I started JC about a month ago and was doing ok until Halloween came. Before Halloween I had managed to control my eating. like when I went out to dinner at a pizza place and just had one piece of pizza. But for Halloween any resolve that I had went right out the window. I didn't eat the whole bag of chocolate (we bought this before I started at JC and had it hidden in the freezer) just one of each of the different things in the bag. I guess it could have been worse. The bag sat there on the counter as I was getting out a bowl to put the candy in and this bag of candy just tormented me,"you can have one" "you can have one" and like an alcoholic with a beer I said "I can have just one of these...". Once my hand hit that bag it was all over. I can hear the stuff attaching itself to my hips as I write right now' Luckily I didn't eat the whole bag I only ate one of each of the different items in the bag, even though there were some of my favorite candy bars in there...Snickers, Almond Joy, Reese's peanut butter cups. Ok, Ok, let's face it, if it weren't for the fact all candy bars are my favorite I wouldn't be going to JC. I am feeling half guilty and half "get over it. You'll do better next time."

So, are you interested in becoming a buddy? I am looking for someone with whom I can commiserate, trade stories, keep me from going off the deep edge and letting my "guilty brain" from taking over my whole brain. I live in Seattle's Capitol Hill Neighborhood and go to JC down on 1st Ave in Belltown.
Hope to hear from you soon!

I live in north Seattle and go to the JC by Northgate.

So how did your Halloween go? I finally got rid of all the candy without further incident but it was torture knowing that it was sitting in the fridge just out of reach...

This is my second time at JC. I actually went in the early 90's and lost 40 lbs which I kept off for almost 6 years. Then I got married and life got in the way, as well as a chronic illness and now I have a lot more than 40 lbs to take off. I like the program and I'll stick with it as long as necessary, even if necessary is a very, very long time. What kind of exercise are you doing? I know that there is a Curves near the JC out at Northgate which would be extremely handy; I would much rather do that than go to a "regular" gym. There isn't a Curves near our neighborhood.

My first 4 weeks at JC have been a little disappointing. I lost 6 pounds the second week, nothing the third week, and one-half pound the next week. I am going to be scared to get on the scale this week. I hope that candy doesn't decide to stick around. I think I'll go for a really long walk tomorrow.

Here's to a good week!!

Hi, if you're looking for an email buddy then I would like to be one of those people. My name's Alison and I live north of Lynnwood. I've just restarted my program here and have decided to take very small steps in getting rid of the extra weight I'm carrying, my short term goals are easier for me. My official day to start is tomorrow, Monday the 2nd of Nov. I needed a fresh start, Halloween did me in, or should I say I did me in, badly.

I come in here at least four times a week to read the forums for support and to also reply to other JC friends. If you like you can email me on here or just post in the forum and I'll reply. Take good care of yourself and hope to email soon.

Hi! I live in DuPont, VERY south of the city, but I'd be interested in buddying up. This is my second (maybe third) depening on how you count it, go round at JC. I have 50 lbs to take off and the process seems SO slow. My life is hectic, busy and I'm not a good planner. Those are the main reasons that I joined. Now the trick is working the plan. My counselor is great, she's in Tacoma. I don't write anything down, but I do regularly exercise. My problem is I'm not eating enough (b/c I don't want to make bad choices), so my body is storing fat. I also like my cocktails in the evenings.

I'm open to suggestions and would be happy to help. It seems that I teach better than I do!

It's great to hear from so many people! I really was hoping that I wasn't the only one in
Seattle that didn't go rock climbing or base jumping every weekend. It's hard to be obese in this outdoors-y area and congratulations to you all for doing the equivelent of climbing Mt Everest by chosing to do JC. It's got to be a slow steady trek, and you have to follow the plan. Trust yourself to make the right choices. Also journal EVERYTHING! If you bite it, write it, and be brutally honest. It's amazing what I found was actually going into my mouth when I started to journal. I was nibbling my way to an extra 500 empty calories.

When I went to JC the first time around back in the early 90's I remember what it was like to reach my goal and it was FANTASTIC!!!!!!! You feel lighter than air and you find that you have some confidence that you never knew you had. And if you can keep telling yourself you look wonderful, it will sink in! All of the frustration and agony will have been worth it. Keep your eye on the prize!

You need to find a motivator, (hopefully we can all do some of that for each other),hopefully something besides a new pair of shoes. It should be something big. I want to have 20 lbs gone by the beginning of Dec for a trip to Hawaii. I expect to have it all off for a trip to my family's home in Vermont next winter (like the end of 2010). I keep them in the front of my mind every time I have to walk through the kitchen. I loved the card idea with the different affirmations or reminders. I'll have to add that to my coping skills.

Just don't quit. The weight loss will happen as long as you stick with the plan. I strayed at Halloween but since I jumped right back on the band wagon, I still managed to lose 3 lbs this week so I've lost 10 lbs total in 5 weeks. Only 50 more to go.

Have a wonderful evening,
Barbara

Fantastic! 10 in 5 weeks, is the maximum for good health, two per week! You really rock!

Carol

Hi Seattlites. I am in Burien and go to the Tukwilla office. Back for the third time and this will be the charm . would love the support of having email buddies. It is hard to do alone.

[color="#800080"]Hey, not sure if you are still looking for a buddy, but I'm out on Whidbey Island and would love to swap stories. The whole Halloween candy story is SO ME! Luckily I didn't start till after Halloween- lol. Today marks the end of the first week...down 4 pds and BETTER keep losing. I have NO self control (with food)- I'd say it's my addition. I had to admit to my consultation that yes, I put a bite okay two bites of cheese in my mouth before I realized what I was doing as I made my husband a grilled cheese and yes I also ate 3 bites of pot roast....one of my favorites....I wish I hated food! UGH- lol...anyways I'm learning to have my JC anytime bar in hand when I cook or prepare food for the family or a tall glass of water. I even went out and bought tons of sugarfree gum so I have something to stick in my mouth.

I was actually told today I can have 250 calorie splurges once a week....but I KNOW this is not a good idea...maybe when I hit my 1/2 point...not yet...I can't trust myself yet. Hope to hear from you soon.
Veronica
ps....mom of two- married 17 years....profession (tho unemployed at the moment) teacher

I could really use a buddy myself. Been doing JC for about 6 weeks and lost about 10 pounds. Having a hard time right now with family issues and wanting to eat and drink all things in my sight. I am in the Covington area. I hope to hear from you soon. My email is cleterdog@msn.com

I am in Puyallup now but will move to Seattle in Jan. jaceywang@live.cn is my email address. I am looking for some support and motivation. I can hardly do the Jenny's program by myself. I want to give up on the first day I started it. I am craving for sweet everyday. I want to throw away all the sweet that I bought before I join the program but I still haven't done it. Please help me. We should help each other.

Kattygurl,

You're right we should be helping eachother, that's why we are here, for ourselves and for eachother. I would enjoy being buddies if you would like a buddy still. You can email me here or at yahoo, my handle there is:
raven2feathers2003@yahoo.com
feel free to email me anytime, I check my mail everyday and if I find one I answer it right away, my friends here do the same for me.
It's not easy to do it by yourself, that's why we're here. I hope that you're having a great evening and hope to hear from you sometime. Merry Christmas !

Hello All -

I live close to Seattle.

Halloween candy is hard for me to resist as well.

Best wishes for us all in 2010 for major health and happiness.

Leo

Hi Buddies in Seattle! I just joined JC a week ago.... yes, stupid me, the week between Christmas and New Years but... just couldnt wait and as we all know... no time is the right time:) I just finished my first week and feel good. Day 3 and 4 were really hard. I think my body was adjusting to not having all those calories! Now that I'm through the first week I'm starting to feel good. I am doing Jenny Direct and love it. I travel with work, am busy and don't want to fight traffic to get to a center. I live in Kirkland and the closest center is Woodinville. I think the biggest challeng for me (as someone mentioned in an earlier note) is the no cocktail and no social piece. I am a social person both at work and in my personal life. Meetings, dinners, drinks with friends. I think I will be able to continue these things in moderation once I get a better handle on the diet and some time and weight loss under my belt. But for now, things are a little boring:) I think its great that JC offeres this support system. Does anyone have suggestions for a good councelor? Mine is not very good. She is very young and doesnt seem to be able to answer alot of my questions. She just reads out of the book.... ick..... let me know if you have suggestions. Thanks and Happy New Year and Happy Dieting to all!

Welcome aboard, Posie.

Leo

Thanks Leo!! Just had my first weigh in and lost 6.8 lbs my first week. Although I know that is typical and water weight... don't care... I'm still very proud of myself! That first week is TOUGH!! But now not as hungry and learning a few tricks of the trade. I'm excited....
Polly

Hello. Are you still with JC? I also live in Burien. I am in week 2. Down 3 lbs, 32 lbs to go.
Susan

I am getting weighed in tomorrow to complete my third week. At the start of the 3rd week I was down 5.2 lbs. I would love to have a buddy to talk to for support and weight loss tips, excerise, and motivation. I am getting married this summer, so I cannot lose my focus on this program. Get in touch if you want a buddy!

Hi everyone
I live in Mill Creek - about 18 miles north of downtown Seattle. I would love finding some friends to walk around Greenlake with!! It's hard living in such an "outdoorsy" not to mention super skinny city!! I am 33 years old, no kids yet -- married. I find seattleites are SUPER judemental about people who are overweight. It's SO hard, I get so many dirty looks when I go to the mall I want to cry. I wasn't always this way...I used to be a lifeguard, a skier, swimmer, kayak teacher...I gained a bunch of weight over several years due to a serious illness that affected my activity level and I didn't reduce my calorie intake...and the weight just piled on. I feel trapped and so judged...
Seattle can be a fun place to live, but boy are people harsh with their opinions out here! LOL. (I'm an east coast canadian girl!!) LOL.