cannot even sit on my own tail bones now. What happened? Please don't answer that. Actually, I left the class structure because the fat started getting in the way of my flexible body. I let fat control me! And now we are in a battle... I will win!

Also -- take heed on doing food control on your own..... don't! You sound like me. I h-a-t-e the shipping charges. If you do your menu with Jenny Direct for the month (rather than 2 weeks), shipping is better. Do we all pay the same? I pay $80 per month. They ship 2 x's per month tho (and that's a good thing!). I started my first relationship with JC in 1993. Ate properly but could not break past 180lbs. Got discouraged. BUT, I did learn so much! IN those days, I went to the local center (another state, a large city) and we could attend 'classes' and buy tapes and stuff. Then in 1994 I returned. Renewed mindset. But tried to cook too fast on my own and put my own breakfast together. Even lunches. Because I knew the Jenny way. Not. I just upped and left with the same plateau 180 lbs. This time, JC Direct with Jenny Rewards Program (you get discounts as you go through the weeks). Did you join that program for $99? Well, after the first month, I decided to drive 60+ miles (120+ miles RT) to the 'local' Jenny Craif Center! haha! Foolish me. They are a franchise. I paid 10% more and 10% tax (our tax rate is 9.75%). They do not do the Rewards Program.... I quickly returned to Jenny Direct. BTW, there are Jenny Centers that are franchise owned and corporate owned. Franchise centers set their own rules.

I'm a little jealous - optimum menu for weight loss the first time around - I did not get on that rapid start and still struggle. I have only loss 7 lbs in 7 weeks. I get very constipated!!! Did I say VERY? And you'd think veggies and fruit would do the trick. I've found out that the heavier I exercise by doing yard work, the less I lose. My girlfriend does Jenny (in the large state in a large city) and they said I needed to drink more water to flush out the water retension in the muscle from gardening. No big result yet.

This list "Over 60's" has many good friends that have made it to goals that you and I are still obtaining. So, my advice is to stick with the Direct program..... You actually pay the same shipping no matter how much food you purchase. So, if you go to your local store and buy lo-cal foods, you dont save a big amount. I do not get the syrups or the salad dressings from Jenny ..... minor items. And I don't care for their stuffed sandwiches (B or L). And there are a few items that I love and schedule more in my plan. After this month - a good start - you can modify next month's plan to remove the yukkies and add the goodies. They work with you great!

AND ONE more thing !!!! IF your JC Consultant is not your type, request another consultant!!!! They have some fabulous consultants and I had to change from one that should not have her job, to a star coach for me. Same story for several!

Good Luck!!!
Jo (as in Jomama)

[jaftx]

Howdy from another newcomer to Jenny Craig. I just started on Thursday, and so far it is not bad food.

Just a bit about myself, I am 66, and just celebrated our 48th year of marriage! Some people probably think it is weird we have been together this long!

I was reading some of the posts, and I am like others, a bit too far to go with the meetings, so I do the Jenny Craig Direct myself. It is not too cheap, DH let me know about that! The shipping for the whole month being the $80 was not explained when I joined, and I thought it was for the one time shipping, that was a shocker! Then when I talked to some one at Jenny Craig they explained the bill to me. I am afraid I did not have a counselor call until after I had signed on.

I was wondering about changing conselors, the one that called had to cut me off asking questions, she "had other calls to make" I hope it was a one time thing, otherwise I may have to get a new one.

I am half way between Austin and San Antonio Texas, so any one in the area let me know, would love to chat.

Do any of you have medical problems, that make some of the plan hard to do? I do have a heart condition, and I cannot do exercise, but walking the Dr. said was good for me. My main problem is eating at the times they think you eat. I am a caregiver to our 43 year old son who became a "low Level Quadrapalegic" at the age of 19. He is able to move his arms and above his shoulders, but not his hands. I am his hands and feet, so I do have to get him dressed, up and in his wheelchair each morning and the reverse each night.

Our sleeping arrangements make it a late night, DH and I rarely get to bed before midnight, and I don't get up until 9 the next day. The son has a medical program that we do every 3red night and that takes him and I till 4-5 AM the next morning. I usually end up eating Breakfast at lunch time. I am trying to schedule it so I get either the lunch or dinner at a later time at night so I at least get all three meals.

I am yakking too much maybe, and not about the diet plan! Sorry. I just wanted to let you know I think I will like this forum and plan on visiting every day or more.

[MimiJo]

It's really fun getting to know all of you - you sound just like my friends right here at home!!

Nobody told me about the $80 shipping. When I asked how much the shipping is, she just said "it's built into the cost of the food". After I signed up, though, I did call a Centre (closest one about an hour from me) and asked about the price difference if I switched to a Centre and came to pick up my own food every two weeks. According to her, it would only be about $10-15/month difference, because they do taxes and their cost is a little higher. I figure with gas at its current price - plus the convenience of delivery right to my door - I'll just stick with Jenny Direct.

I did the Rewards thing - $399, then you get the discounts on food. Renewable each year for $39, forever I guess. I am DETERMINED this time to stick with it, I'm sick sick sick of being fat.

I'll check in with y'all when I can, but don't look for me much except on Wednesday and weekends. The other four weekdays don't allow much computer time, and I can't get on "forbidden websites" from work.

TallJo

[tipler grannie]

Good Morning Everyone!
Wow - gone a couple of day and look at all the activity here! Welcome Tall Jo and Jaftex! This is an awesome program and very easy to follow. My suggestion would be to try all the foods and after that you can personalize your menu. Everyone likes different things so after you have tried the different foods you can then just order the items you like. There are a few items I don't care for at all and do not get but I try to order a large variety just so I don't get sick of eating the same old thing all the time. Whether you are doing Jenny Direct or going to a center make sure you get a counsellor you like. I makes all the difference in the world if you have someone you like talking to. If you don't click with the one you have ask for a different one. If you have the rewards program the food does get much more reasonable after you start getting the discounts. Also, I buy my own syrup, dressings, cereal and many of the snacks on my own. And now that I made my halfway goal I do meals on my own so I am only getting one food shipment a month and that cuts down on the shipping costs.
Jeannine - Hope that is correct! When I started I had very high blood pressure and had to get my doctors permission to do this program. Since then I am down to about 1/4 meds I was taking when I started. Walking is always good exercise and swimming is also good if your doctor ok's it for you. I actually don't get in a lot of excersizing but am getting a little better at it now that I have some of the weight off.
Jo- I still have to take my breaks when I am out gardening. My back and knees can still just take so much at a time but I am finding I can do a lot more this year than I could a year ago! I have a lot more energy but the joints still start aching after so much and then it is time to take a break!
Tall Jo - I too have tried just about every weight loss program available and I find this the best ever! Right now I am at the lowest I have been since back in my high school days. I have lost a little on other programs only to get sick of the food and frustrated and would end up putting it all back on plus! The thing I like about this program is that you can eat just about anything - just in moderation - and if I have a day when I am off program I have no problem getting back on program cause I actually like the food!
Betty Jo - I just checked out my stats and I guess I didn't even realize I was almost l00# down from my heaviest! As of right now I have lost 64# since I started with Jenny last September - the rest I had lost about 3 years before that when I was doing Atkins. I had actually lost about 50# at that time but ended up putting 20# back on again after I quit. I had gotten off program during the Christmas holidays that year and just couldn't make myself follow that program again. This program is so much easier to follow and so much better for a person health-wise! I just can't express how much I like this lifestyle! Like you, I don't care how long it takes to get to goal right now. As long as I can keep going down little by little I will be prefectly happy. When I do have a week with a gain or no loss I just make sure I follow the program l00% the following week and I get back on track before I end up gaining to much and get to the point where I want to give up. I allow myself a couple of treats when I am away from home and traveling - cappuccino's are a big downfall for me - glad we don't have any of those fancy coffee places around here!!
Arlonne - how are things going with you? Hope to hear from you soon!

Hope everyone has a great day and a good WI this week. I have my WI tomorrow morning so will check in then and let you know how good or bad I did over the weekend.
Kathy