Good Morning Ladies,
It's hard to believe it's November Already!!!

Here is the new thread for the month and hopefully we will all check in often to encourage each other to reach our goals!! For myself, I am going to try to refocus and try to find some physical activity to help with the weight loss. Now that the nice weather is gone and the garden and canning etc. is done I need to find something to do to keep more active. Much of the exercise is out for me because of my bad back. I will get out and walk for now till the snow starts falling and the road get to slippery to walk on. My knees and back don't do well with walking on the uneven surfaces. Then I will have to find some other activity to keep me going!!!

Wishing you all a great month and look forward to hearing from all of you!!!
Kathy

P.S. - Betty Jo - I see you also joined the New Years Challange - That will put you at your goal weight by the New Year!! Let's Go Girl!!!!

Hi Kathy:

Thanks for starting the new thread.

Yes, I did join the New Year's challange because the 60's crowd isn't really that active right now and I need the support. I'm excited. I want to get to my goal weight so that I can get started on maintenance. I rested a little while and I think the challange is just what I need to push to the finish. I plan to walk until the snow flies too. Then I will use my treadmill and do my walking tape when it's too bad to get outside. It's not as interesting, but I'm glad I have those two things to resort to when it's to cold to be outsdie. If I plateau during the next two months, I'll change things up a bit by changing my calories and exercise. So I have a plan. I know it's going to work. I just have to work the plan. I'm almost out of JC food so I don't want to reorder. That's a motivator for me too. I will be cooking all JC food out of the cookbooks after I go on maintenance.

Good luck on your New Year's challange. We are veterans at this losing weight thing and I know we can do this together.

Betty Jo

Good Morning Everyone,
It is a beautiful day here in Northern Wisconsin!!! After I go vote I hope to spend some time outdoors and enjoy the great weather while we have it!!! By the weekend we will probably be getting snow.

Betty Jo - Boy, you are really doing lots of MOMO's ! I don't trust myself yet to do so many on my own!! I do most of the breakfasts and snacks and some lunched and dinners on my own, but I still like the convenience of having the pre-made meal. When I make something I really like for hubby and son, I tend to eat too much - especially when it comes to the potatoes!! I am doing better with it and I guess I will have to work on that some!

I have WI tomorrow and I am hopefully going to be able to report a loss - 2 weeks in a row!!! Will check in then and let you know how it goes!
Kathy

Good Morning Everyone,
WI this morning and happy to have a loss to report. Not the biggest one but smaller ones two weeks in a row which is a first in a long time for me!!! I lost 1.4# this week and think I have finally got myself back on track again.

Betty Jo - Yes, we are veterans at this and I know we can do it!! You are so close to your goal - I am feeling a little envious! But I am determined that I will eventually make it there too!!
Kathy

Boy, you all are quiet!!!!
Well, I was depressed the last few weeks. Not sure I'm out of this frump yet. Just don't get enuf stuff done in my life. Everything is just routine and nothing else accomplishd. Ok, enuf. I'll live. This is not life threatening... just a bad frump.

BUT..... I lost a couple more pounds. 205. My weight just bounces after losing a few pounds. It drives me nuts but I'm getting use to it. I had gone down to 206 and bounced up to 210 (in 4 days). Definitely not fat weight but it gets to ya' after awhile. Tomorrow is WI.... I hope it's not a bump up.

I hear you all about joining another group to try to lose pre holiday pounds. Thought about it myself. I love your determination! And wish you all a positive outcome.

This is going to be a rough Tday / Christmas timeframe because we're traveling. We are going to DisneyWorld with our son, DIL, and grandson for Tday. We'll be gone 2 weeks. The balance of that time will be with cousins who 'eat well'. Ugh! And hopefully, at Christmas, we'll go to Texas to spend another 2 weeks with our children and families. I really wanted to be 185. hahahahahaaaa!!!! excuse me there. I always miss my goals. just another frump to add to my pile. Actually I can't wait to get to January and put my mind back to a Jenny life.

Ok, I've expressed my self pretty good (bad).
Hope you all are losers!
Jo

Hello Everyone:

It's raining here. Yuk!!! Maybe some bad weather coming too. I'm not ready for this, but I can just stay home. Thank goodness for that. My days of having to drive in times of bad weather are over. I can stay home.

I'm getting ready to take up some size extra large jeans (never been worn) I bought because they are way too big for me. About 5 inches too big in the hips, I think. I'm not sure you can take up jeans that far and have them still look good, but I'm willing to try. The lady at the dry cleaners said, get new ones. They're the jeans I bought as a reward when I got below 200 pounds. Well, now I'm at 175 and they are really big. So what do you ladies think? Should I ditch them or fix them? They're too pretty to ditch in my opinion. The pants and the jacket are embellished with embroidery. Anyone out there have experience with taking up pants?


Betty Jo

Hi,

It's raining here in Oregon too. Buy some new ones, it makes you feel good. List the pants and jacket on eBay. I resisted shopping for new clothes for quite some time thinking I didn't want to spend a bunch of money until I reached goal. Am now 4lbs from goal and have been shopping many times. I usually buy just a few things off the clearance racks to get by and now am enjoying the idea of getting down to the next size. Enjoy, keep up the good work.

P.S.: I started at 215 am now 149. You can do it!

Good Morning Ladies,
WI a day late this week and I still only lost .6# but is still a loss. Actually, I'm happy to be able to post a loss at all considering I went out last Saturday and had a few too many coctails. I had planned on having a couple but that led to more. I told my son I would pick him up after I got done working, and when I got there my granddaughter and her friends were there celebrating the birthday of one of the younger girls I work with so I ended up celebrating with them. Glad I don't do that too often anymore!! The next day really sucks!!!

Betty Jo - If you are a good seamstress, I would definitely try taking in the jeans. I guess a lot would depend on how they fit in the waist - redoing the waistband can be a problem depending on what type of waistband it is. If they don't turn out alright you can always get rid of them after trying, and if you really like them I think it's worth the try.

Jo - good to hear from you again. I've had the frumps quite a bit lately myself. We've had so many dreary rainy and snowy days it is really getting depressing. And I am finding myself sitting in the house being bored and depressed. I really wish there was something else around here for entertainment other that going to one of the local establishments (bars)!! I owned a bar a few years ago and I am really missing my social life bad - especially in winter when there's not much to do around here. During the summer I had my garden and canning to keep me busy and I am really missing it all. I will be struggling with Thanksgiving some but we will be eating here so I have a plan in mind and will have foods here that I can eat without going off program too bad. My biggest problem is eating when we are traveling too so just try to make the best choices you can. One of my favorites when eating out is a chef salad and most places have some fat-free dressings nowdays. Bring along what Jenny food you can and just watch your portions when eating out. Hopefully, with the traveling you will be getting a little extra exercise to make up for a couple of extras. Good Luck!

Linnova - good to hear from you and congrats on your losses!! And only 4# more to lose till goal - you are awesome!!! Have you lost it all doing Jenny? Your profile says newbie so how long have you been on program?
Hope to hear more from you.
Kathy

Hello Everyone:

I'm happy to report, I lost 3 pounds this week. I am now 7 pounds from my goal weight. Yahoo!!! I'm trying to make it to my goal weight by New Years. We'll see!

Thanks for the ideas on the jeans. I think I might put them on Ebay. They've never been worn.

Lots of luck to all of you.

Betty Jo

Betty Jo -- YOU go GIRL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How many calories are you doing now? How wonderful!

Are you kidding me????!!!! My suggestion: do not alter those jeans. and I sew. Jeans are one self-destruct pants (with heavy french seams, etc) .... BUT, I do like the eBay suggestion! Or, take that outfit to a local consignment / resale shop. That's where I'm shopping these days..... And I think more are going to. In Austin, you could get the RICH girls clothes there!!! And look like this year's fashions. And your outfit is definitely this years fashion.

Well, thats the way I feel with clothes. I'm trying to get ready for DisneyWorld trip..... clothes are a nightmare! Got to have enuf for a week. But then I can wash at cousins house.

Me: dripping with weight envy!!!


Kathy -- that's not bad! .6#s You musta' lost the alcohol weight. Jenny Craig use to use that term ... and I don't remember what it was... for the alcohol caloric content. She use to have a tape on it. Scared me... so, I hardly ever drink wine because it was higher than a sugar count.... Do you get what I'm meaning? Sorry it is so vague. Maybe that will help. I do know what you mean that those are the friendly places to hang out. Even in BIG cities. Remember "Cheers"?

I decided to take Jenny breakfasts and lunches with me to Florida. Will not be able to do Jenny at DisneyWorld... but will do it at hubby's cousin's house. (Is that a grammatical 2 possession phrase?) They are binge eaters. But since they are in bad health, I'm thinking I'l volunteer to cook dinners...... than I have control. Man! Do they eat! We usually are glad to leave. ha! NR. They are dear people. We will be there for over a week.

I went on the Mayo Clinic website... looking up weight loss. They sell dvd's and books... Most have 30 min. YOGA session on the dvd's. The diabetes and weight loss dvd's have the same yoga workout... on DIGESTION. They also focus on stress causing diabetes... and I have to watch my sugar levels... hubby has diabetes. Girls, I really believe that is what is helping me get this rolling.
And, I'm eating Activia yogurt. Have you tried that? It tastes better than regular yogurt! and I love organic yogurts. was very leery of Activia. Why go regular vs organic? My girlfriend told me to try it. it is my mid-morning snack everyday! But, I'm stil constipated! gheez.

Jo

p.s. BTW, it's raining here too!

Betty Jo - WOW - 3# in one week - that is so cool!!! It's been a while since I have had a really good week but I have no one to blame but myself. I've started re-arranging furniture and scrubbing walls this week just to get in some activity so hopefully that will help with my next WI. I am going to move my treadmill into the bedroom so I can watch TV or listen to music while I am walking on it but first I have to rearrange a few things to be able to get it in there!!

Jo - Sounds like you have a good plan in mind for Florida. Stick to it and you will do just fine!!! I am going to check out the Mayo website. I've been looking for a tape called "Yoga for the rest of us" which is supposed to be good for people like me who have problems with the joints and some of the moving the other exercise tapes require. Maybe I can find it there.

Have a great week everyone!!

Kathy

Hello Everyone:

Thanks for all the attagirls. I appreciate the support I find here on the message boards. I noticed that there is a pattern to my weight loss and if you check my stats below, you will see what I mean. I usually plateau for 3-4 weeks and then I have a loss. So my next loss should be sometime in December. I'm hoping for at least another 3 pounds and that will put me really close to my goal weight.

I think walking has helped me more than anything else on my weight loss journey. I walk quite a bit and have recently started walking more this fall--about three miles, three times a week. So about 9 miles a week. I'm sure that's why I lost weight this month because I really have not decreased my calories much. I'm eating 1,700 calories per day, only because I don't want to lose quickly. I'm trying to firm as I lose and that seems to be working better for me. When I was on 1,500 calories per day, I was losing like a crazy woman.


Linnova:

Welcome and congrats on a fantastic weight loss. Thanks for the support. Maybe we can make it to goal together. How many calories are you eating at this point in the program? I'm sure you've made lots of changes.

I started out at 250 pounds in December 2007. I'm now 172. I'm tall, so I only need to lose another 7 pounds to get to my goal weight of 165 pounds. That's at the top of my range for my height of 5'8". I don't want to go any lower than 165. It will be much too hard to maintain that weight at my age. I feel so much better on so many levels. When I first started on JC, I couldn't even go up and down steps. I had to take them one at a time because my hips would hurt me. Now I fly up and down them with no trouble. I have read so many times that obesity causes so many health issues. I can look back now and I can see everyone of them. I couldn't walk any distance without tripping before I started JC. Now I don't trip at all when I walk. I think I was dragging one or both of my feet when I walked, which is pretty dangerous if you are older. It would be very easy to break a hip or something. I started out on the treadmill because I was afraid of uneven ground. Then I graduated to the outdoors. My dogs love it because they are my walking partners. I walk a mile and a half with each of them for a total of 3 miles and I do it about 3 times a week right now.

Well, I wish you much luck for the next 4 pounds. I'm sure you will get there. Your body has to be ready to turn lose of the weight, so don't get too impatient. I get impatient sometimes. I'm thinking it would be nice to reach maintenance because I've never made it to maintenance. This will be a first for me. So hang in there and come back and let us know how you are doing.

Betty Jo

Hello Everyone,
Well, I've been doing good so far this week. I scrubbed some walls and windows and then decided to re-arrange my bedroom yesterday so I could put my treadmill in there. I had to scrub the treadmill down before I could move it cause it had just been sitting around collecting dust in the back room. Then I decided to clean the back room so by the time I got done with that I was too pooped to use the treadmill!!! I did get on it this morning though and the time goes so much faster with having a TV to watch while I am walking. I don't do it for very long at a time yet but hopefully if I keep it up I will be able to increase the time. I started with 15 minutes, which is the longest I could do it at a time last year with my knees and hip problems, but after 15 minutes it felt pretty good yet so I set it for another l0 minutes. Tomorrrow I will do 30 min to start and see how it goes.

Hope everyone has a great day. Time to go make lunch and get ready to watch my Packer game!!

Kathy

Good job Kathy. I started out with 15 minutes per day too. But I didn't increase the amount of time for a while. I stayed at 15 minutes for a month. It was hard!!! Ugh. After all I weighed 250 pounds. But I stuck with it and it paid off. You can do this Kathy. I watched my favorite show (Wheel of Fortune). The time just flew by because I was engrossed in the show.

Good luck.

Betty Jo

Hi gals,
It sounds like everyone is doing great! I'm so happy for each of you!
I've not been on here for awhile because live has taken a sudden turn.
My youngest daughter has 2 ruptured discs. She also has a 5 month old baby boy. Since she can't lift at all, she and her son have come here for the time being. Her husband sleeps some nights here and some at their home 25 miles away. It is closer to his work and he works nights. One of the reasons she is here is that it is a central location for our family and near enough for all to come in and help out. Our 2nd daughter has been the most help but all of them have helped out as they could and when really needed. Needless to say with 3 more people living here and several more in and out, Life has gotten interesting. Lucy had a shot in her back last Thursday that we hoped would take care of the problem. It hasn't. She is going to get another one this Thursday. While she's there, they will schedule an operation in hopes that they get to cancel it and the second shot will do the job.
Either way, She and baby will be here for a few more weeks. I so hate for her to hurt and be so miserable. On the other hand, I love getting to see and be with her and her baby everyday! )
Although neither of us are on the Jenny plan right now, we both seem to be losing a little along. She says it's because she doesn't eat as often when she is here. I think my loss is from more exercise. A 5 month old is a job to keep up with. ) We call him our sunshine boy because he is so happy most of the time.
Good Luck everyone, I'll check in when I can. I'm so proud of all of you!!!! Suedoodle

Good Morning Ladies,
I lost 1.2# for this week. I was hoping for more but it ended up being a stressful week. I stuck to the diet pretty good and started using my treadmill the last couple of days, but it will probably take a little longer to see any results from using it.
My daughter called Monday and told me she is filing for a divorce - it's been a very stressful situation for her. So I will be going down next week for a couple of days to help her with the moving etc.

Suedoodle - Sorry to hear about your daughters back problems. I've heard that it sometimes takes a series of 3 shots before they start to help, but that's just hearsay on my part. I really hope the shots works and that she doesn't have to go thru the surgery and I wish her the best of luck whichever way it goes!!! Even though it is great to see the family more, I am sure things are a bit more stressful for you nowdays. Hang in there and make sure you take care of yourself too!!! My great-grandson is now 4 months old and hopefully I will get to see him when I am down in Appleton next week. You sure can see the changes in how fast they grow when you don't get to see them very often. TAKE CARE!!!

Betty Jo - Thanks for the encouragement!! I have been getting my walking in everyday so far so hopefully it will start to pay off. I am doing 30 minutes right now but I don't really go reall fast yet. So far it isn't bothering my knees and hip so I plan on gradually upping the time and the speed. Right now I get in about l mile in at a time which isn't huge but is definitely much better than what I could do a year ago!!!

Have a great day everyone and look forward to seeing your posts.

Kathy

Hello Everyone:

It's a beautiful day here in Kansas today. It's supposed to get up to 60 degrees. I'll be out walking with my dogs later today.

Sue:
Hello. So good to hear from you, but I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. Don't let those doctors get to knife happy. I've heard lots of rumors about back surgery too. It can be very dangerous. Has she checked into alternative treatment. There are some places you can go to that sometimes work. Let us know how she does.

Kathy:
Good job. Keep it up. You will be rewarded with a weight loss each week. It might not be great, but there will be a weight loss if you stay on program and exercise.

Betty Jo

Hi gals,
visiting with you is so great. I've missed it.

Kathy, great job! every 1.2 loss is that much less you have to carry. So glad you've made it up to a mile. I sure can't do that right now, hopefully I'll get back there eventually ) I'm so sorry to hear that your daughter is going through the stress of divorce. As parents we hurt for our children when they hurt and we wish we could just fix it whatever it happens to be. That happens to be God's job description so praying is the only thing that I've found to help. Even when I'm telling Him "Your will be done" I at least feel like I've done something positive toward the situation.

Betty Jo, I'd love to have some 60's weather again. We're down around or below freezing each night and don't get much above 40 in the day so I'm really missing that warmth ) I don't have dogs, most of my family has. A cat lives here, left over from when our youngest asked to bring her in the house. Dad agreed, I didn't but she asked him first knowing I'd say NO. ) When she married, they had dogs so the cat stayed here. Cirrus is 17 years old and spoiled. I doubt we'll have any in-the-house animals once she leaves for kitty-kat heaven. ) Needless to say, she doesn't walk with me anywhere unless it is to the kitchen )

Lucy went to get that 2nd shot today. She's not back yet. It will take a few days to know for sure if it worked or not. At least that is what they told her last time. So I'm back to praying since that's the only positive thing I can do. I will be glad when they get back though. It has been so quiet today with no little baby noises. I've really missed having him here )

Talk to you all later, Suedoodle

Hi everyone,
Just checking in here. Trip to Appleton went well and daughter is doing O.K. Got to see her apartment and it's pretty nice. Not real big rooms but has 3 bedrooms and everything is very, very clean. I did alright with my food choices and didn't overdo on anything while eating out and got home in time to have my Jenny supper.

Suedoodle, How is Lucy doing? Showing any improvement yet since the second shot? Sure hope it helps her and she doesn't have to go thru surgery.

Betty Jo - didn't get any treadmill in the last 2 days but got back on today and hopefully will be able to the rest of the week till I go back down to Appleton. It just feels so good to be able to do it and not ache like crazy when I get done!!! Are your 60's holding out there? It's been terrible cold and windy here. Wind chills have been running around 0 - l0 above. Hopefully we'll get a nice day pretty soon.

Have a great day everyone!!

Kathy

Good Morning Everyone,
I did my WI today as I am heading back down to Appleton in a little bit to help my daughter with the moving and won't have a scale down there to do my WI tomorrow. I must say I am a bit disappointed this week - I only lost .4#. I was really hoping that with starting to use the treadmill the loss would have been much better. I really did good with sticking to the Jenny program too - didn't cheat once all week. I guess I just really feeling frustrated right now.

Hope everyone has a great day and will check in again when I get back.
Kathy

Hello Everyone:

Whew, I'm glad Thanksgiving is over. This dinner for some reason really tired me out. I think I really over did it. I got a new Kitchen Aide mixer for part of my Christmas and since I do Thanksgiving dinner, my husband bought it early. I did test everything and was afraid I would gain weight, but I didn't. I went for a walk the next day and cut my calories to counteract the extra calories I ate on Thanksgiving. It worked well. I checked a couple of days after Thanksgiving and no gain. Yahoo!!

Now my next challange is Christmas. I go to Nebraska for it, weather permitting. I'm a fair weather driver. I don't like getting caught in a snow storm. So I'll check the 8-day forecast here and have my sister-in-law check the 8-day forecast up there. If all things look good, we will go. I don't like having to go and come in one day. It's too long of a drive for us. It's about a 3 hour drive. My husband just had his cataracts removed so hopefully he will be able to help me drive instead of just being scared because he can't see this year.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving too--with no weight gain. Have a great day.

Betty Jo

Good Morning,
My WI got changed to today, basically because I've missed my call the last couple of weeks due to being out of town and a few other things. I did keep in contact with her by e-mail so she does know about my really bad week a week ago. I had a really frustrating week! Between my daughter getting a divorce and going down to help with with moving, Thanksgiving with some of the rest of the crew, and not losing anything after starting to use my tredmill, I was totally upset and frustrated. But I am happy to say I got back on track last week and was able to lose just about everything I gained. The next couple of weeks are going to be difficult again. We go down to my daughter's for Christmas with my kids this Saturday, and on Sunday I have my christmas party at work. Then the following Wednesday, we go to one of Jack's daughters for Christmas with her and his son and on the Saturday after Christmas we are having Dinner with his other daughter and her family here. I'll really be glad when it's all over!!!!

I started making some of my Christmas candies yesterday and I decided that seeing how I love to bake I am going to make up a couple of baskets of nut breads, cookies and candies for a couple of people on my list that I do not know what else to get. Hopefully they will like it.

Betty Jo - hope the weather co-operates for your trip and that your hubby is doing well. I am sure it will be a great feeling for him to be able to see better once the healing is done!!!

Where are the rest of you ladies? This board has been really quiet lately. Hope to hear from all of you!!!


Happy Holiday everyone
Kathy

Well, I'm not a happy camper..... got back from our vacation last Friday night -- went to hubby's cousin's in Tampa Fl... they binge eat bad !!! and have always been grosely overweight. AND we went to DisneyWorld for 5 days! Need I say more?
I weighed myself this morning. PLUS 3 lbs!!! I hate it. It definitely has affected my attitude. (Is this a bad mood?) Hubby came home with a little congestion and has been a wad in the chair ever since. This makes me nuts. Thank goodness he goes to work tomorrow. I love his parttime job.

So, our son called to day and wanted to check his recipe for cookie press cookies. oi vei! they are so good.... so I made a batch to drown myself in........

Tomorrow is my first weigh in in 2 weeks.... like Kathy....
I'm dreading the holidays......

Ok, I'll get a grip...... sooner or later. LOL.

Ok, I checked in with an attitude. I'll try to get rid of it. But you asked. teehee....

Jo

Hi Everyone:

It's December and since no one else has started a new thread for December, I'll do it. Look for It's December-Let's Encourage Each Other.

Betty Jo